This memorial tablet to William Farrant can be found in St. Patrick’s church in Jurby. There are several memorial tablets in this church to other members of the Family which demonstrates their importance to the Parish of Jurby and to the Isle of Man.
The white marble tablet has the following inscription:
‘SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
WILLIAM FARRANT Esq., C.P., J.P., M.H.K.
OF BALLAMOAR IN THIS PARISH, & BALLAKILLINGAN IN LEZAYRE,
SON OF ROBERT FARRANT Esq. OF BALLAMOAR, & MARGARET HIS WIFE,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 5TH JAN. 1852, IN THE 63RD YEAR OF HIS AGE.
ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF SUSANNA ELEONORA, HIS WIFE,
ONLY CHILD OF EDWARD CURPHEY ESQ. OF BALLAKILLINGAN,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 4TH APRIL 1879, IN THE 81ST YEAR OF HER AGE.
ALSO IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM FARRANT, C.P. J.P. M.H.K. OF BALLAMOAR,
SON OF THE ABOVE WILLIAM FARRANT, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 8TH JUNE 1891, IN HIS 65TH YEAR.
ALSO IN MEMORY OF LUCY, HIS WIFE,
DAUGHTER OF JOSEPH KINCAID ESQ. J.P. OF KICADDIN, Co. DONEGAL, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 10TH MAY 1915.
William Farrant was born in 1790 the eldest son of Robert and Margaret. (
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When Robert died in 1820, William and Captain William Key were nominated by the self-elected House of Keys for one of the to take Robert’s seat. Lieutenant Governor Colonel Cornelius Smelt duly appointed William.
William married Susanna Eleanora Curphey at Lezayre church on 14th February 1822. Susanna was born in 1797 and was 24 years of age at the time of the marriage. Susanna was the sole heiress of Edward and Isabella Curphey of Ballakillingan in Lezarye. The Curpheys also owned Ballaquayle and Whitehoe estates in Braddan.
As an active politician and major landowner and now with a young wife and a growing family his life was set to become one of great responsibility and variety. His son and eventual heir also William was born on 26th September 1826. (
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In 1822 William’s responsibilities were further increased when he was appointed Captain of the Parish of Jurby.
William also continued his father’s prolonged and expensive tithe lawsuit with Bishops George Murray. The dispute over the tithe led to serious civil unrest on the Isle of Man. William’s support for withholding of the tithe made him popular with his fellow Manxmen.
William also supported the continuing insular fiscal privileges of the Island, prior to the Act of Revestment, and this also was another reason for his popularity.
William was not only active politically but also was interested in matters spiritual he donated the land in Lezayre for the building of a new church which was consecrated in 1835.
Amongst Williams other interest were agriculture (he owns the ‘only farm managed in first rate style in Mona’). He lived the life of a country gentleman and enjoyed all aspects of rural pursuits such as hunting.
Source: 'Dear Sir' by Peter Farrant and Kit Gawne (ISBN: 978-0-9571825-8-5)