John Melson’s Last Will Recorded in Libra G Jany 28th 1822

In the name of God amen I John Melson of Sussex County in the State of Delaware Being in perfect mind and Memory praise to the preserver of my Life and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life and that is Appointed until all men once to Die do make ordain pronounce and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form Following Viz my soul I commit into the hands of Almighty God who Gave it and my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be buried in A decent Christian like manner and as touching such worldly goods and estates wherewith it pleased the father of mercies to bless me I give bequeath devise and dispose of in the following manner to wit _

First.1. My will and desire is that all my ^just debts together with my Funeral expenses be fully satisfied and paid out of my moveable or personal Estate _

Secondly. 2. I give and Bequeath unto my son Joseph Melson all the land that lieth between my two mill Branches to the southward of A line drawn from A  marked Hickory standing near the tail of my saw Mill South fifty five and A half Degrees east through my lane until ^it intersects the second line of a piece of Land laid off at the west end of A little mill dam and no More _

Thirdly 3. I give and Bequeath unto my wife all my Land that lieth to the west side of ^my mill pond and between the said pond and Branch and anotder old road that leads from Thomas Johnsons to the place where sarah Gibbons formerly lived] and Adjoining the lands of Manaen Bul? Joseph Copes and Thomas Johnson, My will and desire At her decease that said Land become the property of my son John Melson and his Heirs forever I give and Bequeath unto my wife A Negro man named Covington and Negro woman named Leah one Horse one Cow and Calf one Bed six head of Hogs and six sheep my will and desire is at her dececase that the same property become the property of my four children, herein after mentioned _

Fourthly 4. I give and Bequeath unto my son John Melson the one half part of my saw mill and Grist Mill where I now live with one half the stream Plant and stock yard also one negro man name Abraham and one negro woman named Annise one negro Girl named mariah to him and his heirs forever

Fifthly 5. I give and Bequeath unto my Son Daniel Melson the two Following tracts of Land Known by the name of Popler ridge and Melson Fully Bounded by Land of Peter Hitchin’s Edmond Hitchins shares Heirs and James Gunby during The term of his natural life and at his decease my will and desire is that the same become the property of my Grand son John Melson son of Daniel Melson to him and his heirs Forever_

Sixthly 6. I give and Bequeath unto my son William Melson one tract of Land known by The name of Johnsons Chance formerly belonged to Josiah Johnson Bounded by Land of Cannons Heirs and Joseph Melson and that fell to me At my Fathers decease also A Negro Girl named Mary one negro Boy named Handy to him and his Heirs forever_

Seventhly 7. I give and Bequeath unto my son Benjamin Melson A tract of Land known by the Name of third choise where I formerly lived and part of a tract named safety and part of  A Tract Called Gibaulter and part of tract Called Conclusion to Hickory ridge Adjoining Third Choise also one negro Boy named Saml also a negro Boy named Leven to him and his Heirs forever_

Eighthly 8. I give and Bequeath unto my son Stephen Melson A part of a tract of Land called third choise and a part of a tract land Called Gibaalter Bounded ^by Land John Truitt and Thomas Truitt and Philips as Heirs and Joseph Sharp during the term of his natural life and at his decease my will and desire is that the same property Become the Property of my Grand Daughter Sally Melson Daughter of Stephen Melson she and her Heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my son Stephen Melson my wearing apparel

Ninthly. 9. I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Hannah Betts where she now lives and it fell to me at my Fathers decease during her natural  Life and at her decease my will and desire is that it become the property of my Grand son John Betts if he dies without heir lawfully Begotten by his Body to ^my Son Benjamin Melson and his Heirs forever_

Tenthly 10. I give and Bequeath unto Grandson John Truitt son of John Truitt of Jas. one negro Girl named Candace Forty Dollars in money to be raised out of my moveable and personal Estate to become his property at the age of Twenty one Clear of Interest_

Eleventhly 11. I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Priscilla Hill one cow and Calf and no more

Item all the rest and remainder ^of my estate personal and moveable property I give and Bequeath  unto my four children namely John Melson William Melson Benn Melson Holland Truitt wife of John Truitt

Lastly I do hereby Nominate constitute and Appoint my son John Melson and William Melson whole and sole Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and utterly disannulling all Former Wills Legacies and Bequests by me at any time heretofore made ordain ratifying and confirming this no other to be my last will and Testament I Testimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Affixed my seal this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty 1820. john melson senior {seal}

Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the above named John Melson to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed a witnesses in the presence of the said Testator and of each other Joseph Workman Samuel Gibbins Micaiah Truitt

…

Inventory of the goods and Credits of John

Melson Deceast

…

To one Neagro man Cuff Legacy to the widow 100..0

To one ditto woman Leah ditto to the widow     80..0

To one neagro man Abram Legacy to John Melson 150..0

To one ditto Woman Annes ditto ditto ditto     60..0

To one ditto Child Mariah ditto ditto ditto     25..0

To one Neagro girl Mary Legacy to William Melson 100..0

To one ditto Boy Handy ditto William Melson     50..0

To one Neagro Boy Samuel Legacy to Benjamin Melson   50..0

To one ditto Boy Leven ditto to Benjamin Melson   25..0

To one ditto girl Candace Legacy to John Truit of John   40..0

…

The State of Delaware to John Linch and Phillip Matthews Greeting this is to authorize you swiftly to value and appraise the goods Chattles and personal Estate of John Melson – Late of Sussex County deced Each of you having first taken an oath on examination  before Some Judge or Justice of the peace for said County Well and Truly without partiality or prejudiced To Value and Appraise the Goods Cattle’s and persona Estate of the Said deceased So far wich have Shold come to your Sight and knowledge a Certificate Whereof you are To Return an and To an Inventory of the goods Chattles and personal Estate of the Said decd by you appraise in Dollars and Cents.

George Town Jany 28 1822 Nathan Vickers Regr

…

Sussex County SS Personally appeared Mr. John Linch & Mr philip Matthews and was Duly Sworn To Apprais The personall Estate of John Melson Sr Late of this County Decd in Due form of Law Before me one of the Justices of the peace for Said County this 31st Day of January 1822  Spencer Phillips

“Sussex, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5K-49DX-5?view=explore : Sep 4, 2026), image 385 of 921; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Image Group Number: 104373261

Transcribed 4 Sep 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky