Last Will and Testament

Transcription of Thomas Shay's last will and testament, found in York County Deed Book volume 38, pages 417.^[1] and 418a^[2].

Last Will of Thomas Shay } No. 13860 In the name of God Amen, I, Thomas Shay of the Poquiock in the Parish of Prince William and County of York being sick and ready to die, do commend my spirit to God who gave it and my body to the dust from whence it was taken. I being as yet of sound mind, and showing a desire to have proper arrangements mad (sic) respecting my word by circumstances do thus proceed Viz First of all as for my wife Bathsheba, I leave all in her power until her death, and at her death the property is to be divided between John Shey and George Shey, and also Thomas and Stephen Shey each is have twenty pounds currency when the property falls into the hands of John and George Shey. As for my daughter Mary Jane Shey I do leave her five shillings currency. I also do leave to my daughter Sarah Shey five shillings. Also, I bequeath to my daughter Susan Shey three pounds currency, or Four sheep. Also to my daughter Bathsheba Shey she is to have a Cow or five pounds currency. Also my daughter Lucy Ann Shey I leave her three pounds currency. As for these my daughters they are to receive nothing of what I have bequeathed to them until my wife Bathsheba does think a proper time to ?? them, this being my mind and will I do hereby sign and seal as my last will, and to have the same lawfully executed. I do nominate the Executor of the same viz My Wife first of all Bathsheba Shey, John Scott Nathaniel Scott. And in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three and this second day of April in the aforesaid Year.

Witness present

William Faukner Thomas X Shay Samuel X Scott

Be it remembered that on the tenth day of August in the year our our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven Before George A. Bedell Esquire Registrar of deeds for the county of Carleton personally appeared William Faukner one of the subscribing witnesses to the will of Thomas Shay herea??, annexed and being duly sworn did depose and swear that he did see the said Thomas Shay sign the said annexed will by making his mark at the foot thereof and that he at the same time sealed published and declared the same to be his last will and testament, that before said signing the said Will was read over to the said Thomas Shay by him the said William Faukner and that he subscribed the name “Thomas Shay” at the foot of the said will by the direction of the said Thomas Shay and that at the time of such signing sealing publishing and declaring he the said William Faukner and one Samuel Scott Senior whose name is likewise subscribed to the said Will and witness attesting the execution thereof both present, and that the said Thomas Shay appeared at the time to be of sound and disposing mind and understanding and that the named William Faukner and Samuel Scott Sen were subscribed the said will by him the said William Faukner and by the said Samuel Scott Senior (making his mark thereto) in the presence of each other and of the said Thomas Shay Sworn to before me at Woodstock in the county of Carleton this 10 day of August A.D. 1857 G. A. Bedell Reg. of deeds in and for the Co. Carleton

Land Records

In November 1828, Thomas Shay was granted 100 acres in Prince William^[3]. On 20 May 1829, Thomas bought an additional 40 acres from Israel Atherton^[4]. This is the property that was inherited by his sons John and George.

John Shay sold his interest in the land to his brother George on 21 August 1858^[5].

George Shay then sold the land to William Thompson Fraser on 7 October 1858^[6].

Sources

1. ↑ "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XC5S-4V3?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-PWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17282801 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1856-1858 vol 038 > image 420 of 673; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada.
2. ↑ "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XC5S-WYT?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-PWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17282801 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1856-1858 vol 038 > image 422 of 673; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada.
3. ↑ Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Index to New Brunswick Land Grants, 1784 - 1997 (RS686) https://archives.gnb.ca/Search/RS686/Details.aspx?culture=en-CA&Key=10841
4. ↑ "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DT59-XKG?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-MZ9%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C15520601 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1830-1831 vol 018 > image 50 of 574; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada.
5. ↑ York County deed book volume 39, pages 376-378: "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D97-4NY?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-RWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17346701 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1858-1859 vol 039 > image 378 of 639; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada. "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D97-WS1?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-RWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17346701 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1858-1859 vol 039 > image 379 of 639; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada. "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D97-WLM?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-RWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17346701 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1858-1859 vol 039 > image 380 of 639; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada.
6. ↑ York County deed book volume 39, pages 459-460: "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D97-41H?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-RWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17346701 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1858-1859 vol 039 > image 461 of 639; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada. "Canada, New Brunswick County Deed Registry Books, 1780-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6D97-WRY?cc=1392378&wc=M69D-RWL%3A13843801%2C13841702%2C17346701 : 21 May 2014), York > Deed book > 1858-1859 vol 039 > image 462 of 639; County Office of Service, New Brunswick, Canada.