Libers 42 (pp. 174-end), 43 (pp. 1-140); 1767-1768
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). Beginning in April 1765, entries for accounts no longer furnish the administrator's name.
This series of Prerogative Court transcripts is arranged, with a few exceptions, chronologically by court session. Volume XXXV, the latest one in the series, refers to about 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, and so forth), details of bequests, names of slaves, appraisers, and more.
Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.
2012, paper, 304 pp.
ISBN: 9780806355672
102-9520
