Archaeological survey of Ballasalla
Date(s): 2007-2008
Creator(s): Centre for Manx Studies
Scope & Content: Field records
The students were allotted areas of Ballasalla to record in pairs. They did this using enlarged photocopies of the 1st Edition 25” OS map and marked, usually in red, elements such as buildings and boundaries that appear to survive from the mid-19th century.
There are 13 A4 recording sheets and 2 A3 sheets based on the 1st edition photocopies; they are sometimes dated and often signed by the recorder.
Analysis
This took two forms. First, the results of the field surveys were collated and interpreted using A3 copies of the 1st Edition 25” that covered the whole of the village; items of note were normally colour-coded. Secondly, a new version of Woods’ inset plan of the village was created and used to track plot numbers and boundaries over time.
There are 4 A3 summary maps showing: plot areas, water management systems, boundaries and buildings.
There are 13 A3 maps, mostly created in June 2010, showing building changes since 1868, 18868 plot boundaries super-imposed o n a modern large-scale plan and draft plot numbering.
There are 14 copies of the corrected inset plan of Ballasalla village which have been used to document a rang e of historical information such as the field names from the 1705 rent book, adjacent quarterland names, proposed plot numbers (4), details of intacks, 1862 rents etc.
Documentary sources
Manuscript lists by PJD of cottagers and rents from the Liber monasteriorum
1704; 2 A4 pages (2 sides).
1740; 4 x A4 sides.
1792; 2 sides of A4
1796; 2 pages of A4.
1704 list with Woods’ plot number added; 5 sides of A4.
1911; 7 sides of A4; plus, summary list of 1911 rents payers and rent amounts on an A3 sheet.
Tracings from original plans
Ronaldsway estate map (early 18th century); pencil on 2 A3 sheets of tracing paper.
Tracing by John Boel of land around the mill pond and mill race from the 1st Edition 25”; pencil on A4 tracing paper.
Printed lists of cottagers and rents
List of cottage rents from the Liber Assedationis for 1540 2 versions one PJD, one Jim Roscow.
List of cottage rents for 1541 from the Liber monasteriorum.
List of cottage rents for 1607 from the Liber Monasteriorum, including hens and boons.
Master list of cottage-rent amounts: 1607, 1704, 1740, 1792, 1867 and 1911.
Copies of extracts from original sources
Castle Rushen 1709/10 a case about the ownership of Rhenshent (Abbey land).
Malew treens and quarterlands from Broderick’s place-name book; plus, index to numbered areas.
Photocopy of one page of the cottage rents for 1705 from the Liber Monasteriorum.
Photocopy of two pages from the Liber Monasteriorum of 1540 with cottage rents.
Photocopy 2 x A3 of pages from the Liber Monasteriorum for 1911.
1st Edition OS 25” 1868 reduced to A4 photocopy.
Copy of the Asylum Plan of Ballasalla Lodge (A4).
Copy of the Asylum Plan of Woods’ plot 257 (A4).
Copy of the Asylum Plan of Woods’ plot 223 (A4).
Beginning of Billown entry on the Lords rent Book for 1540 (marked Abbati); A4.
A3 copy of the Court of Augmentations rent book entry for Ballasalla cottages in 1540.
Correspondence and administration:
University of Liverpool Module CEPD 004; student address details.
University of Liverpool student attendance register; signed by PJD 02 07 2008.
25 03 2008; P Faragher to H Kneal conformation of Ballasalla Village Hall booking dates.
01 05 2008; dates of meetings, objectives etc for the students by PJD; 2 A4 sheets, including draft.
Printed A4 list of document copies issued to the students.
27 05 2008 PJD to each of the students with three further handouts.
Administration / Biographical History: The aim of the project was to carry out a walking survey of the village of Ballasalla from points of public access as part of a teaching module (CEPD 004), headed by Dr Peter Davey. It was carried out largely between 15th April and 1st of July 2008. Once surveyed the detailed structure of the settlement was to be compared with that on the first edition 25” OS Map of 1869 and a comparison with the written evidence of the Liber Monasteriorum (Lib Mon) and related documents was also attempted. The aim was also to identify additional problematic areas that require further recording or surveying and, in particular, to try and sort out where the 16th century cottage plots were.
PJD produced a master information table for holdings 1-34 and includes information such as holding numbers from the Ballasalla, Wood’s Atlas survey plan. Furthermore, numbers for parcels of land that are logged under the same number as the cottage plots were accessed and for which the acreages are amalgamated with the cottages and where possible the size of the individual plots were gained from the Asylum plans.
PRT produced a revised plan of the study area from Wood’s atlas. Clear plot numbers were added after being checked and verified against the Asylum plans and plots which fell within the cottage rents category were also assigned to their correct plot numbers. This plan was used as the base map for comparison of the survey with the first edition 25” OS Map of 1869.
The survey was completed, and a series of plans were produced displaying the information gained.
People:
Peter Davey (PJD), Philippa Tomlinson (PRT), Clarissa Bryan, William Cain, Margaret Dyson, Maurice Dyson, Lyn George, Jonathan Kewley, Violet Ritchie and Gillian Rushton
Language: English
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FILE
ID number: MS 14146/75
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