Frederick County, MD Wills: The Will of Henry Graff (1821)
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Will of Henry Graff
Frederick County Wills Liber/Folio HS-3-252
Frederick County Court House
Frederick County, Maryland
In the name of God Amen I Henry Graff of Frederick County State of
Maryland being of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for
the same considering the uncertainty of this Mortal life do make and
publish this my last will and testament in Manner and form following
Viz. First I recommend my soul to God and my body I desire to be
decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named and
after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid I give devise and
bequeath as follows, Viz, I devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary
wife of John Martin unto my son Joseph unto my daughter Rebecca unto my
daughter Catherine wife of George Flack and unto the heirs of my daughter
Elizabeth (decd) to their heirs and assigns the plantation whereon I now
live called "Graffs content" together with the one half of my Mountain
land called timber plenty with the appurtenances thereunto belonging the
Mansion plantation containing about one hundred and thirty acres and the
whole of the Mountain Land about one Hundred and fifty four acres and an
Half. it is my will and desire that my executors name three
disinterested men who will divide the Mountain Land into two parts as
nearly equal in quantity and value as they can and that they or a
Majority of them allot the one part (which they will designate on the
plat to go with the above devised Mansion farm which said Mansion
plantation and the one half of the Mountain land so designated I devise
as follows, to Mary Martin one fifth part to Joseph Graff one fifth part
to my daughter Rebecca one fifth part to Catherine Flack one fifth part
and to the heirs of my daughter Elizabeth (decd) one fifth part. --Item.
I devise and bequeath unto my son Eli my son Jeremiah my daughter Delila
my son Henry my son Louis and my daughter Sarah to their heirs and
assigns share and share alike my plantation called "part of Rich Level"
and the other half of my Mountain land called "Timber plenty with their
appurtenances the above devised property not to be sold until my daughter
Sarah arrives to the age of sixteen years. I also give and bequeath to
my Children Eli, Jeremiah Delila Henry Louis and Sarah their heirs and
assigns my Negro Man Jack and my Negro woman, Bett, I also give and
bequeath to each of my Children Eli Jeremiah Delila Henry Louis and Sarah
or such of them as have not at the time of my decease received a Horse
creature from me a Horse creature or in lieu thereof the Sum of fifty
dollars. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth the
one third part of my plantation "part of Rich Level together with one
third of the House ____ barn and stabling during her natural life
together with all my beds and bedding House and kitchen furniture she may
Choose to keep. Also a Horse Creature and a Milk Cow her Choice of all
my stock. -Item my will is that all my moveable property not already
disposed of be sold and all debts owing to me collected by my executors
and after all just debts and Charges are paid I give and bequeath unto my
son Eli one hundred dollars in consideration of his services after he
arrives at the age of twenty one years the remainder of the proceeds I
desire to be divided into eleven equal parts and each of my Children
already named or their heirs to get one part (that is, Mary, Joseph,
Rebecca, and Catherine, each one part and the heirs of my daughter
Elizabeth one part among them share and share alike and Eli Jeremiah
Delila Henry Louis and Sarah each one part.
Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my son Eli Groff and my friend
George M. Eichelberger to be Executors of this my last will and testament
hereby revoking all former wills by me made ratifying and confirming this
and none other to be my last will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Ninth day of
October Eighteen Hundred and twenty one.
Henry Groff (seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared
by the above named Henry Groff to be his
last will and testament in the presence of
us who at his request and in his presence
and in the presence of Each Other have
hereunto subscribed our Names as witnesses
to the same.--
William Shields
Phillip Keilholtz
James Taylor
Frederick County to wit: On the 12th day of February 1824 then came
George M. Eichelberger and made Oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God
that the foregoing instrument of writing is the true whole will and
testament of Henry Graff late of Frederick County deceased that hath come
to his hands and possession and that he doth not know of any other
Test Henry Steiner Reg.
Frederick County to wit
On the 12 day of February 1824 then came William Shields and James Taylor
two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament
of Henry Graff late of Frederick County deceased and made Oath on the
Holy Evangely of Almighty God that they did see the testator therein
named sign and seal said 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 together with
Philip Keilholtz the other subscribing witness respectively subscribed
their names as witnesses to said will in the presence and at the request
of the testator and all in the presence of each other.
Test Henry Steiner Register
9 _Sides Eam__
I Elizabeth Juda Graff widow of Henry Graff late of Frederick County
deceased do hereby renounce and quit all Claims to any bequest or devise
made to me by the last will of my husband exhibited and proved according
to law and I elect to take in lieu thereof my dower or legal share of the
estate of my said husband as witness my hand this 5th day of March 1824.
E.J. Groff
5th day of March 1824 To the Register of wills
D. Risk Frederick County