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

came into his room in that morning until the time the Dept. went for the doctor drink, to the Deponent's knowledge, any spirituous liquor? Ansr: not a drop as he remembers. Did Wm. Berry from the time the Deponent & Jere. Berry went to bed that night until they returned to Mr. Berry that morning, drink any spirituous liquor to the Dept. knowledge? Ansr: not any that he knows of. When the Dept. returned to Wm. Berry after he had been for Dr. Steuart, as before related, did Wm. Berry appear to him to be drunk or sober? Answer: “he did not appear to be drunk, tho' fatigued with drinking which he had drank before.” . . .

Did the Dept. subscribe his name as a witness to the will exhibited in the presence of Wm. Berry, Archibald Boyd, John Steward, & John Fredk. Augustus Priggs? Ansr: yes, he did. How much spirit he supposes Wm. Berry drank in the coffee before spoken of? Ansr: he had it mixed as he thinks he, the Dept., would have mixed grogg himself. He did not use more than a table spoon full with the coffee before mentioned. Do you [think] that Wm. Berry drank any spirit except the spirit mixed in the coffee . . . between the time the Dept. came to Wm. Berry from Dr. Steward and the time the will was executed . . .? Ansr: yes, he drank of the toddy once or twice that was passing in the company of Dr. Steward & others, and he drank sparingly, and he does not know of his drinking any other spirituous liquor at that time. Was Wm. Berry, within the times aforesaid, drunk or sober? Ansr: he appeared to him to be sober. During the course of that day in which

Source: Prince George’s County Register of Wills (Orphans’ Court Proceedings) 1777-1790, f. 115, MSA C 1275-1