Conception Bay North Region ~ Brigus District

Brigus - Will of James Roberts (1827)

I James Roberts of Brigus Conception Bay Newfoundland Planter, being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, knowing that it is appointed unto 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 commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it, and my body I commend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors (hereafter named) nothing doubting but that at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again at the instance of the power of Almighty God. And as touching such worldly goods and estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I give and bequeath unto Jane my beloved Wife all my Furniture to use it, and to dispose of it as she may see proper at her decease. I also give and bequeath unto her all my money during her natural life.

Secondly I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Jane, my six silver tea spoons.

Thirdly I give to Joseph Antell a spot of land, large enough to build a covenient House, and to make a kitchen Garden, the size of which shall be subject to the opinion of my Executors.

Fourthly I give to my Grandson Joshua the Kitchen Garden, in the front of my son Thomas’s House (deceased).

Fifthly I bequeath unto my two Grandsons George and Joshua my part of the Flake above the bridge, and the whole of my remaining land, to be equally divided between them together with the Sate, Stone Shop and Dwelling House, now in the occupancy of William Maddicks Silly (on the expiration of his lease) and the House in which I now reside. I also give and bequeath to them equally each money as may be remaining at the decease of my beloved wife. But it is hereby provided that the above bequests to my two Grandsons (George and Joshua) shall be subject to the following conditions.

First That Jane my beloved Wife shall retain the occupancy of the House in which I now live, during her natural life.

Secondly That should my Wife be living at the expiration of the lease of the said William Maddicks Silly, she shall hold said premises as long as she may live.

Thirdly Should my Grand Daughter Ann be in need of it, she shall be supported out of the Estate bequeathed to my two Grandsons aforesaid.

And for the effecting of this my Will and Testament, I hereby constitute, make and ordain, Charles Cozens and John Norman (both of Brigus aforesaid) my joint Executors.

And further I hereby utterly disannul, revoke, and disallow, all and every other former testament, will, legacies, bequests and Executors by me in any ways before names, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have here set my hand and seal at the day and year above written

James his x Mark Roberts (seal)