Will of John McDonald
from Newfoundland will books volume 2 pages 219-220 probate year 1856
(This name is spelled McDonald and McDonnell in the will and McDonald in the will index.)

In re
     John McDonald      deceased.

In the name of God Amen, Dated at Waterford Bridge this twenty ninth day of September in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Fourth of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.     I John McDonnell of Waterford Bridge aforesaid, Farmer, being very sick and weak in body but of 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 ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say first and principally of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend 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 in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.     I give and bequeath unto my sister-in-law (that is my wife's sister) that house the premises held by Nicholas Coady at Riverhead under lease bearing date the first day of July one thousand eight hundred and twelve my said sister in law Bridget the wife of William Kiely of St. John's Fisherman she the said Bridget Kieley shall be sole possessor of the said house and the same shall decend to her heirs.     I then give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Ellen all the landed and household property together with the furniture, cattle and effects, debts, goods and chattels now in my possession, together with those tenements in the West End of the town now in the possession of John Brownrigg and finally I hereby confirm and bequeath unto my said loving wife Ellen all and singular my worldly estate debts and effects goods and chattels (with the exception of Nicholas Coady's premises as above-mentioned) to be for her own use and at her own discretion.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Saint John's, Waterford Bridge, in Newfoundland the day and year first above written.
John his X mark McDonnell (LS)
Sealed, signed, published and declared in the presence of us by the within named John McDonnell who in the presence of him and of each other have as witnesses subscribed their names this 29^th September 1835 five.
Hy. Devereux, William Kieley.

Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar