From Virginia Through the Southwest:Information about William Hillsman
William Hillsman (b. 1672, d. March 20, 1725/26)
Notes for William Hillsman:
York County, Virginia Order, Wills, etc. 1720-1729, No. 16, page 445
Will of William Hilsman
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I William Hilsman of the Parish of Yorkhampton in the
County of York, being very sick and weak but having my perfect sense and memory, and knowing
the mortality of all men, do by these presents make my last will and testament in manner and form
following (Viz.):
First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God who gave it, trusting through the merits of my Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ to have free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins, and offences and to
be an inheritor of everlasting life;
Secondly, I bequeath my body to the earth from whence it was taken and to be decently buried
according to the discretion of my Executors.
And thirdly, my workdly estate the which God has made me steward of in this world as followeth;
IMPRIMIS First I give and bequeath all my whole estate to be equally divided between my well
beloved wife Elizabeth Hilsman, my son Bennet Hilsman, my daughter Dianah Hilsman, my
daughter Elizabeth Hilsman, and my son-in-law John Henderson; if my son-in-law John
Henderson shall give receipt as my executors shall demand of him when he comes of age twenty
one years, otherwise one shilling.
Secondly, my will is that my son Bennet Hilsman be bound out for some trade, and that his estate
remain in the hands of my Executors until he comes of age twenty one years;
ITEM: My will is that my two daughters Dianah Hilsman and Elizabeth Hilsman remain with their
mother-in-law Elizabeth Hilsman and receive any part of their estate until they come to the age of
eighteen years or marriage.
And lastly, I appoint my well beloved wife Elizabeth Hilsman and Capt. William Sheldon my
whole and sole Executors of this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills by me
formerly made.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have set my hand and seal this 11th day of Nov., 1726.
Signed and Sealed in
the presence of
Wm. Hilsman (Seal)
Richard Bellamee
Catherine Sheldon
More About William Hillsman and Dianah Bennett:
Marriage: 1708, York Co. Virginia.
Children of William Hillsman and Dianah Bennett are:
- +Dianah Hillsman, b. 1713, Yorkhampton Parish, York Co. Virginia, d. Bet. 1765 - 1767, Mecklenburg Co. Virginia.
- Elizabeth Hillsman, b. 1715, Yorkhampton Parish, York Co. Virginia.