JOHN CORKHILL WATERSON COWLEY

Will - 1900

 

Michael

1900

SUBMITTED BY AVERIL ROPER TO BRIAN LAWSON, 2008

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Corkhill Watterson Cowley of Cronk Urleigh in the Parish of Michael.

I leave and bequeath to my wife Mary Ann Cowley als Mylrea the house number one Park Road, Douglas for the term of her natural life and at her death it is to be the property of my son, William Mylrea Cowley.

I leave and bequeath all the remainder of my property in Douglas to my wife absolutely.

I leave and bequeath my estate of lands and premises at Cronk Urleigh where I now reside also to my wife for the term of her natural life and at her death to be possessed and be the property of my son, John Richard Stanley Cowley

I leave and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to my wife and nominate and appoint her whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament, as witness my name this the thirtieth day of May one thousand nine hundred

Signed, published and declared by the testator as and for his last will and testament who at his request, in his presence, and in presence of each other have hereunto signed our names as witnesses. signed J.C.W Cowley

signed William H Corjeag, John Wm Cannan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE COMMON LAW DIVISION TESTAMENTARY JURISDICTION

Will of John Corkhill Watterson Cowley of Cronk Urleigh in the Parish of Michael

KNOW all men by these presents that we Mary Ann Cowley of Cronk Urleigh in the Parish of Michael aforesaid, William Henry Corjeag of Balla[rouna] of Michael aforesaid and John William Cannan of Cooil Shallaugh, Michael aforesaid are jointly and severally and any two of us jointly bound unto our Sovereign Lady the Queen in the sum of fifty pounds to the payment whereof, well and truly to be made to our said Lady the Queen, her heirs, and successors, we bind and oblige ourselves jointly and severally, and any two of us jointly, our Executors and Administrators firmly by these presents. As witnesses our subscriptions the 9th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred

THE CONDITION of our obligation is such that if the above named Mary Ann Cowley, who seeks to obtain a grant of Probate of the Last Will and Testament of John Corkhill Watterson Cowley late of Cronk Urleigh in the parish of Michael but now deceased, who died on or about 20th day of June 1900 do when lawfully called on in that behalf, make or cause to be made and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Personal Estate and effects of the said deceased which have or shall come to her hands, possession, or knowledge, or into the hands of any other person for her and the same so made to exhibit, or cause to be exhibited, into the proper Registry in that behalf whenever required by law so to do: And the same Personal Estate, and effects of the said deceased, which shall at any time come into the hands or possession of the said Mary Ann Cowley to well and truly administer according to law, that is to say, to pay the debts and liabilities of the said deceased so far as the personal estate will extend and the law bind the said Mary Ann Cowley then this obligation to be void and of no effect, or else to remain in full force and virtue

At Peel the 9th day of July 1900 signatures

The executing parties to the foregoing Bond Mary Ann Cowley acknowledged the same to be their Act and Deed William H Corjeag. Before me signed Thos Kneen

John Wm Cannan In presence of each other have hereunto signed our names as witnesses William Corjeag, John Wm Cannan

In Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man, Common Law Division Testamentary Jurisdiction

At a Court holden at Peel on the 9th day of July 1900 The Annexed paper writing dated the 30th day of May 1900 having been proved to be the Last Will and Testament of John Corkhill Watterson Cowley late of Cronk Urleigh in the Parish of Michael, gentleman, deceased who died on the 20th day of June 1900. Mary Ann Cowley of Cronk Urleigh aforesaid, widow the relict of the Testator the Executrix therein named, is sworn well and truly to fulfill and execute the same and to administer the personal estate of the said deceased according to law.

Signed Thos Kneen, a Judge of the said Court

NOTES

  1. Cronk Urleigh
  2. John Corkill Watterson Cowley married Mary Ann Mylrea in 1891 when she was 37 years of age and an heiress
  3. In his 1887 will, Mary Ann's father annointed her his successor to his lands and other property, most likely because his son John was severely disabled intellectually (labelled as a lunatic in official documents). The bequest from her father was quite extensive so the Mylrea family would have been comfortable
  4. It was precient of Cowley to make his will in May 1900 because he was diagnosed as having died of an aortic aneurism in June 1900
  5. He was a theological student when he married Mary Ann but over the following, he described himself variously as a teacher, school master, farmer and gentleman
  6. He had enrolled at Corpus Christi college at Cambridge in 1880 but never arrived to undertake study
  7. His family had left IOM just after he was born, and migrated to America where Cowley grew up
  8. He and Mary Ann had three boys in quick succession, of whom two survived
  9. In his 1900 will, Cowley says he was possessed of property in Douglas, including Park Road. The dwelling was sold in 1923 which time the son named in the will to received the property had died during WW1.
  10. Cowley purchased Park Road in his own name in December 1894. The following year, he purchased 23 Circular Road, and subsequently a tenancy in Cronk Urleigh, adjoining the Mylrea lands.
  11. There is no evidence to show how Cowley had the funds to undertake these purchases

Associated Documents

Last updated: Nov 2024