The Will of Robert Marvel
MARVEL, Robert, planter Worcester Co. MD. Will made 27 Mar 1772 – probated 25 July 1775. Beneficiaries: wife, Rachel (executrix); sons, Thomas, Joseph, Robert, Philip; daughters, Rachel, Patience, Betty, Ann Smith (wife of Charlton), Chloe Scudder (wife of Jonathan); witnesses, Levin Connaway, John Willis, Joseph Piper, Simon Kollock.
“In the Name of God Amen, This twenty Seventh day of March one thousand seven hundred & Seventy Two, I Robert Marvel of the County of doreester and province of Maryland, planter Reflecting on the Shortness of this transitory life and that it is appointed for all men once to die. I being in a sound mind and perfect memory, thanks be given to Almighty God for the same, Do make and publish this to be my last will and Testiment in Manner and for following (That is to Say.)
First of All I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who first gave it to me, and my body to the Earth from whence it came, to be buried in a Christian decent manner. Nothing doubting but to receive the same at the General Resurection, as for such wordly goods wherewith it hath please almighty God to Bless me with, I dispose there of in the following manner.
First. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Rachel Marvel one third part of my Real and personal Estate during her Natural life, also here Riding maire and Sadle to Her, her Heirs and Asigns forever.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Daughter Ann Smith, wife of Chalton Smith, on Shilbing Sterling and no more to Here, here Heirs and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Thomas Marvel, the plantation where on I now live, Containing one hundred acres, with the housing and Buildings thereon, Also my Negro Boy, called Levi, a small Bible, together with a feather Bed and furniture which was formerly his Grandfathers-with on plow and Harrow, to him, his Heirs and Asigns forever.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son Joseph Marvel the plantation and tract of Land which I purchased of a Certain Robert Moody, containing Thirteen acres as to Patent, also the Sum of Ten pounds in money, with a Negro Girl called Silby, with on feather Bed and furniture such as I leave in the house and a Riding Stalion called Joseph, to him, his Heirs and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Son Robert Marvel, the plantation and tract of Land called Halls Choice with the housings and Buildings thereon, being the Land I purchased of a Certain Thomas Hall, containing fifty acres to him, his Heirs, and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Daughter Chloe, widow of Johnathan Scuder, my Negro wench called Lucey with here increase during her Natural Life, And if the said Negro Lucey or any of her increase survice my Daughter Chloe, then my will and desire is that the said negroes and their increase go to my GrandDaughter Rachel Scuder and her heirs, but if It should happen that my Grand Daughter die without Heir, then my further will and meaning is that the said Negroes go to my Daughter Betty, to here, here Heirs and Asigns forever.
I give all the rest and residue of my Estate of what ever kind solver to my Well beloved wife Rachel Marvel during here Natural Life, and after here decease my will and meaning is that the same go to my five children hereafter named and be Equally Divided between them-viz Patience, Robert, Philip, Rachel and Betty Marvel to them, their Heirs and Asigns forever.
And Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Beloved wife Rachel Marvel Sole Exector of this my Last Will and Testament. Renouncing and Revoking all other wills heretofore by me made, Ratifying and Confirming this to the Last will and Testament and no other. In witnes whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the Day and year first with in written. Signed and Sealed, Published and Pronounce by the Testatore to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers who where present at the signing and sealing there of & in the presence of Each Other
Signed Robert Marvel (his mark)
Levin Connaway, John Willets, Joseph Piper, Simon Kollock.
Sussex County Memorandum the 25th day of July 1775 Personally appeared before me Phillips Kollock Register appointed for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration for the County afs Levin Connaway and Joseph Piper two of the witnesses to the foregoing will subscribing and being Sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God deposeth and Saith that in their Sight presence and hearing the Testator Robert Marvel did Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing writing to be his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of Sound & perfect disposing mind, memory & Judgment & that they together with John Willets & Simon Kollock Subscribed the Same as Evidence at requested in presence of the Testator.
Phillips Kollock, Reg.
Robert Marvell – Last Will & Testament March 27th & 25 day of July 1775 – P. Kollock Reg.
Marvel, Robert dec’d Account of his Executor 1776 Libro A 405, (Sussex County Delaware Court House Orphan’s Docket Index). (Copied by Mrs. Vernon L. Burwell Wyandot Chapter Kansas City, Kansas – Mrs. Billy P. Compton – Mrs. Allen Loyd – Dated 1984-1985)
See PDF of original document – Will of Robert Marvel – PDF- dated 1772
Will of Rachel Chase Marvel – Will of Rachel Chase Marvel