Following is a transcription of the will of William Deane, dated October 25, 1699 . Note that all spellings are as recorded in original will:
In the name of God Amen, I William Deane in Fox Creek near Hungar (Honga) River in Dorchester County being Sick and Weak of body, but of Sound and Perfect memory, blessed be Allmighty God and knowing the uncertainty of my present State, and all things here below and the Certainty of a future State, I, being willing thereforto, sett my house or affairs in order before my departure hence, do hereby make this my Last Will and Testament: in Manor and forme following
Imprs I will and bequeath my Soule unto Allmighty God my Sovereign Creator and to Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer in whom I Trust and by whom I shall be judged att the last day, and my body to the Gound to be buried in decent and Xtian (Christian) Order as to my Exrs (executors) shall be thought fitt and moot.
2dly As for my Temporalls Injoyments which be the blessing of God I have obtained I will and bequeath as followeth:
3rdly I Will and Bequeath unto my loveing wife Elizabeth Deane all my Lands, Liveings, Goods, Chattells, Cattle and Hoggs, tools, Creditts. My tools and Creditts being first paid and Satisfyed unto her dureing her widdowhood and if she marrieth again her thirds onoly. I will and bequeath her and likewise what Goods, Chattells, Cattle and Hoggs shall then be remaining shall be Equally divided between my Sons and daughters viz John, Henry, Sarah & Mary but to my Daughter Elizabeth Johnson att the said time I Give one heiffer and her calfs unto her and her heires for ever for their portion and their increase.
4thly I will and bequeath unto my Sonn William Deane all my Lands and Liveings being and lying on the West Side of a Marshey Branch that runneth between the head of Charles Creek and the head of the north east Branch of Fox's Creek unto him and his heires forever onoly he shall give and allow unto his brother Richard Deane halfe the fruite the Orchard doth yield or produce Yearly for Seven Years after the said Richard shall attaine the years or age of one and Twenty if it being the said William's possession if not for the first Seven Years he shall possess it I likewise give unto my said son William my Gun unto him and his heires forever.
5thly I will and bequeath unto my Son Richard Deane all my lands and Liveings being or lying on the East Side of the aforesaid Branch unto him and his heires forever.
6thly I will and appoint my Said Son William to give and to pay unto his brother John four hundred pounds of Tobbacco bound and merchantable in Casque (Cash) when he shall be one and twenty years of age and likewise my Son Richard to give and to pay his brother Henry the like Sume or quantity when the said Henry Shall be the same age.
7thly I will and bequeath Mr Richard Tubman and John Meredith to be full and Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament In wittness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and Seale this Instant October the 25th 1698
Signum
William (D) Deane
Signed and sealed in the presence of us
John Meredith
William Meredith
Michael Todd
On the back side was thus Endorsed:
March the 13th 1699 Then came the within Evidences and proved this Last Will and Testament of William Deane, deceased, as wittness my hand and Seale
John Rawlings
Deputy Comry
From: Prerogative Court (Wills) Volume 6, pages 305-306, Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland; File number F-903 Dorchester County Historical Society, Maryland Room, Dorchester County Public Library, Cambridge, Maryland, et al.