Will of Samuel Merryman 1754

Will of Samuel Merryman of Baltimore Co., Dated 16 January 1754

In The name of God Amen. I Samuel Merryman of Baltimore County being of sound and perfect mind and memory but calling to mind the ? of man and knowing that it is appointed for all men now to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis and first I commend my Soul into the Hand of Almighty God that first gave to me and my body to be decently buried at the Discretion of my Executor nothing doubting and I shall receive the Lord again at the ? resurrection and for such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to provide me with. I give and bequeath in manner and form following:

Item I give and bequeath to me eldest son Samuel Merryman all that land or parcell of land called Drunkrids Hall to him and his Heirs forever and also three Negroes Liz, Jacob and Judith to him and his Heirs forever and also one feather bed and furniture, Three Silver spoons & one Silver Cup and to have no more of my personal Estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Price one Negro boy named Loney to her and her Heirs for ever and I give no more of my personal Estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Katurah Parish one negro boy named Davy to her and her Heirs for ever and to have no more of my personal Estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Nicholas Merryman all that Land or Parcell of Land called Merrymans Pasture to him and his Heirs for ever and also all my personal Estate after my just debts are paid to him and his Heirs forever of this my last Will and Testament.

In Testimony where of I have hereunto ? set my hand and affixed my seal this sixteenth day of January in the year of our lord Seventeen Hundred and fifty four. Signed Sealed and Delivered by Samuel Merryman (his Seal),

in presence of Benj~ Brown,
??, Wm (his mark) Oliver.

March 23 1754 Benj~ Brown one of the Subscribing Witnesses to the forgoing Will made his solemn affirmation that he saw the Testator Sam Merryman sign the forgoing Will at the same time ?? & Wm Oliver the other two subscribing witness being duly and solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God dispose & say that they saw the Testator Samuel Merryman sign the foregoing Will and heard him publish and the same to be his last Will and Testament. That at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehensions of a Sound and Disposing mind & memory & that they Subscribed their subscribers names as Witnesses to the Will in presence of the Testator and at his request. Signed and Sworn to before H Young D Court. Baltimore County.

Extracted From: Maryland Probate Records Vol.28 1751-1756 SLC Family History Center Film # 0012852

Contributed by Selena M. DuLac