Dear Harris-Hunters Ira Harris III posted this small item from Fred Olds compilation of early North Carolina wills. He did not know whether there was any connection to Harrises, but he guessed so. ANSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 1789  LANIER, SAMPSON, Elizabeth (wife); James. Response: I cannot state whether there was an association with Harrises, but I believe there was somewhat later in Surry Co., NC, but Harris-Hunters researcher of that area can help fill in. I can suggest this, however: 1. Do a <A HREF="www.google.com">www.google.com</A> search for Sampson Lanier, putting the name in quotation marks There is a Sampson Lanier webpage. This may help with dates and places. (Parenthetically: Two Lanier daughters of Granville Co., NC--Sarah and Rebecca, daughters of Thomas Lanier of that NC county--married Williamses in Granville Co., NC. Sarah married two Williams: in 1766, to Joseph Williams, son of Daniel Williams and after Joseph's death, she married in 1774 his cousin, Robert Williams, of Pittsylvania Co., VA. Rebecca (ca 1757-1832 NC), on the other hand married, Col. Joseph Williams, later of Surry Co., NC. The latter m arriage occurred in 1772.) 2. The Sampson Lanier webpage does not give much information about Elizabeth Washington, the wife of Sampson Lanier. She was the daughter of Richard Washington and his wife Elizabeth Jordan of the Surry Co., VA area. In the event you think you might have some linkage to the Laniers, you may want to know about Elizabeth Washington's father, Richard Washington. I will share my notes, and then you are on your own. These are exploratory notes only. Nothing definitive. As long-time subscribers have learned, there was a large group of Harris family members in colonial Surry Co., VA who seem to have migrated to the Tar River area of Old Granville Co. NC. At least one of Richard Washington's descendants, William Washington, a Baptist minister, migrated to early Granville Co. NC. After today, I will not respond to any e-mails for about a month. Long vacation. E.W.Wallace RICHARD WASHINGTON of colonial Surry Co., VA. (Wife Elizabeth Jordan) >From Bockstruck, Lloyd, VIRGINIA'S COLONIAL SOLDIERS. Richard Washington was in Surry Co. militia 1701/02, as was Henry Briggs, Francis Sowerby. "troops under Nathaniel Harrison, Nov. 1701." (p. 220). These are from records at PRO, London. (Robert "Lankiston" [Langston] is in this list. as are Henry Briggs and Charles Briggs. Some Langstons migrated to Tar River area of Granville Co., NC.) See CAVALIERS & PIONEERS, V 3, p. 65 (George Blow, Surry Co., 1702); p. 43 pat Black Water Swamp, Seacock Sw. (1701) >From VA State Land Records for Richard Washington 29 Apr 1682 - Surry Co. 330A. Situate half a mile from the main Blackwater in the upper parish. 20 Apr 1685 - [co location not given] 200 A Beg & c by the edge of the maine Blackwater & nr the mouth of a large branch. 23 Oct 1690 - Surry Co. 772 A Beg & extend by the edge of the main Blackwater & near the mouth of a branch. 25 Apr 1701 - [co location not given] 345A On the South side of the main Blackwater 16 Dec 1714 - "... of the County of Surry ... Isle of Wight County. 850 A On the South side of the Main Blackwater Swamp. Beg at the mouth of a branch on the west side of Nottaway Swamp, which branch divides this land from the land of Edward Goodson & Matthew Ruslin. 16 Dec 1714 - Isle of Wight; 1240 A on the south side of the main Blackwater swamp. Beg & c. On the west side of the Nottoway swamp, a corner tree of John Barnes's land. 17 Dec 1714 - Isle of Wight. 300 A. On the South side of the main Blackwater Swamp. Beg & c on the South side of the Seacock Swamp. This brief record appears in Surry Co., VA court records 1681: "Att a Cort held at Sowthwarke for the County of Surry 7br. 6th. 1681. Prest. Lt. Coll. Browne, Major Allen, Major Swann, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Ruffin, Comrs: Richard Washington being of full age & this day appeareing in Cort & Signeing Sealeing & delivering a Conveyance of a pcell of Land to Mr. Robt. Ruffin Admr. of the Estate of Mr. Jno. Goring deced. on behalfe of the said Gorings Orpn. It is therefore admitted to Record. (Weynette Parks Haun, ,,,SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA, COURT RECORDS 1672-PT. JAN 1682, BOOK III [Durham, NC: Published by author...] An Older (?) Richard Washington, Stepson of Charles Ford, Surry Co. (This may be the Richard Washington who was in the early militia list and not the younger one who gave a deposition in 1681. In colonial days, persons did not have a long lifespan, contrary to what one finds on the *vast databases* which are online. Watch those dates!) Surry Co. Records, Book II, 1671-1784, Page 181: 1 March 1677. Indenture between Thomas Blunt and Richard Washington of the one part, and John Goreing of the other part. Whereas Charles Ford was in his lifetime and at his death, in possession of 250 acres of land, 50 acres held of the King by Patent 19 May 1638, James Citty...at Dancing Point...upon Col. John Flood, lately in possession of Nath. Knight, dec'd., granted to Charles Ford, the first Proprietor, Charles Ford died without a will and land escheated to the King...went to Thos. Blunt and Richard Washington then orphans and sons-in-law [stepsons?] unto Charles Ford, and now to Jno. Goring. (Eliza Timberlake Davis, SURRY COUNTY RECORDS, SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1652-1684 [Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1980 reprint], p. 108) /////////// Oct 2000 The name Richard Washington appears several times in Chowan Precinct North Carolina in books by Margaret M. Hofmann: Genealogical Abstracts of Deed Books 1696-1763. Also there are a number of references to Richard Rose beginning 1712 (mostly as a witness). There is mention of Richard Rose and daughter Sarah. These Langston males appear: Leonard, Millford/Mulford. (These families also from Surry Co. VA-Isle of Wight area.)