CHARLES KILLEY snr from HIGGIN snr & jnr

Purchase - 1737 (Douglas)

Know all men by these presents that we Philip Higgins snr & Philip Higgins jnr both of Douglas in the Isle of Man, for and in consideration of the sum of thirty-five shillings Manx currency to us in hand satisfied, contented and paid before the signing and delivery of these presents at, by and from the hands of Charles Killey of the said town, the receipt of the said sum we do hereby acknowledge and do thereof and of every part thereof exonerate, acquit and discharge the said Charles Killey, his execuors and assigns by these presents

Have given, granted, bargained, passed over and sold and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, pass over and forever absolutely sell unto the said Charles Killey, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns all our right, interest and title in and unto a parcel of sandy ground at the back of the said town, purchased by us from Thomas Kelly and adjoining to the garden of Henry Cain towards the east and the ground in the holding of Mr William Oates towards the west, and north and the gardens of Thomas Mylrea, Robert Joyner and Richard Killey towards the south, being of one half penny yearly Lord's Rent or thereabouts, being of about forty yards in length from east to west and about twelve yards in breadth from north towards the south as the same ranges with Henry Cain's garden be the same more or less

To have and to hold unto him the said Charles Killey, his executors, administrators and assigns the said parcel of sandy ground forever together with all ways, waters, watercourses, easements, liberties and advantages to the premises belonging he the said Charles Killey, his executors, administrators and assigns paying yearly and every year our honourable Lord's Rent with all boons and services usual

And for the true performance of all and singular the convenants and conditions mentioned in the beforegoing Bill of Sale, we the said Philip Higgins snr and Philip Higgins jnr do bind and oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in the penalty and forfeiture of double the value to be levied according to the laws of this island.

Witness our hands this February the 4th 1737/8 Philip Higgins, Philip Higgins jnr

Witnesses presents John Clark, Matthew Corrin

May 8th 1738 Philip Higgins snr and Philip Higgins jnr came before me and acknowledged the within and above Bill of Sale to be their act and deed. Before me Charles Moore

At at Sheading Court holden at Douglas the 8th May 1738 The within and above Bill of Sale being acknowledged before the Deemster and now openly published in Court and no objection against it the same is therefore allowed of and confirmed according to law. J. Murray, John Quayle, Dan Mylrea, William Christian

[Ref N/SSS May 1738 #86]

NOTES

  1. This transaction was a piece of ground neighbouring to what Charles's mother had inherited from her parents in about 1698, part of which had already been gifted to Charles in 1723. It was also the last recorded transaction made by Charles after 5 acquisitions in 5 years 1729-1734
  2. When Charles died 1744, his land holdings had become substantial, covering the quarterlands of Ballakermeen, Ballabroii and Ballawilling as well as cottage allotments/houses in Douglas
  3. He was recorded as a shopkeeper in several documents although he was more aptly described as a merchant, and sure to have been involved in the Manx import/export trade
  4. The witnesses to this current contract were the tenants in cottage allotment #112, and the Mylrea, Joyner and Killey mentioned as holding tenancies "towards the south" were Charles's (Joyner) uncle and his father, Richard
  5. Charles snr had five children Richard (1731-1740), Thomas (1732-1732), Charles jnr (1733), Jane (1735-1736) by wife Dorothy Gawn m1730 & d1735, and Elizabeth (1740) by second wife Margaret Maddrel m1739
  6. In his will, he named 2 sons as legatees, one of whom had died since the will was made. Additionally, Charles had remarried and had an infant daughter in the two years since he made his will
  7. Charles Killey snr had the poignant burial entry: Mr Charles Killey & Peter Moore merchants with many passengers perished at sea. Both he and his brother in law Peter Moore were buried January 25th 1740 in Braddan
  8. The bequest for the poor of £10 became a source of wrangling between the Church and the executors. It took several years to extract the funds from them (Presentments: up to 1757, still not paid)
  9. He was the oldest surviving child of Jane Mc Ylroy & Richard Killey. His mother was the younger daughter of John Mcylroy & Kath Moore, Kath dying in about 1698, and John leaving the island and never heard of again, presumed dead
  10. His father Richard had a burial record saying "old Richard Killey aged about 90" : 30th May 1744 Braddan so Richard was born 1655-1660. He was a weaver
  11. Charles's parents Richard and Jane married in 1689 in Braddan and presumably Jane was born in the 1660s. They had children Charles (b1693), Richard (1699), John (1701), Catherine (m John Cottiman 1724), & Esther (m Peter Moore, Richard Joyner) 1704
  12. Jane died 1725. Her sons John and Charles had both died by the time their father Richard Killey died in 1744, leaving only her son Richard jnr and two daughters Catherine and Esther
  13. Daughter Catherine had three children - Jane (1725), John (1725), a son (1731)
  14. Daughter Esther had seven children children - Robert (1732), Richard (1735), Esther (1739), Peter jnr (1741), & Isabel (1737) with Peter Moore; after his death, Esther married Richard Joiner in 1742 and had children Margaret (1743) & Catherine (1745)
  15. In 1723 his parents gifted Charles a house on cottage allotment #104 (later renumbered 109), the entire allotment described in Lib Assed three houses and two gardens 12d, another little house and a house and garden on the sand side 2d Total rent 14d. Included in #104 were two tenancies purchased by Richard in 1686 and 1692, and a third much more valuable tenancy which Jane had inherited from her parents
  16. Next door neighbours were Phil Higgin and his wife Jane Mcylrea, and Robert Lewn, father of Margaret the wife of Thomas Mylrea. The allotments were on (now) Barrack St
  17. What remained of allotment #104/9 passed to Charles's sister Esther then his nephew Richard Moore in 1762
  18. NOTE: Be aware that cottage allotment numbers changed over time as Douglas expanded. Rent and neighbours become key elements in confirming whether the tenants (ie Charles Killey) have changed properties or whether they have remained stable while the allotment number from one LA to the next

Associated Documents

From Summary of Wills, A Manx Notebook

1737 Eliz Gawne arb 17370424 dated 18 Apr 1737;Capt William Qualtrough (Kentraugh, Rushen); Mr Thomas Gawn (Ballagawn, Rushen) + wife Jane obo their dau Elizabeth Gawn; to marry within a month; Gawn settles £200(Manks) of wch the mortgage held by Thos Gawne from the Nunry? is includ edas prt and sd Wm + Elizth are intitled to mortgaged land together with half effects Thos Gawn + wife may die possed off - noted another m/c given to Charles Killey (Douglas) + his now decd wife; Witt John Cotteman, Chas Killey; rest except Jane sign (tho Tho very shakey) sister in law

1759-1 E d KILLEY Richard d 17 dec 1758; only dau Ellinor admx; pledges John Christian carpenter, Matth Christian butcher (both Douglas). Is this his brother? 1735-1 A 25 KILLEY Alice QUIRK d 25 feb 1734;sis ann; mo alive; child on her bearing; husb alive; ch ua uncle wm quine + isabl quirk supv)

 

Last updated: May 2024