John Taubman, 1799

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      Malew
In the name of God Amen.
We John Taubman of Castletown in the Isle of Man and Esther Taubman
my wife being advanced in years but of sound and disposing mind memory and
understanding do make this our last joint will and testament in
manner and form following.
We dispose of our souls to Almighty God hoping through the merits and
intercession of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and
remission of all our sins and our bodies to the earth to be interred at the
discretion of our executor hereinafter named and as to the real and personal
estate which it has pleased the Almighty to bestow  upon us we give and
dispose thereof as follows:
First we give and devise unto John Taubman our only son and heir at law
all that and those our estates messuages and tenements situate within this
Isle or elsewhere save and except as hereinafter is saved and excepted to
have and to hold unto the said John Taubman and his heirs forever.  We leave
and bequeath unto Christian Cunningham our daughter the sum of ten thousand
pounds British including therein the sum of
eight thousand pounds British already settled upon her and her issue in
and by her Articles of Marriage with Major William Cunningham and also
including therein the sum of six hundred pounds British advanced by us unto
the said Major William Cunningham and we also give and devise unto the said
Christian Cunningham a certain dwelling  house situate in Castletown
commonly called Fitzgerald's house with the yard easements and appurtenances
unto the same belonging to have and to hold unto the said Christian
Cunningham and her issue forever and it is our will that in case the said
Christian Cunningham shall die without issue at the time of
her decease that then and in such case the said several devises and legacies
to the said Christian Cunningham and her issue shall descend
fall and enure unto the said John Taubman our son and his heirs subject
never the less and chargeable with the payment of an annuity of two hundred
and fifty pounds British unto the said Major William Cunningham for and
during his natural life in case he shall survive the said Christian
Cunningham.
We give and bequeath unto our three granddaughters Margaret, Isabelle, and
Dorothy Taubman the sum of three thousand pounds British to each and every
of them payable unto them respectively when they shall attain the age of
twenty one years or days of marriage which soever shall first happen
provided that such marriage shall be consented unto by the said John Taubman
their father.
We leave and bequeath unto our grandson Major John Taubman all such sums of
money as we have advanced him or paid on his account in purchasing
commissions for him in the army or otherwise.
We give and bequeath unto John Christian our grandson the son of our
daughter Margret Christian deceased the sum of three thousand pounds British
to be paid unto him when he shall attain unto the age of twenty
one years.
We give and bequeath unto our grandson Robert Cunningham the son of our
daughter Christian Cunningham the sum of one thousand pounds British
to be paid unto him when he shall attain the age of twelve years.
We give and bequeath unto the poor of Castletown the sum of two
hundred pounds British which said sum is to be laid out at interest and
the annual interest hereof to be distributed amongst the said poor of
Castletown one half there upon the first day of December and the other half
upon the first day of July in every year by our executor or such person as
he shall appoint and in such shares and proportions as he shall think proper
and in case our executor should at anytime decline the said trust then and
in such case it is our will that the Chaplain and Wardens
of Castletown Chapel shall undertake the burden and execution of the
said trust.
We give and bequeath unto the poor of the town of Ramsey one hundred pounds
British to be laid out at interest and the yearly interest thereof collected
and distributed by the Chaplain and Wardens of Ramsey Chapel upon the first
day of December in every year in such proportions as they shall think
proper.
We leave and bequeath unto Nicholas Christian of the town of Douglas the son
of Francis Christian decease an annuity of twelve pounds British for and
during his natural life .
We give and devise unto John Taubman our son and his heirs all that and
those certain lands called Ballahott situate in the parish of KK Malew
purchased from Thomas Moore Esqr deceased In trust and to and for the uses
hereinafter mentioned that is to say In trust to pay the sum of twenty five
pounds British yearly and every year out of the said lands forever to and
for the  support of a free school in Castletown for the education of twenty
five poor boys that is to say the sum of twenty five pounds  at all times
have the nomination of the Master of the said school and of the boys who may
be admitted and in case the said John Taubman
or his heirs shall neglect to fill up any vacancy that may happen in the
said school within the space of one month after such vacancy shall be made
known unto the said John Taubman or his heirs that then and in
such case of neglect it is our will that the Chaplain and Wardens of
Castletown Chapel do appoint to and fill up the said vacancy.
We give and bequeath unto David Radcliffe our servant an annuity of six
guineas to be paid him during his natural life.
Lastly we nominate constitute and appoint the said John Taubman our
only son and heir whole and sole executor and residuary legatee of all
and singular our goods chattels rights credits and effects moveable and
immoveable of what kind or nature soever within the isle and eslewhere.
Hereby revoking all former and other wills by us made and declaring this
to be our only last will and testament.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed
our seals this thirteenth day of December in the year our our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and ninety four.
John Taubman
Esther Taubman
Witnesses:
Johusa Redfern
John Cowin
John Crellin

John Taubman sworn executor with pledges being James Kelly of Castletown
Esquire and John Christian Esquire.
Esther Taubman the subscribing testatrix acknowledges the said will so
far as she is concerned therein and also in open court gave her consent to
all the legacies goods and bequests contained in the said will.
                   Probatum Est                  EvChristian