In the Name of God Amen. I Samuel Prather of Frederick County and State of Maryland Planter being weak in Body but of sound and disposing memory and perfect understanding do Constitute and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament and desires it may be Received by all Christians as such, first I Bequeath my Soul to God my Maker hoping his Gracious acceptance of it, I give my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its Resurrection at the last Day, as to my Burial I desire it may be without pomp or State at the Discretion of my Wife and children, as to my Worldly Estate I Will and positively Order that all my Debts be paid, first I Bequeath to my dear Wife Elizabeth the one third of my real and personal Estate during her Life, and after her Death for it to Decend to my Youngest children, namely, Rhoda and Silas their Heirs and Assigns for ever, and if either of them should Die before they possess it I desire that the Survivor my Heir it and if they should both Die, before they come of age and leaving no Issue then I desire it may decend to my four other Children herafter named their Heirs and Assigns for Ever.
I give and Bequeath the other two thirds of my real and personal Estate to my four Oldest children, namely, John, Jean, Enos and Erasmus to be equally divided between them their Heirs and Assigns for ever. I appoint and Ordain my beloved Son John Whole and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament. Witness my hand and Seal this third Day of February one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five.
Samuel (his mark) Prather (seal)
Witnessed by
James Sargent Junr
Joseph Gwinn
John Hilleary
On the 23d day of march 1785 came Elizabeth Prather the Wife of Samuel Prather late of Frederick County, Deceased, and quitted her Claim to the several bequest and devises made to her in the Will of her said Husband Deceased and Elected in Lieu thereof her Dower or third part of the Deceased Estate both real and personal.
Geo. Murdock, Regr
Frederick County March 23d 1785
Then came John Prather and made Oath that the aforegoing Instrument of Writing is the True and whole Will and Testament of Samuel Prather late of Frederick County Deceased that hath come to his hands or possession and that he doth not know of any other.
Geo. Murdock, Regr
Frederick County March 23d 1785
Then came Joseph Gwinn and John Hilleary two of the Subscribing Witnesses to the aforegoing Last Will and Testament of Samuel Prather, late of Frederick County, Deceased and made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the Testator therein Named Sign and Seal this Will and 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 Memory and understanding and they respectively Subscribed their names as Witnesses to this Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and that they did also see James Sargent the other Subscribing Witness subscribe his name as a Witness thereto in the presence and at the request of the Testator and all in the presence of each Other.
Geo. Murdock, Regr
6 Sides