Will of John Croper

In the name of God Amen, the twenty day of September on the year of our lord god Anno One thousand six hundred and eighty six, I John Croper of Somerset County in the province of Maryland, Carpendar, being sick and week but of good and perfect memory doe bequeath my soul to god that gave it to my body to the earth to be decently burried as my Executor hereafter nominated shall think fit in hopes at the last day to rise and enjoy the meritorious bless of my blessed savior and doe farther declare that this my last will and testament disanulling all former wills ______ Impr. First I give and bequeath unto John Fosste two hundred acres of land lying and being near Quannaco which is part of a patent containing three hundred acres called Linneth which laid two hundred acres I give and bequeath unto the said John Fossete to him and his heirs to enjoy forever. All provided that the said John Fossete will give and make over ~ unto Thomas Osborne and his heirs for ever, such assurance as the learned in the law can advise for the plantation that the said Osborne now dwells upon being two hundred acres called Ratcliffes Adventure if the said John Fossete refuseth the promises then I will and bequeath the said two hundred acres of land called Lennieth unto Thomas Osborne his heirs for ever, I give and bequeath unto Thomas Moris of the above said County two hundred acres lying and being near the said tract of land before given by me to John Fossete being called Hoggs Nortens I also give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Moris on hundred acres of land being the remaining part of the said three hundred acres of land called Lennieth. Which said three hundred acres of land my will is that the said Morris shall enjoy for himself and his heirs forever as also I the John Croper doe disclaim any right of any lands sod by me to any person or persons firmly, Neps. I give and bequeath unto my son John Croper, seven hundred acres of land being the plantation I now dwell on and is part of land twelve hundred acres of called Reasons with all houses orchards and all other appurtenances thereunto, belonging to him to him his heirs and Executors to enjoy for ever. Next I give and bequeath unto son Ebnezer Cropper five hundred acres of land being the remaining part of the aforesd. Twelve hundred acres of land called Reasons which said twelve hundred acres of land my will it shall be divided by line of marked trees running from the by side to the head thereof he the sd. John Croper to enjoy the North side of the said nekes of land and the said Ebenezer my will is shall enjoy and the said two hundred acres of land jumself and his heirs forever. Next my will is that if either of my two sons also will not live upon there sd. Share of the said twelve hundred acres of land, they shall not sell lease or otherways dispose of there part of land Best shall remain and fall to the other brother and his heirs forever that doth remain and dwell upon his part of the said twelve hundred acres of land also, Next I give and bequeath unto my son Edmond Croper on parcell of land containing five hundred acres lying and being upon the Indian River Allied Rehovo Bay In the County of in the teretories of Pinsulvania it being part of a pattons for one thousand acres of land to him and his heirs forever to enjoy for ever, Nest I give unto Nathaniel Croper the other five hundred acres of land belonging to the said aforesaid pattent for one thousand acres of land called the Ladies Delight Whest, Thousand acres of land my will is shall be divided by a line of marked trees running from the river side to the head thereof and the said Nathaniel Croper to enjoy his parcell of five hundred acres of land to himself and his heirs forever and my will is that my son Edmond Croper shall have his first choice of the said thousand acres of land his shear thence. Next I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Croper one tract of land containing three hundred acres lying and being In Asskemoeorsenpehs Right over against Heartford toure in Somerset County upon Pocomoke River and is called the Indian Landing which [??] tract of land I give unto her and her heirs for ever Lawfully begotten of his body, I give and bequeath unto Sarah Croper one tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres lying and being near the road of Pocomoke River called Sturbridge which sd. Parcell of land I give unto my said Daughter Sarah Croper unto her and her heirs for ever. Next I give and bequeath to both my sons John Croper and Ebenezer Croper two hundred acres of land is lying and being at the head of James Rounds land, he now dwellith on called Hoggs Quarter sd parcell of land my will is that my tow sons shall both enjoy to them and their heirs for ever I give and bequeath unto my well beloved friend Raddio Fossete two hundred and fifty acres of land lying and being in the woods near panied which sd tract is called Golden Valley to her and her heirs for ever, I give and bequeath unto my son John Croper the fourth part of my cattle both male and female to be delivered unto him to enjoy forever, as soon as he Nathaniel to the age of eighteen years of age and also I give and bequeath unto him the fourth part of my horses and mares I also give unto him one gun called by the name of Tucker; With one pair of brass pistols and holsters with my riding saddle and bridle ~ I also give him a young black horse Nero four year old as for the sd house and furniture My will is that my sd son John Croper shall emidiately after my deceased be possest with hem I likewise give unto my sd son John all my wearing cloths and one duck tail chest and riting desk. I also give him one feather bed and fechery and boulster. One pair of blankitts and rugs, and I still of curtains and vallaines and also I give him one Iron Pot and plate hooks I also give unto him one Negro girl to be delivered him after his mothers deceased and if my sd Negro Wench should bare children my desire is that every son above named should have each of them a child. I also give and bequeath to my sd John one hand mill I also give unto him one large Bible and all other books my wills shall be equally between my said son John and my said son Ebenezer Croper, I also give unto my said son Ebenezer the part of my sheep horses and cattle, I also give him one gun called by the name of Black Bess one large chest standing in my room. I also give him one bed and apr. of blankitts. One large Iron pott and pott hooks. I also give unto my sd. Edmund Croper the fourth part of my sheep horses and mares I also give and bequeath unto him one chest and one small gun and Iron pote and pott hooks I also give and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel Croper the fourth part of my cattle sheep and horses and mares and one chest and one gun and one pott. I also give and bequeath unto Rodea Fossete one spade mare and also my desire is that Rodea Fossete for her proper use shall have the male creatures that cometh of all my female cattle and female sheep and mares. And likewise t possess and enjoy all my hoggs and likewise that she shall possess and enjoy for ever all other utensills that belonged to my Estate that is not nominated in this my last will and testament. And if in case the sd. Rodea Fossete should depart this life then all my gift she is possesed with all to be equally divided amongst my children above nominated in my said will, I also give unto my daughter Elizabeth Cropper one feather bed and boulster and three pewter dishes I also give and bequeath unto my wife Garthright Croper children that are not nominated in this my last will and testament. Each of them one shilling money and no more. (part listed on the side of the page) I John Croper doe give and bequeath unto my brother his three Children with [??] first. I do ordain and constitute my beloved Redea Fossete my whole and sole Executrix to receive a pay all my just debts. In the first place I do ordain Mr. James Round Mr. Che. Ratcliffe to be my Executors in trust to also assist my Executrix in the paying of my debts and also assist my Executrix in selling and delivering all my above said sons there Estates both reall and personell as soon as soon as they shall attain to the age of eighteen years of age each and every of them, and all the above mentioned is my will and desire to have performed and for the confirmation, thereof I sett my hand and seale the day and year above written being the 25th day of September Anno 1686_____ Signed Sealed and delivered In the presence of us____ John Croper {Seale} John Cole John Vigerous Thomas Bromley December the 14th 1688 the withen mentioned Last Will and Testament of John Cropper deceased proved before me by the oaths of Doctor John Vigerous, Wm. Fassete and Thomas Bromly who all of them swore upon the holy Evangelist that they saw the testator Withen named sign and seale the sd. Will and heard him declare the same t be his last will and testament______ The day above mentioned Charees Battle and Mathew Scarborough appraisers appoint of the goods and chattles of the sd. Croper made oath before me according to the usall form ~ The day aforesaid Rhodia Faucete Executrix withen named made oath before me upon the holy Evangelist according to the usall form ~ given under my hand and seale as P order of the Hon. Henry Darnall and Clement Hill Esq. Sept. the 14th Anno Domo 1688___ Samuel Hopkins