CHARLES KILLEY jnr to THOMAS & WILLIAM KELLY

Sale - 1764 (Braddan)

Know all men by these presents that I Charles Killey, merchant in Douglas, with the full and free consent and assent of my loving wife Barbara Killey als Moore for divers reasons and valuable considerations we hereunto moving but more especially for and in consideration of the just and entire sum of seventy-two pounds ten shillings of currency of this isle in hand paid at, by and from the hands of Thomas Kelly of the parish of KK Marown and William Kelly of the parish of KK Braddan, the receipt whereof we do fully acknowledge

Have given, granted, bargained, passed over and sold and by these presents we do give, grant, bargain, pass over and forever from us absolutely sell unto Thomas Kelly and William Kelly aforesaid a certain parcel of land being part of the quarterland of Ballawillin situated in the parish of KK Braddan, the same bears the annual Lord's Rent of three shillings or thereabouts be it more or less, the same adjoining the rent of Robert Cannell on the north to the rent of Robert Creer on the east, to William Kelly one of the purchasers on the south and adjoining to the road in the west, that is to say the Common Road that leads through Balwin

To have and to hold unto Thomas Kelly and William Kelly the premises aforesaid together with all ways, waters & watercourses, easements, liberties and properties unto in any wise belonging or appertaining, they the said Robert Kelly and William Kelly as also their heirs, executors, adminstators and assigns yielding and paying our honourable Lord's Rent together with all other boons, dues and duties, suits and services annually incumbent on the premises at the times and seasons usual and accustomed to be paid, and to do and perform all other acts or things that is needful and requisite in law

And for the more ample strengthening and securing the aforementioned premises to Thomas Kelly and William Kelly as also their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns and the peaceable possession thereof ... immediately, I the said Charles Killey and Barbara Killey als Moore my wife do firmly bind ourselves, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in the penalty of one hundred and forty-four pounds to be levied and paid according to law and practice within this isle

As witness our names this eleventh day of April 1764. Charles Killey, Barbara Killey

Witnesses present at the signing and delivery hereof. John Kissage, Daniel Colvin my mark X

13th April 1764 Mr Charles Killey and Mrs Barbara Killey the subscribing parties acknowledged the beforegoing Bill of Sale to be their voluntary act and deed and also to be fully paid and satisfied the consideration money therein mentioned. Before me Dan Lace

At a Sheading Court holden at Castle Rushen 6th October 1764 The beforegoing Bill of Sale being acknowledged before the Deemster and now openly published in Court and no objection offered against the same it is therefore allowed of and confirmed according to law. Dan Mylrea, John Quayle, John Quilliam, Dan Lace

Ref: N/SSS Oct 1764 #56]

NOTES

  1. Charles jnr was the only surviving son of Charles Killey snr. This sale represents a profit of nearly £30 over the 30 years since Charles snr purchased the quarterland in 1734
  2. When Charles snr died in 1741, his land holdings were extensive, covering the quarterlands of Ballakermeen, Ballabroii and Ballawilling as well as several cottages/houses in Douglas [#14, #15, #104, #105, #107, #108, #109], having grown from the gift of a house on an allotment from his parents Jane and Richard Killey in 1723. The allotment was described in Lib Assed as "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
  3. 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
  4. When their father died, Charles jnr with his half-sister Elizabeth were heirs to a significant forture, Elizabeth's somewhat smaller than Charles's since he had inherited his mother's half of the family fortune, while Elizabeth (the child of a second marriage) only a half of her father's. Robert Kennedy, Elizabeth's step-father, was her guardian and his name appears with Charles's in the land records for the jointly held properties because she bequeathed her share to him when she died in 1758
  5. Charles jnr like his father was a shopkeeper/merchant in Douglas, and like his father, showed signs of his understanding of the value of land. He was involved in the Manx import/export trade and on occasion, he was a partner in business with his father in law, Sir George Moore
  6. Born in 1733, Charles jnr married Barbara Moore, the daughter of Sir George Moore of Ballamoore, in April 1757 and they had five children: Catherine (1759), Charles (1760-1765?), George Moore (1761), Dorothy (1762) and John (1764). All but John died their father because when Charles jnr died, John was described as "his only child"
  7. The life of Charles jnr must have been difficult. He lost his mother at age 2, and his father at age 7, and although he inherited a significant fortune when he came of age, none of his own children survived and he (Charles jnr) died in his mid 30s, apparently in financial trouble: Philip Moore, his brother in law, in correspondence with his father Sir George said "I am sorry to hear Charles Killey''s affairs are in so disagreeable a situation", dated 25th July 1768 and written from Hallifax in Nova Scotia [MNHLA MS 2860c].
  8. In 1760, Charles Killey jnr bought back Elizabeth's share of the Killey lands from Robert Kennedy, Elizabeth's step-father. This move might have been economically disasterous for Charles. Perhaps sensing impending trouble, Charles jnr sold the Braddan quarterland Ballawilling in 1764, and his lands in Douglas to George Moore in 1767, the event recorded in 1768 LV. However, the sale documents do not seem to have survived
  9. Charles Killey jnr died in December 1768, at the age of 35. He died intestate, unlike his father who had left a detailed will for the distribution of his lands. The Court observed that "none of the next of kin by the father's side came forward to administer the goods of the deceased" and awarded guardianship of the 5 year old to his grandfather, Sir George. Charles's widow, Barbara, married William Maxwell, a Scot, in 1779
  10. Sadly, a letter from George Moore in 1783, another brother in law, writing to his father Sir George, tells of the death of Charles's remaining child: "I am very sorry to find the report of John Killey – Death is confirmed. Poor Bab will be in great affliction on this unfortunate event." and dated 18th March 1783 [MNHLA MS 2708c]
  11. This Charles Killey should not be confused with the individual who married Ann Waterson and died in 1766, because that Charles Killey had married daughters when he died in 1766 (MANX NOTEBOOK SUMMMARY - court states thos kermod h/o margt, wm gelling h/o ann,edwd taggart h/o isobel). This individual might have been part of the Malew Killey family
  12. 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

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 uncle?

Last updated: Dec 2020