Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland. Volume X: 1704-1707, Libers 19B, 19C; by Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.; Published: 2007, Reprinted: 2008; 5.5x 8.5; iv + 252 pp. ; Paperback, ISBN: 9780806353487; Item # CF9972

This is the tenth volume of Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland (1704-1707), by V. L. Skinner. By now readers of this excellent series know that the Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate in colonial Maryland. A judge and various clerks staffed the court. All matters of probate went directly to the Prerogative Court, which was located in Annapolis, Maryland's 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. It should be noted that the Prerogative Court was also the colony's court for equity cases--resolution of disputes over the settlement and distribution of an estate. (Beginning in 1674, inventories and accounts were recorded in a separate series.)

Volume X consists of abstracts of the records for the period 1704 to 1707. Mr. Skinner has combed through administration, bond, will, inventory, administration account, and final balance entries to produce this collection. 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. In all, this volume refers to roughly 7,000 residents of the Province of Maryland between 1704 and 1707.