Individual Details

Will Written

JOHNSON, James, Poplar Hill,St. Mary's County, 31st May, 1650;
To wife Barbara, home plantation as her jointure; at her death to pass to eld. son living or eld. dau. in natural succession. Will made in accordance with postnuptial agreement between Barbara Hatton and her kinsman Thomas Hatton, Sec. of the Province, and James Johnson.
Test: Thos. Hatton, Margaret Hatton. 1. 25.

5/31/1650: I, James Johnson of Poplar Hill in the Province of Maryland and County of St. Maries, Planter (according to an agreement lately made between me and Mr. Thomas Hatton, Secretary of this Province, on the behalf of Barbara Hatton, his kinswoman, touching a marriage then to be had and solemnized between me and the sd. Barbara, which marriage has since taken effect and been solemnized) have and do hereby in consideration of the sd. marriage, give, grant and make over, confirm and deliver unto the said Barbara, my now wife, and to her use as a jointure in case she happens to survive me, my now dwelling house and plantation at Poplar Hill, as also four milk cows, namely one red cow named "Cherry"; another called "Nancy"; another called "the wild heifer"; and another called "the doctor's cow", now all marked with my own proper mark together with all and every of their female increase to all be marked with some distinct mark of Barbara's. If it should happen that my wife survives me, having issue by me, or being with
child at my death, she is to have the free use of all the premises during
her life, and that after her death, they shall remain to the use of such
eldest son as it shall please God I may have by my said wife, but if the
eldest son dies before the age of 21, then to such other sons of mine by
Barbara as shall first attain to age 21 and for want of male issue, to such daughter as shall first attain to that age or be married. For want of such issue, then to the sole and proper use of my side, her heirs, executors, and assignees. Wit: Thomas Hatton, Margaret Hatton. (Archives of Maryland, Vol. 10, pg. 12-13).
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