Will of James Griffeth 1775

Last Will and Testament of James Griffeth of Baltimore county, Dated 25 March 1775, Proved 18 July 1778

In the Name of God Amen I James Griffeth of Baltimore County State ????? in ???? sound memory and Judgement thanks be to God for the same therefore calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal State of my body and knowing that it is appointed to all men once to die do make and ordain and appoint this my, my Last Will and Testament that is to say. First of all I give and recommend my Soul unto the Mercy of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I recomend to the Earth to be Buryed in decent and Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors and touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I do hereby Constitute ordain and apoint my Beloved Sons John Griffeth and William Griffeth Executors of this my Last Will and Testament

first I Will and bequeath to my beloved wife Rachel Griffeth all my Estate both real and personal with all and singular my Land and tenements to be by her possessed and injoyed during Widowhood and after her decease I Will and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Kerenhapuch Grifeth five pounds Curt.(?) money and I give and bequeath to my son William my Wagon and Teem with all the harness and Geers thereunto belonging and also a negro Boy named Gabril and I will ordain and apoint the remainder of my personall Estate after payment of my lawful debts and legacys after the decease of my beloved Wife shall be equaly divided Between all my Children

I give and bequeath to my son William Grifeth all that Tract of Land whereon I now live called Christmas Eve and allso part of that tract of Land called disturbed mind to him and his heirs and if he should dye without lawful Isue to be sold and the price equaly divided among the survivors and I do hereby uterly disalow revoke and make void all other Wil or Wills and Testaments hereby ratifieing this to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this 25th day of March in the Year of our Lord Anno 1775.

James (his mark) Griffith (Seal)

(The Words William Grifeth in the 27th line interlined before Sighn'd)
Sighned Sealed and declared to be his last Will and Testament in presents of us
Luke Chapman }
Joshua Chapman }
John Chapman }

Balt Co'ty SS.
On the 18th day of July 1778 Joshua Chapman and John Chapman two of the subscribing Evidences to the aforegoing last Will and Testament of James Griffeth late of Baltimore County deceased made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they saw the Testator sign & seal ??? heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing Mind memory & understanding and that they together with Luke Chapman the other subscribing Evidence thereto signed thier names as Witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the Testator at his request and in the presence of each other before me the Subscriber Register of Wills for the County aforesaid Thomas Jones

Contributed by Bob Carr
Source: Baltimore Co. will book 3, pp. 366 & 367

Some Additiona information provided by Marilou West Ficklin:
Abstract of Deed to Christmas Eve from William Griffith, brother of John Griffith, deceased, to Benjamin son of John Griffith, deceased.
Baltimore County Deeds, Liber WG VV, p. 210, filed 18 April 1796.
[Downloaded from Maryland Land Records www.mdlandrecs.net]
William Griffith of Ohio County in the state of Virginia Esq. grants to Benjamin Griffith, son of John Griffith late of Baltimore County, deceased tracts called Christmas Eve and Disturbed Mind. Properties are located on the south side of the main road leading from Thomas Cockey's Mill to Royeston being the dwelling plantation of James Griffith, Sr. late of Baltimore County, deceased The deed excepts the part of the land reserved as a grave yard. William appoints his nephew, Abednego Griffith, as his attorney. The deed is witnessed by John Kerr and James Wells.