One abiding feature that permeated the early colonists of Virginia was that they partnered with members of their English kinship circle, as a co-operative means of survival; a time immemorial practice. People made transactions, of land, etc., within their kinship circle, almost invariably. Thus, the question about Sergeant John Harris was always: why did his daughter, Dorothy, sell land to Francis Derricke Jr.? The answer is that their families both lived in Blagdon. Sergeant John Harris would have been well aquainted with the Derricks.

By way of illustration, the following, very brief, genealogical table of the Derricke family of Long Ashton and nearby Blagdon, shows their familial and geographical alliance. The Derricke family became successful mariner/merchants, and partnered with the Barker family of Bristol, fellow merchants and seafarers, one of whom, as “Baker”, married Dorothy Harris. They were all familiar with the Taylor family of Long Ashton, a fact born out in intermarriages in Virginia.

When considering the origins of the early colonists of Virginia, it is necessary to focus on the obvious – they were English, and, as such, abided by English customs of kinship. This was less so by the dawn of the 18th century, but still an important factor. When familial relationships between Virginia neighbours in are not known, and consigned to the haphazard, it is mostly the case that extensive research of English records has not been conducted, based on relationships of neighbouring families of the same names being repeated in Virginia. This is not only a time consuming enterprise, but also one requiring a knowledge of research techniques, backed by appropriate resources.

The pity is that the colonisation of early Virginia, etc., has been consigned to a Hollywood story, fashioned on the cult of the individual, rather than it being seen as a communal enterprise involving individuals. The difference is profound.

The designation “D” has been given for Derricke (and its many variations); “L” for Long Aston; and “B” for nearby Blagdon.

1. John D., m. Elizabeth Everat, April 14, 1564 Long Ashton. (L). He was bur. Nov. 6, 1612 . (L).
1.1. John D., bapt. Nov. 1, 1564. L.
1.1.1. John D., b. ca. 1594. Deed: House or cottage newly built, 1a. ground formerly occ. by John Osen, now by John Dirrock, all in Blagdon. 1628. (DD\GB/43)
1.1.1.1. John D., bapt. Jan. 28, 1615/6, in Blagdon. (B).
1.1.1.2. Francis D., bapt. Jan. 9, 1631/2.

1.2. Richard D., b. ca. 1570, m. Joan, bur. Nov. 26, 1612. (B).
1.2.1. Richard D., b. ca. 1595. Yeales v Derrick. Plaintiffs: John Yeales. Defendants: Richard Derrick and Elizabeth Derrick. Subject: property in Blagdon. 1625-40. (C 3/419/92).
1.2.1.1. John D., bapt. Jan. 11, 1617/8. (B).
1.2.1.2. James D., bapt. Feb. 14, 1620/1. (B). He m. Anne Osen, July 20, 1648.
1.2.1.2.1. James D., bapt. May 16, 1649.
1.2.1.3. Prudence D., bapt.May 1, 1624. (B).
1.2.1.4. John D., Sept. 28, 1629. (B).

1.2.2. Thomas D., bapt. 1605. (B).
1.2.3. John D., bapt. Nov. 30, 1609. (B).

1.3. Richard D., b. ca. 1575.
1.3.1. Thomas D., bapt. 1605. (B).
1.3.2. John D., bapt. Nov. 30, 1609. (B).

1.4. Katherine D., m. Rchard Person, Jan. 13, 1591/2. (L).

1.5. William D., bapt. Feb. 6, 1568/9. L.

1.6. Francis D., bapt. May 6, 1576. L.
1.6.1. Elizabeth D., bapt..Nov. 11, 1602. L.
1.6.2. Francis D., bapt. March 10, 1607/8. (L). Francis Derricke Jr.
1.6.3. Agnes D., bapt. Aug. 30, 1612. (L).

1. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (B).
1.1. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon. Sergeant John Harris, of Virginia.
1.1.1. Dorothy Harris, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris” (p. 113), sold land to Francis Derricke Jr.
1.2. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, bur. Apr. 12, 1649. Her second husband, John Osen, was the father-in-law of James Derrick, second-cousin of Francis Derick Jr., who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.

Sergeant John Harris lived beside a beautiful lake.

There is every possibility that his lineage continued through male descendants in Prince George County; see previous notice.

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