I Maria America widow of James America, deceased, of Dover, Delaware being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this as and for my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void any and all wills at anytime heretofore made by me,

IMPRIMIS: I order and direct my Executor hereinafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses which shall enclude tombstones as soon as conveniently may be after my deceased.

ITEM-FIRST; All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real personal and mixed, whatsoever and wheresoever I give, devise and bequeath unto Pauline Marshall, formerly Pauline America, her heirs and assigns, forever, absolutely, provided however, if she shall not be living at the time of my death, then I give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my property as aforesaid unto the daughter of the said Pauline Marshall, named Virgie Marshall, in fee simple forever.

LASTLY I hereby nominate and appoint Thomas C. Frame, Jr, Esq.,  the Executor of this my last will.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this my last Will and Testament this sixth day of October A.D. 1917. Maria America {seal}

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above namedMaria America as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Testatrix and of each other.

Della B Freeman R. E. Raughley

The State of Delaware, KENT COUNTY SS.

R. E. Raughley, one of the witnesses to the within and foregoing instrument of writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Maria America deceased, late of East Dover Hundred, comes before WILLIAM H. WILLIS, Register for the Probate of Wills and Granting Letters of Administration, &c for Kent County in the State of Delaware and on solemn oath says that he saw the said Testatrix sign and seal the said Instrument and heard her publish, pronounce and declare the same as and for her Last Will and Testament; that at the time of her so doing and saying she was of sound disposing mind, memory and understanding, and upwards of twenty-one years of age; that he the said R. E. Roughly subscribed the same as a witness at the instance and in the presence of the Testatrix and in the presence of Della B. Freeman the other subscribing witness who subscribed the same in the presence of the Testatrix and this deponent. R. E. Roughly Sworn and subscribed this 25th day of January A.D. 1824…before William H. Willis Register

The State of Delaware, KENT COUNTY, SS.

Della B. Freeman, one of the witnesses to the within and foregoing instrument of writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Maria America deceased, lat of East Dover Hundred, comes before WILLIAM H. WILLIS, Register for the Probate of Wills and Granting Letters of Administration, &c, for Kent County in the State of Delaware, and on solemn oath says that she saw the said Testatrix sign and seal the said Instrument and heard her publish, pronounce and declare the same as and for her Last Will and Testament; that at the time of her so doing and saying she was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and upwards of twenty-one years of age; that she the said Della B. Freeman subscribed the same as a witness at the instance and in the presence of the Testatrix and in the presence of R. E. Roughly the other subscribing witness who subscribed the same in the presence of the Testatrix and this deponent. Della B. Freeman sworn unto and subscribed this 25th day of January A.D. 1924 before William H. Willis Register

Maria America

Be it remembered that on this 25th day of January A.D. 1924 the last will and testament of Maria America deceased, late of Kent County and State of Delaware was proved approved and allowed the above and foregoing is a true and a correct copy as the same remains on file in this office, that letters Testamentary were granted unto Thomas C. Frame Jr., the Executor named in said will, who being by me first duly sworn according to law gave bond with Fidelity and Deposit Co of Md, as surety in the penal sum of Six hundred dollars, ^ Vy Thomas C Frame Jr – Attorney in Fact warrant of appraisement issued to Herman C. Taylor and Stephen Slaughter See Bond Book No 33 Page 34 William H Willis, Register of Wills

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS55-2QVJ-7?view=fullText : Feb 17, 2025), image 432 of 859; Delaware Public Archives (Dover). 104399886

Transcribed 17 Feb 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky