The following notes were compiled with a substantial input from B.T. Shannon, who has also kindly edited them.

“The answer is in the soil”, as a historian of note once said, when explaining that adjoining landholders in medieval times were invariably kin of sorts, an arrangement that increased joint security. This system held good at the time of the colonisation of Virginia by English settlers. Those that lived in close proximity in England continued their relationships in Virginia. It is this continuation of association which identifies the origins of English settlers. In the case of the Shropshire families of Lewis, Hudson, Harris, and Cocke, they shared a close geographical association, which was underpinned by familial ties, which were repeatedly increased in Virginia. Families of a kinship group intermarried, and lived as neighbours, with whom they were invariably business associates.

Of the Harris family of Ludlow was Mary Harris, baptised April 3, 1625. It was not coincidence that In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64; nor that her granddau., Martha Hancock, married Robert Hudson Jr., first cousin of John Hudson, who m. Elizabeth Harris, the daughter of William Harris, son of Major William Harris, the brother of Mary Harris Ligon, who had a brother of that name, baptised in Ludlow on Jan. 13,1627/8, who was undoubtedly synonomous with Major William Harris, a ‘friend’ of Thomas Cocke, son of Richard Cocke Sr., whose second-cousin, Alice Cocke, married Thomas Holland, having issue: Michael Holland of Pickthorne, probable great-grandfather of Michael Holland of Goochland, and *William Holland.

1. John Harris, esq. (of Cruckton). m. Eleanor, dau. Thomas Prowde/Pryde, of Sutton.

1.1. *Richard Harris, obit. 1631, m. Anna Smallman, obit. 1650, dau. of Thomas Smalman, of Wilderhope; br.-in-law of *William Holland.

1.1.1. Mary Harris, second wife of Fleetwood Dormer, son of Sir Fleetwood Dormer, and Mary Isham, aunt of Henry Isham, of Bermuda Hundred, who m. Katherine Banks, relict of Joseph Royal; their issue being: (1) Anne Isham, who m. Col. Francis Eppes, (2) Mary Isham, who m. Col. William Randolph, named as a ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris. Fleetwood Dormer’s first wife was Katherine Ligon, second-cousin of Thomas Ligon, whose son and namesake m. Mary Harris*, second-cousin of Mary Harris Dormer.

1.2. Arthur Harris, m. Jane Newton, of Prescot, Shropshire.

1.2.1. *Thomas Harris, Esq., of Prescot, m. (1632), Alice Holland, dau. of *William Holland, bapt. (1574) at Burwarton, and buried there in 1642.

1.3. Rowland Harris, of Ludlow, ob. 1605, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567. She m. 2. Edward Lewis, as hereinafter given.

1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604, Ludlow.

1.3.1.1. *Mary Harris Ligon.

1.3.1.2. Major William Harris.

Among the children of Mary Harris Ligon were Major William Ligon, who married Mary, dau. of Joseph Tanner Sr., and Thomas Ligon, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Worsham, and sister of Phoebe Worsham, who m. William Eppes, son of Col. Francis Eppes and Ann, dau. of the said Henry Isham Sr. and Katherine Banks. John Worsham was the br. of Sarah Worsham, who m. Abrahan Womack, having issue: Richard Womack and William Womack, who m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Woodson, son of Robert Woodson, and br. of Elizabeth Woodson, who m. William Lewis, close kin of Major William Harris, as given hereinafter.

There does not exist any contrary ancestry of Mary Harris Ligon and Major William Harris. In a subsequent article, the fraudulent claims of association to Captain Thomas Harris in order to falsely claim land will be explored.

The English custom of claiming land on the basis of fraudulent deeds was an ancient and well-perfected one, and it continued in early Virginia. “Headright claims could be sold to someone else. In this case the original recipient’s name appears in the headright list as the basis of the claim of the other person … these headright lists were notoriously fraudulent and were sold and re-sold, and sometimes completely fabricated”. (Loretto Dennis Szucs, Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, eds., The Source, A Guidebook to American Genealogy, p. 486, 2006). “In addition to obtaining tracts using fraudulent or duplicate headrights, later-seventeenth-century elite planters devised a number of ways of engrossing land, including … bribing county clerks and provincial office clerks and surveyors to certify fake headright claims and false boundaries”. (Lorena S. Walsh, Motives of Honor, Pleasure, and Profit, p. 369, 2012).

Lewis – of Diddlebury/Ludlow. Diddlebury to Ludlow, 10 miles.

Hudson – of Neenton. Neenton to Ludlow, 12 miles.

Harris – of Ludlow.

Cocke, of Stottesdon. Stottesdon to Ludlow, 12 miles. Stottesdon to Neenton, 4 miles.

Tanner, of Bishop’s Castle. Bishop’s Castle to Ludlow, 17 miles.

NOTICES OF THE TANNER FAMILY OF BISHOP’S CASTLE AND VIRGINIA

Holland, of Burwarton, Burwarton to Stottesdon, 3 miles; to Ludlow, 10 miles; to Neenton, 2 miles; to Diddlebury, 7 miles.

LEWIS

Lewis of Boulden, Broughton, and Sutton Magna. gu. a griffin segreant or. Crest, a demi griffin or.

Lewis of Sutton Magna. Same, quartered with quarterly 1st and 4th, gu. a lion rampant regardant or. 2nd and 3rd, arg. 3 boars’ heads couped close*. 2 & 1 sa. (Lloyd of Ludlow.)

Crest, as above. (Trans. Shrop. Arch, v. 5/6, p. 448, 1881). *Jenkes of Watterton/Wollarton, which is a few miles E. of Shrewsbury. In 1521/2, Roland Jenkyns (Jenks) paid a tax to the priory at Wenlock. (The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, p. 245, 1955).

1. Richard Lewys, of Westhope, Diddlebury, anciently an appurtenance of the manor of Corfham, m. Anne Mason*. His will of March 12, 1535 named a dau., Elizabeth, wife to Rauf Marston and bequeathing 20s. “To Maister Lytley and my brother in law William Mason,” Maister John Lytley, gent.* a witness to the Will; father of Adam Lutley of Corfton, who m. Eliza, daughter of Robert Cresset, of Upton Cresset, having issue: Robert Lutley, who m. Mary, daughter of Francis Holland of Burwarton (brother of Thomas Holland, who m. Alice Cocke, second-cousin of Richard Cocke Sr., of Bremo).

Robert Lutley’s Will, made June 5, 1613, provides for wife Mary, son Thomas Lutley (eventually also chief heir of his maternal grandfather), and daughter Frances. Ann, daughter of Roberte Lutley and Mary, was baptised Dec. 12, 1613 at Burwarton. Anne Lutley* m. William Lewis Aug. 21, 1634.

1.1. Edward Lewis of Broughton, Will of 1576: “I have laid off unto Lewis Okeley otherwise called Lewis Gwillym of Okeley the sum of twenty pounds upon mortgage of certain lands and tents. situate being and lying in Okeley aforesaid and Ednope in the said County of Salop of the which said … if it be redeemed. I give unto my son in law William Broughton thirty pounds”.

*John Lutley II., born about 1510 , was of Corfton. He married Katherine Jenks,* of Watterton, and had a son, Adam Lutley I., who is described as of Bromcroft. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Cressett, of Upton Cressett”. (Herbert Edward Forrest, Some Old Shropshire Houses and Their Owners, p. 137, 1924., reprint of Trans. Arch. Shrop. article).

1.1.1. William Lewis, predeceased his father.

1.1.1.1. Edward Lewis, gent, of Diddlebury, m. (1) Anne Blashfield, sister of Katherine, who m. William Marston. Edward Lewis was the br.-in-law of Thomas Garbutt, who had m. Edward’s sister, Fransisca. Newton v Garbett. Plaintiffs: John Newton of St Botolphs without Aldgate, brewer, great-grandson and heir of Thomas Smalbatch. Defendants: Thomas Garbett, Edward Lewis, his brother-in-law, and Ralph Harris, gent. Subject: Purchasing a disputed title of Francis Wellins to lands in Clungunford and Diddlebury, and arbitration without notice to the plaintiff John Newton. June 1619. (STAC 8/222/20).

Harl. 1396, 1241:

1. Cadgwan ap Eistan Glodred.

1.1. Sisselt ap Cadgwan.

1.1.1. Llewelin ap Sisselt.

1.1.1.1. Phillip ap Llewelin.

1.1.1.1.1. David ap Phillip.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Rees ap David.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John ap Rees.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Jenkin Cambray, of Wollarton, m. Dorothy, dau. of Sir Walter Colling, sister of Alice, who m. Roger of Acton Scott.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Jenkes, of Wollarton, m. Alice, dau. of Stephen Bowdler.

BOWDLER

1. Meredith of Neuaddwen, m. Margaret v. Ieuan ap Madoc ap Gwennys, lord of Guilsfield.

1.1. Owen ap Meredith, first-cousin of Griffith Fychan.

1.1.1. Evan ap Owen.

1.1.1.1. Margaret v. Evan, m. (3) Griffith ap Bowdler ap Howell ap David, ancestor of the Bowdlers of Brompton. (Powys Club, The Montgomeryshire Collections, vol. xii., p. 331, 1879).

JENKES cont

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Jenkes, m. a dau. of John Middleton.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Jenkes.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Roland Jenkes, of Wollarton, m. Mary, dau. of Richard More.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Jenkes, of Wollarton, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edward Leighton, of Cotes.

LEIGHTON

1. Edward Leighton, of Stretton, m. Anne, dau. of Thomas Hopton.

1.1. John Leighton of Cotes, m. Jane, dau. of John Salter, of Wrokemardine.

1.1.1. Ralph Leighton of Cotes, m. Anne, dau. of Thomas Trentham.

1.1.1.1. Richard Leighton of Cotes, m. Cecilia, dau. of Robert Cresset, of Upton Cresset. He was the br. of Johanna Leighton, who m. Thomas Mason*.

1.1.1.1.1. Edward Leighton.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Leighton, m. John Jenkes.

1.2. Elizabeth Leighton, m. John Baldwyn of Diddlebury, son of William Baldwyn and Matilda, dau of Thomas Corbett, of Longnor.

MASON

1. Richard le Mason, of Minton, Shrop., b. ca. 1380.

1.1. Richard le Mason, b. ca. 1410.

1.1.1. William Mason, of Mynton, b. ca. 1440, m. Alice, dau. of Phillip Done.

1.1.1.1. Richard Mason ‘of Minton’, b. ca. 1475, m. Margaret, Richard Higgins, of Stretton, and sister of (1) Elizabeth Higgins, who m. Thomas Adams; (2) Peter Higgons, who m. Catherine Barker/Baker (sister of Ann Barker/Baker, who m. Thomas Leighton of Wattlesborough, their dau. Margaret Leighton m. John Harris of Cruckton), having issue: George Higgons, who m. Eliz. Farmer, parents of: (1) Richard Higgons, bur. 1626, St. Alkmand’s, Shrews., who m. Eliz., dau. of Richard Baldwyn, of Diddlesbury, bur. Pontesbury, 1638. (2) Edward Higgons, b. 1562, bur. 1614, St. Julian’s, Shrews., who m. Ann Sherar (granddau. of Alice Harris of Cruckton), parents of Judith Higgons, b. ca. 1603-1605, who m. William Owen, April 30, 1628, in St. Chad’s Shrewsbury; having issue: Edward Owen, bapt. Feb. 5, 1629, likely named after Judith’s father; Thomas Owen, bapt. July 16, 1635 (d. 1688 in Henrico, Virginia); William Owen, bapt. Feb. 2, 1637. The said Thomas Adams was the ancestor of Robert Adams (as detailed in previous notes), who m. Mourning Lewis, on Feb. 14, 1712, in Henrico, as follows hereinafter. Thomas Owen’s son, William, had land adj. Michael Holland of Goochland. He m. a Langford, probable sister of Thomas and John Langford, of New Kent/Hanover, whose son Henry Langford had land adj. William Owen, in Pittsylvania. Thomas Langford (granted land with John Lewis, on Nov. 13, 1713, in New Kent), was the father of Thomas Langford, whose orphans’ boundaries were determined, with others, by William Harris, son of Major William Harris. That is, William Harris was the great-grandson of Jane Langford, and Thomas Langford of New Kent was the great-grandson of her brother, Thomas.

These people followed the path of previous associations, which were often based on daughters marrying advantageously, and opening doors through which their brothers could enter.

1.1.1.1.1. William Mason, of Diddlebury (b. ca. 1500), m. Elizabeth, dau of John Leighton, sister of Sir Thomas of Watlesborough, who m. (1) Ann Barker/Baker, their dau., Margaret, m. John Harris of Cruckton, ancestors of Mary Harris Ligon and Major William Harris, of Virginia.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Mason of Diddlebury (d. 1583), m. Johanna, dau. of John Baldwin of Diddlebury.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Mason of Diddlebury, (dsp), m. Elianora, dau of William Gower, of Worcestershire.

1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Mason, m. Richard Marston, of Minton.

1.1.1.1.1.2. Edward Mason, m. Margaret, dau. of William Needham, of Alderley, son of Sir William Needham and Isabell, dau. of Sir John Bromley.

1.1.1.1.1.2.1. *Thomas Mason of Diddlebury, m. *Johanna Leighton.

1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Richard Mason, m. Elianora, dau. of Charles Baldwin.

1.1.1.1.1.2.2. George Mason of Diddlebury, m. Maria, dau of Richard Baldwin, of Diddlebury.

1.1.1.2. *Anne Mason, m. Richard Lewys, of Westhope, Diddlebury.

JENKES AND MARSTON

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Jenkes (d. 1558), m. Edward Marston.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Marston, of Astcote (d. 1597), m. Margaret, dau. of John Bowdler.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Marston (d. 1605), m. Jane, dau. of Edward Lewis, of Whittington.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Richard Marston, of Minton, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Mason, of Minton (and Johanna, dau. of John Baldwyn of Diddlebury); son of William Mason and Elizabeth, sister of Thomas Leighton, of Watlesborough; son of Richard Mason and Margaret, dau. of Richard Higgins of Stretton. *Elizabeth Devereux m. (1) Sir Richard Corbet, of Morton Corbet; (2) Sir Thomas Leighton, of Watlesborough, as his second wife. John Harris, of Cruckton (ancestor of Mary Harris Ligon, and Major William Harris), m. Margaret, dau. of Sir Thomas Leighton and his first wife.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Ralph Marston (d. 1612), m. Jane, dau. of Owen Cadwallader, of Brompton.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.4. Ankerat Marston, m. John Baldwin.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5. Thomas Marston.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5.1. William Marston, m. Katherine Blashfield, in 1571, sister of Ann Blashfield, first wife of Edward Lewis, as heretofore noted, who m. (2) Jane Langford, relict of Roland Harris, thus becoming step-grandfather of the said Mary Harris Ligon, and Major William Harris.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. William Jenkes, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Adams, of Cleeton.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. *Katherine Jenkes, m. John Lutley.

LEWIS cont.

1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Lewis, b. 1600, m. Ursula Wellings, Jan. 16, 1632, in Bromfield, the adjoining parish to Ludlow. Assignment of a lease on Francis Watts’ tenement at Downton. Robert Smith of Burton, Shropshire, gent, Anne his wife, and Ursula Lewis widow and Thomas Lewis her son, of Great Sutton, to Richard Wredenhall of Sudbury [Sidbury], Shropshire, gent. Consideration £370, rent peppercorn. Original lease granted by Somerset Fox senior to the late Thomas Lewis. March 25, 1669. (Shrop. Arch, 6683/1/77). Diddlbury Terrier, 1637, “Item for all the Tythe Hay yearly growing and increasing in Great Sutton upon the Tenement now in the tenure of Thos Lewis Gent sixpence yearly And for all the Tythe Hay yearly growing and increasing upon the Tenement now in the Tenure of Ann Lewis Widdow* one shilling yearly. And for all the Tythe Hay yearly growing and increasing upon the Tenement now in the tenure of Charles Wellings sixpence yearly”. (Evelyn H. Martin, “A Terrier of the Parish of Diddlebury, 1637”, Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society v vii 1907, p 144).

1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Lewis,* eldest son.

1.1.1.1.1.2. Edward Lewis.

1.1.1.1.1.2.1. William Lewis, bapt. March 16, 1661, in Diddlebury.

1.1.1.1. Edward Lewis, gent, of Diddlebury, m. (2) *Jane Langford.

1.1.1.1.1. Edward Lewis, bapt. Sept. 1, 1608. Edward Lewis of London merchant, acknowledges receipt of £22 for the use of Jane Warham spinster from Sir Job Charlton, paid by direction of John Aston gentleman, it being his father’s debt due to Edward Lewis and (his niece?) Jane Warham by bond. Witness: William Biggs. Dec. 4, 1667. (Shrop. Arch., 11/208). Uterine half-brs. of John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604, Ludlow, d. 1638, father of (1) Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. who deposed to be 64 years og age in 1689, and Major William Harris, bapt. Jan. 13, 1627, in Ludlow; who held land on Curles Swamp, next to his sister, and John Woodson, br. of Robert Woodson.

1.1.1.1.1.1. John Lewis, a neighbour of Mary Harris, and Major William Harris in the Malvern Hills district of Henrico. His Will was proved April 2, 1688. Appraisers: Capt. Wm Randolph, Capt Thomas Cocke and Joseph Pleasants. (Weisiger, p. 266). Wm Randolph, and Capt Thomas Cock were both named as “friends” in the Will of Major William Harris. Henrico Order Book: 1688 to 1689: “Nicholas Perkins as security along with Robert Woodson for the tuition of Sarah, one of the orphans of John Lewis”.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Lewis, of Henrico, m. Elizabeth dau of Robert Woodson, Sr. “I Robert Woodson acknowledge to my brother-in-law, William Lewis, my full share due my wife Sarah, one of the orphans of John Lewis”. William Lewis deposed that he was aged 28 at the inventory of John Lewis taken Dec. 2, 1689 (Weisiger, p. 105), i.e. b. 1661.

He m. Elizabeth Woodson, they the parents of Joseph Lewis, who m. Elizabeth Pleasants. Robert Woodson Sr. of Henrico Co. For good causes to my loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis (children of his dau., Elizabeth Woodson, and William Lewis), 450 ac. patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, William Harris (son of Major William Harris – ms), and Roger Cummings, Oct. 21, 1687, on White Oak Swamp”. Rec. May 1, 1707.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Sarah Lewis, m. James Cocke, son of James Cocke, son of Thomas Cocke*. March 20, 1693: “Robert Povall, Giles Carter, Stephen Cocke & William Lewis to appraise the estate of William Cocke, dec’d” (br. of Thomas Cocke).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. James Cocke, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Lewis, and Elizabeth Pleasants.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. James Cocke, m. Martha, dau. of David Parrish and Judith Holland, on Nov. 25, 1774. (Douglas Register). Judith Holland was the dau. of John Holland, son of Michael Holland of Goochland.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Joseph Lewis, m. Elizabeth Pleasants.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. John Lewis. April 5, 1736: John Lewis, of Goochland Co., son of William dec’d, sells to Joseph Woodson 100 ac., part in Goochland Co. and part in Henrico, on Turkey Island Creek, bought from William Porter. Wit. – James Cocke, William Lewis, William Porter, Jr. and Tarlton Woodson. John Lewis of St James Parish, Goochland Co., Va., son of William Lewis, dec’d sells to Stephen Woodson 52 ac. in Henrico County. This land, part of a tract formerly owned by Jno. Lewis, dec’d and by him given to his son, William, dec’d and to his son, John (same date and witnesses).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.4. Mourning Lewis, m. Robert Adams, Feb. 14, 1712, in Henrico.

1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Sarah Lewis, m. Robert Woodson Jr. “Robert Woodson Jr., for marriage with Sarah Lewis . License Retd. by *Mr. Tho. Cocke Sr. who granted same. Retd. at Court held 12 Octr. 1692”, p. 357. Dec. 1, 1688: Wm. Lewis, the Exec of Jno Lewis dec’d peticoning for ye tuition of Sarah Lewis his sister now an orph: of about a dozen or 13 years of age & ye sd Orph in court expressing her desire thereof & ye husb: of her mother consenting thereto, His peticon is by ye Court granted (untill she is capable of choosing a guardian), Provided he give security for her estate according to law. (Orphan Court Records).

1.1.1.1.3. William Lewis, of Great Sutton, Diddlebury, bapt. Oct. 17, 1609, Will pr. Dec. 7, 1635: Wife *Anne (Lutley), daughter Sara. Brother Thomas Lewes, sister Anne Warham. Witnesses Charles Baldwyn, Thomas Lewes, Charles Langford, Thomasin Bebb. Charles Langford, bapt. Feb. 22, 1600, in Ludlow, nephew of Jane Langford*.

HUDSONS OF SHROPSHIRE AND VIRGINIA

1. Richard Hudson.

1.1. Richard Hudson, bapt. March 3, 1638/9, at Neenton, Shropshire, m. Mary Bowman, in 1658. Neenton is 4 miles N.W. of Stottesdon, from whence Richard Cocke of Bremo, and 12 miles N.W. of Ludlow, from whence a families of Bowman and Harris. (Richard Bowman bur. Sept. 22, 1639).

1.1.1. Richard Hudson, b. March 2, 1659, in Henrico Co.; moved to Amelia Co.; 21 years old on May 25, 1681. Dec. 1, 1688: “I Richard Hudson, son and heir of Richard Hudson, decd. late of Roxdale in Henrico Co. state that the will of my father, dated Oct. 25, 1669, gave to my two brothers Robert and *William Hudson, a plantation at Roxdale: My will is that land given me by my (grand) father Bowman be devised between my three sons … I therefore for 1600 lbs of tobacco sell to my brother Robert Hudson my share in said land. Wit: Thomas Cock,* Wm. Cock Jr. S: Richard Hudson. Mary, wife of Richard, relinquished her dower right, p. 29-30. *Thomas Cocke was mentioned as “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris, br. of Mary (Harris) Ligon.*

1.1.2. Robert Hudson, b. in 1662 (19 years old on May 25, 1681), m. Martha. He d. Jan. 25, 1757. Feb. 1, 1712: Nuncupative Will of *Mary Ligon: “Martha Hudson to have charge of daughter Martha“. Wit: James Cocke,* son of the aforesaid Thomas Cocke, Edward Heathcott, and Martha Hudson, p. 138. Robert Hudson of County and Parish of Henrico, planter, to Thomas Powland, Jr.; said Hudson and Powland took up by patent 940 acres on N. side of Swift Cr. 17 Apr. 1705; they have agreed to divide land in two equal parts, the lower half to Powland and upper to Hudson; wit: Elizabeth Cocke, Elizabeth Lester, *James Cocke; signed Robert Hudson, Thomas Powland; Mary, wife of Hudson, relinquishes her dower rights; rec. 1 Apr 1709 (Deeds 1706-1709, p. 160).

Robert Hudson, James Akin, and William Ligon took the inventory of Robert Blankinship’s estate, valued at £26/00/6 rec. 3 May 1714 (Wills and Deeds 1710-1714 p. 258). Robert Hudson to Henry Hatcher, Jr., for £50, ¼ part of mill and ¼ part of two acres on south side of James R. on Beaver Ponds of Swift Cr., formerly created by Henry Hatcher, Jr., John Burton, Jr. Henry Hatcher, and Robert Hudson; wit: Thos. Wooldridge, John Wooldridge, Thos. Gibson; signed Robert Hudson; rec. 5 Apr. 1736 (Wills and Deeds 1725-1737, p. 528). *James Cocke m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Pleasants, and uterine half-sister of Mary, who m. John Woodson, son of John Woodson Sr,* the br. of Robert Woodson, whose dau. m. William Lewis.*

1.1.2.1. John Hudson, of Henrico. John Hudson to Samuel Hudson, for £50, 46 ac. at Roxdale, where Robert Hudson now lives. Wit: William Robinson, Joseph Russell, John Green. Signed: John Hudson; Ann, wife of John relinquishes her dower rights. Rec. May 1732, p. 341. Oct. 21, 1734: Will of Jeffrey Robinson: To son-in-law John Hudson and his wife Anne, ½ of a survey of 400 ac. joining William Bass and Thomas Bass, Wit: John Green, William Baugh, Peter Baugh, pp. 455-56.

1.1.3. William Hudson, b. ca. 1668, in Henrico Co.; he moved to Hanover Co. William Hudson, rec. in account of the stock belonging to the orphans of Richard Hudson presented by Thomas Pouldon, Aug. 20, 1678. Lt. Col. John Farrar enters himself the said Pouldon’s security, presented Thomas Pouldon (Orphans’ Court Book 4). Inventory of William Hudson, appraised by Thomas Chamberlain, Arthur Moseley, Abraham Womeck, Sr., Edward Stanley; presented in court by Elizabeth, relict of William Hudson (Wills and Deeds 1697-1704, p. 261). William Kennon of Henrico Co. to Thomas Eldridge of Surry Co., for £10, 2 tracts. 657 acres on James R. at place called Roxdale, bounded by Parker’s Cut, Possum Meadow, upper landing at the house, Robert Bowman, land of Joseph Tanner’s orphans, the river, as by patent 29 June 1671; the other 100 acres next to above 500 odd acres, late in occupation of Gilbert Bowman, decd. next to land given by William Bowman, decd. to William Bowman and William Hudson; the land was purchased from Robert Bowman by Robert Kennon, decd. father of said William Kennon, on March 17, 1678/9, and was escheated to the king and resold by Wm Byrd, Esq. to Richard Kennon, April 1, 1681; wit: Henry Randolph, Jr. John Ingles, Martha Monford; signed Will Kennon; rec. 1st Mon in June 1711 (Wills and Deeds 1710-1714, p. 82).

1.1.3.1. John Hudson, of New Kent, ca. 1690-1732, m. Elizabeth Harris, granddau. of Major William Harris.

1.1.3.1.1. William Hudson, of Prince Edward. His will, pr. Apr. 21, 1800, named daus. Francis Wheeler and Sarah Harris.

1.1.3.1.1.1. Frances Hudson m. Mark Wheeler.

1.1.3.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Wheeler m. Graves Harris, her first cousin.

1.1.3.1.1.2. Sarah Hudson m. George Harris, as follows.

1.1.3.1.1.2.1. Graves Harris m. Elizabeth Wheeler.

HARRIS AND LIGON

1. Rowland Harris, of Ludlow, b. ca. 1560, d. 1605, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567. She m. (2) Edward Lewis, ancestor of *William Lewis.

1.1. John Harris., bapt. March 5, 1604, Ludlow. John Harris m. Margaret Holland, bapt. Sept. 29, 1603, dau. of Roger Holland and Eleanor Lewis, who m. Jan. 13, 1598.

1.1.1. Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. She m. Thomas Ligon.

1.1.1.1. Joan Ligon, m. Robert Hancock.

1.1.1.1.1. Martha Hancock, m. Robert Hudson Jr., first cousin of John Hudson, who m. Elizabeth Harris.

1.1.1.2. Col. Thomas Ligon.

1.1.1.2.1. Major William Ligon,* m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Tanner Sr. Will of Edward Bowman presented by Henry Charles Featherstone and Edward Bowman, his executors, and proved by John Bolling, Jr. and Robert Hudson, Sr. and Edward Tanner (br. of the said Mary Tanner), three of the witnesses; Maj. William Kennon and Capt. Henry Randolph, security; Edward Stratton,* William Ligon, Robert Elam, Edward Haskins to appraise estate (Minute Book, 1719-1724, p. 196). Edward Stratton, who presented the inventory of Thomas Owen’s estate, was the son of the following Edward Stratton*:

Joseph Tanner probably m. Mary Browne, who m. (2) Gilbert Platt, who bequested in his Will, rec. June 1, 1692, to his son-in-law, Edward Osborne, of Henrico, who had m. Tabitha Platt, his dau. by Joseph Tanner’s relict. in 1699, William and Mary College brought a suit against Benjamin Branch, “as the executor of Edward Osborne, who married the executor of John Brown, presumably the father of Gilbert Platt’s wife, and of Martha (2nd wife of *Edward Stratton, of Henrico), whose Will, rec. April 1, 1696, mentions sister Mary Platt. and her dau., Mary Ligon (wife of William Ligon). Mary Platt, by deposition on qualifying as her sister’s executrix, was born in 1638. John Brown was likely he whose relict m. Richard Cocke Sr.; by John Brown she had issue: John Brown, half-brother of Thomas Cocke Sr., member of Henrico county court, d. bef. Dec. 10, 1696 (named as a “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris), and *Richard Cocke. Jan. 1, 1687, Thomas Cocke Sr. of county and parish of Henrico to his son Thomas Cocke Jr. of same. Love and affection, 200 ac. part of a dividend at Malvern Hills, where sd Thomas Jr. now lives, next to Turkey Island Crk, sd Thomas Jr, Stephen Cocke, second son of Thomas Jr, next to John Lewis and Thomas Cocke Sr. (Weisiger, p. 42).

1.1.1.2.1.1. William Ligon II.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1. William Ligon III.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Richard Ligon.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Thomas Ligon. Richard and Thomas Ligon were associated with John Baldwin,* whose dau. m. Graves Harris (uncle of the above Graves Harris).

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.3. Joseph Ligon. Samuel Hudson* and Drusilla his wife of Amelia Co. to Joseph Ligon of Henrico Co. for £100, 119 ac. on south side of James R., known as Roxdale, bounded by Roxdale Swamp, land of Robert Hancock, formerly Edward Bowman’s, wit. Tarlton Woodson, John Archer; signed Samuel Hudson and Drusilla Hudson; rec. Oct. 6, 1735. (Wills and Deeds 1725-1737, p. 505).

1.1.1.2.2. Thomas Ligon, m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Worsham, and sister of Phoebe Worsham, who m. William Eppes, son of Col. Francis Eppes and Ann, dau. of Henry Isham Sr. and Katherine Banks. Mary Harris was the second wife of Fleetwood Dormer, son of Sir Fleetwood Dormer, and Mary Isham, aunt of Henry Isham, of Bermuda Hundred, who m. Katherine Banks, relict of Joseph Royal; their issue being: (1) Anne Isham, who m. Col. Francis Eppes, (2) Mary Isham, who m. Col. William Randolph, named as a ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris. Fleetwood Dormer’s first wife was Katherine Ligon, second-cousin of Thomas Ligon, whose son and namesake m. Mary Harris* (second-cousin of Mary Harris Dormer, contemporaries, and undoubtedly close acquaintances); her marriage leading to the later Dormer association. John Worsham was the br. of Sarah Worsham, who m. Abrahan Womack, having issue: Richard Womack and William Womack, who m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Woodson, son of Robert Woodson, and br. of Elizabeth Woodson, who m. William Lewis, close kin of Major William Harris.

1.1.3. Richard Ligon. m. Mary Worsham, April 1, 1680.

1.1.3.1. Mathew Ligon, m. Elizabeth Anderson.

HARRIS cont.

1.1.2. Major William Harris, bapt. 1627/8, in Ludlow.

1.1.2.1. William Harris, b. ca. 1670.

1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Harris,* bapt. Nov. 27, 1698, in St Pauls Parish, m. John Hudson,* b. ca. 1690.

1.1.2.1.2. George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish; a Vestry meeting there in 1719 connecting him to the lands of George Alvis, who had married the widow of

Major William Harris.

1.1.2.1.1. George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish.

1.1.2.1.1.1. William Harris, of Wolf Swamp, probably m. a dau. of John Graves and Lucy dau of Robert Adams and Mourning Lewis or his brother Mathew Graves, who m. Lucy’s sister Susannah.

1.1.2.1.1.1.1. George Harris (b. ca. 1750), m. Sarah, dau. of William Hudson, of Prince Edward. Their son Graves Harris m. Elizabeth Wheeler; three of their children married Hollands, descendants of Michael Holland of Goochland.

1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Graves Harris, b. m. Elizabeth Baldwin, dau. of John Baldwin Jr.* July 22, 1797: Indenture betw. Thomas Elmore, Efford Bentley, William Wood, James Gills, Thomas Ligon, etc., of Amelia Co., trustees of Ligons Town, sell to Levy Wright one lot situate in the above mentioned town. Wit. Richard Ligon, Thomas Ligon, *John Baldwin. (Amelia co., D.B. 20, pp. 303-4). These Ligons were sons of William Ligon III., d. bef. Oct. 27, 1796, in Amelia Co., son of Wiliam Ligon II, d. 1764, in Amelia Co; son of Maj. William Ligon and Mary Tanner; son of Colonel Thomas Ligon, son of Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. John Baldwin was a descendant of Charles Baldwyn, of Stokesay Castle (b. 1593), who m. (1617) a sister of Mary Holland, dau. of Francis Holland of Burwarton (fl. 1606), he being a brother of Thomas Holland, who m. Alice Holland, second-cousin of Richard Cocke, of Pickthorne, Shropshire, and Bremo, Virginia.

1.1.2.1.3. William Harris (b. ca. 1700, m. (March 23, 1723), Judith Hudson.*

HUDSON cont.

1.1.2.1.2. David Hudson. Jan. 4, 1754: David Hudson and *George Hudson witness mortgage from Richard Holland (son of Michael Holland of Goochland), and Sarah his wife to Andrew Cockran and James Donald of Glasgow, Scotland, merchants to secure indebtness of 235 pounds, 8 pence, being 372 ac. on Ruckahoe Cr., acquired by deed (of May 9, 1751), from Joseph and Jane Freeman. Signed: Richard Holland, Sarah Holland. Rec. April 1, 1754, p. 307). John Cocke, father of Richard Cocke Sr., of Bremo, it is suggested, b. ante Oct. 9, 1569. His Will was witnessed by Michael Holland of Pickthorne*. Indentures between: 1. John Cocke of Lusshcote, yeoman. 2. Edward Lutwyche of Lutwyche, gent, and Edward his son and heir. Conveyance for 250 of a farm etc. in Lushcot and Lonveld, alias Longfild, in Eaton alias Eyton, with the tithes – to hold of the Chief Lord of the Fee by the accustomed services. Elizabeth*, wife of John Cocke, mentioned. Oct, 7, 1596. (Shrop. Arch. (S.A.), 6000/1092). The said Michael Holland of Pickthorne was the son of Thomas Holland and Alice, second-cousin of Richard Cocke Sr., of Bremo, and the probable great-grandfather of Michael Holland of Goochland, as suggested in previous articles.

1.1.2.2. Robert Hudson Jr., b. June 6, 1685, in Chesterfield Co., m. Martha Hancock, b. June 6, 1688, Chesterfield Co, d. April 2, 1758, Swift Creek, dau. of Robert Hancock (1650-1709), and Joan Ligon, dau. of Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris. Sept. 1746: Robert Hudson for love and affection to my son Robert Hudson, 100 ac. bounded by the millpond next to Henry Hatcher, Henry Hudson, William Hancock, Swift Cr., being part of 400 ac. granted Robert Hudson and John Farguson by patent Aug 14, 1725. Wit: Jacob Ashurst, Francis Flournoy, Abraham Hay. Signed: Robert Hudson, p. 200.

1.1.2.3. *Samuel Hudson. Samuel Hudson and Drusilla his wife of Amelia Co. to Joseph Ligon of Henrico Co. for £100, 119 ac. on S. side of James R., known as Roxdale, bounded by Roxdale Swamp, land of Robert Hancock, formerly Edward Bowman’s, wit. Tarlton Woodson, p. 505.

1.1.2.4. Peter Hudson, b. ca. 1695-1700, Henrico Co., m. Martha Woodson, relict of Holcoat Pride, on Aug. 23, 1723. (Virginia Genealogist, vol. 27, p. 169, 1983). He d. betw. Oct. 7, 1752 and March 20, 1753, in Halifax Co. Oct. 31, 1728: Peter Hudson, Richard Wells, and John Green witness a deed from Matthew Ligon to William Pride for £25, a plantation of 100 ac. on Swift Cr., being part of land he purchased of Richard Grills, next to said Matthew and Henry Ligon. S. Matt. Ligon. Rec. Nov. 1728, p. 219.

1.1.2.5. *Judith Hudson, m William Harris. She contributed beef to the Revolutionary War effort, April 10, 1782. (Mecklenburg Co. Court Order Book 5, p. 136).

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon, 2023