This is the last will and testament of me Philip Pearce, formerly of Joe Batt’s Arm, but now of St. John’s, Fisherman. I revoke all former wills by me at any time made, and I appoint Alfred McNamara, of St. John’s, Jeweller, the executor of this my will.     I direct that my debts and testamentary and funeral expenses shall first be paid, and a headstone provided for my grave, out of my moneys in the Newfoundland Savings Bank.
I give and bequeath to my said executor out of my said moneys the sum of one hundred dollars to be expended on Masses for the repose of the souls of myself my father and mother, my brother William, and my first and second wife, and do direct him to distribute the same among the priests in Newfoundland most in need thereof
    I give and bequeath to my brother John residing at Joe Batts Arm, the sum of one hundred dollars out of my said moneys.
I give and bequeath my land and premises at Joe Batts Arm to my nephew William Adams and my grandnephew Frank Pearce, son of my nephew Patrick Pearce, to hold to them in equal shares, provided that if the said William Adams dies during the lifetime of the said Frank Pearce the said Frank Pearce is to own the whole property, and that if the said Frank Pearce dies during the lifetime of the said William Adams leaving a child or children, such child or children shall take their fathers half of the property, but if leaving no children, then the said Frank Pearce’s half of the property shall go to his brothers William and George, or to the survivor of them, if one be then dead.
I direct my executor to stand possessed of the balance of my said moneys in the Newfoundland Savings Bank and the residue of my estate, except my furniture at Joe Batts Arm in trust to pay thereout one hundred and fifty dollars per annum to my wife Bridget during her widowhood, so long as he shall have funds for that purpose, and upon her death or remarriage to pay and divide the residue equally to and between my nephews Frank Adams, John Adams, Joseph Lowman and John Decker, and my adopted daughter Katie Mahoney daughter of Mary Mahoney of Tilting. I give and bequeath the furniture in my house at Joe Batts Arm to my said wife Bridget. Witness my hand at St. John’s this 3rd day of March 1917.     Philip Pearce.     Chas O’Neill Conroy.     J. O’Neill Conroy.