William Oates, 1747

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23     Braddan
In the name of God, amen. I William Oates (son of William Oates 
of the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man) but now in Liverpool, 
being at the making hereof in good health and of sound mind and 
memory, thanks be to God for the same, and duly weighing and 
considering the shortness of this life, with the casualty’s 
incident thereon, do make and ordain this my last will and 
testament in manner and form following. 
First, I leave and bequeath to my honorable father five shillings legacy. 
Item, I leave and bequeath to my loving sister my right of the Meadow 
called Broughton’s Meadow, with my share of that part of Captain Quayle’s 
houses (so called) intervening Quayle Somrell’s houses in said town of 
Douglas, and five shillings legacy. 
Item, I leave and bequeath to Alice & Isabel Christian the sum 
of five pounds. 
Lastly, I nominate order and make my brother James Oates 
executor of all the rest of my goods moveable and immoveable, 
and Mr. William Murrey senior of the Isle of Man merchant 
executor in trust and guardian to my said brother till he 
arrives at the age of twenty one years. As witness my hand 
this 10th of December 1743. 
[signed] William Oates junior. 
Witnesses: 
Anthony. Gallimore, 
William Rideing.

Memorandum, 
I have deposited in the hands of Revd. Mr. Halsall thirty seven 
pounds sixteen shillings British, towards discharging Mr. Philip 
Moore’s mortgage on part of my lands in the Isle of Man. One 
silver tankard, two silver teaspoons, one gold ring, & silver thimble. W. O.

At Balnyhowin, March 10th 1747/8, 
Anthony Gallimor and William Riding the subscribing witnesses to 
the last will of William Oates having made oath before the 
worshipful Robert Booth, one of his Majesty’s justice of the peace, 
and Anthony Halsall, clerk, (to whom commission was sent empowering 
them to that end) that William Oates did duly execute the above 
writing as his last will and testament in their presence; 
whereupon James Oates is sworn executor in form of Law and hath 
given pledges for payment of debts and legacies viz., Mr. John Oates 
junior of Conchan and Mr. William Moore of KK Lonan. 
The said executor intending abroad hath made choice of the said 
pledges to be his guardians. They are accordingly sworn to be 
aiding and assisting unto him with their best advice in managing 
his affairs during his absence.

To the Revd. Mr. John Cosnahan Vicar General of the South District 
in the Diocese of Man, the humble petition of William Murrey; 
Sheweth, that your Petitioner was informed by the Revd. Anthony Halsall 
of Crosby in the County of Lancashire, Great Britain, lately upon 
the Island, that there was in his custody the last will and testament 
of William Oates the younger late of Liverpool, mariner, which was 
xxx in the said Mr. Halsall’s hands by the said Oates when he 
commenced his voyage to the Coast of Africa, upon which voyage it 
pleased God that he departed this life and being told by Mr. Halsall 
that the xxx appointed trustee or guardian in said will, and the 
witnesses thereto xxxx xxx residing in Lancaster who cannot 
conveniently come over either to xxx said will without expense; 
your Petitioner therefore humble prays that you will be pleased 
by the Law to vest some one person or persons to appoint him or 
them to take the proofer of said will and testament, to be 
transmitted unto the Court that administration may be taken 
thereupon for the effects or goods in this diocese, and your 
Petitioner duly bound shall ever pray etc.

At KK Braddan November 26th, 1747
the Revd. Mr. Halsall and any magistrate or acquaintance are 
hereby humbly desired and empowered xxx probate of the last 
will and testament of the about William Oates, they securing 
a duplicate thereof properly attest xxx transmitting the said 
original will with all poxxx xxx to our Court. 
[signed] John xxxx. William Rideing of Liverpool in the 
County of Lancaster and Anthony Gallimor of Chesterfield 
in the County of Derby, gentlemen, severally make oath (before us, 
Robert Booth of Manchester in the said county of Lancaster, 
Esquire, [one] of his Majesty’s justice officer for the said 
county, and Anthony Halsall of Great Crosby in the said County 
of Lancaster, clerk, having a commission in order to take the 
same) that the within named William Callow the testator did 
duly execute the within mentioned writing purporting to be his 
last will and testament in the presence of these deponents, 
they being as witnesses to the due execution thereof, all which 
are the proper hand writing of the said William Oates and these 
deponents respectively. 
Sworn at Manchester xx this first day of February in the year 
of our Lord 1747. 
[signed William Rideing, Anthony Gallimore. 
Before us: Robert Booth, Anthony Halsal.

Douglas, January 30th, 1748/9: 
Mr. William Murrey enters a claim against the executor of William Oates 
junior for the sum of forty seven pounds sixteen shillings British and 
craves the Law. Examiner Robert Radcliffe Archdeacon Registry.

At a Court of Correction at Douglas January 30th, 1748/9, 
the Claimer has proved the sum of forty seven pounds sixteen shillings British. 
Ordered that the same be discharged sub poena juris with all fees. 

To the Sumners of Douglas & Conchan, who if disobeyed are to desire the 
assistance of a soldier. 

Memorandum, Mr. Murrey acknowledges to have in his hands the sum of 
44 pounds 1 shilling 1 1/2 pence British, for which he stands accountable 
to the executor vizt., for the surplusage of the sum proved by him as above. 
[signed] Edward Moore. 

Douglas, January 30th, 1748/9, Mr. William Murrey in behafl of Mr. 
Anthony Halsal a transmarian enters a claim against the executor of 
William Oates junior for the sum of seven pounds ten shillings 
British and crave the Law

Last Modified 15 January 2015