While browsing page by page through New Brunswick, Canada land deeds looking for clues about my Carlisle family, I came across a land deed that involved an infamous person in U.S. history – Benedict Arnold. Somewhere in my brain, I thought he had removed to England after the Revolutionary War ended. He did, but first, like other Loyalists, he settled in New Brunswick and lived there until 1791. Arnold spent the last ten years of his life living in London, where he died on 14 June 1801, aged 60. He was buried at St. Mary’s Church, Battersea.
Jedediah Fairweather to Benedict Arnold
This Indenture made the Seventeenth day
of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
and Eighty Six between Jedediah Fairweather of the Province of
New Brunswick Farmer of the one part and Benedict Arnold
Esquire of the City of Saint John in the Province aforesaid of the
other part. Witnesseth that the said Jedediah Fairweather for
and in consideration of the Sum of Fifty pounds of Current money
of the Province of New Brunswick to him in hand paid by
the said Benedict Arnold, the receipt whereof the said Jedediah
Fairweather doth hereby acknowledge. He the said Jedediah
Fairweather hath granted bargained and one and by these presents
doth grant bargain and sell alien and confirm unto the said
Benedict Arnold his Heirs and Assigns forever, a certain
Messuage or tenement and lot of Land, being number one thousand
three hundred and Twenty nine bounded on the East by Lot No.
1328, granted to Daniel Brown and on the north by lot 1241
granted to James Oliver, situate lying and being in the lower
Cove of the City of Saint John containing forty feet in front
and in depth one hundred feet, more or less, together with
all profits, Commodities, advantages, hereditaments, ways
waters and appurtenances whatsoever to the said messuage
or tenement and lot of Land and premises above mentioned
belonging or any wise appertaining, and also the Reversion
and reversions, remainder and remainders, Rents and
Services of the said premises and of every part thereof—
To have and to hold the said messuage ore tenementand all the Estate Right Title Interest claim and demand whatsoever
of him the said Jedediah Fairweather of in and to the said
messuage, tenement and premises and every part thereof. To have
and to hold the said Messuage or Tenement and Lot of Land and
all and singular the said premises above mentioned and every part
Jedediah Fairweather to Benedict Arnold, Page 2
part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said
Benedict Arnold, his Heirs and Assigns, to the only proper use of the said
Benedict Arnold his Heirs and Assigns for ever. And the said Jedediah
Fairweather for him and his Heirs the said Messuage or Tenement and Lot of Land and premises and every part thereof against him and
his Heirs and against all and every other person and persons whatsoever to the said Benedict Arnold his Heirs and Assigns shall and
will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof
the parties to these presents have interchangeably set their hands
and Seals the day and year first above written, and in the twenty
Sixth year of his Majesty’s Reign.
Jedediah Fairweather, SEAL
Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of
The words – to him in hand paid by the said Benedict Arnold, being
being first interlined between the fourth and fifth line- And the words (by Lot)
being also first interlined between the ninth and tenth lines.
Ross Curry – Chrisr Hatch
Province of New Brunswick – I hereby acknowledge to have received of Benedict Arnold Esquire the sum of fifty pounds New Brunswick Currency in full for the consideration money mentioned in the written Deed – witness my hand the day and year within mentioned.
Jedediah Fairweather
Witness
Ross Currie – Chrisr Hatch
St. John New Brunswick – Registerd on the Oath of Ross Currie
Esquire, one of the Witnesses – the 25th of April 1786