Samuel Duchemin (Dishman) Will and Inventory
The will and estate inventory of Samuel Dishman were transcribed from the originals on file at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Virginia. The links within the will provide additional information about the persons mentioned, and the links within the inventory help to explain some of the more obscure terms. Reading the 18th century handwriting is sometimes difficult, so there are most likely errors in my transcription.
Samuel Dishman’s Will
Source: Westmoreland County, Virginia, Deed Book 8, Page 84
Transcribed by W. Keith Dishman 16 Jul 2000. Transcript (PDF)
In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Dishman of ye County of Westmoreland in Washington Parish in Virginia being very sick and weak of body but in perfect sense and of sound memory – thanks be to God for it, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, Revoking and renouncing all other Will or Wills heretofore by me made.
Impr. I Recommend my Soul into ye hands of Almighty God, my Creator, trusting in him to have a joyful Resurrection, etc. and my body to ye Earth to be decently Buried in ye Christian burial at ye discretion of my Executors hereinafter mentioned.
1st I give and bequeath unto my Eldest Son John Dishman all my Lands in Stafford County with ye free Simple thereof to him and his heirs forever, and also, I give him all my Smiths tools of what kind so ever, also I give to my aforesaid Son John Dishman, three Negroes named Tony, Judith, and Giny.
2dly I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Brown three Negroes called Sambo, Sarah and Pegg, one feather bed and furniture thereunto belonging, two cows and calves and two sheep.
3dy I give unto my Daughter Ann Dishman, three negroes, named Kitt, Harry and young Shew, one feather bed and furniture thereunto belonging, two cows and calves and 2 sheep.
4thy I give unto my Son James Dishman all my Lands in King Georges County with ye free Simple thereof to him and his heirs forever and also two Negroes called Dick and Shew.
5thy I give unto my Son David Dishman two Negroes named Tom and Will.
6thy I give unto my Son Peter Dishman two Negroes called Will Winnes child and Anthony Shews child and my desire is that all my Lands in Essex County should be equally Divided between my said two sons David and Peter Dishman, with ye free Simple thereof, to them and their heirs, forever.
7th I give unto my Daughter Mary Disman (sic) two Negroes named Charles and Young Giney to be delivered at ye age of 18 or ye Day of Marriage, but in case she die before she come of age, then to be divided between David and Peter Dishman.
8thy I give and bequeath unto my Son John Dishman half ye Lands belonging to me in this County of Westmoreland with ye free Simple thereof to him and his heirs forever, and the other half to my beloved Wife Cornelia Dishman enduring her natural life and after her decease to my Son James Dishman with ye free Simple thereof, to him and his heirs forever.
9thy I give unto my Daughter Mary one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves and two sheep.
10thy I give unto my well beloved Wife Cornelia Dishman three Negroes named Ned, Winney, Frank with her mare, saddle and bridle.
11thy All ye rest of my personal Estate of what kind, nature or quality soever I give to be equally divided among my four Sons and my beloved Wife.
Lastly I do herby constitute and appoint my Son John Dishman and my beloved Wife Cornelia Dishman to be my Executors of this my last Will and Testament, but if my Wife should marry again, then I do herby leave my Son John Dishman my sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th Day of November Anno Domini 1726.
Testes Richard Rollins, Richard R Arrowsmith, Francis Lacon
Westmoreland / At a Court held for the said County the 31st Day of May 1727
This Last Will and Testament of Samuel Dishman deceased was presented into Court by his relict Cornelia Dishman and John Dishman the Executors therein named who made oath thereto and being proved by the oaths of Richard Rollins and Richard Arrowsmith two of the Witnesses thereto, is admitted to record.Test.
G. Turberville C:C:WRecorded this Third Day of June 1727
G.T. C:C:W
Samuel Dishman’s Estate Inventory
Source: Westmoreland County Inventories 1723-1746, Pages 69-69a
Transcribed by W. Keith Dishman 30 May 2003
In obedience to an order of Court dated May 31st 1727, we ye appraisers appointed by ye said order being summoned and sworne before Mr. Robert Washington, Gent., one of his Majestie’s Justices of ye peace of ye said County have appraised ye Estate of Samuell Dishman of ye said County, dec’d.
Page 69, Left Column £ s d 1 Negro Man called Tony 35 – – 1 Negro Woman called Judy 25 – – 1 Negro Girl called Jeny 18 – – 1 Negro Man called Dick 30 – – 1 Negro Boy called Tom 20 – – 1 Negro Woman called Sew 25 – – 1 Negro Boy called Will 15 – – 1 Negro Boy called Frank 10 – – 1 Negro Boy called Anthony 05 – – 1 Negro Boy called Nedd 08 – – 1 Negro Girl called Sew 07 – – 1 Negro Man called Sambo 30 – – 1 Negro Woman called Sarah 20 – – 1 Negro Girl called Pegg 09 – – 1 Negro Boy called Charles 09 – – 1 Negro Man called Kitt 30 – – 1 Negro Man called Harry 30 – – 1 Negro Woman called Winny 25 – – 1 Negro Girl called Jenny 07 – – 1 Negro Boy called Will, Winny’s child 06 – – 1 Negro Boy called Ebon 05 – – 1 old feather bed boulster quilt, & sheets, bedstead, & Cord 04 – – Chest & box 00 06 – 1 pair of large Stillards 01 – – ½ doz. of old Leather Chairs 01 – – 1 Oval table 00 12 – 1 old large square table 00 08 – 1 Warming pan 00 10 – 1 small Looking glass 00 01 6 1 old bed Bolster Rugg, a pair of Sheets blanket, hide & Cord 03 00 – 1 bed Bolster Rugg, a pair of Sheets blanket, hide & Cord 03 – – 7 ½ yards of brown Sheeting Linen – 08 6 ½ 9 yards of brown Sheeting Linen – 09 – 11 ½ yds. of brown Linen – 06 8 ½ 10 yds. of brown Linen – 05 – 1 ½ yds. of Brown Linen Sheeting – 01 10 ½ 8 ½ yds. of Brown Linen – 02 ½ 20 ¼ yds. of Dowlas 01 – 3 19 yds. of Garlicks 01 02 2 1 ¼ yds. of Shirt Holland – 02 – 1 ¼ of Candlewick – 02 6 1 Chest – 10 – 1 old Chest – 04 – 1 pair of large Scales & Weights – 08 – 6 ¾ yds. of Penistone – 06 9 8 yds. of Shalloon – 03 – 5 ¼ yds. of Druggett – 08 9 4 ¼ yds. of Serge – 04 11 ½ 10 yds. of Carsey – 12 6 3 ½ yds. of Carsey – 03 3 3 remnants of Cloth – 03 – 1 pair of Men’s Shoes – 03 – 2 Deer Skins – 07 6 1 large Chest – 10 – 1 new Rugg – 12 – old Rugg – 06 – 1 old Rugg – 06 – 7 Sickels – 02 – 2 Rying Sives [?] – 08 –
Page 69, Right Column £ s d 1 old pair of Money Scales & Weights -- 02 6 ¼ Ouz [?] of burrow [?] -- 03 -- a parsel of earthenware -- 01 8 3 Stone Juggs -- 01 6 1 doz. of bottles -- 01 -- a parsel of books -- 12 -- 1 old Woman saddle & Saddle cloth -- 05 -- 2 old Mens Saddles -- 15 -- 1 Horse 10 -- -- 1 Mare 05 -- -- 1 Young Horse 07 -- -- 3 old Huccaback Napkins & tablecloth -- 05 -- 7 old Napkins -- 03 -- 1 old box Iron & heaters -- 02 -- 90 lbs. of new Steel at 3 d. 01 02 6 a sett of Smith’s tools 08 -- -- 1 well fixt Gun -- 12 -- 366 lbs. of old Iron at ¾ d. 01 02 9 ½ 1 old Gun -- 08 -- 27 lbs. of old brass at 4 d. -- 09 -- a parsel of old axes & hoes -- 10 -- 1 old Cart & Wheeles 02 -- -- 17 hoggs 05 02 -- 36 lb. Tin Cask 01 16 -- his wearing clothes 04 -- -- 2 old tables -- 05 -- 4 _____, 1 drawing knife, 1 gridiron -- 03 -- 2 brushes & 2 pair of shears -- 01 6 1 handsaw -- 01 6 a pair of small Stillards -- 07 -- 9 hids [hides?] 01 -- -- 3 Wedges -- 06 -- 1 frow -- 03 --
Page 69a, Left Column £ s d 12 yds. of Brown Sheeting Linen – 15 – 19 yds. of Brown Linen – 19 – 3 yds. of Cotton – 02 – 2300 ten penny Nailes – 09 4 19 french books 02 10 – some Window glass – 01 – 1 Chest – 08 – 2 small Boxes – 03 – 1 Bed Bolster, 1 pair of Sheets, 1 Blanket, Bedstead, Hide, & Cord 02 – – 1 new Bed & bolster, 1 fine pair of Sheets, Quilt, 1 Blanket, 2 pillows and pillow cases, bedstead, Cord, & Hide 08 – – 1 new feather bed 02 – – 1 old Bed, bolster, 1 pair of Sheets, 1 blanket, 1 pillow, bedstead, Cord, & Hide 03 – – 1 Bed & bolster, 1 pair of Sheets, 1 Blanket, bedstead, Cord, & hide 03 10 – remnants of Linen – 01 – 2 ¼ yds. of Sheeting Linen – 02 6 a remnant of Duroys – 01 6 2 ould Caps – 02 – ¾ ft. of Candlewicks – 01 6 12 yds. of Shiffats [?] – 07 – 1 large trunk – 04 – 2 old Walking Canes – 05 – 1 small Chest – 05 – bell mettle spice mortar & pestel – 10 – 2 bell mettle skillets 01 – – 1 brass Kettle qt. 27 lbs. at 14 d. 01 11 6 1 old brass kettle qt. 37 lbs. at 8 d. 01 04 8 1 Spitt – 05 – 108 lbs. of Pott Iron a 2 d. – 18 – 3 brass Candlesticks & brass skimmor – 06 – 3 Iron pott Racks – 15 – 79 lbs. of good pewter at 9 d. 02 19 3 68 lbs. of old pewter at 5 d. 01 08 4 1 Ladle & flesh forek – 03 – 3 old frying pans – 03 – 5 pottles & piggins – 10 – 74 lbs. of Pott Iron at 2 d. – 12 4 1 small basen – 01 – 1 Crosscutt Saww – 10 – 2 doz. of flagg Chairs 01 10 – 1 large flagg Chair – 01 3 a parsell of old tubs, an old crosscutt Saw, an old trundle bedstead, & 2 baskets 01 05 – 1 powdering tub & 1 cask – 15 – 9 sider cask 01 10 – 1 large Still 06 – – 7 Ewe & lambs at 8 s. 02 16 – 10 Sheep at 5 s. 02 10 – 4 Cowes & Calves at 35 s. 07 – – 10 Cowes & Yearlings at 40 s. 20 – – 3 Young Stears at 25 s. 03 15 – 1 pair of Spoon Molds – 12 – 1 sett of Coopers tools – 15 – 1 Add_, 8 Auger [?], & 1 Square – 05 – 1 well fixt [illegible] – 15 – 3 Meal Sifters – ? ?
Page 69a, Right Column £ s d 1 old feather bed, bolster, & blanket, a pair of Sheets, bedstead, cord, & hide 03 – – 3 wedges, 1 pewter dish, & 7 plates – 07 6 1 large Iron pott & 1 small Do. – 13 – 1 old Chest – 02 – 2 old frying pans – 02 – a parsel of working tools & other lumber – 15 – 3 Cow & calves 05 05 – 3 Cows & Yearlings 06 – – 2 Stears 03 – – 1 Mare & Colt 02 10 – 1 Mare 05 – – 8 hoggs at 6 s. 02 08 – 1 Spinning Wheel, 1 old Saw, 10 lb. pint pott – 08 – 1 bed cord & Razors & a old Hone – 03 6 Westmoreland / At a Court held for the said County this 26th Day of July 1727.
This Inventory of the Estate of Samuel Dishman dec’d. was returned into Court upon Oath by John Dishman one of his Executors and Ordered to be Recorded.
Test.
G. Turberville C.C.WRecorded this third Day of August 1727.
G.T: C.C.W.
Notes for Samuel Dishman’s Will and Inventory
The total value of Samuel Dishman’s estate was not recorded, but the total of the legible numbers in the inventory is 562 pounds (£), 4 shillings (s), and 5 pence (d). The British monetary system was used in the Colonies at that time, with 1 £ = 20 shillings and 1 shilling = 12 pence. Using historic measures of the consumer price index for Britain, this corresponds to approximately $74,000 in current U.S. dollars. Note that this does not include the value of any land or buildings that he owned.
Samuel owned 21 slaves that accounted for two-thirds of the estate value.
The inventory contains several items that give a clue to the origin and occupation of Samuel Dishman.
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- The “19 French books” are consistent with the theory that Samuel Dishman came from France.
- The “sett of Smith’s tools” , the large quantities of metals (90 lbs of new steel, 366 lbs of old iron, 27 lbs of old brass, 108 lbs of pott iron, 79 lbs of good pewter, 68 lbs of old pewter, 74 lbs of pott iron), and the “money scales & weights” indicate that Samuel Dishman may have been a metalsmith. Isaac Duchemin, believed to be Samuel’s brother, was referred to as a “smith” in several court records.
Glossary of Terms
bedstead: the framework for supporting a bed.
bell mettle: “bell metal”, a form of bronze containing 20% to 24% tin that has a particularly sonorous quality, used to cast bells.
bolster: a long narrow pillow or cushion.
carsey: a coarse, ribbed, narrow woolen cloth named after the town Kersey in Suffolk, England.
cooper’s tools: tools used to make or repair wooden barrels and tubs.
dowlas: a coarse linen or cotton cloth.
drawing knife: A joiner’s tool having a blade with a handle at each end, used to shave off surfaces, by drawing it toward one.
druggett: a heavy felted fabric of wool or wool and cotton, used as a floor covering.
duroys: a coarse woollen fabric formerly manufactured in the West of England.
flesh fork: a meat fork for cooking in the fireplace.
frow: also froe, a cleaving tool having a heavy blade set at right angles to the handle.
garlicks: Garlick, Gulick, Gulix or Guilick holland, very fine and white linen, was chiefly used for men’s shirts.
gridiron: a grated iron utensil for broiling flesh and fish over coals.
huccaback: a coarse absorbent cotton or linen fabric used especially for toweling.
penistone: a coarse woolen.
piggins: a small wooden pail or tub with an upright stave for a handle, often used as a dipper.
powdering tub: a tub or vessel in which meat is corned or salted.
serge: a durable woolen fabric made from combed long-staple wool which was not fulled.
shalloon: a lightweight wool or worsted twill fabric, used chiefly for coat linings.
stillards: variant of “steelyards”, a type of balance scale.
shirt Holland: Holland is a linen cloth originally produced in Holland and later generically applied to other linens.
spitt: a slender, pointed rod on which meat is impaled for broiling.
My mother just showed me the hand typed copies of this will someone made in the early 1900s in our family…it’s interesting that its an exact copy of what I just read. We are related to the Templetons that one of the Dishmans married in the 1800s.