Editors: Words enclosed in [brackets] or preceded by “Editors” are those of the editors and not part of the original edition.

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KEY

The name of the testator is in Bold Type; those persons bearing relationship to the testator, if stated in the will, are in bold type also. All others are in Roman Type. The county of testator follows the name in the same line if it is given in the will itself, and if none appears in the abstract the inference must be drawn that it is lacking in the will.†

The dates of drawing [signing] and of the probate of each are placed one above the other, opposite the name of testator; that of probate under that of drawing. If either date does not appear in the Calendar a line of dashes is placed in the respective place to indicate the fact that it is lacking in the will as recorded, and if, as is the case in a few instances, neither date of drawing nor that of probate appears in the will, a double line of dashes is substituted. †

The numbers at the foot of each abstract give the number of the book and the page from which it has been taken. The book numbers and not the old liber numbers are used, this being in accordance with the system usual with genealogists in making notes from these books.

It will be seen that in many instances overseers or trustees are named by testators. The custom now being obsolete it is best explained by a quotation from one of the wills where a testator, after designating several friends for the office, adds: "who shall assist the executrix in the care of the estate that neither she nor the children be wronged?"

Nunc. placed after a name indicates that the will was a nuncupative one.

Young. is used in the calendar as the abbreviation of youngest. †

Test, the abbreviation of testis and testes, has been adopted in accordance with the custom of the times rather than the more modern term of witnesses. The other abbreviations and terms are so simple that explanation of them seems needless, since they do not differ from those in ordinary use.

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† Editors: Bold type has not been used in this electronic edition. Also, abbreviated county names as they appeared in the original edition have been spelled out; i.e., “A.A. Co.” appears here as Anne Arundel Co., “Chas. Co.” as Charles Co., “Balto Co.” as Baltimore Co., etc.

† Editors: In this edition, the dates are listed immediately following the name of the testator.

† Editors: Note that use of the abbreviation “young.&30148; for youngest and other abbreviations in the original edition (such as “child.” for children) is sometimes confusing, and may require reference to the original will.