Andrew Lessly

1. Will of Andrew Lesley otherwise Lessly [late of the Kingdom of Ireland but now residing at] Douglas Isle of Man proved 04/01/1814. He left money for mourning to his sister Sarah Nibbs and brother-in-law James Nibbs, and the £1000 he had inherited from his aunt Elizabeth Byam, widow of Martin Byam, to his three natural children. He left £4200 in consols for the benefit of his wife Sarah.

2. The will of Andrew Lessly was proved at the Ecclesiastical Court for the parish of Braddan on the Isle of Man as well (this court was also used for people who died in Douglas). He was buried in Rushen on the south end of the island. The 1814 Braddan Presentments (book 1) gives him as a Major and buried at Rushen 26/10/1813. The witnesses to his will were noteworthy - William Scott (Receiver General for the Isle of Man), Robert Moore (Custom house officer) and William Chambers (surveyor, Douglas). His executors were Samuel Martin and William Manning (both q.v.).

3. There is a possible connection to Rushen as a Mr Thomas Leslie (who came to this Island from Antigua + lodged at Ballagawn upwards of two years last past) was buried there in 1762. Note that the address of Andrew Lesley has been plotted as Douglas in the Isle of Man as this is the place he stated he was from when he wrote his will in 1813, but given his burial in Rushen it's likely he had family connections and/or lived there himself.

1. PROB 11/1551/34.

2. Ibid.; email from Frances Coakley 09/06/2020 sourced to photographs of documents held by Manx National Heritage, Douglas.

3. Ibid.

We are grateful to Frances Coakley for her assistance with compiling this entry.