Will of Joseph Martin
from Newfoundland will books volume 7 page 112 probate year 1901

Last Will and Testament of
Joseph Martin of Harbor Grace
Carpenter deceased.

In the Supreme Court

In re Joseph Martin
                    deceased

OATH OF EXECUTOR

Probate granted on the 16^th day of
December 1901 to
Wm. Ward and Wm. Oke
The Executors

Value of Estate $1960.00

Vol. 5,
      Fol 351

To the Honourable the Supreme Court of
Newfoundland or one of the Judges thereof

The Petition of William Ward of Harbour Grace Sub Collector HMC and of William Oke of the same place Printer and Publisher

Humbly sheweth

That Joseph Martin late of Harbour Grace aforesaid ship carpenter died there on the first day of December 1901 having previously made and published his last will and testament which is hereto annexed, marked (A), dated the 5^th day of November 1901 Where he appointed your petitioners executors.

That the said Joseph Martin left him surviving as next of kin his widow Rebecca Martin and Grand Son James C. Martin, Grand Son Harold Martin and Grand daughter Bertha Martin.

That the estate of the said late Joseph Martin At his death did not exceed $1960.00 in value. Nineteen hundred and sixty dollars. That no letters of probate of said will or letters Of administration of said estate have been granted.

Your petitioners pray that the said will be ???????? to probate and that they be entrusted with the execution thereof.
       And in duty etc.

Dated at Harbour Grace the 10^th day of December 1901.

W. Ward LS
W. A. Oke LS

Newfoundland
      Harbour Grace
           To wit

      I William Ward of Harbour Grace aforesaid Sub Collector HMC one of the petitioners named in the above writted petition, make oath and say that the matter and things therein contained are true.
      I further say that the inventory ???? annexed marked B contains a true and correct inventory and valuation of the estate and property of the said deceased at the time of his death, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that as far as I can at present ascertain

      W.J Lynch
      Commissioner SC

This is the will marked (A) referred to in the annexed petition and affidavits of

Know all men by these Presents that I Joseph Martin, Ships Carpenter of Harbour Grace, Conception Bay , Nfld, being of sound and disposing mind, and memory, do make and publish my last Will and Testament.

Firstly    I leave and bequeath to my Grandson James C. Martin the sum of Thirty dollars.

Secondly    I leave and bequeath to my Grandson Harold Martin, the sum of Forty dollars to be placed in Bank at interest until he is of the age of Twenty-five years.

Thirdly    I leave and bequeath to my Grand-daughter Bertha Martin the sum of Thirty dollars.

Fourthly    The remainder of what money I may possess at my death in any Banks, or in the hands of Trustees of Banks that have failed, or any other money due me, together with my houses, and household goods, grounds etc. with all rights and titles thereto I give and bequeath to Susannah Martin wife of my late son Eli Martin for her use and benefit. She to dispose of it for her and my son Eli Martin's children as she deems best for all concerned. The said Susannah Martin to look after and care for my beloved wife Rebecca Martin in all her needs and comforts the same as I was wont to do, and also to erect a suitable headstone in our burial plot for myself and wife.

Fifthly    I appoint Wm. Ward and Wm. Oke Executors of and to this my last Will and Testament.

Joseph Martin
     X his mark
Witness H. F. Fitzgerald
Witness James Martin

      I certify the foregoing to be a correct copy of the last will and Testament of Joseph Martin deceased

D. M. Browning
Registrar

(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat
D. Morison
J.
Probate
granted on the
16^th day of Decr
1901 to Wm Ward
& Wm Oke the Exors
Value of
Est $1960.00

** Certification by the Registrar and the margin comments added by Judy Benson as part of the wills project

Notes for the transcription (Geoff Martin):

Joseph Martin, a carpenter, was a son of Francis Martin and his first wife Jane Snow. He was born about 1813 and died in Harbour Grace on 1 Dec 1901 at the age of 88 years.

Joseph Martin married Rebecca Churchill of Portugal Cove in Harbour Grace 16 Nov 1841.

They had only one child, Eli who married Susannah Crane, second daughter of John Crane at St. Peter's Church, Harbour Grace in October 1869. Eli was a schoolmaster and died from a stroke in Harbour Grace on 9 Jun 1901 at the age of 56.

Eli and Susannah had seven children.

Three children are mentioned. James CRANE Martin, Bertha REBECCA Martin and Harold Martin. Four children (Elizabeth, Ernest, Isabella MITCHELL and Arthur) had died earlier.

Rebecca Martin died at the age of 92 in Harbour Grace 30 Jan 1902. I once thought that she was a daughter of Richard and Mary Churchill of Portugal Cove. I now know through my research that Rebecca was a daughter of a Thomas Churchill who I believe was a brother to this Richard Churchill. This would make both Richard (married to Mary) and Thomas (currently wife unknown), sons of Richard (Churchward) Churchill and Margaret Allen of Portugal Cove.

The Rebecca Churchill of Richard and Mary married twice. Once to a sea captain and then, in St. John's, to a jailer who died in Harbour Grace. At this stage it appears that this Rebecca died in St. John's in February 1891 and is buried in the General Protestant Cemetery.

Susannah died in Harbour Grace May 1919.