Catharine Stevenson, 1737

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

15   KK Malew
In the name of God, amen. I Catharine Stevenson daughter 
of the late Major Richard Stevenson of Balladoole, being 
sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and 
memory, praise be given to Almighty God for the same, do 
make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner 
and form following. First and principally, I recommend 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 of all my sins. And my body I 
commit to the earth to be decently but not expensively 
buried at the discretion of executors hereafter named. 
And as touching all such temporal estate or effects as it 
has pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me, I give and 
bequeath as followeth. 
First I will that my debts funeral charges and legacies 
hereafter mentioned be paid and discharged. 
Item, I give to the poor of KK Arbory, and to the poor 
of KK Malew twenty shillings British each to be distributed 
to such persons as my brother Stevenson and the Vicars 
of each respective parish shall think meet. 
Item, I leave and bequeath to my dear mother Stevenson five pounds. 
To my brother & sister Stevenson of Balladoole one guinea each. 
To my nephew colonel Stevenson and to my three nieces his 
sisters each of them one guinea, which I desire they will 
accept as a mark of my tender love and regard for them all. 
Item, to my cousin Elizabeth Christian of Douglas one guinea. 
To my goddaughter Stevenson of Castletown, to my goddaughter 
Cosnahan and to my godson Kevisxxx[?Kewish] each of them one 
guinea. All the rest of my effects as shop, goods, debts and 
ready money I leave and bequeath to my loving sisters Mary, 
Jane and Margarett equally among them and their children as 
followeth. Vizt., one third to my sister Mary Day and her 
children John Griffith and Frances Day. One third to my brother 
& sister Allen for the use of their children as he and she 
shall see most proper. To my brother Quayle one guinea for 
preaching my funeral sermon. And to my sister Quayle I 
leave all my apparel whatsoever and to her children one 
third of my said effects to be lodged with and disposed 
of by my aforesaid brother Stevenson and his son Cornel 
Stevenson to her children as they shall judge most fitting 
and proper. Hereby nominating constituting and appointing 
my said three sisters and their children joint executors 
as aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my 
hand and seal this 18th day of February anno domini 173x. 
[signed] Cathrn. Stevenson. 
Witnesses: 
Robert Brown, 
Alice Maddrell. 

[Follows is an inventory of fabric and other goods from her shop for a total of 65 pounds 16 shillings 8 pence British.] 

At a Chapter Court in Castletown, May 24, 1737
Mrs. Mary Day als Stevenson one of the executors nominated 
in the will is sworn in behalf of herself and of her children 
John Griffyth and Frances Day, to which end she is to bring 
to the Registry a perfect inventory of a third part of the 
effects of the Testatrix, and to be just to her said children; 
and has given pledges Capt Thomas Heywood of the Nunnery.

Mrs. Jane Allen als Stevenson is also sworn executrix 
in trust for her children who are entitled to a third 
part of the effects; she is likewise to bring an inventory 
thereof; and and has given pledges for the forthcoming 
of the same Captain John Stevenson & Captn Thomas Heywood. 

And whereas the deceased has bequeathed the remaining 
third part of her effects to the children of her sister 
Margaret Quayle als Stevenson, the said effects to be 
lodged with and disposed of to the said children at the 
discretion of her brother Stevenson of Balladoole and 
of his son the Cornel, and that neither of those gentlemen 
do appear in behalf of the children; their part of the 
executorship is committed to their father the Revd. 
Mr. John Quayle who is sworn in their behalf, and has 
given pledges in form of law Capt Thomas Heywood, 
Mr. John Stevenson of Castletown, and Mr. William Curghey