My ancestors Robert Kewley and Isabella Dawson married 18 May 1762 Braddan, bachelor & spinster, both of parish. Both signed with an X and witnesses were Nichs Honton & Thomas Cannel his mark X. They had 8 children together, and were buried in Braddan 11 May 1816 age 78 and 23 May 1817 age 83 respectively. Their MI indicated that he was a Cooper.

Isabella Dawson is easy to trace, bapt 24 Aug 1733 Kirk German d/o Charles Dawson & Emma Stephen, md 1728 German.

Robert Kewley has been my nemesis for many years. Other than his age 78 which places his birth 1737-38, there is nothing that separates him from the other Roberts born the same time. However, after sorting out many Kewley families, I believe he most likely is the son of Robert Kewley and Ann Garrett of Marown and later Braddan who is mentioned in their wills of 1784 & 1782 but there is no baptism entry. There is a space between James 1735 and Margaret 1739 Marown that he would fit into very nicely.

Here is a list of nearly Robert Kewleys:
1. 26 Feb 1726/27 Braddan s/o Robert K & Susanna Quay. He was the heir of Ballanard when his father died 1733 but he died himself in 1741 aged just 14. There is a MNB will extract that says: “1741-2 E d KEWLEY Robert d beg aug 1741;balla:nyed;only bro john;fa robt decd;wife alive + ch ua” which only makes sense if the “wife alive” refers to the father’s wife Susanna, which is true … she lived to 1781.
2. 12 Apr 1730 Malew s/o John Kewley. He was buried in 1741.
3. 2 May 1731 Marown s/o Nicholas & Anne Kewley Crossvalla. No other children of this couple. Not sure what happened to him. A Nicholas K & Mary start having children in Marown 1732; his 1789 will did not mention Robert. Perhaps the fathers Nicholas are the same person?
4. 10 Oct 1731 Braddan s/o Gilbert K & Joney Corlett. Evidence seems to place him most likely to be the RK who married Ann Clark 12 Jul 1760 Braddan, 8 children, and buried 1804 Joiner Douglas. His first child named “Joney” and this family seems to connect to the Ballanard Kewleys. One of his witnesses was John Kewley and the signature is identical to that of the next Braddan marriage, John Kewley to Margaret Corlett.
5. 2 Mar 1734/35 Braddan s/o Robert Kewley & Christian Tear. The parents married 13 Nov 1723 Braddan (RK of Marown, CT of Lonan) and I think they were buried in Onchan, RT in 1763 and CT in 1767. No more information found.
6. Ca 1737 probably Marown, s/o Robert Kewley & Ann Garrett. This family is discussed in another thread. Best candidate to be the RK who married Isabella Dawson 1762 because of age, and also for naming (Robert eldest son, Anne second daughter).
7. 13 Apr 1740 Malew s/o William Kewley & Joney Garrett. He is a good candidate to have married Mary Shimmin KK German 1763 and lived at Peel.

Do I dare say I've finally solved my long-time mystery, or is there still too much doubt? I'd sure like to cross this one off!