Transcribed Will of Edward Porter

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Contents 1 Transcribed Will of Edward Porter 2 Source 3 Transcribed Text 4 Footnotes

Transcribed Will of Edward Porter

Source

Maryland Register of Wills Records, 1629-1999^[1]

Transcribed Text

     I Edward Porter, of Montgomery County, and State of Maryland being of sound disposing mind and memory, having lived to a good old age, and knowing the certainty of death, do make and publish this my last will and testament.
     I desire and will that all my Slaves be set free from slavery at thirty five years of age, except in the case of Rachel's child Anna, and Caroline's two children, Laura and Lavinia, who shall serve till they are twenty five years old and no more, as hereunafter mentioned; and that all the offspring of my slaves that are born after the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, shall serve until they are twenty one years old, and then be free to the lowest generation.
     To my daughter Rebecca M Thomas and her heirs I give and bequeath my servant girl Susan Rebecca, who is to serve until the fifteenth of May one thousand eight hundred and Seventy nine. I also give her Dr Washington Duvall's note for four hundred dollars.
     To my Son Charles G Porter and his heirs, I give and bequeath my Servant girl Martha Jane, to serve until the fourteenth of November one thousand eight hundred and seventy three. I also give my son Charles and to my daughter Mary Ellen Frost equally, Francis Valdenais' note for six hundred dollars.
     To my daughter Mary Ellen Frost and her heirs I give and bequeath my servant woman Rachel and her child Anna. Rachel is to serve until the twenty second of November one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight. Anna is to serve until the seventeenth of August one thousand eight hundred and seventy five.
     To my daughter Elizabeth Elizabeth G. Thomas, I give and bequeath Dr. William P. Palmers note for five hundred dollars. I also give her my servant girl Hannah Elizabeth who is to serve until the twenty fifth day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
     To my daughter Virginia, I give and bequeath my Servant man Isaac to serve until the thirty first day of December one thousand eight hundred and Sixty three.
     I give to my daughters Virginia and Sarah, my Servant girl Ann Maria to serve until the nineteenth of February one thousand eight hundred and Seventy one.
     To my daughter Sarah I also give and bequeath my Servant man Alfred to serve until the tenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and Sixty six.
     To my granddaughter Williamette E. Porter and her heirs I give and bequeath my Servant woman Caroline and her children Laura and Lavinia. Caroline is to serve until the fourth of October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one. Laura is to serve until the eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred and seventy three. Lavinia is to serve until the Sixteenth of June one thousand eight hundred and Seventy six. I also give her one hundred dollars To be paid by my Executor when she arrives at the age of Sixteen.
     To my son Edward, I give and bequeath my Wood Lot No. 1 purchased of Holmes' Estate, containing thirteen and seven tenths acres more or less. I also give him my servant man Abraham, to serve until the thirty first of December one thousand eight hundred and sixty three.
     To my son Henry Clay I give and bequeath my Servant boy John, to serve until the sixth of December, one thousand eight hundred and Seventy five.
     I give and bequeath to my son Henry Clay and his heirs and assigns forever after my just debts are paid the farm upon which I now reside, containing thirty four acres more or less, and all of my personal property with the exception of the Shop and Timber. Reserving a home in the above mentioned farm for my three children, Edward, Virginia, and Sarah during their single lives.
      I give the Shop and timer to my son Edward, reserving to Henry Clay the privilege to work in and use said Shop equally.
     I appoint my Son Charles G. Porter, Trustee of my son Henry Clay, for the period of ten years from the date of these presents.
     And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Edward my Executor and it is my earnest request and desire that he will not be required by the Orphans' Court to give security for the faithful performance of this my last will and testament.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three,
                                                                                                                                         Edward Porter (seal)
signed, Sealed, published and declared by the above named Edward Porter, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said testator, and in the presence of each other this thirteenth day of January, one thousand Eight hundred and fifty three, as witness our hands + seals.
                                                                                                                                         Edward Stabler (seal)
                                                                                                                                         James H Stone (seal)
                                                                                                                                         Stephen L Holland (seal)

Montgomery County to wit: On the first day of March 1853 came Stephen L Holland one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of Edward Porter late of Montgomery County deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangels of almighty God that he did see the testator herein named sign and seal this will and that he heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that at the time of his so claiming he was to the best of his apprehension of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, and that he subscribed his name to this will as a witness in the presense and at the request of the testator and also in the presence of Edward Stabler and James H Stone the other subscribing witnessest thereunto who also subscribed in the testators presence.
                                                                         Certified by William Thompson of R.
                                                                                                                                         Register.

Footnotes

1. ↑ "Maryland Register of Wills Records, 1629-1999," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GT1Z-TC3?cc=1803986&wc=SNYH-2NR%3A146535001%2C147662501 : 20 May 2014), Montgomery > Wills 1852-1858 vol 2 > image 47 of 204; Hall of Records, Annapolis.