Will of John Councell

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Queen Anne's, Maryland, United States
Surname/tag: Councell

This is the text of John Councell's will mostly as found in Rodney Councell's book Descendants of Dennis Councell, published in Maryland in 2006. A photocopy of the will appears on pages 456-458. A transcription appears on page 27 with this reference: "Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland. WK 494-495 Page 68." My transcription differs from Rodney's in some places. Sarah Councell Turner June 2, 2023, updated February 8, 2024.

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In the Name of God Amen, I John Councell of Queen Anne County in the State of Maryland being weak of body but of sound Disposing mind memory and understanding, considering the certainty of Death and the Uncertainty of the time thereof and being Desirous of Settleing my worldly affairs and be thereby the better prepared to Leave this world when it shall Please God to Call me home do therefore make and Publish this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to Say -- First and principally I Commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who Gave it, me and my body to the Earth to be Deacently buried at the Descretion of my Executor here after nominated and appointed and after my Debts and funeral Expenses paid I devise and bequeath as follows---

Item, I Give and bequeath to my son Edward Carey Council all my home plantation being part of a tract of land known by the name of Hawkins Pharsalia, Reserving only out of the aforesaid parcel or part of a tract of Land all that part which lies over on the west side of the main Road that leads from the nine bridges to Roes Cross Roads.

Item, I Give and bequeath unto my son John Council all that parcel or part of a tract of land known by the name of Toms Fancy Enlarged now in my possession together with all the tract of Land [Emorys?] chance corrected and also all that part of Hinderleys plains Enlarged that is now in my possession.

Item, I Give and bequeath unto my two sons Samuel Council and James Council all that part of Hawkins Pharsalia which I possess lying over on the west side of the main Road that leads from the Nine Bridges to Roes Cross Roads to be Equally Divided between them.

Item, I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Council one Negro Girl named Fanny now aged about Eight or nine years and my Chaise & Harness.

Item, I Give and bequeath to my son Elijah Council twenty pounds to be paid him by Executor when he arrives at the age of twenty one years untill which time I recommend him to the Care of my Executor together with all his part of my Estate.

Item, I Give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Council twenty pounds to be paid him by my Executor when he arrives at the age of twenty one years untill which time I Recommend him to the Care of my Executor together with all his part of my estate.

Item, I Give and bequeath all the Remainder of my Estate after payment of my Legacies and other Expences herein before mentioned unto my Daughter [Mary? Sary?] Council, my son Henry Council, my son Samuel Council my son James Council, my son William Council my son Elijah Council & my son Thomas Council to be Equally Divided between the last mentioned Seven Children

And, Lastly I do Constitute and appoint my son Henry Council sole Executor of this my last will and Testament Revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made, Ratifying and Confirming this and none other to be my last will and Testament - In Testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty-second day of December in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety five --

Signed sealed published and declared by John Council the above mentioned Testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his Request and in his presence have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereunto -- John Bewley Benedict Jackson Martha Jackson

John Council (Seal)