One thing most evident in constructions of genealogies of English settlers in Virginia is that their base almost invariably derives from ‘Burke’s Landed Gentry’, or suchlike, and because of that are almost invariably without any foundation. This is an easily understood speculation – an attraction to an aristocratic background, coupled with a lack of knowledge about the kinship system of English settlers in Virginia: They intermarried in Virginia, and settled next to, families they had intermarried to in England for centuries, living as neighbours.

An example of a parochial ancestry is that of Flood. There was obviously more than one family of that name in Virginia, yet they have been combined to form a seamless narrative of claimed ancestry. Such narratives, when repeated often enough without question, take on a life of their own. There is little point in expecting most adherents of a particular narrative to consider its validity, for it has become intigrated in their beliefs, as a religion, almost.

A family of Flood, Floude, Flude, Fludd, etc. almost certainly came from Bridgwater, Somerset, which is ca. 25 miles S. of Bristol, with Blagdon being roughly equidistant between the two. Bristol was the epicentre of trade between the Bristol Basin, encompassing Gloucestershire and Somerset, and Virginia. It was the place of trade of the Barker and Derick familes, and of a family of Harris intermarried with the family of Edward Bennett, the tobacco trader and Virginia coloniser. Blagdon was the home of a Harris family intermarried with the Derricks, one of whom purchased land from the daughter of Sergeant John Harris, who was he probably b. in Blagdon in 1589/90.

A considerable obstacle in any construction of Virginia ancestries is that of disambiguation between seperate families of the same name and region. In the account following it would be a simple matter to ‘connect’ the aforementioned families of Harris through mutual acquaintances. Hannah Barker’s sister will ‘connect’ to Solomon Harris, of the Bennett/Harris line, wherehas she was of the Barker family intermarried to the Harris family of Blagdon. In the same instance, a witness to the estate inventory of Joseph Harris, John Mason, was the stepson of Ethelred Taylor. And so on and so forth.

In what follows I have deliberately omitted such links, which were mostly of a commercial nature, linked to the Bristol-Virginia tobacco trade, so as to clarify ‘seperate strands of Harris’. The strand of which these notes concentrate on is that of Sergeant John Harris, with the proposition that he was of Blagdon. He has long since been an iconic figure who has attracted a host of theories as to his ancestry, by those seeking to claim their ancestry from him.

What is a logical first point of enquiry is the Chippokes region of Surry County, Virginia, where Sergeant Harris lived. It follows that the John Harris who witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654, concerning land “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes” (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31), may have been an infant son of Sergeant Harris in the 1624/5 Muster. This land adjoined that of John Barker, and his son, John Barker Jr., who witnessed the Wills of a John Harris* and William Harris, as follows. It also bounded that of Thomas Cotten* (“335 ac. Upper Par. of Surry Co on NE side of the Otter Dam swamp, adj. Mr John Barker”), witnessed here: “Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten. Jethro Barker and Joell Barker entring themselves securities for Mary Harris due and faithfull admon. on the estate of *John Harris her late father deced are accepted and ordered to give bond accordingly”. Joel and Jethro Barker were brothers of John Barker Jr.

The associations between these families of the Bristol Basin were of a continuos nature: a William Harris was a neighbour of Thomas Cotton, as shown by Joseph Moody’s patent of Sept. 28, 1723 (Surry, B. 14, p. 500).

At least a feasible case can be made for the John Harris who witnessed a deed “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes” having issue. It is not improbable, therefore, that the following of this account were descendants of Sergeant John Harris, yet who today could prove a descendancy from any of them?

1.1.3.1. Joseph (sig. Josh.) Harris.
1.2.2.2.2. Thomas Harris.
1.2.2.2.1.1.1.Captain James Belsches Harris.

1.1.3.2. Mary Harris.
1.1.3.3. Jane Harris.
1.2.2.2.3. Elizabeth Harris.
1.2.2.2.4. Sallie Harris.
1.2.2.2.5. Susan Harris.

FLOOD OF BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET

1. Edward FLood m. .. Aug. 4, 1567.
1.1. Robert FLoude, m. Julian Berram, Oct. 25, 1595, dau. of William Berram and Margaret Quicke, m. Aug. 24, 1579.
1.1.1.Mary Flude, bapt. Dec. 10, 1597.
1.1.2. John Floud, bapt. July 6, 1599, m. Margaret Sidenham, April 9, 1630.
1.1.3. Henry Floude, bapt. May 22, 1601.
1.2. Christopher Floude, m. Joane Castlebrooke, Feb. 11, 1609.
1.2.1. Johannes Fludd, bapt. Dec. 21, 1621 (“son of Xpofori”), made a deposition in 1652 stating that he was 30 years old, or thereabouts. He m. Mary Creede in Surry Co., Virginia, dau. of Ralph Creede. She m. (2) David Andrews, July 1, 1679. Raphael Creed was the son of Edward Creed, of Shirehampton (a tithing of Westbury-upon-Trim) Gloucestershire, Clerk, whose Will was proved in Bristol, in 1649: “To Raphell, my disobedient sonn twelve pence in money (and prayer that he may reform his life”). As Ralph Creed, carpenter, he was deeded 150 ac. by Thomas Flood*, on August 27, 1661.
1.2.1.1. John Flood, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Blount, sister of … Blount, wife of Joel Barker.*

1.2.2. *Thomae Fludde, bapt. April 19 1612 (“son of Christopher and Joan”).
1.2.2.1. Thomas Flood, b. ca. 1637-1642, m. Ann Rose, b. ca. 1650-1655.
1.2.2.1.1. Jane Flood, m. …Watkins
1.2.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John, son of Robert Nicholson. She was named in her grandmother’s Will, proved March 19, 1729. (“Tylers”, 1981, pp. 769-770).
1.2.2.1.2. Harry (Henry) Flood, m. (1) … His dau. from his first marriage, m. his stepson from his second marriage, Elizabeth and Robert Nicholson.
1.2.2.1.2.1. Elizabeth Flood, m. Robert Nicholson.
1.2.2.1.2. Harry (Henry) Flood, m. (2) Mrs. Joanna Nicholson, widow of Robert Nicholson.

NICHOLSON

1. …
1.1. Robert Nicholson, d. 1719,
1.1.1. Robert Nicholson, d. bef. July 17, 1732, m. Elizabeth Flood.
1.1.2. John Nicholson,* d. bef. March 11, 1754, m. Elizabeth Watkins.
1.1.3. Elizabeth Nicholson (Boddie, xvi, pp. 203-208). It is suggested that she m. John Harris. Harris. Elizabeth: Leg.- Son, Joseph Harris, cow, pewter dishes, etc., and daughter, Mary Horne, pewter dishes, etc. Daughter, Jane Harris,* 300 lbs. of tobacco at *John Nicholson’s, pewter, chest, etc. To daughter, Elizabeth Harris, all the remaining part of my estate and makes her Exerx. Dated Mar. 23, 1710. Prob. May 16, 1711. Wit: Jethro Barker, John Cooke, “John Averiss”. Book 6, p. 55. John Averis 300 ac. in Surry Co. on N. side of Otterdam Swamp, adj. Jethro Barker. (1704, p. 622). John Avery’s dau. m. John Lashley, son of Walter Lashley and Hannah Barker, sister of John Barker Jr.
1.1.3.1. Joseph (sig. Josh.) Harris, m. Jane Horne. He, John Barker Jr., and Mary Underwood witnessed the Will of Avis Cooke, rec. June 9, 1711, relict of John Cooke. Joseph Harris, estate inv. sept. 5, 1719, signed John Mason, Giles Underhill, John Wilkinson. (B. 7, p. 218). John Mason was the stepson of Ethelred Taylor:
1.1.3.2. Mary Harris, m. … Horne. “Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten. Jethro Barker and Joell Barker entring themselves securities for Mary Harris due and faithfull admon. on the estate of John Harris her late father deced are accepted and ordered to give bond accordingly”.
1.1.3.3. *Jane Harris.

April 16, 1683, “Thomas Cotten 335 ac. Upper Par. of Surry Co on NE side of the Otter Dam swamp, adj. Mr John Barker, neere his cart path, & trans. of 7 pers”. The land that Silvanus Stokes Jr. came to occupy bordered that of Thomas Cotton: Silvanus Stokes Jr., patent for 244 acs N. side of James Riv; Beg. on E. side of Matchcoates Cr; to where Thomas Cotton, late of sd, Co., lived”. (Nugent III, p. 121). Sept. 5, 1723, Silvanus Stokes, patent for 380 acs. Surry Co; S. side of Nottoway River, & on both sides of Racoon Sw;. 40 Shill. (Nugent III, p. 254). This land is on Chippokes, and was bounded by that of William Harris.* (VA Gen. Soc. Qtrly. vol. 26 No. 2, p. 143).

SERGEANT JOHN HARRIS – it is suggested:

1. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon, Somerset, br. of Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, who m. (2) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton. Blagdon is ca. 20 miles N. of Bridgwater, and ca. 10 miles S. of Bristol, from whence the Barkers and Derricks.
1.1. Dorothy Harris. Sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., inherited from George Cockett (her probable uncle), a reasonably common name around Blagdon, and, in the Bristol basin patois of the time, similar to Caucot, etc.
1.2. John Harris, infant in 1624, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654, concerning land “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31). He may have m. a sister of John Barker Sr.*
1.2.1. John Harris, m. Elizabeth Nicholson. He d. bef. Feb. 11, 1699, when his estate was appraised by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley Sr. (B.5, p. 165), Mary Harris (dau.) admin.*
1.2.1.1. Joseph, Mary, and Jane Harris, supra.
1.2.2. William Harris, m. Elizabeth, her widow’s estate admon. by her son, (probably eldest) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr., Thomas Cotton. (B. 6, p. 620).
1.2.2.1. Henry Harris.
1.2.2.2. *William Harris? William Harris, a neighbour of Thomas Cotton, as shown by Joseph Moody’s patent of Sept. 28, 1723 (Surry, B. 14, p. 500), “on the south side of Nottoway River, beginning on the South side of Racoon Swamp, a corner of said Moody’s other land to Sylvanus Stokes land, to Charles Judkins’ land, to Wm. Harris’s land”.
1.2.2.2.1. William Harris, b. 1724. Will of William Harris of Co. of Surry: “To son Hamlin, all lands in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and Surry Co.” … mentions dau. Elizabeth Campbell; son-in-law Francis Ruffin. Exor: son, Hamlin Harris, prob. Nov. 28, 1797, p. 246.
1.2.2.2.1.1. Hamlin Harris, 1758-1801, of “Turkey Island”, Nottoway, m. Margaret Belsches, dau. of James Belsches, “one of the leading merchants in the sale of European goods at his store in Cabin Point from 1748 until his death around 1800. In the 18th century Cabin Point surpassed Norfolk in commercial importance, due to the quantity of tobacco received for export at the Low Point Landing warehouses on Chippokes Creek near Cabin Point”. His Will was proved by Thomas Harris,* James Belsches, senior, William Simmons, and David Cocke. “He was probably grandson of William Harris, the first. Their daughter married Capt. Roland Ward, of Lynchburg, soldier of the War of 1812. Their son, Captain James Belsches Harris, of “Invermay”, Mecklenburg Co., married Alice Goode”. (William and Joseph Belcher,The Belcher Family in England and America, p. 19, 1941).
1.2.2.2.1.1.1. Captain James Belsches Harris.
1.2.2.2.2. *Thomas Harris.
1.2.2.2.3. Elizabeth Harris, m. (2) Sept. 10, 1797 in Surry, as his 3rd wife, Major Richard Jones “Of the Poplars”. His 2nd wife was “the widow Nicholson”, nee Fletcher, a sister of Captain James Fletcher, of Somerset Co., b. Amelia on March 4, 1772 (to Nathan Fletcher and Sarah Robertson); d. June 27, 1845, in Nottoway; m. Sarah Sallie Harris
1.2.2.2.4. Sallie Harris.
1.2.2.2.5. Susan Harris, m. Francis Ruffin, son of John Ruffin and Patty Hamlin, of Mecklenburg Co.

BARKER

1. William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, partner of Francis Derrick Sr. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10). William Barker’s cousin, John Barker, was the father of John Barker, b. 1613, who, as John Baker, probably m. Dorothy Harris. The “Barkers” were also “Bakers” in Bristol ship’s manifests.
1.1. *John Barker Sr., patented for 300 ac. in James City Co. at the very head of the main branch of Lower Chipoaks Creek”, near the land of William Rooking Sr., and Thomas Busby.
1.1.1. John Barker Jr., m. Grace, dau. of Thomas Busby. Thomas Busby, Gent, to Roger Potter, 100 ac. on the head of Upper Chipeokes Creeke and bounded by John Barker and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. Wit. William Rooking. R. May 7, 1689.
1.1.1.1. Hannah Barker, m. Walter Lashley, son of Patrick Lashley Sr.
1.1.2. … Barker, m. John Harris, son of Sergeant John Harris?
1.1.3. Joel Barker, m. … Blount, sister of Anne Blount, wife of John Flood.
1.1.4. Jethro Barker, d. 1740, of Chippokes Creek.
1.1.4.1. Agnes Barker, m. John Peebles, son of John Peebles Sr., son of William Peebles and Martha, dau. of John Hamlin* and Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah Barker.
1.2. Sarah Barker, m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock.
1.2.1. Elizabeth Taylor, m. *John Hamlin Sr., son of Stephen Hamlin Jr., thus, John Hamlin was the br.-in-law of Silvanus Stokes Jr. (neighbour of William Harris), who was also the br.-in-law of John Cooke Sr., see supra; associated with Joseph Harris.
1.2.1.1. Richard Hamlin.
1.2.1.1.1. Martha Hamlin, m. John Ruffin, son of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Watkins.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Francis Ruffin, m. Susan Harris, dau. of the said William Harris, and sister of Hamlin Harris, d. 1801.

HARRIS AS SALMON

1…
1.1. William and John Harry, tenants of Waltham Holy Cross. 1413. (SC 8/149/7449).
1.1.1. “Thomas Harry of Spryngefeld“. Mar 20, 1436. (E 40/7734).
1.1.1.1. … Harry, b. ca. 1420, m. Thomas Salmon/Salman, br. of Robert Salmon, d. 1472.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harry, b. ca. 1440, alias Thomas Salmon, of Spryngefeld, m. a dau. of William Smyth.* Inquisition returned June 13, 1479, taken at Barking in Essex. William Smyth was seized in demesne on the day of the recognisance of a messuage and 60 acres of land in Waltham Holy Cross. Memorandum: on May 1, 1479 he handed it over to Richard Bull. (His grandson). Another dau. of William Smyth m. Thomas Bull; they the parents of Elizabeth Bull* and Richard Bull.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Salmon (alias Harris, of Prittlewell) m. (1) his cousin, *Elizabeth Bull, (2) Jane …
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris (The Crixe line), by Jane. “John Smyth, sheriff of the counties of Essex, and Hertford in 1539 purchased a chantry in the church of Long-Ashton, in Somerset …also all the guild, or fraternity, in Great-Walden, lately dissolved, with divers other lands and tenements, in Essex, and London. He m. Agnes, dau. of — Charnock, of Lancashire, Esq. (English Baronatage, 1721). His dau., Joan Smyth, m. her kinsman, William Harris, b. ca. 1495, a son of John Harris of Prittlewell (others being Richard and Henry).
1.1.1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, by Elizabeth Bull. Harrys v Bele. Plaintiff: John Harrys, of Bristol, grocer, son of John Harrys, of London. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and barn in Ware (Hertford), late of complainant’s father, in right of Elizabeth), his wife, dau. of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. 1504-1515. (C 1/320/92)
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. David Harris, b. by 1511, s. of John Harris of Bristol by Alice. m. (1) Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol. (Bindoff, Hist. Parl.).
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. David Harris, presumably married into the family of Thurston, alias Tristram.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Thurston Harris. Inquisition taken at Thornbury, Sept. 27, 1638.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Derrick, of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Derrick Jr, Margaret’s br., and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. Nov. 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). Francis Derrick Jr. purchased land from the dau. of John Harris of Blagdon (Sergeant John Harris).
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon). He and his elder (half) br., David, witnessed a deed of Walter Kelke and his wife, dau. and heiress of Robert Woodward … late bookebynder; and Robert Smyth and Elizabeth his wife, late wife of Woodward. Oct. 3, 1582. (B.A., P.AS/D/CS/B/8). The Smyth(es) family held land in Blagdon, 10 mls fr. Long Ashton.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.2. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon. He was very probably Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, cousin of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., b. 1607 (son of Francis Derrick Sr. of Long Ashton), cousin of James Derrick, who m. a stepdau. of Joan Harris, sister of John Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.2.1. John Harris, infant in 1624?, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654. (“William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac., formerly Thomas Felton’s, formerly (Robert) Moseleys, “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”). In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. May 2, 1654. Bond of Robt. Mosley to Jno. Felton. Wit. John Harris, Sack. Brewster. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31).

SALMON/SALMAN

The name was not confined to any particular group of people, being used by both Christians and Jews; several Christian priests and abbots bore the name, it denoting wisdom; a biblical name brought over by the Normans.

The antiquarian sources quoted hereinafter, when refering to the antiquity of the Salmons around Prittlewell, are alluding to a deed of 1347, preserved here: Parties: John son of John Salman of Great Sutton & William de Hertecoumbe and Alice his wife. Place or Subject: Great Sutton (1 ml. fr. Prittlewell). 1347. (E 326/8460). There are several generations between John Salmon the younger and Robert and Thomas Salmon, heretofore given, that can not be accounted for, yet the John Salmon who fought at Agincourt (1415) may have been a link.

Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society, vol. 3, p. 192, 1865: The Will of Thomas Cock (Cooke), “yeman of the Kings Majestys most honorable Guard, late of Prittlewell, in the county of Essex”, proved Feb. 12, 1545, read in the presence of John Smith and Thomas Byrch, yeomen of the Kings Majestys honorable Guard, Thomas Salmon of Lye (Leigh)*, and Wyllyam Salmon of Prittlewell, and others”.

Thomas Cocke held the lease of the farm called Shelford and Bredworth in Foulness, well stocked with sheep and oxen; owned a farm called Reynolds in Shopland; oyster layings in Little Wakering; many houses and shops in the town of Prittlewell; and other houses, woods, crofts, and the son of John Cocke the elder, and anciently descended by proof of sundry evidences (from one Ranulphus Cocus) dated in reign of Hen. III., Edw. III., Hen. IV., Hen. I., &c.” Then follows the blazon: “Sables and gould indented per pale. Crest a unicorn’s head coupé per pale, gould and sables upon a chapeau Royall gules, lined ermine”. (Harl. M.S., 1507).

“Thomas Salmon, of an ancient family, resident there for three centuries. He died Aug. 5, 1576, aged 70, and was interred in the Church with an inscription in brass, now lost. Other sepulchral memorials of the family, however, remain, including a mural monument of Robert Salmon, Esq., Master of the Trinity House in 1617; one of his sons, Peter Salmon, was an eminent physician in the 17th century; educated at Eton and King’s College, Cambridge; and a graduate in Arts and Medicine of the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and Padua”. (Ped. penes me. Dr. Monk’s “Hist. of the Coll. of Physicians”).

The Salmons are also recorded by Mr. Benton, Hist. Rochford Hundred, vol. 1., 1867:

“There are several monuments and inscriptions in this church to the Salmon family, who resided here for three centuries, and were an opulent mercantile and maritime family. The first notice of them was on a stone in the north chapel, which contained a brass having the effigies of a man, and this:— “Hic jacet Robertus Salman, Alicia, & Johana uxor ejus. Robertus, ob. 15 Sept. 1472″. This historic relic is supposed to have disappeared at or about the restoration in 1837–8. The next is for Thomas Saman, who was churchwarden in 1552. It was formerly in the north chapel, but is now on the pavement of the south aisle, and on a brass plate is inscribed, “Thomas Saman, of the age of 70 years, a man worthy of praise, Frende unto the Frendles, a Father to this Town, Styll maintain good things and evill to throwe downe; Grandfather unto Thomas Saman, of the age of fourteen yeres, who both in one Day departed this Life 5 Aug., 1576”.

On the floor of the north chapel is a blackstone, upon which is engraven on a brass plate, “Here lyeth Robert Salman, who took to wife Agnes, with whom he lived thirty-two years, and had issue by her, sixe Sonnes and foure Daughters. Ob. 6 Sept. 1591, aet. 58”. Upon the wall of this chapel is a black mural monument with a finely executed bust of Robert Salmon, Esq.”. This monument has been moved a few feet further to the east than it was originally erected. A stone on the floor below shows the place of his sepulture, and records he was born in this town in 1566, and buried 18th June, 1641. Upon the monument are his arms:— Sa. 3 Salmons haurient in fess Or.; impaling Or., on a bend engrailed between 2 cottises sa., three mullets of the field — Andrews”.

“To ye Memory of ye Right Worthy & Worll. Robert Salmon, Esquire, That great instrument of God’s glory and ye commonwealths good, ye restorer of Navigation almost lost 1614. Mr. of ye Trinity house 1617 & the glory of it 24 yeares, chosen Sheriff of London 1640 whose solid Judgement, Acute Witt, Uprightness to all, true piety to God, require Admiration & Imitation. Hee died to ye loss of all but his great comfort, June 18th, 1641 in his 74 yeare; was interred with his ancestors of above 300 years continuance in ye grave of his Father in this Chancell, where hee expecteth a joyfull Resurrection. One of his sons died during the life-time of his father, and his grand. son Robert, of Leigh, was amerced by the parliament committee in the sum of £120 for his loyalty to Charles I. Another son, Peter Salmon, was an eminent physician in the 17th century; educated at Eton and King’s College, Cambridge, and a graduate in arts and medicine of the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Padua”.

Further elaboration is given in Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society, p. 50, 1878:

The tower of the Church of S. Peter, South Weald, is justly described by Mr. Buckler as “noble in design and a master-piece of masonry in the Perpendicular style of Henry the Seventh’s period”. Morant, citing Dr. Bridge’s MS. collections, has already told us that this tower was built in the beginning of that reign and for that purpose a rate was granted for five years on which were collected £289 5s. 10d. In addition. I subjoin the following evidence that William Salmon of Brentwood, who by Will proved March 5, 1506, desired to be buried “in the pysshe church of Southwold in the small south dore of the same church in the aleye before the Roode,” gave “to the werke of the steeple v mres to be paid yerely as the werke of the said steple is areysed and goeth forward”. Farther he says “I wyll do make and glase the wyndowe of the steple at myn own charge, reasonably, whatsoev’ the said wyndow coste”.

Transactions, v. 4, p. 169:

“When Samuel Purchas took up his residence at Eastwood (2 ml. W. of Prittlewell), it threw him into the society and into the very midst of a set of remarkable men, great voyagers and travellers … mariners and seamen were visiting France, Spain, Portugal and the Canaries, the Mediterranean, the Coast of Barbary, the River Plate, the East and West Indies, and the Greenland Sea. Cotemporary with Purchas, and living there, were the Moyers, the Salmons, the Goodlads, the Haddocks, the Bonners, the Harrises; the Hares, the Cockes: and many others, some of whose names as well as their letters and journals, are mentioned in the “Pilgrimage”. And it was there that he obtained from the lips of the narrator, one very remarkable and interesting narrative, entitled “The Strange Adventures of Andrew Battell, of Leigh, in Essex, sent by the Portugals prisoner to Angola, who lived there, and in the adjoining regions, neer 19 yeares”. “This narrative” says Purchas, “is out of his own reports to myself; other like things you may find from his relation scattered in my ‘ Pilgrimage’. The cotemporary of Purchas was Robert Salmon, a wealthy Merchant and Mariner, afterwards Master of the Trinity House. Died 18th June, 1641, and was buried at Leigh. Purchas refers to his letters. Robert Bonner, Master of the Dragon, whose Journal is mentioned by Purchas, was, at the time of his death, of Bristol. The Bonners were a maritime family at Leigh in the time of Purchas, and continued so for several generations. Richard Harris of Leigh, an Elder Brother of the Trinity House, died and was buried at Leigh in 1628, bequesting “To my sons Richard and William all my apparel, sea-plots, books, and instruments, with my rings and whistle and silver plate belonging to the sea”.

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