A recent correspondent, Mrs. Marylin Holland, , has sent me an account of the famous Manx Schooner, "Vixen".
She herself is a descendant of one of her Captains, Tom Cubbon. The Museum has photographs of the vessel and of Captain Cubbon, as well as of a group containing him, his sister Mrs. Chas Moore, Mrs. Thomas Halsall, her caught Billy Cubbon (who farmed in New Zealand), Eliza Cubbon, who married a William Gill and emigrated to Illinois. In passing, Mrs. Holland would welcome any news of this William Gill and his forebears, as indeed of any of the family of Thomas Cubbon, whose wife was a Quaye, who came from 'Santan or South'.
The Vixen was a schooner of 93 tons, built in Peel by H. Graves. The "Manx Sun" of September 6th 1851 reads
"The fine clipper schooner, named the Vixen, build by Mr H. Graves of Peel, sailed from that port on Wednesday, 27th of August. This is one of the finest vessels that has ever been launched in Peel, was coppered before being launched, is 93 tons new measurement, and has proved herself to be what she appears".
There follows an extract from a letter from her Masters-
'Cardiff, August 29th 1851 - "We left the Isle of Man at 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening and got to Swansea at 6 o'clock on Thursday evening. We were in company with several schooners and brigs, which we passed as if lying-to. There were two Holyhead clippers and we left them out of sight. The pilot here would not believe that the like could be built in the Island. The Vixen is now charted in a cargo of iron for Messina'.
The Vixen had been built by a number of Manxmen determined to reach the Australian Goldfields on their own ship, worked by themselves. And accordingly she began the trip she had been built for at 3 p.m. of Wednesday, January 26th 1853, carrying 37 men, of whom 14 were married.
We can identify the extract which Mrs. Holland quotes and is an extract from "Isle of Man Antiquarian Society Journal". Quote:
'On the day the Vixen left Peel, a three-mastered schooner, the Uncle Tom, which had been windbound in Douglas, left that port for the same destination. The Vixen beat her by some days. The little ship was sturdy enough so far as hull went, but none of those on board had had any money to waste on domestic luxuries. On the ninth day out they made some soup, and then discovered that there were no spoons to eat it with. They at once set to work and carved spoons out of old bones, "but," said one of them afterwards, "how we managed for nine days without discovering there were no spoons - or even missing them - is a mystery I could never fathom." It was a fact, nevertheless.
On the 7th February they overtook the London barque Richard Thornton, which had left the Thames the day before the Vixen sailed from Peel. Three days later they fell in with another London vessel which had started on her voyage the same day as the Vixen. On the 23rd February they crossed the line, the first time that 36 out of the 37 had done so. Captain Corlett, from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., was the sailing navigator, but Captain Sansbury, a Port St. Mary fisherman, was rated as actual commander The weather had then become very hot, and they ran into a tropical rain storm. Here was a chance for them: So they all undressed, stark naked, climbed up aloft, and enjoyed a good bath!
On the 5th March they had another singular experience. Coming up with the American ship, Almeida, on a voyage from Monte Video to New York, and wishing to send some letters home, six of them lowered a small boat and rowed to her. However, the Yankee captain declined to allow any of them on board "as he could not understand what so small a craft wanted with so many men." He had counted 30 heads besides six in the small boat. Next he discovered a cannon - a two-pounder - mounted on the fo'cs'tle. This decided him. They were pirates. Yet, after a lot of palaver he grudgingly took their letters. After that they enjoyed fine weather and reached Port Philip Heads in 92 days.
The Vixen carried a miscellaneous home-made cargo. Manx clothing, boots, carts and such-like odds and ends. Some of the crew organised a little mutiny on their own account; they wanted to seize this cargo as their share and take no part in the profits of the diggings. This was quelled by putting the mutineers into a boat and throwing their chests after them, either into it or the sea - it didn't much matter. This party reached the land in good style - as Manxmen generally do - became dispersed, the married among them seizing the opportunity of ridding themselves of the wives which they had left at home: What ultimately became of them no one knows.
The remainder laid the schooner up, detached a watchman from their number, and duly proceeded to the mines. They dug away like mad for a couple of months - but never found a nugget worth sixpence. It dawned upon them, then, that the Manx mission in the world lies not upon the land, but on the sea. So they abandoned their claims, trudged back to the Vixen, and - imagine this? - started her as a mail boat between Melbourne and Sydney! For a while they did pretty well, and then they turned her into a lighter and wait upon large ships, in and out of Melbourne.
Ten years afterwards 27 of them returned to Peel, making a fine passage home. The Vixen then became a fishing boat. On the day after Good Friday, 1864, she was in the harbour at Peel, ready to start, and the crew were in the old Royal Oak Hotel making merry. A gale was blowing. In spite of the storm Skipper Sansbury, at high water, insisted on starting, saying that he did not care a ___ if they landed in hell! Out the Vixen went, and that was the last seen of her. She foundered, with all hands, near the Calf of Man. Thus, after safely sailing as it were round the globe, she found a grave close at home.
Spurred by the renown of the Vixen and the intrepidity of those on board, another set of Peel men built, a few years later, the little sloop Peveril, and she was also sailed - in charge of Captain Thomas Mylchreest, a brother of the afterwards famous "Diamond King" - out to Melbourne. She was fitted with wooden tanks, and peddled water between Australian ports where that commodity was scarce. She never came back. They sold her at a good profit to a native firm, and it would not at all surprise me if she were yet afloat.'
IRIS LYLE
[fpc the ref is to Proc IoMNHASoc VII #2 p201-231 1968 - see also crewlist]
MICHELL - DANOLD (Later Daniel) circa 1600-1621 Manorial Roll
WILLIAM circa 1645
JOHN died about 9th November 1699 (Intestate)
It is not Known as yet who John was married to, but there was issue, who are the following:
1. William, died 1750
2. David
3. Katherine
4. Isabell, who married Jas. Cannell at Kirk Bride, in 1737
5. DANIEL, Born 1695, died 1779, was married to Issabell Tear at Kirk
Bride on 11th June 1720. They had issue.
The Settlement of the Estate of John Christian, d.1699, intestate
John Christian departed this life abt the 9th of November last, intestate whereof the Court having intelligence hath Decreed by Six Children viz: Will, David, Kath, Isabell, Dan, and John Christian sole and Joint Adminis of all his Goods, moveable and unmoveable whatsoever, the children at age Vizt. We and David supervisors., and legacy to the wife upon sight of the inventory.
The wife with one of the Supervisory at age viz:, Will: are sworn in Court in form of Law.
The Inventory amounts to: £09..13s..06d
The Children with their Goods in the hands of William who hath given pledges in form of Law, capn Wm. Christian and Swan Christian of Cranstall.
The Crops Barley, 4 Bowls. Oats, 4 Bowls. Rye, 1 Bowl. Wheat, ½ Firlet. Pease, ½ Firlet
DANIEL CHRISTIAN & ISSABELL (Nee TEAR) had 2 sons and 2 daughters:
1. Isabel
2. WILLIAM, baptised 2nd November 1725, died 1795, and was married to
Dorothy Christian of Ballacallow Farm, Kirk Bride on the 11th
December 1752. Dorothy was baptised on the 18th March 1721 at Kirk
Bride, and died 1791. They had issue.
3. Catherine, married Thomas Colvin
4. Daniel, baptised 12th January 1728, (Alive in 1779)
WILLIAM CHRISTIAN & DOROTHY (Nee CHRISTIAN of Ballacallow) had 8 children: four sons and four daughters:
1. Isabell, bap. 16th September 1753, Kirk Bride, she married
____Cannell' and had issue, a daughter Joney Cannell.
2. WILLIAM, bap. 29th June 1755, died 1826, he married Ann
Tear at Kirk Andreas on 11th December 1791. Ann died 1818.
