Will of William Butler
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 473-474 probate year 1887

In re
      William Butler deceased.

This the last will and testament of me William Butler of Robin Hood, Trinity Bay in the island of Newfoundland, Planter, which I do make publish and declare as follows:    being of sound mind but weak in body and knowing fully that my term of life is nearly ended, do herein devise and distribute my estate All my cultivated land to be considered as divided into Five parts vizt. Four parts will be the property of my four sons John Butler, William Butler, Alexander Butler and Israel Butler-    My wife Mary Butler holding and to hold the fifth part therein for the term of her natural life    The dwelling house in which I now reside with my wife Mary Butler and also occupied by my daughter Alice Butler and her child Rhoda Butler they will and are to maintain possession of the same for the term of their natural life, or their being otherwise provided for but in the event of their dying or being otherwise provided for as aforesaid the dwelling house now occupied by my son Israel Butler, and also the property on which she lives are to be retained by my last mentioned son and further I do herein order and direct that in case of any or either of my aforesaid sons dying their wives remaining single may remain on the property as long as they please but should they marry again the property or premises on which they may hold must revert to my Butler family    It is my intention and order that all lands and property herein mentioned shall not be escheated for indebtedness-
I do hereby give and grant unto my four sons John Butler, William Butler, Alexander Butler and Israel Butler all my lands remaining uncultivated, the same to be divided equally share and share alike.    My fishing room with vessel gear fishing tackle, boats, craft, nets, seines, lines, twines and all and everything appertaining to the fisheries I give and devise to my three sons William, Alexander and Israel Butler- my son John not having any interest in the same- he having provided himself with property on the “Beach” between the claims of William Miller and William Ivamy-    The pew in Christ Church, Trinity East, I hereby will to my sons Alexander and Israel Butler-     I also give and devise to four sons John, William, Alexander and Israel Butler, the sum of four hundred dollars with the interest accruing thereon now standing in my name on the books of the Savings Bank St. John’s.     And for the further carrying out of this my last will and testament I do hereby name and appoint my respected friends George Guppy of Ship Cove Planter and Stephen Day, Middleton’s Beach, as my executors to this my last will and testament.    William his X mark Butler (LS)    In witness whereof we have here unto set our hands and seals this sixth day of Novr 1886, Gilbert Hy Cole (LS) George Guppy (LS)

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar