Description Will of William McDonald of Hopewell, Pictou Co., NS

(Handwritten)

Estate of William McDonald late of Hopewell, Farmer, deceased, Testate

Certified Copy of Will for the Registrar of Deeds

This is the last Will and Testament of me William McDonald of Hopewell in the County of Pictou, Farmer  I hereby revoke all former wills by me made.

First. I give devise and bequeath to my son Hugh his heirs and assigns, all that Lot or piece of Land adjoining the property at present owned & occupied by John J. McLean, Tanner, and Situate between the Main road and the Intercolonial Railway.

Second. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Mary all the remaining real Estate which I may be in possession of at my death for her Sole use and benefit during her natural life and also all my household Effects, farming implements, Stock of whatever kind and all other goods and Chattels for her Sole use during her natural life with the liberty to dispose and Sell all or any of my live stock, goods, or chattels as may be necessary for her support.

Third. I also give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Mary the interest of all money that I may have at the date of my death to be paid to her each year during her natural life and while she remains unmarried.

Fourth. After the death of my beloved wife I give devise and bequeath to my son Robert Henry, his heirs and assigns all my Real Estate household effects, farming implements stock of whatever kind and all other goods and Chattels so given and bequeathed herein to my beloved wife for her sole use and benefit while she remains a widow. Provided always that if the said Robert Henry neglect or be unkind to his mother and only beloved wife or grow up addicted to an vicious habits, or show a want of care and  industry in the management of my property or leave his home for any length of time and reside elsewhere without the consent of my wife and his mother or become sick and unable to work my said property and cultivate the same my said wife shall have full power and authority if she so wish, to sell my real estate and personal property so bequeathed to my said son Robert Henry and the money arising from such sale shall be safely invested and remain at interest until the death or marriage of my beloved wife. She to
receive the interest arising therefrom while remains my widow.

Fifth. I hereby give my said wife the power and authority to sell my real estate and personal estate so bequeathed to my son Robert Henry as aforesaid and invest the money arising from such sale as before directed if he the said Robert Henry die before the death of my wife or her marriage leaving no issue him surviving.

Sixth. If while my beloved wife remains my widow, my said son Robert Henry die leaving a widow him surviving, She his said widow shall receive an equal share of my property with the other members of my family when the same shall be divided.

Seventh. I give and bequeath to  my grandsons, John Edward McDonald and William McDonald McKenzie the sum of One hundred Dollars each, to be paid out of my personal Estate at the date of the death of my wife or at her marriage.

Eighth. I order that the date of the marriage or death of  my beloved wife whatever money shall remain after paying my bequests and all other debts for which my Estate may be liable shall be equally divided among the members of my family who have not received any bequest in this will my son Hugh not exempted from the provisions of this clause.(3 sets of Initials in margin WWMcD, RWMcL JFMcL)

Ninth. I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be first paid and fully satisfied by my executors, and I do hereby nominate and appoint my friends Hugh Fraser (Hugh's son) of West Branch and James F. McLean of Hopewell Barrister, Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereto Set my hand and Seal this twenty ninth day of March  in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighty six.

Signed                       William McDonald      L.S.

The above instrument consisting of three sheets was signed by the said William McDonald as his last Will, in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Signed       ----  Robert McLeod
    "        ----- James F. McLean

Codicil

I hereby appoint my beloved wife Margaret as Executrix of this my last Will and testament to act in conjunction with the Executors mentioned in my Will herein.. Dated at New Glasgow this 28th. day of February A.D. 1890. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal.

Signed        William McDonald L.S.

Signed in presence of

Robert Grant
James F. McLean

The codicil herein added to the Will of William McDonald was signed by the said William McDonald in the presence of each of us and we in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses.

Signed       Robert Grant
    "        James F. McLean

New Glasgow
Feby. 28th. A.D. 1890

County of Pictou Sf
In the Court of Probate of Wills

I do hereby certify that the foregoing instrument consisting of three pages, is an exact and literal copy of the last Will and Testament and Codicil thereto of William McDonald late of Hopewell 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 23rd. day of March 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,  25th. MAR 1895  I certify that the within instrument was duly registered at noon of the above day in Will Book 2, pages 384-387 on the certificate of John H. Lane Rgr.

John Yorston  Registrar