In the name of God Amen, I Major A. McNatt of Mispillion Hundred, Kent County & State of Delaware being weak in boy but of sound and perfect memory, do ??? and publish this my last will and Testament revoking all former wills by me made.

First it is my will and desire that all my Just debts be paid. Secondly I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Mary McNatt one third of all my Estate real and personal during her natural life (with the exception of my Land in Marshy hope(?) known by the name of McKnatts delight) which I have willed to be sold) Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my eldest son Jacob Biddle McNatt the Farm together with the improvements whereon I now live to him and his heirs and assigns forever, subject to my wife’s Mary third’s therein and to the payment of his brothers and Sisters the following sums to Maria H. McNatt the sum of twenty five pounds in one year after my decease, to Samuel McNatt one hundred pounds when he shall arrive of the age of twenty one years of age, clear of [Interest] till that time and give him ^by month schooling clear of expense, unto Harriet R McNatt the sum of [Twenty] five pounds when she shall arrive at the age of twenty one years of age, clear of Interest [until] that time, unto Elijah Laws McNatt the sum of one hundred pounds when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years of age clear of Interest until that time, and give him ? schooling clear of expense. He is to keep the family together, and find his brothers th[eir] clothing and accommodation for their labour. Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my [daugh]ter Mary McNatt a negro Girl named (Lilphia) which I have gave her two years [past?] untill she shall arrive at the age of twenty eight years, at which time she is to be free [and?] at her perfect liberty and twenty five pounds as before mentioned. Fifthly I will and bequeath unto my son Samuel McNatt one hundred pounds to be paid him by my son Jacob [McNatt] as above mentioned, Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Harriot R M[cNatt] a negro Girl named Aminta, untill she shall arrive to the age of twenty eight years [of age] at which time she is to be free and at her perfect liberty and twenty five pounds [to be] paid her as before mentioned, Seventhly it is my will and desire that my E[xecutor?] hereinafter mentioned shall sell at public venue the Land I own in Mar[shy? ] by the name of McNatts delight adjoining lands of Stephen Lewis, Clement Rob[ert & ?]  others, as soon as practicable after my decease also to manumit my negro woman [A?] immediately after the death of my wife Mary McNatt and also to manumit and [set free?] my negroes Peter and Mary when they shall arrive at the age of twenty eight Years of [age] Eighthly It is my desire that the Ballance of the money arising from the sale of the [before?] described Land and moveable property not disposed of as Legacies, if any after payment [of my debt?] be equally divided between my wife an children agreeable to Law. Lastly I do hereby [nominate & ?] appoint my loving wife Mary McNatt and my son Jacob B. McNatt my ??? Executors of this my last will and Testament. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto [set my hand & seal] this 2nd day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred & fifteen. ???? Mc[Natt]

????? Published in the presence of us ?????

State of Delaware Kent County Sst Personally came William Wolcott and Absolem Townsend two of the subscribing witnesses to the within instrument of writing before me James Harper Register of Kent County &c and being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty did declare and say that they and each of them saw the Testator Major McNatt sign and seal and heard him publish pronounce and declare the said instrument of writing as and for his last will and Testa[ment] and that at the time of his so saying and doing, he was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding that they subscribed the same as witnesses at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen. James Harper Regr

Be it remembered that on the second day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifteen the last will and Testament of Major A McNatt dec’d was proved and approved and letters Testamentary thereon were in due form of Law granted unto Mary McNatt and Jacob McNatt who being sworn gave bond with William Wolcott and Absolem Townsend  as surety in the sum of three thousand dollars & Bond filed.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95D-G9GS-T?view=explore : Jul 17, 2025), image 370 of 578; .

Image Group Number: 007652922

Transcribed 17 Jul 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky