| 21st September 1893 Last Will of Elizabeth J. Armstrong Wife of Alexander McNicoll | From records of Notary Cyrille Renaud No. 733 Translated from the Original Will at the Quebec Archives |
On this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety three, before me Cyrille Renaud Public Notary residing in the parish of St. Ambroise of Jeune Lorette, personally came and appeared Elisabeth Jane Armstrong, wife of Alexander McNicoll, Farmer residing in the Parish of St. Gabriel of Valcartier, who being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding hath requested us, the said Notary and witnesses, to write down and receive in due form of law her last will and testament which she has declared in manner and form following, that is to say:
Firstly and principally, I most willingly resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator in the humble hope that he will receive it to his favour through the sole merits and intercession of Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Secondly, I desire that all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid by my Executor hereinafter named as soon as possible after my death.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my husband all my moveable and immoveable properties whatsoever to my husband Alexander McNicoll of Valcartier, Farmer, to the charge and condition following, that is to say,
1º At the charge to pay the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars to my son George McNicoll on demand.
2º To pay the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars to my other son David McNicoll.
3º To pay four hundred dollars to Agnes McNicoll.
4º To pay the sum of hundred and fifty dollars to Jannet McNicoll on demand for all these sums of money.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath all my furniture by equal share to my girls Agnes and Jannet McNicoll.
Fifthly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my said husband as Executor of this my will.
Sixthly, I revoke all wills and codicils I may have heretofore made and I declare the present to be my only true last will and testament.
The present will was thus declared by the said Testatrix to the said Notary in the presence of William Hornby and John Boyd, Farmers of Valcartier, witnesses for the present will, and by the said Notary in the presence of said witnesses read to the said Testatrix who declared to understand. it fully and persist therein.
Done and passed at Valcartier the day, month and year first above mentioned under Notarial Number seven hundred [and nineteen].
The said Testatrix having declared the inability to sign her name has made her cross in presence of said witnesses and Notary and the said Notary and witnesses have signed in presence of the said Testatrix and in the presence of each other.
Three words are void.
Elisabeth Jane Armstrong, her mark;
William Hornby, his signature;
John Boyd, his signature;
Cy. Renaud, N.P., his signature
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Transcribed by Gerald Neville, 2011
Note by Patricia Balkcom: Jane died two weeks later at the reported age of 66. Five of her known ten children are mentioned in the will. Several of their children moved to Minnesota and Wisconsin.