Will of Margaret Whelan
from Newfoundland will books volume 2 pages 509 to 511 probate year 1863
(This name is spelled Margaret Whelan and Margrett Whalan in the will and Margaret Whelan in the will index)

In re
Margaret Whelan deceased.

The last will and testament of Margrett Whalan Widow of the late Walter Whalan of Brigus Conception Bay in Island of Newfoundland.

First I give and bequeath to the Revd Edward O’Keef Parish Priest of Brigus or his successor the sum of fifty pounds currency for the purpose of Masses being said for the repose of the souls of my father and mother Thomas Dunn and Mary Dunn and also for High Mass for myself also a further sum of fifty pounds currency to the before said Revd Edward O’Keef for the purpose of Masses being said for the repose of the soul of my deceased husband Walter Whelan.

Secondly, I give and bequeath to the Revd Thomas O’Connor Parish Priest of Portugal Cove the sum of twenty five pounds currency for the purpose of Masses being said for the repose of the soul of my late husband Walter Whelan.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to the Revd Mother of the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Brigus the sum of fifty pounds currency to be appropriated at her discretion for the sole use and benefit of that Institution.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath to the Honorable Robert John Pinsent Junr the sum of thirty pounds currency as a proof of my regard and esteem also to my highly esteemed friend Richard Mandeville, Esqr. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty five pounds as a token of my regard and esteem.

Fifthly I give and bequeath to the Revd. Edward aforesaid or his successors the sum of twenty pounds for Masses being said for the repose of my own soul.

Sixthly I give and bequeath to my cousin Daniel the sum of sixteen pounds currency annually during the time of his natural life to be paid to him by my executors in quarterly payments of four pounds in each and every quarter.

Eighthly I give and bequeath to the Revd Edward O’Keef before mentioned or his successors the sum of five pounds to be by him expended for the use and benefit of the Catholic Church at Port de Grave.

Ninthly I give and bequeath the sum of ten pounds currency to be distributed to the poor of Brigus and its vicinity at the discretion of my executors.

Tenthly, I give and bequeath to my executors the sum of twenty five pounds sterling each as proof of my respect and esteem for them also a further sum of five pounds currency each to Martha Sheehan, widow, and John Molloy my godchild.

Eleventhly, after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid I devise that the residue of my property be disposed of in such a manner as my executors may think to be to the best advantage and the proceeds arising therefrom I desire my executors to lay out or expend in the purchase of such property as they may deem best and the rents interest or profits arising therefrom to be ever paid into the hands of the Parish Priest of Brigus his successors or representative and by him or them appropriated to the poor and destitute of Brigus and Port de Grave.     And I hereby nominate and appoint the Revd. Edward O’Keef, Richard Mandeville Esqr and Mr. W.S. Mills to be executors of this my last will and testament.    Margrett her X mark Whalan (LS)     Signed sealed published and declared as & for the last will and testament of the said Margrett Whalen In the presence of us who in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands as witnesses thereto the said will having been first read over to the said testatrix in our presence before she signed it and appeared to be fully understood by her on this twenty sixth day of April A.D. 1862, John Hearn, Patrick Brien.

Codicil No.1.     Be it known unto all men that I hereby add unto this my last will and testament the following bequests to be paid out of estate by my executors before named, viz, the sum of twenty five pounds currency to the Rev. Edward O’Keef and also the sum of twenty five pounds currency to Robt John Pinsent Esqr Senr. these bequests I feel induced to make from the profound respect and esteem I have always entertained for the before mentioned gentlemen since I had the honor of their acquaintance.    Also to my old and faithful servant Peter Walsh I give and bequeath the sum of ten pounds currency.     And I do hereby nullify and utterly revoke the words “or his successor” in my bequests to the Revd. Edward O’Keef for Masses which words appear in the first and fifth paragraphs of my will because it is my will and pleasure that he the said Revd. Edward O’Keef shall say or cause to be said the Masses at such times and places as he may think fit and proper And I further nullify and revoke my bequest of twenty five pounds to the Revd Thomas O’Connor of Portugal Cove which appears in the second paragraph of my will as far as fifteen pounds of the same leaving him the said Revd Thomas O’Connor the remaining ten pounds for the purposes named in my will    And I will and desire that the fifteen pounds so deducted shall be paid to the Right Revd John Dalton Roman Catholic Bishop of Harbor Grace for the purpose of having High Mass and office offered up by him in the Roman Catholic Chapel of Harbor Grace for the repose of my soul and also for the repose of the soul of my late husband Walter Whalen.     In witness whereof I hereby have set my hand and seal at Brigus aforesaid this first day of May A.D. 1862.     Margrett her X mark Whalan. (LS)     Witnesses, John Hearn, Patrick Brien.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar