[From Annals of Kirk Christ Lezayre]

CHAPTER XI. - CHURCHWARDENS

THE Parishioners, at the annual Vestry meeting, elected four Wardens for each parish. Their duties were "to see good order kept in the church and churchyard, their churchyard ditch to be well made, to make a true and just accompt to their parishi oners four times in the yeare, to enquire of all offences committed against the Spiritual Law ; as also to see all lawful injunctions read in the church, to present all those that use Witchcraft or Sorcery, Adulterers, Fornicators, Blasphemers, Drunkards, and such like, etc."¹ The Minister, Churchwardens and Chapter Quest held a sort of inquest every third week with regard to the cases they should present to the Chapter Court.

In accordance with the Churchwardens oath, these were (a) parishioners who " prophane the Lord's day by habitually neglect ing to come to church ; by behaving themselves irreverently there ; by resorting on that day to the ale-house, by gaming or sporting, or doing any works (except such as are of necessity or charity)." (b) " Parents of those children under the age of four teen years, who prophane the Lord's day by playing, gaming or sporting," and who " do not send their children to be catechized." (Those who neglected Saints' days were to be treated in the same manner.) (c) "Those of sixteen years and over who do not attend the Holy Communion." (d) Any " Moar, Serjeant, Proctor, or any other person " who " shall on the Lord's day presume to receive any rent or sums of money." (e) " All such as commit fornication, adultery, incest or the like." (f) " All such as are guilty of cursing, swearing and taking God's name in vain." (g) " All such as are given to drunkenness or tipling, and such as carry tales from house to house, and that sow discord betwixt one person and another." (h) Those who " pretend to sorcery, charms, witchcraft," and those who resort to them. (i) "All such as pay not the church assessment." They had also to keep a watch upon their parson and upon the clerk to see that they did their duty and to present them if it were not done.'¹

1633. Wm. Cannell, Mich. Caly, Edmund Garrett, John Kinreed

1638. F...... Quayle, Ewan Crowe, Donald Garrett, Robt. Crowe

1671/2. John Curlett, John Kneale, John Christian, John Curghey All put their mark on the petition for John Curlett as Clerk.

1684. Philip Curlett, William Quaile, Thomas Crow, John Christian 16go. Edward Garrett, Patrick Kneale, Michael Kewley, Thomas Stevenson, (died during his year of office).

1691. John Gill, John Crow, Mich. Kewley, John Callister

1692. James Christian, Robt. Curghey, John Christian, John Curlett

1694. Wm. Curlet, Wm. Curlet, Ewan Calie, Wm. Kneale

1697. William Curlett, William Curlett, Ewan Calie, William Kneale 1698. James Christian, Robt. Curghey, John Christian (fourth name missing)

1703. James Christian, Robt. Curghey, John Christian, John Curlet 17o8. James Christian, John Curghey, Edmd, Corlett, Robert Curghey. They sign the allottment of seats.

1714. John Garrett, Thomas Killip, Edmd. Gill, Wm. Casement

1715. Ewan Caley, John Corlett, .Emdund Gill, John Garrett

1725. Robt. Christian, Wm. Christian, Robt. Curghey, Edmd. Quark 174.0. Quayle, Curghey

1755 John Gill, Robt. Corlet, Robt. Cottier, John Kneal

1756. The Wardens seem to have been re-elected

1757. The Wardens re-elected

1758. John Caley, Wm. Corlet, James Clark, Thos. Teare. 1759. Thos. Tear, James Clark, John Caley, Wm. Corlett.

1760. Thos. Arthur Corlett, Jr~hn Caley, James Clark, Thomas Tear. Their names are on the stone commemorating the restoration of the Church,

1763. T. A. Corlett, James Clark, John Caley

1764. John Gill, Thos. Arthur Corlett, John Tear, James Clark 1766. Phil Garrett, Thos. Corlett, John Kneen, John Crowe

1786 & 1787. Robt. Redhead, John Corlett, Thos. Corlett, John Kneale.

1821. John Corlett, John Kewley, William Joughin, John Goldsmith, to 1825.

1826. John Cowley, Robert Stevenson, Robert Kneale, Robert Casement.

1827. Thomas Kneale, John Cleator, William Crowe, Thomas Lace 1828. Charles Caine, John Quayle, Ewan Garrett, John Allen 1829. William Kelly, John Cottier, James Cain, John Kneen

1836. John Corlett, Thos. Kneale, John Corlett, John R. Kneale 1837. John Teare, John Taggart, Ewan Caley, John Kissack

1838) William Cowle, Thomas Cowley, Thomas Craine, Thomas 1839f Killip

1840. John Casement, William Quayle, Thos. Stevenson, John Crye 1841. William Crow, Hugh Gill, Ewan Kneen, William Corris 1842. Fred Teilet, Thomas Kinread, Robt, Corris, Thomas Gill 1843. John Monk, John Corlett jnr., Wm. Quayle, James Cain 1844. Hugh Kinrade, Ballamanagh; Philip Cowley, Clenagh, for Sulby Third; Hugh Joughin for Ballacree and Intacks; for the Church Third, Thos. F. Kneale, Aust; for the Third below the Burn, Hugh Joughin, being parish clerk, was declared ineligible, and at a special Vestry, Thomas Craine of Balla meanagh in Glen Auldyn was elected in his place

1845. William Caley, Ballamanagh, John Killip, Clenagh, for Sulby Third, Thomas Craine for the Church Third, John Crowe, Ballacottier, for the Third below the Burn.

1846. Nic. Quayle, Sleu Managh, John Cleator, Carrick, for Sulby Third, Edmund Kerruish for Milntown Quarterland, for the Church Third, Charles E. Butt of Ballachrink, for the Third below the Burn.

1847. Joseph Martin, The Druin, William Quilliam, Ballergey, William Killip, junr, The Curragh, Thomas Cowley, the Close. 1848. John Craine, Ballateragh, Andrew Craig, Staward, Thomas Cowle, Ballacuberagh, Capt. R. J. Marsh, Cottage Mona

1849. Daniel Craine, Claddagh, John Cowley, Cleanagh, Thomas Martin, Ballagarrow, James Goldsmith, Balladoole

1850. Thomas Vondy, John Craine, Thomas Kinrade, Nicholas Killip, John Cowley of Crammag, was later elected to serve in the place of Thomas Kinrade, who was excused on account of ill health.

1851. Philip Teare of Ballacree, John Kneen of Ballie, John Cowley of the Kella, and John Mylecharaine of Corrady

1852. William Quayle, Ballamanagh, James Fell, Cooilbane, Edmund Christian, Poldooie, William Monk, Sandy Road

1853. Thomas Southward, Glen Moar, Robert Cowley, Cleanagh, Richard Teare, Glentrammon, Edward K. Gill, Aust

1854. George Hall, Cooilbane, Thomas Quirk, Narradale, Robert Cowley, Grist, John Corkill, Milntown

1855. Thomas Moore, Aust, Thomas Craine, William Walker, Grange, John Morrison, West Kella

1856. Thomas Arthur Corlett, Sandy Road, William Caley, Balla meanagh, John Kneale, Sulby, Thomas Stevenson, Kerrymour (sic)

1857. Thomas F. Kneale, Aust, Richard Teare, Glentrammon, William Quayle, Ballaskella, Robert Curphey, Close Chyrrim 1858. The above continued in office

1859. Richard Teare, Glentrammon and Robert Curphey, Close Chirrim, re-elected, and Edward C. Farrant, Balakillinghan, and Thomas Quayle, Ballakaley, elected

1860. Edward C. Farrant and Richard Teare re-elected, John Cottier and Thomas Teare elected.

1861. E. C. Farrant and Richard Teare, re-elected, and John Killip, Narradale, John Christian, Old Sulby.

1862. E. C. Farrant re-elected, Edmund Gill, John Black, Dan Cowley

1863. John Corran, William Walker, John Quayle, John Curphey 1864. William Gerald Fitzgerald, John Kneen, James McWhannell, Thomas John Southward

1865. Edmund Kerruish, John Crellin Goldsmith, William Quayle, John James Quayle.

1866. John Crellin Goldsmith, Hugh Kerruish, Bowring Road, Charles Faragher, Ballabrooie, William Faragber, Sulby. 1867. Joseph Brundrit, Hugh Kerruish, John Quayle, Narradale, Robert Cowley, Clannagh

1868. Ernest Thelluson, Thomas Caley, Ellanbane, Thomas William Craine, Glen Auldyn, Charles Craine, Glen Moar.

1869. Richard Teare, Glentrammon, Thomas F. Kneale, Aust, Thos. W. Craine, Glen Auldyn, John Killip, Rock

1870. Walter Scott Quarrie, Lough en Yeigh, John Killip, Grest, Thomas Goldsmith, Ballabrooie, John Robert Stevenson, Kerrowmoar.

1871. Wardens re-elected

1872. William Boyde, Ballachrink, John Craine, Glen Auldyn, Hugh Kinread, Ballamanagh, Thomas Kelly, Lhergy Rhenny 1873. Wm. Boyde, John Craine, Tbos. Kelly, re-elected, Thos. Kelly, The Grange

1874. William Boyde, Thomas Kelly, The Grange, re-elected, Thomas Cannell, Balladool, John Cowley, Crammag

1875. Wm. Boyde, Thos. Cannell, re-elected, John Grwne, Cleanagh, John Cottier, Kerrowmoar

1876 & 1877. H. E. Christian, North of River, G. Lawton, Middle, F. Southward, Mountain, J. Cottier, Sulby

1878. E. H. Christian, North of River, John Cowin, Gearey, Middle, W. C. Faragher, Mountain, J. P. Faragher, Sulby 1879. John Preston Faragher, Wm. Curphey Faragher, re-elected, James McWhannell, John Cottier

1880. John Cottier, re-elected, Thomas Kneale, Philip Quayle, Thos. Faragher

1881. Thos. Faragher, re-elected. Frederick Tellet, Alfred Edward Corlett, Henry Goldsmith

1882. Frederick Stevenson Tellet, Thomas Faragher, Henry Gold smith, re-elected, James Hardie

1883. James Hardie, for Sulby Third, Dr. Frederick Stevenson Tellet, for Middle Third, re-elected, Caesar Quayle, Grest, for Third below the Burn, Thomas Daniel Craine, Claddagh, for Mountain

1884. Caesar Quayle, Thomas Daniel Craine, re-elected, Nathan Mannock, John Thomas Boyde

1885. Edward Bangor Moysey, Glen Duff, John Graham, Glen Auldyn, John Brown, Aust, John Killip, Ballakaley

1886. E. B. Moysey, John Graham, re-elected, Thomas Faragher, Sulby, John Edward Crye, Sandy Road

1887. E. B. Moysey, re-elected, John Killip, The Clannagh, Edward Curghey, Clanagh Mills. John Cowin, The Gearey

1888. Frederick Arthur Worrall, Dr. H. Haydock Greenwood, both nominated by the Vicar-J. R. Stevenson, 13 votes, F. Richmond 12, Geo. Teare, T r, F. Southward, 11 votes, were proposed. A motion protesting against the claim of the Vicar to nominate two Wardens was carried by .11 votes to 5

1889. J. R. Stevenson, F. Southward, W. Corlett, Ballachree, John Radcliffe, Belmont Villa

1890. As in _889

1891. John Christian, Sulby Glen, Wm. Dawson, Bellevue, Edward Skillicorn, Dhoor, Arthur Worrall, Glentrammon

1892. J. Corlett, Kella, William Kneale, Ballabrooie, Caesar Quayle, William Cubbon, Ballagarrow

1893. Wm. Worrall, Baldromma, James Kneale, Sulby, John Gold smith, Sulby, Caesar Quayle

1894. George Joseph Teare, Henry Dean Quarrie, Caesar Quayle, Edward James Curphey

1895. Caesar Quayle, Henry John Quarrie, George Joseph Teare, Edward James Curphey

1896. Percy Brooke, Wm. Dawson, Edward James Curphey, Caesar Quayle

1897. This year six Wardens were elected, viz: W. Curphey Faragher, Percy Brooke, J. Corlett, Arthur Worrall, Thomas Cannell, J. William Caine. The Vicar General ordered a fresh election, and the following were elected-Thomas Cannell, Percy Brooke, John Corlett, Arthur Worrall. Owing to some irregularity this election was declared null and void (votes of those who were not proprietors were objected to), and a further Special Vestry was summoned. At this the following were elected, viz: Thos. Cannell, 56 votes, John Corlett, 42 votes, John William Caine, 42 votes, William Curphey Faragher, 40 votes

1898. Thomas Cannell, Balladoole, John Corlett, Clenagh, W. C. Faragher, Cooilbane, J. J. Sharpe, Ellanbane

1899. John Cowin, John Corlett, John James Sharpe, John Gilpin Goldsmith

1900. Wardens re-elected

1901. Messrs Cowin, Corlett & Sharpe re-elected, John T. South ward, Sulby

1902. Messrs. Corlett, Sharpe, Southward re-elected, Percy Brooke

1903. John Corlett re-elected, John Cowin, J. W. Vondy, J. E. Cowley

1904. John Corlett, John Cowin, J. W. Vondy re-elected, James Edward Cowle

1905 also 1906. John Corlett, John William Vondy, re-elected, William Charles Southward, Percy William Brooke

1907. Percy William Brooke, William Charles Southward, re-elected Edward James Curphey, Robert C. Cottier, Kerrowmoar 1908. Robert C. Cottier re-elected. James Cowley, Ballacottier, John Corlett, the Clanagh, John Killip, the Curragh

1909. All re-elected save John Cowley, P. W. Brooke, Abbeville

1910. All re-elected save John Killip, Oswald Andrews, Lezayre Lodge

1911. All re-elected save Oswald Andrews, J. Graham Elliot, Riverside

1912. All re-elected.

1913. Brooke and Cottier re-elected, William Sharpe, Ellan Bane Malcolm McWhannell, Laurel Mount. Re-elected 1914, 1915. 1916. Cottier and McWhannell re-elected, J. D. Clucas, Thornhill, William Radcliffe Cowin, Gearey.

1917. Wardens re-elected save that Robert Lees, Lezayre Lodge, takes the place of J. D. Clucas

1918 to 1924. Re-elected

1925. John Thomas Martin takes the place of W. R. Cowin, Rest re-elected

1926, 1927, 1928. W. C. Southward, M. McWhannell, E. B. C. Farrant, John Thomas Martin

1929. Three Wardens re-elected, James Teare, Glentrammon, takes the place of J. T. Martin, also 1930, 1931, Messrs. McWhannell and Teare died during their year of office.

1932. William Charles Southward, M.L.C., C.P., J.P., E. B. C. Farrant, M.H.K., J.P. (now Major), W. R. Cowin, Garey (now C.P.), James Quayle, Close ny Mona. Mr. Southward died in 1943

1944 E. B. C. Farrant, W. R. Cowin, James Quayle, James Brown

1945. E. B. C. Farrant, W. R. Cowin, Jas. Quayle, G. W. Moore 1946 and 1947. W. R. Cowin, Jas. Quayle, G. W. Moore, H. J. Cubbon

THE CHAPTER QUEST

Four parishioners were appointed each year to assist the Wardens in discovering delinquents. Sometimes they gave information to the Wardens, sometimes they made presentments them selves. Their office went out of use as Church discipline grew weak. In a few cases their names have survived.

1691. John Moore, John Garrett, Thos. Curlett, Ewan Kinred
1714. Phil Kissage, Ewan Crow, Edm. Crow, Patt. Kneen
1715. Thos. Cowle, Phil. Knekill, Ptn, Garret, Edmond Garrett
1725. D. Garrett, Wm. Crow, Thos. Kinreade, John Nideragh
1755 Edwd. Corlet, John Cowle, Wm. Cattier, Ewan Corlet
1756. Wm. Kewish, Ewan Skillicorn, John Crow, Wm. Kneal
1757. John Stephen, Thos. Cannell, John Garret, Wm. Corlet
1759 John Kelly, William Keig, Thos. Martin, William Cottier

Footnotes

1 Moore, Dioc. Hist., pp. 107, 8.
2 Moore, Dioc. Hist., p. 115.