McDowell Inventory 1736 Copied McDowell Kent
Inventory of sundry goods & merchandize belong to the Estate of Doctor John McDowel Deceased taken & appraised by us the subscribers as they came to our on August ye 21^st 1736

P^r us: James Gorrell, John Clifford

An additional ac^t of John David and Hannah his wife Exec^s of Evan Jones deceased where the accountants charge themselves with what they had not charged themselves at the Settlement made ye 4^th of March 1736/7 and first with the balance then due, Viz:

Likewise they pray allowance for the several ac^ts discharged as followeth

To the worshipful Justices of the Orphans Court now setting the Petition of Hanah Harris Ex^x of the last Will and Testament of William Harris deceased Humbley prays leave to render and pass this the account of her Administration and prays such alllowances as your Worships shall think meet and just.

Be it remembered that on the thirtieth day of July one thousand seven hundred and eighty four Letters of Administration on the Estate of Hugh McDowell deceased was granted in due form to Thomas Wilkins who at the same time gave Bond with John Tucker for his faithful administration of said Estate agreeable to Law.
I Thomas Wilkins Administrator within mentioned do hereby resign the Letters within granted to me. That Letters may be granted to Hugh McDowell Jun^r as Witness my hand and seal this 3^d day of Aug^t 1784

Accepted by Thomas Rodney Reg^r

Exhibited 27 November 1787

The further account of John Francis Administrator of all and singular of the goods and chattels, rights and credits to which were of Allen Parmetry late of New Castle County deceased, as well of and for such and so much of the same goods and chattels, rights and credits which have come to the hands and possession of the said John Francis as of and for his payments and disbursements out of the same as follows, to wit exhibited by William Francis Administrator with the Will annexed of the said John Francis, now also deceased.
The Exhibitant craveth an allowance to the accountant for the following payments and disbursements omitted in his former account, as follows, to wit

Examined, adjusted, allowed, and passed the 5^th day of March A.D. 1805 in presence of Allen Parmetry and John Parmetry two of the Heirs of the Intestate.

Be it remembered that on the seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven Letters of Administration on the Estate of Samuel Laurence dec^d was in due form of Law granted to Jacob Pennington and James McDowell who being affirmed gave Bond with William Williams their surety in the sum of six hundred dollars as per Bond filed.

Smyrna April 7^th 1807 … - Sir, my husband Samuel Laurance departed this life about 12 or 15 days ago and wish you to grant Letters of Administration to Jacob Pennington and James McDowell as it is not in my power to do it. I freely give up the administratorship to them as witness my hand and seal.

Be it remembered that on the sixth day of April anno domini one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, Letters of Administration on the Estate of Robert Darrach decd, negro, were in due form of Law granted unto James McDowell who being sworn gave Bond with Wesley McDowell his surety in the sum of two hundred Dollars lawful money as per Bond filed.
I hereby decline administering on the Estate of Robert Darrach and name Mr. James McDowell as the person I wish to Administer. Smyrna 6 April 1818.

Account of Morgan Manlove administrator of Vincent Manlove.

1832 James McDowell $2.00
Amount of debts due Jabez Parsons as appeared in his books.

List of sales of Estate of James McDowell sold by Robert Bailey Executor on 14 December 1836 and filed 7 December 1837. Total amount: $186.02¾
$0.18¾ – Eliz^h McDowell 1 p^r candlesticks
$0.26; – Eliz^h McDowell arm chair
$0.12½ – Eliz^h McDowell 2 Rush Chairs @6½
$0.25 – Eliz^h McDowell Cot bed stead
$0.12½ – Eliz^h McDowell pine table
$2.00 – Ja^s McDowell Walnut Dining table
$0.25 – Eliz^h McDowell pine Drwrs
$0.50 – Eliz^h McDowell Beaureau
$3.00 – Eliz^h McDowell mantle clock
$0.20 – Jas. McDowell pine desk
$0.25 – E. McDowell Walnut chest
$1.00 – E. McDowell stove
$10.05 – Ja^s McDowell cow
$0.50 – Ja^s McDowell old stove
$14.50 – Jas. McDowell Dearborn

Settled 22 January 1844

To Wilmington Monthly Meeting
Dear Friends
Mary McDowell having Removed with her Husband to Reside within the Verge of your Meeting, Requests our Surtificate to join hur thereto. This may informe that she hath a Right in Membership with us. We therefore Recommend hur to your Friendly care and oversite with desires for hur Preservaton every way advancement in the truth. Sign'd in and on behalf of Duck Creek Monthy Meeting held the 7^th of the 12^th Mo 1811

Whereas Samuel B. Regester of the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, son of Robert Register and Lydia his wife, the former deceased, and Mary S. Denny Daughter of Collins Denny formerly of the City of Wilmington in the State of Delaware, and Ann G. his wife, both deceased, having declared their intention of marriage with each other before a Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends held in the City of Wilmington aforesaid, according to the good order used among them and having the consent of surviving parent, their proposal of marriage was allowed of by the said Meeting.
Now these are to certify whom it may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said intenting this twenty sixth day of the eleventh month in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty they the said Samuel B. Regester and Mary S. Denny appeared in a Meeting of the said people held at the residence of William B. Stratten in Wilmington aforesaid and the said Samuel B. Regester taking the said Mary S. Denny by the hand did on this solemn occasion openly declare that he took her the said Mary Denny to be his wife promising with Devine assistance to be unto her a loving and faithful Husband until Death should separate them, and then in the same assembly the said Mary S. Denny did in like manner declare that she took him the said Samuel B. Regester to be her Husband promising with Devine assistance to be unto him a loving and faithful wife until Death should separate them.
And moreover they the said Samuel B. Regester and Mary S. Denny (she according to the custom of marriage assuming the name of her Husband) did as a further confirmation thereof, then and there to these presents set their hands.

And we whose names are hereunto subscribed being present at the solemnization of said marriage and subscription have as witnesses set our hands the day and year above written.

This Indenture witnesseth that Catharine McDowell of New Castle County hath put, and by these presents doth put, place and bind her Daughter Sarah Branan a minor, who was born on the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and twenty five to James McGee of Wilmington of New Castle County in the State of Delaware, to learn the art trade and mystery and after the manner of an apprentice, to serve him his Executors, administrators or assigns, from the day of the above date hereof for and during, and to the full end and term of eight years and four months next ensuing, or untill he the said apprentice shall be Eighteen Years of age; during all which term, the said apprentice her said master faithfully shall serve, his secrets keep his lawful commands every where readily obey, and in all things behave herself as a good faithful and dutiful apprentice ought to do, and the said master shall use the utmost of his endeavour, to teach or cause to be taught or instructed, the said apprentice in the trade or mystery of housewifery, and shall well support and clothe her and provide for her good and sufficient meat, drink, lodging and washing for h_ during the said apprenticeship and the said master shall give the said minor reasonable education in Reading and writing, within said term, and shall at the regular expiration of said apprenticeship, furnish the said apprentice with two good suits of clothes, suitable to her condition, one of which shall be new. For the true performance of all and singular the covenants and agreements aforesaid, the said Parties bind themselves each unto the other firmly by these presents. In witness whereof the said parties have interchangeable set their hands and seals hereunto, dated the second day of April Annoque Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Tho McDowell
NewCastle County Ss. This indenture was executed in the presence of the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for NewCastle County aforesaid, this second day of April 1835.

Received for Record June 3^d 1835
Recorded September 18^th 1835 Att. James S. White Rr

List of Sales

Guardian Account Mary Kennedy 6 October 1809

Account of John Cowgill for estate of Joshua Brown

Account of George W. Matz Guardian to Christopher Cross

Settled 23 March 1826

Wesley McDowell of Dover To Robert O. Pennewill and Caleb A. Sipple of same. Whereas Wesley McDowell owing to sundry losses and misfortunes is at present unable to make full payment and satisfaction of his just debts and is willing to assign and transfer all and singular the debts now due and owing to him either by book account note bond judgment obligation or in any other manner goods chattels wares and merchandizes particularly mentioned and expressed in the schedule hereunto annexed and all other the Debts goods chattels wares and merchandizes which the said Wesley McDowell at the time of this sealing and delivery thereof is possessed (except his wearing apparel and printed books belonging to his library) in trust only for the payment and satisfaction of the respective Debts due by him as hereinafter mentioned and in trust afterwards for himself. Creditors: Gidion Cullen, The Farmer's Bank of Delaware, Jesse Burton administrator of Ann Burton, Willard Hall, Ezekiel Needham. Pennewill and Sipple are empowered to collect debts due to McDowell.
Signed: Wesley McDowell, Robt O. Pennewill, C.H. Sipple. Witnesses: Joshua Clayton, William Huffington.
The Farmer's Bank of the State of Delaware agree to the arrangement within mentioned it being expressly understood that the judgments and executions which it has against Wesley McDowell are to be paid by the within named assignees in the order in which they stand on the Docket of the Court within the term of six months from this date by order of the Board.

Jesse Burton admr of Anna Burton, Ezekiel Needham, and Gidion Cullen agree to arrangement.

Know all men by these presents that I Rebecca Corbit wife of John A. Corbit deceased, and daughter of Nancy Wells of Reading Pennsylvania who was a sister of Wesley McDowell late of the town of Dover in Kent County, State of Delaware, do make and appoint Dr. William Moore of Nomelsdorf Berks County Pennsylvania my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and for my use to ask demand sue for recover and receive of and from Joseph P. Comegys of the town of Dover aforesaid my share or part of the money secured to be paid to the parties entitled by the said Joseph P. Comegys by his recognizance entered into in the Orphans Court of Kent County aforesaid on the assignment by the said Court at the September term AD 1861 to him as purchaser of that part of the real estate of the said Westley McDowell deceased, described in the return of the freeholders appointed to divide or value said real estate, and marked on the plot returned by them to said Court as No. one, and upon the receipt of the said share to enter satisfaction of the same in my name on the record of the said recognizance; and lastly I hereby ratify all my said attorney shall lawfully do in the premises, in virtue hereof. Witness my hand and seal this eighth day of October AD 1862.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
Wm B. Schoener, alderman
J.D. Davis

List of Sales

Account of William K. Lockwood administrator of Isaiah Dorman.

Account of David Burton Executor of Luke Spencer.

Samuel McDowell Complainant vs The President, Directors & Company of the Bank of Wilmington & Brandywine } Bill for Injunction filed March 17^th 1831 March 12^th 1831 Injunction & Sup^a to answer issue. Shff returns enjoined by delivery Copy to the President of the Bank of Wilmington & Brandywine & summoned Cont^d. July Cont^d. Feby 23^rd 1832 The Defendants appear by John Wales Esq^r their Solicitor and rule answer in 3 months or Distringas & Cont^d
September 20^th 1832 On motion leave given to amend Bill without prejudice to the Injunction, amendments to be filed in 30 days after the adjournment of the Court & rule answer in 3 months thereafter Distringas & Cont^d
October 22^nd 1832. I agree that the Complainant may file his amendments to his bill in the above case at any time before the 5^th of November next. (signed) J. Wales Rec^d & filed Nov. 3, 1832.
Amendments to the above bill filed November 3, 1832 and rule answer of Distringas in three months.
Feby 11, 1833. Answer of Defendants filed same day Defendants list of Exhibits filed.
Feby 27, 1833. The Complainant replies & Defendant rejoins gratis. Rules Commission on both sides.
July 17^th 1833 Complainant Interrogatories filed.
July 17^th 1833 Complainants list of Exhibits filed.
July 19^th 1833. Copy Complainants Interrogatories serve on Mr. Wales Defendants Solicitor.
July 29^th Defendants Cross Interrogatories filed.
Rule Commission to James Latimer Junr Commissioner on both sides.
July 30, 1833 Commission issued.
August 13^th 1833. Complainants additional list of Exhibits filed.
August 31, 1833. Complainant Commission returned, filed and published.
And now, to wit this Twenty fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty four this cause having come on to be heard on the seventeenth day of September last before the Chancellor, and the Bill, Answer, Depositions, Proof & exhibits having been read, and counsel on both sides learned in the law having been heard, and the Chancellor having held the same under advisement until this day and considered the same, he doth think fit to order, adjudge & decree, and it is hereby ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the Chancellor that the bill be dismissed & that the Complainant pay the Defendants their costs in three months or attachment issue.

Whereupon same day appeal prayed & granted
Court of Errors and Appeals June Term 1834
Samuel McDowell Complainant, below Appellant vs The President, Directors and Company of the Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine } April 8^th Appeal from the decree of the Chancellor of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County 1834 April 8^th
citation issued to the Sheriff of Kent County. 1834 June 3^rd Sheriff returns Cited 1834 June 3^rd Record received and filed. 1834 June 3^rd Assignment of Errors filed.
And now to wit, this ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, this cause having come on to be heard before the Court of Errors and Appeals at the present Term thereof and the causes of Appeal, pleadings, proofs and exhibits having been read and heard by the Court, and the matters of Appeal being debated by the Counsel, It is ordered, adjudged, and decreed by the Court, that the decree of the Chancellor bearing date the [blank] day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty four dismissing the bill of complaint of Samuel McDowell the Complainant in the Court of Chancery be reversed.
And it is further ordered and adjudged by the Court that the President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine, the respondents in this appeal be perpetually enjoined and forever restrained from any further proceedings at law against the said Samuel McDowell, on the judgment rendered against him on the seventh day of April one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, at their suit in the late Supreme Court of the State of Delaware, and held at NewCastle for NewCastle County of the March Term one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, for the sum of five hunded and forty one Dollars and sixteen cents, numbered on the Docket of the said Court, No. 119 of the March Term one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and now remaining of record in the Superior Court for the said County of New Castle.
And it appearing to this Court that the sale of the thirty six shares of the Stock of the Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine, standing in his name on the Books of said Bank made by the said Samuel McDowell to Robert Porter in the month of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine, for the sum of three hundred and sixty Dollars, was without sufficient cause, and inequitably hindered and prevented by the said Respondents, and that the dividends on the said Stock do not amount to as great a sum as the interest upon the said purchase money. It is further ordered and decreed that the said Respondents pay to the said Samuel McDowell the sum of one hundred and eight Dollars, in lieu of the dividends declared on the said thirty six shares of Stock between the month of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine, and the month of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, and that the said dividends declared on the said thirty six shares of Stock between those periods be retained by the said Respondents for the use and benefit of the said Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine, leaving to the said Samuel McDowell his legal and equitable rights as to the sale and transfer of the said thirty six shares of Stock, of demanding and receiving any dividends that have been or may be declared thereon since the month of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
And it is further ordered and adjudged by the Court that the said Respondents pay the said sum hereby decreed to be paid, and also the costs of this suit in the Court of

State of Delaware Ss } I hereby certify that the foregoing is truly copied from the original as it remains of record in the Court of Errors and Appeals. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Dover the seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.

The Distributive account shows the following payments made, viz:

Account of Simon (Sh)arman administrator of William Rees.

Smyrna 15 Oct. 1829

William McDowells Land
To the Honourable Kensey Johns, Chancellor of the State of Delaware composing the Orphans' Court of Kent County. The petition of John McDowell administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of William McDowell late of Duck Creek Hundred in the County aforesaid deceased, respectfully represents that as such administrator your petitioner has administered the personal estate of the said deceased and found the same to be insufficient to pay and discharge the just debts due and owing from the estate of said deceased. That the said William McDowell was seized in his demise as of fee of and in a House on ground rent in the Village of Smyrna in the County and State aforesaid containing of land attached thereto about one acre more or less adjoining Lands of the heirs of Abraham Pierce, Isaac Davis and others.
That the said William McDowell left to survive him a widow named Mary and three children, namely, Ann Elizabeth, Edward and William to whom your petitioner has given notice agreeable to the Rules of this Court of his intention to apply for an order to sell the above described land and premises for the payment of the debts due and outstanding against the said deceased, a schedule whereof is herewith exhibited.
Your petitioner therefore prays the Court to grant an order for the sale of the above described land and premises agreeably to the directions of the act of General Assembly in such case made and provided. And your petitioner shall &C July 26, 1831

1831 July 26 presented and read to the Court on the same day John McDowell administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the said William McDowell deceased appears here in Court this day and causes proof to be made of notice having been given to the heirs interested in the Real Estate of the said William McDowell dec^d agreeably to law of his intention as such administrator to apply at the present term of this Court for an order to sell the whole or such part of the real estate of the said deceased as will be necessary to settle the debts due and outstanding against the same. Proof admitted by the Court.

The following are the exhibits made by said administrator.
William McDowell's estate
An account taken in the Orphans' Court of Kent County at July Term 1831 on the application of John McDowell administrator of William McDowell deceased, for an order to sell the Real estate of the said deceased, for the payment of his debts.

Sworn to Kent County Ss. John McDowell administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of William McDowell deceased, being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, deposed and saith that this is a just and true account of all the personal estate of the said deceased of every nature and description and of all debts outstanding against the estate of said deceased which have come to his knowledge and of all other personal property rights and credits belonging to the personal estate of said dec^d whereof he hath knowledge.

Sworn and subscribed this 27 July 1831.

26 July 1831 Examined and allowed by the Court.

1831 July 27. Said petition of said John McDowell administrator aforesaid was again exhibited to the Court and the Court upon inspecting the same and duly considering the premises directed the following order to the Clerk. "1831 July 27 order for sale subject to the widows claim of Dower" whereupon the said John McDowell administrator aforesaid offers James McDowell as his surety to enter into a bond to the State of Delaware as prescribed by the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided, who is approved by the Court as such surety.

By virtue of an order of the Orphans' Court for the county of Kent, will be exposed to Sale, by way of PUBLIC VENDUE, on Monday the 5^th day of September next between the hours of 10 AM & 4 PM to __ 12 O'clock M, on the premises all that House and Lot of Ground containing about one acre more or less situate, lying and being in Smyrna Duck Creek hundred, and county aforesaid; and adjoining lands of Isaac Davis and others—it being the real estate of William McDowell late of the county aforesaid, deceased, and to be sold for the payment of said deceased's debts. At the time and place aforesaid, attendance will be given and terms made known, by John McDowell Admr of said Dec^d. By Order of the Orphans' Court. Dover July 27 1831.

Met at 12 and for want of Bidders adjourned until 2 o'clock P.M. at which time the House &C was sold to J.B. Macomb for 400. Dlls

William McDowells Land
To this Court was delivered in the return of John McDowell administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of William McDowell dec^d which is as follows, viz
To the Honourable the Orphans Court of Kent County
Kent County Ss. After due notice given by ten advertisements written and signed by Joseph L. Harper, Clerk of the Orphans Court of Kent County aforesaid, describing the said lands and premises, set up in the most public and convenient places within the County aforesaid more than twenty days before the day of sale, according to the directions of the within order, I did on the fifth day of September last past, expose to sale by way of public vendue, all the lands and premises mentioned and described in the annexed and foregoing order, and I did then and there at said vendue, sell all the said Lands and premises to James B. Macomb for the sum of Four Hundred dollars, he the said James B. Macomb being the highest, and best bidder for the same: all of which is respectfully submitted to the Court for confirmation.

1832 March 20 Return of sale read & held under advisement
1832 March 22. Read and confirmed nisi.

John Mustard and James R. Clements certify inventory and appraisement on 27 November 1845.

James McDowell certifies that the said list is everything coming to his possession or knowledge. 16 December 1845.

Thomas Duhadaway sworn deposeth that in the afternoon of the 21^st April 1836, between the hours of 3 and 4 o'clock near Edward Stapleford, he saw John B. Wootens horse without a rider, that some black women told him that Wootten had been thrown and as they believed was killed, that he in company with Frances Lasken and the black women went to where Wootten lay in the Road, insensible, that he assisted to take him into a house at Coopers Corner and from thence to Edward Staplefords where Wootten soon after expired, and that he believes that his death was caused by his falling from his horse.

Caesar Brinckley affirmed that on the 21^st April 1836 while working in his lot saw John B. Wooten near his (Caesars) dwelling on horseback, that the horse became restive and made several plunges and threw him, that the horse got loose and went to Camden, that he was brought back to Caesars house, that Wooten then remounted and started for Dover, and further this deponent sayeth not.

Nathaniel Brinckley sworn says that in the afternoon of the 21^st April 1836, he saw John B. Wooten thrown from his horse near his fathers house that he was hurt in the hip and knee, that his horse broke loose and went to Camden, that he (Nathaniel) went and caught the horse and brought him back to his fathers shop, that Wooten lead him a short distance below the shop, remounted him and started for Dover.

1836 April 21^st I was called to visit John B. Wooten, who was said had rec^d a fall from his horse and badly injured. I visited John B. Wooten as early as it was possible was to do, and to my great surprise found him in the agonies of death. It is my belief that the divers of all that he got from his horse produced a powerful concussion of the brain which was the entire cause of his death.

Know all men by these presents that we whose names are hereunto subscribed do authorise and impower Dennis Stevenson Coroner of Kent County to collect and receive each and every of our fees that may be due us for our services as jurors on an Inquest indented and taken at the house of Jacob A. Griffin in Kent County on view of the dead body of John Wooten for which we give a final acquitance for the same given under our hands and seal this 22 day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six in Dover Hundred.

It is my Will that if I should die without Lawful issue that my wife Frances L. Schee, late Frances L. Simonton, do have and possess all my estate, both real and personal, for her own use and behoof, her, her heirs and assigns forever. Given under my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

Sealed Signed and Delivered in presence of us
John McDowell
Charles Warren

Certification of John McDowell and Charles Warren as witnesses to the Will and signed by him. Probate Date: 16 May 1837.

Be it remembered that on the thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight Letters of administration were granted on the Estate of Peregrine B. Battell to John McDowell who being sworn gave bond with Augustus M. Schee as his surety in one thousand Dollars vide.
To William K. Lockwood Register. I do hereby renounce all right and title I may have to the administration of my son Peregrine B. Batell Estate and desire that Letters of Administration may be granted to John McDowell of Dover.

Dover 30 Sept. 1828

To the Honorable the Judges of the Orphans Court now sitting at Dover in and for Kent County
The Petition of John McDowell who intermarried with Frances L. Schee the widow of Augustus M. Schee deceased, who was the eldest son of James Schee deceased late of the town of Dover, Kent County & State of Delaware respectfully represents that the said James Schee departed this life intestate in the month of June 1824 being seized in his demise as of fee of two several houses & lots of ground in the said town of Dover one of which is situated upon the public square of said town, and adjoins the dwelling house & ground of Henry M. Ridgely Esquire, and is bounded on the North by North Street, and the other is situate upon King or Main Street, and adjoins land of James H. Stevenson, land of the heirs of Elizabeth Nixon, and Christ Churchyard. That the said James Schee left to survive a widow named Mary who afterwards married John M. Many, and four children, to wit the said Augustus M. Schee deceased, James Schee, Elizabeth now the wife of Henry Todd, and Mary Schee, his heirs at law him surviving. That under & by virtue of proccedings in this Court returned to the February Term thereof 1829, the dower or thirds of the said Mary Many the widow as aforesaid of the said James Schee deceased, was duly laid off and assigned to her during her life, and the residue of the land of the said intestate was valued & subsequently sold, on account of the failure of any person entitled, to accept the same. That the dower or thirds so as aforesaid laid off and assigned to the said Mary Many the widow as aforesaid, is described by the following metes & bounds, to wit: beginning on the North side of the Court House Square, 87.5 feet eastwardly from the southwest corner of the dwelling house of Henry M. Ridgely Esquire, and from thence running S78¼W 21.5 feet to the southeast corner of a lot belonging to Henry M. Ridgely Esquire, thence N11¾W 231 feet to the northeasternmost corner the aforesaid lot of Henry M. Ridgely Esquire, thence with the southernmost line of North Street, N78¼E 25 feet 7 inches to a stake for a corner in the southernmost line of the afs^d North Street, thence S14½E 213 feet 7 inches to a corner in the back yard of the dwelling house, then occupied by John W. Many, Jacob Biddle & Robert France, and now by the aforesaid Henry Todd opposite the center of a long walk running down through said lot, thence S46½W 12 feet 4 inches to another corner in the afs^d back yard, thence through the center of the double or stack chimney other occupied by the said John W. Many & Jacob Biddle Esquires, and now by the said Henry Todd, to the beginning containing 7,080.19 square feet be the same more or less, as by reference to the said proceedings returned as afs^d will at large appear. That the said James Schee son of the said intestate, by a deed of trust duly executed & recorded, and bearing date the 2^nd day of February 1827, sold & conveyed unto Robert O. Pennewill of the town of Dover in trust for the said Mary Many then the wife as afs^d of the said John W. Many & the widow of the said intestate all his right & title to one equal undivided fourth part of the real estate of the said James Schee the said intestate, and the said Robert O. Pennwell trustee as afs^d and the said Mary Many (she the said Mary being the sole, the said John W. Many having departed this life) by a deed of a bargain & sale duly executed and bearing date the [blank] day of [blank] 183[blank] sold and conveyed unto the aforesaid Henry Todd; among other real estate, all the reversionary rights & interest of them the said Robert O. Pennewill & the said Mary Many of in that portion of the real estate of the said intestate, which had been assigned as afs^d to the said Mary Many and for her dower or thirds, and which said reversionary interest was purchased as afs^d of the said James Schee son of the said intestate. That the said Augustus M. Schee eldest son of the said James Schee deceased departed this life on the 14^th day of May 1837 having in his lifetime duly made & executed his last Will & Testament in writing bearing date the 24^th day of Dec^r 1833, wherein he did desire & bequeath unto the said Frances L. Schee now the wife as afs^d of your petitioner, in case he died without lawful issue, all his real & personal estate in fee simple, which said last Will & Testament was duly proved, approved & allowed by & before Henry M. Ridgely Esquire the Register for the Probate of Wills & granting letters of administration in & for Kent County afs^d. That the said Augustus M. Schee died without lawful issue. That your petitioner and Frances L. his wife in right of the said Frances L. who represent the said Augustus M. Schee are entitled to one equal undivided fourth part of the. That the said Mary Many widow as afs^d of the said James Schee the said intestate, departed this life on or about the third day of April 1840. That your petitioner and Frances L. his wife in right of the said Frances L. who is the assignee of the said Augustus M. Schee under his said Will, are entitled in fee simple to one equal undivided fourth part of the said real estate of the said intestate, so laid off and assigned as afs^d to the said Mary Many as & for her dower. That the said Henry Todd as assignee as afs^d of the said Robert O. Pennewill & the said Mary Many, is entitled in fee simple to one equal undivided fourth part of the said real estate. That the said Henry Todd & Elizabeth his wife in right of the said Elizabeth, are entitled in fee simple to one other equal undivided fourth part of the said real estate, and the said Mary Schee is entitled to the other & remaining fourth part of the said real estate in fee simple. That the said real estate is held by the several parties entitled thereto without division. Your Petitioner therefore prays the Court to appoint five judicious & impartial freeholders to make partition thereof among the parties entitled, and as in duty bound.

Petition of John McDowell for partition
Hunn Jenkins, Jacob Raymond, Joseph Smithers, Caleb H. Sipple, James Cowgill.

Be it remembered that on the seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas John McDowell a native citizen of the United States of America and being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God did depose and say that he has known the petitioner Thomas [Kirsins] for about three years past; that during that time he has resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States, to wit, in the State of Delaware; and moreover that the said Thomas [Kirsins] hath behaved himself as a man of good moral character attached to the principals of the Constitution of the United States of America and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same.

Sworn in open Court May 7, 1827 before Jas Smithers

Deperate Debts 1833

James McDowell and Jno H. Barley appraised the estate of John Faries deceased with Alexander Faries Administrator.

In the matter of the application to divide the real estate of Jane A. Pitman Unity Lambdin
To the Honorable the Orphans Court of Kent County.
The Petition of Jane A. Pitman respectfully represents that at the last term of this Court an order was granted on her petition as one of the heirs at law to divide the intestate real estate of Unity Lambdin late of Kent County deceased, and James R. Clements, James McDowell, Benjamin Benson, William Denny and Walter McMullen were appointed to make said division. That once said order was made and before its execution the said James McDowell departed this life. Your Petitioner therefore prays the Court to appoint another freeholder to act in the premises in lieu of said deceased. And she will ever &C.

Mar. 23d 1858

James R. Clements and Charles S. Smith are appointed appraisers of the estate of Charles P. Wright of Duck Creek Hundred deceased with Elizabeth Wright and James McDowell as administrators.

15 October 1857, Account of James McDowell one of Adminisrators of Samuel P. Wright deceased.