Dorchester County:
Last Will and Testament of John Stanford
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN.
The 17th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Five, I John Stanford in the County of Dorchester in the Province of Maryland, planter, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefore, calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally and
First of All, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and per (sic) my body, I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but that at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such wordily estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give to wife and dispose of same in the following manner and form.
IMPRIMIS: I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son John Stanford and his heirs two whole tracts of land called by the name of Benjamin Map and Stanford's Addition, consisting of four-three acres, more or less, and also part of one other tract of land called London beginning at a marked red oak with three notches at the head a small marsh about midway between the first and second boundary of the said tract of land called London thence running past to the full extent leaving that part to him that joins upon Benjamin Map, and also I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my beloved wife the full right and title to the said land till the said John arrives at the age of majority and thereafter the said Elizabeth shall inherit the plantation where I now live extending to the first large branch that makes up into Benjamin's Map running an East course from the head of the said branch, and during the said Elizabeth her life and after her decease to pertain and belong to the said John Stanford and his heirs to be equally divided between his brother and sisters surviving and their heirs lawfully begotten as is above expressed forever.
Item. I leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth Stanford part of a tract of land called London, running down the river to a marked red oak standing in a swamp near the line of a tract of land called Western opposite to the sawed walnuts crossing the land with an East course, to the said Elizabeth and her heirs lawfully begotten, and in case she die to have no heirs her part to be divided equally among her brothers and sisters surviving as above set down.
Item. I leave and bequeath to my son William Stanford and his heirs as aforesaid, all my right and title to that tract of land called London from the aforesaid marked oak downward under the provisions and restrictions as is above mentioned; I leave and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Stanford and her heirs the aforesaid tract of land called Stanords Perventure leading upon aforesaid land called London, but in case of non heirs and if both should die to be divided between their two brothers as above mentioned.
Item. I leave and bequeath unto my four children each of them a new three gallon iron pott. I leave to my said Elizabeth a bason and small dishes, three plates, one porriger, one salt seller, six spoons. To Margaret one bason, one tanker, two small dishes, three plates, one porriger, six spoons. To John my eldest son one large dish, three plates, four spoons, and to my eldest son John a horse colt called (sic) his branded on the aft buttox with a Gwnn. I leave to my two daughter a likely breeding mare of three years old to be payed them a (sic) twelve months after my decease and the increase to be equally divided between them when they are of age, only the first colt to belong to my son William, and in case my two daughters should die the said mare and her increase to belong to my children surviving. And lastly, I leave my loving wife, Elizabeth Stanford, and hereby constitute and ordain the said Elizabeth, my beloved wife my only and sole executor of this my last will and Testament, all and singular the above lands and pertanements all, all other moveables now belonging to me, and that during her widowhood, but in case the said Elizabeth shall marry then she shall be confined to her dowry as is above set down; and I do hereby disallow revoke and annul all other wills, legacies and (sic) exec. by me in any ways before named willed or bequeathed at any time heretofore, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of year above written.
John Stanford
Test: Alexander Strahom, John Merchant, John Ford (or Foord), William Stanford, Charles Stanford.
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