John Callow, 1659

Submitted by: Joyce M Oates
Date: 4 July 2004, updated 16 July 2020
Original: LDS: 0106199

Archdeacon Will 1659A #33 Jurby will of John Callow, adolescent, died about 1652 [May 1652], mother Ann Freer died 1642, father Thomas Callow died 1656; 
John's will was disputed by his aunts Isabel Clarke als Freere, wife of Thomas Clarke, and Joney Freere on the one part, and Thomas Callow (who died during 
the dispute) & his wife Margaret Quayle & William Callow, Catharine Callow, & Ann Callow on the other part.   
Summary: mother Ann Freer died 1642 [Episcopal Will], father Thomas Callow died 1656 (ArW 1656A #28 Jurby), maternal aunt Isabel Clark alias Freer & her 
husband Thomas Clark, maternal aunt Isabel Freer, stepmother Margaret Callow alias Quayle, paternal uncle William Callow, cousin? Ann Callow, paternal 
aunt? Catharine Callow, witnesses: William Freer age about 55 years & John Killip & Edmund Kewn & Phinlo Freer.  NOTE, that the surname 'Freer' is also 
recorded as 'Fryer' in this controversy,  NOTE, also that the family said John was at least 14 years old and so his will was valid, but the Court 
determined that his age was not proved and so proceeded on the conclusion that he was less than 14 years old.
Jurby parish register: Jon: Callow buried  8 May 1652.
Mother: ArWills, note dated 23 January 1655/6, Michael, regarding a dispute of the will of Ann Callow alias Freer, died 1642 [Episcopal Will]: husband 
Thomas Callow [he remarried, his will ArW 1656A #28 Jurby], sister Isabel Freer & husband Thomas Clark of Ballaugh, & brother John Freer & wife, & sister 
Joney Freer are owed goods per the last will of Ann Callow alias Freer of Jurby & the death of Ann's children [son John died 1652, will recorded in 1659, 
ArW 1659A #33 Ballaugh].
Will of father: ArW 1656A #28 Jurby will of Thomas Callow, buried 24 May 1656, dated 23 April 1656, he has a close at Gollane: 1st wife Ann Callow alias 
Freer died 1642 & made a will [Episcopal will], 2nd wife Margaret Callow alias Quayle is alive, brother William Callow, nephew John Callow, niece Ann 
Callow, sister? Catharine Callow, mother in law Averick Quayle, Bahie Callow, sisters in law Isabel & Joney Freer, also: Phinlo Freer, & William Freer of 
Jurby. 
Will of brother: ArW 1649A #045 Jurby will of Robert Callow, died 3 April 1650 intestate, father alive, mother Ann Freer died about 1642: not married, 
only living brother John Callow, [sister Bahie died a day after Robert, ArW 1649A #045 Jurby], mother Ann Callow alias Freer died in 1642, father [Thomas] 
Callow is alive [died in 1656, ArW 1656A #28 Jurby].
Will of sister: ArW 1649A #046 Jurby will of Bahie Callow, died 4 April 1650 intestate: not married, only living brother John Callow, [brother Robert 
Callow died the day before Bahie, ArW 1649A #046 Jurby], mother Ann Callow alias Freer died in 1642, father [Thomas] Callow is alive [died in 1656, ArW 
1656A #28 Jurby].
Will of aunt: ArW 1661A #056 Ballaugh will of Isabel Clark alias Freer, died 21 December 1662, husband Thomas Clark: husband Thomas Clark  exec, son & heir 
William (left the Island about 1671 & was not heard of again), 2nd son Patrick, youngest son George; sister Joney Freer; brother John Freer; also: Averick 
Nidderaugh, witnesses & pledges: William Mylevorrey & John Craine, also other pledges: Daniel Teare & Patrick Cowley.

To the Right worll: James Challoner Esquire & Govenor of this Isle, The humble petition of Tho: Clarke of Ballalaugh Parish: Humbly Shewinge That whereas one Ann Ffreere who died in Anno 1642 willed to her children executors, all of them dyinge in minority save one, who as is alledged attained to the age of 14 yeeres or thereabouts, & in his nonage of understanding (though of yeeres yf that may appeare) was seduced & sinester meanes drawne to make a will as is likewise alledged; wch will was (without competent wittnesses contrary to the Lawes of this Isle) approved of; & recorded, in your peticioners absence, by one of the judges without the assistance of his associatt, or Register; though the same was in dispute in a full Court twice before; by wch meanes the goods wch of right and by law ought to descend to your peticioners wyfe and her sister, are contrarie there unto alienated to a strange kindred; and for like to continue, except your good worship in wisdome, and your tender respect of justice grant some speedy releife &c. The promises tenderly considered your peticioner most humbly craves that your worship would be gratiously pleased to require the now officers of the will Courte, and yf your worship thinke it con= venient to joyne Mr Hugh Cannell, Mr Robb Parr, and Mr James Moore, or two of them who formerly were judges of that Court and who knowes the law and practice in their ce-----th them to take examination of this busines and if they find accordinge to law xxxxxx or ca-----[?custome] formerly used in this Isle the said will now alledged to be authentic xxx; they may soe give it under theire hands and your petitioner will submit and ever cease to prosecute the same; but yf they shall otherwise find that they may decree accordinge to law, and the ancient practise of that part[?], that soe iustice may be done, and your peticioner relieved; And this for Christ Jesus his sake; and your petitioner for your worship prosper he will never cease to pray. & alsoe Sr Robert Parr & Sr Hugh Cannell. Lett the willers take the business into serious consideracion and examination; and com= pose the differences betwixte ye parties if they can; or els make Reporte thereof to mee. Castleton: 18 Ja:1657 James Challoner [next page] At St John Chappel the 29th of July 1658 In obedience to the honorable Governor his Referrence directed unto us whose names are Subscribed, we have taken these examinacions followinge: Wm Ffreere aged 55 yeares or thereabouts sworne and examined saith That he came to see Jo: Calowe on May day before his death being then on his death bed and then asked him whether he had made a will, who answeared he had not, after wards he came to see the sd Jo: Calowe (beinge sent for) 1 day or 2 before his death, and perceiving he would not recover told to Tho: Calowe father to the sd Jo: That what goods the sd Jo: had came by his mother, and in case he dyed there would be strife betwixt his friends concerninge the sd goods; and desired, that if the sd Jo: would make a will that he (being his Supervisor) might be by; then Tho: Callow weeping answeared if I loose the boy, I care not if I loose the goods also and further saith not Wm Ffreere his mark w John Killip beinge witness to the alledged will of Jo: Callowe afore sd being examined whether the sd Jo: Callow was (at his sd will) instructed in the making thereof, or whether the wordes of the sd will were not dictated to him by Tho: Calow his father or any other; denyeth to attest or swear any thing to that pointe. Edmond Kewne sworne and examined saith that he was by at St Patricks of Jurby when the alledged will of Jo: Calowe was proved; and that there was noe officer in Cort at that time, nor that day but Capt Jo: Teare, and that neither Tho: Clarke, nor any of Ffreeres the partys concer= ned in that will was then prsent in the Church, and further saith not. Edmond Kewne his mark Ffinloe ffreere sworne and examined saith that there was noe off= icer in Court when the will abovesd was proved, nor that day but Capt Teare as abovesd and further saith not. Ffinloe Freere his mark X These deposicions taken by and before as abovesd Richd Stevenson William Quaille Ro:Parre [next page] Bishop’s Court 7th Aug 1658 Concerning that the will of John Callow was not duely proved before John Teare late Judge of ye Will court, -----[in fold] as is alledged all parties concerned were not present, noe ----[in fold] Register and for other reasons wch ye defts:[defendants] are readie -----[in fold] offerr, I referr ye same to ye heareing and determination of ye judges in ye will office James Chaloner I find annexed to an order written & submitted by ye late Bishop in Anno 1643 in these words Note that in the Regrs absence ye Bishop did exped----[in fold] all acts this Cort day Mr. Vicar Cannell & Mr. Parson Parre being present instead of the Regr; I find likewise recorded in Anno 1634 a Co-------[in fold] grated by Bishop Ffoster to Parson Thompson, & Sir Hu: Cannell jointly to execute the affair of the Vicar Generall, & Sir Wm Cosnahan Regr & then thr------[in fold] to keepe the Ecclesiasticall Cort jointly &c. I finde likewise Recorded in Anno 1626 a ------[in fold] stion granted to Sr Wm Crow & Sr Wm Norris by Bishop Phill, to be substituted jointly, ---[in fold] Parson Thompson his Regr Episcopall &c. Tho: Norris Regt. [next page] At Ballagh Church 22nd 9bris 1658 Forasmuch as in order to a Reference from our honorable Governor directed unto us This day was assigned for hearinge of ye difference concerninge the alledged will of Jo: Calowe and both parties accordingly appearinge it was alleged by one Quayle and the exec of Tho: Callow that they had not timely notice; for the bringeinge in of their evidence; and desired further time; Therefore for the a---ydinge of all cause of complainte we thought it fitt to grant the same and now doe order that all parties doe appear at Duglas on Tuesday the 7th of 10ber next wch all further evidence as can be produced, and in case any faile herein we shall proceede accordinge to the evidence alreadye taken, Date the day and year above sd Richd Stevenson William Quaile [next page] 23d 9ber 1658 Let there be no unnecessary delay used in ---- ---sines[?] & therefore let the meetinge at Duglas hold as hath been appointed. James Chaloner p me Tho: Norris, Regr. [next page] ffor as much as it appears to me that some of the witnesses to the will of John Callow are not in a condition to travel as far as Douglas, I therefore thinke fitt and doe soe order that the matter now pending betwixt Thomas Clarke and the adverse parties be deferred till the cominge over of the Judges of the Will Court, on this side, and then to proceed to the consideration therof, Given under my hand this 2th day of 10ber 1658 James Chaloner [next page] Cosson Stevenson, the bearer hereof Tho: Clarke of Ballagh, came unto me, to know, whether I gave my consent unto the proveing of Jo: Callow his will, with Jo: Teare, I doe remember that, he & I, was at a difference [edge]---wise about the proveing of it, but would never give my consent unto the same, or unto any such, unlesse I know it very lawfull, & this I doe certify for a trueth noe more only my true love to your selfe & the rest of your fellow officers I remaine, your loving kindsman March the 10th 1658 Sam Radcliffe At St Johns Chappell 10th March 1658 [next page, top is torn diagonally] ----here And to -------- -------- -------[torn] ---e probacion of John ------------- ----[torn] s --e said will was lawfully proved ----------- ---------[torn] if two sufficient witnesses according to that law -------------[torn] Isle, whene severall other wills from the respective parties ----[torn] north side were also proved the said day as appears uppon record, ----[torn] [dark]------ was legally & honestly proceeded in, as I shall make to appear whensoever thereunto called, as wittnes my name subscribed this 8th day of Februarie 1658 John Teare At St Johns Chappell 10th March 1658/ [next page] for as much as it is alledged by Thos: Clarke that theire was in the Courte att the probacion of John Callow his will but [edge]---- willer and that it was not lawful for one judge to prove [edge]---- will, these theirefore and to certifie that Captain Radcliffe [edge]----m [?Wm] Christian & myselfe weare together att a Courte in KK Mighell, where the sd will was to be proved, yett Clarke [edge]----dyed to produce summe thing to hinder it, desired that ye probacion of the sd will might be deferred to the Court day that was at balure chaple, wch was ye next day after Sant Andrus day, whean the will was discussed, the sd Clarke produced nothing to hinder ye ---- --- will & yett tyme was given him to the next Courte, wch Courte was att Jurbie Church upon Sant Brydson after, and if he could not produce any witnesses against that day to hinder ye probacion [edge]---- the would be proved that day; soe when theire did nothing [edge]----ave to the contrarie, the will was proved legally in courte [edge]---- severall other wills more, nether did any statute apeare to hinder one Judge to prove a will, for that statute was made [edge]---- Capt Caldewells time wch was proclaimed the last midsummer that he was att the tinwald, this I will justifie to be true this 18th of februarie 1658 John Teare At St Jo: Chappell 10th March 1658 [next page] In our tyme it hath been the custome and accordingly the practice of the Spirituall Court in this Isle, that one witnesse cannot prove a will, nor any of kinne within the degrees prohibited for marriage but cum consensus parium Hu: Cannell The premises are true. Ro: Parre And also one witness hath usually proved a will if the testator willed the same, as the Church wold denee it Jam: Moore At St Johns Chappell 10 March 1658. [next page; there are 2 copies of the following court determination] At St Johns Chappell ye 10th of March 1658 fforeasmuch as the hearinge & determinacion of the differrence concerninge ye will of Jo: Calow son of Tho: Calow of Jurby (now betwixt Tho: Clark in ye behalf of his wife & her sister on the one part, & ye exec & wife of Tho: Callow on the other part) by our honorable Governor his order beareinge date ye 7th of August 1658 is referred unto us; & having had several meetings about the same (upon some allegations of ye sd exec & wife of Tho: Callow or one Quaile in their behalf), The matter was deferred from time to time till this present day, we have (in pursuance of ye sd order & other orders from his hand concerninge ye same) mett to give our censure & full determinacion therein, The sd exec & wife still alledgeing they have more proofes & evidences to produce notwithstand ing Such time given them and delayes used as afforesd wch is onely Capt Teare who hath certifyed under his hand what he can say in ye business; and as we con= ceive is meerly offerred to prolonge ye same; And haveinge heard, & duely weighed all & every ye circumstances allegations proofes & evidences on both partes, we find the sd will of Jo: Calow not proceeded in nor proved according to Law upon these Reasons followeinge: ffirst by reason ye sd will was not proved in a full Court but onely before Capt Teare who could not keepe a Courte of himselfe any more than any one officer formerly could, as appears by a pre= cedent under ye late Bishop his own hand, and other reason, if occations be offered and also an order enacted in the Governmt of ye late Major Caldwell; [next page] Though certified under the hand of Capt Teare to be done in open Court but contradicted by Capt Ratcliffe thother judge at yt time, who remembers that they both were twice at difference about ye proving of it, but never was nor would be consented to by him nor any such &c. Secondly because the witnesses to ye sd will are not competent and authentick in Law to prove the same, one of them beinge within the de= grees of kindred prohibited for marriage except cum consensu partium, as appears hath been the practice by the testimony of ye former judges of ye Spiritual Court. Thirdly, because ye probacion of ye sd will was not absolute beinge a legasye also to be made ----[in fold] Antes at next meetinge, wch never yet was performed, & Therefore ye sentence not definitive, And lastly in regard it doth not clearely ap= peare unto us that ye sd Jo:Calowe attained to ye full age of 14 yeares at ye making of ye sd will, by reason one of ye parties hath procured a copye under the hand of ye minister & thother partyes cannot procure ye same, All wch and other circumstances beinge ta= ken to our consideracion, we are of opinion soe declare ye sd will to be invalid & of noe force in Law; & decree ye 2 Antes on ye mo= ther side viz Jony & Isabell ffreere & his father Tho: Callow or the exec & wife of ye sd Tho: Calow (accordinge to ye will of Ann Ffreer mother to ye sd Jo:Calow proved Anno 1642) his Administrators; yet nevertheless [next page] nevertheless we shall humbly submitt to our honorable Governor his further order or appro= bacion herof. Date ut Supra. Richd Stevenson William Quaile I confirme what the Willers have done in ye prmisses 14th March 1658 James Chaloner This confirmacion is a copie of ye origin nall examined by me, Tho: Nooris, Regr [The original, with the above being a copy:] At St Johns Chappell ye 10th of March 1658 fforeasmuch as the hearinge & determinacion of the differrence concerninge ye will of Jo: Calow sonne of Tho: Calow of Jurbye (now betwixt Tho: Clark in the behalf of his wife & her sister one the one part, & ye execs & wife of Tho: Callow on the other part) by our honorable Governor his order beareinge date ye 7th of August 1658 is referred unto us; & having had several meet= ings about the same (upon some allegations of ye sd exec et wife of Tho: Callow or one Quaile in their behalf), The matter was deferred from time to time till this present day, we have (in pursuance of ye sd order & other orders from his honr concer= ninge ye same) mett to give our censure & full determinacion therein, The sd execs & wife still alledgeing they have more proofes & evidences to produce notwithstandinge Such time given them & delayes used as afforesd wch is onely Capt Teare who hath certifyed under his hand what he can say in ye business; and as we conceive is meerly offerred to prolonge ye same; And haveinge heard, & duely weighed all & every the circumstan= ces allegations proofes & evidences on both partes, we finde ye sd will of Jo: Calow not proceeded in nor proved accordinge to Law upon these Reasons followeinge: Ffirst by reason ye sd will was not proved in a full Court but onely before Capt Teare who could not keepe a Courte of himselfe any more than any one officer formerly could, as appears by a president by a president under ye late Bishop his own hand, & other reason, if occations be offered and also an order enacted in the Gover= mt of ye late Major Caldwell; Though certifyed under the hand of Capt Teare to be done in open Court but contradicted by Capt Ratcliffe the other judge at yt time, who remem= bers that they both were twice at difference about ye proving of it, but never was nor would be consented to by him nor any such &c. Secondly because ye witnesses to ye sd will are not competent & au= thentick in Law to prove the same, one of them beinge within ye degrees of kindred prohibited for marriage; except cum consensu partium, as appeares hath been the practice by the testimony of the former judges of ye Spiritual Court. [next page:] Thirdly, because ye probacion of ye sd will was not absolute l--- =sye beinge to be made to ye Antes at next meetinge, wch ---- yet was performed, & Therefore ye sentence not defini---- And lastly in regard it doth not clearely appeare unto us y------ said Jo:Calowe attained to ye full age of 14 yeares at ye making of the sd will, by Reason one of ye parties hath procured a copye under the hand of ye minister & thother partyes cannot procure ye same, All wch and other circumstances beinge taken to our consideracion, we are ---- opinion & soe declare ye sd will to be invalid & of noe force in Law; & Decree ye 2 Antes on ye mother ---- viz Jony & Isabell Ffreere, & his father Tho: Callow o---- exec & wife of ye sd Tho: Calow (Accordinge to ye w---- of Anne Ffreer mother to ye sd Jo:Calow (proved in Anno 1642) his Administrators; yet nevertheless we shall humbly submitt to our honorable Governor his further order or approbacion herof Richd Stevenson William Quaile Exam p me Thom Norris Reg---- I confirme what the Willers have done in ye premisses 14th March 1658 James Chaloner [next page] To ye Honorable James Chaloner Esq, Governor of this Isle, these [next page] Honored Sir The bearer herof Phinlo Quaile came to me to get a copie off witnesses to certaine wills, and haveinge examined ye Re= cords I finde certaine proceedings, & examinacions upon the probate of all or most of ye sd wills wch I offered to give for your honorable satisfaction together, but is refused by ye sd Quaile, who onlely desireth to have what makes for him, & not otherwise wch cannot be given a part Therefore rather then I should runne such a Course as I could not well answear and your honor gett noe satisfaction therey; I shall consent to attend your honor with ye original Records at such time, and place, as your honor shall appoint, and in the meanetime waite your honors further pleasure & Remaine, --4 March 1658 Your honors readye & faithfull Servant, Tho: Norris, Regr Bishops Court 25 March 1659 The Register is to bring ye Record before me upon Munday on Easter-weeke. James Chaloner [next page] Bishop’s Court July the 1, 165 Whereas it appeareth unto mee in the Cause betweene Thomas Clearke plantiffe in the behalfe of Isabell ffryer and Joney Ffryer And William Calow, Katherine Calowe, Anne Callow and Margret Quaile wife and executris of Thomas Calow deceased defendants, in the case formerly referred unto your final determination in the wch you gave your judgment and I my approbation Accordingly, Nevertheless I refer it unto your further consideration, (yet agreeing with you in this, That the will in contraversie was not duly proved for that there was but one Judge present at the tyme of the probation made by John Teare, one of the then Judges and noe Register in Court at all), first for that I find by the Testemoney of Sir William Crowe, and William MacAcarane That John Calowe was at the age of fourteen yeares at the tyme of the making of his last will and testament And whereas you take exceptions, to one of the witnesses to the said will, for that he is within the degrees prohibited for Marriage to the Executor of John Callowe, I find by the Testemoney of Sir Hugh Cannell, Sir James Moore, & Parson John Harison the one a Judge and the other Regesters to the Spirituall Court, That, the degrees of exhibition of Marriage, ought to be limited to the blood of the Testator, and not to the blood of the Executors, besides it Standeth with reason as well as practictises, That any person ought to be received as a competent witnesse to the will, That is not to gayne anything by the will or testament, And alltho such witnesses reape any benefits, by such will or testamt, hee is, and ought to be, as a Competent witness to any part or clause of such a last will or Testament wherein him selfe is not concerned as a legatie, and this was the practice, as to witnesses, to will, in the Consistorie at Yorke, unto wch Jurisdiction, all Eccleasticall Causes, have formerly beene subject to, in this Isle, by way of Appeale, as to the sworne Judicatorie, and Allthough I might reassume this business, by way of apeale, I chose rather to recommend it back, upon these considerations, to your further hearing, and consultation forthwith and give me your answer. The Willers these Your loveing friend James Chaloner [next page] Honored Governor 6 July 1659 In pursuance of your honors order date 1st July instant directed unto us concerning ye differences betwixt Tho: Clarke in ye be= half of his wife & her sister on the one part and ye exec & wife of Tho: Calow in the other part we have this day mett And having formerly used all circumspection, and diligence to finde out the truth, before the making or grantinge of our late order in that case, wch was as well grounded upon several materiall circumstances as upon ye reasons therein inserted: First for that ye goods mencioned and in question were disposed of by the right proprietor Anne Freere sister to ye sd Jony and Isabell Freere, and Tho: Callowe jointly in case of all her childrens death &c besides a legasie to ye sd Tho: in her will & 20s more decreed by ye Spiritual Court to him out of ye sd goods upon ye death of his & her children with wch he might have rested satisfied, had not his too much avarice have induced him to thirst after ye whole. 2ly, for that the sd Tho:Calow and his said son (upon his death bed) denied that he had made any will. 3ly, for that ye sd exec & wife have endeavored to produce other witnesses to prove ye alledged will before us (wch is all the relief could be afforded them in case their now allegations could be justifyed) and could not; But contrarywise Jo: Killip the Strang Testis beinge examined whether Jo:Calow was instructed at his will making, or that ye sd will was dictated to him by Tho:Calow or any other refused to attest any thinge to that pointe, neither can we yet find any just cause to alter the same upon ye testimony of Sr Hu: Cannell, Sr James Moore & Parson Jo: Harrison being not now sworne by ye Laws more than any other of the Clergye; & their testimony not altogether concurring with ye Practice in their own time, when we find a will proved in form of Law one of ye witnesses being the Testa= tors brother, The wife, and one of his children exec & ye rest of his children cutt off with Legacies; and in case it were soe one of ye witnesses to his will is still within ye degrees prohibited for maryage to ye Testator knowing noe Law to ye contra= rye & Likewise we finde by ye Practice of ye Consistorie at Yorke; yt kinred, or allyaver[?] nay Servts. and Tents. are excepted to be witnesses to prove a last will & testa= ment and this exceptioin is to ye party producting the----[missing edge] or reaping any benefitt by their deposicion, and not[?] to ye Testator. And whereas very much is left to ye discrecion of ye Judge in such cases, Truely we must [next page] confess Confesse and do hereby declare, That we have not likewise seene or found any just reason, cause or ground (in whole progress of this business) to alienate the goods i----[fold] traids ye from ye kinred from whence it came b-----[fold] it was provided by the propritor her selfe; And your honor think the hold not this our answeare satis----[fold] we shall humbly desire that ye judges Temporal -----[fold] ther wth ye clergy, & body of ye Country may be called to give opinions in Law concerning the pointe in question wherein we shall (in all submissive manner) S------[in fold] ourselves, and likewise remaine Your honors most obedient, & dutifull servants Richd Stevenson Wm Quayle Concordat cum decreto

Last Modified 16 July 2020