Will of Patrick Coleman
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 414 & 415 probate year 1843

In re
     Patrick Coleman       deceased.

In the name of God Amen. I Patrick Coleman a native of the Parish of Portlaw in the County of Waterford and for several years past a servant in the employ of Messrs. Rennie Stewart & Co. of St. John's Newfoundland, Merchants, being at present in a very weak and delicate state of health but of sound and perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and declare this to be my last will and testament. First and principally of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial not doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give demise and bequeath the same in the following manner and form, I particularly desire and request that my funeral expenses and the amount I shall owe to Patrick Houlett (in whose house I am now bedridden) and also any other lawful debt due of me if any but which I cannot at present call to my recollection shall be paid and discharged as soon as possible after my interment.
I then give and bequeath to the Right Revd Doctor Fleming for his private use twenty pounds,
to the Right Revd Doctor Fleming for assisting in building the Roman Catholic Cathedral twenty pounds,
to the Revd Mr. Waldron two pounds ten shillings,
to the Revd MR. O'Connor two pounds ten shillings,
to the Revd Mr. Forristal two pounds ten shillings and to the Revd Edward Troy two pounds ten shillings
To the Revd Ladies of the Convent in st. John's ten pounds,
to the sisters of Mercy ditto Five pounds all currency,
I also leave to the Right Revd Doctor Fleming fifteen pounds currency for the purpose of having three High Masses offered up for my soul, that is to say, the first high Mass to be offered up on the week of my interment, the next high Mass in or about a month afterwards, and the third high Mass to be offered up for me in or about a year after the second.
I give and bequeath to Michael Cantwell the son of John Cantwell the sum of twenty pounds currency to assist or for the purpose of binding him to a trade. And any other monies of mine that may remain on hand after the above demands and legacies are paid is to be given in charity for the benefit of my soul, and I nominate and appoint Mr. Patrick Houlet and John Cantwell both of St. John's to be the executors of this my last will and testament and I hereby declare null and void all former wills legacies or bequests made by me and I ratify and confirm this only to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three at Saint John's in the Island aforesaid. Patrick his x mark Coleman (LS)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Patrick Coleman as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers, signed in the presence of Hy Devereux,   Patrick his x mark Houlet,    John Cantwell. Dated the 23^rd September 1843.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar