This article commences with introductory notes that give a brief outline of the familial connections of the Bennett, Berde, Harris, and Knight families of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. They are principally for the benefit of new readers of this blog, as older ones will be well aware of their content, and probably fed up of my repetition of them.

What they attempt to do is to place these families in the context of their association – in England, that continued in Virginia. There are scant records of ‘who was who’ in early Virginia, and pedigrees often commence with an ancestor selected out of a tome of Mr. Burke, who merely copied the works of previous ‘genealogists’. One of which, Mr. Collins, was apt to write to a family, asking them to supply him with an account of their ancestry. Needless to say, this was almost always of a grand type – “the Conqueror” had a vast army of companions, we are invited to believe. The accounts of the “visitations” are also not without question. Thus, when one type of “proof” is lacking, others must be sought. The principal genealogical one is that of the concept of “continuation of associations” – English families bound in kinship repeated their associations in Virginia, and the more the associations are repeated, the more their validity.

An example of a large number of such repetitions is that of Harris families associated with a Thomas, d. 1672, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and a namesake, d. 1688. They were obviously close kin. The same can be said for a family of Knight, of the same place, and that of a William Owen, who married there. If his son was Bartholomew Owen (almost certainly), then what should be expected in Virginia records is an association of Bartholomew with his maternal parentage, that of Knight, and those familial to them – the intermarried Bennett (influential in the extreme), and Harris families.

It is all there to see – Bartholomew existed within a context of his Wiveliscombe kin. There are far too many points of triangulation for coincidence to be an option. The English kinship groups that settled early Virginia abhored coincidential associations; their associations were familial; marriages carefully arranged between members of their group, as had been the case for centuries. Hollywood was and is a “fiction factory” of “how the west was won”.

Introductory Notes:

1. Berde (standardised spelling); alias Burd, Byrd, etc.
1.1. Alice Berde, m. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619.
1.1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen.
1.2. John Berde
1.2.1. Thomas Berde, bapt. March 20, 1580.
1.2.1.1. Agnes Berde, m. Thomas Bennett, June 17, 1623. (1. … 1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570. 1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Berde, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. 1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia; his Will bequesting: “To William Yearret of Pagan Creek and to the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer,* to each of them two thousand pounds of tobacco”. *His dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, who m. (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677,* in Virginia, father of Giles Bland, d. 1677, whose attorney was Robert Kae, of Bristol, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.2. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601. 1.2.1. Thomas Bennett, b. c. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek. 1.2.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709. His first wife was (circumstantially) Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). 1.2.1.1.1. Richard Bennett. 1.2.1.1.1.1. William Bennett, m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.3. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. He received a patent on condition that he settled 200 persons, in association with his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett. Edward Bennett’s dau., Silvestra, m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill appraised the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.4. Richard Bennett, bapt. Oct. 9, 1573, d. Aug. 28, 1626, in VA, m. Judith … ‘The will of Judith Bennett of St. Dunstans in the East, London, widow was proven by Edward Harris, executor, Nov. 23, 1638. (P.C.C. 164 Lee). 1.5. Eleanor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe. 1.4.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623. 1.4.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.4.2. Edward Harris, held land of *Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642. 1.4.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.4.2.2. *Thomas Harris, d. 1677.

The Knightly Ancestry of Bartholomew Owen of Virginia:

1. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, m. Alice Berde, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619. (Robert Owen. d. 1616, in Bristol; his relict, Mary, sister of William Pitt (and aunt of Robert Pitt, of Virginia), m. (2), as his third wife, Rees Davis, Esquire (son of Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire), of Tickenham, Somerset. His nephew, Richard Davis, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen. The Will of Robert Owen, merchant of Bristol, named brothers, George and Griffith (a son of either, William, was party to the disputes between the claimants to his estate), and a dau., Jane: 1. Jane Owen, m. John Griffith. 1.1. Owen Griffith, m. Mary Bodie (relict of William Bodie). Mary’s first husband was Robert Edwards, by whom she had issue: Judith, the wife of Thomas Harris, assumed to be the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 in Virginia, of Wiveliscombe. 1.1.1. Sarah Griffith, m. (2) John Joyner, son of Thomas Joyner (son of Thomas Joyner), and br. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen, b. ca. 1620, m. (I suggest) Jane Rose, sister of William Rose Sr., headright of Nicholas Meriwether, in Westmoreland Co., June 1, 1654. (The connection is simply explained – Rees Davis, aforsaid, also m. a Hodge, of Wedmore, Somerset; they interm. with a family of Rose. Hodges Council, of Virginia, came from Wedmore).

On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted power of attorney to Nicholas Meriwether. William Rose Sr. had issue: (1) Jane Rose, b. bef. 1655, who m. Richard Avery, who departed from Bristol, in 1665. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, vol. 1, p. 56: Capt. Anthony Fulgham, 1600 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, for transportation of 30 people, inc. Richd. Avery. (B. 5, p. 253). (2) William Rose, b. 1655, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan. (1. … 1.1. Richard Jordan Sr. (m. a dau. of Christopher Reynolds, a servant of Edward Bennett); appraised the estate of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.1. Richard Jordan Jr. His Will was witnessed by Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. His executor was Josiah Proctor, Bartholomew’s son-in-law. Richard Jordan Jr., 260 ac. on the northeast side of Johnchecokuck Swamp in the upper parish of Surry Co., being part of Mr. Owen’s dividend. (B.4, p. 104). 1.2. Thomas Jordan, m. Lucy Corker, who remarried to a nephew of Bartholomew Owen. 1.2.1 Thomas Jordan, m. Margaret Brasseur. 1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Jordan, m. John Knight, see as follows.

1.1.2. Sara Knight, m. Nicholas Harwood, May 2, 1614; security for Thomas Joyner in a suit against William Stone in James City in 1637, p. 122. This Thomas was almost certainly the grandfather of John and Bridgman Joyner, aforsaid.

1.1.3. Peter Knight Sr., merchant, 400 acs. Up. Co. of New Norf., Nov. 18, 1638 p. 543, On S.E. side of Nansamund Riv., & about 3 mi. up the E. side of a Cr., lying over against land of Richard Bennett & adj. Land of Robert Bennett (p. 85). Peter Knight, merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, S.W. into the woods upon land of Left. John Upton (p. 105). (Christopher Lewis, associated with Bartholomew Owen, was a headright of John Upton). Peter Knight, 255 acs. I0W Co., called Basses Choice, May 10, 1643. Near Pagan Bay & Dawsons Cr. & land of Mr. Peter Hall. Trans. of 6 pers: Peter Knight, Thomas Harris,* James Foster, Edward Wells, William Nicholas, Thomas Cobb, p. 86. *Likely to be he who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wiveliscombe.

1.1.3.1. Peter Knight Jr., b. 1620, d. 1674. (Bartholomew’s cousin). Mr. Peter Knight, 700 acs. Gloster Co., Aug. 25, 1652. Upon Easternmost side of Poropotank Cr. towards the head of same, beg. At a branch dividing this and land of Mr. Blunt &c. Trans. of 14 pers: Tho. Taberer,* James Clarke and Saml. Clarke,* p. 197. 1654: Mr. Peter Knight to have attachment agt. estate of Wm. Jones for 1500 lbs tobacco due to Mr. Edward Bland in the hands of Hugh Lee. This Peter Knight m. Ann Hawley (Northumberland Co. R.B., p. 56), and she was almost certainly of the titled family of Hawley, of Wiveliscombe; thus, as the Harris to the Bennetts, the Knights became enhanced through advantageous marriage. *Major Tho. Taberer, 400 acs., Up. Par. of I0W. Co., and commonly called Bassett’s Choice, near mouth of Pagan Cr., Apr. 23, 1681, p. 71. 150 acs. granted Mr. Peter Knight (Sr.) in 1640, who sold to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, and by Mr. Giles Bland, his sonn and Atty., conveyed to sd. Taberer Dec. 4, 1675, together with confirmation of the sale and a relinquishment of dower by Mrs. Sar. Bland, wife & Genl. Atty. of sd. John, Oct. 6, 1679, p. 217. Thus, as Thomas Harris, d. 1677, the Knights were partners of the Blands in the tobacco trade. Both families were kin, through the Bennetts, as given. *Samll. Clerke, 700 acs., Gloster Co., E. side Poropotanck Cr. & maine Sw; 8 Apr. 1674, p. 511. Granted Mr. Peter Knight, dec’d., Aug. 25, 1652, and due sd. Clerke as heire and next of kin.

A point about Bartholomew Owen can be made, thus: He would have been as aware of his Knight ancestry as much as that of Owen; and proud of both; the former giving the greater context for his associations in Virginia.

1.1.3.2. William knight. May 24, 1650: According to sufficient proofe made to this Court, there is due to Mr. Peter Knight 150 ac. of Land for the transportation of these persons into this Colony, viz., his own transportation, Wm. Knight, John Cloberry. (Deeds, Orders 1650-52, p. 43). Knight, William: Dying intestate, administration requested by Frances Knight. R. Nov. 13, 1672. Security, Captain Arthur Smith, Mr. George Moore. (p. 69). Smith, Arthur: of Warrisqueake. Leg. – sons Arthur and Richard etc. … Overseers, Peter Hull, Peter Knight, and George Hardy. R. Feb. 9, 1693. See introductory notes, and my extensive articles on the association between the Hardy, Harris, and Moore families.
1.1.3.2.1. John Knight, m. Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan and Margaret Brasseur.

1.1.4. Thomas Knight, m. Mary Pole, Nov. 20, 1622.
1.1.4.1. Thomas Knight, bapt. July 1, 1629.
1.1.4.2. George Knight, bapt. Feb. 2, 1631.
1.1.4.3. John Knight, bapt. Mar. 31, 1633, in Wiveliscombe; n.b., headright of Christopher Lewis, IOW, 1652. He was involved in a court case with his cousin, Peter Knight Jr., in Virginia.
1.1.4.4. William Knight, m. Ann Williams, Oct. 28, 1655. (This may warrant further research).
1.1.4.4.1. William Knight, bapt. July 12, 1663.

1.2. Henry Knight.
1.2.1. John Knight, bapt. July 30, 1615.
1.2.1.1. Henry knight.
1.2.1.1.1. Henry knight, bapt. Oct. 12, 1673.

Bartholomew Owen was a Knight.

copyright m stanhope 2019