Last Will and Testament of Roger Harper (c1798-1867), Suffolk, Lot 34, PEI

Submitted by Sarah Campbell -

Liber 7, Folio 311; will was proved 12 Apr 1867.

In the name of God Amen I Roger Harper of Suffolk Settlement Township number thirty four in Prince Edward Island Farmer being now advanced in years and weak in body but being of sound disposing mind memory and understanding do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say: I give devise and bequeath the Farm on which I now reside at Suffolk Settlement aforesaid containing one hundred acres more or less with the dwelling house and buildings and other appurtenances to the same belonging unto my son Abraham Harper his heirs executors administrators and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath to my said son Abraham absolutely all the carts waggons vehicles bridles saddles harness and farming implements with all the horses and one half part of the other live stock which shall be in the said farm at the time of my decease. The other half part of the said live stock on my said farm I give and bequeath to my dear wife Hannah Harper with this reservation that my said son shall have the general management of the whole of the stock on the said farm so long as my said wife shall continue to live with my said son on the said farm. It is my further will and I direct that my said wife with my two daughters Bathsheba and Caroline shall be maintained and supported in a becoming manner by my said son Abraham on the said farm during their lives or until their respective marriages, my said two daughters continuing as heretofore to aid and assist in the business of the household and thereby contributing somewhat towards their support it being my will and desire that my said son Abraham shall provide for them a comfortable home in my said House either residing with himself as one family, or in a separate half of the house as he may prefer during their natural lives or until their respective marriages. But should it happen that my said wife and daughters or either or any of them shall be unable to live peaceably and happily with my said son Abraham in the said dwelling house and shall be obliged to seek a home elsewhere then and in that case I direct that my said son Abraham shall pay to his said mother at the rate of twenty pounds currency per year from the time of leaving till her death or marriage and his said two sisters Bathsheba and Caroline at the rate of ten pounds currency per year each from said time till their respective deaths or marriages the said respective sums to be paid to them by half yearly payments. I give and bequeath all the household furniture in my said dwelling house to my said son Abraham to hold to him absolutely save and except my Bed and Bedding which I leave to my said wife and the chest of drawers which I leave to my said daughter Caroline but my will notwithstanding (?) is that my said wife shall have the free use of the said furniture in common with my said son Abraham so long as she continues to live in my said dwelling house and with regard to that part of the livestock ... (?) to my said wife. I do hereby direct that my said wife shall have the right to dispose by will of one half part of the live stock which may be on the said farm at the time of her decease to and amongst or for the benefit of such of my children grand children or great grand children as she may think fit. Should my said wife however die without making any such will or disposition the said half part of the said live stock so here in before bequeathed to my said wife shall belong to my said son Abraham absolutely. I direct that my just debts shall be paid by my said son Abraham out of the produce of my said farm. My funeral expenses to be defrayed out of my moneys or securities for money I may leave at the time of my decease or failing such or in case the same should not be sufficient then the residue to come out of the produce of my said farm. I bequeath to my son Isaac the sum of ten pounds currency to be paid to him by my said son Abraham out of the produce of the said farm or the personal effects here in before bequeathed to him. The same to be paid within twelve months after my decease. I leave to my grandson Roger Godfrey two Ewes and to my great grand son John Robert Brooks also two Ewes. Any money which I may leave after defraying my funeral expenses and any securities for money or other effects or property not here in before disposed of I give and bequeath the same to my said wife. Having devised my farm to my said son Abraham absolutely as here in before mentioned I must nevertheless express my desire that my said son should not sell or dispose of the same to any person not of the name or family of Harper and I trust he will not find it necessary to do so. I desire that within twelve months after the decease of my dear wife a Head Stone be erected by my said son Abraham at our heads. Should my said wife be obliged to leave the said dwelling house and reside elsewhere she shall be entitled at once to remove her half of the said live stock from the said farm. And lastly I do hereby appoint my friend James Arbing / Samuel's son / and my son in law Charles Carr to be Executors of this my will. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. Signed, Roger Harper

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Roger Harper as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto

set our names as witnesses: ...worth (?)

Atty at Law, W Wallis Duck.