George Pearce's Last Will and Testament

Maryland Hall of Records copy Baltimore County Wills liber OPM #4 fol 4-6

I George Pearce of Baltimore County and state of Maryland, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding; but in view of the uncertainty of life, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament.

After my debts and funeral expenses are paid I give, devise and bequeath the rest of my property as follows:

I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sophia Pearce all my real estate during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided among my eight children George K. Pearce, Jeanette Pearce, now intermarried with Edward A. Robinson, Catherine Pearce now intermarried with one William Bond, Harris Pearce and Francis G. Pearce, Elizabeth Pearce, Thomas Pearce and Martha J. Pearce share and share alike, in case of the death of any of my above named children having no child or descendants at that time of such death the part or share of the one so dying shall pass to the surviving children above named, but in the case of leaving a child or descendants the same shall take the parent's share or part per stirpes and not per capita. I give devise and bequeath all my personal property to my son Francis G. Pearce during the life of my said wife Sophia Pearce. He the said Francis G. Pearce to provide for and keep a home for my two single daughters Elizabeth Pearce and Martha J. Pearce as long as they shall remain single. And at the death of my wife the said Sophia Pearce my will is that all the said personal property shall be equally divided among my said two sons Francis G. Pearce and Thomas Pearce. And I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Francis G. Pearce executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, and declared this to be my Last Will and Testament this fourth day of April in the year One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

George Pearce Q SEAL

Signed sealed published and declared by George Pearce as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of the undersigned who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have hereunto set our hands as subscribing witnesses.

John Walkins, Edward D. Clayton, Charles Walkins

Baltimore County SS

On the seventeenth day of May 1871 came Francis G. Pearce and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that he doth not know of any other will or codicil of George Pearce late of said county, deceased, other than the above testamental of writing, and that he received the same from said George Pearce on or about the twelfth day of April 1871.

Sworn to in open court. Test O P Macgill, Register of wills for Baltimore County