Will of James Staton
Dorchester Co., Maryland
July, 27 1742
Being the twenty seventh day of July 1742, James Staton of Dorchester County in the province of Maryland aforesaid being sick of Body but of good and perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
Impremis: I constitute my well beloved wife Ester Staton my sole executor of all my moveables.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Joseph Staton one tract of land called "Hazzard" containing sixty acres likewise one called Good Will containing fifty acres likewise one tract called Statons Folly containing twenty-four acres and likewise one tract called Addition to Hazard containing twenty-three acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my second son James Staton one tract of land called Statons Lott containing one hundred and fifty-seven acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my third son Thomas Staton one tract of land called Chance containing ninety acres to him and his heirs forever but it is my will and desire that if the said Thomas dies without issue that my son John should have the above ninety acres of land to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my fourth son Nehemiah one tract of land called Hog Grade
containing sixty seven acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son John, one negro girl called ? and her increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my sixth son Charles Staton one negro girl called Plesont and her increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give my well beloved wife Ester Staton her full dowery that is to say the third of all my land and moveables the remainder to be equally divided amongst my sons and daughters, constituting my above said wife Ester Staton my whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. Revoking, renouncing and disannulling of all other former wills or testaments heretofore by me made. Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this day and year above written.
James Staton (seal)
Test: Wm. Owens, James Smith
Folio 204 Maryland State Archives
1744
James Stayton (Stanton) deceased
Esc-Esther Stanton
An account of James Stayton and Esther Stayton his wife, Liber 20, page 204.
The account of Esther Stayton Executrix of James Stayton late of Dorchester County, deceased: This account charges herself with the deceased estate, etc. Representatives of the accountants: Joseph, James, Thomas, Mary, Nehemiah, Anne, Bevins, Jehu, Rebecca,
Charles, Sarah – children of the deceased, James Staton.
Jacob Stayton 1786 of Dorchester County bought all of that parcel land called Mary’s Adventure lying in Somerset County, Maryland in Vienna Marsh.
