Description Will of John Crerar of Pictou, NS

(Handwritten)

Estate of John Crerar, late of Pictou, Esquire, deceased, Testate

Copy of Will, and Codicils thereto, for the Registrar of Deeds

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Crerar of Pictou in the County of Pictou, Esquire.

I give and bequeath all my plate, bedding, furniture and household furnishings to my wife Jane Kate Crerar for use during her life, and at her death to be equally divided between my daughters Jane Kate and Laura.

I also give and bequeath to my said wife the sum of Two Thousand four hundred Dollars yearly during her life as hereinafter provided.

I give and devise the lot of land situate on the west side of College Street formerly my fathers unto my daughter Jane Kate Crerar and her heirs.

I give and devise my lot of Sixteen acres of land near the town Gut and Banjo's Mills to my daughter Laura Crerar and her heirs.

My gold watch and chain I give to my son John and my Gold ring to my son James Peter Crerar.

My brothers being in easy circumstances and not requiring aid I give each of them the Sum of twenty Dollars for Rings

. I wish that my ship or vessels that I may own or be interested in at my decease be not disposed of for one year thereafter unless my Executors can Sooner realize what they consider to be the value.

I direct my Executors to expend the Sum of four hundred or five hundred Dollars for a monument of Peterhead granite over my grave.

I direct that the education of my sons James Peter Crerar, and Harry H. Crerar be completed at the expense of my general estate.

My daughters Jane Kate Crerar, and Laura Crerar having already each received from one thirty seven shares of Stock of the People's Bank in their own names I will and direct that each of them in addition to the value of such shares at the time of my decease shall receive an additional sum of money sufficient with such shares to make up to each of them the sum or value of Ten Thousand Dollars, which additional sum of money shall be paid to each of them at the discretion of my executors within two years of my decease.

Having likewise already given and advanced to my three sons certain Stock or Shares in the People's Bank in their respective names I will and direct that each of my said sons John Crerar, James Peter Crerar, and Harry H. Crerar, shall on attaining the age of twenty one years receive a further additional Sum which together with the value of said Bank stock at the date of my decease shall make the sum of Twelve thousand Dollars to each of them, such further or additional sum to be paid to each of them, in the discretion of my Executors within two years of my decease. I allow the said two years to my Executors in order that they may realize to the best advantage from my stocks, and investments but in the meantime I direct that my said sons and daughters shall from the date of my decease receive Interest at Six percent per annum on such sums as shall be required to make up to each of them their said respective bequests.

The Residue and Remainder of all my Real and personal Estate I give devise and bequeath to my Trustees hereinafter named in Trust to manage, Sell and dispose of the same and to invest the proceeds of such residuary estate in Bank Stocks and Government or other good Securities and out of the profits or income therefrom to pay to my said wife during her natural life the sum of Two thousand Dollars yearly with four hundred Dollars a additional for rent of a Dwelling house for her, Such sum in all or annuity of Two thousand Dollars four hundred Dollars to be paid to my said wife by quarterly installments for the support and maintenance of herself and of such of her children as may from time to time reside with her. And I further will and direct that at the decease of my said wife the whole remaining sum or balance of my Residuary Estate funds, and property with all profits shall be equally divided amongst and between my said Sons John Crerar, James Peter Crerar, and Harry H. Crerar the Survivors or Survivor of them, then alive, and the child or children of any of them deceased, to take the parents share by representation.

I direct payment of all debts, and funeral & testamentary expenses, and I hereby revoke and declare to be null and void all former wills by me made.

I appoint my said wife and my brothers James Crerar (if resident in America) - William G. Crerar, and David S. Crerar and my friend James B. Duffus of Halifax to be Trustees and executrix and executors of this my last Will and Testament, to which I have set my hand and Seal at Pictou this twenty third day of May A.D. 1882.

Signed John Crerar L.S.

Signed Sealed and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and testament in the presence of us all together at the same time, and who all together at same time in his presence and at his request Subscribe as witnesses.

Signed----- Isaac A. Grant

    "            J. S. Grant

    "            John McKinlay

I John Crerar Esquire presently at Pictou in the County of Pictou, the Testator named in my last Will and Testament above written and duly executed by me, do make this Codicil thereto and hereby appoint my son John Crerar Junior, as and to be an Executor and Trustee of and under my said last Will and Testament and to have equal power and authority with the Executrix, Executors and Trustees named and appointed by my said Will-

Witness my hand and Seal hereto set this thirty first day of July A.D. 1883.

Signed John Crerar L.S.

Signed Sealed and declared by the Testator as and to be a Codicil to his last Will in the presence of us all together at the same time, and who all at same time in his presence and at his request Subscribe as witnesses.

Signed----- Isaac A. Grant

    "            J. S. Grant

    "            John McKinlay

I John Crerar Esquire the testator named in my foregoing written last Will and Testament now being at Pictou, Do make this further Codicil thereto by which I hereby appoint my son James Peter Crerar as and to be an Executor and Trustee of and under my said last Will and Testament and to have equal power and authority with the Executrix, Executors and Trustees named and appointed by my said Will and the Codicil thereto within written.

Witness my hand and Seal hereto set this fifth day of August in the year of our Lord 1887. Signed John Crerar L.S.

Signed Sealed and declared by the Testator as and to be a Codicil to his last Will in the presence of us all together at the same time, and who all at same time in his presence and at his request Subscribe as witnesses.

Signed----- J. S. Grant

    "            Jno Taylor

This is the third Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me John Crerar at present of Pictou in the County of Pictou, Esquire, which said Will bears the date twenty third day of May A.D. 1882, the other two Codicils thereto bearing date thirty first day of July A.D. 1883, and the this fifth day of August A.D. 1887 respectively.

I give devise and bequeath to my wife Jane Kate Crerar the sum of Two Thousand Dollars as an annuity for her life instead of the sum of Two Thousand four hundred Dollars as mentioned in my said will, the said annuity to be paid to her in quarterly installments of Five hundred Dollars each. Note - this paragraph signed in margin Sgd J Crerar, E.H. Elliott J.H. Lane

In addition to the bequests in my said Will to my daughters Jane Kate and Laura I give devise and bequeath the sum of Two thousand Dollars each, the same as also the original bequests as contained in my said will to be for their Sole and separate use without being subject to the control or debts of husbands.

I give devise and bequeath to Catherine McQuarrie, the housekeeper to my brother William G. Crerar the sum of One hundred Dollars.

I order and direct that my said Executrix and executors shall as soon as conveniently can be done after my decease sell a sufficient portion of my Stocks and securities to pay my said sons and daughters their several legacies and that after said Sale said legacies shall be paid to my said sons and daughters without interest.

I hereby nominate and appoint my said son Harry H. Crerar as and to be an Executor and Trustee under my said last Will and Testament and to have equal power and authority with the Executrix, Executors and Trustees named and appointed by my said Will and the two Codicils thereto.

And I hereby ratify and confirm my said will and codicils in every thing except whereby the same are hereby revoked and altered as aforesaid.

In witness whereof I the said John Crerar have to this my third Codicil set my hand and affixed my Seal this Thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty nine.

Signed John Crerar L.S.

Signed Sealed and declared by the Testator John Crerar as and for a third Codicil to be annexed to his last Will and testament and to be taken as part thereof, in the presence of us, we being present at the same time, who in his presence and in the presence of each other having hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Signed ------- G.W. Elliott

     "               J H Lane

This is the fourth Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me John Crerar at present of Pictou in the County of Pictou, Esquire.

I give devise and bequeath Annie Clark Crerar, Olivia Crerar, Peter Crerar, and Susan Jeanette Crerar, the children of my brother David L. Crerar, the Old Crerar homestead being the lot of land situate on the west side of College Street in the town of Pictou, formerly the property of my late father Peter Crerar, To Have and To Hold the said lot of land to them absolutely.

In witness whereof I the said John Crerar have hereto my hand Subscribed this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty nine.

Signed John Crerar L.S.

Signed and declared by the said Testator John Crerar as and for a fourth Codicil to be annexed to his last Will and testament and to be taken as part thereof, in the presence of us, we being present at the same time, who in his presence and in the presence of each other having hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Signed ------- G.W. Elliott

    "                J H Lane

County of Pictou Sf

In the Court of Probate of Wills

I do hereby certify that the foregoing Instrument consisting of seven pages, is an exact and literal copy of the last Will and Testament and four Codicils thereto of John Crerar late of Pictou in the County of Pictou, Esquire, deceased, Testate, which has been duly filed and admitted to Probate in accordance with the practice of the Court. Pictou 1st Nov - 1889. John H. Lane Registrar

To the Registrar of Deeds for the County of Pictou

Stamp - Province of Nova Scotia Registrars Office Pictou 21st Nov 1889 I certify that the within instrument was duly registered at 11:45 AM of the above day in the registry of Wills Book No 2 pages 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 & 90 on the certificate of John H. Lane Registrar John Ferguson Rgr.