Patrick Brew, 1771

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68       Jurby
The last will and testament of Pat. Brew of Ballavarran in the parish of Jurby, who departed this life
on or about the 26th February 1771, he being of sound mind and memory at the making and
declarig thereof some short time before his decease. First, he committed his soul to God and body to
Christian burial. Item, he left his sister Esther Crebbin (by the name of the Parson's wife) the sum of
twenty shillings. Item, he left to Cath. Clucas his sister (by the name of Thomas Clucas's wife) the
sum of twenty shillings. Item, he left and bequeathed to his heir at law all the purchased lands, he
paying unto his executrix the purchas money which was paid for the said lands. Lastly, he nominated
and appointed his wife Elizabeth Brew executrix of all the rest and residue of his goods and effects
whatsoever and direct that two English shillings apiece should be paid to the witnesses of this his last
will and testament. Witnesses: Robert Kneale [a weaver apprentice, age 23], Mary Cain [spinster,
age 25]. 

THE HUMBLE PETITION of Tomas Clucas in right of his wife Catharine Clucas, and the Revd.
William Crebbin, clerk, in right of his wife Esther Crebbin of the Parish of Jurby: That your
petitioners said wives are the lawful sisters and next of kin of Patrick Brew late of Ballavarran in the
said Parish of Jurby, deceased, who departed this life sometime on or about 26th day of February
last without lawful issue, and who for some time previous to his decease was seized with a declining
sickness, during which period he often declared in the presence of several worthy witnesses, that he
had no will to make, as the half of his personal estate and effects was sufficient for his wife Elizabeth
Brew (who brought him no fortune upon their intermarriage) and that your petitioners said wifes, and
no other person, should enjoy his half of the same as his only sisters and next of kin. Your petitioners
further show that the said Elizabeth Brew during the sickness or indisposition of her said husband
Patrick Brew often endeavored to influence him to make a will in her favor . . . but the said Patrick
Brew . . . withstood his wife's unreasonable attempts . . . the said Patrick Brew when in the agonies
of death, in the presence of two menial servants in the house, who were an are greatly under the
influence of her the said Elizabeth (one of whom being as person of bad fame and not worthy of
credit) to utter some pretended words as she now giveth out althoug the said Pat. Brew could write
well himself, purporting to be the last will and testament of him . . . whereby she the said Elizth was
appinted executrix and residuary legatee of his the said Patrick's personal estate and effects, which
are considerable, and is now endeavouring to establish and prove the same, . . . your petitioners
propound and allege that he the said deceased Pat. Brew died intestate. . . Your petitioners therefor
pray that your Reverences would pleased to order a hearing of this matter . . . 

AT CHAPTER COURT holden at KK Michael May 31, 1771, the above paper writing having
been insinuated into this Court by and in behalf of Elizabeth Brew the executrix therein named as and
for the last will and testament of patrick Brew late of Ballavarran in the Parish of Jurby deceased,
and the validity of said will having been contraverted and disputed by and in behalf of the Revd.
William Crebbin and Thomas Clucas, both of said Parish of Jurby, brother in law to the testator,
who by petition alleged among other things that the said Patrick Brew died intestate. And whereas
several depositions have been taken in this cause and this day being appointed for the final
determination thereof, and the Court after having fully heard the parties and what was alledged
offered and ... by and in behalf of them respectively, and carefully ... and considered the whole
proceedings had and done in this, it is the opinion that the within last will and testament of said
Patrick Brew has been fully and effectually proved according to law

Last Modified 28 July 2014