Paul Bridson, 1820

               Douglas

In the Name of God Amen

I Paul Bridson in the 
Isle of Man merchant being of sound
and disposing Mind Memory & Understanding 
thanks be to God for the same, do make
this my last will and testament in 
manner following.
As it is my Wish and desire that the 
whole of my property and Effects should 
be equally divided amongst my Children
and as the greater Part of such Property
consists of Lands and Houses which 
cannot be equally and easily divided
amongst them I do hereby order and
direct that my executors hereinafter
named do in the first Place so soon
after my Decease as they in their
Discretion shall think most advantageous
and advisable sell and dispose of the
whole of my Estate Messuages Tenements
Lands Hereditaments and Premises &
all and singular other my real and
personal Estates and Effects whatsoever
situate in the Isle of Man or elsewhere
for the most money and best Price that 
can or may be had or gotten for the 
same and after Payment of my just
Debts and funeral Expences which
is in the first Place to be done I
give devise and bequeath the Balance
of such Sale or Sales and the Remainder
of my money Bills Bonds Notes and
Securities for Money unto and to be
equally divided amongst my dear	
Children Thomas Ridgway, Mary Ann,
William, Sarah, Alice, Paul, John,
 James, and Hugh Bridson Share
and Share alike, and I do also
order and direct that the Share of
such of my children as may be under 
the age of Twenty one years at the 
Time of my Decease, of and in the 
Monies aforesaid shall be placed in
the public Funds of Great Britain by
and in the Names of their Guardians
hereinafter mentioned and the Interest
and  Dividends arising therefrom or
a sufficient Part thereof, shall be
applied and disposed of for and
towards the Maintenance and Education
of such of my said children until
they severally and respectively attain
their several and respective ages 
of Twenty one Years of days of Marriage
provided such Marriage be with
the Consent and Approbation of their
Guardians at which time Time my said 
Children shall severally and respectively
receive from their said Guardians such
proportion or Share of my said Property
and Effects as may be then due and
owing to him or her for Principal and 
Interest – And in Case any or either 
of my dear children should happen 
to depart this life before he or she
attains the said Age of Twenty one Years
and unmarried I do order and direct
that on such Event the Part or Share
of such deceased Child or Children shall
be equally divided amongst the Survivors
And lastly I do hereby appoint nominate
and constitute my said Children Thomas
Ridgway, Mary Ann and William Bridson
Executors of this my Will and I further
appoint my Friends Joseph Ridgway of 
Ridge Mount in Lancashire and John
Spittal of Douglas Esquires Guardians 
of my Children as under the age of
Twenty one Years and I do hereby revoke 
and make void all former and other
Will or Wills by me at any Time
heretofore made In Witness whereof
I the said Paul Bridson have hereunto
set my Hand and Seal the eighth
day of September  one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen. _______

Signed sealed published and   )
declared by the said Testator )
as and for his last Will &    )     Paul Bridson     {seal}
Testament in the Presence     )
of us who at his Request in   )
his presence and in the       )
Presence of each other have   )
hereunto subscribed our       )
Names as witnesses            )
Matw. Harrison                )
John Hepburn                  )
JJ Heywood Jnr                )