ELLINOR BELL als MACKLREA

1713 - Will (Malew)

[originally submitted by Joyce M. Oates to Brian Lawson]

Malew, February the 3rd, 1713/4

The last will and testament of Ellinor Bell als Macklrea who committed her soul to God and body to Christian burial. Imprimis, she bequeathed a petticoat and waistcoat to her daughter Chatrin.

Item she bequeathed to her daughter Marriatt a blanket and a breade. She bequeathed to her granddaughter Chatrin two yards linen cloth.

Item she bequeathed to her grandson William two yards of linen cloth.

Item she bequeathed to her grandson Christopher one yard of linen cloth.

Item she bequeathed to her granddaughter Margret a petticoat.

Item she bequeathed to her daughter in law Jony a breade.

Item she bequeathed to her son Thomas six pence legacy.

Item she bequeathed to her daughter Elizabeth six pence legacy.

Item she bequeathed to her daughter Chatrin all that she had given her before her death that no man shall claim against her for it.

Lastly, she constituted ordained and appointed her son John and her daughter Chatrin whole executors of all the rest of her goods moveable and unmoveable whatsoever.

Witnesses: Henry Moore, Robert Cotter. The Executors John & Cathrine’s husband are sworn in Court in form of Law.

Pledges Robert Harrison & John Bridson in form of Law.

found as an unattached fragment

23 Malew Ellin Bell als McYlrea of Ballacharry in the Parish of KK Malew feeble and aged desired us, William McYlchreest & Thomas Fargher whose names are subscribed, to testify: That having given a Marriage Contract to her son Thomas Bell when he married his first wife Margaret Bridson, the said Contract is mislaid or lost. However she owns that it contained as follows:

That her son Thomas Bell aforesaid was to have half the Estate and crop immediately after his marriage; and the other half after the decease of the survivor, whether it happened to be her husband Thomas Bell or herself. However, in respect of her infirm condition, she surrenders at present to her son above named that half of the crop, which he was to receive after her death, he paying to his brother and 5 sisters four bowls of corn among them, or whatever of the said corn was unpaid at present. Witness our subscriptions the day and year above said. Witnesses: Thomas Fargher, William McYlechreest. She owned this writing before me, J. Woods.

At a Court in Castletown, the witnesses have made oath to this declaration, February 4th, 1713. xxxx Lord Bishop & the Revd. Vicars Generals of the Isle, The humble petition of Thomas Bell Ballchary in the parish of KK Malew, Humbly sheweth, That your petitioner above thirty years ago, had in Marriage Contract from his father and mother the one half of the Estate, with half the Crop immediately after his intermarriage, & the other half of the Estate & crop after the decease of the survivor of his said father and mother, paying unto his brother & sisters four bowls of corn betwixt them, the contents of which Contract his said mother lately declared upon her death bed before two witnesses, and afterwards acknowledged the same to the Minister of the parish upon receiving the Blessed Sacrament, But in regard the said Contract cannot now be found, his brother and sisters do take advantage of him, endeavoring to deprive him of the benefit of the same, your Petitioner be stricken in years and feeble having an impediment in his hearing and not able to speak for himself, Begs he may be permitted to get some honest man to make his case known to the Court, and he as is duty bound shall ever pray.

Last updated: Apr 2024