| 22nd August 1902 Last Will of Ellen McCartney (Wife of Thomas Corrigan) | From records of Notary John Buckworth Parkin No. 4471 Transcribed from the Original at the Quebec Archives |
On the twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and two, at the request of Mrs. Ellen McCartney of the Parish of St. Foye, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, wife of Thomas Corrigan of that place, Farmer, I, John B. Parkin, of the City of Quebec, in the said Province, Notary Public, went to the residence of the said Ellen Corrigan, situate on the St. Louis Road in the said Parish, where I found her sick in body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, when she declared that she was desirous of making her last will and testament, which she requested me to receive, and which I, in the presence of the witnesses hereinafter named, have reduced to writing as dictated by her in manner and form following:
First, I direct that all my just debts be paid and satisfied as soon as possible after my decease.
Secondly, I give, devise and bequeath unto the said Thomas Corrigan, my said husband, the use, usufruct and enjoyment of all the property, moveable and immoveable, real and personal, and of every other nature and kind soever of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease, or which I may be in any manner or way entitled to have clim or receive, to be by him held and enjoyed for and during his lifetime.
Thirdly, as to the ownership of my said property, I give, devise and bequeath the same to my three sons, Thomas, James, and Francis in equal shares between them to be held and enjoyed from and after the decease of their said father, thenceforth forever.
Fourthly, I name and appoint my said husband to be the sole Executor of this my present last will and testament, into whose hands I divest myself of all my said estate and property from and after my decease, whose power as such shall continue beyond the time limited by law.
I revoke all wills by me at any time heretofore made and I declare the present to contain my only true last wishes and intentions.
It was thus made, dictated and published by the said Testatrix to the said Notary in the presence and hearing of Patrick John Egan, Farmer, and Antoine Vezina, Lumber Merchant, both of the said Parish of St. Foye, as witnesses for the effect hereof; and after her present will had been read over to her by the said Notary in their presence, she declared to have perfectly understood the same and persisted therein.
Done and executed at the said Parish of St. Foye, at the residence aforesaid of the said Testatrix, to remain of record among the minutes of the said Notary under the number four thousand four hundred and seventy one, the said Testatrix having signed her present last will and testament in the presence of the said Notary and witnesses who have signed in her presence and in the presence of each other, according to law.
Forty two words struck out are null.
Ellen Corrigan, her signature;
Patrick John Egan, his signature;
Ant. Vezina, his signature;
J.B. Parkin, N.P., his signature
Transcribed by Gerald Neville, 2012
Note by Patricia Balkcom: Ellen died nine years after this will was written. Although she had 15 known children, 4 predeceased her and three sons were living at this time, the remainder were daughters.