Will of Stephen GOUGH (1743); St. Mary’s County, Maryland

This file was contributed by Laurie Ronan <tronan@sccoast.net>.

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In the name of God Amen,the thirteenth Day of March Anno Domini 1743 I Stephen 
Gough of St. Mary County in the province of Maryland planter being very sick, 
and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given,unto God 
therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is 
appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my Last Will and 
Testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend, my 
soul unto the hands of God, that gave it and my body I Reccomend, to the Earth 
to be buried in Christian decent Burial at the discretion of my Executors, 
nothing doubting but at the general ressurrection 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, after all my Just debts are paid I give 
Devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form Imprimis I give 
and Bequeath unto my dear son Ignatius Gough my now dwelling plantation 
containing one hundred and fifty acres of land as also forty two acres of Land 
called Goughs Level and forty eight acres called Goughs Conveniency to him and 
the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. Item I give and bequeath to my 
dear Daughter Anastatia one negro man called, Tom to be delivered to her at the 
age of sixteen, or on her Day of marriage to her and the heirs of her body 
Lawfully Begotten forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my loving son Matthew 
one negro man called Peter, to be delivered to him to his proper use at the age 
of sixteen years, to him and the heirs of his Body lawfully Begotten forever. 
Item I give and bequeath to Brother in Law, John Norris my gunn. Lastly I give 
and bequeath unto my Dear & well beloved Wife, Mary Gough all the Residue and 
Remainder part of my movable Estate, whom I Likewise Constitute make & ordain 
whole and sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament, and I do hereby 
utterly Disallow Revoke, and Disannul, all and Every other former testatments 
With Legacies Bequests and Executors, by me in any wise before named, Willed and 
bequeathed Ratifying and confirming, this and no other to be my Last Will and 
Testament In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and 
year above written Stephen Gough (seal)

signed sealed published
pronounced & declared
as his last will and Testament
in the presence of us the Subscribers

April the 21st 1743 Clement Spink

Then came Clement Spink, Susanna Norris and Susanna___ her_____ Norris William 
Russell the subscribing witnesses to mark the foregoing will being duly & 
solemnly sworn William Russell on the holy Evangels of Almighty God depose and 
say that they saw the Testator Stephen Gough Sign the foregoing Will, and heard 
him publish 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 apprehension of sound and 
disposing mind and memory and that they subscribed their Respective names as 
Witnesses to the said will in the presence of the said Testator at his request 
Sworn to before me Tho. Aisquith Deputy Commissioner May the 4th 1743 of St. 
Marys County Then the deceaseds Widow made her Election and takes her thirds 
Certified by me Tho. Aisquith Deputy Commissioner of St. Marys County