| 1st October 1866 Last Will of Bridget Flanagan Wife of Richard Coady | Transcribed from the original at the Quebec Archives “Register of Holographic Wills, Testaments, and Codicils.” No. 349 |
The last Will and Testament of Bridget Flanagan, wife of Richard Coady, Farmer of the Township of Stoneham, in the District and County of Quebec, Lower Canada.
On the first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty six:
In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, before us the undersigned Patrick Kelly, Priest, Curé of the parish of St. Gabriel of Valcartier and Missionary charged with the Missions of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of St. Edmond of Stoneham, and of St. Jacques of Tewkesbury, both places in the Township of Stoneham, and David Craig, John McDonnell and Robert Paterson, Farmers, witnesses for this purpose attending, also of Stoneham, I Bridget Flanagan of the Township of Stoneham, in the District of Quebec, in the County of Quebec, now residing in the said Township of Stoneham, in the district and county aforesaid, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the moment thereof do declare in the presence of the above named persons the following as my last Will and Testament.
Firstly, I bequeath my soul to God and enjoin that after my decease my body shall be interred in a decent and becoming manner according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church and that a solemn Mass of Requiem be celebrated for the repose of my soul on the day of the interment of my body.
Secondly, I do will and bequeath unto my well beloved mother, Honorah McDonough, widow of the late Christopher Flanagan, the sum of Ten Pounds or Forty Dollars currency, each year, dating from the day of my interment; it being well understood that the said sums shall be deducted from the sum of Two Hundred Pounds or Eight Hundred Dollars which, I hereby declare that I accept as my share in the properties both moveable and immovable which I now and heretofore have enjoyed in common with my husband Richard Coady, and I also declare that I do hereby accept the said sum of Eight Hundred Dollars in lieu of whatever claims I may have to and in the said properties. Furthermore, I desire to specify that my heirs shall have no further claims upon the aforesaid properties, and for this purpose do hereby annul any other claims than those herein stated.
Thirdly, I hereby bequeath unto my sister Ellen Flanagan, now residing in the aforesaid Township of Stoneham, widow of the late Patrick Whelan, the sum of Ten Pounds or Forty Dollars, the said amount to be paid to her yearly after the decease of my mother, Honorah McDonough, widow of the late Christopher Flanagan, the said sum to be deducted also from the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars or Two Hundred Pounds currency; provided always that the payment of Two Hundred Pounds or Eight Hundred Dollars has not all been made and acquitted by the said Richard Coady.
Fourthly, I also will unto my niece, Ellen Whelan, now residing in the City of Quebec, Lower Canada, the sum of Forty Dollars, which sum shall be paid within three years after my decease, once only.
Fifthly, Unto William Whelan, my nephew, now residing in the aforesaid Township of Stoneham, I bequeath the sum of Forty Dollars which sum shall be paid yearly dating from the decease of my mother, Honorah McDonough, in case any part of the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars shall still remain.
And sixthly should any portion of the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars still remain unpaid to the above named persons, then the remainder shall be distributed equally to my nearest relatives surviving.
And for execution of the foregoing bequests I appoint Messiers William Corrigan and Patrick McKeo[w]n, both Farmers, residing in the Township of Stoneham to be my executors and request of them to render this last service.
Thus done and executed in the presence of the above named witnesses, the said Will and Testament having been read to the said Bridget Flanagan who has signed with us in the presence of Reverend Patrick Kelly, Priest, Curé, David Craig and John McDonnell and Robert Paterson undersigned. John McDonnell has made his mark over his name, this the first day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty six.
Two words omitted in the text, to be found in the margin good. One word effaced null.
Bridget Flanagan, her signature
David Craig, his signature
Robert Paterson, his signature
John McDonnell, his mark
Patrick Kelly, Priest, his signature
Transcribed by Gerald Neville, April 2011
Notes by Patricia Balkcom: Bridget died nine days later at the age of 58. Her mother, Honora McDonough, lived four years longer until 1870.