Legal Documents, 1823-1825 and undated

This series consists of documents detailing early 19th century “estate planning” with the equitable division and distribution of Martin and Mary Magdalene Tschudy’s property to their three children and the semi-annual payments to be made by the children to their parents for their “maintenance and support during their or each of their natural lives.”

In the “Bond for Settlement, etc.” dated December 3, 1823, three men were selected to act for each child in the property distribution: William Kenworthy, Cornelius Howard and Caleb Merryman. On July 5, 1824, both Cornelius Howard and Caleb Merryman resigned. On August 12, 1824, the family appointed Christian Kellar and John Wilkins in their place. On August 21, 1824, John Wilkins resigned. Thereafter the family agreed to the appointment of five men, adding Thomas Finlay and Elijah Taylor and those four to choose the fifth member. On September 21, 1824, they chose and the family consented to David Williamson as the fifth advisor.

The January 1, 1825 “Agreement” between Elijah Taylor, attorney for Martin and Mary Magdalene Tschudy, and Charles and Sarah Tschudy Peregoy gave the Peregoys the “home place” where the Tschudys lived and the nearby mill for an annual amount to be used for the “benefit” of Sarah’s parents. The Peregoys were also to “find and provide good and comfortable boarding and accommodations” for the Tschudys, “suitable for them in their advanced age” and for the three people they enslaved.

The “Valuation of the Estate of Martin Tschudy” is undated but no doubt contemporary with the above documents and lists lots and acres at Fells Point, Pimblico (sic) and Gwynns Falls, commercial property in Baltimore at Market Street, and vacant lots on Tripoletts Alley.

Sometime during 1824-1825, Martin and Mary Magdalene Tschudy were asked and answered questions regarding their estate planning, some of which were transcribed. On that same document Charles Peregoy is recorded as suggesting Caleb Merryman might “offer some disinterested testimony.” Merryman’s questions and answers were transcribed and indicate some dissatisfaction within the family for how the son Samuel was managing the business since their older son Winebert moved to the Eastern Shore. Merryman stated that “one or two years ago the old lady complained she could not get money to get tea and sugar.”