>From Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary: "Yeoman, noun 1. a common man, or one of the plebeians, of the first or most respectable class; a freeholder; a man free born. A yeoman in England is considered as next in order to the gentry.The word is little used in the United States, unless as a title in law proceedings and instruments, designating occupation, and this only in particular states. But yeomanry is much used. 2. An officer in the king's household, of a middle rank between a gentleman and a groom. 3. In ships, an inferior officer under the boatswain, gunner or carpenters, charged with the stowage, account and distribution of the stores. 4. A name or title of certain soldiers; as yeoman of the guard." Yeomanry also sheds some light: "Yeomanry, noun The collective body of yeoman or freeholders. Thus the common people in America, are called the yeomanry." Being only some 70 years removed from the will in question, but after the break with England, definition 1, or possibly 3, is probably what is meant in the will. Freeborn as opposed to slave or maybe bond-servant. Jay Thompson just an old genealogy nut too tough to crack. ________________________________ From: Joni Rabena <joni@mcburney.ca> To: jhelmke@sbcglobal.net; lower-delmarva-roots@rootsweb.com Sent: Tue, January 1, 2013 1:06:56 PM Subject: Re: [LDR] yeoman Hi, Jackie I always thought yeoman had something to do with the sea. Be interesting to see what others say! Happy New Year! Joni -----Original Message----- From: lower-delmarva-roots-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:lower-delmarva-roots-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jackie Helmke Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2013 10:39 AM To: lower-delmarva-roots@rootsweb.com Subject: [LDR] yeoman I looked it up in the dictionary, but I am curious what everyone's take is on the word, yeoman. My Theophilus Simonton (I), in his Will, 1754, called himself a yeoman. Theophilus Simonton's (I) wife was Mary Smith, sister of Archibald Smith, (sounded like a merchant), whose Will was in 1729, Lewes, Sussex Co DE. Theophilus' (I) Will was written in Conestoga Manor, Lancaster co PA, but probated in Rowan Co NC. Theophilus (I) is probably buried in Lancaster co PA. His son Theophilus Simonton (II) had died in 1751 in Lancaster co PA (empty Will packet), we think that is when the Simontons, Allisons and Thorntons realized they were not owners of the land they had been working. After Theophilus Simonton (I) died, 1754, all of the Simontons, Thorntons, most of the Allisons, moved to then Rowan co NC, now Iredell co NC. Mary Smith Simonton sued Patterson, cannot find documentation about this. Think they thought they were buying the land, but did not actually own it. Thanks... *************************************** QUESTIONS about POSTING GUIDELINES, SUBSCRIBING or UNSUBSCRIBING? Visit The Lower DelMarVa Roots Mailing List FAQ: http://www.tyaskin.com/handley/ldrfaq.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message *************************************** QUESTIONS about POSTING GUIDELINES, SUBSCRIBING or UNSUBSCRIBING? Visit The Lower DelMarVa Roots Mailing List FAQ: http://www.tyaskin.com/handley/ldrfaq.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message