James Dean acquired property along the "great Dover to Smyrna Road", which is under the current Rt. 13, near it's intersection with Rt. 42, Fast Landing Rd. Based on his will, James built his house on the west side of the road although his property extended to both sides of the road and it was there that James and Sarah lived until Jame's death in 1787.
On 2 June, 1787, James wrote his will . He described himself as in poor health and living in Little Creek Hundred. The will mentions his wife (SARAH HEWES), 2 daughters, Rebecca and Keziah Dean and a son Jesse Dean . Keziah inherited only 2 shillings, 6 pence. Sarah and her daughter, Rebecca, inherited James' house and land on the west side of the road for use during their lifetimes only, then reverting to their son, Jesse. Son Jesse also inherited the lands on the east side of the road. James seems to have been trying to insure that his farm remained intact, all passing eventually to his son, Jesse. The will was probated on 26 June, 1787.
No other children were mentioned in James' will but there were other Deans living in Duck Creek Hundred who may have been children already established on lands of their own and so not mentioned in their fathers will. This includes another "James Dean" who, with his family, continued in the census records for Duck Creek Hundred until the early 19th century.
There is no record of when Sarah Hewes Dean died.
