Richard Stevenson, 1698

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

Archdeacon Will 1698/9 #12, Arbory, of 
Major Richard Stevenson of Balladoole, 
died about October 1698: "

Arbory: Set thine House in order for thou shalt 
die. 2d kin: 20th v: ye 1.  
In the name of God, amen. I RICHARD 
STEVENSON of Balladoole being in good health 
of body and of sound and perfect mind and 
memory, praises be therefore given to 
Almighty God; do make and ordain this my 
present last will and testament in manner and 
form following, that is to say: 
First and principally, I commend my soul into the 
hands of Almighty God, hoping through the 
merits, death and passion of my Saviour Jesus 
Christ to have full and free pardon and 
forgiveness of all my sins, and to inherit 
everlasting life, and my body I commit to the 
earth to be decently buried at the discretion of 
my Executors or their overseers hereafter 
named: And as touching the disposition of all 
such temporal estate as it hath pleased 
Almighty God to bestow upon me, I give and 
dispose thereof as followeth.  
First, I will that my debts, and funeral charges 
(which I desire may not be costly but decent) 
shall be paid and discharged. 
 Item, I give all the money that is in the poor box 
to the poor of KK Arbory, KK Malew and KK 
Christ Lezare equally to be divided amongst 
them: and that to be given to the poorest in 
every Parish at the discretion of the respective 
ministers and church wardens thereof.  I give 
to the poor of Carleton in Craven ten shillings. 
 Item, I acquit my BROTHER JOHN STEVENSON of 
all the debts due to me.  I give to my BROTHER 
THOMAS STEVENSON ten shillings and to his 
SON RICHARD ten shillings, to BROTHER PETER 
HEYWOOD ten shillings to buy them rings.  
Item, I give to WILL WALKER twenty shillings 
and to COSEN HYLAND twenty shillings.  To 
Mr. ROBINSON ten shillings to preach my 
funeral sermon.  
Item, I give and bequeath to my SON JOHN 
STEVENSON my best sword and belt, best gunn, 
xxx all other corbes and parldome belonging 
to this house.  
Item, I give xxx my best saddle & xxx my 
campaign scarf, and one silver tumbler with 
rucle of aimes upon it as an Parldome to him 
and his heirs forever.  
Item, I give him all my books, he giving to every 
one of HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS (that xxx 
same at my death) one Bible and one xxx Duty 
of Man and I hope he to be kind and loving to 
them and see them virtuously educated. 
 Item, I give to my SON RICHARD & CLEAVE all 
the rest and remainder of my guns, pistols, 
swords & xxx equally betwixt them.  
Item, to my SON RICHARD my best mourning ring 
& silver seal of Amos:, and to CLEAVE xxx 
best mourning ring.  
Item, I leave them my FORESAID TWO SONS 
twenty pounds sterling equally between them 
above the rest of my executor hereafter named. 
And whereas I very well know my FIRST 
WIFE's part of goods came to three hundred 
pounds I do hereby leave give and bequeath 
the foresaid sum of Three hundred pounds 
sterling to my two DAUGHTERS ISABLE and 
ELIZABETH equally to be divided between 
them as they arrive and xxx to the full age of 
twenty years or be married by & with the 
consent of their UNCLE JOHN STEVENSON 
aforesaid.  And it is my will and pleasure not 
withstanding any thing aforesaid to the 
contrary that if either of them die before they 
arrive or xxx to the age of twenty years and be 
unmarried then it is my will and pleasure the 
survivor of them have ninety pounds out of the 
dead's part, my SON JOHN twenty and the 
remainder betwixt the rest of my CHILDREN.  
And if so please God that both my DAUGHTERS 
die before they came of the age of twenty 
years and be unmarried then it is my will and 
pleasure that my SON JOHN have ninety pounds 
and the remainder equally to be divided 
between the rest of my CHILDREN.  
Item, I give and assign over JOHN 
WATTLWORTH's bond of xxx pounds to my 
two DAUGHTERS ISABLE & ELIZABETH equally 
betwixt them in lieu and satisfaction of the 
cattle left to them by my FATHER as by his will 
may appear. 
 Item, I give and bequeath to my dear and loving 
WIFE ten broad pieces of gold as a token and 
pledge of my fath--- love to her.  All the rest 
and residue of all my personal estate, goods, 
chattels whatsoever I do give and bequeath to 
my CHILDREN MARY, JANE, RICHARD, ALICE, 
CLEAVE, KATHERIN, and MARGARET equally 
to be divided between them and I do hereby 
make and constitute them xxx and joint 
executors of this my last will and testament 
and do constitute and appoint their loving 
MOTHER to be their guardian and overseer, 
whose care and kindness next unto God I leave 
and commit them not doubting of her faith and 
love towards them; and I charge and dxxx all 
my children to be dutiful and obedient to her: 
and I pray and dxxx my SON JOHN STEVENSON 
and Mr. WILLIAM WALKER to be aiding and 
assisting to her in the management of all her 
affairs and dxxx and virtuous education of all 
my children.  
And I do hereby revoke, disannul, and make 
voide all former wills and testaments by me 
heretofore made: 
In witness whereof I the said RICHARD 
STEVENSON have set my hand, and affixed my 
seal of Armxxx this fifth day of September 
Anno: DoMNHL: 1698. [signed] RICHARD 
STEVENSON.       

 HEAVENLY FATHER, LOOK WITH THE EYES OF THY 
MERCY AND COMPASSION on this poor widow 
and fatherless children: Lord, thine they were, 
thou gavest them me.  I have done what I can 
for them; Thou Lord are the first, best, and last 
father; the world and the fullness thereof are in 
thy hands: Now therefore holy Father keep 
them in thy name for thou art the refuge of the 
poor and needy and thy time is to help when 
all other help is at a stand.  I believe thou art 
the Father of the fatherless therefore into thy 
hands I recommend them in confidence of that 
saying of the prophet David Psalm 27, When 
my father and mother forsake me the Lord will 
take me up.  Thou who provided for them in 
ye womb and prepared breast for them as they 
came into ye world, will provide such 
necessaries for their bodily sustenance as will 
rather be a means then any hindrance to their 
salvation of their souls: Lord I ask no more, 
but as they grow in years they may grow in 
wisdom and in grace and in favor with thee 
and all good men.  The Lord bless and keep 
them, the Lord make his face to shine upon 
them, and be gracious unto them; the Lord life 
up his favorable countenance upon them, and 
give them peace now and forever more. Amen, 
Amen, Amen.         

TO THE REV. SAMUEL WATTLEWORTH VICAR 
GENERAL the humble petition of JOHN 
STEVENSON Capt. of Peel Castle, THOMAS 
STEVENSON of Scaldaby Glenry Esquire & 
JOHN STEVENSON of Balladoole in behalf of 
his TWO SISTERS ISABELLA and ELIZABETH 
STEVENSON:
That whereas Major RICHARD STEVENSON of 
Balladoole late deceased hath left several sums 
of money to the Petitioners as a legacy in a 
certain codicil added to his last will and 
testament, relation thereunto being had may at 
large appear; which said codicil being by you 
declared invalid, by reason the Petitioners did 
not expect any opposition had been made 
against Hiecrs[?theirs] so just a xxxxxse and 
therefore did not take that care they might to 
produce their witnesses for the making the said 
codicil valid, which your Petitioner doubts not 
xxxx so to probe; xxxxx consideration of the 
premises you Petitioners humbly prays you 
would be pleased to grant them a rehearing of 
the matter before the Rt. Revd. Lord Bishop of 
this Isle, so shall you Petitioners in duty bound 
for your health and happiness ever pray.
JANUARY 8TH 1699/170I AM WELL satisfied that 
the matter complained of in the within Petition 
shall have a rehearing before our Rt. Revd. 
Lord Bishop and will be ready to attend his 
Lordship when & where his Lordship will 
appoint to hear the same. [signed] Sam: 
Watleworth.
JANUARY 11TH, 1699/1700: THIS DAY THE 
PETITIONERS and Mrs. STEVENSON having met 
at Peeltown before the Right Reverend the 
Lord Bishop, his Lordship has granted the 
Petitioners liberty of making the same claim 
(when the Revd. The Archdeacon comes to the 
Island) as they might have done at this present 
time. [signed] J. Woods Regrn. 

