Commencing an account of the ancestry of the Hollands of Burwarton with Thurstan de Holland is a safer option than giving credence to the earlier supposition of antiquarians, a major one being: William Farrer’s commentary in the footnotes of his edited volume of early Lancashire fines, Record Society for the Publication of Original Documents Relating to Lancashire and Cheshire, Volume XXXIX (39), issued in 1899; entry for 4 John (1202), No. 14: “Matthew de Holland, ancestor of the noble family of Holland, and Alan de Holland held two teamlands in Up Holland, of Henry de Melling in 1202, by the yearly service of 12s. (Testa ii., f. 812.) By fine levied at Lancaster, 5th Nov., 1202, Ughtred de Church released his right in fourteen oxgangs of land in Up Holland to Matthew de Holland (Final Concords, Lanc., 4 John, No. 14). Matthew probably had issue Robert de Holland, who was the father of Thurstan de Holland”.

These claims are purely speculative, and examples of using the transition of land as a certain indicator of a father/son relationship. This was not always the case. Inheritance (and close tenurial association) often passed down lines of cousins or nephews, etc. There may have been no familial relationship between successive lords, with a new grantee adopting the same toponym. The term “successor” to land is, thus, appropriate. On this basis, the further assumption of antiquarian punditry that Mathew de Holland was an unrecorded son of Siward de Melling is totally unfounded.

THURSTAN DE HOLLAND – ancestor of the Hollands of Burwarton

(1) *1. Lord Thurstan de Holand, b. ca. 1190. Feoffment: at annual rent of 12d.: Alan de Wyndhul to Alan his son and his heirs and assigns, except for men of religion and the chief lord – a piece of land within the boundaries of Wyndhul, namely all the land of Wyndyathes which Geoffrey of the same formerly held of him, with all its appurtenances; and all his land with appurtenances in Collay, namely all the land which Ythel formerly held of him on one side of the south road and all the land on the other side of the highway which Robert de Collay previously held of him, with a certain Kar adjoining. Detailed boundaries. Witn.: Lord Thurstan de Holand, Lord Adam his brother, Peter de Burnul, Richard Travers, Henry de Par, Richard de Birches, clerk. 1220, ca. (Lancashire Arch., DDX 877/2/1). Seal.
Grant by Richard de Chernoc to Thomas his son, for ten silver marks which he paid to him in his great necessity of all his right in a moiety of the vill of Chernoc, in demesnes and services, wards, eschaets, homages, woods, plans, mills and millponds, hawks, honey, waters, fisheries, pannage, assarts, and improvements and liberties pertaining to the said vill, To hold as freely as the said Richard and his ancestors held it from the Earl of Ferers and his heirs, paying yearly to the said Richard and to the Earl of Ferers, 2 shillings and one penny. Witn. Warin de Walleton, Richard Banastre, Adam de Holand, Adam de Walleton, William de Worthington, Robert de Cheuington. Temp. John (1199-1215). (Lancashire Arch., DDTA 2).

(2) *1.1. Sir Robert de Holland, b. ca. 1225, m. Elizabeth de Samlesbury (her two sisters were married in 1259). In a typical ploy of 19th century genealogists, Edward Baines described William de Samslesbury as a descendant of Gospatrick de Samsbury (from two to five miles east-north-east of Preston, and four and a half miles west-north-west of Blackburn); equating tenure as defining ancestry, which, to repeat, is a highly variable indicator. The said William “left three coheiresses, by whose marriages the estate was conveyed into three families. Margery married to Robert Haunton, and Cecily to Sir John D’Ewyas, who became lord of Samlesbury. Both were married in 43 Henry III when a charter of free warren in Samlesbyrie was granted to them and their husbands, and to their sister Elizabeth. This was the youngest daughter, who married Sir Robert de Holland, knighted 10 Edward I. (Edward Baines, History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, p. 350, 1836).

For Haunton, read Holden. Petitioners: Alice de Holdene (Holden), wife of William de Holden of Samlesbury. Holdene requests that the king’s bailiffs be commanded to deliver her goods to her and her children as she has nothing to live on. Her husband had the keeping of a manor of Holland’s that had escheated to the king, and her husband and all the goods and chattels of the manor were taken by the Scots to Scotland, and the king’s bailiffs came and took her husband’s goods. People mentioned: William de Holdene (Holden), husband of the petitioner; Robert de Holand (Holland). The petition dates to 1323 on the basis of the dating of an inquisition and close roll entry relating to the petition (CIM 1307-49, no.668; CCR 1323-7, pp.207-8). (SC 8/161/8006).

Of D’Ewyas: Sir John’s son: Nicholas Devyas to settle half the manor of Samlesbury on himself for life, with remainder to Alice daughter of Nicholas Devyas and the heirs of the bodies of Gilbert son of Gilbert Sotheworth and Alice, remainder to the heirs of Nicholas Devyas. Lanc. 19 Edw II. 1325 July 8-1326 July 7. (C 143/182/1).

(3) *1.1.1. “Robert son of Robert Holand”, b. ca. 1255. Grant by Henry de Charnok to Richard de Lughteburgh, of two plots of land in Chorlegh, viz. the one called Les Acres, and the other Rodyhalgh. Witn. Dom. Thomas Banastre, Knt., Sheriff of Lancashire, Dom. Eustace de Codesbeche, Receiver of Lancaster, William of Lee, Adam Banastre, Robert of Holand of Eukeston, Nicholas the Botyller, *Robert son of son Robert Holand, John of Chysenhalle, Roger de Harbergh, clerk. Fri. aft. the Morrow of St. John ante-portam-Latinam 5 May 27 Edw. I (1299). Lancashire Arch., DDTA 15). Agreement: Robert de Holand of Eukeston and John of the Ermitriding : R. leases to J. 5 ac. and a messuage which Robert son of May held, next to the wood of Swyney — in exchange for the land which J. holds of R. in the Ermitriding, Witn. Adam Banastre, Thomas Banastre, Waqin of Clayton, Henry of Chernock Thomas Bussel of Eukeston, Henry of Welley, William of Torp. William of Worthinton, Richard son of Robert of Eukeston, Robert the Clerk. Thurs. in Morrow of Assumption B.V.M. 24 E.1 (16 Aug. 1296) Lancashire Arch., DDCL 120).

This deed records two contemporary Robert Holands, the first being a descendant of Adam de Holland, brother of Thurstan Holland, supra.

Carta Roberti de Holand de grangia in Samlesbury. “Let it be known to all people by these present letters that I, Robert de Holland, have granted, and by this my present charter have confirmed, to the Abbot of Stanlow and to the convent of that same place, free entry and exit with two-wheeled carts, four-wheeled wagons, plows, and other things necessary to them, to their land next to Longley in Samlesbury, and for the building of their grange where the old grange used to be, according to my inspection and my provision, during the autumn harvest time and at any other opportune time. And in the summer time, I have granted to the same [monks] free passage with horses and men without hindrance from me, or from anyone else acting in my name. Provided, however, that the aforesaid Abbot and convent of the same place shall not be able to demand or claim any [other] right or liberty in the said village of Samlesbury by reason of this grant. And I, the said Robert, will warrant all the aforesaid things, just as has been stated above, to the aforesaid Abbot and convent against all men for as long as I shall live. In witness of this matter, I have set my seal to this writing”. Witness: Henry Banastre. .Wednesday, 23rd July 1292. (The Coucher Book, or Chartulary, of Whalley Abbey, Volume I. Editor: W. A. Hulton (Published by the Chetham Society), Charter Number: LIV.).

1.1.1.1. Sir Robert de Holland., b. ca. 1285. By an inquisition ad quod damnum, in the 3 Edward II. (1309-10) it appears that Sir Robert de Holland, whose daughter Margaret married John de la Warre, had a grant of the manor and church of Childwall; and the Lansdowne Feodary, under the head “Parcels of Fees formerly belonging to Thomas de Greslet,” states that Thomas de Lathum knight, Robert de Holland knight, and Thomas de Sotheworth, held of John de la Warre one knight’s fee; of which Thomas de Lathum knight has three carves in Childwall, which Robert de Lathum formerly held of the said fees.

After the death of Sir Thomas de Lathum, Sir John Stanley, who had married his daughter and heir, Isabella, had a confirmation, in 9 Henry IV. (1407-8), of Lathum, Knouslegh, Childewell, Roby, and Anlasargh, all manors belonging to the Lathom family. In the rental of Thomas West, Lord de la Warre (1473), Childwall is entered as held by Lord Stanley for the moiety of the eighth part of a knight’s fee, and a payment for sak-fee of 3s. 6d. annually, and for castle-ward 5s. The inquisition after the death of Thomas, second Earl of Derby, 13 Henry VIII. (1521), states that he held the manors of Childewall, Raynford, and Anlazarghe, of Thomas de la Warre for one fee, and paid 3s.; that the fee was worth £48 13s. 4d.; and that Edward, his son and heir, was aged twelve years.

1.1.1.1.1. Margaret de Holland – married John de la Warre, who inherited Childwall rights. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Sir Roger la Warre, 3rd Baron De La Warr (1326–1370), m. (1) Elizabeth de Welles. 1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas la Warre, 5th Baron De La Warr (ca. 1352–1427) – priest and theologian; died without issue, and settled his estates on his half-sister’s family. 1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Joan la Warre (d. 1404), by Eleanor Mowbray – m. Sir Thomas West, 1st Baron West (1365–1405). Their great-grandson was Thomas West, 8th Baron De La Warr & 5th Baron West (ca. 1457–1525) fought at the Battle of Stoke Field and was made a Knight of the Garter. This is the Thomas de la Warre referenced in the 1521 text, supra, under whom Thomas, 2nd Earl of Derby held the manor of Childwall. The de la Warres were the supreme feudal landlords over the Stanleys.

1. Sir Robert de Lathom – held three carves of land in Childwall. 1.1. Sir Thomas de Lathom – held Childwall from John de la Warre; died before 1407. 1.1.1. Isabella deLathom – dau. and heiress, m. Sir John Stanley. 1.1.1.1. Sir John Stanley. When he secured the manors of Lathom and Knowsley in 1407/8, he became the premier feudal lord of South Lancashire. Under the medieval system of bastard feudalism, lesser gentry families in the surrounding region owed military service and personal loyalty to the dominant local lord rather than directly to the distant Crown. The Holland of Denton estates sat within this Stanley sphere of influence. Because of this proximity, the Hollands became deeply embedded as trusted retainers, military captains, and estate officials for the House of Stanley. 1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Stanley, 1st Lord Stanley held Childwall in the 1473 rental. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby – led the Stanley forces at Bosworth in 1485. 1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of Derby, died 1521; held Childwall.

WILLIAM DE HOLLAND – ancestor of William Holland of Burwarton

(4) *1.1.1.2. William Holland. The waste of Denton is here taken at 240 of the old Lancashire acres, equivalent to nearly 389 statute acres. This waste seems to have been held by the lord of the manor with five other partakers or sharers. Alexander Shoresworth was of the old local family of that name, of Shoresworth, an estate in the township of Pendlebury. Sir William Holland of Denton (a younger brother of Sir Robert de Holland ), had a mistress, Margaret the daughter of Robert de Shoresworth and his wife Cecily de Denton, the daughter and heiress of Sir Alexander de Denton. Margaret’s uncle, Alexander de Shoresworth, held the family properties in trust. Having no surviving direct heirs of his own, he executed a deed around 1325–1326 transferring the capital messuage and lands of the Manor of Denton to Margaret, with the explicit remainder passing to her son, Thurstan. Because of Thurstan’s illegitimate birth, the subsequent Hollands of Denton modified the standard Holland coat of arms (Azure, a lion rampant between a semée of fleurs-de-lis argent) by crossing it with a bend gules (a red diagonal ribbon) to denote the cadet line.

(5) *1.1.1.2.1. Thurstan de Holland of Denton (b. ca. 1300). Sir William endowed Thurstan with the Sharples estate. Margaret later legally transferred her family’s Denton estates to Thurstan, granting him a fourth part of the manor of Denton. Because Thurstan was born out of wedlock, his branch of the family introduced a bend gules (a red diagonal stripe) across the traditional Holland family coat of arms to signify his illegitimate descent.

(6) 1.1.1.2.1.1. Richard Holland of Denton (ca. 1345–1402). Richard Holland, d. July 1, 1402, m. Ameria de Kenyon. His i.p.m. of 1402 revealed that his son, Thurstan de Holland’s age was “thirty years and upward”. (Towneley MS. DD, no. 1461). Ameria de Kenyons brother, John, died without any male issue, allowing Ameria’s husband to pretence her brother’s arms, they being quartered for their son, Thurstan Holland to bear his parents’ arms. (Richard assumed the Kenyon estates, allowing their son Thurstan to quarter the Kenyon arms (Sable, a cross lozengy argent) with Holland.

(7) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Thurstan Holland, b. ca. 1370, d. ca. 1410. Arms: Quarterly: 1, 4. Azure (semée of fleurs-de-lis), a lion rampant guardant, between six fleurs-de-lis, argent, over all a bend gules (Holland); 2, 3. Sable, a cross lozengy argent, over all a bend gobonated argent and gules (Kenyon). (3) Crest: Out of a ducal coronet or, demi-lion, rampant guardant, argent, collared gules, holding in the dexter gamb a fleur-de-lis argent.

While the bend gules began as a mark of illegitimacy for the Denton branch, it quickly evolved into a proud, legitimate cadency mark distinguishing the Hollands of Denton from the main Upholland line. By the 15th century, it was treated as a hereditary family bearing, not a mark of active shame.

(8) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Thurstan Holland, b. ca. 1405. (1) Thurstan de Holland and Agnes, his late wife, (2), Richard de Holland, son of Thurstan. Feoffment from (1) to (2) of land in Prestwich called le Rodonheys. (2) to hold the aforesaid land for 24 years, rendering annually to (1) 20 pounds sterling at the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptis. 1429/30. (M.C.R.O, E4/5/13/4).

(9) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Holland (b. ca. 1430), m. Elizabeth Southworth (b. ca. 1430; d. Dec. 21, 1472). She was the dau. of Sir Thomas Southworth (b. ca. 1392, d. 1432), and Jane, dau. of John Booth, of Barton, Esq., and Joanna, dau. of Sir Henry Trafford, Kt.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Holland Esq. (b. ca. 1455), m. a dau. of Sir William Harrington, as by deed of 1468. Receipt of Richard Holland, esq., to Sir William Haryngton for money in part payment for the marriage of Richard Holland, his son, on

Dec. 20, 1468. (Manchester University Library, CLD/465). William Harrington’s sister, Isabell, m. Sir John Stanley, Sheriff of Anglesey (d. 1437). Their grandson, Sir William Stanley (d. 1494/5), chamberlain to Henry VII, commanded Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, being in charge of the men of his kinsman, Richard Corbet, who was well served by William Holland, who was rewarded with half of his master’s manor of Burwarton, Shropshire.

(Sir Richard Corbet m. Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Walter Devereux, Lord Ferrers; she m. (2) Thomas Leighton, who, by his mistress, Ann Baker, had a dau. who was the matriarch of the Harris family of Ludlow, from whence: Mary Harris Ligon, bapt. 1625, depsed to be of age 64 in 1689, and her brother, Major William Harris, bapt. 1627/8, in Ludlow, children of John Harris, son of Rowland Harris and Jane Langford.

(10) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. William Holland of Burwarton (ca. 1460–1506) – fought at the Battle of Bosworth Field (1485), under Sir Richard Corbet and the Stanley family nexus. He m. Matilda verch William, as follows.

Thurstan Holland, b. ca. 1370, d. ca. 1410. Arms: Quarterly: 1, 4. Azure (semée of fleurs-de-lis), a lion rampant guardant, between six fleurs-de-lis, argent

Holland of Burfwarton, 1623, Visitaton ARMS: Harl. 1396.-Azure, semée of plates and a lion rampant-guardant within a bordure argent.

It is structurally and historically certain that these two coats of arms represent branches of the same parent family, originating from the medieval Holland of Upholland, Lancashire. In the language of heraldry, the Holland of Burwarton arms are a textbook example of heraldic cadency. This is the deliberate modification (differencing) of an original family coat of arms to denote a younger, cadet branch of the family line.

Thurstan Holland (ca. 1370–1410). Field: Azure (Blue). Primary Charge: A lion rampant guardant (Silver/White). Secondary Charges: Semée of fleurs-de-lis (scattered lily flowers). Bordure None.

Holland of Burwarton (1623 Visitation). Field: Azure (Blue) Primary Charge: a lion rampant guardant (Silver/White). Secondary Charge: Semée of plates (Scattered silver/white discs).

A bordure argent (A silver border around the shield) for a differenc. Adding a bordure argent (silver border) is one of the most common medieval practices to differentiate a cadet branch from the main family tree. While the main branch used fleurs-de-lis (often associated with the main line’s historical connections to the House of Lancaster), the Burwarton line substituted them with plates (silver roundels). Swapping minor background scattering items while retaining the same colors (tinctures) and main beast was standard for provincial cadet lines.

WILLIAM HOLLAND MARRIED MATILDA VERCH WILLIAM

Lewys Dwnn, Heraldic Visitations of Wales and Part of the Marches; between the years 1586 and 1613, edited by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick (published by the Welsh MSS. Society, Llandovery, 1846, vol. 1, p. 177. Collections Historical & Archaeological Relating to Montgomeryshire (published by the Powys-land Club, specifically vols 6 and 22; tracing the Gwenwys clan (via Gwenhwyfar) who married into the family of the Lords of Guilsfield/Nantcribba (descended from Griffith ap Beli), which ultimately transitioned into the Anglo-Welsh border family of Williams of Willaston. The pedigree for Sir Gruffudd Vychan and the Lloyds of Leighton can be cross-examined in Dwnn, vol. 1, pages 301 and 314. References to the broader family branches intertwined with the Montgomeryshire Sheriffs (such as the Lloyds of Talgarth) are detailed in vol. 1, p. 303.

1. Griffith ap Beli. 2. Gwyn ap Griffith, Lord of Guilsfield, m. Annest, dau. of Einion Vichan ap Einion ap Ieva. 3. Griffith ap Gwyn. 4. Pasgen ap Gwyn, m. Nest, verch Llewelyn (Vichan). 5. Meuric ap Pasgen, m. Gwervyl, verch Ieuan Koch ap Rhys Gwnley, Lord of Marton. 6. Adam (Adda) ap Meuric, an official of Powys in the 1270’s. 7. David ap Adam. 8. Owen ap David. 9. Cadwallader ap Owen. 10. Katherine, verch Cadwallader ap Owen, m. (1430) David ap Griffith. She was the sister of: “Meredith ap Cadwalader who was a feoffee of the Barony of Caus. Humphrey Stafford, Constable of England, sixth Earl of Stafford, first Duke of Buckingham, and Baron of Caus, sixth in descent from Robert de Stafford, who married Alice, daughter and eventual co-heiress of Sir Thomas Corbet, Baron of Caus, granted to his dearly beloved tenant and servant Meredith ap Cadwalader ap Owen and Gwenhoyvar his wife, and their heirs, male and female, for ever, for their good services performed and to be performed, all the lands, fallen to the said Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham, by escheat forfeiture or otherwise, of Howell ap Griffith ap Ririd, in our lordship of Nethirgorthon.

William ap David, m. (ca. 1460) Gwenhever, verch David Lloyd ap Sir Griffith Vichan. 12. Reginald ap William (Williams) of Willaston, m Margaret Lee, dau. of Fulkc Lee of Langley and Elizabeth, dau. of John Leighton of Wattlesborough, son of Sir Thomas Leighton, father of Margaret Leighton, wife of John Harris, ancestors of Major William Harris and Mary (Harris) Ligon. 13. Lowrie verch Reginald, m. Thomas Purslowe. 12. Matilda verch William, m. William Holland.

(11) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Holland, b. ca. 1485, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William “Wawll”. (Treswell’s Vis. Shrop., 1623). The following pedigree is a correction of a previous suggestion which took “Wawll” to equate with Wheathill.

1. Wall of Faintree, Downton, etc. Harl. 1396, fo. 331b. Harl. 1241, fo. 161. ARMS: Harl. 1396.- per fesse or and azure, a fesse counter-embattled between three fleurs-de-lis counterchanged. CREST. Out of a mural crown or, a wolf’s head argent, gorged with a fesse counter-embattled of the first (gules). These arms and crest were granted 9 July 1584. John Wall of Faintree Hall, m. the dau. & sole h. to…. Wall of Barton com. Salop. 1.1. Robert Wall, m. a dau. of Cressett of Upton Cressett.

(1. Hugh Cressett (ca. 1400–1445) – Lancastrian Royal Commissioner, Sheriff of Shropshire. 1.1. Robert Cressett, Esq. (ca. 1419–1490), m. Christian Stapleton. 1.1.1. Thomas Cressett, Esq. (ca. 1455–1520), m. Jane Corbet, dau. of Sir Roger Corbet (ca. 1415–1467), and Elizabeth Hopton (ca. 1426–1498), who m. (3) Sir William Stanley (who placed the crown on Henry VII’s head at the Battle of Bosworth). Jane Corbet had m. (1) John Twynyho (a wealthy burgess and merchant) around 1464. He died shortly after October 1475. 1.1.1.1. Robert Cressett, Esq., d. ca. 1570), m. Katherine Charlton. 1.1.1.1.1. … Cresset, m. Robert Wall, Esq.).

Jane Corbet’s brother was Sir Richard Corbet (1451–1493), of Moreton Corbet, married to Elizabeth Devereux. Following his death, in 1493, she remarried in 1494 to Sir Thomas Leighton, making him the step-father to Jane Corbet’s nieces and nephews, and directly linked him as Jane’s brother-in-law by marriage. Thomas Leighton’s illigitimate dau., Margaret, m. John ap Harry (John Harris); ancestors of the siblings, Mary Harris Ligon and Major William Harris.

1.1.1. John Wall, third son, m. a dau. of Thomas (Twynhoe). 1.1.1.1. John Wall, son and heir, m. a dau, of Knowles. 1.1.1.1.1. William Wall, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Ardren/Arden, of Billingsley, Salop. 1.1.1.1.1.1. John Wall of Faintree, m, Ann, dau. of Thomas Purslow of Sidbury.

(1. Thomas Purslowe (ca. 1480 – 1525) m. Lora, daughter of “William ap David”. (Visitation). The Harleian Society lists her as Lowrie, daughter of Reignold ap William ap David. If this alternative record is accurate, it would mean Lora was William’s granddaughter and the sister of Thomas Williams, the eventual High Sheriff of Shropshire and Montgomeryshire 1.1 Robert Purslow (ca. 1505-1571), m. Margery Sparke. 1.1.1 John Purslow (ca. 1530-1594), m. (1) Anne Eyton, (2) Dorothy Blount*. 1.1.1.1. Robert Purslowe of Sidbury, Esq.)

1.1.1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Wall, m. Thomas Holland.

The family of Ardren/Arden of Billingsley, Salop (Shropshire) belongs to a prominent branch of the Arden family of Park Hall, Warwickshire. Thomas Ardren, a younger son of the Park Hall line, moved to Shropshire and established himself at Billingsley (3-4 miles from Pickthorne). He m. Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Andrew of Charwelton The ancestry is verified through their quartered coat of arms. The Ardern/Arden family of Billingsley bore the traditional heraldic markings of the Warwickshire house: a Fesse chequy or and azure Because they stem from the main line of Ardens of Park Hall, the Ardens of Billingsley share the exact same patrilineal ancestry as Mary Arden, the mother of William Shakespeare. Mary belonged to the Wilmcote branch of the same family tree, linking the Billingsley Ardens directly to the great playwright. The legendary claim of the Ardens to descend from a Saxon noble can be dismissed without need to comment.

1. Sir John Talbot, of Albrighton,* Sheriff of Shrop. (d. 1549), m. (1) Margaret, dau. of Adam Troutbeck, of Mobberley, Cheshire. 1.1. Constance Talbot, m. Sir George Blount, of Kinlet.* She was the sister of Margaret Talbot, who m. (1) Sir Richard Ligon, of Arle, Madresfield, brother of Thomas Ligon, who m. Frances Dennys (cousin), having issue: Thomas Ligon, who m. (Oct. 10, 1602), Elizabeth Pratt; having issue: Col. Thomas Ligon, who m. Mary Harris, born in 1625 in Ludlow, by deposition, sister of Major William Harris, of Virginia. By his first wife, Mary Russell, Sir Richard Ligon had issue: Katharine Ligon, who m. Fleetwood Dormer, Esq., who m. (2) Mary Harris, second-cousin of the said Mary and William Harris. 1.1.1. Dorothy Blount, m. (Feb. 1576/7), John Purslowe, of Sidbury. 1.1.1.1. Katherine Purslowe, m. Richard Hill, of Bickley. 1.1.1.1.1. Dorothy Hill, m. John Holland, son of Michael Holland of Pickthorne and his kinswoman, Jane, ‘fil. Adam Detton de Detton’. Michael Holland was the son of Thomas Holland, son of William Holland and Alice Detton, sister of Robert Detton, of Detton, in Neen Savage, who m. Mary Kettleby, having issue: George Detton (bur. June 11, 1619), who m. Anne (dau. of Walter ap Thomas), bur. Sept 8, 1613; their dau., Frances Detton (bapt. Sept. 24, 1577), m. Rev. William Berkeley, half-brother of Edmund Berkeley, whose dau, Christabel, m. John Garner. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Holland, m. Elizabeth Kettleby. 1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Michael Holland of Goochland*.

1.Sir John Talbot, of Albrighton m. (2) Elizabeth, dau. of *Walter Wrottesley. 1.2. Margaret Talbot, m. Richard Ligon. 1.2.1. John Ligon, of Arle, m. his cousin, Elizabeth, dau. of Arnold Ligon. 1.2.1.1. Katharine Ligon, m. Fleetwood Dormer, Esq., who m. (2) Mary Harris, niece of Rowland Harris, and first-cousin of John Harris, father of Mary Harris, born in 1625, and William Harris, born in 1627.

(12) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Holland, of Burwarton, b. ca. 1520, bur. 1590, in Burwarton, m. Alice, dau. of John Detton.

(13) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Holland, of Pickthorne, m. (Dec. 27, 1573, in Wheathill), Alice Cocke (second-cousin of Richard Cocke of Pickthorne (in Stottesdon), Shropshire, and Bremo, Virginia. “Indenture dated Sept. 20, 1598. Between (1) Robert Purslowe of Sudbury, Esq., (2) Thomas Holland of Pyckthorne gent. & Ales his wife. Covenant to levy a Fine & Recovery of the capital messuage or farm in Pickthorne called the farm of Pickthorne, with the motte or pool adjoining & all lands etc. … to the use of Thomas Holland for the lives of Ales, Michael H, & John H. (son)”. (S.A., 6000/1918).

(14) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Michael Holland, of Pickthorne.

(15) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. John Holland, m. Dorothy, dau. of Richard Hill, of Bickley, and Katherine (b. ca. 1582), dau. of John Purslowe, of Sudbury, and his second wife (m. Feb. 1576/7), Dorothy, dau. of George Blount, of Kinlet, and Constance Talbot, half-sister of Margaret Talbot, who m. (1) Sir Richard Ligon, of Arle, Madresfield, Worcestershire, son of William Ligon and Eleanor Denys.

(16) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Holland. bapt. May 15, 1648, bur. Dec. 29, 1694, in Nene Savage, who m. Elizabeth Kettleby, in 1678, almost certainly the parents of Michael Holland of Goochland.

(17) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Michael Holland of Goochland, born ca. 1685 in Nene Savage, but, because of the incompleteness of parish records, not recorded. However, by the immutable law of this period – that of continuation of kinship association, and resultant shared settlement patterns – he can be firmly placed within the sphere of the Harris family of Ludlow. Michael Holland of Goochland, descendant of the Hollands of Pickthorne, Shropshire, who intermarried with a second-cousin of Richard Cocke of Bremo, and had familial relations with the Harris family of Ludlow, Shropshire, from whence the children of John Harris: Mary Harris Ligon ( baptised in 1625 in Ludlow), and Major William Harris (baptised there in 1627/8), neighbour of the said Richard Cock.

THE HOLLAND AND COCKE ASSOCIATION continued

In Goochland County land transfers from the 1730s and 1740s, Bowler Cocke (a direct descendant of Richard Cocke through the Malvern Hills branch) is recorded owning land directly bordering properties next to Michael Holland’s network. For instance, a 1739 land tract south of the James River places Bowler Cocke’s line directly next to the properties of local planters connected to Holland’s primary holdings. Goochland County Deed Book 3, p. 391 (19 September 1738): Deed from John Twitty to Robert Bernard for 400 acres on the south side of the James River on Deep Creek, explicitly noted as “bounded by Bowler Cocke”. Goochland County Deed Book No. 2, pp. 114–115: Records land transactions where Michael Holland’s property lines directly interface with the surrounding parcels of these same boundary tracts. In Goochland County Court records from November 1744, Benjamin Cocke (another prominent descendant of the Bremo line) was appointed as the Surveyor of the road running from “Pleasants’ Beaverdam Bridge to Little Lickinghole”. This put Benjamin Cocke in charge of infrastructure directly cutting through and serving Michael Holland’s home plantations.

Transportation Research Council (VTRC) Historic Road Orders: Goochland County Road Orders (1728–1744), edited by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett. Court Order of July 1742 (O.S., p. 85 & p. 111): Benjamin Cocke, Gent., is appointed alongside local overseers including “Cauthon, Overseer for Michael Holland” and “Michl. Holland Junr.” to coordinate infrastructure around the Willis River and Lickinghole Creek precincts. Library of Virginia Land Office Patents: Records a 1744 dual land tract grant to Michael Holland and an adjacent 370-acre patent to Benjamin Cocke in Goochland County. Michael Holland’s daughter, Judith Holland, married David Parrish. Their daughter, Martha Holland Parrish (Michael Holland’s granddaughter), born in Goochland in 1758, married James Cocke IV (a direct descendant of Richard Cocke of Bremo) on 25 November 1774 in St. James Northam Parish.

1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Holland b. ca. 1725, m. Sarah Hudson, dau of Charles Hudson and Sarah Royall.
(18) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. John Holland Sr. (ca. 1714–1773), m. Martha Meeks. (See – https://shorturl.at/YS4qK

1. Will of Richard Meeke, Yeoman of Upton Bishop, Herefordshire, probated July 12, 1671; to wife Elizabeth, his estate, afterwards to son William. 1.1.William Meek, b. ca. 1660. 1.1.1. John Meek,* bapt. Feb. 28, 1685/6, son of William and Ann. William was the first cousin of Henry Meek Sr., as follows, who supported the claim of Thomas Kettleby clerk, to the tithes of Avenbury, who was the brother-in-law of Thomas Holland, who had m. his sister, Elizabeth; they being the almost certain parents of Michael Holland of Goochland, father of John Holland*. John Meeks witnessed the 1718 will of Paul Harrelson, father-in-law of Henry Chiles, Jr., whose dau. Susannah Chiles m. James Walker, parents of Mary Walker wife of Hezekiah Holland, son of John Holland and Martha Meeks. 1.1.1.1. Martha Meek b, ca. 1715, m. *John Holland, son of Michael Holland.

(19) * 1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Hezekiah Holland, born on June 14, 1742, in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland. Hezekiah Holland Sr. m. Mary Walker on 20 February 1765 St. James Northam Parish Register (The Douglas Register). The Will of Hezekiah Holland Sr. (dated and proved in 1816) is recorded in Fluvanna County Will Book 2, pages 207, 259–264, and 361. It names his wife Mary (Walker) and his children. Mary Walker was the granddaughter of Henry Chiles.

It would not be surprising if the family of Chiles were of Ludlow, with their name being a variation of Childe. The “d” sound in Childes was naturally dropped in certain regional accents, including Shropshire. (P. H. Reaney, R. M. Wilson : A Dictionary of English Surnames, p. 646, 2006).

1. John Childe, b. ca. 1490. 1.1. Richard Childe, b. ca. 1515. 1.1.1 Alice Childe, m. Robert Bedoe, Oct. 8, 1558. 1.1.2. Richard Chlde, b. ca. 1545, bur. Aug. 20, 1578. 1.1.2.1. Henry Childe, b. ca. 1570, bur. August 26, 1624. 1616-1617, Churchwardens of St. Lawrence, Ludlow – Thomas Colricke, and Henry Childe. (Trans. Shrop. Arch., p. 115, 1890. 1.1.2.1.1. Roger Childe, m. Margaret Corbet, 27 May 1618. 1.1.2.1.2. Thomas Childe, m. Frances Nichols, 9 Feb 1618/9; probably related to Henry

Nichols, father of John Nichols, bapt. 28 Oct 1662. It is not known, but is almost a “known unknown”, that this John was the father of this namesake: “Ordered that Majr. ffleming (Tarlton Fleming) & Capt Bedford do View the road between Robert Hughes & John Nichols and make report to the next Court. 21 December 1742. B. 5, p. 181. On September 12, 1738, John Nichols received a patent for 400 acres of new land in Goochland County. The legal description places this tract on the south side of the James River along the branches of Muddy Creek, directly adjoining lines held by Thomas Carter and John Pleasants. On May 15, 1744, John Nichols and Mary Nichols appeared in Goochland County court to officially swear to and prove the Last Will and Testament of their neighbor, William Dillon Sr John Pleasants was the brother of Thomas Pleasants,* as follows.

William Langford (second-cousin of Major William Harris) was a neighbour of Henry and John Fleming (S.A., C 5/482/9). The Flemmings were benefactors of Diddlesbury Church. Henry Fleming was born in 1624. His Will was proved in 1656 (P.C.C. Wootton 124, 294), which mentioned his “brother Fleming” and “brother (in-law) Bassett”. The salient point is that Henry Fleming’s brother was probably the John Fleming who died in New Kent county, April 27, 1686, whose son, Charles Fleming, owned land land next to his cousin, William Basset, whose Will was proved May 14, 1724. Charles Fleming m. Susanna Tarleton, having issue: Tarlton Fleming.

William Langford m. Jane Jordan, of Stone Acton, Shropshire. (See Deed declaring the use of a fine levied by Edward Lutwyche: (Shrp. Arch., 5001/4/1/4). Samuel Jordan was likely to be of the family Stone Acton: Will of Samuel Jordan of New Kent Co., probated June 11, 1719: ‘being weak of body … It is my will that my beloved friend (br.-in-law) John Fleming have the plantation of Thomas Langford dec’d, & the management of his estate & the bringing up of his son Thomas Langford as wholely to himself … executors wife Elizabeth (Fleming) Jordan, friends Charles Fleming, John Fleming, Tarlton Woodson, and *Thomas Pleasants’. William Harris, son of Major William Harris, was involved in the determination of the lands of Thomas Langford, February 26, 1731. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 214-215), a descendant of his grandmother’s brother.

1.1.2.1.2.1. Thomas Child, m. Margerie. 1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Edward Child, bapt. 16 Jun 1644. 1.1.2.1.2.1.2. John Child, born ca. 1650, it is presumed, registers not taken, poorly taken, or lost, during interregnum; had a patent for land in New Kent County, on Crump’s Creek, 1n 1690. 1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1. Henry Chiles of King William County received a patent for 400 acres in Henrico County on 13 October 1727, which was situated on the north side of the James River, the east side of Licking Hole Creek. 1.1.2.1.2.2. Bridget Childe, m. John Evans, bapt. Nov. 14, 1613, on 10 Aug 1637.

1.1.2.1.2.2.1. .John Evans, b. c.a. 1640, d. April 2, 1690. John Evans Sr. for & inconsideration of the love and affection he beareth to his son in law Robert and daughter Winnifred give to Robert Hick and Winnifred his wife … part of a patent of about five hundred sixty acres formerly taken up by the said Evans bounded by the line of Majr. Genll Woods land now belong to ye Jones. Wit: Hen. Randolph,* James Cocke. At a Court for the 2nd of 1690, Mary, wife of John Evans, relinquished her right of dower in the said lands conveyed. Wit.: Wm. Vaughan, James Adams, and James Cocke (the son of Thomas Cocke (named as a “friend” in the Will of Major William Harris, bapt. in 1627 in Ludlow), son of Richard Cocke, of Bremo, whose second-cousin, Alice, was the ancestor of Michael Holland, of Lickinghole Creek. While popular colonial genealogies frequently attribute all Virginia Chiles lines to Colonel Walter Chiles of Jamestown (c. 1638), chronological analysis of the Shropshire parish registers suggests a separate, distinct migration path for the Goochland County branch. The 9 Feb 1618/9 marriage of Thomas Childe and Frances Nichols provides a highly localized, phonetically sound, and chronologically consistent timeline that directly aligns with the later migration of John Chiles (b. ca. 165o) and the tightly knit Evans/Harris kinship network in Virginia.

(20) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Hezekiah Holland Jr., son of Hezekiah Holland Sr. (grandson of Michael Holland Sr.), m.Frances Harris, dau. of George Harris.

(21) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. George H. Holland (1801–1847), m. Louise Harpole, 31 Jan. 1842, in Warren County, Kentucky.

(22) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Margaret Tranquelia Holland, b. 10 April 1845, in Warren County, m. James C. Potter on 19 March 1867, in Warren Co.

(23) *1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Herschel Everett Potter, born in August 29, 1875, m. Mary Emeline Harris on 12 January 1897.

1.John Harris, m. Margaret Leighton, b. ca. 1485, illigitimate dau. of Sir Thomas Leighton and his mistress, Anne Baker. 1.1. Richard Harris, b. ca. 1508, m. Eleanor Jennyns, dau. of Thomas Jennyns, of Wallybone, Shropshire 1.1.1. John Harris, esq. (of Cruckton), b. ca. 1540, m. Elizabeth, dau. Thomas Prowde, of Shrewsbury. (See recent article, re “the true ancestry of Major William Harris and Mary harris Ligon”). 1.1.1.1. Richard Harris, b. ca. 1575, obit. 1631, m. Anna Smallman, obit. 1650, dau. of Thomas Smallman of Wilderhope.

1.1.1.1.1. Mary Harris, b. ca. 1620, Lady Dormer, m. (in 1673, as second wife), Fleetwood Dormer, b. May 21, 1616, son of Sir Fleetwood Dormer (obit. February 1, 1638), and Mary Isham. She was the aunt of Henry Isham, who resided at Bermuda Hundred, Henrico Co., who m. Katherine Banks, relict of Joseph Royal; their issue being: (1) Henry Isham* (obit. 1678), (2) Anne Isham, who m. Col. Francis Eppes, (3) Mary Isham, who m. Col. William Randolph, named as a ‘friend’ in the Will of Major William Harris, as was Thomas Cocke, son of Richard Cocke of Bremo. Fleetwood Dormer’s first wife was Katherine Ligon, second-cousin of Thomas Ligon, whose son and namesake married Mary Harris*.
1.1.1.2. Arthur Harris, m. Jane Newton, of Prescot, Shropshire.

1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, Esq., of Prescot, m. (1632), Alice Holland, dau. of William Holland, bapt. (1574) at Burwarton, and buried there in 1642 (Will proved P.C.C. 94 Campbell), son of Thomas Holland, bur. (1612) at Stottesden, and Alicia, ‘fil. Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne’ (Will pr. P.C.C. 19 Capell, 1613); styled ‘of Pickthorne’, second-cousin of Richard Cocke, b. 1597, in Pickthorne, Stottesdon; bapt. December 13, 1597 at Sidbury, Shropshire; obit. Bremo Bluff, Henrico, 1665. His Will was witnessed by Col. William Randolph, aforementioned.

1.1.1.3. Rowland Harris, third son, of Ludlow, b. 1605, d. 1665, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567. 1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604, m Margaret Holland, dau. of Roger Holland and Eleanor Lewis, who m. Jan. 13, 1598, in Ludlow. Roger Holland was almost certainly a grandson of John Holland of Ludlow. (1. John Sherman and Thomas Candlande, Bailiffs of the Corporation of Ludlow. 2. John Holland, Ludlow, Mercer. 1-2 ‘ All that close or pasture…at the upper end of the Mill…Term : 21 years. Rent : 5s. 23 Feb 1577. Shrop. Arch., LB/4/1/93), probable uncle of Thomas Holland who m. Alice Cocke..

1.1.2.1.1. Mary Harris Ligon, bapt. in Ludlow, Shropshire, St. Lawrence, April 3, 1625, In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. 1.1.2.1.2. Major William Harris, bapt. in Ludlow, Shropshire, St. Lawrence, Jan. 13, 1627/8. On June 22, 1663, acquired 450 ac. in Henrico County, on the north side of the James River, to a 4 mile creek, called by name “the Slashes”, adj. to Daniel Llewellin, E. upon the Malverne Hills plantation of Richard Cocke, p. 304. His widow m. George Alves.

1.1.2.1.2.1.William Harris* (b. ca. 1671), was involved in the determination of the lands of Thomas Langford, descendant of Jane Langford’s br., Feb. 26, 1731. (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 214-215). William Harris, named in father’s Will of 1678 as an infant. He moved to New Kent Co., as evidenced on Aug. 1, 1694, when Hugh Ligon, son of Mary Harris, witnessed an acknowledgment of debt by William Harris, son of Major William Harris, decd. of New Kent County to Sarah Knibb of Henrico (B. 5, p. 508).

C. G. Chamberlayne, ed., The Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, 1706-1786 (Richmond: Virginia State Library and Archives 1989, p. 213, Precinct 15.; “The Lands of George Alves, *William Harris, Thomas Harden, Theophilus Watson, George Marr, & Jos. Hamilton, lying Adjacent to each Other, being made one precinct, of which the Sd. George Alves and William Harris are appointed Overseers, who made this return on the Back of the Order viz. The within Order Executed by all, only Thomas Casey instead of George Marr, and Adam Rutherford instead of Joseph Hamilton. Subscrib’d George Alves and William Harris”. Date Ordered: September 24, 1708.Date Returned: March 14, 1708/09 (often cited historically as March 14, 1709). This record tracks the property lines during the first decade of the parish’s existing records. This precinct features William Harris acting as an overseer alongside his stepfather, George Alves.

1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris*. p. 265. “The Lands of Mr. Geo Alves, Thos. Harris, Geo. Harris, Rich’d Clough, Geo. Dabney Junr., John Crenshaw & David Crenshaw, of which Mr. Geo Alves and Thos. Harris were Overseers who made this return, the above Order perform’d. Geo. Alves, Tho. Harris”. Date Ordered: October 10, 1719. Date Returned: Early 1720 (returns for this specific cycle were officially recorded back to the vestry between January and April 1720). This entry occurs one cycle after the 1715 processioning and represents a shift in the local neighbourhood generation. This precinct features Thomas Harris and George Harris, alongside George Alves, their step-grandfather.

Thomas Harris, b, ca, 1695, m. Mary Jefferson (1701–1784), President Thomas Jefferson’s paternal aunt (the sister of his father, Peter Jefferson, b. 1708), supra. The sons of Thomas Harris and Mary Jefferson were first-cousins to President Thomas Jefferson, and their sons (Mary’s grandsons) were his first cousins once removed. Proceeding generations – First cousins twice removed to President Thomas Jefferson – First cousins three times removed to President Thomas Jefferson – First cousins four times removed to President Thomas Jefferson.

Please note, this is not a false internet account which confounds Mary Jefferson (1701–1784) with an earlier, supposed namesake, stemming from a 19th- and 20th-century chronological forced fit, weaponised by a misread primary record from December 1697. In order to make Major William Harris’s son, Thomas (deceased bef. I August 1692), the husband of a Mary Jefferson, “genealogists” fabricated a “Mary Jefferson” born around 1679, and assigned her as the daughter of Thomas Jefferson I, and wedded her to the 1730 Thomas Harris, who was actually the grandson of Major William Harris, via his son, William Harris. This fabricated lineage was canonised in print during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and, later, through unverified, subscription-based “vanity.genealogies”, which cleanly copied over all the real children belonging to the 1701 Mary Jefferson to the fabricated one. Because being related to a U.S. President added immense social prestige, thousands of families across America eagerly copied this printed tree into family Bibles and local historical society applications. (It was not the Bible that told you it was so). Once the correct family line (the 1701 Mary and 1695 Thomas) was fed into early search algorithms, the “Consensus Engine” noticed the exact matching children’s names. The algorithm merged the two timelines, completely swallowing the real, later timeline and defaulting to the older, published myth. The paper trail is the only real truth teller we have against the digital echo chamber, and the paper trail itself needs to be authentic, for the quality of most genealogy references is abysmal. (A famous, early antiquarian compiled his ancestries by writing to the landed gentry, then faithfully transcribing the replies. Needless to say, all families claimed to be descendants of “companions of the Conqueror”. This antiquarian and his copyist counterparts are still given as a source of reference today by those claiming to be academic).

1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. James Harris, m. Sarah Bailey.

BAILEY

1 … 1.1. William Bailey (ca. 1690–1762 – relocated to the south side of the James River into what became Cumberland County. 111. William Baily Jr. (ca. 1720 – after 1755) – the planter who purchased 100 acres of land from Ralph Hudspeth on 27 November 1752 – fully recorded 27 November 1755 .(Cumberland County Deed Book 2, p. 24). Neighbouring lines included Colonel William Randolph II. 1.1.2. Sarah Bailey ( ca. 1725 – after 1774), m. James Harris. 1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris. 1.1.2.2. William Harris. 1.1.2.3. James Harris. 1.1.2.4. Francis Harris. 1.1.2.5. John Harris. Bequests to: “beloved son Thomas, after five years, upper part of plantation where I live, next to Amonet and Benjamin Harris” — “£500 for that purpose should be divided equally between my five sons: Thomas, James, John, William, and Francis and their legal representatives” … “wife Sarah to have lower part of my land where I now live during her widowhood” … “Executors: Wife, son Thomas, brothers Benjamin and William Harris”. 15 Jul 1774, final ccount of estate of James Harris, deceased: legacies to John, William, Francis, Mary … “portion due Mrs. Harris”.

1.1.2.1.2.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, bapt. Nov. 27, 1698, in St. Peters Parish, New Kent Co., m. John Hudson, br. of Charles Hudson.* John Hudson held land adj. the 1,000 ac. patented by Charles Fleming, 0ct. 26, 1690, on Mattadequin Creek, see transaction dated May 5, 1735. betw. ‘Sam’l Weldon to Wm Alsup’, which shows John Hudson to be deceased (Hanover Co., ‘The Small Book’, 1734-1735). * On 14 June 1734, Michael Holland and Charles Hudson co-patented 6,000 acres in Goochland County on Ivy Creek. 1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. William Hudson, b. ca. 1719, in New Kent Co.; d. April 21, 1800. 1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Hudson, m. George Harris*. 1.1.2.1.2.1.3. *George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish.

1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1. William Harris, b. ca. 1725, of Wolf Swamp, St. Martins Parish, Hanover Co., first appeared in the land tax list in 1762. Property taxes of William Harris in 1799 and 1800 were listed as ‘William Harris estate on Buffelow‘. His estate was last mentioned in 1805, when Graves Harris and George Harris were involved as executors of the estate. 1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1.1. Graves Harris (b. ca. 1755), m. Elizabeth Baldwin, dau. of John Baldwin Jr. July 22, 1797, who witnessed a deed (July 22, 1797), with Richard Ligon and Thomas Ligon, concerning “Ligons Town” (Amelia co., D.B. 20, pp. 303-4). These Ligons were sons of William Ligon III., d. bef. Oct. 27, 1796, in Amelia Co., son of Wiliam Ligon II, d. 1764, in Amelia Co; son of Maj. William Ligon and Mary Tanner; son of Colonel Thomas Ligon, son of Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow.

1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1.2. *George Harris (b. ca. 1750), m. Sarah Hudson, granddau. of John Hudson and Elizabeth Harris (bapt. Nov. 27, 1698, in St. Peters Parish, New Kent Co.), sister of George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish, grandchildren of Major William Harris, d. 1678, brother of Mary Harris, who m. Thomas Ligon.

A SUMMARY CHART – each link in the chain validates all others.

1. Mary Harris, m. Thomas Ligon, sister of: 1. Major William Harris. 1.1. William Harris. 1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. 1698. m. John Hudson, br. of Charles Hudson, co-patented with Michael Holland of 6,000 acres in Goochland County on Ivy Creek. John Hudson’s granddau., Sarah, m. George Harris*. 1.1.2. George Harris, b. 1701. 1.1.2.1. William Harris, b. ca. 1725, of Wolf Swamp, St. Martins Parish, Hanover Co. Graves Harris and George Harris (sons) were involved as executors of the estate. 1.1.2.1. * George Harris, m. Sarah Hudson, granddau. of John Hudson and Elizabeth Harris (bapt. Nov. 27, 1698, in St. Peters Parish, New Kent Co.), sister of George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish, grandchildren of Major William Harris, d. 1678, brother of Mary Harris, who m. Thomas Ligon.

1.1. *Hugh Ligon. on Aug. 1, 1694, when Hugh Ligon, son of Mary Harris, witnessed an acknowledgment of debt by William Harris, son of Major William Harris, decd. of New Kent County to Sarah Knibb of Henrico (B. 5, p. 508). Hugh Ligon was the great-uncle of William Ligon III. Richard and Thomas Ligon mentioned in the 1797 “Ligons Town” deed were William Ligon III’s sons, making them Hugh Ligon’s great-grandnephews. 1.2. Colonel Thomas Ligon. 1.2.1. Maj. William Ligon, m. Mary Tanner. 1.2.1.1. Wiliam Ligon II, d. 1764, in Amelia Co. 1.2.1.1.1. William Ligon III., d. bef. Oct. 27, 1796, in Amelia Co. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Richard Ligon and Thomas Ligon. Graves Harris witnessed a deed (July 22, 1797), with Richard Ligon and Thomas Ligon, concerning “Ligons Town” (Amelia co., D.B. 20, pp. 303-4).

FRANCES HARRIS – great-grandmother of Herschel Everett Potter, who m. Mary Emeline Harris:

1.1.2.1.1. Frances Harris, m. Hezekiah Holland Jr., son of Hezekiah Holland Sr. (grandson of Michael Holland Sr.). Hezekiah Holland Sr. m. Mary Walker on 20 February 1765 St. James Northam Parish Register (The Douglas Register). The Will of Hezekiah Holland Sr. (dated and proved in 1816) is recorded in Fluvanna County Will Book 2, pages 207, 259–264, and 361, naming his wife Mary (Walker) and his children. Mary Walker was the granddaughter of Henry Chiles.

1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1.2.1.1. George H. Holland (1801–1847), m. Louise Harpole, 31 Jan. 1842, in Warren County, Kentucky.

1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1.2.1.1.1. Margaret Traquelia Holland, b. 10 April 1845, in Warren County, m. James C. Potter on 19 March 1867, in Warren Co.

1.1.2.1.2.1.3.1.2.1.1.1.1. Herschel Everett Potter, born in August 29, 1875 (m. on 12 January 1897). Mary Emeline Harris.

Given the very tight continuation of association between the families of this account, it is highly probable that Herschel Everett Potter descended from Mr. Thomas Potter of Ludlow, fellow congregant of Major William Harris, and that Mary Emeline Harris descended from Major William Harris.
Histories of early Virginia often treat the arrival of colonial planters as a series of isolated, individual adventures. However, primary source records reveal a far more organized reality. By tracing the granular footprints left in Chancery court depositions, corporate livery guild records, and parish wills, a distinct socio-economic phenomenon emerges: the continuation of association. Families did not sever their ties upon crossing the Atlantic; instead, they deliberately replicated them.

When intermarrige associations in early Shropshire, or any other English county, are repeated over generations A-D, then, in Virginia, continue over generations E-H, same families are identified.

The ancestral home:
Downholland, Lancashire Folio: 269v Great Domesday Book. (E 31/2/2/3137). Because Lancashire did not exist as an independent county at the time of the survey, this area was recorded under the entry for Cheshire, within the special district known in Latin as Inter Ripam et Mersam (“Between the Ribble and the Mersey”). Downholland (recorded historically alongside adjacent Holland/Halsall) was situated within the ancient West Derby Hundred. Following the Norman Conquest, this entire region was granted to the Norman baron Roger de Poitou. Stenulf is recorded as the pre-Conquest lord of Downholland (written as Hoiland). He held two carucates of land here, which were valued at 64 pence. Uhtred (Uctred) was the most prominent Anglo-Saxon thegn in the region, holding multiple nearby manors in the West Derby Hundred, including Dalton, Skelmersdale, Litherland, Roby, and Speke. William, son of Nigel, was a Norman sub-tenant under Roger de Poitou.

Caution for researchers:
When an AI model processes a prompt, it does not “know” history; it predicts the most statistically likely sequence of words based on its training data. This architectural reality creates major blind spots that actively perpetuate historical myths.

The Consensus Engine: If a genealogical fable (like the Captain Thomas Harris myth) has been copied onto thousands of Ancestry trees, family blogs, and digitised 20th-century books, it creates a massive digital footprint. The AI’s training data becomes completely saturated with that narrative. Because the math favors the most frequent pattern, the algorithm defaults to the myth as the “correct” answer, completely burying the records that actually disproves it.

The Confirmation Bias: AI models are heavily tuned via Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) to be helpful, agreeable, and conversational. This means if a user inputs a traditional pedigree, the algorithm’s first instinct is often to validate the structure of the text rather than challenge the integrity of the underlying source, unless explicitly forced to look at the primary evidence.
Until algorithms are trained to think like investigative skeptics – valuing a single court deposition over a thousand copied family trees – AI will continue to act as an echo chamber for historical fables.

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon 2026