Rachel Pottenger

     Rachel was born on Sunday, 20 June 1700 in Upper Marborough, Prince George's County, Maryland, at their plantation and family home called "Major's Lot". Rachel married Richard Purnell circa 1719 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Richard and Rachel had children: Ann [7/28/1720], John [10/27 1722-7/16/1754][m. 1740 Sarah Lane], Richard [3/08/1725- 6/29/1756][m. ,4/16/1751 Mary Pickring], Mary [2/09/1726][m. 10/03/1745 John Miles], Samuel [1727-3/02/1763][m. Anne Child], William 10/06/1729-before 1757], Rachel [1734][m. John Ray], Sarah [1740], Benjamin [2/20/1743-4/21/1777] & Verlinda [1/07/1748]. Rachel's husband, Richard, died before 30 January 1754 in Anne Arundel County, leaving her a widow. Rachel made her will on 2 July 1757.

Mrs. Rachel Purnell's Last Will - Imprimis – I commit my Soul into ye hand of God & my Body to ye earth to be buried among my Relations at ye Discretion of my Executor hereafter named.
I give my side saddle & horse furniture to my Daughter Sarah.,
Item I give my Waring Apparall & Linnen to my three Daughters Viz Rachel Ray Sarah Purnell & Belinda Purnell to be equally divided among them
All ye remainder of my Personal Goods [off page] dispose of according to my Husband’s beaueaths.
I give to be equally divided among my three youngest Children viz Sarah Purnell
Benjamin Purnell & Belinda Purnell
Lastly I vbequeath ye Guardianship of my youngest Son Benjamin Purnell to my faithful Friend Mr. Hopewell Keene till he comes to ye age of One & twenty years: & constitute & appoint my eldest Son Samuel Purnell to see my Debts payd & to be Sole Executor of this my last will & Testament as Witness
Signed Sealed & Delivered in ye Rachel X Purnel
Presence of us ye Witness at ye
Desire of the Testatrix May ye 4 1757.

Rachel departed this life in Anne Arundel County. Her will was probated on 18 October 1757.