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

When Dept. looked, about the break of day, the fit of puking had returned upon Capt Berry. He desired that they get up to his assistance, for that he could scarce get his breath. Upon which they both went into the room where he lodged and found his account very true. He desired that this Dept.might go immediately for Docr. Steuart and to dispatch a messenger for Henry Bailley to write his will. Dept. set off for Docr. Steuart early, about fully day, and little Billy Berry Warman was sent for Henry Bailley. The Dept. got to Docr. Steuart's about sunrise and desired him to come immediately to Capt. Berry and returned back to Capt. Berry's, the Dept. thinks about eight o'clock in the morning.

When the Dept. went in at the hall door, [he] discovered that Capt. Berry was yet in bed and Mr. Boyd had come in place of Henry Bailley to write his will. Mr. Boyd was sitting by his bedside conversing with Capt. Berry. Dept. first asked Mr. Boyd how he did - he made this Dept. no answer - then informed Wm Berry what Docr. Steuart desired this Dept. to tell him, that he would wait upon him immediately after visiting some patients of his in town. First upon William Berry's hearing this he replied for answer and said he believed there was no occasion then, he was getting much better, for he was going to get up directly. Soon after, he did get up. Dept. thinks, to the best of his knowledge, he shaved himself immediately after he got up, and then drank some laced coffee, and put on a clean shirt, clean stockings, and walked over the floor several times.

Dept. thinks Mr. Boyd proposed to Capt. Berry to have pen, ink, & paper brought before he got up, that if he did not do the business soon it would not be so convenient after. Upon which they were brought, and Mr. Boyd began writing the will. He wrote, the Dept. thinks, about a line and stopped for some small space and said he wanted a little more powder. He had some spirituous drink given him. He then took up his pen again and shut his eyes and shook his head. On which Capt. Berry turned his head towards the Dept., who sat on the contrary side of the bed, and smiled at the Dept. and said he was afraid Mr. Boyd would not do, and winked at the Dept. and nodded his head at the same time at Mr. Boyd. Mr. Boyd went on with his writing for some little time, until, Dept. thinks, word came into the room where they were sitting that Docr. Steuart was coming. Capt. Berry told Mr. Boyd that he had better walk into the back room, where he would be more silent to himself that he could do the business without any interruption. Docr. Steuart came in and had some conversation with Capt. Berry whilst Mr. Boyd was in the back room writing. Captain Berry, soon after this, got up and dressed himself as before related. Mr. Boyd walked out of the back room and spoke privately to Capt. Berry and sat down in the hall amongst the rest of the company. Soon after, Mr. Jno F.A. Priggs came. We all sat a while together, and

Source: Prince George’s County Register of Wills (Orphans’ Court Proceedings) 1777-1790, f. 113, MSA C 1275-1