James Dashiell (1634 - 1697)

Origins

It is likely that Thomas Shiles is related to the subject of this profile, with the surname a variation of the Franco-Scots line.

1660s

James Dashiell first appears of record in Northumberland County, VA with his servant, John Thomas, age 13. James Dashiell and John Thomas were among those later transported to Somerset County by David Spence.^[4]

In 1663, the James Dashiell family relocated to Somerset County, Maryland; however, like David Spencer, James Dashiell may have traveled back and forth between Northumberland County, Virginia and Somerset County for several years.^[5]

The year 1663 brought William Thorne and William Bosman to Manokin-officials and "Churchmen"; while between 1663 and 1666 came Roger Woolford, Charles Ballard, James Barnabe (or Barnaby), Phillip Barre (or Berry), John Nelson, John Panter, George Downes, George Betts, Gideon Tillman and Richard Ackworth - "Churchmen" About the Monies, the Ingrams, Wallers, Cornelius Johnson and William Jones settled; and on the Wicomico River (or very near by David Spence, James Dashiell, John Winder, Thomas Shiall and Daniel Haste.^[6]

1 Jan 1665 (O.S.--Document says 1666 Came David Spence and enters these eleven rights following: James Dashiell, David Spence, Ann Dashiell, James Dashiell, John Thomas, Joel Taylor, Robert Murdrake, William Laytone, George Doone, Elizabeth Dashiell and Isabell Egions to the aforesaid. Rights are in part to make good his patent for one thusand acres. These rights attested by me: William Thorne. Somerset, MD

He was likewise purchased a cow, registered cattle marks, purchased land, acted as a witness and was appointed surveyor of the highway at Wicomico in 1665.^[7]

On 12 June 1667, William Layton bought Carny's Chance. According to the land records of Somerset County, this 300-acre property was deeded to William by James Dashiell, who held power-of-attorney for Thomas Carny Jr., a mariner who went back to Bristol, England. Carny patented the property 14 February 1666.^[8]

1670s

The grand jurors.-Somerset records, 1672. The foreman, David Brown, afterward bequeathed five hundred pounds to Glasgow University. The other jurors were Robert Hart, Marcus Thomas, Thomas Covington, James Dashiell, Benjamin Cottman, Levin Denwood, Richard Ackworth, John Dorman, William Woodgate, Richard Davis, Alexander Draper, Peter Dorotey, Robert Houlston, Thomas Davis, Thomas Roe, Cornelius Johnson, John Bozman, John Williams, Richard Tull and Phillip Askew. ^[9]

James Dashiell, gentleman, Wolfe Trappe Neck, 50 (acres) Eastern side of Chesapeake Bay on the South Side of Nanticoke River, November 20, 1673, p. 24^[10]

Francis Roberts, planter, Second Purchase, 250 (acres) South side of Wicomico River…on the westernmost side of a small creek called Dashiell's Creeke…near land surveyed for Thomas Cox…land formerly surveyed for William Thomas of Virginia. March 12, 1673, p 34^[10]

1681

Andrew Jones to James Dashiell, Becknam [this survey is crossed through as void], 100 on southernmost side of Wetipquen Creek back in the woods from said creek…formerly surveyed for, Stephen Cannon, September 19, 1681, p. 244^[11]

Andrew Jones to James Dashiell, Becknam, 150 East side of Nanticoke River on ye southernmost side of a creek of ye said river called Wetipquen Creek ..back in the woods from the said creek. September 19. 1681, p. 245^[11]

1697

In his will dated 1697, the first James Dashiell had written: “It is my will yet all my goods if have [they are] moveable or nonmoveable should be equally divided amongst all my children with ye Negroes yet is alive.” ^[12]

His manor plantation was known as Long Hill, which was bequeathed to his son Robert Dashiell. In 1718 it was divided into two parts. The lower part of 150 acres contained the "Dwelling House of James Dashiell and Ann Dashiell" where they died and was left to Robert's son James Dashiell. An 1884 deed to Thomas Hambury of Wicomico County "reserve[ed] the burying ground" located on the second terrace above the waters of Wetipquin Creek. James and Ann are most likely buried there.

Sources

1. ↑ James Dashiell Archives of Maryland.
2. ↑ Milesfiles 20.0
3. ↑ They Lived in Somerset: 17 Century Marylanders
4. ↑ Chronology of David Spence & the Alexander/Graham Connection
5. ↑ FamilySearch Storage Records
6. ↑ The Early Settlers of Maryland by Gust Skordas
7. ↑ Residents Appearing the Provincial Court (1665-1668); Somerset Co., Maryland USGW Archives
8. ↑ The Layton Family of Delmara, compiled by James Layton Moore (March, 2013)
9. ↑ The Days of Makemie: Or The Vine Planted. A.D. 1680-1708 by Littleton Purnell Bowen
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Salisbury University Records 2
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Salisbury University Records
12. ↑ Shoreline, vol. 19, Dec. 2012