Here goes nothin...

Following are the short and long versions of Arthur's will. The first is the short version as taken from "Early New Brunswick Probate Records, 1785-1835" by R. Wallace Hale:

BRANSCOMBE, ARTHUR:
Parish of Waterborough, Queens Co. Will dated 13 February 1825, proved 17 February 1825.

Wife Rachel her maintenance for life
Son Nathaniel 50 pounds
Son Arthur Lots 12 and 13 on the Grand Lake first Range.
Son Henry 50 pounds.
Son John 50 pounds and a feather bed and bedding
Son William 50 pounds and a feather bed and bedding
Amos, John's second son, 50 pounds to support him during his Insanity by My Executors.
Friend John Barton and my son Arthur Branscombe executors.
Witnesses: William Burk, Sr., John Barton, Joseph Barton.
Inventory dated 14 January 1825 (nope) valued at 816 pounds by Joseph Barton and Conrad Miller.


My attempt at transcribing a microfilmed version of the actual will (not my greatest talent I might add):

Branscombe, Arthur (3/4)
1825

In the name of God swear I Arthur Branscomb of the Parish of Waterborough Queens County New Brunswick being sick and week in the body but of Perfect mind and memory of the body and knowing that it is appointed for all most sure to die. And after death come to judgement I do make and explain this my last will and testament that is to say ?. And first of all I recommend my Soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it And my body I communeded to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the discrection of my executors. Nothing doubting but at the Final Resurrection I shall receive the same ?aguess? by the Mighty Power of God and holding such worldly estate where wills it has pleased God to bless me in this Life I give and Devide and Dispose of the same in the following manner.

And ?foremost? I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachel for her to have a comfortable living of my estate and property as long as she lives and to be taken care of in sickness and in health and when it pleaseth the Lord to take her ? ? of ?dation? She shall be buried in a decent Christian manner and after her decease I give unto my son Nathaniel and his heirs fifty pounds current money of this province. And I give unto my son Arthur and his heirs the whole right and title of the lots No. 12 and No. 13 on the Grand Lake first Range.

With the building, chattles, ?interests? and ?wilderness? that belongeth to the said Estate be paying all ?lawfull? debts. Or ??? suppose the said property and for the fulfillment of the said I give the Whole to ?him? and his heirs or assigns for ever. And I give unto my son Henry fifty pounds current money of said province. And I give unto my son John fifty pounds and one feather bed and bedding. And I give unto my son William fifty pounds current money of said province and one feather bed and bedding. And I give unto Amos, John's second son fifty pounds to be paid to ? for him to help to support him in his insanity. And after his decease the fifty pounds is to be divided equally between John and William or their heirs and assigns. And I making my trusty friend John Barton and my son Arthur Branscomb (executors of) this my last will and testament in ? whereof I have set my hand and ? this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five.

Signed Sealed published Pronounced and Declared by the said Arthur Branscomb as his last will and Testament (SIGNED) in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have here ? ? ours signed as the bound executors good Intentions before Sign????? (signorment?)

William Burk, Sr
John Barton
Joseph Barton

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Additional documents relate to inventory of estate and executor duties as follow....

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New Brunswick County of Queens: Be it understood that on the seventeenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five personally came and appeared before me, Nathaniel ?Butters? ?Deveter?? surrogate for the said county officers on his Majesty Province of New Brunswick, John Barton and Arthur Branscomb the exexutor in the aforesaid will ? and ? duly sworn to the five executors ?and? performance of the said will by taking the oath of execution by Law - appointed. ? Select? Surrogate of Queens County.

(on side) Arthur Branscomb(e) Will, proved 17 Feby (missed) .... File in the office of register of wills on Feby 24 1825 ...

Nathaniel Hubbard DeVeber Esquire Surrogate for the County of Queens, Joseph Barton and Conrad Miller of Waterborough of the County aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and solemnly declare that the aforesaid inventory by them taken and valued contains a just and fair appraisement of all the goods chatttle Estate and affects to which Arthur Branscomb late of Waterborough licensed deed ? and property of in the said County of Queens as ? ? access ? unto them by John Barton and Conrad Miller Arthur Branscomb the executor named in the last will of the said Arthur Branscomb ? any to the heirs of this will and judgement. W. H. Det??? Surrogate, QUeens County.

(Some of the following is redundant to above...)

Branscombe, Arthur 1825 - New Brunswick County of Queens:
Be it understood that on the seventeenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five ? ? came and appeared before me Nathaniel Hubbard DeVeber, Esquire, Surrogate Queens County John Barton and Arthur Branscomb the executor named in the last will and testament of Arthur Branscomb late of Waterborough in the County aforesaid deceased ? being duly sworn doth depose and solemnly declare that the ?possessions? inventory by them ? contains all the goods chattle estate and effects which the said Arthur Branscomb ?did? devise and ? ? have come to the knowledge and that ? ? hereafter shall appear they will tender a new account thereof. Sworn before me the 17th day of February 1825 ? me ?? surrogate Queens County. (followed by more comments that were difficult to make out)

Inventory of the property of Arthur Branscombe of the parish of Waterborough "on the" Grand Lake ?assessed? January 14th 1825 -

2 lots of land (12 and 13) in the first range on the Grand Lake with Improvements and Buildings (value indiscernible, perhaps 516 pounds?

Home Chattle (again, values are difficult to make out - 27? pounds something?)

Horses 22.11

Sheep and Hogs 9.7.6

1 bed and bedding 3-

1 " " 2-

? ?apparel? 1.11

Stove and pipe 3-

"Housal" furniture 5.11

Farming (??? - prob implements or similar?) 1.11.-

Blacksmith's "tules" 4.2.6

Obligations on ?dysant? persons 42.10.6

Cash (80.1.9)

(Total valuation) 816.19.9

Joseph Barton and Conrad Miller - Appraisers

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Arthur Branscomb - Filed in the office of the Register of Wills in Queens County at Gagetown, Feby 24 1825
? H. Peter? Dept. Reg'r

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Arthur and Rachel had:

Nathaniel b. 1776
Arthur b. 1781, m. Martha Miller
Henry b. 1782-88
John b. 1790
James b. 1794 (died 1812 so no mention in will)
William b. 1794 (same date as James but these are baptismal dates!)


Arthur made his will on 13 January 1825, and is said to have died only two days later, on 15 January.
His will is then "proved" about a month later, on 17-Feb-1825, and filed with Register of Wills on 24-Feb-1825.