What follows is but a précis of THE ANCESTRY OF SOLOMON HARRIS – HARRIS GROUP 4.

It attempts to make a more concise account of how the ancestry of specific American families of Harris can be traced to their English origins by showing the clear continuation of intermarriages between the same families for 200 years, from England to Virginia.

Simple genealogical accounts tend to be ‘lifeless’ – arid and meaningless catalogues, which simply state who begat who. The aim of any history, even a small one as this, should be to stir interest and appreciation, for without that all study of the past is dead and labour lost.

Accounts of ancestry should give information about people, both men and women, and their deeds and motives, so that those mentioned may leave a permanent mark in our mind, and be a source of identity in a changing world.

I would encourage any reader of this account to study the turbulent political times in which ancestors lived, to better understand the role of the kinship group as a necessity for survival.

The social history of these times, especially that pertinent to Somerset, is, I suggest a fascinating insight into the world of some early colonists.

The Somerset breed that follow were of the toughest stock. Although many were upwardly mobile, swapping the plough for merchandise, they all came from an agricultural background (steeped in horses and cattle), and were always well aware that the next storm could inundate their swampy boundaries with life-threatening rapidity.

In essence, they were tough enough to be colonists, and intelligent enough to understand that they that survive were they that combine with others in a mutual enterprise. Centuries before Mr. Darwin, it was deemed obvious that to survive as a species was to adapt and co-operate.

My particular interest in these Somerset settlers of Virginia and beyond is their particular dialect, which is almost unintelligible to modern ears: Cafender (kaa-ffindur), sb. Carpenter (always). Two caffinders was fo’ced ta be zeynd vor, and they zaw’d, an’ zaw’d, an ‘zaw’d, till ta last they zaw’d en out. (Pulman, Rustic Sketches, p. 67). Apart from other factors, it can be understood why they intermarried with their own ‘linguistic kind’.

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe. Her br. being ancestor of John Westbrook – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr., Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook; signed by John Parsons. R. Oct. 28, 1734. John Westbrooke m. Amy Foster, dau. of Christopher Foster Sr., and Alice Forte, desc. of Elias Forte, of Wiveliscombe. Wiveliscombe abuts Taunton, where John Harris m. Agnes White, Sept. 1, 1560. William and John Harris were onviously closely related, with their families marrying into the same families. They were perhaps sons of Thomas Harris, of Mells, b. 1495.

A brief summary of the Taunton clan of Harris follows, with it only giving them a scant notice. The family of Knight were well established in Taunton, and of particular interest should be the Robert Knight, bapt. July 12, 1608, in Bishops Hull; particularly of interest in this context: Knight Robert, 1638, John Watkins, James City. (Greer). John Watkins (a Bristol merchant), 150 acs. James Citty Co., at the Low. Chippokes, 2 Mar. 1638, p. 624. Upon N. side of Sunken Marsh & N. E. upon land of Phillipp Clarke. Due for trans, of 3 pers: Richard Austin, Richard Millard, Robert Knight. The grandmother of the Thomas Harris who (I suggest) d. in 1688 was a Millard. It can also be noted that a family of England were established in Taunton.

