Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #50 from Abstracts of Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867

Part of Series B
Microfilm Reel in Collection Series 12
Microfilm Frame on Reel 2
Accession Number (identifies petition on microfilm) 20377901
County Sussex
State Delaware
Year Legislative Petition Filed 1779
Abstract of Petition In 1772, Ann Williams, who owned an estate consisting of Negroes, stock, household furniture, farmin utensils, and "ready money," published her will. She bequeathed to her son, Joshua Williams, a yearling steer and, for one year, a "negro man named Will," who afterwards, for eitht years, would be split between him and her daughter. She devised to her daughters, son, and granddaughter various other property, including "a negroe wench named patience." Following her death, Joshua accuses his siblings and other so of refusing to show him Ann's will and conspiring to deprive him of his legacy.

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[Author (if known)], Abstracts of Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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