Dear Harrison Study Group:
I seeking information about the descendants of a Burr
Harrison, who emigrated from England to Virginia at some
point in time before 1700. Burr Harrison was a member of
the old Overwharton Church in Stafford County (ceased to
exist after 1785).
The following information comes from "Old Churches,
Ministers, and Families of Virginia" by Bishop Meade,
vol. 2, pages 213 -215.
"Burr Harrison, of Chappawamsic, born in England, son of
Cuthbert Harrison, baptized in the parish of St. Margaret's,
Westminister, 28th December, 1637. His son Thomas born in
1665; grandson Burr born May 21, 1699; great-grandson Thomas
born 3d of March, 1723; his sister Jane the 9th of December,
1726: his sister Seth the 30th of November, 1729." (Bishop
Meade further states that the parish record of St. Margaret's
was certified by Richard Gibson.)
Bishop Meade found the above genealogy written on a loose
leaf that had been taken from the old Overwharton vestry
book and placed in the Dettington vestry book. He
speculates (with certainity) that the genealogy was written
by a Rev. Thomas Harrison.
This Rev. Thomas Harrison was (possibly) the
great-grandson born on March 3, 1723. However, he may also
have been a great-great-grandson. Bishop Meade mentions
that there was a Thomas Harrison belonging to Broad Run
Church in Dettington parish long before the Rev. Harrison
appears in the parish.
The Rev. Thomas helped found the Harrison clan by fathering
nine (9) sons plus several daughters. Bishop Meade also
mentions "There was doubtless an intermarriage between the
Powells of Louden County and the Harrisons of Prince
William County, from which the names Cuthbert and Burr are
so often found in these families.
My hope is that someone's family line connects back to
these early descendents of Burr Harrison. Besides the
Powell -Harrison connection mentioned by Bishop Meade,
we also have Calvert -Harrison connection that occured in
the period from perhaps 1690 to 1750. This Calvert
-Harrison relationship has baffled Calvert researchers for
over 50 years.
I would be most appreciative and interested in any
information about Burr Harrison and his descendants.
George Calvert
[email protected]