Will of Matthias O’Reilly Senior
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 140 to 142 probate year 1881

In re
      Matthias O’Reilly deceased.

In the name of God Amen.     I Matthias O’Reilly of Port de Grave in Conception Bay in the Island of Newfoundland Planter being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of the body knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty power of God And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form-

First, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Bridget the dwelling house we now occupy with all the furniture &c. thereto belonging together with the gardens meadows stables &c. appertaining also the Cod Seine and Skiff, Caplin Seine with whatever boats & other gear now belonging to me together with a Fishing Room at Salmon Bight Black Tickle on the Labrador, which shall all be hers during her lifetime;     she having full power and authority to sell or dispose of any part or even the whole of it, if she requires it for her support;     and whenever it shall please God to remove her out of this world, the said property of whatever portion thereof may be left, shall become the property of my youngest son Matthias & his heirs-

Secondly. The east end of the dwelling house with the land thereto belonging which formerly belonged to my son Michael (now deceased) shall be the property of my son Constantine & his heirs, if he shall ever require it- if he does not require it, it shall belong to my son Philip & his heirs-    The store near my dwelling house, now used by my son Philip as a Cooperage &c. shall be his property while he may require it-    And I hereby declare it to be my express wish and desire that my sons Philip, Constantine & Matthias shall have the full use of the dwelling house which I now occupy as their home, while Philip & Constantine remain unmarried, but not to bring any wife in without the consent of all parties concerned.    In the event of my son Matthias outliving his mother & dying without heirs it is my wish and desire that whatever portion of the above property may remain unsold shall then become the property of the Revd E.F. Walsh, Priest of this Parish, and his successors in office, in trust for the Church, and for which I earnestly request that Masses & the rites of my Church shall be yearly performed for the repose of the souls of myself and family.    And I hereby constitute appoint and ordain my good friends the Revd E.F. Walsh and my son Philip, as sole executors of this my last will and testament    And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke & disannul all other wills testaments legacies & bequests ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.     In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal at Port de Grave aforesaid this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty.    Matthias O’Reilly (LS) Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Matthias O’Reilly as his last will and testament, the same having been read over and explained to him in the presence of us who in his presence, at his request, and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, Thomas Croake,     Philip O’Reilley.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar