James was a very meticulous researcher, over many years. Like many, he started out with an assumption of his broader ancestry, based on pedigrees found in the tomes of Mr. Burke. Truth of Virginia ancestries is unlikely to be found therein. The number of proven male line descents from “ancient planters” is no more than those of descents claimed from “a companion of William the Conqueror”. The vast majority of descents from English settlers in Virginia are through female lines. James was proud to claim descent from a family of Flood. Their true origin, and connection to the Hargraves, is given hereinafter.

Rest In Peace, James.

Bridgwater is situated in the valley of the River Parrett, on its west bank, on the Somerset Levels, between the Mendip and Quantock Hills. Historically, it was a Bristol Channel port, from whence its name derived, from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Bryj’, a quayside. “The river Parret runs, in a circuitous course, a distance of about fourteen miles, from the sea to Bridgwater. At spring tides, the head, or “ bore”, as it is called, rushes up with peculiar power, with a wave of five or six feet – a fter a brisk wind from the westward, very much beyond that height, so that often very many vessels are floated”. (Journal of the British Archaeological Association, vol. 12, 1856). King Charles I, by letters patent bearing date 11th July, second year of his reign (1626), granted to sir W. Whitmore, knt., and Geo. Whitmore, esq., and their heirs, the manor and castle of Bridgwater”, ibid.

FLOOD AND HARGRAVES

The majority of connections stemmed from families of the Bristol Basin, as I have documented many times.

1. Edward FLood m. … Aug. 4, 1567. Will proved June 23, 1572, bequested to “Christopher Fludd my sonne one quarter of my goode sheep”.
1.1. Christopher Floudde, m. Joane Castlebrooke, Feb. 11, 1609. (A local toponym).
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, Clerk, of Shirehampton (a tithing of Westbury-upon-Trim, Gloucestershire), 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*, his brother, on August 27, 1661. Shirehampton and Bridgwater were connected on the main trading road which passed through Bristol.
1.1.1.1. John Flood, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Blount, and sister of … Blount, wife of Joel Barker.
1.1.1.1.1. John Flood, m. Mary Howell, d. aft. June 20, 1715.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Jane Flood, m. Thomas Lane (b. ca. 1662), whose Will was proved Nov. 20, 1734, witnessed by Richard Ricks, Thomas Lanier, and William Barker.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Lane, d.v.p., b. March 16, 1689, m. (1706), Mary, dau. of John Drewry, and Deborah Collins. His estate administration, dated May 12, 1721, was signed by William Ruffin, John Newsum, and William Holt.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Lane, m. Augustine Hargrave, son of Bray Hargrave, who d. in Lawne’s Creek Parish in 1728. His appraisers were: Robert Lancaster, Benjamin Champion, and John Holliman. Bray Hargrave was a grandson of Sarah, dau. of William Hancock, of Jamestown, ancient planter.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Hargrave.*
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Joseph Lane, b. Oct. 17, 1717.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Letitia Lane, m. (2) *Thomas Hargrave.

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.

James thought that his ancestors may have been of Yorkshire. Possible, perhaps, depending on two things: The intermarried families of Proctor and Hargrave; the absolutely mythological construct of families of Proctor in Virginia, amalgamating several families into one, and concealing a link to those of the Bristol Basin.

Linton in Craven :

1. … “Hargraives”.
1.1. John Hargraives m. Ellyn Proctor, May 1, 1606.
1.2. Nicholas Hargraives.
1.2.1. Robtert Hargraives, bapt. Jan. 6, 1607.
1.2.2. Christopher Hargraive, bapt. July 19, 1612.
1.2.3. Richard Hargrave, bapt. Nov. 27, 1614.
1.2.3.1. Richard Hargrave.
1.2.3.1.1. Lemanuel Hargrave.
1.2.3.1.1.1. Aaron Hargrave, m. Unity, dau. of John Proctor, of Surry Co.
1.2.3.1.2. Augustine Hargrave.

1. Anthonie Procter.
1.1. John Proctor, m. (1) Agnes Proctor, Dec. 19, 1598;
1.1.1. Thomas Proctor.
1.1.1.1. Anthony Proctor, bapt. Feb. 15, 1620.
1.1. John Proctor, m. (2) Agnes Huet, April 18, 1604.
1.1.1. Anthony Proctor, bapt. May 3, 1605.
1.1.1.1. Robert Proctor, bapt. Jan. 11, 1633/4.
1.2. James Proctor.
1.2.1. Richard Proctor, bapt. Nov. 4, 1614.

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