ARTHUR, CHRISTOPHER
W12a:24-27
4 May 1764
proved 29 March 1774

Bermuda
In the name of God, Amen, I Christopher Arthur of Paget's Tribe being now of perfect mind and memory (and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz.

Imprimis: I will that after my decease my body may be decently interred and (as soon as conveniently may be) an inventory and appraisement be made of all my personal estate, and all just debts due to my said estate be collected, and all just debts due from my said estate be paid and discharged.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my dear loving wife Miriam Arthur my negro girl Rosa and my negro boy Tom. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife the one half of my house hold goods, the other half I give unto my son-in-law John Harvey and my daughter Eunice Harvey.

Item: I give and bequeath the rest and residue of my personal estate equally to be divided between my loving wife, my son-in-law John Harvey, my daughter Eunice Harvey, my grandson Benjamin Arthur and my grand daughter Parnell Gibbs.

Item: I give unto my said wife my house and land now in possession of Mrs. Prudence Harvey, lying in Paget's Tribe, containing 6 acres, during her natural life, and at her decease, I give the aforesaid house and six acres of land to my grand daughter PARNELL GIBBS to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body and in the case my grand daughter Parnell Gibbs should die without lawful heir of her body, then I give the said house and six acres of land to my grandson John Hutchings Harvey, to him and his heirs for ever.

Item: I give unto my said wife my house and land lying in Paget's Tribe now in possession of Lewis Sondee (sp?) and John Long containing by estimation eighteen acres during her natural life. I likewise give my said wife discretional power to cut timber off the aforesaid two parcels of land to relieve her necessities, if need there be, and at her decease I give the said house and eighteen acres of land to my grandson Benjamin Arthur to him and his heirs lawfully begotten, and in case my grandson Benjamin Arthur should die without lawful issue of his body, then I give the said house and land to my grandson Joseph Harvey, to him and his heirs for ever.

Item: I give unto my grandson John Hutchings Harvey my house and land lying in Paget's Tribe, and now in possession of Mrs. Sarah Roberts containing by estimation one acre, to him and his heirs for ever. It is also my will that my grandson Benjamin Arthur in consideration of his having the house and eighteen acres of land now in possession of Lewis Sondee and John Long that he my said grandson Benjamin Arthur shall pay unto my grand daughter Elizabeth Harvey the sum of fifty pounds current money of these islands, which sum I order to be paid at my wife Miriam Arthur's decease by my executors hereafter mentioned.

The reason of my not mentioning my dwelling house and remainder of my land is, that I have before given them to my daughter Eunice Harvey by a deed of gift bearing date the eighth day November 1755 reference thereto being had, may more fully appear.

And lastly, I do hereby appoint my son in law John Harvey, my son in law Benjamin Vesey, and my friend Robert Davenport executors and my loving wife Miriam Arthur executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of May 1764.

Signed, sealed, published, & declared by the said Christopher Arthur, as and for his last will and testament in presence of us
Daniel Dunscome
George Good
Joseph Ingham

By his excellency George James Bruere, Esq, Governor and Ordinary of these islands... certify that this 29 day of March 1774 ... appeared Mr Joseph Ingham and Mr Daniel Dunscome...