Abstracts of the Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland. Volume XI: 1703-1704, 1707-1709. Libers 20, 21 (pp. 1-206); by Vernon L. Skinner, Jr.; Published: 2007, Reprinted: 2008; 5.5x 8.5; iv + 288 pp. ; Paperback, ISBN: 9780806353579; Item # CF9973

Readers of this excellent series know that 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 following documents were filed with the court: administration, bond, will, inventory, administration accounts, and final balances. 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.

Volume XI contains abstracts of the records for 1703-1704 and 1707-1709, as found in Libers 20 and 21. As such, it overlaps chronologically with Volume X, which deals with the years 1704-1707. 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 8,000 residents.