Will of Stephen Roberts
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 460 & 461 probate year 1845

In re
     Stephen Roberts       deceased.

This is the last will and testament of Stephen Roberts of Brigus in the Northern District of the Island of Newfoundland Planter,
To my son Thomas John Roberts I give bequeath and devise as soon as he shall attain twenty one years of age the following property namely, the western half of the dwelling house occupied by me together with one half the furniture remaining therein, also the western half of the kitchen garden in front of my said dwelling house and the western half of my portion of that undivided garden back of my dwelling house and the western part of my portion of the Rock garden and one half of my interest in that waste piece of ground situate near the property of John Quinlan and Charles Saunders and one third of the store by the waterside situate between the property of John Norman and George and Joshua Roberts.
To my son Stephen Alexander Roberts I give bequeath and devise as soon as he shall attain twenty one years of age the eastern half of the dwelling house above mentioned together with one half the furniture remaining therein also the eastern half of the kitchen garden in front of my said dwelling house and the eastern half of my portion of that undivided garden back of my dwelling house and the eastern part of my portion of the Rock garden and one half of my interest in that waste piece of land situate near the property of John Quinlan and Charles Sanders and the one third of that piece of ground near the wooden bridge in Brigus aforesaid with the right of landing at the wharf in front of the waterside store abovementioned.
It is my last will and request that the schooner Ann belonging to me with all her material be sold as soon after my decease as my executors may think proper as well as the provisions shop goods and other articles intended by me for the sealing outfit and any other goods or chattels belonging to me not in use as household furniture or necessary for my family and that the proceeds of such sales together with any money or credits due me from any persons when received shall after paying my just debts and funeral expenses be deposited either in the Savings Bank or some other safe place at interest at the discretion of my executors but not without Government or colonial or landed security And it is my last will & request that for the support of my family after my decease there by annually drawn by my executors out of the principal and interest of said deposit the sum of twenty five pounds currency for the ensuing seven years and that after that time it shall be at the discretion of my executors to reduce the said annual allowance if they should consider the wants of my wife and children could from thenceforth be supplied by a smaller sum.
It is my last will & request that my dear wife Jane Roberts reside in the dwelling house during her widowhood and that when the house is divided between my sons she being then a widow shall reside with which she may prefer and be supported out of the annual draft aforesaid.
It is my last will that in case either of my children should die unmarried or married and without lawful issue the property and money I leave to such child is to descend to his surviving brother or his issue.
It is my last will that at the death of my wife provided that event should take place after my children are both twenty one years of age the money then remaining and any property belonging to my estate not otherwise herein bequeathed shall then be equally divided by my executors between my children or be paid to the survivor of them the other having died without issue.
It is my will that the pew belonging to me in the Wesleyan Chapel be left for the use and benefit of my wife and children. It is my last will and request that the division of furniture between my children be made by valuation and lot the difference in value if any to be paid or received the one to the other as the case may be and that the division of the house and lands be made by my executors or impartial persons appointed by them to the best of their judgement and such division to be final.
I give and bequeath to my brother Noah Roberts my interest being one half of a horse the other half belonging to my late brother Moses Roberts and the Catamaran.
It is my will that what little money may be in the house be left with my wife for the use of the family. It is my last will and request that in the event of both of my sons dying without issue the property herein bequeathed and devised to them shall go to my wife during her lifetime and at her decease descend to my nephew Henry Percey Roberts (Noah's son) or his heirs)
And I hereby authorise constitute and appoint Robert Brown of Brigus aforesaid Merchant and John Leamon of Brigus aforesaid Merchant to be my executors to carry this my last will and testament into effect.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Stephen Roberts the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses at Brigus aforesaid this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty five. Stephen Roberts (LS) William Faulkner, Wesleyan Minister.     William Thos. Stentaford, Accountant.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar