Will of Richard WATTS (1771); St. Mary’s County, Maryland

This file was contributed by Charlie Gibson <cathal@flash.net>.

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LAST WILL OF
RICHARD WATTS OF
ST. MARY’S COUNTY

In the name of God Amen I Richard Watts of St Mary’s County in the province of 
Maryland, being of perfect mind, memory and understanding, but calling to mind 
the uncertainty of this transitory life that all flesh must yield to death, when 
it pleases God to call them do make and ordain this my last will and Testament 
in manner and form following that is to say that I give and bequeath unto my son 
Richard Watts, all that Tract of Land being part of this will include called 
Plum Point containing between three and four hundred acres, to him and his body 
lawfully begotten. Likewise I give unto my son Richard Watts, a Tract of Land 
and houses in and near Brigham in the County of Cumberland in old England, the 
deed of which land and houses in and near Brigham, bother William Watts has in 
possession. Said land subject to the payment of one hundred pound sterling to my 
daughter Susanna Watts. Item I give and bequeath to my brother Robert Watts, 
such of my wearing apparel as he thinks proper, and thirty pounds as a token of 
my love and affection for him. My will and desire is, if my son Richard Watts, 
and my (daughter) Susanna Watts should die without children or before they 
arrive to the age of twenty one years that my Estate both personal and Real go 
to my brother Robert Watts subject to the payment of twenty pounds sterling to 
Brother William Watts, Twenty pounds sterling to sister Frances Harrison and 
Twenty pounds sterling to Sister Sonia Fawcet or the survivors of them. Item I 
give and to my dear wife Sarah Watts a third part of my lands during life and my 
personal to be divided as the law directs after my just debts, legacies and 
funeral expenses are paid. Item I do appoint my wife Sarah Watts and my loving 
brother Robert Watts Guardians of my son Richard Watts, and my Daughter Susanna 
Watts. I do nominate, consitute and appoint my said wife Sarah Watts and by 
brother Robert Watts Loyal Executors in trust of this my Last will and 
testament, and lastly I do revoke, dismiss and make void all former wills by me 
at any time heretofore made and so desire this to be my last will and testament 
In writing of whereof the said Richard Watts herunto set my hand and seal, this 
second day of December on thousand seven hundred and seventy one.

Richard Watts (seal)

Signed sealed and deposed by the testators as his last will and testament in the 
presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our hands 
as witness. 

Will Taylor
John Taylor
Christopher Taylor (seal)

Saint Mary’s County, to wit, on the 24th day of February 1772 came William 
Taylor, John Taylor and Christian Taylor the those subscribing witnesses to the 
within last will and testament of Richard Watts late of the county aforesaid 
deceased, and severally made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they 
did see Richard Watts the testator therein named sign and seal this will and 
hand.

Transcribed by Joanne W. Mcfadden, April 15, 2001