A John Harris witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654. Bond of Robt. Mosley to Jno. Felton. Wit. John Harris, Sackford Brewster. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31). Six years later, William Lea and Alice, his wife (relict of Thomas Felton), to William Heath, 150 a. formerly Thomas Felton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the Co. of Surry in Virginia, commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys, adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie Co…..150a. a. of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie Co., adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said Surry Co. Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings. Dated Oct. 4, 1660. Rec. Nov. 10, 1660.

There was a connection between *Sackford Brewster and *Robert Spencer, and between Robert Spencer and Thomas Harris, d. 1672; and between Sackford Brewster and the above given John Harris. This would suggest (in terms of the familial connections of English families), that this John Harris was of the same family as the said Thomas Harris. In this light, the following (amended) reconstruction of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe is suggested.

Wider connections are incorporated, which gives an example of how strands of the same family continued their connections through intermarriages. The Avis White who m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, was a descendant of Ann Ridley, sister of (1) Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham, whose sister m. Richard Bennett, close kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; (2) Nathaniel Ridley, who m. Elizabeth Day, dau. of James Day and Mary Bland, dau. of Thomas and Mary Bennett, again, close kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

“BENNETT HARRIS”

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (1594) Elianor Bennett, sister of Edward Bennett,* and Thomas Bennett. The latter was the grandfather of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s* sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’).
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, in 1623.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1625, d. 1672, in Virginia, associated with Charles Barham:

1.*Charles Barham, gent, m. Elizabeth Ridley.
1.1. Robert Barham, m. Elizabeth Clarke.
1.1.1. John Barham, b. bef. 1711 in Surry Co., m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Edwards and his second wife, Elizabeth Newsom. His Will was probated on July 16, 1771.
1.1.2. Robert Barham, Will probated on July 17, 1770, in Surry Co.
1.1.3. Thomas Barham, d. 1784, m. Sarah Newsom.
1.1.4. *Charles Barham, b. 1706. In 1738, he was deeded land by Thomas Holt Jr. (B. 5, p. 239). His Will was probated on June 9, 1791.
1.1.4.1. James Barham, b. 1730, d. June 1, 1791, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Thorpe, son of Timothy Thorpe Jr., son of Timothy Thorpe Sr.
1.1.4.1.1. Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris,* descendant of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1. Peter Ridley.
1.1. Nathaniel Ridley, m. Elizabeth Day, dau. of James Day and Mary Bland, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Bennett) Bland;
1.1.1. Nathaniel Ridley Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.2. Ann Ridley, m. Edmund Prime.
1.2.1. John Prime, “was left William Ridley’s plantation at the expiration of Captain Barham’s lease. John Prime died in Isle of Wight County in 1726 and left a legacy to his nephew, Robert Ruffin”. (The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, vols. 48-49, 1940).
1.2.2. Elizabeth (Prime) Ruffin, m. Robert Ruffin. “Elizabeth Prime, a daughter of Edmund Prime, was a legatee of the 1671 Will of William Ridley in Isle of Wight County. Robert held 850 acres on the Blackwater Swamp with William Newsome in 1678, ibid.
1.2.3. Phylis (Prime) White; seems to have married Thomas White of Surry Co. (d . 1694), ibid, p. 279.
1.2.3.1. Thomas White. His estate to be divided between his wife, Phillis and children: Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. Sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ruffin, have the land, and management of daughter, Rebecca, and her estate, and place daughter Elizabeth, and her estate with whom she please. Mr. Robert Lancaster to have the care of son, Thomas, and daughter Mary, and their estates. Makes wife, Phillis, Exerx. Elizabeth Ruffin and Robert Lancaster, overseers of the will, probated, Sept. 4, 1694. Wit: Thos. Bage, widow. Edwards, John Thompson. (B. 5, p. 20).
1.2.3.1.1. Thomas White, m. Ann, dau. of Thomas Moore.
1.2.3.1.1.1. Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.3. William Ridley. Mr. Charles Barham Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tooke overseers, witnessed the Will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Charles Barham’s sister m. Richard Bennett, d. 1710, 2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). William Tooke, b. 1626, by deposition given on Nov. 29, 1672, sold 900 ac. in IOW Co. on Jan. 3, 1661, patented by James Tooke on Nov. 11, 1640. His Will (rec. Feb 8, 1675), names wife Jane, step-dau. of William Ridley.
1.4. Elizabeth Ridley, m. Charles Barham.
1.4.1. Robert Barham, m. Elizabeth Clarke.
1.4.1.1. Charles Barham. In 1738, he was deeded land by Thomas Holt Jr. (B. 5, p. 239), whose father was named as a “friend” in the Will of William Harris (1721), beneath given.
1.4.1.1.1. James Barham, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Thorpe, son of Timothy Thorpe Jr., son of Timothy Thorpe Sr.
1.4.1.1.1.1. Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris,* descendant of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2. Edward Harris, exec. of the Will of Judith Bennett, wife of Richard Bennett, *Edward Bennetts uncle. Rice Jones patented 88 a. in Lanc. Co., on N. Side Rappa, adj. land of Edward Harris (deceased) Sept. 2, 1652, he subsequently sold this land to Howell Powell, Jan. 22, 1652, p. 53. This land had been sold to Rice Jones by Richard Bennett, kinsman of Edward Harris, as part of his patent of Nov. 4, 1642. It is almost certain that Edward Harris also held land of this patent, adj. William Newsum.
1.1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

“COUSIN HARRIS”

1.2. William Harris.
1.2.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William”. (“Harries”).
1.2.1.1. John Harris,* bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, “son of Richard”.

It may have been he he who witnessed the bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654. By this supposition, he was a second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward Harris, d. 1677, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688. In this interpretation, he his the uncle of William Harris, ob. 1721.

1.2.1.1.1. John Harris.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel Lancater, son of Robert Lancaster, and br. of Robert Lancaster Jr., the father of William Lancaster, who m. (1) … Moreland, probably a sister of Bartlett Moreland, on chronological grounds. William Lancaster was the father of Lawrence Lancaster. On May 9, 1751, “Lawrence Lancaster of IOW in Nottoway Parish and Solomon Delke of same place to divide sd. land that formerly did belong to Edward Moreland, decd.”.

1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1668; the same relationships obviously apply.
1.2.1.2.1. William Harris, born on or bef. Jan. 29, 1654 (21 or older on Jan. 29, 1675. He inherited 850 a. in Surry Co., S. of the James River, on the N.W. and S.E. sides of the Sunken Marsh, June 2, 1668, p. 155. Guardian Acts Surry Co., B.2, p. 63 – David Williams presents Capt Charles Barham and Robert Caufield as securities for estate of William Harris, orphan, June 10, 1674. On Jan. 4, 1685, William Harris and wife Mary to William Newsum, 220 a. now in the tenure of *Mr. John Harris (lpart of 850 a. formerly granted to Thomas Harris, deceased, on Feb. 19, 1657). Land is bound by Richard Brigge, deceased, William Newett, Thomas Jarrett, the Sunken Marsh Path, and William Gray. Witness: Robert Ruffin, *John Harris (his uncle)? Rec. Jan. 5, 1685, p. 43. S. William Harris, Mary Harris. His Will was probated on April 19, 1721. He m. (1) Mary … in or before 1679, in Surry Co. He m. (2) Margaret, widow of Edward Taylor, after May 4, 1708.
1.2.1.2.1.1. … dau. Harris, m. …
1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Mary, m. Thomas Taylor, son of Margaret …
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1. Harris Taylor.

June 21, 1721, Will of Margaret Harris:
Son , John Taylor.
Daughter-in-law Ann, wife of John Taylor.
Dau. Hannah, wife of Christopher Clinch.
Dau.-in-law … wife of Edward Taylor.
Dau. Margaret, wife of Bartlett Moreland.
Son Thomas Taylor and Mary his wife.
Dau. Mary, wife of James Vaughan.
Grandaus. Elizabeth Judkins, Elizabeth Clinch, Margaret Taylor.
Son-in-law James Vaughan, executor. Wit: Wm. Gray, Wm. Seward, Thos. Edwards.

“COUSIN HARRIS” CONNECTIONS

1. Thomas Taylor, b. ca. 1637, perhaps he recorded as a Surry tithable with neighbours William Newsum, and Roger Rawlings. He may have been the Thomas Taylor whose estate was appraised in 1674 by Thomas Lane, John Price, and Charles Barham.

1.1. Elizabeth Taylor, m. Robert Judkins, d. 1693, br. of Samuel Judkins of Surry Co., who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edward Petway.

1.1.1. William Judkins, m. Margaret (dau. of Edward Taylor, and Margaret), who m. (2) Bartlett Moreland. Margaret was the sister of Hannah Taylor, who m. Christopher Clinch; their dau., Ann (sister of Elizabeth Clinch), m. William Seward; their son, William, witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor, parents of Margaret Taylor, who m. (1) William Judkins, as given, having issue: Elizabeth Judkins, who m. John Berryman (of a Bristol family; Bristol: “John Berryman to Thomas Speed, 4 years Virginia”), and Hannah Judkins. As above given, Bartlett Moreland’s sister may have m. William Lancaster, nephew of Samuel Lancater, who m. Elizabeth Harris; who was possibly, by the conjecture above given, closely related to Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and his son, William, d. 1721.

Samuel Judkins and Elizabeth Petway had issue: John Judkins, who m. Martha Holt, having issue: Mary (Judkins) Barham, sister of Sarah Judkins, wife of Charles Barham Jr. Martha Holt was the dau. of John Holt (and Martha Crawford), brother of Thomas Holt (named as “friend” in the Will of William Harris, of 1721), Elizabeth Holt, wife of William Seward, and Mary Holt, wife of William Gray.

Jan. 2, 1691. Will of Robert Caulfield, Leg: niece, Elizabeth, wife of William Holt, land purchased of William Gray, for want of heirs to go to William Holt. To niece, Mary, wife of James Burton, land purchased of Joseph Rogers. If no heirs to James Burton, to nephew, John Seward “land left me by my father” on Hog Island.To William Cockerham, land purchased of Richard Jordan.To Mrs. Mary White to be paid her by Thomas Bins out of his debt to me. To Francis, daughter of Francis Mason: to Elizabeth daughter of Arthur Allen: Katherine, daughter of Arthur Allen: to James son of Arthur Allen: to Arthur Allen and “my sister, his wife”. To Mrs. Elizabeth Holt: to Mrs. Francis Mason, to William Hancock and his wife”. (B. 4., p. 240).

William Harris: his Will was probated on April 19, 1721. To wife Margaret. To grandson Harris Taylor. To granddau. Mary, wife of Thomas Taylor. To grandson Harris Taylor, land purchased of Robert Girly. To granddau. Mary, land at her death to her husband, Thomas Taylor. At their deaths, to their son Thomas Taylor. Friends Capt. Thomas Holt and William Gray to divide property and overseers of the Will. Executor, Thomas Taylor. (W.B 7, p. 325).

Bartlett Moreland and his wife, Margaret, were named admins. of William Judkin’s estate (Aug. 16, 1721). On the death of Bartlett Moreland, Margaret m. James Vaughan. (B.7, p. 394). On Dec. 8, 1730, Bartlett Moreland made his Will, which named Hannah Clinch and Mary Holt, relict of Captain Thomas Holt, et al., as beneficiaries. (B.8, p. 161). Edward Taylor d. in 1708 in Surry Co.; his estate was brought to court by Margaret Taylor and witnessed by Wm. Gray, Timothy Thorpe,* and Wm. Harris, who m. the said Margaret Taylor.

1.*Timothy Thorpe Sr., m. (2) Mary Lewis, granddau. of Richard Bennett (second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.1. Timothy Thorpe Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., son of Edward Harris, and grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688 (rec. Sept. 22, 1740).
1.1.1. Joseph Thorpe, m. Ann West, who m. (2) John Ferguson, who was appointed guardian to orphans of Joseph Thorpe: John, Ann, Mary. Nathaniel, p. 307. (W.B 3, p. 240).
1.1.1.1. Mary Thorpe, m. James Barham; b. 1730, d. June 1, 1791; son of *Charles Barham Jr. and Sarah Judkins. *Charles Barham Jr. was the grandson of Charles Barham and Elizabeth Ridley, above given.
1.1.1.1.1. Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris, settled in Guilford Co. NC and died there before 1824; son of John Harris and Avis White (desc. of Elizabeth Ridley’s sister, Ann), son of Robert Harris; son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Sarah Harris, m. William Middleton Jr.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Charles Barham Harris. (A question arises: have any of the male descendants of Joel Harris and Martha Barham been DNA tested for compatability to Harris (Group 4) males?).
1.1.1.1.1.3 Howell Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.3. Harmon Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.4. Martin Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.5. Arthur Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.6. Joel Harris.

EDWARD TAYLOR AS SURRY COUNTY TITHABLE

Thomas Lane Sr. (1st), Martin Johnson (2nd), Augustine Hunnicutt Jr. with William Alderson (3rd), Roger Rawlings (8th), Thomas Edwards with John Browne and Edward Taylor (11th), Timothy Ezell with Michael Ezell (12th). Roger Rawlings was the son-in-law of William Newsome Sr. and br.-in-law of William Newsome Jr. (who m. Ann Sheppard, relict of Thomas Hart), the grandfather of Elizabeth Newsome, wife of Thomas Edwards. 1678.

William Newsum was in this group of tithables: Henry Hart (first), Roger Rawlings (third), Thomas Edwards* with Edward Taylor and John Bishop (tenth), Timothy Ezell Sr. with (his son) Michael Ezell (11th). 1679.

Nicholas Wilson, Francis Taylor, Patrick Brady (next) William Cockerham, Edward Taylor (next) William Seward, John Greene (next) Walter Taylor. William Seward witnessed the 1721 Will of Margaret Harris (widow of Edward Taylor), in Surry Co.

William Cockerham, Edward Taylor. 1688. George Ezell, John MacIntosh (next) Edward Taylor, James Ely (next) Michael Ezell. 1689. Robert Nicholson, Edward Taylor. 1683.

Edward Taylor (next) James Eley (next) Thomas Holt, Robert Barham (next) William Harris, Thomas Jarrell Jr. William Harris appraised the estate of Edward Taylor on May 4, 1708, having m. Margaret, the widow of Edward Taylor. He was a neighbour of Robert Barham, son of Charles Barham, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and brother of Charles Barham Jr., whose son, James Barham, m. Mary Thorpe; their dau., Mary, married Joel Harris, above given. 1698.

THE SPENCER CONNECTION

1.
1.1. Mr. William Spencer.
1.1.1. Ann Spencer, m. William Cockerham, who, In 1685, deeded William Harris a parcel of land on Hogg Island, part of 1,350 a. patented by William Spencer, and inherited by Cockerham, p. 43). To repeat, on Jan. 4, 1685, William Harris and his wife, Mary, deeded to William Newsum 220 a. now in the tenure of Mr. John Harris (part of 850 a. formerly granted to Thomas Harris, deceased,* on Feb. 19, 1657). This land was bounded by William Newett, Thomas Jarrett, the Sunken Marsh Path, and William Gray. Witness: Robert Ruffin, John Harris. Rec. Jan. 5, 1685. Sig. William Harris, Mary Harris. Thomas Harris died in 1668. 1.1.2. Elizabeth Spencer, m. (1) Major Robert Shepard, who had a plantation at the head of Chippoakes Creek in 1635. (2) Thomas Warren, widower, of Smith’s Fort in Surry Co. In 1654, Elizabeth (Spencer) Sheppard wrote to Mr. Brewster (presumably Sackford Brewster), to “pass judgement for me to Captain Baker for 2,834 lbs. of tobacco and caske, witnessed by William Cockerham. *Captain Lawrence Baker, whose Will was proved Sept. 6, 1681; his dau., Catherine, m. Arthur Allen, of Surry Co. Elizabeth Spencer and Major Robert Shepard had issue: Ann, who m. (1) Thomas Hart, (2) William Newsum Jr.

1.2 …
1.2.1. Nicholas Spencer, of Surry Co. On May, 1667, sold to Captain William Cockerham; a parcel of land formerly his uncle’s, Mr. William Spencer, deceased, and lately bequeathed to Nicholas Spencer.
1.2.1.1. Robert Sencer, deeded livestock to his granddau. Martha Whitson. His first wife was a sister of Thomas Taberer who wrote to him in 1672, calling him “brother Spencer”.

1. Taberer.
1.1. Thomas Taberer.In his Will, proved Feb. 9, 1694, Thomas Taberer mentions his plantation of “Basses Choice”, bought from John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Governor Bennett’s dau., Ann. Thomas Taberer witnessed a land deed in 1658 between “Thomas Harris of Chipoaks in the County of Surry” and Christopher Benn. This is Thomas Harris, d. 1672, 2nd -cousin of Governor Bennett. Thomas Taberer was the father-in-law of John Newman, husband of Ruth Taberer, and John Newman was the future br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who m. (2), Alice, dau. of John Newman Sr.

1.2. Anne Taberer, m. Robert Spencer. (“friend” of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.2.1. Elizabeth Spencer, m. John Watkins.
1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. Robert Ruffin. Thomas Harris (d. 1712), witnessed an indenture between Robert and William Ruffin to William Edwards, on March 1, 1708.
1.2.1.1.1. Ann Spencer, m. John Whitson. She died bef. Sept. 1671, when Robert Spencer deeded livestock to his granddau., Martha Whitson.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Martha Whitson.
1.2.1.1.2. Elizabeth Spencer, m. John Watkins, Jr. the son of John Watkins, cooper, whose widow Elizabeth Watkins remarried (April 23, 1655) to Thomas (alias Sackford) Brewster, Gentleman of Sackford Hall, Suffolk, England; a Justice of Surry Co., and a co-witness, with John Harris, as above given, of a bond of Robt. Mosley to Jno. Felton, in 1654. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31). Six years later, William Lea and Alice, his wife (relict of Thomas Felton), to William Heath, 150 a. formerly Thomas Felton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the Co. of Surry in Virginia, commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys, adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie Co…..150a. a. of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie Co., adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said Surry Co. Witnesses: Robert Spencer,* John Gittings. Dated Oct. 4, 1660. Rec. Nov. 10, 1660. Robert Spencer became the father-in-law of Sackford Brewster.

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon, 2024