[From Manx Annals,1901/2]

MANX ANNALS.
EIGHTY YEARS AGO.

CHAPTER XXI.

LEAVES FROM A MANXMAN'S SCRAPBOOK.

1825. July 5th.-"To-day Mr John Clarke jun., of Ballawillian was made coroner of Glenfaba, and Mr Thos. Tear of Ballamoar, Ballaugh, was made one for Michael." -

July 23rd.-" Died on the 19th at Mortlake London, in her 80th year, Margaret, wife of Mr Joseph Christian, of the Strand. They were married nearly 53 years." (She was a daughter of Thomas Wattleworth of Ballagyr, near Peel. Of her children - Henry married his cousin Miss Christian Wattleworth, and Margaret married in 1831, Lieut G. H. Wood. The Lieutenant was grandson of John Wood (Governor of the Isle of Man 1761-1777), and died in 1874. He was noted for his flowing verses, of which he published, at least one volume; and for his enthusiasm for the double bass fiddle. A most energetic player, he would often keep at it till long after midnight, to the great joy of his neighbours in Athol street, Douglas

August 11th.-"A most singular discovery occurred on the 25th of last month. The family of Mount Gawne-the seat of Mr Edward Gawne-perceiving, several children occupied at low water mark, opposite the house,- walked down to learn the object of the children's research, -when to their surprise- they found them standing on a bank of decomposed wood, generally of hazel, as was evident from the texture of the bark and the existence of nuts and clusters of nuts. The company. had ;the good taste to select.some fine specimens of these antediluvian remains, and had, also the great goodness to transmit them to the Manx Museum. The principal specimen consists of a cluster of nuts in a matrix of decomposed vegetable matter. The second specimen is a piece of hazel with every feature perfect and the third is a detached nut in such a state of florld ripeness as to be split at one end. The perfection of the nuts bears evidence that it was autumn when the flood came."

August 25th.-" Peel Castle, by a visitor." (The greater part of this was taken up by the writer moralizing on the ruins. I did not copy those portions.) "The sun was just setting as I reached the little fishing town of Peel in July. I hastened to the pier, and gazed upon the ruins of its Castle,situated on a small rocky island. and only separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, which was then nearly dry. Being joined by an old soldier who constitutes the whole garrison, with some difficulty I made my.way across to a strong sea wall by which the harbour la secured to the westward. Having gained the insulated rock it required some caution in proceeding to the-entrance of the ruins. There were formerly steps from the entrance to the sea, but they are completely destroyed by time. A narrow doorway admitted me to a square tower, on the right hand side of which is the guardroom. A chamber contiguous to the guardroom, tradition tells us, served as a sort of tavern where the inhabitants of Peel. occasionally resorted. I, slowly, followed , the guide around the extensive outworks of the fortress, as he, with all the garrulity of a veteran directed my attention' to the remains of the buildings. To most of them, it would puzzle the shrewdest antiquary to assign with. any certainty either date or use. Nevertheless my talkative companion proceeded to point out with the most determined precision, the assembly room, the guardhouse, the watch tower, the tilt yard - and even. the eminence upon which the umpire sat who presided at the . tournament. 'Here sir; said the the old man as we descended. the dungeon, 'the unfortuneate Lady was imprisoned whose spirit so long troubled this place' -The dungeon is a low vaulted chamber, dark; damp, and unwholesome. The, walls are now mouldering . the arches are giving way, and a portion of the roof has already fallen in.. . . As I bade farewell to the old soldier I felt that it was a spot which it is almost impossible to visit without, being the better for. it."- (The 'spot' was the cathedral. not the dungeon.)

October - 26th.--Married at Marown, Mr Thos. Corlett.of Marsala, wine merchant. to Miss Jane Marshall Stephen, eldest daughter of the Rev Thos. Stephen of Marown. ", (Mr Corlett, who was a Ballaugh family, had been formerly of Douglas. He died in Sicily, 1831: His wife, Mrs Corlett, was aunt of the late Deemster Gill. The Rev. T. Stephen was afterwards appointed vicar of Patrick, where he died in 1842.)

1826. January, 24th.- "Elizabeth Moore John Moore and Edward Moore, linen maufacturers, at Douglas, signed a dissolution of partnership to-day. John and Edward continue the business in Duke-street, nest door to Wilson's."

February 2nd " On Tuesday last at Fort Anne the wife of Deemster Christian had a daughter

March 26th.-" St Mary's Chapel Castletown was opened to-day, (Easter Sunday) by, the Bishop.

April 27th-The War Office packets Henry Bell and James Watt will sail from Ramsey to Liveerpool every Wednesday and,;Saturday, and Ramsey to Greenock Wednesdays and Saturdays, according to high water at Liverpool. Apply to John Clarke, Douglas, or Josiah Heelis, Ramsey. Steampacket Office, corner of the Parade, Douglas."
The Majestic leaves-Douglas every Wednesday morning at 6 o'clock for Liverpool, and on Friday evenings for Greenock,and the City of Glasgow joins her next month, when they will sail alternately every, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for Liverpool, and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Greenock. Thos McMeiken Douglas." (This was the steamer that ran on the rocks at Fort Anne in 1825, as described in an earlier chapter of the "Annals". She was patched up and sent to her home in Scotland. On reaching her destination the manager of that that line wrote the following letter to T. McMeiken, dated Greenock, 16th December, 1825. "I beg that you will report the safe arrival of the City of Glasgow at Greenock on Monday evening, after lying eight days in Canpbeltown with a contrary wind. The vessel works well and sails fast. John Carlyle."

June 15th.- "Herrings have already appeared in our market at twelve for a shilling. The first sample, as we are informed, were caught off Port Erin."

June 24th.- "Wm. Roper, one of the vicars-general, has a suit to-day against Deemster John Christian, of Fort Anne, for libel in the 'Manx Patriot'."

"James Moore offers a pound reward for linen stolen from his bleach works at Tromode."

July 19th.- "Died to-day, at Peel, Captain John Griffith of the Royal Navy, aged 46." (Captain Griffith came to the Island, a widower, with one daughter, who it was said, was a most beautiful girl. She married Parson Kermode, at the time chaplain at Dalby. She was his first wife. Captain Griffith was buried at Kirk Patrick, and his epitaph says that he "by his examplary courage and good conduct in many engagements attained the early rank of Post Captain in 1812. Endeared to his family-respected by his friends-and Honoured by his Country." Whilst in the Isle of Man he married Miss Shimmin, who died in 1860. She was found of writing poetry. The following lines were written by her in 1839.)

WONDER and anger oft I feel,
When would-be-wits depreciate Peel
To hear pert folly simpering say—
"If of the world you’re tired, pray
Don’t hang or drown—but only give
The world up, and to Peel go live!"
This heartless taunt, this senseless ire,
Levell’d at thee, made me inquire
Why, Peel, such mockery and scorn,
So long, unjustly, thou hast borne?
I find that ‘tis in wealth alone,
The neighbouring towns have thee outshone
[see Manxsoc vol 21 p275]

August 24th.- "There is a match made between the Douglas and Peel archers. The game will be played at Crosby next Tuesday, the 29th. The Peel archers triumphed last year, and the the Douglas club challenged this year." (Peel again won.)

September 7th.- "On Tuesday the 5th, there was a good take of herrings caught off Douglas. Some of the boats had 30 to 40 mease, which was principally bought for home consumption, at 4s per hundred."

September 28th.- "The operations for the discovery of coal in the neighberhood of Peel, continue with every prospect of success. Quite considerable pains and expense have been incurred in sinking. The strata through which the perforations are being made are of the same nature as those which cover the coal pits of Whitehaven, and therefore every possibility that the result will prove equally favourable. But time will tell. (Yes; and as time went on the "prospects of success" vanished. A Mr Sattherwaite superintended the work.)

October 19th.- "The brig Columbine with mails will sail on 21st for Liverpool. Fare 21s. (The William Huskinson - new steam packet plies between Liverpool and Greenock, calling at Douglas. Fare to Liverpool - table 20s; deck 7s 6d."

"In the winter months his Majesty's mails will be despatched weekly from Liverpool for Douglas every Monday morning, and from Douglas for Liverpool every Wednesday evening."

"Married to-day at Braddan, Mr Robert Thompson, of Peel, to Miss Eliza Douglas of Douglas." [this was Bra 1826-10-19 not 1825]

"A week or two ago Mr Christian, Lewaigue, fell into Ramsey harbour and was drowned." [no burial in 1825 - ?1826]

November 10th.- "The Herring fishing has been a failure this year. The usual quantity exported annually from Douglas averaged 16,000 barrels, whereas this year the exports did not amount to 1,400."

December 11th.- "Mr Thomas Arthur Corlett had a suit against James Grellier for libel in the 'Sun'."

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2009