AT A COURT HELD IN CASTLETOWN, before the 
Reverend Mr. Archdeacon KIPPAX, & Mr. 
SAM: WATLEWORTH the 11th of January 
1698/9: The Revrd Mr. Archdeacon KIPPAX, 
and Mr WILLIAM THOMPSON have deposed 
upon oath, that the above said Major 
STEVENSON declared to them on the Monday 
morning, before he deceased, that he had 
committed his last will in writing on his birth 
day, & had therein settled all his affairs, and 
that they should find it in his closet, among his 
papers: Revd Mr. Archdeacon further declares, 
that on Saturday morning after the said Major 
departed, he went to his closet, & there found 
this will, and no other; which is now produced 
to the Court, and (with respect to the said 
depositions, as well as it is generally known to 
be the said Major's hand) the same is proved 
by the Revd. Mr. WATLEWORTH Official, the 
day & year above said.  Probatum est, & solvit 
1 shilling. 

 Mrs. STEVENSON, relict of the afore said 
Major STEVENSON is sworn in Court according 
to Law. 

 MAJOR STEVENSON DECLARED before Mr. 
EDWARD CHRISTIAN, MR WOODS & MYSELF, 
October 24th, in the evening, That besides what 
matters were expressed in his will, he desired 
1. that his BROTHER JOHN might have 20 
pounds,
 2. his BROTHER THOMAS also 20 pounds, 
3. his two ELDEST DAUGHTERS 50 &, 
4. Mr. SQUIRE owing him a deale (as he said) 
of money xxx did forgive it him, 
5. little DICKY HEYWOOD also 20 pounds.  
Perceiving these sums to swell to a great bulk I 
asked him where the money must rise, He 
answered me, In the Isle of Man.  But that 
being only a general return, I asked him over 
again if he had left effects in his Executors 
hands that would answer all this, besides the 
charge he had already made upon them, to 
which he made this reply, my SON JOHN will 
answer all; Supposing this may occasion a 
dispute hereafter, & my memory being very 
treacherous, I put these things down to be a 
memorandum.  
This is sworn to and subscribed this 11th day of 
January 1698/9, by me Archd KIPPAX.  Sworn 
& subscribed the day and year above said by 
me, J. WOODS.  

For as much as Mr. Archdeacon & Jo: Woods 
Regr have declared by virtue of their oaths, 
that the above said Major STEVENSON was 
delirious, both immediately before and after 
the mention of the afore said words; and 
xxxing he has likewise fixed the payment of 
the said legacies upon his SON JOHN, who is 
not at all concerned in the Executorship, & 
therefore not obliged to discharge the same; 
therefore the Court declares the above Codicil 
to be invalid in Law. [signed] Sam: 
Watleworth, offic.        

KK ARBORY JANUARY 2ND 1698/9: 
THE INVENTORY OF MAJOR RICHARD 
STEVENSON taken and xxx by four sworn men 
(vizt.) Wm Mercer, Wm Fargher, Charles 
xxxxx in the Parish of KK Malew and Hen. 
Waterson in KK Arbory:  
Imprimis, The dead's part of a black riding horse 1 pound 10 shillings xx pence;  
Item, The dead's part of 6 work horses, (vizt.) 
Jacob, Girt, Cammel, Sloven, Collup & a little Bay  5:10:xx; 
Item, dead's part of 2 bay colts, one named Strange, the other 3 year old bay 2:15:xx;  
Item, dead's part of 2 horse colts and 1 filly prized at 2:15:0x;  Item, dead's part of the 
Irish mare, black mare & follower  2:10:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 10 draught oxen prized to 12:10:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 9 young bullocks prized to 8:00:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 3 English cows prized to 3:15:00; 
Item, Dead's part of 14 cows prized to 13:06:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 5 young bullocks prized at 3:05:0;  
Item, Dead's part of 6 heifers prized to 4:04:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 5 young bullocks and seven young heifers 2 year old 5:08:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 14 calves prized to 4:10:xx;  
Item, Dead's part of a bull prized to 1:00:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 42 sheep at home prized to 3:12:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 17 lambs prized to 0:11:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 40 sheep at Cregneish 2:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 5 swine prized to 0:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 187 pound worth of pewter at 8 pence per pound 3:02:04;  
Item, Dead's part of 48 pound of brass & mortar 17 pound valued at 6 pence per pound 0:16:0x; 
Item, Dead's part of 378 pound of wrought iron prized at 2:07:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 1 large cart, with other carts, carr and furniture 3:00:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 3 plows, harrows, draughts, traces, coulter and soik 0:15:xx; 
Item, Dead's part of 2 dozen of poles, cleft boards and old timber 0:12:xx;  
Item, Dead's part of a chest of drawers, chests, boxes, trunks, closestool and pan; corbes excepted 1:16:xx; 
SUBTOTAL  90:xx:xx.   
Item, Dead's part of looking glasses, glass bottles, butche ware and drinking glasses 0:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of hogsheads, barrels, coolers, pales, water cans, dishes, cheese fats, 
   wooden bowls and trenchers with the rest of the wooden ware included 2:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of tables, chairs, settles, forms & stools, (heirlooms reserved) prized to 4:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of damask linen (vizt.) table cloths and napkins 1:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of diaper* linen (vizt.) table cloths and napkins 1:15:00;  
Item, Dead's part of huggaback* after the same manner 1:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 10 fine towels prized to 0:05:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 8 pair coarse sheets 0:15:00; 
Item, Dead's part of 8 pair of the best blankets 1:12:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 9 pair of coarse blankets 0:15:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 5 old fledges prized to 0:08:00;  
Item, Dead's part of4 coverlets prized to 0:15:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 2 quilts and 1 rugg 1:00:00; 
Item, Dead's part of 8 quishions prized to 0:01:04;  
Item, Dead's part of the best bed and bolster 
weight 90 pound at 8 pence per pound 1:10:00
Item, Dead's part of of the second best bed weight 98 pound 1:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 7 other beds, bolsters, and pillows, 
   weight 500 pound at 3 pence per pound 3:02:06;  
Item, Dead's part of the best bedstead, curtains & vallons 2:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of the second best bedstead curtains and vallons 0:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of all the rest of the bedsteads, curtains and vallons 2:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of the spinning wheels and cards 0:04:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 7 pound of flax prized at 0:01:03;  
Item, Dead's part of a stone of hemp prized to 0:02:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 4 stone of wool prized to 0:16:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 6 pound and half of flaxen yarn 0:03:03;  
Item, Dead's part of10 pound of blew woolen yarn 0:03:04; 
SUBTOTAL 32:03:08.   
Item, Dead's part of 13 pound of spun worsted 0:xx:xx;  
Item, Dead's part of 13 pound of coarse woolen yarn 0:03:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 2 heckles** prized 0:01:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 121 ounces of plate at 5 shilling 6 pence per ounce 16:10:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 12 yards of mixed cloth 0:15:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of 2 case of knives and 1 of forks 0:05:xx; 
Item, Dead's part of 20 yards of coarse linen 0:05:xx; 
Item, Dead's part of boat, nets and furniture being old 1:10:0x;  
Item, Dead's part of a lrieg voider with some old caskets 0:01:00;  
Item, Dead's part of some old linn & a screen 0:01:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 3 old saddles and bridles 0:04:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 2 pictures set in frames 0:04:00;  
Item, Dead's part of 1 cullseg 0:12:00;  
Item, Dead's part of the crop of corn of the year 1699, prized to 54:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of the hay set of the same year 4:05:03;  
Item, Dead's part of the land set for the year 1699, harvest work deducted 13:17:06;  
Item, Dead's part of cattle scoring (99) 6:00:00;  
Item, Dead's part of money in the house & received for the crop of the year (98), all bills, 
rents and prescriptions being paid for that year and for the year 1699  102:00:00; 
SUBTOTAL 201:02:08.  

15 FEBRUARY 1709: ADDED: 
The Dead's part of the xxxx money recovered 
from the late Lord's Administrators, being 
16:17:06.    

AN ACCOUNT OF DEBTS DUE TO THE 
EXECUTORS OF MAJOR RICHARD STEVENSON 
as follows: 
Imprimis, Dead's part of a debt due from Mrs 
HANNAH BRELSFORD of Rothdale in 
Lancashire 270:00:00; 
Item, Dead's part of a debt from Mr. TURNER 
CALCOT of Ballalaugh 36:11:10-1/2;  
Item, Dead's part of a debt from Mr. 
CHADDOCK in England 58:10:00;  
Item, Dead's part of of a debt from Mr. 
BALLARD 7:02:09;  
Item, Dead's part of debts, 
from Capn. THOMAS STEVENSON  1:10:00, 
from WIDOW ALLEN 00:10:06, 
Francis WOLFINDINE 1 pound, 
Mrs. Patten 0:06:00, 
Mr. WILLIAMS 1:10:00, in all 5:16:06;  
Item, Dead's part of debts from 
THO: WATERSON 1:05:03, 
Mr. RICHD THOMPSON 00:17:08; 
UMPHREY SEDDEN 5s 6p, 
& JOHN ASPINAL 10s 4p,  2:18:09-1/2;  
Item, Dead's part of debts from 
THO: LOONEY SENIOR 3s 4p, 
from WILLIAM CLAGUE 5s 6p, 
JOHN COTEEN 4s,
 Mr. GELLING 3s 9p, 
Mr. Cæsar 2s 10p; 
Capn HARTLEY 10s, 
& JOHN REDFERN 2:15:00,  4:04:05;  
Item, Dead's part of debts from 
JOHN QUAIL 4x, 
JOHN BRIDSON 6s, 
ROBT QUIRK 2s, 
Mr. PARR 9s, 
widow FRIEND 3s 3p, 
GEORGE HARRISON 1:02:00, 
WILLIAM WANWRIGHT 4s,  2:10:3; 
Item, Dead's part of debts from several other 
persons whose names & sums are in the Books 
of Accounts 19:07:6; 
TOTAL 407:02:01.  
NOTE THAT MANY of the above debts are 
thought to be desperate, such therefore as will 
not be recovered shall hereafter be deducted 
from the Inventory: 
GRAND TOTAL of 407:02:01 + 201:02:08 + 
32:03:08 + 90:00:01 = 730:08:06. Plus 
16:17:06 = 747:06:00.     

The GOODS AND CHILDREN in the hands of the 
MOTHER who has given pledges for the 
forthcoming of the same Capn. Charles Moore, 
& Mr. John Stevenson according to Law.       

THESE FOLLOWING SUMS ARE TO BE DEDUCTED 
from the Inventory: 
Funeral charges 10:00:00; 
Paid Mrs. ISABEL STEVENSON 150:00:00; 
Paid Mrs. ELIZABETH STEVENSON 150:00:00
Paid in Legacies, 
to Capn THOMAS STEVENSON 1 pound, 
to Mrs. HYLAND 1 pound, 
to Mr. ROBINSON for Legacy & Church dues 1 
pound 2 shilling, 
to Mr. WALKER 1 pound, 
& dead's part of servant's wages pd 1:10:00, 
5:12:00; 
Dead's part of a debt paid the Executors of 
Capn PRESCOTT in England 5:11:04;  
Dead's part of a debt to Mr. MURREY 2:06:06;  
Dead's part of a debt to Mrs. MERCER 1:16:00;  
Dead's part of Lord's Rents and prescription 
for the year 1700, 7:06:05.  
Note that of the 300 pounds left to Mrs. 
ISABELL and Mrs. ELIZABETH STEVENSON 
there is only but the one half thereof to be paid 
by the Executors and the other half by their 
mother according to the Marriage Contract 
betwixt the fore said Major RICHARD 
STEVENSON and his WIFE produced this day 
before me; At Castletown February 21, 
1699/1700, Sam: Watleworth.  
More to be deducted as due to Mr. JOHN 
STEVENSON on his father's part 4:00:00. 
TOTAL 182:12:03.    747:06:00 – 186:12:03 = 
560:13:09.  

In the annexed Paper all Deductions are 
Desperate Debt and deducted, and that each 
Executors part truly xxxted[?slated].  

[*'diaper' and 'huggaback' are two different 
types of weaves; ** heckles were boards with 
rows of nails used to comb flax & straighten 
its fibers and get rid of short 'tow' fibers prior 
to spinning]        

FURTHER DEDUCTIONS OUT OF THE INVENTORY 
of MAJOR RICHD: STEVENSON, given in by his 
WIFE MRS. ALICE STEVENSON, this 15th of 
February 1699: 
Capt. JOHN STEVENSON's debt being ten pound 
eight shillings, and left him by Legacy, the 
half thereof is due to Mrs. Stevenson, and 
therefore deducted 5:04:00; 
The ten broad pieces of gold being left to his 
WIFE as Legacy, half thereof being her own 
before, therefore five pieces are due to Mrs. 
STEVENSON at 28x apiece 7:00:00; 
A legacy to Major PETER HEYWOOD not before 
deducted 0:10:00; 
The Desperate Debts on the Dead's part to be 
deducted, vizt., 
Mr. BOLLARD 7:02:9; 
Capt. THOMAS STEVENSON 30s; 
Widow ALLEN 10s 6 
FRANCK WOOLFENDEN 20s; 
RICHD: THOMPSON 17s 8p; 
JOHN ASPINIL 10s 4-1/2p; 
THOMAS LOONY 3s 4p; 
Mr. GELLING 3s 9p, 11:18:04-1/2; 
TOTAL 24:12:4-1/2.  
Which sum of 24:12:04-1/2 being deducted 
out of 560:13:09, there remains due to the 
seven Executors vizt., MARY, JANE, RICHD, 
ALICE, CLEVE, CATHRINE, & MARGT, the sum 
of 536:01:04-1/2.  
Out of which sum there is due to RICHD & 
CLEVE above the rest of their father's will 20 
pounds, betwixt them; so there remains the 
sum of 516:01:04-1/2.  
Which sum being equally divided among the 
said seven Executors each daughters dividend 
is 73 pound 14 shilling 5-3/4 pence; and each 
son 83 pound 14 shillings 5-3/4 pence.  

RICHARD one of the Executors dying, & three 
pound deducted out of his sum for funeral 
charges, there remainder of his dividend (vizt. 
80:14:5-3/4) being proportioned among the 
other six, 
CLEVE'S part is 97:3:6-3/4, 
& each DAUGHTER's part 87 pound 3 shilling 
6-3/4 shillings.  
ALICE ANOTHER OF THE SAID EXECUTORS also 
dying, the money paid towards her prentice fee 
to Mrs. Leed in Preston being in Manks value 
29 pound 3 shilling 4 pence, and her funeral 
charge in Manks value 8:03:04 being deducted 
there remains of her dividend 49 pound 16 
shilling 10-3/4 pence, which being 
proportioned among the other five Executors, 
CLEVE'S part is 107:02:11-1/4; 
and each DAUGHTER's part is 97:02:11-1/4.  

Memorandum: 
That the 49:16:10-3/4 being divided among the 
five surviving Executors, each one's part is 
9:19:04-1/4.         

MR. JOHN STEVENSON'S CLAIM: 
The best pan or pot; Jack & salett; bow & 
arrows; sword & buckler; the best board; the 
best stool; coulter & rackentree; the best cup; 
the best chest; the best sword & bolt; the best 
gun, the Campaign scarf, all the books; the 
best saddle & houlsters; the silver tumbler; the 
jewel heirloom; the gold ring left to the wife of 
the house as an heirloom; the silver tankard 
left by his GRANDFATHER, and 2 oxen sold for 
6 pound; The nest of cups; 6 pictures in the 
parlour; the red chair with the coat of arms; the 
clock; the brass pott; 3 meal arks; 3 stone 
troughs; one old fowling piece & 2 others 
bought by his grandfather; 4 pair of pistols & 3 
pair of holsters; 2 drums; blue scarf & 2 
working tubs; his AUNT MARY'S cabinet; a ring 
left by HIS MOTHER; the great spit; a silver cup 
given by his GODFATHER PARKER; the still top 
& black dish.  The bedstead in the red room; 
the great flagon; the husbandry gears, viz., 
carts, traces, harrows, plow with irons & carrs.  
The bedstead in his father's chamber; the 
hangings in the kitchen chamber.  A cow given 
by JOHN KEWN, which had 2 calves; the meal 
chest to the mill, & stone.  

SEVERAL, OR MOST of the above particulars 
being in dispute betwixt the above Mr. 
STEVENSON & HIS STEPMOTHER MRS. ALICE 
STEVENSON, who (by reason of their near 
affinity, & respect either to other) are 
unwilling to go to Law: they have therefore 
referred the same to the arbitration, doom & 
award of us whose names are subscribed, & 
have mutually promised to stand to, & abide 
the same.  We have therefore in order 
thereunto heard & perused  all pleas and 
allegations of both parties: and what 
particulars we thind, do by Law and equity 
belong to the said Mrs. STEVENSON, we have 
hereunder named and inserted vizt: 
The best pott of pan; besides the furnace, 
being fastened, & therefore a member of the 
house; the bow and arrows, sword & belt, the 
best tub, a choice chair, coulter & rackentree, 
the next of cups, the best chest, besides the 
great ark, If the other ark be fastened to the 
wall of the house, the statute says, he must 
have it also.  Six pounds received for the 2 
oxen left by his GRANDFATHER: if it appear 
that they were sold for  so much.  Three stone 
troughs, his AUNT MARY's cabinet, the ring 
found in his FATHER's note, the shill top, the 
great spit, & great flagon, the bedstead in his 
father's room, being fastened. The hangings in 
the kitchen chamber being also nailed.  For 
John Kewn's cow & increase, he is to have a 
cow at next May and a weaned calf; which if 
he shall dislike, to receive forty shillings in 
lieu thereof.  The fun & campaign scarf; all the 
books, as left by his FATHER's will; as also the 
best saddle & houlsters, the silver tumbler 
likewise: The jewel. The cup left by Mr. 
PARKER. The clock. The silver tankard left by 
his GRANDFATHER, as an heirloom. And 2 
stones in the mill.  All which Mr. STEVENSON 
afore said is immediately to receive saving the 
cow & calf, which are to be delivered him at 
May, as above specified.  And this we give for 
our opinion & determination of the matter; 
Witness our hands this 6th of xxx 1699. 
[signed] Richd Qxxx, xxxxxxx.   
All which said things I do own to have 
received as witness my hand [signed] JOHN 
STEVENSON.         
 JULY 11, 1699: 
THEN RECEIVED FROM MY MOTHER the full and 
just sum of one hundred and thirty pounds 
upon the account of my portion left by my 
FATHER, I say received by me, [signed] 
ISABELLA STEVENSON. Witness: John 
Stevenson.  
July the 11, 1699: 
Then received from the hands of Mrs. ALICE 
STEVENSON on the accompt of my SISTER 
ELIZABETH the full and just sum of one 
hundred and fifty pounds being left to her by 
her father, I say received by me, JOHN 
STEVENSON. 
February 21th, 1699/1700: The above is 
acknowledged before us, Sam: Watleworth, 
Robert Parr.         
JANUARY 10TH 1699/1700: 
MR. JOHN STEVENSON of Balladoole enters a 
claim against the Executors of his FATHER 
RICHARD STEVENSON Esquire late deceased 
for the rents and profits of the feeding pasture 
at Yelisom, and of a certain tyth barn,  also of 
another parcel of land, called Champion, all 
situate and lying in Cravon[?], in Yorkshire; 
and which became due to the claimor by the 
decease of his MOTHER MRS. ELIZABETH 
STEVENSON ALS WALKER, and all this from the 
time of her decease, & craves the Law. Per me, 
J. Woods Regrin. Ep.  To be returned to the 
Archd: Regr.          

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we 
JAMES GIBBONS & ISABELLA GIBBONS ALS 
STEVENSON, DAUGHTER TO RICHARD 
STEVENSON late of Balladoole, Esqr., do 
acknowledge to be fully and justly paid by 
Mrs. ALICE STEVENSON widow & relict of the 
said RICHARD STEVENSON the full and just 
sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, 
being the legacy, and filial portions left and 
bequeathed to my ISABELLA GIBBONS by my 
FATHER afore said.  And we do hereby acquit, 
& discharge the said Mrs. ALICE STEVENSON, 
her executors, administrators, & assigns of the 
same and every part, and parcel thereof 
forever.  Witness our hands this tenth day of 
March 1701/2. [signed] James Gibbons, 
Isabella Gibbons.  In presence of J. Stevenson, 
J. Woods, Reg. Epis.          

ARTICLES OF MARRIAGE concluded and agreed 
upon by and between Mrs. ALICE STEVENSON 
relict of Major RICH. STEVENSON late of 
Balladoole deceased, for and in the behalf of 
her DAUGHTER JANE STEVENSON on the one 
part, And the Revd. Mr. THOMAS ALLEN Vicar 
of KK Maughall in the behalf of HIS NEPHEW 
the Revd. Mr. HENRY ALLEN of Douglas on 
the other part as follows:  
Imprimis, It is concluded and agreed upon by 
and between the said parties that the said 
HENRY ALLEN and JANE STEVENSON shall 
enter into the holy estate of matrimony within 
six days after the sealing and delivery of these 
presents; and his hold Church permitting the 
same.  
2ndly, It is concluded and agreed upon by the 
said parties, that the said ALICE STEVENSON 
shall endow and give in portion to her 
DAUGHTER JANE STEVENSON the sum of one 
hundred pounds sterling including the child's 
part of goods which fell to her said DAUGHTER 
by the death of HER FATHER, as also what 
became due by the death of her BROTHER 
RICHARD.  She the said ALICE STEVENSON 
paying the said one hundred pounds in such 
sum and by such proportions as she shall think 
proper, provided the entire sum of one hundred 
pounds be fully satisfied and paid within 3 
years next aft the intermarriage of HENRY and 
JANE as afore said.  
3rdly, It is covenanted and agreed upon by the 
said parties, that the said THOMAS ALLEN shall 
pay or cause to be paid to his said NEPHEW 
HENRY ALLEN the sum of one hundred pounds 
sterling at or before the Feast Day of St. 
Thomas next xxxx.  4thly, It is concluded and 
agreed upon by the said parties that all the 
Estate of land and houses which descended or 
came to the said THOMAS ALLEN from his 
FATHER shall descend and fall in the like 
manner by way of inheritance to his said 
NEPHEW HENRY ALLEN after the decease of the 
said THOMAS ALLEN & HIS BROTHER SAMUEL 
ALLEN FATHER TO HENRY afore said.  
Lastly, To the performance of all and singular 
the premises both parties have bound 
themselves in the penalty of two hundred 
pounds, the one half to the Right Honorable 
the Lord of this Isle, and the other to the party 
aggrieved.  
In witness whereof and of all the arxxxx 
within specified, the said parties have 
subscribed their names & axxx their seals this 
seventeenth day of October in the year of our 
Lord xxxx one thousand seven hundred and 
nine.  
[signed] ALICE STEVENSON, 
THO. ALLEN  

I SAMUEL ALLEN within named do hereby 
freely and fully consent to all the Articles 
within mentioned as far as concerns me. 
[signed] SAMLL. ALLEN.  

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of 
John Stevenson, Ewan Christian, William 
Walker.  

An exact copy from the original by Hen: 
Allen.       AUGUST 18TH, 1712: 

WE DO HEREBY acknowledge to have this day 
received from our honorable MOTHER Mrs. 
ALICE STEVENSON the full sum of one hundred 
pounds, being the full sum mentioned in the 
2nd Article of this Contract.  We say received 
the sum of by us, [signed] HENRY ALLEN, 
JANE ALLEN.  Witnesses: Wm Walker, John 
Murrey.         

FHOXXX FARCHAR enters against ye Executors 
ofMajor Richard Stevenson for 4 pence.   
Day previous[?or predicto] JO:BRIDSON enters 
for 26s.         
Day previous[?or predicto] THOMAS CLUCAS 
enters against the Executors of Major 
Richardson 20s. 
 Mrs. HARRISON enters against the Executors 
for Goa & linng xxxxxx his land for 12 years 
at 18 pence a year 18 pence[?] & craveth 
tryall.               

DUBLIN 23 SEPTEMBER 1710: NOW RECEIVED 
from our loving MOTHER MRS. ALICE 
STEVENSON of Castletown in the Isle of Man 
by the hands of THOMAS MURREY of the City 
Dublin merchant the full and entire sum of one 
hundred pounds sterling being all that became 
due to me MARY GRIFFITH ALS STEVENSON by 
the last will and testament of my late FATHER 
MAJOR RICHARD STEVENSON of Balladool as 
also by the decease of my BROTHER RICHARD 
STEVENSON for all which we do hereby acquit 
and discharge our mother above mentioned 
and her heirs, executors, administrators or 
assigns forever by these presents, Witness our 
hands the day and year first above written, 
[signed] RICHD. GRIFFTH, MARY GRIFFITH.  
Witnesses Present, James Quay, John 
Christian."