Will of Thomas Norris 1757

The Will of Thomas Norris of Baltimore Co., Dated 26 December 1757, Proved 24 March 1761

In the Name of God Amen, I Thomas Norris of Winters Run in Baltimore County in the Province of Maryland being blessed be God in perfect health and of a disposing mind and memory do for the better Setting of my Temporal affairs Constitute and appoint this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say Chiefly and first of all I humbly recommend my Soul into the Hands of its Merciful Creator wholly trusting in the Merits of my Blessed Redeemer for a Joyful Resurrection at the last day and my Body to the earth from whence it came there to be decently Interred by the Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And as for my small Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with all I Give, bequeath and dispose of in Manner and form following.

First I Give and Bequeath unto my son, John Norris the one-half of my land called Macedon to be laid off to him the said John on that part Where the Great hollow Rock lyeth, the aforesaid land unto him the said John Norris, his heirs and assigns forever.

Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Aquilla Norris the Other half of my land called Macedon, to be laid off to him the said Aquilla on that part where my dwelling House standeth the said land to him the said Aquilla Norris his heirs and assigns forever.

Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Thomas Norris a parcel of land lying on His Lordships Reserve called Turkey Range being Fifty four Acres of Land more or less the aforesaid parcel of land unto him the said Thomas Norris his heirs and assigns for ever.

I Give and bequeath unto my son Alexander Norris a parcel of land lying in his Lordships Reserve called Hills and Dales being forty seven Acres of land more or less the aforesaid parcel of land unto him the said Alexander Norris, his heirs and assigns forever.

Item I Give and bequeath unto my son James Norris. One Negro Girl called Phillis with her increase unto him the said James Norris his heirs and assigns forever. And as for the remainder of my Estate my Will is that after my Just Debts are paid it be equally divided amongst all my Children.

And lastly I appoint my loving Wife Elizabeth Norris, Executrix of this my last Will and Testament utterly revoking all other and former Wills and Testaments at any time by me before made. Ratifying and Confirming this only for my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal the Twenty-sixth day of December 1757. Signed, Sealed, Pronounced and declared by the said Thomas Norris for his last Will and Testament in presence of us the Subscribers.

Dan'l Maccomas, Son of Wm.,
Solomon Maccomas,
Moses Maccomas

March the 24th, 1761 Daniel Maccomas, Son of Wm., Solomon Maccomas, and Moses Maccomas makes Oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that they saw the Testator Thomas Norris sign the foregoing Will & heard him publish & declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound & disposing mind & memory, that they subscribed their respective names as witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the Testator and at his Request.
Sworne before Wm. Young, Dcom, Balt. County.

The Widow abides by her Thirds according to Law.

Transcribed and contributed by Herbert S. Norris
Source: Baltimore County, Maryland - Will Records, Book 2, pages 357-358