In 1823, 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, James and 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--seek to partition the land.
Result: Granted.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: Delaware State Archives, Dover, Delaware
