Will - David G. WEEMS

Dated 02 Apr 1857; Proved 09 May 1857

In the name of God, Amen.
I David G. Weems of Anne Arundel County and State of Maryland, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following

I give to my wife Deborah Weems, in lieu of her thirds the following property, namely the lot of land originally owned by Abraham Naylor lying east of Dr. Reynold's lot and containing 21 acres of land more or less during her life (after her death to be equally divided between all my children.) Also fifteen hundred dollars for the purpose of creating a dwelling house on said lot. Also one thousand dollars for the purpose of educating my younger children and Julius and Martha, also Emily and children. Also the note of her brother Elliott, the one for four hundred and forty dollars and fourteen cents the other for eight hundred and twenty two dollars and twenty eight cents.

To my son Julius B. Weems, I give and bequeath the lot of land upon which I live, containing about of an acre of land with all the buildings and improvements as also the adjoining lot of 25 acres of land including the mill and other buildings and improvements at a valuation of 2000 dollars.

To my children Rachel Ann, Tennison, Edwin, and Martha, I give the rest and residue of my estate in equal division, provided it does not exceed to each the amount given to Julius say 2000 dollars. If it does then and in that case let the surplus be divided among all my children or if upon a fair evaluation of the property left the four children above named, Julius has more than they, let him pay the difference so as to make the portion of each one the same. It is my will and desire that the servants which I let Rachel Ann have and which I value at five hundred dollars shall be considered as a payment on her portion of my estate.

It is my will that the following servants serve to the respective dates thereafter mentioned and then to be free; their increase to serve till they arrive at the age of thirty years. To wit, Negro man John to be free on the first day of January 1862; George to be free the first day of January 1868; Jacob the first day of January 1871; Amanda the first day of January 1861; Phil the first day of January 1878; Sally the first day of January 1880; Horace the first day of January 1883; Jerry the first day of January 1884 and Jenny the first day of January 1886.

Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Deborah Weems as the sole exec of this my last will and testament.

In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 2 April 1857.

Witness
Vernon E. Compton
Robert Perry
Thomas N. Phipps

Anne Arundel County 8 May 1857

Contributed by Anne Scrivener Agee
Source: Maryland State Archives, Anne Arundel County Wills, Liber BEG#1:41 F 296