The Last Will and Testament of Donald McKinnon, (-1871, Melrose)

In the name of God Amen. This twenty-fifth day of July in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four (1864) I, Donald McKinnon Esqr. of Melrose, Township number fifty-five/55/ in Kings County, Gentleman, being, through the blessing of God, in a sound state of mind and memory, but calling to mind the frail tenure of life and that it is appointed to all men once to die; do make and ordain this my last will and Testament that is to say, principally and first of all, I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me, and the disposal of my body I leave to the entire discretion of my friends.

With respect to my worldly estate, I give, bequeath and dispose of it, in the manner and proportions then following:

1st I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Jennet, 400 hundred acres of land which lies east of Road, that divided the property, or all that tract of parcel (sic) of land which I now occupy, together with all my houses, household furniture, farming implements, and Stock and all that is called mine at this time, to have and to hold the same during her natural life and at her death the property to be left with my beloved son Francis H. McKinnon, his ___ heirs and assigns forever.

2nd I give and bequeath to my beloved son Angus, that piece of land which is now in his actual possession, together with one half of 400 acres south of his farm to be divided by the running of a line in center across the land, his to be west half of said 100 acres, to have and to hold the same for ever.

3rd I give and bequeath to my beloved son Alexander that piece of land now in his actual possession, together with 100 acres which lies south of land in the possession of Angus McKinnon, which one half will be the East half, to have and to hold the same for ever.

4th I give and bequeath to my beloved Son Francis H., one hundred acres of land which lies north of land in the possession of Alexander McKinnon, to have and to hold the same for ever.

5th In case that my sons John J. and Daniel A. McKinnon come home within the expiration of five years from the date of this will, they may settle each on 100 acres, that was pointed out for them before , but to have no authority to sell the same land to others.

6th If my Son James comes home within the expiration of five years , to have one half of the land ___to his mother, to have and to hold the same for ever.

7th I give and bequeath to each of my daughters the same as their sisters got before.

8th Mrs. Catherine Morrison to be supported in the place with her two Sons till she or they think proper to leave, and my two nieces Emily and Ann likewise.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke ___all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and Executors by me in any way____________ and bequest had ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament.

And I do hereby nominate and appoint Ronald McCormac, Donald Mc Donald, and Alexander McKinnon my Executors to execute this my last will and Testament.

In evidence thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year first above written.

Bequest sealed, published, pronounced )
and declared by the said Donald McKinnon Esq. as his last will and Testament, )
/s/ Donald McKinnon
in the presence of us the subscribers. )
/s/Ronald McCormack
/s/ John Mac________
/s/ James Mc Donald

This will was proved on the 25th April 1871, on the
____of Ronald McCormack, a subscriber. Witness before Commissioner
Sanderson, and will filed and registered on the 28th April 1871.

Charles ____
Judge of Probate