In the name of God. Amen. I Elizabeth Davis of Montgomery County in the State of Maryland, being feeble in body, but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, do make, publish and declare, this my last will and testament in manner and form following, viz. First and principally I commit my soul to Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named.
I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved and affectionate daughter, Catharine W. Bowie, the farm lying on or near Seneca Creek in Montgomery County, which was bequested to me by my late father Allen Bowie, for and during her natural life, and after the death of my said daughter, I give devise and bequeath the said farm to the children of my said daughter, (born or to be born) living at the time of her death, and their heirs and assigns forever, in equal proportions share and share alike.
Item. I give and bequeath to my said daughter, Catharine W. Bowie the sum of five thousand dollars, all my wearing apparel, a large trunk in the second story of the new house and all its contents; three pair of sheets, one dozen towels, and a spread, all which were bought in Washington, by my said daughter for me, and are now in my possession.
Item. I give bequeath and devise to my nephew Thomas John Bowie, three thousand dollars, in trust for the children of his wife Catharine W. Bowie, now born or hereafter to be born, and I will and direct that the said sum of three thousand dollars shall be invested by my said nephew in some safe Bank or other permanent and profitable stock, in trust for the said children, and the dividends arising therefrom to divide equally among said children, and when any of said children shall arrive at the age of twenty one to ??? or assign to said child his or her share of said stock.
Item. I give bequeath and devise to my beloved and affectionate son Allen Bowie Davis, his heirs and assigns forever, all the plantation called Youngs place lying near Tenally Four, which descended to me as heir at law of my late uncle Thomas Cramphin decd. Also, all my stock in the Patasses Bank of Maryland, eight pair of sheets, all my towels except those given to my daughter Catharine W. Bowie, one calico spread, set of new knives and forks and my new coffee pot. I also give and bequeath to my son Allen Bowie Davis, all my negroes, some of the negro woman ... to me by my late beloved husband, the said negroes males and females, to serve until they arrive at the age of twenty five years, when I will and direct that they shall be monumitted ... forever. The issue of said female negroes born during the said time I give and bequeath to their mother whom they serve at the age of twenty four years.
Item. I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Ellen Ruth Bowie one small bureau and a half dozen silver table spoons marked E.D.
Item. I give and bequeath to my affectionate cousin Elizabeth H. Worthington wife of Thomas Worthington Esq. the sum of one thousand dollars.
Item. I give and bequeath to Ann Singleton wife of Thomas Singleton, Charlotte E. Bowie, and Catharine D. Bowie, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each.
Item. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth W. Gaither and Martha Gaither, daughters of my esteemed connexion Ephraim Gaither, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each.
Item. I give to William Gaither, who now lives with me, the sum of one hundred dollars.
Item. I give devise and bequeath to John Bowie, Mary Ann Clagett, George W. Bowie and Richard C. Bowie, children of my late brother Thomas Bowie decd and Mary Chichesther, Margaret D. Bowie, and Richard J. Bowie, children of my late brother Washington Bowie decd, all the land lying on the north west Branch in Montgomery County, which descended to me as heir at law of Thomas Cramphin decd to be equally divided between my said nephews and neices, their heirs and assigns, share and share alike, in equal proportions.
Item. I give and bequeath to the American Colonization Society the sum of two thousand dollars to promote the philanthropic and benevolent objects of that institution.
Item. I ... and set free forever, my negro man Charles, now hired to Samuel W. Dorsey Esq. in the State of Mississippi when the term for which he is now hired, shall expire and I give to the said negro Charles, the sum of one hundred dollars.
Item. I give and bequeath to the negro women Rachel, Jenny and Charlotte the sum of twenty dollars each, in token of remembrance of their services.
Item. Whereas I have subscribed the sum of one hundred dollars for the auction of an Episcopal Church at or near Mechanicsville, I will and direct that if the said Church should be built, that the said sum should be paid as subscribed.
Item. All the rest and residue of my Estate real and personal, not hereinbefore specifically bequeathed,I give and devise to my daughter Catharine W. Bowie and my son Allen Bowie Davis, their heirs and assigns share and share alike in equal proportions.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my affectionate son Allen Bowie Davis, to be sole Executor of this my last will and testament, revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore 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 affixed my seal this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
Elizabeth Davis (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Elizabeth Davis, the above named testatrix, as and for her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at her request, in her presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Thos Riggs of ???
Igns Waters Senr
Ephraim Gaither