[From Annals of Kirk Christ Lezayre]

CHAPTER X - THE PARISH CLERKS

THE " ancient and honourable office " of Parish Clerk was one of considerable importance. It ranked next to those of Vicar and Captain. According to the ancient Spiritual Laws the Parish had the right of selecting its Clerk, subject to the approval of the Bishop. Alsoe every Parish hath that Liberty, that they may chuse their Clark, but the Ordinary authorise, accept and allow of him to be sufficient and able for that office."¹

In the beginning of the seventeenth century the Lord had usurped the right of appointment which caused much dissatisfac tion. In the year 1643 the matter was settled.

" Whereas it is a Complaint of the Country, that the Lord of the Island makes Clearkes of the Parishes by his speciall Grants, whereas the Parishioners pay the Cleark his Dues, his Lordship is gratiously pleased that the Parishioners and the Parson or Vicar of the Parish shall have the Nomination of the Clearke, and the Bishop or Ordinary to have the Allowance or Approbation of him for his Sufficiency and Ability to perform the Place; and this Order to take effect after the time of the Grants in being be expired, which have been heretofore made by his Lordship or his Ancestors.-²

According to the Churchwarden's oath, written down in the time of Bishop Wilson, though something like was probably in operation soon after the Reformation, the duty of the Clerk was " To Ring the Bells in due Time, to attend the Minister (when required) at the Visitation of the Sick, at the Burial of the Dead, or baptizim of Children. To raise the Psalm when required by the Minister or else to procure it to be done."³

The Clerk was well paid, as money went in those days.

" The Clark's Due his standing Wages is a Groate out of every Plow, if the Plowes plow but 3 Furrowes within the Yeare; and those that have no Plowes and keep Smoak, payeth annually jd. Alsoe, the Clark must bave of every Man that departeth this Life, being able to pay, a whole Corse present xxjd, or else his Apparell, as was used in old Time; and of a Woman xvijd, or else such Duties as were used in old Time and of the Poor, all Debts being paid, to be reasonably agreed withall. Alsoe, the Clark's silver on the South Side of the Isle is xjd. and the Headpenny, of which xij,d. the Curate hath vijd, the Parish Clark iijd, and the Parson's Clark ij. and upon the North Side xvd.⁴

He also received one " principall Cheese from each tenant and one choice lamb and one fleece of wool."' In addition, he had the Clerk's Glebe which, in Lezayre, was quite a valuable piece of land. It is noteworthy that up to 1823, all the Clerks whose names have survived, were men of good family-Standish of Ellanbane (of the same family as Myles Standish the Pilgrim Father), and Corlett of Glentrammon. This has given rise to the idea that they were " Gentlemen Clerks " in contradistinction to " Working Clerks." That is quite incorrect. The Clerk had to be a man of some education and very few, except those of the higher classes, were qualified to fill the office in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The first Clerk whose name has come down to us was John Standish, who died about 1671-2. The Vicar and parishioners sent a petition " To ye Revernd Parson John Harrison, Sir Patrick Thompson and Sir Thomas Parre, Vicars-General.

The humble petition of the minister and parishioners of Kk. Christ Lezayre.

Sheweth how the Lord hath been pleas'd to call for John Standish theire parish Clearke and the place therefore void, we know of none more fitt for all qualificacons and conveniences for compleat performance of this office than Lieutt. William Curlett, of whom we only make choice, and therefore craves ye benefit, not only of ye Statute but of your approbations, and this forasmuch as you execute ye office Eccll. under our Right Reverend Ordinary. And as bound shall ever pray etc.⁶

This Petition is signed by Edw. Crowe, Vicarr (sic.), Richd. ffox, Will Crowe, Minister and also by the four Wardens, the sumner and 84 parishioners, few of whom can sign their names.

[Incidentally this document throws light on some difficulties connected with the Vicars. We find Ed. Crowe still Vicar, though Harrison gives him the dates 1624-40. It does away with Charles Coole 1640, John Thompson, 1660. Richard Fox, whom Harrison places between Coole and Thompson, was un doubtedly Vicar, but after 1672, Samuel Robinson, 1667, according to Harrison, may have followed Fox for a short time, but not likely. ] ⁷

The Vicars-General approved and gave William Curlett authority to execute the Clerk's office and to receive " all dues and profits yt cloth anyway belonge to the Clearkshipe from Easter Day last and at Apprill 8th, 1672, until our Reverend Ordinary's return unto the country."⁸

The Bishop-Henry Bridgman-did not return until 1674, and gave his approval on July 20th.

" I doe approve of, and to all intents Ratifie what my brethren (The Vicars-General) have done in this behalfe.

Henrie Sodorensis.

Copia vera examinata p. me Rich. ffox, Episcop. Reg."⁹

But the Corletts were not in favour with all the parishioners. Soon after the appointment tongues began to wag, and the matter was brought before a Consistory Court held

" At Ballure Chappell, July ye 2nd. 1672.

Wm. Kewn sworn and examd. saith that hee with John Christian were comeing together from Hugh Black's house, and that ye sd. Christian said to yr depont. " I am glad that Wm. Curlett met not with Wm. Kissage, for bee would have killed him, and askeing the reason, he replyd that Wm. Kissage had said that William Curlett's father was to be whipt, or was whipt, at ye Church Crosse for a mutton.

Wm. Kewn his mark.

John Christian sworn and examined saith that Wm. Kewn said to Wm. Kissage that ye depont. had suffered great blame because of him ye sd Kissage sayeing for you spoke the words concerning Wm. Curlett's father, and that Wm. Kissage said " I did soe, and I will prove it . . . '

" I doe remember that Wm. Kissage tooke his corporll oath at the Court holden at Ballure Chappell July ye 2nd. 1672. That as touching these testimonies he never meant Edm. Curled of Glentraman; that he could lay no such thing to his charge, for bee never knew nor heard any such thing.

Richd. ffox, Regr."⁹

William Curlett was succeeded in 1688-9 by Edmond Corlett. A commission of Bishop Levinz, appointing a Parish Clerk.

" To all Christian people whom it may concern and more particularly to the parishioners of Kk. Christ Lez Ayre and inhabitants thereof-'. . Baptist by divine permission Lord Bop. of this Isle sendeth greeting.

Know ye that we the said Bishop having received a certificate of the good life and conversation of Edmond Corlett of the parish of Kk. Christ Lezayre, and of his sufficiency for reading and writeing and alsoe of his competent skill in singing, wch qualifies him for the capacity of a parish clerk's office, and alsoe having received from Sir Robert Parr minister of the said place a recommendation, nomination, or Election of him the said Edmond to be parish clerk . . . doe hereby approve and testifie the said nomination, and doe confirme his continuance . . . requireing all the parishioners of the said Parish hereby to take notice of our sd approbation of their parish clerk soe nominated canonically chosen and Approved off; Willing them to pay unto him all the antient wages without ffraud or diminution at such times as hath been accustomed as the Ecclesiastical Laws of this Island doe in that matter require.

Given under our hands aft Bishopscourt and Epal. Seal this 12th. day of February in ye year of our Lord 1688/9.

Bapt. Sodor and Man."

1746. On October 27th Captain Edmond Corlett of Glentraman, fifty years clerk of the parish, buried ¹⁰

1789. On June 7th, Captain Thomas Corlett, clerk of the parish near fifty years, buried.¹⁰ In 1761 the Churchwardens and Chapter Quest " present Captain Thomas Corlett parish clerk for not raising and singing Psalms at time of Divine Service on the Lord's Day as has been always used and accustomed in our Parish Church in times past . . , and present the Rev. John Gill, Vicar, for restraining and forbidding our said Parish Clerk to raise and sing Psalms . . . "

The reply of the Court was that " it was agreeable to the Ordinary's order. They might soon expect a collection of Psalms in Manks."¹¹

Captain Thomas Corlett resigned on account of ill-health, in 1789, and asked that his son should be appointed to succeed him. This was done.¹² As we saw above, Captain Thomas died in June.

John Corlett appointed a deputy to do the work. In 1792 he was living in Ramsey and " had many avocations." He asked Robert Corlett to act as deputy. John wished to retain the Clerk's Glebe and promised to pay Robert its full yearly value along with perquisites, fees, etc. On the recommendation of Vicar Corlett, the Bishop had approved of the arrangement and had given the deputy a licence. He had been acting for a considerable time, except on those occasions when John attended the Church. Now John refused to pay the value of the Glebe and hindered Robert in the performance of his duties as officiating clerk. Robert brought the matter before the Vicars-General in the Consistory Court. It is ordered to be recorded on May 8th, 1792.¹³

But we are not finished with the Corletts. They had long enjoyed possession of the Clerk's Glebe, which was a parcel of very good land, situated between the present house of Wood lands and the Garey Road-the Bayr Earnagh-and very convenient to their own property, and they did not wish to give it up. So on January 15th, 1827, John the Clerk and his son, another John, sent a petition to the Bishop. It is worth quoting.

" Whereas there is a small piece of land in the Parish of Lezayre, near the centre of the said farm of Glentramman, the property of the said John Corlett, senior, commonly (tho' improperly) called the Parish Clerk's Glebe, and whereas the ancestors of the said John Corlett have for time immemorial been the proprietors of the said farm and have each and every one of them been entered in the Seneschal's office for the said farm and every part and member thereof, whether Quarterland or Intack, without any reservation whatever, and have annually and regularly paid the Lord's Rent of it, and altho' neither the present Clerk nor any of his predecessors in office have ever been entered in the Seneschal's office, nor paid any Alienation Fine nor paid any Lord's Rent for the said pretended Glebe, the only cause or reason why the said lot of land has been called the Clerk's Glebe is this, that some of the ancestors of the said John Corlett gave the temporary use and benefit of the said lot of land to some former branch of his family who was then Parish Clerk, to assist him to support his family, but no deed of Sale, Settlement, or any other instrument purporting to alienate or separate the said lot from the ancient Inheritance or from the right Heirs thereof was ever granted or can be made to appear in the Records of this Isle."

The two Corletts ignored the fact that all the former members of their family who held the office of Clerk were men of military rank-the first a lieutenant and the other two captains-probably in the parish militia. They are not likely to have been poor relations, as the Corletts suggest, but rather the heads of the family. They are evidently conscious of the weakness of their case, for they go on to say

" To prevent any dispute or lawsuit concerning the said lot of land, and out of their great regard for the welfare of the said parish, and to add to the maintenance and better support of the future Parish Clerk, (and more particularly to prevent any lawsuit concern ing the said lot of land aforesaid), moved by the above considerations, we . . do hereby propose to your Lordship to alienate, sell or pass over in exchange for the said pretended Glehe, a certain lot of land in the said Parish called Lena-Voney (lately purchased from John Frissel Esq. by John Corlett, junior), for the perpetual use and benefit of the future Clerks of the Parish. Should Lena-Voney not amount to the measurement of the present pretended Glebe, the deficiency to be made up out of John Corlett junior's nearest lands to Lena-Voney, or money in consideration . '

The Bishop ordered this petition to be laid before a special Vestry. This was done on March 5th, 1817, and the proposal of the Corletts was agreed to unanimously-a very unusual happening in Lezayre at that time. Forty-five voted in favour and none against. It took a long time to get the exchange made. From an undated document (probably of the beginning of 1820) it seems that five persons had been appointed at the Vestry to act as jurors and value the land. The five were Daniel Stephen, John Corlett, William Corlett, William Joughin and William Curphey. They gave their report at the Consistory Court on April 27th. It is a long and tiresome document.

They have examined (it had taken them three years) a piece of Intack Land called Lheaney Vunney (Corlett had spelt it VONEY) and also another piece, part of the Nappin Quarter land, and also another piece of Intack. They report that these plots are not equal to the original Glebe in value, and that an acre and near a quarter are required to make up the deficiency.

Finally it was agreed that the land and £50 should be handed over by the Corletts. The land is described as

" the parcel called Lheaney Vunney and the parcel called Long Arm or Roih Liauyr as well Quarterland and Intack land East of the late marked new Highway,1 together with that part of the Nappins Quarterland in the said Parish,-South of the Highway opposite to the said Long Arm purchased by the said John Corlett senior from William Caistel, the late proprietor thereof, as by a deed to that effect bearing date the 18th day of May, 1820, in order to comply such deficiency-may at large appear, are and is to be understood as the Parish Clerk's Glebe of Lezayre in lieu of and in exchange for the original former Clerk's Glebe for ever,-and that the said new Glebe is to be subject to the Lord's Rent, Boons, Suits, Dues and Services encumbent thereon as former-accustomed.

And that the said former original land held as Parish Clerk's Glebe called the Claghad or by whatever name or names the same may or might be denominated, is to be hereafter the indisputable right and property of the said John Corlet, senior, his Heirs and Assigns for ever.

And whereas we understood that another enclosure or small plot of Land near and adjoining Ballacree Hill and Sky Hill, called Booil Cleary, has for time immemorial been held and occupied as belonging to the Parish Clerk of Lezayre-we do therefore leave and adjudge the same as such and to remain so, as formerly accustomed; having in no respect included the said plot or enclosure of Land in our valuation as connected with the above mentioned exchange.

And we do further adjudge that the Fifty Pounds British, agreed upon to be paid by the said John Corlet senior, for the use of the Parish Clerk is forthwith to be paid unto the Vicar and Church wardens of the said Parish-And that the said sum is by them to be laid out, either at Interest or in the purchase of Land; And that the Interest, Profits and Issues thereof shall by them and their successors in Office be appropriated towards the use of the Parish Clerk of Lezayre aforesaid for the time being forever. And which Interest, Profits and Issues, we are of the opinion, will be a reason able compensation for such Parish Clerk for travelling a little distance more from the said New Glebe unto the Parish Church than he would have from the former Original Glebe called the Claghad . . And we do further recommend that Application be made to have the said Exchange sanctioned, ratified and confirmed by an Act of the Legislature of this Isle as soon as conveniently be effected.¹⁵ And we do give for our Report & Award in the premises this eighteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and twenty (1820)."

Signed in presence of

Humphrey Stephen, junior Dan Stephen William Corlett William Castle William Joughin John Corlett Wm. Curphey

I do hereby ratify on behalf of John Corlet senior of Glentrammon in the Parish of Lezayre, the above exchange of Lands in the manner mentioned in the annexed award. I do also bind myself, my Heirs, Exors, Admors, and Assigns in like manner.

As witness my hand this 23rd day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty (1820).

Witness present at signing John Corlét junr.

Henry Maddrell L. McWhannell My Lord

From ill health I am sorry I cannot wait on your Lordship this day with the jury, Vicar and Wardens who will give in their return of the exchange. I have authorized my son to act for me and am

My Lord

Your Lordship's Most humble servant John Corlet. Glentrammon

23rd May, 1820.

I do hereby receive and approve of the above mentioned exchange of Lands, & of the award made by the jury, and the same is hereby ordered to be recorded in the Office of our Episcopal Registry.

G. Sodor & Mann.

Bishop's Court, May 23rd. 1820."¹⁶

John Corlett (or Corlet as he spelt his name) was buried on May 2lst, 1823. His successors were of a different social class and there was keen competition for the office.

William Joughin was elected at a Vestry held on March 27th, 1824. There were four candidates and the Vicar gives their musical qualifications and votes as follows. Wm. Joughin, not so good, 135. Robert Kneale, good singer, 4. Wm. Kewley, not so good, bad, none. Patrick Kelly, not so good, 22.

He did not hold the office long. He died on May 11th, 18 The Vicar did not ask for a faculty for holding a special vestry for electing his successor, until March 4th, 1828. The vestry was held on the 25th. There were four candidates. The proceedings must have lasted some time, for the names of all the voters were taken down as they recorded their votes. Robert Kneale received none, John Kelly, 85, Hugh Joughin loo, John Crowe 15. The names of Kelly's supporters are on two slips containing 31 and 23, making a total of only 54. Probably a third slip containing 31 names has been lost.

Hugh Joughin died in 1851. William Caley was elected on January 2nd, 1852. He received 98 votes. Other candidates were John Corkill 42, Joseph Hampton 7, while four others did not receive a vote. They were Philip Kneen, F. Joughin, Thomas Cowley, Naradale, and Thos. Wm. Craine, Glen Auldyn.

