Margaret Cosnahan als Cæsar, 1760

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4                 Braddan
We, the Revd Joseph Cosnahan Vicar of KK Braddan, 
and Margaret Cosnahan my wife, calling to mind 
the uncertainty of this Life, do make this our 
last joint will and testament in manner following: 
First, we commend our souls to god, and our 
bodies to Christian burial in hope of a joyful 
resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 
We leave our daughter Jane the sum of one hundred 
and fifty pounds to be paid and delivered unto her 
by the survivor of us, when she arrives to the age 
of one and twenty years. 
Likewise willing, and engaging ourselves that the 
further sum of one hundred and fifty pounds more, 
shall be forthcoming to her from the survivor of 
us, at the said survivors decease. 
We leave unto our son Julius five pounds, besides 
our books. As also promising and engaging to leave 
him his birthright free and debtless, without selling 
or mortgaging. 
And, whereas there will be due unto us, as by acct., 
about the sum of forty pounds from the next incumbent 
in the Parish of KK Braddan, for the building and 
improvements made, both by the Revd John Cosnahan 
Vicar General, and ourselves, upon the glebe of 
the said parish. We will and bequeath the said sum 
to be paid and laid out … the further benefit and 
improvement of the free school founded by Mr. 
Philip Moore senior, Merchant in Douglas, by the 
appointment and direction of the trustees mentioned 
in the said Mr. Philip Moore’s last will. 
We leave to any one who … pretend any further right 
on title to our goods, six pence legacy. 
Lastly, we nominate and appoint the survivor of us, 
while sole executor of all the rest of our goods 
moveable and immoveable of what nature soever. 
Appointing in case of a second marriage Mr. John 
Cæsar of Malew, and Mr. Hugh Cosnahan Merchant in 
Douglas, guardian over our said two children above 
mentioned. 
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set out names 
this 28th Dec 1758. 
Signed: Joseph Cosnahan, 
Margt Cosnahan 
Witnessed by: 
John Stole & William Curphy, curates, 
17th day martis 1760

We the subscribing witnesses do affirm that the 
within mentioned testatrix Margaret Cosnahan having 
been brought to bed, within a few days past, of 
twin daughters and being very weak and feeble in 
body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, 
desired her husband the Revd Joseph Cosnahan to 
bring and read unto her the within Will. Which being 
done, she the said testatrix by and with the consent 
of her said husband revoked the whole legacy bequeathed 
unto her daughter Jane in the within Will, and 
instead thereof left and bequeathed unto her said 
daughter Jane, and the said twin daughters 
(then unbaptized) the sum of three hundred pounds 
equally between them, to be paid them share and share 
alike when they severally arrived to the age of 
twenty one years with the further sum of twenty 
pounds to her said daughter Jane, which said last 
mentioned sum had been made a gift of to the said Jane 
by the sister another Jane Cæsar and also willed 
and bequeathed that in case of the decease of any 
of her said daughters under age, such child’s part 
was to be divided among and to fall to the survivor 
or survivors of her said daughters and likewise 
declared that the within will was to stand good and 
of full force in all other respects, and that this 
…cupative Council was to be deemed if taken as a 
part of her Will. 
Witnesses: 
Catherine Cowley, 
Esther Kermod. 

At court of Corrections holden at 
Douglas March 17, 1760. 
The Revd Joseph Cosnahan having survived his wife 
Margt Cosnahan als Cæsar, is now sworn execr of her 
last will and testament in form of law, and Robert 
Cæsar uncle on the mother’s side of the testatrix’s 
children, is also sworn their guardian and supervisor, 
and consents that the dead’s part of said children 
and their goods be committed to the tuition of their 
father the said Joseph Cosnahan, who undertakes the 
same, and has given pledges for payment of debts and 
legacies according to law, namely Robert Cæsar 
aforesaid and Mr. Hugh Cosnahan. 
[Signed] Robert Radcliffe, 
Matthew Curghey

1760
Whereas Margret Cosnahan otherwise Cæsar did by her 
last will and testament leave and bequeath unto her 
daughter Jane Cosnahan the sum of one hundred and 
twenty pounds and also leave to her other two daughters 
Margret and Ann the sum of one hundred pounds each 
and the Revd Joseph Cosnahan her husband did give his 
consent to the said will which said legacies were to 
be respectively paid to their arrival to the age of 
twenty one years and whereas the said several sums 
amount to the sum of three hundred and twenty pounds 
which hath until now remained in the hands of Mrs 
Ellinor Cosnahan widow, Relict and execrx. of the 
last will and testament of the said Joseph Cosnahan 
and the said Ellinor Cosnahan and Mr’s. John and 
Robert Cæsar having thus agreed to deliver up and 
pay unto the said John and Robert Cæsar the said 
sum of three hundred and twenty pounds for the use 
and benefit of the said children, they the said John 
and Robert Cæsar taking upon themselves the 
maintenance and education of the said children and 
freeing and discharging the said Ellinor Cosnahan 
from further demands on account of the same. 
Therefore we the said John Cæsar and Robert Cæsar 
do hereby acknowledge to have rec’d at, by and from 
the hands of the said Mrs. Ellinor Cosnahan one 
assignment of a mortgage granted by Capt Richard 
Tyldesley unto the Revd Robt Radcliffe, for the sum 
of one hundred pounds bearing date the 7th day 
November 1760. Also the said Ellinor Cosnahan’s 
promisary note for the sum of one hundred pounds 
payable six months after date and also the said 
Ellinor Cosnahan’s promisary note for the sum of 
one hundred and twenty pounds payable with interest 
twelve months after date, which said assignment and 
promisary notes amount to the said sum of three 
hundred and twenty pounds and when paid will be in 
full of the said legacies left and bequeathed as 
aforesaid. 
[Signed]: John Cæsar, 
Robert Cæsar 
Witnesses: 
Thomas Moore, 
John Moore.

At Peeltown, April 18, 1771
John Cæsar and Robert Cæsar acknowledged the within 
and above release and discharge to be their voluntary 
act and deed. And for forth coming of the sum of three 
hundred and twenty pounds therein mentioned, they have 
now given pledges in form of law namely Capt Thos Moore 
of Malew and the Revd Vicar Genl Moore. 
Before me. [signed] Thomas Cubbon 

Received from Mrs. Ellinor Cosnahan the sum of five 
pounds being the legacy left to me by my mother’s will, 
this 26th of October 1769. 
Received likewise all my father’s books. 
[signed] Julius Cosnahan