INTRODUCTION

Many Virginia connections of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, came about as a direct consequence of an association to the Barham family of Kent, who were associated with Thomas Duke, and, in a wider manner, associated with the town in Kent from which Thomas Duke is suggested to have originated; a suggestion without an “original source document” that makes it “fact”. In this sense, it is not “fact” that the link between the Barhams and Harris families was strengthened by a marriage of Charles Barham’s sister to Richard Bennett, a kinsman of the Harris family. Yet numerous and continuous close associations between the Barham and Harris families over the next five generations suggests it is fact, based on the “continuation of association” between intermarried families being the central element of the English kinship system, which its countless examples testify to. This framework is a fact, one of many centuries standing. It is a narrow view of what constitutes academic enquiry to be ignorant of this, and to disallow what seems obvious (res ipsa loquitur: “the thing speaks for itself”), on the grounds of a lack of ‘original documentation’, or a reference from a “trusted” source.

There is a lack of ‘original documentation’ at this period, and the alternative to being marooned in the doldrums of research because of this is to think outside constraints, to base interpretations on the real life experiences of those being considered – the middle order of English settlers arranged marriages for mutual benefit; they lived as neighbours. Such considerations are essential to an established research methodology (which the writer of this article studied at a higher degree level), sometimes called the naturalistic/constructivist method. The sad irony of the “trusted” source as reference is that many are nothing more than handed-down fabrications, passed on through the baton of the internet – references of the “naked Emperor” class.

Any number of such “references” make up the widely varying examples of proposed pedigrees of “the Duke family”, which, are nothing more than amalgams of old ideas which stitch parts of several families of Duke together. A Mary Shelley-like approach to genealogy.

In that the Harris were also kin of the Vincent/Vinson family of Wiveliscombe, so familial bonds extended. The kin of my kin is my kin. It was a result such associations that Isabel Vinson married Robert Duke in 18th century Virginia. Each new re-association of familial bonds acted as a springboard to the next. Families existed within a framework of peripheral kinship – an incredibly entangled web of associations; a plethora of widows and widowers marrying several times within their kinship circle – a practice continued in early Virginia by English colonists.

The kinship family under consideration includes that of Major William Browne.
The great majority of those of this account were not of the “indentured 4 years category”; they were of a higher (Mr.) or middle class, in which headrights were traded between them on a repeated basis; the aim being to exploit the system. This great majority were also of the Bristol basin, with them emigrating from areas around Bristol, in both Gloucestershire and Somerset. Such families included those of: Bennett, Browne, Bourne, Cooke, Edwards, England, George, Griffin, Harris, Harvey, Knight, Lancaster, Moore, Piland, Scott, Seward, Scriven (Commander), Watson, et al.

In Darwinian terms, the English kinship groups that settled Virginia and were competing species that had to adapt to the harsh reality of frontier life in order to survive, with survival being dependent on mutual co-operation and alliances within their ranks – the concept of individual advancement through social enterprise.

The vital importance of kinship support in England and colonial America is well documented. Neel stated: ‘Marriage is not simply the union of two persons; rather, it binds together two kin groups. It reunites human society, which time and the divergence of family lines relentlessly pull asunder’. Carol Neel, Medieval Families, Perspectives on Marriage, Household, and Children, p. 200, 2004. This point was elucidated by Pounds: ‘Even the state in medieval England required people to be linked in small groups or tithings, so that each could vouch for the others’ good behaviour. Almost everyone is, by the accident of birth, a member of a family, of a more extended kinship group. J. G. Pounds, The Culture of the English People, p. 255, 1994. Such social-dependency arrangements were repeated by American settler families, as exampled by Doyle: ‘The listing of people, their names and birthplaces in the census rolls, shows clusters of fellow North or South Carolinians, Virginians, and Tennesseans living next to one another … The family names listed in the census suggest that kinship groups were being transplanted, either at once or in stages … letters and diaries reveal brief glimpses of the vast undergrowth of siblings, cousins and in-laws that existed beneath the moving population … These kinship networks among the elite were only the more visible of a much larger complex of relations that pulled kin and family across vast American distances to be with one another’. Don Harrison Doyle, ‘Faulkner’s County’, p. 255, 1994.

A family at the centre of a particular kinship group was th Bennetts of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. They played a major role in the colonisation of early Virginia. They, and a vast retinue of associated families, were the framework within which marriages were arranged.

THE BENNETT FAMILY OF ENGLAND AND VIRGINIA
1. … 1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England. 1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, m. Agnes Beard, on July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. 1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett,* bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia; his Will bequesting: “To William Yearret of Pagan Creek and to the wife of *Mr. Thomas Taberer, to each of them two thousand pounds of tobacco”. *His dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, m. Theoderick Bland Sr. Their grandson, also Theoderick Bland, m. Frances, dau. Drury Bolling and Elizabeth, dau. of Francis Meriwether and Mary Barham. Francis Meriwether’s sister, Jane, m. William Browne, brother-in-law of John Vinson, as follows.

1.2. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, in Wiveliscombe, later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia, received a patent on condition that he settled 200 persons, in association with his brother, Robert Bennett,* and his nephew, Richard Bennett. Edward Bennett was a London merchant, who had been Deputy Governor of the English traders IN Delft, Holland. 1.2.1. Silvestra Bennett, bapt. Oct. 25, 1630, in St Olave, London, d. Jan. 9, 1707, m. Nicholas Hill, security, with Edward Brantley Sr., for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.2.2. Mary Bennett, m. (1) John Day. 1.2.2.1. Elizabeth Day, m. Nathaniel Ridley, br. of 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. Justinian Cooper (who claimed the headright of William Duke in IOW in 1639), m. the relict of James Harrison, who was killed in the attack of Warresqueak, Edward Bennett’s plantation, on March 22, 1622. Justinian Cooper and Ann his wife to John George, for two steers and 1500 lb of tobacco, the *Robert Bennett tract and the Quarter tract of 200 ac., part of a patent (Robert Bennett’s) of 2000 ac., of March 16, 1642. Deed dated April 25, 1646. John George was the uncle of the 1st wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.3. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601. 1.3.1. Thomas Bennett, b. ca. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek. In that year, Elizabeth Pierce, dau. of his wife Alice, chose her stepfather, Thomas Bennett, as her guardian. Anthony Barham (the first husband of Elizabeth Pierce) died in 1641, naming “Mother Bennett” and his brother-in-law Richard Bennett in his Will (son of Thomas Bennett and Alice), who m. Ann, sister of Charles Barham, almost certainly a close kinsman of Anthony Barham, first husband of Elizabeth Pierce. Anthony Barham’s sister, Mary, m. Thomas Duke, as per his Will.

Pearce: 1. … 1.1. Chritopher Pearce. 1.1.1. Richard Pearce, bapt. Feb. 13, 1564. 1.2. John Pearce, clothier. 1.2.1. Henry Pearce, bapt. Jan. 14, 1567/8, m. Margery Bowring, on Jan. 26, 1598/9. 1.2.2. Andrew Pearce. 1.2.2.1. Thomas Pearce, bapt. Sept. 9, 1593, probably, given the familial connection of the Bowring and Harris families of Wiveliscombe, he who died on March 22, 1622 in the Powhatan attack on English colonists, his wife (Alice) and her dau., Elizabeth, being taken prisoner. In this case, Thomas Bennett, born ca. 1590, would have been well acquainted with Thomas Pierce.

1.3.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709, m. Charles Barham’s sister. Does this make sense in light of the above introductory remarks? Please refer to previous posts which detail the strong Barham/Bennett/Harris association over succeeding generations – one brief example of many:

1. John Day, m. Mary, b. April 3, 1624, d. aft, 1701, dau. of Edward Bennett and Mary Bourne, and 2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1. John Day, bapt. Nov. 17, 1651, in Wiveliscombe. 1.2. James Day, Will made 1726, m. Juliana … 1.2.1. Thomas Day, Will made 1752, naming wife Mary and son, Thomas Day. 1.2.1.1. Thomas Day, m. Elizabeth Tynes. 1.2.2. Elizabeth Day, m. Nathaniel Ridley, son of Peter Ridley, and br. of (1) 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. 1709 (2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. (2) Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham Jr., whose son, Robert Barham, m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Clarke and Mary Flake. 1.2.2.1. Nathaniel Ridley Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Nathaniel Ridley appraised the estate of John Westbrooke. 1.2.2.1.1. Daniel Ridley, m. Martha Thorpe, sister of Mary Thorpe, who m. James Barham, having issue: Martha Barham, who m. Joel Harris (desc. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), who settled in Guilford Co. NC, and died there before 1824

1.4. Elianor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe. 1.4.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. 1.4.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Harris was the son of William Harris* and Dorothy Westbrooke. Richard Bennett resided at Blackwater in the vicinity of the plantations of Justinian Cooper and Francis England. In 1669 Thomas Wood, “son of Arthur Wood, and Sarah Wooten his mother, relict of Arthur deceased,” deeded him land, as “Richard Bennett of Blackwater.” (Mr.Boddie, 17 C., p.294). Sep 4, 1694, Richard Bennett made a gift of 200 ac. on the W. side of Pocatink Swamp to his son James Bennett (of the Lower Parish of Surry Co., p. 18), who is mentioned as “godson” in the 1679 Will of Joyce Cripps, wife of George Cripps, and former wife of Francis England. (Mr. Boddie, p. 296).

Elizabeth Pierce m. (2) Richard Jackson, by whom she had issue (1) Sarah, who m. Arthur Smith Jr. (who with his wife gave to George Hardy deeds for the land on Blackwater, in 1666, reciting that Sarah and Mary (wife of George Hardy, appraiser of estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677), were daus. of Richard Jackson and granddaus. of Alice Bennett. (B. 1, pp. 69, 70). Sept. 13, 1636: Alice Bennett bought 150 ac. from her neighbour, Justinian Cooper “the 2nd of April 1644 for a cow and a calf and a barrell of corn”.

The Will of Justinian Cooper, “sick and weak of body,” dated March 26, 1650: To all his godchildren a cow calf apiece; names brother Richard Causey, Edward Pyland, son of *James Pyland; wife Anne Cooper; friend Capt. William Barnard appointed overseer. “I give unto Capt. William Barnard a piece of plate of ten pounds price, to be paid him the next year 1651”.

Pyland: 1. *James Piland, bapt. on Aug. 30, 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642. 1.1. Richard Piland, m. Eleanor Moore, sister of Ann Moore, who m. Robert Harris. 1.1.1. James Piland, witnessed the Will of Robert Lancaster,* on April 28, 1720, and appraised the estate of John Brantley, on April 26, 1725, grandson of his namesake, security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.1.1. James Piland, m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of Phillip Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), and Joyce Lewis; dau. of Rebecca George (cousin of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672) and Thomas Lewis.

From Mr. Boddie, South Side Virginia Families, vol. 1, p. 55, 1966: “That Elizabeth, wife of Anthony Barham, was the foregoing Elizabeth Peerce, is borne out by the will of “Anthony Barham, Gent. of Mulberry Island, Virginia and at present residing in England. This Will was probated in England September 13, 1641, as follows: Wife Elizabeth, goods for her to be sent over to Virginia. Daughter Elizabeth, £100 to be sent to my wife for her use. To Mother Bennett. To brother in law Richard Bennett. To my sister Mrs. Mary Duke; to sister Groves and her son. (Genealogical Register, vol. 42, p. 393), nor can there be any doubt “Mother Bennett” of the will was the Alice (Peerce) Bennett, wife of Thomas Bennett and mother to said Elizabeth, wife and widow of Anthony Barham. It is equally evident that the Richard Bennett of the Will was the son of Alice and Thomas Bennett, and so, half brother to Elizabeth (Pierse) Barham.

The last heard of Thomas Bennett is as Burgess in 1632. As he is not mentioned in Barham’s Will as he probably had died before September, 1641. On June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a patent for land adjoining that of Alice Bennett on the easternmost side of Lawne’s Creek, Isle of Wight County. (Nugent, p. 140). On April 2, 1644, Justinian Cooper sold to his neighbor, Alice Bennett, widow, for a cow and a calf and barrel of corn, 150 ac. in Isle of Wight, between Castle and Cypress Creeks. On July 19, 1647, Alice Bennett deeded the said 150 ac. to her granddaughters, Mary and Sarah Jackson, daughters of Richard Jackson, to be possessed immediately after her death – the land and housing on the side of swamp “where I dwell”, to Mary; the land on the other side, to Sarah. If either die without issue, the other to inherit. (Mr.Boddie, Southside Virginia Families, vol. 1, pp. 54-56).

THE FAMILY OF WHITE – a major strand of their kinship group.
1. Thomas White, born ca. 1490, in Merriott, d. Oct. 4, 1579, m. Agnes Richards* (ca. 1512), in Merriot, 8 miles S. of South Petherton.

1.1. George White, b, ca. 1520, perhaps he who witnessed the Will of John Beck, of Merriott, on March 12, 1575/1576.
1.1.1. George White, b. ca. 1540, m. Alice Goodman on Nov. 25, 1562, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth White, b. ca. 1570, m. Daniel Vincent/Vinson, bapt. Oct. 10, 1568, in Wiveliscombe, on Sept. 25, 1596.

1.2. Richard White, b. ca. 1530, witnessed the Will of John Dyer in Hill Farrance (6 miles from Wiveliscombe), on April 2, 1559. Richard White was the brother of George White, grandfather of Elizabeth White, who m. Daniel Vincent/Vinson.
1.2.1. Robert White, b. ca. 1570.
1.2.1.1. Capt John White, of Surry Co., bapt. March 7, 1601, m. Grace Smith, on Oct. 20, 1623. His patent of July 4, 1649 was assigned to Francis England. (2) Lucy … , b. ca. 1615.
1.2.1.1.1. Mary White, m. John Vincent*. Lucy, “widow White” m. (2) William Corker.
1.2.1.1.2. Elizabeth White, m. Robert Spencer, as his second wife. His first wife was Ann Taberer.

1.2.1,2. Robert White, bapt. March 25, 1604.
1.2.2.1.1. Robert White, b. ca. 1637/8 (cousin of Lucy White, who m. William Corker, supra), m. Susannah Weare, Feb. 6, 1663/4, in South Petherton.
1.2.2.1.1.1.  John White, bapt. May 10, 1674, d. 1729. He was granted 285 ac. in IOW Co. on the N. side of Flatt Swamp, on June 16, 1727. His Will was proved on March 23, 1729. His estate inventory was given by Thomas Cook, Henry Harris,* and William Lee, on March 22, 1730/1. *Brother of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, almost certainly a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Jonathon White, b. ca. 1705, named in father’s Will, moved to Carolina, and bought 308 ac. on Roanoke River in Bertie Co., N.C., from John Mackinne, on Feb. 8, 1730/31. (Bertie Co. C, 339).
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Mary White, m. Frederick Homes, whose Will, dated Jan. 29, 1749/50, named wife Mary, son John Homes, and dau. Priscilla.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Priscilla Homes, m. Richard Harris. Richard Harris of Granville Co, NC to John Harris son of the abovesaid Richard Harris, Nov. 23, 1766, “in consideration of the natural love & affection which he beareth unto his said son John Harris”,all that seat tract or parcel of land lying in the county aforesaid, beg. at a Hickory in Jonathan White’s line. Wit: Daniel Standard, John Kittrell. Granville Co., Feb. Court, 1767.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.  John Harris, m. Rachel Milly Kittrell. This “genealogical stream” suggests John Harris to be Wiveliscombe family of Harris

1.2.1.3. Thomas White, bapt. Sept. 18, 1608, m. Anna Symes, Nov. 16, 1642.
1.2.1.3.1. Thomas White, b. ca. 1645, d. 1694, m. Phyllis Prime.
1.2.1.3.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1677, being not aged 18 in 1694, per father’s Will.
1.2.1.3.2. John White, b. ca. 1644.
1.2.1.3.2.1. John White, b. ca. 1665, d. 1719.
1.2.1.3.2.1.1. John White, b. ca. 1690, d. 1730, m. Sarah Clare, in Perquimans, b . 24d of 10m. (Dec.) 1693. Sarah Clare was the sister of Jane, who m. William Newby as her 4th husband, on Sept. 3, 1701, in Perquimans, who, by a 1st wife, was father to William Newbye, and Dorothy Newbye, who m. (1) Levin Buskin, AprIL 17, 1688, (2) Mathew Jordan, who witnessed the Will of John Harris, d. 1713, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and was the uncle of Rachel Jordan, who m. Thomas White.
1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1. Thomas White, b. ca. 1696, d. Nov. 30, 1761. (Clayton Colman Hall, Baltimore: Biography, p. 41, 1912). Thomas White m. Rachel Jordan, great-granddau. of Thomas Jordan and Lucy Corker, on Sept. 13, 1719, in Chuckatuck, niece of Robert Jordan, who m. Christian, dau. of Thomas Taberer, whose dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, etc.
1.2.1.3.2.1.1.1.1. Thomas White, born Feb. 25, 1730/1, m. Anne Barrow (Adventurers of Purse and Person, vol. 2, p. 414, 2005), granddau. of Thomas Barrow, who m. (in 1695) Elizabeth, dau. of *John Brantley (son of Edward Sr.; estate security for Thomas Harris, d. 1672). The White and Harris families followed the same “genealogical stream”.

1.2.1.4. Richard White, born ca. 1609.
1.2.1.4.1. Thomas White, bapt. June, 24, 1632.
1.2.1.4.1.1. Thomas White, born ca. 1655, m. Ann, dau. of George Moore. (B. 2, p. 586). She witnessed the Will of Edward Brantley Sr. in 1688/9 (B. 2, p. 289). Her Will of 1742 was witnessed by Edward Brantley (grandson of Edward Brantley Sr.) who witnessed the Will of his neighbour, Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, and whose son, John Brantley m. the relict of the said Thomas Harris.

1.2.1.5. Henry White, d. 1670 (W.B. 3, p. 98). July 4, 1649: White, Henry. grantee, James City Co.. 200 ac. lying at Blackwater, upon the eastermost branch pointing up to Upper Chipoakes; adjoining the land of *Francis England. (B. 2, p. 176). Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White, as above given. In 1669, Edward Brantley Sr. patented 675 ac. in IOW Co., “neer Henry White’s old cart path to the mill”. (B.6, p. 261).
1.2.1.5.1. Henry White, b. 1635, d. 1712. He was living along the W. side of Little River in Perquimans Co. in 1679. He m. (1) Mary … At the Pasquatank monthly meeting, on July 10 1681, he declared his intention to m. a 2nd wife, Damaris (dau. of Isaac Page), who deceased Sept. 13, 1722, aged 63.
1.2.1.5.1.1. John White* (by Mary), b. July 20, 1676 in IOW; d. bef. March 25, 1717, in Pasquotank, NC., m. Elizabeth Newby, on Jan. 14, 1696, at the house of James Davis. John Jordan (son of Thomas Jordan Sr., and brother of Thomas Jordan Jr., grandfather of Rachel Jordan, who m. Thomas White, as above given), and Margaret Burgh were m. on the twelft day of ye eleventh month in ye year 1688. Among those present: William Newbye and his daus: Elizabeth and Dorothy Newbye. Robert Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan Sr. and Christian, dau. of Thomas Taberer, were married on ye 9th dayof ye twelft month in ye year 1687, William Newbye, and Dorothy Newbye present. Levin Bufkin and Dorothy Newbye dau. of William Newby were married on the tenth day of ye second month in ye year 1688, Elizabeth Newby present.

VINSON AND HARRIS
1. …
1.1. George Vincent, m. Elianor Edney, on May 13, 1563, sister of Elizabeth Edney, who m. Robert Bennett, on July 10, 1558, parents of Eleanor Bennett, who m. Richard Harris, on Oct. 7, 1594; grandparents of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 in Virginia.
1.1.1. Daniel Vincent, bapt. Oct. 10, 1568, in Wiveliscombe, m. Elizabeth White, on Sept. 25, 1596.
1.2. David Vincent, bur. May 27, 1585, m. Elizabeth Webber, on July 11, 1574.
1.2.1. Richard Vincent, bapt. Nov. 29, 1574, who m. Mary Webber, Sept. 11, 1611, who was probably closely related to Thomas Webber, who m. Johan Hawkins, May 13, 1615, and to their dau., Alice Webber, who m.Henriy Edney, April 2, 1635, thus strengthening the bonds between the Harris and Vinson families, in the typical manner by which this was done, over successive generations.
1.2.2. John Vincent.
1.2.2.1. “George Vinson”.
1.2.2.2. John Vincent, bur. Jan. 30, 1622/23, as an infant.
1.2.3. George Vincent.
1.2.3.1. “George Vinson” (bapt. June 9, 1613), m. Fortune Richards, on Nov. 30, 1639. She is likely to have been a descendant of the *Richards family of Angersleigh, above given. The said Fortune Richards was probably the dau. of Humfrey Richards and Johan Bowringe, who m. March 15, 1596/7, a son of John Bowring and Joan Clowter (m. Nov. 29. 1565), sister of John Clouter, who m. Joan Westbrooke, sister of Dorothy Westbrooke, wife of *William Harris, progenitor of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe and Virginia.
1.2.4. David Vincent Jr, bapt. April 20, 1578, “son of David”.
1.2.4.1. David Vincent, bapt. Aug. 10, 1599, “son of David”.
1.2.4.2. John Vincent, bapt. Feb. 5, 1602 “son of David”.
1.2.4.2.1. John Vinson,* b. ca. 1635, d. Oct. 20, 1698, in Surry Co., Will proved July 4, 1699, p. 171. He m. (1) Mary White, step-dau. of William Corker, whose 1st wife was Susannah Blackmore*.

VINSON AND CORKER
1. William Corker, m. Lucy … widow of Capt. John White, and mother of Mary White, who m. *John Vinson, who m. (2) Katherine (by May 6, 1679), the widow of Francis Sowersby, sans issue. Katherine was the dau. of William Brown,* d. bef. July 3, 1705, in Surry Co.

(1. *Col. William Browne.
1.1. Jane Browne, m. Thomas Jordan, (who m. (2) Lucy Corker; she m. (2) William Rose Jr.; headright of Nicholas Meriwether in Westmoreland Co., June 1, 1654. William Rose Sr. had issue: (1) Jane Rose, b. bef. 1655, who m. Richard Avery, who departed from 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). (2) William Rose, b. 1655, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan.
1.2. Ann Browne, m. Walter Flood*.
1.3. William Browne, m. Jane (dau. of Nicholas Meriwether Sr.*, kinsman of the Barhams), sister of Francis Meriwether, who m. Mary Bathurst, dau. of Lancelot Bathurst. Francis Meriwether and Mary Bathurst had issue: Elizabeth, wife of Drury Bolling; their dau., Frances, m. Theoderick Bland, as above given. Jane (Meriwether) Browne was the sister of Nicholas Meriwether Jr., who m. Elizabeth Crawford/Crayford, b. May 12, 1666 in New Kent Co., dau. of David Crawford, member of the House of Burgesses, who lived on the 277 ac. known as Assasiquin, on the Assasiquin Run, which he deeded it to his grandson, William Meriweather.

David Crawford was surely a member of the Craford family of Mongeham, Kent, and a close relative of Alice Craford, who m. John Meriwether, the son of John Meriwether and Mary Filmer, sister of Sir Edward Filmer, whose dau., Katherine, m. Robert Barham, having issue: Charles Barham. It is also surely the case that Nicholas Meriwether Sr. was a younger brother of Edward Meriwether, sons of Edward Meriwether, gent., b. 1598, as follows. “Sure unsures”.

BATHURST

1. Lancelot Bathurst (1529-96), son of Edward Bathurst (fl. 1558) of Staplehurst, Kent; a citizen and grocer of the city of London; warden of the Grocers Company, 1592; alderman of the city of London (from 1593). He m., March 30, 1573, at St Benet Fink, London, Judith, dau. of Barnard Randolph of London. He acquired the manor of Franks, in Horton Kirby, Kent.
1.1. Randolph Bathurst (1576-1644), m. Sept. 18, 1596 (at St Bartholomew-the-Less, London), Catherine (b. 1575; fl. 1620), dau. of Robert Argall of East Sutton, Kent, brother of Elizabeth Argall, wife of Edward Filmer, whose sister, Mary, was the wife of John Merewether, of “Shepersdwolde”.
1.2. Elizabeth Bathurst, m. John Browne of Horton Kirby, Kent, 1595 .
1.3. Mary Bathurst, m. Francis Meriwether. The son of Nicholas Meriwether, probably a younger son Edward Meriwether, gent., b. 1598, bur. May 18, 1647, Barfrestone, Kent, as follows, whose mother, Ursula Shrubsole, was the niece of Anne Shrubsole, who m. Thomas Barham. Her will beq, to Anthony Barham ‘now of Virginia’, brother of Mary Duke. the said Edward Meriwether was the brother of John Merewether, who Mary Fillmer, the sister of Sir Edward Filmer, whose dau. Katherine, m. Robert Barham (1598-1648) on Aug. 1, 1620 in East Sutton, Kent, having issue: Charles Barham. It was not that Anthony and Charles Barham were of close consanguineous cousinship, yet, families intermarried over successive generations with the same families, creating a network of close non-consanguineous cousinship.
1.3.1. Jane Meriwether, m. William Browne Jr., brother of Jane Browne, who m. Thomas Jordan, (who m. (2) Lucy Corker; she m. (2) William Rose Jr.; headright of Nicholas Meriwether.

BROWNE AND BATHURST
“John Browne of Horton Kirby, Kent, 1595. See brass in Horton Kirby Church recording his death on Feb. 8, 1595, in the 28th year of his age, having been but three months married to Elizabeth, daughter of Lancelot Bathurst. Arms on the brass: Azure, a chevron or between three escallop shells of the second, within a bordure engrailed gules, with a crescent for difference. In Reynold’s Place, Horton Kirby, these arms, together with crest (a crane statant azure, beaked gules, winged and collared or), were to be seen some years back, in fine old stained glass, the initials I. and B. being on the dexter and sinister side of the shield; here again with crescent for difference.* This house was once the abode of the Brownes of Horton Kirby. The glass painting is doubtless very early, and in all probability was done for John Browne, the second son of Lord Mayor Sir William Browne (1513), High Sheriff of Kent 1568, who was in my belief the grandfather of the John of whom I write; but as yet it is impossible to affirm the fact”. (Miscellanea Genealogica Et Heraldica, p. 287, 1898).

His Will names brothers, Thomas and Edward Browne: He was of a wealthy family, bequsting his wife Elizabeth, “Sixe hundreth powndes of lawfull Englishe money”. He bequeathed to the Bathursts: “Item I geue and bequeathe unto my father in lawe Launcelott Batherste … and my brother in lawe Randall Batherste. To either of them fortye shillinges to be made in ringes of golde (mourning). Overseer: “my cosen Edmonde Randolfe”. (P.C.C. May 1, 1596. (38 Drake).

1. John Browne, b. by 1513.
S.T. Bindoff, “Hist. Parl.” 1982:
“John Browne was the son of Sir William Browne, mercer and Lord Mayor of London, of Flambards Hall, Essex, by his second wife, Alice Keble (d. 8 June 1521), the daughter of Henry Keble (1452 – April 1517), Lord Mayor of London, and Joan Bryce. He had a sister, Anne (d. 10 March 1582), who married firstly John Tyrrell (d. 1540) of Heron, Essex, and secondly Sir William Petre (1505 – 13 January 1572) of Ingatestone Hall, Essex”.

“John Browne of Horton Kirby had started life in Essex as a younger son of William Browne, mercer and lord mayor of London, who died in 1514. His mother, the daughter of another lord mayor, had married again, by 15 Feb. 1515, William Blount, 4th Lord Mountjoy, and the Browne-Blount connexion was to be strengthened by the marriage of William Browne’s daughter Anne to John Tyrrell, grandson of John, 3rd Lord Mountjoy”.

“Browne had acquired Horton Kirby by 1559 when he appeared on the pardon roll as of there and London. He purchased a Lancashire manor, Layton or Layton Magna, from Sir Thomas Butler (father of the Member of the same name) and sold it to Thomas Fleetwood. In 1566 James, 6th Lord Mountjoy, alienated a number of Yorkshire properties to Browne and in the following year two thirds of the Dorset manor of Canford to him and Charles Browne, doubtless one of his younger sons. Browne disposed of some of the Yorkshire properties almost immediately. When he died, he left property in London, Derbyshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex and Staffordshire: in Essex he had only a rent-charge”. (CPR, 1553-4, p. 227; 1558-60, p. 190; 1563-6, p. 400; 1566-9, pp. 42-43, 111).

“Browne made his Will on 7 Sept. 1570, describing himself as of London although he was then living at Horton Kirby. His moveable goods were to be divided into two equal parts, according to the custom of London, one part to be distributed among his children”.

“Two of Browne’s sons, William and Charles, were the executors and the overseers were Sir William and Lady Petre, Browne’s three sons-in-law and his brother-in-law Ralph Carkett. Browne died in the same month, and his son and heir William, then over 30, had licence to enter on 22 June 1571”. (PCC 30 Lyon; C142/157/120; CPR, 1569-72, p. 286).

1.1. William Browne, b. 1540, of Horton Kirby. He is erroneusly given as marrying Mary, dau. of a “Sir Edward Martyn” (unknown) in “additional pedigrees”, 1619 Vis. Kent (Stowe 618, f0. 233). This mistake is a typical one concerning this Browne pedigree; one which, generally, attempted to conjoin seperate families of that name. He almost certainly m. a dau. of Sir Roger Martyn, Lord Mayor of London in 1567.

(1. Anthony Culpeper, m. Anne, bapt. April 4, 1563, dau. of Sir Roger Martin (b. ca 1510-1515), on June 8, 1579, in St Antholin, London. Anthony Culpeper was bur. on March 20, 1617/18, in Goudhurst His Will was dated Feb. 27, 1615, and mentioned: “my son in law Henry Crispe; my nephew Sir Thomas Denton of Hilson, Buckinghamshire”, etc.).

1.1.1. John Browne, b. ca. 1570, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Lancelot Bathurst, and sister of, t0 repeat, Randolph Bathurst (1576-1644), m. Sept. 18, 1596 (at St Bartholomew-the-Less, London), Catherine (b. 1575; fl. 1620), dau. of Robert Argall of East Sutton, Kent, brother of Elizabeth Argall, wife of Edward Filmer, whose sister, Mary, was the wife of John Merewether, of “Shepersdwolde”*. The Filmers were trading with Bristol merchants, notably with John Scott, business partner of Joseph Bridger and Thomas Harris, d. 1672 (B.R.O. depositions, see previous posts), and, as follows.
1.1.2. Thomas Browne, b. ca. 1572.
1.1.3. Edward Browne, b. ca. 1574.

1.2. John Browne, b. ca. 1542, who would have received a portion of his father’s estate in Hawkhurst, and lands in Goudhurst from his brorther’s father-in-law, hence:
1.2.1. John Browne, b. ca. 1565,of Goudhurst. Browne v Colepepper. Plaintiffs: John Browne. Defendants: Sir Alexander Colepepper, Sir Thomas Denton, and Henry Crispe. Subject: rents etc of the manors of Sedgebury and Ford in Goudhurst, Cranbrooke, and Hawkhurst, Kent. (1603 – 1617, C 2/JasI/B21/17). Goudhurst. 5 miles N.E. of Hawkhurst.
1.2.1.1. John Browne, bapt. Nov. 18, 1593, in Goudhurst, “son of John”.
1.2.1.1.1. William Browne, bapt. May 4, 1623, in Goudhurst, “son of John”; almost certainly synonomous with Col. William Browne of Virginia, who was connected to the Bathurst and Meriwether families, through his family of Horton Kirby. The “connective tissue” in Virginia were the Barhams, and they to the Duke family of Hawkhurst, and the Harris/Vinson families of Somerset and Virginia. These familial bonds were embedded in the England/Virginia tobacco trade.

Meanderings of in-law-ship, a gateway to kinship intermarriages:
1.4. Katherine Browne, m. (1) Francis Sowerby, (2) John Vinson. Thus, John Vinson became the brother-in-law of William Browne, whose wife’s brother m. a dau. of Lancelot Bathurst, whose brother, Randolph Bathurst, m. a dau. of Robert Argall, brother of Elizabeth Argall, wife of Edward Filmer; whose sister, Katherine, m. Robert Barham (1598-1648) on Aug. 1, 1620 in East Sutton, Kent, having issue: Charles Barham. He was associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672, as follows), and to Anthony Barham, who m. a step-dau. of Thomas Harris, 2nd cousin of the said Thomas Harris. Anthony Barham’s sister m. Thomas Duke, almost certainly of Hawkhurst Kent, where a branch of the Barhams were established. Marriages tended to be between people whose families were aquainted. It was by such meanderings of in-law-ship, wholly typical of this period, that the Vinsons, kin of the Harris family, intermarried with a descendant of Thomas Duke.
1.4.1. Elizabeth Sowerby (b. Jan. 1, 1671, d. April 24, 1736), who m. Richard Rose, d. Oct. 26, 1736 (brother of Jane Rose, who m. Richard Avery.

Browne, William, Sr.: Leg.- To granddaughter, Jane Jordan, negro girl and other bequests. To granddaughter, Mary Sowerby, the wife of Francis Sowerby, and to her children that shall be born, negroes. If no heirs to Wm. Browne, son of Wm. and Jane Browne. To daughter, Ann Flood, wife of Walter Flood, fifty pounds. To daughter, Priscilla Blunt, the wife of Thomas Blunt, five pounds. To son, Henry Browne, 20 shillings. To grandson, John Flood five pounds. To other grandchildren, Walter Flood, Fortune.Flood, Mary Flood, Wm. Browne, Henry Browne, Jane Browne, Mary Jordan, the younger and William Blunt 40 shillings apiece. And whereas I have made agreement with Robt. Grice for a plantation where he now lives containing about 270 acres for which plantation I am to have 8000 pounds tobo. and Robt. Grice to have.a years to pay and hereafter named Exer. to make acknowledgement of it to said Robt. Grice, paying tobo, above mentioned. The land where Sion Hill lived and hath built a mill contained in my patent of a tract of land on the south side Blackwater. My wish that Exer. make a new survey of said land to said Sion Hill, having already made satisfaction for the same. Rest of estate to son, William Browne, and make him Exer. and whereas my son, William Browne, is now gone for England and it is uncertain how it may please God to deal with him and that he may die before he returns to possess estate which God forbid – if he should die to my son Wm. Browne all my land I have at Blackwater. To grandson, Henry Brown, piece of land in James Citty now in occupation of John Child. Daugher, Jane Browne, wife of William Browne, ten pounds. To granddaughter, Jane Browne, daughter of William and Jane Browne, eighty pounds when 18 or married, Grandsons William and Henry Browne, sons of Wm. and Jane Browne, Walter Flood, Nich. Maget, Thomas Blunt, Exrs. Prob.: July 3, 1705, Wit: Francis Sowerby, Charles White, Nich. Maget, Wm. Bruson. (B. 5, p. 305).

(John Vinson made deeds of gifts to Katherine’s children – Sarah, Francis, John, Thomas,* Elizabeth, William Sowerby – on that date. (Mr. Boddie, “Historical Genealogies”, p. 339). John Vinson’s Will, probated July 4, 1699 (witnessed by Francis Sowerby, Richard Rose, and Thomas Sowerby), leaves all of his property to his wife, Katherine. Her Will was probated on Nov. 6, 1705, naming: Thomas Rose*, the son of Richard Rose, my daughter Elizabeth Rose, my grandchild Ann Rose; Thomas Sowerby; my daughter Jane Rooks; my sons Francis Sowersby and John Sowersby*. Exrs: my sons Francis Sowersby and John Sowersby. Wit: Mary Oxford, John Avery, Henry Floyd (Harry Flood). The said *John Sowerby m. Lydia, dau. of William Norwood, on May 6, 1679).

1.1. Lucy Corker (by Susannah Blackmore), m. (1) Thomas Jordan, who 1st m. Jane, dau. of Col. William Brown, d. bef. July 3, 1705, in Surry Co. Thomas Jordan was an elder of the Chukatuck Quaker congregation, which included Thomas Duke, his neighbour, and the sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1. Thomas Jordan Jr., m. Margaret Brasseur.
1.1.1.1. Robert Jordan, born Sept. 11, 1668, m. Christian, dau. of Thomas Taberer (and sister of Ruth Taberer, who m. John Newman, br. of the second wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.1.1.1.2. Mathew Jordan, born “ye i day of the eleventh month in ye yeare 1676”, witnessed the Will of John Harris, d. 1713, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672..
1.1.1.1.3. Joshua Jordan, born “ye last day of the 6th month in ye yeare 1681”.
1.1.1.1.3.1. Rachel Jordan, m. Thomas White.
1.1.1.2. Richard Jordan, b. Aug. 6, 1670.
 .
1.2. Judith Corker, m. William Clay (d. 1675), brother of John Clay, father of Elizabeth Clay, who m. John Brantley Sr. (son of Edward Brantley Sr., estate security for Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and great-grandfather of Ann Barrow, who m. Thomas White, born Feb. 25, 1730/1.
John Vinson, b. 1635, witnessed the Will of William Tooke, recorded Feb. 8, 1675/6 (stating he was ca. 40 years of age, p. 104). William Tooke’s Will named his wife Jane, step-dau. of William Ridley. Mr. Charles Barham, Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672), and Thomas Tooke (br. of William), overseers, witnessed the Will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. William Ridley was the br. of Nathaniel Ridley, husband of Elizabeth Day, granddau. of Mary Bennett, cousin of the said Thomas Harris. Nathaniel Ridley’s son, Nathaniel Ridley Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. John Vinson, b. 1635, witnessed the Will of William Tooke, i.e, he was of familial connection of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, as given, but without knowing the full extent of this.

KENT CONNECTIONS – Meriwether and Barham
1. Richard Merywedder, m. … Wright. 1.1. John Merywedder. 1.2. Roger Merywedder: Roger Merywedder v. John Nykkyne: answer and replication. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 4/38/3. Post Jan. 1, 1501). 1.2.1. John Meriwether: Millar v Meriwether. Plaintiffs: Thomas Millar. Defendants: John Meriwether. Subject of decree: Moiety of two messuages and 40 acres of land in Sibertswold, Kent. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 78/2/35. 30 May 1543). Merywedder v Merywedder. Plaintiffs: John, grandson of Richard Merywedder. Defendants: John Merywedder the elder, his uncle. Subject: Messuage and land in Barfreston and Shepherdswell formerly of Henry Wright, father-in-law of the said Richard. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 1/1038/28-30. 1538-1544).

Edward Hasted, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent, vol. 4, p. 4., 1799: ‘Shepherdswell: Butter-Street Farm, with the mansion called the Place-house, and the lands belonging to it, being the principal farm in this parish, was formerly part of the demesnes of the manor of Upton-court above-mentioned, and was held of the abbot of St. Augustine, and passed in like sort as the manor itself into the family of Boys, from which it was in queen Elizabeth’s time alienated to Mr. John Merriweather, who afterwards resided here; by one of whose descendants the present mansion was built. In which family, who bore for their arms, Or, three martlets, sable, on a chief, azure, a sun, or, this estate continued.
For future reference, a branch of the family of Boys were of Hawkhurst, Kent.

1.2.1.1. Edward Meriwether: Myller v Merywether. Plaintiffs: Thomas Myller, husbandman. Defendants: Edward, son of John Merywether, deceased. Subject: Lands in Shepherdswell late of Thomas Myller of Nonington, deceased, grandfather of complainant. Kent. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 1/1369/95-96. 1553-1555).
1.2.1.1.1. Richard Merywether: Plaintiff: Wm Knight exor of … Harryson farm of rect. Orgarswick; defendant: Rich(ard) Merywether (of) Shepherdswell, exor of Edw. M(erywether). (Canterbury Cathedral Archives, DCb/J/J/1/86. Sept. 16, 1595).
1.2.1.1.1.1. John Merewether: Merewether, John, of “Shepersdwolde,” g., and Mary Fillmer, s. p., V. Giles Golding of Bethersden, g., bonds. Feb. 21, 1590. She was the sister of Sir Edward Filmer, who m. (1585) Elizabeth Argall, dau. of Richard Argall and Mary Scott, dau. of Sir Reginald Scott, of Scott’s Hall, in Kent, br. of Sir Thomas Scott. Sir Edward Filmer’s son, Henry Filmer, was a burgess from James City county in the assembly of 1642-1643. His sister, Katherine, m. Robert Barham (1598-1648) on Aug. 1, 1620 in East Sutton, Kent (son of Robert Barham (1572-1631) and Susanna Sare), having issue: Charles Barham, of this account.

FILMER AND HARRIS
The Filmers were trading with Bristol merchants, notably with John Scott, business partner of Joseph Bridger and Thomas Harris, d. 1672 (B.R.O. depositions, see previous posts). Bill of exchange of Henry Filmer in favour of Mr. Stephen Watts, merchant of Bristol, for £17. 10s., for value received of John Scott, mariner of Bristol. Addressed to “Mr. Rob. Filmer Esq., living near ye talbott at ye sign of ye Goat, London. Your loving uncle Henry Filmer”. Recorded June 16, 1668.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Meriweather: Meriweather, John, of Shepherdswell, g., and Alice Crayford of Great Mongeham, v. At Great Mongeham. Jan. 7, 1613. Plaintiff: Lady Ann Crayford rel exix; Defendant: Sir Wm C jun & Rob C Gt Mongeham, Ann C als Boys wife of Edw B Goodnestone, Alice C als Meriwether wife of John M Shepherds-well & Afra C als Mansell wife of Thos M childn; Wm, Geo & Rich C, John C Sutton by Dover & Ann C Ulcombe childn of Edw C son decd; Ann & Eliz Boteler childn of Eliz B als C dau decd; Documents: Sent; Case: Test. Wm Crayford sen Gt Mongeham. Dec. 11, 1623. (Ecclesiastical cause papers, Kent History and Library Centre, DCb/J/J/32/60).

1. Sir William Craford of Mongham, m. Ann, dau.of John Norton of London
1.1. Ann Craford, m. John Warren, of Ripple, armiger, on Aug, 2, 1591.
1.1.1. William Warren, m. Catherine Gookin.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Warren, b. Jan. 30, 1624, of Virginia.
1.2. Elizabeth Craford, m. William Boteler, of Higham.
1.3. Edward Craford, heir, m. Ann, dau. of Roland Hayward, mayor of London. His altar tomb states that he was the eldest son.
1.3.1. William, b. 1613, George, b. 1615, Richard, b. 1617. On an Altar Tomb: Underneath is interred the corps of George Crayford, Esq. aged 51 who deceased July 30 A.D. 1661, whose wife was Margaret, the daughter of Edward Boys of Betteshanger, Esq. by whom he had three sons, Edward, Robert and George; and three daughters, Anne, Judeth and Margaret.
1.4. Alice Craford, m. John Meriwether.

There was another branch of this family: Thomas Crayford gent of Great Mongeham had a feud with John Austen of Cottington, on Nov. 24, 1601, per court record.

1.2.1.1.1.2. Edward Meriwether, of Shepherdswell, g., and Ursula Shrubsall of Faversham, v. Anthony Deale of Faversham, g., bonds. Oct. 1, 1593.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1. Edward Meriwether, gent., b. 1598, bur. May 18, 1647, Barfrestone, Kent (Tyler Index to Parish Registers). Edward Meriwether (b. 1598) was the son of Ursula Shrubsole and Edward Meriwether (m. October 15, 1593); he m. Dorothy Thompson, whose mother was a dau. of Thomas Swanne of Wye. Ursula Shrubsole was the dau. of Richard Shrubsole; her aunt, thus , being Anne Shrubsole, who m. Thomas Barham. Her will beq, to Anthony Barham ‘now of Virginia’. Thomas Barham’s first wife was Elizabeth Meriwether, whose nephew, John, m. Alice, dau. of Sir William Crafford, and sister of Anne Crafford, who m. John Warren of Ripple.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1. Edward Meriwether. Fine; four messuages and barn, three stables, four gardens and orchards, 80a. land, 50a. pasture, 10a. wood in Dover, Cowden and Edenbridge. Edward Meriwether, plaintiff, Edward Marston, gent. and Mary, his wife, Thomas Burton and Elizabeth, his wife and Robert Wickenden otherwise Wiggenden, deforciants. 1657. (Kent History and Library Centre, U908/T35/8).

(1.2.1.1.1.2.1.2. The parentage of Nicholas Meriwther of Virginia is not know, yet, on chronological grounds, and on the basis of familial connections in Virginia, he is most likely to have been a younger son of the above said Edward Meriwether, gent., b. 1598, bur. May 18, 1647, Barfrestone, Kent., whose mother’s aunt was the mother of Anthony Barham, and Mary Barham, wife of Thomas Duke.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Francis Meriwether, b. ca. 1670, m. Jane Browne).

The Will of Sir Edward Filmer, proved in 1629: To Edward Barham my godson, £ … and to his sister Elizabeth, my wive’s goddaughter £ … To other my several grandchildren namely Robert Barham, Thomas, Charles Barham, and Richard, sons of my daughter Barham, each of them 40s.

The interconnection between the Barhams and Meriwethers was typically reinforced by intermarriage to collateral kin: Barham, Thomas, of Barham, g., and Ann Shrubsall of Faversham, Oct. 12, 1593. (Canterbury Marriage Licences, p. 27, 1892). To understand this point alone – the framework within which English families intermarried – is to understand the process by which the English colonisation of Virginia was spread . The said Richard Argall and Mary Scott had issue: Samuel Argall, whose Will was proved on March 21, 1626, mentioning sister Filmer, niece Sarah Filmer, nephew Samuel Filmer; sister Bathurst, nephew Samuel Bathurst; sister Fleetwood; brother John Argall Esq., and John’s son Samuel. “Under this rest, in certain hope of the resurrection of the bodies, Sir Edward Filmer and Dame Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Richard Argall Esq. They lived together 44 years and had issue 18 children, 9 sons and 9 daughters. He departed this life 2 Nov. 1629. She the 9. Aug 1638”. (Genesis of the United States, vol. 2, p. 815).

WALTER FLOOD
So many genealogical accounts of the origins of English settlers in early Virginia commence with prestigious families that are recorded in the tomes of Mr. Burke, et al.; understandably so, for it is no simple task to identify clusters of settlers that shared the same names of clusters of near neighbours and kinfolk in England – almost invariably they being synonomous. A common tragedy is that the seed sown out of Mr. Burke’s book takes on the qualities of a much loved and copied story, which resists more realistic accounts.

The first recorded Flood/Floyd families of Somerset appear in the parish registers of Wiveliscombe, and it is cetainly possible that they were the same family that were to be found in Bridgwater, 18 miles west of that place. In this conjecture, the following genealogical table is proposed.

The Bridgwater Floods were those to be found in early Virginia, as earlier posts signify. The name Flood had many variants in Somerset, Floyd, Fludde, Floudde, as examples. It is entirely possible that they were “corruptions” of the Welsh, llwyd, but this view is perhaps a much copied simplification, with, in former times, a fludde being a wooden joist. The term fludde/flode-gate was much in evidence, derived from the Saxon word “flud”, which described a small water-course. It was certainly the case that when baptisms were recorded the spelling used would be interpretations of a phonetic. The dipthong Fl(oy)d was pronounced as a very long au in old Somerset dialect. Fl(oo)d was pronounced as a long oo as in food/book. The diphthong ou was synonomous with oo.

BRIDGWATER FLOODS OF VIRGINIA
1. … 1.1. Edward FLood m. … Aug. 4, 1567. Will proved June 23, 1572, bequested to “Christopher Fludd my sonne one quarter of my goode sheep”.
1.1.1. 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. *Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne, sister of Priscilla Browne: Browne, William, Sr.: Leg.- To granddaughter, Jane Jordan, negro girl and other bequests. To granddaughter, Mary Sowerby, the wife of Francis Sowerby, and to her children that shall be born, negroes. If no heirs to Wm. Browne, son of Wm. and Jane Browne. To daughter, Ann Flood, wife of Walter Flood, fifty pounds. To daughter, Priscilla Blunt, the wife of Thomas Blunt … see as follows for full Will.
1.1.1.1.1. John Flood, m. his cousin, Ann, dau. of Thomas Blunt.
1.1.1.2. Mary Flood, m. Richard Blunt.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Blunt, d. 1707, m. Priscilla Brown.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Blunt, m. Capt Howell Edmunds, d. bef. Aug. 20, 1729. (See as follows for connection to Vinson).
1.1.1.3. ”Thomae Fludde”, bapt. April 19 1612 (“son of Christopher and Joan”).
1.1.1.3.1. Thomas Flood Jr., b. ca. 1637-1642, m. Ann Rose, b. ca. 1650-1655.

CHUKATUCK QUAKERS – Thomas Duke:
Miles White Jr., Early Quaker Records In Virginia (reprinted 2008). 1683: Robert Jones and Martha Rice of the county of Nanzemun propounded their marriage before a meeting of menn and women Friends at Henry Wiggses howse in the county of the Isleaweight … coming before a meeting the second time at Elizabeth Bellsons howse …were married in this one howse ye tenth day of ye fift month in the year 1683. Wit. inc. Thomas Jordan (2), Thomas Hollowell (4) , William Newbie (8) Thomas Duke (9) Edmund Belson (10) … Margaret Duke, p. 4. Leaven Bufkin and Dorothy Newbye the daughter of William Newby did propound their marriage at Thomas Jordan’s howse in Chukatuck … were married on ye seventeenth day of ye second month 1688. Wit. inc. Edmund Belson (6), Thomas Duke (7), Richard Ratliff (9) … Margaret Duke, p. 10. Thomas Duke his children nativities recorded. Thomas Duke* born on the seventh day of the sixth month 1671, p. 40. William Bogue* of North Carolina and Sarah Duke daughter of *Thomas Duke late of Nansemond County deceased at a public meeting on the 15th day of the 12th month 1727/8. Wit. inc. Rebecca Duke, Robert Jordan Jr. Leaven Buffkin, p. 35. William bogue was the brother of Miriam Bogue, born March 11, 1716 in Perquimans, NC.; deceased March 14, 1762, in Pasquotank, NC., who m. Gideon Bundy, on Oct.3, 1739, in Perquimans. their dau., Sarah, m. Joseph Newbye, on Nov. 19, 1766, grandson of James Newbye (and Sarah Nicholson), brother of Rebecca Newbye, who m. (2) Robert White, on April 16, 1719, in Pasquotank, a direct descendant of the White family of South Petherton, intermarried with the Vinsons, above given. Everything was about repetition of marriages between the same families.

AN EXAMPLE OF GENEALOGICAL CONTINUUM – the anthesis of Hollywood fairytale: “they met haphazardly on a waggon train”, or, “How The West Was (not) Won”.
1. John Flood. 1.1. Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne, as above given. 1.1.1. Fortune Flood, m. Hinchea Gilliam. 1.1.1.1. Walter Gilliam, m. Sarah Foster. 1.1.1.1.1. Lydia Gilliam, m. John Watkins. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Milly Watkins, m. Solomon Harris, March 11, 1778, in Bute, NC., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. 1.2. Thomas Flood Sr. (Walter’s half-br.), m. Ann, dau. of William Rose Sr. Thomas Flood and Michael Harris witnessed the estate appraisal of John Collier (B. 7, p. 22). 1.2.1. Jane Flood, m. a son of John and Elizabeth (Spencer) Watkins. 1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John Nicholson, p. 360. 1.2.2. *Harry Flood, d. 1740, m. (1) … 1.2.2.1. Elizabeth Flood, m. Robert Nicholson, son of Robert Nicholson, d. 1719. 1.2.2.1. Robert Nicholson, m. Mary, dau. of Michael Harris of Surry Co., son of Robert Harris (whose Will was probated on April 28, 1740), brother of Edward Harris Sr., who was almost certainly the father of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, d.v.p. 1.2.2. Harry Flood, m. (2) Joyce Nicholson, relict of Robert Nicholson, d. 1719.

1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1. Robert Harris, b. 1674 – 1740. 1.1.1. Robert Harris Jr., b. ca. 1700. 1.1.1.1. Edmond Harris. 1.1.1.1.1. Henry Harris, m. Lucretia Riggan. 1.1.1.2. Ann Harris, m. Francis Riggan. 1.1.1.2.1. Lucretia Riggan. 1.1.2. Charles Harris, m. Rachel, dau. of. John Egerton. 1.1.3. Joseph Harris, b. ca. 1710, m. Jane, dau. of the said John Egerton. 1.1.3.1. Martha Harris, d. Nov. 6, 1797, in Warren Co., NC., m. Moses Lancaster, son of Lawrence Lancaster, son of Samuel Lancaster, d. Jan. 20, 1761, in Surry Co., and Elizabeth Harris. (As recent posts have suggested, she was almost certainly a dau. of John Harris Jr., father-in-law of Samuel Lancaster). 1.1.3.1.1. Clarissa Lancaster, m. George Pegram Jr., son of George Pegram and Lucretia Bell*. 1.1.3.1.1.1. George Harris Pegram.

1.1.3.2. John Early Harris, b. Nov. 13, 1769, in Warren Co., NC.; d. Aug. 1, 1832, in Oakville, Warren Co.; m. Sarah, dau. John Bobbitt and Amy, dau. of Richard Alston, on May 16, 1795. 1.1.3.2.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Green Harris Sr., on Dec. 16, 1817, in Warren Co., son of West Harris Jr. (and Edith Ledbetter), son of West Harris Sr. and Mary Turner, son of Edward Harris Sr., son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.3.3. Elizabeth Harris, b. Feb. 17, 1764, Bute Co., NC., d. Sept. 7, 1817, Irwin Co., GA. She m. “Hardy” Duke, b. ca. 1760, on Oct. 23, 1787, in Warren Co., NC. 1.1.3.3.1. Joseph Duke, b. Nov. 28, 1790, in Woodbury, Meriwether, Georgia; m. Margaret, dau. of Peter Tilman Lewis, on Dec. 8, 1818, in Morgan, Georgia. His is listed as a farmer in the 1850 census, district 42, in Henry, Georgia, where he died on Aug. 15, 1855. Joseph Duke, cousin of Elizabeth Harris, who m. Green Harris Sr. 1.1.3.3.2. Sherwood Duke, b. Jan. 8, 1796, m. Mary, dau. of Harrison Bailey, in 1820, in Union, SC.
The ancestry of the said Hardy Duke is given in accounts of considerable contrast.

1.1.4. Michael Harris (b. ca. 1700), witnessed the Will of Thomas Crafts, who made a bequest to his sons, Thomas, John, and Samuel; daus. Martha Brantley and Elizabeth Tewell (Tuell). Other witnesses: Thomas Hillyard, and Hugh Edwards. (Dated: Oct. 29, 1722. Rec. July 24, 1727, p. 34). Samuel Crafts appraised the estate of Elizabeth Holleman,* with Arthur Crocker and Josiah Holleman. (Rec. March 26, 1739, p. 224). Samuel Crafts was th exec. of the Will of Mary Briggs: Leg. dau. Elizabeth Thorpe, “the money in the hands of Col. Bridger”, son Benjamin Bell,* dau. Ann Crafts. Wit. James Bell, William Cogin, James Grisard. (Rec. June 26, 1727, p. 33). Josiah Holleman** appraised the estate of Robert Harris, d. 1740. *Elizabeth (Wilson) Holleman, wife of Joseph Holleman Jr., dau. of Thomas Wilson, son of James Wilson (who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1712, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Honour, dau. of John Goodrich Jr., and Ann, dau. of Edward Bechinoe, and relict of Robert Kae. James Wilson’s son, William, witnessed the Will of John Scott (grandson of a trading partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), with Thomas Harris, d.1729/30. (See previous posts). John Goodrich Jr. witnessed the Will of Ann (Moore) White, of 1742. **Josiah Holleman, m. Ann (dau. of Thomas White and the said Ann (Moore) White), and sister of Avis White who m. John Harris, and Margaret White, who m. Arthur Holleman.
1.1.4.1. Mary Harris, m. Robert Nicholson

RIGGAN/REAGAN AS BENNETTS
1. Thomas Bennett (m. Alice Pierce, as heretofore given), 2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. Richard Bennett Sr., b. Aug. 6, 1625, d. Dec. 4, 1709.
1.1.1. Richard Bennett Jr., of “Pokatnick Swamp”, d. May 23, 1720.
1.1.1.1. Ann Bennett, m. John Bell, of Surry Co.
1.1.1.1.1. John Bell Jr., d. 1746.
1.1.1.1.1. *Benjamin Bell, d. 1779.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. *Lucretia Bell, m. George Pegram.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. George Pegram, m. Clarissa Lancaster, granddau. of Joseph Harris, descendant of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Bell.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Ann Bell, m. John Riggan.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Nancy Riggan, b. Oct. 1, 1761, in Warren Co., m. Isham Shearin, on Dec. 17, 1785.
(The family of Riggan/Reagan were of maternal Bennett ancestry).

DUKE AND VINSON
It is likely that that there were a number of “Duke” families of Virginia, which have been confounded, and accepted as “fact” through the process of constant (internet) repetition.
1. William Duke, headright claimed in 1639 by Justinian Cooper, in Isle of Wight, who m. the relict of James Harrison, who was killed in the attack ofWarresqueak.Edward Bennett’s plantation, on March 22, 1622. Justinian Cooper and Ann his wife to John George, for two steers and 1500 lb of tobacco, the Robert Bennett tract and the Quarter tract of 200 ac., part of a patent (Robert Bennett’s) of 2000 ac., of March 16, 1642. Deed dated April 25, 1646. John George was the uncle of the 1st wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. John Duke Sr. On April 21, 1665, Jeremiah Rutter was granted 300 ac. in Nansemond Co., 50 ac. of which he sold to John Duke, whose neighbours included: Miles Lewis, Richard Lewis (decd), who were granted 400 ac. in the parish of Chuckatuck adjoining the land of Thos. Jordan (1666), and J. Rutter. (Land Office Patents 7, vol. 1, p. 629).
1.1.1. John Duke, m. Bridget. On Sept. 23, 1689. John Duke and his mother Elizabeth Mercer to John Burnett shoemaker, 50 ac. (being land my father John Duke decd. bought from Jeremia Rutter at Chuckatuck in Nansemond Co. being out of a patent of 300 acs. between John Goseling and John Duke Sr. sold said John Burnett. Wit. William Bradshaw, Richard Ealle. Signed: John Duke, Elixzabeth Mercer, Bridgett Duke. (IOW D.B. 1). John Duke’s Will (proved Aug. 3, 1720), of the Lower Parish, IOW. Legitimate son Benjamin; son John; son James; son Robert; estate between my wife and children, sons to be of age at 21 and daughters at marriage. (B. 2, p. 53). After John Duke’s death, his relict, Elizabeth, m. Robert Mercer. Elizabeth had married, firstly, John King: Whereas pat. was granted April 19, 1648 to John King and Lawrence Ward for 500 ac. at head Pagan Creek, John King being dead said Lawrence Ward conveys unto King’s wife Mrs. Elizabeth King, widow. May 14, 1655. Wit.: Thomas Davis.
1.1.1.1. Robert Duke, d. aft. Oct. 12, 1766, date of his Will, in Northampton Co. NC., m. Isabel, dau. of Thomas Vinson (his Will, 1762). “Robert Duke, to my wife Isabel land and plantation on which I now live for life or widowhood and after her death or marriage to my sons Robert, William, Samuel, Benjamin, Joseph, and James (Hoffman Wills, 1, 24).
1.1.1.1.1. Robert Duke, who d. bef. Oct. 7, 1784, when Jesse Tilman plat names “Widow Duke” as a boundary neighbour – “along Currey line to a poast oak corner on Tillman’s line, thence along said line to a hicory on the widow Duke’s line, thence along said line to dry creek, thence up said creek to the beginning. It being the plantation whereon Thomas Crenshaw formerly lived. The said parties to these presents, together, with all and singular, the profits and advantages. Sig.: Jesse Duke. Wit.: Micajah Crenshaw, Mary Ann Crenshaw, James Douglas, Micajah Crenshaw. (Lancaster Co., SC, D.B M, p. 233). Robert Duke was of of Persimmon Branch, Cedar Creek, Lancaster District, SC. He m. Priscilla, dau. of Joseph Crenshaw , the son of Thomas Crenshaw.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William Duke of Persimmon Br., d. by 1810.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Duke, m. Nancy, dau. of William Cawthon, and Mildred Paschal (m. Sept. 4, 1783, in Warren Co., NC.; they being the great-grandparents of Raphael Duke.

William Duke. On July 25, 1797, Ashbourne Sims sold land on the Persimmon Branch of Cedar Creek to William Duke, who was deceased by March 19, 1810, when his heirs are listed as adjacent neighbours on a deed conveyance of Jonathon Tompson to John Stevens. (Lancaster Co. SC, D.B. G, p. 252). William Duke, m. Nancy, dau. of William Cawthon (and Milldred Paschal) of Persimmon Branch. Samuel Cranshaw of Jackson County, Georgia, planter to Henry Horton of Lancaster District, land on waters of Dry Creek adjacent Wm. McGarrak, James Rogers, David Nelson, Robt Dukes, granted to Francis Boykin, June 5, 1786. Samuel Cranshaw (LS) Wit: George Hicklin, William Stevens. D.B. G, pp. 175-76: Jan. 13, 1809. Thomas Cauthran of Lancaster District to William Cauthran Sr. $600 personable property, cattle and furniture. Thomas Cauthen (LS) Wit: Zach Ellis, William Duke. Proved by Zach Ellis, Feb. 6, 1809. D.B. G, p. 252: March 19, 1810. Jonathan Thompson of Butler County, Ohio to John Stevens of Lancaster District. 207 acres on both sides Persimmon branch of Cedar Creek adjacent Sherod Sims Senr, James Cothran, heirs of William Duke decd, William Cothan Senr, Archibald Hood and the lands whereon Peter Twitty now lives.

Bute Co., Quarter Sessions. Feb. 16, 1775: “The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants for a road to be opened from William Duke’s mill on Fishing Creek crossing the South Fork of the said Creek at Dentons Ford. Ordered that the said way be viewed by William Duke, Green Duke, William Brown, John Brown, James Cauthorn, John Christmas Jr, Thomas Christmas, Isaac House, William Green, Peter Green, John Bayley, William Merritt, Young McLamore, Nathaniel Peebles & Joseph Duke, and it is also Ordered that Green Duke be Overseer of the said Road & That he open the same with the hands of William Merritt, James Denton, Charles & John Wortham & John Jenkins”.

John Merritt is recorded in Elizabeth City Co in 1695 as a br. of William Merritt, deceased. John Merritt’s Will of 1727 named his children, William,* John, Mary,** and Frances. *William Merritt d. in Brunswick Co. His Will of 1788 named daus. Martha, wife of William Ceely, Mary, wife of … House, and Judith, wife of James Birdsong. (B. 14, p. 297). *Mary Merritt m. John House, son of Isaac House, whose land sale of Dec. 8, 1746, Richard Lanier (B. 3, p. 257), son of Richard Lanier, uncle of Rebecca Lanier, wife of Walton Harris, descendant of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Isaac House was the son of James House, whose Will was witnessed by John Duke and John Taylor Duke (in Brunswick, Feb. 9, 1735);

VINSON cont.
What follows is an account of two branches of Vinson, the first that of John Vinson; the second of Thomas Vinson, both of common descent by the fact of shared associations.

JOHN VINSON
1.2.1.1. John Vinson, b. ca. 1665, d. 1727. His Will, dated Nov. 4, 1727, in Prince George Co., named children: Thomas, Mary, John, and one unborn (Moses). He styled himself “of Brunswick”. He gave his son Thomas: “this Plantation where I now Live on the South side of Fountain Creek”, and to son John: “all my Land at Joseph’s (Swamp) in Surry County”. Mr. Thomas Eldridge,* exec. Signed and sealed in the presence of John Bradford,* John Rookes, William Wise. (Surry, Wills, B.7, p. 219). *John Bradford Sr. was the son of Richard Bradford and Frances Taylor, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah, dau. of “William Barker, mariner”. In a future post, the connection of the Bradford and Barker families of Greater London (Middlesex) will be given.

Mr. Thomas Eldridge: “The first of the Eldridge family from whom descent can be traced was “Mr. Thomas Eldridge,” who in 1709 was practicing law in Henrico and in 1716 was deputy clerk of that county. He married Judith, dau. of Richard Kennon, of “Conjurer’s Neck”, Henrico, a property he had purchased from Col. William Byrd. In 1709, Thomas Eldridge Sr. witnessed the Will of William Randolph. He owned property in Henrico, Prince George, and Surry counties, where he took up residence, a little S. of the Blackwater River. He died there on Nov. 4, 1740; his Will proved on May 20, 1741. Of his children, Judith, m. Charles Binns,* Ann, m. Sterling Clack, clerk of Brunswick in 1742; Thomas Eldridge Jr., whose dau., Martha, m. John Harris of Surry Co., whose Will was probated on March 19, 1771, which directed his lands at Ware Neck and Foster’s to be sold and the proceeds divided between his three sons.
John Harris is speculated to have been the son of Edward Harris, son of Major William Harris, who removed from Henrico to New Kent Co., with his brother, William. Caution is required, for, on Jan. 29, 1661, James Wilson patented 700 ac. in New Kent on the head of Ware Creek, to a branch of Cowper Swamp, down same to Robert Harris (C.P. 393). Thus, there were different families of Harris located in New Kent, and it is very problematic to give an ancestry to the above given John Harris, other than in the context of his brother-in-law, Charles Binns, being a son of Thomas Binns and Elizabeth, dau. of Charles Barham and Elizabeth Ridley, who were at the very centre of the Bennett/Harris kinship network of Wiveliscombe; the inference being: so was this John Harris.

1.2.1.1.1. John Vinson,* b. ca. 1700. Aug. 4, 1737, Thomas Vinson of the Parish of St. Andrews sold 100 ac. to Walter Long of said parish on S. side of Fountains Creek, on linches Branch, Gum Tree Branch, adj. land of *John Vinson. Wit.: Mary Peterson. Mary Wall, Michael Wall, John Crosland. (Brunswick Co. Deeds, p. 360).

