Person:Edward Northcraft (1)

In the Name of God, Amen This Sixteenth day of June Anno Domini one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six. I, Edward Northcraft of Frederick County in the Province aforesaid wheelright being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be to God for the same, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory do hereby make or ordain and appoint this my last will and testament Revoking and disanulling all and every other will or wills heretofore by me made (here follows four lines which have been crossed out so as to be illegible) or, Intitled to be made either by Word or writing in manner and form following---

Imprimis. I give to my Well Beloved Son Richard Northcraft all that tract or parcel of Land called Malls rattle and part of the Resurvey Thereon as Contains to one hundred acres during his mothers life. It is to be laid of a Cross the North end of the said Land as Convenient to both Plantations as Possible and after his mothers Disease as much of the said Resurvey as Contains Fifty more to be laid off in the same manner. Likewise I give to my son Richard Northcraft one Negro Boy named Nace it is to him & heirs forever--

Item I give to well beloved son Edward Northcraft after his mothers disease the remaining Part of Land being a tract of Land Called the William and John. & the remaining part of the Resurvey on Malls Rattle. And likewise Fifty Pounds Current money to be paid to him out of my Estate when he shall arrive at the Age of Twenty one Years it is to him and his Heirs for Ever. But if he Dies without Law full Heirs his part of my Estate & Land to be equally divided between my four daughters. Susanna Frances Ann and Mary Ann----

Item I give to my Daughter Susannah Cullom one Negro Boy Named Benjamin to her and her heirs forever

Item I give to my Daughter Francis Trail one Negro Boy named Sezar to her and her heirs for ever -----

Item I give to my daughter Ann Northcraft one Negro girl named Hannah to her and her heirs for Ever -----

Item I give to my Daughter Mary Ann Northcraft one woman named Phillis & her child named Phillis to her and her heirs forever ----

Item I give and Bequeath unto my well Beloved Wife Elizabeth Northcraft one Negro Boy named Tom and the Third part of my Personal Estate & Land & the Remaining part of my personal Estate after my just debts are paid to be equally divided Between my six children. Richard Edward. Susana. Frances Ann and Mary Ann ----

Lastly. I appoint my Beloved Wife Elizabeth Northcraft my whole & Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament Witness my hand & Seal the day and year above written Signed Sealed and delivered to be my last will and Testament Witness my hand and Seal the day and year above Written Signed Sealed and delivered to be my last Will and Testament

(Signed) Edward E.N. Northcraft (Seal)

In the presence of

Testis

John Fryer

John Segar

his

John F C Cobrath

mark

On the 14th day of August 1766 came John Fryer, John Segar and John Cobrath the three Subscribing Witnesses to the aforegoing Will and made Oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that they did see the Testator Edward Northcraft sign and Seal the said Will heard him publish pronounce and declare the Same to be his last Will and Testament and 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 Severally Subscribed their Names as witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the said Testator and in the Presence of each other ---

Examined C Niles Sworne before T Bowles D Y Com

Executrix: Elisabeth Hook (formerly Elisabeth Northcraft)

[Source: Maryland Probate Records, Prerogative Court Abstracts, 1736-1770 (Libers 4 & 5) Aug. 14, 1766].

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