Will: Joseph HOUSTON, Sr. (1819), Worcester Co. MD Contributed by David Jones ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Will of Joseph Houston Senior - dated 27 Jan 1819 In the name of God amen I Joseph Houston of Worcester County in the State of Maryland planter, being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding considering the uncertainty of this life do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following - First of all I give unto my beloved wife all my whole estate both real and personal to her as long as she lives also I leave my wife one feather bed and furniture at her disposal and one spinning wheel at her disposal. Item I give unto my son Levin B. Houston the plantation where I now live after my wife Sally Houston deeds to him and his heirs forever – Item I give unto my daughter Sally Ball two negroes one named Arthur and the other a negro woman named Hannah and her increase from this date and John I give to her two daughters Willa & Betsy Williams Stevenson after their mothers death Item I give unto my son Joseph Houston my ----- plantation to him and his heirs forever after my ---- bed and furniture one ------ Item I give unto my daughter Betsy ---- after my -- other negroes named Sam Parker and Leah to her and her heirs likewise two feather beds and furniture likewise one larg blue chest to her and her heirs – Item I give unto my daughter Anne Maria Houston four negroes namely Shadrack Ephraim Bob and Milky likewise two feather beds and furniture and my carriage and also my will and desire is that my daughter Maria shall have a whom (home) with her brother Levin B. Houston as long as she lives single – likewise I give my daughter Maria Houston one larg square trunk and Bel mettle skillet to her and her heirs. Last of all I give unto my grand son Isaac Layfield Two Dollars to be paid out of my estate by my Executor – Last of all I give and bequeath unto all my children namely William, Levin, Sally, Joseph, Betsy, Anne Maria Houston all the remaining part of my Estate that is not given away to be equally divided between them after my just debts is paid - And now I hereby nominate and appoint my son Levin B. Houston my Executor of this my last will and testament Revoking all former wills by me heretofore made in witness hereof I have heretofore set my hand and seal thy twentiseventh Day of January Eighteen and nineteen, signed sealed published and declared by the above named Joseph Houston as for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in the presence of each other did acknowledge this to be his last will and Testament – Joseph Houston (seal) Witness Wm Schoolfield Sen Samuel Boston Thomas Schoolfield – Worcester county --- the 10th day of august anno domini 1819 There came Levin B. Houston and made oath on the holy Evangely of almighty God that the aforegoing testament of writing is the true and whole will and ---------- deceased that hath ------- doth not know of any others Before Matthew Hopkins Reg --- On the 10th day of august anno Domini 1819 there came Samuel Boston and Thomas Schoolfield two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Joseph Houston Sen late of Worcester county deceased and severally made oath on the holy Evangely of almighty God that they did see the said Joseph Houston the testor sign and seal this will and that they heard him publish pronounce 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 memory and understanding and that they with William Schoolfield the other witness respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in the presence & at the request of the testor and in the presence of each other – Before Matthew Hopkins Reg --- I Sarah Houston widow of Joseph Houston late of Worcester county deceased do hereby Renounce and quit all claim to any bequest or devise made to me by the last will and Testament of my husband exhibited and proved according to law and elect to take in lieu thereof my dower or legal share of the estate of my said husband witness my hand this 31st day of august 1819 – Sarah Houston Mark Test Jas Patterson The above renunciation received and filed the 14th day of September 1819 Test Matthew Hopkins Reg ----