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Copy of a letter from the Catholic inhabitants of the Isle of Man to Rev Dr Briggs

Copy of a letter from the Catholic inhabitants of the Isle of Man to Rev Dr Briggs, Roman Catholic Lord Bishop of the Diocese of the Northern District of England expressing their thanks for the care and interest the Bishop has shown for their well being. Requests more help from the Bishop. Remarks '…they cannot…refrain from expressing their sentiments upon…the future well being of the mission in this island where they regret to say such undesirable bigotry exists together with calumny hatred and abuse of the most virulent description is daily and yearly preached and propagated against their religion…they believe it the only means…of upholding successfully the Catholic Religion in this small island would be to appoint to the Mission and to its management here an able experienced clergyman…'

Fr Gahan's wish to administer to the Catholic population on the Isle of Man

Letter from James Duff, Liverpool to Rev. Matthew J. Gahan SJ, Hardwicke Street Chapel, Dublin seeking confirmation of Fr Gahan's wish to administer to the Catholic population on the Isle of Man. Remarks that he has been in contact with the Bishop who agreed to appoint Fr Gahan to the post as long as his own Bishop agrees.

Duff, James

From Fr Patrick Bracken SJ to James O'Shaughnessy, 10 February 1850

From Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, writing from Tullabeg, to James O'Shaughnessy. Replies to the latter’s enquiry in relation to Fr Gahan’s will, and also with regard to the agreement to Bishop Briggs to give £800 to the Society in compensation for their property on the Isle of Man.

Bracken, Patrick, 1795-1867, Jesuit priest

Lease for Club room, Athol Street, Isle of Man

Parties:
Thomas Crelly, Painter, Douglas, Isle of Man and his wife Margaret Crelly and Fr Matthew Gahan SJ.

Property:
Large house known as the Club Room, yard, stables, offices and buildings, Athol Street, Douglas.

Terms & Conditions:
In consideration of a sum of £600.

Lease for property known as the old Club Room, Athol Street

Parties:
Rev. Matthew Joseph Gahan SJ and Thomas Redfern.

Property:
Stables, yard and dwelling house known as the old Club Room, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man.

Terms & Conditions
For a term of 5 years at a yearly rent of £15 to be paid on 12 November and 12 May.

Letter from Bishop Briggs to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, 24 March 1836

Letter from Bishop Briggs, writing from Ushaw College, Durham to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ in the Isle of Man. Writes in relation to the admission to the Sacraments of members of various societies, and advises Gahan in relation to those to exclude (e.g., members of the Knights of St. Patrick), and those not to exclude (e.g., members of the Freemasons).

Briggs, John, 1788-1861, Roman Catholic Bishop of Beverley

Letter from Bishop Briggs to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 27 February 1837

From Bishop Briggs in York to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Thanks him for informing him that the new chapel at Douglas had been used for Mass. Refers to Fr Aylmer’s presence on the island, and undertakes to relieve him as soon as possible. Asks Fr Bracken to forward him a statement in relation to property due to the Society.

Briggs, John, 1788-1861, Roman Catholic Bishop of Beverley

Letter from Bishop Briggs to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 28 April 1837

From Bishop Briggs in York to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Refers to the latter’s two previous letters, of 14 April and 12 March. Reports that Fr Aylmer and Dr Youens have corresponded on the subject of the property and debts of the Mission. Also reports that he has been attempting to secure someone to relieve Fr Aylmer on the island.

Briggs, John, 1788-1861, Roman Catholic Bishop of Beverley

Letter from Bishop John Briggs, 13 December 1835

From Bishop Briggs to [ ]. Thanks the latter for his letter detailing his visit to the Isle of Man, and gives permission for the new chapel at Douglas to be used for divine service, on certain conditions. Wishes also to have a written assurance from ‘Dr. Kenny’ to the effect that the conditions would be complied with.

Briggs, John, 1788-1861, Roman Catholic Bishop of Beverley

Letter from Bishop Penswick to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ on a potential visit to the Isle of Man

Letter from Bishop Penswick, Liverpool to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man concerning a visit he had intended to make to the island. Remarks that because the habeas corpus act has not been sanctioned by the legislators he is going to postpone his visit. Remarks 'I have often thought of you and even expected to be in a situation to relieve your wants; whenever my hopes are realised I will not overlook you.'

Penswick, Thomas, 1772-1836, Roman Catholic Bishop

Letter from Bishop Thomas Penswick, Liverpool to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ

Letter from Thomas Penswick, Liverpool to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Douglas, Isle of Man concerning a conveyance he obtained in Ireland from William MacPharlan which he gave to Frances Duff, Isle of Man to have it legally completed. Remarks that this was never done and that he feels the conveyance is, as a result, of no value. Remarks 'You will use your own discretion in your settlement with the General (Goldie), his demands can never be very overwhelming.'

Penswick, Thomas, 1772-1836, Roman Catholic Bishop

Letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 28 February 1837

From Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, in Douglas, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Refers to the death of Fr Gahan, and to his estate and debts. Suggests that since the Bishop is to have the whole mission resigned into his hands, he should be responsible for its administration. Refers to the value of the property, including the house and chapel. Asserts that the complete handover of the mission to the Bishop, and the loss to the Society as ‘an injustice’. Reports that he has written to the Bishop about the death of Fr Gahan, and also to explain why it was necessary to open the new chapel. States that some people on the island intend to erect a monument to Fr Gahan’s memory in the chapel.

Aylmer, Charles, 1786-1849, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 5 June 1837

From Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, writing from Douglas, Isle of Man, to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Refers to books being shipped to and from the island. Reports that he has settled all accounts, including money owed to Mrs Wilson and Dr Youens, and has prepared the way for the new incumbent. Refers to taking out administration to the will and the transfer of the Society’s property, on which two points he awaits instructions. Mentions the Catholics on the island, and their attendance at Mass. Adds that there are rumours that the privileges of the Isle of Man are to be withdrawn, and that it will be united to one of the English Northern Counties.

Aylmer, Charles, 1786-1849, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ

From Fr Matthew Gahan SJ in the Isle of Man to Fr Parick Bracken SJ. Discusses the situation of the Jesuit mission on the island, the retention of the chapel and school-house, and the difficult relations that existed between the Society and the Bishop. Refers to his own ill-health. Expresses his desire to have a person to assist him on the mission, but fears that such a move is not financially possible. Announces that he is to sell the chapel in Castletown. Adds that he will not be able to move into the new house in Athol Street the following week as planned. Refers to the departure of his house-keeper and his misfortune in acquiring a new servant who is both Manx and a Methodist.

Gahan, Matthew, 1782-1837, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ

From Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ in Tullabeg, County Offaly. States that he regrets that the latter did not inform him earlier of his desire that the sale of the chapel at Castletown be deferred. Reports that he has recently moved to the ‘new house’, and complains about the walk he has to make every Sunday to say Mass, given his present ill-health. Asks for some money to be sent over to him, as he is ‘tormented with one little debt or other’.

Gahan, Matthew, 1782-1837, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 2 January 1837

From Fr Matthew Gahan SJ in the Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ in Tullabeg, County Offaly. Complains that the latter’s request that ‘the place in Castletown’ not be sold was untimely, and announces that he is to rent it out. Believes that the mission should be given up, but does not think it possible. Refers to his bad health, and asserts that he believes that he is ‘very soon to meet death’. Also refers to the bad state of the chapel. Asserts that he would rather be dismissed from the Society, which, he believes, has been betrayed, than ‘be made the foot ball of any Vicar Apostolic’.

Gahan, Matthew, 1782-1837, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 27 January 1837

From Fr Matthew Gahan SJ in the Isle of Man to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ in Tullabeg. Declares that he would not think he should cross the Channel (back to Ireland) in his current state of health, and furthermore that he would only leave if the person who was to supply for him had been there for a time. Refers to the debts owed by him to various people. States that he would rather ‘die in a ditch’ before yielding to ‘a Judas like trick on the part of Dr Briggs [Bishop of the Northern District]’.

Gahan, Matthew, 1782-1837, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Patrick Bracken SJ to Bishop Briggs, 12 March 1837

[Copy of letter] from Fr Patrick Bracken SJ to Bishop Briggs, in reply to the latter’s letter of 27 February 1837. Refers to the issue of the opening of the new Chapel, and agrees with the Bishop that it was probably ‘an error of judgment’. Refers to the death of Fr Gahan, and refers to his ill-health and the circumstances which led up to this demise. Praises the dedication and hard work of Fr Gahan, and his service to the Catholic population of the island. Informs the Bishop that it has been decided to place whatever property Fr Gahan possessed at his disposal. Refers to the debts owed now, and the value of the property, and also to Fr Gahan’s last will, which he suggests should be proved, and a legal transfer made. Encloses a copy of a written statement by Fr Gahan in relation to the property (not included).

Bracken, Patrick, 1795-1867, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Patrick Bracken SJ to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Isle of Man

From Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, writing from Tullabeg, County Offaly to Fr Gahan in the Isle of Man. Reports on some members of the community in Tullabeg, including Fr Robert Haly and Fr Aylmer, and adds that Fr Esmonde is on his way to Rome. Refers to Fr Gahan’s problems in the Isle of Man in relation to the provision of Mass for Catholics in Douglas, and the question of whether the Bishop would permit this. Asks him to defer the sale of the chapel in Castletown until he (Fr. Bracken) receives a reply from the Fr. General.

Bracken, Patrick, 1795-1867, Jesuit priest

Letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 10 December 1835

From Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Announces that he will not be able to go to Tullabeg that year. Reports on the situation in Clongowes, and on the various Jesuits residents there. Reports also on the Jesuit mission in the Isle of Man, where Fr Aylmer stopped for a time to assess the situation. Refers to the debate on the question of whether the mission there should be retained by the Irish Jesuits, and also to the opening of a new chapel in Douglas.

Kenney, Peter J, 1779-1841, Jesuit priest and educator

Letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 20 March 1837

From Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Discusses the withdrawal of Irish Jesuits from their mission in the Isle of Man, with reference to the financial and logistical operations involved. Refers to the death of Fr Gahan, and the bishop’s reaction to it and to the departure of the Irish Jesuits. Also refers to Fr Aylmer’s reaction. Reports on the situation in Clongowes, and to the small amount of money received in the collections. Hopes that Fr Bracken will make his visitation within the month.

Kenney, Peter J, 1779-1841, Jesuit priest and educator

Letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ, 7 January 1836

Letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Discusses the situation regarding the Isle of Man mission. Reports that Fr Aylmer believes that it should be retained, and a trustee appointed. Outlines Aylmer’s suggestions on the matter.

Kenney, Peter J, 1779-1841, Jesuit priest and educator

Letter from Fr Robert Haly SJ to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ

Letter from Fr Robert Haly SJ, Clongowes Wood, Kildare to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ concerning Fr Gahan's will. Remarks that as one of the legatees named in the will he agrees to assign any property he is entitled to, to Dr. Briggs.

Haly, Robert, 1796-1882, Jesuit priest

Letter from Peter McGrath to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ

Letter from Peter McGrath, Douglas, Isle of Man to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning a law that has been passed by the legislature of the island regulating marriage. Remarks that it requires a proprietor or trustee of a building used as a Catholic church to seek a licence from the Governor to celebrate a marriage. Asks Fr Aylmer to organise this for him with the proprietor/trustee of the chapel on the Isle of Man.

McGrath, Peter, priest

Letter from Thomas Penswick, Bishop of Liverpool to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ

Letter from Thomas Penswick, Bishop of Liverpool to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ, Catholic Chapel, Douglas, Isle of Man concerning rent money due to General Goldie for the chapel and garden occupied by Fr Matthew Gahan. Remarks that General Goldie is anxious to have the amount paid.

Penswick, Thomas, 1772-1836, Roman Catholic Bishop

Letters to Fr Robert Haly SJ

  • IE IJA J/473/5
  • Item
  • 26 April 1810 - 8 December 1869
  • Part of Irish Jesuits

A file of letters written by various people to Fr Robert Haly SJ:

  • Includes a letter from Fr Murphy SJ referring to the polka. Remarks '…I do not consider it, absolutely speaking, a proximate occasion of sin, as I have the assurance of some reliable young persons of both sexes that they never found any harm in it (nd, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from Patrick Drinan SJ, Sant' Andrea, Rome describing his life as a novice in the Society of Jesus. Describes his fellow novices (21 March 1825, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, Hardwicke Street, Dublin referring to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ. Remarks that he has returned from the Isle of Man. Continues '…(he has) done much good amongst those poor neglected Catholics. But now they are without a priest and of course will fall back again into the old way.' (28 August 1825, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from Prout concerning his ordination to Deaconship ([ ] 1828, 1p).
  • Includes a letter from Fr St Leger SJ. Refers to the woods at Clongowes. Remarks that new trees have been planted and hundreds of old trees have been cut down. Refers to Daniel O'Connell 'Mr O'Connell hopes to enter Parliament by a clause in the Act of Union which only requires the oath of abjuration, which was abolished…C. Butler of London has published his opinion that Mr O'Connell's admittance to Parliament cannot be refused according to law…' Includes a note from Fr Peter Kenney SJ at the end of the letter concerning the death of Fr Haly's uncle, Robert in Calcutta on 27 July 1826 (30 September, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from [ ], Clongowes Wood College concerning Christmas celebrations in Clongowes. Refers to the church services and remarks that the Parisian Cope made its first appearance and 'dazzled the natives'. Remarks that the number of scholars in the college is small and many vacancies exist. Refers to Fr Aylmer and Fr St Leger and their plans to erect a new chapel in Dublin. Refers to Fr Moran's departure for Buenos Ayres. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell's determination to go to Parliament (5 January 1829, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from George Oliver, St Nicholas' Priory, Exeter containing queries about members of the Society in Ireland for a publication he is preparing (17 July 1838, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ concerning his stay in Rome. Describes dining with Fr General on St Stanislaus Day (23 November 1838, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from Patrick Sheehan SJ, Roman College concerning news from Rome and general Society matters. Reports that Fr General is pleased with all the Provinces under his direction and has expressed a wish to open a Japanese Mission (30 November 1838, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Al Gesu, Rome enclosing a sketch of his design for the altar at St Francis Xavier's Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin (9 February 1842, 3pp).
  • Includes a transcription of the same letter, 9 February 1842, by Fr Francis Finegan SJ [1975].
  • Includes a letter from Fr Bartholomew Esmonde, SJ, San Calcedonio, Malta concerning the suspension of Fr Rillo by the Bishop. Remarks that the business has become public due to the intervention of Lord Clifford (25 July 1842, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from John Cunningham SJ, Rome. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell. Refers to Fr Rillo and remarks that he is no longer in Malta. Remarks '…after his justification had been fully established he removed to Palermo. Mr Esmonde is authorised to select whom he pleases to succeed the former.' (25 November 1843, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from Fr Esmonde concerning his missionary work in Malta. Remarks 'I have a curious time of it here, strange folks as if all the odd fish of the Mediterranean had climbed up on this rock.' Refers to a new church opened by the Protestants on the island. Refers to the power of the government a governor of the island who control everything (15 November 1844, 2pp).
  • Includes a letter from John Lynch, SJ, Church of St Joseph, Willings Alley, Philadelphia, PA describing his surroundings (1 February 1840, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from John Gaffney concerning the Archbishop's (Dr Cullen) decision to prohibit the dancing of the polka. Discusses the implications of this decision and expresses the opinion that the Society should not pursue a different course of action to the clergy of Dublin and rural areas (20 January 1858, 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from Bishop George Browne of Elphin concerning a retreat to be conducted by Fr Robert Haly SJ. Refers to the parishioners eagerness for a mission (19 April 1858, 3pp).
  • Includes a letter from the Bishop of Clonfert, John Derry agreeing to consecrate the Society's church in Galway (11 May 186[ ]), 4pp).
  • Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ granting Fr Haly privileges with regard to his mission work (26 September 1867, 3pp).
    Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ advising Fr Haly on how to deal with confessors who declare they are members of the Fenians (8 December 1869, 4p

Letting of stables under the Club Room, Athol Street, Douglas

Document signed by William Quiggin and Robert Quiggin concerning the letting of stables under the Club Room, Athol Street, Douglas and an adjustment in the amount of rent due. Refers to the rent on the room used by Fr Gahan as a kitchen.

Quiggin and Co. Ltd, rope makers and timber merchants, 1821

Memorandum listing the number of Irish missions given by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ from 1933 to 1947

Typed memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial listing the number of Irish missions given by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ from 1933 to 1947; his work in Britain which began in 1948, ‘Since then Fr Sheil has given five missions most years and never less than three – during the autumn period in Britain’; and listing his work from 1933 to 1947 in Ireland in the autumn as ‘mostly with the convent school-girls, and occasional retreats in convents and in Jesuit churches.’

Photographs taken by Fr Kevin Laheen SJ on the Isle of Man

Album containing photographs taken by Fr Kevin Laheen SJ of the exterior and interior of the Church of St Mary's (formerly St Francis Xavier's), Castletown, Isle of Man, the Church of St Francis Xavier in Douglas (now the Bank of the Isle of Man), the church and garden of the present parish church in Douglas, the grave yard at Kirk Bradden and Fr Gahan's grave, a monument to Fr MacPharlan and various photographs of the Nunnery Estate.

Laheen, Kevin A, 1919-2019, Jesuit priest

Sale of plot of ground in the Parish of Bradden

Parties:
John Taubman, Proprietor of the Estate of the Nunnery, Parish of Kirk Bradden and Rev. Myles MacPharlan.

Property:
Plot of ground in the Parish of Bradden, part of the estate of the Nunnery on the high road from Douglas to Castletown to be used as a site for a Roman Catholic chapel.

Terms & Conditions:
In consideration of a sum of five shillings and the reserved rent of one shilling.

Value of the late Fr Gahan's property

Document drawn up by J. O'Shaughnessy estimating the value of the late Fr Gahan's property and the amount of money due, out of his estate, to the Jesuit Fathers in Ireland.

O'Shaughnessy, James