Ewan Christian, 1655

50            Trint. Lez Ayre 1655 
In the name of God, Amen. I Ewan Christian of 
Milntown in the Isle of Man being in health and perfect 
memorie praysed be God, doe 
make and [appoint] this as hereafter followeth 
my last will and testament [.....] and 
making voyde all former draughts [epistles] and 
writings tending to that purpose and ordaininge 
this to be in full force, power and affect 
to all purposes contained therein
I bequeath my soule to my Creater, 
to his sonn my Redimer 
and [friend] and to the Holie Spirit 
.. ......... ...... believing ...[and]
not doubting of my salvation in the merits 
of Jesus Christ who hath made a full 
satisfaction for all my past and manifold of 
sins by his precious blood shedd for all those 
that will be true and wholly and trulie believe in 
him in which number I [joyfully?]. believe to 
bee included. 
To my sonn John his children vidz., to 
John twenty pounds, to his son Robert twentie 
pounds, to Charles for his mayntenance at school
six pounds out of that monies which 
is due yearly from Sir Patricious Curwen and 
whensoever it bee payde the hundred pound 
for which the six pounds is yearly to be payde; 
to Ewan his sonn fortie pounds and to his 
daughter Alice fortie pounds and to his 
daughter Isabell fortie pounds, to my grandchild 
George Christian, or if God shall call him 
before this fall due, to his next brother Ewan 
Christian and same bequest to that brother 
which shall succeed in Ronoldsway as tenant 
there tow....team of oxen ... the cropp of 
corne to be to be due to him after the death 
of his father and mother or wh. .... the 
[continue] at Ronoldsway ..having found 
by my owne experience the great want of 
both afor mentioned vid. Cattle and corne 
whien his tenement shall fall by the death 
of his parents or by leaving it without those helps
when [it] shall please God he enter 
upon it 
To Ewan Christian his next brother 
thirtie pounds to be presently payde him, 
to John twenty pounds, to Charles twentie pounds, 
to William twentie pounds, to Patritious 
thirtie pounds to be put out for his best 
profit, and to his sister Marie fortie 
pounds to be likewise put out for her use, 
to Thomas their brother ten pounds and to 
his sister Alice ten pounds the twentie 
pounds to be put in the hands of Thomas 
her brother and he to be ansirrable to her 
for it, and that to be payde upon demand 
to the saide Thomas. 
To the children of my deceased and dear 
daughter Margrett twentie pounds to each 
of them vidz Ewan, John & Roger twentie 
pounds apiece and thirtie to Emel her eldest 
daughter and twentie pounds apiece to the
other two vidz, Isabell and Mabell. 


To my son William the son of Jane Woods all my 
tenements, intacks and mortgages in the parish 
of KK Marown now in my possession or hereafter 
to be purchased by mee in that parish for the better 
mayntenance of the farme called Glanlough together 
with all the lands I purchased in Whinfield in the Countie 
of Cumberland of the yearly rent of six pounds 
fourteen shillings or thereabouts be it more or 
less and also the cropp of corne the oxen … horses 
and mayres with all the tables bedstekks … and … and 
husbandry geere used by me at my death with this [condition?]
that 
Margret Elletson shall enjoy without trouble or 
disturbance the half of what is above mentioned save 
only the land in England till such tiyme as her daughter
and myne Elinor Christian alias Elletson shall be 
married by her mothers consent and that 
she bee willing of her own accord … … 
without … or any bad usage done to her whereby 
but .... ..... .....whensoever

she shall by death … then all concerninge the tenement
intacks and 
mortgages affore mentioned shall fall and be due 
to my son William as is formerly expressed. 
This also my Will that she shall have the new kitchen to 
live in so long as she shall be pleased to stay 
and continue in the tenement her part of the howses… 
accordingly as shee payes rent vidz the half. 
I leave to my son John Christian the son of 
Jane Woods one hundred pounds of that monie which 
is due to me from Sr. Patricius Curwen for which 
he is to pay to me and my assigns six pounds out 
of every hundred yearlie so long as I or my 
assigns is content to continue it in his hands 
which six pounds yearly I leave him to the 
principal be paid according as I have left the like
sum to my grandson Charles Christian [Illiam Dhone’s son] 
formerly mentioned in this Will and also it is 
my will that if his brother William to whom I 
have in this will left the tenement called 
Glenlough in KK Marowne with the intacks and 
mortgages and the lands of Whinfeld die without 
children, then all that might or by the will 
ought to fall due to him my said son William 
the son of Jane Woods shall fall and become 
due to his brother John now last mentioned in 
as full and ample manner as formerly to his 
said brother is expressed and further I do 
hereby declare as parcel of this my will and 
testament that if both of them my said sons

William and John last mentioned die without 
children lawfully begotten that then whatsoever 
is mentioned in this my will shall fall due 
unto Ewan Christian second son of my son 
William of Ronaldsway or to his third son John 
for want of heirs of his body and so child
to child till to the 
youngest son of my son William and I desire that 
this be not … or … for want of formality but 
that it may take place according to my tru intent. 
I leave the rest of my goods moveable and 
immoveable not before mentioned at Glenlough 
in KK Marown to Margret Elletson and her 
daughter Ellen, vidz, cattle, sheep, horses, 
goates, household stuff of all sorts only 
the moneys or gould excepted but as hereafter 
followeth to whom I leave also my right of the 
enclosure in Kirk Christ commonly called Dry Close 
which is the one half and for which payde to 
me the sum of ten pounds yearly the assurances and covenants of which 
remaynes in my son John Christian hands of 
Milntown who I chose to deal justly and trulie 
the mortgage being six score pounds at or upon the twenty 
five of March next insuing the dayte hereof and this present 
sum of ten pounds as also the [sixscore?] when it is redeemed to 
be paid to Margaret Elletson for the use of 
her self and daughter provided that at the 
death of the said Margret shal leave her half to her 
said daughter if God give a blessing to itt
and that it miscarry not by some ill accident.
I leave also to be [enjoyed] by sd Margret Elletson what 
is hereafter mentioned viz. One hundred 
pounds in the hands of Sir Patricius Curwen 
for which sum … bound to pay six pounds 
yearly and when it shall please God that 
she be married in her mother’s lifetime 
that tow parts of the monies be given her in her 
portion and that the third part remaine in her mother’s 
hands during her life if she please to keep 
it and then to leave it to her daughter which 
I am confident will [remain?] her only child

I leave my son William Christian of Ronaldsway 
overseer of this my weak child and her mother 
hoping he will be careful of them and that 
they may enjoy what is by this will due to 
them being that it is in the hands of powerful 
men whom I doubt not but that the[y] will deal 
conscionable with them if it shall please God 
to take this my child Ellin to his mercy 
before marriage or to the year of discretion 
as the law tearmes it then this portion 
which I here have mentioned and left her shall fall 
due to John[‘s] two daughters unmarried and 
William’s daughter of Ronaldsway and Jane 
my daughter by Jane Woods by equal portions.

It. I leave to Margret Fox daughter to Ferdinando Fox for ten pounds which her 
mother did challenge as due and unpaid to herself to her selfe of the portion 
promised at her marriage. 
I leave to my son John all my goods at Milntowne 
onelie the tables, bedstokks, stooles and implements of husbandry
which I leave to bee continued to the house hereafter. 
It., I leave to my son William all my goods at Ranoldsway but what is before 
mentioned go his son George and do hereby release and disclayme and clearly 
discharge him of all debts due unto [me] from him. 
I also leave him all my parte of the plattt which I had from the Bishop of Downe 
being in his posession or what remaynes in mynde. 
I leave to everie one of Jaine's children in KK Maughold fortie shillinges 
and to everie one of David’s children twenty shillings. 
I leave to Isabell Christian now widow in KK Bryde fortie
shillings the 
wife of Mark Joughin ?
I leave to Jane my daughter in KK Maughold out of my lease of the
Bishop’s thirde in KK Christe fortie shillings yearly so longe 
as my lease will be good in law. 
I leave to my grandchild Elizabeth Huddleston twenty nobles and twenty 
shillings to my cousin Richard Tinsley 
I leave to my cousin Erasmus Toweson five pounds to be [paid] by my executor. 
To the poor six pounds, vidz., 40 shillings in KK Christ, 40 shillings 
in KK Malue, and 40 shillings in KK Marowne, and 10 shillings to everie 
servant I have in KK Marowne always provided that I may at my pleasure 
add by codicil or take away from this at any time as I thinke fit and 
convenient to testifie this to be my last will I have subscribed my name 
and affixed my seall this fourth day of August one thousand six hundred and 
fiftie and four xxxx 1654 this which is drawne out was drawne by myself by writing the yeare and day xxxxxxx for I signed and
sealed it in anno 
one thousand six hundred fiftie and four and this is my last will if I have not tyme to draw[?] it up ….or alter it by another as 
witness my name and affixed my seale mention and subscribed and sealed the day and year 
above written constituting my son John executor of all the rest of my goods 
but what I shall dispose of in m lyfe time. 
[signed his signature & seal] Ewan Christian. 
25 pounds to henrie. 
[?witnesses] xxx Erasmus Towenson, Wm Quayle. 

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The 150 pounds due Her[?Henry] EO[?] to be[?] xxxx to my brother himselfe 
and 39 xxxxx due xxxx himself. 100 pounds to George out of the Baronette. 
To my brother and Jane to xxx the xxx[?pounds] six paid xx xxx xxx occasion. 

Memorandum: 
whereas it xxxx mentioned that Margrett Elletson onely should give consent 
to the marrage of her daughter It is now his will that his sons John and 
Wm shall have an equal care and interest with her in the dispose xxx her said daughter Ellen. 

The within written will of Mr. Ewan Xtian xxx xxxxxxxx at xxxxx 
KK Malew on Saturday 5th of January 1655 and also attested by Sir William 
Oates xxxx his xxx to be his true and last will is xxx particular xxx deposed 
to be witnessed[?] xxx by him xxxx xxxxx said that xxxx xxxx of KK Marowne xxx
xxx the said Testator deposed to be xxxxxxxx xx Law[?] be due as gift to his 
son William Christian and by consent of all parties in xxxxxxx xx the said 
xxxx probatum est et solvet 12pence 

2 heifers to John Sulbie the sheep beds bedstead and sheetes to my brother 
Will his clothes linen and woolen to Jo: Sulbye and George his horse to 
Erasmus Touenson his mayre and fole[?foal] to George. 
Note: the codicil above written xxx in xxxx in xxx pay in the next leafe xxxx follow xx. 

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This within written will of Mr. Ewan Christian Deemster being exhibited at a 
Court holden at KK Malew on Saturday the 5th of January 1655 was not only 
affirmed to be written signed and sealed with the Testators own hand and seal 
but also for further satisfaction to the Court attested by the testimonie and 
oath of Sir William Oats cleark Vicar of KK Marown, that the said Testator on 
his death bed caused him the said Sir William to .... the said will in his 
presence and desired him to witness the same to be his true and last will, 
save in that particular only concerning the tenement and farme in KK Marown 
mentioned in the will and passed away by Deeds of Gift to his son William 
Christian which he ... fixed to be altered, only the said Sir William made 
this caution in .... of his oath if his will now exhibited was the same he 
showed him and, delivered to the executor which was acknowledged in the face 
of ye Court both by the executor Mr. Jo:Christian and also by Mr. William 
Christian his son to be the same and noe other, And further to have been 
..... by him the said Mr. William Christian, and delivered in his presence 
with cor... annexed written by him by the desire and direction of the said 
Testator his father, Therefore, and by consent of all parties is certified. 
Probatum est et Solvit 11s. 

