1788 Last Will and Testament of Joseph Skiffington, Bonavista, Newfoundland as transcribed from the records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

In the name of God Amen.
I Joseph Skeffington of Bonavista in the island of Newfoundland being of a sound and well disposed mind and memory do make this my last will and testament to say principally and first of all I commend my soul into the hands of almighty God and my body to the earth and my worldly estate and effects I dispose of in the following manner. First I leave and bequeath to my beloved daughter Mary Sheppard five pounds the good money of Great Britain. Also I leave to my daughter Elizabeth March the one third of her mother's wearing apparel. Also I leave and bequeath to my beloved son George Skeffington our Boats Room on the easternmost part of my plantation In Bonavista aforesaid together with my new storehouse and oil house for his life, only after all debts ?????????????????????
Also I leave and bequeath to my beloved son James Skeffington whom I do appoint constitute and make ??? my sole executor of this my last will and testament all and singular my lands houses chattels and household goods and furniture that I leave in Newfoundland except the aforementioned Boats Room new storehouse and oil house I leave to my aforesaid beloved son George Skeffington after my decease. On condition that he the said George Skeffington is not to let or sell said boats room, new storehouse or oil house to any person or persons without the consent of aforesaid beloved son James Skeffington ????? appointed my executor as aforesaid and now occupys said room and that after the decease of my son George Skeffington the aforesaid Boats Room together with new store house and oil house is to be possessed by my aforesaid beloved son James Skeffington his heirs or assigns.
Also I leave and bequeath to my beloved daughter Martha Skeffington the one third of her mothers wearing apparel together with all the money I shall leave in England after all my debts demands and expenses is paid after my decease by my aforesaid beloved son James Skeffington whom I have appointed my executor of this my last will and testament. Also I leave and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Baron the one third of her mother's wearing apparel . I do hereby utterly revoke and disavow all and every other former wills and testaments by me in any ways before ?????????
Confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament .
The witnesses whereof ???????? set my hand and seal this winter day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight 1788

Signed Joseph Skeffington

Signed sealed and delivered as his last will and testament in presence of us where no stamped paper is to be had.
Mathew Quinlan , Thomas Brazill, William Warne.

Personally appeared before me this day
Mathew Quinlan, Thomas Brazill and William Warne
Being the persons whose names appear as witnesses to the annexed ????????? Oath on the Holy Evangelist that the several names thereon affixed as witnesses and their own signatures and that the said testament purporting to be the last will and testament of Joseph Skeffington of Bonavista ????? was signed and executed according to the ?? powers of Law in their said presence.
Dated at Bonavista this 27 day of October 1788
John Bland Keeper of the Rolls for the said district.

This will was proved at London the Thirty first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine before the Right Worshipful Sir William Wynn ? ??? Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the proragative court of Canterbury lawfully
Sworn to by the oath of James Skeffington the son of the deceased and sole executor named in the will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by commission duly to administer.

Transcriber's Notes

From English Parish records at Memorial University in St Johns Nfld

January 10 , 1782
George Skiffington of Bonavista in Nfld married to Jane Friar or Fryer of Ringwood by License.