Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, Volume XI

Libers 20, 21 (pp. 1-206); 1703-1704, 1707-1709

Readers of this excellent series know that 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).

Volume XI contains abstracts of the records for 1703-1704 and 1707-1709, as found in Libers 20 and 21 of the records of the Prerogative Court of Maryland. As such, it overlaps chronologically with Volume X, which deals with the years 1704-1707. (Beginning in 1674, inventories and accounts were recorded in a separate series). 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. In all, this volume refers to roughly 8,000 residents.

Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.

(2007), 2008, paper, 292 pp.

ISBN: 9780806353579

102-9973