hath... sold . . . unto the said Luke Davis A certain parcel of land situate lying and being in Slaughter Neck in the County of Sussex afsd. being part of a greater tract of land belonging to the said Thomas Davis his father and it was part of these lands called 'Bowman's Farms' containing two hundred and fifty-five acres of land... ... In Testimony Whereof he hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written. Sealed and delivered in the presence of I WHITE LABAN CARPENTER MULFORD TENNANT. Liber H, folio 222: THOS. DAVIS [SEAL]" May 29, 1749. Samuel Davis and Mary Spencer, widow, both of Sussex Co., convey to their brother Nehemiah Davis land they inherited from their father, Thomas Davis. Their brother Thomas Davis is mentioned. The exact date of the death of Catherine, first wife of Thomas Davis, has not been ascertained. April 17, 1730, she joined with her husband in the deed to James Haverloe, previously stated, which is the last appearance of her name; it is quite probable, therefore, that she died shortly after, for Feb. 22, 1736, Thomas Davis' second wife Sarah is referred to in the will of her father, Henry Draper. as Thomas Davis married his second wife Sarah, daughter of Henry Draper and Sarah Kipshaven, prior to 1736, previously indicated. Her father's will, recorded at Georgetown, Liber A, folio 310, dated Feb. 22, 1736, refers to his daughter Sarah Davis, the wife of Thomas Davis of this County." (See Draper Family.) His first wife had no children by either husband. 66 Thomas Davis died between the date of his will and its probate, Jan. 1, 1754, and Oct. 9, 1754. The will is recorded at Georgetown in Liber B, folio 76, as follows: "In The Name of God Amen: I Thomas Davis of the County of Sussex upon Delaware Gen' this first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and fifty four being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given therefore and calling to mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die and principally and first of all I bequeath my Soul unto God who gave it hoping through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour to receive the same again at the general resurrection of the just and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner and form. Impr, I will and desire that all my just debts and funeral charges which I owe to any man in law equity or conscience be immediately paid and discharged after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife Sarah Davis the choice of all my horses or horse-kind and her saddle and bridle as a legacy over and above her Thirds of my moveable estate and I also give unto the Executors hereafter mentioned all the profits of my lands for and during the term of five years provided the said Executors shall pay unto the Loan Office the sum of Thirty Pounds or thereabouts and keep the farm whereon I now live undamnified as touching the said Loan Office And further I oblige all concerned not to cut any live timber on either of my Tracts of Land below the Lane Road. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Isaac Davis all my manor plantation from Isaac Draper's Corner White Oak standing at the head of the branch then going down the middle of the branch until it comes to the old going over from Luke Davises that was and then upon the South side of the branch till it comes down to Isaac Draper's Corner Stake and so all the Land and Marsh on the South side of the flat Inlet keeping a peace of Marsh that I am obliged to make over to my brother Nehemiah Davis. I give and bequeath unto my son Isaac Davis one half part of all my Marsh in Log-house Neck to him his heirs and afsigns forever and also one negro boy named Jacob and also a bed and furniture to him and also a year's schooling. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Davis all the plantation that I bought of Luke Davis with all the Land and appurtenances thereunto belonging and the other half part or moiety of my Marsh in Log-house Neck to him his heirs and assigns forever and I also give unto him further one negro Boy named Ben and Two Cows and Calves and a bed and furniture and Fifty Pounds current money of Pennsylvania to be paid to him when he shall arrive to the age of twenty years to him his heirs and assigns forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Bety Davis one negro Girl named Rachel and a bed and furniture and Two Cows and Calves and Eighty Pounds of current money of Pennsylvania to be paid unto her when she shall come of age or on the day of marriage provided she should marry before she comes of age or in case the negro girl should die before she receives her Thirty pounds shall be paid her in lieu of the said negro Girl Rachel to her her heirs and assigns forever, and also one year's schooling. Item, I give unto my son Henry Davis Two year's schooling before he shall arrive to the age of sixteen. Item, I give and bequeath unto my Three Children Isaac Davis Henry Davis and Bety Davis all the residue of my Estate that is not yet given away to be equally divided among them to them their heirs and assigns forever. my Item, I will and desire and hereby nominate and appoint well beloved wife Sarah Davis and my eldest son Isaac Davis to be my only and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament And likewise I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving friend Avery Draper to be my only and sole Guardian to my Three children, viz; Isaac Davis Henry Davis and Bety Davis from the day of my death till they shall arrive to age of twenty years, and further that they shall not bargain nor Ideal to the value of Five Pounds without the said Guardian's leave. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year within above written. The word and Marsh / interlined between the third & fourth lines of the clause of Isaac's Legacy before Sealing and delivering. Signed Seal'd publish'd pronounc'd & declared as his last Will and Testament THOS DAVIS [SEAL] in presence of us the subscribers WILLIAM ARNALL ISABELLA BRADEN October the 9th 1754 Let it be remembered that it is also my Will that none of my wearing Apparel be appraised and that my brother Samuel Davis have a suit of my Clothes out of my effects. This memorandum made the date above written at the request of the above Thomas Davis by me WTM Bowness. County of Sussex Memorandum this 29th of December 1754 the above named Isabella Braden and on the 18th of February Wm Arnall Two of the witnesses to the above and within Will subscribing appeared before me Jacob Kollock Dept Reg appointed for the probate of Wills and granting Lett" of Adm" for the County of Sussex afores & on their solemn oaths did severally declare that in their sight presence and hearing the Testator Thomas Davis Esq' did sign seal and acknowledge the above and within writing to be his last Will & Testam & that at the doing thereof the Testator was of a sound & p'fect disposing mind memory & judgm & that they & each of them together with Henry Draper subscribed the same as evidences at request and in presence of the Testator Test JACOB KOLLOCK RegTM" Thomas Davis and his second wife, Sarah Draper, had issue: 12. Isaac. 13. Henry. 14. Elizabeth (called Bety and Polly). See Stretcher Family; also her brother Henry's will for ref erence to her marriage to Edward Stretcher. See Stretcher Family for descendants. IV. 13. HENRY DAVIS, son of Thomas Davis (8) and Sarah Draper, was born in Sussex Co., Del. The data referring to him has not been collated. His will, however, recorded at Georgetown, Liber B, folio 283, is as follows: "In the Name of God Amen, the ninth day of May Anno: One Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Five I Henry Davis of the County of Sussex on Delaware Gent" being weak and sick of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to Almighty God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say: principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of Almighty God who gave it hoping at the general Resurrection to receive the same again by the mighty power of God and my body I do recommend to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Execut' hereafter named, and as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following. Item, I will and desire that all my lawful Debts and Legacies and funeral charges be first paid and discharged. Item, I will and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Susanna Davis the sum of Twenty five Pounds current money of this Government to her, her heirs and assigns. Item, I give and bequeath unto my loving son Thomas Davis all and singular my estate of lands and tenements to |