Archdeacon Wills 1747 #32, Braddan, of Mary Reeves als xxx, of Douglas:

‘In the name of God, amen. I Mary Reeves of Douglas in the Isle of Man, widow, being at present in perfect health and sanity of body and mind but willing to prepare against the inconvenience of being troubled with worldly affairs in the dying hour, do hereby as well in pursuance of power given me by the will of my late husband as of all other powers me thereto enabling order and dispose of all my goods and effects as follows namely, to my son Robert Reeves I bequeath two hundred pounds British money to be paid him within one year after my decease which sum shall be full satisfaction and bar all claims and demands which he may have on any part or share whatsoever of my effects or my late husband’s. Secondly, to my son in law Thomas Heywood and my daughter Hester his wife I bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds British to be paid within one year of my decease, which sum shall be full satisfaction and bar all claims and demands which either of them may have on any part or share of my effects or my late husband’s. Thirdly to my son in law John Beaumont and my daughter Elizabeth his wife the sum of one hundred pounds British to be paid within one year of my decease which sum shall be in full satisfaction and bar all claims and demands which either of them may have or ever had to any part or share of my effects or my late husband’s. Fourthly, to my daughter Rebecca Reeves I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds British. Fifthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Deborah Reeves the sum of one hundred pounds British. Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my sister Margaret Reeves the sum of thirty pounds British if she should survive me. Seventhly, my will is that the rest of my effects be equally divided amongst my five youngest children Rebecca, William, Thomas, Deborah & Amelia. And lastly I appoint Robert Reeves, William Reeves, Rebecca Reeves and Deborah Reeves and Amelia Reeves executors of this my will in witness hereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal and publish this as my last will and testament this fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty six. Signed, sealed and published [signed] Mary Reeves. Witnesses: ?.

KK Braddan April 10^th 1747, the within and above writing is accepted for the last will and testament of Mrs. Mary Reeves of Douglas by the consent of her son in law Mr. Thomas Heywood and her four children Robert, Rebecca, Deborah, & Amelia Reeves who are now present and all sworn to do justice to each other according to the purport of this will, and to be true to their brothers William & Thomas Reeves who are abroad.

The executors present vizt., Robert, Rebecca, Deborah & Amelia above mentioned are sworn for the payment of debts and legacies and do engage to procure the consent of Mr. John Beaumont and of their absent brothers as soon as possible, and to bring a perfect inventory of all the goods and chattels of the deceased to the Registry when thereunto required by the Court. And whereas Deborah and Amelia are of lawful years to choose their guardians, they have chosen their brother in law Thomas Heywood of the Nunnery and their brother Mr. Robert Reeves as supervisors who are accordingly sworn. Pledge in form of Law is Mr. Thomas Heywood above mentioned.

February 4^th, 1747, Mr. William Reeves has this day given his consent to the within will and annexed writing, and is sworn according to Law; pledge for him is Mr. Thomas Heywood.

Liverpool, April 22^nd, 1747, I Thomas Reeves of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, son of Mary Reeves late of Douglas in the Island of Man, widow, deceased, do hereby testify my consent to the last will and testament of the said Mary Reeves. And I do hereby consent and agree that the probate of the said will be granted to the executors therein named, good security being first given by said executors to pay and be accountable to me for all such part and share of my said mother’s estates and effects as shall appear b the said will to belong to me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Liverpool the twenty second day of April one thousand seven hundred and forty sever. [signed] Thomas Reeves. Witnesses: John Eden, John Sharp.

At KK Braddan, May 6^th, 1747, the above John Eden & John Sharp have declared upon oath that they saw the above writing executed by Thomas Reeves, and this before me [signed] John Cosnahan.’

Buried Braddan 12 Mar 1746/7

Husband, Robert Reeves of Cork (bur Braddan 3 Jul 1738) , dealt in (ie smuggled) India Goods, no children appear in IGI for Island, son Robert married Grace Speight and two children Robert and Grace baptised St Matthews 1752 & 1754; daughter Hester married Thomas Heywood of the Nunnery.