I Thomas Gantt Senior of Prince George's county do make this my last will and testament. As to my real estate I have already conveyed it to my son John Mackall Gantt upon certain trusts--according to an agreement long since made between us--His deed shall be considered as part of my will as far as relates to my real estate.
Respecting my personal estate. I have already given to my children who are married and settled as much as I intended, except as hereafter mentioned.
I give to my son Daniel a girl named Kitty the daughter of my slave Doll.
To my son Charles I give a silver cow marked TSG. The Clock and the looking glasses fixed in the dwelling house where I reside and shall remain as the property of my son John M. Gantt and his heirs and not be removed. The looking glass in the large room is not included in this bequest.
To my son Thomas I give my slaves Dick, Jacob, George, Doll, Barbara and all her increase at my death.
To my daughter Sarah Eleanor I give my slaves Toney Patt and her increase at my death and Nell the daughter of Skippy.
The sum of fifteen hundred pounds current money, or the ballance due at my death in virtue of the deed of Trust to my son John M. Gantt I give to my son Thomas and daugther Sarah Eleanor, that is to say four fifths thereof to my son Thomas and one fifth thereof to Sarah Eleanor. I appoint my said son and daughter the persons who shall have the use of the lands lying to the westward of the main road for the term specified in the said deed. And I appoint my son Thomas the person who if necessary shall sell and convey the said lands or as much as will pay the sum of fifteen hundred pounds or the ballance thereof as provided in the said deed.
I manumit my slaves Flora, commonly called Flora Monday and her children as they severally arrive to the age of twenty one, till their freedom commences I will them to my son John M. Gantt who shall pro- cure them to learn to write and read. The girl is to live with my son John M. Gantt till she is free and the boys bound apprentice at the age of sixteen to Thomas Gibbons or some other prudent person to learn the trade of shoemaking. If Flora chooses to live with my son John M. Gantt after my decease, he shall pay her six pounds per annum, hire her as a house servant and let her have a house to live in.
Chargo my faithful servant and friend shall also be free upon my death and shall upon no event be considered as a slave or part of my personal estate. He may live with which of my children he pleases making his own bargain for his services as often as he chooses. I give him all my wearing apparel. I request all my children to see this part of my will faithfully carried into effect as they know the honesty and fidelity with which he has served me.
The residue of my estate I give to be equally divided between my son Thomas and daughter Sarah Eleanor and as my son John M. Gantt has desired that I would not appoint him one of my executors as his offical engagements and duties will make it inconvenient for him to act. I do appoint my son Thomas sole executor of my will. If he dies before me I appoint my daughter Sarah Eleanor my Ex- ecutrix and I request my son John M. Gantt to join with her as my executor and take out letters jointly with her if she should be unmarried at the time. If my son Thomas and Sarah Eleanor are both dead at the time of my decease the person intitled by law to the administration of my estate will take out letters accordingly.
I request my son Thomas and daughter Sarah Eleanor in all cases where they wish advise to apply to my son John M. Gantt for the same, who in cases not interfering with his offical duty has promised me to aid them as far as he can with propriety.
My Piano forte and plate, except the silver can be given to my son Charles. I have already given to my daughter Sarah Eleanor as well all her mother's jewelry. All the specific legacies hereby bequeathed shall be delivered to the respective legatees by my executor immediately after my death and such specific legacies are not to be liable to pay my debts nor shall my executor retain them under that pretence. Witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of February 1804.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Gantt as his last will and testament in our presence who in his Thomas Gantt presence and his request and in the presence of each other have published the same.
James C. Wood
Fielder Dorsett
Arthur Gibbons
Prince George's County to wit: May 30th 1808.
Then came Fielder Dorsett one of the subscribing witnesses and made oath on the Holy Evangel of Almighty God that he did see Thomas Gantt Senior the Testator therein named and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament sign and seal this will, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of his apprehensions of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding and that he together with James C. Wood and Arthur Gibbons the other two subscribing witnesses respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to this will in the presence and at the request of the Testator and in the presence of each other.
Sworn Before Trueman Tyler, Reg.