Will of James DRURY (1779); St. Mary’s County, Maryland

This file was contributed by Judith Burger.

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James Drury
Signed: March 19, 1779
Proved: May 10, 1779

The will of
James Drury
In the name of God amen. The Nineteenth day of March, Seventeen hundred, Seventy 
and Nine. James Drewry of Saint Mary's County, and State of Maryland being very 
sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, 
therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is 
appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and 
Testament. First of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of God, who 
gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian 
Burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but I shall receive 
again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith 
it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give devise and dispose of in 
the following manner and form Viz. ~~~ Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto my 
dear and loving wife all my Land during her widowhood, her bridle and Saddle. 
Item I give and bequeath unto my two loving Sons Stephen Drewry and James Drewry 
all my Land that I possess to be equally divided between them in quantity and 
quality, and not for either of them to sell any part thereof, only to their 
Brothers, to them and their heirs, and to Stephen that Saddle which was called 
his, and James my Saddle. ~~~ Item. I give and bequeath unto my two loving Sons 
Thomas Drewry and Richard Drewry all my movable Estate after my Just debts be 
duly paid, and my loving wifes thirds be settled, then to be equally divided 
between them and their heirs. ~~~~~~ It is also my will and desire that if 
Monica Dogen shall make any Trespass on my Land whereon she now lives, by 
cutting any wood except Dog Wood, or any old, or if should make any disturbance 
in the family, that then my Executors may turn her off at their discretion. 
Lastly, I make and ordain my dear and loving wife whole and sole Executrix of 
this my last will and Testament, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to 
be my last will and Testament ~~~~~

James Drury ((( Seal)))

Signed Sealed published and declared, by the said James Drewry
To be his last Will & Testament, in the presence of us ~~~~~~~
John King (of Tho.)
John + Railey
John X Greenwell~~~~~~~~~

Saint Mary's County, to wit. The 10th day of May 1779. Then came Sarah Drurey, 
and made oath on the holy evangels of almighty God, that the within instrument 
of writing, is the true and whole will & Testament of James Drury, late of Saint 
Marys County, deceased that Hath come to her hands or possession, and that she 
doth not know of any other Certified by Jeremiah Jordan Regr Wills
for Saint Marys County

Saint Marys County, Ss the 10th day of May, 1779 Then came John King (of Tho.) 
John Raily, and John Greenwell the three Subscribing witnesses to the within 
last will and Testament of James Drury, late of Saint Marys County deceased, & 
severally made oath on the holy evangels of almighty God, that they heard him, 
publish, pronounce, and declare the same to be his last will & Testament, that 
at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehensions, of sound 
and disposing mind, memory, & understanding, & that they respectively subscribed 
their names as witnesses to this will, in the presence & at the request of the 
Testator & in the presence of each other ~~~~
Certified By ~~~ Jeremiah Jordan Regr. Wills
For Saint Marys County

On this 10th day of May 1779. Came Sarah Drury the widow of James Drury, late of 
Saint Marys County, deceased, & quitted her Claim to the several bequest & 
devises made to her in the will of her Said husband deceased, & elected in lieu 
thereof her dower or third part of the deceased's Estate, both real and personal 
~~~~~~~
Before. Jeremiah Jordan Regr. Wills
for Saint Marys County
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Transcribed by Judith A. Burger February 18, 2001 from a photocopy of the 
original court document, JJ1 91-92, obtained from Norma I. Dawson, Register of 
Wills, Saint Mary's County, Maryland. The photocopy was good and the writing was 
legible. I made no corrections of any kind.