Will of John MacGavran 1769

Last Will and Testament of JOHN MacGAVRAN of Baltimore Co., Dated 15 February 1769, Proved May 15, 1769

In the name of God Amen I John Macgavran of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland (Taylor) being sick and weak in Body though in perfect understanding and memory Thanks be given to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of the Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and desire that it may be received by all as such. Principally and first of all I give and bequeath my soul into the Hands of Almighty God that gave it Humbly besheeching him to have Mercy on the same. And as for my Body I give and recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like manner without pomp or State according to the Discression of my Executors hereafter mentioned nothing doubting but at the Resurection of Almighty God I shall receive the same again through the merits of my most blessed redeemer Jesus Christ. And as for what worldly Estate it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with in this Life I give and dispose of in the following manner. Principally and first of all I will and Possitively order that all my Lawful Debts and funeral Charges be paid and Discharged.

Item it is my will and pleasure that my Dear and Loving Wife have all my Lands in her Possession during the Time of her Widowhood until my well beloved son (hereafter mentioned) arrives at the Age of Twenty one years if my said Wife should continue in a Single State for that Term I also will the third of my lands to my Loving Wife her Lifetime, and the third of my personal Estate for ever (except the thirds of my Lease Lands) I also give my Said Wife a certain Quantity of Lincy now at the Weavers, and my Large Bible this she shall have of my Estate and no more.

Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Mark the half of all the Lands I now Possess to him his Heirs and Assigns for ever and the half of my Lease Lands for and during the remaining part of the Term in the Lease which is yet to come. And it is also my Will and pleasure that my well beloved son Mark be fully possessed with the said Lands when he arrives at the age of Twenty one. And it is also my Will and pleasure that said son Mark shall pay or Cause to be paid to my well beloved Daughter Mary the sum of Twenty five pounds Lawful current money of Pensyvania when he arrives at the age of Twenty four Years.

Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William the other half of my Lands which I now Possess to him his Heirs and Assigns for ever. And the other half of any Lease Lands for and during the remaining Term of the Lease which is yet to come. And it is also my Will and pleasure that my well beloved son William shall pay or Cause to be paid to my well belov'd Daughter Margaret the sum of Twenty five pounds Lawful Current Money of Pennsylvania to be paid when he arrives at the age of Twenty four Years. It is also my Will that if either of my two Daughters before mentioned should die before they arrive at the age of sixteen Years then the one Surviving shall be heir to the Deceased. It is also my Will and pleasure that if either of my two sons before mentioned should die before they arrive at the age of Twenty one then the other to have all my Lands and to pay the Sums before mentioned to my Daughters.

Item It is also my Will that the remaining part of my personal Estate be Equally divided between or among my four Children Viz To Mary her part. To Mark his part. To Margaret her part and to William his part. And I do hereby Constitute and appoint my dear and Loving Wife and my Esteem'd Friend Thomas Bryarly Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby Revoke and Disannull all other Wills before made by me ratifying and Confirming this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Affixt my Seal this 15th day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty nine.

John McGavran

Sealed Signed and acknowledg'd In the Presence of
Henry Clay
Margaret A. Atkinson (her mark)
William Hill

May 15th 1769 Came Margaret Atkinson and William Hill two of the subscribing Witnesses to the within Will and being duly and Solemnly sworn of the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God Depose and say that they saw the Testator John McGavran sign seal publish pronounce and declare the same as and for his Last Will and Testament that at the Time of his so doing he was to the best of both their apprehensions of sound and Disposing mind and memory that they subscribed their respective names as Witnesses thereto Mary Atkinson by making her mark and that each of them saw Henry Clay the other Evidence sign his name all in the presence of the said Testator and at his request.
Sworn before W. Young D. Comry
Balt County

Contributed by Paula Synder
Source: The death records for Dates 1769-1770, Description 37, Accession No. 1317
MSA No. S538-53, Location 1/11/2/2, Book 37, page 87-89, the will of William McGavran from 1769.