In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen.     I Edward Downton of Exploits Burnt Island in the Island of Newfoundland, Planter, being of perfectly sound mind, memory and understanding do make, publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament.     I wish to dispose in the following manner of my estate or plantation which consists of the dwelling house which I now occupy and all the outhouses, stores, stages, flakes and buildings whatsoever, together with the gardens and waterside situated between the premises of Andrew Pearce Senr and the well at George Lannings the said well being included.     to my beloved wife Mary Downton I will and bequeath the house in which I now reside with all the furniture belonging thereto, which she is to hold jointly with my son Arthur Downton and at her death the house with its furniture is to become the sole property of the said Arthur Downton on condition that he behave kindly and dutifully to her and maintain her as long as she lives
To my daughter Ruth Horwood I hereby give the ground on which the dwelling house which she now occupies is now built and the garden immediately attached to it together with all claim which may accrue to me from the said house having been built on my land.     Also I give to the said Ruth Horwood room enough on my waterside premises to build a stage and flake this Room to extend southward from where my net Rock now stands and inland on the present line of boundary to the road the old cooper’s shop being included and southward from the boundary line as far as my premises extend in that direction.
to my son Aran Downton and his heirs and successors on condition that the said Aran Downton do behave dutifully to his mother the aforenamed Mary Downton and assist her with his worldly substance as God shall prosper him, I give and bequeath one half of the remaining stores, flakes, stages, outhouses and other buildings and waterside; (the northern half of the plantation to be his) and such share of the cultivated land as he and his brother Arthur Downton shall agree upon.
The remainder of my plantation consisting of outhouses, stores, stages, flakes and waterside, together with all land owned by me which is not in this will or otherwise by me legally disposed of; also, such share in my dwelling house as I have hereinbefore named is to be the property of my son Arthur Downton and his heirs and successors on the aforenamed condition, viz that he behave kindly to and support during her lifetime his mother and my beloved wife Mary Downton.     Dated the eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy two.     Edward his X mark Downton.     The said Edward Downton affixed his mark and seal to, published and declared the above as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who having first heard it read in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands as witnesses on the day of the date above written, witnesses, Walter R. Smith, Clergyman Ch of England,     Thos. A. Winsor, J.P.     Andrew Pearce Senr.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar