Isle of Man Family History Society Journal Volume vi no 2 April 1984

• Memorials. of God's Acre - Christian
• Some Thoughts on Drawing Plans of the Burial Grounds of the Isle of Man
• Thomas Kelly (1804-1872) + 'Reminiscences of Former Days in Manxland'
• Strays 1881 Census for Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire [+ others]
• Laxey in the New World(Manxmen and their Cornish neighbours) part 2

Memorials of God's Acre

CHRISTIAN

Some Thoughts on Drawing Plans of the Burial Grounds of the Isle of Man

by

J. Etherington

Let me hasten to disclaim first of all any professional expertise in the field of surveying or even of draughtmanship, what follows is essentially the product of applying a little commonsense to problems of mapping a church and its surrounding graveyard. At first viewing it may seem an almost impossible task especially if one inspects the site in mid-summer, when indeed most of those working on memorial inscription recording are active. At this season weeds can be six feet tall, trees in full leaf obscure viewing from one end of the site to the other, gravestones are moss covered, ivy covered, and well nigh impossible to decipher, insects and stinging nettles are at their most venomous stage, movement about the site can quite hazardous, apart from a few cracked shins and twisted ankles can easily happen to those not constantly wary of the fallen stone, kerb or hole concealed under a fern, nettle or just grass waiting to catch a victim. If at this point Readers should feel that this kind of activity is not for them who could blame them. but perhaps Family History Society members are made of sterner stuff, on that assumption let us proceed to practical matters.

It is pertinent here to ask why bother to draw plans of the old grave yards? There seem to be several valid reasons. The F.H.S. decided some time ago to commit itself to the recording in due course of all the memorial inscriptions on the Island, and to publishing them in the form of small booklets for the benefit of future family history researchers, with it is hoped small profits accuring from the sale of these to aid other activities of the Society. A site plan in each of the booklets seemed appropriate and in fact necessary. Another function of the memorial inscription booklets would be to show still further into the future what had survived of Mann's older burial grounds at our particular moment in time, and I think we ought to compile as good and as complete a picture as we can. How often have you in your researches regretted that earlier record keepers did not forsee your need for greater detail, accuracy and often legibility in the documents that have come down to us. One more point will be made, it is that for many of the earlier burial grounds no site plans new exist, one suspects they never did exist in any durable form, it .would be a pity therefore if we did not remedy this omission before the ravages caused by our climate and neglect of many of these sites makes the task impossible of accomplishment.

So let us choose an old church and its yard as our mapping project, if it is well kept the gruesome potential mentioned earlier is minimised. and if it is small the work involved can been seen to have an end point ! There are lots to pick from. A convenient first step in the preparation of your plan is to make a freehand drawing of the site starting with the church itself, the obvious tools together with a light drawing board and a few sheets of A3 size paper, a 100 foot tape measure and. a willing assistant are essential, a sunny day is a helpful bonus. Don't waste expensive cartridge paper at this stage, plain lining paper is more than adequate, A3 size is mandatory because of the limitations of the copying facilities available on the I.O.M. Your final A3 plan of Cronk-y-Voddy minster will be copied and simultaneously reduced to A4 size for inclusion in the completed booklet. Having carefully observed the shape of your church draw its ground outline centred on the A3 sheet keeping its longest dimension to about six inches, measure the length of each wall face of the church, recording each measurement on your plan as it is taken. It may well be useful later if measurements are taken to indicate the positions and dimensions of windows and doors.

Be warned ! Do ensure that it is clear from your sketch what measurements apply to what portion of the structure. Do not attempt to rely on memory when later you sit down to do some accurate drawing, this is a certain recipe for a wasted journey to resolve the inevitable ambiguities.

With the church now measured we can define at least eight points an the site boundary. Imagine the line of the north facing wall extended eastwards and westwards to cut the boundary, measure alm- these extensions from church to boundary and record these distances on your plan. The same prodedure is applied to the other three walls to obtain six further boundary fixes. Where, as is often the case - the boundary is rather irregular. each irregularity must be pinpointed by taking two measurements from already defined places on your plan, these places should be well separated, and as nearly as is possible where the lines along which distances are measured cross at the boundary wall or fence they should do so at right-angles. At this stage you will certainly have been working for several hours and will have entered a mass of data an your sketch which should be sufficient to enable you to sit down at home and produce an accurate outline plan.of the church and the boundary wall, fence or hedge surrounding it.

To do this the question of scale must first be conrsidered. Note from your sketch the longest dimension of your graveyard, this will have to fit on to not more than 16 inches on your A3 sheet, now note the width of the site at right-angles to the longest dimension, this can take up no more than 11-1/4 inches on the sheet. Let us assume that the longest length boundary to boundary on your site is 285 feet, at right-angles to this the greatest width.le say 165 feet, then if 285ft=16ins on the plan 165ft must be represented by 16/285 multiplied by 165 which equals 9.26 inches. Fine, this fits nicely, however if the width happened to be more than 200ft more than 11-1/4ins would be needed to redresent it so the scale would then be determined by the width. In some cases perhaps better use of the sheet would be made by putting the long dimension diagonally across the paper providing of course that this does not allow any part of your site to cross the edge of the paper. A little thought and some juggling along the lines suggested will soon make it clear how best to lay out the site on the A3 sheet.

The scale factor now needs to be calculated, the value of this is the length on the sheet which will represent your longest site dimension divided by the longest site dimension. If these two measurements are as assumed earlier the scale factor would be 16 divided by 285 which is 0.0561. Each of measurements made on the site and recorded on your sketch must be multiplied by the scale factor to get the length representing it on the plan. Two further tools are quite evidently needed from here on, a pocket calculator, preferably with a memory and a pair of compasses capable of opening to about a nine or ten inch gaps.

At this point it will become painfully obvious that multiplying scale factors such as 0.0561 by lengths in feet and inches is going to be time consuming, tedious if not positively silly, we could metricate the foot or even count inches as tenths of a foot with very little error, but the advantages of the metre in our measuremeits are really quite beyond dispute.

As a first stop in realising the Graveyard plan it is useful to produce an accurate plan of the church itself to the scale to be used for the whole plan. if this is on thin card itself and is then cut out it can be moved around the A3 sheet on the drawing board to the most suitable position to place it.

From here on it is just a question of transferring your measurements the round to the sheet on the drawing board, and then drawing in the boundary from the defined points.

The remainder of the task, that is the positioning of the graves on the plan is often made easier by first of all drawing in those graves with special features, for example, those enclosed in iron railings, to do this some further measurements will be needed.

Secondly lines can be drawn on the plan to indicate the arrangement of the graves. this calls for some care since in most cases the layout of the graves is rather erratic. Each line of gravestones will then be entered spaced realistically. The stones can be represented in any way you like, some recorders simply use a cross to mark the stone positions, I prefer the plan view of a standing stone that is a narrow rectangle.

It is helpful to show trees in their true positions since these are a good guide to layout the grave plot lines on the plan. And that is about it. I like to show the orientation of the site, this calls for the use of a compass, and a further item of interest is the precise alignment of the church itself. a small bee in my bonnet is the belief that the extent to which the east end of the church fails to face true east may be an indicator of when the church was built, consequently I invariably record this on my plans. A short note an the history of the church adds a little interest to what is essentially a fairly dull document.

--00000-

THOMAS KELLY (1804-1872)

Those who succeed us for better or worse. will have photographic, cine, slide records with cassette and tape recordings to give, in authentic and accurate details, our appearances and voices.

Of our immediate predecessors, we have some photographs which vary in clarity, but of earlier antecedents we have to rely on general history. hearsay and such evidence as remain.

A great treasure, written in his own fine handwriting, is this account of agricultural practice and implements, the structure and life of a Manx farm, with exact descriptions of food, clothing, candle-making, as he had experienced in his own home at Ballavitchal, Marown. This long and precise account was probably written in or soon after 1850 and is a summary, prepared as a lecture to describe the previous half-century.

As his account continues in his original copy to 66 pages, it is easy to imagine the figure of Thomas Kelly, diligently and carefully recording his memories and experiences, writing in the same kitchen or drawing room he refers to at Ballavitchal. He was the great-grandfather of Dr. Thomas S.B. Kelly of Bath and a brother of Harold's great-grandfather, Robert Kelly, whose life at the Nab nearby. had ended between 1851 and 1861 following the death of his wife, Mary Jane Brown in 1849.

Steadily this generation of the Kelly family is emerging with growing clarity. In Thomas' story. there is one brief revealing reference to his brothers and sisters, "and well do I remember -this disgust we little people then dreaded the Candle Dipping Day as we were often kept to it the whole day . Immediately we are taken back in time to the children at Ballavitchal kitchen In the early years of the 19th. century, the heat of the peat fire. the small of tallow from the largest pot, the tired legs of the children, the careful husbandry of his parents, the farmer and Mistress.

Thomas' sister, Margaret. we now know to be the "reluctant" bride of John Quirk of Gleneedle. It was Thomas, with his brother-in-law James Gelling, husband of Elizabeth, who were appointed guardians to Mary Jane Brown in 1836 at her own request to protect her interests. It is interesting to note that in the 1851 census, James Gelling is described as a farmer of 40 acres and a shoemaker with two apprentices.

Both Thomas Kelly and James Gelling appear to have been men of religious conviction. Thomas makes reference to his servants attending a place of worship on the Sabbath day and their acknowledgment of the Supreme Being. We know too that in the Methodist Circuit plan of 1859 his son Thomas was a local preacher 'On Trial'. It was James Gelling who gave the land for the building of the Wesleyan Chapel at the Cooil.

The strictures levelled by Thomas at the contemporary labourers, their high wages. their lack of energy, their 'fine diet' all have the familiar ring attributable to any 20th. century employer.

Thomas Kelly (1804-1872) emerges as a highly intelligent man, observant and able. We know that he and his wife knew sorrow in the deaths of six children In early childhood, His style of writing is fluent, accurate and well-expresssed . The spelling is exactly duplicated here and is almost faultless. His use of the Manx words adds immense interest. The handwriting is of beautiful copper-plate never deteriorating throughout the long account. revealing the character of a purposeful. dogged man. of much physical strength. who believed in timeliness, liking things done effectively and satisfactorily. He could use logic in argument and was fluent in speech. His writing shows him to be benevolent, generous, even extravagant; honest. believing in equality, willing to show emotions. constant and reliable, able to keep a confidence but able to speak freely with special friends, and above all in a Country man, with a love of beauty in Nature.

The following was written by Thomas Kelly of Ballavitchal. on or soon after 1850

[FPC 1855 saw the first major enclosure of the commons as mentioned by Kelly; 1864 saw the Disafforesting Act (nothing to do with trees but the removal of King's Forest commoner's rights) - I.M.Kelly in her later book "Twas Thus and Thus They Lived" Douglas:1989 now attributes it to Thomas's son Thomas Kelly (1835-1899), auctioneer , and now dates it c.1885 (my suggestion is actually 1887 the 'fifty years that have just ended' being Queen Victoria's golden jubilee though her dating is that it was T Kelly's own 50 years that were refered to); this later attribution is considerably more in keeping with the comments but now places the descripton a quarter century later than she claims here - see her book (a fascinating but totally frustrating circuitous ramble through the Kelly's of Ballavitchal) for family history and other lectures by Thomas Kelly]

"REMINISCENCES OF FORMER DAYS IN MANXLAND.

Mr. Chairman and dear Friends,

It is generally admitted by history as well as be observation that in a half century there has not been such a revolution in the manners and customs of the human race as during the fifty years or so that have just ended or are about to end. And the personage who has been favoured with existence in the midst of a community for such a period must be of dull apprehension who has not stored his mind with observations of the past in comparison with the present position, the perusal and remembrance of which must be pleasing to himself and somewhat edifying or interesting to the younger person of the community who privelege it is to have their existence in these later days And, sir, perhaps in no country have greater changes taken place within the said period than in the little much beloved country situate in the Irish Channel called the "Isle of Man"

And as these changes have been general amongst all portions of the Manx community perhaps the most systematic mode of sketching the same will be to classify them in their various departments.

And, Sir, as the agricultural industry has been, and continues to be. one of the most important and prominent amongst the Manx population, it will not be out of place to commence with the same.

Now, Sir, fifty years or so ago, the Manx farmers generally, owned, occupied, cultivated and managed their holdings. The holdings or farms at that time were not of such dimensions as they are at present, But. with comparatively few exceptions, the small holdings in this department were more of the stamp of those suggested by the Grand Old Man (Mr. Gladstone) for Ireland, viz. 3 acres and a cow.

In these days many of the Manx farmers, after having their seeds deposited in their small enclosures reported to the then profitable industry of fishing by what was termed "going to the herrings" during the greater portion of the summer or autumn. feeling satisfied that the work upon their farms was quite safe in and under the management of their wives, daughters and lads.

Sir, this industry of fishing was followed by a different system to that of later days. For instance, when the majority of Manx farmers went to the herring. their custom was to carry what was termed their wallads with them. The wallads of those days was a peculiar kind of bag that would sit upon one end whenever it was placed upon an even surface. In these bags were carefully packed their provisions for the week, including butter, eggs, bread and bacon, as well as other commodities that might be fancied.

In these days butter was worth from five to seven pence per pound. eggs from 40-50 for a shilling and the staff of life, even their bread was first grown upon their own fields, clapped or rolled at home in such manner as would surprise and astonish the farmers' daughters of present times and those now employed as their assistants. The crews of the various boats owned the greater number of the shares of those boats, with their food brought from home, would generally have what was termed their house (viz.) some certain house to which they repaired for the purpose of partaking of their meals in which the respective cooking was carefully attended to free of charge. for as the fishermen in those days would generally with. or after their meals, enjoy themselves with a swage of what was then termed jough, now called beer, their host or hostess. considered. a sufficient remuneration was derived therefrom, common jough then costing 1¼d. per full pint - often when there was a few such as the crew of a herring boat quarts were used. the whole of such company using the same quart vessel, first one talking a drink, then it was handed to another and often hours were spend in thus signalising their friendship. for everyone was not considered friendly who would not take a drink out of the vessel.

In those days the Manx farmers cultivated some of their lands in somewhat similar mode as at present though not upon such an extensive scale.

They had horses of a sort with which the ascistance of their heifers and thier oxen their ploughing was performe. When cattle were thus used instead of horses or in connection with-'iorses the farmers or their lads had to be astir betimes in the mornings in the springtime and the beginning of summer and commonly ware upon the field at the break of day in the morning in as much as when nine or ten o'clock arrived the cattle had to be unyoked and taken home as they could proceed when the flies, called Croaghans or bloodsuckers, made their appearances. (CROAGHAN = gadfly)

Their feeding in those days was commonly wnat was termed Bruised Gorse for which was erected upon many Manx farms what was termed Gorse Mills. the remains of which are still to be seen in several places where water power was convenient.

There horses were of somewhat similar description to the present welsh Cob, and commonly after their work were turned to what was termed the gary a where gorse abounded and had to bruise the same with their forefeet and then eat it, which they did with relish. (a GARRY = an uncultivated garden)

Sir, I wonder what farmer' lads of the present day would think if they were required to rise so early in the mornings as to be upon the fields at daylight.

The ploughs used in those days were principally constructed of wood and not infrequently of such timber as was grown upon the farms. There were many who in addition to their other joinery work were successful in the making of poughs. And. as in other professions, there were such as excelled in the making of farmers' ploughs.

A good joke is told of one of the plough experts who was of a thirsty disposition. One day, being in want of a drink, without having the wherewithal to obtain the same, watched opportunity when two ploughmen went to their dinners. He slipped what is the socks by putting that belonging to No. I upon No. 2 and visa versa. When the men returned, their ploughs would not work. Hearing that the ploughmaker was in the vicinity, his services were at once in demand and in a few moments. by placing the socks of the ploughs in their proper position, the ploughs performed their work as usual to the great satisfaction of men and master. He. receiving his usual fee for repairst the thirsty ploughmaker spent the remainder of the day in supping beer to the health of master and men.

In those former days, when ploughs were constructed of timber, they were of a different form or pattern to those of later days when iron was substituted for wood. Of course they had iron socks and coulters as well as mouldboards of iron. But the principal portion of this useful implement was made of wood. They had a much longer beam and shafts were of considerably longer dimensions and wlien drawn by animals in single file it may be estimated by any practical ploughman what kind of prize there would be for what is known in these days at ploughing matches as "ins and cuts". The result however was that what are termed headlands had a considerable sweep or semi-circle at each end of the field and where there was a fence of that shape it proved very convenient and, Sir. that such was really the case can in some places yet be seen. though many years 'have passed since the plough discharged its duty in those fields.

I make incertain (sic) of these things in order that the ploughman of the present day may feel grateful that their lot is cast in better times when this valuable agricultural implement is of such different construction which, with the finest of horses fed ,vith the best class of food, together with a set of wheels, will go almost in many cases by themselves wilhout labour or strain to the man.

Nexto Sir. came the Harrows which were also of different shape and make to those of the present day, the material of which they ware made was always wood with a kind of pieces of iron for what were termed pegs and in the event of one peg being lost, its place was filled up by a piece of gorse bush which invariably abounded upon the fences. In the discharge of the work of Harrowing, the farmers of former days were very particular and many of the old farmers considered that it required a better man to harrow than to plough, a saying which many of the ploughmen of the present would consider the problem difficult of explanation.

The manner of sowing corn was very similar to that of present days except where drills are used for the purpose. The Hopper of former days was not the shape or used as a fiddle but was home-made of straw and brier in fassion (sic) to the make of beehives of an oval shape with a strop of what was called green hide going over the shoulders.

This home-made sowing Hopper was commonly ophur (?). To see one at present would be a curiosity. When they went out of repute they were substituted with an ordinary strong linen sheet which with a peculiar know was placed over the shoulders and were much more comfortable and convenient than those referred to of older date.

But, Sir, in the present days with so many kinds of drills and machines, Including that called the Fiddle, any boy when such drills and machines are properly set to a certain gage can perform what as I say in former days was performed by the Masters or their Stewards. And in these little matters so great has been the change that the present generation would open their eyes to behold with amazement. In former days Rollers were few and far between, frequently being substituted by a large door in order to level the surface of the fields after sown and harrowed.

But, Sir, the gaps (for gates were few) shut and the corn was left to the providence of suitable weather. The time for the weeding of the same by pulling the thistles came. Pulling thistles from amongst the corn was as carefully observed as any other branch of Husbandry for as the corn was handled by the naked hand when thistles were encountered, with the hand. it was very inconvenient for what is known as the whins of the thistle were as sensitive in those days then as they are yet. And it was very desirable that when corn was all reaped with the sickle that it should be as free as possible from thistles. This, however, is a branch of agricultural industry that in the present times is not cared for, in consequence of the almost universal use of the modern mode of reaping by machines and more practically as in later years the use of what is termed the scy-binder has become general. The weeding of corn or the pulling of the thistles is that of the past as the corn is very little handled by the naked hand and as so many of McCartney's threshing machines are in use the corn is threshed so quickly that any thistles therein are scarcely observed. A what was called a mitt was used generally for the purpose of pulling them which was made of an old stocking that was out of date. The stocking was one part drawn through the other part and in former days all farmers stockings were knitted at home, by the hands of your spouse at home. They were much more substantail than those woven in this present day, and considered most applicable for the purpose.

Sir, in former days the weediing of other crops was not of so much importance. Turnips were but sparingly grown in the Isle of Man being somewhat in similar quantities to carrots in the present day. Indeed in many cases were looked upon more like pot herbs than food for animals. And not before the failure of the potatoe crops and introduction of guano for this root crop were turnips grown to any extent upon the Island.

Another agricultural industry of importance was the harvest opperations. And, Sir,what a sensation at its approach in former days, why every man, tradesman and others as well as women, boys and girls were expected and did take their share in the work of the harvest. Those who were not sufficiently advanced to make whole sheaves were considered half sheaves and in some cases taking two to make one half sheave. All other works were given up during the appointed weeks of Harvest and the harvest then lasted a period.

The reaping in the days referred to was all executed by sycles, the first class of this implement remembered was called a tooth-sycle having having teeth somewhat like those of a saw but not so deep or even so sharp.

It might not be of importance to describe how these sycles were used, but were handled quite systematically many women being equally as expert as maany of the men. After the sycle, was introduced what was termed the scythesycler the teeth referred to being dispensed with and were very similar to the scythes.

The Butts or flats in those days were invariably formed from 3 to 5 feet in width. They were shorn by full shearers so that partners were chosen and each couple was aware of their own share. This industry went on as I have said for weeks every available hour that weather would permit.When once through the field a short rest was indulged in for the purpose of what was termed taking edge and those who liked a smoke found time for a whiff. The women commonly as well as the men.

The last day of Harvest upon a farm was called Mhielia Day. Often would the shearers upon that day provoke one the other. the issue being a race as to who was the best couple. Many times to the detriment of the work inasmuch as in the act of racing on the harvest field the work was performed slovenly. A common saying in those days was Shear clean by carrying the grain - shear low by carrying the straw. And if you shear part be careful to carry the clash. ( CLASH = a furrow, the trench between two ditches.)

The last of the corn being cut a universal shout by shearers and Master in the way of 3 cheers of Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! was given. The origin of which was to let the neighbouring farmers know that farmer A was finished and farmer B knew then that farmer A was finished and Farmer B knew where to get extra shearers for the following days if he required.

After which they all went home to some extra supper provided in the largest room in the farmhouse or in the barns as was most convenient. Supper over, there was tapped the beer being generally a half barrell and never smaller than what was called a quarter cask. In some cases music and dancing and innocent amusements were indulged into the small hours of the morning.

Sir. what a wonderful change the younger portion of our races must consider has taken place as they reflect upon the practices and customs of former days even in the Industry of Husbandry.

Then came the work of threshing the corn which ewas nearly all performed by what were termed flails, the flail was peculiarly constructed of two specially selected sticked tied loosely together by a strip of green hide which in order to preserve the same was invariably placed in salt which soon beame pickle or brine and this kind of strop for coupling purposes was considered the best to be had. At one of the ends of each stick or small tree there was a match. The tying was double and when the flail was swung around, the head of it also turned upon each stick, thus avoiding the difficulties that would arise as the strops tightly fastened were sure to break which was sometimes the case, and when so, the flail came dawn in the wrong place not infrequently to the injury of the nose or some other prominent portion of the heads of those using them. This threshing with flails had to be performed with considerable nicety as if slovenly as often with new beginners there was great danger. Also a peculiar twist had to be given to the flail in the swinging of it round the head or the result would be serious.

The maidens of the present day may be surprised to know that this work was as commly performed by the sisters of former days as the lads and they were and in very many cases were as expert at the flail as many men.

But, Sir, where is the man or lad and, much scarcer, the lass that would understand the swinging of the farmers flail. The sheaves of corn were placed upon a board prepared specially for the purpose in pairs with the points toutching each other, then were used the flails either by one or two. The sheaves in due course were turned and the work went on day after day nearly the whole winter and spring. When dusk or twilight made its appearance the flails were dropped. The shaking of the straw and the tying of it in bundles were proceeded with. It was also common for man to contract for threshing and paid per Boll or per stack.

When the stack (which was called Hurran) was thus threshed the corn was conveyed in sacks upon the field to be winnowed. A day with suitable wind was selected. what were called dhollans or pecks were used which by filling the same with grain and chaff was held and used with a shake, when by the breeze brought the chaff in one direction permitting the grain fall upon the large sheet provided for the purpose. When thus finished the grain was again sacked and conveyed to the Barn or if there was a granary, and this was invariably performed upon the human back male or female as circumstances occurred.

(DHOLLAN = a hoop with sheepskin spread over it)

Thus, Sir, have I endeavoured to scetch a few of the outside duties connected with the industries of former days. Every one who reads or those who may hear will clearly understand the change there is in the present days in the manner which these duties were and are discharged. There are many other duties in this department even outside upon which I have not even toutched upon which will come to the front periodically in connection with other branches as they are toutched upon.

In the department of agriculture I will now attempt to look side of the farmhouse of former days in Manxland. First I notice the House itself. In many places the farmhouse was thatched and in former days they knew how to thatch a house. The thatch was carefully prepared principally of straw and being threshed with flails was much better adapted for thatch as the points of the straw were more minutely preserved together so that the work of thatching was much better finishd than it is possible by straw threshed in present days by the threshing machine, The farmers, their men and even their lads of former days knew also haw to make or spin ropes of straw. This was an industry of the past. Farmers being of the opinion that it is cheaper to repair to the stores and purchase the kind of rope called Cycan. The secret to me seems that notwithstanding any depression in agriculture. the farmers of the present days have the cash to purchase, whereas in former days the cash was scarce. And the farmers taught their lads the act of making rope, which was generally attended to during the wet weather instead of the lads of present times the lads lurk about in many ways of an unprofitable character, because it is thought bought rope is cheaper.

But, Sir, a house thatched and finished with hommade rope was such a piece of workmanship as is rarely to be act with in the present day. the industry being almost lost. Bat in former days the farm houses when neatly thatched were not only pretty to look at outside, but were also most comfortable inside for domestic purposes. The thatch kept them cool during summer and much warmer and snug in winter.

The fuel of former days was invariably Turf or Peat, generally taken from some portion of the farm or from turbaries upon the commons or mountains. And when favoured with favourable summer weather, the Turf made a most cosy kitchen fire and was grand for cooking purposes.

The inmates of the farmhouses in former days in Manxland, in general consisted of the Master. the Mistress. two servant lads. two servant lasses and as many children as Providence favoured them with. The Master farmer in former days did not keep to his bed and rise after all the others, but was first up in the morning arousing the others always remembering that one hour in the morning upon a farm was worth two hours at night.

In many cases the Mistress was equally as well able to rise in the morning as the Master. I have known in former days a farmer having his bed in the centre of the room so that the Master got out in morning on one side and the Miamw upon the other. The lads and lasses were called. One girl attended to the breakfast, the other to the milking. One lad to the horses, the other to the cows. Before the days of growing turnips, it was a common duty to assist the cows to rise in the morning by laying hold of their tails.

Breakfast being over every one went to his or her work. There were no milk carts running the blockades in those days. The commodity of milk was often a scarce item, particularly in winter. that it was not uncommon to have sugar and water, treakle or beer with their porridge which was always the breakfast in farmers homes in former days. In many cases the only tea used in the house was by the mistress. In such cases the remainder of the family did not see tea. But porridge, after which there was a good Peel or Port St. Mary herring with clapped cake without a knife passed over it, for butter was a very rare item in farmhouses in former days. A good story is told of a servant lad who Mistress being ill, a couple of grown daughters were puzzled as to who would attend market with a few lbs. of butter on the following day. When the lad enquired of the girls if they made butter in this house. The girls were astounded at such an enquiry, answered of cause we make butter. The lad replied, I enquired because I haven't seen a morsel of butter since I came to this house so I was anxious to know if you made butter in the house.

In those days a Baker's loaf was not seen in a farmers house. I have known a lad having his dinner with him at school and perchance he would occasionally have a crust of bakers bread. He would keep the same in his hand for a considerable time so that the other lads would know that bakers bread was used in their house, if only occasionally.

The bread used in former days was all baked at home upon a thing of the past called the griddle, generally called Barley and Oatcake. The dinners at least four days of the week were potatoes and herring. The other two days and Sunday the dinners were Broth, pudding and beef and also fried bacon.

In former days every farmer of any repute butchered his own beast, seasoned it down in barrel with salt. Seldom if ever did fresh meat pass upon the farmers table except upon some festival such as the Mhelia.

Mrastyr-beg (Evening Repast) or little dinner was the next meal. This was the meal that is in the present day substituted by what is termed Tea. Very generally consisted of potatoes and the herrings that were left over from Dinner, and well do I remember this meal was appreciated and enjoyed. The farmers lads and lasses of the present day may and do think this strange. But I can assure them that the finer diet of present times are not to be compared to that I have referred to. And here I may say my opiniion is that the lack of energy of the working men of today may be justly attributed to the fineness of the accustomed diet indulged in, in consequence of the increased rates of wages. In my own younger days, Tea was not known in general except on Sunday evenings during the Winter months only. The Mrastyrbeg in the summer months consisted of what was called Pinjane, a dish of the mornings new milk was steeped, in the afternoon was placed upon table and we all with a spoon each partook of the contents of the dish along with plenty of barley cakes but no butter. and we did enjoy the same. The only tea used was just in small quantity by Master and Mss. and should a friend turn up such must have a cup of tea as a token of friendship, particularly if an Sunday. Immediately after Mrastyr-beg was then a tuck-in of porridge and with churned milk or buttersmilk only was used. Having new milk or even scimmed milk with our porridge was considered as a crime and if indulged in at all it had to be accquired as a thing stolen.

Another article of food in farm houses in former times was what was termed Sallachan ^* which was only made and used occasionally as a substitute for porridge. This was made of oatmeal placed in what was known as the oven (being a pot shape with the exception of being flat at the bottom), and hardened until it apparently was about to be singed, being continually kept stirred to prevent burning. Broth was always prepared by boiling the Hock or the countenance of the yearly beast, which was poured upon the hardened meal so that it would bubble like a boiling pot, was them conveyed into a dish and eaten by everyone having a spoon each. When sallachan was for breakfast twas generally on a Sunday. and of necessity soneone had to rise very early so that the pot of broth (without the vegatables, of course,) would be ready for Breakfast time. Afterwards, the Broth or Meat referred to, with the addition of pieces of home-cured ham and vegatables would be prepared for dinner. And this breakfast was relished by us as a luxury, not coming on our lot only occasionally.

(* SALAGHAN = a kind of hasty pudding, eaten with the scum, or licquor of meat)

Courcy^* was another article of diet occasionally. This was made from what was known as courcy seeds being the seeds from oatmeal when sifted at the mill. getting the name from the fact that what was called Caurcy was manufactured from such seeds. To make Courcy, the seeds were placed in a crock kept for this purpose, water was then placed upon it and left for some days to ferment or sour, being carefully stirred each day. After a given time (which varied) the liquid was taken and put in pot oven already referred to and permitted to boil freely for some time, being continually stirred until it thickened somewhat like porridge. Then was it poured into a dish or dishes and eaten. Scimed milk was always used with Courcy. This was equally as good and comnonly liked better when cold as hot, but when used thus, the milk was warmed and the same (though being a thing of the past) was enjoyed amazingly.

(* CORKEY = Oats. Irish Coirce = oaten)

Other kinds of porridge were also in common use in former times. One was called Shelled Barley porridge. This was made by placing in generally the largest pot a given quantity of shielled barley with just as much water as was sufficient to boil the same well. When this was boiled, sufficient skimmed milk was added and often a little flour so that it eat somewhat similar to flour porridge. This too was equally as much enjoyed after a second warming, thus accounting for the use of the big pot.

Often in cheesemaking season, porridge was made somewhat similar, the whey from the cheese serving as a substitute for milk. And milk porridge was made in the same way with the exception of barley and the flour thus being substituted by groats.

Another kind of porridge was comon, being called peas-porridge. This was made by placing the peas in the pot with a little groats and water. and in some cases a few potatoes nicely sliced, then boiled for a considerable time until the pease have almost disappeared then served in plates as soup. This kind of porridge was used much more commonly on the northern side of the Island, every farm having a ,quantity of peas growing as an article of domestic use. The sandy lands of that part of the Island being more adapted for the purpose. And indeed in the preparing of this meal the peas were sometimes used but sparingly. A story is related of a servant lad in a farmhouse appearing somewhat frantic by throwing off his coat at breakfast and being asked the reason replied that he was dilligently looking if even to see a pea in the porridge.

Flour porridge was also commonly used, principally upon the north of the Island as considerably more wheat was grown there than upon any other part of the Island. And when the lads or maidens enjoyed a breakfast or supper of this poridge they were equal to any necessary requirement following. This in part was the staple food of Manx farmers in former times. Meal in one kind or,another being the most common article of diet. And there was a kind of rivalry amongst the farmers of those times as to whither of them had the largest dressing of meal at the Mlls at May which was termed MLREAN SOUREY⁺ or Summer Meal.

(+ = The nearest word I can find in Kelly's Dictionary is MEINN = meal SCUREY = summer)

Thus I have briefly - at the diet of agriculturalists of former days upon the Island, and strange as the same may be considered by those in similar circumstances today, yet the people were as robust, full of energy and were as capable for their work as in present times. and notwithstanding their diet will be considered of a somewhat of course (? coarse) description.

They had their houses well stocked with the commodities for diet including their kitchens being well-lined with home-cured bacon and ham etc. and apparently short of nothing so that even children going on messages were not permitted to part from the farmers premises without in some way partaking of their hospitality by receiving what was termed a buttercake bread and cheese or some other description of refreshments.

The clothing of the Agricultural community was as different to that of present times as their diet or their manners and customs. First we might look at the cloth, etc. used for the men and lads which was invariably of home-make from beginning to end. All farmers had a flock of sheep, some more and some less. The number of the flock -greatly deponded on the proxinmity of the farm to the mountains or commons, -as such the being deprived ^*1of the commons proved a considerable depreciation to what was termed mountain farms, and all farmers who had access to and availed themselves to the use of the same (which invariably they did) the pasture of the same being to every me farmer or labourer, and even many country tradesmen such as joiners, shoemakerers, smiths and tailors availed themselves of the priveledge of keeping sheep having access to the mountains for pasture, particularly in the summer. All though the class of sheep was considerable different, being what was known as Manx breed which were sufficiently matured and fed for market - weighed from eight to twelve pounds per quarter (but any mutton was not sweeter). Yet they produced sufficient wool to make cloth enough to provide for home use The larger farmers disposed of any surplus in usual manner. All generally prepared their own wool first by carefully washing; when properly dried was sent to the carding mills and made into rolls, taken home and spun by the females upon the farm or house. And was a common occurence in some farm houses for two, and sometimes more of the old Manx spinning wheels (which are now being bought up and placed in halls and drawing rooms as curiousities). Indeed, so strict were some of the farmers (particulary the wives) regarding this branch of their industry that any other duty was not permitted to interfere with the use of the wheel, some fearing that should the wheel from any cause be stopped or even hindered, calamity would be the result. Yes even to a visit from that officer who was always dreaded called the Coroner^*2. The thread being thus spun was sent to the weaver and the Island was dotted over with weavers several being in every parish.

'The Web being finished was taken home and nothing was commoner in connection with the farming industry than that they had webbs of cloth, flannell and often what was called Check which was made just in the same way but from flax instead of wool and used for shirts for men and aprons for the women. Thus when clothing was required the services of the country tailor or dressmaker was resorted to and with but a few trimmings their cloth was prepared in but a short time. I have said that but a few trimmings were required and their linings were of linen which had also been home-spun. Yea, and even their sewing thread was also spun at home in like manner. And commonly the course threads of the flax when made into linen or cheek which was called BARRAGSH ⁺. A web was prepared for the purpose of making sacks for corn, meal, etc. Every farmer in the Isle of Man manufactured their own material for clothing and, indeed, in but few cases did even farmers sons know a suit of English cloth or even any garment of other than that manufactured upon the farms until, in some cases, when they had their arrangements made for the taking themselves of a wife, and this I say was only in some cases, principally if the proposed wfe were of the discription that was pleasing to the parents of the son.

(+ BARRAGH = tow, hards. Irish = BARRACH - ends of corn)

A story is known of a farmers son who being sent to town to serve his time becoming somewhat elevated by a town life, while as an apprentice he would insist upon having what was called black (shop) cloth to wear, notwithstanding there was webs of cloth in his fathers house. But when his time was served and he was expected to find his own cloth being in service as a journeyman, would then say that he would like, as he called it a piece of webb, and would carefully take advantage of the opportunity when the tailor was at the house making cloth for the others of the family to have his made at the same time.

With all science and machinery of the present times, cloth or even any clothing material is not to be had to outwear the materials that were homeprepared amongst the farming fraternity. In many cases also were the straw bonnets made in full by country people. Of course there were neither flowers, roses or artificials of any description to adorn them and principally to only adornment upon the bonnets of those days was a little ribbond. Bonnets of those days were not merely the size of an oystershell stuck upon some portion of the head with the artificials and flowers as numerous therem as to render them difficult of observation. But were such as covered the whole head evidently considering it imprudent to have much of the head exposed to view - great difference from these modem times.

The boots, shoes and other coverings of the feet were also very different from those of modern times.

The agricultural men and lads generally doubled-soled blutcher boots with iron toe-tips and in many cases the soles paved with what were termed hobb nails.

These kind of boots were commonly worn during the winter half-year only. Upon the opening of Spring in each year the blutcher boots were carefully put asside for the season. And another kind of covering for the feet was used - called ⁺craaines which were made from what was termed green hide or the hide of the beast without being tanned but being carefully salted was thus preserved from rotting or in anyway decomposed.

(+ could this be similar to CRAITNYS = a covering like skin)

The kind of boot called the craaine was made of cutting the portion of the hide referred to, without last or pattern. but so that it would by a mode of tightning by laces so as to come with all the necessary percoss over the top of the foot and being of so light a nature were not only economical as regards cost but being such a change from the winter heavy boot the farmers men and lads found exceedingly easy and light for the soring work, particular that of following the ploughs and harrows.

Indeed so regularly and carefully was this attended to that it was common for lads to have the provision at their hiring time that me of their perquisites was so much of green hides yearly for the aforesaid purposes. In some cases according to the season and the care taken of the craaines, one pair would last the whole season while at other times and lack of proper treatment they were worn out in a short time.

And speaking of carefullness and economy of the farmer lads (what is termed manservant) that it was not uncommon to see them following their pair of horses without even a craaine, much less a boot upon their feet, but travelled entirely bare-footed from Ladyday to Martinmas so that with some who practised this system the soles of their feet like being tanned so that they thought little or no trouble to pack a cart of thistles or even what was then known as Manx Gorse.

And as for the Agricultural Servant girls, now called with refinement Domestics or Helps, in former times they pursued their duties invaribly barefooted.

I am sometimes like to wonder how the farmers men, lads and maidens of these modern times would like to resort to these even some of the customs of former times in the Isle of lian.

Many of the lads and men referred to always provided themselves with what were called Sunday boots, not elastic sides or perforated toecaps or were they made of perfect leather. But what was commonly known as Wellington boots. And though by their everday economy the lads and lasses turned out most respectable on the Sabbath day and invariably were to be found at some place or worship, thus acknowledging at the least the existence of a Supreme Being even the Deity in whom they lived, moved and had their being.

Another costume of wearing aparell common with agricultural male portion of the community was what was called a Perry⁺⁺. It was made of the material called flannell and homemade, there being a webb of such in nearly every farmer's house. Its pattern was that similar to a boys round jacket having an outside pocket on each side and having a double-breast. There were an abundance of buttons generally of black or white horn. This costume was very common in former times and was equally useful and convenient etc. as any other garment used by the practical farmer, their men and their lads as any other garment worn in the present day.

The system of lighting the houses of the farmers in former days may also be interesting to those of present days. There were no lamps so called today. Paraffin oil was unknown, but all farmers in those days prepared their own material and manufactured their own light. The only kind of oil was that extracted from the refuse and what was called Herring guts which was carefully preserved when putting down the stock of herrings, were also carefully well-boiled and re-boiled so that if the fish was of good storing quality a very useful form of oil was extracted but was seldom used for lighting purposes and yet I have known it to be used as such.

But the general lighting of farmhouses etc. was by candles made at home. I well remember what was knowm as dipping day. The farmers in the Isle of Man as I have said killed and cured their own yearly beast and cured their own bacon, hams. etc. and those living near the mountains had often several of the sheep dried, cured and called dried mutton, the fat of all being carefully preservedy was melted dawn into what we called tallow which was used for the purpose of makng dips. And generally were many candles made of this material as kept light as much of the year as light was required by them.

This industry was attended to in somewhat the following process. The tallow in sufficient quantity was placed in the largest pot, well nigh filled with boiling water (and the farmers of those days had large pots). The wicks were all prepared by being cut and slightly -twisted , generally prior to dipping day ,so that the first day suitable for the pupose might be used. Hundreds of canes or rods prepared purposely were at least once per annum brought down from the garrett. The prepared wicks were evenly and most carefully placed upon the rods. The Mistress (generally) sat by the pot and as the rods or canes with the wicks upon them were brought to her she dipped them as nicely as possible in the pot of melted lard or tallow and as the lads and lasses again received them (one rod at a time) carried them sometimesfurther tahn the length of the farmhouse kitchen, placed the said canes upon some fixture for the time being, took another back for a fresh dip and so on for the whole of Dipping day. The general fixture was a large stepladder often placed outside the kitchen door. And well do I remember with what disgust we little people when dreaded the candle dipping day as we were often kept to it the whole day In this way we made the candles used at farm houses in former days in the Isle of Man and and as I have said in some quantities generally as sufficed for light for house, lanterns, stalls etc. for the season. I have known as many as from 80 to 100 dozen manufactured this way and not a shilling spent in purchasing shop candles during the whole year.

Another means oflight was what was termed rushlight. The rushes were most carefully selected either at the time of being pulled or afterwards. The one half of the peel was skilfully drawn off them. They were then pulled through a quantity of melted tallow or grease of some sort. After having been spread to dry were placed in cases something similar to what is now known as plan cases in architects and offices of others. These cases were perforated so that they would not be airtight. A case of similar dimensions was made of willow quicks woven coursely with cord. These cases were used just to keep a supply as it were what might be termed nresent ase.

These rush candles however were used principally for going about the houses and in some eases for kitchen light. There was a rather peculiarly constructed candlestick that served the purpose of holding the dip or the rush light. The same was commonly made at the Smithy in course when required with other things. But I know where one can be seen amongst Drawing room curiosities and highly appreciated to this day.

Another kind of candle was... (and here the account finishes)

Mrs. Margaret Kelly, MBE

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[notes fpc

*1 the deprival of the commons was the disaforresting act see A.W.Moore History Book 7

*2 the coroner also collected debts! ]

STRAYS

* * * *

CHUBB, 'Robert of Douglas, Isle of Man died June 8th 1853 aged 85, buried St. Nicholas's, Austrey, Warks.

FOX, Ellen Dyson nee Murray, died 27th June 1906, aged 67, wife of Charles Fox (who died 6th August 1909, aged 72 years) of Norwood, Douglas, Isle of Man - Monumental Inscription at Silverdale, Carnforth Lancashire

Extract from "Freeman" of Newcastle Records, Tyne Wear Archives Dept., Newcastle on Tyne..

FOTHERSGILL, William, aged 15yrs. native of Peel, Is1e of Man, Apprentice to Thomas ELDER, shipowner of Newcastle for 7yrs, 2 NOV 1846 - Witnesses: John CURRIE & George T. HENDERSON

Marriage CANNELL, John

Groom. John Cannell, Master Mariner, Age 29, born Douglas Isle of Man, son of William Cannell, Master Mariner.
Bride: Clara Stainton, Spinster. age 26, daughter of George John Stainton. Gunmaker.
Date & Place: 2nd August 1873, St. Paul's,Moseley -Road, Halsall Heath, Birmingham.

Marriage HIBBERD, Lionel Frances

Groom: Limel Prances Hibberd Mechanic, Motor Car Co., Bachelor, .age 21, born Winnipeg. Manatoba. Canada, son of Lionel Hibberd, born England and Evelyn Pearce, born Isle of Man.
Bride: Ruth Alice Schofield, Telephone Operator, Spinster, Age 21, born Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, daughter of Hugh -Schofield born England & Anne Marie Bromneland born Norway. Date & Place: 20th September 1947, 33814~. Osborne Road, N. Vancouver. British Columbia, Canada.

New York City passenger List :

The Ship Spartan from Liverpool 22 June 1847-

Philip Quayle 32 M Farmer born isle of Man
Elizabeth Quayle 34 F
Henry Quayle 8 M
William Quayle 7 M
Robert Quayle 5 M,
James Quayle 3 M
Jane Kelley 27 F
Mary Kelley 22 F
Lenora Kindred 26 F

1881 Census, Colne & Nelson, Lancashire

MONDAY, James Head 29 Shoemaker Douglas, Isle of Man.
CANNELL, James Head 35 Teacher Douglas, Isle of Man
CHRISTIAN, Ann 45 Castletown, Isle of Man
HOGG, William Lodger 60 Carpenter Isle of Man

Marriage CREER, Edwin

Groom: Edwin Creer of 10 Woodburn Square. Douglas, Isle of Many bachelor
Bride: Eliza Letitia Hayton, age 29years, Spinster of 2 Crcli2~r~t .St., Preston Date & Place: 4th Oct 1905, Holy Trinity Church, Preston, Lancashire.

1881 Census, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs, RG11/4037, page 29

RICKETTS, Benjamin Williams Head married 32 Clerk in Holy Orders Married, Brecon
Francis Wife married 33 Ramsey, IOM

LAXEY in the NEW WORLD

(Manxmen and their Cornish Neighbours)

Reproduced by kind permission of. the Laxey Committee

PART 2

The History of Primitive Methodism by Ruth Jungbluth

The following article is from the "American Primitive Methodist Magazine" official organ of the 'Western Annual Conference, editors Charles Dawson and Christopher Hendra. publishied in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. at the Primitive Methodist Book Rooms, Vol. III, PP. 76-78, March 1864.

"We may commence this paper by saying that Primitive Methodism is not a split from another denomination. It originated as follows. Lorenzo Dew. a native of America, was used by God in the Propagation of a revival at Congleton Cheshire. He spoke of the success of American camp meetings, and of the desirability of holding similar meetings in England, until the people became anxious that one of these novel meetings should be held. May 31, 1807, was fixed upon, and the spirit of speculation rose high in the heart of many earnest and Godly men.who failed not for many weeks previous to pray that the converting power of God might be largely displayed. The place selected :tor the holding of this meeting was a mountain of considerable magnitude and elevation, about five miles north of Lunstate, and four miles south of Congleton. The southern portion belongs to Cheshire, and the northern to Staffordshire.

Between six and seven o'clock in the morning. the people began to congregate and before the day closed several thousand were assembled. Four stands were erected, each of which were occupied by a preacher proclaiming a present. free and full salvation.

An account of the meeting, was written by Hugh Bourne, and several thousand were assembled. Four stands were erected. The result was that during the summer months of that year, several other meetings were held and scores of cases of conversions were reported.

The same year, when the Wesleyan Conference met, it took a decided stand against 'these irregularities'. The question asked was, 'What is the judgement of Conference concerning what are called 'camp meetings' ?' and the answer was 'It is our judgement that even supposing such meetings to be allowed in America, they are highly improper in England, and likely to be productive of considerable mischief, and we disclaim any connection with them'. This prohibition failed to arrest the progress of the meetings. Hugh Bourne took considerable interest in the movement, and devoted his energies and property to its advancement. In the month of June, 1808, he visited Cheshire and Lancashire for religious purposes; but while he was away, the Burslem circuit, which he was a member and a local preacher, held its quarterly meeting and taking the same view of the movement as did the conference of the previous year, expelled him, without even the formalities of a trial.

In the month of March, 1810, H. and J. Bourne visited a village called Standley, and there formed a class of ten members. Other calsses were afterwards organised in the surrounding villages, so that in September of the same yaer, the number of members in church membership amounted to 156. On the 3rd of June, 1811, the first preacher's plans were issued on which were the names of fifteen persons and eight places. The cause was now so rapidly increasing that some organisation became an absolute necessity. On the 13th of February, 1812, a meeting was held at Lunstate when the body was designated "The Primitive Methodist Connection".

The object of the Connection is to extend the Kngdom of Christ throughout the world.

We must add that we not aware of any denomination having increased so rapidly as the Primitive Methodists. The worship and doctrines of the Body are like all other branches of Methodism."

J. Boyes England.August 26th, 1863

Shared Recollecton of Laxey Church By Herbert Kelly & Alice (Kelly) Zettel

Laxey Church began as a part of the Primitive Methodist movement in the Linden area, independent churches which relied mostly on lay leadership. with only period help from ordained clergy. But, by the time I came along an arrangement had developed with the Congregational Church of Mineral Point to have preaching services every other day. Meanwhile, the Bloomfield Church, two miles east. had Methodist (M.E.) connections, and was served by a Dodgeville minister. who also came every two weeks, However. a combined Sunday School was held every Sunday in one church or the other.

I remember the old, high-top pump organ in the Laxey cnurch. Aunt Dora Reese was the regular organist, but sometimes it was played by "Lizzie" (Mrs. Charles) Berryman. Once, I recall, the organ failed to work properly. and it was found that a family of mice had made their home there and had chewed through the leather bellows. I believe that some of our local craftsman repaired the fault.

The old hymns were preferred, those with spirited rhythm and simple words, usually having a Biblical theme. Among theme were. "Bringing in the Sheaves" , "Higher Ground", "We're Marching to Zion" , "Beulah Land". "Galilee", "Wonderful Words of Life" . to name a few among many.

The preacher I remember most vividly was Rev. A.H. Schoenfeld. He was tall, wore a black frock coat, and must have styled his preaching after the famed evangelist Peter Cartwright, one of Abraham Lincoln's favorites, and of whom Lincoln said, "I like to see a man preach as though he were fighting bees." A.H. was like that - moving about the platform and flailing his arms as if attacking the Devil himself.

Our Sunday School began with music. too. with Aunt "Allie" (Mrr. Will) Kelly often leading us in singing, "Every Cloud Will Wear a Rainbow, If Your Heart Keeps Right". As children, we had picture cards of Bible stories, with the lesson on the back. We always had a memory verse to learn on each card. Later, after the Laxey church closed, we continued the Sunday School at Bloomfield, and we had a class of six boys with Uncle Roy Reese as an exceptionally fine and dedicated teacher.

Early every summer, after the crops were in. a Saturday would be set aside for a cleaning bee. The church would get a thorough scrubbing, the grass and shrubbery trimmed, the cmetery set to rights This applied to both churches, as the people took pride in their neat appearance. Then, of course, there was the annual Sunday School picnic, usually held, if I recall, in Jewellsl grove. It was a truly festive occasion for all the community, with loads of food. There were horseshoe matches, races for the children, and - sometimes -even a ball game.

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