The 1812 will of James Rampley in Harford County, Maryland, gives real estate to “surviving children of my daughter, Nancy Beaty.” A superficial read of the will may lead one to conclude that Nancy is dead. She’s not. Her husband is not dead either. There’s a little more to it than that.

James Rampley also indicated in his will that his son James Rampley was to have the use and occupation of the said land during the natural life of Nancy Beaty for her maintenance and that of her children. “My son in law John Beaty to have no claim right or title to the said land or the profits thereof.”

After her death, title was to be passed to her children.

Never jump to conclusions and always read the entire document.

There’s probably something going on there not mentioned in the will.

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3 Responses

  1. A parent’s conflict with a son-in-law is really pretty common. I have seen wills where the father bequeathed to the daughter the IOU the son-in-law had outstanding (in debt to the father). I have also seen no few wills where a father bequeathed to a son the money due on such a note. Period.

    It can run in the other direction as well. I ran across one will where a woman bequeathed to her father-in law exactly two hives of bees and the bees therein. Enough said to her mind, apparently.

    • Not all that uncommon. This is similar to giving a grandchild money or real estate and appointing a non-parent as the guardian even if the parent is alive. Some researchers assume if a guardian is appointed that the child is dead, which isn’t necessarily the case.

      In this case, the testator did give other sons-in-law real property or gifts of money and made no such qualifications on the transfer. It’s difficult 200 years later without any other information what the “real issue” was to create the apparent rift as the will doesn’t mention this son-in-law owing any money to the father-in-law.

      Old wills can provide a significant number of relationship clues.

  2. Just finished re-doing my will. The bulk of my son’s share is now in a trust for my grandson. The small amount I am leaving to my son also is in a trust; if daughter-in-law wants “to be free and live her own life” she can – but not on my dime.

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