JOHN STAFFORD SR. WILL
In the name of God Amen I John Stafford Sen. Of Dorchester County in the province of Maryland being very sick and weak in body and in health but of perfect Mind and Memory Blessed be God for it I publish and ordain and testify this to be my last will and testament made this twenty seven day of January one thousand and fifty.five. First of all after my decease I recommend my Soul and Body into the hands of Almighty God that gave it to be buried in Christian like manner. First of all I give and Bequeath onto my two grandsons Elijah Stafford and Elisha Stafford sixty four acres of land called Stafford Outlett part of the same track of land that Lot Pritchett to be Divided. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elenner Stafford a cow and yerlin and their increase the cow called Cherry. I give and bequeath unto my son Tho. Stafford one white mare called Phaenisce ? also one feather bed and furniture thereunto belonging. I give and bequeath unto my son Levin Stafford one mare called Flie, also one Iron pot holding about six or seven gallons. I give and bequeath unto my son Adam Stafford one feather bed and furniture thereunto belonging and Iron pot holding about four gallons and two year old Heffer and her increases. I give and bequeath unto my son Solomon Stafford the feather bed that he lies on and the furniture thereunto belonging and my seat and chest and one pair of spoon moulds. I give and bequeath unto my five youngest children Elenner Stafford Tho. Stafford and Levin Stafford Adam Stafford, Solomon Stafford all my Puter to be equally divided amongst the five. I give and bequeath unto my son William Stafford all my coopers tools also my youngest son Solomon Stafford for him to bring up in a Christian like manner. I likewise leave all the rest of my goods and chattels and household stuff to be equally divided amongst all my children . I also institute and ordain my wife Elizabeth Stafford and my son William Stafford my hole and sole heirs executrix and Executor for my children and to see that my son Adam Stafford is put to live with John Trice to be brought up in a Christian like manner and likewise my son Levin Stafford to be put to a Blacksmith John Rip by name whereunto I have set my hand and seal in the foresents of us. 1755.
Joshua Wheeler Test John Stafford Cer John Marrett James Layton These are to certify whom it may concern that I the subscriber do refuse to act as Executer of the above will and do make his choice of one therepart of my Dec Husband Estate and will in ways concern with the above will other than to make it void as to myself to witness Whereof I have set my hand this 20 day of Feb 1755. Eliz. Stafford On the back of foresaid will was There written. On the 20th day February 1755 John Marrett and James Layton two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will being duly and formally sworn on the holy evangel of Almighty God depose and say that they saw John Stafford the testator sign the foregoing will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory and that they subscribed their respective names as witnesses to the said will in the presence of the said testator and at the bequest and that they likewise saw John Marrett the other subscriber witness sign in like manner. Sworn before B. Ennalls D. Com. D Co. |