February 7, 1816 Will of Eleanor (Keepers) Knouff

(Transcribed from a copy of the original.)

In the name of God, Amen. I Eleanor Knouff of Frederick County, and State of Maryland, being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner and form following, viz. I leave and bequeath my soul to Almighty God who created it, and my body to the earth, to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor, hereafter named; and after all my debts, and funeral expenses, are paid, it is my will that all my real and personal property should be disposed of as follows ---

1^st It is my will that all my real and personal property except my wearing apparel should be sold at publick sale, by my Executor hereinafter mentioned, on such terms and credit as he will think most advantageous, but so that no longer credit than two years should be given for the last payment. ---

2^nd It is my will that out of the first money arising from my Estate, my Executor should pay in full the sum awarded to my Brother Michael (by Messrs. Joseph Hughes and George Grover) for services or any expenses incurred by him, for me, amounting to four hundred and thirty dollars, more or less.

3^rd I leave and bequeath unto my friend, the Rev^d. John Dubois, one hundred and twenty dollars to be applied by him to certain charitable purposes, as directed by me verbally. ---

4^th After the above legacies and debts are paid, it is my will that all the money arising from my real and personal property should be divided into five equal shares, viz., one for my brother James, one for my brother John Keepers, one for my sister Mary Brawner, one for building an addition to the Church on Mount St. Marys to be paid by my Executor, when called upon by the Pastor of that Church, the last to be kept by my Executor, also to apply it to the wants of my sister Monica Bird, or her children, as he will think it most profitable to their existing; however, the money the money to buy one hogshead of tobacco, which I wish to be given to her out of the first monies of my Estate, in part of her share. And further, I leave her, my sister Monica Bird, all my wearing apparel. ---

5^th In case the products of the sale of my estate after my debts and the two first Legacies are paid, should leave to the five other legates a sum no less than three hundred dollars at least, it is my will that out of the surplus, one hundred dollars should be paid to my brother Michael over and above the sum awarded to him in the settlement above alluded to, or in case not so much as that is left, as much as will be left, so as not to exceed the sum of one hundred dollars, but should the above named five legates have only three hundred dollars left for each, it is my will that my Brother Michael should consider the sum awarded to him as his full share in my estate. ---

Lastly, I hereby appoint my dear Brother James Keepers sole Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling any other will, or wills, heretofore by me made. ---

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7^th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight-Hundred and sixteen. ---

Signed, sealed, published and declared, by the above named Eleanor Knouff, to be her last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of the testatrix. Jas. Mullon, Guy Elder, Jesse Elder.

Eleanor signed by mark.

Frederick County, March 4^th, 1816, then came James Keepers and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that the foregoing Instrument of writing is the true, whole will and testament of Eleanor Knouff late of Frederick County, deceased, that hath come to his hands and possession, and that he doth not know of any other. [Signed] Henry Steiner, Regr.

[James Mullon and Jesse Elder also came to the Registrar to swear to the “sound and disposing mind” of Eleanor, and that they also saw Guy Elder sign in their presence and at the request of the testatrix.]