Will of Charles Downes, Queen Anne's County, Centreville, Maryland, 1787

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cathy Downes [Cathy_Downes@msn.com] 

Copyright.  All Rights Reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm
*********************************************************

CHARLES DOWNES

Will of Charles Downes from Register of Wills, Queen
Anne's County, Centreville, Maryland, 1787: Liber SC
Folio 7 page 64.

In the name of God Amen I Charles Downes of Queen Anns
County in the State of Maryland being in a low and languishing
state of Health but of sound mind memory and understanding, do
make and publish this writing as and for my last Will and Testament
in manner and form following -

Imprimis - I will and direct that all my lawful debts shall be paid
and discharged by my Executor hereafter named with all
reasonable speed after my decease.

Item. I will and devise that my Executor shall sell and dispose of all
my Lands Tenements and real Estate lying in Wye Neck, as soon
after my decease as they shall think expedient either at public or
private sale, as their discretion may direct, for the best interest and
advantage of my family, and to make conveyance or conveyances
thereof accordingly, for which purposes I do hereby give and
devise unto them full Power Authority and Estate.

Item. I do hereby give and devise unto my son John King one
moiety of the whole purchase money arising on the sale of my
Lands Tenements and real Estate aforesaid - but by will and
meaning is that the moiety of the purchase money aforesaid shall be
laid out and employed by my Executor aforesaid with all
convenient dispatch in the purchase of a _____ (seat or seal) or
Tract of Land; to the Value (if to be purchased) of the moiety of
the purchased money aforesaid, which ____ (seat or seal) or Tract
of Land so as afd. directed to be purchased.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife one thousand
pounds lawful money of Maryland to be paid her within twelve
months after sale of my Lands aforesaid in lieu of and full
satisfaction for her Right of Dower in my said Land and Tenements
and real Estate and also the following Negro slaves namely, Jack,
Toney, Cangy, Nan ___ (Amy?), and Henry in lieu of and full
satisfaction for her Third of my personal Estate - But it is my will
and meaning that my said Wife shall not incline to accept my devise
of one thousand pounds lawful money in satisfaction of her Dower
in my real Estate afd., and also my devise of negros afd. ____
satisfaction of her Thirds of my personal Estate, that the said
Devises shall be _______________________(unreadable line) a
set of silver coat buttons marked CD and one negro girl named
Esther.

Item. I give and devise to Elijah Minor a young horse called
Humming Bird.

Item. I give and devise to my son John King all my wearing
apparel.

Item. I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Estate of
what nature or kind soever to be equally divided between my
children, namely John King, Elizabeth Coursey, Mary Emerson,
Martha, Ann, Sophia and Margaret.

And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my loving wife, my
son John King, and my brothers Vachel and Edward Downes
Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
former wills by me made. In witness where of I have hereto set my
Hand and affixed my Seal this twelfth day of February one
thousand seven hundred and eighty seven.

Signed sealed published and declared by Charles Downs the
above named Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the
presence of us who at his request and in his presence have
subscribed our names as witnesses thereto

Jas. Davidson

E. Emory

Marg. A Emory (her) mark

On the foregoing will was the following Endorsements, to wit -

Queen Anns County, Sct: the 13th day of March 1787   Then
came Ann Downes, John King, Vachel Downes and Edward
Downes and severally made oath on the holy Evangels of almighty
God, that the within Instrument of writing is the true and whole Will
and Testament of Charles Downes late of Queen Annes County
deceased that hath come to their hands or possession, and that
they do not know of any other.

Certified by Sol Clayton Reg. of Wills Queen Anns County

Queen Anns County, Sct:  the 13th day of March 1787 Then came
Elizabeth Emory and Margaret Emory two of the subscribing
witnesses to ___ last Will and Testament of Charles Downes late
of Queen Anns County deceased and severally made oath on the
holy Evangels of almighty God that they did see the Testator therein
named sign and seal this will and 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 respectively subscribed their names or
marks as witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of
the Testator and in the presence of each other and that they saw
James Davidson subscribe his respective name as a witness to this
will in the presence and at the request of the Testator.

Certified by Sol Clayton Reg. of Wills Queen Anns County

____________________________(unreadable) daughter of
_____ witnesses to the within Last Will and Testament of Charles
Downes late of Queen Ann 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
apprehensions of sound and disposing mind memory and
understanding, and that he subscribed his respective name as a
witness to this will in the presence and at the request of the
Testator and in the presence of Elizabeth Emory and Margaret
Emory whom he saw subscribe their respective name or mark as
witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the
Testator.

Certified by Sol Clayton Reg. of Wills Queen Ann County