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will. [See foot note below][1] He usually had command of the Polly, Merrimack or some one of the company's vessels. Later he built vessels for himself. He and his brother, Daniel Leavitt, were the men who piloted into the harbor of St. John the fleets that arrived from New York during the year 1784 with some thousands of Loyalists. In his testimony given in a law suit in 1792, Jonathan Leavitt says that in early times the places of anchorage in the harbor were at the flats on the west side between Fort Frederick and Sand Point, and at Portland Point. The first of these was generally used by strangers, and the latter by the vessels of the company. It was not until the year 1783 that vessels anchored in front of the upper cove, (now the Market Slip) that place being till
- ↑ Captain Francis Peabody died in the early part of the year 1773. His will is a quaint old document beginning as follows:—"In the name or God, Amen.—I, Francis Peabody of Maugerville in the county of Sunbury and Province of Nova Scotia, Being thro the abundant goodness of God, though weak in body yet of a sound and perfect understanding and memory, do constitute this my last will and testament and desire it may be received by all as such.
"First, I most humbly bequeath my soul to God my maker, beseeching His most gracious acceptance of it through the all-sufficient merits of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the last day.
"As to my worldly estate I will and positively order that all my just debts be paid first."
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · The will goes on to provide for the distribution of his property; to the widow one-third of his real and personal estate in Nova Scotia and one-third of his lands in Middleton and Rowley in New England and the use of $200 during her lifetime; to his sons Samuel, Stephen, Francis and Oliver is divided in nearly equal proportions the remainder of the estate, and the will closes in the words following:—
"Item, I give to my daughter Elizabeth White thirty dollars to be paid by my two eldest sons in household goods.
"Item, to my daughter Hannah Simonds five dollars, to be paid by my two eldest sons.
"Item, to my daughter Hephzibah I give three hundred dollars to be paid by my two eldest sons in household goods on the day of her marriage. As to my own household goods and furniture I leave to the discretion of my loving wife to dispose of, excepting my Sword, which I give to my son Samuel. I appoint my dear wife and mv son Samuel Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
As witness my hand,
Francis Peabody, Sr.
Delivered this 26th day of October, the year of our Lord 1771.
In presence of us,Israel Kinney,
Alexander Tapley,
Phinehas Nevers.
Benjamin Atherton, Registrar.This Will was proved, approved, and registered this 25th day of June, 1773.
James Simonds,
Judge of Probate.