25th November 1857
Last Will of Michael Fitzgerald
Husband of Mary Donovan
Transcribed from the original
at the Quebec Archives
“Register of Holographic Wills, Testaments, and Codicils.” 

This last will and testament of Michael Fitzgerald in the name of God, Amen.

I bequeath my lot of land Number Fifty Nine in the Sixth Range of the Seigniory of Fossambault in the parish of Sainte Catherine to Mary Donovan, my beloved wife, together with all the buildings thereon erected and the hay that is in the same buildings.

I bequeath to my said wife two cows known as Bessy and Sally, two sheep and one double stove.

I bequeath to my son, Michael Fitzgerald the remainder of my moveable effects without reserve.

I bequeath unto my son Michael Fitzgerald the enjoyment of lot Number Sixty Four in the Seventh Range of the Seigniory of Fossambault in the parish of Sainte Catherines in the District of Quebec on condition that he will support Mary Donovan, my beloved wife, his mother, during her life in a suitable and dutiful manner but should my said wife prefer it, my said son shall be bound to pay unto her the sum of six pounds currency each and every year during her life instead of supporting her with his family and after my said son’s death, my wish is that the said lot Number Sixty Four in the Seventh Range of the said Seigniory of Fossambault shall belong to my said son’s children.

And I do hereby mortgage and hypothecate for the yearly payment in case my said wife demands it instead of her support in my son’s family, of the said sum of six pounds currency, the said lot of land called lot Number Sixty Four situate in the Seventh Range of the Seigniory of Fossambault in the said parish of Sainte Catherine, the said lot containing three arpents in front by thirty in depth bounded in front by the Sixth Range of the said Seigniory in the rear by ungranted lands on one side by the representatives of the late Patrick Farrell and on the other side by Lawrence Connors.

My said son shall be obliged to drive my said wife to Church in a suitable and decent manner when she will require it. I also annul all my former wills.

Date at Ste. Catherine this twenty fifth day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven in the presence of the under signed witnesses. I reserve also the use of my bed room for my said wife during her life.

Michael Fitzgerald, his signature;

John Molony, his signature,

Lawrence Connor, his signature;

Michael Farrell, his signature;

Andrew Landrigan, his signature

Transcribed by Gerald Neville, May 2011

Notes by Patricia Balkcom:  Michael died four days later.