Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton

H. C. Maxwell Lyte’s ‘Ancient Deeds’ (London, 1894), gives a record of a family Porter, hereditary (if the abbot agreed the succession) officers of Pershore Abbey, Worcestershire.

A porter was an officer of considerable trust, who had to determine when and who were to be admitted (usually not women) to such as an Abbey. He would announce visitors to the hostarius, who would arrange to meet their needs. A porter had a deputy (a son in the case of hereditary portership), so that the gate would not be left when he went to announce visitors. He would have been of good social status and impeccable character, able to converse with wealthy and powerful guests. He would have had a lodge near the gates. He would receive an ample allowance of bread and ale, which continued after retirement.

“Hugh the porter (portario)” was a witness to a grant by Sir Maurice de Thorendun to the monks of Pershore, dated St. Vincent’s day, 1254. Hugh was probably born ca. 1220. In ca. 1290, “Hugh the porter (portario) and his son Reginald”, witnessed a grant by William de Lega, steward of the abbot of Pershore, to William the clerk (clerico) of Bredona, of a messuage of laud with a meadow in Pershore.

About the same time, “Reginald le Porter” witnessed a grant by Thomas de Walecote to the abbot of Pershore, of land in Pershore in the tillage called ‘Elbesham’.

Reginald was Deputy-Sheriff of Worcestershire, temp. Edward I. Mr. Grazebrook, The Heraldry of Worcestershire, vol. ii, 1873, quotes Treadway Russell Nash, author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, 1781, as claiming Reginald bore for arms: sable, three bells argent, and, Azure, the same as those on the tomb of John Porter of Claines, Worcestershire, who d. in 1577.

Reginald m. Martha, sister and co-heiress of William de Sodington (d. 1302), with whom he had the manor of Eastham; which passed to Richard le Porter, his second son; his elder br., Hugh, having deceased. A younger br. may have been “Thomas le Porter, of Pershore” (mentioned in Cal. Pat. memb. 2d, 1324).

The other co-heiress, Johanna de Sodington, m. (bef. Feb. 1294), Sir Walter le Blount, d 1322, first-cousin of Sir Thomas le Blount, lord of Belton (d. 1328), situated near Grantham, now in Lincolnshire, which lies on the road to Markham, Nottinghamshire. Thus, it seems certain that these Porters became enfeoffed in Belton and Markham through this association.

“Christopher Porter of Barkston was a younger brother of Austin Porter Jr. of Belton, near Grantham, to whom and to John Bellow the manor of Belton, parcel of the possession of the Abbey of St. Mary, without the walls of York, was granted in 1546. When Gervaise Hollys made his collection of Lincolnshire church-notes (Harl. MS. 6829), he preserved the following memorial of Austin Porter, which he found marking his place of sepulture in Belton church: Arms sable, three church bells argent. This hearing was sometimes differenced by a canton ermine”. (Edward Peacock, English Church Furniture, p. 39, 1866).

There is no knowing whether “Thomas le Porter, of Pershore”, aforementioned, was the same as the “Thomas Porter” who witnessed a grant (with William Cressy) by “Robert atte Bek of Estmarkham” to William Swane, of the same place, in 1355. (Nottinghamshire Archives. DD/FJ/1/19/1). This Thomas Porter had witnessed a grant in 1341 by Hugh Mawer of Spilsby, Lincolnshire, to Walter de Brunthorp, parson of the church of Spilsby. (Lincolnshire Archives, 2ANC1/24/18).

The Willoughby’s were lords of Spilsby. Sir Henry Willoughby, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire, b. ca. 1452, m. Margaret Markham, dau. of Sir Robert Markham, of East Markham, son of Sir John Markham, and “Margaret, dau and co-heir of Sir Henry Cressy; niece and heiress of Sir Hugh”. (Familiae Minorum Gentium, vol. III., Harleian Soc., 1895).

There is also no strictly knowing whether Thomas Porter was related to those Porters as follow, yet it is as certain as being able to determine the pattern of an excavated jug by study of its fragments. The modern tendency to demand references as proof ancestry is to apply a standard that is nor relevant to an age of lost records. What is required is to gain a sense of what was likely to be the case based on a knowledge of how those under consideration lived – by intermarriages within their kinship network. If families A, B, and C were intermarried, or held tenancies of the same lord, but were not traceable by record for three generations, then families of the same names ‘appeared’, also intermarried, holding the same tenancies, they were the same families. This same rule being applicable to English families in early Virginia, substituting tenancy for sponsorship.

1. John Porter, b. ca. 1410, of East Markham. The Abbot and Convent of St Mary’s, York to William Porter of Belton. Manor and two watermill. Aug. 24, 1477. (Linc. Arch. BNLW/1/1/). He presumably m. twice:

1.1. William Porter. The Will of Elizabeth Porter of Thrulegh, Kent, relict of William Porter, late of the counties of Nottingham and Lincoln, gentleman, son of John Porter, of East Markham, co. Nott. Mentions Elizabeth my daughter, and William son and heir of John Porter, brother of William Porter my husband. John (b. 1471 -M.S), eldest son of said William. Pr. Oct. 16, 1478. (Wattys, 35). Any other male issue, born aft. 1471, were deceased by 1502.

1.2. William Porter, of Markham, Nottinghamshire, m. … Gardner, of Bishop’s Norton. Or, on a chevron Gules between three griffins’ heads erased Azure two lions combatant Argent; given to William Gardner of North Hall, Bishop Norton, March 8, 1526. This marriage accounted for many of the past and future associations of these Porters.

(Theobald Gardner, m. Maud, da. of Sir Thomas. Nevill of Hornby Castle, s. and h. of Sir Robert Neville of Hornby (b. ca. 1310), and Joan, da. and h. of Henry Atherton of Aintree and Oldham, Lancs. … grandfather of Sir Thomas Gardner, who m. Edith, da. of Sir John Holland of Denton. Richard Holland of Denton, who, by a dau. of Harington of Hornby castle in Lancashire, had a son named Thurstan Holland of Denton, Esq., father of Sir John Holland of Denton … grandfather of Edmond Gardner, who m. Barbara, da. of Sir John Radcliff of Ordsall … father of Sir Thomas Gardner, who m. Mabel, da. of Nic. Biron. Inquisition taken at Newark, July 3, 1504, after the death of Nicholas Biron, knight, brother and heir of John Byron, knight … Nicholas Biron, knight, during his life was seized in his demesne as of fee of the manors of Overcolwike, etc. … So seized, he enfeoffed John Hussey, Maurice Berkeley, knight … Edmund Bussy of the aforesaid premises. To have and to hold to them and their heirs to the use of himself and his heirs … Nicholas gave the rest of the manors, lands and tenements to Joan his wife for the marriages of their three daughters and to pay his debts, as stated in his will … grandfather of Thomas Gardner, who m. Anne, eldest da. and coheir of William Hardbeane, of Norton, co. Linc. Esq. (tenant of William Disney), and br. of Henry Gardner, a dau. of whom m. William Porter).

1.2.1. John Porter, b. 1471. Inquisition taken at Nottingham, October 22, 1502, by the oath of Thomas Armestrong, esquire, Ralph Whitchurch … who say that William Porter was seized of 10 messuages, 200 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow and 40 acres of pasture in Estmarkham in his demesne as of fee and in such estate died. William Porter May 10, 1497, and John Porter is his son and heir and is aged 26 years and upwards. John Porter is, and was at the time of his birth, an idiot* and is not able to take charge of his lands, and has no other or more lands or tenements in the county. (Inq. virtu de officii. Series ii. Vol. 23. No. 222). *Someone born with reduced intellect (not knowing, for example, the name of their mother or father), as defined in Prerogativa Regis, section 11. There are no “next heirs” mentioned.

1.3. Robert Porter. “Robert Porter of Markham” was a witness, as tenant, of the i.p.m of (1) Henry Grey of Codnor, May 6, 1508. (2) Robert Storye (with “Thomas Cressy gentleman”), Sept. 26, 1519.

1.4. Austin Porter, a witness in the Inquisition taken at Nottingham, Oct. 31, 1493, after the death of Henry Eland, a tenant of “Henry Wyllughby, knight”, at Algarthorp. Austin Porter, of Belton, Lincolnshire, d. 1535, m. Mabel Bellingham, dau. of Sir Robert Bellingham and Ann Pickering, having issue: Austin Porter, of Belton, d. 1554, who m. Ellen Smith, of Withcote; having issue: John Porter, of Belton, d. Oct. 23, 1574, possessed of the manor of Belton; who m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edmund Bussy. Mabel Bellingham was the sister of Thomas Bellingham, who m. Jane Wiltshire (dau. of Sir John Wiltshire of Stone Castle, Kent); sister of Bridget Tyrwhitt, wife Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, Sheriff of Lincolnshire for 1540–41, who m. (2) by 1540, Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Oxenbridge, son of Sir Goddard Oxenbridge of Brede, Sussex. She is sometimes given as a dau. of Goddard Oxenbridge, a calculation based on chronological grounds, the fact being, however, that she married at a very young age:

Decree in Joan Welshe, widow and executrix of Thomas Welshe, v Robert Tyrwytt, esq.RT and his wife Elizabeth to enjoy the forges and iron-mill at Etchingham and the furnace at Darvell Wood [in Mountfield], leased to TW and JW by Thomas Oxenbrege, esq, deceased, on 16 May 1539, from 29 Sep next. RT and ET to pay JW an annuity of £24 for 13 years. RT and ET to pay JW for unwrought materials (wood ready cut in cordwood, coal ready made and ore ready dyddyd at the valuation of four indifferent men of Etchingham. JW to allow RT and ET access to the forges, mill and furnace through her land held by lease from Thomas Oxenbrege. 1545. (East Sussex Record Office, AMS6437/1).

Biographical background: Thomas Oxenbridge inherited both Etchingham and Mountfield manors from his mother Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Etchingham and wife of Goddard Oxenbridge. Thomas died on 28 March 1540, and on 15 July his widow, his second wife Faith, was living at Hughenden in Buckinghamshire. Although he left no land in the parish, Goddard Oxenbridge left 40s to the repairs of Etchingham church in his will of 1530 (PRO PROB 11/24), for a copy of which see AMS6326/46. Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby in Lincolnshire married Thomas Oxenbridge’s daughter Elizabeth, who was aged 11 in 1540, and acquired both the Etchingham and Mountfield estates by the marriage.

I have been unable to determine a relationship between the aforementiond Porters and those of Sussex, but note an association in common with the family of Oxenbridge, likely to be coincidental. A porter would answer the bell, and many families of Porter have bells on their shields.

THE PORTERS OF SUSSEX

Grant by Peter, son and heir of Walter le Porter, to Roger son of Robert de Bromham, of all the tenement with houses and lands etc, in Hetfelde, by the high road from Burghers’ to Horapeltre, which Walter, the grantor’s father, bought from Robert Sherreve. Witnesses:- William de Ivendenn, Adam de la Cumbe, Ralph de Middelton, Luke Walweyn, Nicholas the forester (forestario), Ralph the clerk of Brithling, and others (named). Sussex Endorsed: ‘Hethfelde in Rapa de Hastyng’. (E 40/4163). Heathfield is 10 mls from Pevensey.

Grant by Robert Scherewe, to Walter the porter (portario), of land in Hetfelde, in ‘the Westsside’ of Sameherst, which land extends from Scherewe Cruche to the said Robert’s house, and through his garden to the wood, and so to the brook between his land and that of Luke Walewein; the said Robert owes to the fence (frithie) over against the said Walter from his garden to the brooke Witnesses:- Sirs Thomas de Burgeton and William de Etteste, Simon de Hydeneye, Richard de Ratton, Gerard de Milkherst, Harding de Langhed, Walter de Bovellhamme, William de Yvindenne, and others (named). Sussex Endorsed: ‘In rap’ de Hastyng.’ 1216-1272. (E 40/4157).

Grant by Richard the Porter of Pevensey, with the assent of Cecily, his wife, and Robert, his heir, to Lewes Priory (William, prior*) of free course of the sea to their mill at Langney. (E 40/15439). *William de Berdewell, prior in 1295.

Confirmation. Denise, widow of John Fich, daughter and heir of Henry Paulyn, to William de Hemstede and Walter Porter. 1. messuage, 66 acres, buildings, gardens, pasture and ditches in Westham (the messuage and 40 acres in Homlond, 26 acres in Hortfeld. 2. the reversion of a piece of land called Melnfeld in Westham, which Roger Porter holds for life and one year by her charter made to him. Witnesses: Henry Alard, Simon de Hidenye, James de Craule, John at Rede, Richard Wilkyn, William Alman, John de la Forde clerk; at Westham. Jan. 25, 1329. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/6).

Settlement. James de Craule and his wife Margery, and John Lyttlewatte and his wife Gillian, to John ate Stone, called Gardyner, and his wife Margery, and their eldest son John and his heirs in tail, remainder to John and Margery’s right heirs. Piece of land called Anablehag’ in Westham (E and N: land of Roger Waterman; W: highway from la Ratelcrouche to Hankham (Hanekeham); S: land of the Brothers of the Hospital of St John). Witnesses: Henry Allard, John de Westecote, Richard Wilkyn, Walter Macy, William Squier, Roger Porter, Stephen Allard; at Pevensey. Nov. 2, 1341. (East Sussex Record Office (ESRO), amsg/AMS5592/9).

Lease for 20 years from Sept 23, 1343 at £1 6s 0d. Robert de Molstone son of William de Molstone to John le Gardyner of Westham. 16 acres called Golyas in Westham in the Liberty of Pevensey. Witnesses: Henry Allard, Stephen Allard,* Roger Porter, Richard Pelyng, John Tut, John Hagert, John Abbot; at Westham. June, 26, 1343. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/110). *“The arms, a lion rampant, between escallop-shells, were borne by Oxenbridge, of Brede; but they married an heiress of the Alards, and Leland says, assumed their arms. From the arms the tomb (in Winchelsea Church) has been usually ascribed to one of the Oxenbridges. We are, however, more inclined to the belief that it is the tomb of Stephen Alard … The date of the monument is about 1340, and it was not until 1393 that we find an Oxenbridge mentioned as a person of importance in the district.” — Hist. of Winchelsea, p. 134.

Grant of rent. Robert Redere and his wife Lecia to John Gardener. 8d annual rent payable by the heirs of Ralph Waterman for their tenement in the town of Pevensey. Witnesses: Walter Macy bailiff of Pevensey, William de Oldintone, Simon Lewyne, John Stace, William Gregori, Roger Porter; at Pevensey. Dec. 12, 1356. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/26).

Roll of Accounts for the Rectory of Ikelesham, &c. Michaelmas, 1378. Simon Porter, of Wynchelse, Feofment to John Gardiner of Westham, of the Tenements, which he was heir to, contingent upon the decease of Agatha Fish of Westham, and to all the Tenements in the Town of Westham, in the Borough of Pevensey, which were Roger Porter, his uncle’s. William Polynge, Simon Anneys, John Scleghond, John Batelman, and other Testators. Dated Westham, Sunday following the Purification of our Lady, 1379. Seal.

Porter v Ywode. Plaintiffs: Richard Porter, John Forest, and other parishioners of Westham. Defendants: Adam Ywode, Richard Rakle, and William Foxhill, feoffees of William Slyhand. Subject: Lands in Westham, bequeathed to be sold for the benefit of the Hospital of St John and the works at Westham church. Sussex. 1407-1456. (C 1/16/679).

During this reign the pilgrimages to the shrine of St. James of Compostella, became frequent, and the merchants of Winchelsea largely availed themselves of this source of profit. On 26th Feb., 1434, Robert Porter, master of a barge, called Le Trinite de Wynchelse, had the king’s license to carry therein sixty of the king’s subjects, who were going on a pilgrimage to St. James’, provided that they made oath to the keepersof the passage, when they were taken on board, that they would carry no gold or silver above their reasonable expenses with them; and that they would not reveal the secrets of the kingdom to any one abroad. And, on 8th May, in the same year, the same Robert Porter, master of a barge, called Le Kateryn of Winchelse, had the king’s license‘ to carry therein forty of the king’s subjects, &c., as before. Licenses were granted in this year for no less than 2433 pilgrims. (William Durrant Cooper, The History of Winchelsea, p. 98, 1801).

Conveyance. John Brodebredge of Wartling yeoman to Stephen Porter. 1. ‘Twyfordes’ (40a); N: Ralph Colbrond’s land; E: abbot of Battle’s ‘Monkyn Marsh’ and Thomas Pynes lord Dacre’s Little Blyborough; S: Pevensey town – Chilley highway; W: rector of Manxey’s land. 2. ‘Mylfelde’ (10a); E: John Mabley’s land; S: common watercourse from sea to Rickney bridge; W: rector of Manxey’s land; N, NE: highway in 1 above. Together in Manxey Marsh, Pevensey. W: Henry Dawson, William Alard and John Hampton all of Westham, Robert Havell of Pevensy. July 12, 1485. (ESRO, AMS5861/1).

Grant of a rentcharge for life. John Morley of Westham, John Bokelond of Battle, William Alard of Westham and William Willys of Ebony [in Kent] to John Boys of Battle and John Kneller of Hooe. Annual rent of 33s 4d from lands an tenements in Westham late John Gardener, granted by his daughter and heir Alice Gardener to be held for the life of Alice’s mother Lucy, now wife of John Alman of Bexhill. Witnesses: William Telyng, William Foxhill, Thomas Bayle, William Hendeman, William Porter; at Westham. Aug. 12, 1458. (ESRO, amsg/AMS5592/24).

Feoffment from Thomas Mercer of Hawkhurst, co. Kent, sen., to Robert Crouche of Rye. Witnesses: William Parnell, deputy of Robert Crouche, mayor, Adam Oxenbregge,* John Sutton esq., Thomas Litherlond, Henry Swan’, John Swan’, common clerk, Henry Porter, mayor’s sergeant (clavigero). June 12, 1490. (ESRO, Rye/122/17). *Br. of Goddard Oxenbridge.

Grant & Appointment of Attorney. A. John Barker & Johanna his wife (dau & heiress of Henry Belamy late of Hastings), (b) Goddard Oxenbregge Esqr. Land and tenements in Pevensey & Westham in the liberty of the Cinque Ports which descended to Johanna after her father’s death; which premises came to Henry Belamy, John Joy, Richard Hawden, Stephen Alman (son of John, aform.), John Hynde & William Salter, now dead, of the gift of John A’Clyde of Hastings. June 3, 1497. (ESRO, SAU/1265).

1. Stephen Foster. Grant & Appointment of Attorney. (a) Goddard Oxenbregge Knt. (b) Christopher Vale of Westham. Premises and rent had by (a) with Stephen Porter now dead by gift of Laurence Harmer of Echyingham. Appoints Willm Alman, William Crotynden and William Hampton attornies to deliver seizin. Feb. 17, 1523. (East Sussex Record Office, SAU/1315).

Fenys v Chancy. Plaintiffs: Thomas Fenys, lord Dacre. Defendants: George Chancy and Richard Porter. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to lands in Pevensey called ‘Twyford,’ late of Stephen Porter. Sussex. 1504-1515. (C 1/310/67).

Grant by William Gyldriche of Wyllyngdon, gentleman, to Edmund Dudley, esquire, John Ashburneham and George Chauncey, of lands in Maukesey, to hold to them and their heirs to the use of the said Edmund Dudley, subject to the payment of 30l. to the abbot of Battle according to the will of Stephen Porter, late of Pevensey: Sussex. 1500-1501. (E 326/2524).

1.1. Richard Porter, b. ca. 1475.

1.1.1. Stephen Porter, of Hooe.

1.1.2. John Porter, b. ca. 1505. Will of John Porter of Battle, yeoman. Proved in PCC 1574: 26 Martyn. All marsh land in Pevensey liberty to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to son Robert Porter in tail male, remainder to own right heirs. Pecuniary and chattel bequests to poor of Battle and Frant, wife Agnes (Isted), son Richard, grandson Thomas Aynscombe, at 21. £100 to Thomas Aynscombe in consideration of marriage with JP’s daughter Mary. Mentions Rother cattle, munitions and armour and households at Battle and Bayham. Power to overseers (brothers John Baker, George Porter, John Barham, Robert Porter and Thomas Aynscombe) to enter lands, including woods recently bought from Lord Montague. Tenements and watermills in Brenchley and Lamberhurst, Kent to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to son John Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Tenements and watermills in Marden, Kent to son John Porter in tail male, remainder to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Marshes in Hooe to son Stephen Porter in tail male, remainder to son Thomas in tail male, remainder to right heirs. House in which JP lives with copyhold called Fordland, Tassarst and Loxepyche; copyhold house and garden in Mountjoy borough bought of Nicholas Bodell with freehold land and gardens on the same side of the road as the dwellinghouse in Mountjoy, all in Mountjoy and Uckham boroughs in Battle to wife Agnes for life without waste, remainders to son Thomas Porter in tail male, remainder to son Stephen Porter in tail male. House and land at Bredsell Green in Battle and Hollington and £4 annuity out of John Glasiers Marsh in Pevensey liberty (descended from brother Stephen Porter of Hooe) to son Robert Porter in tail male, remainder to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. All tenements and lands in Staplehurst, Kent to son Thomas Porter in tail male, remainder to son Richard Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirsHouse and gardens bought of Nicholas Bennett in Mountjoy borough, Battle to son Stephen Porter in tail male, remainder to son George Porter in tail male, remainder to right heirs. Wife Agnes in lieu of dower to take annuities of £10 from Brenchley and Lamberhurst estate, £2 6s 8d from Marden and £2 6s 8d from Hooe. Overseers to take profits of land bequeathed to five younger sons until 21 and to bring them up. W: Thomas Wooddye, Thomas Berwycke, William Robertes, Thomas Isted. April 30, 1574. (East Sussex Record Office, AMS5861/4).

1.1.2.1. John Porter, b, ca. 1535, of Lamberhurst; sable, three church-bells argent. His descendants:

John Elvered, gent. 1623. Heir, son John Elvered, aged 23 and more at Inq. Lands. Capital messuage called “Goodwins,” “Palmers ” and “Palmers brook,” “Ingrams alias Oldehouse,” “Glydds,” ” Fynchcrofts,” “Sancottes,” “Geanes marshes,” and “Southey” in Pevensey and Bexhill settled on his son John Elvered, also “Hides” in Hoo, with remainder to Joane Wenham, widow, Dorothy, wife of William Relfe of Ashburnham, gent., and Elizabeth Petter, widow, daughters of J. E. (trustees, Nicholas Eversfield of Grove and John Porter of Lamberhurst) .

John Baker, esq. 1639. Heir, son John, aged 40 years; son William; see Inq. of John). Lands. ” Gildridge ” in Withyham and Eatherfield, ” Grenebremes,” “Lowbremes,” “le Hurst,” ” Waleham,” ” Harmermeades,” Hamsell” and “Hamsell furnace,” manor of Frant, etc., lands in Kent, Brightling, Sussex. Settled some of the lands on marriage of his 2nd son John B. with Elizabeth, one of the
daughters of John Porter, esq.

copyright m stanhope 2019

What follows is but a précis of THE ANCESTRY OF SOLOMON HARRIS – HARRIS GROUP 4.

It attempts to make a more concise account of how the ancestry of specific American families of Harris can be traced to their English origins by showing the clear continuation of intermarriages between the same families for 200 years, from England to Virginia.

Simple genealogical accounts tend to be ‘lifeless’ – arid and meaningless catalogues, which simply state who begat who. The aim of any history, even a small one as this, should be to stir interest and appreciation, for without that all study of the past is dead and labour lost.

Accounts of ancestry should give information about people, both men and women, and their deeds and motives, so that those mentioned may leave a permanent mark in our mind, and be a source of identity in a changing world.

I would encourage any reader of this account to study the turbulent political times in which ancestors lived, to better understand the role of the kinship group as a necessity for survival.

The social history of these times, especially that pertinent to Somerset, is, I suggest a fascinating insight into the world of some early colonists.

The Somerset breed that follow were of the toughest stock. Although many were upwardly mobile, swapping the plough for merchandise, they all came from an agricultural background (steeped in horses and cattle), and were always well aware that the next storm could inundate their swampy boundaries with life-threatening rapidity.

In essence, they were tough enough to be colonists, and intelligent enough to understand that they that survive were they that combine with others in a mutual enterprise. Centuries before Mr. Darwin, it was deemed obvious that to survive as a species was to adapt and co-operate.

My particular interest in these Somerset settlers of Virginia and beyond is their particular dialect, which is almost unintelligible to modern ears: Cafender (kaa-ffindur), sb. Carpenter (always). Two caffinders was fo’ced ta be zeynd vor, and they zaw’d, an’ zaw’d, an ‘zaw’d, till ta last they zaw’d en out. (Pulman, Rustic Sketches, p. 67). Apart from other factors, it can be understood why they intermarried with their own ‘linguistic kind’.

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe. Her br. being ancestor of John Westbrook – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr., Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook; signed by John Parsons. R. Oct. 28, 1734. John Westbrooke m. Amy Foster, dau. of Christopher Foster Sr., and Alice Forte, desc. of Elias Forte, of Wiveliscombe. Wiveliscombe abuts Taunton, where John Harris m. Agnes White, Sept. 1, 1560. William and John Harris were onviously closely related, with their families marrying into the same families. They were perhaps sons of Thomas Harris, of Mells, b. 1495.

A brief summary of the Taunton clan of Harris follows, with it only giving them a scant notice. The family of Knight were well established in Taunton, and of particular interest should be the Robert Knight, bapt. July 12, 1608, in Bishops Hull; particularly of interest in this context: Knight Robert, 1638, John Watkins, James City. (Greer). John Watkins (a Bristol merchant), 150 acs. James Citty Co., at the Low. Chippokes, 2 Mar. 1638, p. 624. Upon N. side of Sunken Marsh & N. E. upon land of Phillipp Clarke. Due for trans, of 3 pers: Richard Austin, Richard Millard, Robert Knight. The grandmother of the Thomas Harris who (I suggest) d. in 1688 was a Millard. It can also be noted that a family of England were established in Taunton.

(1. John Harris m. Agnes White, in Taunton.
1.1. William Harris, m. (n.b.) Alice Christmas, Oct. 3, 1598, in Taunton.
1.1.1. Christopher Harris, m. Joan Parsons, Jan. 19, 1623, in Taunton, sister of Eleanor Parsons, who m. Nov. 25, 1626, in Bishops Hull (1½ miles W. of Taunton), John Herring, parents of Henry Herring (d. ca. 1661, m. Edith; held property in Glastonbury, see C 5/410/70); father of (1) Elizabeth Herring, bapt. June 30, 1650, in Taunton, who m. John Clarke,* Dec. 25, 1663. (2) William Herring, who m. (n.b.) Mary Proctor, April 25, 1655, in Bishops Hull. John Clarke was probably the br. of (1) Phillip Clarke, who m. Joan Harris, Nov. 5, 1664, in Taunton. (2) Thomas Clarke, who m. Margaret Harris, in Bishops Hull. *I suggest he was: John Clarke, the father-in-law of Henry King: Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Alice his wife sells to Maj. John Bond 190 ac. comprised in 2 pats. at head of Pagan Creek, one in name of John Vasser for 150 ac. dated Nov. 18, 1635, the other for 40 ac. in name of Thos. Harris dated, Aug. 14. 1652. Oct. 20, 1664. Wit. Henry King, Alice Phillips, pp. 539-540. Henry King was a partner of Francis England. They jointly purchased John Sweete’s patent in 1663, land adjoining westerly that of Thomas Blake, and abbutting that of Robert Flake. John Parson was overseer of of the will of Francis England, of Blackwater, IOW, May 13, 1677. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy (overseer of will of Edward Harris, d. 1677) deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived. Thomas Carter later sold John Parsons 56 ac. which were formerly owned by George Branch, who was the son-in-law of Francis England, and Joyce, da. of Robert Flake.
1.1.1.1. John Harris.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris (a carpenter) m. (1) Feb. 12, 1700, Mary Parsons.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Jan. 30, 1707.
1.1.1.1.2. David Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1 Thomas Harris, bapt. June 29, 1696.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Harris, m. Katherine Thomson, Oct. 20, 1723.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. (Probably) William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. William Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Elizabeth Herring, of obvious close relation to Jehu Herring, the adoptee; a descendants DNA test results exactly matches those of Harris Group 4 males.
1.1.2. Edward Harris, m. Alice Brice/Brise, Sept. 25, 1626, sister of John Brice, who m. Margaret Bayley, Oct. 6, 1635.
1.1.3. Richard Harris, m. Prudence Brooke, Jan. 25, 1625, sister of Elizabeth Brooke, who m. Richard Gardner, Oct. 21, 1633.
1.2. Agnes Harris, m. John Baker, April 12, 1602, br. of Abraham Baker, who m. Eleanor Proctor, Sept. 27, 1601; they closely related to William Baker, who m. Joan Gibbins, Dec. 29, 1591; her family interm. with the family of Nacion/Nation, as the Forts).

2. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594; she the aunt of:

(1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603, in Wiveliscombe, father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie 1150 ac. IOW Co., June 5, 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land. Mathew Tomlin Sr. was the headright (in 1637) of Nathaniel Floyd (IOW), whose relict m. Francis Hobbs, father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

(2) Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia, whose Will bequested to “the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer”, whose dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Bennett’s dau., Ann Bennett, m. (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia, father of Giles Bland, d. 1677, whose attorney was Robert Kae, of Bristol, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

(3) Thomas Bennett, b. ca. 1590, listed in the 1624 census on the south of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10.

(4) Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

3. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe, she sister of the ancestor of Thomas Blake; he to (br.-in-law) Joshua Claud, March 8, 1753, 290 ac. adj. the north side of Cocklins Pocoson and sd. Claud. Wit. Thomas Blake, John Parson, Thomas Day (familial to the Bennetts), and Joshua Harris. (pp. 463-466). Joshua Harris was the brother of Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, grandfather of Solomon Harris.

3. Edward Harris, held land of Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.

4. Edward Harris, d. 1677. Edward Bechinoe appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677; his dau., Alice, m. Robert Kae, of Bristol, atty of John Bland.

4. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, traded in tobacco with “Mr. Jno. Bland”.

3. John Harris, rec. Jan. 16, 1637 as “servant” of Arthur Bayly, as Thomas Busby Sr. Arthur Bayly m. Mary Jordan, who m. (2) Christopher Foster Sr.

3. Richard Harris. Richard Drew, d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co. – To my son, Edward Drew, 400 ac. bounding upon Richard Harris and Captain Ba(r)ker. Son, Thomas, executor. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. Mar. 3, 1672, Surry Co. A survey of the land of Capt. Thomas Adams and Roger Delk decd., wit. Thomas Culmer (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), Richard Harris, Richard Drew. Dec. 22, 1662, p. 205. Richard Harris, as guardian of Edward Drew’s son, Thomas, was very likely of some familial connection to the Drews. Richard Drew may have been his son-in-law. As previous notes show, Richard Drew was probably he bapt. April 28, 1622, in Dunster, 12 mls N. of Wiveliscombe.

4. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, in Wiveliscombe (“son of Richard”); a headright of Thomas Busby Jr. Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; trans. Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, William West.

Thomas Busby Jr. was b. in 1632. He m. Sussanah Grey, dau. of Francis Grey, granted 750 ac. in Charles City Co. Nov. 24,1653, p. 231. His son and namesake m. Mary Simmons (William Simmon’s sister), by 1688, and d. in 1723 (executor, Henry Peebles, witness William Peebles.

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 Chippokee 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, Wit: Frances Blande”. R. Oct. 26, 1658. Christopher Foster m.Jr. was the father of John Foster (B. 6, p. 72), who m. Mary Fort. Their dau., Sarah Foster, m. Walter Gilliam, parents of Lydia Gilliam, who m. John Watkins, parents of Millie Watkins, who m. Solomon Harris.

5. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1709/10. (B. 5, p. 224.

5. John Harris, estate admon, Mr. John Barker, Feb. 11, 1698 (B. 5. p. 165), br. of Joell Barker, father of George Barker: George Barker, John Peebles and wf. Agnis Peebles of Brunswick Co. to William Scarbrough of Surry Co. … 245 acs. on north side of Otterdam Sw. and bounded by Thomas Cotten and Jethro Barker (being land given to Agnis Peebles, wf. of the sd John Peebles, Mary Peebles, and Elizabeth Barker, the daus. of George Barker, by the Will of Jethro Barker, decd. R. Oct. 17, 1750. (B. 6, p. 124).

6. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker. (B. 6, p. 52).

7. 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.

8. Benjamin Harris, d. 1774, m. Faith Smith, dau. of Lawrence Smith and Jane Regan.

7. 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. Thomas Harris 290 ac. IOW, on the Maherin River and both sides of Herbert’s Branch adj. Edward Brantley (son of Phillip and Joyce Lewis), and William Simmons line, March 24, 1725. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).

8. Joshua Harris. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr., John Westbrooke (estate appraised by William Parson). Joshua Claud was the son of Philip Claud, whose exor. (1773) was Jeremiah Drew, and br. of Newitt Claud. 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.

8. 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 (3) and Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Hester Pitt (the Bartholomew Owen connection). This Thomas Harris d. in 1761, and has been confused with a namesake, who d. in 1770, as a result of a shared connection to Abraham Greene, which was coincidental to Abraham marrying into the kinship group of Thomas Harris, d. 1761.

9. 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.

10. Henry Harris, b. ca. 1780, d. 1850, m. Nancy Nichols.

11. 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 of James Harris, son.

12. James Harris (1842-1924), Mary Jane Dowling.

13. John Harris.

14. … Harris. His test results with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males, and with a descendant of Jehu Herring.

13. Nora Pearl Harris, b, 1884, m. Mowbria A. Anderson.

14. Marius Lumon Anderson, m. Wynunnee McCamie, of Middlesboro, Kentucky, both buried there.

15. Cosette Anderson, m. Royce D. Myers.

16. Marjorie Ann Myers Reagan, Hartford, Ala. (to whom many thanks are extended for her substantial contribution about Solomon Harris and his descendants); a 16th generation descendant of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

copyright m stanhope 2019

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

By this criteria, the family of Solomon Harris were originally of Wiveliscombe. They evidence a clear ‘continuation of association’ between the same Somerset families. Of a Harris family of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, a proven member of which (fifth in descent from Solomon Harris), was tested by Family Tree DNA; his results being:

13 23 14 11 13 14 11 14 11 12 11 28 16 7 9 8 11 23 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 10 10 19 21 14 14 16 20 35 37 12 10

I am assured that such results indicate him to be a member of Harris Group 4. Therefore, all men living today with the same Harris Group 4 Y-DNA profile presumably share a common male-line ancestor with him in Somerset and/or early Virginia.

Wiveliscombe abuts Taunton, from whence a family of Herring, intermarried with that of Harris, making this observation by Nick Wormley of some relevance:
“On Family Tree DNA’s chart of Harris Group 4 testees, who all appear to be descended through a male line/lines from Harris ancestors in Somerset, is a man with the surname Herring. He says his earliest-traced ancestor was Jehu Herring, born Feb. 25th 1830 in North Carolina.

Mr Herring has been tested as far as 111 STR markers. Genetically, he is a perfect Group 4 Harris, with no differences at all to the Harris Group 4 mode (ie. average STR result among 52 testees).

His test result numbers are identical to those of a descendant of Solomon Harris, which only go as far as 37 markers, but that is quite sufficient to show that they both stem from a shared family root within a timescale relevant to genealogy, and very probably post-medieval”.

(Test results for a descendant of Jehu Herring:
13 23 14 11 13 14 11 14 11 12 11 28 16 7 9 8 11 23 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 10 10 19 21 14 14 16 20 35 37 12 10).

“All of the Harris Group 4 testees’ results are very closely similar indeed, and in a number of cases identical. The greatest variation amongst this DNA grouping is that a few men have three markers where a random natural mutation has occurred.
There is no honestly-realistic method of using this knowledge to gauge, scientifically, exactly when a Harris-Herring relationship came about, as, sadly, whatever is claimed to the contrary, DNA cannot be that specific in terms of date when two families merged, because the key word is “random”.

More advanced DNA tests, analysing SNPs instead of STRs, currently lead to the same generalised conclusion that every man who has Harris Group 4 DNA shares a mutual, male-lineage ancestor, not all that long ago in historical terms. Ten Group 4s, so far, have been SNP tested and slightly surprisingly, their results are all the same; no significant natural random mutations have happened since they were one family.
This closeness of group results, without any aberrations found to date, suggests to me that all tested Group 4s’ common ancestor might well have lived in Virginia in the 17th century. It is quite possible, I think, that perhaps he lived a little earlier, maybe in 16th century Somerset, but I feel it would be pretty surprising if it was any earlier than 1460.

There are four other non-Harris surnames who also have Harris of Somerset” DNA.
A Mr. Allen believes his earliest-traced ancestor was Harris Allen, born 1760 in Charles City County, Virginia. He is a perfect Harris 4 genetic match.
A Mr. Tyner, almost-perfect 1@ 37 match, thinks his earliest known ancestor was William Henry Tiner, 1847, MS.

The others are a Mr. Willits and Mr Whiteside, unknown origin, but very close matches indeed to Harris Group 4 generally. Their male Harris ancestry might possibly lie anywhere in the past several centuries, although any of these people’s Harris connections might be as recent as 100 years ago, or even less”.

(For the Herring branch of Harris, see appendix 1).

The epicentre which this Harris family circled was that of Bennett – the family of Governor Richard Bennett of Virginia, which I have detailed many times. Essentially, an up-and-coming tanner from a small Somerset village advantageeously married into the influential Edney family. Four of their offspring (Thomas, John, Edward, and Eleanor) had descendants that significantly impacted on the colonisation of Virginia. From Eleanor Bennett, and her husband, Richard Harris, descended all Harris Group 4 males; which is to say that all Harris Group 4 males descend from Richard’s father William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe.

William may be presumed to have been born ca. 1535, and his noted connection to Glastonbury (per register) suggests him to have been of the family of Thomas Harris, of Mells (born 1494, per deposition); a tenant of the Dyer family’s estates once held by Glastonbury Abbey. (Harreis v Dyer. Plaintiffs: Thomas Harreis. Defendants: Sir Thomas Dyer. Subject of decree: Customary land in the manor of Greinton, Somerset, involving alleged conventual lease by abbot of Glastonbury; dismission. Nov 19, 1554. (C 78/13/43).

A contemporary of this Thomas Harris was a John Harris, ancestor of those Harris of Cheddar/Wedmore (directly 25 mls S.W. of Wiveliscombe), much connected to the Counsell family. The question becomes: What, if any, relation was Thomas Harris, b. 1494, to John Harris, ancestor of the Harris of Cheddar/Wedmore? The circumstantiality of shared associations to Glastonbury, reinforced by descendants close affinity in Virginia, suggests a reasonably close relationship.
(For this particular branch of Harris, see appendix 2).

ANCESTRY OF SOLOMON HARRIS

I include in this account another notice of the Bennetts, in that relationships to them defined who the Harris were. The Bennetts intermarried with the Blands, and this combination accounted for much of the trade in Virginia tobacco. Families perceived much advantage in marrying into these families, and, by their association with them, to the Harris; and those familial with them – the Blakes and Westbrooks. Such associations, commencing in 16th century Somerset, flowed ‘downstream’ to 18th century Virginia, surrounding those associated with Solomon Harris, as will clearly be shown hereinafter.

For those familiar with my accounts of the Bennetts, it is only necessary to commence reading at the notice of Eleanor Bennett (notation 1.5).
(For her siblings (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4), and their central importance to the shaping of the Bennett/Harris kinship group in Virginia, see appendix 3).

1.5. Eleanor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe, son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe. The Westbrookes had a continuous association in Virginia with their Wiveliscombe kin, the Blakes, Harris, and Forts.

Suffice it to say that Dorothy Westbrooke’s br. was the ancestor John Westbrooke, who m. Amy Foster, dau. of Christopher Foster, and Alice Forte (desc. of Elias Forte, of Wiveliscombe, who witnessed the Will of William Groves, with John Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1672); son of Christopher Foster and Elizabeth Barker, whose eldest son, John, was the father of Sarah Foster, who m. Walter Gilliam; their dau., Lydia Gilliam, m. John Watkins; their dau., Millie Watkins, m. Solomon Harris.

He was the son of Thomas Harris and Sarah Goodwin (granddau. of Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger (business partner of Thomas, d. 1672, and his br., Richard Harris), and Hester Pitt; she of the family associated with Bartholomew Owen. Thomas Harris, husband of Sarah Goodwin, was the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

(For an account of the Westbrooke association with a family of Barker ( which traded in tobacco with “Mr. John Bland & Company”, as Thomas Harris, d. 1677), and Foster, see appendix 4).

1.5.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. He and Thomas Tooke were overseers of the Will of William Ridley, with Charles Barham (William Ridley’s br-in-law) being the executor, whose sister was the wife of Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10, kinsman of Thomas Harris.

Judith Blake was the sister of William Blake; he the ancestor of Thomas Blake. Thomas Blake to (br.-in-law) Joshua Claud, March 8, 1753, 290 ac. adj. the north side of Cocklins Pocoson and sd. Claud. Wit. Thomas Blake, John Person, Thomas Day (familial to the Bennetts), and Joshua Harris. (pp. 463-466). Joshua Harris was the brother of Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, grandfather of Solomon Harris.

Thomas Blake, Will R. Feb. 12, 1789. Wit. Burwell Westbrooke, p. 296. The family of Person most likely descended from James Persons of Wiveliscombe, Will probated Jan. 15, 1589 (Nat. Arch. 11/73/206).

The same derivation probably applies to the families of Body (Nat. Arch. C 1/1331/39-40), Bond: Assignment of the remainder of a 99 year lease by Elizabeth I to George Bond, citizen and alderman of London, of the manor of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and its attached lands, paying £80 yearly to Thomas Godwin, bishop of Bath and Wells. Aug 2, 1586. Nat. Arch. E 355/129); Dyer: Will of Robert Dyer of Wiveliscombe. 1641, Nat. Arch. 11/185/170); Hill (Nat. Arch. C 3/93/16); Lancaster (Nat. Arch. E 178/1979); and Vinson (Will of Mary Vinson of Wiveliscombe, Nat. Arch. 11/197/233).

(For a continuation of association between the families of Blake, Fort, Harris, and Westbrooke, see appendix 5).

1.5.1.1. John Harris.
1.5.1.1.1. John Harris, m. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church.
1.5.1.1.1.1. Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt. (Of the family interm. with that of Robert Owen, merchant of Bristol).
1.5.1.1.1.2. (Half sister) Alice Harris, m. Thomas Fiveash. Edward Symes (of the family of the Fulgham landlords), m. (2) Susannah Champion, widow, Oct. 12, 1676, in Bath. Edward’s br., James Symes, was the grandfather of Robert Symes, who m. (1719) Phillis Fort, in Virginia, her first husband being Francis Fiveash, whose nephew, Thomas Fiveash, m. (1712) Alice Harris, dau. of John Harris. (B. 7, p. 288).

This Phillis Fort was the dau. of Elias Fort Sr., sister of Elias Fort Jr., whose estate was appraised by Edward Brantley, John Britt, William Baldwin, and Edward Champion. R. April 9, 1679. Elias Fort Jr. had issue: (1) Alice Fort, who m. Christopher Foster. (2) Holiday Fort, who m. Mary Flake.

1.5.1.2. Thomas Harris. There is no proof that it was his line ending in heirs female. Some Harris researchers believe him to be the Thomas Harris who d. in 1688.

1.5.2. Edward Harris, held land of Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.5.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677. Edward Bechinoe appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677; his dau., Alice, m. Robert Kae, of Bristol. She m. (2) John Goodrich.
1.5.2.1.1. Edward Harris (possibly). It is not known whether Edward, d. 1677, had any male issue, but, if so, a son and namesake may have been a neighbour of his second-cousins, Henry and Thomas Harris: Edward Harris, 180 acs., Is. of Wight Co; N. side of Maherin Riv; on W. side the Flat Sw; cor. of Henry Harris; Sept. 17, 1731, p. 352. There is no written record in the public domain that shows this (possible) Edward to be a br. of the said Henry and Thomas.

1.5.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677. “At a Court at Westover, Feb. 7, 1789: ‘Mrs. Sarah Bland proves her letter of atty. from her husband, Mr. Jno. Bland of London. John Hardeway John Ekoll on behalf of the orphans of Thos. Harris, dec’d., agst. Mr. Jno. Bland for 700 lbs. tob. owed for an ox which debt Mrs. Sarah Bland (aforementioned) confesses to’. (The Blands, as hereinafter fully given, to repeat, were kin of the Harris of Wiveliscombe).

1.5.3. John Harris. (Thos. Crosby his servts, Wm. Rider, Wm. Ridly, Rich. Childs, Robt. Phelps, Edward Evans, Jon. Bennett (cousin of the Harris brothers), Wm. Barker, Charles White.

I Sir John Harvey Knight doe give and grount unto Arthur Bayly and Thomas Crosby Eight hundred acres in the Countie of Henrico, bounded S. upon the land of Samuell Allmond, W. upon the river, N. towards the Falls, and E. into the woods The said land being due unto them for the transportacon of sixteen persons into this Colony whose names are in the records, dated the 16th of January 1637. Arthur Bayly his servants, Jonas Bowers, Wm. Calfe, Jon. Duch (Duke), Wm. Greene, Mary Doubly, Tho. Busby, Jon. Harris.

(Arthur Bayly m. Mary Jordan, who m. (2) Christopher Foster Sr. By Mary Jordan he had issue, Edward Bayley (by deposition, b. 1655, and a legatee in the Will of his uncle, George Jordan), who, on July 6, 1680, acted as surety for Ann, widow of James Sowerby, who m. (2) James Jordan, p. 110; son of Thomas Jordan, as follows.

His Will was probated Dec. 13, 1736, naming daus., Mary, the wife of Samuell Briggs, and Sarah, wife of Benjamin Andrews, whose “friend”, John Simmons Jr., (son of William Simmons; neighbour of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30) was exor. of his will in 1736, and his son, Edward Bayly Jr., who was exor. of Joseph Seat, in 1738, p. 90 (probably in the capacity of br.-in-law); his Will naming dau., Mary Rose, wife of Henry Rose, son of William Rose and the relict of Thomas Jordan, who appraised the estate of Elias Fort Jr., with John Sowerby, and Nicholas Proctor, p. 593.

Samuell Briggs was the son of Henry Briggs and Mary Flood, relict of (1) Thomas Blunt, and mother of Richard Blunt, d. 1709, (2) John Washington. In 1662, George Jordan and Mary (Flood) Washington, witnessed James Mills’ bond to Robert Spencer (“friend of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Mary (Flood) Briggs and Nathaniel Knight witnessed (in 1664) James Mills’ bond that relinquished his rights to the property of his wife, Fortune. Richard Blunt’s son, Thomas, deeded (1667) to Edward Drew land held by his father, which had been held by Richard Harris, until Thomas came of age.

(1. Simmons, John, Jr. of Surry. Land grant Oct. 13, 1727. Brunswick Co.: 312 ac. on the north side of the Great Creek. Near a branch of Roses brook…. corner of John Rose’s land, p. 178.
1.1. Ann Simmons, m. Edmund Ruffin, son of Robert Ruffin jr. and a dau. of John Watkins, whose sister m. William Kinchin, br.-in-law of Philip Raiford, and br. of (1) Mathew Kinchen; (2) Sarah Kinchen, wife of James Goodwin, 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., as given, was the father of Sarah Goodwin, wife of Thomas Harris, father of Solomon Harris).

An account of the aforementioned (the Harris kinship network), is to show what appears to be a mass of unexplicably connected families is anything but that; it was, very sinply, a consequence of ‘up-river’ connections to the Bennett/Bland family that flowed ‘downstream’, as this ‘continuation of association’ shows:

(3) Elizabeth Kinchen, who m. Jacob Norfleet. Edmund Ruffin’s mother m. (2) Richard Cocke, having issue: Lucy Cocke, who m. William Ruffin, of Rich Neck, Surrey Co., whose first wife was Jane Bland, dau. of Theodoric Bland (and Ann Bennett, kinswoman of the Wiveliscombe Harris brothers), br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia, father of Giles Bland, d. 1677, whose attorney was Robert Kae, of Bristol, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

William Kinchin, m. Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Prime, dau. of Edward Prime and Ann, relict of Peter Ridley. Elizabeth Prime was the half-sister, thus, of (1) Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham, whose sister, Ann, m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; (2) William Ridley. Mr. Charles Barham Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tooke overseers, witnessed the Will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.

Nathaniel Ridley Sr. was probably the br. of Elizabeth and William. His son, Nathaniel Ridley Jr., m. Priscilla Applewhaite, sister of Thomas Applewhaite, who m. Elizabeth Fulgham. John Westbrook – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr., Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook; signed by John Person. R. Oct. 28, 1734. John Westbrooke m. Amy Foster, dau. of Christopher Foster, and Alice Forte, desc. of Elias Forte.

William Kinchin was the exor. of the Will of John Gibbins, proved Sept. 25, 1721, IOW, in which a number of Harris are named: Henry Harris, Matthew Harris, Thomas Harris, the son of Edward Harris, Robert Harris. The Thomas of the Gibbin Will was most likely to be the son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of Edward Harris Jr., whose Will was proved Sept. 22, 1740, witnessed by Nathaniel Ridley Jr).

William Barker aforesaid has been confounded with a namesake. He was likely related to the John Barker, of Bristol, mariner, who m. (2) Mary, dau. of John Fownes (Fones), merchant, of Bristol. Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10, kinsman of the Harris brothers, had issue, Richard Bennett, whose son, William, was the father of Ann Bennett, a beneficiary in the Will of Mathew Fones (1704), witnessed by Philip Pardoe, who witnessed the Will of Martha, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Philip Pardoe’s estate was appraised by John Brantley. Mathew Fones witnessed the Will of George Hardy (1704). Richard Bennett’s son, James Bennett, witnessed the Will of Joseph Bridger (prob. Apr. 9, 1685), business partner of Thomas and Richard Harris.

1.5.4. Richard Harris. Richard Drew, d. after Apr. 4, 1679, Surry Co., bequeathed to son Edward 400 ac. next to Capt Ba(r)ker, to son John land at Blount’s 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. To my son, Edward Drew, 400 ac. bounding upon Richard Harris and Captain Ba(r)ker. Son, Thomas, executor. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. Mar. 3, 1672, Surry Co.

Rich’d Harris of Lawnes Creek Parish, Surry Co., planter, in consideration of marriage formerly had between Walter Taylor & Mary s’d wife of s’d Walter one of my daus. etc. grants to Walter Taylor 100 ac. now in possession of Walter of Lawnes Creek Parish, part of a tract formerly patented by me Richard Harris and Rich’d Drew bounding E. on Rich’d Drew, N on Mr. Arthur Allen (of Bristol), formerly belonging to one Rich’d Blunt dec’d. Wit. Geo. Proctor, Wm. Sherwood. The Will of Nathaniel Knight, “Chirugeon”, named his Goddaughter, Mary Proctor, dau. of “Mr. George Proctor”. This George Proctor had issue: George Proctor, bapt. April 14, 1634, in Pitminster; 10 miles from Wiveliscombe, who had issue: Joshua Proctor, b. ca. 1658, who m. Katherine Owen, dau. of Bartholomew Owen, whose mother was of a family of Knight, as given by me elsewhere.

A survey of the land of Capt. Thomas Adams and Roger Delk decd., wit. Thomas Culmer (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), Richard Harris, Richard Drew. Dec. 22, 1662, p. 205.

Walter Taylor appraised the estate of Mary Long, July 4, 1682, mother of George Long, p. 309, and Arthur Long, who m. Mary , probable da. of ‘Arthur Allen of Bristol, planter’; their issue being Arthur Long, whose estate was appraised by William and John Blunt, and Cordall Norfleet. R. June 8, 1769.

Arthur Long Jr. appraised the estate of John Harris, with Cordall Norfleet and Henry Crafford. R. 10 Jan. 1765. John Harris, Arthur Long, and William Bynum appraised the estate of Robert Crocker. R. Jan. 10, 1750. William Bynum was the son of a namesake, who witnessed the will of his father-in-law, John Fort, on Oct. 21, 1724, in Surry Co. In 1730, he witnessed Mary Fort’s discharge of dower in land conveyed by her husband, John Fort, Jr. to Davis Hopper on the Moratock in Bertie Precinct. (Bertie Co. D.B. C, p. 252).

Thomas Norfleet, m. Ruth Blunt, dau. of John Blunt and Ann … Their dau., Elizabeth, m. James Harris, in Halifax Co. NC. Thomas Norfleet’s nephew, Joseph, was the father of Cordall Norfleet, b. ca. 1735 in Nansemond Co.; d. 1788 in Southampton Co. His mistress was Ann Bynum, dau. of William Bynum, whose exors were William and John Blunt. R. Jan. 10, 1774. Wit. James Day Ridley (of Bennett ancestry). William and John Blunt were named as “friends” of Benjamin Harris; Will rec. April 10, 1774, naming son Benjamin, his son, West, sons Absolom and Hardy (bequest tract bought from John Person. Wit. William Blunt, William Harris. The estate account of Joshua Harris was administered by Jesse Harris, and audited by Hardy Harris. R. Sept. 9, 1779, p. 286.

Benjamin Harris, d. 1774, was a son of Henry Harris (and Mary Drew, granddau of Edward Drew); br. of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, father of Joshua and Thomas Harris, father of Solomon Harris. The John Harris associated with Cordall Norfleet may have been Benjamin’s brother.

1. John Crews, d. bef. 1684, IOW. 1.1. … Crews, m. Mary Tooke. 1.2. Susannah Crews, d. aft. 1704, m. Richard Blunt, Sr. 1.2.1. Richard Blunt, Jr. m. Mary Browne, dau. of Wm. Brown and … Briggs. 1.2.1.1. John Blunt, Sr. b. 1712 IOW, d. 1751, m. Ann …1.2.1.1.1. John Blunt. 1.2.1.1.2. William Blunt. 1.2.1.1.3. Alice Blunt, m. Thomas Joyner, 1756, in NC.

1.5.4.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624 (nephew of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; uncle of Edward Harris, d. 1677, and Thomas Harris, d. 1677). He m. Unity … Security by Samuel Lancaster, William Chambers and John Harris (her son) on the estate of Unity Harris, deceased. John Harris was a headright of Thomas Busby. Thomas Busby, 475 ac. Upper Chippoakes Cr. Sept. 22, 1682; trans. Robert Atkins, Elizabeth Bond; John Harris, Robert West, (n.b.) William West. 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. He was probably the son of his namesake, associated with Richard Harris, as given.

Thomas Busby’s son and namesake m. Mary Simmons (William Simmon’s sister), by 1688, and d. in 1723 (executor, Henry Peebles, witness William Peebles). John Harris probably m. either (1) a dau. of Thomas Busby; a sister of Grace Busby, who. m. John Barker Jr.; their dau., Elizabeth Barker, m. Christopher Foster, br. of George Foster. (2) A sister of John Barker Jr. On April 20,1680. John Barker was the br. of Joell and Jethro Barker, the father of (1) George Barker.

George Barker, John Peebles and wf. Agnis Peebles of Brunswick Co. to William Scarbrough of Surry Co. … 245 acs. on north side of Otterdam Sw. and bounded by Thomas Cotten and Jethro Barker (being land given to Agnis Peebles, wf. of the sd John Peebles, Mary Peebles, and Elizabeth Barker, the daus. of George Barker, by the will of Jethro Barker, decd. R. Oct. 17, 1750. (B. 6, p. 124).

(2) Henry Barker. Joseph Ford and wife, Mary Ford, to Henry Barker of Isle of Wight Co. … 80 ac. Wit: Henry Tooker and Thomas Drew. Rec. 6 March 6, 1701, p. 224. Thomas Blunt, “only son of Richard Blunt being of age deeded” 300 ac. to Thomas Drew, March 1, 1677. The Will of William Newitt, probated Oct. 21, 1713, mentioned wife Elizabeth; Frances, mother of Newitt Drew, and grandsons Newitt Edwards, Wm Edwards, Newitt Drew and Thomas Drew (br. of Edward).

“Thomas George the son of Isaac George (cousin of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672) decd. is bound to Mr. Thomas Drew till hee shall arrive to the age of twenty one years”. Isaac George was the br. of Rebecca Pardoe, wife of Philip Pardoe. To repeat: Richard Bennett, d. 1709/10 (see app. 3), kinsman of the Harris brothers, had issue, Richard Bennett, whose son, William, was the father of Ann Bennett, a beneficiary in the Will of Mathew Fones (1704), witnessed by Philip Pardoe, who witnessed the Will of Martha, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Philip Pardoe’s estate was appraised by John Brantley. Mathew Fones witnessed the Will of George Hardy (1704). Richard Bennett’s son, James Bennett, witnessed the Will of Joseph Bridger (prob. Apr. 9, 1685), business partner of Thomas and Richard Harris. Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. Mar. 3, 1672, Surry Co.; his granddau. m. Joshua Harris, as follows.

1.5.4.1.1. John Harris, estate admon, John Barker and Patrick Lashley. Feb. 11, 1698. (B. 5. p. 165). Sept. 19, 1744. 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, p. 76.
1.5.4.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1709/10. (B. 5, p. 224). Robert Lancaster Sr. and Nicholas Sessums witnessed the Will of Henry Ba(r)ker, dated April 27, 1701. Nicholas Sessom’s dau. was Mary Blake, wife of William Blake, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.5.4.1.3. William Harris, m. Elizabeth … Elizabeth Harris, widow, estate admon. by (eldest son) Henry Harris. R. June 16, 1711. Wit. John Barker, Thomas Cotton. (B. 6, p. 52).
1.5.4.1.3.1. Henry Harris, 280 acs., Is. of Wight Co; on S. side of the Flatt Swamp; June 16, 1727, p. 77. 30 Shill. Edward Drew of Nottoway Parish. “Leg. granddaughter Mary Harris, wife of Henry Harris”.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1. Benjamin Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.1. Benjamin Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.1.1. West Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2. Absolom Harris, m. Elizabeth Tarver, dau. of Andrew Tarver and Elizabeth Jordan, desc. of George Jordan Sr. and Mary Browne, 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, br. of John Barker and Jethro Barker of this account.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Wiley Blount.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2. Henry Harris, b. May 15, 1781, Greenville Co., VA; d. Dec. 24, 1858.; bur. Greenville City Cemetery Greenville, Meriwether Co., Georgia. He m. Mary Harris, b. Feb. 18, 1792, Hancock Co., Georgia; d. there Sept. 6, 1817; dau. of Samuel Harris, b. 1754, Frederick Co., Maryland, d. November 29, 1829, Shoulderbone, Hancock Co., Georgia (Harris Cemetery on Jeter Place).
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1. Benjamin Tarpley Harris, b. March 18, 1813, Sparta, Hancock, Georgia, d. there Feb. 28, 1872; m. Judith …
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1.1. Henry Harris, b. October 20, 1841, Sparta, Georgia; d. there July 29, 1909; m. Amelia, b. June 22, 1849; Jan. 20, 1923
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1.1.1. Benjamin Tarpley Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1.1.2. Charles Henry Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1.1.3. Emory Harris.

1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.1.2. Claudia Harris, b. Sept. 8, 1847, d. August 1, 1873, m. (n.b.) David Dickson, b. July 6, 1809, Hancock Ga; d. there Feb. 18, 1885.
1.5.4.1.3.1.1.2.2.2. William Terrel Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.1.3. Hardy Harris, audited estate of Joshua Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

1.5.4.1.3.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. As given, his estate was appraised by Edward Brantley (nephew of Edward Brantley Sr.), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris. Thomas Harris 290 ac. IOW, on the Maherin River and both sides of Herbert’s Branch adj. Edward Brantley (son of Phillip and Joyce Lewis), and William Simmons line, March 24, 1725. In his Will, Thomas names a brother, Henry Harris, son Joshua, and also an ‘unborn child wife now goes with’. (Thomas).

(1. Thomas Thorpe, d. 1711 in IOW Co. m. (1) bef. 1686, Martha Jennings, d. 1702, dau. of John Jennings, Clerk of Court of IOW Co. and Mary Seward. The son and namesake of John Jennings m. Mary, dau. of Silvestra Hill (dau. of Edward Bennett), cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1. Sarah Thorpe (by first wife), m. (1) William George, son of John George, thus kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.2. John Thorpe, apraisee of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/1730).

William Simmons was a son of William Simmons, d. Oct. 21, 1693, and Elizabeth: Will of Elizabeth Simmons: I give & bequeath unto my son Wm Simons my two old negroes named Cane & Bess his wife but their labour for the keeping of Mary Haviland until my son Wm. Simmons be of full age & then to be delivered unto him & all their increase since my Husband dyed. I give & bequeath unto my loveing friend Mr. George ffoster my two daughters Eliza & Sarah Simmons whereof I do make my hole & Sole Excrof this my last Will & Testament. Proved March 2, 1697. B. 5, p. 119.

1.5.4.1.3.2.1. 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 (to repeat again, business partner of Richard and Thomas Harris), and Hester Pitt (the Bartholomew Owen connection). This Thomas Harris d. in 1761, and has been confused with a namesake, who d. in 1770, as a result of a shared connection to Abraham Greene, which was coincidental to Abraham marrying into the kinship group of Thomas Harris, d. 1761:

Surry Co., B. 2., p. 168: Indenture between Thomas Blunt, only son of Richard Blunt of Surry Co., deceased, and Thos. Drew, son of Richard Drew, both of said county. Whereas 3000 ac. was granted to Robert Warren, dec., a patent dated August 6, 1649, Robert Warren sold to Richard Blunt, by assignment of patent April 2,1650. It went to Thomas Blunt, who, at the death of his father, was under age, and Richard Harris held the same (as guardian), and now sells 300 ac. to Thos. Drew. Thomas Blunt’s son, Richard Blunt, d. April 17, 1747, in Surry Co., m. Anne Edwards, bef. 1727. Their son’s widow m. (2) Abraham Greene; the stepfather of Sara Blunt (1759-1835), who m. Mills Goodwin, of Cherry Grove, Nansemond, in 1786; the son of Thomas Goodwin, and descended from Col. Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger. Richard Harris may have been the br.-in-law of Richard Blunt.

1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1. 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:

(1. Philip Foster, d. bef. Nov. 23, 1672. 1.1. Philip Foster; gave power of attorney to William Sherwood in 1682. 1.2. Christopher Foster, m. Mary, dau. of George Jordan and Mary Bailey, bef. 1649. (The Jordan association was through Edward Bennett). 1.2.1. Christopher Foster (Will probated July 18, 1718)), m. Elizabeth Barker, dau. of John Barker and Grace Busby. He was the son of John Barker (and Letitia Drew), who patented 600 ac. on Chippokee 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, Wit: Frances Blande. R. Oct. 26, 1658.

(In essence, most of this kinship group traded in tobacco with the Blands, kin of the Bennetts and Harris).

1.2.1.1. John Foster, eldest son (B. 6, p. 72), m. Mary Fort. John Foster: Leg – eldest son Christopher, son John, land adj. Charles Barham, p. 141. 1.2.1.1.1. Sarah Foster, m. Walter Gilliam. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Lydia Gilliam, m. (n.b.) John Watkins. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Millie Watkins, m. Solomon Harris. 1.2.1.2. Christopher Foster, m. Alice Fort, Mary’s sister. 1.2.1.2.1. Amy Foster, m. John Westbrooke, whose Will is rec. in Southamton Co. W.B. 1, p. 391, Aug. 13, 1761. 1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Foster, m. John Watts. 1.2.1.3.1. Agatha Watts, m. James George, great-grandson of John George, uncle of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.2.2. George Foster).

1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1. Henry Harris, b. ca. 1780, d. 1850, m. Nancy Nichols.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1. 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 of James Harris, son.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1. James Harris (1842-1924), Mary Jane Dowling.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. … Harris.
His test results with Family Tree DNA:

13 23 14 11 13 14 11 14 11 12 11 28 16 7 9 8 11 23 16 20 29 12 14 15 15 10 10 19 21 14
14 16 20 35 37 12 10

1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Zachariah Harris, b. 1873.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.3. Fletcher Harris born 1875, m. … Peters.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.4. Elizabeth Harris, b, 1878, m. James Irving. Hagler.

1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.5. Nora Pearl Harris, b, 1884, m. Mowbria A. Anderson.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1. Marius Lumon Anderson, m. Wynunnee McCamie, of Middlesboro, Kentucky, both buried there.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.1. Cosette Anderson, m. Royce D. Myers.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.1.1. Marjorie Ann Myers Reagan, Hartford, Ala. To whom many thanks are extended for her substantial contribution about Solomon Harris and his descendants.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.1.5.1.2. Geraldine Eveline Anderson, m. Hubert Brannon, Hartford Ala.

1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.2. John Harris, what of his male line descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.3. Henry Harris, what of his male line descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.4. Joseph Harris, what of his male line descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.5. William Harris, what of his male line descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.6. Elizabeth Harris, what of her descendants, and those of her sisters?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.7. Elinor Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.8. Martha Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.1.9. Mary Harris.
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.2. John Fletcher Harris, b. ca.1820, in Mecklenburg Co., NC; d. ca. 1884, in Falls Co., Texas. He m. Elizabeth Arabella McCain, ca. 1845, in Union Co., NC. What of his descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.3. John F. Harris, lived in Marshall Co., Mississippi, at the time of Henry’s deeds of gift, 1848. (Union County, NC, Deed Book 2). What of his descendants?
1.5.4.1.3.2.1.1.1.4. Eleanor Harris, b. ca. 1810 in Mecklenburg Co., NC.; m. Hugh Baskin McCain, ca. 1830, in Mecklenburg Co. What of her descendants?

APPENDICES

1.

TAUNTON HARRIS GROUP 4
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 Harris, m. (n.b.) Alice Christmas, Oct. 3, 1598; their son, Christopher Harris, m. Joan Parsons, Jan. 19, 1623. A John Christmas was bapt. Nov. 22, 1640, in Taunton; son of John.

John Harris, husband of Agnes White, was very likely closely related to William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbroke on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, 10 mls from Taunton. Thus, the boundaries of one adjoined the other – making for ‘neighbours either side of the hedge’.

1.1.2. Thomas Clarke, bapt. Dec. 3, 1637.
1.1.3. Mary Clarke, bapt. Aug. 30, 1640, m. Richard Tucker, Sept. 7, 1658.
1.2. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Gillett, Feb. 1638. 1.2.1. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Herring, Dec. 25, 1663, she bapt. June 30, 1650, in Taunton, dau. of Henry, son of John Herring and Eleanor Parsons, who m. Nov. 25, 1626, in Bishops Hull, 1½ mile W. of Taunton. Henry was probably closely related to William Herring, who m. (n.b.) Mary Proctor, April 25, 1655, in Bishops Hull. John Herring was probably the son of John Herring and Tamsin Harris, who m. April 11, 1608, in Bishops Hull.
I suggest that Anthony Herring was of this family:

1. Anthony Herring, d. 1744 in Bertie Co.; in 1718 bought 150 ac. from Benjamin Joyner on Blackwater Swamp, br. of Martha Joyner who m. Thomas Turner. He m. Rebecca West, dau. of William West* (fellow transportee of Thomas Busby, with john Harris, as given), and Rebecca Bracewell. 1.1. John Herring B. 3, p. 19. April 5, 1720, Chowan Pct.: held land. adj. Wm. West and Robert Turner. 1.1.1. Simon Herring. Granted 200 ac. in Johnston Co. NC (B. 4, p. 1043). October 2, 1751, Granted 600 ac. in Duplin Co. NC. 1.1.1.1. Captain Simon Herring, listed in the Johnston Regiment of Foot; m. his cousin, Rachel. 1.1.1.1.1. Susanna Herring, m. John Harris, in Wayne Co., NC., his Will pr. Nov. 1824. *The general ‘West’ connection to the Harris family, for him see previous notes.

William Harriss of Wayne Co, NC, for 16 pounds, to Simon Herring of Wayne, for L150 on the south side of the Neuse River, betw. Sleepy Creek head, and Horsepen Branch, adj. Samuel Herring, (n.b.) … Dickson, which was patented to Enoch Price on Nov. 18, 1802, and transferred by deed to Wm. Harriss on Jan. 12, 1805. Witnesses: James Herring and Joseph Herring. In 1823/24, James Herring was executor of the Will of John Harris Sr., and was appointed guardian of his daughters in 1835.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris. Wayne Co, B. 12, p. 536: John Harris, Sr., deed of gift to son William Harris, excepting a lifetime estate for self and after his death, for the support of all his children except son John, and for the support of his wife Sukey, during her widowhood, Jan. 9, 1823. In 1805, James Herring and Joseph Herring witnessed a deed of William Harris to Simon Herring.

(1. William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817.
1.1. William Harris.
1.2. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring.
1.2.1. John Harris, m. (cousin) Elizabeth Herring, probable aunt of Jehu Herring, the adoptee.
1.3. Daniel Harris, m. Abbe Sanders, in Duplin Co., Apr. 21, 1801).

1.2. Abraham Herring, m. Mary Williams. B. D., p. 276: John Herring to Abraham Herring, May 10 1736, L100 for 380 ac. on s side of ‘Bear Swamp’, part of patent granted to John Herring on Aug. 10, 1720, witnessed by Robert Warren and Simon Herring.
1.2.1. Daniel Herring. The Will of John Tomlin (son of Mathew Tomlin*) was witnessed by Daniel Herring, John Harris, & Martha Tomlin. R. Feb. 6, 1752. Mary Fulgham’s Will, recorded Feb. 7, 1760, mentioned her br. John Fulgham, cousin Anthony Fulgham Jr., and was witnessed by Daniel Herring and Ann Harris (see previous notes). *Of a family that m. into the Harris family of Mells.
1.3. Samuel Herring.
1.3.1. Anthony Herring.
1.3.1.1. Phereby Herring; d. 1817 in Wayne Co., m. Joshua Grantham (b. Aug. 21, 1740 in Surry Co.; d. Nov. 6, 1781, in Wayne Co.), son of Edward Grantham, d. in Dobbs Co., ca. 1760, and Catherine Proctor, dau. of Joshua Proctor and Katherine Owen, dau. of Bartholomew Owen.

2.

A contemporary of this Thomas Harris was a John Harris, who 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. Edyth my dau. my best kyrtell. Crystyan Taber a flaning petycote and a smocke.

Their son, Richard, was the father of John Harris, of Wedmore, who 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), niece of Mary Coomer, who m. John Counsell Sr. (bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore), on Nov. 26, 1631.

John Counsell and Mary Coomer had issue: John Counsell Jr., who m. 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. (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.

John Counsell Sr. was the br. of Robert Counsell, whose dau., Margery, m. John Hodges, ca. 1610, parents of Hodges Counsell Sr. His son, 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) Deborah Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr. 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.

*Husband of Mary Coomer, ‘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. Bodie, p. 562); step-mother of Ann Izard, who m. (2) Michael Fulgham; their issue: Michael Fulgham, who m. Mary Pitt (of the Bristol Pitts); Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Counsell (son of Hodges Counsell Jr.); Ann Fulgham. who m. (Mr. Bodie conjectured), Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

This John Gardner was the uncle of Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits/Tibbot, May 1678, in Cheddar, sister 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.

A Richard Tibbot (certainly of the same family of George Tibbits/Tibbot (both branches having connections to the family of Counsell), m. Mary Bridger, dau. of Joseph Bridger, and sister of Martha Bridger, who m. Col. Thomas Goodwin, whose granddau., Sara Goodwin, m. Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30.

These very close shered connections between the Thomas Harris, b. 1637 in Cheddar, and the Thomas Harris who d. in 1672 in Virginia, suggests a common ancestry of the not too distant past, augmented by inermarriages into the same families.

Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, and her husband,Thomas Harris Sr., are witnessed here: Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge.* Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford (juxta Wedmore), Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20). *Husband of Hannah Counsell; fairly presumed to be close kin of Hodges Counsell Sr.

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.

3.

1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, in Wivelscombe, Somerset, m. Elizabeth Edney. This simple statement conceals the fact of their respective family’s ‘rising status’.
1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe, m. Ann Spicer, of the Bristol family, connected to the Barkers.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603, in Wiveliscombe; m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623. 1.1.1.1. Alice Bennett, m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie 1150 ac. IOW Co., June 5, 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land, running SSE by Wm. Westwrayer’s land. SW on Mathew Tomlin’s new land. Mathew Tomlin Sr. was the headright (in 1637) of Nathaniel Floyd (IOW), whose relict m. Francis Hobbs, father-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.1.1.1. Lucy Hardy, m. Hodges Councell. 1.1.1.1.2. Deborah Hardy, m. Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.2. … Bennett, m. Richard Jackson, who patented 450 ac. in IOW adjacent to Justinian Cooper. 1.1.1.2.1. Mary Jackson, m. George Hardy (The Hardys were a Dorset family, connected to the port of Bristol by the (Bennett/Bland) Virginia tobacco trade), who patented 500 ac. on July 17, 1648, ‘lying on east side of Lawne’s Creek extending to main river and along the great river to the creek dividing the same from land of Alice Bennett’. On June 19, 1666, he made a deed of land which belonged to his wife Mary, whom he refers to as the ‘daughter of Richard Jackson, dec.’. George Hardy was an appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, as his son-in-law.

1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia; his Will bequesting: To William Yearret (the Quaker, of Bristol), of Pagan Creek and to the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer,* to each of them two thousand pounds of tobacco’. *His dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Richard Bennett’s bequest to “the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer” was probably to a sister or cousin.

1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, m. (of central importance) (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia, father of Giles Bland, d. 1677, whose attorney was Robert Kae, of Bristol, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

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. 170910. His first wife was (circumstantially) Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the will of William Ridley (transportee of Thomas Busby, as John Harris), who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.

1.2.1.1.1. Richard Bennett. 1.2.1.1.1.1. William Bennett, b. ca. 1695, m. Grace van Courtland. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Grace Bennett, b. 1726, m. Green Hill, b. 1714, IOW., witnessed by Richard Hill. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Sarah Hill, b. April 27, 1756 in Northampton Co., NC., m. Lewis Hicks. 1.2.1.1.1.1.2. William Bennett, m. (2) Mary Hardy. 1.2.1.1.2. James Bennett. 1.2.1.1.2.1. William Bennett, d. Apr 21, 1761, m. Mildred …
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Nathaniel Bennett: ‘I, Nathaniel Bennett of Surry County, now in camp at Portsmouth; to my mother Mildred Williams my negro for life and after her death to my brother William Bennett; to my brother William 90 ac. in Surry near Bennett Ridge; remainder of estate to sister Elizabeth Bennett’. Thomas Davis, exr., Sept. 28, 1776. Test: (n.b.) John Watkins, Jr., John Davis, John Judkin, Jr., p. 2. For Judkins, see previous notes.

(The five and twentieth of November 1654 John Watkins, sonne of Richard Watkins ‘late of Brotherden in the County of Herefford, bound to John Vaughan of Bristol merchant* for fower yeeres to the Barbadoes’ (McGrath, v. 19, p. 237, 1955). *Apprentice of Henry Hazard, which informs much.

1.3. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. He received a patent on condition that he settled 200 persons, in association with his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett.
1.3.1. Silvestra Bennett, m. Nicholas Hill (as his second wife and her second husband) when he was advanced in age. Nicholas Hill witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.4. Richard Bennett, 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); grandfather of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

4.

1. John Westbrooke.
1.1. John Westbrooke, m. Margarett Davie, Sept. 19, 1573. The Davie family intermarriages linked into the kinship network of the Harris, Person, and Forte families of Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. John Westbrooke( the recalcitrant), m. Christian Gille, June 9, 1600.
1.1.1.1. John Westbrook, born 1601.
1.1.1.1.1. John Westbrooke, bapt. Feb. 16, 1623.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Westbrook, estate appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr. (husband of Priscilla Applewhaite), Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook, of the Bristol merchant family. Wit. (n.b. Edmund Simmons, grandson of William), John Person. R. Oct. 28, 1734. He m. Amy Foster, dau. of Christopher Foster, and Alice Forte (desc. of Elias Forte, of Wiveliscombe, who witnessed the Will of William Groves, with John Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1672), son of Christopher Foster and Elizabeth Barker, whose eldest son, John, was the father of Sarah Foster, who m. Walter Gilliam; their dau., Lydia Gilliam, m. John Watkins; their dau., Millie Watkins, m. Solomon Harris.

(Rowland Searchfield released Col. Joseph Bridger of Virginia from all claims of three-eighths of a cargo of wines etc. shipped on the Success of London (master William Goodland) in 1654, to Virginia, in the presence of (n.b.b.) William Scott, Thomas Harris, Christopher Pitt, James Bridger. William Reaper. (Bristol Record Office, Depositions). Thus, the witnesses, as partners, accounted for the remaining five eighths). The Bristol merchant’s accounts provide further evidence.

John Westbrook, son of John Westbrook, m. Honour Gray, who m. (2) (n.b.b.) Groves Sharp, who was appointed guardian “to Gray Westbrook and Burwell Westbrook, orphans of John Westbrook.

5.

Some additions to the text:

1. Philip Foster, d. bef. Nov. 23, 1672. 1.1. Philip Foster; gave power of attorney to William Sherwood in 1682. 1.2. Christopher Foster, m. Mary, dau. of George Jordan and Mary Bailey, bef. 1649. (The Jordan association was through Edward Bennett, see previous notes). 1.2.1. Christopher Foster (Will probated July 18, 1718)), m. Elizabeth Barker, dau. of John Barker and Grace Busby. He was the son of John Barker (and Letitia Drew), who patented 600 ac. on Chippokee 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, Wit: Frances Blande”. R. Oct. 26, 1658.
1.2.1.1. John Foster, eldest son (B. 6, p. 72), m. Mary Fort. John Foster: Leg – eldest son Christopher, son John, land adj. Charles Barham, p. 141. 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 Watkins were Bristol merchants.

1.2.1.2. Christopher Foster, m. Alice Fort, Mary’s sister. 1.2.1.2.1. Amy Foster, m. John Westbrooke, whose Will is rec. in Southamton Co. W.B. 1, p. 391, Aug. 13, 1761. 1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Foster, m. John Watts. 1.2.1.3.1. Agatha Watts, m. James George, great-grandson of John George, uncle of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.2.2. George Foster.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Westbrooke (per will).
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Westbrook, Will probated May 8, 1777. Wife – Helen, sons, Henry and Thomas. daus. Lucy Hunt, Helen Speed, Martha Judkins, who m Charles Judkins, Nov. 9, 1768, grandson of John Judkins and Martha Holt, whose dau., Mary, m. Benjamin Barham, d. June 10, 1769, aged 67; grandson of Charles Barham and Elizabth Ridley.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Samuel Westbrooke Sr. Joshua Claud, estate appraised Dec. 14, 1775, by Samuel Westbrooke Sr., Samuel Westbrooke Jr., John Westbrooke (estate appraised by William Person). Joshua Claud was the son of Philip Claud, whose exor. (1773) was Jeremiah Drew, and br. of Newitt Claud. Joshua Harris. Estate appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day, 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.
Transaction of Joshua Claud, dated Nov. 4, 1775, witnessed by John Pierce, Britain Brantley, and John Blake. R. Dec. 22, 1775, p. 141. Joshua Claud. Dec. 22, 1775. Estate appraised by Joshua Nicholson, Amos Harris Jan. 11. 1776, p. 141.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. James Westbrooke, estate appraised by Lewis Harris, John Sharpe, Amos Harris. R. Jan. 13, 1776, p. 86.

Joshua Claud’s son was John Claud, whose estate was appraised by Joshua Westbrooke, Feb. 13, 1794, p. 608.

Samuel Wstbrooke, of the par. of St. Luke, estate witnessed by Samuel Blake; son of Thomas Blake, per estate appraisal, rec. Feb. 12, 1789, and who appraised the estate of John Foster, in 1773.

Joshua Claud was the son of Philip Claud (and br. of Newitt Claud) estate exors. wife, John Claud, Jeremiah Drew. R. June 10, 1773. Wit. (n.b. Thomas Gilliam Jr., p. 57).
1. William Blake, bur. Dec. 4, 1636.
1.1. Thomas Blake.1.1.1. Thomas Blake, bapt. Feb. 2, 1649, d. 1709, IOW, m. Alice Champion, dau. of Edward Champion and Elizabeth Atkins, and sister of Phyllis Fort, who m. Elias Forte Sr. Phillis Fort was granted administration of her husband’s estate on March 10, 1678, secured by (the peripheral Thomas Harris, d. 1688, connection); Thomas Moore (see previous notes), and John Newman (br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); appraised by Edward Brantley Sr. (br. of Phillip), who was also security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. (I realise full-well that such ‘connections’ lead to the thought that Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was the father of a namesake, who d. 1688; yet this conclusion does not comprehend the shared associations of those more distantly (though not by much) connected).

1.1.1.1. William Blake, Will probated 1746 in IOW, m. Mary Sessums, dau. of Nicholas Sessums and Hannah Culmer, dau. of Thomas Culmer (reasonably supposed to be a son of Laurence Culmer, as follows). ‘Know all men present that I Thomas Harris (d. 1672) in the county of IOW for many considerable caused me thereunto moving have and do by the srest constitie and ordeyne my be beloved friend Mr. Thomas Culmore of the county of Surry my true and lawfully attorney for me and to my ame and use to ask leavy recover of receive of Robert Spencer of the County of Surry all such somes of tobacco as shall appear due unto me within the county aforesaid. (B. 1, p. 149). The Robert Spencer connection leads to those of ‘Sergeant Harris’ (see previous notes), yet this is as relevant as it is peripheral).

1.1.1.2. Thomas Blake. Thomas Blake to (br.-in-law) Joshua Claud, March 8, 1753, 290 ac. adj. the north side of Cocklins Pocoson and sd. Claud. Wit. Thomas Blake, John Person, Thomas Day, and Joshua Harris. (pp. 463-466). Thomas Blake, Will R. Feb. 12, 1789. Wit. Burwell Westbrooke, p. 296. Thomas Day was the son of a namesake, son of James Day and Mary Bland, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Bennett) Bland; and nephew of Silvestra Hill, for her, see herein.
1.1.1.2.1. John Blake, died 1802.
1.1.1.2.2. Benjamin Blake, m. Priscilla Day.

Joshua Harris was the brother of Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, grandfather of Solomon Harris.

1.1.1.3. Hannah Blake, m. Joshua Claud.

1.2. Johann Blake, m. Simon Hill, Sept. 6, 1623, possible br. of Elizabeth Hill, m. to Laurence Colmer (Culmer), Feb. 3, 1620, in Wiveliscombe).

It is not complicated, it is very simple. As a matter of survival, English settlers of Virginia continued their associations, and, by doing so, identified their ancestry.

copyright m stanhope 2019

The level of inbreeding within English kinship groups makes DNA ‘results’ very questionable as to the closeness of proposed relationships; people being denoted as a sibling or cousin, when, in fact, a relationship as a distant cousin may be more apt. Distant consanguineous links were ‘refreshed’ by non-consanguineous marriages, producing a dense mesh of various cousinship relationships.

When asked of my opinion as to the ancestry of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, in Virginia, I reply that he was probably born in 1637, in Cheddar, Somerset. A commonly asked subsequent question is how can the evidently close association between him and the Thomas Harris, d. 1672, be accounted for? I reply that they were distant cousins (a common ancester being born ca. 1460), whose families would have intermarried, and have shared recent associations in common.

In this regard, a common and recent association between these families was the Tibbotts. Joseph Bridger, who was a business partner of Thomas Harris d. 1672, had issue: Martha, who m. Thomas Godwin, Samuel, who m. Elizabeth Godwin; Elizabeth, who m. Thomas Lear; Mary, who m. Captain Richard Tibbott; William, who m. Elizabeth Allen; Hester, who m. George Williamson, having issue: Ann Williamson, who m. John Boykin, son of William Boykin, son of Edward Boykin and Ann Gwaltney, dau. of William Gwaltney, son of Thomas Gwaltney and Mary “widow of Thomas Atkinson”. Thomas Pittman m. Mary Gwaltney, widow of Thomas Gwaltney, in 1666. Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, in Wedmore, deposed to be 63 Years of age on March 5, 1677, in Surry Co. Thomas Pittman, m. subsequently Lydia, relict of Samuel Judkins, and mother of Charles Judkins Sr.

Richard Tibbott was bapt. Apr. 10, 1636, in Queen Charlton, Somerset (son of Richard and Ann), ca. 4 mls on the main road from Redcliffe, Bristol. He is recorded here: Spencer v Draper. Plaintiffs: William Spencer. Defendants: Avis Draper and Richard Tibbott. Subject: money matters, Somerset. 1671. (C 6/197/76); and here: Commander: Richard Tibbott. Ship: Anne and Mary … of London. Crew: 40. Chief mate: Christopher Williams. Second mate and gunner: Alexander Goodin. Dec. 23, 1689. (Folio 76. HCA 26/1/65).

It seems likely that Richard Tibbott was of the same family as Benjamon Tibbott, of Dundry, 2 mls fr. Queen Charlton. Will of Ben. Tibbott of Dundry, gent., prov. Feb. 18, 1684 (P.C.C.), mentioning lands in Backwell, Dundry, Littleton, and Felton in Winford, wife Ruth, son Nath., son-in-law Alex. Godwin (and Alice his wife), son-in-law Walter Webb of Chewstoke (and Joan his wife), granddau. Ruth Tibbott, dau. Magdalen, sister Hall, sister Cox (and her husband Hen. Cox), sister Savage, godson Ben. Godwin, Mary and Elizabeth, daus. of bro.-in-law Nath. Freind of Westerleigh, co. Glouc. 1685. (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\GB/136).

Just as the family of Hester Tibbott, Benjamin Tibbott was associated with the Counsell family of Wedmore (Councell v Tibbott. Plaintiffs: William Councell. Defendants: Benjamin Tibbott and John Tibbott. Place or subject: property in Barrow Gurney (2 mls fr. Dundry), Somerset. 1670. (C 7/498/23), suggesting a familial relationship. Dundry is ca. 15 mls fr. Wedmore.

1. John Councell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569, in Wedmore.
1.1. John Councell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, m. Mary Coomer, Nov. 26, 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who m. John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, Feb. 4, 1635; daus. of John Coomer, and sisters of John Coomer, father of Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner, on Oct. 24, 1664, in Cheddar (son of John Gardner, d. 1677). John Gardner was the br. of Joel Gardner, father of (1) Jane Gardner, who m. James Councell, June 12, 1682, in Cheddar. (2) Elizabeth Gardner, who m. George Tibbits, May 1678, in Cheddar, sister 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.
1.1.1. John Councell, m. 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 Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Councell, 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, kin of the Hodges family of adjacent Wedmore.
1.2. Hodges Councell Sr.
1.2.1. Hodges Councell Jr. Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668. Leg. to my kinsman Robert Boucher; dau. Elizabeth; to Hodges Counsell the younger, … to Elizabeth Monger the dau. of John Monger. 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.

(“Know that I Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Alice my wife doe by these presents assigne make over possess and deliver unto Mr Giles Dryver the Mill with all the appertences thereunto belonging to him his heires”, p. 117. Witness, John Hardy).

“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 included: Michael Fulgham, who m. Mary Pitt (of the Bristol Pitts, as the wife of Joseph Bridger Sr.); 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. *Thomas Joyner (father of Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).

CONNECTED FAMILIES

1. John Vasser. Thomas Harris (d. 1672), and Alice his wife, sold to John Bond 190 ac. in 2 pats. at head of Pagan Creek, one in name of John Vasser for 150 ac. dated Nov. 18, 1635, the other for 40 ac. in name of Thomas Harris, dated, Aug. 14. 1652. Witness, Henry King. Deed to John Vasser (Nov. 16, 1635) in IOW for 150 ac. … a neck of land lying upon Warsq. Creek next to the land of Nathaniel Floyd for transporting himself, wife Elizabeth, and one servant. Oct. 9, 1700. Peter Vasser, son of John Vasser, decd. to John Bell 150 ac. now in the possession of John Bell being a neck of land upon the main creek of Warrisquake adj. Nathaniel Floyd. John Vasser’s overseers (1650) were “Mr. James Pyland, and Thomas Walton”.
1.1. Peter Vasser, m. Margaret Cripps, dau. of George Cripps, and Joyce, dau. of Katherine Moore:

(1. …
1.1. George Moore, of Bristol, b. 1632.
1.1.1. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White.
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. Their grandson, James Piland, m. Elizabeth Brantley, dau. of Phillip Brantley (son of Edward Brantley Sr.) and Joyce Lewis; dau. of Rebecca George (dau. of John), probable cousin of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, whose estate was appraised by Edward Brantley Sr.
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (1) … (2) Robert Flake (partner of Samuel Eldridge*).
1.2.1. Joyce, m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. George Moore’s dau., Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. Their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).

1.1.1. Elizabeth Vasser, m. John Carrol.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Carroll, m. Richard Jones “of the Upper Parish”: “Leg. dau. Ann Bell the land on which she and her husband William Bell live; … dau. Martha Davis. Friends (his son-in-law) William Bell, and Thomas Harris to see my will performed”. R. May 22, 1721. Wit. William Gainer, Arthur Davis, William Allen, p. 85. William Bell was the son of John Bell (who m. Ann Bennett, kinswoman of Thomas Harris d. 1672); son of George Bell Sr, whose spoken will of Nov. 1, 1688 named legatees, George Bell Jr., and John Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1672. In 1687, George Bell Sr. witnessed the Will of Francis Hobbs, br.-in-law of the said John Harris.
1.1.1.1.1. Joseph Jones, b. 1705, m. Amy (Applewaite) Davis.
1.1.1.1.2. Sarah Jones, m. William Bell, 1721, IOW.
1.1.1.2. Thomas Carrol.*

(1. …
1.1. Arthur Jones.
1.1.1. Richard Jones, m. Elizabeth Carroll.
1.2. Richard Jones, leased land from Joseph Bridger (business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Joseph Bridger: Leg.- wife Hester; son Samuel land bought of John and William Catlin, whereon John Cooke now lives, also one-half of plantation at Curawoak; son William land granted me by escheat of 850 A. formerly belonging to Nathan Floyd, except what is disposed of by me to Francis Hobbs (sold to John and Thomas Harris Feb. 6, 1679, to be equally divided according to their father’s will, dated last day of March 1672); Mrs. Dorothy Bond and William Blunt, also two tracts taken up by Col. Pitt, Mr. William Burgh and myself containing 3000 ac., except 600 acres sold to Lt. Col. John Pitt, part of this tract leased by me to Thomas Mandew,* Richard Parker, William Worrell, Richard Jones, Thomas Reeves, Robert Sturdy and other Wit. James Bennett, Robert Pitt, Samuel Luck, Richard Glover. R. April 9, 1685, p. 250. James Bennett was a kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

Received of Mrs. Hester Bridger, Extx of Col. Joseph Bridger, legacy left my wife Martha. Signed Thomas Godwin. Wit. John Pitt, Arthur Smith. Same acknowledgment to wife Mary. Signed Richard Tibbott. Wit. Joh Pitt, Arthur Smith. 16 July 1686. Joseph Bridger’s grandson, Joseph Bridger, m. Sarah Davis, who m. (2) Nicholas Fulgham, having issue: (1) Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Councell, son of Hodges Councell Jr.; his family of Wedmore, Somerset. (2) Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, m. Martha Pitt. Their son, Nicholas Fulgham, m. isabel Harris, dau. of John Harris (and second wife, Elizabeth Church), son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. A headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was Giles Driver, witnessed here: Bridgman Joyner (guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688): Appraised by *Thomas Mandew, Giles Driver, Andrew Griffin (of the family associated with Peter Hudson).

1.2.1. Richard Jones (cousin of his namesake, whose wife was great-granddau. of George Cripps and a dau. of Katherine Moore, the great-aunt of the wife of John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), m. Jane Harris, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. The Will of John Sturdy, dat. April 14, 1701, mentions Jane Jones* for her care in looking after me in ye time of my affliction”, witnessed by Jane’s br., William. *Jane m. (2) Charles Judkins (whose Will of 1709 was witnessed by Michael Harris), the son of Samuel Judkins, who m. Lydia Gray; a dau. of Thomas Gray Sr. Michael Harris witnessed the Will of John Gray, Lydia’s br.; rec. Nov. 9, 1708. Charles Judkins was the father of a namesake, recorded in a deed of Nov. 10, 1748, concerning 250 ac. “in Albemarle Parish on south side of Nottoway River”, which showed, as neighbours, Silvanus Stokes, Charles Judkins Jr., and William Harris. (Surry Co. D.B. 5, 1746-1749, p. 324). George Piland and Michael Harris witnessed the Will of William Clements (B. 7, p. 854); grandfather of Elizabeth Boykin. Jane Harris, m. (3) ca. 1710, William Williams; he m. (2) Ann Sessums, dau. of Nicholas Sessums and *Hannah Culmer. The sons of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 inherited land adj. to that of their cousin, Thomas Blake, who m. a dau. of Edward Champion, of Somerset, their son, William Blake, m. Mary Sessums, dau. of Nicholas Sessoms and Hannah Culmer; sister of Ann Sessums, who m. William Williams.

*Dau. of Thomas Culmer. Alice Champion, was the sister of Phyllis (who m. Elias Forte), who was granted administration of her husband’s estate on March 10, 1678, secured by Thomas Moore and John Newman (who is claimed to be the br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); appraised by Edward Brantley (br. of Phillip), who was also security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Hannah Culmer was the dau. of Thomas Culmer: ‘Know all men present that I Thomas Harris in the county of IOW for many considerable caused me thereunto moving have and do by the srest constitie and ordeyne my be beloved friend Mr. Thomas Culmore of the county of Surry my true and lawfully attorney for me and to my ame and use to ask leavy recover of receive of Robert Spencer of the County of Surry all such somes of tobacco as shall appear due unto me within the county aforesaid also giving and by the prests granting to my attorney full power to perform for me in all causes touching ye premised for revcovery of the same as if my self ewer personnal present. Tho Harris. Witness, Wm Lewer, Samll Haswell‘. R. 1660. (B. 1, p. 149). Edward Champion’s son, Edward, was a legatee in the Will of Thomas Moore, dated Sept. 28, 1696 (B. 2, p. 371), who had probably m. Thomas Moore’s granddau. Wit. Thomas Giles, Phillip Brantly, John Bell (husband of Ann Bennett), John Davis (creditor of Edward Harris, d. 1677).

(1. John Jennings, m. Mary Seward, probably the sister of William Seward, rather than his relict; children of John Seward (d. 1650), the Bristol sea captain and merchant, granted 400 ac. in IOW. on June 18, 1638, upon Warresquioke River, against the land of Nathaniell Floyd; whose land devolved to Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. Charles Jennings, m. …
1.1.1. Elizabeth Jennings, d. July 16, 1711, in Hanover m. William Hudson, son of Robert Hudson and Mary Bowman, dau. of Robert Bowman. Robert Bowman Sr. of Roxdale in Henrico Co., planter, to Richard Kennon* of Bermuda Hundred, for £30/20 and payment of said Robert Bowman’s passage from England, two tracts of land, one 551 ac. on James R. at Roxdale, bordered by line marked by Henry Lound, Parker’s gut, Possum Meadow, Robert Bowman’s land given him by his father, Martin Elam’s line (now Mr. Stratton’s) and Joseph Tanner, as patent 9 June 9, 1671. May 2, 1711. Thomas Moore. Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore of Pagan Creek his atty. to collect from Arthur Skynner, Gyles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Joseph Whitson, and by virtue of a letter of atty. from John Hardiman of Bristol, taylor, to collect from William Hudson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667.

1.1.1.1. Charles Hudson, of Hanover Co., Gent., to Michael Woods of Goochland Co., for £90. 2000 acres on branches of Joy Cr. on Rivanna R., bounded by Michael Holland and granted to said Hudson on 26 July 1735; not wits; signed Charles Hudson; rec. Sept. 20, 1737 (B. 3, p. 52). Michael Woods to Charles Hudson, for £97, 2000 ac. in St. James Parish; wit: Robert Jennings, John Wingfield, John Dabney, Thomas (Brooks; signed Michael Woods; rec. Feb. 21, 1737 (B. 3, p. 69). Michael Holland’s son, George, m. Sarah Ford, Aug. 27, 1746. Their son, George, m. Susannah George (dau. of James George Sr. and Agatha Watts), Nov. 6, 1779; the sister of Agatha George, who m. George Payne Jr. in 1754, in Goochland; br. of Robert Payne, who m. (July 20, 1762), Ann Burton, dau. of Robert Burton, of Goochland. James George Sr. was the son of Robert George, son of Isaac George, son of John George; uncle of the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Martha Jennings, m. Thomas Thorpe, d. 1711 in IOW Co.
1.2.1. John Thorpe, apraisee of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1730 (probably the same as he who witnessed the Will of Richard Jones in 1721).
1.3. John Jennings, d. Oct. 19, 1678, m. a kinswoman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

(1. *Richard Cannon (son of Robert Cannon, and Mary Mumford, who m. July 3, 1628, in St Alphage, Greenwich, Kent), was a tobacco factor of William Paggen, in Virginia, who was involved in various litigations against John Claphamson, probably of a familial context: Claphamson v Paggen. Plaintiffs: John Claphamson. Defendants: Daniel Claphamson, William Paggen, and John Mumford. He m. Elizabeth Worsham, dau. of William Worsham. His mother-in-law married (2) Lt. Col. Francis Eppes (son of Lt. Col. Francis Eppes, the immigrant).
1.1. Martha Kennon, m. (1701) Robert Munford/Mumford, son of James Munford of Prince George Co.
1.2. Judith Kennon, m. *Thomas Eldridge, of Surry, who was very likely of the Bristol family of his name: June 21, 1665. Samuel Eldridge, of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore, of Bristol, who m. the relict. Security George Moore (br. of Thomas), and Mr Brantlie. (AP,10). George Moore, of Bristol, aged 78 in 1710, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft, of Chard, Somerset. His sister, Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (partner of *Samuel Eldridge). To repeat: by her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. George Moore’s dau., Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. Their dau., Avis White, m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2.1. Martha Eldridge, m. John Harris (Vestryman, Southwark Parish, Surry), whose Will was proved March 19, 1771. John Harris is recorded here: ‘Drury Warren and wife Elizabeth Warren to Frederick Warren … 100 ac. bdd. by John Harris, William Pyland, *Thomas Carrol, John Wesson, Gum Branch, Hog Pen Swamp. Joseph Warren and John Harris, Wareneck Mill Swamp, Cannon’s Spring. May 21, 1771’. William Pyland was the son of James Piland Jr. and Elizabeth Piland (born Brantley).
1.3. Sara Kennon, m. Francis Eppes.
1.3.1. Ann Eppes, m. Benjamin Harris, bef. Oct. 31, 1745).

Thus, what is witnessed is:

(a) The mind-boggling complexity of this Harris family’s associations, a complexity shared by the families they intermarried with. Such associations had been repeated over each generation for centuries. What is actually being researched about this Harris family (and others) is it as an ‘entity’ – with its mass of interlocking parts making individual strands very difficult to discern.

(b) Members of kinship groups did intermarry with members of other groups, when advantageous to do so, as the Kennons and the Eppes, which provided ‘bridges of confusion’, with, in this example, two seperate families of Harris being confounded. John Harris (Vestryman)was almost certainly of the Somerset Harris.

Given the fact that kinship groups repeated the same patterns of association, my suggestion that anyone named Harris who can reliably trace their family back to 1750-1770, will only descend from the Harris family of Somerset if their family had links (5-10+) to those families associated with the Somerset Harris. Such linkages were an immutable law. I encourage all present-day Harris to make such links public.

HARRIS SURNAME TEST

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17th century Bristol

Just as DNA transmits generationally, so did surnames of association, with families repeatedly intermarrying with each other, and retaining peripheral associations they held in common (the basis of the English kinship system). The following 60 names are associated with Harris families in Virginia. They are predominantly of Bristol Basin origin, comprising of the counties of Gloucester and Somerset; their epicentre being Bristol, the port from which these migrants sailed, and from which they hoped to prosper by engaging in its trade in Virginia tobacco.

Each name can be considered as a ‘marker’, and the more that can be proven to be associated with Harris families circa 1750-1770, the more it is likely that such families were descendants of the original Harris settlers of the previous century. Some ‘markers’ are obviously more significant in terms of genealogy than others, and give clues as to particular Harris families of origin (of the same stock).

It is a matter of choice as to what constitutes a significant number of ‘markers’, but mid-17th century families of Harris which do not have any or little connection to those listed are unlikely to be related to the earlier settlers.

Similar tests can be designed for any early settler family. They are as ‘certain’ as any DNA test, and have the advantage of being free.

SURNAMES OF ASSOCIATION

Applewhaite

Barcroft Barham Bechinoe Bennett Blake Bland Bolting Bracewell Brantley Bressie Bridger

Carter Cary Cogan Comer Counsell Cripps

Davis Driver

Edwards England

Fenn Floyd Flake Fulgham

Gardner Gwaltney Goodrich

Hardy Herring Hicks Hill Hobbs Hodges Hole

Izzard

Kay/Key

Joyner Judkins

Millard Monger Moore

Owen

Pardoe Piland Pitt Pittman Proctor

Ridley

Seward Simes Skinner

Thorp Tibbits Tomlin Tooke Tucker Turner

White

Bristol channel floods, 1607

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I have been asked to ‘flesh out’ that portion of my notes on Edith Cripps by Harris researchers who believe there was a strong connection between Edward Harris, d. 1677, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688. My view is to the contrary, seeing them to be distant cousins, whose families intermarried (probably with each other) and into the same families. However the case. Notes concerning the (I think probable) ancestry of Edward Brantley are included.

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner (whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who (with Edward Brantley) witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Edward Brantley’s son, Phillip, m. Joyce Lewis, dau. of Thomas Lewis and Rebecca Pardoe, half-sister of Phillip Pardoe Sr: Phillip Pardoe’s estate was appraised by John Brantley, Phillip’s brother, March 27, 1721. (G.B. p. 71). Phillip Pardoe was security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.

1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. He and Thomas Tooke were overseers of the Will of William Ridley, with Charles Barham (William Ridley’s br-in-law) being the executor. Thomas Harris was a security of the estate of Samuel Griffin (rec. March 26, 1666), with John Monger, p. 12. Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668. Leg. Hodges Council the younger … Elizabeth Monger the dau. of John Monger. Friends John Hardy and Thomas Taberer overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon (probably related to Nathaniel Bacon; to whom Thomas Harris, d. 1672, sold land, a portion of which was rented to Edward Harris, d. 1677. John Hardy (the likely br. of Thomas Hardy) was the father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr. (3) Olive, wife of Giles Driver. Bridgeman Joyner was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688; he witnessed the Will of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Giles Driver was security for the estate of Robert Williamson (son-in-law of Arthur Allen, of Bristol, merchant), whose Will names Nicholas Hill as “friend”, and which was witnessed by John Hardy, p. 85.

1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. He held land in lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater to the bottom of Pig Neck (B. 7, p. 510), which had been granted to Mr. John Seward (of Bristol, and Hemington, Somerset), on April 16, 1648, who had patented land in 1638 “upon Warresquioke River”, against the land of Nathaniell Floyd, whose widow m. Francis Hobbs, whose dau. m. John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

(1. …
1.1. Francis Hobbs, born c. 1600. (Tanners v Hobbs. Plaintiffs: William Tanners. Defendants: Francis Hobbs, Mary Hobbs his wife, Edward Knight, Robert Webb, Walter Tanners and Edward Tanners. Subject: property in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. 1661. (C 6/48/118). (Joseph Bridger’s grandmother was Gillian Tanner). Tetbury, from whence the family of Cripps.
1.1. 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), to be equally divided according to their father’s will, dated last day of March 1672. 115 ac. being waste land; and the whole beginning by a marsh near the head of Seward’s Creek; near Colonel Bacon; due for the transportation of 3 persons. 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, Tetbury. His Will was recorded on June 9, 1688, leaving a legacy to “cousin John Davis”, and “brother John Harris”; the former being a lender to Edward Harris, d. 1677, as given in the estate inventory, overseen by his wife Mary Davis, i.e. Mary Greene:

(1. Thomas Greene, m. Mary Moone; her sister, Sarah Moone, m. Lt. John Pitt, son of Col. Robert Pitt, the Bristol sea captain and merchant.
1.1. Mary Green, m. John Davis, desc. of Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham. (Estate of Edward Harris ).
1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. bef. Jan. 6, 1720, m. (1) Joseph Bridger, son of Joseph Bridger Jr. (2) Nicholas Fulgham. Joseph Bridger Sr. was an headright in 1652 of *Colonel Nathaniel Bacon.
1.1.1.1. Susannah Fulgham, m. Hardy Counsell, son of Hodges Counsell Jr.; his family of Wedmore, Somerset.
1.1.1.2. Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, m. Martha Pitt.
1.1.1.2.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. isabel Harris, dau. of John Harris* (and second wife, Elizabeth Church), son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.2. Margaret Hobbs, m. John Harris. (B. 2, p. 280).
1.2. John Hobbs, m. Joan Alloway, Aug. 24, 1631.
1.2.1. Hannah Hobbs, m. John Driver, Jan. 25, 1651).

(1. Robert Driver.
1.1. Robert Driver, of Avening, 6 miles fr. Tetbury., m. Elizabeth Browning, Feb. 4, 1604.
1.1.1. Giles Driver (pale indented argent & azure, 2 lions rampant combatant countercharged), m. Dorothy Bayley, of Wheatenhurst, dau. of John Bayley. Giles Driver’s Will was probated 2 July 1639 (PROB 11/180/571).
1.1.1.1. John Driver, bur. June 12, 1681, in Avening, m. Elizabeth Bridger, bapt. Slimridge 5 Aug. 1638, bur. 28 Jan 1675; cousin of Joseph Bridger, of Woodmanscote, in Dursley, 10 mls from Avening, who m. Hester Pitt. One of his tenants in Woodmanscote was Thomas Pitt, probably he who was his headright he in Virginia, in 1666. (Driver v Body. Plaintiffs: John Driver. Defendants: James Body, Hannah Body his wife, Susannah Driver, Anne Driver … and others. Subject: property in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. 1680. (C 8/335/153).
1.1.1.1.1. John Driver, m. Hannah Hobbs, Jan. 25, 1651.
1.1.1.2. Robert Driver.
1.1.1.2.1. Giles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), husband of Olive Hardy, cousin of the wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677).

1.1.1.1. Robert Harris. He witnessed a writ by which William Skinner (Jr.) of Bristol, merchant, partner of Thomas Thorpe, appointed (1688) Robert Kae his “atty” to recover 5,500 lb. of tobacco from Francis England; whose grandson, Francis Branch, m. Elizabeth Norwood, niece of Henry Norwood, son of Henry Norwood and Elizabeth Rodney, of Cheddar, kin of the Hodges family of adjacent Wedmore. Francis Branch was the br. of Ann Branch, who. m. Robert Hodges Jr. (undoubtedly of the Wedmore Hodges). Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, in Wedmore. Probably he who deposed to be 63 Years of age on March 5, 1677, in Surry Co., m. “Lidie” Gray; a da. of Thomas Gray Sr., the relict of Samuel Judkins. “Lidie” Gray was Thomas Pittman’s third wife; he had m. (1) Frances; (2) Martha, relict of Thomas Atkinson and Thomas Gwaltney.

1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, granddau. of George Moore, who was the uncle of Joyce …, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. Joyce’s sisters: Susanna, m. Thomas Atkinson Jr. Mary, m. (2) Richard Skinner. George Moore’s br., Thomas, m. the relict of Samuel Elbridge: June 21, 1665.

Samuel Eldridge (Elbridge), merchant of Bristol. Dying intestate, adm. requested by Thomas Moore who m. the relict. Security: George Moore and (Edward) Brantlie, p. 10. The Elbridge and Moore families were engaged in the Jamaica sugar trade, as Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and his partner, Joseph Bridger.

Samuel Elbridge was the uncle of John Elbridge, b. 1672, who was apprenticed to his cousin, Thomas Moore (probably of George Moore’s family) in 1684, in Bristol. The Elbridge family established their wealth through the marriage of Giles Elbridge to Robert Aldworth’s niece, which included a share in the Spring (sugar) Plantation in Jamaica. (Donald Jones, Bristol’s Sugar Trade and Refining Industry, Bristol Historical Association).

On Sept. 25, 1663, George Moore was claimed as a headright of John Harvey (who was patenting along the Carolina border – Nugent, I, 191, 427 – the son-in-law of James Tooke, whose will was witnessed by Thomas Carter ( Feb. 1, 1659), the son-in-law of George Moore.

In 1675, George Moore was the bondsman for Sarah Bressie, relict of John Bressie, whose estate was appraised by Thomas Moore, p. 132. It is reasonable to assume a close relationship betw. the said John Bressie and William Bressie, d. 1701, the guardian of William Cary, son of Miles Cary (the Cripps connection). William Bressie’s Will was witnessed by his dau., Elizabeth Elbridge. William Bressie was a Quaker. They held meetings at the house of William Yarrett at Levy Neck as early as 1663. George Fox wrote in his journal: “Another very good meeting we had at William Yarret’s at Pagan Creek”; meetings attended by such as Thomas Tooke (1679). “During the Heat of this Persecution (against Quakers) at Worcester, the Mayor and other Magistrates of the Borough of Evesham proceeded with severity (Jan. 1660) … And on the 27th, the following fourteen were taken out of a Meeting, and also committed, (inc. Anne Brantly, wife of John Brantley*).

A number of Harris researchers have asked, in what capacity did Edward Brantley stand security for Thomas Moore? Was he married to a Moore? If so, he was connected to both Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688; that is, to father and son?

EDWARD BRANTLEY

1. William Brantley, bailiff of Evesham, a town were Lady Russell of Strensham held patronage, and whose attempt to appoint a bailiff met with the resistance of “these recreant champions (degenerate scions of the “Brantley” stock), who (upheld) “their ancient customs” upon the altar of an imperious female’s will” (George May, History of Evesham, p. 172, 1834).
1.1. Robert Brantley, alderman of Evesham, 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. The manor of Ham was a parcel of the manor of Cheltenham, and was granted to Robert Goodrich; by 1574 Robert and Edith Goodrich were in possession and Thomas Packer agreed to pay £400 for the property, described in 1576 as the ‘Farme of Hame’. William and (his son) Henry Norwood were chief stewards of the manor. Henry’s br., Richard, was the grandfather of a namesake, whose estate was appraisal by Edward Brantley, Oct. 25, 1731.
1.1.1. Edward Brantley: Teckeridge v Staples. Plaintiffs: Thomas Teckeridge, younger son of Thomas Teckeridge, son and executor of Nicholas Teckeridge (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. Worcestershire. June 1607. (STAC 8/283/22).
1.1.1.1. Edward Brantley, b. ca. 1615, headright of John Seward (ship-master/merchant, of Bristol), in 1638. Joseph Bridger’s Will was probated May 8, 1686, and bequested 850 ac. formerly belonging to Capt. Upton and 300 ac. formerly to Mr. Seward. The location of this land is identified in the Will of his son, William Bridger, recorded March 9, 1705, 170 ac. in the Upper Parish between the land of Thomas Tooke, Francis England, and Thomas Blake (cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), whose sons inherited adjacent land), and Edward Brantley. (B. 2, p. 73). To repeat, Joseph Bridger’s cousin Elizabeth Bridger, bapt. Slimridge on Aug. 5, 1638, bur. there Jan. 28, 1675, was the wife of John Driver, bur. June 12, 1681, in Avening; parents of John Driver, who m. Hannah Hobbs, Jan. 25, 1651; second-cousin of Margaret Hobbs, who m. John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Driver was the cousin of Giles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), husband of Olive Hardy, cousin of the wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.2. Richard Brantley, bapt. 1592.
1.1.2.1. *John Brantley.

*I suggest that John Goodrich Sr., of Virginia, was of the family of Joan Goodrich, and that he m. a sister of Robert Flake, a factor of Bristol tobacco merchants. His son and namesake m. Anne Bechinoe, dau. of Edward Bechinoe (whose family held property in Henbury, Bristol); who appraised the Will of Edward Harris, d. 1677. His son, John Goodrich, m. Ann Cripps, dau. of George Cripps, and, to repaeat, former wife of Francis England. Katherine Moore, sister of George Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake, aforesaid. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps.

1.1.2. John Harris, m. (1), a dau. of Francis Hobbs, who sold Edward Brantley 675 ac. adj. Thomas Took, in 1669.

1.1.2.1. John Harris, m. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church.

1.1.2.1.1. Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt; the latter Nicholas being the nephew of John Fulgham, overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, 1688.

1.2. 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, associate of Richard Bennett. Edward held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.

1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy (dau. of George Hardy, who appraised Edward’s estate), and sister of Mary Hardy, who m. William Bennett, grandson of Richard Bennett, d. 1709 (br.-in-law of Charles Barham), and great-nephew of Eleanor Bennett, afors

1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, tobacco associate of kinsman, John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of the said Eleanor Bennett.

The Bressies and Carys must be links.

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1. …
1.1. George Moore, of Bristol, b. 1632, m. Jane Barcroft, dau. of Charles Barcroft, 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, and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142).
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.*
1.2.2. Susanna …, m. (1645) Thomas Atkinson, who m. (2) Susan Gwaltney, dau. of Thomas Gwaltney.
1.2.3. Mary …, m. (1) John Burgess, (2) Richard Skinner.
1.2.3.1. Joyce Burgess, m. … Cripps.
1.2.3.2. Susanna Burgess, m. Robert Braswell.
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants.
1.2.1. Elizabeth Flake, m. Peter Hayes, son of Peter Hayes, and Ann Hudson.
1.2.2. Mary Flake, m. John Clarke.
1.2.2.1. Elizabeth Clarke, m. Robert Barham, son of Charles Barham, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.3. Thomas Moore. Francis England, George Cripps. William Jennings of Bristol, surgeon, appts. Thomas Moore of Pagan Creek his atty. to collect from Arthur Skynner, Gyles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Joseph Whitson, and by virtue of a letter of atty. from John Hardiman of Bristol, taylor, to collect from William Hudson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550). February 1692: Thomas Moore and Thomas Thorpe were sworn by Capt. John Goodrich to appraise the estate of Richard Towle. (D.B 1, p. 133). 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. Edward Bechinoe’s estate was administered by his relict, Mary, and Richard Bennett, close cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. It can reasonably be suggested that Richard Bennett was Edward Bechinoe’s br.-in-law. Robert Kae was also the atty. of Theoderic Bland (who m. Anne Bennett, da. of Governor Richard Bennett; the cousin of the Thomas Harris who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelsicombe, Somerset), and father of Elizabeth Kae, who m. Timothy Fenn; their dau., Dorothy Fenn, m. Joseph Thorpe, Sr.; parents of Thomas Thorpe, d. 1711 in IOW Co., who m. (1) bef. 1686, Martha Jennings (d. 1702; dau. of John Jennings and Mary Seward), and sister of John Jennings, who m. Mary Hill (dau. of Silvestra Hill, dau. of Edward Bennett); a cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, whose Will was witnessed by Silvestra Hill’s husband, Nicholas. William Skinner (Jr.) of Bristol, merchant, partner of Thomas Thorpe, appointed (1688) Robert Kae his “atty” to recover 5,500 lb. of tobacco from Francis England. Test. Robert Harris (and James Edwards); son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Thomas Thorpe’s dau., Sarah Thorpe (by first wife), m. (1) William George, son of John George, thus kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Their son, John Thorpe, apraised of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1730.

CRIPPS

1. Thomas Cripps, “yeoman” of Berwick Bassett, d. 1579.
1.1. Thomas Cripps. November 11 to 18, 1591. John and Edward Seede bought by fine from Thomas Crippes and George Staples the Manors of Charelton Soughton, Upton Soughton, in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Representing 20 messauges, 10 tofts, 20 gardens, 20 orchards, 2000 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow, 1000 acres of pasture, and 100 shillings rent, for the sum of 800 pounds sterling.
1.2. Henry Cripps. Will of Henry Crippes or Cripps, Yeoman of Berwick Basset, Wiltshire. Jan. 31, 1598.
1.2.1. Henry Cripps. Inquis. taken at Tetbury, August, 12, 1634, before Leonard Chamberlaine, esq., escheator, after the death of Tobias Chapman, by the oath of Henry Cripps, Richard Box, William Linck, Thomas Gay, William Veyzey, Nathaniel Cambridge, Samuel Cambridge, John Veyzey, John Weekes, Thomas Milles, Tobias Mayo, Henry Mayo, Nathaniel Crippes, John Driver, junior. Henry Cripps of Horsley, yeoman, churchwarden of Tetbury in 1617 (Henry Mayo in 1619). Bargain and Sale. (1) Francis Powlett of Longashton esq. and Hugh Smith of the same esq., son & h. of Thomas Smith dec’d. (2) Henry Mayo of Horsley clothier. Close called Willmeade (4 ac.) in possession of Wm. Clarke and 3 groves of wood called Bennettes Hillers and Nicholasses Groves (22 ac.) in Horsley in possession of Christopher Hiller and all manner of tithe upon the same, with rights of passage over various lands to the meadow & groves, reserving rent of 3s. during life of Eliz. Cripps, widow,* 6s. after. Consideration: £160 (towards portions of daughters of Thomas Smith. Feb. 10, 1653. (Bristol Archives, AC/D/5/13). *Elizabeth Pollington, m. Henry Cripps Sept. 3, 1593, in Oldland, Gloucestershire.
1.2.1. Andrew Cripps, of Berwick Bassett (Will – 66 Evelyn – pr. June 5 1630 by son Thomas), m. Jane Caswell, Nov. 20, 1591.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Cripps. Caswell v Cripps. Plaintiffs: Robert Caswell. Defendants: Thomas Cripps. Subject: money matters, Wiltshire. (C 5/381/49).
1.2.1.2. Alice Cripps, m. John Shipway, Nov. 30, 1626.
1.2.1.3. George Cripps, m. Mary Sadler, Dec. 6, 1630, in Purton, 10 mls. fr. Berwick Bassett.
1.2.1.3.1. George Cripps, m. Joyce, dau. of Katherine Moore and Robert Flake, as given.

1.2.1.4. Edith Cripps. Settlement made on the marriage of John Cary and Edith Cripps relating to lands in Milton Lilborne. 1625 (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, 149/104). Milton Lilborne is 10 mls from Berwick Bassett. John Cary was certainly a grandson of Richard Cary; bapt. Aug. 18, 1542, at St. Nicholas, Bristol; bur. June 14, 1591. Cary v Hall. Plaintiffs: Richard Cary. Defendant: John Hall and his wife Agnes. Subject of decree: Moiety of a conventual lease, from Cirencester Abbey, Gloucestershire, of manor or rectory of Milton Lilbourne, Wiltshire including tithes and advowson. April 26, 1583. (C 78/61/3). John Cary was a second- cousin of Col. Miles Cary; bapt. Jan. 30, 1622, at All Saint’s Church, Bristol; who m. Anne Taylor, dau. of Capt. Thomas Taylor, of Warwick Co., VA. Richard Cary was the br. of “Elizabeth Carye”, who m. Henry Cogan, July 1, 1565, their probable son, Henry Cogan (Clothier, Will proved June 29, 1613), m. Joane Burrridge, on Nov. 30, 1590, at St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton. She was the sister of John Burridge, grandfather of Robert Burridge, who m. Elizabeth Cogan, sister of John Cogan, d. 1689, in Virginia (who witnessed the will of Thomas Harris, d. 1688). Their son was John Burridge, of Lyme Regis, Dorset, b. ca. 1651, 1st s. of Robert Burridge, merchant, of Lyme Regis, by Elizabeth, sis. of John Cogan of Bristol. educ. Wadham, Oxf. matric. Mar. 13, 1668, aged 18. unm. suc. fa. 1676. Burridge’s father, of Taunton origin. (The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983). The Barcrofts, Burridges, and Cogans were all associated with Chard, Somerset.

“Samuel Tucker of Rotterdam (who) has received of (cousin – M.S) Samuel Tucker of Bristol goods lately in custody of John Edwards, cozen, in Isle of Wight. Aug. 5, 1664″; John Edwards being a trading partner of Robert Burridge. This John Edwards was probably the father of (1) Ann Edwards, who m. Henry Cary, son of Miles Cary. (2) John Edwards, Jr., who m. Ann Braswell, niece of Robert Brasswell Jr., who m. Susan Burgess. The Will of Joyce Cripps (1679) named (1) Susan Braswell “my sister’s daughter”, who she ‘cut off with a shilling’. (2) her sister, Mary, wife of Richard Skinner.

Given the tight associations of the Thomas of 1672 and 1688, some “Harris Hunters of old” believe the following to be a likely genealogical scenario, with Edward Harris, d. 1677, being a first-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner, whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who (with Edward Brantley) witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe. Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the Will of William Ridley, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1. Robert Harris.
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, granddau. of George Moore.
1.1.2. John Harris.
1.1.2.1. John Harris, m. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church.
1.1.2.1.1. Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt.
1.2. 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, associate of Richard Bennett. Edward held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy.
(1. George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.1. Mary Hardy, m. William Bennett, probable grandson of Richard Bennett, d. 1709 (br.-in-law of Charles Barham), great-nephew of Eleanor Bennett, afors.).
1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, tobacco associate of kinsman, John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of Eleanor Bennett.

They were all involved in the Bristol/Virginia tobacco trade.

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It can not be known for certain who was the Potter who had land adjacent that of Michael Holland of Goochland. Yet, if he was connected to the transportee of Thomas Wiggins in Surry Co, June 16, 1714 (Thomas Potter), it is almost certain that he was either Thomas Potter, bapt. Feb. 2, 1687, in Worth, East Sussex, England (whose family would have been familiar with those of Holland and Wiggins); or, either of his sons: Thomas Potter, bapt. Sept. 22, 1713, John Potter, bapt. July 19, 1718 (by a second wife). Alternatively, the neighbour of Michael Holland could have been either of Thomas Sr’s brothers (Roger or William), or their sons, Thomas Potter, bapt. Dec. 27, 1714; or William Potter, bapt. Nov. 26, 1715.

These Potters were of the class of aspiring yeomanry who sought to climb the rungs of the English class system through the device of advantageoud marriage. The family connections of the first Potter wives are unknown, but it is certain that they provided the means for the acquisition of lands and tenancy in nearby parishes.

The following baptismal and marriage records are from Worth.

1.  Thomas Potter. PROB 11/45/243: Will of Thomas Potter, Husbandman of Wethersfield, Essex, October 3, 1562.
1.1. Thomas Potter, “yeoman of Wivelsfield, Sussex”, m. Margaret … His Will was probated Nov. 3, 1620. He is noticed in this record: Grant by Sir George Fleetwood of the Vach, co. Bucks., knt., Henry Shelley of Patcham, esq., William Newton of Lewes, esq. and Richard Shelley of Lewes, esq., to Walter Doble, junr. of Falmer, gent., of the manors of Streete and Westmeston … Also Tyllinghurst wood, 50 ac. reputed parcel of Westmeston manor, to lands of Thomas Potter late purchased of Geo. Goringe decd., N. and N.E., Bishopridge common, E., Westmeston common, S., the highway from Wivelsfield to Westmeston (Sussex). Oct. 10, 1607. (East Sussex Record Office (ESRO), SAS-M/1/563). This shows that Thomas Potter was of the upper echelon of yeomanry – owners of land rather than tenants. Wivelsfield is 12 miles due south of Worth, and 30 miles south-west of Goudhurst and Lamberhurst, in Kent.
1.1.1. John Potter, bapt. Feb. 28, 1583, m. Mary Banks, Aug. 10, 1606.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Potter, bapt. Nov. 6, 1608, d. 1681, m. Mary Comber, May 18, 1637. He held a tenancy in Goudhurst: Lease for 21 years. From Sir William Campion to Thomas Potter of Goudhurst (3 miles from Lamberhurst). Premises as in DAN/1649. Rent £50. Witnesses: Hugh Fare, William Nasshe. Oct. 17, 1631. (ESRO, DAN/1655). Thomas Potter was a tenant of Edward Bathurst esq, of Goudhurst, Kent, nephew of John Bathurst, from whom descended the Bathursts of Lechlade Gloucestershire.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Potter, bapt April 11, 1641. Lease for 200 years. John Chaloner of Lindfield, gent, Lord of the Manor of South Malling, Lindfield, and Burleigh Arches, to Thomas Potter of Worth, yeoman. Cottage and land (1a) inclosed from Copthorne. Dec. 27, 1680. (ESRO, ACC2327/1/5/17/41).
1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Potter, bapt. July 17, 1664.
1.1.1.1.1.2. John Potter, m. Mary …
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Potter, bapt. Feb. 2, 1687, m. (1) Sara Dennett (May 14, 1710), she bapt Oct 1 1682, dau. of Abraham Dennett, who d. 1709. Abraham Dennett was the great-nephew of Joan Dennett, who m. Henry Waller, vicar of Horley (in Suffolk, bordered on the south by Worth, Sussex), son of William Waller, vicar of Horley, and nephew of “John Waller of Ifield, yeoman”, who m. his cousin, Ellinor, witnessed by William Waller (husband of Mary Gillam, dau. of William Gillam, of Ifield, d. 1645 (see C 8/90/160), son of John Waller and Sara Chalonor, who m. Aug 9, 1579. Given the educational status of William and Henry Waller, it would be reasonable to suppose the to have been of the family of Thomas Waller, of Lamberhurst (Sable, three walnut tree leaves, or, between two cotizes argent), whose decendants held nearby Groombridge, 20 miles from Worth/Horley.

(1. John Holland Sr., of Shropshire, enfeoffed in Lamberhurst, Kent.
1.1. John Holland Jr., of Lamberhurst, m. Mary Barham.
1.1.1. David Holland. Prerogative Court of Canterbury; Probate Jul. 3, 1617. Joyce Holland of Lamberhurst, widow, will dated Mar. 10, 1616: ‘Unto the poore people of the parish of Lamberhurst 10 shillings to be distibuted among them at the discretion of my executor on the daye of my buryall unto John, David & Mary Holland, the sonnes & daughter of John Holland my sonne, 5 pounds each, when 21 …….’
1.1.1.1. John Holland. PAR/498/37/14. Oct. 23, 1654: ‘John Baker of Mayfield, Esq., lord of the manor of Mayfield, to Gregory Dyne, Joseph Dunmoll, gent, Richard Lucke yeoman, David Holland mercer, John Barham of Shoesmiths gent, John Lucke (son and heir apparent of Richard Lucke), John Holland’ (son and heir apparent of David Holland). John Holland’s Will, proved May 17, 1675, mentions sons John and Edward. He had mar. Anne Burton; the overseer of his Will was Edward Burton, his br.-in-law, and Gregory Dyne (Dene). Marriages of Goochland Co., 1733-1815 (Williams), p. 12, Nov. 2, 1763: ‘Charles Burton and Mary Holland, dau. of George Holland. Sur. George Holland and Michael Holland’.
1.1.1.1. Michael Holland of Goochland).

1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Potter, bapt. Sept. 22, 1713.

I Moiety of 1 virgate of native land called Groveland in Keymer; 1 croft of land, part of Groveland (5a.). II 1 cottage, barn, orchard (½a.) formerly parcel of the lord’s waste called St. John’s Common. In 1631, John Virrall was admitted to premises I and II (DAN/1382) and in 1654 Thomas Wickens, yeo. and Margaret his w. surrendered and were re-admitted to premises I (DAN/1383). In 1657, Nicholas Colchin quitclaimed premises I and II to Thomas Wickens who had lately mortgaged them to him (DAN/1386). In 1676 William Yonge surrendered premises I-II to Thomas Marchant and Margaret his w. who had previously surrendered to him (DAN/1387). In 1684, on the death of Nicholas Colchin, premises I and II passed to Nicholas Jenner,* his grand-nephew (DAN/1388). In 1685 Nicholas Jenner surrendered the premises to John Wiggins. DAN/1392, 1393 are concerned with a dispute between Edward Pelling and John Wiggins. On the death of the latter in 1715 the premises went to his bro. Thomas (DAN/1394, 1395) and in 1732 his only s. John succeeded (DAN/1398). In 1757 John mortgaged them to Richard Dendy (DAN/1399) and on his (John Wiggins) death in 1758 the property passed to Elizabeth his daughter. (East Sussex Record Office. DAN/1382-1401).

*Nicholas Jenner was probably related to the Nicholas Jenner of Maresfield, who m. Margaret Baker of same, July 12, 1727.

1.1.1.1.1.2.2. Roger Potter.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Potter, bapt. Dec. 27, 1714.
1.1.1.1.1.2.3. William Potter, m. Katherine Morgan, May 20, 1712.
1.1.1.1.1.2.3.1. William Potter, bapt. Nov. 26, 1715.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Potter, m. (2) Elizabeth Jenner, bapt. Nov. 11, 1691.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John Potter, bapt. July 19, 1718.

They were of the same English ‘orchard’, in which apples fell near their trees.

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The earliest mention of someone named Proctor connected to the Taunton area of Somerset concerns a John Proctor, who was obviously a person of some eminence:

Tripartite Indenture. (1) Thomas Oueray, clerk, Precentor of Cathedral Church of Wells, Richard Warre esq, John Porter, John Portman, William Godde, clerk … et al. (2) John Bysshopp, William Payne, vicar of parish church of Pytmystre … et al. John Bysshopp lately founded a chantry in honour of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Apostles Peter and Paul, James, Andrew and Thomas, and SS. Giles and Botolph, confessors, and SS. Mary Magdalen, Katherine and Margaret, at the altar of St. Nicholas, Bishop, Taunton, in memory of William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, John Bysshopp, John Proctor, and the feoffees, and for the souls of Henry, Cardinal, late Bishop of Winchester … et al. October 9, 1476. (E 328/180).

Although it is possible to speculate as to his immediate descendants, the first recorded Proctor of the same area is probably this William:

1. William Proctor, b. ca. 1585, in Wilton (1 and a half miles from Taunton; 1 mile from Pitminster).
1.1. George Proctor, b. ca. 1610, m. (1) Edith .. In 1672, he witnessed a deed of Richard Harris, which granted land, in the lower par. of Surry Co., to his son-in-law, Walter Taylor, which he and Richard Drew had formerly patented, p. 25. In 1673, he witnessed a land transaction between Arthur Jordan and Thomas Swann, with Nathaniel Knight. ditto. The Will of Nathaniel Knight, “Chirugeon”, named his Goddaughter, Mary Proctor, dau. of “Mr. George Proctor”; Godsons Nathaniel Phillips and Samuel Briggs, son to Henry Briggs; John Allen; sister, Abigail Brooks, in England; his father, Samuel Knight, in “Stroodwater”,* Gloucestershire, England. Feb. 18, 1677, Surry Co. (Davis, pp. 86-87).

The *Stroud to Taunton road, along the bank of the Bristol Estuary, passes equidistantly (30 miles) through Bristol, and would have been a major trade route used by merchants. A familial relationship between Nathaniel knight and the wife of William Owen, as follows, may reasonably be assumed.

1.1.1. George Proctor, bapt. April 14, 1634, Pitminster; 10 miles from Wiveliscombe; 25 miles from Wedmore, where Thomas Pittman* was baptised.
1.1.1.1. Joshua Proctor, b. ca. 1658, m. Katherine Owen, dau. of Bartholomew Owen.

(1. …
1.1. Thomas Brooke/s. Rodney v Claxton. 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).
1.2. John Brooke, m. Edith Vowles, Nov. 28, 1583, in Wedmore.
1.2.1. Joan Brooke, m. William Pittman, Aug. 5, 1611, in Wedmore.
1.2.1.1. *Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, in Wedmore. Probably he who deposed to be 63 Years of age on March 5, 1677, in Surry Co. He m. “Lidie” Gray; a da. of Thomas Gray Sr., the relict of Samuel Judkins. Thomas Pittman had first m. the relict of Thomas Atkinson, the father of John Atkinson, who m. Ann Holliman. Their da. Hanna Atkinson m. Reuben Cooke, who d. bef. August 1, 1751 in IOW Co., grandson of William Cooke, born March 27, 1613, in Bristol, d. bef. Nov. 10, 1679 in Surry Co. “Lidie” Gray was Thomas Pittman’s third wife; he had m. (1) Frances; (2) Martha Gwaltney, a widow, of Bristol. (Gwathney). 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).

The Proctor and Fulgham family (of Angersleigh, Pitminster) would have been well acquainted:

1.2. William Proctor, bapt. Jan. 13, 1613, Wilton.
1.3. Robert Proctor, bapt. June 16, 1616, d. May 12, 1684, per inscript. Angersleigh Rectory, Somerset. Lawrence Musgrave. Resignation of Joseph Barker, MA. Roger Gale, mercer, of Taunton, and Robert Proctor, merchant. Endorsed entered june 26, 1655. (Lambeth Palace Library, COMM/2/20). Deeds of manor and advowson of Angersleigh als. Knightsleigh. Quitclaimed by Edw. Soll of Sondon, grocer, to Sir Giles Capell (1529), settled by Arthur Lord Capell, baron of Hadham (1642), and sold by him to Roger Gale of Taunton St. Mary and Robert Proctor of Ruishton, merchants (1654). Roger Gale sold his moiety to Proctor (1667). (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\DP/90/1). Roger Gale m. Elizabeth Knight, March 18, 1632, in Taunton, sister of Hannah Knight, who m. Thomas Bennett, July 1, 1641, in Taunton.
1.3.1. John Proctor, bapt. April 11, 1647, Pitminster.
1.3.1.1. Mary Proctor, m. Thomas Knight, April 8, 1691, Taunton.
1.3.1.2. Robert Proctor, m. Alice Pope, Sept. 5, 1595, Taunton.
1.3.2. Henry Proctor, b. 1655, d. March 10, 1696 (aet. 41 per inscript). Messuages and lands in the manor and parish of Angersleigh, held on lease by the Blake family in the 18th century; according to endorsements these included properties called Streets and Fuljames. Lessor: Henry Proctor, 1690. (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\CT/4).
1.3.2.1. John Proctor, bapt. March 3, 1689.

“Angersleigh was formally called Lega, Lege, Leigh Milites, or Knights Leigh, and derives its first name from tho Auger family, who formerly had possessions in this parish. John Anger was Lord of this Manor in 18th Edward II. in 1427, Richard Cheddar was the owner; from thence it passed to the Newtons, the Capels, the Proctors, the Gales, and the Tuckers. This parish is pleasantly situated in a pretty country, under the slope of the Blackdowns. The land abounds with brown, red and yellow flint, some black jasper, and a few fossils”. (Edward Jeboult, A General Account of West Somerset, p. 22, 1873).

The kinship context within which Bartholomew Owen appears is that of Bennett:

(1. Berde (standardised spelling); alias Burd, Byrd, etc.
1.1. Alice Berde, m. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen, Nov. 17, 1619. (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).
1.1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen.
1.2. John Berde
1.2.1. Thomas Berde, bapt. March 20, 1580.
1.2.1.1. Agnes Berde, m. Thomas Bennett, June 17, 1623; br. of Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia, father of Ann Bennett, who m. (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677, in Virginia. Thomas and Richard Bennett were second-cousins of Richard Bennett, d. 1709. His first wife was (circumstantially) Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Their grandson, William Bennett, m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. Thomas and Richard Bennett were nephews of Eleanor Bennett:

1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner, whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who (with Edward Brantley) witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church.
1.1.1.1.1. Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt. (Of the family interm. with that of Robert Owen, merchant of Bristol).
1.2. 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, associate of Richard Bennett. Edward held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy. (No proof of issue).
1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, tobacco associate of kinsman, John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of Elenor Bennett. “At a Court at Westover, Feb. 7, 1789: “Mrs. Sarah Bland proves her letter of atty. from her husband, Mr. Jno. Bland of London. John Hardeway John Ekoll on behalf of the orphans of Thos. Harris, dec’d., agst. Mr. Jno. Bland for 700 lbs. tob. owed for an ox which debt Mrs. Sarah Bland (aforementioned) confesses to. Maj. Jno. Stith, Guardian. At a Court at Westover, Oct. 15, 1679: ‘Admin, granted Jno. Hardeway (almost certainly of Bristol) on the estate of Ebbett Harris dec’d’. Ebbett was not an uncommon West Country name. (There are no proven children of this Thomas. He was not the son of “the Sergeant”.
1.3. Richard Harris. His deed of land of 1672 was witnessed by George Proctor).

The usual accounts of the Proctors seem to amalgamate several seperate families. Those connected to Bartholomew Owen shared the same West Country associations, and the same unique dialect: “Uur du kracukee aul dhu dai laung, bud kaa n zee muuch dhu maad’r wai ur” – she croaks of her ailments all the day long, but (one) cannot see much the matter with her.

Early Virginia was composed of “linguistic islands”, peopled by families who had in some instances been kin for centuries; and who continued to intermarry as a means of preservation and furtherence. The usual accounts of many English families in early Virginia are plucked from the pages of Burke, and have people from widely different areas and cultures marry as a result of being thrown together in a Virginia “melting pot” – a randomness that would have been a dangerous anathema at this time. People were neighbours because they were kin – the “wolf at the door” was not a welcome prospect.

To gain insight into early Virginia genealogies depends on understanding the subject matter.

Many of this account understood cattle and horses, and were used to the dangers of swamps and floods – a hardy breed.

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If we imagine that a common ancestor of the various Harris families of Somerset was born in 1450, and had three sons, and each of these had three sons, then, if this pattern was repeated over each generation, he would have a large number of male descendants from whom Harris families of Virginia may have stemmed. Each of these ‘stems’ would have married into the same families, producing an almost inpenetrable ‘hedge’ of Harris and associated families.

A branch of such may have been of Taunton.

Anthony Harris/1640/Phillip Clarke/James City.
Jane Harris/1639/John White/James City.
John White/1642/ Thomas Wombwell/ James City.
Katherine White/1640/ Phillip Clarke/James City.
Thomas Wombwell/1638/ Christopher Lawson/ James City. Christopher Lawson, 400 acs. James Citty Co., 1 May 1638, p. 564. At the head of Rolphes Cr., beg. E. upon a reedy Sw. & into the woods W. Trans. of 8 pers. William Reynolds … Thomas Wombwell.

TAUNTON

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.
1.1.2. Thomas Clarke, bapt. Dec. 3, 1637.
1.1.3. Mary Clarke, bapt. Aug. 30, 1640, m. Richard Tucker, Sept. 7, 1658.
1.2. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Gillett, Feb. 1638.
1.2.1. John Clarke, m. Elizabeth Herring, Dec. 25, 1663, she bapt. June 30, 1650, in Taunton, dau. of Henry, son of John Herring and Eleanor Parsons, who m. Nov. 25, 1626, in Bishops Hull, 1½ mile W. of Taunton. Henry was probably closely related to William Herring, who m. Mary Proctor, April 25, 1655, in Bishops Hull. John Herring was probably the son of John Herring and Tamsin Harris, who m. April 11, 1608, in Bishops Hull.

1. John Hearinge, m. Alice Peret, July 18, 1565.
1.1. John Herring “the elder”, m. Tamsin Harris, April 11, 1608.
1.1.1. John Herring, m. Eleanor Parsons, Nov. 25, 1626.
1.1.1.1. Henry Herring.
1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Herring, m. John Clarke.
1.1.2. Andrew Herring (d. 1636), m. Ann Shute, June 15, 1630.
1.1.2.1. William Herring, bapt. Jan. 13, 1632, m. Mary Proctor, April 24, 1655.

1.1.2.2. John Herring, bapt. Feb. 28, 1635.
1.1.2.2.1. (It is suggested) Anthony Herring, d. 1744 in Bertie Co.; in 1718 bought 150 ac. from Benjamin Joyner on Blackwater Swamp, br. of Martha Joyner who m. Thomas Turner. He m. Rebecca West, dau. of William West and Rebecca Bracewell.
1.1.2.2.1.1. John Herring B. 3, p. 19, 1618, April 5, 1720, Chowan Pct.: held land. adj. Wm. West and Robert Turner.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1. Simon Herring. Granted 200 ac. in Johnston Co. NC (B. 4, p. 1043). October 2, 1751, Granted 600 ac. in Duplin Co. NC.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Captain Simon Herring, listed in the Johnston Regiment of Foot; m. his cousin, Rachel.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Susanna Herring, m. John Harris, in Wayne Co., NC., his Will pr. Nov. 1824. William Harriss of Wayne Co, NC, for 16 pounds, to Simon Herring of Wayne, for L150 on the south side of the Neuse River, betw. Sleepy Creek head, and Horsepen Branch, adj. Samuel Herring, Dickson … land, which was patented to Enoch Price on Nov. 18, 1802, and transferred by deed to Wm. Harriss on Jan. 12, 1805. Witnesses: James Herring and Joseph Herring. 1823/24 James Herring was executor of the Will of John Harris Sr.m and was appointed guardian of his daughters in 1835.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, b. Nov. 12, 1800, d, 1839, m. Oct. 31, 1822, Elizabeth Herring, dau. of James and Elizabeth Reaves.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Penelope Harris, m. Bryant Lane, son of William Lane and Elisabeth Reaves.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.3. Nancy Harris, m. Thomas Reaves.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.4. William Harris. Wayne Co, B. 12, p. 536: John Harris, Sr., deed of gift to son William Harris, excepting a lifetime estate for self and after his death, for the support of all his children except son John, and for the support of his wife Sukey, during her widowhood, Jan. 9, 1823. In 1805, James Herring and Joseph Herring witnessed a deed of William Harris to Simon Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.2. James Herring.

1.1.2.2.1.2. Abraham Herring, m. Mary Williams. B. D., p. 276: John Herring to Abram Herring, May 10 1736, L100 for 380 ac. on s side of ‘Bear Swamp’, part of patent granted to John Herring on Aug. 10, 1720, witnessed by Robert Warren and Simon Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.2.1. Daniel Herring. The Will of John Tomlin (son of Mathew Tomlin) was witnessed by Daniel Herring, John Harris, & Martha Tomlin. Recorded Feb. 6, 1752. Mary Fulgham’s Will, recorded Feb. 7, 1760, mentioned her br. John Fulgham, cousin Anthony Fulgham Jr., and was witnessed by Daniel Herring and Ann Harris (see previous notes).
1.1.2.2.1.2.2. Jacob Herring, m. Sophia King, dau. of Michael King, son of Henry King and Catherine Clarke.
1.1.2.2.1.2.2.1. Rachel Herring, m. Captain Simon Herring, ca. 1775, Dobbs Co., N.C.

1.1.2.2.1.3. Samuel Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.3.1. Anthony Herring.
1.1.2.2.1.3.1.1. Phereby Herring; d. 1817 in Wayne Co., m. Joshua Grantham (b. Aug. 21, 1740 in Surry Co.; d. Nov. 6, 1781, in Wayne Co.), son of Edward Grantham, d. in Dobbs Co., ca. 1760, and Catherine Proctor, dau. of Joshua Proctor and Katherine Owen, dau. of Bartholomew Owen.

1. William Harris, b. ca. 1745, d. 1817, Muhlenberg Co., NC.
1.1. William Harris.
1.2. John Harris, m. Susanah Herring.
1.2.1. John Harris, m. Elizabeth Herring.
1.3. Daniel Harris, m. Abbe Sanders in Duplin Co., Apr. 21, 1801

BIBLE OF JAMES HERRING

James Herring, son of Simon and Rachel Herring was born June 15th A.D. 1777.
Elizabeth Herring wife of said James Herring and daughter of Adam B. and Anne Reaves was born April 10th A D 1785 Married March 24th 1805.
Anne Herring daughter of Said James and Elizabeth Herring was born February 7th AD 1804.
Elizabeth Herring daughter of said persons was born 27 July 1806.
Zilpha Herring daughter of Said persons was born March 29th AD 1809.
Joel Herring son of the above persons born May 6th AD 1811.
Abigail Herring daughter of the above persons born September 5th A.D. 1813.
James Herring son of the above persons born Decr 18th A.D. 1815.
Benjamin Herring son of the above persons born July 8th AD 1818.
Edith Herring daughter of said persons was born Jan 31th AD 1821.
Edney Herring daughter of said persons was born Febry 21st A.D 1823.
Caity Herring daughter of Said persons was born Augt 18th AD 1825.
Elizabeth and Susan Lewis the daughters of John and Abigail Lewis was born 21th of July 1836.
James Daniel son of Simon & Zilphia Herring was born April 27th 1819.
Sarah Herring was born February 25 1836.
Elizabeth Herring was born July 27th 1840.
James Harris son of John and Elizabeth Harris was born March 20th 1833.
Elizabeth Herring daughter of James and Eliza Herring was married to John Harris son of John Harris Oct 31st 1822.
Joel Herring son of James Herring and Pollyet Kornegay daughter of George F. Kornegay was married March 19th 1835.
Abigail Herring daughter of James & Elizab Herring was married to John Lewis son of Urbin Lewis October 1st 1835.
Benjamin Herring and Grissella Pipkin was married September 3th 1842.
James R Parker and Edith Herring was married May the 18th 1865.
Lewis Outlaw and Catey Herring was married July the 10 day 1866.

Quite a thicket to cut through.

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What passes as ‘factual’ in most accounts of the earliest lineage of the Norman Dukes is nothing more than a preference for a Norwegian or Danish origin, fiercly contested in the 19th century by nationalistic zealots. Later accounts employed the twenty-first-century equivalent of propagandists to produce accounts compatible with the Noman Dukes’ hereditary legitimacy to rule. Spin doctor par excellence was the Frankish Chronicler, Dudo of St Quentin, who grappled with the problem of the male succession from Rollo to his son, William, through a concubine – what the church deemed pagan. The added risk, apart from the enmity of the church, was that competing members of the ruling clan could challenge a claimed descent through a particular concubine as spurious, which they often did. A point often missed is that concubines would have been the sisters of rival claimants.

Of Dudo’s work, Henry Howorth commented that it was “a mere farrago of distorted and altered fragments from the old annalists” (A Criticism of the Life of Rollo, as told by Dudo de St Quentin, Archaeologia, 45, no. 2, 1880), a view shared, in the round, by most present-day historians; who also point to elements of fact within the “farrago”; diamonds in the coal.

Dudo lent heavily on Greek mythology, claiming that the Vikings who conquered Normandy descended from Antenor, a companion of Aeneas, and a Trojan who betrayed Troy to the Greeks. A later chronicler, Orderic Vitalis, invented a son of Antenor, who he named Danus, after whom, it was claimed, the Dani (Danes) were named, and whom settled in Dacia (Denmark).

What stands out as fact is that Rodulf (latinised to Rollo) commanded a force of Danes (with some Anglo-Saxon mercenaries) in a failed attack on Chartres in 911. He almost certainly had the same origin as his men. The invaders of Normandy were referred to as “Marchmen”, describing an origin between the Elbe and Eyder, that is, of the march, the boundary between Germany and Denmark.

When Dudo tells of Rollo’s dream, it is an allegory that depicted the Norman view of of their ancestry, in which “birds of many types and colours came to bathe on a mountain” – that is, the ‘Normans’ were of mixed breed, ruled by an aristocratic, probably Danish, component.

Given a probable Danish origin of Rollo, it would not seem unreasonable to outline the leaders of Danish war-bands associated with attacking France, as Rollo was their successor, and, perhaps, kin – of the “clan of Ivar”.

The conjecture that the “clan of Ivar” descended from Ragnar Lodbrok is built on the genealogical quicksand of assigning legendary status to supposed founders of dynasties. Ragnar Lodbrok has been equated with the Reginheri who attacked Paris in 845 and (probably the same person) the Raginerius given land by Charles the Bold in 840. The chronicler Adam of Bremen wrote of: “Ingvar, the son of Lodbrok, who everywhere tortured Christains to death”. Ragnar was first equated with Lodbrok in Norse sources in 1070, and this assimilation brought about the theory that Lodbrok was the feminine noun Lodbroka, derived from the name of a fertility goddess, Lopkona; its second component is ON kona, ‘woman’, and, according to Lid (1942, 1, 18), the name probably refers to the ritual custom of wearing grass costumes (hairy-breeches) for the purpose of invoking fertility.

It is unnecessary to ponder such speculation, as there is no proof of who was the father of Ivar. This, in a broad sense, did not matter, as, even if Ragnar and his ancestors are purely fictional, such fiction provided the inspiration for Viking colonists. In 940, Knut and Harald invaded the north of England because “they claimed it as their inheritence, because the sons of Lodbrok and other forbears of theirs had possessed it” (Jomsvikinga). Rulers have always used myths to justify their rule and inspire their followers.

In the genealogical construction that follows, relationships have been assumed. It can not be known how or whether those named were related by blood. They were almost certainly related as kin of sorts, and, by this measure, can be assigned a collective identity. Viking armies were composed of “sodalitates” – “bands of companions” or “brotherhoods” – distinct groupings whose leaders usually shared close familial ties.

1. A Norse chieftain.

1.1. Ivar. His nickname (‘beinlauss’) is wrongly interpreted as ‘boneless’, reflecting a misunderstanding of the written source of exosus (cruel), which was abbreviated to exos (boneless), hence stories invented to explain this strange epithet. Exosus accords well with Adam of Bremen’s description of Ivarr as crudelissimusis. (J. de Vries, ‘Die westnordische Tradition der Sage von Ragnar Lodbrok’. Zeitschrift für deutsche Philologie 53, 257-302, 1928). Traditionally, Ivar has been assigned two sons, viz. Sitric (Sigtryggr); and Godfrey (so called in Cod. Clarendon, tom. 47), alias Guthfrith. Sitric I. is not known to have left any descendants; thus Guthfrith is assumed to have had had four sons, Anlaf, Guthfrith; Ragnal, and Sitric II. I would consider it more reasonable that, as a son was rarely named after his father in this period, Sitric I. was the father of Guthfrith II., and Guthfrith I. was father of Sitric II.; a view partly supported by Adam of Bremen, who identifies only Ragnall and Sitric as the sons of Guthfrith Ivarsson, on the authority of a work not now extant.
1.1.1. Sitric 1 (Sigtryggr).
1.1.1.1. Guthfrith Sigtryggsson (Gofraid ua Ímair), king of York in 927, who died in 934. The first report of Guthfrith is in 918, when he accompanied Ragnall’s expedition to Northumbria.
1.1.1.1.1. Olaf Guthfrithson (Óláfr Guðfriðarson), King of Dublin from 934 to 941. He married the daughter of king Constantine II of Scotland. In 939, he invaded York, forcing Athelstan’s successor, Edmund, into a treaty which ceded to Olaf Northumbria and part of Mercia.

1.1.2. Godfrey/Guthfrith), “Duke of Frisia”, and ruler in Dublin in 883 – the Danish leader who had probably been with the Great Heathen Army (led by Sigifridus, between 882-6), which descended on the Continent. He became a vassal of the Emperor Charles III., after that ruler sued for peace, giving Godfrey most of Frisia to rule. Charles also gave him Gisela, illegitimate daughter of King Lothair II., as his wife.

“The original war-band that Sitric 1 and Godfrey represented seems to have been expelled from Ireland, yet in 910 a fresh band of “Gentiles” arrived, establishing themselves in Waterford, which they fortified the following year, having been reinforced by a large body of their countrymen. In 915, the two brothers, Sitric II. and Ragnall, alias Ragenold, the sons of Godfrey, and grandsons of Ivar, landed, one in Kildare, the other in Waterford, and assumed a joint command. Dublin was not recovered till 918, when it passed into the possession of Godfrey II. (“the most cruel of the Northmen”); cousin of Sitric II. and Ragnal. According to the contemporary Annals of Ulster, this latter Godfrey is described as “Lord of the Gentiles” and his cousin, Ragnall, on his death in 921, as “king of the fair foreigners and the dark foreigners” (leader of the various Viking war bands). Godfrey II. assisted his cousin, Sitric II., in his fight in 927 against his brother-in-law, Athelstan of England. Both Sitric II. (925) and Ragnall (923) had briefly ruled in Northumberland, as Godfrey, and were given the ua Imhar patronymic” (Benjamin T. Hudson, Prophecy of Berchán, Irish and Scottish high-kings of the early Middle Ages, p. 144, 1996).

1.1.2.1. Sitric II. He commanded Viking forces in the Battle of Confey. The Annals of Ulster records the arrival of two viking fleets in Ireland in 917, one led by Ragnall ua Ímair and the other by Sitric, both of the House of Ivar. It is perhaps worth noting that Vikings did not conquer Ireland; they only controlled certain localities, often for short periods.
1.1.2.1.1. Harald: ‘Aralt (great) grandson of Ivar and son of Sitric, lord of the foreigners of Limerick’ (Four M.), proposed as synonomous with Harald of Bayeux, a noted ally of Rollo’s family, who came to hold land between Bayeux and Coutances, possibly connected to the family of the Duchess Gunnor, and the person called on for assistance by Bernard the Dane when the Scandinavian colonists came under attack by Frankish forces. (Hudson, Viking Pirates, p. 65, 2005).
1.1.2.2. Bernard the Dane. (Beorn).
1.1.2.3. Ragnall (ua Ímair). “The identity between the Ragnall of the Irish Sea and Ragnald of northern Britain is no longer in doubt” (Downham, Viking Kings, p. 94). I equate him with this Ragnall: The annalist Flodoard mentioned a Viking named Ragenold, like Rollo, called princeps Nortmannorum, leader of the Loire Vikings, who were regarded as a menace, especially to Brittany. He is noted as being a man of Rollo, who attended the coronation of Rollo’s son, William Longsword, in 931, and was probably of Rollo’s family (A. Hugo, France Historique, p. 416, 1837).

In the Irish annals, this entire grouping are specifically referred to as ua Imair (descendants of Ivar), or Clann Imair (kindred of Ivar). The latter term would perhaps be the more accurate, as descent through a powerful matriarchal line was of some importance in Viking society.

1.1.3. Osketil, perhaps the Ketil who was said by Richer of Reims (Historia, i, 28, vol. 1, p. 62) to be the father of Rollo (‘filio Catilli’). This identification of Rollo’s father is supported by David Crouch (The Normans: the history of a dynasty, pp. 297-300, 2002). Professor Crouch also suggests that Rollo’s uncle was probably someone called Malahulc, identified by Orderic Vitalis c. 1113 (GND, ii., 94-5, Musset, 1977, 48-9), but not known from any other source, whom I would equate with Helgi, alias Hulci. lt was probably the case that Icelandic saga accounts were based on the similarity of the names Ragnall and Rollo with the Norwegian ones of Ragnvald and his son Hrollaugr, resulting in the claim that Rollo was a son Ragnvald of More, who may, in any case, have been a creation.

“A Danish king or chief, named Osketil, who had commanded a band of his countrymen in the siege of Paris, and to whom Count Eudes had promised an establishment in France, upon condition that he should renounce his piratical habits and embrace the religion of the Franks, was assassinated by a standard bearer, in the suite of the Count, at the very moment he presented himself at the baptismal font. This sacrilegious murder was not only excused by the king, but the assassin received the castle of Blois, the lord of which had been slain by the Normans, as his reward for delivering the kingdom of an enemy, who, it was alleged, might have become the more dangerous for his pretended conversion” (Henry Wheaton, History of the Northmen, p. 231, 1831, cit. Depping, tom. ii. pp. 23–35. Suhm, H. af D. tom. ii. pp. 395, 398, 408, 411).

1.1.3.1. Rollo (Hrolfr). Norse name ‘Hrolfr’, cognate to the Franco-Germanic ‘Rodulf’ or ‘Radulf’. In order to show that the exploits of Rollo were based on those of Guthred (Godfrey), I will again borrow from Mr. Howorth:

“The story of Rollo depends mainly upon the testimony of the biographer and panegyrist of his grandson Richard the First, Dudo of St. Quentin, who had access to the sons of those who were Rollo’s actual contemporaries and companions, yet he given us such a false and unsubstantial account. Where the annals say Guthfred or Sigfred, he retains the exploit, but assigns it boldly to his hero. Dudo makes Rollo advance upon Rouen and there have an interview with its bishop, Franco; but, as has long been pointed out, Franco was not made bishop until the year 909, and it is clear that if the incidents of the story are reliable, the date 876 is utterly inadmissible”.

1.1.3.1. William Longsword. He was not named as William in 927 by Flodoard. This Christian name was bestowed upon him in 933, probably at the time of his sister’s marriage to Count William of Poitou. Her Norse name, Gerloc (‘Geirlaug’), was changed to Adele at this time; her brother’s Norse name remains unknown. It was almost certainly the case that “William” was chosen by Rollo as his successor from a number of rival claimants, of mothers of rival clans; a scenario undoubtedly pertinent to Williams’s choice of Robert as his successor.

“The Siege of Paris: There Dudo gives the leadership to Rollo, were, in fact, the leaders of it were Sigfried and Guthred. None of the annalists of the time say a word about Rollo. The whole account is distorted, and is another instance of the way in which Dudo has converted to the honour of Rollo deeds with which he had nothing to do. The history of France during the ten years from 900 to 910 is hid in almost impenetrable mists. There is a huge gap in the Annals, the reason being no doubt the terribly disturbed state of Gaul and Germany and the ravages of the Danes. As these Annals fail, so does Dudo most consistently. Having no material to transform, he creates none. He has not handed us even a tradition, but makes a clean jump over the chaotic interval; and when we emerge from the blank it is generally supposed that we come upon undoubted, independent evidence of the existence of Rollo; that the Frodoard Annals mention the treaty he made with Charles the Simple at St. Clair-sur-Epte in 911; and that this date is the first one at which we have independent evidence of the presence of Rollo in France”.

1.2. Healfdene, named as a brother of Sigfried in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles.

1.3. Sigfried, ‘king’ in Denmark in 873. In this year, Hedeby, and thus the fortress of Hochburg, was controlled by Sigfried, who negotiated its trade with King Ludwig of Germany. (Angelo Forte, Richard D. Oram, Frederik Pedersen, Viking Empires, p. 46, 2005). “According to the testimony of Svein II. Estridsen, Sigfrid was succeeded as a king in Denmark by Helgi, probably after the battle on the Dyle in 891” (Gwyn Jones, A History of the Vikings, p. 111, 2001).

A commander of Sigfried and Healfdene was Hals, mentioned in the Annales Fuldenses for 882. Hals is a similar name to Hulci in its genitive form, so it is reasonable to equate Hals with Hulci and Helgi.

1.3.1. Helgi (Malahulc), who succeeded his father as ruler of Hedeby; a reign that was short-lived.
1.3.1.1. Gorm the Old (Gorm den Gamle), who is mentioned in Cogadh Gall fri Gaedh-alaibh as Tamar Mac Elgi: “In the copy of that work preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, H. 2, 17, p. 359, he is said to have come with a royal great fleet, some time after the death of the monarch Niall Glun-dubh, who was slain in the year 916, and to have put in at Inis Sibtond, at Limerick. The same person is mentioned in Mageoghegan’s translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise, under the year 922, where the following strange passage occurs: ” A.D. 922. Tomrair Mac Alchi, king of Denmarck, is reported to go (to have gone) to hell with his pains, as he deserved. This is evidently the Tamar mac Elgi of H. 2, 172″ (J. O’Donavon, ed. and trans., intro, xli, 1847).
1.3.1.1.1. King Harald Gormsson.

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GENERAL INTEREST

There are extraordinary insights to be gained from the study of medieval charters, especially those translated by such luminaries as Francis Peck (The Antiquarian Annals of Stanford in Lincoln, 1727).

We can glean much of the mindset of the landed classes and the limits of their ‘charity’. It is a common misconception that their gifts to religious houses (to pay for obsequies for their soul and that of their ancestors) were free of incumberance. As any modern day landlord, if (‘religious’) tenants did not pay their rent on ‘gifted’ land it was repossessed.

We access the names of ancient tenements, now mostly under concrete – the poignancy of charters, gifting from those about to die, one such of Asceline de Waterville’s terminating in: ‘Farewell’ – the ‘truth’ of history, with the narrative of ‘King John versus the barons’ being shown in the context of ‘barons versus barons’.

CONNECTIONS TO BERC

For those of a genealogical interest, Francis Peck gives an insight into the Colvilles association to S. Michael of Stanford, from which family, I suppose, came the 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).

William Berc descended from William, a nephew of Ralph (on his mother’s side), son of Achard de Stanford (Peck, 4), who, in 1170, was patron of the church of St. Peter, gifting its tithes to the nuns of St. Michael, founded by William de Waterville; to which William de Colville, of Bytham, was a benefactor.

Richard, son of William ‘the nephew’ was a grantor to the nuns of St. Michael’s, Stanford, of land in Wenton, which he held of the Colvilles. (Rutland). 1238. (N.A., E 210/194). Richard was the brother of William de Berc, who confirmed this grant in 1246 (Rutland). 1246. (N.A., E 210/165). One of these brothers, it may reasonably be presumed, was the father of Robert de Berc, whose son, William, was of age in 1391 ( Leicester and Rutland R.O., DE1431/228), and was probably the aformentioned Walter de Hameldon’s co-grantor.

William ‘the nephew’ was a son of Hugh de Berc, recorded in Rutland in 1176 and 1180 (Pipe R. Soc. xxv, 185; xxix, 88). In 1197, he acknowledged that gave to Roger de Colville all his lands in Berc which he held of William Colville, which lands were to be held of Hugh by the service of a sixth part of a knight’s fee. The grant was confirmed by Thomas, eldest son of Hugh de Berc.

The family made various grants in Wenton to St. Michael’s Priory, Stanford (Anct. D. (P.R.O.), B. 1202, 1214; D. 172, 194, 165). In 1206, Hawise, the widow of Hugh de Berc, conveyed her dower in Stanford (4 virgates) to Roger de Colville Sr. (Cur. Reg. R. iv, 232, 283; cf. ibid. 306; Feet of F. Rutl. Trin. 9 John). Hawise was probably a dau. of William de Colville and Maud (Matilda) d’Albini (Brito), thus, aunt of Roger.

In 1276, the above 4 virgates were held by Walter de Colville, who d. in 1277, leaving a son and heir Roger, who d. in 1287–8, leaving an infant son, Edmund, who was succeeded in 1316 by his son Robert, aged 10 (Cal. Inq. ii, no. 592). Robert, Lord Colville, d. in 1368, when Robert, son of his son Walter, succeeded.

Thus:

1. Hugh de Berc, tenant of William de Colville, br.-in-law of Alice de Stuteville, wife of Roger de Merlay, parents of Roger de Merlay, who m. Margery de Umframville, sister of Gilbert de Umframville I., under whom the Colvilles held in Normanton, and, almost certainly, in “Hameldune”. William de Colville was the son of William de Colville, whose wife’s cousin, William Albini I. (Brito), m. Matilda, dau. of Odonel de Umframville (grandfather of Gilbert de Umframville I.), whose family armorial was: gules, 3 cinque foils or, which were associated with the descendants of Walter de Hameldun: ‘(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, 2006). Hugh de Berc m. Hawise de Colville.

2. Willian de Berc, cousin of Roger de Colville, who received the dower lands of William de Berc’s mother

3. Richard de Berc, tenant of the Colvilles at Wenton. He he or his br. was the father of:

4. Robert de Berc.

5. William de Berc, held land in Stanford with Walter de Hameldon.

GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATIONS

By way of clarification, some idea of the geographical associations between places in this account should be given, for they were subject to changes of county.
Francis Peck (hereinafter as précis):

In the 5 of H. 3. the towns of Gretham, Cotesmore, Overton, Stretton, Thistleton, Tigh, Wichendon, Exton, Whitwel, Alstanthorp, Burghley, Exwell; Ochcham cherchesoche, Hameldune cherchesoche, & Ridlington cherchesoche, all part of the county of Nottingham, were made part of the county of Rutland. Now S. Peters parish in Stanford being part of Hameldune cherchesoche, it is, I think, evident that the said parish of S. Peter in Stanford, was, till then, part of the county of Nottingham.
In the 15. of Henry the third, the advowson of the church of Hamildon in Rutland, was adjudged to belong to the bishop of Lincoln, together with the chapel of Brandeston, & a pension of twenty shillings from the church of S. Peter in Stanford.

About this time the nuns of S. Michael by Stanford, having employed a certain clerc, a friend of theirs, to sollicit a confirmation of their privileges at Rome, he, as they afterwards alledged, against their order, got inserted some additional articles, to wit, one for the said nuns to chuse their own prioress (an act which greatly provoked the abbat & monks of Burg, in whom that right was invested by William Waterville sometime abbat of that church & founder of this nunnery) & another to release them from payment of sundry pensions, reserv’d to the said abbat & monks of Burg, out of several churches by them heretofore given to the said nuns.

The village of Upper Hambleton stands on the top of a hill some 417 ft. above the Ordnance datum, and fine views over the Vale of Catmos can be had from it. The land falls away from the village about 200 ft. to the River Gwash on the south and east and to a stream, a tributary of the Gwash, on the north. The village street is built along a by-road leading from Edith Weston to the main road from Stanford to Oakham, which latter town is about three miles distant. (A History of the County of Rutland: vol. 2, ed. William Page (London, 1935), pp. 66-72).

The manor of Hambleton with the rest of Martinsley wapentake, first appears as part of the dower of Aelfthryth, mother of Ethelred the Unready, and afterwards as dower of Ethelred’s queen, Emma. The Confessor granted the two mother churches of Oakham and Hambleton, with the church of St. Peter, Stanford, belonging to Hambleton, and all appurtenances, to St. Peter’s, Westminster, while the manors of Oakham and Hambleton belonged to his queen Edith at the time of the Norman Conquest under his grant to her of Rutland for life with reversion to the Abbey.
In the Lincolnshire survey, Albert appears as holding the church of St. Peter, Stanford, with two dwellings and ½ carucate land in Hambleton. (Mellows, Pytchley’s Bk. of Fees, 21).

The seven berewicks of Hambleton may have been Braunston, Normanton, (where the Colvilles were tenants of their kinsfolk, the Umfravilles). Lyndon, Martinsthorpe, Edith Weston, Manton, and Market Overton. (Add. R. (B.M.), 7177).

The manor known by the 14th century as Great Hambleton was granted by the Conqueror or William Rufus after 1086 to the ancestor of the Umfravilles, apparently Robert ‘with the beard’. (Rot. Hund. Rec. Com., ii, 49). This record throws doubt on the interpretation of ‘barba’ as beard (cf. Hist. of Northumb., xii, 81); ‘who came to the Conquest of England’. Robert was apparently succeeded by another Robert (d. about 1145) who was pardoned for some default in 1130, (and he by Odinel, who built Prudhoe Castle. Odinel’s son, Odinel d’Umfraville,* one of the barons who captured William the Lion at Alnwick, (died seised of land in Normanton and elsewhere in the county in 1182, and was succeeded by his son, Robert (Pipe R. Soc. xxxii, 46). *As will hereinafter be given, William de Colville’s wife was the first-cousin of William Albini I. (Brito), who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umfraville, grandfather of Gilbert de Umfravville I.,* whose family armorial was, as the later Hamiltons, gules, 3 cinque foils or.

He was succeeded in 1226 here and in Redesdale by his son, *Gilbert I., who, in 1238, presented to the church of Market Overton, where he held a knight’s fee.
The heir Gilbert II., second Earl of Angus, joined the baronial party against Henry III, but was in possession of Market Overton in 1267 and of Hambleton in 1275. He settled the two manors in 1289 on his eldest son Gilbert III. and his wife Margaret, dau. of Thomas de Clare, and their issue. Gilbert III died in 1303 in his father’s lifetime and the Earl then settled the reversion of the manor of Hambleton, after Margaret’s death, on himself and Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan (Inq. a.q.d. xliii, 13), and his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of Roger de Quincey, the uncle of Robert de Quincy, whose half-sister, Asceline, m. Thomas de Colville, br. of William de Colville.

Alexander Comin’s half-brother, Richard, was the father of John “the Red” Comyn, who m. Eve de Lindsay, dau. of William de Lindsay, and sister of David de Lindsay, ancestor of Sir James Lindsay of Crawford (d. 1397), who m. Margaret, dau. of Sir William Keith. Margaret Keith’s sister, Janet Keith, m. Sir David Hamilton, 3rd Laird of Cadzow, son of David FitzWalter. Sir James Lindsay and Margaret Keith had issue: Margaret Lindsay, who m. Sir Thomas Colville of Oxenham, d. ca. 1402, a distant cousin of the Colvilles under consideration, yet closely connected as a common entity:

Sir Thomas Colville of Oxenham was a descendant of Thomas de Colville (cognomento ‘the Scot’), obit. 1219, Constable of Dumfries Castle. ‘Thomas de Colville, the constable of Dumfries Castle, gave land in Galloway to Vaudey Abbey, to pray for the souls of dead Scottish Kings. The fact that a Lincolnshire Abbey received land in Galloway for the souls of Scottish Kings is only explicable because of the existence of an aristocratic family with members in both kingdoms’ (G. Barrow, The Anglo-Norman Era in Scottish History, 1980).

The Lindsays took their name from the fief of Lindesia in Lincolnshire, held of the de Gand family, one of whom would have been a ‘militibus de Lindesia’, ante 1135 (RBE, 292, 293, 298); a proposition repeated thus: Sir Walter de Lindissi or Lind(e)say (was) ‘almost certainly 3rd son of Gilbert de Gand probably accompanied David, Earl of Huntingdon, subsequently King David I, in his anglicising of the Lowlands in the early 12th century; he was witness 1116 to an inquisition concerning the see of Glasgow’ (Charles Mosley, editor, Burke’s Peerage, 107th edition, vol. 1, p. 950).

THE COLVILLES OF STANFORD

1. William de Colville, m. Maud (Matilda) d’Albini (Brito), dau. of Ralph d’Albini (Brito). William held one night’s fee of Robert de Gand in Lincs., husband of Gunnora d’Albini (Brito), Maud’s sister. Ralph d’Albini (Brito) was the uncle of William Albini I. (Brito), who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umframville (grandfather of Gilbert de Umframville I.), whose family armorial was: gules, 3 cinque foils or.

In R. I. William de Coleville gave a fine of thirty marcs for livery of his purparty of fifteen knights to S. Michael of Stanford and fees in Binebruc & Aburne in Lincolnshire . ‘Know present & future people that I William le Colevil & Matilda my wife, have given & granted, & for me & my heirs sold, & by this our present charter confirmed to Q. the monk & his heirs, for his service, one half acre of land ; to wit, that which lies beyond the land of the church towards North-Witham near the land of the same Q, the monk, at Walterbusc: paying therefore yearly he & his heirs, to me & my heirs, one clove of a july-flower, to wit, at Easter; for all service & exaction. And I William le Colevil & my heirs will warant the foresaid land to the foresaid Q. the monk & his heirs, & to whomsoever he shall give & sell it, against all men. For this selling & gift of the lands the said Q. the monk hath given me six shillings before hands. And that this may be firm, to the present charter I have put to my seal. Witnesses John le Diva.

1.1. William de Colville, m. Beatrice de Stuteville. Her sister, Alice, m. Roger de Merlay, son of Ralph de Merlay, Lord of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Juliana of Dunbar, dau. of Gospatric II. of Dunbar. Roger de Merlay and Alice de Stuteville had issue: Roger de Merlay, who m. Margery de Umframville, dau. of Richard Umframville, and sister of Gilbert de Umframville I.

1.1.1. Roger de Colville, of Bytham Castle, Lincolnshire.

1.1.1.1. Walter de Colville, bore as armorial: or, a fess gules, as a descendant of the Coxwold Colvilles, who bore or a fess gules charged with three lions rampant argent, the charge being the arms of Fauconberge, with which the Colvilles intermarried.

1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Colville, of Bytham Castle.

Francis Peck:

To all the faithful of Christ, who shall see or hear this writing, Roger de Coleville, greeting in the Lord eternal. Ye shall understand that I have released , and altogether quit claimed for ever, for me, & my heirs, or my assigns, to the Nuns of St. Michael without Stanford and their successors, all manner the service, & the whole right & claim, which I ever had, or have been able to have, in all that tenement which the said nuns hold of my fee in the town of Wenton, & likewise in the field of Berk, to wit, as well in wards, reliefs, eschaets, as in suits of courts, & all manner the other secular services, customs, exactions or demands; so that I, nor my heirs, nor my assigns, from the said nuns, on account of the said tenement hence & for ever hereafter, neither will, nor shall be able to require any thing: save only the yearly rent of ten shillings to me & my heirs, or my assigns, to be paid at two terms of the year, to wit, at the nativity of St. John Baptist five shillings, and at the purification of the virgin Mary five shillings. Saving moreover the forinsec right of the Lord the K. unto the said tenement belonging. And if it happen that the said nuns shall be wanting in payment of the said rent at the abovesaid terms, then it shall be lawful for me, or my heirs, or my assigns to make a distress in the said tenement, till it shall be fully satisfied to us. And that this release & our quitclaim may obtain the strength of a perpetual firmness, to this writing, I have put to my seal. Witnesses, Sir William de Coleville, knight, then steward of the said lord Roger de Coleville, John de Burle, Richard de Rippele, Geoffry de Cottesmor, Helpa de Berk, William de Berk clerc, Ralph Maudut of Overton, & others. Given at Berk, at Easter in the year of our Lord 1279.

In 1297. 25. E. 1. ‘about May beganne a rebellion in Scotland by the setting on of William Waleys; the E. of Surrey [lord of Stanford) being then in England. Whereupon the K. appointed that the said E. should have the leading of all such men of warre as might be levied beyond Trent, to represse the Scottish rebels. After that the E. of Surrey was come to the English campe, bicause William Waleys ceased not to assemble more people, the Englishmen doubting of some treason, resolved to give battle: but whylest they were in mind thus to do, the bp. of Glascow & William Douglass submitted themselves, & so were committed to warde. About the end of Aug. the E. of Surrey, when he saw the Scotishmen would not perform promise touchyng delivery of pledges, & that Waleys still moved the people to rebellion, assembled his army, & with the same entred Scotland.

1.1.1.1.2. 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.

1.1.1.1.2.1. Walter FitzGilbert, alias Walter de Hameldon.

1.2. Thomas de Colville, m. Asceline, half-sister of Robert de Quincy.

(1. Saher de Quincy, m. (after 1136) Matilda de Saint Liz, relict of Roger FitzGilbert de Clare, and mother of Matilda FitzRobert de Clare, wife of William d’Albini Brito II., their son marrying Maud de Umframville, their granddau. being the wife of Walter de Colville, as shown. 1.1. Saher de Quincy II., m. (1162) Asceline, relict of Geoffrey de Waterville. 1.1.1. Robert de Quincy, granted the ancient castle of Forfar by his cousin, William I of Scotland, m. Orabella. His half-sister, Asceline, m. Thomas de Colville, br. of William de Colville. 1.1.1.1. Saher de Quincy, one of the 25 sureties of the Magna Carta. The arms of Saher de Quincy are described as or, a fesse gules, which suggest a close affinity to the Colville family. Saher de Quincy m. Margaret de Beaumont, dau. and heir of Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester. 1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Quincy. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth de Quincey, m. Alexander de Comyn, 6th Earl of Buchan, Constable of Scotland (obit. 1290). 1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Comyn, m. Gilbert de Umfraville II., Earl of Angus).

Francis Peck:

Ascelina, the youngest sister & coheiress of William, son of Pain Peverell, married, as I before observed, Geoffry de Waterville. The said Geoffry & Ascelina de Waterville had issue two daughters, Ascelina de Waterville & Matildis de Diva. From Ascelina descended Roger de Torpel; & from Matildis, Hugh de Diva. These two sisters were great benefactresses to the nuns of S. Michael by Stanford.

To all unto whom the present writing shall come, Ascelina de Waterville, eternal greeting in the lord. Your universality shall understand that I have given & granted to God & the church of S. Michael of Staunforde, & to the nuns there serving God, unto their proper uses. For the souls of my father & my mother, & for the souls of my lords & children, & of all my ancestors, & for the health of my soul. Witnesses, Reiner then dean of Stanford , Roger de Torpell, Ralph de Diva, Ralph Mortimer, Thomas de Colewill, Philip de Colewill, Geoffry de Colewill, William de Colewill, Robert de Colewill, Ralph de Colewill.

To all the children of holy mother church, unto whom the present writing shall come, Asclina de Waterville, greeting in the lord. Your universality shall understand, that I have given & granted, & by this my present charter confirmed to God & the church of S. Michael the archangel of Stanford, & to the holy nuns there serving God. Witnesses, Hugh the capellan, lord Thomas de Colevill, Geoffry de Colevill, Ralph de Colevill, & Philip de Colevill, Geoffry de Colevill & William of S. Laurence, & master Sampson, Thomas Patric, & many others. Farewel.

In 1215, William de Albini the third was joyned in commission with the archbishop of Canterbury, William earl Warenn [lord of Stanford] & others, for the safe condućting all those persons who came to London in the terme of the Epiphany, next after the relaxation of the interdićt, to implore the kings favor for their great offences, & thence to the kings court at Northampton, & so to their own homes. This year also the nobles of the north assembled at Stanford against K. John. The occasion they pretended for assembling thus was, ‘that they were oftentimes called forth to serve in the warres & to fight in defence of the realm, & yet notwithstanding were at home still oppressed by the kings officers, who (upon confidence of the lawes) attempted all things whatsoever they conceyved. And if any man complayned, would answer by & by that they had law on theyr side, to do as they had done; so that it was no wrong but right which they did, & therefore, if they that were the lordes & peeres of the realme were men, it stood them upon to provide that such inconvenience might be avoyded, & better lawes brought in use.

The chief ringleaders of this power were, Robert Fitzwater, Eustace Vescy, Richarde Percy, Robert Roos, Peter de Breuse, Nicholas de Stouteville, Saer (de Quincey) earle of Winchester, Henry earle of Clare, Richard earle Bygot, William de Mowbray, William de Cressy, Raufe FitzRobert, Robert de Vere, Fulke Fitz Warenn, William Mallet & many other:

William earl Warenn, lord of Stanford, was one who most inclined to him (K. John) & by whose advice magna carta [& the carta de foresta] were granted. On the other hand, William de Albini [who built Newsted] was one of those twenty five barons, who swore to the observation of magna carta & the carta de foresta, sealed by the king at Runnimede; & who obliged themselves by oath to compel the king [to observe them] in case he should recede. Moreover there were eight & thirty other that were sworn to be obedient. William earl Warenn was one of those thirty-eight.

William de Albini’s stout heart being at length humbled [by his long imprisonment at Corf] he gave a fine of six thousand marcs for his liberty; which mony was raised by Agatha Trusbut his wife, out of his own lands: the king commanding that they should be delivered into her hands for that purpose, with power to sell & mortgage what should be needful, sending likewise his special precept to his tenants to give him effectual aid towards the raising of that great sum.

And now that great lord William de Albini the third, who founded the hospital & priory of Newstede by Stanford, 5 being a stout & valiant soldier, most nobly qualified, & full of days, departed this life at Offintune the morrow preceding May 6. in the year 1236, whereupon his body was buried in his hospital at Newstede, & his heart handsomely deposited under the wall opposit to the north side of the high altar of Belver. This William for the health of his soul & the soul of Agatha then his wife; but especially for the soul of Margery his former wife, gave to the monks of Belvoir, one sheaf of every kind of grain arising out of all his lands belonging to his lordships of Belvoir, Wulstorp, Botelesford, Oskynton, & Stokes. The first of these his wives Margery, was daughter to Odonel de Unfranville, a great baron in Northumberland. The second Agatha, daughter & coheir of …Trusbut, an eminent baron in Yorkshire, & widow of … She was also buried in the priory of Newstede by Stanford. By the first of these wives he had issue, William de Albini the fourth, his son & heir; Odonel, taken prisoner with him at Rochester; & carried to Corf (who lieth buried at Belvoir) as also Robert & Nicholas. He had likewise a daughter, Alice, who married Ascelin de Waterville.

To all the children of holy mother church unto whom the present writing shall come, William de Albini the fourth greeting. Ye shall understand, that I, for the health of my soul, & for the health of the soul of the noble lord William de Albini my fathcr, & for the souls of Margery d’Umfranville my mother, & Albreda my wife, & Isabella my wife, & of my ancestors & successors, have granted & by this my present charter confirmed, to God & the church of S. Mary of New-Place, at the bridge of Uffintun, & to my canons there serving God, who are of the foundation of the said noble man William my father, all that new-place at the bridge of Uffintun, as it is enclosed with a wall & a ditch, with the appurtenances; as also all the donation, lands, men, possessions, rents, & liberties, with all the appurtenances & easements, within the town & without, by the said lord William my father.

I have not seen any thing farther memorable of William de Albini the fourth than that he had two wives, Albreda Biseth, & Isabel. Moreover that he died before the 32 of H. 3. & was buried before the high altar in the priory of Belvoir, & his heart at Croxton priory in Leicestershire. Lastly, that he left issue Isabel his daughter & heir, wife to Robert de Ros (an eminent baron in Yorkshire). Here being a period to the male line of that principal branch of this noble family.

Robert de Ros was son and heir of Everard de Ros (d. bef. 1184) and his wife Roese, dau. of William Trussebut. He m. Isabella, widow of Robert de Brus III, and an illegitimate dau. of King William I. His grandson, Robert de Ros, m. Isabel d’Albini (d. June 15, 1301), dau. of William, d. 1247, and granddau. of William d’Albint (d. 1236) of Belvoir, Leicestershire, by his second wife, Isabel.

Robert de Ros and Isabel had issue: William de Ros, 1st Baron Ros of Helmsley (d.1316), who was one of the claimants of the crown of Scotland in 1292. His issue inc. Isabel de Ros, who m. Walter de Fauconberg, 2nd Baron Fauconberg, having issue: John de Fauconberg, who m. Evede Bulmer (of Percy descent); their dau. Joan m. William de Colville, son of Robert).

1.3. Philip de Colville, fl. 1268.

1.3.1. William de Colville, fl. 1270, of Thimbleby & Sigston, d. bef. Feb. 17, 1299, held land in West Heslerton in 1284 (Feudal Aids).

1.3.1.1. Robert de Colville, fl. 1300-24, tenant of the Brus fee in East Heslerton in 1302. (ibid.). In 1300, Robert de Colville was at the muster at Carlisle, and was responsible for conscripting local men to fight in the Scotland.

1.3.1.1.1. William de Colville, m. Joan Faucenberg, granddau. of Isabel de Ros (and Walter de Fauconberg), sister of William de Ros one of the claimants of the crown of Scotland in 1292, of Albini descent, as the Colvilles.

Briefly,

The Colvilles were of a knightly class who held of the Brus by military service. Walter FitzGilbert was of necessity of that class, able to defend his lands.

The Colvilles were kin of the Comyns, whose disposessed lands were given to Walter FitzGilbert – a medieval norm was to punish one part of a kinship group by rewarding another part with their possessions.

The Colvilles who pre-dated Walter FitzGilbert in Scotland were cousins of the later Hamiltons, that is, cousins of their cousins.

The Colvilles were kin of the Umfravilles. Of Walter FitzGilbert’s family: ‘(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, 2006).

The Colvilles were Crispins, from whom descended the Stanhope and Wormley families, as vindicated by DNA analysis.

Walter FitzGilbert was almost certainly the Walter de Hameldon who held land in Stanford with William de Berc.

Any living Hamilton with a close DNA link to the Wormleys is likely to be a Colville. Other Hamiltons may have been adopted Colvilles. Most Hamiltons will not be of this stock.

copyright m stanhope 2019

English kinship group dynasties crossed as stream in Virginia, sometimes confusing their source.

1. John Symes. Amy Horner.
1.1. Thomas Symes, 1621-1670, m. (3 June 3, 1640) Amy Bridges, 1621-1662, dau. of Edward Bridges (d. 1639), Esquire, of Keynsham, by his wife, Philippa Speke, d. 1628.
1.1.1. George Symes. In 1681, he received a grant of 260 ac. in Antigua, and was a merchant and Speaker of the Council.
1.1.1.1. George Symes, living in Surry Co. by 1687, who (in Oct. 1698) gave power of attorney to John Shelton, blacksmith, to represent his interests in Virginia. In 1699, in Antigua, legacies were due to Christopher, Henry, and George Symes, ‘children of George Symes, late of the Island, dec’d’.
1.1.2. William Symes, d. 1710, New Kent Co.
1.1.2.1. William Sims, m. Nov. 20, 1725, Amy Clarke.
1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Sims, m. Rebecca Petty, dau. of Thomas Petty, and the relict of William Bell, of Spotsylvania Co. William Bell of Spts. Co., planter, to his dau., Lydia Arnold, plantation whereon her husband, William Arnold, now lives, with 70 a. adj. Witnesses, Jno. Parrish, Philip Vincent. (Rec. Sept. 2, 1746. Book D).
1.1.2.1.1.1. Zacharia Sims, d. Aug. 28, 1790, Laurens Co., SC., m. Elizabeth Graves, d. March 4, 1834 (82), dau. of Joseph Graves, son of John Graves Jr., of New Kent Co., and Frances Coleman, dau. of Robert Coleman Jr.; son of Col. Robert Coleman and Elizabeth Grizzel, of Poundisford, Somerset. Robert Coleman Jr’s sister, Elizabeth, m. Robert Tucker, son of Thomas Tucker (half-br. of Mary Woodson). Robert Tucker and Elizabeth Coleman had issue: Capt. Robert Tucker, who m. (1) Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Parham; (2) Martha Eppes, dau. of Col. Francis Eppes and Ann Isham (dau. of Henry Isham Sr.), the sister of Ann Eppes, who m. William Kennon. Col. Francis Eppes was the son of his namesake and the relict of William Worsham Jr., by who she had issue: Sarah Womack, wife of Abraham Womack Sr., having issue: Thomas Womack, father of William Womack, d. 1762; father of Mary Williams, Agnes Bullock, and Judith Graves (wife of Ralph Graves, br. of Mary Christmas).

Joseph Graves was the br. of Thomas Graves: Thomas Graves and Eleanor, his wife, of Spts. Co., to John Waggener of sd. Co. 30 curr. 120 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., whereon sd. Graves lives, bounded by lands of Beverley Stanard, John Farish, Wm. Johnston and the late Samuel More. Witnesses, Lark. Chew, Robert Goodloe, Joseph Herndon. April 5, 1758. (D.B. E., p. 206). George Coleman was security for the estate of Herbert Waggener, John’s father.

Martin Vaughan of Caroline Co. and Elinor, his wife, to John Bullock of Spts. Co. 35 curr. 233 a. in Spts. Co., part of a tract purchased by Cornelius Vaughan, decd., of John Foster, and by the sd. Foster conveyed to Cornelius and the sd. Martin Vaughan, sons of Cornelius Vaughan, decd., as by deed, June 5, 1750. Edwd. Herndon, John Holloday, Rice Graves (son of Thomas Graves, br. of John Jr. – Book E., p. 219).

Thomas Graves, d. Oct. 17, 1767. Executors Bond dated June 6, 1768. Wit. Francis Meriwether; James Smith; John Graves Jr., James Smith, William Mackgehee. Ex. son, Thomas Graves; son-in-law, William Pettus; nephew Joseph Graves. Leg. wife, Ann Graves, land whereon I now live in Spotsylvania Co., and one-third profits issuing from my mill, and after her death to all my surviving children or their heirs, p. 328.

William Pettus was the father of Sussanah Pettus, wife of Thomas Graves, and the son of John Pettus and Ann Overton (dau. of William Overton, and sister of Temperance Harris, wife of Col. William Harris); son of John Pettus and Elizabeth Petty; possible sister of Thomas Petty. Oct. 13, 1701: Thomas Petty and his wife Katherine sold land in Lancaster Co., on Morratico Creek, which was land bequeathed to him by the will of his father Hubert Petty. (Lancaster Co. B. 7, p. 36).

William Pettus was the br. of Susan, wife of John Ragland, probable br. or cousin of Stephen Ragland: Robert Harris and wife Lemenda, to Stephan Ragland, Oct. 16, 1742, 60lbs for 230 ac. Robert Harris late of Hanover Co. Virgina, now of Bertie, land on Roanoak River adj. to Ragland at Turbevills Run. Witn. P. Smith, Nathaneil Hill, Jn., Arnold Brown. NC Deed B. 5, p. 368: James Lee and Frances his wife of Edge. Co. to David Rozar. For 60 pounds current money of Virginia, 300 ac. on the S. side of Moratock river, as by patent to Seth Hatcher. Feb. 1, 1725. Wits.: Robert Harris, Evan Ragland, Nathaniel Merritt (probably Evan Ragland’s father-in-law).

The said John Pettus was the son of Stephen Pettus:

‘John Sydenham was succeeded in 1521 by his grandson, also John Sydenham, who died in 1526 leaving as his heirs his two sisters, Elizabeth and Joan, subsequently married to John Wyndham and Thomas Bridges respectively. ( P.R.O., C 142/45, no. 15; S.R.O., DD/WY 1/33). Under an agreement of 1529 Wyndham acquired the Bridges’ share, an estate which included the demesnes at Orchard, and lands at Curlinch, Snailholt, and elsewhere in St. Decumans, and at Cheddermarsh in Stogumber. ( S.R.O., DD/WY 8/A2/3–4) That purchase was the first stage in a process by which the Wyndham family became the dominant landowners in the parish within a century’. (A P Baggs, R J E Bush and M C Siraut, ‘Parishes: St. Decumans, including Watchet and Williton’, in A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 5, ed. R W Dunning (London, 1985), pp. 143-171).

1. Sir Thomas Wyndham of Felbrigg (d. 1521) m. Eleanor, dau. of Sir Richard Scrope of Upsal.
2. Sir Edmund Wyndham of Felbrigg, m. Susan, dau. of Roger Townshend of Raynham.
3. Sir Francis Wyndham of Felbrigg, m. (1570) Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Nicholas Bacon.
2. Sir John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham, m. Elizabeth, dau of John Sydenham of Orchard.
3. John Wyndham (d. 1572) m. Florence Wadham, dau. of John Wadham of Merrifield.
4. Sir John Wyndham of Orchard Wyndham (d. 1645) m. Joan, dau. of Sir Henry Portman of Orchard.
5. Florence Wyndham, one of 6 daus, m. John Harris, Jan. 10, 1624, in St Decumans, son of Robert Harris. This would have been a very advantageeous marriage, superior an intermarriage with the Bennetts of Wiveliscombe.
6. Robert Harris, m. Margery Frost, Sept. 28, 1653, in St Decumans, dau. of Abraham Frost, who m. Mary Grinslade there, Nov. 24, 1637. Grinslade v Sidenham. Plaintiffs: Joan Grinslade, widow. Defendants: Roger Sidenham. Subject: manor of Exton, Somerset. 1606. (C 5/609/91). (St. Decumans: Ann Grinslade m. John Pyke, Nov. 26, 1638. Richard Grinslade, m. Elizabeth Comer, Sept. 6, 1641).
7. Robert Harris.
8. Robert Harris (I assume), ‘late of Hanover County Virgina, now of Bertie’.

1. Thomas Ragland, m. Emlin Ingram Jan. 15, 1626, St Decumans (10 mls fr. Wiveliscombe), possible dau. of John Ingram, who m. Margery Millard, May 10, 1610, in adj. Stogumber.
2. Richard Ragland, bapt. Dec. 22, 1633, St Decumans.
2. Thomas Ragland, bapt. Dec. 10, 1628, m. Jane (no evidence of surname).
3. Evan Ragland March 31, 1656, clerk of Stephen Pettus, m. Stephen’s dau., Susanna Pettus. Stephen’s immediate ancestry was probably more parochial than is claimed: Palmer v Grey. Plaintiffs: William Palmer. Defendants: Martha Grey, Ralph Delavaile, Ralph Hebbourne, Grisell Roberts, Roger Turner and Richard Pettus. Subject: personal estate of the deceased Katherine Grey, of Somerset. (Angell Grey’s wife). 1650. (C 10/7/90).
4. John Ragland, b. St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent Co.
4. Stephen Ragland, b. St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent Co.
3. John Ragland, bapt. May 10, 1657, St Decumans. (May have been the father of John Ragland).
3. Thomas Ragland, bapt. Oct. 3, 1661, St Decumans.
3. Richard Ragland, bapt. Mar. 31, 1664, St Decumans.

1.2. Capt John Symes, member of the Council of Antigua, d. by 1687.
1.2.1. Richard Symes (See N&Q, 1890).
1.2.1.1. Adam Sims. (ibid.). Born ca. 1660; d. July 1733, in Burnswick Co. His original land was adj. that of Sarah (Holte) Allen on the S side of York River & SE side of Ware Creek, by by Arrow Reed Sw to John Corker. She was the wife of William Allen: Robert Holte (Sarah’s father), 470 acs. James City Co. Jan. 20, 1651. Lying bet. the two westernmost branches of Jones Cr. on the E side of Chicohominy Riv. beg at the division of sd. branch up the mayne branch NE by E along Ricahoc path. Trans. of 10 pers., Wm. Allen etc. (p 193). Robert Holte was a partner of Richard Bell: Robert Holte and Richard Bell, 500 acs. James Citty Co., in Chickahominy Riv. Towards the head of Checqueroes Cr. and W. upon land of Mr. John Felgate 50 acs. due to each for their own adv. & 400 acs for trans of 8 pers. inc. Wm. Allin. (March 2, 1638, p. 624).

Richard Bell was the father of John Bell, who m. Ann Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett, d. 1709 (cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Ann Barham. John’s son, William Bell, m. Ann Jones, dau. of Richard Jones. Richard Jones of the Upper Parish – Leg. dau. Ann Bell the land on which she and her husband William Bell live; son Samuel; son Richard; dau. Elizabeth; dau. Christian; dau. Sarah; dau. Mary; dau. Martha Davis; wife Elizabeth; son Joseph; son Benjamin. Wife Extx. Friends William Bell and Thomas Harris (d. 1729 – M.S) to see my Will performed. (B. 2, p. 85). R. May 22, 1721. Wit. William Gainer, Arthur Davis, William Allen.

The primary connection here is the Bennetts of Wiveliscombe.

1.2.1.1.1. Adam Sims, m. Mary Isham, dau. of George Isham; br. of Henry Isham Sr.
1.2.1.1.1.1. John Sims, m. Sarah Bullock, dau. of Richard Bullock., sister of Agnes, wife of John Williams Jr. John Williams of Goochland Co. to Wm. Farrar, of the same place, for three acres, mentions an ordinary: “the spot where said William’s ordinary is called and known by the name ‘Bullock’s’ at the crossroads from Manakin Ferry to Hoggat’s and Glebe or Holman’s Church road and the main road”. (B. 5, p. 227-228. Feb. 10, 1746). Richard Bullock and Ann, his wife, of the Province of North Carolina to Thomas Shelton of Louisa Co., 12 pds-10 s. currt. money. 50 acres… sd Bullock’s and Sheltons their corner in John Metlock’s line … pine near the road. Sealed and delivered in presents of: Tyree Harris, John Matlock, Elizabeth Harris. Proved by oaths of Tyree Harris, John Matlock and Elizabeth Harris. (D.B. B. pp. 170-172. April 11, 1757).
1.2.1.1.1.2. George Sims, of Brunswick Co.; d. Sept. 1763. He bought land from his br. John Sims, on Nov. 5, 1747.
1.2.1.1.1.2.1. Adam Sims, m. Elizabeth Walton, dau. of George Walton of Brunswick Co., and who was, thus, the br.-in-law of Nathan Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of West Harris.

The primary connection is the Bennetts, through the Williams.

English kinship group dynasties crossed as stream in Virginia, sometimes confusing their source.

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1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1. Edward Harris, d. March 25, 1734, in IOW, m. Mary Turner, dau. of John Turner, who d. aft March 25, 1705; aunt of John Turner, b. 1687, d. bef. Dec. 3, 1761, who m. Priscilla Blount; their son being Henry Turner, d. 1748, whose Will was witnessed by Mathew Joyner and his br.-in-law, James Harris. Mathew Joyner was the grandson of Thomas Joyner, d. 1708, whose Will bequested Henry Turner 200 acs. Thomas Joyner was the br. of Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688; sons of Thomas Joyner, the immigrant; transportee and “late servant and attorney unto Edward Robins, merchant, deceased“; business partner of Edward Bennett (as recorded in the High Court of Admiralty, London Aug. 24 1635).

Priscilla Blount was a dau. of Benjamin Blount; son of Thomas Blount*, half br. of Richard Washington of Surry Co., who m. (1681) Elisabeth Jordan, dau. of Arthur Jordan and Elizabeth Bavin. Their dau., Elizabeth, m. Sampson Lanier Sr. Their son, Sampson Lanier Jr. was the father of Rebecca Lanier, who m. Walton Harris,* desc. of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

Robert Williams, b. Aug. 4, 1744, Hanover Co., d.. Oct. 10, 1774 Orange/Granville Co., NC; m. Sarah Lanier, b. Dec. 12, 1748, Lunenburg Co., Va, d. aft 1804, dau. of Thos. Lanier and Eliz. Hicks; son of Nicholas Lanier, half-br. of Sampson Lanier, Sr.

Robert Williams was the br. of (1) Henrietta Williams, who m. Richard Simpson, the brother of Mary Simpson, wife of Tyrree Harris. (2) Marmaduke Williams, b. Feb. 14, 1768, Hillsboro, Orange Co., NC, d. 1834. He m. (Nov. 4, 1790), Edith Harris (Sept. 6, 1775-Nov. 26, 1816), dau. of Tyree Harris. Henrietta and Marmaduke were grandchildren of Nathaniel Williams, whose sisters: Ann, m. William Rasberry, and Mary, m. Henry Graves, parents of Mary, wife of John Christmas. They were children of John Williams Jr., who m. (in 1696) Elizabeth Taberer, dau. of Thomas Taberer, by his first wife (B. 1, p. 223), sister of Ruth Taberer, wife of John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Thomas Taberer m. (2) Ann Bennett, kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Williams Jr. was the son of his namesake and Anne Moore, dau. of William Moore, a cousin of (1) George Moore, grandfather of Avis White, who m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1688.

1.1.1. Edward Harris Jr. Nathaniel Ridley Jr. witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., proved Sept. 22, 1740, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Nathaniel Ridley Jr’s son, Daniel, m. Martha, dau. of Timothy Thorpe Jr.; sister of Mary Thorpe, who m. James Barham, great-grandson of Charles Barham. (Richard Bennett’s first wife was Anne Barham, sister of Charles. Richard was a kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Martha and Mary were nieces of Mary Thorpe, m. (1) Edward Harris Jr. Timothy Thorpe Jr’s aunt was Ann Thorpe. Ann Harris, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, ‘to live with Ann Thorpe 7 years’. Edward Harris Jr. and Mary Thorpe has issue: Ann Harris, who m. Henry Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhite and Mary Council, dau. of Hardy Council and Susannah Fulgham, son of Thomas Applewhaite (and Elizabeth Fulgham), whose sister was the wife of Nathaniel Ridley Jr., son of Nathaniel Ridley and Elizabeth, dau. of James Day, son of John Day and Mary Bennett, dau. of Edward Bennett; br. of Eleanor Bennett, who m. Richard Harris, on Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; son of William Harris and Dorothy Westbrooke, whose brother’s great-great grandson’s estate was appraised by Nathaniel Ridley Jr.

1.1.1. West Harris.
1.1.2 Nathan Harris, m. Catherine Walton.
1.1.2.1. *Walton Harris, m. Rebecca Lanier.
1.1.3. James Harris.
1.1.3.1. James Harris, m. Elizabeth Norfleet, dau. of Marmaduke Norfleet, son of *Thomas Norfleet. Feb. Court, 1749. Sons: James (‘my plantation’), Eli. Wife and Executrix: Cheary/Joyner/Harris/Boykin. Exor. (br.-in-law), Mathew Joyner. Witnesses: Wm. Skinner, John Blount, John Crumpton. James Harris was also the br-in-law of Marmaduke Norfleet Jr., who had issue: Absilla Norfleet, who m. Benjamin Bell, July 2, 1768, in Bertie Co.; son of Arthur Bell, d. 1775, in Halifax Co; son of William Bell, who m. Ann Jones, dau. of Richard Jones, br. of Arthur Jones, Jr.; he to Samuel Gayner, 100 ac. in the upper parish, being an exchange by Francis England,* and Henry King** (Sept. 2, 1665). William Bell was the son of John Bell (John Bond, d. 1687, m. his sister, per Will), who m. Ann Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett (and Ann Barham); kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

*Francis England.
** Henry King.

Henry King was a partner of Francis England. They jointly purchased John Sweete’s patent in 1663, land adjoining westerly that of Thomas Blake (kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and abbutting that of Robert Flake. Katherine Moore, sister of Thomas and George Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England. Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Alice his wife sells to Maj. John Bond 190 ac. comprised in 2 pats. at head of Pagan Creek, one in name of John Vasser for 150 ac. dated Nov. 18, 1635, the other for 40 ac. in name of Thos. Harris dated, Aug. 14. 1652. Oct. 20, 1664. Wit. Henry King, Alice Phillips, pp. 539-540. To repeat: George Moore was the grandfather of Avis White, who m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1688.

What has previously passed is myth, repeated so often as to indoctrinate.

Everything was initiated by Bennett associations, and those associated with them becoming attractive propositions to intermarry with. The lesser light attracting its fair share of moths. A latter-day game of life.

copyright m stanhope 2019

The greatest mistake made in the analysis of early English settlers of Virginia is to apply the concept of ‘randomness’ to their places of settlement and interactions. This is merely and wrongly to apply modern ways of living to a past that was alien to them. Neighbours in adjoining English villages had many interactions related to Wills and land. As B follows A, they were neighbours because they were mostly kin, and so it was in Virginia. Such a level of co-existence makes decyphering genealogies difficult, as closely intermarried families shared the same associations.

My view of a family of Harris of Somerset is that it was they represented in Virginia by both Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and Thomas Harris, d. 1688; seperate strands of the same family.

However, as is their right, several ‘Harris Hunters’ of old believe that the first Thomas was the father of the second, and have asked me to include such wide range of shared associations that tips the balance in that direction. They have also sent me a map that shows how close the land ownings of each Thomas was.

What follows is their view:

1.
1.1. John Westbrooke, m. Margarett Davie, Sept. 19, 1573. The Davie family intermarriages linked into the kinship network of the Harris, Person, and Forte families of Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. John Westbrooke, m. Christian Gille, June 9, 1600.
1.1.1.1. John Westbrook, born 1601.
1.1.1.1.1. John Westbrooke, bapt. Feb. 16, 1623.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Westbrook, John – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr. (husband of Priscilla Applewhaite), Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook; signed by John Person. R. Oct. 28, 1734. He m. Amy Foster, da. of Christopher Foster, and Alice Forte, desc. of Elias Forte.
1.2. Dorothy Westbrooke, m. William Harris, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe.

The Ridleys may have been a branch of those of Doynton/Deynton, Gloucestershire (9 mls fr. Bristol), associated with “Richard Christmas of Bristol, merchant” (Bristol Archives, 8017/22).

1.2.1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, father of (1) Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who (with Edward Brantley) witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. (2) Mary Bennett, who m. John Day (see Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler’s Quarterly, vol. 1, p. 544), having issue James Day, whose dau., Elizabeth, m. Nathaniel Ridley Sr., having issue: Nathaniel Ridley Jr.

His wife was the sister of Thomas Applewhaite, who m. Elizabeth Fulgham; who had issue: Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, who m. Mary Council, da. of Hardy Council and Susannah Fulgham. Henry Applewhite’s estate was returned by Philip and Mary Brantley. R. Sept. 23, 1745. Susannah Council’s legatee was da. Mary Brantley. Halifax Co NC. R. 6 Oct. 1757. Henry Applewhite had issue: Henry Applewhaite, of the parish of St Luke, d. 1783, who m. Ann Harris. Marriage bonds of Henry Applewhite and Ann Harris, Nov. 7, 1756. Ann Harris was the da. of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Henry and Ann had issue: Mary Applewhite, who m. John Barham, great-grandson of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1672, see anon.

Nathaniel Ridley Jr. witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., proved Sept. 22, 1740, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Nathaniel Ridley’s son, Daniel, m. Martha, dau. of Timothy Thorpe Jr., having issue: Nathaniel and Timothy.

(1. Joseph Thorpe, Sr., m. Dorothy Fenn, dau. of Timothy Fenn and Elizabeth Kae, dau. of Robert Kae, of Bristol (atty. of Theoderic Bland).
1.1. Ann Thorpe. Ann Harris, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, ‘to live with Ann Thorpe 7 years’.
1.2. Timothy Thorpe Sr.
1.2.1. Timothy Thorpe Jr., m. Martha.
1.2.1.1. Martha Thorpe, m. Daniel Ridley, son of Nathaniel Ridley Jr.
1.2.1.2. Mary Thorpe, m. James Barham, great-grandson of Charles Barham. (Richard Bennett’s first wife was Anne Barham, sister of Charles.
1.2.2. Mary Thorpe, m. (1) Edward Harris Jr. (Will witnessed by Daniel Ridley’s father), son of Edward Harris and Mary Turner, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.3. Thomas Thorpe, d. 1711 in IOW Co. m. (1) bef. 1686, Martha Jennings, d. 1702, da. of John Jennings, Clerk of Court of IOW Co. and Mary Seward. Edward Bennett left two daus, one of whom, Mary, m (1) Thomas Bland, of London; (2) Luke Cropley. The other, Silvestra, m. Major Nicholas Hill (witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). Mary, a da. of the first-named da., Mary Bland-Cropley, m. James Day of IOW., and Mary, a da. of Silvestra Hill, the other da. of Edward Bennett, m. John Jennings, son of the clerk of the same name. Edward Bennett’s daus. were cousins of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3.1. Sarah Thorpe (by first wife), m. (1) William George, son of John George, thus kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3.2. John Thorpe, apraisee of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1730, grandson of Thomas, d. 1688).

(1. Peter Ridley
1.1. Nathaniel Ridley, m. Elizabeth Day, dau. of James Day and Mary Bland, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Bennett) Bland;
1.1.1. Nathaniel Ridley Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1. Daniel Ridley, m. Martha Thorpe, whose:
1. grandfather’s sister was Ann Thorpe. Ann Harris, dau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, ‘to live with Ann Thorpe 7 years’.
2. aunt’s husband was the said Edward Harris Jr.
3. sister’s husband was a great-grandson of Charles Barham, whose sister m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709 (kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). 4. second-cousin of an apraisee of the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1730, grandson of Thomas, d. 1688.
1.1.2. James Ridley, d. 1781, m. Jane Smith, dau. of Arthur Smith and Mary, dau. of John Bromfield and Olive, dau. of John Hardy, relict of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Arthur Smith was a nephew of James Benn, exor. of his father’s Will, rec. June 10, 1697, witnessed by Henry Applewhaite. James Benn was the son of Christopher: Leg.- son James the plantation which I bought of Thomas Harris on Pagon Creek, rec. Sept. 26, 1659.
1.1.2.1. Bromfield Ridley, m. Frances Keeling, dau. of George Keeling* and Agnes Bullock, and sister of John Keeling. (Zae Hargett Gwynn, : Abstracts of the Wills and Estate Records of Granville Co. NC, 1746-1808). Agnes Bullock’s father is witnessed here: The Will of William Short, probated Sept., 1741 in Surry Co., mentions his wife, Susannah, his sons William and Thomas Short, da. Mary Harris, grandchildren William, Sarah, Martha (children of William Short); granddau. Susanne (child of Thomas Short); son-in-law William Harris; William and Thomas Harris (grandsons). He also notes, kinsman Benjamin Heath, to whom he left two cows and calves. The witnesses were William Heath, Richard Jones, and Richard Bullock. William Harris was probably the son of Thomas, d. 1688.

*George Keeling was the br.-in-law of John Williams Jr.*, thus, uncle of Ann, wife of William Rasberry, Mary, wife of Henry Graves, parents of Mary, wife of John Christmas. Ann and Mary Williams wer sisters of Nathaniel Williams, b. Dec. 2, 1712, Hanover Co., grandfather of (1) Henrietta Williams, who m. Richard Simpson, the brother of Mary Simpson, wife of Tyrree Harris. (2) Marmaduke Williams, b. Feb. 14, 1768, Hillsboro, Orange Co., NC, d. 1834. He m. (Nov. 4, 1790), Edith Harris (Sept. 6, 1775-Nov. 26, 1816), dau. of Tyree Harris. .(3) Robert Williams, b. Aug. 4, 1744, Hanover Co., d.. Oct. 10, 1774 Orange/Granville Co., NC; m. Sarah Lanier, b. Dec. 12, 1748, Lunenburg Co., Va, d. aft 1804, dau. of Thos. Lanier and Eliz. Hicks; son of Nicholas Lanier, half-br. of Sampson Lanier, Sr., whose son and namesake was the father of Rebecca Lanier, wife of Walton Harris, desc. of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. I have elsewhere suggested that Tyree Harris was a grandson of Robert Harris, brother of the said Edward.

*John Williams Jr. m. (in 1696) Elizabeth Taberer, dau. of Thomas Taberer, by his first wife (B. 1, p. 223), sister of Ruth Taberer, wife of John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Thomas Taberer m. (2) Ann Bennett, kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

John Williams Jr. was the son of his namesake and Anne Moore, dau. of William Moore* and Sarah Rogers, dau. of Edward Rogers, d. 1638, and Margaret Grey), br. of the wife of John Scarborough (Doorman), br. of Charles Scarborough, who m. Elizabeth Bennett, dau. of Governor Richard Bennett, kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. *William Moore was a cousin of (1) George Moore, grandfather of Avis White, who m. John Harris, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1688.

1.1.2.1.1. James Ridley.
1.2. William Ridley. Mr. Charles Barham Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tooke overseers, witnessed the Will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Charles Barham’s sister m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709 (kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.

(1. William Blake, bur. Dec. 4, 1636.
1.1. Thomas Blake. Held 400 ac. to the west of Seward’s Creek in 1670, bordering the land of Thomas Tooke to the east, and Edward Brantley, Sr. to the north; his land bordering that of John and Thomas Harris (sons of Thomas, d. 1672), to the east.
1.1.1. Thomas Blake, bapt. Feb. 2, 1649, d. 1709, IOW, m. Alice Champion, dau. of Edward Champion and Elizabeth Atkins, and sister of Phyllis, m. to Elias Forte. (The Will of Thomas Moore,* dated Sept. 28, 1696 (B. 2, p. 371), ‘imprimis, I give to Edward Champion Jr. (husb. of Thomas Moore’s granddau., I suggest), land I bought of Edward Cobb. (Between John Clarke** and ***John Atkins, on the W. side of Blackwater).Wit. Thomas Giles, Phillip Brantly, John Bell (husband of Ann Bennett, granddau. of Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1709), John Davis (creditor of Edward Harris, d. 1677). Phillis Fort was granted administration of her husband’s estate on March 10, 1678, secured by Thomas Moore and John Newman (who is claimed to be the br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); appraised by Edward Brantley (br. of Phillip), who was also security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

*Thomas Moore was the br. of George, grandfather of Avis White, wife of a grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
**John Clarke was the father-in-law of Henry King: Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Alice his wife sells to Maj. John Bond 190 ac. comprised in 2 pats. at head of Pagan Creek, one in name of John Vasser for 150 ac. dated Nov. 18, 1635, the other for 40 ac. in name of Thos. Harris dated, Aug. 14. 1652. Oct. 20, 1664. Wit. Henry King, Alice Phillips, pp. 539-540.

Henry King was a partner of Francis England. They jointly purchased John Sweete’s patent in 1663, land adjoining westerly that of Thomas Blake, and abbutting that of Robert Flake. Katherine Moore, sister of Thomas and George Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England.

John Parson/Person was overseer of of the will of Francis England, of Blackwater, IOW, May 13, 1677. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy (overseer of will of Edward Harris, d. 1677) deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived. Thomas Carter later sold John Parsons 56 ac. which were formerly owned by George Branch, who was the son-in-law of Francis England, and Joyce, da. of Robert Flake.

***Atkins, John (in Virginia 1636); grandson of John Atkins, of Chard, Somerset, merchant. (V. M., x.i., 150).

On the decease of Nicholas Cobb, his estate went to Nicholas Cobb, Jr., whose inheritor was Edward Cobb, his brother. His deed to Thomas Moore was witnessed by Thomas Tooke and John Bell, son of George Bell Jr., son of his namesake, whose spoken Will, of Nov. 1, 1688, named him as legatee, as was John Harris, son of Thomas, d. 1672. In 1687, George Bell Sr. witnessed the Will of Francis Hobbs, br.-n-law of the said John Harris. George Bell Jr’s Will was probated Nov. 9, 1702, naming wife Joyce Bell as executor, giving her land leased from Col. Joseph Bridger (business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, in Bristol); naming son George Bell and dau. Elizabeth, estate to be equally divided. Witnessed by John Davis (of the Edward Harris, d. 1677, connection) and Francis Floyd. Edward Cobb m. Frances Bond, sister of Dorothy Bond, wife of John Bond (this family probably of Chard). John Bond, Gentleman. Leg: son William; son John; dau. Francis; wife Dorothy. Capt Francis England; Lt Arthur Smith; Mr Richard Sharpe. R. May 3, 1669. Witnesses: John Bennett, William Cooke, p. 63. John Bennett was the br. of Richard Bennett, d. 1709.

1.1.1.1. Thomas Blake. Thomas Blake to Joshua Claud, March 8, 1753, 290 ac. adj. the north side of Cocklin’s Pocoson and sd. Claud. Wit. Thomas Blake, John Person, *Thomas Day, and Joshua Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30 (pp. 463-466). Thomas Day to son-in-law, Thomas Francis, Aug. 14, 1760, 243 ac. adj. Richard Taylor, side of Cockes Swamp, Joshua Claud, Thomas Blake. Wit. Thomas Day. Thomas Blake, Will R. Feb. 12, 1789. Wit. Burwell Westbrooke, p. 296. ‘Cocklin’s Pocoson’ refers to William Cockin’s estate, appraised by Edward Champion, April, 9, 1679.

*Thomas Day was the son of a namesake, son of James Day and Mary Bland, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Bennett) Bland; and nephew of Silvestra Hill. ‘Cocklin’s Pocoson’ was adj. the land John and Thomas Harris, sons of Thomas, d. 1672.

1.2. Judith Blake, m. Thomas Harris).

Thomas Harris, d. 1672, is witnessed here: Mr. Jno. Marshall, 700 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, p. 252. W. side of the Wester Sw., beg. at lower cor. tree of Capt. (John) Fulgham’s land, extending down Sw. to land of Tho. Harris. John Fulgham was overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, 1688, who beq. Robert Harris (his son) “may dwell with John Fulgham three years”; “my dau. Anne to live with Mis. Anne Sharpe seven years”.

Thomas Harris was also a security of the estate of Samuel Griffin (rec. March 26, 1666), with John Monger, p. 12. Daniel Boucher (of Bristol), Will rec. May 1, 1668. Leg. Hodges Council the younger … Elizabeth Monger the dau. of John Monger. Friends John Hardy* and Thomas Taberer overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon (probably related to Nathaniel Bacon; to whom Thomas Harris, d. 1672, sold land, a portion of which was rented to Edward Harris, d. 1677.

*John Hardy was the likely father of (1) Debora Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr. Bridgeman Joyner was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

A desc. of John Monger, Henry Monger, m. Elizabeth Harris, dau. of Henry Harris, Jan. 8, 1767, in Southampton Co.; son of Edward Harris, d. 1739 (and Mary Thorpe), son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Edward Brantley witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; Edward’s son, Phillip, m. Joyce Lewis, dau. of Thomas Lewis and Rebecca Pardoe, half-sister of Phillip Pardoe Sr: Phillip Pardoe’s estate was appraised by John Brantley, Phillip’s brother, March 27, 1721. (G.B. p.71).

Phillip Pardoe was security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, as follows.

1.2.1.1.1. John Harris, m. (1), a da. of Francis Hobbs, who sold Edward Brantley 675 ac. adj. Thomas Took, in 1669. It is suggested that they were the parents of:
1.2.1.1.1.1. John Harris Jr. who m. Elizabeth Church, April 13, 1689.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt; the latter Nicholas being the nephew of John Fulgham, overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, 1688.
1.2.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (Thomas Harris held land in lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater to the bottom of Pig Neck (B 7, p. 510), which had been granted to Mr. John Seward, on April 16, 1648, who had patented land in 1638 “upon Warresquioke River”, against the land of Nathaniell Floyd, whose widow m. Francis Hobbs, whose da. m. John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.2.1.1.2.1. Edward Harris.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Thomas Harris 290 ac. IOW, on the Maherin River and both sides of Herbert’s Branch adj. Edward Brantley, son of Phillip Brantly (son of Edward Brantley Sr.), and Joyce Lewis, and William Simmons line, March 24, 1725. Edward Brantley’s son, John, m. the widow of Thomas Harris. Joyce Lewis was a dau. of Rebecca George and Thomas Lewis, she the dau. of John George, and who m. (2) Phillip Pardoe, security for estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1.1. Joshua Harris
1.2.1.1.2.1.1.2. Thomas Harris
1.2.1.1.2.1.2. Henry Harris.
1.2.1.1.2.1.3. Edward Harris Jr., Will witnessed by Nathaniel Ridley Jr.

1.2.1.2. Richard Harris.
12.1.2.1. 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, associate of Richard Bennett. Edward held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.2.1.2.1.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy. (1. … George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 2. Mary Hardy, m. William Bennett, probable grandson of Richard Bennett, d. 1709; great-nephew of Eleanor Bennett, afors. 2. *John Hardy, d. 1677, m. Olive … no proof of her being a Counsel).

IOW Will & Deed Book 2:
Administrations and Probates, p. 42, rec. Aug. 11, 1677. Edward Harris, dying intestate, administration requested by George Hardy in behalf of the orphans; security: Mr. Philip Pardoe, Henry Combes. Will of Henry Combes, of the Upper Parrish. IOW, rec. April 9, 1678. Leg. Wife Mary. Witnesses: George Hardy, Sr., John Coker, George Williams (who m. a dau. of Daniel Boucher). This John Coker was the grandfather of a namesake who m. Jane Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett, d. 1709 and Ann Barham. Phillip Pardoe m. a dau. of John George, whose Wiil was witnessed by Robert Pardoe, Thomas Taberer, Edward Bechinoe (appraised estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677), and George Branch. It is commonly contended that Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. a dau. of Nicholas George, a probably close relative of John George; both headrights of Francis Potts, on Jan 24, 1653, in Northampton Co.

At an orphants Court held for IOW Co., May 1, 1685 (p. 243). Whereas Edward Harris orphant now being at adge & doe pettn this Court for his estate lyinge in the hands of Mr George Hardy and Mr Hardy exhibitinge an account of expenses agt the estate It is ordered that Mr Hardy be paid out of the estate fower thousand one hundred and thirty pounds of tobacco as by act doe appiate due: and the remainder of the sayd estate to be delivered to the sayd Edward Harris according to appraysement by Mr George Hardy.

The Charge of Edward Harris and his daughters funeral – 655 (lbs. tobacco).
Martha Harris funeral – 485
Elizabeth Harris funeral Coffin and Sheet – 600
payd Phillip Burrough – 100
payd Coll. Bacon for rent – 439
payd Mr. Brownefield for Court Charges – 400
payd Mrs. Davis – 877 – Thomas Harris, d. 1672, received a grant of 40 ac. in Iow, Aug. 14, 1652, at the head of Pagan Creek, bounded by the land of John Davis, husband of Mary Green (Mrs. Davis). The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, named as “friend”, Nathaniel Ridley (probable br. of William Ridley); sons of Peter Ridley.
the chardge of the apprisement – 120
to Wine and Boate hyre – 480

1.2.1.2.1.1. Edward Harris, b. ca. 1664. He is claimed to be he who appears in the Will of John Gibbins, proved Sept. 25, 1721, IOW, as father of a Thomas: Leg. Mr. William Kinchen, Henry Harris, Matthew Harris, Mary Adkins, the dau. of John Adkins, John Jackson, Thomas Harris, the son of Edward Harris, Robert Harris. Exor. Mr. William Kinchen. He is further claimed to be a brother of the aforsaid Henry Harris, with they being the Thomas who d. 1729/30 and the Henry mentioned in his Will. However, the Thomas of the Gibbin Will was just as likely to be the son of Edward Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of Edward Harris Jr., whose Will was proved Sept. 22, 1740, witnessed by Nathaniel Ridley Jr.

William Kinchin, the exor. of the Gibbins Will, m. Elizabeth Ruffin, dau. of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Prime, dau. of Edward Prime and Ann, relict of Peter Ridley. Elizabeth Prime was the half-sister, thus, of (1) Elizabeth Ridley, who m. Charles Barham, whose sister, Ann, m. Richard Bennett, d. 1709, kinsman of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; (2) William Ridley. Mr. Charles Barham Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tooke overseers, witnessed the Will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Nathaniel Ridley Sr. was probably the br. of Elizabeth and William. His son, Nathaniel Ridley Jr., m. Priscilla Applewhaite, sister of Thomas Applewhaite, who m. Elizabeth Fulgham, as given. To repeat: Westbrook, John – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley Jr. (husband of Priscilla Applewhaite), Edward Brantley and Thomas Cook; signed by John Person. R. Oct. 28, 1734. He m. Amy Foster, da. of Christopher Foster, and Alice Forte, desc. of Elias Forte.

1.2.1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, tobacco associate of kinsman, John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of Elenor Bennett. “At a Court at Westover, Feb. 7, 1789: “Mrs. Sarah Bland proves her letter of atty. from her husband, Mr. Jno. Bland of London. John Hardeway John Ekoll on behalf of the orphans of Thos. Harris, dec’d., agst. Mr. Jno. Bland for 700 lbs. tob. owed for an ox which debt Mrs. Sarah Bland (aforementioned) confesses to. Maj. Jno. Stith, Guardian. At a Court at Westover, Oct. 15, 1679: ‘Admin, granted Jno. Hardeway (almost certainly of Bristol) on the estate of Ebbett Harris dec’d’. Ebbett was not an uncommon West Country name. This Thomas was not the son of “the Sergeant”. There are no surviving records of him having male issue.

1. Anthony Fuljames, of Pitminster, m. (2) Martha Greene.
1.1. Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard.
1.1.1. Susannah Fulgham, m. Hardy Council.
1.2. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Sara Davis; her father a creditor of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.2.1. Nicholas Fulgham Jr., m. Martha Pitt.
1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite.
1.2.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, m. Mary Counsell, da. of Hardy Council and Susannah Fulgham.
1.2.1.2. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Isabel Harris, granddau. of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

To each their own.

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Those surviving details of the ancestry of the first two waves of English settlers of Virginia are to be found in early Wills. These are scarce in relation to actual settlers, rather than assumed ones, plucked from the pages of Burke. Examples of the scarce and relevant variety are those concerning the marshy villages of Somerset, from which all roads passed through each other to Bristol. In this regard, an assumption made of old in the William and Mary Quarterly article – ‘The settlers were of the merchant class, and the sea being to them, instead of a separation, a connecting bridge between England and Virginia, the plantations were mere suburbs of London and Bristol, the great colonizing centres’ – is adrift of the mark, in as those cities were themselves settled by folk from their rural hinterlands, who sought to make profit from trade.

The early settlers of Virginia had much experience in relocation, and were not always immediately ‘of the merchant class’. Their like included those of recent yeoman stock, who sought greater security by marrying into a prosperous merchant family; themselves of more distant yeomanry – a perpetual conveyor belt of advancement, synonomous with survival.

This is a central point – the English settlers of early Virginia had experienced turbulent times. The stealing of monastic property by Henry VIII, and the opportunists that followed this psychopathic tyrant, was accompanied by extreme barbarity, and ‘spun’ on the lie of him not being allowed a divorce by the Catholic Church. The true reason for his theft was that his treasury was bankrupt. When his daughter’s bloody rule was threatened by the Spanish Armada in 1588, half of England, that of the dispossed Catholics – prayed for their success. Forget box-office history. Such ‘turbulence’ in society continued in the years ahead, and was which propelled people to settle in Virginia. They were socally conservative, in the sense that they craved stability – freedom from the upheval that stalked their homeland.

A feature of the ‘aspiring yeomanry’ was the education afforded to girls. A successful merchant family – such as the Bennetts – would not allow an alliance with a farmer’s daughter who was decidedly beneath their son’s abilities – who would be the mother of their granchildren.

Jone Harris was of the necessary ‘substance’. She was of that class of women that made Wills, bequesting chattels, livestock and money. They did so to a variety of people, not always named as sons and daughters, or sons and daughters-in-law, but certainly that – their closely-woven family unit was the only buffer against the ‘enemy outside’, in the guise of the State.

It was the descendants of Jone who conquered Virginia, and those like her; those that gifted ‘a flaning petycote and a smocke’; a ‘blacke mare and a wenlyng calff’.

Men may have carved out the frontiers of early Virginia, but, within those borders, it was women who maintained the stability of their family (and kinship group), by arranging ‘suitable’ marriages, and mediating in disputes between kin. Many Anglo-Virginia letters bear witness to this.

The making of America was as much about the children of the flaning petycote as it was about the children of the gun and powder.

What follows, initially, is a summary of the likely ancestry of Thomas Harris, who d. in Virginia in 1688. (His family was closely connected to the Harris of Wiveliscombe). The ancestry of the associated Berde (Byrd) and Knight (Knyght) families will then be suggested.
1. … Harrys.
1.1. John Harrys. Thurba(r) v Harrys. Plaintiffs: John Thurba(r). Defendants: John Harrys. Subject: Sale of corn belonging to Yatton church, which the dean and chapter of Wells had let to Thurbar and Harrys. Somerset. 1501-1504. (C 1/255/49). William Sowter of Badgworth. July 3, 1541. To be bur. in Churchyard of Bargworth (Badgworth; ca. 4 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). Ch. of Wellys 4d. Ch. of B. 2 bushels of wheat. Ch. of Byttysham 1 bushel of wheat. John my eldest son my donne mare and all my plough geer. John my myddell son 2 kye. John my yowngest son my blacke mare. Edyth my dau. 2 kye and a salte sellar. Jone my wyf 18 pece of pewter vessell and a aker of wheat in the sowth felde called hupper aker. Residue. John my eldest son. Overseers. Phyllype Say and John Lyvyng. Witnesses. Sir Rich. Rowlandson, Wm. Popull, Phyllyp Say, John Harrys. Summa 19 16s. id.

John Harrys m. Jone … Jone Harrys of Badgworth. May, 10, 1541. To be bur. in churchyard of Bagworth. 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. Edyth my dau. my best kyrtell. Crystyan Paynys a payer of shetis. Jone Furbar (Thurbar) a flannyng apron and a crescloth kerchyff. Elyn Brese a russet kyrtell. Crystyan 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 11s. 6d.

1.1.1. Walter Harrys.
1.1.2. Richard Harrys, b. ca. 1510. Hyatt v Wescombe. Plaintiffs: William Hyatt. Defendants: William Wescombe and Richard Harrys. Subject: Tithe of wood in Heathfield (Heyffyld). Somerset (ca. 25 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore). 1544-1551. (C 1/1235/59-62).

1.1.2.1. John Harris, of Wedmore, m. Joan Stubbs (evidently a kinswoman), Feb. 10, 1569, in Wedmore. In the Subsidy Assessments for 1588, in the tithing of Heathfield, John Harris is assessed at 5. 5s. (tithe giving).
1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611, in Wedmore. John Harris was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent), husband of Maria Beard, dau. of John Beard. Marie Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent. Will proved Nov. 26, 1627. ‘To be buried at Wedmore. “My cousin Richard Counsell*. My cousin Margery Hodges”.** Mr. George Hodges, of Wedmore.

*Richard Counsell, bapt. Apr. 4, 1568, held one third of the manor of Mudgley. Robert Counsell’s dau., **Margery, m. John Hodges, ca. 1610, parents of Hodges Counsell Sr. His son, 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) Deborah Hardy, wife of Bridgeman Joyner; (2) Lucy Hardy, wife of Hodges Counsell, Jr.

Robert Counsell’s br., John Counsell, bapt. Dec. 25, 1569, was the father of John Counsell, bapt Nov. 28, 1601, in Wedmore, who 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, sister 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.

John Counsell and Mary Coomer had issue: John Counsell, who m. 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 Bridgeman Joyner (guardian of William Harris, orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), gave ‘cozin’ (cousin of sister’s husband), John Counsell, a young heifer.

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.

*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. Bodie, 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. Bodie conjectured), Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1.1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Joan Gardner, bapt Apr. 6, 1617, in Cheddar, sister of John Gardner bapt. there on Nov. 1, 1621, son of John Gardner, d. 1677, as given. Boultinge v Harris. Plaintiffs: John Boultinge. Defendants: Joan Harris, Thomas Harris and Thomas Hill. Subject: property in Blackford, Somerset. 1658. (C 10/48/20). The said John Boultinge (who m. Hannah Counsell, dau. of a William Counsell), was the son of John Boultinge and Ann Hix, who m. Jan. 27, 1619.
1.1.2.1.1.1.1. George Harris, b. ca. 1671 (to live with John Turner 4 years).
1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. William Harris, of Halifax Co., NC., d. 1765, with wife Charity, sold to John Counsell (Oct. 11, 1764), 100 ac. on the north side of Black Creek, witnessed by William’s son, Simon Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Edward Harris, 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.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1. West Harris, m. Mary Turner.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1. Turner Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Nathan Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.3. Robert Harris.
1.1.2.1.1.1.3.1. John Harris, m. Avis White.

BERDE AND KNYGHT

Congresbury is on the main Bristol Channel coastal road from Wiveliscombe to Bristol, and is ca. 8-10 mls fr. Cheddar/Wedmore.

1. Edmund Knight. Lease for lives, by William Berde, sen. and Joan his wife, to William Berde, jun. and Isabella his wife, of the moiety of a tenement in Congarysbury (Congresbury). Co. Som. rent, a red rose at Midsummer. Witn. Thomas Rodeney, esq., Robert Kene, Edmund Knyghte, etc. Oct. 4, 1477. (Somerset Heritage Centre, DD\WHb/464). William Berde, jun. was the father of:

(1) Thomas Berde of Congresbury. April 4, 1539. To be bur. in churchyard of C. Agnes my dau. a cowe. Jone my dau. a cowe. Residue. John my son. Witnesses. John Atwyll, Wm. Froman. It is suggested that this John Berde was the father of Maria Berde, wife of Robert Sherwell, as given.

(2) William Berde of Congersberie. April 12, 1539. To be bur. in churchyard of C. St. Michaells chapell a pecke of wheat. Residue. Robert and Agnes my children. Overseers. John Cotton, John Knyght. Witnesses. John Atwyll, Will. Froman. It is suggested that this Robert Berde was the father of Alice Berde,* as follows.

1.1. John Knyght of Congresbury. Jan. 4, 1541. Requests cristyan buriall. Ch. of Wellys 4d. Chappell of St. Mychaell in C. a bushel of wheat. John my eldest son a yeaffar. My dau. Jone 20s. Alis a cowe and 20s. Elyn the same. Thomas, the same. William the same and 3 acres of new aster and if the sd. Wm. departe before the 21 years be ended, the sd. growne to remayne to Thomas then to John. My two yowng children John and Agnes two yearlyngs. Residue. My wyf Issabell. Overseers. John Horte, Thomas Swayne. Witnesses. Wm. More, John Kyng, Tho. Swayn. Proved in Axbridge. Feb. 6, 1541.

1.1.1. John Knyght, evidenced here: Richard Browne of Congresbury. Feb. 9, 1539. To be buried at Puckiston. Hye light at C. 2 bushels of barley. St. Michall chapell the same. John my son the elder 2 oxen, 2 kyne and a mare that is in the kepyng of Thos. Williams. Wm. my son 2 oxen that are in the kepyng of Agnes Colman, and 2 kyne in the kepyng of John Bodie. John my son the yonger all my title in a certain lease (leasow – meadow) at Wotfords hill with 8 colts being in the same lease. Residue. Maude my wyf, John the yonger, and Thomas my sons. Witnesses. John Knyght, Tho. Cooke, Joh. Hunte. Overseers. J. K., T. C. and Rich. Averye.

1.1.2. William Knyght. Spore v Horte. Plaintiffs: John Spore of Easton-in-Gordano, and Joan, his wife, grand-daughter and heir of William Leveregge. Defendants: Richard Horte, executor of Isabel, executrix and late the wife of William Knyght. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to land in Yatton. Somerset. 1533-1538. (C 1/897/51-53).

1.1.3. Thomas Knight, b. ca. 1510.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Knight (of Milverton, 3 mls fr. Wiveliscombe), m. *Alice Berde, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.2.1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619.
1.1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen.

Such associations were of great antiquity. We only witness their tail-end in Virginia.

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THE KNIGHTLY ANCESTRY OF BARTHOLOMEW OWEN

1. Berde (standardised spelling); alias Burd, Byrd, etc.
1.1. Alice Berde, m. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619.
1.1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen.
1.1.1.2. Peter Knight Sr., 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).
1.1.1.2.1. Peter Knight Jr., b. 1620, d. 1674. (Bartholomew’s cousin). Granted 1000 ac. Northumberland Co., Oct. 13, 1653. Upon NW side & on the head of Wicocomico River … 200 ac. formerly granted unto George Knott & assigned to said Knight, and 800 ac. for trans. of 16 pers. Nov. 8, 1651. George Nott was the husband of Elizabeth Berry, who m. (2) John Bennett*

1.2. John Berde
1.2.1. Thomas Berde, bapt. March 20, 1580.
1.2.1.1. Agnes Berde, m. Thomas Bennett, June 17, 1623.
1.2.1.1.1. *John Bennett, b. July 10, 1624, m. Elizabeth (Berry) Nott; see Northumberland Co. Court, July 20, 1660.
1.2.1.1.1.1. John Bennett, m. Matilda Allerton, relict of Samuel Earle, son of: John Earle, 1,000 acs. Northumberland Co., Oct. 13, 1653, p. 38. Bounded S. W. & N. Wly. upon the several lands of one Bloyce & a Cooper on the N. W. side of Yeocomoco Riv. & a branch of the same towards land of George Knott. Trans. of 20 pers: John Evans, William Smith, Anne Harris, Mary Morris, Edmond Jones, John Roberts, Wm. Lepeat, lone Howell, Richd. Moor, Tho. Thorpe, Walter Thorpe, John Knight, Mary Knight, Adam Hornett, Eliz. Langford, Abigail Evans, Anne Evans, Jno. Dale, Judith Dale, Susan Spencer. John Earle was almost certainly of Winscombe, Somerset; situated between Wiveliscombe and Bristol.

George Knott was the father of (1) a namesake, who m. Ruth Bland (almost certainly of the family interm. with the Bennetts; (2) William Knott. William Rose and his wife, Ann, were among the headrights of William Knott when he claimed 200 ac. in Surry Co. in March, 1653.

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This article commences with introductory notes that give a brief outline of the familial connections of the Bennett, Berde, Harris, and Knight families of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. They are principally for the benefit of new readers of this blog, as older ones will be well aware of their content, and probably fed up of my repetition of them.

What they attempt to do is to place these families in the context of their association – in England, that continued in Virginia. There are scant records of ‘who was who’ in early Virginia, and pedigrees often commence with an ancestor selected out of a tome of Mr. Burke, who merely copied the works of previous ‘genealogists’. One of which, Mr. Collins, was apt to write to a family, asking them to supply him with an account of their ancestry. Needless to say, this was almost always of a grand type – “the Conqueror” had a vast army of companions, we are invited to believe. The accounts of the “visitations” are also not without question. Thus, when one type of “proof” is lacking, others must be sought. The principal genealogical one is that of the concept of “continuation of associations” – English families bound in kinship repeated their associations in Virginia, and the more the associations are repeated, the more their validity.

An example of a large number of such repetitions is that of Harris families associated with a Thomas, d. 1672, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, and a namesake, d. 1688. They were obviously close kin. The same can be said for a family of Knight, of the same place, and that of a William Owen, who married there. If his son was Bartholomew Owen (almost certainly), then what should be expected in Virginia records is an association of Bartholomew with his maternal parentage, that of Knight, and those familial to them – the intermarried Bennett (influential in the extreme), and Harris families.

It is all there to see – Bartholomew existed within a context of his Wiveliscombe kin. There are far too many points of triangulation for coincidence to be an option. The English kinship groups that settled early Virginia abhored coincidential associations; their associations were familial; marriages carefully arranged between members of their group, as had been the case for centuries. Hollywood was and is a “fiction factory” of “how the west was won”.

Introductory Notes:

1. Berde (standardised spelling); alias Burd, Byrd, etc.
1.1. Alice Berde, m. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619.
1.1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen.
1.2. John Berde
1.2.1. Thomas Berde, bapt. March 20, 1580.
1.2.1.1. Agnes Berde, m. Thomas Bennett, June 17, 1623. (1. … 1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570. 1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Berde, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. 1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609, d. 1675, in Virginia; his Will bequesting: “To William Yearret of Pagan Creek and to the wife of Mr. Thomas Taberer,* to each of them two thousand pounds of tobacco”. *His dau., Ruth, m. John Newman, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, who m. (2) Theoderick Bland, br. of John Bland, trading partner (in tobacco) of Thomas Harris, d. 1677,* in Virginia, father of Giles Bland, d. 1677, whose attorney was Robert Kae, of Bristol, son-in-law of George Bechinoe, whose father, Edward, appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.2. John Bennett, b. March 1, 1566, d. 1601. 1.2.1. Thomas Bennett, b. c. 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. His first wife was (circumstantially) Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). 1.2.1.1.1. Richard Bennett. 1.2.1.1.1.1. William Bennett, m. Mary Hardy, dau. of George Hardy, and sister of Martha Hardy, wife of Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.3. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. He received a patent on condition that he settled 200 persons, in association with his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett. Edward Bennett’s 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. 1.4. Richard Bennett, 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). 1.5. Eleanor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe. 1.4.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623. 1.4.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.4.2. Edward Harris, held land of *Governor Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642. 1.4.2.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1.4.2.2. *Thomas Harris, d. 1677.

The Knightly Ancestry of Bartholomew Owen of Virginia:

1. Thomas Knight, of Milverton, m. Alice Berde, May 13, 1563, in Wiveliscombe.
1.1. William Knight, bapt. Oct. 27 1570.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Knight, m. William Owen. Nov. 17, 1619. (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, Rees 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), and a dau., Jane: 1. Jane Owen, m. John Griffith. 1.1. Owen Griffith, m. Mary Bodie (relict of William Bodie). Mary’s first husband was Robert Edwards, by whom she had issue: Judith, the wife of Thomas Harris, assumed to be the son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 in Virginia, of Wiveliscombe. 1.1.1. Sarah Griffith, m. (2) John Joyner, son of Thomas Joyner (son of Thomas Joyner), and br. of Bridgman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688).
1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen, b. ca. 1620, m. (I suggest) Jane Rose, sister of William Rose Sr., headright of Nicholas Meriwether, in Westmoreland Co., June 1, 1654. (The connection is simply explained – Rees Davis, aforsaid, also m. a Hodge, of Wedmore, Somerset; they interm. with a family of Rose. Hodges Council, of Virginia, came from Wedmore).

On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted power of attorney to Nicholas Meriwether. William Rose Sr. had issue: (1) Jane Rose, b. bef. 1655, who m. Richard Avery, who departed from Bristol, in 1665. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, vol. 1, p. 56: Capt. Anthony Fulgham, 1600 ac. IOW, July 12, 1665, for transportation of 30 people, inc. Richd. Avery. (B. 5, p. 253). (2) William Rose, b. 1655, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan. (1. … 1.1. Richard Jordan Sr. (m. a dau. of Christopher Reynolds, a servant of Edward Bennett); appraised the estate of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1.1. Richard Jordan Jr. His Will was witnessed by Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. His executor was Josiah Proctor, Bartholomew’s son-in-law. 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). 1.2. Thomas Jordan, m. Lucy Corker, who remarried to a nephew of Bartholomew Owen. 1.2.1 Thomas Jordan, m. Margaret Brasseur. 1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Jordan, m. John Knight, see as follows.

1.1.2. Sara 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 John and Bridgman Joyner, aforsaid.

1.1.3. Peter Knight Sr., 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). Peter Knight, merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, S.W. into the woods upon land of Left. John Upton (p. 105). (Christopher Lewis, associated with Bartholomew Owen, was a headright of John Upton). 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. *Likely to be he who m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wiveliscombe.

1.1.3.1. Peter Knight Jr., b. 1620, d. 1674. (Bartholomew’s cousin). Mr. Peter Knight, 700 acs. Gloster Co., Aug. 25, 1652. Upon Easternmost side of Poropotank Cr. towards the head of same, beg. At a branch dividing this and land of Mr. Blunt &c. Trans. of 14 pers: Tho. Taberer,* James Clarke and Saml. Clarke,* p. 197. 1654: Mr. Peter Knight to have attachment agt. estate of Wm. Jones for 1500 lbs tobacco due to Mr. Edward Bland in the hands of Hugh Lee. This Peter Knight m. Ann Hawley (Northumberland Co. R.B., p. 56), and she was almost certainly of the titled family of Hawley, of Wiveliscombe; thus, as the Harris to the Bennetts, the Knights became enhanced through advantageous marriage. *Major Tho. Taberer, 400 acs., Up. Par. of I0W. Co., and commonly called Bassett’s Choice, near mouth of Pagan Cr., Apr. 23, 1681, p. 71. 150 acs. granted Mr. Peter Knight (Sr.) in 1640, who sold to Mr. John Bland, merchant of London, and by Mr. Giles Bland, his sonn and Atty., conveyed to sd. Taberer Dec. 4, 1675, together with confirmation of the sale and a relinquishment of dower by Mrs. Sar. Bland, wife & Genl. Atty. of sd. John, Oct. 6, 1679, p. 217. Thus, as Thomas Harris, d. 1677, the Knights were partners of the Blands in the tobacco trade. Both families were kin, through the Bennetts, as given. *Samll. Clerke, 700 acs., Gloster Co., E. side Poropotanck Cr. & maine Sw; 8 Apr. 1674, p. 511. Granted Mr. Peter Knight, dec’d., Aug. 25, 1652, and due sd. Clerke as heire and next of kin.

A point about Bartholomew Owen can be made, thus: He would have been as aware of his Knight ancestry as much as that of Owen; and proud of both; the former giving the greater context for his associations in Virginia.

1.1.3.2. William knight. May 24, 1650: According to sufficient proofe made to this Court, there is due to Mr. Peter Knight 150 ac. of Land for the transportation of these persons into this Colony, viz., his own transportation, Wm. Knight, John Cloberry. (Deeds, Orders 1650-52, p. 43). Knight, William: Dying intestate, administration requested by Frances Knight. R. Nov. 13, 1672. Security, Captain Arthur Smith, Mr. George Moore. (p. 69). Smith, Arthur: of Warrisqueake. Leg. – sons Arthur and Richard etc. … Overseers, Peter Hull, Peter Knight, and George Hardy. R. Feb. 9, 1693. See introductory notes, and my extensive articles on the association between the Hardy, Harris, and Moore families.
1.1.3.2.1. John Knight, m. Elizabeth Jordan, dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan and Margaret Brasseur.

1.1.4. Thomas Knight, m. Mary Pole, Nov. 20, 1622.
1.1.4.1. Thomas Knight, bapt. July 1, 1629.
1.1.4.2. George Knight, bapt. Feb. 2, 1631.
1.1.4.3. John Knight, bapt. Mar. 31, 1633, in Wiveliscombe; n.b., headright of Christopher Lewis, IOW, 1652. He was involved in a court case with his cousin, Peter Knight Jr., in Virginia.
1.1.4.4. William Knight, m. Ann Williams, Oct. 28, 1655. (This may warrant further research).
1.1.4.4.1. William Knight, bapt. July 12, 1663.

1.2. Henry Knight.
1.2.1. John Knight, bapt. July 30, 1615.
1.2.1.1. Henry knight.
1.2.1.1.1. Henry knight, bapt. Oct. 12, 1673.

Bartholomew Owen was a Knight.

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1. Robert Williams (1509-1569, m. (2) Anne, dau, of the said Sir Thomas de la Lynde, sheriff of Dorset.
1.1. Sir John Williams (1545-1616), Sheriff of Dorset, m. Eleanor, dau. of Henry Uvedale, Sheriff of Somerset, and constable of Corfe Castle, Dorset.
1.1.1. George Williams, of Herringston, and Glansville Wootton, in Dorset.
1.1.1.1. John Williams, son and heir, b. 1618; headright of Robert Pitt. Robert Pitt’s son, John, was the bondsman for the estate of John Williams; his Will being proved May 2, 1687. (Robert Pitt’s family were strongly associated with Bartholomew Owen).
1.1.1.1.1. John Williams, m. Anne Moore, dau. of William Moore, who m. Sarah Rogers, in IOW, dau. of Edward Rogers, d. 1638, and Margaret Grey. His Will was recorded May 1, 1708, appraised by Peter Deberry, who m. Mary, dau. of Edward Brantley Sr., security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Edward Rogers claimed the headright of Thomas Bulmer in 1636, in Warrasquinoake. Margaret Rogers claimed headright of Thomas Bulmer, 1637, in New Norfolk. It was almost certainly a grandson of Thomas Bulmer who m. a dau. of Edward Brantle Jr., d. 1721.

“In the name of God Amen, Edward Brantly, aged seventy two, makes this his last will. First I give my sole to almighty God giver of all good things. I give unto my loving wife seventy acres of land which now I live on, and after her decease to my son Edward all of rest of my estate so long as she shall live to her disposing onley keeping my grand chile John Balmor. I Leave my wife and Dale Evans executor of this my last will in the year of our Lord one thousand and twenty”. Wit. Edward Brantley. John Brantly. James Madree.

“John Balmor” was probably the child of “William Balmer” (Bulmer), given here: John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Appraised by Reuben Proctor, William Balmer, Elias Hodges, Roger Hodges. Signed Elizabeth Harris, Aug. 8. 1713. William Balmer’s son witnessed this Will: Joseph Wheadon, Leg. John Carrell; to Thomas Carrell, wife Joyce, br. James Wheadon, nephew Joseph Wheadon. R. Feb. 25, 1744. Witnesses William Salter, William Balmer Jr. (Chapman, 151). Philip Wheadon’s wife, Sarah, formerly Sarah Luck, was the sister of John Jennings Jr., whose wife was Mary Hill, dau. of Sylvestra Bennett (second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Col. Nicholas Hill.

1. …
1.1. John Moore, patented 200 ac. in Elizabeth City Co. in 1635.
1.1.1. William Moore, m. Sarah Rogers, in IOW, dau. of Edward Rogers, d. 1638, and Margaret Grey.
1.1.1.1. Anne Moore, m. John Williams, June 1, 1670.
1.2. Thomas Moore.
1.2.1. George Moore, stated to be “age 78 years” when he made his will in 1710 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54).
1.2.1.1. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White.
1.2.1.1.1. Avis White, m. John Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (Some researchers of old have this Thomas as a son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.2.2. 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. The Elbridge and Moore families were engaged in the Jamaica sugar trade, as Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and his partner, Joseph Bridger.
1.2.3. Mary Moore, m. Edward Brantley Sr. (It is suggested).

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. Eleanor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594, in Wiveliscombe; the sister of Edward Bennett, business partner of Edward Robins (whose attorney was Thomas Joyner, whose son was the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), and father of Silvestra Bennett, who m. Nicholas Hill, who (with Edward Brantley Sr.), witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, m. Eleanor, a sister of Edward Brantley Sr., it is suggested. (There is no proof of him marrying Eleanor George).
1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, estate appraised by William Balmer, probable husband of a dau. of Edward Brantley Jr.
1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1730, m. Hannah Judkins. Estate appraised by Edward Brantley (nephew of Edward Brantley Sr.), who m. the relict of Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.2. Robert Harris.
1.1.1.1.2.2.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, great-niece of Mary Moore, wife of Edward Brantley Sr.
1.1.2. Richard Harris.
1.1.2.1. Edward Harris of St. Dunstan in the East, London, merchant; held land patented by his cousin, Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.1.2.1.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677, m. Martha Hardy. (No proof of issue).
1.1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, tobacco associate of kinsman, John Bland, br. of Theoderick Bland, husband of Ann Bennett, great-niece of Eleanor Bennett, grandmother of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.

1.2. Anne Williams, m. (Dr.) Walter Grey of Bridport, d. 1612.
1.2.1. Walter Grey, m. Mary, dau. of John Bonville, of Clopton.
1.2.1.1. Walter Grey, b. 1622. Paule v Wareham. Plaintiffs: Henry Paule. Defendants: John Wareham, Walter Swaine, Gertrude Swaine, and Walter Gray. Subject: property in Maiden Newton, Dorset. 1655. (C 8/108/49).
1.2.1.2. Mary Grey, m. Christopher Holman, of Virginia, d. 1691.
1.2.1.3. Thomas Grey, bapt. 1625. (Probably the adversary of Bartholomew Owen).
1.2.2. Thomas Grey, of Kingeston Marwarde, Esq., m. Jone, dau. of William Frye Esq., of Yartey, Devon.
1.2.2.1. Christopher Grey, m. (1) (cousin), Joan Frye.
1.2.2.1.1. Margaret Grey, m. Edward Rogers.

The Harris scheme of Thomas, d. 1672, being the father of Thomas, d. 1688, is as some interpret events. This is anathema to others, as it challenges their (DNA-based) claims of ancestry. As a consequence, the Thomas of 1672 was treated as of a totally different breed from he of 1688. Rather like looking at two bulls, and stating that the one which is white with black patches is a Friesian, and the one which is white with red patches is not; and the latter can not be the father of the former.

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The ancestry oy the Upton family of Devon and Cornwall is as well documented as it is legitimate (a rarity), and deserves a seperate notice than is given hereinafter. Suffice it for now to state the existence of three brothers, sons of John Upton:

1. John Upton.
1.1. William Upton, of Treslake, Cornwall.
1.2. Thomas Upton of Treslake, who m. Joan, dau. of Richard Palmer, of Launceston.
1.3. John Upton, of Frome, Somerset, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edmond Leversedge, of Vallis, juxta Frome.
1.3.1. Jeffrey Upton, b. 1510, of Warminster, juxta Wells, Somerset; Will pr. May 1, 1583, by son, George.
1.3.1.1. George Upton, b. 1552, d. 1608, fought against Spanish Armada. His monument is in Mayor’s Chappel, Bristol. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Bamfield, of Hardington, Somerset. Died without male issue.
1.3.2. Richard Upton, b. ca. 1515.
1.3.2.1. Richard Upton; Will pr. October 27, 1596, without male issue.
1.3.2.2. George Upton.
1.3.2.2.1. Nathaniel Upton, gent, of Fitzhead, Somerset, 3 miles E. of Wiveliscombe. Will proved May 8, 1651, by Katherine, the relict. Catherine Upton of of Fitzhead, widow, bequested in her Will of 1665 to the poor of Fitzhead, Wilscombe (Wivelscombe), and of Milverton, and to her dau., Elizabeth Blake, relict of Humfry Blake, gent.; and to her kinsman, Henry Upton, gent, of Burlescombe, Devon. His Will, proved July 7. 1675, bequested his lands in Stawleigh, Somerset, to his son, William; a London merchant, whose Will, proved Oct. 8, 1685, left a bequest to “Mrs. Paris Sloughter”.*
1.3.2.2.1.1. Nathaniel Upton, bapt Dec. 20, 1620.
1.3.2.2.1.2. George Upton, bapt. May 28, 1626, m. Ann Sellicke, Feb. 9, 1647.
1.3.2.2.1.3. Elizabeth Upton, m. Humfry Blake.
1.3.2.2.2. Elizabeth Upton, m. Simon Cannon, July 11, 1617, Wiveliscombe
1.3.2.2.3. John Upton, eldest son. Upton v Rogers. Plaintiffs: John Upton. Defendants: Katherine Rogers widow. Subject: manors of Kingsbury and Pennard, Devon and Porlock, Somerset and property in Huntspill, Somerset and Netheway, Devon etc. 1625. (C 3/417/7). Marriage Settlement. Estates in Worlington, Devon and Launceston, Cornwall. Sir Francis Drake of Worlington; John Pym and his daughter Dorothy; John Upton,* John Bampfeild, William Strode, Trustees. Jan. 15, 1640. (Somerset Heritage Centre. DD\BR\ely/1/3).

1. John Blake bapt. Oct. 19, 1521, in Over-Stowey, Somerset (10 miles fr. Fitzhead); bur. Dec. 10, 1576, in the chancel of Over Stowey Church.
1.1. William Blake.
1.2. Richard Blake, bapt Jan. 1, 1563.
1.3. Robert Blake, bapt May 1566.
1.3.1. Robert Blake. Blake v Sellicke. Plaintiffs: Robert Blake. Defendants: John Sellicke, Joan Sellicke widow, John Cridland, John Pratt, John Oliver, *John Upton, and others. Subject: property in Spaxton, and Nether Stowey. 1654 (C 6/126/8).
1.3.2. Elizabeth Blake, m. (in 1624) Thomas Harris Sr., in Wiveliscombe. It is where the parents of Bartholomew Owen m. in 1619. Thomas Harris appointed his relict Alice Newman his Extx. R. Nov. 13, 1672. Security, John Newman, Edward Brantley. John Newman, 150 ac. in James City Co., near the head of Grays Creek. (B. 2, p. 2). John Newman assigned part or all of this patent to Luke Mizell Sr. His son, Luke Mizell Jr., on Feb. 14, 1677, with William Foreman and Jno. Moring, witnessed the inventory of Bartholomew Owen’s estate, signed by Jane Owen. William Foreman was the guardian of Luke Mizell Jr. John Upton’s headright was Christopher Lewis, Godparent of Katherine Owen, Bartholomew’s dau.
1.3.2.1. Thomas Harris Jr., d. 1672, in Virginia.
1.4. Humphrey Blake, bapt. Nov. 13, 1580, d. 1628.
1.4.1. Humphrey Blake, cousin of the wife of Thomas Harris Sr., m. (Sept. 23, 1639), Elizabeth Upton, dau. of Nathaniel and Catherine Upton of Fitzhead, Somerset; and niece of *John Upton.

*Capt. John Upton of IOW was a member of he House of Burgesses, and obviously of high social standing. His Will was proved on December 16, 1652. (Virg. Mag. vol. vii., p. 220). His widow, Margaret Upton, had issue by a former husband (1) William, (2), Elizabeth, (3) Sarah, (4) Margaret and (5) Ann Underwood. She removed to Lancaster county, and m. (3), in 1657, Thomas Lucas, Sr. Of the daughters, Elizabeth married, first, Capt. Francis Slaughter, justice of of Rappahannock county, who d. ca. 1657. She m. (2) Col. John Catlett, of Rappahannock county. (Ibid., vol. iii., p. 64). Thomas Harris of Chippoakes, d. 1672, and wife Eleanor, sold land to Christopher Benn that he had purchased fom William Batte and Margaret Upton, Feb. 31, 1657. (Mr. Boddie, p. 597).

(William Merritt, headright of Margarett Upton, 1653, Lancaster Co.).

*The forename ‘Paris’ is almost singularly attached to the Slaughter family of Over Slaughter, Gloucestershire, where church monuments confirm that John Slaughter and his wife Elianor Baghott (dau. of Charles Bagehott of Holborn, gent), were the parents of Paris Slaughter Esq., d. February 26, 1597, aged 54; m. to Ann, dau. of Daniel Pert, Esq.

Thus,
1. Paris Slaughter Esq., d. February 26, 1597.
1.1. Chambers Slaughter, d. 1646, of Upper Slaughter Hall, co. Gloucester.
1.1.1. Chambers Slaughter.
1.1.2. Francis Slaughter, d. ca. 1657 in Essex Co. Virginia, m. a step-dau. of John Upton, and sister of Ann Underwood. (He was not named as a son of John Slaughter in the Will of John Carter, of Charlton Abbots, as follows).
1.2. John Slaughter, the emigrant to Virginia,
1.2.1. Paris Slaughter. Dolphin and Wife v. Haynes. Petition and Appeal of William Dolphin and Katherine his wife. The late Paris Slaughter, a merchant of London, being guardian of the appellant Katherine, who was left an orphan when about 7 or 8 years old, put her to board in 1680 (having then about £600 of her money in his hands) with his kinsman (cousin) Chambers Slaughter, who lived about 3 miles from Worcester. She remained there six years The appellant William, being about to marry Katherine, deferred his marriage until her guardian had made up his accounts with respondent. Appellants married on May 13, 1692, and Katherine’s guardian died about a year after. Respondent on 23 Nov 1695 brought a Bill in Chancery against appellants and Paris Slaughter, the guardian’s son. (HL/PO/JO/10/1/493/1176).
1.2.2. William Slaughter, sealed a bond in 1685 with the armorial of the Slaughter family; argent, a saltire azure (Rudder’s Gloucestershire, p. 666).

Paris Slaughter, merchant of London, is witnessed here: Slaughter v Carter. Plaintiffs: Anne Slaughter and Paris Slaughter. Defendants: John Carter. Place or subject: personal estate of John Carter, Charlton Abbots, Gloucestershire. 1670. (C 7/483/29). Pryme v White. Plaintiffs: Robert Pryme. Defendants: Jeremy White, George Underwood, Paris Slaughter, Thomas Norman and Edward Smyth. Subject: money matters, Middlesex. The plaintiffs were London merchants. 1690. (C 10/340/1). His son and namesake was a ship owner: Commander: Thomas Kent. Ship: Slaughter Galley. Owners: Paris Slaughter, Leonard Wessell, Thomas Lucas, Francis Hooper, William Lee, James Williamson, Nicholas Cooke, Jonathan Leigh, Nicholas Hillard and Thomas Kent. 1696. (HCA 26/3/111).

John Carter, of Charlton Abbots, left bequests to son John; grandchild Ann Slaughter, daughter of John by my daughter Mary; Thomas, George, Paris, William, John, children of John and Mary Slaughter; grandchildren John and Gyles Carter.

John Upton’s ancestry can not be known with the certainty afforded the modern age by extant documentation. However, he may have been he indicated in these notes. If so, he is noted in chancery proceedings in absentia in England, a common occurrence, or, on a return visit to England. Certainies of this era are rare, but when proof is not sufficient for the modern taste, other methods may be used to suggest the case – that of the foremost princple of the English kinship system, the continuation of associations. It is perfectly reasonable to suggest that Thomas Harris, d. 1672, purchased land from Margaret Upton as a consequence of him being kin of her husband, John Upton. Being locked into the search for ‘modern proof’ is like being stuck in the doldrums, with only an albatross for company.
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