The Last Will and Testament of James America residing at Dover, Delaware, but employed at New York City, New York

I, James America, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish the Following as and for my Last Will and Testament, to wit:

First: I do will and direct that my body shall be laid at rest at Dover, Delaware, my native place, in a decent and respectable manner.

Second: I do order and direct that all my just debts and Funeral expenses, including the expenses of my last illness, shall be paid out of my estate by my executor hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease

Third: I give, devise and bequeath all the remainder of my estate, of which I may die seized or possessed, real, personal and mixed, wheresoever the same may be, unto my Executor hereinafter named in Trust to pay the residue thereof unto my beloved wife, Maria America, during her natural life, and at her death to pay my nieces, Lizzie View, daughter o my sister Elizabeth Williams, Cervilia America, daughter of my brother, Moses America, and Lizzie America, daughter of my brother, William America, each the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100 00/100). and to pay the remainder of my estate to my brothers and sisters, or to the legal Descendants of them who shall be deceased, equally.

Fourth: – Should I own the Four lots at East Hammonton, New Jesey, which I now own, at the time of my death, I do herby authorize and empower my Executor hereinafter named, should my wife deem it, to dispose of the said lots, either at private or public sale, and on such terms as shall serve to their most advantageous and to execute, acknowledge, and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof a deed or deeds for the same as fully and amply as I could do were I living, and to pay over the proceeds of the same to my said wife For her own separate use,

Fifth: – I make, constitute and appoint my wife, Maria America, and my Brother, William America, to be the Executors of this my Will At present I have an Account in the Bleeker Street Savings Bank, my house and lot at Dover Delaware and the four lots at East Hammonton, New Jersey

And hereby expressly revoking and and all former Wills by me at any time made I do declare this and this only to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and ninety six. (A.D. 1896). James America {seal}

Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said James America as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of who, at his request in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.  George M Jones J. H. Bateman W. N. Boggs

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS55-2QVZ-Z?view=fullText : Feb 13, 2025), image 423 of 859; Delaware Public Archives (Dover). 104399886

Transcribed 13 Feb 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky