Will of Robert Ward 1849

Last Will & Testament of Robert Ward of Baltimore County, Dated: 21 Dec 1849, Proved: 18 Apr 1851

In the name of God, Amen, I, Robert Ward of Baltimore County in the State of Maryland being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare this as my last Will and Testament.

Item, First I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay as soon as they conveniently can after my decease, my funeral expenses and all my just and honest Debts.

Item, Second, I give, devise, and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Ward all that part of my Land together with my present dwelling house and all other improvements thereon which lies on the North side of the Liberty Road as far as the Lane leading to and intersecting Mr. Samuel Barry's Lane and on the East side thereof to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs and assigns forever and to and for no other use or intent whatsoever. And also I give and devise to my loving wife Mary Ward, after my funeral expenses are paid and all my just and honest Debts paid, one half of all my personal property of every nature and kind such half at her option to be taken by her in Specie Chattles or articles at their appraised value.

Item, Third, I give and bequeath to Susan Ann and Harriet Ward and Julian Randall and Rachel Maria Randall and Lucy Ann Shadrow, the four daughters of my brother John Ward, each the sum of two hundred dollars.

Item, Fourth, I give and bequeath to John Talbott Cook, Sarah Ann Standfield and Mary Ann Cook, children of my sister Rachel Cook, each the sum of two hundred dollars.

Item, Fifth, I give and bequeath to my sister Sarah Boring and to Sarah Hopkins daughter of my said sister Sarah Boring, the sum of two hundred dollars each.

Item, Sixth, I give and bequeath to Susanna Belt and Rachel Ward, daughters of my brother Joseph Ward each the sum of two hundred dollars.

Item, Seventh, I give and bequeath to Mary Windsor daughter of my sister Elizabeth Simmons the sum of two hundred dollars.

Item, Eighth, I give and bequeath to James Burnside and Margaret Vanperson children of my sister Ann Burnside the sum of two hundred dollars each.

Item, Ninth, I do hereby will and direct further that my Executors hereinafter named shall sell and dispose of all the remaining part of my Real Estate not herein before devised to my wife, to pay the above mentioned legacies, and I do hereby authorize and empower my Executors to sell and convey to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the said remaining part of my Real Estate in as full and clear manner as if I were to convey the same in my life time. And I do hereby further will and direct that after the above Legacies are paid off if their should still remain a balance and after all expenses are paid, that the one half of said balance which may remain as aforesaid, I do hereby will and devise to my wife Mary Ward and the other half of said remaining part to be equally divided share and share alike between Naomi Gosnell and Quincy Adams Gosnell children of Rebecca Gosnell and Grandchildren of my sister Mary Gosnell. And Lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my brother Samuel Ward and my friend William Whalen Executors of this my last Will and Testament with every confidence in their integrity and full assurance that they will perform the duties ___ hereby in them faithfully and with every reasonable diligence.

And I do hereby revoke and declare null and void all former Wills purporting to be my last Will and Testament and declare this and none other to be my last Will and Testament.

In Testimony whereof I, Robert Ward, have hereunto set my hand and seal on this twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.

Robert Ward (Seal)

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Robert Ward 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 hereunto signed our names as witnesses.
Samuel M. Barry,
William Chapman,
Richard Choate

Baltimore County (?) On the 18th day of April 1851 came Samuel M. Barry and Richard Choate two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last Will and Testament of Robert Ward, 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 apprehensions of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding and that they together with William Chapman the other subscribing witness thereto, Subscribed their names as witnesses to this Will in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other. Sworn in Open Court
Test. D. M. Perine,
Register of Wills for Baltimore County

Contributed by Linda Lawhon
Source: Register of Wills 23:211-213