Will of Patrick Stafford
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 269 & 270 probate year 1838

In re
     Patrick Stafford       deceased.

In the name of God Amen. I Patrick Stafford late of the County of Wexford Ireland, at present residing at Saint John's in the Island of Newfoundland Shoemaker being weakly in body but of sound mind, thanks be given to God, and being desirous to prevent any disputes arising after my decease touching such worldly property as I now am, or may be possessed of, do make and ordain this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke cancel and set aside all or any other will or wills, testament or testaments made or said to have been made by me at any time heretofore.
In the first place I bequeath my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner under the direction of my executors.
Secondly, I desire that all my lawful debts may be paid with all convenient speed, and that the sum of Ten pounds currency be given to Roman Catholic Clergyman for suffrages for my soul.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved children William Stafford, Terance Stafford, Michl Stafford and Elizabeth Stafford the sum of Six hundred pounds currency, that is to say the sum of One hundred and fifty pounds to each, the whole to be safely placed at interest and to accumulate for their benefit until they shall have attained the full age of twenty one years respectively, at which period each shall be entitled to demand him or her respective portion; and if it shall happen that any or either of my children shall die under the age of twenty one years it is my wish and I ordain that his hers or their part and portion together with any amount of interest that may be grown thereon shall be divided among and between the survivors and my beloved wife Mary, each to receive an equal portion.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath all and singular of my remaining property, including monies in hand, bonds, acceptances book debts interest in and on houses and land, household furniture and stock in trade to be vested in my confidential friends Messrs. Laurence O'Brien and John Cusack, Merchants, of Saint John's, in trust to and for the use, benefit and maintenance of my beloved wife Mary and my children until they the children shall be of age as aforesaid, and when my son Michael shall have attained the age of twenty one years it is my will that all or any property that may then remain shall be at the sole disposal of my said beloved wife, if she shall be then living, and in the event of her death to be equally divided among my surviving children. And I entreat my said confidential friends that they may take the trouble to act in my behalf in these matters for my beloved wife and children as they would for their own in every respect, and as far as I can give them power and authority it is my will that they do punish any or either of my children as they would their own if they should become wayward or refractory. I also desire that if it shall so happen that the property hereby bequeathed shall at any time hereafter be found insufficient for the maintenance of my wife and children in a decent and frugal manner that then and in such case they may appropriate the whole or part of the interest arising from the six hundred pounds vested for my children and that each bear his or her proportion of such loss respectively.
Lastly I ordain appoint and constitute my aforesaid dear and confidential friends Messrs. Laurence O'Brien and John Cusack to be my sole executors and I declare this and no other to be my last will and testament.
Witness my hand and seal at Saint John's, in the Island of Newfoundland this first day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight in the presence of. Patrick Stafford (LS)    Witnesses, Nicholas Cusack    James Gleeson.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar