Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, Volume XVII: 1724-1727 Libers 27 (pp. 141-402) & 28 (pp. 1-101)

he Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate in colonial Maryland. All matters of probate went directly to the Prerogative Court, which was located in Annapolis, Maryland’s colonial capital. The Prerogative Court was also the colony’s court for equity cases–resolution of disputes over the settlement and distribution of an estate.

Following is a representative abstract from these volumes:

Summons to Samuell Heigh & his wife executrix of John Israell (BA) to show cause why they don’t take LoA on his estate, or grant administration to another on behalf of the children. Date: 10 November 1724.

Volume XVII resumes with page 141 of Liber 27 and pp. 1-101 of Liber 28. The abstracts are arranged chronologically by court session. For the most part, the transcriptions state the names of the principals (testators, heirs, witnesses, administrators, and so forth) as well as details of bequests, names of slaves, appraisers, and more.