Will of William Reaves 1760

Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM REAVES of Baltimore County, Dated 27 September 1760, Proved 4 June 1764

In the name of God, Amen, I William Reaves of Baltimore County, planter, being weak and ill, but of sound mind and disposing memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain, and constitute this as my Last Will and Testament this 27th day of September, 1760. My soul I commit and commend to God who gave it, hoping for eternal life through the merits and meditation of my Blessed Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ on whom alone I depend for salvation, my body, I commit to its original Earth to be there disposed in such decent and Christian manner as they shall think proper, nothing doubting but at the general ressurection there will be a reunion of the soul and body. And as to such worldly goods and possessions as it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give and bestow in the manner following:

I give and bequeath to my dear wife Tabitha Reaves my new dwelling plantation with all the household goods such as beds, potts, and pewter. Also I give and bequeath to my wife my servant woman named Rebecca Palmer, also all the corn, tobacco that now grows in my said plantation. Also I give and bequeath my said wife two milk cows and one calf, one cow named Rose merry and the other Beauty. Also, one grey mare and one Bay mare, also four sheep.

Also, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Ensor one shilling currency which is all I intend to give her.

Also, I give and bequeath to my son Roger Reaves my dwelling plantation after my wife's decease. Also, I give my said son one cow named Primrose and calf, also three sheep, also one Breeding sow, also all my cloaths and my saddle after my decease, all of which I give and bequeath to my said son and his heirs forever.

Also, I give and bequeath to my daughter Margarett Malance my old white mare and if she should prove with foal, my will and desire is that my son Roger should have the colt. Also, I give and bequeath to my said daughter two sheep and one breeding sow.

Also, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Elizabeth Malance one heifer two years old next Spring. Also, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Rachael Grifith one heifer two years old.

Lastly, I do hereby appoint my dear wife Tabitha Reaves to pay all my debts out of what I have bequeathed her. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand this day and date above written.

his (X) mark
William Reaves

June 4, 1764 came William Bosley, William Stevens and Tabitha Reaves widow of the deceased and being duly and solemly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God depose and say that they saw the testator William Reaves sign the above will by making his mark and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament. That at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory, that William Bosley signed his name as a witness and William Stebens by making his mark.
William Young, Dept. Commissary Baltimore County

Contributed by Dawn Warner Bailey