Transcripts of Brews Wills from the Isle of Man - Lonan

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Permission to reproduce the following transcripts of Brew wills from the Isle of Man has been kindly granted by Jim Smith, Sue Pedersen, Brian Lawson and Tom Corteen. Most entries, however, have been reproduced with the kind permission of Joyce M. Oates in the United States. Special thanks to Sue Pedersen for her regular assistance in compiling and correcting entries in this database.

I would suggest the reader/researcher might like to commence with the Isle of Man Index of Wills, 1633-1920, from which I have added links to individual transcripts on this page. Otherwise, if readers which to browse this page, please note that wills are shown in rough chronological order. Therefore, some may find it easier to use their browser's search engine, located under the "Edit" menu on the tool bar, to search for a particular name or word on this page.

Please also note that not all wills are for Brews. Some wills are for women whose maiden name was Brew, or for people whose wills mention Brews as inheritors, creditors and/or witnesses.

If you find a family connection ALWAYS check the original records which are available from LDS family history centres on the film numbers which are given with most transcripts. Be aware that these are transcripts and therefore may have errors. Additionally, the original index entries for the two Courts - Archdeacon (LDS film 0106195) and Episcopal (LDS film 0106366) - sometimes include the residence of the deceased or other information which have not been included on Brian Lawson's website.

If you have a will transcript which mentions the Brew surname, and which you would be willing to allow me to add to this page, it would be most welcome. Please e-mail me; I look forward to hearing from you.

The last will and testament of Katheran Looney who departed this life ye 16th of Dec 1664 as in manner followith. She comited her soule to almightie god and her body to Christian buriall. She bequeathed a sheep to her daughter Katheran. She bequeathed to be divided upon ye poore four pottles of corne. She bequeathed to her son Gilbert Brew her quarter of ye team of oxon her quarter of ye cropp of corne and her quarter of all ye husbandrie geares yt belonged to ye tilling of ye ground. She bequeathed halfe a cow and a young heffer betwixt Don Looney and Isabell Brew and he sd Don: Looney having his choyce either of ye heffer or halfe ye cow for a debt of ten shillings due unto him from ye desedent? She constituted and ordained Gilbert Brew Katharan and Isabell Brew joyntly her execut-- of all the rest of her goods moveable and unmoveable within and with out. 

The Last Will and Testament of John Brew of Barroos in the Parish of KK Lonan who was of perfect mind and memory at the making thereof and departed this life Jan. 24, 1724.

He commended his Soul God, and his Body to a Christian Burial.

ITEM He left to his son and Heir John Brew, the whole crop and team after the death of his Mother Margery Brew (als Kinley), together with all of the Brewing and 

ITEM He left to his son Philip twenty shillings To his son William Thirty shillings & To his son Thomas Thirty shillings and 
whatever sheep were mentioned to the children. He left them as before marked or nominated to them His wife enjoying the property of the sheep until each child was 18 years of age.

ITEM He left his loving wife Margery Brew (Als Kinley) the Executrix of all the rest of his goods and moveables and immoveables , whatsoever, and ordered her to pay his debts with the five pounds becoming due from John Cubon, as appeared by a Bill of Mortgage But in case his wife married, then he left his part of the goods to his children with which his wife was then satisfied and also consented to every article & particular in the above Will.

Lastly, he appointed Willm Stole of Ballagawne and his son and heir John Brew overseers of his ???? (estate?)

Witnesses Present
Willm Stole
John Cosnahan

The last Will & Testament of Philip Brew of Ballalurg in the KK Lonan who was perfect of mind & memory at the making of thereof, and departed this life the 8th day of Feb'ry 1724.

Item He commended his Soul to God and his Body to a Christian burial.

Item He left to his sister Jane Stole (als Brew) of Ballagawn thirty shillings, namely the twenty shillings in the hands of the Executors of John Brew, and the other ten shillings in the hands of John Cubon.

Item He left thirty shillings to his brother James Brew, ten shillings of which he said was in Philip Knakill's hands and five shillings in the hands of Daniel Knakill. And he ordered his wife to pay other fifteen shillings to his brother and so make up the thirty shillings. And whereas Daniel Knakill owed him five shillings more, He left that five shillings to the Elder son of the said Daniel.

Item He left to Philip Stole of Balla-gawn his two choice coats & a choice waist coat besides a pair of stockings.

Item He left a Coat to John Gelling of KK Conchan

Item He left a sheep to Daniel Gelling & lamb to John son of John Kown, and six pence legacy to those that would claim any Rights to his effects.

Lastly He left all his Houses & Lambs to his Wife Ann Brew (als Cotteen) and appointed her Executrix of all the rest of his Goods, moveable and immoveable whatsoever.

Witnesses Gilo Ex. Sworn in Court in
form of Law

October 16 th 1725, James Scariffe ???? a Claim against the Executrix of John Brew for forty shillings & ????? thereof for some years & also for Seven Shillings more for ???? of price of six stone ????? of Malt, and crave of ??? Law.

The last will and testament of Thos Brew who died at or about the first of June 1741. Imp: He recommended his soul to God and his body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner. Item: He bequeathed to his beloved wife as a legacy half of the white or gray horse. Item: He bequeathed to his nephew Robert Brew his cane. Item: He bequeathed all the rest of his goods movable and immoveable whatsoever to his two children. Lastly He constituted and ordained his brother John Brew to be guardian of his children and to oversee and take care that all matters relating to the children and him be duly and truly executed. Witnesses: Philip Quay Catharine Marteen. At a Chapter Court at BallaVaughy 6 Nov 1741 John Brew brother of the testator is pursuant to the will sworn overseer of the children. The widow is also sworn to render a just account of the goods for the perfecting of the inventory. Pledges for the overseer who has the goods and the dead part of the children are James Woods and John Woods. Elizabeth Brew daughter of Thos Brew having one pound twelve shillings and six pence due unto her for a cow left unto her by her grandmother Ann Brew departed this life in her minority about seven years ago. The court has thereupon decreed her brother and sister Thomas and Elizabeth Brew joint administrators of the effects whatsoever which is secured under pledge in Lib 2d 1734 in the will of Ann Brew in the Archdeacon Registry after deduction of funeral charges the remainder of twenty shillings is in the hands of John Brew Pledges as in the will of John Brew.

Archdeacon Wills 1747/8 #21, Lonan, of Ellinor Moore als Harrison of Balldromma, Lonan: ‘This is affirmed to be the last will and testament of Ellinor Moore als Harrison of Balldromma in KK Lonan, who departed this life about the 26th January 1747/8, being of perfect mind and memory at the making hereof. First she committed her soul unto God, and her body to Christian burial. Item, she left unto her son John Moore’s children twenty shillings to be divided betwixt them. Item, she left to her grandson Thomas Skillicorn of Skinn a chest. Item, she left to her granddaughter Margaret Skillicorn all her shaped clothes linen and woolen, and a pot. Lastly, she nominated and appointed her both sons Captn. James Moore & Thomas Moore of Douglas joint executors of all the rest of her goods moveable and immoveable what kind and nature soever. Witnesses: Philip Brew, Alice Bridson. At KK Braddan February 8th, 1747/8, the executors are sworn in court in form of Law and have given pledges for payment of debts and legacies, vizt., Daniel Kneal & Philip Brew the witness.’

KK Lonan 18 May 1754

Margt. Brew als Christian departed this life abt the 4th day of Febry last Intestate - The Court upon Intelligence thereof hath Decreed her four children namely Margt. James Philip and Daniel Brew joint Admrs of all her goods & chattells moveable & imoveable whatsoever the other three namely John, Mary & Ann Brew, having severally (as is alleged) obtained a Dowry by Contract or settlement & James Philip & Daniel aforesd being abroad & Thos Quay husband of Margt. absent, Administration is in the meantime comitted unto Daniel Colvin of Marown in behalf of & in trust for the Adminrs aforesd & he is accordingly sworn to bring to the Registry a perfect Inventory & for payment of Debts according to Law & hath given pledges namely Philip Cannell of Douglas & Thos Moore of Lonan.

Solvit 3

saulo tamen cujuscun... pro jure         Decretum est

June                                                  Ro: Radcliffe

C.                                                     Matthw Curghy

[*There is a clear contradiction between the index and the will. It is indexed under "Margaret Brew als Quayle", but the Will itself reads "Margaret Brew als Quayle", with "Christian" written above it. It is not clear from the film if Quayle has been crossed out. The official index has "Quayle", so when "Christian" was added is not clear. Could it be that some official who knew the family at the time noticed the error made by whoever wrote the will, and corrected it but forgot to correct the index? It appears, however, that the index was not made at the time. In fact, it appears the index was not made until several years later. So was "Christian" a contemporary addition? The handwriting looks somewhat similar, but the handwriting in the index is completely different, probably done by a clerk rather than an official. The origin of this amendment remains, therefore, unclear]

Archdeacon Wills 1763 #4, Lonan, of Mary Brew als Halsall, wife of James Brew of Douglas XE "Brew als Halsall, Mary, wife of James Brew of Douglas; will proved 1763" XE "1763 #4, Lonan: Brew als Halsall, Mary, wife of James Brew of Douglas; will proved 1763": ‘In the name of God, Amen. I Mary Brew als Halsal wife to James Brew of the town of Douglas, being in sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for it, do make this my last will and testament in manner following: First, I commit my soul to God and my body to Christian burial.  Secondly, I leave and bequeath to my daughter Cathrine all my right and tytle of the houses and concerns that we now dwell in, all my right and tytle of my Father's houses, and if she died under age, that said concerns of my father’s is to fall to himself, namely her father. Likewise I leave my said daughter my gold ring that I now wear and all my clothes and linen except such part as is mentioned after. Thirdly, I leave and bequeath to Margaret Quinney my black quilted petticoat, one white apron, and two of my caps. Fourthly, I leave and bequeath to my servant maid Ann Shimmin my yellow poplin gown, my dark cotton gown, and two of my shifts. Fifthly and lastly, I nominate and appoint my beloved husband whole and sole executor of all the rest of my goods moveable and immoveable of what kind or nature soever, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me made. This my last will and testament I sign and sale this 29th of October 1762. [signed her mark] Mary Brew als Halsal. Witnesses: Daniel Cannell, Ann Shimmin. At a Court of Correction holden in Douglas Feb 21, 1763, the executor is sworn in Court in form of Law, he undertakes the tuition of the child underage, and has given pledges for payment of debts and legacies namely Matth. Christian, butcher, and Daniel Cannell one of the Witnesses. At Douglas Feb 22, 1763 , William Callow brother in law of the testatrix is sworn supervisor of the child underage in form of Law.’

The last will and Testament of Thomas Brew of the parish of KK Lonan, who departed this life the 29th of December 1783 being sick at the making thereof, but of a sound Memory first committing his Soul to God and Body to Christian Burial. As for his worldly goods & effects he bequeathed them in manner following.

He left and bequeathed to his Children namely Wm., Thomas, John, Daniel, James, Elinor, Jane & Margaret, four pounds equally between them viz Ten shillings a piece.

And lastly nomenated and appointed his loving wife Elinor Brew als Clague whole & sole Exec.rx of all the rest of his Goods & effects Moveable and immoveable of what kind or Nature soever.

