A kindly researcher supplied me with additions to my previous notes, and, having been requested to make those notes more concise as to the interconnections of the families of Harris and Lancaster, i have incorporated them in what follows. The families in question would have been much aware of their close relationship, and would have had family bibles and passed-down memories that substantiated these relationships. We are much in the dark. However, what is clear is that both families were linked to that of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. This family for years has been manipulated out of the ‘Harris story’, denied their place on the Blackwater; their lineages being given ‘dead ends’, and for what? – so as not to challenge the assumed accounts of living Harris claimants. Quite simply, one way or the other, the family of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, were central to many Harris genealogies in Virginia. The challenge has always been one of moving on from old prejudices. (Another one is to consider if John Harris, d. 1708, left any issue situated around Fishing Creek).

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner, whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.1. Richard Harris.

1.1.1. John Harris bapt. Feb. 18, 1624.

1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel Lancaster, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710; second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Samuel Lancaster was the br. of (1) Robert Lancaster, father of William Lancaster, who m. Mary Moreland, having issue: Lawrence Lancaster.* (2) A sister who m. Thomas Pittman. Wiliam Lancaster was willed his grandfather’s plantation on Blackwater Swamp. His wife, Mary, was given the administration of his estate on Jan. 21, 1740. D.B. 3, p. 10: To Joseph Holloman … ac. bounded by Blackwater Swamp, Thomas White,* and John Champion, being land sold on Aug. 20, 1712 by John Allen, Gent., to Robert Lancaster, the grandfather of the sd. William.

Bute (Warren) Co., NC. Book A, p. 77. R. Jan. 23, 1765: *Lawrence Lancaster to Len Henley Bullock … sold 330 ac. on Fishing Creek, Elbe’s Branch, where I now live adj. West Harris,* Lewis Patterson, William Rowland, John Burch. Wit: Samuel Lancaster, Britton Harris, and John Lancaster. Proved by Britton Harris. Lawrence Lancaster (and Mary Williams) had issue: Lucy Lancaster (1743-1826), m. Britton Williford; Moses Lancaster (d. 1793), m. Martha Harris.*

Recorded: March 14, 1760: Charles Harris* – warrant of 450 ac. in Granville Co. (Parish of St. John on the branches of Aaron’s Creek), adj. Jones Corner and Wades line: Signed Charles Harris. Witnesses: William Hurst, Lawrence Lancaster.

Warren Co. Court Minutes, 17 Feb. 1780, p. 16: Ordered that Matthew Harris be overseer of the road form the Fork of Bobbitt’s Road to the Creek below Nathaniel Harris,* and the land of Lawrence Lancaster, Joseph Harris,* Charles Harris,* James Harris,* John Lancaster, Nathaniel Harris, Lawrence Lancaster Jr., Joel Lancaster, and Sterling Harris.

Aug. 28, 1792, ibid., p. 230: The last will and testament of Lawrence Lancaster, deceased was proved in open Court by the oath of James Harris, Morris Harris, and Lawrence Lancaster Jr.; William Lancaster and John Lancaster Executors.

Bute, August Court, 1800: ‘Account in Estate of Laurence Lancaster deceased by William, Laurence & John Lancaster executors. Paid: for coffin and sickness John Hall (fee), B. Moss (taxes & sale), Samuel Williford, John Lancaster, Claiborne Harris,* Len Kimball, Ben Kimball, R. Bobbitt, Geo. Pegram, H. Harris (son of James Harris*), Jesse Bell, Wm. Johnson and executors of Harton. Recorded from sale, etc. & balance to be divided among twelve legatees’.

1.1.1.1.1. Catherine Lancaster, m. Joseph Crocker; Will R. Feb. 5, 1761, appraised by Thomas Holleman.

1.1.1.1.2. Henry Lancaster, m. Martha. John Holloman,* and Jesse Crocker witnessed his Will.

1.1.1.1.3. Martha Lancaster, m *John Holliman, son of Christopher Holliman Jr. Sept. 25, 1739: From Christopher Holliman of Bartee precinct, NC, and John Holliman of Newport parish in IOW, to Arthur Crocker* of same, 300 ac. on the E. side the main Swamp, bounded by the mouth of the Fishing Branch, the head of the Miery Branch, p. 413.

1.1.1.2. John Harris. On Nov. 9, 1708, Samuel Lancaster was granted the administration of the estate of John Harris, his probable br.-in-law.

1.2. Edward Harris, held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.

1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677.

1.3. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. His second-cousin, Richard Bennett Sr., m. a sister of Charles Barham, who was exec. of the Will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Thomas Harris and Thomas Tuke were overseers. Charles Barham’s great-great granddau., Martha, m. Joel Harris.

1.3.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.3.1.1. Edward Harris.

1.3.1.1.1. *West Harris.

1.3.1.1.2. *Nathaniel Harris.

1.3.1.1.3. *James Harris, Will dated April, 10, 1800. Book 11, p. 44.

1.3.1.1.3.1. Henry Harris.

1.3.1.1.3.2. *Claiborne Harris.

1.3.1.2. Robert Harris, d. 1740. On April 20, 1715, he aquired 150 ac. from his br. Edward Harris, on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp, beginning at the fork of Warrick Branch.

1.3.1.2.1. John Harris, m. Avis, dau. of *Thomas White, and grandau. of George Moore, of Bristol.

1.3.1.2.1.1. Harmon Harris, appraised the estate of (1) James Lancaster, with John Williamson, rec. Oct. 16, 1797, p. 15; (2) *Arthur Crocker, rec. Oct. 10, 1703, p. 574.

1.3.1.2.1.2. Joel Harris, m. Martha Barham, in Southampton Co.

1.3.1.2.1.2.1. John Harris, d. 1792, aged 23.

1.3.1.2.1.2.2. Charles Barham Harris, d. 1860, in Summerfield, Guilford, North Carolina, aged 84.

1.3.1.2.1.2.3. Avis Harris, b. 1783.

1.3.1.2.1.2.4. Sarah Harris, d. December 11, 1843, in Iuka, Marion, Illinois, aged 64; m. William Middleton, in Guildford, in 1800.

1.3.1.2.1.2.5. William Harris, d. May 25 1820, in Howell, Lincoln, Tennessee, aged 36.

1.3.1.2.2. Robert Harris, d. 1772/3, received with his br.. John, a patent from their father of 150 ac. south of the main Blackwater Swamp, on Barbeque Swamp, IOW. next to the lands of Arthur and Joseph Williamson.

1.3.1.2.3. *Joseph Harris.

1.3.1.2.3.1. Martha Harris, d 1797, m. Moses Lancaster, son of Lawrence Lancaster.

1.3.1.2.4. *Charles Harris, d. Nov 4, 1786.

May God protect you in these troubling times.

copyright m stanhope 2020