Will - Catharine GASSAWAY

Dated 28 May 1782; Executed 28 May 1788

In the name of God Amen-- I CATHERINE GASSAWAY of Ann Arundel County in the State of Maryland being sick and weak in Body but of perfect sound and disposing mind and memory, thanks be to God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory World do make ordain constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following--that is to say:

First - I give and bequeath to my beloved son BRICE JOHN GASSAWAY all my right Title and interest or claim to and in a tract of land called Partnership to him and his heirs and assigns forever, also one negro woman called BECKE, one feather bed and furniture and six sheep.

Also I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter SUSANNAH ROGERS one negro woman called LIDDY, one feather bed and furniture, one small oval table, six sheep, six silver teaspoons, all my earthenware and all my wearing apparel.

Also I give and bequeath to my beloved son THOMAS GASSAWAY one negro man called BARNABA in case he will pay or cause to be paid unto his son NICHOLAS GASSAWAY when he arrives at the age of twenty-one years the sum of twenty pounds sterling money, otherwise the said negro BARNABA is to be the property of my grandson NICHOLAS GASSAWAY (son of THOMAS). I also give and bequeath to my beloved son THOMAS GASSAWAY the sum of five shillings current money.

Also-- I give and bequeath to my beloved son CHARLES GASSAWAY one large oval table, one looking glass, ten pounds gold currency and six leather bottom chairs.

Also-- I give and bequeath to my beloved granddaughter ANNE ROGERS one negro girl called JUDY.

Also-- I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter SARAH WARFIELD when she arrives to the age of sixteen years or the day of marriage which shall first happen one negro boy called TOM, one young mare, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, four sheep, one sow and pigs, one pewter dish, six pewter plates, and ten pounds gold currency to be applied to her education.

Also--I do hereby authorize and empower my beloved son BRICE JOHN GASSAWAY to take into his possession all of my beloved granddaughter SARAH WARFIELD's part of my ESTATE and to support her with such necessities as may be requisite until she arrives to the age of sixteen or Day of Marriage, which shall first happen. It is my will and desire that if my granddaughter SARAH WARFIELD should die without issue that her part of my estate shall become property of my granddaughter CATHERINE ROGERS.

Also-- I give and bequeath to my grandson NICHOLAS ROGERS one desk.

Also-- I give and bequeath to my grandson SAMUEL ROGERS one mare called Phillis.

Also-- it is my will and desire that all the residue of my estate should be sold by my Executor hereafter to be appointed and the money arising from the sale thereof to be applied in paying the Legatees their Legacies and all other just debts that I do owe and the balance that may remain in any I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter SUSANNAH ROGERS.

Lastly-- I do hereby constitute nominate and appoint my beloved son BRICE JOHN GASSAWAY Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day May One thousand seven hundred and eighty-two.

CATHERINE GASSAWAY

Signed Sealed Acknowledged Published and Declared as her last Will and Testament in presence of us:
THOMAS WORTHINGTON,
NICHOLAS ALDRIDGE,
ZACHARIAH ALDRIDGE.

Anne Arundel County, the 20th Day of May 1788. To wit--Then came BRICE JOHN GASSAWAY, Executor of the last Will and Testament of CATHERINE GASSAWAY late of Anne Arundel County deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that the within instrument of writing is the true and whole Will and Testament of CATHERINE GASSAWAY late of Anne Arundel County Deceased that hath come to his hand or possession and that he doth not know of any other. Sworn before Hon. Gassaway Reg ~ Wills for A.A. County.

Anne Arundel County, the 20th Day of May 1788. Then came THOMAS WORTHINGTON and ZACARIAH ALDRIDGE two of the subscribing Witnesses to the within last Will and Testament of CATHERINE GASSAWAY late of Anne Arundel County Deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the testator therein named sign and seal this Will and that they heard her publish, pronounce and declare the same to be her last Will and Testament to lament that at the time of her so doing she was to the best of their Apprehensions, of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, and that they together with NICHOLAS ALDRIDGE respectfully subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the Testator, and in the presence of each other. Sworn to before Hon. Gassaway, Reg. Wills for A.A. County.

Contributed by Mark Jerkatis
Source: Vol. JG#1, Pg. 19-22