Old Wills

1783 Will of Edward Milstead, Jr. – Charles County, Maryland

Edward Milstead lists his wife, children (including daughters with married names) and his father in his will.  I have seen the name John Muschett, the registrar of wills, in northern Virginia counties also.  A Margaret Muschett married John Hancock. And the Dunnington family married into the Lewis family, perhaps not these particular Dunningtons, but family members.

Will of Edward Milstead, Junior

Charles County Maryland Will Book 1782-1785, Pages 117-118

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Edward Milstead, Jr., of Charles County and State of Maryland, being sick and weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory, thanks to Almighty God for the same, knowing the uncertainty of this life and that it is appointed for all once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner and form, making null and void all other wills by me heretofore made.

First and principally, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth, to be buried in a decent manner at the direction of my executors hereafter named, and as to what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose of in the following manner.

Imprimis.  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Milstead all my lands and tenements which I now enjoy, during her widowhood or natural life, likewise my household and stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, except what is hereafter mentioned to some of my children, and if my wife, Elizabeth Milstead, should after my decease marry, then she is to enjoy her thirds of land, stock and household furniture during her life.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my beloved son, John Barker Milstead, one mare colt which came of my mare Streamer.

Item.  I will that my father, Edward Milstead, shall be maintained out of my estate during his life.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my beloved son, Barton Milstead, one mare colt which came of my mare Nancy Dawson.

I will that the neat colt which carries of my mare Nancy Dawson shall be the property of my son, William Milstead.

I will that my son, Peter Milstead, shall have a colt of one of my mares, at the consideration of his mother.

Item – I will that after the decease of my wife, Elizabeth Milstead, that my lands shall be equally divided amongst my four sons (viz.), John Barker Milstead, Barton Milstead, William Milstead and Peter Milstead.

Item.  I will that my daughter, Benedistor Milstead, have a colt of my mare, Streamer.

Item.  I will that my daughter, Elizabeth Milstead, have a heifer and colt at the consideration of her mother.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my daughter, Eleanor Stewart, one shilling sterling.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my daughter, Ann Gambries, one shilling sterling.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my daughter, Catharine Stewart, one shilling sterling.

And lastly, I constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Elizabeth Milstead, and my son, John Barker Milstead, executors of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, 1782.

                                   Edward Milstead

Signed and sealed in the presence of George Dunnington, Peter Dunnington, William Dunnington.

On the back of which will is thus written –

Charles County 25th February 1783 – Then came Elizabeth Milstead and John Barker Milstead, Executors of Edward Milstead, Junior, late of Charles County, deceased, and severally made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that the foregoing instrument of writing is the true and whole last will and testament of the said deceased, that have come to their hands or possession and they do not know of any other.

Certified by John Muschett, Registrar of Wills

Charles County 25th February 1783 – then came George Dunnington, Peter Dunnington and William Dunnington, the three subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Edward Milstead, Jr., late of Charles County, deceased, and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the testator therein named sign and seal this will, that they heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehensions of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and that they respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the testator and in the presence of each other. 

Certified by John Muschett, Registrar of Wills

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