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The early years
William Craine, son of John Craine and Ann Kewish, was baptised in Ballaugh,
Isle of Man on February 10th 1839.
It is likely that he was born at the family home of Mwyllin Squeen
and moved to Brough Jairg Moar nearby in Ballaugh, soon after.
On the 27th November 1862 he married (by licence) Jane Shimmin in Onchan,
although he gave Ballaugh as his place of residence.
William and Jane sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne, Australia on
5th December the same year on the 'Great Tasmania' The tickets had
been purchased prior to the marriage as Jane had to procure from the minister
who married them a 'Certificate of Identity' to assert that Jane Shimmin
was now officially Jane Craine.
A little is known of William's character from a poem written by his
younger brother Robert and I have quoted some below:
'Handsome and headstrong, fearless, bold
Goodhearted, kind and free
Of two extremes we're often told
Composed is such as he.
From early youth his thoughts were bent
Upon the dark blue sea,
The farmer vowed, nor would relent
A sailor never he should be'
The farmer referred to is William's father, and it was almost immediately
after his death that William married and emigrated.
His sire's demise the signal gave
For passions long restrained to burst
His thoughts bent upon the wave
He left his home and land of birth
And sailed for Australia's clime
Where first prosperity did shine
Tis all we know of reckless Will
(We hope reformed and prosperous still)
My thanks to Joy Ling for sharing this verse with
me.
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