In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Prather of Washington County and State of Maryland being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory (thanks be to God) Concerning the Uncertainty of this mortal life, and that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and publish this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first and principally I recommend my soul to the Almighty God that gave it, and my body to the dust to be deasonly buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same Again at the General resurrection of all flesh, by the mighty power of God, and as touching my Wordly Estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me. I give and Bequeath in manner and form following. Imprimis. First and principally I will that all my Just debts and funeral Charges be paid.
Item. I give and Bequeath to my Sons Richard, Charles, and James Prather ten Shillings Common Current Money each and no more.
Item. I give and Bequeath to my Daughters Mary, Elenor, Sarah, and Ann, five Shillings Current Money aforresaid Each, and no more.
Item. I give and Bequeath to my Son Basil One negro boy Called Harry, to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath to my Youngest Son Thomas One negro boy named Jack to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and Bequeath all the Remaining part of my Estate my wife's third Excepted, to my Sons Basil and Thomas and Daughter Elizabeth to be Equally divided Amongst them.
Lastly I do hereby appoint my beloved Wife Jennet and my Son Basil Joint Execu'rs of this my last Will and Testament making null and void all Other Wills and Testaments by me made. Ratifying and confirming this only to be my last Will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 24th day of June 1783.
Thomas Prather (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published & declared
by the Testator to be his last Will and
Testament, in presence of us who have
hereunto subscribed our names in the
presence of the Testator and in presence
of each other at the Testator's request.
Thomas Brooke, Elizabeth Brooke, Jane Winters
On the Back of the Original Will of the said Thomas Prather are the following Indorsements to wit
Washington County Sst. September 20th 1785. Came Jennet Prather & Basil Prather & made Oath that the Within Instrument of Writing is the true & whole Will & Testament of Thomas Prather late of said County deceased that hath come to their hands & possession & that they do not know of any other.
On the 27th day of September 1785 came Jane Winters & Thomas Brooke, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last Will & Testament of Thomas Prather late of said county deceased & made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the Testator therein named Sign & seal this Will, that they heard him publish pronounce & declare the same to be his last Will & Testament that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of there Apprch'n of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding & that they respectively Subscribed there names as Witnesses to this Will in the presents & at the request of the testator & in the presents of each Other & that they saw Elizabeth Brooke do the same.
On the 8 day of October 1785 Came Jennet Prather the Widow of Thomas Prather late of said County deceased & quited her claim to the Several Bequests & devices made to her in the Will of her said Husband deceased & Execut????? thereof her dower or third part of the deceaseds Estate real & Personal.
Certy by Thomas Belt, Reg't