Will of Francis Stanton
Talbot Co., Maryland
May 22, 1703
In the name of God, Amen, I Francis Stanton being sick and weak in body but of sound memory, Glory be to God, do make this my last will and testament in form following, hereby revoking all other wills by me made or declared. That is to say; Impremis-I commit my soul as unto my faithful creator hoping for salvation and forgiving of sins through mediation of Jesus Christ our redeemer and my body to decently buried in the ground from which it was taken and the temple goods which God has given me, I dispose of as follows;
Impremis-One red and white female heifer and her female cattle of her increase besides his own proper cattle to my son Francis, One black heifer, 3 years old, and her female increase, she is marked with a swallow fork on the left and three slits and a crop on the right.
To my son John, one heifer of two years old, most white, mark as described former and all her female increase.<
To my Daughter, an infant in the cradle, one cow calf and her increase.
And my will is that if any of children die before they dispose of what I have given them that the youngest shall have the legacies and increase of all.
The rest of my Templ estate, I give to my wife to pay my debts and for her maintenance.
Lastly, my will is that if my wife die before my children come to eighteen years of age, then my son Thomas to be at the disposal of John Bartlett and my son Francis at the disposal of John Tibbles and son John at the disposal of Daniel Walker.
And it is my last will I make my loving wife Susanna my Executor, in witness where of I
have here, unto set my hand seal the day and year above written.
Francis Stanton (seal)
Signed, Sealed and Published Last Will and Testament, July 5th, 1703
Witnessed: Thos. Smithson, Richard O. Williams, Robert Finley
