PHIL HIGGIN jnr to JOHN MOORE

Sale - 1756 (Douglas)

Know all men by these presents that I Philip Higgin of the town of Douglas with the full and free consent and assent of Mary Higgin als Hault my wife, divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving but more especially for and in consideration of the full and just sum of sixty pounds currency of this Isle, paid unto me at the execution of these presents at, by and from the hands of John Moore Nazen?].

Have given, granted, passed over and sold, and do by these presents give, grant, pass over and forever absolutely sell from me, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns all the right, title and interest that I now have, or hereafter at any time may have in and unto a certain house and back side and its appertenances, situate in the said town of Douglas commonly called and known by the name of Margaret Kelly's house adjoining on the east to Robert Corlett's house, and to widow Moore's on the south, and to Capt Oates's house on the west, and the Common Street on the north, being of the annual Lord's Rent of two pence or thereabouts

To have and to hold the said house and backside with its appertenances unto him the said John Moore, and his assigns with all ways, waters, watercourses, easements, privileges and ladvantages to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining he the said John Moore yielding, paying yearly and every year the annual Lord's Rent thereof with all other dues, duties, boons, suits and services payable out of the premises at the times usual and accustomed, and we the said Philip Higgin and Mary my wife do covenant, bargain and agree to and with the said John Moore and bind and oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns that we will maintain, awarrant, uphold and defend the said premises and its appertenances against the claim, title or demand of any person or persons whatsoever to obtain the worshipful Deemster's attestation and honourable Court's confirmation, and to do any other and further act or acts for the more sure making the premises unto him the said John Moore, his heirs and assigns,

And for the true and faithful performance of the before going Deed of Sale we the said Philip Higgin and Mary my wife do hereby bind and oblige ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in and under the penalty of one hundred and twenty pounds to be levied and paid according to law

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names and affixed our seals this 6th November 1756. Philip Higgin (seal), Mary Higgin als Hault (seal)

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Rodger Flide, Robert Caesar

24th May 1757 Philip Higgin and Mary Higgin als Hault acknowledged the within and above Bill of Sale to be their voluntary act and deed and also to be paid the full consideration money therein mentioned. Before me John Taubman

At a Sheading Court holden at Douglas the 17th October 1757 The beforegoing Bill of Sale being acknowledged before the Deemster and now openly published in Court and no objection offered against it the same is therefore allowed of and confirmed according to law. Basil Cochrane, John Frissel, Daniel Mylrea, John Quayle, John Taubman, Dan Lace

[Ref:N/SSS 1757 #49]

NOTES

  1. This contract is for the sale of an inheritance which Phil Higgin jnr had received from Margaret Kelly in 1654, cottage allotment #6
  2. Margaret's companion Mariot Smith gifted another cottage allotment #128 to Philip jnr in 1754
  3. Neither women seemed to have any traceable relative, and Phil Higgin must have been simply a great friend and support to them both
  4. Phil Higgin jnr was the son of Philip Higgin snr and Jane Mc ylroy. He was born in 1711 in Douglas
  5. His father was a mariner and Philip jnr was a hairdresser and wig maker
  6. Two burials of a Philip Higgin are recorded in the Braddan parish register, 1741 & 1769, father and son
  7. Phil Higgin snr did not leave a will but the LV 1743 records the fact that he made a gift of two cottages in 1736 to his son, Phil jnr, the year after Jane died. Their rent was respectively 2s 7½d, and 20½d, for cottage allotments #48 & #52 (TBF might be NSS May 1743 #43)
  8. Philip jnr married three times: Elizabeth Peel 1741 (d1750), Mary Hault 1751 (d1761) then widow Sarah Merydew als Scott 1761 (d1795)
  9. Edward Fletcher, his brother in law, was witness to this third wedding
  10. He had four children Mary 26th January 1742/3, Philip 4th March 1743/4, Jane 25th February 1746/7, Jane 25th June 1752, of whom only Jane survived her father
  11. In less than a century, the little family of Philip snr and Jane was ""daughtered-out"
  12. NOTE: Be aware that cottage allotment numbers changed over time as Douglas expanded. Rent and neighbours are key elements in confirming whether the tenants (e Phil Higgin) have changed properties or whether they have remained stable while the allotment number from one LA to the next has changed

Associated Documents

From Summary of Wills, A Manx Notebook

1785 A 5 FLETCHER Edward dated 11 nov 1784; Ballafletcher; gtgdau Carolina Lee; names Capt John Lee,John Edward Lee,Wm + Edwd Callister; sister Mary Callister; names Sarah Quirk als Callister,Wm+Robt Kelly,Edwrd Callister;dr Patk Scott claims; - brother-in-law

1785 A 6 ds FLETCHER Jane dated 14 mar 1785; widow capt Ed Fletcher; gtgch John Edward + Caroline Lane Lee; - sister

Last updated: May 2024