hidden-metaphor

Manx Genealogy

James Kewley c.1783 Help

How would I get the birth of James Kewley c.1783 Ballanard, Onchan, Isle of Man

This text below was taken from newspaper cutting from Jan 1985

It has been said that Manxmen have not been especially notable as inventors. However, a newly-mounted library exhibition based on family documents and heirlooms kindly lent by Mr L J Kewley of Port Erin, aims to set the record straight, with particular reference to a most gifted Manxman, who has unaccountably been neglected by posterity.

FIRST TENANT
James Kewley, civil engineer, the son of John Kewley of Ballanard in the Parish of Onchan and Elizabeth Cannell, was baptised at Braddan on 28 September 1783. His family had already that year been in possession of the encestral quarterland farm in the treen of Tromode for almost three hundred years, the first recorded manorial tenant being John McKewley, entered in the manorial roll in 1507.

His interests and skills were remarkable in their breadth and the full measure of the achievements of his working life in England, which covered a period of 33 years from 1818 has yet to emerge.

The invention of central heating systems, fully patented, work on the early plant houses at Kew, involvement with the East London Waterworks, are balanced by his work in plant-breeding in the Island which resulted in the production of the renowned Manx codlin apple.

FLUENT
As a fluent and literate Manx speaker, he was also involved in the production London of the 'beautiful and accurate' edition of the British and Foreign Bible Society's 1819 Manx Bible, for which he read the proofs.

Sincere thanks are due to Mr L J Kewley, a long-serving member of the Friends of the Manx Museum, for his kindness in making his family collection available for this exhibition which will remain on display until the end of April.

James Kewley
Inventor and Sole Manufacturer of the Hydropneumatic Apparatus for heating hothouses, conservatories, churches, dwelling houses etc.
Manufactory No 8 Millman Row, King's Road, Chelsea.

Any help in any new info on James and his family would be of great use.

Kind Regards,
Tom.