Edward Barber, 1680-June 26, 1764, St. Mary’s County, Maryland, is my seventh great-grandfather, the son of Edward Barber and Sybil Groome.  Edward married Sarah Myvert, 1684-1765.  Eight children are listed in Edward’s will – I descend from son Edward’s daughters Mary Rebecca and Sarah.  Mary Rebecca Barber married William Moran – I descend from William Moran, Jr.  Sarah Barber married Jonathan Edwards, I descend from their son Edward Barber Edwards.  Both families moved from Loudoun County, Virginia, to Washington County, Kentucky, in the earliest years of the 19^th century.

Will of Edward Barber

St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Will Book TA1, Pages 458-459

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Edward Barber, being sick and weak in body, but in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, do here make my last will and testament, that is to say, first I bequeath my soul unto almighty God, trusting through the merits of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to find mercy and remission for my sins, the next my body to the Earth from whence it came and to decent Christian burial.

First.  I give unto my three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah and Rebecca Barber, liberty to work on any part of my lands during the time of their living single.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah, the plantation whereon I now live, being a part of Westam and part of a tract of land joining on Westam where my son, Luke, now lives, being a part of Swans Forrest and Luck Land, during her natural life and after her death Westam and Swans Forrest to equally be divided between my three sons, Edward, Luke and John Myvert and after their deaths to the male heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten forever, and Luckland to my son Thomas and his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. 

Item.  I give unto my beloved wife, Sarah, four Negroes, Ligo, Juda, Jess and Doll, for her use during her natural life and then to return to my four sons, Thomas, Edward, Luke and John Myvert, to be equally divided.

Item.  I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Barber two Negroes Peter and Ester.  I give unto my daughter Mary the use of two Negroes, Monica and Jenny, during her natural life and then to her children, to be equally divided.

Item.  I give unto my daughter Sarah two Negros, Hagan and Janios, during her natural life and then heirs and if she dies without an heir to return back.

Item.  I give unto my granddaughter, Rebecca, one feather bed and covering.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah, sons Edward and John Myvert, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, all the stock of cattle and hogs to be equally divided.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah, son John Myvert, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, all my household furniture to be equally divided.

Item.  I give unto my beloved wife Sarah, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, all my horses and mares to be equally divided.

I appoint my son, John Myvert, and my daughter, Elizabeth, to be my whole executors and to see that all my just debts be paid out of what money I have by me and what is left of the money after my debts is paid to be equally divided between my beloved wife Sarah, son John Myvert, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah.  This my will and desire, as witness my hand and seal this 11 day of April 1764.

Edward Barber

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of

Edward Barber, James Nettle, Meveriel Lock, Jr.

On the 26rh day of June 1764, came Edward Barber, James Nettle and Meveriel Lock, Jr., the subscribing witnesses to this will, and made oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see Edward Barber, the testator, sign and seal this will and heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, and that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their and each of their apprehensions, of sound and disposing mind and memory, and that they subscribed their respective names as witnesses to the said will in the presence of the testator.  Sworn before S. Edward, Deputy, County of St. Mary’s County.