Will of James SOMERS Sr. (1777), Atlantic/Gloucester County, MD Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Ray Steelman http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************************** " WILL OF JAMES SOMERS " (SON OF JAMES SOMERS Sr.) In the name of God, Amen, the Ninth day of August, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. I JAMES SOMERS Senior, of Great Egg Harbour in the County of Gloucester and State of West New Jersey esq r being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefour calling to 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 viz. principally and first of all. I give and recommend my Soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the Earth, to be buried in a christian like and decent manner at the descression of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mity powers of God, and as touching such worldly Estate wharewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form Im. Prim. I give and bequeath to my beloved Son JAMES SOMERS all the plantation whareon I live, as also the plantation whare my Father leived, the hole adjoyning together and containing Four hundred and eighty acres together with the houses and mills and other buildings tharon, as also I give to him a certain peace of meadow that I bought of DAVID COVENOVER on Cedar Swamp Creek and also I give to my Son James, half my right on the Beach and half the Island and mash laid out below between the mane and the Beach, likewise I give to him all that Tract at Maple Swamp, containing abough Nine acres, also I give to him a yong mare, bridle and sadle and a pair of two year old Steers, and it is my will that my Son JAMES SOMERS Do pay unto my four daughters, ELSEY SOMERS, SARAH SOMERS, REBACA SOMERS and HANNAH SOMERS, Two hundred pounds good and lawful money to be paid to Each of them, when thay arrive to the age of Eighteen Years. In Primises-- I give to my beloved Son ARON SOMERS all that Tract of land and Mills that I bought of WILLIAM ALLEN, Containing, three hundred and eleven acres and also Sixty acres of Mash that I bought of sd WILLIAM ALLEN, which lies below DAVID BABCOCKs: and also I give to my Son ARON SOMERS half my right on the Beach and half my right in the Mashes below to be equally divided Between him and his brother JAMES SOMERS: And I do hearby order, that my Son ARON SOMERS, do pay unto my Daughter ABIGAIL STEELMAN forty Pounds when he comes to the age of Twenty one Years-and if it should happen that ARON SOMERS should die before he arrives to the age of Twenty one years it is my will that the plantation and mash that I bought of WILLIAM ALLEN, shall be equally divided amongs all my surviving daughters: that in such case my son JAMES SOMERS shall not be obliged to pay the two hundred pounds to my Daughters above named. In Primises-- I give to my beloved wife REBECCA SOMERS, the best mare bridle and Sadle and half the use of the lands and Mills, that I bought of WILLIAM ALLEN, tell my Son Aron arrives at the age of twenty one years, and also I give my wife one half of my moveable Estate including her natural right of one third. After my just debts are paid and do order that my wife do bring up the young children and give them larning as fur as the Rule of Three Also I give my four daughters, ELSEY, SARAH, REBACA, and HANNAH SOMERS one half of my moveable Estate to be equally divided amongst them. In Primises--I give to my son in law JAPHET CLARK the use of one half the plantation, Land and Mills that I bought of WILLIAM ALLEN tell my son ARON SOMERS arrives to the age of twenty one. Also I do order that if any of my daughters Should die without issue, I do order her part to be equally divided between the survivors. Item--The lands and marshes as they are above mentioned I give to my son JAMES SOMERS and my son ARON SOMERS and to their Heirs and Assigns forever. Item--I do hearby make my well beloved wife REBACA SOMERS and my well beloved son JAMES SOMERS my Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hearby utterly disallow, Revoak and disanull all and every other former will and Testament, Leagesees and Executors by me befuer this time named willed and bequeathed, Ratifying and confirming this my last Will and no other. In Witness Whareof I have hereunto set my hand Seal the day and Year above written. Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, WILLIAM PRICE EBENEZER STIBBINS RICH D SOMERS JAMES SOMERS Will proved June 16 1779