Methodist returns from 1851 Religious Census, 30 March 1851

Actual Returns

These returns are extracted from the copy held in the Manx Museum - the author of these documents (all in the same hand) copied the returns from the Established Church (Anglican) onto census return forms but (except for the case of Glen Rushen) copied returns from non-Establishment churches/chapels onto manuscript summary tables. Many of the Anglican returns included some comment, e.g. excusing poor attendance by the poor weather on that day, or that it was a Manx language service; although a field marked 'notes' was on the summary sheets no remarks were entered against chapels.

The census questions asked of Anglican Churches were different than those of non-Anglican churches in for example the former were asked about income; the questions re seating were also differently posed.

The names are those used in the returns - in a few cases this may be different than that used subsequently (or an alternative spelling), in a few cases the name was merely given as Wesleyan (or Primitive) Methodist Chapel in a certain parish or enumeration area - in these cases the modern name is shown (thus).

Under Seating f = Free; o = Other (i.e. rented out); s = Standing
Under Attendance M = Morning; A = Afternoon; E = Evening.
These are the actual returns for that Sunday 30 March 1851
The census form also required estimates of average attendance at services- these are not included in the table below.
. It was also requested that Sunday School Scholars attending service be shown separately - these are shown as +n in the table below, (+n) if only S/S scholars were shown at that service (generally the morning service).
Note the suspiciously large number of entries in multiples of 5 or 10 - a classic indication that estimates rather than counts are being returned. The name of the person making the return is also shown - note the wide variation from Superintendent Minister down to 'Member of Wesleyan Body'.

Separate returns were made for Sunday Schools and day schools giving more details on pupils etc.

The returns were organised by Parish - Methodist chapels are organised in Circuits which do not take account of the parishes of the Established Church, however these are indicated for easier comparison with other returns and for ease in finding the original return. Standard abbreviations are used (First and last letter for parishes; ca, do, pe, ra for Castletown, Douglas, Peel and Ramsey).
The chapel returns are sorted alphabetically on their usual name

Name	parish	dem	date	Seats			Attendance			returned by	comments
				f	o	s	M	A	E
Abbeyland Onchan	on	WM	1845	97	98		27	61	54	Richard Lewin Trustee
Baldrine	ln	PM	1843	80	98		-	49+20	79+4	Thomas Quinn, Manager
Ballafesson	rn	WM	1798,	140	109	-	-	85	76	John Kermode, Steward	an av 80 SS were shown at Morning
Ballagarey	mw	WM	1840	40	60	-	-	70	60	John Bridson, steward
Ballajory (a?)	md	WM	1815	140	70	50	26	132	60	Thomas Kermode Circuit Steward
Ballakaneen	as	WM	-	96	176	-	55+19	-	72	John Cannell, Steward
Ballakilmartin	on	WM	1825	48	40		-	32	35	Edward Christian, Proprietor
Ballakilpheric	rn	WM	1832	-	-	-	-	73	71	William Corrin, Trustee
Ballamoda (Clogher)	mw	WM	1834	126	30		-	86	39	Humphrey Mylchreest steward
Ballasalla	mw	PM	1833	84	70	-	-	90	110	William Shimmin, Trustee
Ballasalla	mw	WM	1797	120	80	-	-	30	40	John Boyde, Trustee
Ballaugh chapel	bh	PM	1832	130	100	-	-	-	154	Robert Watterson, Steward and LP
Ballaugh Curragh	bh	WM	1833	100	-	-	-	-	80	John Mylchrain Steward
Ballaugh New chapel	bh	WM	1827	80	54	-	-	36	42	Robert Corlett steward
Ballaugh WM chapel	bh	WM	B 1800	56	114		-	58	49	Thomas N. Corlett. Trustee
Barregarrow	ml	WM	1816	65	100		-	108	75	John Cain, society steward
Bride PM	be	PM	1843	105	84	-	-	100	160	William Christian chape1 steward
Bride WM	be	WM	ab.1801	84	85	-	24+84	80	80+84	Daniel Joughin Jnr. Member of Wesleyan body	suspect this may be a duplicate for Bride WM
Bride WM.	be	WM.	B.1800	90	85	-	70+34	48+32	42	Wm Joughin, Trustee
Cardle	md	WM	1815	132	72	50	-	58	-	Thomas Corteen, Steward
Castletown PM Hope St.	ca	PM	1824	117	129	-	238	-	478	Ambrose Kirkland Minister
Castletown W. Chapel (Arbory St)	ca	WM	B.1800	376	424	-	136	-	180	John Kermode, WMLP
Cloven Stones Balligg	ln	WM	1827	80	-	-	-	-	15	Robert Craine, Steward
Clycur	mw	PM	1826	100	-	-	-	13	-	William Kneen, Steward
Colby	ay	PM	1832	120	50	-	-	47	28	S. Smith Minister
Colby	ay	WM	1832	150	72	-	-	73+30	72	Henry Clague, steward
Coole (Cooil)	bn	WM.	B.1800	86	64	-	-	45	36	Roger Moore, Supr. Min.
Cornah, (or Ballagory?)	md	PM	ab.1834	58	108	30	-	-	150	William Kinnish (Coroney)
Crosby	mn	WM	1833	84	144	50	84+8	-	83	Thomas Kelly, Trustee
Dalby	pk	WM	ab.1796	160	25		-	102	108	John Quilliam, Wesleyan LP
Dhooar chapel	le	WM	1839	80	64		6+10	31+8	19	Thomas F. Kneale, Trustee	Also Day School
(Douglas)Factory Lane, (Douglas)	do	PM	1823	340	660	-	730+177	-	1150	S. Smith. Minister
(Douglas) Thomas St,	do	WM	1841	200	834	-	475+125	110	630	Roger Moore, Min.
(Douglas)Well Road	do	WM	1835	160	400	-	19+23	32	23	Roger Moore Super.
Wesleyan Reform Preaching Room Wellington Buildings Duke Street	do	Wes.R.	1830	100	130	-	30+15	-	30	Francis Ward, one of the preachers.
East Baldwin	bn	WM	1834	56	-		-	40	-	Roger Moore Supr Minister
Foxdale	pk	WM	1798	160	50	-	(+99)	130+98	95	John Clucas, LP
(Foxdale)Renshent	mn	PM	1837	all	-	200	(+60)	39+60	34	Joseph Senogles, Manager of School
Geary (Lezayre Parish)	le	WM	1833	75	36	-	-	-	16	Robert Corris, Manager	location not known - Gery is just over Sulby River N of Lez P.C.
(St Johns)[German] WM Chapel	gn	WM	1824	80	42	-	-	-	63	John Moore, Steward
Glen Aldin	le	PM	?	30	-	-	-	-	20	J. Clewer,Minister	Not sure where this is - Glen Auldyn chapel was WM
(Glen Aldwyn?)St. Stephen's chapel	le	WM	1830	60	30	-	-	18+23	-	John Corkhill, Superintendent	(note in same enumeration district as Lezayre Parish Church - however date of G.A given as 1818 in 1862 register)
Glenmay	pk	PM	1842	66	85	-	-	46	71	John Dawson, Superintendent	'note Thomas Corris is one of the trustees' is marked on the return
(Sulby Glen ?)Glenmoar	le	WM	1826	45	-	-	-	15	-	John Cowley, superintendent	not sure of location - in different enumeration district than other chapels/churches
Glenrushen (Ballavale)	pk	WM	1844	40	12	-	-	-	42	John Clucas, Superintendent
Gordon	pk	WM	1840	50	70	-	-	40+8	46+6	Philip Kermeen, Trustee
Greeba	gn	WM	1797	90	96	-	(+36)	63	29	John Kelly, Steward
Howe	rn	WM	B.1800	140	128	-	-	113	75	W. Collister
Jurby East	jy	WM	1848	60	96	-	52	74	-	John Kaighin, chapel steward
Jurby West	jy	WM	1847	78	72	-	13	48	56	Humphrey Joughin,Steward
Kentraugh Mill	rn	PM	1849	90	-	-	-	-	49+15	Jas. Maddrell, Manager for worship,S/S, and Day school
Kerrowgarrow	as	WM	1819	120	18	-	-	90	110	John Radcliffe, Trustee
Kerrowglass	ml	WM	1833	64	28	-	-	59	-	John Cannell, Trustee
Kerrowkeil	mw	WM	1814	84	72	-	-	71	71	Gregory Page, Minister
Kerrowmoar		PM	1822	48	80	-	-	60	100	John Kissack, Steward
Kirk Michael Meth. Ch.	ml	WM	1841	60	102	-	-	49	40	Edward Metcalfe, chapel steward
Kirk Michael PM Ch.	ml	PM	1824	64	136	-	(+40)	(+40)	240	Thomas Skillicorn, chapel steward
(Orrisdale)[Kirk Michael PM Ch.]	ml	PM	1843	76	44	-	-	-	50	John Cannell, society steward
Knocksharry	gn	PM	1844	70	40	-	-	18	57	William Woods.Trustee	Day School, 1835
Lambfield	gn	WM	1815	75	54	-	-	62	-	Samuel Healey, Minister
(Laxey Shore Road) PM	ln	PM	1825	66	240	-	(+108)	100+108	220	John Killip, Steward
Laxey Glen (Road)	ln	WM	1850	90	102	-	-	78+50	-	John Clague, Steward
Leodest	as	WM	1835	80	66	-	-	24	35	William Corlett, soc. Steward
Lhen Moar	as	WM	1819	70	80	-	-	80+35	102	William Teare, Trustee
Lhergydhoo	gn	WM	1833	110	35	-	-	40+20	-	John Moore, Superintendent
(Lonan)Ballacannell	ln	WM	B 1800	220	-	-	-	30+29	24	John Hampton, Trustee
Little London	ml	WM	1848	70	25	-	48	-	-	Thomas Woods, Trustee
Newtown	sn	PM	1828	90	26	-	-	56+16	33+9	Thomas Kinnish, trustee and steward
Onchan chapel	on	WM	1795	60	55	-	23	63	97	William Cain, Trustee
Onchan, Village Pr.Hse	on	PM	?	-	-	-	-	-	60	S. Smith, Minister
Peel Centenary (Athol St)	pe	WM	1839	200	300	-	160+100	-	300	Joseph Higgins Steward
Peel Michael St.	pe	PM	1835	114	200	-	(+74)	160+96	110	George Dawson,Minister
Port Erin	rn	PM	ab.1831	130	-	-	20	160	90	Thomas Cowin	and S/S
Port Le Murray (Port St. Mary)	rn	PM	1841	77	77	-	-	67+14	89+18	S. Smith Minister
Port St. Mary	rn	WM	1832	115	73	-	-	50	20	Enos Lace, steward
Port-y-Vullen	md	WM	?	70	65	40	-	50	-	Thomas Christian, chapel steward
Quine's Hill	bn	PM	1824	90	40	-	-(+36)	30+36	50+36	S.Smith, minister
Ramsey	ra	PM	1823	58	272	-	-	90	80	Jonathan Clewer, Minister	(noted rebuilt 1846)
(Ramsey)Waterloo Road	ra	WM	B.1800	174	590	-	230+85	59	468	Thomas Quiggin, chapel steward
Regaby	as	WM	?	80	-	-	no service			John Quirk, steward	part of another building, used as a barn Av. Afternoon 25 .
Sandygate	jy	WM	1822	150	-	-	-	35	67	Thomas Crennell used for day school
(Santon)Wesleyan	sn	WM	1810	90	36	-	-	39	70	William Moore, Steward
Smeal	as	WM	1831	66	84	-	-	73+6	85+12	John T.Martyn, trustee
(Sulby)[Lezayre]WM Chapel	le	WM	1797	95	205	20	-	67+47	105	Daniel Caley, Steward
Strang	bn	PM	1840	70	50	-	25	40	90	S. Smith, Supr. of Cct.	Day Sch. Strang, 1840
(West) Baldwin	bn	WM	B 1800	100	28	-	-	65	90	Roger Moore

Discussion

As Field points out obvious factors to check for are duplicate and/or ommitted returns. The double entry for Bride WM would appear to be a duplicate (I can think of no other nearby chapel and the figures are too similar) - thus one entry is not counted. Returns are available from 59 Wesleyan, 26 Primitive and 1 Wesleyan Reform Chapels. Lists of Primitive Chapels do not appear to be readily available (possibly they could be reconstructed from Circuit Plans)but I cannot see any known missing chapels. - The Wesleyan register for 1862 gives some 67 chapels of which 6 would appear to be after 1851 and two undated and private property chapels do not appear on the census. Thus the Wesleyan returns would appear to be complete with the possible non-reporting of two small non-standard chapels. Raw total attendance figures are Morning 2,467(+964S/S); Afternoon 4,060(+776S/S) and Evening 7,849(+94S/S) with a total of 14,376(+1,834S/S) (=16,210). However these figure must be used with caution - for example it was a custom for many to attend more than one service on Sunday - the Evening figures almost certainly include many who went to either (or even both) Morning or Afternoon Service.

References

Clive D. Field Methodism in the 1851 Religious Census of England and Wales: A Methodological Reappraisal pp169/190 of Methodism in its Cultural Milieu - Proc of the Centenary of Wesley Historical Soc July 1993 Cambridge England




Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2001