Will - John WEEMS

Dated 28 Nov 1794; Proved 11 Dec 1794

In the Name of God, Amen.
I John Weems of Ann Arundel County in the state of Maryland considering the uncertainty of life and possessing at present a sound mind, memory, and understanding, though afflicted in my Body with severe illness, being desirous of settling my worldly affairs do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament in the following manner and form VIZ:

Imprimis, I give and devise all my now dwelling plantation being part of Portland Manor to my son William Weems and his heirs forever.

2nd It is my Will and direction that my Executors herein named shall sell and dispose to the best advantage all my part of a tract called Lordship's Bounty containing one hundred and one acres. Also all my part of three other tracts called Burrage, Burrage's Blossom, and Burrage's End containing two hundred acres. Also all my other tracts and parcels of land now in my possession on Herring Creek to be sold as above and I do hereby fully authorize and empower them so to do and the money arising from this sale thereof to be applied to the payment of my just debts.

3rd I give and bequeath to my Sons John Beale Weems and William Weems and to my daughter Elizabeth Weems all my property of whatsoever kind it may be which shall be on the plantation late the property of Mrs. Ann Beall at the time of my decease except a Negroe woman hereinafter named to be equally divided between my three children. I further give to my daughter Elizabeth one Negroe girl named Poll. Also one silver tea chest, one silver salver, one silver tea pott, six silver tea spoons and six silver table spoons to be equally divided between my daughters Elizabeth Weems and Ann Weems.

4th I further give to my daughter Ann Weems the choice of Fifteen Negroes also one Negro woman named Hagar independent of her equal division.

5th After payment of my just debts and legacies and deducting my wife's third part of the estate, I will and direct that the residue and remainder of my property of every kind and denomination whatever be equally divided between my sons John Beale Weems and William Weems and the heirs of my daughter Sarah Johns, my daughter Mary McPherson, Elizabeth Weems, and Ann Weems, but as two of my said daughters, Viz, Sarah Johns and Mary McPherson have already had and received of me sundry Negroes to the number of 30 and upwards, it is my will mind and direction that they, the said Sarah Johns and Mary McPherson shall account accordingly to a Just and fair estimate to be made for the value of all such Negroes by them respectively received which value shall be taken and considered as part of their distributive share of my Estate herein to them bequeathed.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint my loving wife Mary Weems and friends John Hall of the Vineyard and Alexander McPherson executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking annulling and making void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this twenty eighth day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.

John Weems

Witnesses
Edward Hall
Mordicai Hall
Henry Hall

Anne Arundel County 11th day of December 1794. Then came Henry Hall one of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of John Weems 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 list Will and Testament, etc.
Edward Hall, ditto 12 Dec 1794.
Mordicai Hall 13 Dec 1794 ditto

J. Hall renounces his appointment as executor due to infirm health. 12 Dec 1794

Contributed by Anne Scrivener Agee
Source: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis MD, Anne Arundel County Wills Box W Folder 63