In the name of God, amen.

I, Tobias Belt do acknowledge this to be my last will and testament as follows

• Item, I give and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Belt all the lands wherein I now dwell with all the stock of all (?)oinds belonging (?)out during her natural life or widowhood and no longer she to pay my just debts out of such part of the negroes and stock as she shall think for after

• I give and bequeath to my loving son Loyd Belt the two hundred acres of land I purchase of Thomas Mullikin, called James’ Gift to him and he’s heirs forever.

• I give and bequeath my youngest son Thomas Belt 185 acres of land where I now dwell to him and his heirs forever.

• My will and desire has the direction of my son Levin Belt and give him such education as she shall think proper and to make an equal dividend after her death or marriage among the four youngest children of my personal estate. This my last will and testament this 13th day of November 1774

Witness my hand

Tobias Belt (seal)

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of :

Walter Williams
Thom Williams
J Brogden

Prince George’s county to wit, May 17, 1785 came Walter Williams one of the subscribing witnesses to the within last Will and Testament of Tobias Belt late of said County deceased and made oath that the name signed Walter Williams in the within will is his own handwriting and that being well acquainted with the handwriting of the late Col Thomas Williams he actually believes his name in the within will was signed by the said Thomas Williams and that he was likewise well acquainted with the handwriting of the Testator Tobias Belt. And that he really believed the within will was made by the said Tobias Belt and that he has no doubt but he saw the said Tobias Belt sign and seal the within will and comply with every form requisite to make the will valid but that they do not occur to him at this time.

Sworn before Sam Tyler
Register of Wills

In the name of God amen, I, Mary Belt of Prince George’s County in the State of Maryland at present very infirm in body but of sound disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit.

I commit my soul into the hands of almighty God imploring his acceptance of the same through the mediation of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ; and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the direction of my Children. 

• I give and bequeath to my son Levin Belt one Negro Boy, Jim and six silver teaspoons

• I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth M Gill one Negro Woman named Nell for and during the term of six years at the expiration of which said term the said Negro Nell is to be ..and remain the Property of my daughter Rachel

• I give and bequeath unto my Dryden Tyler a negro called Jenny

• I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Polly, daughter of Lucy Addison a negro called Loriana requesting that the said Loriana maybe be allowed …. to attend my daughter Lucy’s person till my said daughter Lucy may consent to relinquish her services to her said daughter Polly

• I give and devise to my daughter Rachel Belt the whole of my dwelling plantation lying in Prince George's County in the State aforesaid, being part of a tract of land called Chelsea together with the appurtenances thereunto belonging in Fee (?) Simple.

• Also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Rachel all my plantation implements, such part of the crop growing on my said Plantation (as may not be applied by my Executors in discharge of my debts), all my plates excepting six silver teaspoons above given to my son Levin, together with all my household and kitchen furniture one negro named Sophia with her children, one girl named Lethe and my woman Esther.

• I direct that my said daughter Rachel shall pay the balance of my debts if any after the effects hereafter appropriated have been fully applied thereto and also that my said daughter shall as soon as conveniently maybe be provided the term shall not exceed six years pay out of the profits of my dwelling Plantation given to her as aforesaid without Interest the sum of one hundred pounds currency to my daughter Betsy M. Gill and the like sum of one hundred pounds currency without interest to my son Lloyd Belt

• I will and bequeath unto my son Horatio Belt all debts due and owning unto me and hereby declare him the said Horatio Belt any residuary legatee.

• Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my son Levin Belt and my son in law, John W. Gill my Executors of this my last will and Testament, direction them my said Executors to sell my Negro man named Toby, all my stock and as much of my growing as my necessary for the purpose of paying my debts and funeral expenses hereby revoking and annulling all former wills by me made or said to have been made ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty first day of September. Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord) Seventeen hundred and ninety-five.

[signed]

Mary Belt

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by Mary Belt the above named Testatrix to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence have subscribed as witnesses thereto. The word Girl in the 27th line of the preceding page having been first erased.

signed

Aquila Galloway
Edward Pierce
Beal Marsh

Baltimore County to wit on 18th day of December 1795 can Beal, Marsh, and on the 13th day of the same month came Edward Pierce and Aquila Galloway the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Mary Belt late of said County deceased and made oath. And that they did see the Testatrix herein named sign and seal this

In testimony that the aforegoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of Mary Belt, late of Baltimore County deceased. I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 20th day of December 1795. 

— William Buchanan, Registrar of Wills, Baltimore County

Sir) I was appointed one of the Executors to my mother’s will, and as I do not mean to qualify it is thought necessary that I should inform you of it. 

Yours respectfully Levin Belt
1st Jan 1796

Source:

folio 373, MD PG County Wills

I do here by manumit and set free from every claim of servitude Jeremiah Tanner, commonly known by the name of Jerry, a mulatto man of the age of 28 years and son to Negro Peggy a slave belonging to me. In witness whereof I hearunto have set my hand and seal this 30th day of August 1803.

— U.Scott (seal)

Witnesses

John Welch
Robert Welch Jr

On the back of the afore going was thus endorsed viz. Ann Arubdel County on the 31 day of August 1803. Then came Doct. Upton Scott before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid and acknowledged the within instrument of writing to be his act and deed according to the act of assembly

Source:

https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000825/pdf/am825--153.pdf

NOTE: This is the bill of sale of Thomas Cook, who is the husband of Alethia’s sister, Laurana

…..

Know all men by these presents, I, Robert H. Nicholls of the city of Washington in the District of Columbia for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred dollars current money of the United States, to me in hand paid by John Davidson of the city and District aforesaid at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt where I, the said Robert H. Nicholls, do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto said John Davidson, his executors, administrators and assigns, a negro man named Thomas, alias Thomas Cook, about 25 years of age: to have and to hold the said negro man Thomas above bargained and sold or mentioned or intended so to be, to the send John Davidson, his executors, administrators and assigns forever.

And I, said Robert H. Nicholls, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, the said negro man Thomas unto the said John Davidson, his executors, administrators and assigned against me the said Robert H. Nicholls, my executors and administrators against all and every other person and persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents, and I, the said Robert H. Nicholls, have put the said John Davidson in full possession by delivering to him the aforesaid negro man Thomas, at the sealing and delivery of these presents mentioned or intended to be hereby bargained and sold.

Sealed and delivered Robert H. Nicholls (seal)
in the presence of Jacob Laub

(recorded 23 Jan. 1806)

Source:
Rec. of Deeds, Washington DC, Liber O 14, p. 138

NOTE: This document shows Edward Nicholls mortgaged Alethia’s sister, Laurana and (at the time) her four children, along with another womanCombe and her daughter, Suckey to pay off his debts.

…..

Know all men by these presents that I, Edward Nicholls, of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia for the purposes of securing the debt herein mentioned and in consideration of the sum of five shillings current money to me in hand paid at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do give, grand, bargain and sell unto William Kilty, this executors, administrators or assigns the following negro slaves to wit: 

• One negro woman Laurana and her four children and her future increase. 

• One other negro woman named Combe and her daughter Suckey about twelve years of age and their future increase if any. 

Provided nevertheless, and it is the true intent and meaning of these presents that where as the said Edward Nicholls is justly indebted to the said William Kilty on his own account and as attorney of Robert Christie in the following sums to wit: 

• The sum of sixty-nine pounds twelve shillings current money of Maryland, with interest from the twenty-seventh day of January seventeen hundred and ninety five (Jan 27, 1795), for which there is a Judgment in Prince George’s County Court with nine hundred and seventy pounds of tobacco and seven shillings and six pence cost of suit. 

• Also the sum of sixty-eight pounds fourteen shillings current money of Maryland with interest from the tenth of August one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.

• Also in the amount of judgment in the General Court against the said Edward Nicholls, by the Administratrix of David Clarks which is assigned to the said William Kilty, the amount of which is not precisely ascertained but which is estimated to amount to upwards of one hundred, the payment of which the said Edward Nicholls shall will and truly pay or cause to be paid to the said William Kilty, the executors, administrators or assigns the said sum of money and tobacco or the value of the latter, with the interest occurring under the terms of said judgment on or before the first day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and three; then these presents and every part thereof to be void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law. 

In witness whereof the said Edward Nicholls hath thereunto set his hand and affixed his seal this sixteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and two.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Corcoran
Edw. Nicholls (Seal)

• On the day of the date within the Deed, received of William Kilty the sum of five shillings current money, being the consideration therein mentioned.

Edw. Nicholls
Witness, Thos. Corcoran

Recorded Feby 22nd, 1806

Source:
Recorder of Deeds, Washington DC. Liber O No. 14, 219-221

Know all men by these presents that I, Rachel Pratt, of Prince George’s County and State of Maryland, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and seventy five dollars to me in hand paid by Joseph Daugherty of the County of Washington and District of Columbia the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledged have granted, bargained, sold and by these presents do grant bargain sell and deliver unto the said Joseph Daugherty my negro slave, Lethe which said Slave Lethe I will warrant and defend to the said Joseph Daugherty his Executors, administrators and assigns, against me, my executors, and administrators and against every other person or persons whomever. In witness whereof I have here unto set my name and affixed my seal this sixth day of July eighteen hundred and ten.

Rachel Pratt (seal)

In presence of James Mullikin, John McGill. July 7th, 1810
Received the above in full for Mrs. Rachel Pratt

John McGill
Nicholas Whelan
Wm. Kean
Witness

Source:
Recorder of Deeds, Washington DC. Liber Y No. 24, Folio 334, page 334

To all persons these presents may concern, Be it remembered that I, Joseph Dougherty have this day 10th day of July 1810 for value received and other good causes, set at Liberty my Yellow woman, Lethe, who calls herself Lethe Tanner, a Slave who I purchased a few days ago of Mrs. Rachel Pratt, or Mr. John M. Gill her agent as will appear from the forgoing bill of sale that the said Lethe is from this day forward considered to be free from me, my heirs, executors or administrators and all other persons whatsoever, and is said to be considered to possess all privileges of a free person to employ herself or to pass or repass wherever she may think proper, 

Given under my hand and Seal this 10th day of July 1810

Joseph Dougherty

Witness
William Thornton

District of Columbia County of Washington Set. On the 11 day of July Joseph Dougherty came before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid and acknowledged the foregoing instrument of writing to be his act and deed and delivered for the purposed therein contained.

William Thornton

Source:
Recorder of Deeds, Washington DC. Liber Y No. 24, Folio 335, page 335

NOTE: This Bill of Sale records the final payment that Alethia did for her sister, Laurana and six of her children. At this time, Laurana is 48 years old and her children range from 28 years to 16 years old. The Justice of Peace who signed this document is Senator Robert Mentor Johnson from Kentucky who was unofficially married to his mulatto (or quadroon 1/4 Black) wife, Julia Chinn. Senator Johnson was ridiculed in the press for his relationship with Chinn.

…..

Know all men by these presents that I, John Davidson, of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia for and in consideration of the sum Fourteen Hundred and FIfty current money of the United States at different periods heretofore to me in hand paid by Lethe Tanner, of City and District aforesaid at and before the sealing and delivery of the presents the receipt whereof I do herby acknowledge and confess myself to be fully paid and satisfied, have granted, bargained, sold and delivered unto the said Lethe Tanner the following slaves, viz;

• Oscar Fitz, Allen Cook, William Cook, Alfred Cook, Betsey Cook, John Cook, and their mother Laurana Cook 

To have and to hold the said slaves unto her, the said Lethe Tanner, her heirs and assigns hereby warranting and defending the same to Lethe Tanner, her heirs and assigns against all claims whatsoever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this fifteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six.

John Davidson (Seal)

Acknowledged in the presence of R. Johnson

Recorded 27 April 1826

Exd. and sent to grantee by JA Wilson per her order 24 Feby 1827

District of Columbia, County of Washington, To wit: Be it known on this Seventeenth day of April 1826 John Davidson appeared before me, one of the Justices of Peace in and for the County aforesaid and acknowledge the within Bill of Sale to be his act and deed according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and the slaves therein mentioned and conveyed to be the property of Lethe Tanner therein also mentioned. 

R. Johnson
Justice of Peace

April 15, 1826

Executed and sent to Grantee by J.A. Wilson pr her order 24 Feb 1827

Bill of Sale Rec. 27 April 1826

NOTE: This Thomas Cook is the son of Laurana and Thomas Cook. Alethia makes her final payment of $25 cash for a total of $275 for her nephew Thomas Cook.

….

Received on the 10th day of this month of LetheTanner, $25 in cash, and I've received this day her note at sixty days for Two hundred and seventy-five dollars, dated 13 February 1827 endorsed by John A Wilson, which note together with the $25 in cash I have received in full of her for the purpose of my servant boy Thomas Cook, about seventeen years of age, the son of my housekeeper Laurana Cook, which servant boy, Thomas, I have sold and now deliver to Elijah Cheney for the said Lethe Tanner in the presence of Thomas Herbert and will warrant and defend the said boy Thomas unto the said Lethe Tanner, from all other persons whatever. 

