18970202 Select Vestry 2nd February 1897 p398-p400

1897\399

Tuesday, 2^nd February, 1897 :- Meeting of Select Vestry duly convened by notice given by Rector Churchwardens , held for Revision of Register of Vestrymen.

Present – Very Rev. Dean of Dromore in chair,

Mr. A. MacounMr. Joseph Monro

Mr. Geo. CalvertMr. Jas. Collins

Mr Jas. Albin Mr Tho. Montgomery

The revision was proceeded with, giving the result that 253 Residents , 6 Owners of Property and 4 Accustomed Members of Congregation, in all 263 members, were registered for 1897.

Mr Chairman reported to the Vestry that the Baroness Von Stieglitz had given to the Parish the sum of £ 371 -2- 01, to be added to the Capital of the Parochial Endowment Fund. This Fund, further re-endowment of the Parish of Seagoe, Was formed in the year 1876, mainly by the exertions and munificence of the late Major Stewart Blacker, of Carrickblacker, and his sister, the Baroness Von Stieglitz. In addition to their joint gift of £1600, as a Loan, and there by with donations from the Parishioners and friends, and by permission of the Representative Church body, the select vestry were enabled to cover the composition Balances of the two curates of Seagoe , (Rev. Robt, Mc Walter, and Rev. Stephen Walsh). And to secure in perpetuity a sum of £6365 -10-04, (2up .140m supra), as the basis of the Parochial Endowment Fund. Some additions were made to it, from time to time, and on 31^st December, 1895, the Capital amounted to £6710-12-06. The loan was repaid in 1891, but interest due upon it accumulated in the hands of the R.C.B. until it reached the sum of £377. 12 .02 . This amount was claimable by the Baroness Von Stieglitz, as the residency Legatee of the late Major Blacker, but at the close of last year she gave the accumulation to the Parish, to be added to the capital , which was thus augmented to the sum of £7081.14.07, at which it stood in 31^st December , 1896.

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At the request of the Baroness, and by arrangement with the R.C.B. the balance of interest remaining after the discharge of the present claims upon the Fund is to be added annually to the Capital until it reaches an amount sufficient to yield the annual sum of £300 for the income of the Rector of Seagoe. It is known that it was the earnest desire of Major Blacker that this income , at least , should be eventually provided for the Rector of Seagoe.

On receiving this report the Chairman , the following resolution , proposed by Mr. A. Macoun, and Seconded by Mr. Geo. Calvert, was unanimously adopted :- “Resolved -that we , the Select Vestry of Seagoe, Diocese of Dromore, desire to tender our most grateful thanks to the Baroness Von Stieglitz , of Carrickblacker, for her generous Gift of £371 to the Parish, to be added to the capital of the Parochial Endowment Fund, which owed its origin mainly to the exertions and munificence of her Brother the late Major Stewart Blacker, and herself.And furthermore we desire to glorify God for his grace which has enabled the Blacker Family , for many generations , to abound in good deeds for the benefit of the Church and Parish of Seagoe; and we earnestly pray that their Benefactions may be had in everlasting remembrance before God”

Abraham Dawson

Chairman.