In the Name of God Amen I Rachel Marvel of Sussex County and Delaware State being weak in body but of sound memory blessed be God, do this 27 day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety and one, make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in mannor and form following that is to say..//..//..
First I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Smith, One Negro Gill called Hessey, for her proper use, induring her life and after her decease to return to my Granddaughter Nancy Smith to her and her Heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Marvel One Stone Jug and one flowered Earthen dish, and no more ..//..//…
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Robert Marvel one Still ..//..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Patience Brown the Money due to me on Note from husband William Brown and no more.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Phillip Marvel One Negro boy called Jacob induring his life, and afterword to return to my GrandSon Josiah Marvel to him his Heirs and assigns forever, as also one Linen Wheel to my Son Phillip Marvel ..//..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Robertson One Negro Girl Diannah to her and her Heirs and Assigns forever and one Mare and Sadle to my daughter Rachel Robertson.. //..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Betsy McCalley one Negro Woman called rose, to her and her Heirs and Assigns forever..//..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my GrandSon Josiah Marvel One Yoke of Oxen and more..//..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Betsy Bare, One Cow and Yearling, and one feather Bed and furniture and no more..//..//..
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Joseph Marvel, One Shilling Starling and no more of my Estate..//..//..
And The rest and residue of my whole Estate to be equally divided among my five children that is to say, My Son Robert Marvel and my Son Phillip Marvel and Cloey Nottingham and Rachel Robertson and Betsy McCalley, excepting a Bond due from Chalton Smith, that I leave to my daughter Ann Smith, but all the remaining part of my Estate that is not devised in my Will both Goods and Chattels Rights and Credits to be equally divided among my Son Robert and Phillip and Cloey and Rachel and Betsy to them their Heirs and Assigns forever. And Lastly I do here by nominate and appoint my loving Son Phillip Marvel Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, Renouncing and Revoking all other Wills hereto fore by me made, ratifying and Confirming this to be my Last Will and Testament and none other. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first above Written..//..//..
Rachel (her mark) Marvel
Signed, Sealed, published and pronounced by the Testator as and for her Last Will and Testament in presents of us the Subscribors, who were present at the signing and Sealing there of.
Jn. Harrifs William Reynolds Temperance (her mark) Huffman
Sussex County
Memorandum the 5th day of September 1791 before me Phillips Kollock Register appointed for the probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration for the County afs appeared John Harris and William Reynolds, two of the Witnesses to the within and foregoing Will who being sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almghty God, did severally depose and say the in their sight, presents and hearing the Testator Rachel Marvel did sign, Seal publish and declare the same to be her Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof she was of a sound and perfect mind, memory and Judgment, and that they severally subscribed the same as Witnesses in the presence of the testators and at her request..//..//..
Phillips Kollick, Reg.
(Copied by Mrs. Vernon L. Burwell – Mrs. Billy Compton – Mrs. Allen Loyd – 1984-85) See the original document – click here –Will of Rachel Marvel