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[From Manx Soc vol 28, 1878]
Having received his Excellency the Governor's approbation the proposal of raising voluntary contributions agreeable the prayer of the petition,
We do hereby accordingly think proper to appoint Mr. Hugh Cosnahan and Mr. Thos. Fargher trustees for collecting contributions, and erecting and finishing a decent and con venient place for the worship of Almighty God, and likewise for building a commodious schoolhouse, in such manner and of such size as shall be advised by us. And we do heartily recommend this necessary and laudable work to all well-dis posed persons for their liberal assistance towards carrying it into complete execution.
Given under our hand and seal at Bishop's Court this 18th of April 1771, and of our consecration the sixteenth.
MARK, SODOR & MANN.
Having obtained the Lieutenant-Governor's consent to collect contributions in the island, and the Lord Bishop's appointment of trustees for the same, they addressed them selves to their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Atholl as patrons of the Church of Malew for their consent, and at once commenced to collect subscriptions to enable them to carry out their intentions; they also secured a small portion of the Dreem-freaie for the Chapel, for the sum of three pounds three shillings, British currency, as appears by the deed of sale, dated 7th October 1771.
To their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Atholl,
The Petition of Hugh Cosnahan and Thomas Fargher of the Parish of Malew in the Isle of Mann, in behalf of themselves and many others residing in the said Parish,
Most humbly Sheweth–That the said parish of Malew, of which your Graces are the patrons, is not only populous but very extensive, yet affording but one church for religious worship, situate in its extremity, by which means above four hundred of the inhabitants are obliged to travel, some six, others four and five, miles to attend their duty. That one only public school in the parish is, from its situation, subject to the like inconveniences.
That your petitioners have long lamented the fate of themselves, their children, and servants, in being almost destitute of the common and essential benefit of public worship and education, in the want of which they are peculiarly unhappy. And these are concerns so very momentous and interesting to your petitioners, that they are prompted to the endeavour of erecting and endowing by voluntary contribution a chapel of ease, together with a schoolhouse at a commodious place called Dreem-freaie for the above salutary purposes.
To this end they most humbly solicit the countenance and encouragement of your Graces, not doubting your Graces' leave and acquiescence in so useful and necessary a work.
For which your petitioners will ever pray.
HUGH COSNAHAN, H.K.
THOS. FARGHER.
London, 17th May 1771.
As far as we are concerned, as patrons of the church of Malew, we
hereby signify our consent to the matter of this petition.
ATHOLL.
C. ATHOLL AND STRANGE.
By a deed of sale, dated the 7th October 1771, a small portion of the Dreem-freaie estate was conveyed by Nicholas Taggart, and Mary his wife, for the sum of three pounds three shillings, British currency, unto Hugh Cosnahan of Ballakew and Thomas Fargher of Shenvalley, in trust, for the erecting and building of a chapel of ease for the inhabitants of the parish of Malew.
The setting quest of the lord's lands having duly viewed the same, settled thereon one farthing as the yearly rent of the same, 6th September 1772.
Recorded in the Seneschal's Office, Douglas.
As soon as the site for the chapel was secured, preparations were made for commencing the building, and a bond for a deed of endowment was drawn up and signed by the parties interested, also embodying the amount of fees to be paid to the chaplain, who was also to be the master of the school, for the instruction of the children resorting thereto. The amount of this first endowment was £21 7 6 per annum, which, with the school pence, was to form the chaplain's salary. Bishop Hildesley appointed Hugh Cosnahan of the Kew, and Thomas Fargher of Shenvalley, Esquires, the first trustees of the chapel, etc., and in case of death, the survivor to nominate and elect such person as he shall think proper to supply his place.
Upon the completion of the chapel, Bishop Hildesley appointed the 23d day of June 1772 for its consecration, which appears to be almost his last public act, as he died on the 7th of December following. His contribution of £217: l0s. towards the endowment evinced the great interest he took in this movement.
The Rev. David Harrison was appointed chaplain.
Whereas the situation of the parochial church of the Parish of Kk. Malew is a great distance off from a number of the parishioners, and very inconvenient for the most part of the parish called the Black Hill quarter, and also some part of Burn quarter, to repair to church as often as their Christian duty should call them, and that a chapel of ease, with a school annexed, at a place called Dreeym-freaie, would be of great use and benefit to the present inhabitants and those of their successors And forasmuch as by the representation of this matter to the Right Rev, the Lord Bishop of this isle the greatest encouragement has been given by his lordship, by appointing Mr. Hugh Cosnahan of Kew and Thos. Fargher of Shenvalley as trustees, to collect contributions, and to carry on the said laudable work, without any expense to the parishioners, save only as they are disposed to give by their own free will and generous benevolence: And also by his lordship's great benefaction towards the building and endowment thereof, provided the several farmers, quarterland and intack holders, adjoining in that neighbourhood do, in proportion to their respective holdings, for the use and benefit of the seats or sitting-places, endow the said chapel with some yearly stipend or living to the officiating clergyman for the time to come, who is to teach a school for these subscribers, and to be .paid, viz.–for children reading, per quarter one shilling and twopence; for reading and writing, one shilling and nine-pence; for reading, writing, and arithmetic, two shillings and fourpence; and for Latin, three shillings and sixpence:
Therefore be it known unto all men by these presents, that we whose names are hereafter subscribed, do, for the good and sufficient reasons aforesaid, and also for and in consideration of the seats of the said chapel at the rate of ten pounds for each seat, promise and engage in our respective parts to endow and support the said chapel for the time being with such sum or sums of money as shall hereafter be respectively affixed to our names and marks, having it severally in our option or choice to pay the same, or the interest thereof:, yearly, at the rate of five pounds out of one hundred pounds, until it be convenient for us, and each of us; to pay the said principal sum affixed to our names respectively as aforesaid. And in order the better to encourage this work immediately to proceed and to carry into execution, we, the said underwritten subscribers, and each of us on our parts, do respectively promise, and engage to sign, seal, and execute, any further instrument or deed in writing, to bind ourselves, our heirs, and assigns, whereby to secure and charge the same upon our respective holdings and estates of lands and tenements until the said respective sums of money hereafter affixed to our names be fully paid and satisfied to the said trustees appointed by his Lordship towards the said endowment, for the use and benefit of the said officiating clergyman, who is to teach school for these subscribers and their heirs and succes sors in the said seats, and to be paid as aforesaid for children – reading, per quarter one shilling and twopence; for reading and writing, one shilling and ninepence; for reading, writing, and arithmetic, two shillings and fourpence; and for Latin, three shillings and sixpence; and this under the penalty and forfeiture of double the sums to our respective names, and each of as subscribed. In witness . of which we have subscribed our several names and marks as follows, this 4th January 1772.
The names and amount of their subscriptions are set forth in the schedule attached to the deed of consecration, dated 23d June 1772.
Kirk Malew, June 16, 1772.
Whereas their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Atholl, patrons of Malew, have given their consent to the building a chapel of ease in the said parish at Dreem-freaie for the conveniency of some of the parishioners, I, as vicar of Malew, as far as I am concerned, do hereby signify my consent to the same, provided the chaplain of the said chapel make no in fringements on the rights and privileges of the parochial church. DANIEL GELLING, Vicar of Malew.
To all Christian people whom these presents may concern, grace, peace, and truth in Jesus Christ.
Whereas it hath pleased God to incline the hearts of sundry persons piously disposed to use their best endeavours, not only towards erecting an oratory or chapel of ease called St. Mark's Chapel, in that part of the parish of Kirk Malew called the Black Hill quarter, but also towards endowing the officiating minister of said chapel with the sum of twenty pounds by the year and upwards, towards his support and maintenance, arising from several benefactions and donations per schedule hereto annexed: Be it known unto all men, therefore, by these presents, that we, Mark, by divine permission, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Mann (who have been chiefly concerned in promoting this good work), do hereby nominate and appoint Hugh Cosnahan of Kew, and Thomas Farghar of Shenvalley, gentlemen, trustees for the well securing or laying out to interest all benefactions and donations already contributed, as also for collecting and receiving whatever further sum or sums of money or other benefactions shall be contributed to the uses aforesaid, or appropriated to the aforesaid chapel: Giving and hereby granting unto the said trustees and the survivors of them full power and authority in the said concern, as also to elect and nominate, upon the death of one of them, such person or persons as the survivor of them shall think proper to supply his place or room: Ratifying, confirming, and allowing all and whatever shall be done and concluded upon by said trustees in the management of this trust, upon special confidence and trust nevertheless that they the said trustees shall yearly and every year pay and apply the clear amount, profits, or interests of the said trust-estate unto the chaplain of the said Chapel of St. Mark's aforesaid, or to such other uses and purposes as the same shall be appropriated by the donors or benefactors, saving always to ourselves and successors, bishops of this diocese, the right of electing, nominating, and collating the said chaplain.
In testimony whereof we have subscribed our name and affixed our seal this 23d day of June 1772.
MARK, SODOR & MANN.
Signed, and sealed, and delivered in presence of
JAMES WILKS,
HUGH COSKAHAN, H.K.
In the name of God. Amen.
Whereas the parochial church of Kk. Malew, within our diocese, is situated four miles and upwards from a considerable number of the parishioners residing and dwelling in those parts of said parish called and known by the names of the Black Hill quarter, and Bourn quarter, and that it has been found very inconvenient for them (especially in the winter season) to repair to the said church, for the necessary and comfortable purposes of divine worship, as well as for their children and servants to be instructed in the principles of our most holy religion so often as in duty they are bound: And inasmuch as it hath pleased God to put it into the hearts of several persons piously disposed to use their best endeavours towards erecting an oratory or chapel of ease in that part of said parish called Dreem-freaie, within the said Black Hill quarter: And the same good Providence having raised up several charitable benefactors (whose names, subscriptions, and donations are hereunto annexed), who, out of religious zeal for the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of the said inhabitants, have generally contributed, not only towards erecting the said chapel, but also towards endowing the officiating minister thereof with the sum of twenty pounds by the year and upwards, towards his support and maintenance
And whereas the said inhabitants, by and with the approbation of His Excellency John Wood, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of this island and its dependencies, have collected sundry contributions and benefactions towards the said good work, and have by and with our consent, as also with the consent and approbation of their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Atholl, patrons of the said parish, and likewise of the Revd. Daniel Gelling, vicar and incumbent thereof, proceeded to build an oratory or chapel of ease at the place before .mentioned, decently and sufficiently provided with a communion-table, pulpit, reading-desk, seats, and other necessaries and conveniences properly belonging to divine worship, and have humbly requested us to consecrate the same: We therefore, Mark, by divine permission, Bishop of Sodor and Mann, by the blessing and favour of God, and in virtue of our episcopal authority, have proceeded and accordingly consecrated the said oratory or chapel with the cemetery adjoining, to the honour and service of Almighty God, and for all the holy offices, purposes, and uses to which all other oratories, chapels, and cemeteries have been and are set apart, according to the statutes, rights, and ceremonies of the Established Church of England, hereby publicly and openly declaring and pronouncing the said oratory or chapel with the cemetery adjoining to be at all times hereafter separated and set apart from all profane and common uses, and dedicated to the honour and service of God, by the name of St. Mark the Evangelist's Chapel; saving, nevertheless, and reserving to the mother church of Kk. Malew aforesaid, and the vicar thereof for the time being, all accustomed dues, privileges, profits, and emoluments ecclesiastical; saving also to ourselves and successors Bishops of Sodor and Mann, the right of nominating and collating a proper and sufficient clerk or chaplain to said chapel, as also of visiting the same, and exercising all such authority and jurisdiction relating thereto as appertain to our episcopal office: And forasmuch as it hath been found by experience that many churches and chapels in this isle (being uniformly seated) have been exceedingly abused and disordered by burying the dead therein:
In order, therefore, that such irregularities may be prevented, it is this day solemnly declared, ordered, and decreed, that no manner of person or persons, upon any pretence whatsoever, shall presume to break the ground in order to inter any corpse within the said chapel, or within the space of one yard on the outside; and if any person shall, notwithstanding this our decree, presume to break ground in the said chapel, or within the distance above said to the walls thereof, we enjoin that neither the chaplain nor other clerk shall in such case use the service for the burial of the dead, under the pain of the severest ecclesiastical censure, and that the corpse shall not only be removed, but the offending person also, for his contempt, be excommunicated. And it is also hereby further ordered that the said chapel and all things there unto appertaining be kept in decent repair from the benefactions of well-disposed persons until a proper and sufficient fund shall be raised to that end and purpose, and that the same be collected and applied by the trustees of the said chapel, or the wardens thereof for the time being.
