Many of the West Country trading classes and yeomanry embraced the Puritan doctrine; an attractive attitude of mind to those who worked hard and were frugal with money, something God approved of, such was the claim. He certainly did not approve of the Court, as encapsulated by Walter Raleigh, who said, “Say to the English Court it shines and glows like rotten wood”. It was not that Puritans were all dour killjoys, as even Oliver Cromwell enjoyed dancing and music, but it was from this broad spectrum of particular belief that the Burgesses for IOW Co. came. Many were from either side (Gloucestershire or Somerset) of the Bristol estuary, and traded from Bristol. They included John Seward (burgess in 1645), Arthur Smith (1645); John George (1647); Robert Pitt (1649); John Bond (1653), who named Francis England and Arthur Smith as “friends” in his Will; Daniel Boucher (1653), who named Hodges Counsell as “kinsman in his Will; James Pyland (1659); and Nicholas Hill (1659).
These of this political-religious elite were associated with such as Bartholomew Owen, d. 1677, Thomas Harris, d. 1672, Thomas Harris, d. 1688, as will be given hereinafter. Of central importance in understanding their relationships is the “binding force” of the Bennett family, from which arose a governor of Virginia. They were a very valuable commodity as kin, a serious consideration in a time when the same families continually intermarried so as the protect and accumulate wealth within their kinship group; with a complimentary aim being to marry into the richest and most influential family.
The principle of “continuation of associations” within kinship groups is paramount in understanding the social method by which early Virginia was colonised. Centuries of associations in England were repeated in Virginia; of necessity. In the bleak harshness of a Virginia winter, individuals strove to survive by calling on the combined strength of their kin. In a Darwinian sense, each kinship group was a “species” in which individuals combined to adapt and survive. It was not the stark individualism of Hollywood propaganda.
The sheer volume of shared associations between the Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and his namesake, d. 1688, which will be given hereinafter, leads some to believe they were father and son. They were certainly closely related.
THE BENNETTS OF WIVELISCOMBE, SOMERSET: 1. … 1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1570. 1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 5, 1603, who m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623, and who was the headright of his br., Richard, in 1636. 1.2. 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. In that year, Elizabeth Pierce, dau. of his wife Alice, chose her stepfather, Thomas Bennett, as her guardian. Anthony Barham (the first husband of Elizabeth Pierce) died in 1641, naming “Mother Bennett” and his brother-in-law Richard Bennett in his Will. Elizabeth Pierce m. (2) Richard Jackson, by whom she had issue (1) Sarah, who m. Arthur Smith Jr. (who with his wife gave to George Hardy deeds for the land on Blackwater, in 1666, the deed reciting that Sarah and (2) Mary (wife of George Hardy) were daus. of Richard Jackson and granddaus. of Alice Bennett. (B. 1, pp. 69, 70).
1.2.1.1. Richard Bennett, d. 1709: This Indenture made the 14th day of January Anno Domini 1668 betw. Thomas Wood Sonne of Arthur Wood and Sarah Wooton, his mother and relict of Arthur Wood decsd of the one part and Richard Bennett of Blackwater of the other part … by these presents for ever pass over unto him the said Richard Bennett his heirs and assigns for ever. A certain parcel of Land containing 100 ac., this aforesaid land lying at Blackwater, this said land being included in a pattent of 746 ac. taken up by Francis England in the year of our Lord 1645. (B. I, pp. 199-200).
Francis England was connected to Bristol merchants: George Moore (son of John Moore, mariner and merchant of Bristol, and br. of Thomas Moore), stated to be “age 78 years” when he made his will in 1710 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54). He m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, whose family held land in Chard, Somerset. He was the br. of Katherine Moore, who m, (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. By her first husband, she had issue: Joyce, who m. (1) Francis England, (2) George Cripps. 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 Hoodson in Nansemond. June 29, 1667″. Edward Brantley, Oct. 30, 1669, 675 ac. adj. land of Mr. England and Mr. Tooke (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
THE HARDY CONNECTION: 1. … 1.1. George Hardy (appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677), m., as given, Mary Jackson. George Hardy, Thomas Wombell (father of Margaret*, as follows), and Peter Hull, 1000 ac. called Timber Neck. Bet. the 2 S.W. branches of the Blackwater. 650 ac. in an absolute neck belonging to Hardy and Wombell, and 400 ac. without the neck belonging to Peter Hull, orphan. For trans. of 22 pers. Mr. Hardy 2nd time, his wife 2nd and 3rd time, included. As will be repeated hereinafter: Elizabeth Rodney (of Cheddar juxta Wedmore, kin of the Hodges family of the latter place), after the decease of her husband, bef. Feb. 10, 1611, m. Henry Norwood “de medio Templo London generosus’ and Eliz. Kirton, Westcamel, widow”. They were the parents of Henry Norwood, of Virginia; br. of Richard Norwood, the father of William Norwood, whose daus. (Lydia and Elizabeth), m. (respectively) John Sowerby, and Francis Branch. On June 9, 1666, George Hardy deeded Francis England 100 ac. where George Branch formerly lived called “Shadow Rock”. (p. 545). George Branch m. Ann England, dau. of Francis, having issue: (1) Francis, who m. Elizabeth Norwood, dau. of William Norwood, aforesaid, (2) George, who m. Susan, dau. of William Corker, sister of Lucy Rose, of whose children Bartholomew Owen was a benefactor. The mother of Thomas Harris, born in Cheddar, in 1637, was highly likely a Kirton. Francis England’s land was adj. that of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and Matthew Tomlin.
1.1.1. Mary Hardy, m. William Bennett, probable grandson of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, who had issue: James, who is mentioned as “godson” in the Will of Joyce Cripps, wife of George Cripps and former wife of Francis England, April 8, 1679. Justinian Cooper deeded land to James’ grandmother, Alice Bennett, in 1644. Cooper’s land was adj. to that of Francis England. England made his will on March 13, 1677 as “Francis England of Blackwater”. In 1694, James Bennett was living in the Lower Parish of Surry Co. as shown by his father’s deed. James willed this tract to his son, his Will stating, “I, James Bennett, of Southwark Parish in the Co. of Surry, give to my son William Bennett plantation on which he now lives in part of a tract formerly bought of Charles Binns. Will of Justinian Cooper, “sick and weak of body,” dated March 26, 1650: To all his godchildren a cow calf apiece; names Edward Pyland, son of James Pyland, of Bristol, as follows.
1.1.2. Sarah Hardy, m. Thomas Jarrett. 1.2. John Hardy, d. 1677, m. Olive (no proof of her being a Counsell). John Hardy, 1150 acs. IOW Co., June 5, 1666, p. 545. Beg. at upper cor. tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land, running S.S.E. by Wm. Westwrayes land and S.W. on Mathew Tomlin’s new land. Trans. of 23 pers., inc. Jno. White. John Hardy m. (2) Alice Tucker, widow of Arthur Allen, the Bristol merchant. 1.2.1. John Hardy. Will probated June 9, 1677, witnessed by Richard Reynolds, who m. a dau. of Edward Bennett’s “servant”, Christopher Jordan, as follows. 1.2.1.1. Olive Hardy (wife of Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). His nephew, John Counsell, and nephew-in-law, Richard Wooten (husband of Lucy Counsell) appraised Giles’ estate. Olive Hardy also m. John Pitt, son of Robert Pitt, the Bristol merchant, and cousin of the Owen family of that place. 1.2.1.2. Lucy Hardy, m. Hodges Counsell; of Wedmore, Somerset, as follows; his father being associated with Francis England; again, as follows. 1.2.1.3. Isabel Hardy, m. William Mayo.
THE TABERERS: 1. Thomas Taberer, m. (1) Ann Bennett, probable sister of Richard Bennett, d. 1709, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.1. Ruth Taberer, m. John Newman, br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. The Newman family were of Wedmore. 1. Thomas Taberer, m. (2) *Margaret Wombell. 1.1. Christian Taberer, m. (1) William Oudelant; (2) Robert Jordan, on Nov. 12, 1687, in IOW Co. “William Oudelant of Chucatucke in ye county of Nanzeround, and Christian Taberer, the dau. of Thomas Taberer of the county of IOW; did propound theire marriage before a meeting of frends at Thomas Jordan’s house (father of Robert, as follows) in Chucatuck ye 14 day of ye 7 month last: and coming before ye meeting ye second time at Wm. Yarrats at Pagan Creeke did publish their bans”. (Miles White, Jr., Early Quaker Records in Virginia). As follows: Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and William Bressie were named security in the spoken Will of Edward Newley, Sept. 23, 1669. The executor was William Yarrett. William Yarratt, 150 ac. April 3, 1641. Upon a branch of the lower bay called Seaward’s Creek, adj. Hugh Wynn and John Seward. Due for trans. of himself and 2 pers. Adjacent land was settled by Thomas Harris, d. 1688, which was also adjacent to that settled by Francis England. 1.1.1. Christian Jordan, “dau of Robert, and Wm. Scott, 28 day 6 month 1717”. (ibid.).
1.2. Ann Taberer, m., as his first wife, Robert Spencer, “loving friend” of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
Returning to George Moore: He had issue: (1) Eleanor Moore, who m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, aforesaid, bapt. on Aug. 30, 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642. (2) Ann Moore, who m. Thomas White. The estates of Ann Moore and her husband Thomas White were appraised between betw. 1741 and 1742 by Thomas Day (of another Wedmore family), John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley, a headright of John Seward. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). Edward Brantley was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. George Moore’s brother, Thomas, was an overseer of the Will of John Jennings, dated Oct. 19, 1678 (witness of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), who named son-in-law William Seward, grandson of John Seward, the Bristol sea captain and merchant, on adj. land to whom, to repeat, settled Thomas Harris, d. 1688. John Jennings witnessed the Will of George Hardy, proved April 14, 1655, who came to Virginia before 1636, when he is called “Shipright”. In 1644, he patented 300 ac. situated upon Lawne’s Creek and bordering upon Alice Bennett’s land (“doubtless widow of Robert Bennett, of London”). “To my kinsman George H. 3000 lbs. of tobacco to buy two servants”.
Mr. George Hardy aged 37 in 1670 appraised the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, with Edward Bechinoe (of Bristol), Richard Corsey, John Williams, and Richard Hansford. The Will of Francis Corsey, rec. May I, 1679, was witnessed by George Moore.
Returning to the Bennetts: 1.1.2. Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609. 1.1.2.1. Ann Bennett, who m. 2. Theoderick Bland, son of John Bland and Susanna de Deblere. 1.1.2.2. Elizabeth Bennett, m. Charles Scarburgh, son of Edmund, and br. of Littleton Scarburgh (whose headright was the Bristol merchant, John Watson), in 1652; Matilda Scarburgh, who m. Lt. Col. John West, Sr., of Accomack, having issue: Sarah West; John West Sr.; Anthony West; Alexander West, who m. Mary Parker, dau. of Phillip Parker and Elizabeth Scarburgh. Phillip Parker being the grandson of George Parker and Abigail Barlow.
Returning to the Bournes: Thomas Bourne is also evidenced here: Thos. Bourne binds himself to pay Edmund Scarborough mercht 180 lbs tobo 10th Oct. next. Dated May 25, 1653. Signed Thomas Bourne, witnessed by Robt. Pitt, p. 139. Thomas Bourne’s br., Robert Bourne, is identified in Virginia land grants of 1626; Charles City: John Harris 200 ac.; Nathaniel Causey 200 ac.; Robert Bourne 250 ac.
A cousin of Thomas and Robert Bourne was Jane Bourne, d. bef. Aug. 8. 1666, who m. Edward Wykes, d. bef. May 29, 1647, the son of Nicholas Wykes and Isabell Godwin. Nicholas Wykes, of Wells, Somerset, Gent; Will proved Nov. 20, 1611, by Isabel Wykes, widow. (96 Wood). My sons Edward & William. My wife Isabel. My farm at Cheddar. Deed made with James Kirton, Esq., & Edward Barnard, Clothier. My son William, lands in Wedmore. The Wykes and Harris families were familial in Wedmore.
A connection to Wedmore is shown here: Henry Forrest on Milford Haven Creek and Garden Creek NE on John Lilly down Garden Crk. to land of Edward Cheesman. 150 acs. granted Abraham Moone, who assigned to Thos. Bourne who assigned to George Phillipps who assigned to Forrest. 550 acs. due. Renewed above. HR: Alexander Hall, Richard Batchelor, John Butcher, John Cavelery, Edward Forrest, Rice Alcock, Henry Forrest & his wife Elizabeth. (Records of Colonial Gloucester, vol. 1. Newport News, 1946). Henry Forrest’s wife was Elizabeth Cheesman, dau. of Edmund Cheesman and Mary Maniman (bapt. Oct. 8, 1586), who m. on Nov. 5, 1610, in Wedmore. Mary Maniman was the likely aunt of Margery Maniman, who m. William Spencer, on Nov. 27, 1626, in Wedmore.
The Manimans ‘connected’ a number of Wedmore families: Isabella Maniman m. Thomas Hobbs, May 8, 1561. Thomas Hobbes m. Amisia Cownsell, Aug. 13, 1573; she m. (2) Thomas Millard, Jan. 10, 1575. John Harris m. Penelope Millard, Sept. 9, 1611; he m. (2) Christiana Thurston, Oct. 8, 1618. George Thurston m. Joan Day, June 8, 1615; sister of William Day (who m. Joan Williams, Apr. 27, 1611; father of John Day, bapt. April 21, 1615 (he likely d. Sept 15, 1657, in IOW), and m. Mary Bennett, dau. of Edward Bennett), and cousin of Elizabeth Day, relict of John Pittman, cousin of William Pittman (husband of Joan Brooke); parents of Thomas Pittman, bapt. Dec. 24, 1613, almost certainly of Virginia; Joan Brooke being he sister of John Brooke, whose son, Thomas Brooke, bapt. Sept. 12, 1613; m. Mary Bennett, bapt. Oct. 25, 1635, da. of Robert Bennett and Dorothy Bond, who m. Nov. 17, 1629, in Aller. He was the half-br. of Gov. Richard Bennett, and a nephew of Edward Bennett, whose sister was the grandmother of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Aller is 12 mls. from Wedmore, and the ancestral home of the Brooke family. Their son, Thomas Brooke, bapt. July 1650, m. Joan, the relict of Bartholomew Owen. Joan Brooke, aforesaid, was the second-cousin of Hester Brooke, who m. Richard Newman, Feb. 12, 1643; br. of John Newman, designated “senior”, by death in Jan. 1641. His son may have been John Newman: 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. four years later, on which he lived until his death. Lt. Pittman ordered to send eleven named men to Jamestown “with their armes fixed and three weekes p’visions”, including Luke Mizell. (Surry B. 1, p. 10). Luke Mizell Jr.. On the Feb. 14, 1677, 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.
Returning to the Bennetts: 1.3. Robert Bennett, bapt. April 27, 1571; d. circa 1623, in Virginia, m. Alice …, as above noted. On June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a patent for land adj. that of Alice Bennett on the easternmost side of Lawne’s Creek, IOW Co. (Nugent, p. 140). On April 2, 1644, Justinian Cooper sold to his neighbour, Alice Bennett, widow, for a cow and a calf and barrel of corn, 150 ac. in IOW, between Castle and Cypress Creeks. On July 19, 1647, Alice Bennett deeded the said 150 ac. to her granddaus., Mary (wife of George Hardy) and Sarah Jackson, daus. of Richard Jackson. 1.4. William Bennett, bapt. June 15, 1572; m. Alice Storey, Nov 9, 1603. (As per register). This is another Harris connection. 1.5. Edward Bennett, bapt. Feb. 2, 1577, m. Mary Bourne. Edward was a leading Puritan settler, and was elder of the Ancient Church at Amsterdam. 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. Almost all the people in this account were of a strong Puritan persuasion, and supporters of Cromwell, hence their exodus to Virginia after the Restoration.
The Will of Edward Harris, d. 1677, states that he owed money to “Mrs Davis”; almost cartainly the wife of John Davis, i.e. Mary Greene; da. of Thomas Greene and Mary Moone (dau. of John Moone), and cousin of Martha Greene, who m. Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset, whose son, Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard; having issue (1) Anne Fulgham, who apparently m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Martha (Greene) Fulgham adopted , after 1669, Mary Watson, the dau. of John Watson, the Bristol merchant, and Frances Bond. On one level, all that is being described herein are the relationships between Bristol based tobacco merchants: Edward Bruce to George Stevens, George Hardy and John Watkins, April 15, 1646, one water mill at head of Lawn’s Creek. Power of atty from Wm. Wilson of the city of Bristol, merchant, to friend Mr. John Watson. Dated April 26, 1666. Commercial relationships were often based on familial ones. John Moone’s headright was Thomas Bourne, grandson of Richard Bourne, of Wiveliscombe, Will pr. March, 1594 (23 Dixy), and cousin of (the daus. of Jasper Bourne and Elizabeth Norwwod), Elizabeth Bourne, who m. John Bennett, and Mary Bourne, who m. Edward Bennett.
JOHN HARRIS: 1.6. Eleonor Bennett, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 6, 1594, son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562. William’s sister, Anstice Harris, m. Robert Wolcott, 1569; their son, Robert Wolcott, m. Mary Storey, Jan. 25, 1606; sister of Alice Storey, William Bennett’s wife. 1.6.1. Richard Harris. 1.6.1.1. John Harris, bapt. Feb. 18, 1624, d. 1686; m. Unity. John Harris: Estate by Unity Harris, widow and admin. of John Harris. May 1687. Signed Wm Newsum, John Clarke, Wm. Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82). Edward Drew, m. Frances Newett, da. of William Newitt and Elizabeth Jones. 1.6.1.1.1. William Harris, d. bef. 1693, m. Elizabeth 1.6.1.1.1.1.. John Harris. May 20, 1710: Thomas Ward of Lawne’s Creek Parish to John Chambers of same (his mother was Olive Ruffin; his sister, Mary, m. Richard Hardy). Witness: William Newsum and John Harris. (p. 10). 1.6.1.1.1.1.1. John Harris, m. Mary Drew. Will of Edward Drew, prob. March 8, 1746, SH Co. “son Newitt; grandson Newitt Harris, son of my dau. Mary Harris”. Witness, James Ridley. John Harris: Will prob. Dec. 13, 1764, SH Co. – “son Drew, son Nathan, son John, wife, son Newitt, son Thomas, dau. Ann, dau. Martha”. Ex: son Nathan and Edward Drew. Wit.: Simon Harris and Jesse Jones. (W.B 2, p. 108). 1.6.1.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett, d. 1709.
Edward Drew’s grandson, John Drew: Thomas Drew Sr. of Edgecombe to John Drew my son 500 ac. on Cypress Swamp, being the plantation where I now live, after my decease. Wit. William Tucker, William Williams. (B. 6, p. 137. Nov. 30, 1756). John Drew of Edgecombe to John Phillips, Jr. of Edgecombe for 250 pounds, 276 ac. in the fork of Deep Creek and Fishing Creek, adj. Cabin Branch. Wit. Samuel Ruffin. (ibid., p. 208, Aug. 16, 1657). At a Court holden the 6th of Jan. 1655 at the House of Mr. William Underwood for the Co. of Lancaster. Administracon upon the Estate of Mr. John Philips Sr. (pp. 244-246). Whereas it did appeare to this Cort. that John Philips is indebted to Richard Bennett Esqr., by bill of 400 caske. (c. 1655). Whereas at a Cort. helde the 6th of August 1655, Abraham Moone deceased did by John Philips his Atty., confesse Judgmt. to Wm. Copland for 1000 lbs. of tobacco & caske. Whereas it did appeare to this Cort. under the hand of John Philips that John Newman (br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672) hath paide by order of this Cort. 1745 lbs. of tobacco & caske. (c. 1655).
THOMAS HARRIS, BROTHER OF JOHN: 1.6.1.2. Thomas Harris. 1.6.1.2.1. William Harris, sonn & heire of Thomas Harris, 850 acs. Surry Co. S. James Riv. , on N.W. & S.E. sides of Sunken Marsh above & below the mill; June 2, 1668. Granted sd. Thomas Feb. 13, 1657, p. 55. Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. Jan. 5, 1685. William Harris was the son of of Thomas Harris, d. 1668. During his orpanage, a part of his father’s estate was leased to John Harris, d. 1686, whose Will was witnessed by William Newsum, John Clarke, and William Newitt. (B. 3, p. 82). 1.6.1.2.1.1. A son or dau. 1.5.1.2.1.1.1. Harris Taylor. Jan. 4, 1685: William Harris and wife Mary Harris, to William Newsum … 220 ac. now in the tenure of Mr. John Harris; adj. William Newett, and the Sunken Marsh Path. Wit. Robert Ruffin. R. 5 Jan. 1685.
1675. David Williams. Leg. Wm. Harris, orphan, of one gun and two pewter dishes. To wife Martha (Harris) Williams, my whole estate to be divided between her and her children. Prob. May 28, 1676. Wit: James Murray, Jno. Twyford (B. 2, p. 106). Probate granted Martin Thorne, who m. relict of David Williams dec’d. March 28, 1676: In difference bet. Capt. Charles Barham plt. and Martin Thorne deft., “aboute trading with plts. servts, it is ord. that Thorne pay Barham 20 lbs. Shugr. and costs”. July 4, 1676: Ord. that Martin Thorne who m. excs. of David Williams present at next court full and just acct. of Est. of Wm. Harris Orpht. Sept. 15, 1676: Martin Thorne appoints Wm. Seward (son of John) his atty. with Christopher Smith. Wit. Sion Hill, Walter Taylor. Wm. Seward.
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Court held at Southwark, March 2, 1685: Martin Thorne appearing with the orph. of David Williams dec’d and alleadging he would not keepe her nor her estate and orphan being desirous to live with Wm. Prosser whose wife had promised to teach her severall things … It is ord. that Wm. Newsom, Mathew Swan and Robt. Lancaster bet. this and next Cort appr. sd. Thorn’s estate and Robt. Ruffin take an account of things appraysed and due to the orphans. Martin Thorne: Est. Appr. by Robt. Lancaster, Wm. Newsum, Matthew Swann. Wm. Harris, John Fenly and Roger Nichols ord. to appr. estate of Martin Thorne.
THOMAS HARRIS, UNCLE OF THOMAS AND JOHN: 1.5.2. Thomas Harris, m. (1) Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, d. 1672. Richard Bennett’s first wife was 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, who was probably the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. 1.5.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688? 1.5.2.2. John Harris, m. 2. (April 13, 1689), Elizabeth Church, having issue Isabella Harris, b. April 17, 1695, according to the records of Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting; she d. after 1749, having m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Nicholas Fulgham, d. 1736, and Martha Pitt; son of Nicholas Fulgham and Sarah Davis; br. of Michael Fulgham, whose dau. supposedly m. a son of Robert Harris, d. 1688. Chapman’s ‘Marriages’ of IOW, records that Nicholas Fulgham m. Isabella Harris, dau. of John Harris, in 1736. Chapman records that Benjamin Weston m. Mrs. Isabella Fulgham, relict of Nicholas Fulgham, in 1738.
At this point, it should be considered whether Wedmore cousins of the Wiveliscombe Harris accounted for such as Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and Edward Harris, d. 1677. 1. John Harris, of Wedmore, was named as a ‘Servant’ of Robert Sherwell’ (gent), husband of Maria Beard, da. of John Beard (this family intermarried with the Bennetts of Wiveliscombe). Marie Sherwell, widow of Robert Sherwell, of Blackford, Somerset, gent. Will proved Nov. 26, 1627. ‘To be buried at Wedmore. “My cousin Richard Counsell. My cousin Margery Hodges“. Mr. George Hodges, of Wedmore. He had issue: Robert Harris, father of Edward Harris, bapt. Aug. 8, 1624, in Wedmore, and Thomas Harris, who m. Joan … quite possibly Joan Kirton, bapt. Apr. 15, 1621, dau. of a Thomas Kirton, presumably a junior member of the armigerous family intermarried with the Rodneys/Hodges; father of Thomas Harris, bapt. Dec. 31, 1637, in Cheddar. See opening remarks, pertaining to the Norwoods.
The Hole family intermarried with the Fulghams were probably they of Wedmore. Conveyance from Robert Hole, Wedmore, yeoman, son and heir of Marie Hole sister and co-heir of Robert Sherwell, and Temperance his wife to Richard Counsell, Heathhouse, Wedmore, yeoman : ¼ part of free chapel. Reciting letters patent April 14, 1603, grnating the free chapel to Michael Cole and John Rowdon who sold it to Robert Sherwell. April 15, 1625. (Bristol Arch. HA/D/357). Robert Sherwell m. Maria Beard, Oct. 6, 1578.
Robert Harris, perhaps he of Lawne’s Creek: October 26, 1646: “James Tooke to Robert Harris, all my right and title to this lease”. Also, perhaps he whose dau., Martha, m. John Jennings, who m. (2) Mary Seward, in 1678. As Mary Jennings she witnessed a document which made the financial arrangements involved in the marriage of Mrs. Harris, a widow, and John Sejorner, on May 16, 1673, in IOW Co. Mary Jennings m. (2) Thomas Alley. As given, George Branch m. Ann, dau. of Francis England, and four Branch grandsons and wife Joyce were named in the 1677 Will of Francis England. Wife Joyce, the dau. of Robert Flake, m. (2) George Cripps. Robert Flake was named in 1679 to provide security for the estate of John Jennings, whose wife Mary had already m. Thomas Alley. In May 1679, George Branch (step-grandson of Mr. Flake) was among those ordered to appraise the estate of Richard Corsey (appraiser of Edward Harris, d. 1677), which had been settled in Sept. 1679 by Thomas Alley, for whom Mr. Flake was providing security for the inheritance of Alley’s new wife, from the estate of her former husband, John Jennings.
There is certainly a persuasive case for the Thomas of 1672 being the father of his namesake of 1688, given the degree of shared connections. Opponents of this would point to the former’s Will not mentioning an Edward Harris, devoutly claimed to be the brother of the latter, on the basis of DNA “evidence”. This is a contentious issue, as the intense amount of inbreeding over centuries by the same families – as exampled in such places as Wedmore and Wiveliscombe – leads to “results” appearing to place people closer than was the case; a proposed brother can be much more distant than that; as the DNA testing companies point out. It can also be added that adoptions were as common as the plague, and in more cases than is usually credited, it was a name being passed on, not blood. That a name does not appear in so called parish registers is not detrimental to a contention that it should – many registers are merely composites of various manuscripts, and do not give full accounts. It may be that Thomas Harris of 1688 was a son of his namesake of 1672, and Edward of 1677 was a distant cousin. Take your choice.
(Capt. Wm. Cockerham & (business partner, but often a familial element involved – M.S), Mr. Chs. Barham 850 ac. To all &c. Whereas &c. now Know ye That I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight Governor &c. give and grant unto Capt. William Cockerham, and Mr. Charles Barham eight hundred and fifty acres in Surry Co. on the eastward side of the third swamp of the Black Water … provided &c. dated the fourteenth of May one thousand six hundred and sixty six).
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. Ordered in October Last past. R. Dec. 4, 1719. Signed Ann Joyner. (G.B. 23). Bridgman Joyner was the br. of (1) Thomas Joyner: 300 ac. … on the black water … for the transportation of 26 persons … at the Lower end of Capt. Anthony Fullgham his Land … W by Oldis and Ruffin 448P to a red oake a Corner tree in Coll. Pitts Land and his Partner … then WxS another Corner tree being an oake in Coll Pitts Land then WxN 140P to to pine in Coll Pitts Land. 1698. (B. 9. p. 277). (2) William Joyner: 520 ac. near the head of the Cypress branches, adj. land of Humphrey Marshall, Mr. Hardy, Capt. Applewhaite &c. 1683. (B. 7, p. 302). His son was Abraham Joyner. Estate appraised by Epenetus Griffin, Hodges Council, Robert Johnson. R. Jan. 27, 1728. (B. 3, p. 140).
A central family in the network of English West Country merchants that settled this area of Virginia was that of Pitt (maternally Owen).
1. Robert Pitt, m. (1) Mary Stephens. Surry Co. B. I, p. 58. May 7, 1667. Jos. Bridger makes over to Mary Pitt, heir of James Stephens, deceased, stating that she was the heir because she was the daughter of Elizabeth Pitt, sister of Mr. George Stephens, deceased, father of the aforesaid, James Stephens. Property consisted of Land, Tenements, goods, Chattells, personal and real, rents, etc. Robert Pitt, 209 acs. IOW Co., Aug. 28, 1643, p. 895. Upon the Wwd. side of a br. of New towne haven Riv., called Beverly Cr., adj. Capt. John Upton & John Seaward.
1.1. Robert Pitt, d. bef. 1672.
1.1.1. Robert Pitt.
1.2. Lt. Col. John Pitt, m. Olive Hardy.
1.2.1. Robert Pitt, d.v.p., m. a. dau. of Col. Arthur Smith; her br., as given, m. Sarah (who with his wife gave to George Hardy deeds for the land on Blackwater, in 1666, the deed reciting that Sarah and (2) Mary (wife of George Hardy) were daus. of Richard Jackson and granddaus. of Alice Bennett; her husband being a cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3. Hester Pitt, m. Joseph Bridger, Esq.
1.4. Mary Pitt, m. John Brasseur. John Brassere, uncle, witnessed the marriage of John Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan, of Chuckatuck, Nanesmond Co, to Margaret Burgh 9 day, 12 mo 1687.
1. Robert Pitt, 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 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“. John George, 900 ac. Charles City Co. in Bayles Creek. For transportation of 18 persons, inc. Richard Reynolds. Thomas Greenwood’s Will (whose relict m. James Pyland, as given), was witnessed by Joseph Bridger, John Davis (the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, owed money to his wife); John George, and Nicholas Hill, witness to the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was security, with John Monger, for the estate of Samuel Griffin (whose dau. sold land to John Newman in 1662, br.-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), recorded March 26, 1666. Mary Davis was the executor, to whom the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, as given, owed money. John Monger patented 800 ac. on the north side of the Rappahannock River on July 29, 1650, for the transportation of 16 persons, among which was a Thomas Joyner, most likely the Thomas who settled in IOW Co., who patented 1300 ac. in Cypress Swamp, his headrights including Ann Bell. Thomas Joyner, Jr. sold this to Arthur Purcel (husband of Mary Joyner, sister of Bridgman Joyner (the guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), in Apr. 1699, in a deed witnessed by his brother, Bridgeman Joyner. Ann Bell was probably related to Peter Bell, headright of Thomas Harris (d. 1672), in 1652, in IOW, and Richard Bell, headright of George Hardy, Thomas Wombwell, and Peter Hall, in 1648, in IOW. (See herein).
Daniel Boucher, Will rec. May 1, 1668. Leg. to my kinsman Robert Boucher; dau. Elizabeth; to *Hodges Councill the younger (guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688), to William the son of William Huntt; to my son in law George Williams; to Mary the dau. of William Huntt, to Elizabeth Munger the dau. of John Munger, to Elizabeth Davis the dau. of John Davis, deceased; if my dau. Elizabeth dies without issue estate to my kinsman Robert Boucher; remainder to the grandchildren of my deceased wife Elizabeth. Friends John Hardy and Thomas Taberer (related to Thomas Harris, d. 1672), overseers. Witnesses: Hodges Counsell, and William Bacon. Underwritten as follows: In lieu of the horse and furniture given to Peter Vasser, Mr. Boucher gives him the second colt etc. in the presence of Mr. Flake (tobacco factor for Bristol merchants, related to Francis England), Alexander Matthews, Thomas Taberer. Under his hand on the will is written Memo: there is a hogshead of tobacco in my house belonging to Mrs. Elinor Moseley, widow in Bristol. R. May 1, 1668″.
*His father and namesake was probably the son of John Counsell, a relation of Margery Counsell (dau. of Richard*) who m. John Hodges, of Wedmore, Somerset. This is possibly John: Richard Jeffries: Dying intestate, administration requested by John Council, who married the relict of the said Jeffries, Aug. 9, 1666. R. Oct. 15, 1666. Security, Mr. (Francis) England (B. 2, p. 13), on adj. land to whom settled Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Jeffries, Richard: appraisal ordered August 11, 1666. Appraisers, John Snellock (business partner of John Jennings), Morgan Lewis, John Newman (as given, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), Thomas Ward. Signed by Alice Council the relict. September 10, 1666. John Council may have been the father of his namesake, who m. Ann Jeffries, Oct. 10, 1654, in Wedmore. *Richard Counsell: “1590 Margeria f. Richardi Cownsell jun. de Muddeslei” (Mudgley).
A LEWIS CONNECTION: 1. John Lewis, of Gernos, Co. Cardigan, m. Sarah Wykes, da. of Edward Wykes, son of Nicholas Wykes. Sisters of Sarah Wykes were Silvestra, wife of George Huntley of Boxwell, Co. Gloucester; Alice, wife of George Godwin, of Ford, Co. Wilts. Nicholas Wykes purchased a fifth share in the Manor of Mudgley, Wedmore, as did Richard Councell, his portion made up of 3 messuages in Heathhouse. 1.1. John Lewis. William Webb bought the share of Sarah Lewis from John Lewis, her son. William Webb (of Welsh lineage) was the uncle of Johanna Webb, bapt. April 14, 1594, who m. George Harris in 1623, in Wedmore, father of a William Harris, who m. a Lyte; a family intermarried with the avowedly Protestant (Cromwellian) Hodges, squires of Wedmore.
A HODGES CONNECTION: 1. Thomas Hodges. 1.1. Thomas Hodges, m. Agatha, da. of George Rodney, of Westbury. (1. George Rodney. 1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, da. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts. 1.1.1. Dorothy wife of Rees Davis* of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq. 1.2. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583).
A DAVIS CONNECTION: 1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire. 1.1. *Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham. John Davis, d.v.p., m. Alice Knight, Oct. 9. 1606. 1.2. William Davies, of Carmarthenshire. 1.2.1. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen, of Bristol and Carmarthanshire. 1.2.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate), incl. against William Owen, nephew of Robert. 1.2.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637; d. bef. June 28 1714, m. Mary Green. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. bef. 6 January 1720, m. (1) Joseph Bridger. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Bridger, d. 1811, Edgecombe Co., m. Robert Pitt (b. 1738, d. 1806, Edgecombe Co.), son of Joseph Pitt. 1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis m. (2) Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham. Anthony Fulgham’s son, Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard; having issue (1) Anne Fulgham, who m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) Susannah Fulgham, m. Hardy Counsell, son of Hodges Counsell Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite. 1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, m. Mary Counsell, da. of Hardy Counsell and Susannah Fulgham. 1.2.1.1.1.2. John Davis, m. Ann Drew, dau. of William Drew and Judith Wood).
Thomas Harris, d. 1672, and William Bressie (Bristol merchant, associate of John Jennings), were named security in the spoken Will of Edward Newley, Sept. 23, 1669. The executor was William Yarrett. William Yarratt, 150 ac. April 3, 1641. Upon a branch of the lower bay called Seaward’s Creek, adj. Hugh Wynn and John Seward. Due for trans. of himself and 2 pers. Adj. land was settled by Thomas Harris, d. 1688, which was also adj. to that settled by Francis England, and the land of Matthew Tomlin, an headright of Nathaniel Floyd, who was granted 850 acres, Nov. 20, 1637. 600 ac. being a neck about 4 miles up the main creek and lying between 2 creeks, and 250 up near the head of the main creek, for the trans. of 17 persons among whom was Ambrose Proctor and Mathew Tomlin. John Seward patented land in 1638: “Upon Warresquioke River … into the woods right over against the land of Nathaniell Floyd and near his former pattent. “Francis Hobbs’ now wife Mary was former wife of Nathaniel Floyd deceased”. Francis Hobbs’ da. was the wife of John Harris, son of Thomas Harris, who died in 1672. Francis Hobbs Jr. left a legacy to “cousin John Davis”, and “brother John Harris”; his Will being recorded on June 9, 1688.
Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was associated with Robert Spencer, as evidenced here: In May 1660, Thomas Harris appointed his loving friend Robert Spencer as his attorney in Surry Co. to collect a debt owed by William Corker of that county.
In 1660, Robert Spencer gave his age as thirty years. He m. (1) Anne Taberer (thus was kin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); (2) Elizabeth, dau. of Captain John White of Surry Co., whose widow m. Captain William Corker; and (3) Jane, dau. of Col. William Browne.
His dau., Elizabeth Spencer, was the God-dau. of George Watkins (he m. 4th wife of William Newsom), according to his 1673 Surry Co. Will: “Item: I give to Elizabeth Spencer, my God-daughter, dau. of my well beloved friend, Captain Robert Spencer He also bequested to “cousin Charles Barham, son of my loving uncle capt Charles Barham … cousin Christopher Watkins of White Hart Court in Lone Lane London, Sunken Marsh Mill, William Newsom, friend, wife Elizabeth, and uncle Capt. Charles Barham are executors (Surry Co., B. 2, p. 51). George Watkins had previously m. Elizabeth Prime, relict of Robert Ruffin. Captain William Corker and Elizabeth White had issue: Lucy Corker, who m. William Rose; Bartholomew Owen being a grantee to their children.
Robert Spencer was also tangentially associated with land belonging to Sergeant John Harris, and this because various branches of the Harris family, stemming from Thomas Harris, carpenter, born 1497, had interests in common: William Lea and Alice, his wife, to William Heath, 150 ac. …. formerly Thomas Ffelton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Morseleys adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry County from Charles Cittie County….one hundred and fifteen acres of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie Co. adj. unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said Surry Co. Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings. R. Nov. 10, 1660.
(On Sept. 5, 1660, in a Court held at Southwarke Parish for Surrey Co, further evidence was introduced in the case. In a deposition, dated August 16, 1660, Robert Spenser, aged 30, son of Edmund Spencer, under sheriff of Surrey Co, state that “he heard Bartholomew Owen, on several occasions and in various places speak very “scandulous” words against the Commissioners of Surry Co, saying he would never have justice done him in that Court.” Further, both in James City and in Surrey Co, Bartholomew had highly reviled Captain George Jordan, calling him “Raskell and Rogue” and “shouten Raskell” and several other such base terms. Spencer rebuked Owen for his “Mullitious” words. Owen replied, swearing, “God damn him, of that raskell” George Jordan. (B. 1, p. 166).
Some of these associations are explained thus: 1. Ann Ridley, m. Edmund Prime. Charles Barham m. Elizabeth Ridley, sister of the wife of Edmund Prime. William Ridley was Elizabeth’s brother. Charles Barham was George Watkins’ wife’s uncle, i.e., the husband of the sister of Elizabeth Prime’s mother, who married Edmund Prime. 1.1. Elizabeth Prime, m. (1) George Watkins; (2) July 7, 1675: Robert Ruffin. William Oldis and Robert Ruffin, June 7, 1669, 2050 acres between the branches of the Blackwater adj. the land of Col. Pitt. (Boddie, p. 689). 1677, B. 1., p. 182: Account of arms sold by Charles Barham: Pair of pistols, holster, and sword to George Proctor, pistols and holsters sold to Sion Hill, swords sold to Robert Ruffin, William Edwards, William Newsom, John White, and John Price. Charles Barham was being reimbursued for weapons sold the people who remained loyal during Bacon’s Rebellion). 1.1.1. Olive Ruffin, m. William Chambers, bef. May 8, 1693. Her brothers stated: “we release all our claim or right to our sister Olive Chambers to a tract on the mill dam for 6 ac. to build a mill”; a deed witnessed by William Drew and Thomas Harris; the probable br. of Henry Harris.
William Drew, d. 1739, was the husband of Judith Wood (aforementioned), dau. of Thomas Wood of IOW Co. On March, 29, 1740, Wm. Scarsbrook, executor of the Will of Judith Drew, admin. of the Will of Wm. Drew, decd. late of Nansemond, and Wm. Drew of Surry, heir-at-law of sd. Wm. Drew, gave a clear title to John Ruffin for land bought in the lifetime of Wm. Drew Sr. (B. 6, p. 647). Another dau. of Thomas Wood, as mentioned, m. John Davis. (A link to Rees Davis, Robert Owen, Robert Pitt, and the Hodges family).
Thomas Wood was the son of Arthur Wood and Sarah Wooten. In 1668, Thomas Wood, “son of Arthur Wood, and Sarah Wooten his mother, relict of Arthur deceased,” deeded 100 ac. to “Richard Bennett of Blackwater” (as given heretofore, second-cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672); this said land being included & contained in a patent of 746 ac. taken up by Francis England in the year of our Lord 1645″. Richard Bennett’s first wife was named Anne, the probably mother of his children. The wife mentioned in his will was named Sarah and she subsequently m. Robert Lancaster, whose will was probated in 1720; whose son m. Elizabeth Harris, as given. Francis England’s land was adj. Capt. William Pierce. (Vol. 1, p. 857, land patents). C&P 1, p. 29: Capt. William Pierce, Esqr., one of the Councell of State, 2000 acs. in Lawnes Cr., June 22, 1635, p. 255. Sly. upon land in the tenure of Alice Delke, widdowe, Nly. towards land of William Spencer, Ely. upon the Cr. & Wly. into the woods, towards Chippoakes Cr. Trans. of 40 pers, inc. Wm. Short, Wm. Weekes, Jon. Newman, Jon. Heath. (Interesting in terms of Sergeant John Harris).
THE JORDANS: Christopher Reynolds Sr. emigrated to Virginia as an indentured servant of Mr. Edward Bennett. B. 1, pp. 46-8, “Imprimis: I give and bequeath unto my son Christopher Reynolds Jr. all my land on the southerly side of the Freshest swamp that Richard Jordan (his son-in-law who m. da. Elizabeth Reynolds) now liveth upon”.
1. Richard Jordan, m. Elizabeth Reynolds. Appraisal of estate of Giles Driver by Robert Coleman, Thomas Green, Richard Jordan Sr., Thomas Giles, Daniel Long. B. 2., p. 150, May 6, 1679: Arthur Evans, Rich. Jordan, and Joseph Wall appointed to appraise the estate of Edward Browne, deceased. (Surry Co. Court Orders 1671 – 1691, p. 248). Richard Jordan’s Will was witnessed by Joshua Proctor (son-in-law of Bartholomew Owen), who, with William Rose, returned the inventory. 1.1. John Jordan, m. Jane Brown. On Dec. 20, 1680, John Jordan, according to bond fulfilled with his father, Mr. Richard Jordan, paid to Col. Ar. Smith, Lt. Col. Jno. Pitt, and Capt. Henry Applewhaite, for the maintenance of his wife. 1.1.1. Elizabeth Jordan, m. John Fort; this family from Wiveliscombe. 1. William Forte, bapt. 24 May 1576. 1.1. Agnes Forte, bapt. Apr. 30, 1608. 1.1.1. Marie Forte, m. John Decon, 24 Mar. 1646. 1.1.1.1. Thomas Decon, m. Mary Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett, granddaughter of Thomas Bennett, b. 1603, aforementioned. 1.2. Richard Jordan Jr.; his exexutors “trusted friends Josiah Proctor and John Fort. Witness, Robert Owen, son of Bartholomew. Richard Jordan Junr., 260 ac. on the northeast side of Johnchecokuck Swamp in the upper parish of Surry County, beginning at the mouth of a branch which branch parts this land from sd Jordan’s own land, being part of Mr. Owen’s dividend. (B.4, p. 104).
BARTHOLOMEW OWEN: Robert Owen (brother of William), 743 acs., Surry Co., Oct. 20, 1689, p. 3. On the S.E. side of Chehocon Swamp; 648 acs. part granted Mr. Bart. Owen, May 14, 1673, and due sd. Robert, as son & heir; and 95 acs. for imp. of 2 pers: Jno. Sharp , and Henry Wych. The latter is given a pedigree of ‘the names the same variety’, which are common to Virginia ancestries. It was probably the case that Henry Wych was of the family of Henry Wyke, alias Henry Weekes (Esq.), connected to Sir Henry Hawley of Wiveliscombe, evidenced thus: Hawley v Wyke. Plaintiffs: Sir Henry Hawley kt. Defendants: Henry Wyke alias Henry Weekes. 1617-1621. (N.A., C 3/311/19). A patent to merchant Peter Knight included headrights for the transportation of James Hawley, his wife Ann, and three children, to the Patowmack River area in 1656.” p. 2: “A 700 ac. grant to James Hawley, re-recorded in a Westmoreland Co. deed book in 1707, was dated Sept. 12, 1662, and described a tract near the head of the Nominy River on the Herring Point branch (p. 3). A dau. m. a Knight in Northumberland Co. prior to Feb. 1660. On this date James devised a cow and calf to his “granddaughter”, Elizabeth Knight; and Jacob Lucas and Henry Hawley were said to be ‘”next of kindred”; i.e. uncle and nephew. James Hawley was vestryman in 1655, and served as a justice in 1657. In 1674, he stated his age was “46 years or thereabouts”. Peter Knight’s son, William, was the father of John Knight, b. circa 1680, who m. (it is most likely) Elizabeth Jordan, having a son. Jordan Knight. Elizabeth Jordan was the dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas and Margaret Brasseur.
On Oct. 9, 1619, in Wiveliscombe, Elizabeth Knight m. William Owen. He may have been the nephew of Robert Owen of Bristol, kin of the Pitt family, as mentioned, and the father of Bartholomew Owen. A family of Knight also intermarried with the Davis of Portbury and Tickenham. William Owen’s marriage was a ‘singular’ event; he was not of Wiveliscombe, nor recorded in any extant register entries within that district.
It is highly probable that Elizabeth Knight was related to Sarah Knight of Wiveliscombe, who m. Nicholas Harwood, on May 2, 1614.Nicholas Harwood may have been he of that name who was security for Thomas Joyner in a suit against William Stone in James City in 1637, p. 122. This would be of considerable interest if this Thomas was the grandfather of Bridgman Joyner, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Nicholas Harwood (cooper) was the executor of the Will of William Smith, planter, dated April 23, 1636, who bequested to “Elizabeth Harlowe, dau. of John Harlowe”. Knight, Mary, of Virginia, spinster. Administration to the mother, Elizabeth Knight. (June 1685). Revoked on her death and granted to the sister, Catherine, wife of Richard Shaw. (June 1686).
Per Greer:
Shaw, Ann/1653/Peter Knight/Northumberland.
Harwood Ralph/1635/John Upton/Warrasquinoake.
Harwood Ralph/1637/John Upton/I0W.
Harwood Ralph/1637/John Upton/IOW.
Thomas Jordan and Margrett Brasseur were persecuted for their Quaker beliefs. The following is a tribute (as it was written) by his family after his death: “Thomas Jordan of Chuckatuck in Nansemond County in Virginia was Born in ye year 1634 and in ye year 1660 hee Received ye truth and [abode] faithfull in it: and in Constant unity with ye faithfull friends there of: and stood in opposition Against all wrong and [Deceitful] spirits: having suffered ye spoiling of his goods: ye Imprisonment of his Body for ye truth sake: and Continued in ye truth unto the End of his days: is ye [Belief] of us his Dear wife and Children above Ritten. Hee Departed this Life ye Eight day of ye tenth month on ye sixth day of ye weeke about ye second hour in ye afternoone and was Buryed ye twelfe day of ye said month on ye third day of ye weeke in ye year 1699”.
Thomas Jordan was the son of Thomas Jordan and Lucy Corker, br. of Richard Jordan, who m. a dau. of Christopher Reynolds, “servant” of Edward Bennett. Capt. John Corker lived in Jamestown, on James Island, near Goose Hill, in 1637. In 1657, he patented 1,150 acres in Surry described as being on the south side of the James River and on the south side of the head of Grey’s Creek, called Ware Neck. His son, Capt. William Corker of Surry Co. m. Lucy …, widow of Captain John White. His nuncupative will, proved in Surry on Sept. 4, 1677, mentions that the eldest dau., Susanna Branch, inherited her own mother’s watch. The will names his 3 dauS: Susanna, wife of John Branch; Judith, wife of William Clay; and Lucy, who m. Thomas Jordan.
Peter Knight was a neighbour of:
1. John Upton, whose headright was Christopher Lewis, Godparent of William Harris, and Katherine Owen. Peter Knight, Merchant, 200 acs. IOW Co., Mar. 13, 1638, p. 628. S. E. Ely. upon the maine Cr., S. W. into the woods upon land of Leift. John Upton Sly., & upon the Batchelors plantation Nly. Due by assignment & exchange to & with sd. Leift. Upton to & with Mr. Thomas Hill for 200 acs. in any other place ungraunted & by sd. Hill sold to sd. Knight for a valuable consideration. (C&P, i., p. 95). Captain John Upton, 3289 acres July 10, 1643. Lying upon the branches of Pagan Point Creek and New Town Haven adj. Mr. Sparkes, Anthony Jones, Mr. Nevill, Robert Pitt, Mr. Seward, Ambrose Bennett and Mr. Moone. 139 acres for trans. 3 pers. and the remainder by several former pats.
2. Richard and Robert Bennett, of Wiveliscombe, cousins of Thomas Harris, as herein given. Peter Knight, Merchant, 200 acs. Up. Co. of New Norf., Nov. 18, 1638. 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. Due by assignment from Thomas Burbage. (ibid. p. 85). Thomas Burbage m. the relict of Thomas Oldis of Elizabeth City Co., m. of Mary Oldis, wife of John Lear. William Seward: Est.- By Mr. Thomas Holt (son-in-law) July 6, 1703. Wit. Jno. Lear. Peter Knight’s wife, Ann, named Thomas Lane “my loveing freind”, in a deed witnessed by James Hawley, April 20, 1663. Thomas Lane’s son and namesake m. Mary Newsum; his estate was appraised in 1721 by William Ruffin, William Newsum, and William Holt. (B. 7, p. 333).
Families (or a family of) Knight were settled on either side (Somerset or Gloucestershire) of the Bristol estuary. The following admins. are relevant to them: Knight, Jeremiah: Est.- 15 May, 1678. Signed: John Moring, Ar. Jordan, Thos. Sowerby, Wm. Newsum. Book 2, p. 170. Knight, Nathaniel: Leg.- Nathaniel Knight, Chirugeon, makes the following bequests: To Goddaughter, Mary Proctor, dau. of Mr George Proctor … to Mary Browne 20 s. to buy a ring … to sister Abigail Brooks one half of my estate … To father Mr. Samuel Knight in “Stroode water Gloucestershire” the other half … if father is dead to go to brother Daniel Knight. Friend Major William Browne; prob. March 5, 1677. Wit. Berkeley Browne. (B. 2. p. 169). Knight, Nathaniel, of James Town, Virginia. Administration to the brother, Joseph Knight*; the father, Samuel Knight, renouncing, Sept. 1678. (American Wills & Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1857). In 1664, Nathaniel Knight, Mary Briggs, and Jane Flood witnessed bond of James Mills relinquishing all right in the personal property of his wife Fortune or in the land and house formerly belonging to Col John Flood, at the same time Fortune Mills and George Jordan relinquishing all rights.
Jan. 3, 1671, John Kindred, of Lawne’s Creek Parish, sold to Nathaniel Knight 300 ac. given unto John Kindred, formerly a patent, by Will of Coll. John Flood, late of the county, deceased, unto his dau., and after to Walter Flood, which tract of land lately purchased by Lt. Coll. Geo. Jordan, trustee of the will of Coll. Flood. John Flood, by his first wife, Margaret, relict of William Finch, was the father of Thomas Flood, father of Thomas Flood, husband of Ann Rose, dau. of William, sister of Jane Avery, etc., and John Flood, who had a son, John, Jr., father of John, who m. Mary Creed, of Bristol. Was George Jordan’s purchase the basis for the vitriol of Bartholomew Owen?
*Cary v Knight. Plaintiffs: John Cary. Defendants: Joseph Knight and another. Subject: property in St Augustine the Less, Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1682. C 5/459/97. Nathaniel Knight proved the Will of Thomas Gray Sr., security, Thomas Sowersby, br. of Francis. Thomas Gray’s son, John Gray, estate appraised by John Moreing, a headright of Thomas Greening in 1652: To all, etc. Whereas, etc., now know; ye, Francis, Lord Howard, Gov., etc., with ye will and ye consent of ye Council of State, accordingly give and grant unto Mr. John Mooring, six hundred and ninety seven acres of land lying in Surry county, begining at a saplin, River Jordan’s corner and running along his line of marked trees, South by West one hundred and twenty charings to Thomas Jordan’s line, thence along ye sd. Line North eighty eight degrees, West one hundred and sixteen chains to Thomas Jordan’s corner tree, thence North …to Thomas Gibson’s corner… and is due by the importation of fourteen persons. Dated ye 25th day of October Ano. Domi. 1687. Wit. John Mooring , his wife, Charles and John White, John Isaac, Tho. Fisher, Jno. Attwood, John O’Neal, Thos. James. Thomas Greening: James Piland, headright of Francis England, m. his relict. His son, Richard Piland, m. Eleanor Moore, dau. of George Moore.
Per Greer:
Knight, Francis/1653/Charles Scarburg/Northampton.
Knight, Francis/1652/Littleton Scarburg.
Knight, John/1654/John Watson/Westmoreland.
Knight, John/1652/Christopher Lewis/IOW. Thomas Knight of Wiveliscombe, who m. Mary Poole, Nov. 22, 1622, was the father of a John Knight, bapt. March 31, 1633.
Owen, John/1652/Christopher Lewis/IOW.
Knight, Robert/1638/John Watkins/James City. Jan 25, 1675, John Moring receives land from John Gray, planter, on Gray’s Creek, wit. John Watkins. Jno. Moring qual. as Admr. of Mr. Geo. Proctor, dec, with Lt. Coll. Will. Browne & Robert Ruffin security. Jan. 1672, p. 21: John Moring and wife Jane assign lands to John Smith, Wit. William Corker, Francis Meriwether.
Knight, William/1648/William Ewen/James City. P. of atty. from Jno. Jennings to Wm. Rose. 28 Feb., 1647. Convy. from Wm. Batt to Jno. Bishopp of a cow formerly belonging to Wm. Ewen. Wit. Jno. Jennings, Wm. Lea (Crozier). William Ewen, merchant of James City, whoreceived 1,400 ac. in July 1648 for transporting himself and twenty-eight others to that colony. Francis Sowerby, 211 acs. Surry Co., 21 May 1666, p . 525, (643). Upper heads of the two northernmost branches of Graye’s Cr., N.E. and S.E. upon land of Thomas Woodhouse, N.E. and S.E. upon Jno. Watkins, and S.E. upon James Mason. Granted unto Mr. Jno. Jennings, Apr. 11, 1649, assigned to Wm. Rose. (B. 5, p. 562)
B. T. Shannon states – ‘Christopher Lewis bequested to Katherine, dau. of Bartholomew Owen, and to the orphan of the Thomas Harris who d. 1668. Katherine Owen’s brothers, William and Thomas Owen, migrated to Goochland about the same time as Michael Holland and others. Later, William Owen* and some of his circle moved to a part of Halifax that became Pittsylvania. Among them were William Atkins/Atkinson, who married Elizabeth Parker, whose son William Atkinson married William Owen’s daughter, Lydia. Another son of William Owen was Lansford Owen. Elizabeth Cartwright, da. of Robert Cartwright, d. 1676 was under the guardianship of Hezekiah Bunnill, who, on Nov. 4, 1679, presented Walter Flood and Richard Avery (d. December 7, 1685, Surry), as securities for her estate (O.B. 1671-90, p. 273). Elizabeth m. William Rogers, who seems to have m. (1) a dau of Bartholomew Owen. Wm. Rogers lived in the household of widow Joanna Owen, recorded as titheables in 1678; and he was associated with Joshua Proctor, a known son-in-law of Bartholomew Owen. At the same court in which William Rogers receipted for the property of his second wife, Elizabeth Cartwright, Sept. 7, 1686, Robert Owen chose Roger Potter as his guardian instead of William Rogers’ (O.B. 1671-90, p. 528).
A BROWNE CONNECTION: 1. Col. Henry Browne, m. Anne. It could be this simple. Was the Col. Henry Browne who m. Anne, he who was bapt. within 5 miles of Wedmore on December 5, 1602, at Axbridge? The manorial returns treated Axbridge and Wedmore as synonomous. This Henry Browne lived a hedge or so from the Counsell and Brooke families. George Jordan is listed as one of the headrights of Captain Henry Browne, esq. , “one of the Councell of State”, who received, July 14, 1637, 2250 ac. George Jordan’s dau., Lydia, m. William Norwood.
1.1. Berkely Browne, witnessed the Will of Nathaniel Knight.
1.1. Mary Brown, m. Colonel William Brown; he m. (2) 1680, Elizabeth Meriwether, widow of Nicholas Meriwether, and administratrix of Lewis Williams. A deposition of Nicholas Meriwether established he was born in 1631. On Oct. 8, 1677, Bartholomew Owen granted Power of Attorney to Nicholas Meriwether. Colonel William Brown and Elizabeth Meriwether had issue: Elizabeth, named by Henry Hartwell as “a niece of my wife”. Elizabeth Meriwether was the probable sister of Jane, who m. (1) William White, (2) Henry Hartwell, “late of Virginia, Esq., now of the parish of Stepney als Stebonheath, (Will) proven Aug. 2, 1699. To Nicholas Merryweather, nephew of my late wife (Jane Meriwether), two hundred pounds. To Francis Merryweather, another nephew, one hundred pounds. To Thomas Merryweather, another, one hundred pounds. To Jane Browne, wife of William Browne and niece to my late wife, one hundred pounds. To Elizabeth Browne, dau. to Coll. William Browne and niece of my late wife, one hundred pounds I appoint my trusty and well beloved friends Micajah Perry and Richard Perry of London, merchants, executors &c. Wit. Thomas Lane (Pett, 134).
The Encyclopedia of Virginia Genealogy, p. 337: Francis was probably the youngest of the 3 brothers (James, Thomas and Francis) and the only one who left male heirs. He first appears in the Surry Co, VA records Dec 28, 1659 (Book 1, p.145) and died in 1678 or 1679. His will, dated Nov 8, 1678 and probated Mar. 4, 1678/9, mentions his wife Katherine, son Francis, “all my sons”, daughters Sarah and Elizabeth (who m. Richard Rose Sr., having issue, among others, Ann Rose, wife of John Watkins; Thomas Rose, husband of Lydia Seward; brothers Thomas and James Sowerby, and dau. Jane Rix (B. 2, p. 197). The widow, Katherine Sowerby, m. (2) by May 6, 1679, on which date her second husband, John Vinson, made deeds of gift to her children, Sarah, Francis, John, Thomas, Elizabeth and William Sowerby (ibid., p. 205). John Vinson’s Will, probated July 7, 1699, leaves all his property to his wife Katherine (B. 2, p. 171). Katherine Sowerby Vinson died in Surry in 1705, her Will being probated Nov. 6, 1705 (ibid., p. 339), making bequests to Thomas Rose, son of Richard Rose, to her dau., Elizabeth Rose, her granddau, Ann Rose, to Thomas Sowerby, to her Godson, Charles Ricks, to Elizabeth Jarrard and Elias Osborne, and the remainder of her estate to her sons, Francis and John Sowerby.
In a Surry Co. record of October 17, 1659, Francis Sowerby, with William Rose (step-father of Francis Sowerby’s wife (dau. of Thomas Jordan and Jane (Browne) Spencer), William Browne, and Bartholomew Owen, witness the inquest of William Hawkes, servant of Col. Thomas Swann. July 3, 1666: Bartholomew Owen sold cattle ofor the benefit of Jane, William, Ann, and Mary Rose, son and daus. of Wm. Rose and his wife, Ann. Rec. 1666. Wit.: Luke Mizelle (p. 273). In October 1674, Bartholomew Owen and Joanna, his wife, sold 150 ac. to William Foreman, a neighbour. On the back of this deed, and dated Dec. 15, 1683, William Foreman assigned this land to Richard Jordan and William Browne for 800 lbs. of tobacco. Bartholomew Owen’s relict m. Thomas Brooke, a near neighbour of Henry Browne, bapt. on December 5, 1602.
Nicholas Meriwether granted 3000 acres in Westmoreland Co. 1 Jun 1654, his list incl. William Rose, who m. Ann … He d. 1n 1671, aged 49. His children:
1. Jane Rose, b. bef. 1655, probably ca 1651 (called eldest in 1677) m. (1) Richard Avery. Richard Avery departed from the Port of 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). March 11, 1671, Richard Avery named as lessee of land owned by Nicholas Perry of Charles City Co. in right of Perry’s deceased wife, Elizabeth Hutton, dau. of Daniel Hutton, also deceased. This deed from Nicholas Perry to Arthur Jordan mentions his wife’s guardian was Arthur Jordan, and indemnfies himself from the lease of his dower portion to Richard Avery “to whom I let part of same before my wife died”. Witnessed by George Jordan and John Danby (Surry Co., O.B. 2, p. 7). March 6, 1682, Richard Avery was listed as a creditor to the estate of George Proctor (probable father of Joshua, Bartholomew Owen’s son-in-law), John Moring, executor (ibid. p. 326). Will of Richard Avery, proved Jan 5, 1685, Surry Co., names wife Jane, sons George, William, John, and Thomas Avery, and “brothers” William Rose and Thomas Flood. Executors were wife Jane, William Rose, and Thomas Flood. Witnessed by William Browne, Thomas Flood, William Rose (B. 3, p. 45). Richard m. Jane Rose, dau. of William Rose. He calls William Rose and Thomas Flood his “brothers”, i.e., William Rose was the brother of his wife, Jane, and Thomas Flood was Jane’s brother-in-law, husband of Ann Rose.
2. Anne Rose, b. bef. 1655, m. Thomas Flood, Jr.
3. William Rose, b. ca. 1655 (declares in 1689 that he is age 34); m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow.
4. Richard Rose, b. ca 1669.
1.1.1. Captain William Browne, m. Jane Meriwether, the son of her stepfather.
1.1.2. Jane (Brown) Spencer, m. Thomas Jordan. Thomas remarried to Lucy Corker and himself died by 1685. Lucy remarried to WIllaim Rose. The inventory of Thomas Jordan’s estate was presented in 1686 by Col. William Browne and Mr. James Jordan. To repeat: Peter Knight’s son, William, was the father of John Knight, b. circa 1680, who m. (it is most likely) Elizabeth Jordan, having a son, Jordan Knight. Elizabeth Jordan was the dau. of James Jordan, son of Thomas and Margaret Brasseur.
1. … Meriwether.
1.1. Nicholas Meriwether, m. (1) …
1.1.1. …
1.1. Nicholas Meriwether m. (2); Elizabeth, who m. (2) Col. Wm. Browne, in 1680.
1.1.1. Nicholas Meriwether, born aft. March 2, 1664 (Haun V, p. 45).
1.1.2. Francis Meriwether, first appeared on a Surry Co. tithable list with his stepfather, Lt. Col. Wm. Browne, on June 9, 1688.
1.1.3. Jane Meriwether, m. Capt. Wm. Browne, Jr., the son of her stepfather.
1.1.4. Thomas Meriwether, m. Elizabeth Williamson, dau. of Henry Williamson, Gent., of Essex Co., d. 1699. (B. 10, p. 12).
1.2. Francis Meriwether, d. bef. March 28, 1666, when administration was granted in Surry Co. to Nicholas Meriwether.
1.3. Jane Meriwether, m. (1) Major William White, (2) Henry Hartwell. William White (wheelwright), d. by Feb. 21, 1682, in Accomack, aged 66 years; m. (2) Elizabeth … , who m. Thomas Crippen by July 2, 1683 in Accomack. (Whitelaw, Virginia’s Eastern Shore, p. 142). Accomack Court Orders, vol. 7, p. 21. At an Accomack Co. Court on Dec. 18, 1682, Elizabeth Man petitioned the court saying that she had served her term of service to William White (deceased) and others; she requested that Elizabeth, White’s widow, pay her corn and clothes according to the custom of the country. Since White had been her last master, it was ordered that Elizabeth White pay the corn, clothes and court costs. William was named as a headright of Robert Pitt, on Nov. 17, 1664 in Accomack Co. Thomas Crippen’s Will, dated Dec. 17, 1730, mentioned “grandson Bennet, son of Thomas & Elizabeth Bennet the balance of my land lying on the head line, being 298 acres Robert to have the part adjcent my son Paul & Thomas Bennet to have the part lying on the head line”, wit. William White Jr.
Pieces of the puzzle.
copyright m stanhope 2018
