Will of John Griffith 1792

Last Will and Testament of John GRIFFITH of Baltimore county, Dated 2 January 1792, Proved 27 January 1792

In the Name of God Amen I John Griffith of Baltimore County and Stait of Maryland Farmer being in perfect health sound mind memory and Understanding thanks be to God for the same, therefore Calling to mind the Uncertainty of this Mortal State of this Transitory life and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, that is to say first of all I give and Recomend my soul to the Mercy of almighty God who first gave it and my body to be recommended to the Earth to be enterred in a Decent Manner at the discretion of my Executors and touching worldly Estaits wherewith it hath pleased God to bless my with in this life I do hereby Constitute ordain and appoint my Beloved son Abednego Griffith and Benjamin Griffith Executors of this my last will and Testament

First I will and bequeath after my lawful Debts are paid the home plantation and all that appertaineth thereunto unto Abednego to be Enjoyed by him and his heirs forever and Likewise I will and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Griffith the whole of a Tract of Land Called Christmas Eve and all that appertains thereunto to be enjoyed by him and his heirs forever provided the said Abednego and Benjamin Griffith doth pay an Equal part of the Demands against the said Land Called Christmas Eve at their own Expenses without Diminishing any part of the Personal Estate for the same.

I give and bequeath the whole of my Personal Estate between my five Children namely James Griffith Nathan Griffith Rebecca Steffe Ruth Griffith and Rachel Griffith to be Enjoyed by them forever I also give and bequeath to my Grandson Greenberry Griffith one full set of Coopers Tools and if any of my Children should die without Lawful heirs the Dividend to be Equally divided amongst the survivors and I do hereby Utterly disalow revoke and make void all other Will or Wills heretofore by me made Ratifying this my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this second day of January One thousand seven hundred and ninety two.

Signed sealed and Delivered as
My last Will and Testament
John Griffith (his X mark)

in the presence of us ----
George Grice
Nathan Chapman
Jonathan Griffith

Baltimore County to wit ?????
27th day of January 1792 .?.

Contributed by Rpbert Carr Source: microfilm print of Baltimore County will book 5, pp. 32 & 33

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.