(1. John Harris m. Agnes White, in Taunton.
1.1. William Harris, m. (n.b.) Alice Christmas, Oct. 3, 1598, in Taunton.
1.1.1. Christopher Harris, m. Joan Parsons, Jan. 19, 1623, in Taunton, sister of Eleanor Parsons, who m. Nov. 25, 1626, in Bishops Hull (1½ miles W. of Taunton), John Herring, parents of Henry Herring (d. ca. 1661, m. Edith; held property in Glastonbury, see C 5/410/70); father of (1) Elizabeth Herring, bapt. June 30, 1650, in Taunton, who m. John Clarke,* Dec. 25, 1663. (2) William Herring, who m. (n.b.) Mary Proctor, April 25, 1655, in Bishops Hull. John Clarke was probably the br. of (1) Phillip Clarke, who m. Joan Harris, Nov. 5, 1664, in Taunton. (2) Thomas Clarke, who m. Margaret Harris, in Bishops Hull. *I suggest he was: John Clarke, the father-in-law of Henry King: Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Alice his wife sells to Maj. John Bond 190 ac. comprised in 2 pats. at head of Pagan Creek, one in name of John Vasser for 150 ac. dated Nov. 18, 1635, the other for 40 ac. in name of Thos. Harris dated, Aug. 14. 1652. Oct. 20, 1664. Wit. Henry King, Alice Phillips, pp. 539-540. Henry King was a partner of Francis England. They jointly purchased John Sweete’s patent in 1663, land adjoining westerly that of Thomas Blake, and abbutting that of Robert Flake. John Parson was overseer of of the will of Francis England, of Blackwater, IOW, May 13, 1677. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy (overseer of will of Edward Harris, d. 1677) deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived. Thomas Carter later sold John Parsons 56 ac. which were formerly owned by George Branch, who was the son-in-law of Francis England, and Joyce, da. of Robert Flake.
1.1.1.1. John Harris.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris (a carpenter) m. (1) Feb. 12, 1700, Mary Parsons.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Jan. 30, 1707.
1.1.1.1.2. David Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1 Thomas Harris, bapt. June 29, 1696.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Harris, m. Katherine Thomson, Oct. 20, 1723.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. (Probably) William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Elizabeth Herring, of obvious close relation to Jehu Herring, the adoptee; a descendants DNA test results exactly matches those of Harris Group 4 males.
1.1.2. Edward Harris, m. Alice Brice/Brise, Sept. 25, 1626, sister of John Brice, who m. Margaret Bayley, Oct. 6, 1635.
1.1.3. Richard Harris, m. Prudence Brooke, Jan. 25, 1625, sister of Elizabeth Brooke, who m. Richard Gardner, Oct. 21, 1633.
1.2. Agnes Harris, m. John Baker, April 12, 1602, br. of Abraham Baker, who m. Eleanor Proctor, Sept. 27, 1601; they closely related to William Baker, who m. Joan Gibbins, Dec. 29, 1591; her family interm. with the family of Nacion/Nation, as the Forts).

2. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594; she the aunt of:

(1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603, in Wiveliscombe, father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie 1150 ac. IOW Co., June 5, 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land. Mathew Tomlin Sr. was the headright (in 1637) of Nathaniel Floyd (IOW), whose relict m. Francis Hobbs, father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

(2) Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia, whose Will bequested to “the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer”, whose dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Bennett’s dau., Ann Bennett, 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.

(3) Thomas Bennett, b. ca. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10.

(4) Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

3. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe, she sister of the ancestor of Thomas Blake; he to (br.-in-law) Joshua Claud, March 8, 1753, 290 ac. adj. the north side of Cocklins Pocoson and sd. Claud. Wit. Thomas Blake, John Parson, Thomas Day (familial to the Bennetts), and Joshua Harris. (pp. 463-466). Joshua Harris was the brother of Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, grandfather of Solomon Harris.

3. Edward Harris, held land of Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.

4. Edward Harris, d. 1677. Edward Bechinoe appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677; his dau., Alice, m. Robert Kae, of Bristol, atty of John Bland.

4. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

3. John Harris, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as Thomas Busby Sr. Arthur Bayly m. Mary Jordan, who m. (2) Christopher Foster Sr.

3. Richard Harris. Richard Drew, d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co. – To my son, Edward Drew, 400 ac. bounding upon Richard Harris and Captain Ba(r)ker. Son, Thomas, executor. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. Mar. 3, 1672, Surry Co. A survey of the land of Capt. Thomas Adams and Roger Delk decd., wit. Thomas Culmer (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), Richard Harris, Richard Drew. Dec. 22, 1662, p. 205. Richard Harris, as guardian of Edward Drew’s son, Thomas, was very likely of some familial connection to the Drews. Richard Drew may have been his son-in-law. As previous notes show, Richard Drew was probably he bapt. April 28, 1622, in Dunster, 12 mls N. of Wiveliscombe.

4. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, in Wiveliscombe (“son of Richard”); a headright of Thomas Busby Jr. Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; trans. Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, William West.

Thomas Busby Jr. was b. in 1632. He m. Sussanah Grey, dau. of Francis Grey, granted 750 ac. in Charles City Co. Nov. 24,1653, p. 231. His son and namesake m. Mary Simmons (William Simmon’s sister), by 1688, and d. in 1723 (executor, Henry Peebles, witness William Peebles.

John Harris probably m. either (1) a dau. of Thomas Busby Jr.; a sister of Grace Busby, who. m. John Barker Jr.; their dau., Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster Jr. (2) A sister of John Barker Jr. (the most likely); a son of John Barker (and Letitia Drew), who patented 600 ac. on Chippokee Creek, Oct. 5, 1657. “Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Bland & Company for the plantation of Chippoakes I sould him the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco with caske, this 13 Jany 1653, signed Theoderick Blande, Wit: Frances Blande”. R. Oct. 26, 1658. Christopher Foster m.Jr. was the father of John Foster (B. 6, p. 72), who m. Mary Fort. Their dau., Sarah Foster, m. Walter Gilliam, parents of Lydia Gilliam, who m. John Watkins, parents of Millie Watkins, who m. Solomon Harris.

5. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1709/10. (B. 5, p. 224.

5. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker, Feb. 11, 1698 (B. 5. p. 165), br. of Joell Barker, father of George Barker: George Barker, John Peebles and wf. Agnis Peebles of Brunswick Co. to William Scarbrough of Surry Co. … 245 acs. on north side of Otterdam Sw. and bounded by Thomas Cotten and Jethro Barker (being land given to Agnis Peebles, wf. of the sd John Peebles, Mary Peebles, and Elizabeth Barker, the daus. of George Barker, by the Will of Jethro Barker, decd. R. Oct. 17, 1750. (B. 6, p. 124).

6. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker. (B. 6, p. 52).

7. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is.of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77. He m. a granddau. of Edward Drew.

8. Benjamin Harris, d. 1774, m. Faith Smith, dau. of Lawrence Smith and Jane Regan.

7. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His estate was appraised by Edward Brantley (nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., who appraised the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris. Thomas Harris 290 ac. IOW, on the Maherin River and both sides of Herbert’s Branch adj. Edward Brantley (son of Phillip and Joyce Lewis), and William Simmons line, March 24, 1725. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).

8. Joshua Harris. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr., John Westbrooke (estate appraised by William Parson). Joshua Claud was the son of Philip Claud, whose exor. (1773) was Jeremiah Drew, and br. of Newitt Claud. Joshua Harris: Estate appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day (of Bennett association), and Samuel Westbrooke, June 14, 1770, p. 324. Joshua Harris m. Mary Drew, as given. Samuel Westbrooke: Estate appraised by Samuel Blake (son of Thomas Blake, per estate appraisal, rec. Feb. 12, 1789), who appraised the estate of John Foster, in 1773.

8. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche, and granddau. of Col. Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger (business partner of Richard (3) and Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Hester Pitt (the Bartholomew Owen connection). This Thomas Harris d. in 1761, and has been confused with a namesake, who d. in 1770, as a result of a shared connection to Abraham Greene, which was coincidental to Abraham marrying into the kinship group of Thomas Harris, d. 1761.

9. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778, dau. of John Watkins and Lydia Gilliam, dau. of Walter Gilliam and Sarah Foster, dau. of John Foster, son of Christopher Foster Jr. and Mary Fort. John Foster’s dau. Elizabeth Foster, m. John Watts; having issue: Agatha Watts, who m. James George, great-grandson of John George, uncle of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

10. Henry Harris, b. ca. 1780, d. 1850, m. Nancy Nichols.

11. Zachariah Harris b. 1806, lived in Pike Co., Georgia, where he was ordained for the ministry in 1848, d. near Ozark, Dale Co. AL., Jan. 15, 1888. He m. Mary Elizabeth Carricker, d. Dec. 23, 1891. (See 1850 Census of Pike Co., GA; 1860 Census of Dale Co., AL.; Death Certificate of James Harris, son.

12. James Harris (1842-1924), Mary Jane Dowling.

13. John Harris.

14. … Harris. His test results with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males, and with a descendant of Jehu Herring.

13. Nora Pearl Harris, b, 1884, m. Mowbria A. Anderson.

14. Marius Lumon Anderson, m. Wynunnee McCamie, of Middlesboro, Kentucky, both buried there.

15. Cosette Anderson, m. Royce D. Myers.

16. Marjorie Ann Myers Reagan, Hartford, Ala. (to whom many thanks are extended for her substantial contribution about Solomon Harris and his descendants); a 16th generation descendant of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

copyright m stanhope 2019