Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland Volume 32 - Genealogy Research & Historical Legal Documents for Ancestry Studies

Libers 39 (pp. 161-end), 40 (pp. 1-153); 1762-1764

The Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate in colonial Maryland. All matters of probate went directly to this Court, located in Maryland's colonial capital, first in St. Mary's City until 1694 and later in Annapolis. Eventually, administration of probate was delegated to the several county courts; however, many documents related to probate continued to be filed at the Prerogative Court and not in the corresponding county. The Prerogative Court was also the colony's court for equity cases (resolution of disputes over the settlement and distribution of an estate). During 1761-1762, the court was meeting every two months.

Volume XXXII of Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, compiled by Vernon Skinner, is derived from this important source for Maryland genealogists. In compiling the series, Mr. Skinner has worked primarily from microfilm copies of the Prerogative Court records; however, when necessary to resolve problems of paleography, he has consulted the original manuscripts, located at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis.

Here is a sample entry from August 3, 1763:

Deputy Commissary (PG) exhibited will of Thomas Swann (PG), indicating that the witnesses refuse to take the oath. Summons to following witnesses to testify: Richard Estep, John Ramsay Leach, Thomas Taylor. Also summons to Edward Swann executor of Thomas Swann to show cause why said will should not be proved.

The series is arranged, with a few exceptions, chronologically by court session. Volume XXXII consists of testamentary abstracts for the balance of 1762, all of 1763, and part of 1764. In all, the latest book in this distinguished series refers to nearly 7,000 colonial inhabitants of the Province of Maryland. For the most part, the transcriptions state the names of the principals (testators, heirs, guardians, witnesses, administrators, and so forth), as well as details of bequests, names of slaves, appraisers, and more.

Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.

2011, paper, 288 pp.

ISBN: 9780806355481

102-9508