1. John Harrison. Robert Alonzo Brock (Eminent Virginians, vol. 2), wrote: “There was one “Master John Harrison” who was a colonial governor of Virginia, in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-three (Smith’s History of Virginia), elected by the colonists to the place of the governor sent out, who died during the year. The families of Berkely and Brandon are descended from him”.

In that such as the Barker and Hardyman families of Bristol were connected to the Blount family of that place, it is a distinct possibility that “Master John Harrison” was synonomous with this John Harrison: Blount v Harrison. Plaintiffs: John Blount gent of Bristol. Defendants: John Harrison, Robert Adams, and others of Bristol, merchants. Subject: Fradulent sale of sugar and ‘farnands bucke’ by the said Robert Adams to evade distress for debt. (Nov. 1609. STAC 8/61/22). Lease: John Harrison, John Hurtnoll, Thomas Cowley, John Williams, William Sheapard, John Grubb of Potterne, Wilts, feoffees of lands of church of St. Mary le Port, to Robert Nelson of a garden at a rent of 5 shillings. (Oct. 8, 1618. Bristol Archive, P/St.MP/D.46). John Harrison was probably this Bristol merchant.

1.1. “Benjamin Harrison (Hon.) of Surry county, born in Southwark Parish, in that county, in the year sixteen hundred and forty-five (1645) and who died 1713. His tombstone is at Cabin Point Chapel, and his will recorded at Surry C. H. He is called “Hon. Benjamin Harrison,Esq.” on his tombstone. Benjamin had three sons and one daughter.
1.1.1. Benjamin the eldest settled at Berkely, in the county of Charles City, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis Burwell, of Gloucester county, by whom he had one son, Benjamin and one daughter, Elizabeth. He died at the age of thirty-seven in the year 1710. His tombstone and that of his wife may be seen at Westover burying ground. Benjamin married Anne, daughter of Robert Carter, of Carotoman, commonly called “King Carter.” He and two of his daughters were killed at Berkely by lightning.
1.1.1.1. Benjamin, his eldest son, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence”.
1.1.1.2. Nathaniel Harrison.*

Of the remaining sons, Nathaniel settled in Prince George County; Henry in Surry; Robert* in Charles City.

1.1.1.3. *Robert Harrison.
1.1.1.3.1. Robert Harrison, of Martin Brandon Parish. His will was proved on February 10, 1789. To son, Robert Harrison, all the money that I lent him to pay for the plantation known by the name of Huntington. Son, Duke Harrison. Daughter, Sally Mattox. Daughter, Marcy Harrison. As to my daughter, Susanna, that took up with that infamous fellow, Jesse Binford, I intent no benefit of my estate. Residue to be equally divided between my four children, Robert, Sally, Marcy and Duke. William Wilkins, Senior, and son, Robert Harrison, executors. Witnesses: Edward Neblett, Susanna Harrison, and Martha Neblett, p. 211.
1.1.1.3.1.1. Robert Harrison, b. Feb. 11, 1755; d. July 8, 1797, m. Henrietta Maria, dau. of William Hardyman, and Angelica Eppes.* On May 26 , 1789, Robert Harrison , attorney for William Jones and Robert Harris, of Prince George Co., sold 50 acres in Martin’s Brandon Parish to Edward Neblett, Sr.

WILLIAM HARRISON

1.2. William Harrison, d. bef. 1681. In 1662, he was taxed for one tithable in Charles City Co., having no son who had reached the age of 16. In 1667, William Harrison, Jr. was granted a land patent (at age 21), thus being born in 1646/7. On Aug. 3, 1665, Charles City Court: From Robert Jones to Mr. Pryse requesting that deed of gift be recorded, he giving Elizabeth Harrison, daughter of William Harrison (“My God Daughter“) a heifer. Signed Robert Jones, Wit: William Harrison Jr.*
1.2.1. *William Harrison, Will rec. March 11, 1711/12, in Prince George, formerly Charles City. 1tem: To my son Thomas Harrison, 2 acres on west side of Southern Run, also a cart road from then toward Mr. Hardyman’s mill, and all land between my said son and Francis Wilkins’, William Short’s, Mr. Pigeons’, Mr. Moody’s, John Avery’s and Flower de Hundred Creek, except 10 acres given to my son William.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Harrison, Will proved May 10, 1720, p. 398. Wife, Ellinor Harrison, Daughter Ann Hamlin. To grandson, Thomas Hamlin, 10 pounds to be paid to him at the age of 21years. To granddaughter, Martha Hamlin, 10 pounds to be paid to her at the age of 18years of marriage. Grandson, John Hall, son of Robert Hall and Elizabeth Hall. Daughter, Ann Hamlin, and grandson, John Hall, son of Ann Hamlin. Granddaughter, Sarah Hall. To my other six grandchildren. Son-in-law Robert Hall named as executor with daughters, Ann Hamlin and Elizabeth Hall , as alternates. Wit: John Hamersly, Tim Bridges, Thomas Read, and Richard Warthen.
1.2.1.1.1. Ann Harrison, m. Richard Hamlin. Surry Co. B. 5, p. 317, Aug. 8, 1704: “Thomas Harrison and wife, Ellinor Harrison, of Prince George Co. to Sarah Hamblin, daughter of Richard Hamblin of Prince George Co. and his wife Anne Hamblin the daughter of the sd Thomas and Ellinor Harrison for 5 shillings. 100 ac. on west side of Attokamowsock Swamp (being 1/2 of the 200 acres next to John Scott. Wit: William Harrison, Sarah Lowe. Rec. 5 Sept. 5, 1704.
1.2.1.1.2. Elizabeth Harrison. Surry Co., B. 6, p. 160, May 23, 1712: “Thomas Harrison, Gent., of Prince George Co. to his daughter, Elizabeth Hall who has married Mr. Robert Hall of Prince George Co. 200 ac. near Nottoway River in Surry Co. already settled by my daughter (100 acres of the land is part of 1,700 acres granted sd Thomas Harrison and John Scott on 21 Apr 1702 plus an additional 100 ac. being a total of 200 ac.) and bounded by Capt. Harrisons Spring Run, James Jones, Chappell and Maj. Hunt. One moiety of the land settled by my daughter and one by me the said Thomas Harrison. Wit: *Nathaniel Harrison, John Nickells, William Rookings. Rec. July 15, 1713.

THE HARRISON CONNECTION

1. William Barker, bapt. May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol
1.1. John Barker Sr., b. ca. 1617. “John Barker, Sr., and Ann his wife were of Martin Brandon’s Parish, Charles City County, (later Prince George) and that land was on Chippoakes Creek“.
1.1.1. John Barker Jr., m. Grace Cotton.
1.1.1.1. 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. Sara Barker, m. Richard Taylor, on Oct. 27, 1646.

1.2.1. Elizabeth Taylor, m. John Hamlin Sr., br. of Charles Hamlin, who m. Susannah Rookings. His Will pr. Aug. 16, 1721, B. 7., p. 355. Estate admin., son 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”. William Hamlin, m. Rebekah … their dau. m. Thomas Harris.* Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1730, 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.
1.2.1.1. Richard Hamlin, m. Ann Harrison.
1.2.1.1.1. Sarah Hamlin, m. Francis Eppes, having issue: Peter Eppes, d. Nov. 11, 1807, in Prince George Co., who m. Mary Poythress, probable sister of William Poythress Sr., and aunt of William Poythress Jr., Gentleman, of County of Prince George, to Robert Birchett of Prince George Co. Sum: £300 of lawful money of Virginia. Land: in Prince George Co., south side of Blackwater Swamp. Signed: William Poythress, Jr., William Harris.*

1.2.1.2. Hannah Hamlin, m.Thomas Cocke, of Brunswick Co.
1.2.1.2.1. Thomas Cocke.
1.2.1.2.1.1. 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.

1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Hamlin, m. William Harris*

1.2.2. Capt. John Taylor.
1.2.2.1. Maria Taylor, m. John Hardyman, of Bristol, merchant.
1.2.2.1.1. Henrietta Maria Hardyman, m. Major Edmund Eppes, son of Littleberry Eppes and Elizabeth, dau. of Daniel Llewellyn, Jr.
1.2.2.1.2. William Hardyman, m. *Angelica Eppes.
1.2.2.1.2.1. Henrietta Maria Hardyman, m. *Robert Harrison. (To repeat, on May 26, 1789, Robert Harrison, attorney for William Jones and Robert Harris, of Prince George Co., sold 50 acres in Martin’s Brandon Parish, to Edward Neblett, Sr. Robert Harris may have been he who m, Elizabeth Moreland, Feb, 7, 1796, in King George’s Parish, Prince George Co.
1.2.2.1.3. Francis Hardyman.*

1.2.2.2. Sarah Taylor, m. *Francis Hardyman. Richard Kennon was the executor of Francis Hardyman’s Will of 1741. The Hardyman brothers were sons of John Hardyman Sr. and Mary Eppes, dau. of Francis Eppes Jr. and Elizabeth Littleberry, relict oF William Worsham. Richard Kennon was the executor of Francis Hardyman’s Will of 1741. Richard Kennon m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Worsham and Elizabeth Littleberry.

SERGEANT JOHN HARRIS

1.3. … Barker, m. John Harris, son of Sergeant John Harris.
1.3.1. John Harris, b. ca. 1648, d. bef. Feb. 11, 1699, m. Elizabeth Nicholson.
1.3.2. William Harris, m. Elizabeth Hamlin, 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).
1.3.2.1. William Harris, lived near the land of Thomas Cotton,.
1.3.2.1.1. *Mr. William Harris, b. 1724. Will of William Harris of Co. of Surry: “To son Hamlin, all lands in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and Surry Co.”.
1.3.2.1.2. *Mr. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1730. Prince George Co., Va .
1.3.2.1.2.1. John Harris, see previous post.
1.3.2.1.2.2. Robert Harris, m. Elizabeth Moreland, 1796.

I leave to others to conclude. The quest for ancestors of Sergeant John Harris has always been on par with finding the Holy Grail. It is always about knowing where to look.

1.4. Joel Barker, m. … Blount, sister of Anne Blount, wife of John Flood.
1.5. 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.

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