Will of "Joseph Blake of Plainfield in ye County of Colleton in ye Province of Carolina", made December 27, 1699, and proved before Governor Moore, October 7, 1700, gave daughter, Rebecca Blake, his "Propriety to y*. one eighth part of ye. Province of Carolina with all ye royalties prerogatives priviledges & immunities thereunto belonging", but in case of the death of his said daughter before reaching the age of twenty-one years or marrying, then the said bequest was to go to his "cousin William Dry Son of my sister Elizabeth Dry"; gave his said daughter all of his lands in Carolina with the buildings and improvements thereon, subject to the same conditions; gave sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Dry, £100.; directed that what was due him on account of the "Presbyterian Meeting house in Charles Town", be remitted and that a title be made to the said house as soon as it should be desired by the persons to whom it belonged; directed that whatever should be found to be due him by his friend, Dr. James Williams, be remitted; gave Margaret Williams, daughter of Dr. James Williams, £50., when she should come of age or marry, whichever should happen first; gave James Stanyarne £50., desiring him to assist his wife in settling his estate after his death; gave remainder of estate to wife, Elizabeth Blake, and daughter, Rebecca, to be equally divided between them, but in case of the death of his daughter, her half was to go to William Dry.
Witnesses: Richard Gower, William Freeman, John Watt, Nathaniel Gardner.
A memorandum added gave his "affectionate mother ye Lady Rebeccah Axtell", £20. to buy her and her waiting maid mourning, and directed that in case his wife should be delivered of a child within nine months after his death and the child should be a son that he should have the "propriety" and all lands, notwithstanding anything before expressed, and one-third of his personal estate, but in case his wife should be delivered of a daughter, then the proprietorship was to go to Rebecca, and in case of her death to the younger daughter, and in case of the death of both, to be divided between his widow and William Dry.
(Pages 37-39)
