In 1772, Benjamin Hodges executed his last will and testament, bequeathing the majority of his considerable real and personal property, including several slaves, to his wife Deborah. He stipulated that one slave named Basil should be sold by his executors, with the proceeds divided among his children. Although Benjamin Hodges appointed his wife and his brother, Charles Ramsey Hodges, executors of his estate, his brother "refused to act as executor." Soon after the completion of Benjamin's estate inventory, his widow Deborah married Johnson Michael O'Reily. Elizabeth Hodges now states that Deborah and Johnson O'Reily assessed the value of the property "in the depreciated paper mony of the Times." She also charges that the O'Reilys have kept all the slaves, including Basil and those born since the will was written, for their sole benefit. Elizabeth Hodges asks that Johnson and Deborah O'Reily be subpoenaed for questioning and be compelled to pay the petitioner her portion of the estate.
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Repository: Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland