Margaret Joughin was from the family of Joughins of Rhenab, another well-known Maughold family. She was one of seven sisters (and some brothers), most of whom married into other Maughold farming families. The youngest, Alice (Ely) married Daniel Joughin, Cronkbane, Bride. They are my g-g-g-grandparents.

Of the seven children of William Kermeen, Ballig (1753-1826) and Margaret Joughin (1768-1852), the eldest was Isabel (1796-1867), who married Edward Christian, Baldromma. Ballig farm was continued by Daniel (b1802). Margaret (b 1811) was the youngest. We can be confident, then, that the bride of the Robert Gill who married Margaret Kermeen in 1835 was this 1811 one, and that this Robert was the one with the 1840 will. Frances tells us that his widow died in 1843.

As yet there is no evidence that these were the same Robert Gill and Margaret Gill who had an illegitimate daughter Elizabeth Sophia Gill in 1827 in Braddan. In her posting today Sue has suggested various lines of enquiry that might disprove what must now be the presumption that the Margaret at least was a different Margaret.

Frances, you told us that in 1841 Margaret snr. and jr were in shared accommodation in Ramsey. This is quite likely, as snr.’s husband had died in 1826, and his son Daniel would have taken over the farm. If you have that census handy, can you give us the other details, please, such as the address, and the names and ages of the people living with these two widows? Presumably there are no little Gills with them.