That Thomas Harris "aged 38" in the Prosperous is not the so

[wjhonson]

In the Vis Essex here
http://books.google.com/books?id=hqwKAA ... 22+woodham

we see William Harris + Alice Smith and their various sons.

Somewhere, sometime it has been supposed that that Thomas Harris,
otherwise called Capt who came to America on the ship Prosperous May
1611 and was at that time "aged 38" is this Thomas Harris third son
of William and Alice.

I present a fact showing that that is not likely.

It is known that Sir Arthur Harris the eldest son and heir of William
and Alice, did marry firstly to Anne Cranmer only daughter of Robert
Cranmer, esq of Chepstead in Chevening, Kent otherwise known as the
"Yeoman of the Jewel House" at least in 1597 and 1603. Anne Cranmer's
mother was Jane Grey daughter of Henry Grey, esq of Sussex.

Arthur Harris and Anne Cranmer had at least or exactly two sons, both
named in the will of her father, as his heirs, as Anne herself was
dead in 1613 and her father Robert Cranmer did not write his will
until 17 Dec 1616, later proved by his widow Jane (Grey) Cranmer who
herself is buried 2 Sep 1637 at Chevening Church.

By the way Robert Cranmer has an MI there.

Getting back to the story, Anne Cranmer was Sir Arthur Harris (aka
Herrys) first wife, he secondly would marry Anne Salter sole heir of
her father Nicholas and also widow of Sir Henry Bowyer (aka Bowes) of
Denham (Henry died 27 Dec 1613) bringing her two sons to the marriage
as well.

Sir Arthur Herrys and Anne Salter themselves had some children,
proving that she was yet of that age.

Now comes the marriage license of Arthur Harris Kt of Crixeth,
explictely specifying that he is "son and heir" of Sir William Harris
Kt and also that he is "aged about 22" (Anne is "aged about 19").

The license is dated 15 Jul 1606.

It should be fairly clear to all right-thinking people that Arthur's
brother Thomas, in the Vis Essex "third son" cannot himself, five
years later, be "aged 38".

Will Johnson