Thanks Jean and David. You're responses are very much appreciated. All of your ideas are possible. I hadn't thought about John travelling overseas and then returning. The will of John Crellin seems to be the correct one for John's wife Margaret's father. As you say David, it gives twenty pounds to Margaret "to be free and beyond control etc....." which sort of says that he is around and may try to claim the money. I would like to know if you think likewise. It may well be that John is the lodger in Jean's transcription in 1871 aged 70 being that he is definitely down and out in 1871. I have attached the manx sun article.

Maxene Callister is my sister in law David. We are both on the hunt for the Callister side. I have listed the children's births and the marriage of John to Margaret Crellin, but where John himself belongs is a mystery.
I will check out the St Bees listing David and I fear that you are right Jean. I will have to eliminate the wrong ones and see what I am left with.
Thanks again. I will definitely keep looking and will consider the alternative spellings as well.

Danae