I Robert Clark of the town of Dover, Attorney at Law do make this Instrument of writing, for my last will and Testament hereby voiding all other wills by me made – 

1. I constitute my friend Andrew Biratt Esquire my executors whom I request to execute this will, and to perform the trusts herein Mentioned. 
2. As to the mode of my burial I shall say nothing, neither do I think it necessary to recommend my Soul to the hands of him who gave it, for I never doubted but he would receive it in due season. 
3. I request my Executor to purchase an elegant golden watch chain, with the necessary appurtenances, and also an elegant golden ring, all of her choice, should she favor me with making it and present them together with my golden watch, to Miss Hannah Britton, my most pleasing female Acquaintance, Daughter of My Much respected friend Thomas Britton Esquire of the City of Philadelphia I also give to the said Miss Britton the Volumes of Carey’s edition of Gutherey’s Geography improved, with the maps and the Gazetteer of the United States. And I also give to the said Miss Britton the works of Shakespear in eight and the Works of Pope in ten volumes, with the American edition of Hume’s History of England, a Subscription for Which was lately made in my name by Dr. Sykes, the money to discharge which I direct to be paid by my Executor. 
4. I Give to my agreeable acquaintance Mrs. Catharine Baston, my India Counterpi[??]
5. I Give to my agreeable acquaintance Mrs. Maria Vining my Mahogany dining table. 
6. I desire that all accounts of whatever kind, nature, or quality between me and my friends John W Batson and John Vining Esquire may cease and that neither of them may be considered as indebted to me. 
7. I Give to Miss Araminta Meeks, my agreeable female acquaintance, my breast pin, and female riding sadle.
8. I give to my friend John Fisher, Esquire, Attorney at Law, of the town of Dover all my Law library together with my pamphlets.
9. I give all my pamphlets, other thare as above mentioned, to my friend Major Elijah Barratt.
10. I give the use of my mare, Called Kitty Fisher, to my friend John W Batson Esquire, till my brother John Clark arrives at the age of twentyone years, but on this express condition, that he keep her in good order and treat her well, which is to be judged of by my Executor, who on finding her illy treated, or in bad order, is impowered to take her out of his possession immediately and my desire is that this bequest be from that moment annulled, then the said mare I give to my said brother John Clark.
11. I give my sulky to my friend William K. Boyer.
12. I give to my brother John Clark my two negro boys named Cesar & David, untill they arrive respectively to the age of twenty five years, at which period, I Manumit and set them free.
13. I Manumit and set free my two negroemen named David & Moses.
14. I give to my brother John Clark, my indentured servant boy named Ellet, till his time of Service expires, he Conforming to the Covenants on my part entered into in the Indenture of the said boy, and to be answerable for any breach or infring
15. I give and devise to my said brother John Clark my tract of Wood land, which I purchased of John Vining Esquire to him his heirs and assigns forever: And also a tract or parcel of land, situate in Mispilion hundred containing eighty acres or thereabouts, I purchased of Ezekiel Anderson Esqr. late High Sheriff of Kent County in order to complete the title to which I presented a petition to the Court of Common Pleas of Kent County praying them to make an order on the present Sheriff to convey the said land to me, by deed of Bargain & Sale, which said Petition being granted, is now in the hands of the recorder of Kent County, but no deed of conveyance hath yet been made which said tract of land, I give and devise to my said brother John Clark, his heirs and assigns forever
16. After the payment of all my debts, and leagacies, as aforesaid, by my Executor, I give bequeath and devise to my said brother John Clark, all the rest and residue of my estate real and personal, to him the said John Clark his heirs & assigns forever
17. I give to my friend Samuel White Esquire, Attorney at Law my pistols with their appurtenances. 
18. I give to my brother John Clark my silver mounted fowling piece with its appurenances. 

In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my seal the fifth day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six. Robt. Clark {seal}

Signed, Sealed published, pronounced and declared by the testator as his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us who in his Request subscribed our Names witnesses thereto: Edwd. Miller Matthew Lowber Thomas Huston  

State of Delaware Kent County} Personally appeared Edward Miller & Thomas Huston two of the subscribing Witnesses to the within Instrument of writing who being worn upon the holy Evangels of Almighty God did say that they saw Robert Clark sign & seal this Instrument of writing and also heard him publish pronounce & declare the same as & for his last will & testament, that at the time of his so doing & saying he was of sound disposing mind memory & understanding and also that they subscribed their names as Witnesses to the same in the presence of the Testator & in the presence of each other . John Laws Regr.

Be it Remembered that on the twelfth day of July Anno Domini one thousand Seven Hundred and eighty Six the last will and Testament of Robert Clark Esquire deceased was in due form of Law approved and Letters Testamentary at the same time granted unto Andrew Barratt Esquire the Executor therein named, who give Bond at the same time with John Coomb Senr sheriff his surety for his faithful discharge thereof in the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Pounds as be the bond with the Will filed may at large appear.

“Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9Y5-QQD3?view=explore : Aug 27, 2025), image 460 of 566; .

Image Group Number: 007703095

Transcribed 27 Aug 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky