Will of William Brown Senior
from Newfoundland will books volume 3 pages 530-531 probate year 1878

In re
     William Brown Senior deceased.

This is the last will and testament of William Brown Senior, Planter, of Salvage, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, made on this thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven I William Brown Planter aforesaid being by God’s blessing of sound mind and in good health, do of my own free will and choice make and direct the following disposal of all my worldly goods and property;     such disposal to take effect and come into operation after my decease.     And I do moreover of my own free will and choice, revoke and cancel a former will and testament made by me on the 25^th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, so that I now do hereby express all my will and wish with regard to my aforesaid property.     I leave and bequeath to my two sons Joseph and Henry all that part or portion of my fishing room and gardens which they now hold and occupy situated on the north side of the harbour of Salvage aforesaid-     I leave and bequeath to my four sons George, James, Thomas and Edward, all the remainder of my fishing room and gardens which I now occupy and shall occupy until the time of my decease, but if my aforesaid son Thomas does not choose to fish in partnership with his other brothers, he may take to himself for his sole use, the landing wharf and the seine gallows.     I leave and bequeath to my two sons George and James all the fishing craft, seines, nets and all other fishing gear, three salmon nets alone excepted, which shall be found in my possession at the time of my decease.     And the three salmon nets aforementioned I leave and bequeath to my son Edward.

I leave and bequeath to my son James the whole of my dwelling house which I now occupy situated on the north side of Salvage aforesaid, with all the household furniture and kitchen gear thereto belonging with the exception only of such of the feather beds as shall hereinafter be specified and which I leave and bequeath as follows namely, a seven yard tick and feathers to Alexander, eldest son of my son George, A seven yard tick and feathers to James eldest son of my son Henry, and a nine yard tick and feathers, being the one on which I now sleep I leave and bequeath as a spare bed to be kept in the house for the use of friends and visitors.     I leave and bequeath to my eldest son Joseph the right to hold and occupy my seat in the parish church I leave and bequeath to my eldest daughter Elizabeth wife of John Moss, now residing at Sailer’s Island, near Salvage, the sum of eight pounds currency (£8cy)     I leave and bequeath to my second daughter Mary wife of James Fling now residing at Muddy Hole near Fogo, Green Bay, the sum of ten pounds currency (£10cy)     I leave and bequeath to my third daughter Rebecca, wife of George Squire Senr. now residing at Salvage, the sum of eight pounds currency (£8cy) I leave and bequeath to my fourth daughter Eliza wife of George Oldford now residing at Salvage, the sum of Eight pounds currency (£8cy)     I leave and bequeath to my daughter Jane Matcham now residing at Barren Harbour the sum of five pounds currency (£5cy)

All my money of whatever amount which shall be found in my possession at the time of my death, whether in my house, or in the hands of Messrs. James & William Stewart, Merchants, St. John’s, or in the main Bank of Newfoundland, after the above named sums shall be paid, and all other bequests specified herein, together with all funeral expenses, grave stone and all other demands and claims lawfully made on my estate, all such money as shall then be found to my credit I leave and bequeath as follows, namely, an equal share of the whole to each of my sons Joseph, Henry, Thomas, James, George and Edward, but I further will and wish that my son James shall take twenty pounds currency out of my son Edward’s share and give the same in yearly instalments to my granddaughter Mary, daughter of the said Edward and this sum I leave for providing her with clothes     In proof that this is my last will wish and testament relating to all my worldly goods and property I hereby affix my signature and seal on this thirtieth day of December one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven.

William his X mark Brown (LS)     The above will and testament was made, signed, and done in our presence by the aforesaid William brown Senior, in proof of which we have affixed our names and seals on this thirtieth day of December one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven, Charles Rock West, Clergyman of the Ch. of Eng. (LS)     Andrew Oldford, Constable of Salvage (LS)     William Moss (Cow Head) (LS)

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar