The Cottier Family (Cross Side)

This line begins with Alice Cross Noble's grandmother, Kitty.

Glen Cross's mother was Catherine (Kitty) Cotcher, "Cotcher" being the Americanized spelling of "Cottier". She died in childbirth and not much was known about her. The Michigan Census has her residence as West Bloomfield, Oakland County.

Her parents were James Cotcher, the son of Manx immigrants, and Louisa Simpson, the daughter of an Irish immigrant. James Cotcher was born in the 1830s in New York to John Cottier (Cotcher) and Isabella Looney Cottier. After marrying, John and Isabella most likely took advantage of a government deal (a 10 pound ticket to the US) and journeyed to New York before joining other Manx families in Michigan.

The Cottiers and the Looneys are northern Manx families. I'll begin with the Cottier side.

John Cottier (our immigrant ancestor), was son to John Cottier Sr, born July 16, 1769 in Marown Parish. I am not certain of John Cottier Sr.'s wife's information, but I suspect based on my research of Parish records that he moved to Maghold and wed Catherine Callow in 1798 (remember, Kitty's real name was Catherine, and this would be her great-grandmother. Plus the dates all add up!). His parents were Alexander Cottier and Anne Kelly Cottier. Both of these surnames are very prominent on the Isle, even today. Alexander died and was buried May 14, 1814 in the old Marown Parish churchyard. Though there is record of his burial, there is no record of a tombstone (not uncommon- many were buried without a marker). The church has not been in use since 1859, but volunteers maintain it and it is open to the public. At present, I have no information on Anne other than her maiden name and her marriage to Alexander. They were both most likely born and raised in Marown (pronounced Muh-ROWN, as in 'down) Parish.

Sheep friends we met while hiking up to the Marown Parish church.

Now for the Looneys (there are some in every family!):

The Looneys were from the seaside village of Maughold, which to this day is hardly anything more than farms, a beautifully maintained historic church, and nice sea views. Isabella was born to Robert Looney and Jane Creer Looney (Creer being another old Manx name). Robert and Jane married at the Maghold church in 1802, and Isabella was born later that year. Jane was buried at the Maghold church in 1858, though records show that the family had moved to Ramsey sometime before then. I have no burial record for Robert at this time. Interestingly enough, many Looneys did immigrate to the US, and a large number settled in South Carolina! You may also see this name spelled as Lodney (a change that occured after arrival in the US).

The church at Maughold was established by the 12th century!

WHERE TO GO:

The Old Marown Parish Church Graveyard (Trust me, rent a car instead of attempting the walk like we did!).

The Old Maughold Parish Church (feauting 6th century crosses!).

FAMILY LINE @ A GLANCE: Cross-->Cotcher/Cottier