Lord Cadogan's report to the Treasury Lords addressing the overvaluation of Manx copper currency (14 Manx pennies equalling one British shilling despite intrinsic worth of only 3 pence). References an earlier 1766 memorial by Mr Lutwidge and discusses the problems of counterfeiting and the need for currency reform, including introduction of English copper coin.
Peter King, 1st Baron King (1669-1734), served as Lord Chancellor from 1725 to 1733. His connection to the Isle of Man relates to the legal and political affairs of the Island during the early eighteenth century.
Lord Clare served as First Lord of the Board of Trade when George Moore petitioned London on behalf of the Manx people after the Revestment of 1765. When Moore described the sufferings of the Island's emptied towns and departing young people, Clare responded with contempt, calling the inhabitants of the former trading towns "a Nest of Vermin collected from the Dregs of the neighbouring Countries."
Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough (1750-1818), served as Lord Chief Justice of England. His connection to the Isle of Man relates to legal proceedings and political affairs concerning the Island's governance.
Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron Fairfax of Cameron (1612-1671), was commander of the Parliamentary New Model Army during the English Civil War. Following the surrender of the Isle of Man in 1651, he was appointed Lord of Mann by Parliament. He appointed William Christian (Illiam Dhone) as Governor of the Island in 1656, the only Manx-born person ever to hold that title, though Christian was replaced by James Chaloner in 1658.
Lord John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (1792-1878), served twice as Prime Minister. His connection to the Isle of Man relates to his involvement in the governance and constitutional development of the Island during the mid-nineteenth century.
Congratulatory letter from Lord Kinnoull to the Duke of Atholl following the successful conclusion of the negotiations for the sale of sovereignty over the Isle of Man to the British Parliament. Kinnoull affirms that the compensation agreement was prudent and reflects positively on Atholl's conduct and firmness in the transaction. The letter also commends the oratorical performance of Mr Cooper at the House of Commons Bar.
William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield (1705-1793), served as Lord Chief Justice of England from 1756 to 1788. He was involved in the legal deliberations surrounding the Revestment of the Isle of Man in 1765 and the subsequent legal framework governing the Crown's administration of the Island.
Letter from Lord Mansfield advising the Duke of Atholl on strategy regarding the prospective purchase of the Isle of Man by Parliament. Mansfield cautions against premature response and emphasizes the importance of legal counsel before Parliament convenes. He critiques the approach of other parties (identified cryptically as Sr R W Mr P & D of N) who seek to extract information and demands without committing to formal negotiation or purchase of the whole sovereignty.
Letter from Lord Mansfield (Lord Chief Justice) to the Duke of Atholl advising on strategy for responding to a Treasury proposal regarding Isle of Man. Mansfield counsels caution, recommends a private approach to Grenville, and suggests textual revisions to the Duke's draft response. The letter reveals concerns about the Treasury's intentions and draws parallels to earlier negotiations under Newcastle.
Legal advice from Lord Mansfield (Chief Justice) to the Duke of Atholl regarding the pending parliamentary purchase of Isle of Man sovereignty. Mansfield cautions against responding to Parliament's inquiries until the Duke has retained proper counsel, warns that Parliament intends no formal treaty but rather demands the Duke reveal his circumstances and price expectations, and advises waiting until after Christmas when Parliament reconvenes.
Private letter from Lord Chief Justice Mansfield to the Duke of Atholl offering legal and tactical advice on how to respond to a letter from the Lords of the Treasury regarding Isle of Man affairs. Mansfield cautions against the Treasury's 'insidious' approach and recommends diplomatic communication with Grenville, comparing the situation to previous dealings with Walpole, Pelham, and Newcastle. Includes editorial suggestions for revising Atholl's draft response.
Frederick North, Lord North (1732-1792), served as Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782. His government oversaw the administration of the Isle of Man during the post-Revestment period, including the implementation of customs and revenue policies that significantly affected the Island's economy and trade.
Lord Strange was the courtesy title used by the eldest sons of the Stanley Earls of Derby, who were Lords of Mann. The title is most associated with James Stanley (1607-1651), who personally managed the Isle of Man as Lord Strange from 1628, introducing controversial land tenure changes and imprisoning Deputy Governor Edward Christian. He inherited the earldom in 1642, and his period as Lord Strange is central to the events leading to the 1651 Manx rebellion. An earlier holder, Ferdinando Stanley (1559-1594), was also known by the title.
