Will of Thomas Hearn
from Newfoundland will books volume 4 pages 95 to 97 probate year 1880

In re
Thomas Hearn deceased.

In the name of God Amen.     I Thomas Hearn of St. John’s Merchant do make publish and declare the following as and for my last will and testament.     I give and bequeath to the Reverend William Forristal of St. John’s the sum of twenty pounds for Masses for the repose of my soul.    I give devise and bequeath to the Reverend Patrick J. Delaney of St. John’s the sum of twenty pounds for Masses for the repose of my soul.    To the Convent of Mercy on the Military Road St. John’s I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds for the use and benefit of that Institution.    To the Convent of Mercy at Belvidere St. John’s I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds to be paid to the Reverend Mother for the use and benefit of the Orphanage attached to that Institution.    To Joanna MacNamara wife of Austin MacNamara of St. John’s I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds for her sole and separate use.    To my beloved aunt Catherine Henderson I give and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds.     To the Ladies of the St. Vincent de Paul St. John’s I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds for the purposes of the said Society     To the Ladies of the Dorcas Society St. John’s I give and bequeath the sum of twenty pounds for the purposes of the said Society     To my beloved aunt Joanna Fox I give and bequeath my two debentures of four hundred dollars each also I will and direct that my executors hereinafter named shall pay to her the sum of fifty pounds per year during her lifetime. Further I give devise and bequeath to her all my silverware, electro plate goods and cutlery to be disposed of by her as she may think proper

To my beloved brother John F. Hearn I give and bequeath all my interest in the dwelling house stores and premises in Water Street in St. John’s now occupied by me also the household furniture therein.    I would wish him to take into partnership with him John Harris who is at present bookkeeper with me also John Kavanagh the present storekeeper and to continue the present business under the style and firm of Hearn and Company.

I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds to my executors hereinafter named to be by them held in trust for the benefit of my nephew John Henry Hearn son of my beloved brother James Hearn to be paid to him when he shall attain the age of twenty four years and in the meantime to pay the interest thereon to his mother half yearly for the use and benefit of my said nephew. I direct that my horses sleighs harness and carriages shall be sold and the proceeds of such sale held by my said executors in trust for the use of the said John Henry Hearn to be paid to him when he attains the aforesaid age.    In the event of my said nephew dying before attaining the said age without leaving lawful issue him surviving I direct that the said sum of one hundred pounds shall be paid to the aforesaid Joanna MacNamara if then alive and to her children if she be then deceased, and that the proceeds of the said sale of my horses sleighs harness and carriages shall in such event be paid to my beloved aunt Catherine Henderson if she be then alive and her children if she be then deceased.    To my friend John T. O’Mara I give and bequeath my watch and chain.     As regards the several bequests herein made I desire that they shall be paid within twelve months after my decease.    After all the above mentioned bequests are paid I desire that such balance as may be due to me from the trade and business shall remain therein for the use of the new firm and the benefit of the several partners therein-    As regards my interest in the policy of insurance on the life of Mrs. Ellen Liddy of St. John’s and in the mortgage on the premises of Laurence Connolly on the Military Road in St. John’s and all the rest residue and remainder of my property and effects whatsoever I give devise and bequeath the same to my beloved brother John F. Hearn.     I nominate and appoint my said brother John F. Hearn and Robert J. Kent of St. John’s Barrister at law as executors of this my will and do hereby revoke and declare null and void all former and other wills by me heretofore made.    Dated at St. John’s this twelfth day of May Anno Domini 1880.    T. Hearn.    Signed in presence of Joanna Fox,    Robert J. Kent.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar