In the Name of God Amen, I Robert Frame, of the County of Sussex in the State of Delaware, being in the full possession of my faculties, but fearing the Sickness that I am Seized with may put and end to my life, do ordain this my last Will and Testament Bequeath to God, a soul polluted with many Sins, but I hope purified by Jesus Christ.

Imprimis, It is my Will, and I do order it that in the first place all my Just debts and Funeral charges be paid and satisfied.

Item, I Give to my beloved wife Mary Frame during the Term of her natural life, One hundred Acres of Land I own laying in Angola Neck, and which I purchased from a certain John Futcher, with the appurtenances to the same belonging –

Also the Use of Forty acres of Land out of a Larger tract I own in the forrest and which I purchased of the Heirs of John Vent, till my son George Frame, arrives to the Age of Twenty one years, To begin and to be laid off from the beginning Gum of said tract on a Ride next Adjoining the same for the same, for the purpose of clearing and geting of Timber to support the fence of the first above mentioned Place My said wife is also at liberty by this my Will, to cut and Haul as much Timber off the Tract of Land I own, and which I purchased of Josiah Martin, as will make one thousand Logs to Assist her to  support the Fences of the first above mentioned tract, also So that she takes decaying and dead Timber to do it. The two above parcels of Land given to her in manner as aforesd. are Intended by me to be in the Lieu of the Thirds of the whole of my Lands, as the Law would give her. Hoping she will be contented therewith. If not, than these several devises are to be Null and Void.

Item. As I shall in this my Will make a disposition of all the Rest and Residue of my Lands, amongst My Several children Tis my desire that if my brother Payntor Frame should Survive my wife, and Judge that I have  made an Unequal division of my Lands amongst My several children; He is hereby authorized by me and is at Liberty to say and direct, how this said tract of Land I purchased of John Fulcher as above mentioned, shall be divided amongst them, either to give it to One or more of them as he thinks proper, And on his doing of the Same it shall be conclusive and binding on the whole As tho I had Actually made a disposition of it myself in this my Will – But in case my said brother does not Survive my wife, so as to make such division of the said Land – The Law of course must take place.

Item, I Give and devise unto George Frame, my eldest son, My Lands and plantation known by the Name of Blackstripe, and Containing four hundred Acres more or less which I purchased of the Heirs of John Vent, laying partly in Indian River and partly in Broadkiln hundreds. To him the said George Frame, and his heirs in fee Simple.

I also, Give and bequeath unto my said son George Frame, my negroe boy called Jacob to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

Item, I Give and devise unto my daughter Elizabeth Payntor Frame, One hundred Acres of Land laying in Indian River Hundred. And which I purchased from a certain Josiah Martin. To her, the said Elizabeth P. Frame and her heirs in fee simple.

Item, I also Give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth P. Frame, my negro boy named Miah, to her and her heirs for Ever.

Item, I Give and bequeath unto My second Son, Robert Frame, the plantation and Lands I own laying in BroadKiln hundred which I had out of my Fathers estate containing One hundred and fifty eight Acres more or less, which said Land lays next Adjoining the Lands of Robert Hood. To him the said Robert Frame, and his heirs in fee simple.

Item, I also Give and bequeath to my said son Robert Frame, my negroe boy named Milford to him his his heirs and Assigns for Ever.

Item. It is my Will and I do order it, That my negroe Man named Jacob, should serve in my Estate till my second and youngest son arrives to the Age of Seven years to Act and Assist to support him to that Age. That he may not be charged with any expense of raising of him. After that it is my will that the said negroe Jacob should be set free from any further Servitude in my Estate.

Item. As I conceive it would be Useful and Necessary to have a ditch cut thro’ the Lands that I have in this my Will given to my son George Frame, to the head of what is called Ennis’ Mill pond. My desire is that seventy five pounds should be raised out of my personal estate by my Executrix, and applied to that purpose, as soon as it maybe convenient to do it –

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Frame my negroe Girl called Hannah, to her, her heirs and Assigns for Ever.

Item. It is my further Will that the Whole of the Rest and Residue of my personal Estate not herein disposed of Should be equally divided between My wife Mary Frame, and my Three children namely, George Frame, Elizabeth Payntor Frame, and Robert Frame, in equal portions Share and share alike.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my dear wife Mary Frame, to be sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament revoking and annulling all former Wills by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last Will and Testament.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my had and affixed my seal this 20th day of July Anno Domini 1801 Robert Frame {seal}

Signed, Sealed, published and Declared by Robert Frame, the above named Testator and for his Las Will and Testament, in the presence of Us who at his request, and in his presence have Subscribed our Names as Witness Burton Robinson Jun Robert Hood Lydia Burton

Sussex County Ss Memorandum this 15 day of July 1802 Before me Phillips Kollock Register appointed for the Probate of Wills and Granting Letters of Administration for the County aforesaid appeared Burton Robinson Junr. & Robert Hood two of the witnesses to the foregoing Will who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God did severally depose and say that in their sight presence & Hearing the Testator Robert Frame did sign seal Publish Pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of a sound mind memory & Judgment & that they & each of them Together with Lydia Burton signed signed the same as Witnesses in Presence of Testator & at his Request  Phillips Kollock Regr

Inventory of the Estate of Robert Frame deceased Sussex. Filed April 1803

…

Negros

1 Negro woman Called Diner £13..33..

1 Negro Man Called Jacob at 20 Dol per year for 5 years and a month £106..67

1 Negro Man Called James £147..67..0

1 garl Called Hannah £100..00..0

1 Boy at David Richard Called Jacob £100..00..0

1 Boy Called Nehemiah £ 80..00..0

1 Boy Called Milford £ 75.00..0

…

Deduction maid Death of Negro Jacob £ 95..50.

“Sussex, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5X-Q31L-K?view=explore : Mar 26, 2026), image 202 of 715; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104348268

Transcribed 26 Mar 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky