Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton

If I have been correct in my recent analysis, the Harris families of Cheddar and nearby Blagdon were cousins, and, if so, what would be witnessed in Virginia would be evidence of them being associated with the same families – the principle of ‘continuation of association’.

An associated family was that of Taylor.

1. John Taylor, d. Nov. 22, 1610, in Long Ashton.
1.1. Richard Taylor, bapt. Sept. 8, 1562, bur. Feb 27, 1610. Deed. (1) Hugh Smythe of Long Ashton, esquire. (Landlord of the Derrick family of that place). (2) Richard Taylor of Bedminster, sailor, and Katherine his wife. Bedminster adjoins Long Ashton and Bristol.
1.1.1. Richard Taylor, m. Mary Woodward Sept. 2, 1602.
1.1.1.1. John Taylor (bur. May 21, 1645), m. Jane Jones, Sept. 22, 1633, in Bristol.
1.1.1.1.1. John Taylor, bapt. May 7, 1635.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Taylor, bapt. Aug. 19, 1662, at St. James.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Samuel Taylor, bapt. Oct. 25, 1677.
1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Taylor, b. ca. 1637, perhaps he recorded as a Surry tithable with neighbours William Newsum, and Roger Rawlings. He may have been the Thomas Taylor whose estate was appraised in 1674 by Thomas Lane, John Price, and Charles Barham.

On March 12, 1667, an indenture between Mrs. Alice Carter and Edward Warren for 2,500 lb of tob., land from the cart path from the Great Swamp to Chippoakes, formerly left to Peter Adams, (was stated to be) adj. William Newsum to William Harris,* belonging to William Carter, late husband of Alice Carter. Wit. George and Gertrude Watkins (relict of William Newsum Sr.), p. 203. *Perhaps a son of Sergeant John Harris.

Raphael Creed, bapt. Aug. 1605 in Westbury-On-Trym, Gloucester (4 mls fr. Bristol), d. bef. Aug. 2, 1668, in Surry Co. His widow, Grace Creed, m. (2), Edward Warren,* who had previously been m. to Mrs. Aylce (Croxon) Carter/Parke, widow successively of William Carter Jr., and Capt. Giles Parke. William Carter Jr. was the half-br. of Ann Newsum, dau. of William Carter Sr. and Alice Warren.

May 20, 1668: Edward Petway assigns to Mrs. Alice Carter and George Carter his right in the land where Mrs. Carter lives, during the life of Elizabeth (Carter), wife of Edward Petway.* Recorded at the request of Edward Warren. Signed; Edward Petway, Alice Carter, Geo. Carter.

*Their dau., Elizabeth, as anon, m. Samuel Judkins, br. of Robert Judkins, who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Taylor and Elizabeth Jones, dau. of James Jones and Rebecca Lewis, parents of Hannah Judkins, who m. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

Samuel Judkins and Elizabeth Petway had issue: John Judkins; his Will proved May 20, 1760, witnessed by Joseph Newsum, James Davis, Saml. Judkin and John Warren. (B. 10, pp. 225-227). Mentions dau. Sara, who in her mother’s Will was named Sarah Barham, m. to Charles Barham Jr. Their dau., Martha, m. Joel Harris, son of John Harris (son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), and Avis White, the grandau. of George Moore.

Hannah Judkins was the niece of Elizabeth Petway, dau. of Elizabeth Carter, dau. of William Carter Jr. and Alice Croxon, who m. (2), Edward Warren; brother or close relative of Thomas Warren.

Mr. Thomas Warren, 290 acs. at Smith’s Fort, James City Co., July 3, 1648, p. 146. Adj. Goodman Spiltimber and John Corker. Part of a former patent for 450 acs. granted sd. Warren. Thomas Warren m. Elizabeth Sheppard, relict of Robert Sheppard, whose dau. Ann, m. (1) Thomas Hart, (2) William Newsum Jr.

(William Newsum may have been of London, his connections to this grouping being mercantile. Many of the Bristol merchants traded with London – the Derricks and Barkers, etc. – and many London merchants traded with Bristol – the Blands etc. They all traded with Virginia, mostly in tobacco. Such channels of connection acted as latter-day introductory agencies for marriage.

St Botolph Without Aldgate, London.
1. Thomas Newsum, d. 1626.
1.1. Robert Newsum, m. Dorothie …
1.1.1. William Newsum.
1.1.2. John Newson, bapt, June 29, 1643.
1.2. Mary Newsum, bapt. Jan. 31, 1611.
1.4. John Newsum, m. Dorothie …
1.4.1. John Newsum, b. 1628.
1.4.1. William Newsum, bapt. Jan. 1629, d. inf.
1.3. William Newsum b ca. 1612-1615, m. Elizabeth Abbett, 1637/38. This is Abbot, of the family of St Botolph.

In 1669, a Surry Co. 10, 1671. tithable group: (1st) William Harris, Thomas Taylor (3rd).

1.1.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Taylor, m. Robert Judkins, d. 1693, br. of Samuel Judkins of Surry Co., who m. Elizabeth, dau. of *Edward Petway.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Judkins, m. Margaret, dau. of Edward Taylor* (cousin of Thomas Taylor), and Margaret … She m. (2) Bartlett Moreland.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Hannah Judkins, m. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
1.1.1.1.3. Elizabeth Taylor, m. John Meriott. (Probably the Marriot link).

1.1.1.2. William Taylor, bapt. Nov. 29, 1612, headright in 1648 of George Hardy, in Isle of Wight.
1.1.1.2.1. William Taylor, m. Elizabeth … Dec. 26, 1655.
1.1.1.2.2. On Feb. 17, 1671, an Edward Taylor was conveyed land on Marsh Street., Bristol, by Thurston Harris (B.A., 00381/22a), br. of William Harris, sons of William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Derrick, of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Derrick Jr, Margaret’s br.) and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. Nov. 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). Francis Derrick Jr. purchased land from the dau. of John Harris of Blagdon (Sergeant John Harris).

Edward Taylor, as tithable of Surry County:

1678. Thomas Lane Sr. (1st), Martin Johnson (2nd), Augustine Hunnicutt Jr. with William Alderson (3rd), Roger Rawlings (8th), Thomas Edwards with John Browne and Edward Taylor (11th), Timothy Ezell with Michael Ezell (12th).

Roger Rawlings was the son-in-law of William Newsome Sr. and br.-in-law of William Newsome Jr. (who m. Ann Sheppard, relict of Thomas Hart), the grandfather of Elizabeth Newsome, wife of Thomas Edwards.

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

Thomas Pittman (of Wedmore, Somrset), m. Mary, widow of (1) Thomas Atkinson, (2) Thomas Gwaltney, in 1666. Thomas Pittman, subsequently m. Lydia, relict of Samuel Judkins, and mother of Charles Judkins Sr., who m. Jane Harris, relict of Jones, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

By her first husband, Mary had issue: John Atkinson, who m. Ann Holliman (dau. of Christopher Holliman); their issue: John Atkinsson Jr., who m. Elizabeth Ezell, having issue: Amos Atkinson, who m. a dau. of Charles Judkins Jr. Elizabeth Ezell was the dau. of Michael Ezell and Elizabeth Tooke.

William Gwaltney, son of Mary and Thomas, m. Alice Flake, dau. of Robert Flake Jr. and Margaret Marriott. William was the nephew of Thomas Carter, whose son, Thomas Carter Jr, m. Magdalen Moore. George Moore (grandfather of Avis White, wife of John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), in consideration of marriage between Thomas Carter and Magdalen, dau. of said George Moore, gives Thomas Carter 400 ac. out of my dividend of 1400 ac. on Blackwater Swamp, patent to Moore, May 12, 1669.

August, 1673. George Moore appraised the estate of George Bechinoe, son of Edward, p. 33, who appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

1681. Nicholas Wilson, Francis Taylor, Patrick Brady (next) William Cockerham, Edward Taylor (next) William Seward, John Greene (next) Walter Taylor. William Seward witnessed the 1721 Will of Margaret Harris (widow of Edward Taylor), in Surry Co.

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

In 1676, James Nicholson m. Elizabeth, dau. of Francis Gray. In 1683, his br, Robert Nicholson, m. Mary, widow of John Gray. James and Elizabeth had issue, James, who m. Ann Davis in 1745, having issue: (1) Nathaniel Nicholson, who m. Mary Harris; their son Britton Nicholson, m. Molly Harris. (2) John Jordan Nicholson, who m. Sarah Shearin (dau. of Joseph Shearin and Amy Rivers) and sister of Sterling Harris Shearin, Frederick Kinchen Shearin. Joseph Shearin (the son of John), on Jan. 27, 1734, received a patent for 236 ac. in Brunswick Co. on both sides of Three Creeks and adj. his father’s land. John Peoples was the step-son of John Shearin, being a son of John’s wife. Mary Harris was the dau. of Daniel Harris, d. 1765 in Bute County, NC., son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1691. Thomas Busby Jr. Jeffrey Busby, Edward Taylor. Thomas Busby Jr. was the son of Thomas Busby. He m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr., whose lands adjoined those of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

1. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes* lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. 2. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton. 3. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr. 4. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion. *Sergeant John Harris was the father John Harris (who had m. a dau. of Thomas Busby Sr.), and who, on May 2, 1654, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31); the father of William Harris, who m. Elizabeth, her widow’s estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr., who was the br.-in-law of John Harris, having m. Grace, dau. of Thomas Busby Sr. Thus, John Harris and John Barker Jr. were brs-in-law of Thomas Busby Jr., the br-in-law of William Simmons Jr., whose lands adjoined those of a younger son of William Harris and Elizabeth, Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

1698. Edward Taylor (next) James Eley (next) Thomas Holt, Robert Barham (next) William Harris, Thomas Jarrell Jr. William Harris appraised the estate of Edward Taylor on May 4, 1708, having m. Margaret, the widow of Edward Taylor.

1.1.1.2.2.1. Hannah Taylor, m. Christopher Clinch. Thomas Harris, d. 1729, m. Hannah Judkin,* d. April 10, 1739, who m. 1. Thomas Harris. 2. Christopher Clinch, d. Dec. 13, 1736, 3. Edward Brantley, nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., estate appraised by Henry Harris and Thomas Barrow, July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). In his Will, Thomas Harris names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas). Thomas Barrow m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., headright of John Seward, of Bristol, grandfather of William Seward Sr. whose Will (dated March 16, 1702, in Surry Co.), was witnessed by Edward Barrow, br. of Thomas. William Seward m. 2. Ann Clinch. William Seward’s son, John, was the half.-br. of Christopher Clinch (B. 6, p. 126), who m. Hannah Judkin, relict of Thomas Harris, and subsequent wife of Edward Brantley. William Seward’s son, William, witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor, parents of Margaret Taylor, who m. 1. William Judkins, having issue: Elizabeth Judkin, who m. John Berryman (of a Bristol family), and *Hannah Judkin.

1.1.1.3. John Taylor, headright in 1648 of George Hardy in Isle of Wight

1.1.1.4. Richard Taylor, m. Sara Barker, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock. She m. (2) Robert Lucy, and had issue: Mary Lucy, who m. Thomas Anderson.

April Court 1673, “Whereas Robert Lucy and Sarah his wife and Phillip Limbrey and Elizabeth his wife jointly own 1000 acres in Flower du hundred, inherited from John Barker Dec’d., brother to sd Sarah and Elizabeth, desire partition. Request that Col. Robt Wynne for the Lucys and Lt. Col Geo Jordan for the Limbreys meet James Minge surveyor on the 22nd instant and divide the land”. (Fleet, p. 347).

On June 4, 1677, Thomas Drew apparently m. (as her third husband) Frances Ward, relict of (1) William Barker, mariner, (2) Robert Letherland. Frances Drew petitioned the Court and received custody of her two grandchildren, John and Elizabeth Limbrey, the surviving children of her deceased dau., Elizabeth.

1.1.1.4.1.. Capt. John Taylor was the guardian for Mary Lucy, the mother of Jane Anderson, in 1694.
1.1.1.4.2. Maria Taylor, m. John Hardyman, of Bristol, merchant.
1.1.1.4.3. Sarah Taylor, m. Francis Hardyman. Richard Kennon was the executor of Francis Hardyman’s Will of 1741. The Hardyman brothers were 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: William Kennon, who m. Ann Eppes, dau. of Francis Eppes Jr. Judith Kennon, whom. Thomas Eldridge, of Surry, having issue: Martha Eldridge, who m. John Harris (Vestryman, Southwark Parish, Surry), whose Will was proved (March 19, 1771) in Surry Co. I suggest him to be a son of John Harris and Avis White.

1.1.1.4.4. Elizabeth Taylor, m. … Henry Duke, the 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. “Jane Plow, aged 74, said she knew Mary Harris afterwards wife to Anthony Spiltimber who had issue a dau. named Martha and she married Robert House Jr. and was delivered a dau. named Mary, now the wife of Thomas Carrell”, p. 653. June 7, 1704. Robert House. Jr. m. Martha (dau. of Anthony Spiltimber, and Mary, dau. of Robert Harris), who m. (2) Mathew Swann (exerx. William Newitt, 1702), having issue: Elizabeth, who m. John Drew. I have suggested that Robert Harris was a son of Sergeant John Harris, see previous notes.

Ehelred Taylor and Patience Kinchen probably had issue: Kinchen Taylor, cousin of Sarah House, granddau. of Mary Harris.

1.2. John Taylor ; a partner of John Barker:, father of John “Baker”, b. 1613, who m. Dorothy Harris, and cousin of William Barker, merchant and mariner, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol, a partner of Francis Derrick Jr., who purchased land from Dorothy Harris. William Barker’s grandson, John, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as did John Harris, son of John Harris, br. of Dorothy Harris. John “Baker” was the br. of Sara Barker, wife of Richard 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).

copyright m stanhope 2020

That a name did not always carry the same blood was a common feature of medieval life, and one example was that of the Harris family of Maldon, Prittlewell, and Southminster, Essex; a branch of which probably being the source of several families of early Virginia.

1. William or John Harry, b. ca. 1375.

John Kemp and others named in the attached schedule, tenants of Waltham Holy Cross, addressee: King, make various complaints against the Abbot of Waltham. He is too powerful for them to sue him at common law … John Kemp, Gilbert Simond, William Harry, Nicholas Simond, John Lambard, junior, William Maple, John Mott, John Thorp, William Garden, John Harry. 1413. (SC 8/149/7449).

1.1. Thomas Harry, b. ca. 1400. Feoffment by John Houchon, John Jown, ‘glover,’ and Reginald Haukewode of Chelmesford, to John Ardelegh, ‘bocher,’ Thomas Harry of Spryngefeld and John Hyldemar of Wedeforde, of all the lands in Spryngefeld they had by the gift and feoffment of John Schobery of Chelmesford called ‘Rybodestenement.’ Mar 20, 1436. (E 40/7734) … Release by John at Pathe of Little Waltham (3 mls. fr. Springfield; 4 mls. fr. Chelmsford, 8 mls fr. Maldon) to John Nele of Springfeld of his right in the lands and tenements late belonging to John Bisshopp of Springfeld in Springfeld and Little Waltham, which together with the said John Nele, and John Bosi of Springfeld, Thomas Harri and Richard Wolvet, since deceased, he had by the gift of the said John Bisshopp the elder. Essex. March 1, 1456. (E 40/7344).

1.1.1. (a dau.) Harry, b. ca. 1420, m. … Salmon/Salman.

1.1.1.1. Thomas Harry, b. ca. 1440, alias Thomas Salman. Feoffment by Joan Herlyng, of Chelmesford, widow, late the wife of Guy Herlyng, of the same, Robert Plommer, Thomas Salle, gentlemen, Richard Pratte, Thomas Tendryng, bailiff, Thomas Chalk, ‘draper,’ John Cornyssh, the elder, ‘mercer,’ Thomas Harry otherwise called Thomas Salman … to Thomas, earl of Ormond, Thomas Grene, Thomas Huberd, John Huet, William Catelyn, ‘gentilmen,’ and William Power, of Boreham, ‘yoman,’ of tenement called ‘Bisshops’ in Spryngefeld and Little Waltham, which they had inter alia by the feoffment of John Colvile and Thomas Stafford, by charter dated 20 November 20, 1487

1.1.1.1.1. John Salman* (alias Harris) m. (1) Elizabeth Bull, (2) Jane …

1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, of Bristol, by Elizabeth Bull.

1.1.1.1.1.2. William Harris, by Jane …, m. his cousin, Joanna Cooke.

1.1.1.1.1.3. Ann Salman/Harris, by Jane … m. Robert Cooke of London. Ann Salman’s father, John, was recorded as being of High Easter, 7 mls fr. Chelmsford 5 fr, Waltham. Robert Cooke was the uncle of Joanna Cooke, who m. her cousin, William Harris.

Robert Cooke was the son of Elizabeth Belknap and Phillip Cooke; the niece of Mary Belknap, who m. Gerald Danet, Esq. Their dau., Elizabeth, m. John Arundel (d. 1557), having issue: Katherine Arundel, who m. Thomas Tregian, son of the heiress of Wolvedon. (Joseph Polsue, A Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall, vol. 4, p. 92, 1872). This link gave rise to a Harris armorial: The Wolvedon Arms were: — Arg. a chevron between three wolves’ heads erased, sable. “Church of All Saints, Maldon: William Harris, son of William Harris and Jane his wife, which William died 14th May, 1559. Per pale on a chevron engrailed between 3 wolves heads”. (East Anglian: Or, Notes and Queries, vol. ii, pp. 171-172, 1866). By other such associations, the Harris assumed other armorials.

1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Salman, m. … Smyth, dau. of William Smyth, as follows.

1.1.1.1.2.1. William Salman.

1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Salman (of Chelmsford). Smythe v Smythe. Plaintiffs: William Smythe alias Salmon of Great Waltham, husbandman. Defendants: John Smythe alias Salmon. Subject: Tenement in Broomfield, late of Thomas Smythe, deceased, brother of complainant and father of defendant. Essex. 1544-1551. (C 1/1316/65-66).

The Salman family probably stemmed from these: Parties: John son of John Salman of Great Sutton and William de Hertecoumbe and Alice his wife. Place or Subject: Great Sutton (2 mls fr. Prittlewell). 1348. (N.A., E 326/8460).

The surname Salman was a derivative of Solomon, and was used from the early Middle Ages by both Christians and Jews.

LINES OF HARRIS
1. …

1.1. William Smyth. Inquisition returned June 13, 1479, taken at Barking in Essex. William Smyth was seized in demesne on the day of the recognisance of a messuage and 60 acres of land in Waltham Holy Cross. Memorandum: on May 1, 1479 he handed it over to Richard Bull. (His grandson).

1.1.1. … Smyth, m. Thomas Salman (alias “Thomas Harri”).

1.1.2. Elizabeth Smyth, m. Thomas Bull.

1.1.2.1. Richard Bull.

1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Bull, m. (her cousin) John Harrys of London, who m. (2) Jane …, by whom:

1.1.2.2.1. William Harris.*

1.1.2.2.2. John Harris, by Elizabeth Bull. Harrys v Bele. Plaintiff: John Harrys, of Bristol, grocer, son of John Harrys, of London. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and barn in Ware (Hertford), late of complainant’s father, in right of Elizabeth), his wife, dau. of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. 1504-1515. (C 1/320/92). Roydon is 20 miles NNE of London, in Essex, and 35 mls fr. Prittlewell.

1.2. … Smyth.

1.2.1. “John Smyth, sheriff of the counties of Essex, and Hertford, 30 Hen. VIII. He purchased, in 3 King Edward VI. (a) a chantry in the church of Long-Ashton, in Somersetshire, with other lands, tenements and, hereditaments, in the counties of Somerset, and Gloucester; also all the guild, or fraternity, in Great-Walden, lately dissolved, with divers other lands and tenements, in Essex, and London. He married Agnes, daughter, and one of the coheirs of — Charnock, of Lancashire, Esq; and had by her several children”. (English Baronatage, 1721), inc. Thomas, George, and John.

1.2.1.1. Joan Smyth, m. her kinsman, *William Harris, b. by 1502, prob. 1st s. of John Harris of Prittlewell Essex by w. Joan. educ. L. Inn, adm. Feb. 16, 1520. m. (1) by 1527, Joan, da. and h. of John Smith of Essex. (The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982).

1.2.1.2. Thomas Smyth, eldest son, Cambridge scholar of Greek.

1.2.1.3. George Smyth.

1.2.1.4. John Smyth, inherited Long Ashton from his father, landlord of the Derrick family.

1.2.1.4.1. Hugh Smyth, of Long Ashton, d. 1627. “Valuation of the estates of John Smyth, esq, deceased, which descended to his son Hugh”, Sept. 1, 1556. (Bristol Arch., AC/36074/36). Hugh Smyth was the son-in-law of Sir Thomas Gorges, of Langford, Wilts (Bristol Arch., AC/C/41), who was b. in Wraxall, Somerset. Hugh Smyth’s relict, Elizabeth, m. (2) Ferdinando Gorges (of Virginia fame), second son of Edward Gorges of Wraxall (by his wife Cicely Lygon), son of Sir Thomas Gorges.

THE LINE OF DAVID HARRIS

1.1.2.2.2.1. David Harris, b. by 1511, s. of John Harris of Bristol by Alice. m. (1) Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol, 3s. 1da.; (2) by Apr. 1543, Margaret. (Bindoff, ibid.).

1.1.2.2.2.1.1. David Harris, presumably married into the family of Thurston, alias Tristram.

1.1.2.2.2.1.1.1. Margaret Harris (cousin of John Harris of Blagdon), m. (1) Robert Crumpe, Sept. 17, 1605, in Painswick, Glouc., 4 ml fr. Rodley. (2) George Thorpe (of Virginia), Feb. 21, 1611.

1.1.2.2.2.1.1.1.1. Richard Crumpe, b. ca. 1606, of Rodley. (Glouc. Arch., D2957/139/70).

1.1.2.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Crumpe, b. ca. 1631, m. Robert Harris, b. ca. 1625-1630, son of John Harris of Blagdon (Sergeant John Harris).

1.1.2.2.2.1.1.2. Thurston Harris. Inquisition taken at Thornbury, Sept. 27, 1638.

1.1.2.2.2.1.1.2.1. William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Derrick, of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Derrick Jr, Margaret’s br.) and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. Nov. 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). Francis Derrick Jr. purchased land from the dau. of John Harris of Blagdon (Sergeant John Harris).

THE LINE OF GEORGE HARRIS

1.1.2.2.2.2. George Harris. Bargain and sale. 1. George Hares of London esq., Thomas Lucas of London, gent,* Richarde Greye of Seggenhoe, Bedford, esq. 2. Robarte Saxey,** David Harrys (and his step-br.) John Browne aldermen,*** parishioners of St. Nicholas Consideration: 20 marks Chapel with appurtenances commonly known as Knappes Chapel or St.John the Evangelist Chapel on the Back in the churchyard of St.Nicholas. 1578. (Bristol Arch., P.St N/Ch/D/3). Thomas Lucas was MP for Colchester in 1558. (Brist. Arch., 00347/5a).

**Conveyance: (1) Anne Saxey, widow of Robert Saxey (2) Bridget, her daughter, and John Whitson, husband of Bridget. A messuage in High Street and Wine Street and of a messuage called The Lamb in Wine Street and of a messuage in Horse Street May 27, 1586. (Brist. Arch., 00347/5a). John Barker was a trustee of John Whitson’s Will, and one of his landlords of the Manor of Burnet.

1.1.2.2.2.2.1. Benjamin Harris, tenant of Hugh Saxey.

1.1.2.2.2.2.2. George Harris, m. Joan (Jacosa) Webb, Apr. 28, 1623, in Wedmore. John Lyde ‘of Heathouse’, bapt. Oct. 8, 1620, m. Jocosa Webb, on Oct. 22, 1640. Jacosa Webb was bapt. Apr. 14, 1594, dau. of Thomas Webb, and relict of George Harris, ob. Apr. 4, 1640.

John Lyde’s granddau, Anna Lyde, bapt. Nov. 20, 1676, m. Robert Champion, on Aug. 20, 1709. The Champions were fr. Meare, 5 mls fr. Wedmore. The Will of Thomas Moore names Edward Champion, Jr., Orlando Champion and their father Edward Champion, Sen., Alice Champion, dau. of said Edward Champion; Benjamin, son of Edward Champion, Sr., wife Elizabeth Moore and br. George Moore, niece Magdalen Carter, Priscella Champion; wife and bro. exors. Proved Oct. 9, 1696. Magdalen Carter was the dau. of George Moore,* and wife of Thomas Carter Jr.; nephew of Edward and William Carter.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3. John Harris, b. ca. 1590, d. Feb. 21, 1624 (Chappel Allerton, Wedmore), m. (1) Penelope Millard, dau. of Thomas Millard and Amisia Counsell. (2) Christiana Thurston.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Joan Gardner, bapt. Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner, bapt. Nov. 1, 1621, in Cheddar, who m. (2) Mary Coomer, on Oct. 24, 1664. John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner,* James Gardner, 1684, p. 56. *Br. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar, d. 1688, in Virginia.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. … Short, dau. of William Short Jr., who, with Richard Kennon, witnessed a deed of land of Edward Duke (as follows) “beginning at the corner between William Harris” and Edward Duke’s widow, Elizabeth Taylor.

Edward Duke was the nephew of John Duke, bapt. April 25, 1634. He was probably the husband of Elizabeth, who m. (2) Robert Mercer, in 1689. His son, John Duke, sold 50 ac. (bought by his father, John Duke), to John Burnett. This deed was witnessed by William Bradshaw, and Elizabeth Mercer. William Bradshaw’s son, John, was claimed as a headright by Richard Kennon, in 1690, p. 327.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.2. Robert Harris.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.2.1. John Harris, m. Avis White.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, vestryman, Southwark Parish, Surry, whose Will was proved March 19, 1771. He m. Martha Eldridge, dau. of Judith Kennon, who m. Thomas Eldridge, of Surry, who was (as I have detailed) of Samuel Eldridge’s family): June 21, 1665. Samuel Eldridge, of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore, of Bristol, who m. the relict. Security George Moore, Thomas’s brother.

Their sister, Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (partner of Samuel Eldridge). George Moore’s dau., Ann, m. Thomas White. Their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. John Harris desired to be buried by his wife and parents. To dau. Pamela McRae, two negroes. Legacies to son Richard Harris, dau. Mary Harris, dau. Anne Harris, and sons Kennon and Eldridge Harris.

Robert Flake’s son, Robert, m. Margaret Marriot, dau. of William Marriot and Elizabeth, the widow of John Bishop Sr.; who m. (3) aft. May 1672, George Proctor. William Marriott’s estate was appraised on Nov. 21, 1673 by Nicholas Merrywether. (Bartholomew Owen granted a power of attorney to Nicholas Meriweather on Oct. 8, 1677). George Proctor was ordered to finish the accounting. The same court appointed Proctor and Merrywether as joint guardians of William Marriott, the orphan of William Marriott. By a first wife, George Proctor was the father of Joshua Proctor, who m. Katherine, dau. of Bartholomew Owen.

Margaret Marriot’s sister, (Elizabeth Marriot, m. (June 11, 1668) Luke Mizell. William Marriot’s second wife was Susannah Swann, d. 1660, p. 159, dau. of Col. Thomas Swann, and probably a kinswoman of Mathew Swann, as follows.

John Harris held land on Ware Neck Mill Swamp (adj. Drury and Frederick Warren ), and on Hog Pen Swamp, that adjoined that of William Pyland, son of James Piland Jr., great-nephew of Thomas Moore. As given, a great-niece of Thomas Moore, Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. James Piland Jr. and Avis White were second-cousins.

James Piland Jr. was: (1) the son of Richard Piland, son of James PIland, bapt. August 30, 1604, in St. Mary-le-Port, Bristol, whose niece, Margaret Smith, bapt. 23 Jan. 23, 1633, m. Richard Warren, which may suggest the true ancestry of the aforementioned Warrens; (2) the br. of George Piland. Samuel Clements Will (prob. Aug. 21, 1728) was witnessed by Michael Harris and George Piland. (B. 7, p. 854). Samuel Clements was named in the Will of his father, John Clements, prob. May 2, 1710, which gifted land “adj. Major Marriott”, witnessed by John Kitchen.

On June 24, 1642, Francis England claimed the headright of “James Piland” (Sr.) and Alexandra his wife. On Sept. 30, 1642, Christopher Lewis deeded 200 ac. to John Burgess “at a place called Blackwater, adjoining James Pyland, Thomas Taberer and Francis Higgins.” Wit. Richard Sharp. Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.2.2. Michael Harris.

1.1.2.2.2.2.3.1.1.2. George Harris.

1.1.2.2.2.2.4. Richard Harris.

1.1.3.2.2.2.4.1. Edward Harris, bapt. August 8, 1624 (Chappel Allerton, Wedmore). Edward Harris: Appraisers, Edward Bechinoe, Richard Corsey, John Williams, and Richard Hansford. Presented by Mr. George Hardy. The Will of Francis Corsey, rec. May I, 1679, witnessed by George Moore, grandf. of the wife of a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Francis Derrick Sr. held a residence near to these Harris, as shown by certificate of residence E 115/117/162, which shows him to be a resident of the hundred of Bempstone, now comprising of Biddisham, Brean, Burnham, Chapel Allerton, Mark, Weare, and Wedmore.

THE LINE OF JOHN HARRIS

1.1.3.2.2.3. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon). He and his elder (half) br., David, witnessed a deed of Walter Kelke and his wife, dau. and heiress of Robert Woodward … late bookebynder; and Robert Smyth and Elizabeth his wife, late wife of Woodward. Oct. 3, 1582. (B.A., P.AS/D/CS/B/8). The Smyth(es) family held land in Blagdon, 10 mls fr. Long Ashton.

1.1.3.2.2.3.1. Richard Harris, bapt. 1592.

1.1.3.2.2.3.2. William Harris, m. Dorothy Bath (Batt), Nov. 17, 1628. Harris v. Osen. Plaintiffs: William Harris. Defendants: John Osen and Joan Osen his wife. Subject: property in Blagdon, Somerset. 1649. (C 6/132/98). Deed: House or cottage newly built, 1a. ground formerly occ. by John Osen, now by John Dirrock, all in Blagdon. 1628. (S.H.C., DD\GB/43). John Dirrock, atty of the Smyth family, bapt. Nov. 1, 1564 in Long Ashton, was the uncle of Francis Derrick Jr.

The family of Bath (Batt) were established in Blagdon and Wedmore, and were intermarried with the family of Voules (Vowles), thus, were cousins of:

The Thurstons (Christiana Thurston, bapt. Oct. 28, 1591, m. John Harris (Oct. 8, 1618), in Wedmore, who, by his first wife, Penelope Millard* (m. Sept. 9, 1611) was father of Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1615, father of Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, in Cheddar. Christiana was a niece of Joan Thurston, bapt. Jan. 20, 1576, who m. John Gardner, Sept. 15, 1603, who by a first wife, unknown, had issue: John Gardner; father of (1) Joan Gardner, bapt. Apr. 6, 1617 (in Cheddar), who m. Thomas Harris, (2) John Gardner, bapt. Nov. 1, 1621, in Cheddar, who m. (2) Mary Coomer, on Oct. 24, 1664. Mary’s aunt was Mary Coomer, who m. John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, the grandson of John Counsell who m. (2) Joan Thurston, in 1573; grandfather (by a first wife) of the said John Counsell, b. 1601, and Hodges Counsell Sr.

Penelope Millard was a dau. of Thomas Millard and Amisia Counsell (m. Jan. 10, 1574), sister of John Counsell who m. Joan Thurston. John Counsell, b. 1601, was the father of John Counsell, who m. (1) Ann Jeffries,* Oct. 10, 1654, sister of Richard Jeffries, who, “dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries”, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England; to repeat: the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Thus, generally, early Virginia was settled by kinship-colonies that provided a supportive network for individuals. In this contect, such as Sergeant John Harris should not be sought for as a “lone wolf” settler, but, rather, in a kinship context, within which most marriages occurred.

The vast majority of spouses of this time lived within 10 miles (walking distance) of each other. In this regard, it would not be unreasonable to suggest that Sergeant John Harris (if he b. in Blagdon, as follows), m. “Dorothie Jefferis”, bapt. Sept. 13, 1605, in Cheddar, dau. of “John Jefferis”, and cousin of * “Ann Jefferis”, bapt. Feb. 1, 1617, in Cheddar, dau. of Richard Jefferis, sister of Richard Jeffries, who, to repeat, “dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who m. the relict of the said Jeffries”, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, etc.

This complexity of relationships was the blueprint of its time, and if simiiar patterns of association are not found in early Virginia, then English ancestors are unlikely to have been identified.

1.1.3.2.2.3.3. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased *Sergeant John Harris”, *p. 113.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4. John Harris, bapt. 1589/90, in Blagdon; 4 mls from Cheddar; 8 mls fr. Wedmore He was very probably Sergeant John Harris of Virginia (and mentioned as a “servant” of Arthur Bayley, as Thomas Busby, and William Barker, mariner); cousin of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., b. 1607 (son of Francis Derrick Sr. of Long Ashton), cousin of James Derrick, who m. a stepdau. of Joan Harris, sister of John Harris, aforementioned; cousins of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.1. Dorothy Harris. Sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., inherited from George Cockett (her probable uncle), a reasonably common name around Blagdon, and, in the Bristol basin patois of the time, similar to Caucot, etc. Dorothy Harris m. John Baker/Barker, a kinsman of John Barker, the br. of Elizabeth Barker, who m. John Goninge, son of John Goning Sr., part owner in 1629 (with Francis Derrick Sr. and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’. John Barker was also recorded as John Baker. In Cal. State Papers, Charles I., p. 291. He is recorded as owning “the Mary Rose of Bristol” in partnership with John Taylor. Dorothy Harris, m. (2) John Bond.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.1.1. Sarah Barker, m. (1) Nicholas West, (2) John Watson (of Bristol).

It may be reasonable to suggest that Nicholas West was the son of:

1. Wiliam West, who m. Margaret Story, Apr. 20, in Norton St Philip. (15 mls. E. of Blagdon). 1.1. Alice West, m. Richard Bond, Sept. 17, 1629. 1.1.1. William West, bapt. Nov. 3, 1616. 1.1.2. Robert West, bapt.. Oct. 17, 1619. 1.1.3. Nicholas West, bapt. March 7, 1621, m. Sarah Barker. 1.1.4. John West, bapt. April 14, 1625. John West, headright of Robert West in Charles City, 1652. 1.1.5. Richard West, bapt. May 10, 1635.

These Wests were tenants of John Harington (infamous for his Metamorphosis of Ajax, of 1596); a tenant of Hugh Saxey, by patent of March 24, 1578 (CPR, Eliz. I, vol VII, 3594); as some of the Harris family of Wedmore.

As the husband of Mary Rogers, dau. of George Rogers of Cannington, Harington was landlord to such as the Duke family of that place, significantly so, perhaps. Connections established through tenancy arrangements were also a common feature of these times.

(Henry Duke, bapt. Dec. 10, 1671, in Cannington. 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, Elizabeth Mallory, Wm. Short (uncle of William Harris).

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2. John Harris,* infant in 1624, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654. (“William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”). In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr.* May 2, 1654. Bond of Robt. Mosley to Jno. Felton. Wit. *John Harris, Sack. Brewster. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31).

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.1. John Harris, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as John Barker, son of William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner (kinsman of John Baker/Barker and John Barker, aforesaid), and br. of Sara Barker, who m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock, who had had m. (1) Anne Harris, on Oct. 1, 1632, in Wraxall, 3 mls fr. Long Ashton. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of *William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr., whose land adjoined that of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2. William Harris, m. Elizabeth, her widow’s estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.1. Henry Harris.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30; Will mentions br. Henry and son, Joshua.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.2.1. Joshua Harris.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.2.1.1.1. Thomas Harris.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.2.1.1.1.1. Solomon Harris. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.2.2.3. John Harris, m. Mary Drew. (The connection to the Drews was through the Barkers).

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.3. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.3.1. Mary Harris, m. Mathew Swann, aforementioned.

1.1.3.2.2.3.4.3.1.1. Elizabeth Swann, m. (1) John Drew:

(1. Richard Drew, headright of Thomas Simmons in 1643 (possibly of the family of William Simmons Sr).

1.1. John Drew, m. Elizabeth Swann.

1.2. Edward Drew, m. Frances, dau. of William Newitt.

1.2.1. Mary Drew, m. John Harris.

copyright m stanhope 2020

Firstly, may all reading this be safe and remain safe.

My personal view:

A key question when discerning how people of the same surname within a parish might be related is to find records of their land holdings. When I have described someone as “of Wedmore”, a very blunt term has been used. Wedmore parish consisted of various holdings, such as the manor of Blackford, held by Hugh Saxey, auditor to Elizabeth I. and James I.; Wedmore village, consisting of 200 households, held by the Hodges family, and the hamlets of Allerton and Heathouse, held variously, and enfeoffed to such as the Counsell family. It was through an intermarriage between these families that Hodges Counsell of Virginia received his name.

Relevant parish records are a composite of various manuscripts, and, consequently, contain missing data. For instance, the existence of a person can be deduced by a record of a baptism naming him as the father. If the baptism is in 1640, allowing for his age to be between 25-45, an approximate date if his birth can be assumed, 1595 -1610 in this instance. Checking parish baptisms between these dates may give the name of a father of several children, and it is more likely (90%) than not (10%) that he was the grandfather of the person baptised in 1640. Further, if the records show these people to be of the same hamlet, and marriage records confirm they intermarry with the same family, or those intermarried to that family, then a fair degree of faith can be assigned to the deduction. In what follows, 90% of relationships can be confirmed, and 10 % logically deduced.

Anyone descending from Thomas Harris, d. 1688, is, I suggest, a descendant of a Counsell, a Gardner, a Millard, and a “cousin” of Hicks, House, and Wall families.

In what follows, spelling have ben standardised; Hix to Hicks, etc.

The Cheddar Harris were probably of the stock of John Harris of Blagdon, juxta Cheddar, probably Sergeant John Harris. It is as remarkably predictable as it is sad that a John Harris who witnessed a deed concerning land adj. to that of Sergeant John Harris has been ignored (as the familial connection of the Blagdon Harris to the Derricks, to whom the dau. of Sergeant John Harris sold land); in the interest of making Sergeant John Harris the ancestor of those chosen as descendants of him by whom they chose. A relative of the Blagdon Harris was Thurston Harris.

A descendant of of Sergeant John Harris was Solomon Harris, a decendant of his matches the DNA profile of Harris Group 4 males.

After a hundred years plus or so, ditch the garbage.

COUNSELL AND THURSTON

1. John Counsell, m. (2) Joan Thurston, Aug. 13, 1573, in Wedmore, Somerset.
1.1. Margery Counsell, m. Thomas Boulting, June 15, 1584, br. of Antonia Boulting, who m. John Turner, May 6, 1574. (1. John Turner. 1.1. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579, in Wedmore, m. (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney. 1.1.1. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618, was a headright of Richard Tye (in 1650), whose relict m. John Cogan. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son George with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. John Cogan witnessed the Will of the said Thomas Harris. 1.1.1.1. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Turner, m. William Voules, April 21, 1679. Thus, Edward Harris was the br.-in-law of William Voules, son of a namesake, son of Richard Voules.*

1. …
1.1. John Thurston.
1.1.1. William Thurston, bapt. April 10, 1562, “f. John”.
1.1.2. John Thurston, bapt. Apr. 30, 1564, “f. John”.
1.1.2.1. Christiana Thurston, bapt. Oct. 28, 1591, m. John Harris (Oct. 8, 1618), who, by his first wife, Penelope Millard (m. Sept. 9, 1611) was father of Thomas Harris,* b. ca. 1615. Some question whether he may have migrated to Virginia, his son following him. This can not be ruled out, as he does not appear in death records, but, as said, such records are not complete.
1.1.3. Alice Thurston, m. *Richard Voules, Jan. 23, 1597 (he m. (2) Mary Blake, July 1, 1602); br. of John Voules, who m. Isabella Millard July, 30, 1602; the sister-in-law of John Harris. Richard and John being cousins of Alice Voules, bapt. July, 17, 1575, who m. (1) Christopher Wall, Jan. 26, 1593, (2) Richard House, Oct. 20, 1603. John Voules and Isabella Millard had issue: (1) Mary Voules, who m. George Lacham, Nov. 15, 1619. (Robert Sherwell’s niece m. a Lacham). (2) Joan Voules, who m. John Browne, Oct. 12, 1620, father of Richard Browne, and George Browne, who m. Jane Voules, June 12, 1649. (3) … Voules, father of George Browne’s wife, Jane.
1.1.3. Joan Thurston, m. John Counsell, Aug. 13, 1573.

HOUSE/HICKS

1. Richard House, m. Alice Voules, Oct. 20, 1603, relict of Christopher Wall, br. of John Wall, whose son, John Wall (bapt. Nov. 17, 1605, d. 1643), m. (1) Elizabeth Rowe, Apr. 5, 1627, in Wedmore. The latter John Wall was the elder br. of Juliana Wall, bapt. July 2, 1596, who m. John Millard (br.-in-law of John Harris) Nov. 21, 1611. (2) Mary Browne, on Oct. 9, 1632, having issue: John Wall, bapt. May 21, 1634, who m. Jane Brown, May 12, 1656; having issue: John Wall, bapt. Oct. 18, 1657, who m. Rachell Counsell,
April 28, 1685 – probably: John Wall Sr., 970 acs., Brunswick Co.; on S. side of Maherin River; adj. John Carrell; Leadbetters Path; David Crawley; & George Walton’s land; Oct. 31, 1726. 200 acs. part granted him, July 11, 1719. George Walton gave land to his daus., Catherine, wife of Nathan Harris, Mary, wife of Richard Ledbetter Jr. (Brunswick Co., B. 2, p. 50. George Walton had m. Elizabeth Rowe, bapt. Feb. 15, 1685, Middlesex Co., Va.
1.1. Thomas Howse, m. Susana Hicks, May 28, 1638, in Compton Martin (4 ml. fr. Cheddar/Wedmore).
1.1.1. Thomas House, m. Francis Millard on May 29, 1664, in Compton Martin, she bapt. June 10, 1628, da. of Henry Millard and Alison Hicks, who m. on 16 Apr. 1621.
1.1.1.1. James House, bapt. 1 Sept. 1666, Compton Martin. John Duke and John Taylor Duke witnessed the will of James House in Brunswick, Feb. 9, 1735.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas House, bapt. March 19, 1692, Compton Martin; f. James & Sarah.
1.1.1.1.2. James House, bapt. Mar. 13, 1697, in Compton Martin, f. James & Sarah.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Isaac House. Indenture made June 5, 1746 between Isaac House of St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick Co., and Richard Ramsom of same, £35, North side of the three Creeks, 84a. Signed Isaac House. Witness: John Wall, Junr.
1.1.2. Richard House, bapt. Nov, 1, 1646.

BROWNE

1. William Browne, “alias Joyner“, bur. Feb. 11, 1613.
1.1. William Browne.
1.2. John Browne.
1.2.1. John Browne, bapt. July 7, 1586, m. (1) Margaret Jennings, Nov, 29, 1609. (2) Joan Voules, Oct. 12, 1620.
1.2.1.1. William Browne, d. Dec. 4, 1705 – Four Mile Tree, Surry, m. Mary, dau. of Colonel Henry Browne.
1.2.1.1.1. Jane Browne, m. Thomas Jordan, who m. (2) Lucy, relict of William Rose. Thomas Jordan’s son, Richard (1624-1687), born 1624, m. Elizabeth Raynolds, in 1654, dau. of Christopher Raynolds.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Mary Jordan (by Jane Browne) m. (1) Francis Sowerby Jr.; (2) John Tyus, Sr., d. 1724.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Tyus, Jr., m. Ann, dau. of Francis Branch and Elizabeth Norwood. Francis England’s grandson (by George Branch), Francis Branch, m. Elizabeth Norwood, niece of Henry Norwood, son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney, of Cheddar, granddau. of George Rodney. George Rodney’s dau., Agatha, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583, of Wedmore, and was ancestress of Hodges Counsell (English register spelling), of Virginia.

Francis Branch was the br. of Ann Branch, who. m. Robert Hodges Jr. (undoubtedly of the Wedmore Hodges). The W&M Quarterly, p. 741, 1982, makes George Branch the brother of a Thomas Branch, who may have been he who witnessed the Will of John Bly in Virginia (proved May 16, 1664), with John Gardner. Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

The Hodges had intermarried with a family of Rose.

1.2.2. James Browne, m. Isabel Raynolds, on April 29, 1612 (dau. of Thomas Raynalds (and Isabel Blake), son of Christopher Raynolds, bur. July 22, 1588), sister of John Raynolds, who m. Agnes Westover, Nov. 14, 1622. (Dau. of John Westover and Grace Phillips; m. Nov. 6, 1603, son of John Westover and Joan Counsell, m. July 2, 1583, sister of John Counsell*), and, it can be logically deduced, Christopher Raynolds (“servant of Edward Bennett), whose dau. m. Richard Jordan, who witnessed the Will of John Hardy. Will probated June 9, 1677.
1.2.3. Richard Browne , bapt. Feb. 4, 1582, m. Elizabeth Day, Oct. 9, 1609. (The connection to Thomas Pittman of Wedmore and Virginia). John Harris m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611; he m. (2) Christiana Thurston, Oct. 8, 1618, sister of George Thurston, who m. Joan Day, June 8, 1615; sister of William Day, and cousin of Elizabeth Day, relict of John Pittman, cousin of William Pittman (husband of Joan Brooke); parents of Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, almost certainly of Virginia; Joan Brooke being he sister of John Brooke.
1.2.3.1. Mary Browne, m. John Wall.

BROOKE

1. Thomas Brooke. Rodney v Claxton. Plaintiffs: Sir Edward Rodney, Francis Trenchard and Rice Davies.* Defendants: William Claxton, Thomas Brooke, John Lytheat and Sybil Reeve.Subject: tenements in Draycott and Wedmore, parcel of the manor of Rodney Stoke, Somerset. 1603-1625 (C 2/JasI/R14/18). He m. a Hodges. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen,* Nov. 17, 1619; they the parents, I suggest, of Bartholomew Owen. (Robert Owen. d. 1616, in Bristol; his relict, Mary, sister of William Pitt (and aunt of Robert Pitt, of Virginia), m. (2), as his third wife, Rice Davis, Esquire (son of Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire), of Tickenham, Somerset. His nephew, Richard Davis, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen. The Will of Robert Owen, merchant of Bristol, named brothers, George and Griffith (a son of either, *William, was party to the disputes between the claimants to his estate).
1.1. John Brooke, m. Edith Voules, Nov. 28 1583, sister of John Voules, aformentioned, who m. Isabella Millard July, 30, 1602; the sister-in-law of John Harris.
1.1.1. John Brooke
1.1.1.1. Thomas Brooke, bapt. Sept. 12, 1613. 15a. land occ. by Thos. Brooke, 2a. land occ. by Hy. Symes, mess. and ten. and 40a. land occ. by Rich. Counsell, all in Wedmore, sold by co-heirs of Geo. Hodges to Wm. Prowse of Compton Bishop.1665. (S.H.C., DD\FD/10).
1.2. Johanna Brooke, bapt. June 11, 1587, m. William Pittman.
1.1.1. Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, of Virginia, deposed to be 63 Years of age on March 5, 1677, in Surry Co. Thomas Pittman …”being at the house of Mr. Geo. Proctor upon the 1st day of March about 8 o’clock in the morning … Mr Proctor was drinking of burnt sack and did finde that Mr. Proctor had drank to much” … etc. (Court Case Against George Proctor in May 1675).
1.3. Thomas Brooke.
1.3.1. “Thomas Brooke Jr.”, bapt. Dec. 7, 1617, Cheddar.
1.4. Richard Brooke, cousin of Thomas Hodges. Will of Thomas Hodges, Gentleman of Wedmore, Somerset, prob. Feb. 6, 1601. He m. Eleanor, dau. of John Rosse (Rose) of Shepton Beauchamp. July 3, 1666. Bartholomew Owen sells cattle of Wm. Rose, Senior, and Ann Rose his wife for the benefit of (their children)Jane, William, Ann and Mary Rose. “Richard Brooke alias Hodges, m. to Johanna Courte “, who was bur. Jan. 4, 1611. By a second wife:
1.4.1. Richard Brooke, bapt. Dec. 26, 1614.
1.4.2. Edward Brooke, bapt. Jan. 1, 1621.

Bartholomew Owen’s relict, Joan, m. a Thomas Brooke. (Surely significant?).

The Brownes, Jordans, and Raynolds were local to Wedmore district, as probably the Proctors, as given previously.

Thurston cont.

1.2. Joan Thurston, m., as his second wife, *John Counsell,* Aug. 13, 1573, as given. John Counsell and his first wife (Margaret Browninge, m. April 28, 1567) had issue: (1) Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, d. 1604, possessing one third of the manor of Mudgley, whose dau, *Margery Counsell, m. John Hodges, 1610. (‘1590 Margeria f. Richardi Cownsell jun. de Muddeslei’, i.e. Mudgley. (2) William Counsell,* who had issue: Hannah Counsel, who m. John Boulting, son of Margery Counsell and Thomas Boulting, aforesaid. (3) John Counsell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569, who had issue:

(1) John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631 (aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner,* on Oct. 24, 1664); having issue: John Counsell, who m. (1) Ann Jeffries, Oct. 10, 1654, sister of Richard Jeffries, who, “dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries”, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, and his son-in-law, George Branch (B. 2, p. 13). Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer. Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

(2) Hodges Counsell Sr., father of Hodges Counsell Jr. Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668: To Hodges Counsell the younger …. Friends John Hardy and Thomas Taberer overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr. John Hardy was likely the br. of George Hardy, father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

(*John Counsell m. (3) Mary Westover, sister of John Westover, aforementioned).

THURSTON/GARDNER/HARRIS

1.3. Thomas Thurston.
1.3.1. Joan Thurston, bapt. Jan. 20, 1576, m. John Gardner, Sept. 15, 1603, who by a first wife, unknown, had issue: John Gardner (m. Joan …), b. ca. 1595; father of (1) Joan Gardner, bapt. Apr. 6, 1617 (in Cheddar), who m. *Thomas Harris, aforementioned. Thomas Harris and Joan Gardner had issue: Thomas Harris , bapt. 1637, in Cheddar, who m. (2) Hester Tibbits. His son, George Harris, b. ca. 1671 (to live with John Turner, aforementioned, 4 years), was the father of William Harris, of Halifax Co., NC., d. 1765, who sold to John Counsell (Oct. 11, 1764), 100 ac. on the north side of Black Creek, witnessed by William’s son, Simon Harris. (2) John Gardner, bapt. Nov. 1, 1621 (in Cheddar), m. (2) Mary Coomer, niece of Mary Coomer, wife of John Counsell, as given. John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner,* James Gardner, 1684, p. 56. *Father of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (3) George Gardner, bapt. Oct. 4, 1637 (in Cheddar), probable br. of James Gardner.

It is possible that the first wife of Thomas Harris, b. 1637,  may have been a Martin, a belief often suggested, a descendant of William Martin and Joan Counsell, who m. May 10, 1567, grandparents of John Martin, who m. Margery Coomer, Apr. 17, 1637 (in Cheddar), sister of Agnes Comer, who m. John Harris, Feb. 1635 (in Cheddar). Whomever his first wife, she was the mother of his children.

1. John Harris, d. 1598. Conveyance from Robert Hole, Wedmore, yeoman, son and heir of Marie Hole sister and co-heir of Robert Sherwell, and Temperance his wife to Richard Councell, Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman: ¼ part of free chapel. (of Allerton). April 15 1625. (Bristol Archives, HA/D/357). John Harris was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent). He was probably Robert Sherwell’s estate steward, and his kin – Robert Sherwell’s wife named Margery Counsell, aunt of Hodges Counsell Sr., as “cosen” in her Will. The Fulghams intermarried with the Holes.
1.1. Richard Harris.
1.1.1. Benjamin Harris Lease for 99 years and 3 lives. Hugh Sexey to Benjamin Harris of Allerton, yeoman, of a dwellinghouse lately newly built and called the “Courtehouse” in Blackford, with newly built stable adjoining, etc. … ; all parcel of the demesne and overland grounds of the manor of Blackford. (The hall or largest room in the dwelling house is reserved for the steward and other officers of the said Hugh Sexey for keeping the manor courts). August 20, 1615. (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\SE/26/13).
1.1.1.1. Benjamin Harris, bapt. July 8, 1638. Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Benjamin Harris and others. Place or subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1657.
1.1.1.2. John Harris, m. Agnes Comer, Feb. 4, 1635. (in Cheddar).
1.1.1.2.1. John Harris, designated as “Jr.” in register. (Perhaps more significant than imagined).
1.1.2. Ezekiel Harris, bapt. Sept, 22, 1588.
1.1.3. John Harris, b. ca. 1590, d. Feb. 21, 1624 (Allerton, Wedmore) m. Penelope Millard, dau. of Thomas Millard and Amisia Counsell (m. Jan. 10, 1574), sister of John Counsell, who m. (2) Joan Thurston, in 1573, as given; grandfather (by a first wife) of Hodges Counsell Sr.

THE HICKS COUSINSHIP CONNECTION TO HARRIS

1. Frances Millard (aunt of Penelope Millard), m. Andrew Hicks , Jan. 18, 1564.
1.1. Francis Hicks, bapt. Sept. 17, 1567.
1.2. Richard Hicks, bapt. Aug. 30, 1573.
1.2.1. Ann Hicks, m. John Boultinge, Jan. 27, 1618.
1.2.2. John Hicks (d. 1621), m. Anstice Millard (Penelope’s sister), who d. in 1624, on June 6, 1620.
1.2.3. William Hicks, m. Grace Morton, Jan. 23, 1625.
1.2.3.1. John Hicks, bapt. Feb. 2, 1634.
1.2.3.2. Walter Hicks, m. Anne Chapman (bapt. Jul. 27, 1647, in Compton Martin), on Feb. 4, 1676, in Compton Martin. Anne Chapman was the niece of Katherine Chapman*.
1.2.3.2.1. Robert Hickes, bapt. Mar. 13, 1683. March 6, 1738: Will of Robert Hicks, Gentleman of Brunswick, names sons Charles, George, John, James, grandson Benjamin, dau. Elizabeth Lanier. Wit. John Chapman. (ibid.). She was the wife of Thomas Lanier, son of Nicholas Lanier, half-br. of Sampson Lanier Sr., grandfather of Rebecca, wife of Walton Harris.
1.2.3.2.1.1. Daniel Hicks, Sr., of Brunswick Co.
1.2.3.2.1.2. George Hicks.
1.2.3.2.1.2.1. Absolem Hicks, son-in-law of Sherwood Harris. Sherwood Harris, Sr. His Will was proved Aug. 1763, execs. were his brother, Robert,* and wife Jane. He bequeathed 100 ac. to his dau., Mary Hicks, wife of Absolom Hicks, part part of a tract bought fron Jonathan White, whose inventory of Nov. 1772 was purchased by Richard Harris, Christopher Harris, Ann Harris, Robert Harris, and Sherwood Harris Jr. (*Robert Harris; his Will was proved in 1786, and bequested to niece Mary Harris, dau. of David Harris; my wife Lemander Harris. Execs: sons Sherwood and Samuel Harris.

WALTON

1. Robert Walton of Prince Edward County, Virginia, m. Francis … (Sherwood); on the assumption that Robert Walton’s son, Sherwood Walton, was named after his mother’s family.
1.1. George Walton, of Brunswick Co. Daughters Mary Ledbetter; Catherine Harris; sons John; son Isaac Rowe Walton; wife Eliazbeth. Proved 1767.
1.1.1. Catherine Walton, m. Nathan Harris, not he deceased in 1793.
1.1.1.1. Robert Harris, Will proved in 1786, bequesting to niece Mary Harris, dau. of David Harris; my wife Lemander Harris. Execs: sons Sherwood and Samuel Harris.
1.1.1.1.2. Sherwood Harris,
1.1.1.1.3. Samuel Harris,
1.1.1.2. Sherwood Harris, Sr., m. Jane …
1.1.1.2.1. Mary Harris, m. Absolem Hicks.
1.1.1.2.2. Sherwood Harris Jr.
1.1.1.3. David Harris.
1.1.1.4. Walton Harris, m. Rebecca Lanier.
1.2. Sherwood Walton.

The Walton family of Brunswick County, Virginia, resided in the Glastonbury area of Somerset, England. They took their name from the village of Walton, which is 2 mls miles (S. W.) from Glastonbury, and is 5 mls fom Meare, which is 3 mls (N.W.) of Glastonbury, which is 5 mls (S.) fr. Wedmore. Pitminster is 20 mls (S.) of Glastonbury, wherein families of Fulgham, Sherwood, and Sims lived.

Hicks cont.

1.2.3.2.2. Mr. John Hickes, b. ca. 1684, m. 1. Mary … His Will was pr. Aug. 20, 1729, naming son Robert, John, and Daniel Hicks, bequesting “my tract of land which I took up on Stevenss’ branch in Brunswick Co.”, also naming sons-in-law Edward Tatum and John Rose.
1.2.3.3. Edith Hicks, m. John Chapman, in Compton Martin, Apr. 14, 1645, br. of *Katherine Chapman, bapt. Nov. 17, 1611, who m. Richard Mayo, Oct. 19, 1640; grandparents of James Mayo, father of Abigail Mayo: Indenture, July 28, 1744, betw. Abigail Mayo of Brunswick, St. Andrews Par., and Michael Wall of same, £5, s side of Falling Run, 100a. granted by pat. to James Mayo, Feb. 18 1722. Witnesses: Nathaniel Edwards, George Hicks, Rebecca Chapman (great-niece of John Chapman and Edith Hicks), Thomas Rose. Indenture and memorandum proved by oath of George Hicks, gent, and Rebeccca Chapman, widow. (B. 3, p. 3).
1.2.3.4. Elizabeth Hicks, m. Richard Counsell, Aug. 12, 1647.
1.2.4. Susan Hicks, m. Thomas House, May 28, 1638, in Compton Martin
1.2.4.1. Richard House, m. Deborah Latcham, Jan. 3, 1670.
1.2.5. Margaret Hicks, m. Simon Day, Jan. 14, 1632.

Harris cont.

1.1.3.1. Thomas Harris (second-cousin of Hodged Counsell Sr.), m. Joan Gardner. Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20).
1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, “fil. Thomas and Joan”, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar, d. 1688.
1.1.4. Robert Harris, b. ca. 1592.
1.1.4.1. Edward Harris, bapt. August 8, 1624 (Allerton, Wedmore). I suggest that the Edward Harris who d, 1677 was of the Wiveliscombe Harris, as, extensively, given in previous notes., but, for the sake of possibility, this Edward is noted here.
1.1.4.2. Edith Harris.
1.1.4.3. John Harris, bur. Dec. 9, 1629.

copyright m stanhope 2020

1.
1.1. Thomas Busby (headright of Arthur Bayly), m. Susannah Grey, dau. of Capt. Francis Grey, of Surry Co., and was br.-in-law of Peter Grey, and Anthony Allan (who had m. a sister of Sussanah and Peter Grey).

Anthony Allen’s son, Francis, was named as Thomas Busby’s nephew (B. 1, p. 162).
Peter Grey gave 300 ac. of Thomas Busby’s land in Chippoaks, as part payment of a debt of 760 lbs. of tobacco, to Thomas Drewe. (Charles City Co. Orders, p. 327). Thomas Drewe acknowledged in court to have received 2,500 pounds of pork from Thomas Busby in payment of a bond; see hereinafter.

“Knowe all men by these presents that I Thomas Busby of Virginia Planter freely sell unto Peter Grey, 800 ac. lying and on the Southerne Run of Chippoaks Creeke in ye County of Surry, adjoyning to the land now in the possession of Jno. Barker”.* Signed in the presence of Francis Grey, Anthony Allen. Nov. 10, 1660. *John Barker Jr., Thomas Busby’s son-in-law.

Others claimed as headrights of Arthur Bayley* on Jan. 16, 1637 were John Harris and William Barker, father of John Barker Sr. William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, was a business partner of Francis Derrick Jr. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10); b. in 1607 in Long Ashton, Somerset.

He bought 30 ac. from John Baker (Barker) and his wife, Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris”, belonging to the late deceased George Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’, p. 113.

In the patois relevant to Somerset at this time, Cawcott is synonomous with Cockett: Silvester Thacker and Anthony Fulgham (of Pitminster, Somerset), 100 acs. IOW Co., Oct. 22, 1646, upon Pagan Point Bay, E. upon land of Mr. Thomas Davis and S. upon Mr. John Mahoone. Trans, of 2 pers: John Cockett & Sarah Robinson, p. 93. Henry Cockett and William Rose were headrights of Nicholas Meriwether, Nov. 16, 1653, p. 252.

(Baylie v Baylie. Plaintiffs: John Baylie. Defendants: *Arthur Baylie. Subject: property in Allington, Somerset. (juxta Taunton, 4 mls fr. Pitminster). 1654. (C 8/131/21). Arthur Bayley’s relict (a sister of Col. George Jordan and Arthur Jordan), m. Christopher Foster Sr., being stepmother of Christopher Foster Jr., ancestors of Millie Watkins, wife of Solomon Harris, as follows.

Thomas Busby’s neighbours: A list of the Tythables in Southwark parish in 1668, of 45 households, from Col. George Jordan’s upwards – Mr. John Barker (6) William Shorte (2) William Carpenter (2); Thomas Stephens (1) Mr William Rookings (3); William Heath (2) Francis Howgood (1); Thomas Greene (1); Mr William Norwood (2); Mr. Thomas Busby (3) … Mr. Benjamin Harrison (5), Mr. Henry Briggs (2); Ralph Creed (2); John King (1); Mr. Nicholas Meriwether (6); William Scarbrough, Robert Dennis (1) Robt House (2); Mr William Simmons to Parish Levy (2); Wm Newit and … Orchard (2). Taken by Mr. George Jordan. (William & Mary Quarterly, Series 1, Vol. 8-9, pp. 162, 163).

Jordan genealogies in Virginia are a welding together of various Jordan families, an wholly typical occurrence. The following disambiguation is suggested:

1. Thomas Jordan, b. ca. 1595, m. Thamsin Hollins, Jan. 21, 1618, in Stogumber, Somerset.
1.1. Thomas Jordan, b, ca. 1618, m. Elizabeth Greed(ie), July 3, 1638, in Stogumber.
1.1.1. Thomas Jordan, m. (1) Jane, dau. of Col. William Browne and Mary, dau. of Capt. Henry Browne. (2) Lucy Corker, who m. (2) William Rose.
1.2. George Jordan, b. ca. 1620.
1.2.1. Fortune Jordan, as follows.
1.2.2. George Jordan, m. Mary, dau. of Col. William Browne and Mary, dau. of Capt. Henry Browne. George Jordan’s sister was the wife of Arthur Bayley, whose headrights … etc.

Thomas Busby’s dau., Grace, m. John Barker Jr. (d. Oct. 9, 1713 in Chippoaks Creek, Surry), son of John Barker Sr. and a dau. of Thomas Drewe.

1. Grace Busby and John Barker Jr. had issue:
1.1. Sarah Barker (d. Sept. 20, 1744, in Tyrrell Co., NC), m. Robert Lanier Jr.
1.2. Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster Jr. 1.2.1. Ghristopher Foster, m. Alice Forte. 1.2.1.1. John Foster. 1.2.1.1.1. Sarah Foster, m. Walter Gilliam. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Lydia Gilliam, m. John Watkins. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Millie Watkins, m. Solomon Harris.
1.3. Josiah Barker, m. Faith Washington, Feb. 14, 1721, dau. of Richard Washington and Elizabeth Jordan (dau. of Arthur Jordan), and sister of Thomas Jordan, who m. (1) Jane Brown, sister of Priscilla Brown, who m. Thomas Blunt; (2) Lucy Corker, who m. (2) William Rose Jr. (A Bartholomew Owen connection).
1.4. Hannah Barker, d. Sept. 5, 1754, m. Walter Lashley. 1.4.1. Patrick Lashley. John Harris, d. in 1697/1698; his estate administered by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley. John Harris was the likely brother of William Harris, whose relict’s estate was administered by her son, Henry Harris, and witnessed by John Barker Jr. R. June 16, 1711. (B. 6, p. 52).

Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr.

1. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. 2. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton. 3. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr. 4. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion). 5. John Barker Jr. m. a dau. of Thomas Busby Sr. 6. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr. 7. John Barker Jr. was the br.-in-law of John Harris, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1729, whose land adjoined that of William Simmons Jr. A John Harris, on May 2, 1654, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton, as follows.

Thomas Busby’s land grant:

“Know ye that I Edward Diggs Esq, give and grant unto Thomas Busby Four Hundred acres of land Lying and being in Surry County on the south side of the western head of upper Chippoakes Creek beginning on Mr. Moseley line near the path that goes to Mr. Barkers; N. E. by E. 61 chains thence again on the said Moseleys line N. 115 chains and thence to John Barrowes Line; E. by N. 59 chains thence S. to the Southern run 10 chains thence on transverse up the Southern Run 188 chains to a corner marked here. Thence west to the said path 74 chains thence to the place it began. The said Land being due unto the said Busby by and for the transportation of eight persons, etc. Peter Spicer, Elizabeth Paine, William Gray, Joan Barker, Anthony Hulbrook, Thomas Busby, Richard Ballard, Cecily Morse. Sept. 16, 1657.

Mr. Robert Moseley sold his tract to Arthur Jordan Sr., on Oct. 28, 1657, who sold it to William Short Sr., ca. 1660:

1691. The Deposition of Mr. Thomas Busby, aged fifty nine yeares or theireabouts, being examined & sworne, saith: That thirty foure yeares agoe, or thereabouts, Robert Moseley, then liveing on the plantacon now in possession of Edward Green in the uper end of Surry County made an outcry of his whole estate as well (as) lands and other things & that the sheriffe of the county being absent, this deponent was cryer at the said outcry and that Mr. Arther Jordan then bought about eleavon hundred acres of land, the said land being that tract whereon the said Green now liveth, for which the said Jordan was to give tenn thousand pounds of tobacco & that one W. Short, then an inhabitant in Charles City County being at the said outcry, gave the said Jordan some advantage for his bargain, and discharged the said Jordan, and gave the said Moseley caution (Security) for the said land: and that the said Moseley in a very short time after the said outcry, went down to the house of Mr. Arther Allen and their sickened and dyd, and further this deponent saith that about two or three yeares after, Mrs. Short, her husband being then dead, sent down to Cabbin point about two thousand or two thousand five hundred pounds of porke *which this deponent delivered by her order as part of payment (to Thomas Drewe) for the said land, and further this deponent deposith that about two years after the payment of the said porke this deponent paid about six or eight hundred pounds of tobacco for the use of the said Mrs. Short, which to the best of his remembrances was the last payment for the said land. And further, this deponent deposith not. Tho: Busby September 1st 1691 Sworne to in Court. (B. 4, p. 228)

BLUNT

1. Thomas Blunt. Grant. Henry Brayne to his son Robert Brayne … all that little mansion next to the gate of the capital dwelling house of St. James … Witnesses: Walter Chester,* John Hollester, Thomas Lloyd, Thomas Blount. 1548. (Brist. Arch., 12276/1). 1.1. James Blunt. March 2, 1587. Lease; Thomas Colston, Langley and Cole now Aldermen to James Blunt, Baker. March 2, 1587. (Brist. Arch., P.AS/D/NA/83 a,b). 1.2. Thomas Blunt. Deed to lead the uses of a fine: (1) Edward Auflett and Mary his wife and Thomas Burkett, baker; (2) Henry Yate, soapmaker, Robert Smythe, hooper, Thomas Blounte and John Bilbye, gentlemen. Dec. 30, 1622. (B.A., 26166/206). 1.2.1. Thomas Blunt. Charter of Feoffment. Henrie Hobson, late Mayor; Thomas Hurte, grocer; surviving feoffees: to Richard Aldworth, mercer, et al. The gardens are now or late held by Pascall Garland and Thomas Blunt. March 24, 1633. (Brist. Arch., P.AS/D/OM/B/12). Thomas Blunt m. Jane Chambers (Jan. 10, 1610; Harl Soc. 27, Bath Abbey), sister of Robert Chambers, who m. Mary Stevens, Oct. 13, 1605, in Bath Abbey; probable sister of Elizabeth Stevens, who m. William Hodges, bur. June 5, 1615, on Nov. 29, 1610, in Bath Abbey, he of the Hodges of Wedmore, Somerset. 1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Blunt, m. John Thomas, linen draper, of Bristol. 1.2.1.1.1. William Thomas, b. 1613, chaplain to King James II. m, Blanche, dau. of Peter Semine, of Bristol. 1.2.1.1.1.1. John Thomas, m. Mary, dau. of William Bagnall, of Worcestershire. (Connection to the Izzards, etc.). 1.2.1.2. Thomas Blunt. Release of right, Thomas Blunt to John Knight (connection to Bartholomew Owen).* Dec. 13, 1656. (Brist. Arch., 4726/19).

1.2.1.2.1. Thomas Blunt, m. Priscilla Browne, relict of William Thomas, and sister of Fortune Flood.* 1.2.2. John Blunt. 1.2.2.1. Bridget Blunt, m. William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), son of *Walter Chester, nephew of Thomas Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1583. son, William Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff of Gloucestershire (d. 1607), who m. Catherine, dau. of Richard Dennys of Dyrham; sister of Frances Dennys, wife of John Gilliam, father of Captain John Gilliam, Jr.; father of Hinchea Gilliam, who m. *Fortune Flood, sister of John Flood, who m. Mary Blunt, dau. of Thomas Blunt, and sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker (br. of John Barker Jr.).

*In ca. 1660, Thomas Busby bought a horse from “Mathew Battell, Cooper, in the county of Surry”, witnessed by Thos. Pittman, Barth. Owen. (B.1, p. 157). Thomas Busby traded in horses. “These presents shall engage us, William Lea and Alice Lea assignes to deliver to Thomas Busby one grey mare presently downe, for him to posess & his heires, greatly to enjoy for ever. And wee the said William & Alice Lea doe rattifie & confirme, by the virtue of this our act & deed, peaceable possession of the said Mare with her increase unto the said Busby & his heires as aforesaid. Further wee doe bind ourselves & our heires to warrant the sale of the said mare to defend forever in law and to acknowledge the sale to be lawfull in Surry County Court (Surry County Deeds, No. 1, , p. 162).

Returning to Thomas Busby’s in-laws:
Francis Grey was granted 750 ac. in Charles City Co., Nov. 24, 1653 (Nugent, p. 231), claiming Grace Singleton as a headright, whom some assume to be his wife. In 1665, Mrs. Grace Grey complained to the Charles City Co. Court about her husband’s ill-treatment of her. She stated that they had been m. for 24 years, and he had received a good dower, though he was poor, and that she had bore him 6 living children. From this, Grace can be assumed to have been born ca. 1620. Why she was claimed as an headright in 1653 under her maiden name is problematic, and it should be considered whether she was a sister of Mary, wife of William Short Sr., who, Thomas Busby, as overseer of her husband’s estate, was ordered to provide her maintenance for life. (B. 2, p. 106).

1. John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon, who, it may be suggested, was he rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as William Barker, aforesaid.
1.1. Dorothy Harris, sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., a cousin of James Derick, bapt. Feb. 14, 1620, in Blagdon, the stepson of Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, in Blagdon, sister of John Harris, aforesaid.
1.2. John Harris, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654.*(“William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. May 2, 1654. Bond of Robt. Morsley to Jno. Felton. Wit. John Harris, Sack. Brewster. (V.C.R, v. xi, p. 31).
Sackville Brewster m. Elizabeth, relict of John Watkins, cooper, who d. in 1655. She was the stepmother of John Watkins (1708) husband of Elizabeth Spencer, orphan of Capt. Robert Spencer, who chose Thomas Jordan as her guardian, who had m. Robert Spenser’s relict, Jane. (Order Book 1671-1691, p. 265). Jane Browne was the dau. of Colonel William Browne and his first wife, Mary (Colonel William Browne m. (2) the relict of Nicholas Meriwether Sr.); and sister of:

1. Priscilla Browne, m. Thomas Blunt.
2. Mary Browne, m. George Jordan Jr. (br. of Thomas Jordan), having issue: George Jordan, who m. Sarah, dau. of William Hunt and Sarah Simmons (dau. of William Simmons Sr.); sister of William Simmons Jr.

William Hunt was the br. of Thomas Hunt, who m. (1, in 1665) Fortune, dau. of George Jordan Sr., (2) Elizabeth (dau. of Robert Judkins), and sister of William Judkins and Margaret Taylor (dau. of Margaret Taylor Harris), parents of Elizabeth and Hannah Judkins, the latter …

3. 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. Thomas Jordan was the br. of Richard Jordan Sr., father of Richard Jordan Jr., whose Will was witnessed by Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew Owen. His executor was Josiah Proctor, Bartholomew’s son-in-law.
4. Ann Browne, m. Walter Flood
1. John Flood.
1.1. Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne
1.1.1. Fortune Flood, m. Hinchea Gilliam
1.1.2. John Flood, m. Mary Blunt, dau. of Thomas Blunt, and sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker (br. of John Barker Jr.).
1. 2. Thomas Flood Sr. (Walter’s half-br.).
1.2.1. Thomas Flood Jr., m. Ann, dau. of William Rose Sr. COLLIER, John: Est. – 18 July, 1716. By Jane Collier, in 1718. Signed:Jane Lather and John Lather, admrs. Wit: Thomas Flood, Michael Harris, Nicholas Maggett. Book 7, p. 22. Children of John Collier and Jane Thomas were as follows:i John5 , born abt. 1714 in Surry Co. VA; deceased abt 1767 Surry Co VA. He married in Surry Co. VA, Lucy Mooring.
1.2.1.1. Jane Flood, m. a son of John and Elizabeth Spencer Watkins
1.21.1.1. Elizabeth Watkins, m. John Nicholson, p. 360.
1.2.1.2. Harry Flood, d. 1740, m. (2) Joyce Nicholson, relict of Robert Nicholson, d. 1719. His dau., Elizabeth, by his first wife, m. Robert Nicholson, son of his second wife, another son being John Nicholson (named in her will, pr. May 18, 1743, p. 433), wife of Elizabeth Watkins. Robert Nicholson’s son, Robert, m. Mary, dau. of Michael Harris of Surry Co.; his Will pr. Sept. 16, 1768, naminh his br.-in-law, John Harris, and sons, Michael, John, and Samuel.
5. William Browne, m. Jane, dau. of Nicholas Meriwether. On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted power of attorney to Nicholas Meriwether.
1.2.1. John Harris, estate admon by John Barker Jr. (1698). Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; headrights: Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, William West, etc. John Harris may have m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as John Barker Jr.

1.2.2. William Harris, m. Elizabeth, her widow’s estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr.
1.2.2.1. William Harris, m. Mary Short, dau. of William Short III., b. ca. 1665, whose Will, pr. Sept. 17, 1741, named dau. Mary Harris “the use of room in my dwelling house for life”; “grandson William Harris, son of William Harris, 150 ac. where his father now liveth”; “to grandson Thomas Harris, when 18 years old”. Kinsman Benjamin Heath. Wit. William Heath.

In 1714, a deed notes the land of William Heath in Prince George adjacent to Cotton, James Minge and Thomas Eldridge.
The will of Elizabeth Heath was filed in 1731 in Surry County Elizabeth (last name unreadable), widow, it would seem, of John Avery The appraisers were William Short, Mr. William Short, Jr. and William Harris.

1.2.2.1.1. William Harris. who received the 150 acres on which his father lived. William Harris, Surry County: Virginia State Land Office, Patents No. 34, 1756-1762.
1.2.2.1.2. Thomas Harris.
1.2.2.2. Henry Harris.
1.2.2.3. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30; Will mentions br. Henry and son, Joshua.
1.2.2.3.1. Joshua Harris.
1.2.2.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche.
1.2.2.3.1.1.1. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.
To repeat: 1. Grace Busby and John Barker Jr. had issue: 1.2. Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster. 1.2.1. Ghristopher Foster, m. Alice Forte. 1.2.1.1. John Foster. 1.2.1.1.1. Sarah Foster, m. Walter Gilliam. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Lydia Gilliam, m. John Watkins. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Millie Watkins, m. Solomon Harris.

The road from Wiveliscombe to Bristol passed through Blagdon.

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These notes allow for the opinion of some Harris researchers of old that emphasise a connection between the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and Thomas Harris who d. in 1688 in Virginia. They also claim a close association between the said Thomas and Edward Harris, who d. in 1677 in Virginia.

If you put a dye in a stream that disappears underground, the source of water that emmerges some miles away is known. The same with ancestors – if a group of closely associated families share the same names as those closely associated in past generations in a different place, they are the same families. This was an immutable cornerstone of the English kinship system, kin followed kin, which was followed in early Virginia by English settlers.

Families of Bennett, Blake, Flood, Forte, Harris, Jordan, Knight, and Vincent settled together in Virginia as neighbours in a former place – Wiveliscombe, in Somerset, and the immediate surrounding area.

This is a challenge to orthodox accounts, yet most genealogies in early Virginia stand little scrutiny, and follow a general pattern of attaching a perceived ancestor to an “Ancient Planter”. This mirrors claiming an ancestor was a “Companion of the Conqueror”. In both cases, the number of correct claims could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

The orthodox mythologies are riddled with constructs of impossible chronologies, and intermarriages between families that were total strangers, an anathema at this time. It is the case that there is much ignorance about the common associations in England of clusters of Virginia settlers.

In Wiveliscombe:

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennet, bapt. Mar. 5, 1568, on Oct. 8, 1594. Eleanor Bennet was the niece of Eleanor Edney, wife of George Vincent. Eleanor Bennet was the sister of Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570, father of (1) Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. (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 Numan, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Richard Bennett’s dau., Ann, m. (2) Theoderick Bland, whose br., John, m. Sarah Green, dau. of Giles Green and Elizabeth Hill, of Poundsford Park, Pitminster; her family the landlords of the Fulghams. Their son was Giles Bland, whose attorney was Robert Kae (of Bristol), p. 98, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, with Richard Corsey, whose Will, rec. May I, 1679, was witnessed by Thomas Moore.

1.1. Thomas Harris (m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623), d. 1672. Thomas Harris was the second-cousin of Daniel Vincent, bapt. Oct. 10, 1568, who m. Elizabeth White, Sept. 25, 1596; sister of John White; father of Bartholomew White, father of John White, b. ca. 1610-1615, father of Thomas White, bapt. Jan. 14, 1653, who was most likely the husband of Ann Moore (dau. of George Moore, and niece of Thomas Moore, who m. the relict of Samuel Elbridge); they the parents of Avis White, wife of John Harris, son of Robert, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. George Moore had m. Ann Barcroft, of a family of Chard, 20 mls. fr. Wiveliscombe.

(John White, b. ca. 1610-1615, is most likely witnessed here: Truckwell v White. Plaintiffs: Thomas Truckwell. Defendants: John White and Elizabeth White his wife and Thomas White. Subject: property in Elworthy, Somerset. 1666, 5 ml fr. Wiveliscombe. (C 8/197/11).

Daniel Vincent was the brother of John Vincent, bapt. ca. 1575, who m. Joan …, Sept. 8, 1602, having issue: John Vincent, bapt. Jan. 25, 1611, whose probable son was John Vincent, b. 1635, d. Oct. 20, 1698, in Surry Co., VA.; who m. (1) Mary White, dau. of John White and Elizabeth, and sister of Thomas White, aforesaid.

John Vincent and Mary White had issue: Thomas and John Vincent. Thomas Vinson of North Carolina to John Vinson of Surry County, Virginia for 500 pounds tobacco … 79 ac. in Sourthwarke Parish bounded by Thomas Minges branch. Wit: Thomas Eldridge, Thomas Vinson. Peter Vinson. David Vinson. Rec. Sept. 16, 1719. For the relationship between the Elbridges mentioned, see app. 1.

Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was claimed as a headright by Peter Knight, merchant of Bristol, in 1638. Peter Knight, merchant, 400 acs. Up. Co. of New Norf., Nov. 18, 1638 p. 543, On S.E. side of Nansamund Riv., & about 3 mi. up the E. side of a Cr., lying over against land of Richard Bennett & adj. Land of Robert Bennett (p. 85); cousins of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Peter Knight, merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, S.W. into the woods upon land of Left. John Upton & upon the Batchelors plantation Nly. Due by assignment & exchange to & with sd. Leift. Upton to & with Mr. Thomas Hill for 200 acs. in any other place ungranted & by sd. Hill sold to sd Knight for a valuable consideration. (Nugent I, p.105). (Christopher Lewis, associated with Bartholomew Owen, was a headright of John Upton). 1661. Ind. Christopher Lewis, Lower Par., Surry Co., and Bartholomew Owen 200 ac. on the west side of Gray’s Creek, p. 178.

Peter Knight, 255 acs. I0W Co., called Basses Choice, May 10, 1643. Near Pagan Bay & Dawsons Cr. & land of Mr. Peter Hall. Trans. of 6 pers: Peter Knight, Thomas Harris, James Foster, Edward Wells, William Nicholas, Thomas Cobb, p. 86.

Surry Court. It was ordered to audit and settle and deliver all accounts depending between Capt. George Jordan and Mr. Richard Hill, deceased. Test: Peter Knight, John Flood,* Benjamin Sidway. Jan 13, 1656. (Timberlake Davis).

Isle of Wight. Will of Arthur Smith. Leg. – sons Arthur and Richard etc. Overseers, Peter Hull, Peter Knight and George Hardy. Dat.. Oct 1, 1645, p. 35. (George Hardy, kinsman of father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677).

Ca. 1650, Peter Knight sold Basses Choice to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

July 26, 1652. Isle of Wight. Christopher Lewis, land patent for 750 acs. Trans. of 15 pers., inc. John Knight. (Nugent I, p. 261).

March 2, 1668. Gloucester. Mr. Peter Knight, land patent for 400 acs. a mile below Olliver Green, by a Great Sw., by Mr. Cookes land, &c. Granted to Wm. Newman, Apr. 20 165…, part of which he sold to Elias Cobson, who assigned to sd. Knight. (Nugent II, p. 86).

Apr. 23, 1681. Isle of Wight. Major Thomas Taberer, land patent for 400 acs. Up. Par. Of Is. Of W. Co., & commonly called Basses Choice, neer mouth of Pagan Creek. 150 acs. Granted Mr. Peter Knight in 1640 who sold to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, & by Mr. Giles Bland, his sonn & Atty., conveyed to sd. Taberer Dec. 4, 1675, together with confirmation of the sale & a relinquishment of dower by Mrs. Sarah Bland, wife & Genl. Atty. of sd. John. Oct. 6, 1679. (Nugent I, pp. 217; 277). Thomas Taberer was a headright of Peter Knight on Aug 25, 1652, for land in Gloucester Co.

Peter Knight was the uncle of Bartholomew Owen: 1. Thomas Knight, m. Alice Burde, May 13, 1563. 1.1. Thomas Knight, m. Alice Forte, Jan. 18, 1593; sister of William Forte, bapt. 24 May 24, 1576, father of Richard Forte (br. of John and George), probable father of Elias Forte, who had sons, John and George.

1.1.1. Peter Knight. 1.1.2. Sarah Knight, m. Nicholas Harwood, May 2, 1614; security for Thomas Joyner in a suit against William Stone in James City in 1637, p. 122. This Thomas was almost certainly the grandfather of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.3. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen, Nov. 17, 1619. 1.1.3.1. Bartholomew Owen. Thus, Bartholomew and Elias Forte were second-cousins.

Elias Forte’s son, John, m. a dau. of Richard Jordan, who bequesting to his son, Charles, “land which was formerly Mr. (Bartholomew) Owens”. “Richard Jordan Jr., 260 ac. on the northeast side of Johnchecokuck Swamp in the upper parish of Surry Co., being part of Mr. Owen’s dividend”. (B.4, p. 104). Bartholomew Owen was kin of these Jordans; his primary connection being his grandmother.

1.1.4. Thomas Knight, m. Mary Pole, Nov. 20, 1622. Elizabeth City. Henry Coleman, land patent for 104 acs., bounded W. upon Hampton River, S. by land of Mr. Henry Poole & N. by land of Mr. Robert Speed. For trans of 2 pers.: Robert Peltriman & William Knight. (Nugent I, p. 137). 1.1.4.1. John Knight, bapt. Mar. 31, 1633. Christopher Lewis, land patent for 750 acs. Trans. of 15 pers., inc. John Knight. (Nugent I, p. 261).

Harris cont.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris (b. ca. 1630, d. 1688), cousin of Thomas Blake, who m. Alice Champion, sister of Phyllis Champion, as follows, and Edward Champion Jr., bapt. Nov. 4, 1633, in Meare. 1.1.1.1. Robert Harris, b. ca. 1660. 1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, b. ca. 1690, m. Avis White, dau. of Ann Moore and Thomas White, bapt. Jan. 14, 1653, as given. Ann Moore was the dau. of George Moore, brother of Thomas Moore, who m. the relict of Samuel Elbridge.

1.1.2. John Harris, appraised the estate of William Groves, with Edward Brantley, and Elias Fort. Rec. Feb. 9, 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). Elias Fort, b. ca. 1630 in Wiveliscombe, m. Phyllis, dau. of Edward Champion (bapt. Feb. 20, 1596, who m. Elizabeth Rowley (bapt. March 15, 1598), on Jan. 15, 1623, in Meare, 30 mls fr. Wiveliscombe.

Elias Forte and Phyllis Champion had issue: George Forte, and John Forte, who m. Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of Richard Jordan, whose Will was proved Nov. 7, 1699, bequesting to his son, Charles, “land which was formerly Mr. (Bartholomew) Owens“. Wit. brs.-in-law, Joshua Proctor and Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew, who was almost certainly the son of William Owen and Elizabeth Knight, who m. on Nov. 17, 1619, in Wiveliscombe.

1.1.2.1. John Harris. 1.1.2.1.1. Isabella Harris, m. Nicholas Fulgham, grandson of Nicholas; br. of Michael Fulgham. “Antony Fulljames” was bapt. on May 1, 1582, in High Ham, 15 mls N.E. of Pitminster, son of John. His son, “Anthony Fuljames”, m. Elizabeth …, Nov. 5, 1638, in Pitminster. It was probably this Anthony who, by a second wife, was father of the said Nicholas and Michael. By Elizabeth, Anthony Fulgham had issue: John Fulgham, who was co-executor of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.2. Edward Harris. Richard Bennett (br. of Eleanor and Thomas afors.), bapt. Oct. 9, 1573, d. Aug. 28, 1626, in VA, m. Judith … ‘The will of Judith Bennett of St. Dunstans in the East, London, widow was proven by Edward Harris, executor, Nov. 23, 1638. (P.C.C. 164 Lee. ) Her children were evidently deceased as she left all to her kinsman Edward Harris. Edward Harris of St. Dunstan in the East, London, merchant, aged 45, named in the Hubberday v. Penniston court case of 1641, which stated he received tobacco from Virginia with Captain Thomas Cornwallis. E.D.N., p. 7, 1875: ‘Among the first sale of negro servants is that made by (Governor) Richard Bennett, when a Virginia merchant, to Thomas Cornwallis. About the year 1643 he sold two Africans for fifty pounds sterling.

1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy; dau. of George. 1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with kinsman, “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

FLOOD

1. Robert Flood, m. Elizabeth …, Jan. 21, 1560. in Wiveliscombe. 1.1. John Flood. 1.1.1. Robert Flood. 1.1.1.1. Robert Flood, bapt. Feb. 15, 1618. 1.1.1.2. Henry Flood, bapt. May 27, 1620. 1.1.1.3. Marie Flood, bapt. May 24, 1622. 1.1.1.4. Judith Flood, m. William Hilling, Aug. 22, 1642. Elizabeth Hilling, m. “Antony Fulljames”, June 29, 1607, in Norton Fitzwarren, 7 mls fr. Wiveliscombe; 6 mls fr. Pitminster. 1.1.1.5. Agnes Flood, m. John Sharpe, Feb. 2, 1647. 1.1.1.5.1. Elizabeth Sharpe, m. Richard Reynolds Sr. John Sharpe appears to have been a son of Richard Sharpe, bapt. April 22, 1599, in Stogumber, son of Christopher; and br. of Richard Sharpe, who m. Ann White, Jan 17, 1643, in Stogumber; who may have been parents of the wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, in Virginia.

It is likely pertinent that Elizabeth Sharpe, wife of Richard Reynolds Sr., the br. of Elizabeth Reynolds, who m. Richard Jordan Sr., having issue: Richard Jordan, whose dau., Elizabeth, m. John Forte, son of Elias Forte and Phyllis Champion.

Richard Reynolds Sr. was the son of Christopher Reynolds, who “by his last will & testament … bequeathed to … Richard the only sonn & heire of Christopher; 100 ac. … being part of a pattent for 350 acs. granted to Mr. Richard Jordan Sen. the 18 March 1662 & by the said Jordan sold & conveyed to Chr. Reynolds the 17 May 1658 … due to the sd. Reynolds by & for the transp. of twelve persons in to this Colony … inc. John Champion. (B.6., pp. 684/5.).

1.1.2. *John Flood, bapt. Sept, 10, 1603. “John Fludd, Gent.”, 2100 ac. “E. upon land of Henry Browne”,* m. Fortune Jordan, sister of Col. George Jordan. Henry Browne’s dau., Mary, m. William Browne** (probably a close degree of cousin), having issue: (1) Priscilla Browne, who m. (2) Thomas Blunt; (2) Mary Browne, who m. Col. George Jordan; (3) Jane Browne, who m. Thomas Jordan (br. of Col. George Jordan); having issue: Mary, who m. Francis Sowerby, Jr. Thomas Jordan m. (2) Lucy …, who m. (2) William Rose, Jr. (4) Ann Browne, m. Walter Flood.

*On March 1, 1661, Christopher Lewis and his wife, Jane, sold 200 ac. to Bartholomew Owen, adj. Henry Browne. Wit. George Jordan.

**William Browne m. (2) Elizabeth, relict of Nicholas Meriwether, whose headright (1654, Westmoreland co.) was William Rose. Wm. Seward (son of John) to Nicholas Meriweather, James City Island in Virginia, 300 ac. in Surry Co., May 3, 1666, p. 270. Bartholomew Owen granted a power of attorney to Nicholas Meriweather, on Oct. 8, 1677.

1.1.2.1. Thomas Flood. 1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Flood, m. Ann Rose, sister of William Rose, Jr. 1.1.2.1.2. Walter Flood, m. Ann Browne.

It may be worth considering that Thomas Jordan (who m. (1) Jane, dau. of William Browne and Mary, dau. of Henry Browne. (2) Lucy … , who m. (2) William Rose; and, his br., George Jordan, who m. Jane Browne’s sister, Mary) were of the Browne’s of Stogumber (7mls fr. Wiveliscombe); sons of Thomas Jordan, b, ca. 1618, who m. Elizabeth Greed(ie), July 3, 1638, in Stogumber; son of Thomas Jordan.

Henry Browne may have been he bapt. Dec. 15, 1592 , in North Petherton (13 mls fr. Stogumber), descendant of Thomas Browne, who was granted land in North Petherton, and Bridgwater. “To Thomas Browne and William Breton of London, gentlemen, 25 March 1553”. (G. H. Woodward, Calendar of Somerset chantry grants, 1548-1603, 1982).
Similarly, William Browne may have been of the Brownes of Wiveliscombe.

The Jordan families of this account were probably of the same stock.

If you put a dye in a stream that disappears underground, the source of water that emmerges some miles away is known. Some may not like the conclusion, but be that as it may be.

App. 1.

ELBRIDGE
1. …
1.1. Giles Elbridge.
1.1.1. John Elbridge. “John Elbridge of St. Peters within the city of Bristol, merchant”, whose will was proved Oct. 16, 1646, mentioning sister, Elizabeth, now wife of Thomas Moore.
1.1.1.1. Aldworth Elbridge.
1.1.1.1.1. John Elbridge, of Bristol, Will proved March 27, 1739 left £10,000 to his nephew, Thomas Elbridge. (PROB 11/695/194).
1.1.1.1.2. Robert Elbridge, bequested a share in Spring estate in St Andrew, Jamaica. to his brothers John and Thomas. (Eldridge Family’ papers at Bristol Record Office).
1.1.1.1.3. Thomas Elbridge.
1.1.1.1.3.1. Thomas Elbridge.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Elbridge, m. her cousin, Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (br. of Thomas) and (Edward) Brantlie”, p. 10. On June 8, 1655, Samuel Eldridge granted 295 ac. on main branch of Blackwater river, between Mr. Seward’s and Humphrey Clerk’s land. John Seward, Bristol sea captain and merchant, was granted 400 ac., June 18, 1638, upon N. side of a S.W. creek setting out of the main creek commonly called Carye’s Neck. Due for trans. of 8 persons including Edward Brantly.
1.1.3. Martha Elbridge, m. …
1.2. John Elbridge
1.2.1. Samuel Elbridge, m. Elizabeth Elbridge, who m. (2) Thomas Moore; the father, by a first wife, of Thomas Moore, business associate of John Elbridge, of Bristol, Will proved March 27, 1739.

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COUNSELL
1. John Counsell, m. (2). Joan Thurston, in Wedmore.
1.1. Mawde Counsell, m. John Weekes, June 7, 1585.
1.2. Marian Counsell, m. Richard Weekes, May 30, 1586, nephews of Edith Weekes (Wyke) who m. John Voules,* May 18, 1566.
1.2.1. Margery Weekes, bapt. Feb. 17, 1587, m. George Counsell, July 12, 1607.

1.3. Margery Counsell, m. Thomas Boulting, June 15, 1584, br. of Antonia Boulting, who m. John Turner,* May 6, 1574. (*1. John Turner . 1.1. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579 in Wedmore, m. (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney. 1.1.1. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618 in Wedmore, was a headright of Richard Tye (in 1650), whose relict m. John Cogan. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son George with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. John Cogan witnessed the Will of the said Thomas Harris. 1.1.1.1. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 1.1.1.1.1. James Harris, m. Elizabeth Norfleet, dau. of Marmaduke Norfleet, son of Thomas Norfleet, who bought adjoining land from Robert Counsell (NC. Edg. Co. D.B. 1., p. 204), and was mentioned as a neighbour of Robert Counsell and Thomas Turner (J. Bryan Grimes, Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, p. 17). 1.1.1.1.2. West Harris. 1.1.1.2. Joseph Turner. 1.1.1.2.1. Mary Turner, m. West Harris. 1.1.1.2.1.1. Turner Harris).

VOULES
*1. John Voules
1.1. Edith Voules, m. John Brook, Nov. 28, 1583.
1.1.1. Joan Brook, bapt. June 11, 1587, m. William Pittman, Aug. 5, 1611.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Pittman, of Virginia, bapt. Dec. 24, 1612 (a match to his deposed age); m. (2) Lydia Grey Judkins; being stepfather of Robert and Samuel Judkins.
1.2. Richard Voules, m. Alice Thurston, Jan. 23, 1597.
1.2.1. Richard Voules, m. Marian Sayard, Nov. 6, 1615. She may have been related to John Seward, who owned property adjacent to Wedmore: Exemplification of a common recovery Houses, lands etc, at Butcombe, Nempnett, Wrington, Blagdon and other places, Somerset John Pester and Richard Deane against John Seward. Sept. 29, 1647. (Brist. Arch., 5139/229). Thomas Harris (d. 1688) settled on land that had been John Sewards. 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 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris, to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510).
1.3. John Voules, m. Isabell Millard (bapt. Oct. 16, 1575), on July 30, 1602; dau. of Thomas Millard and Amicia Counsell, who m. Jan. 10, 1574. Their younger dau., Penelope, bapt. Oct. 3, 1591, was the wife of John Harris, as given hereinafter.
1.4. Alice Voules, m. Richard House, Oct.20, 1603.
1.4.1. John House.

1.3. *Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, d. 1604. Held one third of the manor of Mudgley.
1.3.1. *Margery Counsell, m. John Hodges, 1610. (‘1590 Margeria f. Richardi Cownsell jun. de Muddeslei’, i.e. Mudgley.
1.3.2. George Counsell, m. Margery Weekes, July 12, 1607, as given.
1.4. John Counsell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569
1.4.1. John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner,* on Oct. 24, 1664.
1.4.1.1. John Counsell, m. (1) Ann Jeffries, Oct. 10, 1654, sister of Richard Jeffries, who, “dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries”, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, and his son-in-law, George Branch (B. 2, p. 13). Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer.

Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Francis England’s grandson, Francis Branch, m. Elizabeth Norwood, niece of Henry Norwood, son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney, of Cheddar, granddau. of George Rodney. George Rodney’s dau., Agatha, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, of Wedmore, as follows.

1.4.2. Hodges Counsell Sr.
1.4.2.1. Hodges Counsell Jr. Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668. To Hodges Counsell the younger …. Friends John Hardy and Thomas Taberer overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr.
1.5. William Counsell.
1.5.1. Hannah Counsel, m. John Boulting.*

GARDNER
1. John Gardner, d. 1677.
1.1. John Gardner bapt. Nov. 1, 1621, in Cheddar.
1.1.1. *John Gardner, m. Mary Coomer, Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar. John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner, James Gardner, 1684, p. 56. “Thomas Taberer assigned a bill to John Gardner against Rebecca Izard” (Mr. Boddie, p. 562); step-mother of Ann Izard, who m. (2) Michael Fulgham; their issue: Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Counsell (son of Hodges Counsell Jr.); Ann Fulgham. who m. (Mr. Boddie conjectured), Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.2. Elizabeth Gardner, m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, br. of Hester Tibbits, who m. Thomas Harris (as second wife), Apr. 24, 1679, in Cheddar;
1.2. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, m. Thomas Harris. Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: *John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20. PROB 11/372/389). Will of John Boulting, Yeoman of Wedmore, March 24, 1683. John Boulting had m. Hannah Counsell dau. of William Counsell.
1.2.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637 (d. 1688, in Virginia), m. (1) unknown, (2) Hester Tibbits).

HARRIS
1. John Harris, of Blackforde, in Wedmore, bur. Jan 27, 1597, “servant” (probably estate steward) of Robert Sherwell, who m. (Oct. 6, 1578), Maria Beard/Berd/Berde (see N.A. C 3/8/108), dau. of John Beard. The Will of Maria Sherwell, widow of ‘Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent.’, was proved Nov. 26, 1627: She requests burial at Wedmore, and named ‘cousin Richard Counsell’,* ‘cousin Margery Hodges’,* and ‘Mr. George Hodges, of Wedmore’ (son of Thomas Hodges, son of George Hodges Sr.).

The Hole family intermarried with the Fulghams were probably they of Wedmore (and adjacent Cheddar and Meare). Conveyance from Robert Hole, Wedmore, yeoman, son and heir of Marie Hole, sister and co-heir of Robert Sherwell, and Temperance his wife to Richard Counsell, Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman: ¼ part of free chapel. Reciting letters patent April 14, 1603, granting the free chapel to Michael Cole and John Rowdon who sold it to Robert Sherwell. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357).

1.1. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. He m. (2) Christiana Thurston, bapt. 28 Oct. 1591, on Oct. 8, 1618; the great-niece of Joan Thurston, who m. (2) John Counsell, on Aug. 13, 1573.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1615, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637 (d. 1688, in Virginia).
1.2. Robert Harris.
1.2.1. Edward Harris, bapt. Aug. 8, 1624, in Wedmore.
1.2.2. John Harris, bapt. Dec. 6, 1629.

HODGES
1. Thomas Hodges, gent., bur. Dec 27 1600 Will pr. Feb. 6, 1601. (per modern cal.). To be buried in the North Ile of Wedmore Church. George Hodges, my son’s son. Mary Godwin, my daughter’s daughter.My wife Margaret. My daughter Isabel, 6 oxen & 2 kyne. Residue to Cyllie & Jone Matthew. My wife Margaret, & George Hodges, Exors.
1.1. Captain Thomas Hodges. ‘At Wedmore is a monument Sacred to the memory of Captain Thomas Hodges of the County of Somerset, esq., who at the siege of Antwerpe, about 1583, with unconquered courage wonne two ensignes from the enemy, where receiving his last wound, he gave three legacies: his soule to his Lord Jesus, his body to be lodged in Flemish earth, his heart to be sent to his dear wife in England’ (Pettigrew’s ‘Tombs’, 1857). He m. Agatha Rodney, aunt of Dorothy, wife of Rice Davis of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq.
1.2. Christian Hodges, m. John Mathew, June 13, 1584.
1.2.1. Jenkin Mathew, m. Joan Hamlin.
1.3. Joan Hodges, m. Laurence Jeforde, Feb. 3, 1587.
1.4. Richard Hodges (alias Brook).
1.5. William Hodges, bur. June 5, 1615, m. (1) Jane Fabian, Oct. 10, 1596, (2) Elizabeth Stevens, Nov. 29, 1610, in Bath Abbey, probable sister of Mary Stevens, who m. Robert Chambers, Oct. 13, 1605, in Bath Abbey. His sister, Jane Chambers, m. Thomas Blunt, of Bristol. (Jan. 10, 1610; Harl Soc. 27, Bath Abbey). Robert and Jane Chambers were children of Robert Chambers Sr., who is described thus: Robert Chambers gent of Bath and deputy-steward of the manor of Rodley (1606, STAC 8/94/10), from whence the Crumpes.

BLUNT
Ar., two bars az., over all an Escarbuncle of eight rays or, Blunt of Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire.

Edmund Blount and Margaret Seymour had issue, Margaret Blount, who m. Sir John Hungerford, of Down Ampney, Gloucestershire. Margaret Blount was the aunt of:
William Blount of Mangotsfield, who m. Agnes Brayne, of Gloucestershire, presumably of the family of Henry Brayne, formerly of London, who bought the manor of St James (Bristol) at the Dissolution.

He is noted thus: Award of Henry Brayne, Esq. and John White gent. arbitrators for David Harrys and Thomas Walter … David Harrys to have possession of lands and tenements as in lease of 1517. 1556. ( Brist. Arch., AC/WH/2/8). Bond in £100 to abide by the arbitration of William Chester and David Harris, aldermen, Henry Brayne, esquire, and George Jones, “gentelleman”, concerning St. Lawrence’s parsonage house. 1558. (Brist. Arch., P.St JB/D/2/210).

Deeds relating to Moorend, Mangotsfield and Barton Regis:

Agreement for sale and purchase – Richard Dennis and Robert Brayne and Nicholas Philpott – house in Moorend and land belonging to it. (Brist. Arch., 5138/5).
Feb 1, 1582. Exemplification of a recovery, John and Anthony Blount and William Aprice. Feb 1, 1582. Will of Anthony Blunte or Blunt, Yeoman of Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, probated May 22, 1618. Will of John Blunt or Blount, Yeoman of Down Ampney, probated Feb. 15, 1622. (B.A., 8015/94d).
March 2, 1587. (B.A., P.AS/D/NA/83 a,b). Lease; Thomas Colston, Langley and Cole now Aldermen to James Blunt, Baker.
Dec. 30, 1622. (B.A., 26166/206). Deed (1) Edward Auflett and Mary his wife and Thomas Burkett, baker; (2) Henry Yate, soapmaker, Robert Smythe, hooper, Thomas Blounte and John Bilbye, gentlemen … 3 messuages in Temple parish.
Sept. 5, 1648. (B.A., 12276/1). Henry Brayne to his son Robert Brayne … to the use of Elizabeth, wife of Henry Brayne: all that little mansion next to the gate of the capital dwelling house of St. James … Witnesses: Walter Chester, John Hollester, Thomas Lloyd, Thomas Blount. (Father of John Blunt).
Articles of agreement concerning a future exemplification. John Cruso, Doctor of Civil Law, and John Blount. Aug. 7, 1653. (Brist. Arch., 8015/94f1).
John Blunt’s dau., Bridget, m. William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), father-in-law of Thomas Harris (as given elsewhere). William Chester was the son of Walter Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis, whose Will was witnessed by Thomas Blunt, Bridget Blunt, Thomas Harris. (C.P.C. Oct. 12, 1661,127 Evelyn).

Walter Chester was the nephew of Thomas Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1583. He purchased the manor of Barton Regis, formerly owned by Sir Maurice Dennys, of Pucklechurch, who left no issue, and, subject to the life estate of his widow, he made his nephew Richard Dennys, the eldest son of his brother Sir Walter, his principal heir.

His son, William Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff of Gloucestershire (d. 1607), m. Catherine, dau. of Richard Dennys of Dyrham; sister of Frances Dennys, wife of John Gilliam, father of Captain John Gilliam, Jr.; father of Hinchea Gilliam, husband of Fortune Flood, sister of John Flood, who m. Mary Blunt, sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker; their son, Hinchea Gilliam Jr., m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of John Barker (son of Joel).

copyright m stanhope 2020

There was a very distinct breed of Harris, closely associated with Bristol and the tobacco trade with Virginia. They assuredly knew others of their locality – the Harris of Wiveliscombe, kin of the Bennetts and Blands, that controlled much of this trade – but were of a distinct breed from them, however much associated in a commercial sense; however much associated through unknown, and advantageous, intermarriages.

These were the Harris of London, then Bristol. Their associations were with families of the latter place; associations so deeply layered as to be unintelligible to the modern mind; necessarily so in an age of survival through kinship.

It was from this distinct breed of Harris, I suggest, that came Sergeant John Harris of Virginia; a target of speculation, with him being given an imaginary son that fathers the chosen ancestor of living claimants. It was always ever the stuff of fool’s gold, as that discovered in the early days of Harris research, in such places as Crixse. The irony is that nothing had to be invented – Sergeant John Harris and his descendants were always there, in Surry Co., Virginia, hidden from view by false claims, based on false interpretations of the relationship between people mentioned in Virginia land deeds.

The task is to consider what follows, then to listen to your voice, not letting it be drowned out by the louder voices of ancestor claimants. The people under consideration deserve this. The overall task is to understand the English origins of Virginia settlers, and to consider whether their patterns of association in England were repeated in Virginia, thus confirming who they were.

JOHN HARRYS OF LONDON

1. John Harrys, of London. Jan. 21, 1470. Protection for John Harrys of London in the retinue of George duke of Clarence, lieutenant of Ireland. (C.S.P.).
1.1. John Harrys. Harrys v Bele. Plaintiff: John Harrys, of Bristol, grocer, son of John Harrys, of London. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and barn in Ware, late of complainant’s father, in right of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. 1504-1515. (C 1/320/92).
1.1.1. David Harris. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982: b. by 1511, s. of John Harris of Bristol by Alice.* m. (1) Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol, 3s. 1da.; (2) by Apr. 1543, Margaret. To his wife Margaret he left a share of their dwelling house with his son David, leaving a third part to his daughter Alice and her husband Ralph Bennet should they desire it. Other legatees included his sons John and George. The will was proved on Nov. 20, 1582. PCC 41, Tirwhite. *Edwards (REQ 2/4/362).
1.1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon). He and his elder (half) br., David, witnessed a deed of Walter Kelke and his wife, daughter and heiress of Robert Woodward … late bookebynder; and Robert Smythes and Elizabeth his wife, late wife of Woodward; to Walter Davies, glover, and David Jones, barbour; parishioners of All Saints. October 3, 1582. (B.A., P.AS/D/CS/B/8). The Smyth(es) family held land in Blagdon, 10 mls fr. Long Ashton.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris,* bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon; 4 mls from Cheddar. He was possibly Sergeant John Harris of Virginia (and mentioned as a “servant” of Arthur Bayley, as Thomas Busby); cousin of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., b. 1607 (son of Francis Derrick Sr. of Long Ashton), cousin of James Derrick, who m. a stepdau. of Joan Harris, sister of John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon; cousins of Tristram/Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., per Will of Francis Derrick Sr. Francis Derrick Jr.

1.1.1.1.1.1. Dorothy Harris. Sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., inherited from George Cockett (her probable uncle), a reasonably common name around Bridgwater, 20 mls fr. Blagdon, and, in the Bristol basin patois of the time, similar to Caucot, etc. Dorothy Harris m. John Baker/Barker, b. 1613 (a kinsman of John Barker,* as follows); not the commonly given amalgamation of various John Bakers. John Baker/Barker was the br. of Elizabeth Barker, who m. John Goninge, son of John Goninge, and br. of Mary, wife of Edward Pitt, mother of William Pitt. John Goninge Sr. was part owner in 1629 (with Francis Derrick Sr. and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’. John Goninge, same year, was the part owner of ‘The Supply’ with William Pitt.

The Barker family of Bristol were also Baker. John Barker was also recorded as John Baker. In Cal. State Papers, Charles I., p. 291, he is recorded as owning “the Mary Rose of Bristol” in partnership with John Taylor* and William Pitt, Jan. 2, 1627; the same for June 2, 1626. On Nov. 22, 1627, he is recorded as the owner of the Mary Rose as Baker query Barker. Earler ships manifests record him as Barker or Baker.

1.1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, infant in 1624, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby, as John Barker, son of William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, and br. of Sara Barker, who m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock. He had m. (1) Anne Harris, on Oct. 1, 1632, in Wraxall, 3 mls fr. Long Ashton; of her can only be speculation. He was the probable son of John or Richard Taylor Jr., sons of Richard Taylor Sr., evidenced here: Counterpart lease. 1. Hugh Smythe of Long Ashton, esquire. (Landlord of the Derrick family of that place). 2. Richard Taylor of Bedminster, sailor, and Katherine his wife. Tenement and garden with land called Spytman’ meade and Redd meade, Bishport. Oct. 20, 1597. Richard Taylor Jr. m. Mary Woodward, Sept. 2. 1602, in Long Ashton, aunt of Martha Woodward, who m. Richard Bradford, Aug. 15, 1632, in Easton in Gordano, 5 mls fr. Long Ashton; having issue: Richard Bradford (bapt. Nov. 23, 1634, in Easton in Gordano, who d. after July 14, 1716, in Westover Parish, Charles City), who m. Frances Taylor, sister of Elizabeth Taylor, who m. John Hamlin Sr.

John Barker, settled on Chippokes Creek in 1649. “Whereas by and after the decease of John Barker late of Flowerdue Hundred in Charles City Coun. in Virginia deceased, all that tract commonly called Flowerdue Hundred containing 1,000 acres did lawfully descend and come to Sarah then the wife of Richard Taylor, deceased, and now the wife of Robert Lucy, and Elizabeth, wife of Phillip Limbry — sisters and co-heirs with the said John Barker”. There is no proof of whom John Barker married, and had issue:
Jethro, Joel, and John Barker; the latter (Will probated May 19, 1714); m. a dau. of Thomas Busby and Susannah Gray (as likely did John Harris); sister of Margaret Gray, who m. 1. Edward Taylor (d. bef. May 4, 1708), 2. Bartlett Moreland. 3. William Harris, a witness to the estate appraisal of Edward Taylor. William Seward witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor. Margaret and Susannah Gray were cousins of William Gray Jr., who m. the relict of John Seward, son of William Seward, and grandson of John Seward (whose headright was Edward Brantley Sr).

1.1.1.1.1.2.1. John Harris, d. in 1697/1698; his estate administered by his br.-in-law, John Barker Jr., and Patrick Lashley, John Barker Jr’s son-in-law. Feb. 11, 1698; B. 5. p. 165.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew, dau. of Thomas Drew, son of Edward Drew, see as follows.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Mary Harris, m. her cousin, Henry Harris.*
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.2. Nathan Harris, sold his land in 1772 to his br.-in-law, Henry.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2. William Harris, whose relict’s estate was administered by her son, Henry Harris, and witnessed by John Barker Jr. R. June 16, 1711. (B. 6, p. 52).
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. *Henry Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.2. John Harris. Leg. wife Sarah, dau. Mary. Prob. June 15, 1720. Wit. John Kitchen (Kinchen), Robert Ruffin. The latter wit. d. that year. His son, John Ruffin, m. Martha Hamlin; their issue, Robert Ruffin, m. Mary (Clack) Lightfoot, Francis Ruffin, m. Sarah Harris, dau. of William Harris.*
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3. Thomas Harris, d. 1729, m. Hannah Judkin,* d. April 10, 1739, who m. 1. Thomas Harris. 2. Christopher Clinch, d. Dec. 13, 1736, 3. Edward Brantley, nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., estate appraised by Henry Harris and Thomas Barrow, July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). In his Will, Thomas Harris names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas). Thomas Barrow m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., headright of John Seward, of Bristol, grandfather of William Seward Sr. whose Will (dated March 16, 1702, in Surry Co.), was witnessed by Edward Barrow, br. of Thomas. William Seward m. 2. Ann Clinch. William Seward’s son, John, was the half.-br. of Christopher Clinch (B. 6, p. 126), who m. Hannah Judkin, relict of Thomas Harris, and subsequent wife of Edward Brantley.

William Seward’s son, William, witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor, parents of Margaret Taylor, who m. 1. William Judkins, having issue: Elizabeth Judkin, who m. John Berryman (of a Bristol family), and *Hannah Judkin. Edward and Thomas Barrow were sons of Thomas Barrow Sr.: John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Barrow, 150 ac. on Green Swamp, formerly belonging to William & Judah Lyles, bordering land of Francis Mason and land of John Bynam. Wit: Nich. Smith, Wm. Seward, p. 259.

The Barrows were probably intermarried with the Smiths/Smyths of Long Ashton; they were certainly kin of the Jordans: Richard Jordan Jr. (m. Cicily Barrow, dau. of Thomas Barrow Sr. and Mary Blow), 260 ac. Upper Parish of Surry Co. on the NE side of John Checokuck Swamp being part of Mr. (Bartolomew) Owen’s deviant for transportation of 6 persons: inc. John Avery, of Bristol, p. 369, being part of 600 ac. formerly granted to George Blow dec’d. … who sold it to John Bynum who in turn sold it to “my father Richard Jordan” on Nov. 8, 1679; “descended to me as heir of my said father”. Richard Jordan Sr., Will prob. Nov. 7, 1699, in Surry … trusted and well beloved friend Josiah Proctor; wit. Josiah’s br. in-law, Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. Richard Jordan Sr. of Lower Parish of Isle of Wight Co.; planter; to “sonne John Jordan” of said Parish and County, planter, 100 ac. in Maine Cypress Swamp; wit. Thomas Moore.*

Thomas Barker (cousin of William, bapt. 1592), m. Martha, dau. of John Aldworth, br. of Robert, whose niece m. Giles Elbridge, father of: “John Elbridge of St. Peters within the city of Bristol, merchant … Will proved Oct. 16, 1646. “My body to be buried or interred by my fathers and ancestors of good fame and memory in the vaultor arched dormitory for that purpose built and erected in the upper end of the South Aisle of the parish church of St. Peter’s … To my sister Elizabeth now the wife of Thomas Moore, merchant, ten pounds, as a remembrance of my love”. Of John Elbridge’s family (probably a cousin) was “Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by *Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (br. of Thomas) and (Edward) Brantlie”, p. 10. Edward Brantley, in a way unknown, would have had some familial connection, either to the Elbridges or Moores.

The ‘known unknown’ is that the vast majority of this account were associated with Bristol.

The Thomas Harris who d. in 1729 held land associated with Sergeant John Harris:

1. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”.
2. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton.
3. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr.
4. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion).
5. John Barker Jr. m. a dau. of Thomas Busby Sr.
6. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr.
7. John Barker Jr. was the br.-in-law of John Harris, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1729, whose land adjoined that of William Simmons Jr.

The descendants of Thomas being:

1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1. Joshua Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.3.1.1.1. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.

Kin of:

1.1.1.1.1.2.2.4. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.4.1. William Harris, b. 1724. Will of William Harris of Co. of Surry: “To son Hamlin, all lands in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and Surry Co.” … mentions dau. Elizabeth Campbell; son-in-law Francis Ruffin. Exor: son, Hamlin Harris, prob. Nov. 28, 1797, p. 246.

1.1.1.1.1.2.2. William Harris. Will dated May 1, 1720, in Surry, witnessed by William Gray Sr. and William Grey Jr.; m. Margaret Gray Taylor, p. 366; niece of the former, cousin of the latter.

1.1.1.1.1.3. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe.*

1. Robert Crumpe, m. (2) Margaret Harris,* Sept. 17, 1605, in Painswick, Glouc.; immediately east of Rodley, over the R. Severn. She m. (2) George Thorpe, of Virginia, as follows.
1.1. Robert Crumpe, yeoman, of Rodley, Westbury-on-Severn, Glos., by first wife.
1.1.1. Richard Crump,* b. 1628, sheriff of Bristol, merchant, involved with br.-in-law, William Crabbe,* and Edward Thurston, in the tobacco and sugar trades. William Crabbe was the cousin of John Crabbe and Osmond Crabbe, whose Will, proved April 3, 1695, bequests to “sister Anne Adlam, wife of Joseph Adlam messuage in Brislington … then to my brother John Crabb now in Virginia, Merchant … To said brother John Crabb all houses in Citty of Bristoll and parish of Bedminster, Somerset (from whence the Taylors) … To said brother John Crabb messuage in Temple Street Bristol!, wherein Samuel Whitehurst, Sope boyler, dwelleth, paying to my Sister Alice Vaughan 6s. weekly for her life etc. John Crabb m. ”the relict and executrix of Mr. Danll. Hutt, late of Nominy”, Dorman, p. 16. Conveyance from John Crabbe, Virginia, merchant, (brother and heir of Osmond Crabbe descd) to Richard Gotley, merchant: Shuttleworth’s brewhouse, now a sugar house, messuage purch. by Richard Crabbe of Thomas Cottrell and lands at Bedminster. November 5/6 1685. (Brist. Arch., 13325/30).
1.2. Richard Crumpe. Right hand indenture of fine. (1) Richard Crumpe; Robert Crumpe; Edward Beard (querents). (2) Joseph Morwent and Sarah his wife (deforciants). Two messuages, 2 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, 2 acres of land, one acre of meadow, 6 acres of pasture, and common of pasture during the whole year with appurts. Rodley, Wesbury, Sawle, and Standish. 1633. (Glouc. Arch., D2957/139/70).
1.2.1.1. *Mary Crumpe, m. Robert Harris. Thus, Margaret Harris, sister of Tristram/Thurston Harris, as follows, was the step-grandmother of the wife of Robert Harris. She was also the cousin of John Harris of Blagdon, who is suggested to be Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, and father of Robert Harris.
1.2.1.1.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings, clerk.
1.2.1.1.2. Mary Harris, m. Matthew Swann.
1.2.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Swann, m. (1) John Drew, son of Richard Drew.
1.2.1.2. John Crumpe.
1.2.1.3. Richard Crumpe. Jennings v Crumpe. Plaintiffs: John Jennings and Martha Jennings his wife. Defendants: John Crumpe, Richard Crumpe, Nathaniel Saunders,* (his br.) Thomas Saunders and Mary West. Subject: property in Rodley, and Westbury, Gloucestershire. 1656. (C 6/150Pt2). *Bapt. Dec. 30, 1634, in Wotton-under-Edge, Glouc.; apprenticed in 1653 to Thomas Stratton of Bristol; m. his dau., inheriting property in Redcliffe Street. He became master of the Golden Lion, engaged in the tobacco trade. Owned land in Arracaico Creek, King and Queen Co.

The immediate kin of John Harris of Blagdon:

1.1.1.1.2. Richard Harris, bapt. 1592.
1.1.1.1.3. William Harris, m. Dorothy Bath, Nov, 17, 1628. Harris v Osen. Plaintiffs: William Harris. Defendants: John Osen and Joan Osen his wife. Subject: property in Blagdon, Somerset. 1649. (C 6/132/98). Deed: House or cottage newly built, 1a. ground formerly occ. by John Osen, now by John Dirrock, all in Blagdon. 1628. (S.H.C., DD\GB/43). John Dirrock, atty of the Smyth family, bapt. Nov. i, 1564 in Long Ashton, was the uncle of Francis Derrick Jr.
1.1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. 1633, d. 1678.
1.1.1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Jan. 26, 1654, of him, no further notice.
1.1.1.1.3.2. Dorothy Harris, bapt. June 1, 1636.
1.1.1.1.3.3. William Harris, bapt. Oct. 4, 1640, d. 1691, m. Mary Purnell, April 5, 1660.
1.1.1.1.3.3.1. William Harris, bapt. April 13, 1665.
1.1.1.1.4. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased *Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.

His more distant kin:

1.1.1.2. George Harris. Lease for 10 years: 1. John Butcher, draper, Abel Kitchen, merchant, Thomas Farmer, vintner, Henry Yate, chandler, John Woodward, fletcher, George Harris, baker, Nicholas Wynall, mercer, John Northall, gentleman, and Giles Gough, grocer; 2. Christopher Flower. Messuage in tenure and ocupation of Morgan Jones, clerk, another of John Doughtie, mercer, etc. Jan. 24, 1607. (B.A., 26166/141).

1.1.1.3. David Harris. Harris v Colman. Plaintiffs: David Harris, executor of his late father David Harris, deceased. For an account of rents received. Divers messuages, gardens, lands, and tenements, in the parish of St Augustine and elsewhere in the city of Bristol, Somerset, held by lease from the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of Bristol. (C 2/Eliz/H3/55). David Harris Jr, presumably married into the family of Thurston alias Tristram (Deeds presented by Warren Jane, esq: Conveyance Thomas and Alice Mitchell, Messuage in St Philip. William and Nicholas Hart to William Thurston, alias Tristram. Feb. 25, 1638. (Brist. Arch.)

1.1.1.3.1. *Margaret Harris, m. (1) Robert Crumpe, (2) George Thorpe, Feb. 21, 1611. Commission on Historical Manuscripts, vol. 5: Copies of Orders made at Courts for the Company, regarding the debts of Capt. Thorpe, in Virginia. 1634, April 10. Inventory of the goods and estate of Capt. George Thorpe, deceased, appraised by three persons (named). They are valued at pounds of tobacco; total, 1,3234 lbs. (3 pp.) 1634, Aug. 14. Bristol. William Thorpe, son and heir of George Thorpe, to Mr. Taylor, asking him when he arrived in Virginia to enquire when George Thorpe died, what goods and servants he had, who was then Governor, whether an inventory was taken, and what lands he had in Berkeley Town.

1.1.1.3.2. Tristram alias Thurston Harris. Inquisition taken at Thornbury, September 27, 1638 … by the oath of Richard Richard, gent., et al., who say that Tristram Harris on the ist day of January, 1636 was seised of 26 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow, 15 acres of pasture … in the parish of SS. Philip … On the same day the said Tristram made his will as follows … I bequeath to Sara my wife for her life, if she so long remain sole and unmarried, all the manor or farm place called Whitfield Place, and all the houses, lands, etc., thereto belonging lying in the hundred of Barton Regis, and all other my lands, tenements, etc., which I purchased oi Nicholas Hobbes and Cicill Dethwhite, widow, his mother ; after her decease, I give the same to my brother-in-law William Birkin, cooper, and to John Peirson and john Birkin my sons-in-law until Thomas Harris my son attain the age of 18 years, to the only intent that they shall receive the rents of the said premises and use the same for the education ‘and maintenance of my said son Thomas and of all other my children who shall be unmarried at my death. When the said Thomas attains the age of 18, I give to him and his heirs all the said premises : if he die without heirs, the same to go to William Harris my eldest son, on condition that within 2 years after the death of the said Thomas he pay at or in the Tolzey of Bristol £300 to be equally divided amongst such of my children as shall be then unmarried. All the said premises are held of Thomas Chester, esq., as of his manor of Barton Regis next Bristol, by fealty, suit at court. Tristram Harris died Jan. 12 1637; the said William Harris is his son and next heir, and was then aged 28 years and more. The said Sara late the wife of the said Tristram still survives unmarried. (Misc. Chan, Inq. p.m., 14 Charles I, part ii, No. 24). Feoffment, Nicholas Hobbes of Barton Regis, gentleman, and Cicsell Defhick to Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. Manor and farmhouse called Whitfield Place, Barton Regis. (Brist. Arch., 6685/6).

Tristram alias Thurston Harris is mentioned in the Will of William Wale “of the city of Bristol, baker”, pr. Feb. 14, 1619, who bequeathed to Eliz. Hamlyn, wid.; house in Wine Street; Wm., son of Thurston Harris; house in Temple St … 5 chn. of Thurstan Harris … Francis Wale (br. of William); tenant, in Tucker St., Bristol, of Mr. Geo. Thorpe;  kinsm … godsons, Edwd. and Wm. Warren; goddau. Anne Yeamans, dau. of Wm. Yeamans … Overs: frd. Mr. Matthew Warren and cos. Thurston Harris. Wits: William Yeamans, Not. Pub., Matthew Warren, Thurston Harris.

Elizabeth Hamlyn was the wife of Walter Chester of Bristol and Barton Regis; br. of Henry Chester, of Bristol, merchant, who m. a sister of William Wale. Walter Chester’s son, William, m. Bridget (dau. of John Blunt, Esq., of Barton Regis, bur. Bristol, 1659), having issue: Elizabeth, b. 1620, who m. …Hicks; Bridget, who m. Thomas Smith, of Bristol, Alexandria, who m. Thomas Harris. Thurston (as Thurston) Harris held the manor of Whitefield Place. (Harris, Thurston, baker, Bristol. 7 Feb., 1636, Lord of the Manor of Whitfield, Co. Gloucester, ‘Bristol Wills’). Inventory of Thurston Harris: Feb. 21, 1636. Taken by Sarah his widow and appraised by William Birkin, John Pearson and John Birkin. (Brist. Arch., 09463/5b).

Thomas Harris was the younger son of Tristram alias Thurston Harris, mentioned in his i.p.m., also mentioned here: Lease for 99 years or three lives from Thomas Chester, Almondsbury, Glos., esq., to Richard Hudson, Bristol, mariner: late copyhold messuage at Easton, Barton Regis, formerly occupied by Thomas Thomas descd. May 27, 1653. (Brist. Arch., 13900/1). Thomas was not the sheriff of Bristol, as given in the Chester genealogy.

1. William Chester, of Rodford (10 mls fr. Bristol), and Black Friars, in Bristol, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1558. Arms. — Gules a lion passant Ermine, between three
hawks’ lures Argent. He m. (2) Maud, who d. in 1564, when she was buried with her first husband, William Pykes, in St. Thomas’s Church, Bristol. By him she had issue: John Pykes, Mayor of Bristol in 1561; Walter Pykes, Sheriff of Bristol in 1567, Mayor in 1583. The Pykes were interm. with the Powell and Pitt families of Bristol. The Pyke/s family of Surry Co. were probably of this family.
1.1. James Chester, by first wife, of Rodford and Bristol (d. 1560) m. Mary, dau. of John Smyth,* Mayor of Bristol, first of the family to be seated at Long Ashton, which he purchased in 1545. *Buried in St. Werburgh’s.
1.1.1. Edward Chester, b, 1544, m. at St. Nicholas’s Church, Bristol, on June 25, 1570, Bridget Slocombe, having issue:
1.1.1.1. Mary Chester, bapt. March 9, 1570-1, who m. at St. Stephen’s, Bristol, on May 2, 1591, William Brown of Bristol. Their son, Hugh Brown, was Sheriff of Bristol in 1642 and Mayor in 1650.

1.2. William Chester, of Bristol (d. 1572) m. Joane, dau of William Horte of Wrington, Somerset. William Chester’s widow, Joan, m. (2) Thomas Wale, witnessed here:
Assignment of a lease for 99 years, granted in June 1574 by Alderman Thomas Chester to Thomas Wall, sopemaker, of four houses and a garden in Grope Lane, standing between the tenements of Richard Hart and Thomas Warren. Mar. 20, 1658. (Brist. Arch., P.St JB/D/2/317).
1.2.1. Henry Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1591) m. Dorothy, dau of Thomas Wale of Bristol, br. of William and Francis Wale, sons of Thomas
1.2.2. Walter Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (1553-1641), m. Elizabeth, d. 1645, dau. of Robert Hamlyn. His Will was witnessed by Thomas Blunt, Bridget Blunt, Thomas Harris. (C.P.C. Oct. 12, 1661, 127 Evelyn).
1.2.2.1. *William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), m. Bridget, dau of John Blunt of Barton Regis and Bristol.* His will bequesting: “To my grandchild Elizabeth Harris, my goddaughter, the daughter of my son-in-law Thomas Harris, 20 shillings, as a remembrance”. (C.P.C. June 18, 1659).
1.2.2.1.1. Bridget Chester (d. bef. 1659), m. Thomas Smith, of Bristol and Long Ashton.
1.2.2.1.2. Alexandra Chester, m. *Thomas Harris. She died in her father’s lifetime, leaving two daughters, viz. Elizabeth and Alexandria; who were both living in 1683, being mentioned in their cousin William Chester’s Will. William Chester of Barton Regis, Gloucestershire, Gent. Will dated Jan. 8, 1683: To my cousin Thomas Smith, £2 p. a.; to my cousin James Smith, £2 p.a; to each of my cousins Mary Smith, Charles Smith, Elizabeth Harris, and Alexandria Harris”. Overseers: Phillp Drew, Samuel Fox, and Thomas Eliott. Witnesses: Jone Longe, James Cooke, James Herbert, Thomas Grimes.

1.3. Thomas Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff then Mayor of Bristol, d. 1583. He purchased the manor of Barton Regis, formerly owned by Sir Maurice Dennys, of Pucklechurch, who left no issue, and, subject to the life estate of his widow, he made his nephew Richard Dennys, the eldest son of his brother Sir Walter, his principal heir.
1.3.1. William Chester, of Almondsbury, Sheriff of Gloucestershire (d. 1607), m. Catherine, dau. of Richard Dennys of Dyrham; sister of Frances Dennys, wife of John Gilliam, father of Captain John Gilliam, Jr.; to repeat, for it bears it: father of Hinchea Gilliam, husband of Fortune Flood, sister of John Flood, who m. Mary Blunt, sister of … Blunt, wife of Joel Barker; their son, Hinchea Gilliam Jr., m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of John Barker (son of Joel), who d. Oct. 14, 1808, in Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC. Mary Blunt and her sister were siblings of Benjamin Blunt, d. 1752, Southampton Co., who m. Priscilla, dau. of John Seagar and Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann had first m. John Drew (son of Richard Drew); having issue, John Drew. Benjamin Blunt had issue, Priscilla Blunt, who m. Ensign John Turner (not the Turners associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688); having issue: Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., who m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. John Harris, as given. Simon Turner’s dau., Edith, m. John Barrow, p. 229.

1.1.1.3.2.1. William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Divick (Derrick) of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Divvick (Derrick, Margaret’s br.) and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. November 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). The Derricks were tenants of the Smyth family of Long Ashton. William Harris was deceased by Oct. 8, 1656, when his wife was described as “Margaret Harris of Bristol, widow”. (B.R.O.). William Harris inherited the bakehouse of Tristram/Thirston Harris, on Marsh Street, 1n 1638.
1.1.1.3.2.1.1. William Harris, conveyed his messuage in Marsh Street to his brother, Thurston, on June 25, 1670. (Brist. Arch., 00381/25).
1.1.1.3.2.1.2. Thurston Harris of Cork, Ireland, merchant, sold the same to Edward Taylor, baker, in 1671. (Brist. Arch., 00381/22a).
1.1.1.3.2.1. Thomas Harris, as given.

It is almost certain that William Chester, of Bristol and Barton Regis (d. 1659), who m. Bridget, dau of John Blunt of Barton Regis and Bristol, they the grandparents of Elizabeth Harris, as given, married into the same family as Thomas Blunt of Virginia,* who was perhaps the son of a namesake, who d. in Bristol, in 1638.

To repeat much, for it bears it:

1.*Thomas Blunt, m. (1) Mary Gilliam, (2) Priscilla Browne, dau. of Col. William Browne; sister of Jane Browne, wife of Thomas Jordan, of Surry, and mother of Mary Jordan (who m. (1) Francis Sowerby, Jr., step-sister of William Rose.
1.1. … Blunt, m. Joel Barker.
1.1.1. John Barker*.
1.2. Mary Blunt, m. John Flood, br. of Fortune, d. Oct. 23, 1753, Surry Co., who m. Hinchea Gilliam Sr.; their son, Hinchea Gilliam, m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of *John Barker, who d. Oct. 14, 1808, in Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC.
1.3. Benjamin Blunt, d. 1752, Southampton Co., m. Priscilla, dau. of John Seagar and Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann had first m. John Drew, son of Richard Drew; their son, John Drew, was the half-br. of Priscilla (Seagar) Blunt.
1.3.1. Priscilla Blunt, m. Ensign John Turner. (These are not the Turners associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.3.1.1. Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. John Harris.

It bears it because such degree circumstance can not be coincidental.

These were a distinct breed of Harris, of the Bristol merchant class.

The task is to consider what follows, then to listen to your voice, not letting it be drowned out by the louder voices of ancestor claimants.

The overall task is to consider whether such as William and Thurston Harris, sons of Trisram alias Thurston, had male issue associated with Virginia. Thurston sponsored Virginia settlers. He was associated with a Taylor family of Bristol, and an Allen family of that place. This may be significant.

copyright m stanhope 2020

It is very difficult to choose an ancestor, especially in the face of a gale of a lack of information. Assumptions can be made and narratives invented to explain the assumptions. Such is genealogy of the thin ice variety – it bears little weight.

A central assumption of many named Harris is that they descend from a Thomas Harris, who d. in Virginia in 1688. Yet, distinguished Harris researchers have pointed to the fact that sons named in his will may not be the fathers of those assumed to be his granchildren. There is certainly a gap of two or three generations after Thomas before any paper trail can be followed which leads to the claimed ancestry of living Harris. Put simply, Thomas is unlikely to be the ancestor of all the large number of living claimants. His supposed son, Edward, is listed on the internet as having 28 children, a clear indication of hitching a waggon to a recorded and scarce source.

I think that the genealogies I have suggested for the Thomas of 1688 and his namesake of 1672 have merit. However, in the choice of the former being a progenitor of multiple Harris, I think that the ancestry of Sergeant John Harris has been overlooked. It was unnecessary to give him a son that did not accompany him to Virginia and then appear at a later date, and be the father of Thomas of 1688. The issue of Sergeant John Harris were always likely to have been those Harris of Surry County, associated with the Barkers.

In what follows, a suggested outline of the family of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia is given. Whether true or not, it is based on the connections of families of Bristol, England, which were obviously repeated in Virginia, a necessary prerequisite for the identification of English settlers in Virginia.

To commence with the Barkers:

1. William Barker, m. Jane, dau. of William Horne, of Childs Arcoll, Salop.
1.1. Dorothy Barker, m. Francis Holland, of Burwarton, Salop.
1.2. William Barker, of Hopton Castle, Salop., m. Elizabeth, sister of William Tittely, of Salop.

1.2.1. John Barker, d. 1607, m. Edith, da. of John Blanchard.
1.2.1.1. John Barker (who m. Elizabeth, da. of William Spicer), was “bap. Nov. 30, 1584, 1st s. of John Barker, merchant, of Hopton Castle, Salop and Bristol and Edith, da. of John Blanchard of Marshfield, Glos.; educ. St. Mary Hall, Oxf. 1599; m. (1) Aug. 30, 1607, Elizabeth, da. of William Spicer, merchant, of Exeter, Devon, 2s. 5da.; (2) Apr. 10, 1626, Mary, da. of John Fownes (Fones), merchant, of Bristol, wid. of Matthew Rogers of Alderley, Glos., 1s.; 1 other da.; suc. fa. 1607; bur. Apr. 8, 1636”. (Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, eds., Hist. Parl., 2010).

(John Barker was also recorded as John Baker. In Cal. State Papers, Charles I., p. 291, he is recorded as owning “the Mary Rose of Bristol” in partnership with John Taylor* and William Pitt, Jan. 2, 1627; the same for June 2, 1626. On Nov. 22, 1627, he is recorded as the owner of the Mary Rose as Baker query Barker. Earler ships manifests record him as Barker or Baker).

1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Barker, m. John Goninge, son of John Goninge, and br. of Mary, wife of Edward Pitt, mother of William Pitt. John Goninge Sr. was part owner in 1629 (with Francis Derrick Sr. and Humphrey Hooke), of the ships ‘The Hope’, ‘The Little Charles’, and ‘The Fortune’. John Goninge, same year, was the part owner of ‘The Supply’ with William Pitt.
1.2.1.1.2. John “Baker”, b. 1613, m. Dorothy Harris (not John Baker, the commonly given amalgamation of various John Bakers), sister of John Harris, infant in 1624. Francis Derrick Sr. of Long Ashton, was the father of a Francis Derrick Jr, born 1607, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113, and who was the cousin of James Derrick, who m. a stepdau. of Joan Harris, sister of John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon; cousins of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr., per Will of Francis Derrick Sr. Francis Derrick Jr. was a partner of Edward Balhashe, who were defendants in a lawsuitbrought by Abell Kitchen (Kinchen), John Gay, Richard Holworthy, and Robert Kitchin (br. of Abel), concerning “prisage upon wines brought into the port of Bristol from beyond seas from St. Mallowes, in 1626.

1.2.1.2. Thomas Barker, m. Martha, dau. of John Aldworth, br. of Robert, whose niece m. Giles Elbridge, giving the Elbridges a share in the Spring (sugar) Plantation in Jamaica.
Giles Elbridge had issue, John: “John Elbridge of St. Peters within the city of Bristol, merchant … proved Oct. 16, 1646. My body to be buried or interred by my fathers and ancestors of good fame and memory in the vaultor arched dormitory for that purpose built and erected in the upper end of the South Aisle of the parish church of St. Peter’s aforesaid. … To my sister Elizabeth now the wife of Thomas Moore, merchant, ten pounds, as a remembrance of my love … To my friend John Berriman, merchant, as a remembrance of my love, fifty pounds … My brother Thomas and my friend Mr. Nathaniel Cale, of Bristol, soap boiler, to be joint executors, the latter of whom I desire by reason of the ancient true love and respect he hath always bornunto my deceased father and myself, by way of trust, in the absence of my said brother, being now beyond the seas and in his minority, to undergo the same and immediately after my decease to take upon him the execution thereof, for which I give and bequeath unto him as a legacy and token of my love my great double gilt bowl to the end that none of my creditors in their several and respective debts neither auy of my brothers or sisters, in their particular legacies willed and bequeathed by my deceased father, more especially Mr. Thomas Barker, his children, and the administratrix of Mr. Thomas Tucker, clerk, lately deceased, that they nor any of them be not protracted, deferred or delayed &c. I desire my loving friends Mr. William Colson and Mr. Rowland Searchfield, merchants, to be overseers”. Of John Elbridge’s family (probably a cousin) was “Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (br. of Thomas) and (Edward) Brantlie”, p. 10.

1.2.2. Richard Barker, d. 1614, m. Sarah, b. ca. 1570. Her Will, proved Aug. 25, 1637, shows her owning properties in Redcliffe Street, and the playhouse in Wine Street, which she bequeathed to her son, William. (Mark Cartwright Pilkinton, Rec. of Early Eng. Drama, Bristol, p. 40, 1997).
1.2.2.1. William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ of London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See Coldham, P.W., English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984). Bond of Francis Derrick [the younger], of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex (but of the Bristol family of Barkers, mariners, sometimes recorded as Baker – M.S) to the King, in 1,0002. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about llth October 1636. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10). In 1637 and 1639, Wm. Barker appears as a headright in two Henrico patents involving Arthur Bayley, as Thomas Busby.

1.2.2.1.1. Sara Barker, m. Richard Taylor, Oct. 27, 1646, in Rappahannock. He was the probable son of John or Richard Taylor Jr., sons of Richard Taylor Sr., evidenced here: Counterpart lease. 1. Hugh Smythe of Long Ashton, esquire. (Landlord of the Derrick family of that place). 2. Richard Taylor of Bedminster, sailor, and Katherine his wife. Tenement and garden with land called Spytman’ meade and Redd meade, Bishport. Oct. 20, 1597. Richard Taylor Jr. m. Mary Woodward, Sept. 2. 1602, in Long Ashton, aunt of Martha Woodward, who m. Richard Bradford, Aug. 15, 1632, in Easton in Gordano, 5 mls fr. Long Ashton; having issue: Richard Bradford (bapt. Nov. 23, 1634, in Easton in Gordano, who d. after July 14, 1716, in Westover Parish, Charles City), who m. Frances Taylor.
1.2.2.1.1.1. Frances Taylor, m. Richard Bradford.
1.2.2.1.1.2. Elizabeth Taylor, m. Capt. John Hamlin Sr.
1.2.2.1.1.2.1. Richard Hamlin.
1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1. Martha Hamlin, m. John Ruffin, son of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Watkins.

1.2.2.1.2. John Barker, settled on Chippokes Creek in 1649. “Whereas by and after the decease of John Barker late of Flowerdue Hundred in Charles City Coun. in Virginia deceased, all that tract commonly called Flowerdue Hundred containing 1,000 acres did lawfully descend and come to Sarah then the wife of Richard Taylor, deceased, and now the wife of Robert Lucy, and Elizabeth, wife of Phillip Limbry — sisters and co-heirs with the said John Barker”. There is no proof of whom John Barker married, and had issue: Jethro, Joel, and John Barker.
1.2.2.1.2.1. John Barker Jr., the likely br.-in- law of John Harris, as herein given.
1.2.2.1.2.2. Joel Barker, m. a dau. of Thomas Blunt.*
1.2.2.1.2.2. John Barker Jr., Will probated May 19, 1714; m. a dau. of Thomas Busby and Susannah Gray, as likely did John Harris.
1.2.2.1.2.2.1. John Barker, m. Mary, dau. of Christopher Mooring and a dau. of William Simmons Jr.; the neighbour of Thomas Harris, d. 1729.

(1.*Thomas Blunt, m. (1) Mary Gilliam, (2) Priscilla Browne, dau. of Col. William Browne; sister of Jane Browne, wife of Thomas Jordan, of Surry, and mother of Mary Jordan (who m. (1) Francis Sowerby, Jr., step-sister of William Rose. Thomas Blunt was most likely of the Bristol branch of his family, and the son of a namesake, who d. in Bristol, in 1638.
1.1. … Blunt, m. Joel Barker.
1.1.1. John Barker*.
1.2. Mary Blunt, m. John Flood, br. of Fortune, d. Oct. 23, 1753, Surry Co., who m. Hinchea Gilliam Sr.; their son, Hinchea Gilliam, m. Faith Briggs (dau. of Samuel); parents of Elizabeth Gilliam, wife of *John Barker, who d. Oct. 14, 1808, in Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC.
1.3. Benjamin Blunt, d. 1752, Southampton Co., m. Priscilla, dau. of John Shugars (Seagar) and Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann had first m. John Drew, son of Richard Drew; their son, John Drew, was the half-br. of Priscilla (Seagar) Blunt. The Seagar family were involved in a legal case concerning the lands of “Alice Seward, widow”, in Somerset. (C 6/102/114).
1.3.1. Priscilla Blunt, m. Ensign John Turner. (These are not the Turners associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.3.1.1. Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. a John Harris, as follows. Simon Turner’s dau., Edith, m. John Barrow, p. 229).

1. Sergeant John Harris, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as Thomas Busby.

(1. “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”.
2. Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor, Thomas Felton.
3. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr.
4. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion).
5. John Barker Jr. m. a dau. of Thomas Busby Sr.
6. Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr.
7. John Barker Jr. was the br.-in-law of John Harris, uncle of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, whose land adjoined that of William Simmons Jr.).

1.1. John Harris, infant in 1624, son of Sergeant John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon, cousin of Thurston Harris, whose son, William, m. a sister of Francis Derrick Jr.
1.1.1. John Harris, d. in 1697/1698, m. a dau. of Thomas Busby and Susannah Gray; his estate administered by his br.-in-law, John Barker Jr., and Patrick Lashley, John Barker Jr’s son-in-law. Feb. 11, 1698; B. 5. p. 165.
1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew, dau. of Thomas Drew, son of Edward Drew.
1.1.1.1.1. Mary Harris, m. her cousin, Henry Harris.*
1.1.1.1.2. Nathan Harris, sold his land in 1772 to his br.-in-law, Henry.
1.1.2. William Harris, whose relict’s estate was administered by her son, Henry Harris, and witnessed by John Barker Jr. R. June 16, 1711. (B. 6, p. 52).
1.1.2.1. *Henry Harris, received a patent in 1727 for 280 ac. in the St. Luke’s Parish, South of Flat Swamp.
1.1.2.2. John Harris. Leg. wife Sarah, dau. Mary. Prob. June 15, 1720. Wit. John Kitchen (Kinchen), Robert Ruffin. The latter wit. d. that year. His son, John Ruffin, m. Martha Hamlin, great-granddau. of Sarah Barker, as given; their issue, Robert Ruffin, m. Mary (Clack) Lightfoot, Francis Ruffin, m. Sarah Harris, dau. of William Harris.*
1.1.2.3. William Harris.

1.1.2.3.1. *William Harris, b. 1724. Will of William Harris of Co. of Surry: “To son Hamlin, all lands in Nottoway, Dinwiddie, and Surry Co.” … mentions dau. Elizabeth Campbell; son-in-law Francis Ruffin. Exor: son, Hamlin Harris, prob. Nov. 28, 1797, p. 246. Hamlin Harris m. (1788) Margaret, dau. of James Belsches, “one of the leading merchants in the sale of European goods at his store in Cabin Point from 1748 until his death around 1800. In the 18th century Cabin Point surpassed Norfolk in commercial importance, due to the quantity of tobacco received for export at the Low Point Landing warehouses on Chippokes Creek near Cabin Point”. Robert Ruffin, d. 1720, was the br. of William Ruffin (husband of Faith Gray), and Elizabeth Ruffin, who m. William Kinchen.
1.1.2.4. Thomas Harris, d. 1729.
1.1.2.4.1. Joshua Harris.
1.1.2.4.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.
1.1.3. William Harris, Will dated May 1, 1720, in Surry, witnessed by William Gray Sr. and William Grey Jr.; m. Margaret Gray Taylor, p. 366; niece of the former, cousin of the latter.

1.2. Robert Harris, b. ca. 1625, d. 1659, m Mary Crumpe:

(John Crumpe, feoffee of the manor of Rodley, Gloucestershire, from whom:
1. …
1.1. Robert Crumpe, yeoman, of Rodley, Westbury-on-Severn, Glos.
1.1.1. Richard Crump, b. 1628, sheriff of Bristol, merchant, involved with br.-in-law, William Crabbe, and Edward Thurston, in the tobacco and sugar trades. William Crabbe was the cousin of John Crabbe and Osmond Crabbe, whose Will, proved April 3, 1695, bequests to “sister Anne Adlam, wife of Joseph Adlam messuage in Brislington … then to my brother John Crabb now in Virginia, Merchant … To said brother John Crabb all houses in Citty of Bristoll and parish of Bedminster, Somerset (from whence the Taylors) … To said brother John Crabb messuage in Temple Street Bristol!, wherein Samuel Whitehurst, Sope boyler, dwelleth, paying to my Sister Alice Vaughan 6s. weekly for her life etc. John Crabb m. ” the relict and executrix of Mr. Danll. Hutt, late of Nominy”, Dorman, p. 16. Conveyance from John Crabbe, Virginia, merchant, (brother and heir of Osmond Crabbe descd) to Richard Gotley, merchant: Shuttleworth’s brewhouse, now a sugar house, messuage purch. by Richard Crabbe of Thomas Cottrell and lands at Bedminster. November 5/6 1685. (Bristol Archives, 13325/30).
1.2. Richard Crumpe. Right hand indenture of fine. (1) Richard Crumpe; Robert Crumpe; Edward Beard (querents). (2) Joseph Morwent and Sarah his wife (deforciants). Two messuages, 2 barns, 2 gardens, 2 orchards, 2 acres of land, one acre of meadow, 6 acres of pasture, and common of pasture during the whole year with appurts. Rodley, Wesbury, Sawle, and Standish. 1633. (Gloucestershire Archives, D2957/139/70).
1.2.1.1. Mary Crumpe, m. Robert Harris.
1.2.1.1.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings, clerk.
1.2.1.1.2. Mary Harris, m. Matthew Swann.
1.2.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Swann, m. (1) John Drew, son of Richard Drew.
1.2.1.2. John Crumpe.
1.2.1.3. Richard Crumpe. Jennings v Crumpe. Plaintiffs: John Jennings and Martha Jennings his wife. Defendants: John Crumpe, Richard Crumpe, Nathaniel Saunders,* (his br.) Thomas Saunders and Mary West. Subject: property in Rodley, and Westbury, Gloucestershire. 1656. (C 6/150Pt2). *Bapt. Dec. 30, 1634, in Wotton-under-Edge, Glouc.; apprenticed in 1653 to Thomas Stratton of Bristol; m. his dau., inheriting property in Redcliffe Street. He became master of the Golden Lion, engaged in the tobacco trade. Owned land in Arracaico Creek, King and Queen Co.

1. Thomas Gray.
1.1. Francis Gray, Sr., of Southwark Parish, Surry, d. June 13, 1679.
1.1.1. Margaret Gray, m. 1. Edward Taylor (d. bef. May 4, 1708), 2. Bartlett Moreland. 3. William Harris, a witness to the estate appraisal of Edward Taylor. William Seward witnessed the Will of Margaret Harris, widow of Edward Taylor.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Judkin, m. John Berryman (of the Bristol family).
1.1.1.2. Hannah Judkin, d. April 10, 1739, m. 1. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. 2. Christopher Clinch, d. Dec. 13, 1736, 3. Edward Brantley, nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., estate appraised by Henry Harris and Thomas Barrow,* July 25, 1737. (B. 4., p. 176). In his Will, Thomas Harris names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).
1.1.1.2.1. Joshua Harris
1.1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Solomon Harris. (Descendant = HG4 male DNA match).
1.1.2. Sussanah Gray, m. Thomas Busby
1.1.2.1. … Busby, m. John Barker Jr.
1.1.2.2. … Busby, m. John Harris.
1.2. William Gray, m. Elizabeth Jarrett. William Gray Sr., of Southwark Par., Surry, Will pr. Nov. 18, 1719, wit. Robert Judkins.
1.2.1. William Gray Jr., m. the relict of John Seward, son of William Seward,* and grandson of John Seward (whose headright was Edward Brantley Sr). *William Seward, Will dated March 16, 1702, in Surry Co.; wit. Edward Barrow, Elizabeth Barrow, William Gray. Edward Barrow was the br. of *Thomas Barrow, who m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr. William Seward m. (1) Elizabeth Caufield, dau. of William Caufield. (He m. 2. Ann Clinch). Thus, John Seward, was the half.-br. of Christopher Clinch (B. 6, p. 126), who m. Hannah Judkin, relict of Thomas Harris, and subsequent wife of Edward Brantley.
1.2.2. Faith Gray, m. William Ruffin, br. of Elizabeth Ruffin, who m. William Kinchen, parents of Sarah Kinchen, who m. James Godwin.
1.2.2.1. Olivia Ruffin, m. (1760) William Barrow.

John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Barrow, 150 ac. on Green Swamp, formerly belonging to William & Judah Lyles, bordering land of Francis Mason and land of John Bynam. Wit: Nich. Smith, Wm. Seward, p. 259. Thus, the Barrows had some connection to the Seward family of Bristol, as the Brantleys. Thomas Barrows son, Thomas, m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Brantley, son of Edward Brantley Sr., headright of John Seward, William Seward’s grandfather. The inference is that the Barrow family were “children of the Bristol basin”, and if searching for ancestors in Virginia, it is suggested that the Berrowe/Burrowe family of Longdon/Bushley, Worcestershire would be a logical starting point; they being situate near Evesham; the almost certain locality of the Brantleys.

The Barrows were also interm. with the Jordans:

Richard Jordan Jr. (who m. Cicily Barrow, dau. of Thomas and Mary Blow), 260 ac. Upper Parish of Surry Co on the NE side of John Checokuck Swamp being part of Mr. Owen’s deviant for transportation of 6 persons: inc. John Avery, of Bristol, p. 369, being part of 600 ac. formerly granted to George Blow dec’d. … who sold it to John Bynum who in turn sold it to “my father Richard Jordan” on Nov. 8, 1679; “descended to me as heir of my said father”. Richard Jordan Sr., Will prob. Nov. 7, 1699, in Surry … trusted and well beloved friends Josiah Proctor and John Fort to be overseers … wit. Joshua Proctor, Robert Owen, Richard Ham. Richard Jordan Sr. of Lower Parish of Isle of Wight Co.; planter; to “sonne John Jordan” of said Parish and County, planter, 100 ac. in Maine Cypress Swamp; wit. Thomas Moore (associated with Edward Brantley Sr., as given), Nathaniel Roberts of Southwarke Parish to Robert House Jr. of same 250 ac. in Southwarke Parish on E side of John Schohocan Swamp adj: Robert Owen’s old line, Richard Jordan Sr. and the Hickory Branch, p. 255. June 7, 1704, Mary wife of Samuel Thompson aged 41 yrs made deposition that she knew Martha Spiltimber wife of Robert House Jr. that 20 years ago (1684 ] she was asked to be godmother to a dau. born of her body by Robert House Jr. and named the child Mary, and she is now the wife of Thomas Carrell. Martha Spiltimber was the dau. of Anthony Spiltimber and Mary Swann, dau. of Robert Harris, thus, half-sister of Elizabeth Swann, wife, firstly, as given herein, of John Drew.

Jordan v Howse. Plaintiffs: Robert Jordan. Defendants: John Howse. Subject: personal estate of the deceased Anne Pitman widow of Hatherop, Gloucestershire. 1650 ca. (C 3/449/116). Jordan v Jordan. Plaintiffs: Richard Jordan. Defendants: John Jordan, infant by John Thorpe,* gent his guardian and another. Subject: property in Westcote, Gloucestershire. 1678. (C 5/508/92). *Son of George Thorpe. Baynham v Smyth. Plaintiff: Alexander Baynham. Defendant: John Smyth. Subject: Land in Gloucestershire, owned by Arnold Oldsworth, George Thorpe* (who both died in Virginia, America) and John Smyth, of which Oldworth’s share came to Baynham. 1625-1626. (C 2/ChasI/B107/47). *George Thorpe, kinsman of Thurston Harris, and family.

1. …
1.1. “Richard Drew, headright of Thomas Simmons in 1643 (possibly of the family of William Simmons). In 1664, Wm Butler sold to Richard Drew “Planter” land on the southwest swamp between John Drew and where Butler then lived, Wit: George Watkins, Joane Fones (certainly of the Bristol family). Richard Drew d. in 1679, and bequeathed to son Edward 400 ac. next to Capt. (Laurence) Baker; to son John, land at Blunts Corner, to son Richard, home plantation; to wife Mabel the rest of estate with housing for life, then at her death to dau. Mabel Drew. Son Thomas, executor.
1.1.1. Edward Drew, m. Frances, dau. of William Newitt.
1.1.1.1. … Drew, m. Simon Turner.
1.1.1.2. Thomas Drew.
1.1.1.2.1. Mary Drew, m. John Harris.
1.1.2. John Drew,* m. Elizabeth Swann, dau. of Matthew Swann and Mary Harris, dau. of Robert Harris. Elizabeth Swann m. (2) John Seagar, having issue, Priscilla, who m. Benjamin Blunt, grandf. of Simon Turner, will probated Oct. 10, 1767, in Southampton Co., who m. a dau. of Edward Drew; a sister of Thomas Drew, whose dau., Mary, m. John Harris.
1.1.3. Richard Drew.
1.2. Thomas Drew and wife Faith sold to Richard Drew a tract of land purchased from Thomas Blunt, p. 213.

The challenge is to challenge assumptions.

It may be relevant that Blagdon is 5 miles from Cheddar.

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1. John Harrys, of London. Jan. 21, 1470. Protection for John Harrys of London in the retinue of George duke of Clarence, lieutenant of Ireland. (C.S.P.). Debtor: William Skyby, clerk, John Harris, citizen and grocer [merchant] of London. Creditor: Thomas Chatterley, citizen and mercer [merchant] of London. Amount: £40. Before whom: John Brown, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster. July 12, 1482. (C 241/261/15). Debtor: Thomas Cotton, formerly of Lichfield in Staffs., gentleman, and Henry Cotton, formerly of Lichfield, gentleman. Creditor: John Harris {Harrys}, citizen and grocer, of London. Amount: 100m. Before whom: William Brown the Younger, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster. Writ to: Sheriff of Bristol. Attached is the inquisition made at Bristol in the Guildhall, on Aug. 22, 1511. Thomas Cotton of Lichfield in Staffs. was seised in demesne in the right of his wife Elizabeth, one of the daughters and heiresses of Hugh Fleming, formerly of Wentllouk in Wales, gentleman, deceased, of a messuage, 8 tenements, 3 cellars, and 2 gardens in the Town and suburb of Bristol, worth £3 8s. 4d. a year. March 27, 1510. (C 131/97/2).

2. John Harrys. Harrys v Bele. Plaintiff: John Harrys, of Bristol, grocer, son of John Harrys, of London. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and barn in Ware, late of complainant’s father, in right of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. 1504-1515. (C 1/320/92). Thomas Bull of Roydon co. Essex, to John Harrys, grocer of London, John Grene esquire of Kent and Edmund Lichefelde clerk, their executors and assigns. Gift of all his goods and chattels etc. Dated 2 November, 15 Edward IV. (C.C.R.). Harrys v Gryme. Plaintiffs: John Harrys, of Bristol, son of John and Elizabeth Harrys, daughter of Thomas Bull, of Roydon. Defendants: Johane Gryme, widow. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to messuages and gardens in Ware. Hertfordshire. 1504-1515. (C 1/324/21).

3. David Harris. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982: b. by 1511, s. of John Harris of Bristol by Alice.* m. (1) Margery, wid. of Thomas Browne of Bristol, 3s. 1da.; (2) by Apr. 1543, Margaret. David Harris was the son of a Bristol grocer and in July 1532 was himself admitted to the freedom of the city as a grocer. In 1542 Harris leased several tenements on the Bridge which had formerly belonged to a number of dissolved monastic houses and religious fraternities. David Harris ‘grocer and alderman’ died late in 1582. He had made his will on 4 Oct., directing that he should be buried in the church of St. Nicholas where his father and first wife lay. To his wife Margaret he left a share of their dwelling house with his son David, leaving a third part to his daughter Alice and her husband Ralph Bennet should they desire it. He bequeathed to his son David the shop attached to his house, a turquoise ring and books of physic. To his daughter Alice he also left eight houses and some plate. Other legatees included his sons John and George. The will was proved on Nov. 20, 1582. PCC 41 Tirwhite. *Edwards (REQ 2/4/362).

September 10, 1550. David Harries, grocer … now holds all right and interest in the garden leased, by right of his marriage with Margerie Browne, decd, sometime extrix of the Will of Thomas Browne; in cons. of this and for certain causes, he has surrendered [etc.] the said indenture and his estate and right to his well-beloved in Christ Giles White, merchant, in the term which he held. (On) the 8th Aug. 1566 and 8 Eliz. Anne White, late wife of Giles White, merchant, deed: surrenders and delivers to Thomas Colston, mercer; William Yeman, grocer; William Pill, grocer; and Robert Younge, merchant; feoffees of the lands, tens. etc. of All Saints. (B. A., AS/D/NA/70).

4. John Harris, bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon). He and his elder (half) br., David, witnessed a deed of Walter Kelke and his wife, daughter and heiress of Robert Woodward .. late bookebynder; and Robert Smythes and Elizabeth his wife, late wife of Woodward; to Walter Davies, glover, and David Jones, barbour; parishioners of All Saints. October 3, 1582. (B.A., P.AS/D/CS/B/8). The Smyth(es) family held land in Blagdon, 10 mls fr. Long Ashton: Conveyance. 1. George Kirkham of Blagdon, esq. and James Kirkham of Exeter, gent. 2. Humphry Smyth of the Inner Temple, London. 1570-1572 (Dev. Arch., 1926 B/W/T/14/1-2).

5. John Harris,* bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon.

5. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (as second wife and her second husband) John Oson, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604, the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648, cousin of Francis Derick Jr., bapt. March 10, 1607, in Long Ashton, who bought land from Dorothy, “daughter of the late deceased *Sergeant John Harris”, p. 113.

5. William Harris, m. Dorothy Bath, Nov, 17, 1628. Harris v Osen. Plaintiffs: William Harris. Defendants: John Osen and Joan Osen his wife. Subject: property in Blagdon, Somerset. 1649. (C 6/132/98). Deed: House or cottage newly built, 1a. ground formerly occ. by John Osen, now by John Dirrock, all in Blagdon. 1628. (S.H.C., DD\GB/43). John Dirrock, atty of the Smyth family, bapt. Nov. i, 1564 in Long Ashton, was the uncle of Francis Derrick Jr.

4. George Harris. Lease for 10 years: 1. John Butcher, draper, Abel Kitchen, merchant, Thomas Farmer, vintner, Henry Yate, chandler, John Woodward, fletcher, George Harris, baker, Nicholas Wynall, mercer, John Northall, gentleman, and Giles Gough, grocer; 2. Christopher Flower. Messuage in tenure and ocupation of Morgan Jones, clerk, another of John Doughtie, mercer, etc. Jan. 24, 1607. (B.A., 26166/141).

4. David Harris. Harris v Colman. Plaintiffs: David Harris, executor of his late father David Harris, deceased. For an account of rents received. Divers messuages, gardens, lands, and tenements, in the parish of St Augustine and elsewhere in the city of Bristol, Somerset, held by lease from the dean and chapter of the cathedral church of Bristol. (C 2/Eliz/H3/55).

5. Margaret Harris, m. George Thorpe, February 21, 1611. Commission on Historical Manuscripts, vol. 5: Copies of Orders made at Courts for the Company, regarding the debts of Capt. Thorpe, in Virginia. 1634, April 10. Inventory of the goods and estate of Capt. George Thorpe, deceased, appraised by three persons (named). They are valued at pounds of tobacco; total, 1,3234 lbs. (3 pp.) 1634, Aug. 14. Bristol. William Thorpe, son and heir of George Thorpe, to Mr. Taylor, asking him when he arrived in Virginia to enquire when George Thorpe died, what goods and servants he had, who was then Governor, whether an inventory was taken, and what lands he had in Berkeley Town.

5. Thurston Harris. William Weale of the city of Bristol, baker. (Dat. 18 Jan. 1619-20.) Bur. in chyd. of St. Thomas; poor of the Weavers Almshouse, Temple St., Bristol; the Tuckers Alms-house in sd. street; the Whitehouse Almshouse at Temple-gate, and St. Thomas Almshouse in Bristol; Ids. in Brislington, Co. Somst.; Extx: wife Alice; Eliz. Hamlyn, wid.; hou. in Wine Street; Wm., son of Thurston Harris; hou. in Temple St., Bristol; kinsm. Francis Weale; tent, in Tucker St., Bristol, bot. of Mr. Geo. Thorpe; kinsm. and servt. Edwd. Weale (und. 21); Mr. Davies, minister; Rowland Benbowe;bro, Matthew Weale; sist. Eliz. Whitcot; sist. Francis Corfe; Anne Weale, dau. of Hum. Weale, deed.; goddau. Mary Parphey; cos. John Tomlinson; Wm. Tomlinson; godsons, Edwd. and Wm. Warren; goddau. Anne Yeamans, dau. of Wm. Yeamans; goodwife Deane; Mr. Lovering; cos. Wm. Yeamans; Co. of Bakers in Bristoll; 5 chn. of Thurstan Harris; Overs: frd. Mr. Matthew Warren and cos. Thurstan Harris; godson, Wm. Daniel; Matthew Bat, servt., “at the end of his covenant year.” (William Weale) Wits: William Yeamans, Not. Pub., Matthew Warren, Thurstone Harris. (Pr. 14 Feb. 1619-20.)

6. William Harris. Marriage settlement of William Harris and Margaret Divick (Derrick) of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Divvick (Derrick, Margaret’s br.) and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. November 2, 1628. (B.A., 19835/2f). The Derricks were tenants of the Smyth family of Long Ashton. Records of the Smyth family of Ashton Court – Lease for seven years 1. Henry Gibbes, alderman, 2. William Harris of Sherehampton, husbandman Messuage in Sherehampton in the occupation of John Harris, brother of William Annual rent: £54 for the first four years £56 for the last three years One bushel of apples and pears. Covenant to discharge William from all costs of quartering soldiers and horses of ‘any of the Armyes now in this Kingdome’. December 24, 1648. William Harris was deceased by Oct. 8, 1656, when his wife was described as “Margaret Harris of Bristol, widow”. (B.R.O.).

6. John Harris.

6. Henry Harris. Assignment of lease for 99 years. 1. John Sam, clothworker, 2. John Betterton, clothworker. Property: messuage in Tucker Street in which the lessor dwells, between messuage in the occupation of Henry Harris on the east and garden ground in the occupation of William Weale on the west. May 10, 1631. (B.A., P.St T/D/305).

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EDWARD BRANTLEY OF VIRGINIA

The only thing that can be said of Edward Brantley of Virginia is that the vast majority of his and his family’s connections were originally of the vicinity of Bristol, England, as this account shows. There is a fair case to be made for him to have been of the Evesham (Worcestershire) Brantleys, thus, to be a kinsman of the Tandy family of that place. This would perfectly explain his connection to a number of families that formed a very closely connected kinship group, underpinned by joint ventures in the Bristol/Virginia tobacco trade.

It is possible to expand on these notes, taking in the Watson connection, and the very close intertwining of the Harris family herein briefly noted, but, in that most people cling to beliefs as to a lifeboat, such would be an exercise for a small audience.

HENRY TANDY OF VIRGINIA

1. …
2. John Tandy, schoolmaster of the free grammar school, Evesham, 1n 1610.
2. Robert Tandy, burgess of Evesham, in 1618.
2. Henry Tandy, b. ca. 1574, Bretforton, 4 mls east of Evesham.
3. John Tandy, b. 1599 in Bretforton, a tenant of John Watson (d. 1648), whose eldest son, William (br. of Thomas), held it thereafter. John Watson was the son of “William Watson, Gentleman of Bretforton, Worcestershire”; his will dated August 29, 1590. John Watson was enfeoffed in Bretforton in 1595 (Birmingham Arch., MS 3061/Acc 1901-003/167622), suggesting a d.o.b. of ca. 1574.

The family of Watson had a ‘lesser branch’ of yeoman farmers: Recognizance before John Charlett by George Barre, Labourer, Thomas Watson, and Robert Watson Yeomen all of Bratforton for the appearance of the said George Barre at Sessions and for his keeping the peace towards John Lyggon son of Edward Lyggon of Bratforton Yeoman. July 9, 1628. (Worcestershire Arch., 1/1/53/60).

Thomas Watson, younger br. of William, is evidenced here: Knottisford v Bearcroft. (Barcroft). Plaintiffs: Charles Knottisford and others. Defendants: John Bearcroft the elder, esq, John Bearcroft the younger, gent, Thomas Watson the elder, gent, Thomas Watson the younger, gent and others. Subject: property in Feckenham (12 ml fr. Evesham), Worcestershire. (C 5/512/74). Any connecrion between the Barcrofts (Bearcrofts, as they were named) of Chard, Somerset, and the Bearcrofts of Feckenham, Worcestershire is not known, but, if so, the common ancestor may have been Thomas Bearcroft of Mere Place, Worcestershire (fl. 1542), father of John Bearcroft the elder, esq., father of John Bearcroft the younger, gent.

4. John Tandy, arrested at a Quaker meeting at Evesham, Jan. 16, 1660. Will of John Tandy, Sadler of Evesham, Sept. 20, 1673.3. Joseph Tandy, also arrested at same meeting.
3. Robert Tandy.
3. Henry Tandy, bapt. July 18, 1602 in Bretforton, m. Elizabeth Yoxson, on Feb. 10, 1627 in Bretforton, dau. of Eustace Yokson, of Evesham.
4. Henry Tandy, bapt. April 12, 1628, South Littleton (2 mls north of Bretforton}, d. 1691, Rappahannock, Virginia, m. Rebecca …
5. Henry Tandy, m. Priscilla …*, last relict of John Watson, thus, stepfather of Mary Watson, who m. (in 1685) Matthew Tomlin, Jr. (see B. 2, p. 243); br. of Mary (wife of John Turner, Sr., of Isle of Wight), mother of Mary, wife of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. The Will of Sarah Watson (who m. (1) John Luke, (2) Nicholas West (3) John Watson), rec. Aug. 9, 1672, named dau. Katherine Luke, to be placed in the custody of William Yarret (the Quaker) and his wife; if said dau. dies without heirs her estate to William Yarret Jr. and my brother in England, in Solembareth (refering to Bath, 12 mls east of Bristol), Gloucestershire. (per. Barrett). Philip Thomas (creditor of the estate of Nicholas West in 1668; his Will prob. Feb. 9, 1702 (witnessed by Judith Edwards Harris), named children: John, who m. Susan, dau. of John Portis; William, who m. Sarah Hill, dau. of Sylvestra Bennett and (her husband) Col. Nicholas Hill; she being a cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, her husband, a witness to his Will, concerning which Edward Brantley gave security. Inv. of estate of John Watson, Oct. 14, 1673 taken by Richard Sharpe, the probable br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Judith Edwards Harris was the wife of Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

*Rappahannock County Court, Oct. 2, 1684. Judgment is granted to Prisilla Watson, Executrix of her deced Husband, John Watson, against the Estate of Jno. Motlin deced, for five hundred pounds of toba and caske due by Bill to be paid with costs of suite als Exec. Rappahannock County Court, August 5, 1685. Judgement is granted between Capt. George Purvis, Plt., and Mr. Henry Tandy as marrying the relict of John Watson, deft., till the sd Capt. Purvis next arrivall into this Colony.

5. Ann Tandy, m. William Holman, son of Nicholas Holman.
6. Tandy Holman, m. a dau. of Basil Wagstaff, Jr. and Mary, dau. of Richard Albritton and Mary, dau. of Thomas Wooten.
7. Mary Holman, m. Charles Rice, of New Kent, d. Nov. 22, 1785, in Goochland Co., son of of Edward Rice, son of Thomas Rice, of Bristol. “Thomas came to America aboard the Bristol Merchant in 1679/80, assigned as an apprentice to John Stephens”. He was transported by one George Alves/Alvis who was granted “1014 acs. New Kent Co. in St. Peters Par: on both sides of Totpotomous Cr. April 24, 1700, “for the transport of 21 persons”, including Thomas Rice. He is first found in records when the baptism of his son James was recorded April 4, 1686 in the records of St. Peter’s Parish, April 29, 1693, a patent from Sir Edmond Andros, Kt., “to Thomas Rice for land lying in Kingston Parish, in Gloucester county, said land being due unto said Thomas Rice by and for the importation of one person into this colony”. Tho. Rice is listed on the Virginia Quit Rent Rolls of 1704, in New Kent County, with 300 acres.

3. Ann Tandy, m. John Brantly: Boswood v Horne. Plaintiffs: John Boswood. Defendants: John Horne, Elizabeth Horne his wife, Robert Francklyn,* John Brantly and Edward Field. Subject: personal estate of the deceased Robert Tandy, of Worcestershire. 1657. (N.A., C 6/137/7). Will of Robert Tandy, Glover of Evesham, Worcestershire, PROB 11/263/499, April 29, 1657. Ann (Tandy) Brantley was arrested at a Quaker meeting at Evesham, Jan. 20, 1660, with a Robert Tandy. *He m. Ann Brantley, John Brantley’s sister, March 19, 1632, in Offenham, 2 mls fr. Evesham.

BRANTLEY

1. William Brantley, bailiff of Evesham.
1.1. Thomas Brantley, m. Christian Burley, in 1587; perhaps of the family of Bristol merchants. A Francis Burly was the headright of Robert Pitt, in IOW, in 1638.
1.1.1. Edward Brantley, d. inf.
1.1.2. John Brantley, m. Ann Tandy.
1.1.3. Robert Brantley.
1.2. Robert Brantley, m. Joan Goodrich, Oct. 16, 1589, in St. Mary, Cheltenham, 15 mls fr. Evesham. Robert Brantley had evidently m. into the Goodrich family of Ham, a parcel of the manor of Cheltenham, and was granted to Robert Goodrich by 1574. Cheltenham. Court baron, William Norwood, farmer of the king, held there in January 1609 a suit of court by John Stubbs, deputy to Henry Norwood Esq., chief steward. Manorial records for 1610 mention Michael Goodriche and Edmund Gooderich; and, on Sept. 8, 1610, before Henry Norwood, a record was made if the death of “Elianor Gooderich relict of Walter Gooderich late tenant in base tenure of 2 messuages with appurtenances lying in Ham in Charlton Kings has died since the last court”.
1.2.1. Edward Brantley. Tickeridge v Staples. Plaintiffs: Thomas Tickeridge, younger son of Thomas Tickeridge, son and executor of Nicholas Tickeridge, gent. Defendants: Alexander Staples, gent, William Byddell, yeoman, William Byddell, his son, and Robert Brantly, yeoman, Edward Brantly, his son, and Edward Bickerson, his servant. Subject: Forcible entry and damage at Evesham by colour of a sham Chancery injunction. 1607. (STAC 8/283/22).
1.2.1.1. Edward Brantley. (Cousin of Henry Tandy, of Rappahannock; hence connections to the Harris family). It was almost invariably the case that people married within their kinship group, which leaves a large space of conjecture as to Edward Brantley’s wife.

(1. William Norwood.
1.1. Henry Norwood.
1.2. Richard Norwood.
1.2.1. William Norwood.
1.2.1.1. Richard Norwood – appraisal by Edward Brantley, Oct. 25, 1731).

KINSHIP GROUP

1. …
1.1. George Moore, of Bristol, b. 1632, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft (Bearcroft), whose family held land in Chard, Somerset.
1.1.1. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. Their estate was appraised between March 22, 1741 and July 26, 1742 by Thomas Day, John Goodrich Jr., and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). John Goodrich Jr’s estate was appraised by Robert Kae, of Bristol, who also witnessed the Will of George Bechinoe, of Bristol (son of Edward Bechinoe (d. June 9, 1679), who appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677). George Moore administered the estate of George Bechinoe, in 1700. George Bechinoe’s sister Anne Bechinoe, d. 1712, m. (1) Robert Kæ, (2) John Goodrich Jr.
1.1.1.1. Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.2. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on Aug. 30, 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642.
1.2.2.1. James Piland witnessed the will of Robert Lancaster, on April 28, 1720, and appraised the estate of John Brantley, on April 26, 1725.
1.2.2.1.1. James Piland, m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of Phillip Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.) and Joyce Lewis; dau. of Rebecca George (dau. of John) and Thomas Lewis. John and Nicholas George of Virginia were very probably of the Georges of Portbury, Somerset, a junior line of those of Wraxall. Nicholas George was the probable father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, whose estate was appraised by Edward Brantley Sr.
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (1) …
1.2.1. Joyce …, m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps.
1.3. Thomas Moore. June 21, 1665. Samuel Elbridge, merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore (br. of Thomas) and (Edward) Brantlie, p. 10. Samuel Elbridge was a partner of Robert Flake Sr., the second husband of Katherine Moore, aforsaid, by whom he had issue: (1) Mary Flake, who m. bef. Oct. 25, 1670, John Clarke, who had m. (May 7, 1666) Katherine Gwaltney (having issue: Katherine Clarke, who m. Henry King). (2) Katherine Flake, wife of William Evans (1689), Thomas Pierce (1691).

Boddie, p. 606: Robert Flake, aged 70, said that Wm. Evans on his death bed said that Mr. James Benn* should have a deed of 400 ac. out of his 500 acres on Kinsale as Mr. Benn has paid for it. 10 Aug 1692. Katherine Pierce, exrs of Wm. Evans, aged 25, said that her former husband Wm. Evans said that 400 ac. belonged to James Benn. Thomas Moore said that he wrote Wm. Evan’s will and that he gave his remaining land at Kinsale to his son Thomas Evans. Thomas Pierce and Katherine, his wife, deed the said 400 ac. to James Benn. John Giles, James Tullaugh, Hen. Applewhaite, Jas. Day. On Aug. 20, 1650, Robert Blake and Samuel Eldridge patented 560 ac.; the former being the likely br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 (who m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe), the second-cousin of Anne Bennett, b. 1641, who m. (1) Theodorick Bland of Westover; their son, Theodorick Bland (born 1663) m. Margaret Mann, probably a dau. of Thomas Mann, who, with his wife, Elizabeth, sold 150 ac. on Blackwater to Theophilus Joyner, adjoining property owned by William Mayo (his brother-in-law), and Bridgeman Joyner. (B. 1., p. 603). Thomas Man of Isle of Wight sells to Henry Hearne of Nansemond 100 ac. on Corowaugh Swamp adj. James Johnson. Wit., James Bryan, Bridgeman Joyner, and *James Benn. Thomas Harris, Will recorded Oct. 9, 1688: “Son William to live with Bridgman Joyner”. (B.2, p.286)

March 13, 1654, Samuel Eldridge to Humphrey Clark, 280 ac. on Blackwater pat. by Eldridge and Robert Flake. Wit. Peter Bedford, Thomas Walter, p. 524.
Sept. 2, 1665, Henry King exchanged 100 ac. with Frances England. Wit. Robert Flake, Thomas Woodward (the Tandy connection).
June 4, 1666, Robert Flake gives to his son-in-law, John Proctor, son to Ambrose Proctor Sr. Wit. Henry King, p. 544.
June 1669, Robert Flake gives his stepdaughter, Sussannah Atkinson, 300 ac. on Blackwater, p. 558. Sussannah m. Thomas Atkinson, br. of John Atkinson. husband of Ann Holman, dau. of Christopher Holman, and sister of William Holman, husband of Ann Tandy, great-niece of her namesake, wife of John Brantley, cousin of Edward Brantley, likely father of Edward Brantley Sr., of Virginia.
April 9, 1671, Robert Flake appt atty to collect debts due Wm. Bressie, of Bristol.
April 14,1672, John Harper of Bristol linen draper appts Robert Flake his atty to collect from Morris Rose for a certain mill near Ward’s Creek in Martin Brandon.
Aug. 7 1672, John Seward of Bristol merchant (son of John Seward, whose headright was Edward Branley), sells to William Bressie of VA merchant, now of Bristol, some land in Va, appointing Robert Flake as atty.

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England is small. Somerset is a small part of England. The part of Somerset from which came many settlers of early Virginia comprised of a number of villages through which all roads went to Bristol; a magnet of opportunity, especially through the tobacco trade with Virginia. Both yeoman farmers and the lesser sons of the gentry sought wealth through this trade.

Their villages were small, perhaps consisting of 200 households. The roads linking them winded around the marshy lands of the Bristol estuary. Everyone knew everyone. Their families had intermarried for centuries, so, when, in Virginia, some links between close neighbours are not evident, it is usually the case of not digging deep enough; usually because of not knowing where to dig.

They were kin, sometimes distant by modern measurement, but not by theirs; their connections being reinforced through every generation by intermarriages into the same families.

They all gravitated toward the most powerful family at the centre of their kinship group. In the case of the Harris, this was the Bennetts. The aim was to intermarry with them, as did a branch of the (Wiveliscombe) Harris, which, in turn, became the focus of others to intermarry with; a form of ‘next best’ achievement. It was considered a natural occurrence for other branches of this Harris family to share in the good fortune of their kin, thus producing many familial associations they held in common. Arranging marriages to procure advantage to your family (as security and wealth) was a consuming obligation. They survived through kinship; communal enterprise.

This preamble is necessary to this account as it sets the context in which the possible origins (and possible descendants) of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia can be understood. This context is totally different from that which has previously been proposed. Much Harris research of the 1990’s commenced with a blank canvass which needed to be filled. This was done by assuming a close connection between Sir Thomas Smith, Treasurer of the Virginia Company, and the Harris family of Crixse, Essex, which were documented by such as Burke. This link was highly tenuous, but it lead to a vast amount of dilligent research into this family, but to no avail, as they were a wrong assumption.

Other assumptions were pinned to Sergeant John Harris: He had a son named Thomas who was born ca. 1615 in England (who did not accompany his two younger siblings to Virginia in 1624), who was he who died in Virginia in 1677, and was the father of such and such, claimed as ancestors. There is no proof of any of this, as most dilligent Harris researchers of old know.

In more recent times, a link between the Harris family of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and a Harris family of Virginia has been proposed, which I suggest is of a very firm nature. However, discerning between they and their Harris kinsfolk is difficult, due to the aforementioned ‘familial associations they held in common’. In the case of the Thomas Harris who died in 1729/30, it is possible to show a consistent link to the family of Thomas Harris (of Wiveliscombe) who died in 1672. Yet, this would be expected in any case, the Harris family of Wiveliscombe being a focus of attraction to their Harris kin. It may be the case that the origin of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia is blinded by a closeness to his cousins.

