The Last Will and Testament of James Laird Sr. (1798-1842, Vernon River)

In the name of God Amen -I James Laird Senior of Vernon River in Prince Edward Island Farmer being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding, and considering the uncertainty of this ? life do make publish and declare this my last will and Testament in manner following that is to say I give devise and bequeath unto Jeremiah Enman of Vernon River fifty acres of my land adjoining the land of my late Daughter Margaret with the exception of four acres in the rear thereof, together with my two leaved Table and stone dial plate, to Hold to him the said Jeremiah Enman his Heirs and Assigns forever - I have, devise and bequeath unto my grandson Josiah second son of my late Daughter Margaret when he shall have attained the age of Twenty one years thirty Eight acres of my land adjoining the Farm of Angus Ross on the one side and the said Jeremiah Enman on the other side. Also the four acres reserved in my bequest to Jeremiah Enman together with one half of my present stock or ? ? thereof have one fourth of the ? thereof ? to Hold to him the said Josiah his Heirs and Assigns forever, provided that he the said Josiah will not claim any portions of his late Mothers Land, in such case he still pay to his Brother Daniel Banwood his Executors, Administrators or assigns the sum of Thirty three pounds six shilling, and eight pence having had bequeath the above mentioned lands together with the said Stock subject to the payment of such ? should he claim any portions of his late Mothers Land as aforesaid the whole of which I hope will be left to Daniel I give and bequeath to Richard Spencer of Vernon River a Cow and two Ewe sheep to be given to him immediately after my decease. I give and bequeath unto my son James Laird (now absent) my watch which Jeremiah Enman unto have the use of until his return, but he is not to dispose of it should James not return, and my will and desire is that the above named Jeremiah Enman will immediately after my decease take charge of the whole of my property both real and personal with the exception of my bequest to Richard Spencer and forth care thereof until my grandsons shall have attained the age of twenty one years, and as the respectively attain their majority he is to give them such possession of the land herein before devised to them with one half of the same stock or value thereof together with one fourth the ? thereof with the Exception of the pigs which he is to retain to himself, and in case of the death of either of my Sons before he shall have attained his majority, my will and desire is that his portion of both real and personal property hereby bequeathed shall belong to the Survivor.

I hereby Constitute and appoint my friends Major Thomas Robinson of late unto the Town Royalty and Thomas Dawson of Charlotte Town ? Executors and Trustees of this my last Will and Testament in hopes that they will see everything ? done, will in case of any dispute their decision shall be final - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twentieth day of February 1838

James Laird

Signed, Sealed, published as declared
by the said Testator in our presence
who at his request and in the presence
of each other have hereunto subscribe
our names as Witnesses

Francis Metherall
Thomas Richards
George Van Iderstine

Registered on the 26^th day of September 1842 on the oath of Francis Metherall a subscribing witness and probate ? on the 27^th day of February 1843 to Thomas Robinson and Thomas Dawson the Executors therein named.

R Hodgson