Will of Charles Merryman, Jr. 1720

Last Will and Testament of Charles Merryman Jr. of Baltimore County, Dated 25 Dec 1720, Proved 23 June 1722

In the Name of God, Amen, I Charles Merryman Junior of Baltimore County, planter, being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind, memory and understanding, first and principally recommend my soul into ye hands of ye almighty, my body I commit to ye earth to be decently (----) at the discretion of my Executrix, herein after named.

Imprimus, I give and bequeath unto my two sons William and Charles and their heirs lawfully begotten in wedlock, all my tract of land whereon I now live called by name of Merrimans Beginning, to be equally divided betwixt ye said William and Charles. Also I give and bequeath

my tract of land at Gunpowder called Brotherly Fellowship to be equally divided betwixt my two sons William and Charles and their heirs lawfully begotten in wedlock.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son William a young sorrel mare branded CM. Also to my son Charles Merryman, ye cattle which I previously gave him. I give unto my son Charles Merryman one black mare branded W and one three year old heiffer and her female incesafe(?).

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son William all my wearing apparel. Item, I give unto my servant man Patrick one cow calf. Item, my will and (----) is that my loving wife Jane Merryman

shall have ye priviledge of either my plantations which she shall think fit to live on during her life and to clear and make use of such timber as shall be useful on ye plantation without any interruption from either my sons William or Charles or their heirs or any that shall possess after them. Furthermore my desire is that my loving wife Jane Merriman shall be my whole and sole

Executrix of all that I have and after all my debts shall be paid all ye remaining part of my estate to be equally divided amongst all my children.

Lastly, I do hereby dismiss, revoke and make void all my former and other wills and testaments by me heretofore made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and soul this the three pieces of lines being interlined in this my last will this 25th day of December 1720.

his mark
Charles Merryman

Witness.......
George Browne
Edward Stevenson
John (mark) Merryman
Mary (mark) Merryman

Maryland, the June 23 1722 There came George Browne, Edward Stevenson, John Merryman & Mary Merryman the subscribing evidence (??) ro the above mentioned will and make oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they saw the testator Charles Merryman sign and seal the above will as his last will and testament and that he published and declared ...that at the time of his so doing he was of sound and perfect mind and memory to the best of their knowledge. Sworn to before me ..... County of Baltimore June 22, 1702 ...

Transcribed and contributed by Stephen Ford