Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland: Volume II: 1670-1674. Libers: 5, 6; by Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.; Published: 2005, Reprinted: 2007; 5.5x 8.5; vi + 244 pp. ; Paperback, ISBN: 9780806352831; Item # CF9880D

Genealogist V. L. Skinner, Jr., resumes his transcriptions of 17th-century Maryland probate records with the second volume of his series, Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland: 1670-1674. The first volume in Mr. Skinner's series, released in 2004 and covering the period 1658-1674, is transcribed from Libers 1A-1F, 2, 3, and 4A-4C at the Maryland State Archives. This volume, the second in the series, which covers 1670-1674 and is based on Libers 5 and 6, overlaps chronologically with the previous book. Volume III spans the years 1675-1677 and 1703-1704 and is based on Libers 7, 8A, 8B, and 9A (1-371). Volume IV covers the years 1677-1682 and 1702-1704 and is transcribed from Libers 9A (372-524), 9B, 10, 11, 12A and 12B. Volume V covers the years 1682-1686, as found in Liber 13 (1-432). Volume VI covers the years 1686-1689 and 1692-1693, and is based on Libers 13 (433-519), 14, 14A, and 15A. Volume VII consists of abstracts of the records for the period 1693-1697 and completes Libers 15 and 16.

The Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate for colonial Maryland. A judge and various clerks staffed the court. All matters of probate went directly to the Prerogative Court, which was located in the colonial capital. Eventually, administration of probate was delegated to the several county courts; however, many documents related to probate continued to be filed at the Prerogative Court and not in the corresponding county.

Volume II in this series consists of abstracts of Prerogative Court of Maryland records for the period 1670 to 1674. Mr. Skinner has combed through administration, bond, will, inventory, administration account, and final balance entries to produce this collection. The abstracts are arranged in chronological order by court session. In every instance they give the names of the principals (testators, heirs, witnesses, administrators, and so forth). In many cases we also learn the details of bequests, names of slaves, appraisers, and more. In all, what we have here are probate references to over 5,000 17th-century Marylanders whose existence and activities would otherwise remain hidden in some rich but very obscure records.