James McCrone 1767-1840
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"Mr. McCrone came from Glasgow to Douglas in 1817,
bringing with him his young wife, the daughter of a famous
London minister. He lived first at Castle
Mona and afterwards at Rock
Villa, a handsome house a little further north. The site
is now covered by
large boarding houses. His name is perpetuated in
"McCrone's Slip" near by. Later he bought and farmed
Ballaquinney, in Marown parish. He was Crown Agent and also
Commissioner for the Duke
of Athol and for Bishop
Murray, a scion of the ducal house."
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In 1825 founded the Presbyterian
Church in Douglas (now St Andrews) - much disliked by the native
Manx for his part in the tax and tithe gathering by the Duke of Athol
and his nephew the Bishop. David Craine in his article on the Potato
Riots of 1825 [Proc IoMNHAS vol IV no IV p570] describes him
as "a hard and unsympathetic Scot". Thomas Kelly invokes
his name with scorn.
Involved in a court case in 1820 - see Roper's A
Short History
James McCrone married Margaret Fletcher 13 Sep 1817 Gorbals,
Lanark, Scotland
Several Children born on Island :
Marian Fletcher McCrone Christening: 30 Jan 1819 Saint George
(later married John Wilson 12 Sep 1841 Gorbals, Lanark)
Janet McCrone Christening: 25 Jun 1820 Saint George (later married
William Jones 12 Jul 1846 Largs, Ayr)
Jane Gilfillan McCrone Christening: 27 Jul 1821 Saint George
(later married David Buchan Douie : 9 Feb 1850 Largs, Ayr)
Jemima McCrone Christening: 15 Feb 1825 Saint George d. 1836)
Buried in Onchan Churchyard, beside his youngest
daughter, Jemina, who died April 7th 1836, aged eleven years. The
gravestone bears the following inscription; "Sacred to the Memory
of JAMES McCRONE, Esq., Crown Agent in this Island for above
fourteen years, the duties of which office he performed with great
fidelity. Gifted with a powerful mind, he pursued the business of
life with energy and success, whilst by the warmth of his heart he
endeared himself to his family and friends. He died with a hope
full of Immortality, 24th May, 1840, aged 73 Years."
It is possible that he was born in 1772 as the IGI has: James
McCrone Christening: 5 Apr 1772 Old Cumnock, Ayr, Scotland Parents:
James McCrone Margaret Stewart - however this is at variance with the
stated age at death
There are three of Mr. McCrone's grandsons still living
[in 1925], namely :-
Sir James McCrone Douie, K.C.S.I. the son of the Rev. Mr.
Douie, Free Church minister of Largs, Ayrshire. He had a brilliant
University career, and passed very high in the Indian Civil
Service qualifying examination. Eventually he rose to the position
of Chief Financial Commissioner of the Punjab. For some time he
had the honour of being Acting Governor of that important
province. At the famous Delhi Durbar, he was Knighted by His
Majesty. When his official life closed, he returned to this
country, and made his home at Oxford.
Mr. T. M. Greer is the son of Mr. S. M. Greer, who was County
Court judge of Cavan and Leitrim, and sometime Member of
Parliament for Co. Londonderry. Mr.T.M.Greer is a graduate, and
medallist, of Trinity College, Dublin, and was admitted a
solicitor in 1876. He holds a leading position in his profession,
and is a Deputy- Lieutenant of Co. Antrim. In the religious sphere
he is an elder of the Irish Presbyterian Church, and convener of
the Assembly's Committee on Tenures and Trusts, which corresponds
to our Law and Historical Documents Committee. Mr. Greer was
appointed to the Senate on the establishment of the Parliament of
Northern Ireland.
Mr. Jones, another grandson, lives in Australia.
Several grand-daughters of Mr. McCrone are still living. One of
these, Miss Douie, who is a member of our church at Hampstead,
London, presented Mr. McCrone's portrait to the congregation, and
one or two interesting letters written by him.
Extracts taken from History of Presbyterianism, 1925.
Something of his political views may be seen in some of the official letters sent back to his employers in London - that
dated 17 Apr 1835 [Letter Bk 2 MS09181C] - one discussing Courts Baron reads:
"I beg to send you, one of the Insular News papers, by which you will
see, we have warefare here as well as on your side of the water - the affairs
of the Island are very much under the control of a junto, and the Clerk of
the Rolls, the acting Attorney General and the Water Bailiff his brother are
at the head of the ruling party. The latter is Receiver General and as such,
is the first Commisr of Harbours, and being also Water Bailiff has to sit
in judgment on his own actings and doings - He is likewise Clerk of the Council,
and as Receiver General is a member of Council" - he continues with a
note of the collusion between the Water Bailiff and his brother the acting
Attorney General to prevent publication of the notice calling a Courts Baron
and continues "We need reform her here, as well as in England, but I
have only one course and one object to persue, and that is to do my duty as
far and as fairly as my judgment goes, so that the Crown may not suffer under
my agency".
