In the name of God Amen, I David Lewis of Murderkill Hundred Kent County in the State of Delaware farmer, being week in Body but of sound mind and memory Considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and certainty of death do make and Constitute, this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Viz: First I give and devise unto John Mott son of Seaman Mott all my right and Title of in and unto the Tract of Land whereon John Sipple now dwells in the hundred and County afsd. Which was the property of his mother and sold to me by the Sheriff of said County during the natural life of said Seaman Mott for the payment of his debts, to them the said John Mott his Heirs and assigns forever. Secondly I Give and bequeath unto Garrat Sipple son of my son in Law John Sipple my silver watch. Thirdly I Give and Bequeath to Nathaniel Smithers the Sum of Twenty dollars lawful money of the State afsd. Thirdly I Give and Bequeath to my Wife Sarah the one half of the residue of my Estate if should out live me. Fourthly I Give and Bequeath to my nephew Jacob Lewis son of my brother Daniel Lewis the Sum of One Hundred pounds lawful money of the state afsd. to be paid by my Executors hereinafter mentioned when he shall arrive to the age of Twenty one years without interest, But if the said Jacob Lewis should die before he arrives to the age of Twenty one years in such case, I give and Bequeath the said one Hundred pounds to be equally divided between the children of my son in law Thomas Sipple that may be then living, and Sarah the daughter of my son in law John Sipple each Child to have an equal share of the said One Hundred pounds. Fifthly I Give and Bequeath to the said John Sipple a piece of Homespun Cloath now in the House. I Give and Bequeath to my negro Man Sampson my wearing apparel, which said negro man Sampson I set free and at full Liberty when he arrives to the age of Twenty one years. Sixthly all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate I Give and Bequeath to Elizabeth Sipple, Nancy Sipple, Caleb Sipple, and Thomas Sipple children of my son in law Thomas Sipple to be Equally divided between them, my said son in law Thomas Sipple to have the use thereof clear of interest until his said children shall severally arrive to the age of Twenty one years. Seventhly and lastly I hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my said wife Sarah, and my said son in Law Thomas Sipple Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed my Seal the twenty seventh day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand seven Hundred and ninety five. David Lewis {seal}

Signed sealed published and Declared by the said David Lewis the Testator to be his last will and Testament in presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses to the same. N.B. the words (of the residue were interlined before execution hereof. David Beauchamp Patience Walton, Mary Smithers    

Kent County State of Delaware March 5th 1795. Then Came David Beauchamp, and Mary Smithers two of the subscribing witnesses of the within Testament of David Lewis late of Kent County deceased, and severally made oath on ye holy evangelists of Almighty God that they did see the Testator therein named, sign and seal this Will and that they heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and Testament. that at the time of his so doing he was; to the Best of their apprehensions, of sound mind and disposing memory and understanding, and that they respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to this Will in the presence and at the request of the Testator & in the presence of each other. John Laws Registr.

Be it Remembered that on the fifth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and ninety five the last Will and Testament of David Lewis Deceased, was in due form of Law ^proved approved, and Letters Testamentary at the same time was granted unto Thomas Sipple one of the Executors therein named (Sarah Lewis the other Executor therein named having renounced) and the said Thomas Sipple being Affirmed, give Bond with Andrew Barratt esq. and John Edwards surties in the sum of One thousand pounds lawful money, for his faithful discharge thereof as by the Bond filed may appear.

Delaware, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1676-1971, Kent County, Roll: Register of Wills, Book M-N, 1783-1800, Image 419, Book N, Page 113. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9044/images/0006488-00418?pId=563491

Transcribed 24 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky