John Dillman
| Born: | Died: | Married: Mary Biggs | Mother: Margaret | Father: Peter Dillman | Descendant: |
John Dillman was the head gardener at Kew Gardens, and was a contemporary and uncle (by marriage) of Francis Engleheart. He left much of his estate to his grand-nephew John Dillman Engleheart.
From the book Kew: The History of the Royal Botanic Gardens , in a chapter entitled Prince Frederick at Kew:
"Frederick retained the services of Lady Elizabeth's gardener, John Dillman, who had come from Dillenburg in Germany, eventually becoming a British Citizen. From 1732 Dillman also maintained the Prince's garden at Carlton House, and an acre plot at Leicester House; in 1740 Durdans near Epsom was added to his responsibilities. He retired in 1753 and died about seven years later."
George II's daughter in law, the Dowager Princess of Wales: "In June 1752 her head gardener, John Dillman, was contracted "to compleat all that part of the Garden at Kew that is not yet finished in the manner proposed by the Plan and to keep all that is now finished, which is computed at 35 acres"
"Head gardeners and curators:
DILLMAN, John (- c. 1760)
A German by birth, Dillman was gardener to Lady Elizabeth St André (new Capel) at Kew House when Frederick Prince of Wales leased the property. He retained Dillman, eventually making him responsible for the gardens of his other properties. Princess Augusta also employed Dillman whose responsibilities at Kew were confined to the kitchen garden, melon yard and orangery in 1753. He resigned in 1756. His salary which had been £50 in 1730 was £700 by 1752; he owned land in Kew.
Birth
John Dillman was born in Dillenburg in Germany. His date of birth, or age at death, is unknown.
A transcript of "Letters of denotation and acts of naturalisation for aliens in England and Ireland" says
Bill received Royal Assent 22 April 1737 John Dillman, son of Peter Dillman, by Margaret his wife, born at Dillingbourgh in Germany.
Interestingly there is also a:
Engelbert Iserloo (Iserlo), son of Engelbert Iserloo, by Katherine his wife, born at Elverfelt in Germany.
Marriage
In the marriage registers of St Anne, Kew is written:
1724: March 10th John Dillman & Mary Biggs, both of Kew, p Licent.
My hypothesis is that Mary Biggs was the sister of the Anne Briggs who married Thomas Dawney. If so, then this explains his relationship to the family, where in his will he writes that his niece is Ann Engleheart (the daughter of Ann Dawney née Briggs). He also says is is will that John Dillman Engleheart is his nephew. Having Ann as his niece, and John as his nephew, can only be resolved if we assume by nephew he's also encompassing what we would term a grand-nephew
Previous hypotheses to explain this, assumed that the Ann who married Thomas Dawney was John Dillman's sister by blood, not marriage. However, I've not yet seen the evidence for that. The only marriage I have found for Thomas Dawney was Ann
The hypothesis of the earlier Engleheart book by George Williamson was that he married one of Thomas Dawney's daughters (so Francis Engleheart would be his brother-in-law). But there is evidence that Mary Dawney married a John Bone (not John Dillman). Plus that would make Ann Engleheart (née Dawney) his sister-in-law, but he names her as niece in his will.
It is clear that the Biggs family must be important in some way to the Engleheart family, as George Engleheart paints Mrs Biggs four times (1779, 1781, 1781, 1784) and Mr. Biggs once (1778).
Children
There do not appear to be any records of children born to John Dillman and his wife Mary.
Mary died in 1756, and was buried at St. Anne, Kew on the 3rd March 1756.
The fact that he left all his estate to his nieces and nephews would further indicate that he had had no children of his own.
Death
John Dillman died in March 1760, he was buried on the 20th March 1760 at the church of St Anne, Kew. His gravestone has recently (before 2018) been rediscovered after being overgrown with grass.
Transcript of the gravestone of John Dillman at St Anne Kew, Surrey, England.
JOHN DILMAN gardiner to his Royal Highness FREDERICK PRINCE of WALES He died March the ? 1760 Also the Remains of MARY his wife She died Feb.r. the 24th 1756 ... ... ... Also the Remains of MARY DILMAN ENGLEHEART Who died Sep.m. the 3rd 1769 Aged 21 Years Likewise WILLIAM her Son Aged 10 Months A Tender ... ... Dear A Faithful .. .. here ..RY WEBBER her Moth...
His Will and Testament
Summary of relationships to John Dillman from his will (below):
- His niece Ann Engleheart is the wife of Francis Engleheart - she got some land/houses.
- Her Mother is Ann Dawney
- His nephew is John Dillman Engleheart
- His sister is Ann Dawney
- His niece is Ann Bone
His will says:
In the Name of God Amen, I John Dillman of Kew Green in the county of Surry Gardiner being of sound Mind Memory and Understanding thanks be given to Almighty God for the same but considering the uncertainty of like the certainty of death and the uncertainty when or how soon the same may happen and being desirous to settle and dispose of all such estate that it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with and so adjust the same that no disputes may after my death happen to arise to which the same do therefore make my Will in the manner and form following first and principally I most humbly command my soul into the hands of Almighty God my most merciful creator trusting in the alone merits of Jesus Chris his son my most Blessed Saviour and Redeemer for those forgiveness of all my Sins and that after my death my soul and body being committed I shall and may enjoy eternal happiness my body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named
and as to such worldly estate that it hath please Almighty God to bless me with or that I shall besieged of or possessed of interested in or in any ways entitled unto at the time of my decease I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof in manner as hereinafter is mentioned first I give and devise unto my niece Ann Engleheart Wife of Francis Engleheart and to her heirs and assigns for ever all that my copyhold messuage or tenement with the Court Yard and Appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being on Kew Green aforesaid in the possession Theobald Esq orig so adjoining West upon a Party Wall of a messuage or tenement and premises belonging to me now in the occupation of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and East on a messuage or tenement and ground belonging to John and Thomas Layton and also my freehold grounds and building therein parted worth said freehold ground is part of that I purchased of Mr Howslett together with the leasehold Garden adjoining South for the Residue and Remainder of my Term and Interest therein paying the rent and performing the covenants contained in the Indenture of Lease by which the same is hold which said above mentioned premises are more particularly described in a plan taken thereof which said plan is signed by me
and also all the furniture and household stuff that shall be In the said above mentioned messuage or tenement and premises at the time of my decease save and except her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales Picture Colonel Pelham Picture my own and my wife and a Childs which said premises and furniture so devised I do charge the same with the payment of what moneys I owe her Mother Ann Dawney and also to have a free passage to and from the said messuages and premises into the roads leading from Richmond or Mortlake during the remainder of the term and interest I had therein
Also I give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew John Dillman Engleheart his heirs and assigns for ever all that my copyhold messuage or tenement and premises with the appurtenances situate standing and being on the Southside of Kew Green aforesaid now in the possession of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales abutting East with a party wall on the messuage belonging to me now in the possession of Theobald Esq. West on a messuage or tenement now in the possession of William Frine North on the Green and South upon a piece of freehold land with a building thereon erected being part of the freehold land which I purchased of Mr Howlett and also on a piece of leasehold garden during the remainder of the term and interest I have therein
And also a free passage to the roads leasing to Richmond and Mortlake to being dung or mould at reasonable times as the said garden shall require and also liberty to draw water from the well under the middle of the fence as now stands to both houses
Also I give device and bequeath all the household furniture as shall be in the said last mentioned messuage and premises at my decease unto my nephew John Dillman Engleheart his executors administrators and assigns
Also I give and devise unto my said nephew John Dillman Engleheart and to his heirs and assigns all those four running lots in Kew Meadows which I purchased of Peter Thorne.
Also I give devise and bequeath unto my sister Ann Dawney all that messuage or tenement and premises with the appurtenances situate standing and being on part of the leasehold garden thereto adjoining more particularly described in a plan taken thereof and signed by me together with all the furniture and household stuff that shall be therein at the time of my decease for and during the remainder of the term and interest I have therein if she shall so long And in case she shall happen to depart this life before the determination of the least then from and after her decease I give and bequeath the said messuage or tenement and premises together with the said furniture unto my nephew Francis Engleheart for and during the remainder of the term that shall be then to come and unexpired if he shall so long live and in case said lease then from and after his decease I give and bequeath the said messuage or tenement and premises together with the furniture as aforesaid unto mu said nephew John Dillman Engleheart his executors administrators and assigns during the remainder of the said term that shall be then to come and and unexpired
Also I give and devise unto my Niece Ann Bone her heirs and assigns forever all that my copyhold messuage or tenement and premises situate standing and being on the east side of the Horse Road leading to Richmond being built on part of the ground I purchased of Mr Dorell now in the possession of John James Esq. abutting North on a piece of ground of John hillman Engleheart south with a party wall on a messuage now in the possession of John Gater east on my ground now in the tenure of William Frime with the appurtenances.
Also I give and devise unto my nephew John Gater all that messuage or tenement with the garden behind with a passage on the south side as by a plan taken thereof and signed by me will more particularly describe now in the possession of John Gater and abutting north with a party wall on my house now in the possession of John Jane Esq for and during his natural life and from and after his decease I give and devise the same unto my God-daughter Mary Gater her heirs and assigns forever in case she attains her age of twenty one years In case she happens to depart this life before she attains her said age of twenty one years then I give and devise the said messuage and premises unto her sister Lydia Gater her heirs and assigns forever In case she happens to attain her age of twenty one years and if she shall depart this life before she attains her age of twenty one years then I give and devise the said messuage and premises with the appurtenances unto her sisters Jane and Elizabeth Gater and their heirs and assigns and tenants in common and not as joint tenants and I do hereby declare that the Well in the aforesaid garden shall always routine and remain as the joint property and benefit of the three messuages as it now stands
AlsoI give and devise unto my said Nephew John Dilman Engleheart and to his heirs and assigns forever all those two copyhold messuages or tenements and premises with the appurtenances now in the tenure of the hamlet of Kew which I purchases of George Gardiner but chargeable with the payment of the sum or ten pounds each to his four brothers Paul Thomas Francis and George Engleheart at their several and respective ages of twenty one years
Also I give and bequeath unto my nephew Francis Engleheart the Efoer his executors administrators and assigns all that my leasehold messuage and premises with the appurtenances situate on the east side of Kew Green now in the tenure ofHenry Mollinoux for and during all the rest residue and remainder of the term of years I have therein to come and unexpired
Also I give and bequeath unto the said John Gater all my utensils both in Gardening and farming together with all my Wearing apparel both Linnen and Woollen
Also I give and bequeath all my plate and household Linnen unto the children of my Nephew Francis Engleheart and niece Ann Bone to be equally divided between them share and share alike
Also I give and devise unto my said nephew John Dilman Engleheart his heirs and assigns for ever all those ten acres of land which I purchased of Mr Darell lying and being in the parish of Richmond in tryst to be sold and the money arising therefrom to be applied for the payment of all my debts and Logary herein after bequeathed
Also I give nd devise all those my coach houses and stables not in the possession of Theobald Esq. unto the said Ann Engleheart for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same unto the said John Dilman Engleheart his heirs and assigns also I give and devise unto the said John Dilman Engleheart and to his heirs and assigns for ever all the remainder part of my copyhold land and the buildings thereon erected situate in the hamlet of Kew and which I purchased of the said Mr. Dorrel upon this condition nevertheless that he permits and suffers John Gater during his natural life to live and reside in the cottage which he now inhabits clear from all rent and demands whatsoever which said cottage is part of the above premises so devised to him and adjoins to a cottage now in the possession of Mr. Martin Shoemaker
Also I give and bequeath unto the said John Gater the sum of twenty pounds to be paid him six months after my deceases and as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estates both freehold copyhold and personal I give devise and bequeath unto my said nephew John Hillman Engleheart his heirs executors administrators and assigns and I do herby nominate and appoint the said John Hillman Engleheart sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other will or wills by me heretofore made and I do declare this only to be my last Will
In witness thereof I the said John Hillman have to this my last Will and Testament contained in three sheets of paper set my hand to the two first sheets and my hand and seato this last sheet thereof this twelfth day of march one thousand seven hundred and sixty.
John Dillman signed sealed published and declared by the said testator John Hillman as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Testator an in the presences each other the initialisations in the first and seconds sheet being first made
Richard Butt, Henry Taylor, Richard Sheppard.
This Will was proved at London the twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty before the Worshipful George Harris Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull Edwards Simpson also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of John Hillman Engleheart the sole executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chapels and credits of the deceased he having been first sworn only to administer.
Westminster Sessions
12 April 1751 - Westminster Sessions
https://www.londonlives.org/browse.jsp?div=LMWJPS65455PS654550004
In the Matter of William Golden Glazier against Cornelius Edwards his Apprentice
Richard Crackenthorp of the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields Clerk to Mr Pinner Sollr. for the said William Golden Maketh Oath that he this Dept. did Yesterday Morning before the Hour of Seven o Clock Personally Serve Mr. John Dillman Churchwarden of Kew in Surry at his House at Kew aforesaid with A true Copy of the Petition & Order hereunto Annexed And this Dept. further Saith that the said John Dillman told this Dept. that he was not the Person who mannaged the Putting out of this Boy but that One Mr. Richard Butt of Kew aforesaid was the Person who had the management of Putting out the said Boy an Apprentice and Showed this Dept. the said Mr Butt's House and desired this Dept to take the said Petitioners and Order from him & deliver it to the said Mr. Butt which this Depont. did Accordingly And this Dept. further Saith that he did the Same Morning also before Seven o Clock Serve John Edwards Father of the said Cornelius Edward of Kew aforesaid with Another true Copy of the said Position and Order hereunto Annexed And this Dept. further Saith that at the times of Such Services as aforesaid he this Dept. did Shew to each of the said Persons so Served as above the said Originial Petition and order hereunto Annexed
Sworn in Court this 12th. Day of April 1751
Other Records
- See "London Lives, Culture & Society 1680-1817", Westminster Sessions, 1 Apr 1751, WJ/SP/1751/04, London Metropolitan Archives
- One Johann Engelbert Dillmann was born in 1695 in Daaden, Altenkirchen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. This is 30km from Dillenburg. It looked promising, but less so given that he died in 1720 in the same location.