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...

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

Here's a definite I found on-line under Terms Used in 17th Century Wills: Yeoman: Yeoman in the plantagenet period, meant a knight's retainer. There were also Yeomen of the King's Chamber, who were minor court officials under the Chamberlain. At that period, there was a class of freemen called Franklins, and under the Tudors the name of yeoman gradually became attached to them. Broadley speaking they constituted a stratum of cultivators of the soil, either freeholders or tenants, who differd from the minor gentry more by way of life than by any economic category. The yeoman would put his own hand to work that the gentleman would employ servants to do, and his wife likewise; but many a young man of gentle and even armigerous family was styled yeoman, as long as he lived like one (i.e. until he inherited his father's estate). Below the yeoman class came the equally ill defined stratum of husbandman, whose landholding was normally smaller. The standing of the yeomanry is reflected in the later use of the word for the local volunteer force, mounted on their own horses, as distinct from the (infantry) militia. Jeanne -----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 12:39 PM 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