Official letter from the Treasury to the Duke of Atholl dated 25 July 1764, offering to negotiate the purchase of his rights in the Isle of Man. The letter cites the powers granted under 12 Geo. I, references House of Commons concern about smuggling, and requests Atholl's proposal regarding the sale of his property and rights in the island. Signed by George Grenville, John Turner, and James Harris.
Official letter from the Lords of the Treasury (Grenville, Turner, Hunter, North) to the Duke of Atholl requesting detailed financial information about Isle of Man revenues and property rights as a precondition for negotiating its purchase. The letter addresses the Duke's claim inability to price the island and insists on a full accounting of customs duties, rental income, and trading conditions before Parliament can authorize terms of purchase.
Official letter from the British Treasury to the Duke of Atholl proposing negotiations for the Crown's purchase of Isle of Man or its sovereign rights. The letter cites Parliamentary concern over smuggling and illicit trade, references the authority granted under the 12th of George I, and requests Atholl's proposal for sale terms. This is a pivotal foundational document in the Revestment negotiations.
Official letter from the British Lords of the Treasury (Grenville, Turner, Hunter, North) to the Duke of Atholl requesting detailed financial and revenue information about the Isle of Man as a prerequisite to negotiating its purchase. The letter references Parliamentary powers and anticipates parliamentary consideration of the island's constitution, trade, and smuggling activities.
Official letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to the Duke of Atholl, requesting his proposals for the sale of the Isle of Man to the Crown. The letter cites widespread smuggling and revenue fraud as the justification, and notes that both the Irish Revenue Board and English Customs Board believe the island cannot be effectively controlled while in private hands.
Official letter from Treasury officials J West and Samuel Martin to the Duke of Atholl, requesting negotiations for the Crown purchase of the Isle of Man. The letter cites widespread revenue fraud caused by illicit trade to/from the Island and states that the Boards of Revenue (Ireland) and Customs (England) believe effective remedy requires Crown ownership. This is a key early document in the chain leading to the 1765 Revestment.
The Lordship of Mann is the feudal title held by the ruler of the Isle of Man, originating in the Norse Kingdom of Mann and the Isles. From 1405 it was held by the Stanley family (Earls of Derby) and then the Murray family (Dukes of Atholl), until the Revestment Act of 1765 transferred sovereignty to the British Crown. The title Lord of Mann is now held by the reigning monarch.
The site of an early medieval chapel or keeill and burial ground thought to date to the period A.D. 500-1000. There have been no visible remains of a keeill within living memory. During a visit in 1898 by the IoM Natural History & Antiquarian Society it was reported that graves had been found on the site and that stones had been removed from it for use in the construction of a nearby stable in 1825.
The site occupied the top of a low rise in a meadow when visited by J.R. Bruce in 1963-4. The burial ground, about 25 metres long on its longer axis, formed a slightly raised area of which the border is more evident on the north side.
The site consists of the grass-covered, flat-topped summit of a low hill which falls within a paddock associated with a private house. The Ordnance Survey First Edition 1:2500 mapping of 1867 shows a subcircular embanked enclosure at the grid reference provided, together with the annotation, 'Chapel & Burial Ground (Site of)'. The beginnings of a second embanked enclosure are shown on the same survey immediately to the northeast but are cut by a modern roadway and do not reappear on the other side of the road.
Further graves have been reportedly found elsewhere within the grounds of the property: these include several burials close to the house, approximately 150m from the enclosure. Traces of the burial ground were reportedly seen in 1898 and some bones found. Lintel graves have been noted, including one found to the east-southeast of the keeill site in 1954 and examined by B.R.S. Megaw and A.M. Cubbon of Manx Museum.
Several reminiscences collected in the mid-20th century amongst local residents suggested, by way of the name Keeill Woirrey, that the chapel had been dedicated to St Mary. No separate corroboration of this oral tradition has been identified: it should be noted that the chapel just 400m to the south-southwest (PRN 0032) shares the same dedication.
The Ordnance Survey First Edition 1:2500 mapping of 1867 shows a subcircular embanked enclosure annotated as 'Chapel & Burial Ground (Site of)'.
The beginnings of a second embanked enclosure are shown on the same survey immediately to the northeast, but are cut by a modern roadway and do not reappear on the other side of the road. This was used as a place of execution from the late 17th until the early 19th century.
