Will of Teresa STRATFORD (1771); St. Mary’s County, Maryland

This file was contributed by Marcella Dawson <dawsonm@cs.rice.edu>.

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Will of Teresita Thompson Rapier Stratford
(38:417) written on 4/3/1771; probated 10/5/1771

Maryland. In the Name of God Amen I TERESA STRATFORD of St. Mary's county being 
Sick and weak of Body but of sound and perfect mind and memory praise be to God 
and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Life--and having a mind to Settle my 
Temporal Affairs Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, , First 
revoking all other wills and make them void heretofore by me made either in 
writing or verbal.

First Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Son William Rapour One Negro woman 
called Sarah to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Ann Dianna Walker one Negro Girl 
called Nell and likewise one Negro girl called Nan unto the said Ann Diana 
Walker during her Life and then the Negroes and their increase to be equally 
divided amongst her Children lawfully begotten by Joseph Walker and Such of my 
wearing apparel as she has in Possession.

Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son James Rapour (Richard James Rapier) 
one Negro Boy called Will and likewise one Negro Girl called Jude and likewise 
all my Real and Personal Estate except what I have already given unto my Son and 
Daughter above mentioned and it is further understood that my son James Rapour 
is to pay all my just Debts which does not exceed Ten pounds and give me a 
Christian Burial.

Item I do further desire that after my Death that my son Wm. Rapour shall Rail 
in my Graveyard and Be paid by James Rapour out of the Estate in Testimony here 
of and for the true performance of this my Last will and Testament I do 
constitute and appoint my beloved Son James Rapour my true and Lawful Executor 
as witness my hand and Seal this third Day of april One Thousand Seven Hundred 
Seventy and one

Signed Sealed published declared and pronounced by the within named Teresa 
Stratford to be her last Will and Testament

signed with her mark

Wit: Jonathan Phillips, Thomas Shanks, Mary Medley