Stephen Harvey Compton

WILL of Stephen Harvey COMPTON, testified 3Nov1784; probated 20 Nov 1784

Contributed by Shirley Middleton Moller Charles County, Wills B 1.421

I, Stephen Compton of CC, am sick and weak of body, but of sound, disposing mind, memory and understanding.

To my son -in-law John Maddox for the use and benefit I have had of my son-in-law's estate, I give John all that tract of land called Hansons Discovery and also all that part of a tract of land called Bargain I bought that part of John Brown Wilder, Carpenter James, Charity & her four children with their future increase from the date of this, my Will. But if he does not choose to take the above legacy in lieu of any claim he may have against me, then the whole to be sold by my executors, or such part thereof as my be sufficient to satisfy such claim.

To my brother William Compton 10 sheep and no more.

To my niece Anne Compton, daughter of my sister Wilda 1 Negro girl called Pall, with her future increase

To my nephew William S. Compton 1 young horse or mare of the value of 12£, one feather bed & furniture and one cow and calf, and four sheep.

To my nephew Henry T. Compton 100£.

To my three children-in-law, Sarah H. Maddox, Elizabeth J. Maddox and John Maddox I have made deeds of gift to them of sundry Negroes and other chattels recorded in CC records, the validity of which deeds are doubtful. I hereby confirm the gifts.

Immediately after my death, Negro fellow James and my Negro fellow Sam, formerly the property of John Maddox, Senr are to be free. The right of these two Negroes to be in my friends Jonathan Yates and Thomas Harris who no doubt will take proper steps to set them free immediately after my death.

To my mother Rachel Compton one Negro man named Pompey and the use of one Negro girl named Lurana, during her life. And after my and my mother's death, Luraner is to be equally divided amongst the children of my sister, Susana TURNER, with her future increase. I also give my mother one cow and calf and six sheep

To Elizabeth Hanson daughter of Walter Hanson one Negro girl called Rachel.

To my brothers and sisters, viz, Zachariah, Matthew, John, Alexander, Edmund Howard, Margaret, Elizabeth and Susannah the rest of my estate after my just debts and funeral charges are paid to be equally divided between them.

Executor: my brother Edmund Howard Compton

Signed 3 Nov 1784 Stephen Compton

Wit: Richard Crain, Amelia Powell, Elizabeth Thompson

Probated on 20 Nov 1784 by the oath of the executor and by the oaths of all three witnesses

Charles County Land Record Book G#3, 1756-1761; Page 529. Lease. Jan 27, 1761 from Stephen Compton of CC, planter, and Mary, his wife, formerly Mary Warren, to Zachariah Compton of CC, planter, for 10 shillings, a tract of land in CC commonly called Warrens Discovery, containing about 280 acres, which same tract of land was devised to sd Mary by her father, John Warren. This is a lease for the natural life of sd Stephen Compton, and for no other use, paying yearly 1 shilling sterling if required. Signed - Stephen Compton, Mary Compton. Wit - John Winters, Robt Horner. Recorded Apr 15, 1761.