Will of Sally Griffith 1788

Last Will and Testament of Sally GRIFFITH of Baltimore county, Dated 5 July 1788, Proved 6 Dec 1788

In the name of God amen. I Sally Griffith of Baltimore County in the state of Maryland being at present weak in body but of sound and Disposing mind and memory Do this fifth day of July One thousand seven Hundred and Eighty Eight make this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say first I do will that all my Just debts and funeral Expenses be duly Paid
I do will that my Executors herein after named shall Cause Stones to be procured and set up at the heads and feet of the graves of my dear deceased Parents and brother
I desire that they may be such as are Customary and such as my said Executors shall in their Discretion think suitable for the purpose

I do give and bequeath to my good Friend the reverend Lewis Richards of Baltimore Town the sum of fifteen Pounds Current money to be paid to him by my said Executors

I do give and bequeath to my Beloved Uncle Benjamin Griffith my negro man Called Simon(?) and it is my will and desire that he shall manumit him according to Law after having served two(?) years his wages for that time to be paid by my said uncle to my beloved Aunt Elizabeth Griffith for the purpose of supporting and Educating her Children and as to the rest Residue and Remainder of my personal Estate of what nature or Kind soever or Wheresoever situate Lying or being
I Give devise and bequeath the same in manner following that is to say one Half thereof to me beloved Uncle Benjamin Griffith the other Half to be divided among the Children of my beloved Uncle Nathan Griffith equally to wit Between my Cousins John Ensor Griffith, Rachel Griffith, Eleanor Griffith, Elizabeth Griffith, Nathan Griffith and Lewis(?) Griffith provided always and it is my true intent and meaning that in case my said uncle Nathan Griffith or my aunt Elizabeth Griffith at any time shall or may have occasion for any part or the whole of that half of the remainder of my Estate left to their Children for the purpose of supporting and educating my aforesaid Cousins than in that Case my said Executors hereafter Named are directed to pay to them or either of them such sums as they may want for that purpose and Lastly I do nominate Constitute and appoint my said uncle Benjamin and Nathan Griffith to be joint executors of this my last will and Testament

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written -------------------

Sally Griffith Seal

signed sealed and declared by Sally Griffith the Testator as her Last Will and Testament in the presence of
Lavallin Barry }
John Barry }
John Griffith }

Baltimore County to wit on the sixth day of December 1788 Came Levalin Barry John Barry and John Griffith three of the subscribing Evidences to the aforegoing Last will and Testament of Sally Griffith late of said County deceased and made Oath ?? that they did see the Testator sign and seal this will that they heard her publish pronounce and declare the same to be her Last will and Testament that at the time of her sodoing she was to the best of their apprehensions of sound disposing mind memory and understanding that they subscribed their names as Witnesses to this will in her presence and at her request and in the presence of each other Sworn before me Register of wills for the County aforesaid
Wm Buchanan

(A nearly illegible note was inserted here in minute handwriting stating that Baltimore County to wit on the ??? day of March 1789 came Benjn. Griffith and Nathan Griffith and did ?????? all ????????? according to ???????)

---

Contributed by Robert Carr
Source: microfilm print of Baltimore County will book 4, pp. 319, 320 & 321

---