Description Will of Robert Bannerman of Barney's River, Pictou Co., NS

(Handwritten)

Estate of Robert Bannerman, late of Barney’s River, deceased, Testate

Copy of Will for the Registrar of Deeds

I Robert Bannerman of Barney’s River in the County of Pictou, in the Province of Nova Scotia, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and tranquil life, Do therefore make and declare this to be my last Will and testament, that is to say,

First. I commit my Soul to Almighty God trusting in the merits of his son Jesus Christ for Salvation, and I direct that my body be discretely interred in the place of public burial according to the rites of the Presbyterian Church, And as to Such worldly estate and it hath pleased God in trust me with. I dispose of the same as follows, First I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible, out of the first monies that will come into the hands of my executors, from any portion of my Estate real or personal. Next after all my lawful Debts and funeral expenses are paid and discharged I give and bequeath to my two elders sons, Alexander James and John, the lot of land owned and occupied by me at Barney’s River, to be equally divided between them, with the understanding that Alexander James shall have the Southern half of the lot whereon the dwelling house and other buildings stand, and that he shall provide a home for his sisters while they remain single or unmarried, and that John shall have the Northern half thereof. Again I give and bequeath to my son William Fraser the sum of Eight hundred Dollars in lieu of his share of the real Estate. I also bequeath to my eldest daughter Jane the sum of three hundred Dollars. I give and bequeath to my second daughter Elizabeth Helen the sum of three hundred Dollars. I bequeath also to my third daughter Margaret Catherine the sum of three hundred Dollars, and I bequeath to my fourth and youngest daughter Elspet Janet the sum of three hundred Dollars.

I further direct that my Executors shall be Authorized to sell all my right and interest in that lot or block of land situated along the north side of the valley of Marshy Hoppe, by me owned in conjunction with James William McKenzie and Donald R. McKenzie, and that they apply the proceeds of the same for the benefit of my children. I direct that all my moveable effects, cattle, farming implements, household furniture, books, linen, and bedclothes, shall belong equally to my children share and share alike, and if my executors deem it advisable, they shall have power to sell the same, and divide the proceeds equally among my children, or apply it for their benefit in the best manner possible. And I direct also that my Executors pay over to the agent of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in Halifax the sum of Fifty Dollars for the missionary schemes of the said Church.

I likewise direct that all monies besides what is specified above arising out of invested funds or debts due to me to be collected by my executors, shall be equally divided between my children, or applied equally for their benefit.

Finally, I hereby appoint my beloved friends, Daniel A. Robertson, Donald R. McKenzie, and Simon Bannerman, the son of my uncle Simon, to be executors of this my said last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made or proposed, and as all my Children are infants in the eyes of the law. I hereby nominate and appoint George Murray, Doctor of Medicine, New Glasgow, John Ross, Esq., the uncle of my late beloved wife and the Rev. Duncan B. Blair, to be guardians of my children until each and all of them shall come to be of the legal age of twenty one years.

In witness whereof I, the Testator have hereto set my hand and Seal this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Eight two.

Signed Robert Bannerman L.S.

Signed Sealed and delivered by the Testator in the presence of us in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses.

Signed Duncan B. Blair

Signed John K. Blair

County of Pictou

In the Court of Probate of Wills

I do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument consisting of two and a half pages, is an exact and literal copy of the last Will and Testament of Robert Bannerman, late of Barney’s River in the County of Pictou, deceased, Testate, which has been duly filed and admitted to Probate in accordance with the practice of the Court.

Given under my hand at Pictou this twentieth day of January A.D. 1883. John H. Lane Registrar

To John Ferguson Registrar of Deeds for the County of Pictou

Province of Nova Scotia Registrars Office Pictou 19th March 1883 I certify that the within instrument was duly registered at 11 am of the above day in the registry of Wills Book No 1 pages 160,161, and 162 on the certificate of John H. Lane Registrar John Ferguson Rgr.