Last Will and Testament of Reuben Traveller
Will of Reuben Traveller, Surrogate Court Register Books, Vol. A (1840-1860),
Carleton Co., Ontario, Canada, pp. 237-240.
Transcribed from LDS Family History Library microfilm #0594695.
Note: There are no paragraph breaks in the will as it appears in the original register; the entire text appears as one block,
except for the signature elements and the first line, which appears as a kind of heading.
In the name of God Amen.
The Tenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight Reuben Traveller of the City of Ottawa in the County of Carleton in the Province of Canada being in health of body and of Sound mind "Thanks be to God" Do make and order in this my last Will and Testament making void all other former Wills and Testaments at any time heretofore made and first I direct that my Body be decently intered [sic] in the Episcopal Burying Ground of the City of Ottawa in an oaken Coffin within the space chosen by me and for which I have a Deed registered in the Books of Christs Church, and now in the possession of the minister of the said church for the time being and that a Head and Foot stone now prepared with a suitable inscription be put up as soon as possible and that once in each year and every year I request that the Stones so placed at the head & foot of my Grave may [?] be brushed once [?] with Linseed Oil and that the said head and foot stones be occasionally be [sic] looked to with an eye to their being Kept in order and if a visit could be made annually on the anniversary of my death by those who xxxxx me who are living it would serve to keep alive many pleasing recollections of the past.
And as to such worldly Estate it has pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows., First I direct that all lawful debts be paid as soon as possible out of the first monies that shall come into the hands of my Executors from any portion of my estate real or personal. Secondly, that the whole of my wearing apparel be equally distributed between my two surviving sons, Fortunatus & Reubin, my Patent Lever Watch and Silver Watch chain and key I hereby give and bequeath the same to my eldest son Fortunatus, and that the Gold Spectacles with the Silver case which were given to me as a mark of respect and esteem by the Gentlemen of the Bar of the City of Ottawa for faithful and efficient Services rendered. I hereby give and bequeath the Same to my Second Son Reubin as an heir Loom of the family and from him I must request they will be given to his eldest son Thomas Traveller, faithfully, and then to the elder branch of the Travellers in due Succession. Also I direct that a fair appraisement be made by two or three disinterested neighbours of all my Estate including my Household Furniture and after being signed with their names that a copy of the same shall be given by them to each of my Executors and at a reasonable time after my decease my dead & live stock be sold by Public Auction for good amount money of the Province of Canada in such a manner as is usual in such cases insuring the full and perfect payment thereof and to effect this my intention I do hereby vest in my Executors full power and Authority to dispose of my real estate at a time best suited in their estimation for the realizing of a fair value for the same or if it should be more to the wishes of my dear wife to continue and reside upon the Homestead I recommend that a few necessary articles be reserved from the Sale and removed to a smaller portion of the Building so that an increased rental may be obtained. Two rooms sparingly furnished for herself and my Georgiana Traveller she will find most most [sic] to the purpose of my wishes and her own Comfort. Otherwise I do hereby vest in my Executors full power and authority to dispose of my real estate in fee simple in as full and large a manner in every respect, as I could myself do if living. That any promissory notes Book accounts or other Securities be realized as soon as possible -?- assignments Five shares in the Bytown Gas Company a policy in the Canada Life Assurance Company with the profits from the Commencement together with the Rents with economy and a little industry will secure to my dear Wife and child a decent livelihood. My Interest in the Two Shares in the Building Society upon which Ten Shillings per month is required to be paid I give and bequeath to my dear Georgeana and my manuscripts, Commonplace Books, Scrap books and my other writings which I think will be highly valued and treasured up for my sake by my dear Georgeana.
If it should be agreed between my wife and my Executors to sell the property left my desire is that the proceeds may be so invested in trust to by Executors so as to bring forth the best return that is possible compatible with the double Security. The whole of the property herein enumerated and whatever other property I may die poss'ed of I hereby give and bequeath to my dear Wife Emily for and during her life to be in lieu of her Dower in Common law if she so elects and especially under the condition of her remaining in the state of Widowhood, and I do also appoint that my wife shall have the guardianship of my daughter Georgiana so that she attend strictly to her moral and religious training and that in case of my wife's death or marriage during her minority then I appoint my much esteemed friend and Executor John Sweetman who shall have the care of bringing her up and see that proper persons are entrusted with her interlectual [sic] progress. Should she be permitted to live long the greatest portion of her happiness will depend upon her early instructions under the blessing of God which must be daily prayed for. God may still preserve my life to see her arrive at Womanhood although it now hangs on as it were upon a slender thread. My desire, however, that she do not unite herself in marriage with a Roman Catholic whose religion is a religion of form and ceremonies, nor with a Methodist for theirs is only a religion of tempory xxxxx which produce loud whining and precise speeches and unfathomable duplicity, the life of God in the soul of man is found in but few of them.
I request also that the payments on Policy of insurance No. xxxx dated February seventh one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three on the life of my wife Emily which has been regularly paid by me with the profits accruing be continued and paid half yearly out of the funds I may leave for that purpose and that the interest on such policy I give and bequeath to my daughter Georgeana. My Executors will see to the payment being regularly made so as to insure the desired end, and in the case of my wife's death or marriage I desire then that the property left for her support may be given absolutely and is hereby given to my two eldest sons share and share alike subject to the payment of the monthly Subscriptions due and that may become due till the whole be paid up and in the case of death or deaths to the next eldest of their respective children. My dear wife Emily has been a good wife to me and I earnestly desire her future happiness, but I also hold that if she resolves to alter her condition in in [sic] life in this respect and ---?--- that the man she may choose for her future husband furnish her with a dove Cote and the materials for building a nest , and provision for the remainder of her days.
And I do hereby make and ordain my eldest son Furtunatus Traveller and John Sweetman Executors of this my last Will and Testament. I also direct that in the event of my Wifes marriage or death that the expence of education, clothing, and every necessary outlay in the bringing up of my daughter Georgeana be paid out of my estate to my Executor John Sweetman for that purpose.
In witness whereof I Reubin Traveller of the City of Ottawa in the County of Carleton and Province of Canada the Testator have this twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight set my hand and seal the whole being written on one sheet.
Reuben Traveller
The above having been read over to me I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal.
(Signed) Emily Traveller
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us and acknowledged in the presence of each other this twenty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight.
(Signed) John Sweetman
Thomas Lewis
Mary King
