These notes were originally intended to highlight the connection between the Lancaster and Penny families of Bruton, Somerset. Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia (4th son of Sir Maurice Berkeley, standard bearer to Henry VIII and constable of the Tower), bought the estate and the patronage of the Church of Bruton in 1541, where members of his family were baptised. Bruton is ca. 12 miles from Wiveliscombe, from whence the following Harris family derived, who intermarried with the Bennett family of that place, from which family came Richard Bennett, Governor of Virginia. William Berkeley was Governor from 1641–1652 and 1660–1677; Richard Bennett from April 30, 1652, until March 2, 1655. Thus, two branches of the Harris family, and that of Lancaster, had connections to the political elite of Virginia. Nathan Harris, whose Will was proved in 1793 in Greenville Co. was of this kinship circle.

Their connections to the Barhams came from theirs to the Bennetts.

What became apparent as these notes developed was the fact that Nathan Harris, who d. in Greeville Co. in 1793, was part of the Barham kinship circle.

1. William Harris, b. ca. 1535, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

WILLIAM HARRIS
1.1. William Harris.
1.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William”. (“Harries”).
1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, “son of Richard”.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. ca. 1664, m. Samuel Lancaster, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Lettis.

1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.2.1. Robert Harris. It is not known who he married.
1.1.2.1.1. Joseph Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1. Martha Harris, d. 1797, m. Moses Lancaster, son of Lawrence Lancaster.
1.1.2.1.2. John Harris, d. 1772-3, m. Avis White, dau. of Thomas White and Ann Moore, dau. of George Moore, br. of Katherine Moore, mother by a ist husb. of Joyce, who m. Francis England. Katherine Moore m. (2) Robert Flake, having issue: Mary Flake, who m. bef. Oct. 25, 1670, John Clarke (whose relict was Katherine Gwaltney), having issue Elizabeth Clarke, wife of Robert Barham (b. 1679, d. 1748), br. of Priscilla Barham, who m. Robert Hart. Their son, Robert Hart, d. 1770, m. Mary Washington, sister of Elizabeth, wife of Sampson Lanier, parents of Sampson Lanier Jr., whose dau., Rebecca, m. Walton Harris, mentioned as a son in the Will of Nathan Harris, of Greenville Co., father of Walton Harris.
1.1.2.1.2.1. Joel Harris, m. Martha Barham, dau. of James Barham.
1.1.2.1.3. Robert Harris Jr.

1.1.2.2. Edward Harris, b. ca. 1665.
1.1.2.2.1. Nathan Harris, b. ca. 1710, almost certainly the son of a 2nd wife.
1.1.2.2.1.1. Walton Harris, m. Rebecca, dau. of Sampson Lanier Jr, son of Sampson Lanier, and Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Washington and Elizabeth, dau. of Arthur Jordan); sister of Mary, who m. Robert Hart, son of Robert Hart, d. 1720, and Priscilla, dau. of Charles Barham, gent, whose sister was the ist wife of Richard Bennett Sr., 2nd cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

RICHARD HARRIS
1.2. Richard Harris, m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, sister of Edward Bennett.
1.2.1. Edward Harris, held land patented by his cousin, (Governor) Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642.
1.2.1.1. The estate accounts of Edward Harris Jr. inc. “100. Payd Coll. Bacon for rent”, land bought from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward’s second-cousin. Edward Harris was a son-in-law of George Hardy, whose wife, Mary Jackson, was a great-granddau. of Edward Bennett. George Hardy’s land bounded that of Nicholas Hill, who m. a dau. of the said Edward Bennett.
1.2.2. Thomas Harris.
1.2.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1712.
1.2.2.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
1.2.2.1.2. John Harris.
1.2.2.1.2.1. Abigail Harris, m. Nicholas Fulgham.

1.2.3. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe.
1.2.3.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings,
1.2.3.1.1. John Jennings, m. Mary Hill, dau. of Sylvester Bennett, dau. of Edward Bennett), and Nicholas Hill.
1.2.3.1.2. Martha Jennings, d. 1702, m. Thomas Thorpe Sr. (d. 1711, in IOW Co.), br. of Timothy Thorpe Sr., who had issue (1) Joseph Thorpe, father of Mary Thorpe, who m. James Barham. Their dau., Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris.

PENNY AND LANCASTER
1. John Penny, the elder. On Oct. 4, 1549 the governors of Bruton School leased to John Penny the elder of Bruton, baker, of a tenement in Bruton. On 2 Jun 1605 the governors of Bruton School leased to John Penny the elder of Bruton, baker, John Penny and Joan Penny, children of John, a tenement on High Street, Bruton. On 22 Sep 1631 the governors of Bruton School leased to John Penny the younger of Bruton, baker, Katheryn Penny his wife and Mary Penny their daughter, a tenement on the north side of the High Street in Bruton. On 20 Jun 1655 the governors of Bruton School leased to John Penney of Bruton, clerk,* a tenement on the north side of the High Street, Bruton. On 3 Jun 1678 the governors of Bruton School leased the property to John Penny. DD/BRU/4/1/3
1.1. John Penny, m. Margarett Wilton, May 5 1558.
1.1.1. John Penny, bapt. April 6, 1561. (Brother of Thomas Penny, bapt. Dec. 8, 1562; Richard Penny, bapt. Sept. 24, 1567).
1.1.1.1. John Penny, bapt. Jan. 27, 1583/4, m. Katherine Shephard, Jan. 23, 1608/9; she was bapt. March 21, 1592/3, dau. of Nicholas Shephard and Katherin Colborne, who m. Oct. 5, 1590
1.1.1.1.1. John Penny, clerk,* bapt. Dec. 30, 1612, “s. of John P”.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Penny, Edward, s. John, of Bruton, Somerset, pleb. Christ Church, matric. 6 April, 1666, aged 16; B.A. from Corpus Christi Coll. 1669, M.A 4 March, 1672-3. B.D. 2 March, 1681-2, rector of Hampton Poyle, Oxon, 1683. See Foster’s Index Eccl.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Penny, James, s. John, of Bruton, Somerset, sacerd. Christ Church, matric. 14 July, 1665, aged 15; B.A. 1669, M.A. 1672, chaplain to the Earl of Warrington, vicar of Great Budworth, Cheshire, 1682, until his death in 1694. See Foster’s Index Eccl.

1.1.1.1.2. Susannah Penny, m. “Robert Langcaster’, Oct. 1, 1632; he bur. Oct. 3, 1674.
1.1.1.1.2.1. “Robert Lankester”, bapt. Jan. 26, 1634, m. (ca. 1660) Lettis … (He was the br. of “John Lanchaster”, Nov. 17, 1639; “Thomas Langcaster”, bapt. Apr. 14, 1643; and Richard Lancaster, bapt. Feb. 26. 1645/6).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Samuel Lancaster, b. ca. 1663, m. Elizabeth Harris.

1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Robert Lancaster, b. ca. 1667, m. (1) Judith Clary/Pitt. (2) Sarah, widow of Richard Bennett Sr.* (who d. Dec. 9, 1709, in Surry Co.), 2nd cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Samuel Lancaster, by ist wife, b. ca, 1697, d. bef. Feb. 11, 1744, m. Sarah, dau. of Thomas Sanders and Mary Hart. His estate Inventory was appraised by Robert Hart,* Charles Holt, and Thomas Bell, rec. Feb. 20, 1744. His heir, William, was of full age in 1754. (Northampton Co., N.C, D.B. I, p. 171). Jan. 17, 1758: William Lancaster of North Carolina to Joseph Holloman of Southwark Parish in Surry Co. … acres being land sold on Aug. 20, 1712, by John Allen, gent, to Robert Lancaster the grandfather of the said William. (Northampton Co., NC, Wills).
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.2. William Lancaster, by ist wife, b. ca. 1700, m. (1) Mary Moreland. He was willed his grandfather’s plantation on Blackwater Swamp. His wife, Mary, was given the administration of his estate on Jan. 21, 1740. (D.B. 3, p. 10).
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.2.1. Lawrence Lancaster, b. ca. 1726, d. 1792, Warren Co., m. Mary Williams. May 9, 1751, Lawrence Lancaster of IOW in Nottoway Parish and Solomon Delke of same to divide land that formerly did belong to Edward Moreland, decd, wit: Robert Lancaster, Samuel Lancaster.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2.2.1.1. Moses Lancaster, b. ca. 1750, m. Martha Harris.

HART
1. Thomas Hart, m. Anne Sheppard.
1.1. *Robert Hart, d. 1720, m. Priscilla, dau. of Charles Barham, gent, whose sister was the ist wife of *Richard Bennett Sr., 2nd cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1. Robert Hart, d. 1770, m., to repeat, Mary (dau. of Richard Washington and Elizabeth, dau. of Arthur Jordan), and sister of Elizabeth, wife of Sampson Lanier, parents of Sampson Lanier Jr., whose dau., Rebecca Louise Harris, m. Walton Harris, mentioned as a son in the Will of Nathan Harris, of Greenville Co., VA, April 13, 1793, “signed sealed and devivered in presence of us Ceciley Roper, Bolling Longbottom. At Court of Greenville Co. VA. (Oct.Term 1793), this will was proven according to law by the oaths of Bolling Longbottom and Rebecca Longbottom, children of William Longbottom, and Rebecca (bapt. May 27, 1733), dau. of Joseph Harwood. (Sussex Co. Will Book “F”, p. 163). Bolling Longbottom’s Godparent was Charles Barham. (Register of Albemarle Parish, p. 60).
1.1.2. Thomas Hart, d. July 18, 1744. He and his br., Robert, were half-brs. of William Newsome IV.*
1.1.2.1. Sarah Sanders, m. Samuel Lancaster.

Rebecca and Bolling Harwood were niece and nephew of Thomas Harwood, who d. in Charles City Co. by June 1737 when, on the deposition of his son, Samuel Harwood, the court ordered Samuel Harwood to produce the will of (his grandfather) Maj. Samuel Harwood. James Eppes and (his brother-in-law) Benjamin Harris reported estate accounts for Thomas Harwood, November 1738. His widow m. (2), by Sept. 1739, Isaac Hill.

Thomas Harwood was almost certainly the brother of Philip Harwood, who made a Will in Sussex Co., leaving his wife, Rebecca, land for life and naming two sons, David and Daniel Harwood. Daniel Harwood (April 22, 1748 -1796), m. Ann Barham, dau. of Thomas Barham (who gave one slave to his “son-in-law Daniel Harwood for love and affection” in Sept. 1776); brother of Charles Barham, who, with his wife, Mary, sold 75 acres on Poplar Swamp to Thomas Barham, in June 1769.

BARHAM
1. Charles Barham. Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the Will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.
1.1. Priscilla Barham, m. Robert Hart.
1.1.1. “Robert Hart, d. 1770, m. Mary, dau. of Richard Washington.
1.1.2. Mary Hart, m. Thomas Sanders.
1.1.2.1. Sarah Sanders, m. Samuel Lancaster.
1.2. Robert Barham (b. 1679, d. 1748), m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Clark, and Mary, dau. of Robert Flake. (To repeat: John Harris, m. Avis White, dau. of Thomas White and Ann Moore, dau. of George Moore, br. of Katherine Moore, mother by a ist husb. of Joyce, who m. Francis England. Katherine Moore m. (2) Robert Flake). After Captain Charles Barham’s death it seems, from the tithe
lists, that Robert Barham lived successively with Thomas Binns, first husband of sister Elizabeth, Thomas Holt, 2nd husband of sister Elizabeth, and Robert Hart, husband of sister Priscilla until his marriage to Elizabeth Clarke in 1700.
1.2.1. Robert Barham, b. bef. 1711; Will probated on July 17, 1770, in Surry Co.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Barham, d. 1764, m. Lucy, dau. of Benjamin Holt.
1.2.2. Thomas Barham, d. 1784, m. Sarah Newsom, dau. of Thomas Newsome, br. of William Newesome IV.*
1.2.2.1. Charles Barham, m. Mary … He was Godfather of Bolling Longbottom, who proved the Will of Nathan Harris, supra.
1.2.2.1.1. Ann Barham, m. Daniel, son of Philip Harwood.
1.2.2.1.2. Elizabeth Barham. Her Godmother was Rebecca Harwood, mother of Rebecca and Bolling Longbottom, provers of the the Will of Nathan Harris.
1.2.3. Charles Barham, b. 1706. In 1738, he was deeded land by Thomas Holt Jr. (B. 5, P. 239). His Will was probated on June 9, 1791.
1.2.3.1. James Barham, b. 1730, d. June 1, 1791, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Thorpe, son of Timothy Thorpe Jr., son of Timothy Thorpe Sr.
1.2.3.1. Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris.

HARWOOD
1. Maj. Samuel Harwood.
1.1. Thomas Harwood, m. Elizabeth …
1.1.1. Mary Harwood, m. Charles Barham, br. of Thomas Barham, father of Ann Barham, wife of Daniel Harwood.
1.1.1.1. Ann Barham.
1.1.2. Thomas Harwood, uncle of Rebecca Harwood.
1.1.2.1. Samuel Harwood.

1.1.2.2. Philip Harwood. His Will shows him to be living next to William Longbottom in Sussex Co. (Sussex Co. Will Book “C”, p. 286).
1.1.2.2.1. Daniel Harwood, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Barham, and niece of Charles Barham. William Longbottom witnessed Daniel Harwood’s Will. (Sussex Co. Will Book “F”, p. 6).

1.1.3. Joseph Harwood.
1.1.3.1. Rebecca Harwood, m. William Longbottom. She was the Godmother of Elizabeth, dau. of Charles Barham and Mary; he the cousin of James Barham, who m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Thorpe, having issue: Martha Barham, who m. Joel Harris.
1.1.3.1.1. Rebecca Longbottom, b. Dec. 6, 1759, Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co., m. James Pare, Nov. 9, 1781; proved by oath the Will of Nathan Harris.
1.1.3.1.2. Bolling Longbottom, b. Jan. 11, 1764, Albemarle Parish, Sussex Co.; proved by oath the Will of Nathan Harris, who was part of the Barham and Harris (1672 and 1688 lines), kinship circle.

HOLT
1. Randall Holt.
1.1. Thomas Holt, m. (1), Frances, dau. of Francis Mason and Elizabeth Binns.
1.1.1. Thomas Holt, Will witnessed by Timothy Thorpe and Charles Barham, probated March 17, 1730, p. 86.
1.1.2. Martha Holt. m. John Newsome, son of *William Newsome IV.; half-br. of Thomas and Robert Hart.
1.2. John Holt.
1.2.1. Benjamin Holt.
1.2.1.1. Lucy Holt, m. Thomas Barham.

It looks complicated, but this how they operated, and their repeated patterns of association become easy to discern.

God bless you all.

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