John Kelly, 1762

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Archdeacon Wills 1761 #55, German, of John Kelly of Peeltown, merchant: '

In the name of God, Amen.  Whereas I JOHN KELLY of Peeltown in this Isle, 
merchant, at present in an indifferent state of health but of sound mind 
and memory (praised be Almighty God for the same) and calling to mind the 
uncertainty of this mortal state, do therefore make this my last will and 
testament in manner following.  
First, I commend my soul to God, and my 
body to be decently interred at the discretion of my executrix hereafter 
named. 
I leave and bequeath to my loving WIFE CHRISTIAN KELLY ALS FINE 
the sum of two hundred pounds over and above whatever she is entitled to 
or is settled upon her in and my our marriage contract.  
I leave and bequeath to my SON JOHN KELLY all my right part of share 
of all my houses gardens backsides yards and my other lands of what 
denomination soever with their and every of their appurtenances, 
together with the sum of three hundred pounds, twenty pounds whereof 
to be paid to my said SON JOHN when he arrives to the age of fourteen 
years, and the remainder of the said three hundred pounds with my right, 
part or share of the said houses gardens and other lands whatsoever 
with their appurtenances at or upon the decease of my said loving wife, 
and no soever, unless she my said wife shall think proper to do otherwise.  
I leave and bequeath to my DAUGHTER CHRISTIAN KELLY the sum of three 
hundred pounds, twenty pounds whereof are to be paid unto her when 
she arrives to the age of fourteen years and the remainder of the 
said sum, when she arrives at the age of twenty one years, or on the 
day of her marriage, provided such marriage be had by her mother's 
or guardian's consent and approbation.  
It is also my will and desire, and I do hereby order appoint and 
direct that the residue and remainder of all my goods, chattels 
and effects excepting what is before mentioned in this my last 
will, and excepting also the provisions made to my loving wife in 
and by our marriage articles or contract, shall be equally divided 
between my said FOUR CHILDREN WILLIAM, ANN, JOHN and CHRISTIAN KELLY, 
share and share alike, twenty pounds thereof to be paid to each of 
my said two CHILDREN WILLIAM and ANN KELLY immediately after my 
decease, and the remainder of their shares or proportions of such 
dividend to be paid unto them the said WILLIAM and ANN KELLY within 
the space of twelve months after the decease of my the said John Kelly, 
if the debts which shall be due to me at my decease can be collected.  
As also my said two CHILDREN JOHN and CHRISTIAN the shares or 
proportions of the said dividend to be paid unto them, when my 
loving wife shall think proper and advisable or in case of her 
decease, when the same shall be thought most advisable by such 
guardian as she shall in that case appoint.  She my said loving 
wife furnishing and supporting my said two younger children with s
uitable and proper education and maintenance.  
And it is also my further will and desire, and I hereby order 
direct and appoint, that in case either of my said two 
CHILDREN JOHN and CHRISTIAN KELLY shall die before he or she 
arrives to the age of twenty one years, then such child's 
proportion, part of share of the said houses gardens lands 
and appurtenances, goods, credits, chattels and effects are 
to become the right of such of the said two children as shall 
survive the other, and in case of the decease of both of the 
said John and Christian before they arrive at the age of 
twenty one years, then their shares and proportions of all 
and every the before mentioned legacies and premises to become 
the right and property of my two oldest CHILDREN WILLIAM and 
ANNE KELLY equally between them and in case of the death of 
either the said William and Ann, to whomsoever my said two 
eldest children shall be the survivor of them provided always 
and it is my will and desire, and I do hereby accordingly 
direct, order and appoint, that if my SON WILLIAM shall 
at any time after my decease be inclined to purchase any 
part of my concerns of houses gardens or other lands situate 
in Douglas or Peeltown, which I have bequeathed to my SON 
JOHN, he my said SON WILLIAM is to have the preference 
of purchasing the same before any other person, upon 
such purchasing the same before any other person, upon 
such reasonable terms as any other person would give 
for the same, and in such case my said loving wife, or 
such guardian as she in case of her decease shall 
appoint over my said two  CHILDREN JOHN and CHRISTIAN, 
and hereby empowered to dispose of and sell the same to 
my said SON WILLIAM, and in case of his refusal to 
purchase the same in manner and on the terms before 
mentioned, then my said loving wife, or the guardian by 
her appointed over my said two CHILDREN JOHN and 
CHRISTIAN may dispose thereof and sell the same, if the 
sale thereof be thought advisable and for the interest 
and advantage of my said SON JOHN, or in case of his 
decease before his arrival to the age of twenty one 
years, for the interest and advantage of my DAUGHTER 
CHRISTIAN.  Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint 
my dear and loving WIFE CHRISTIAN KELLY sole guardian 
and supervisor of my said two CHILDREN, JOHN AND CHRISTIAN 
and do also appoint her sole executrix of this my last 
will and testament, to all and ever which legacies and 
bequests herein before mentioned my said loving wife 
hath given her full and free consent, and I do hereby 
revoke, disannul and make void all and every other will 
or wills heretofore by me made (my marriage articles or 
contract with my said loving wife hereby excepted) and do 
declare this to be my only last will and testament.  
In testimony whereof I the said JOHN KELLY have hereunto 
subscribed my name this twenty eight day of April in 
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one 1761. 
[signed] John Kelly.  
Witnesses: 
John Gill, 
John Gill.   

I CHRISTIAN KELLY OTHERWISE FINE WIFE OF MR. JOHN KELLY 
Peeltown merchant do hereby give my force and full consent 
to the within last will and testament of my said loving 
husband as witness my hand this 28th Day of April 1761. [
signed] CHRISTIAN KELLY.   

AT KK BRADDAN, APRIL 25TH, 1762, 
THE REVD. JOHN GILL AND JOHN COMISH subscribing witnesses 
of the foregoing will have deposed on the Holy Evangelists 
that the testator being of sound and disposing mind and 
memory signed and declared the foregoing writing as his 
last will and testament in their presence before me. 
[signed] Ro. Radcliffe.   

AT A COURT HOLDEN IN PEELTOWN MAY 4TH, 1762, 
WHEREAS A POSTHUMOUS named JAMES has been born since the 
death of the testator that no provision is made for said 
child posthumous by the foregoing will, the Court therefore 
decrees the said posthumous executor with the rest of 
the testators children who were appointed residuary legatees 
and CHRISTIAN KELLY THE WIDOW is sworn to be  … trust as 
also guardian and supervisors of JOHN, CHRISTIAN and 
JAMES KELLY the said sworn to bring appraised inventory to 
the Registry, as also for payment of … according to Law 
to which ends forthcoming of the children's goods she 
made pledges in form of Law namely Mr. John Callin of 
Peeltown and Mr. Thomas … of Malew.   

AT A CHAPTER COURT HOLDEN BY ADJORNMENT, 
the above will was duly published in this Court and no 
objections were offered against it.   

A TRUE AND PERFECT INVENTORY OF THE GOODS AND  effects 
of Mr JOHN KELLY late of Peeltown merchant deceased 
taken and valued and appraised by us four sworn men 
are as follows: 
in the Parlour: eight chairs, two tables, a tea board, 
a tea chest, a looking glass, a spy glass, a cupboard 
of china and glasses all value 5.5.1 Manks.  
In the room over the kitchen: an old chest of drawers, 
a desk, a card table, three chairs, a looking glass, 
a bed stead and furniture, 5.8.4 Manks.  
In the room over the parlour: a bed, bedstead and 
furniture and window curtains, six chairs, a stand, 
and looking glass, 8.12.0 Manks.  
n the garrett, a servant's bed and a chest and some lumber, 1.5.0.  
Stair case: a clock, 3.10.0 Manks.  
Billy's room: a bedstead, furniture, an old field 
bedstead and curtains with a chair, trunk, and an old desk, 3.3.0 Manks.  
In the nursery: two old bedsteads and furniture 
two chairs, an old chest of drawers, an old small 
table, and a small looking glass, 3.7.0 Manks.  
Linen: forty five great and small table cloths, 
thirty two now old napkins, thirteen pair and a 
half of sheets and twelve pillow cases, 11.8.11 Manks.  
In the kitchen: knives and forks, pewter, jack and spits, 
candlesticks, five irons & fender & warming pan, 
smoothing irons, copper pots and kettles, four sauce 
pans and a skillet, four pots, a frying pan, a lantern 
& fins, a mortar, a table and three chairs, earthen ware,
a fire screen & church & a chair, 7.15.0 Manks.  
In the counting house: eight chairs & a fender, two 
Bibles, three books and money weights, 0.18.0 Manks.  
In the store room: hops and lumber 3.5.x Manks; 
a bottle drainer hen coop and ladders, 0.10.x Manks.  
In the brew house: a washing kettle and some old casks, 0.7 x.  
Plate in the house: silver spoons & a punch ladle 35 ounces at 5s/10p, 10.4xx Manks.  
One cow 3.0.0.  A Manks yawl 5.0.0.  
Eighteen puncheons of and an eillage containing 
& invoice 2054 gastons of rum at 2/4p, 239.12.8 British.  
Sixty seven pipes, eight hogs heads, four half hogs heads, 
and six quarter hogs heads containers & invoice 8639 ½ gallons 
of brandy at 19 ½ pence Britich a gallon, 701.19.2 ¼ British.  
Total 941.11.10 ¼ British, exchanged to Manks: 156.18.7 ¾.  
Total Manks 1098 pounds 10 shillings xx pence.  
Dated Peeltown, May 27th & 28th, 1762. 
[signed] George Savage, James Cowll, Thomas Crellin, Ro. Williams.  

Ballnahown 18th June 1762, delivered by Mr. Thos. Fargher 
guardian to Mr. Kelly son of the late Mr. John Kelly & agent 
to Mrs. Christian Kelly the widow.   

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF CHRISTIAN KELLY WIDOW AND RELICT OF JOHN KELLY 
late of Peeltown, merchant, deceased, 
sheweth that your petitioner said late deceased husband having 
died about a month ago, did some considerable time previous to 
his death make publish and declare his last will and testament 
in writing whereby he leaves and bequeaths all or the greatest 
part of his fortune and affects equally amongst his four children 
and of such his will appointed your petitioner executrix in trust 
and committed the tuition of such of his children as are under 
age to your petitioner who was at the time of her said husband's 
death ancient and now near her time; That your petitioner's 
said husband as a merchant having several debts due to him 
from persons in neighboring countries some of whom are now 
in this Isle and will not settle or account with petitioner 
but design to depart the same in order ot evade payment of 
their just debts , as also several law suits to defend and 
others to prosecute which are severally to come on to be
heard and determined on the merits in a short time and 
long before next Chapter Court, by all which petitioner 
and her said children may suffer greatly in their fortunes, 
if petitioner's said husband's will is not speedily proved 
and petitioner clothed with sufficient power to act and 
proceed in the premes by her attorney legally authorized; 
And for as much as petitioner is well advised upon emergent 
and necessitous cases of this kind wills have been frequently 
received and probate of them granted at consistory courts 
upon application to your Lordship; Petitioner therefor 
humbly prays your Lordship would be pleased in consideration 
of Petitioner's circumstances to order and direct one of 
the Vicar Generals and Registry of our Court to grant probate 
of the said John Kelly's will at Peeltown as Petitioner is 
very much indisposed and unable to travel, whereby the 
rights of all concerned may be preserved and secured and 
Petitioner as a duty bound shall for your Lordship's eternal 
felicity ever pray &c.   

ON CONSIDERATION OF THIS PETITION AND IN THE  
present circumstances of the Petitioner, it is 
hereby directed that the Revd. Robert Radcliffe, 
Vicar General & official with the Register of our 
Court, would appoint a short day to attend at the 
Petitioners house in order to have the Will 
above mentioned duly proved and the Executrix 
in trust sworn to avoid any prejudices or issues
to the Petitioner.  And hereof all proper parties 
and persons to have due notice. Given at Douglas 
April 19th, 1762.  1763, JUNE 8TH, 

TO BE ADDED TO THE inventory of my late husband 
Mr. JOHN KELLY, cash received from sundry persons 
in this Island British 57 pounds 13 shillings 6 pence. 
[signed] CHRISTIAN KELLY.    PEELTOWN, MAY 10TH, 1771. 

DEAR SIR, 
ENCLOSED IS THE APPRAISEMENT of the old timbers in 
the cellar with some other things that was 
not valued before which you will please to 
add to the inventory; it's Manks money.  
And I have also enclosed you the sundry 
receivings and sundry payments made by me 
since which you will please to add and the 
rest or give it to MR. CUBBIN to get it done 
which will much oblige  me.  
MR. CALLIN left some money for you upon 
giving up some receipt which plase to 
send by a safe hand.  He also left a paper 
here to be sent you which I have enclosed you.  
My mother joins me in complements to you and family.  
I am your most humble servant, 
[signed] CHRISTIAN STEVENSON. 

I had a letter from MR DURIE yesterday from 
air[?] wherein he desires his complements to 
your & family and intends being home in 3 
weeks & MRS. CHRISTIAN with them.  
MR. STEVENSON is at Largadow and would 
join me in complements to you and family.

Last Modified 14 October 2014