When asked, as the case several times recently, can any case be made for descendants of Thomas Harris of the Meherrin River, who died 1729/30, being also descendants of Sergeant John Harris of “Upper Chippoakes”, who died ca. 1638, the term “problematic” comes to mind; on a number of levels:

Other theories would have to be dismissed, some readily:
The old myth of the Sergeant being from Crixe, Essex, and the offsring of landed gentry; a view still to be found on the internet, acting as a mausoleuem for redundant ideas.
The proposition of the Thomas of 1729/30 being a grandson of the Thomas Harris who died in 1672 (estate security, Edward Brantley Sr.), a son of his son, Thomas, who d. in 1712. (Boddie). The merit of this idea is that Joshua Harris, son of the Thomas of 1729/30, being associated with families of Westbrooke and Blake, seemingly giving a “continuation of association” from the Thomas Harris who died in 1672, whose mother was a Blake, and grandmother, a Westbrooke, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, as detailed many times in this blog.
The proposition tha the Thomas of 1729/30 was a deceased son of the Edward Harris (who died ca. 1734), son of Thomas Harris, who died in 1688; also a descendant of the same Westbrooke ancestress?
Other propositions of an imaginative nature.

The proposition then becomes: could “Sergeant John Harris” stem from another Harris family of Somerset, whose marriages led them peripherally to associations with the Brantleys, Blakes, and Westbrookes?

The following notes concern a Harris family of Blagdon, Somerset. Conjecture on their origins has been omitted.

This is a synopsis of these notes:

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.
1.1. John Barker Sr. (b. ca. 1617), settled on Chippokes, next to lands that had been Thomas Felton’s, joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”.
1.1.1 John Barker Jr., m. Grace Cotton (most likely of the various conjectures). To wife, Grace Barker, my plantation that I live on for her life, at her decease the plantation, 300 acres lying between (himself) John Barker, and Thomas Cotten. Proved May 19, 1714. Wit: Thomas Cotton, John Johnson. (B. 6, p. 191.)
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.
1.1.1.1.1. John Lashley, m. … Avery, dau. of Richard Avery and Fortune Burrow, sister of John Burrow (who m. Johanna Cooke), issue of Thomas Burrow and Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), whose estate was appraised by Henry Harris* and Thomas Barrow, on July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176).
1.2. Jethro Barker, on July 6, 1685, he sold 120 acs. of a patent above his dwelling place, half of a patent received from his brother, John. On Sept. 9, 1744, he sold 270 acs to his son, Jethro, on Otterdam Swamp, at Harris branch. (B.4, p.276).
1.1.2. … Barker, m. John Harris?, son of Sergeant John Harris? John Harris, infant in 1624, 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).

1.1.2.1. John Harris, b. ca. 1648, m. Elizabeth Nicholson. He d. bef. Feb. 11, 1699, when his estate was appraised by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley Sr. (B.5, p. 165). Harris. Elizabeth: Leg.- Son, Joseph Harris, cow, pewter dishes, etc. Proved May 16, 1711. Wit: *Jethro Barker, John Cooke,* John Avery (son of Richard Avery and Fortune Burrow). John Cooke was the brother of: (1) Thomas Cooke (associate of Henry Harris,* br. of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30). Thomas Cooke. – Will rec, Nov. 22, 1736, exc., sons: Thomas and Jones Cooke, witness: John Brantley (B. 4, p. 149), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Thomas Cooke and *Henry Harris appraised the estate of John White, rec. March 27, 1730, p. 251. (2) Johanna Cooke, who m. John Burrow, son of Thomas Burrow, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), whose estate was appraised by Henry Harris* and Thomas Barrow, on July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). John Nicholson was the br. of Elizabeth Nicholson (per Boddie).

1.1.2.1.1. Joseph Harris, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Adkins, named in father’s Will, proved June 20, 1711, witnessed by George Nicholson. (B.6., p. 61). The said George Nicholson (Will probated March 1, 1719/20, in Surry Co.), was the brother of Robert Nicholson (named in this Will), whose Will (proved Feb. 17, 1720/1), named sons John, Joshua, and Robert*. The former m. Elizabeth Watkins, given hereinafter.

Joshua Nicholson was “connected” to the “circle” of Joshua Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His estate was appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day, and Samuel Westbrooke,* on June 14, 1770, p. 324. Joshua Harris witnessed the Will of Samuel Westbrooke, rec. Aug. 13, 1761, p. 390. John Westbrooke’s Will was rec. Jan. 22, 1770 (B.4., p. 272, Southampton Co.), which left a tract of land to (nephew) *Samuel Westbrooke, on the N. side of the Meherrin River (bequeathed to him by his father, being a patent formerly granted to James Ramsey about 1725). Wit. Joshua Nicholson.

*Robert Nicholson’s son, Robert, m. Mary, dau. of Michael Harris. The latter Robert’s Will was proved Sept. 16, 1768, named his brother-in-law, John Harris. (Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler’s Quarterly, vol. 1, p. 770). Michael Harris: Leg.- Bequest to son, John, daughter, Mary. John, Exer. Rec. March 21, 1743. He was evidently the son of Robert Harris, d. 1740, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2.2. 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).
1.1.2.2.1. *Henry Harris.
1.1.2.2.2. Thomas Harris, younger son, d. 1729/30?
1.1.2.2.2.1. Joshua Harris.
1.1.2.2.2.2. Thomas Harris; a descendant’s DNA test results are a match for Harris Group 4 males. Where the Harris of Blagdon and Wiveliscombe of the same stock?

The question becomes: Was the family of Harris, intermarried with the Barkers, sufficiently connected to the Brantleys, Blakes, and Westbrookes to suggest a connection to Joshua Harris?

To think so would invite disdain from those who defend entrenched positions.

NOTES

BLAGDON

Blagdon; 12 miles S. of Bristol. 10 miles S. of Long Ashton*. The lords of the manor were the Baynards.

1. Henry Baynard, bapt. 1565, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Hobbs, of Stogursey, Somerset.
1.1. Thomas Baynard, gent, m. Martha, dau. of Richard Prickman, of Charterhouse Heydon, Somerset.
1.1.1. Thomas Baynard Jr. bapt. Dec. 10, 1613, Will dated 1683, all property to cousin Henry Gorges, son and heir of Ferdinando Gorges, of Eye, Herefs.; probably a godson of Sir Ferdinando, “Father of English Colonization in North America”.
1.1.1.1. John Baynard, gent, of Maryland.
1.1.2. Barbara Baynard, m. Henry Gorges.
1.1.2.1. Captain Ferdinando Gorges, Barbados merchant.

HARRIS

1. William Harris, bur. April 30, 1565, in Blagdon.
1.1. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558.
1.1.1. John Harris bapt. 1589/90
1.1.1.1. Dorothy Harris. Sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., inherited from George Cockett, a reasonably common name in the Bristol basin patois of the time, similar to Caucot, etc.
1.1.2. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.

1. Francis Derrick Sr., of *Long Ashton, Somerset, part owner in 1629 (with John Goninge and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’. It was almost invariably the case that merchant partners of Bristol were in-laws. John Goninge’s wife was Elizabeth, dau. of John Barker, of Bristol, merchant.

John Barker,* bapt. Nov. 30, 1584, 1st s. of John Barker, merchant, of Hopton Castle, Salop and Bristol and Edith, da. of John Blanchard of Marshfield, Glos., educ. St. Mary Hall, Oxf. 1599. m. (1) Aug. 30, 1607, Elizabeth, da. of William Spicer, merchant, of Exeter, Devon, 2s. 5 da.; (inc. Elizabeth Goninge), (2) Apr. 10, 1626, Mary, dau. of John Fownes (Fones), merchant, of Bristol, wid. of Matthew Rogers of Alderley, Glos. The Will of Anne Fownes, wife of John, proved Nov. 30, 1630, stated her request to be buried in St. Stephens Parish, and named grandsons William and John Fownes, Andrew and Sarah Barker; grandchildren Abel and Mathew Rogers.

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, 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.
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. *John Barker, m. (2) Mary Fownes.
1.1.1.1. Andrew Barker.

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 land in Flowerdieu Hundred from Elizabeth Stephens, who had inherited the property from her father, Abraham Piersey. In 1637 and 1639, William Barker appears as a headright in two Henrico patents involving Arthur Bayley. The first patent (Jan. 1. 1637), also claimed the headright of a
“John Harris”.

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”. 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, kinsman of the Thomas Harris, d. 1672, family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

(1. *Richard Taylor, m. Sarah Barker, Oct. 27, 1646, sister of John Barker Sr., who patented 300 ac. in James City Co. at the very head of the main branch of Lower Chipoaks Creek”, near the land of William Rooking Sr., on May 9, 1636. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. … formerly Thomas Felton’s … joyneing upon the lands which was (Sergeant) 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”. Another patent of William Lea gives more detail of the position of these lands: “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Moseleys, adjoining to aa great swamp, which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie County … one hundred and fifteen acres of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie County adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said Surry County. Witnesses: Robert Spencer,* John Gittings’. (Surry Co. Court Records, R. Nov. 10, 1660). *”Friend” of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. Frances Taylor, m. Richard Bradford.
1.2. Elizabeth Taylor, m. Capt. John Hamlin Sr.
1.2.1. Richard Hamlin.
1.2.1.1. Martha Hamlin, m. John Ruffin, son of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Watkins).

1.2.1.1.1. John Barker Jr., m. Grace Cotton (most likely of the various conjectures). To wife, Grace Barker, my plantation that I live on for her life, at her decease the plantation, 300 acres lying between (himself) John Barker, and Thomas Cotten. Proved May 19, 1714. Wit: Thomas Cotton, John Johnson. (B. 6, p. 191.)
1.2.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Foster, m. Mary, d. 1770, dau. of Elias Fort Jr. (Boddie, 2, 33).
1.2.1.1.1.2. Hannah Barker, m. Walter Lashley, son of Patrick Lashley Sr. The estate of *John Harris was administered by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley.
1.2.1.1.2. Jethro Barker, on July 6, 1685, he sold 120 acs. of a patent above his dwelling place, half of a patent received from his brother, John. On Sept. 9, 1744, he sold 270 acs to his son, Jethro, on Otterdam Swamp, at Harris branch. (B.4, p. 276).

A commision of admin is granted Walter Lashley on the estate of Patrick Lashley. Joshua Proctor and Nicholas Magget, securities. Estate evaluer, William Cooke*. Haun, Surry County, Virginia, Court Records: 1682-1711. The earliest record for Patrick Lashley Sr. of Surry Co. is of Jan. 22, 1671-1672, of a debt paid: “For 569 lbs tobacco in cask being ye full balance of account, as also being in full of all demands relating to the portion of Anne, my wife. I doe hereby acquit and discharge Mr. Arthur Jordan his heirs and assignees forever from ye same. Sig. Patrick Lashley Wit: Thomas Moore. “Patrick Lashley and son Walter” (William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 2, p. 81).

1.2.1.1.1.2.1. John Lashley, m. … Avery, dau. of Richard Avery and Fortune Burrow., sister of John Burrow (who m. Johanna Cooke), issue of Thomas Burrow and Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), whose estate was appraised by Henry Harris* and Thomas Barrow, on July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176).
1.2.1.1.2. 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. One half of the patent he received from his father, John.

BARKER AND HARRIS

1.2.1.1.2. … Barker, m. John Harris, son of Sergeant John Harris. 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). The other witness to this deed was Lackeford (Sackville) Brewster, who m. (in April 1655), Elizabeth, relict of John Watkins, cooper, who d. in 1655. She was the stepmother of John Watkins (d. 1708), husband of Elizabeth Spencer, orphan of Capt. Robert Spencer, who chose Thomas Jordan as her guardian, who had m. Robert Spenser’s relict, Jane. (Order Book, p. 265).

WATKINS

1. Robert Spenser (d. ca. 1680, m. (2) Jane Browne.
1.1. Elizabeth Spenser (by first wife), m. John Watkins, stepson of Lackeford Brewster, co-witness with John Harris of a deed of land, aforementioned.
1.1.1. Benjamin Watkins, m. Jane Flood, dau. of Thomas Flood Jr. and Ann Rose,* dau. of William Rose Sr., headright of Nicholas Meriwether Sr. On July 3, 1666, Bartholomew Owen sold cattle of William Rose, Sr. and Ann Rose his wife for the benefit of their children, Jane, William, Ann, and Mary Rose, p. 271. Jane Rose, Ann’s sister, m. Richard Avery, on whose death, William Rose Sr. became the guardian of his grandson, *John Avery, p. 61). Richard Avery departed from the Port of Bristol, in 1665. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, vol. 1, p. 56: Capt. Anthony Fulgham, 1600 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, for transportation of 30 people, inc. Richd. Avery. (B. 5, p. 253)
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. (after 1728), John Nicholson. Ann (Rose) Flood, widow of Captain Thomas Flood, Jr. decd. in 1728. Her Will was proved March 19, 1728/29, p. 915, naming her dau., Faith (Flood) Phillips; granddau. Elizabeth Collier; and granddau., Elizabeth Watkins, who m. John Nicholson. (Boddie, 308). John Nicholson was probably the brother of Elizabeth Nicholson, who. m. John Harris*.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Watkins, m. Robert Ruffin.
1.1.2.1. John Ruffin, m. Martha Hamlin, great-granddau. of Richard Taylor, and Sarah Barker, the aunt of John Barker Jr., whose sister probably m. the said John Harris,* son of Sergeant John Harris.

FLOOD

1. John Flood.
1.1. Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne.
1.1.1. Fortune Flood, m. Hinchea Gilliam
1.1.2. John Flood, m. Mary Blunt, dau. of Thomas Blunt, and sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker (br. of John Barker Jr.).
1. 2. Thomas Flood Sr. (Walter’s half-br.).
1.2.1. Thomas Flood Jr., m. Ann, dau. of William Rose Sr.
1.2.1.1. Jane Flood, m. a son of John and Elizabeth (Spencer) Watkins.
1.21.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John Nicholson, p. 360, brother-in-law of John Harris*.

1.2.1.1.2.1. *John Harris, b. ca. 1648, m. Elizabeth Nicholson. He 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. Proved May 16, 1711. Wit: *Jethro Barker, John Cooke,* John Avery.*. (B. 6, p. 5). John Averis 300 ac. in Surry Co. on N. side of Otterdam Swamp, adj. Jethro Barker. (1704, p. 622). John Nicholson was the br. of Elizabeth Nicholson (per Bodide), and Robert Nicholson Jr, who m. the relict of William Rookings, who, by a ist wife, was the father of Susannah Rookings, who m. Charles Hamlin.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Joseph Harris, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Adkins, named in father’s Will, proved June 20, 1711, witnessed by George Nicholson. (B. 6., p. 61).

The said George Nicholson (Will probated March 1, 1719/20, in Surry Co.), was the brother of Robert Nicholson (named in this Will), whose Will (proved Feb. 17, 1720/1), named sons John, Joshua, and Robert*. The former m. Elizabeth Watkins, given heretofore.

Joshua Nicholson was “connected” to the “circle” of Joshua Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His estate was appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day, and Samuel Westbrooke,* on June 14, 1770, p. 324. Joshua Harris witnessed the Will of Samuel Westbrooke, rec. Aug. 13, 1761, p. 390. John Westbrooke’s Will was rec. Jan. 22, 1770 (B. 4., p. 272, Southampton Co.), which left a tract of land to (nephew) *Samuel Westbrooke, on the N. side of the Meherrin River (bequeathed to him by his father, being a patent formerly granted to James Ramsey about 1725). Wit. Joshua Nicholson.

*Robert Nicholson’s son, Robert, m. Mary, dau. of Michael Harris. The latter Robert’s Will was proved Sept. 16, 1768, named his brother-in-law, John Harris. (Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler’s Quarterly, vol. 1, p. 770). Michael Harris: Leg.- Bequest to son, John, daughter, Mary. John, Exer. Rec. March 21, 1743. He was evidently the son of Robert Harris, d. 1740, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. There are several links between the Nicholsons and descendants of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

AVERY AND COOKE

1. …
1.1. Richard Everye, of Pitminster; Somerset; Will proved May 3, 1586. My brother, William Every, to have my land in Taunton Deane, he to give to his sisters’ daughters £20 each on marriage. Residue to my said brother, William.
1.2. William Everye.
1.2.1. William Everye, m. Agnes Hill, June 11, 1601, in Pitminster.
1.2.1.1. John Everye, recorded as having a dau., Anne, bapt. Jan. 12, 1629/30, and almost certainly the father of Richard Avery of Virginia, b. circa that date:
1.2.1.1.1. Richard Avery m. Jane Rose, on whose death, William Rose Sr. became the guardian of his grandson, *John Avery, p. 61). Richard Avery departed from the Port of Bristol, in 1665. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, vol. 1, p. 56: Capt. Anthony Fulgham (of Pitminster), 1600 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, for transportation of 30 people, inc. Richd. Avery. (B. 5, p. 253).

Will of Richard Avery, proved Jan 5, 1685, Surry Co., names wife Jane, sons George, William, John,* and Thomas Avery, and “brothers” William Rose and Thomas Flood. Executors were wife Jane, William Rose, and Thomas Flood. Witnessed by William Browne, Thomas Flood, William Rose (B. 3, p. 45). He calls William Rose and Thomas Flood his “brothers”, i.e., William Rose was the brother of his wife, Jane, and Thomas Flood.

1.2.1.1.1.1. Richard Avery, m. Fortune Burrow., sister of John Burrow, children of Thomas Burrow and Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. *John Avery.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. … Avery, m. John Lashley, son of Walter Lashley and Hannah Barker, sister of John Barker Jr.

COOKE

1. Philip Cooke, mariner, b. 1589, of Bristol.
1.1. William Cooke, bapt. March 25, 1613, St. Augustine Parish, Bristol; d. Nov. 10, 1679, in Surry Co
1.1.1. *William Cooke Jr., bapt. Aug. 9, 1633 (St. Aug., Bristol). His Will was proved Aug. 9, 1698, naming sons, John, William, Reuben, and Thomas*; a witness being James Atkinson Sr., father of Hannah Atkinson, wife of Reuben Cooke.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Cooke (associate of Henry Harris,* br. of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30). Thomas Cooke. – Will rec, Nov. 22, 1736, exc., sons: Thomas and Jones Cooke, witness: John Brantley (B. 4, p. 149), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Thomas Cooke and *Henry Harris appraised the estate of John White, rec. March 27, 1730, p. 251.
1.1.1.2. Johanna Cooke, m. John Burrow, son of Thomas Burrow, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), whose estate was appraised by Henry Harris* and Thomas Barrow, on July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). John Burrow was the br. of Fortune Burrow, wife of Richard Avery, whose relict was Sarah, dau. of William Wyke, son of Henry Wyche and Frances Edwards, half- sister of Judith Edwards, the 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1712.
1.1.1.3. *John Cooke.

1.2.1.1.2.2. 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).
1.2.1.1.2.2.1. *Henry Harris.
1.2.1.1.2.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/300?

Again, to believe this, it is necessary to challenge other claimants of the Harris crown; your head above the parapet. Dare you yes, dare you no?

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon 2024