Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton

1. Torf. According to Robert of Torigny (GND, viii. c. 37), Torf was the father of Turold and Turchetil (see also OV ii. 12). It is wrongly assumed that this Turchetil was a forefather of the Harcourts; he died childless, passing his estate to his great-nephew, Asketil (cart. Preaux, fol. 97v; CP xi. Instr., col. 201 a. d., Du Monstier, Neustria Pia, p. 522, 1663). Turold mar. Duvelina de Crepon, sister of Gunnor, the wife of ‘Duke’ Richard; they were ancestors of the Beaumont family of Pont-Audemer, and, according to Auguste le Prevost, of the Harcourts, with Turold and Duvelina being the parents of both Onfroi de Vieilles (GND vii. 1. 3.), and Turchetil. (See Ordericus, ed. Prevost, vol. i., p. 180; ii. pp. 14, 369, 370; iii. pp. 42, 229).
1.1. Turchetil.
1.2. ‘Turoldis teneri ducis pedagogus perimitur’ (Will. Gemet, VII.).
1.2.1. Hunfrid (Onfroi de Vieilles, alias Vetulis or Vaux, lord of Vieilles; a small commune in the canton of Beaumont, arrondissement of Bernay.
1.2.1.1. Roger de Beaumont; Asketil, his dapifer, being a junior kinsman.
1.2.1.1.1. Robert de Beaumont, Ist Earl Leicester.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl Leicester, founder of Garendon in 1133, to which donated his kinsmen, Hugh de Berges, and his son, Asketil.

1.2.2. Turchetil.
1.2.2.1. Asketil (de Harcourt) de Rieu, gave the abbey of Tréport, c. 1060, the tithes of ‘decimam suam de Riu’. (Carlularium sanctae Trinilatis, p. 425). He is noted as ‘senis’, distinguishing him from his son.
1.2.2.1.1. Hugues de Rieu, confirmed his father’s gifts to Treport. At Domesday, he held Rotingedene (near Bergemere, contracted to Burg and Berges) from William de Warenne. His son, William de Warenne, 2nd Earl of Surrey (d. 1138), m. Isabelle de Vermandois, widow of Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, whose son founded Garendon.
1.2.2.1.1.1. Anscherio (dapifer) de Moncellis. In Easter of 1107, before the barons of king Henry, he gave witness in a dispute concerning fisheries, donated to Treport by Robert d’Eu; the witnesses being Abraham de Petra; Geroldo dapifero; Gauffrido de Envremou; Anscherio de Moncellis, multisque aliis. Dr Keats-Rohan suggests that the Ansketil who held land at Bexhill, Footland and Wellhead in Sussex from the Count of Eu was ‘perhaps’ Ansketil of Rieux, who accounted in Sussex in the Pipe Roll of 1130 and whose family appears in the early charters of Tréport abbey, founded by the Count of Eu. He may have been the Ansketil de Jorz who is recorded in England in 1110 and who (it is suggested) is synonomous with the “nobis Aschetillus dispensator” and his son “Galfridus” noted by Bridgeman (The Burton Abbey Twelfth Century Surveys, Collections for a History of Staffordshire, p. 225, 1918). Sometime during the period 1133- 48, as “Asketillus de Berges,” he gave four carucates of the land of Burton to the Abbot and Convent of St. Mary at Garendon, the charter being witnessed by Robert, Earl of Leicester, and Ives de Harcourt, who d. 1148. (B.M. MS Lansdowne 415, folios 8, 31v.).
1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Geoffrey le Despenser (‘Gaufrido dispensatore’), ‘dispensarius’ to the Earl of Chester.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas le Despenser, donated to Garendon as ‘Tomas Dispensator, filius Gaufridi Dispensatoris’. (John Nichols, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, vol. III, part 2, 1804).
1.2.2.1.2. Asketil. D.B.: The Land of the Count of Eu, Bexill Hundred: ‘Ansketil of Rieux 1/2 hide‘. The English Harcourts:
1.2.2.1.2.1. Robert fitz Anschetil, ob. 1118 (ctl. Preaux, fol. 102v). Held Norman fiefs.
1.2.2.1.2.1.1. William fitz Robert, fl. 1149 (P.R. 31 H. 1). Granted Stanton-under-Bardon, Leic., to Garendon Abbey, founded by Robert de Beaumont (cart. Garendon, fols. 5v., 15v.).
1.2.2.1.2.1.1.1. Robert fitz William, mar. Eve Crispin, da. of baron of the Vexin Normande, Joscelin Crispin.
1.2.2.1.2.1.2. Ivo de Harcourt. He ratified the confirmation of his brother, William, of their father’s gifts to Garendon (ctl. Garendon, fol. 15v.; Nichols’ Leic. vii.). ‘In 1148/9, William de Harcourt, with the consent of his brother and heir, Ivo, and mother, Agnes, alienated to Garendon the manor of Stanton-under-Bardon, which was specifically their patrimonium’ (Benjamin Thompson, Monasteries and Society in Medieval Britain, p. 107, 1999). It was Ivo who was the progenitor of the English line of Harcourts. “The later forfeiture of the English lands of the ‘Norman’ Harcourts makes them difficult to trace, but we do at least know some of them in Leicestershire … the remaining part of the Harcourt inheritance in the manor of Leicester was being held by Ivo de Harcourt before the end of Stephen’s reign” (Crouch, Beaumont Twins, pp.125-6).

1.2.2.1.1.2. Ralph de Monceaux. In 1130, he was pardoned 20s 6d of Danegeld in Sussex. Wibert’s holding of the count of Eu in 1086 was 9 hides and 1 virgate, of which the danegeld would be 18s 6d; one hide on the honour of Warenne would make the total danegeld 20s 6d. Farrer’s notes introduce the suggestion that in 1129/30 Ralf de Monceux was in possession of Wibert’s 1086 holding. On November 14, 1148 he witnessed a charter of John Count of Eu and in the same month was addressed in terms that suggest he was acting in the role of sheriff of Hastings Rape: “John, count of Eu, to Ralph de Munceaus and all his men of the Rape of Hastings. I have restored to the church of Chichester and to Bishop Hylary the manor of Bixla, to be held of the King, and have seized him thereof. I order you to let him hold it. Farewell”. (Chichester Chartulary. Liber Y, nos 299 and 300; Sussex Record Society vol XLVI 1942-3).
1.2.2.1.1.2.1. Anscher (Asketil) de Monceaux (de Moncellis). “Ego Hugo de Mortuo-mari aliquando cogitans de morte et vita, volens unam evitare et aliam adipisci, dubitans qua via incederem, labore enim manuum non queo, quia fodere non valeo, putavi levius per elemosynam perficere, quia audivi à multis quod sicut aquaextinguit ignem, itaelemosyna extinguit peccatum. Les témoins sont : Hugues, abbé de St.-Victor, Anscher de Monchaux (de Moncellis), Willaume, son fils, H. de Nellette, H. de Rue,* W. Gourle, etc. *Hugues de Rieux.
1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1. Raoul de Monchaux. In 1175, with the consent of Agnes, his wife (probably de Balliol), Guillaume and Jean, his children, and in the presence of Guy d’Avesnes, Guy de Balliol, and Gauthier de Saint Remy, granted, perpetually and frankly, Abbey of Saint-Michel du Tréport, all the rights which he and his predecessors could have over his church at Rieux and chapel at Monchaux, within the same parish; the chapel later to be made a church. In 1186, he donated to Sery in memory of his son, William. His last donation was in 1205.
1.2.2.1.1.2.2. Hugues de Rieux, as given.
1.2.2.1.1.2.3. Alan de Monceaux, s.l. 1161, of Monchxaux-Soreng, near Aumale. Canton de Blangy (from whence the Crispins), arrondissement de Neufchâtel-en-Bray (Seine-Inférieure)
1.2.2.1.1.2.3.1. Ingelran de Monceux, d. 1205. He was also known as “Inghelramus de Jortis“. (Publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, vol. 13 p., 60, 1930, cit. Cartulary of the Abbey of Old Wardon, 1 John). He married Idonia, granddaughter of Juliana ‘filia John fitz Waleran’, of Herstmonceux and Warberton, Sussex, and Little Easton, Essex, who had livery of her father’s lands in 1128. She m. (1) William de Hastings, as 2nd wife, (PR 31 Henry I). She m. (2) Robert Doisnel, a royal marshal. By a first wife, William de Hastings was father of Robert de Hastings, despenser to King Henry II, confirmed in the office of Ralph de Hastings, his uncle. Ingelran took possession of his wife’s inheritance in 1199.

1.2.2.2. Lesceline, m. William I, Count of Eu, illegitimate son of ‘Duke’ Richard I. of Normandy. Lesceline, Countess of Eu, held the fief of Jort.
1.2.2.2.1. Robert d’Eu, the founder of Treport, to which Asketil de Rieu probably donated as his uncle.

Generally, the repetition of patterns of association is paramount to understanding these people, as they organised themselves to survive through familial bonds.

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1. Nigel de Gresley (Nigel de Torp), tenant of Henry de Ferrers in 1086. He was possibly Nigellus Camerarius, the chamberlain of earl Roger de Poictou,
1.1. William FitzNigel. Greisley juxta pontem de Burton, in the deanery of Repindon, was a small priory of canons of St. Austin, founded by William, son of Nigel de Geresley, temp. Hen. I. dedicated to St. Mary and St. George, and valued, 26 Hen. VIII. at 31/. 6s. per ann. according to Dugdale; William FitzNigel also founded Norton priory, near Runcorn, in Cheshire. W’mus fil. Nigel, fundator monast. de Gresley m. Elena. In a book of church notes in the British Museum, is the following account of this family: “The church of Gresley is situated two miles from the Trent, among the woods, where William, the son of Nigel de Gresley, founded a priorie in the honore of St. George, the ruins wherof remain; of which priorie the Gresleys were patrons, and had a necessarie voyce in the election of the pryore. It doth appeare to me by manie circumstances, that the Gresleys had the full complement of our ancient barrons; as fyrst, the hundred of Gresley, co. Derby, being one of the divisions of the county, to be held by the Gresleys in barinagio; then, a priorie of their foundation; then their castle of their own surname, seated within a mile of the pryorie, toward the Trent.
1.1.1. Robertus de Gresley, miles, fil. Wil’m and Basilia. An abbey for Cistertian monks, at Swineshead, co. Lincoln, was founded, in 1134, by Robert Greslei, and valued, at the dissolution, according to Dugdale, at 167/ 15s. 3d. per ann. Robert Greseley, however, had ” Mortun ” only by exchange with a younger brother Engenolf, to whom he gave in lieu Swart (Swarthincote, a small lordship in Greseley parish, Derbyshire), with two bovates in Kingesleya,” and two in ” Bredleia,” both in Staffordshire. Test. Domina Basilia uxor. Rob. de Gresel; and, among others, four more Greseleys, Nigel, Henry, William, Ralph, all younger brothers of Robert.
1.1.1.1. W’mus de Gresley, miles, fil. et haer. Rob. Temp. king John, William de Ferrers, sixth earl of Derby and Nottingham, had a grant from that king,in 1206, of William de Gresley and his heirs, for his lands at Drakelow, to hold in capite by the service of a bow without a string, a quiver, made at Tutbury, and thirteen arrows, twelve fledged or feathered, and one unfeathered. The later Gressleys assumed arms nearly similar to those of the family of Ferrers, viz. Vaire, ermine and gules.
1.1.2. Ralph de Gresley. “Rad’us de Gresley et Agnes uxor ejus”, probably Agnes de Heriz. Ralph de Seile held the manor of Netherseale, co. Leicester, t. Hen. I. In the time of Hen. 11. with the consent of William, earl Ferrers, sold his mill at Seile, with four virgates of his demesne land, to Ralph, son of William de Greseley, for 13 marks of silver. Among the many witnesses to this deed, are, Willielmo de G’sel, et Robt. filio suo, et Henrico, et Willielmo, Waltero de Somervilla, Rob’ de Ferr.’ et Rogero Capellano, et Willielmo Decano de Tatenhull, Johanne de Lisvis, &c. A large thick seal; the earl on horseback: sigillum Willielmi comitis de Ferrariis. Radulph de Gresele gives one carucate in Seile to Mirevall. Seile mill was in the hands of the canous of Greseley, not long after the purchase made of it by Rad. de Greseley. Robert de Arraby gave two bovates of land at Eaton, co. Leicester, cum corpore suo, to Croxton abbey, with the appurtenances of the fee of Griseley; which appears to have been subordinate to that of Ferrars. Agnes de Heriz was the grandda. of Robert de Heriz, who in 1086 held of William Peverel in Stapleford 2 carucates, and da. of Galfr. de Heriz, Lord of Stapleford. When William Peverel I. founded the Priory of Lenton, in the first decade of the twelfth-century, donators to it were his feudatories in Avranches; “les hommes de Guillaume Peverel sont du diocèse d’Avranches”, being “Le premier était Avenel, Raoul Malherbe, Norman de Saint Patrice, Geoffroy de Heriz, Adelelme ou Adelée, Robert de Mortain (Société d’archéologie et d’histoire de la Manche, p. 56, 1992). It is also possible that Nigel de Torp was of one of these families.
1.1.2.1. Agnes, m. Hugh FitzRalph, who assumed the name of Gressley.
1.1.2.1.1. In 1211, Ralph de Gresele held three knight’s fees of the honour of Peverell, of which two were in Claydon; and married Isabel, daughter of Robert de Muschamp, with whom, on payment of a fine in 1219, he was admitted to the lands of Robert de Muschamp her brother
1.1.2.1.1.1. Hugh fil Rad de Gresley. From the Pipe Rolls: Eccleston: Galf de Eccleston 1 fee of Richard de Stapelford (Heriz), Hugh fil Rad de Gresley 3 fees.
1.1.2.2. Galfr. (Geoffrey) de Eccleston (Heriz), who held Stapleford, and with the consent of his mother, Alice, gifted to Lenton. Galfridus de Eccleston’ debet x li. pro habenda saisina de terra quam Avicia que fuit uxor Ricardi de Camera. (Pipe Roll, 1224).
1.1.2.2.1. Richard de Heriz (de Stapleford), held that manor in 1250, his son, Hugh, being aged 25 years.
1.1.2.2.1.1. Hugh de Heriz, died seized of this fee in 1297.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1. Richard de Heriz, born 1282, d. bef. 1316.
1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Richard de Heriz, b. November 7, 1307.
1.1.3. Nigel de Gresley.
1.2. A daughter, m. Albert … who assumed the name Gresley. There are various connotations that can be chosen from when attempting to construct pedigrees from tenurial relationships. In this instance, I have conjectured that a daughter of Nigel de Torp married Albert, with him being an in-law of the Gresleys, rather than their progenitor. The suppositions of old also strain chronologies, with there perhaps being a missing generation in the early Gresley/Heriz lineage. Thus, Robert who held of the Peverells at Domesday was probably followed by another Robert, father of Geoffroy de Heriz.

‘Of the land of Roger de Poitou were two manors in Hainton, one held by Albert, ancestor of the family of Grelle or Gresley, with soke in Sixhill, Barkwith, and Southry, which is thus entered. “Second manor. In Haintone Clac and Sendi had one carucate and half a bovate subject to Danegeld. Land to two ploughs. There Albert, the vassal of Roger, has one plough and three villains ploughing with three oxen, and fifty-four acres of meadow. About 1100, Eccleston was divided between Albert de Greslye and Roger de Busli. (Francis Gastrell, Notitia Cestiensis: Or Historical Notices of the Diocese of Chester). “In the Domesday Survey, the south of Lancashire is included in Cheshire, the hundred of Amounderness in Yorkshire, and that of Lonsdale is comprised under Westmorland, Cumberland, and Yorkshire. The dale or vale of the Lune is formed into one word in this record, where it occurs as a manor, surveyed under Craven in the West Riding of Yorkshire. “Two manors. In Lanesdale and Cocreham, Ulf and Machall had two carucates to be taxed. Here Lanesdale seems to denote Thurnham, but the latter occurs as Tiernum in earl Tosti’s manor of Haltune. In a charter of the 2d of king John, by which the lands formerly belonging to Nigellus Camerarius, probably the chamberlain of the great earl Roger de Poictou, were granted to Henry Fitz Hervey and his heirs (c. 1200), land towards or opposite the valley of Loon is mentioned”. (Edward Baines, History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, vol. 4, 1868).

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1. Ranulf, the Moneyer.
1.1. Waleran fitz Ranulf, sold mill at Vains in 1061, sold land at Caen and mill at Amblie in 1066.
1.1.1. John fitz Waleran.
1.1.1.1. Juliana ‘filia John fitz Waleran’, of of Herstmonceux and Warberton, Sussex, and Little Easton, Essex, had livery of his father’s lands, 1128, m. (1) William de Hastings, as 2nd wife, (PR 31 Henry I, 58). She m. (2) Robert Doisnel, a royal marshal. By a first wife, William de Hastings was father of Robert de Hastings, despenser to King Henry II, confirmed in the office of Ralph de Hastings, his uncle.
1.1.1.1.1. Juliana, m. William fitz Aldelin, Henry 11’s steward. In 1199 her heirs in both the land of John fitz Waleran and the marshal serjeanty (held by Robert Doisnel) were William of Warberton and Ingelran de Monceux, whose rights derived from his wife Idonea de Monceux (Farrer, HKF iii, 376). William, the senior heir, and Idonea, were probably descendants of the elder Juliana’s first marriage to William of Hastings. Part of the inheritance they shared was five fees at Herstmonceaux and Warberton held of the count of Eu in the Rape of Hastings.
1.1.1.1.2. A daughter.
1.1.1.1.2.1. Idonia, m. Ingelran de Monceux, son of Alan de Monceaux, s.l. 1161, of Monchxaux-Soreng, near Aumale. He was also known as “de Jortis”. “Inghelramus de Jortis, Johannes Basm’, Philippo dapifero Robertus de Bruai, Gaufridus de Sandon, Alexander de Coldree, Willelmus filius eius, Radulfus frater eius, et plures alii”. (Publications of the Bedfordshire Historical Record Society, vol. 13 p., 60, 1930, cit. Cartulary of the Abbey of Old Wardon). 1 John.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert de Monceaux, recorded as a knight in 1207. (EYC, ibid.).

Lesceline de Harcourt, m. William I, Count of Eu, illegitimate son of ‘Duke’ Richard I. of Normandy. Lesceline, Countess of Eu, held the fief of Jort. Their son was Robert d’Eu, the founder of Treport, to which Asketil de Rieu probably donated as his  wife’s brother. Asketil de Rieu, gave the abbey of Tréport, c. 1060, the tithes of ‘decimam suam de Riu’. (Carlularium sanctae Trinitatis, p. 425). He is noted as ‘senis’, distinguishing him from this son: Ansketil holds of Robert, count of Eu. (Footland. Phil. ref. 9,128). Ansketil ‘the man of Robert, count of Eu’. (Wellhead. Phil. ref. 9,130). He is likely to have been Robert’s cousin, and also likely to be the Ansketil de Jorz who is recorded in England in 1110, and named as Aschetillus dispensator.

It would seem that “Inghelramus de Jortis” was of this branch of the family.

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The wise men of old sometimes pointed in the general direction when trying to make sense of relationships between families, but they tended to take a more direct route than was the fact, and this was probably the case when the husband of Agnes de Heriz was given a name. The reality was an entanglement of cousins; people of different families taking the same name.

1. Robert de Heriz n 1086 in Broxtow wapentake, Notts., Robert (de Heriz) held of William Peverel in Stapleford 2 carucates.
1.1. Galfr. de Heriz, Lord of Stapleford. When William Peverel I. founded the Priory of Lenton, in the first decade of the twelfth-century, donators to it were his feudatories in Avranches; “les hommes de Guillaume Peverel sont du diocèse d’Avranches”, being “Le premier était Avenel, Raoul Malherbe, Norman de Saint Patrice, Geoffroy de Heriz, Adelelme ou Adelée, Robert de Mortain (Société d’archéologie et d’histoire de la Manche, 1992, Identification des notables de l’Avranchin et du Cotentin cités dans le livre noir de l’abbaye de la Lucerne, 1143-1309, p. 56). Geoffroy de Heriz donated to Lenton two-thirds of his tithes in Stapleford (Mon. Anglic. v. 111b). The Heriz family held the fief of La Hérissiere in La Rochelle, situated six miles from Avranches, in the canton of Haye-Pesne. Le sire de Heriz fit construire son château de la Hérissière, dont les soubassements servent an château actuel. On retrouve également i embases de tour qui indiquent à peu près la superficie de l’ancien château. Revue de l’Avranchin et du pays de Granville, Volumes 27-28 1934. La Hérissiere was a ‘fief de Haubert’, that is, held of the ducal family (D.N. V. XI. P. 379, 1776). It was also called La Rochelle-le-Hericiere (ibid.), and “la Rochelle-Ambleville”, where Guillaume St. Jean’s tenant in 1162 was Roger Heriz (Dubosc Cart. 5-7).
1.1.1. Robert de Heriz, d. 1177, amerced 5 marks in 1176 for forrest trespass. His lands in England passed to his sister, Avicia; his lands in Avranches passed to his sons, Roger and André de Heriz. Roger de Heriz had married a daughter of the very influential Roger-le-Pauvre, noted here: “Robertum abbatem et conventum concessisse W. de S. Johanne universam terram nostram … Nous avons donné deux gerbes de dîme de la terre Cornart à la Pommeraye; l’église de la Rochelle avec ses dépendances, du consentement de Roger-le-Pauvre … Nous avons concédé la donation de Robert Hériz et de ses fils Roger et André, faite pour le salut de son âme et celle de son épouse Agnès, de six quartiers de froment sur son moulin… Le seigneur de Saint-Jean rappelle ses donations dans le diocèse de Coutances et en Angleterre, date sa charte de l’année 1162, et cite, parmi les nombreux témoins, Roger de Saint-Jean…. Nous avons concédé la donation de Robert Hériz et de ses fils Roger et André, faite pour le salut de son âme et celle de son épouse Agnès, de six quartiers de froment sur son moulin… Le seigneur de Saint-Jean rappelle ses donations dans le diocèse de Coutances et en Angleterre, date sa charte de l’année 1162, et cite, parmi les nombreux témoins, Roger de Saint-Jean.

The sheriff accounts for lOOs. for the lands of Robert de Heriz at Stapleford, and 68s. for the corn of the land of Gervase Avenel. Note. — This payment for the land of Robert Heriz of Stapleford curiously commences with the date of the other Robert
Heriz purchasing the lands held by his late brother. These two families must not be confounded. They were separate as early as the foundation of Lenton Priory, when they each granted land out of their domains. This Robert de Heriz seems to have been the last male heir of his family, although the de Ecclestons, who derived descent from his sister and co-heir, assumed the name of Heriz, and the estates continued in their family until the time of Edward III. The sheriff accounts for lOOs. the land of Robert de Heriz at Stapleford, and … 12s. 6d. for the farm of Baselow. (This was Gervase Avenel’s land, for which he paid 20 marcs in 2 Henry II., and which was in the king’s hands in 26 Henry II. This afterwards came to Basset and Vernon.

1.1.2. Avicia de Heriz, m. Richard de Camera.
1.1.3. Agnes de Heriz, m. … de Eccleston, it is said. This is a supposition which is commonly used to explain later associations between the Heriz (by various titles) and the Ecclestons, as in this example: Writ of Right — Robert son of Gilbert and Avice his wife, William de Karlton, William de Eccleston, Geoffrey de Heriz, Hugh son of Syward, Roger le Blunt, Adam Stute’, Alan son of Roger, and Hugh de Stapelford,* re common of pasture in Eccleston. Avice is daughter and heir of Henry de Eccleston who was seised n fee when he died. Defendants call to warrant Adam (br. of William and Henry) son of Ralph (i.e. Radulph de Eccleston);and they come to terms, Adam giving i mark for leave. And Robert and Avice remit all their right and claim in the said land, and Adam gives to them 2 acres in the said vill, of his demesne. 1247. In 1242, Adam de Eccleston held of William de Lancaster by knight’s service, his father having married one of his daughters.

About 1100, Eccleston was divided between Albert de Greslye and Roger de Busli. (Francis Gastrell, Notitia Cestiensis: Or Historical Notices of the Diocese of Chester). Albert de Greslye (it is said) married the daughter of Nigellus, a Norman knight. and became possessed of the manor of Manchester. This Nigellus has been claimed to have been Nigellus de Statford (Dugdale tome. i., p. 156), but the fact of him being named in several documents as “Nigel de Torp” (juxta Burnsall) mitigates against this. Nigel was a man of Roger of Poictou: “In the Domesday Survey, the south of Lancashire is included in Cheshire, the hundred of Amounderness in Yorkshire, and that of Lonsdale is comprised under Westmorland, Cumberland, and Yorkshire. The dale or vale of the Lune is formed into one word in this record, where it occurs as a manor, surveyed under Craven in the West Riding of Yorkshire. “Two manors. In Lanesdale and Cocreham, Ulf and Machall had two carucates to be taxed. Here Lanesdale seems to denote Thurnham, but the latter occurs as Tiernum in earl Tosti’s manor of Haltune. In a charter of the 2d of king John, by which the lands formerly belonging to Nigellus Camerarius, probably the chamberlain of the great earl Roger de Poictou, were granted to Henry Fitz Hervey and his heirs (c. 1200), land towards or opposite the valley of Loon is mentioned”. (Edward Baines, History of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Volume 4, 1868). Eccleston: Galf de Eccleston 1 fee of Richard de Stapelford, Hugh fil Rad de Gresley 3 fees. ‘Of the land of Roger de Poitou were two manors in Hainton, one held by Albert, ancestor of the family of Grelle or Gresley, with soke in Sixhill, Barkwith, and Southry, which is thus entered. “Second manor. In Haintone Clac and Sendi had one carucate and half a bovate subject to Danegeld. Land to two ploughs. There Albert, the vassal of Roger, has one plough and three villains ploughing with three oxen, and fifty-four acres of meadow. In the Catalogue of tenants of lands in Wraghehou wapentake, in 1108, Robert Greslet one carucate and four bovates and a half in Caldecote of the king. In his descendants the manor of Hainton with the inland in Barkwith, held by Albert, father of Robert, remained, and was held by this John de Wurth of Thomas de Grelle, together with the barony of Scoteny, acquired by descent from Ralph de Criol. The chief seat of the family of Grelle or Gresley, in Lincolnshire, was at Swineshead in the parts of Holland, Lincolnshire, which was belonging to Robert Gresle in 1185, then in his minority, and son of Albert de Gresle and of a daughter of Thomas Basset.

‘Pedigrees constructed from the Pipe Rolls’.
1. “Rad’us de Gresley et Agnes uxor ejus”, probably Agnes de Heriz. He was probably the same as mentioned herein: Charter of William Earl Ferrers, confirming the grant by Ralph de Seile to Ralph de Gresley, of his mill at Seile; with the Earl’s seal; circa 1168. Charter of Ralph de Greeley, founder of the Preceptory of Hether, Leicestershire, granting land to Merevale Abbey, with his seal. At the conquest the Countess Judith held 4 carucates; 4 villans had 1 plough; soon afterwards it came to the family of Ferrers, who gave it to the Gresleys, and in the reign of Henry II. Ralph Gresley gave the church and all Heather to the Knights Hospitallers.
1.1. Agnes. The exact period when Claydon passed to its subsequent possessors is unknown: but in the time of Henry III. this manor was held by Hugh Fitz-Ralph for two knight’s fees, and of the old feoffment, so that it must have been granted out before the end of the reign of Henry I. This Hugh is supposed to have taken the name of Gresley, or Greseley, upon marrying Agnes, sole daughter of Ralph de Greseley, who might probably derive his descent from the subfeudatory of the Peverells in Bottle-Claydon, at the Norman survey.
1.1.1. Radulphus. In 1211, Ralph de Gresele held three knight’s fees of the honour of Peverell, of which two were in Claydon; and married Isabel, daughter of Robert de Muschamp, with whom, on payment of a fine in 1219, he was admitted to the lands of Robert de Muschamp her brother. Hugh Fitz-Ralph, husband of Agnes de Greseley, paid one mark scutage, in 1234, for one fee in Claydon, of the honour of Peverell. He had two sons, Hugh and Ralph. Eustachia, daughter of the latter, carried this manor in marriage to Nicholas de Cantilupe, between whom and Joane, formerly wife of Ralph Fitz-Hugh, a fine was previously passed of Claydon, by which it was settled upon her for life. Rot. Fin. 44 Hen. III.

1.1.3.1. Galfr. (Geoffrey) de Eccleston (Heriz), who held Stapleford, and with the consent of his mother, Alice, gifted to Lenton. Galfridus de Eccleston’ debet x li. pro habenda saisina de terra quam Avicia que fuit uxor Ricardi de Camera. (Pipe Roll, 1224).
1.1.3.1.1. Richard de Heriz (de Stapleford), held that manor in 1250, his son, Hugh, being aged 25 years. Galf de Eccleston i fee of Richard de Stapelford, Hugh fil Rad de Gresley 3 fees.
1.1.3.1.1.1. Hugh de Heriz, died seized of this fee in 1297.
1.1.3.1.1.1.1. Richard de Heriz, born 1282, d. bef. 1316.
1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Richard de Heriz, b. November 7, 1307.
1.1.3.2. *Hugh de Heriz, de Stapleford.
1.1.3.3. Robert de Heriz.
1.1.3.4. Richard de Heriz.

Gresleys by other names.

The following list consists of those families that intermarried with the Harris family of Nunney/Mells (left column), and of those families that intermarried with them – a grid of cousinship – which may be a very general guide to some relationships in Virginia.

BARRET – COOME
BEARD – STONE/COOMBS/VINNEL
BURGES – ATKINS/MARTYN/ALLEN
BRYANT – GREENE/SELWAY/DUNMAN
CLARKE – COOKE/MORGAN/BURT/COMBES/GRIMES/ASHMAN/MAYO
COLLIER – ABBOT/KINGE/HAIES
COOMES – BATT/WHITE/SHEPHERD/YEOMAN
DAVIS – WHITHEAD/ASHMAN/COOKE/PENNY
EDWARDS – HAYSE/KINGE/BACON/WHITE
GREEN – COMBES/MOON/KING/AYSHMAN/SNOW/WEST
HILL – SCOTT/SHEPPARD/COMBE/GREEN/POWER/TURNER
LONGE – SHEPPARD/WHITE/WILLIAMS
LUCAS – GIBBS/HUNTLEY/WYATT
MOORE – KING/LAWRENCE/YEAMAN/TUCKER/HART/ALLEN
MILLERD – STYLES/KING/LONG/MOORE
PERSONS – TUCKER/COOPER/MOORE/HORTON
NORMAN – RAWLINGS/LUCKOCK/ATTWOOD
POTTER – YOUNG
PRIOR – LANGLY
SHORT – BARRET/BRANCH/BAILEY/HILL
STONE – HANNY/PEARCE/BEARD/ALLIN
THOMAS – TABOR/FELTHAM/WEST/HORTON
THORNHILL
TOMLIN
WEAVER – SANDERS/SHEPPARD/EDMONDS
WOOD – GARDNER/PARSONS
WEST – BOND/HOBES/HICKES/BORDE/PITMAN/AYSHMAN/WHITE
WILLIAMS – LANE/HILL/SHEPPARD/GENT/YEAMAN/HODGES
YOUNG – BATT/CLARKE/STONE

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More than any other feature of their lives, I suggest, the issue of arranging marriages for political and economic gain was paramount to the Norman elite. The example of the Montforts L’Amaury evidences this. It was not always the case that those betrothed were locked into loveless relationships, for affection might follow marriage, and, certainly, given the example of William Crispin III., as follows, who loved his grandmother, we are told, affection within families was not unknown.

1. Amaury I, Count of Hainault, noted in a gift by Emperor Otto I to the monastery of Crespin, at the request of “Richizonis atque Amelrici comitum”, pf Feb. 12, 973. He m. — de Cambrai, daughter of Isaac Comte de Cambrai. The Gesta Episcoporum Cameracensium records that Foubert, Bishop of Cambrai, dissolved the marriage between “filiam Isaac” and “Amulricum comitem … ex pago Heinou”, on grounds of consanguinity.
1.1. Guillaume de Hainaut.
1.1.1. Amaury II. de Montfort, signed a charter in 1028 (with Eudes II., Count of Champagne, Guillaume IV., Count of Auvergne, Fulk III., Nerra, Count of Anjou, Beaudoin, Count of Flanders, Dreux I., Count of Vexin, Ives, Count de Beaumont, Manasses de Dammartin, Bouchard II., lord of Montmorency), confirming the property of the Abbey of Coulombs. He married Berteis, who consented, with her children, to the gift he made in 1053 to the Abbey of Marmoutier (in the presence of Thibaut, Earl of Blois, Eudes, brother of the King, and Waleran de Meulan, father-in-law of Roger de Beaumont, and grandfather of Robert de Beaumont, Ist Earl of Leicester), of the village of Senicourt, in Chartres, together with the churches of Olinet, Rambouillet, and Prouvais.
1.1.1.1. Simon I. de Montfort, assisted Henri I. to take back the fortress of Tillieres, defended by Gilbert Crispin I., whose son, William, was to marry Simon’s sister, by way of a French/Norman peace treaty. (For their grandson, William, see as follows). Simon witnessed King Philip I’s confirmation of the gift of the church of Saint-Germain de Brézolles, made to the Abbey of Saint-Pere, Chartres, by Albert de Chauleau-Neuf, in 1062. He married, firstly, circa 1055, Isabelle, daughter of Hugh I. de Bardoul, Lord of Broyes and Nogent. His third wife was Agnes, the daughter of Richard, Count of Evreux (grandson of Richard I., Duke of Normandy), widow of Roger de Tosny. Simon I, de Montfort died in 1087, having attended the funeral of William ther Conqueror (Ordéric-Vital). He was buried in the cemetery of the church of St. Thomas d’Epernon.
1.1.1.1.1. Amaury III. de Montfort, nicknamed “The Fort” or “The Courageous”. He died in battle in 1089, without issue. He married twice, separating from Richilde, his first wife, from the family of Hainaut, on account of consanguinity.
1.1.1.1.2. Richard de Montfort. In order to avenge the death of his brother, he supported the uprising of Ascelin Goel. Their army encountered that of William de Breteuil, who they took captive, with many of his knights. We are told that Ascelin caused them to be exposed, during that cold winter, in the windows of Ivry castle, covered only in wet shirts, which froze upon their bodies; and this to give them means of atoning for their sins by a salutary penance. As part of a peace settlement, Ascelin was to marry a daughter of William, who was also to pay a large amount of money.
1.1.1.1.3. S1mon 11. de Montfort, surnamed “The Younger”, acquired a reputation for honour and bravery, and following the example of his brother, Richard, of whom he was successor, he took part in the ongoing hostilities between Ascelin Goel and Guillaume de Rréteuil, but, prudently, not in a major way. His sister, Bertrade, married Philip I. of France, abandoning her husband, Foulques Réchin, Count d’Anjou. King Philip and Bertrade de Montfort obtained a reciprocal judgment of separation, against his wife, and against her husband. Many found this scandelous, and some of the nobility ran to arms. Guillaume-le-Roux, the Comte de Poitiers, and Amaury, Simon’s younger brother, laid siege to Monlfort-Amaury and Epernon, but Simon II. defended them with so much bravery, that he obliged the aggressors to retire. A chronicle of Saint-Denis says he was made prisoner on another occasion, still fighting for France, and was set free in 1101.
1.1.1.1.4. Amaury IV. de Montfort.* In 1144, he became Baron de Montfort on the death of his brother, Simon II. de Montfort, with whom he had been in dispute, to the point of soliciting other lords to come and besiege him in his castle of Montfort l’Amaury. He had been engaged to the daughter of Robert, Count de Meulan, that granted him at the age of one year. About 1107, he married Richilde, daughter of Beaudoin II., Count of Hainault, whom he was obliged to separate from in 1118 on grounnds of consanguinity. This issue was often used as a political strategy against alliances that thretened the interests of others, rather than being driven by religious conviction. Agnes, his second wife, daughter of Anseau de Garlande, left by him three sons: Amaury, Simon, and Robert, and a daughter, Agnes de Montfort, the wife of Waleran II. de Meulan, to whom she brought as a dowry the lordship of Gournay-sur-Marne; in her mother’s right. Amaury was more political than religious, cartularies not listing many endowments by him. He did donate the church of Houdan to the abbey of Colombe, this being confirmed by Simon de Montfort, his son, count of Evreux.
1.1.1.1.4.1. Amaury V. de Montfort.
1.1.1.1.4.2. Simon III. de Montfort, count of Evreux, surnamed “the Bald”, was brother and successor of Amaury V. He married, about 1155, Amicia, Countess of Leicester, daughter of Robert de Beaumont and Perenelle de Grandmesnil. It was probably because of this alliance that Simon embraced the cause of Henry II. King of England (placing his fortresses of Rochefort, Epernon, Montfort-Amaury, and several others, at his disposal), against King Louis VII., his legitimate sovereign. Simon de Montfort died in 1181, leaving from his marriage with the Countess of Leicester, whose property passed into the house of Montfort, three sons and two daughters: the elder, called Bertrade, married in 1171, Hugh, Earl of Chester; the younger, Pérenelle, married Barthélcmy, Lord of Roye, Grand Chamberlain of France, founder of the abbey of Joyenval, where she was buried with her husband. The Countess de Montfort remarried to Guillaume des Barres.
1.1.1.1.4.2.1. Amaury VI. de Montfort, eldest son of Count Simon III. and Amicia his wife, married, before 1182, Mabille, the eldest daughter of William, Count of Gloucester, and Havise de Beaumont, the first cousin of his mother, and close relative of Richard, who made this marriage. Thus, Amaury VI. de Montfort was Count of Gloucester on account of his first wife. His second wife was a daughter of Hugh de Gournay and Julienne de Dammartin, of the family into which William Crispin II. married. He sold his county of Evreux to King Philip Augustus in 1200. He died before the Countess Amicia, his mother; and Simon IV. de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, his brother, continued the male posterity of the house of Montfort; and whose fourth son, Simon, was the famous Earl of Leicester in English history.

The Montforts bore for arms, Gules, a lion rampant argent, the tail knotted, forked, and passed in saltire.

William Crispin III. repeatedly fought against Henry I., alongside his cousin, *Amaury de Montfort, in his sphere of influence around L’Aigle and Gisors – fortress areas near Neaufles. He also fought with his cousin against the French who sought to usurp Amaury de Montfort’s lands. Milo Crispin noted that William Crispin III. admired his grandmother, Eve Crispin, ‘with fitting love’. He also records his death in French captivity, and the granting of his wish to be buried at Le Bec, situated between Le Havre and Rouen in the Risle valley. He married Joanna de Trèves. (Ctl. St. Aubin, ii, no. DCCCCXXXI, 1114). Their son, Joscelin Crispin, married Isabella de Dangu, daughter of Robert de Dangu. (BN, ms. lat. 18369, pp. 55-57). They had issue: William Crispin IV., fl. 1223, Baron du Bec-Crespin, who married (2) Alix, a daughter of Etienne de Sancerre I., Great Butler of France, and Seigneur de S. Briçon, and sister of the wife of Adam de Melun III. The son of William Crispin IV. was Marshal Guillaume Crispin, whose son William Crespin VI. had only two daughters, Jeanne and Marie Crispin, the former marrying, in 1334, the Count de Tancarville, John of Melun II., the Grand Master of France; the latter marrying John of Chalon III., Count of Auxerre and of Tonnerre, Great Butler of France. (See Hist. Of Chatillon, proofs, p. 8. & Hist. Généalog, of the Grand Officers of the Crown, vol. II. pp. 847, 848).

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1. Count Hilduin (Herluin) II. of Montdidier.
1.1. Count Manasses de Dammartin, sp. “Constance” (possibly de Capetian); killed in battle at Ornel, October 15, 1037.(Mon. Germ. Script., viii). Robert II. King of France confirmed the donation of “Manasses comes” to Chartres Notre-Dame by charter dated Feb. 4, 1031, signed by “Manasses comitis, Hilduini comitis fratris eius, filiorum eius Manassis et Hilduini”. (Necrology Verdun Saint-Vanne (1902), p. 148).
1.1.1. Count Hugh I. de Dammartin, m. Rohais de Bulles. Of the various hypothesese regarding her, perhaps the most substantial makes her synonomous with Rohais d’Hérouville; lands owned by her devolving to the Dammartins. (Hérouville-St-Clair, Hérulfivilla, Herolvilla). Ascelin of Bulles’ son, Ascelin, and his da., Rohais, inherited Bulles successively in his lifetime. Hugues of Dammartin was to become “seigneur of Bulles”. Count Hugh is named as brother of Count Hilduin III., Comte de Ramarapt-Roucy. (Bouquet, Historiens de France, x., p. 626).
1.1.1.1. Adela de Dammartin, m. Aubrey I. de Mello, Chamberlain of France.
1.1.1.2. Eudes de Dammartin, held in Norton and Mendlesham, Suffolk.
1.1.1.2.1. Alberic I. de Dammartin, Count of Dammartin, sp. (1) Mathilde, (2) Joan Basset, da. of Gilbert Basset, Baron of Hedendon, who m.. Egeline, da. of Reginald de Courtney. Their son, Thomas Bassett, ob. 1220, held the wardship of “John de Hersy”, son of “Hugh de Hersy”, of Nether Pillerton, in 1211.

(1. ————- 1.1. Thurstan Bassett of Colston, Nottinghamshire. 1.1.1. Richard Basset of Wallingford, Berkshire. 1.1.1.1. Thurstan Bassett of Letcombe Basset, Oxfordshire. 1.1.1.1.1. Isabel Basset, b. c. 1175, of Clapham, Bedfordshire, m. Robert Mauduit, son of William Mauduit and Isabel de St. Liz. William Mauduit was the brother of Robert Mauduit, whose da., Constance, m. Guillaume de Pont de l´Arche, whose connection to the Mauvoisins is shown hereafter. 1.2. Thomas Bassett. 1.2.1 Gilbert, Baron of Hedendon, m. Egeline, da. of Reginald de Courtney. 1.2.1.1. Thomas Bassett, ob. 1220, aforementioned).

1.1.1.2.1.1. Alberic II. de Dammartin, m. Maud de Clermont, da. of Count Renaud II. of Clermont, and Clemence de Barre. Renaud was a grandson of Renaud I., Count de Clermont (“Rainaldus comes“), and brother of Ermentrude de Clermont, wife of Hugh d’Avranches. “Rainaldus comes” may have been the father of “Gislebertus”, as follows.
1.1.2. Eustachia Dammartin, sp. Raoul de Mauvoisin.
1.1.2.1. Agnes de Mauvoisin, m. William Crispin 11, son of William Crispin I. “Gislebertus fils de Rainaldus” donated 80 acres of land in Tillaye (Tilolum), canton St George-de-Vievre, 40 mls from Damville, to Bec. Gilbert was a vassal of the Crispins. Emma de Conde,* da. of Gilbert Crispin I, and sister of William Crispin I and Gilbert Crispin II., donated the church of Tillaye to Bec. She was of St.-Christophe-de-Conde, 2 miles from St George-de-Vievre. Between l063 and l069, Gilbert de la Cunelle (very probably the son of “Rainaldus”), his wife and son, Grimond, witnessed the gift of Robert de Grandvilliers, their lord, of the church of that parish to St. Vandrille. The ratification of a gift by Gilbert Crispin 11. of the tithes of the Church of Damville to Bec in 1070 was witnessed by his overlord, Richard de Bienfaite, son of Gilbert de Brionne, who also ratified the gift of “Rodulfus de Cunella”), Gilbert’s younger son, vassal of the Crispins, of land at Tillieres, and 30 acres at Damville. (Ange Petit, Hist. de Damville). Raoul de la Cunelle’s name was taken from Thimerais, wherein Chateauneuff, a pun being “wild thyme” (Cunelle), which is a different orthography from the Anglo-Saxon Cnoll (Knoll) and other derivatives, meaning a hill, summit; an extremely common source of toponyms in England. *Emma Crispin m. Pierre de Conde, vassal of the Cornuallles family.

(1. Gilbert Crispin
1.1. William Crispin (Colville), Castellan of Neaufles, vicomte of the Vexin, m. Eve de Montfort.
1.1.I. Miles Crispin, m. Matilda de Oilly, Lady of Wallingford (Domesday Descendants, p. 775, 2002).
1.1.1.1. Matilda Crispin, m. Brien FitzCount, brother of Conan de Bretagne, and uncle of Hoël de Cornouaïlle, comte de Nantes. He founded L’abbaye de Bout-de-Bois in Héric in honour of his da., Odeline, dedicating it to Marmoutier. Héric is first mentioned in 549 AD in relation to Félix, évêque de Nantes. Héric from L.”hericus” (hérisson); hedgehog. Such names as Herche, Hérichey, and Héricher were older forms of the Norman dialect, a newer form consisting of the substitution of the ch with the double s, as exampled in Wace’s rhyme which couples mesons with herichons (barriers furnished with points of iron, as in a fort’s pallisade, which bristled like the spines of an hedgehog).
1.1.2. William Crispin II. m. Agnes Mauvoisin.
1.1.2.1. Amaury Crispin, “probably a son of William II. Crispin, married ca. 1112 Warmatia of Jarzé, heiress of Champtoceaux and widow of Geoffrey de Briollay” (Western Michigan University, Medieval Prosopography, p. 21, 1993).
1.1.2.2. Thomas de Colville, youngest son, ancestor of the Stanhopes.
1.1.2.3. William Crispin III.
1.1.3. Gilbert Crispin, Abbot of Westminster.
1.2. Emma Crispin, m. Pierre de Conde.
1.3. Gilbert Crispin (Colville), Castellan of Tillieres, m. Hersende de BrezOlles.
1.3.1. Robert d’ Armentieres.
1.4. Robert Crispin, the exile, died in Byzantium.
1.5. Esilia Crispin, m. William Malet I.).

Little need be made of Rodulfus de Cunella being an “inheritor” of Albert de Cravant, who, in 1052, gave to the abbey of Coulomb the church of Saint-Hilaire de Blaru, this gift was successively approved by Pierre de Blaru, son of Oudart de Vernon, i.e. Pierre de Vernon; Gallia christiana designates him only as “Petri, militis Vernonensis”. Richard (probable half-brother of Gilbert Crispin I.), son of Count Gilbert de Brionne, was one of the witnesses of this gift.

There is a great complexity in interpreting data of this time. Was land passed to those related, or conferred by the ducal family? – in this case to a vassal of the Brionne family (a political “inheritance).

1. Raoul Mauvoisin, “le Barbu”. Donator to St. Evroult. “Le plus ancien seigneur connu de Rosny fut Raoul, dit le Barbu, Radulfus malus vicinus cognomento ad barbam, comme il s’appelle lui-même dans une charte sans date qu’il donna à l’abbaye de Coulomb et dans laquelle il mentionne la présence de ses fils: Robert, Raoul, Guiard et Guerrie (Duchesne, Extrait de Coulomb; Bibl. nat., collection Baluze, I. XXXVIII, fo. 27). Orderic Vital raconte que ce furent les ravages que ce Raoul Mauvoisin et les autres chevaliers de Mantes avaient exercés au delà de l’Eure, dans le diocèse d’Evreux, qui attirèrent sur cette ville la colère de Guillaume le Conquérant qui la réduisit en cendres en 1087, et y mourut en traversant ses débris encore fumants (Ord. Vital, liv. VII. chap. II.). Raoul le Barbu eut pour successeur l’un de ses fils, Gui Ier Mauvoisin, qui en 1119 était l’un des alliés d’Amaury de Montfort disputant, les armes à la main, à Henri, roi d’Angleterre, le comté d’Evreux qui lui appartenait de droit héréditaire (Ord. Vital, livre XII, chap. vi.)”. (See Auguste Moutié, Chevreuse: Chatelains, barons et ducs, p. 234, 1876). Amaury de Montfort was a cousin of the Crispins, William Crispin I., father of William Crispin II., and son of Gilbert Crispin I., having married Eve de Montfort. William Crispin III., son of William Crispin II., fought on the side of his kinsman, Amaury de Montfort, at the battle of Bremule, nearly slaying Henry I., who was only saved by the quality of his armour.

(Gilbert Crispin I. almost certainly married Gunnora d’Anet, da. (on chronological grounds) of Foulques d’Anet, son of Osmund de Centville, son of Osborn de Crépon and Emma, da. of Raoul d’Ivri (Count Rodolph), uterine brother of Duke Richard I. There is no proof that Osmund de Centville was related to an earlier personage of that name. This identification of Gilbert’s wife answers M. Le Prevost’s statement that there was an apparent association between the Crispin and FitzOsborn family, without the basis of that association being known. ‘Nous ignorons à quel titre Gislebert Crespin etait appele à ratifier cette donation; mais nous supposons que ce pouvait être à raison de quelque alliance avec la famille d’Ivri, dont le souvenir est perdu (‘Ordericus Vitalis’, ed. le Prevost et. al., p. 398, 1840). The son of Raoul d’Ivri, Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux, succeeded him after 1015. Much of his vast possessions passed to the son of his br.-in-law, Osbern de Crépon. It was Osborn’s son, William FitzOsbern, the Conqueror’s seneschal, who established the honor of Breteuil, including possessions from Breteuil-sur-Iton (Eure) to Pacy. Ipso facto, vassals of the Crispins were alo linked to the family of Breteuil.

(1. Ribauld de Chateauneuf, Lord of Brezolles, Regemallard, Sorel, Fontaine-le-Riboux (to which he gave his name), who held considerable land in Dreux, with him sometimes being named Ribauld de Dreux.
1.1. “Fidelismus Alberius filius Ribaldi, Nobilissimi viri”; or “Nobilissimi Ribaldi filius”, named as such in a charter of St. Pere, in which he donated the Church of St. Germain de Brezolles, his father’s foundation. In 1060, another lord of this region, Gazo (Gaston de Chateauneuf) founded a priory on the left bank of the Eure in Croth, given to the abbey Of Marmoutier. Gaston was the son of Raoul Mauvoisin, le Barbu, father -in-law of William Crispin II. (this marriage being a French/Norman peace treaty), and succeeded in establishing himself at Chateauneuf-de-Thymerais. He founded the family of Châteauneuf, and held the seigneury of Brézolles (c. 1060) at the death of Albert Ribaud). Truly, there is a great complexity in interpreting data of this time. Was land passed to those related, or conferred by the ducal family? Both. In this regard, there is no proof that Gaston de Chateauneuf was related to Albert Ribaud.

1.1. Raoul II. de Mauvoisin, vicomte de Mantes. It is he who occurs as ‘Malusvicinus’ in Suffolk, 1086. Donator to St. Evroult.
1.1.1. Raul III. de Mauvoisin, seigneur de Rosny, “Le Barbu”.
1.1.1.1. Raul IV. de Mauvoisin, s. a. 1177, seigneur de Rosny, “Le Barbu”, m. Agnès d’Aulnay, da. of Gautier II. d’Aunay. Sénéchal de Dammartin.
1.1.1.1.1. Guillaume II. Mauvoisin, s.a. 1200, seigneur de Rosny, m. 1171, Adeline de Maudétour.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Gui III. Mauvoisin, seigneur de Rosny (1201), m. Aélis de Porhoët.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Gui IV. Mauvoisin, s. a. 1252, seigneur de Rosny, cousin of Raoul, baron de Fougères, m. Julienne, dame de Tillières-sur-Avre, da. of Gilbert V. Crispin, seigneur de Tillières-sur-Avre, Damville et Bourth, and Aliénor de Vitré.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2. “Mauvoisin de Hercy” (a reasonable conjecture), m. Théophanie Pont de l´Arche, da. and co-coheir of Gilbert de Pont de l´Arche (C.M. Lesaulnier, ed.,”Recherches sur la Domesday”, p. 200, 1842). Théophanie’s sister, Isabella, m. William Ruffus.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Robert de Hercy.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Hugh de Hercy.
1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. John de Hercy, sold the marriage of Robert, his son, and, if failing, of Thomas, his next son, to Richard Stanhope, Burgess of Newcastle, descendant of Thomas de Colville, and ancestor of the Earls Stanhope. John de Hercy’s descendant, Humfrey Hercy, m. Joanna, da. of John Stanhope, descendant of Richard Stanhope, aforesaid.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Guillaume de Mauvoisin. ‘It is possible that the William Mauvoisin who received Serquigny in 1204 was the brother, not son, of Guy Mauvoisin’ (Daniel Power, The Norman frontier in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. p. 556, 2004). William Mauvoisin, fl. 1204-35, Lord Of Serquigny, and of St-Clair-d’Arcey, cant. and arr. de Bernay,
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Gui V Mauvoisin, seigneur de Rosny, m. Isabelle de Mello, da. of Dreu II. De Mello, lord of Saint-Bris and Villehardouin, and Helvise de Montbard, dame d’Epoisse, Givry and Chateau-Chinon; Sister of Dreu, lord of Saint-Bris and of Chateau-Chinon; Widow of Richard d’Harcourt, lord of Boissey-Le-Chatel. Armorial General of Brittany, p. 136, 1844, shows that the Brittany families of Hérisson or Hériçon were intermarried with the family of Mello, and bore d’argent, à trois hérissons de sable.

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The upper echelons of Norman/English society were not only connected by intermarriages, per se, for they brought about political attachments. Society of the early middle ages was a former-day mafia, where powerful families alligned themselves to the monarch, or who they speculated might become the monarch (a boss of bosses). A poor choice often ended in a gruesome death, designed to set an example to others who might dare to challenge (Divinely appointed) authority.

In this regard, such as the Grendons had much to lose through their associations with the Despensers, and would have expediently distanced themselves from such affinity by giving obseqious oaths of loyalty. A case of a swift and expedient goodbye; at least in public.

1. Roger de Grendon.
1.1. Richard de Grendon.
1.1.1. Robert de Grendon, m. Avicia de Bray, da. of William de Bray, of Shenstone. Robert de Grendon to Alice late the wife of William de Bray: Grant, for her life, of land and a rent in Shenstone, in exchange for his park and assarts in the manor of Shenstone, Staff., 1234-1235. (Nat. Arch., DL 25/933).
1.1.1.1. Robert de Grendon, of Shenston, Sheriff of Staffordshire and Shropshire, m. (1) Emma Basset, da. of Sir William Bassett, of Sapcote. Robert de Grendon was escheator (co. Staff.), 1246 (Close Roll, 30 Hen. III, m. 4), and sheriff of cos. Shropshire and Stafford in 1250 and 1265 (ibid., 34 Hen. III, m. 9).
1.1.1.1.1. John de Grendon.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry. 1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas. 1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Adam de Grendon. 1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. John de Grendon. 1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Ellen Grendon, m. William Burley, of Bromcroft. 1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Joan Burley, m. Thomas Westcote, alias Littelton.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Alice Burley, m. William Ruggeley. 1.1.1.1.1.3. Nicholas. 1.1.1.1.1.4 Robert. 1.1.1.1.1.5. Ranulph
1.1.1.1.2. Ralph de Grendon of Shenstone (d. bef. 1280) m. Isabel; she m (2) Theobald de Neville, of Alexton.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Ralph de Grendon of Shenstone, m (1) Joan Burnell (B.M. Cott. CH., xxiii, 24):
(1. Hugh Burnell, brother of Robert Burnell, bishop of Bath and Wells and chancellor of England, a close ally and friend of Edward I., whose vast wealth (eighty-two manors in nineteen counties) in part devolved to his nephew, Philip.
1.1. Sir Philip Burnell of Condover, Acton Burnell (d. June 26, 1294, aged 29), m. Maud FitzAlan, da. of John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and Isabella Mortimer; and the sister of Richard, earl of Arundel who paid 2000 marks for her to marry Philip Burnell. Maud Burnel, widow of Philip Burnel. Addressees: King and council. Nature of request: Burnel requests remedy as whereas her late husband held socages and burgages in various counties of which he died seised and although Burnel ought to have and hold these socages and burgages for the upbringing of Edward his son, who is under age, these socages and burgages are retained in the king’s hand. Nature of endorsement: She is to show the council which tenements those are and by what services they are held and the charters and muniments which attest this or inquisitions returned to chancery after the death of the said Philip and in this way the council is to be certified of the tenements which are held by socage and in burgage, and she is to come to the next parliament with the charters.It is to remain in parliament. The petition dates to 1302.
1.1.1. Lord Edward Burnell (dsp 1315) m. (1302) Aline Despenser, da. of Earl Hugh Despencer, the Elder, who paid 1000 marks for the privilege. Burnell, Arms – Ar. a lion rampant sa. crowned, or within a bordure, az.
1.1.2. Maud Burnell (d. 1341) m. (1) John Lovel (d. 1314).
1.2. Joan Burnell, m. Sir Ralph de Grendon of Shenstone).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert de GrendonRobert d’Ivry, m. Aubree, illigit. da. of Hugh d’Ivry, Bishop of Bayeux.

1. Robert d’Ivry, m. Hildebruge, da. of Herve de Gallardon. 1.1. Ascelin Goel, ‘Lupus’, de Ivry (d. bef. 1119) m. Isabella, illigit da. of William de Breteuil. 1.1.1. Robert Goel (dsp 1119), Castellan of Ivry. 1.1.2. William ‘Lupellus’ d’Ivry (d. before 1170), m. Matilda de Beaumont, da. of Robert de Beaumont, Count of Meulan, 1st Earl of Leicester. William joined the rebellion of his brother-in-law, Waleran de Meulan, in 1123 (Hollister, p. 293). He received grants of lands from Henry I soon thereafter, including Minster Lovel, co. Oxon., and Docking, Norfolk. 1.1.1.2.1. Waleran d’Ivry. 1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert d’Ivry. 1.1.1.2.2. William Lovel, of Minster Lovel and Dockinges (d. 1213), m. Isabel. 1.1.1.2.2.1. William Lovell. 1.1.1.2.2.1.1. John Lovell, m. a da. of Alan Basset, of Mursdewalland, and Aline de Gai. She was a sister of Philip Basset, Justiciar of England in 1261; Constable of the castles of Oxford, Bristol, Corfe, and Sherburne; Sheriff of four counties; imprisoned by De Montfort at Dover Castle, but was liberated after the battle of Evesham, 1265. His da., Aline, m. Sir Hugh le Despenser, who was “appointed Justiciar of England and Constable of the Tower of London, in1263, by the Barons, with the assent of the King. In Mar. 1264, when Constable of the Tower, he led the rioters who sacked the mansion at Isleworth of the King of the Romans. He Was at the battle of Lewes, 14 May 1264. Appointed, by the counsel of the Barons, Constable of the Castles of Devizes and Oxford, 12 July, of Orford Castle, 18 July, and of Nottingham Castle, 15 Dec. 1264. He joined the Earl of Leicester in his last campaign, and with him was slain at the battle of Evesham, 4 Aug. 1265. He was bur. in Evesham Abbey”. (Complete Peerage iv: 259). His son and namesake, Earl of Winchester, called “The Elder”, despite being the second of three consecutive Hughs Despenser. Without giving detail, suffice it to say that he was hanged in his armour, then beheaded and his body cut into pieces for the dogs. He was the father-in-law of Lord Edward Burnell, nephew of Joan Burnell, who m. Sir Ralph de Grendon of Shenstone. A dangerous association.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1. John Lovel, Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdon (d. 1286), m. Maud Sydenham, heiress of Tichmersh.
1.1.1.2.2.2.1.1.1. Sir John Lovel (1255-1310) Lord of Tichmersh, m. (1) Isabel de Bois, da. of Ernald de Bois of Thorpe Ernald, and Joan De Beauchamp, of Standlake, Oxfordshire, da. of Andrew de Beauchamp and Eva de Grey.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1. Maud Lovel, m. William la Zouche, 1st Lord of Haryngworth. He m (2) Joan Ros, da. of Robert de Ros of Hamlake and Belvoir.
1.1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.2. John Lovel, 2nd Lord of Titchmarsh (d. 1314) m. Maud Burnell, da. of Sir Philip Burnell of Acton, and niece of Joan Burnell, who m. Sir Ralph de Grendon, of Shenstone.

1. King John and his mistress, Clemence.
1.1. Joan, m. Llyweyn ap Iorwoth, Prince of North Wales.
1.1.1. Gwladus, m. Ralph de Mortimer, of Wigmore, Herefordshire.
1.1.1.1. Sir Roger de Mortimer, m. Maud de Brewes.
1.1.1.1.1. Isabel de Mortimer, m. John FitzAlan, of Clun and Oswestry, Shropshire.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Maud FitzAlan, m. (1) before 5 June 1283 Sir Philip Burnell, of Holgate, Acton Burnell, Condover, Eudon Burnell (in Chetton), and Norton (in Condover), Shropshire. She had the manors of Cound, Frodesley, and Kenley, Shropshire as her maritagium. They had one son, Sir Edward Burnell], and one da., Maud, wife of John Lovel. He was heir in 1292 to his uncle, Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Chancellor of England, and, dying 26 June 1294, was buried in the White Friars church at Oxford, His widow, Maud, m. (2) by license dated 19 Sept. 1295 (as his 2nd wife), Sir Robert de Brus, Earl of Carrick, lord of Annandale.

1. Roger de Albini m. Amice, sister of Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland.
1.1. William d’Albini (‘Pincerna’), d 1139, butler to Henry I, m. Maud Bigot, da. of Roger Bigot.
1.1.1. William de Albini, 1st Earl of Arundel, m. Adeliza de Lorraine (d. 1151), da. of Godfrey, Duke of Lorraine, widow of Henry I.
1.1.1.1. William d’ Albini, m. Maud de St. Hilaire, da. of James de St. Hilaire (de Harcourt), widow of Roger, Earl of Clare.
1.1.1.1.1. William de Albini, Earl of Sussex, 3rd Earl of Arundel, d. 1221.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William de Albini, Earl of Sussex, 4th Earl of Arundel, d. by 1234.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Hugh de Albini, 5th Earl of Arundel (dsp 1243), m. (1234) Isabel de Warren, da. of William (Plantagenet) de Warren, Earl of Warren and Surrey.
1.1.1.1.1.3. Maud de Albini, m. Robert de Tatteshall.
1.1.1.1.1.4. Isabel de Albini, m. John FitzAlan, lord of Oswestry, Sheriff of Shropshire, d 1239.
1.1.1.1.1.5 Nicola de Albini, m. Roger de Somerie, lord of Dudley.
1.1.1.1.1.6. Cecilia de Albini, m. Roger de Montalt.
1.1.1.2. Alice de Albini, m. John, Count d’Eu, d. 1170.
1.1.1.3. Agnes de Albini, m. William de Mowbray, d. 1222.
1.1.2. Oliva de Albini, m. Ralphe de Haya.
1.1.3. Nele d’Albini, d 1129, m. 2. (1118) Gundred de Gournay, da. of Gerard de Gournay.
1.1.3.1. Roger de Mowbray, d 1188, m. Alice de Gant, da. of Walter de Gant.

copyright m stanhope 2017

The Harris family of Nunney, Somerset, were synonomous with their namesakes at adjoining Mells. This is evidenced by a deed of the Whitchurch family, which descibes property in Nunney being tenanted by “Harris of Mells”. (Nunney deeds, ref. DD\BR\ls/8).

This presents a problem of discerning, from those related by various degrees of cousinship, from which particular family might have Sergeant John Harris belonged. It also involves a certain amount of conjecture. Not being based on modern notions of certainty does not necessarily make such conjecture irrelevant, as in small, isolated communities, such as Nunney and Mells, marriages were based on the rigid principle of kinship: people married within their kinship group. That is, cousins of whatever distant degree intermarried into the same families, and shared their associations. This point seems vital in any discussion of relationships between such as they – the distance of consanguinity being disguised by shared intermarriages.

Another cast-iron principle of this time was the influence of lordship. The Squires of Mells (Syme), Wedmore (Hodges), and Cheddar (Lancaster) were related in the same way as their tenants. They all held land in each others domain, creating the possibility of tenants moving to other villages as an opportunity of a better occupancy arose.

Thus, where I have used conjecture, it is not without knowledge of how marriages came about – usually by match-making to the advantage of families; randomness being associated with dreaded instability.

Such interbreeding disguises the closeness of associations as predicted by DNA testing – that which seems close is likely to be more distant.

The communities mentioned in this account were of a mixed agricultural nature. Cereal crops could be grown on higher ground; as could be reared cattle, pigs, and sheep. The Somerset Levels which skirted many communities was prone to devastating flooding, and any settler in Virginia from this region would have been well used to swampy conditions. Each village would have its compliment of skilled artisans, such as Thomas Harrys, the carpenter:

1. Thomas Harrys of Mells, carpenter, b. 1494. Depositions as to the late abbot of Glastonbury (Somerset) taken at Wells (Somerset) before Nicholas Fitzjames esq and John Mawdleyn’ gent, king’s surveyors.Thomas Harrys of Mells, carpenter, 50, deposes that the tenement and mills were in great decay, and that for his labour he received £7 from Burges. He also received £10 for repairing the grist mill. (Nat. Arch., ref. E 135/2/32).
1.1. John Harrys, witnessed a Will in 1554 concerning Mells.
1.1.1. Richard Harris, bur. Dec. 19, 1593, in Nunney.
1.1.1.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Aug. 24, 1589, m. Edith Burges, Jan. 14, 1607, in Nunney.
1.1.1.2. John Harris, m. Joan Collier, July 19, 1601, in Nunney.
1.1.1.2.1. William Harris, bapt. Oct. 3, 1602, Mells. Perhaps the William who was headright of John Moone (1637) and John Seward (1648) in Isle of Wight. John Moone’s da., Sarah Moone, m. Lt. John Pitt, son of Col. Robert Pitt, the Bristol sea captain and merchant. John Moone’s da. Mary Moone, m. Thomas Green; his sister m. Anthony Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset; their son, Michael Fulgham, m. Anne Izzard, having issue: (1) Anne Fulgham, who m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705. The Hodges and Council families were of Wedmore, Somerset, 20 miles from Nunney, on the main east/west road.
1.2. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, Somerset.
1.2.1. Richard Harris, m. Elianor Bennett, Oct. 8, 1594.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, most likely he (or a son and namesake) who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’).
1.3. John Harris, m. Joan Stubbs, 10 Feb. 1569, in Wedmore.
1.3.1. John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard, 9 Sept. 1611.
1.3.1.1. Robert Harris. Lawne’s Creek, October 26, 1646: “James Tooke (his family were tenants of the Symes) to Robert Harris, all my right and title to this lease”.
1.3.1.1.1. Edward Harris, bapt. 8 Aug. 1624, probably d. in 1677, in Virginia.

1.1.2. John Harris.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Harris bapt. Feb. 3, 1582; “son of John”.
1.1.2.2. Sergeant John Harris, bapt. Oct. 1, 1587, bur. Aug. 3, 1637, in Nunney. A possible connection between the Harris family of Nunney and Sergeant John Harris concerns Francis Derrick, the Bristol Merchant, noted in 1635 as paying custom duties on booty taken fron Spanish ships (Nat. Arch., ref. E 134/12Chas1/Mich39). Like many Bristol merhants, he held land in somerset, as noted on this certificate of residence: “showing Francis Derricke (or the variant surname: Dericke, Dyricke) to be liable for taxation in Gloucestershire, and not in the hundreds of Brent, Bempstone, Portbury, and Hartcliffe, Somerset, the previous area of tax liability. 1628. (Nat. Arch., ref. E 115/128/37).

The Derrick family of the hundred of Winterstoke were almost invariably recorded as being of the parishes of Blagdon and Worle. The former is 18 miles from Nunney. Francis Derick bought the land of the daughter of Sergeant John Harris: Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased Georg Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament of the said Cawcott as by the surrender in the said court and by the pattent and will recorded at James Cittie, etc. For good and valuable causes and considerations. Witnesses: Lawrence Hulett and John Owell’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1677, m. Alice West (in 1635) in Nunney; most likely of a family of West, of Nunney, where Richard West was bapt. Sept. 26, 1574; William West was bapt, Jan. 17, 1579; and William West was bapt. Feb. 12, 1581. Thomas Harris is recorded as being executed in 1677: Sir William Berkeley’s list of names of those who have been executed in the late rebellion in Virginia with the character of each. These include Johnson, Farlow, Carver, Wilford and Harsford at Accomack and Young, Page, Harris and Hall at York and Drummond at Middle Plantation and Col. Crews, Cookson and Digby. (Nat, Arch., ref. ADM 106/321/495). On September 13, 1677 administration of the estate of Thomas Harris was granted to John Echols and John Hardaway. Thomas Harris, likely grandson of the elder Thomas Harris, and who had come of age, petitioned the court to summon Echols on March 2, 1690.

1.1.2.2.1.1. Thomas Harris. bapt. Aug. 14, 1636, d. 1688. John Seward, the Bristol sea captain and merchant, held land in Somerset at Hemington, which is 4 miles fom Mells/Nunney, and named one land grant in Virginia “New Hemington.” (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography). Thomas Harris settled on land that had been John Sewards. April 27, 1686: Matthew Tomlin 1227 ac., lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 ac. being part of 1200 ac. granted to Mr. John Seward, 16 April 1648; 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner* and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris (d. 1688), to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510). John Seward da., Margaret (Seward) Edwards, m. John Edwards, 28 January 1633, Temple church, Bristol. Alice Edwards, was a headright of John Seward in 1648 (IOW). The Will of Mary Pitt “of the parish of St. Thomas within the city of Bristol, widow”, mother of Robert Pitt of Virginia, proved 25 Nov. 1634, bequested to her grandchild, the said “John Edwards a silver beer bowl”. (His br., William Edwards, also received a bequest). It may be significant that a John Harris, a cousin of the Nunney Harris, m. a Tomlin. John Harris (brother of Thomas), bapt. 1640, m. Margaret Beard, 1664. (N.B. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe; m. Agnes Beard, July 17, 1623). John Harris’ da., Anne Harris, bapt. 21 Oct. 1646, m. Robert Millard, May 1667, Nunney. (N.B. John Harris, m. Penelope Millard, 9 Sept. 1611, Wedmore). *A Turner family of Wedmore were related to the Hodges family through their respective intermarriages with the Rodneys. William Turner m. Jane Rodney, 28 May 1612; issue: John Turner: *Johannes Turner, bapt. 14 May 1618.

Adam Sims, who m. Elizabeth Walton, da. of George Walton of Brunswick Co., and who was, thus, the brother-in-law of Nathan Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of West Harris, was very likely a descendant of Sir John Symes, of Mells, who m. Amy, the da. of Thomas Horner esq., lord of Nunney. The Symes family’s tenants included such families as the Bonds and Fulghams.

1.1.2.2.1.1.1. William Harris, m. Mary Short, grandda. of William Short (br. of Thomas, of Cabin Point, Surry). He originally lived in Charles City Co., on the south side of the James River (later Prince George County); he repatented 1100 acres ‘above the head of Chippokes Creek about one and one-half miles up the western most branche’, identifying himself as ‘the son and heir of William Shorts’. The land had been granted to Robert Moseley on Jan. 7, 1649, and then assigned to William Short Sr., on Oct. 28, 1657. (See Tidewater Families of Virginia, p. 544). This was the land identified as adjoining that of Sergeant John Harris: ‘William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres (gifted to william Harris, grandson of William Short Jr., “tract of land 150 acres where his father now liveth”) formerly Thomas Felton’s, deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes and neere unto the plantation which was formerly Robert Moseleys, adjoining to a great swamp which divides Surry Co. from Charles Cittie County … one hundred and fifteen acres of said land lyeth in Charles Cittie County adjoining unto the rest of the divident which lyeth in said surry County. Witnesses: Robert Spencer, John Gittings’. (Dated Oct. 4, 1660. Surry Co. Court Records. R. November 10, 1660. William Short Sr. was likely to have been he born June 29, 1626, at Mells, with sons, Thomas, bapt. May 23, 1654, and William, bapt. March 30, 1658.

1.1.2.2.1.1.2. Robert Harris, m. Anne Fulgham, da. of Michael Fulgham, of Pitminster, Somerset. Susannah Fulgham, Anne’s sister, m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council and Lucy Hardy.
1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1. Edward Harris, Will pr. 25 March 1734.
1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.1. Nathan Harris.
1.1.2.2.1.1.2.1.2. West Harris.

The Will of Thomas HarriS, d.1688, was that of a yeoman farmer, gifting milk trays, hogs, cattle, and wheat:

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I, Thomas Harris, of the Isle of Wight County, being sick and weak in body, but in sound and perfect memory, I do first and primarily bequest my soul unto God Almighty who gave it, and secondly, my body to the Earth to beburied in a decent and Christian like manner, and do ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth: Lly. I doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved sonne Edward Harris my plantation that I now live on with all my land belonging to it, the same to him and his heyers forever; also one yoke of draught steers, with a cart belonging unto them, also one great chest and eight ells of sheeting and canvass, three iron wedges, one froe, one small frying pan, also I doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved sonne John Harris, one great iron pot, two pewter dishes, one bigger than the other, one large frying pan, one iron pestle, two chests, one small table & one coutch. Also I doe give unto my well beloved sonne Thomas Harris fower pewter dishes and a flagon, two salt sellers, one small iron pott, one cow and heifer of two years old one yearling heifer. Also I doe give unto my well beloved sonne Robert Harris one bed being part of flake and feathers with all the furniture thereunto belonging, one small gun, one horse to be sold for his use. I doe give unto my well beloved daughter Jane Jones eight milk trays.

I doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Anne Harris one bed that I now ly uppon with all the furniture thereunto belonging, but in case she dieth before she cometh of age or marrieth then the bed with what belongeth to itt shall fall to my sonne Robert Harris, alsoe I give her a large brass kettle and one iron pott containing two or thre gallons with two pewter dishes, but if she dyeth that the same likewise fall to Robert and John Harris. I alsoe desire that what cattle is left that is not herein disposed of may be sould and likewise my stock of hogs to be sould after my debts being payed .

I doe desire likewise what wheat I have now growinge on the plantation if it pleases God it come to maturity the same be sould likewise with the cattle, and what hogs may be left after the debts aforesaid payd, the same to be sold to the profitablest uses as may bee thought fit by my sonne Edward Harris, being my whole executor, and John Fulgham and John Turner, they two persons beinge appointed my overseers of this my last will and testament, they with my executor to advise to the disposall of all my cattle, hogs and wheate to the best advantage for the good of my three yougtest sones, George Harris, Martin Harris and Williams Harris: only two pewter dishes to be purchased, and one ironn pott, out of the proceeds to be delivered to Robert Harris, and the remainder to be equally divided between the said George Harris, Martin Harris and William Harris, and likewise I desire that these three boyes last mentioned as Robert Harris, George Harris and Martin Harris to remain this present year uppon the plantation and afterwards that Robert Harris may dwell with John Fulgham three years, and George Harris to dwell with John Turner tower years, and Martin Harris to remain with his brother Edward Harris five years, and my sonne William Harris to live with Bridgeman Joyner seven years and likewise my daughter Anne to live with Mrs. Anne Tharpe seven years if the said Mrs. Anne Tharpe shall livesoe long. I further desire that if my sonne Edward Harris beinge appointed my executor in **** or my appointed overseers Mr, John Fulgham Mr. John Turner that is them or either of them shall find that my children that is placed out as aforesaid be abused that then either of them may have the liberty of removing them to some other place where they shall think fitt. one thing more — I bequest unto three of my grand children a cow calfe a piece to them and **** of the female: thus owning and acknowledging this to be my last will and testament and doe revoke, renounce and deny all other wills or testaments from or by me made, as witness my hand and seal this forteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1687-8. The mark of Thomas Harris (seal). Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us. John Sherrer. John Coggin. Proved by John Coggin and John Sherrer in open court held for the Isle of Wight County October ye 9th, 1688. Teste, John Pitt, Cl. Cur.

John Coggin was of Bristol. Abstract. Power of Atty. Aug. 25, 1658. Major John Harper Capt. Thomas Morgan and Robt Dessell, Citizens of the City of Bristol to John Cogan of the City of Bristol ‘but now resident in Virginia aforesd chirugeon,’ to receive certain properties belonging to Margaret Bird. ‘Whereas Margarett Bird of the sd Citty of Bristoll widd (admr’ix of the goods and chattells that were of Capt Richd Bond late dec’d some-times of the Citty of Bristoll but dyed in the Countrey of Virginia) hath constituted and appointed as her attorneys concerning the mill plantacon stock goods merchandizies and debts w’ch were off the sd Capt Rich’d Bond as may apper’e.’ Wit: Richard Price, John Osborne, Francis Yeamans Junr. Rec 31 Janry 1658. (The Bond family were of Pitminster, Somerset, as the Fulghams, and tenants of the Symes (Sims) family of Mells).

Although the ancestry of John Cogan is problematic, his social status (gent), and the connection of Philibert Cogan, gent, of Chard, Somerset, to Virginia, is suggestive of an affiliation to his family: John Ludlow, living in York Co., Virginia, in 1660, died in Somerset, England in 1664 (Brown, Somerset Wills, pp. 28-29, 1890. His sister, Sarah, was the fourth wife of Col. John Carter, Esq. of Lancaster Co. They has issue, John and Robert. Col. Carter died in 1669 (ibid.). John and Sarah Ludlow were nephew and niece of Roger Ludlow, who m. Mary Cogan (b. 1604), da. of Philibert Cogan, gent, of Chard, Somerset, and Anne, da. of Thomas Marshall. Roger Ludlow’s br., George, was in Virginia in 1665. Roger Ludlow moved to Chard, Somerset, and came in contact with the “John and Mary group”.

John Cogan was associated with John Wilkins. March 22, 1647: John Wilkins his tobacco ordered viewed upon ye peticon of John Cogan Mchant It is ordered yt Capt. William Roper, Mr Edward Drew & John Harloe bee requested & appointed to view certayne hodges of tobacco wch ye said Mr Coghan recd of John Wilkins gent. And in respect of ye said Mr Coghan his p’sent voyage [voyage] out of ye Countrye. It is desired yt this ordr may bee pformed And rept thereof made to ye Comissiosrs wth all convenit [convenient] speed that further ordr may bee (if occasion shall require). April 24, 1647: John Wikins bill of debt: This bill byndeth us Mr John Wilkins & John Marshall joyntly & severally our heyres Exrs & Admrs or Assignes to pay or cause to bee pd unto Hugh Yeo mrchant his heryes Exres Admres or Assges ye full whole & just sume of foure hundd powndes waight of good mrchantable Virginia Leafe tobacco. Att or before ye 10th of 8ber next ensueinge ye date hereof in witness of ye truth wee have hereunto sett our handes ye 24th of Aprill. John Marshall witnessed the WillS of John Wilkins (Northampton Co. W&D, B.3, pp. 288-289), and Edward Drewe (1650 vicesimo Octavo die mense Janura. Memorand that this day the last will and Testamt of Mr Edward Drew late of Northampton County decd was pved in app Cur by the deposicons of Mrs Ann Wilkins, Jno Marshall and Mrs Hanna Mountney her attestacon”.

He m. (1) a da. of Gregory Bland, and, as such, became peripheral kin of the Harris family: He was associated with those connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1688: “Wm. Browne, Henry Tucker. Richard Booth sells to Hodges Council 150 acres, 10 Feb., 1679, Jno. Bromfield, Wm. Morris. Richard Booth on this deed signs all his right to Bridgeman Joyner. 9 Jan. 9, 1680. John Cogan, Wm. Morris”.

THE BLAND CONNECTION
1.
1.1. Thomas Bland.
1.1.1. Elizabeth Bland, m. Edward Holmwood, in 1620.
1.1.2. Gregory Bland.
1.1.2.1. Frances Bland, m. John Cogan.
1.1.2.2. Jane Bland, m. (1) Edward Bland son of John Bland and Susan Delabere. She m. (2) John Holmwood.
1.2. John Bland.
1.2.1. Theodorick Bland, m. Anne Bennett, da. of Governor Richard Bennett.

1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, of Wivelscombe, Somerset, m. Elizabeth Edney.
1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe, m. Ann Spicer.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at 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 acres IOW Co., 5 June 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlin’s old land, running SSE by Wm. Westwrayers land &c. SW on Mathew Tomlin’s new land.
1.2.1.1. Lucy Hardy, m. Hodges Council.
1.1.1.2. Mary Bennett, m. Richard Jackson, who patented 450 acres in IOW adjacent to Justinian Cooper.
1.1.1.2.1. Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, who patented 500 acres 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 19 June 1666, he made a deed to land which belonged to his wife Mary whom he refers to as the ‘daughter of Richard Jackson, dec.’. Her sister, Sarah Jackson, m. Col. Arthur Smith II. George Hardy was an appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.2. Richard Bennett, b Aug. 6, 1609, Wiveliscombe, d. 1675, 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 da. Ruth m. John Numan, br-in-law of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2. Elianor Bennett, bapt. Mar. 5, 1567, m. Oct. 7, 1594 Richard Harris, son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrook, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe.
1.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, Nov. 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe; either he or a namesake and son being he who d. in 1672.

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The Harris family of Nunney, Somerset, were synonomous with their namesakes at adjoining Mells. This is evidenced by a deed of the Whitchurch family, which descibes property in Nunney being tenanted by “Harris of Mells”. (Nunney deeds, ref. DD\BR\ls/8).

This presents a problem of discerning, from those related by various degrees of cousinship, from which particular family might have Sergeant John Harris belonged. It also involves a certain amount of conjecture.

The name of the first ‘Harris of Nunney’ is not known. His eldest son, Richard Harris, was buried on December 19, 1593. He had issue, two sons, Richard and John. The first named was the father of (1) Richard Harris, baptised on August 24, 1589, who married Edith Burges, January 4, 1607. (2) John Harris, who married Joan Collier, July 19, 1601. Their son was William Harris, who was baptised on October 3, 1602, in Mells. Another branch of this family stemmed from John Harris, brother of the Richard who died in 1693. His son was Thomas Harris, baptised February 3, 1582.

Another child, whose Christian name is illegible, was baptised on October 1, 1587. A conjecture might be that this was Sergeant John Harris of Virginia, who returned to Nunney, being buried there on August 3, 1637. If so, he may have been the father of a Thomas Harris born circa 1610 (the registers are scant enough not to disprove this), who did not accompany his father to Virginia, being apprenticed.

However this may be, it is a fact that a Thomas Harris married Alice West in 1635, in Nunney, they the parents of (1) Thomas Harris, baptised on August 14, 1636. (2) John Harris, baptised in 1640. He married Margaret Beard in 1664, they having issue: John Harris, baptised June 24, 1667. (3) Roger Harris, baptised June 23, 1642. (4) Katherine Harris, baptised June 27, 1643. (5) Ann Harris, baptised October 21, 1646, who married Robert Millard, in May 1667; he baptised September 11, 1625, in Nunney, the son of Francis Millard. The Millards were primarily of Wedmore (20 miles from Nunney), where they intermarried with the Harris family of that place:

John Harris, who died in 1625, married Penelope Millard, on September 9, 1611, in Wedmore; parents of Robert Harris, father of Edward Harris, baptised on August 8, 1624. Robert may have been connected with Lawne’s Creek. On October 26, 1646, a deed is recorded from “James Tooke to Robert Harris, all my right and title to this lease”. The Hodges family were squires of Wedmore; their tenants being the Counsell family.  Hodges Counsel of Virginia, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, was undoubtedly of this place.

The wife of the John Harris baptised in 1640, as above noted, may have been related to the wife of Thomas Bennett, baptised on November 11, 1603, at Wiveliscombe; who married Agnes Beard, on July 17, 1623. If so, a connection between Thomas Harris, brother of the said John, and the following can be envisaged:

1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, of Wivelscombe, m. Elizabeth Edney. 1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe. 1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe. 1.1.1.1. Alice Bennett, m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie 1150 acres IOW Co., 5 June 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlins old land, running SSE by Wm. Westwrayers land &c. SW on Mathew Tomlins new land. (A John Harris married Mary Tomlin, on November 9, 1620, in Mells). Matthew Tomlin of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight County to John Johnson of the same parish, ‘for a valuable consideration’, a 225-acre tract ‘commonly called Pigneck’, bounded by Thomas Harris’s (d.1688) corner tree, pp. 570-571. 1.1.1. Governor Richard Bennett. 1.2. Edward Bennett, baptised February 2, 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia.
1.2.1. Mary Bennett, m. (1) John Day; (2) Thomas Bland. 1.2.1.1. Mary Bland, m. (1) James Day, (2) John Johnson. 1.2.1.2. Thomas Day, m. Mary Davis, da. of John Davis.
1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Day, m. Nathaniel Ridley, nephew of William Ridley, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.2.2. Silvester Bennett m. Nicholas Hill. 1.2.1.1. Mary Hill, m. John Jennings Jr., witness to the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. 1.3. Elianor Bennett, m. Richard Harris (8 Oct. 1594), son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe. 1.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe, most likely he who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Thomas Harris and Charles Barham were involved in the Will of William Ridley.

Thus, were the shared associations of Thomas Harris, died 1672, and his namesake, who died in 1688, of a mostly non-consanguineous nature? That is, cousins of whatever distant degree intermarried into the same families, and shared their associations. This point seems vital in any discussion of relationships between such as they – the distance of consanguinity being disguised by shared intermarriages.

Returning to the Thomas Harris who married Alice West in 1635, in Nunney. Was it he whose estate was administered by John Echols and John Hardaway, probable brs.-in-law, in 1677? Was his grandson the Thomas Harris who, on March 3, 1690, petitioned that John Echols be summoned to the next court, perhaps to claim against the surviving executor of his grandfather’s estate? Was this Thomas Harris he who made a deposition in 1692 that he was then 25 years old? (D.B. 1, p. 52).

Was he the son of Thomas Harris, who died in 1688, and mentioned in his (yeomans) will?:

(In the name of God, amen: I, Thomas Harris, of the Isle of Wight County, being sick and weak in body, but in sound and perfect memory, I do first and primarily bequest my soul unto God Almighty who gave it, and secondly, my body to the Earth to beburied in a decent and Christian like manner, and do ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth: Lly. I doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved sonne Edward Harris my plantation that I now live on with all my land belonging to it, the same to him and his heyers forever; also one yoke of draught steers, with a cart belonging unto them, also one great chest and eight ells of sheeting and canvass, three iron wedges, one froe, one small frying pan, also I  doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved sonne John Harris, one great iron pot, two pewter dishes, one bigger than the other, one large frying pan, one iron pestle, two chests, one small table & one coutch. Also I doe give unto my well beloved sonne Thomas Harris fower pewter dishes and a flagon, two salt sellers, one small iron pott, one cow and heifer of two years old one yearling heifer. Also I doe give unto my well beloved sonne Robert Harris one bed being part of flake and feathers with all the furniture thereunto belonging, one small gun, one horse to be sold for his use. I doe give unto my well beloved daughter Jane Jones eight milk trays.

I doe give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Anne Harris one bed that I now ly uppon with all the furniture thereunto belonging, but in case she dieth before she cometh of age or marrieth then the bed with what belongeth to itt shall
fall to my sonne Robert Harris, alsoe I give her a large brass kettle and one iron pott containing two or thre gallons with two pewter dishes, but if she dyeth that the same likewise fall to Robert and John Harris. I alsoe desire that what cattle is
left that is not herein disposed of may be sould and likewise my stock of hogs to be sould after my debts being payed .

I doe desire likewise what wheat I have now growinge on the plantation if it pleases God it come to maturity the same be sould likewise with the cattle, and what hogs may be left after the debts aforesaid payd, the same to be sold to the profitablest uses as may bee thought fit by my sonne Edward Harris, being my whole executor, and John Fulgham and John Turner, they two persons beinge appointed my overseers of this my last will and testament, they with my executor to advise to the disposall of all my cattle, hogs and wheate to the best advantage for the good of my three yougtest sones, George Harris, Martin Harris and Williams Harris: only two pewter dishes to be purchased, and one ironn pott, out of the proceeds to be delivered to Robert Harris, and the remainder to be equally divided between the said George Harris, Martin Harris and William Harris, and likewise I desire that these three boyes last mentioned as Robert Harris, George Harris and Martin Harris to remain this present year uppon the plantation and afterwards that Robert Harris may dwell with John Fulgham three years, and George Harris to dwell with John Turner tower years, and Martin Harris to remain with his brother Edward Harris five years, and my sonne William Harris to live with Bridgeman Joyner seven years and likewise my daughter Anne to live with Mrs. Anne Tharpe seven years if the said Mrs. Anne Tharpe shall livesoe long.

I further desire that if my sonne Edward Harris beinge appointed my executor in **** or my appointed overseers Mr, John Fulgham Mr. John Turner that is them or either of them shall find that my children that is placed out as aforesaid be abused that then either of them may have the liberty of removing them to some other place where they shall think fitt. one thing more — I bequest unto three of my grand children
a cow calfe a piece to them and **** of the female: thus owning and acknowledging this to be my last will and testament and doe revoke, renounce and deny all other wills or testaments from or by me made, as witness my hand and seal this forteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1687-8. The mark of Thomas Harris (seal). Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us. John Sherrer. John Coggin. Proved by John Coggin and John Sherrer in open court held for the Isle of Wight County October ye 9th, 1688. Teste, John Pitt, Cl. Cur.

John Coggin was of Bristol. Abstract. Power of Atty. 25 Aug. 1658. Major John Harper Capt Thomas Morgan and Robt Dessell, Citizens of the City of Bristol to John Cogan of the City of Bristol ‘but now resident in Virginia aforesd chirugeon,’ to receive certain properties belonging to Margaret Bird. ‘Whereas Margarett Bird of the sd Citty of Bristoll widd (admr’ix of the goods and chattells that were of Capt Richd Bond late dec’d some-times of the Citty of Bristoll but dyed in the Countrey of Virginia) hath constituted and appointed as her attorneys concerning the mill plantacon stock goods merchandizies and debts w’ch were off the sd Capt Rich’d Bond as may apper’e.’ Wit: Richard Price, John Osborne, Francis Yeamans Junr. Rec 31 Janry 1658. (The Bond family were of Pitminster, Somerset, as the Fulghams, and tenants of the Symes (Sims) family of Mells. By 1658, John Coggin had married the widow of Richard Tye. He subsequently moved to Isle of Wight County, where his son is recorded: Thornton, John: Leg. – son William; daughter Ellinor; wife Willmuth, at her decease to her two sons, Richard and Robert Sims. R. May 1, 1688. Wit. John Coggan Jr., Thomas Gale).

Was his brother, William, he who married Mary Short? (suggestive of a geographical link to Sergeant John Harris); second-cousin of William Short, whose son and daughter, John and Mary, married, respectively, Elizabeth Echols and Isaac Echols. (There is no known link between them and the administrator of the estate of Thomas Harris). William Harris and Mary short had issue: William Harris, who probably married a daughter of Nicholas Thompson, who witnessed a deed of Carter Crafford, of Lawnes Creek Parish, with Samuel Lancaster, recorded November 2, 1708. (B. 5, p. 401). His son was Thompson Harris, of Bedford Co., who, in 1756, sold land to William Heath, grandson of this William Heath: ‘Indenture between Wm. Lea and his wife Alice, and Wm. Heath, planter, of Southwarke Par., Surry Co., for a parcel of land, 150 acres, formerly Thos. Felton’s deceased, and lyeing and being in Southwarke Parish in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes in the woodes joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes (Surry B. I, 1652-1672, p. 161).

Another possible connection between the Harris family of Nunney and Sergeant John Harris concerns Francis Derrick, the Bristol Merchant, noted in 1635 as paying custom duties on booty taken fron Spanish ships (2. E 134/12Chas1/Mich39). Like many Bristol merhants, he held land in somerset, as noted on this certificate of residence: “showing Francis Derricke (or the variant surname: Dericke, Dyricke) to be liable for taxation in Gloucestershire, and not in the hundreds of Brent, Bempstone, Portbury, and Hartcliffe, Somerset, the previous area of tax liability. 1628. (E 115/128/37).

The Derrick family of the hundred of Winterstoke were almost invariably recorded as being of the parishes of Blagdon and Worle. The former is 18 miles from Nunney. Francis Derick bought the land of the daughter of Sergeant John Harris: Whereas John Baker and Dorothy his wife, daughter of the late deceased Sergeant John Harris, have by order of court at Henrico on the 27th day of August last surrendered to mee Captain Francis Derrick all the right and title which they and claime unto the devident of land belonging to the late deceased Georg Cawcott which was given to the said Dorothy by the last will and testament of the said Cawcott as by the surrender in the said court and by the pattent and will recorded at James Cittie, etc. For good and valuable causes and considerations. Wtnesses: Lawrence Hulett and John Owell’ (Nugent, B. 1., part 2, p. 113).

Another Bristol merchant with ties to the area in which Nunney was situated was John Seward, who bequested lands in Isle of Wight County, one of which was called “New Hemington.” (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography). Hemington is 4 miles fom Mells/Nunney. He would have been familiar with the family of Thomas Harris, born 1636, in Nunney, to Thomas Harris and Alice West.

The Thomas harris who died in 1688 came to occupy land that had been John Sewards: April 27, 1686: Matthew Tomlin 1227 ac., lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 ac. being part of 1200 ac. granted to Mr. John Seward, 16 April 1648; 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris (d. 1688), to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510).

Thus?

1.
1.1. Richard Harris, bur. Dec. 19, 1593.
1.1.1. Richard Harris, bapt. Aug. 24, 1589, m. Edith Burges, Jan. 14, 1607.

1.1.2. John Harris, m. Joan Collier, July 19, 1601.
1.1.2.1. William Harris, bapt. Oct. 3, 1602, Mells.
1.2. John Harris.
1.2.1. Thomas Harris bapt. Feb. 3, 1582; “son of John”.
1.2.2. John Harris, bapt. Oct. 1, 1587, bur. Aug. 3, 1637, in Nunney.
1.2.2.1. Thomas Harris, m. Alice West, 1635; of a family of West, of Nunney? Richard West, baptised Sept. 26, 1574. William West, bapt. Jan. 17, 1579. William West, baptised Feb. 12, 1581. Did this Thomas die in 1677?
1.2.2.1.1. Thomas Harris. bapt. August 14, 1636. Did this Thomas die in 1688?

So many unanswerable questions; the province of belief.

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COPY OF THE SETTLEMENT MADE BY EDWARD COLSTON, Esq., FOR THE MAINTAINANCE, EDUCATION, Ac, OF ONE HUNDRED BOYS IN HIS
HOSPITAL ON ST. AUGUSTINE’S-BACK, IN BRISTOL.

The importance of this deed is that it lists many metrchant families of Bristol, that were imstrumental in the financing of the colonisation of Virginia.

This Indenture Tripartite, made the 25th day of November, 25th November, in the Year of our Lord 1708, and in the 7th Year of the Reign 1708 of our Sovereign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Queen, defender of the Faith, &c. Between Edward Colston, of the City of London, Merchant, the first part; Sir John Duddleston, Bart., John Batchellor, William Clark, John Yeamans, Abraham Elton the elder, Anthony Swymmer, George Mason, Abraham Hooke, Philip Freeke, John Day, Henry Watts, William Hart, Abraham Elton the younger, James Donning, Abraham Birkin, Robert Bound, William Hopton, John Blackwell, John Grant, and Samuel Shawe, all of the City of Bristol, Merchants, of the second part; and the Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Commonalty of Merchants Adventurers, within the said City of Bristol, of the third part; witnesseth, that the said Edward Colston, for and in consideration of the sum of ten shillings, of lawful British money to him in hand, paid by (the above mentione hath granted, bargained, and sold, aliened, released, and confirmed; and by these presents, doth fully, Gnmt freely, and absolutely grant, bargain, and sell, alien, release and’ confirm unto the said merchants.

Mansion-House, possession of Richard Lane being on St. Augustine’s-Back, in the Parish of St. Augustine, within the suburbs of the said City of Bristol; and also all and every the Houses, Buildings, Stables, Gardens, Orchards, Cellars, Warehouses, Workhouses, Courtyards, Backsides, Outlets, Privileges, Ways, Lights, Easements, Profits, Commodities, Advantages, and Hereditaments whatsoever, to the said Mansion-House, belonging or appertaining, or therewith used and enjoyed, and that in as large and ample manner as he the said Edward Colston lately purchased the same of Susanna Lane, widow, and relict of the said Richard Lane.

Bundles of deeds and associated papers relating primarily to Gloucestershire properties including Bristol, Henbury, Lechlade, Mangotsfield, Pucklechurch, Westerleigh and Winterbourne A note states that the properties were held jointly by the Middleton and Colston families and that the Middleton half was sold by the trustees of the 7th Lord Middleton. Includes copies of will of Edward Colston. 1696-1715. (Nottingham University Library Mi Da 52-56).

The genealogical history of the Colstons is well recorded: Carr v Colston. Plaintiffs: Edward Carr gent of Woodspring, Somerset. Defendants: George Colston gent of the Middle Temple and William Colston of Bristol, merchant, sons and executors of William Colston of Bristol, merchant. (STAC 8/110/10. 1604). The said william Colston Jr’s son. William, is evidenced here: Marriage settlement 1. Wm. Colston (Sheriff of Bristol) and Alice his (first) wife moiety of tenement near St. Mary le Port (Bristol Archives, ref. 33288/51. 1624); his brother here: Bond of Performance of Covenants (1) Humphrey Read of Hannam (2) Thomas Colston* of Bristol. Covenants in indenture of same date Witnesses: John Hill, Jasper Wall; John Hartwell. (Gloucestershire Archives, ref. D2957/146/28. 2 April 1638). DD\SAS\C/795/PR/2 Bristol: Writing of Protest (Drawn up by Thos. Hartwell, notary public) against Wm. Rogers of Virginia because his Bill of Exchange for £3.17s. for ‘Virginia impost and cocquett money’ for 37 hogsheads of Virginia tobacco was not accepted. (Somerset Heritage Centre, 1666 DD\SAS\C/795/PR/2).

Sir John Banks, knight (Attorney-General). v. Humphrey Hooke, Walter Ellis, John Gonning, junior, Fras. Derrick (bought land of Sergeant John Harris), Thos. Cole, John Tayler, Andw. Charlton, *Thos. Colston.: Ships which sailed with “letters of marque or mart” from the port of Bristol between 1625 and 1632 during the war between England against France and Spain. Custom imposts, &c., due on those ships. Disposal of prizes taken by them. Brazil tobacco taken in prize, &c., &c.: Bristol; France; Spain. (13 Chas 1 E 134/13Chas1/East32).

William Colston, son of William Colston, sheriff of Bristol, and brother of Edward Colston, came to Virginia in the 1650’s. His son William’s Will (proved in Richmond Co.3 Dec. 1701) named son, William, and son-in-law, Thomas Beale. The latter William, d. 3 Jan 1721, m. Mary Meriwether, da. of Francis Meriwether and Mary Bathurst. Lawrence Bathurst, son of Lancelot, will dated Essex Co., 17 Dec. 1704, mentioned cousin Mary Meriwether, and brothers-in-law Wm. Tomlin, Francis Meriwether, and Drury Stith.

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1. George Millett. Shelbery v Bould. Plaintiffs: John Shelbery and Joan Shelbery his wife (executrix of George Millett). Defendants: William Bould, Edmund Marsh and John Williams. (C 2/JasI/S9/45. 1603-1625). Leonard Tarrante v John Pomfrett and Richard Shelbery: money matters, Middx. (C 10/4/190 1649). Assignment by Leonard Tarrant, as above. Assigning his various investments (for which see Nos. 103-111) to Richard Shelbery, citizen and scrivener of London. Usual covenants. p. 1 (parchment). Signed, dec, before witnesses. 8 April 1653.

Given Richard Shelbery’s connection to Southwark – see William Sledd’s Will, of St Saviour, citizen and ironmonger of London. Bequests to the poor of St Saviour parish, of St Olave parish, and of Newland, Gloucestershire, ‘where I was borne’. Date proved April 17 1646; naming Edmund Ballard and John Ballard, beadles of the Company of Ironmongers. Overseers: Robert Sledd, Henry Cole, and Richard Shelberry, scrivenor TNA, Prob.11/195, ff.388v-389v – Leonard Tarrante may have been the tobacco merchant of Southwark. The Tarrant/Shelbury connection seems an ongoing one: Tarrant v Shelbury. Plaintiffs: Jeremiah Tarrant clerk. Defendants: John Shelbury. Subject: money matters, Berkshire. (C 6/36/71. 1669).

According to Sir Edward Bysshe’s Visitation of Surrey (1662), Richard Shelbury was at that time a Camberwell gentleman of some considerable standing. His name also occurs amongst the intended Knights of the Royal Oak in 1660 as “Alderman Richard Shelbury” with an estate of £1,000 per annum. Entries in Church Register. 1661. Sept. 9, bap., John, son of Richard Shelbery. Richard Shelbury had married Margaret, da. of Richard Beale of Maidstone, Gent., and Susan, daughter of Edward Bennett. Richard Beale was of the family that settled in Virginia.

STAC 5/D28/6 – B A – 1 Eliz – Thomas Deye v Leonard Tarrante, John Lawrance et al. Thomas Deye of Creeting St Olave, Southwark, made his will on 3 June 1495; it was proved on 16 July 1498: NRO, NCC Reg. Typpes, f. 149. Thomas wanted to be buried in the churchyard of St Olave. His son was Thomas Deye (SRO IC/AA28/F.45. Will dated 15 Feb. 1519). His son was Robert Deye, probable father of Thomas Deye, plaintiff, aforesaid. (Robert’s mother’s executer was Humphrey Wingfield). Thus, there was an association of a Tarrant family with Southwark since the 1550’s.
1.1. John Millett.
1.1.1. Mary Millett, m. Edward Horde.
1.1.1.1. Elias Millett.
1.3. Mary Millett, m. … Parker, son of William Parker and Elizabeth Hopton, niece of Katherine Hopton, who m. (1), c. 1545, Thomas Anderson, of London, grocer, son and heir of Thomas Anderson. (She m. (2) Walter Garraway). Issue of Katherine Hopton and Thomas Anderson: (1) Sir Henry Anderson, Alderman of London. (2). Elizabeth Anderson, m. William Garraway,* citizen and mercer of London, son of John Garraway of London, citizen and mercer of London, and his wife Ursula, da. of Sir John Bridges; i.e., Elizabeth married her stepfather’s brother. Henry’s cousin and namesake, son of Bertram Anderson and Alice Carr, dau. of Ralph Carr, merchant of Newcastle, m. Isabel Morland, and had issue: (1) Isabel Anderson, who married Thomas Lyddall, whose sister was the probable grandmother of Robert Peake. (2) Anne Anderson, m. Samuel Waters. *Their son was Henry Garraway, father of John Garraway, father of his namesake who accompanied George Lyddall to Virginia.
1.4. Anne Millett, m. Alan Hendrie, whose sister m. John Garaway.
1.5. George Millett. Millett v Honywood. Plaintiffs: George Millett. Defendants: William Honywood. Subject: manor of Dovers, Essex. (C 6/146/121. 1660).
1.6. Caleb Millett, m. a sister of Isabel and Anne Anderson. “Daughter Elizabeth Overton, now in Virginia, Ios, and William her husband, ios. Son-in-law Mr. William Goodwin, ios. for a ring. Brother-in-law Caleb Millett, Ios”

(1. Richard Anderson. In 1693, Richard Anderson held land adj. Thomas Vicaries at Poroptank Creek. Thomas Vicars obtained his patent in Gloucester Co. on 16 Feb.1665 for 650 ac. along the Rappahanock Path.
1.1. Richard Anderson.
1.1.1. Paulin Anderson.Richard Anderson to Paulin Anderson, K & Q Co. 10 March 1749. 252 ac. in Amelia Co.,lands patented to Richard Anderson 20 Aug. 1741. (Amelia Co., D.B. 3, p. 336).
1.1.1.1. Richard Anderson. Paulin Anderson to son Richard Anderson of K & Q Co. 26 Dec. 1770. 638 ac. in Amelia Co.
being land where my son first settled adj. Polecat Run, line of Francis Anderson and Stocks Creek.
1.1.1.1.1. Esther Anderson, m. Richard Kirby, 27 July 1767).

1. Alan Horde, Esq., Bencher of the Middle Temple, son of John Hord and grandson of Thomas Hord of Bridgnorth, co. Salop, by Joyce, d. and coh. of Sir John Stapleton of Stapleton, Knt. Will d. 1553.
1.1. Thomas Horde. “His eldest son Thomas Hord, born c. 1532 was aged 22, when Alan died” (Genealogist, New Series (1885), ii, 46, 47).
1.1.1. Alan Hord, of the Middle Temple, was cousin of the Palmer family, one of whom, Edward Palmer, in his Will, dated 1624, left a large part of his estate for the founding of a university in Virginia. Edward’s son, Giles Palmer, owned estates in Virginia, mentioned in his Will. May 17, 1637 (Virginia Mag. of Hist, and Biog., Vol. XV, p. 303). A later Giles Palmer married, about 1670, Barbara, daughter of Thomas Hord of Cote House, great- grandson of Alan Hord, Bencher, and their son, Giles Palmer, of Compton Scorphin, Warwickshire, took the surname Hord.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Horde. Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica,” New Series, vol. IV, p. 138. The following legal papers of the Millett family, which are cited in the ” Miscellanea,” indicate a relationship between the Hord and Millett families. The inference from these records is that the marriage recorded in the Visitation of Surrey was between Mary Millett and Edward Hurd or Hord, citizen and ironmonger of London: First. Will of John Millett, of Hayes, Middlesex, dated 1628, mentions his sister, Isabel Millett; his sister, Mary Parker; Allen Hendrye, and his sister, Anne Hendrye. Thomas Hord, gentleman, of London (son of Alan of the Middle Temple), in his Will proved May 7, 1608, to which reference has been made, mentions ”my cousin Allen Hendrye ” and ” my cousin Edward Hord.” Will of Isabel Millett, dated 1649, mentions her “cousin Allen Hendrye,” Allen Hendrye’s sister, “wife of John Garraway, Esq. and her (Isabel’s) sister Mary Parker.”
1.1.1.2. William Horde, probably he who was related to the Hoptons, through his wife, Maria Foxe.
1.1.1.2.1. Edward Hurd or Hord, Citizen and Ironmonger of London,” patented land in Virginia July 3, 1622 (Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. 2, p. 91, published from the manuscript in the Library of Congress). In English wills and deeds of this family the name is frequently written Hurd. The descendants of Edward Hurd or Hord, citizen and ironmonger of London, emigrated to Virginia.
1.1.1.1.1. Elias Hord, he was headright in the patent of Captain John West, in 1654. He came to Virginia in company with John Garraway and George Lyddall who were also headrights in the patent of Captain John West.

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1. George Rodney.
1.1. Maurice Rodney, Esq., m. Joan, dau. of Sir Thomas Dyer of Somerford, Co., Wilts.
1.1.1. Dorothy Rodney, m. Rice Davis of the Middle Temple, and of Tickenham, Esq. He m. (2) Isabel, da. of Henry Lygon of Colne, Gloucestershire, widow of Edward Basset. (3) Mary Pitt, sister of William Pitt, and widow of Robert Owen of Bristol, merchant, by whom a da. who married Nicholas Poyntz,
1.2. Agatha Rodney, m. Captain Thomas Hodges, d. 1583, of Wedmore.
1.2.1. Thomas Hodges, m. Eleanor, da. of John Rosse (Rose) of Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset.
1.2.1.1. George Hodges Esq., d. Feb. 1, 1654.
1.2.1.2. Jane Hodges, m. John Strachey, of Sutton Court, Somerset, d. 1674, grandson of William Strachey, Secretary of Virginia.
1.2.1.3. John Hodges, m. Margery: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell, of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife: Wedmore, Somerset. 1648. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, ref. 2667/1/36/2).

1. Cuthbert Rosse, of Yorkshire.
1.1. Nicholas Rosse, of Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, m. Elizabeth Dawbney, of Wayford, Somerset.
1.1.1. John Rosse of Shepton Beauchamp, m. Mary Hodges, da. of James Hodges, of Somerton, Somerset. (T\PH\vch/11).
(i) Survey of lands, rents, etc., enjoyed by John Rose and Henry Sydenham as tenants in common, and by John Rose solely, taken at Merriott by John Wyllys, steward, on 5 July 1609, and covering the following places: Dommett in Buckland St.Mary, Buckland St.Mary, Chilworthy in Ilminster, Merriott, Combe St.Nicholas, Ely in Ilminster, Crewkerne, Mudgley in Theale, Stoughton in Wedmore, Peasmarsh in Ilminster, South Bradon, Hilcombe in Ilminster, Ilminster, Shepton Beauchamp, Stocklinch, Langport Eastover and Langport Westover. (ii) survey of lands, rents, etc., late the inheritance of James Hodges of Somerton, gent., decd., and given by him to Mary his daughter the wife of John Rose, gent., taken by John Wyllys, steward, on 20 Dec. 1602, covering the demesnes of St.Clare’s and Highbrook and other properties in Somerton, the demesne of Copley in Charlton Adam, the demesne of Stert in Babcary, tenancies in Upton and Knole in Long Sutton with the commons belonging, and demesnes in Shepton Beauchamp.
1.1.1.1. Eleanor Rosse, m. George Hodges Esq., of Wedmore, Somerset.
1.1.1.2. Joan Rosse, m. (6 Feb. 1616) John Harvey, of Curry Malet, Somerset.
1.1.1.3., Anne Rosse, m. (11 Jan, 1615) George Style, of Maypowder, Somerset.
1.1.1.4. James Rosse, of Shepton Beauchamp and Somerton, m. Elizabeth, da. of John Stocker, of Chellcompton, Somerset.
1.1.1.4.1. James Rosse, b. 1610.
1.1.1.4.2. Phillip Rosse.
1.1.1.4.2. Robert Rosse.
1.1.1.4.2. John Rosse. (Visitation of the County of Somerset in the Year 1623, with additions).

1. John Sydenham “the elder”, m. Ursula Brydges, da. of Giles Brugge (Sheriff of Gloucester) and Isabel Baynham
1.1. Sir George Sydenham.
1.1.1. Elizabeth (Sydenham) Drake, wife of Sir Francis Drake.
1.2. Henry Sydenham, aforementioned.
1.3. Sir John Sydenham, born Brympton, Somerset, d. 1 Jan. 1590, Nymphsfield, Gloucestershire.
1.3.1. Ursula (Sydenham) Poyntz, m. John Poyntz.
1.3.2. Elizabeth (Sydenham) Bamfield, d. 1699. John Seward of Virginia, rented land from the Bamfields.
1.4. Mary Sydenham, m. Sir Henry Knyvett, of Charlton.

1. Sir John Poyntz, of Iron Acton, aged 25 yrs. on his father’s death. Sheriff of Glouc. 1591. Knt. of the Shire 1592. Bur. at Iron Acton 29 Nov. 1633; m. (1) Ursula, da. of Sir John Sydenham, of Brimpton, co. Som., Knt., mar. settl. dated 16 July 1578.
1.1. Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, bapt. 26 October 1588, d. 1666, m. (13 June 1604) Frances Gibbons, d. 1667, da. of Gervase Gibbons, of Benenden, Kent. (Robert Barham of Hawkhurst married Ann Gibbon in 1639).
1.1.1. Margaret Poyntz, m. Sir Robert Gorges, d. 1648, of Bristol.
1. Sir John Poyntz, m. (4) Grissell Roberts, da. of Walter Roberts, of Glassenbury, Kent, m. 2 June 1600.
1.1. Nicholas Poyntz, b. 1607, d. 11 Feb. 1650, bur. in the Savoy, Lond; matric. from Magdalen Hall, Oxon, as son of Sir John Poyntz, 31st Jan. 1622, aet. 16. Living at Tickenham in 1646. He m. (1638) Eleanor, only child and heir of Rice Davis, of Tickenham, Som., by Mary Pitt, relict of Robert Owen (Robert ap Owen, of Abergwilli, Carmarthenshire, and a Bristol merchant), and 3rd wife of Rice (Rees) Davis. Mary Pitt was the mother of Robert Pitt, of Virginia. Rice Davis originated from Carmarthenshire, and was brother of “William Davies, of Carmarthenshire” (see Vis. Som.), father of Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587, heir to his uncle, who m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen, and sister of Robert Owen Jr., the very likely father of Bartholomew Owen. In Virginia, John Upton’s headright was Christopher Lewis, associated with Luke Mizell and Bartholomew Owen. On 10 July 1643, John Upton held 3289 ac. upon the branches of Pagan Point Creek and New Town Haven adj. Robert Pitt, cousin of the Owen family, as Eleonor Davis, wife of Nicholas Poyntz, half-br. of Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, and uncle of Margaret Poyntz, wife of Sir Robert Gorges, of Redlynch, in Bruton, neighbour of Governor Berkely OF Virginia.

In Virginia, a William Rose, m. Lucy (Corker) Jordan, widow of Thomas Jordan. Bartholomew Owen sold cattle of William Rose, for the benefit of Jane, William, Ann and Mary Rose, son and daughters of William Rose and his wife, Ann. Rec. 1666. Wit: Luke Mizelle, John Morecocke.

1. Robert Green, 1598-1677, Katherine Walker, 1596-1678.
1.1.Thomas Green, 1621-1686, m. Mary Moone, d. 1693.
1.1.1.Thomas Green, d. 1726.
1.1.2. William Green, m. Mary West, d. 1738.
1.1.2.1. Martha Green, m. … Applewhaite.
1.1.3. Bridget Green, m. Jeremiah Proctor; his estate appraised by John Wrenn, r. 26 Nov. 1744. Jeremiah Proctor was the br. of Reuben Proctor (his estate r. 28 Apr. 1729, was witnessed by Samuel and John Davis, as follow, p. 157. Reuben Proctor appraised the estate of a Thomas Harris, r. 23 March 1712. The estate of John Harris, r. 8 Aug. 1713, was appraised by Reuben Proctor, and Elias and Roger Hodges, p. 568. Reuben Proctor’s estate was audited by Thomas walton, r. 21 June 1731, p. 278. The estate Phillis Ducie, the relict of Elias Forte (who was almost certainly, as the Bennetts and Harris, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset), was appraised by Joshua Proctor, p. 238. He was probably a son of George Proctor, a cousin of Jeremiah and Reuben Proctor. In 1695, Bartholomew Owen’s son, Robert Owen, sold 110 ac. to his br.-in-law, Joshua Proctor (B 5, p. 89), describing it as adjacent to Richard Jordan. ( Christopher Reynolds Sr. emigrated to Virginia as an indentured servant of Mr. Edward Bennett. Bk. 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”).
1.1.4. Mary Green, d. 1721, m. John Davis:

(1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham, Somerset, aforesaid.
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, whose grandson was probably Bartholomew Owen.
1.2.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate).
1.2.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637; d. bef. 28 June 1714, m. Mary Green. The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, named legatees: wife Mary, son Samuel, son Thomas land in Surry, which was bought of Edward Grantham; son John; da. Sarah; da. Elizabeth; da. Prudence; son William, the land on which Thomas Robertson lived; da. Mary the wife of William Murray; grandda. Elizabeth Murray, the da. of said William; brother William Green, friends Nathaniel Ridley (nephew of William, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and James Day to make the division of my estate. Wife executrix. Witnesses: Nathaniel Ridley, Richard Webb, Thomas Webb, Mary Maccodin. R. 28 June 1714. The estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, was in debt to John Davis. Thomas Harris (d. 1672) 40 acres, 14 Aug. 1652. At the head of one of the branches of the Pagan Cr., bounded with his own land on N.E. Fran. Smith on S.W., Thomas Prichard on S.E. and John Davis on N.W. for trans. Peter Bell).

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 Council, son of Hodges Council 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 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.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, of the parish of St Luke, d. 1783, m. Ann Harris. Marriage bonds of Henry Applewhite and Ann Harris, Nov. 7, 1756. Ann Harris was the da. of Edward Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
Pages 75-76: Henry Applewhaite and wife Ann to William Hines of Sussex County, dated 9 July 1761, 100 acres on the north side of the Nottoway River adj. the mouth of Deep Run, John Drew, John Bryan, and Phenea Whitaker (part of a patent for 420 acres to John Drew on 13 Nov 1713). Witnessed by Amos Harris.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Applewhite, m. John Barham, son of Benjamin Barham (grandson of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris*, d. 1672).
1.2.1.1.1.2. Mary Davis (n.b. see fn. 1), m. Thomas Day, second-cousin of *Thomas Harris, of Wiveliscombe.
1.2.1.1.1.3. John Davis. His Will named legatees: son Samuel; nephew William Goodrich.* Executor: John Goodrich. Witnessess: Edward Goodrich, John Davis, William Davis. R. 6 Sept. 1750.
1.2.1.1.1.4. Thomas Davis. His Will, dated 15 Aug.1734, named legatees William, the son of William Davis, deceased; to Elizabeth Gray; John Davis, the son of Samuel Davis; da. Elizabeth at 18, if she should die without heirs, my estate to the sons of my three brothers and my sister, Prudence Wrenn. Executors: brother Samuel Davis and friend James Day. Witnesses: Samuel Davis and Elizabeth Gray. R. 23 Sept. 1734. He m. Ann (Mathews) Rogers, relict of (1) John Moore, (2) Anthony Mathews, and da. of Edward Rogers of Bristol, whose Will was recorded on 9 March 1684, naming legatees: Anne Mathews; John Moore and James Bacon “to whom I give 900 ac. in Stafford Co. at the head of Potomake Creek, on which Joseph Henson lives, also all property in IOW cO.. Appraised by Owen Griffin, Ambrose Hadlie and Alex Mathews. Witnessess: John Jones & Thomas Mason.

(1. John Moore, mariner and merchant of Bristol, m. Ann Rogers.
1.1. George Moore m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, a London vintner
1.1.1. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on 30 August 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642.
1.1.1.1. James Piland. On 28 April 1720, he, Benjamin Hodges, and Roger Ingram witnessed the will of Robert Lancaster.
1.1.2. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. The estates of Ann Moore and her husband Thomas White were appraised between 22 March 1741 and 26 July 1742 by Thomas Day, John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). Edward Brantley was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Goodrich was an overseer of the Will of Francis England; a witness being Richard Bennett (cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants). By her first husband, she had issue
1.2.1. Joyce, who married (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 Dryver (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. 29 June 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550). Francis England was probably closely related to John England: Surrender of lease – John England of Bristol, merchant to John Seymour. (Bristol Archives, 8017/24. 20 April 1676).

1.2.1.1.1.5. Elizabeth Davis, m. John Gray, whose Will named legatees: son William; son Richard; son John; son Mathew; son Henry; da. Margaret; da. Patience; wife Elizabeth. Wife Executrix. Witnesses: Richard Hardy and Elias Wills. R. 27 March 1738.
1.2.1.1.1.6. Prudence Davis, mentioned in the Will of her brother, Thomas Davis as Prudence Wrenn. Administration of the estate of John Wrenn recorded 1 March 1749, witnessed by Prudence, his wife.

1.2.1.1.2. Samuel Davis. His Will named legatees: wife Amy; son John; son Samuel, land at Meherrin; da. Mary; da. Sarah; da. Amy; da. Marcella. Wife Executrix. Brother John Davis and brother-in-law Nicholas Bourden to collect all debts. Witnesses: John Davis, John Gemmill, N. Bourden, and Thomas Murry. R. 28 Jan. 1738. He m. (1) Any Applewhaite, da. of Henry Applewhate and Ann Mason The will of Henry Applewhaite, r. 27 April 1741, mentioned da. Amy Davis and wife Ann, executrix. Her Will named legatees: son Thomas; grandda. Ann Applewhaite, the da. of my son Thomas; da. Ann Godwin; da. Priscilla Ridley; da. Amy Jones; son John; grandson Henry, the son of Henry Applewhaite, deceased; grandda. Amy Applewhaite, the da. of my son Henry; grandda. Ann Ridley; granda. Sarh Davis; grandson Henry Applewhaite son of my son Arthur; grandson John Lawrence, son of my da. Sarah Lawrence. Executor: son Arthur Applewhaite. Witnesses: William Ponsonby, Ann Ponsonby, Ann Hunt, and Elizabeth Daniel. R. 10 March 1747.

1.2.1.1.2.1. John Davis, will dated 2 July 1750. He m. Ann Drew, da. of William Drew Sr., the son of Thomas Drew and Judith Wood, da. of Thomas Wood of IOW, son of Arthur Wood and Sarah Wooten. Bertie Co.: Arthur Davis of Tyrrell to William Drew for 15 pounds, 300 ac. on SS Morratuck and Flat Swamp, being two plantations ‚ one with 200 ac. adj. Lewis Davis and Cullen Pollock; the other with 100 ac. Wit. James Moore (May Court, 1730). William Drew and Thomas Harris witnessed an indenture between Robert and William Ruffin to William Edwards, 1 March 1708.
1.2.1.1.2.1.1. John Davis, m. (1746) Mary Goodrich, da. of John Goodrich (D.B. 10, p. 288).
1.2.1.1.2.1.2. Samuel Davis. 2 Aug. 1753: John Goodrich, Guardian Account with Samuel Davis, orphan of John Davis, deceased. John Goodrich was the father of Constance Goodrich (by Ann Cripps), who m. Benjamin Hodges, cousin of John Hodges. Their da., Hartwell Hodges, (b. 1727 in IOW Co.; d. in 1796 in Nash Co., NC) m. (1. in 1752) Thomas Davis (D.B. 8, p. 455). (2) James Drake, in 1766, b. August 5 Aug. 1725 in Bertie Co, NC.; d. 6 July 1791 in Richmond, the son of John Drake and Sarah Bryant.

John Drake was the son of Thomas Drake, noted here: “215 ac. on the south side of Blackwater adj. Reedy Branch, Indian Field Branch. Giles Driver (headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and Thomas Drake (granted to sd. Jesse by deed on 1 Aug. 1752). John Drake was associated with a Thomas Harris on Reedy Branch: pp. 105-106: Hardy Johnson to son Hardy Johnson, dated 10 Dec. 1761, 150 ac. adj. William Drake, John Drake, Thomas Harris, Reedy Branch, and (John Drake’s br.) Thomas Drake. S. Hardy Johnson. W: William Drake, Mary Drake, and John West.

John Drake, Jacob Newsum, and Nathan Harris appraised the estate of Elizabeth Bynum, r. 8 Feb, 1766, p. 144; her da. was Celia Bryant. Reedy Branch was associated with this Thomas Harris: This Indenture made the Ninth day of February in the Year of Our Lord God One Thousand Six hundred Eighty and Seven Between Philip Raiford of the Isle of Wight County of the one part and Thomas Harris of the same County Jun.r of the other Part. The said Hundred Acres of Land being bounded as followeth (viz) Bounded upon a Branch called the Reedy Branch and so along the afores.d Raiford’s Line. The Raifords were intermarried with the Fulghams, of Pitminster, Somerset, and Virginia. Reedy Branch was also associated with the following: Joseph Larke to Henry Applewhaite, dated 12 Aug. 1760, 307 ac. on the north side of Three Creeks adj. Reedy Branch, witnessed by Timothy Thorpe and Edward Harris.

1.2.1.1.2.1.2.1. Elizabeth Davis, m. Francis Kirby, son of John Kirby and Joanna Owen, da. of William Owen, son of Bartholomew Owen.
1.2.1.1.2.1.3. Thomas Davis, m. Hartwell Hodges in 1752, in IOW. (Chapman, p. 14). He purchased land in Edgecombe Co. NC in 1749 from Joseph Davis of Edgecombe Co., and was described as “Thomas Davis of Isle of Wight Co., Va.” (Hoffman, p. 107).
1.2.1.1.2.1.4. Lewis Davis, executor of Thomas’ will; he and his son, Dolphin, were named as legatees. At the County Court held on 26 Sept. 1758, he was referred to as “Capt. Lewis Davis”, and was recorded here: “Andrew Booth, Overseer of the road from Fishing Creek Bridge to the Granville line. Orderd that the Hands of Arthur Davis & Lewis Davis, Saml. Miller, Solomon Davis, Wm. Gainer, Wm. Portis & John Portis, work on the same”.

1.2. Martha Greene, m. Anthony Fulgham.
1.2.1. Anthony Fulgham, d. bef. 9 Dec. 1678.
1.2.2. Michael Fulgham, d. bef. 9 Mar. 1691.

1. Richard Drake.
1.1. John Drake, bapt. 3 May 1647, in South Petherton, Somerset. His headright was claimed by (1) Hodges Council and (2) Colonel Arthur Smith.
1.1.1. John Drake.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Drake. His Will was r. in Southampton Co., 11 May 1758. He m. Ann Griffin.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Drake, his Will dated 1783.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William Drake.
1.1.1.2. John Drake, d. aft. 15 March 1753.
1.1.1.3. Richard Drake.
1.2. Thomas Drake, bapt. 7 June 1650; died aft. 1686.
1.2.1. Thomas Drake.
1.2.1.1. John Drake, m. Sarah Bryant, da. of James Bryant. John named his father-in-law as executor of his estate.
1.2.1.1.1. James Drake. m. Hartwell Hodges, as given.

1. John Moore, mariner and merchant of Bristol
1.1. George Moore m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, a London vintner
1.1.1. Eleanor Moore, m. Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on 30 August 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642.
1.1.1.1. James Piland. On 28 April 1720, he, Benjamin Hodges, and Roger Ingram witnessed the will of Robert Lancaster
1.1.2. Ann Moore, m. Thomas White. The estates of Ann Moore and her husband Thomas White were appraised between 22 March 1741 and 26 July 1742 by Thomas Day, John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). Edward Brantley was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Goodrich was an overseer of the Will of Francis England; a witness being Richard Bennett (cousin of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).
1.2. Katherine Moore, m. (2) Robert Flake (a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants). By her first husband, she had issue
1.2.1. Joyce, who married (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 Dryver (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. 29 June 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550). Francis England was probably closely related to John England: Surrender of lease – John England of Bristol, merchant to John Seymour. (Bristol Archives, 8017/24. 20 April 1676).

1. Robert Bennett, a tanner, of Wivelscombe, m. Elizabeth Edney.
1.1. Thomas Bennett, d. 1616, Wivelscombe.
1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe.
1.1.1.1. Alice Bennett, m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569: Mr. John Hardie 1150 acres IOW Co., 5 June 1666. Beginning at upper corner tree of Mathew Tomlins old land, running SSE by Wm. Westwrayers land &c. SW on Mathew Tomlins new land. John Hardy m. 2. Alice Tucker, widow of Arthur Allen. Her daus. were Katherine Allen, who m. Robert Johnson, and Joan Allen, who m. Dr Robert Williamson, John Burnett, and Reuben Proctor.
1.1.1.1.1. Lucy Hardy, m. Hodges Council.
1.1.1. Governor Richard Bennett. “Now Know ye that I the said Richard Bennett Esquire give and grant unto John Day four hundred acres of Land, situated in the County of Gloucester, Upon on the South East Side of Poropotank Creeke”.
1.1.2. Governor Richard Bennett
1.2. Edward Bennett, baptised February 2, 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia.
1.2.1. Mary Bennett, m. (1) John Day; (2) Thomas Bland.
1.2.1.1. Mary Bland, m. (1) James Day, (2) John Johnson, (3) … Gladhill; she appointed her sons James Day and Nathaniel Ridley exxs of all the goods, and C. of her deceased husbands John Johnson and James Day. Will proved June 26, 1712.
1.2.1.2. Thomas Day, m. Mary Davis, da. of John Davis.
1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Day, m. Nathaniel Ridley, nephew of William Ridley, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.2. Silvester Bennett m. Nicholas Hill. She bequeathed “all my land without the neck of land whereon I now dwell, that is to say the plantation that Ricahrd Wrenn and Francis Wren now dwells on”. Proved 9 Jan. 1706.
1.2.2.1. Mary Hill, m. John Jennings Jr., witness to the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3. Elianor Bennett, m. Richard Harris (8 Oct. 1594), son of William Harris, who m. Dorothy Westbrooke, Aug. 31, 1562, at Wivelscombe, Somerset.
1.3.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, November 20, 1623, at Wivelscombe, most likely he who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Thomas Harris and Charles Barham were involved in the Will of William Ridley.
1.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Given the numerous shared associations of his family with those of the Thomas who died in 1672, it is invariably the case, given the closeness and continuation of kinship relationships of this time, that they were closely related; if not as father and son, then as uncle and nephew, or as second-cousins.
1.3.1.1.1. Edward Harris, his Will presented to Court March 25, 1734 by Nathan Harris, his brother and executor.He bequeathed “two Hundred & forty Acres of Land lying in the Isle of Wight County joining upon John Johnson and John Turner their Land it being a tract of Land granted by Patent to Thomas Harris my father”.
1.3.1.1.1.1. Jacob Harris. His will was probated in 1762 in Southampton Co., signed by Mary (Seward?) Harris and Amos Harris. She died in 1782; her will mentioning her surviving sons, James and Drury. Moses being deceased. Mary (Seward) Harris may have been a da. of William Seward; his Will, r. 24 July 1721, names a da. Mary. He was the son of William Seward, whose Will was probated 4 May 1703, in Surry Co., and who m. (2) Ann Clinch; a da. also being named Mary, b. c. 1697, as youngest child.

1. John Seward, bequested lands in Barrington (as it correctly reads); northwest of Petherton, 17 miles from Wiveliscombe grants of land in Isle of Wight county, one of which was called “New Hemington.” (Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography). Hemington is 4 miles fom Mells/Nunney, and was the domain of the the Bampfields. He would have been familiar with the family of Thomas Harris, b. 1636, in Nunney, to Thomas Harris and Alice West. He patented land in 1638 “upon Warresquioke River, beg. at a pynie pint by a little gutt running 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., his Will r. 9 June 1688, left a legacy to “cousin John Davis”, and “brother John Harris”, son of Thomas, d. 1672. 27 April 1686: Matthew Tomlin 1227 ac., lower par. IOW Co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 ac. being part of 1200 ac. granted to Mr. John Seward, 16 April 1648; 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris (d. 1688), to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510). John Seward da., Margaret (Seward) Edwards, m. John Edwards, 28 January 1633, Temple church, Bristol. Alice Edwards, was a headright of John Seward in 1648 (IOW). The Will of Mary Pitt “of the parish of St. Thomas within the city of Bristol, widow”, mother of Robert Pitt of Virginia, proved 25 Nov. 1634, bequested to her grandchild, the said “John Edwards a silver beer bowl”. (His br., William Edwards, also received a bequest).
1.2. John Seward: 1 April 1665, 1500 acres Upon a branch of the lower bay called Seaward Creek, 1300 acs. part thereof formerly granted to his father, 1 April 1641. He m. Mary Holt.
1.2.1. John Seward, m. Mary Jennings, da. of John Jennings (who witnessed the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672 ) and Mary Hill.
1.2.2. William Seward. His Will was probated on March 16, 1702, naming a daughter as Elizabeth Holt, and gifting his son, James Seward, land from White Marsh Swamp to Robert Barham’s woods; he the son of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.2.2.1. Mary Seward.
1.2.2.2. William Seward, d. 1721, mentioned in the Will of John Jennings as “son-in-law William Seward”.
1.2.2.2.1. Mary Seward, m. Jacob Harris?

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Armies conquer lands. An army is composed of battalions. They are composed of individuals, of all ranks: the foot soldiers of the great army of life, the sergeants and captains; the majors and generals. Thus it was in Virginia, colonised by an army of kinship groups; different battalions, which sought to further the interest of families from which they were composed, of various ranks; the lower to perpetually plan to intermarry with the higher; a deadly game of Darwinian survival.

In the swampy lands of Somerset, an island of families, that were deeply interbred, with everyone being each others cousin of various degree, combined; to seek a new life in a New World.

That this was so is evidenced by the genealogical principle of repetition of association, which shows such families as the Bynums and their kin being associated in both England and Virginia:

1. John Benham/Bainham (Bynum), bur. Sept. 1, 1601, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1. Phillip Benham, m. Ellinor, 4 July 4, 1560. He was buried November 16, 1573.
1.1.1. Thomas Benham, bapt. June 7, 1566.
1.1.1.1. Richard Benham, as register entry, the father of:
1.1.1.1.1. James Benham, bapt. 2 Nov., 1639, in Wiveliscombe. The association between James Bynum and Luke Mizel was probably one of being neighbours, others of which, with James Bynum, appraised Luke Mizel’s estate.
1.1.1.1.1.1. William Bynum, m. Mary Fort. He witnessed the will of his father-in-law John Fort (1), on October 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). Mary Fort was the da. of John Fort and Elizabeth Jordan, named in her father’s Will of 24 Sept. 1695 as Elizabeth Fort, da. of Richard Jordan Jr., son of Richard Jordan Sr.
(Edward Bennett (uncle of Thomas Harris of Wiveliscombe, as follows), was associated with Christopher Reynolds Sr., who emigrated to Virginia as his indentured servant. 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”).
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Bynum, m. Mary Crocker, January 13, 1762, Southampton Co., da. of Benjamin Crocker and Sarah Barrow. Benjamin Crocker was the son of Robert Crocker, as named in his will, recorded January 10, 1750, and uncle of Joseph Crocker, whose Will was recorded February 5, 1761, appraised by Thomas Holliman, who m. Catherine Lancaster, da. of Elizabeth Harris (2) and Samuel Lancaster. Catherine Lancaster was the sister of Martha Lancaster, who m. John Holliman, son of Christopher Holliman Jr., on September 25, 1739. (Families of Holman, Pittman, and Tooke were intermarried in Somerset).
1.1.1.1.1.2. John Bynum. On September 29, 1679, he sold to Richard Jordan Sr. the land he had purchased from George Blow.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. William Bynum, married Elizabeth (Sugars) Fort, the widow of Mary Fort’s first-cousin, Elias Fort, and the da. of John Sugars. She left a will in Southampton Co. proved July 3, 1773, naming:
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Bynum. His estate was audited by Cordall Norfleet, on June 10, 1770. He m. Elizabeth Wilkinson, sister of John Wilkinson: John Fort of Halifax Co, N.C. to mother Elizabeth Bynam, dated November 28, 1761 Given slaves. S: John Fort, W: John Wilkinson, John Dawson, and Joseph Everitt, (p. 129). John Wilkinson and John Person audited the estate of John Jones, recorded May 8, 1760, and John Wilkinson gave guardian bond on March 8, 1759 for John Chitty, orphan of Edward. Harris Taylor and Robert Crafford gave security. (At the January Court, Margaret Tayler “administratrix of the estate of Edward Tayler deced being returned arrested at the suit of Robert Crafford being called and not appearing nor any security returned, judgment is therefore granted the said Crafford for L5.6.6”. (Surry Co., B. 6, p. 111). (For Margaret Taylor, see as follows).
John Person was the son of John Person Jr., given here: Susanha Jones: leg. “husband Arthur Jones, my father Henry King”. Wit. John Person, Richard Bennett, Jr., John Person, Jr., Richard Jones. Recorded May 13, 1713. John Person Jr. patented 740 ac. in Surry County at the mouth of the Great Branch in or near Mr. Owen’s line (B. 7., p. 376). He was the br. of Francis Person, who m. Mary Turner. da. of Simon Turner, whose Will was probated on December 10, 1762, naming his granddaughter Lucy Persons, who would seem to be the daughter of Francis and Mary Persons, who, if this was the case, must have predeceased her father.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. John Bynum, m. Jennett Turner, da. of the said Simon Turner (W.B. 1, pp. 410-414).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Turner Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2. Cordall Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.3. Bennett Bynum.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Benjamin Bynum. He was a witness of the Will of Moses Crocker, recorded June 11, 1761. He m. (1758) Lucy Williamson, da. of Benjamin Williamson (W.B. 2, p. 469), a son being Britton Bynum. The Will of Robert Crocker names sons Benjamin, Moses and Joseph; grandson Elisha Crocker; daus. Elizabeth Jordan, Sarah Braswell, & Mary Middleton; housekeeper Mary Hill. Wit: William Bynum, John Jones, Alexander Watson. Rec. November 8, 1750. W.B. I, p. 19. Robert Crocker’s estate was appraised by William Bynum, John Harris, and Arthur Long, son of Arthur Long and Mary, probable da. of ‘Arthur Allen of Bristol, planter’. Catherine Lancaster, granddaughter of Elizabeth Harris, as follows, m. Joseph Crocker; Will R. 5 Feb. 1761.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3. Michael Bynum. His Will was probated in Southampton Co., on October 14, 1773.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.4. Ann Bynum, m. Cordall Norfleet,the son of Joseph Norfleet, first-cousin of Marmaduke Norfleet, whose da., Elizabeth Norfleet, m. James Harris in Halifax Co, NC. He was the son of James Harris, Will proved January 10, 1749; son of Edward Harris (d. 1734) and Mary Turner (da. of John Turner and Mary Tomlin), son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

FORTE (Wiveliscombe)

1.
1.1.Thomas Forte.
1.1.John Forte, bapt. 2 Feb. 1567.
1.2. John Forte.
1.2.1. William Forte, bapt. 24 May 1576.
1.2.1.1. Richard Forte, bapt. 20 July 1597, m. Marie Tolmer, 25 Nov. 1622.
1.2.1.1.1. Francis Forte, bapt. 26 Aug. 1631, m. Mary Payne, 24 May 1655.
1.2.1.2. Agnes Forte, bapt. 30 Apr. 1608.
1.2.1.2.1. Marie Forte, m. John Deacon, 24 Mar. 1646.
1.2.1.2.1.1. Thomas Deacon, m. Mary Bennett, da. of Richard Bennett, b. 1625, granddaughter of Thomas Bennett, b. 1603, aforementioned.
1.2.1.3. George Forte, bapt. 19 Feb. 1604.
1.2.1.4. Henry Forte, bapt. 21 May 1614.
1.2.2. Robert Forte, m. Alice Lovell, 8 Aug. 1605; see as follows.
1.3. Christopher Forte.
1.3.1. Thomas Forte, bapt. 11 Nov. 1600, m. Emiline Baker, 1628. PROB 11/228/535: Will of Thomas Fort, husbandman of Wiveliscombe, 13 September 1653.
1.3.2. John Forte, bapt. 12 Dec. 1602.

Elias Forte was very likely to have been of this family. He was on a jury on Oct. 9, 1667, when he signed his mark on a document of a coroner’s jury investigating the death of William Persons, in IOW. The Westbrookes intermarried with the Persons – a John Westbrooke (4) m. Lucy Person, c. 1775, da. of Francis Person and Mary Turner, aforementioned.

HARRIS (Wiveliscombe)

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, 31 Aug. 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennett, of Wiveliscombe, sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, 1570-1616, who had issue: (a) Thomas Bennett, bapt. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe (father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569; their da., Lucy, m. Hodges Council; her sister m. Richard Jackson, their da., Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677); (b) Richard Bennett, Governor of Virginia. (2) Edward Bennett, baptised February 2, 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia. John Hardy m. 2. Alice Tucker, widow of Arthur Allen, the Bristol merchant, grandfather of James Allen, as follows.
1.1.1. William Harris, bapt. 28 Jan. 1595.
1.1.2. Richard Harris.
1.1.2.1. John Harris, bapt. 18 Feb. 1624, probably he who died in Virginia in 1687. m. Unity. He may have been the John Harris, headright in 1653 of Benjamin Brasseur, who bought a large tract of land from Richard Bennett Sr.
1.1.2.1.1. John Harris. On 9 Nov. 1708, Samuel Lancaster was granted the administration of the estate of John Harris, his probable brother-in-law.
1.1.2.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710. Samuel Lancaster gifted to son Robert 100 ac. on Blackwater Swamp in the upper parish, being the upper part of a patent for 350 ac. granted James Allen, aforesaid, on April 23, 1701.
1.1.2.2. William Harris; parish registers name is son:
1.1.2.2.1. William Harris, bapt. 13 Apr. 1657, Wiveliscombe, probably he who m. (2) the widow Margaret Taylor.
1.1.2.3. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, almost certainly he who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Governor Richard Bennett, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Thomas Harris and Charles Barham were involved in the Will of William Ridley.
1.1.2.3.1. John Harris. William Groves, appraisal by John Harris, Edward Brantley, Elias Fort and Edward Grantham; recorded 9 Feb. 1678. (B. 2, p. 172).

TURNER (Wiveliscombe)

1. William Turner, m. Jane Rodney, 28 May 1612.
1.1. John Turner, bapt. 14 May 1618, f. William.
1.1.1. John Turner, d. aft. March 25, 1705, in IOW Co., m. Mary Tomlin, da. of Matthew Tomlin. Thomas Harris, d. 1688, placed his son, George, with John, whose spoken Will named named sons John, James, William, Joseph, and Simon; witnessed by Edward Harris, John Johnson, Jenkins Dorman, William Westray, and Mary Tomlin.

WESTBROOKE (Wiveliscombe)

1. John Westbrooke, m. Margarett Davie, 19 Sept. 1573. The Davie family intermarriages linked into the kinship network of the Harris, Person, and Forte families of Wiveliscombe.
1.1.John Westbrooke, m. Christian Gille, 9 June 1600.
1.1.1. John Westbrook, born 1601.
1.1.1.1. John Westbrooke, bapt. 16 Feb. 1623.
1.1.1.1.1. (probably) John Westbrooke, b. c. 1660. Westbrook, John – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley (husband of Priscilla Applewhaite, and nephew of William, aforementioned), 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.

CROCKER

All records of Bishops Hull, other than where given otherwise:

1. John Crocker.
1.1. Thomas Crocker, bapt. 20 May 1604, m. Johan Burgan, 27 Aug 1627.
1.2.James Crocker, bapt. 27 Jun. 1606.
1.3. John Crocker, bapt. 3 Jul. 1608. m. Florence Templer, 24 Jul. 1631, Taunton.
1.3.1. John Crocker, m. Dorothy Persons (probably of the Persons family of Bishops Hull, 31 Dec. 1658. A number of their children died in infancy.
1.3.1.1. John Crocker, bapt. 22 Jul. 1670.
1.4. Joseph Crocker.
1.4.1. Samuell Crocker, bapt. 12 Mar. 1669.
1.4.1.1. Josepeh Crocker, bapt. 21 Jul. 1700.
1.4.1.2. Samuell Crocker, bapt. 4 May 1697.

LANCASTER/OWEN/PITT

Bruton 38 miles s.e. of Wiveliscombe. In 1563 there were 207 households in the parish:

1. Richard Lancaster, m. Margarett Barber, 22 Jun. 1573.
1.1.Thomas Lancater, bapt. 30 Dec. 1585, bur. 21 Aug. 1614.
1.1.1. Thomas Lancaster, bapt. 17 Aug. 1614; d. 6 Nov. 1660, m. Elizabeth Cleeves, 26 Oct 1641.
1.1.1.1. Richard Lancaster, bapt. 26 Feb. 1645.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Lancaster, Bapt. 3 September 1646.
1.1.1.1.1. William Lancaster, m. 18 Oct. 1659.
1.1.2. Robert Lancaster, b. c. 1615.
1.1.2.1. John Lancaster, 17 Nov 1639.
1.1.2.2. Robert Lancaster, of Virginia, it may be fairly presumed; of a family that were tenants of William Berkeley (born in 1605 in Bruton) Governor of Virginia.

In 1546, the lordship or manor of Bruton, together with the rectory, was sold to Sir Maurice Berkeley, who died in 1581 and was succeeded by his son, Sir Henry Berkeley, d. 1601, father (by his wife, Margaret Lygon, da. of William Lygon, esquire, of Madresfield, Worcestershire, by Eleanor Dennis), of Sir Maurice Berkeley, d. 1617, whose son, William Berkeley, was Governor of Virginia. * 2nd s. of Richard Berkeley of Stoke by Elizabeth, da. of Sir Humphrey Coningsby, m. by 1547, Catherine (d. Mar. 1560), da. of William Blount, 4th Lord Mountjoy, wid. of John Champernon.

An estate of Bruton, Redlynch, was bought by Sir Robert Gorges (d. 1648) of Bristol, a son of Sir Thomas Gorges of Longford, Wilts. Robert’s son, Pointz Gorges died while still a minor, and devised (1656) Redlynch to his mother Margaret, da. of Sir Robert Pointz.*

1. Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, d. 4 Nov. 1520, m. Margaret Woodville, da. of Anthony Wydeville, 2nd Earl Rivers.
1.1, Sir Anthony Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1480-1535, m. Elizabeth Huddersfield, da. of Sir William Huddersfield, and Katherine, da. of Sir Philip Courtenay.
1.1.1. A. Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, d. 1555, m. Joan Berkeley, da. of Thomas, 5th Lord Berkeley.
1.1.1.1. Sir Nicholas Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, aged 21 years on his fathers’ death, 155S.
Sheriff of Gloucester 1569. Knight of the Shire 1571. Died at Iron Acton, 1st Sep. 1585. (Inq. p. m. 28th Elizabeth, Part 2, No. 81. His will made ” when he was about 50 years old”. (Bradenell, 42). He m. Anne Verney, da. of Sir Ralph Verney, of Penley.
1.1.1.1.1. Sir John Poyntz, of Iron Acton, aged 25 yrs. on his father’s death. Sheriff of Glouc. 1591. Knt. of the Shire 1592. Bur. at Iron Acton 29 Nov. 1633. Mar. four times — (1) Ursula, dau. of Sir John Sydenham, of Brimpton, co. Som., Knt., mar. settl. dated 16 July 1578. (2) Elizabeth Sydenham, da. of Alexander Sydenham, of Luxborough,
Som. (3) Frances, da. of John Newton, 2nd son of Sir John Newton, of Bans Court. (4) Grissell Roberts, da. of Walter Roberts, of Glassenbury, Kent, married 2 June 1600.
1.1.1.1.1.1. *Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, bapt. 26 October 1588, d. 1666, m. (13 June 1604) Frances Gibbons, d. 1667, da. of Gervase Gibbons, of Benenden, Kent.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Margaret Poyntz, m. Sir Robert Gorges, d. 1648, of Bristol, aforesaid.
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Poyntz Gorges.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Nicholas Poyntz, b. 1607, d. 11 Feb. 1650, bur. in the Savoy, Lond; matric. from Magdalen Hall, Oxon, as son of Sir John Poyntz, 31st Jan. 1622, aet. 16. Living at Tickenham in 1646. He m. Eleanor, only child and heir of Rice Davis, of Tickenham, Som., by Mary Pitt, relict of Robert Owen (Robert ap Owen, of Abergwilli, Carmarthenshire, and a Bristol merchant), and 3rd wife of Rice (Rees) Davis. Married 1638. Mary Pitt was the mother of Robert Pitt, of Virginia. Rice Davis originated from Carmarthenshire, and was brother of “William Davies, of Carmarthenshire”, father of Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587, heir to his uncle, who m. Mary Owen, da. of Mary Pitt and Robert Owen, and sister of Robert Owen Jr., the very likely father of Bartholomew Owen. In Virginia, John Upton’s headright was Christopher Lewis, associated with Luke Mizell and Bartholomew Owen. On July 10, 1643, John Upton held 3289 ac. upon the branches of Pagan Point Creek and New Town Haven adj. Robert Pitt, cousin of the Owen family, as Eleonor Davis, wife of Nicholas Poyntz, half-br. of  Sir Robert Poyntz, of Iron Acton, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, and uncle of Margaret Poyntz, wife of Sir Robert Gorges, of Redlynch, in Bruton.

They all knew William Berkeley.

They all spoke a dialect that many other English settlers would not have understood. Tenant farmers for the most part, they understood animal husbandry, woodworking, and the making of cheese; ideally equipped in both knowledge and toughness for the tasks that lay ahead, which were mostly completed with a liitle help from their family and friends.

PROBATES:

PROB 11/73/206: Will of James Persons of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, 15 January 1589.
PROB 11/119/297: Will of Robert Westbrooke of Wiveliscombe, 28 March 1612.
PROB 11/271/223: Will of Lawrence Comer of Wiveliscombe, 4 December 1657.
PROB 11/118/430: Will of Joan Westbrooke, Widow of Wiveliscombe, 25 November 1611.
PROB 11/102/639: Will of Robert Bennet, Tanner of Wiveliscombe, 30 November 1603.
PROB 11/228/535: Will of Thomas Fort, Husbandman of Wiveliscombe, 13 September 1653.

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1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, 31 Aug. 1562, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennett, of Wiveliscombe; sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, who had issue: (1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe, father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569; their da., Lucy, m. Hodges Council; her sister m. Richard Jackson, their da., Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.1. William Harris, bapt. 28 Jan. 1595.
1.1.2. Richard Harris.
1.1.2.1. John Harris, bapt. 18 Feb. 1624, probably he who died in Virginia in 1687;  m. Unity.
1.1.2.1.1. John Harris. On 9 Nov. 1708, Samuel Lancaster was granted the administration of the estate of John Harris, his probable brother-in-law.
1.1.2.1.2. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710. Robert Lancaster Sr’s son, Robert Jr., was the father of William Lancaster, who m. (1) … Moreland, probably a sister of Bartlet Moreland, (2) … Wombwell. William Lancaster was the father of Lawrence Lancaster, d. 1792, Warren Co., who m. Mary Williams. 9 May 1751, Lawrence Lancaster of IOW in Nottoway Parish and Solomon Delke of same place to divide sd. land that formerly did belong to Edward Moreland, decd; we pledge in sum of 50 pounds … quanity of land falling to Solomon Delke is 85 ac.; wit: Thomas Pretlow, Robert Lancaster, Samuel Lancaster, Joseph Pittman, Arthur Williams. Robert Lancaster Jr’s sister m. Thomas Pittman.
1.1.2.2. William Harris; parish register names his son:
1.1.2.2.1. William Harris, bapt. 13 Apr. 1657, Wiveliscombe, probably he who m. (2) the widow Margaret Taylor. His granddaughter, Mary, married her son, Thomas Taylor, father of Harris Taylor. Her Will, proved 20 Sept 1721, named daughter Margaret, wife of Bartlett Moreland, and granddaughter Elizabeth Judkins. 1690-1691 [March last] a Bristoll Ship, Captain William Jones, Comander, brought William Cripps 13 years, servant to Mr. William Brown & Edward Line age 16 [years], servant to Edward Moreland, father of Bartlet Moreland: Thomas Joyner (brother of Bridgeman Joyner, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688) was granted 300 ac. in Isle of Wight County on S side of the main blackwater due by and for the transportacon of 6 persons into this Colony whose names are Samuel Gridley, Abraham Morris, Mathew Christian, Peter Martin, Bartlet Moreland, Edwd. Inglish. (Book 9 p. 469, 28 October 1702).
1.1.2.3. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, almost certainly he who died in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). Thomas Harris and Charles Barham were involved in the Will of William Ridley.
1.1.2.3.1. John Harris. William Groves, appraisal by John Harris, Edward Brantley, Elias Fort and Edward Grantham; recorded 9 Feb. 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). John Harris m. a da. of Francis Hobbs, who sold Edward Brantley 675 ac. adj. Thomas Tuke, in 1669.
1.1.2.3.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1730: 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, 24 March 1725. Edward Brantley, John Thorpe, and Thomas Purcell appraisers.
1.1.2.3.2. (probably) Thomas Harris, d. 1688.

1. John Westbrooke, m. Margarett Davie, 19 Sept. 1573. The Davie family intermarriages linked into the kinship network of the Harris, Person, and Forte families of Wiveliscombe.
1.1.John Westbrooke, m. Christian Gille, 9 June 1600.
1.1.1. John Westbrook, born 1601.
1.1.1.1. John Westbrooke, bapt. 16 Feb. 1623.
1.1.1.1.1. (probably) John Westbrooke, b. c. 1660. Westbrook, John – appraisal by Nathaniel Ridley (husband of Priscilla Applewhaite, and nephew of William, aforementioned), 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. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham, Somerset.
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, whose grandson was probably Bartholomew Owen.
1.2.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate).
1.2.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637; d. bef. 28 June 1714, m. Mary Green. The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, names friend Nathaniel Ridley (nephew of William, associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672). The estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, was in debt to John Davis.
1.2.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. ob. ante 6 January 1720, m. 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 Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy, in 1705.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt.
1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite, and brother of Priscilla Applewhaite, wife of John Westbrooke, as given.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, 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.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, of the parish of St Luke, d. 1783, m. Ann Harris. Marriage bonds of Henry Applewhite and Ann Harris, Nov. 7, 1756. Ann Harris was the da. of Edward Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Applewhite, m. John Barham, son of Benjamin Barham (grandson of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

1.
1.1.Thomas Forte.
1.1. John Forte, bapt. 2 Feb. 1567.
1.2. John Forte.
1.2.1. William Forte, bapt. 24 May 1576.
1.2.1.1. Richard Forte, bapt. 20 Jul. 1597, m. Marie Tolmer, 25 Nov. 1622.
1.2.1.1.1. Francis Forte, bapt. 26 Aug. 1631, m. Mary Payne, 24 May 1655.
1.2.1.2. Agnes Forte, bapt. 30 Apr. 1608.
1.2.1.2.1. Marie Forte, m. John Decon, 24 Mar. 1646.
1.2.1.2.1.1. Thomas Decon, m. Mary Bennett, dau. of Richard Bennett, b. 1625, granddaughter of Thomas Bennett, b. 1603, aforementioned.
1.2.1.3. George Forte, bapt. 19 Feb. 1604.
1.2.1.4. Henry Forte, bapt. 21 May 1614.
1.2.2. Robert Forte, n. Alice Lovell, 8 Aug. 1605.
1.3. Christopher Forte.
1.3.1. Thomas Forte, bapt. 11 Nov. 1600 m. Emiline Baker. 1628.
1.3.2. John Forte, bapt. 12 Dec. 1602.

Elias Forte was very likely to have been of this family. He was on a jury on Oct. 9, 1667, when he signed his mark on a document of a coroner’s jury investigating the death of William Persons, in IOW. The Westbrookes intermarried with the Persons – a John Westbrooke m. Lucy Person, c. 1775.

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When old books about English peerages are consigned to the bin, and the principles on which English kinship groups operated is understood – their associations were of a continuous nature – some progress may be made in constructing reasonably accurate lines of descent from British settlers in Virginia.

Parish records are fertile grounds for enquiry, none more so than those of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, from whence the family of Governor Bennet of Virginia came. It was a small, rural community, in which families were very adept at the rearing of livestock, the growing of crops, the making of cheese, the erecting of fences, and woodworking, in general. They were not the gentried class, although they aspired to be, and the quickest way to achieve this goal for most was to hitch their waggon in intermarriage with the up-and-comings, such as the Bennets, as did the Harris family.

Marriages were a gateway to other families, and the security and opportunities they might bring. It was of great importance who the family you were intermarried to married. An endless and dense chain of second-cousins, of blood or marriage ties, colonised Virginia.

What follows is a Wiveliscombe kinship chain, which includes the family of Forte. When considering their possible ancestry, it can be noted that other families of the same name in Somerset, which have been credited with the ancestry of Elias Forte of Virginia, were, by the 1630’s, quite gentrified, as many archive deeds testify, and do not fit the profile of Elias Forte.

it is almost certainly the case that he was of Wiveliscombe, perhaps a son of John Forte, bapt. 12 Dec. 1602, as follows, who continued to be associated with his kinsfolk in Virginia.

Elias Fort was on a jury on Oct. 9, 1667, when he signed his mark on a document of a coroner’s jury investigating the death of William Persons, in IOW. His son, Elias Forte, was left a calf in the will of Joseph Poole, his stepgrandfather, in 1668.

WIVELISCOMBE RECORDS

1.
1.1.Thomas Forte.
1.1.John Forte, bapt. 2 Feb. 1567.
1.2. John Forte.
1.2.1. William Forte, bapt. 24 May 1576.
1.2.1.1. Richard Forte, bapt. 20 Jul. 1597, m. Marie Tolmer, 25 Nov. 1622.
1.2.1.1.1. Francis Forte, bapt. 26 Aug. 1631, m. Mary Payne, 24 May 1655.
1.2.1.2. George Forte, bapt. 19 Feb. 1604.
1.2.1.3. Henry Forte, bapt. 21 May 1614.
1.2.2. Robert Forte, n. Alice Lovell, 8 Aug. 1605.
1.3. Christopher Forte.
1.3.1. Thomas Forte, bapt. 11 Nov. 1600 m. Emiline Baker. 1628.
1.3.2. John Forte, bapt. 12 Dec. 1602.

Elizabeth Tolmer/John Cridle, 8 Aug. 1625.
Elizabeth Webber/William Cridle, 21 Apr. 1621.
Agnis Lovell/ John Clowter, 7 Feb 1568.
Johan Westbrooke/John Clowter, 23 Sept. 1559.
Johan Upham/ Henry Westbrooke, 10 Dec. 1569.
Elizabeth Hill/Andrew Upham, 29 Jan. 1575.
Johan Upham/ Christopher Newton, 30 Jun. 1575.
Elizabeth Hill/ John Upham, 28 Apr 1588.
Tampsin Hancocke/ John Hill, 20 Apr. 1581.
Cicely Dier/Thomas Hancocke, 1 May 1646.
Johan Hill/John Woode, 1 Feb. 1587.
Johan Hill/ Robert Bowringe, 10 Jan. 1590.
Elizabeth Bowringe/Edward Hill, 10 Jan. 1590.
Jane Hill/ Richard Gardiner, 17 Jan. 1596.
Johan Clowter/John Bowringe, 29 Nov. 1565.
Gartrude Lovell/ George Webber, 25 Jun. 1608.
Elizabeth Baker/ Thomas Webber, 9 Feb. 1566.
Sara Baker/Thomas Upham, 30 Oct. 1640.
Mary Webber/Richard Vincent, 11 Sep. 1611.
Elianor Edney/George Vincent, 13 May 1563.
Elizabeth Edney/Robert Bennet, 10 Jul 1558.
Elianor Bennet, dau., bapt. 5 Mar. 1568.
(1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, 31 Aug. 1562.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennett, sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, who had issue: (1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe, father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569; their da., Lucy, m. Hodges Council; her sister m. Richard Jackson, their da., Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.1.1. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, probably he who d. in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennet, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’).
1.1.1.1. John Harris. William Groves, appraisal by John Harris, Edward Brantley, Elias Fort and Edward Grantham; recorded 9 Feb. 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). John Harris m. a da. of Francis Hobbs, who sold Edward Brantley 675 ac. adj. Thomas Tuke, in 1669.
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1730: 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, 24 March 1725. Edward Brantley, John Thorpe, and Thomas Purcell appraisers).
Mary Vincent/George Dyer, 1 Feb. 1588.
Elizabeth White/Daniel Vincent, 25 Sep. 1596.
Willmot White/ John Poole, 23 Oct. 1578.
Elizabeth Vincent/ Gardner Hawkings, 19 Jun. 1608.
Sidwill Davis/Andrew Hawkings, 20 Nov 1586.
Johan Webber/Robert Burke, 20 Apr 1612.
Elizabeth Burke/Humfrey Stone, 5 Aug 1565.
Anstise Rogers/William Burke, 28 Nov 1610.
Johan Hawkins/Thomas Webber, 3 May 1615.
Charitie North/Henrie Webber, 3 May 1634.
Agnis Priest/Richard North, 24 May 1610.
Agnis Bowring/John North, 8 May 1641.
Grace North/Samuel Stone, 22 Jun. 1643.
Grace Priest/Thomas Stone, 1627.
Mary Westbrooke/Robert Stone, 1 Mar. 1650.
Margaret North/John Bowring, 20 Apr. 1646.
Alice Dale/Robert Lovell.
Johan Person/Henry Dale, 21 Nov. 1636.
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1. John Meriwether. Will of John Meriwether, Yeoman of Great Cheverell, Wiltshire. October 25, 1583. PROB 11/66/70.
1.1. John Meriwether the elder of Worton in Potterne (Wiltshire), yeoman. 30 miles from Wedmore, Somerset; 30 miles from Bristol, Gloucestershire.
1.1.1. Christopher Meriwether, of Cheverell. PROB 11/283/502. November 22, 1658. Lease from Edward Long of Monkton in the parish of Broughton Gifford (d. 1622) to Christopher Merryweather of Great Cheverell of the capital messuage, farm and lands (described) of the portion of the manor of Hilperton known as Hilperton Zouche. 30 miles from Wedmore. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, ref. 947/1489/2. 1615). Will of Christopher Meriwether of Hilperton, Wilts, Gent., July 17, 1658: “To the poor of Hilperton 10 shillings. To my son Christopher 20 shillings. To my son William 20 shillings. To my son Edward 20 shillings”. (Will of Edward Meriwether, Haberdasher of London. PROB 11/357/373. 29 August 1678. Short v Merryweather. Plaintiffs: Peter Short. Defendants: Edward Merryweather and Rees Davies. Subject: money, Middlesex. (N.A., ref. C 8/216/106 1677). “To my son John Meriwether 20 shillings. To my son in law Mr William Adlam 20 shillings, and to his wife Jane 30 shillings”.
1.1.1.1. Christopher Meriwether, m. Jane Bridges, daughter of Thomas Bridges, as follows.
1.1.1.1.1. Mary Merryweather.
1.1.1.1.2. Jane Merryweather.
1.1.1.1.3. John Merryweather.
1.1.1.1.4. Richard Merryweather.
1.1.1.1.5. Martha Merryweather.
1.1.1.2. William Meriwether.
1.1.1.3. Edward Meriwether.
1.1.1.4. Jane Meriwether.
1.1.1.5. Bathsheba Meriwether.
1.1.1.6. John Meriwether, the younger of Worton in Potterne (Wiltshire) to Elianor the daughter of Elizabeth Adlam of Crockerton in Deverell Longbridge (Wiltshire), May 31, 1643, sister of William Adlam of Crockerton, clothier.
1.1.1.6.1. John Merewether married Mary Bridges, daughter of Thomas Bridges,  March 25, 1680. Thomas Bridges of Lye under Mandippe (Somerset), gentleman, Mary Bridges his oldest daughter, Thomas Hodges the younger of High Littleton (Somerset), gentleman*; James Tucker of Dowlting (Somerset), gentleman, Cavendish Wooden of Grays Inn (Middlesex), gentleman). Elizabeth, Eleanor, Barthsheba and Mary are sisters of John Merewether. Will of Thomas Bridges, Gentleman of Leigh on Mendip, Somerset. PROB 11/153/550. May 16, 1628. His grandson: Will of Thomas Bridges, Gentleman of Leigh on Mendip, Somerset. PROB 11/489/372.  August 9, 1706. He was buried under the north aisle of St Giles’ church in 1706 aged 72 years: “To my sons in law Richard Franklyn, Christopher Merewether, Thomas Anthony, John Langhorne and their heirs. My manors of Leigh and Coleford to be conveyed to my son Isaac Bridges”, who had his Will proved by his brother, Thomas, in 1670. His Will left bequests to Thomas’s eldest daughter, Mary and to her sisters, Jane and Rebecca; to his mother Jane Bridges and his brother Thomas who was his executor. 1680: Sale of land by Bridges to Horner. Jane Bridges, mother of Thomas and Isaac, left a Will in 1693 naming her grandchildren. Martha Whatley, Sarah, Barbara; Mary & Jane Merewether; Rebecca Anthony; and John, Richard and Martha Merewether.

The Horner family came to Mells from Cloford and Leigh on Mendip. They are recorded as being “of Cloford” at the death of Thomas Horner in 1540. Thomas Horner’s estate went to his brother John, it passing to John, his heir, whose brother, George lived at Leigh on Mendip. The Horner family intermarried with that of Symes.

The ancestry of “Thomas Hodges the younger of High Littleton (Somerset), gentleman” can be viewed through the dispersal of the Rodney estate, a tenant being Thomas Millard, als Hodges. The Millard family intermarried with that of Harris: John Harris, d. 1625, m. Penelope Millard,  on September 9, 1611, in Wedmore; parents of Robert Harris, father of Edward Harris, bapt. 8 Aug. 1624, in Wedmore, “son of Robert”. Robert may have been noted on Lawne’s Creek; 26 October 1646: “James Tooke to Robert Harris, all my right and title to this lease”. John Harris was the br. of Thomas Harris, whose son was Thomas Harris, bapt. 31 Dec. 1637, Cheddar, ‘son of Thomas’. The cousins, Edward and Thomas Harris were nephews of John Harris, who m. Agnes Coomer, and, as such, were kin of the Counsell family of Wedmore, from whece almost certainly arose Hodged Council of Virginia.

1. Thomas Hodges, of Wedmore d. 1583, m. Agatha Rodney, aunt of Dorothy Rodney, as follows.
1.1. George Hodges.
1.1.1. Thomas Hodges, Esq., d. 1649, PROB 11/97/80. “Thomas Hodges, esq., & Mrs. Dulsabell Symes 26 December 1627“. Dulsabell’s sister-in-law, Katherine, m. William Drew Esq., August 9, 1628. The Symes were landlords of the Fulgham and Tooke families.
1.1.2. George Hodges, Esq., d. February 1, 1654, m. Ann Horler.
1.2. Thomas Hodges, Gentleman of Wedmore, Somerset, PROB 11/97/80, February 6, 1601.
1.2.1. Thomas Hodges. The Rodney estate was conveyed, in part, by Rees Davies (who married ist, Dorothy, daughter of Maurice Rodney, Esq.) to John Hippesley, on March 25, 1607, witnessed by Thomas Hodges.
1.2.1.1. Thomas Hodges, bapt. June 21, 1612, at High Littleton.
1.2.1.1.1. Thomas Hodges, may have married a daughter of Thomas Bridges, thus being a brother-in-law of John Meriwether.

1. John Cownsell, bapt. 1573, in Wedmore.
1.1. John Cownsell, bapt 28 Nov. 1601, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, 26 Nov 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who m. John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, on February 4, 1635.
1.2. Richard Cownsell, bapt. 3 Sept. 1613 (Blackford vill. par. Wedmore), m. (1) Joan Taylor, 12 Aug. 1640, (2) Elizabeth Hix, 12 Aug. 1647, dau. of William Hix and Grace Morton, m. 23 Jan. 1625, and niece of Margaret Hix, who m. Simon Day, 14 Jan. 1632. Lease: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. ref. 2667/1/36/2. 1648). Sale: 15a. land occ. by Thos. Brooke, 2a. land occ. by Hy. Symes, mess. and ten. and 40a. land occ. by Rich. Council, all in Wedmore, sold by co-heirs of Geo. Hodges to Wm. Prowse of Compton Bishop. (Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\FD/10).
1.2.1. Hodges Council, the very likely son of Richard Council, by either his first or second wife. Richard Counsell was the br.-in-law of Susan Lancaster, and Hodges Counsell may have received his Christian name after her husband, William Hodges, a member of the very influential Hodges family, squires of Wedmore, who was probably his Godfather.

Rees Davies was the son of “Lewis Davies, Alderman”, of Carmarthen, diocese of St Davids, whose Will was made in 1601 (National Library of Wales, ref. SD/1614/16). Rees Davies was the brother of “William Davies gent of Carmarthen” (see Visitation of Somerset, and STAC 8/120/11, November 1606). Rees Davies married (3) Mary Pitt, sister of William Pitt, and widow of Robert Owen of Bristol, merchant. Robert Owen was Robert ap Owen, evidenced in this court case: Rogers v Owen. Plaintiffs: Edward Rogers. Defendants: Robert ap Owen. Subject: property in Abergwili, Carmarthenshire. (N.A., ref. C 3/248/20, 1591-1596). His brothers, George and Griffith, are noted in Abergwili parish records of April 8, 1616.

John Upton’s headright was Christopher Lewis, associated with Luke Mizell and Bartholomew Owen. On July 10, 1643, John Upton held 3289 ac. 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. Robert Pitt was Captain of the Thunder, a merchant ship out of Bristol and a Colonel in the Virginia Militia. His son, John Pitt, married Olive, dau. of John Hardy and Alice Bennett. She married 1. Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. Alice Newman, the second wife of Thomas Harris, was a headright of Ambrose Bennett, in IOW (1641). Ambrose Bennett had in turn been brought over by Richard Bennett in 1635, probably a relative of the Governor’s. Thomas Harris, d. 1672, was almost certainly the cousin of Richard Bennett, whose first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’).

John Seward Sr., merchant of Bristol, held land on the Blackwater, adj. to which Thomas Harris, who died in 1688, settled: 27 April 1686, Matthew Tomlin 1227 acres, lower par. Isle of Wight co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 acres being part of 1200 acres granted to Mr. John Seward 16 April 1648l 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris, to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510). His sons were (1) James Seward. Deed of James Seward, of Bristol, to idem. Power of Joan Gould, of Bristol, widow and admx. of Thomas Gould, to William Bressie of Va., 2 Dec. 1672. Land belonging to Capt. John Upton mentioned as escheated for want of legal heirs. Joan Gould of Bristol, widow and admrs. of Thomas Gould appts. Wm. Bressie her atty. to collect debts due her. 9 June, 1670. (2) John Seaward, neighbour of Robert Pitt, as given, April 1, 1665, 1500 acres Upon a branch of the lower bay called Seaward Creek, 1300 acs. part thereof formerly granted to his father, April 1st, 1641. His son was William Seward, whose son, John Seward, predeceased his father, dying without a Will in 1699. His estate was returned December 21, 1699 by Mary Seward, p. 188. Her Securities were Wm. Newsum and Mrs. Elizabeth Ruffin, widow of the Geo. Watkins. Wm. Seward (son of John) to Nicholas Meriweather, James City Island in Virginia, 300 acres in Surry Co., May 3, 1666, p. 270. Bartholomew Owen granted a power of attorney to Nicholas Meriweather on Oct. 8, 1677.

Mary Seward, next married William Gray, Will probated June 16, 1736. Witnesses: Timothy Thorpe, Sampson Wilson, Nath’l Gibbs. John Seward Sr’s dau., Margaret (Seward) Edwards, m. John Edwards, 28 January 1633, Temple church, Bristol. Alice Edwards, was a headright of John Seward in 1648 (IOW). The Will of Mary Pitt “of the parish of St. Thomas within the city of Bristol, widow”, mother of Robert Pitt, aformentioned, proved November 25, 1634, bequested to her grandchild, the said “John Edwards a silver beer bowl”. (His br., William Edwards, also received a bequest). March 2, 1661: Thomas Alcocke acknowledged receipt of 2,000 lbs of tobacco from Luke Mizell, due by a bill to Wm. Edwards in 1660, who assigned the note to Alcocke, which is “claime to bee lost otherwise the sd. Mizell should have it delivered in” (B. 1, p. 184). William Seward’s grandson, William Seward, whose Will was probated on March 16, 1702, gifted his son, James Seward, land from White Marsh Swamp to Robert Barham’s woods; a witness being William Gray, the son of Thomas Gray Sr., the brother of John Gray, d. 1683, who was ordered to pay William Tooke 500 lbs of tobacco according to the will of William Ridley: Mr. Charles Barham Ex., Thomas Harris (d. 1672) and Thomas Tuke overseers, were officers of the will of William Ridley, who was the br. of Elizabeth Ridley, Charles Barham’s wife. Robert Barham was the son of Charles Barham. Thomas Gray Sr. is known as an adversary of Bartholomew Owen.

1. Owen ap … (may have married Gwenlliane Owen, Widow Will. Inventory. Bond. Diocese: St David’s Parish: Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire. (SD/1595/42. 1595). Llangyndeyrn is 6 miles from Abergwili.
1.1. Robert ap Owen (Robert Owen), of Abergwili, and “of the city of Bristol, merchant, now bound on a voyage into the parts beyond the seas”, his Will proved February 16, 1615. He married Mary Pitt, sister of William Pitt, as follows. Rees Davies m., thirdly, Mary Pitt, widow of Robert Owen. His first wife was Dorothy, da. of Maurice Rodney, Esq., and sister of Sir George Rodney; thus, his family were of familial association with the Hodges of Wedmore; whose tenants were the Counsell family (see N.A., ref. C 1/1126/37), from which stock almost certainly came Hodges Council of Virginia, guardian of an orphan of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.1.1. Robert Owen, named in his father’s Will, probably the first-cousin of Robert Pitt, as follows.
1.1.1.1. Bartholomew Owen, I conjecture, but, if considered through the prism of the continuation of associations, the immutable principle on which kinship networks were maintained at this time, such is most likely to be fact.
1.1.2. Mary Owen, m. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587 (nephew of Rees Davis), and granfather of John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637 (to whom the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, owed money); father of Sarah Davis, d. January 6, 1720, who m. Nicholas Fulgham, of a Somerset family intermarried with that of Thomas Harris, d. 1688.
1.2. Mary Owen, m. William Pitt, aforesaid.
1.2.1. Robert Pitt, Captain of the Thunder, a merchant ship out of Bristol, a neighbour of John Upton, whose headright was Christopher Lewis, Godfather of Bartholomew Owen’s daughter.

1. Lewis Davis, of Carmarthenshire.
1.1. Rees Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham, Somerset.
1.2. William Davies, of Carmarthenshire.
1.2.1. Richard Davis, Esq, of Tickenham, bapt. November 8, 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Robert Owen, of Bristol and Carmarthanshire.
1.2.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate).
1.2.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. April 17, 1637; d. bef. June 28, 1714, m. Mary Green. The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, names da. Mary the wife of William Murray, brother William Green, friends Nathaniel Ridley (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and James Day to make the division of my estate. Thomas Harris (d. 1672) 40 acres, 14 Aug. 1652. At the head of one of the branches of the Pagan Cr., bounded with his own land on N.E. Fran. Smith on S.W., Thomas Prichard on S.E. and John Davis on N.W. for trans. Peter Bell. The estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677, owed money to John Davies.
1.3.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. January 6, 1720, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham and Martha Green.
1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt. The Fulghams, tenants of the Symes family in Somerset, intermarried with the family of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, who occupied land adjacent that held by John Seward, merchant of Bristol and Somerset, on April 16, 1648. (B. 7, p. 150).

1.1.6.1. John Merewether of Bristol, merchant, only son of John Merewether, late of Wharton in Potterne (Wiltshire), gentleman, deceased, by Mary his wife, heretofore Mary Bridges; Christopher Merewether of London, haberdasher. 24 April 24, 1704.
1.1.1.7. Geoffrey Meriwether. Symes v Merewether. Plaintiffs: Richard Symes. Defendants: Geoffrey Merewether. Subject: money matters, Wiltshire. (N.A., ref. C 5/20/100. 1654). Certificate of residence showing Richard Symes (or the variant surname: Simes) to be liable for taxation in Somerset, and not in the hundred of Heytesbury, etc, Wiltshire, the previous area of tax liability.
1.1.2. Francis Meriwether. Letters patent: licence of alienation from George Worthe, gent., and Isabella his daughter, tenants in chief to Francis Meriwether. Manor of Bulkington and specified lands in Bulkington, Keevil and Littleton. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, ref. 12/4. 1624). Francis Merewether of Worton in Potterne (Wiltshire), gentleman; Christopher Merewether of Market Lavington (Wiltshire), gentleman; discharge of trust to John Merewether their brother. PROB 11/333/231 Will of France Merewether or Meriwether, Gentleman of Bishops Lavington, Wiltshire. PROB 11/333/231. June 25, 1670.
1.1.2.1. Francis Meriwether, of Bulkington in Keevil, Wilts, gent. PROB 4/10841. October 24, 1689.
1.1.2.1.1. Francis Meriwether. Settlement before the marriage of Francis Merewether of Devizes and Hannah Leigh of London, concerning the Manor of Bulkington, Worths or Bulkington Farm and Week Farm. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, ref. 2106/90. 1697).
1.1.3. Peter Meriwether, of Hilperton, gentleman,
1.1.4. Richard Meriwether.
1.1.4.1. Richard Meriwether. Ravenscroft v Merewether. Plaintiffs: Samuel Ravenscroft. Defendants: John Merryweather, Richard Merryweather and Mary Merryweather his wife. Subject: property in Moreton in the Marsh, Gloucestershire and Blockley, Worcestershire. (N.A., ref. C 8/84/21. 1639).
1.1.5. Peter Meriwether of Hilperton, gentleman.

These Meriwethers were of the gentry, and well educated, any one of which would have been more than capable of being clerk of the Quarter Court and Governor’s Council for the Colony in Jamestown.

They were children of the Bristol Estuary.

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1. Ribauld de Chateauneuf, Lord of Brezolles, Regemallard, Sorel, Fontaine-le-Riboux (to which he gave his name), who held considerable land in Dreux, with him sometimes being named Ribauld de Dreux.

1.1. “Fidelismus Alberius filius Ribaldi, Nobilissimi viri”; or “Nobilissimi Ribaldi filius”, named as such in a charter of St. Pere, in which he donated the Church of St. Germain de Brezolles, his father’s foundation.

In 1060, another lord of this region, Gazo (Gaston de Chateauneuf) founded a priory on the left bank of the Eure in Croth, given to the abbey Of Marmoutier. Gaston was the son of Raoul le Barbu (father -in-law of William Crispin II. (this marriage being a French/Norman peace treaty), and succeeded in establishing himself at Chateauneuf-de-Thymerais. He founded the family of Châteauneuf, and held the seigneury of Brézolles (c. 1060) at the death of Albert Ribaud. His foundation of the priory of Croth was approved by Hugues Bardoul, his lord. The Charter was confirmed by the King Philip I.

On the right bank of the Eure, opposite Croth, Gaston was established at Sorel, where his son Hugh de Châteauneuf (c. 1078) met with those who opposed Robert Courteheuse, then in revolt against his father, William the Conqueror.

Hugh de Châteauneuf’s feudal rights extended as far as Anet, as is shown by a charter of Saint-Père relating to land at Cussay. Under the authority of Gaston de Châteauneuf, the abbey of Saint-Père made the church of Saint-Georges-de Brezolles into a priory.

“Le plus ancien seigneur connu de Rosny fut Raoul, dit le Barbu, Radulfus malus vicinus cognomento ad barbam, comme il s’appelle lui-même dans une charte sans date qu’il donna à l’abbaye de Coulomb et dans laquelle il mentionne la présence de ses fils : Robert, Raoul, Guiard et Guerrie (Duchesne, Extrait de Coulomb; Bibl. nat., collection Baluze, I. XXXVIII, fo 27.). Orderic Vital raconte que ce furent les ravages que ce Raoul Mauvoisin et les autres chevaliers de Mantes avaient exercés au delà de l’Eure, dans le diocèse d’Evreux, qui attirèrent sur cette ville la colère de Guillaume le Conquérant qui la réduisit en cendres en 1087, et y mourut en traversant ses débris encore fumants (Ord. Vital, liv. VII. chap. II.). Raoul le Barbu eut pour successeur l’un de ses fils, Gui Ier Mauvoisin, qui en 1119 était l’un des alliés d’Amaury de Montfort disputant, les armes à la main, à Henri, roi d’Angleterre, le comté d’Evreux qui lui appartenait de droit héréditaire (Ord. Vital, livre XII, chap. vi.)”. (See Auguste Moutié, Chevreuse: Chatelains, barons et ducs, p. 234, 1876).

Amaury de Montfort was a cousin of the Crispins, William Crispin I., father of William Crispin II., and son of Gilbert Crispin I., having married Eve de Montfort. William Crispin III., son of William Crispin II., fought on the side of Amaury de Montfort at the battle of Bremule, nearly slaying Henry I., who was only saved by the quality of his armour.

A gift of his rights over Verneuil by a certain Richard was made in the consent of Gilbert Crispin I., Lord of Tillières, whose close connections with Albert’s family is demonstrated: Garin de Rémalart also gave his assent, connecting the area of Verneuil with the familia of Chateauneuf. This act shows the complexity of interpreting data of this time. Was land passed to those related, or conferred by the ducal family? Both. In this regard, there is no proof that Gaston de Chateauneuf was related to Albert Ribaud.

Gilbert Crispin II. and his wife, Hersende, named a son Ribaud, suggesting that she was of Albert Ribaud’s family.

Hugh de Châteauneuf confirmed a donation of Gilbert Crispin II. to Bec of land at Brezolles.

Gilbert Crispin I. almost certainly married Gunnora d’Anet, daughter (on chronological grounds) of Foulques d’Anet, son of Osmund de Centville, son of Osborn de Crépon and Emma, daughter of Raoul d’Ivri (Count Rodolph), uterine brother of Duke Richard I. There is no proof that Osmund de Centville was related to an earlier personage of that name.

This identification of Gilbert’s wife answers M. Le Prevost’s statement that there was an apparent association between the Crispin and FitzOsborn family, without the basis of that association being known. ‘Nous ignorons à quel titre Gislebert Crespin etait appele à ratifier cette donation; mais nous supposons que ce pouvait être à raison de quelque alliance avec la famille d’Ivri, dont le souvenir est perdu (‘Ordericus Vitalis’, ed. le Prevost et. al., p. 398, 1840).

The son of Raoul d’Ivri, Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux, succeeded him after 1015. Much of his vast possessions passed to the son of his brother-in-law, Osbern de Crépon. It was Osborn’s son, William FitzOsbern, the Conqueror’s seneschal, who established the honor of Breteuil, including possessions from Breteuil-sur-Iton (Eure) to Pacy.

Land once held by Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux devolved to the (Ivri) kinsmen William FitzOsbern and Gilbert CrIspin I., who died in the time of Abbot Herluin (Milo Crispin), who died August 26, 1078.

An illigitimate daughter of Hugh, Bishop of Bayeux, Aubree, m. (1) Robert d’Ivry; their son was probably Raoul de la Cunelle (‘Rodulfus de Cunella‘); an (Ivri) kinsman of the Crispins, which explains why Ralph de la Cunelle was their vassal. Gunnor d’Anet and Ralph de la Cunelle were first cousins, once removed. It is said that Auberée married (2) Albert de Cravent, and was mother of his children, which is chronologically problematic, though not impossible. She may have been Albert’s second wife.

Raoul de la Cunelle’s name was taken from Thimerais, wherein Chateauneuff, a pun being “wild thyme” (Cunelle), which is a different orthography from the Anglo-Saxon Cnoll (Knoll) and other derivatives, meaning a hill, summit; an extremely common source of toponyms in England. Cunelle or Quenele was in Boissi-sur-Damville, the Crispin fief, held under the “de Brionne” family.
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We can look back in time through different prisms, each giving a slightly different perspective. One such perspective can be gained through John Seward, a Bristol-born merchant, who held land in Somerset, and who was involved in the headright trade in Virginia, where he patented land in 1638: Upon Warresquioke River. Beginning at a pynie pint by a little gutt running 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 9 June 1688.

Nathaniel Floyd, 850 acres, 20 November 1637. 600 acres 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.

The inventory 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, 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 m. Robert Harris, son of Thomas Harris, d. 1688. (2) Susannah Fulgham, who m. Hardy Council, son of Hodges Council Jr. and Lucy Hardy. In IOW Court, January 11, 1672, Thomas Tooke (associated with Thomas Harris, who died in 1672), as attorney, calls John Davis “his loving brother”.

THE DAVIES FAMILY:

1. Samuel Davis, “A griffin segreant”; friend of Thomas Pitt, father of William Pitt, as follows.
1.1. Rice Davis, Esquire, of Tickenham, Somerset, married: (1) Dorothy, daughter of Maurice Rodney Esq. thus becoming a kinsman of the Hodges family of Wedmore. Their daughter, Elizabeth, married to Roger Williams, of Monmouthshire. (2) Isabel, daughter of Henry Lygon of Colne, Gloucestershire, widow of Edward Basset. (3) Mary Pitt, sister of William Pitt, and widow of Robert Owen of Bristol, merchant, by whom a daughter married Nicholas Poyntz. Their daughter, Eleanor, married Major William Goodriche.
1.2. John Davis.
1.2.1. John Davis, m. Alice Knight, 9 October 1606.
1.2.1.1. William Davis, bapt. 12 April 1607. Thomas Floyd headright of William Davis, James City, 1639.
1.3. Abraham Davies.
1.3.1. Richard Davis esq, of Tickenham, bapt. 8 Nov 1587, m. Mary Owen, da. of Robert Owen, of Bristol and n.b. Carmarthanshire.
1.3.1.1. Robert Davis (involved in various litigations concerning the Owen estate).
1.3.1.1.1. John Davis, bapt. 17 April 1637; d. bef. 28 June 1714, m. Mary Green. The Will of John Davis of the Upper Parish, dated Dec. 31, 1712, names da. Mary the wife of William Murray, brother William Green, friends Nathaniel Ridley (associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672), and James Day to make the division of my estate. Thomas Harris (d. 1672) 40 acres, 14 Aug. 1652. At the head of one of the branches of the Pagan Cr., bounded with his own land on N.E. Fran. Smith on S.W., Thomas Prichard on S.E. and John Davis on N.W. for trans. Peter Bell.
1.3.1.1.1.1. Sarah Davis, d. ob. ante 6 January 1720, m. Nicholas Fulgham, son of Anthony Fulgham and Martha Green.
1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Nicholas Fulgham, m. Martha Pitt.
1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Fulgham, m. Thomas Applewhaite, son of Henry Applewhaite, who moved from Barbados to IOW Co., before 1668, when he purchased 100 acres from Roger Davis. Henry Applewhaite is mentioned in the Will of George Williams, R. 9 Oct. 1672, as is “Mr. William Bressie and his wife Susanna, if it shall please God to send them back to Virginia”. This Indenture made the Eleaventh day of October, in the four & twentieth Year of the reigne of our Sov’eigneLord Charles the second … in ye year of our Lord God 1672. Between James Seward of the Citty of Bristoll in England merchant Sonne of John Seward late of the said Citty m’chant deceased (who dyed in Virginia) of the one part And William Bressie m’chant now resident in ye said Citty of Bristoll, of the other part”.
1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, d. 1739, 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. Edward Brantley was a headright of John Seward, as given elsewhere,
1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Applewhaite, of the parish of St Luke, d. 1783, m. Ann Harris. Marriage bonds of Henry Applewhite and Ann Harris, Nov. 7, 1756. Ann Harris was the da. of Edward Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688
1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Mary Applewhite, m. John Barham, son of Benjamin Barham (grandson of Charles Barham, connected to Thomas Harris, d. 1672), of the parish of St Luke, Will R. 10 June 1779, witnessed by James Ridley, son of Nathaniel Ridley (half brother of William Ridley and Elizabeth Day, the relict of Matthew Jones, and da. of John Day and Mary Bennett, da. of Edward Bennett, br.-in-law of Richard Harris, of Wivelscombe, Somerset. John and Mary (Bennett) Day had issue: Elizabeth Day, who m. firstly (17 Oct. 1706) Capt. Nathaniel Ridley; secondly Matthew Jones; their son, James Ridley, m. Jane Smith, da. of Col. Arthur Smith, whose son, Arthur Smith II., m. Sarah Jackson, sister of Mary, wife of George Hardy, an appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677.
1.3.1.2. Samuel Davis. 4 Oct. 1640: Sir Francis Wyatt granted to Samuel Davis 100 ac.on a branch of Pagan Creek, adj. Nathaniel Floyd. He m. Isabell Wallis, 27 Oct. 1624. (*Thomas Wallis headright of Thomas Davis, James city, 1638. Samuell Hudson, headright of Mr. Thomas Wallis, James City Co, 1638).

Wrington (Somerset) was near to the main abodes of the Davis family. In this regard, it can not be discounted that Edward Harris, d. 1677, was of Wrington; especially as his family were intermarried with ones of Wallis and Andrews, as the Davis family.

There may be little point in assuming a very close relationship between Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and Edward Harris, d. 1677, as the family they came from was so exremely interbred with families in their kinship group that what appears in analysis of DNA to be a close connection is usually much more distant.

1. Robert Harris, bur. 20 Mar. 1579.
1.1. John Harris, b. 25 Mar. 1545; bur. 27 Jan. 1596.
1.1.1. John Harris, m. (1) Alice Rumney 20 May 1572; (2) Anne Batten, 22 Sept. 1576, who may have been of the family related to the Pitts.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris, b. 30 Mar. 1577 (the elder; bur. 4 Dec 1635) m. Isabell Longe, 23 Oct. 1614).
1.1.1.1.1. Thomas Harris (the younger); bur. 20 May 1636.
1.1.1.1.1.1. Richard Harris, bapt. 22 Jul. 1629.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Harris, bapt. 4 Aug. 1633; bur. 30 Oct. 1661.
1.1.1.1.2. Edward Harris, bapt. 1 Oct. 1619.
1.2. William Harris, m. Agnes Heale, 22 Apr. 1559.
1.2.1. Edward Harris, m. Jone Young, 17 Feb. 1584.
1.2.2. William Harris, m. (1) Agnes Wallis, 20 Jun. 1587; (2) Jone Andrewes, 7 Nov. 1595.

John Seward was a headright of John Moone, in Warrasquinoake, in 1635, kin of the Fulghams: Anthony Fulgham’s brother, Thomas, having married Mary (Moone) Green, half-sister of Sarah Moone, wife of John Pitt, of Bristol, grandson of William and Mary Pitt:

“Mary Pitt of the parish of St. Thomas within the city of Bristol, widow”, Will proved 25 November 1634. “To my daughter Anne Edwardes sixty pounds &c. and my ring with a “Turkie” stone therein … To my son Robert Pitt* all that my lands and grounds,with the appurtenances &c, which I lately purchased of one Thomas Cowdry, being part of the manor of Compton Magna in the County of Somerset … To William Edwards my grandchild one silver and gilt beaker. Another to John Pitt my grandchild. To my grandchild Robert Pitt one silver and gilt salt cellar and to my grandchild John Edwards a silver beer bowl”. (Seager, 97). *Col. Robert Pitt, d. bef. 9 January 1674, Isle of Wight, VA. He was Captain of the Thunder, a merchant ship out of Bristol and a Colonel in the Virginia Militia. His son, John Pitt, married Olive, dau. of John Hardy and Alice Bennett. She married 1. Giles Driver, headright of Thomas Harris, d. 1672. John Seaward’s daughter, Margaret, m. John Edwards, 28 January 1633, Temple Church, Bristol.

The Pitts of Bristol, and their familial relationships, almost certainly provide many ‘continuations of association’ in Virginia.

PITT/PYKE/KITCHEN

William Pitt of the city of Bristol merchant, Will proved 4 February 1624. “To my loving wife Mary (Owen) five hundred pounds. To my son William two hundred and fifty pounds. To my son Robert three score and ten pounds. To my son Henry* two hundred and fifty pounds. To my son Thomas two hundred and fifty pounds. I give to my brother in law Mr Richard Davis twenty shillings to make him a ring for a token and to sister Mary Davis a double Harry sovereign of gold … and do appoint my well beloved cousins Mr. William Pitt, draper, and (n.b.) Mr Nicholas Pikes, gent, overseers. Witnessed by Richard Marlowe, Nicholas Pike and Richard Griffeth. Published (after alterations made) 30 October 1624, in presence of William Pitt, Edward Batten, Abraham Edwards. *Captain Henry Pitt, of Pagan Creek, who married 2. Ann, widow of Robert Watson. His son, Thomas, married Col. Athur Smith’s daughter, Mary.

Nicholas Pikes was the son of John Pyke of Bristol, and Alice Thorne, filia prima of Nicholas Thorne of Bristol. Their son, Nicholas Pyke, married Margaret, da. of John Poulton, draper of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire (PROB 11/121/769 28 June 1613). Their son, Walter Pyke, born 1619, is mentioned in the will (dated 24 May 1651) of Robert Guy, of Doynton, Gloucestershire, as his “brother”; the will naming Walter’s sons as John, Walter, William, and Thomas.

The Bristol Charities: Commissioners’ report: “In an old parish book, containing abstracts of various instruments of conveyances, leases, and other writings (page 103), a deed is in substance set forth, dated 20th January, 20 James I, whereby Abel Kitchen the elder, and John Rowberow, of Bristol, two of the surviving executors of Robert Kitchen, late Alderman of the said city, did grant unto Robert Kitchen, Abel Kitchen the younger, Humfrie Read, and others, for ever, one annuity or yearly rent of 31.2s. to be issuing out of the two several messuages or tenements situate in Broad-street, within the parish of Christ-Church, in the said city, being part of the messuages or tenements called the New Market; to hold to them, their heirs, and assigns.

An ancient copy of the will of Abel Kitchen was produced, dated 19th January, 1639, containing the following clauses:– “Item.—Igive, devise, and bequeath, to the poor people of the parish of Christ-Church, in the said city, the annuity of 20s. and 6s. a year, which I late purchased of Walter Gilson, of Bedminster, to be paid to the churchwardens of the said parish, for the time being, to be distributed in bread, by sixpence a week for ever, to three poor people of that parish, every Sunday, in such manner as the gift of Mr. Robert Kitchen, alderman, deceased, is now given and distributed”.

Robert Kitchen. June 19 1594: Robert Kitchen, Alderman of Bristol. To be buried at St. Stephen`s near Johan my 1st wife. Land and houses to Robert, son of Matthew Haviland of Bristol, Merchant. William and John sons of Matthew Haviland. My wife Justine. My brother Matthew Kitchin. His son (Abel) my nephew £30. Agnes and Margaret daughters of my said brother Matthew Kitchin. To my sister Agnes £10. To Robert Kitchin son of my brother Richard Kitchin of London,£100 and an annuity of £2 13 4d. To my brother Thomas Kitchin 40s. Elizabeth and Jane daughters of my brother John Kitchin. Proved 10 January 10 1594 by John Barker, Matthew Haviland, John Rowberrough, and Abel Kitchin. 11 Jly. A Richard Kitchen m. Alice Pittes, 10 January 1594, Temple Church, Bristol. In July 1646, Thomas Derick, of the famiy associated with Sergeant John Harris, m. Austen Kitchin, Temple Church, Bristol.

William Morecombe v. Roger Ley, John Seller: “Impost of Spanish and French wines brought into England, particularly into the port of Barnstaple (Devon),” granted by Queen Elizabeth to Robt., late Earl of Leicester, and grant by him to Wm. Newce and Robt. Kitchen, of Bristol of the “custom, subsidy, and impost of all Spanish wines brought into “the ports of Bristol. (E 134/40Eliz/Hil5).

Copy deed of settlement. (1) Mayor and commonalty of Bristol. (2) Mayor,Aldermen and citizens of Bath. (3) Abel Kitchen and John Rowberowe, merchants, exors of will of Robert Kitchen, decd. Of annuity of £32 and sum of £400, to be laid out in several sums for charitable purposes within each of the 17 parishes. 27 March 1630. (P/St.Aug/Ch/2).

Doynton deeds. Moiety of manor of Doynton and property in Doynton, Southwood, Dyrham, Cold Ashton, Bitton, Wick & Abson and Pucklechurch: feoffment from Abell Kitchen of Bristol, merchant, to John Guy of the same, merchant. (DD\GL/86. 1614).
Mess. and farm, approx. 80a., partitioned between Abell Kitchen and John Guy, both of Bristol, merchants, being tenants in common, 1626. (DD\GL/89).

Leases and counterparts, mostly for terms of 99 years on lives, concerning various premises including messuage, grist mill and tucking mill, 1598; wood grounds formerly part of Lordswood (3 docts.) 1602-1623; messuage late Murford’s, 1626, and capital messuage and farm, 1632. Lessors are: Arthur Player of Siston, gent. 1598; John Jones the elder and younger of Marshfield, 1602; John Guy of Bristol, merchant, 1608-1638; Christopher Mills als. Butler of Doynton, yeo., 1614; Abell Kitchen of Bristol, merchant, 1614-1626; Michael Meredith of Marshfield, gent., 1627, and John Langton of Bristol, alderman, 1633-1649. (DD\GL/153).

PROB 11/183/731. Will of Abell Kitchen, Merchant of Bristol, Gloucestershire. 26 August 1640. Admin. to son John Kitchin.

PROB 11/228/2. Will of Robert Kitchen, Merchant of Bristol, Gloucestershire. 4 May 1653.

Covenant to levy a fine between John Carpenter and wife Elizabeth, Thomas Iles and wife Dorothy and Sarah Kitchen, spinster (daughters of Robert Kitchen descd and co-heirs of Mary, dau. of Abel Kitchen descd) to Samuel Franckome, Richard Davis al. Taylor and Thomas Tucker : messuage called the Splotts, situated under Toghill at Doynton, with lands. 2 January 1654. (HA/D/295).

In Virginia: John Harris, to wife sarah … to daughter Mary. Prob. 15 June 1720. Wit: John Kitchen, Robt. Ruffin. (B. 7, p. 523).

John Kitchen, son Benjamin, wife Sarah. Wit. John Edwards, Robert Ruffin.
15 June 1720

William Pitt was married to Mary Owen, sister of Robert Owen “of the city of Bristol, merchant, now bound on a voyage into the parts beyond the seas”, his Will proved 16 February 1615. “To wife Mary four hundred pounds and the messuage wherein I now dwell situate upon the “Kaye” within the said city … and after her decease I give the said messuage to my son Robert Owen. I give my said son all my lands, messuages &c. in Bristol and in Portbury, Somerset, or elsewhere … My brother Griffeth Owen … My brother George Owen … to pay his brother and sisters at the town of Carmarthen. Wife Mary and son Robert to be executors and loving cousin Rice Davies Esquire* and loving brother in law William Pitt, merchant, and good friend William Baldwyn, brewer, to be overseers”. Cope, 8. *As given heretofore, he was a kinsman of Thomas Hodges, Esquire, of Wedmore, Somerset; his family’s tenants being the Council family.

Defendants: Robert Owen, James Owen, Thomas Wall gent, Mary Wall his wife, Thomas Woodward and Walter Holbrooke. Subject: Settlement of the will of Robert Owen merchant, of Bristol, Gloucestershire, deceased, payment of legacies and the possession of certain messuages: mentions John Harris, Mary Davis (alias Mary Owen) wife of Richard Davis and William Pitt merchant, of Bristol, Gloucestershire: property in Portbury, Somerset and the Quay, Bristol, Gloucestershire.

The ancestry of Bartholomew Owen may have to be reconsidered.

Edward Batten of Bristol gentleman, Will proved 16 November 1638. The poor of Temple parish in Bristol. Wife Mary Batten. My three tankards which I bought of my cousin Pitt I give to my three grandchildren and godsons Edward Hobbs, son of Thomas Hobbs, My son in law Mr Thomas Hobbes I appoint executor and do desire my cousin Mr Edward Pitt* and Mr Richard Meredith, vicar of Stogarsey, to be the overseers, dated 16 September 1638. Lee, 156. *Son of John Pitt, brother of William Pitt, aforementioned. The earliest records I can find of this Hobbes family is of Robert Hobbes marrying Elizabeth Jones, 15 October 1580, and Thomas Hobbes marrying Mary Batten, 10 September 1620, Temple Church, Bristol. A John Harris married Jane Hobbes in 1624, same venue.

Sarah Nethway of Bristol, widow of Thomas Nethway merchant deceased, her will proved 18 June 1641. My brother in law William Holman. Certain friends and servants and poor householders. Whereas my brother in law Mr Edward Pitt, now one of the Sheriffs of the said city of Bristol.

John Seward held land on the Blackwater, where Thomas Harris, who died in 1688, settled: 27 April 1686, Matthew Tomlin 1227 acres, lower par. Isle of Wight co. on borders of Blackwater, 781 acres being part of 1200 acres granted to Mr. John Seward 16 April 1648l 448 acres being waste adj.; beg. at a br. dividing land of John Turner and his daughter Marie’s, by William Westray, adj. Mary Turner, and Thomas Harris, to the bottom of Pig Neck; transp. of 9 persons. (B 7, p. 510).

Mathew Tomlin sells to John Johnson 225 ac. called “Pigneck”, 13 August 1687. Witness, John Davis.

James Pyland married the widow of Thomas Greenwood. She next married Thomas Edwards, who claimed Greenwood’s land, and sold 150 acres of it to John Jennings (overseer of the Will of Thomas Harris, d. 1672). 4 March 1674. Witness, John Davis. Thomas Greenwood, 150 acres July 28, 1641. Upon a branch of Seward’s Creek adj. John Seaward and John Upton.* Due for his own per. adv. and for trans. of Mary, his wife and Dorothy Greenwood. *His headright was Christopher Lewis, associate of Bartholomew Owen. John Upton, 3289 acres, 10 July 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. Robert Byrd, 150 acres 4 March 1646. Upon a branch of the lower bay called Sewards Cr. beg. at mouth of Goose Hill Cr., Hugh Winn and John Seward. Formerly granted to William Yarrett and by him and Hugh Wynn assigned to Byrd 20 October 1641.

Jennings, John: Leg.-son John; daughter Martha; daughter Mary my land on Lyon’s Creek; Daughter Sarah the land bought of Valentine Chitty; son-in-law William Seward; George Seward, wife Mary. (children under 17); Overseers, Capt. Edmund Wickins, Lt. George Moore, Thomas Moore, William Seward. Date. Oct. 19, 1678. Wit: George Lewer, Mathew Wood. Security was provided by Robert Flake and George Moore.

George Moore (brother of Thomas Moore), m. Jane Barcroft, da. of Charles Barcroft, a London vintner. George Moore (son of John Moore, mariner and merchant of Bristol), stated to be “age 78 years” when he made his will in 1710 (Chapman, IOW Wills, p. 54).

Sister to George and Thomas was Katherine Moore, who married (2) Robert Flake, a tobacco factor for Bristol merchants. Robert Flake and Samuel Eldridge, 560 acres, 20 August 1650. Lying upon the third swamp from Henry White’s plantation, due for trans. 11 pers. Christopher Lewis, 750 acres, 26 July 1652. About a mile to the Swd. of Henry White’s plantation at the Blackwater for trans. of 15 pers. Francis England, 946 acres, 26 July 1652. 746 by former pat. 20 June 1642 and 200 by assignment of a pat. from John White dated 4 July 1649.

By her first husband, she had issue:

Joyce, who married (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 Dryver (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. 29 June 1667. (Bodie, vol. 2, p. 550). Francis England was probably closely related to John England: Surrender of lease, John England of Bristol, merchant to John Seymour. (Bristol Archives, 8017/24. 20 April 1676). Edward Brantley, 30 October 1669, 675 acres adj. land of Mr. England and Mr. Tooke (associate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672).

George Moore had issue: Eleanor Moore, who married Richard Piland, the son of James Piland, bapt. on 30 August 1604, in St Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, headright of Francis England, in 1642. In the Will of John Oliver, written 19 April 1652, he wrote, “I do appoint my loving friends James Piland and Robert Bird”. Ann Moore, who married Thomas White. The estates of Ann Moore and her husband Thomas White were appraised between 22 March 1741 and 26 July 1742 by Thomas Day, John Goodrich, and Edward Brantley. (Chapman, Wills, p. 142). Edward Brantley was security for the estate of Thomas Harris, d. 1672

HARRIS

1. William Harris, m. Dorothy Westbrooke, 31 Aug. 1562, in Wiveliscombe; kin of a family of Forte.
1.1. Richard Harris, m. (8 Oct. 1594), Eleanor Bennet, sister of (1) Thomas Bennett, who had issue: (1) Thomas Bennett, b. Nov. 11, 1603 at Wiveliscombe, father of Alice Bennett, who m. John Hardy. Nugent, C&P vol. 1, p. 569; their da., Lucy, m. Hodges Council; her sister m. Richard Jackson, their da., Mary Jackson, m. Capt. George Hardy, appraiser of the estate of Edward Harris, d. 1677. (2) Richard Bennett, bapt. 6 Aug. 1609, Governor of Virginia. (2) Edward Bennett.
1.1.1. William Harris, bapt. 28 Jan. 1595. He may have been the William Harris, headright of John Moone in IOW, in 1637 – the Fulgham connection.
1.1.2. Thomas Harris, m. Judith Blake, 20 Nov. 1623, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, probably he who d. in Virginia in 1672. Thomas Harris was the cousin of Richard Bennett, whose 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. Thomas Harris, Will recorded 13 Nov. 1672. Security: John Newman and Edward Brantley. Thomas Harris was also the nephew of Edward Bennett. Christopher Reynolds Sr. emigrated to Virginia as an indentured servant of Mr. Edward Bennett. Bk. 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”.
1.1.2.1. John Harris. William Groves, appraisal by John Harris, Edward Brantley, Elias Fort and Edward Grantham; recorded 9 Feb. 1678. (B. 2, p. 172). John Harris m. a da. of Francis Hobbs, who sold Edward Brantley 675 ac. adj. Thomas Tuke, in 1669.
1.1.2.2. Thomas Harris, d. 1688. Probably he bapt. 31 Dec. 1637, in Cheddar (the domain of the Lancasters, who also held land in Wiveliscombe), ‘son of Thomas’. He placed his orphan son under the care of Hodges Council.
1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Harris, d. 1730: 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, 24 March 1725. Edward Brantley, John Thorpe, and Thomas Purcell appraisers.
1.1.3. Richard Harris.
1.1.3.1. John Harris, bapt. 18 Feb. 1624; probably d. 1687, Virginia, m. Unity. He was the second-cousin of Richard Bennett, Governor of Virginia, whose first wife, Anne, was Charles Barham’s sister.
1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Harris, m. Samuel, son of Robert Lancaster Sr. and Sarah, widow of her 2nd husband, Richard Bennett Sr., d. 1710.
1.1.4. Robert Harris. Lawne’s Creek; 26 October 1646, James Tooke to Robert Harris, all my right and title to this lease.
1.1.4.1. Edward Harris, bapt. 8 Aug. 1624, Wedmore (juxta Cheddar), ‘son of Robert; he who may have died d. in 1677, in Virginia.

COUNSELL

1. John Cownsell, bapt. 1573.
1.1. John Cownsell, bapt 28 Nov. 1601, ‘f. Joannis Counsell’, m. Mary Coomer, 26 Nov 1631; the sister of Agnes Coomer, who m. John Harris in the adj. parish of Cheddar, 4. Feb. 1635. Their granddau. m. a member of the Hix family, stewards of the Lancasters. The vastly intertwined nature of family associations is evidenced through the Coomers. Mary and Agnes Coomer were daughters of a John Coomer, sisters of John Coomer, and aunt of his issue: John Coomer (father of another John), William Coomer Sr., Thomas Coomer, and Mary Coomer, who m. John Gardner, 24 Oct. 1664, in Cheddar; br. of Joel Gardner, father of Jane Gardner, who m. James Counsell, likely br. of Hodges Counsell, 12 Jun. 1682, in Cheddar. (See Presentments of churchwardens, etc. Cheddar (Peculiar, etc.). 1662-1701. Marriage Bond: James Counsell of Burrington, husbandman, and Jane Gardner, daughter of Joel Gardner of Cheddar. (S.H.C./ DD\SAS/C795/PR/150).
1.1.1. Richard Cownsell, bapt. 3 Sept. 1613 (Blackford vill. par. Wedmore), m. (1) Joan Taylor, 12 Aug. 1640, (2) Elizabeth Hix, 12 Aug. 1647, dau. of William Hix and Grace Morton, m. 23 Jan. 1625, and niece of Margaret Hix, who m. Simon Day, 14 Jan. 1632. Lease: Margery Hodges of Heathhouse, Wedmore, widow, to Richard Counsell of Wedmore, husbandman and Joan his wife. Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. ref. 2667/1/36/2. 1648.
1.1.1.1. Hodges Council, the very likely son of Richard Council, by either his first or second wife. Richard Counsell was the br.-in-law of Susan Lancaster, and Hodges Counsell may have received his Christian name after her husband, William Hodges, a member of the very influential Hodges family, squires of Wedmore, who was probably his Godfather.
1.1.1.1.1. Hodges Council, inherited land on Blackwater. IOW, B 10, p. 205: John Council of Isle of Wight County and Province of Virginia sold to James Council of said county and his heirs forever, “my plantation whereon I now dwell only excepting my life in plantation” on Blackwater (River) 100 acres more or less joining Benjamin Darden and Samuel Vaughn. Part of “Patien” granted Hodges Council (the 2d) and by his will to his son John Councill and now by said John Councill to his son James Councill, to him & his heirs forever to have & hold. Sig. John Council. Wit. John Benteen, Nathan Council. Rec. 2 May 1756.
1.1.1.1.1.1. John Council, inherited from his father ‘the land I bought of Robert Lawrence’; likely the son of Philip Lawrence, who m. Joan Council, 20 Aug. 1618, Wedmore, the probable great- aunt of Hodges Council Sr. John Council d. bef. 1747, m. Josie Willis. John Council of Newport Parish to John Mackall of the same, 300 acres in Newport Parish (being land John Hardy of the lower parish willed to his dau. Lucy Council, who was the mother of the said John Council), on the southeast side of John Fulgram’s Swamp, adjoining William Westray and William Joyner. Wit. William Greene, Henry Pitt and John Council. Rec. 26 Feb. 1710.
1.1.1.1.1.2. Nathan Council. Richard Worrell and wife Patience to James Kitching, dated 8 Apr. 1756, 174 acres on the south side of the Blackwater Swamp adj. William Harris, Thomas Gray, and John Barnes. W: Joseph Denson, John Johnson, and Nathan Council. (Southampton Co., B. 2, 1753-1760, p. 97). William Harris to Nathan Council of IOW Co., dated 8 Apr. 1756, 100 acres adj. Bridgman Joyner Jr. S: William Harris, W: Jesse Jones, Sarah King, and James Kitchen. (ibid. pp. 97-98).
1.1.1.1.1.3. Hardy Council, d. 1750, m. Susannah Pope. Executor: son, Charles; Witnesses: Robert Johnson, Hardy Lawrence, and Jacob Dickinson. Hardy Council, Gent. to Richard Wooten and wife, Lucy Wooten, and their son, William Wooten, as consideation of a law suit over trepass, 500 acres on Beaver Dam Swamp. Wit: Barnaby Kearney, Christopher Reynolds, Hardy Council, John Pitt. (B. 4, p. 98. Rec. 22 Mar. 1730).
1.1.1.1.1.3.1. Mary Council, m. Phillip Brantley.

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The Norman chroniclers were propagandists of elite families, each of which claimed descent from the Duchess Gunnora or her (suspiciously) numerous nieces. They treated tenure and lineage as equivalents when composing their accounts, so as to enhance the veracity of these claims, and promote the concept of a continuity of rule, which was the consequence of Divine Providence, and, thus, unchallengable. Their accounts owe as much to approximation as they do to fact. Where accounts are somewhat factual, they may be so by degrees – a great-niece may be designated as a niece, etc., such innacuracy being discerned by the test of chronology.

1. Harald/Aralt, proposed as synonomous with Harald of Bayeux, noted ally of Rollo’s family, who came to hold land between Bayeux and Coutances, and the person called on for assistance by Bernard the Dane when the Scandinavian colonists came under attack by Hugh the Great, duke of the Franks, in conjunction with King Louis IV. Professor Eleanor Searle (‘Facts and Patterns in heroic poetry’, 1984), wrote of the besieged colonists being reinforced by a new wave of Norsemen in the 960’s, and Richard (‘dux pyratorum’) took as a wife Gunnor, the daughter of one of their leaders, in a ‘peace-weaving’ marriage. Harald was the military commander of Bayeux (and not Harald Bluetooth), where Richard, “the Great Prince”, was fostered. Richard was imprisoned at Lâon by King Louis IV., and was rescued by a Danish band led by Osmund de centville, restoring his control of Normandy by 947. (John Haywood, Northmen, 2015).

“Le jeune Richard, enfermé à Laon, était exposé, si l’on en croit les historiens normands, aux plus grands dangers. Le roi de France voulait, disent-ils, lui faire brûler les jarrets, et, par cette mutilation, le rendre incapable d’occuper le trône ducal; mais les Normands qui l’entouraient, et principalement Osmond de Centville, parvinrent à le soustraire à la cruauté du roi, et lui assurèrent un asile à Senlis, près de son oncle maternel” (Adolphe Cheruel, Histoire de Rouen, vol. i. 1843).

As proposed by Benjamin T. Hudson (Viking Pirates and Christian Princes: Dynasty, Religion, and Empire, p. 67, 2005), Richard’s wife, Gunnora, may have been related to Harald. it is also possible that Harald was the father of Godfrey Haraldsson, whose son, Lagmann, was a military ally of Duke Richard II.

The Normans pressed for the marriage of Richard and Gunnor, ‘so that from a Danish father and a Danish mother may be bore the heir of this land, and will be its defender and advocate’ (Dudo, 4.125).

Possibly of Harald’s family:

1.1. Harfast. Brother of Gonnor, Duke Richard’s wife. Dudo of Saint-Quentin claimed she was of noble Danish origin, without specifying whether this was a paternal association. Herfast would have been granted land in Normandy by his brother-in-law, Duke Richard, a fief of which was named Crépon or Créspon (Albert Dauzat et Charles Rostaing, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de lieux en France, 1963).

A clue to this family’s place of origin is given in the orthgography of Herfast; which is a form of Haerfest (OE), Herbist (OHG); Herfst (Dutch). These are Saxon terms meaning harvest, and are seen in the statements ‘god sumer’, ‘god harfest’. They represent a distinctly forms of harvest, being distinguishable from the Scandinavian forms Haust (ON), Hdst (OSw.); Host (OD). It is therefore likely that the family of Crépon were of some Saxon association.

1.1.1. Osborn de Crépon, married Emma, daughter of Raoul d’Ivri (Count Rodolph), uterine brother of Duke Richard I.* Guillaume of Jumièges records that Osborn’s sister married Osmund de Centville, their son being Foulques d’Anet. This Osmund is extremely unlikely to have been the rescuer of ‘Duke’ Richard; the usual genealogical ‘slight of hand’ being to make the first of a name the father of a namesake.

(*Guillaume de Jumièges records the marriage of Sprota (concubine of William Longsword, and mother of ‘Duke’ Richard) and “Asperleng”, who owned the mills in the valley of the Risle; they the parents of Raoul d’Ivri and Hugues, bishop of Bayeux, whose daughter, Aubree, married, firstly, Robert d’Ivry, and, secondly, Albert de Cravent. By her first huband, Aubree may have been the mother of Raoul de la Cunelle, stepson and inheritor of Albert de Cravent, vassal of the Crispins, of land at Tillieres, and of 30 acres at Damville. (La Cunelle, Eure, cant. de Damville, comm. de Buis-sur-Damville).

The parentages of Sprota and Asperleng are unknown.

Osborn de Crépon was also referred to as Osborn de Créspon: ‘Osbern de Créspon, gendre de Raoul comte d’Ivry, neveu de la feue duchesse Gonnor’ (Revue de Rouen et de Normandie, vol. 13, p. 268, 1845). This form of the name was also given to Gilbert Crispin; see André La Fresnaye, et al. Nouvelle histoire de Normandie, p. 110, 1814.

1.1.1.1. William FitzOsborn. In a charter concerning land at Guernanville, ‘Foulques the elder, tainted by corruption, lifted his heart (toward God) and withdrew to Ouche, where he assumed monk’s robes, and gave to St. Evroult the church of Guernanville and its tithes’. This donation was confirmed by Guillaume de Breteuil (William FitzOsborn’s son), Gilbert Crispin I. and his sons (Gibert Crispin II. and William Crispin I), in the presence of Roger de Clare; son of Richard FitzGilbert, son of Gilbert de Brionne, son of Godfrey, born c. 953), illigitimate son of Duke Richard, “the Great Prince”.

We see here that Count Rodolph’s son, Bishop Hugh, gave lands centred around Guernanville to William FitzOsborn, his nephew, and Gilbert Crispin the elder; their subtenant being Foulques de Guernanville. Gilbert Crispin and his sons were vassals of the ‘de Brionnes’, holding the border fortresses of Tillieres and Damville under their suzerainty. (It is quite possible that Gilbert Crispin was an illigitimate son of Gilbert de Brionne. The Norman elite’s very survival was entrusted to the Crispins; it would have been unthinkable not to give such a responsibility to kinsmen of the ducal family; although such a relationship may have been based solely through association with Count Rodolph).

The same grouping of Crispin, FitzOsborn, and Clare is seen in a legal dispute between them and Robert, Count of Meulan, who had been granted the castle of Brionne by Robert Curthose, and tried to claim the Abbey of Bec as part of this domesne. William Crispin, William de Breteuil, and Roger de Clare were vehemently opposed to this: ‘Tunc forte supervenerunt Willelmus Crispinus, et Willelmus de Britolio, et Rogerius de Benefacta, qui cum causam scissent, magna indignatione commoti, magnis vocibus et terribilibus juramentis protestati sunt, quicquid sui parentes ecclesiie Becci dederant, se auferre, si Comes Mellenti cenobium Beccense in suo dominio quoquo modo haberet’ (Notitia de Liberate Beccensis Monasterii, 1088-1090). I would suggest that they spoke as a familial group.

1.1.2. … de Crepon, m. Osmund de Centville. (This is not necessarily synonomous with Conteville).

1.1.2.1. Foulques d’Anet, from the vil of Anet, south of Ivry. (A probable relative was Robert d’Anet, vassal of the lords of Ivry, who held land at Brézolles, as the Crispin family.

1.1.2.1.1. Gunnora d’Anet, m. (I suggest) Gilbert Crispin I.,* which would answer M. Le Prevost’s statement that there was an apparent association between the Crispin and FitzOsborn family, without the basis of that association being known. ‘Nous ignorons à quel titre Gislebert Crespin etait appele à ratifier cette donation; mais nous supposons que ce pouvait être à raison de quelque alliance avec la famille d’Ivri, dont le souvenir est perdu (‘Ordericus Vitalis’, ed. le Prevost et. al., p. 398, 1840).

Gilbert Crispin, ‘who because of the shape of his hair was to be known as Crispin. For in his early youth he had hair that was brush-like and stiff and sticking out, and in a manner of speaking bristling like the needles of a pine tree. This gave him the name of Crispin, from ‘crispus pinus, ‘pine hair’. Gilbert Crispin I. was also noted by Milo Crispin as being ‘of renowned origin and nobility: And like the Fabii, or the Anicii or Manlii, carried the tokens of fame (insignia) among the Romans, so the Crispins knew even greater fame among the Normans and the French’ (How The Holy Virgin Appeared To William Crispin The Elder And On The Origin Of The Crispin Family, ed. Migne, cols. 735-744, 1856).

With regards to his epithet, the Normans often combined various naming elements, in this case, the toponym Crépon is punned with a matching physical characteristic; an early form of a word game.

1.1.2.2. Albreda d’Anet. (It is not known whom she married). Foulques d’Anet and his sister Albreda were among the early benefactors to the abbey of Bec-Hellouin “Ex dono Fulconis de Aneto et homimim suorum manerium de Mesnillo Simonis cum ecclesia et omnibus ecclesiae et manerii pertinentiis. Ex dono Albredae sororis ejusdem Fulconis assensu et voluntate ipsius terram de A.d. 1047. Groselers quae est juxta landam sita cum omnibus pertinentis suis’. La collection des Mémoires des Antiquaires de Normandie contient (tome XVI, 2e partie, page 287) le détail des revenus que le fief d’Anet versait dans les caisses du Roi, vers l’année 1204.

A fief of Anet was Marcilly: Ces revenus provenaient des eaux et forêts, des moulins, des pressoirs, des fours, du blé, de l’avoine, d’œufs de Pâques; ils se soldaient en livres et sous, et en mesures. Au nombre des arrière-fiefs qui relevaient d’Anet étaient les villages de Marcilly, Saussay et Marchefroi. (Pierre Désiré Roussel, Rodolphe Pfnor Histoire et description du château d’Anet, p. 2, 1875).

The suzerainty of Marcilly was entwined with that of Brezolles:

Croth vient de Crota, issu lui-même de l’anglo-saxon, Crust ou Crot, qui signifie un enclos. Primitivement Croth était une dépendance de la terre de Sorel, qui avait pour seigneur au xi° siècle, Ingulfe Ribault, puissant baron, originaire de Dreux, qui possédait à la fois Brezolles, Remalard, Thimer, etc. Son nom figure en 1028 au las d’une chartre du roi Robert et d’une autre de Henri 1er.

Il eut pour fils aîné, Albert, cité par Ordéric Vital, mais Sorel et Croth échurent à Guazzon ou Gaston, son second fils, marie à Frodeline. 11 fonda dans son domaine de Thimer une forteresse nommée le Chàteauneuf qui est devenue une ville importante; lui-même prit le nom de Guazzon du Chastel qui a passé à ses descendants.

En 1060, du consentement de sa femme et de ses trois fils Hugues, Gauzbert et Guazzon du Chaste! donna aux religieux de Marmoutiers, l’église de Croth avec les habitants, les vignes, les prés, les moulins, les pêcheries, etc. Hugues Bardon, seigneur suzerain donne son assentiment à la donation.

A coté des seigneurs do Sorel, il existait à Croth d’autres seigneurs moins importants qui portaient le nom de ce fief. On trouve, eu 1062, dans le cartulaire de Chartres, Arnold de Croth et de Richard son frère.

Vers 10S0, l’abbaye de Saint-Père acheta sans doute des moines de Marmoutiers, l’église de Croth, sise au Haut-Croth, in Croto superiori.

On a vu plus haut, que Guazzon du Chastel avait un fils aine, nommé Hugues, qui s’est rendu célèbre dans l’histoire, sous le nom de Hugues de Chàteauneuf. Ce guerrier fut présent en 1066, à la restitution des Authieux que fit Richard fils d’Hellouin le-Sénechal, en présence du duc Guillaume. Là se trouvait également présent Roger de Montgomery, dont Hugues épousa la fille en 1073. Cinq ans plus tard, il prit le parti du duc Robert Courte-Heuse coiitrele roi Guillaumo, son père, et reçut les révoltes dans ses châteaux de Remalard, Châteauneuf et Sorel. Pour le punir, Guillaume lui enleva Remalard. Il n’eut que deux filles, Mathilde, l’aînée, fut la première prieure de Bellomet, près La Loupe, que son père avait fait bâtir pour elle. Mathilde , sa sœur, épousa Gervais qui hérita de Sorel, de Chateauneuf, de Dreux, etc.

En 1092, Gervais de Chàteauneuf fit la paix à Bréval, entre Guillaume de Breteuil et Goel, seigneur d’Ivry. Ce seigneur, en 1104, à la suite d’un échange fait avec l’abbé de Saint-Père, lui céda ladirne des Essarts do la foret de Croth.

En 1107, Gautier de Croth fut témoin dans une charte de Foulques de Marcilly (the second of that name) pour Saint-Père de Chartres. On trouve encore dans le cartulaire de saint Père, un Payen de Croth, parent du premier.

Gervais de Chàteauneuf, sénéchal du roi de France, Philippe I, faisait des courses sur les terres de Normandie: pour se délivrer de ce voisin incommode, Henri I” fit bâtir les forts de Nonancourt, d’Illiers, puis il enleva à Gervais son château de Sorel. Croth dut alors rester quelques années entre les mains du roi d’Angleterre.

Hugues II, fils de Gervais, reçut la garde do l’Aigle que lui confia Louis VI en 1118; plus tard, il se révolta contre Henri Ier, en 1122, et essaya de ravitailler Wateville en 1124; fait prisonnier à la journéede Bourgthoroulde, il fut captif en Angleterre, puis délivré. Il avait épousé Amicie, une des filles de Galéran de Meulan. En 1132, il guerroyait avec Roger de Tosny, contre Guillaume Mauvoisin, seigneur de Rosny. (A cousin of the Crispin family).

Hugues autorisa la donation de Panlatte, faite à l’abbaye du Bec, il donna à celle de l’Estrée le mort-bois de sa forêt de Croth, enfin, il mourut vers 1140, laissant un fils du môme nom que lui.

En 1144, les évoques d’Evrcuxct de Chartres confirmèrent à l’Estrée le droit de prendre du bois mort dans la forêt de Croth. Vingt ans plus tard, le pape Alexandre III confirma les droits dos religieux de l’Estrée dans le bois de Croth.

Hugues III de Chàteauneuf eut, en 1152, une guerre à soutenir contre Gilbert de Tillières (Gilbert Crispin IV., whose family were enfeoffed in Brezolles) et le duc do Normandie qui brûla le bourg de Brezolles (1). Hugues est cité en 1181 au nombre des chevaliers du Perche portant bannière.

On voit dans un acte de 1185, que les moines de Marmoutiers avaient conservé leur prieuré de Croth, différent de l’église achetée par les moines de Saint-Père, et que les seigneurs d’Anet avaient aussi des droits à Croth. (Dictionnaire historique, vol. i., 1868).

1.1.2.2.1. Foulques de Marcilly.

1.1.2.2.1.1. Foulques de Marcilly, heretofore given.

1.1.2.2.2. Roger de Ivry.

1.1.2.2.3. Hugh de Ivry. Mr. Stapleton (Historical memoirs of the house of Vernon, p. 32, 1856), makes a case for Albreda being the mother of (1) Roger de Ivry, the ‘Conqueror’s’ butler, and the founder of a monastery in honour of the Virgin Mary, in the vicinity of his castle of Ivry. His wife was Adelina, daughter of Hugh de Grandmesnil. (2) Hugh of Ivry, also butler of the ‘Conqueror’. ‘Alberada Hugonis et Rogerii mater, dedit, annuentibus ipsis, hoc quod habebat in ecclesia et decima de Hainolvilla (Henouville-en-Caux) et unam acram terrae in eadem villa pro anima sua. Hugo Pincerna supradictae’ (Charter of confirmation for the Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Caen).

1.1.2.2.4. Robert d’Ivry. “Robert d’lvry ended his days in the abbey of Bec, leaving three sons, Ascelin Goel, and William, “milites insignes”, and Robert, in holy orders. The eldest of these succeeded to his father’s patrimony, and built thereon the castle of Bréval ; his wife, Isabella; was daughter of William of Breteuil, who had obtained from Duke Robert and from Roger de Beaumont, (to whom the chatellenie had been given after the exile of Roger Pincerna, and who was now indemnified with the castle Of Brionne in exchange) the cession of the Honour of Ivry, which he claimed in right of his descent from Count Ralph, uterine brother of Richard 1, Duke of Normandy. After the death of William, King Henry I retained the castle of Ivry in his own hands for a time, but about the year 1119 he restored the wardship to Robert Goél, son of Ascelin Goel and Isabel de Breteuil. Of this marriage there was issue, seven sons and a daughter, the wife of Ralph Le Roux. The names of three sons have been preserved ; Robert Goél above-mentioned; William Lovel surnamed Lovel (Lupellus) his next brother, who after the death of °f Iv’y’ Robert acquired the castle of Ivry and the whole patrimony; and Roger, surnamed the Stammerer (Balbus) who was lord of the castle at Grossoeuvre (Grandis-silna) in the diocese of Evreuxfs captured by King Stephen in the year 1137. The wife of WVilliam Lovel was a sister of Waleran, Comte of Meulan, and by her it is presumed he had a son Waleran, who in 1172 made this return to the King’s precept for recognition of service”. (Mr. Stapleton, ibid.).

1. Raoul d’Ivry (Count Rodolph), uterine brother of ‘Duke’ Richard I.
1.1. Emma d’Ivry, m. Harfast de Crépon.
1.1.1. Osborn de Crépon.
1.1.1.1. William FitzOsborn.
1.1.1.1.1. William de Breteuil. “I, William de Breteuil, son of Count William, do give and grant to St. Evroult and his monks, out of the tolls of Glos, one hundred shillings yearly to buy fish at the beginning of Lent, for the repose of the souls of my father and mother, and that of my own; and that their anniversaries and my own may be observed by all the monks as a feast; and that on each of our anniversaries, a portion of meat and drink equal to a monk’s share be given to the poor. During my life also a mass of the Holy Trinity is to be sung for me in the abbey every Sunday. I also grant to the monks one burgess in Breteuil, and whatever my mesne-tenants, Richard Fresnel, William Halis, and Ralph de La Cunelle, and others, have granted to them I also give and confirm. All this I grant by these presents, and I faithfully promise them hereafter my counsel and aid and other privileges. Whoever, after my death, shall take away or diminish the things granted, let him be accursed.” This charter was ratified and witnessed by the signatures of William de Breteuil himself, Ralph his chaplain, William the steward, son of Barno, Arnold, son of Arnold, and Robert de Louviers”.
1.1.2. … de Crepon, m. Osmund de Centville.
1.1.2.1. Foulques d’Anet.
1.1.2.1.1. Gunnora d’Anet, m. (I suggest) Gilbert Crispin I, kinsman of the FitzOsborns.
1.1.2.1.1.1. Gilbert Crispin. When Gilbert Crispin II. donated land in Tillieres, he did so in the presence of Giroie de Echauffour, who was a vassal of the Crispins at Reville. Between 1049-1050, William, son of Giroie, donated the tithes of Calavilla to Bec., the gift being confirmed by Hugh and Robert Grandmesnil, his nephews (Faroux, 122). The place from which the Crispins assumed a name (Colville) is a matter of choice; some suggesting that it was from Fresne-Cauverville, Eure, canton Cormeilles, in that William de Echauffour held land in Lievin, 5 miles from Fresne-Cauverville.
1.2. Hugues, bishop of Bayeux.
1.2.1. Aubree, m. 1. Robert d’Ivry.
1.2.1.1. Raoul de la Cunelle (‘Rodulfus de Cunella‘); ‘d’Ivry’ kinsman of the Crispins.

From a similarity of names, Fulk d’Anet has been confounded constantly with Fulk d’Aunou.

copyright m stanhope 2017