Augustine Ward is my 6^th great-grandfather.  I do not know his birth date, but he died between March 17, 1777, when he signed his will, and May 31, 1777, when his will was entered into court.  He lists eight children – John, two single daughters – Elizabeth and  Susanna, Ignatius, daughters Milliford Howard, Juliana Elder (my ancestor), Agnes Speake and deceased daughter Mary Hudson, who left three children. 

Juliana Ward, 1737-1814, married Charles Elder, 1730-1804, son of William Elder and Ann Wheeler. Their daughter Mary Ann Elder married Charles Montgomery and about 1793 moved to Washington County, Kentucky.

Since a son is named John and a daughter is named Agnes, I believe Augustine Ward to be the son of John and Agnes Ward.  John died in 1733 leaving estate to son Acallis (possibly Achilles?) called Ward’s Addition, adjoining a tract of land that John Ward lived on called Charles Town.  John Ward named one son, Acallis (possibly Achilles), and son-in-law Simon Smith, in his will, no other children are listed.  ‘I give and bequeath all the rest of my moveable estate to Agnes, my loving wife, during her widowhood and at the day of her marriage or at her death to be equally divided amongst the rest of my children that are not here named.’  Agnes Ward lived another 20 years, dying in 1754.

Will of Augustine Ward

Charles County, Maryland Wills 1777-1782, Pages 16-17

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Augustine Ward, of Charles County, being so far of sound mind and memory, for which I thank my blessed God, and duly considering the uncertainty of human life, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament, disannulling all former will or wills by me before made.  First and principally I recommend my soul unto the hands of my blessed Redeemer from it came ? in his merits and in the merits of my dear God, for the remission of all my sins.  My body I commit to the earth to be decently entombed at the discretion of my friends and executors hereinafter mentioned, and as to my temporal estate I give and dispose in the following manner.

Item Imprimis.  I give and bequeath to my well beloved son, John Ward, all that part or parcel of land whereon I now live, called Charles Town, containing one hundred acres, more or less.  Also, another tract adjoining the land called Ward’s Outlet, to be possessed with after the death of his two sisters or on their marriage, namely Elizabeth Ward and Susan Ward, and not to be in full possession, but only in part during such times before mentioned.  But referring to the said Elizabeth and Susanna Ward, part of my dwelling house and sufficient growing on the said land to work such lands as they may be possessed of in their singlehood.  The hands to be of their own property.  I also bequeath to the said John Ward my riding horse, saddle and bridle.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Ignatius Ward all and every the goods and chattels which I had lent him to be his own property for his use.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son John Ward one cow and calf and feather bed and furniture, three ewes and one hand mill ?

Item.  I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Elizabeth Ward one cow and calf, one feather bed and furniture and three ewes.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Susanna Ward one cow and calf, one feather bed and furniture, three ewes and one black horse called Catherine?

Item.  I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Milliford Howard one cow and calf, one feather bed and furniture, three ewes.  I also give and bequeath all goods and chattels giving my daughter Juliana Elder to be her right and property forever.  I do give and bequeath to my daughter Agnes Speake all goods and chattels formerly given to her to be her own property forever.  I give and bequeath to my deceased daughter Mary Hudson’s three children one shillings sterling each.  I also give to my two daughters Elizabeth Ward and Susanna Ward and the heirs of their body lawfully begotten, one Negro man Tom, also one Negro man Bob and in case each or other of them should die without issue, then return to my son John Ward.  And as to the rest of my estate, my will is to be equally divided after my funeral expenses and all my other debts are paid.

Item.  I appoint for my son, John Ward, and my daughter, Susanna Ward, to be my Executor and Executrix, wholly and solely.  Whereunto I have set my hand and affixed my seal this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord God one

thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven.

Augustine Ward

In witness whereof – Ignatius Adams, Ward, Eleanor Adams, Mary Ann Adams

Charles County

On the 31^st day of May 1777 came Ignatius Adams, Eleanor Adams and Mary Ann Adams, subscribing witnesses to the within will of Augustine Ward, late of Charles County, deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangels that they did see the testator sign and seal the same will and heard him publish 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 apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding and that they severally subscribed their names as witnesses to the same will in the presence and at the request of the testator and in the presence of each other.

Sworn before and certified by Walter Harrison, Register of Wills

N.B. Ignatius Ward, the Attorney at Law to the deceased, being in the Power of the State and at camp has not asked to be present.