Wills:  Last Will & Testament of Charles Merryman, (1724) Baltimore County, Maryland

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(sford@ix.netcom.com).

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Last Will & Testament of CHARLES MERRYMAN SR
of Baltimore County, dated 16 January 1724, proved 4 January 1725

In the name of God Amen, 16 January 1724; Charles Merryman of Baltimore Couty, 
Province of Maryland, Planter; being of perfect mind and memory, thanks given unto God 
therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for 
all men ...to Dye, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form 
following: That is to say first and principally I give my soul unto the Hands of God who 
gave it to me. And for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in Christian and 
decent manner, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall know etc... of the 
mighty power of God and as ... my worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless 
me in this life, I give, devise, bequeath and dispose the same in manner and form 
following:

Item: I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my true and well beloved wife Mary 
Merryman to be my whole and sole executrix to see all my lawful and just debts paid.

Item: I give and bequeath my dwelling plantation with the lands and woods thereunto 
belonging, jointly and equally between my wife Mary Merriman and my daughter Elizabeth 
Carr (?), jointly and equally to be enjoyed by these parties during the natural life of my 
said wife and at her decease to return to my daughter Elizabeth Cox(?) and the heirs of her 
body lawfully begotten, forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said executrix all my ... personal estate remaining after 
my just debts are paid and do hereby empower my said executrix to will, bequeath, devise 
and dispose the same as she shall think fit, reasonably and quietly(?) to enjoy or dispose 
the same without any manner of lett, hindrance or molestation from any person or persons 
whatsoever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Merriman Cox(?) one hundred acres of land 
beginning at the Tanners(?) Run and running up the Sail(?) Run with my outward line till it 
comes to one hundred acres.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Merriman one piece (purse?) of money 
to the value of one shilling sterling. 

Item: I give and bequeath to my youngest son Samuel Merriman one piece (or purse?) of 
money to the value of one shilling sterling.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and annul all and every other former testament, 
will, legacies, bequests and executors by me in any way before this time named, willed, 
etc., confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I 
have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

his

Charles X Merryman

mark

Signed ,etc, in the presence of:
Edward Cooke
Jonas S. Robinson (mark)
James Powell
Mordicai Price (mark)
John Welch (mark)
Hannah Cox (mark)

Maryland, Balt. County Jan.4, 1725 came these (people to attest to the validity of this will)

Notes: Charles Merryman was probably born in Lancaster Co VA by 1660, the son of 
John and Audrey Merriman. He married 1st, Mary Haile, the daughter of Nicholas and 
Mary Haile & the widow of Henry King. Mary is the mother of his three sons, the eldest 
two sons were apparently born in Lancaster Co. VA. Charles Merryman married second, 
by 1693, Mary, the adminstrix of the estate of Andrew Matson. It appears his daughter 
Elizabeth who married Jacob Cox was by his second wife, based on the above will and her 
apparent age.