Will of William H. Davidson
from Newfoundland will books vol 11 pages 402 & 403 probate year 1919

In re William H. Davidson       deceased

This is the last Will and Testament of me William H. Davidson of St. John's in the Island of Newfoundland, Commission Merchant.

First. I hereby revoke all Wills and Testamentary dispositions by me at anytime heretofore made.

Second. I give and bequeath the good-will only of the business at present conducted by me at St. John's aforesaid as a Commission Merchant and the office furniture used in connection therewith and the right to continue my agencies to my son-in-law John Gunn provided that he shall within such time as may be allowed him after my decease by my wife Margaret Davidson enter into on agreement with her satisfactory to my said wife in all respects to pay to my said wife the sum of one thousand dollars per annum during her life in equal half-yearly payments of five hundred dollars each the first of such payments to be made six months after the date of my death and if required by my said wife find security satisfactory to her for the due performance of same and should the said John Gunn fail to enter into said agreement or to find such security should same be required I declare that the assets comprised in this bequest shall become part of my residuary estate.

Third. Should the said John Gunn accept the bequest contained in paragraph two of this my Will upon the aforesaid conditions I direct my Executrix to allow him the use of two thousand dollars of the residue of my estate in the said business for the period of two years after my decease, the said John Gunn to pay my said Executrix interest therefor after the rate of five per centum per annum half-yearly.

Fourth. It is my wish and desire that the said John Gunn shall continue to conduct the said business under the firm name of "W.H. Davidson" during my said wife's lifetime.

Fifth. I give and bequeath all my shares in the Masonic Hall Joint Stock Company Limited to Avalon Masonic Lodge No. 776.

Sixth. I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars to the Methodist Orphanage of St. John's, the sum of fifty dollars to the Church of England Orphanage of St. John's and the sum of fifty dollars to the Salvation Army Rescue Home at St. John's.

Seventh. I give devise and bequeath my house situate near the Cross Roads, in the Western end of St. John's in which I at present reside together with all the land and appurtenances connected therewith unto my said wife for and during her life and after the decease of my said wife I give and bequeath the same unto my daughters Margaret McLeod and Fanny S. Gunn as tenants in common for ever.

Eighth. I direct the death duties on my estate and all my debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid out of my residuary estate and subject thereto I give devise and bequeath all my said residuary estate [which shall include the sum of two thousand dollars referred to in the third paragraph of this my Will which I have directed my Executrix to allow the use of to the said John Gunn and all interest arising therefrom and the good-will of my said business, office furniture and the right to continue my agencies referred to in the second paragraph of this my Will in case the said John Gunn shall not accept same upon the conditions contained in the said paragraph unto my said wife absolutely.

Ninth. I give my gold watch to my son Malcolm Davidson.

Tenth. I direct my Executrix to deposit in any Bank doing business in Newfoundland a sum of money equal to the sum of one hundred dollars multiplied by the number of my grandchildren living at the time of my death, and as each of my said grandchildren living at the time of my death shall attain the age of twenty-one years I give and bequeath to him or her the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid out of said fund. When the last of my grandchildren entitled to be paid the sum of one hundred dollars out of said fund shall have attained the age of twenty-one years I direct that the accumulated interest on said fund and the share or shares of any said grandchild or grandchildren which shall die before attaining the age twenty-one years [hereinafter called the residue of said fund] shall be divided equally between my said grandchildren then living or if only one of my said grandchildren be then living I direct that the residue of said fund be paid to him or her.

Eleventh. I appoint my said wife Margaret Davidson sole Executrix of this my Will.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand at St. John's aforesaid this sixth day of January Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and sixteen. W. H. Davidson. Signed by the said Testator as his last will, in the presence of us, both present at the same time, who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Jas. P. Blackwood. Jessie E. White.

This is a Codicil to my last Will and Testament dated the sixth day of January Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and sixteen. First. Should my son-in-law John Gunn accept the bequest contained in paragraph two of my said Will upon the conditions therein contained I give and bequeath to him all my leasehold interest in and to the premises No. 204 Water Street upon which I now conduct my business. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand at St. John's aforesaid this eighth day of April Anno Domini one thousand nine hundred and nineteen. W. H. Davidson. Signed by the said Testator as a Codicil to his last Will, in the presence of us, both present at the same time, when at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Jas P. Blackwood. J.E. White.

Correct William F. Lloyd
Registrar of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland.

(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat Dec. 19/19
Kent J.
adm C.T.A
granted to
John Green
Dec. 19/19.
Estate sworn
at $65,590 dol

We who have typed these wills, have made every effort to include all the errors that were on the microfilm, in order to avoid destroying the integrity of the originals, where ever they may be.