| Part of Series | B |
|---|---|
| Microfilm Reel in Collection Series | 13 |
| Microfilm Frame on Reel | 1196 |
| Accession Number (identifies petition on microfilm) | 20385701 |
| County | Sussex |
| State | Delaware |
| Year Legislative Petition Filed | 1857 |
| Abstract of Petition | In 1823, slave owner William Shockley published his last will and testament, bequeathing to his wife, Elisabeth, a life estate in their land, farmhouse, outbuildings, livestock, and two slaves, the Negro boy James and Negro girl Harriet. Shockley died a short time later, as did his wife. The estate and land reverted to their two daughters, Eliza and Keturah, both of whom married men named Davis. Eliza died in childbirth in 1824, and her husband, Henry Davis, gained possession of half of Shockley's land. In 1854, he sold the land to George S. Davis, one of the petitioners. The other daughter, Keturah, married John C. Davis, and the couple had seven children before he died in 1843. Following Keturah's death in 1856, members of the Davis families - Robert, George, Eliza Ann, and Mark Davis on the one side, and minors Mary, Catherine, and Thomas Davis on the other - fight over partitioning the land. |
If you are citing this record, please use the following format:
[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.
Pinned records can be viewed at any time by clicking the More menu in the top right corner of the page, then selecting My Pinned Records.