Those surviving details of the ancestry of the first two waves of English settlers of Virginia are to be found in early Wills. These are scarce in relation to actual settlers, rather than assumed ones, plucked from the pages of Burke. Examples of the scarce and relevant variety are those concerning the marshy villages of Somerset, from which all roads passed through each other to Bristol. In this regard, an assumption made of old in the William and Mary Quarterly article – ‘The settlers were of the merchant class, and the sea being to them, instead of a separation, a connecting bridge between England and Virginia, the plantations were mere suburbs of London and Bristol, the great colonizing centres’ – is adrift of the mark, in as those cities were themselves settled by folk from their rural hinterlands, who sought to make profit from trade.

The early settlers of Virginia had much experience in relocation, and were not always immediately ‘of the merchant class’. Their like included those of recent yeoman stock, who sought greater security by marrying into a prosperous merchant family; themselves of more distant yeomanry – a perpetual conveyor belt of advancement, synonomous with survival.

This is a central point – the English settlers of early Virginia had experienced turbulent times. The stealing of monastic property by Henry VIII, and the opportunists that followed this psychopathic tyrant, was accompanied by extreme barbarity, and ‘spun’ on the lie of him not being allowed a divorce by the Catholic Church. The true reason for his theft was that his treasury was bankrupt. When his daughter’s bloody rule was threatened by the Spanish Armada in 1588, half of England, that of the dispossed Catholics – prayed for their success. Forget box-office history. Such ‘turbulence’ in society continued in the years ahead, and was which propelled people to settle in Virginia. They were socally conservative, in the sense that they craved stability – freedom from the upheval that stalked their homeland.

A feature of the ‘aspiring yeomanry’ was the education afforded to girls. A successful merchant family – such as the Bennetts – would not allow an alliance with a farmer’s daughter who was decidedly beneath their son’s abilities – who would be the mother of their granchildren.

Jone Harris was of the necessary ‘substance’. She was of that class of women that made Wills, bequesting chattels, livestock and money. They did so to a variety of people, not always named as sons and daughters, or sons and daughters-in-law, but certainly that – their closely-woven family unit was the only buffer against the ‘enemy outside’, in the guise of the State.

It was the descendants of Jone who conquered Virginia, and those like her; those that gifted ‘a flaning petycote and a smocke’; a ‘blacke mare and a wenlyng calff’.

Men may have carved out the frontiers of early Virginia, but, within those borders, it was women who maintained the stability of their family (and kinship group), by arranging ‘suitable’ marriages, and mediating in disputes between kin. Many Anglo-Virginia letters bear witness to this.

The making of America was as much about the children of the flaning petycote as it was about the children of the gun and powder.

What follows, initially, is a summary of the likely ancestry of Thomas Harris, who d. in Virginia in 1688. (His family was closely connected to the Harris of Wiveliscombe). The ancestry of the associated Berde (Byrd) and Knight (Knyght) families will then be suggested.
1. … Harrys.
1.1. John Harrys. Thurba(r) v Harrys. Plaintiffs: John Thurba(r). Defendants: John Harrys. Subject: Sale of corn belonging to Yatton church, which the dean and chapter of Wells had let to Thurbar and Harrys. Somerset. 1501-1504. (C 1/255/49). William Sowter of Badgworth. July 3, 1541. To be bur. in Churchyard of Bargworth (Badgworth; ca. 4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). Ch. of Wellys 4d. Ch. of B. 2 bushels of wheat. Ch. of Byttysham 1 bushel of wheat. John my eldest son my donne mare and all my plough geer. John my myddell son 2 kye. John my yowngest son my blacke mare. Edyth my dau. 2 kye and a salte sellar. Jone my wyf 18 pece of pewter vessell and a aker of wheat in the sowth felde called hupper aker. Residue. John my eldest son. Overseers. Phyllype Say and John Lyvyng. Witnesses. Sir Rich. Rowlandson, Wm. Popull, Phyllyp Say, John Harrys. Summa 19 16s. id.

John Harrys m. Jone … Jone Harrys of Badgworth. May, 10, 1541. To be bur. in churchyard of Bagworth. Ch. of Wellys 4d. Ch. of B. I2d. Izabell Stebbes a cow, my second kyrtell, my best neck kerchyff, a wovyng (woven) apron; Thomas Stebbis her son a calff. Edyth my dau. my best kyrtell. Crystyan Paynys a payer of shetis. Jone Furbar (Thurbar) a flannyng apron and a crescloth kerchyff. Elyn Brese a russet kyrtell. Crystyan Taber a flaning petycote and a smocke. Richard Harrys my blacke mare and a wenlyng calff. Agnes Harrys a kerche. Residue. Walter Harrys my son. Witnesses. Sir Rich. Rowlandson, Rich. Harrys, Walter Harrys. Summa 4 11s. 6d.

1.1.1. Walter Harrys.
1.1.2. Richard Harrys, b. ca. 1510. Hyatt v Wescombe. Plaintiffs: William Hyatt. Defendants: William Wescombe and Richard Harrys. Subject: Tithe of wood in Heathfield (Heyffyld). Somerset (ca. 25 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). 1544-1551. (C 1/1235/59-62).

1.1.2.1. John Harris, of Wedmore, m. Joan Stubbs (evidently a kinswoman), Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore. In the Subsidy Assessments for 1588, in the tithing of Heathfield, John Harris is assessed at 5. 5s. (tithe giving).
1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. John Harris was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent), husband of Maria Beard, dau. of John Beard. Marie Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent. Will proved Nov. 26, 1627. ‘To be buried at Wedmore. “My cousin Richard Counsell*. My cousin Margery Hodges”.** Mr. George Hodges, of Wedmore.

*Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, held one third of the manor of Mudgley. Robert Counsell’s dau., **Margery, m. John Hodges, ca. 1610, parents of Hodges Counsell Sr. His son, Hodges Counsell Jr., witnessed the will of Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), rec. May 1, 1668. which named his “friends” John Hardy and Thomas Taberer as overseers. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Deborah Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr.

Robert Counsell’s br., John Counsell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569, was the father of John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, who m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; the aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner Jr,* on Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar, the uncle of Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, sister of Hester Tibbits, who m. Thomas Harris (as second wife), Apr. 24, 1679, in Cheddar; Hester Harris d. 1680, probably in childbed. Thomas Harris, d. 1688 in Virginia, is not recorded there before 1681.

John Counsell and Mary Coomer had issue: John Counsell, who m. Alice, the relict of Richard Jeffries. Richard Jeffries, dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, and his son-in-law, George Branch (B. 2, p. 13). Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer.

Hodges Counsell Jr. had issue: John Counsell, who sold, on May 2, 1756, to James Counsell, his son (witnessed by Nathan Counsell, br. of James), 174 ac. on the south side of the Blackwater Swamp adj. William Harris, (Southampton Co., B. 2, p. 97). William Harris sold to Nathan Counsell of IOW Co. (on Apr. 8, 1756), 100 ac. adj. Bridgman Joyner Jr.

*John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner, James Gardner, 1684, p. 56. ‘Thomas Taberer assigned a bill to John Gardner against Rebecca Izard’ (Mr. Bodie, p. 562); step-mother of Ann Izard, who m. (2) Michael Fulgham; their issue: Sara Fulgham, who m. William Raiford (a kinsman); Michael Fulgham, who m. Mary Pitt (of the Bristol Pitts); Anthony Fulgham, who m. Sara Raiford (likewise kin); Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Counsell (son of Hodges Counsell Jr.); Ann Fulgham. who m. (Mr. Bodie conjectured), Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, son of John Gardner, d. 1677, as given. Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20). The said John Boultinge (who m. Hannah Counsell, dau. of a William Counsell), was the son of John Boultinge and Ann Hix, who m. Jan. 27, 1619.
1.1.2.1.1.1.1. George Harris, b. ca. 1671 (to live with John Turner 4 years).
1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris, of Halifax Co., NC., d. 1765, with wife Charity, sold to John Counsell (Oct. 11, 1764), 100 ac. on the north side of Black Creek, witnessed by William’s son, Simon Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Edward Harris, m. Mary Turner. (1. John Turner, m. Antonia Boulting (May 6, 1574) in Wedmore. 2. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579 in Wedmore, m. (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney. 3. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618 in Wedmore. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son George with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. 4. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 4. Joseph Turner. 5. Mary Turner, m. West Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1. West Harris, m. Mary Turner.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1. Turner Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Nathan Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.3. Robert Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, m. Avis White.

BERDE AND KNYGHT

Congresbury is on the main Bristol Channel coastal road from Wiveliscombe to Bristol, and is ca. 8-10 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore.

1. Edmund Knight. Lease for lives, by William Berde, sen. and Joan his wife, to William Berde, jun. and Isabella his wife, of the moiety of a tenement in Congarysbury (Congresbury). Co. Som. rent, a red rose at Midsummer. Witn. Thomas Rodeney, esq., Robert Kene, Edmund Knyghte, etc. Oct. 4, 1477. (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\WHb/464). William Berde, jun. was the father of:

(1) Thomas Berde of Congresbury. April 4, 1539. To be bur. in churchyard of C. Agnes my dau. a cowe. Jone my dau. a cowe. Residue. John my son. Witnesses. John Atwyll, Wm. Froman. It is suggested that this John Berde was the father of Maria Berde, wife of Robert Sherwell, as given.

(2) William Berde of Congersberie. April 12, 1539. To be bur. in churchyard of C. St. Michaells chapell a pecke of wheat. Residue. Robert and Agnes my children. Overseers. John Cotton, John Knyght. Witnesses. John Atwyll, Will. Froman. It is suggested that this Robert Berde was the father of Alice Berde,* as follows.

1.1. John Knyght of Congresbury. Jan. 4, 1541. Requests cristyan buriall. Ch. of Wellys 4d. Chappell of St. Mychaell in C. a bushel of wheat. John my eldest son a yeaffar. My dau. Jone 20s. Alis a cowe and 20s. Elyn the same. Thomas, the same. William the same and 3 acres of new aster and if the sd. Wm. departe before the 21 years be ended, the sd. growne to remayne to Thomas then to John. My two yowng children John and Agnes two yearlyngs. Residue. My wyf Issabell. Overseers. John Horte, Thomas Swayne. Witnesses. Wm. More, John Kyng, Tho. Swayn. Proved in Axbridge. Feb. 6, 1541.

1.1.1. John Knyght, evidenced here: Richard Browne of Congresbury. Feb. 9, 1539. To be buried at Puckiston. Hye light at C. 2 bushels of barley. St. Michall chapell the same. John my son the elder 2 oxen, 2 kyne and a mare that is in the kepyng of Thos. Williams. Wm. my son 2 oxen that are in the kepyng of Agnes Colman, and 2 kyne in the kepyng of John Bodie. John my son the yonger all my title in a certain lease (leasow – meadow) at Wotfords hill with 8 colts being in the same lease. Residue. Maude my wyf, John the yonger, and Thomas my sons. Witnesses. John Knyght, Tho. Cooke, Joh. Hunte. Overseers. J. K., T. C. and Rich. Averye.

1.1.2. William Knyght. Spore v Horte. Plaintiffs: John Spore of Easton-in-Gordano, and Joan, his wife, grand-daughter and heir of William Leveregge. Defendants: Richard Horte, executor of Isabel, executrix and late the wife of William Knyght. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to land in Yatton. Somerset. 1533-1538. (C 1/897/51-53).

1.1.3. Thomas Knight, b. ca. 1510.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Knight (of Milverton, 3 mls fr. Wiveliscombe), m. *Alice Berde, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.2.1.1. 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.

Such associations were of great antiquity. We only witness their tail-end in Virginia.

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