Will of Michael Stapleton
from Newfoundland will books volume 9 pages 490-492 probate year 1912

In re
      Michael Stapleton         deceased.

      In the name of God. Amen. I Michael Stapleton of Horse Cove in the Parish of Portugal Cove Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Farmer & Planter being very sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the Hand of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I commend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial - according to the Rites of the Roman Catholic Church nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the might power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased almighty God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and Form
First I give and bequeath to my son Edward Stapleton his Dwelling House and the Bark Pot. Meadow and down to the Water side, also to the same son the Land on which the School House stands bounded on the East by John Clark and on the west by my Brother Edward Stapleton.
Secondly. I give and bequeath to my second son William James Stapleton the strip on the south side of the Road between his Uncle Thomas Stapleton and Uncle Edward Stapleton also the strip on the North side of the Main Road bounded on the East by John Clark and on the west by his Uncle Edward Stapleton the same son also to have room for a Fishing Room on the east side of his brother Edwards Lot.
Thirdly I give and bequeath of my son Richard John Stapleton the west part of my west land on the south side and north side down to high water mark.
Fourthly I give and bequeath of my son Thomas Stapleton, the next strip east of his brother Richard John Stapleton, on the north and south sides of the Main Road.
Fifthly I give and bequeath of my son Michael Stapleton the east strip north and south of the Main Road between his brother Thomas and his uncle Thomas also I give to the same son Michael my Dwelling House and Cabbage garden. I give and bequeath of my Three youngest sons my Fishing Room and water side Property to be equally enjoyed and used. I give and bequeath to my Five sons my Land on the Line or Road leading to Topsail to be equally divided between them. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Bridget all my live stock to be enjoyed and owned by her during her life or while she remains a widow.
Lastly I ordain and will that my Daughter Cecelia Stapleton shall have a home and support with her Mother and Brothers as long as she needs their assistance and they are all together, and if any of her Brothers marry and leave their mother, they shall still help to support their sister Cecilia as far as they can afford, or she may need their assistance. I also appoint Mr William Swansborough of Topsail to be the executor of this my Last will and Testament and I do hereby declare this to be my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal this Twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight Hundred and eighty-Three. Michael Stapleton (LS) - signed sealed published and pronounced and declared by the said Michael Stapleton as his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses James Fitzgerald Joseph Squires     Richard Travers

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar

(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat
Aug. 30/12
Emerson J.
Probate
Sept. 2/12
granted
to
William
Swansborough
Estate
sworn at
$400.00