Forward : 1994 to Present Day © reserved by Brian E.P. Kneen and Lesley McNaughton
This Cosnahan project is about the most in depth research carried out since Canon E. H. Stenning M.A.wrote his story in 1941. See 1941 Cosnahans story on this web-site. I commenced my Kneen Family connections back in 1994 ,since then I have been joined by many friends from all over the World who have submitted information as well.
I would specially like to thank Lesley McNaughton who has worked with me on my researches into the Cosnahans . I also know she would like to thank everyone for all their efforts. I think now after six years the time has come to publish it all here. This First Cosnahan Family / Descendants of John Quishnoga page will be the only one to have the acknowledgements at the start and sources through-out . The John Cosnahan Descendants / Hugh Cosnahan MHK Descendents of Kirk Santon and the William Quishnoga Descendants of Kirk Patrick Family web-pages will commence and end with the respective families all source's included there in .
Happy reading :
Acknowledgements also to the following.
The Manx Museum.
The I.o.Man Family History Society.
The I.o.Man.N.H.A.S.
The Crawley Family History Center ( Church of the Latter Day Saints) West -Sussex UK.
The various registries through out England ,Wales and the Isle of Man.
Lesley McNaughton......... New Zealand, France,UK.
Audrey Hancock................U.S.A.
Frances Coakley................ U.K.
Carol Woodcock............... U.K.
Jeff Wilder.......................... Canada
Hugh Casement.................Germany
Guy Cosnahan...................Tashkent , Uzbekistan
Liz Newland.......................Australia.
Plus many more friends through out the World associated with the Cosnahans, it is impossible to list all.
© reserved by Brian E.P. Kneen and Lesley McNaughton in this year July 19th 2000
FIRST COSNAHAN FAMILY ON THE ISLE OF MAN
The first Cosnahan was said by Bishop Wilson to have come to the Island about 1530 and to have had three sons, one of whom he settled on a piece of land, known as Ballaquiggin, in the treen of Balymore. Another son settled in Kirk Santan. The third son's home is not stated, and it is probable that this branch was extinct before the time of Bishop Wilson. Nothing is known of the personality of this original Quishnoga.note 3
The Cosnahan family were descendants of this Scottish immigrant who appears to have arrived at Peel about 1530. He had three sons. The Santon branch was derived from his son, John, whose son, William, was Vicar of Santon from 1614-1618. Little is known of this Vicar, but his son Sir John ( Santon's Vicar from 1618-1656 ), was a merry old roisterer. note 2
William Quishnoga appears in Lib. Assed. in 1538 as the owner of Ballaquiggin, in the Treen of Balymore. ( This piece of land is probably the farmstead now known as Ballacosnahan, Kirk Patrick.) For many generations there is a continuous line of Quishnogas, Quishnoghans and Cosnoghans holding Ballaquiggin. None of them appears in any other record than Lib. Assed. so far noted, but they appear to have been prosperous farmers, adding land from time to time to their holding...note 3
The first clergyman on record of the name of Cosnahan is a John Cosnahan ( written Quislahan ) who was Vicar of Jurby 1575. John Quishlagan was Vicar of Jurby ( 1575-85 ) and of German with Patrick ( 1585-1621 ). His signature remains on an ecclesiastical petition " John Quishnogan." note 3 ( Vicar of Jurby 1575-88, of Patrick 1585-1621 note 2 )
It is said the first John was the only clergyman in the island who ventured, during the rule of Lord Fairfax, to baptize children according to the rites of the Established Church.
Descendants of John Quishnoga
Generation No.1
1. JOHN1 QUISHNOGA was born 1510 in Clackmannan, Scotland.
Notes for JOHN QUISHNOGA:
The First Cosnahan 1530 is stated by Bishop Wilson to have come to the Isle of Man
about 1530 from Scotland and to have had three sons. One William of whom he settled
on a piece of land bought in the treen of Ballamoar, and known as Ballaquiggin.
(This piece of land is probably the farmstead now known as Ballacosnahan, see
Kirk Patrick Tree.)
The Santon branch was derived from his son, John, whose son, William, was
Vicar of Santon from 1614-1618. Little is known of this Vicar, but his son
Sir John (Santon's Vicar from 1618-1656), was a merry old roisterer, who
kept an ale house..... note ".. 5
John Quishlahan was Vicar of Jurby (1575-85) and of German with Patrick
(1585-1621). His signature remains on an ecclesiastical petition " John
Quishnogan.... note "..2
The third son Laurance's home is not stated, But Peel town is mentioned in a
lot of sources ,he was a merchant. and it is probable that this branch was extinct,
(see this Peel / Kirk German Tree) to before the time of Bishop Wilson.
Nothing is known of the personality of this original Quishnoga's.... note "2 son.
Private Note:
The name is obviously not Manx. It supports the statement of Bishop Wilson that the original member of the family came from Scotland and that the name is Scots Celtic. Mr. W. W. Gill has found out that Cosnochtane, Cosnauchan, and Cosnoch, were the changing names of an estate in Clackmannan, Scotland.
Woulfe, Irish Names, considers that the name is allied to the Gaelic cosnoch, a defender, and Kneen points to a similar Manx word, cosney. But the name itself passes through a series of changes in Man that cannot fail to interest a philologist. It appears first as Quishnoga, and passes through " Quistnoghan, Quosnochan, Coshnoghan, Costnoe, Coanahan,
Costenham, Coshnaham," and various other spellings. note "2
Last Modified: 19th July 1999......... (c) 1999
Reference Note "2
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A. dated 1941
Reference Note "5
A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man , Isle of
Man Family History Society Journal Vol. 9 No 1 Jan 1987
Through out this Family tree I would like to give Acknowledgements to:
I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Lesley McNaughton N.Z. Frances Coakley UK , John Stowell UK , Carol Woodcock UK ,
Liz Newland A.U. ( plus a lot of other friends who have helped and guided me through this project.
also the Manx Museum Heritage Center.
The I.G.I also the Parish Records in the Isle of Man.
Brian E. P.Kneen 1999 (c)
Children of JOHN QUISHNOGA are:
2. i. JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN, b. 1539, Isle of Man.
3. ii. WILLIAM QUISHNOGA ( QUISHLAGAN), b. 1539, Kirk Patrick / Santon , Isle of Man.
4. iii. LAURANCE QUISHLAGAN, b. 1539, Isle of Man.
Generation No. 2
2. JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN (JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1539 in Isle of Man.
Notes for JOHN QUISHLAGAN:
John Quishlagan
No history of Santon Church would be complete without reference to the Cosnahan family. Which included four Vicars of Santon and also three Vicars of Kirk Braddan , making a total of seven clergymen, of whom six and their wives are buried under what is called " The' Great Stone". This stone covers the Cosnahan family grave in the churchyard, near the south-west end of the Church..note "5
Vicar of Jurby 1575-88, of Patrick 1585-1621 note ..."2
The first clergyman on record of the name of Cosnahan is a John Cosnahan
(written Quislahan) .Who was Vicar of Jurby 1575 in (P.B.) note "13 [ He was
Vicar of Kirk German in 1621 and also within Peel Castle in 1653.
It is said the first John was the only clergyman in the island who ventured,
during the rule of Lord Fairfax, to baptize children according to the rites
of the Established Church....note "8
Reference Note 2
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A dated 1941 (taken from Internet)
Reference Note 3
Cosnahan burials from Frances Coakley via Brian E.P. Kneen
Reference Note 5
A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man , Isle of Man
Family History Society Journal Vol. 9 No 1 Jan 1987
Reference Note 8
Manx Worthies
Reference Note 13
IGI
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of JOHN QUISHLAGAN is:
5. i. WILLIAM3 COSNAHAN, b. Bef. 1570, Kirk Santon Isle of Man; d. 1618, Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
3. WILLIAM QUISHNOGA (2 QUISHLAGAN) (JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1539 in Kirk Patrick / Santon , Isle of Man.
Notes for WILLIAM QUISHNOGA ( QUISHLAGAN):
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY. by ....CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A. in 1941
THE NAME " COSNAHAN."
The name is obviously not Manx. It supports the statement of Bishop Wilson that the original member of the family came from Scotland and that the name is Scots Celtic. Mr. W. W. Gill has found out that Cosnochtane, Cosnauchan, and Cosnoch, were the changing names of an estate in Clackmannan, Scotland. Woulfe, Irish Names, considers that the name is allied to the Gaelic cosnoch, a defender, and Kneen points to a similar Manx word, cosney. But the name itself passes through a series of changes in Man that cannot fail to interest a philologist. It appears first as Quishnoga, and passes through " Quistnoghan, Quosnochan, Coshnoghan, Costnoe, Coanahan, Costenham, Coshnaham," and various other spellings.
THE COSNAHANS OF PATRICK.
The First Cosnahan is stated by Bishop Wilson to have come to the Island about 1530 and to have had three sons, one of whom he settled on a piece of land bought in the been of Balymore, and known as Ballaquiggin. (This piece of land is probably the farmstead now known as Ballacosnahan, Kirk Patrick.) Another son settled in Kirk Santan. The third son's home is not stated, and it is probable that this branch was extinct before the time of Bishop Wilson. Nothing is known of the personality of this original Quishnoga.
The Three Families arising from the original Quishnoga will be dealt with seriatim, beginning with the branch whose homestead was not recorded by the Bishop. This son was presumably Lawrence. Lawrence Quishnoga appears several times in ancient records; about 1539 he was a merchant in " Peele-towne." He had a son Lawrence who appears once as fighting with one Pat Quiggin, in the Book of Precedents, and again, some years later (1590), as buying a piece of ground, also from Pat Quiggin. But after this time there is no record of any of his progeny, and it is presumed that, as the family was not mentioned by Bishop Wilson', the line had died out. " William " Quishnoga appears in Lib. Assed. in 1538 as the owner of Ballaquiggin, in the Treen of Balymore. For many generations there is a continuous line of Quishnogas, Quishnoghans and Cosnoghans holding Ballaquiggin. None of them appears in any other record than Lib. Assed. so far noted, but they appear to have been prosperous farmers, adding land from time to time to their holding.
In 1580 two Cosnaghans signed a petition for a Church at Patrick, one Hugh, the other Thomas. As Ballaquiggin at this time was owned by William, son of the first William, these two land-owners would presumably be brothers of the William at Ballaquiggin. The first of this line to become reasonably well-known has William, who was claimed as an ancestor by Colonel W. J. Anderson, Receiver-General. From this point, the family is fairly easily followed. This William died 1702, had two grandsons, William (b. 1703, d. 1755) the grandfather of Col. Anderson,' and John, Captain of the parish of German. William is buried at Patrick, and from his title of " Captain " it may be assumed that he was Captain of the Parish of Patrick. He had only one daughter, Ann 1755-1824. William also appears as Coroner for Glenfaba. His daughter Ann became a well-known character; she married Dr. Thomas, a surgeon retired from the Royal Navy, who settled down at Ballacosnahan, while practising in Peel. They had no surviving son, but a large family of daughters, several of them remembered by Peel folk. Sage Ann Thomas married Captain John Gelling of Castletown and became the mother of John Caesar Gelling, M.H.K.
Maria and Sophia married brother officers. Maria married Capt. Ronald Macdonald, a direct descendant of the only survivor of the massacre of Glencoe. Sophia married Captain Anderson, and their son was Colonel Anderson, the Receiver General. Young Ronald Macdonald joined the amly, made a great name for himself in the Crimean War, and was very seriously wounded; on recovering he was made Governor of Edinburgh Castle. Mrs. Thomas left the estate of Ballacosnahan to her daughter Margaret, who left it to young Ronald MacDonald, who sold it to his cousin Col. Anderson, and he left it to his godson and nephew Colonel W. A. W. Crellin, M.C., brother of Captain John Frissel Crellin the present owner of Ballacurry, Andreas, and M.L.C. Colonel Crellin was killed in the 1914-18 war, and the estate went to his brother, Arthur Murray Crellin, the present owner. The Cosnahan male line ended with this grandfather of Colonel Anderson, so far as the senior branch was concerned.
John Cosnahan , 1720-90, married Christian Crelling daughter of Patrick Crelling of Breck-y-Broom, German. He had a family of nine. There was a sister, Jane, who married Peter Lace of Peel. John owned and farmed Balla-kil-woirrey. He was executor to his brother William. Of John's children, only three survived him. William, the eldest, who took over the farm, married Jane Mylvoirrey of Driney (Rockmount), and had ten children. Jane , his sister, married her cousin, John Crelling of Breck-y-Broom, and Ann the other surviving sister married William Gell of Castletown.
William passed Ballakilwoirrey on to his son Charles, but for some reason the Cosnahan family on this side, at this juncture began to decline in importance and worth. Charles , the eldest son (1784-1859), married Ann Quirk of Glenneedle, Foxdale. He and Ann are buried in S. Peter's Church, Peel. Of their children, Thomas , b. 1797, became schoolmaster and clerk of Patrick. His son was a keeper of a bark house in Peel, and died unmarried in 1915. John , brother of Thomas , was for some years coroner of Rushen, and the Archdeacon Emeritus (John Kewley) told me that he (John Cosnahan) held an enquiry into the death of the Archdeacon's grandfather, which occurred accidentally in 1845.
William , son of Charles, went to Australia and returned a relatively prosperous man. He married a wife reputed to be the natural daughter of Deemster Crellin, and they lived a stormy life. 'the wife was found drowned in a quarry in 1896, and Dr. Gell of Peel (now in Douglas) remembers being called to investigate the cause of death. William had bought and farmed the desolate and lonely farm of Staarvey above Rhenass (Glen Helen), and he left it to his son Charles, who in turn left it to his brother John , who worked Congary Farm, near Peel. Thomas Cosnahan, another brother, the host of the Union Hotel, Castletown, started an action against John for the possession of Staarvey, but failed. John was unmarried, and on his death left the Staarvey to his sister Eleanor, who had been his housekeeper, who in her turn left it to her niece (the daughter of Thomas of Castletown), who is the present owner - Mrs. Corkish, of Albion Terrace, Derby Square, Douglas. dated 1941
Thomas, mine host of the Union, took part in a very remarkable family romance. He married a Cosnahan, who was in fact, though he did not know it (nor apparently did she), the last survivor of the Santan branch, thus bringing about the fusion of the two surviving branches now so greatly attenuated. One could have hoped that a new line would have been started, but there were only two children, the present owner of Staarvey, Mrs. Emily Corkish, and her brother Thomas, a house-painter, accidentally killed in Manchester in 1909, leaving no heir Thomas mine host was apparently a litigiously-minded man, for on behalf of his wife he put in a claim for the property of Mark Cosnahan, a Liverpool merchant of the Santan line (q.v.). He was not completely successful, though many well able to judge think he ought to have been successful. But he accepted a compromise payment of £800. Another brother, James, died in Douglas in 1909, and left an estate of £9,000. He was buried in Braddan, where he is commemorated by a tombstone erected by his niece, presumably Mrs. Corkish.
THE SANTAN BRANCH
Is far better recorded, and achieved a more continuous fame than the Patrick branch.
There is some mystery about the first member of the line. His name is not known, but it is presumed that, like his son and grandson, he was a John. He may have been a parson, and Vicar of Santan, but there is no record, His son, John Quishlagan , was Vicar of Jurby (1575-85) and of German with Patrick (1585-1621). His signature remains on an ecclesiastical petition " John Quishnogan."
His son, Sir John Coshenham (also Custenham), b. 1580, d. 1656, was Vicar of Santan till he was deposed under the Cromwell regime. He appears to have been an old roysterer, for he is recorded as keeping an ale-house, being assaulted by a mob of men to the danger of his life, and pulling the beard of Nicholas Moore during the prelacy of Bishop Parr. Nor did his churchwardens have a very high opinion of him, though apparently they were somewhat nervous about saying so too bluntly. (Manx Museum Journal, 1931, p. 33.) He or his father had raised " The Great Stone" in Santan Churchyard, which became the tombstone of the family vault, a monstrous piece of schist weighing about thirty hundredweight.
William Cosnahan, his brother, seems to have been a man of similar mould. He became Vicar of German, died the year after, and was buried under the Great Stone. He went through the siege of Peel Castle,- and carried on the services of the Cathedral church for Lady Derby. He, too, was an old roysterer. Instead of keeping the alehouse himself, he allowed his daughter Margery to keep it for him, for which he was reproved by the Bishop. He was also fined for brawling and bloodshed. Further, he was fined and reproved for a wealth of foul language. And his wife, too, was condemned to wear the bridle on a Sunday in Peel Churchyard, for slander.
John of Santan was succeeded in that vicarage by his son Hugh, not directly, for the vicariate was vacant during the Commonwealth, the parish being administered by an Anabaptist, Crowe, a toady of Governor Challenor. The son Hugh, generally known as Sir Hugh , gained great fame in the Island as a rider to hounds, and a horseman generally. He was Vicar of Santan 1667-1690.
He was succeeded as Vicar of Santan by his son " Sir ,' John . It was during his vicariate that Bishop Wilson arrived, and the Bishop evidently had a great regard for the Vicar. The roystering ale-drinking type was replaced by a much more dignified type of parish clergyman. Sir John bought Ballavilley from Thomas Quaye in 1703. But it was to Sir John's eldest son John that Bishop Wilson was so devoted. This John failed to get the choice of the Earl of Derby of that time to become Vicar of Santan, and the long line of Santan Vicars was broken. Instead, the Bishop made him Vicar of Braddan, and almost immediately Vicar-General. It is by the title of Vicar-General that he is generally known. He proved to be a most astute business man, devoted to the saintly Bishop Wilson, and his name appears on countless ecclesiastical documents of the period.
Vicar-General John married Ann Karran (also sometimes spelt Corran and Corrin). They had six children, two sons, Joseph and Hugh, and four daughters, Amle, Jane, Catherine, and Margaret, all of whom were noteworthy. Taking the daughters first, Anne married Thomas Harrison of Ballahick, Malew, and is buried in Malew Church. Catherine married the Revd. Sam Gale (or Gell), Vicar of Lonan. Her tombstone at 1,onan records her most un-Cosnahan saintliness. Jane married William Bridson, a Douglas merchant. Margaret married Captain Robert Brown, and was the great-grandmother of T. E. Brown. The sons Joseph and Hugh both had very large families. Joseph succeeded his father as Vicar of Braddan, 1750-1768.
Revd. Joseph Cosnahan) was twice married. His first wife Margaret Cesar was daughter of a Douglas merchant. By her he had four children, one son Julius, and three daughters, ;Margaret and Anne (twins) and Jane. By his second wife, Catherine Radcliffe daughter of the Vicar of Patrick, whom he married in 1760, he had four sons and a daughter. The members of this family will be taken seriatim, for in them the male line of this branch came to an end.
Revd. Julius Cosnahan of the Castletown Academic School, and eventually was curate of S. George's, and Vicar for one year (1785) of Braddan, where he died. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Deemster Moore of Rushen Abbey. There were no children. Of his twin sisters, Anne married Julius Bacon of Douglas, and became mistress of Ballavilley, Santan. She presented the very fine set of Communion plate to Santan Church.
Margaret married William Barton Tennison, a member of an Irish (Mayo) family living in Douglas, who was the founder of the Douglas Theatre. Their son married his cousin Isabel Cosnahan . Their daughter Dorothy married John Spittall, a Douglas merchant, and was the ancestress of the Spittall family of Injebreck. Jane married Francis de la Pryme in 1782. Of the second family, the eldest son Captain John Joseph Cosnahan became head of the family on the death of Julius, and was a master mariner. He was married but childless. He had to sell various portions of Cosnahan lands, and the deeds of transfer are many. He was Captain of the brig " Bella." His younger brother Robert read for Holy Orders, and hoped to become Vicar of Patrick, but his mind gave way and he died insane in Peel. Two young sons, Radcliffe and Mark, died and were buried at Patrick with their grandparents. The daughter Catherine married an Irishman, by name Roger Casement.
Return must now be made to the parallel line descended from the Vicar-General, through his son Hugh, now the senior branch.
Hugh Cosnahan , M.H.K., was born at Santan 1728. In 1773 he married Ellinor Finch. They lived first at Ballakelly, Santan, but later in Douglas. He was elected to the Keys in 1777, and died 1799. He had a family of fifteen, most of whom died young. He is described as " a man of persuasive eloquence," and " the darling of the Keys." Hugh Cosnahan was chosen by the Keys to go to London, together with George Moore, to set before the Imperial Government the case for the Keys, as against that of the Duke of Atholl, concerning adjustments in payments to the Atholl family of customs dues, etc. The Duke of Atholl charged him with being the fomenter of all the trouble, which evidence shows to have been a very unmerited charge. Later in his life he lived at Ballakew, Ma'ew, and was treasurer for the fund for building S. Mark's Church, of which he was first Churchwarden. Hugh bought much land in Braddan, including the large farms of Ballafletcher and Larkhill. Of his family of fifteen, six grew up, and were married.
These mark probably the zenith of the family. The three sons, all prominent men in the life of the Island, were John Deemster, Mark, merchant of Ballafletcher and later Liverpool, James, merchant of Larkhill; the daughters, Catherine, married first John Moore, son of Sir George, and second, James Wilks collector of customs of Castletown. She s buried with her second husband, and her nephew, in Old Ballaugh Church. Anne married Dr. Curghey, or Currey, of Liverpool, and was the mother of the famous Liverpool coroner of that name. Eleanor married in Bishopscourt an Irish clergyman, Revd. R. Dodd.
The eldest son, John, born in 1754, died in 1819, became Deemster. He married his cousin Catherine Finch, and had a family of seven sons (all noteworthy) and one daughter, Catherine, who married Chris. Bridson. John Cosnahan was co-opted to the Keys in 1779, presumably on the death of his father. He was trained as a lawyer, and became the first High Bailiff of Douglas. In 1810 he was appointed Water Bailiff. Like his father, he was sent to London to represent the Keys in 1791. He is said to have made a magnificent speech at the Bar of the Commons. The Deemster seems to have been very " difficult " in matters of personality. He seems to have had a great contempt for anybody who toadied to the Atholl camp, and w as many times complaining about the lowness of his salary. He was the first Deemster ever appointed who could not speak Manks, and had to have an interpreter. Since his very distinguished family left no heirs, or even heiresses, it is best to consider them now.
The eldest, John Finch , was apprenticed to, and later became a partner in, the firm of Messrs. George & James Abel of Cloath Lane, London. He was buried in the grave of his aunt, Mrs. Wilks, at Ballaugh. He was unmarried.
Michael ) was one of the naval sons. He served as a middy under Nelson, and later earned distinction in the Crimean War. He died aged 85, and is buried at S. Peter's in Thanet. He was married, but childless.
Hugh reached the rank of Captain R.N., and that at the very early age of 24. He was married and had two sons. ()ne, Charles, died in infancy. The other, George, was in the Navy, but while still a middy was drowned.
Augustus died young and unmarried.
Philip lived a short but eventful life. He also was in the Navy. For some time he was aboard H.M.S. " Shannon," and was mentioned in dispatches following the immortal duel of that ship with the " Chesapeake." Unfortunately he was drowned in the packet " Lord Hill " when she foundered in Liverpool Bay. His body was washed up, and he was buried in his uncle's vault in S. James' Church, Liverpool.
James Mark was brought up as an advocate, and took over his father's office. He died, however, just before his father, and was buried at Braddan. Mark James entered the service of the East India Company (military branch) and died in India. So ended the male line along this branch.
The Deemster's brother, James Cosnahan) of Larkhill, was probably the wealthiest of the family. The farm was bought as Greathill, rebuilt by James, and re-named Larkhill, in Abbeylands, Braddan.In his early life he was captain of the brig " Six Sisters," trading to all parts of the world. He appears to have bought Ballafletcher from his brother Mark, and sold it again to Mungo Murray. He was a prominent " Buck," ran a bank, lived a gay life, and married Ann Moore of Ballamoar, Braddan. He had four children. The eldest, Richard, was an advocate, with an office in Fort Street, who was imprisoned in Castle Rushen in 1818 for debt, and was adjudged bankrupt. James married Ann Farrant,, and had five children, the three sons all dying young. One daughter, Ellinor, married Revd. Bowyer Harrison of Kirk Maughold. The other daughter, whom we have noted above, married William Barton Tennison, her cousin.
Thus all the senior lines of Cosnahan ended except for the last son of the Vicar-General, Mark ), who achieved some fame. He was a Douglas merchant and owner of Ballafletcher, which he sold, and went to live in Liverpool. Among other property he owned was Rosehill Farm on Richmond Hill. He married his cousin, Alice Bridson, and they had five children. Mark was a very versatile man. He ran a bank in Douglas, and later in Liverpool. He took the greatest interest in shipping and navigation. He wrote pamphlets on magnetic variation, on safety of the crew in packet boats, on replacing manual labour by steam, and many others. He bought a ship, the " Victory," which later he sold to Sir John Ross for his expedition to find the North-West Passage. Another boat, the " Harriet," he offered in shares to the Manx public. He was buried in the Church of S. James, Liverpool.
His sons, Hugh and Clark ), both went to sea. Both died at a comparatively early age. Hugh was captain of the " Quorra," Mark of the " Neptune." Hugh had a daughter Eleanor who married, as we have seen, Thomas Cosnahan, mine host of the Union Hotel, Castletown, thus uniting the only two marriageable members of the two families. On her behalf Thomas claimed the estates of her grandfather Mark, but he had to compromise with other claimants, as we have seen. Mark had a daughter Ellinor, who disgraced the family by eloping with a Douglas joiner, Robert Kaye, a most respected man and an excellent workman. Many of his children and grandchildren still survive in Douglas to-day. This was written in 1941 and there are still descendants today in 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Genealogical Table, has been deposited in the Manx Museum. in 1941
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Children of WILLIAM QUISHNOGA ( QUISHLAGAN) are:
6. i. WILLIAM3 QUISHNOGA, b. Kirk Patrick Isle of Man.
7. ii. HUGH QUISHNOGA.
8. iii. THOMAS QUISHNOGA.
4. LAURANCE2 QUISHLAGAN (JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1539 in Isle of Man.
Notes for LAURANCE QUISHLAGAN:
The Three Families arising from the original Quishnoga in 1510 will be dealt with seriatim, beginning with the branch whose homestead was not recorded by the Bishop.The third son Laurance's home is not stated, But Peel town is mentioned in a lot of sources.
This son was presumably Lawrence. Lawrence Quishnoga appears several times in ancient records; about 1539 he was a merchant in " Peele-towne." He had a son Lawrence who appears once as fighting with one Pat Quiggin, in the Book of Precedents, and again, some years later (1590), as buying a piece of ground, also from Pat Quiggin. But after this time there is no record of any of his progeny, and it is presumed that, as the family was not mentioned by Bishop Wilson', the line had died out.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of LAURANCE QUISHLAGAN is:
i. LAWRENCE3 QUISHLAGAN.
Notes for LAWRENCE QUISHLAGAN:
Lawrence son of Laurence Quishlagan . Also appears in the Book of Precedents and in Lib. Vast. 1590.
Because he had been fighting with Pat Quiggin when he bought land from Pat Quiggin.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
More About LAWRENCE QUISHLAGAN:
Occupation: Abt. 1539, Merchant in Peel town Isle of Man
Generation No. 3
5. WILLIAM3 COSNAHAN (JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN, JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born Bef. 1570 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man, and died 1618 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
Notes for WILLIAM COSNAHAN:
The Revd, William Cosnahan was Vicar of Kirk Santon 1614-1618.
Sources:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Children of WILLIAM COSNAHAN are:
9. i. JOHN4 COSNAHAN, b. 1575, Kirk Santon Isle of Man; d. June 24, 1656, Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
10. ii. WILLIAM COSNAHAN, b. 1595, Kirk Santon Isle of Man; d. June 23, 1657, Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
11. iii. ELLINOR COSNAHAN, d. 1644, Kirk Braddan , Isle of Man.
6. WILLIAM3 QUISHNOGA (WILLIAM QUISHNOGA (2 QUISHLAGAN), JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born in Kirk Patrick Isle of Man.
Notes for WILLIAM QUISHNOGA:
This William is identified by # 6 re: story of Canon Stennings Kirk Patrick Family Tree.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of WILLIAM QUISHNOGA is:
12. i. JOHN4 COSNAHAN, b. 1560.
7. HUGH3 QUISHNOGA (WILLIAM QUISHNOGA (2 QUISHLAGAN), JOHN1 QUISHNOGA).
Notes for HUGH QUISHNOGA:
This Hugh is identified by # 9 re: story of Canon Stennings Kirk Patrick Family Tree.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of HUGH QUISHNOGA is:
i. JOHN4 COSNAHAN.
Notes for JOHN COSNAHAN:
This John is identified by # 11 re: story of Kirk Patrick Family Tree. Son of Hugh.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
8. THOMAS3 QUISHNOGA (WILLIAM QUISHNOGA (2 QUISHLAGAN), JOHN1 QUISHNOGA).
Notes for THOMAS QUISHNOGA:
This Thomas is identified by # 10 re: story of Canon Stennings Kirk Patrick Family Tree. Brother off #9.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of THOMAS QUISHNOGA is:
i. THOMAS4 COSNAHAN.
Notes for THOMAS COSNAHAN:
This Thomas is identified as son of # 10 Thomas re: Canon Stennings story of Kirk Patrick Family Tree.
Sources:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516
Generation No. 4
9. JOHN4 COSNAHAN (WILLIAM3, JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN, JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1575 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man, and died June 24, 1656 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
Notes for JOHN COSNAHAN:
Death Date: 24 Jun 1656.....note"18
Death Place: Santon
Burial Date: 25 Jun 1656.......note"18
Burial Place: Under Great Stone, Kirk Santon, Isle of Man
Occupation: Vicar Of Santon 1618-1656, Kept Ale House
Residences: BallaKelly
Occupation: Vicar Of Santon 1618-1656, Kept Ale House
Residences: BallaKelly
In the 17th century Vicars' stipends were so small that in some cases the
Vicars kept an ale house to augment their incomes. Eventually this anomaly
was rectified by raising their stipends to a more realistic amount, for
that period.......note " ï1
The Spiritual Courts intervened in matrimonial difficulties, the Sumner
having to be the equivalent of a modern Welfare Officer. In 1644 the
Archdeacon and Vicar-General ordered that "N.M. of Santon shall fit and
furnish his wife from Tagart - with a suit from top to tow, accordinge to
his and her - eynce and callinge and this without fayle to be done before
Tuesday the 12th of December and thereof -neighbours (whereof the Sumner is
to be one) to see that she be well used in foode and other necessaries ".
The records also show that Sir John pulled an offending parishioner,
Nicholas Moore, by his beard.........note" ï1
He kept an ale house; pulled the beard of one Nicholas Moore and erected,
(or possibly his father did), the Great Stone, a massive piece of schist....note" 5
What happened during the Commonwealth period is difficult to unravel.
Nominally Sir John was Vicar until his death in 1656 when he was succeeded
by Edward Crowe. Then followed one John Halstead, who was deposed, and Sir
Hugh Cosnahan, who was renowned for his horsemanship and was given the
vicarage. He was the son of Sir John. .........note" ï1
The following extracts from records are of interest.
1656: 'Sir John Cosnahan, late Vicar of KK St. Ann, being Minister in the
said Parish, 38 years departed this life 24th of June, and was buried the
next day following in ye yard under the great broad stone, for he left in
his last will that he should be buried there.' The Great Broad Stone as it
is called ,covers the remains of six Clergymen of the name of ìCosnahanî.
Four of whom were Vicars of Santon ï1 (KK St. Ann was later called Kirk
Santon)
Sir John Coshenham (also Custenham), b. 1580, d. 1656, was Vicar of Santan
till he was deposed under the Cromwell regime. He appears to have been an
old roysterer, for he is recorded as keeping an ale-house, being assaulted
by a mob of men to the danger of his life, and pulling the beard of
Nicholas Moore during the prelacy of Bishop Parr. Nor did his churchwardens
have a very high opinion of him, though apparently they were somewhat
nervous about saying so too bluntly. (Manx Museum Journal, 1931, p. 33.) He
or his father had raised " The Great Stone" in Santan Churchyard, which
became the tombstone of the family vault, a monstrous piece of schist
weighing about thirty hundredweight......note"2
According to Bishop Wilson, writing in 1739, this Sir John Cossnahan
purchased the estate of BallaKelly.....note"4
A list of former Vicars of Santon included Sir John Cosnaghan, vicar for
38 years, who was buried under the great stone in the churchyard, June 24,
1656...note "6 [Braddan Parish]
Sources:
Research:
ï1 Isle of Man Family History Society Journal Vol 9 No 1 Jan 1987- A Short
History of St.Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man3
Reference Note 2
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A dated 1941 (taken from Internet)
Reference Note 3
Cosnahan burials from Frances Coakley via Brian E. P. Kneen
Reference Note 4
Brian E. P. Kneen's family records
Reference Note 5
A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man , Isle of Man
Family History Society Journal Vol 9 No 1 Jan 1987
Reference Note 6
Parochial Tour Index ... Memorial Inscriptions on Internet
Reference Note 8
Manx Worthies
Reference Note 15
STOWELL/BROWN/COSNAHAN - IoM tree from J. A. STOWELL mar 1995 - via Brian E. P.Kneen
Reference Note 18
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
More About JOHN COSNAHAN:
Burial: June 25, 1656, Kirk Santon Isle of Man
Burial place: Under Great Stone Kirk Santon .
Occupation: Vicar of Santon 1618-1656
Residence: Ballakelly
Child of JOHN COSNAHAN is:
i. HUGH5 COSNAHAN, b. 1639, Kirk Santon Isle of Man; d. September 1690, Kirk Santon Isle of Man.
Notes for HUGH COSNAHAN:
Sir Hugh Cosnahan was renowned for his horsemanship. Hugh succeeded his father in the vicarage of Santon but not directly, for the vicariate was vacant during the Commonwealth, the parish being
administered by an Anabaptist, Crowe.Sir Hugh was Vicar of Santan 1667-1690. He gained great fame in the Island as a rider to hounds, and a horseman generally.
He was Vicar of Santan
1667-1690......note "2
A list of former Vicars of Santon included Sir Hugh Cosnaghan, vicar for
23 years, died in 1690.....note " 6 [Santon Parish]
Possibly m Isable CALLIN.......note "15
Sources:
Reference Note 2
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A (taken from Internet)
Cosnahan burials from Frances Coakley via Brian E. P. Kneen
Brian E. P. Kneen's family records
A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man , Isle of Man
Family History Society Journal Vol 9 No 1 Jan 1987
Reference Note 6
Parochial Tour Index ... Memorial Inscriptions on Internet
Reference Note 15
STOWELL/BROWN/COSNAHAN - IoM tree from J. A. STOWELL mar 1995 - via Brian E. P.Kneen
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
More About HUGH COSNAHAN:
Burial: 1690, Kirk Santon Isle of Man
Burial place: Under Great Stone Kirk Santon .
Occupation: Vicar of Santon 1667- 1690
Residence: Ballakelly
10. WILLIAM4 COSNAHAN (WILLIAM3, JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN, JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1595 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man, and died June 23, 1657 in Kirk Santon Isle of Man. He married ELIZABETH BRIDSON.
Notes for WILLIAM COSNAHAN:
Birth Date: Before 1595......note"15
Death Date: 23 Jun 1657......note"18
Burial Date: 24 Jun 1657......note"18
Burial Place: Under Great Stone, Kirk Santon, Isle of Man
Occupation: Vicar Of Peel, Vicar Of German 1656-7
'And likewise, Sir Wm. Cosnahan, his Brother, late Vicar of KK German,
departed this life the 23rd June 1657, and was buried the day following in
the Chancell in his father's Grave & Sir. Tho. Harrison preached his
funeral Sermon and his text was out of the 25th of the first book of the
Kings and the last verse. (There is no such chapter, he must have meant the
2nd Book of Kings - a plain Historical simple text enough, but if Sir
Thomas's text was taken from the last Chapter and last verse of the 1st
Book of the Kings, he did not, I fancy, preach much to the Honour of
Brother Sir William. "Truly, Sir Thomas, your text would, in the
preventage, appear very extraordinary at the head of a Funeral Sermon ....note". ï1
William Cosnahan, his brother, seems to have been a man of similar mould.
He became Vicar of German, died the year after, and was buried under the
Great Stone. He went through the siege of Peel Castle,- and carried on the
services of the Cathedral church for Lady Derby. He, too, was an old
roysterer. Instead of keeping the alehouse himself, he allowed his daughter
Margery to keep it for him, for which he was reproved by the Bishop. He was
also fined for brawling and bloodshed. Further, he was fined and reproved
for a wealth of foul language. And his wife, too, was condemned to wear the
bridle on a Sunday in Peel Churchyard, for slander.....note "5
Research:
ï1 Isle of Man Family History Society Journal Vol 9 No 1 Jan 1987- A Short
History of St.Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man 3
Spouse: Elizabeth BRIDSON
Sources:
Reference Note 3
Cosnahan burials from Frances Coakley via Brian E. P. Kneen
Reference Note 5
A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man , Isle of Man
Family History Society Journal Vol 9 No 1 Jan 1987
Reference Note 15
STOWELL/BROWN/COSNAHAN - IoM tree from J. A. STOWELL March 1995 - via Brian E. P.Kneen
Reference Note 18
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
More About WILLIAM COSNAHAN:
Burial: June 24, 1657, Kirk Santon , Isle of Man
Children of WILLIAM COSNAHAN and ELIZABETH BRIDSON are:
i. WILLIAM5 COSNAHAN, m. ANN CROW, August 18, 1673, Jurby Isle of Man.
Notes for WILLIAM COSNAHAN:
William COSNAHAN who (m) = Ann CROWE on 18 Aug 1673 at Jurby...note "13
Sources:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
ii. ANNE COSNAHAN.
iii. ELINOR COSNAHAN, m. WILLIAM MCQUIRE, July 24, 1715, Kirk Malew Isle of Man.
iv. ELIZABETH COSNAHAN.
v. MARGERY COSNAHAN.
Notes for MARGERY COSNAHAN:
Burial Date: 9 Apr 1690 re:18
Occupation: Alehouse Keeper
Note 18:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
11. ELLINOR4 COSNAHAN (WILLIAM3, JOHN2 QUISHLAGAN, JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) died 1644 in Kirk Braddan , Isle of Man. She married EDWARD FLETCHER.
Notes for ELLINOR COSNAHAN:
Spouse Dau of Sylvester Radcliffe, she was Thomas's 2nd wife ï1
Spouse Research:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
More About ELLINOR COSNAHAN:
Burial: November 27, 1644, Kirk Braddan, Isle of Man
Children of ELLINOR COSNAHAN and EDWARD FLETCHER are:
i. ANN5 FLETCHER, m. JOHN THOMPSON.
Notes for JOHN THOMPSON:
Source: John Thompson was son of Sir Patrick Thompson.
ii. DAU2 FLETCHER, m. BRIDSON.
iii. DAU3 FLETCHER, m. WILLIAM KERMOT.
iv. THOMAS FLETCHER, b. 1615; d. December 30, 1685; m. JAINE RADCLIFFE.
Notes for THOMAS FLETCHER:
Spouse Dau of Sylvester Radcliffe, she was Thomas's 2nd wife re: note 2
Spouse Research:
Sources:
Reference Note 2
RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A dated 1941 (taken from Internet)
More About THOMAS FLETCHER:
Occupation: Deemster
Notes for JAINE RADCLIFFE:
Source info:
Jaine Radcliffe was daughter of Sylvester Radcliffe ,she was Thomas's second wife .
v. RICHARD FLETCHER.
vi. MARGARET FLETCHER, b. March 11, 1626/27, Kirk Braddan Isle of Man.
vii. JANE FLETCHER, b. July 21, 1629, Kirk Braddan Isle of Man; m. JAMES MOORE CAPT.
viii. ANN FLETCHER.
12. JOHN4 COSNAHAN (WILLIAM3 QUISHNOGA, WILLIAM QUISHNOGA (2 QUISHLAGAN), JOHN1 QUISHNOGA) was born 1560.
Notes for JOHN COSNAHAN:
This John is identified by # 5 re: story of Kirk Patrick Family Tree.
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Child of JOHN COSNAHAN is:
i. WILLIAM5 COSNAHAN, b. 1600.
Notes for WILLIAM COSNAHAN:
Wiiliam is identified by #8 in the family tree of Canon Stennings.
Sources:
Acknowledgements to the I.o.Man N.H.A.S vol4 #4 p516 .
Please note SOURCES Throughout : First Cosnahan / Kirk Santon /Kirk Patrick / Families
1. STOWELL/BROWN/COSNAHAN - IoM tree from John. A. STOWELL 1995 - via Brian E. P. Kneen
2. A Short History of St. Sanctain's Church, Santon, Isle of Man, Isle of Man Family History Society Journal Vol. 9 No 1 Jan 1987
3. RECORDS OF THE COSNAHAN FAMILY in 1941 by CANON E. H. STENNING, M.A dated 1941 (taken from Internet)
4. Brian E.P. Kneen's family records, parish records, the I.G.I and information supplied by many friends world-wide.
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