Any theory as to the English ancestry of Virginia settlers cannot be based of a single coincidence.

The proposition that Major William Harris was the son of John Harris of Ludlow is based on multiple coincidences:

1. His land was adjacent that of Richard Cocke’s ‘Malvern Hills’ plantation, on the N. side of the James River, both Richard Cocke (of Stottesdon, 10 mls fr. Ludlow), were of the Malvern Hills District of England. Their families married into the same families, the Hollands, as an example. They were collateral kin. It was an invariable of the English kinship system that neighbours were kin.
2. If Major William Harris was the William Harris bapt. Jan. 13, 1627, in Ludlow, then his sister was Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64.
3. William and Mary Harris of Ludlow were second-cousins of Mary Harris who m. Fleetwood Dormer, cousin of Henry Isham, of Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., father of Mary Isham, who m. Col. William Randolph, named as a “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris. Fleetwood Dormer’s first wife was, Katherine Ligon, second-cousin of Thomas Ligon, whose son and namesake m. Mary Harris, b. 1625. Col. William Randolph was the son of Henry Randolph, who, with Henry Isham, witnessed the Will of Richard Cocke, Sr., dated Oct. 4, 1663, whose son, Thomas was also named as a “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris.
4. William and Mary Harris of Ludlow were kin of a Lewis family of that place, see as follows. A William Lewis m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Woodson in Virginia, a patentee of 450 ac., with William Harris (son of Major William Harris), etc., on “White Oak Swamp”. Rec. May 1, 1707.
5. This William Harris (b. ca. 1675), was involved in the determination of the lands of ‘Thomas Langford, orphan’, Feb. 26, 1731. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 214-215). William and Mary Harris of Ludlow were grandchildren of Jane Langford; ‘Thomas Langford, orphan’, was a descendant of her brother.

There are numerous other examples of ‘coincidences’ associating William and Mary Harris of Ludlow with their namesakes in Virginia, so many that for them not to be synonomous is to ignore all sense of how families operated as ‘kinship entities at this time.

What is not in doubt is that Major William Harris was not a son of Captain Thomas Harris of the 1624/25 Muster, who was deceased by 1646, when an act of the Assembly of Virginia of that year ordered a fort to be erected at the Falls of James River, to be called Fort Charles; an abstract being: “And, whereas, there Is no plantable land adjoynlng to fort Charles, and therefore no encouragement for any undertaker to maintnaine the same, lt is therefore, thought fitt and inacted, that if any person or persons purchasing the right of Capt. Thomas Harris shall or will settle or inhabit on the south side of James River right opposite to the said fort, soe it be done this or the ensueing yeare”. (Act of the Assembly of Virginia, 1646).

His “Longfield” was for sale; he dying without heirs. Thomas Harris held land on the S. of the James river called “Longfield”, a distinct entity from the 300 ac. acquired on August 15, 1637, N. of the river, by Robert Craddock and John Davis, also called “Longfield”, a common enough English name concerning long strips of land. William Randolph (named as “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris) purchased, from the colonial government, the escheated lands of Nathaniel Bacon in this locality. This land, on Curles Swamp, was adj. to that of Major William Harris, p. 386: The Broadnax versus Soane case of 1700 shows the “Longfield” of Captain Thomas Harris to be Crown property, to be re-granted as an escheat, its last owner having died without issue, hence allowing “person or persons purchasing the right of Capt. Thomas Harris”.

Property law in England at this time was based on the doctrine of estates – that all land in England (and Virginia) was owned by the Crown, so that any subject held only an ‘estate’ in that land. Such tenures were of two main types: a “fee simple”, in which land could be inherited by the owner’s heirs – whether under a Will or the statutory rules of intestacy. A “fee tail” – a form of trust established by a settlement deed, causing it to pass automatically to an heir determined by the deed – almost invariably to an oldest son.

If but a few males now living can prove (rather than claim) descent from such as Graves Harris, as follows, then the results of their DNA tests validate claims of such descent by all others sharing their DNA profile. A major goal is to locate an English DNA testee who can prove descent from the Harris family of Ludlow, and who shares the Harris Group 8 DNA profile. This will be difficult. DNA testing is not as common in England as it is in America. There were other Harris families in the Ludlow area, and they were not all related. The family of Rowland Harris, as follows, were a very specific family, which were possibly ”de Erdingtons’.

ERDINGTON

1. Peter, a knight of William FitAsculph. m. a dau. of Almar, the Saxon thane. The Survey states that Almar held two hides in Pendeford of William fitz Ansculph. In Warwicks, William FitzAnsculf held villages around Birmingham: at Aston juxta Birmingham of the king, otherwise with his own vassals: “Peter holds of William, 3 hides in Hardintone (Erdington). Between 1135 and 1166, Gervase Paynel, lord of Erdington, confirmed the manorial rights to Henry de Erdington, who may well have been a descendant of Peter. It would seem that William fitzAnsculph’s dau, Beatrix, m. Fulk Paynel, grandfather of Gervase, whose sister, Hawise, m. John de Someri.
1.1. Henry de Erdington (Erdinton) (fl.1145), b. ca. 1085.
1.1.1. William de Erdington, b. ca 1120.
1.1.1.1. “Willielmo de Erdington”, a witness of the foundation charter of the Abbey of Hulton in 1223 (founded by “Henricus de Auditheley”), with “Willielmo de Bromlegg”. (John Ward, The Borough of Stoke-upon-Trent, app. ii., 1843).
1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Erdington.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Alan de Erdington. “The Seisdon Hundred Roll, of 39 Henry III. (1266) gives the following account of the Manor of Pendefords: “Robert de Pendeford holds two hides of land in the same, of Alan de Erdenton, of the fee of Roger de Someri, and renders for frankpledge 2s., for the Sheriff’s aid 2s., Hundred aid 8d., and he does suit to County and Hundred Courts, and it is ge!dable”. “Alan de Erdington, held a mesne tenure in Pendeford, and it is probable that the family styled de Pendeford had been enfeoffed by the ancestors of this Alan, who seems to be identical with an Alan de Haye or de Erdinton, who held Eardington, in com. Salop, under the Canons of Alveley … The Saxon thane Almar, who was William FitzAnsculph’s tenant, must have been the antecessor of the family of de Erdington, for on no other grounds can I account for Alan de Erdington’s interest in Pendeford”. (James P. Jones, A History of the Parish of Tettenhall, in the County of Stafford, p. 92, 1894).

1.1.1.2. Thomas de Erdington, b. ca. 1160, m. Rohesia de Cokefield, a widow. The manor of Erdington in Warwickshire was given by William the Conqueror to the Fitz Ausculphs and passed to the Erdingtons. From 1194 to 1210, the manor of Wellington, Shropshire (10 miles from Cruckton), was granted in fee farm to Thomas of Erdington, the sheriff. (V.C.H. Salop. iii. 13). From 1211, Thomas held by serjeanty, and, from 1212, by the service of one knight. In 1200, Ralph de Someri granted Ashton manor to Thomas de Erdington. (A Topographical Dictionary of England, 1848, pp. 100-4). In 1207, Thomas de Erdington was made Sheriff of Shropshire and Staffordshire by King John. (Mr. Eyton, 3-4, p. 79, 1856). By 1216, Thomas became a monk; dying as such in 1218.
1.1.1.2.1. Mary de Erdington, m. William FitzAlan.
1.1.1.2.2. Giles de Erdington, b. ca. 1200, succeeded to his father’s lands in 1221.
1.1.1.2.2.1. Henry de Erdington, d. 1282 (Mr. Eyton, ix. 41–3). He m. Maud de Someri (great-granddau. of Hawise Paynel and John de Someri), and coheir of Roger de Someri (Knights of Edw. I, Harl. Soc. lxxx, 1929, 310). “Robert le Estrange to Henry, heir of Sir Giles de Erdinton: Confirmation of the gift he had made to Sir Giles of his land in Rowton, in High Ercall.(Shropshire). (E 210/7022). Thus, the Erdingtons were the lords of Rowton, and landlords of William de Roughton (Bromeley).
1.1.1.2.2.1.1. Henry de Erdington bore for arms: O. two lions passant az. An entry in N&Q, vol. v., Jan.-June, 1870, concerning the Hawise, Lady of Cyveiloc, throws light on the relationship between the Erdingtons and their in-laws: “The arms in the first quarter of the first and fourth grand quarters, belonged successively to three families Paganel, Someri, and Erdinton. Hawyse Paganel, daughter* of Gervase Paganel temp. Rich. I., was married to John de Someri. Their great-granddau, Maud de Someri, was the wife of Henry de Erdinton, or Erdington, who died 10 Edw. I. I believe that this descent discloses one of the numerous instances of the assumption of the mother’s arms without change of name. Here is another instance: Paganel bore the coat: Or two lions passant. De Someri marries the heir of Paganel, and takes the Paganel coat, retaining his own name. Erdinton marries the co-heir of De Someri, and does the same thing”. *She was his sister, a dau. of Ralph Paynel.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1. Giles de Erdington, b. 1272, who died young; his heir being his brother, Henry, who receiving his father’s lands in 1295, on coming of age, and those of his mother on her death in 1302.

1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2. Henry de Erdington, b. 1274.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1. Giles de Erdington, b. ca. 1310.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1. Margaret de Erdington, m. Roger Corbet (d. 1396), son of Sir Robert Corbet, and Elizabeth le Strange.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. Robert Corbet, m. Margaret, dau. of William Mallory.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Roger Corbet (d. 1468), Sheriff of Shropshire, m. Elizabeth Hopton.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Corbet, m. Elizabeth Devereux, dau. of Sir Walter Devereux, 1st Lord Ferrers of Chartley, who m., in 1494, (2) Sir Thomas Leighton, Sheriff of Shropshire, son of John Leighton, Esq. (Sheriff and Escheater of Shropshire, Steward of Bishop’s Castle, Constable of Oswestry Castle), and Ankaret Burgh. Sir Thomas Leighton m. (1) Ann, dau. of Roger Barker; having issue: Margaret Leighton, who m. John Harris.

1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2. Jane Corbet, m. (2) Thomas Cressett, Esq.; his estate probated on April 12, 1524.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.1. Cecily Cressett, m. Thomas Leighton.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Cressett, m. Adam Lutley, whose sister, Joyce Lutley, m. John Holland Sr., enfeoffed in Lamberhurst, Kent, father of John Holland Jr., of Lamberhurst, who m. Mary Barham; having issue: David Holland, who m. Anne Burton; their elder son, John Holland (PAR/498/37/14. Oct. 23, 1654), being John Holland, father of Michael Holland of Goochland.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Robert Lutley, of Burwarton, m. Mary Holland, dau. of Francis Holland, whose br., Thomas Holland of Burwarton, was the husband of Alice Cocke, second-cousin of Richard Cocke of Bremo, bapt. Dec. 13, 1597 at Sidbury, Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665, whose son, Thomas, was named as a friend in the Will of Major William Harris. (‘Colonial Wills’, 1677-92, p. 68).

1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.2. Henry de Erdington, had built the south aisle, m. Joan Wolvey. 35 Ed. 3. She was the dau. of Sir Thomas de Wolvey (of Wolvey, in com. Warwick), and Alice, dau. of James de Clinton. The overlords of Wolvey were the Earls of Warwick. Earl William in 1166 stated that Ivo de Harecurt held 7 fees de vetero feffamento, but that his father (Earl Roger) had transferred (the overlordship of) 3½ fees to the Earl of Leicester (Red Book of Exch., Rolls Ser., 325) — from whom it descended to the Earls of Winchester, so that the overlordship was shared by the two earls.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.2.1. Thomas de Erdington, m. (in 1363) Margaret, dau. of Thomas Corbet, of Moreton Corbet, leaving a son, Thomas, aged 23 1n 1395. (G.F. Farnham, Charnwood Manors, Leic. Arch. Soc. p. 141).
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.2.1.1. Thomas de Erdington, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Harcourt. 18 R. 2. On the S. wall of the chancery was an altar tomb, are two alabaster figures, a man and a woman. He has cropt hair; a gorget of mail, plated armour, mitten gauntlets, studs on the knuckles; a lion looking uo at his feet; under his head a helmet with a lion’s head as crest. She rests her head on a double cushion supported by angels, is habited in a surcoat, belt, pointed headress and veil, long sleeves to wrist. At the N. side of the tomb six angels hold shields. In Dugdale’s time, on these shields were painted: 2 lions passant guardant (Erdington); 2 bars (Harcourt).

1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1315. (Thomas, son of Henry (de Erdington). By 1363, Thomas Henr’ held two messuages and a noke of land and a quarter of a noke at Condover at the rent of 2s. 3d., and a messuage and a noke of land at Wheatehall at the rent of 2s. Wheathill was a township of Condover, given on June 11,, 1238, by Edward III. to Henry de Hastings and Ada his wife, in lieu of Ada’s share in the inheritance of her brother, John le Scot, the late Earl of Chester, whose mother was Maude, the eldest child of Hugh de Kevelioc. Hastings therefore became seignural lord of the manor, and he transmitted it to his descendants. In 1306, Henry de Erdington had been in the retinue of John de Hastings, who had familial links to the Erdingtons, through associations in common to the Earls of Chester: John de Hastings. Addressees: King and Council. Hastings requests that the rolls of Chancery be examined regarding grants made to Henry de Hastings in the twenty-second year of the reign of Henry III, regarding various manors in the Midlands, and later exchanges made of them. People mentioned: Henry de Hastings, great-grandfather of the petitioner; Ada de Hastings, wife of Henry de Hastings, co-heir of the Earls of Chester. (SC, 8/117/5803). 1318-1325. Thomas Henr’ was probably a tenant of the Hastings family at a nominal rent.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1. Thomas Harrys, b, ca. 1345.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1. “Thomas Harrys, the younger of Wheatehal”, b. ca. 1375. (Shrop. Arch. Soc. 4th Series, vol. 7, pp. 51-2).
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1. Thomas Harrys, b. ca. 1410. “In 1453, the township of Wheathill presented that Thomas Harris, who held a messuage and half a yard land there, was dead. Eight years later (1461) his lands were surrendered to his son, William”. He would appear to have been the brother of John Harrys, “aleseller”, ancestor of Sir Thomas Harris, of Boreatton, being father of Sir Thomas’s great-grandfather, Richard. (Transactions, 2nd Series, vol. x., pp. 77-92).
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.1. John Harrys. In 1462, “John Harrys of Wheathall” had a grant from Sir Thomas Leighton of waste there called Woodlands. John Harrys d. in 1512, having nephews, Robert and John Harris* (who d. in 1525).

1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.2. “William Harrys, of Wheatehall”. Wheathill had various spellings, Wheatehall, Wheathull, etc., of which “Wahul” is a contraction. William Harrys, given the subsequent close affinity between the Harris and Holland families of this account, was probably the father of Elizabeth, dau. of William de Wahull/Wheathill, who m. Thomas Holland. Wheathill was connected to the Devereux’s: John Deveros (Devereux) and Joan Deverois (Devereux) his wife addressees King. They state that Joan’s father, Roger de Bromdon, was disseised of the manor of The Lowe (de La Lowe) by John de Bromdon, in the time of King Edward III, who then alienated it, and other lands in Wigmore (Herefordshire); Wethull (Wheathill) (Shropshire); and Ledwyche (Shropshire). Nov. 20, 1409. (CPR 1408-13 p. 176). John Deveros (Devereux) was the brother of Walter Devereux or Deverois (b 1387, d 1420); great-grandfather of Elizabeth Devereux, who m. (1) Sir Richard Corbet, of Morton Corbet; (2) Sir Thomas Leighton, of Watlesborough. As given, John Harris m. a dau. of Sir Thomas Leighton and his first wife. The family of Bromdon were of Bromdon, a parish of Wheathill. “Wheathill lies a few miles north-west of Dodington or Detton, the original home of the Dettons, and close to Ingardine, where the family held lands. The parish includes two small hamlets, Egerton and Bromdon, — the latter reputed a manor” … By 1545, “the manor with the advowson was held in two moieties by the Detton and Holland families, and this joint tenure continued till the eighteenth century”. (Rev. R.C. Purton, Shrop. Arch. Soc., p. 105, 1927). Bromdon is ca. 30 miles W. of Erdington.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.2.1. *John Harrys, d. 1525. John Harris, b. ca. 1475, m. Margaret Leighton, b. ca. 1491, dau. of Sir Thomas Leighton and his first wife, Anne Barker; his second being Elizabeth Devereux.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.2.1.1. Richard Harris, b. ca. 1508, m. Eleanor Jennyns, dau. of Thomas Jennyns, of Wallybone, Salop.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. John Harris, esq. (of Cruckton), b. ca. 1532, m. Eleanor, dau. Thomas Prowde/Pryde, of Shrewsbury, desc. of Roger Pryde: “Roger Pryde, a Burgess of Salop, holds Besford, a member of Schawbere, in Pymhull Hundred, under Matilda de Erdinton”. At the Assizes of October 1292, the Pimhill Jurors presented that “Henry de Erdinton, having been Tenant-incapite of the vill of Basseford, had sold it to Roger Pryde, to hold under himself” (and that) “Robert Corbet now held the vill.” (Mr. Eyton, 10, pp. 177-9).
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Rowland Harris, of Ludlow, b. ca. 1560, d. 1605, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567. She m. 2. Edward Lewis, as follows.

LANGFORD AND LEWIS

1. William Langford, b. ca. 1485, d. 1554. Recovery: 1. Richard Lane, Thomas Brocton, gentilman, John Adams, gentilman, William Langford, Thomas Barrett, and William Lane. 2. Richard Dodmore. 7 messuages, 6 gardens, 60 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, and 14 acres of pasture with the appurtenances in Ludlow, Diddlebury and Halton. Great Seal of Henry VIII. Nov. 15, 1514. 20/6/150.William Langford was bailiff of Ludlow in 1536, with Richard Langford, his probable brother. (See M A Faraday Deeds of the Palmers’ Gild of Ludlow, p. 50, 2013). He was Warden of the Palmers’ Gild of our Blessed Lady and St. John the Evangelist of Ludlow. His son, Richard, was the Gild rent collector, and High Bailiff of Ludlow in 1549 – “another reflexion of the family’s dominance over Corporation and Gild affairs at the time”, ibid. xix. He is recorded here with other prominent Gild members: Indentue Jan. 8, 1551, betw. William Langford Warden of the Palmers’ Gild with the consent of Thomas Blashfield and John Cockes, bailiffs of the town, ibid., p. 117. His Will of 1554 (PROB 11/36/35, Will of William Langforde, Mercer of Ludlow, Shropshire, dated March 2, 1554), left extensive properties to his son, Richard, and mentioned William Langford (co-exec.) as Godson; his probable nephew.
1.1. Richard Langford, gent, b. ca. 1510, bur. Oct. 2, 1562, in Ludlow; bailiff of Ludlow in 1544, and 1549. (He was the probable cousin of (1) Walter Langford, son of his uncle, Richard: Memorandum, witnessed by Thomas Hunt, Walter Langford and George Holland, that fifty-eight deeds remain in Brasier’s custody for the use of William Norton of the Sette and Richard Blosffeld of Ludlow. April 3, 1568. (SP 46/14/fo86).
1.1.1. Charles Langford, Dean of Hereford, whose bequest in his Will of 1607 founded the ‘Langfordian Scholarships’, to sponsor four “poor boys” at Ludlow Grammar School. Langford v Eldred. Plaintiffs: Charles Langford. Defendants: John Eldred and Henry Browning. Subject: To recover plaintiff’s title deeds. Certain mills in Ludlow, Shropshire, held under a lease from the Crown to John Browning, who assigned it to plaintiff, bef. 1603. (C 2/Eliz/L8/8).

1.1.2. Thomas Langford, gent., b. ca. 1535, bur. April 1, 1610, in Ludlow, who inherited a substantial portion of his grandfather’s estate. John Bradfield, Henry Morton, Thomas Blashfield, “and others.” v. Thomas Evans, Richard Baylie, Thomas Langford, Robert Berry.: Town of Ludlow (Shropshire), incorporated by Edward 4., and the land granted by the King to the burgesses of such town in fee-farm in the parish of Staunton Lacy, and all the lands lately belonging to the dissolved Guild, Palmers of Ludlow (Shropshire). Touching a new charter obtained by defendants. Alleged appropriation by defendants of lands belonging to the corporation. Touching also the rules governing and the privileges belonging to such corporation. Nov. 1596 – Nov.1598. (E 134/39and40Eliz/Mich37).
1.1.2.1. John Langford, bur. Jan. 11, 1596, in Diddlesbury.
1.1.2.2. William Langford, bapt. June 1, 1562, in Ludlow.
1.1.2.2.1. Richard Langford, bapt May 23, 1596, in Diddlebury.

1.1.2.2.2. Charles Langford, bapt. Feb. 22, 1600, in Ludlow
1.1.2.2.3. Thomas Langford, bapt. Sept. 29, 1602, in Ludlow.
1.1.2.2.4. William Langford, m. m. Alice …
1.1.2.2.4.1. Edward Langford, bapt Aug. 25, 1644.
1.1.2.2.4.2. Alice Langford, m. Richard Duke, Sept. 17, 1664, probable brother of Elizabeth Duke, who m. Thomas Farmer, Oct. 19, 1669.
1.1.2.2.5. George Langford, m. Jane Howells, Dec. 17, 1631.
1.1.2.2.5.1. George Langford, bapt. Dec. 2, 1632.
1.1.2.2.6. Elizabeth Langford, m. William Collier, Oct. 7, 1633.

1.1.2.3. Thomas Langford.
1.1.2.3.1. William Langford, m. Jane Jordan, of Stone Acton, Shropshire. The Jordans are well recorded in the Diddlesbury registers. William Langford was a neighbour of Henry and John Fleming (S.A., C 5/482/9), benefactors of Diddlesbury Church. Henry Fleming’s Will was proved in 1656 (P.C.C. Wootton 124, 294), mentioning his “brother (in-law) Bassett”. John Fleming was probably he who died in New Kent Co., on April 27, 1686, whose son, Charles Fleming, owned land land next to his cousin, William Basset, whose Will was proved May 14, 1724. Samuel Jordan of New Kent Co. (Will probated June 11, 1719) was likely to be of the family Stone Acton. He bequeathed to his “beloved friend (br.-in-law) John Fleming … the plantation of Thomas Langford dec’d, & the management of his estate & the bringing up of his son Thomas Langford as wholely to himself”. His Will was witnessed by Tarleton Woodson, grandson of Robert Woodson, supra.
1.1.2.3.1.1. Thomas Langford, of New Kent Co., who appears in this land grant: ‘Robinson, John. September 22, 1682. New Kent Co., granted 1,252 ac. on the Dragon Swamp and branches thereof. Beginning &c. belonging to the land of Thomas Langford; thence &c. over certain branches of Arracxicoe to a Corner Red Oak by the Mill Path’. He and his wife, Katherine (probably Watkins), sold land to John Watkins in Rappahannock Co. on Nov. 3. 1690. Katherine Langford appointed Mr. Robert Coleman to acknowledge sale of her dower part of land to Thomas Watkins, Nov. 10, 1690. (See as follows)
1.1.2.3.1.1.1. Thomas Langford.
1.1.2.3.1.1.1.1. Thomas Langford, orphan.

1.1.2.4. Richard Langford, gent, bur. March 19, 1630, in Ludlow.
1.1.2.5. Walter Langford.* Adams v Langforde. Plaintiffs: John Adams. Defendants: Walter Langforde, William Woodhouse and Evan Williams. Subject: the house of the Leaden Porch in Castle Street, Ludlow, and other buildings, etc in Ludlow, Shropshire. 1603-1625. (C 2/JasI/A4/50).

JANE LANGFORD

1.1.2.6. Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567, m. Rowland Harris,* Sept. 14, 1595.
1.1.2.6.1.Thomas Harris, bapt. Sept. 4, 1603, Ludlow), removed to Virginia, ca. 1650, having land on Curles Swamp, m. Alice, dau. of Evan Lewis, bapt. Nov. 20, 1603. Harries v Heath. Plaintiffs: Thomas Harries an infant, by his guardian and Edward Lewis. Defendants: Richard Heath and Edward Powis. Subject: messuage in Ludlow. (C 2/JasI/H5/38). This Thomas Harris was almost certainly the stepfather of his niece and nephew, Mary and William Harris.
1.1.2.6.2. John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604.
1.1.2.6.2.1. Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, Ludlow. In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. “John Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co.* to Edward Lester, land next to Richard Cocke, next to land formerly William Harris’s on Curles Swamp. *Br. of Robert, supra.
1.1.2.6.2.2. Major William Harris, bapt. Jan. 13, 1627, Ludlow. On June 22, 1663, he acquired 450 ac. in Henrico County, on the N. side of the James River, to a 4 mile creek, called by name “the Slashes”, E. upon the Malverne Hills plantation of Richard Cocke, p. 304.
1.1.2.6.2.2.1. William Harris (b. ca. 1675), was involved in the determination of the lands of Thomas Langford, Feb. 26, 1731. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 214-215), descended from his great-grandmother’s brother.
1.1.2.6.2.2.1.1. George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish; a Vestry meeting there in 1719 connecting him to the lands of George Alvis, who had married the widow of Major William Harris.
1.1.2.6.2.2.1.1.1. William Harris, b. ca. 1725, of Wolf Swamp.
1.1.2.6.2.2.1.1.1.1. George Harris (b. ca. 1750), m. Sarah Hudson.
1.1.2.6.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Graves Harris (b. ca. 1775)), m. Elizabeth Baldwin, dau. of John Baldwin Jr.* July 22, 1797: Indenture betw. Thomas Elmore, Efford Bentley, William Wood, James Gills, Thomas Ligon, etc., of Amelia Co., trustees of Ligons Town, sell to Levy Wright one lot situate in the above mentioned town. Wit. Richard Ligon, Thomas Ligon, *John Baldwin. (Amelia co., D.B. 20, pp. 303-4). These Ligons were sons of William Ligon III., d. bef. Oct. 27, 1796, in Amelia Co., son of Wiliam Ligon II, d. 1764, in Amelia Co; son of Maj. William Ligon and Mary Tanner; son of Colonel Thomas Ligon, son of Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris, almost certainly she bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. John Baldwin was a descendant of Charles Baldwyn, of Stokesay Castle (b. 1593), who m. (1617) a sister of Mary Holland, dau. of Francis Holland of Burwarton (fl. 1606) and Thomasine Cressett, sister of Elizabeth Cressett, wife of Adam Lutley, supra.
1.1.2.7. John Langford, m. Maud Vaughn, Feb. 14, 1608.

1.1.3. Alice Langford, m. Thomas Amyes of co. Lincoln, having issue: John Amyes of Stottesdon, co. Salop, who m. Christian, dau. of Peter Wentworth of Lillingston Lovell, co. Oxford, by whom he had Thomas Amyes of Stottesdon, who m. Martha, dau. of Christopher Diston, of the City of Worcester, who d. March 11, 1663. Gift: (1) John Partriche of Webley, gent. and James Partrich, s, & h. of John. (2) John Amyas of Stodesdon, co. Salop gent., Thomas Langford of Ludlow co. Salop. gent., William Tomkyns of Monyngton, co. Herefs. esq., and George Vaughan of Canon Pewne co. Herefs. gent. All messuages, lands etc. in Webley and in Bradeley near Webley and Burton, Weobley. Also all lands in Daneswood, Dilwyn, and tenement in Webley where (1) live. To hold to use of James Partriche, with life interest to John. March 21, 1576. (Herefordshire Arch., F 78/II/26).

“The names Amyes and Langford are found in the Registers of Eastham in Worcestershire, a parish not many miles distant from Stottesdon. It is therefore probable that the families were connected. The following entries are from the Eastham Register: 1588: *Richardus Langford duxit uxorem Margeriam Ambler, 9 April. 1591: Walterus Langford sepultus, 16 June. 1604: *Walterus Langford et Margareta Sonybancke de Ludlowe, married 23 Sept”. (See Genealogist, vol. ii., p. 271, 1878).

The Manor of Webley (Weobley) was held by Walter Devereux:
1. Walter Devereux, IV, 7th Baron Ferrers and Anne, dau. of Sir William Ferrers, 6th Baron of Ferrers of Chartley.
1.1. Elizabeth Devereux, m. (1) Sir Richard Corbet, (2) Sir Thomas Leighton, of Wattlesborough, Shrop. Sir Thomas Leighton m. (1) Ann, dau. of Roger Barker; having issue: Margaret Leighton, who m. John Harris, grandfather of *Rowland Harris.

THE LEWIS CONNECTION

1.1.2.6. Jane Langford, m. (2) Edward Lewis, gent (bur. June 12, 1632, in Ludlow). Edward Lewis was the br.-in-law of Thomas Garbutt, who had m. Edward’s sister, Fransisca. Newton v Garbett. Plaintiffs: John Newton of St Botolphs without Aldgate, brewer, great-grandson and heir of Thomas Smalbatch. Defendants: Thomas Garbett, Edward Lewis, his brother-in-law, and Ralph Harris, gent. Subject: Purchasing a disputed title of Francis Wellins to lands in Clungunford and Diddlebury, and arbitration without notice to the plaintiff John Newton. June 1619. (STAC 8/222/20).

Edward Lewis was the father by a first wife (Anna, dau. of Thomas Blashfield) of Thomas Lewis,* b. 1600, who m. Ursula Wellings, Jan. 16, 1632, in Bromfield, the adjoining parish to Ludlow. Thomas Lewis deceased prior to March 25, 1669, as this transaction records: Assignment of a lease on Francis Watts’ tenement at Downton. Robert Smith of Burton, Shropshire, gent, Anne (Lewis) his wife, and Ursula Lewis widow, and Thomas Lewis* her son, of Great Sutton, to Richard Wredenhall of Sidbury, Shropshire, gent. Consideration 370, rent peppercorn. Original lease granted by Somerset Fox senior to the late Thomas Lewis. March 25, 1669. (Shrop. Arch.,6683/1/77).

Thomas Lewis was the father of *Thomas Lewis, b. ca. 1630, and, probably, a younger son, Edward Lewis, d.v.p., bur. May 16, 1665, in Diddlesbury, who m. Elizabeth …, having issue: William Lewis, bapt. March 16, 1661/2, in Diddlebury, probably he who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Woodson, Sr. of Henrico Co., having issue, Mourning Lewis, who m. Robert Adams; their dau., Sussanah, m. Mathew Graves (bapt. Oct. 23, 1710, St. Peter’s Parish. (D.B. 4, p. 118), on Feb. 4, 1712, in Henrico Co.; probably brother of Ralph Graves, who m. Judith Womack.

GRAVES

1. Ralph Greaves, 1552-1630. SA-IMG41: Monumental inscription, at Culmington (5 miles from Ludlow), of Ralph Greaves (d. 1631), rector of Culmington, and his wife Margaret Greaves (d. 1638), daughter of John Watts; their children were Samuel Greaves, Hierome Greaves, Tobias Greaves, John Greaves, Elias Greaves, Susanne Greaves, Sarah Greaves, Judith Greaves, Arbella Greaves, Priscilla Greaves, Barbara Greaves, Anne Greaves, Marie Greaves, and Rebecca Greaves. S.A. MI6133/20/3: The Rev. Ralph Greaves, who died in 1630 aged 78, was the rector of Culmimgton 53 years. March 24, 1578, Culmington.Ralph Greaves, sponsor, George Talbot, 6th earl of Shrewsbury.
1.1. Samuel Greaves, 1588 – bur. Sept. 9, 1653., rector .of Berrington. M.A. at Broadgates Hall, Oxford, June 23, 1609. He m. (4) Jane … His sponsor was Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset (1591–July 17, 1652); who was awarded MA at Cambridge University and was incorporated at Oxford from Cambridge on July 9, 1616 (Cambridge Alumni Database). He was governor of the Bermuda Islands Company in 1623, and a commissioner for planting Virginia in 1631 and 1634. (Dictionary of National Biography). Berrington is ca. 12 miles from Culmington, both 6 miles equidistant from Ludlow, birthplace of Major William Harris.
1.1.1. “Joachim f. of Samuel Greaves and Jane”, bapt. April 7, 1642 – als John Greaves; patented land at “White Oak Landing”, adj. to Robert Cocke’s plantation. His father had given him a Hebrew name, and Johannes (medieval latin) was used as a diminuitive of such as John and Joachim, and Joachim Greaves probably chose to be called John.
1.1.1.1. John Graves Jr., b. ca. 1675.
1.1.1.1.1. Joseph Graves, b. ca. 1698.
1.1.1.1.2. Henry Graves, b. ca. 1703, who m. Mary Williams in 1726, dau. of John Williams Sr., and sister of John Williams Jr. (b. July 25, 1704, in Hanover), husband of Mary Womack, sister of Sarah, wife of Robert Woodson, and Judith, who m. Ralph Graves.*
1.1.1.1.3. Mathew Graves (bapt. Oct. 23, 1710, St. Peter’s Parish. (D.B. 4, p. 118), m. Sussanah Adams, dau. of Robert Adam, who m. Mourning Lewis (b. ca. 1692), on Feb. 4, 1712, in Henrico Co. Her Will was proven on July 24, 1764, making bequests to daus.: Susssanah and Lucy Graves. Lucy Adams, m. John Graves, Matthew’s brother. Mourning Lewis was the dau. of William Lewis, and Elizabeth Woodson, supra.
1.1.1.1.4. *Ralph Graves.
1.1.1.2. Thomas Graves, b. ca. 1685, whose Will of 1768 mentions his nephew, Joseph Graves, son of John Graves, Jr.
1.2. John Greaves, b. ca. 1590.
1.2.1. Ralph Graves?, b. ca. 1520, d. May 9, 1667, in York Co., m. Rachel Croshaw, April 22, 1656.

Edward Lewis, gent and Jane Langford had issue:

1.1.2.6.1. 1608. Sept. 1. Edward, s. Edward Lewis. The Will of Edward Lewis, Yeoman of Stottesden, proved Feb. 3, 1668, mentions his dau., Ann Smith,* wife of Robert Smith; his (half) brother, *Thomas Lewis, and his daus., Margery and Elizabeth; his brother, William, and his dau., Joan. He was this Edward Lewis, recorded here: Edward Lewis of London merchant, acknowledges receipt of £22 for the use of Jane Warham spinster from Sir Job Charlton,* paid by direction of John Aston gentleman, it being his father’s debt due to Edward Lewis and (his sister) Jane Warham by bond. Witness: William Biggs. Dec. 4, 1667. (Shrop. Arch., 11/208). *Father of Dorothy Charlton, who m. Sir Edward Leighton, of Wattlesborough.
1.1.2.6.1.1. Edward Lewis, d.v.p. Carre v Warham. Plaintiffs: Nicholas Carre and Anne Carre his wife. Defendants: John Warham, Jane Warham, Thomas Hopton, *Anne Smith and Edward Twiford. Subject: personal estate of Edward Lewis, Sutton, Shropshire. 1650. (C 8/104/38).
1.1.2.6.2. 1609. Oct. 17. William, s. Edward Lewis, m. Anne Lutley in 1634, d. 1635, issue, a dau.

Edward Lewis and Anna Blashfield also had issue: Harry Lewis, bapt. Jan. 5, 1593, and Edmond Lewis, bapt. May 19, 1594. It is also possible that another son of Edward Lewis and Anna Blasfield was a Richard Lewis, who had issue John Lewis, bapt. May 17, 1618. Any of whom may reasonably be presumed to be the father of Richard Lewis, b. ca. 1620, who m. Mary Watkins:

1. Thomas Watkins.
1.1. Thomas Watkins, b. ca. 1600. Thomas and Ann Watkins v Williams. Plaintiffs: Thomas Watkins and others. Defendants: Jane Williams widow and others. Subject: property in Ludlow. 1648. (C 6/9/188)
1.1.1. Mary Watkins,, b. ca. 1628, m. Richard Lewis, Feb. 10, 1645, in Ludlow.
1.1.2. Thomas Watkins, bapt.July 4, 1633, in Ludlow, and who is recorded as a neighbour of his cousin, William Covington, in Rappahanock, Virginia, supra.
1.1.2.1. Katherine Watkins, m. Thomas Langford, son of William Langford and (m. 1632) Jane Jordan, supra.
1.1.3. John Watkins.
1.2. Margarett Watkins, m. Thomas Covington, May 26, 1631, in Bromfield, the adjoining parish to Ludlow.
1.2.1. William Covington.

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