WILL OF WILLIAM TAYLOR
SOMERSET CO., MARYLAND
MARCH 10, 1770
In the name of God amen, I William Taylor of Somerset and province of Maryland being in good helth of body and perfect mind and memory knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do think fit to make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following -
First I give unto my son, James Taylor one hundred and seventeen acres of land out of my tract of land called Round Pond to be laid out according to a bond which he hath for said land to him and his heirs forever-
2nd I also give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Taylor one hundred and seventeen acres of land out of said tract of land called Round Pond where he now dwells with all the appertainences thereunto belonging to laid out according to a bond which he hath for the said land to him and his heirs forever -
3rd I also give and bequeath unto my son Isaac Taylor all the remaining of the said tract of land called Round Pond with all the appertainences thereunto belonging to him his heirs forever -
4th I also give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Sarah Taylor her riding horse and sadle over and above her thirds of my estate and the use of all my negroes during her natural life -
5th Also I give and bequeath unto my son James Taylor one negro wench called Dinah and one Nackle and one cubbard to him and his heirs forever -
6th Also I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Taylor one negro man named Peter one desk and one pair of stillards to him and his heirs forever -
7th Also I give and bequeath unto my son Isaac Taylor one negro man named Isaac to him his heirs forever -
8th Also I give unto my two sons Abraham and Isaac Taylor one hand mill to be equally divided between them to them and there heirs forever -
9th Also I give and bequeath unto my grand son William Taylor one negro boy called Phillip to him and his heirs forever but if incase he has no lawfull issue of his body to be equally divided amongst my son James Taylors children to them and there heirs forever -
10th Also I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Phillis Taylor one young cow and calf and one yew and lamb to her and her heirs forever -
11th I also give and bequeath unto my three daughters to witt Ann Moor, Betty Wails and Mary Hitch one brass kettle to them and their heirs forever -
12th Also I give and bequeath unto my three grand children to witt Thomas Moor, William Wailes and Betty Hitch two negro garls one named Unis the other Silva to be equally divided between the said three grand children them and there heirs forever -
13th Also I give and bequeath unto my three sons James, Abraham and Isaac Taylor all my wearing apparall to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever -
14th and lastly my will and desire is that all the remaining part of my estate after my just debts and charges be paid to be equally divided amongst my children to them and their heirs forever -
I also desire that negro Bess should have the liberty to chose her master amongst my children.
In testimony whereof I do revoke all other wills by me made before to be void and doth publish pronouce and acknowledge this to be my Last Will and Testament in presence whereof I have set my hand and fixed my seal this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy -
William Taylor (seal)
(his mark)
In the presents of us
Charles Moor
John Roberson
Richard (his mark) Badlay
On the 19th day of October 1773 came Joshua Hitch and made oath that the within instrument of writing is the true and only will and testament, of William Taylor late of Somerset County deceased, that hath come to his hands possession or knowledge and that he did not know or ever heard of any other
Sworn before Thos. Holbrook Depy Comy of Somt County on the Nineteenth day of October one thousand seven hundred and seventy three Came John Robertson and Richard Badly two of the subscribing witnesses and made oath on the Holly Evangelist of Almighty God, that they did see the testator William Taylor sign and seal the within Will and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament, and at the time of his so doing he was to the best of each of their apprehansions of a sound desposing mind memory and understanding, and that they subscribed their names as witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the said testator, and they also made oath that they did see Charles Moore sign his name as a Witness to the said Will in the presence of the said deceased.
Sworn before Thos. Holbrook Depy Comy of Somt County