A protest was made by Mr. F. B. LaMothe, of Ellanbane, against the election of a Dissenter. The second candidate also protested " on the ground of the election having been effected by bribery and undue influence, and also on the ground of his being a member of the Society of Primitive Methodists."¹⁷ The election was approved by the Bishop Lord Auckland, on January 29th.¹⁸

Caley was a Sulby man, and it is said the Sulby people came down in their hosts to support him, much to the disgust of the rest of the parish. Caley was the last Clerk to hold the office as a freehold. He died in 1896. ,

The Church Act of 188o made great changes in the status of the Parish Clerk. It provided that the power of the vestry to elect a Parish Clerk should cease, and that on the next avoidance of the office, the Parish Clerk, Sexton and other officers should be appointed by the Vicar and Churchwardens, and should be removable (by the consent of the Bishop) for misconduct. All glebe lands and other endowments (other than dues and fees) pertaining to the office of Parish Clerk, were to be vested in the Church Commissioners, and the income arising from them " to be applied to the payment of such reasonable salary as the Com missioners may determine, to the Sexton for the performance of the duties of such office along with those of the Parish Clerk . . , and subject thereto, for such purposes in connection with the Established Church in the said Parish as the Commissioners may consider expedient."¹⁹

William Kneale Lace was the first Parish Clerk and Sexton under the new regulations. He was a very fine specimen of the best type of Manxman of the old school-a real Mannanagh dooie. He was devoted to the Church and gave freely, in its support, both time and money. The following inscription has been placed on a memorial tablet erected near the seat he so long occupied. It was composed by the Archdeacon-emeritus (the Ven. John Kewley, M.A.).

In ever grateful memory of William Kneale Lace,

Born October 15th, 1856. Died November 9th. 1940. For 44 years he filled the ancient and honourable office of Parish Clerk, and for over 60 years was a member of the Choir. His many generous gifts to this Church included the installation of the electric light, and by his will he left his dwelling house as a residence for the sexton of the Parish.

Also of his wife, Ellen Tait Lace (bonnie) Born March 23rd. 1858. Died August 21st. 1938, who for 66 years was a member of the Choir, and an enthusiastic and liberal helper in all good works connected with the Church.

" Nee e harvaantyn eshyn y hirveish, as hee ad yn eddin echey."²⁰.

The present Parish Clerk is E. A. Lowe.

On the death of William Caley, in 1896, the Clerk's Glebe fell into the hands of the Church Commissioners. A portion was sold to the Highway Board in January, 1928, for £loo. Later in that year the remainder was sold to the tenant, Mr. W. E. Cashen, for f250, A field on the Skyhill road has since been resold by the purchaser. It was known as " Booilley Fly Clery," "The Clerk's Fold," or " The Bell Field," because the rent was supposed to pay the Clerk for ringing the church bell. The proceeds of the two sales, after the deducton of expenses, amounted to .£324 17s. 10d. and is now invested in War Stock and Douglas Town Stock. The annual income amounts to £13 1s. 8d. The Sexton receives fio annually, and the accrued balance in the Commissioners' hands amounts to £70 9s. 6d.

Footnotes

1 Statutes, Vol. I, p. 45.
2 Ibid., p. 94.
3 Moore, Hist., Vol. II, p. 549.
4 Statutes, Vol. I, p. 45.
5 Statutes, Vol. I, pp. 43, 44,
6 Wills, 1671/2. Episcopal Reg.
7 Harrison, Manx Soc., vol. XXIX, p. 96.
8 Dioc, Registry.
9 Dioc. Registry.
10 Burial Register.
11 and 12 Mr D. Craine's notes.
13 Liber Causarum, 1792.
14 The Bayr-ny-Hayrey.
15 The matter does not appear to have been brought before the Legislature.
16 Dioc. Registry.
17 Letter of Rev. Wm. Bell Christian, Vicar, to the Bishop.
18 All the details of these later clerks are from papers in the Diocesan Registry.
19 Statutes, vol. V, p. 73.
20 Revelation, Ch. XXII, v. 3, 4.