Will of Abarilla Harvey 1815

Last Will & Testament of Abarilla Harvey of Baltimore County, Dated 27 Jun 1815; Proved 9 Mar 1822

I Abarilla Harvey of Baltimore County and State of Maryland being now weak of body, but of perfect memory and well disposing mind and understanding, being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefor make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit:

First and Principally I commit my Soul to Almighty God who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Sister Rachel and my Executor.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my faithful Negro Man John Jackson his freedom at my decease, and do hereby declare the said John Jackson a free Man on the day that I depart this life: and I also give unto the said John Jackson one small Cherry tree Table.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my faithful Negro Woman Hager Jackson and all her issue their freedom at my decease, and do hereby declare the said Hager Jackson & all her issue absolutely free on the day that I depart this life, and I also give unto unto (sic) the said Hager Jackson one flowered Gown, one Holland Apron, one small cotton Spining wheel, and one large Woolen spining Wheel.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my Negro Boy Samuel Davis his freedom at my decease, and do hereby declare the said Samuel Davis a free Man on the day I depart this life, and I also earnestly request my Executor to have a care over the said Samuel Davis after he be free, and further I give the said Samuel Davis one small Trunk.

Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my Mulatto Boy Rueben John Hazard Jackson his freedom at my decease and do hereby declare the said Rueben John Hazard Jackson a free man on the day that I depart this life: But if I should depart this life before the Said Rueben Should arrive to the age of twenty one, I earnestly request my Executor to have a care over him and if possible have him put to a trade still declaring him free at twenty one years of age. I also give the said Rueben John Hazard Jackson one large Iron bound Chest.

Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto Peakin Jackson a Black Man one copper Coffy Pot.

Seventhly, I give and bequeath unto Rebecca Tomson a black Girl one flowered Gown and one Holland Apron.

Eighthly, I give and bequeath unto my dear Sister Rachel all the residue of my Estate of what kind soever, and do earnestly entreat her if her circumstances will admit it to give some part of the said residue to the within named Samuel Davis and to Negro Toney at her own discretion.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my trusty friend Uria Brown Executor of this my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty Seventh day of June in the year of my Lord One thousand Eight hundred and fifteen.

Abarilla Harvey {seal}

Signed, Sealed, Published and declared to be the last Will by the Testatrix in the presence of Robert Alder, Michael Alder.

Baltimore County Ss. On the 9^th day of March 1822, came Michael Alder one of the subscribing evidences to the aforegoing last Will and Testament of Abarilla Harvey late of said County deceased and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that he did see the Testatrix sign and Seal this Will that he heard her publish pronounce and declare the Same to be her last Will and Testament that at the time of her so doing She was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and that he together with Robert Alder the other subscribing evidence thereto subscribed their names as Witnesses to this Will in her presence, at her request, and in the presence of eath other. Sworn to in open Court.
Test: Wm. Buchanan. Regr

Contributed by Cheryl Kemp Perkins
Source: Baltimore County Wills (MSA: CR72,245-1; liber 11; folio 395-396)