[Will]

In the name of God Amen I William Bradford of NewCastle County and State of Delaware being weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory blessed be God for his Mercies do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. Imprimis, It is my Will and desire that after my just debts and funeral charges are paid Then, I do give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Bradford my best Bed Bedstead and furniture thereto belonging, as also one third part of the residue of my personal Estate, and it is my Will and desire that my Executrix hereafter mentioned shall at any time she may think best (after my decease, sell at private or publick sale my Lot of Ground and store houses therein Situate in Appoquinimink Hundred, She reserving one third part of what the same may be sold for, for her own use, Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary Bradford my negr Girl named Hester aged ten years to serve untill she arrives to the age of twenty seven years and at the expiration of which time sd negro Girl to be free Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Catharine Golden Bradford my Negro Girl named Phebe aged two years to serve untill she arives to the age of twentyseven years and at the expiration of which time sd Negro Girl to be free, and it is my desire that in case sd. Negro Girls or either of them should have issue that they should also be free at at the age of twenty seven years. Item I give and bequeath the residue of my Estate to my Children Namely William Bradford, John Bradford, Mary Bradford, Catharine Golden Bradford and Sarah Bradford to be equally divided amongst them. Lastly I do constitute and appoint my Beloved wife Mary Bradford sole Executrix to this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and three. William Bradford {seal}

Signed, Sealed and published in presence of us Patrick McDonough. Samuel Thomas John Moody William Brady

NewCastle County Ss Before me personally appeared William Brady one of the Subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Will who being solemnly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God did say that he saw William Bradford the Testator sign and seal the foregoing Instrument of writing and heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament that at the time of his so doing he was (to the best of his belief) of sound disposing mind and memory that he at the request of the said Testator, in his presence and in the presence of Patrick McDonough, Samuel Thomas and John Moody, subscribed his Name as a witness thereto. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at NewCastle the third day of March A.D. 1803. Evan Thomas Regr.

Be it remembered that on the Eighth of March A.D. 1803 the Last Will and Testament of William Bradford late of NewCastle County deceased was in due form of Law proved, approved and insinuated that Letters Testamentary thereon were granted unto Mary Bradford Executrix in the same Will named She being solemnly sworn well and truly to Execute the said Will and exhibit an Inventory into the Register’s office on or before the Eighth day of June next and render a true and just account of her Administration on or before the Eighth day of March A.D. 1804. Given under the seal of the Register Bond in 1600 Dollars. Evan Thomas Regr.

Richard C Dale Surety.

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An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of William Bradford deceased, appraised by the Subscribers this 11th day of March 1803.

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Negro Girl named Hester to serve ‘till 27 years old $50.00

Do.     Girl named Phebe to serve ‘till 27 years old $20.00

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Delaware, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1676-1971, New Castle, Register of Wills, Bradford, Rebecca-Brady, George F, image 119

Transcribed 18 Oct 2026 by Nancy Maliwesky