The executor Mr. Jo: Christian has taken his oath in Court the said day to 
perform his father’s will, and to pay all legacies and debts as same as his 
own goods will extend unto in xxx particular excepting the sum of 40s yearly 
left to his daughter Jane of KK Maughold out of the profits of the Bushops 
Third of KK Christ Lezehre which the said executor ....... to have been 
estated formerly ou---- and his son Mr. Ed:Christian, as by several Court 
.... .... under the said Testators hand he will make to ... which is left to 
further trial by the Court. 

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The said executor together with Mr. Rich:Stevenson, Mr. Ed:Christian, and 
Mr. William Huddlestone have bound themselves to perform all things as 
aforesaid, and to secure the office sub poena 1000 pounds .. ... ..... 

It further appears by the oath of Sir William Oates and Margrett Elletson that 
the within Testator Mr Ewan Chrsitian left and bequeathed unto his son Mr. 
William Christian Rnead[?] the sum of 50 pounds. 

It is also deposed by Mr. William Christian Reneuil and Sir William Oats that 
the said Testator left 1 pound to Mary Christian als Teare daughter of Daniel 
Christian ... and besides 20 shillings mentioned, and expressed in his said will. 

5 Jan: 1655
William Gellin of KK Braddan entereth his claim against the executor of Mr Ewan 
Christian for the sum of 1 pound sterling due to him as part of por--- promised 
him by the said Mr Ewan, and craveth tryall. 

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Legacies left by my father which are to be added as ..... to the will written 
by ...... before my father ..... and my brother deemster. 
To Erasmus Townsen which he caused to bee altered in his will, when it was read 
unto him 5 pounds; 
To his supposed son Henry 25 pounds; 
To his grandchild George Christian the mayrs due from my cousin Wm Quayle with 
the interest thereof being 64 pound; 
..... To his grandchild George Christian which is due from Baronett Curwen 
100 pounds, and until it be paid per anno 06 pounds; 
To his son Mr. John Christian the moneys due unto himself from his grandchild 
Mr. Ed: Christian vidz 150 pounds; 
To Jo: Sulbie 2 heifers; 
To his son Lieutenant Wm Christian the sheep, beds, bedstead, and sheets; 
To George Christian his grandchild a black mare; 
... To him and Jo:Christian his son all his cloaths .... or woolse[?], jointly; 
To his son William Christian sworne by Sir Wm Oats and Margret Ellettson 50 pounds; 
Item, to him boestow[?] Margrett Ellettson and Bessie ... Christian ...


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25 August 1656
Mr. Wm Christian Governor and Recorder General of this Isle for himself and in 
the behalf of his children entereth his claime against Mr. Jo:Christian of 
Milntown Deemster executor of his father Mr. Ewan Christian for the sum of one 
thousand pounds sterling, and craveth trial according to Law. 

Mr. Ewan Curghey and his children entereth their claime against the said executor 
for 5 pounds date ut supra. 

He left his daughter Ellinor to be disposed in marriage by the consent of his 
son Jo. Christian deemster and the son Wm Christian and her mother Margrett Ellettson. 

Item, to Mary Christian four pound, ... addition to affirmes[?]. 

John Christian Deemster executor to his father certified entereth his claim 
against these persons following: 

[Most of this next part was hard to read]

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.. January 1655
Margrett Elletson, and Elizabeth Christian have this day taken their corporal 
oaths in Court, That Mr. Ewan Christian deceased, in the time[?] of his 
visitation at Ranolsway caused significant trouble cost and charges that thereby 
happened to his son Mr. William Christian, as also the loss he sustained by 
being hindered from the performution[?] of his own affaires especially in the 
best[?] time of harvest, Therefore in that respect he the said Mr. Ewan Christian 
left of his own accord to his said son Mr. William Christian Receiver for and 
in consideration of his said trouble, cost and charges the sum of 20 pounds 
sterling without the ..... motion, or recitation[?] of the said Mr. Christian, 
witness their subscriptions, 
Margret Elletson her mark M, 
Elizabeth Christian her mark xx. 

Itm, further, These codicils before sett down as well those not sworn by consent 
of everyone as those sworn by the Court are annexed, and proved as a part of the will. 

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9 April 1656
Mr. Jo: Christian Deemster executor of Mr. Ewan Christian late Deemster deceased 
enters his claim against Capt Hen: Moore of KK Marowne for the just sum of six 
pounds sterling due to him by the death of his said father as  appears by specialty 
under the hand of the said Henry, and craveth tryall according to Law. 

10 April 1656
Lieutenant William Christian enters his claim against Mr. Jo:Christian of Miltown 
Deemster executor to his father Mr. Ewan Christian for comenge in his .. ... absence 
to the house of Ballahutche, and taking away the--- several .... writeninges and 
..... which as he co----- belong to him whereby he is ..... the value of 700 
pounds and craveth trial according to Law. 

The Said Mr. Wm Christian in the behalf of Mrs. Isabell Pennington entereth his 
claim against the said executor for the sum of 300 pounds sterling and craveth 
tryall according to Law. 

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1st April 1656
Mr. Jo: Christian Deemster exector of his father Mr. Ewan Christian entereth his 
claim against Lieutenant William Christian for the sum of sixty odd pounds and craveth tryall. 

A---- Duglas 11th April 1656
This day Hen: Moore appeared and acknowledged the debt mentioned in the account 
before set down, but further saith and it is also alledged by Lieutenant Will 
Christian, that the said Hen Moore came to a further agreement at the time of 
the payment of ye said sum for further forbearance with the said Mr. Ewan 
Christian, which was that the said Hen: Moore should give three day motz of hay 
as a mortgage in lieu of the said sum and also to receive the sum of four pounds 
more and therefore due to him the said Lieutenant by the last will of his deceased 
father, which being a contract for said doth not properly appear to this Court, 
Therefore it is referred to a temporal tryall in[?] 4]?14] days time is given 
according to Law to prove the said Contract, And in case the said bargain is not 
proved, and approved of bisome[?, bifore] the situation[?] above said Then the 
said Hen Moore is ordered by this Court to satisfy the said rest of 6 pounds to 
the said executor ..... of such penaltye as by d------- of Law may be taken 
against him. 
It, Upon the outcoming of the claim of Lieutenant William Christian against the 
executor Mr. Jo:Christian for the taking away from the house of Ballahuts .. 
certain papers, excripts and writings without his prior ..., whereby he is 
daminyfyed[?] to the ..... ... 700 pounds as appears, The .... or hath in ....
face of the Court taken a voluntary oath that he took noe paper evidence or 
writing that did any way coadun[?] to the Advancement of the estate of the said 
Lieutenant, but only some letters of passages that passed betwixt him and his 
said father and a co--rp---- of the conveyance of Whinfeild in Cumberland; and 
desires in respect of his present dispute for England, That his said oath may be 
recorded and annexed to the said account[?] which the Court hath accepted of 
accordingly the day and year above said. 

11th September 1656: 
Mr. Wm Quayle of Douglas entereth his claime against ye executor of Mr. Ewan 
Christian for the sum of 12 pounds sterling and prayeth tryall according to Law. 

Ferdinando Fox entereth his claim against the said executor for the grassing 
of 2 cows 12 years and the use of 40 pounds for 20 years and craveth trial 
according to Law, dat ut supra. 

7th 9ber 1656: Nicholas[?] Christian entereth his against the said executor of 10 pounds. 

.. 10ber 1656: Ellin Christian entereth her claime against Lieutenant Wm 
Christian for certaine goods and household stuff due to her by the last will 
and testament of her deceased father Mr. Ewan Christian and ..... by the said 
Lieutenant and craveth ....the benefit of the Law