(Q3)Fuller's Earth Mine

The mine was in the Gill which is at the upper end of Glen Wyllin and the stream feeds into the main stream of Glen Wyllin running S-N to the west.

Cashin writes about the sale of both the Glen Wyllin pleasure grounds and a part of Ballakinnag to a wealthy mine owner Mr A E. Grundy who owned a coal mine in Ashton-in-Makerfield - he continues:

The main object of his interest was the deposit of fuller's earth in the upper Glen. This was probably used in connection with the tuck mill from early times, and in 1834 more discoveries had been reported. Grundy imported technicians and equipment from Brynn Hall Colliery to set up his works. This involved building a small railway powered by a waterwheel which hauled up the ex-colliery trucks by means of a rope winding round a drum attached to the axle-tree of the wheel, On reaching the works at a higher level, the wet fuller's earth was placed on a large heated plate and dried out. One man remembered that the clay was so fine and smooth that it was like cutting large pieces of butter. The earth was then sieved on screens, and the fine powder was bagged for shipment. Mr Robert Faragher was engaged for this work, and he and his family moved into the vacant Gill House (Ballakinnag) next to the works. The fuller's earth works closed down at the beginning of the first World War, and Robert Faragher, a miller purchased Glen Wyillin mill. However; the Glen Wyllin Fuller's Earth Company Limited continued in existence in name at least, until the 1920s.

Glen Wyllin, including the pleasure grounds seaward of the railway and the shore road together with the upper glen was sold to two Lancashire based businessmen in 1903, occasioned by the financial fallout from the collapse of Dumbell's Bank - part of the upper glen was sold by one partner to the other in late 1904 - Registered Deed Oct 1904 #18

dated 13 Oct 1904;Alfred Peck(Southport) sells for £1789 his share (the other held by the purchaser) to Alfred Ernest Grundy ([company] secretary, Southport) Ballacregga including the Cooil Dharry and part of Berk including those sold to Robert Cowley by Margaret R Carran and Thomas W T Carran by deed dated 13 Apr 1891 and in the sale [Reg deed Oct 1904 9] by Robt Cowley + others to sd Peck + Grundy - Grundy to excavate etc clay etc from portion of land and to lay down tramways + temporary roads;

Grundy then purchased the dwelling house(in the photo seen above the wheel, fronted by the building needed for processing the Fuller's earth) by Registered Deed Dec 1904 #14

dated 29 Nov 1904; Wm Quayle(Ballaleigh) + wife Elizabeth sell for £250 to Albert Ernest Grundy(Southport) that parcel of land in Kirk Michael known as Ballakinnag with the dwelling house + other buildings thereon erected. witt Thos S Q Cooil

Cashin also makes the suggestion that Borodaill Mill found in the 1515 Lib Assed was possibly in the same vicinity in this gill but this was very strongly argued against by Revd Rex Kissack who, along with Wm Cubbon places it in Glen Mooar where there had once been a mill. The upper end of Glen Wyllin is now known as Cooildarry (oak glen) and protected under a trust - Larch Garrad describes the private woodland and water gardens erected in mid 19th Century, probably after the initial exploitation in 1830 of the Fuller's earth. This upper glen had returned to nature by 1960 but enough restorative work had concluded by 1991 for Garrad to produce a short report on its history.

The 1834 'discovery'

Manx Sun, 11th July 1834 reports:

A company are at present working, at Kirk Michael, a fine pit of fuller's earth, which has lately been discovered.

after which an advert appeared weekly for about a year

MESSRS. MERRICK & Co., RESPECTFULLY announce to the Public,that they have appointed Mr. T. HOWARD, of Douglas, their Sole Agent for the disposal of FULLER'S EARTH, POLISHING STONE, Isle of Man improved SCOWERING BRICKS,and BUILDING BRICKS. Any Orders with which he may be favoured will be punctually executed and gratefully acknowleged.

The Fuller's Earth is of a most excellent Quality, and will be found extremely advantageous to Painters, as it makes a most excellent durable Paint for the out side of Houses, for Hot Houses, and Walls, and gives a Polish equal to the finest Varnish ; it will also be found extremely beneficial for internal Work.

The Owners of Steam Packets will find it also a most useful Article in the Cleaning and Polishing of the Decks of Vessels, and removing all the filth and nastiness engendered by sea sickness.

It is also of the most material service in the Milling of Cloth, having been tried and strongly recommended by several eminent Manufacturers , who now use it in preference to any other article.

The Polishing Powder will be found superior to any in Great Britain for Cleaning Silver, Brass, Steel, Copper, &c &c, and does not cause the slightest scratch, or injure any article in the smallest degree.

The Scowering Bricks will be found far to surpass in quality those made in Bath and Bristol, as they will in a very short time, and with very little trouble, give a keen sharp edge to the dullest Knife.

The Building Bricks will be found equal, if not superior to any in England or Ireland, and wiil be Sold on the most reasonable Terms-The Materials of which these Articles are made have recently been discovered, and are intended to be worked very extensively.

Letters (Postpaid) addressed to Mr. HOWARD , care of Mr. GELL, Druggist, Douglas, Isle of Man, will receive prompt attention.

The history of this is interesting - that fuller's earth was available nearby would explain the sale of the ground by John Kelly (part owner of Harry's Mill and a nearby flax mill further down the glen:

NSS Oct 1806 2

dated 7 Feb 1805;John Kelly(Peel) + wife Catharine als Cottier sell for £90 to John Moffat(Kk Michael) a parcel of east end of Glen-ny-moneemollagh adj hedge from river up to Chroit-y-charad on west, hedge between sd Croit + Glen-ny-moneemollagh on north east, John Corjeage + Jane Corkill on SE and Wm Cannon on south together with a road 4yrds wide through Chroit-y-Charad to highroad - sd premises being pt of Ballakinnag; agreed however that the purchase price may be defrayed with Moffet paying interest at 5%;Witt John Kaighin, William Quayle;Setting quest place 2½d rent; ack by John Kelly dated 1826 that John Kelly formerly Kk Michael but now of Ramsey has been fully paid by Moffat

John Moffat dyer died age 77 in 1833. - his son-in-law is also a dyer as Mona's Herald, 27th February 1836 reports

On the night of the 13th inst. the dye-house of Mr. Milliken, of Kirk Michael, was feloniously entered, and robbed of webs to the amount of £7 or upwards. The robbery was effected by removing some slates, and entering through the roof. No discovery has yet been made that is likely to lead to the detection of the offenders.

Note no mill is mentioned in the 1805 sale but was in the sale in 1836[NSS Oct 1836 2] from Ann Moffat to Richard Crellin

NSS Oct 1836 2

dated 1 Jun 1836; Ann Moffat(widow), Robert Milliken senr + wife Mary als Moffat + Robt Milliken junr sell for £360 to Richard Crellin(Kk German) the whole of our lands + houses in glen-ne-moaney mollagh where we now reside, purchased by John Moffat decd from John Kelly by deed dated 7 Feb 1805 where deliniated, inc dyeing interests, fullers mill and machinery; Witt Elizabeth Milliken, [C?] Thos Cannell;

This purchase would appear to have been partly paid for by Richard Crellin's widowed elder sister

SSM Oct 1836 7

dated 8 Sep 1836;Richard Crellin(Glen Ne money Mollagh,Kk Michael) + wife Margaret als Cowley ack indebted to Mrs Ann Killey(BallaDoyne, Kk German) for £160 (Brit) and give in security that property purchased from Ann Moffat called Glen ne moaney Mollag + buildings, fullers mill + machinery; Witt John Moore, John Kelly; [Ann Killey als Crellin was elder sister to Richard - her widower 2nd husband sued for £20 post Ann's death]

It would appear that Crellin was worried about competion from a newly built dye works as reported in Mona's Herald, 9th May 1843;

Richard Crellin v. Charles Kelly. — This was a petition to have the defendant remanded to gaol, for having imposed on the court on the 1st April, when he presented his petition to the court to be discharged, he having no property whatever to discharge the amount of the order for which he stood imprisoned. The petition stated that he had property.

Patrick Kelly sworn : Defendant is a dyer; Thos. Quayle is also a dyer. A new dye-house has lately been erected in Kirk Michael. The deponent wrote an agreement between Quayle and the defendant as to their carrying on business as dyers; they were to share their profits equally, as he best recollects, for 10 years, but he is not certain.

Cross examined : He is not certain as to the contents of the paper; it was written a short time before the mill was built. He does not know that the defendant has any property; he owes the deponent's daughter money.

William Hannah sworn : Quayle and Kelly carry on business as dyers; they commenced about 4 months ago. Kelly told him that he thought he would be better off than when working at weekly wages. After paying the interest of the money for the building of the mill to William Quayle, they were to divide the profits between them for 10 years. Defendant thought in that time to be able to redeem the mill. Defendant owes witness money.

For defendant, William Quayle sworn: His son is a dyer; he built a mill on his own lands for his son and the defendant, to carry on business. There was an agreement written by Patrick Kelly, and signed by the witness, his son, and the defendant; the paper was afterwards burnt by consent of all the three. The nature of the agreement was, that the witness was to get interest for the money expended, and the profits were to be equally divided between his son and Kelly as his wages. He built the mill for his son ; Kelly was to work with his son for ten years. He ordered all the stuff for carrying on the business; his son has paid him for it or part of it.

Cross examined : He cannot tell when the agreement was destroyed ; it was before the defendant went to gaol, but after execution had been granted against him.

Thomas Quayle sworn : After the agreement was destroyed, he made an agreement with Kelly that he was to receive one half of the net proceeds, There is nothing due to Kelly. He owes £20 to the merchant in Whitehaven; and the debts due to the concern amount to about £12.

William Cannon sworn : He has let a house to Kelly for £4 10s. There are not so much goods in the house as will be sufficient for the payment of the rent. Kelly has no property that witness knows of. Petitioner is a dyer in Kirk Michael.

Petition dismissed without costs.

Crellin borrowed money from two Cumbrian merchants

Registered deed Oct 1849 023

dated 15 Oct 1849;Richard Crellin(dyer, Kk Michael)+ wife Margaret ack indebted for £64 15s 6d to Isaac + Robert Braithwaite(merchants, Kendal) and give in security a Dye house, dwelling house and premises in the parish of Michael known as Glen-ne-moaney-Mollagh purchased from Ann Moffat + Robt Milligan by deed date 1 June 1836; Witt Wm Cannell, Rbt J Moore

By 1849 Richard Crellin has financial problems

Mona's Herald, 19th December 1849

Extensive Coroner's Sale.

TO be SOLD by AUCTION, by the Coroner of Michael Sheading, on the Premises, on FRIDAY, the 28th of December, inst., under due process of law, —The GOODS and EFFECTS of RICHARD CRELLIN, Dyer, in the Parish of Michael; consisting in a Horse, Cow. Cart. Harness, Pig, &c. &c. Also, the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, comprising a Clock, Chest of Drawers, China, Tables, &c together with a quantity of Dying Utensils, Barrels Jars, &c, and sundry other articles. Also, the Dwelling House and Dye House, well fitted up for the trade; the Tuck Mill, with machinery for Carding Wool, together with excellent Out-Offices, and the Land attached to the same. Auction to start at 11 o'clock, when conditions will be declared. The Creditors are particularly requested to attend. DAN. KELLY, Coroner of Michael.

Note the mention of a Tuck Mill - however either Crellin had reached some agreement with his creditors or no sale took place, as a year later:

Manx Sun, 26th October 1850

CORONER'S SALE TO be SOLD by AUCTION on the Premises, under due Process of Law, by the Coroner of Michael, on FRIDAY , 22d November inst.— All and singular. Part of the QUARTERLAND of MONEY-MOLLAGH, situate in the Parish of Michael, consisting of 2 Acres or thereabouts, of excellent Land, with the BUILDINGS thereon, comprising a Dwelling House, Dye House, and Out-Offices, being the whole of the Property of Mr. RICHARD CRELLIN, Dyer, in the said Parish. Auction to commence at 11 o'Clock, Forenoon, when Conditions will be declared. JOHN CANNAN, Coroner of Michael. October 25, 1850.

This time the Coroner's sale went through

DN Dec 1853 016

dated 6 Dec 1853;recites that G.W.Dumbell acting as agent for Isaac + Robert Braithwaite(merchants, Kendal) did on 23 Dec 1850 purchase from the Coroner of Michael a dye-house etc at Glen-ne-Moaney-Mollagh in the parish of Michael[ see Reg Deed Jun 1851 008] now for £55 16s 4d sells same to sd Isaac + Robt Braithwaite; Witt L G Howard, Alured Dumbell;

However Crellin is still there when the 1851 census is taken in April 1851 - he would appear to have left Kk Michael c.1853 removing to Ballachrink in Kk German - only his youngest child in the 1861 census is noted as born in Kk German;

However the premises were again the subject of a coroner's sale in 1866:

Mona's Herald, 28th March 1866

Lands in Kirk Michael for Sale,

BY CORONER. TO BE SOLD by PUBLIC AUCTION, by Mr WM. QUIRK . Coroner of Glenfaba Sheading, under due process of law, on THURSDAY, the 25th March inst... All and Singular that Parcel of LAND, with the HOUSE and BUILDINGS thereon (formerly used as a Dye House), situate near the Moaney Mollagh, in the Parish of Michael. and known by the name of "GLEN NE MOANEY-MOLLAGH," late the property of Richard Crellin, Dyer These premises are well situated for Business purposes, or as a site for a Country Residence. They are within a few yards of the Main Road leading from Ballacraine to Kirk Michael Village, and are about a mile from the latter place. The Auction will be held upon the premises at One o'clock, in the Afternoon, when the conditions will be declared.

It is likely that these premises are those sold to Grundy in 1904 and described in 1917 as an old house when used as a base by a work party of internees from Knockaloe.

Reference

T L Cashin Two Centuries of History in Glen Wyllin: 1790-1990 Proc IoMNH&ASoc Vol X #1 pp63/78 Douglas 1992
R Kissack The Location of a Place-Name: Where was Borodaill Proc IoMNH&ASoc Vol X #2 pp120/122 Douglas 1994
Larch S Garrad Cooilldarry Proc IoMNH&ASoc Vol X #2 pp124/126 Douglas 1994

		Water powered Mills etc
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor © F.Coakley , 2024