Will of Richard Porter

In the name of God Amen. I, Richard Porter of Blow Me Down in Conception Bay, Island of Newfoundland, Planter, being of sound mind and memory do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. Namely, I order that all my just debts funeral expenses and the charges arising from this my Will from the first place fully paid and discharged and after payment thereof and every past thereof, I give and bequeath to my wife, Catherine Porter, twenty pounds currency also bed and bedding. To my son, Henry Porter, forty pounds currency, also, bed bedding and liquor case. To my daughter, Elizabeth Porter, twenty pounds currency also bed and bedding. All the rest of and the remainder of my money, I give and bequeath to my son, William Porter, and my daughter, Patience, as well their heirs or assigns to be equally divided between them.

I will that the land, dwelling house, nets and skiffs together with one half of the stage and one third of the flake which I now possess be the property of my wife, Catherine and my son, Henry Porter, jointly for their life long excepting one half of the meadow which I give and bequeath to my son, William, his heirs and assigns forever. I will grant after the decease of the aforesaid Catherine unto Henry Porter the land possessed by them to be equally divided between my son, William and my grandson, Richard Porter of John, their heirs and assigns to have and share alike excepting the dwelling house which I give and bequeath to my son, William Porter, his heirs and assigns forever.

I will that all the remaining parts of my property, namely, stages, outhouses, flakes, Barking Kettle and Clothes Chest, to be the property of my son, William Porter, his heirs and assigns. I give and bequeath to my son, William Porter, and my grandson, Richard Porter, all that part of the property together with all ways, paths and privileges there unto belonging situate at Blow me Down which they separately and especially at present enjoy and I further order that in case any differences or dispute should arise between any of the parties, namely, Catherine, Henry, William and Richard Porter relative to the division of any of the property before mentioned, such differences or dispute to be referred to the decision of arbitrators chosen and elected by the parties in dispute and in case of such arbitrators also differing, the dispute to be referred to an umpire chosen by the said arbitrators and the decision of such umpire to be binding on all parties.

Richard (his mark) Porter (Seal) Signed, sealed and delivered by the witness named Richard Porter as his last Will and Testament this eighteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty in the presence of witnesses hereto. Jacob Bishop - Edward Morgan.

I hereby certify that the executor of the Will of Richard Porter of which the foregoing is a true and correct copy by the Testator appears to have been proved on the nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and fifty three by the affidavit endorsed thereon of Edward Morgan, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto sworn before George D. Garland, a Commissioner of Affidavits. The same was deposited in my office on this day and whereby actually registered by me on this same day. Given under my hand this …..remainder missing.