[From Atholl Papers - AP 35-32/33]
Whereas Thomas Moore hath been Nominated by his Excellency John Wood Esqr Governor of this Isle and Samuel Wattleworth hath been also nominated by Daniel Mylrea & John Quayle Esqrs Agents for his Grace John Duke of Atholl to fix a reasonable yearly rent to be paid by his Excellency out of the Lands and premises belonging to his Grace and which have been enjoyed and are now in his Excellency's possession. We the said Thomas Moore and Samuel Wattleworth having viewed the said Lands and premises, and having compared the Quantity and Quality of said Lands and premises with the Quantity, Quality and Rent of certain Premises lately sett for a Term of years to John Quayle and John Taubman Esqrs lying on the East and adjacent to the Town of Castletown and also other Lands and premises held under Lease by Frederick Norman Esqr lying on the West and adjacent to the said Town - We have Estimated that the Sum of Twenty four pounds manx currency is a reasonable rent to be paid by his Excellency, John Wood Esqr to his Grace John Duke of Atholl out of said Lands and premises - and we would recommend that the Dwelling House wch is in bad Order and Condition should be sufficiently repaired on such Terms and agreements as shall be thought reasonable by his Grace
Tho Moore, Saml Wattleworth
Castletown 23d November 1769
Dunkeld 9th June 1770
Sir
I recd yours of the 23d of May some days since enclosing Mr Moore's Estimate for necessary repairs wanted about your House amounting to £61 4 6 you likewise mention your desire of having one of the large Rooms fitted up - So I shall allow £20 for that and agree to the Estimate proposed - Therefore I impower my Stewards to disburse £81 4 6 in what manner you choose for which five p cent is to be added to your Rent.
I likewise agree to grant you a Lease during the continuance of your Government. But not for one year longer as that might be an Inconvenience to whoever came next instead of which I shall agree to pay you or your Heirs the value of the Crop upon the Ground at the time of your Death, preferment or Removal as Estimated by two impartial Men to be mutually chose - I hope this will add to your Convenience - and be to your Satisfaction.
The Duchess joins me in best respects to you & Mrs Wood
Atholl
It is not at all apparent quite where in or near Castletown the Governor's House was - it certainly cannot be that described as the Lt-Governor's house within the courtyard of Castle Rushen. Neil Mathieson who produced the first handlist to the Athol Papers noted "what house is this?".
There are 3 plans held in the UK National Archives under reference MPE 1/1053 - the third of these is a large sheet labelled "Lands at Castletown" which comprises several smaller plans on different scales - no date or draughtsman's name are given; the second plan is a detailed plan of the George Inn which is also included on the large sheet though in considerably less detail - this second plan is dated October 1831 and drawn by Wm Steel - this would appear to be connected with the sale by Thomas Brine of the plot of land bought off the Commissioners of HM Woods and Forests [CTD Mic 1832 3], the site of the Governor's house as shown in Daniel King's views. The sheet is provisionally dated to around 1830 and would appear to be all the land in or around Castletown once owned by the Duke of Atholl either personally or as Lord of Man and now in the possession of HM Woods and Forests following the transfer of the Duke's Manorial rights in 1826. The first plan of the three dates from 1766 and shows the Duke's lands around Red Gap near Castletown, these also appear as a component of the large sheet.
One component of this sheet is one marked as "The Governor's Garden"
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West Street is now known as Arbory Street and the "New Street" on the plan is now the Crofts - the plan gives the size of the garden as a little over 1.25 acres which would have been hardly large enough to crop - it would seem from discussion elsewhere that the cropped land was the Governor's Demense at Red Gap.
There is still the difficulty as to where the Govertnor lived - the old Governor's house on the Parade opposite the castle was described as in an uninhabitable state, and thus unlikely Wood would install his wife and children there - possibly the house was that shown in the left hand corner of the 1868 O/S plan of Castletown . In the 1760s this walled garden area would be considered outside the town though an easy walk into Castletown and Castle Rushen - both the comparison properties noted in the arbitration report are adjacent to the town.
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