OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Manx Settlers of Ohio -- Article 11 *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 Sept 7, 2002. *********************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West S. L. Kelly diaries Series of Articles by Darlene E. Kelley Manx Settlers of Ohio -- article 11 *********************************************** Continuation of the History of the Isle of Man. -- Article 11. Geographically the Isle of Man is part of the British Isles, situated between England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. This small country has a land mass of 227 square miles and measures 33 miles by 13 miles. The climate, lacking in extremes enjoys the warming infuence of the Gulf stream which flows around the shoreline. Preveiling winds blow from the South West, giving varying degrees of shelter and exposure island wide due to the rugged nature of the topography. One clear of the winter months the weather quickly becomes finer and from April through to October pleasant settled weather conditions are the norm. In the summer, the months May and June are usually the driest while May, June and July are the sunniest. July and August are the warmest. In the 1700 and 1800's following greulling trials in the Isle of Man, hundreds of Manx prisoners were taken to the penal colonies of Australia and Van Dieman's Land. Enroute they endured lengthy stays in squalid prison ships in London awaiting the long uncertain sea voyages to the other side of the world. In many cases the offences were of minor nature but under the law of the times the punishments were severe. The lack of jobs and poverish influence of the times, unable to pay the taxes and tithes of the church, made many of the Manxmen under the laws of these horrendous crimes. Following a life of penal servitude, many never returned to their native Isle of Man. Some succumbed to the English plagues and sickness as well as to the starvation and lack of proper diets. Many hid out in caves, catching what they could in the seas to stave of the hunger of the family. But these hardy Manxman did survive, with will and determination. Their country being a strong infuence on their stamina. Their roots and families contained a strong influence. Christianity became a strength of endurence to many, but not to the Monastaries that bled them of monies. Churches of underground beliefs suddenly appeared and helped them balance their sanity. Naturally when the letters began to appear showing the land of plenty to the Manx, the dream, could became a reality. These peoples were hard workers and trustworthy. Some scraping together what they could to emigrate. Emigration took them not only to North America, but into Australia, Canada, Nova Scotia, and Ireland. But then there were the ones who endured their trials and troubles and remained in their beloved Isle, and in time England finally let them return to self government as a Crown dependancy. Hence as the 1820's started, the small farmers were economically pressed on all sides-- increased tithes and rents together with lower earnings from the fishing and their feelings alienated from the goverance of the island as placemen were inserted into every possible position. All capital spending required them to go begging to London to spend what they saw as their surplus customs reveue. The rapid rise of Methodism had, if not removed, than at at least given an alternative to any spiritual leadership from an increasingly ignored Bishop but who, together with his Archdeacon, was a member of the legislative council and controlled the staffing of the parochial schools. Their language was also under pressure -- four centuries of English rule had not wiped out Manx. Although it soon became more and more English as the trade and control of the English Nations engulfed themselves into the isles. Soon the Manx Bible was reprinted into English. " But now up every Hill and glen, On Cardle Vooar, in Thoit-e-will, Come companies of Englishmen, Their multitudes increasing still. >From Jurby southward to the Sound, Mad as the beast the croghan stings, The Manxman a strange taste have found For English words and English things. As never their forefathers used, Who loved their land and cherished me, And in their wisdom still refused The stranger's gold and flattery. Ah! would that those who yet remain Of loyal heart and loyal speech Would rise upon the Saxon strain. And drive them seaward from the beach." On Feb 15th 1827, prior to the mass migrations of that year in Ohio, the arch conservative Manx Sun wrote; " We have of late received such intellligence from the United States, respecting the sucess of such of our countrymen as have emigrated thither, that we feel diposed to give the subject a consideration which we little thought at first it should have deserved. It appeared to us possible, as it did to several of our friends, that it was but a doubtful speculation for persons to sell small properties in this country, and take their departure for a better soil and better climate. In this little Island it would seem at the first view, that other conveniences were found, that it abounded in more accomodations of a desirable residence than merely a freedom from taxation. These accomodations, however, are experenced mostly by those who could purchase their comforts elsewhere, and have nothing whatever to do with those classes of men who are of a lower grade, and whose fortune in any country will ever depend on their own corporal exertions, whether of agricultural labour or mechanical employ." It was indeed the settlers of these small properites that formed the backbone of the very first wave of emigrants into Ohio. In the 1820's thus saw a significant migration from the Northern parishes and the establshment of significant Manx speaking communities in Ohio -- exact figures are not availabe as early censuses did not ask about nationality, however Cleveland city censuses for 1846 and 1848 give 95 and 148 Manx-born ( most Manx settled just outside of Cleveland in Newburgh and Warrensville ). [The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History has " eventually there were over 3000 Manx an their desendants, bound by their own Gaelic language, which they used exclusively with each other, and in their religious services."] ********************************************** ********************************************** To be continued in article 12.