Indenture of July 28, 1744 between Abigail Mayo of Brunswick, St. Andrews Parish, and Michael Wall of same, S. side of Falling Run, 100 ac. granted by patent to James Mayo, Feb. 18, 1722. Sig.: Abigail Mayo. Wit.: Nathaniel Edwards, George Hicks, Rebecca Chapman, Thomas Rose*. Court, Feb. 7, 1744. James Mayo was a son of William Mayo and Isabel, dau. of Arthur Allen of Bacon’s Castle, and Alice Tucker, who m. (2) John Hardy, who, by a first wife, had issue: Olive, who m. (1) Giles Driver (headright claimed by Thomas Harris, d. 1672), (2) Lt. Colonel John Pitt, son of Colonel Robert Pitt, and brother of Hester, who m. Col. Joseph Bridger Sr., business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.*His grandmother’s Will identifies Thomas Rose as the son of Richard Rose and Elizabeth Sowerby, above given.

1.2.1.1.2. Thomas Vinson, b. ca. 1700. “Thomas Vincent of Brunswick Co. to John Vincent of same. Sd. Thomas Vincent held 500 ac. on the S. side of Fountains Creek. His brother, Moses Vincent, posthumous son of John Vincent dec’d, who in his Will dated Nov. 4, 1727 devised to the sd. Moses for life the sd land & the land to revert to the sd Thomas Vincent. Thus for £5, his right to the sd land. Wit: John Edmunds, John Peebles, John Rosser.
This leads to an important point in genealogical research: Witnesses and exors. of Wills were certainly neighbours of the deceased, but, beyond that, they were neighbours in the context of them sharing familial links – the “answer is in the soil” concept, wherein neighbours were (historically) not strangers, and who were part of the fabric of a “continuation of association” between families. It is such peripheral points – witnesses and exors – that lead to a fuller picture of “what is happening here”; the genealogical jigsaw more complete.

Consider just one witness of John Vinson’s Will, John Edmunds:
1. Capt Howell Edmunds, d. bef. Aug. 20, 1729, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Blunt, d. 1707, son of Richard Blunt and Mary Flood, see supra. 1.1. Sarah Edmunds, m. James Jones, whose Will, recorded Aug. 20, 1751 (Surry Co. B. 6, p. 286), was witnessed by William Gray Jr, Daniel Weldon, and John Edmunds. 1.1.1. Elizabeth Jones, m. (1) Thomas Eldridge Jr., Dec. 4, 1727, (2), in 1762, Drury Stith. Thomas Elbridge Jr. had m. (1) Martha Bolling (decd. Oct. 23, 1749 in Prince George Co.), dau. of John Bolling and Mary Kennon, b. June 29, 1679 in Conjurers Neck, Henrico Co., d. June 29, 1727 in Cobbs, Henrico. She was the dau. of Richard Kennon Sr. and Elizabeth Worsham, and sister of Judith Kennon, who m. Thomas Eldridge Sr. (exec. of John Vinson’s Will, 1727), on June 1711, in Henrico. Thomas Eldridge Jr. and Martha Bolling had issue: (1) Martha Eldridge, who m. John Harris, (2) Mary Eldridge, m. Thomas Branch, (3) Sarah Eldridge, m. Col Thomas Edmunds, Nov. 25, 1771, son of Nicholas Edmunds*.
1.2. Nicholas Edmunds. 1.2.1. Col. Thomas Edmunds, m. Sarah Eldridge. 1.3. Captain Thomas Edmunds, m. Ann, dau. of John Simmons and Mary (dau. of Thomas Cocke and Elizabeth Mason), sister of Ann Cocke, b. July 22, 1690 in Charles City, who m. Robert Bolling Jr. (Jan. 27, 1706 in Charles City), having issue: Martha Bolling, who m. Richard Isham Eppes, son of Francis Eppes IV and Sarah, dau. of Richard Kennon Sr. 1.3.1. John Edmunds, witnessed the

Will of John Vinson, 1727.
Thomas Vinson’s Will was proved March 27, 1750. (Brunswick Co., D.B. 4, p. 130). He m. Mary, dau. of Thomas Avent, and Elizabeth (dau. of William Gooch), and sister of Claiborne Gooch*.

1. Claiborn Gooch, ca. 1680-1745, m. Mildred (Milly) Thompson. 1.1. John Gooch, moved from Caroline Co., VA, to Granville Co., NC, ca. 1771. 1.1.1. Joseph Gooch, d. May 10, 1810, in Granville Co., m. (1) Rachel … who signed away her dower share of land when Joseph sold land to his borther John Gooch in 1762. (2) Sarah Harris, the widow of John Hawkins. (Marriage Bond, July 26, 1780). 1.1.1.1. Daniel Gooch, m. a dau. of Samuel Sneed. 1.1.1.1.1. Rachel Gooch, b. 1692. 1.1.1.2. Amos Gooch. 1.1.1.2.1. Polly Gooch, m. Tyree Harris, br. of John Harris, who m. Rachel Milly Kittrell.

1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1. Robert Harris Sr., d. 1740. 1.1.1. Robert Harris Jr., b. ca. 1700. 1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris,* d. Oct. 27, 1779, in Granville Co. In the name of God amen, I Thomas Harris of Granville County, State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound mind and memory blessed be God do this 25th day of September 1779 make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say first I give to my loving wife Sarah* the plantation whereon I now live containing one hundred fifty acres of land with all the improvements likewise all my household furniture except two beds, likewise my Negro Ben her lifetime or til she marries, and if she marries Hood Harris takes possession if she don’t he is not to take possession til he comes to the age of thirty. (Granville County May Court, 1780. 1.1.1.1.1. Sarah Harris, m. John Hawkins. 1.1.1.2. Sherwood Harris Sr. 1.1.1.2.1. *Sarah Harris, m. *Thomas Harris.

VINSON cont.
1.2.1.1.2.1. Joseph Vinson. “Robert Howard & his wife Sarah of Meherrin Parish in Brunswick Co. to Joseph Vinson of sd. parish. £105. 150 ac. in Meherrin Parish on the S. side of Fountains Creek where sd Robert Howard now lives & which was deeded to him from Jeremiah Brown who received it by deed from *John Vinson uncle to sd Joseph Vinson and from Thomas Vinson father to sd Joseph Vinson, and was devised to Moses Vinson by John Vinson grandfather to sd Joseph Vinson; and sd Moses sold it to John Vinson the elder uncle to sd Joseph; the Will of sd John Vinson the grandfather of sd Joseph was recorded in Prince George Co. Wit: Benjamin Lanier,* William Fox, William Massie, David Mason”. *John Bradford sold to Jeremiah Brown of Brunswick 590 ac. on Fountain Creek at Vinson’s line, 250 ac. patented by John Lynch and sold to John Bradford decd. (Sept. 30, 1751, B. 5, p. 199). Benjamin Lanier was the son of Benjamin (Bird) Lannier. He m. … Kennon.

THOMAS VINSON
1.2.1.2. Thomas Vinson, b. ca. 1665, d. ca. 1714 in Prince George Co., m. Sarah …. They jointly deeded land (a deed of lease) in Prince George Co. to Joshua Poythress on May 11, 1713. Was there any familial connection? A suggestion:
1. Elizabeth Littlebury, m. (1) William Worsham.
1.1. Elizabeth Worsham, per her mother’s Will dated Aug. 28, 1678, wife of Richard Kennon, co- exec. of his mother-in-law’s Will.
1.1.1. Judith Kennon, Judith Kennon, m. Thomas Eldridge Sr. (exec. of John Vinson’s Will, 1727), brother of Thomas Vinson (1.2.1.1).

1. Elizabeth, m. (2) Colonel Francis Eppes, co-exec. of her Will.
1.1. Littlebury Eppes.
1.2. Mary Epes, m. (1) John Hardyman Sr. (son of John Hardiman of Bristol, taylor*).
1.2.1. John Hardyman, gifted 300 ac. in Flowerdew Hundred to Joshua Poythress (who had a son named Littlebury Poythress, suggesting that his wife was either an Eppes or Hardyman). John Hardyman m. Elizabeth Taylor (see as follows), sister of Sarah Taylor*, and Elizabeth Taylor, who m. Henry Duke.
1.2.3. Francis Hardyman, m. *Sarah Taylor.
1.2.4. Littlebury Hardyman, whose Will of 1726 leaves one shilling “to each and every one of my brothers and sisters”.
1.2.5. … Hardyman, m. Joshua Poythress?
1.2.6. Sarah Hardyman, m. Thomas Vinson?
1.2.1.2.1. Thomas Vinson, b. ca. 1685. His Will was probated in 1764 in Northampton Co., p. 15, named daus.: Charity Vinson Carter 6 ac. on the south side of Bear swamp, Susannah Vinson Morgan, Sarah Vinson Fuller, and Isabel Vinson Duke 5 pounds VA money each. Charity Vinson m. Jesse Carter, son of Isaac Carter and Sarah. Browne.

CHARITY VINSON – as a continuation of Harris/Vinson links.
1 …
1.1. George Moore, of Bristol, b. 1632, m. Jane Barcroft, born 1638-1642, dau. of Charles Barcroft, and sister of Elizabeth Barcroft, who m. Aug. 13, 1654 in Stepney James Sampson Jr., having issue, Elizabeth Sampson, who m. Edward Browne, having issue: Samuel Browne, m. Mary, dau. of Mathew Jones. Their dau., Sarah Browne, m. (2) Isaac Carter, son of Moore Carter, son of Thomas Carter and Magdalene Moore. Isaac Carter was the father of Jesse Carter, who m. Charity Vinson, sister of Isabel Vinson Duke, and Sarah Vinson Fuller.
1.1.1. Magdalin Moore, b. ca. 1657, m. Thomas Carter in 1675.
1.1.1.1. Moore Carter.
1.1.1.1.1. Isaac Carter, m. Sarah Browne
1.1.1.1.1.1. Jesse Carter, m. Chariry Vinson, sister of Isabel Vinson Duke.
1.1.2. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Pyland.
1.2.1. James Piland, appraised the estate of John Brantley Sr., on April 26, 1725.
1.2.1.1. James Piland, m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of Phillip Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr.; security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Brantley Sr., as given, was the great-grandfather of Ann Barrow, who m. Thomas White, born Feb. 25, 1730/1.
1.1.3. Ann Moore, born ca. 1660, m. Thomas White, above given. She witnessed the Will of Edward Brantley Sr. in 1688. Her Will of 1742 was witnessed by Edward Brantley (grandson of Edward Brantley Sr.) who witnessed the Will of his neighbour, Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, and whose son, John Brantley m. the relict of the said Thomas Harris.

1.2. Katherine Moore, born ca. 1628, m. (1) …
1.2.1. Joyce, born ca. 1645, m. (1) Francis England, d. 1677, (2) in 1678, George Cripps, Will probated Oct 10, 1687. Francis England: 746 ac. along a swamp running to Blackwater along Capt. Pierce’s marked trees; 200 ac. on E. branch of Blackwater pointing to Upper Chippoakes in James City … by a former patent (June 20, 1642), and 200 ac. by assignment of a pat. from John White, dated July 4, 1649. (Mr. Boddie, 676).
1.2.1.1. Ann Cripps, m. Captain John Goodrich, whose Will probated June 9, 1696, wit. Martha Thorpe.
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake, born ca. 1622. Under the guidance of her stepfather, Robert Flake, Joyce entered a prenuptial agreement with her second husband George Cripps in 1678 to keep her property separate from his. (B. 1, p. 371).
1.3. Thomas Moore. Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore of Pagan Creek his atty. to collect from Arthur Skynner, Gyles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Joseph Whitson, and by virtue of a letter of atty. from John Hardiman of Bristol, taylor, to collect from William Hudson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550).

SARAH VINSON FULLER – as a continuation of Harris/Vinson links:
Although an exact relationship between John Spivey, b, ca. 1670, husband of Jane Brantley, and Joshua Spivey, b. ca. 1700, cannot be known, it may be reasonable to suppose that it was a very close one.
1. Joshua Spivey, b. ca. 1700. In 1731, William Wright of Upper Parish, Nansemond sold 180 ac. in Chowan, NC, to Joshua Spivey of the Upper Parish, Nansemond, part of a 1450 ac. patent to John Wright in 1695, in Nansemond Co., located on Bennett’s Creek, adj. … Pugh,* Francis Wright. Wit.: George Williams, Wm. Wright Jr, and James Spivey. (Chowan Co., NC, D. B., pp. 666-667). *Daniel Pugh, Gent?
1.1. Moses Spivey, b. Oct. 9, 1729, d, Aug. 2, 1771, m. Jemima Stan(d)ley, dau. of Jonathan Standley Jr.
1.1.1. Martha Spivey, m. Dempsey Kittrell, June 19, 1777, in Bertie Co.; son of John Kittrell Jr.; Will probated in Granville, 1812, mentioning “My son-in-law, Jno. Harris”. He m. Elizabeth Bryant, also having issue: Rachel Milly Kittrell, who m. John Harris.

1. …
1.1. John Spivey (b. ca. 1670, d. bef. 1733), m. Jane dau. of Phillip Brantley Sr. (and Joyce Lewis), son of Edward Brantley Sr., security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. May 24, 1726: Indenture in which John Spivy, planter and Sarah, his wife, of the Upper Parish of Nansemond, sell to Daniel Pugh, Gent., of the same place… for 5,000 pounds of tobacco… a tract of land in Nansemond County called by the name of Planters Delight… bounded as by a patent for the same granted to John Spivey 9th October 1697… containing by estimate 116 ac. more or less… and also one other tract containing about 50 ac., being part of a patent dated 16th April 1683 granted to Robert Blanchard and by him sold to Thomas Spivy, who conveyed it to Matthew Spivy, from whom the same descended to Mathew Spivy, his son, who by deed of Bargain and Sale dated 10 January 1710 conveyed the same to John Spivy, party to these presents, etc. Wit.: Thomas Brown. Sig.: John Spivy, Sarah Spivy. (Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 10, 1972).
1.2. Deborah Spivey, m. Ezekiel Fuller, Sept. 1692.
1.2.1. Ezekiel Fuller, m. Sarah Vinson.

DUKE – in a larger context:
1. … Duke. (A case will be made for him to be a Thomas Duke, born in Kent, England, 1n 1594, who m. a sister of Anthony Barham.
1.1. William Duke, b. ca. 1617; headright claimed in 1639 by Justinian Cooper, in Isle of Wight, who m. the relict of James Harrison, who was killed in the attack of Warresqueak, Edward Bennett’s plantation, on March 22, 1622. Those connected to thi area: We subscribers, as a jury, by order of Isle of Wight Court, dated June 9, 1658, in difference between Maj. Nicholas Hill, plaintiff, and John Snellock, defdt., to see pat. of land which Maj. Hill bought of Col. Bernard, wholly surveyed, and testify that surveyor Woodward, following lines of land belonging to Justinian Cooper, came to John Snellocks within two chains, 900 ac. that Snellock lives on belongs to Major Hill, according to a survey of July 20, 1658. Signed: Thomas Lewis, Edward Pryme, Peter Bedford, Thomas Chivers, Robert Kea, Thomas Taberer, Robert Bird, Francis England, Charles Barcroft, Edmond Wickin, Edward Bechinoe.
John Duke – as Thomas Duke, the Chuckatuk Quaker, associated with Thomas Jordan.
1.1.1. John Duke Sr., b. ca. 1640. On April 21, 1665, Jeremiah Rutter was granted 300 ac. in Nansemond Co., 50 ac. of which he sold to John Duke, whose neighbours included: Miles Lewis, Richard Lewis (decd), who were granted 400 ac. in the parish of Chuckatuck adjoining the land of Thos. Jordan (1666), and J. Rutter. (Land Office Patents 7, vol. 1, p. 629). On Feb. 6, 1667, Capt. Thomas Godwin* had 179 acs. in Chuckatuck Parish, adj. lands of Hopkin Howell, J. Rutter, Jno Dukes, Tho. Best, and Jno. Thomas. (vol. 2, p. 31).

LOCATIONAL CONTEXT – kin tended to be neighbours.
1. William Taberer.
1.1. Thomas Taberer, m. Ann Bennett, probable sister of Governor Richard Bennett, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. He patented land adj. Francis England in 1652. He witnessed a land deed in 1658 between “Thomas Harris of Chipoaks (d. 1672) in the County of Surry” and Christopher Benn.
1.1.1. Christian Taberer. “Robart Jordan the son of Tho: Jordan of Chucatuck in ye county of Nanzemund and Christian Outland ye daughter of Tho. Taberer of the Isleaweight county did publish their marriage at a meeting of men & women friends at William Sanders his howse in ye county aforesd on ye twelft day of ye eleventh month last past And coming before ye meeting the second time in his fathers house they did publish their marriage againe on ye ninth day of this instant month and were married in the house of his father on this ninth day of ye twelft month in ye yeare 1687. Robert Jordan was a Quaker minister, who m. (2), July 7, 1690, Mary, dau. of of Edmund Belson of Nansemond”.
1.1.1.1. Christian Jordan, m. (2) William Scott.
1.1.2. Ruth Taberer, m. John Newman Jr., 1692, p. 350, br. of the 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Newman. Thomas Newman to Mary Ratcliffe, dau. of Richard Ratcliffe of Terrascoe Neck “the 13th day of the 12th month 1699”.
1.2. Ann Taberer, m. *Thomas Godwin (b. ca. 1618, d. in Isle of Wight Co. Feb 1665/6). She was the admin of her husband’s estate. Thomas Taberer and Robert Kea were her bondsmen, p. 63.
1.2.1. Thomas Godwin, b, ca, 1645, m. Martha, dau. of Joseph Bridger, of Bristol (business partner of Thomas harris, d. 1672), whose estate was called “Old Castle”, named after a district in Bristol. (Karl Baedeker, Great Britain: Handbook for Travellers, pp. 113/114, 1890).
1.1.1.1. John Duke, b. ca. 1665, m. Bridget. On Sept. 23, 1689. John Duke and his mother Elizabeth Mercer to John Burnett shoemaker, 50 ac. (being land my father John Duke decd. bought from Jeremia Rutter at Chuckatuck in Nansemond Co. being out of a patent of 300 acs. between John Goseling and John Duke Sr. sold said John Burnett. Wit. William Bradshaw, Richard Ealle. Signed: John Duke, Elixzabeth Mercer, Bridgett Duke. (IOW D.B. 1). John Duke’s Will (proved Aug. 3, 1720), of the Lower Parish, IOW. Legitimate son Benjamin; son John; son James; son Robert; estate between my wife and children, sons to be of age at 21 and daughters at marriage. (B. 2, p. 53). After John Duke’s death, his relict, Elizabeth, m. Robert Mercer. Elizabeth had married, firstly, John King: Whereas pat. was granted onApril 19, 1648 to John King and Lawrence Ward for 500 ac. at head Pagan Creek, John King being dead said Lawrence Ward conveys unto King’s wife Mrs. Elizabeth King, widow. May 14, 1655. Wit.: Thomas Davis.
1.1.1.1.1. John Duke*
1.1.1.1.2. James Duke.
1.1.1.1.3. Robert Duke, b. ca. 1695, m. Isabel Vinson, b. ca. 1710, as given.

THOMAS DUKE
1.2. Thomas Duke, b. ca. 1625. “On Oct. 23, 1667, Thomas Duke of the Chuckatuck Quaker Congregation (in Nansemond Co., later incorporated to Isle of Wight Co.), made William Exum his attorney to receive cattle belonginging to his wife, Margaret, that were in the care of her father, Sylvester Thacker of Rappahannock Co. (B. 3, p. 345). Thacker/Thatcher had been granted land at Pagan Point in IOW Co. in 1643, with Anthony Fulgham. (Rappahannock Co. VA Deeds, B. 3, p. 345). Thomas Duke m. Margaret Thacker, b. ca. 1635, the said Sylvester’s dau.

THATCHER.UNDERWOOD/MOSELEY
(Before proceeding, a consideration of the possible origins of Sylvester Thatcher, as follows, might be important. If he were from Kent, England, and from a triangle outlined by Goudhurst, Hawkhurst, and Little Chart, it would suggest a shared place of origin as the Duke family of this account. This region was visited by William Caton and John Stubbs, Quaker Missionaries, in 1655, who conducted a preaching tour of the Kent coast. George Fox, a senior founder of the Quakers, came to Kent in the same year, and an early comvert, George Rofe, was the subject of a beating shortly afterwards, and many signed a petition* for him to be given redress. Out of their ranks, came those who suffered beating and imprisonment between 1555 and 1660, and emigration to Virginia became an attractive option, as it did for Quakers of other regions, such as Somerset. (Kent History and Library Centre, CP/Bp/125).

Thatcher of Goudhurst:
1. John Thatcher, m. Ann Butcher, Dec. 26 1565, in Hawkhurst, Kent. He bur, July 11, 1579, in Goudhurst, ca. 6 miles N. of Hawkhurst. 1.1. Robert Thatcher, bapt. Nov. 29, 1573, in Goudhurst. 1.2. John Thatcher, bapt. ApriL 27, 1577. 1.3. James Thatcher, m. Mercye Rymington, June 4, 1615. 1.3.1. James Thatcher, bapt. June 2, 1616, m. Ann Snode, June 18, 1639. 1.3.2. Edward Thatcher, bapt. Dec. 28, 1617. 1.3.3. Robert Thatcher, bapt. Nov. 14, 1630. 1.3.4. Ann Thatcher, m. Richard Collins, Nov. 12, 1649, son of Richard Collins Elizabeth Austen, m. Jan. 15, 1626/27.

1. Thomas Whitloch, bur. Sept. 9, 1627, m. Elisabeth Byshoppe, May 19, 1600, in Little Chart, 15 miles N.E. of Goudhurst. 1.1. John Whytlocke, bapt.April 21, 1611. 1.2. Thomas Whitlock, bapt. Jan. 15 1614/15. No further records of Whitlock in Little Chart.

1. Sylvester Thatcher, b. ca. 1614, m. Margaret, dau. of Walter Williams, having issue: Margaret, Susan, and Mary, mentioned in Margaret’s Will in 1709. “Deed Book, 1714-1720,” p. 128. Silvester Thatcher & Thomas Whitlocke, 1,000 acs. lyeing on the N. side of Rappa. Riv., next above land of Mr. Yarrett. Oct. 29 1650, p. 263. That is, William Yarrett, elder of the Chuckatuck Quaker community, to which belonged Thomas Duke*.
1.1. Margaret Thatcher, m. *Thomas Duke.
1.2. Sylvester Thatcher, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Underwood, son of Col William Underwood and Mary Moseley, m. July 27, 1648.

William Moseley, merchant, of Rotterdam, m. the widow *Susanna Blackmore (dau. of Ralph Burnet, citizen and draper of London), bef. Dec. 22, 1634, probably in Delft. On that date, as husband of Susanna, he was sued by the widow of Cornelius Michielsz van Ring for the rent of a house in Delft, rented by her late husband, Arthur Blackmore. She died in Virginia, Feb. 8, 1656. By Arthur Blackmore, she had issue, Susanna, who m. Humphrey Robbeson: The Will of Susannah Robbeson, Aug. 14, 1649, left her entire estate to her mother “Susanna Moesalaer” and if she should predecease her then to her “half brothers Willem and Arthur Moesalaer”, and if they should die before her then to her aunts “Lijsbet Cockeroff ” and “Hester Bornet”. Susanna Burnet had a younger sister Elizabeth, baptized at St. Benet Fink, Jan. 6, I612; she m. another Merchant Adventurer, William Cockcroft, He died at Rotterdam bef. July 7, I653.
William Corker m. (1), in March 1650, Susanna (Blackmore) Robinson, widow of Humphrey Robinson; their dau. Susanna, was named in the Will of William Moseley as “my grandchild Corker”). B. 4, p. 384: Mr. Wm Underwood, 882 acs. Rappa. Co., Sept. 10, 1658, p. 245. Bet. some of the head branches of Pepetick Cr. & Mr. Popes Cr., beg. near Rappa. path, extending to the head of lands of Silvester Thatcher and Thomas Whitlocke, adj. land of Thomas Wright.

William Corker: In 1660, Robert Spencer gave his age as thirty years. He m. (1) Anne Taberer (thus was kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); (2) Elizabeth, dau. of Captain John White of Surry Co., whose widow m. (as his second wife) Captain William Corker; and (3) Jane, dau. of Col. William Browne. William Corker and Elizabeth White had issue: Lucy Corker, who m. William Rose. 1. William Rose. 1.1. William Rose. m., March 5, 1689, Lucy (dau. of William Corker), half-sister of John White, Judith Clay, and Susannah Branch. Lucy Corker had firstly m. Thomas Jordan, senior member of the Chukatuck Quakers, of whom fellow Quaker, Thomas Duke, was a neighbour.

William Exum’s son, William Exum Jr., was granted land on the S. side of the main Blackwater Swamp at Round in 1723. He had grandsons: (1) Joseph Exum, who m. Elizabeth Kinchen, dau. of William Kinchen, and sister of Patience Kinchen, who m. Ethelred Taylor II. (2) Robert Exum, m. Patience Williamson, dau. of George Williamson and Hester Bridger, and witnessed a 1737 deed for land N. of the Blackwater Swamp, also witnessed by Elizabeth Joyner,* and Thomas Hardyman of Surry Co., whose family intermarried with that of Elizabeth Taylor Duke.

1.2.1.1. Thomas Duke, b. ca. 1650, rec. as the son of Thomas Duke Sr. in the Yearly Meeting of Aug. 7, 1671.
1.2.1.1.1. Margaret Duke, b. Oct. 10, 1674, m. Moses Hall, Sr. Chapman, “Marriages”, p. 99 – I have given consent to Moses Hall as concerning marriage with my daughter Margaret Duke … 7 day of 11 mo. 1707. Sig.: Thomas Duke”. Moses Hall gave 300 lbs of tobacco to help pay for building a meetining house on south baranch of Nansemond River on land of Leavin Buskin.

TAYLOR
1. Ethelred Taylor, settled in 1702 in Surry Co., on Lawnes Creek. He owned 538 ac. in Surry and 545 ac. in adjoining IOW Co. He m. Elizabeth Duke, probable sister of Henry Duke, anon, bef. March 2, 1702. 1.1. Ethelred Taylor Jr., m. Patience, dau. of William Kinchen and Thomas Joyner, br. of Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688., and *Elizabeth Joyner.

1. John Taylor*.
1.1. Richard Taylor, m. Sara Barker, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock. She m. (2) Robert Lucy, and had issue: Mary Lucy, who m. Thomas Anderson.
1.1.1. Capt. John Taylor, the guardian for Mary Lucy, the mother of Jane Anderson, in 1694.
1.1.1.1. Maria Taylor, m. John Hardyman Jr., of Bristol, merchant.
1.1.1.2. Sarah Taylor, m. Francis Hardyman, brother of John; 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. Richard and Elizabeth Kennon had issue: (1) William Kennon, who m. Ann Eppes, dau. of Francis Eppes Jr. (2) Judith Kennon, who m. Thomas Eldridge Sr., of Surry (exec. of John Vinson’s Will, 1727), whose granddau, Martha Eldridge, m. John Harris (Vestryman, Southwark Parish, Surry), whose Will was proved (March 19, 1771) in Surry Co. The said John Vinson’s granddau. m. Robert Duke, above given.
1.1.1.3. Elizabeth Taylor, m. Henry Duke, the probanle br. of Elizabeth Duke, who m. (3) Ehelred Taylor, the father of Ehelred Taylor, who m. Patience Kinchen, dau. of William Kinchen, who purchased 750 ac. on the lower side of Three Creeks from Christopher Hill, leaving this to his son Matthew Kinchen, who left it to William Taylor, his cousin, who transferred it to Ethelred Taylor Jr. In 1775, Henry Taylor bought out his brothers’ shares of this property. Henry’s son, Ethelred, sold much of this land in 1786.

On May 7, 1725, Elizabeth Duke sold land on the north side of Blackwater Swamp, bounded by William Harris, to Robert Hall. Patience Kinchen’s sister, Elizabeth, m. Joseph Exum, son of William Exum Sr., who was entrusted with the cattle due to Margaret Duke, wife of Thomas Duke of Nansemond Co. Patience Kinchen’s brother, William, m. Sarah House, dau. of Robert House Jr. Patience Kinchen’s brother, William, m. Sarah House, dau. of Robert House Jr. Ehelred Taylor and Patience Kinchen probably had issue: Kinchen Taylor.

Hugh Lewis, Edward Dendy v. John Barker, John Taylor, John Gunning, Richd. Vicaris alias Vicaredge, merchant: Ports of England generally, and those of London and Bristol particularly. Duties and fees of “searchers.” Farming of customs. 1637. (E 134/6Chas1/Mich15). Abel Kitchen, John Dowle, Humphrey Browne, Richard Holworthy, John Taylor, Giles Elbridge, Robt. Kitchen, John Rowberrow. v. William Wyatt: “Prisage wines” within the port of Bristol, composition made by merchants of London for wines brought into the port. Touching wines brought into Bristol by John Fowke, of London.: Bristol. 1631. (E 214/825).

HENRY DUKE
At this juncture, it may be appropriate to considerthe placement of Henry Duke within this family of Duke.
Henry Duke, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Capt. John Taylor (d. betw. May 5, 1707 and Nov. 9, 1709, and Henrietta Maria Hill); sister of (1) Sarah Taylor, wife of Francis (Frank) Hardyman Sr. (2) Henrietta Maria Taylor, who m. Frank’s br., Lt. Col John Hardyman Jr. (June 17, 1686 – March 1738, in Prince George Co.), having issue: Henrietta Maria Hardyman, who m. Edmund Eppes, son of Frances Eppes Jr.*.

To extract from that above given:
1. Francis Eppes Jr., m. Judith Kennon. 1.1. Mary Eppes, m. William Kennon, br. of Judith Kennon, who m. Thomas Eldridge Sr. * An indenture of May 7, 1725 between his relict, Elizabeth, of Martin Brandon Parish, Prince George Co., sold to Robert Hall half a tract of land on the N. side of Blackwater Swamp, ”beginning at the corner between William Harris and the sd Elizabeth Duke; witnessed by Richard Kennon Jr.,* Elizabeth Mallory, Wm. Short.

1.*Richard Kennon Sr. 1.1. Judith Kennon, m. Thomas Eldridge Sr. (exec. of John Vinson’s Will, 1727). John Vinson’s great-niece. m. Robert Duke, son of John Duke. 1.1.1. *Thomas Eldridge Jr., m. Martha Bolling. 1.1.1.1. Sarah Eldridge, m. Col Thomas Edmunds, cousin of John Edmunds, who witnessed the Will of John Vinson, 1727. 1.2. *Richard Kennon Jr., br.-in-law of Thomas Eldridge Sr. (exec. of John Vinson’s Will, 1727).

Essentially, Henry Duke was of the same familial circle as Thomas Duke, and this, in terms of of the English kinship system, makes them close relatives, regardless of any claimed ancestries and DNA “evidence”.

Dec. 17, 1723: John Hardyman and wife Henrietta Maria Hardyman, Francis Hardyman and wife Sarah Hardyman, Elizabeth Duke and Frances Greenhill to Nicholas Partridge, 262 ac. on E. side of Pidgeon Swamp and bounded by the Underground Branch and Richard Bland, decd. Wit: John Mason, John Freeman, and William Raynes, p. 123. In her admin. of her husband’s estate, Elizabeth (Taylor) Duke deposed that what “my father, Captain John Taylor … did in his lifetime or at the time of his death give or bequeath to me is no part of the estate of the said Henry … but that the sole right and property is by virtue of the said act vested in me the July 14th, 1719”. Francis Eppes, the younger was appointed by the Court to audit Henry’s estate. Elizabeth Taylor’s sisters, Henrietta and Sarah, m. the brothers, John and Francis Hardyman, sons of John Hardyman and Mary, dau. of Francis Eppes, the younger. John Hardyman Sr. (business associate of Richard Bland), was the son of John Hardyman of Bristol, taylor, who gave letter of attorney to collect the debt of William Hudson of Nansemond Co., in 1667. Richard Kennon was the executor of Francis Hardyman’s Will of 1741.

The Eppes family came from the County of Kent in England. An ancestor, William Eppes was of Lamberherst in that county, which is ca. 7 miles N. of Hawkhurst, both on the Sussex border. Hawkurst is ca, 15 miles E. of Brenzett, the abode of Alan Eppes, the first proven ancestor of Francis Epes Sr.of Virginia . “John Eppes, Gent.”, was his third son, who was of Maidstone in 1578, 20 miles N. of Hawkhurst. In 1579; he m. Thomazine, dau. of Alexander Fisher and his wife Katherine, dau. of Peter Maplesden of Lydd, Kent., son of George Maplesden, alderman of Rochester. “John Epes, gent” was the father of “Capt. Francis Eppes, of Virginia, whose property was referred to in the 1644 patents of Walter Aston, and John George (uncle of the 1st wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

“Maidstone contains such interesting architectural memorials. Philipott states that the estate in time passed to the Maplesdens, who are recorded in a deed as early as the 25th year of Edward 3rd as holding Digons in Maidstone, the residence since, without known reason, called the Priory. Chillington seems to have remained in that family until George Maplesden forfeited it through his participation in the Wyatt insurrection; and according to the same authority, it was thereupon granted to Sir Walter Henley, who not long after sold his interest in it to Nicholas Barham, Esq., Sergeant-at-law to Queen Elizabeth, and Recorder of Maidstone, of the family seated at Teston, some of whom became Ironmasters in Wadhurst (see Lower’s Sussex Ironworks). But by the deed in the Maidstone Corporation muniments, dated 4th of Elizabeth (1561), it appears that the conveyance to Barham was from Robert, John, and George Maplesden, sons and coheirs of one Peter Maplesden who had occupied the mansion”. (Walter Bond Gilbert, The Accounts of the Corpus Christi Fraternity, p. 78, 1865).

1. … 1.1. Richard Barham, of Bivelham Manor, Wadhurst, East Sussex. 1.1.1. Nicholas Barham. 1.2. John Barham, d. June 19, 1555, in Barham, Kent. 1.2.1. Thomas Barham, d. Sept. 26, 1595, in Broughton, Monchelsey, Kent. 1.2.1.1. Thomas Barham Jr., d. June 6, 1609, in Maidstone. 1.2.1.1.1. Anthony Barham. 1.2.1.1.2. Mary Barham, m. Thomas Duke.
Henry Duke’s sons: John Taylor Duke. Brunswick, B. 2, pp. 277-281: John Taylor Duke sold 273 ac. of his patent to Richard Lanier of Brunswick Co. His wife, Jane Duke, relinquished her right of dower. Richard Lanier was the son of Sampson Lanier Sr., and brother of Sampson Lanier Jr., father of Rebecca Lanier, who m. Walton Harris, great-grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Henry Duke. June 16, 1727, grant of land to Robert Harris (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), 100 ac. “beginning at a corner Gum upon the New Found River belonging to Henry Duke, thence along the said Duke’s line … to a corner Hickory on New Found River. (B. 13, p. 149).

Was Henry Duke a son of this Henry Duke?: Duke v Bathurst. Plaintiffs: Henry Duke. Defendants Sir Edward Bathurst and Thomas Bathurst. Subject: property in Horton Kirby, Kent. 1659. (C 10/94/44). The plaintiff of 1659 – a brother/cousin of William Duke (1.1) and Thomas Duke (1.2) above given. Thus:

DUKE OF HAWKURST – given in more detail in a following article – A PROPOSED ENGLISH ANCESTRY OF VINSON AND DUKE FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA – part 2.

1. Thomas Duke, b. 1694, in Hawkhurst, Kent, m. Mary Barham, sister of Anthony Barham, who m. the step-dau. of Thomas Harris, 2nd-cousin of Thomas Harris, 1672, descendants of descendants of William Harris and Dorothy Westbrooke of Wiveliscombe, as Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1. William Duke., b. ca. 1617; headright claimed in 1639 by Justinian Cooper, in Isle of Wight, who m. the relict of James Harrison, who was killed in the attack of Warresqueak, Edward Bennett’s plantation, great-uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1. John Duke Sr., b. ca. 1640. On April 21, 1665, Jeremiah Rutter was granted 300 ac. in Nansemond Co., 50 ac. of which he sold to John Duke, whose neighbours included: Miles Lewis, Richard Lewis (decd), who were granted 400 ac. in the parish of Chuckatuck adjoining the land of Thos. Jordan (1666), and J. Rutter.
1.2. Thomas Duke, b. ca. m. Margaret Thatcher, descendant of John Thatcher, who m. Ann Butcher, Dec. 26 1565, in Hawkhurst, Kent. Thomas Duke and his wife were members of the Chukatuck Quaker congregation, and neighbours of its elder, Thomas Jordan, whose family were much associated with John and Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and fellow congregants.
1.3. Henry Duke, b. ca, 1630, justice of James City Co. in 1680. Henry Duke, plaintiff. Defendants Sir Edward Bathurst* and Thomas Bathurst**. Subject: property in Horton Kirby, Kent. 1659. (C 10/94/44).

1. Lancelot Bathurst (1529-96), son of Edward Bathurst (fl. 1558) of Staplehurst, Kent
1.1. Randolph Bathurst (1576-1644), m. Sept. 18, 1596 (at St Bartholomew-the-Less, London), Catherine (b. 1575; fl. 1620), dau. of Robert Argall of East Sutton Kent, brother of Elizabeth Argall, wife of Sir Edward Filmer, whose dau. Katherine, m. Robert Barham (1598-1648) on Aug. 1, 1620 in East Sutton, Kent, having issue: Charles Barham, of this account.
1.1.1. *Sir Edward Bathurst (b. ca.1605), m., Nov. 2, 1624, Frances, dau. of Sir Thomas Wyseman of Rivenhall (Essex). He inherited Franks Hall from his father in 1643/1644. His widow was buried at Horton Kirby, March 2, 1688/9.
1.1.1.1. **Sir Thomas Bathurst (ca.1628-88), only surviving son of Sir Edward Bathurst.

1.
1.1. John Merewether of “Shepersdwolde, m. Mary Filmer, sister of Sir Edward Filmer
1.1.1. John Meriweather, of Shepherdswell, g., and Alice Crayford of Great Mongeham
1.1.1.1. Edward Meriwether, of Shepherdswell, m. Ursula Shrubsall of Faversham, the dau. of Richard Shrubsole; her aunt, thus , being Anne Shrubsole, who m. Thomas Barham. Her Will beq, to Anthony Barham ‘now of Virginia’, their son.
1.1.1. Sir Edward Bathurst (b. ca.1605), m., Nov. 2, 1624, Frances, dau. of Sir Thomas Wyseman of Rivenhall (Essex). He inherited Franks Hall from his father in 1643/1644. His widow was buried at Horton Kirby, March 2, 1688/9.
1.1.1.1. Sir Thomas Bathurst (ca.1628-88), only surviving son of Sir Edward Bathurst.

1.3.1. Henry Duke, b. 1660, d. Jan. 1717/8; m. Elizabeth Taylor.
1.3.1.1. John Taylor Duke. Brunswick, B. 2, pp. 277-281: John Taylor Duke sold 273 ac. of his patent to Richard Lanier of Brunswick Co. His wife, Jane Duke, relinquished her right of dower. Richard Lanier was the son of Sampson Lanier Sr., and brother of Sampson Lanier Jr., father of Rebecca Lanier, who m. Walton Harris, great-grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688
1.3.1.2. Henry Duke. June 16, 1727, grant of land to Robert Harris (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), 100 ac. “beginning at a corner Gum upon the New Found River belonging to Henry Duke, thence along the said Duke’s line … to a corner Hickory on New Found River. (B. 13, p. 149).

Vinson, whether idle or not:
Valentine atte Forde, chaplain, to retain rent charged on a mill and land in Shepton Beauchamp, held for life respectively by Richard Miles, John Mower, John Vyncent the younger, Walter Peverel, John Vincent the elder, John Brouke, William Grute, Nicholas Fort, and Benet Chapman, with the reversions of the said mill and land, granted to him for life by Cecily Turbervill. Somerset. 45 Edw III ( Jan 25, 1371 – Jan 25, 1372. (C 143/375/9).

See part 2 – https://tinyurl.com/y7nnjsvy

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon 2025.