According to an old deed of Charles County, Maryland, William Hungerford was originally from Stafford County, Virginia. He married Margaret Barton, daughter of Col. William Barton of Charles County, Maryland, and lived in that county and state after their marriage. On June 10, 1688, he purchased land called Barton Woodyard, containing 100 acres; and another tract called Capell, also containing one hundred acres.
William and Margaret Hungerford lived in the town of Portobacco. Their eight children were Barton, William, Thomas, John, Charles, Ann, Elizabeth and Mary. After William’s death, Margaret Barton Hungerford married Jacob Miller. In paperwork of son Thomas, Margaret Miller is given as his next of kin.
William Hungerford Will
Charles County, Maryland Will Book 2 1665-1708, Pages 248-250
In the name of God, amen. I, William Hungerford, of Charles County, planter, being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, praised be almighty God for the same, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. Imprimis. I will that all my debts owing by me to any person or persons be justly and honestly paid as far as my personal shall extend.
Second. Whereas I am possessed of two tracts of land, the one called Johnson’s Choice, containing by estimation one hundred and fifty acres, and the other called Smoot’s Choice, containing by estimation two hundred and fifty acres, being the land I now live on, I give and bequeath the same, being in all four hundred acres, unto my four dear and beloved sons, William Hungerford, Thomas Hungerford, John Hungerford and Charles Hungerford, to them and their several heirs forever, to be equally divided amongst them, the said division to be made by two or more good, just and honest men as my said sons shall elect, choose and appoint for the doing the same and that my son William have his first choice of the said land after the just division made as aforesaid and to each son to choose after awarding to their respective ages.
And in case of either of my said son’s death without lawful issue then I bequeath that son’s dividend or those of the said land unto my well beloved daughter, Ann Hungerford, and her heirs forever, and in case of my said daughter’s death without issue lawfully born then I bequeath the said land to my daughter Elizabeth Hungerford and her heirs forever and in case of my said daughter Elizabeth’s death without lawful issue then that land so fallen to her to be and descend to my daughter Mary Hungerford and the heirs forever and if more than one of my above said sons should die without issue then I bequeath that second son’s share of the said land unto my abovesaid daughter Elizabeth and her heirs forever and if either of my sons should have occasion to dispose of his share of the said land then I will that son so offering his share to sale shall let his brothers have the first refusal of his said share of land, provided that they or any of them will give as much for the same as any other person shall be willing to give for the same.
Third. I bequeath unto my well-beloved son, Barton Hungerford, all that parcel of land called Hungerford’s Choice, containing twenty-eight acres and joining on Johnson’s Choice, to him and his heirs forever.
Fourth. I give and bequeath unto my dear beloved daughter, Ann Hungerford, a young sorrel mare branded WI, now running in the woods.
Fifth. I give and bequeath unto my dear daughter Elizabeth Hungerford one feather bed and bolster, one rug and two blankets.
Sixth. I do make my well-beloved wife, Margaret Hungerford, executrix of this my last will and testament. In case my said wife should die then I do make my son Barton Hungerford my executor to this my will performed, and to look after his brothers and sisters during infancy.
Lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me heretofore at any time made and this my present last will only to stand good. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this two and twentieth day of January Anno Domini 1704.
William Hungerford
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Samuel Durham, John Ryan, Joseph Duel
On the back of the foregoing will was endorsed the following probate, to wit,
March the 14th 1704 Then came John Ryan, one of the subscribed witnesses to the within will before me and proved the same according to law. John Contee
March the 14th 1705 Then came Joseph Duel and Samuel Durham, both witnesses to this will and proved it in common form before me. John Contee
Categories: Old Wills
