The following notes are in response to information recently given by Chris Womack, concerning the ancestry of one Isham Harris.

I have appended this information to what I now consider to be the most likely ancestry of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

The ‘general drift’ of this account is readily understandable, but, as in many instances of genealogical consruction concerning early Virginia, the vexed problem of chronology has to be considered: Was West Harris really born as late as 1715?, of a father who can be taken to have been born no later than 1665; if so, by English norms of this time, this would suggest that he had m. someone b. ca. 1690 (Mary Turner) in ca. 1710. She would have almost certainly been his 2nd wife. If Mary had been b. ca. 1680, having issue, West Harris, b. ca. 1712-1715, Edward would almost certainly have been her 2nd husband.

It has been a long journey, full of twists and turns, in no little way assisted by information sent me by many Harris researchers of long-standing.

As I prepare summary, in the form of a book, of the central role that kinship groups played in the colonisation of early Virginia, it is important to acknowledge such assistance, and to also acknowledget that people have differing opinions about ancestries and the interpretation of DNA profiles. I will attempt to incorporate different opinions.

The blog site you are reading from will be upgraded, with many redundant articles being amalgamated or culled. The search facility will be maintained, There will be two main sections on the new site, one concerning ancient history, the other concerning English ancestries in Virginia. Each section will have its own forum. God willing.

ISHAM HARRIS

1. “John Harreys of Taunton”, b. ca. 1480, bur. Nov. 1, 1558, in Taunton. Carter v Harreis. Plaintiffs: John Carter. Defendants: John Harreis, Elizabeth, his wife. Subject: A tenement called `Suthome,’ in Glastonbury, held on lease from defendants by plaintiff, Isabel, his wife, and John, their son, for their lives. 1515-1518. (C 1/400/2).
1.1. Thomas Harreis, leased lands in Greinton (juxta Glasonbury) of Glastonbury Abbey, in 1554. (C 78/13/43)
1.2. Robert Harreys, b. ca. 1505. Harreys v The Mayor of London. Plaintiffs: Robert, son of “John Harreys of Taunton”. Defendants: The mayor, aldermen and sheriffs of London. Subject: Actions of debt by Robert Alford of London, draper, to whom complainant was apprentice, on bonds given by his father upon his apprenticeship and to secure his becoming a freeman of the City. Certiorari. London, Somerset. 1529-1532. (C 1/645/20). Robert Alford m. Anne, dau. and coh. of Edmund Brydges, third son of Thomas Brydges and Maud Henborough. (Visitation of Gloucester, 1623). Robert Harreis, bur. Dec. 7, 1559, in Taunton.
1.2.1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, 9 miles from Taunton. That is, living on the W. boundary of Taunton and the E. boundary of Wiveliscombe resulted in neighbours seperated by no more than a hedge. As shown in previous notes, the Harris association with the Westbrookes continued in Virginia, with the family of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, being associated with them.
1.2.1.1. Richard Harris, m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, sister of Edward Bennett, the Virginia coloniser. Richard Harris is named in the register as ‘of Glastonbury’, relating to his family’s land in that place. Again, the Harris association with the Bennetts in Virginia was a constant and close feature.

1.2.1.2. William Harris.
1.2.1.2.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William”. (“Harries”). Harreys, Harreis, and Harries were commonly used variants at this early period.
1.2.1.2.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, “son of Richard”.
1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel Lancaster, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr.; great-nephew of Elianor and Edward Bennett.

1.2.1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, ca. 1628-1688.
1.2.1.2.1.2.1. Robert Harris Sr., 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. His descendants, and those of his brother, Edward, had strong links to the Lancasters. Lawrence Lancaster to Len Henley Bullock, 330 ac. on Fishing Creek, Elbe’s Branch, where I now live adj. West Harris, et al. Wit: Samuel Lancaster, Britton Harris, and John Lancaster . (Bute (Warren) Co., NC. Book A, p. 77. R. Jan. 23, 1765).

1.2.1.2.1.2.2. Edward Harris, m. Mary Turner, probably of the Turner family of Wedmore, situate 25 mls from Wiveliscombe. This Edward Harris inherited 240 acres from his father Thomas, d. 1688, in Isle of Wight. His Will was probated March 25, 1734. To his son, Edward Harris – 240 acres of land that had been received from his father, Thomas Harris. To his son, Jacob Harris – 190 acres gained (bought) by patent on the flat swamp of the Meherrin River. To his sons, Nathan Harris and West Harris, to be equally divided – 250 acres of land gained (bought), and lying on the north side of the Warrick Branch and adjoining the plantation “where I dwell.” To his son, Daniel Harris* – the land and plantation whereon I now dwell, 250 acres (more or less, that of inheritance).

TURNER

1. William Turner, bur. Dec. 21. 1588 (Allerton, in Wedmore).
1.1. John Turner, m. Antonia Boulting (May 6, 1574) in Wedmore. He was bur. Jan. 9, 1599. She was bur. June 18, 1602.
1.1.1. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579 in Wedmore, m. (1) …
1.1.1.1. William Turner, m. Florence Pearce, Jan. 15, 1628
1.1.1. William Turner, m. (2) (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney.
1.1.1.1. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618 in Wedmore, was a headright of Richard Tye (in 1650), whose relict, Joyce Bland, m. John Cogan.
1.1.1.1.1. John Turner, b. ca. 1650. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son George with this John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. John Cogan witnessed the Will of the said Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Turner, b. ca. 1690, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Joseph Turner, b. ca. 1690.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Mary Turner, b. ca. 1720, m. West Harris, b. ca. 1715.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Turner, m. Arthur Jordan, son of George Jordan, br. of Jane Jordan, wife of *Daniel Harris, who had issue: Britton Harris, etc.

HARRIS cont.

1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1. West Harris, m. Mary Turner.

1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.1. Isham Harris, b. 1741, d. bef. May 14, 1822

1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.1.1. Britton Harris, b. ca. 1765-1770.

An aside of possible interest is that there was a family of Britton which resided in the vicinity of Wedmore. They were kin of the Turners, and the family of Hodges Cowncel of Virginia.
Hodges Council, d. bef. 9 Aug. 1699, was named as the husband of Lucy Hardy in the Will of John Hardy, who had married Alice Bennett (B. 2, p. 419); of the Bennett family of Wivelscombe.

John Counsell (bapt Nov. 28, 1601) was the br. of Hodges Counsell Sr., father of Hodges Counsell Jr., mentioned in the Will of Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668, which also mentions: “friends John Hardy and Thomas Taberer overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr. John Hardy was also the likely uncle of the wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677, and he was a cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

BRITTEN of Wedmore

1. …
1.1. John Britten m. Christiana Davis, Nov. 11, 1602. (John Marten, m. Mary Davis, April 4, 1635).
1.1.1. John Britten, m. Prudence Counsell, Jan. 29, 1629. She was bapt. Feb. 21, 1608, and was the sister of John Counsell and Hodges Counsell Sr.
1.1.1.1. John Britton, m. (1) Elizabeth Hopkins on Jan. 30, 1653. (John Hopkins, m. Mary Parsons, Jan. 1, 1623).
1.1.1.1.1. John Britten, bapt.Nov. 29, 1654.
1.1.1.1.2. William Britten, bapt.April 2, 1664.
1.1.1.1.2.1. William Britten, b. ca. 1690, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Owen, son of Bartholomew Owen. The Will of Robert Owen, merchant of Bristol, named two brothers, George and Griffith; a son of either, William, was party to the disputes between the claimants to his estate. If this William Owen was the father of Bartholomew Owen, and he who m. Elizabeth Knight, on Nov. 19, 1619, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset (granddau. of Alice Bearde, sister of John Bearde, great-grandfather of Agnes Bearde, who m. Thomas Bennett, July 17, 1623); Bartholomew Owen was as connected in a familial sense to the Bennett family as the Harris: Thomas Harris appointed his relict Alice Newman his Extx. R. Nov. 13, 1672. Security, his br.-in-law, John Newman, Edward Brantley (father of Phllip Brantley Sr.). John Newman, 150 ac. in James City Co., near the head of Grays Creek (B. 2, p. 2), assigned part or all of this patent to Luke Mizell, on which he lived until his death. Luke Mizell Jr’s guardian, William Foreman, with Jno. Moring, witnessed the inventory of Bartholomew Owen’s estate, Feb. 14, 1677. Elizabeth Knight (probable mother of Bartholomew Owen) was the sister of Sarah Knight, who m. Nicholas Harwood, May 2, 1614, in Wiveliscombe. Will of Nicholas Harwood (tobacco planter), dated April 1, 1639, mentiomd debt to John Stringer (“for my phisicke”), who witnessed his Will. Deposition of John Stringer (p. 183) states that he was at Mr. Burdett’s house, where he witnessed Thomas Joyner (as, attorney of Edward Robins, partner of Edward Bennett) calling Mrs. Robins (wife of Obedience Robins, br. of the said Edward Robins) “dishonest”, she calling him a “knave”. Thomas Joyner was ordered to ask forgiveness by the court. (Beverley Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, vol. 2, p. 85, 1988).
1.1.1.1.3. Edward Britten, bapt. April 11, 1667.
1.1.1.1. John Britten, m. (2) Jane Westover, Oct. 4, 1669. (John Cowncell m. Mary Westover, June 25, 1582. John Westover, m. Joan Cowncell, July 2, 1583).

A suggestion is that Isham Britten was of this family.

The Harris family of Wiveliscombe had as much connection to the Ishams as any other Harris family. Basically, the worlds of distinctive Engish kinship groups merged in Virginia. Clifford Dowdey, in his The Virginia Dynasties, described a relationship among the important families of the time as a “web of kinship”. He noted that where “the plantations were centers of commerce, the plantation families became the units of power, like corporations. Alliances of interests between these families, as well as intermarriages, produced what amounted to interlocking, directorates in control” (pp.185-186).

BENNETT AND ISHAM

1. Robert Bennett.
1.1. Edward Bennett.
1.2. Thomas Bennett.
1.2.1. Alice Bennett, m. Richard Jackson.
1.2.1.1. Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.2.2. Governor Richard Bennett.
1.2.2.1. Ann Bennett, m. (2) Theoderick Bland.
1.2.2.1. Richard Bland, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Randolph and Mary (dau. of Henry Isham), and sister of Isham Randolph:
1.3. John Bennett.
1.3.1. Thomas Bennett, stepfather of Elizabeth Pierce (dau. of his wife Alice), who m. (2) Richard Jackson; having issue: Mary, wife of George Hardy, and mother-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.3.1.1. Richard Bennett Sr., m. (1) Charles Barham’s sister.
1.3.1.1.1. James Bennett, witnessed the Will of Joseph Bridger, business partner of Thomas Harris. d. 1672.
1.3.1.1.2. Ann Bennett, d. 1708, m. John Goode.
1.4. Elianor Bennett, m. (1594) Richard Harris, grandparents of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Harris was the br. of William Harris, father of Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William” (“Harries”), father of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Thomas Harris, as given, was the father of Edward Harris and Robert Harris, brothers of Thomas Harris, who, it is suggested, m. Mary Jefferson.

1. Henry Isham.
1.1. Mary Isham, m. William Randolph.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Randolph, m. Richard Bland.
1.1.2. Isham Randolph
1.1.2.1. Jane Randolph, m. Peter Jefferson, nephew of Mary Jefferson, wife of Thomas Harris. Deborah Portis, widow of John Portis, appoints Richard Bennett, son of Richard Bennett, Sr. and Thomas Harris, her attorneys. Thomas Harris and Mary Jefferson had issue: Ann Harris, who m. John Goode, son of John Goode and Ann Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett Sr.
1.1.2.1.1. President Thomas Jefferson,

1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1. Robert Harris.
1.2. Edward Harris.
1.2.1. West Harris, m. Mary Turner.
1.2.1.1. Isham Harris.
1.3. Thomas Harris, m. Mary Jefferson, aunt of Peter Jefferson, who wife was a granddau. of Richard Bland, grandson of Governor Richard Bennett, and kin of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe.
1.3.1. John Harris, b. March 28, 1703., m. Ursula Goode, sister of John Goode.
1.3.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. 1730, m. Samuel Flourney, b. 1724. Consent op John Harris. Sr. Aprill 1, 1748. Witness: John Harris, James Harris, William Harris. Samuel Flournoy’s executors, viz : Wm. Harris and Anthony Martin of Powhatan Co. & Thomas Flournoy of Prince Edward Co
1.3.1.1.1. Elizabeth Julia Flournoy (b. Nov. 25, 1765) m. Isham Britton. Isham Britton , of Halifax county , executed bond for license to marry Elizabeth Julia , dau. of Samuel Flournoy , of Powhatan , May 1 , 1786.

The proposed Goode connection to various places in England called Whitby/Whitly is without foundation. John Goode’s plantation called ” Whitby” was probably purchased fom Robert Wheedby/Wedbee/Whitby. John Goode may have been of the Godd/Goode family of Wedmore:

1. Johannis Godd, vicarii de Wedmore, d. 1627, mentions Penelope Harris before sons in Will. She was b. Nov. 1, 1620 (dau. of John Harris, d. 1625, who m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore, and sister of Thomas Harris, father of Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar/juxta Wedmore. Penelope Harris may have been John Godd’s niece. Johannis Godd, vicarii de Wedmore m. Edith Bayley, Oct. 7, 1598.
1.1. John Godd, bapt. March 4, 1603, m. Jacoba Cowncell, Sept. 22, 1629.
1.1.1. John Good/Gode, the immigrant?
1.2. William Godd, bapt. Jan. 1, 1607.
1.3. Richard Godd, bapt. March 8, 1617.

1. William Byrd, m. Hannah Grendon.
1.1. William Byrd, neighbour of John Goode.
1.2. John Byrd.
1.2.1. John Byrd, m. Aug. 24, 1697 in Berkley, Perquimans, Rebecca Sutton, b. Aug. 8, 1676. Will of John Byrd, Sept. 13, 1716: I nominate and appoynt My dear and Loving wife Reb: Bayrd and my true and loving friend Mr John Hardy my sole executor and executrix. Jno. Byrd, Chowan, 1714, 330 Ac, In the fork of Cashoke (Cashie) Creek, (John Holbrooks corner, Thomas West’s line). Rebecca Sutton was the uterine half-sister of Richard Whedbee (Whedby/Whitby), b. Feb. 2, 1687 in Suttons Creek, N.C., son of John Whedbee, b. Dec. 26, 1661 in Albermarle, d. April 5, 1700, in Periquimans Co.; son of Robert Whedby, of Surry Co.
1.2.1.1. Rebecca Byrd, m. (1717 John Hardy.

HARRIS cont.

1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.2. Turner Harris, b. June 25, 1745.

1.2.1.2.1.2.2.2. Nathan Harris, b. ca. 1715.

1758. To the Militia of the County of Brunswick, and for provisions furnished by sundry inhabitants of the said County, viz.

l. s. d.
To captain Edward Goodrich, 30L
To Frederick Maclin, and John Parish, lieutenants, 151. each,
To Vines Collier, and Jeptha Arthington, ensigns,, 101. each,
To Thomas Briggs, William Rose, Nathaniel Tatum, and John Tilman, serjeants, at 26l. 13. 4d each,
To Janies Scott, drummer, 4 14 6.

To Richard Gower, William Parsons, Isham Harris, William Bryan, James Hargrove, Robert Wall, Charles Wall, Peter Jackson, Frederick Glover, Thomas Mannin, Mark Jackson, Daniel Wall,
Robert Peebles, William Fostei’, Zebulon Lewis, Jesse Brown, Williamn Parliam, Nicholas Franell, Abram Martin, William Martin, John Calton, Richard Ramsey, Benjamin Simpson, Thomas Connally, Thomas Hanicom, Edward Tatum, Moses Tomer:in, Samuel Jackson, Peter Freeman, Edward Freeman, Henry Jackson, Charles Gunter, John Carlile William Edwards, Elias Fowler, John Barnet, Richard Dobbins, Joel Smith, Daniel Collier, Samuel Russel, Robert Gee, jun. William Cooke, William Gaultney, Sampson Moseley, George Walton, jun. William Randolph, William Ledbetter, Samuel Sexton, William Ledbetter, jun. Nathan Harris, Robert Gaultney, Thomas Walton, John Moore, Robert Lanier, Thomas Denton, William Denton, Nathaniel Steed, Edmonds Barker, Lewis Barker, David Moss, James Linch, David Adam, Roger Tilman, William Upchurch, Thomas Nance, Thomas Ravenscrop, Michael Upchurch, John Upchurchi, George Wall, Thomas Nance, John Hailes, Francis Mitchell, Tobias Moore, and Robert Nance, at 51. each, as prvates.
1.2.1.2.1.2.2.2.1. Turner Harris, b. June 25, 1745.
1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.1. Nathan Harris, 1779-1840.
1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.1.1. Christopher Harris, August 9, 1806 – March 20, 1881.
1.2.1.2.1.2.2.1.2.1.2. Rowland Harris, Jan. 25, 1808 – October 1, 1889.

Chris Womack:

“In the Granville County NC Deeds, Book H Page 193-194 is a deed between West Harris and Mary Harris his wife to Isham Harris where Isham purchased land from West and Mary. There is no other deed between West and Isham that I have found. This deed was dated 11 Jun 1765 and registered in the November Court 1766. Isham would have to be at least 21 years of age to purchase land, so the dates would place his birth year circa 1744. This fits with research that shows Isham’s birth year to be 1741. West Harris was born in 1715, and if he married Mary at 25 years of age their marriage year can be estimated at circa 1740. The dates and places for Isham and West fit”.

Isham had an estate settlement in Granville County, NC naming all of his children. Isham’s sons Britton and Hardy were executors. Isham’s estate record is available on ancestry.com in North Carolina US Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, Granville, Estate Records, Hargrove TL – Harris, Spears.

There are several critical pages of this record which tie Isham to his parents West and Mary Harris. I’ll give you the image numbers from the microfilm reel since the pages are not numbered.

(Image 1113) Isham’s estate account. Toward the bottom left side of this page near the signatures of Hardy & Britton Harris I is an entry “a claim due Isham Harris his pt on his mother’s estate the amount not known.”

(Image 1141) The second entry on this page of the estate account is dated October 1, 1822 “By Cash in full settlement with the ests. of West & Mary Harris, decd. $446.10.” This accounting was presented in Granville County Feb Court 1823.

(Image 1144) At the top of the page is written “An Account Current against Isham Harris Sr as rendered by Isham and Britton Harris, Guardians for Isham.” The second entry on this page states “Sept 25 1822, To services rendered in going out to Montgomery and settling with the Excr’s (executors) of West and Mary Harris Dec’d as will appear (almost illegal word – looks like receipt) and bearing his expenses & 16 days loss of time $20.00”.

The are the only three entries in Isham’s probate record that deal with an estate that owes money to Isham’s estate. The first stated his mother’s estate, and the second and third entries give names of West & Mary Harris. There is no reason for Isham’s executors to settle with West Harris’s executors if Isham Harris wasn’t a legatee.

Most researchers place Mary Harris’s death date at 1766. I don’t know if that is based on the deed referenced above. I have not checked all deeds to see the latest date that Mary appears. We can say that Mary Harris was deceased before 1822, since the estates of West and Mary were both being settled and Isham received his share of their estate distribution.

So, I agree, with chronological reservations, concerning this Isham Harris.

Take care.

copyright m stanhope 2021