Description Will of Charles McDonald of Ardness, Pictou Co., NS

(Handwritten)

Estate of Charles McDonald, late of Ardness, Farmer deceased, Testate

Copy of Will for the Registrar of Deeds

In the name of God, Amen.
 
This is the last Will and Testament of me, Charles McDonald of Ardness in the County of Pictou, Farmer, desiring to dispose of my property now that I am sane in body and mind.

I desire that my funeral shall be made according to the Custom of the Country.

I give and bequeath to my son John McDonald one and one half acres of land at the North East corner of my farm known as the 'Widow's Farm", and adjoining the public highway on which he has his store, to have and to hold for ever.

I give and bequeath to my son Angus McDonald one half of my farm known as the 'Widow's Farm' on the east side thereof by a division line to run from the rear thereof to the front and paralell with the East sideline, to contain fifty acres, less one and one half acres devised to my son John, as above stated.

I also give and bequeath to my son Angus , A portion or part of my old homestead farm, on which I now reside on the East side thereof, that is to say by continuing  the division line aforesaid from the 'Widow's Farm' across the public highway in a northerly direction until it strikes the northern division line of my said homestead farm, to have and to hold the said portion or premises for his own use and benefit, except as hereafter provided.

I give and bequeath to my son Hugh McDonald the three acre lot that I won at the read and adjoining the said 'Widow's Farm' lot, to have and to hold the same for his own use and benefit.

I give and bequeath to my said son Hugh, the west side and remainder or residue of the 'Widow's Farm' so called together with the remainder or residue of my homestead farm for his own use and benefit except as herein after provided.

I give and bequeath to my sons Angus and Hugh all other lands that I own or possess (excepting the mill property) wheresoever situated, to have and to hold jointly by them for their own use and benefit.

I give and bequeath to my son Hugh the mill property at Barney's Brook for his own use and benefit for ever.

I give and bequeath to my sons, Angus and Hugh all my livestock, Goods, and Chattels, and farm implements to be by them jointly and mutually used and owned and should my said sons, Angus and Hugh deem it to their interest to have the stock divided I decree that one third be owned and possessed by my son Angus, and the two thirds shall be owned by my son Hugh.

I ordain that my beloved Daughter Catherine shall be maintained and provided for in raiment by my said sons, Angus and Hugh from the income of the lands hereby bequeathed, during the natural and unmarried period of her life, provided that she shall, the said Catherine shall assist them in all reasonable work in the House and on the farm according to her ability to do so.

I further ordain that my sons Angus and Hugh shall each pay annually to my said daughter Catherine the sum of four dollars cash Canada currency.

I ordain also that Mrs. Catherine Chisholm now a resident in my house shall be provided with clothing and raiment during the natural period of her life, and that she shall be decently buried at the Cost and expense of my said sons Angus and Hugh.

And lastly, I ordain that all the foregoing orders and decrees shall be duly and faithfully carried out and I hereby appoint John A. McDonald and Hugh D. McDonald both of Ardness aforesaid, aforesaid, whom I make and constitute and ordain Executors of this my  last Will and Testament, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament, this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety four.

Signed  X his mark       Charles McDonald      L.S.

Signed  Sealed,  published and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence and in the presence of each other hereto subscribed our names as witnesses at his request.

Signed       ----  D.D. MacDonald
    "        ---- John A. McDonald

County of Pictou Sf
In the Court of Probate of Wills

I do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument consisting of one page and part of a page, is an exact and literal copy of the last Will and Testament of Charles McDonald, late of Ardness, in the County of Pictou, Farmer, 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 26th day of Ocotber A.D. 1895.
John H. Lane  Registrar

To the Registrar of Deeds for the County of Pictou

Stamp - Province of Nova Scotia, Registrar of Deeds
Office, County of Pictou,  9th Nov 1895  I certify that the within Instrument was duly registered at 11AM of the above day in  Wills Book 3, pages 14-15- & 16 on the certificate of John H. Lane Rgr. of Probate

John Yorston  Registrar