Last Will and Testament of William Compton

Note: William was the father of William Compton, who settled with his family in Belle Creek, P.E.I. in 1840, after living in a number of locations in N.B. and N.S. Normally, this page is limited to P.E.I. wills, but in this case, as William is the progenitor of the Island Compton line, I felt it was suitable here. Thanks to Bob Davidson for sending along scans of this will.

From the Probate Court, St. John, N.B.

In the Name of God, Amen. I, William Compton, of the Parish of St. Martins, County of St. John, Province of New Brunswick, carpenter, being infirm in body though in perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of this life and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say:

First of all I desire to give and recommend my soul in the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this.

I give, devise and dispose of in the following manner and form.

All my just debts and dues to be paid first after my burial.

And I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Elizabeth five shillings to be given in twelve months after my decease.

And I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Phoebe five shillings to be given in like manner.

And I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Cornelius five shillings to be given to him in like manner above.

And I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Catherine five shillings to be given in like manner above.

And unto my well beloved son William I give and bequeath five shillings to be given in like manner as above mentioned

And unto my well beloved Granddaughter Sarah Compton one cow to be given her when she is eighteen years of age.

All the rest of my Estate Real and Personal I give and bequeath unto Sarah Compton, my well beloved wife, to be for her life and at her disposal after my decease.

And I do likewise constitute, make and ordain my well beloved son William Compton and my well beloved friend Phillip Mosher the sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I hereby disallow, revoke and disannul all and every former Wills, Legacies, Bequests and Executors by me in any wise before named willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four.

(Sgd) William Compton

Signed, Sealed, Published, Pronounced and Delivered by the said William

Compton as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his preference and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names.

(sgd) Daniel Vaughan

(sgd) Ebenezer Vaughan