Will of William Slade 1731

Will of William Slade, Dated 02 Apr 1726, Proved 19 May 1731

In the name of God Amen. ye second day of April 1726, I William Slade of Baltemore County being weak in body but of sound and perfect memory knowing ye uncertainty of this life on earth and being desirous to settle things in order do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following. That is to say, First and Principally I Command my soull to Almighty God my Creatour and my body to the [balance of paragraph blank or smeared] Ear__ him who__ I ___ taken to be buried in Such Christian decent___ ______ to my Executrix hereafter named Shall think _________ convenient, and as Touching Such Worldly estate ______ in Mercy hath lent me my Will and meaning ______ Shall be bestowed as hereafter by this my Will is expressed:

And first I Will that all those Debts and Duties as I owe in right or Conscience to any Manner of person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly contented and paid or Ordained To be paid within Convenient time after my Decease by my Executrix herefter named.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Josias Slade all that Tract of Land called Courtice Neck containing 300 acres to him and his heirs Lawfully begotten and in Case of failure of Issue then to my Son William and his heirs Lawfully begotten for ever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son William Slade all the Tract of Land called Winlows Range containing 200 Acres to him and his heirs Lawfully begotten for ever and in case of faillure of Issue of my sons William and Josias that then this said Winlows Range as allso the above named tract Courtice Neck shall go to ye next heir in Law and further my will is that my Executrix hereafter named and in Case of her Decease any Guardian or Guardians Should be appointed that they and Every one of them shall oblige every Tennant that shall hapen to be upon ye Tract of Land Called Winlows Range during my son Williams minority not to clear over or beyound ye main Road that goes throught ye said Plantation.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas all that Tract of Land called Slade's Camp containing 238 Acres to him and his heirs Lawfully begotten for ever and in case of failure of Issue to go to the next heir at law And having one son more named Ezekiell and no more land then what I have bequeathed as aforesd, I give and bequeath unto my son Ezekiell Thirty five Pounds out of my personall Estate in order to buy him a piece or parcell of Land wch I give and bequeath to him and his heirs lawfully begotten for Ever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughters Elizbth Cockey and Mary Buckinham Ten Shillings Each and my will is that the said Ten Shillings each shall be their full part and portion of my Estate more than what they have allready received from me.

Item: I give and bequeath unton all my Sons and Daughter wich I have by my present Wife Elizabeth Slade One feather bed and furniture.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Barzealey Foster One Cow and Calfe to be at his own Choice and Election out of my stocks.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Josias Slade ye handmill that is upon my Plantation called Courtice Neck as also a Gun called by the name of Old Bell and my Will is that the said Gun never be given bartered or sold to any person whatsoever but to remain in ye family and name of ye Slades as long as She continues to be.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son William Slade the handmill that is upon my Plantation Called Winlows Range.

Lastly: I do appoint my Beloved Wife Elizabeth Slade Sole Exectrix of this my Last Will and Testament, and I do revoke renounce frustrate and make Void all Wills by me formerly made and declare and apoint this only to be my Last Will and Testament, And I do apoint Captn John Cromwell assistant to my Executrix and Overseer of this my last Will and Testament. In witness hereof I have put my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned.

his W mark
William Slade

Witnesses hereunto John Brooks
Willian Houkin
Nicholas Beston

May the 19th 1731

Witness appeard to Beale Dept. Comty. AA County

Contributed by Wally Garchow
Source: Prerogative Court (Wills) 20, pp 276-279 - William SLADE 19 May 1731