Archdeacon Wills 1802 #32, of Christopher Bridson of Ballavarvane, Malew:

‘In the name of the most holy and blessed Trinity, three persons and one God, amen. I Christopher Bridson of Ballavarvane in the parish of Malew being inform in health but yet of sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be to God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life and in order to settle all my worldly goods and effects do therefore make this my last will and testament and revoking and disannulling all wills formerly made by me, First, I commit my soul to Almighty god and my body to Christian burial. Thirdly [there is no ‘secondly’], I leave and bequeath to Thomas Mylechreest and Isabel his wife the quarter of all my concerns of houses, premises and appurtenances in the town of Douglas belonging to me and my wife Margret, and also the further sum of five pounds. And to William Mylechreest and Elizabeth his wife, I leave the sum of ten pounds. Fourthly I leave and bequeath to the Revd. John Gell and Margret his wife the sum of five pounds. And also I leave and bequeath to Robert Moore and Ellinor his wife of the town of Douglas the sum of five pounds to be deducted out of the money due by them to me and my wife. And I leave and bequeath to Elizabeth Mylechreest the daughter of William Mylechreest and Elizabeth his wife the sum of fifteen pounds. And also to Christopher Bridson and Anne his wife of Ballgarey the sum of five shillings. Fifthly, I leave and bequeath to Thomas Bell and Esther his wife all my right and title to the remainder or the rest of all the aforesaid houses, concerns, premises and appurtenances in the said town of Douglas and also all my right and title of certain houses and garden concerns, premises and appurtenances in the town of Castletown and further also I leave and bequeath to him the said Thomas Bell and Esther his wife all the rest of all my worldly goods, chattels and effects moveable and immoveable whatsoever and I do hereby nominate and appoint them the said Thomas Bell and Esther his wife to be whole and sole executors thereof. And to the poor of Black Hill quarter and Silverburn quarter in this parish, I leave the sum of twenty shillings and excluding and debarring all other cravers with six pence apiece as legacy. And in witness whereof I have hereunto caused my mark to be sett to my name this 11^th March 1795. [signed his mark] Christopher Bridson. Witnesses: Thomas Quiggin, John Shimmin.

At a Consistorial Court holden in the parish of KK Michael on the 27^th Day of May 1802, the said Thomas Bell is sworn executor in Court in form of Law and hath given pledges for the payment of debts and legacies namely the witnesses of the will.’