Will of William Bursey
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 75 to 77 probate year 1880

In re
William Bursey deceased.

In the name of God Amen.     I William Bursey of Old Perlican in the Island of Newfoundland, Fisherman, being sick and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory of my body knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do give and commend my soul to Almighty God who gave it, and my body I commend to the earth to receive at the discretion of my executors decent Christian burial believing that I shall receive the same again at the general resurrection at the last day.     And as touching such worldly estate wherewith God hath blessed me in this life I give and bequeath in the following manner and form.

First.     For and in consideration of the goodwill love and affection which I have toward my beloved wife Sarah Bursey that she during the term of her widowhood shall enjoy a peaceable residence within my dwelling house and also to receive a decent support from of my estate and at the joint expense of my six son hereafter mentioned and in the event of my landed property come to be divided she shall have her second choice in one seventh part of the same

Secondly.     For the goodwill and affection that I do bear toward my beloved son Uriah Bursey I give and bequeath unto him a silver watch and one seventh part of my landed property, the watch to become his immediately after my demise and that portion of the land any time he may think fit to take it to himself and he having the privilege of choosing that portion himself.

Thirdly.     For the love and affection that I have for my beloved son Elias Bursey I give and bequeath unto him my dwelling house and in the event of a division of my landed property he is to receive one seventh part which shall be allotted and marked out to him at the discretion of my executors any time after he attain the age of twenty one

Fourthly For and in consideration of the love I do bear toward my beloved son Eliezar Bursey I give and bequeath unto him a silver watch and which shall become his immediately after my decease, and one seventh part of my landed property which shall be allotted and marked unto him at the discretion of my executors any time after my hereafter named younger sons shall become capable of earning their own livelihood and not until then.

Fifthly-     For and in consideration of the love I do bear toward my beloved sons Alfred George Bully Bursey, William James Brittle Bursey and Fraser Joshua Bursey that they shall enjoy and have a peaceable residence and support from off and out of my aforesaid estate and in the event of a division of my landed property they shall receive one seventh part each, but the division of said land shall in no wise be permitted until after my youngest son Elias Bursey attain the age of twenty one years.

Sixthly I also declare and pronounce that any or either of my aforesaid sons refusing to comply with the requisitions of this my last will and testament in contributing toward the support of my beloved wife Sarah Bursey or toward the support and maintenance of my younger sons now incapable of supporting themselves shall forever quit claim right or title in this my estate.

Seventhly, I also constitute and pronounce and declare that my son Uriah Bursey and William Christian to be the executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills legacies or bequests and pronouncing this to be my last will and testament    In witness hereof I have set my hand and seal this the fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty five.    William his X mark Bursey (LS)     Signed, sealed, pronounced and delivered in our presence and in the presence of each other being first read and explained.     Jabez Tilley, James Bursey.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar