The strand of which these notes concentrate on is that of Sergeant John Harris, with the proposition that he was of Blagdon, Somerset, England. 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. It is hereinafter suggested that he had descendants, and they intermarried with a family of Hamlin.

What is a logical first point of enquiry is the Chippokes region of Surry Co., 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. He may have sold his father’s farm, and moved more adjacent to his Barker in-laws.

John Barker, and his son, John Barker Jr., witnessed the Wills of a John Harris and William Harris, as follows. The Barker’s land bounded that of Thomas Cotten* (“335 ac. Upper Par. of Surry Co on NE side of the Otter Dam swamp, adj. Mr John Barker”), also 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”.

BARKER/BAKER

1. William Barker, of Hopton Castle, Salop., m. Elizabeth, sister of William Tittely, of Salop.
1.1. John Barker, d. 1607, m. Edith, dau. of John Blanchard.
1.1.1. John Barker was also recorded as John Baker. In Cal. State Papers, Charles I., p. 291, he is recorded as owning “the Mary Rose of Bristol” in partnership with John Taylor and William Pitt, Jan. 2, 1627. On Nov. 22, 1627, he is recorded as the owner of the “Mary Rose” as Baker query Barker. Earler ships manifests record him as Barker or Baker.

It has been the confounding of Baker with Barker that has hidden the connection between the Barker/Bakers, Derricks, and Harris.

1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Barker, m. John Goninge, son of John Goninge, part owner in 1629 (with Francis Derrick Sr. and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships “The Hope”, “The Little Charles”, and “The Fortune”. Francis Derrick Sr., of Long Ashton, Somerset (d. 1637), gifted bread to the poor of St. Stephen’s, in Bristol, in 1632. The same year he granted to Humphrey Hooke and others, parishioners of St Stephen’s, a yearly rent of 52s out of his tenement there.
1.1.1.2. John Barker (Baker), b. ca. 1605, m. Dorothy, dau. of Sergeant John Harris, who was probably he who was recorded (Jan. 16, 1637), shortly before his death, as John Harris, “servant” of Arthur Bayly. Dorothy Harris sold land to Francis Derrick, given hereinafter.

1.2. Richard Barker, d. 1614, m. Sarah, b. ca. 1570. Her Will, proved Aug. 25, 1637, shows her owning properties in Redcliffe Street, and the playhouse in Wine Street, which she bequeathed to her son, William. (Mark Cartwright Pilkinton, Rec. of Early Eng. Drama, Bristol, p. 40, 1997).
1.2.1. William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629. He was a partner of Francis Derrick Sr. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10). William Barker bought part of Flowerdieu Hundred from Elizabeth Stephens, who had inherited the property from her father, Abraham Piersey. In 1637 and 1639, Wm. Barker appears as a headright in two Henrico patents involving Arthur Bayley.

1.2.1.1. John Barker Sr., b. ca. 1617, settled on Chippokes, next to lands that had been Thomas Felton’s: “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. … formerly Thomas Felton’s … joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton”.

Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr., having m. his sister, Sara, on Oct. 27, 1646. He was almost certainly of the Taylor family of Long Ashton, and neighbour of the Derricks. John Barker Sr. was a tobacco planter and traded with Theoderick Bland: “Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Bland & Company for the plantation of Chippoakes I sould him the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco with caske, this 13 Jany 1653, signed Theoderick Bland. R. Oct. 26, 1658. Theoderick Bland was intermarried into the Bennett family of Wiveliscombe (juxta Blagdon), making him a kinsman of the Harris family of that place. thus, there are instances were the Harris families (of Blagdon/Wiveliscombe) share connections to the same (Somerset) families in Virginia.

1.2.1.1.1. … Barker, m. John Harris,* son of Sergeant John Harris.
1.2.1.1.1.1. John Harris,* b. ca. 1648, d. bef. Feb. 11, 1699, m. Elizabeth Nicholson, as follows.

1.2.1.1.2. John Barker Jr., m. Grace Cotton. “To wife, Grace Barker, my plantation that I live on for her life, at her decease the plantation, 300 ac. lying between John Barkers and Thomas Cotten to my daughter, Grace Barker”, etc. R. 19 May 19, 1714. Wit: Thomas Cotton, John Johnson, Elizabeth Figures. (B. 6, p. 191).
1.2.1.1.2.1. Hannah Barker, m. Walter Lashley, son of Patrick Lashley Sr. The estate of *John Harris was administered by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley.

1.2.1.1.3. Joel Barker, m. … Blount, sister of Anne Blount, wife of John Flood.
1.2.1.1.4. Jethro Barker, d. 1740, of Chippokes Creek. 1685: Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris, of the same, 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten.
1.2.1.1.4.1. 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.

1.2.1.2. Sarah Barker, m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock.
1.2.1.2.1. Frances Taylor, m. Richard Bradford, bapt. Nov. 23, 1634, in Easton in Gordano (15 miles from Blagdon), d. after July 14, 1716, in Westover Parish, Charles City.
1.2.1.2.2. Elizabeth Taylor, m. John Hamlin Sr.

HAMLIN AND SERGEANT HARRIS

1. Stephen Hamlin Jr.
1.1. Charles Hamlin, m. Susannah Rookings. His Will pr. Aug. 16, 1721, B. 7., p. 355. Estate admin., William Hamlin, Nov. 20, 1723, B.7., p. 488. Susannah was the dau. of William Rookings, b. ca. 1670, d. 1715, in Surry Co., and his ist. wife. He m. (2). Ann, who m. (2) Robert Nicholson Jr., by May 21, 1718, when he and “Ann his wife executx. of the last will & testament of Wm. Rookins deceed”, appeared in court to answer a suit by George Hogwood. Robert Nicholson Jr. was the brother of Elizabeth Nicholson
1.1.1. William Hamlin, m. Rebekah …

1.1.1.1.  … Hamlin, m. Thomas Harris.*

1.2. … Hamlin, m. Silvanus Stokes Jr., neighbour of William Harris.*

1.3. John Hamlin Sr., m. Elizabeth Taylor. Elizabeth Hamlin’s Will, proved Sept. 13, 1720, in Prince Georges Countty: To son William Hamlin, several Negroes. to daughter Lucy 4 negros and household items. To grandson Thomas Hamlin, items. To daughter Elizabeth and her husband, each a mourning ring. To son William, money due him from Mr. John Hammersley, Mr. John Stith, Mr. Drury Stith, and Joseph Fowler. Rest of estate divided in four equal parts to sons John, William, daughters Hannah and Lucy. Exctrs: sons, John and William.
1.3.1. Hannah Hamlin, m.Thomas Cocke, of Brunswick Co.
1.3.1.1. Thomas Cocke.
1.3.1.1.1. Lemuel Cocke, m. Jane, dau. of William Browne and Jane Meriwether. Surry Co. Deeds, Wills, etc. – Account of Estate of Mrs. Jane Cocke, decd., with Henry Cocke lists James Kee, Dr. Samuel Peet, tax on Brunswick County land, William Warren, Mr. William Harris,* Mr. Thomas Harris,* Hallam Jones, Mr. John Edmunds, Capt. E. Ruffin, Drury Barker, Richard Cocke, Lemuel Cocke, Ann Cocke, Thomas Cocke, William Anderson, Joshua Barker, Mr. George Kerr, James Buchanan & Co., James Belches,* Rec: Feb. 19, 1771, p. 123.

1.3.2. Elizabeth Hamlin, m. *William Harris, who lived near the land of Thomas Cotton. 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).
1.3.2.1. *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.
1.3.2.1.1. 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).

1.3.2.2. *Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1730. He was of Prince George Co. Martin Brandon Parish, and was gifted 820 ac. (on Upper Sunken Marsh, on the line of Nathaniel Harrison, at Ware Swamp and on James River), by William and Rebekah Hamlin, in 1782. Wit. Nicholas Faulcon Jr. and William Simmons. (Kathryn Wiggins, Harris Papers, vol. 32, p. 8, 1968). Virginia Wills & Settlement of Estates 1787–1792. July 26, 1790. Articles of Agreement (p. 416). Between William Poythress and Thomas Harris.. William Poythress has claimed an interest in a tract of land where said Thomas Harris lives and the said William Poythress and Thomas Harris being willing to settle the affair and affix the right title… John Harris gives William Poythress title to a house sold by William Poythress to Robert Birchett. House and land had been willed to William Poythress by Peter Poythress that was sold unto Walter Munnery and Nathanial Tatum. Wit: Edward Marks, Nathaniel Mackay, Boswell Becking.

The connection to Poythress is thus:

1. Francis Eppes, m. Sarah Hamlin, dau. of Richard Hamlin and Ann Harrison, son of John Hamlin, and Elizabeth Taylor.
1.1. Peter Eppes, d. Nov. 11, 1807, in Prince George Co., m. Mary Poythress, probable sister of William Poythress Sr.

William Poythress, Junior, Gentleman of County of Prince George to Robert Birchett of Prince George County. Sum: £300 of lawful money of Virginia. Land: in Prince George County south side of Blackwater Swamp (no acreage stated but description of boundaries is long and detailed). Signed: William Poythress, Jr., William Harris. Wit: J. Williams, Samuel Vaughn, Wm. Birchett, Wm. Birchett junr. (PG Deeds & Wills 1787-92, p. 369). Jan. 12, 1790.

It is left to others to follow this up. The descendants of “the Sergeant” were not who claimed his descent.

SERGEANT JOHN HARRIS

1. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon, Somerset, which is 5 miles from Wiveliscombe, home of the Bennets, who intermarried with the Blands.
He was br. of Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, who m. (2) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Oson (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 also 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, d., 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 probably m. a sister of John Barker Sr.

1.2.1. John Harris, m. Elizabeth Nicholson, 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. 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 (her brother) John Nicholson’s, pewter, chest, etc. To dau., 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 Avery. 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. John Nicholson was the br. of Elizabeth Nicholson (per Bodie), and Robert Nicholson Jr, who m. the relict of William Rookings, who, by a ist wife, was the father of CharlesSusannah Rookings, who m. Charles Hamlin, as given heretofore.
1.2.1.1. Mary Harris.

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, lived near the land of Thomas Cotton.
1.2.2.2.1. William Harris.
1.2.2.2.2. Thomas Harris.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES (important to frame English settlers in Virginia within their kinship circle).

FLOOD OF BRIDGWATER, SOMERSET (ca. 25 miles from Blagdon).

1. Edward FLood m. … Aug. 4, 1567.
1.1. Christopher Floude, m. Joane Castlebrooke, Feb. 11, 1609.
1.1.1. “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, 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. Shirehampton and Blagdon (15 miles distant) are connected on a main trading road which passes through Bristol.
1.1.1.1. John Flood, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Blount, sister of … Blount, wife of Joel Barker.

1.1.2. *”Thomae Fludde”, bapt. April 19 1612 (“son of Christopher and Joan”).
1.1.2.1. Thomas Flood Jr., b. ca. 1637-1642, m. Ann Rose, b. ca. 1650-1655.
1.1.2.1.1. Jane Flood, m. …Watkins
1.1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John Nicholson*, son of Robert Nicholson Sr., d. 1719. She was named in her grandmother’s Will, proved March 19, 1729. (“Tylers”, 1981, pp. 769-770).
1.1.2.1.1.2. Harry (Henry) Flood, m. (1) …
1.1.2.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Flood, m. Robert Nicholson Jr., son of Robert Nicholson Sr.
1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1. James Nicholson, m. Ann, dau. of James Davis Sr and Elizabeth Warren.
1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. Nathaniel Nicholson, m. Mary, dau. of Daniel Harris and Jane Jordan; son of Edward Harris and Mary Turner. ( ).

Flood Harry: Leg.- To daughter, Ann Flood, in England (If she is living) I give 20 shillings sterling. What remains to be equally divided between my daughter, Elizabeth Nicholson and her six children (to witt) Henry, Robert, Mary, George, James and Ann Nicholson, or to the survivors of them and I appoint my son-in-law Robert Nicholson my sole Exer. (Under the direction of Col. John Allen) of this my Will and Test. 18 Dec., 1739. Prob.: 15 Oct., 1740. Wit: Thomas Hamlin, L Delong, Elizabeth Rookings. B. 9, p. 228.

Robert and John Nicholson were brothers of Elizabeth Nicholson.* (Boddie, xvi, pp. 203-208).
It is suggested that she m. John Harris. Her Will – 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 dau., 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 Avery. 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.

To understand who descendants of Sergeant John Harris may have been, it is necessary to consider the connections between the families of Flood, Nicholson, Rooking, Short, and Hamlin. As will be given, William Hamlin, in 1782, gifted Thomas Harris 820 ac. on Upper Sunken Marsh, on the line of Nathaniel Harrison, at Ware Swamp and on James River.

ROOKING

1. William Rookings, b. ca. 1630, d. betw.between July 13, 1676 and Jan. 24, 1677, in Charles City Co.
1.1. William Rookings, b. ca. 1670, d. 1715, in Surry Co., m. (2). Ann, who m. (2) Robert Nicholson Jr., by May 21, 1718, when he and “Ann his wife executx. of the last will & testament of Wm. Rookins deceed”, appeared in court to answer a suit by George Hogwood.
Children by 1st wife:
1.1.1. Susannah Rookings, b. ca. 1700, d. aft. 1779, m. (1) Charles Hamlin, Will pr. Aug. 16, 1721, B. 7., p. 355. Estate admin., William Hamlin, Nov. 20, 1723, B.7., p. 488. Charles Hamlin was a son of Stephen Hamlin Jr., br. of Capt John Hamlin, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of of Richard Taylor and Sarah Barker. In 1698, Capt John Hamlin partnered with Richard Bland, John Taylor and John Hardiman to ship goods from Virginia to England.
1.1.1.1. William Hamlin, m. Rebekah. They conveyed land to Thomas Harris, as given.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Rookins, her estate devolved to James Rookings in 1750.
Children by Ann
1.1.3. James Rookings, shipwright, d. 1750, m. Elizabeth, the widow of William Blount.
1.1.3.1. Patty Rookings, m. James Warren.

In memoriam, James Hargreaves, r.i.p.

Everything attempting a construct of Virginia ancestry deriving from English settlers has to follow a very simple framework, wherein families were intermarried within long-standing kinship groups; the imperative of survival.

copyright m stanhope, 2022.