Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland. Volume XVI

The Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate in colonial Maryland. All matters of probate went directly to the Prerogative Court, which was located in Annapolis, Maryland's colonial capital. The Prerogative Court was also the colony's court for equity cases--resolution of disputes over the settlement and distribution of an estate. Volume XVI consists of abstracts of the records for the period 1721-24, as found in the remainder of Liber 25, Liber 26, and the first 140 pages of Liber 27. 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.