[From Manx Annals,1901/2]

MANX ANNALS.
NINETY YEARS AGO.

CHAPTER IV.

Leaves from a Manxman's Scrapbook

1811: — February 20th. — Philip Cannell (an old man) found drowned in Mr Haywood's old mill near Douglas.

March 10th. — Wm Rawlinson, lately appointed comptroller of the customs at Derbyhaven, fell over the pier at Castletown and was drowned.

April 22nd. — A man drowned this night when crossing a river with a cart near Ramsey.

April 23rd. — Three persons named Cubbon, of Surby, Rushen; killed by lightning

May 3rd. — Mate of the Duchess drowned in Douglas harbour last night.

June 8th, — Mrs Clague, of Douglas, died; was in 104th year,

July 27th. — On Tuesday last, at 4 a.m., the fishing smack Tartar, of Derbyhaven, in the act of hauling her nets, about two leagues W.N.W. from Peel, in a gale of wind and heavy sea, drifted athwart another smack, whose boom ran through the Tartar's bow, which caused her immediately to sink. The crew got into their small boat with only one oar. In this perilous position they remained, steering before the wind, some bailing the water cut with their hats, for about two hours, until picked up by the brig Lively, of Greenock, bound to Gibraltar, who treated them kindly till noon, when he spoke Capt. Thos, Wallace of the Prince of Wales, cutter, cruising off the Mull of Galloway. The Prince of Wales took the men and landed them at Derbyhaven at 10 p.m. the same day.

September 7th. — A gentleman and lady in the north of the Island celebrated their 52nd anniversary of marriage on Sunday last.

September 25th. — During a storm to-day Thomas Harrison fell into the sea at Ramsey Pier and was drowned.

November 16th. — Mr Lantihw announces to the ladies and gentlemen of Peel his intention of having a concert of vocal music in the Theatre Peel (?!!) on Thursday next, 21st, when he and Mr Halliday will sing the following popular songs, duets, &c., accompanied by a pianoforte and violin. Admission 2s 6d. Part 1 — " The glasses that sparcle round the board," " Paddy's journey," "Tell her that I love her," " Margery Toppin," "Young Henry." Part 2 — " It was business required I from Ireland," " The streamlet that flowed round her cot " Cake man," "When generous wine," '"Nothing at all," "The twins of Latona," Part 3 — "Black eyed Susan," "The tinker," "Post Captain;' duet : " All's well," finale: " Rule, Britannia," in full chorus.

1812. Feb. 22. — On Wednesday morning, the 12th, a poor woman, who had been in a state of insanity, was found drowned in a well near St. John's. On the following night, John Wade of Peel slipped down between the boats and was drowned.

March 17th. — Being the anniversary of St. Patrick, the Irish gentlemen in Douglas had several dinner parties. The dawn was ushered in by the regimental files and drums, who beat " St Patrick's Day in the morning" through the town, and the evening closed with the same by the old band of the Manx Fencibles

May 28th. — Matthew Quayle, going down a hill at St John's on Saturday fell by the side of a cart loaded with timber. The wheels passed over him and crushed him to death.

June 1st. — A fisherman, Gorry, was killed at Peel by the falling of a fishing smack on his y owing to a neglect of not having the boat properly secured when under repair. Left a wife and family.

Dec 8th. — Drowned at Demerara, aged 18, John Caesar Tobin, youngest son of Major Caesar Tobin of Douglas. He was on board the Bridget, Captain Kennon, who beat off an American privateer of nineteen guns on the 5th, when two men were killed, and the captain, two passengers and four men wounded. During the action, which lasted two hours, young Tobin in represented by the captain to have fought with great spirit. One of the men killed in this action was Alexander McKillar, sized 18, grandson of Mr Kerr, of Duke-street, Douglas.

(Major Tobin was grandson of Sir Thomas Tobin, who settled at Middle in Braddan, early in the eighteenth century. Sir Thomas's son, Patrick (died 1781, aged 58), was father of Caesar (the major), Patrick (who had a son a lieutenant in the navy), Sir John, and a daughter, who married into the family of Quayle of the Creggans. A short account of Sir John Tobin will be found in Mr Moore's "Manx Worthies."]

1813. May 27. — This was Holy Thursday, and the Friendly Societies of Ramsey, Peel, and Marown, and the Methodist Club in Douglas, walked in their respective districts.

June 19th. — The sloop Draper, of Cardigan, was lost in the Sound on Tuesday, from Cardigan to Peel with slates. — Crew saved.

July 5th — Tynwald Fair was this day greater than usual. A fortnight agu the Duke of Athol landed at Castle Mona from the Prince Edward, cutter, under a salute of cannon. At noon his grace the Governor-in-chief arrived at St. John's escorted by the Yeoman Cavalry of the North under command of Thos. Gawne, Esq. His grace the Duke was saluted as he passed along the line by the Royal Veterans and the Manx Volunteers, Having entered the chapel the Duke took the chair of state on the right of the altar, and the archdeacon, as representative of the Bishop, sat on the opposite side [the Bishop was then dying]. The Council occupied the seats within the chancel, the clergy in the north wing, and the Keys in the south. The vicar (Parson Gelling, of Peel,) and Parson Hugh Stowell, of Lonan, preached, — After service the procession passed to Tynwald Hill — the military having formed into lines from the chapel to the Hill on which, under a canopy, was placed a chair for his Grace, but his Grace stood and administered the oaths to the coroners, upon which occasion the noble Duke delivered to each their wands. The Coroner of German then proclaimed the recent laws as they were recited to him by the Master of the Rolls, who read them in English, and afterwards by Deemster Crellin who read them in Manx. The Royal Sanction being then proclaimed, three cheers were given and three volleys of musketry fired, after which the procession descended from the Hill and passed into the Chapel where legal proceedings of the day closed. Then the Duke invited the members of the Legislature, Clergy, and other gentry to a luncheon to a tent fitted up for their reception. Never before was witnessed so great a concourse of people — nearly one half of the people of the Isle of Man were there — 15,000 it in said, and their good behaviour was marvellous.

July 19th. — A boy in search of young gulls to-day, fell from the rocks on Peel Hill and was literally dashed to pieces.

September 18th. — A gentleman named Frisell on Sunday was beset in a lane near the Custom House, Douglas, by several men, who left him weltering in his blood.

October 28th. — 'The Rose from Maryport for Belfast, with coals, ran ashore near Peel harbour and it is feared she will not get off.

November 18th. — Robert Moore, one of the men belonging to the Ardglass packet at Peel, was found drowned in the harbour. Supposed to have fallen in during the gale on Sunday. He formerly sailed in the Liverpool packet Brilliant..

November 22nd. — The Hawk of Maryport was stranded on Ballaugh shore. " Mr George Johnson, riding-officer at Peel, was the first person, who, seeing the Hawk in danger, procured a boat and assistance, and succeeded in saving the captain, his wife and all hands. The vessel, which parted an hour after, had onboard 68 head of cattle.

1814. January 29th. — On Wednesday last, at Court of General Jail Delivery, Catherine Cannel, for stealing poultry, sentenced to be publicly whipped in Peel Market place on Saturday next.

June 4th — The sum of £10,000 has been granted by Government for the purpose of repairing Castle-Rushen, and erecting batteries. at Douglas; Peel, and Ramsey, Capt. Holloway, Royal engineer, to superintend the works.

October 1st. — Died on Thursday at Peel. in consequence of a fall from his horse., Alexander M'Cluer, comptroller of Peel, aged 83.

October 25th: A splendid ball this night at the Assembly Rooms, Douglas, in honour of the King having entered his 65th year of ascension.

December 22nd. The sloop Friendship of Milford, with malt for Dublin, went on shore at Peel last Thursday. The mate was washed overboard after the vessel struck.

Prices in Douglas market now : — Fine large cod, each 1s; large strings of haddock, 1s; finest turkeys, 2s 6d to 4s; fowls, 2a a couple ; geese, 2s 3d to 3s 6d each ; partridges, 2s a brace;. hares, 5s each; butter, per lb., 1s; pork 4d; Choice mutton and beef, 7d.