Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
©
F.Coakley , 2023
[From Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday, May 9,16 & 30th 1896]
This series of three articles in the form of interviews was published about the time of the great clearance of Old Douglas - Mona's Herald took up the same idea a few weeks later, which appear to draw on similar tales - both series were anonymous.
It invariably seems to afford great pleasure to people of the present to learn something of those who have filled their places in time past to know a little of their characteristics and their surroundings. In regard to this article, not only have most of the persons named departed this life, but the very houses they lived in have been swept away within the past year, and the ground is now being covered with buildings of modern style and character. It has been deemed fitting that some record should be printed of the old places and their inhabitants, and in order to obtain the necessary information, a gentleman whose connection with the district has been life-long, and reaching back something like sixty years, was interviewed, with the result that we are enabled to benefit our readers from the treasures of his memory. The district treated of lies between the Fleetwood Corner and the Market-place, with occasional diversions. Our informant, however, does not claim to possess a very-good memory, but says that certain prominent features stand out which it would be difficult to efface from anyone's memory, and which it gives him pleasure to relate. He suggests that those who know more than what he is able to recall, should supplement his sketch by communications to the editor; and, provided such supplementary writings be of general interest, we should be glad to give them space in future issues. So now to what "an old inhabitant" has to say:—
Suppose I begin with the Fleetwood Hotel, which at the present time is let off in tenements. and which is doomed to early destruction. In my earliest recollection the site was occupied by two little shops and a court yard, with steps going down. There was a parapet wall on the street side, and the whole premises were flagged with red sandstone. The court yard occupied about half the ground of the present hotel. One of the shops was used as a store-room for the sale of paper manufactured at Baldwin Mill by Messrs J. and A. Lewthwaite ; the other was occupied by Miss Bunnyman, a milliner, and was, I believe, the head millinery shop in Douglas. She was one of the Bunnymans of Port-e-Chee. The property belonged to some of the Gell family, of which Capt. P. Gell is one of the surviving representatives. It would be about sixty years ago that they pulled the old houses down and erected the present building. "Including the present shops, I suppose?" Yes. So far as I know, Mr Richard Clague, painter, occupied part of the building for a great number of years, and then Mr Noble for a considerable period, followed by others. In Clague's time a part of the Quay shop was used as a printing establishment by
an Irishman (as his name suggests), and his principal work was printing newspapers for the Chartists of England and the Nationalists of Ireland. The advantage of printing them here was that they could be sent through the Post Office free for circulation in the adjacent islands, where the members of the various societies would propagate them in their own way. O'Brien was a big man, a clever man, a trusted leader, and an orator of repute.
Do you know whether these publications were printed on Manx made paper ?
Yes, Manx paper, which was supplied from the Laxey Mills.
Were there not other establishments for the printing of papers to be sent abroad?
Yes. About the same period Sheriff & Russell started a printing office, splendidly equipped, in Lord-street, where their press was at work night and day. printing mostly for English circulation. They also printed the original The of Man Times.
How long do you suppose they kept it going ?
Half-a-dozen years, more or less. There was also a Welshman named Lloyd Jones who printed papers for Welsh circulation, he also taking advantage of the boon of getting his papers circulated without stamp duty. His place was in Post Office-lane. Still about the same time there was a Mr Robinson (uncle to the present Messrs Robinson Bros.) had an office in Athol-street, and he printed literature of a temperance character for national distribution. For a time they all flourished, and newspapers were conveyed in cartloads to the Post Office. But one fine morning it was discovered that action had been taken by the British Government — who were said to be grievously annoyed at the strong Chartist teaching that some of the papers lent themselves to — which knocked all this prosperity in the head, by making it a condition that every paper should be stamped with a penny stamp in order to go through the Post Office. This did not apply to newspapers for Insular delivery. The consequences were so tremendous that the bulk of these printers suddenly became bankrupt, and their splendid new plant and machinery were sold as old iron.
This, in turn, affected the paper industry in the Island ?
Yes, it was simply the ruination of paper making. But we have digressed seriously.
Let us return to the Fleetwood. The other part of the building was an hotel proper, mostly occupied as a public house. My first recollection of it is that a Mr Curtis, from London, conducted it. For years he had carried on the leading glass and china shop in town, in Lord-street, but, that business not turning out well, he opened the Fleetwood and carried it on for some years. Amongst the numerous changes that afterwards took place in the occupancy, one tenant worthy of mention. was Miss Barnes. Next to the Fleetwood was Jimmy Bell's Blue Bell Tavern, and then
The latter was occupied by Mr Whiteside, of the Nunnery Mill, for a number of years ; but prior to that Mr Whiteside had a warehouse on the Bank-hill, in which he himself dealt out flour and provender to the country people every Saturday for many years. As a man, he was obliging ; as a citizen, respected - everybody having a kind word to say for him. Then there was
he was on the quay all my time; I should think he was in business there something like 80 years ago. He carried on the largest cabinet-manufacturing establishment in Douglas, employing a great many hands. About this time quite a number of retired military officers and others came to live here, and many gentlemen's residences were built in and about Douglas. Mr Cleator was fortunate enough to be entrusted with the furnishing of mostly all these houses. It was no uncommon thing for him to take orders for furnishing houses at prices varying from £500 to £l,000 There was no "shoddy" from Germany brought over then. All the furniture was made at home. Thus Mr Cleator was a very busy, a very enterprising and successful man. Personally he was a fine, tall, gentlemanly individual, and his wife was a very fine lady. They were not like many of our "swell" shop-keepers of to-day, in that they lived at the shop on the Quay. In the old time of his prosperity, Mr Cleator and a number of friends from Douglas, used to go up in the summer to Ballaoats Claddagh, and have a dance on the green. They took with them a few fiddlers and harpers and other instrumentalists that constituted a small band for the occasion. He was chairman of the Town Commissioner's for a long time. There is one man living now who will never forgive Mr Cleator because he promised one evening at a Commissioners meeting to be one of a party to wait upon the Gas Company to make overtures for purchasing the Gas Works, but Mr Cleator failed to put in an appearance. It was to have taken place the following morning.
And so the town has not secured the Gas Works to this day ?
No, but Mr Cleator's presence that morning might not have altered the situation. He was active in regard to the Social and political interests of the town — just such another patriot as Mr Archer is now — — and had considerable influence. A Mr Goss married one of Mr Cleator's daughters, and carried on the business afterwards, but this was in the days of competition, and he did not succeed so well. In the meantime, many of those who had served their apprenticeship with Mr Cleator had started in business for themselves, which of course tended to impoverish the old-standing firm. The next building was the
occupied by Mr Wm. Cowin, captain and owner of a coal brig. At first I remember it a little two-storey building, which Mr Cowin pulled down, and erected new premises. He and his family ran it for about half a century, and did a great trade in their day. There was no other place in town sold such good rum—so the public said. Adjoining this hotel was the Cumberland Tavern. Its principle line was the eating house business, and it was carried on by Mrs Hewson. Later it became an ordinary public house, kept by Mr Jas. Gill, better known as
and subsequently by his son, until it was swept away by the authorities. The next were two brick houses. In one of them there lived one McNeil, who was a sailor in the employ of the Steam Packet Co., and who got his leg taken off owing to entanglement with a rope. The lost limb was substituted by a wooden one, and the poor man was afterwards enabled to fill the position of watchman for the company. The last tenant of any note was
he sailed the Louisa Jane and other boats of renown. He was a daring sailor, a native of Ramsey, but settled down in Douglas as a ship broker. The other house was
She had been for many years housekeeper to Mr James Moore, of Liverpool, one of the first agents for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. There she kept a little shop or general store, which was also a general meeting-place for the young people of Douglas every evening. She occupied it very respectably, and for a great number of years. Often have I heard her relate the little anecdote about her coming from Liverpool one time in the Mona's Isle, which left that port at precisely the same time as the Royal George [sic later corrected to St George]. It was in summer time. They came down the river as close together as two ships could sail, but on reaching the sea — it was a stormy day — the Mona's Isle took the lead, a band on board struck up "Conquer the hero," and she sped on to Douglas. Jenny declared that she herself went home and had her tea, and returned to the pier in comfortable time to witness the arrival of the Royal George.
What was the Royal George, may I ask ?
Oh, the opposition steamer. Jenny was accustomed to relate this with great delight. She subsequently moved to a house in the same neighbourhood, where she died, and Jenny's dwelling afterwards became a stable for Mr Corlett the baker.
was kept by a person of the name of Qualtrough. It was the headquarters of all the Baldwin people on a Saturday. There was a little lane leading up from the Quay right opposite the Bull's Head door. It was for many years a public-house, being kept by relatives of the Qualtrough's, and a noisy house it was. Ceasing to be a public-house, it was last occupied by a Mr Quine, brother to Mr Quine, of Ballig, who died the other day. Latterly it was used as a bakehouse by Mr Corlett.
was once in the occupation of a Mrs Mackenzie, when it was a noted house for the gathering of young people. She was well known in her time. It afterwards changed hands frequently. But to return to the Quay proper, we should next name Mr Fielding's shop.
must have been there for something like 60 or 70 years. Before the Fleetwood was built, he occupied this corner, and only removed from it last year when the place was on the verge of destruction. Mr Fielding has always taken a great interest in the welfare of the poor of the town. Another little shop was used for many years by the late
A boat bearing his name still comes in the harbour sometimes. The Greyhound Hotel was kept 50 years ago by
who, in addition, carried on the paper warehouse and marine store at No. 44, North Quay. At the latter place he was agent for Messrs Walker & Topliss, of the Laxey Mill, Topliss being his father. Leaving the Greyhound, he went down to the premises of the Steam Packet Company (now the Lancashire House), where he remained until his death. I suppose he carried that on for 30 years. He had the largest and best billiard room in the town, which was very respectably conducted, and was frequented by the military officers. Mr Topliss was very ingenious. He was succeeded at the Greyhound by Mr John Kermode, who was there for a long period, and is still smart amongst us. Other tenants followed. There was another public-house adjoining, at one time kept by a Milburn, a ship carpenter, who up to a recent period worked in Douglas, but now—if he still survives—lives in Ramsey. Next came a painter's shop, Mr Wm. Carine's — a two-storey building with warehouse doors in front. He was one of the leading house painters in town. There is a son of his still living somewhere about. After his death, it was carried on by a man named William Douglas for many years. Afterwards, being pulled down and rebuilt, it was occupied by Mr James Corlett, baker, now of Ridgeway street. Coming nearer the Market, there was
As already mentioned, William Topliss was in possession there, until the time that Messrs Walker & Topliss failed in their manufacturing business at Laxey. Upon Messrs J. and A. Lewthwaite undertaking the Laxey mill, Wm. Topliss gave this warehouse over to that firm. Their career at Laxey, however, met with a similar fate to that of their predecessors ; upon which Mr Alexander Lewthwaite took over the paper warehouse, and carried on business in that building, with one short interval, until it had to vanish before the advancing tide of town improvement. The shop next it was in the occupation of
He lived on the premises, and reared a large family there, but where they are now I don't know. He was one of the Clucas's of Barrule. He made a fortune, and all the while he was industriously laying it up he was accustomed to complain pessimistically to his neighbours that the North Quay was "done." Mr Clucas also owned coal boats. He finally gave up the watch business and went to Castletown, being succeeded by Mr E. Corlett, who remained for some years; and then various tenants followed, winding up with Mrs Sandyford, confectioner. The next shop was occupied for a great number of years by
Anybody passing up or down the North Quay from morning until night would hear the sound of the hammer and the anvil, Mr Armroyd being a most industrious man. He afterwards kept the shop next door to the Coffee Palace. Various tenants occupied his old shop for varying terms, amongst whom an oyster dealer named Keown, of Port Rush, might be mentioned as having been there for several years. Then there was another public-house, for many years run by
and a great resort for the country people. It was always full on Saturday — people that brought their cakes and crackers, and had a pint of jough warmed by the fire, as a sort of lunch. Before Quirk's occupancy, however, there was one Curphey—better known as "Tippo"—there. He was a great swell, and a first-rate whip, who drove one of the mail coaches from Douglas to Peel. The next shop was in the British Hotel building, facing the North Quay. My earliest recollection is that it was occupied by Mr Joseph Roskill, as a grocer's shop and warehouse. It was afterwards converted into a broker's office , first used by Mr Berry, and then by the late Mr B. A. Cain. Now we come to
Mr Lamplough was a character. He was, religiously, a Methodist, very enthusiastic, and a most popular local preacher; also he was famous as a conductor of revival services; a great favourite with the country people, and a very fluent speaker. As to personal appearance, he had a clean shaven face and long black hair. In business, he prescribed for his customers, and his shop was bombarded" on a Saturday from first thing in the morning to the last thing at night with people—so great was the faith and belief fn Mr Lamplough. He was always ready and willing to visit the sick and the dying, and alas ! on one such occasion, when visiting a sick person with the object of affording religious consolation, he caught a fever which ended fatally.
It appears, then, he was doubly good and useful—ever seeking to benefit men both physically and spiritually ?
Yes, he was very heroic and philanthropic After Mr Lamplough's lamented decease, the business was carried on by the late Mr Halton, who removed to Duke-street, where it is still continued by Messrs Halton Brothers. The shop on the Quay was afterwards opened as a clothing establishment by Mr Leece, and was later occupied by other tenants. In my first recollection, the premises recently occupied by Mr Creer and Mr Jacob Kelly formed only one shop, being carried on by
grocers and spirit merchants. They, however, left after some years, Joseph going to the North Quay and setting up in business for himself, and Robert to the far end of Strand street and doing likewise. The latter remained a tradesman to the end of his life, while Joseph in the course of time joined the staff of the Steam Packet Company as collector of accounts, &c. He is now dead; but a more genial collector could not have been desired, as the public voice testified. Amongst other tenants who succeeded Messrs Roskill, was
who had the shop facing the Market. His was one of the first shops of any pretensions in that line of business in Douglas. Mr George Lay succeeded him in the business, who afterwards removed to the well-known stand in Duke-street. Mr Kelly was the last tenant of the Marketplace shop. In the corner shop, Mr Robert Corlett carried on business as a grocer. He was a shrewd business man, and one always ready to give advice to others on business matters. He was succeeded by Mr R. E. Creer. The other corner shop was in the occupation of Mr Cubbon, the saddler, all my time. He was and is well known and respected, and, were he so disposed, could give a good deal more ancient history of the old town than I possibly could.
fifty years ago was in the hands of Mr Nelson. It was then the principal and best commercial hotel in Douglas. In subsequent years, a Mr Johnson carried it on ; he afterwards went to the Villa Marina Hotel. Mr Johnson's wife was a sister of Mr Stead, of the Adelphi (uncle of the present school attendance officer). I think Miss Barnes also conducted the British for some years, and then a Mrs Hudson, who afterwards took the Fort Anne Hotel. All this time the British had a very respectable and prosperous business. Perhaps we had better leave the subject over now for another "sitting," and then we might re-commence our narrative with certain offices that were in occupation upstairs in the British.
[part 2]
The article or interview in last week's issue, under the heading of "Old Douglas," dealt solely with the North Quay and lanes abutting thereon. In continuing the subject this week, a wider range is taken in, while devoting attention mainly to the site of the town improvement scheme. Having given some particulars of those who kept the shops underneath the British Hotel, the chronicler resumed as follows:—
Upstairs in the British there were several offices, the entrance being from a narrow doorway opening on the Quay. Some of them were lawyers' offices. At that time the Court House was on the Red Pier, the site being now occupied by the Imperial Buildings ; so that all the lawyers had offices in the neighbourhood of the market. But as to the persons who had offices in the British, my recollection is principally of
as estate and general commission agent. He was a very active politician, and agitated for the reform of abuses, with special reference to the old self-elected House of Keys. He was one of a very strong body of Douglas tradesmen who agitated determinedly for this constitutional reform. The party included Garrett the brewer, and his sons, William Kelly the chandler, Robert and William Duff, Gavin Torrance and his sons, Gordon Kelly the chemist, Sammy Rodgers the lawyer, and others. Their cause, however, received but scant support from the bulk of the people of Douglas and the Island. Mr Callister, of Thornhill, also belonged to the party, but he subsequently became a member of the "select" House, and as such he failed to support the Reform movement. It should not be omitted that Robert Fargher led on the cause with his paper, the agitation being vigorously pursued until Governor Loch came to the Island and brought about an improved state of things. I remember a little incident which is worth recording, although not properly within the scope of our present subject. I was in Ramsey at the time of the Queen's visit, when Prince Albert came ashore from the yacht. I saw a carriage and four coming down Ballure road at a furious rate, bringing some half dozen of the Reformers from Douglas. They bore a petition, and their object was to
and set forth their grievance. They were, however, too late to secure an interview, and Governor Hope, who followed close upon their heels, was also too late to greet the Lady of Man. Rodgers, to whom I have referred, was brother-in-law to Sir Baldwin Walker, the then admiral of the Turkish fleet. He had a son and daughter, and the son went out to join his uncle in the fleet. Duggan was a great orator, being the leading talker of the Reform party. He was exceedingly polite, and invariably had a pleasant word to say for the ladies. It was said that in one of his orations he exclaimed, " Oh, that I had the eloquence of Kickero!"—being a slip, whether intentional or otherwise, for "the eloquence of Cicero."
"Then," said the interviewer, "it would be the same Duggan of which I have just been reading, who was said to be sometimes called the Manx Cicero. He once made a great speech in connection with the opening of a short-lived steamship service between Ramsey and Liverpool."
That would be the same man, for it was his delight to oppose the powers that be, and consequently would he be in the forefront when there was opposition for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. A large corner shop opposite the British was a drapery establishment, occupied by
from Ramsey. He had a number of employees, and did a large trade, especially on Saturdays. The shop was afterwards taken by Mr Hy. Johnson, seedsman, who was succeeded by Mr Robert Curphey and Mr Thomas Kelly, and the last—but not least—occupant was Mr Wildig. The shop next to it was Gelling's iron works, being carried on in the old time by Mrs Gelling. One of her sons, James, took to the general ironmongery business here, and carried it on in all its branches. The other son, Richard (who is still living) built and conducted the foundry on the South Quay. They were about the only people in town who carried on this line in a large way, and nearly everything sold was made by themselves, genuine articles being ensured. Messrs Todhunter & Elliot took over the shop business, and removed to Duke-street some years ago. Adjoining these premises, in James street, was the
which had large stabling accommodation, and was much frequented by farmers. It was also frequented by Cumberland people, there being many years ago a very large trade from Whitehaven, prior to regular communication being established with Liverpool. Mr Richard Quirk was the last man that was in it for any length of time. He was a very enterprising and persevering man. He would fill his house by soliciting visitors on the pier, then he would sit up most of the night taking part in their convivial pastimes, and first thing in the morning be would be up and about to despatch his patrons, in his own traps, to the various places of interest throughout the Island ; after which he was accustomed to go to bed and sleep until five or six o'clock in the evening. Thus was his business run on the most methodical lines, with the result that he made a "pile" of money. The house next the Cumberland was occupied for a great many years by Mr Cubbon, barber, father of the late Mr Thomas Cubbon. Next to him was
who was one of the leading men in that trade in Douglas. In addition, he was a principal shareholder in, and I believe one of the founders of, the Steam Packet Company, and in the Gas and Water Companies. One of his sons became a doctor, but died at an early age; and it was said that by his decease the poor of Douglas lost one of the best friends they ever had. One of Mr Bridson's daughters was married to the late Mr James Gelling; she died at the Hills House only last year, Opposite Mr Bridson's there was
It was the principal resort of the better-class farmers, and was very largely patronised. In connection with the hotel, Mr Redfern had a butcher's shop—the principal one in Douglas at the time. He was succeeded in the butchery business by Henry Davis, who continued it for many years, and then the shop was applied to other purposes. The hotel was carried on up to a recent period by various people, including Mrs Hiscock and Mr Trustrum at different times At one time a first-rate hotel, the close of its existence saw the Redfern's let off in tenements. Of the other houses in James street. I am only able to recollect one here and there. One of the residents was Mr McArdle, the principal ready-made clothes dealer in town - and there was a Mrs Douglas in the same line, with a less extensive business. It was a very nice, respectable street in those days, and amongst the private residents was a Mrs Gawne, whose daughter, Miss Gawne, became the wife of the late Mr Brearey, chemist. Next door to her, in a thatched cottage, lived old Peggy Adams, who kept cows, and supplied all the neighbourhood with milk, no one in the town being better known at that time. There was another old lady known as "Mammy Moore the oatcake," celebrated and popular because of the good value in cakes and bonnags which she was known to give her customers. The warehouse at the end of Hanover-street, recently in the occupation of Messrs Stephen, grocers—and, before that, of Mr Lynchey, marine store dealer—was in my early years occupied by Mr Tait, miller ; I think he was at Pulrose Mill, and used this as a corn warehouse. Next to him, in Lord-street, was
shop. He was one of the most enterprising and prosperous grocers in town, making a nice fortune there, though he died comparatively a young man. At the time when the American dispute was a burning question, Mr Caley was a strong supporter of the Unionist cause. He and Mr Corlett (the grocer.—to their honour be it said—always supported that cause in opposition to the public opinion of Douglas, which was strongly in favour of the Confederates.
But it's going far out of our line to mention that, is it not ?
Well, everyone who remembers Mr Caley will recollect that he made a hobby of that in his day.—Mr Kelly, a shoemaker, was also m Lord-street, and was living up to a year or two ago. Adjoining his shop, the Misses Jordan kept a confectionery establishment. At the corner of Lord-street and Church-street,
carried on the business of a corn merchant, together with a grinding mill worked by steam power. He was also a baker. Among his successors were Mr Corlett and Mr Callister, and lastly Mr R. D. Cowin. Next door was Messrs J. and A. Lewthwaite's stationery shop, prior to their taking premises on the North quay ; and next to them was Mr Curtis, china dealer , who also received mention in our last interview. These three were then new shops, erected (I believe) by Major Bacon. Close to, there was Mr Eli Gelling, grocer; also Mr Woods, shoemaker. The late Mr Morrison started business in this street, as a tailor and draper. He removed to Duke-street, becoming a very successful merchant tailor. Mr Poland, a well-known townsman, also kept a ready-made clothes shop—something of the nature of a pawn shop. He lived to an old age. Mr Sam Moore, baker, carried on business for quite a number of years ; as did also Mr Hamlyn, chandler. Lord-street in those days was a very respectable part of the town, and contained several private residences. At the low end of Duke-street, the first establishment was that of
grocer and wine and spirit merchant. He did a large wholesale trade with the shopkeepers and public houses throughout the Island. He kept a large staff of assistants, Mr James Taubman being manager. Mr Duff lived on the premises, the front door being in Duke street. When the Duffs left, the place became a draper's shop, occupied by Mr D. Corrin. and afterwards—as will be well remembered—by Mr Robert Clucas. Upon the premises being destroyed by fire, the Town Commissioners purchased the place, in view of the market and town improvements. Michael Woods, draper (an Irishman), was in the next shop, being succeeded by Mr William Graham, crockery dealer.
occupied two shops in their drapery business. At one time a principal feature with them was the silk trade. Silk was landed here free from duty, while in England it was heavily protected. Consequently visitors bought their silks here, and took them home to the mainland, in some cases weaving the material about their persons to prevent detection. The corner shop (top of Market-hill) was occupied by Dillon, the principal stationer in town, who was also a printer and publisher, employing a large staff. He removed to the North-quay, where Mr Beck now is, and from that to England. Mr Lay's corner was occupied by Mr Kelly, boot and shoemaker, for a great many years. Previous to his time, there were old buildings on the site, one portion of which was occupied by Mr Jefferson, the original publisher of Jefferson's Almanac, as a printing and publishing office. Messrs Lemon Bros., jewellers, also had premises there. Close by, a Mr Kelly - called Kelly the Rock—kept a grocery and wine store, in which he was succeeded by Messrs Hart and Dale. The shop at the corner of King-street, lately in possession of Mr Bostock, then formed Mr Roger Roney's business premises. He moved across to the other side of Duke-street, where his son, Mr Richard Roney, succeeded him, and continues to the present time. At the corner of Water lane, a Mr Lawson had a large bakery and flour warehouse. In a shop located somewhere between these last two, was a Mr Cottle, of London, fancy bread and biscuit baker, the shop being continued in the bakery line up to recent years. Mr Cannell the hatter's shop will be well remembered; he erected it for his own occupation, and occupied it for a great number of years, having previously been in a place nearer Duke-street—a small shop which still exists. At the corner of Fancy-street there resided a Miss Brown, confectioner, who was subsequently married to
for some time clerk or sexton of St. George's. Directly after their matrimonial union, Mr Curphey opened a confectionery shop in Nelson-street, where Mr Corlett the ironmonger now is. There he had rooms open for meetings, Mr Curphey being interested in the temperance cause and wishful to provide an antidote to the public house. Meetings were frequently held in his place. Most of Fancy street was occupied as private dwellings, amongst the residents being Mr Clague, father of Mr T. H. Clague, late bookseller. In my first recollection, the western corner of Fancy-street and King-street was a vacant piece of ground, but
put up several buildings there, including a bakehouse for himself, in which he was very successful. He was succeeded by his son Thomas, who died comparatively young. Another son. William, is a flourishing flour merchant in Liverpool at the present time. I would just like to mention that in King-street also
dyer, carried on his works for many years. Mrs Fayle, of the Crescent, is a surviving daughter of Mr Grandin. His private dwelling was in Church-street. Upon one occasion very long ago, Dr Quine lodged in the house, and I was taken to him to be vaccinated. As a kind of consolation I was promised that if I did not cry I would afterwards get some sweets from a shop kept opposite by Mrs Douglas. Mr Craine married Mrs Douglas, and the business (including bakery) was carried on by him until succeeded by his son, Mr Andrew Craine, and now by Mr Corkill.
But you have not said whether you merited the sweets ?
Oh, no, I had better not tell.—As to the side of Church-street that has been demolished, it consisted mostly of private dwellings.
[TO THE EDITOR.]
Liverpool, May 11, 1396.
Dear Sir . I cannot help writing to thank you for your enjoyable article on "Old Douglas" in last Saturday's issue of the Examiner, and I am sure you have hit upon a theme about which many interesting things might be written, as there was scarcely a street in "Old Douglas " that had not a tale to tell, or was far behind the North Quay in interest. And what memories might be received in our rambles round town, whilst a history might be written of the vicissitudes of the various hotels, etc., from Harris's Imperial to Derby Castle, taking in Redfern's, Castle Mona, and the Cliff. The latter would associate itself with the Bank of Mona, while Derby Castle would make one think of the Pollock's and Captain Daniels, whose daughters I have seen climb the very steep and dangerous footpath just outside of Port Jack, that led to the summit of Banks' Howe, before that specially lovely spot was spoiled by the hand of man. I am not an old man, being still a comfortable distance under three score years; but one of the greatest treats to me is to have a chat with some of the friends of my early days about those happy times. When I see the genial face of Capt. Alec Reid on the steamer, how it makes me think of my happy school days, spent at Claudy Cannell's school in Parade-place, with our play-ground among the rocks, and about a hundred lads careering in the briny close by in nature's garb, and never a person thought their sensibilities were shocked. Of course that would be out of the question now, where there is such an altered condition of things. Rush, with splendour and gay glitter—pavilions and palaces, along with increased wealth may now be the order of the day, but those of us who remember close on half a century ago, look back upon those days with very affectionate memory. I venture to say, sir, others beside myself will appreciate your articles. The accompanying original lines speak my mind on " Dear little Mona."—Yours, &c. HENRY COTTLE.
[part 3]
In returning to our recollections of the people who occupied positions in the old part of Douglas about 50 years ago, and which old part has lately been swept away, mention should be made of the printing office of the Mona's Herald, conducted by the late Robert Fargher. His printing office was in Post Office-place - part of a triangular block of buildings, one side being in James'-street, one in Post Office-lane, and the other in Post Office-place. The houses in this peculiar block had no yards, and in most cases no air space. There Mr Robert Fargher conducted his business for many years, until he removed to (at that time) new premises in a street out of Duke-street, being the ground on which Mr D. Corrin's shop in Victoria street is now built. Mr Fargher was a very remarkable man. He took a leading part in our local politics, and used his great intellect both through his paper and the public platform in trying to do away with the abuses of our (at that time corrupt and irresponsible) government. He fought the people's cause with a vigour which no other local man has approached. Several times in fighting those battles he was imprisoned in Castle Rushen, and involved in heavy legal expenses. It is only right to say that he was loyally helped by the strong band of reformers referred to in our article of May 16th. Whenever there were abuses to be remedied, the people brought their grievances to Robert Fargher, who in turn championed their cause. In parting for the present with this late resident of the district, let me say it seems a pity that no litterateur has thought it worth while writing a brief history of this valiant and patriotic Manxman.
Close by, in Post Office-lane, a Miss Graves kept the Douglas Post Office. I can just dimly remember letters being exposed against the small squares of glass addressed, and the public would have to go there and read the addresses to find out whether or not any letter was addressed to them, and if so claim it. But the people of to-day cannot comprehend the mighty boon the nation received by the introduction of the penny post. At this time letters were charged 6d and upwards apiece. I knew a business man who often crossed to Liverpool, and who acted as letter carrier to his friends, with considerable risk, to save them the costly postage. After Miss Graves' time, Mr McAdam opened the new office in Thomas-street. This I expect would be the time the penny post came into operation. Miss Graves had a brother, by name Peter. Peter at one period lived in Post Office-place. People who knew him will remember him as a very eccentric Wesleyan Methodist. He was very peculiar in his manner, and led one to believe he had suffered from paralysis, he trembled so when turning over the leaves of the books in the pulpit. He was full of anecdote, and interested his hearers greatly, but marred the pleasure by preaching too long. He used to visit the schools all round the country, and get permission to read an anecdote or two to the children. He would then give them a lecture. His constant advice to the children was "Serve the Lord when you are young. Youth is the time to give your heart to the Lord," etc.— changing the words, but carrying the same idea or thought—whatever you do that is worth doing, best begin when you are young. This was the burden of his advice, and finishing off by prayer. This was a relaxation from the ordinary routine, and was enjoyed by the children, who were always glad to see him come in.
I have now recited to you the identities of many of the inhabitants of this once flourishing district. But I fear I have missed more than I have remembered of the leading people, and that my recitals are not what I would care to swear to, they being only strong facts and features that, as I said at first, stand out boldly ; and as I said there are a number of people who could give very interesting stories of people and circumstances—but will they ? I do hope there may be some few who will follow Mr Cottle's example, and add to the interest of this subject. In ending this story, it has just occurred to me that our Manx Thos. Carlyle (as the late Thomas Cubbon called him) Mr James Cowin, on one occasion lived in this district. For some years he resided in Gelling's-court. There was the famous Mr Barker—who kept the old shop on. the quay, and before the railway days made it his business to sell guides, maps, &c, to the people who took the coaches from the Market-place daily. He made lots of money by this job, and bought a hundred shares in Dumbell's Bank (original), and whenever the shares went up 20s he used to say he had made a hundred pounds on that day, and so on as each rise took place. I find that in the first article I said "Royal George." It should have been Saint George, the opposition steamer, and I forgot to mention she was afterwards wrecked on Conister. The older people all remember this circumstance ; and thus ended, for about 50 years, opposition to the Isle of Man Steampacket Company, until this last great contest of a few years ago, which happily ended for all parties concerned.
So ended the interview, which undoubtedly will have been of some interest to numbers of our readers. Many former residents—and worthy residents, in all likelihood—will necessarily have escaped notice. But of a very large proportion of the property in the narrow lanes that lay between Victoria-street and the Quay, the less said the better; suffice it to know that it has been swept away by the hand of progress, and any extra rate which the burgesses have to pay in consequence of so magnificent a sanitary advance, they may well contribute with philosophic complacency. The town will now be opened up with broad streets, where daylight and fresh air will have free course, and it is hoped squalor and misery will have no place. A remarkable feature of these articles has been the frequency with which public houses have been brought into prominence, and it may be taken as a sign of the enhanced temperance sentiment of to-day that not more than four public houses will be permitted on the renewed area. We hope and expect that the expenditure of £50,000
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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