The hardest thing in genealogical research is one of differentiating one line of a family from another, as the advantageous associations of one were shared by the other, and they often married into the same families – the basis of the English kinship system that was transposed to Virginia, as a matter of enhancement and survival. It is also sometimes equally difficult to distinguish the divisions within the same family.
1. THOMAS PITT of Blandford Forum, North Dorset, (near North Somerset and South Gloucestershire).
1.1. WILLIAM PITT, b. 1578; d. Oct. 25, 1624; Will pr. Feb. 3, 1625; m. Mary Owen.
1.1.1. Col. Robert Pitt, Bristol sea captain and merchant, d. bef. Jan. 9, 1674, IOW., m. (1) HESTER STEPHENS, dau. of George Stephens. He m. (2) Martha Lear, sister of Col. John Lear, who had m. the relict of John George, probable br. of Nicholas (br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), as they were both headrights of Capt. Francis Potts, who obtained a patent of 1,000 ac. on Jan. 24, 1653, in Northampton Co. John George moved to IOW in 1643, when Justinian Cooper sold him a parcel of land commonly called the “Robert Bennet Quarter tract“, part of Richard Bennett’s patent of Nov. 4, 1642, on which lived Edward Harris Sr., father of Edward Harris, d. 1677. This was adj. land held by Wm. Newsome, April 6, 1653, p. 51.
1.1.1.1. Lt. Col. John Pitt, m. Olive, dau. of John Hardy and Alice (dau. of Thomas Bennett), second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. She had m. (1) Giles Driver; headright of the said Thomas Harris.
1.1.1.1.1.Robert Pitt, d.v.p., m. a. dau. of COL. ARTHUR SMITH; her br. m. SARAH JACKSON: Thomas Bennett (nephew of Edward Bennett), was listed in the 1624 census on the S. of the James River, near Lawne’s Creek. In that year, Elizabeth Pierce, dau. of his wife Alice, chose her stepfather, Thomas Bennett, as her guardian. Elizabeth Pierce/Bennett, m. (2) Richard Jackson, by whom she had issue (1) Sarah, who m. Arthur Smith Jr., (2) Mary, who m. George Hardy, 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’. George Hardy’s land bounded that of Nicholas Hill, who m. a dau. of Edward Bennett. He was the father-in-law of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
Thomas Bennett was the father of Richard Bennett, d. 1710.
For the sake of brevity, suffice it to say that the Bennetts were kinsfolk of various Harris, but to differing degrees. The following chart illustrates a likely ‘division’ of the Harris family of Wiveliscombe. Whilst both branches derived from William Harris and Dorothy Westbrooke, it was only their son Richard’s successors that carried the blood of the Bennetts. Thus, although Edward Harris, d. 1677, was a second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, he was a first-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672, sharing maternal, Bennett ancestry.
DIVISIONS OF HARRIS
1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, on Aug. 31, 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset
1.1. RICHARD HARRIS, m. (1594) ELIANOR BENNETT, in Wiveliscombe. She was the sister of Edward Bennett, the Virginia coloniser, and aunt of Thomas Bennett, father of Richard Bennett, d. 1710.
1.1.1. Edward Harris, held land patented by his cousin, (Governor) Richard Bennett, on Nov. 4, 1642.
1.1.1.1. Edward Harris, d. 1677. The estate accounts of Edward Harris inc. “100. Payd Coll. Bacon for rent”, land bought from Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Edward’s second-cousin. Phillip Pardoe was security for the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. His wife was Jane George (dau. of John George), cousin the first wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Their dau., Joyce Pardoe, m. Phillip Brantley, whose grandson, John, m. the relict of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. Jane George was the sister of William George, nephew of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. He m. Sarah Thorpe, sister of John Thorpe, appraisee of estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/3, who was, most likely, a son (by a first wife) of Thomas Harris, d. 1712, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.2. Robert Harris, m. Mary Crumpe.
1.1.2.1. Martha Harris, m. John Jennings, of Bristol, merchant.
1.1.2.1.1. John Jennings, m. Mary Hill, dau. of Sylvester Bennett (dau. of Edward Bennett), and Nicholas Hill.
1.1.2.1.2. Martha Jennings, d. 1702, m. Thomas Thorpe Sr. (d. 1711, in IOW Co.), br. of Timothy Thorpe Sr., whose granddau. m. James Barham; their dau., Martha Barham, m. Joel Harris, son of John Harris and Avis White, son of Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.3. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, on Nov. 20, 1623, in Wivelscombe.
1.1.3.1. Thomas Harris, b. ca. 1625, d. 1672, in Virginia.
1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1712, m. (1) Hannah Browne.
1.1.3.1.1.1. Henry Harris, witnessed the Will of John Edwards (N.C. R. March 7, 1750, p. 306, the grandson of Thomas Edwards, br. of Robert Edwards, father of Judith Edwards.
1.1.3.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30. His Will was appraised by John Thorpe, br.-in-law of William George, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1712. Thomas Harris witnessed the Will of John Scott, grandson of the business partner of Thomas Harris (d. 1672), and Joseph Bridger. (R. July 28, 1729, p. 171).
