James McCrone 1767-1840

In 1825 founded the Presbyterian Church in Douglas (now St Andrews). Much disliked by the native Manx for his part in the tax and tithe gathering by the Duke of Athol and his nephew the Bishop. David Craine in his article on the Potato Riots of 1825 [Proc IoMNHAS vol IV no IV p570] describes him as "a hard and unsympathetic Scot". Thomas Kelly invokes his name with scorn.

Involved in a court case in 1820 - see Roper's A Short History

James McCrone married Margaret Fletcher 13 Sep 1817 Gorbals, Lanark, Scotland

Several Children born on Island :

Marian Fletcher McCrone Christening: 30 Jan 1819 Saint George (later married John Wilson 12 Sep 1841 Gorbals, Lanark)

Janet McCrone Christening: 25 Jun 1820 Saint George (later married William Jones 12 Jul 1846 Largs, Ayr)

Jane Gilfillan McCrone Christening: 27 Jul 1821 Saint George (later married David Buchan Douie : 9 Feb 1850 Largs, Ayr)

Jemima McCrone Christening: 15 Feb 1825 Saint George d. 1836)

Buried in Onchan Churchyard, beside his youngest daughter, Jemina, who died April 7th 1836, aged eleven years. The gravestone bears the following inscription; "Sacred to the Memory of JAMES McCRONE, Esq., Crown Agent in this Island for above fourteen years, the duties of which office he performed with great fidelity. Gifted with a powerful mind, he pursued the business of life with energy and success, whilst by the warmth of his heart he endeared himself to his family and friends. He died with a hope full of Immortality, 24th May, 1840, aged 73 Years."

It is possible that he was born in 1772 as the IGI has: James McCrone Christening: 5 Apr 1772 Old Cumnock, Ayr, Scotland Parents: James McCrone Margaret Stewart - however this is at variance with the stated age at death

There are three of Mr. McCrone's grandsons still living [in 1925], namely :-

Sir James McCrone Douie, K.C.S.I. the son of the Rev. Mr. Douie, Free Church minister of Largs, Ayrshire. He had a brilliant University career, and passed very high in the Indian Civil Service qualifying examination. Eventually he rose to the position of Chief Financial Commissioner of the Punjab. For some time he had the honour of being Acting Governor of that important province. At the famous Delhi Durbar, he was Knighted by His Majesty. When his official life closed, he returned to this country, and made his home at Oxford.

Mr. T. M. Greer is the son of Mr. S. M. Greer, who was County Court judge of Cavan and Leitrim, and sometime Member of Parliament for Co. Londonderry. Mr.T.M.Greer is a graduate, and medallist, of Trinity College, Dublin, and was admitted a solicitor in 1876. He holds a leading position in his profession, and is a Deputy- Lieutenant of Co. Antrim. In the religious sphere he is an elder of the Irish Presbyterian Church, and convener of the Assembly's Committee on Tenures and Trusts, which corresponds to our Law and Historical Documents Committee. Mr. Greer was appointed to the Senate on the establishment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.

Mr. Jones, another grandson, lives in Australia.

Several grand-daughters of Mr. McCrone are still living. One of these, Miss Douie, who is a member of our church at Hampstead, London, presented Mr. McCrone's portrait to the congregation, and one or two interesting letters written by him.

Extracts taken from History of Presbyterianism, 1925.

Something of his political views may be seen in some of the official letters sent back to his employers in London - that dated 17 Apr 1835 [Letter Bk 2 MS09181C] - one discussing Courts Baron reads:

"I beg to send you, one of the Insular News papers, by which you will see, we have warefare here as well as on your side of the water - the affairs of the Island are very much under the control of a junto, and the Clerk of the Rolls, the acting Attorney General and the Water Bailiff his brother are at the head of the ruling party. The latter is Receiver General and as such, is the first Commisr of Harbours, and being also Water Bailiff has to sit in judgment on his own actings and doings - He is likewise Clerk of the Council, and as Receiver General is a member of Council" - he continues with a note of the collusion between the Water Bailiff and his brother the acting Attorney General to prevent publication of the notice calling a Courts Baron and continues "We need reform here, as well as in England, but I have only one course and one object to persue, and that is to do my duty as far and as fairly as my judgment goes, so that the Crown may not suffer under my agency".

Died after his horse bolted and threw him and others to the ground

Manx Sun, Friday, 22nd May 1840

We regret to report a very serious accident which occurred to Mr. Mc.Crone's family on Sunday morning last. They had as usual attended divine worship at the Scotch Church, and on returning in their car, drawn by a halfbroken horse, the animal ran away near Mr. Duff's, at Marina, and on turning the corner upset the car with great violence, by which Miss Mc.Crone was severely injured on the head, Mr. Mc.Crone had his collar broken, and the servant his arm and two ribs. Fortunately Mrs. Mc.Crone refused to take a seat in the car, not having confidence in the horse. Mr. Wm. Duff, who witnessed the calamity, had the whole of the sufferers removed to his house, where they still remain, and although doing well, are not sufficiently recovered to bear removal to their home.

Manks Advertiser, Tuesday, 26th May 1840

In our last we announced an accident which had befallen Mr. Mc. Crone, and part of his family, on their return from the Scotch Kirk, on the Sunday previous, and we have this day the painful task of recording the death of Mr. Mc.Crone, which took place at half-past two o'clock, on Sunday morning, in the house of Wm, Duff, Esq, Mr. McCrone was in the 74th year of his age. This gentleman's death will be deeply regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. he was a native of Scotland, but had long resided upon this Island. We should be happy to be able to report favourably of Miss Mc.Crone, but we regret to say, she still remains in a very precarious state.

A most solemn and deeply affecting sermon, on the death of Mr. Mc.Crone, was preached in the Scotch Kirk, in this town, on the morning of Sunday last, by the Reverend Mr. Ralph, of Liverpool, who very kindly officiated for the Reverend Mr. Maclean, who has been so deeply affected since the sad catastrophe took place, as to be unable to perform public duty. During the discourse, the Rev. gentleman stated that this was the third time he had occupied that pulpit ; he preached a sermon at the opening of that place of worship ; secondly, be assisted their beloved pastor, in the office of Communion ; and this, the third time he had the painful task of preaching a sermon on the death of his much esteemed friend. Mr. Mc.Crone, The Rev. W. Carpenter also delivered a very affecting discourse on the death of the above respected gentleman, and pointed out the: uncertainty of human life ; and strongly urged his auditors to prepare themselves for a future state, as they knew not at what hour they might be called to render an account of their transgressions. How deeply affecting was the discourse of the rev .gentleman, that every eye of his congregation was moistened with tears.