Will of William Parker
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 187-188 probate year 1882

In re
      William Parker deceased.

In the name of God Amen. I William Parker of St. John’s Newfoundland Merchant, do hereby make and ordain this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking all other and former wills testaments and codicils by me at any time hitherto made After the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses I give devise and bequeath to my executors hereinafter named All my Bank shares, shares in the Gas Company of St. John’s, Iron Foundry Company and Victoria Engine Works.     All my stock in trade, monies, goods, credits, chattels and effects in trust as follows:    To take hold and apply the dividends interest and bonuses accruing from or arising out of my said Bank shares or any increase thereof, shares in said Gas Company, Iron Foundry Company and Victoria Engine Works to the use support and maintenance of my beloved wife Margaret while she remain unmarried and my children Minnie, Maud, Isabel and William until the youngest or youngest survivor of them shall have attained the age of twenty-five years. I will and desire that my stock in trade shall be realized as soon as may be consistent with the interests of my estate, and the proceeds of such realization applied to the purchase of British or Newfoundland Government Securities or stock and the interest and profits accruing therefrom used for and applied to the same purposes and subject to the same conditions as provided respecting my Bank stock, Gas Company shares, Iron Foundry Company and Victoria Engine Works shares.    In case any of the above investments, save the Government stock, be not paying it shall be optional with my executors after having obtained good legal advice to dispose of such investments and apply the proceeds of such disposition to the purchase of British or Newfoundland Government Securities, the interest of which shall be held and applied to the uses and purposes and subject to the same conditions as hereinbefore provided regarding such investments as it may be deemed prudent to sell.

I will and desire that the rent of Garrison Hill property shall be collected by my wife and applied as above provided respecting investments to the use support and maintenance of my said wife and children until the youngest or youngest survivor of them shall have attained the age of twenty-five years. When the youngest of my children aforesaid or youngest survivor of them shall have attained the age of twenty five years then so much as may be necessary to provide my beloved wife with an annuity of two hundred pounds per year shall be set apart and reserved and the said annuity of two hundred pounds per year paid to her during her natural life if she remains unmarried and all the rest of my estate shall be divided equally share and share alike amongst my said children or the survivors of them, but should any of my said children die before the time for such or any subsequent distribution shall have arrived the share of the child or children so dying shall go to the lawful issue of such child or children if any.     In case my said wife shall again marry all rights whether as legatee or trustee which have been given her by this will shall cease and the said two hundred pounds reserved to her above as an annuity shall be held by my other executor in trust for my said children until the youngest shall have attained the age of twenty five years. On the death or marriage of my said wife Margaret the principal reserved for the payment of the above annuity shall be divided amongst my said children when or if the youngest or youngest survivor of them shall have attained the age of twenty five years.    Notwithstanding anything above contained it shall be lawful for my executor to pay over to any child marrying with her or his mother’s consent the share to which such child would on distribution of the estate under the former part of this will have been entitled, but the payment of such portion at the time of marriage instead of waiting for the period of distribution shall be entirely in the discretion of my wife without whose authority the same shall not be paid.    I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Margaret and James Howe Esquire of St. John’s Merchant, my executors.    In witness whereof I have hereto subscribed my hand at St. John’s aforesaid this third day of August A.D. 1881.     William Parker.     Signed in presence of us who in the presence of each other and of the testator and at his request sign as attesting witnesses, the words “she remaining unmarried” on 21^st line 1st page and words “his” on 14^th line 2^nd page having been first made, P.J. Scott,     M.F. Lawlor.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar