Prince George's County Wills

Will of David Burnes, Prince George's County, MD (1762)

"David bought the first parcel of land belonging to the Burnes family of
Prince George's County, Maryland, on November 3, 1721. The deed was
recorded March 28, 1722. This tract, called "Elinor," contained 70 acres
and was purchased from John Allison (also recorded as Ellison) who had
bought it March 25, 1719. The record of sale to Mr. Allison called for
land only, with no mention made of premises or improvements of any sort,
but when David 1st purchased it two years later, the deed recites "Dwelling
houses, tenement houses, tobacco houses, buildings, gardens, etc."
As the City of Washington is now laid out, this tract was bounded by 6th
Street and Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., on its North East corner, running
westerly next to a point just West of Jackson Place and Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W., then in an easterly direction to F and 6th Streets, then
North on 6th Street to the beginning at 6th Street and Massachusetts
Avenue, N.W. This then establishes the age of the old Burnes house at
10-th Street above G Street, N.W. It also explains why the family
graveyard was located on H Street near 10th Street, N.W. The dimensions of
this house have been given as 20' x 16', and the graveyard as 30' x 30'.
Here dwelt David 1st with his wife Ann, nee Fleming, their son, James 1st
and Ann's son, John Fleming, for she was a widow when she married David.
The extreme western part of Elinor included the ground on which part of the
White House now stands, and also all of its southern grounds. The old
State, War and Navy Building, and most of the Treasury Building, are also
on this tract."
From "Records of The Columbia Historical Society of Washington, DC
1948-1950, Vol. 50," Edited by H. Paul Caemmerer, pgs. 103-104

Will of David Burnes I

In the Name of God Amen I David Burnes of Prince Georges County in the
province of Maryland Planter being Sick of Body but of perfect mind and
memory thanks to Almighty God for the same and knowing that its appointed
for all men once he did do make and ordain this my last will and testament
and first of all I recommend my Soul to God who gave my body to the Earth
to be buried in a decent and Christian manner at the Discretion of my
Executors and for what temporary Worldly Estate it hath pleased God to
Bestow me with I Give Bequeath and Dispose of the same in manner and form
following viz: Imprimus I Give and bequeath unto John Fleming my Son in Law
to him his heirs and assignees half of a Tract of Land called the Hensley
lying in this County and purchased by me of John Banks to be equally
divided between him and my Son James Burnes but so that after division my
said Son James Burnes to have his choice of which hundred acres he thinks
proper there being two hundred in the Tract I Give and bequeath likewise to
the said John Fleming two cows and two calves. Item I Give and bequeath
unto my dearly beloved Wife Ann Burnes the Plantation whereon I do at
present reside and Dwell with all the Land which to me belongs Bordering
and adjoining to the said Plantation to be possessed and enjoyed by her
during her Natural life I likewise give and bequeath unto my said wife one
third part of all my Goods Wares Slaves ready Money debts due me and
Chattles with all her wearing apparel whether wollon or Linnen Rings and
Ornaments to her and assigns for ever. Item I Give and bequeath Unto my
well beloved Son James Burnes the Plantation given to my Wife during her
Natural life Immediately from and after her Death to him his heirs and
assigns forever together with all the rest of my Estate whether Real or
Personal Lands Goods and Chattles by him and them freely to be possessed
and enjoyed forever not before given and bequeathed. Item I make
Constitute and Ordain my Dearly beloved Wife Ann Burnes and my well beloved
Son James Burnes Executors of this my last Will and Testament and Utterly
revoke and Disannule all former Wills and Legacies Ratifying this an no
other to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whoever I have hereunto
put my hand affixed my Seal this fifth Day of October in the year of our
Lord God One thousand Seven hundred thirty and Seven.
Signed Sealed Pronounced David DB Burnes (Seal)
published and declared in (his mark)
presence of us the Subscribers
John Allison
Thomas Stump As I am Appointed Joint Executor with my
Terence TD Downing my Son in Husbands Will The Task being
(his mark) unfit for my Years I have

no Desire to concern with it and desire that Letters my be Granted in my Sons Name
To Mr. George Scott, Deputy Your very Humble Servant
Comry Prince Georges County Ann Burnes Oct. 26th 1762

Prince Georges County. On the 20th Day of October Anno Domini 1762 came
John Allison and made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that he
did see David Burnes late of said County Planter Seal declare and publish
the above Instrument of Writing to be his last Will land Testament and that
at the time of so doing he was to the best of this Deponents Judgement of
sound memory and of a Disposing mind and that in his presence and at his
request he and the other two Witnesses Thomas Stump and Terence Downing did
subscribe the same.
Sworn before me day and year aforesaid
George Scott Deputy County
Prince Georges County [Submitted by Amanda Jowers]
 

YOUNG, Notley, of Prince George County, Maryland. Will dated 14 March 1798 proved 9 April 1802. Mentions wife Mary. Sons Benjamin, Nicholas & Notley (the latter not being in this country) Daughters Casanave, Ann & Elianor, the last not being 21 years of age. Grandchildren Elianor and Robert Young Brent. [Sub. by S. Hemp]

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