[From Manx Note Book vol 3]

OBITUARY

WILLIAM BELL CHRISTIAN born on the 17th August, 1815, died on the 31st of July, 1886, was the third son of Deemster John Christian of Milntown. He was educated at private schools at Chester and near London, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1840. In the same year he was ordained deacon and licensed as chaplain of St. John's. In 1841 he was ordained priest, and from 1845 to 1861 he held the vicarage of Lezayre. He was the last member appointed in the old House of Keys. Immediately after this, in 1866, he was elected member for Ramsey in the reformed House and continued to represent the same constituency till he became Receiver- General in May 1883. He was a most valuable member of the legislature, as, though not an eloquent speaker, his utterances were always weighty and well considered. The respect which his colleagues held him in was shown by their voting him into the chair in the speaker's absence. As Receiver- General he was a conspicuous success, as not only did he apply himself to his work with great diligence, but he brought considerable practical knowledge to bear upon it. In 1866 he was appointed a justice of the Peace, and proved an excellent magistrate. A thorough gentleman, his sterling charaaer, adorned by an urbane and kindly demeanour, won him universal respect and esteem. (For genealogical particulars see MANX NOTE BOOK, Vol. i, pp. 17-20.)

JOSEPH CHRISTIAN MOORE, eldest son of James Moore, of Cronkbourne, was born in Douglas on the 12th of August, 1802, and died at Andreas Rectory on the 26th of February, 1886. He began his school life at the Douglas Grammar School, of  which the Rev. Joseph Qualtrough, chaplain of St. Matthew's, was head master. After leaving school, he was for a short time engaged in business, but he showed so strong a desire to become a clergyman that, when he was twenty years old, he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. W. H. Havergal, who prepared him for Oxford. From thence, in 1824, he went to St. Edmund's Hall in that University, where he graduated B.A. in 1827. He was ordained deacon in 1828, and priest in the following year. His first and only curacy was that of Measham in Derbyshire, of which parish he became incumbent in less than eighteen months. He soon made his mark, not only in his own parish but in the surrounding district, by his zeal and success in the foundation of schools and the restoration of churches. His system of school management was so much appreciated by the Dowager Queen Adelaide, who was a frequent visitor at Gopsal, Lord Howe's residence near Measham, that she exerted her influence with Sir George Grey, the then Home Secretary, to appoint him to the Rectory of Andreas and the Archdeaconry of the Isle of Mann, which became vacant in 1844. In the new diocese Joseph Moore soon became distinguished in the same way as in the old. He partially restored the parish church of Andreas and built its tower. St. Thomas', Douglas, Christ Church, Laxey, and St. John's Chapel, Cronk-y-voddy, owe much to his exertions; and, in fact, all church work in the Isle of Mann, during the last forty years, has felt his helping hand. As a member of the legislature and as one of the trustees of King William's College, his sound common sense and wise judgment were much valued by his colleagues. He was a man of deep personal piety, and, though decidedly evangelical in his views, he was liberal in his sympathies. To his parishioners he was not only a devoted pastor, but a generous friend. Of a kindly, simple and genial character he was popular with all classes. A true lover of his native land he ever had its best interests at heart.

[see also Manx Worthies]