In the name of God, Amen, I Thomas March Forman of Cecil County in the State of Maryland being of Sound and disposing mind memory and understanding considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say, after my just debts and funeral charges are paid I devise and bequeath as follows – I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Martha Brown Forman the sum of Eighteen hundred Dollars annually in lieu of her Thirds of my real and personal Estate in the States of Maryland and Delaware the said sum of Eighteen hundred dollars to be paid to my said wife out of the rents of the several farms hereinafter named situate lying and being in the state of Delaware and in the proportions following, to Wit: Out of the annual rent of the mansion Farm (now in the occupation of Henry Bowman) the Sum of Five hundred and fifteen dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease. – out of the annual rent of the Hamburg farm (now in the occupation of Henry Bowman) the sum of three hundred and twenty nine dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease – out of the annual rent of South Farm (now in the occupation of Henry Moreton) the sum of Two hundred and nineteen dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease – out of the annual Rent of North Farm (now in the occupation of Thomas Hamilton) the sum of two hundred and nineteen dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease – out of the annual rent of the west Farm (now in the occupation of Peter Tilter) the sum of one hundred and forty six Dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease – out of the annual rent of Pigeon Run Farm now in the occupation of John Shivow & William Ford) the sum of one hundred and forty six dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease; out of the annual rent of Spring Farm the sum of thirty six Dollars current money (now in the occupation of Hezekiah Dowens) on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease – out of the annual rent of Grubby neck Farm (now in the occupation of Henry Smith) the sum of Forty four Dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease. – and out of the annual rent of Short Farm and Old Porter farm the sum of one hundred and forty six Dollars current money on the twenty fifth day of April in each and every year after my decease. – The said several sums of money to be paid to my said wife Martha Brown Forman during her natural life and no longer, and to be clear of all deductions and encumbrances whatsoever.
Item. – I devise and bequeath to my dear wife Martha Brown Forman the right of entry at all times and the exclusive occupancy of my Dwelling House at Rose Hill the use of the Garden, Meat house, Corn house, Poultry yard and Hay mow with their contents so long as she shall occupy Rose Hill as her Residence also a sufficiency of fire wood and the exclusive use of the pleasure ground surrounding the House, bounded on the north by the Road leading from the Barn to the Spring field on the East by the Spring feed on the south by the Graveyard Hill and on the west by the creek field to the Barn including necessary stabling and carriage House but at no time to let lease or otherwise dispose of any of the premisses herein received for her use except to the devisee or devisees herein after named. –
Item. I devise and bequeath to my dear wife Martha Brown Forman my negro girl Harriott Betton, aged about thirteen years.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my Dear wife Martha Brown Forman during her natural life and no longer the use of the following pieces of plate. one coffee Pot, one slop Bowl, one sugar dish, one Cream Jug, one Quart Tankard, one Pint Can, one Funnell, two soup Ladles Eighteen Table Spoons, twenty four desert Spoons twelve tea Spoons two desert Ladles, six Tumblers, one Stand with Ink vessel & Sand Box twelve Silver forks, one Butter knife and four half pint Goblets.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my Deal wife Martha Brown Forman the following pieces of plate one Coffee Pot, one Tea Pot, one water Pot, one sugar Dish one slop Bowl and one cream Jug marked M.B.C. one Quart Goblet marked T.M.C. Twelve Table Spoons twelve Tea Spoons one Soup Ladle one mustard Spoon four Salt spoons marked T.M.C. one half Gallon pitcher marked Forman, one pair of Sugar Tongs, and one Butter knife.
Item, I devise and bequeath to my Dear wife Martha Brown Forman, during her natural life and no longer the use of the following pieces of plated Ware. One water urn, Two Cake Baskets Six candle sticks four snuffer stands, three snuffers two bottle castors one set castors. one Toast Rack four chamber candle Sticks, one Tea Kettle, one pair Table Branches, one Liquor Castor and one Epingue. Item. I devise and bequeath to my dear wife Martha Brown Forman my Coach & Harness and her choise of a pair of Horses for the Carriage out of my Stock of Horses.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my dear wife Martha Brown Forman, such part or parts of my Household and Kitchen furniture as she may select not hereafter particularly devised.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas March Forman Bryan my Rose Hill Estate, consisting of Several Tracts or Parcels of Land, Situate lying and being in Sassafrass neck in Cecil County called and known by the names of Middle Plantation, Chance, chance resurveyed, Addition to chance, Wheelers Point Wheelers Point Resurveyed or by whatsoever name or names the same may be known or called also a tract or parcel of Land which I purchased of the late Mrs Fisher and that piece or parcel of Land which I received in exchange from John J Cox, the whole containing together by estimation Eight hundred acres of Land more or less, to him the said Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan his Heirs and assigns forever upon the express condition that he shall obtain from the Legislature of the State of Maryland an act to change
his name from Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan to Thomas March Forman and thereafter to use and be known and distinguished by the name of Thomas March Forman.
Item. – I devise and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan all my personal property of whatsoever kind or sort on the Rose Hill Estate at the time of my decease not otherwise disposed of consisting of negroes, Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs Household and Kitchen furniture, farming utensils, grain in the ground, house or Stock, he paying all my just debts.
Item. – I devise and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan after the decease of my wife Martha Brown Forman the right of Entry and occupancy of the Rose Hill Estate of all that part of said Estate herein devised to my said wife Martha Brown Forman during her natural life and the same to possess and enjoy in, as full and ample manner as the rest and residue of said Rose Hill Estate.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my Grandson Thomas March Forman Bryan all those Tracts or parcels of Land situate lying and being in NewCastle County in the State of Delaware Called and known by the names of Mansion Farm, Hamburg farm, and Toms Creek Marsh, South Farm, North Farm, West Farm, Mill Farm, Grubb Neck, Welch Tract Farm, Short Farm, and all the Wood Land and Cleared Land adjoining these several tracts from which my several Tenants in the State of Delaware cut their rails fire wood or other necessary Timber – the said tracts pieces or parcels of Land by whatsoever name or names the same may be known or called to him the said Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan, and to the Eldest male heirs of his body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and in default of such issue or such male issue failing then my will is that the Land above devised shall descend to the eldest daughter of his body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and to the eldest daughter of such issue and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I devise and bequeath to my Nephew William Lee Forman Son of my late Brother William Lee Forman in Case my Grandson Thomas March Forman Bryan should not obtain an act of the Legislature of the State of Maryland for the change of his name as is herein provided, for or in case he should die before he arrives at the age of twenty one years and without lawful issue living, all my Rose Hill estate situate lying and being in Cecil County aforesaid consisting of the several Tracts & parcels of land herein before particularly enumerated and specified in the devise of my said GrandSon Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan to him the Said William Lee Forman his Heirs and assigns forever.
Item – I devise and bequeath to my Nephew William Lee Forman son of my late Brother William Lee Forman in case my Grand Son Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan Should not obtain the act of Assembly aforesaid for the change of his name, or in case he should die before he arrives at the age of twenty one years and without lawful issue living, all my personal Estate on Rose Hill farm at the time of my death (more particularly mentioned in the devise to my Grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan) not otherwise disposed of, he paying all my just debts.
Item. – I devise and bequeath to my dear wife Martha Brown Forman in case she should abide by this my last will and Testament and not otherwise and in the event of my Grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan dying before he should arrive at the age of twenty one years and without lawful issue living, my farm or plantation in the state of Delaware called and known by the name of North Farm now occupied by Thomas Hamilton to her the said Martha Brown Forman her Heirs and assigns forever.
Item – I devise and bequeath to my Grand children Mary Downes, Sarah Ann Downes, James Downes, Richard Downes, Henry Downes, and Bennett Downes, Children of my late daughter Sarah Dowens, in case my grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan should die before he arrives at the age of Twenty one years and without lawful issue living, all the rest residue and remainder of my Lands situate lying and being in NewCastle County in the State of Delaware- to be equally divided between them or the survivors of them. to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Item I devise and bequeath to my grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate real personal or mixt to him his heirs and assigns forever. I do hereby constitute and appoint my dear wife Martha Brown Forman, Guardian to my Grandson Thomas Marsh Forman Bryan.
And Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my Friends James Sewall, Ezekiel F Chambers and James Coupers Esqrs Executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and Testament In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this Twentieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twentyfour.- T. M. Forman
Signed, Sealed, published and declared by Thomas Marsh Forman the above named Testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the} presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses Thereto William Ward Willim Lee O. Horsey
Whereas I Thomas Marsh Forman of Rose Hill in Cecil County and State of Maryland haveing made and duly executed my last will and Testament in writing bearing date the 20th day of January in the year 1824 and haveing since the date of execution thereof become the purchaser of two tracts of Land in Cecil County and State of Maryland the one Tract called Greenfield the other tract called Colleton in order to dispose of the same according to my wishes and intention I do by virtue of this codicil to my will as first mentioned give and devise to my Nephew Ezekiel Forman Chambers in fee simple all my right title and interest in the tracts of Land so situated and called Greenfield and Colleton, but upon the express condition that he the said Chambers for his Heirs and assigns shall exonerate free and discharge my Estate from All fees Costs and charges for the recovery of the said lands or for any other purpose relating to them. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and affixed my seal this Signed, sealed published and declared by Thomas Marsh Forman the above named Testator as and for a codicil to his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
Cecil County Sct. July 5th 1845. Then came Ezekiel F Chambers one of the Executors named in the annexed last will and Testament of Thomas M Forman ate of Cecil County deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that this instrument of writing is the true and whole last will and Testament of Thomas M Forman late of Cecil County deceased the Testator therein named which had come to his hands possession or knowledge: that due publication of the contents thereof hath been made and he knoweth of no objection to the probate thereof being taken.- Test Geo. R. Howard Regr.
Cecil County Sct. July 5th 1845. Then came James Rogers of NewCastle County in the state of Delaware who being first duly Sworn on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with the late Outerbridge Horsey whose name appears as a subscribing witness to the foregoing last will and Testament of Thomas M. Forman deceased. That deponent was a member of the NewCastle Bar in the year 1824 and previously and subsequently thereto and that the said Outerbridge Horsey (who is now deceased) was for many years also a member of the same Bar and that deponent has frequently been engaged in business transactions with said Horsey has often seen him write and was and is acquainted with his hand writing and that he believes the signature “O. Horsey” attached to the said Will as one of the attesting witnesses thereto is in the proper hand writing of the said Outerbridge Horsey. This deponent further saith that he is acquainted with the hand writing of the late General Thomas M Forman the Testator and that he believes the signature.. “T. M. Forman” to the annexed and foregoing last will and Testament is in the proper hand writing of said Thomas M. Forman the deceased Testator Test. Geo R Howard Regr.
Cecil County Sct: Then came Thomas V. Ward of Cecil County in the State of Maryland who being first duly Sworn on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God doth depose and say that the late William Ward whose name appears as a subscribing witness to the foregoing and annexed last will and Testament of Thomas M Forman deceased was the father of this deponent. That he is perfectly familiar with the hand writing of his said Father having lived with him untill his fathers death and very frequently seeing him write and that he believes the signature “William Ward” attached to the said will as one of the attesting witnesses thereof in in the proper hand writing of the said William Ward. And the said deponent further South that he has frequently see the late General T. M. Forman write and is acquainted with is hand writing and that he believes the signature “T. M. Forman” to the said will to be the proper hand writing of said Thomas M. Forman the Testator. Test. Geo. R. Howard, Esqr.
Cecil County Sct: Then came Outerbridge Horsey Esquire of the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland who being first duly sworn on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God doth depose and say that the late Outerbridge Horsey whose name appears as a subscribing witness to the foregoing and annexed will of Thomas M. Forman deceased was the Father of this deponent and that William Lee whose name also appears as a subscribing Witness to the said will and who is now deceased was the uncle of this deponent that he is perfectly familiar with the hand writing both of his said late Father and his said late uncle having frequently seen them write and that he believed the signature “William Lee” attached to the said will as one of the attesting Witnesses thereto is in the proper handwriting of said William Lee and the signature “O. Horsey” attached to said will as another of the subscribing witnesses thereto is in the proper hand writing of said O. Horsey and this deponent further says that he is acquainted with the hand writing of the late Genl T. M Forman the Testator and believes the signature “T M Forman” to the said will to be the proper hand writing of said Thomas M Forman the Testator. Test. Geo R Howard Regr.
Maryland, Cecil County Sct: I hereby Certify the foregoing and annexed last Will and Testament is a true and perfect copy taken from the original Will now on file and of Record in the Register of Wills office for said County. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office on this 23d day of October A.D. 1845. George R Howard, Register of Wills for Cecil County
I George R Howard, the Register of wills for Cecil County in the State of Maryland, Do Certify that the aforegoing pages numbered 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12 and 13 do contain a true Copy of the last will and Testament of Thomas M. Forman dec’d filed, and recorded in the Office for the registry of wills for Cecil County in the state of Maryland and of the proof of the said last will and testament made before me the proper officer appointed for such purpose in conformity to the Laws of the state of Maryland. – Witness my hand and seal of office at Elkton this nineteenth day of November A.D. 1845. George R. Howard Register of Wills for Cecil County
State of Maryland Cecil County Sct: November 20th A.D. 1845. I George Kidd Chief Justice of the Orphans Court of Cecil County do hereby Certify that George R. Howard was at the time of signing the aforegoing Certificate, and still is duly Commissioned and qualified as Register of Wills for Cecil County and as such is the proper person to take the probate of Wills and that the aforegoing Certificate of the Copy of the last will and Testament of Thomas M. Forman deceased and of the proof thereof is in due form and by the Proper officer. Geo Kidd.-
Maryland, Cecil County Sct: November 20th A.D. 1845.- I hereby certify that George Kidd Esquire was at the time of making the aforegoing Certificate, Chief Justice of the Orphans Court of Cecil County, and as such presiding Judge, of the orphans Court of said County and that the said Certificate is entitled to full faith and Credit.- In Testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this twentieth day of November A.D. 1845. George R Howard, Register of Wills for Cecil County
U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1676-1971, New Castle County, Delaware, Wills, Vol U, 1840-1854, Image 190, Page 371
Transcribed 25 Jul 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky
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