In the name of God Amen that I John Cook of Duck Creek Hundred in the County of Kent upon Delaware being in health and of perfect mind and memory, thanks begiven to almighty God for it, and calling to mind the mortality of the Body and knowing that it is appointed and for all men to Die, do make and [ord]ain this  my Last Will and Testiment in the following manner that is to Say first of all I recommend my Soul in the Hands of Almighty God who gave it me, and my Body to be buried in a Decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion my Executor – and as touching my worldly eastate, where with it has pleased God to bless me, I dispose of in the following manner and form – Imprimes my desire is that all my Son Michael Cooks just debts Shall be paid by my Executor hereafter mentioned and that my Lot and houses in Duck Creek cross roads shall be Sold for that purpose_ Item I give and devise unto my Daughter Margaret Peterson one Negro Garle Called Pool between Nine and ten years old and also one Lot of Ground lying and being on the East Side of the State Road, and adjoining Lands late of Thos. Collins Esqr. & Israel Peterson & on Pairmains Branch and also one other Lot or piece of Ground situate lying and being on the west side of the said state Road, on which Israel Peterson has erected a new tan house and sunk a tanyard luted and Bounded as the fence now Stands, which incloses it all, which two Lots of Ground I give to my sd Daughter margaret, to her and her heirs & Assigns for ever. Item I give and Devise unto my Daughter Elizabeth Cloak one negro Girl Called violet, and also Two Hundred Pounds Current Lawful Money of this State, to be paid by my Said Executor, one half at the Expiration of one year after my decease and the other half at or upon that Day twelve Months Item I give and Divise unto my Daughter Sarah Clark one Negro Girl Called Nancy and also Two hundred Pounds, current Lawful money of this State to be paid by my Executor one half at the expiration of one year at my Decease and the other half that Day twelve Months. Item I give and Bequeath unto my Loveing wife Elizabeth during her widdowhood one horse worth Twenty Pounds and my new Shase and also one third part of my household furniture such as she Shall chuse, and also one negro Woman Called Philes one Do. Called Pegg one girle Called Poll which I purchased at George Willsons Vandue, and I give and bequeath to my Said wife during her widowhood a aforesaid, all that part of my dwelling house being on the North East Side of the entre above and below stairs with the privilidge of the sd entre and Kitchen together with one third part of the rents and profits ariseing from my Plantation that I live on Item I give and divide unto my Grand Son John Cook one Negro Boy Called Charles and if he should Die before he should arive at the age of  Seven years I give him a boy Called Peter in Place of sd Charles and my will and desire is sd Grandson Shall raised and Educated until he arrives at the age of Fourteen years, at the Expense of my Executor and then put to Some Good mechanical business and that the Said Negro boy be put to the Same Trade, as that of his master at the age of Fourteen Item I give and Devise unto my Son Robert Cook one negro boy named Jim_ and also I give and devise unto my said Son Robert all that part of the Real & Personal Estate that I have devised unto my Loving Wife after her Death or Day of marryage I also give & Devise unto my said Son Robert all the Residue of my Real & personal Estate whatsoever & weresoever it may be found _ Item and further I do by this will Constitute and appoint my said Son Robert Cook my whole & Sole Executor of this my last will and testament Revoking and annulling all former Wills by me heretofore made Ratyfying & confirming this and none other to be my Last will and Testament In testamoni Where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed my Seale this twentyseventh day of october In the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine… 1789. John Cook {seal}

Signed Sealed Published and Pronounced in the Preasence of us: George Cummins. William Denny. John offley

Delaware State ss Personally appeared before me Francis Many Esqr Register for the probate of wills and granting Letters of administration George Cummins William Denny and John offley who being sworn on the holy Evangelists of almighty God do Say that they saw John Cook the within named testator Sign Seal & herd him publish pronounce and declare the Same as and for his Last will & Testament that at the time of his So doing and Saying he was to the best of their belief of Sound disposing mind memory and understanding that at His Instant and request and in his presence they Signed and Saw each other Sign their names as witnesses there to In Testamony where of I have here unto Set my hand at Dover the 4th Day of January anno Domini Seventeen hundred & Ninety Francis Many Regr.

Be it Remembered that on the 4th Day of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety the last will and Testament of John Cook Esqr. Deceased was proved and approved in due form and Letters testamentary granted to Robert Cook who being Sworn gave bond in the Sum of Two Thousand pounds with George Cummins, William Denny, Isarael Peterson & John offley for his faithful performance thereof Agreeable to Law. Francis Many Regr.

Delaware, U.S., Wills and Probate Recocrds, 1676-1971, Kent County, Register of Wills, Book M-N, 1783-1800, Image 235, Book M, Page 214. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/668274:9044?tid=194514904&pid=302601181037&queryid=69cda205-b050-499a-a6f4-9688567d2ec3&_phsrc=sLP33503&_phstart=successSource

Transcribed 23 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky