It is suggested that the descendants of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia have been hidden from view by an over-emphasis on Thomas Harris, who d. in 1688. They were highly likely kin, and the abodes of their ancestors in  Somerset, Blagdon and Cheddar, were just a matter of several hedgerows apart.

1. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon, Somerset).
1.1. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon, mentioned as a “servant” of Arthur Bayley, as Thomas Busby, and William Barker, mariner in 1637. He was the br. of Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, who 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.
1.1.1. Dorothy Harris, m. John Baker/Barker, a kinsman of William Barker, mariner. (See prevous notes).
1.1.2 John Harris,* infant in 1624, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31). “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was (Sergeant) John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”). In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr.* John Harris was prob he who d. 1n 1686, the uncle of William Harris: Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of *Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. Jan. 5, 1685. William Harris was the son of of Thomas Harris, d. 1668. During his orpanage, a part of his father’s estate was leased to John Harris, d. 1686, whose Will was witnessed by William Newsum, John Clarke, and William Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82). John Harris is witnessed here: Surry Co. tithables, 1681. Chipoaks Precinct: Mr. William Newsum, *John Harris, William Barton, Henry and Thomas Hart (5). Taken by Robert Ruffin.

The other witness to the 1654 deed was Sackville Brewster, who m. Elizabeth, relict of John Watkins, cooper, who d. in 1655. She was the stepmother of John Watkins (d. 1708), husband of Elizabeth Spencer, orphan of Capt. Robert Spencer, who chose Thomas Jordan as her guardian, who had m. Robert Spenser’s relict, Jane. (Order Book, p. 265).

Jane Browne was the dau. of Colonel William Browne and his first wife, Mary. He m. (2) the relict of Nicholas Meriwether Sr., whom Bartholomew Owen (d. 1677) appointed power of atty. Jane Browne was the sister of Mary Browne, who m. George Jordan Jr., having issue: George Jordan, who m. Sarah, dau. of William Hunt and Sarah Simmons, dau. of  William Simmons Sr.; sister of William Simmons Jr., whose land was adj. that of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30; that is, also, adj. those formerly of (Sergeant) “John Harryes”, on Upper Chipoaks.

Bartholomew Owen had highly reviled Captain George Jordan, calling him “Raskell and Rogue” and “shouten Raskell” and several other such base terms. Spencer rebuked Owen for his “Mullitious” words. Owen replied, swearing, “God damn him, of that raskell” George Jordan. (B. 1, p. 166). Bartholomew may have been referring to his wife’s br.-in-law.

(1. Robert Spenser (d. ca. 1680, m. (2) Jane Browne, relict (it is suggested) of Bartholomew Owen, d. bef. Feb. 1677), stated that “he heard Bartholomew (Owen), on several occasions and in various places speak very “scandulous” words against the Commissioners of Surry Co, saying he would never have justice done him in that Court”. (Deposition, Aug. 16, 1660). Jane Browne m. (3) Thomas Jordan. “Spenser, Robert (Capt.). Estate – Signed: Jane Jordan, Wife of Thomas Jordan, Swears it is a true inventory, 22 7br: 1681. Wit. Robt. Ruffin, Wm. Newsum”, p. 292. Jane Browne was the stepdau, of the relict (Elizabeth) of Nicholas Meriwether Sr. (d. Dec. 19, 1678).
1.1. Elizabeth Spenser (by first wife), m. John Watkins, stepson of Sackville Brewster, co-witness with John Harris of a deed of land, aforementioned.
1.1.1. Benjamin Watkins, m. Jane Flood, dau. of Thomas Flood Jr. and Ann Rose, dau. of William Rose Sr., headright of Nicholas Meriwether Sr. On July 3, 1666, Bartholomew Owen sold cattle of William Rose, Sr. and Ann Rose his wife for the benefit of their children, Jane, William, Ann, and Mary Rose, p. 271. Jane Rose m. Richard Avery, on whose death, William Rose Sr. became the guardian of his grandson, *John Avery, p. 61). Richard Avery departed from the Port of 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). Will of Richard Avery, proved Jan 5, 1685, Surry Co., names wife Jane, sons George, William, John, and Thomas Avery, and “brothers” William Rose and Thomas Flood. Executors were wife Jane, William Rose, and Thomas Flood. Witnessed by William Browne, Thomas Flood, William Rose (B. 3, p. 45). He calls William Rose and Thomas Flood his “brothers”, i.e., William Rose was the brother of his wife, Jane, and Thomas Flood was Jane’s brother-in-law, husband of Ann Rose.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John Nicholson.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Watkins, m. Robert Ruffin.
Robert Spencer was the probable cousin of Ann Spencer, wife of William Cockerham (d. 1669), of Purbeck, Dorset; sister of Elizabeth Spencer (who m. (1) Robert Sheppard,(2) Thomas Warren, mother of Anne Sheppard, who m. (1) Thomas Hart, (2) William Newsum).

1.1.2.1. John Harris, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as John Barker Jr., grandson of William Barker, mariner, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr., whose land, to repeat, adjoined that of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. John Barker Jr. was the admon. of the estate of John Harris (with Patrick Lashley, father of Walter Lashley*), rec. Feb. 11, 1698.
1.1.2.2. William Harris, m. Elizabeth, her widow’s estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr., son of John Barker Sr., son of William Barker, mariner.
1.1.2.2.1. Henry Harris.
1.1.2.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, probably he who witnessed an indenture in 1708 between Robert and (his br.) William Ruffin to William Chambers; also witnessed by William Drew, nephew of Edward Drew.
1.1.2.2.2.1. Joshua Harris.
1.1.2.2.2.2. Thomas Harris.
1.1.2.2.2.2.1. Solomon Harris. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.
1.1.2.2.3. John Harris, estate probated June 15, 1720, wit. John Kitchen and Robert Ruffin, p. 273. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same (his mother was Olive Ruffin). Witnesses: William Newsum and John Harris. (p. 10). Olive Ruffin was the sister of Robert Ruffin, and had m. William Chambers, as his second wife, so was either mother or step-mother of John Chambers. John Harris and Robert Ruffin witness obligation on Mary Chambers, orphan of William Caambers, signed by Wm. Chambers, Wm. Newsum.

1.1.3. Thomas Harris, b. ca, 1625-1630. Granted 850 acs. Surry Co. S. James Riv., on N.W. & S.E. sides of Sunken Marsh above & below the mill; June 2, 1668. “The “Sunken Marsh” referred to is the marsh on “College Creek,” and there was for a long time a grist mill in this vicinity. The mill is mentioned in Robert Ruffin’s will, 1693″. (Tylers Q.).

1.1.3.1. William Harris, who was left a legacy in the Will of Christopher Lewis, in 1674, as Katherine, dau. of Bartholomew Owen. May 7, 1678: Indenture between William Harris, only son of Thomas Harris of Surry Co., and Thomas Jarrell for 1500 pounds of tobacco, 100 ac. of land on College Run bounding with William Newsum and Robert Ruffin on William Newett’s line. Surry, Nov. 6, 1683: Thomas Jarrell and William Newsum were witnesses to William Harris selling land adj. Thomas Jarrell to Robert Ruffin. Surry. January-March, 1702: William Hunniford, Edward Drew, Thomas Jarrell, and John Clarke were appointed to appraise the estate of Thomas Edwards, husband of Elizabeth, dau. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. Thomas Edwards was the son of William Edwards, who, in 1645, with Rice Davis, obtained a patent for 1080 acres on the Sunken Marsh.

William Harris may have m. (2) Elizabeth, sister of John Nicholson, who m. Elizabeth Watkins, dau. of Benjamin Watkins (and Jane Flood, granddau. of William Rose Sr.), the br. of Elizabeth Watkins, who m. Robert Ruffin. “Harris, Elizabeth: Leg. – Son, Joseph Harris, cow, pewter dishes, etc. and daughter, Mary Horne, pewter dishes, etc. Daughter, Jane Harris, 300 lbs. of tobacco at (Elizabeth’s brother) John Nicholson’s. To daughter, Elizabeth Harris, all the remaining part of my estate and makes her Exerx. Mar. 23, 1710. Prob.: May 16,, 1711. Wit: Jethro Barker (br. of John Barker Jr.), John Cooke, John Averiss”. (Book 6, p. 55).

*John Averiss/Avery. William Rose guardian of John Avery acknowledges to have received of Edward Bookey who married the relict of RIchard Avery the whole of John Avery’s estate. (July 3, 1688, p. 62). John Averis 300 acres in Surry County on N. side of Otterdam Swamp, adj. Jethro Barker. (1704, p. 622). John Avery’s dau. m. John Lashley, son of *Walter Lashley and Hannah Barker, sister of John Barker Jr.

1.1.3.1. John Harris, m. Mary, dau. of Edward Drew and Frances, dau. of William Newitt, whose land, as given, was adj. that of William Harris, son of Thomas Harris, and nephew of John Harris, whose Will was witnessed by William Newitt.

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