Sue - I'm so sorry about all the duplicated messages. Not being too familiar with the site I thought my answer had not been sent and kept trying again. But good news - I have found the birth of John Davison in 1837 in Ballymena (via emerald ancestors) and his mother's maiden name is Kelly which ties in with the fact that he put the administration of his father's estate in IOM in 1881 into the hands of his cousin William Kelly.
Research into William Kelly suggests he was born in Ireland c.1806 to an Edward and Rose Kelly. William's wife was born in Douglas.and if I have the right people they were in the stage coach business. Still a lot to do but I am delighted with this break-through. Liz.