Will of Nicholas Daw
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 281 & 282 probate year 1839

In re
     Nicholas Daw       deceased.

In the name of God Amen. By this my last will and testament I Nicholas Daw Senr of Ship cove, Port de Grave Planter, being of sound mind and memory do direct devise and bequeath as follows.
First I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God praying for a joyful resurrection unto eternal life through Jesus Christ and I desire that my body may be interred with decent Christian burial.
Secondly, as touching my worldly affairs I desire that all my just and lawful debts be duly and truly paid. After which I give unto my wife Grace Daw for the term of her natural life all my house gardens fishing room money boats furniture and all other description of property of which I may die possessed save & except that I do hereby give unto my two sons Samuel and Jordan sufficient ground on which to build a house each, and I do also give unto the said Samuel and Jordan all that potato garden at the back or upon the hill, known by the name of the new garden & bounded on the north and south by grounds belonging to Robert Taylor. And I do hereby give unto each of my three daughters, that is to say to Mary Mugford, Jane Daw and Marie Daw one gold ring. And I do further declare it to be my will that my three sons Jordan Samuel and Nicholas shall maintain their mother between them to the best of their power during the term of her natural life or forfeit the benefit they would otherwise derive from this my will And I do desire that my son Nicholas aforesaid shall live in the house with his mother and I do will and order that at her decease the Room or Plantation on which I now live together with the boats and fishing craft shall be divided between my three sons Jordan Samuel and Nicholas in the following manner; that is to say the waterside boats and craft shall be equally divided but in the division of the ground to the northward of the main road Nicholas shall have the centre lot together with the house which stands on it & now occupied me, and that he shall not be molested or hindered in occupying all and every part of it & of the yard at the eastern side even though the quantity of ground hereinafter given to my other sons be not so great as the lot by this my will bequeathed to Nicholas. And I do give after the decease of my wife Grace Daw aforesaid the land on the east and west of the centre lot to my two sons Jordan and Samuel to be divided as they may themselves agree. And I do also give to each of my three sons one bed and bedding. And I further appoint my wife Grace Daw aforesaid sole executrix of this my last will and testament.
Given under my hand and seal at Port de Grave in the Island of Newfoundland this eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. Nicholas his x mark Daw (LS)
Signed and sealed in the presence of us at the place and date abovementioned. Chas. Blackman.   Thos. Martin.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar