| 13th July 1896 Will of Sarah Rourke Wife of James Hamilton | From the Notary Records of Cyrille Renaud Record #1140 Transcribed from the Original Will at the Quebec Archives |
On this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety six, before me Cyrille Renaud, Public Notary, residing in the Parish of St. Ambroise personally appeared Sarah Rourke, wife of James Hamilton, 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, 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 favor 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 James Hamilton all my moveable and immoveable properties wherever the same may be found and to whatever the same shall amount hereby constituting my said husband my universal legatee to the charge to pay to each of my children Joseph Hamilton & Alfred Hamilton the sum of two hundred dollars. at their respective age of majority.
Fourthly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my said husband as Executor of this my will.
I revoke all wills and codicils that I may have heretofore made and declare the present to be my true last will and testament.
The present will was thus declared by the said Testatrix to the said Notary in the presence of Joseph Rourke and David Hamilton both farmers of said Parish of Valcartier, read to the said Testatrix in presence of said witnesses who declared to understand it fully and persist therein.
Done and passed at the residence of said Testatrix and signed by the said Testatrix with and in the presence of said Notary and witnesses subscribing in her presence and in the presence of each other, after due reading hereof.
Sarah Rourke, her signature;
Joseph Rourke, his signature;
D. Hamilton, his signature;
Cy. Renaud, N.P., his signature
(Transcribed by Gerry Neville – August, 2011)
Notes by Patricia Balkcom: Sarah would have been 37 years old when she wrote this will and she and James had two young sons. I cannot find her burial record but it appears she did die shortly after writing this will as James remarried in 1897.