Archideaconal Wills, 1788, #13, Santon, of James Oates of Oatland, Santon:

"In the name of God, Amen. I James Oates of Oatland in the parish of KK Santon, gentlemen, being weak in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding, thanks be to God for the same, and considering the uncertainty of this life, do make my last will and testament in manner following:
First, I commit my soul to Almighty God, hoping through the intercession of Christ Jesus my Savior to obtain forgiveness of my sins.
Item, I leave and bequeath unto my son William Oates all my houses and lands in the said parish commonly called Oatland of the annual lord’s rent of three pounds six shillings or there about, to have and to hold unto him his heirs and assigns as inheritance according to the laws of this Isle. The one half of the said premises with half the crop stock and husbandry gears to be possessed by him when he shall attain to the age of twenty five years or day of marriage, whichever of them shall first happen, and the other half of the said lands upon the decease of my loving wife Elizabeth Oates, and I do give and devise the issues and profits of the said half of the said lands and premises to be possessed by the said William Oates at the age of twenty five years or the day of marriage, to my said loving wife towards the maintenance and support of my children unsettled in the world until the said William Oates shall become entitled to the possession of the first moiety of the said premises upon the contingencies herein before mentioned.

I also leave and bequeath unto my said son William Oates all that dwelling house situated in the town of Douglas wherein Senhouse Wilson now lives together with the stable and warehouse to the same belonging and the same to be possessed by him upon the decease of my loving wife.
I also leave and bequeath unto my son Robert Caesar Oates all my tanyard, houses and gardens situated in and near the town of Ramsey which I purchased from Nicholas Christian and also my right and interest on John Christian’s tanyard and the .. to the same belonging together with the sum of five hundred pounds British to enable him to carry on the tanning business and the said premises and the said sum of five hundred pounds to be possessed and enjoyed by him when he attains to the age of twenty one years, and I bequeath the issues and profits of the said premises to my loving wife until my said son Robert Caesar Oates shall attain to the age aforesaid and .. my said son Robert Caesar Oates shall die before he shall attain to the age aforesaid, I leave and bequeath the said premises and the sum of five hundred pounds left and bequeathed unto him and herein before mentioned to my son James Oates, to be possess by him when he shall attain to the age of twenty one years.
I also leave and bequeath to my said son James and my son Philip Oates the sum of five hundred pounds British each to be pain unto them severally as they shall attain to the age of twenty one years and the interest thereof to be yearly applied by my executrix herein after mentioned towards their maintenance and education until they shall severally attain to the age of twenty one years.
I also leave and bequeath unto my daughter Eunice Moore wife of Norris Moore of Douglas, gentleman, the sum of five hundred pounds British, two hundred pounds or thereabout part thereof is already paid the said Norris Moore, and I direct that one hundred pounds more, part thereof to be paid immediately after my decease and the remaining two hundred pounds to be paid to my said daughter afterwards as my executrix shall find it convenient for her to pay the same.
I also leave and bequeath unto my two daughters Mary Ann and Catharine Oates five hundred pounds British each, three hundred pounds British part of the legacy bequeathed to the said Mary Ann to be paid her as soon as she shall have occasion for the same after my decease and the remaining sum of two hundred pounds to be paid her as soon afterwards as my executrix shall fine it convenient for her to pay the same.
And I direct that the sum of three hundred pounds part of the same legacy bequeathed to my daughter Catharine be paid her at the age of twenty one years or day of marriage, whichever shall first happen, and the remaining two hundred pounds to be paid her soon afterwards as my exeuctrix shall fine it convenient for her to pay the same.
I leave and bequeath to my daughter Margaret the sum of five hundred pounds British.
Lastly, I leave and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Oates all the rest of my purchased lands and houses within this Isle whatsoever, together with all and singular the residual of all my goods, chattels, credits, cash, and effects, whatsoever and wheresoever, and I do appoint her to be execturix of this my last will and testament and sole guardian of my children until they shall severally attain to the age of twenty one years, and I commit the tuition of my said children unto my said executrix and charge her with the maintenance and education of my said children until they shall severally become entitled to receive or possess these several legacies, agreeable to the terms of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6^th day of February 1788. [signed] James Oates. Witnesses: Patrick Scott, John Law.

At a Consistory Court holden at Oatland in the Parish of St Anne on Friday the 29^th day of February 1788: Patrick Scott and John Lace the subscribing witnesses to the beforegoing last will and testament of the said James Oates, deceased, deposed upon the Holy Evangelists that he the said testator when of perfect sound and disposing mind memory and understanding duly published and declared the same to be his last will and testament in their presence and executed the same as such and that they the said Patrick Scott and John Law in the presence of the testator and at his desire and likewise in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witnesses thereto; the executrix therein named is thereupon sworn in Court in form of law and hath given pledges for the payment of debts and legacies namely Thomas Christian and Norris Moore her son in law. She is likewise sworn guardian and supervisor of the testator’s children agreeably to his will.

February 24^th, 1789: Hugh Cosnahan enters a claim against the estate of James Oates late of Oatland deceased for the sum of 600 pounds British.
February 24^th, 1789: Hugh Cosnahan and William Bridson enter a claim against the estate of James Oates late of Oatland deceased for the sum of 3000 pounds British.
March 3^rd: Robert Caesar enters a claim against the estate of James Oates for the sum of 3000 pounds.
March 3^rd: John Joseph Bacon enters a claim against the estate of James Oates for the sum of 247 pounds British & craves the law."