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The Prerogative Court was the focal point for probate in colonial Maryland. All matters of probate went directly to the Prerogative Court, which was located in Annapolis, Maryland's colonial capital. The Prerogative Court was also the colony's court for equity cases--resolution of disputes over the settlement and distribution of an estate.

Following is a representative abstract from Volume XIV:

29 January 1717. Mr. George Forbes who married Mary Cheseldyne one of sisters of Mr. Kenelm Cheseldyne (dec’d) vs. estate of said Cheseldyne. Caveat against proving will and granting Letters of Administration to pretended widow.

Volume XIV contains abstracts of the records for the years 1716 to 1719, as found in the bulk of Liber 23. The abstracts are arranged chronologically by court session. For the most part, the transcriptions state the names of the principals (testators, heirs, witnesses, administrators, and so forth) as well as details of bequests, names of slaves, appraisers, and more. This volume refers to more than 9,000 residents.

See also the other volumes in this series:
Volume I: 1658-1674
Volume II: 1670-1674
Volume III: 1675-1677 and 1703-1704
Volume IV: 1677-1682 and 1702-1704
Volume V: 1682-1686
Volume VI: 1686-1689 and 1692-1693
Volume VII: 1693-1697
Volume VIII: 1697-1700
Volume IX: 1700-1703
Volume X: 1704-1707
Volume XI: 1703-1704 and 1708-1709
Volume XII: 1709-1712
Volume XIII 1712-1716
Volume XV: 1719-1721
Volume XVI: 1721-1724
Volume XVII: 1724-1727
Volume XVIII: 1727-1730
Volume XIX: 1730-1734
Volume XX: 1734-1736
Volume XXI: 1736-1739
Volume XXII: 1739-1741
Volume XXIII: 1741-1744
Volume XXIV: 1744-46