In 1743, Richard Davis left a Will in Anne Arundel County. A certified copy of his Will was obtained by Rozina Fairchild Davis in 1923, and she wrote: "Richard's will dated May 17, 1743, probated October 18, 1743. Mentions sons Thomas, Richard, John, Caleb and Joshua, and daughters Ruth, Mary and Elizabeth, and wife Ruth, and it follows":


WILL OF RICHARD DAVIS

"MARYLAND, SCT:

     In the name of God Amen, This seventeenth day of May Seventeen-hundred and forty and three, I Richard Davis of Anne Arundel County Planter being of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament Vixt:

     Imprimis --- I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas his heirs and assigns for ever, one hundred ninety four acres of land called Davis's Purchase lying in the County aforesaid.

     Item --- I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Davis his heirs and assigns for ever, two hundred acres of land called Dear Bought lying in Prince George County.

     Item --- I give and bequeath unto my son John Davis his heirs and assigns forever, the remaining part of the above tract of land called Dear Bought, it being fifty eight acres of land which I will be laid out on the North East side of the said land, in the best manner it can, so as not to detrement either of my sons, Richard and John. I further will that my two eldest sons, Thomas & Richard in consideration they have more land willd them than my son John, doe procure for my son John, when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years one hundred acres of land warrant, clear, off and from any costs or charges, to my son John, but to be at the cost and charge of my sons Thomas and Richard equally between them.

     Item --- I give and bequeath unto my son Caleb Davis his heirs and assigns forever a tract of land called The Reverse, containing ninety three acres of land lying in Anne Arundel County.

     Item --- I give and bequeath unto my son Joshua Davis his heirs and assigns forever, the remaining part of the above tract of land called Davis' Purchase, in Anne Arundel County, being fifty acres to be laid out at the North end of the said land, so as not to detrement either of my sons, Thomas or Joshua.

     Item --- I further will that my three sons Vizt. Richard and John and Caleb have paid them by my Executrix one cow and calf each of them as my said sons shall arrive gradually at the age of twenty one years each.

     Item --- I will after my just debts are paid that the remainder of my personal Estate be equally divided amongst my three daughters Ruth and Mary and Elizabeth and my youngest son Joshua.

     And lastly I ordain constitute and appoint Ruth my beloved wife Executrix of this my last will and testament ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written.

Signed sealed and pronounced           RICHARD DAVIS (SEAL)
and declared by the said Richard
Davis to be his last will and
testament in presence of:

Joseph Waters, Joseph Penn, John Evitts, Saml Richardson

At the foot of the foregoing will was the following probate thus written vizt.

October 18th, 1743. Then came John Waters being one of the people called quakers who solemnly professed, testified and declared and Joseph Penn one other witness to the foregoing will being duly sworn on the holy Evangels of Almighty God deposeth and saith that they saw the testator, Richard Davis sign the foregoing will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory, and that they signed their respective names as witnesses to the said will in the presence of the said Testator and at his request, and the said John Waters doth further solemnly posess testify and declare and Joseph Penn doth further depose that they saw the two other subscribing witnesses to the said will John Evitts and Samuel Richardson sign their respective names as witnesses to the same in the presence of the said testator and at his request.

6-1/2 sides                Sworn to before me ----
                     M. Macnamara, D. Comry


LAND OFFICE OF MARYLAND, SCT:

     I hereby certify that the aforegoing is a true copy of the last will and Testament of Richard Davis of Anne Arundel County as taken from Book No. 23, folio 266, of Will Records, one of the original Will Books on file in this Office.

     (SEAL)                    IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
                         set my hand and affixed the Seal of the
                         Land Office of Maryland, this seventeenth                              day of April, Nineteen hundred and twenty three.

                          JAMES S. SHEPHERD
                          COMMISSIONER OF THE LAND OFFICE.


More facts from The Davis-Wood Family by Fenton Garnett Davis Avant:
     " Left to him by his father Thomas: "Duvall's Delight," two hundred acres. He was a Vestryman in Christ Church, Queen Caroline's Parish in 1738. His will was dated 17 May 1743 and probated 18 Oct 1743. His wife Ruth was named executrix and witnesses were John Waters (a Quaker), Jospeh Penn, Samuel Richardson, and John Evitts." (this info confirms that of Rozina Fairchild Davis and Will she obtained in 1923, above)