| 24th June 1880 Last Will of Ann Davis Widow of David Neil | Transcribed from the original at the Quebec Archives “Register of Holographic Wills, Testaments, and Codicils.” |
St. Gabriel West, Province of Quebec
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Ann Davis, widow of the late David Neil who departed this life on the twentieth of September in the year eighteen hundred and seventy one, at St. Gabriel West in the County of Quebec, Province of Quebec, leaving issue of the said marriage between the said David Neil and the undersigned survivor who being afflicted by bodily sickness, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, thanks be to God for this and at his tender mercies to me bestowed and trusting entirely to mercy of God, I commend my soul to his Almighty Mercy, through the merits of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, and my body to be buried in descent Christian burial at the discretion of my survivors. Knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the day thereof, I do hereby of my own free will, ordain, will and bequeath and do hereby declare and make the following bequests, of my legitimate rights. As wife and survivor of the said David Neil in all property by him held at his said decease moveable and immoveable, the immoveable consisting of that portion of lots of land in the first concession, southeast of River aux Pins, Seigniory of St. Gabriel, being number nine and ten in the said first concession the whole share which I the present Testator hold legitimately consisting in the one half of the said above described lots of land with the buildings and improvements thereon. I will and bequeath as follows:
First, unto my beloved son William Neil the whole of the one half of the said lots of land, buildings and improvements as above described thereon to be placed in good and lawful possession thereof under proper law.
2nd That the said William Neil my beloved son shall pay the sum of forty dollars, which said sum of forty dollars shall be divided and paid as follows, that if peaceable or quiet possession is obtained, he shall pay unto my daughters Mary Ann Neil the sum of ten dollars, Catherine Neil the sum of ten dollars, Sarah Neil the sum of ten dollars, and Robert Neil the sum of ten dollars, all being issue of the marriage between the above described David Neil now departed this life which said amount of forty dollars as now divided shall be paid at the expiration of two years from the decease of the present Testator. And if providing that circumstances may arise that the sale of the whole property may be necessary under litigation, the said sum of forty dollars as above divided shall be paid as above directed. Upon the sale being effective the balance going to the said William Neil.
In testimony hereof and for the execution of the present testament, I hereby request and appoint Mr. Thomas Davis and Mr. Alexander McCune to be my executors in this present last will and only will, setting aside and nullifying all other will or signature which might or should arise, the whole of which is contained in three pages of paper.
In testimony whereof in the presence of the witnesses, I hereby set my seal and signature at St. Gabriel West in the Province of Quebec, this twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Ann Davis, her mark;
Witnesses: Samuel Clark, his signature;
Alexander McCune, his signature
Transcribed by Gerry Neville, July, 2011
Note by Patricia Balkcom: Ann died 2 months later, on August 19th, at the reported age of fifty-seven.