April 1931

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL 1931

CLERGY :

Rey, Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Rev. W. F. Hayes, B.A., Edendale, Carrickblacker

Road, Edenderry, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector's—Wm. H. England.

People's—Gilbert Price.

Easter Services.

During Holy Week, which begins on Sunday,

March 29th, a Service will be held on each weeknight

in the Parish Church at 8 p.m. Addresses on

our Lord's Passion will be given at these Services.

We invite our people to be present.

Good Friday.

Services will be held as follows on Good Friday:—

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Litany.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings on Good Friday will be given to the

Jews Society.

Easter Day

On Easter Day the following Services will be held:

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy

Communion.

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings 011 Easter Day will be on behalf of

our Sunday School Fund.

Confirmation Classes

The Classes in preparation for the forthcoming

Confirmation will be held as follows in Seagoe

School: —

For Boys—Thursdays, at 8 -p.m., beginning on

Thursday, April 30th.

For Girls—Tuesdays, at 8 p.m., beginning on Tues

day, April 28th.

Adults who wish to be Confirmed should send in

their names to the Rector and special arrangements

will be made in their case. If any young people,

of the age for Confirmation, have a difficulty in

attending the classes owing to their hours of

employment, the Rector will be glad to make arrangements

to meet their case. The lowest age for Confirmation

is 14 years, but if any come to that age within a

month or two after the date of Confirmation they

are eligible to attend the Classes and to be Confirmed.

As there will only be eight classes held

before the Confirmation a punctual attendance at all

the Classes is requested.

The Games Gymkhana.

The Games Gymkhana held in Seagoe School on

Friday, March 20th, was a novel entertainment and

proved very successful. The three large schoolrooms

were furnished with all kinds of games. The opening

ceremony took place at 6.30. Mr. W. J. Green

and Mrs. Green most kindly attended, and Mr. Green

in an interesting speech declared the Gymkhana

opened. During the evening the rooms were

crowded and everyone seemed to get great enjoyment

out of the games. There was a great variety

of games—Skittles, Bull and Bear, Tennis, Pistol

Pranks, Rope Rings, Figure Quoits, Air Gun Range,

Ring Fishing, Tantalus, Pease Bags, Dart Board,

Shove Halfpenny, Snookers, and not least a splendid

course of Midget Golf. A Tea and Cake Stall was

quite sold out at the end of the evening. All the

workers helped splendidly, but we must specially

thank Mr. John H. Twinem, who first suggested the

entertainment and carried it through successfully.

We thank also the kind friends in Lurgan who so

generously and readily lent us the games. The proceeds

of the entertainment were on behalf of the

Parochial School Improvement Fund, and as will be

seen from the statement of accounts which we pub1ish

a considerable sum has been raised.

GYMKHANA, 29th MARCH, 1931.

To Postages £0 4 0

Advertising £0 18 6

Printing ('Ifickets) £0 12 6

Prizes £0 10 0

Minerals £0 12 0

Cash on hand £31 9 5 ½

----------------------

£34 6 5 ½

By Games:—

Tantalum (W. M'Clements) £1 18 6

Shove H'penny (J. H. Twinem) 0 15 0

Tennis (R. M'Clements) 0 12 8

Quoits 0 6 6

Skittles (Jas. Shanks) 1 16 9

Air Gun (D. Murray) 1 0 6

Snooker Darts (W. Curry) 0 15 5

Darts (I. Clayton & J. Metcalf) 1 15 8

Bull and Bear (A. M'Dowe11) 1 9 6

Hoop-la (G. Price & R. Richardson) 1 6 10

Air Pistol (V. Matchett) 0 7 10 ½

Bean Bags (T. Hall & W. west) 1 1 3

Ring Fishing 0 9 1 ½

Midget Golf (R. Scott) 2 2 8

Guessing Competitions 3 17 0

Teas, Doll, etc. 5 3 4

Subscriptions 2 13 6

Door 0 10 1 ½

Tickets (to date) 6 4 3

--------------

£34 6 5 ½

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Parish Register for March.

Baptisms.

M'Cabe—March 7th, Joan Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Mary M'Cabe of Upper Seagoe.

Sponsors—Dinah NI'Cabe, Mary M 'Cabe.

Mulligan—March 7th, George Victor, son of William James and Dorothy Jane Mulligan, of

Edenderry. Sponsors—Evelyn Morrison, Rachel Brownlee.

Burials.

M'Kane—March 4th, Anne M' Kane. of Levaghery, aged 80.

Gibson—March 10th, James Gibson, of Edenderry, aged 65. Interred at Donaghcloney.

Hewitt—March 15, Elizabeth Hewitt, of Levaghery, aged 62.

M'Kane—March 19th, Henry NI'Kane, of Levaghery, aged 78.

Donaldson—March 19th, Amelia Donuldson, of Levaghery, aged 18 months. Interred at Drumcree.

Robinson—March '20th, Dawson Robinson, of Tamnificarbet, aged 76. Interred at Drunmcree.

A Double Bereavement.

The deaths occurred last month of a brother and

sister very well known and much respected by many

among us. Early in the month, on March 2nd, Anne

M'Kane passed away quite suddenly after a few

hours' illness. Her brother, Harry M'Kane, was ill

at the time with the prevailing influenza but was

present at her funeral. The shock of her death and

his own illness, however, proved too great a strain

and he too passed away on March 17th. Our sincere

sympathy goes out to Miss Margaret M'Kane, their

surviving sister, in her double bereavement. Harry

M'Kane will be much missed by many in the Parish.

His bright and cheery presence made him popular

with everyone. Before he met with an accident some

years ago he was a most regular worshipper in the

Parish and was also a diligent attender at the Men's

Bible Class in Edenderry. His sister Anne was also

much respected by all who knew her and her loss

is much regretted.

Sympathy,

Two other sudden deaths occurred in the Parish

last month. James Gibson, although for some time

in weak health, passed away in his sleep. Dawson

Robinson, well-known to many and a member of a

family Jong resident in the Parish, also died after

a very brief illness. We offer our deep sympathy

to all who have suffered the loss of those very near

and dear to them.

The Magazine

Magazine Distributors who have not yet handed

in their receipts for 1930 are kindly asked to do so

without delay. If this should meet the eye Of anyone

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or the year previous and has not yet paid their

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by paying what is due without delay.

Our Advertisers

Our advertisement columns are now complete, an

we ask our readers to kindly note the goods which

are advertised and to deal with the firms who hell

us by advertising in the Magazine. We do not

overload the Magazine with advertisements but we can

cordially recommend those firms which appear in

our columns.

The Late Mr. Blacker

We copy the enclosed account of the funeral of the

late Mr. Terence Blacker from a Bridport, Dorset

newspaper:—

Villagers of Walditch and Bothenhampton—

Colonel and Mrs. Blacker and family gained their

affection and esteem while in residence at Shute

Haye—united with the people of Chideock in the

general mourning which took place on Tuesday

afternoon, Feb. 10th. Many of them carried tributes of

beauliful flowers and they met the cortege at the

gates of Chideock Manor and joined in the sorrowful

procession to Chideock Parish Church, where an

impressive service was conducted by the Rev. C. F,

Urquhart (Vicar of Chideock), and the Rev. N.

Thwaites (Vicar of Walditch and Bothenhampton),

At the entrance to the Church, which was filled by

sympathising friends, the cortege was met by the

clergy and surpliced choir. At the close of the service,

during which the choir led the singing of

Hymns and Psalm, the organist, Mrs. H. Diment,

played Chopin's Funeral March. Outside the Church

the flag of the first Chideock Troop of Boy Scouts flew

at half mast, while the villagers and school children

stood in the silence of respect. Led by the clergy

and choir, the funeral procession wended its way to

the Parish Burial ground, where the grave was lined

with verdant fern and sweet perfumed flowers. The

Rev. N. Thwaites and the Rev. C. F. Urquhart

performed the last burial rites at the graveside. Colonel

Blacker and Lieut Blacker, R.N., were the chief

mourners. The choir led the singing of the Hymn

"Let saints on earth in concert sing." Patrol Second

Frank Clothier and Cub "Sixer" Allen Bray also

walked in the procession carrying wreaths from the

first Chideoch Troop of Scouts. The bearers were

Messrs. A. Moore, R. Byles, S. Lond, F. Tuck and

W. Tuck (employees on Chideock Manor Estate),

and A. Mile (Walditch). Inscribed on the brass

shield on the heavily panelled oak coffin were the

words—" Terence Fitzroy Blacker, born October

15th, 1910; died February 6th, 1931 " Among those

who walked in the procession and were present at

the graveside were members of Walditch Women's

Institute, with Mrs. Squire (president) at their head

carrying a wreath of laurels.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

The Easter Vestry

The Easter Vestry will be held (D.v.) on Thursday,

April 9th, at 7.30 p.m. Seagoe Scoool. All members

of the General Vestry are requested to attend.

Improvements in Seagoe

Great, changes have taken place recently in Upper

Seagoe. The erection of a number of semi detached

villas along the Seagoe and Lurgan roads has

transformed the appearance of the place. The removal

last week of the bank and hedge along the Seagoe

Road has opened up the whole place. That bank and

hedge have been there for 400 years, ever since

the country was settled and the tribal system ceased.

The extraordinary assemblage of huge sewage pipes

standing on end in the new sewage pipe works in

Upper Seagoe is quite a unique feature in the landscape.

The sewage disposal works in Lower Seagoe

are approaching completion. They are very

elaborate in construction and will, we hope, be very

efficient in their working.

A Generous Grant.

The Representative Church Body has renewed to

Seagoe Parish the generous grant of £150 per annum

towards the income of a second Curate. An additional

sum of £70 per annum will have to be raised

in the Parish if we are to have a second Curate and

take advantage of the generous offer made to us.

Old Seagoe Notes.

A Chapter in the Story of Old Seagoe—[The

following is a continuation of the note on ''Old Seagoe"

in last month's issue and was written by the late

Dean Dawson. It appeared in the Portadown News

on March 3rd, 1883]

When it became necessary to build a new church

it is much to be regretted that there should have

been any breach of the hallowed associations of

centuries. Plain, and inornate as the old church

was still it stood upon a site devoted to the worship

of God through many generations; and no doubt it

was an affliction to many to turn away from the

place where their forefathers worshipped and around

which their bodies rested. Out the change was

unavoidable, or at least seemed the lesser evil.

Interment within a church was always reserved as the

privilege of a few. The next most desirable thing

was to lay the bodies as near the church walls as

possible. So Often had this desire been gratified at

Seagoe, that not only was the church hemmed round

with graves, but the frequent burials had raised

mounds of earth against the southern wall, and still

more against the western gable, several feet above

the level of the church floor. To build the much

larger church required upon the same site would

entail the obliteration of the burial places of half

the parish. Hence a new site had to be sought elsewhere.

By the grant of Lady Olivia Sparrow, as

guardian to her son, Robert Acheson St. John Bernard

Sparrow, a site was obtained in the adjoining townland

of Seagoe Upper, about forty perches distant.

By order of Council, June 21st, 1814, the change of

site was legally authorised. Some days before, on

the 1st day of June, 1814, the foundation stone of the

new church was laid; and as soon as the building

was completed the service was transferred to it, and

the old parish church of Seagoe was finally deserted.

Besides the records and registries, the font and

bell were transferred to the new church. The ancient

communion plate also preserves the memory of

the old house of God. This consists of a paten and

two chalices, all of silver. The paten is inscribed—

“In usum Parochiae de Sego, 1699.” It was provided,

as we have seen, by the vestry. The two chalices

were presented during the incumbency of Rev.

Richard Buckby, and one of them, at least, at his

expense. This one has the inscription—' Ex dono

Richd. Buckby, Vicr. de Sego, in usum Parochiae de

Sego, 1769.' On the second is simply—'Segoe Parish.

1791.'

A mural tablet, oval, and of white marble, sacred

to the memory of Rev. Richard Buckby, was removed

from the wall over the minister's seat, in

the old church, and placed in its present position on

the wall of the new, church, to the right of the reading

desk. It bears the following inscription—'Sacred

to the memory of the Rev. Richard Buckby, who departed

this life, January 18th, 1796, aged 72 years,

Late vicar of the parish of Segoe 33 years. A sincere

friend to the family drops a tear of sorrow at

the departure of the above worthy and honourable

character.' The latter part of this inscription beginning,

' A sincere friend, &c.,' with the permission

of Mr. Buckby's family was added by the Rev. Geo.

Blacker, his successor in the vicarage.

Although the old church was no longer used for

Divine service, it remained standing for a few years

in fair preservation. The internal fittings were not

removed, and It was still used at funerals, and for

the accommodation of a Sunday school.

At the Easter vestry, March 28, 1918, the sum of was

applotted for the purpose of repairing the roof and

windows of the old church.' But as the necessity of

extensive repairs became more pressing, it was at

length resolved at the Easter vestry, April, 1820, that

'the old church should be sold by auction on or before

next Whitsuntide.' This was so distasteful to the

parishioners that at a subsequent vestry, on the 23rd

of May, 1820, the resolution was rescinded ' by a

majority of the parishioners present,' and the vestry

was adjourned ' until the sentiments of the Lord

Bishop (Dr. Saurin), be known concerning the same.'

At last, however, the gallery, pews, &c., were sold

by Auction on Saturday, 7th October, 1820; and in the

same month, the timbers of the roof, and everything

else saleable," were disposed of by auction. The proceeds

of the two sales amounted to £35 6s 4d; and

after deducting the expense of pulling down the

building, the sale, &c., amounting to £6 8s 3d there

remained a balance of £28 18s ld. This was applied

to the provision of iron gates for the new churchyard,

and the levelling and planting of the yard;

and also in ' the erecting of an additional building

to the stable for the purpose of a school house.'

At the auction, the old pulpit became the property

of Charles Mooney, a Roman Catholic, and public

house keeper in Edenderry, in whose yard it long

lay among the lumber. An aged parishioner often

saw it there, and, in his memory of former days.

vainly vexed his soul at its desecration.

We reach another, and to us the in

the history of the old church, in 1874, when, under

the provision of the Irish Church Act (1869), the

ruins and the graveyard were transferred to the

Guardians of the Union of Lurgan. They have since

added to the graveyard an acre of ground, purchased

from the late Major Stewart Blacker; and they have

completed the enclosure of the yard by a substantial

stone wall, except on the inner or eastern side, where

the old thorn fence still remains. It is hoped that

the Guardians will respect the feelings of the members

of the Church of Ireland who constitute the great

majority of the parishioners, by having the new

portion consecrated and duly set apart for its purpose.

At present there exists a legal impediment to the

seemly interment of any corpse therein, in accordance

with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland.

February 10, 1883.

Seagoe and the " Sack of Lurgan."—The 15th of

November, 1641, is a sinister day in the history of

Lurgan, for on that date there took place the

' Massacre or Sack of the Lurgan." This is the

expression used in the old documents. Sometimes

the name Lurgan is spelt "Loargan," at other times

Lorgan" or "Lorchan." The manuscripts relating

to the Massacre are in the Manuscript Department

of the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.

Carte in his description of what took place, says:

"The chief force of the Rebels was now in the County

of Downe. On the 15th November, 1641, they, after

a fortnight's siege, reduced the Castle of Loargan

Sir William Brownlow, after a stout defence,

surrendering it upon terms of marching out with his

family and goods. But such was the unworthy

disposition of the Rebels, that they kept him, his lady

and children prisoners, rifled his house, plundered,

stripped, and killed most of his servants and treated

all the townsmen in the same manner." The clans

who attacked Lurgan were the Magennises, the

O'Hanlons, and the MacConvills. Their places of

abode were Clancan, Clanbrassil and Clanconnell

The names of the chieftains who attacked are given

as follows—Toole MacMaghon, M'Rory M'Cann,

Anoge M'Glasny, Magennis, Edmund M'Glasny

Magennis, Brian Roe Magennis, and Oghee O'Hanlon.

Among those who were killed are the following names

—John Davies, Richard Ridedall, Thomas

Ward, Leonard Riggs, Thomas Hawker, and James

Horseley. Sworn statements were given at the enquiry

which followed, and among these are two by

Seagoe residents—William Duffield of Seagoe,

deposed "that when the Rebells attempted and surprised

the town of Lurgan, tenn Protestants (as this

deponent verily believeth and hath credibly heard

were either wounded so as they quickly dyed

otherwise were slaine outright. And many thousands

Protestant men, women and children, being

stript of their clothes dyed also of could and want

in severall parts of the country" (Sworn 9th August,

1642). The second witness from Seagoe was Captain

Valentine Blacker (who rebuilt old Seagoe Church

in 1666). He Edmund boy M'G1asney

M'Genis of Clanconnell and Art oge M'Glasney

Magennis of the same, gathered the men in Clanconnell

and burnt Downe Patrick, Dromore, and

Lurgan as they themselves confesst they had done,

at their returne, to this informant, being then their

prisoner. Toole MacMaghan and Toole M'Rowry

M'Cann gathered the Irish in Clancan and Clanbrassel

and went to burne Lurgan, and when they

returned they bragd that they had burnt it, in the

informant's hearing who also saw them going

thither, the said Tool MacMaghan commanding

them, and marching before them. Toole M'Rowry

M'Cann was Lieutenant." Seagoe had many interests

in Lurgan in these bygone days as the Parish

extended to within 200 yards of Old Shankill and

stretched beyond Kinnigo to Bird Island.

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Rev Canon Hannon Rectory, Lurgan. Due notice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of intended weddings. FEES— By License—Labourers 5/-, Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-, Professional £l. By Banns 5/-.

FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given. SICK CASES should be notified to the Clergy without delay. FEES FOR CERTIFICATES BAPTISM, 3/7; Children (Factory), 1/- and 2/- (non-residents) ; MARRIAGE, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases. It will be a help to the Clergy if they are notified of the arrival of new Church families in the Parish. A copy of, the Magazine will be post free to Any subscriber for 3s per annum