AN IMPORTANT BALLADOOLE DOCUMENT.

It will be known by most students of Manx history that there are no Manorial records preserved which give entries of the holding of land in the Isle of Man earlier than the year A.D. 1511.

That being so, it will be interesting to peruse a document which shows that no fewer than seven Manorial books had existed prior to the earliest at present among our records, and that at least six generations of the Stevenson family held Balladoole before A.D. 1511.

In most of the early Manorial books the date occurs only on the cover or on the first page. Through ill-treatment these fragile leaves get worn and the dates are lost. This is the reason why no dates can be set down to seven of the following entries, all of which were inscribed before A.D. 1511. The precious fragments survived from the middle of the 14th century to 1735, when they were transcribed; the originals have therefore been lost within the last 200 years.

It ought to be stated that the transcript of the original documents formed an 'exhibit' in a very important legal case in the beginning of the 18th century, involving the question of the ownership of the estate of Balladoole.

The papers record at least six generations before 1511 : these would probably cover 150 years. This brings us to the middle of the 14th century. It brings us back to the point where Norwegian influence would have been hardened into definite Treen divisions and a well-organised system of tenure. It will be noted that not only is the Treen division in existence in the earliest of the records quoted, but the Lords Rent [ 56/8 is the same throughout the centuries.

From Castle Rushen Papers.

Document No. 67.

In a parcel of ffragments of Lib. Assedationis scarce legible and without date:

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA. BALYDOYLL.

JOHN STEVYNSON for a tenement and 100 acres of land 56/8

In an old Lib. Assed. the stile and date whereof is defaced and marked No. 1:

BALYDOYLL.

THOMAS STEPHENSON with WILLIAM his son for a tenement and 100 acres of land by estimation pertaining to the same late at 50 shillings per annum demised 56/8 JOHN STEPHENSON and JOHN his son are here entered for Ballacagin 60/-Scarloute THO. STEVENSON 46/8

In another Lib. Assed. No. 2, the stile and date and also the whole parishes of KK. Christ and Arbory are defaced, but in the

PARISH OF ST. LUPI

Scarlowtte

WILLIAM STEPHENSON and the wife of the late THOMAS STEPHENSON for 3 closes containing as per estimation X acres of land - and meadow and for 3 closes per esti-mation 40 acres of land demised to himself 46/8 This William is probably identical with the above-named William, the son of Thomas.

Book No. 3.

BALLIDOOL.

WILLIAM STEVENSON 56/8 Scarlot 46/8 and Calf 26/8

No. 8.

KK. Christ is legible

Calff. JOHN STEVYNSON for an Island called lez Calff 26/8

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA.

BALYDOYLL.

JOHN STEVYNSON for a tenement and 100 acres of land 56/8

No. 18, 19, 20. KK. Christ legible

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA.

BALYDOILL.

WILLIAM STEPHNSON for a tenement and 100 acres of land per estimation late at 50/- per annum and so demised to him 56/8 note : Thos: Norris is entred for the Calf.

No. 20.

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA.

BALLADOOLL.

JOHN STEVENSON for tenement and 100 acres 56/8

Scarlot 46/8 Calf Note he is also entred for the Calf.

Liber Assed. 1511 PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA.

BALLYDOILL.

THOMAS STEPHENSON for one tenement and 100 acres of land by estimation pertaining to the same, lately 50/- per annum demised to him and his assigns as above 56/8 See Liber Vastar.

Liber Assed. 1528

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA. BALLADOOILL.

WILLIAM STEPHENSON for one tenement and 100 acres of land by estimation to the same pertaining late at 50/- per annum demised to him 56/8

Liber Assed. 1560.

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA. BALLYDOILL.

JOHN STEVYNSON for one tenement and 100 acres of land 56/8

Quere in Gary More Scarlot KK. Christ defaced.

Here the Stanleys come into Ballacagyn.

Liber Assed.

1617 Copys of the sd Rents and a new rent of 16s 8d and rents follow.

Liber Vastar 1617. PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA. Noia Jurors Tho : Curghei

the same place Wm: Keige Jurors. 56/8 Wm: Cubon Robt : Cubon. 56/8

BALLADOWLL.

JOHN STEVENSON/

RICH : STEVENSON

56/8

Stop here. [sic]

Composition 1643 by the Lord's demise.

Gary Moore 8d. Scarlot and Calf.

Liber Vastar 1645: Calf.

1647: 13/4 in Close Charn.

Liber Vastar 1684

PARISH OF ST. COLUMBA. Noia iiij Wm : Cubon Jurors Wm: Maddrell

in the same Jo : Cubon

place. Rich: Quillin BALLADOOLE.

RICA: STEVENSON/ RICH: STEVENSON 56/8

The ffather is dead and ye son is entred as the Right Heir thereunto, for the sevl Rents.

Composition Book taken pursuant to the Act of Settlement 1703 etc.

KK. ARBORY 15 Jany 1704.

JOHN STEVENSON for three quarters of land called Balladoole of £7. 6. 8. double rent compounded for in the year 1643 by RICHARD STEVENSON. ffine for this and two quarters in KK Malew of £4. 13. 4. double rent together with 6/- Intacks in KK Arbory and certaine close in the Myers wch was formerly in ye Lord's hands of 13/4 rent, was one hundred and twenty pounds one life yet in being is now to pay for the premisses

£ 80. 0. 0.