The article in the Manx Note Book that Frances refers to a couple of messages above is titled “The Kewleys of Ballafreer, Remarkable Record of a Kirk Marown Family.” that was written in 1763. It talks of the “Kewley Ballafreer Commonplace Book” now in the Manx Museum Library, and says it lay in the library shelves of the Ballafreer old house for many years. I recall it was discussed here a while back or perhaps in the IOMFHS Journal, if forget which.

The article includes the following:
" ... The name of the Eldest son [of Nicholas Kewley of Ballafreer & Elliner Cannan] was John Kewley. He was Baptized the 27th of Sept, 1673. He was married St. Andrews Dav 1703 to Elizabeth Gelling the Daughter of John Gelling Camlork in KK. Braddan, they being an Ancient Family There Time without memory or hearing. They are there to this day. Her Mother was Daughter of William Christian of Balne Killey in KK. Maheld. She lived in Camlorke near forty years and Died in ye year of our Lord 1724. This John and Elizabeth had Three Sons and five Daughters, the Eldest John Kewley the Second of that name he was Babtiz'd the 1st of Octr 1708. He was married to Marey Kewley Daughter of John Kewley who Purchased a part of Ballefletchers Land. …”

St Andrews Day is 30 Nov 1703, but I can’t find a record on the MNB of that marriage or marriage contract so can’t verify it. They indeed had 3 sons (John 1708, William 1713, Paul 1715) and 5 daughters (Eleanor 1706, Elizabeth 1710, Margaret 1717-1723, Catharine 1720, Margaret 1723, Jane 1726-1733/34). The daughter Catharine married Thomas Quirk in 1740 Marown and they are the (hoped for) ancestors of Karen.

My interest has mainly been with the Gellings, as it is my surname. Elizabeth Gelling was daughter of John Gelling (de Camloark), bapt Aug 30 1685 Braddan. John of Camlork was born ca 1634 son of Paul Gelling & Isabella Lewin. John’s first wife was named Margaret Christian, d/o Ewan (Archd will 1663). This Margaret died before her father in 1657. John had a 2nd wife who I haven’t figured out but perhaps had a daughter named Jane born 1661 & died 1664/65 Braddan. John then married a 3rd time to another Margaret Christian, d/o William Christian of Ballakilley Maughold (per the article). The latter had 3 known children: Paul 1676-1736 of Camlork Braddan, John ca 1680-1738 of Barrow Garrow Kirk Michael, and Elizabeth (1685-1753 md John Kewley of Ballafreer Marown).

Going back a generation, John of Camlork was the first born child of Paul Gelling Jnr of Camlork and Isabella Lewin, married ca 1633 [Marown?]. Paul’s 1662/63 will mentions a grandchild Jane and a grandchild Margrett Gelling, who may be children of son John’s earlier marriages. Children of Paul & Isabel: John ca 1634, Charles 1636, Paul 1638, Ann 1641, Doll (Dorothy) 1644, Joney 1646, Margaret 1649, all mentioned in his will.

Paul Jnr likely was the son of Paul Snr of Camlork, who was alive to at least 1640. There was a 1634 presentment Braddan of Paul Gelling senior, Paul Gelling junior and William Gelling, for fighting on the Sabbath (see Archdeacon wills on Ian Radcliffe’s site). William Gelling was a son of Paul Sr and died intestate 1637.

Paul Senior born ca 1575 may be the starting point for the Camlork Gellings. I have a theory that he comes from the Slegaby Onchan Gellings, where I think my own descent is from. My ancestor was named Paul Gelling, and I determined he’s the one baptized 14 Sep 1640 Marown s/o John and died 1704 Onchan. The Onchan Paul had just one son, John in 1684 by Ann Cannell.

I have more information, but this is probably enough for now.
Happy New Year,
Eric