Maj. Edmund Chisman, Jr.; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 1, No. 2 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Maj. Edmund Chisman, Jr. Lyon G. Tyler William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Oct., 1892), pp. 89-98 MAJ. EDMUND CHISMAN(1), JR. BY THE EDITOR. John Chisman came to Virginia in the Flying Hart in 1621. He was a lieutenant in 1624, living at Elizabeth City, aged 27, and with him was Edward Chisman, aged 22, who came in the Providence in 1623. In the last named year, Thomas Chisman was also in Elizabeth City(2). Later, John Chisman lived in York County(3) as commissioner of the County Court, in 1633 and subsequent years, lieutenant in 1633, captain in 1637, burgess in 1642-43, lieutenant- colonel and councillor in 1652. He returned to England before 1661, since in that year in a power of attorney(4) to Lawrence Smith he describes himself as of the "parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Bermondsea in the county of Surrey, merchant". Under this power, Smith leased in 1662, for 21 years to Edmund Chisman, of the Poquosin Parish in the county of York, Virginia, "brother" of said John Chisman, all the latter's property in York County with the proviso that if the said John and Margaret, his wife, did not live till the lease ex- pired, then as provided by the will of said John Chisman dated Aug. 6, 1658, the property should go to said Edmund Chisman for life and then "to returne to his sonne Edmund and his sonne Thomas, and their heyres male forever"(5). Col. John Chisman died before 1678, as in that year his widow, Margaret, gave a power of attorney to her "cozen, _____________________________ (1) The name was originally pronounced and often written "Cheesman". (2) Hotten. (3) York County Records. (4) Recorded in Y.C.R. (5) Y.C.R. Page 90. Thomas Chisman in Virginia"(1). Her will(2) was proved in England, July 21, 1680, by which she appears to have been related to the Masons and Theleballs, of Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. Edward Chisman, of 1623, was probably Edmund Chisman. I have found his name undoubtedly written that way several times. Thomas, of 1623, was probably another brother of Col. John, but probably died without issue, as I have seen no reference to his descendants. Edmund was justice in 1652, and resided in Pocisin (or Poquosin) parish on Chisman's creek. Will proved Feb. 4, 1678, and mentions son Thomas, daughters Mary Curtis(3) and Jane Chisman(4), and wife, Mary. He omits mention of his son, Edmund, Jr. In 1646, Edmund Chisman was father-in-law of John Lilly(5). Perhaps Mary was his mother. She died Dec. 11, 1678. Edmund, junior, married Lydia, aged 29, in 1678, "daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Bushrod", wife of Mr. Thomas Bushrod(6), who by his deposition was 53 in 1657. Lydia was _______________________________ (1) Ibid. (2) New Eng. "Hist and Gen. Reg." Vol. 49, p. 250. (3) Wife of Robert Curtis, who in 1687 held lands, devised to his wife Mary by her father Edmund Chisman, originally taken up by his "brother Col. John Chisman". - York Records. (4) Jane was first wife of Francis, son of Col. George Reade, 2d wife, Anne --------. (5) In January, 1693-4, Robert Reade and Mary, his wife, conveyed lands (for the benefit of their eldest son, John), descending to said Mary Reade as daughter of Mr. John Lilly, who married the heiress of Edward Mason, a cooper, and in 1660 aged 60, his wife Margaret being 57 then Y.C.R. "John Lilly, the son of John Lilly of Milford Haven [Gloucester Co.] by D*** his wife, was baptized Aug. 3d, 1669" - Pocosin Parish Reg. Armiger Wade's will pr. April 24, 1677. Mentions sons, John Hay, John Lilly and Armiger Wade; daughters Mary Hay deced and Dorothy Lilly, and grand- child Anne Wade. Y.C.R. (6) His brother, Richard Bushrod, aged 32 in 1658, mar. Aphia ----- and had Thomas, John, Aphia and Dorothy. Widow Aphia Page 91. niece of Capt. Farlow, one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, an expert mathe- matician and subsequently one of Bacon's supporters in Virginia, for which Gov. Berkeley hanged him. Bushrod married, 1st, Mary, widow of Capt. Thomas Hill(1) of "Essex Lodge," Washington's headquarters in 1781 at the seige of Yorktown, and originally patented by Capt. William Brocas of the Council. Edmund Chisman, jr., qualified as justice July 25, 1670, and in Bacon's Rebellion was made a major. After Bacon's death he was captured by Robert Beverley in York River. When he was arraigned before Berkeley, and was asked "why he had engaged in Bacon's designs", his brave young wife took all the blame on herself and besought the Governor "to hang her and pardon him". The Governor retorted with an indecent reproach, but Chisman cheated the gallows by dying in prison "of feare, of greife or bad usage"(2). It is possible that religion had something to do with the rebellion of Chisman. In 1659, the Colony had been much excited by the new sect of Quakers. The Court of York, on Sept. 10, 1659, ordered the sheriff and his deputies to prevent all private and other meetings of "the turbulent people called Quakers". But the order was so futile that the Court, on the 29th of October following, complained that the Quakers met in York County oftener than anywhere else. Nay, at that very ________________________________ married Dr. Henry Whiting of Gloucester Co. (Gen. Court Records). John Bushrod's tomb is at "Bushfield", Westmoreland Co. Born Jan. 30, 1663, mar. Hannah, daughter of William Keene, of Northumberland Co., and died Feb. 26, 1719. His son John's will was proved in 1760 (West Co. Rec.); he was father of Hannah, who was mother of Bushrod Washington. (1) Capt. Thomas Hill patented lands in Potomac, 1657; headrights, Capt. Thomas H., three times; Mary Bushrod, twice; John, George, Thomas, Mary and Francis Hill. - Land Office. Mary, dau. of Abraham Piersey, of the Council, married one Capt. Thomas Hill. "Sainsbury MSS". (2) Force's "Tracts", Vol. I. Neill's "Va. Carolorum". Page 92. court, Rev. Philip Mallory, a highly respected minister; produced a letter which he had received "from Mr. Thomas Bushrod whersby he certifyes a seeming desyre of a conference to be had with him by the Quakers". Mallory declared that he was anxious to meet them, and asked the court's permission to do so, but the court, while expressing their belief that a discussion would be of "good concernment' by being the means of undeceiving "the much seduced, de- ceived, and misled people", thought the matter, on account of its importance, should be referred to the Governor and Council. The General Assembly at their session in March, 1659-60, took the matter in hand, and fulminated a decree against the Quakers. This was at the session which found the English empire without a ruler, Richard Cromwell having ab- dicated the supreme power. The court records are silent as to any prosecutions during the interregum, and, probably, the authorities were too disturbed by the condition of things in England to carry out the law. After the King was duly restored, the Governor, Sir William Berkeley, published the King's pardon for all previous violations of law, but required strict conformity thereafter. But the Quakers were obdurate, and the women were especially zealous in at- tending "conventicles". This brought out an order of the Governor that "all women who should continue their said unlawfull meetings and broach their schismaticall and heritacall doctrines and opinions should by the adoiyning magestrate be tendered the oathes of Supremacy and Allegeance and the refusers to be Imprisoned according to Law". Even this did not suffice. At a meeting of the court for York County on August 26, 1661, complaint was made by two witnesses that "several Quakers mett the 25th instant in the woods amongst which were Mrs. Mary Chisman and two or three negroes belonging to her hus- band". The court ordered "the said Chisman and his wife to have notice of the Governrs said Order", and "if shee shall Page 93. hereafter offend in the like Kind that the said Order be put in Effectuall execution against hir"(1). On the same day, upon the written representation of Rev. Justinian Aylmer(2), a warrant was issued for Thomas Bushrod to appear next day at Coll. Reade's house. There we are advised that Rev. Justinian Aylmer, aged about 26 years, deposed that, on the 13th instant coming to take his leave of Capt. Warner on board the Elizabeth in York River, he heard Mr. Thomas Bushrod(3) say "your deponent and Mr. Philip Malory, that reverend divine, were a couple of Episco- pall Knaves, were anti-christ, came from the Pope, &c."; that Capt. Warner(4), speaking of the Quakers and producing a Letter that mentioned the Settlement of Church discipline in England and that the Quakers went to Rack", hereupon Bushrod said that "they should neet and his wife should not come to Church, but would meet on Sunday and bid either Capt. Warner or any one else come and take them if they durst". And Thomas Iken(5), aged about 28 years, said that Bush- rod "challenged and dared the magistrates to apprehend the Quakers at their meetings", and said, "they would meet on Sunday following and that his wife was usually at their meetings if weather would permitt"; and he heard Bushrod say to Capt. Warner "he would not meddle with him as a Councellr but that the said Warner was a Rogue and a dogg". An order was entered, directing the sheriff of York Co. "to take ye sd Bushrod into his Custody and him with a guard of six _______________________________ (1) Y.C.R., Vol. 2, p. 125. (2) Minister at Jamestown. Married Frances, sister of John Armistead, of "Hesse"; she mar. 2nd Lt. Coll. Anthony Elliott, and 3rd, Christopher Wormeley. - Keith's "Ancestry of Benjamin Harrison", p. 13. (3) Bushrod had been a burgess at the March session of 1659-60, which passed the Quaker law. (4) Capt. Augustine Warner of Gloucester Co: tombstone at "Warner Wall"; dated 24 Dec., 1674, aged 63. (5) In 1670, sheriff of Warwick Co. Page 94. soldiers safely to conveigh to ye prison of Yorke County and there keepe him without Bayle or Main Prise till ye next Qter Court at Jame Citty". However, in February, 1661-62, Bushrod had so far regained the favor of the Court as to be appointed with Major Beale and Lt. Col. Henry Gooch to divide the es- tate of William Hughes, deced. His will dated Dec. 18, 1676, forbids "common prayers to be read at his grave"(1). He had appointed William Drummond one of his executors, but a line was drawn through the name and by a memorandum attached the name of Coll. Augustine Warner, son of the Capt. Augustine Warner, already mentioned, was substituted. He left his property to his nephews, Thomas and John, and nieces, Alphia and Dorothy. It is natural that Major Edmund Chisman should have sympathized with his mother, step father-in-law and wife's uncle. Sarah Drummond in her petition to the Privy Council declared that none of the estates of the rebels were confiscated save the estates of her own husband, William Drummond, against whom Sir William Berkeley bore a particular grudge. And so we find Lydia Chisman allowed to qualify on her husband's estate on April 24, 1678. On November 13, 1678, a commission of administration on the estate of Major Thomas Hansford, another of Bacon's officers executed, was granted by the same court. This clemency in favor of the rebels was the work of the generous minded commissioners, Sir John Berry, Col. Herbert Jeffreys and Col. Francis Morrison. I am sorry to say that the justices of York, who had taken an oath of al- legiance to Bacon, joined in an application for the confiscation of Hansford's property. Among the justices was Major John Scarsbrooke, who had __________________________________________ (1) Y.C.R. The will was proved April 24, 1677, and the memorandum was perhaps attached after Drummond's execution. He directs "his body to be buried in my old Garden by the side of my wife Mary, without comon prayers or other customs used a funerals in case I dye at the Lodge". Page 95. married Jane, "eldest daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Bushrod" and sister of Major Chisman's wife, Lydia. He had been left out of the list of justices at first, but finally was reinstated on doubtless a humble submission(1). I found the following in the York records: Jan. 21, 1711. In the Ejectione ffirmae depending between Abel Dun plt. and John Wills and Eliza, his wife deft for fifty pounds Sterl. damage by means of the defts with force and arms, ejecting and Expelling the plt from his farm scituate in the Parish of Charles in York County demised to him by one Thos Chisman, &c., issue being Joyned a Jury [to wit]: William Sheldon, Philip Dedman, William Taylor, Thomas Burnham, Bassell Wagstaff, John Hansford, John Brookes, Richard Kendal, Edward Powers, Thomas Vines, Florence McCarty and Aduston Rogers were em- panelled and Sworn to try the issue; Robert Hide, Attorney for the defts of- fered as Evidence a declaration in Ejectmt of John Brodnax agt Lawrence Smith, Junr, dated 31st August, 1699, and an order of the Genl Court, dated October the 24th, 1699, obtained by Bartho Fowler for land lapsed from Edmund Chisman, but the Court being of opinion that the said papers had noe relation to the Cause, therefore ought not to be given to the jury as Evidence, the Attorneys on both sides having drawn up and agreed to a Special Verdict, the Jury were sent out to Consult it, and in some time after returned into Court and de- livered their Verdict in these words to wit: Abel Dun plt Jno Wills and Eliza his wife, defts We of the Jury do find that Edmund Chiesman jr dyed seized in fee simple of the land in question and left only one son, named John wch sd son departed this life the 13th day of June, 1679, without issue, under Age. We find that Thomas Chisman, the Lessor of the Plt, is only Brother of the said Edmund and heir at law to the said John. Wee find that Lydia, the widow of the sd Ed- mund and mother of the said John, did seat upon the sd Land in the life-time of the said John, and in the fall after the year of Bacon's Rebellion in manner as by the depositions annexed, by building a house and keeping a stock of hoggs thereupon for the space of one year, wch said Lydia dyed the sixteenth day of March, 1694. Wee find the sd Lydia did on the Eleventh of June, 1678, ________________________ (1) See "Thomas Hansford, &c." "Va Hist. Coll.", XI. Scarsbrooke had married, 1st, Mary, daughter of Capt. Nicholas Martian. Page 96. intermarry with one Thomas Harwood, who afterwards did burn the said House. Wee find that the sd Thomas Chisman did bring suit for the Land in question in 1699. John Clayton for the plaintiff. For the deft we find a patent granted to Edmund Chisman, Junr, dated the 8th day of July, 1670, of the Land in question herewith annexed, and to the seating the said Land we find the deposition of Nichl Martin and John Drewry hereunto annexed. We find the deposition of Michl Barlett hereunto annexed. We find a patent granted to Thomas Harwood, dated 8ber the 26th, 1699, for the said Land as lapsed from the said Chisman, the which patent is hereunto an- nexed. Wee find that the said Thomas Harwood dyed seized of the said Land. Wee do not find that Continued Claim hath been made of the sd Land. We find that John Brodnax by the demise of the sd Thomas brought a suit of ejectment for the said Land to a Court held for this County in Septr in the year of our Lord, 1699. Wee find the last will and testament of Thomas Harwood deced, dated the 25th of January, 1699, hereunto annexed. We find that John Wills, one of the Defts, before the bringing of this suit intermarryed with Eliza the widow of the sd Thomas Harwood, and that the sd Eliza is now living. If upon the whole matter aforesd the Court bee of opinion that the Law is with the plt we find for the plt one shilling damage, otherwise wee find for the defts. Robert Hyde with the defts. Will Sheldon, foreman. At the plts mocon the said Verdict is recorded and by cosent of both partyes the matters of Law arising therefrom are referred to the next Court to be argued". From the above it seems that Major Edmund Chisman's only son, John (born 2 June, 1669 - Parish Reg.) died 13 June, 1679, and that Lydia his wife married Thomas Harwood(2), and __________________________ (1) Charles Parish Reg. and York Rec. (2) Capt. Thomas Harwood, was a councillor and commander of Martin's Hundred. His wife was Anne -----, and he died before 1652. Issue, Humphrey (son and heir - Land Office Rec.), also doubtless Thomas of Pocosin (will proved 24 June, 1657) married Elizabeth, sister of Arthur Bray, wine cooper of London, and had Thomas of the text. He married 1st, Lydia, widow of Thomas Chisman; 2d Anne, widow of Thomas Wythe, Sen., of Elizabeth City; 3d, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Roberts. He died in 1700. Elizabeth, his mother, married 1st, Robert Sheild; 2d, Thomas Harwood; 3rd. Edward Mihill; 4th Capt. Wm. Hay. Page 97. died March 16, 1694. As the will of Thomas Harwood mentions no children, it appears that both Edmund and Lydia Chisman are without direct representatives. From the Parish Register, Lydia Chisman was "killed by thunder". Descendants of Capt. Thomas Chisman(1). Capt. Thomas1 Chisman was 38 in 1689-90; qualified as justice of York Co., Aug. 24, 1680, and was burgess in 1685. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Col. George Reade, and Elizabeth (daughter of Capt. Nicholas Martian), his wife. Will proved 18 Juy, 1715. He had 1. Thomas2, 2. Mildred2, b. Feb. 19, 1675; 3. Elizabeth2, b. Nov. 8, 1681; 4. John2, b. March 4, 1682; 5. Jane2, b. March 21, 1686; 6. George2, b. Jan. 5, 1689, d. Oct. 6, 1710; 7. Sarah2, b. May 2, 1690; 8. Anne2, b. Dec. 20, 1692; Elizabeth2 married ------- Lucas, and Mildred2 was first wife of Col. Lawrence Smith. A. Thomas2 died Dec. 11, 1722. He married Anne -----, and had Edmund3, John3, George3, Thomas3, Anne3, Mildred3, d. Sept. 23, 1748, and Elizabeth3. John3, d. about 1758, married, Mary, d. of Dr. Robert Phillipson (w. pr. 17 March, 1745), and had, 1. Catherine4, b. July 31, 1729; 2. Anne4, b. March 15, 1730; 3. Elizabeth4, b. July 26, 1737, d. July 27, 1737. John's3 property was divided at death between widow, Mary, and James Moss and Thomas Pescud, probably his sons-in-law. Thomas3 died April 7, 1727. George3 married Mary -----, and had Mildred. Edmund3 (will pr. Aug. 18, 1735), married Elizabeth Chapman, and had Thomas4, John4, Mary4, and Anne4. His widow married, secondly, James Goodwin, and her will was proved 17 June, 1782. Capt. Thomas4 Chisman married Elizabeth ------. His will was proved 18 June, 1770. Inventory L2294, 16, 4. His ____________________________________________ (1) The authorities are York Records, Pocosin Parish Register, and Chisman Bible in possession of Mrs. Maria W. Goodwith of Hanover. Page 98. wife died April 23, 1757. Capt. Thomas4 had by Elizabeth 1. Edmund5, born May 20, 1751, died April 13, 1784; 2. Thomas5, b. 26 Nov., 1753, d. Dec. 5, 1754; 3. Anna5, b. Aug. 28, 1755; married 2d, Diana, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Moss, and had 4. Thomas5, b. July 3, 1759; 5. John5, b. April 11, 1763, d. Feb. 14, 1782; 6. George5, b. April 26, 1761; 7. Diana5, b. May 5, 1765; 8. Mount Edward5; 9. James5, b. April 24, 1770. Of these Anna5 married William Howard in 1777; Mt. Edward5 had Hudson; Edmund5 (w. pr 20 April, 1784) married Mary, b. Dec. 2, 1759, d. Nov. 19, 1781, dau. of Anthony Robinson and Frances, his wife, and had Thomas6, b. May 12, 1777; 2. Anthony Robinson6, b. Oct. 6, 1779. Thomas6 living in York Co. in 1812. John4, (will pr. 20 June, 1803), brother of Capt. Thomas4 Chisman, married, 1st, Mary -----, and had 1. Mary5, b. Nov. 3, 1765; 2. John Buckner5, b. April 2, 1768; and married, 2d, Elizabeth, daughter of Major Miles Cary and Ann, his wife; and had 3. Miles Cary5, b. Jan. 27, 1781; 4. George5, b. June 8, 1783; 5. Elias5; 6. Matthew5; 7. Patsey5. B. John2 Chisman, son of Capt. Thomas1 Chisman and Elizabeth Reade, his wife, became a Colonel, and married Dec. 22, 1708, Ellinor, b. 25 July, 1690; d. Feb. 8, 1767, aged 77, daughter of Henry Howard and Diana, his wife. They had Elizabeth3, b. Dec. 15, 1709, d. March 17, 1717; 2. John3, b. June 25, 1713, d. Sept. 5, 1735, 3. Diana3, b. 12 Oct., 1715, d. 30 Nov. 1735; 4. Ellinor3, b. Nov. 19, 1717, d. May 22, 1765, married John Sheild; 5. Henry3, b. Sept. 3, 1720, d. April 17, 1770; 6. Mary3, b. Nov. 4, 1723, d. 12 March, 1781, married Harwood Jones (he died Feb. 9, 1771), son of Mathew Jones, of Warwick, and Martha, his wife. Of these John3 married Frances -----, and left one son, Col. John4 Chisman, who died in 1781. Diana3 married John Goodwin, and left one son, John, who married Elizabeth Doswell, of Hanover County and left descendants. Henry3 m. Mary -----, and had Mary, b. Feb. 5, 1749, and John d. 1781.