Will of Richard Davis
from Newfoundland will books volume 3 pages 573-574 probate year 1878

In re
     Richard Davis deceased.

In the name of God Amen     I Richard Davis of Saint John’s in the Island of Newfoundland Shoemaker do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.

First I direct that all my just debts be paid.

Second I give and bequeath ten tenements of the houses situate on Nunnery Hill leased from Cochranes Estate unto my wife Ellen Davis and after her death to my son William Davis

Third I give and bequeath unto my said son William Davis two tenements of a house situate on Nunnery Hill occupied by widow Walsh and Israel Owhey and contained in the said lease from Cochranes Estate free of ground rent the rent of the same to be paid by my said wife Ellen.

Fourth the piece of ground and house thereon containing four tenements situate in Gower Street and leased from W. V. Whiteway Esquire I give and bequeath to my said wife Ellen during her lifetime and after her death to be divided between my four children William, Patrick, Mary and Ellen Patrick and Mary to have the downstairs tenements, William and Ellen to have the upstairs tenements.     In case of the death of Patrick his tenement to go to his wife Jane during her lifetime and after her death to be divided between my surviving children

Fifth- I give and bequeath the sixteen tenements on the west side of Kings Road and leased by Borland and Hierlihy unto my said wife Ellen during her life time and after her death the two tenements in front occupied by Mrs. Keefe and Mrs. Kelly and the two tenements in the rear occupied by John Stansbury and John Mayo I give and bequeath unto my said son William The next two tenements in front occupied by Mrs. Whelan and John Edens and the two tenements in the rear occupied by Andrew Crow and          Snelgrove I give and bequeath unto my son Patrick during his lifetime and after his death to my surviving children.     The next two tenements in front occupied by Mrs. Smith and James Reed and the two tenements in the rear occupied by John Evoy and Mrs. Maher I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ellen.     The next two tenements in front occupied by Mrs. Egan and James Whelan and the two tenements in the rear occupied by Mrs. Brien and Martin Evoy I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary.

Sixth- I give and bequeath unto my said wife Ellen the fee simple land and houses thereon purchased from Ryland to be disposed of or sold as she may think proper and in case the same or any part thereof should not be disposed of or sold during her lifetime after her death the same to be equally divided between my surviving children, and in case of the death of my son Patrick his share to be divided between my surviving children

Seventh I give and bequeath unto the Revd Dr. Michael F. Howley the sum of forty dollars to be given to the Bishop of Saint John’s for a High Mass for the repose of my soul-

Eighth-     I give and bequeath all other property of every description I may die possessed of unto my said wife Ellen-

Ninth. I hereby nominate and appoint Martin Power of Saint John’s aforesaid Master Mariner and Edward Tracey of same place Trader executors of this my will     Lastly I annul all former wills by me made or executed.     In witness whereof I have hereunto my hand and seal subscribed and set at Saint John’s aforesaid this twenty third day of April Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven.

Richard Davis (LS)     Signed sealed published and declared by the said Richard Davis as and for his last will and testament in presence of us and of each of us who have hereunto at his request subscribed our names as witnesses in presence of each other the word “paid” being added in at end of sixteenth line and the words “I give and bequeath” being interlined between 19^th and 20^th line on first page, M.J. O’Mara, Michl Lynch.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar