This is a transcription of the body of the will:
I, Patrick Gibbons, of the Township of King in the County of York and the Province of Ontario - Yeoman of the age of sixty eight years, and being of sound mind and memory do make (...?) and declare this my last will and Testament in manner following, to (...?)
My Will is, First. That my funeral charges and just debts shall be paid by executor and executrix hereinafter named. The residue of my estate and property which shall not be required for this payment of my just debts, funeral charges and expenses attending the execution of this my will and the administration of my estate, I Give, devise and dispose thereof as follows:
Second: I Give and Bequeath to my Wife Catherine Gibbons the sole use and control of the west half of my dwelling house on the first floor and also a comfortable maintenance, fire wood, and the keep of one cow during the term of her natural life or so long as she shall remain unmarried and also my household goods. Which said maintenance , firewood, and keep of cow shall be furnished her by my son Luke hereinafter named, so long as it may be agreeable to her to stay in my house. But should she at any time choose to take up her permanent residence at some other place, she shall receive in lieu of said maintenance one hundred fifty dollars per year in cash.
Third: I Give and Bequest to my Son John Gibbons, Two hundred dollars to be paid by my executor whithin one year after the decease or remarriage of my said wife.
Fourth: I Give and Bequest to my Son James Gibbons, Two hundred dollars to be paid by my executor within one year after the decease or remarriage of my said wife.
Fifth: I Give, desire and Bequest to my son Luke, my homestead where I now reside being the east half of Lot number thirty one in the third concession of King aforesaid to him and his heirs and (...?) for ever. Subject to the support as hereinbefore mentioned of my wife Catherine Gibbons, and also the payment of certain legacies herein mentioned to be paid by him. I also give to my son Luke all my horses and horned cows, sheep and all my farming implements and stock and in the maintenance to be provided for my said wife he shall allow her a fair proportion of the fresh produce each year.
Sixth: I Give and devise to my daughter Mary O'Brien, wife of Andrew O'Brien, Two hundred dollars to be paid her by my executor within one year after the decease of my said wife.
Seventh: I Give and bequeath to my daughter, Catherine Gibbons, Four Hundred dollars to be paid to her by my executor as follows. Two hundred dollars within one year after my decease and two hundred dollars within one year after the decease of my said wife.
Eighth: I Give and bequest to my daughter Ann Gibbons Four hundred dollars to be paid to her as follows. Two hundred dollars to be paid to her within one year after my decease and two hundred dollars within one year after the decease of my said wife.
My real estate is and shall be subject to the foregoing legacies.
Lastly, I wish it to be understood by all parties interested that the sums mentioned to be paid to my sons John and James and to my daughter Mary are additonal to what I have heretofore given them. And I hereby nominate and appoint my sons John and Luke Gibbons to my executors and my Wife Catharine executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Seventy five.
The foregoing instrument consisting of one sheet was at the date there of signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Patrick Gibbons as one for his last will and Testament in presence of us who at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as winesses attesting thereto.
B. Pearson, (...?) of the village of Aurora
J. M. Wells Surgeon Dentist
Patrick Gibbons (his mark)
Patrick died 26 Dec 1876
The probate record states the following:
Affadavit of Value of Property
In the Surrogate Court of the County of York
In the Goods of Patrick deceased.
John Gibbons of the Township of Peel, Postmaster, in the County of Wellington, make oath and say that I am the eldest son, and one of the executors named in the will of the said Patrick Gibbons deceased.
That the personal Estate and Effects of the said deceased which he in any way died possessed of, or entitled to, and for and in respect to which letters of Probate ...? to be granted are of or about the value of Fourteen Hundred and Seventeen dollars.
Household furniture - 99
Farming Implements - 230
Horses - 380
Horned Cattle - 189
Sheep and swine - 119
Cash in hand - 400
Total - $1479
Sworn at the village of Aurora, in the County of York, the tenth day of February, 1877 before me B. Pearson.
Signed John Gibbons.