The Act 7 Geo I c.21 (1720) was an Act of the British Parliament authorising the Treasury to treat with the Earl of Derby for the purchase of his royalties in the Isle of Man. It was the first formal parliamentary step towards the eventual Revestment, signalling the British government's long-term intention to acquire the sovereignty of the Island and suppress the separate Manx jurisdiction.
Sample chapters (1, 18, 22) from a forthcoming monograph examining the 1765 Isle of Man Revestment as a constitutional precedent for American independence. Chapter 1 establishes the island's smuggling economy, constitutional separateness, and indigenous institutions (Tynwald, Keys, Deemsters). Chapter 18 analyzes the Tea Act as a catalyst for colonial resistance. Chapter 22 reconstructs the 'Bacon-Coke framework' of coordinate dominion, arguing it remained valid law until 1991 and was violated by the 1765 Purchase Act.
A scholarly essay (Retiring President's Address) by David Craine examining the life and business activities of George Moore (1709–1787), a prominent Peel merchant, smuggler, and Speaker of the Keys. Drawing on Moore's Letter Books held in the Manx Museum, the essay covers his trading ventures, contraband operations, relationship with Bishop Wilson, family life, and public service during the critical period surrounding the 1765 Revestment. Essential primary source material on Manx merchant enterprise, smuggling networks, and constitutional politics.
A scholarly essay by David Craine (Retiring President's Address) on George Moore (1709–1787), a major Peel merchant and Keys Speaker during the 1765 Revestment period. Based on Moore's letter books (1750–1780) held in the Manx Museum, it details his trading ventures, smuggling operations, family life, and political role—particularly his involvement in the Keys during the post-Revestment crisis and his relationship with Bishop Wilson over the contraband trade.
A comprehensive historical account of smuggling on the Isle of Man from the Mischief Act of 1765 to 1853, detailing the immediate post-Revestment chaos, subsequent legislative efforts (1767 Act, 1798 reforms), patterns of illicit trade in spirits, tea, tobacco, salt, and grain, and the eventual suppression of smuggling activity. Draws heavily on eyewitness accounts and the 1791 Commissioners' Report.
Scholarly historical monograph covering revenue, expenditure, taxation, and economic policy of the Isle of Man from the 1765 Revestment through 1866. Extensively documents the negotiations over customs revenue, the establishment of the Post Office, harbour development, and the Manx people's struggle to control surplus revenue. Directly addresses the constitutional and fiscal aftermath of the Revestment.
A scholarly history of the Isle of Man covering the post-Revestment period (1765–1866), with detailed focus on smuggling activities before and after the Mischief Act of 1765 and subsequent reform legislation. Includes eyewitness accounts of post-1765 chaos, the role of surveyor Lutwidge, the 1791 Commissioners' Report, and anti-smuggling reforms up to 1853.
Comprehensive secondary historical account covering social and economic conditions on the Isle of Man in the century following the 1765 Revestment. Details wages, prices, housing, town development (Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown, Peel), poor relief systems, police inadequacy, public health, and the impact of smuggling suppression, agricultural depression, emigration, and tourism on Manx society.
A comprehensive secondary historical work covering the revenue, expenditure, taxation, and customs reforms in the Isle of Man between 1765 and 1866, with particular emphasis on the Revestment Act of 1767 and subsequent governance of insular finances. Moore examines the negotiation of surplus revenues, smuggling, harbour development, and the relationship between the Manx Legislature and Westminster Parliament, providing detailed financial tables and legislative history.
A comprehensive scholarly history of Manx social and economic conditions following the 1765 Revestment, covering trade restrictions, the licence system, industrial development, shipbuilding, and commercial evolution. This chapter examines how the change in sovereignty affected Manx commerce, the oppressive regulatory framework imposed by Westminster, and the gradual modernization of the island's economy through factories, steam communication, and financial institutions.
Chapter II of Moore's comprehensive history focuses on trade, industry, and economic development on the Isle of Man following the 1765 Revestment. It details the restrictive commercial policies imposed by Westminster, the licence system and its effects on smuggling, the establishment of factories and mills, shipbuilding, and the gradual liberalisation of trade through the mid-19th century. The chapter provides detailed analysis of exports, imports, and the island's industrial ventures.
Arthur William Moore (1853-1909) was a Manx historian, antiquary and politician who served as Speaker of the House of Keys from 1898 until his death. He is best known for his comprehensive works on Manx history, including *A History of the Isle of Man* (1900) and *Manx Worthies* (1901), as well as his collections of Manx ballads and folklore. His writings remain a foundational reference for the study of the Island's history and culture.
Detailed historical chapter on Manx social and economic conditions in the century following the 1765 Revestment, covering wages, labour conditions, prices, housing, urban development, poor relief, and public services. Provides extensive primary source evidence (wages tables, price data, contemporary descriptions) and discusses the impact of trade liberalisation, emigration, visiting populations, and legislative reforms on island society.
The Abbey Clay Works was founded in the 19th century on the site of an earlier corn mill. The Clay Works is shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map, which shows a tramway connecting to works to a clay pit to the north. The main part of the complex lies in German parish but it appears that the brick kiln and the eastern part of the main building lie in Patrick parish.
The Abbey Clay Works was founded in the 19th century on the site of an earlier corn mill. The Clay Works is shown on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map, with a truncated mill leat shown to its southwest, which may have served the corn mill. The Peel to Douglas railway was built through the area in the later 19th century and destroyed the mill site. The water wheel was moved to Kella for reuse however.
Medieval watermill and associated water management.
A watermill is assumed to have been associated with the nearby Rushen Abbey from medieval times onwards. Even after the Reformation, it was recorded in 1660 that all tenants of what was formerly abbey demesne land had to have their corn ground at the abbey mill.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1868 shows a corn mill at this location, on the east bank of the Silver Burn, just a few metres upstream of the site of Rushen Abbey.
The existing building incorporated the wheel within the structure, fed by water drawn from a leat which lead up to the rear of the building from the north. The tail race was culverted under the road and reappears just to the south for 50m before rejoining the river.
The mill was fed from two sources: the Crossag stream flowing from the north-east, and the Silver Burn itself, from the north. A leat was drawn off the latter from above a weir 40m upstream of the Monks' Bridge, which led 290m to the rear of the mill. The Crossag water could be diverted into this. The weir above the Monks' Bridge was destroyed in a flood in the early 20th century.
The mill, its associated storage space and living accommodation were all gathered under one roof. Additional storage was historically added to the westerly gable.
The building is now converted as a private residence.
Medieval watermill.
A watermill is assumed to have been associated with the nearby Rushen Abbey from medieval times onwards. Even after the Reformation, it was recorded in 1660 that all tenants of what was formerly abbey demesne land had to have their corn ground at the abbey mill.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1868 shows a corn mill at this location, on the east bank of the Silver Burn, just a few metres upstream of the site of Rushen Abbey.
The existing building incorporated the wheel within the structure, fed by water drawn from a leat which lead up to the rear of the building from the north. The tail race was culverted under the road and reappears just to the south for 50m before rejoining the river.
The mill, its associated storage space and living accommodation were all gathered under one roof. Additional storage was historically added to the westerly gable.
The building is now converted as a private residence.
