There was a very distinct breed of Harris, closely associated with Bristol and the tobacco trade with Virginia. They assuredly knew others of their locality – the Harris of Wiveliscombe, kin of the Bennetts and Blands, that controlled much of this trade – but were of a distinct breed from them, however much associated in a commercial sense; however much associated through unknown, and advantageous, intermarriages.

These were the Harris of London, then Bristol. Their associations were with families of the latter place; associations so deeply layered as to be unintelligible to the modern mind; necessarily so in an age of survival through kinship.

It was from this distinct breed of Harris, I suggest, that came Sergeant John Harris of Virginia; a target of speculation, with him being given an imaginary son that fathers the chosen ancestor of living claimants. It was always ever the stuff of fool’s gold, as that discovered in the early days of Harris research, in such places as Crixse. The irony is that nothing had to be invented – Sergeant John Harris and his descendants were always there, in Surry Co., Virginia, hidden from view by false claims, based on false interpretations of the relationship between people mentioned in Virginia land deeds.

The task is to consider what follows, then to listen to your voice, not letting it be drowned out by the louder voices of ancestor claimants. The people under consideration deserve this. The overall task is to understand the English origins of Virginia settlers, and to consider whether their patterns of association in England were repeated in Virginia, thus confirming who they were.

JOHN HARRYS OF LONDON

1. John Harrys, of London. Jan. 21, 1470. Protection for John Harrys of London in the retinue of George duke of Clarence, lieutenant of Ireland. (C.S.P.).
1.1. John Harrys. Harrys v Bele. Plaintiff: John Harrys, of Bristol, grocer, son of John Harrys, of London. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and barn in Ware, late of complainant’s father, in right of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. 1504-1515. (C 1/320/92).
1.1.1. David Harris. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982: b. by 1511, s. of John Harris of Bristol by Alice.* m. (1) Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol, 3s. 1da.; (2) by Apr. 1543, Margaret. To his wife Margaret he left a share of their dwelling house with his son David, leaving a third part to his daughter Alice and her husband Ralph Bennet should they desire it. Other legatees included his sons John and George. The will was proved on Nov. 20, 1582. PCC 41, Tirwhite. *Edwards (REQ 2/4/362).
1.1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon). He and his elder (half) br., David, witnessed a deed of Walter Kelke and his wife, daughter and heiress of Robert Woodward … late bookebynder; and Robert Smythes and Elizabeth his wife, late wife of Woodward; to Walter Davies, glover, and David Jones, barbour; parishioners of All Saints. October 3, 1582. (B.A., P.AS/D/CS/B/8). The Smyth(es) family held land in Blagdon, 10 mls fr. Long Ashton.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris,* bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon; 4 mls from Cheddar. He was possibly Sergeant John Harris of Virginia (and mentioned as a “servant” of Arthur Bayley, as Thomas Busby); cousin of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., b. 1607 (son of Francis Derrick Sr. of Long Ashton), cousin of James Derrick, who m. a stepdau. of Joan Harris, sister of John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon; cousins of Tristram/Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., per Will of Francis Derrick Sr. Francis Derrick Jr.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Dorothy Harris. Sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., inherited from George Cockett (her probable uncle), a reasonably common name around Bridgwater, 20 mls fr. Blagdon, and, in the Bristol basin patois of the time, similar to Caucot, etc. Dorothy Harris m. John Baker/Barker, b. 1613 (a kinsman of John Barker,* as follows); not the commonly given amalgamation of various John Bakers. John Baker/Barker was the br. of Elizabeth Barker, who m. John Goninge, son of John Goninge, and br. of Mary, wife of Edward Pitt, mother of William Pitt. John Goninge Sr. was part owner in 1629 (with Francis Derrick Sr. and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’. John Goninge, same year, was the part owner of ‘The Supply’ with William Pitt.

The Barker family of Bristol were also Baker. John Barker was also recorded as John Baker. In Cal. State Papers, Charles I., p. 291, he is recorded as owning “the Mary Rose of Bristol” in partnership with John Taylor* and William Pitt, Jan. 2, 1627; the same for June 2, 1626. On Nov. 22, 1627, he is recorded as the owner of the Mary Rose as Baker query Barker. Earler ships manifests record him as Barker or Baker.

1.1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, infant in 1624, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as John Barker, son of William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, and br. of Sara Barker, who m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock. He had m. (1) Anne Harris, on Oct. 1, 1632, in Wraxall, 3 mls fr. Long Ashton; of her can only be speculation. He was the probable son of John or Richard Taylor Jr., sons of Richard Taylor Sr., evidenced here: Counterpart lease. 1. Hugh Smythe of Long Ashton, esquire. (Landlord of the Derrick family of that place). 2. Richard Taylor of Bedminster, sailor, and Katherine his wife. Tenement and garden with land called Spytman’ meade and Redd meade, Bishport. Oct. 20, 1597. Richard Taylor Jr. m. Mary Woodward, Sept. 2. 1602, in Long Ashton, aunt of Martha Woodward, who m. Richard Bradford, Aug. 15, 1632, in Easton in Gordano, 5 mls fr. Long Ashton; having issue: Richard Bradford (bapt. Nov. 23, 1634, in Easton in Gordano, who d. after July 14, 1716, in Westover Parish, Charles City), who m. Frances Taylor, sister of Elizabeth Taylor, who m. John Hamlin Sr.

John Barker, settled on Chippokes Creek in 1649. “Whereas by and after the decease of John Barker late of Flowerdue Hundred in Charles City Coun. in Virginia deceased, all that tract commonly called Flowerdue Hundred containing 1,000 acres did lawfully descend and come to Sarah then the wife of Richard Taylor, deceased, and now the wife of Robert Lucy, and Elizabeth, wife of Phillip Limbry — sisters and co-heirs with the said John Barker”. There is no proof of whom John Barker married, and had issue:
Jethro, Joel, and John Barker; the latter (Will probated May 19, 1714); m. a dau. of Thomas Busby and Susannah Gray (as likely did John Harris); sister of Margaret Gray, who m. 1. Edward Taylor (d. bef. May 4, 1708), 2. Bartlett Moreland. 3. William Harris, a witness to the estate appraisal of Edward Taylor. William Seward witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor. Margaret and Susannah Gray were cousins of William Gray Jr., who m. the relict of John Seward, son of William Seward, and grandson of John Seward (whose headright was Edward Brantley Sr).

1.1.1.1.1.2.1. John Harris, d. in 1697/1698; his estate administered by his br.-in-law, John Barker Jr., and Patrick Lashley, John Barker Jr’s son-in-law. Feb. 11, 1698; B. 5. p. 165.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew, dau. of Thomas Drew, son of Edward Drew, see as follows.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Mary Harris, m. her cousin, Henry Harris.*
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2. Nathan Harris, sold his land in 1772 to his br.-in-law, Henry.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2. William Harris, whose relict’s estate was administered by her son, Henry Harris, and witnessed by John Barker Jr. R. June 16, 1711. (B. 6, p. 52).
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. *Henry Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.2. John Harris. Leg. wife Sarah, dau. Mary. Prob. June 15, 1720. Wit. John Kitchen (Kinchen), Robert Ruffin. The latter wit. d. that year. His son, John Ruffin, m. Martha Hamlin; their issue, Robert Ruffin, m. Mary (Clack) Lightfoot, Francis Ruffin, m. Sarah Harris, dau. of William Harris.*
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3. Thomas Harris, d. 1729, m. Hannah Judkin,* d. April 10, 1739, who m. 1. Thomas Harris. 2. Christopher Clinch, d. Dec. 13, 1736, 3. Edward Brantley, nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., estate appraised by Henry Harris and Thomas Barrow, July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). In his Will, Thomas Harris names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas). Thomas Barrow m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., headright of John Seward, of Bristol, grandfather of William Seward Sr. whose Will (dated March 16, 1702, in Surry Co.), was witnessed by Edward Barrow, br. of Thomas. William Seward m. 2. Ann Clinch. William Seward’s son, John, was the half.-br. of Christopher Clinch (B. 6, p. 126), who m. Hannah Judkin, relict of Thomas Harris, and subsequent wife of Edward Brantley.

William Seward’s son, William, witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor, parents of Margaret Taylor, who m. 1. William Judkins, having issue: Elizabeth Judkin, who m. John Berryman (of a Bristol family), and *Hannah Judkin. Edward and Thomas Barrow were sons of Thomas Barrow Sr.: John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Barrow, 150 ac. on Green Swamp, formerly belonging to William & Judah Lyles, bordering land of Francis Mason and land of John Bynam. Wit: Nich. Smith, Wm. Seward, p. 259.

The Barrows were probably intermarried with the Smiths/Smyths of Long Ashton; they were certainly kin of the Jordans: Richard Jordan Jr. (m. Cicily Barrow, dau. of Thomas Barrow Sr. and Mary Blow), 260 ac. Upper Parish of Surry Co. on the NE side of John Checokuck Swamp being part of Mr. (Bartolomew) Owen’s deviant for transportation of 6 persons: inc. John Avery, of Bristol, p. 369, being part of 600 ac. formerly granted to George Blow dec’d. … who sold it to John Bynum who in turn sold it to “my father Richard Jordan” on Nov. 8, 1679; “descended to me as heir of my said father”. Richard Jordan Sr., Will prob. Nov. 7, 1699, in Surry … trusted and well beloved friend Josiah Proctor; wit. Josiah’s br. in-law, Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. Richard Jordan Sr. of Lower Parish of Isle of Wight Co.; planter; to “sonne John Jordan” of said Parish and County, planter, 100 ac. in Maine Cypress Swamp; wit. Thomas Moore.*

Thomas Barker (cousin of William, bapt. 1592), m. Martha, dau. of John Aldworth, br. of Robert, whose niece m. Giles Elbridge, father of: “John Elbridge of St. Peters within the city of Bristol, merchant … Will proved Oct. 16, 1646. “My body to be buried or interred by my fathers and ancestors of good fame and memory in the vaultor arched dormitory for that purpose built and erected in the upper end of the South Aisle of the parish church of St. Peter’s … To my sister Elizabeth now the wife of Thomas Moore, merchant, ten pounds, as a remembrance of my love”. Of John Elbridge’s family (probably a cousin) was “Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by *Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (br. of Thomas) and (Edward) Brantlie”, p. 10. Edward Brantley, in a way unknown, would have had some familial connection, either to the Elbridges or Moores.

The ‘known unknown’ is that the vast majority of this account were associated with Bristol.

The Thomas Harris who d. in 1729 held land associated with Sergeant John Harris:

1. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”.
2. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton.
3. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr.
4. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion).
5. John Barker Jr. m. a dau. of Thomas Busby Sr.
6. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr.
7. John Barker Jr. was the br.-in-law of John Harris, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1729, whose land adjoined that of William Simmons Jr.

The descendants of Thomas being:

1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1. Joshua Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.

Kin of:

1.1.1.1.1.2.2.4. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.4.1. William Harris, b. 1724. Will of William Harris of Co. of Surry: “To son Hamlin, all lands in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and Surry Co.” … mentions dau. Elizabeth Campbell; son-in-law Francis Ruffin. Exor: son, Hamlin Harris, prob. Nov. 28, 1797, p. 246.

1.1.1.1.1.2.2. William Harris. Will dated May 1, 1720, in Surry, witnessed by William Gray Sr. and William Grey Jr.; m. Margaret Gray Taylor, p. 366; niece of the former, cousin of the latter.

1.1.1.1.1.3. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe.*

1. Robert Crumpe, m. (2) Margaret Harris,* Sept. 17, 1605, in Painswick, Glouc.; immediately east of Rodley, over the R. Severn. She m. (2) George Thorpe, of Virginia, as follows.
1.1. Robert Crumpe, yeoman, of Rodley, Westbury-on-Severn, Glos., by first wife.
1.1.1. Richard Crump,* b. 1628, sheriff of Bristol, merchant, involved with br.-in-law, William Crabbe,* and Edward Thurston, in the tobacco and sugar trades. William Crabbe was the cousin of John Crabbe and Osmond Crabbe, whose Will, proved April 3, 1695, bequests to “sister Anne Adlam, wife of Joseph Adlam messuage in Brislington … then to my brother John Crabb now in Virginia, Merchant … To said brother John Crabb all houses in Citty of Bristoll and parish of Bedminster, Somerset (from whence the Taylors) … To said brother John Crabb messuage in Temple Street Bristol!, wherein Samuel Whitehurst, Sope boyler, dwelleth, paying to my Sister Alice Vaughan 6s. weekly for her life etc. John Crabb m. ”the relict and executrix of Mr. Danll. Hutt, late of Nominy”, Dorman, p. 16. Conveyance from John Crabbe, Virginia, merchant, (brother and heir of Osmond Crabbe descd) to Richard Gotley, merchant: Shuttleworth’s brewhouse, now a sugar house, messuage purch. by Richard Crabbe of Thomas Cottrell and lands at Bedminster. November 5/6 1685. (Brist. Arch., 13325/30).
1.2. Richard Crumpe. Right hand indenture of fine. (1) Richard Crumpe; Robert Crumpe; Edward Beard (querents). (2) Joseph Morwent and Sarah his wife (deforciants). Two messuages, 2 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, 2 acres of land, one acre of meadow, 6 acres of pasture, and common of pasture during the whole year with appurts. Rodley, Wesbury, Sawle, and Standish. 1633. (Glouc. Arch., D2957/139/70).
1.2.1.1. *Mary Crumpe, m. Robert Harris. Thus, Margaret Harris, sister of Tristram/Thurston Harris, as follows, was the step-grandmother of the wife of Robert Harris. She was also the cousin of John Harris of Blagdon, who is suggested to be Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, and father of Robert Harris.
1.2.1.1.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings, clerk.
1.2.1.1.2. Mary Harris, m. Matthew Swann.
1.2.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Swann, m. (1) John Drew, son of Richard Drew.
1.2.1.2. John Crumpe.
1.2.1.3. Richard Crumpe. Jennings v Crumpe. Plaintiffs: John Jennings and Martha Jennings his wife. Defendants: John Crumpe, Richard Crumpe, Nathaniel Saunders,* (his br.) Thomas Saunders and Mary West. Subject: property in Rodley, and Westbury, Gloucestershire. 1656. (C 6/150Pt2). *Bapt. Dec. 30, 1634, in Wotton-under-Edge, Glouc.; apprenticed in 1653 to Thomas Stratton of Bristol; m. his dau., inheriting property in Redcliffe Street. He became master of the Golden Lion, engaged in the tobacco trade. Owned land in Arracaico Creek, King and Queen Co.

The immediate kin of John Harris of Blagdon:

1.1.1.1.2. Richard Harris, bapt. 1592.
1.1.1.1.3. William Harris, m. Dorothy Bath, Nov, 17, 1628. Harris v Osen. Plaintiffs: William Harris. Defendants: John Osen and Joan Osen his wife. Subject: property in Blagdon, Somerset. 1649. (C 6/132/98). Deed: House or cottage newly built, 1a. ground formerly occ. by John Osen, now by John Dirrock, all in Blagdon. 1628. (S.H.C., DD\GB/43). John Dirrock, atty of the Smyth family, bapt. Nov. i, 1564 in Long Ashton, was the uncle of Francis Derrick Jr.
1.1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. 1633, d. 1678.
1.1.1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Jan. 26, 1654, of him, no further notice.
1.1.1.1.3.2. Dorothy Harris, bapt. June 1, 1636.
1.1.1.1.3.3. William Harris, bapt. Oct. 4, 1640, d. 1691, m. Mary Purnell, April 5, 1660.
1.1.1.1.3.3.1. William Harris, bapt. April 13, 1665.
1.1.1.1.4. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased *Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.

His more distant kin:

1.1.1.2. George Harris. Lease for 10 years: 1. John Butcher, draper, Abel Kitchen, merchant, Thomas Farmer, vintner, Henry Yate, chandler, John Woodward, fletcher, George Harris, baker, Nicholas Wynall, mercer, John Northall, gentleman, and Giles Gough, grocer; 2. Christopher Flower. Messuage in tenure and ocupation of Morgan Jones, clerk, another of John Doughtie, mercer, etc. Jan. 24, 1607. (B.A., 26166/141).

1.1.1.3. David Harris. Harris v Colman. Plaintiffs: David Harris, executor of his late father David Harris, deceased. For an account of rents received. Divers messuages, gardens, lands, and tenements, in the parish of St Augustine and elsewhere in the city of Bristol, Somerset, held by lease from the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of Bristol. (C 2/Eliz/H3/55). David Harris Jr, presumably married into the family of Thurston alias Tristram (Deeds presented by Warren Jane, esq: Conveyance Thomas and Alice Mitchell, Messuage in St Philip. William and Nicholas Hart to William Thurston, alias Tristram. Feb. 25, 1638. (Brist. Arch.)

1.1.1.3.1. *Margaret Harris, m. (1) Robert Crumpe, (2) George Thorpe, Feb. 21, 1611. Commission on Historical Manuscripts, vol. 5: Copies of Orders made at Courts for the Company, regarding the debts of Capt. Thorpe, in Virginia. 1634, April 10. Inventory of the goods and estate of Capt. George Thorpe, deceased, appraised by three persons (named). They are valued at pounds of tobacco; total, 1,3234 lbs. (3 pp.) 1634, Aug. 14. Bristol. William Thorpe, son and heir of George Thorpe, to Mr. Taylor, asking him when he arrived in Virginia to enquire when George Thorpe died, what goods and servants he had, who was then Governor, whether an inventory was taken, and what lands he had in Berkeley Town.

1.1.1.3.2. Tristram alias Thurston Harris. Inquisition taken at Thornbury, September 27, 1638 … by the oath of Richard Richard, gent., et al., who say that Tristram Harris on the ist day of January, 1636 was seised of 26 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow, 15 acres of pasture … in the parish of SS. Philip … On the same day the said Tristram made his will as follows … I bequeath to Sara my wife for her life, if she so long remain sole and unmarried, all the manor or farm place called Whitfield Place, and all the houses, lands, etc., thereto belonging lying in the hundred of Barton Regis, and all other my lands, tenements, etc., which I purchased oi Nicholas Hobbes and Cicill Dethwhite, widow, his mother ; after her decease, I give the same to my brother-in-law William Birkin, cooper, and to John Peirson and john Birkin my sons-in-law until Thomas Harris my son attain the age of 18 years, to the only intent that they shall receive the rents of the said premises and use the same for the education ‘and maintenance of my said son Thomas and of all other my children who shall be unmarried at my death. When the said Thomas attains the age of 18, I give to him and his heirs all the said premises : if he die without heirs, the same to go to William Harris my eldest son, on condition that within 2 years after the death of the said Thomas he pay at or in the Tolzey of Bristol £300 to be equally divided amongst such of my children as shall be then unmarried. All the said premises are held of Thomas Chester, esq., as of his manor of Barton Regis next Bristol, by fealty, suit at court. Tristram Harris died Jan. 12 1637; the said William Harris is his son and next heir, and was then aged 28 years and more. The said Sara late the wife of the said Tristram still survives unmarried. (Misc. Chan, Inq. p.m., 14 Charles I, part ii, No. 24). Feoffment, Nicholas Hobbes of Barton Regis, gentleman, and Cicsell Defhick to Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. Manor and farmhouse called Whitfield Place, Barton Regis. (Brist. Arch., 6685/6).

Tristram alias Thurston Harris is mentioned in the Will of William Wale “of the city of Bristol, baker”, pr. Feb. 14, 1619, who bequeathed to Eliz. Hamlyn, wid.; house in Wine Street; Wm., son of Thurston Harris; house in Temple St … 5 chn. of Thurstan Harris … Francis Wale (br. of William); tenant, in Tucker St., Bristol, of Mr. Geo. Thorpe;  kinsm … godsons, Edwd. and Wm. Warren; goddau. Anne Yeamans, dau. of Wm. Yeamans … Overs: frd. Mr. Matthew Warren and cos. Thurston Harris. Wits: William Yeamans, Not. Pub., Matthew Warren, Thurston Harris.

Elizabeth Hamlyn was the wife of Walter Chester of Bristol and Barton Regis; br. of Henry Chester, of Bristol, merchant, who m. a sister of William Wale. Walter Chester’s son, William, m. Bridget (dau. of John Blunt, Esq., of Barton Regis, bur. Bristol, 1659), having issue: Elizabeth, b. 1620, who m. …Hicks; Bridget, who m. Thomas Smith, of Bristol, Alexandria, who m. Thomas Harris. Thurston (as Thurston) Harris held the manor of Whitefield Place. (Harris, Thurston, baker, Bristol. 7 Feb., 1636, Lord of the Manor of Whitfield, Co. Gloucester, ‘Bristol Wills’). Inventory of Thurston Harris: Feb. 21, 1636. Taken by Sarah his widow and appraised by William Birkin, John Pearson and John Birkin. (Brist. Arch., 09463/5b).

Thomas Harris was the younger son of Tristram alias Thurston Harris, mentioned in his i.p.m., also mentioned here: Lease for 99 years or three lives from Thomas Chester, Almondsbury, Glos., esq., to Richard Hudson, Bristol, mariner: late copyhold messuage at Easton, Barton Regis, formerly occupied by Thomas Thomas descd. May 27, 1653. (Brist. Arch., 13900/1). Thomas was not the sheriff of Bristol, as given in the Chester genealogy.

1. William Chester, of Rodford (10 mls fr. Bristol), and Black Friars, in Bristol, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1558. Arms. — Gules a lion passant Ermine, between three
hawks’ lures Argent. He m. (2) Maud, who d. in 1564, when she was buried with her first husband, William Pykes, in St. Thomas’s Church, Bristol. By him she had issue: John Pykes, Mayor of Bristol in 1561; Walter Pykes, Sheriff of Bristol in 1567, Mayor in 1583. The Pykes were interm. with the Powell and Pitt families of Bristol. The Pyke/s family of Surry Co. were probably of this family.
1.1. James Chester, by first wife, of Rodford and Bristol (d. 1560) m. Mary, dau. of John Smyth,* Mayor of Bristol, first of the family to be seated at Long Ashton, which he purchased in 1545. *Buried in St. Werburgh’s.
1.1.1. Edward Chester, b, 1544, m. at St. Nicholas’s Church, Bristol, on June 25, 1570, Bridget Slocombe, having issue:
1.1.1.1. Mary Chester, bapt. March 9, 1570-1, who m. at St. Stephen’s, Bristol, on May 2, 1591, William Brown of Bristol. Their son, Hugh Brown, was Sheriff of Bristol in 1642 and Mayor in 1650.

1.2. William Chester, of Bristol (d. 1572) m. Joane, dau of William Horte of Wrington, Somerset. William Chester’s widow, Joan, m. (2) Thomas Wale, witnessed here:
Assignment of a lease for 99 years, granted in June 1574 by Alderman Thomas Chester to Thomas Wall, sopemaker, of four houses and a garden in Grope Lane, standing between the tenements of Richard Hart and Thomas Warren. Mar. 20, 1658. (Brist. Arch., P.St JB/D/2/317).
1.2.1. Henry Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1591) m. Dorothy, dau of Thomas Wale of Bristol, br. of William and Francis Wale, sons of Thomas
1.2.2. Walter Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (1553-1641), m. Elizabeth, d. 1645, dau. of Robert Hamlyn. His Will was witnessed by Thomas Blunt, Bridget Blunt, Thomas Harris. (C.P.C. Oct. 12, 1661, 127 Evelyn).
1.2.2.1. *William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), m. Bridget, dau of John Blunt of Barton Regis and Bristol.* His will bequesting: “To my grandchild Elizabeth Harris, my goddaughter, the daughter of my son-in-law Thomas Harris, 20 shillings, as a remembrance”. (C.P.C. June 18, 1659).
1.2.2.1.1. Bridget Chester (d. bef. 1659), m. Thomas Smith, of Bristol and Long Ashton.
1.2.2.1.2. Alexandra Chester, m. *Thomas Harris. She died in her father’s lifetime, leaving two daughters, viz. Elizabeth and Alexandria; who were both living in 1683, being mentioned in their cousin William Chester’s Will. William Chester of Barton Regis, Gloucestershire, Gent. Will dated Jan. 8, 1683: To my cousin Thomas Smith, £2 p. a.; to my cousin James Smith, £2 p.a; to each of my cousins Mary Smith, Charles Smith, Elizabeth Harris, and Alexandria Harris”. Overseers: Phillp Drew, Samuel Fox, and Thomas Eliott. Witnesses: Jone Longe, James Cooke, James Herbert, Thomas Grimes.

1.3. Thomas Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1583. He purchased the manor of Barton Regis, formerly owned by Sir Maurice Dennys, of Pucklechurch, who left no issue, and, subject to the life estate of his widow, he made his nephew Richard Dennys, the eldest son of his brother Sir Walter, his principal heir.
1.3.1. William Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff of Gloucestershire (d. 1607), m. Catherine, dau. of Richard Dennys of Dyrham; sister of Frances Dennys, wife of John Gilliam, father of Captain John Gilliam, Jr.; to repeat, for it bears it: father of Hinchea Gilliam, husband of Fortune Flood, sister of John Flood, who m. Mary Blunt, sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker; their son, Hinchea Gilliam Jr., m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of John Barker (son of Joel), who d. Oct. 14, 1808, in Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC. Mary Blunt and her sister were siblings of Benjamin Blunt, d. 1752, Southampton Co., who m. Priscilla, dau. of John Seagar and Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann had first m. John Drew (son of Richard Drew); having issue, John Drew. Benjamin Blunt had issue, Priscilla Blunt, who m. Ensign John Turner (not the Turners associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688); having issue: Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., who m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. John Harris, as given. Simon Turner’s dau., Edith, m. John Barrow, p. 229.

1.1.1.3.2.1. William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Divick (Derrick) of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Divvick (Derrick, Margaret’s br.) and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. November 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). The Derricks were tenants of the Smyth family of Long Ashton. William Harris was deceased by Oct. 8, 1656, when his wife was described as “Margaret Harris of Bristol, widow”. (B.R.O.). William Harris inherited the bakehouse of Tristram/Thirston Harris, on Marsh Street, 1n 1638.
1.1.1.3.2.1.1. William Harris, conveyed his messuage in Marsh Street to his brother, Thurston, on June 25, 1670. (Brist. Arch., 00381/25).
1.1.1.3.2.1.2. Thurston Harris of Cork, Ireland, merchant, sold the same to Edward Taylor, baker, in 1671. (Brist. Arch., 00381/22a).
1.1.1.3.2.1. Thomas Harris, as given.

It is almost certain that William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), who m. Bridget, dau of John Blunt of Barton Regis and Bristol, they the grandparents of Elizabeth Harris, as given, married into the same family as Thomas Blunt of Virginia,* who was perhaps the son of a namesake, who d. in Bristol, in 1638.

To repeat much, for it bears it:

1.*Thomas Blunt, m. (1) Mary Gilliam, (2) Priscilla Browne, dau. of Col. William Browne; sister of Jane Browne, wife of Thomas Jordan, of Surry, and mother of Mary Jordan (who m. (1) Francis Sowerby, Jr., step-sister of William Rose.
1.1. … Blunt, m. Joel Barker.
1.1.1. John Barker*.
1.2. Mary Blunt, m. John Flood, br. of Fortune, d. Oct. 23, 1753, Surry Co., who m. Hinchea Gilliam Sr.; their son, Hinchea Gilliam, m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of *John Barker, who d. Oct. 14, 1808, in Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC.
1.3. Benjamin Blunt, d. 1752, Southampton Co., m. Priscilla, dau. of John Seagar and Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann had first m. John Drew, son of Richard Drew; their son, John Drew, was the half-br. of Priscilla (Seagar) Blunt.
1.3.1. Priscilla Blunt, m. Ensign John Turner. (These are not the Turners associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.3.1.1. Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. John Harris.

It bears it because such degree circumstance can not be coincidental.

These were a distinct breed of Harris, of the Bristol merchant class.

The task is to consider what follows, then to listen to your voice, not letting it be drowned out by the louder voices of ancestor claimants.

The overall task is to consider whether such as William and Thurston Harris, sons of Trisram alias Thurston, had male issue associated with Virginia. Thurston sponsored Virginia settlers. He was associated with a Taylor family of Bristol, and an Allen family of that place. This may be significant.

copyright m stanhope 2020