Will of John Brien from Newfoundland will books volume 5 page 448-449 probate year 1890

Last will and testament
of John Brien
of Topsail Farmer Deceased.

A
July 12^th 1874

I John Brien of Topsail farmer do hereby will and bequeath first all to God that gave it and my body to earth to be buried according to Christian burial according to the will of my wife Mary Brien and children: first of all I give to my son James Brien that piece of land from Gleeson's fence to Marsh the uncleared ground to be divided between them I give to my three sons that is Wm. Brien Edwd. Brien Richard Brien all the clear land and the mother to be supported the Rev. Father Thoms Connor to settle any dispute between I give to Thos. Brien that piece of land from his own house west end to the marsh and the garden he has now and forever
the girls to work as usual to come or go until they married
the horses and cattle and everything to stop as they are while they remain united and William Brien to be master
the road I made myself through the ground to be open to all equally no difference to be made more than usual. Signed sealed and in presence. John his x mark Brien Thos x King Patt K. Hickey

B

Wm Brien is the chief ruler or master in the house and premises Mrs. Mary Brien my wife is next in authority to Wm. Brien her son Richard to have share in the house until they help him to build for himself. The cattle that is here now will remain as usual for the good of the family if they quarrel or ????????? whole or part of said stock Wm Brien and Mrs. Mary Brien to share the two third part between them and the cattle that remain to be divided between the three boys that is say Wm Brien Edwd Brien and Richard Brien Mary Brien their mother if anything should happen any of these boys after their marriage with other women they never shall bring in any other man on this property the first breaks this agreement is to have the smallest share Signed Sealed and witnessed by John Brien his x mark (L.S.) Timothy Gleeson his x mark (L.S.) Patrick H. Hickey (L.S.)