The portrait of a noted Manx parliamentarian from the 1800s, Mr William Farrant MHK, has been donated to Tynwald by Mr Peter Farrant, the subject’s great great-grandson.
William Farrant was regarded as a patriotic Manxman of moral and physical courage. An ardent supporter of the Island’s constitutional independence he served as an MHK until his death at Ballamoar, Bride in 1852. He was also a successful farmer and committed arboriculturalist. Together with his father, Robert Farrant, the first High Bailiff of Peel from 1777 to 1797, William Farrant was actively involved in legally opposing the then Bishop of Sodor and Man George Murray’s attempt to revive the potato tithe. The efforts of William and Robert Farrant led to the Bishop leaving the Island.
Retired advocate and former vicar general Mr Peter Farrant presented the portrait to Tynwald at a brief ceremony in the lobby of the House of Keys on Tuesday May 8th 2012 where he was welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Steve Rodan SHK. Mr Speaker referred to Mr Farrant’s generous earlier donation of three items of ‘great historical interest’: a portrait of his grandfather, also named William Farrant and an MHK, and two photographs of Mr Peter Farrant’s father Deemster Reginald Farrant, one from 1932 with His Royal Highness Prince George, Duke of Kent, the other from 1935 in Westminster Hall on the occasion of His Majesty King George V’s silver jubilee.
Turning to Mr Farrant’s most recent donation Mr Speaker said William Farrant senior held an important place in Manx history and that the portraits and photographs of Mr Farrant’s ‘illustrious ancestors’ would enjoy ‘a permanent home in the precincts of Tynwald where future generations would be able to admire them.’
In closing, Mr Speaker presented a Tynwald plaque to Mr Farrant in recognition of his generosity.
In his reply Mr Farrant paid tribute to his great-grandfather and great great-grandfather as respected members of the Manx legislature and said gifting the portraits and photographs to Tynwald ensured they were now ‘in the right place.’
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