This is the last will and testament of John Purchase of Back Harbour Twillingate in the Northern District of Newfoundland, First I give and demise to my beloved wife Elizabeth Purchase my messuage or dwelling house in which I now reside situate in Back Harbour Twillingate aforesaid with all appurtenances unto and to the use of her assigns for the term of her natural life without impeachment of waste Also I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth such part of my household goods and furniture as she shall choose to take at the time of my death for her own sole use and disposal (disposal) and from and immediately after the death of my said wife I give and bequeath the said messuage or dwelling house with all the appurtenances unto my sons William Purchase and John Purchase so long as they shall continue to remain together in business upon my room as hereinafter specified, but it is also my will if either of my aforesaid sons shall separate himself from the other and go off from my room he shall not enjoy any right title or claim to the aforementioned messuage or dwelling house or appurtenances thereto but the sole of the right title interest and claim in the aforementioned premises shall be enjoyed by the son who shall continue to remain upon my room for the use of him his heirs and assigns for ever.     It is also my will that my daughter Elizabeth Purchase being unmarried shall have a right to live and reside in my dwelling house if she see proper and convenient so to do during such term as she shall remain unmarried she rendering such reasonable assistance to her mother as may be in her power     I further give and bequest unto my wife Elizabeth Purchase and my sons William Purchase and John Purchase all monies found remaining in the hands of William Cox & Company of Twillingate aforesaid equally between them-

And whereas I have for some time past carried on business of a fisherman and planter at Back Harbour aforesaid and am desirous that the said business shall be carried on for the mutual benefit comfort and maintenance of my wife Elizabeth Purchase my sons William Purchase and John Purchase and my daughter Elizabeth Purchase during the time she continues with her mother unmarried Now therefore I hereby give and bequeath to my said wife and sons all monies and debts which shall belong and be due and owing to me at the time of my decease for and on account of the said business and also the one half or part of the schooner Elizabeth now jointly owned by me and my son Absalom Purchase as also all my fishing gear that is to say Boats seines Salmon Nets Seal netts and Cod Netts in short all the property I now possess for carrying on the fishery as also all my fishing room messuages and hereditaments now employed in or connected with the said business situate in Back Harbour aforesaid- together with all my lands & gardens excepting and subject to the devise of the messuage & dwelling house so before devised to the use of my wife Elizabeth Purchase during the term of her natural life It is further my express will and I devise to my son Absalom Purchase all that part or portion of my fishing room land now occupied by him to hold and enjoy for his own absolute benefit and use for ever.

And whereas there is now standing in my name in the Blandford Savings Bank in England a certain sum of money I give and bequeath the same as follows To my granddaughter Elizabeth Simms five pounds the remainder to be equally divided between my beloved wife Elizabeth Purchase and my children namely Absalom Purchase, Capel Purchase, William Purchase and John Purchase & Mary the wife of Thomas House, Dinah the wife of Samuel Jeans and Elizabeth Purchase-     And lastly I nominate and appoint Mr. Abraham Pearce and Mr. Thomas Peyton executors to this my last will and testament     In witness whereof I have hereunto set my mark and seal this third day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixty five.     John his X mark Purchase (LS)     Published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the said John Purchase the same having been first read over and fully explained to him who seemed perfectly to understand the same and made and set his mark thereto in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses, John Peyton, J.P.     Thomas Peyton, Depy Surveyor Crown Lands.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar