Will of Gideon Walls
Sussex County, Delaware
March 24,1882
In the name of God, Amen, I Gideon Walls of Georgetown Hundred in the county of Sussex, in the town of Delaware. Being of sound and discerning mind and memory. Do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereto making all former wills made by me at any time herefore made.
First it is my will and desire that my burial on p____ and just debts to be paid by my executor herein after named as soon as practical after my demise.
I give to my beloved wife Mary Jane Walls during her natural life, the free and m___ use and soon p-n-cy of all my estate both real and personal. After the death of my said wife it is my will and desire that all my personal property be sold at public sale excepting four beds, bedsteads and bedding from the same, and the proceeds of said sale, after paying the burial expenses of said wife, together with the Doctors bill and other unforeseen incident to her last sickness. Be equally divided between my two youngest daughters Genette Hopkins Walls and Georgeannia Walls, share and share alike.
I give devise and bequeath to my three sons, James Gardner Walls, Henr Clay Walls and Sheppard Martin Walls the farm and premises where I now reside adjoining the lands of Elise R. Wilson, John C. Walls, John Stockly and others containing Ninety eight acres of the same more or less to be equally divided between my said three sons. Subject known to the full use and occupancy of my said wife during her life as herein before devised.
Item, It is my will and desire that my son, Shepard Martin Walls shall remain with his mother and the younger children and carry on the farm for their maintenance and support so long as his mother may live and that he receive his board and necessary clothing during said time and in addition there to the sum of five dollars per month from his arrival at age on or about the day of May 7th 1881 last part on the death of my said wife provided how ever he managed the farm as afore said for the maintenance and support of his mother and younger sisters during that time, or so long as his said sisters may desire ti remain at home with the said family.
Item, I give, devise and bequeath unto my four younger children to with: Shepard Martin Walls, Delaphanie Walls, Genette Hopkins Walls and Georgianna Walls each one bed, bedstead and bedding to be chosen according to priority of age.
Item, It is my will and desire that the monthly wages of my said son Shepard Martin Walls for his services on managing the farm from his arrival at age until the death of my wife Mary Jane Walls be a lien in my real estate entirely and that is a portion thereof be paid out of my personal estate.
Item, It is also my will and desire that should the proceeds of my personal estate after the death if my wife and the payment of her burial charges and the necessary expences incidental to her last sickness exceed in nit cash the sum of five hundred dollars that then in such case that my daughter Delaphanie Walls have an equal share in the excess of said five hundred dollars with her younger sisters, Genette H and Georgeianna Walls, anything heretofore to the contrarg notwithstanding.
Item, I give and bequeath to Charles P. Walls or Wilson son of Elizabeth Wilson, my second deceased wife, the sum of twenty five cents and no more of my estate.
Iten, I hereby constitute and appoint my son Shepard Martin Walls whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament.
In testemony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of March AD 1882.
Signed and sealed in the presence of us, who sign our names hereto in the preasence of and at the request of the testor who declares this to be his last will and testament.
William w. Rawlings
George A. Jones
