The Last Will and Testament
Of Kenelm Cheseldyne
6 December 1708


(Note: This last will and testament of Kenelm Cheseldine, The Immigrant to Maryland, is written 
in the old English and the dates are from the old Calendars.  The name was spelled Cheseldyne at 
that time, but today would be spelled Chesldine.  There are a few places where I was unable to 
read the words, but for the most part this is the reading of the will.  The original can be found 
in the Maryland Archives in Annapolis.)


In the name of God, Amen.  The sixth day of December in the year of our Lord, 1708.  I, Kenelm 
Cheseldyne of St. Mary's County, Gentleman, do make and ordaine this my last will and testament 
in manner following........

I commend my soul into the hands of Almight God my creator, and Jesus Christ my redeamer and the 
Holy Ghost my sanctifier.  To which blessed and Holy Trinity one Eternal Diety be all honor and 
glory forever.  Amen.  I will all my just debts be well and duly paid.

I give and bequeathe unto my son Kenelm Cheseldyne and heirs of his body lawfully begotten all 
that my plantation called Matapany in St. Mary's County that I now live upon and all that tract 
of land called White's Neck adjoining to it and all that tract of land called St. Katherine's 
Island in the said county upon Potomac River and for want of such issue I give of same to my then 
daughter Mary Hey, Susannah Greenfield and Dryden and on the heirs of their bodies lawfully 
begotten.

I give and bequeath and devise unto my daughter Mary Hey, wife of James Hey all that plantation 
called Broad Neck in St. Mary's County and all that plantation called Westwood Lodge in Charles 
County for and during the time of her natural life, the daughter of Mary Hey my grand child till 
day of marriage and after said death of said Mary, the mother, I give same tomy grand child Mary, 
her daughter.

I give and bequeath and desire unto my daughter, Dryden Cheseldine all that plantation in St. 
Georges Hundred in St. Mary's County called Dryden containing 483a acres to her and the heirs 
of her body lawfully begotten and if she dye without issue that I give and desire to the same 
to my daughter Mary Hey and Sussannah Greenfield and the heires of their bodies lawfully begotten 
and in defect of such issue to my sonne Kenelm and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Dryden all the cattle horses mares and all other personal 
chattels that now are or shall be at the time of my death upon the aforementioned plantation 
called Dryden and one negro girle called Bess and a good feather bed and furniture at the time 
aforesaid.

I will that none of my Bookes be sold or lent out but upon good caution to be returned againe and 
that my Divinity Books remaine in my executor's hands but to the use of all my said chhildren and 
returning again and my law bookes I will unto ye first child that children shall have that by 
education shall be capable of using them.

Lastly I make my sonne Kenelm Cheseldyne my sole Executor of this my last will and testament to 
whom I bequeath all the remainder of my goods and chattels in witness whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and seale the day and year above written.

                                                                              
(signed:  Kenelm Cheseldyne  and seal is attached.)

Sealed and acknowledged in preference of John Coode, Thomas Greenfield and G. Muschamp, 
December 18, 1708.

Memoran:  The testator this day being the sixth day of December 1708 desiring these following 
things should be added by way of codicel, it is hereby done accordingly.....

I give to my Grand Daughter Mary Hay all the cattle belonging to the plantation called Dobsons 
and Broad Neck to the number of what was ...of Mr. James Hay according to agreement made between 
the said Hay and myself in writing under hand and seale to be  applied toward the maintainance of 
her the granddaughter and her mother.

I give to James Robison all my wearing apparell linnen and woolen and two thousand pounds of 
tobacco to be paid by my executor this present yer and the same of five hundred pounds to go 
yearly during his natural life together with accomodations so long as it shall please him to 
dwell with my executor.

                                                                                    
Signed:     Kenelm Cheseldyne

(Witnesses remain as above.)


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