Description Will of Donald McDonald of Pictou Island, Pictou Co., NS

(Handwritten)

Estate of Donald McDonald, late of Pictou Island, Farmer, deceased, Testate

Certified Copy of Will for the Registrar of Deeds

This is the last Wil and testament Donald McDonald of Pictou Island, Farmer.

I Donald McDonald being in feeble health but of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following. That is to say,

I give and bequeath unto my son John McDonald the west side fifty acres less ½ acre of my farm less one half acre on which are at present the buildings occupied by myself and my son Hector and that Hector be at liberty at any time to remove the buildings to the east side of the farm if h desires to do so, without any molestation from John his brother.

I give and bequeath unto my son Hector McDonald the east side fifty acres of my farm together with one half acre of the west side (or fifty acres) on which are the buildings occupied by himself and me. Also the use of half the barn which is on the west side, while both agree about the same. But should it come about that they John and Hector should disagree, then Hector is to leave the barn altogether to John, and John to bear half the expense of building a barn on the side of the farm for Hector’s use.

I give and bequeath unto my two daughters, Mary Ann McDonald and Jessie McDonald a home in the house in which we now live as long as the house stands and they need the same and remain unmarried, with their mother and that b supported by both my sons.

I give and devise unto my wife Helen McDonald her use of the house in which we now live during her natural life, except the privilege given my two daughters aforesaid. I also give my wife her use of one Cow and one heifer, one calf and Six Sheep, and all the household furniture. I also bequeath unto my wife her maintenance off my two sons – equal shares.

I bequeath unto my two sons John & Hector McDonald all my lawful debts and funeral expenses and that I be decently buried.

I also bequeath to my son Colin McDonald (who has got his education and a trade and is now away in foreign lands) one dollar should he come to claim the same.

I hereby constitute and appoint Donald McLean and Alexander McDonald Malcolm’s son to be my executors of this my last Will and testament, hereby revoking all other and former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto my hand and Seal Subscribed and set this Sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety six.

Signed      X his mark   Donald McDonald     

Signed, Sealed, and declared by the said Donald McDonald as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto.

Witnesses

Signed       ----  Alex McDonald

    "             ---- Duncan McDonald

    “             ----  Alex F. Campbell

County of Pictou Sf

In the Court of Probate of Wills

I do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument consisting of two pages, is an exact and literal copy of the last Will and Testament of Donald McDonald, late of Pictou Island, 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 20th day of Octr. A.D. 1896.

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, 4^th Nov  1896  I certify that the within instrument was duly registered at Noon of the above day in Wills Book 3, pages 78,79 & 80 on the certificate of John H. Lane Rgr.

John Yorston  Registrar