Crown Street

The base map used is the OS 1868 plan of Peel; the inserted numbers are my own though 1-47 those used by the author of the text referring to Castle Street that accompanied the elevations. The elevations date from c.1890 - I was given a copy but as yet have not determined the source though I think they are based on information supplied by one of the Goodwin brothers - see article in Mannin (I have tried not to repeat too much of what is here but to add to his account).

The name Crown street is used here though this is a modern name adopted 1874.

The area is now considerably altered with further shore reclamation allowing the shore road to continue around the north before joining the quay.

The area marked BG is what remains of Sir George Moore's Bowling Green - it is on reclaimed land, comparing Corris's plan of 1784 it would appear that it was square and that only the lower 2/3^rds was remaining in 1868 (Wilson's plan of 1791 shows it as having decayed though Corris in 1784 shows it entire). The first was #150 under German Intacks dated 7th August 1735 - for a wast in the strand opposite to Rich Radcliffe & Phil Kewley & joining to Jo Callister and his own rent fifteen yards broad in the east end & thirty yds broad in the west end outwards & in length sixty four yards reserving a street or road of eighteen foot to the harbour - rented to (vide Lib Scaccar 1735 for the composition). The 18 foot to the habour is I think the width of the quay on the west side (possibly not yet built at that time) and not the width of the Crown street". This was added to in 1738 (Intack #164) by "a parcell of wast ground on the shore in Peeltown adjoining the intack lately taken by him and extending outwards from the sd intack sixty four yards long & seaward into the north end from the intack aforesd ten yards and in the east end twenty five yds deep - rented to - vide L. Scaccar 1739 for the composition" which completed the square. According to Goodwin this land was used for boat building, certainly from late 1840's and probably before.

Crown Street and Shore Road c. 1880

The entrance to Crown Street was shown in a small engraving dating c.1825 and sketched below:

The building on right is warehouse marked 48. The corner seen centre view, is now occupied by the Custom House and Harbour Office built about 1863 supposedly on site of Winter's public house which is possibly the two storied house on the Quay, the other chimneyed building may well be the 'Watch house' public house described as just around the corner. Corris's plan of 1784 shows a building on the corner, a long building along most of the green (presumeably a storehouse as the engraving shows no chimney) and another building at what is now occupied by the old police station.

The Police Station dates from c. 1847; the Rocket House which housed apparatus used to throw a line to vessels at sea and under charge of a Rocket Brigade dates from c.1876 though is now demolished, forming part of the Yacht club premises.

Peveril & Warehouse - #47 & #48

The name Peveril is that of the current hotel - the name appearing by the mid 1850's and derives from Scott's story 'Peveril of the Peak' which had some scenes set in Peel Castle.

In Lib Assed under Intacks is #165 dated 7th May 1741 rented to Mr Pat Savage "a parcell of wast ground ajoining a little house lately by him purchased near the shore in Peeletown - extending from the north corner of the purchase - five feet broad and from the south corner of the purchase seven foot and a half running in a direct line from the corner of Mr Geo Moore's house towards the river".

In 1815 was advertised "A large and eligible dwelling house, with kitchen, parlour, drawing room, four bedrooms and garrets, with a very good yard. The premises are attached to the quay and very fit for a genteel family or a person in business."

The 1848 plan in the Leece Museum shows a yard in the position corresponding to the warehouse. #48 which however must predate the quayside frontage of the Courthouse (? 1862)

Marine (#1)

Much of the history has been told by Goodwin in "Old Peel " in Mannin. This (or at least part thereof) and the adjacent Wattleworth's are Abbey Rent and are entered as Cottage #3 on the list.

In 1607 the two properties were entered under William Bridson for 6d rent,by 1703 split into two 3d rents Jo Kermeen ('Wattleworths' )and Thomas Radcliffe who it would appear sold the property to George Moore in 1758 which would appear to support conjecture that this was the the eastern annex (shown as 60 + 61 on plan) as George Moore's house was built by 1741.

Wattleworth's (#68)

By 1740 David Callister had replaced Kermeen and in 1762 Jo Callister

According to Goodwin:

this house formerly stood with gable to street, front door in gable and yard on West side. About 1864 part of the yard built over, the front of new building looking on street, then the "Marine" yard was built over and the two houses previously seperated were joined. The property came into Wattleworths from the Cowins.

Epitaph in Peel Churchyard:-

James Cowin, joiner, of Peel died 1829 in 74th year. His wife Leonora Wattleworth died 1853 in 85th year.

Jas Cowin held licence 1816 to 1825 possibly both earlier and later: kept a public house in this house. This Cowin and old Watterson the schoolmaster were related. the house passed to the Wattleworths through their grandmother Mrs Cowin

John Callister m 1726 Leonora Radcliffe

Margaret m. Caesar Wattleworth

Leonora (bapt 29 Sept 1770) m. James Cowin

A James Cowin first held a licence in 1794 though this could have been the father as in 1797 the licence holder was noted as James jnr - the last licence was in 1823; a 'private' licence (to sell alcohol but not a public house) was taken out in 1825, again in 1830 by Leonora Cowin , then briefly a public licence in 1834/5 with a final private licence in 1837 - this must be the public house noted as "Cowin's".

Barracks (#65)

There would appear to be confusion over the position and date for the barracks; a document published in Journal Manx Museum (unpublished doc #101) would indicate a building date of 1811 which would correspond to the arrival of the Royal Veterans who are noted in the 1814 census of Peel. The Barracks were disposed of in 1815/16 - for some time part was used as an Independent Chapel and later became cottages. It may be case that this was also the Caledonian Inn of 1848 - though the 1880 photograph shows an advertisement for a dining rooms at #66

Caledonian (#66)

 A plan of Peel, dated 1848, (in Leece Museeum, on linen though in poor condition) indicates the 'Caledonian' Inn at this position, set back a little from the shore road (indicated as 'New Road') and midway between the two groynes.