1.1.3.1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Sarah Goodwin, dau. of Theophilus Goodwin and Elizabeth Wyche, granddau. of Col. Thomas Goodwin and Martha Bridger, dau. of the said Joseph Bridger.
1.1.3.1.1.2.1.1. Solomon Harris. The test results for a descendant with Family Tree DNA are a perfect match with Harris Group 4 males.
1.1.3.1.1.2.2. Joshua Harris. His estate was appraised by Joshua Claud, Thomas Day (of Bennett association), and Samuel Westbrooke, on June 14, 1770, p. 324.
1.1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1712, m. (2). Judith Edwards.
1.1.3.1.1.1. Benjamin Harris, ‘son and heir at law’, of the inheritance from his grandfather, Robert Edwards. Judith Edwards would not legally have had to devise lands to (of age) stepsons, and certainly not lands of paternal inheritance, which would go to a son of hers.
1.1.3.1.1.1.1. Mary Harris, of Newport Parish, Isle of Wight, deeds her inheritance to Robert Tynes, Dec. 7, 1758. (D.B. 10, pp. 31-32). Wit. Joseph Bridger IV. (great-grandson of Joseph Bridger I., business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; Brewer Godwin (great-grandson of Thomas Goodwin and Martha, dau. of Joseph Bridger I.), and nephew of Theophilus Goodwin. Robert Edwards devised his land to three daus., one third of his estate being given to Frances Edwards, half-sister of Judith Edwards, 2nd wife of Thomas Harris, d. 1712. Frances Edwards m. Henry Wyche, br. of George Wyche, whose dau., Elizabeth, m. Theophilus Goodwin; their dau., Sarah, being the wife of Thomas Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1729/30, and nephew of Henry Harris.
1.2. WILLIAM HARRIS.
1.2.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Jan. 28, 1595, “son of William”. (“Harries”). Richard Harris. May 9, 1637: Thomas Hampton 700 acs. Up Co of New Norf. “In Nansamund Riv., E upon same , W into the woods, S upon two small Indian feilds near adj. unto Powell’s Cr. & Nly. downward the sd. river” (p. 56), for transp. of Richard Harris, Elizabeth Harris, Elizabet White, John White, et al. This John White was probably he who, on July 4, 1649, patented land in IOW Co., “on a swamp running on to black water”, “on the easternmost branch pointing to Chipoaks”, later assigned to FRANCIS ENGLAND, July 26, 1652, p. 110.
1.1.2.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, “son of Richard”.
1.2.1.1.1. Elizabeth Harris, b. ca. 1662, m. Samuel Lancaster, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, the widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710.
1.2.1.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2.1.2.1. Robert Harris. His descendants had strong links to the Lancasters.
1.2.1.2.1.1. John Harris, m. Avis White, dau. of Thomas White and Ann Moore, dau. of George Moore, br. of Katherine Moore, mother of Joyce, who m. (1) FRANCIS ENGLAND.
1.1.1.1. HESTER PITT, m, JOSEPH BRIDGER (April 29, 1631 – April 15, 1686), business partner of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. (Bristol Record Office, Depositions). His Will was proved May 8, 1686, bequesting 850 ac. in the Upper Parish betw. the lands of:
THOMAS TOOKE. William Tooke, b. 1626, by deposition given on Nov. 29, 1672. He sold 900 ac. in IOW Co. on Jan. 3, 1661, land patented by James Tooke on Nov. 11, 1640. His Will (rec. Feb 8, 1675), names wife Jane, step-dau. of William Ridley. “Mr. Charles Barham” Exor, Thomas Harris (d. 1672), and THOMAS TOOKE (br. of William), 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. 1710 (second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). William Ridley was the br. of Nathaniel Ridley, husband of Elizabeth Day, granddau. of Mary Bennett, cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Nathaniel Ridley’s son, Nathaniel Ridley Jr., witnessed the Will of Edward Harris Jr., grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
FRANCIS ENGLAND.
THOMAS BLAKE; cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 , whose sons inherited adjacent land. (B. 2, p. 73).
EDWARD BRANTLEY SR.
There is little understanding of the family of Thomas Harris, d. 1688 without first understanding their relationships to the Moore family of Bristol.
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) EDWARD BRANTLEY SR (it is summised), (2) ROBERT FLAKE SR.
1.2.1. Joyce, m. (1) FRANCIS ENGLAND, (2) George Cripps.
1.2.1. Robert Flake Jr., m. Margaret Marriott, dau. of Mathew Marriot, and Alice Warren.
1.2.1.1. Alice Flake, m. William Gwaltney, son of Mary and Thomas. William was the nephew of Thomas Carter (m. to a dau. of Mary and Thomas); their son Thomas Carter Jr, m. MAGDALEN MOORE. George Moore (grandfather of Avis White, aforesaid) in consideration of marriage between Thomas Carter and Magdalen, dau. of said GEORGE MOORE, gives Thomas Carter 400 ac. out of my dividend of 1400 ac. on Blackwater Swamp, patent to Moore, May 12, 1669. August, 1673.
1.1.1.1.1. JOSEPH BRIDGER JR, 1656-1713.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Bridger, m. Thomas Lear, son of Col. John Lear (W&M, p. 309). She was the relict of Henry Tucker, son of George Tucker.
1.1.1.1.2. HESTER BRIDGER, m. GEORGE WILLIAMSON.
1.1.1.1.2.1. ANN WILLIAMSON, m. JOHN BOYKIN, son Edward Boykin and ANN GWALTNEY, dau. of WILLIAM GWALTNEY, son of Thomas Gwaltney and Mary, “widow of Thomas Atkinson”. Thomas Gwaltney, witnessed the Will of JAMES TOOK, recorded Feb. 2, 1662, p. 4. Thomas Pittman m. Mary, widow of (1) Thomas Atkinson, (2) Thomas Gwaltney, in 1666. Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, in Wedmore, Somerset, deposed to be 63 years of age on March 5, 1677, in Surry Co. Thomas Pittman, subsequently m. Lydia, relict of Samuel Judkins, and mother of Charles Judkins Sr. By her first husband, Mary had issue: John Atkinson, who m. Ann Holliman (dau. of CHRISTOPHER HOLLIMAN); their issue: John Atkinsson Jr., who m. Elizabeth Ezell, dau. of Michael Tooke and Elizabeth Tooke, dau. of William Tooke, son of James Tooke. John Atkinsson Jr. and Elizabeth Ezell had issue: Amos Atkinson, who m. a dau. of Charles Judkins Jr. Christopher Holliman’s great-grandson, Josiah Holliman, m, Ann White, niece of Avis White, who m. John Harris, son of Robert, son of Thomas, d. 1688. Josiah Holliman witnessed the Will of the said ROBERT HARRIS, d. 1740.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. ANN BOYKIN (it is summised), m. ROBERT HARRIS, d. 1740. Ann Williamson was the sister of Francis Williamson. The supposition that Robert Harris m. a dau. of Francis Williams ( br. of Ann Williamson, aforesaid) is not likely, as there is no mention of a dau., Ann, in his Will of 1744, which requires her to be deceased by that date. JOHN BOYKIN was the br. of (1) William Boykin, (2) Edward Boykin Jr., sons of EDWARD BOYKIN and ANN GWALTNEY. ‘Edward Boykin Jr. of NC to Robert Harris of IOW, 50 ac. on S. Blackwater, part of patent of 325 ac. granted to he said Boykin, Aug. 1731, inherited of his father. (IOW. D. B. 5, p. 252, 1737-1738).
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. JOHN HARRIS, m. AVIS WHITE.
There were close links between the Boykin and Harris families, which mirrored what would be expected in an English social context if ROBERT HARRIS m. ANN BOYKIN.
1. Edward Boykin, m. Ann Gwaltney.
1.1. John Boykin.
1.1.1. Ann Boykin, m. Robert Harris, d. 1740, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Ann Boykin’s cousin m. her husband’s nephew.
1.2. William Boykin, d. June 19, 1731, m. (1) … Burwell.
1.2.1. John Boykin, m. CHERRY JOYNER, relict of James Harris, son of Edward Harris, d. March 25, 1734, in IOW, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of Robert Harris, d. 1740.
1. Thomas Joyner, atty of Edward Bennett.
1.1. Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of William Harris, br. of Robert Harris, d. 1740. Bridgeman Joyner m. a dau. of John Hardy (likely to be closely related to George Hardy), and Alice, dau. of Thomas Bennett, aforesaid.
1.2. Thomas Joyner.
1.2.1. Thomas Joyner, Will probated April 28, 1740, Isle of Wight, m. (2) Patience …
1.2.1.1. CHERRY JOYNER, m. (2) John Boykin.
1.1.1.2. Col. John Pitt, m. Olive, dau. of John Hardy and Alice Bennett. She m. 1. Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672; hence Bridgeman Joyner witnessing the Will of Giles Driver, his sister-in-law’s ist husband.
1.1.2. Captain Henry Pitt, of Pagan Creek, who m. 2. Anne, widow of Robert Watson. He d. c. 1666, as that year his widow m. Captain James Powell.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Pitt, d. 1688, m. Mary, dau. of COL. ARTHUR SMITH and SARAH JACKSON. “Arthur Smith, gentleman, of Pagan Creek,” in June 1666 he made a deed to a parcel of land “at Blackwater” in Isle of Wight “which belongs to said Arthur Smith by marriage with Sarah, daughter of Richard Jackson, deceased, and grandchild of Mrs. Alice Benett. Arthur Smith’s dau., Jane Smith, m. James Benn, who bought land from Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.1.2.1.1. Mary Pitt, m. Nicholas Boone, first-cousin of Joseph Boone, who d. 19 Feb. 1728, in Edenton, Chowan, father of Ratcliffe Boone, who m. (in 1734) Ruth Atkinson, dau. of John Atkinson and Ann Holliman, dau. of Christopher Holliman. His Will was prob. 1787 (W.B. II, p. 72); witnessed by ROBERT HARRIS, d. 1740.
Although it seems complicated, it is not – just a simple English recipe of survival.
copyright m stanhope 2021
Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton 