Will and Codicil of James Semmes: 1727, Charles County, MD 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lisa Simms 
<lsimms@world.std.com>.  Transcribed by Raphael T. Semmes in his
book The Semmes and Allied Families, Baltimore, 1918.

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                                   WILL OF
                     JAMES SEMMES OF CHARLES COUNTY, MD.

  Friend, Mr. William Chandler, and his assigns forever, all my right and
title to that parcel of land I bought of him at Port Tobacco, called "Burnt
Quarter."

  Son Marmaduke Semmes, all that part of my land called "Chandler's
Invention," which lies on the east side of Port Tobacco Fresh, from the
northernmost part thereof down the said Fresh as far as a path that leads
from Andrew Simpson's quarter to John Ashman's; also one negro man, Andrew,
and all my wearing apparel.
  Wife, Mary Semmes, during her life, my land, plantation and premises
whereon I now live.
  Sons Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes after their mother's death
my aforesaid plantation and land and premises before devised to my said
wife, for equal division between them.
  Son Ignatius Semmes,
  Daughter Mary Semmes,
Wife Mary, during her life, the remaining part of my land called
"Chandler's Invention" not devised to son Marmaduke, and after her death to
go equally between my two sons, Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes.
  Daughter Ann Semmes,
  Daughter Juliana Semmes,
  Daughter Susannah Semmes,
  Daughters Mary, Ann, Juliana and Susannah, after their mother's death,
certain items of personal estate, but if any of them die in their nonage,
said legacies to go to my
  Sons Joseph Milburn Semmes and Ignatius Semmes.
  Son James Semmes, 3,000 pounds of tobacco.
  Sons Marmaduke, James, Joseph Milburn, Ignatius, and daughters Mary, Ann,
Juliana, Susannah, the residue of personal estate for equal division.
        Executors: My wife, Mary Semmes, and my son, Marmaduke Semmes.


                        CODICIL. DATED AUGUST 7, 1727

  Son James Semmes, all the money I have or may recover in Liverpool, which
I empowered Mr. Garard Slye to recover by power of attorney, provided it
doth not exceed £70 sterling, and the overplus I give to my Wife Mary
Semmes, over and above what my will gives her, and to her also I give
one-third of my cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and household goods, and above
what my Will gives her and to her also all my tann'd leather.


Witnesses to Will: Peter Atwood, Juliana Simpson, Robert Hanson. Witnesses
to Codicil: James Nicols, Robert Hanson. Will dated August 5, 1727; codicil
dated August 7, 1727; proved March 12, 1727-28, by three witnesses to the
Will.