In the name of God,
amen. I Noah Merrick of Carroline county in the state of Maryland,
being weak of body but of sound and disposing memory, thanks be to God
for the same: and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and knowing
it is appointed for all men to die, do consitiute and ordain this my last
will and testament this eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, in manner and form as follows.
Item. I give and resign
my soul unto the hands of God who gave it, and my body to be decently buried
by my executor as he shall think meet, hoping at the general resurrection
when soul and body shall reunite again, I shall have a happy admittance
into the kingdom of God, in and through the merits of a dear redeemer;
And as touching my worldly goods wherewith it has pleased God to endow
me with in this world, I give in manner as follows:
Item. I give and bequeath
unto my well beloved brother Israel Merrick all my personal property
with all my debts due me whatsoever, of and whom the said Israel Merrick
I constitute and appoint my whole and sole executrix of this my last will
and testament, revoking all other will or wills or testaments, heretofore
made be me, and for this, and this only, to be my last will and testament,
in witness I have hereunto set my hand and assigned my seal this day and
date above written.
/s/ Noah Merrick
Signed, sealed, published
and declared and pronounced to be his last will and testament in presence
of us who have assigned our names as witnesses by the request of the testator.
Witness: Chancy Merrick;
Margaret Merrick
Caroline County
The 30th December 1788.
There came Israel Merrick, the executor named and appointed in this
will and made oath on the holy evangels of Almighty God, that the within
and foregoing Instrument of Writing is the true and whole will and testament
of Noah Merrick, late of Caroline County deceased, that have come
to his hands or possession, and that he doth not know of the other of a
later date.
certified by Richardson, Registrar.
The 30th December 1788.
There came Margaret Merrick, one of the subscribing witnesses to
the within last will and testament of Noah Merrick, late of Caroline
County deceased, and made oath on the holy evengels of Almighty God, that
she did see the testator herein named sign and seal this will, andthat
she 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
her apprehension of sound disposing mind, memory, and understanding, and
that she subscribed her name as a witness to this will in the presence
and at the request of the testator, and in the presence of Chancy Merrick,
who she also saw subscribe her name as a witness to this will in the presence
and at the request of the testator.
certified by Richardson, registrar.
