George Cornwell will, 14 May 1799

In the name of god Amen I George Cornwell of Granville (in) the County of Annapolis and Province of Nova Scotia, Esquire, being (of) good health and of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this life, and the certainty of Death do make and publish this my last will and testament. First I resign and recommend my soul (to) my most merciful Creator, humbly imploring pardon of my sins through the merits of Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour my Body (I) submit to the Earth to be decently interred by my Executors herein(after) named. As to the worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to (bless) me, I dispose thereof as follows after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid out of my personal Estate, I give to Charity my beloved wife all my Negroe Slaves, requesting her to manumit and set them free (?) will after her decease, but in case they do not behave as honest and (?) servants, I wish she would sell them, as undeserving of her or my bounty towards them. I also give to my said beloved wife Charity all my personal estate of what nature or kind so ever as her property to be disposed of by her as she pleases. Item I give to my said wife Charity the rents issues and profits of all my estate real to be by her enjoyed during her natural life and no longer, and at and immediately after the decease of my said wife or after my death my said wife having died in my life time, I give and devise to Phobe wife of Nehemiah Merrit the following fish or basin lots to wit: numbers ninety, ninety one, ninety two, ninety three, and ninety (four) also the half of Marsh lot number two belonging to house lot number (?) which I purchased of Andrew White containing the half part seven (acres?) be the same more or less, to have and to hold the same with all rights and Priveledges thereunto belonging to the said Phobe Merrit her heirs and assigns forever. Item in consideration of the (love?) and affection I bear to my friend Thomas Barclay I give devise and bequeath to him the said Thomas Barclay his heirs and assigns all the rest residue and remainder of all my estate real and personal of what nature or kind soever to have and to hold the same to the said Thomas Barclay his heirs and assigns forever. And lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Charity and my friends the Honorable James DeLancey and Thomas Barclay Executrix and Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other wills by me heretofore (?) and declaring this only to be my last Will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine.

George Cornwell

Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto signed our names as witnesses thereto at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other-

Sam’l Dudney
John Colman
Ferdinand Shafner