In the name of God, Amen I George Blackiston of the new acquired part of Kent County and Delaware State being in a low estate of body though of a perfect sound disposing mind and memory thanks be to God for the same and knowing the frailty and uncertainty of human life Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, in the manner and form as follows to wit, First and principally I recomend my Soul to God my Creator from whom I received my being, and my Body to be buried in such Christian like manner as my Executor thereafter to be mentioned shall think proper, and as to my worldly Wealth which it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in the Following, First my desire is that all my Just debts and funeral charges be paid and fully Satisfied. Secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Martha Blackiston a Riding Chair, with a Bay Mare called Poll, over and above her Thirds of my Estate both Real and Personal, Thirdly I give and bequeath to my Son Ebenezer Blackiston to him his Heirs and assigns for ever all the Land now Laying in Duck Creek Hundred including with the land which I now Dwelll on all that Part and Tract or Tracts of Land which I purchased of a certain Henry Register of Queen Anns County & State of Maryland, and also that part or parcel of Land called Conjuist which I got in Swap with a certain Benjamin Hazell of this County and State afsd all which Land is to come to his Possession clear from any Incumbrance, and the residue remaining unsettled or unpaid for is to come out of my Estate, and said lands to be Justly and lawfully to be made over to him the said Ebenezer Blackiston at the payment & Settlement of the same, Forthly I give and bequeath to my Daughter Frances Blackiston  to her Heirs and Assigns for ever, one Negro Girl called Grace over and above her part of my Personal Estate. Fifthly I give and bequeath to my Daughter  Sarah Blackston to her her Heirs and Assigns for ever one Negro Girl named Hannah over and above her part of my Personal Estate. Sixthly I give and  bequeath to my Daughter Prissilah Blackston to her her Heirs and Assigns for ever, one Negro Girl named Phillis over and above her part of my Estate as bequeathed to my Daughters above mentioned. Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my Son John Blackiston to him his Heirs or assigns for ever, all the Land which I now Possess in Murtherkill Hundred & County and State afsd with and Negro boy named Mike also the sum of One hundred Pounds, I give  to him and for his Use to be applied in Schooling, at the Direction of my widow and Executor all which Legacies I bequeath to him the said John Blackston over and above his part of my Personal Estate, but in case my son John should die before he comes into the Possession of it or without any Legal  Assignment then my Will is that the whole Devised to my three Daughters Frances, Sarah, & Prissillah Blackiston to them their Heirs and assigns for ever, with the equal Division to each of them. Eighthly and Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Martha Blackston my whole and Sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred Seventy eight 1778. George Blackiston {seal}

Signed Sealed & Delivered in the presence of us who were requested to sign the same. Sam West James Chiffins, Abm Parsons

Kent County in the State of Delaware Sst. Personally appeared before me Thomas Rodney Esquire Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration in and for the County of Kent afsd. Samuel West Esqr James Chiffons and Abraham Parsons Gentl. the Subscribing witnesses to the within Will of George Blackiston Late of Kent County afsd Gentleman deceased and being separately Sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God do say that they saw the said George Blackiston the within Testator, Sign and Seal and heard him Publish Pronounce and declare the within Instrument of writing as and for his last Will and Testament, that at the time of his so doing and saying, he was (to the best of their Belief,) of Sound and disposing mind and memory that they at his Instance and request and in his presence Signed, and saw each other Sign their names as witnesses to the same Will. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand at Dover this first day of October Anno, Domini Seventeen Hundred and Seventy eight 1778.

Be it Remembered that on the first day of October Annoque Domini 1778 the last Will and Testament of George Blackiston late of this County deceased in due form of Law, was proved and Probate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted unto Martha Blackiston, Widow of the said deceased, Executrix in the said Will named, being Sworn well and truly to Administer said Estate, and to Exhibit a true Inventory thereof into the Registers Office in Dover on or before the first day of April next, and a Just and true Acct of the Administration thereof on or before the first day of October Annoque Domini 1779, or when thereto legally required. Given under the Registers Hand and Seal of his Office the first day of October Anno Domini 1778.

Delaware, U.S., Wills and Probate Recors, 1676-1971, Kent County, Register of Wills, Book K-L, 1749-1783, Image 591, Book L, Page 205. ancestry.com

Transcribed 9 May 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky