The Last Will and Testament of Donald Gillis (Lot 17, - 1855)

Date of death, June 15, 1855

In the name of God amen the fourteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, I, Donald Gillis of Prince Edward Island in Prince County Miscouche Lot seventeen, farmer, being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God, therefor calling into mind the mortality of the body and knowing that it is appointed unto 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 give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First of all I bequeath to my son James Gillis forty acres of land from the rear of Lot sixteen line half the breadth of my farm and running toward Miscouche Road a sufficient distance as to make up the said forty acres. Also my son Joseph Gillis forty acres of my land commencing at Lot sixteen line and runnig toward the said Miscouche Road and along said James Gillis land a sufficient quantity as will make the said forty acres.

They are to give my sons Damien Gillis and Stephen Gillis firewood of the said land if they require it for the use of the house, but not to sell.

The said James Gillis and Joseph Gillis is not at liberty to sell any firewood of their farm, nor to sell or lease any part or parcel of their land except to one of my sons, the said Joseph Gillis and James Gillis is to pay into the support of my family while my wife Elizabeth lives, the amount of thirty shillings each which is to be paid in produce or work.

The said James Gillis and Joseph Gillis is at liberty to remain and work the grounds along with my other family for their maintenance while they remain unmarried.

Also to my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth a sufficient breadth of land commencing at Miscouche Road until it butts the land of James and Joseph Gillis and is sufficient quantity to make fifty acres of land to be in her name as long as she remains in the world, the said fifty acres to be subject to the management of Stephen Gillis and Damien Gillis my sons for to till in the same manner as the rest of the land, and the product of the said fifty acres to be applied of her and the family and after her death it is to be equally divided between my sons Stephen Gillis and Damien Gillis and the said Stephen Gillis and Damien Gillis is to maintain and support my wife Elizabeth as long as she lives. Also my daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Matilda and Mary Anne in a decent and proper manner as long as they remain unmarried.

I also give to my sons Stephen and Damien forty-five acres of land being the remainder of my farm is to be divided equally between them. Also I give to my wife Elizabeth her own bedroom and the use of the remainder of my house.

Also after the death of my wife and the marriage of my daughters and my son Stephen I give my dwelling house to my youngest son Damien Gillis with the consideration of him helping my son Stephen to build a dwelling house.

Also I give to my daughter Mary two cows, six head of sheep at her marriage. Also I give to my daughter Elizabeth two cows, six sheep at her marriage. I also give to my daughter Matilda at her marriage two cows, six sheep.

I also give ten pounds to be applied in Masses for the benefit of my soul, the same to be paid out of my present estate.

Also I leave the stock that is on the farm for the maintenance of the family and under the management of my wife. Stephen Gillis, Damien Gillis is to have the use of the stock to support the family. Stephen Gillis and Damien cannot sell or lease any part of the land to any one except one of my sons.

Also I give to my daughter Flora Gillis one English Shilling. Also to my daughter Catherine Gillis one English Shilling. Also to my daughter Mary Gillis one English Shilling.

Also I give to my sons John Gillis and Donald Gillis whom I constitute and ordain sole Executers of this my Last Will and Testament two English Shillings, and I do hereby utterly disallow all and every other forrmer testament and wills, legacies, bequests and executors by me in any way before deemed willed and bequeathed. Ratifying and confirming this and no others to be my last will and testament in witness wherof I havehereunto set my hand the day and year above written.

Donald Gillis X (His mark)

Copy Last Will of Donald Gillis Miscouche signed John S. Mac Donald