The Last Will and Testament of John McLean (1809-1867, Canoe Cove, P.E.I.)

In the name of God Amen I, John McLean of Canoe Cove Lot or Township No. 65 in Prince Edward Island. Former being of sound mind memory and understanding make this my last will and Testament I five and bequeath my soul to God who gave it relying for eternal salvation in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I order my body to be decently buried in the Canoe Cove burying ground and with regard to my person and real estate I dispose of them in manner following that is to say I give and bequeath to my oldest son Alexander McLean his heirs and assigns all my right title and interest of in to, Forty four acres of land being the southernmost moiety or half part of my farm at Canoe Cove aforesaid and adjoining the farm now occupied or possessed by Archibald McLean. to have and to hold the said moiety or half part to him the said Alexander McLean his heirs and assigns forever, subject nevertheless to an annuity of four pounds towards the maintenance of his mother and to be paid every year during her life time on the first day of November in each year and to begin from the day that my said son Alexander shall enter into the actual possession and occupation thereof that is, of the said moiety here in before mentioned. In consideration of this bequest to my said son it is my will that my said son shall work the whole farm for the benefit of my said family until he attains the age of twenty six years. And it is also my will that the said moiety of my said farm hereby bequeathed to my said son Alexander shall after he attains the age of twenty six years be subject to the sum of Twenty pounds currency payable as follows. That is to say the sum of five pounds to be paid to my daughter Flora within eighteen months from that date, the sum of five pounds to my daughter Ann within three years from that date, The sum of five pounds to my daughter Catherine within four years and a half from that date and the sum of five pounds to my daughter Julian within six years from that date. And it is my will that should my said son Alexander die without leaving issue or children, that his half hereby bequeathed to him should revert to the rest of my children share and share alike and that he shall not have liberty to sell his moiety to any person whomsoever without the consent of his brothers and sisters duly obtained in writing. And I give and bequeath the northern moiety of my said farm that is the moiety on which the dwelling house is, to my son Donald McLean his heirs and assigns to have and to hold the same to the said Donald McLean his heirs and assigns forever subject nonetheless to the maintenance of his mother with comfortable lodgings board and every other necessary occurring the term of her natural life in conjunction with the annuity to be annually paid to her by his brother Alexander and subject also to the sum of five pounds which I request my said son Donald to pay to my youngest daughter Janet when she attains the age of twenty years. And it is my will that this moiety shall with the buildings thereon or to be erected thereon shall be a home for my daughters until they shall contract matrimony and for my two sons John and William until they have served their apprenticeship, and in the event of the death of my said son Donald without issue the estate shall revert to the rest of my children share and share alike and it shall not be sold without the consent in writing of the rest of my children as mentioned with regard to the other moiety.

And it is my will that this last mentioned moiety shall be subject to such reasonable sum as my Executors shall deem prudent to be given towards helping my two sons John and William to learn trade. and I earnestly desire that my children both male and female shall exert themsolves to the utmost of their ability to clear off the debts upon the place. and it is my will that the wood of every description growing upon three acres of land on my said farm shall be given to John Crosby West River in payment of what I owe him. and I hereby nominate and appoint John McKinnon and Neil McLean Canoe Cove and Neil McKenzie Green Grove Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby ratifying allowing and confirming whatsoever my said Executors may legally do in the promises. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of April One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

Signed sealed published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of John McLean the above named Testament which he executed in our presence and to which we subscribe our names as witnesses thereto in his presence and in the presence of each other.

His John X McLean mark

signed
Lauchlin McKenzie
Dugald McLean
A. McKenzie

This Will was proved on the 8th November 1867 on the oath of Lauchlin McKenzie as subscribing witness

Charles Young
Judge of Probate