1783 Will of Richard Bohun Baker

Richard Bohun Baker (III) died in 1783. His will was mostly about the division of Archdale Hall. He left the house and plantation to his daughters and son, Richard. It was understood that Richard would become sole owner as his sisters married, or died, and left the plantation. Below is a transcribed copy of the will.

In this transcription abbreviations, spellings, and punctuation marks have been preserved. Line breaks also remain intact, as well as column structure. Indentations and spacing are difficult to replicate on the Web and may be distorted or omitted. [?] represents an unknown word.

                                    WILL OF
                        RICHARD BOHUN BAKER

South Carolina.
      In the Name of God Amen, I Richard Bohun Baker of
      the State aforesaid do make publish and ordain this
my last Will and Testament in Manner and Form following, that
is to say, Imprimis, I will that all my just Debts and funeral
Expenses be discharged. Item, I will that all the Rest and Res-
idue of my Estate personal, be equally divided between my fol-
lowing Children, (Viz) Richard, Elizabeth, Mary Harriott, Char-
lott, and William, Share and Share alike. Item, I give and be-
queath unto my Son William Baker a Tract of Land situated on
Ashley River adjoining Lands of Mrs. Hyrne's on the East, con-
taining two or three hundred Acres with the Marsh Lands adjoin-
ing thereto more or less for him to hold the same to him his
Heirs Executors and Assigns for ever Provided nevertheless
that if my said son William dies before he arrives to the Age
of one and twenty then and not otherwise to revert to my Estate.
Item, I will that my Plantation called Arch Dale situated in
S^t George's Parish Dorchester be the Property of my Daughters
Elizabeth Elliot Baker, Mary Bohun Baker, Harriott Bohun Baker,
and Charlott Bohun Baker, as also my Son Richard Bohun Baker
and that on the Death or Marriage of each and every one of my
said daughters I will that the said Place called Arch Dale be
the sole Property of my Son Richard Bohun Baker for him to
hold the same to him his Heirs Executors Adminstrators and
Assigns for ever, Provided nevertheless that my Son Richard
be the Survivor of my said Daughters. It is also my last Will
and Desire that my Wife dear Wife Elizabeth Baker do live on
my said Plantation called Arch Dale during her Widowhood. Item,
I leave my Friends John Parker Sen.^r Arthur Middleton, John
M^cQueen Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby
revoking all Wills made by me Prior to this and pronounce this
to be my last and only Will to which I sett my Hand and Seal
this thirteenth day of January in the Year of our Lord one

              WILL OF RICHARD BOHUN BAKER PAGE 2

thousand seven hundred and eighty three.
                                              Richard Bohun Baker (LS)
Signed Sealed and Published in the Presence of us who in the
Presence of each other and by the Testator's Request have set
our Hands as Witness to this his last Will and Testament.
H[?] Heton his Mark – – Thomas Fuller Jun.^r - Thomas Parker
                      –––––––––––––––––––
Codicil to the last Will and Testament of Rich.^d B.ⁿ Baker Sen.^r
      I do hereby give grant and bequeath unto my Son Rich.^d
B.ⁿ Baker, his Heirs and assigns for ever any Thing contained
to the Contrary, before, notwithstanding in my late Will, my
Plantation on Ashly River known by the Name of Archdale, except
that Part bequeathed to my Son William and w^ch was purchased
by my Father or Grand Father, of M.^r Richard Butler or his Heirs,
Subject nevertheless to the Incumbrance of my wife Eliza Baker
enjoying the use of my House on said Plantation during her
widowhood and no longer, and my daughters the same during their
natural Lives or day of Marriage w^ch shall first happen, and
it is my express will and desire that this Codicil shall to all
Intents and Purposes be deemed and looked upon as part of my
within written Will and Testament bearing Date the thirteenth
day of Jan.^y one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, In
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this
sixteenth day of January One thousand Seven hundred and eighty
three.
                                                    Richard Bohun Baker (LS)
Signed, Sealed, and Acknowledged to be Part of the last & Test-
ament of Richard Bohun Baker in Pressence of
Ann Fuller ––– Thomas Ogier ––– John Parker
Proved before Charles Lining Esquire O.C.T.D Aug^t 22^d 1783.
Sept^r 5. 1783 Qualified John M^cQueen Exor. March 17, 1786. Qual-
ified John Parker Executer.

Examined
7 Co. Sh     C.L.

Recorded in Will Book A 1783-86 Page 192