Given under my hand and seal this 12th day of February 1827.

Done in the presence of Thomas Herbert

John Davidson (seal) 

Recorded 7th March 1828
Executed and sent to Lethe Tanner 9th December 1828

Source:
Recorder of Deeds, Washington DC. Liber W.B. No. 22, p 220, 221

In the name of God Amen

I George Bell of the City of Washington in the District of Columbia being weak of body but of Sound and disposing mind memory and understanding Considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to take me hence Do therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in Manner and form following /

• First and principally commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the Earth to be decently buried 

• Item I give and bequeath to my wife Sophia during her natural life my frame house and lot situated on square numbered Seven hundred and ninety nine (799) lot eighteen (18) in the City of Washington and after her death I give and bequeath said house and lot to my daughter Margaret Lee    

• Item [2] give and bequeath to my my daughter Harriet and her children the house in which I now live and thirty three front feet of the lot on which the house stands running back that middle the full depth of the lot it being the south part of lot ten (10) in the square eight hundred and forty five (845) and fronting on sixth street East    

• Item [3] I give and bequeath to my son Enoch the North part of said lot ten in Square eight hundred and forty five ( 845) fronting thirty one feet three inches on Sixth Street East    

• Item [4]   I give and bequeath to my daughter Betsey Simms wife of Basil Sims and her children half of the lot three and improvements thereon in Square Seven Hundred and thirty four( 734) 

• Item [5]  I give and bequeath to my son Lloyd his choice of the two houses on Square number seven hundred and ninety seven with the ground attached to the same the other house and ground attached to the same to be sold after my death by executors hereinafter named and the proceeds after paying the cost and expenses of sale to be appropriated to the payment of my debts funeral expenses and the legacies hereinafter mentioned and should there be a balance remaining in the hand of executors the balance to be paid over to my wife Sophia 

• Item [6] I give and bequeath a legacy of five dollars each to the following named Grand Children Mary Jane    Mary James and Marcellinus Children of my Son James Bell deceased which legacy shall be paid to them respectively at my death by my executors 

• Item [7] my personal property I give and bequeath to my wife Sophia and

• Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint Basil Simms and Frances Datcher to be the executors of this my last will and testament hereby ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament revoking all others by me heretofore made and confirming this

In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four 

Witnesses as to George Bell

James Marshall his J. Carberry

George X  Bell  {SEAL}

James A. Gordon mark

Signed sealed and delivered and declared by George Bell the above testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

James Marshall  

J. Carberry

James A. Gordon

District of Columbia Orphans Court Washington County to wit : } January 21, 1845 this day appeared James Marshall & James Carberry the subscribing witnesses to the forgoing last will & testament of George Bell late of Washington County aforesaid deceased - & Severally made oath on the Holy evangels of almighty God that they did see the Testator therein named Sign & Seal his will ( by making his mark thereto) that he published pronounced & declared the said will to be his last will & testament that in so doing he was to their apprehensions of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding that they together with James A. Gordon the other subscriber witnessed respectively subscribing their names as witnesses to this will in the presence & at the request of the Testator & in the presence of each other-

Ed N. Roach

I have examined the Will of George Bell. It is clearly good description of real Estate and description of several pieces of property in respective courses appears to me quite sufficient

If Lloyd Bell has by any art or declaration made his choice under the desire to him, the authority of the Executors to sell the other cannot be questioned -

Having sold they must apply the proceeds of sale first ot payment of his funeral expenses; the residue they must retain until the period has elapsed where there are to make a distribution. They must then pay his debts, and the legacies left in his will, and the balance they must pay over to his widow.

All the personal estate having been left by the will to the widow, will carry with it bills, debts, notes and everything else -

After having paid the debts and legacies they should take from the widow a release and that will enable them to close their account -

They are entitled to commission on the sales of the real estate, and on the full amount of the personal both property and notes and for this purpose they should be able to satisfy the Court on the sum total.

Jos Bradley 21 Oct 1845

In the name of God Amen.

I, Alethia, commonly called Lethe Tanner of the City of Washington being of sound and disposing mind, knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of Death do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament for ordering this to be my last will and testament for ordering and disposing of my worldly affairs where it shall please God to call me hence hereby revoking and utterly annulling all former wills testaments and codicils by me heretofore made.

• I give and device to Thomas Cook my nephew a frame house belonging to me situated on part of lot ten in Square Two Hundred and fifty in the said City of Washington and standing detached from the corner house and to the eastward thereof, on H street, together with so much of said lot Ten as Francis Datcher and John Francis Cook, whom I hereby appoint trustees for that purpose, shall assign under their hands and seals for the use of said house as a necessary site for the same: the said house and the lot so assigned to be held and enjoyed by the said Thomas Cook for his life only with remainder to the heirs of his body if he shall leave such living at his death who shall take under this will as purchases, but if he shall die leaving no issue then the said house and lot shall remain in fee simple and descend to John Francis Cook Junior and Joseph Tanner Cook sons of my nephew John Francis Cook Senior.

• I give and devise to John Francis Cook Junior my grandnephew the remaining portion of lot Ten in Square Two Hundred and Fifty rendering and paying unto his brother Joseph Francis Cook and his heirs and assigns the annual rent of Twenty Dollars to be annually paid which is hereby charged upon the said portion of lot ten in square Two Hundred and Fifty.

• I give and bequeath to Thomas Cook and Henrietta Pleasants each a bed and bedding to be assigned by my Executors from my household furniture.

• I give and devise the rest and residue of my estate real and personal and all my rights credits and effects unto John Francis Cook Junior and Joseph Tanner Cook sons of John Francis Cook Senior

• I constitute and appoint Francis Datcher and John Francis Cook junior the executors of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal this 15th day of May in the Year One thousand Eighteen Hundred and Forty seven

Lethe Tanner [signed] (SEAL)

Signed published and declared for her last will and testament by Althea Tanner in the presence of the undersigned who at her request and in her presence have affixed in names as witnesses thereto; May 15, 1847

Sam D. King [Signed]
H.B. Croggin [Signed]
E. Simms [Signed]

Filed March 8 -1864 and the same day proven by one of the subscribing witnesses thereto

& also death & signature of one of the witnesses Also the same day fee paid for

recording & probate of will

April 12th 1864

Letters of Administration issued to John F. Cook a son of one of the Executors of the Will appointed; it appearing to the Court that both of the Executors named in the will are dead.

Recorded Liber No. 1 Folio 323

In the name of God Amen I Sophia Bell of Washington City in the District of Columbia having a sound disposing mind memory and understanding knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof and being desirous of settling worldly affairs before I go hence I therefore make and publish this my last will and Testament in the manner and form following to wit. First and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named and after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid I will and bequeath as follows. 

• Item 1, I will and bequeath to my Daughter Margaret Lee all my wearing apparel that I may die seized with. 

• Item 2, I will and bequeath to my son Lloyd Bell Ten dollars that is providing he returns to Washington and if he does not then the Ten dollars to be paid to his son George Bell. 

• Item 3rd I will and bequeath to my son Enoch G. Bell the four notes I hold against him fifty dollars each with interest thereon. 

• Item 5, I will and bequeath to my daughter Harrieta Cornish the east half of lot D in square seven hundred and ninety seven with all and singular improvements thereon to her and her heirs forever, also I give and bequeath to the above named Harrietta Cornish and her heirs the residue of my estate both real and personal & mixed 

• Lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint George W. Dunlop Executor of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all other wills by me acknowledging and confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament in Testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal.

her Sophia X Bell          mark

Signed sealed and published and declared to be the last will and Testament of the above mentioned named Testatrix in the presence of us and who the request Sophia Bell and in her presence and in the presence of each other here present Subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto this 15th Day of May one Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty two.

J W.Beck {SEAL)
W. A, Mulloy {SEAL}
James Combs {SEAL}

District of ColumbiaWashington County, to wit
September 16, 1853

This day Joseph W. Beck & William A. Mulloy of the subscribers witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Sophia Bell late of Washington County aforesaid deceased do severally make oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God - that they did see the Testatrix therein named sign this will by making he mark thereunto that the subscribers pronounce & declare this to be the last will & testament that in so doing so she was to the best of their apprehension of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding - and that they together with James Combes the other subscribing witness

Source:
Box 22, filed in the District of Columbia Orphan's Court (Probate Court)