Author: John Michael Boyer
Richard Shipp was born about 1740 in Culpeper County, Virginia, to Thomas and Elizabeth Shipp. Thomas had inherited the plantation of his father, Richard Shipp (born about 1685) and his grandfather, Josiah Shipp (born about 1645), in Essex County, Virginia.

Richard first married Lucy Yowell, who was born about 1742 and died about 1764. He had one daughter, Lucy, by this marriage. The mother died shortly after the birth of her daughter Lucy. In 1765 Richard married second Mrs. Isabel Martin (also spelled Isabeila, Isbel and Ezbel) , widow of John Martin. John Martin had died in 1764 leaving a son, John Martin Jr., as his only surviving heir. Richard and Isabel Shipp were the parents of Ambrose, Richard, Josiah, John, Nancy and Thomas.

Early land records of Culpeper County, Virginia, show that Richard Shipp was in Culpeper County as early as 1755. (Culpeper County Deed Book E, Page 12 –Instrument dated 5 August 1755, but not recorded until 15 August 1763- "Richard Parker & Gizell his wife of Culpeper to Richard Ship of Culpeper County 91 acres of land in the said county of Culpeper, Colony of Va."). Other land transactions are: Deed Book E., p. 131- Instrument dated 22 March 1758- Robert Taliferro of Carolina County to Richard Shipp of Culpeper County "all that tract or parcel of land whereon the said Richard Shipp now liveth containing 100 acres on Mountain Run in the said county of Culpeper.. ." Witnesses: Jno. Parker, Samuel Clayton and Henry Gaines. Deed Book E. p. 537- Instrument dated 16 June 1768- John McKenzie of Culpeper to Richard Ship of Culpeper- 400 acres. Deed Book F. p. 343- Instrument dated 21 October 1771- Richard Ship and Ezbel his wife of Culpeper County to Atalph.

The unit in which Thomas Shipp served - General Nelson's Corps of Virginia Light Dragoons - was commanded by the soldier-statesman General Thomas Nelson Jr., first governor of Virginia and veteran of the Yorktown Campaign. In its August 6, 1778 issue, the Pennsylvania Packet described how General Nelson's "body of Virginia gentlemen, elegantly mounted as Volunteer light horse", had arrived in the city August 5.

Richard Shipp died in 1781 before August 20 of that year. His will was dated February 9, 1781 and was probated on August 20, 1781. (Will Book B, page 435).

WILL OF RICHARD SHIPP
"In the name of God Amen: I, Richard Ship of the County of Culpepper being low and weak in body, and knowing that all flesh must yield to Death when pleases God to call, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, revoking all former Wills by me made.
"Imprimisses: I give to my daughter Lucey one Good feather Bed & Furniture to be by her possessed immediately after my Decease.
Item 1st: I lend the remainder of my estate of what kind so ever it may be to my loving wife Isabel Ship during her natural life on which she is to raise my children & after her decease I give the remainder of my estate not already given to the remainder of my children, Ambrose, Richard, Josiah, John, Nancey and Thomas in equal distribution.
Item 2nd: I constitute and appoint Job Shumake & George Witherall, executors of this my last Will & Testament, the 9th day of February, 1781.
Signed, sealed & declared published in the presence of:
William Pinnegar
Richard X (his mark) Ship
Eliza X (her mark
Lucey X (her mark)

At a Court held for Culpepper County the 20th day of August 1781, this Last Will and Testament of Richard Shipp deceased was exhibited to the Court and was proved by the oaths of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. The Executors therein named refusing to take upon themselves the burden thereof. On the motion of Isabel Ship, administration with the Will annexed is granted her, she having made oath thereto and given bond and security according to law.

Teste.
John Jameson C & Cur.

In Will Book B -, p. 493 dated January 12, 1782, Richard Ship's estate was listed: One mare, 7 head cattle, 22 hogs, 4 narrow axes, 4 hilling hoes, one grub hoe, pair of wedges, one shovel plow clevis, two hammers, griddle, two iron pottshooks, one frying pan skillet one scythe, two linnen wheels, one woolen wheel, one saddle, one loom, a parcel of pewter, a parcel of earthen ware, knives, forks, box iron heaters, pair fire tongs, one churn, a chest, trunk, stone jug, tub and a feather bed.

References:
"The Shipp Family Genealogy", Shipp, Ralph D., Gateway Press, Baltimore, 1985. Pgs. 281-285.

Records at the The National Archives, Old Army Section, War Records Branch, Washington, DC, show that Richard Shipp served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War:
Muster roll card No.39187747: Va." -Richard Shipp, Revolutionary War, appears on list of General Nelson's Corps of Light Dragoons, list dated Baltimore, July 29, 1778."

Daughters of the American Colonists Lineage Book, pg. 266.