LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM STANDIFORD

In the Name of God Amen. I William Standiford of Baltimore County in the province of Maryland being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First and principally I commit my Soul to God, and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executri herein after named and after my just debts and funeral charges are paid and discharged, I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Elizabeth Standiford, one negro man named Dick one negro boy named Charles one negro winch named Rachal.  Two, of my best feather Beds and furniture one desk, two table Silver Spoons, five Silver tea spoons and one bay horse three years old for and during her natural life, and at her decease, to be equally divided between her children which are now alive.  I give and bequeath unto my son James Standiford one horse and one mair which are called his creatures.  I give and bequeath to Hutchings Standiford my son one feather bed and furniture.  I give and bequeath unto each of my children (born to my two deceased ?) one shilling Sterling and no more to each of them, having heretofore made provisions for them.  I give and bequeath unto my ten Children to wit: James, David, John, Benjamin, Mary, Sarah, Delah, Susanna, Elizabeth and Ellioner all the residue and remainder of my Estate to be equally divided between them and my Will is that my son James have my negro Boy Joshua at the appraisement in his part aforementionod, and should the said boy amount above his proportion in my Estate then my Will is that he pay the ballance thereof to the Estate aforesaid and lastly I do nominate and appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Standiford Executrix of this my last Will and Testament of this my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand seal this 30th of October 1775.

William His (mark)Standiford

Signed sealed and published by William Standiford to be his last Will and Testament in presents of us: Abram Janett, Samuel Watkins, Abraham Ditto (his mark) and Penelope P. Stansbury (her mark).

Balt. Coty. SS. On the 29th day of May, 1776 came Samuel Watkins and Abraham Ditto two the the subscribing Evidences to the within Last Will and of William Standiford late of Baltimore County deceased and severally made Oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they saw the Testator sign and seal and heard him publish and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to best of their knowledge of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding, and that they together with Abraham Janett and Penelope Stansbury and the other Evidences subscrib'd their names as Witnesses thereto in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other.  Sworn to before and certified by me the subscriber deputy commissar of the county aforesaid.

Thomas Jones