Text of Will:


I VARA PATERSON of 20 Cromwell Road, Hawksburn in the State of Victoria, Widow hereby revoke all former wills and declare this my last will.

After payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses I give devise and bequeath the whole of my real and personal estate to such of my three sisters Elizabeth Ann Rosiere[sic], Agnes Mary Rosiere[sic] and Ruby Ethel Rosiere as shall survive me as tenants in common in equal shares and I appoint my sister LOUISA ADINA WELLS of 42 Belgrave Road, East Malvern in the said State, Widow, the executrix hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of April One Thousand nine hundred and thirtyseven.

SIGNED by the said Vara Paterson with her mark as her last will the same having previously read over to her by me [in pen:] Leslie Algernon Ivor Maxwell [doctor] of the under signed when she seemed thoroughly to understand the same in the presence of us present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

[Vara’s mark is a ‘X’. In her probate papers, in the affidavit submitted by Maxwell, he states ‘that owing to physical disability the said deceased was unable to sign her signature in the said Will’.]

[Probate Index. 304/901; Paterson, Vara; Hawksburn, widow, 1.5.37, P, 10.3.38 VPRS 7591/P/0002]