LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN COMPTON, SR.

 May 29, 1713

 "In the name of God Amen. The 29th of May 1713. I, John Compton, being sick and weake of body but of sound and perfect memory praise be to God for the Same, and knowing the uncertainty of this life on earth and being desirous to tittle things in order, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

That is to say first and principally I Commend my soul to almighty God my Creator assuredly believeing (sic) that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sins and be saved by the precise Death and merits of my blessed Saviour and redeemer Christ Jesus, and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such decent and Christian manner.

As to my Executors hereafter named shall be thought meet and convenient, and as touching such worldly Estate as the Lord in mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning in the same shall be employed and bestowed as hereafter by this my will.

First I will that all my Debts and duties as I owe in right or conscience to any manner of person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly Contented and paid or ordained to be paid by my Executors hereafter named within Convenient time after my Decease.

Item - I give and bequeath to my  eldest Sonne (sic) John two thirds of my Patent Land that lies both in Charles County and Saint Marys County and allso (sic) two thirds of my moveable Estate, both household goods and horses or whatever value of right or Justice belonges (sic) to me.

Item - I give and bequeath to my Sonn Matthew the one third part of my Patent Land that lies both in Charles and Saint Marys Countys.   All the Land in both Countys being divided in three parts, my eldest Sonn John Shall have two and my Sonn Matthew one and my Sonn Matthew allso (sic) the third part of my personall (sic) Estate.

Item I will that neither my Sonn John nor my Sonn Matthew shall enjoy my lands no longer than these shall live and then itt (sic) shall goe (sic) to the next ears (sic) apparent of them both and so as any or one of the family of the Comptons shall continue in this world, either of the ears (sic) of my Sonn John or my Sonn Matthew Compton.

Item I will that my Sonn John shall immediately enjoy one third part of my Patent Land together with my wife.

Item I appoint my Sonn John and my Sonn Matthew Joint, Executors of my last will and testament as  witness my hand and seal this 29th of May 1713.

"Delivered as  my last will and testament before signing and sealing.
                   John F Compton
Philip Briscoe Sen. John X Farson Susannah Briscoe"

On the back of this will was endorsed the following probate to wit,
"Charles County Philip Briscoe Seni John Farson and Susannah Briscoe subscribing witnesses to the written will, Depose on the holy Evangetial of almighty God that they either of them saw John Compton within named sign and seal the within instrument as his last will and testament and that he published and declared the same to be and there at the time after so doing he was of sound and perfect mind and memory to the best of their knowledge before this fifth day of March Anno Domini 1718.

Reference: Charles County Maryland, Orphans Court Wills 1665-1767  (Will #3 1704-1733, pg 78-79, Liber 15, folio H of R, Folio 8) - Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis, MD

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