Air - "Car y Phoosee" (Song of the Wedding)
Be off to the weddin', yon young people all,
For all are expected, the great and the small,
Your friends and your neighbours, your relatives dear,
And all your belongins both distant and near;
From the Nors and the Sous and the East and the West
There isn't a soul but is ast as a guest;
In fac(t) the whole Island has flocked to Lezayre,
And, lekly as not, the whole world will be there;
They've ast the whole kit of you, herrins and sprats,
Your brothers and sisters, your dogs and your cats;
The mice in the barn you'll "see how they run,"
And "Robin the Bobbin," and "avery one."
So off with you, childher, as fast as you can,
Or the pews'll be taken and you'll have to stan(d);
Lo Ceasar they've come, and they've conquered, and seen
The loveliest weddin' that aver has been.
Aver has been? Yes, aver has been!
The loveliest weddin' that aver has been!
And up in the bay-loft, Oh dear! and Oh dear!
What gran' preparation they're makin' up theere!
The cleanin' and sweepin' and planin' the floor,
And nailin' up curtains on windows and door;
And riggin' up sofag with blankets and shawls,
And stickin' up candies all over the walls,
And larches and osiers tied up wis white ribbon,
And herrin'-bone borders of roses and hibbin.
See yandber oul' wheel, how he's takin' his res(t)
The little tears tricklin' all over his breas(t)
As though he was sayin' "My Nancy is gone;
All lonely down here she has left me alone!"
The little mill-stream, as it scutches along,
Is laughin' and singin' a bright little song;
I'm thinkin' I hear the words "Nancy veg veen,
The lek of thy weddin' has naver been seen!"
Naver been seen? No, naver been seen!
The lck of thy weddin' has naver been seen!
And Music? Of coorse; aw the grandes(t) that's in,
"With trumpets and shawms" and the divil's own din,
And Karran, the cornet, jus',come from Malew,
And the Castletown Fiddler, oul' Archie Cuckoo;
And Phillic the Desert and Tommy the Mate, -
The singin' that's at them is raaly fus' rate, -
"Ny Kirree fo niaghtey," and then "Bollan Vane,"
And av'ry one askin' for "Mylecharane;"
And may be a stave of "Catrincy Marroo,"
And then finish up with a carval or two;
And may he the Paazon himself will be there,
With a hymn and a tex and a bit of a prayer.
For eatin' and drinkin' there's heaps of bin-jean,
And milk for the women and jough for the men,
And custards and jellies from Mrs. Cregeen, -
A better confectioner naver was seen!
Mrs. Cregeen? Yes Mrs. Cregeen!
The lek of them jellies has naver been seen!
But see! the procession comes marchin' along,
The hills are all shoutin' with jubilant song,
First men with the osiers, then follow the girls
With frillings and furbelows, dimples and curls;
And av'ry one whispers "How happy their lot!"
"The Paazon will son tie the true lover's knot;"
"Row lucky the Bridegroom to win such a prize."
For pretty, and healthy, and wealthy, and wise
Is Nancy, the daughter of Peter Kermode,
Who lives at the mill at the turn of the road,
And lucky is nancy to have for a beau
So handsome a man as young Donald Qualtrough.
The bells of Lezayre on this thirteenth of June
Are merrily playin' their beautiful tune,
And these are the words of it - "Mannin veg veen,
The lek of this wedding has naver been seen!"
Mannin veg veen! Aw! Mannin veg veen!
The lek of this wedding has naver been seen!
And yandher's the Bride on her father's grey mare;
No wonder she's called "the fair maid of Lezayre;"
As red as a rose, and as sweet as a nut,
And dressed like a Queen from head to her foot.
Did aver you see such a wondherful sight?
For all, like a beautiful dhream in the night,
All movin' like music, on, regalar on,
Till you wake in the mornin', and then - its all gone!
Time off with you, childher, and keep to the thrack;
Don't go where the peat of the Curragh is black,
Or in you'll be goin' right up to your knees!
So keep to the path where you see yandher trees;
Then on to the Church, and keep clear of the tarn,
And after the Church have a look in the barn:
There's silks and there's satins of purple and green
And all the Bride's presents are theere to be seen;
Theere to he seen? Yes, theere to be seen!
The lek of them presents has naver been seen!
And Dancin'? Aw! 'deed, ther'll be dancing dy llooar
Of coorse, that's the for they wee snoothin' the floor.
The Dancing? Aw! that'll go on all the night;
And some of the quality puttin' a sight;
And may be the Deemster, and some of the Keys, -
"Good everin'; jus' to look on, if you please!"
And forfeits and games, and the capers that's in,
And Puss in the Corner, and Kiss In the Ring;
And then it's "Good Night!" and "I hope you will take,
For under the pillow, a bit of the cake."
And some of you eryin' it's over so soon,
And all gettin home by the light of the moon.
So off with you, childher, and don't you be late,
Or the Church'll be full and you'll not get a sate;
You'll all be declarin' when yandher you've been,
The lek of that weddin' has naver been seen.
Naver been seen? No, naver been seen!
The lek of that weddin' has naver been seen!
In the July 1986 edition of the F.H.S. journal a small piece was published about a Bridson family, the information was copied from a large Bible dated 1776 which had belonged to Ann Esther Bridson born 1817, it gave details of Bridsons back to burials in 1789. On looking out this information for a member recently I came across a lot more on an inside page:
Philip Bridson son of John and Catherine Bridson of Bouddaine
Parish of Malew married Mary daughter of Thos and Isabella Moore of
Sulbrick (of St. Ann) the 26th July 1815.
Anne Esther born the 6th April 1817 Easter Sunday
Married Mary Anne Coulthard daughter of William and Elizabeth
Coulthard (of Braddan) the 30th Aug. 1830
Philip John born Sunday the 27th November 1831 (being Advent
Sunday)
Maria Catherine born 26th September 1834
Philip Bridson died on the 15th May 1845 aged 83
Philip John son of the above, married Margaret daughter of Thos and
Christian
Bridson of Ballaquiggin (St. Anne) the 9th August 1853.
Philip born 26th June 1854 at Ballasalla, Malew
Maria Christian born 16th August 1856, Ballasalla, Malew
William Coulthard born 15th March 1858 at The Friary, Arbory
Thomas Arthur born 23rd December 1860 at " " "
Esther Jane born 8th August 1863 at Ballaquinney Beg, Marown
John Macadam born 9th August 1866 at
Margaret Elizabeth 20th May 1869 at
Catherine Alice born 29th January 1872
If any new members think this may be their family I will send a copy
of the previous details altogether 4 generations are covered back to
1721.
S.S.S. May 1732 [Lonan #48]
Articles of Marriage conditioned agreed and concluded upon, by and betwixt James Callow of K.K. Lon: with the consent of his wife Jony Callow alts Corkill, on behalf of their son Thos. Callow, on this one part, and Elrnr Clague als Kewley of the sd parish, widow, on behalf of her daughter Anne Clague, one the other part as followeth.
It is conditioned agreed and concluded upon. That the sd young couple Thos and Anne shall enter into the holy estate of matrimony within one month after the date here of, God and holy church permitting.
Its agreed upon that the sd James Callow with the consent aforesd, doth given unto the sd young couple, half of all his
tenement and estate, of Ballaknoick in the parish affore said, half of his crop teams and husbandry grass; immediately after
their marriage and his other half after the death of the sd James or Jony with half a main colt.
Its agreed that the sd Elrnr Clague widow doth promise to give and pay unto the sd young couple in portion on marriage goods,
the full and just sum of seven pounds sterling besides one cow, one steer and a couple of lambs and if so be the sd Anne
shall survive her sd mother, thy is to enjoy the one half of all her goods, after her sd mothers death.
Lastly and for the true performance of all, and singular the foregoing articles covenants and agreements, all parties concerned
do find themselves, their hands and aligns in the penalty and forfeiture of 20 Lb sterling to be levied in the nature of
all other affairs within this Isle as witnessed their hands,and marks this 29th of Sept. 1729.
Signed and delivered in presence of
Thos Fargher his mark x
Robert Lawson " " x
James Callow his mark x
Jony Callow her " x
Thos Callow his " x
Anne Clague her " x
Elrar Clague her " x
We record with much pleasure the celebration of Mr. and Mrs.
William Corrin's(Glebe Farm) Golden Wedding on January 12th. To few
indeed is such a privilege vouchsafed. May God spare them for many
years yet in our midst.
Taken from St. Marks Parish Report February 1899 Manx Church
Magazine
For one reason or antother members often have difficulty in
finding a marriage of their ancestors, and I thought a check list may
be helpful.
1. Always look under the various spellings of a surname for example
Fell and Fayle, the Vicar or Parish Clerk may have entered the
surname incorrectly
2. Always look under the Bride's surname as well as the Bridegrooms,
if known.
3. If you cannot find the entry you wanted on the microfiche, check
each parish index individually. Some marriages are missing from the
microfiche.
4. Non-conformist Church records start in 1849 and are NOT on the
microfiche, these are available at the Registry. Bishops Transcripts
are available for 1734-1799, and although not complete for every
parish, every year, missing baptisms and marriages can be found.
6. For early 17th and 18th Century weddings, look and see if there is
a Marriage Contract example Page 39.
7. Remember a widow may have chosen to marry under her maiden
name.
8. Some marriages are missing from the Registers, the Clerk or Vicar
just forgot to enter them, also see article by Pat Nicholson.
Many Manx people did choose to get married off the Island and it is always worth checking the records in Liverpool (cost £5) before sending to St. Catherine's House in London to see if they were married in England (cost £10 for certificate).
10. Try Reel RB 512 for incomplete Registers prior to 1849 for Roman Catholic, Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian records - baptisms as well as marriages - not indexed.
Good hunting - Editor
Details of the parish records held by the Liverpool Record Office are
stored at the Peel library. My thanks to the Archivist at the Brown,
Picton and Hornby Library, William Brown Street in Liverpool for
copies of the records.
There were 3 ways of getting married:
By publishing the Banns on 3 consecutive Sundays, proceeding the
marriage in the Parish Church where the parties resided. The marriage
had to be solemnised in one of the Churches where the Banns had been
read, if the Bride/Groom lived in different parishes. Books of Banns
are still held in the Churches, but have not been filmed, except for
a few in Maughold. Banns are not read in a Non-Conformist Church.
2. By licence in the Parish Church or Chapel within the parish, where
one of the parties was resident. Either the Bride or Groom had to
make a 'declaration in writing' before the person who issued the
licence- stating that they had been resident for 30 days previous to
applying for the licence.
An ordinary licence was issued by the Vicar or one of the Surrogates
in Douglas, Malew, Ramsey or Kirk Michael. No records of licences
issued remain. It is obvious in the middle of the 19th Century that
the rule of 30 days residency were not adhered to, many people chose
to marry in Kirk Braddan, although resident in other parishes.
This seems to have been more fashionable than having the Banns read.
Licences were relatively cheap.
3. By obtaining a Special Licence from the Bishop, the 30 days
residence did not then apply.
It is obvious that in Liverpool, Manx people had not been resident
for 30 days, but were able to obtain a licence. Perhaps because this
was a Port, residency was not looked at too closely.
On Wednesday last at Kirk Malew, Mr. John Karran, Saddler of Castletown to Miss Gick of Ballaquaggin. On this occasion yellow flags were displayed and the happy party received the congratulations of numerous well wishers.
At Kirk Marown, by the Rev. Vicar General Stephen, was married (after a tedious courtship of nine days) Mr. Thomas Callister, of the Howe, Rushen a widower of 60, to Mrs Ann Lewin, of the former parish, a widow of 50. Scarcely five weeks since the happy bridegroom was the mournful widower committing the remains of his former wife to mother earth
At the Parish Church of Andreas by the Rev. S. Walker, Curate, Mr. John Corlett to Miss Margery Christian. The united age of the loving pair is only about 120 years.
Stray Grave
Catherine QUINE, married woman died 16th February 1863 aged 30
years from Onchan Village, Isle of Man. Maryborough Cemetery,
Victoria, Australia.
TBD sorry
Wedding customs in the past would vary as they do today, according to the wealth and station of the participants.
Previous to 1757 no Special laws for the regulation of marriage had been passed in the late of Man, however the Church did it's beat to perform these rites according to ancient custom.
The intended couple would leave the legal squabbles to the powers that where in existence at the time, they were more interested in the jolifications of the wedding day. Let us start with a description by an early historian called "Waldron" in the 1700's.
He starts by leading up to the preliminaries of marriage "When the youngman had fixed upon the woman of his choice, and had made up his mind to ask the consent of her parents, he was usually accompanied to the house by his most trusted friend called in " Manx " - his "Doninney-Moyllee", his spokesman or go-between, to talk over the old folks, and induce them to give their consent to the match. He was sometimes used by bashful lovers to obtain the good graces of the young lady herself".
Let us consider the "match" has been agreed and the date set, Waldron now tells us of what happens on the way to the Church.
"They have bridesmen and bridesmaids, who lead the young couple,
the men carry "Osier Wands" in their hands as an emblem of
superiority, they are preceded by music, who play all the time before
them the tune, the "Blackand the Grey", and no other is ever used at
weddings. When they arrive at the churchyard, they walk three times
round the Church before entering it.
The ceremony being performed, they return home, and sit down to the
feast, between that and drinking after which they dance in the Manx
fashion, and pass the remainder of the day."
More than a hundred years later Dr. John Clague of Castletown
collected this old story - "An old lady told me that when she was a
child, she was at a wedding, and the bride was from Sulby Glen, and
the bridegroom from Jurby. There were about one hundred guests, men
and women and children, some on horseback, same in gigs, some others
in carts, and they were firing guns all the way to the Church.
They kept them sometimes with a rope across the road, to make them
pay a reward (a footing), a "thing" at a wedding. A barrel of ale was
put at the top of a hedge outside of the house, for the people who
were not at the wedding.
Now this brings us to times nearer to ours "The Victorians". An old writer tells us that when a country wedding came to Douglas, to spend the day,(as was often the case, there being more to see in Douglas than any of the other towns), they invariably caused considerable amusement to the townsfolk, by parading the principal streets in procession, two and two "linked" and wearing white gloves, ribbons, and favours, the whole company wearing looks befitting the occasion. They generally kept in the middle of the street, loitering at shop windows being evidently considered bad form. The perambulations of the party almost always ended in their going down to the "Old Red Pier"(then the favourite promenade) sometimes the "Hobblers" and loafers about the quayside would waylay the party on its return from the end of the pier, stretching a rope across and demanding "Baksheesh" before allowing them to escape.
The Manx people at this time still retained many fragments of speech from their mother tongue. The Manx for wedding is "Banniah" And sweetheart la"Cuishlin my Chree".
Many other customs are still practised by Manx couples at weddings even to this day, they include - "The blowing of cows horne outside the brides house on the eve of the wedding" Also "throwing an old shoe at the bride as she leaves for church". As well as Showering small pieces of wedding cake over the bride as she enters the house or place where the reception is held. The most practical custom was nicknamed "Penny Wedding" where couples in poor circumstances would leave a "Dollar" which was a round sieve, in an unobtrusive but convenient spot in the kitchen. Into this every guest dropped a penny to help pay for the food and entertainment.
I am sure that our readers can name a lot more of their own, but this short account of marriage customs is only meant to wet your appetite, and set you wondering what your ancestors wedding days would have been like.
by Peter Lewthwaite
[see also Marriage Customs]
ANN JANE CHRISTIAN to JOHN WM. HENRY CORKILL Master Mariner of Peel
on Tuesday August 2nd 1887, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Ulverston. Ann
Jane was the youngest daughter of the late Daniel Christian of Kirk
Bride.
ANN CHRISTIAN to WILLIAM JONES at St. Mary's Church, Conway in 1852. Ann was baptised in Ramsey 19th May 1822 the daughter of Thomas Christian of Ballacrink Farm, Bride and his wife Eleanor Wattleworth. More information if required.
SARAH ELIZABETH CLAGUE b.1852 Brooklyn, Ohio married 29th April 1874 Cuyahoga County, Ohio to JAMES HENRY VAN HAUN. Sarah was the daughter of James Clague of Ballavarrie, Lonan and Mary Collister of Ballaugh.
THOMAS CRELLIN married 1st JUDITH ? at Patrick Married 2nd MARY JACKSON at Donayhadew, County Down, Ireland c.1777. Mary was of Ballywalter, the daughter of Robert Jackson. More details LiberPlitor Case No. 34 1817.
WILLIAM SKILLICORN b. IOM son of James and Eleanor Skillicorn married ANNE. THOMAS at Linden Iowa Co., Wisconsin on the 8th March 1871.
JAMES HENRY SKILLICORN son of James and Eleanor Skillicorn living Plankington, Dakota married CORDELIA ROWE At Jamesville, near Dodgeville, Iowa Co. Witnesses: Philip R. Faragher and Addie Rowe
JOHN J. LEECE Blacksmith of Dodgeville b.IOM to LIZZY ANN PRIDEAUX on the31st Oct. 1868 by R.T. JAMES of Union Mills who was married to ELIZABETH LEECE John's sister. John and Elizabeth were the son and daughter of JOHN and CATHERINE LEECE.
ANNE ELIZA QUAYLE HERLOFSEN only daughter of the late Mr. N. HERLOFSEN and grand daughter of the late Mr. ROBERT QUAYLE of Billown, Malew, to Mr. H.S.DAVIES of Manchester, on the 18th June 1859 by Special Licence by the Rev.H. Carpenter, at St. Michael's, Liverpool
My thanks to everyone for sending in the above STRAYS.
"Complaint being made by Bahee Lewney of the Parish of Kk. Braddan that Paul Kissack of Kk. Marown called her the daughter of a witch". Paul Kisaack admitted he uttered those words and was ordered to "acknowledge his fault in the Parish Church of Kk. Braddan and ask the party offended forgivenes a paying her also 10d fee, otherwise to be committed to St. German's prison, there to remain till he give bonds to submit 'to law and pay all fees'. Kissack paid the fee and satisfied the other conditions without going to prison.
Thomas Corlet, Carpenter of Douglas and Isabel Goldsmith were in dispute over their illegitimate child but came to an agreement." Isabel Goldsmith obliges herself to maintain the child with all necessaries til he arrives at the age of fourteen years", and "Thomas Corlet doth bind himself to pay Isabel Goldsmith the just sum of ten shillings a year" until that same time. Thomas also agreed to "teach the child his own trade, gratis, when he comes to age".
Widow Steven was presented for " disorderly and irregular housekeeping entertaining Christopher Kinley and Peter Corkill of Kk. Braddan and Thos. Kinley of Ballaquail". The last was also presented for "drinking and tippling with the said widow till two or three o'clock on Sunday morning".
Sent in by Pat Nicholson
Are you an active member, the kind that would be missed?
Or are you just contented that your name is on the list?
Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock?
Or stay at home in comfort to criticise and knock?
Do you take an active part to help the work along?
Or are you merely satisfied Just simply to belong?
Think it over members, you know right from wrong,
Are you an active member, or do you just belong?
(Copied from Cleveland FHS, January 1988 issue)
The Manx nation has every right to be proud of one of its sons, John Quilliam, captain of H.M.S. Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, but how many people know there were two more Manxmen among the crew of the Victory on that fateful day?
Some years ago, I was reading Canon C.H. Stennings' excellent 'Portrait of the Isle of Man', when I read that two men from the parish of Bride, John Cowle and John Lace, served on H.M.S. Victory at Trafalgar. As I hear that good old Manx surname of Lace, my interest was aroused. One day sometime later I was browsing in a second-hand bookshop when I noted an old copy of Maxwell Frazer's "In Praise of Manxland". I purchased the book and there inside was the story of John Cowle and John Lace at Trafalgar, and it went on to mention that John Lace had lost an arm by the same bullet that killed Nelson.
That did it! I was determined to find out the full story of John Lace. After appealing for help in several genealogical publications, I received a letter from none other than John Lace's great grand daughter. The story of John Lace had been handed down through the family and proved to be very interesting.
John Lace was a quartermaster on the Victory and was steering the ship when the Battle of Trafalgar was in progress and Lord Nelson was on the quarter deck directing operations. Suddenly a sniper aimed at Nelson, but the bullet struck John Lace's arm and it had to be amputated. When he fell the sniper had a clear view of Lord Nelson which turned out to be the fatal moment of his great career.
John Lace arrived home after his recovery and took up the post of a pilot taking sailing ships around the treacherous King William Bank off the Point of Ayre. On the 5th November 1832 he was boarding a ship from his pilot boat, when the boat lurched on a wave and as he was an arm short he lost his grip on the ladder and falling into the sea, he was crushed between the two boats and drowned. His body was afterwards picked up and buried on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth.
Last September my wife and I were in Douglas on a rainy Saturday waiting for the ferry to take us home from a damp but enjoyable holiday. So to escape the weather we spent the afternoon in the Manx Museum. I was looking through the Goodwin genealogical notes on Manx families, when I noticed a piece about John Lace at Trafalgar. He was quoted as saying 'the same bullet did for both of us', so could he after all have been wounded by the same bullet that went on to kill Nelson?
I think I shall have to pay a visit to the Public Record Office at Kew and have a look at the Admiralty records. Were John Cowle and John Lace impressed into the Royal Navy or had they volunteered? The records of the Victory may yield some interesting answers and that could be the basis of another story about John Lace, a Manxman at Trafalgar.
Mr Lace has added further information:
H.H.S. Thunderer JOHN LACE aged 25 years joined 1805 Pressed, Rank
A.B. Born IOM
H.M.S. Prince THOMAS LACE age 21 years joined 1804 Volunteer Rank
ORDY born IOM
H.M.S. Defiance THOMAS LACE age 21 years joined 1804 Volunteer Rank
LM born IOM
My thanks to Mr. Lace for the article and for extracting further information from the Naval records - Editor
Parish Registers are among the first records most of us have delved into in our search for family ancestors so it is disappointing to find gaps. We may wonder why the entries are missing and in the case of Braddan Marriages from 1730 to 1734 the explanation is a strange one.
It all began in 1730 or 1731 with the marriage at Braddan Church between Richard Goodman a Douglas merchant and Martha Bowerbank or Boardbank (several variations appear). Vicar General John Curghey officiated and the clerk at that time was Daniel Curghey. The first hint of trouble appears in the Ecclesiastical Court at Douglas on 22nd October 1733 when Richard Goodman and Martha his wife were presented for not cohabiting and were to be "admonished to cohabit, as becomes man and wife".
On the same day Martha addressed the following letter to the Lord Bishop.
"My Lord, I am an inhabitant of the diocese of Carilsle where I am now preparing to go: it surprised me very much that Mr. Whiteside should have charged me to apear in your Lordship's Cort this day. I arbours your Lordship I have noe business there nor have I any complaint to make, neither have I any dispute with Mr. Whiteside".
Four days later she wrote again in the same vein but by 20th March 1735 she had, for some reason, changed her tune. At the Bishop's Court Martha presented her petition in which she claims she was "to her great grief and affliction prevailed upon to enter into the Holy State of Matrimony with one Richard Goodman" who had rejected petitions to cohabit and had made no provision or allowance for her during the previous three years. She said that he had destroyed the Parish record of their marriage and "surreptiously convey'd away" the certicate of marriage which she had obtained. She continued that "the pressures are so grievous that were it not for the supplies from my friends abroad I must of necessity starve".
At a later Consistory Court it seems that she was uneasy about her marriage at the time she wrote her first letter in which she did not wish to make complaint, because she had previously requested the Reverend Mr. Curghey's daughter to ask him for a certificate of the marriage. this reply was "Never mind it, don't trouble me now, it is safe enough". Five days later on 7th October 1733 Reverend Curghey died. However his successor, Rev. Mr. Coanahan did send her a copy which is presumably the one conveyed away by Richard Goodman. Witnesses at this same court swore that they had seen the record of the Goodmans' marriage in the Parish Register but Mr. George Hussey who Mrs. Goodman claimed "delivered her as father" at the ceremony, refused to give his oath and was committed to St. German's.
So it appears that Richard Goodman was denying that he was married to Martha and had taken drastic steps to erase all records. How is he supposed to have destroyed the parish record? The best account appears in the statement of Sarah wife to Daniel Curghey, the Parish Clerk.
"Sarah Curghy, wife of Daniel Curghy, Clerk of KK Braddan sworn and examined, declares that the night before Wm. Kissack was buried" (I later established that he was buried 27th October 1734) "she went with her husband to Dougas, who brought the Church Register along with him. They went both together to Mr. Archurs house where Mr. Goodman resided whom they found in his chamber, and that the Clark immdiately threw the said Register Book upon the table, begging of him the said Mr. Goodman (for Christ's sake) not to tear or abuse the said book, but only to look at his own and his wifes marriage, upon which that the Clark went out to enquire about Kissacks funeral, leaving the Deponent and the said Book behind him. When presently after the Clark was gone, he, Mr. Goodman, opened the Book and found the place where his marriage with Mrs Borebank was registered, as he told the Deponent and then with a penknife mounted with brass he fell to cutting the leaf and tore the whole out, together with a white leaf about four pages backwards, which he the said Mr. Goodman wrapd together and threw into the fire, upon which she finding fault, and asking what should be done if the matter came to be discovered and inquired into, he said that they might both swear, they did not burn it, because it was the fire that burnt it. And that the same day, he the said Mr. Goodman gave the Depont about seven and twenty English shills (as she best remembers) as a reward to conceal the burning of the said paper -that at the same time he gave her also a vest and breeches which the Clark has now on - Adding that he would go and drink tea with the Old Bitch and get from her the Parson's Certificate of their Marriage and burn that too". A while later Sarah met Mr. Goodman who asked if the matter had come to light. When she replied that it had not "he gave her a coat, vizt the same which the Clark has now on". Later still they again met but on this occasion she told him the disappearance of the pages had been discovered.
On April 23rd 1735 Lieutenant Paul Bridson, of Douglas was required by Governor Thomas Horton to take Richard Goodman and Daniel Curghey to Castle Rushen to be kept until they gave bail for their appearance in the Court of General Gaol Delivery. However Mr. Bridson found that the reluctant husband had left his place of residence the previous morning. Consequently Captains and Commanders of garrisons and forts were ordered to apprehend Mr. Goodman and to ensure that no vessel took him off the Island.
l have discovered no evidence to show whether Mr. Goodman was found or not but on 7th June 1735 a jury came to the following conclusion: "we do not find that burglary hath been committed by either of the persons accused. But the Guilt of the said Daniel Curghey Clerk in taking away the said Book being evident to us by his own confession ... we do therefore ... leave him to the Courts mercy for a Fine, and do acquit Richard Goodman in respect nothing material hath appeared to us to prove him guilty."
A week later Curghey's fine was set at Three Pounds, Six Shillings and EightPence. This sum was apparently considered to be low in consideration of Daniel Curghey's circumstances. He had, naturally, lost his job and had presented a very humble petition: "That by the crafty insinuations of one Mr. Richard Goodman of Douglas your poor unhappy petitioner has been deluded and tempted to the committing of a most egregious crime .....as it is but well known that his easy nature, his folly and ignorance has been much imposed upon, so also it is manifest that what he has done will tend to the utter ruin of himself and poor, distressed starving family if the merciful God does not putt it into the hearts of Good and charitable men to relieve him." He begged the Governor, Thomas Horton, his officers and the 24 Keys to show compassion, again tugging at the heartstrings with mention of his starving family being deprived of their bread. The grovelling obviously had its effect!
I cannot be sure what happened to Daniel Curghey after that but in
1762 a Daniel Curghey was buried at Braddan. His will reveals that he
was Clerk of Douglas Chapel (St. Mattews) and that his goods were
sold for £2-2-10 at public auction.
Of Richard Goodman and Martha I can find no mention in burials or
wills.
Maybe one of our members can throw more light on the lives of the
characters I have found so fascinating.
by Pat Nicholson
Braddan Parish Register
Liber Scaccatti
Presentments
Liber Causarum
Enquest s
Episcopal Wills
William Kewley a labourer from Lonan was accused and found guilty
of stealing a sheep from John Kinnish of the same parish and Thomas
Harrady was found guilty of taking a pocket book and E16 the property
of Richard Hansard Eikinand £16 from Mathew Hanby both were
ordered by the Court to be whipped in the market place of each
town.
On the 15th May it was to be 50 lashes on the bare backs at Peel, in
Ramasy the same punishment on the 22nd May, Douglas on the 29th May
and finally Castletown on the 5th June all in the year 1819.
Taken from Liber Plitor BM 283
In the summer of 1732 a baby girl was born to the late Henry Lowey of Lingaguein Rushen and Iasbel Costain. Nobody at the time could have forseen that the baby Isabel Lowey was a few years later going to be at the centre of a tug of war between the Church and State.
At the age of four Isabel Inherited her great grandfather Henry Loweys estate of Lingague. She appears to have spent her childhood with her grandmother Lowey - her mother having remarried when she was a baby. When she wee twelve years old her uncle by marriage Richard Cooil of Arbory applied to the Courts to be appointed her guardian and the child then lived with him. The following year he arranged a marriage for Isabel with a boy aged twelve years and five days 'of unequal fortune' Wm. Cashin son of Wm. Cashin Senior and Susannah Creer who had recently come to live in Arbory from Braddan. There is just one more character to introduce before the drama unfolds - Nicholas Christian, curate of Rushen.
On the 9th May 1746 Rev. Nicholas Christian applied for a marriage licence for Wm. Cashin and Isabel Costain (a mistake which went unremarked in the subsequent Court cases but shows that the curate was well acquainted with the bride-to-be's mother Isabel Corkish alias Lowey alias Costain and probably anticipated her wrath. He neglected to say the young couple were not his parishioners and that he had no intention of the ceremony taking place in his church - Isabel the mother lived rather too close to it for comfort).The Rev. Edward Moore gave licence the same day for the marriage of 'Wm.Cashin and Iasbel Costain both of your parish' providing there were no illegal reasons 'As also that they have the consent of parents' and to 'observe likewise time and place'.
About two days before, Isabel Lowey had been taken to Strandhall, the homeof Christopher Kinley, uncle of Wm. Cashin Junior, where the Cashins and Kinleys had 'persuaded' her to consent to the marriage and she had no opportunity to consult any member of her own family as to what she should do.
On the morning of the 10th May 1746 the curate of Rushen with Iasbel, the Cashins, the Kinleys and their friends left Strandhall, Rushen and went to Malew Parish Church but being unable to get the keys to enter that church they then went to Arbory Parish Church where the young couple were married behind locked doors. They then returned to Strandhall for the wedding feast and there was music and dancing as was the custom in this Isle. In the evening Richard Cooil took the young couple to his home in Arbory and they were put to bed in a barn with a young woman called Deborah Moore between them, as stated by a witness, one John Hutchin.
The following evening the young couple with Wm. Cashin Senior and others visited Ballagawne, an ale-house in Rushen. Shortly after this Isabel Loweys mother heard about the wedding and took her daughter away from Richard Couils home.
On the 19th June the mother on behalf of her daughter petitioned the Bishop of Sodor and Man, Thomas Wilson, for a divorce. He appointed a Hearing for the 19th of the month at Kirk Michael and immediately suspended Rev.Nicholas Christian saying he had 'Prophaned the Holy Office - by pretending to joyn together in Wedlock - children under age - Incapable of understanding the vows and obligations of a marry'd stare - And that it was done without the consent or knowledge of the mother of Isabel Lowey - merely to compass the selfish views of cunning and Intreigning people' etc. On that day Isabel, having come to lawful age - viz 14 years - asked for her uncle John Costain and her great uncle Philip Lowey to be appointed her guardians - John Costain of Ballachrink, Arbory was sworn. Asked by the Bishop and the Rev. John Cosnahan and the Rev. Edward Moore vicars General 'whither or no she now consented and Agreed to the marriage which in her Minority she was prevailed upon to enter into with Wm. Cashin a minor - Declares that she does not consent thereto, adding - that 'She would rather be destroyed'.
Two months later Nicholas Christian was reinstated as curate of Rushen and all was quiet for the next three years. Isabel lived with her Uncle John. Her mother died in 1747.
Suddenly, in August 1749 Isabel Lowey was caught up in the power struggle between the Government and the Church. Wm. Cashin Junior, now at lawful years, with his parents, made moves to claim Isabels estate through the civil courts. John Costain appealed to the Bishop on behalf of his niece and the Church Court case started again. (Unfortunately, in 1746 the Bishop had left the case open as to whither the marriage was valid hoping that when the young couple were older they would both accept the marriage). In September Wm. Cashin petitioned the Bishop asking for an appeal to be heard by Matthew Archbishop of York in England; it was granted providing Appealant gave bonds of £40. Without Isabel's Estate the Cashins were unable to find that sum so the appeal was not made.
Then, on 13th October 1749, John Taubman, Coroner of Rushen Sheading, in a quaint ceremony 'Do hereby Certify' that pursuant to the Worshipful Deemster Taubmans Authority I lawfully gave possession unto Wm. Cashin Junior, of Colby in the parish of KK Arbory, of that tenement or Estate commonly called and known by the name of Lingague in the parish of KK Christ Rushen by delivering unto him the said Wm. Cashin a soda or piece of the soil of the said Estate as part and in the name of the whole and all other appurtenances thereto belonging and also gave him the said Wm. Cashin possession of the Mansion House on the said Estate by Delivering unto him a handful of thatch on the said house as part and in the Name of the whole and by turning every person thereout and locking him the said Wm. Cashin therein and afterwards Delivering him the Key of the Door being first lock't'. Isabel, in great distress, petitioned the vicars General saying her uncle John Costain now declined to act for her benefit and asked for another guardian to be appointed namely Wm. Bridson of Arbory, a near relation of her own. (He must have declined as he is not mentioned again).
John Costain answered the vicars General that he was unable to oppose Wm.Cashin in his legal possession of Lingague as he would have subjected himself not only to a fine but also imprisonment. He had employed an attorney -John Stevenson of Scaldaby who, he said, had not done his duty as he should have. From Isabels point of view she had been betrayed by her uncle; he had, in the civil Law Court signed a document giving up his Right as guardian to Isabel and also said he thought she should accept the marriage. It was to be 'Delivered to Wm. Cashin Senior for the use of Wm. Cashin Junior'and dated 16th November 1749. Isabel was made of sterner stuff than her male relatives and went to live in Malew, probably in the protection of her lawyers family, the Stevensons.
In October 1750 she asked the Bishop to nullify and declare void her pretended marriage. The Church Wardens of Malew, in the meantime presented her for not co-habiting with her husband. The Bishop was ill that winter and it was February before he ordered his vicars general to take the hearing on 22nd March 1750/1 at a Consistory Court. The vicars general Robert Radcliffe and Matthias Curghey heard evidence from the witnesses of the wedding.
They then wrote their report to the Bishop on 27th April 1751 stating they believed the marriage to be legal according to the Laws of this Isle.
Isabel attended Bishops Court on 6th May when the 87 year old Bishop told her that her marriage was Valid. Her attorney John Stevenson asked for an Appeal to Matthew Archbishop of York. The Appeal was accepted on Bondsof £100 and on the 30th August in York, England a date was set for a Hearing on Thursday 21st November 1751 which Wm. Cashin Junior was to attend. The next we hear about the Appeal is a letter dated 14th March 1752 from York to the Manx Church saying the Bishop and his vicars General should be admonished for withholding the said Appeal of Isabel Lowey and that it must be produced at York on 30th April. The Bishop and vicars General answered York by saying that the Appeal had not been accepted by them and because of the scandalous Libel against them in the said Appeal they had petitioned the Deputy Governor of the Island for a trial and the matter had been refered to the Keys of Mann and that 'there was a statute Law in the said Isle enacting that whosoevere shall speak or utter any scandalous speeches against any magistrate - spiritual or Temporal touching either their oaths or offices and not be able to prove it, shall be fined £10 for every offence and their Ears to be cut off for punishment'. This appears to be the end of Isabels fight. The said Appeal was found amongst the Bishops papers after his Death in 1755 by James Wilkes Episcopal Registrar. By then Isabel had had a son by Wm. Cashin Junior called John born in 1754, followed by two daughters Mary and Eleanor.
This story has a happy ending. Wm. Cashin died and in 1763 Isabel married her cousin Henry Lowey (son of her great uncle Philip). He was 3 years younger than her and they had one child.
Many years later, after the death of Henry and Isabel and because her son John Cashin was missing believed to be dead, Henry Lowey her son inherited the Lowey ancestral lands of Lingague.
With thanks to my cousins Kathleen Cashen nee Lowey who discovered the Lowey- Cashin litigation and Wm. Ian Lowey who went to the trouble and expence of having the papers photocopied (almost a 100 papers) and to Ann Harrison,B.A., F.S.A., Librarian-archivist of the Manx Museum for her help.
Rosalind Crebbin 1989
December 4th 1821 "The Mona's Herald" newspaper delayed its publication three days "in the total absence of all news from the British empire or any other quarter!".
James Woods was the enumerator for the Patrick 1871 census, and he
must have had a sense of humour for alongside his own entry and his
neighbours he added these extra details-
Woods Buildings, House and Grocery Shop No. 2
James Woods Head M 32 yre. General Dealer b. Warwickshire
Christian Woods Wife 28 yes. Shopwoman b. German, IOM
Joseph Woods Son 9 yrs. Scholar b. German, IOM
James Woods Son 5 yrs. " b. Patrick IOM
Alice M. Woods Daughter 3 yes. b. "
Catherine Sayle Servant 16 yrs. General Servant b.
(BUT NOT A GOOD ONE)
Woods Buildings No. 3
John Christian Head U 33 yrsTailor also a BIG DRUNKARD b. Patrick
.
James Delany Boarder U 30 yes.Butcher also a BIG DRUNKARD b.
Patrick
The capital letters are mine, but I am surprised when the census was
checked that Mr. Wood was allowed to get away with it. Has anyone
else seen anything similar in census entries?
.;........
Breach of promise to marry in July 1875, the Mona's Herald between
JANE MYRA JOUGHIN aged 32 yrs daughter of WILLIAM JOUGHIN and JOHN
KINNISH Junior son of JOHN KINNISH senior aged 26 yes. of Malew. Full
details in local newspaper.
July 1872 200 Laxey miners have left the Island for Barrow.
In 1872 Steam packet labourers were paid 4d an hour in Ramsey and 6d
an hour in Douglas!
In June 1822 Mr. Gelling, Ironmonger of this town, having completed
his gasometer and apparatus, lit up his shop for the first time with
gas.
October 1821, on the night of the 24th ult. an Irishman, J.A.
O'Brien, actually "died of want in the street" of Douglas, just after
leaving a house at which he had begged. He had been a writing master
to many persons in Ireland of high respectability.
May 23rd 1822
At a Deemsters Court a woman of the name of Jane Kelly was brought up
by the Attorney General, charged with bigamy. Was first married to
John Kelly of Braddan (her maiden name was Quiggin) and on 16th
October 1821 married Thos. Fayle, of Braddan, notwithstanding that
John Kelly was still living.Not withstanding the clearness of the
charge against her the jury acquitted her. This unsatisfactory
verdict was highly deprecated by the Attorney General when the jury
were called upon to consider the case,- but they persisted in
sticking to their verdict. [see
Manx
Annals]
February 10th 1823
Married at Kirk Christ Rushen, after a mournful widowhood of ten
weeks (to Miss Elizabeth Qualtrough) Mr. William Qualtrough, late
coroner of Rushen by Rev. Jos:Qualtrough. The bridegroom's name is
Qualtrough, his first wife's name was Qualtrough, as also is his
present wife, whose mothers name as well as that of her father's;
before marriage, was Qualtrough! The clergyman who married them was
Qualtrough, who was Uncle to the former and present wife.
May 3rd 1823
Between the 20th and 27th of this month, married at Kirk Braddan, Mr.
Daniel Quark aged 36 years to Mrs. Isabella Kelly, aged 61 years.
CURIOUS WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT "At the same time and place (KK.
Braddan) was married Mr. PATRICK CANNELL,butcher, to a maid servant
of the Collectors.
Source Newspaper 1793
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Any comments, errors or omissions
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