William Harris
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William Harris (abt. 1556 - 1616)

Sir William Harris aka Herris
Born about in Woodham Ferrers, Essex, Englandmap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 6 May 1583 in St Gabriel Fenchurch, City of London, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 60 in Crixe, Essex, Englandmap [uncertain]
Profile last modified | Created 11 Nov 2010
This page has been accessed 10,987 times.

Contents

Biography

William Harris was the son and heir of Arthur Harris of Woodham Mortimer, Essex, and Dorothy Waldegrave, daughter of Sir William Waldegrave of Suffolk.[1]

Marriage

William married Alice Smythe on 6 May 1583 in St Gabriel Fenchurch, London, England.[2]. Alice was a daughter of Thomas [Customer] Smythe.[1][3]

Children

The children of Alice Smythe and William Harris alias Herris:

  • Thomas (born before Jul 1592)[4], presumably died as a child after Jul 1592
  • Arthur (born before Jul 1592)[4], eldest surviving son[1][5]
  • Alice (born before Jul 1592)[4], eldest surviving daughter, married Sir Henry Mildmay[1]
  • Dorathie (born before Jul 1592)[3][4], presumably died as a child after Jul 1592
  • William[1], 2nd surviving son
  • Thomas[1], 3rd surviving son
  • John[1], 4th surviving son
  • Mary[1], 2nd surviving daughter, married Gyles Browne esq.[6]
  • Frances[1], 3rd surviving daughter, married Ambrose Roope Esq. of Devon[7][8][9]
  • Elizabeth[1], 4th surviving daughter

Career

The will of his mother in law Dame Alice Smythe made on 10 Jul 1592[4] referred to William Harris, his wife Alice and their children Thomas, Arthur, Alice and Dorathie.

In 1598 he was Sheriff of Essex.

William Harris, along with many others including his cousin William Harris of Shenfields, Margaretting, Essex, was knighted on July 23, 1603 in the Royal Garden at Whitehall before the Coronation of King James I of England.[10] His elevation to the knighthood may have been due to his military service in Ireland during the Nine Years' War.

Death

The death of Sir William Harris was noted in the Visitation of Essex of 1612[1] as follows: "Sir William Harris of Crixse where he and his ladye is buryed, he died in Novem. a° 1616, and she in November a° d'ni 1615".

Will of Sir William Harris 1616

The will of Sir William Herris alias Harris of Creeksea, Essex, was made on 21 Dec 1615 and proved on 20 Nov 1616.[11]

Abstract

“Sir William Herris als. Harris of Crixsey in the countie of Essex Knight” ...Cleere Rentes and profits comeinge of my reserved estate of landes, woodes, and leases...pay these quarterlie portions following to and for the maytanance of my younger children: order of payment of final portions: William and Thomas first; then John. Then Frances and last Elizabeth (if they "be then married"). The will provides a change in payment order if Frances or Elizabeth marry before their turn to receive "fynall portions...That then the rayseinge and paieinge sonne and sonnes fynall portions shall cease to be deferred until the said fynall portion or portions of my said daughter or daughters so mareinge...".

sonne William
sonne Thomas
sonne John
daughter Frances
daughter Elizabeth

Executor of this my will Sir Arthur Herris my eldest sonne.

Overseers my sonne in lawe Sir Henry Mildmay Knight [husband of his daughter Alice Harris, my cosen Edward Waldegrave of Lamforde Esquire And my nephewe Thomas Fanshawe of Barkinge Esquire

Signed: William Herris

Full Transcript

Transcribed by: Vance C. Harris

In the name of God: Amen: I Sir William Herris als. Harris of Crixsey in the countie of Essex Knight beinge thanks be to God at the making here of in good and perfect memorie do revoke all other wills by me formerlie made of contrieved bearing Date before this present day beinge the one and twentie day of December in the yeare of our lord according to the computation of the church of England one thousand six hundred and fiveteene In the which I recommend my spirtt unto the tuition of Jesus Christ my only savior and redeemer: and my body to be bured at the discretion of my Executors provided that it be without Pompe of heraldry or greater ceromonie cost but only with the accompaneiage of some of my noow frends which shall happen to be at hand at the tyme of my death And as for the desposinge of my worldlie estate: First my will and mind is that my executor hereafter named shall with all my debtes due unto me at the tyme of my death and all my money plate household stuff and implementes whatsoever whatsoever And with all the Cleere Rentes and profits comeinge of my reserved estate of landes, woodes, and leases which shall come to my Executor immediately after my death At the feastes of the birth of our Lord, the Annunciation of our Blessed lady St. Mary the Virgin, the Nativitie of St. John the Baptist or the feaste of St. Micheal the Archangall or at which of the said feasts shall first happen next after my decease pay these quarterlie portions following to and for the maytanance of my younger children. First to my sonne William Sixteene Poundes Thirteene Shillinges Four pence. To my sonne Thomas Sixteene Poundes Thirteene Shillinges Four Pence. To my sonne John Sixteene Poundes Thirteene Shillinges Four Pence. To my daughter Frances Sixteene Poundes Thirteene Shillinges Four Pence. And to my daughter Elizabeth Sixteene Poundes Thirteene Shillinges Four Pence which sayed severall portions I will shall be likewise continued to be from and hence forth payed Quarterlye by mine Executor everie one of my said younger children at everie one of the said feast dayes then next followinge until my debts which I shall owe at the tyme of my death be fullie discharged and payed which I will be lessened and paied by my Executor with the over plus and remainder of my ssaid Debtes dewe to me my money plate household stuffe and implements aforesaid and with all the cleere rentes and profits of landes, woodes, and leases aforesaid which shall Quarterly arise at everie of the feastes aforesaid over and above the said quarterly portions formerlie appointed to be payd and further my will and meaninge is that after my said debtes be fullie discharged and payd in manner and forme aforesaid which I hope will be within one yeare after my decease that the said querterlie portions shall be still continued and paied to everie one of my said younger children in mannor and forme aforesaid until everie one of them shall be by mine Executor Satisfied and payed with the over plus and remainder of the said cleere rentes and profitts of my reserved estate of landes woodes, and leases aforesaid which shall quarterlie arise at everie of the feastes aforesaid over and above the said quarterly portions the severall somes of Fifteen Hundred Poundes apiece for their finall portions n mannor and form followinge vizt: The overplus and reemander of the first twoo quarters which shall arise over and above the said portions next after my debts be payed to be to my sonne William towardstowards the rayseinge of hise fynall portion of Fifteene Hundred Poundes and overpluse and remainder of the two quarters then next followinge be payd to my son Thomas towards the rayseinge of his fynall portion of fifteene hundred Poundes and the overplus and remainder of the twoo quarters there next followinge to be payd againe to my sonne William and as the overplus and remainder of everie two quarters stille followinge to be payd to my twoo sonnes William and Thomas interchangeabley as aforesaid until they and either of them shall be fullie payd their severall fynall portions of Fifteene Hundred Poundes apiece. And after my said twoo sonnes William and Thomas have fullie received their said fynall portions: Then I will the overplus and remainder aforesaid to shall be quarterlie payd at the feastes aforesaid to my sonne John till his fynall portion of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes be raysed and payd: And after my sonne John is paied his fynall portion aforesaid then I will the overplus and remaynder aforesaide shall be querterlie paied to my daughter Frances if shee be then married till her finall portion of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes be raysed and paide: And lastly after my daughter Francis is payd her said fyanll portion or that she be still unmarried where by her querterlie portion aforesaid be onelye continued unto her: Then I will the overplus and remainder aforesaid shall be quarterly paid as aforesaid to my daughter Elizabeth if she be then married till the fynall portion of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes be also raysed and paide provided nevertheless my will and meaningis that so longe as my daughters Francis or Elizabeth doe happen to live unmarried there shall be noe finall portions raysed nor paide unto them but only to have their quarterlie portions continued so longe as they or either of them live unmarried: But if they or either of them happen to marrye before any of my said Sonnes fynall portions be raysed or in the tyme that any of my said sonnes fynall portions be in rayseinge: That then the rayseinge and paieinge sonne and sonnes fynall portions shall cease to be deferred until the said fynall portion or portions of my said daughter or daughters spo mareinge be first raysed and payed in manner as is before sett downe for the rayseinge and payeing of final portions in this my will: And after my daughter or daughters fynall portion or portions at mareinge be raysed and payd: Then my sonnes fynall portions to proceede againe to be raysed and payd in mannor amd forme before mentioned till everie one of my said younger sonnes and daughters by fullie satisfied and payd the severall somes of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes: And further my will and meaninge is that as soone and when as the funall portion of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes to any one of my younger sonnes or daughters before given is fullie raysed and payd that then his or her querterlie pension before bequeathed shall be no longer continued but shall cease: And soe the severall quarterly portions of everie one of my said younger sonnes and daughters to cease and everie one of them shall have received their severall fynall portions of Fiveteene Hundred Poundes and not before. And furthermore yf yt shall happen that any of my said younger sonnes or daughters doe marry and die before his her or their fynall portion or portions be raysed and payd then my will and meaninge is that everie or anie one of my said younger sonnes or daughters soe being married shall have power to give and dispose of my will his her or their fynall portion or portions and that the fynall portion or portions of him her or them soe beinge married and dyeing as afore said shall be payd by myne Executor.accordinge as the same is formerlie appointed to be raised by this my will to such person and person and to such use and uses as any of my said younger sonnes and daughters so beinge married shall vefore their death give and dispose the same unto them I doe Ordaine and apointe Executor of this my will Sir Arthur Herris my eldest sonne and desire and nominate my overseers my sonne in lawe Sir Henry Mildway Knight my cosen Edward Waldegrave of Lamforde Esquire And my nephewe Thomas Fanshawe of Barkinge Esquire unto whome I will that Executor shall bestowe of each of them peece of plate of tenne poundes in valeue in Remembrence of my Love: And so in witness of this my contayneinge two shootes of paper I have unto either of them put my hand and published the same for my last will the said one and twentieth daye of December in the yeare above written. And as for my givifte to the poore and the rewarde of such of my servante as have taken paynes about my my Esecutor understand my mind in that behalfe.

Signed: William Herris

Witness to the signeinge sealinge and publishinge Honest Jerome Wright Thomas Herris William Pearson George King

Research Notes

Creeksea Place, the home of Sir William Harris, was located in the Village of Creeksea. The name of this village and estate has been spelled in various ways through the centuries, including Crixseth, a Saxon expression meaning Creek of the Sea. This estate, presently consisting of about 250 acres, came into the possession of the Harris family about 1516. A large and spacious brick home was completed on this estate in 1569. The project was started by William Harris who died in 1556. It was completed by his son, Arthur Harris, who died on June 18, 1597.[12]

Knight's Sword William Harris' sword on display at All Saints church, Creeksea, was made in England in the early 1600's. The sword was found in "Creeksea Place" and given to the church. A painting of Sir William Harris was also given to the church.[13][14]

Inquisition Post Mortem of Sir William Harris[15]

Feet of Fines for Essex[16]: 1599. "Wm. Herres, sen., of Woodham Mortimer, esq., pl. Wm. Herris, jun., of Thoby [in Mountnessing], esq. & w. Frances, def. A fourth part of 400 a. ar. & 50 a. fresh marsh in Althome, Mayland & Creeksea. £ 120".

Sources

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The Visitations of Essex 1552-1636. Publications of the Harleian Society. Vol XIII. Edited by Walter C Metcalfe 1878. Vol. I. Harris Pedigree, p 213. Internet Archive.
  2. St Gabriel Fenchurch, City of London. Register. Accessed via Ancestry.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Buckler, Benjamin. Stemmata Chicheleana. Oxford Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1765. See No. 1 and No. 148 Internet Archive.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Will of Alice Smythe, Widow of London. 11 May 1598. PROB 11/91/377. The National Archives, Kew.
  5. Herrys (Harris), Sir Arthur (c.1587-1632), of Creeksea Place and Woodham Mortimer, Essex Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010 Internet Archive.
  6. Marriage Settlement of Giles Browne esq. and Mary Herris. 01 Jun 1611. Ref: D/DHt T55/2. Essex Archives.
  7. Devonshire Pedigrees Recorded in the Herald's Visitation of 1620. By John Tuckett. Parts 1-6 with Index. 1859. Roope Pedigree, p 182.
  8. The Visitation of the County of Devon in 1620. By F T Colby. 1872. Roope Pedigree, p 246 Internet Archive.
  9. The Visitations of the County of Devon comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620. With additions by J L Vivian. 1895. Roope of Dartmouth Pedigree p 658 HathiTrust.
  10. Shaw W A (1906) The Knights of England. A complete record from the earliest time to the present day of the knights of all the orders of chivalry in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and of knights bachelors, incorporating a complete list of knights bachelors dubbed in Ireland. Vol. II. London, p125 [1].
  11. Will of Sir William Herris alias Harris of Crixsey, Essex. 20 November 1616. PROB 11/128/565. The National Archives, Kew.
  12. http://www.ncgenweb.us/ncwarren/harris-book/Chapter_One.html
  13. http://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Harris-752-2
  14. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Harris_%28Tudor_person%29
  15. Harris, William, knight: Essex. Chancery: Inquisitions Post Mortem, Series II, and other Inquisitions, Henry VII to Charles I. 1616-1617. C 142/363/196. The National Archives, Kew.
  16. Feet of Fines for Essex. Volume VI 1581-1603. 1993, p154 pdf.




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Comments: 4

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Harris-44965 and Harris-752 appear to represent the same person because: details matching: dob, spouse. Requires action by manager/trusted list member of Harris-752

I missed this matching profile when creating Harris 44865. Ray James

posted by Ray James
This William is the same person as William Harris, ID: Harris-752.
posted on Harris-44965 (merged) by Roger Harris
Harris-752 and Harris-11547 appear to represent the same person because: Same birth and death dates, same places and same wife. P
posted by Vic Watt
Crixe also appears as Creeksea.
posted by [Living Hall]

H  >  Harris  >  William Harris

Categories: Creeksea, Essex