One of the greatest fallacies in the study of colonial Virginia is the belief that every Overton was of the Temperance Overton family, with every Overton being amalgamated into one unshakeable mould. Such misunderstanding has made research into the descendants of Major William Harris, not the son of Captain Thomas Harris, another internet fallacy, a task more difficult than it should have been. To correct this, the following notices of an Overton family of Shropshire are given:

CHELMARSH

1. John Overton. 1.1. Richard Overton, bapt. 18 Oct 1557, m. Mary*. 1.2. John Overton,* bapt. 13 Nov 1560, m. Joan*. 1.2.1 Thomas Overton , bur. 29 March 1636, in Neenton. 1.2.2. Francis Overton, probably married a sister of William Higgins. The probable daughter of William Higgins, Elizabeth, m. Thomas Adams. The “probable” is in the same context as the note following: 1.1.2.2.3. John Evans, m. Elizabeth Harris, 15 May 1705, aforementioned. 1.2.2.1. Francis Overton, m. Alice, dau. of Michael Holland of Pickthorne, ancestor of Michael Holland of Goochland; a contemporary landowner of Robert Adams – their social and economic lives intersected repeatedly through land surveys, boundary lines, and shared community responsibilities. 1.2.3. William Overton, m. Jane Gough, 4 July 1636, in Ludlow. 1.2.3.1. John Overton. 1.2.3.1.1. Ann Overton, bapt. 9 May 1678. 1.2.3.2. Thomas Overton, m. Minerva Rea, 9 Nov. 1677. 1.2.3.2.1.William Overton, m. Abigail Beddoe, 26 June 1697. 1.4. Elnor Overton, bapt. 11 Dec. 1569. 1.5. 1.5. Frances Overton, bapt. 21 Jul 1574. 1.6. Richard Overton. 1.6.1.Agnes Overton, bapt. 20 Jan. 1599/00. 1.6.2 Thomas Overton, bapt. 9 May 1602. 1.6.3. John Overton, bapt. 24 June 1605. 1.6.4 Mary Overton, m. Richard Grime. 1.6.4.1. Richard Grime alias Overton bapt. 21 Sept. 1635. (See …………. the Beddoe family also intermarried with the Owens of Ludlow).

*John Overton, Chelmarshe, in the diocese of Hereford. Will d. Feb. 7, 1594 – ‘To the poor of Chelmarshe 20/- to be put forth in stock at the discretion of my executors: Niccolles and Richard Wilckes. To Jone Overton my wife my house lands and tentement in Myddelton Scriven for life if she keep herself sole, also four of my best oxen etc. To *Richard Overton my son my great pan and all my waynes etc. belonging to husbandry. To *Thomas Overton my son £6-13-4 within three years after my decease. To Francis Overton my son £13-6-8 when my executors and his mother and my overseers think well. To John Overton my son £5 which he owes me.

*Joan Overton, of Chelm’she, dyocese of Hereford. Will proved 1612. To be buried in Chelm’she churchyard. To eldest sonn *Richard Overton, flock bed etc., and the £3 he oweth I due frely give hit vnto his iii children wch he had by his firste wife, viz : 20s. each at 18. To my son John Overton £20, best pott etc. To son *Thomas Overton £8 he doth owe also best pann etc. To son in law Richard Smythe 30 strickes of corne and dittor maulte of ye ould messure, also on pece of syluer tachhokes frying panne etc. To sonn in law Thomas Nyckols. table bord etc.; said Thomas and my daughter Elizabeth Nyckols to have use for life then to William Nyckols thir sonne … To Elizabth Crafte and Winifred Craft daus. of William Crafte on lyttell towell apece. Executors: kinsman Richard Wilkes, and son Thomas Overton. Overseers: Thomas Nyckols and son in law Ric. Smyth.

OVERTON AND WALKER

1. John Lutley, m. Catherine, dau. of William Jenks, and Elizabeth, sister of William Adams. 1.1. Adam Lutley. 1.1.1. John Lutley, m. the dau. of John Packington and Elizabeth Newport, sister of Ursula Newport, wife of Thomas Adams, son William Adams and Eleanor Jennyns, cousin of Eleanor Jennyns, b. ca. 1500, who m. Richard Harris, b. ca. 1495, hereafter given. Dorothy Lutley (cousin of Thomas Adams), m. George Croft, brother of Isabel Croft, who m. *Richard Overton, Jan. 31, 1599. (Elizabeth Overton m. Thomas Nichols, Oct. 9, 1575). Richard Overton was the br. of (1) Thomas Overton,who m. Alice Wood, having issue: Thomas, bapt. June 30, 1595. John Overton, bapt. June 24, 1605, father of Anne Overton, who m. Richard Walker, Jan. 23, 1655.

OVERTON AND KETTLEBY

Kettleby v Overton. Plaintiffs: Thomas Kettleby. Defendants: *Mary Overton. Subject: lands in Stepple, Nethercott, Neen Savage, Shropshire 1603-1625 C 2/JasI/K3/38 . Cooke v Overton. Plaintiffs: George Cooke. Defendants: Mary Overton, widow, Joan Cocke, John Bullocke and John Hopkins. Subject: messuage and lands in Stepple, Shropshire. 1603-1625. C 2/JasI/C25/56. The appearance of Mary Overton, widow, and Joan Cocke as co-defendants is not random. They are deeply entwined with the Holland and Cocke families of Pickthorne and Sidbury. Joan Cocke belongs to the same Cocke family of Pickthorne that married into the Hollands. Thomas Holland of Burwarton married Alicia Cocke, dau. of Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne, and a second cousin to Richard Cocke of Bremo. The Cockes and Hollands both held generational leases across Pickthorne, Stepple, and Sidbury, A legal threat to land in Stepple affected multiple branches of the family. Joan Cocke and the widow Mary Overton held intersecting dower rights, leases, or adjoining lands in the same Stepple messuage. Michael Holland of Pickthorne (b. ca. 1581, d. 1655), the son of Thomas Holland and Alicia Cocke, had a dau., Alice Holland, who m. Francis Overton, who, on chronological grounds, was a grandson of Mary Overton, widow.

MICHAEL HOLLAND OF PICKTHORNE

1. Michael Holland, of Pickthorne, b. ca. 1581, d. 1655, m. (1) July 30, 1611 at Chelmarsh, Jane Detton, d. 1632. 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, sister of Margaret Talbot, who m. (1) Sir Richard Ligon, of Arle, Madresfield, Worcestershire, son of William Ligon and Eleanor Dennis. Sir Richard Ligon was a 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.A branch of the Cocke family of Stottesdon, and families of Meek and Nash, were tenants of the Scudamores in Herefordshire, in places ca. 20-30 miles from Stottesdon. 1.1.1. Thomas Holland, bapt. May 15, 1648, bur. Dec. 29, 1694, in Nene Savage, m. Elizabeth Kettleby, in Stottesdon, April 9, 1678, granddau. of Thomas Kettleby and Ann Littleton. 1.1.1.1. Michael Holland of Goochland. 1.1.1.1.1. *John Holland, m. Martha Meek/s. 1.1.1.1.1.2. Alice Holland, m. Henry Nash. 1.1.1.2. Lucy Kettelby, m. Richard Langford, in Ludlow 26 Dec 1700. Considering the Manorial descent of the Stepple Estate in Neen Savage and chronological marriage alliances, she belongs to the immediate family of Thomas Kettelby and Anne Littleton, and, thus, was a sister of Michael Holland of Goochland. Richard Langford, if born ca. 1670, was a probable brother of Jane Langford, grandmother of Mary Harris Ligon and Major William Harris.

ALICE HOLLAND AND FRANCIS OVERTON

1.2. Alice Holland, m. *Francis Overton Jr. He is recorded here with his siblings: Falkener v Higgins. Plaintiffs: Richard Falkener, Anne Falkener his wife, Margaret Overton, *Katherine Overton, John Overton, Francis Overton and Jane Overton. Defendants: Jane Higgins, widow. Subject: personal estate of William Higgins, Ightfield, Shropshire. 1654. C 10/23/48 This record establishes Francis as part of an Overton sibling group. They are suing Jane Higgins regarding the personal estate of William Higgins of Ightfield, Shropshire. This reveals the family’s broader kinship ties and economic interests stretching into north Shropshire (Ightfield). The suit is an equity claim over the “personal estate of William Higgins” of Ightfield, who died shortly before 16554 without direct surviving children, or whose will left ambiguity regarding his assets. Jane Higgins (widow) was the surviving wife of William Higgins. The five Overton siblings (Francis, John, Margaret, Katherine, and Jane) along with Anne Falkener (née Overton) and her husband Richard Falkener, sued Jane to force her to distribute their rightful portion of William Higgins’s property. The only way the five Overton siblings and Anne Falkener could collectively sue as co-plaintiffs for William Higgins’s estate is if they were his closest legal next-of-kin (heirs-at-law). This suggests that the mother of Francis Overton and his siblings was almost certainly a Higgins (likely the sister of the deceased William Higgins).

THE MAIN STREAM OF THE HARRIS FAMILY OF LUDLOW

1. John Harris, b. ca. 1475, m. Margaret Leighton, b. ca. 1485, illegitimate 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. of Thomas Prowde, of Shrewsbury. (See revision given in recent article re the true origins of Major William Harris and Mary (Harris) Ligon).
1.1.1.1. Richard Harris, b. ca. 1580, 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, first son, of Ludlow, b. 1665, d. 1605, m. (Sept. 14, 1595), Jane Langford, bapt. Oct. 10, 1567.
1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. March 5, 1604, m Margaret Holland, bapt. Sep 29, 1603, dau. of Roger Holland and Eleanor Lewis, who m. Jan. 13, 1598, in Ludlow. Roger Holland was almost certainly a relation of Thomas Holland and Alice Cocke, second-cousin of Richard Cocke of Bremo (whose son was a “friend” of Major William Harris. Thomas Holland and Alice Cocke were the progenitors of Michael Holland of Goochland, b. ca. 1685, in Neen Savage, see previous notes.
1.1.1.3.1.1. *Mary Harris, bapt. April 3, 1625, in Ludlow. In 1689, Mary (Harris) Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. Among the children of Mary Harris Ligon were: Major William Ligon, who m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Tanner Sr., and Thomas Ligon, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Worsham, and sister of Phoebe Worsham, who m. William Eppes, son of Col. Francis Eppes and Ann, dau. of the said Henry Isham Sr. and Katherine Banks. John Worsham was the br. of Sarah Worsham, who m. Abrahan Womack, having issue: Richard Womack and William Womack, who m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Woodson, son of Robert Woodson, and br. of Elizabeth Woodson, who m. William Lewis, close kin of Major William Harris.

1.1.1.3.1.2. Major William Harris, bapt. Jan. 13, 1627, in Ludlow. 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.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1. 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).

1.1.1.3.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, bapt. Nov. 27, 1698, in St. Peters Parish, New Kent Co., m. John Hudson, br. of Charles Hudson (3). 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).
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.1.1. William Hudson, b. ca. 1719, in New Kent Co.; d. April 21, 1800.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Hudson, m. George Harris.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2. George Harris, bapt. April 13, 1701, in St Pauls Parish; a Vestry meeting there in 1719 connecting him to the lands of George Alvis, who had married the widow of Major William Harris.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1. 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.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.1. Graves Harris (b. ca. 1760), 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.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Ralph Harris, m. (2) Agnes Baldwin, Dec. 16, 1790.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.2. George Overton Harris (b. ca. 1750), m. Sarah Hudson.

Any contemplation as to the middle name of George Overton Harris would lack perspective if not considering that the family of Major William Harris were fellow congregants of the family of William Overton, who married there in 1636, who was of a line of Overtons that had married into the family of Michael Holland of Goochland. The surnames of the wives of Major William Harris, his son, William Harris, Jr, and his son, George Harris, are not known. It is therefore reasonable to conjecture that one of them was of the Overton family of Shropshire; one totally distinct from the Temperance Overton line (and that of her daughter-in-law, Mourning Glenn). To repeat, for it bears it, it is another catch-all feature of Virginia genealogy that all subsequent females named Mourning are automatically assumed to have been named in honour of a descent from the family of Mourning Glenn and her husband, Robert Harris. This is, of course, an absurd deduction, given the large number of “Mournings” proven not of this lineage, and the commoness of both men and women being baptised with pious Christian names.

1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.2.1. 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. It names his wife Mary (Walker) and his children. Mary Walker was the granddaughter of Henry Chiles.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1. George H. Holland (1801–1847), m. Louise Harpole, 31 Jan. 1842, in Warren County, Kentucky.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1. Margaret Tranquelia Holland, b. 10 April 1845, in Warren County, m. James C. Potter on 19 March 1867, in Warren Co.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. Herschel Everett Potter, born Aug. 29, 1875, m. Mary Emeline Harris on 12 January 1897.

A LEWIS FAMILY OF LUDLOW AND VIRGINIA

Jane Langford Harris m. (2) Edward Lewis of Diddlebury, having issue: 1. Edward Lewis, bapt. Sept. 1, 1608. 1.1. John Lewis, a neighbour of Mary Harris, and Major William Harris in the Malvern Hills district of Henrico. His Will was proved April 2, 1688. Appraisers: Capt. Wm Randolph, Capt Thomas Cocke and Joseph Pleasants. (Weisiger, p. 266). Wm Randolph, and Capt Thomas Cock were both named as “friends” in the Will of Major William Harris. Henrico Order Book: 1688 to 1689: “Nicholas Perkins as security along with Robert Woodson for the tuition of Sarah, one of the orphans of John Lewis”. 1.1.1. William Lewis, of Henrico, m. Elizabeth, dau of Robert Woodson, Sr. “I Robert Woodson acknowledge to my brother-in-law, William Lewis, my full share due my wife Sarah, one of the orphans of John Lewis”. William Lewis deposed that he was aged 28 at the inventory of John Lewis taken Dec. 2, 1689 (Weisiger, p. 105), i.e. b. 1661. William and Elizabeth were the parents of Joseph Lewis, who m. Elizabeth Pleasants. Robert Woodson Sr. of Henrico Co. For good causes to my loving grandson’s, William & Joseph Lewis (children of his dau., Elizabeth Woodson, and William Lewis), 450 ac. patented to me and Richard Farris, Giles Carter, William Harris (son of Major William Harris), and Roger Cummings, Oct. 21, 1687, on White Oak Swamp”. Rec. May 1, 1707. 1.1.1.1. Sarah Lewis, m. James Cocke, son of James Cocke, son of Thomas Cocke, aforementioned, on March 20, 1693. 1.1.1.1.1. James Cocke, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Lewis, and Elizabeth Pleasants. 1.1.1.1.1.1. James Cocke, m. Martha, dau. of David Parrish and Judith Holland, on Nov. 25, 1774. (Douglas Register). Judith Holland was the dau. of John Holland, son of Michael Holland of Goochland.

MOURNING LEWIS AND ROBERT ADAMS

1.1.1.2. Joseph Lewis, m. Elizabeth Pleasants. 1.1.1.3. John Lewis. April 5, 1736: John Lewis, of Goochland Co., son of William dec’d, sells to Joseph Woodson 100 ac., part in Goochland Co. and part in Henrico, on Turkey Island Creek, bought from William Porter. Wit. – James Cocke, William Lewis, William Porter, Jr. and Tarlton Woodson. John Lewis of St James Parish, Goochland Co., Va., son of William Lewis, dec’d sells to Stephen Woodson 52 ac. in Henrico County. This land, part of a tract formerly owned by Jno. Lewis, dec’d and by him given to his son, William, dec’d and to his son, John (same date and witnesses). 1.1.1.4. Mourning Lewis, m. Robert Adams, Feb. 14, 1712, in Henrico. 1.1.2. Sarah Lewis, m. Robert Woodson Jr. “Robert Woodson Jr., for marriage with Sarah Lewis . License Retd. by *Mr. Tho. Cocke Sr. who granted same. Retd. at Court held 12 Octr. 1692”, p. 357. Dec. 1, 1688: Wm. Lewis, the Exec of Jno Lewis dec’d peticoning for ye tuition of Sarah Lewis his sister now an orph: of about a dozen or 13 years of age & ye sd Orph in court expressing her desire thereof & ye husb: of her mother consenting thereto, His peticon is by ye Court granted (untill she is capable of choosing a guardian), Provided he give security for her estate according to law. (Orphan Court Records).

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon 2026