In notes to myself, I have explored the possibility of the Heriz family of Notts. and Derbys. being antecedant to th Harris family ‘of Radford’, so called, and they to a Harris family of Somerset; and they to one of Virginia. This possibility is simply that, and it is for those reading this note to make their own judgement. What may have been the case is that a number of Devonshire familes established themselves in nearby Somerset by buying the confiscated lands of Glastonbury Abbey. All inquest post mortems concerning all branches of the Heriz family
show them ending in heirs female, so the proposition of a link between the Heriz and Somerset/Virginia is a possibility without comparison, it is suggested. What may be advised, in making a judgement, is not to rely on the claims of those living now as to whom was their ancestor, for, without proof, such claims are but that. Several people living now may share a similar DNA profile, but this is entirely seperate from their claim to an unsubstantiated, common ancestor.

HERIZ

Mr. Blore (An History of the Manor, and Manor-house, of South Winfield, in Derbyshire) gives a cogent account of the Heriz family of Notts., and demarcates between the William de Heriz who m. Matilda, dau. of Ralph Lord Basset, and his nephew of the same name, who m. Adeline, dau. and heir of Robert de Whatton. He also records that Robert de Heriz, as follows, was a man of king John, and was rewarded with lands in Devon:

1. Ivo I. de Heriz, Sheriff of Notts. and Derbys., 1128-30.
1.1. Robert de Heriz, the Sheriff,* .m. Agnes Alcher.
1.1.1. Robert de Heriz.* “To this Robert de Heriz, (Herice) John Earl of Moreton (King John), before he came to the Crown (in 1199), granted that he should have hunting, an huntsman, and all other liberties and free customs in his wood, and in his land of Winefeld, without vexation and without regard of the Earl’s foresters”. At the 1201 Launceston eyre, Robert was a plaintiff for seizin of land taken “by reason of the king’s service” in 1199. He held land in Landegai (Caerhays) and Ebbeford (Efford), Cornwall (Pipe Roll, 1201).
1.1.2. Ivo II. de Heriz, ob. 1225, m. Hawise Briwiere, very probably related (perhaps sister), to William Briwiere, ob. Nov. 24, 1226, sheriff of Devon, Justice Itinerant in 1189, and administrator under King John, witnessing the majority of his charters. This Ivo gave to the canons of Lenton 10 s. yearly, at the same time that Robert his father gave to them his mill at Wystandon.
1.1.3. William de Heriz, m. Adeline, dau. and heir of Robert de Whatton. This William de Hériz, for the health of his soul, and of the soul of Adeline his wife, and for the soul of Robert de Heriz, his brother, gave various lands and possessions to the church of Lenton; he and his wife there offering them in the presence of many witnesses; amongst whom were *Robert de Heriz, William his uncle,* and *Robert the Sheriff.

1.2. *William de Heriz, m. Matilda, dau. of Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton, in Staffordshire, had issue; which issue enjoyed, under an intail, part of the lands of the last Ralph, Lord Basset of Drayton.
1.2.1. Henry de Heriz, listed as a Crusader of Richard I. Assise Roll, Launceston, 1201: “The assize of novel disseisin betweeen Robert de Heriz, complainant, and Henry (de Heriz) son of William stands over because Robert has had seisen by fine which he has had made with the King (John). Robert and Henry de Heriz were retainers of King John (br. of Richard I.), in Notts. and Devon, and their grants of land in Devon would, almost invariably, be witnessed by William de Briwiere. Between 1221 and 1242 Henry de Heriz donated land in Bradford Heriz to Launceston Priory for his soul and that of his wife and his ancestors. Richard Carew’s survey of Cornwall states that the Herys family of Caerhays were of his stock. Bradford Heriz is in the parish of Pyworthy, juxta Holsworthy. Launceston is roughly (20 miles) equidistant on the road from Pyworthy to Plympton, the principal residence of the Harris family of Radford.
1.2.1.1. Henry de Heriz. In 1257, Henry de Herice and John Tyrell of Devon were granted protection for being summoned to travel to Wales to quell a rebellion.
1.2.1.1.1. John de Herice, (became ‘Harry’, ‘son of Henry’), recorded at Loswithiel, ca. 1280. Loswithiel is ca. 25 miles W. of Plympton, which is 3 miles from Radford/Plymstoke.

Bradford Heriz in Pyworthy, Virginstow, in Lifton hundred. Virginstow is a village and civil parish in the Torridge district of Devon, It is situated about 7 miles N. of Launceston in Cornwall. Torridge, Torigge (in Plympton St. Mary parish), co. Devon. Clearly, the Harris family of Radford/Plympton/Plymstoke territorally followed in the ‘footsteps of the Heriz’.

1.2.1.1.1.1. John Harry.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Harry, recorded in Loswithiel in 1371, and Launceston, in 1375; perhaps he commonly given as “ist. of Radford”. He supposedly m. the heiress, Alice le Abbe, thus gaining land in Radford, but his holding here may just as likely have been a purchase.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harry. Debtor: John Harry of Exford in Devon (Carhampton Hundred, Somerset). Creditor: John More, citizen and mercer of London. Amount: £40. 1398. (C 131/214/9). Exford is Efford, where Robert de Heriz is recorded as owning land, as given. Colby, Vis. Devon, 1564: Whitley of Efford. (Exford – Rawl . MS.). Perhaps he commonly given as “2nd. of Radford”.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, perhaps he he commonly given as “3rd. of Radford”.

RADFORD

1. John Harris, 1st at Radford.
1.1. John Harris, 2nd at Radford.
1.1.1. John Harris, 3rd at Radford, ob. ante 1430, m. Katherine Hanchford, also known as Hansford, the sister of Jane Hanchford, who m. Sir Theobald Gorges, of Wraxall, Somerset, and Braunton Gorges, co. Devon. Their dau. Elizabeth Gorges, m. (1447), Thomas Grenville, who had m. (1) Anne Courtenay, mother of Elizabeth Courtenay, wife of William Hyndeston. Thomas Grenville and Elizabeth Gorges had issue: (1) Mary Grenville, who m. Richard Bluett, of Holcombe Rogus, in Devon, later of Kittisford, Somerset, sister of Philipa Grenville (d. 1524), who m. (1) Francis Harris (1475–1509), of Radford. (2) Sir Thomas Grenville, father of Roger Grenville,* father of (1) Agnes Grenville, wife of John Fitz Jr., grandson of John Fitz Sr.* (2) Amy Grenville, b. 1513, wife of John Drake, Sheriff of Devon, d, 1558; br. of Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis Drake. (3) Christiana Grenville, m. James Erisey, d. May 2, 1543.

The marriage to a Hanchford heiress is highly probable. The connections it gave are reflected in future, familial contexts, and the Harris armorial of gules, a fesse betw. 3 crescents, arg. is a quartering of the Carey family, bore by Sir John Carey, who m. a ‘d. of Hanckford’. (Harvey, Vis. Devon, 1564).

1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, esq., 4th at Radford, ob. ante Oct. 16, 1485. John Harry, June 7, 1450: Parties: William Hyndeston and *John Fitz Sr. (of Tavistock), querents, and John Harry, esquire, deforciant. Property: The manor of Radford and 1 messuage and 40 acres of land in Plympstoke and Plymphone. Action: Plea of covenant. Agreement: John Harry has acknowledged the manor and tenements to be the right of William, as those which William and John Fitz have of his gift, and has remised and quitclaimed them from himself and his heirs to William and John Fitz and the heirs of William for ever. Warranty: For this: William and John Fitz have given him 100 pounds sterling.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Francis Harrys (d. 1509), son and heir of John Harrys, esquire. Writ, April 22, 1497, recites that the said John lately held of the king, as of the honor of Plympton, late in the king’s hands, by knight-service; that afterwards, viz. October 26, 1486, the king by charter gave the said honor to Edward, earl of Devon, in tail male, with knights’ fees, advowsons, &c.; and that the lands of the inheritance of the said Francis are in the custody of Roger Holand, esquire, by the king’s grant. He was born at Plympstoke, and baptized in the parish church there, and was of the age of 21 years and more on October 16 last (born 1475), as John Speccot, Thomas Tregarthyn, John Arundell Trereys and Nicholas Yeo, esquires, Alexander Arundell, Richard Upcote and Henry Thorne well know, inasmuch as they were present in church at his baptism, and then were there David, the prior of the house and church of Plympton, and David Blakhede, his fellow-monk, godfathers of the same Francis, and Katharine Spicer, his godmother. WILLIAM HARRYS, aged 50 and more (his uncle), held the salt at the child’s baptism.

Francis Harrys m. Philippa Greville; born 1489, sister of Katherine Grenville, 1487-1545., the wife of John Arundel, b. 1474, in Lanherne, son of Sir Thomas Arundel of Lanherne, b. 1452, who m. (1473), Katherine Dinham (d. 1501), of Nutwell, Devon. John Aundel was the br. of Alice Arundell, who m. Sir John Speke of White Lackington; Humphrey Arundel, who m. Philippa Greville, relict of Francis Harris; Roger Arundell, who m. Johanna Calwoodleigh. The Speke family acquired considerable lands in Somerset during the 15th century. (Linked to the Symes of Somerset).
*Thomas Tregarthyn’s dau., Mary, m. Richard Whitleigh; their dau., Margaret, m. *Roger Grenville.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris, b. ca. 1506 (see Mr. Westcote, ‘A View of Devonshire’, p. 553, 1845); m. Catherine Esse, dau. and coheir of Henry Esse, (alias Trecarrell,) of Trecarrel in Cornwall. He leased land in Radford of the Killigrews.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Christopher Harris, joint deputy vice-admiral of Devon during the 1590, m. (2), a dau. of Sir John Sydenham (relict of John Fitz, son of John Fitz Jr), of Brinton, Somerset, and Alice Hoby, the relict of Sir Henry Knyvet, of Chotleton, in Wiltshire.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Jane Harris, m. John Harris, of Lanrest* (a cadet branch of this Harris family, see as follows), son of John Harris M.P.; stepson of Dorothy, dau. of William Waldegrave and Julyana, dau. of Sir John Raynsford. Dorothy Waldegrave m. (2) Arthur Harris, Esq., of Woodham, Mortimer, d. July 7, 1597.

1.1.1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Harris,* m. Thomas Gawdy: “A daughter married to Gawdy, of Gawdys-Hall, in the parish of Harleston” (ibid.). *Widow of Walter Steyning, of Holnicote.
1.1.1.1.1.3. Jane Harris, m. Thomas Killigrew Jr. (- Sept. 20, 1513); mortgagors of a ‘John Harris’ and —– Cavendish of land in Dunmowe, Essex. Aother messuage leased to this John Harris* was one held in mesne by the Arundel family, to which Thomas Killigrew Jr. was an atorney.
1.1.1.1.1.4. Isabel Harris, m. John More.
1.1.1.1.1.4.1. “John More, gentleman”. More v Osborne. Plaintiffs: John More and Isabel, his wife, Richard Beryman and Margaret, his wife, John Bilcheford and Johane, his wife, William Cornysse and Elizabeth, his wife, and John Ferys and Catherine, his wife, daughters of John Harrys, the younger, son of John Harrys, of Monkelegh, the elder. Defendants: Hugh, son of John Osborne. Subject: Land at Tokkeslond in Abbotsham. Devon. 1475-1480, or 1483-1485. (C 1/52/198).

1.1.1.1.2. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1. ‘John Harreys of Taunton‘?*

MORE

1. John Moore, of Moor Hayes (d. 1509), m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Clivedon, of Willond. MORE. Cullompton.—“Moorehayes,” says Pole, “lyeth in the parish of Columpton the dwelling of ancient famylye,” from the time of Henry III. At the east end of the north aisle of Cullompton Church is the chantry of More of Morehayes in that parish, and where numerous members of the family are buried. A screen of late date, dividing the chantry from the chancel, has on the cornice a series of eight shields illustrative of the descent of More. 1. (Ermine) on a chevron (azure) three cinquefoils (or) (More). (William Henry Hamilton Rogers, The Ancient Sepulchral Effigies and Monumental and Memorial Sculpture of Devon, pp. 215-9, 1877).
1.1. Margaret More, m. John Walrond, of Bradfield.
1.2. Maurice More, m. Cicely, dau. of JOHN BONVILLE, of Combe-Raleigh; his family originally from Chewton, Somerset.
1.3. John More of Cullompton, 3rd son, co-ex. of father’s Will, m. ISABELL HARRIS.

HANKEFORD

1. Sir William Hankford, Kt. of Monkelegh, Devon, Henry V’s chief justice, d. Dec. 12, 1423, bur. Monkleigh; possessed lands in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, etc. Grantor: William Hankeford, knight, John Stourton, the elder, John Paseware and William Walkeden. Recipient: John Brome and Joan, his wife. Place or Subject: North Perrot. Somerset. 1422. (E 326/7621). North Perrot is on the road which passes through Taunton, on to Wiveliscombe.
1.1. Richard Hankford, the king’s writ for taking on his death being dated May 23, 1419, when Richard the son was found his heir and of full age. He m. Thomasina Stapleton, whose dower brought him Norton and Nonnington, in Somerset.
1.1.1. Sir Richard Hankford, Sheriff of Devon on Nov. 13, 1423; styled “Ricardus Hankeford, miles,” in the inquisition after his death, dated Feb. 28, 1431.
1.1.1.1. Thomasine Hankeford, m. William Bourchier.

Carter v Harreis. Plaintiffs: John Carter. Defendants: JOHN HARREIS, Elizabeth, his wife, William Andrew and Margaret, his wife, and Alice Trymlet, single woman. Subject: A tenement called `Southome,’ in Glastonbury, held on lease from defendants by plaintiff, Isabel, his wife, and John, their son, for their lives. Somerset. 1515-1518. (C 1/400/2). John Carter was the plaintiff against JOHN BONVYLD, Henry Cate, Thomas Crekehaye, John Cowde, John Hamme, and others), concerning land in Colyton, Devon. (STAC 2/24/217). John Bonvyld’s dau., Florence, was the wife of John Bourchier, lord Fizwarren, the son of Fulk Bourchier (who m. Elizabeth Dynham (d. 1516), the dau. of Sir John Dinham (1406–1458) of Nutwell, Devon), the son of William Bourchier and Thomasine Hankford, a dau. and coheiress of SIR RICHARD HANKEFORD of Annery, Devon, nephew of Katherine Harris, wife of JOHN HARRIS OF RADFORD. John Bonvyld held land (of Glaston. Abbey) in Lydeard St. Lawrence, Somerset: Feoffment: John House of ‘Ylmester’ to John Trevelian, knt., JOHN SYDENHAM OF ORCHARD ESQ., John Bonvild, esq., and Will Huett, gent: all mess. etc. in Westow in Lydeard St. Lawrence. (Somerset Arch., DD\SAS\C/795/PR/143, 1517).

1.2. Katherine Hankford, m. John Harry, d. ca. 1430.
1.2.1. John Harris.
1.2.1.1. Francis Harris.
1.3. Jane Hankford, m. Sir Theobald Gorges, of Wraxall, Somerset, and Braunton Gorges, co. Devon.
1.3.1. Elizabeth Gorges, m. Thomas Grenville, who had m. (1) Anne Courtenay, mother of Elizabeth Courtenay, wife of William Hyndeston, and …. Courtenay, the wife of John Fitz.
1.3.1.1. Mary Grenville, m. Richard Bluett (1479 – c. 1523), of Holcombe Rogus, in Devon, later of Kittisford, Somerset, 4 miles fr. Wiveliscombe, 8 miles fr. Nettlecombe.
1.3.1.2. Philipa Grenville (d. 1524), m. (1) Francis Harris (1475–1509) of Radford.

GRENVILLE

1. Sir Thomas Grenville of Stow, Sheriff of Cornwall (d. 1513), m Isabella, dau. of Otho Gilbert, of Compton.
1.1. Roger Grenville.
1.2. Honora Grenville, m. (2) Arthur Plantagenet.
1.3. Jane Grenville, m. (1) *John Arundell, of Trerest.
1.4. Catherine Grenville, Sir John Arundell, of Lanherne.
1.5. Philippa Grenville, m (1) Francis Harris.
1.6. Mary Granville, m (1) Richard Bluet.
1.6.1. Roger Bluett.
1.6.1.1. Catherine Bluett, m. Richard Warre, of Milverton, Somerset, br. of Mary Warre, wife of George Sydenham, of Chelworthy, Somerset, br. of JOHN SYDENHAM OF ORCHARD, ESQ.*

HARRIS cont.

1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, half-brother (it is supposed) of John Harris of Radford, m. ‘a daughter and heiress of Stone of Lifton,’ and had issue William, and four daus., m. to Piper, Jackman, Cole, Allen.
1.1.1.1.2.1. William Harris, d. Jan. 12, 1547, of Stone, m. Thomasin, dau. and co-heir of Walter Hayne, of Hayne, and had issue John, and Wilmot, m. to William Foster, of Hole, in Devon. Walter Hayne was very likely to have been enfeoffed in Hayne as a result of marrying into the family of Drew, lords of that place. He was the progenitor of the Haynie family of Northumberland Co., Virginia.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, aged 40 or more at father’s death (inq. 5 Edward VI., pt. 1, no. 16.), king’s sergeant-at-law.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. William Harris, of Hayne, m. Mary Greville (d. o. Sir Fulk Greville, of Beauchamp-Court, Warwick); her niece m. Nathaniel West of Virginia.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2. Wilmot Harris, m. John Trevelyan, of Nettlecomb, in Somerset, esq.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1. John Trevelyan, sheriff of Somerset, m. Urith (dau. of Sir John Chichester, of Ralegh, in Devon), bur. May 15, 1591.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1. John Trevelyan, m. Margaret dau. of George Luttrell, esq. of Dunster Castle, Somerset.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. George Trevelyan, m. Margaret, dau. of Sir Robert Strode, of Parnham, Dorset.

1.1.1.1.2.1.1.3. John Harris, 2nd. son, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Michael Kelly, of Redcliffe, Devon.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.3.1. John Harris, of Barnstaple, d. Feb. 23, 1591, m. (1) Ann, dau. of Sir John Beckett, of Cartuther. He m. (3) Dorothy, dau. of William Waldegrave and Julyana, dau. of Sir John Raynsford. Dorothy Waldegrave m. (2) Arthur Harris, Esq., of Woodham Mortimer, d. July 7, 1597.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.3.1. Sir John Harris, M.P., m. (2) Jane, dau. of William Harris and Catherine Esse (as given).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.3.1.1. *John Harris, of Lanrest.

Mr. Prince: ‘Harris, John, Serjeant at Law to K. Hen. 8, was a native of this county: born either at Stone, or at Hayne, neighbour dwellings, and both his fathers, standing in the parish of Stowford, near Lifton, on the edge of Cornwall, north-west from Exeter about thirty miles. His father was William Harris, of Stone, aforesaid, by Thomasin his wife, daughter and heir of Walter Hayne, of Hayne. His grandfather was John Harris, a younger (half) brother of John Harris, of Radford, in the parish of Plimstock, near Plymouth, Esq. His grandmother was the daughter and heir of Stone, of Stone; at which last place this family resided, until Serjeant Harris, having fairly rebuilded his house at Hayne, made that a gentile and commodious dwelling for himself and his posterity; which hath flourished there ever since in worshipful degree. Serjeant Harris (to carry on the pedigree of this family in this place) by his wife, daughter of Michael Kelley, of Ratcliffe and Southwyke in Devon, had issue five sons, William, John, Oliver, Anthony, and Arthur; and two daughters, Alice married to John Wise, of Sydenham in Devon, Esq; and Wilmot, married unto John Trevillian, of Nettlecombe in Somerset, Esq. William Harris, Esq; married Mary, daughter to Sir Fulk Grevil, of Beachamps-Court in the county of Warwick, Kt. by whom he had issue Arthur, and four daughters’.

QUESTIONS.

1.
Is it reasonable to conjecture that the Harris family of Radford descended from that of Heriz?

2.
Is it reasonable to conjecture that ‘John Harreys of Taunton‘ was of the Harris family of Radford, given some connection to JOHN BONVILLE/Bonvyld, and John Carter, who, to repeat, was the plaintiff against John Bonvyld and others, concerning land in Colyton, Devon. (STAC 2/24/217). John Bonvyld’s dau., Florence, was the wife of John Bourchier lord Fizwarren, the son of Fulk Bourchier (who m. Elizabeth Dynham (d. 1516), the dau. of Sir John Dinham (1406–1458) of Nutwell, Devon), the son of William Bourchier and THOMASINE HANKFORD, a dau. and coheiress of Sir Richard Hankford of Annery, Devon (nephew of the wife of John Harry/Harris of Radford). John Bonvyld held land (of Glaston. Abbey) in Lydeard St. Lawrence, Somerset: Feoffment: John House of ‘Ylmester’ to John Trevelian, knt., *JOHN SYDENHAM OF ORCHARD, ESQ., John Bonvild, esq. and Will Huett, gent: all mess. etc. in Westow in Lydeard St. Lawrence. (Somerset Arch., DD\SAS\C/795/PR/143, 1517).

It may be recounted that John Bonville was the br.-in-law of Isabel Harris, sister Francis Harrys (d. 1509), son and heir of John Harrys, esquire, whose br., William, was b. ca. 1435, and who may have been the father of ‘John Harreys of Taunton‘, who, in this event, would be the 1st-cousin of Isabel Harris, sister-in-law of John Bonville/Bonvyld.

1. John Moore, of Moor Hayes (d. 1509), m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Clivedon, of Willond.
1.1. Margaret More, m. John Walrond, of Bradfield.
1.2. Maurice More, m. Cicely, dau. of JOHN BONVILLE, of Combe-Raleigh; his family originally from Chewton, Somerset.
1.3. John More of Cullompton, 3rd son, co-ex. of father’s Will, m. Isabell Harrys.

1. *‘John Harreys of Taunton‘, clothier, b. ca. 1475, bur. Nov. 1, 1558. 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
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.
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.

3.
Were the John Harris who m. Joan Woolcot, Feb. 6, 1562, in Nettlecombe, the Trevelyan manor ( 7 mls N. of Wiveliscombe), and William Harris, who m. Aug. 31, 1562, Dorothy Westbrooke, in Wiveliscombe, related? That both their families married to the same family Woolcots indicates that they were, as such inter-family marriages were a common feature of this time.

John Harris m. Joan Woolcott, Feb. 6, 1562, in Nettlecombe, presumably sibling of Joan Harris, who m. John Woolcot (alias Collye), May 16, 1568, in. Nettlecombe. In nearby Wiveliscombe, Robert Woolcott, m. Anstis Harris, on Sept. 8, 1569, who, it may reasonably be presumed, was a sister of William Harris, who m. Aug. 31, 1562, Dorothy Westbrooke, in Wiveliscombe. John Woolcot (alias Collye) and Joan Harris, had issue: John Woolcot, churchwarden at Nettlecombe in 1623 and 1632, whose son John Wolcott, husbandman, leased 2 messuages and 30acres in the manor of Woodadvent, Nettlecombe, from George Trevelyan.

As said, it is for each individual to decide if there are reasonable grounds for these Harris being Heriz.

HARRIS IN VIRGINIA

1. William Harris, m. DOROTHY WESTBROKE, on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe. She was the sister of Edward Bennett, the Virginia coloniser, and aunt of Thomas Bennett, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1710.
1.1.1. Edward Harris, held land patented by his cousin, (Governor) Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642.
1.1.1.1. Edward Harris,* d. 1677. The estate accounts of Edward Harris inc. “100. Payd Coll. Bacon for rent”, land bought from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward’s second-cousin. Phillip Pardoe was security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. His wife was Jane George (dau. of John George), cousin the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Their dau., Joyce Pardoe, m. Phillip Brantley, whose grandson, John, m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Jane George was the sister of William George, nephew of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. He m. Sarah Thorpe, sister of John Thorpe, appraisee of estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/3, who was, most likely, a son (by a first wife) of Thomas Harris, d. 1712, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.1.2. Thomas Harris, m. JUDITH BLAKE, on Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1625, d. 1672, in Virginia.
1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1712, m. (1) Hannah Browne.
1.1.2.1.1.1. Henry Harris, witnessed the Will of John Edwards (N.C. R. March 7, 1750, p. 306, the grandson of Thomas Edwards, br. of Robert Edwards, father of Judith Edwards.
1.1.2.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His Will was appraised by John Thorpe, br.-in-law of William George, cousin of THOMAS HARRIS, d. 1712. Thomas Harris witnessed the Will of John Scott, grandson of the business partner of THOMAS HARRIS (d. 1672), and Joseph Bridger. (R. July 28, 1729, p. 171).
1.1.2.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sarah Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche, granddau. of Col. Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of the said Joseph Bridger.
1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Solomon Harris.

The test results for a descendant with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.

13 23 14 11 13 14 11 14 11 12 11 28 16 7 9 8 11 23 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 10 10 19 21 14 14 16 20 35 37 12 10

Nick Wormley: More advanced DNA tests, analysing SNPs instead of STRs, currently lead to the same generalised conclusion that every man who has Harris Group 4 DNA shares a mutual, male-lineage ancestor, NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO in historical terms. Ten Group 4s, so far, have been SNP tested and slightly surprisingly, their results are all the same; NO SIGNIFICANT NATURAL RANDOM MUTATIONS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THEY WERE ONE FAMILY.This closeness of group results, without any aberrations found to date, suggests to me that all tested Group 4s’ common ancestor might well have lived in Virginia in the 17th century. It is quite possible, I think, that perhaps he lived a little earlier, maybe in 16th century Somerset, but I feel it would be pretty surprising if it was any earlier than 1460.

1.1.2.1.1.2.2. Joshua Harris. His estate was appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day (of Bennett association), and Samuel Westbrooke, on June 14, 1770, p. 324. Joshua Claud’s estate was appraised on Dec. 14, 1775, by SAMUEL WESTBROKE, whose estate was appraised by SAMUEL BLAKE, son of Thomas Blake (per estate appraisal), on Feb. 12, 1789. Joshua Claud m. Ann, dau. of William Blake.

1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1712, m. (2). Judith Edwards.
1.1.2.1.1.1. Benjamin Harris, ‘son and heir at law’, of the inheritance from his grandfather, Robert Edwards. Judith Edwards would not legally have had to devise lands to (of age) stepsons, and certainly not lands of paternal inheritance, which would go to a son of hers.
1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Mary Harris, of Newport Parish, Isle of Wight, deeds her inheritance to Robert Tynes, Dec. 7, 1758. (D.B. 10, pp. 31-32). Wit. Joseph Bridger IV. (great-grandson of Joseph Bridger I., business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; Brewer Goodwin (great-grandson of Thomas Goodwin and Martha, dau. of Joseph Bridger I.), and kinsman of Theophilus Goodwin. Robert Edwards devised his land to three daus., one third of his estate being given to Frances Edwards, half-sister of Judith Edwards, 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1712. Frances Edwards m. Henry Wyche, br. of George Wyche, whose dau., Elizabeth, m. Theophilus Goodwin; their dau., Sarah, being the wife of Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, and nephew of Henry Harris.

1.2. WILLIAM HARRIS.
1.2.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William”. (“Harries”).
1.2.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, “son of Richard”.
1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. ca. 1662, m. Samuel Lancaster, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, the widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710.
1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2.1.2.1. Robert Harris. His descendants had strong links to the Lancasters.
1.2.1.2.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, dau. of Thomas White and Ann Moore, dau. of George Moore, br. of Katherine Moore, mother of Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England.

BENNETT.

1.
1.1.Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570.
1.1.1.Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who. m. Agnes Bearde, July 17, 1623
1.1.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’).
1.1.1.1.1. James Bennett, witnessed the Will of Joseph Bridger. Prob. Apr. 9, 1685: ‘Son: William land granted to me by escheat of 850 ac. formerly belonging to Nathan Floyd, except what is disposed of by me to Francis Hobbs, Mrs. Dorothy Bond, and William Blount. Francis Hobbs was the br. of Margaret Hobbs, first wife of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and first wife, Eleanor George.
1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia; his Will bequested two thousand pounds of tobacco to the wife (probably his sister) of “Mr. Thomas Taberer”, whose dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Elianor Bennett, m. Richard Harris.
1.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 1623.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. (1) Eleanor George, dau. of Nicholas George, and cousin of Rebecca (George) Pardoe, half-sister of Phillip Pardoe, security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Rebecca George was the mother of Joyce Lewis, wife of Philip Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., who gave security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.2. Edward Harris, settled on the land of his cousin, Governor Richard Bennett, patented in 1642.
1.2.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, 2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia. His great- granddau., Mary Jackson, m. George Hardy, whose dau. m. *Edward Harris.

The MRCA of this Harris family was:

1. William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbroke, on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

The diverging lines of descent from him were:

1.1. GROUP A – stemming from RICHARD HARRIS, who m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe. This group includes Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.2. GROUP B. – stemming fron Richard’s brother, WILLIAM HARRIS. This group includes Thomas Harris, d. 1672. there is no proof that his line ended in heirs female.

Variations in DNA results would be very minor between these groups.

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