Duncan Simpson of Bellevue, Merchant in London

DUNCAN SIMPSON OF BELLEVUE

The Last Will and Testament of his nephew Thomas Simpson

In the event of my death on the present Arctic expedition, my worldly means, to the best of my knowledge, will stand as follows : — Five hundred pounds sterling in the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company : my revisionary share as a chief trader in that concern, worth, at the utmost, fifteen hundred pounds sterling : whatever monies the British Government may award me for the acknowledged discovery in the year 1837, of the long-sought North-west passage, or may arise from the publication of my maps and journal : and my half-share of a house and garden in the town of Dingwall, in the highlands of Scotland. Of these effects I will and bequeath the sum of one thousand pounds sterling, free of legacy duty and all other charges, to my mother, Mrs. Mary Simp- son of Dingwall, aforesaid. To my uncle, Duncan Simpson, Esq., of Bellevue, near Beauly, in the same county of Ross, and to his wife Mary jointly, or to the survivor of them, I bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds sterling : and to Mrs. Margaret Bain * of Dingwall aforesaid, twenty pounds sterling, in like manner free from legacy duty and all other charges. To my only brother, Alexander Simpson, now, or lately, in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, and to his lawful heirs I will and bequeath the residue of my property as above stated ; and all that may accrue to me from any other source whatever, saving and excepting my clothing, books, arms, or other moveables, not specified, at Great Bear Lake and Red River, to the value of one hundred pounds sterling or thereby, which I appropriate to satisfy any claims there may be against me at the said colony of Red River. Should my mother, uncle and aunt, or Mrs. Margaret Bain, aforesaid, die before me, then, and in that case, it is my will that the sums bequeathed to them revert to my brother Alexander, and to his lawful heirs. I further constitute and appoint my said brother, Alexander Simpson, and my friend Alexander Christie, Esq., at present Governor of Red River colony, the executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in duplicate, at Fort Confidence, Great Bear Lake, this eleventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. Thomas Simpson. Life and Travels: 313-14

Fasti of the Church of Scotland VII: 2