Papers from the office of Llewellyn S Kneale (Advocate), 28 Athol Street, Douglas

The content consists of various legal documents, correspondence and printed material relating to legal cases. Kneale's work included investigation for the Commission on local industries, hence the presence of minutes of meetings, reports and letter books investigating the Isle of Man's agriculture and industries. Other work matters included the proposed extension of the town of Douglas (1903), the Old Age Pension Commission (c.1912), Primitive Methodist Chapel and Trust Property (for various parishes around the Island) and Educational Endowments for Elementary and Higher Education. Kneale's billing book of clients (1896-1922) and a book of pro-forma example documents on how to format legal documentation are present.

Further notable clients of Kneale include the estate of George W. Dumbell, the estate of Rebecca Noble, the Crellin Estate (Douglas), Douglas Bay Estate, the Howstrake Estate, Falcon Cliff Limited, the Directors of the Castle Mona Hotel Company Limited, the Manx Toy and Handicraft Association Limited and the Port Soderick Land Company.

Miscellaneous items include an exercise book with Latin entries and household records for Fort Anne (1820s), family history on the 'Christian's of Milntown', a list of Isle of Man properties for sale, auction material for the sale of several properties in Douglas and Onchan (1902), a newspaper cuttings book (1930s) and a song and music book.

Llewellyn Stanley Kneale (1863-1926) was a prominent advocate on the Isle of Man between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Son of Edward Kneale (c.1831-1894), a draper and Elizabeth née Mc Whamell (c.1829-1895), Llewellyn received his educated at the Douglas Grammar School and King William's College, Castletown. After graduating he began working for Richard Sherwood (1828-1883), later Deemster Sherwood, and assisted in compiling Sherwood's Constitution of the Isle of Man (1882) which was later published by the Manx Society. In 1883 Kneale completed his articles with George Alfred Ring (1851-1927), later the Attorney General, and in 1885 Kneale became a member of the Manx Bar. He set up his own practice, conducting business from 28 Athol Street, Douglas and within ten years had become one of the largest law practices on the Island.

Throughout his career Kneale was the legal adviser to the Douglas Board of Guardians, he was an original trustee of the philanthropist Henry Bloom Noble's (1816-1903) estate and in 1921 he was made a Justice of the Peace (JP). Other activities included chairing the Licensing Appeal Court, auditing for the Isle of Man Bank, chairing the Board of Agriculture and from 1919, holding the office of President of the Isle of Man Law Society.

Religion played a significant part in Kneale's life and he was devoted to St Matthew's Church, Douglas. An eternal bachelor Kneale died in 1926 aged 62. The funeral service at St Matthew's was very well attended. Kneale was buried in Braddan Cemetery.

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The biographical information was gathered from the Manx newspapers the Ramsey Chronicle (5 February 1926) and the Mona's Herald (10 February 1926). Isle of Man newspapers available online at http://www.newspapers.gov.im/Default/Skins/IOMDemo/Client.asp?skin=IOMDemo&enter=true&AppName=2 .

Fonds-level description created by Eleanor Williams (MNH Project Archivist), August 2016.

Related material held by Manx National Heritage includes various maps and plans of Douglas, Braddan and Onchan from the office of Llewellyn S. Kneale (Advocate) and successor L. John Kewley, 28 Athol Street, Douglas.