And that this our Act may remain secure and be extant, we order that the same be lodged in our Episcopal Registry, and that a copy thereof be inserted in the registry belonging to said chapel.
Given under our hand and seal at St. Mark's Chapel,
C
this twenty-third day of June one thousand seven hundred and
seventy-two, and of our consecration the seventeenth year.
MARK, SODOR & MANN. L.S.
P d., R. Brown, D.E.R.
The Schedule referred to in the beforegoing Deed, namely, the
Benefactions, Subscriptions, and Contributions, towards the surnort
of the Chaplain.
Principal.
The Right Reverend Father in God, Mark, Lord
Bishop of Sodor and Man . . £217 10 0
John Quayle,Esq.,Clerk of the Rolls, and Mrs. Margt. Quayle his wife,
the clear amount of the impro- priate offerings of Kirk Marown,
computed at . 30 0 0
Mr. Hugh Cosnahan for his estates of Kew and Mullin-Arragher' . . . .
40 0 0
Thomas Fargher for Shenvalley and Tallo-vell . 30 0 0
Christn. Bridson for Ballavarvane . . . 10 0 0
Christn. Bridson for Balla-Garey . . . 10 0 0
Thomas Caine by consent of his guardians, Wm. Leece and Thos.
Curphey, for Raynshecant . 5 0 0
Win. Taggart for Cordemon £10, or annually during life, ten
shillings . . . . 10 0 0
Henry Kermode for his Intack of Bwoiltyn-Rhennee 2 10 0
Paul Bridson for his half of Clyronyr . . 5 0 0
John Callister for his quarter of Clyrouyr . . 2 10 0
Nicholas Halsall for his quarter of Clyrouyr . 2 10 0
John Callister for Knock-Renny . . . 5 0 0
John Caine for Breck-woallee . . . 2 10 0
Win. Fargher for Cooillcam . . . 5 0 0
Win. Bridson for his part of Balla-Graujey . . 2 10 0
John Bridson for Booill-Lhean . . . 2 10 0
John Bridson for Gibdell . . . . 2 10 0
Edind. Kneen for his part of Balla-Graujey . 2 10 0
John Moore of Kk. Santon for Sulbrick . . 3 6 8
Thos. Fargher of Kk. Santon for Balladoo . . 3 6 8
Wm. Kinley of Kk. Santon for Ballahawin . 3 6 8
Robt. Creer of Kk. Santon for his part of Ballacorris 2 10 0
John Hanson of Kk. Santon for his part of Ballacorris 2 10 0
John Harrison of Ballachrink . . . 5 0 0
John Clucas of Kk. Marown for Balla Nicholas . 5 0 0
John Cretney of Kk. Marown for Tollaby-Kermode 5 0 0
Captn. Matths. Taggart for Cordeman . . 10 0 0
£427 10 0
Erd., Joseph Brown, E.R.
You shall swear truly and faithfully to execute the office of a warden within your chapelry, and according to the best of your skill and knowledge present such things and persons as to your knowledge are presentable by the ecclesiastical laws of this isle.
So help you God, and the contents of this book.
WM. TAGGART, Sworn wardens
CHRISTOPHER BRIDSON,
You shall swear that you will be assistant to the church- wardens in the execution of their office, so far as by law you are bound.
JOHN CAINE, Sidesmen.
JOHN CALLISTER,
June 24th, 1772. James Wilks, E.R.
Exd., R. Brown, D.E.R.
From the Episcopal Registry.
A regulation of the several pews or seats in St. Mark's Chapel, in the parish of Kk. Malew, distinguishing the No. of each seat and names of the purchasers or proprietors of each seat, approved of and agreed to as well by the Rt. Rev. Ordinary and the trustees or undertakers, as by the purchasers or proprietors, as in the arranged plan, as set forth, 16th April 1773.
HUGH COSNAHAN, H.K.
THOMAS FARGHER, Gent.
Annexed to the within and foregoing account– Examd. per James Wilks, Episl. Registrar.
Copied from the Old Register Book of Baptisms, etc., St. Mark's.
We whose names are here subscribed towards the building of a chapel in the parish of Malew, for the honour and service of Almighty God, do promise and engage the several sums annexed to our names as under; beseeching the divine goodness to accept the same, and to prosper the work in the hands of the undertakers, for the glory of God and the good of those many souls in the parish of Malew, who by reason of their distance from their church are in a great measure deprived of the opportunity of attending public worship.
Mark, Sodor and Mann . . . £10 10 0
John Quayle, the clear amount of the impropriate offer ings of
Kirk Marown, the chaplain assisting the vicar of that parish at
Easter . . . 3 3 10
George Moore . . . . . £2 2 0
Hester Hildesley . . . . . 1 1 0
James Wilks . . . . 1 1 0
Daniel Gelling . . . . . 0 10 6
Such was the commencement of the original subscription list, which
was afterwards augmented as follows
Subscriptions.
Total amount of subscriptions collected in the Isle of Man and
England . . . £274 6 10
The Revd. John Christian, Kk. Marown, towards a chalice from the
ladies of that parish . . 3 13 6
Mrs. Anne Bridson, Douglas, a silver salver, a gift 0 0 0 Balance due
Hugh Cosnahan . . . 2 6 8~
Manx .£280 7 1
Disbursements.
Purchase of the ground, etc., for chapel and yard
from Nicholas Taggart . . . £3 13 6
Materials–timber, stone, etc. . . . 88 14 10
Workmen–masons, carpenters, labourers, etc. . 100 8 0~
Carriage of timber, stones, etc., from Peel and
Douglas . . . . . 30 13 8
Bell and Vane, etc. . . . . 17 9 5
Bible and prayer-book . . . . 5 7 11
Silver chalice and engraving . . 4 8 8
Silver salver from Mrs. Anne Bridson, Douglas . 0 0 0
A flagon . . . . . 0 0 0
Sundry expenses . . . . 23 17 llj
Repairing roads . . . . 5 13 1
£280 7 1
16th April 1773, HUGH COSNAHAN. THos. FARGHER.
Examined by Jas. Wilks, Episl. Registrar.
Upon the completion of the chapel, the trustees turned their attention to the erection of a parsonage-house and school, as also to the purchase of some adjoining land to form a glebe for the chaplain. In this they were most nobly seconded by Mrs. Hester Hildesley, sister to the late Lord Bishop, who contributed for that purpose £285 16 : S Manx, the whole of the particulars of which are annexed to the Old Register Book of Baptisms and Funerals belonging to St. Mark's, a summary of which is hereafter given.
The first land purchased for that purpose was the fourth part of the estate of Cly-ronyr from Nicholas Halsal and wife, for £126 :4: 6 Manx, in January 1775. The next was a field, called Cooll Sheun, adjoining the before-mentioned, being part of the estate of Balla-garey, from Christopher Bridson and others, for £56 Manx, in 1777. And a portion of Clyronyr, belonging to Paul Bridson and wife, for £102 7: 10 Manx, in 1782; making in the whole the sum of £284 : 12 :4 Manx, for the purpose of a glebe for the chaplain of St. Mark's.
The boons and services mentioned in these deeds were certain rights belonging to the lord proprietor under the denomination of carriage services, which, by Act of Tynwald, 1645, it appears the tenants and inhabitants of the island had to perform in the building or repairing any of the lord's forts or houses in the island by the service of themselves in person, or by the service of some sufficient and able labourer. Certain persons were exempt from these carriage services by custom, as the keys, the captain of the parish, and other officers of the militia, the coroners, moars, lockmen, the warden of the watch, the horsemen, and the overseers of the high roads. The moar was the person who summoned the parties to labour, or collected the payment in lieu thereof. Soon after 1773 the payment of carriage services fell into disuse, and about 1777 they ceased to be demanded. The horsemen were the persons appointed in each parish to attend the governor with arms to St. John's Chapel on a Tynwald day.
It may be interesting to record here the rate of wages paid to workmen on the building of the chapel, parsonage- house, etc., taken from the full account of disbursements as kept by the trustees–carpenters and masons received one shilling per day, labourers 7d., and cartage 2s. 4d. a day, Manx.
A short abstract of the deeds of these various purchases is here given; also a statement of the subscriptions and dis bursements passing over a series of years. The foundation of the schoolhouse was laid on the 8th of August 1774.
This estate was conveyed by Nicholas Halsal and Margerey Halsal, his wife, of Cly-rouyr, unto Hugh Cosnahan of Balla kew and Thomas Fargher of Shenvalla, trustees of St. Mark's Chapel and School, for the sum of £126 :4 : 6 Manx currency, under date 3d January 1775.
The lord's rent on this property was fixed by the setting quest at one shilling and ninepence. Confirmed at the Baron's Court 26th May 1775.
Recorded in the Seneschal's Office, Douglas.
This portion of the estate, called Cooil Sheun, was conveyed by Christopher Bridson senior, and Christopher Bridson junior, and their wives, unto the same trustees of St. Mark's Chapel, for the sum of £56 currency, under date 21st May 1777.
The setting quest of the abbey lands apportion the sum of one shilling and twopence as the yearly rent of the said land, 12th May 1779.
Recorded in the Seneschal's Office, Douglas, 21st May 1779.
Deed of Sale of Cly-ronyr for a Glebe for St. Mark's.
A portion of this estate was conveyed by Paul Bridson and Jane Bridson, his wife, unto Hugh Cosnahan, trustee of St. Mark's Chapel, for the sum of £102 7 10, currency of this isle, under date 12th November 1782.
Confirmed at a Baron Court in Ballasalla, 28th May 1788. Recorded in the Seneschal's Office, Douglas.
Sundry Benefactions towards erecting a Parsonage-house, a
Schoolhouse, and other conveniences for the benefit of the
Master, near St. Mark's Chapel, 1774-1784.
Benefactions and Subscriptions.
Sundry subscriptions . . . . . £7 15 9
1772 Right Revd. Mark, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man . . £200 0
0
Do. One year's tithes of Kk. Lonan . . . . 17 10 0
217 10 0
1774 Mrs. Hester Hildesley, sister to the Lord Bishop, per the Rev.
James Wilks, Vicar-Genl. . £175 0 0
1778 Do. per Hugh Cosnahan . 93 6 8
1782 Do. Do. 17 10 0
£285 16 8
Manx £511 2 5
Disbursements.
1773 Balance of building chapel due H. Cosnahan £2 6 8~ Land
purchased for a glebe from– 1775 Nicholas Halsal of Cleigh-rouyr
£126 4 6
1777 Christr. Bridson, Ballagarey . 56 0 0
1782 Paul Bridson, Cleigh-rouyr . 102 7 10
284 12 4
1774- Building parsonage-house, schoolhouse,
1783 - 5 and other work at St. Mark's . . 151 15 6~
Balance in hand of Hugh Cosnahan . . . 72 7 10
Manx £511 2 5
HUGH COSNAHAN.
St. Mark's Chapel–Parsonage and Schoolhouse, Glebe, etc.
Total expense of St. Mark's Chapel, chapel-yard
and schoolhouse-green, with Books, etc. etc. . £280 7 1 Total
expense of schoolhouse, parsonage-house, glebe, etc. etc., including
balance in hand of
£72:7:l0. . . . . . .£511 2 5
Manx . £791 9 6
Reduced to British currency is . £678 8 l~
The Chapel of St. Mark's, Chapel-Yard, and a part of the Green usually, but improperly, called the Fair Ground, the schoolhouse, glebe, and parsonage-house, had subscribed for them in the whole the sum of £678 : 8 : 1~ British currency, which sum founded the chapelry, and left a balance of £62 0 : 9 British, to be put to interest for the benefit of the chaplain, and out of the above sum of £678 8 1~
Bishop Hildesley contributed £196 18 6~
His sister ,, 246 0 11~
442 19 6
Contributed by the public . . . £235 8 7~
( The above instance of zeal in the cause of religion is worthy the character of a Bishop and the sister of a Bishop.
The whole of the before-written account of St. Mark's is copied from a Record Copy from the Episcopal Registry annexed to the old Register Book of Baptisms and Funerals belonging to St. Mark's, by John Thomas Clarke, Chaplain.
Received of the Revd. Philip Moore, Rector of Kk. Bride, and Chaplain of Douglas, a sett of the Great and Good Bishop Wilson's Works in 2 vols., being the gift of his son, Dr. Wilson, and the first-fruits of an incipient library for the use of St. Mark's Chapel per me,
Tolle et Lege. DAVID HARRISON, Chaplain.
May the Holy Spirit dispose my heart to attend to the doctrine contained in the above volumes, and grant me grace to preach the gospel, with the zeal of a true, humble, and an affectionate pastor, I humbly beg of Thee, O God, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
The above volumes of Good Bishop Wilson's Works in 2 vols., which were given by the Rev. Philip Moore, being the gift of Dr. Wilson to the chapel of St. Mark's during the incumbency of the Rev. David Harrison, chaplain, are lost and gone, 1821.
Certified by me, WILLIAM DUGGAN, Chaplain.
The above Revd. David Harrison was the first chaplain appointed to St. Mark's Chapel in the year 1772, and the Revd. Wm. Duggan dates his certificate in 1821, being a difference of forty-nine years, and when we consider that most of the chaplains in the interim were unmarried men, having no proper place of residence on the glebe, it is no wonder that the above valuable works were lost. JOHN THOMAS CLARKE.
The balance-sheet, giving an account of the various purchases and buildings, has been brought down to 1784, some twelve years from the foundation of the chapelry, in which time the income of the chaplain had been permanently raised from about £20 per annum to £30, and at this rate it appears to have continued for the space of forty-three years, without any attempt to increase its revenue, or apparently to improve the fabric, which must have gradually continued to deteriorate. It is in vain we look for the name of the noble proprietor of the island's revenue among the list of contributors to the building of the chapel, or for the cause of education of the poor children of the district, although he had given his consent to the prayer of the memorial addressed to him in 1771.
During these forty-three years there had been twelve chaplains, but the lowness of the stipend and the inadequate accommodation provided were indeed inducements for the various young men who had been appointed to this cure (I had almost said living) to look out as speedily as possible for a better. At length one was appointed, with energy sufficient to found a bishopric, if his will had been directed that way; but even he at times felt depressed with the magnitude of the work before him, and ·the resources he had to deal with. At the time of Mr. Clarke's appointment, in 1827, the buildings and the land appeared to be in a deplorable estate, but that is best told in his own way hereafter.
It was intended here to record an account of one of the early chaplains, John Gell, from a MS. journal in his own handwriting, as it gives a curious detail of the vicissitudes of those brought up to a seafaring life, and the great hardship that had to be endured in a time of war at that day, as well as the oppressing duties of the system that was then tolerated, the press-gang, as it was called. It is, however, considered that one of the volumes of the Miscellany series of the Manx Society would be more appropriate for its insertion.
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