Will of Jacob Wright
Somerset Co., Maryland
October 11, 1796
In the name of God Amen the eleventh day of October In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six I Jacob Wright of Somerset County and State of Maryland being in a very low state of helth but thanks be to God the same and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my Last will and testament as follows to wit.
Item I give and bequeath to my two well beloved sons Joseph Wright and Benjamin Wright all my lands to be equally divided between them both as they shall agree between the selves that is to say one tract of land called Now or Never containing fifty three acres and one half acre and one tract of land called Chance containing fifty acres and one tract of land called Jacobs Delight containing ten acres and twenty five acres in a tract of Bartholomew Taylors for which I have a land of conveyance for and six acres of land which I bought Benjamin Graham and also each of them one cow and calf to them and their heirs forever and if either of the two brothers should move of the said land or lands the wright to fall to the other that shall stay thereon.
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joshua Wright one negro boy called Charles to him and his heirs forever
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Isaac Wright one negro girl called Rose to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Nelly Cooper one negro girl called Kitty during her natural life and then to be the right and property of her daughter Betty Cooper to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Betty Winser one negro girl called Alce during her natural life then to be the right and property of her daughter Peggy Winser to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Betty Wright one negro woman called Rose during her natural life and to dispose of her and her increases as she shall think fit.
Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Betty Dredden one heifer yearling to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Nelly Taylor one feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.
Item I also leave all the rest of my moveable Estate that is not all ready left to be equally divided between my seven children that is to say Joshua, Isaac, Nelly, Sarah, Betty, Joseph and Benjamin Wright to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife all my lands and living both real and personal Estate during her natural life and then to be divided as above mentioned and I also appoint my well beloved wife Betty Wright holy and soly Executor of this my last will and testament or who she shall appoint and I do hereby Revoke and disanull all former will or wills heartofore made or done. In witness whereof I have hearunto sett my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Jacob Wright (his mark) (seal)
Signed, sealed and published pronounced and declared this to be my last will and testament in the presence of
Test:
John Roberson
Bartholomew Taylor
Isaac Kinney
July the 10th day 1797 Then came Betty Wright and made oath on the holy evangels of Almighty God that the aforegoing instrument of writing is the true and last will and testament of Jacob Wright late of Somerset County deceased that hath come to her hands or possession and that she doth not know of any other.
