Will of Polly Cooper
Somerset Co., Maryland
April 20, 1843
In the name of God, Amen, I Polly Cooper, of Somerset County, in the State of Maryland, being sick and weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous to settle my worldly 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 last 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, I devise and bequeath as follows,
I give and bequeath unto my three eldest children Britanna Vincent wife of Ephraim Vincent, Levin Cooper and Mary Badley widow of Gideon Badley all my right, title, claim and interest into part of a tract of land called Hardship, adjoining the Nanticoke River, containing seventy five acres, which has heretofore been divided between the above named children according to an agreement made between themselves, to them and their heirs in fee simple.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my two sons Martin and Severn B. Cooper, a part of three tracts of land called Hardship, Gladston's Adventure and a part of Tower Hill, containing one hundred acres, share and share alike to them and their heirs and assigns, if they do not agree together each one shall be bound to sell to the other.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Martin Cooper two beds and furniture, one pine chest and cow, and a privilege of keeping his property about the house where I now live, so long as he shall live single.
Item, I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Badley wife of Elijah Badley one loom and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, to her and her heirs.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my youngest son Severn B. Cooper the Plantation where I now live and all the lands adjoining thereunto called by the name of Scott's Chance, Hardship and Friends Adventure or by whatsoever name or names the same shall be called in fee simple,
Also one bay mare, one yoke of oxen, two small yearlings, one cow, one wain cart, ten head of hogs two beds and furniture and the residue of the household and kitchen furniture.
I also give and bequeath unto my son Severn B. Cooper all my right, title, claim and interest of all other lands if any there should be that I have left out that I became heirs to by the death of my brother, Severn Badley, to him and his heirs and assigns.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Polly Cooper (her mark) (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Polly Cooper, the above named testator, as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request, in her presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names a witnesses thereto.
John B. Taylor
Ephraim Collins
Isaac R. Wright
Somerset County, to wit: May the 15th day 1843 Then came John B. Taylor and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that the foregoing instrument of writing is the true and whole last will and testament of Polly Cooper, late of Somerset County, deceased, that hath come to his hands or possession and that he doth not know of any other.
Before James Polk, Reg.
