Will of William Pitts
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 354 to 356 probate year 1885

In re
      William Pitts deceased.

This is the last will and testament of me William Pitts of Saint John’s Merchant.     I revoke all former wills and codicils made by me.     I bequeath the whole of my estate real and personal to my executors hereinafter named for and subject to the following bequests viz:     I desire that the two new dwelling houses situate on the east side of the Kings Bridge Road with the buildings and land adjoining thereto the cost of purchase and erection whereof are now standing to the debit of an account in my partnership business shall form and be part of my separate estate and that my own separate account shall bear and be charged with the said cost of purchase and erection.    I desire that the land stables and other accessories to the said dwellings be divided and appropriated as nearly as possible equally to each tenement and in such manner as shall be utmost convenient to each.    I bequeath the northern one of said tenements with the lands buildings and appurtenances to my son James Stewart Pitts for his sole and absolute use and benefit.    I bequeath the southern one of said tenements with the lands buildings and appurtenances to my son Arthur for his absolute use and benefit subject to the rights of occupation hereinafter provided for my daughters Lydia Gertrude and Fanny Cochrane.    I direct that my daughters Lydia Gertrude and Fanny Cochrane shall have the right to live in and occupy the said tenement jointly with my said son Arthur until the marriage or death (unmarried) of each. Upon the death or marriage of either her right of occupation to cease.    In the event of either of my said daughters not agreeing to continue to reside with the others as above provided she shall have the right to live elsewhere and to receive from my said son Arthur an equivalent yearly towards her support and maintenance for the value of her right of occupancy till her death or marriage.
I desire that the household furniture and effects now in my dwelling house in Water Street be for the joint use of my said son Arthur and my said daughters Lydia Gertrude and Fanny Cochrane while they shall live together as aforesaid and so long as wither of said daughters shall remain unmarried.    Upon the death or marriage of the last the said furniture and effects shall go to my general estate

• I bequeath to my daughter Selina Dickinson the sum of five thousand dollars for her sole and separate use.
• I bequeath to my daughter Mary Julia Ayre the sum of five thousand dollars for her sole and separate use.
• I bequeath to my daughter Lydia Gertrude the sum of five thousand dollars for her sole and separate use.
• I bequeath to my daughter Fanny Cochrane the sum of five thousand dollars for her sole and separate use.
• I bequeath to my son Arthur the sum of four thousand dollars and direct that the balance to his debit in the books of the partnership be wiped off and charged against my separate account.
• I bequeath to the children of my deceased son George Pitts who shall survive me the sum of ten thousand pounds sterling in equal shares to each.
• I bequeath to my sisters Jessie and Julia an allowance of four hundred dollars per annum for their joint use and support during their joint lives and upon the death of either then for the use and support of the survivor for her life said allowance to be secured by a safe investment out of my estate.
• I bequeath to my sister Belinda Ebsary the sum of four hundred dollars
• I bequeath to Amy Salmon sister of my deceased wife the sum of one thousand dollars
• I bequeath to my grandson William Alison Pitts my gold watch and chain.
• I bequeath to the directors or Managers of the new Methodist Academy about to be erected the sum of two thousand dollars towards the cost of erection of said building
• I direct that the sum of four hundred dollars be invested at interest which shall be paid to the Trustees of the Gower Street and Cochrane Street Methodist Churches to be applied to the purchase of gifts of food and other necessaries for the poor of the Congregations of said Churches every year at Christmas.

      I direct that the specific pecuniary legacies of this my will shall be paid to the several legatees as follows, viz: one third within twelve months from my death, one third within two years and one third within four years from my death.     I desire that my son James Stewart shall continue to carry on the business heretofore carried on by him and me and that my money and interest in the business shall remain in said business but subject to and the same are hereby declared to be charged with or as security for the several legacies herein contained.    I bequeath the whole of the residue of my estate to my said son James Stewart Pitts and I appoint him sole executor of this my will.    St. John’s October 16^th 1884.     Wm. Pitts. (LS)     Witnesses, J. S. Winter, J.P. Parsons.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar