The Legacy & Will of William Dempster - Skellister, 30th June 1647

I William Dempster, being of sound mind and language, leave my money, corns, cattle and goods to:

My wife Jannet Wilson, Laurence, Hugh and Edward Dempster my lawful sons, Jannet, Catherine, Dorothy and Elizabeth my lawful daughters.

To my wife Jannet Wilson I leave; two cows, pied white mare and foal, and red ox with white face.
Edward - two cows, black mare and seven black ox.
Laurence - two cows, young riding horse and gray ox.
Hugh - one cow, one old horse, one brown horse and one white fleck ox.
Jannet and James Halcrow, Houland - one cow, one mouse coloured mare.
Catherine and Walter Tulloch - one cow and one brown ambling mare.
Dorothy - one cow and one old gray mare.
Elizabeth and Laurence Leask - one cow and other gray mare.
Angus Donaldson and Margaret Dempster my lawful daughter - two years old quoyck, three ewes and lambs.

I am indebted to Jannet my daughter of £8.2/- of which I leave my black staig.
All the rest of my sheep I leave to my spouse and to my sons as well, to divide equally to the three of them.
Seven plaids belonging to me I leave to Laurence, Catherine and Margaret. To my spouse I leave bed plaids, iron kettle, plates, gun and sword. Laurence I leave my new leathers and new jupe and whole work looms, and the rest of the ?
Whole crop I leave to my spouse, and lands in Skellister to Laurence.
John Glifford, Wabister, I am indebited to him twenty rix dollars to divide amongst the family.
I Leave my old ox to ?
Money from sale of bull to pay servants. Staig money to pay John Gifford. My will marks land in Garden occupied by Catherine and Walter Tulloch to be retained in their hands for proper use.
My spouse has a young ? to be divided between her and Laurence

Signed: Wm Dempster

Probate granted 27th September 1648

Also registered at Scalloway on 12th September 1629 was the will of Margaret Williamsdaughter, spouse of William Demoster of Skellingsta, who died in March 1628, the testament given up by William on behalf of their children Edward, Laurence, Hugh, Catherine, Dorothy and Elspeth Dempster, their family.

© James Dempster 1998