Frances (and Brian, Sylvie, Marie, Mary, and Liz) , Thank you all for the info and guidance. This is the first time I've looked at the Manx Notebook - what a great resource. I will spend some more time researching this before coming back to the bulletin boards. However !!

On the Notebook I found a very relevant and interesting article called "Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St. Maughold, Ramsey" by The Very Rev. Dean R. Gillow, Parish Priest of Ramsey. 1864-1900 - Here is an extract which not only places the families of Collins and Patrick Maxwell together in context at the beginning of the 1800's but also ties into family stories known to us.

"........ Just before the beginning of the current century, the Catholics of the Isle of Man were fewer than 20 all told. Now, they reckon more than 2,000. At present we have a church and resident congregation in each of the four principal towns of the Island. So the old faith has sprung to life again and grown. How was the old religion fostered through those years? By the zeal of a few Irish priests, who ventured from time to time to come over to the Island, disguised in various ways. They crossed over in fishing boats, and prior to their visit, they sent warning to some of the few Catholics personally known to them in the Island. From one to another, the word was secretly passed, to meet on a given day at an appointed cottage in some out-of-the-way place. There, upon his arrival, the priest celebrated Holy Mass, and administered the Sacraments. In various conversations with some of my old parishioners, I have learned many particulars of those times, especially in the neighbourhood of Ramsey. Amongst the earliest priests known to run the gauntlet were two brothers of the name of Collins who said Mass in a small house kept by a Mrs. Matheson. near the Old Cross, in College Street.

After them a French priest ventured into the lion’s den, by name Father Louis. He offered the Holy sacrifice in Patrick Maxwell’s cottage in College Street, and in the attic of the same house gave the first mission held in Ramsey since the Reformation. Twelve Catholics attended that mission. They were gathered together from the northern parishes by means of private messengers. Everything of this nature had to be done with the strictest secrecy, so as not to arouse the ill-feeling which then existed among the Ramsey Protestants.

The following interesting picture of the time and its difficulties was given me by an old member of the congregation, Edward Collins, of King Street. At the time referred to, Collins was a youngster living with his father, who kept a marine store in the same street. Father Gahan was in the habit of visiting Ramsey about four times a year in order to afford the few faithful an opportunity of hearing Mass and receiving the Sacraments. He used to send word in advance from Douglas that he was coming on the following Sunday. This message would come to old Mr. Collins, who despatched his son, Edward—now a grey-haired old man—to two Catholics living five miles off at Kirk Andreas, to tell them of the advent of the priest. From Andreas, the lad had to strike off across country to Ballaugh Village. where four more Catholics lived. Then he made his way home to Ramsey, after a round of more than twenty miles. On the appointed Sunday, the little flock came together in the back parlour of Mr. Fred’s shop at the bottom of King Street, hard by the Market Place. On these occasions, the entire congregation assembled for Mass did not number more than twelve. Only the "grown-ups" were allowed to enter the room. The children were shut out for fear of spoiling the good man’s carpet! This arrangement was kept up for a considerable time. .............."