Hi David,

This is an extract from Constance Radcliffe's article "The Radcliffes of Andreas", published in Isle of Man Natural History & Antiquarian Society, vol VIII no,2.

"The Parish Clerks
In the eighteenth century the Parish Clerk was a person of considerable
importance, being preceded only by the Captain and Vicar of each Parish. As his
duties were mainly concerned with assisting the Vicar in the services of the
Church, and were sometimes combined with those of schoolmaster, a man of some
standing and education was looked for. Such men were often in office for very
long periods, and in some parishes, for example Maughold, the post became
apparently hereditary in certain families, although the method of appointment
was by election of the parishioners in the event of a vacancy. Such a vacancy
occurred at Andreas in 1769, when William, second son of Thomas Radcliffe and
Esther Quirk of Ballaradcliffe became Parish Clerk, thus inaugurating a period
of 137 years during which members of the same family held the same office.
William, who died in 1791, was succeeded by his eldest son, also William (in
office 1791-1813), and then by his youngest son John (in office 1813-1858). In
the time of John's son Frederick (in office 1858-1906), a diminution in the
status of Parish Clerk took place, when after the passing of the Church Act of
1880, the duties became those of a s exton.
William, the first Clerk, married Margery Lace, who was a party to one of the
most detailed articles of marriage ever drawn up when her son William the second
Clerk married Mary Martin of "Cronk e dooiney" in 1792. In settling her lands and
houses on her son, she reserved "to herself during her natural life that parcel
. . . called the Flatt east of the Hill during the summer and harvest season",
sharing the grass with her son William in the winter. She also reserved to her
own use "the Parlour, the Room above the Parlour, and the Closet adjoining to
and opening into the said Room above the Parlour, and the back Kitchen; and the
last'part or Division of the Barn as well the Ground Floor as also the Room
above it. " In consideration of William having half her pigs, his mother was to
have "one half of a Pig properly fed orfattened . . . yearly during her natural
life". Margery would provide hay for her own two cows, but William was to carry
home the hay, and also his mother's "Turff" (peat) and serve the said cows in
and with sufficient straw to make up provender . . . The said Margery is to have
and enjoy the Dung of her said two Cows and to have a Garden made in the flats
reserved to her own use unmollested." The mother handed over her sheep in the
mountains of Ballaugh, and her black horse, "and in consideration there ofher
son is to give his mother the use of a horse as often as she goes from home upon
her Lawful occasions."
John and Jony Martin gave their daughter a dowry of "£50, an in-calf cow as also
a Feather bed and suitable bedding ", and promised "a dozen of she-lambs" in the
following summer. Poor Mary was destined to live her whole married life in the
shadow of her masterful mother-in-law, for she died in 1809, and the redoubtable
Margery not until 1813. As already mentioned, this William's youngest brother
John succeeded him as Parish Clerk, as his own eldest son Lace was only 13. Lace
Radcliffe farmed the family lands on part of Larivane, but his son and grandson,
both William Lace Radchffe, (1822-1893 and 1863-1924) followed their trades in
the village, the first as a grocer, and the second as a saddler."

Lace Radcliffe was bapt. 28 March 1800, the son of William Radcliffe & Mary Martin.

His parents' marriage entry reads: "Wm Radcliffe & Mary Martin (a minor) with consent of John Martin father… 26 May 1792”

You can find Mary's will and William's petition here:
www.iomfhs.im/lawsons/LawsonBMD/twill/1809_011.html
The humble petition of William Radcliffe of the parish of Andreas -
Parish clerk.
Sheweth: That Mary Radcliffe who was the wife of your petitioner about
a month ago departed this life intestate leaving five children namely
Margery, Lace, Jane, Judy and Robert Radcliffe all infants being the
lawful children begotten between the said deceased and your petitioner...

- Along with numerous other transcribed wills from this family on the same website.

Sue