Mary Callow als Shimin, 1760

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45     Maughold
In the name of God Amen. I Mary Callow 
alias Shimin (widow) of Ballaglas in the 
parish of KK Maughold, being weak in body 
but of good and perfect mind and memory, 
praised be God, therefore do make, publish 
and declare this my last wil and testament 
in manner following, (that is to say): 
First I commit my soul to God that gave it, 
and my body to a Christian burial in the churchyard 
of KK Maughold, and as for such worldly goods as 
God has been pleased to bless me with, I dispose 
hereof as followeth, that is to say: 
To each of my son Edward’s three daughters vizt. 
Dorothy, Catharine & anne, I bequeath a lamb legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my grandson William Callow 
son & heir to my said son Edward my half of a 
heifer that his mother has of a year old, legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my grandson William Callow son 
to my daughter Mary a lamb legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my son John Callow all the 
rest of my sheep (excepting such as is to be 
killed towards my funeral). 
Item, I bequeath to my said son John one of my 
best cows, a coverlet, and a blanket legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my daughter Mary Callow wife 
to Edward Callow of Ballnaskeig my best gown, 
my best quilted petticoat, my best stays or bodies, 
my long cloak, my shoes & stockings, my hat, my 
best silk handkerchief, my best suit of caps, 
and the feather bed whereon I lie furnished as 
it is at present, legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my son Edward’s four daughters 
and to my daughter Mary’s four daughters all the 
rest of my wearing apparel equally betwixt them, 
legacy, and the same to be divided and distributed 
among them as their mother’s shall think fit and proper. 
Item, I bequeath to my grandaughter Mary Callow 
(daughter to my son Edward) a blanket and sheet, legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my daughter in law Anne Callow a cow, legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my said daughter Mary Callow 
my half of the gelding that is in Balnaskeig, 
and my half of the cow that they have in keeping 
and as for what increase the said cow shall have 
I bequeath it to my granddaughter Anne Callow (daughter 
to my said daughter Mary Callow), legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to my son William Callow half a guinea, legacy. 
Item, I bequeath to all claimers six pence apiece legacy. 
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my said son 
& Daugher vizt. John Callow and Mary Callow whole 
and sole executors of all the rest of my goods 
and effects of what kind and nature soever. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set 
my mark to my name this the 24th day of September 1759. 
[signed her mark] Mary Callow alias Shimin. 
Witnesses: 
William Monear, 
John Callister. 

The Testator further devise and bequeath to 
Edward Callow of Balnaskeig and his children 
two parts and to her son John Callow two 
third parts and to her son Edward’s children 
the other third part of whatsoever wages, 
sum and sums of money, lands, tenements, 
goods, chattels and estates as shall be 
any ways due or belonging to her by the 
last will and testament and power of 
attorney of her son William Callow 
(who belonged to his Majesty’s ship Nassar) 
dated the tenth day of January 1758 may appear, 
in witness whereof, I have hereunto set 
my mark to my name before these subscribing 
witnesses this the 24th day of September 1759. 
[signed her mark] Mary Callow alias Shimin. 
Witnesses 
William Monear, 
John Callister. 

At a Consistory Court holden at Lezayre March 27th, 1760, 
Edward Callow husband of Mary Callow having 
refused to be sworn co-executor with John Callow 
of the foregoing will, John Callow the other 
executor is sworn sole executor in Court in 
form of Law and has given pledges for payment 
of debts and legacies namely William Radcliffe 
of KK Andrews and John Cowle of Lezayre. 

Edward Callow of Ballaskeig in the parish 
of KK Maughold hath acknowledged that he 
has received at and from the hands of John 
Callow son and executor of Mary Callow 
late of Ballaglass in said parish the sum 
of eleven pounds fifteen shillings in full
balance and satisfaction for the dowry 
engaged to be paid him said Edward by 
Articles of Marriage bearing date 8th March 1735. 
And said Edward Callow further acknowledge 
that he has received the several legacies 
bequeathed to his wife Mary and his children 
by the Testatrix said Mary Callow in full 
according to the purport of the order of 
the Vicar General at the Consistory Court 
held at KK Michael July 11th, 1760. 
And said Edward Callow doth in behalf of 
himself and said wife Mary and their 
children legatees acquit and discharge 
said John Callow and his executors of 
the same, forever, this 9th day August 1760. 
[signed] Edward Callow. 

Ann Callow widow of BallaGlass in the parish 
of KK Maughold acknowledges that she has 
received all and several the legacies 
bequeathed to her and her children by 
her mother in law Mary Callow in her last 
will and testament, at and from the hands 
of John Callow son and executor of said 
Mary, and does hereby in behalf of herself 
and said children acquit and discharge him 
said John Callow of the same forever this 
9th day of August 1760. 
signed her mark] Ann Callow. 

June 26th 1760, 
Edward Callow enters a claim against the executors 
of Mary Callow for the sum of 18 pounds, and craves the law. 

At a Consistory Court holden at KK Michael July 11th, 1760, 
the claimer and his wife having proved the sum of 
eleven pounds fifteen shillings in full balance 
and satisfaction for dowry engaged to be paid 
the claimers by Articles of Marriage bearing 
date 8th March 1735, and the parties have agreed 
that the claimer is to have and enjoy the full 
benefit of the several legacies bequeathed by 
their deceased mother Mary Callow, save and 
except the testatrix part of the cow, which 
the executor has agreed to give up as a gift 
unto Ann Callow, the claimer’s blind daughter 
he the said Claimer having also in Court 
agreed to give up his part of said cow unto 
his said daughter Ann Callow who is to have 
the increase of said cow also, to her own use; 
ordered . . . 


Some difficulties having arisen between Edward Callow 
of Ballaskeig in behalf of himself and his children on 
the one part, and John Callow on the other part 
touching the disposition the testatrix Mary Callow 
has made of whatever wages and goods that should 
belong or fall due to her in virtue of the will and 
power of her son William Callow, mentioned in the 
last clause, or addition made to the said Mary 
Callow’s last will and testament, the parties 
for prevention of further disputes have agreed 
that one third part of said wages and goods of 
William Callow (if such should become due in 
virtue of said will and power) shall be the sole 
right and property of said Edward Callow’s children, 
one other third part of the same shall be equally 
divided between him the said Edward Callow and 
the children of Edward Callow of Ballaglass, and 
the remaining third to be the sole right and 
property of John Callow aforesaid, the parties 
believing that the distribution herein mentioned 
was the intention and meaning of the said Testatrix. 
In testimony and for performance whereof the parties 
have bound themselves either to the other in the 
penalty of one hundred pounds to be paid according 
to Law, and have subscribed their names this 27th March 1760

Last Modified 19 October 2014