THERE WERE MANX ABOARD THE MAYFLOWER
According to tradition, the first Manx people to emigrate to America were Myles Standish and his wife Rose, who crossed the Atlantic ocean in 1620 in the "Mayflower". Rose Standish and her sister Barbara-----who was the second wife of Myles---- were definitely Manx according to the Manx historian Canon E. H. Stenning. He also says it is most probable that Myles Standish was born in Lezayre at Ellanbane.
Let us take a look at the history of the Standish family in the Isle of Man. Early in the sixteenth century a branch of the Standish family of Standish Hall, Lancashire, England, settled at Pulrose in the parish of Braddan, Isle of Man and later moved to Ellanbane, in the parish of Lezayre.
Ellanbane is a farm located along the Lezayre road about 2g miles west of the town of Ramsey. Adjoining Ellanbane to the west— is the Kerrowmoar farm—where the writer was born, and lived for 19 years before emigrating to western Canada and later moving to the United States.
Because of this, The story of Myles Standish is of particular interest.
In 1502 Robert Standish---------head of the Standish family in the Isle of Man,--------------------married Margaret Croft, a wealthy heiress. The marriage deed of these two was signed by two officers of the Isle of Man. Robert Standish and Margaret Croft had three sons------ Thomas, John and Huan of Ellanbane.
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Thomas, the oldest of Robert’s family, in his marriage settlement left the very lands and estates mentioned in the will of Myles Standish to trustees,----to pay him (Thomas) for life, then for the rightful heir, lawfully begotten; in default to his brother John and his heirs, and in default again to Huan and his heirs.
Thomas sold large parcels of land to one William Stopforth, Secretary to the Earl of Derby, Lord of Mann. This he had no power to do under his deed.
Thomas Standish is said to have had three sons. Hugh-who died without issue in 1606, John (de Insular de Mane), had no children and died about 1580, and Huan of Ellanbane who is said to have had two sons----Gilbert and John. Gilbert was probably the father of Myles Standish, and John the father of Rose, Barbara, and William. While this connection may be difficult to establish, should the assumption be correct, it would explain the belief in the relationship between Myles Standish and his two wives, Rose and Barbara Standish, who are said to have been cousins.
No record of the birth or marriage of Myles Standish or his wife Rose has been found in any Manx Church registers, the earliest of which dates from 1598 found in the Ballaugh Parish Church.
In 1629,---------nine years after Myles sailed for America---- Huan of Ellanbane transferred some lands in Lezayre to his grandson,-----------------------------------------------------William Standish who afterwards owned Ellanbane and became a member of the House of Keys.
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According to the last will and testament of Myles Standish, he left certain estates in England and the Isle of Man, to his son Alexander, and tho Alexander on his death in 1702 also claimed these estates, a diligent search in Manx Manorial records has failed to discover the names of either Rose, Barbara, Myles, or Alexander Standish. It is very possible that Alexander never obtained possession of these properties.
Myles will reads:---------"I give unto my son and heir apparent-Alexander Standish--------all my lands as heir apparent in lawful descent in Ormskirk, Boscough, Wrightington, Maudsley, Newburg, Croxton and in THE ISLE OF MAN, and given to me a right heir by lawful descent, but surreptitiously detained from me,---my great grandfather being a second or younger brother from the house of Standish, of Standish.
It may be safe to assume that his grandfather, ----------having heard nothing from his grandson-Myles-------------------since he left on the May-
flower, assumed that he was dead and left all his estates to his grandson-William, which he had no power to do, since the marriage settlement of Thomas had entailed them to his heir—Myles.
Little is known of the early life of Myles Standish up to the time he sailed on the Mayflower. He was then about 35 years of age. When stationed at Leyden, Holland, he became acquainted with some of the Puritan emigrants from England, however, he never became a member of their church.
Sometime prior to 1619, Myles is said to have visited the Isle of Man and married Rose Standish, his cousin, her maiden name also being Standish. Later he returned with her to Holland.
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On September 6th. 1620 they left Plymouth, England, on the Mayflower which was a sailing ship of 180 tons, ----bound for America. After a stormy voyage of about 67 days the voyagers sighted Cape Cod on November 9th. 1620. It was by accident that they reached this part of the country. They had planned to settle near the mouth of the Hudson, within the jurisdiction of the London Company.
After exploring the coast for several weeks the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock on December 21st. 1620.
Governor William Bradford referred to his people as "Pilgrims and Strangers upon the earth" and from this expression came the use of the name "Pilgrims."
Immediately after the landing at Plymouth-Myles Standish was chosen military leader of the colony, a position he held for 30 years. He is said to have had unusual business ability and acted as assistant to the Governor and treasurer of the colony.
Within 3 months after landing at Plymouth, almost one half of the 102 passengers who sailed aboard the Mayflower had died from scarcity of food, exposure, and disease. Most of the 50 or so remaining were scarce able to bury their dead. One baby-Oceanus Hopkins was born during the voyage.
On January 29th, 1621---------less than 2 months after landing,— Rose Standish succumed to the hardships and privations which almost overwhelmed the little colony.
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The poet Longfellow has immortalized the name of Rose Standish in the verse:---- "Yonder there on the hill by the sea lies buried Rose Standish Beautiful rose of love that bloomed for me by the wayside She was the first to die of all that come by the Mayflower.
During the summer of 1623--------less than 3 years after the death of Rose Standish, her sister Barbara sailed for America on the ship "Anne" (140 tons) and soon after her arrival in America, married Myles, who was her brother-in-law. They lived happily together for 30 years and had 5 children, Alexander, Myles, Josiah, and Charles, and one daughterLora who predeceased her father.
Myles Standish was born in 1584 and died October 3rd, 1656 at the age of 72 years. His wife Barbara and four sons survived him. He was buried at Duxbury, Mass,
Several members of the Standish family were active in the
political life of the Isle of Mani
John Standish was a member of the House of Keys in..............1593
a-John Standish was clerk of Lezayre in ........................ 1610
William Standish was a member of the House of Keys............ 1629-1656
(He took an active part in the rising against the Stanleys in 1651) a-William Standish was Vicar of Lezayre Church ........ 1630 a-John Standish was member of the House of Keys............... 1661-1665
a-John Standish was clerk o f Lezayre.........................1671
No tracecf the Standish family is now left in Lezayre and possibly in the Isle of Man. It is said there is a small parcel of land in Lezayre! that is still called "The Standish curragh,"
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It is with a deep sense of pride that Manx people can say
•’THERE WERE MANX ABOARE THE MAYFLOWER”
Brief reference to the Standish family in the Isle of Man is found in the following books, from which some kin of the above information was obtained.
The Isle of Man..................................Canon E. H. Stenning
The Isle of Man..................................William Radcliffe
Manx Worthies....................................A.W. Moore
Saints and strangers . .......................... George F. Willison