File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sue Bundy. (rbundy@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us) USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. ================================================================== JB No.1 Carroll County, Maryland 150 In the name of God, Amen. I, George Houck of Manchester, being sick and weak in Body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding and considering the certainty of Death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and to the end I may be the better prepared to leave this world whenever it shall please God to call me hence do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Allmighty God my Creater hoping for free pardon and remission of all my sins and to enjoy everlasting hapiness in the Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ my Saviour my body I commit to the Earth at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named I will that all my Just Debts together with my funeral expenses and all charges touching the proving of or otherwise concerning this my will shall in the first place be paid. I will and bequeath unto my loving wife Catharine all the Remaining Parts of Personal leasehold and Real Estate to have and to hold during of her, the said Catharine's, Natural life and after her death to be equally Divided amongst my Children, which shall then be living and I make and ordain my son, Wiliam Houk, Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I, the said George Houk set my hand and seal this 30th day of November 1840 Signed, sealed and acknowledged By the testator in the presence of the subscribers as his last will and testament. Ezekiel Boring George Houk Joseph Gardner Maryland Carroll County To wit: On the 14th day of December 1840, in the Orphans' Court for Carroll County came Ezekiel Boring, the person who exhibited the foregoing instrument or writing and in open court solemnly sweared and duly affirmed and declared that the aforegoing instrument of writing is the whole true last will and testament of George Houck late of said county deceased that hath come to his hands and possession; that he received the same from the testator for safe custody and that he does not know of any other will left by said deceased of a later date Test: John Baumgartner, Reg'r Maryland Carroll County To wit: On the 14th day of December, 1840, in the Orphans' Court of Carroll County came Ezekiel Boring and Joseph Gardner the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of George Houck, late of said County deceased, and in open Court the said Ezekiel Boring did solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare, and the said Joseph Gardner made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that they did see George Houck the testator therein named sign and seal this will by making his mark, that they 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 their apprehensions, knowledge and belief of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding that they subscribed their respective names as witnesses to this will at the request of the testator in his presence and all in the presence of each other Test: John Baumgartner, Reg'r