Will - Thomas BENSON

Dated 05 May 1789; Proved 06 Mar 1795

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Benson of Anne Arundel County considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say.

First I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Richard Benson, the sum of five shillings.

I also bequeath unto my second son Thomas Benson, my gun to him and his heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath unto my third son, John Benson the sum of five shillings.

I also give and bequeath to my fourth son William Benson one half of my Estate to him and his heirs forever.

I also give unto my oldest daughter Elizabeth Cheney the sum of five shillings.

I also give and bequeath unto my second daughter Sarah Danielson, the sum of five shillings.

I also give and bequeath unto my son in law John Miller formerly husband to my third daughter Comfort the sum of five shillings.

I also give and bequeath unto my fourth daughter Rachel Cheney the other half of my Estate to her and her heirs forever and it is my Will and desire that she and her husband John Cheney shall take care of William my fourth son, that is they shall have in their hands his Estate to for his maintenance and if the aforesaid shall marry then he shall have his Estate to himself and if he shall do without lawfull heir of his body then his half of my Estate to my daughter Rachel aforesaid and her heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath unto my fifth Daughter Ann Warfield the sum of five shillings and I do hereby appoint John Cheney my son in law sole executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this twenty fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

Signed, Sealed published and declared by
The above named Thomas Benson to be	Thomas
His last Will and Testament in the presents	his mark
of us who have hereunto subscribed our names	Benson
As Witnesses in the presents of the tesator

Richard Jones
Rich'd Waters
Richard Jones Jun'r

On the back of this aforegoing Will are the following Probated Viz

The 6^th day of March 1795
Then came John Cheney the Executor appointed in the written Will .and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that this instrument of Writing is the true whole and last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson late of Anne Arundel County deceased that came to his hands and possession and that doth not know of any others ..

Sworn before Jn'o Gassaway, Reg Wills AACty
Anne Arundel County
This 19^th day of March 1795

Then came Richard Waters one of the subscribing witnesses to the written last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson late of Anne Arundel County deceased and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that he did see the Testator therein named sign and seal this Will and that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last

Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of a sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding and that he together with Richard Jones and Richard Jones, Jun'r respectively subscribed their names as Witnesses to the Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and all in the presence of each other

Sworn before Jn'o Gassaway, Reg Wills AACty
Anne Arundel County
This 21^st day of March 1795

Then came Richard Jones one of the subscribing Witnesses to the written last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson late of Anne Arundel County deceased and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that he did see the Testator therein named sign and seal this Will and that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of a sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding and that he together with Richard Waters and Richard Jones Jun'r respectively subscribed their names as Witnesses to the Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and all in the presence of each other ..

Richard Jones
Rich Waters
Richard Jones Jun'r

Contributed by Janice Miles Parker