In the name of God Amen. I John Selby of Montgomery County in the state of Maryland, being sick and weak in Body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say.
1st I give and devise unto my son John Eversfield Selby one hundred acres of Land, to be laid off in as good form as the place will allow, on that part of my Dwelling plantation called the newter sighn, it being a part of two Tracts of Land called Ben Jorden and Ben Park, to him, his heirs and assigns forever, also a negro Boy named Ben, a Negro girl named Henny and one named Lucy them and their Increase forever. It is also my will and desire that my said son John, shall have a residence in my Dwelling house, during his single life, or good behaviour to his sisters Elenor and Sarah.
Item. I give bequeath and devise unto my Daughter Elenor Bowie Selby the residue of the aforesaid two Tracts of Land not devised to my son John including my Dwelling house and all the improvements thereon, during her natural life, and at her death, or dying without issue lawfully begotten of her Body, then it shall devolve to my son John to him and his heirs for ever; I also give unto my daughter Elenor the Six following Negroes, To wit: Bill, Davy, Manus, Mary, Cass and Hannah, them and their Increase forever.
Item. I give and devise unto my Daughter Sarah Selby all that tract or parcel of Land called Eversfields addition, to her and her heirs forever, upon the express condition that she shall let her brother John have the same at the price any other person will give, should he want it, and she disposed to sell, I also give my daughter Sarah the five following negroes, to wit: Sale, Cate, Jimmy, Sarah, and Charles, them and their Increase to her and her heirs forever. It is also my will and desire that my Daughter Sarah have a home in my Dwelling house, during her single life.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Walter Bowie Selby one Negro Woman named Nan, and a girl named Lily, them and their Increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Esther Orme the wife of Archibald Orme a Negro girl named Rachel, her and her Increase forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Susannah Brian the wife of William Brian one hundred and fifty dollars to paid her out of my estate.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Margaret Jones the wife of William Jones, five shillings Sterling to be paid her out of my estate.
Item. I devise and bequeath all the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal, to be equally divided among my three following children, to wit: Elenor, Sarah and John, to them their heirs and assigns forever, in equal proportion, share and share alike, after all my debts and the legacies herebefore mentioned are paid. And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my Dear Freind Robert Edmonston 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-eighth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.
John Selby (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by John Selby the above named testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
James Beddo
Zachariah Downs
John S. Wilson
Richard M. Downs