Witnesses
Patrick Curphey my mark
Bahie Curphey my mark

The last will and testament of Mrs Cathrine Gell als Cosnahan of the parish of Kirk Lonan which she declared the 15th Jan 1789.  Being sick and weak at the making thereof (but of a perfect and sound disposing mind and memory).
First she committed her soul to God and as to her worldly goods and effects she disposed of them after this manner.
She left and bequeath to her son Mr John Gell twenty shillings.
She left and bequeath to Mrs Isabel Thorp als Gell her daughter in England twenty shillings.
And lastly she nominated and appointed her two daughters Mrs Margaret Brew als Gell and Mrs Ellinor Gell at London jointly executrixes of all the rest of her effects movable and immoveable of what kind or nature soever.
Witnesses:
Thomas Quark

At a Chapter Court holden at Bamaghag the 11th day of Nov 1789.
John Brew and the said Margaret Brew his wife and the said Ellinor Gell having consigned and surrendered the burden and execution of the before going will to the Rev Samuel Gell their father as by the annexed deeds or instruments of resignation may appear.  He the said Samuel Gell is thereupon sworn executor of the said will in form of law and hath given pledges for the payment of debts and legacies namely Thos Christian and James Skillicorn. Know all men by these presents that I Eleanor Gell of Upper Grosvenor Street in the parish of Saint George Hanover Square in the County of Middlesex spinster (one of the legatees named in the last will and testament of Catharine Gell alias Cosnahan my late mother deceased) do hereby relinquish surrender and give up unto my father Reverend Samuel Gell all the right title and interest given and bequeathed to me by the said will as witness my hand this twenty ninth day of March 1790.
Eleanor Gell
Witnessed by John Kayll

1803 Elinor BREW als COWIN of the parish of Kk Lonan who departed this life about the 21st day of April 1803..... to John Brew one half of the little white cow.... to Jane Brew all her right and title in Doughlass, both of the house and yard agoining [sic] sd house.... to her daughters children namely John Brew Jane Brew Ann Brew Marget Brew and Isable Brew one guinea each..... to Margery Stole one guinea.... Lastly she left and bequeathed her daughter Elinor Brew the wife of Thos Brew whole and sole Exec.. June 22 1803. 

In the Name of God Amen

Joint Will of James Brew and Elizabeth Brew (McKneale)

We James Brew and Elizabeth Brew my wife, of the Parish of Lonan do make this our joint last will and testament in manner following

We leave and bequeath to each of our children one Shilling

We leave and bequeath to the longest liver or Survivor of us, all the Houses and Garden which we now have in our possession and to his or her Heirs or Assigns for ever the said land being part of the Rhaa in the Parish of Lonan, the said 
premises being bought from James Cowin, by Deed of Sale.

We leave and bequeath unto any person or persons having a right to Claim in this our Last Will and Testament the sum of one Shilling.

Lastly, we leave the longest liver or Survivor of us whole and sole Executor or Executrix of this our last will and testament and Residuary Legatee of all the remainder or rest of our Goods Monies and Effects moveable or immoveable of whatsoever nature and wheresoever that now belong or may belong to us.

As witness our names this the thirteenth day of April One thousand eight hundred and fifty nine, 1859.

Signed in presence of us James Brew his mark
Elizabeth Brew her mark
Thomas Caine
T.W. Kerruish

At a Chapter Court held in Douglas on the 20th day of May 1859 –

The Reverend Thomas Caine and T.W. Kerruish the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the Will of James Brew deceased having made Oath upon the Holy Evangelists that saw James Brew the Testator when of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding duly signed and executed the same as and for his last will and Testament in their presence- Elizabeth Brew the Testator's Widow the survivor and Executrix in said Will named is therefore sworn well and truly to fulfill and execute the same according to Law to pay all the just debts Legacies and Funeral expenses of said Testator so far forth as the Goods and Effects will thereto extend and the law bind her and to return to the Archdeacon's Registry a full true and perfect Inventory of said Estate and Effects with an accurate account of her acts and proceedings in the premises when thereunto lawfully required and to these ends she hat given pledges namely Daniel Kneale and William McNeil who have entered into and executed the usual bond in presence of the court.

Probatum est T.A. Corlett (???) 

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