Archideaconal Wills 1771, #68, Jurby, of Patrick Brew of Ballavarran, Jurby

"The last will and testament of Pat. Brew of Ballavarran in the parish of Jurby, who departed this life on or about the 26th February 1771, he being of sound mind and memory at the making and declaring thereof some short time before his decease.
First, he committed his soul to God and body to Christian burial.
Item, he left his sister Esther Crebbin (by the name of the Parson's wife) the sum of twenty shillings.
Item, he left to Cath. Clucas his sister (by the name of Thomas Clucas's wife) the sum of twenty shillings.
Item, he left and bequeathed to his heir at law all the purchased lands, he paying unto his executrix the purchas money which was paid for the said lands.
Lastly, he nominated and appointed his wife Elizabeth Brew executrix of all the rest and residue of his goods and effects whatsoever and direct that two English shillings apiece should be paid to the witnesses of this his last will and testament.
Witnesses: Robert Kneale [a weaver apprentice, age 23], Mary Cain [spinster, age 25].

THE HUMBLE PETITION of Tomas Clucas in right of his wife Catharine Clucas, and the Revd. William Crebbin, clerk, in right of his wife Esther Crebbin of the Parish of Jurby:
That your petitioners said wives are the lawful sisters and next of kin of Patrick Brew late of Ballavarran in the said Parish of Jurby, deceased, who departed this life sometime on or about 26th day of February last without lawful issue, and who for some time previous to his decease was seized with a declining sickness, during which period he often declared in the presence of several worthy witnesses, that he had no will to make, as the half of his personal estate and effects was sufficient for his wife Elizabeth Brew (who brought him no fortune upon their intermarriage) and that your petitioners said wifes, and no other person, should enjoy his half of the same as his only sisters and next of kin. Your petitioners further show that the said Elizabeth Brew during the sickness or indisposition of her said husband Patrick Brew often endeavored to influence him to make a will in her favor . . . but the said Patrick Brew . . . withstood his wife's unreasonable attempts . . . the said Patrick Brew when in the agonies of death, in the presence of two menial servants in the house, who were an are greatly under the influence of her the said Elizabeth (one of whom being as person of bad fame and not worthy of credit) to utter some pretended words as she now giveth out although the said Pat. Brew could write well himself, purporting to be the last will and testament of him . . . whereby she the said Elizth was appinted executrix and residuary legatee of his the said Patrick's personal estate and effects, which are considerable, and is now endeavouring to establish and prove the same, . . . your petitioners propound and allege that he the said deceased Pat. Brew died intestate. . . Your petitioners therefor pray that your Reverences would pleased to order a hearing of this matter . . .

AT CHAPTER COURT holden at KK Michael May 31, 1771, the above paper writing having been insinuated into this Court by and in behalf of Elizabeth Brew the executrix therein named as and for the last will and testament of Patrick Brew late of Ballavarran in the Parish of Jurby deceased, and the validity of said will having been contraverted and disputed by and in behalf of the Revd. William Crebbin and Thomas Clucas, both of said Parish of Jurby, brother in law to the testator, who by petition alleged among other things that the said Patrick Brew died intestate. And whereas several depositions have been taken in this cause and this day being appointed for the final determination thereof, and the Court after having fully heard the parties and what was alledged offered and ... by and in behalf of them respectively, and carefully ... and considered the whole proceedings had and done in this, it is the opinion that the within last will and testament of said Patrick Brew has been fully and effectually proved according to law . . . "