Transcribed by Bonnie Hickey. While we have endeavored to be as correct as humanly possible, there may be typographical errors

Conception Bay North

In the name of God, Amen. I, William Elms, of Bay Roberts In the Island of Newfoundland, Planter, being at present in sound and disposing mind do hereby make and ordain this as my last Will and Testament. Having already disposed by Bill of Sale to my three sons Henry Elms, William Elms, and John Elms, all my landed property, I hereby will and ordain that all my remaining personal effects and monies after my decease be disposed of according to the following manner and conditions. First, I do hereby give and bequeath to my Wife, Frances Elms, all the money she now has in keeping for me amounting to Fifty pounds or thereabouts, for her sole use and benefit after my decease. Secondly, I do give and bequeath to my Four Daughters, Mahella Snow, Mary Mercer, Ann Cave and Patience Beasent, their heirs, administrators and assigns, the sum of Five pounds each. Lastly, I do give and bequeath to my three Sons, Henry Elms, William Elms, and John Elms, their heirs, administrators and assigns, all the [residue?] of my monies, personal effects, &a., to be equally divided between them, share and share alike, excepting my two thirds share or interest in the Fishing Boat which interest or share I desire to be equally divided between my two Sons, William Elms and John Elms, provided only that these my three sons Henry Elms, William Elms, and John Elms, do provide for and maintain in a comfortable manner and according to their means as long as the lives after my decease, my Wife, Frances Elms, their Mother, each contributing an equal portion for that purpose. And I do farther be these presents constitute and appoint my friends the Rev'd Martin Blackmore, Episcopal Clergyman, and William Seagar Green, Esq., J.P., both now residing in Bay Roberts aforesaid, my Executors and administrators to this my Will, who as soon as conveniently may be after my decease shall make or cause to be made an Inventory of all my monies and effects for the purpose of disposing of the same in the manner aforesaid, that is to say [as in?] paying my just debts, Funeral and Testamentary expenses. And I the said William Elms do hereby revoke and annull all or any former Wills and Testaments made by me and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said William Elms have hereunto set my hand and seal at Bay Roberts aforesaid this Twenty second day of July one thousand eight hundred and Fifty one. William his X mark Elms Sen'r. [Seal] Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator William Elms as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto set and subscribed our Names as Witnesses, Wm. S. Green, J.P., John Beasant, Henry Elms, John Elms, William his X mark Elms Sen'r.

I hereby certify that the execution of the Will of which the foregoing is a true and correct Copy by William Elms Senior the Testator party thereto was proved before myself on the Fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty three by the Affidavit endorsed thereon of William Seagar Green one of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto the same [----ing?] first been read over and explained to the Testator and the same is in due course hereby actually Registered by me this day. Given under my hand this Seventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty three A.D. 1853

John Stark, Registrar