Will of John Fitch 1830

Last Will and Testament of John FITCH, Dated 6 April 1830, Proved 1 May 1830

In the name of God, Amen! I John Fitch of Baltimore County and State of Maryland, being weak in body and sound in memory and understanding and calling to mind the mortality of human life have made and ordained this my last will and testament in the manner and form following -

First I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Placency Fitch all the land which I hold in addition to Harbour being about sixty five acres more or less during her natural life is she remains a widow and if she marries she is only to have one third of the above named land and after her decease I give and bequeath the above named land to be equally divided between my two sons John Fitch and William Fitch

I give and bequeath unto my two sons William Fitch and John Fitch all that part of a tract of land that I hold of Fitches Choice supposed to be about fifty acres more or less to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs for ever and John Fitch and William Fitch must pay or cause to be paid into my son Henry Fitch and my son James Fitch one hundred dollars each when they come of age my desire is that my wife Placency Fitch shall give them sufficient schooling and maintain and keep them until they are old enough to go to a trade.

I give and bequeath unto my wife Placency Fitch on negro Girl named Hanna to do with her as she thinks proper. I also give my wife Placency Fitch one negro boy named Perry.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Parlet one Cow.

I give and bequeath unto my wife Placency Fitch all my live stock or in a word all my personal property during her natural life and after her decease to be equally divided be equally divided between my four daughters that is to say one fourth part to Elizabeth Parlet, one fourth part to my daughter Ann Fitch, one fourth part to my daughter Dorcas Fitch, one fourth part to my daughter Sarah Fitch. And lastly I ordain my wife Plecency Fitch and my son John Fitch my Executors to execute this my last will and testament. In witness of the same I have unto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixth day of April one thousand and eight hundred and thirty.

Seal John Fitch

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us Robert Fitch, Edward Ward, George Councilman,

Baltimore County, S.S. On the 1st day of May 1830, came Robert Fitch, Edward Ward, and George Councilman, the three subscribing witness to the aforegoing last will and testament of John Fitch, late of said County deceased and made oath on holy evangely of Almighty God, that they did see the testor sign and seal this will that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament that at the time his his so doing he was t the best of their appresshons of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and that they subscribed their names as witness to this will in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other. Sworn to in open Court.
Test D. M. Periue Register of Wills for Baltimore County

Contributed by Greg Burton
Source: Book 13, page 399 - 400 MSA CR 72,246