Will of William Meadus
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 392 to 394 probate year 1885

In re
      William Meadus deceased.

In the name of God Amen.    I William Meadus of Grates Cove in the Island of Newfoundland Trader being aged and infirm in body but in perfect mind and memory knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament commending my soul to Almighty God who gave it, and my body I commend to the earth to receive at the discretion of my executor decent Christian burial, being assured that I shall receive the same again at the last day by the mighty power of God And as touching such worldly estate wherewith God hath blessed me this life I give and bequeath the same in the following manner and form
First- That for and in consideration of the love and affection I have and do bear toward my beloved wife Jane Meadus I give and bequeath unto her for her use the sum of three hundred pounds current money of the Island aforesaid the same being a portion with other monies I have at present deposited in the Union Bank at Saint John’s in the Island aforesaid for and during the remainder of her natural life or during her widowhood and at her decease or in the event of her again entering into wedlock when the said three hundred pounds shall become the portion of my beloved and afflicted son Joseph Meadus as one of the means of his support for and during the remainder of his natural life and at his decease the said three hundred pounds shall become the portion of my beloved son William Henry Meadus and his heirs as hereafter mentioned. And I also give and bequeath unto her the said Jane Meadus the one half of my dwelling house northward, that I now occupieth, and all my household furniture, beds and bedding, together with all my cattle remaining at my decease- But and if my wife said Jane Meadus again enter into wedlock she shall be dispossest of the said half of dwelling house, household furniture, beds and cattle and the same equally divided between my two sons the said William Henry Meadus and Joseph Meadus
Secondly That for and in consideration of the love and affection I have and do bear toward my beloved son William Henry Meadus I give and bequeath unto him the sum of Four hundred pounds current money of the Island aforesaid being a portion with other monies I have at present deposited in the Union Bank at Saint John’s in the Island aforesaid and also dwelling house and one half the fishing room together with one half the land that I purchased of David Benson     And I also bequeath unto him one half of my other fishing rooms and fishing property and also one half my lands held and possessed by me previous to that I purchased of said David Benson as aforesaid, together with one half of my stores and other building erected thereon, and situated at Grates Cove aforesaid to be his and his heirs in the male line lawfully born for ever.
Thirdly. For and in consideration of the love and affection I have and do bear toward my beloved son Joseph Meadus (who in the providence of Almighty God is deprived of reasoning faculties) I give and bequeath unto him that sum of three hundred pounds, or the portion thereof, unexpended which is entrusted to my beloved wife Jane Meadus and for her use during her natural life or widowhood and which shall become his immediately after her decease as mentioned heretofore in the first section of this my last will and testament and I also give unto him one half of my dwelling house, southward, that I now occupieth and also one half of my fishing room and one half of my land purchased of Joseph Benson as mentioned aforesaid, and also one half of my other fishing room and lands held and possessed by me previous to that purchased of David Benson as mentioned aforesaid and also one half my stores and other buildings erected thereon and thus providing a means and assuring unto the said Joseph Meadus a competent and decent support for and during his natural life And at his decease the said three hundred pounds, or what remains unexpended thereof, together with the portions of dwelling house, fishing rooms, lands, stores and other buildings bequeathed to the said Joseph Meadus shall become the portions and properties of my beloved son William Henry Meadus and his heirs lawfully born for ever.
Fourthly In consideration of the trust and confidence placed in my beloved wife Jane Meadus I commit to her the guardianship of my afflicted son said Joseph Meadus and in the event of his surviving her I entrust him to the care, safe keeping and protection of my son said William Henry Meadus and his surviving heirs for the remainder of his natural life.
Fifthly. Placing entire confidence in the ability and integrity of my son the said William Henry Meadus I hereby constitute appoint and ordain him to be the sole executor to this my last will and testament and do hereby disannul revoke make void and disallow all and every former will, testament, legacy and bequest ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament.    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at Grates Cove aforesaid this twenty-ninth day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.    William his X mark Meadus (LS)   Signed, sealed, published and declared by the within named testator in the presence of us being first read and approved of by the said testator, James Janes, Joshua Benson.
I William Meadus the testator named in the foregoing will do hereby publish and declare that in the event of Elizabeth Ann Meadus the wife of my said son William Henry Meadus surviving him she shall have a peaceable residence with my said dwelling houses for and during her widowhood and no longer.    William his mark X Meadus.     Signed and declared this 29^th day of November A.D. 1882. James Janes, Joshua Benson.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar