Will of John Hawkins 1783

Last Will & Testament of JOHN HAWKINS of Harford County, Dated 18 August 1783, Proved 23 October 1783

In the Name of God Amen I John Hawkins of Harford County and State of Maryland being infirm in body but of Sound mind and judgement but calling to mind the uncertainty of Time here does make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following

Imprims I give and Bequeath unto my Son Richard Hawkins all my personal Estate except Negroes after paying the Legacys hereafter Bequested and my just Debts and funeral Expences to him and his Heirs and assigns for ever.

Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Samuel my plantation whereon I now live with all its appertnances being part of a Tract of Land called Newstead and also a Small moiety or piece of Land leased from Martha Smith adjoining Said Newstead being part of Thomas Smiths, Aqua Demnum, to him and his Heirs and assigns for ever.

I likewise give unto my Said Son Samuel one Negro boy called Jarry Seventeen Years of age also a Negro girl named Sarah aged fiveteen years and a Negro boy called Pomfey aged thirteen years which Said three Negroes Shall Serve my Said Son Samuel his Heirs or assigns till they arrive at the age of thirty years and then to be free and I hereby manumit the Said Negroes and their Issue, if any, from my Said Son his Heirs and assigns for ever and from all persons whatsoever claiming by or under him or me after they arrive at Said age.

Likewise my will is that My three aged Negroes Viz, Cuff, Jimmy, and Mary Shall at their request be at their Liberty to go wherever they chouse after my Decease only they Shall finish the crop that may be on hand at the time of my Decease and if they chouse to Stay on the place or return to it after they are gone my will is that my Son Samuel do a Christian part by them and take care of them during their natural lives.

Item I give and Bequeath unto my two grand Children Mary and Hosea Johns twenty pounds Specie each to them and their Heirs forever and my will is that if either of the above named my grand Children Should Die before me without Issue that the Survivor Shall have the others part.

Lastly I Constitute and appoint my friend and nighbour Joseph Miller Executor of this my last will and Testament making null and void all other will or wills as witness my hand and Seal this Eighteenth Day of August one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty three Signd Seal and declared to be his last will And Testament in presence of us

Richd W Downing
John Smith
Thomas Wallis

John Hawkins (seal)

Harford County Sc Oct 23rd 1783 came Capt. John Smith & Thomas Wallis two of the Subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Will & qualified according to Law that they did See John Hawkins the Testator therin named Sign & Seal this Instrument of writing and that they heard him publish pronounce & declare the Same to be his last will & Testament & that he was at the time of his so doing to the best of their apprehention of Sound Disposing mind memory & understanding and that they subscribed their names as witnesses to this will at the request and in the presense of the Testator and in the presense of each other and in the presense of Richard W Downing who Subscribed his name as a witness at the Same time.

Transcribed and contributed by LouAnn Corrigan