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Now many people have read in a will of their ancestor that they were leaving a handkerchief amongst their few possessions, or seen an inventory of their goods a handkerchief listed with a value of 6d. and not given it another thought.
Handkerchiefs, which were in common among the gentry by the time of Elizabeth, were purely fashion accessories and intended for adornment and display only. Pockets ere almost unknown,although a girdle was sometimes worn beneath a gown with open flaps in the skirt allowing entry to pouches hung on either side of the hips or else a ring or lop attached to a belt or chain, otherwise it was carried in the hand. The popularity of the handkerchief in Tudor and Stuart times is clear from the many of the portraits of the day, but it lost ground in favour of the fan around 1700.
It would have been uncomfortable as well as extravagant to blow the nose on such expensive trifles as handkerchiefs, heavily embroidered as they were in Assisi or Holbein stitch in red or black silk and then bordered with bullion knots or a fringe of metal thread embroidery. When Lady Coventry paid a call on George 11 she was sight worth recording being attired in 'black silk sack without a hoop and trailing a yard on the ground. and had on a cobweb lace handkerchief.... and a pink satin cloke'.
The Victorians adopted the ludicrous fashion of hanging their silk handkerchiefs well out of the back pocket, that was not ignored invitation to the light fingered pick pockets
In 1763 fine lawn pocket hankies were on sale at ls/0d each, a pair of shoes at the time were on sale between two and four shillings.
A KERCHIEF meant a head covering, a sporting neckerchief of spotted cotton was tied around the throat and a handkerchief meant what it said, but not always. A type of shawl worn as a cape was also confusingly called a handkerchief around 1800, and shortly afterwards the distinctive term pocket handkerchief came into use.
Monogams were very late additions, and the convention arose that a lady would embroider the initial of her Christian name in the corner, but for her husband would stitch his surname's initial.
With the Victorians fervent indulgence in mounting, their handkerchiefs came in a range of sombre colours from deepest black to ones with tasteful borders of lilac and purple as time eased the pangs of grief.
Printed commemorative handkerchiefs became instant momentoes of great events - military victories, coronations, royal weddings, political triumphs, society scandals and that annual favourite, the Derby.
Charity children had it drummed into them that 'cleanliness is next to godliness' and school accounts are full of expenditure on apron..; and handkerchiefs. A magazine in 1883 devoted a page to 'Girls Allowances and How to Manage Them' out of a total budget of £13.6s 10d for the year one dozen handkerchiefs cost 5/-, half the price of the one pair of stays thought necessary
So I hope that in future when you read that your ancestors only had a handkerchief to leave you will view it in a slightly different light, after all it might have been a gorgeous silk one with hand embroidery
I would like to thank Anna Milford for permission to use part of her article called 'The Gorgeous Mouchoir' reproduced from 'The Lady' 5th April 1988.
"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread
with pedigree charts and with letters which said
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."
Stacks of old copies of wills and the such
were proof that my work bad become much too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And i at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here and of such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys i'd forgot.
Had i not been so busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills.
While others had bought gifts that would bring Christmas
cheer,
I'd spent time researching those birthdates and years.
While i was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such great fright.
Away to the window i flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
overstaffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the housetop the reindeer they flew,
sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.
And then in a twinkle, i beard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
The TV antenna was no match for their horns,
And look at our roof with hoof-prints adorned.
As i drew in my head and humped it n tie sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa - KER RASH!
"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
the carpet, (1 could ring his short neck)
Spotting my face, good old Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree
He spoke not a work but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (1 felt like a jerk).
Here wan Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy;
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He opted my research on the table all spread
"A genealogists" He cried (My face was all red!)
Tonight I've met many like you, Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.
I gazed with amazement - the cover it read
"Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead."
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.
While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!"
"A special treat I am thus able to bring
To genealogy folks who can't find a thing."
"Now off to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
An i climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.
While settling in bed, i Heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And i heir film exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family History is Fun' Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"
Published by Gibbs Publishing House, Toledo, Ohio
Sent in by Iris Lyle
On March 11th this year the final lecture of the Winter Season was given by Professor Ward on John Wesley and his journal, at the Manx Museum. After the lecture Bernard Caine, Chairman of the Museum Trustee's mentioned the extensive collection of Methodist Archives held in the Museum Library.
I have found these very useful in my research, and have listed below a small sample of what they hold which could be of use to family historians.
Baptisms Douglas, Castletown, Peel dating from approx. 1830s (These are not on the micro fiche).
Preachers Record Book Ref.. No. 1620c
Lists preachers who
travelled in the Island from 1809. From 1833 there are records of
meetings, with notes about Preachers on trial also obituaries of
local preachers
1833-1880.
Methodists Recorders - Dating from circa 1890 onwards. Again details of many local preachers.
Circuit Plans - The Museum has a collection of these, also copies can be obtained from the John Rylands University, Manchester.
History of Wesleyan Methodism - by James Rosser Published 1849 Contains obituaries of 31 Manx people who died between 1833-1849 who had Methodist connections.
Sunday Schools - There are many records of various churches and their Sunday Schools.
Photographs - The Museum has photographs of several local preachers also one of our members Frank Quayle of Peel has some Magic Lantern Slides which. date from 1860, these mostly only list surnames but can be copied see example alongside. These records are rarely used by Family history Members and yet they can put some flesh on the skeletons of your ancestors. information on whether your ancestor was a local preacher can he found on census records, their obituary in the local paper, some baptism and burial records also give the information when their children are entered in the Church records. Some Methodist Histories of their Chapels also list early members of their Church.
Registry - Many children of Non Conformists were entered in the Register of Births in 1849 although it was not compulsory to register a birth until 1878. Some of the births had taken place even twenty or twenty five years previously.
July 12th 1848 MANX SUN Details of lsabella Harrison aged 4 weeks
found on doorstep.
June 28th 1848 MANX SUN Description of Philip Kewleys career.
Tidewaiter at Port St. Mary
Feb. 1716 Terrence Kneale and Margaret Elsimore were married in the "late demolished Chapel of Castletown" and lived together for a while then Kneale left his wife and went to Bristol where he married another wife. Kneale came "by contrary winds to this island" and was ordered to be kept in the fort of Douglas until the Lord Bishop heard and determined the matter. On Feb. 4th 1716 Terence Neale and Margaret Elsimore come before the Chapter Court where he expressed his sorrow and earnestly desired that she would cohabit with him and stated that he was "not inclined to resent her apparent miscarriages in his absence". However "she utterly refused to cohabit with him" and was ordered to remain in St. German's Prison until she agreed to live with her husband. She objected that he has utterly neglected her these seventeen years and falsified his vows, whereby she fears she may meet with barbarous usage from him". The Court presumed "there may be some probability in her objection" and ordered Terence Neale to be also committed to St. German's Prison until he agreed to "use her as becometh". Extract taken from Liber Causarurn 1717 by Pat Nicholson
THE CENSUS - His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has issued a proclamation with reference to the accurate taking of the census a fortnight hence. There have been persons appointed in every town, village and parish of the island to deliver and collect the census papers. These men are called "enumerate and their duty will be not merely to leave the census paper at a house or on board a vessel in any of the harbours, but to ascertain how far the people upon whom they have to call are capable of filling up the paper. To this end they will be compelled to ask certain questions of the dwellers in houses, and woe be to those who give a false return. To ladies of an uncertain age the ordeal will be "truly horful," most shocking, and extremely unfair; but it has to be submitted to, and besides there is the compensating thought that it is only a poor "enumerator" who will be let into the secret; Angustus-Fitz-Bubbleton will know nothing about it. We sincerely condole with the whole worthy spinsterhood, for it is something startling to look 25 and be 50.
Although Richard McGrath was baptised at Onchan parish Church at the age of 2 weeks in 1838, there was no trace of his baptism entered in the Onchan Register. At the Consistorial Court on the 30th May 1865, Richard's Uncle Edward Christian, was called to the court to give evidence. Edward had been a witness at the baptism and he also produced a paper signed by Richard McGrath Senior and dated 12th November 1846 giving all his children's dates of birth. Richard b. 22 July 1838, his sisters Elizabeth Christian b. 13 July 1840, Isabella Helen Christian b. 1 March 1842. Their father was RICHARD McGRATH, his wife ELIZABETH CHRISTIAN The Rev. Ed. Caine had neglected to enter the details. This is only one of the many baptisms that have been missed from the Onchan Register.
Sometime ago while searching the Episcopal wills for the year 1755, I came across the inventory of a shop belonging to Daniel Kelly and situated in the parish of Ballaugh.
Daniel seems to have been a very enterprising shopkeeper and had a large stock of goods for sale to suit the Population of the parish.
The shop was well fitted out with pairs of scales. counter, shelves, drawers and With two
For the Dressmakers of Ballaugh he not only stocked Cambric at 5 shillings and sixpence a yard, Irish Linen at 2 shillings and eightpence per yard, but also on the shelves and in the drawers were all the necessary trimmings they would need. Many pieces of ribbon, tapes, apron strings, thread both white and coloured, buttons, thimbles, pins and scissors which were selling at 2d a pair. The ladies of the district could even purchase the hooks and eyes for their stays
He looked after the ladies well, with many combs, both horn or bone, pieces of silk, and for those that could read, several books lined the shelves.
Many of the items were sold by weight such as pins, feathers, lead weights, mohair, wool and nails.
Farmers could stop off here to purchase shears for their sheep and locks for their doors.
Even the Gentlemen of the parish weren't forgotten with silk handkerchiefs, snuff boxes and waistcoat buttons.
Among some more of the unusual items was a parcel of human hair valued at one shilling, tailors thimbler, razors selling it 3d each,, indigo, rosin and glue. plus straw hats at the grand sum of one shilling and sixpence each.
Altogther there are four Pages of the goods and their values that made up the total stock of the shop amounting to £10.12.11.
Daniel and his wife Catherine seemed to have made a good living out of the shop as the list of their furnishings prove.
Their household furniture consisted of a dresser, cupboard, kitchen table, oval table, elbow chair and benches. They had two bedsteads furnished with bolsters, sheets, blankets and coverlet. One of the beds must have been a four poster an a net of bed curtains is listed.
They not only had earthenware and pewter dishes, brass candle,ti,ks and linen napkins. but Catherin, also owned three small spinning wheels.
Daniel must have loved his cup of tea as TWO teapots are on the list with a cream jug as well
In their spare time they looked after the animals cows, sheep, geese, pigs and had a horse and cart. Perhaps this was used transport the goods to and from the shop.
Two Manx spades, a garden spade and pitch fork were used for outside work.
There were several iron pots, a griddle and a spit for Catherine to use for cooking the meals.
Daniel owned part of the Treen of Ballaterson and paid the Lord's Rent of 4 shillings and eightpence each year, they had at least two houses n the Quarterland and also owned some parcels of intack.
I would be delighted to bear from anyone who thinks that Dainiel may be an ancestor and have drawn a very simple TREE to help. There is no record of the marriage of Daniel to Catherine or of the baptism of their youngest child.
Philip Corlett
Daniel Kelly = Catherine b.1709 Ballaugh d. 1756 William
Shopkeeper d.1754
P. M. Lewthwaite
|
James Crellin |
= |
Ann |
John |
Daniel b.1740 |
Thomas |
Descriptions of weddings can often be found in the local newspapers, listed below are a few I have come across. Copies can he supplied if expenses are paid.
1. 1875 October 21st M.H. REV. D. MORGAN to CATHERINE GOLDSMITH Good description of wedding, guests, dresses, bridesmaids etc. 2. 1876 January 20th F.R. TREVITHICK to MARY ISABELLA GOLDIE at St. Georges. Marriage description and present list.
3. 1876 March 2nd LYNDHURST OGDEN to ISALEN JANE GAWNE at Rushen. Marriage details and present list.
4. 1889 May 22nd AMBROSE KELLY to MISS HARRISON in Peel. Marriage details.
5. 1889 May EDWARD CLAGUE to ANNIE BACKWELL. Edward of Edinburgh, Annie of Castletown. Details of Wedding
The following article taken from the "Cleveland Leader" of Wednesday, July 22nd 1896, to a tribute to the early Manx settlers in Ohio, when the city of Cleveland was but a village.
From the little isle of Man came one of the most valuable ingredients of Cleveland's population. it was a contribution of people which began in the village period.
The number of Manxmen in and near Cleveland is estimated at several thousand. The proportion of the entire population of the city is not large but it constitutes a quota as decided in its effects as it has been beneficial. They were noteworthy for the readiness with which they became identified with the interests and the order of their new home, rooting themselves quickly and firmly in the land to give more than they should draw from it. They were industrious, intelligent, and strictly temperate.
Manx immigration began in the third decade of Cleveland history, while the place was yet a village of a few hundred people, and has been continued to the present. The honour of being the first Manxman to visit Cleveland lies between Dr. Harrison and Kelly Gawne, and the latter was at least the first to remain. He was with the British army in the war of 1812 and through some connection with a duel while the army was at New Orleans he had occasion to come northward individually and reacted Cleveland. Dr. Harrison was a surgeon in the British navy and travelled extensively about the world. In one of his trips prior to 1820, he stopped at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, and was greatly impressed with its future prospects by reason of its environment and strategic situation. His accounts of the locality on his return directed attention to it as a desirable goal for emigration and in 1824 one family came out, by mistake settling in Painesville. William Kelly and his family, in 1826, came on and settled in Newburg township and he was shortly followed by William Caine. in the years 1827 and 1828 over a hundred families settled about what is now the "South End", more particularly from Union Street southward. It came to he true that one could pass for five or six miles in a line through Newburg township and have Manx farms on either hand all the way. Among those who came with the movement of 1827 were the families of Mr. Kerruish. Rev. Thomas Corlett, and Thomas Quayle, the latter one of the names most prominently connected with the development of the Lake merchant marine.
The Manx people of Cleveland were mostly Methodists in their denominational following and in the early days public services were held in the Gaelic language near Warrensville. One of the earliest preachers was a Methodist minister - Pastor Cannell - who exercised great influence and who held services in his own log house and later led in having a church edifice erected on the Corlett farm. He was seventy three years old when he came to America A large proportion of the membership of the old Wesleyan Methodist Church which existed on Euclid Avenue years ago, were Manx people, and many of them are members of the First Methodist Church.
A relief society has been in existence among the Cleveland Manxmen for the past forty-five years and some years ago possessed a literary department. Another organisation is Mona's Mutual Benefit Society. Some of the representative Manxmen of Cleveland, besides those mentioned, are W.S. Kerruish, a prominent attorney, James Christian, once a superintendent of the infirmary, and well known as a local preacher; John Gill, a member of the Ohio Legislature; the late Judge Sherwood, M.G. Watterson, once county treasurer the late T.J. Carran, a member of the Ohio Senate; and W.R. Radcliffe, well known before his death for connection in various capacities with the city government.
Roger Christian [fpc see Emigration]
There were also two licensed importers of dutiable goods, John Taggart and James Mylchreest, who owned their own vessels, the 'Ida' and the 'Crest'. These importers carried on a wholesale and retail grocery and spirit business, and supplied most of the shops in the south of the island, and also Foxdale which was a busy place in those days, the lead mines providing a great deal of employment. The soft sugar then came in hogsheads, and the lump sugar in pyramids about 2ft 6ins high, which had to be cut up, in cubes in the shop before sale. There was a crane on the Castle Quay, near the old wooden bridge, for unloading the hogsheads, and all dutiable articles were then brought to where the present Motor Car Park is, in front of the Custom House, for weighing and testing before delivery. This site was known as the Quarter Deck. There was a small building on this site known as the Watch House, which housed a small mercury barometer. Sailors and others generally congregated there and discussed the weather, which as known as taking an almanack'. General topics and daily occurrences were also greatly discussed here.
The Upper Harbour, known as the Duck Pond, has been made for over 60 years, the lower harbour being considered to he too small for the trade of the town. The advent of steam altered the conditions. All general cargo was being carried by a wooden steamship called the 'St. Mary' built in Port St. Mary and owned by the importers and others, but it was not long before steamships carried all the cargoes, and the sailing ships were doomed.
I have seen Castletown Harbour during a Saturday and Sunday in the herring fishing season so full of schooners, smacks and fishing boats, that you could walk from one side to the other of the Harbour on them. They came mostly from St. Ives and Penzance, and some from Arklow. I have seen herrings sold from the boats at 1/- per long hundred (i.e. 124). mostly every person in those days, rich and poor alike (provided they were Manx). were buying herrings to salt. This was known as 'getting your stock'. During one of the Sundays, a Camp Meeting would be held in a field, the pulpit being a cart, and almost without exception, one of the visiting fishermen would take the service.
A number of the Port St. Mary fishing boats, along with the Castletown boats, were laid up for the winter on the Claddagh, where the 'Duck Pond' is, and the portion above it. These boats had to get under the stone bridge and sometimes this was very difficult. The school children would get on board the boats from the bridge, and go to the bow to sink the vessel, and that done, creep aft and do the same thing, lying on their backs on the deck and using their feet against the bridge to propel the boat along.
Quite a number of people along Hope Street and along the Quay kept ducks, which spent most of the day in the harbour. I fancy that in the reason the upper harbour to known as the Duck Pond, on the same principle that the Apostles' bridge gets its name because it is supported by twelve pillars.
During the excavations for the Duck Pond, a powerful spring of fresh water was discovered. This spring is under salt water every tide. it was piped and carried underneath the river to the Brewery, and is used in place of a well that was in the Brewery Yard. The using of this water may well be one of the reasons why Castletown Ales win so many prizes!
There is a story told which I firmly believe to be true. John Taggart, one of the licensed importers buying his requirements in bulk in Liverpool, bid for a cargo of cheese which was in short supply, there being only one cargo in Liverpool at that precise time. The other buyers present thought he would not require a great deal - as he was 'some little fellow from the Isle of Man' - and did not compete with him, thinking they would be able to obtain the remainder at their own price. When the Auctioneer enquired the amount he required, he replied 'The whole cargo'. After enquiries as to his ability to pay for the consignment was found satisfactory, the other dealers found themselves in the position of having to purchase from him - at his own price. I have been told that he never got the opportunity again.
There was no Lighthouse on Langness when I was a child, and I can remember my father coming into the house one stormy night, after being out looking after his schooner, saying there bad been four shipwrecks during the night.
Strange to say, it was a Scotsman by the name of John McMekin, a Banker, who was the principal agitator to have the light installed. He kept writing to the Northern Lights Commissioners, pointing out the dire necessity for a light, and was for a long time unsuccessful in his efforts.
It must have been both difficult and hazardous for shipping in those days, with no light on Langness, as when the street lighting of the town was extinguished, one might as well look into a sack as look into Castletown Bay from the sea.
Castletown Pier and Lighthouse were built 99 years ago, the Quay known as the old Quay being then the only protection to the harbour from the Southwest gales.
The people of Castletown must have been very ambitious in those days for they had a paddle steamer called the 'Ellan Vannin' built for passengers and general cargo, her berth being on the West side of the Old Quay in the harbour then formed by the building of the New Pier, the face of the Quay being lined with wood sheeting to receive her paddle boxes. The enterprise was not a success, and the ship as sold, eventually going to Sicily. I have been told by a sailor who had seen her in Sicily over 60 years; ago that the Three Legs of Man were on her paddle boxes at that time. I have likewise seen some of the scrip that was issued by the Company.
Before the advent of the Railway, a coach ran from the Market Square to Douglas, and returned daily. I was acquainted with the owner, Tom Cowell, and also John, his son, who was the driver. A carrier's cart ran daily to and from Douglas, and continued to do so for, over 20 years after the Railway had commenced. There was likewise a coach, daily from Port St. Mary, carrying passengers and parcels. This continued for several years after the Railway had started. I have been for a ride in the Port St. Mary coach.
Victoria Road was constructed the same time as the Railway. I have been told that there was barely room for a cart between the Brewery and the river. I don't remember that, of course, but I do remember Alexander Road and the Bridge being built, which work was carried out at the completion of Victoria Road. A timber yard stood where the Brewery now have their coal stores, and on an open space adjoining them, known as the Woods, imported timber in long baulks was stored. This was a favourite playground for us children. A portion next to the enclosed timber yard was used for boat building, and several fishing boats were built there by Messrs. Cooil and Qualtrough, and brought across the road on rollers and launched down the existing slipway. The timber was carried in Norwegian sailing ships, mostly brigs and brigantines, and a large portion of their cargo was baulks (that is, the trees rough squared by axe, the cargoes being discharged through a porthole in the bows. The baulks were then made into rafts and floated as near as possible to their destination. The heavy timber, if required to be cut lengthways, was cut by two men over a saw-pit, with a double handed rip-saw; one man in the pit, and the other on top of the log.
The plastering lathes were at that time all split by bind, by a man known as 'Nailer' though his correct name was Clague. This man had an exceptional thirst, which was not uncommon in those days, with rum at 1½ d a glass; with sugar and hot water added 2d; and common ale 1d a pint.
Ships were also built in J. Qualtrough and Co.'s new Timber-yard, and on the Claddagh in front of the yard, the site of the present timberyard, was a rope factory in my young days. This was roofed in fro. the junction with Rope Street and ran parallel with the tailrace from the Water Mill almost to Alexander Road and the Railway approximately to the hedge of the field adjoining.
James Boyd carried on the business of manufacturing rope. He had a brother, Thomas Boyd, who carried on a ship-building business in a yard adjoining the Quay, which in no. the site of Thomas Moore's Bakery business. This ship-building business had ceased just before my time, but I can remember the pit for the cutting of the heavy timber, in which I have played many a time. The last vessel to be built was the 'Aid', a smack of about 80 tons burden, which was brought on rollers across the roadway and launched side-on over the Quay. I have seen two other schooners that were built In that yard - the 'Ocean Gem' and the 'Kate' and they were a credit to any builder. The schooner 'Progress' was built by Cooil and Qualtrough in a yard in Hope Street, alongside the Railway inn. I can well remember the launch, which failed on the first day, but was successful on the second. To get the ship under the old stone bridge, an amount of rock at the side and bottom had to be quarried away.
This vessel has been broken up this year in port St. Mary Harbour. and it took mechanical appliances at last to break her up.
Although the owners of some of the of the vessels went to various English and Scotch ports to get their vessels built, I am satisfied they would have done better to have them built at home,
There were two open-decked loggers, manned and owned by small crofters from Arbory. The loggers were called the 'Arbory' and the 'Wesley'. These, I am given to understand, were built in Boyds' shipyard. The crews carried on their conversations mostly in Manx and broken English, and always counted the herring in Manx, in threes, known as 'warps'. When they reached 40 in Manx they said in English 'heres a warp', and then there was an odd one thrown in, and they said 'tally'. This meant to put a mark on a board with a chalk, or cut a notch, in a board. I enquired, one day, why they were counting the herrings in Manx, and I was told by a wag they would not take the salt properly otherwise.
These boats had a small deck forward for a cover for the forecastle and for the raising and lowering of the mast and working the anchor, a small deck aft for the helmsman, and a narrow side-deck for the shooting and hauling of the nets on each side.
There was very little difficulty for any lad leaving school to get to sea, and they were nearly all sea-minded, as they could start as a cook in the fishing boats, which went to Kinsale and Crookhaven about April and came back for the local herring season. After that, some of the boats went to the Shetlands, and others followed the fishing down the cast coast of Scotland, returning through either the Caledonian or Bowling Canals, It was a fine training ground for lads, as they soon learned to steer, and the rule of the road. The man who would be steering would ask the lad to light his pipe for him at the fire in the cabin, but it would not be long before the lad would be asked to hold the tiller while the steersman lit his pipe. When it would be well alight, he would put his bend through the cabin scuttle to see how the lad was faring, and if he was satisfied, the boy would be left to it. The cook was not short of work; besides doing the cooking, he had to coil the rope to which the nets were secured when being hauled. There would be about three-quarters of a mile of rope for him to coil. The fishing boots used to have a capstan turned by band for hauling the rope attached to the nets. Steam was latterly used for thin purpose, with the boiler in the cabin, which made the atmosphere anything but pleasant. with seven men and a boy making their temporary home there.
A schooner called the 'Enigma' , which was built in India, was purchased by a Mr. Karran, who carried on a saddlers business in Arbory Street, and who eventually resided at Sea Mount, Scarlett. Mr. Karran had six sons, three of whom went to sea and learned their first rudiments of navigation at a school on the Green (now used as a Nurse's home), a Mr. Watterson being the Master, a one armed man. This is the school referred to in 'Captain Tom and Captain Hugh' in Tom Brown's Fo'c'sle Yarns.
The purchase of this schooner was the beginning of the Karran family's owning and sailing several fine ships, which were registered in Castletown namely, the 'Rio Grande', 'The Hope', 'Manx Queen', 'Manx King', 'Lady Elizabeth', 'Mac Dermaid' and 'Imberhorn'. Their House Flag was a red Three Legs of Man on a white panel, with a blue surround. Of course, these ships were never seen in Castletown, but numbers of young men from Castletown went to sail in them, and some eventually became Masters themselves. Models of some of these ships are in Castle Rushen and photographs of others in the Manx Museum.
The family of the late George Christian Karran were all born at sea, although none of the sons have followed in their father's footsteps. Their mother had rounded Cape Horn in one of these ships before she was 18 years of age.
Mostly all the Masters of the vessels ere known by their own names, with the name of the vessel for identification. There, was a Master in Port St. Mary of a smack called the 'Spy'. Edward Gale was his correct name, and he was a very decent man and highly respected, but he was known as 'Ned the Spy', so you can see how ridiculous this could be sometimes. Nicknames were very prevalent, and the most of those so called would not be identified by their right names. There were 'Famous', 'Drigs', 'Toby', 'Harkney', 'Bobbins', 'Snucky', 'Gallows', 'Henya' etc. Others were called by their own Christian names, with the name of their father (and sometimes grandfather) attached. 'Juan Dan', 'Harry Juan Bob', 'Thomas Billum-Bill', 'Joe Andy', 'Billa Hall' and others.
I can remember six thatched houses in Malew Street, five in Mill Street, three in Queen Street, and two on the Promenade. These have either been demolished, or the thatch replaced by slates.
There was an old man by the name of Thomas Vondy ('Tommy Vondy) who died in 1877. I have seen this old man along the Quay many a time. According to a headstone erected by his friends, he was a Porter and Public Messenger. I have been given to understand that he would travel over the whole island posting and delivering official notices.It is said that when he reached the boundaries of the town, he took off his shoes and stockings and walked barefoot, and if he saw any person coming on the road, he would shout 'It is I, Thomas Vondy, be not afraid'. As he was not making any noise when walking, he thought he might possibly frighten some person. He had two daughters who strongly resented the poetry on the headstone which commenced: 'Has there not been a tear for Vondy shed?' The stone fell down or was blown down, on more than one occasion, and was eventually covered with soil and disinterred at the death of his daughters, and is there today on the right hand side of the pathway to the Church from Castletown, and close to the Church. Strange to say, there have not been any strong winds since to blow it down.
St. Mary's Church had an octagonal bell tower on top of the existing tower, which gave the Church a fine appearance from the Market Square. This tower was removed about 40 years ago for reasons of safety. in front of the Governor' seat in the gallery is the Royal Coat of Arms of the time of George III, which has the Fleur-de-lys inserted. According to a tablet on the west wall, a Governor, John Wood, who took the Royalties of the isle of Man and the isle for his Majesty George III, was buried in the neighbourhood of that tablet in 1776 and a stone stating that Govenor Cornelius Smelt (who died on the 28th November, 1832) had been buried in front of the Communion Rail, is at present covered by a mat.
The seating for the troops was at the rear of the Governor's seat at the west wall.
I have heard it said that it was proposed at the time to have a doorway into the Church from Queen Street, as an entrance for the poor, which work was never carried out.
The streets of Castletown, up to 1884, were under the control of the Highway Board. Hope Street, Mill Street, Quay Lane and a portion of Malew Street were laid with paving stones from the shore and the footpaths, where in existence, were treated likewise. Some of the inhabitants in the inner social class were very annoyed by the removal of the paved footpaths by the Town Commissioners in front of their property and the substitution of concrete footpaths in place thereof, and would step over the new footpath for a long time, when getting in and out of their carriages.
The streets were repaired by coating them. with gravel from the shore, and sometimes hand-broken limestone, bound with mud and consolidated by the horses avid carts being compelled to pass over the repaired portion, and large lumps of shipwreck or old railway sleepers would be placed on the road for that purpose, and removed each night, being put out again in the morning
The streets would periodically be scraped by two men putting a scraper about 3ft 6ins wide across the road, where it remained .until dry enough for removal, and pity help any person who stepped into it in the dark.
The public did some sweeping in front of their own houses before the advent of the Commissioners, and the females with their long sweeping skirts would do some more. Of course there were no road rollers, tarred macadam or tar spraying in those days.
I can well remember when the horse-round-abouts wagonettes were coming to Castletown. To prevent the dust blowing into the shops in Arbory Street and the Market Square the water cart had to be used, as the mud, binding with dry weather, would be a source of great annoyance as it blew into the shops .
I have seen Castletown Market Place, and the yards and Lanes of both the Union and George hotels, absolutely full of these horse-round-abouts during an afternoon, and there would also be a good few in the mornings, making Castletown their dinner centre.
What a change there is today with the motor charabanc! They barely slow down sufficiently for their passengers to glimpse the historic Castle.
The following letters have been sent to me by Norma Smith a new member of the Family History Society who lives in Peel. Norma says the letters were sent to her Great Grandmothers brother John Watterson, by Peel men who sailed on the Vixen. John had also sailed to Australia on the Vixen but returned to live in Peel. The letters were addressed to John Watterson Mason, Douglas Road, Peel.
The first letter was from Indigo and dated July 11th 1860.
Dear Jack,
I have once more taken the pleasure of scribbling a few lines hoping they do find you enjoying good health, as they leave all the natives on Indigo, and myself at present.
I fully expected a letter from you by the last mail, for the reason, that one is due, but I find I must buy you, to get a good yarn out of your noble self and what is rather singular, I wish I had to pay higher for it, than at present. The Golden Gate is paying ripping just now. I stated in my last to you, that Billy Cubbon had forwarded £21 and that I had £5.5 of yours, since then I have received a further remand of £48 which when divided makes £12 each, so that I now have £17.5 of yours. After sending you the £40 there was 7 bob against you, so now I send you a draft for £17 that will leave 2 bob against you, and for this draft 7 bob more, which will make 9 bob, coming to me, which we can make all square some othertime. I wish I had a hundred to send you Jack but neither you or I must grumble at our spec. Tommy and Bill are well and still in the old claim. We are getting along pretty well ourselves, and will be 5 or 6 months working out yet. The Indigo is rather dull at present, but there is a good deal of gold a getting still. John Cain, Jho and Thos Mylechreest and Jimmy Watterson are still at snowy river. Cain has been pretty fortunate up there. He is now mates with Mylechreest's boys, and nine more men and have a grant of 200 yards of the creek, and from bank to bank, they have been a great part of the winter, employed a flood and tail race, sometimes they could put in 3 days a week, and sometimes less. The water is pretty heavy in the ground, but what they have seen of the claim, as yet, will pay them. Phil Quirk, Tommy Lewin, and Joe Beaumont from Ramsey left here for Snowy about a week ago. Last week we were rather taken aback by hearing a chap hailing the tent, and on opening the door, there stood Bill Cain, Bill Corkan and Tom Corkan, they had arrived the evening before but they gave their old nag a spell on Sunday and came down to see us, they left next day for Snowy, they looked well on it And they told us about a good many of the natives down the country. Tommy Wattleworth was speaking about following in there trail. Joe Kewn is on Inglewood diggings, Sayles boys are at the Mountain Hut. Big Boyd is at Inglewood, Bill Foyle is at Epsom. Billy Cubbon is working near Maryborough . Willy Thompson is doing the stroke near Browns. He intends coming up here to see us when the new chums arrive. They are about 75 days out now, so they ought to smell gumtrees by this time.
Please to tell Betsy that I received her letter yesterday, and that I will answer it by next months mail. Philip Mylrea, did a cranky job before leaving home, he ought to have got a little one, and stowed her away among his duds, or else have done his time out here, and then made a splice of it. I have been looking out for a Job for Tommy, but I got slued? and I have not got much time to look round now. All the boys are well. Carr, Philip Gorry and Tom Quirk are still here, and I don't think any of them will go to Snowy again, this next Spring. Kelly's boys are still on the 9 Mile, Corlett, Phil, Bond, Harry Quillam, Tommy Watterson, Napoleon, Jim Kelly and Ben Edwards are still on Zack. John McFray keeps a public house in Christmas town, about 8 mile from us. Johnny Gill is working At Lintons. The El Dorado is now worked like the deep leads on Ballarat. the sinking is now going close on 200 feet deep, but the water is very heavy, one party has sent to England for a 80 horse power engine. The Woolshed and Reids Creek, are nearly left to themselves. The 9 mile is not very different from them. Will Crellin is mates with us. The winter has been a fine one with us. It is likely that yowl will see some of the Manx boys that are here on Indigo, in about 12 months time stepping about on Peel quay.
If you don't answer this letter by the returns mail you had better look out for squalls. I have heard nothing of Bob Clark since the Back Crack rush. Bob Graves is on Table Hill. Will Cain and Bobby Callister are fossicking round them too. Bob Stephen has his old billet on the line still. George Powning is on Bendigo. The Higgins are all well. Buchworth is bankrupt. The Indigo has done that, as the trade is taken away from it, Morses Creek is turning out some of the best quarts reefs in the colony. Bowmans forest don't shape anything yet. And now as I have a mile or two, to post this letter and on a cold frosty night too. I will just knock off. I will send the second part of the draft in a letter to my Aunt, next month. So no more from yours truly.
