John Norris, 1737

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

54         Castletown
This is affirmed to be the last will and testament 
of John Norris of Castletown carpenter, who departed 
this life on or about the twenty third day of 
December 1737.  First he committed his soul to God 
and his body to Christian burial.  
Item, he bequeathed to Eliz Bridson als Qualtrough 
& Margaret Qualtrough her sister the house called 
the shop to be equally between them.  
Item, to John Woods all his tools of what kind soever.  
Item, he declared that Captn William Bridson owed 
him and that whatsoever sum or sums he owed the 
testator that he forgave him the same to acquit 
him of all demands or reckonings depending between 
them besides a shilling legacy.  
Item, to all friends and relationsh that would 
claim in his will six pence apiece legacy to 
deprive them of suing.  
Lastly, he constituted ordained and appointed 
William Woods and Alice Ledwick joint and sole 
executors of all the rest of his goods moveable 
and immoveable whatsoever.  
Testes: 
Thomas Taylor, 
William Qualtrough, 9th January, jurati.            

The Executors sworn and gave pledges in 
form of Law, the sitnesses of the will.   
Probatum et Solvit 1s.             

At a Court of Correction held in 
Castletown February 1st 1737/8: 
The above will now published, when a Deed was 
produced by Capt. Wm Bridson having date about 
the first of Novr last, the witnesses thereunto 
being Robt Quayle, John Cotteman, John Quayle, 
the validity of the said Deed is referred to Trial.  

And an Inventory of the goods of the Testator 
to be forthwith brought in.  
Edw: Moore.               

KK Malew, Jan 25, 1737/8: 
We whose names are subscribed, do declare, 
that John Norris of Castletwon carpenter being 
in Ballasalley about the 1st of November last 
in the house of Robert Quayle parish clark, 
& some discourse happening about Capt. William 
Bridson’s house, the said John Norris promised 
a set of new roof upon said house against next 
summer, if he lived; and if he died, made the 
following will seriously and in perfect mind 
& memory.  
First, he bequeathed to Thomas Norris of 
Ballasalley two English shillings.  
Secondly, debarred all other friends and relations, 
that could claim  any right to his goods, 
with six pence legacy each.  
Lastly, he left all the rest of his goods to 
the above Capt. Bridson and required him to 
see him handsomely buried.  
Witnesses: 
Robt Quayle, 
John Cotteman, 
John Quayle.   

I John Cotteman do further declare that I 
have heard the within John Norris several 
times declare for four or five years past, 
that he would leave all his goods and effects 
to the above said Capt. William Bridson. 
[signed] John Cotteman.   

I Robert Quayle parish clerk do further 
declare that after the corpse was interred 
Wm Woods referred me, and desired me to go 
to Capt William Bridson for the burying 
fees, which he freely paid upon demand. 
[signed] Robt Quayle.      

At Castletown, February 1st 1737/8: 
Robert Quayle, John Cottiman & John Quayle 
the subscribing witnesses to the within 
alleged will of John Norris declare upon 
oath that the same was expressed by the 
Deceased about the beginning of November 
last past. 
Before us, John Cosnahan, Edw: Moore.          

Lib: 2us, 1737: 
Malew: 
An Inventory of the household goods, apparel 
&c of John Norris late of Castletown carpenter 
taken and appraized this 20th day of 
January 1737/8 by four sworn men, vizt., 
William Trelley, John Hutchin, John Gick, 
& Henry Kissagg.    
An oak servatore 0 pounds 7 shillings 0 pence;    
An oak cupboard  0:06:00;     
a new fir chest   00:01:08;     
A small desk with dreawers 00:01:00;     
a fir chest  00:02:00;     
a fir chest  00:01:00;     
An old oak table  00:00:04;     
8 oak boards at 3d apiece  00:02:00;     
4 dale boards at 8d apiece  00:02:08;     
a fir box  00:00:07;    
An old sword  00:00:04;     
An old bridle & saddle  00:01:02;     
An old form & a parcel of small boards  00:00:05;     
An oak bed head & bottom boards 00:05:00;     
A bed tick  00:04:06;     
A feather bed  00:02:00;     
An old bed rug and blankets  00:02:00;     
A parcel of old reeds  00:00:03;     
A feather bed & bolster at 2d per ? (sic)    
10 old shirts  00:01:08;     
A parcel of old wearing apparel  00:03:00;    
A pair of old buckskin breeches & a kirvey coat  00:02:06;     
02 yards & an half of broad cloth at 
   3 shillings & six pence per yard  00:08:09;    
A gray broad cloth coat  00:09:00;     
A pewter dish  00:00:06;     
2 wheel stocks & 2 rims  00:02:00;     
An oval oak table  00:05:00;     
7 oak boards & an half  00:02:06;     
6 ash planks 4d apiece  00:02:00;   
9 oak planks  00:08:00;     
a piece of shift timber  00:00:07;     
an oak board  00:00:08;  
[subtotal this page]  04:09:05;     

brought over  04:09:05;     
Several pieces of old timber  00:01:04;    
7 small square frames[?] of oak  00:01:02;    
A parcel of old wood  00:01:xx;     
A parcel of old oak boards  00:00:08;     
4 old shelves 00:00:04;     
A piece of old square oak  00:00:06;     
A long birch pole  00:00:06;     
A small birch pole  00:00:02;     
An old oak board 00:00:02;     
A small strip of oak  00:00:02;      
9 turned table feet  00:00:06;     
A parcel of old blocks  00:00:10;     
3 chaire  00:05:00;     
10 little boxes  00:00:07;     
2 pair of old stockings  00:00:10;     
A pair of old hose  00:00:10;     
A --azon & a looking glass  00:00:06;     
a pair of shoes  00:01:02;    
A table cloth  00:01:06;     
2 fir poles  00:01:06;     
[total] 05:09:01.   

20th Janaury 1737/8: 
The above Inventory was taken and the goods 
valued and appraized by us, John Gick X, 
Hen: Kissag, Willeam Killey, John Hutchin.            

February 1st 1737/8: Pledges given for the 
amounts of the full value of the goods of 
John Norris according to sale are Capt. 
Richd[?] Crain & Thos. Holmes.  
Before me, Edw: Moore.            

July 8, 1738: 
John Cottier: enters a claim against the executors 
of John Norris for eighteen shillings  00:18:00.      

Mary 17th 1738: 
John Wattleworth enters a claim for 01:01:11.     
Eod: Die: Thomas Bridson enters a claim for  00:05:02.     

May 18: Wm Woods enters a claim for 02:00:00.     
Eod: die: John Woods enters a claim for 02:00:00.     

May 19th: Mrs. Ann Nichols enters a claim for 00:07:01.     

October 18, 1738: Capt. William Bridson enters a claim 
against the executors of John Norris for 08:17:00.     

December 13, 1738: Richard Watterson enters a claim for 
the sum of 01:11:5-1/2,     

December 13, 1738: Ann Slater enters a claim for the 
sum of 02:10:00.     

October 17, 1738: David Hutchin enters claim against 
the said executors for  00:14:00.     

January 8, 1738/9: Mrs. James Parr enters a claim for 
the sum of 01:00:00.    

January 22, 1738/9: Captn. John Slater enters a claim 
for the sum of 00:09:00