Transcription of Will of John Gibbons:

I John Gibbons of the Village of Goldstone in the Township of Peel in the County of Wellington and Province of Ontario
Postmaster
Of the age of Forty-Six years being weak of Body but strong of Mind do make publish and Declare this to be my last Will and Testament - in manner following…

To Wit - My Estate and Property - I value at Twelve Hundred Dollars…

First: that my funeral charges and just debts and the charges attendant on the Execution of this my last Will and Testament - shall be paid by my Executors hereinafter named the residue of my Property and estate - I dispose of as follows.

Second: I give and bequeath to my Wife and children the use of my Estate and Property for the term of four years at the expiration of the said term of four years my Executers hereinafter named shall if they think it prudent - dispose of the property and divined it as follows - to my Wife Elizabeth Gibbons one fourth if she shall remain my Widow. To my Daughter Mary one fourth to my Son John one fourth to my Daughter Elizabeth one fourth. Should my Wife marry again before the expiration of said term of four years then her share shall be divided equally among the remaining heirs. Should they disagree by any fault of theirs such as disobedience of the children to their Mother or cruelty of the Mother toward the children my executors shall then dispose of said Estate and Property and place my Children under the charge of my Sister Mary or some other Christian Guardian and when the youngest heir shall have arrived at the age of twenty one years then if any of my property shall remain after paying for their Education and instruction my Executors shall divide it equally amongst the living heirs. I wish it to be distinctly understood that the Organ in my House is not a portion of my property but said Organ belongs to my Daughter Mary.

Third: Should my Wife marry at any future time she shall then give up all control over my Children and my Executors shall then place them under some other Christian Guardian's care.

Fourth: Should it be necessary for my Wife and Children to leave this house it is my desire that my Executors shall then take charge of my children and place them under the care of some Christian Guardian.

Fifth: My Estate and Property - being composed of the North West corner of lot number Thirteen in the Tenth Concession of Peel containing one half acre more or less with store and house and stable thereon store goods and household furniture.

Sixth: It is my desire that my body shall be buried in Calvery Cemetery in Newmarket.

Seventh: I hereby name and appoint as my Executors for the administration of my part my brother Luke Gibbons of the Township of King in the County of York , my Brother James Gibbons of the Town of Ingersoll and my Sister Mary O'Brien of the county of Simcoe the above document containing one Sheet of folia is my last Will and Testament in witness Where of I have set my hand and affixed my seal this Twenty Second day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-three.

Signed: John Gibbons

Witness: Michael Gibbons (his mark)
Luke Gibbons

Accompanying front page:

I certify that the within Instrument is duly Entered and Registered in the Registry Office for the North Riding of the County of Wellington, in Book Z3 for the Township of Peel at 11:20 o'clock a.m. of the 25th day of March, A. D. 1886. Number 5600 and known as Book B. General Registry as No. 346. Signed by the Registrar.

Transcription by Patricia Balkcom, 26 July 2002.