Archdeacon Wills 1737 #15, Malew, of Catharine Stevenson, dau of Major Richard Stevenson of Balladoole:

‘KK Malew: In the name of God, amen. I Catharine Stevenson daughter of the late Major Richard Stevenson of Balladoole, being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, praise be given to Almighty God for the same, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally, I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merits, death, and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon of all my sins. And my body I commit to the earth to be decently but not expensively buried at the discretion of executors hereafter named. And as touching all such temporal estate or effects as it has pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me, I give and bequeath as followeth. First I will that my debts funeral charges and legacies hereafter mentioned be paid and discharged. Item, I give to the poor of KK Arbory, and to the poor of KK Malew twenty shillings British each to be distributed to such persons as my brother Stevenson and the Vicars of each respective parish shall think meet. Item, I leave and bequeath to my dear mother Stevenson five pounds. To my brother & sister Stevenson of Balladoole one guinea each. To my nephew colonel Stevenson and to my three nieces his sisters each of them one guinea, which I desire they will accept as a mark of my tender love and regard for them all. Item, to my cousin Elizabeth Christian of Douglas one guinea. To my goddaughter Stevenson of Castletown, to my goddaughter Cosnahan and to my godson Kevisxxx[?Kewish] each of them one guinea. All the rest of my effects as shop, goods, debts and ready money I leave and bequeath to my loving sisters Mary, Jane and Margarett equally among them and their children as followeth. Vizt., one third to my sister Mary Day and her children John Griffith and Frances Day. One third to my brother & sister Allen for the use of their children as he and she shall see most proper. To my brother Quayle one guinea for preaching my funeral sermon. And to my sister Quayle I leave all my apparel whatsoever and to her children one third of my said effects to be lodged with and disposed of by my aforesaid brother Stevenson and his son Cornel Stevenson to her children as they shall judge most fitting and proper. Hereby nominating constituting and appointing my said three sisters and their children joint executors as aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this 18^th day of February anno domini 173x. [signed] Cathrn. Stevenson. Witnesses: Robert Brown, Alice Maddrell.

[Follows is an inventory of fabric and other goods from her shop for a total of 65 pounds 16 shillings 8 pence British.]

At a Chapter Court in Castletown, May 24, 1737, Mrs. Mary Day als Stevenson one of the executors nominated in the will is sworn in behalf of herself and of her children John Griffyth and Frances Day, to which end she is to bring to the Registry a perfect inventory of a third part of the effects of the Testatrix, and to be just to her said children; and has given pledges Capt Thomas Heywood of the Nunnery.

Mrs. Jane Allen als Stevenson is also sworn executrix in trust for her children who are entitled to a third part of the effects; she is likewise to bring an inventory thereof; and and has given pledges for the forthcoming of the same Captain John Stevenson & Captn Thomas Heywood.

And whereas the deceased has bequeathed the remaining third part of her effects to the children of her sister Margaret Quayle als Stevenson, the said effects to be lodged with and disposed of to the said children at the discretion of her brother Stevenson of Balladoole and of his son the Cornel, and that neither of those gentlemen do appear in behalf of the children; their part of the executorship is committed to their father the Revd. Mr. John Quayle who is sworn in their behalf, and has given pledges in form of law Capt Thomas Heywood, Mr. John Stevenson of Castletown, and Mr. William Curghey.’