Will of John Roberson/Robinson
Somerset Co., Maryland
September 13, 1800
In the name of God amen. The thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred. I John Robertson Sen. Being sick and very weak of body, but perfect of mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God, and calling to remembrance the uncertain State of this transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto death, when it shall please Almighty God to call; do make, constitute, ordain & declare this my last will and testament, revoking and annulling by these presents all and every testament and testaments will and wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or writing; and this is to be taken for my only will and none other.
And first I give and commit my soul unto the Almighty God: and my body to be committed to the earth and buried in the Grave Yard or Burying Ground in the orchard belonging to the plantation whereon I now reside, where the Bodies of my deceased spouses were buried. An now for settling my temporal estate and such goods and chattels as it hath pleased God to bestow upon me. I do order give and dispose of the same in manner and form following (That is to say)
First, I give and bequeath to my dear and well beloved wife Phillis Robertson the plantation whereon I now live with one hundred acres of land for and during her natural life or continuance of widowhood; and three negro boys called Peter, Charles and Tom and one negro wench called Hannah, two feather beds and furniture which she chusses, her first choice of two of my horses and her saddle and bridle and one third of my personal estate besides, during her natural life or continuance of widowhood; and after her decease or marriage the aforesaid plantation I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter Priscilla Robertson she and her heirs forever, likewise after my aforesaid wife decease or marriage I give and bequeath all the aforesaid personal property bequested to my wife to be equally among my heirs: Note, the above recited land is called by the name of Long Delay.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Solomon Roberson the lot of land whereon he now lives and Clay Lot adjoining to him on the upper side and fifty acres of land called White Hill and sixty acres of land called Huffington's Disappointment and one negro girl called Hannah to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Isaac Robertson all the land I own of a tract called Robertsons Delight to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son William Robertson ten acres of land called Small Lot laying and adjoining Miry Branch to him and his heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Andrew Robertson all the land I have any right or title to in North West Fork Dorchester County to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Alexander Robertson Fifty acres of land called Addition to Venture to him and his heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Allifair Phillips one negro wench called Ibby.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Charlotte Robertson one negro wench called Tamer.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved grandson Joshua Robertson one negro boy called Levin.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Izabel Allen one negro boy called Moses and one negro girl called Esther to her and her heirs, but if the said Izabel should die without a lawful heir, the said negro boy and girl to be the property of her husband Job Allen during his natural life, and then to be the property of my surviving heirs. And the aforesaid Job Allen shall not hire, sell; nor occupy the aforesaid Negro boy and girl in any manner form or service out of the state that he now lives in, without he removes with them.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter Nancy Hall Phillips one negro girl called Esther (daughter of my negro wench called Ibby).
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter Nancy Hall Robertson one negro girl called Tamer.
Item I lastly give and bequeath all the residue of my estate real and personally to be equally divided among all my children, sons and daughters. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year first above written.
John Roberson (seal)
Signed, Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us
Joshua Hobbs
Thomas Connaly (his mark)
John Connelly
October the 13th day 1800. Then came Phillis 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 Robertson late of Somerset County deceased that have come to her hands.
I Phillis Roberson widow of John Roberson Sen. Late of Somerset County deceased do hereby renounce and quit all claim to any bequest or devise made to me by the last will of my husband exhibited and proved according to law; and select to take in lieu thereof my dower or legal share of the estate of my said husband. October the 13th day Eighteen hundred.
Phillis Robeson
