Will of John M. Tracey 1854

Last Will and Testament of John M. Tracey of Baltimore County, Dated 1 Oct 1854

In the name of God, Amen, I John M. Tracey of Baltimore County in the state of Maryland being sick and weak in body, but of sound and siposing mind memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my world ly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and publish this my Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say,

First and Principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the descretion of my Executrix and Executor herein after named and after my debts and funeral charges are paid I devise and bequeath as follows,

Second, I give, devise, and bequeath unto my beloved wife Margaret Ann Tracey all my estate both real and personal during the time she shall remain my widow and if she shall not again marry during the term of her natural life, and at and after the marriage of my beloved wife, Margaret Ann Tracey, if she shall again marry, but if she shall not again marry at and after the death of my beloved wife, Margaret, I give, devise, and bequeath to my three beloved children Elizabeth Ann Tracey, Martha Ellen Tracey and John Edward Tracey all my estate in equal portions to have share and share alike.

Third, I do by this last Will and testament authorize my exectrix and executor hereinafter named to sell and dipose of all that part of my personal estate which my beloved wife can possibly spare the proceeds arising from the sale of said part of my personal estate shall be by them applied to paying of my just debts and if after such sale my just debts shall not have been all paid then my executrix and executor shall sell part or parcel of the farm wwhereon I now reside until all my debts shall be fully paid.

And Lastly, I do hereby consistute and appoint my dear wife Margaret Ann Tracey and my friend Jacob N. Bull to be sole executrix and executor of this my last Will and testament revoking and annulling all former Wills by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last Will and Testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

John M. Tracey {SEAL}

Signed, sealed, and published and declared by John M. Tracey the above named testator as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
John Royston
Edward Bond
William Kelbaugh

This 24th day of October 1854 came John Royston and Edward Bond, two of the subscribing Witnesses to the aforegoing last Will and testament of John M. Tracey late of said County, deceased, and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that they did see the Testator sign and seal this Will that they heard him publish pronounce 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 their apprehension of sound and disposing mind memory, and understanding and that they together with William Kelbaugh subscribed their names as Witnesses to this Will in his presence and in the presence of each other. Sworn to in Open Court. Test: Jas L. Ridgely, Register of Wills for Baltimore County.

Note: In 1850 Census - John M. Tracey is age 27, a blacksmith, Margaret is 24.