James Oates, 1788

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

13    Santon
In the name of God, Amen. I James Oates of Oatland in the parish 
of KK Santon, gentlemen, being weak in body but of sound mind, 
memory and understanding, thanks be to God for the same, and 
considering the uncertainty of this life, do make my last will and 
testament in manner following: First, I commit my soul to Almighty 
God, hoping through the intercession of Christ Jesus my Savior to 
obtain forgiveness of my sins. 
Item, I leave and bequeath unto my son William Oates all my houses 
and lands in the said parish commonly called Oatland of the annual 
lord’s rent of three pounds six shillings or there about, to have 
and to hold unto him his heirs and assigns as inheritance according 
to the laws of this Isle. The one half of the said premises with 
half the crop stock and husbandry gears to be possessed by him when 
he shall attain to the age of twenty five years or day of marriage, 
whichever of them shall first happen, and the other half of the said 
lands upon the decease of my loving wife Elizabeth Oates, and I do 
give and devise the issues and profits of the said half of the said 
lands and premises to be possessed by the said William Oates at the 
age of twenty five years or the day of marriage, to my said loving 
wife towards the . . and support of my children unsettled in the 
world until the said William Oates shall become entitled to the 
possession of the first moiety of the said premises upon the 
contingencies herein before mentioned. I also leave and bequeath unto 
my said son William Oates all that dwelling house situated in the 
town of Douglas wherein Senhouse Wilson now lives together with the 
stable and warehouse to the same belonging and the same to be possessed 
by him upon the decease of my loving wife. I also leave and bequeath 
unto my son Robert Cæsar Oates all my tanyard, houses and gardens 
situated in and near the town of Ramsey which I purchased from 
Nicholas Christian and also my right and interest on John Christian’s 
tanyard and the .. to the same belonging together with the sum of 
five hundred pounds British to enable him to carry on the tanning 
business and the said premises and the said sum of five hundred 
pounds to be possessed and enjoyed by him when he attains to the age 
of twenty one years, and I bequeath the issues and profits of the 
said premises to my loving wife until my said son Robert Cæsar Oates 
shall attain to the age aforesaid and .. my said son Robert Cæsar 
Oates shall die before he shall attain to the age aforesaid, I 
leave and bequeath the said premises and the sum of five hundred 
pounds left and bequeathed unto him and herein before mentioned to my 
son James Oates, to be possess by him when he shall attain to the age 
of twenty one years. I also leave and bequeath to my said son James 
and my son Philip Oates the sum of five hundred pounds British each to 
be paid unto them severally as they shall attain to the age of twenty 
one years and the interest thereof to be yearly applied by my executrix 
herein after mentioned towards their maintenance and education until 
they shall severally attain to the age of twenty one years. I also 
leave and bequeath unto my daughter Eunice Moore wife of Norris Moore 
of Douglas, gentleman, the sum of five hundred pounds British, two 
hundred pounds or thereabout part thereof is already paid the said 
Norris Moore, and I direct that one hundred pounds more, part thereof 
to be paid immediately after my decease and the remaining two hundred 
pounds to be paid to my said daughter afterwards as my executrix shall 
find it convenient for her to pay the same. I also leave and bequeath 
unto my two daughters Mary Ann and Catharine Oates five hundred pounds 
British each, three hundred pounds British part of the legacy bequeathed 
to the said Mary Ann to be paid her as soon as she shall have occasion 
for the same after my decease and the remaining sum of two hundred 
pounds to be paid her as soon afterwards as my executrix shall fine 
it convenient for her to pay the same. And I direct that the sum of 
three hundred pounds part of the same legacy bequeathed to my daughter 
Catharine be paid her at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, 
whichever shall first happen, and the remaining two hundred pounds to 
be paid her soon afterwards as my exeuctrix shall fine it convenient 
for her to pay the same. I leave and bequeath to my daughter Margaret 
the sum of five hundred pounds British. 
Lastly, I leave and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife Elizabeth 
Oates all the rest of my purchased lands and houses within this Isle 
whatsoever, together with all and singular the residual of all my goods, 
chattels, credits, cash, and effects, whatsoever and wheresoever, and 
I do appoint her to be execturix of this my last will and testament and 
sole guardian of my children until they shall severally attain to the 
age of twenty one years, and I commit the tuition of my said children 
unto my said executrix and charge her with the maintenance and education 
of my said children until they shall severally become entitled to receive 
or possess these several legacies, agreeable to the terms of this my last
 will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 
 seal this 6th day of February 1788. 
 [signed] James Oates. 
 Witnesses: 
 Patrick Scott, 
 John Law. 

At a Consistory Court holden at Oatland 
in the Parish of St Anne on Friday the 
29th day of February 1788
Patrick Scott and John Lace the subscribing witnesses to the 
beforegoing last will and testament of the said James Oates, 
deceased, deposed upon the Holy Evangelists that he the said 
testator when of perfect sound and disposing mind memory and 
understanding duly published and declared the same to be his 
last will and testament in their presence and executed the 
same as such and that they the said Patrick Scott and John Law 
in the presence of the testator and at his desire and likewise 
in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witnesses 
thereto; 
the executrix therein named is thereupon sworn in Court in form 
of law and hath given pledges for the payment of debts and legacies 
namely Thomas Christian and Norris Moore her son in law. 
She is likewise sworn guardian and supervisor of the testator’s 
children agreeably to his will. 

February 24th, 1789
Hugh Cosnahan enters a claim against the estate of James 
Oates late of Oatland deceased for the sum of 600 pounds British. 

February 24th, 1789
Hugh Cosnahan and William Bridson enter a claim against the 
estate of James Oates late of Oatland deceased for the sum 
of 3000 pounds British. 

March 3rd: Robert Cæsar enters a claim against the estate of 
James Oates for the sum of 3000 pounds. 

March 3rd: John Joseph Bacon enters a claim against the estate 
of James Oates for the sum of 247 pounds British & craves the law