Will of John Roberson/Robinson
Somerset Co., Maryland
August 19, 1799
In the name of God Amen, the nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine. I John Roberson Junior in the County of Somerset and State of Maryland being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God, therefore calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament; and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First I give to my wife Rhoda Roberson one third part of my mills, and land, and all my estate.
Also I give to my three sons James Roberson, John Roberson and Eli Roberson equally to them and their heirs forever my Saw mill and Grist mill with all priviledges of mill yards, mill dam and dirt to support said dam and priviledges to pond water where it shall be necessary for the use of said mills, also priviledge of a road from said mills to a landing on Nanticoke River known by Robersons Landing, also of the use of said landing to carry to or giving from any materials for the use or benefit of said mills
Also I give to my son John Roberson my dwelling plantation and house to be divided as follows, to run from a cedar post settled on the north side of my mill pond, with a right line crossing said pond (proper course unknown) and to run parallel with the fence that encloses the upper end of my dwelling plantation, extending to a new cut County road all the lower part from said division line.
Also I give to my son James Roberson the rest and residue of my lands here being the upper part from the aforesaid division, the whole including two tracts or parcels of land called Ireland's Eye and Dispute; the upper part including the old plantation and house to him the said James Roberson and his heirs forever.
Also I give to my son Eli Roberson one tract or parcel of land called Addition to Small Spot of Ground also one half of another tract or parcel of land called Boot and a Half to be laid off on the south end of said tract of land to him and his heirs forever.
Also I give to my grandson Joshua Roberson at and after he shall arrive to the age of twenty one years, the remaining part of the aforesaid tract of land called Boot and a Half to be laid off at the north end of said land to him and his heirs lawfully issuing from his body forever; and default of such issue the same to belong to my son Eli Roberson and his heirs forever.
Also I give to my friend Thomas Connerly two acres of land lying on Nanticoke River being the south west part of a tract or parcel of land called Pick Pocket, to him and his heirs forever.
Also the remaining part of said land Called Pick Pocket being three quarters of an acre, I give to my son James Roberson and thirty pounds to be levied out of my personal estate and one silver watch to him the said James Roberson and his heirs forever.
Also I give to my son Eli Roberson one gold watch and ten pounds to be levied out of my personal estate to him and his heirs forever.
Also I give to each of my children namely Peggy, Mary, Rhoda, James, John and Eli one feather bed and furniture apiece to them and their heirs forever.
Also to my three daughters, Peggy, Mary and Rhoda Roberson I give to each of them the value of twenty dollars to be levied out of my estate to them and their heirs forever
And the rest and residue of my estate I give after paying my just debts and funeral expenses to be equally divided amongst all my children as afore named.
And Lastly I constitute, make and ordain my wife Rhoda Roberson my only sole Executrix of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all former testaments, wills, legacies and Executors, by me in any wise before this time named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
John Roberson (seal)
Signed, Sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Roberson as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers
Benjamin Collins
Elijah Connelly
John Connelly
October the 7th day 1799. Then came Rhoda Roberson and made oath on the holy evangels of Almighty God that the within instrument of writing is the true and whole last will and testament of John Roberson late of Somerset County deceased that hath come to her hands, possession or knowledge and that she doth not know of any other.
