Will of Sir James Pearl
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 341 & 342 probate year 1840

In re
     Sir James Pearl       deceased.

Know all men by these presents that I James Pearl Commander in His Majesty's Royal Navy being of sound and disposing mind do hereby revoke and render null and void all my former wills and powers of Attorney be the same wherever they may and that now I the aforesaid James Pearl Commander in His Majesty's Royal Navy do hereby will and bequeath to my beloved wife Anne Pearl all houses landed property goods and chattels plate money & moveables whatsoever belonging or coming to me be the same situated in any part of His Majesty's Dominions or Colonies or possessions in any part of this Globe As regards my estate of Mount Cochrane situated in the District of St. John's Newfoundland granted in perpetuity to me as a small reward for my naval services it is my positive desire and will that the aforesaid estate shall have its name immediately changed to Mount Pearl and that it shall ever after be so called and that no part of the lands composing the said estate shall ever be sold But that my dearest beloved wife shall enjoy whatever may accrue therefrom during her life and that should she again marry the person to whom she may unite herself in Wedlock shall not have any controul over the aforesaid estate or its proceeds but the whole shall be at her individual disposal Should my beloved wife have any children by such marriage the eldest if a boy and he takes the name of James Pearl only at his mother's decease (should his conduct be such as she approves) shall inherit the said estate of Mount Pearl. If a girl and there should be no boy she shall be named Anne Eunice Pearl and shall inherit the aforesaid estate after her mother's death (provided her conduct has been such as her mother approves) But she shall not change her name on marriage as it is my will that the estate shall never be enjoyed by any one but a person bearing the name of Pearl (after the decease of my beloved wife) Should my dearest beloved wife die without children I leave it to her to select such of our nephews either by her side or mine to enjoy the aforesaid estate but on the like conditions of taking the name of James Pearl and that only I positively will that the estate shall never be enjoyed by any person after the decease of my beloved wife who shall not take the name of Pearl. I am fully persuaded that the aforesaid estate will by good management be of great value. Should it please the Almighty to remove me from this life before the mortgage at present held on my estate at Newfdland is paid off I recommend my beloved wife to have the same rented to the best advantage and the proceeds be applied to its liquidation as well as other small demands at St. John's of about one hundred pounds, but that a lease shall be given only for seven years under Bond of improving at least 20 acres 1^st year. In the event of my decease before satisfactory information about my property at Singapore shall arrive I recommend my dearest beloved wife to be wholly guided by the advice of my truly esteemed friend George Armstrong Esq. To whose protection and friendship I earnestly leave her knowing his unimpeachable honourable character. I here remark that there are five hundred acres of land surveyed for me situated on Pearl Lake four miles to the westward or thereabouts from Mr. Cochrane I strongly recommend my beloved wife to claim the Grants of the same as it must in time become of great value. Wishing my dearest beloved Anne to enjoy every possible comfort and happiness in this life I hereby nominate and constitute her my sole executrix.
Sealed signed and acknowledged by me this year of our Lord & Saviour one thousand eight hundred and thirty four on the eighteenth day of December 11 Ashton Street Liverpool. Jas. Pearl (LS) Commander R.N. Witnessed by Robt Law Lt. R.N.
Resealed signed and acknowledged by me in the presence of the three witnesses whose signatures are hereunto affixed this twenty ninth day of January 1835 at 11 Ashton Street, Liverpool. Jas. Pearl (LS) Commr R. N.    John Lister.   E. Grayburn.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar