The parents of Thomas Harris who died in 1729/30 in Virginia were probably (not proven) the Thomas Harris who died in 1712 and a 1st wife. The notes that follow put this proposition within the framework of early Quaker records in Virginia. He was related to Harris cousins that also shared similar connections, but these do not detract from the proposition. Much Harris research of late has been placed with a “box” that is claimed to “prove” that the ancestor of the Thomas of 1729/30 was so-and-so. No such proof exists, nor any records in the (n.b.) public domain that substantiate this contention, which, however often repeated as contention is not transmuted to fact. Any meaningful research into this subject must be based on “thinking outside of the box” that has been imposed, for, unless that, the “box” becomes a “coffin”.

This account begins with what regular readers of this blog might consider to be a much repeated viewpoint as to the relationships within the Harris family of Wiveliscombe. The exact relationships suggested are not necesarily ones I share in all instances, but are deemed to be the most likely by other “Harris Hunters”. If forebearance is given, these notes, after giving a context in which people can be generally placed, do lead to Quaker records that strongly suggest the validity of the opening proposition.

These notes suggest that the most common recent ancestor of the family of Harris of Wivelisombe was born ca. 1540.

i.

HARRIS

1. Richard Harris, m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, sister of Edward Bennett, the Virginia coloniser.
1.1. Edward Harris, held land patented by his cousin, (Governor) Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.1.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677. The estate accounts of Edward Harris Jr. inc. “100. Payd Coll. Bacon for rent” (land bought from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward’s uncle).
Edward Harris ii. was a son-in-law of George Hardy, whose wife, Mary Jackson, was a great-granddau. of Edward Bennett, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Edward Harris I.
George Hardy’s land bounded that of Nicholas Hill (who m. a dau. of Edward Bennett), who, with Edward Brantley Sr., witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Edward Brantley Sr., had issue, Phillip, who m. Joyce Lewis, dau. of Thomas Lewis and Rebecca (George) Pardoe, half-sister of Phillip Pardoe, security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Phillip Brantley had issue: Edward Brantley, whose son, John, m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
1.1.1.1. Edward Harris, b. 1664.

ii.

1.2. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe (cousin of Richard Crump, b. 1628, sheriff of Bristol, merchant).
1.2.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings, of Bristol, merchant. His Will, rec. March 10, 1679, mentions daus. Martha and Mary, son John. Overseers, George and Thomas Moore (probable br.-in-law of Edward Brantley Sr.).
1.2.1.1. John Jennings, m. Mary Hill, dau. of Sylvester Bennett, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.1.2. Martha Jennings, d. 1702, m. Thomas Thorpe Sr. (d. 1711, in IOW Co.), bef. 1686. Thomas Thorpe was the br. of Timothy Thorpe Sr., who had issue (1) Joseph Thorpe, who had issue: Mary, who m. James Barham; their dau., Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris, son of John Harris and Avis White (granddau. of George Moore); son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. George Moore was the cousin of Thomas Moore, probable brother-in-law of Edward Brantley Sr.
1.2.1.2.1. Sarah Thorpe (by first wife), m. (1) William George, son of John George, and nephew of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.1.2.2. John Thorpe, appraisee of estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, with Edward Brantley, whose son, John, m. the relict.

iii.

1.3. Richard Harris.
1.3.1. John Harris,* bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, (“son of Richard”), d. 1687.
1.3.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. ca. 1662, 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.
1.3.1.2. John Harris, b. ca. 1663. On Nov. 9, 1708, Samuel Lancaster was granted the administration of the estate of John Harris, his br.-in-law.
1.3.1.3. William Harris, b. ca. 1664, m. Margaret, the widow of (1) Edward Taylor. His Will (rec. April 19, 1721, in Surry) named wife, Margaret, granddau., Mary, who m. Thomas Taylor, son of Margaret and Edward Taylor, and grandson, Harris Taylor, great-grandson of William Harris. The Will of Margaret Taylor Harris was proved Sept. 20, 1721, naming dau. Margaret, wife of Bartlett Moreland, who had m. (1) William Judkins, they the parents of Hannah and Elizabeth Judkins.
1.3.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1668.
1.3.2.1. William Harris. Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of *Mr. John Harris. July 30, 1680: Indenture, William Harris only son of Thomas Harris, dec’d of Lawnes Creek Parish and his wife Mary to Thomas Jarrell.* 120 ac., part of the Harris 850 ac.. Witnesses: Robert Ruffin, William Newsum. Surry Co.
1.3.3. Thomas Harris, ca. 1630-1688. An orphan of his was assigned to Bridgeman Joyner, the uncle of Benjamin Joyner, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Pittman and Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Lancaster Jr., and niece of Samuel Lancaster, who m. Elizabeth Harris, dau. of John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, nephew of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Robert and Samuel Lancaster were sons of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of 2nd husband Richard Bennett Sr. (d. 1710. B. 5, p. 224), second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3.3.1. Robert Harris. His descendants had strong links to the Lancasters, see previous notes.
1.3.3.2. John Harris. Nicholas Tyner’s dau., Sarah, was his mistress. His estate papers include a court record of 1727, of a legal dispute between Edward Harris (br. of John) and John Robertson. John and Edward Harris were brs. of Jane, who m. Richard Jones, Will probated on May 22, 1721, which mentions as legatees, daughter, Ann Bell, and her husband, William. It is witnessed by a Thomas Harris, probably another of Jane’s brothers. William Bell was baptised in Christ Church Parish, on Feb. 26, 1692, son of John Bell, d. 1713, and Ann Bennett,* dau. of Richard Bennett Sr., named in the latter’s Will of Aug. 30, 1694, he being a second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and whose relict m. Robert Lancaster Sr., as given. Hence, there was a very close connection between the children of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and his namesake, d. 1672. Richard Jones named a dau., Elizabeth, in his Will, and she was possibly the wife of John Robertson, named in his Will of 1756.
1.3.3.3. Edward Harris.
1.3.3.4. Thomas Harris.
1.3.3.5. Jane Harris, m. Richard Jones.
1.3.3.5.1. Ann Jones, m. (1721, G.B. 2, p. 84), William Bell.
1.3.3.5.2. Elizabeth Jones, probably m. John Robertson.

iv.

1.4. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, on Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe, a cousin of Thomas Blake, who held 400 ac. to the west of Seward’s Creek in 1670, bordering the land of Thomas Tooke to the east, and Edward Brantley, Sr. to the north; his land bordering that of John and Thomas Harris (sons of Thomas, d. 1672), to the east. Mr. Jno. Marshall, 700 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, p. 252. W. side of the Wester Sw., beg. at lower cor. tree of Capt. (John) Fulgham’s land, extending down Sw. to land of Tho. Harris. John Fulgham was overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, 1688, who beq. Robert Harris (his son) “may dwell with John Fulgham three years”.

1.4.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1625, d. 1672, in Virginia.

1.4.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. (2) Judith Edwards, she m. (2) … Clarke. By a first wife, in agreement with Mr. Bodie:
1.4.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, who farmed 290 ac. in IOW, on the Maherin River and both sides of Herbert’s Branch adj. Edward Brantley, son of Phillip Brantly (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), and Joyce Lewis, and William Simmons line, March 24, 1725. Edward Brantley’s son, John, m. the widow of Thomas Harris. Joyce Lewis was a dau. of Rebecca George and Thomas Lewis, she the dau. of John George, and who m. (2) Phillip Pardoe, security for estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).
1.4.1.1.1.1. 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 Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.4.1.1.1.1.1. 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.
1.4.1.1.1.2. Joshua Harris. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr. Joshua Harris: Estate appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day (of Bennett association), and Samuel Westbrooke, June 14, 1770, p. 324. 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.

v.

EDWARDS – a Bristol family, which can only be understood in the context of records of that place.

1. … Edwards.
1.1. Robert Edwards, m. Mary, sister of Michael Hunt. Ancient lease: Corporation of Bristol to Michael Hunt. March 30, 1678. (Bristol Arch., 13461/1). Mary Hunt m. (3) William Boddie.
1.1.1. Judith Edwards, m. Thomas Harris*, by a first wife:
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, his relict m. a descendant of Edward Brantley Sr.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sarah Goodwin.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Solomon Harris.
1.1.2. Frances Edwards, m. Henry Wyche.
1.1.2.1. George Wyche.
1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Wyche, m. Theophilus Goodwin.
1.1.2.1.1.1. Sarah Goodwin, m. Thomas Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Solomon Harris. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.

1.1.1.2. Henry Harris, m. Mary Drewe.
1.2. Thomas Edwards, m. (1) Elizabeth, dau. of William Newitt, and half-sister of Frances, wife of Edward Drewe Sr., dau.* of Mary Drewe, who m. a Henry Harris. (2) the widow of James Pyland Sr., of Bristol. Thomas Greenwood’s Will (whose relict m. James Pyland), was witnessed by Joseph Bridger, business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, John George, and Nicholas Hill (their relationship to the said Thomas is explained herein). The Will of Edward Drewe Sr. clearly names Mary as “my daughter Mary Harris, wife of John Harris”.
1.2.1. “Mr. Thomas Edwards”, m. a dau. (Mary, Sarah, or Anne) of Michael Hunt, soapmaker, of Bristol, in whose Will, probated June 12, 1684, he is designated as “cousin” and overseer; Sarah Jordan witnessed his Will. unspecified “plantations”, which can be taken as those he held jointly with his brother, Joseph, in Jamaica. (Abstract of the title of Joseph Hunt of Port Royal, Jamaica, merchant, to lands in Jamaica, Nov. 21, 1662. (Brist. Arch., AC/WO/16/1). These lands were part of the “Spring Plantation”, owned by John Elbridge, br.-in-law of Thomas Moore, the probable br.-in-law of Edward Brantley Sr. Thomas Edwards was a business partner of a John Clarke in Bristol (Bristol Arch., ref. 046, 1684).
1.2.2. Mr. William Edwards* (“William Edwards, Bristol merchant, destination Virginia”), was granted 290 ac. in Lower Par. of Surry Co., on heads of Blackwater branches adj. Thomas Lane, a branch dividing this from land of Mr. Robert Ruffin* … adj. Mr. Richard Bennett (April 23, 1688, p. 214), 2nd cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Mr. William Edwards, granted 410 ac., in Lower Par. of Surry Co., on E. of Greene’s Swamp, on Oct. 20, 1691, p. 204. … Granted John Clarke, April 24, 1684, by him deserted. Imp. of Richard Holman … *Thomas Harris (d. 1712), who, with William Drewe Sr., witnessed an indenture between Robert and William Ruffin to *William Edwards, on March 1, 1708. Robert Ruffin was the father of Elizabeth Ruffin, who m. Mathew Kinchen, br. of William Kinchen Jr., heir in the Will of John Gibbins: Prob. rec. Sept. 25, 1721, IOW.).

1.4.1.2. Henry Harris*.
1.4.1.2.1. Henry Harris, d. 1791, m. Mary Drewe*.

This was the Henry Harris associated with the Brantley/Norwood families:

1. Henry Norwood, bur. April 10, 1618, Dunster, Somerset, 10 mls N. of Wiveliscombe, abode of the Bennett/Harris families.
1.2. Richard Norwood.
1.2.1. William Norwood, bapt. Sept. 6, 1619, in Dunster, d. 1702, in Virginia.
1.2.1.1. Richard Norwood (4th son) – appraisal by Edward Brantley, Oct. 25, 1731). Richard Norwood was the husb. of Elizabeth, whose estate was appraised by by *Henry Harris and Thomas Cook (rec. Jan. 28, 1733, p. 386); the latter’s Will was witnessed by John Brantley (rec. Nov. 22, 1736, p. 186); who m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. The Brantleys were tenants of the Norwoods in the Manor of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Thomas Cooke was the grandson of William Cooke, of Bristol, Quaker, who d. in 1679, in IOW, father of William Cooke (father of the said Thomas), who patented, Feb. 3, 1664, 360 ac. at the head of a branch of the Blackwater. William and his wife, Joan (of Burnham, Somerset) were Quakers. They are recorded (White, p. 14) as attending “Friends” meetings at Chuckatuck, with (1) Thomas Jordan Sr., Thomas and Mary Tooke, and John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, and probable uncle of Henry Harris. (See Taberer notes, as follow). (2) Elizabeth Church, wife of the said John Harris, Thomas Harris, her br.-in-law, Thomas Jordan Sr., Thomas and Mary Tooke, and isaac Rickes, ibid., p. 11. (3) Thomas Jordan, Joseph Jordan (son of Robert Jordan; a sister of whom may have m. John Gibbins, as follows), and John Harris, ibid., p. 15. Henry Harris, in the context of (quite rigid) intra-Quaker bonds, was very probably the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1712, and a first wife. It can be added that The Brantleys were also Quakers, see previous notes, associated with the West Country Quaker Movement of George Foxe, a strong follower of whom was Isaac Rickes Sr.

1.4.1.3. John Harris, m. Mary Drewe, aunt of *Mary Drewe.

1.4.2. John Harris, m. (2) Elizabeth Church, on April 13, 1689.
1.4.2.1. Isabel Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt; the latter Nicholas being the nephew of John Fulgham, overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

vi.

I suggest that considerable weight ought be given to the Harris family of Cheddar/Wedmore when considering associations in Virginia. This family of Harris shared associations in common with those of their Somerset neighbours of Wiveliscombe, not surprisingly, considering the Bennett connections of the latter family, making them a magnet of advantageous intermarriage. From this, the concept of “close association but thinner than blood” might be considered. One example of this, and perhaps the most significant one, is based on the following rearrangement of my “Counsell” notes, which include a suggestion of a connection to the Tomlin family of Chedzoy.

COUNSELL

1. …
2. Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, held one third of the manor of Mudgley, names as “cousin” in the Will of Marie (Beard) Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. John Harris was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent). John Harris was the father of Thomas Harris, who m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner Jr.*, bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, issue of John Gardner, d. 1677. Joan (Gardner) Harris and her son, Thomas* (b. 1637, in Cheddar) are witnessed here: Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20).
3. Margery Counsell (also designated “cousin” in said Will), m. John Hodges.
3. John Counsell, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; the aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner Jr.*, on Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar, uncle of Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, sister of Hester Tibbits, who m. *Thomas Harris (Apr. 24, 1679), in Cheddar. *John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner (br. of Bridgeman Joyner), James Gardner (1684, p. 56), nephew of John. This Thomas Harris may or may not have gone to Virginia, some argue.

4. John Counsell, m. Alice, the relict of Richard Jeffries: Richard Jeffries, dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, and cousin of Ann Moore, mother of Avis White, wife of a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
5. Hodges Counsell, d. 1699, Virginia, stepson of Alice, dau. of (it is suggested) of Mathew Tomlin, who gave “daughter Alce” a heiffer, on Nov. 9, 1674, withessed by Anthony Fulgham. Hodges Counsell m. Lucy, dau. of John Hardy, and sister of Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner. John Hardy may have been the uncle of the wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677, whose estate included: “100. Payd Coll. Bacon for rent” (land bought from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward’s uncle. Edward Harris was a son-in-law of George Hardy, whose wife, Mary Jackson, was a great-granddau. of Edward Bennett, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. George Hardy’s land bounded that of Nicholas Hill (who m. a dau. of Edward Bennett), who, with Edward Brantley Sr., witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Edward Brantley Sr., had issue, Phillip, who m. Joyce Lewis, dau. of Thomas Lewis and Rebecca (George) Pardoe, half-sister of Phillip Pardoe, security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Phillip Brantley had issue: Edward Brantley, whose son, John, m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Alice (as Tomlin) would have been the sister of Mary Tomlin, wife of John Turner (of Wedmore, as previous notes), and aunt of Mary Turner, the wife of Edward, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

vii.

CHEDZOY (15 ml. fr. Wiveliscombe).

The entirety of those recorded as named Tomlin in Somerset came from Chedzoy. Such records are far from complete, being patchworks of various manuscripts, leaving substantial gaps in the records, so, it is not surprising to not find a Mathew Tomlin listed (later of Virginia). People of this era married those known to them, 90% of which lived within 20 mls of each other. Marriages were arranged betw. families for mutual benefit – financial and protective. In effect, they mated within (their Darwinian) kinship species, not to strangers. If looking for English ancestors, look for a cluster of surnames in England which later occur as a cluster in Virginia.

1. John Clarke (d. 1620), m. Joanne Cogan, Oct. 14, 1611.
1.1. John Clarke, bapt. May 25, 1617.
1.1.1. Katherine Clarke, b. ca. 1640-45, m. Henry King. Surry Co. B. 3, p. 13: John Clarke to Henry King, son-in-law, carpenter, I.O.W. Co., and his wife Katherine King my daughter …. 100 ac. in Surry Co. bounded by Edward Browne. Grandsons William and Henry King. In 1689, Henry King (in Charles City Co.), admin. the estate of David Williams, having m. David’s widow, Sarah Williams. Henry King witnessed John Bond selling to Thomas Harris a corn mill at the head of Pagen Creek. “Thomas Harris, 650 acs. on the N. side of the head of Puscaticon Cr., Lancaster Co., adj. land of Oliver Seger, & opposite an Indian Field, Trans. of 13 pers”.
1.1.1.1. Jan. 1, 1726, Surry Co., B. 7: Henry King Jr. of Brunswick Co, sold 100 ac. in Lawnes Parish, Surry Co, bounded by Edward Browne and John Atkins.
1.2. Thomas Clarke, b. ca. 1615, m. Katherine Moore, Sept. 22, 1638: it would seem – a dau. of John Moore, who m. Mary Gosse, April 22, 1616, and sister of William Moore, bapt. Feb. 23, 1617, who m. Ann Tomlin, witnessed as “Anne Moore, widow”, whose estate was subject to a lawsuit instigated by Andrew (her father) and William Tomlin (1677. C 5/634/13). Thomas Clarke, m. (2) ca. 1660, Elizabeth Sampson, relict of Edward Browne Jr., their issue being: (1) Samuel Browne (ca. 1666–1740), who m. Mary Jones, sister of Richard Jones, husb. of Jane, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) John Browne, whose issue included, Elizabeth Browne, wife of John Joyner, Hester Browne, wife of John Brantley; and Grace Browne, wife of John Warren, and Sylvester Browne. John Warren and Grace Warren, his wife, and Sylvester Brown, ‘all children of John Brown’, convey to Elizabeth Joyner ”their sister” 256 ac formerly belonging to our father John Brown dec’d … (being a patent) of July 28, 1713 to John Brown on W. side of Chowan River, adj. J. Curlee, J. Smith, Wit: Fincher Hayne, Charles Brown” (per Court).
1.2.1. Thomas Clarke, bapt. Dec. 15, 1638.
1.2.2. John Clarke, bapt. March 10, 1640.
1.2.3. William Clarke, bapt. Aug. 27, 1643.

viii.

TURNER

1. John Turner, m. Mary Tomlin.
1.1. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris*.
1.2. John Turner. *John Robertson, David Atkins, and John Turner witnessed a deed betw. James Blount (and Katharine his wife) to Samuel Woodward, for 200 ac. on SS of Chowan River, adj. Wm Maule, betw. a river pocosin and Blount’s Spring Branch. (D.B. B, p. 308, July 30, 1716). John Turner witnessed the Will of Samuel Adkins, rec. Feb 12, 1746, p. 43, who may be assumed to be the brother of John Adkins.
1.3. James Turner. Land grant near Maherrin River joining S. E. side of Cypress Swamp joining Thomas Turner,* a river pocoson,and the countyline, dated March 1, 1720
1.4. *Thomas Turner. James and Thomas Turner were neighbours of Thomas Jarrell (d. Feb. 22, 1741), whose dau., Ann, m. James Turner, who was, thus, brother-in-law of Col. Thomas Jarrell, husb. of Martha, dau.of William Kinchen and Elizabeth Ruffin, sister of Patience, wife of Ethelred Taylor. Thomas Jarrell, d. 1741, was the son of this namesake: May 7, 1678, indenture betw. William Harris, only son of Thomas Harris of Surry Co., and Thomas Jarrell for 1500 pounds of tobacco, 100 ac. on College Run bounding with William Newsum and Robert Ruffin, on William Newett’s line. Nov. 6, 1683: Thomas Jarrell and William Newsum witnessed William Harris selling land, adj. Thomas Jarrell, to Robert Ruffin. Surry.

viii.

TABERER – a Quaker family. The following can only be undestood in the context of the brutal suppression of Quakers in England, at the behest of a ruling class that controlled the State religion, which propagandised every Sunday morning the God-ordained right of the ruling class to rule. Dissent could not be tolerated, which was a catapult of much migration to Virginia. In England, a person expected of being a Quaker could lose their home and tenancy, much of the threat they presented to the establishment being a result of their staunch opposition to paying tithes (underlying economic factors often shape ‘surface’ attitudes). In New England, Quakers were subject to more extreme reactions by Protestant zealots, resulting in (for both men and women), whippings, beatings, torturing, and execution. Hence, in a society that was already based on marriages within a cousinship (consanguineous and non-consanguineous) kinship system, the bond of Quakerism tightened such knots. Quakers tended to marry and have business dealings with other Quakers. This is the context in which the kinship group of this account should be seen. (The Holywood portrayals of early Virginia history, the haphazard coming together of totally unconnected people is but cinematic hogwash). Those of this account were both physically and (more importantly) mentally of the toughest of breeds, a factor of pride for any descendant

1. … Taberer.
1.1. Thomas Taberer, m. Ann Bennett, probable sister of Governor Richard Bennett, 2nd cousins of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. He patented land adj. Francis England in 1652. In his Will, proved Feb. 9, 1694, he mentions his plantation of “Basses Choice”, bought from John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Governor Bennett’s dau., Ann. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia, his Will bequesting “two thousand pounds of tobacco to the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer”. Thomas Taberer witnessed a land deed in 1658 between “Thomas Harris of Chipoaks in the County of Surry” and Christopher Benn. This is Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Thomas Taberer was the father-in-law of John Newman, husband of Ruth Taberer, and John Newman was the future br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who m. (2), Alice, dau. of John Newman Sr. in
1.1.1. Christian Taberer,* m. (Dec. 9, 1687) Robert Jordan (Quaker minister), p. 213. He was b. July 11, 1666. She was the relict of Thomas Outland. He m. (2) Mary Belson, In John Scott’s* home, in May 1690, at Chuckatuck, Nansemond Co., dau of Edmund Belson. “Abraham (Rickes), s. Isaac, of the western branch of Nansemond River; m. at our publick MH in the western branch of Nansemond, Mary Belson, dt Edmond”. (Ency. of American Quaker Genealogy, vol. vi., p. 35, 1950).
1.1.1.1. Christian Jordan, m. William Scott.
1.1.2. Ruth Taberer, m. John Newman, 1692, p. 350, br. of the 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.2. Anne Taberer, m. Robert Spencer.
1.2.1. Elizabeth Spencer, m. John Watkins.
1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. Robert Ruffin (as given, Thomas Harris (d. 1712), witnessed an indenture between Robert and William Ruffin to William Edwards, on March 1, 1708, cousin of his second wife. George Watkins: Est.- Inventory presented by Mrs. Eliza. Watkins, late wife and Exerx. App. by William Thomson, Randall Holt, and Francis Mason, Jan. 7, 1673. Feb. 7, 1675, admin. of est. was presented by Mr. Robert Ruffin, ‘who married ye Relict ‘. 1674. Guardian Acts, Surry Co. B. 2, 1674, p. 63: David Williams presents Capt Charles Barham and Robert Caufield as securities for estate of William Harris, orphan, neph. of John Harris, d. 1687.
1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Ruffin, m. William Kinchen Sr.
1.2.1.1.1.1. William Kinchen, heir in the Will of John Gibbins: Prob. rec. Sept. 25, 1721, IOW. He m. Mary Gibbins, dau. of John Gibbins, and relict of James Adkins

In 1707, the confirmation of the marriage of William Scott, son of John Scott, deceased, to Christian Jordan, dau. of Robert Jordan was witnessed at her grandmother’s home by members of the Jordan family, which are difficult to distinguish, as the many intermarriages betw. Jordan cousins was a source of the same Christian names being repeated at successive generations. They repeatedly interm. with such as the Bridger, Bressie, Goodwin, and Ricks families. What is witnessed is a continuation in Virginia of the business/Quaker bonds of families established in Bristol. The family of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 were certainly Quakers (as the Fulghams), with Isabel Harris, granddau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, being recorded as being born April 17, 1695, and marrying Nicholas Fulgham (son of Nicholas Fulgham, nephew of John Fulgham, overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), in Chuckatuck, Quaker records. The Bridger connections were ongoing: 1. Joseph Bridger. 1.1. Joseph Bridger Jr., 1656-1713. 1.2. Hester Bridger, m. George Williamson. 1.2.1. Ann Williamson, m. John Boykin, son of William Boykin, son of Edward Boykin and Ann Gwaltney, inferring that the families of Williamson and Boykin were of the Quaker fraternity.

Rowland Searchfield released Col. Joseph Bridger of Virginia from all claims of three-eighths of a cargo of wines etc. shipped on the Success of London (master William Goodland) in 1654, to Virginia, in the presence of William Scott, Thomas Harris (d. 1672), Christopher Pitt, James Bridger. William Reaper. (Bristol Record Office, Depositions). Thus, the witnesses, as partners, accounted for the remaining five eighths. John Scott (b. rec. April 3, 1682, Chuckatuck), grandson of William, son of William Jr., witnessed a deed of March 26, 1711 (with William Bridger, son of Joseph Bridger Sr.), whereby John* and Thomas Harris* of the Upper Parish, sons of Thomas, d. 1672, divided the land they held in jointure, that being 250 ac. inherited from their father, and 115 ac. they had acquired from Joseph Bridger. These lands were on the N. side of the Ashen Swamp (adjoining “Dry Bridge Branch”); near the head and on W. side of Seward’s Creek. The 250 ac. had been given to *Thomas Harris by his father-in-law, Francis Hobbs, and had been held by Nathaniel FLoyd, Nov. 20, 1637, the first husband of Francis Hobb’s wife. These lands were near those of Col. Bacon, who had bought them from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and who rented them to Edward Harris, d. 1677.

Robert Jordan’s br., John, published his marriage to Margaret Burgh at “a meeting of friends” which included Elizabeth Scott and Katheren Rickes. This was Isaac Rickes Jr., the husband of the said Katheren, who, as “Clerke of ye yearly meeting”, recorded “friends suffering” in Nansemund; inc. Margaret Jordan, mother of Robert and John, who had 120lb. of tobacco confiscated, on March 25, 1701. The marriage of *John Harris to Elizabeth Church was announced at the house of Isaac Ricks; she attended meetings which included Isaac Ricks, Thomas Newman (husband’s cousin), and Alice Blake (husband’s kinswoman). (M. White, Early Quakers Records).

“John Gibbins married into the Jordan family“. “The Gibbins and Kinchen families were neighbours”. These are extracts from the book, ‘Boone Family Immigrants to Virginia’, by Mr. Jim White, 2013. Mr. White was categorical about the wife of John Gibbins being a Jordan, “but we could not prove which, therefore, we could not prove her mother” – John Gibbin’s dau., who m. (1) James Adkins, d. 1723, (2) William Kinchin Jr., whose father, William Kinchen, was executor of John Gibbin’s estate. This would place John Gibbins in the same Quaker fraternity as Robert Jordan, who m. Christian Taberer (Dec. 9, 1687, as given); niece of Ann Taberer (dau. of Thomas Taberer), ancestress of William Kinchen Jr.

If John Gibbins m. a sister of Robert Jordan, then he was br.-in-law of Ruth Taberer, wife of John Newman, br. of the 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672., whose son, Thomas, by a 1st wife, may have been the father of the Henry Harris, named as 2nd legatee in the Will of John Gibbins.

William Kinchen Jr. and … Gibbins had issue: (1) Elizabeth Kinchen, 1705-April 19, 1764 (Edgecombe Co.), who m. (1) Joseph Jones, 1698- probate, Dec. 25, 1727, IOW – “br.-in-law, Henry King”. (2) Martha Kinchen, m. Thomas Jarrell, having issue: (1) Thomas Jarrell, b. 1727, m. Elizabeth Thorpe (Feb. 4, 1752); b. May 19, 1733.

ix.

GIBBINS

1. John Gybbens, m. Joan Bartlett, Jan. 27, 1559, Taunton, 10 mls from Wiveliscombe.
1.1. John Gibbens, m. Grace Kynnick, Oct. 29, 1589.
1.1.1. John Gibbins.
1.1.1.1. John Gibbens, bapt. Oct. 17, 1611.
1.1.1.1.1. John Gebbens, bapt. May 16, 1652, “f. John”.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Gibbins, b. ca. 1675, m. … Jordan, a sister of Robert Jordan? “John Gibbins – Leg. Mr. William Kinchen; Henry Harris, Mary Adkins, the daughter of James Adkins, John Jackson,* Thomas Harris the son of Edward Harris”, Robert Harris. Ex. Mr. William Kinchen”. N.B. Henry Harris is not stated to be a brother of “Thomas Harris the son of Edward Harris”, who may have been a son of Edward Harris Sr., who died before 1734, and not mentioned in his father’s Will, as such, a nephew of Robert Harris of the Gibbins Will. The naming of “Thomas Harris the son of Edward Harris”, per English custom, would be to demarcate him from another, related, Thomas.

x.

GEORGE

1. … George.
1.1. John George, Will rec. Jan. 9, 1678, p. 170, overseer Thomas Taberer.
1.1.1. Isaac George, b. Feb. 20, 1635.
1.1.1.1. “Thomas George the son of Isaac George, decd., is bound to Mr. Thomas Drew till hee shall arrive to the age of twenty one yeares”, March 1702 (Haun, v.6, p. 14).
1.1.1.2. Robert George.
1.1.1.2.1. John George, m. Mary Jordan, dau. of Josiah Jordan and Mourning Ricks.

(1. Isaac Ricks, d. Nov. 23, 1723.
1.1. Isaac Ricks, b. June 17, 1669, m. Kathren.
1.2. Abraham Ricks, b. Oct 3, 1674, d. June 24, 1746, m. Mary Belson
1.2.1. Mary Ricks, b. July 1, 1704, d. Oct. 6, 1767, m. Joseph Jordan, d. 1752 –

1.1.2. Sarah George, m. Morgan Lewis, Will rec. June 9, 1677, wit. George Hardy, Philip Pardoe, p. 148.
1.1.3. Rebecca George, m. (1) Thomas Lewis. Col. John Lear’s 1689 will; Rebecca was the stepdaughter of his 2nd wife Ann. John Lear had earlier married Rebecca Pardoe’s step-mother, Ann George, the widow of Rebecca’s father, John George. Phillip Pardoe was indentured by the Bristol tobacco factor, John Scott (business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, for four years, on October 9, 1665, probably in Bristol England, his destination Virginia. Rebecca Pardoe was “ye poor widow Perdue” named in the will of John Lear in Nansemond Co., in 1695.
1.1.3.1. Joyce Lewis, m. Philip Brantley, son of Edward Brantly Sr. Phillip Brantley had issue: Edward Brantley, whose son, John, m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
1.1.3. Rebecca George, m. (2) Philip Pardoe.
1.1.3.1. Philip Pardoe, security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.4. William George, m. Sarah Thorpe, sister of John Thorpe, appraisee of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
1.2. Nicholas George.
1.2.1. Eleonor George, m.Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, by a first wife:
1.2.1.1.1. Henry Harris? (per Boddie).
1.2.1.1.2. Thomas Harris? (per Boddie).

The W.M.Q., vol. 7, p. 240, mentions that John Lear’s sister was probably Martha, wife of Robert Pitt; hence to the mother of Nicholas Fulgham, husband of Isabel Harris.

Mr. Boddie’s proposition can not be dismissed on the grounds that it disagrees with a different (also unproven) narrative.

These were of a particularly physically and mentally hardy breed, from whose ranks came a Governor of Virginia, and from which any descendants can be justifiably proud.

copyright m stanhope 2021

p.s. If Thomas Harris, d. 1712, was a “friend” of Robert Jordan, his 1st wife may have been Robert Jordan’s sister.