LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Dennis Gries" <>
Subject: [LDR] William Stephens/Stevens
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 14:47:09 -0500

Below is a transcript of a Somerset Co will.

Does this match in part any research on Stephens/Stevens that others have
done? I wonder if Benjamin and Levi (brothers in this will), are the
Benjamin and Levi Stevens noted in Kilty's Laws, and in more detail in
Peden's 1999 work as Revolutionary War veterans? Our Benjamin enlisted in
Salisbury in 1776 under a Capt Gumby (sic).

I believe that the Levi that was in the same War unit had several children.

Thanks to all

dennis gries - fort washington, pa




>From Somerset Co Wills 1750-72 at f.154

Sworn Before Thos. Holbrook Depty Comr of Som
County

The Last Will and Testament of William Stephens maid {made} this 18 Day of
December one thousand seven hudnred and sixtynine (1769).

First I give unto my Eldest Daughter Hester Mills one Negro Garle {girl}
Named Case she and her Increase to her and heires {heirs}.

Secondly, I give to my next oldest Daughter Betty Stephens and her heirs one
Negro garle {girl} named Dilly She and her Increase.

Thirdly, I give my next Old Daughter Sarah Stephens and her heirs one Negro
garle named Leah she and her Increase.

Forthly {fourthly}, I give my son Benjamin Stephens and his heirs one Negro
garle named Dinner She and her Increase as also all my Coopers Toulls
{tools} Excepting and as one ado one Jointer.

Fifthly, I give my son George Stephens twenty pounds to be paid out of my
Parsonle {personal} Estate.

Sixthly, I give my son William Stephens one Gun comly {commonly} called my
old gun.

Seventhly, I give my son Levi Stephens and his heirs forEver moor {more} my
Dwelling Plantation house Orchards and all the Land thereunto belong as also
one Negro Boy named Ierey {?} after my wife's Death, but Levi and Planation
and Negro boy to be my wifes as long as she lives.

Eightly, I give my beloved wife one Negro wench named Rose She and her
Increase as also all the best {rest?} of my parsonal {personal} Estate Dring
her Natternal {natural} Live, then all of my Estate to be Equily {Equally}
Devid {Divided} Between my son Levi and my two Daughers Betty and Sarah as
witness my hand and Sealle {seal} the Day and Date first Written Signed in
Presents of Jos. Hitch Jr. , Joshua Hitch, Risdon Nicholson.

On the Twentyfirst Day of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy came
Joshua Hitch and made Oah on the holy Evangelic of Almighty God that the
aforegoing Instrucment of writing is the True and only Will and Testament of
William Stephens late of Somerset County Deceased that hath come to his
hands profession or knowledge and that he did not kow or ever heard of any
others.

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• [LDR] William Stephens/Stevens by "Dennis Gries" <>