Will of Robert Gavin d. 1872

To all whom it may concern, know ye that this instrument witnesseth that I, Robert Gavin, of the Township of Dalhousie in the County of Lanark and Province of Ontario, farmer, being now in weak health of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, and calling into mind the mortality of the body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the manner and form as following, that is to say -

I bequeath unto my well-beloved son, William Gavin, all my property real and personal, consisting of the east half of lot number twenty-four and the east half of lot number twenty-five on the fourth concession and the west half of lot number twenty-six on the third concession in the Township of Dalhousie.

With all the privileges and appurtenances belonging or appertaining. Together with all the farm stock, farming implements, goods and chattels to me belonging or appertaining at the time of my decease. To have and to hold and all good use of the same to him and his heirs and assigns forever, but subject nevertheless, to the following conditions, first, that my well-beloved wife, Sarah Gavin, have the uncontrolled use of the house in which she now resides during the term of her natural life and all the household furniture and goods and chattels in said house at the time of my decease, shall be her own personal property. She shall have the privilege of keeping four cows which she shall choose from the stock of cows in my possession at the time of my decease and five sheep, the produce of which she shall have for her own use and benefit and my said son, William, shall feed the said five sheep and four cows in the same manner as he feeds his own stock. He shall also give her yearly so long as she lives and remains my widow, four and a half barrels of flour, twenty-five bushels of potatoes, and five bushels of peas, and keep her supplied with firewood. She shall have the use of the garden and the privilege of keeping a pig yearly in regard to the personal property which she may be possessed at her death, it shall go to my son, William, with the exception of one cow, that I bequeath to **Sarah Shirly.

Lastly, I appoint my friends, Moses Paul of the Township of Dalhousie in the County of Lanark and Province of Ontario, farmer and ***Allan Ferguson of the same place, farmer to be executors of this my last will and testament so as it may be carried out to the true intent and meaning herein contained in testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name and affix my seal this twenty-eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

Robert Gavin

Signed by the testator as his last will and testament in the prsence of us, present at the same time who at his requiestin his presence and in the presence of ech other have subscribed our names as witnesses

Allan Ferguson, Dalhousie
John Paul, Dalhousie (document says ' Moses' ??)

I, Allan Ferguson of the Township of Dalhousie in the County of Lanark, farmer, make oath and say that my name, place of residence and calling are above truly set forth in full. That I knew Robert Gavin, late of the Township of Dalhousie in the County of Lanark, farmer now deceased. That on or about the twenty-eighth day of December, 1871, I was present and did (in presence of) the said Robert Gavin, sign seal and declare the paper writing of which the foregoing is a true copy as and for the last will and testament of him, the said Robert Gavin. That I am subscribing

(Transcribed from a transcription from K.S.Q. Will try to get a scan of the original)

**probably Charland, daughter of Christa, Mrs. Robert Love
*** probably son-in-law