Captain Berry's Will
Debauchery, Miscegenation, & Family Strife
Among 18th Century Gentry

mind when the will exhibited was made? Answers, as nearly as ever two mens were in the world. Of the two Wm Berry certainly was the worst: he confined himself entirely to his bed, whereas Deponent rode about. Was it customary with Mr. Berry to abstain from eating in a great measure while in a course of drinking? Answers: no persuasion could induce him to eat hardly a mouthful for days together. When Captn Berry was so exhausted by long fasting & drinking and the effects of the liquor happened to be a little worn off by a nap of sleep or other ways, what quantity of liquor would it take, in the weak state he was in at the time the will exhibited was made, to bring him to his common pitch of intoxication? Answers, he cannot tell, supposes a small quantity sufficient.

Sworn to in open court
Test. Saml. Tyler, Reg. Wills P.G. County

Source: Prince George’s County Register of Wills (Orphans’ Court Proceedings) 1777-1790, f. 109, MSA C 1275-1