Part 1 - Contributed by Judy Benson - wills project

Will of Sarah Lay
from Newfoundland will books volume 2 pages 304-305 probate year 1858

In re
     Sarah Lay      deceased.

1. Sarah is to keep what she has got.
2. Bed, clothes & every thing she gives to Mrs. Rd Knight.
3. Mary Ann to keep the silver spoons & tea tongues
4. Mrs. Rd Knight to have the china.
5. Funeral expences and debts if any to be taken out of the rents of the houses.
6. Rents to be paid to Mr. Rd Knight, After all expences are paid the rents to be divided between Mrs. Knight Mrs. Payne Sarah Richard Lay & William Lay share & share alike.
7. Mr. Knight to hold the lease.

Signed Mrs. X Lay.
Witness Mrs. X Foote, Geo. Schofield,     Signed April 8^th 1853.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar

Part 2 - Contributed by Marylyn D. Adams & Donald R. McCreary

WITNESSED WILL SIGNED BY SARAH LAY ....ACTUAL WILL FOLLOWS:

Newfoundland
In the Supreme Court
St. John's
To wit
     In the matter of the will of Sarah Lay late of St John 's in the Central District, Widow deceased...
     George Schofield of St John's Aforesaid, Pastor of the Congregational Church, a subscribing Witness to the Execution of the within paper writing, Maketh Oath and saith that he was Present and did see Sarah Lay

The Testatrix therein named duly Sign publish and declare the same as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence as well of this Deponent As of Susanna Foote the other Witness to the execution of the same. And this Deponent further saith that the said paper writing was distinctly read over to the said Testatrix previous to her affixing her mark thereto; and lastly that the said Sarah Lay was at the time of executing her said Will of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of Deponent's Judgement and belief.

Sworn before me This 26. day of May AD 1853

George Schofield

Geo. Anderson
Comm. Of Affairs

Petition of Richard Knight for Letters of Administration - for:
Estate of Sarah Lay
late of St John's
Widow Deceased
Filed April 14, 1858
Francis Brady
Chief Justice

To the Honorable the Chief Justice and the Assistant Judges of the Supreme Court &&&

The petition of Richard Knight of St John's carpenter
          Humbly Sheweth

That Sarah Lay late of St John's widow departed this life in or about the Month of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty three... leaving two sons Richard and William, and two Daughters Mary Charlotte (Your Petitioner's Wife) Mrs. Payne and Sarah Lay, a granddaughter, her surviving.

That previous to the death of the said Deceased she only made and Executed her Last Will and Testament, which was only proven, and (can't read word "caged?") in the Office of the Chief Clerk and Registrar and hereunto annexed

That in and by the said Last Will of the same Testator from Petitioner was authorized and Directed to hold the lease of Said Testator's property consisting of a leasehold interest in a House, tenements, and premises Situate in St John's, and also deceased died possessed of chattels and furniture, which together will said Leasehold interest amounted to the value of about thirty forty pounds currency.

That under said annexed will Petitioner was impounded to Receive the rents of said Estate and after payment of expenses to dispose of them as is by said will directed, all which your Petitioner has performed and carried out from year to year as the said rents became due and paid.

Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that Your Lordship will be pleased to grant him Letters of Administration (cum testamento annexo) to the Estate of the said Deceased and as in duty bound your Petitioner will ever pray.

          Richard Knight

Newfoundland
St John's

To wit Richard Knight of Saint Johns' in the Central District shipwright Carpenter maketh Oath and saith that the statements set forth in the foregoing Petition arejust and true and that he is The Petitioner therein named.

Sworn to before me At St John's the 14^th Day of April AD 1858

Richard Knight
Geo. Anderson
Comm. Of Affairs