Mary Peabody, wife of
Captain Francis Peabody, lived to quite a ripe old age; she died on
the 22nd December, 1803, aged 84 years.

[126] Nathan Frazier of Andover, Essex Co., Mass., merchant, on 15th
October, 1767, delivered sundry articles--such as crockery,
sugar, spices, cloth goods, etc., to Richard Peabody "for his
brother, Capt. Francis Peabody." The articles amounted in
value to L311.18.1, old currency, and Richard Peabody gave his
note for this amt.

Captain Peabody's was the first will admitted to probate in the county
of Sunbury. It is a document of sufficient historic interest to be
quoted in full. And here it may be well to state that in the year of
grace, 1771, a will was made out in more solemn form than is the case
in modern times. As a rule it was read immediately after the funeral,
in the presence of kith and kin, and rarely were its provisions
disputed. Captain Peabody mentions his daughter Heprabeth in his will;
she married Jonathan Leavitt about the year 1773.

In the name of 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 hence at the last day. As for my burial I desire it may be
decent, at the discretion of my dear wife and executors hereafter
named. As to my worldly estate I will, and positively order, that
all my just debts be paid first. I give my dear and loving wife
one third part of all my estate in Nova Scotia, real and personal,
(excepting my wearing apparel), and one third part of my land in
Middleton and Rowley and Canada, and the use of two hundred
dollars now in New England, during her natural life, and the
principal if necessity calls for it.

Item, to my son Samuel I give one-fourth part of all my lands not
yet disposed of, excepting the land on Oromocto Island, and all
the money I have in New England, except two hundred dollars given
his mother, his paying all my just debts