Early 1912 upwards. Memories of Ballasalla and district'
Date(s): 1985
Creator(s): Craine, Leonard
Scope & Content: Photocopied recollections of the people and houses by Leonard Craine - a house by house list of people living and working in the village, starting at the author's birthplace of Corner Cottage, Cross Fourways. He notes the business that the railway station generated, including a sweet and ice cream shop. Many men called up for service in the First World War are named; the blacksmith had a contract to make horse shoes for the army. One large house was owned by John Corrin, porter at the railway station, who had served with the US Navy, and flew the Stars and Stripes each 4th July. Craine mentions Holmcroft, owned by Cobbold Cain, whose father William 'went to Melbourne, Australia, and built a large part of Melbourne. He has been commemorated on a Manx stamp 1985'. Walton House was owned by Mr Lowey, who had butchers' shops in Southport and Liverpool, where he went by boat every Monday, returning on Saturday.The entrance to the drive to Ballasalla House originally had a cross marking a fairground and site of the deemster's court. The first house past the Monks Bridge was a summer house owned by Mr Hartley, the jam manufacturer. Jack Davis always wore Manx flannel suits and owned the pop factory above Silverdale Glen, where he had an orchard and herb garden, 'He used to come round the houses and cure people with herbs'. Craine recalls being a boy scout and collecting dandelion roots for 'war medicine'.
Language: English
Extent: 26 pages
Item name: memoirs
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: MS 09124
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im