Will of William Byrne Senior
from Newfoundland will books volume 6 pages 193-195 probate year 1895

Last Will and Testament of
William Byrne of St. John's
Gentleman deceased.

      This is the last will and Testament of me William Byrne Senior of St. John's in the Island of Newfoundland Merchant.

First. I will and direct that my executors hereinafter named shall first out of my general estate, pay all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses.

Second I give devise and bequeath to my said executors the sum of Twelve thousand five hundred and thirty eight dollars and one cent $12,538.01) in Government Debenture Bonds bearing interest at five per cent per annum upon the following trust namely to pay to my daughter Elizabeth Byrne the annual interest arising therefrom (payable half yearly in July and January) for her support and maintenance during her natural life and upon her decease should she leave her surviving lawful issue the said sum of Twelve thousand five hundred and thirty eight dollars and one cent shall become the property of such issue absolutely share and share alike should there be more than one child: but should my said daughter die without leaving lawful issue her surviving the said sum of Twelve thousand five hundred and thirty eight dollars and one cent shall be equally divided among the children of my deceased daughter Mary wife of John Howlett of St. John's Draper.

Third I give devise and bequeath to my said daughter Elizabeth the house with the adjoining land and appurtenances therewith used or enjoyed at present occupied by me situate on the Circular Road in the Town of st. John's together with all and singular the household furniture, goods, chattels, and effects contained in and about same to be used occupied and enjoyed by her during her natural life and after her decease to her lawful issue absolutely share and share alike, but should she die without leaving lawful issue her surviving, then the said house, land, household furniture goods chattels and effects shall go to and become the property absolutely of the children of my said deceased daughter Mary in equal proportions.

Fourth I give devise and bequeath to my son William Byrne my Twillingate Trade and business together with all outstanding debts due in connection therewith. Also my business premises at Durrell's Arm Twillingate aforesaid together with all lands and other estate of every description belonging to me at said places.

Fifth. I give devise and bequeath to my granddaughter Alice Howlett the house with the adjoining land and appurtenances therewith used or enjoyed now occupied by my son in law John Howlett with the understanding that the said John Howlett and his present wife Mary A. Howlett shall have the right to use occupy and enjoy the same during the natural life of them and the survivor of them and upon the further understanding that each of my grandchildren that is to say, the children of my said deceased daughter Mary shall have the right to live in the said dwelling house until he or she shall attain the age of Twenty one years.

Sixth I give devise and bequeath to my said executors the sum of seven thousand nine hundred and forty four dollars, now invested by me upon mortgage security upon the following trust namely to pay over the sum of nineteen hundred and eighty six dollars to my said daughter Elizabeth to pay over the sum of nineteen hundred and eighty six dollars to my said son William Byrne and the balance of Three thousand nine hundred and seventy two dollars to hold in Trust and to apply the yearly interest arising therefrom to the support maintenance and education during the minority of the youngest of them and upon the youngest attaining the age of twenty one years to divide the principal among them in equal proportions of my aforenamed grandchildren.

Seventh. I give devise and bequeath and bequeath the sum of twenty dollars to the Convent of Mercy Military Road, forty dollars to the Belvidere Orphanage, twenty dollars to the St. Vincent de Paul Society (Gentlemans Branch) and to the Roman Catholic Cathedral at St. John's the sum of Twenty dollars annually for a period of Five years for the celebration of low masses for the repose of my soul.

Eight I give devise and bequeath the moneys now lying to my credit in the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland on deposit and current account to the children of my deceased daughter Mary to be divided among them in equal proportions.

Dated at St. John's Newfoundland this Fourth day of June A.D. 1895 - (Sgd) Wm Byrne. Signed published and declared by the said Testator in the presence of us who in his presence and the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses. (Sgd) F. J. Greene. (Sgd) J. J. Pitman. I William Byrne the Testator above named do hereby appoint Thomas J. Greene accountant and John Curran Merchant Tailor both of St. John's executors of this my will and Trustees for my grandchildren until the youngest shall attain the age of Twenty one years St. John's June 4^th 1895. (Sgd) Wm Byrne. Witnesses (Sgd) T. J. Greene. (Sgd) J. J. Pitman

      I certify the foregoing to be a correct copy of the last will and Testament of William Byrne deceased

Registrar

(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat
Jos. I. Little
J.
Probate
granted to
Thos J. Greene
& Jno Byrne
the Exors
Dated
Nov. 25: 1895
Estate
sworn under
$31,000.00