Baltimore
City, MD September 1820
To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come
to be it known that I, Joseph Pierpoint, considering the uncertainty of this
transitory life and being weak of body, but of sound mind disposing memory and
understanding do make publish and declare this to be my last will in manner and
form following.
Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto dearly beloved Wife, all my personal
property to do as she shall think proper with. Hem, I constitute appoint
Walter Pierpoint and my wife Martha Pierpoint my executors of this my last will
and testament and revoking all wills heretofore made by me do publickeley
declare this to be my last will and testament this eleventh day of September in
the year our lord 1820.
Joseph Pierpoint
I, Walter Pierpoint, appointed Executor on the aforegoing Will do hereby
renounce the Executorship and all right under the same.
January 6, 1821.
William Marr, one of the subscribing Evidences to the aforegoing last will and Testament of Joseph Pierpoint, deceased, sign and seal the aforegoing will, that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament and the deponent subscribed his name as witness to this will in the Testators presences and in the presence of the other subscribing witnesses. This deponent further says that the testator did not request him to sign his name as a witness, that he was called on to witness the will by Walter Pierpoint, the brother of the deceased, that he accordingly went to the house of the deceased and there witnessed the will at the request of the said Walter Pierpoint, that at the time, the said Joseph Pierpoint executed the aforegoing will. He was to the best of the deponents apprehension of sound mind and that he knew what he was doing. Sworn to in open court, the 6th day of January, 1821.
Thomas Brown, one of the subscribing evidences to the aforegoing last t will and testament of Joseph Pierpoint, deceased, being duly sworn deposes and says that he did see the said Joseph Pierpoint sign and seal this will, that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that he subscribed his name as witness to this will in the testators presence, and in the presence of the other subscribing witnesses. This deponent further says that he was sent for to witness the will of the deceases and that when he came to the house of the deceased he accordingly witnesses it, that the testator did not request the deponent to witness the will, that it was at the request of Walter Pierpoint, the brother of the deceased, that he witnessed it at the time of executing the will. The deponent thinks the testator was not in his senses and the reason why the deponent thinks he was not in his senses is that the testator could not spell his name himself, that his brother had to tell him in part what letters to make, that the deponent saw him often during his sickness and that he sometimes appeared flighty, that about ten minutes after the will was executed, the testator said that a man ought always make his will and do such business when he was in health. The deponent left the room shortly after the will was executed, that the will was executed about two minutes after the deponent went to the house and the whole time the deponent was in the house was about twenty minutes. Sworn to in open court, January 6th, 1821.
Joseph Brown, one of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Joseph Pierpoint, deceased, being duly sworn deposes and says that he did see Mr. said deceased, sign and seal this will, that he hears him publish, pronounce, and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that the despondent subscribed his name as a witness to the will in the testators presence and in the presence of the other subscribing evidences. This despondent further says that the testator did not request him to sign his name as a witness, that he witnessed it at the request of Walter Pierpoint, that the despondent believes the testator possessed mind to know what he was about when he executed the will, that immediately after executing the will, the deceased observed that a man ought to do such business while he was in health (that is to make a will) and seemed to lament his not having done so while he was in health. Sworn in open court the 6th January 1821.
Walter Pierpoint, having duly affirmed deposes and says that he wrote the aforegoing will of Joseph Pierpoint in pursuance of his directions to the deponent, and that after he had written it, he read the same to the said Joseph Pierpoint and he said it would do and appeared perfectly satisfied with it. Affirmed to in open court.
Aug. 20,2003