3. Daniel, bap. 18th December 1757 at Kirk Bride
4. Margaret, bap. 20th February 1760, married Mark Christian of
Onchan (was earlier known as Conchan) on 18th October 1791 at Kirk
Bride. They had issue of an only daughter, Mary, bap. 2nd September
1792, at Kirk Bride.
5. Esther, very little is known, except that she married in
England.
6. John, bap. 29th January 1762 at Kirk Bride and died that same
year.
7. John, bap. 19th August 1764 at Kirk Bride and died 1765.
8. Jane, bap. 13th August 1766 at Kirk Bride, and was married there
on 23rd January 1787 to William Moore.
The Last Will & Testament of William Christian (1725-1795)
"The Last Will and Testament of William Christian of Ballabeg in the Parish of Bride made and declared on the 1st Day of January 1795, being of perfect mind and memory at the making thereof.
First, he left a Cow, with Five Pounds in cash to his Daughter Jane Christian. He left M to his Daughter Isabel Christian and her daughter Joney Cannel the sum of Twenty Shillings in cash. Be left the Bed he lay on to his daughter Isabel. He left M to 0a Daughter Margaret Christian, the wife of Mark Christian, A Guinea. He left to his son and heir, William Christian Jnr., A Crown. Lastly he nominated and appointed his son Daniel sole Executor and residuary Legatee of all the rest of his Goods and Effects, moveable and unmoveable whatsoever.
Witnesses: Charles Christian X (His Mark) Daniel Christian X (His Mark) At a Court Holden in the Parish of KK Bride the 6th Day of Febr. 1795. The Executor is sworn in Court in form of Law and Hath given Pledges for payment of Debts and Legacies, namely the Witnesses of the Will Probatum est.
Signed William Christian
Nov. 10th 1795 - Charles, I herewith enter a claim against the estate of Wm. Christian for the Sum of £4..00..00
Whereas Wm. Christian of the Ballabeg in the Parish of KK Bride
departed this life some tine ago as appeareth by his Will dated the
1st Day of January 1795, and among other Legacies, left his daughter
Jane Christian the sum of five Pounds with a Cow as a Legacy, the
receipt hereof I do hereby acknowledge to be fully paid and satisfied
by my brother Daniel Chriatian, who is Excutor of the said Wm.
Christian and do hereby aquit and exonerate the aforesaid Daniel
Chriatian the aforesaid Legacy as witness my hand this 27th of
February 1798.
Signed'- Jane Christian.
Witnesses- John H. Christian, Wm. Christian
27th February 1798, Jane Christian Acknowledge the above receipt and discharge to be her proper Act and Deed, before me.
Signed- Wm. Clucas.
WILLIAM CHRISTIAN & ANN (Nee TEAR) had 6 children
1. Jane, bap. 5th January 1793, at Kirk Bride
2. WILLIAM, bap. 7th September 1794, at Kirk Bride, and died
1873.
He married Catherine Garrett on 25th November 1820, at Kirk Bride.
Catherine was born 1800, and died 1867. They had issue.
3. Ann, bap. 13th December 1796 at Kirk Bride
4. Margaret, bap. 26th February 1799, married John Kneal on 4th May
1822, at Kirk Bride.
5. Elizabeth, bap. 28th March 1802, bun 19th July 1811 at Kirk
Bride
6. John, bap. 13th April 1806, at Kirk Bride.
WILLIAM CHRISTIAN & CATHERINE (Nee GARRETT) had 3 daughters and 5 sons: another being a William' Not only did this William marry four times, but was responsible for an illegitimate son in the process, by his first wife's elder sister, from which I am descended.
1. Ann, bap 23rd June 1822, at Kirk Bride.
2. WILLIAM, born 1824, died 8th November 1887, intestate at Smeale,
Kirk Andresa. He married four times, 1847, 1854, 1861 and 187-, all
details of which will follow after this paragraph.
3. Elizabeth, bap. 29th June 1825, and married James Corteen at Kirk
Bride on 10th August 1847.
4. John, bap, 24th December 1829, and died 30th May 1850, buried at
Kirk Bride. No Issue.
5. Thomas, bap 14th September 1830, and died 4th May 1851, buried at
Kirk Bride.
6. Daniel, bap. 4th May 1834 at Kirk Bride, and married Sophia
Elizabeth Corlett of Laxey. Daniel had a Bakery in Ramsey in 1878.
They had issue of an only son Daniel Garrett Christian bap. 17th
January 1878 at Kirk Bride.
7. Edward, bap. 17th June 1835 at Kirk Bride.
8. Ann Jane, bap 17th June 1835 at Kirk Bride (Twin of Edward), she
gave birth to an illegitimate daughter Ellen Jane Christian in
1864.
WILLIAM CHRISTIAN (1824-1887) married (1) CATHARINE (Nee CHRISTIAN)
of Ballakeij/Ballakeigh Farm, Kirk Bride on 22nd August 1847 at Kirk Bride Church. They had issue of an only son, William Henry, bap. 16th February 1848, and died 24th February 1900. He was better known as The "Giant" or "Big Billy", due to his lofty statue of 6 feet 10½ inches in his stocking feet. Although William Henry's father died intestate (leaving no Will), he inherited the Ballabeg estate. Right up to about 1956 here in the Island, if anyone died intestate, leaving a son and heir, the whole estate went to the eldest son, irrespective of whether the wife was still alive or not. The Ballabeg estate in turn passed to William Henry's illegitimate son William Edward Goldsmith, born 1883 and died 6th August 1914, buried at Kirk Bride. William Edward was also known a. "William 'Lameleg' Goldsmith".
Ramsey Weekly News Saturday 3rd March 1900
"Death of the Manx Giant"
"On Friday last, Mr. W.H. Christian, The Manx Giant-, passed away. He belonged to the Ballabeg, Bride, which place he had farmed for many years. Two or three years ago he suffered from a severe attack of influenza, and never seemed to set properly clear of it after. Mr. Christian was only 52 years of age at the time of his death. His height was Seven feet.
The Last Will & Testament of William Henry Christian (1848-1900)
This is the Last Will and Testament of me William Henry Christian,
of Ballabeg, Kirk Bride, Isle of Man, made this Twenty Second day of
February, in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred.
I herby revoke all former of other Wills made by me at any time
heretofore made.
I appoint Daniel Christian of Ballakey, to be my executor, and desire
that all my just debts, funeral and Testamentary expences be paid and
satisfied by my said executor as soon as conveniently may be after my
decease.
I give, devise and bequeath unto my natural son William Edward
Goldsmith the whole of my estate known as Ballabeg in the Parish of
Kirk Bride comprising of fifty three acres or thereabouts with the
Dwelling House and Farm buildings thereon subject to this condition
that my said real estate be not sold or mortgaged.
I give, devise and bequeath unto Margaret Ann Christian the sum of
Two Hundred Pounds.
I give, devise and bequeath unto Annie Craine, Domestic Servant in my
service the sum of Fifty Pounds.
I give, divise and bequeath unto Charles Howland, Man Servant, the
sum of Twenty Five Pounds.
I desire and direct that all stock, provender, crops, and all other
of or personal property at the time of my deceese not otherwise
disposed of be sold and that the total proceeds thereof be divided
into equal portions, one of such equal portions I devise, and
bequeath unto the said William. Edward Goldsmith, the other equal
portion I devise and bequeath unto my executor Daniel Christian, to
whom I also commit the guardianship of my natural son William Edward
Goldsmith, and the oversight and direction of my estate of Ballabeg
aforesaid.
