Will of Geoffrey Ryan
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 482-483 probate year 1897
(The will index gives the probate year, for this will, as 1897, but it is filed chronologically with wills from 1886)

In re
      Geoffrey Ryan deceased.

In the name of God Amen.     I Geoffrey Ryan of Spaniards Bay Newfoundland being at present of sound mind and memory but being advanced in years and knowing it is ordained for all men to die, do this day hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say:-    I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ellen Ryan all the property which I now possess during the period of her natural life excepting that part of the outside premises at present in possession of my son Matthew, a heifer and table which I now give to my son Thomas, and the horse which I bequeath to my son Edward providing that my son Thomas shall be permitted to use the said horse whenever he may require to do so and at the death of my said wife, Ellen Ryan, all the property hereby given and bequeathed to her as aforesaid shall be inherited by my sons and grandson Matthew Ryan of John in the manner and form following:
The eastern or lower meadow in the Pond garden shall be inherited by my five sons John, James, Matthew, Edward, and Thomas, and divided between them in the following manner:    Each of the four first named shall receive an equal share thereof;    that taken by my son Thomas shall be wider on the front and rear by ten feet than any of the other parts.    But should no part thereof be accepted by my son James, then I give and bequeath his share as aforesaid to my grandson Matthew Ryan of John.    That portion of the outside premises known as the northen meadow shall belong to my son Thomas;     but should the railroad pass through my land in the Pond garden he shall then relinquish all claim, right, title and interest to the northern meadow and it shall become the property of my son Edward.     My son Matthew his heirs and assigns shall own and possess that part of the outside premises already referred to as being in his possession, immediately after my death.    The piece of land which my son John now occupies in the Pond garden may be held and cultivated by him during his mother’s life on condition that he pay her the sum of sixty cents annually as rent thereof and at her death it becomes part of the Pond garden property which is to be divided between him and his brothers as aforesaid.
The remaining part of my estate not as yet disposed of consisting of dwelling house outhouses and household furniture, together with the western meadow in the Pond Garden and the remainder of the outside property shall be inherited by my son Edward providing that he live peaceably with his mother and support her to the best of his ability but in case of his not living peaceably with her, it is my will that she possess the large room upstairs in the northern end of my said dwelling house. She may give to my son Thomas any small article of furniture should she desire to do so.    I request in conclusion that the unfenced land north of Titfords Road be divided equally between my sons John, Thomas, Edward and my grandson Matthew of John.    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses, this the twenty fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four.    Geoffrey his X mark Ryan (LS)     Witnesses Michael Cleary, James Peddle.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar