Will_Gillis_John(Ban) – (Eigg Mountain Settlement History)

John Gillis (Ban) was the pioneer with his wife Flora and settled in Arisaig. Most of the Gillis families on Eigg Mountain, Pleasant Valley and Arisaig areas are descended from John (Ban) and Flora as Rankin points out in his book.

John (Ban) Gillis prepared his will August 8, 1832: “I give and bequeath to my son Angus Gillis one half of my lot of land lying at Arisaig…to be divided by a line drawn or run across leaving to him the rear division. I also give to my well beloved son Alexander Gillis whom I likewise constitute, make and ordain the sole executor of this my last will and testament all and singular the front division of my said lot of land.”

“I also ordain that the said front division to be supplied with timber from the rear division while timber lasts thereon”.

Son John received one shilling while son Allan received the value of eight pounds in “country produce” to come equally from Angus and Alexander. Daughters Mary and Catherine received one shilling each.

Flora Gillis – wife of John (Ban) was to receive “her share of my said land as the law direct and also one third of all the produce of the said front division in grain and potatoes together with three milch (milk) cows …(and)…provided in firewood is a sufficient manner.  

A granddaughter – Catherine – daughter of Alexander was mentioned in the will and is to be “supplied in apparel suitable to her situation and that if joining the married state in a decent manner agreeable to their desire (Alexander and mother Flora) she receives from my wife one cow and six sheep and from my son Alexander one cow, she always obeying them as a prudent young woman ought to”.

John (Ban) crossed out the word “beloved” when he referred to his son Angus but left it in when he mentioned his son Alexander.

Unfortunately the probate file only contains the will. John (Ban) could not write his name so make a mark and the witnesses were – Ronald or Ranald MacDonald, John MacKinnon and Alex MacDonald.