The Will of Rachel Reed, Queen Anne's County, Maryland, 1794

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

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RACHEL REED                       

The will of Rachel Reed from the Register of Wills, Queen
Anne's County, Maryland, 1794

In the name of God amen, I Rachel Reed of Queen Anns County
and state of Maryland being in a very low state of health but of a
sound and perfect memory and understanding do constitute this my
last will and testament. First I give my soul to the Lord and my
body to the earth from whence it came and as touching my worldly
affairs which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give
and dispose of them in the following manner and form. Viz.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob Downes one Negro
man named Solomon to him and his heirs forever and for him to
pay unto Samuel Shawhan's three children that he had by
me daughter five pounds apiece after they come to the age of
maturity.

I give an bequeath unto my son John Allen Reed one black walnut
table and one looking glass that was his fathers'.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Reed one Negro
woman named Charity, one grey horse named Champion, my
riding carriage and twenty and twenty barrells of corn.

I give and bequeath unto John Allen Reed (Reed's?) son
James Reed one Negro boy named Daniel. And lastly my desire is
that all my estate shall be equally divided after taking out my funeral
expenses between my son Jacob Downes, my son John Allen
Reed and my daughter Mary Reed - in witness whereof I hereunto
set my hand and seal this fourth day of November seventeen
hundred and ninety four 1794.

Rachel Reed (her mark)

(seal)

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Jon. Downes,
Solomon (Lavick?), John Price

Queen Anne's County ___ December the ___ 1794: Then
came Solomon (Lavrek?) and John Price two of the subscribeing
witnesses to the within last will and testament of Rachel Reed late
of queen Ann County deceased and severally made oath on the
holy evangels of almighty God that they saw the testatrix therein
named sign and seal the afsd. will and heard her publish pronounce
and declare the same to be her last will and testament that at the
time of her so doing she was to the best of their apprehensions of
sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and that they
respectively subscribed their names and saw Jonathan Downes
subscribe his name as witnesses thereto in the presence of the afsd.
testatrix and at her request ____ to before.

Richard Willson Reg. Wills Queen Anns County