Jon Quayle
Mr. John Quayle, Peel
Devonshier head Lower Indigo Aug. 21st 1860
Dear John,
I take the pleasure of writing to you these few lines, hoping that they will find you and all your friends well at health as they leave me at present, thanks be to god, for the same. I have not been very strong myself for some time past I am better at present than what I have been for the last six months I have been trubele very much with ike old complaint lately. Dear John I received your letter dated June 7th today need I am sorry to hear that your Father is spending his time so ill. Tommy Quayle and Phill Mylera arrived, hear the night before last, they look first rate on it. John Quayle was in Melbourne when the ship arrived Wm. Crellin Geel and Jack went to town for a weeks spell and Jack staid a week after the other boys to meet his brother Geel is the same old man. Still he is often wondern what you are about that you are not getting a wife. Bill Quirk and I are mates still. Their are three other Manks in the claim with us, two from Laxey and the other from Ramsary and two Engilsh men their was one of o'er mates sold out for one hundred and thirty pounds and went home in the blue Jacket ship, he was a Cockney. Jack Quayle, Jem Geel and Wm. Crellin and three other Manks men from Laxey are in the next claim to us, their was One of Jack mates got married the week before last to a daughter of old Jacks, that used to keep a boarding house on the nine mile close to whear Philly Kelley lived. Philley Was down hear last Sunday he is still working on the nine mile in the old claim and Wm. Kelley is working on the lower nine mile he bought into a race. They are both doing very well. John Wallace and a Melbourne Company is carlen on great works on the nine mile they are taken the water in from the Barwidgle Creek, they are driven a tunnel than the range at the head of the Back Creek it will be a mile and a half long underground. Their is almost three hundred men employed on the tunnel And makeing resevoys they think that they will have thirty five or forty sluce heads of water when they get it finnish`.d they can take it to Europe galley or any part of. They nine mile above the town ship they only give the men three pounds per week wages them that is maker the dams, but the men that are at the tunnel have got piece work. Tom Lewin is working for the Company makeling boxes for the flumes. Tommey Watterson, Harry Quillem and Bond are working in Moores old claim on the yacke'~dandah. John Corlett and Phill Cowley are still working in the old place and I hear that they have done first rate their have been a great rash to the Snowey River but their have a great many of the diggers returned back. Tom Lewin, Phill Quirk and Jemmely Watterson came back about a fortnight since they wear too late going up, the ground was covered with snow when they got their so it was no use stoping. John Cain Ballagear and Thomas and John Mylachrist is their and have done prity well them that was titelr and had their claims opend and good log huts built before the winter set in, intend to stop their the winter if they can. Provisions is very dear up their it have all to be brought on pack horses, drays cannot get within thirty five miles of the digging. Flour is from Eighty to a hundred pounds per ton, bread is two and sixpence, the two pound loaf four shilling and two pence per lb, sugar a shilling, and tea four shillings per lb and everything else in proportion, the only thing that is reasonable is flesh mate Beef and Mutton from four to six pence per lb. So much for Snowey River their will be a great rush to their for spring the Snowey is one hundred and fifty miles the other side of Aulbery. Bill Cain and Tom and Willy Corkin called hear about four weeks since they wear on their road to Mooney river. But I expect that they will be Boon back again they came up from inglewood they Bald that times was very dull down the country so they are hear. in fact times are very bad all over the Colony their is a new rush to the head of the Golaburn River their is a great many going from about hear to it, how it will turn out is not known yet but their is some good gold got their whither it is only a patch or not will take some time to prove. Temmey Moughtin is working in a gully two miles from hear it is called the Adelaid lead he have got a good claim their the sinking is about a hundred and twenty feet .....thetr is large claims hear now it is frontage on all leads over 40 feet deep for a hundred feet slaking each man gets thirty feet along the course of the and move as the ground gets deeper, so it will take some time to work a claim out. it will take os 6 or 8 months yet to work o'er grouted omit we have been the last 4 weeks sinking a dam and putting up a puddelling machien to wash our own dirt we have washed two hundred and thirty loads at An other machine, it paid us good wages and we have another hundred loads up now. I expect that we will get eight or nine hundred loads out of the claim altogether, our claim is not so good as Jack Quayle's What was Washed but we are geting up some good dirt. pow you Bleed not be surprised to see me home in another 12 months. Please write soon and let me know how times are in Peel. Remember me to Tailors and all inquiring friends.
I remain yours faithfuly Thomas Radcliffe I send you a peeper with this.
Remembr me to Dick Orange his father is weeldock Quayle was speaking to him in Town. The last time that I had a letter from Clark they were all well.
My husband and I recently purchased a cottage at the Braaid in Marown. While looking through the deeds to the cottage I realised that a family tree could easily be drawn up by the information supplied in the documents on the Kermode family, so I have copied out the relative information in the hope that it might be of help to anyone who is researching the Kermode name.
The cottage is now known as Mount View but in the past was known by Chibbanagh, the name of the farm alongside, which obviously owned it for many years.
We think that the date of the cottage was either late 18th century or early 19th, as when doing alterations we uncovered the most marvellous ‘chollagh’ built in the gable wall, which had been built over about thirty or forty years ago, when the cottage was ‘modernised’ . On the back wall of the chollagh or fireplace as it was later known, are two alcoves set in the stone wall, which is where the salt would have been stored to keep it dry and ready for use in the cooking, over the fire. Alongside the fireplace is an alcove which would have stored the peat and firewood and on the left hand side a large cupboard was found where no doubt cooking utensils and dishes would have been kept all to hand.
If anyone thinks that their ancestors may have lived here I will willingly forward a photograph and census records or alternatively if anyone knows anymore information on the cottage we would be delighted to have it. The farm alongside was owned by the Cain family for several generations.
Fiona Boultbee nee Lewthwaite
21stAugust 1841
at K.Braddan James Karmode = Elizabeth Craine | +--------+----------+----+---------+ 1867| | | | | 1878
Eliz = James Elizabeth John Ann Robert = Catherine Ann Taggart
Quayle | b,1841 b.1846 b.1848 b.1852 b.1855 | d. 17 Dec 1879
| Marown Braddan Marown Marown d.1926| | d.12th.Feb 1889 aged 71 yrs |
| |1928 | John Joseph Creer = Eliza Jane
| B1acksmith | b.llth.July 1878
| d. 30 Mar 1940 | d. 16 Aug 1929
| | Purchased Chibbanagh +----+-+------+------+--------+------+ | for £260 in 1925 | | | | | | no issue James William John Elizabeth Charles Sarah b.1867 b.1869 Caesar Edith b.1878 Ann = Emily Catherine b.1873 Watterson at. K.German 1895 | All born in East Foxdale Malew
+-+------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------------------+
| | | | | | | Ethel James Robert Emily Eva William = Ena Shimmin Eanie Mona May Henry Stanley Elizabeth Annie Charles b.1908
b.1896 b.1897 b.1898 b.1901 b.1903 b.1905
d.1918 d.1901 of White Van Driver
Killed in Lodge,Selbourne Inherited
Action Drive,Douglas Chibbanagh
in 1960 Cottage
sorry tree not copied (hand-drawn and very poor repro)
A present to MARY ANN REDSHAW from a friend October 12th 1858, Laxey, Isle of Man from Miss FARRINGAR, Laxey Hill.
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Born |
ROBERT |
READSHAW |
April 26th 1832 |
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WILLIAM |
" |
October 22nd 1833 died Dec. 10th1833 |
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PAUL |
" |
October 22nd 1833 |
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THOMAS |
" |
May 16th 1835 |
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JAMES |
" |
February 17th 1837 died Feb. 19th1837 |
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GEORGE |
" |
December 31st 1837 died Jan. 13th1838 |
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JOSEPH |
" |
December 6th 1838 died Dec. 6th1838 |
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JOHN |
" |
December 4th 1839 |
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MARY ANN |
" |
June 26th 1841 |
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JOSEPH |
" |
June 27th 1843 died July 9th 1843 |
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MARGARET |
" |
November 15th 1848 died Nov. 18th1848 |
Sons and daughters of PAUL and CATHERINE READSHAW
d. Sept 30th 1875 CATHERINE interred October 3rd 1875
d. March 14th 1877 PAUL interred March 17th 1877
d. December 9th 1877 ROBERT interred December 10th 1877
MICRO-FICHE - PAUL READSHAW married CATH CALLOW at Lonan, 21st January 1832.
More details of this family available.
On a recent visit to Jurby Junk, I purchased a quantity of old Victorian photographs all in very good condition, taken on the Island about the 1870’s to 1880’s. All the photographs had obviously come from one collection and all carried information on the back, in the case of married women their maiden name was given, some of the men had either the parish, occupation or farm name given. By searching the 1861 and 1871 census for Malew and Santon I have been able to trace these families and have more information on them. Those in Malew lived In the village of Ballasalla, copies can be obtained of any of these if expenses are covered.
Wording in the photographs
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1. |
Mr. Robert Gilmour, Santon Schoolmaster |
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2. |
Mrs. Gilmour, Santon |
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3. |
Nessie Cubbon |
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4. |
Sam Moores daughter Susan Moore |
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5. |
Mrs. Thos. Clucas (Uncle Quines daughter) |
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6. |
Nessie Kermode b.1844 - Mrs. Jas Newell |
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7. |
Esther Gick - Mrs. Cowley - Coulthard |
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8. |
Maggie Kissack - Hartley |
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9. |
Eleanor Clague |
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10. |
Aunt Essie Quine (Glentraugh) Mrs. Ayshford |
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11. |
Charlott Carr Miss |
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12. |
Richard Radcliffe - Ballachrink - Malew |
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13. |
John Collister - Church |
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14. |
Margaret Collister - Church |
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15. |
Christian Moore Mrs. Ceo Kewley (taken in England) |
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16. |
Ceo Kewley Capt Kewley |
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17. |
Sam Moore Ballawilley |
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18. |
Willie Moore - Sam Moore - Bakers son (taken in Liverpool) |
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19. |
Thomas Moore of New Zealand (taken in Wellington) |
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20. |
John George Moore (taken in Wellington) |
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21. |
Christian Kinley Mrs. Isdill |
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22. |
Hartley - Maggie Kiasack (Male about 50) |
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23. |
Isabella Kissack - Mrs. Sam Moore, Ballawilley |
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24. |
Mr. Turton |
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25. |
Nessie Kermode |
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26. |
Mrs. Wm. Clague - Daughter of Paul Taggart - Poolvash |
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27. |
Annie Callister - Mrs. Joe Hampton |
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28. |
Old Mrs. Cleve Kinley - Cath Quine |
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29. |
Miss Harvey (Probably daughter of Rev. Gilmour Harvey) |
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30. |
Nellie Campbell Margt. Kaighins daughter |
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31. |
Emily Kinley (Quayle) Wilcock |
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32. |
Willie Cubbon |
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33. |
Emma Kermode (Tyson) |
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34. |
Moor Photographer |
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35. |
Vincent Bramall (Not part of the above collection) |
P. M. Lewthwaite
1871 BALLAHOWIN, SANTON
CLEAVE KINLEY - H.M. 61 yrs. Farms 24 acres, Santon
CATH KINLEY - wife 52yrs
ANNE KINLEY - daughter u. 25 yrs General Servant, Santon
CATH KINLEY - daughter u. 15 yrs, Santon
HENRY Q. KINLEY son11 yrs, Santon
* EMILY N. QUAYLE - grand daughter 5 yrs. scholar, Santon
* JAS. K. WILCOCKS - " son 2 yrs. ,
England
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Any comments, errors or omissions
gratefully received The
Editor |
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