Dorchester County:
Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Stanford
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. The sixth day of May in this year of our Lord one thousand even hundred and fifty nine, I Elizabeth Stanford of Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland being sick and weak in body but of perfect sense and memory, thanks be given to God for it, and knowing the mortality of my body that we must all once die, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
First of all. I recomend my soul unto Almighty God whence it was taken hoping through the merits (sic) death and passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to have full pardon and remission for all my sins and offenses in this life; and my body to be decently burried at the discretion of my exor hereafter named.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Richard Stanford four negroes as namely on negro woman Temmey, one negro boy called Tack, all the said negroes I give unto my son Richard Stanford and his heirs forever, but will and desire is that if my son Richard should die without lawful heirs or issue that then the said four negroes to fall to my four daughters that is Sarah Staplehort and to Chebed Prichett and Rebecah Wallis and Rhody Waters to be equally divided between them and their heirs.
Item. I give unto my son Richard Stanford one yoak of oxens called Rum and Brandy and one gun and likewise two peuter basons and one dish and iron spit and my plow and chair and cleves and all axes and hoes belonging to the plantation and I give unto my son one bed and furniture and small parcel feathers and one chest and piece of cloth at the weavers and two iron pots, a large one and a small one, and one old pair Sarge Stillards for pot hangers.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecah Wallis two negroes Conke and Tom and one box Iron (sic).
Item. I give unto my daughter Sarah Staplefort my riding horse and sadles and all the rest of my estate to be equally divided amongst my five children.
Item. Last of all I constitute and appoint my well beloved son Richard Stanford and Thomas Wallis to be my whole and sole excutors of this my last will and testament for witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above mentioned. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of:
Elizabeth Stanford
Test: Isaac Partridge, Joseph H. ?
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