Will of Stephen Ryan
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 563 & 564 probate year 1849

In re
     Stephen Ryan       deceased.

In the name of God Amen. This seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. I Stephen Ryan of the city of Saint John's NFland being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty Power of God. And as touching such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in his life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form (I.e.) after all my lawful debts are paid
First I give and bequeath to Margaret Ryan my dearly beloved wife the dwelling house we live in at present with the kitchen garden attached to it which runs eastward to the extent of the premises to her and her heirs for ever, also the two houses now occupied by Whitten and Captain Lucas during her own natural life and no longer.
To my dear beloved nice Catherine Ryan I bequeath that house and ground occupied by Cunningham and also the house and ground occupied by the widow Grace to her and her heirs for ever.
To my dear beloved brother Michael Ryan and nephew Patrick Ryan I bequeath my property in WATER Street and now occupied by ManWarren and Rollines to be equally divided between both during their natural life And after the death of my brother Michl his half or share thereof to be given to his son Stephen and his heires for ever Patrick Ryans share or half to remain with him and his heirs for ever.
I also bequeath to Elinor Hennessey that vacant space of ground qty in or about twenty feet more of less situate between the house now occupied by William Roost and Barters Fence to her and her heirs for ever.
I also give and bequeath to the residing Parish Priest in St. John's at all times all that piece or parcel of ground with the houses and erections thereon occupied at present by Grace & Wm. Roost lying and situate between that house now occupied by Whitten and the lot of ground already bequeathed to Elinor Hennessey or the income arising therefrom to have Masses celebrated for my soul and the souls of my former wife Bridget and dearly beloved son Edward Ryan for ever
I also give and bequeath to my niece Mary Fardy and her heirs for ever, say after the decease of my present wife Margaret Ryan these two houses and property now in the possession of William Whitten and Captain Lucas as heretofore given to my wife Margaret Ryan during her natural life
And I the aforesaid Stephen Ryan further declare as my last will and testament that none of the aforesaid property shall by any of my heirs executors &c. be sold or mortgaged by any or each of them longer than their own natural life but descend from heir to heir untrammelled for ever as heretofore willed or parcelled off And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments wills legacies bequests and executors by me in any ways before named willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament
in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Stephen his x mark Ryan (LS)
Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Stephen Ryan as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers, Witness, Lauce Maccassey (LS)     Denis Nowlan (LS)

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar