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- Peter's will is recorded in the Woodstock, Shenandoah County, Virgina courthouse dated 23 May 1796.
"In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Arterburn of Shenandoah County and state of Virginia being but weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, do make, constitute, and ordain this my last will and testament and first of all, I commit my spirit to God who gave it and my body to the earth and as to my wordly effects after my funeral expenses and other debts be truly and honestly paid, the residue thereof, I hereby bequeath in the following manner. Item. I give and bequeath to my loving wife, Sarah Arterburn, all my estate and effects whatever to her only use during her widowhood only, and in case she should marry, my will and desire is the aforementioned estate shall be equally divided between each of my sons and daughters to them and their heirs and assigns forever. I do appoint my bleoved wife Sarah executrix of the same and I do hereby disallow, revoke, and disowned all other former wills and testaments and appoint, pronounce, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Six. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Bradford Taylor."
Signature marks by John and Nancy Hawley and Peter Arterburn.
Peter died on or shortly before 11 July 1803 in Shenandoah County, Virigina. The Shenandoah County Court proved Peter's will on 11 July 1803 by the oaths of John and Nancy Hawley, witnesses to his will and ordered that the will be recorded.
- JANE WEATHERBORNE: The following record of Prince George's County Court identifies JANE WEATHERBORNE as the MOTHER of PETER WEATHERBORNE / ATTERBUR. According to the second entry, Peter's birthdate (adjusted for the 1752 calendar change) was NOVEMBER 9, 1711.
Here is Jim Sellars' transcription of that record. There were two similar entries:
"Mar. 1712. The Queen v. Jane Weatherborne. Jane Weatherborne being taken by the Sheriff of Prince George?s County with a capias adresponding on a certaine presentment against her selfe of the premises confesseth the fact of having a bastard child but refusing to tell the father. Ordered that the Sheriff take her to the whipping post and give her fifteen lashes on the bare back; whereupon Thomas Plunkett enters himselfe security for the said Jeane Weatherborne?s fees.
"Mar. 1712. The Queen v. Jane Weatherborne. Jane Weatherborne neing taken by the Sheriff of Prince George?s County a capias adresponding on certaine presentment against her lately found for bastarding appears and confesseth the fact; but refusing to tell the father; its ordered that the Sheriff force her to the whipping post and give her five lashes on the bare back; whereupon Thomas Plunkett comes into Court and undertakes for payment of the said Jeane Weatherborne?s fees; in consideration whereof his ordered the said Jane Weatherborne serve the said Plunkett for twelve months for payment of her fees and trouble in his house. His further ordered by the Court this twenty fifth day of March 1712 that Peter Weatherborne sonn of Jane Weatherborne serve Thomas Plunkett till he attaine the age of twenty one years being four months old the nineth day of this month."
Source: Prince Georges County Court (Court Record), 1696-1780, CM780-2, Book G, 1710-1715, p. 174-175.
Based on the above Peter was born November 9, 1711.
- November Court 1732
PETER ATTERBUR preferr?s to the Court here the following petition Viz: To the Worshipful the Justices of Prince George?s County the petition of PETER ATTERBUR most humbly sheweth that your poor petitioner was left an orphant by father and mother before he was two years old. Afterwards one THOMAS PLUNKER who was my Godfather took me into his care who dyed also many years since one HENRY BARNES who administered upon Plunkett?s estate took me as part thereof with whom your petitioner continued for some years who disposed of me to one JAMES SIMS his son-in-law who for avaluable consideration by my consent about two years since disposed of me to Mr. JOSEPH CHEW and now may it pleas your worships being arrived to the full age of one and twenty years I claim my freedom dues if it be my right which I have unto your Worship?s judgement I have served the above Mr. JOSEPH CHEW a year and tenn months faithfully and truly and he never gave your petitioner but one cotton jacket and breeches and shoes which may be judged by your Worships inconsiderable for the services done him your petitioner humbly prays your consideration therein and your petitioner as in duty bound shall forever prays upon wading which petition and consideration thereof had it is ordered by the Court here that the same be referred to the Justices of the next County Court to be held at upper Marlborough.
(Source: Prince George's County Court Proceedings, 1696-1750, Book S, p. 125, November 1732).
- March Court 1733
JOSEPH CHEW Gentl against whom a certain PETER ATTERBUR last November Court preferred a petition Viz: page (125) now produces to the Court here the following certificate: This is to certifie upon whom it may concern that I have received from Mr. JOSEPH CHEW full satisfaction for my freedom dues. Witness my hand this fifteenth day of Decembr Anno Dom 1732. Teste, Henry Massey?PETER (his P mark) WEATHERBORNE.
(Source: Prince George's County Court Proceedings, 1696-1750, Book S, p. 250, March 1733).
- From Jim Sellars' research:
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"21 Feb. 1740. ?An Inventory of the goods and chattels of Mr. Henry Barnes late of Charles County dec?d appraised in current money of this province by us the sureties? To A MAN SERVANT NAMED PETER ATTERBURN 2 yrs to serve a[t]. . . 8.0.0.? (Source: Charles County, Maryland, Inventories and Accounts, p. 131.)"
(CAPS added)
- The first and only appearance in public records of the name, "Peter Atturburn alias Williams," was apparently an arrest at the direction of Charles County Court, in 1736, probably for indebtedness to John Parnham, who is identified in "Early Colonial Settlers" as a merchant. No further record of court proceeding can be found, so an out of court settlement may have been arranged.
Peter attested in court (1748) that about 11 years prior he was shown the "Nonesuch" property boundaries of/by John Gardiner, which appears to place Peter at Gardiner's about 1736/7.
In 1743, Peter was sued in Charles County Court for indebtedness by Richard Gambra, with no mention of servitude. The court awarded Gambra his due in pounds of tobacco.
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