Will of John Maddox

Charles Co., MD

Dated May 11, 1748

Proven June 28, 1748

(Taken from an abstract using standard wording of Charles Co., MD at the time)

In the name of God, Amen ~ May 11, 1748

John Maddox of Charles County in the Province of Maryland, Planter, being sick in body, but sound in memory and judgement, and considering the precariousness of all human affairs and the uncertainty of the time of my death; do make my last will and testament in manner following VIZ.~

Impr.: When it shall please God to call my soul to himself, to be put in possession of that happiness which I look for and respect thro' the merits of Jesus Christ my Savior; my will and desire is that my body be interred with a decent Christian burial at the discretion and direction of My my beloved wife Sarah whom I constitute and appoint to be Whole and Sole Executrix and administrator and administratrix of this my last Testament ~

Item, I desire and Will that my wife shall have all my lands, the use of all my Negroes for life, my stock, household furniture, crops and Negro Tom. If Negroes Rose Viletta Pulley & Ann do not come to the age of 31 before my wife’s death, they are to serve her til that age. If my wife dies before these Negroes reach the age of 31

Negro Sam born December 1736

Negro Peter born January 1747

They are to be disposed of to John Maddox son of Notely Maddox till they reach that age.

Item, I give to Notely Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro Judith born in 1734 till she is 31.

Item, I give to William Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro Jane born April 1737 till she is 31

Item, I give to Charles Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro Robert born May 1739 till he is 31.

Item, I give to Townley Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro Elizabeth born January 1745 till she is 31.

Item, I give to Samuel Maddox son of John Maddox the use of Negro Susanna born April 1734 till she is 31.

Item, I give to John Maddox son of John Maddox the use of Negro Yalla born June 1739 till she is 31.

Item, I give to Notely Maddox son of John Maddox the use of Lydda born October 1741 till she is 31.

Item, I give to Thomas Maddox son of John Maddox Negro Mary born 1743 till she is 31.

Item, I give to John Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro Ned born 1723 till he is 31.

Item, I give to Notely Maddox son of Notely Maddox the use of Negro James born 1725 till he is 31.

Item, I give to William Maddox son of Samuel Maddox dec’d all my wearing apparel.

In confirmation and Testimony of this my Will and Testament and every part and paragraph of it I have set my seal to it, signed and acknowledged it, in presence of the Theo Swift, John Harris, James Wood and Benjamin Hatton. And earnestly recommend it to all parties concerned to rest satisfied with what providence they enabled me to do for them. Nor would I have any exceptions ----- at what few words of interlineation there may be in the premises since the sense is according to my intention.

Charles County 11 May 1748

Came Theop Swift, John Harris, James Wood, Benjamin Hatton and offered to prove the within Will according to law 28 June 1748.