Precis from Proceedings, vols. 29-30, Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, pp. 19-32, 1884: “In the Gheld Inquest of Somerset, taken in 1084, it is recorded that in Wivelscoma there was one mill, and rent amounting to fifty pence; there were also six goats; the value of the Manor was £10, the acreage, excluding Fitzhead, was 4,634. Two of the three knights appear to have been named Theodoric and Egbert, their other name varying perhaps, until destined to take atte or de la for a prefix”.
“These entries are of interest, as showing the many small holdings, enabling us to see how the land was brought into cultivation through such allotments, the return being so much labour to the lord. From such holdings, first by service, then as customary or copyhold, afterwards as freehold, came the class known as yeomen, of whom there were so many in Somerset before this century”.

“Of the Bishop’s Palace, some fast crumbling walls now alone remain. Situate in a finely wooded and fertile country, it stood formerly a stately edifice, fronting the south, with a large park before it extending down into the valley to the east. The main entrance was probably through the archway now standing, and the gardens and old buildings between the north wall and the road or street, formerly called “The Palace Green,” was then a large curtilage in the rear. Fifty year ago the kitchen was in existence, and the north wall, now fast falling into ruins, stood at three times its present height, with Gothic windows at intervals through its whole length. At that period the Palace Green was open to the public as a place of recreation, and among other fine trees standing there, was a plane tree of remarkable size. The Palace was supplied with water from a remarkable spring of great purity, which wells out, “splendidior vitro” from the foot of Bend-knee Hill, at Hartswell. This was really “Arch Well”, for it had a culvert over it, and the water was conveyed in leaden pipes to the Palace. The water from this and another spring was collected and used to keep the town mill going — a source of considerable profit in those days to the lord of the manor”.

What is seen between ca. 1630-1770 in the “New World”, etc., is colonisation by closely connected families from the same English regions. If a Somerset family of Harris, intermarried by the 1630’s with Blakes and Westbrookes (all of the same village, Wiveliscombe), it is an immutable fact of the English kinship system that families of Harris, Blake, and Westbrooke, which were closely associated in Virginia in 1770, were the same English families, underpinned by the fact of associations with other families that ‘originated’ in Wiveliscombe, such as the Bynums, Bodys and Forts.

Wifela or Wyvel , a patronymic met with in early charters . Thus , in 1170 , the name of William de Wyvilla occurs in the charter of a gift of land to the abbey of Bec
Benham – Bii-nuum. In the old Somerset dialect, the vowel ‘e’ was sometimes pronounced as an ‘i’/”y”. Frederic Thomas Elworthy’s work on the dialect of West Somerset in the 19th century noted this change as a natural linguistic feature, providing examples such as: “seeding” was pronounced as “siding”. The distinction between “Sundays and wicked (week) days” was pronounced as “Zindiz an wik-ud clai-s”. This particular vowel shift is a documented characteristic of the traditional West Country English dialects, which are noted for preserving some archaic elements from the Anglo-Saxon (Old English West Saxon) era. Similarly, a’s were sometimes pronounced as u’s. Vowel sounds were generally elongated.

What follows can be placed within a Wiveliscombe context, given in this extremely small snapshot, which, nevertheless, should suffice to place the Bynums within their “continuation of association” framework, representative of the English kinship system.

1. Richard Harris, m. Elian0r Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594; she bur. Nov. 26, 1605; sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, who had issue: (1) Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10. (2) Richard Bennett,* bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, Governor of Virginia. (2) Edward Bennett, father of (1) Sylvestra,* who m. Nicholas Hill, joint security (with Edward Brantley Sr) of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Bennett’s first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s* sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the Will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. 1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623. 1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. The families of Brantley and Barrow* intermarried. The security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was Edward Brantley Sr. (who witnessed the Will of Elias Fort Sr., in 1679), whose grandson m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, “son of Edward Harris”, as noted in the Will of John Gibbins: Leg. Mr. William Kinchen, Henry Harris, Matthew Harris, Mary Adkins, the dau. of John Adkins, John Jackson, Thomas Harris, the son of Edward Harris, Robert Harris. Exor. Mr. William Kinchen. (son-in-law). Robert Harris was Robert Harris Sr. brother of Edward Harris Sr. (Will of 1734 witnessed by Thomas Atkinson Jr.), and almost certainly uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/20, the son of Edward Harris Sr., and Henry Harris, named as a brother in the Will of the said Thomas Harris, witnessed by Thomas Atkinson Jr. Matthew Harris was the son of Robert Harris Sr., and brother of Robert Harris Jr., father of Newitt Harris, who witnessed a deed in which Mary Harris bought land from Nathan Bryant and Selah his wife (Cecelia Bynum), as follows.

Taberer. 1. … Taberer. 1.1. Thomas Taberer. In his Will, proved Feb. 9, 1694, Thomas Taberer mentions his plantation of “Basses Choice”, bought from John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Governor Bennett’s dau., Ann. Thomas Taberer witnessed a land deed in 1658 between “Thomas Harris of Chipoaks in the County of Surry” and Christopher Benn. This is Thomas Harris, d. 1672, 2nd-cousin of Governor Bennett. Thomas Taberer* was the father-in-law of John Newman, husband of Ruth Taberer, and John Newman was the future br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, who m. (2), Alice, dau. of John Newman Sr. The Will of John George, recorded Jan. 9, 1678, names friend Thomas Taberer as exec. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. (1) a dau. of Nicholas George., probable br. of John George. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688, were in the order of 2nd-cousins. The Thomas Harris who died in 1688 came to occupy land that had been John Seward’s: April 27, 1686: Matthew Tomlin, 1227 ac., lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 ac. being part of 1200 ac. granted to Mr. John Seward, April 16, 1648; 448 ac. being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Mary’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris, to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B. 7, p. 510). John Seward was the father of William Seward.* The sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, were Chuckatuck Quakers, and were closely associated with the Jordan family of that place. Families of Wiveliscombe would have been well acquainted with the Forte family of that place.

THOMAS BENHAM – THE BYNUM ANCESTOR

1. Thomas Benham, b. ca. 1510; taxed at 18 shillings in the “subsidy” tax of 1547, in Wiveliscombe, which was based on valuation of a taxpayer’s wealth or income. This shows that Thomas Benham was well above average means, and was probably a prosperous yeoman farmer.
1.1. Phillip Benham, b. ca. 1535, bur. Nov. 16 1573, m. Elenor, July 4, 1560.
1.1.1. Thomas Benham, bapt. June 7, 1566.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Benham, b. ca. 1600.
1.1.1.1.1.John Benham, bapt. Feb. 24, 1633.

March 1671/2, Wm. Townsend appoints friend *Wm. Seward his attorney to sue John Benham. Witness: John White. (B. 1, p. 103).
June 1674, Surry tithables: Lawnes Creek parish, list of Charles Barham (26 households) Mr. Jno. Binam – 2.

Jul 1680 Deed: John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek parish to *Thomas Barrow, 150 acres on Green Swamp borders land of Francis Mason ana John Bynam. Wit: Nich. Smith, *Wm. Seward. (B.2., p. 259).
Oct 1684 Deed: John Byneham and wife Rosamond Byneham to William Webb of Isle of Wight Co., part of his patent of April 23, 1681. Sig. Jno. Byneham, Rosamond Byneham. Wit.: *Thomas Taberer, *Silvestra Hill. Acknowledged in court on Nov. 4, 1684 by Jno. Byneham and his wife Rosamond Byneham. B. 3, p. 9.

1.1.1.1.1.1. John Benham, b. ca. 1664/5, aged 16 in 1680/ 1681; head of a household in 1688.
Oct. 1695, John Bineham witness to Will of Eliza. Simmons. B. 5, p. 119. He and Mac: Mansell prove it in court on March 2, 1696/7, when his name is recorded as John Bynham. (Surry Orders 1691-1713, p. 179).
July 1714: John Bynum, Thomas Harris, William Thomas Jr. witnesses to deed from Nicholas and Ann Salsbury of Prince George Co. to Daniel Crawly of Surry. (B. 6, p. 200). Land grant 24 March 1725. Harris, Thomas. grantee. 290 acres on the north side of Meherrin River, and on both sides of Herberts branch. This Thomas Harris was probably the son of Edward Harris Sr., son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Bynum, m. Mary Fort. He witnessed the will of his father-in-law John Fort (1), on Oct. 21, 1724, in Surry Co. In 1730, he witnessed Mary Fort’s discharge of dower in land conveyed by her husband, John Fort, Jr. to Davis Hopper on the Moratock in Bertie Precinct. (Bertie Co. D.B. C, p. 252). Mary Fort was the dau. of John Fort and Elizabeth Jordan, named in her father’s Will of Sept. 24, 1695 as Elizabeth Fort, dau. of Richard Jordan Jr., son of Richard Jordan Sr., brother of Mathew Jordan, who witnessed the Will of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), on Aug. 8, 1713.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Bynum, m. Mary Crocker, Jan. 13, 1762, Southampton Co., dau. of Benjamin Crocker and Sarah Barrow. Benjamin Crocker was the son of Robert Crocker, as named in his Will, recorded January 10, 1750, and uncle of Joseph Crocker, whose Will was recorded Feb. 5, 1761, appraised by Thomas Holliman, who m. Catherine Lancaster, dau. of Elizabeth Harris (2) and Samuel Lancaster. Catherine Lancaster was the sister of Martha Lancaster, who m. John Holliman, son of Christopher Holliman Jr., on Sept. 25, 1739. Elizabeth Harris was of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, see previous notes.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Bynum, m. Elizabeth (Sugars) Fort, the widow of Mary Fort’s first-cousin, Elias Fort, and the dau. of John Sugars. She left a will in Southampton Co. proved July 3, 1773, naming:
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Bynum, m. Jennett Turner, dau. of Simon Turner (W.B. 1, pp. 410-414), son of John Turner, son of Simon Turner, son of John Turner, whose Will (R. June 9, 1705) named Edward Harris Sr. (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688) as overseer; his son-in-law.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Turner Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Cordall Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Bennett Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Benjamin Bynum. He was a witness of the Will of Moses Crocker, recorded June 11, 1761. He m. (1758) Lucy Williamson, dau. of Benjamin Williamson (W.B. 2, p. 469), a son being Britton Bynum. The Will of Robert Crocker names sons Benjamin, Moses and Joseph; grandson Elisha Crocker; daus. Elizabeth Jordan, Sarah Braswell, & Mary Middleton; housekeeper Mary Hill. Wit: William Bynum, John Jones, Alexander Watson. Rec. Nov. 8, 1750. (W.B. I, p. 19). Robert Crocker’s estate was appraised by William Bynum, John Harris, and Arthur Long, son of Arthur Long and Mary, probable da. of ‘Arthur Allen of Bristol, planter’. Catherine Lancaster, granddaughter of Elizabeth Harris, m. Joseph Crocker; Will R. 5 Feb. 1761.

1. Robert Williamson.
1.1. Robert Williamson, Sr
1.1.1. Robert Williamson, Jr, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert George.
1.1.1.1. Benjamin Williamson.
1.1.1.1.1. Lucy Williamson, m. Benjamin Bynum.
1.2. Francis Williamson,* son-in-law of Edward Harris Sr.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Michael Bynum. His Will was probated in Southampton Co., on October 14, 1773. Leg., brother Benjamin, nephew Turner Bynum; to Colin and Cordall Norfleet Bynum; to Polly Bryant, dau. Elizabeth Sugars Bynum land I bought from Richard Blow; my brothers and sisters, William and Benjamin Bynum, Abigail Williamson and Selah Bryant.* Wit. James Denson, Jesse Jones, Nathan Bryant, William Bryant, p. 75.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.4. Cecelia Bynum, m. Nathan Bryant. Mary Harris buys from Nathan Bryant and Selah his wife for 54 pounds 180 acres on Miry Branch adjacent said Mary’s land and said Bryant’s, and also near John Kindred and Cordall Bynum’s. Wit., Cordall Bynum, Joel Turner, Newitt Harris. (B. 7, p. 756). Newitt Harris was the son of Robert Harris Jr. and Ann Williamson, son of Robert Harris Sr. (son of Thomas, d. 1688), and Ann, dau.of Michael Fulgham. Ann Williamson was the dau. of Joseph Williamson, cousin of *Francis Williamson.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5. Ann Bynum, m. Cordall Norfleet, the son of Joseph Norfleet.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.6. Abigail (Whitehead) Williamson. She m. (1) William West Whitehead, Jr., having issue: Priscilla, who m. Jesse Joyner, great-grandson of Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) John Williamson.

Norfleet: 1. … 1.1. Thomas Norfleet. 1.1.1. Thomas Norfleet, m. Mary Marmaduke, ca. 1690. 1.1.1.1. Marmaduke Norfleet. 1.2. John Norfleet. 1.2.1. John Norfleet, b. July 21, 1699 in Nansemond County; m. (May 28, 1727), Elizabeth Riddick. On March 6, 1740, He patented 633 acres in the mouth of the Corapeak Swamp in Perquimans, NC. 1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Norfleet, named in father’s Will (proved April court, 1754), m. James Harris in Halifax Co, NC.; the son of James Harris, Will proved Jan. 10, 1749; son of Edward Harris Sr. (d. 1734) and Mary Turner (dau. of John Turner and Mary Tomlin), son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.2.2. Joseph Norfleet. 1.2.2.1. Cordall Norfleet, cousin of the wife of James Harris.

1.1.1.1.1.2. James Benham, b. 1665/1666, aged 16 by 1681/1682; head of a household in 1688; m. Elizabeth. James Bynum decd. bef. Sept. 16, 1723, when his son, William, sold his father’s land in Flatt Swamp, on a creek (Gray’s) of the Meherrin River, granted to James Bynum in 1719. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, was a neighbour; he the probable son of Edward Harris Sr. (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), who decd. dvp.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Feb. 1, 1725/6 Land Patent: William Binnum, 595 acres on the south side of the Morattock River and Cypress Swamp in Bertie Precinct (NC).

1.1.1.2. Richard Benham, m. Judith, probably Judith Westbrooke, dau. of John Westbrooke, bapt. March 10, 1616.
1.1.1.2.1. James Benham, bapt. Nov. 2, 1639. If the above proposition about his mother’s identity is correct, then he was a close cousin of the Harris family, as supported by close and continuing associations in Virginia. It is not known whether this James Bynum had descendants in Virginia.

These Bynums, as the Harris, appear in Virginia after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, which might inform of their political allegance during the Civil War. Wiveliscombe is near Taunton, which was a significant Parliamentarian stronghold, and centre of the Puritan faith.

by m stanhope, copyright B.T.Shannon 2025