Frederick County, MD Wills: The Will of Henry Graff (1821) Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Diana Lehman http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00002.html#0000457 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ********************************************************* Will of Henry Graff Frederick County Wills Liber/Folio HS-3-252 Frederick County Court House Frederick County, Maryland In the name of God Amen I Henry Graff of Frederick County State of Maryland being of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same considering the uncertainty of this Mortal life do make and publish this my last will and testament in Manner and form following Viz. First I recommend my soul to God and my body I desire to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named and after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid I give devise and bequeath as follows, Viz, I devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary wife of John Martin unto my son Joseph unto my daughter Rebecca unto my daughter Catherine wife of George Flack and unto the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth (decd) to their heirs and assigns the plantation whereon I now live called "Graffs content" together with the one half of my Mountain land called timber plenty with the appurtenances thereunto belonging the Mansion plantation containing about one hundred and thirty acres and the whole of the Mountain Land about one Hundred and fifty four acres and an Half. it is my will and desire that my executors name three disinterested men who will divide the Mountain Land into two parts as nearly equal in quantity and value as they can and that they or a Majority of them allot the one part (which they will designate on the plat to go with the above devised Mansion farm which said Mansion plantation and the one half of the Mountain land so designated I devise as follows, to Mary Martin one fifth part to Joseph Graff one fifth part to my daughter Rebecca one fifth part to Catherine Flack one fifth part and to the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth (decd) one fifth part. --Item. I devise and bequeath unto my son Eli my son Jeremiah my daughter Delila my son Henry my son Louis and my daughter Sarah to their heirs and assigns share and share alike my plantation called "part of Rich Level" and the other half of my Mountain land called "Timber plenty with their appurtenances the above devised property not to be sold until my daughter Sarah arrives to the age of sixteen years. I also give and bequeath to my Children Eli, Jeremiah Delila Henry Louis and Sarah their heirs and assigns my Negro Man Jack and my Negro woman, Bett, I also give and bequeath to each of my Children Eli Jeremiah Delila Henry Louis and Sarah or such of them as have not at the time of my decease received a Horse creature from me a Horse creature or in lieu thereof the Sum of fifty dollars. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth the one third part of my plantation "part of Rich Level together with one third of the House ____ barn and stabling during her natural life together with all my beds and bedding House and kitchen furniture she may Choose to keep. Also a Horse Creature and a Milk Cow her Choice of all my stock. -Item my will is that all my moveable property not already disposed of be sold and all debts owing to me collected by my executors and after all just debts and Charges are paid I give and bequeath unto my son Eli one hundred dollars in consideration of his services after he arrives at the age of twenty one years the remainder of the proceeds I desire to be divided into eleven equal parts and each of my Children already named or their heirs to get one part (that is, Mary, Joseph, Rebecca, and Catherine, each one part and the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth one part among them share and share alike and Eli Jeremiah Delila Henry Louis and Sarah each one part. Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my son Eli Groff and my friend George M. Eichelberger to be Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Ninth day of October Eighteen Hundred and twenty one. Henry Groff (seal) Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Henry Groff to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of Each Other have hereunto subscribed our Names as witnesses to the same.-- William Shields Phillip Keilholtz James Taylor Frederick County to wit: On the 12th day of February 1824 then came George M. Eichelberger and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that the foregoing instrument of writing is the true whole will and testament of Henry Graff late of Frederick County deceased that hath come to his hands and possession and that he doth not know of any other Test Henry Steiner Reg. Frederick County to wit On the 12 day of February 1824 then came William Shields and James Taylor two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Henry Graff late of Frederick County deceased and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that they did see the testator therein named sign and seal said will 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 of sound and disposing mind Memory and understanding and that they together with Philip Keilholtz the other subscribing witness respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to said will in the presence and at the request of the testator and all in the presence of each other. Test Henry Steiner Register 9 _Sides Eam__ I Elizabeth Juda Graff widow of Henry Graff late of Frederick County deceased do hereby renounce and quit all Claims to any bequest or devise made to me by the last will of my husband exhibited and proved according to law and I elect to take in lieu thereof my dower or legal share of the estate of my said husband as witness my hand this 5th day of March 1824. E.J. Groff 5th day of March 1824 To the Register of wills D. Risk Frederick County