Person:Edmund Chisman (2)

Information on Edmund Chisman

From "William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers", Vol. 1, No. 2 (Oct., 1892), pp. 89-98:

Maj. Edmund Chisman (1), Jr.

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 expired, 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, Thomas Chisman in Virginia"(6). Her will(7) 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(8) and Jane Chisman(9), and wife, Mary. He omits mention of his son, Edmund, Jr. In 1646, Edmund Chisman was father-in-law of John Lilly(10). 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(11), who by his deposition was 53 in 1657. Lydia was niece of Capt. Farlow, one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, an expert mathematician 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.

(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.

(6) Ibid.

(7) New Eng. "Hist and Gen. Reg." Vol. 49, p. 250.

(8) 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.

(9) Jane was first wife of Francis, son of Col. George Reade, 2d wife, Anne --------.

(10) 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 grandchild Anne Wade. Y.C.R.

(11) His brother, Richard Bushrod, aged 32 in 1658, mar. Aphia ----- and had Thomas, John, Aphia and Dorothy. Widow Aphia niece of Capt. Farlow, one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers, an expert mathematician 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.