Before commencing an account of the possible origins and descendants of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, the following geographical associations can be considered:

Blagdon to Long Ashton – 10 mls.
Blagdon to Cheddar – 5 mls.
Blagdon to Stoke Rodney – 4 mls.
Blagdon to Bristol – 12 mls.
Blagdon to West Pennard – 18 mls.
West Pennard to Taunton – 18 mls.
Taunton to Pitminster 4 mls.
Pitminster to Wiveliscombe 12 mls.

It is usually possible to track a family’s transit from a place of 16th century origin through parish registers. If there is a large concentration of a surname in one parish between 1540 and 1570, with a growing number of of the same surname appearing in nearby parishes thereafter, the earlier entries point to the place of most recent origin. By this token, the Kitchen/Kinchen family of Stoke Rodney were of West Pennard, and both were of the same family as Abel Kitchen of Bristol. It was associations to the merchant class of Bristol that greatly fascilitated emigration/sponsorship to Virginia. In the case of the Kitchens, an association to the family of Barker (with such associations being almost invariably familial) would seem of prime importance to later associations in Virginia.

The following associations may lead to Sergeant John Harris:

1. … Kitchen.
2. “Franncis Kytchin”, bur. April 16, 1591, in West Pennard.
3. Joan, Kitchen, m. Thomas Pearce, Nov. 24, 1586, in West Pennard.
3. William Kitchen, m. Isabell Farr, Nov. 26, 1576, probable sister of Mary Farr, who m. Edmund Wheeler, June 20, 1580.
4. John Kitchen (namesake d. inf).
5. John Kitchen, m. Grace Cade, Aug. 10, 1635. (I have documented the association between these families in Virginia).
6. William Kitchen, d. 1685 m. Martha …
7. William (it is assumed) (sic) Kinchen, m. Elizabeth Joyner, dau. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

2. Robert Kitchen Sr.; Will of 1594, bequeathed the rents of property in the New Market and Broad Street, as a charitable trust, to poor apprentices.
3. Abel Kitchen. In his Will, the rents of these properties were devised for the uses expressed by his father. (Bristol Arch., BCC/F/Ch/9). Abel Kitchen was a partner of John Barker, mariner and merchant: Co’part Bargain and Sale. Richard Cole, Alderman; Ralph Hurte, grocer; William Colston, gent.; John and Thomas Pepwall, gent. Lewys the younger; William Davis, inholder; John Henrie; William Philpott; and Thomas Callowhill the younger; to John Barker; Mathewe Haveland; Abell Kitchen; and John Rowberowe; merchants: in cons. of a sum of money paid. The two tens. in Broad Street. Endorsed: Mr John Barker, Mr Mathewe Haviland, Mr. Abell Kittchine, Mr John Rowberowe. 1598. (Bristol Arch. P/AS/D/BS B 21).
3. Robert Kitchen. Covenant to levy a fine between John Carpenter and wife Elizabeth, Thomas Iles and wife Dorothy and Sarah Kitchen, spinster (daughters of Robert Kitchen descd and co-heirs of Mary, dau. of Abel Kitchen descd) to Samuel Franckome, Richard Davis al. Taylor and Thomas Tucker: messuage called the Splotts, situated under Toghill at Doynton, with lands. 1654. (Bristol Arch., HA/D/295).

Mr. John Barker was almost certainly closely related to this William Barker. Bond of Francis Derrick [the younger], of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex (but of the Bristol family of Barkers, mariners, sometimes recorded as Baker – M.S) to the King, in 1,0002. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about llth October 1636. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10).

William Barker, bapt. on May 7, 1592, in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol; merchant and mariner, who deposed his age to be 37 in 1629, and mate of the Hopewell, which sailed fom Virginia on New years Eve of that year for England, under Captain Richard Russell, in company with ‘the Gift’ of London, under Captain Samuel Crampton and Master Edward Beale. (See Coldham, P.W., English Adventurers and Emigrants, 1609-1660, p. 23, 1984).

‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased George Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’, p. 113. In the patois relevant to Somerset at this time, Cawcott is synonomous with Cockett: Silvester Thacker and Anthony Fulgham, 100 acs. Isle of Wight Co., Oct. 22, 1643, p. 937. Lying upon Pagan Point Bay, E. upon land of Mr. Thomas Davis & S. upon Mr. John Mahoone. Trans, of 2 pers: John Cockett & Sarah Robinson. A family of Cockett were established at North Petherton (10 mls fr. Pitminster, from whence the Fulghams), from whence a family of Hole (intermarried with the Fulghams); originally from Wedmore juxta Cheddar. (This legal dispute may be of relevance: Cockett v Barker, Mann, Cole. 1598. STAC 5/C31/32).

This Francis Derrick, b. 1607 in Long Ashton, Somerset, was the son of Francis Derick, bapt. May 6, 1576, d. 1637/8, who m. Katherine, in Long Ashton. Sir William Waller, knight, Abell Kitchen, John Gay, Richard Holworthy, Robert Kitchin (br. of Abel) v. Edward Balhashe, Francis Dirrick: Prisage upon wines brought into the port of Bristol from beyond seas from St. Mallowes (France) in the year 1626. What vintage, &c. 1626. (E 134/4Chas1/East17).

Francis Derrick Jr. was a cousin of James Derick, bapt. Feb. 14, 1620, in Blagdon, who m. Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), on July 20, 1648. James Derick was almost certainly the stepson of Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, in Blagdon, sister of John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon, who, it may be suggested, was he rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as William Barker, aforesaid. He was the probable father of John Barker, father of Joel Barker, John Barker Jr., and Jethroe Barker, and a dau. who m. John Harris. Their son, also John Harris, d. in 1697/1698; his estate administered by John Barker Jr. and Patrick Lashley, John Barker Jr’s son-in-law. Feb. 11, 1698; B. 5. p. 165. The latter John Harris was the likely brother of William Harris, whose relict’s estate was administered by her son, Henry Harris, of hin, anon, and witnessed by John Barker Jr. R. June 16, 1711. (B. 6, p. 52).

The following table is not an unreasonabe conjecture as to Sergeant John Harris of Virginia. if it is apt, he was of yeoman stock, adept with cattle and horse husbandry, who sought a different life through the tobacco trade, assisted by his merchant kin of Bristol.

1. John Harris, bapt 1589/90, in Blagdon, Somerset (d. bef. October 14, 1638, as Sergeant John Harris of Virginia?). He may have been rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as William Barker. Baylie v Baylie. Plaintiffs: John Baylie. Defendants: Arthur Baylie. Subject: property in Allington, Somerset. (4 mls fr. Pitminster). 1654. (C 8/131/21). He was a merchant operating out of London, and probably of the same family as John Bayly, who m. Margaret Farr on May 7, 1593, in Pitminster, thus kin of the Kitchen/Kinchen family.

Sergeant John Harris, his wife, Dorothy, and two infants, are recorded as living in Shirley Hundred (Charles City County), Feb. 16, 1623. They are not listed in the muster of 1624/5. He represented Shirley Hundred Maine (mainland) in 1629/30 (Heming vol. 1, p. 138); which was about thirty-seven miles above James City (Virginia Historical Register, vol. 1, p. 110). “As early as 1618, the Governor and Council were instructed to divide the Colony into Counties (1st Hening, 115) but there is no record of their having done so, until 1634, when they divided it into eight shires (counties) of which Charles City and Henrico were two, the former covering the territory below the Appomattox down to Upper Chippoak’s Creek“. (Philip Slaughter, A History of Bristol Parish, Va).

Sergeant John Harris was a neighbour of the Feltons: “William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s,* deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Moseleys, adjoining to a great swamp (Ohoreek) which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie County”. (Surry Co. Court Records. R. Nov. 10, 1660). Charles City County Orders 1658 – 1661. Oct. 3, 1659 . Ordered that Wm. Lee pay unto Richard Taylor 350 lbs of good tobacco and cask due per a bill of his predecessor Thomas Felton

2. Dorothy Harris, infant in 1623/1624, sold land to Francis Derrick Jr., a kinsman, of Long Ashton (10 mls fr. Blagdon), and Bristol.

2. John Harris, infant in 1623/1624, m. a sister of John Barker Sr.; probable son of William Barker, partner of Francis Derrick Jr. A John Harris, on May 2, 1654, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton. (Crozier Misc. rec. vol. 6, p. 31, 2009). William Lea’s patent of Feb. 6, 1654 (for 500 acres), shows this land to be “on the South side of James river & on the west side of an Indian Swamp commonly called & known by the name of Ohoreek”. In 1663, William Heath transferred William Lea’s patent to William Simmons Sr. (per record of fine imposed on William Simmons Sr. after Bacon’s Rebellion).

Thomas Busby, father-in-law of John Barker Jr., sold 100 ac. at the head of Upper Chippoakes to Roger Potter, bounded by John Barker Jr. and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. This was “Mr. George Stevens”, whose mill descended to “Mr. John Brasseur”, who m. a dau. of Col. Robert Pitt, of Bristol, “and heir at law to the said Stevens”. April 20, 1682. (B. 6, p. 346).

Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons, dau. of William Simmons Sr., and sister of William Simmons Jr. Richard Taylor witnessed a patent of John Barker on July 4, 1685. (B.3, p. 31). On December 12, 1668, Edward Collier sold Richard Rogers 300 acres on Chippokes Creek called “Cabin Point” formerly patented by Mr. George Stephens and bought from him by John and Richard Taylor who sold to Collier. Richard Taylor was the br.-in-law of John Barker Sr. Thomas Busby was b. in 1632. He m. Sussanah Grey, dau. of Francis Grey, granted 750 ac. in Charles City Co. Nov. 24, 1653, p. 231. Francis Grey was the half br. of William Grey, father of a namesake; the latter two being witnesses of the Will of William Harris, dated May 1, 1720, in Surry.

The farm of Thomas Harris who d. in 1729/30 was shown by his patent to have been adj. this latter “William Simmons line”, on March 24, 1725, and “adj. Herbert’s branch”, and on “both sides of the Meherrin river”. Its location is described here: A General Assembly, House of Delegates, report of 1828 gives indication of this: “That the petition of divers inhabitants of the county of Southampton, praying that all that part of the said county within the following bounds, to wit: by a line beginning at Taylor’s bridge on Meherrin river, including the said bridge; thence along the main road leading to Southampton (formerly IOW) courthouse, to the flat swamp; thence up the meanders of the said swamp to Harris’s old mill-pond; thence up the south fork of the said swamp known by the name of Herbert’s branch, to a black gum; thence along a line of marked trees, to a pine in Thorp’s old mill-run; thence down the said mill-run, to the Three creeks; thence up the said creek, to the Sussex line; thence along the said line, to Meherrin river; thence down the said river to the beginning, may be added to the county of Greensville, be rejected”.

Flat Swamp is Dismal Swamp, described in a geographical context by Edward Shulkcum, et al. Soil Survey of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1941 p. 2. “This county lies wholly within the Virginia section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, in the tidewater section of the State. It is mostly on the Wicomico marine terrace but also covers small remnants of the Chowan and Dismal Swamp terraces along the Blackwater River on the west and the James River on the north. The more level or flat areas occur on the Dismal Swamp terrace in the eastern part of the county”.

(Harris’s old mill-pond is recorded here: “The Meherrin River and Potecasi Creek basins contain most of the bottomlands. Most swamp lies along the Chowan and Wiccacon Rivers and the lower portion of the Meherrin River. The Harris and Taylor millponds (totaling about 140 acres), near Harrelsville and Winton, are the largest lakes”. (Land Potential Study, Hertford Co., NC., 2012).

The farm of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30 was probably on Kirby Creek and Meherrin Neck, west of the swamp, and south of the James river; and adj. to Charles City County.

3. William Harris, Will dated May 1, 1720, in Surry, witnesses William Grey and William Grey Jr.
4. Mary Harris, m. Thomas Taylor. On April 27, 1748, he witnessed the Will of John Edwards, the executor being Henry Harris. This Thomas Taylor was a neighbour of Thomas Goodwin in Surry (br. of Theophilus Goodwin, as follows). Thomas Taylor’s son, also Thomas, m. Thomas Goodwin’s dau., Penelope. These Taylors were probably of the family of Richard Taylor, uncle of John Barker Jr.
5. Thomas Taylor, Will probated Nov. 14, 1754: wife Katherine, use of water mill and 49 ac. adjoining it; son Herman Taylor, plantation in Northampton County, north of Meherrin River.

3. John Harris, estate admon by John Barker Jr. (1698). Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; trans. Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, William West.
4. William Harris; his widow’s estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr.
5. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is. of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77.  Flat Swamp in Southampton (formerly Isle of Wight).
6. Benjamin Harris, d. 1774, m. Faith Smith, dau. of Lawrence Smith and Jane Regan.
7. Absolom Harris, m. Elizabeth Tarver, dau. of Andrew Tarver and Elizabeth Jordan, the sister of Priscilla Browne, who m. (2) Thomas Blunt, whose first wife was Mary Gilliam, by whom they had a dau. m. to Joel Barker, aforesaid, father of John Barker; b. Lawrenceville, Brunswick, d. Oct. 14, 1808, Pigeon Creek, Iredell, NC. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Hinchea Gilliam and Faith, dau. of Samuel Briggs and Mary Bayley, granddau. of Arthur Bayley and Mary (dau, of Arthur Jordan), who m. (2) Christopher Foster, father of Christopher Foster Jr., father of John Foster, whose dau., Sarah, m. Walter Gilliam; their dau., Lydia, m. John Watkins, whose dau., Millie, m. Solomon Harris.
5. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.
6. Joshua Harris.
7. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche.
8. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778. The test results for a descendant (with Family Tree DNA) are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males,

I do not know the ancestry of Sergeant John Harris of Virginia.
Neither does anyone else.
Yet, he just might have been blinded from us, like Icarus, orbitting too close to the (Bennett) sun.

The ongoing link is Kinchen.

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Rodney Stoke (4 mls. fr. Cheddar, 12 mls fr. Mells and West Pennard, from whence the Kitchen/Kinchen family probably originated; where Joan, a sister of William Kitchen, m. Thomas Pearce, Nov. 24, 1586.

1. John Kitchen, m. Grace Cade, Aug. 10, 1635.
2. George Kitchin bapt. June 12, 1636
2. John Kitchen, d. 1691.
3. John Kitchin, bapt. Dec. 5, 1669.
2. William Kitchen, d. 1685 m. Martha …
3. Abraham Kitchen, bapt. Aug 23, 1670, d. 1687.
3. William (it is assumed) (sic) Kinchen, m. Elizabeth Joyner, dau. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
4. William Kinchen. Joseph Bridger (grandson of Joseph Sr.) of Northampton Co. to William Kinchen of Northampton Co., July 3, 1745, 18 pounds current silver money of Va. 436 acres more or less on the north west side of the Mill swamp, joining Rowland Williams and the swamp, as by patent Dec. 1, 1744 Wit: William Kinchen, Jr., John Crowell, Samuel Bell. (Reg. Northampton Co. Nov. Ct. 1745).
5. William Kinchen, m. Sarah House. (Northampton Co. Oct. Ct. 1758).
4. Sarah Kinchen, m. James Godwin, son of Thomas Goodwin Jr., son of Thomas Goodwin and Marther Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger Sr, business partner of Thomas (d. 1672) and his br., Richard Harris, in Bristol. Thomas Goodwin Jr, was the br. of Theophilus Goodwin, who m. Elizabeth Wyche, having issue: Sarah Goodwin, wife of Thomas Harris (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30); father of Solomon Harris.
4. Matthew Kinchen. His will (1735/6) names “my loving mother Elizabeth Kinchen” and “my loving uncle Thomas Joyner“; 3 daus. He m. (1730) Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin II. and Elizabeth Watkins, son of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Prime, dau. of Edward Prime and Ann, relict of Peter Ridley. Elizabeth Prime was the half-sister, thus, of Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham, whose sister, Ann, m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
5. Elizabeth Kinchin, m. Lodwick Alford, son of James Alford and Lucy Cade. Nov. 1, 1752: William Pace was granted 425 acres “in Granville County and in Johnston County on the S side of crooked creek, joining Lodwick Alford”; surveyed Feb. 10, 1748, chain bearers Robert Cade (stepfather of William and James Pace), and William Cade. Robert Cade d. bef. May 1769, when administration on his estate was granted to James Alford (Bute Co., Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779, p. 77).
3. Sarah (sic) Kinchen, m. Philip Raiford.
4. Sarah Raiford, m. Anthony Fulgham, nephew of Nicholas Fulgham, and, thus, cousin of his son, Nicholas Fulgham, who m. (2) Isabel Harris, dau. of Thomas Harris Jr., son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
5. Anthony Fulgham, m. Nancy Anne Raiford; great granddau. of of Philip Raiford. aforsaid.
6. Raiford Fulgham, b. March 29, 1743, Dobbs Co., NC., d. Dec. 11, 1797 Goldsboro, Wayne Co., NC.; m. Winifred Pearce, dau. of Arthur Pearce, son of Philip Pearce, son of George Pearce/Peirce:

Tenants of the Symes, in Mells:

1. Thomas Peirce, b. ca. 1550, m. (1) ….
2. Thomas Peirce, m. Dorothy Hodges, 1598.
2. Christian Peirce, bapt. Mar. 13, 1579; mother of John Peirce, bapt. May 28, 1609

1. Walter Peirce.
2. George Peirce, bapt. April 3, 1613; d. 1663; m. Margaret … Oct. 21, 1638.
3. William Peirce, bapt. Oct 13, 1639.
3. George Peirce, bapt. April 9, 1643. George Peirce sold 100a to Phillip Raiford. Land was part of a patent of 2100a granted on Sept. 2, 1674, bounded by Col. Bridger’s. Witnesses: John Brown, John Fulgham, and John Smith, 1681, p. 586. indenture between “Phillip Rayford” and his wife, Sarah, and Thomas Harris, Jr.,* for the sale of land, Feb. 9, 1687; wit. John Brown, p. 569. Indenture between William Carver and his wife , Jane, and “Phillip Rayford” for the sale of land adjoining the property of George Peirce, Jan. 8, 1693, wit. William Kinchen.

1. Thomas Peirce, m. (2) Joan Kitchen.
2. Thomas Peirce, m. Marian Walton, May 11, 1612.

*Given the association between Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Joseph Bridger Sr. (see previous notes); ‘Thomas Harris, Jr.’ was most likely his son.

Some lines of Harris may be the result of ‘Thomas Harris, Jr.’ having male heirs.

Some lines of Harris almost cetainly descend from his kinsmen.

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The question of “the Sergeant” stretches the mind, and much imagination has gone into “proving” descent from him. Such is required, for the spider’s web of Harris families in and around Cheddar and Wedmore in Somerset can not be disintangled to a degree that identifies all familial connections.

A researcher “of old” suggested to me that “the Sergeant” may have been synonomous with the “servant” of Arthur Bayly of 1637, as follows. If so, he was involved in the Bristol/Virginia tobacco trade. This scenario involves Dorothy Harris selling land to Francis Derick, cousin of James Derick, probable stepson of “the Sergeant’s” sister.

Francis Derick’s association with William Barker can be seen in the context of the almost invariability of the Bristol mariner/merchant class being intermarried with the family of their business associates. Thus, families of Barker, Derick, and Harris may have been kin, allowing for the disintangling of a strand of Harris from their Harris kin. That is the theory, but I suspect that we may never know.

BLAGDON AND LONG ASHTON (4 ml fr. Cheddar/Wedmore).

1. John Harris bapt. April 7, 1558, d. 1633. (Blagdon).
2. John Harris, bapt 1589/90, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly (merchant, of Bristol), as William Barker, probable father of John Barker, father of John Jr. and Jethroe.
3. Dorothy Harris.*
3. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker Jr. (his probable br.-in-law), Patrick Lashley (whose son m. a dau. of John Barker Jr.); Feb. 11, 1698, p. 165.
4. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker Jr., p. 52.
5. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is. of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77.
5. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

2. Joan Harris, bapt. May I, 1603, m. (probably as second wife and her second husband) John Ozon/ Osone, bapt. Apr. 22, 1604 , probably he who was the father of Ann Ozen (bapt. June 19, 1625), who m. James Derrick, July 20, 1648.
2. William Harris, m. Dorothy Bath, Nov, 17, 1628.
3. John Harris, bapt. 1633, d. 1678.
4. Thomas Harris, bapt. Jan. 26, 1654.
3. Dorothy Harris, bapt. June 1, 1636, d. 2 days old.
3. William Harris , bapt. Oct. 4, 1640, m. (1) Mary Purnell, April 5, 1660; (2) Judith … by whom:
4. William Harris, bapt. April 13, 1665.

1. John Derick, m. Katherine …, Apr. 14, 1564 (L.A.).
2. John Derick, bapt. Nov. i, 1564. (L.A.).
2. Katherine Derick, bapt. Feb 1566, m. Richard Person, Jan. 13, 1591. (L.A.).
2. Richard Derick.
3. Richard Derick, bapt. Jan. 17, 1610, “son of Richard”. (L.A.).
3. James Derick, bapt. Feb. 14, 1620, “son of Richard”. (Bl.).
2. Francis Derick, bapt. May 6, 1576, d. 1637/8, m. Katherine … (L.A.).
3. Francis Derick, bapt. March 10, 1607. (L.A.). Bond of Francis Derrick [the younger], of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex (but of the Bristol family of Barkers, mariners, sometimes recorded as Baker – M.S) to the King, in 1,0002. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about llth October 1636. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10).

‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and *Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased George Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’, p. 113.

Wm. Barker appears as a headright in two Henrico patents involving Arthur Bayley, Thomas Crosby, & Samuell Almond. *Jethro Barker. 1685: Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris, of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten. Jethro Barker and Joell Barker entring themselves securities for Mary Harris due and faithfull admon. on the estate of John Harris her late father deced are accepted and ordered to give bond accordingly. Thomas Busby, Gent, to Roger Potter … 100 ac. on the head of upper Chipeokes Creeke and bounded by John Barker and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. Wit. William Rooking. R. 7 May 7, 1689.

Possible?

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1.
2. John Harris, m. Jone … Jone Harrys of Badgworth. May, 10, 1541. To be bur. in churchyard of Bagworth (5 mls Cheddar/juxta Wedmore). Ch. of Wellys 4d. Ch. of B. I2d. Izabell Stebbes a cow, my second kyrtell, my best neck kerchyff, a wovyng (woven) apron; Thomas Stebbis her son a calff.
3. Richard Harris.
4. John Harris, of Wedmore, m. Joan Stubbs, Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore. Their grandson, Thomas Harris, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, whose son. John Gardner Jr., m. Mary Coomer* (Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar). “John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner, James Gardner, 1684”, p. 56. Thomas Harris and Joan Gardner had issue, Thomas Harris, born in 1637, whose orphan was placed with this Thomas Joyner’s brother, Bridgeman.

2. Thomas Harris, b. 1495.
3. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe.
4. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the Harris becoming cousins of the Blands. The entirity of the connection between families of Bland and Harris in Virginia was initiated by the marriage of Theodorick Bland, baptised at St. Antholins on Jan. 16, 1629, with Anne Bennett, dau. of Governor Richard Bennett; the cousin of the Thomas Harris, who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelsicombe, Somerset. To which may be added: the entirity of the connection between many families and the Harris depended on the Harris being cousins of a very influential family, which made them ‘magnets’ to which others were attracted. Theoderick Bland’s second cousin, Jane Bland, m. (2) John Holmwood, witnessed here: March 23, 1653. Convy. of John Holmwood, atty. for Mr. Theodorick Bland, merchant, to John Barker. (John Barker was the son of William Barker, as anon, partner of Francis Derrick Jr., who purchased the land of Dorothy Harris.
5. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
5. Edward Harris, held land of (kinsman) Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642.
6. Edward Harris, d. 1677.
6. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with kinsman, “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

5. John Harris, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as Thomas Busby.
5. Richard Harris. Richard Drew, d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co.; held land adj. Richard Harris, guardian of Richard Drew’s grandson, Edward, son of Edward. Richard Drew was probably he bapt. April 28, 1622, in Dunster, 12 mls N. of Wiveliscombe.
6. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, in Wiveliscombe (“son of Richard”); a headright of Thomas Busby. John Harris probably m. either (1) a dau. of Thomas Busby Jr.; a sister of Grace Busby, who. m. John Barker Jr. (2) A sister of John Barker Jr. (the most likely); a son of John Barker (and Letitia Drew), who patented 600 ac. on Chippoke Creek, Oct. 5, 1657. “Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Bland & Company for the plantation of Chippoakes I sould him the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco with caske, this 13 Jany 1653, signed Theoderick Blande. R. Oct. 26, 1658.
7. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker, Patrick Lashley (whose son m. a dau. of John Barker); Feb. 11, 1698, p. 165.
8. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker. (B. 6, p. 52).
9. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is. of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77. He m. a granddau. of Edward Drew Jr.
9. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).
10. Joshua Harris. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr.

3. John Harris, m. Agnes White, Sept. 1, 1560, in Taunton. His family were connected to that of Herring, both families also being later connected in Wayne Co. – 1. William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817. 2. William Harris. 2. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring. 3. John Harris, m. (cousin) Elizabeth Herring, probable aunt of Jehu Herring, the adoptee, whose descendant is a perfect Group 4 Harris, with no differences at all to the Harris Group 4 mode (ie. average STR result among 52 testees).
4. Tamsin Harris, m. John Herring “the elder”, April 11, 1608. He was (1) uncle of William Herring, bapt. 1602, father of William Herring, who m. Judith Pardoe, Sept. 28, 1646, in Pitminster, parents of John Herring, bapt. May 15, 1659. (2) Father of John Herring Jr.*
4. William Harris, m. Alice, Oct. 3, 1598.
5. Phillipp Harris, m. Joan Parsons, Oct. 8. 1621.
5. Edward Harris, m. Alice Brice, Sept. 5, 1626.
5. Christopher Harris, m. Joan Parsons, Jan. 19, 1623; sister of Eleanor Parsons, who m. *John Herring Jr., Nov. 25, 1626.
6. John Harris.
7. John Harris (a carpenter) m. Feb. 12, 1700, Mary Parsons.
8. John Harris, bapt. Jan. 30, 1707.

Judith Pardoe was almost certainly of the well-known family of bellfounders, established in Taunton and Pitminster (as neighbours of the Fulghams). They seem to have been related to a family of Batten: Purdue v Batten. Plaintiffs: George Purdue (of Taunton – MS). Defendants: Elizabeth Batten widow, and John Batten. Subject: property in Easton in Gordano (nr. Bristol), Somerset. 1687. (C 5/180/110).

These Battens were of the renowned naval family: Batten v Woodward. Plaintiffs: Andrew Batten of Easton-in-Gordano, mariner. Defendants: Christopher Woodward of Bristol, ironmonger and Robert Woodward his brother of Portbury, mariner. Subject: Action on a bond drafted by defendants Christopher Woodward and Robert Woodward in terms not agreed to between the parties for securing the title of Martha Batten, daughter of plaintiff Andrew Batten and wife of the said Robert Woodward, to a tenement in the manor of Portbury. 1620. (STAC 8/48/15).

1. John Woodward, bur. Nov. 9, 1562, in Winford, 8 mls. fr. Easton in Gordano.
1. John Woodward, bapt. Feb. 28, 1559, in Easton in Gordano.
2. Mary Woodward, m. Richard Tayler, Sept. 2. 1602, in Long Ashton. Francis Derrick Sr., of Long Ashton, Somerset, d. 1637. In 1632, he gifted bread to the poor of St. Stephen’s, in Bristol. His son and namesake purchased land from the dau. of Sergeant John Harris., as follows.
2. Christopher Woodward (of Winford), bur. Aug. 22, 1629. in Winford, m. Eleanor … (d. 1634).
3. Christopher Woodward. Hellier v Woodward. Plaintiffs: Christopher Hellier. Defendants: Christopher Woodward, Anne Woodward and Herbert Vaughan. Subject: personal estate of Eleanor Woodward, widow, Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1658. (C 10/48/68). Weldon v Woodward. Plaintiffs: William Weldon and Mary Weldon his wife, Anne Woodward and Sarah Woodward. Defendants: Christopher Woodward and Elizabeth Woodward his wife. Subject: property in Henbury, Gloucestershire, Bedminster, Somerset and St Thomas, Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1672. (C 8/196/214).

Davis v Hull. Plaintiffs: John Davis gent, of Chew Stoke, Somerset, next friend, Elizabeth Davis (alias Elizabeth Woodward) his wife, next friend, Christopher Woodward infant and Elizabeth Woodward infant. Defendants: Robert Hull merchant, of English Bicknor, Gloucestershire, Thomas Cole merchant, of Bristol, Gloucestershire, William Donning merchant, of Bristol, Gloucestershire. Subject: The plaintiff Elizabeth employed her brother, the defendant Hull, to settle the affairs of Christopher Woodward merchant, of Chew Stoke, Somerset, deceased, her late husband and take possession of his real and personal estate which included sugar plantations, sugar works, negroes [slaves], etc in Nevis, West Indies. She claimed he and the other defendants embezzled her and her children. 1681. (C 6/405/77).

2. Robert Woodward, mariner, m. Martha Batten, Aug. 28, 1609, in Easton in Gordano.
3. John Woodward, bapt. Feb. 23, 1611, in Easton in Gordano
3. Andrew Woodward, bapt. Nov. 27, 1614. in Easton in Gordano
3. Martha Woodward, m. Richard Bradford, Aug. 15, 1632, in Easton in Gordano. he had m. (1) Elizabeth Edwards, on Oct. 18, 1624, in Easton in Gordano. They had issue: Mary, Elizabeth and Thomas Bradford, the latter bapt. Dec. 19, 1630, in Easton in Gordano.
4. Richard Bradford, bapt. Nov. 23, 1634, in Easton in Gordano, d. after July 14, 1716, in Westover Parish, Charles City. He m. Frances, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah (dau. of William Barker, mariner,* and Frances Drew) and sister of John Barker: “‘Whereas by and after the decease of John Barker late of Flowerdue Hundred in Charles City Coun. in Virginia deceased, all that tract commonly called Flowerdue Hundred containing 1,000 acres did lawfully descend and come to Sarah then the wife of Richard Taylor, deceased, and now the wife of Robert Lucy and Elizabeth, wife of Phillip Limbry — sisters and co-heirs with the said John Barker”. John Barker m. Hannah, dau. of Thomas Drew, and sister of Thomas Drew Jr.; the father of Letitia, wife of Capt. John Barker, mariner, who settled on Chippokes Creek, James City Co. in 1649. They had issue: Jethro,* Joel, and John Barker.

*William Barker bought part of Flowerdieu Hundred from Elizabeth Stephens who had inherited the property from her father, Abraham Piersey. n 1637 and 1639, Wm. Barker appears as a headright in two Henrico patents involving Arthur Bayley, Thomas Crosby, & Samuell Almond. *Jethro Barker. 1685: Jethro Barker of upper parish to John Harris (d. 1686), of the same 120 ac. adj. sd Jethro Barker. Wit: John Barker and Thomas Cotten. Jethro Barker and Joell Barker entring themselves securities for Mary Harris due and faithfull admon. on the estate of John Harris her late father deced are accepted and ordered to give bond accordingly. Thomas Busby, Gent, to Roger Potter … 100 ac. on the head of upper Chipeokes Creeke and bounded by John Barker and the path to Mr. Stevens’ mill. Wit. William Rooking. R. 7 May 7, 1689. Jethro Barker to Jethro Barker, Jr. for 5 pds. current money, two tracts of land on north side of Otterdam Sw. being 270 acs. bounded by Harises Branch, George Barker and Hills Branch. R. Sept. 19, 1744.

*William Barker was also a partner of Francis Derrick: April 13, 1639: ‘Bond of Francis Derrick (the younger), of Bristol, and William Barker, of Ratcliffe, Middlesex, to the King, in 1,000l. conditioned for the appearance of Derrick before the Council, to answer an accusation of piracy pretended to have been committed by him upon a Spanish ship in a voyage to Virginia, about 11th October 1636’. Francis Derrick (whose family hailed from Somerset) was associated with Sergeant John Harris: ‘Francis Derrick to Richard Johnson, bill of sale for 30 acres, October 14, 1638: ‘Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased George Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).
3. Thomas Woodward, bapt. Feb. 14, 1622, in Winford, m. Katherine …
4. Thomas Woodward, Will dated Feb. 9, 1680. Security Nicholas Fulgham and John Whitley; witnesses Anthony Fulgham and John Wingate.
4. John Woodward
5. John Woodward. Âccount of estate examined by John Eley, James Bridger and John Westray; witnessed by Daniel Herring Jr. R. Jan. 3, 1754, p.74.

A deed of June 12. 1746 records Edward Harris selling land to John and Daniel Batten; witnesses: William Eley, Daniel Herring Jr., and John Harris.

On May 2, 1750, John Batten sold 100 ac. to Thomas Bracey; part of a patent of 240 ac. granted to Thomas Harris on April 27, 1686, p. 342. On Sept. 12, 1754, John Batten and his wife, Martha (Herring, dau. of Daniel Herring Jr., per his Will, rec. Oct. 6. 1785, p. 11; witnessed by William, Peter, and John Woodward), sold to George Hall 20 ac. (part of the said Harris patent), and by Edward Harris, sold to said Batten on June 10, 1746), adjoining Daniel Batten,* the Blackwater Road and Thomas Bracey, p. 279).

The estate of John Fulgham was appraised by Arthur Pursell, John Johnson, John Batten. (R. June 23, 1729, p. 168). *His estate was appraised by Daniel Herring, John Tomlin, Mathew Tomlin, 1741, p. 352.

It is a very murky picture. The assumption that many Harris of Virginia stem from a single patriarchal line, the wives of which bore a heroic number of children, is wrong. There were multiple lines of descent from various branches of the same family, with an added complication being that emigration by this family to Virginia was an ongoing process.

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1. …
2. Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, held one third of the manor of Mudgley, names as “cousin” in the will of Marie (Beard) Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. John Harris was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent). John Harris was the father of Thomas Harris, who m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner Jr.*, bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, issue of John Gardner, d. 1677.

Thomas Harris and Joan Gardner had issue: Thomas Harris , bapt. 1637, in Cheddar, who m. (2) Hester Tibbits, as follows. His son, George Harris, b. ca. 1671 (to live with John Turner 4 years), was the father of William Harris, of Halifax Co., NC., d. 1765, who sold to John Counsell (Oct. 11, 1764), 100 ac. on the north side of Black Creek, witnessed by William’s son, Simon Harris.

A br. of George Harris, Edward Harris, Will probated March 25, 1734; m. Mary Turner. (1. John Turner, m. Antonia Boultinge (May 6, 1574) in Wedmore. 2. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579 in Wedmore, m. (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney. 3. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618 in Wedmore. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son, George, with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. 4. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 4. Joseph Turner. 5. Mary Turner, m. West Harris, son of the said Edward.

Joan (Gardner) Harris and her son, Thomas, are witnessed here: Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20). John Boulting had m. Hannah Counsell, dau. of William Counsell, relict of Thomas Hardwitch, of Cheddar, d. 1646.

William Counsell was the br. of Richard Counsell (great-grandfather of Hodges Counsell Jr.); witnessed here: Counsell v Tibbett. Plaintiffs: Matilda Counsell widow and Elizabeth Norvell spinster. Defendants: Benjamin Tibbett, Magdalen Tibbett his wife and John Hellier. Subject: property in Barrow, Somerset, nr. Wedmore. (Nat. Arch. (N.A.) ref. C 6/110/17. 1650).

3. Margery Counsell (also designated “cousin” in said Will), m. John Hodges.
4. Hodges Counsell Sr.
5. Hodges Counsell Jr., m. Lucy Hardy, sister of Deborah Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner.
2. John Counsell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569.
3. John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; the aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner Jr.*, on Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar, the uncle of Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, br. of Hester Tibbits, who m. Thomas Harris (as second wife), Apr. 24, 1679, in Cheddar; Hester Harris d. 1680, probably in childbed. Thomas Harris, d. 1688 in Virginia, is not recorded there before 1681.

It is possible that Thomas may have firstly m. a Martin, a belief often suggested, a descendant of William Martin and Joan Counsell, who m. May 10, 1567, grandparents of John Martin, who m. Margery Coomer, Apr. 17, 1637 (in Cheddar), sister of Agnes Comer, who m. John Harris, Feb. 1635 (in Cheddar), uncle of the Thomas Harris, who d. 1688, in Virginia, I suggest. Whomever his first wife, she was the mother of his children.

*John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner, James Gardner, 1684, p. 56

4. John Counsell, m. (1) Ann Jeffries, Oct. 10, 1654, sister of Richard Jeffries* (bapt. Oct. 8, 1637 in Cheddar, issue of Richard Jeffries and Ann …, (2) Alice, the relict of *Richard Jeffries. Richard Jeffries, dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, and his son-in-law, George Branch (B. 2, p. 13). Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer.

Francis England’s grandson, Francis Branch, m. Elizabeth Norwood, niece of Henry Norwood, son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney, of Cheddar, granddau. of George Rodney. George Rodney’s dau., Agatha, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583, of Wedmore, and was ancestress of Hodges Counsell (English register spelling), of Virginia. Agatha’s br. John, ‘bought the farm at Cheddar’, and by Jane (dau. of Sir Henry Seymour, brother of Edward, Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector in the reign of King Edward VI.), and of Jane, wife to King Henry VIII.), had seventeen children, seven only of whom survived him; viz. three daughters’ (Mr. Collins), inc. Elizabeth Rodney, wife of Henry Norwood.

These were connections of great political and social weight. Francis Branch was the br. of Ann Branch, who. m. Robert Hodges Jr. (undoubtedly of the Wedmore Hodges). The W&M Quarterly, p. 741, 1982, makes George Branch the brother of a Thomas Branch, who may have been he who witnessed the Will of John Bly in Virginia (proved May 16, 1664), with John Gardner.

Francis England was the first husband of Joyce, niece of George Moore, father of Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1. Phillip Clarke.
1.1. Phillip Clarke, m. Rebecca Hill, Oct. 7, 1633.
1.1.1. Phillip Clarke, m. Joan Harris, Nov. 5, 1664. Her parentage can not be known, but she was almost certainly a descendant of John Harris* and Agnes White, who m. Sept. 1, 1560, in Taunton; their son, William, m. Alice Christmas, Oct. 3, 1598; their son, Christopher, m. Joan Parsons, Jan. 19, 1623. A John Christmas was bapt. Nov. 22, 1640, in Taunton; son of John. *John Harris was probably the brother of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe. Descendants of both were perfect Group 4 Harris, with no differences at all to the Harris Group 4 mode (ie. average STR result among 52 testees).
1.2. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Gillett, Feb. 1638.
1.2.1. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Herring (register spelling, Heringe), Dec. 25, 1663, she bapt. June 30, 1650, in Taunton (dau. of Henry Herring and Barbara Perrett), son of John Herring and Eleanor Parsons, who m. Nov. 25, 1626, in Bishops Hull, 1½ mile W. of Taunton. The said John Herring was probably the son of John Herring (“the elder”) and Tamsin Harris (dau. of John Harris and Agnes White), who m. April 11, 1608, in Bishops Hull. The said Henry Herring’s br., Edward, m. Joan Barber, Sept. 9, 1615, in Taunton; sister of Anstice Barber, who m. Francis England, May 5, 1614, in Taunton. Joan and Anstice Barber were almost certainly of the Barber family of Fitzhead and Halse (5-7 mls fr. Taunton), where Edward Barber m. Jane Cade, May 20, 1604, and Richard Barber m. Ann Cade, Jan. 28, 1605 (Fitzhead) and Ann Barber m. William Cade, May 1, 1619 (Halse, adj. Fitzhead).

The surname Kinchen hardly appears in any English legal or church documentation from 1500-1700, the reason being it is a corruption of of Kitchen/Kichen/Kytchen. John Kitchen, m. Grace Cade, Aug. 10, 1635, in Stoke Rodney, Somerset (3-4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). She was probably the dau. of “George Cade, Husbandman of Stoke Rodney”, his Will proved June 10, 1635; a tenant of Maurice Rodney, and sister of William Cade. Maurice Rodney’s sister, Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583,* grandfather of John Hodges, who m. Margery Counsell, they the grandparents of Hodges Counsell Jr., of Virginia. (3-4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). A descendant, William (sic) Kinchen Sr., m. Elizabeth Joyner (dau. of Bridgman Joyner); their granddau. Elizabeth Kinchin, m. Lodwick Alford, son of James Alford and Lucy Cade. Nov. 1, 1752: William Pace was granted 425 acres “in Granville County and in Johnston County on the S side of crooked creek, joining Lodwick Alford”; surveyed Feb. 10, 1748, chain bearers Robert Cade and William Cade.

*”At Wedmore is a monument Sacred to the memory of Captain Thomas Hodges of the County of Somerset, esq., who at the siege of Antwerpe, about 1583, with unconquered courage wonne two ensignes from the enemy, where receiving his last wound, he gave three legacies: his soule to his Lord Jesus, his body to be lodged in Flemish earth, his heart to be sent to his dear wife in England” (Pettigrew’s ‘Tombs’, 1857).

FRANCIS ENGLAND

1. Francis England m. Anstice Barber, May 5, 1614, in Taunton.
2. Robert England, bapt. Jan. 27, 1621, in Taunton. Sessions. JPs. Taunton. Petition of the parishioners of Taunton. This petition concerns an alehouse, situated near the Castle in Taunton; which the parishioners consider is not fitting either for travellers or for the market. There is much disorder there. Ask that the alehouse should be suppressed. John Gardner* (uncle of Thomas Harris, 1637-1688, of Cheddar). Robert England, et al.
3. Sarah England, bapt. Apr. 1646, in Taunton.
3. John England,* bapt. Jan. 19, 1650, in Taunton. He became a Bristol merchant.
2. Rachel England, m. John Limbery, Feb. 2, 1635, in Taunton.
2. Francis England, b. ca. 1615, d. 1677 (not he who testified in James City, in 1629), m. (1) ca. 1642, Sarah … (2) Joyce …

George Moore, b. 1632 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54), m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, whose family held land in Chard, 12 mls fr. Taunton. Jane was the sister of Elizabeth, wife of James Sampson, parents of Sarah, wife of Richard Braswell Sr.; their dau., Ann, m. (1) Mathew Strickland Jr., (2) John Edwards. George Moore and Jane Barcroft had issue: Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Richard Braswell Sr. had issue: (1) Robert Braswell Jr., who m. Susan Burgess, dau. of Katherine Moore (sister of George Moore), and 2nd husband, John Burgess. By her first husband, Katherine Moore had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. The Will of Joyce Cripps (1679) bequested “the lands and tenements given me by my former husband, Francis England; to *the son of Francis England’s brother, if he comes to Virginia to make a claim”.

“Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore of Pagan Creek his atty. (br. of George Moore), 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.

They all had a kinship context.

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Thomas Joyner, who died in 1694, in Virginia, was highly likely to have been born in the London area of England,and have been of a prosperous land-owning family of Dorchester-on-Thames, Berkshire; the son of a Thomas Joyner, an attorney in the Edward Robins/Edward Bennett business partnership.

In this regard, it is simply not feasible that the often mooted origins of Thomas Joyner – the 16 year old immigrant of 1635 – are compatible with the importance of the position he held, and the degree and length of education it required.

This Thomas Joyner was probably the son of the attorney, who sailed from London to Virginia in 1635, as assistant to his father, on a ship named the “Dorst”. This resulted in the speculation that he was of a Dorsetshire family, albeit, in the vernacular of his time, the name Dorchester (on-Thames) was often synonomous with Dorsetshire, and “Dorst” was a contraction of the former, a town near Oxford, and 50 miles from london.

The Joyner family were related to that of Prowse, and, through them, to the family of Edward Robins. It was the norm of centuries of English life for families to have familial connection to their neighbours and to those with whom they conducted business. When it is supposed that the early colonists of Virginia entered into haphazhard relationships with strangers, such is based on an ignorance of the colonists, and on a lack of research of English records over the previous 100 years or so.

1. Roger Giffard of Tiverton Castle, d. 1603, m. (3), in 1580, Richarda, dau. of John Prowse, of Tiverton,* and relict of Mr. Walrond of that place. Prowse v Trelawny. Plaintiffs: Richard Prowse.* Defendants: Sir John Trelawny, George Puddington and William London. Subject: property in Tiverton, Devon. 1637. (N.A., C 6/139/162).

This George Puddington was probably the son of a namesake, as recorded here: Lease for 99 years. 1. George Puddington, shoemaker, Tiverton. 2. Thomas Cornishe, Tiverton. Rent: 1 wheat corn annually, if requested. Feb. 17, 1618. (Devon Archives, 213 M/T/282). The ‘easy terms’ of this lease suggest a familial relationship between these families. The younger George Puddington m. the relict of Edward Robins,  who had m. Jane Cornishe, on April 21, 1630, in Cullompton, Devon; the niece of Prudence Cornishe, who m. John Goddard, on April 27, 1594; he of the family of James Goddard, of Wellington, Somerset, as follows.

Edward Robins and Christopher Joyner witnessed the memorandum of in 1639 of “Thomas Cely of London merchant” concerning the debts of Thomas Elgar (“Joane Dennis, his mother”), p. 79.

Joyner v Bird. Plaintiffs: Christopher Joyner. Defendants: William Bird and Gerrard Scott. Subject: property in Cheapside, London. 1659. (N.A., C 8/311/82). This is likely to be the William Bird bapt. June 17, 1622, at All Hallows, Barking, London (who m. a dau. of Thomas Grendon); Virginia representative of the London merchants, John Sadler and Thomas Quiney.

Joyner v Joyner. Plaintiffs: Thomas Joyner. Defendants: Christopher Joyner. Subject: property in St Olave Southwark (Edward Bennett’s London parish), St Mary Newington, Surrey, St Clement Danes, Middlesex and Remenham, Berkshire (17 mls. fr. Long Wittenham). 1681. (N.A., C 8/248/39).

Pettit v Joyner. Plaintiffs: Clement Pettit. Defendants: Christopher Joyner, … Gwynne and another. Place or subject: money, Middlesex. 1682.(N.A., C 7/591/117). (Francis Pettit described himself as “brother” of Obediance Robins (Edward’s brother), in 1636.

Prowse v Joyner. Plaintiffs: Richard Prowse. Defendants: Thomas Joyner (Sr. – M.S) and Thomas Joyner (his son – M.S). Subject: personal estate of the deceased William Joyner of Long Wittenham, Berkshire. 1655 (N.A., C 5/22/104), father-in-law of James  Prouse, and “kinsman” of Christopher and Thomas Joyner, as per his Will, as follows.

Prowse v Joyner. Plaintiffs: Richard Prowse. Defendants: Thomas Joyner, Elizabeth Ratleife widow and Mary Joyner. Subject: personal estate of the deceased William Joyner, of Long Wittenham, Berkshire. 1657. (N.A., C 6/149/41).

Joyner v Jennings. Plaintiffs: Mary Joyner. Defendants: Richard Prowse, … Jennings and other. Place or subject: property in Long Wittenham, Berkshire. 1658. (N.A., C 7/467/125).

1. *John Prowse, of Tiverton, m. Alice White.
2. Richard Prowse, of Tiverton.
3. “Richard Prowse, merchant, apprentice of John Crocker, merchant”. Deed of Confirmation. (1) John Tuckfylde of Crediton, gent. (2) John West, Mayor of Tiverton. Richard Hill, Richard Prowse, the elder, Humfey Colman, Edward Amye, John Blundell, John Cogan, John French, James Osmond, Richard Ascott, and Ellys Bennett. 1618. (Devon Arch., Z1/34/1/18).
4. “Prowse, John (Prouze) born in Devon, s. Richard, of London, “Mercatoris gen.” Exeter Coll., matric. 9 March, 1626-7, aged 18; B.A. 3 June, 1630. (Alumni Oxonienses).
4. “Prowse, George s. Richard, of Tiverton, Devon, gent. Wadham Coll., matric. 20 Oct., 1629, aged 20; B.A. 9 Feb., 1631-2; M.A. from Hart Hall 11 Nov., 1634; vicar of Ashburton, Devon, 1662. See Foster’s Index Eccl. (ibid.).
4. “Prowse, James (Prouse) B.A. from Gloucester Hall 14 March, 1643-4. (ibid.). Prowse v Read. Plaintiffs: James Prowse. Defendants: Thomas Read, Elizabeth Lawrence widow and Thomas Harford. Subject: property in Long Wittenham. 1663. (N.A., C 6/49/61). James Prowse m. a dau. of William Joyner of Long Wittenham.
4. “Prowse, Joseph (Prouze) s. Richard, of Crediton, Devon, gent. Exeter Coll., matric. 6 Dec., 1639, aged 15” (ibid.). He m. Frances Keate, dau. of Francis Keate, son of Edward Keate, who gave his holding in Long Wittenham to a daughter. (Barbara Todd, John Chartres, David Hey, eds., English Rural Society, 1500-1800: Essays in Honour of Joan Thirsk, p. 198, 1990).
5. “Prowse, Francis (Prouze) s. Jos., of Crediton, Devon, gent. New Coll., matric. Aug. 12,1669, aged 19; B.C.L. 1676”. (ibid.).

William Prowse was vicar of Long Wittenham from 1617 until 1644; perhaps the William (cousin of “Richard Prowse merchant”), son of Richard Prowse, Mayor of Exeter, and br. of John Prowse, Mayor of Exeter, in 1620, whose son, Richard, m. Honor, dau. of Nicholas Turberville, of Crediton.

Edward Keate’s br., Ralph, of Whaddon, Wiltshire, m. Ann, dau. of John Clarke, esq., of Ardington, Berkshire, and had issue: Gilbert Keate, esq., of London, who m. Joan, dau. of the said Nicholas Turberville.

Gilbert Keate’s br. is witnessed here: Keate v Inhabitants of Hinton. Plaintiffs: William Keate, gent of Little Hinton, Wiltshire. Defendants: Robert Whipp, gent, William Heath, Edward Loveday, Thomas Joyner (Sr. – M.S), etc. … all inhabitants of West Hinton, Wiltshire. 1638. (N.A., C 2/ChasI/K22/55). Throughout most of the 16th century the Walrond family were farmers of Little Hinton at a rent of £12 6s. 8d. yearly. (Mun. D. & C. Winton., acct. roll).

As given, the Prowse and Walrond families were of familial association, as the Prowse and Keates. This association probably accounts for Thomas Joyner’s association with Wiltshire: Certificate of residence showing Thomas Joyner to be liable for taxation in Berks., and not in the hundred of Alderbury, Wiltshire, the previous area of tax liability. 1629. (N.A., E 115/230/54). Certificate of residence showing Thomas Joyner to be liable for taxation in Berks., and not in the half-hundred of Branch and Dole, Wiltshire, the previous area of tax liability. 1626. (N.A., E 115/230/111).

The said William Joyner was also known as William Lyde. His widow, “Joane Lyde alias Joyner”, of Long Wittenham, Berkshire, left a Will proved Nov. 20, 1651. He was the son of “William Lyde (correct transc.) alias Joyner, Gentleman of Long Wittenham, Berkshire”, Will probated April 21, 1621; whose family are detailed thus:

“By 1546 Cuddesdon manor was in the hands of the Crown, and being farmed by John Egerley, royal bailiff of ‘Cuddesdon lordship’. (L. & P. Hen. VIII, xxi (1), p. 770.) Soon after it came into the hands of Robert Lyde or Joyner of Dorchester.

In a Chancery suit heard some time between 1558 and 1579, Lyde was declared to have been seised before his death of the manor and 500 acres of pasture and meadow; these were later alleged to be worth £200 a year. (N.A, C 3/100/22; C 2 Jas. I, B 1/20).

Robert made his will in 1557, leaving the manor, with various annuities, chargeable on the estate, to a younger son Richard. Robert’s brother-in-law, Luke Bewforrest, and John Smyth were made executors and were to occupy Cuddesdon farm for six years. (N.A.,C 3/219/33). … Richard Joyner became involved in a lawsuit against Bewforrest over the ‘site’ of Cuddesdon. His brother Robert Joyner also went to law over the estate, (N.A., C 3/100/22), and five other relatives contested their legacies.

Richard died in 1613 seised of ‘a site and capital messuage’ and about 620 acres of land, leaving the property, apparently mortgaged, to his son Richard. He seems to have foreseen difficulties, for in his will (proved 1614) he left his elder son Francis a legacy of £30, which was to cease should he molest Richard in any way over the lands granted to him.

Francis at one stage had possession of a third of the manor, but in the end the Joyner brothers sold the property for £6,000 to William Child, a public notary of London, who had married into their family”. (See ‘Parishes: Cuddesdon’, in A History of the County of Oxford: vol. 5, Bullingdon Hundred, ed. Mary D. Lobel (London, 1957), pp. 96-11).

1. Robert Lyde or Joyner of Dorchester, b. ca. 1515.
2. William Lyde alias Joyner of Dorchester, b, ca, 1540, m. Dorcas, dau. Leonard Perrot and Dorothy Skipwith, dau. of Thomas Skipwith of St. Albans. Leonard Perrot, clerk of Magdalen College, was of Drayon, Oxfordshire, by 1575. Arms: Gules, three pears or, on a chief argent a demi-lion rampant issuant sable, a mullet charged with a crescent for a difference (Perrott), impaling, Quarterly of eight: 1 and 8: Gules, three bars or, in chief a greyhound courant of the second (Skipwith); 2: On a chevron cotised three lions rampant (untinctured); 3: Paly of six within a bordure engrailed, over all on a canton a spur (untinctured) (Knight); 4. Quarterly per fess danoettée, argent and sable, in the first and fourth quarters a bugle horn of the second (Forster); 5. Azure, three peacocks’ heads erazed argent; 6. Gules, on a fess or three fleurs-de-lys azure (Crawley); 7. Gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed or, over a canton of the last. Crest: On a wreath, argent and gules, a parrot vert, holding a pear or, slipped and leaved proper, charged with a mullett and crescent as in the arms for a difference. (Oxf. Vis., 1574).
3. William Joyner, alias Lyde, of Horsepath, Oxfordshire, d. 1626.
2. Robert Joyner, b. ca. 1545.
2. Richard Joyner, b. ca. 1545, d. 1613. “Richard Lyde alias Joyner, Gentleman of Cuddesden, Oxfordshire”, whose Will was probated Feb. 1, 1614.
3. Francis Joyner, b. ca. 1575.
3. Richard Joyner, b. ca. 1575. Lyde v Calton. Plaintiffs: Richard Lyde alias Richard Joyner of Abingdon. Defendants: Paul Calton, esq, Francis Dunsden, and others. Subject: Assaults and destruction of enclosures and trees at Moore Farm in Milton, Berkshire. 1623. (STAC 8/204/30).

Abingdon is 4 mls fr. Long Wittenham, which is 6 mls fr. Cuddesden. “Richard Lyde alias Richard Joyner of Abingdon” was decease in 1652 (then being of Long Combe, Oxfordshire, 14 mls fr. Abingdon), when his estate was contested by his son, “John Lyde alias John Joyner”. (N.A, C 9/18/68). Lyde v Harvey. Plaintiffs: John Lyde (alias John Joyner). Defendants: William Harvey, Robert Harvey, Rebecca Child widow, Rebecca Gardiner widow and Martin Gardiner. Subject: manor of Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire. 1656. (N.A., C 6/132/117). Cuddesden was a part and parcel of the monastery of Abingdon (Berks).

3. William Joyner, armiger, of Long Wittenham, Will probated April 21, 1621; m. Joan … son Edward – one quarter – son William, exec. – one quarter… dau. Agness, wife of John Goddard – one quarter … dau. Elizabeth, wife of Christopher Ratliffe – one quarter … wife Joan, ‘for life of wife’ bequests

Will of Joane Lyde alias Joyner, Widow of Long Wittenham, Berkshire, probated November 20, 1651. Robert, eldest son … dau. Ellinor, wife of Richard Jennings … my son John, his dau Ellinor … my son David, his son Charles … Youngest son William, executor.

4. William Joyner, of Long Wittenham, Will probated Aug. 10, 1654, naming a chief beneficiary his ” son-in-law James Prowse”, on condition of paying “Christopher Joyner “my kinsman of the city of london £100 of lawfull money of England”, out of a “life sum of £1000 due unto him … and his heirs and assignes … bequeaths to his “Goddaughter Mary Joyner, daughter of my brother Richard” … also I bequeath unto my kinsman Thomas Joyner gentleman £40 of lawfull money of England … “Also I give and bequeath unto my son in law William Prowse” … bequeathes to sister, Elizabeth Ratliffe … wife of Mr. Ratliffe of Oxford… To my loving wife estate etc. … “sister Jennens wife of Edward Jennens 20s to buy ring”.

3. Thomas Joyner Sr.
4. Thomas Joyner Jr., d. in Virginia. To repeat: Prowse v Joyner. Plaintiffs: Richard Prowse. Defendants: Thomas Joyner and Thomas Joyner. Subject: personal estate of the deceased William Joyner of Long Wittenham, Berkshire. 1655. (N.A., C 5/22/104).
3. Christopher Joyner.
4. Christopher Joyner.

Prowse cont.
2. Richarda Prowse, m. Roger Giffard.
3. George Giffard of Tiverton, b. 1564 (by father’s first wife, Audria dau. of Sir Hugh Stukley), m. (1594), Joane (b. 1570), dau. of Thomas Hodges of Wedmore. Release of interest. 1. George Puddington; Thomas Puddington, both of Tiverton. 2. George Giffard, esq., Tiverton. Consideration: £35. Premises: messuage in Bolham, in possession of Edith Moore. Feb. 17, 1618. (Devon Archives. 213 M/T/247).

The Hodges connected many in Virginia – Thomas Hodge’s descendant, Hodges Counsell Jr., was the brother-in-law of Bridgman Joyner, son of Thomas Joyner Jr. The Hodges, and their n-laws, the Rodneys, owned much of Wedmore and adjacent Cheddar, and were landlords to such as Thomas Harris, born in 1637 in the latter place. 

4. Joanna Giffard, m. (1618), Gabriel Westover, in Taunton.
5. Jane Westover, m. William Williams, Nov. 25, 1647, in Boston, MA.
2. John Prowse, d. Sept. 11, 1598.
3. George Prowse, of Wellington, Somerset, m. Thomasine, dau. of James Goddard. James Goddard of Wellington, in the county of Somerset, yeoman. To be buried where it pleases exors. To the poor of Clayhidon (juxta Cullompton – MS) co. Devon, 10s. To Agnes my wife for life tenement in the tithing of Parye in Wellington … To Thomas Goddard, son of William Goddard my brother, deceased, £5 per annum. To James Goddard the younger, son of Nicholas Goddard my cousin of Hemyocke, co. Devon, £5 per annum … James, son of Robert Gullye 20s. Henry, James, William and John, children of Emmott Gulley my sister, deceased … Overseers: John Cade and Samuell Goddard. Proved May 19 1590 by exor. P.C.C. 29 Drury.
4. James Prowse, aet. 27, 1623, m. Elizabeth, dau. of George Paulet, of Gatehurst, Somerset, son of Amias Paulet, son of *Sir Hugh Pawlet, of Sampford-Peverel.
4. Elizabeth Prowse, m. Roger Robins. (A family of Robins were tenants of George Giffard and his wife, Joan Hodges: “George Giffard of Tiverton (Devon), Esq and Joane/Johan his wife; to Thomas Cox of Coston and Thomas Robins of Overweare in parish of Weare, yeomen: In cons. of £400. Messuages, lands, tenements, with woods, and commons in Overweare … now or late in several tenures etc of Thomas Robins; John Clement; Thomas Meades; Thomas Churchhouse; Peter Longe; Peter Huishe … Except a yearly rent of £5. 4. 7. payable to Cox and Robins on Hodges’ premises for term. Livery of seisin on August 5, 1611. (Bristol Archives, 21789/1). It is probable that a branch of Edward Robins (Northamptonshire) family were established in Devon (the primary reason for his association with that place), that branch being also established in Somerset.
2. Thomas Prowse, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Ralph Waldron, of Tiverton.
3. Roger Prowse, of Taunton, Somerset, m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Bond, of Taunton, the classics scholar.

The Joyner division of the Lyde/Joyners probably derived from this London family:
Richard Joyner, of London, grocer. 1486.  John Joyner, ironmonger, citizen of London. 1402.

copyright m stanhope 2020

The most difficult thing in determining the lineage of any Virginia settler of English stock is to disambiguate their family from that of their relatives; albeit distant cousins, made close by both divides of their family marrying into the same families, and with each other. In this sense, the Harris family of Cheddar/Wedmore can hardly be distinguished from their Wiveliscombe cousins, especially as the latter branch of Harris were intermarried with the all-powerfull family of Bennett (of which Governor Richard Bennett of Virginia originated), to which, as moths-to-a-flame, their kinsfolk gravitated.

Thus, although (I believe) the ancestry of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, can be discerned, at every juncture, they are shadowed by their Wiveliscombe kin and their associations in common; one such being the family of Kinchen (Kitchen), of which the first to be traced, I suggest, was the John Kitchen, who m. Grace Cade, Aug. 10, 1635, in Stoke Rodney, Somerset (3-4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore); a descendant, Elizabeth Kinchin, m. Lodwick Alford, son of James Alford and Lucy Cade. Nov. 1, 1752: William Pace was granted 425 acres “in Granville County and in Johnston County on the S side of crooked creek, joining Lodwick Alford”; surveyed Feb. 10, 1748, chain bearers Robert Cade (stepfather of William and James Pace), and William Cade.

In the account as follows, no mention is made of the Thomas Harris who d. in 1672, who I have documented many times, and whom I suggest most strongly that he was a member of the Wiveliscombe/Bennett branch of Harris, distant blood cousins of their Cheddar/Wedmore kin, but a cousinship reinvigorated at every generation by intermarriages.

This account is not a vindication of beliefs about Harris ancestry presented as facts not to be refuted; it is, rather, an account which offers a different view; one which follows a logical pathway from one generation to the next.

THOMAS HARRIS (who died in 1688 in Virginia).

1. … It is possible to hazhard an opinion as to a progenitor, taking into account the proximity of lands settled by the Harris family to those once owned by the Arundell family; but, of that, another day.

2. John Harris, witnessed the Will of “William Sowter of Badgworth, dated July 3, 1541; m. Jone … Jone Harrys of Badgworth (4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore); Will dated May, 10, 1541, names dau., “Izabell Stebbes” (Stubbs); sons Richard and Walter. They were tenants of George Rodney, whose tenement in Blackford, Wedmore, was held of his manor of Over Badgworth. 1544-1547. (C 1/1154/28).

George Rodney’s dau., Agatha, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583, of Wedmore, and was ancestress of Hodges Counsell (English register spelling), of Virginia. Agatha’s br. John, ‘ bought the farm at Cheddar’, and by Jane (dau. of Sir Henry Seymour, brother of Edward, Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector in the reign of King Edward VI.), and of Jane, wife to King Henry VIII.), had seventeen children, seven only of whom survived him; viz. three daughters’ (Mr. Collins), inc. Elizabeth Rodney, wife of Henry Norwood. These were connections of great political and social weight.

3. Richard Harris.

4. John Harris, bur. Jul. 31, 1599, m. Joan Stubbs, Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore.

5. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. He was “servant”, probably steward, of Robert Sherwell (gent), husband of Maria Beard, whose Will (proved Nov. 26, 1627), named “cousin Richard Counsell”, and his dau., “cousin Margery Hodges” (wife of John Hodges, grandson of Thomas), and grandmother of Hodges Counsell of Virginia. Margery (Counsell) Hodge’s cousin, John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; aunt of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner, as follows.

John Counsell’s son, John Counsell, m. Alice, the relict of Richard Jeffries, who “dying intestate, administration requested by John Counsell, who married the relict of the said Jeffries, Aug. 9, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England, and his son-in-law, George Branch (B. 2, p. 13). Deborah Joyner, wife of Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer.

Francis England’s grandson, Francis Branch, m. Elizabeth Norwood, niece of Henry Norwood, son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney, of Cheddar, granddau. of George Rodney, afors. Francis Branch was the br. of Ann Branch, who. m. Robert Hodges Jr. (undoubtedly of the Wedmore Hodges). The W&M Quarterly, p. 741, 1982, makes George Branch the brother of a Thomas Branch, who may have been he who witnessed the Will of John Bly in Virginia (proved May 16, 1664), with John Gardner.

Robert Sherwell’s sister and co-heir, Marie, m. … Hole and was mother of “Robert Hole, of Wedmore, yeoman”, who conveyed land to “Richard Counsell, of Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman”. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357). The Hole family intermarried with the Fulghams were probably they of Wedmore. John Harris may have held a position of trust through a familial relationship.

6. Robert Harris.

7. Edward Harris, bapt. Aug. 8, 1624, “fil. Roberti”. (Of him I find nothing thereafter).

6. Benjamin Harris.

7. Benjamin Harris, bapt. July 8, 1638.

6. George Harris, m. Joan (Jacosa) Webb, Apr. 28, 1623, Wedmore.

6. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1600, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar (bur. 1660 in Wedmore), sister of John Gardner bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, whose son, John Gardner Jr., m. Mary Coomer (Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar. “John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner (father of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), James Gardner”, 1684, p. 56.

Joan Harris and her son, Thomas, are witnessed here: Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20). John Boulting had m. Hannah Counsell, dau. of William Counsell, relict of Thomas Hardwitch, of Cheddar, d. 1646.

7. Thomas Harris, “fil. Thomas and Joan”, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar, d. 1688, in Virginia, m. –

(1) Unknown. It is possible that she may have been a Martin, a belief often suggested, a descendant of William Martin and Joan Counsell, who m. May 10, 1567, grandparents of John Martin, who m. Margery Coomer, Apr. 17, 1637 (in Cheddar), sister of Agnes Comer, who m. John Harris, Feb. 1635 (in Cheddar), uncle of the Thomas Harris, who d. 1688, in Virginia, I suggest. Whomever his first wife, she was the mother of his children.

(2) Hester Tibbits (1679-1680)

(3) A sister of Hodges Counsell? That is, a sister-in-law of Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, whose sister was Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; whose dau. m. William Kinchen (Kitchen), whose son, William, witnessed the Will of his father-in-law, John Gibbins, in IOW, in 1721, along with a number of William Kinchen Sr’s Harris kin, designated thus *** hereinafter.

8. George Harris, b. ca. 1671 (to live with John Turner 4 years).
9. William Harris. Hodges Counsell Jr. had issue: John Counsell, who sold, on May 2, 1756, to James Counsell, his son (witnessed by Nathan Counsell, br. of James), 174 ac. on the south side of the Blackwater Swamp adj. William Harris, (Southampton Co., B. 2, p. 97). William Harris sold to Nathan Counsell of IOW Co. (on Apr. 8, 1756), 100 ac. adj. Bridgman Joyner Jr., witnessed by William’s son, Simon Harris.
10. Simon Harris.

8. Edward Harris, Will probated March 25, 1734; m. Mary Turner. (1. John Turner, m. Antonia Boulting (May 6, 1574) in Wedmore. 2. William Turner, bapt. March 11, 1579 in Wedmore, m. (May 28, 1612), Jane Rodney. 3. John Turner, bapt. May 14, 1618 in Wedmore. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son, George, with John Turner and his wife, a dau. of Mathew Tomlin. 4. Mary Turner, m. Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. 4. Joseph Turner. 5. Mary Turner, m. West Harris.

Nathaniel Floyd’s headright was Mathew Tomlin; his land being adj. that of Thomas Harris, d. 1688: B. 7, p. 299 – Mathew Tomlin, 1227 acs., Low. Par. of IOW Co., on brs. of the Blackwater, Apr. 27, 1686. 781 acs. being part of 1200 acs. granted Mr. John Seward, Apr. 15, 1648, adj. Mary Turner and Thomas Harris; to the bottome of Pig Neck. The salient point being that land passing to descendants of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, was a part of the original John Seward patent.

9. Daniel Harris, m. Jean Jordan, and moved to Edgecombe Co., NC, near his cousin, Robert.
9. West Harris, m. Mary Turner. On April 6, 1742 he purchased 225 ac. in Edgecombe Co., NC, from George Jordan (paying him “10 pounds current money of Virginia”), husband of Sarah Hunt .
9. Turner Harris, b: 25 June 25, 1745, d: Feb. 25, 1819.
10. Arthur, William, Isham, West, and Nathan.
9. Jacob Harris. Thomas Cook: Appraised by Simon Turner, Henry Harris, Jacob Harris. R. Feb. 27, 1737, p. 198. Jacob probably m. Mary Seward, dau. of William Seward, half-br. of Elizabeth Seward, who m. William Holt, parents of Thomas Holt, as follows. William Seward being a descendant of John Seward, aforesaid. See as follows, ‘William Harris, b. ca. 1671’.
9. *** Edward Harris, m. Mary Thorpe, sister of Timothy Thorpe (father of Mary Barham), and Martha, whose Will, poved Apr. 12, 1781, named granddau. Peggy Ridley, granddau. Polly Person, granddau. Martha Person, daus. of Mary Harris ad Henry Person. Timothy Thorpe admin., “grandda. Mary Barham. Wit. Edward Harris.* R. March 14, 1750, p. 37.
10. *Edward Harris.
9. *** Thomas Harris, d. bef. 1734.

8. Thomas Harris, b. 1667, d. 1712, m. Judith Edwards, dau. of Robert Edwards and Mary Hunt, whose Will, dated Jan. 17, 1727, named her dau. as Judith Clark). (This is not the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Mary Hunt, m. (2) Owen Griffin, having issue: Sarah, wife of John Joyner, br. of Bridgman Joyner Sr., guardian of Thomas Hariss’ br., William.
9. Benjamin Harris; the land that his dau. inherited had originally been John Sewards.
9. *** Henry Harris; pre-deceased br. Benjamin; issue unknown. (This is not the br. of the Thomas, d. 1729/30). John Edwards (probable br. of Robert): Legatees: Son John; daughter Ann, the cattle bought at the widow Hart’s and widow Culpepper’s sale; daughter Mary; wife Ann. Exrs., son John and (John’s kinsman, it is suggested), Henry Harris. Brother Nathaniel Edwards, trustee. R. August 11, 1748. Wit: Chaplain Williams, Thomas Taylor (who m. Henry’s kinswoman, it is suggested), (and his son), Harris Taylor. (WB 5, p. 121). Estate appraised by Joseph Cobb, Jr., John Pope, Thomas Crenshaw. Signed, John Edwards and Henry Harris.

Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that this John Edwards was the 2nd husband of Ann Braswell, widow of Matthew Strickland Jr.

1. George Moore, stated to be “age 78 years” when he made his will in 1710 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54). He m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, whose family held land in Chard, Somerset. Jane was the sister of Elizabeth, wife of James Sampson, parents of Sarah, wife of Richard Braswell Sr.; their dau., Ann, m. (1) Mathew Strickland Jr., (2) John Edwards. George Moore and Jane Barcroft had issue: Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White; their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Richard Braswell Sr. had issue: (1) Robert Braswell Jr., who received one-half of his father’s 1,300 acres, m. Susan Burgess, dau. of Katherine Moore (sister of George), and 2nd husband, John Burgess. By her first husband, Katherine Moore had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. The Will of Joyce Cripps (1679) named Susan Braswell “my sister’s daughter”, who she ‘Cut off with a shilling’.

8. William Harris, b. ca. 1671, m. (1) … (2) Margaret, relict of Edward Taylor; her Will probated April 19, 1721. Edward Taylor was a Surry Co. tithable on June 10, 1678; he and his son John Taylor were tithables in 1700-1703; son John Taylor was age 16 in 1699-1700, so Edward Taylor m. Margaret bef. 1684; she being born ca. 1668. She named in her Will “son Thomas Taylor, Mary the wife of Thomas Taylor”. Thomas Taylor, b. ca. 1686, m. a dau. of William Harris, not granddau. (as clerk’s wrong transcription), born ca, 1695, who m. Thomas Taylor in ca. 1710, having issue: “Harris Taylor, grandson”, named in Will of William Harris, pr. April 19, 1721, which named Thomas Holt as “friend”. Margaret (Taylor) Harris named in her Will “daughter Mary, wife of James Vaughan” (his executor, 1731, William Seward; his named “friend”, Thomas Holt).

John Taylor, son of Margaret (Taylor) Harris and Edward Taylor, d. 1725 in Surry Co.; his widow Ann … Taylor m. (2) Nicholas Maget, whose Will, pr. July 16, 1754, Surry Co., named children, Arthur, Benjamin, Williamm, John & Margaret. On Feb. 13, 1755, Arthur Taylor of Edgecombe Co. NC sold 75 ac. in Southampton Co. which Joseph Strickland had sold him on Feb. 24, 1728. On July 14, 1730, Arthur Taylor and Joseph Strickland witnessed the Will of Matthew Strickland Jr. On Jan. 23, 1737, Arthur Taylor, Thomas Taylor and Robert Pitman (of the Wedmore family), appraised the estate of Augustine Nixon of IOW. Jacob Strickland (son of Matthew Strickland Jr. and Ann Braswell (who m. (2) John Edwards) was paid money from the estate of Augustine Nixon on Aug. 20, 1738. Thus, there were associations in common between the family of George Moore (grandfather of the wife of a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), and those associated with Margaret (Taylor) Harris, whose second husband was likely a son of the said Thomas Harris.

8.***Robert Harris, b. ca. 1671. (His father willed him to live with John Fulgham for three years). His Will was probated April 28, 1740.

9. John Harris, mentioned in his uncle Martin Harris’ will, m Avis White. John Harris wills land to son Benjamin: ‘I give and bequeath to my loving wife Avis Harris the use of my Land and plantation whereon I now live during her life and after her decease I give my said land to my son Benjamin Harris forever but in case my son Benja depart this life in his non-age or without lawful issue of his Body then I give this said land to my son Joel Harris and his heirs forever … I give to my Loving wife Avis Harris all the remainder of my estate not heretofore mentioned to her and her heirs forever … I constitute and appoint my son Howel Harris my whole Executor of this my last will and testament revoking and making void all former wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 11 day of May Anno Dom 1771. John X Harris (Seal),

9. Robert Harris. February 28, 1759. Southampton County: ‘Robert Harris & wife Ann of North Carolina to Burwell Williamson of Southampton County’. Deed of Bargain & Sale, proved October 11, 1759, ‘125 acres adj. John Harris, Thomas Holloman, Banbergan Branch, and Joseph Williams, a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred & twenty five Acres S: Robert Harris and Ann Harris, Witnesses James Harris, John Kitchen, Matthew Harris, and Mary Harris’ (D.B. 2, 1753-1760, pp. 289-290).
9. ***Mathew Harris.
9. James Harris.

8. Martin Harris, b. ca. 1672 (to live with brother Edward 5 years). Will proved Apr. 14, 1750, bequests to ‘my cousin James Harris son of Robert Harris the plantation whereon I now live … James Harris son of Edward Harris … Mathew Harris son of Robert Harris … and I do appoint John Dunkley, Joseph and William Jones Executors of this my last Will and Testament … In the Presence of us Catherine Dunkley, Joseph Monger … Memorandum: It is my Desire that James Harris on my Giving him my Land to make over to his brother Mathew Harris his part of the land given him by his father Robert Harris’. (Southampton Co., W.B. 1, pp. 10-11).
A logical pathway from one generation to the next.

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1. …
2. John Harris, m. Jone … Jone Harrys of Badgworth. Will dated May, 10, 1541. Bur. in churchyard of Bagworth: Izabell Stebbes a cow, my second kyrtell, my best neck kerchyff, a wovyng (woven) apron. Thomas Stebbis her son a calff. Edyth my dau. my best kyrtell. Crystyan Paynys a payer of shetis: Jone Furbar a flannyng apron and a crescloth (kerchyff). Elyn Brese a russet kyrtell. … Taber a flaning petycote and a smocke. Richard Harrys my blacke mare and a wenlyng calff. Agnes Harrys a kerche. Residue, Walter Harrys my son. Witnesses, Sir Rich. Rowlandson, Rich. Harrys, Walter Harrys. Summa £4 1 Is. Sir Rich. Rowlandson (clerk) and John Harrys witnessed the Will of “William Sowter of Badgworth, dated July 3, 1541.

The advowson of Badgworth was held, as Wells (“including Wivelscombe, Badgworth”), as “liberty Possessions of the bishopric of Bath and Wells”. 1535. (SC 6/HENVIII/3075). The chief landowners were the Rodneys, of Stoke Rodney, Somerset (3-4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). Rodeney v Hogges. Plaintiffs: George Rodeney. Defendants: John Hogges, husbandman. Subject: Obtaining from John Rodeney, knight, father of complainant, a lease of a meadow in Blackford held of the manor of Over Badgworth at less than the customary rent. Somerset. 1544-1547. (C 1/1154/28).

As follows, Blackford, in Wedmore, was the abode of the later Harris family.
(1. George Rodney. 1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, dau. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts. The family of Thomas Harris, b. 1495, of Mells, were tenants of the Dyers. 1.2. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583. 1.2.1. Thomas Hodges, d. 1600/1601, m. Eleanor, dau. of John Rose, of Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset. 1.2.1.1. John Hodges, m. Margery Counsell, dau. of Richard Counsell, as follows.

What is witnessed here is an ‘overblanket’ of tenurial associations, under which closely associated families sought to improve their lot by intermarriage into their landlord’s family.

3. Richard Harris.
4. John Harris, m. Joan Stubbs, Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore.
5. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. He was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent), husband of Maria Beard, da. of John Beard (this family intermarried with the Bennetts of Wiveliscombe). Marie Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent. Will proved Nov. 26, 1627. ‘To be buried at Wedmore. “My cousin Richard Counsell”. (His dau.) “My cousin Margery Hodges” (wife of John Hodges, and grandmother of Hodges Counsell Jr.).

The Hole family intermarried with the Fulghams were probably they of Wedmore. Conveyance from Robert Hole, Wedmore, yeoman, son and heir of Marie Hole sister and co-heir of Robert Sherwell, and Temperance his wife to Richard Counsell, Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman: ¼ part of free chapel. Reciting letters patent April 14, 1603, granating the free chapel to Michael Cole and John Rowdon who sold it to Robert Sherwell. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357).

6. Thomas Harris, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, whose son, John Gardner Jr., m. Mary Coomer (Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar. “John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner (father of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), James Gardner”, 1684, p. 56.
7. Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar, d. 1688, in Virginia.
8. Many Harris Group 4 males claim descendancy from the said Thomas. Although this may be true in some instances, it can not be true that this Thomas was the ancestor of the multitude assigned to him, through claimed descendants and their wives, who bore an heroic number of offspring. As a much revered Harris researcher once implied, the task is to bridge the gap between the claimed ancestor of the 17th century and the first authentic (in the pulic domain) records that individual Harris can trace back to. In this regard, connections to the James Harris (1842-1924), who Mary Jane Dowling, grandparents of … Harris, whose test results with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males (and with a descendant of Jehu Herring), might be one port of call.

3. John Harris, mentioned in a deed concerning Mells, 1554.
4. John Harris.
5. Thomas Harris, bapt. Feb. 3, 1582; “son of John”.
6. Thomas Harris, m. Alice West, in 1635, in Nunney (the Harris family that held land in Nunney were described as “of Mells” in deeds), where a family of West were established. William West m. Katharine Perry on May 23, 1608, in Bath (18 mls from Nunney); their dau. being Alice West, bapt. Sept. 16, 1615.
6. John Harris, baptised in 1640, m. Margaret Beard, in 1664.
6. Ann Harris, bapt. October 21, 1646, who m. Robert Millard, in May 1667; he baptised Sept. 11, 1625, in Nunney, the son of Francis Millard. The Millards were primarily of Wedmore. The wife of the John Harris was probably related to the wife of Thomas Bennett, baptised on November 11, 1603, at Wiveliscombe; who m. Agnes Beard, on July 17, 1623.

What is witnessed here is the different branches of the Harris family marrying into the same families. Thus, distant cousins were nearly always close non-consanguineous ones; the extent of which is hidden by original records either being incomplete or destroyed.

(1. …
1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636.
1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609.
1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, who m. 2. Theoderick Bland
1.2. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601.
1.2.1. Thomas Bennett, b. ca. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek.
1.2.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709.
1.3. Robert Bennett, bapt. April 27, 1571; d. circa 1623, in Virginia, m. Alice. On June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a patent for land adj. that of Alice Bennett on the easternmost side of Lawne’s Creek, IOW Co. (Nugent, p. 140). On April 2, 1644, Justinian Cooper sold to his neighbour, Alice Bennett, widow, for a cow and a calf and barrel of corn, 150 ac. in IOW, between Castle and Cypress Creeks. On July 19, 1647, Alice Bennett deeded the said 150 ac. to her granddaus., Mary (wife of George Hardy) and Sarah Jackson, daus. of Richard Jackson.
1.4. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. Their dau., Silvestra, m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill appraised the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.5. Eleanor Bennett, grandmother of the said Thomas).

5. Sergeant John Harris (it may be presumed), bapt. Oct. 1, 1587, bur. Aug. 3, 1637, in Nunney/Juxta Mells. The location of the lands settled by Sergeant Harris are indicated by a fine imposed on William Simmons after Bacon’s Rebellion. “Ensign William Simmons paid heavy fines, keeping his farm on Burcher Swamp. His relatives, John Rutherford and Francis Gregory, were also “rebels.” Rutherford’s tract, owned in 1623 by John Harris, extended across the Chippokes into Charles City (later Prince George) County. Rutherford had transferred part of the farm to William Heath in 1663″. (V. Rollings. Daily Press, June 19, 1991). It appears that Sergeant John Harris had no male inheritor.

This is the almost unanimous view of some of the most respected Harris researchers of old who follow this blog. If anyone has a contrary view, then please provide proof as to who was his male offspring; that is, proof that exists in the public domain. It is very obvious that many Harris researchers have been coerced (they tell me) into accepting the ‘Sergeant ancestry myth’ and the equally implausible claim of Edward Harris (d. 1677) being the brother of Thomas Harris (d. 1688), based on claims (nothing more) of descendance from them. It is immaterial that living claimants share the same DNA profile; the salient point being that a claim is nothing more than that.

6. Dorothy Harris, the land given her by George Cawcott was purchased by Francis Derricke (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113), the Bristol sea captain, who held land in Hartcliffe, 20 mls fr. both Mells and Wedmore. Another Bristol merchant with ties to the area in which Nunney was situated was John Seward, who bequested lands in IOW, one of which was called “New Hemington.” (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography). Hemington is 4 miles fom Mells/Nunney. The Thomas Harris who died in 1688 came to occupy land that had been John Sewards: 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.

What is witnessed here is the shared associations of this Harris family, which, beguilingly, encourage the false belief in some that they descend from a son of Sergeant John Harris.

2. Thomas Harris, b. 1495, of Mells, 18 mls due E. of Wedmore.
3. John Harris m. Agnes White, who m. Sept. 1, 1560, in Taunton, 10 mls from Wiveliscombe. (His family were connected to that of Herring, both families also being later connected in Wayne Co. – 1. William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817. 2. William Harris. 2. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring. 3. John Harris, m. (cousin) Elizabeth Herring, probable aunt of Jehu Herring, the adoptee, whose descendant is a perfect Group 4 Harris, with no differences at all to the Harris Group 4 mode (ie. average STR result among 52 testees).

3. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe.
4. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the Harris becoming cousins of the Blands.
5. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
5. Edward Harris, held land of Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642.
6. Edward Harris, d. 1677.
6. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

5. John Harris, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly.
5. Richard Harris. Richard Drew, d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co.; held land adj. Richard Harris, guardian of Richard Drew’s grandson, Edward, son of Edward. Richard Drew was probably he bapt. April 28, 1622, in Dunster, 12 mls N. of Wiveliscombe.
6. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, in Wiveliscombe (“son of Richard”); a headright of Thomas Busby. John Harris probably m. either (1) a dau. of Thomas Busby Jr.; a sister of Grace Busby, who. m. John Barker Jr.; their dau., Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster Jr. (2) A sister of John Barker Jr. (the most likely); a son of John Barker (and Letitia Drew), who patented 600 ac. on Chippoke Creek, Oct. 5, 1657. “Rec’d of Mr. Jno Barker in acct of what he oweth to Mr. John Bland & Company for the plantation of Chippoakes I sould him the some of 5000 pounds of tobacco with caske, this 13 Jany 1653, signed Theoderick Bland”. R. Oct. 26, 1658.
7. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker, Feb. 11, 1698 (B. 5. p. 165).
8. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker. (B. 6, p. 52).
9. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is. of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77. He m. a granddau. of Edward Drew Jr.

9. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His estate was appraised by Edward Brantley (nephew of Edward Brantley Sr., who appraised the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).
10. Joshua Harris. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr. Joshua Harris: Estate appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day (of Bennett association), and Samuel Westbrooke, June 14, 1770, p. 324. Joshua Harris m. Mary Drew, as given. Samuel Westbrooke: Estate appraised by Samuel Blake (son of Thomas Blake, per estate appraisal, rec. Feb. 12, 1789), who appraised the estate of John Foster, in 1773.

10. Thomas Harris, m. Sara Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche, and granddau. of Col. Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger (business partner of Richard (4) and Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
11. Solomon Harris, m. Millie Watkins, on March 11, 1778, dau. of John Watkins and Lydia Gilliam, dau. of Walter Gilliam and Sarah Foster, dau. of John Foster, son of Christopher Foster Jr. and Mary Fort. John Foster’s dau. Elizabeth Foster, m. John Watts; having issue: Agatha Watts, who m. James George, great-grandson of John George, uncle of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
12. Henry Harris, b. ca. 1780, d. 1850, m. Nancy Nichols.
13. Zachariah Harris, b. 1806, lived in Pike Co., Georgia, where he was ordained for the ministry in 1848, d. near Ozark, Dale Co. AL., Jan. 15, 1888. He m. Mary Elizabeth Carricker, d. Dec. 23, 1891. (See 1850 Census of Pike Co., GA; 1860 Census of Dale Co., AL.; Death Certificate
14. James Harris (1842-1924), Mary Jane Dowling.
15. John Harris.
16. … Harris. His test results with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males, and with a descendant of Jehu Herring.

Bluntly, the task is really one of throwing off the shackles of belief dressed as fact, and the dictatorship of a clique of Harris ‘researchers’.

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The surname Kinchen hardly appears in any English legal or church documentation from 1500-1700, the reason being it is a corruption of of Kitchen/Kichen/Kytchen, the e being also an i in some cases. A Kitchen family of South Somerset intermarried with a family of Cade. For the most part, such families of yeoman farmers were involved in the same ‘game of life’ – marry a son or dau. into the local gentry, or, to those who had already done so. The Kitchens and Cades knew families of Counsell, Fulgham, and Harris, who lived in the same ‘orchard’, where apples never fell far from their tree. The same ‘game of life’ continued to be played in early Virginia.

1. John Kitchen, m. Grace Cade, Aug. 10, 1635, in Stoke Rodney, Somerset (3-4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). She was probably the dau. of “George Cade, Husbandman of Stoke Rodney”, his Will proved June 10, 1635; a tenant of Maurice Rodney, and sister of William Cade.

(1. George Rodney.
1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, dau. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts. The family of Thomas Harris, b. 1495, of Mells, were tenants of the Dyers.
1.1.1. Dorothy Rodney, wife of Rice Davis of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq. (William Pitt m. Mary Owen: Robert Owen, of Bristol, Merchant. Will pr. Feb. 16, 1615-16. (8 Cope). My cousin Rice Davies, esq. My brother in law William Pitt, overseer. Rice Davies, Esq., of Tickenham, married ist, Dorothy, dau. of Maurice Rodney, Esq. William Pitt’s son, Col. Robert Pitt, d. bef. Jan. 9, 1674, IOW, was the father of John Pitt, who m. Olive, dau. of John Hardy and Alice Bennett. She was the relict of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583.
1.2.1. Thomas Hodges, d. 1600/1601, m. Eleanor, dau. of John Rosse (Rose) of Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset.
1.2.1.1. John Hodges, m. Margery Counsell, dau. of Robert Counsell.

The Will of Maria (Beard) Sherwell, widow of ‘Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent.’, was proved Nov. 26, 1627: She requests burial at Wedmore, and named ‘cousin Margery Hodges’. John Harris, of Blackforde, in Wedmore, bur. Jan. 27, 1597, was “servant” (probably estate steward) of Robert Sherwell, who m. (Oct. 6, 1578), Maria Beard/Berd (see N.A. C 3/8/108), dau. of John Beard. This John Harris was the father of John Harris, d. 1625, who m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore, having issue: Thomas Harris, who m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar (sister of John Gardner, bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, who m. Mary Coomer, on Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar); having issue Thomas Harris, bapt. 1637, in Cheddar (likely d. 1688, in Virginia). (John Gardner, dying intestate admin. requested by relict, Mary. Security Thomas Joyner (father of Bridgman Joyner), James Gardner, 1684, p. 56. ‘Thomas Taberer assigned a bill to John Gardner against Rebecca Izard’ (Mr. Boddie, p. 562); step-mother of Ann Izard, who m. (2) Michael Fulgham; their issue: Sara Fulgham, who m. William Raiford (a kinsman); Michael Fulgham, who m. Mary Pitt (of the Bristol Pitts); Anthony Fulgham, who m. Sara Raiford (likewise kin); Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Counsell (son of Hodges Counsell Jr.); Ann Fulgham. who m. (Mr. Boddie conjectured), Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688). Sarah and William Raiford were children of Philip Raiford, headright of Bridgman Joyner, April 29, 1692.

1.2.1.1.1. Hodges Counsell Sr.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Hodges Counsell Jr., witnessed the will of Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), rec. May 1, 1668. which named his “friends” John Hardy and Thomas Taberer as overseers. John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr).

2. George Kitchin, bapt. June 12, 1636.
2. John Kitchin, m. Alice …
3. Grace Kitchin, bapt. June 1, 1663.
2. William Kitchen, bur. Feb. 21, 1685, m. Martha …
3. Abraham Kitchen, bapt. Aug. 23, 1670.

There are any number of ‘Kinchen interpretations’ – this one being mine:

3. Sarah (sic) Kinchen, m. Philip Raiford. (1. Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard. 2. Susannah Fulgham, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705. 2. Anthony Fulgham, m. Sarah Raiford, dau. of Philip Raiford, of Crediton, Devon, whose br.-in-law was William Crumpler (see will of Phillip Raiford, Dec. 8, 1724). William Crumpler witnessed the Will of William Bridger, Nov. 23, 1730, son of Joseph Bridger (business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and associated with the sons of the said Thomas:

(1. Francis Hobbs, born 1624. Francis Hobbs, aged 40, and Robert Kae, aged 36, deposed about John Askew, Aug. 9, 1664. Francis Hobbs m. 2. 1674, Mary Floyd, relict of Nathaniel Floyd. The sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, John (son-in-law of Francis Hobbs Sr.) and Thomas Harris, held land which had beem Nathaniel Floyds: 365 ac., Upper Parish of IOW Co.; on north side of the Ashen Swamp, near the head and on west side of Seward’s Creek, April 20, 1685, p. 441. 250 ac., part granted Nathaniel Floyd, Nov. 20, 1637, and conveyed to said Harris’ father, by Captain Francis Hobbs and his wife, who was the relict and administratrix of said Floyd, Jan. 13, 1659; and among other lands found to escheate; granted to Honorable Colonel Joseph Bridger, July 22, 1678, who sold to said John and Thomas Harris the Feb. 6, following (1679) Nathaniel Floyd’s headright was Mathew Tomlin; his land being adj. that of Thomas Harris, d. 1688: B. 7, p. 299 – Mathew Tomlin, 1227 acs., Low. Par. of IOW Co., on brs. of the Blackwater, Apr. 27, 1686. 781 acs. being part of 1200 acs. granted Mr. John Seward, Apr. 15, 1648, adj. Mary Turner and Thomas Harris; to the bottome of Pig Neck. *John Seward’s headright was Edward Brantley. 1.1.1.1. Francis Hobbs, born c. 1650, m. (1) Elizabeth Bridger, Oct. 9, 1671, in Tetbury; cousin of Joseph Bridger.

An indenture between “Phillip Rayford” and his wife, Sarah, and Thomas Harris, Jr., for the sale of land was dated Feb. 9, 1687. I would suggest that Thomas Harris, Jr. was the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. The only proven intermarriage between the Fulghams and Harris at this time concerned a granddau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, dau. of his son, John. The Fulghams were of Pitminster, 30 mls fr. Stoke Rodney).

3. William (sic) Kinchen, m. Elizabeth Joyner, dau. of Bridgman Joyner.
4. William Kinchen. Joseph Bridger (grandson of Joseph) of Northampton Co. to William Kinchen of Northampton Co., July 3, 1745, 18 pounds current silver money of Va. 436 acres more or less on the north west side of the Mill swamp, joining Rowland Williams and the swamp, as by patent 1 Dec. 1744 Wit: William Kinchen, Jr., John Crowell, Samuel Bell. Reg. Northampton Co. Nov. Ct. 1745.
5. William Kinchen, m. Sarah House. (Northampton Co. Oct. Ct. 1758).
4. Sarah Kinchen, m. James Godwin, son of Thomas Goodwin Jr., son of Thomas Goodwin and Marther Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger, business partner of Thomas (d. 1672) and his br., Richard Harris. Thomas Goodwin Jr, was the br. of Theophilus Goodwin, who m. Elizabeth Wyche, having issue: Sarah Goodwin, wife of Thomas Harris (son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30); father of Solomon Harris.
4. Matthew Kinchen. His will (1735/6) names “my loving mother Elizabeth Kinchen” and “my loving uncle Thomas Joyner“; 3 daus. He m. (1730) Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin II. and Elizabeth Watkins, son of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Prime, dau. of Edward Prime and Ann, relict of Peter Ridley. Elizabeth Prime was the half-sister, thus, of (Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham, whose sister, Ann, m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
5. Elizabeth Kinchin, m. Lodwick Alford, son of James Alford and Lucy Cade. Nov. 1, 1752: William Pace was granted 425 acres “in Granville County and in Johnston County on the S side of crooked creek, joining Lodwick Alford”; surveyed Feb. 10, 1748, chain bearers Robert Cade (stepfather of William and James Pace), and William Cade. Robert Cade d. bef. May 1769, when administration on his estate was granted to James Alford (Bute Co., Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779, p. 77).

Cade to Cade.

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1. Charlemagne, m. Hildegard of Vinzgouw.
2. Louis I., m. (2) Judith of Bavaria, dau. of Welf I, count in Swabia, and Hedwig, a member of the Saxon nobility, the dau. of Count Isambart (“Isambard the Saxon”).
3. Charles II., born in Frankfurt, 824, d. 877.
4. Judith, m. (1.), as his third wife, Aethelwulf, king of Wessex, son of Ecgberh (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 855); (2) her stepson, Aethelbald, king of Wessex (“contrary to God’s prohibition and the dignity of a Christian, contrary also to the custom of all the pagans … and drew down much infamy upon himself”; Asser, p. 8.; (3) Baldwin I. (“Iron-Arm”), count of Flanders.
5. Boudewijn (“von Flanderen”), count of Flanders, m. Ælfthryth, dau. of Alfred “the Great”, king of the Anglo-Saxons, and Ealhswith.
6. Arnulf I. (“the Great”), count of Flanders; born in 889, in Ghent, East Flanders, d. 965; m. Adele of Vermandois, dau. of Héribert II, count of Vermandois, and Adèle, dau. of Robert I, King of France, and Aélis. His southern expansion led to conflict with the Normans, who were trying to secure their northern frontier, resulting in the 942 murder of William Longsword at the hands of Arnulf’s confederates.
7. Luitgarde, m. Wichman von Hamaland, “burggraaf von Ghent”.
8. Theodric von Ghent, m. Hildegarde.

9. Arnoul von Ghent, m. Liefgarde.
10. Adalbert von Ghent, m. Ermengarde.
11. Rolph (Rudolf) von Ghent: “Roelof Adelbert Arnoud van Gent” m. Giselle, sister of (1) Ogive, daus. of Gislebert of Luxemburg (“Ogivam, filiam Gisleberti comitis de Lixelemborg”), and cousins of Otgive, dau. of Gislebert’s brother, Frédéric I, count of Moselgau. They were sons of Sigefrid of Luxemburg, and brothers of the empress Cunégonde (Annales Quedlinburgenses). Giselle made a gift to St. Peter’s, ca. 1058, naming her three sons: “Balduuini filii ipsius Gislæ, item filiorum eius Rodulfi, Gisleberti”.
12. Gislebert von Ghent (Gilbert de Gand); brother of Rodulph de Gand, chamberlain of Flanders, and Baldwin, lord of Alost. The first record of him is that he was left conjointly in command of York with William Malet (as sheriff) and Robert FitzRichard, in 1068.
13. Hugh de Gand, m. Adeline, dau. of Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester.
14. Robert de Gand, m. Gunnora de Albini Brito, dau. of Ralph de Albini Brito (English Baronies’, I. J. Sanders, OUP, 2nd ed, 1963). A sister of Gunnora de Albini Brito, Maud, m. William de Colville (Collavilla); descendant of Gislebert Crispin I. William held one night’s fee of Robert de Gand in Lincs, his br.-in-law.
15. Gilbert de Gand, Earl of Lincoln, obit. 1241, father of Juliana de Gand, who m. Geoffrey d’Armentières, son of Henry d’Armentières.

9. Erchembald von Ghent, vicecomes (in this instance, sheriff) of Rouen, m. a dau. of Richard de Beaufour and Emmenie de ivri, sister of Emma d’Ivri, Abbess of St. Amand (wife of Osmund the dapifer); granddaus. of Sprotta and Esperlenc.
10. Gislebert Crispin, m. Gunnora de Conteville (born 1009), granddau. of Osmund de Conteville, and a sister of Osmund the dapifer, who Gislebert Crispin attempted to defend during the successful attempt to kill him in 1040. Gislebert made a gift to St. Amand to honour Osmund’s memory. Thus, Gilbert Crispin’s wife was a cousin of William FitzOsbern.

11. Hesilia Crispin, m. William Malet; he receiving Conteville by dower.
12. Robert Malet, held the fief of Collavilla, near Harfleur, Seine-Inf. Domesday shows “Gilbert de Colavilla” as a considerable undertenant of Robert Malet at Rendlesham; he also held under Robert Malet’s mother, Hesilia Crispin (DB/Sf 6/19-21, 29-30, 34-37, etc.).

11. Gislebert Crispin (alias Collavilla), held the fortress of Damville as a vassal of Gilbert de Brionne’s son, Richard FitzGilbert (de Clare).
12. Gislebert Crispin, m. Hersende de Brezolles, and became enfeoffed in Armentières-sur-Avre
13. Robert Crispin (de Armentières-sur-Avre), held land in England under his kinsman, Gislebert von Ghent, in 1086.
14. William de Whatton, m. … de Newmarch.
15. Adam de Newmarch. It is claimed (CP ix. 543, citing Yorkshire Archæological Journal, vol. iv, p. 143, and Blythe cartulary, fo. 106), that Adam de Newmarch was the son of William de Watton, an unnamed son of his inheriting land from William de Newmarch, his uncle. Pipe Roll 31 Hen I (1129/30), Northumberland, p. 36., records ‘Wills de Waddona’ accounting for ‘fil suus’ having succeeded to the land of ‘Willi de Novo Mercato avunculi sui’ in Northumberland. From the family of Newmarch came that of Wormley.

11. William Crispin, m. Eve de Montfort L’Aumary. From them descended the family of Stanhope.
12. William Crispin 11., an Anglo-Norman lord, who held land in Wetherby, Wheldrake, Coxwold, and Goodmanham in Yorkshire, and in Ancroft in Northumberland, as mesne-tenant of William de Percy. According to Mathieu – Reserches Sur Les Premiers Comtes De Dammartin, 19, 60, 1996. – a probable wife of William Crispin 11. was Agnes Mauvoisin, who was the daughter of Eustachia Dammartin, the daughter of Manasser, Count of Dammartin.
13. ‘Lord Thomas de Colvyle gave to God and the appertenances of the vill of Coxwold … to do there with whatsoever they would for ever’ (Excerpt from Foundations of Bylands Abbey, Gentleman’s Magazine, 1843). He m. Matilda d’Aubigny, probably a close relative of Roger (d’Aubigny) de Mowbray I., his overlord.
14. Philip de Colville, held land in Thimbleby and Sigston, Yorkshire; m. Engelisa, dau. and heir of Robert Ingram, a tenant of the Brus fee in Heslerton.
15. William de Colville (escheat 1230), m. Maud d’Albini (Brito). As given, he was the br.-in-law of Robert de Gand. She was the cousin of William Albini I. (Brito), who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umfraville (grandfather of Gilbert de Umfraville I), whose family armorial was gules, 3 cinquefoils or, as the Hamiltons: “A sensible proposition is that they were kin, or vassals of the Umfraville lords of Redesdale and the earls of Angus” (Bruce A. McAndrew, Scotland’s Historic Heraldry, p. 235, 200).
16. Thomas de Colville, m. Asceline, half-sister of Robert de Quincy, son of Saher de Quincy. Robert de Quincy’s son, Saher de Quincy, bore or, a fesse gules, the exact arms that the Colvilles assumed. The latter Saher de Quincey’s great-granddau, Hawise de Quincy, m. Baldwin Wake, d. 1282, the son of Hugh Wake, who m. Joane, dau. of Nicholas de Stuteville, Lord of Liddell (the half-brother of Beatrice de Stuteville, wife of William de Colville); grandparents of Margaret Wake, the wife of John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch (d. Bannockburn 1314), br. of Joan Comyn (d. bef. 1326), who m. David de Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl (d. 1326), whose sequestered estates were given to Sir Adam Gordon, whose dau. m. David FitzWalter.

16. William de Colville, m. Beatrice de Stuteville, sister of Alice de Stuteville, who m. Roger de Merlay, son of Ralph de Merlay, Lord of Morpeth.
17. Roger de Colville of Bytham Castle, Lincolnshire.
18. Walter de Colville (b. ca. 1225, d. 1276), m. Isabel, dau. of Odenel d’Albini, son of William d’Albini I. and Matilda, dau of Odonel de Umfraville.
19. Roger de Colville of Bytham Castle (b. 1251. d. 1287), m. Margaret, dau of Richard de Braose, of Stinton, Norfolk, and Alice de Ros, dau. of William de Ros, 2nd Baron Ros of Helmsley, and Margaret de Badlesmere, dau. of Bartholomew de Badlesmere, 1st Baron Badlesmere (who held Normanton and Hameldun/Hamilton; his tenants being the Colvilles in the former place, and probably in the latter; the overlordship at various times being the tenure of the Umfravilles), and Margaret (relict of Gilbert de Umfraville), dau. of Sir Thomas de Clare, lord of Thomond.

19. Gilbert de Colville. The Writs of Military Service show (1282) “Gilbertus Coleville” performing military service in Scotland ‘due from Gilbertus de Neville’. In 1277, Gilbert Neville performed military service in Scotland due from “Gilbertus de Gaunt”. In 1290, Gilbert de Neville was elected as one of the Knights of the Shire for Lincoln.
20. “Walter de Hameldon“; who with William Berc (both of Stanford) granted a garden (to Raymond le Spicer), situated between the town wall and the garden of the prior of St Leonard, near Stanford, in 1328. (N. A., C 146/3891). The family of Berc were tenants of the Colvilles at Wenton, and were probably intermarried with them. (See THE COLVILLES OF STANFORD). Walter de Hameldon received the confiscated lands of his Comyn kinsfolk in Scotland.

(1. … de Briouse, m., Mr. Stapleton conjectured, a sister of Foulque d’Anet.
2. Guillaume de Briouse, who probably m., as her second husband, the widow of Anschetil d’Harcourt. (See Carta Fécamp, Jan. 13, 1103). Anscher (Anschetill) de Rieux (Riu, Rei) gave the abbey of Tréport, c. 1060, the tithes of decimam suam de Riu. (Carlularium sanctae Trinilatis, p. 425). Gilbert (Crispin), son of Erchembald the Vicomte, gave to the abbey of Mont-de-Rouen, the valley of Riquier, and the meadows of Rieux. It may be recalled that Lesceline, countess of Eu, held the fief of Jort. She was the da. of Turchetil de Harcourt, and wife of William I, count of Eu, illegitimate son of Duke Richard I of Normandy; their son, Count Robert of Eu, died in 1089 and is buried in Tréport Abbey, which he founded between 1057 and 1066. Anschetill de Rieux was a donator to the foundation, and such donations were invariably confined to those in some way related to the founder. In that Lesceline was the sister of Anschetill de Harcourt, it may be the case that he was synonomous with Anschetill de Rieux; in this case, the donation came from an uncle. As I have conjectured, Anschetill de Rieux was a likely ancestor of a family of Despencer. Guillaume de Briouse was the son of … de Briouse, and Gunnora, of whom Mr. Stapleton (Historical Memoirs of the House of Vernon, p. 33, 1856) stated: “Gunnora, the mother of William de Briouze, was apparently another daughter of the same parentage of Alberada”, sister of Foulque d’Anet. By this measure, the families of Briouse and Crispin/Colville may have shared the same female matriarch.
3. Philip de Briouse, m. Eleanor, dau. of Juhel de Totnes.
4. William de Briouse, Lord of Bramber, and (m. bef. 1140), Bertha, dau. of Miles of Gloucester, Earl of Hereford, and Sibylle de Neufmarché
5. William de Briouse. m. “Matildis de S. Walerico (quondam uxoris Willielmi de Brewes”). (MS Lhantony Abbey).
6. Reynold de Briouse (d. bef.1228), and Grace (dau. of William Briwere and Beatrix de Vaux), and sister of Joan, wife of William de Percy, 6th Baron Percy, whose family had been the overlords of William Crispin I., as given.
7. William de Briouse, m. Matilda, dau. of Richard de Clare, Earl of Hertford, and Amice, dau. William FitzRobert (grandson of Henry 1) and Hawise de Beaumont (dau. of Robert de Beaumont), and sister of Mabel, wife of Amaury V. de Montfort, comte d’Evreux, desc. of Simon I. de Montfort, br. of of Eve de Montfort L’Aumary, wife of William Crispin I., as given. Richard de Clare was a descendant of Gilbert de Brionne, whose family were the overlords of the Crispins at the fortress of Damville, etc.
8. John de Breuse, Lord of Bramber and Gower, m. Margaret, da. of Llewelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince of North Wales.
9. Sir William de Breuse, Lord of Bramber and Gower, was granted wardship on the May 8, 1288 of the lands late of Roger de Coleville, tenant in chief of Bytham and other places in co. Lincoln, reserving to the King the marriage of the heirs during their minority.
10. Margery de Briouse, b. ca. 1266, of Stinton in Salle, Norfolk, m. Sir Roger de Colville, ca. 1279 (died shortly before 6 March 1288), son of Sir Walter de Colville.

10. Sybil de Briouse, m. William Mortimer, who held lands in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire from David, earl of Huntingdon(son of Ada de Warenne), and in Lincolnshire from the de Warenne family, earls of Surrey. He became lord of Aberdourin, Scotland, and witnessed twenty-two charters of William the Lion of Scotland (son of Ada de Warenne), and one each of Ada de Warenne and her son, David, earl of Huntingdon.
11. Constantine Mortimer, appears as a witness of the earl of Huntingdon’s charter to Castleacre Priory, along with Robert Mortimer, his elder brother, whom he joined in opposing King John in Rutland in 1215. (Serland’s list).
12. Joan de Mortimer, m. of Sir Richard de Weyland.
13. Cecily de Wayland, m. Bartholomew de Burghersh, grandson of Robert Burghersh and Maud Badlesmere, dau. of Bartholomew de Badlesmere, and (m. bef. June 30, 1308, as her second husband), Margaret de Clare, widow of Gilbert de Umfraville, and dau. of Thomas de Clare, Lord of Thomond, and Juliana FitzMaurice. (See Inquis., 14 Edw II, of “Thomas son of Richard de Clare”.
14. Elizabeth de Burghersh, m. Edward le Despenser, 1st Baron le Despencer, son of Sir Edward le Despenser and Ann de Ferrers, son of Hugh le Despenser, 1st Lord Despenser (and Eleanor, dau. of Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, and Joan of Acre); son of Sir Hugh le Despenser, Earl of Winchester, and Isabella de Beauchamp).

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