Last Will and Testament of James Connel

James Connel was the brother of my direct descendent Robert Connel. The two immigrated to Upper Canada around 1799.

Filed 8 January, 1847, with James Jessup, Reg’S Const.

In the name of God, Amen.

I, James Connel of the Township of Yonge in the District of Johnston in the Province of Canada, Yeoman do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

First I give and devise unto my beloved wife Isabella Connel one third part of each and every parcel of land hereinafter described to be set apart by my Executor, Alexander McLean hereinafter named, to have and to hold to her during her natural life if she shall so long remain my widow sole and unmarried. And I give and bequeath to my said wife all my household goods and furniture, one horse, two cows and six sheep to be set apart for her by my said Executor Alexander McLean to have and to hold to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

And it is my will and I herby authorize and empower my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named to invest in Loans from time to time during the life of my said wife or for each time as she shall remain my widow and secure by Bond and Mortgage the sum of two hundred pounds of lawful money of Canada to be made or obtained by my personal estate and effects at lawful interest such interest to be paid half yearly; and I give and bequeath such interest as the same shall become payable to my said wife during her natural life on continuance as my widow as aforesaid.

And it is further my will and I hereby give, bequeath and devise unto my said wife the use and occupancy of the three west rooms on the first floor of my present dwelling house with yard room and reasonable and convenient right of way for ingress, egress and regress to the said yard and rooms during her natural life on continuance as my widow as aforesaid. I give and devise the West half of lot number six in the second concession of Yonge aforesaid containing on hundred acres of land be the same more or less with the appurtenances unto my son James Connel of the Township of Yonge aforesaid, Yeoman to have and to hold the same to my said son James Connel his heirs and assigns forever subject however to the Estate hereinbefore devised to my said wife of one third part of the land during her life on continuance as my widow as aforesaid.

And I give and devise the East half of the said lot number six in the second concession of the said Township of Yonge containing one hundred acres of land be the same more or less with the appurtenances unto my daughter Permelia Munro, wife of Simon Munro of the said Township of Yonge, Yeoman to have and to hold the same to my said daughter Permelia Munro her heirs and assigns forever subject to the Estate herein before devised to my said wife thereout during the natural life or widowhood of my said wife.

And I give and devise all and singular that parcel or tract of land being the South part of lot number eight in the third concession of the Township of Yonge aforesaid butted and bounded as follows, that is to say, commencing at the South East angle of the said lot number eight, thence North twenty four degrees West thirty-nine chains and forty-seven links, thence South sixty-six degrees West nineteen chains more or less to the Western limit of said lot number eight, then South twenty-four degrees East, thirty-nine chains and forty-seven links to the front of the said third concession; then North sixty-six degrees East nineteen chains more or less to the place of beginning, containing seventy-five acres more or less together with the appurtenances to my son David Connel, formerly of the Township of Yonge aforesaid Yeoman to have and to hold the same unto my said son David Connel his heirs and assigns forever subject to the Estate hereinbefore devised of a part thereof as aforesaid to my said wife during her life on continuance as my widow.

And I give and devise all that other parcel or tract of land being the South part of lot number nine in the said third concession of the Township of Yonge aforesaid butted and bounded as follows, that is to say, commencing a the South East angle of the said lot number nine, thence North twenty-four degrees West thirty nine chains, forty-seven links, thence South sixty-six degrees West, nineteen chains more or less to the Western limit of the said lot number nine; thence South twenty four degrees East, thirty-nine chains forty seven links to the front of the said third concession; thence North sixty-six degrees East, nineteen chains more or less to the place of beginning containing seventy five acres be same more or less to my son Levi Connel formerly of the Township of Yonge aforesaid Yeoman to have and to hold the same to my said son Levi connel his heirs and assigns forever.

And from and after the death of my said wife or future intermarriage which shall first happen I give and bequeath the said two hundred pounds hereinbefore directed to be invested in loans as aforesaid together with the interest thereto if any remaining unpaid to my said wife, unto my said sons James Connel, David connel and Levi Connel and my said daughter Permelia Munro if all living and if not all living then to the survivors of them share and share alike and their respective Executors, administrators and assigns forever.

And as to the residue of my Personal Estate, goods, chattels, debts and effects not hereinbefore disposed of I give and bequeath the same to my said sons James, connel, David connel and Levi Connel and daughter Permelia Munro to be equally divided between them share and share alike by my Executor and Executrix herein after named to have and to hold the same to my said sons and daughter and their respective executors, administrators and assigns forever.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my said wife Issabella Connel and my trusty friend alexander McLean of the Township of Yonge aforesaid Farmer Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament; hereby revoking annulling and disallowing all former wills by me at anytime heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of august in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty six.

Signed, Sealed Published & Declared by the said Testator James connel as and for his last will and testament in our presence who at his request in his presence and presence of each other have subscribed over or oversee as witnesses hereto, The words “and Executrix” in the twenty third line from the top of the last page being first interlined in.
Adam R Cole
Andrew N. Buck
William L Gibson
Samuel Avery

James Connel X his mark

Source: Ontario Archives MS638 Reel 26 A-Cu