- Richards last Will is given by the Adams Family Tree and it states:
?In the name of God Amen, I, Richard Knowles, Senior, of Sussex County and State of Delaware, planter, being in perfect health and of sound mind and memory and understanding, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit:
Item. I give and bequeath to my son, Richard Knowles, all that part of a tract of land, whereon he now lives, between the forks of Cod Creek branches and the lines of Knowles Venture and to extend as far as the marked trees between him and my grandson, Charles Knowles, to him and his heirs. .
Item. I give to my-daughter-in-law; Betty Knowles, widow of my son, Charles Knowles, during her natural life or widowhood, part of a tract of land called Knowles Venture whereon she now lives to begin at the marked trees between her and my son, Richard Knowles, and eastward as far the lines by Joshua McDowell and the marked trees between her and my son, Thomas Knowles, and, after her death or marriage, to my grandson, Charles Knowles, and no more of my estate forever.
Item. I give to my son, Thomas Knowles, the remainder part of Knowles Venture that lies whereon he now lives to begin at the marked trees between him and my grandson, Charles Knowles, and to extend as far as the head of this said land next to John McDowell, to him and his heirs.
Item. I give to my son, Zachariah Knowles, one-shilling sterling to him and his heirs forever and no more of estate.
Item. I give to my son James Knowles, two hundred and twenty acres of land, whereon he now lives, to the eastward as far as the lines of Knowles Venture towards the head of Beaver Dam branch and also one-third part of my saw mill on Cod Creek branch, to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my daughter, Nancy Marvel, one feather bed and furniture that I commonly lie on, and also one cow and calf, to her and her heirs.
Item. I give to my grandson, Obediah Wills, son of my daughter Eve Wills, one shilling sterling to him and his heirs forever and no more of my estate.
Item, I give to my granddaughter, Agnes Knowles, daughter of Zachariah Knowles, one featherbed and furniture that she commonly lies on, one spinning wheel, and also five pounds to be raised out of my estate, to her and her heirs forever and no more of my estate
Item. I give to-my-son, Edmond Knowles, one shilling to him and his heirs and no more of estate.
Item. I give to my daughter, Abagail Ellis, wife of Joshua Ellis, one shilling sterling to her and her heirs forever and no more of my estate forever.
Item. I give to my son, Ephriam Knowles, two-thirds of my saw mill on Cod Creek branch and also fifty acres of land whereon the saw mill stands taken up in the year seventy six (1776) and to include his dwelling house and plantation whereon he now lives, and also my dwelling house and plantation wereon I now live it being the remainder part of Knowles Venture to the eastward as far as the lines I sold Joshua Moor and has been land of said Moor, and also my still as she stands, to him and his heirs.
Item. I give to my daughter, Prudence Knowles, one bed and furniture that was always called hers, the furniture to consist of as followeth: one bolster, one pillow, two blankets, one quilt, two shoats, and also cow and calf that was always called hers, and also one reed chest, and also five pounds of estate before it is divided amongst my children, to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I leave the remainder of my estate after the legacies and my just debts are paid to be equally divided amongst my children that is to say Richard Knowles, Patience Collings, Elizabeth Vinson , Sarah Hayward, Thomas Knowles, James Knowles, Asseny Prettyman, Ephriam Knowles, Nancy Marvel and Prudence Knowles; and hereby nominate and appoint my two sons, Thomas Knowles and Ephriam Knowles, my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former will or wills heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of January one thousand seven hundred ninety one.
his
Richard X Knowles
mark
Witnesses
Samuel Wilson
Peggy Wilson
Shiles Moor
This will was probated on the 5th day of March 1791 before Phillip Kollock, Register and was recorded at Georgetown in Sussex County Will Book Liber D folio 33
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