John Cowley 1850

 
COWLEY, John  1850  Lez   E  128  0106450  

Note: The pagination may not be correct and translated or doubtful wording may not be indicated

128	Lezayre – 1850			
This is declared to be the last will and testament of John Cowley of Crammag in the parish of Lezayre, 
being of sound mind and memory at the making hereof.
First - I commit my soul to God and my body to a Christian burial.
Secondly - I leave to my sons, namely John, Thomas, William, and Philip one pound each as legacy.
Thirdly - I leave to my daughters Jane (widow of John Cowley deceased) and Ann, wife of 
Thomas Kelly, one pound each as legacy.
Fourthly - I leave to my son Robert the sum of two hundred pounds 
which I have lent him and secured on the estate of Cleanagh in the parish of Lezayre as legacy.
Lastly I nominated, constitute and appoint my son John whole and sole executor of this my will and 
I leave to him all the residue and remainder of my personal property of what kind or nature soever.
Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name as and for my last will and testtment this 24th day of 
December in the year 1845. Signed - John Cowley
Signed in presence of John Corlett, John Corlett Jr., Edward Corlett Crammag, November 7, 1849----

One of the above subscribing witness having departed this life and another having gone abroad, 
I the testator John Cowley, do hereby declare the above paper writing to be my last will and testament 
and I do hereby ratify and confirm the above as such this 7th day of November, the date above written 
signed John Cowley.
Signed in presence of: John Corlett and William Quayle and Thomas Cowley and John Quayle
At Kirk Michael 13 August 1850 - Between John Cowley, petitioner and Jane Cowley, widow, defendant.

In Consistory Court of Isle of Man exhibited to Thomas Cowley, 
John Corlen and John Quayle, witnesses, produced sworn and examined on the part of the petitioner 
and referred to in their depositions taken this day before me, Joseph Brown. Depositions of witnesses 
were taken - Thomas Cowley of Ballaskella in the parish of Lezayre yeoman testified he had looked over 
the will and that John Cowley dilly signed and executed same in the presence of the witnesses and that 
John Cowley was of sound and disposing memory and understanding.

John Corlett of the Kella in the parish of Lezayre testified the same as Thomas Cowley. On cross examination 
he said he had never seen the decedent but when he was not of a particularly strong and sound state of mind 
and he was a man of sound discriminating judgement. John Quayle of the Craigmoar in the parish of Lezayre 
testified the same as Thomas Cowley and John Corlett.
It had been suggested to John Cowley, after the death of one of the witnesses and another had gone to 
Australia, that he execute a new will in presence of two or three other witnesses, and the defendant 
said "No, his mind was not changed in any way and he saw no reason for altering his will". Decedent 
looked at will on said occasion and said his eyes were failing him and handed said will to John Corlett, the 
witness, to read it, and he read every word of said will to decedent. He declared the decedent was fit on the 
day he executed the ratification and confirmation of said will.

At a Consistorial Court holden at Kirk Michael on the 28th day of November 1850: In the pursuance of the 
Judgement of this Court, dated the 31st day of October last, John Cowley, the executor of the last will and 
testament of John Cowley, late of Crammag, in the parish of Lezayre, deceased, is sworn well and truly to fulfill 
and execute the said will according to Law, to pay all just debts, legacies and funeral expenses of said testator 
so far forth as the goods and effects will extend and the law bind him, to return unto the Episcopal Registry a full, 
true, and perfect inventory of said goods, and effects with an accurate account of his administration thereof, and 
to these ends he hath given pledges, namely William Quayle and Thomas Cowley, who have executed a bond to 
that effect bearing equal date herewith.

21 January 1854. Jane Cowley claims 100 pounds sterling with interest.
Philip Cowley, a legatee, named in the foregoing will of John Cowley, deceased, personally appeared at the 
Episcopal Registry and acknowledged that he had received and 
been paid the legacy of one pound bequeathed him by said will and he the said Philip Cowley hereby 
acquitted and discharge the executor John Cowley his heirs and executors of the said Legacy and of every 
part thereof. Dated 23 Oct 1851

John Cowley of Crammag, Lezayre, Episcoal Will 1850 #50 that on the 23rd day of July 1850 John Cowley 
of Crammag, your petitioner's father departed this life having first duly made and published his last will and 
testament and thereof appointed your petitioner executor. That it is expedient that the said will should 
be received and probate granted thereon and your petitioner sworn executor thereof

At an Ecclesiastical Court holden in Ramsey 3 August 1850. Upon hearing the petition after due notice 
;to all the parties and Jane Cowley, widow, having opposed the proof of the will of John Cowley, deceased, 
on motion of her advocate (The other parties having declined any opposition) it is ordered that the evidence 
of such witnesses as may be required be taken before his Rev. Roger.

At a Consistorial Court held in Kirk Michael 31 Oct 1850, John Cowley will was proved and granted 
executorship to John Cowley and the court ordered that the defendant Jane Cowley be ordered 
to pay the cost of the suit.

Last Modified 26 February 2016