In re: JOHN BESLEY. DECEASED.

In the name of God Amen. I John Besley of Catalina in the Island of Newfoundland being in a sound state of mind but feeble in body and bearing in mind that it is appointed unto all men once to die do hereby make and constitute this my last will and testament and first I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rebecca Besley all my fishing room gardens meadows or waste lands that I am now in possession of at the signing and sealing of this my last will and testament including all landed property that is at present acknowledged as within my boundaries.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rebecca Besley aforesaid all dwelling houses, outhouses, flakes, stages or other erections that are of my own personal property exclusive of those buildings houses fences or other erections which may be put up and now occupied by my tenants Robert Thomson and Richard King.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath all my boats, skiffs, punts or any other description of vessel that I now am possessed of together with all my nets seins, net moorings, anchors, grapnels and all sorts of fishing tackle and appurtenances thereto and all tackle apparel or appurtenances belonging to the aforesaid boats, skiffs, punts or other craft and all cordage of any description whatsoever belonging to me unto my beloved wife Rebecca Besley aforesaid to have and to use to her own behalf and benefit for ever and I hereby authorise and empower her to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such articles as are included or enumerated in this third clause without being subject to hindrance or question from any persons or parties whatsoever or wheresoever they may be unless that she may when she thinks fit consult and advise with those my executors concerning the disposal of the same. And I hereby intend and declare that all my debts of whatsoever nature shall be paid or taken out of the proceeds of the sale of such articles as are enumerated in this third clause with the consent and approval of the executors to my estate and this my last will and testament.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rebecca Besley all and singular whatever Cows, calves, or any other description of live stock or cattle to have and to hold to her own proper use and benefit, that is now in my possession or that may be mine.

Fifthly, I hereby declare and intend that at the decease of my beloved wife Rebecca Besley all and singular that part of my room or plantation now occupied by me personally I give and bequeath unto Philip Diamond, son of Robert and Susanna Diamond and John Besley Sheave son of George and Sarah Sheave in the event of their surviving their respective mothers but should they die before their mothers or either of them before his mother then the surviving mother shall have the full disposal of her deceased son’s share. I further intend and declare by this my last will and testament that my property which I devise and bequeath by this clause of my will shall be divided equally between the said Philip Diamond and John Besley Sheave that is to say by straight lines drawn from the salt water backward irrespective of houses or any other erections that may be in the way or in the line drawn as before described, The upper or western side to the said Philip Diamond and the lower or eastern side to the said John Besley Sheave.

Sixthly, I hereby constitute and appoint William Norman, Senior, and Samuel Coleridge, both of Catalina in the Island of Newfoundland as my executors to this my last will and testament. Signed sealed and delivered read over and explained at Catalina in the Island of Newfdland this sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. Witness my hand and seal,

John Besley (LS)

Signed sealed read over & explained day & date above written (with one interlineation and one erasure in the date both of which were done before the signing and sealing of this document) in presence of the subscribing witnesses,

William Bremher, Stephen Jeans.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar