Downing, Thomas
W6:338
8 October 1733
proved 5 December 1733

Bermuda als Somer Islands

In the name of God, Amen, I Thomas Downing of Hamilton Parish in these islands, mariner, being at this present time sick and weak of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory praised be to God for the same. But seriously considering ye certainty of death and uncertainty of man's life, I do make this my last will and testament and committ my soul to Almighty God, creator faithfully, believing to obtain salvation only in and through merritts and intercession of my blessed redeemer Jesus Christ, and my body I desire may be decently interred at the discretion of my executors herein after named and for what worldly estate God hath blessed me with I give and bequeath in manner and form following.

I will that my just debts which I owe in right or conscience be paid within convenient time after my death by my said executors.

I give to my son Richard Downing my smaller silver tankard, my silver hilted sword, my latgest china bowl and my yallow wood table.
<> I give to my eldest daughter Sarah Downing my largest silver tankard, my large cedar chest which was her mother's, my negro man called George and her choice of my other two china bowls.

I give to my youngest daughter Mary Downing a much money as will buy her a silver tankard of ten pounds value. I also give to my said daughter a silver porenger and four silver spoons new, and my other china bowl, a sett of six tee spoons, tongues and skimer, which were her mother's, a negro girl called Gesh and a small cedar chest.

My willis that my half or ___ of the sloop Carolina now at sea and my negro boy Jacob be sold by my executors to the best advantage and the money there by __ing to be disposed off with the residue of my estate hereafter mentioned.

Item. I give to my kinsman Col. Charles Walker my silver watch.

My will is that all the rest and residue of my estate what kind soever or where soever, not in this my will disposed off be equally divided between my said two daughters, Sarah Downing and Mary Downing and their heirs forever.

Lastly, I do hereby appoint and authorize my good friend Capt. Henry Corbusier, my respected mother law Mrs Sarah Stone widow, and my loving sister Mrs Sarah Pairman, all of Hamilton Tribe aforesaid to be my executors, of this my last will and testament, to cause the same to be fulfilled in manner before mentioned hereby revoking, annulling, and making void all and every other will and testament by me heretofore made, and this only to be my last will and testament and none other.

In witness whereof I the said Thom's Downing have here unto sett my hand and seal this eighth day of October in the yeare of our Lord Christ Anno Domini 1733. And in the seventh year of his majesties reign.

Sealed, declared, and delivered by the said Downing the testator as his last and testament in the presence of
Rich'd Jennings
Chas: Jones
Tho's Bostock

Bermuda
By his excellency the Governor
These are to certifye that this 5th day of December 1733 personally appeared before me the Gov'r Mr Thomas Bostock and Mr Charles Jones who severally made oath in the holy Evangelists that they respectively saw the within named Thomas Downing sign, seal, publish, and declare the within written instrument to be his last will and testament and that they also saw the within named Rich'd Jennings sign his name as a witness to the same and that he the said testator was at the same time of sound and perfect mind and memory to the best of their judgement. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand the day and year above written.
John Pitt
recorded and ex'd __Rich'd Tucker