Will of John Shelmerdine

Last Will and Testament of John Shelmerdine of Baltimore County, Dated 31 July 1777 and Proved 18 Sept 1778.

I John Selmerdine do make this may last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I give my soul to God who gave me my estate. I give and bequeath as follows:

Item. I give and bequeath to my wife Sarah my dwelling plantation and all my personal estate during her natural life.

I give and bequeath my son Stephen my dwelling planatation and one negro boy named Bernardo? ???? Desk after the decease of my wife to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elanor one negro woman named Lensey and her two children named Fanny and Sarah after the decease of my wife to her heirs and assigns forever.

Item. I give to my daughter Rebecca one shilling.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of July seventeen hundred and seventy seven.

Jno Shelmeridne {seal}

Signed, sealed published and declared in the presence of us

Geo. Risteau}

Corn. Howard}

James Howard}

Baltimore County, to wit.

On the 18^th day of September 1778 came Cornelius Howard one of the witnesses to the within and foregoing Will and Testament of John Shelmerdine late of said county, deceased, and made oath on the holy evangels of almighty God that they saw the Testator sign and seal and hear him publish and declare the same as and for hislast Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding and that he together with George Risteau and James Howard the two other subscribing Evidences signed their names as witnessed thereto in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each there before me the subscriber.
Register of Wills for county aforesaid,
Thomas Jones

In testimony that the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of John Shelmerdine late of Baltimore County, deceased I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 13^th day of June 1795
W^m Buchannon, Rg Will Balt Coty.

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