Mary Acworth isn’t part of my husband’s family tree, but being a female and leaving a will tells us more about the wife of Mr. Acworth, her children and the enslaved people that she bequeathed to her children: Moses, Frank, Dinah and Barbra.
Will of Mary Acworth
Somerset County, MD WB EB5: Folios1-2
Source: FamilySearch
Somerset County Stepney Paris September 25th 1765
In the name of God amen I Mary Acworth of the County and Parish Aforesaid Calling to mind the uncertainty of this Life and the Mortallity of my Body But of sound mind and perfect memory thanks Be to almighty God and nowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and testament. First I Resign my Sole into the hand of almighty God he gave it and my Body to be decent interred at the discretion of my Executor not doubting but I shall receive the same at the general Resurection By the might Power of God Viz and as touching such worldly Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to Bless me with I Give devise and dispose of in the following manner—-First I will and bequeath to my well beloved son Henry Acworth a Negro Boy named Moses and one called Frank a negro woman called Dinah to him and his heirs for Ever—-2ly I will and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Mary Phillips a negro Girle called Barbra during her natural Life She and her increase and after her decease to her Son Henry Phillips , and Nelly Phillips She and her increase to them and there heirs for Ever it being my intention to deed the to her and her two aforesaid Chiidren in like manner to be Equally Divided Betwixt the aforesaid Children Henry and Nelly—and all my wearing apparil and side Saddle to my aforesaid Daughter Mary Phillips and no more of my Estate. 3ly It is my will and desire that my Son Henry Acworth Should have the Resideue of my Estate all and Singular Goods Chattles Rights and Credits and also that my aforesaid Son Henry acworth should pay all my Just and Lawful debts. 4ly and Lastly I Constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved Son Henry Acworth my hole and Sole Executor of this my Last will and Testament Revoking and disannulling all other wills and Testaments by me in any manner whatsom Ever heare to fore maid and I Do publish and pronounce this to Be my last will and Testament in witness where of I hearunto Set my hand and fix my Seal the day and year above written.
Mary Acworth (Seal)
Signed Seald and Acnoledged in presents of us
John Piper
Stephen Stephens
Levin Taylor
On the first day of April one thousand seven Hundred and severy two Came Henry Acworth and made on the Holy Evangelist of almighty God that the above Instrument of writing is the true and only will and Testament of Mary Acworth Late of Somerset County Deceased that Heath come to his hands Possession or knowldge and that he did not know or Ever heard of any other
Sworn Before Thos Holbrook Depy Comy of SomCounty on the first day of April one thousand seven Hundred and seventy two Came John Piper Stephen Stephens and Levin Taylor the three subscribing witnesses and made oath on the Holdy Evangelist of almight God that they did See the Testator Mary Acworth Sign and Seal the aforegoing Will and heard her Publish Renounce and declare the same to be her last Will and Testament at at the time of her so doing Sh was to the best of Each of there apprehensions of a sound disposing mind memory and understanding and that they Subscribed there names as Witnesses to the said Will in the presents of the said Testator
Sworn Before Thos Holbrook Depy Comy of SomCounty
Recorded in Liber EB no. 5 folio 1 & 2