The Will of Thomas Purnell was executed February 27, 1720 and probated April, 1723. The exact date of probate could not be made out.
Beneficiaries under the Will include: Thomas' wife, Katherine Purnell, his sons, Thomas, Mathew, Benjamin, John, Elisha and Walton Purnell, his daughters Elizabeth and Anne Purnell, Elizabeth the wife of son John Purnell and John Dovorig, apparently a neighbor. His son Thomas Purnell is named executor and his son Mathew Purnell and brother John Purnell are named overseers. Katherine Purnell is named custodian for Walton and Anne, while son Thomas Purnell is named custodian for siblings Elizabeth and Benjamin Purnell and son John Purnell is named custodian for his brother Elisha, suggesting all these were minors at the time the will was executed.
A copy of the Will Book is available at the Maryland State Archives website:
http://guide.mdsa.net/series.cfm?action=viewSeries&ID=s538
Book 18, pages 91-96 [1723-1726 WD 1 - msa_s538_000026.pdf, pp. 93-98]
