DUNSCOMB, Samuel

will written 20 May 1797
proved 27 June 1797

Bermuda
Sommers Islands

In the name of God, Amen. I Samuel Dunscomb of Pembroke Parish in these islands, mariner, being at this time in tolerable good health, and of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God for it, and knowing of certainty of Death, but not the time thereof, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say.

First. I commit my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my creator who gave it, in hopes of a blessed resurrection, into everlasting happiness, thro: the merits and tercessions of his Eternal son our blessed Saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ; and my body I commit to the Earth from whence it came to be decently (but not pompiously) buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and as to what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I devise and bequeath as follows.

Item. I give to my son Samuel Dunscomb a Negro man called by the name of Dick (Litto?) and fifty pounds cash to be paid him out of my estate first, and then his equal part with my wife and the rest of my children of whatever may be left of my personal estate and cash in particular (after my just debts and funeral charges are first paid) at my decease.

Item. It is also my will and desire that in six weeks after my decease a division of my estate be made and equally divided as hereafter directed.

Item. I give to my son Downing Dunscomb at my decease a negro man called Will and fifty pounds cash to be paid him out of my estate and then his equal part of my personal estate and cash whatever may be left after my just debts funeral charges and legacies are paid.

Item. I five to my daughter Mary Sally Dunscomb at my decease a Negro man called by the name Frank formerly called Friday and a negro boy called (?), & one hundred pounds cash first also twenty pounds cash toward bringing her up she being a young child, which make one hundred and twenty pounds cash before any (?) division be made, and then her equal part with the rest of my personal estate and cash whatever may be left after my just debts funeral charges and legacies are paid.

Item. I give to my wife Elizabeth Dunscomb at my decease, an equal part with my children of the (?) of my personal estate and cash whatever may be left after my just debts funeral charges and legacies are paid, during her natural life to have the profit use and benefit ofg whatever may be her share to her owne proper use, but is not to sell or dispose of any thing and at her decease, whatever may be left to return to my surviving children, and be equally divided between them and any (?) (?arising) (?from) making division to be paid to whomever it may be due and incase the cash shall fall short of paying every legacy then each child must have their proportion of the (?) according to their respective (?) and I do will and postitively order that all my children immediately after my decease choose? them? a guardian to take care of their property with good security.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint William Dunscomb & Joseph Darrell Executors of this my last will and testament ratifying, allowing, and confirming them to be so and no other. In witness wherof I have hereto set my hand and seal this day of May 20th one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.

Signed sealed & acknowledged by the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us , who by his desire have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

Joseph H Stowe

John Ingham

Accepted this 27th day of June 1797