Will_Gillis_John(Red) – (Eigg Mountain Settlement History)

John Gillis (Red) died at the age of 86 years on May 24, 1868 and left a will and probate file

A -383. He was born about 1782 in Arisaig. His probate file contains an inventory and he owned 300 acres. Unfortunately no descriptions of where his land was located on the mountain in his will. 

He left 100 acres on the west side to son Lauchlin, 100 acres to son Angus on the east side where John resided along with the house and barn, 65 acres to son Alexander and 35 acres to daughter Flora – both out of the middle section. Flora was only allowed to sell her land to one of her brothers and her brother Alexander was allowed the use “for all time” of the barn located on her property.

Two other sons  - John and Donald - received money but no land. 

The executors of the will were Lewis MacInnis (teacher) and John MacDonald (Loddy) and the witnesses were his brother Allan Gillis and John MacDonald. John Gillis (Red) could not write so made a mark to sign his will – his brother Allan could write.

There is an inventory included in the probate file prepared by Michael MacDonald, Back Settlement Arisaig and Allan Smith, Moidart.

300 acres of land $850.00

1 pair of oxen (7 years old) $56.00

1 pair of oxen (2 years old) $20.00

4 milch cows (each $16) $64.00

1 Heifer $11.00

1 Yearling $5.50

3 calves $9.00

1 Mare $52 & fold $12 $64.00

23 Sheep $46.00

1 Cart $10.00

1 Plough $6.00

1 Harrow $1.00

1^st Harness $1.50

1 Scythe $.50

1 Sled $1.50

3 hoes $.80

1 Dung Fork $.50

2 Pigs $5.00

3 Geese $.70

5 Blankets/5 Mattresses/7 Pillows $17.10

5 Rugs or bed coverings $5.00

1 Loom $8.00

1 Clock $3.00

4 Chairs $2.00

1 Table $1.00

2 Pots $1.50

1 oven $.60

1 Kettle $.50

1 Shovel $.40

3 baskets $.60

6 coolers(?) $.60

Crockery $1.50

1 Herring Net $3.50

1 Boat (at the shore) $4.00

4 sickles $.40

1 candle pole(?) $.20

Wool & Yarn $4.00

1 Fish House $1.00

1 Hay Fork $.25

200 feet hemlock boards $1.20

3 Books $1.50

Butter & Cheese $4.00

Maple Sugar $1.00

3 Table Cloths $2.00

4 Towels $.80

4 yards homespun $5.60

Money due the deceased $2.67

1 ax $1.00

Omitted above

Cross ? Saw $5.00

Augers $.50

? Iron $.25

S. Saw $.25