Absalom Gibbs.

I Absalom Gibbs of Murderkill Hundred Kent County and State of  Delaware being advanced in age but of a sound and discrimination mind do this sixth day of July eighteen hundred and forty make this my last  will and Testament as follows.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Abel Gibbs of the village of Camden all my Real & Personal Estate to him his heirs and assigns forever, except as herein after Excepted and upon conditions hereafter to be stated and no others, and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said son Abel Gibbs my sole Executor of this my last will and Testament.

Item. I Give and bequeath to my wife Rebecca Gibbs the sum of sixty Dollars, lawful money, a year, during her natural life to be paid to her yearly or quarterly from my devised at her option by my son Abel Gibbs, Executor aforesaid and I hereby bind all my Real Estate which I Give to my said Son Abel for the payment of the same.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Patience Trusty of the City of Philadelphia the sum of Fifty Dollars lawful money to be paid to her or  her heirs or Legal representatives by my Said Son Abel Gibbs Executor aforesaid.

Item. I Give and bequeath to the children of my deceased daughter Rebecca Willson of the City of Philadelphia Fifty Dollars, who may be living at the time of my decease share & share alike to be paid in like manner by my Executor aforesaid when they arrive at lawful age.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Son Jacob Gibbs the sum of fifteen Dollars yearly during his life to be paid by my Executor Abel Gibbs as follows: said Abel to purchase suitable clothing, to the amount of fifteen Dollars yearly for the sole use of Jacob, and I hereby bind all the Real Estate devised to Abel for the payment thereof, or if deemed best by both parties said sum may be applied in a different manner for the benefit of said Jacob.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Nathan Gibbs my lot of ground situate on the Road leading to Fishers Mill from the Road leading from Camden to Dover Containing between five and six acres which I bought of John Taylor to him his heirs and assigns forever also the sum of One hundred Dollars lawful money to be paid by my Executor Abel Gibbs in four Equal annual payments of Twenty five Dollars each from the date of my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandson Samuel Willson or Gibbs (as he is best know by) Son of my deceased daughter Rebecca Wilson in addition to the Legacy or his share thereof before stated, in consequence of his having been raised by me from Infancy and my attachment for him of now living with and taking care of and for me, my two year old Bay colt and and my yoke or pair of oxen to have possession of them immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Eliza Ann Gibbs daughter of my deceased son George, Ten Dollars to be paid by my Executor when she arrives at lawful age.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandchildren Rebecca, Tabitha & Mary Jane children of my deceased son Joshua the sum of Ten Dollars Each On arrival at lawful age to be paid by my Executor aforesaid.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandchildren Absalom, Richard, Priscilla Margaret & Rebecca children of my son Jacob the sum of ten Dollars Each to be paid in like manner at lawful age by my Said Executor.

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand the day and year first written. Absolom Gibbs his mark

Signed in presence of us Hunn Jenkins, Isaac Dolby

The State of Delaware Kent County Ss: Isaac Dolby one of the Subscribers, witnessers to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of Absolom Gibbs late of Murderkill Hundred deceased, comes before me H J Commeggs Register for the County afsd and herein affirmed saith that he saw the said absolom Gibbs the Testator sign the said instrument of writing by making his mark thereto and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same as and for his last will and testament; that at the time of his so doing he was of sound and disposing mind and memory and upwards of Twenty one Years of age, that this afformant attested and subscribed his name as a witness to the said instrument of writing at the instance and in the presence of the said Absalom Gibbs the Testator, and in the presence of the other witness. That the said Hun Jenkins the other subscribing witness to the foregoing instrument of writing removed about four months ago from this state to the City of Philadelphia where he has resided ever since that the name Hun Jenkins subscribed to the said instrument of writing is the proper handwriting of the said Hunn Jenkins. Isaac Dolby

Subscribed & affirmed The 18th day of January 1842. W.H. J. Comegges Recr

Be it remembered that on the eighteenth day of January A D eighteen Hundred and forty Two the aforesaid last will and testament of the aforesaid Absalom Gibbs of which the foregoing is a true copy being proved as aforesaid by the subscribing witness of whose affidavit the foregoing is a true copy the same was allowed by the Register and letters testamentory therein were Granted to Abel Gibbs the Executor therein named who was sworn and gave bond with Cesar Brinckloe and John Rochister as his surety in the penal sum of Five hundred Dollars warranty of appraisement issued to Joseph Kimmey & Isaac Dolby. W.H. J. Comegges Recr.

Delaware, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1671-1971, Kent County, Roll: Register of Wills Q-R, 1822-1849, Image 398, Book R, Page 216

Transcribed by Nancy Maliwesky