Signed by the Testator This twenty second day of February 1900,
William Henry Christian In the presence of us at the same time
his X mark.who have hereunto subscribed our namesas Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator and of each other.Signed' D.S.Cowley
Edward Christian."
ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN of Ballakeigh, Kirk Bride, bap. 23rd July 1819, died 20th November 1894, aged 75yrs, and buried at Kirk Bride. Elizabeth was a sister of CATHERINE (1826-1848) of Ballakeigh Farm. She had an illegitimate son by William Christian of Ballabeg (1824-1887), ROBERT. Elizabeth was bannished from Ballakeigh before the birth of Robert, to Surby, Port Erin (The other end of the Island). Robert was bap. 21st August 1853, at Kirk Rushen, and died 18th January 1933, being buried at Kirk Rushen. Robert was a fisherman, and during his childhood he lived down on the quay at Port St. Mary with a Kinrade/Kinvig family. Nothing else is known about his childhood.
(2) married MARGARET (Nee CROWE) of Ballachrink, Kirk Bride on 22nd June 1854. Margaret, born 1832, died 18th August 1857, and was buried at Kirk Bride, leaving an issue of:
a. John Edward Christian, bap. 25th February 1855 at Kirk Bride, and married Margaret Jane Hudson at Kirk Patrick on 16th September 1880,
They had issue.
b. Margaret Isabella, bap. 24th June 1857, at Kirk Bride.
(3) married SARAH (Nee TAGGART) of Ballacowle, Kirk Bride on 20th February 1861. Sarah was born 1840 , died 1870, leaving the following issue:
a. Thomas, bap. 28th July 1861, died 1869.
b. Sarah Ann, bap. 12th April 1863, Emigrated to California with one of her half brothers, which one, it is not known, nor has there been any news of since.
c. Jessie, bap. 1st January 1865, died 1869.
d. Catherine, bap. 30th March 1866, at Kirk Bride.
e. Lizzie, bap. 17th May 1868, at Kirk Bride.
(4) married ELIZABETH (Nee CHRISTIAN) of Smeale, Kirk Andreas, and was married there in 187-. There was no issue from this last marriage, and William finally died at Smeale 8th November 1887, intestate.
ROBERT CHRISTIAN & MARGARET (Nee GILMOUR 1858-1922)
there were 8 children from this marriage:
1. MARGARET JANE, bap. 8th December 1872 at Kirk Rushen, and died 5th
November 1906 during childbirth. She was married to J.J. CLAGUE of
Castletown in 1897.
2. ROBERT CHARLES, bap. 5th April 1874 at Kirk Hushen, and died 24th January 1904 in Canada. He was married to MARGARET in 1899, and left an issue of:
a. ROBERT HENRY.
b. EDITH MAY.
3. ISABELLA, bap. 12th September 1875 at Kirk Rushen, died 11th
June 1934
She was married to JOHN HENRY CREBBIN in 1898. They had issue of
three daughters, who are:
a. MARGERY m BRUCE COWLEY
b. LILLIAN m RICHARD NELSON
c. JANIE m JAMES COSTAIN, of Ballachrink Farm, Colby.
4. WILLIAM EDWARD, Baptised 22nd June 1879, married MONA CANNELL in 1920 and died at Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, on 9th May 1921. Whether there was any issue from this marriage is not known ?
5. JOHN, bap. 8th May 1881, died 8th April 1953. He married NELLIE
ISABEL CRELLIN, daughter of JOHN CRELLIN & ELIZABETH JANE DODD,
nee KNEEN (widow)
They had issue:
a. JUAN, born 27th October 1921 (My father), who married GELL CARINE, at St. George's Church, Douglas on 10th Ap 1947, the eldest daughter of JOHN EDMUND CARINE & ELIZA JANE GRIFFIN.
b. VOIRREY, who married THOMAS DURRANT at Peel.
6. ELIZABETH CATHERINE (Lily), born 1886, Married 1911 to EVAN
CRELLIN emigrated to Boston, U.S.A. They has issue of an only
daughter, DOROTHY CHRISTIAN CRELLIN.
7. EDITH ANNIE, born 1890, died 28th May 1957, buried at Kirk
Rushen.
8. GERTRUDE, born and died 1893, lived only one week.
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ROBERT CHRISTIAN (1853-1933)
"This is the Last Will and Testament of me Robert Christian of
Surby in the Parish of Runhen, Retired Fisherman.
I leave and bequeath to my son John Christian, the sum of Fifty
Pounds as a legacy.
I leave and bequeath to my daughter Isabella, wife of John Henry
Crebbin, the sum of Sixty Pounds an a legacy.
I leave and bequeath to q daughter Elizabeth Catherine (Lily), wife
of Evan Crellin, of Boston U.S.A. the sum of Fifty Pounds as a
legacy.
I leave and bequeath to my grandson Robert Henry, and Granddaughter,
Edith May, children of the late Charles Christian, the sum of Twenty
Pounds each as a legacy.
I leave and bequeath to my daughter Edith Annie, the sum of Sixty
Pounds as a legacy.
I leave, devise and bequeath, to the aforesaid Edith Annie, her
heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, absolutely the whole
of my furniture and the rest residue and remainder of my Estate.
I appoint my said son John Christian Executor hereby.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this Seventh of
June, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Four 1924.
Signed:- Robert Christian Signed, published and declared by the
Testator as his last Will in our presence and in the presence of each
other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses.
Signed:- John James Qulatrough John Keig Qualtrough."
ROGER CHRISTIAN
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Parish Age
Kirk Michael
1784 Joney Nelson, alias Callister, buried 19th February 71
1784 Daniel Nelson, buried 15th February 39
1748 William Nelson, 2nd March 76
1748 Catherine Nelson, buried 4th February 75
Malew
- - John Nelson 76
- - - Isabel Nelson, wife of Stephen Nelson, 12th August 54
Rushen
1781 Elinor Nelson, daughter of John Nelson, 29th August 14 mths
1760 Thomas Nelson, son of Thomas and Margaret Nelson, 16th June 17
And four who died as infants
1794 John Nelson, of Cregnaish, died 11th January 62
1758 William Nelson, of Cregnaish, buried 23rd March 29
1795 John Nelson, of Ballakilley, died 10th December 84
1788 Isabel Nelson, alias Callister, of Ballacreggan, his wife, buried 8th December 78
1 GOVERNOR WILLIAM SAYLE.
Eight British Lords Proprietor were rewarded with the Province of South Carolina for their loyal support of the Crown in the Cavalier-Roundhead Wars. They planned to develop the Carolina plantations as a source of produce staples for the European market, and in 1669 turned to John Locke, the English philosopher, to draw up the "Fundamental Constitutions" for establishment of a feudal order in Carolina. One of the most important aspects of the plan was to grant the right of free worship to dissenting religions, thus permitting a Puritan to not only lead the expedition, but to become the first Governor. William Sayle, said to have been a sea captain from the Isle of Man, first appears in Bermuda in 1630, at which time he was appointed Councillor. In 1641, 1642 and 1643, he served as Governor of Bermuda. The following year he shared the post in Companionship with two colleagues, and from 1658 to 1662 he again served as Governor of Bermuda. When the Charleston expedition came to port to pick up seed and additional settlers, William Sayle, though quite aged and infirm, was appointed to lead the expedition to final settlement, and to serve as its Governor upon arrival.
In March 1670, the expedition arrived in South Carolina and made its settlement at Albemarle Point on the bank of the Ashley River, naming it Charles Town in honour of the King. (Albermarle Point is west of the present-day location of Charleston.) The settlement of 148 persons was saddened when their first Governor, William Sayle, died during the first days, no doubt as a result of both his old age and the rigors of the voyage.
His land grants in the New World passed to his sons.
EDWARD SAYLE
Gravestones play a very significant part in family history and the maintenance of links between third or fourth generation families overseas and their Manx roots. They can exercise a mystique which makes them focus of a cult, veritable Family Altars.
For Mrs. Marida Pawsey, of Victoria, Australia, it is the stone over her great-grandmother's grave. Under it lie several members of the families of two sisters who emigrated from the Island with their husbands in the 1850s. Its headline reads 'WILLIAM NORRIS KELLY, NATIVE OF DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.' That family's pride in its Manx blood still 'speaks from the ground'.
This WILLIAM KELLY, Mrs. Pawsey knows, was the son of JOSEPH KELLY and MARGARET CUBBON, baptised at St. George's in 1824. In 1848 he married CHRISTIAN GILL at Kirk Braddan. She was the daughter of JOHN GILL and ISABELLA GOLDSMITH, a Ramsey family. Mrs. Pawsey's great-grandmother was JANE, CHRISTIAN's sister, who was married to a Liverpool man, WILLIAM GRIFFITHS. The two husbands emigrated to Australia leaving their wives to follow. This they did in 1857, Jane having two small daughters Jane (5) and Christina (2), joining their menfolk on the Victoria Golifields, round which they travelled for the next eight years, which Jane bore William Griffiths two more children Isabella and William Norris. In 1865 the two families settled, the Kelly's (who were not to have children) in the thriving sea-port of Williamstown, but William and Jane Griffiths moved closer to the centre of Melbourne, and started a grocery store at Collingwood.
But, Mrs. Pawsey writes, luck was not with them. In 1874 both Christina and her mother died, and William survived them only a few years. A bare year after his death, the younger Jane died at the age of 29, leaving 5 children, the eldest only 8 years old, to be cared for by her husband, who was the Butcher in Williamstown.
Mrs. Pawsey has still to trace the descendants of the other two Griffiths children, Isabella and William Norris, as well as their common Manx ancestry Meanwhile the tombstone stands there, and, she writes 'every time I see it, I get a real thrill'. It bears a piece of verse, which she sends, wondering if it could have a Manx originals
Go to thy peaceful rest'
For thee we need not weep,
Since thou art now among the blest
No more sin and sorrow pressed,
But hushed in quiet sleep.
This is not the first time Mrs. Pawsey has written to the Society. Some two years back she asked help in tracing the JOHN GILL & ISABELLA GOLDSMITH family from Ramsey, who had a son ROBERT, b. May 1817 as well as CHRISTIAN, b. July 1820 and JANE, b. May 1823. Having myself a curiosity about the GILL family of Lezayre, I recall exploring the Museum records, quite fruitlessly. I see my notes reads
'John Gill in Ramsey - Baptisms
1775 - son of John Gill & Catherine
1788 - son of James Gill & Margaret Cain (m. Maughold 1787)
1789 - son of Patrick Gill & Elizabeth Radcliffe
First Goldsmith entry 1802.
Maughold - No John Gill recorded baptised between 1745 & 1809. Only Goldsmith in this period, Mary, b. 1783.
In Lezayre, John Gill's were baptised:-
1775 - son of John Gill & Jane Garrett
1780 - son of Edmund Gill & Isabel Sayle
1796 - son of William Gill & Jane Faragher
No record of an Isabella Goldsmith after 1750.
Griffiths even rarer. In Ramsey, no baptismal appearance before 1841, in Maughold before 1836s none at all at Lezayre. But he was of Liverpool.'
R. KISSACK
Fixed to the southern wall of Ballaugh Old Church by the Entrance is a stone reading'
'To the memory of Thomas Corlett, Mariner, son of William Corlett and Ellen Cry of Ballacry in this Parish, who dyed in Jamaica in the year 1755 and out of his love for the Poor of this Parish where he was born, willed to them the yearly Interest of the Sum of L300 English for ever and the rest of his Goods to his Nearest Relations. This Monument of him is by them up in this Place.'
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Any comments, errors or omissions
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