Sir William Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 September 1556 Woodham Mortimer, Southminster, Creeksea, Essex |
| Died | 14 November 1616 (aged 60) Creeksea, Essex |
| Resting place | All Saints' Church[1] |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation(s) | English knight, subscriber of the Virginia Company, and landowner |
| Known for | Incorporator in the Virginia Company of London |
| Title | High Sheriff |
| Predecessor | Sir Arthur Harris |
| Spouse |
Alice Smythe
(m. 1583; died 1615) |
| Children | Sir Arthur, William, Thomas, John, Alice, Frances, Elizabeth, Mary |
| Parent(s) | Sir Arthur Harris and Dorothy Waldegrave |
Sir William Harris (21 September 1556 – 14 November 1616) was an English knight, land owner, and a notable incorporator in the third Virginia Company of London.
This Harris family appears to have originated some 40 to 50 miles (64 to 80 km) east-north-east of London and on the north bank of the River Crouch. The village of Cricksea (or Creeksea) exists today on this peninsula in Essex County. Creeksea is located about 2 miles (3 km) west of Burnham-on-the-Crouch and about 18 miles (29 km) inland from the North Sea. Anciently called "Danes Island," this area was inhabited largely by Norman families after the conquest in 1066.
Sir William Harris was knighted on 23 July 1603 at Whitehall on the eve of the coronation of James I.[2] His elevation to the knighthood was the result of military service in Ireland during the Nine Years' War along with his cousin Sir William Harris of Shenfield, Essex.[3]