Will of Absalom Purchase
from Newfoundland will books volume 6 pages 302-303 probate year 1896

Last Will and Testament of
Absalom Purchase of Back Harbor, Twillingate
N.D. Planter deceased.

      This is the last will and Testament of Absalom Purchase of Back Harbour, Twillingate.
First. I give devise and bequeath to my sons James Purchase Thomas Purchase George Purchase and Walter Purchase my fishing room, plantation and premises situate at Back Harbour, Twillingate together with the land situate on the North side of Bear Berry Head also my fishing gear and implements of every description namely boats, nets, seines, lines and twines and every appliance appertaining to the fishery business and also my store and interest in the Schooner Gladys to my sons aforementioned James Purchase, Thomas Purchase, George Purchase and Walter Purchase conjointly in equal shares
2^nd I give devise and bequeath to my wife Mary Ann Purchase my dwelling house in which I now reside together with household furniture and effects for her own sole use and benefit during the term of her natural life and it is my will that after the decease of my wife Mary Ann Purchase my dwelling house with furniture and effects shall be to the use of my daughter Bessie Purchase so long as she remains unmarried, but on her marriage or leaving the house to reside elsewhere her interest therein shall cease and she shall be entitled to the household furniture and effects only for her own absolute use and benefit and the dwelling house shall become the property of my sons James Purchase, Thomas Purchase, George Purchase and Walter Purchase.
3^rd. I give devise and bequeath to my wife Mary Ann Purchase and to my daughter Bessie Purchase the sum of two hundred dollars cash to be divided in equal shares between them, one hundred each as soon as may be convenient after my decease and for which this receipt shall be a sufficient discharge.
4^th I give all my clothes and wearing apparel to my son James Purchase and any other property I may be possessed of at the time of my decease and not otherwise disposed of I give to my sons aforementioned to be equally divided between them they giving their mother and sister (whilst she remains unmarried) such support and maintenance as may be in their power.
5^th And whereas I have for a number of years carried on the business of a planter fisherman at Back Harbour Twillingate and am desirous that the same shall be continued for the mutual benefit of my sons as aforementioned it is my will that if either of them shall separate himself from the others to reside elsewhere his interest in the land and premises shall cease, and he shall be only entitled to his share of the craft fishing gear and implements in use for carrying on the fishery business unless they separate by mutual consent in which case the one so separating shall be at liberty to transfer to his brothers or brother his share of the land and premises situate as before described.
Lastly. I nominate and appoint my friends Elias Peyton of Back Harbour and James Blackler also of Back Harbour Executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of January eighteen hundred and ninety six A.D. 1896 (sgd) Absalom his x mark Purchase (LS) Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Absalom Purchase the testator as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses, the same having been first read over explained to and fully approved of by the said testator.
Witness (sgd) Thomas Peyton Notary Public.
(Sgd) Alfred Henry Peyton. January 10^th A.D. 1896

(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat
J. S. Winter
J
Probate
granted to
Elias Peyton
& Jas Blackler
the Exors.
Dated
Sep 18: 1896
Estate
Sworn under
$1500.00