From the Bridge House Collection.

Document No. 60.

1659.

THO: WHETSTONES COPPIE OF PETICON OR ORDER FOR YE LITTLE CLOSE AT BALLAGILLEY, 1659.

To ye Honble James Chaloner Esq. Governor of this Isle.

The humble peticon of Tho : Whetston Sheweth

That ye late Earle of Derby after his cominge on into this Isle, takinge into his owne possession certain Tenemts viz : Hango hill Ballagilly and ye Tenement of Robt. Lucas* neare unto wch. tenemt yo, peticonrs inheritance lyinge convenient, ye said Earle of Derby (for ye better compleatinge of his demence) inclosed a pcll of Intackes of ijs Rent adjoyninge to Ballagilly in one place, and another pcll of his tenemt adjoyninge to ye Land of Robt. Clucas* in another place for both wch pcells, yo^r peticoner had Com-pounded wth ye said Earle as other ye inhabitants had and yt wthout either giveing his consent thereunto or Receivinge any Satisfaction for ye same, wth wch yor peticoner being forced to satisfy himselfe not knowinge how to get any remydy att prsent, onely hopeinge (in processe of time) to gett his owne as others did, but gowinge out of ye Island, and stayinge certaine yeares before ye peticoners returne ye said pcells of Land were disposed of (as ye peticoners understands) to others, and yor petitioner only deprived of his just Right wch hath been above 70 yeares in his, and his Ancesters possession.

And for as much as yor peticoner is well assured, yt it is not ye desire or intention of his Excellency (the now thrice noble Lord of this Isle) yt any one should be soe deprived but rather releived accordinge to equitye ye Lawes and Customes of this Isle, and yt yo, honr is fully impowerd to releive yor peticoner in this or to all any other matter.

Yor peticoner humbly desireth yt yor honr will bee pleased to restoare him to ye possession of ye said pcells for wch bee is willinge either to Compound or to pay ye Compossision agreed upon wth ye late Earle of Derby, or otherwise if yor honr be not satisfyed of his right thereunto, to referre ye tryall thereof to ye 24 keyes of ye Isle, or either as yor honr shall think Convenient, and your peticoner shall neare Cease to pray. ye 5th 9ber 1659.

Ordered yo matter sett forth and declared in this peticon be referred unto ye judgment of 24 keyes to certifie accordinge to ye Constitution of this Island - whose Compossicon and Intrest to ye land in debate is most just./

JAMES CHALONER.

St. John's Chapell

ye 21 of 9ber 1659.

Accordinge to ye above refference wee doe hereby Certify that Mr. Tho. Whetstone's Interest & Compossision to ye sd land in striffe is ye most Just accordinge to the Constitution of this Island.

Rich Stevenson Robt Quaile John Garrett Tho : Banckes Tho : Came Tho : Moore Will Quaile Edw : Curghey Wm. Corlett John Caine

Hugh Cannell Tho : Norris Robt. Stevenson John Norris Tho : Ratcliffe Sam: Ratcliffe Tho : Casment Dollin Clarke John Standish Wm. Gawne

Mr Deemster, I doe Certifie by these prsente that I have Chardged Mr. Anthony Halsall to Deliver possession unto Mr. Tho. Whetston of a pcell ground or close in Ballagilly by vertue of yor token accordinge to the order of yo 24 keyes, wch ye said Anthony Hallsall refused untill his Compossision weare examined and ye honble Govnr his order further knowen concerninge it, This I doe certifie to be the truth as wittnes my superscription.

WM. HARISON.

dated the 18th of Jan: 1659 [1660 NS].

Ordered that Robt. Jones souldier take the body of Anthony Halsall into Custodie untill that hee give possession unto Tho : Whetston accordinge to ye order of Deemster Qualtrough, upon ye judgment of ye 24 keyes, duringe ye time of ye sd Whetstones Composision ; the late Comissioners haveinge noe power to demise any of ye lords demesnes.

JAMES CHALONFR.

23th Jan: 1659.

* It is interesting to note that the surnames Lucas and Clucas (i.e. MacLucas) are applied to the same person.