These notes allow for the opinion of some Harris researchers of old that emphasise a connection between the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and Thomas Harris who d. in 1688 in Virginia. They also claim a close association between the said Thomas and Edward Harris, who d. in 1677 in Virginia.

If you put a dye in a stream that disappears underground, the source of water that emmerges some miles away is known. The same with ancestors – if a group of closely associated families share the same names as those closely associated in past generations in a different place, they are the same families. This was an immutable cornerstone of the English kinship system, kin followed kin, which was followed in early Virginia by English settlers.

Families of Bennett, Blake, Flood, Forte, Harris, Jordan, Knight, and Vincent settled together in Virginia as neighbours in a former place – Wiveliscombe, in Somerset, and the immediate surrounding area.

This is a challenge to orthodox accounts, yet most genealogies in early Virginia stand little scrutiny, and follow a general pattern of attaching a perceived ancestor to an “Ancient Planter”. This mirrors claiming an ancestor was a “Companion of the Conqueror”. In both cases, the number of correct claims could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

The orthodox mythologies are riddled with constructs of impossible chronologies, and intermarriages between families that were total strangers, an anathema at this time. It is the case that there is much ignorance about the common associations in England of clusters of Virginia settlers.

In Wiveliscombe:

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennet, bapt. Mar. 5, 1568, on Oct. 8, 1594. Eleanor Bennet was the niece of Eleanor Edney, wife of George Vincent. Eleanor Bennet was the sister of Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570, father of (1) Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. (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 Numan, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Richard Bennett’s dau., Ann, m. (2) Theoderick Bland, whose br., John, m. Sarah Green, dau. of Giles Green and Elizabeth Hill, of Poundsford Park, Pitminster; her family the landlords of the Fulghams. Their son was Giles Bland, whose attorney was Robert Kae (of Bristol), p. 98, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, with Richard Corsey, whose Will, rec. May I, 1679, was witnessed by Thomas Moore.

1.1. Thomas Harris (m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623), d. 1672. Thomas Harris was the second-cousin of Daniel Vincent, bapt. Oct. 10, 1568, who m. Elizabeth White, Sept. 25, 1596; sister of John White; father of Bartholomew White, father of John White, b. ca. 1610-1615, father of Thomas White, bapt. Jan. 14, 1653, who was most likely the husband of Ann Moore (dau. of George Moore, and niece of Thomas Moore, who m. the relict of Samuel Elbridge); they the parents of Avis White, wife of John Harris, son of Robert, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. George Moore had m. Ann Barcroft, of a family of Chard, 20 mls. fr. Wiveliscombe.

(John White, b. ca. 1610-1615, is most likely witnessed here: Truckwell v White. Plaintiffs: Thomas Truckwell. Defendants: John White and Elizabeth White his wife and Thomas White. Subject: property in Elworthy, Somerset. 1666, 5 ml fr. Wiveliscombe. (C 8/197/11).

Daniel Vincent was the brother of John Vincent, bapt. ca. 1575, who m. Joan …, Sept. 8, 1602, having issue: John Vincent, bapt. Jan. 25, 1611, whose probable son was John Vincent, b. 1635, d. Oct. 20, 1698, in Surry Co., VA.; who m. (1) Mary White, dau. of John White and Elizabeth, and sister of Thomas White, aforesaid.

John Vincent and Mary White had issue: Thomas and John Vincent. Thomas Vinson of North Carolina to John Vinson of Surry County, Virginia for 500 pounds tobacco … 79 ac. in Sourthwarke Parish bounded by Thomas Minges branch. Wit: Thomas Eldridge, Thomas Vinson. Peter Vinson. David Vinson. Rec. Sept. 16, 1719. For the relationship between the Elbridges mentioned, see app. 1.

Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was claimed as a headright by Peter Knight, merchant of Bristol, in 1638. Peter Knight, 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); cousins of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Peter Knight, merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, S.W. into the woods upon land of Left. John Upton & upon the Batchelors plantation Nly. Due by assignment & exchange to & with sd. Leift. Upton to & with Mr. Thomas Hill for 200 acs. in any other place ungranted & by sd. Hill sold to sd Knight for a valuable consideration. (Nugent I, p.105). (Christopher Lewis, associated with Bartholomew Owen, was a headright of John Upton). 1661. Ind. Christopher Lewis, Lower Par., Surry Co., and Bartholomew Owen 200 ac. on the west side of Gray’s Creek, p. 178.

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.

Surry Court. It was ordered to audit and settle and deliver all accounts depending between Capt. George Jordan and Mr. Richard Hill, deceased. Test: Peter Knight, John Flood,* Benjamin Sidway. Jan 13, 1656. (Timberlake Davis).

Isle of Wight. Will of Arthur Smith. Leg. – sons Arthur and Richard etc. Overseers, Peter Hull, Peter Knight and George Hardy. Dat.. Oct 1, 1645, p. 35. (George Hardy, kinsman of father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677).

Ca. 1650, Peter Knight sold Basses Choice to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

July 26, 1652. Isle of Wight. Christopher Lewis, land patent for 750 acs. Trans. of 15 pers., inc. John Knight. (Nugent I, p. 261).

March 2, 1668. Gloucester. Mr. Peter Knight, land patent for 400 acs. a mile below Olliver Green, by a Great Sw., by Mr. Cookes land, &c. Granted to Wm. Newman, Apr. 20 165…, part of which he sold to Elias Cobson, who assigned to sd. Knight. (Nugent II, p. 86).

Apr. 23, 1681. Isle of Wight. Major Thomas Taberer, land patent for 400 acs. Up. Par. Of Is. Of W. Co., & commonly called Basses Choice, neer mouth of Pagan Creek. 150 acs. Granted Mr. Peter Knight in 1640 who sold to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, & by Mr. Giles Bland, his sonn & Atty., conveyed to sd. Taberer Dec. 4, 1675, together with confirmation of the sale & a relinquishment of dower by Mrs. Sarah Bland, wife & Genl. Atty. of sd. John. Oct. 6, 1679. (Nugent I, pp. 217; 277). Thomas Taberer was a headright of Peter Knight on Aug 25, 1652, for land in Gloucester Co.

Peter Knight was the uncle of Bartholomew Owen: 1. Thomas Knight, m. Alice Burde, May 13, 1563. 1.1. Thomas Knight, m. Alice Forte, Jan. 18, 1593; sister of William Forte, bapt. 24 May 24, 1576, father of Richard Forte (br. of John and George), probable father of Elias Forte, who had sons, John and George.

1.1.1. Peter Knight. 1.1.2. Sarah 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 Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.3. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen, Nov. 17, 1619. 1.1.3.1. Bartholomew Owen. Thus, Bartholomew and Elias Forte were second-cousins.

Elias Forte’s son, John, m. a dau. of Richard Jordan, who bequesting to his son, Charles, “land which was formerly Mr. (Bartholomew) Owens”. “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). Bartholomew Owen was kin of these Jordans; his primary connection being his grandmother.

1.1.4. Thomas Knight, m. Mary Pole, Nov. 20, 1622. Elizabeth City. Henry Coleman, land patent for 104 acs., bounded W. upon Hampton River, S. by land of Mr. Henry Poole & N. by land of Mr. Robert Speed. For trans of 2 pers.: Robert Peltriman & William Knight. (Nugent I, p. 137). 1.1.4.1. John Knight, bapt. Mar. 31, 1633. Christopher Lewis, land patent for 750 acs. Trans. of 15 pers., inc. John Knight. (Nugent I, p. 261).

Harris cont.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris (b. ca. 1630, d. 1688), cousin of Thomas Blake, who m. Alice Champion, sister of Phyllis Champion, as follows, and Edward Champion Jr., bapt. Nov. 4, 1633, in Meare. 1.1.1.1. Robert Harris, b. ca. 1660. 1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, b. ca. 1690, m. Avis White, dau. of Ann Moore and Thomas White, bapt. Jan. 14, 1653, as given. Ann Moore was the dau. of George Moore, brother of Thomas Moore, who m. the relict of Samuel Elbridge.

1.1.2. John Harris, appraised the estate of William Groves, with Edward Brantley, and Elias Fort. Rec. Feb. 9, 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). Elias Fort, b. ca. 1630 in Wiveliscombe, m. Phyllis, dau. of Edward Champion (bapt. Feb. 20, 1596, who m. Elizabeth Rowley (bapt. March 15, 1598), on Jan. 15, 1623, in Meare, 30 mls fr. Wiveliscombe.

Elias Forte and Phyllis Champion had issue: George Forte, and John Forte, who m. Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of Richard Jordan, whose Will was proved Nov. 7, 1699, bequesting to his son, Charles, “land which was formerly Mr. (Bartholomew) Owens“. Wit. brs.-in-law, Joshua Proctor and Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew, who was almost certainly the son of William Owen and Elizabeth Knight, who m. on Nov. 17, 1619, in Wiveliscombe.

1.1.2.1. John Harris. 1.1.2.1.1. Isabella Harris, m. Nicholas Fulgham, grandson of Nicholas; br. of Michael Fulgham. “Antony Fulljames” was bapt. on May 1, 1582, in High Ham, 15 mls N.E. of Pitminster, son of John. His son, “Anthony Fuljames”, m. Elizabeth …, Nov. 5, 1638, in Pitminster. It was probably this Anthony who, by a second wife, was father of the said Nicholas and Michael. By Elizabeth, Anthony Fulgham had issue: John Fulgham, who was co-executor of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.2. Edward Harris. Richard Bennett (br. of Eleanor and Thomas afors.), 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. ) Her children were evidently deceased as she left all to her kinsman Edward Harris. Edward Harris of St. Dunstan in the East, London, merchant, aged 45, named in the Hubberday v. Penniston court case of 1641, which stated he received tobacco from Virginia with Captain Thomas Cornwallis. E.D.N., p. 7, 1875: ‘Among the first sale of negro servants is that made by (Governor) Richard Bennett, when a Virginia merchant, to Thomas Cornwallis. About the year 1643 he sold two Africans for fifty pounds sterling.

1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy; dau. of George. 1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with kinsman, “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

FLOOD

1. Robert Flood, m. Elizabeth …, Jan. 21, 1560. in Wiveliscombe. 1.1. John Flood. 1.1.1. Robert Flood. 1.1.1.1. Robert Flood, bapt. Feb. 15, 1618. 1.1.1.2. Henry Flood, bapt. May 27, 1620. 1.1.1.3. Marie Flood, bapt. May 24, 1622. 1.1.1.4. Judith Flood, m. William Hilling, Aug. 22, 1642. Elizabeth Hilling, m. “Antony Fulljames”, June 29, 1607, in Norton Fitzwarren, 7 mls fr. Wiveliscombe; 6 mls fr. Pitminster. 1.1.1.5. Agnes Flood, m. John Sharpe, Feb. 2, 1647. 1.1.1.5.1. Elizabeth Sharpe, m. Richard Reynolds Sr. John Sharpe appears to have been a son of Richard Sharpe, bapt. April 22, 1599, in Stogumber, son of Christopher; and br. of Richard Sharpe, who m. Ann White, Jan 17, 1643, in Stogumber; who may have been parents of the wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, in Virginia.

It is likely pertinent that Elizabeth Sharpe, wife of Richard Reynolds Sr., the br. of Elizabeth Reynolds, who m. Richard Jordan Sr., having issue: Richard Jordan, whose dau., Elizabeth, m. John Forte, son of Elias Forte and Phyllis Champion.

Richard Reynolds Sr. was the son of Christopher Reynolds, who “by his last will & testament … bequeathed to … Richard the only sonn & heire of Christopher; 100 ac. … being part of a pattent for 350 acs. granted to Mr. Richard Jordan Sen. the 18 March 1662 & by the said Jordan sold & conveyed to Chr. Reynolds the 17 May 1658 … due to the sd. Reynolds by & for the transp. of twelve persons in to this Colony … inc. John Champion. (B.6., pp. 684/5.).

1.1.2. *John Flood, bapt. Sept, 10, 1603. “John Fludd, Gent.”, 2100 ac. “E. upon land of Henry Browne”,* m. Fortune Jordan, sister of Col. George Jordan. Henry Browne’s dau., Mary, m. William Browne** (probably a close degree of cousin), having issue: (1) Priscilla Browne, who m. (2) Thomas Blunt; (2) Mary Browne, who m. Col. George Jordan; (3) Jane Browne, who m. Thomas Jordan (br. of Col. George Jordan); having issue: Mary, who m. Francis Sowerby, Jr. Thomas Jordan m. (2) Lucy …, who m. (2) William Rose, Jr. (4) Ann Browne, m. Walter Flood.

*On March 1, 1661, Christopher Lewis and his wife, Jane, sold 200 ac. to Bartholomew Owen, adj. Henry Browne. Wit. George Jordan.

**William Browne m. (2) Elizabeth, relict of Nicholas Meriwether, whose headright (1654, Westmoreland co.) was William Rose. Wm. Seward (son of John) to Nicholas Meriweather, James City Island in Virginia, 300 ac. in Surry Co., May 3, 1666, p. 270. Bartholomew Owen granted a power of attorney to Nicholas Meriweather, on Oct. 8, 1677.

1.1.2.1. Thomas Flood. 1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Flood, m. Ann Rose, sister of William Rose, Jr. 1.1.2.1.2. Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne.

It may be worth considering that Thomas Jordan (who m. (1) Jane, dau. of William Browne and Mary, dau. of Henry Browne. (2) Lucy … , who m. (2) William Rose; and, his br., George Jordan, who m. Jane Browne’s sister, Mary) were of the Browne’s of Stogumber (7mls fr. Wiveliscombe); sons of Thomas Jordan, b, ca. 1618, who m. Elizabeth Greed(ie), July 3, 1638, in Stogumber; son of Thomas Jordan.

Henry Browne may have been he bapt. Dec. 15, 1592 , in North Petherton (13 mls fr. Stogumber), descendant of Thomas Browne, who was granted land in North Petherton, and Bridgwater. “To Thomas Browne and William Breton of London, gentlemen, 25 March 1553”. (G. H. Woodward, Calendar of Somerset chantry grants, 1548-1603, 1982).
Similarly, William Browne may have been of the Brownes of Wiveliscombe.

The Jordan families of this account were probably of the same stock.

If you put a dye in a stream that disappears underground, the source of water that emmerges some miles away is known. Some may not like the conclusion, but be that as it may be.

App. 1.

ELBRIDGE
1. …
1.1. Giles Elbridge.
1.1.1. John Elbridge. “John Elbridge of St. Peters within the city of Bristol, merchant”, whose will was proved Oct. 16, 1646, mentioning sister, Elizabeth, now wife of Thomas Moore.
1.1.1.1. Aldworth Elbridge.
1.1.1.1.1. John Elbridge, of Bristol, Will proved March 27, 1739 left £10,000 to his nephew, Thomas Elbridge. (PROB 11/695/194).
1.1.1.1.2. Robert Elbridge, bequested a share in Spring estate in St Andrew, Jamaica. to his brothers John and Thomas. (Eldridge Family’ papers at Bristol Record Office).
1.1.1.1.3. Thomas Elbridge.
1.1.1.1.3.1. Thomas Elbridge.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Elbridge, m. her cousin, 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. On June 8, 1655, Samuel Eldridge granted 295 ac. on main branch of Blackwater river, between Mr. Seward’s and Humphrey Clerk’s land. John Seward, Bristol sea captain and merchant, was granted 400 ac., June 18, 1638, upon N. side of a S.W. creek setting out of the main creek commonly called Carye’s Neck. Due for trans. of 8 persons including Edward Brantly.
1.1.3. Martha Elbridge, m. …
1.2. John Elbridge
1.2.1. Samuel Elbridge, m. Elizabeth Elbridge, who m. (2) Thomas Moore; the father, by a first wife, of Thomas Moore, business associate of John Elbridge, of Bristol, Will proved March 27, 1739.

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