The will of Isaac Bowmer dated 1874 is a long six-page document. He was a notable Freemason in the County and his tomb is the masonic inscribed one on the right of the path leading to the church entrance.
The following is the essence of his bequests.
Will Proved 25/1/1876
Isaac Bowmer of Crich Gentleman died 5/11/1875
I appoint my brother in law John Mason of Broadholme Belper Farmer and Fred George Day of Ripley, Cashier and Accountant and Thomas Henry Summerside of Derby, Coal Merchant as Trustees, and leave Ten Pounds to each of them.
My Jewellery, Masonic Jewellery, Guns, Plate, Watches, and Chains, China, Books, Pictures, Furniture, Linen, to my Wife Ann.
To my son Frederick William Bowmer my Gold Watch and long chain byJohnsons of Derby, Masonic Jewellery, Aprons, Sashes, Insigns of Freemasonary.
To my son Benjamin Bowmer my Silver Watch and Gold Albert Chains
To my son Isaac Bowmer the Timepiece presented to me as a Testameny, by the inhabitants of Heage.
Then to divide all Firearms equally among my sons when 21 years of age.
Money to wife Ann and after her death to her daughters.
Ann has interest in money left to her by her mother, (Mary née Fritchley) given by her grandfather Joseph Fritchley deceased.
Mentions West Butts and Furlong in Crich of 4 acres
Henry COWLISHAW Stone merchant witness
Jno WHEATCROFT Solr Belper
Isaac was buried 8 November 1875 in St. Mary's Crich.
Extra information courtesy Richard Mattner:
Transcript from The Derby Mercury (Derby, England), Wednesday, February 23, 1876; Issue 8411
ISAAC BOWMER DECEASED
PURSUANT to the Statute of 22nd and 23rd Victoria, c.35, intituled “An Act for further amending the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees,“ NOTICE is hereby GIVEN, that the Creditors and all other persons having any claim or demand against the estate of ISAAC BOWMERR, late of the Yews, Crich, in the County of Derby, gentleman, deceased (who died on the 5th day of November last, and whose Will was proved at Derby, on the 25th day of January last, by JOHN MASON, of Broadholme, near Belper, in the said County of Derby, farmer, GEORGE DAY of Ripley, in the same County, accountant, and THOMAS HENRY SUMMERSIDE, of Derby, aforesaid, coal merchant), are hereby required to send in particulars of such claims and demands, on or before the Tenth day of March next, to the said JOHN MASON, or me, the undersigned, after which the said executors will distribute the assets of the said deceased among the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the debts or claims of which the Executors shall have had notice, and will not be liable for any part of the assets so distributed to any person of whose debt or claim they shall not have had notice.
Dated this 15th Day of February, 1876.
JOSEPH STONE, Wirksworth,
Solicitor for the Executors.