Will - John WATTS

Dated Nov 1772; Proved 07 Dec 1775

In the name of God Amen, I John Watts of A. a. County being thre the abundant mercy and goodness of God tho weak in Body yet of a sound and perfect understanding and memory do constitute this my last Will and Testament and desire it may be received by all as such: first I most humbly bequeath my soule to God my maker beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it, through the Sufficient merits and meditation of my most compassionate Redeemer Jesus Christ who gave himself to be an atonement for my Sins and is able to save to the uttermost of all that came unto god by him seeing the Ever liveth maker intercession for them and who I trust will not reject me a returning penitent sinner when I come to him for mercy, in this hope and confidence I render up my soule with comfort beseeching the most blessed and glorious Trinity one God most holy most Merciful and Gracious to prepare me for the time of my dissolution and take me to himself into that peace and rest and incomparable felicity which he has prepared for all that Love and fear his holy name Amen blessed be god I give my Body to the Earth from whence it was taking in full assurance of its Resurrection from thence at the last day: as for my Burial I desire it may be decent without promp or state at the discretion of my dear wife: and my Exctr. hereafter named who named who I doubt not will manage it with all requisite prudence as for my worldly Estate

I Will positively order that all my Debts be paid firs I give to my Dear loving wife a new plough and Irons belonging to it two paire of Iron traceses one Cart and what belongs to it one Chest one Bell mettel skillet and all belonging to her before they were joned in Matrimoey: and the increse of the Stock that was hers I xxxx to Rachell Pickett one Looking Glass one pocket Bottle and the Effects that belong to me to be Equall devided among my Children Nothing to be Taking from my wife that properly Belongs to her In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the _ Day of November 1772.~

Witness Abrm. Johnson Greenberry Ridgely

John Watts {Seal}

On the Back of the aforegoing Will was thus
Written Viz~
Anne Arunde Coty towit
December 7th 1775-. Came Greenbury Ridgely one of the subscribing witnesses To the within Will, and made a Oath that he did see the testator herein named sign and Seal this will, and that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament, and that at the time of his so doing, he was, to the Best of his apprehension of sound and disposing, mind, memory and understanding, and that he together with Abraham Johnson the other Subscribing Witnesses to this Will, Respectively subscribe their names as witnesses, in the presences and at the request of the testator and in the presences of each other.~
Sworn before me. Elie Nallette, DyCom aa Coty

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Contributed by Danny Watts
Source: MSA Anne Arundel County Prerogative Court (Wills) book 40, folios 568-569, year 1775

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