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Mary Sidway (Stringer)

Also Known As: "Widow Harrison"
Birthdate:
Birthplace: Birstall, West Yorkshire, England
Death: May 29, 1688
Surry County, Virginia
Immediate Family:

Daughter of James Stringer
Wife of Benjamin Harrison, of Wakefield and Captain Benjamin Sidway
Mother of Colonel Benjamin Harrison, II, Esq.; Dr. Peter Harrison and Thomas Sidway

Managed by: Carol Ann Selis
Last Updated:

About Mary Sidway

Not the same as Mary Smart


The first Harrison appears to have left but two children surviving him: Benjamin and Peter, both by his wife Mary, who afterwards married Benjamin Sidway,


After Benjamin Harrison’s death his widow married Benjamin Sidway. Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary Harrison, as “Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison, deceased,” received from his stepfather Benjamin Sidway a tract of land in 1652. A patent of 1655 describes Capt. Sidway as “father-in-law to Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison dec’d & heir …” [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 18]

His mother’s will of 1688 omits him. Mary Harrison Sidway made her will in Surry County leaving granddaughter Hannah Harrison a colt and John Kersey, a heifer. The rest of her estate she left to her two sons Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Sidway will dated 1 Mar. 1687/8 recorded 29 May 1688. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 41]. Benjamin Harrison [II] witnessed the 1694-will of his half-brother Thomas Sidway. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 5, 1694-1709, p. 79] .

Disputed Origins

Evidence needed to support this Mary as daughter of John Stringer because of this record :

Yorkshire, England, Extracted Parish Records about Mary James Stringer

Text: 30 May 1624 Mary d James Stringer of G

Book: Christeninges (Baptism)

Collection: Yorkshire: Birstall - Parish Registers (Christenings, Marriages & Burials), 1558-1635

Also seen:

Colonial Families of the Southern States of America: A History and Genealogy By Stella Pickett Hardy "Added 2016 by D. Marshall Satterwhite: Mary Stringer was the first wife of Benjamin Sidway who was the second husband of Mary Stourton Harrison.

______________________________

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pistoleros/jamesr.html .

Mary Sidway, dated March 1, 1687 or '88. It gives as follows:

" Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Hannah Harrison, the horse colt that sucks on the black mare.

"I tem. I give and bequeath unto John Kersey, one yearling hepher. And for the rest of my estate my will is after my just debts paid that it be equally divided between my two sons, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Sidway, whom I do make my executors, to see this my will performed."

The will was witnessed by Lyddeia Norwood and Sam'l Alsebrook, who proved it on May 29, 1688.

______________________________

The first Harrison appears to have left but two children surviving him: Benjamin and Peter, both by his wife Mary, who afterwards married Benjamin Sidway, and as in a patent, dated October 9, 1649, it is recited that 500 acres granted to Benjamin Harrison, deceased, on March 21, 1643, were due to Benjamin, Jr., as "his son and heir," we conclude, the law of primogeniture being in force, that Benjamin ((2)) was the eldest son, and that the property belonging to Peter in his minority was not inherited, but devised to him, probably by his father, whose will has not been found. On January 16, 1652, Benjamin Sidway, by order of the Court, conveyed certain land belonging to "Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison." In a patent dated 1655, quoted by "The Critic," published in Richmond, certain land is said to adjoin that of "Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison, deceased, and son-in-law of Captain Sidney," the last word being doubtless "Sidway."

Peter Harrison appeared to have died without issue, before middle age, as he was not mentioned in the will of his mother, Mary Sidway, dated March 1, 1687 or '88. It gives as follows:

" Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Hannah Harrison, the horse colt that sucks on the black mare.

"I tem. I give and bequeath unto John Kersey, one yearling hepher. And for the rest of my estate my will is after my just debts paid that it be equally divided between my two sons, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Sidway, whom I do make my executors, to see this my will performed."

The will was witnessed by Lyddeia Norwood and Sam'l Alsebrook, who proved it on May 29, 1688.

Thomas Sidway, half brother of Harrison, appears to have died childless. His will, dated January 16, 1694, probated December 3, 1695, gives all his land and personal property to his wife Jeane, for life, and at her death to William Stringer and his heirs. The wife was named as executrix, and the witnesses were Benjamin Harrison and Sarah Pedington. Harrison also left something to William Stringer, if he came to this country, meaning probably, that he had gone to England. So it is evident that he was nearly related to or connected with Sidway's and Harrison's mother. He appears to have been the William Stringer, of Charles City County, who, January 1, 1682, made Elias Osborne his attorney in the law suits between him and Wm. Pickerill and Thomas Hayard, of Surry County. The witnesses to the letter of attorney were Paul Williams, John Harrison and George Jennings.

Source: Benjamin Harrison, from. "Virginia, Prominent Families, Vol. II, Chapter XV; Original data: Louise Pecquet du Bellet. Some Prominent Virginia Families. Lynchburgh, VA, USA: J.P. Bell Company ___________________________________

Biography with notes on grants via Headrights

Benjamin Harrison I m. Mary Stringer 2nd Mary Sidway

Children:

  • Benjamin II 1645 - 1712/13
  • Peter - died childless Some time before 1635 Benjamin he was settled in Jamestown. Nothing is known of his life before coming to Virginia but we know he was an educated man of high standing because he was clerk of Council by 15 March 1633/4 when he signed a document in that capacity, and later was elected to the House of Burgesses.[The General Assembly of Virginia (Leonard)]

The governor granted him 200 acres in Warrosquyoake (later Isle of Wight) County 7 July 1635 in addition to the 50 acres of a freeman which he later sold to Thomas Davis. [Patent Book 2, p. 71], 600 acres in James City County 18 May 1637, and 500 acres in James City 21 March 1643/4. [Patent Book 1, pp. 207, 420, 949] In 1642 he was elected to the House of Burgesses and he purchased 500 acres on the south side of the James River in Southwark Parrish, Surry, Co. where his children were born. One of Benjamin's neighbors was Richard Bennett Esqr. After the death of Benjamin I, Bennett sold the land to Francis Jordan.
After Benjamin's death his widow married Benjamin Sidway. Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary Harrison, as “Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison, deceased,” received from his stepfather Benjamin Sidway a tract of land in 1652. A patent of 1655 describes Capt. Sidway as “father-in-law to Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison dec’d & heir …” [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 18]

His mother’s will of 1688 omits him. Mary Harrison Sidway made her will in Surry County leaving granddaughter Hannah Harrison a colt and John Kersey, a heifer. The rest of her estate she left to her two sons Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Sidway will dated 1 Mar. 1687/8 recorded 29 May 1688. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 41]. Benjamin Harrison [II] witnessed the 1694-will of his half-brother Thomas Sidway. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 5, 1694-1709, p. 79]

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pistoleros/jamesr.html 

http://www.ourfamilyhistories.org/getperson.php?personID=I96157&tre...

Yorkshire, England, Extracted Parish Records about Mary James Stringer

Text: 30 May 1624 Mary d James Stringer of G

Book: Christeninges (Baptism)

Collection: Yorkshire: Birstall - Parish Registers (Christenings, Marriages & Burials), 1558-1635

______________________________

After Benjamin's death his widow married Benjamin Sidway. Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary Harrison, as “Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison, deceased,” received from his stepfather Benjamin Sidway a tract of land in 1652. A patent of 1655 describes Capt. Sidway as “father-in-law to Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison dec’d & heir …” [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 18]

His mother’s will of 1688 omits him. Mary Harrison Sidway made her will in Surry County leaving granddaughter Hannah Harrison a colt and John Kersey, a heifer. The rest of her estate she left to her two sons Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Sidway will dated 1 Mar. 1687/8 recorded 29 May 1688. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 41]. Benjamin Harrison [II] witnessed the 1694-will of his half-brother Thomas Sidway. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 5, 1694-1709, p. 79] . http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pistoleros/jamesr.html . Mary Sidway, dated March 1, 1687 or '88. It gives as follows:

" Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Hannah Harrison, the horse colt that sucks on the black mare.

"I tem. I give and bequeath unto John Kersey, one yearling hepher. And for the rest of my estate my will is after my just debts paid that it be equally divided between my two sons, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Sidway, whom I do make my executors, to see this my will performed."

The will was witnessed by Lyddeia Norwood and Sam'l Alsebrook, who proved it on May 29, 1688. ______________________________

The first Harrison appears to have left but two children surviving him: Benjamin and Peter, both by his wife Mary, who afterwards married Benjamin Sidway, and as in a patent, dated October 9, 1649, it is recited that 500 acres granted to Benjamin Harrison, deceased, on March 21, 1643, were due to Benjamin, Jr., as "his son and heir," we conclude, the law of primogeniture being in force, that Benjamin ((2)) was the eldest son, and that the property belonging to Peter in his minority was not inherited, but devised to him, probably by his father, whose will has not been found. On January 16, 1652, Benjamin Sidway, by order of the Court, conveyed certain land belonging to "Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison." In a patent dated 1655, quoted by "The Critic," published in Richmond, certain land is said to adjoin that of "Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison, deceased, and son-in-law of Captain Sidney," the last word being doubtless "Sidway."

Peter Harrison appeared to have died without issue, before middle age, as he was not mentioned in the will of his mother, Mary Sidway, dated March 1, 1687 or '88. It gives as follows:

" Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Hannah Harrison, the horse colt that sucks on the black mare.

"I tem. I give and bequeath unto John Kersey, one yearling hepher. And for the rest of my estate my will is after my just debts paid that it be equally divided between my two sons, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Sidway, whom I do make my executors, to see this my will performed."

The will was witnessed by Lyddeia Norwood and Sam'l Alsebrook, who proved it on May 29, 1688.

Thomas Sidway, half brother of Harrison, appears to have died childless. His will, dated January 16, 1694, probated December 3, 1695, gives all his land and personal property to his wife Jeane, for life, and at her death to William Stringer and his heirs. The wife was named as executrix, and the witnesses were Benjamin Harrison and Sarah Pedington. Harrison also left something to William Stringer, if he came to this country, meaning probably, that he had gone to England. So it is evident that he was nearly related to or connected with Sidway's and Harrison's mother. He appears to have been the William Stringer, of Charles City County, who, January 1, 1682, made Elias Osborne his attorney in the law suits between him and Wm. Pickerill and Thomas Hayard, of Surry County. The witnesses to the letter of attorney were Paul Williams, John Harrison and George Jennings.

Source: Benjamin Harrison, from. "Virginia, Prominent Families, Vol. II, Chapter XV; Original data: Louise Pecquet du Bellet. Some Prominent Virginia Families. Lynchburgh, VA, USA: J.P. Bell Company ___________________________________

Biography with notes on grants via Headrights

Benjamin Harrison I m. Mary Stringer 2nd Mary Sidway

Children: Benjamin II 1645 - 1712/13 Peter - died childless Some time before 1635 Benjamin he was settled in Jamestown. Nothing is known of his life before coming to Virginia but we know he was an educated man of high standing because he was clerk of Council by 15 March 1633/4 when he signed a document in that capacity, and later was elected to the House of Burgesses.[The General Assembly of Virginia (Leonard)] The governor granted him 200 acres in Warrosquyoake (later Isle of Wight) County 7 July 1635 in addition to the 50 acres of a freeman which he later sold to Thomas Davis. [Patent Book 2, p. 71], 600 acres in James City County 18 May 1637, and 500 acres in James City 21 March 1643/4. [Patent Book 1, pp. 207, 420, 949] In 1642 he was elected to the House of Burgesses and he purchased 500 acres on the south side of the James River in Southwark Parrish, Surry, Co. where his children were born. One of Benjamin's neighbors was Richard Bennett Esqr. After the death of Benjamin I, Bennett sold the land to Francis Jordan. After Benjamin's death his widow married Benjamin Sidway. Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary Harrison, as “Peter Harrison, orphan of Benjamin Harrison, deceased,” received from his stepfather Benjamin Sidway a tract of land in 1652. A patent of 1655 describes Capt. Sidway as “father-in-law to Peter Harrison, son of Benjamin Harrison dec’d & heir …” [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 18]

His mother’s will of 1688 omits him. Mary Harrison Sidway made her will in Surry County leaving granddaughter Hannah Harrison a colt and John Kersey, a heifer. The rest of her estate she left to her two sons Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Sidway will dated 1 Mar. 1687/8 recorded 29 May 1688. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 4, 1687-94, p. 41]. Benjamin Harrison [II] witnessed the 1694-will of his half-brother Thomas Sidway. [Surry Co. Wills, Deeds, Etc. 5, 1694-1709, p. 79] http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pistoleros/jamesr.html read more


GEDCOM Source

@R1203558009@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=160067026&pi...


Mary Stringer Harrison BIRTH 1624 England DEATH 1687 (aged 62–63) Surry County, Virginia, USA BURIAL Unknown MEMORIAL ID 126515757 · View Source

MEMORIAL

She afterwards married Benjamin Sidway

Mary Sidway, dated March 1, 1687 or '88. It gives as follows:

" Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Hannah Harrison, the horse colt that sucks on the black mare.

"I tem. I give and bequeath unto John Kersey, one yearling hepher. And for the rest of my estate my will is after my just debts paid that it be equally divided between my two sons, Benjamin Harrison, and Thomas Sidway, whom I do make my executors, to see this my will performed."

The will was witnessed by Lyddeia Norwood and Sam'l Alsebrook, who proved it on May 29, 1688.


References

  • “Tennessee Cousins: A History of Tennessee People.” By Worth Stickley Ray. Page 505. GoogleBooks. Benjamin Harrison (son of Mary and Benjamin Harrison) married Hannah, 3 sons and 3 daughters.
view all

Mary Sidway's Timeline

1618
June 6, 1618
Owermoigne, Dorset, England
1624
May 30, 1624
Birstall, West Yorkshire, England
1645
September 20, 1645
Wakefield, Surry, Virginia
1647
1647
Surry, Virginia
1652
1652
Surry, Virginia
1688
May 29, 1688
Age 63
Surry County, Virginia