Wills: Will of Thomas Benson (1795) Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Janice Miles Parker 
jimjan@cfl.rr.com

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THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS BENSON


In the name of God Amen,  I Thomas Benson of Anne Arundel County 
considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and 
perfect mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make 
this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is 
to say.

First I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Richard Benson, the sum of 
five shillings.

I also bequeath unto my second son Thomas Benson, my gun to him and his 
heirs forever. 

I also give and bequeath unto my third son, John Benson the sum of five 
shillings.

I also give and bequeath to my fourth son William Benson one half of my 
Estate to him and his heirs forever.

I also give unto my oldest daughter Elizabeth Cheney the sum of five 
shillings.

I also give and bequeath unto my second daughter Sarah Danielson, the 
sum of five shillings.

I also give and bequeath unto my son in law John Miller formerly 
husband to my third daughter Comfort the sum of five shillings. 

I also give and bequeath unto my fourth daughter Rachel Cheney  the 
other half of my Estate to her and her heirs forever and it is my Will 
and desire that she and her husband John Cheney shall take care of 
William my fourth son, that is they shall have in their hands his 
Estate to for his maintenance and if the aforesaid shall marry then he 
shall have his Estate to himself and if he shall do without lawfull 
heir of his body then his half of my Estate to my daughter Rachel 
aforesaid and her heirs forever. 

I also give and bequeath unto my fifth Daughter Ann Warfield the sum of 
five shillings and I do hereby appoint John Cheney my son in law sole 
executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former 
Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal 
this twenty fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty 
nine.

Signed, Sealed published and declared by 
The above named Thomas Benson to be                              Thomas
His last Will and Testament in the presents                    his mark          
of us who have hereunto subscribed our names                     Benson     
As Witnesses in the presents of the tesator

Richard Jones
Rich'd Waters
Richard Jones Jun'r

On the back of this aforegoing Will are the following Probated Viz

Anne Arundel County
The 6th day of March 1795

Then came John Cheney the Executor appointed in the written Will.......and 
made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that this instrument of 
Writing is the true whole and last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson 
late of Anne Arundel County deceased that came to his hands and 
possession and that doth not know of any others..............

                         Sworn before  Jn'o Gassaway,  Reg Wills  AACty

Anne Arundel County
This 19th day of March 1795

Then came Richard Waters one of the subscribing witnesses to the 
written last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson late of Anne Arundel 
County deceased and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that 
he did see the Testator therein named sign and seal this Will and that 
he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last
Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best 
of his apprehension of a sound and disposing mind, memory and 
understanding and that he together with Richard Jones and Richard 
Jones, Jun'r respectively subscribed their names as Witnesses to the 
Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and all in the 
presence of each other........................ 

                              Sworn before Jn'o Gassaway,  Reg Wills 
AACty

Anne Arundel County
This 21st day of March 1795

Then came Richard Jones one of the subscribing Witnesses to the written 
last Will and Testament of Thomas Benson late of Anne Arundel County 
deceased and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that he did 
see the Testator therein named sign and seal this Will and that he 
heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will 
and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of 
his apprehension of a sound and disposing mind, memory and 
understanding and that he together with Richard Waters and Richard 
Jones Jun'r respectively subscribed their names as Witnesses to the 
Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and all in the 
presence of each other.................

Richard Jones
Rich Waters
Richard Jones Jun'r

Transcribed from the original will on September 18, 2000 by Janice M. 
Parker