Probate Records Relating to Grates Cove, Newfoundland Residents

Although not a resident of Grates Cove, this will is of interest because of the close connection between the Coopers of Lower Island Cove, and the Cooper family that settled in Grates Cove. It is possible that the Grates Cove family is descended from this man Thomas Cooper. It us up to the researcher to reach your own conclusions!

Will of Thomas Cooper of Lower Island Cove 1829

In the name of God, Amen.

I, Thomas Cooper of Lower Island Cove, Planter at present of sound mind appoint this as my last will and testament disposing of my property in the manner following.

I give unto my lawful and beloved wife Jane Cooper the whole of my fishing room situate in Lower Island Cove, to be occupied by her or whomsoever she may appoint with this exception that my two sons William Cooper and Henry Cooper have liberty to occupy those parts of the said fishing room which have been occupied by them heretofore, and to be subject to an yearly rent of one shilling of lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid by each of them to the said Jane Cooper or whomsoever she may appoint to receive the same.

I give unto my Grandson John Cooper Lewis the use of that part of the fishing room now occupied by me, to be occupied by him, after my death, provided he take care of my wife Jane Cooper as long as she shall live, and if he fail in providing for her that she hire the room or dispose of it in the best manner she can during her mortal life and no longer, and that after the death of the said Jane Cooper the part of the room so occupied by her as above stated be the said John Cooper Lewis's and his heirs for ever.

I give unto my son William Cooper the sum of £50 in dollars to be paid him at the expiration of one year and one day after my death or whomever he may appoint to receive same. I also give unto the said William Cooper the use of that part of the fishing room now occupied by him to be occupied by him for his use and profit after my death, subject to an annual rent as aforesaid to be paid to the said Jane Cooper or whomever she may appoint to receive the same, and that after the death of the said Jane Cooper, it be his and his heirs for ever.

I also give unto the said William Cooper after the death of the said Jane Cooper one half of the fish houses, cow houses and all other outhouses on my premises and also one half of my Potato gardens and meadows together with a third of the part of the stage to be his and his heirs for ever.

I give unto my son Henry Cooper the sum of £50 to be paid him at the expiration of one year and one day after my death or whomever he may appoint to receive the same. I also give unto the said Henry Cooper after my death the use of that part of the fishing room now occupied by him subject to an annual rent as aforesaid to be paid unto the said Jane Cooper or whomever she may appoint to receive the same, and that after the death of the same Jane Cooper, it be his and his heirs for ever. I also give one third of my fishing stage after the death of the said Jane Cooper to the said Henry Cooper to be his and his heirs for ever.

I give unto my grandson John Cooper Lewis after the death of my beloved Jane Cooper my dwelling house and one half of my fish-house cow-houses potato gardens and meadows together with a third part of my fishing stage to be his and his heirs for ever. I also give to the said John Cooper Lewis £50 in dollars to be paid him at the expiration of one year and one day after my death.

Whatever of my personal estate and other effects belonging to me be undisposed by this my last will I give the same unto my beloved wife Jane Cooper to be by her disposed of in the best manner she may think proper.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine.

The mark or sign of Thomas Cooper X Testator.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us

Robert Normore X mark or sign.

Charles Bates.

Certified Correct, D. M. Browning
Registrar.

 

Petition to Probate

Lower Island Cove
December 14, 1830

We the undersigned, the Widow, Sons and Grandson of Thomas Cooper of this place Planter deceased. Pray the Ministers of the Supreme Court to Grant Letters of Administration to the Estate and Effects of the said Thomas Cooper, deceased, unto the Reverend Chas Bate of Old Perlican, Wesleyan and Richard Rankin of this place, Merchant, they having our confidence and are in our opinion fit and proper to take upon themselves the offer of Administration.

Signed by

Jane Cooper
William Cooper
X Henry Cooper
John Cooper Lewis