Archdeacon Wills 1747/8 #23, Braddan, of William Oates, mariner of Liverpool, son of William Oates of Douglas, made 10 Dec 1743:

‘In the name of God, amen. I William Oates (son of William Oates of the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man) but now in Liverpool, being at the making hereof in good health and of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, and duly weighing and considering the shortness of this life, with the casualty’s incident thereon, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First, I leave and bequeath to my honorable father five shillings legacy. Item, I leave and bequeath to my loving sister my right of the Meadow called Broughton’s Meadow, with my share of that part of Captain Quayle’s houses (so called) intervening Quayle Somrell’s houses in said town of Douglas, and five shillings legacy. Item, I leave and bequeath to Alice & Isabel Christian the sum of five pounds. Lastly, I nominate order and make my brother James Oates executor of all the rest of my goods moveable and immoveable, and Mr. William Murrey senior of the Isle of Man merchant executor in trust and guardian to my said brother till he arrives at the age of twenty one years. As witness my hand this 10^th of December 1743. [signed] William Oates junior. Witnesses: Anthony. Gallimore, William Rideing.

Memorandum, I have deposited in the hands of Revd. Mr. Halsall thirty seven pounds sixteen shillings British, towards discharging Mr. Philip Moore’s mortgage on part of my lands in the Isle of Man. One silver tankard, two silver teaspoons, one gold ring, & silver thimble. W. O.

At Balnyhowin, March 10^th 1747/8, Anthony Gallimor and William Riding the subscribing witnesses to the last will of William Oates having made oath before the worshipful Robert Booth, one of his Majesty’s justice of the peace, and Anthony Halsall, clerk, (to whom commission was sent empowering them to that end) that William Oates did duly execute the above writing as his last will and testament in their presence; whereupon James Oates is sworn executor in form of Law and hath given pledges for payment of debts and legacies viz., Mr. John Oates junior of Conchan and Mr. William Moore of KK Lonan. The said executor intending abroad hath made choice of the said pledges to be his guardians. They are accordingly sworn to be aiding and assisting unto him with their best advice in managing his affairs during his absence.

To the Revd. Mr. John cosnahan Vicar General of the South District in the Diocese of Man, the humble petition of William Murrey; Sheweth, that your Petitioner was informed by the Revd. Anthony Halsall of Crosby in the County of Lancashire, Great Britain, lately upon the Island, that there was in his custody the last will and testament of William Oates the younger late of Liverpool, mariner, which was xxx in the said Mr. Halsall’s hands by the said Oates when he commenced his voyage to the Coast of Africa, upon which voyage it pleased God that he departed this life and being told by Mr. Halsall that the xxx appointed trustee or guardian in said will, and the witnesses thereto xxxx xxx residing in Lancaster who cannot conveniently come over either to xxx said will without expense; your Petitioner therefore humble prays that you will be pleased by the Law to vest some one person or persons to appoint him or them to take the proofer of said will and testament, to be transmitted unto the Court that administration may be taken thereupon for the effects or goods in this diocese, and your Petitioner duly bound shall ever pray etc.

At KK Braddan November 26^th, 1747, the Revd. Mr. Halsall and any magistrate or acquaintance are hereby humbly desired and empowered xxx probate of the last will and testament of the about William Oates, they securing a duplicate thereof properly attest xxx transmitting the said original will with all poxxx xxx to our Court. [signed] John xxxx. William Rideing of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and Anthony Gallimor of Chesterfield in the County of Derby, gentlemen, severally make oath (before us, Robert Booth of Manchester in the said county of Lancaster, Esquire, xxx of his Majesty’s justice officer for the said county, and Anthony Halsall of Great Crosby in the said County of Lancaster, clerk, having a commission in order to take the same) that the within named William Callow the testator did duly execute the within mentioned writing purporting to be his last will and testament in the presence of these deponents, they being as witnesses to the due execution thereof, all which are the proper hand writing of the said William Oates and these deponents respectively. Sworn at Manchester xx this first day of February in the year of our Lord 1747. [signed William Rideing, Anthony Gallimore. Before us: Robert Booth, Anthony Halsal.

Douglas, January 30^th, 1748/9: Mr. William Murrey enters a claim against the executor of William Oates junior for the sum of forty seven pounds sixteen shillings British and craver the Law. Examiner Robert Radcliffe Archdeacon Registry.

At a Court of Correction at Douglas January 30^th, 1748/9, the Claimer has proved the sum of forty seven pounds sixteen shillings British. Ordered that the same be discharged sub poena juris with all fees. To the Sumners of Douglas & Conchan, who if disobeyed are to desire the assistance of a soldier. Memorandum, Mr. Murrey acknowledges to have in his hands the sum of 44 pounds 1 shilling 1 ½ pence British, for which he stands accountable to the executor vizt., for the surplusage of the sum proved by him as above. [signed] Edward Moore. Douglas, January 30^th, 1748/9, Mr. William Murrey in behafl of Mr. Anthony Halsal a transmarian enters a claim against the executor of William Oates junior for the sum of seven pounds ten shillings British and crave the Law.’