August 1919

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

AUGUST, 1919.

The Confirmation.

HE LORD BISHOP of the Diocese (The Right

Rev. Charles F. D'Arcy, D.D.), held a confirmation

in Seagoe Parish Church, on Sunday, July 6th, at

7 p.m. The Church was crowded, and many

were unable to gain admission. The Candidates

assembled in the School at 6 o'clock, and walked in

procession to the Church, where places were reserved

for them in the nave. Shortened Evening Prayer

was said and then the Confirmation Service was held.

The preface was read by the Rector, after which the

Bishop gave short address to the Candidates, The

question was then put and all answered clearly and

distinctly the solemn pledge, "l do "The Confirmation

then took place, the Boys being first Confirmed.

After the rite had been administered the Bishop gave

a second address, based on the words "Called” -

“Chosen” – “Faithful”. He reminded them of the

solemn nature of the Service, and of the promised

gift of the Holy Ghost. He also referred to the fact,

which no doubt they would always remember, that it

was Victory Day (Peace Thanksgiving Day) on which

they had been Confirmed. We did not yet understand

the greatness of the Victory which had been won, but

we recalled with pride the memory of those from this

and other parishes who had died that we might live.

The Hymn, 376, "Thine for Ever," was sung kneeling.

Each of those who were Confirmed received a little book

—"Preparation for Holy Communion." Special

Celebrations of Holy Communion for those who were

Confirmed were held in the Parish Church, on Sunday,

July 20th, at 8 and 11-30. Those who attended received

their Confirmation Cards, signed by the Lord Bishop.

The following were Confirmed—

Males. —Bertie Beckett, Thomas Best, James

Costello, William John Costello, Robert Henry

Coulter, Thomas Coulter, James Currie, Walter

Stewart Currie, Richard Norman Dickson, William

Forde, Ralph Gaskin, William Alfred Gracey, David

Gordon, Samuel Johnston, Richard William Lavery,

Herbert Isaiah Livingstone, Thomas Major, Frederick

Robinson M'Donald, James M’Donald, Charles

M'Loughlin, William Joseph M'Nally, William James

M'Nulty, John Pickering, James Porter, Thomas

Porter, David Rainey, John Canada Reid, Robert

Richardson, David William Simpson, George Edward

Simpson, Edward Webb.

Females. – Charlotte Allen, Elizabeth Allen,

Georgina Allen, Margaret Isabella Best, Sarah Boyce,

Selina Bradshaw, Mary Coulter, Millicent Coulter,

Anne Cox, Jane Currie, Lucy Anne Dawson, Louisa

England, Anne Elizabeth Freeburn, Anne Gates,

Margaret Glassey, Margaret Bell Gracey, Mary

Jane Hughes, Sarah Hughes, Mary Jane Hynes,

Elizabeth Lewie, Emily Magee, Eva Magee, Eva

Elizabeth Magee, Louisa Mayes, Matilda Mayes,

Agnes McClements. Christina McCrory, Anne

McDonald, Anne M'Loughlin, Eveline McMurray,

Sarah Moffatt, Eva Neill, Jane Winifred Patton,

Gladys Elizabeth Reid, Gertrude Reid, Margaret

Elizabeth Rowland, Phoebe Rowland, Ellen Pentland,

Sarah Miriam Pentland, Margaret Thompson, Mary

Thompson, Eveline Webb, Alice Wilson, Margaret

Wilson, Mary Wilson, Georgina Best, Eva Webb.

Seagoe Day School.

The debt remaining on Seagoe School from the

building of the new class room has been paid off, out

of the balances from the Soldiers' Reception, and

from the Sunday School Excursion Stall. Some

further improvements in the Seagoe School are

contemplated in the near future.

Edenderry Penny-a— Week Fund.

This Fund is being well supported, and is

accomplishing good work. The upkeep and efficiency

of the Hall depend upon its success. A sum of £15 has

already been lodged in the Bank as a result of the

diligent work of the collectors. Edenderry Sunday

School is now attended by larger numbers that ever

before. It is difficult sometimes to find room for all

who attend.

The Peace Celebrations.

On Sunday morning, July 6th, the Services in the

Parish Church had special reference to the

Thanksgiving for Peace. The Form of Service used

was that authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Doxology and the National Anthem were sung

at the beginning of the Service. There were also

special Psalms, Lessons, Exhortations, and a Special

Epistle and Gospel. A Union Jack was flown from

the church tower. The sermon was preached by the

Rector from the text – “He maketh wars to cease in

all the world."

July 19th was the day appointed for the Public

Peace Celebrations. Portadown was profusely

decorated with flags of all colours. Arches spanned the

streets, bands paraded, and the whole community

was in a state of wholehearted rejoicing. The Town

Council had given a good lead and the people followed

their example. Seagoe School Children met at the

school at 1-30, and marched to the Saunderson

Statue, when a great procession was formed, which

marched to the Show Grounds. A substantial repast

of tea and buns was provided, and at 4-30 the general

public was admitted, and sports were held in which

the children competed. A return homewards was

made about seven o'clock. The Demobilised Soldiers

were entertained to lunch in the Town Hall at 12, and

then they formed up and marched to the Show

Grounds. Altogether Portadown did very well, and

the town authorities are to be congratulated on their

successful efforts. A United Praise Service was held

in the Show Grounds on Sunday, July 20th, at 3

and was very largely attended. The decorations in

Seagoe Parish were very pretty. A profusion of flags

was everywhere displayed. Arches spanned Bridge

Street and Goban Street. Railway Street was very

bright. The Red Row surpassed itself. The Kaiser

was burned in effigy in Edenderry, and the smoke of

his burning could be smelt miles away. Throughout

the country parts of the parish farmhouses and

cottages all displayed flags. Two cottages at Seagoe

Turns were specially bright with bunting.

A true spirit of rejoicing has filled all hearts. It

rests with all of us, in the days to come to make

right use of the great Victory which God has so

mercifully bestowed upon us.

ITEMS.

The number of Marriages recently in Seagoe

Church constitutes a record for the Parish.

***

Seagoe School closed for the Holidays on Wednesday

June 25th, and will (D.V.) re-open on Tuesday, August 5th.

***

The Rev. H. G. de L. Singleton, M.A., Curate of

Seagoe, was admitted to Priest's Orders at an

Ordination held in St. Mary's Church, Belfast, on

Trinity Sunday, June 15th.

***

Mr Robert M’Mullen, son of Mrs. M'Mullen, of

Drumgor, is on a visit from Toronto with his wife and

child. Mr M 'Mullan has a flourishing Bakery

business in Toronto. He crossed on the S.S.

"Canada." His many friends will be glad to see him

after an absence of 16 years from the Parish.

***

Mrs. Allen, of Edenderry, passed away at an

advanced age on July 3rd. She was one of our oldest

Parishioners. Up to the very end she retained her

brightness and good humour. Her sweet smile and

cheerful spirit will be a glad memory to her children,

her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren.

With her aged husband, Mr Arthur Allen, and all her

relatives, we express sincere sympathy.

***

A Scheme of Prizes is being arranged for Seagoe

Day School, which will be awarded at the Christmas

break-up.

***

Seagoe Parish was kindly permitted by Colonel

Blacker to have a Stall at Carrickblacker on July

12th. The gross sum of £36 was taken. On July 14th,

Mrs. Thompson, of Scarva House, also kindly gave

permission to the stallholders to sell their surplus

stock there, and further gross sum of £37 was cleared.

Expenses have to be deducted from these totals. The

stall committee are to be congratulated on their

enterprise. It was Mr. Thomas England who suggested

the happy idea of having the stall.

***

The very sudden death of Mr. Robert M'Knight, of

Knock, has caused much grief to his many friends.

For many years he had been a very faithful and

diligent worker at Carrick Blacker. On the morning

of his death he had just begun work, and was found

lying dead in the stables. On July 12 ^th, at the

Carrick Blacker Demonstration, Colonel Blacker

referred to his long and faithful service. His Funeral

was attended by a large number of members of the

Orange Order, over 112 being present. The Rev.

Canon Archer and the Rev. G. H. Daunt officiated.

***

Mr. Thomas H. Wilson, Organist of Seagoe, has

taken his first holiday for forty years.

***

Scotland has invaded Seagoe. We welcome once

again to the Parish all our old friends from the Land

o' Cakes.

***

The prolonged drought is affecting the Potato and

Fruit Crops.

***

On Sunday Evening, August 10th, a Collection for

the Enniskillen Orphan Fund will be made in Seagoe

Church.

***

On Sunday evening, June 29th, the Bann Lily Lodge

of the British Order of Ancient Free Gardeners

attended Service in the Parish Church. The Order

is a well managed and carefully organised Benefit

Society, and has a strong membership. The Secretary

is Mr. William Walker, of 51 Jervis Street, Portadown.

***

We acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of £1

from Mr. David W. Walker, of Belfast (late of

Seagoe), towards providing Prizes at Christmas for

the pupils in Seagoe Day School. We would be glad

to receive some further subscriptions towards the

same object.

***

Seagoe Girls' Bible Class has formed itself into a

Visiting Committee, with the result that its numbers

have doubled in a few weeks.

***

The following children in Seagoe Day School obtained

Certificates at the recent Examination in Religious

Knowledge, by the Rev. J. Gordon, Diocesan

Inspector. Certificate and Full Marks. — Amy

Holmes, Isabella Best, Sarah Hamill, Rebecca Craig,

Willie White, Willie M'Clements and Lily Sweeney.

Certificate—Floribel Best, Sydney Walker, Winnie

Holmes, Joseph Hynes, Edna Best, Norman Walker,

May Thompson, Hugh Costello, Georgina Porter.

In Junior Division the Answering was excellent and

the Repetition was very nicely done. In Course II

the Answering on the Old Testament was fair.

Course III (Senior) the Answering on Scripture

Repetition and Formularies was very good.

Presentation to Mr, W. R. Atkinson.

It was felt by many that the occasion of Mr. Wolsey

Atkinson’s retirement from the office of Hon. Sec.

and Hon. Treasurer of Seagoe Vestry should not be

allowed to pass without some recognition of the

splendid work he has done for Seagoe Parish. The

members of the Vestry and some of the parishioners

formed a committee for the purpose, and on Friday

evening, July 25th, a deputation proceeded to Eden Villa,

and presented him with an arm-chair. Mr. Atkinson is

regaining strength, but has been ordered by his medical

attendant to refrain from active exercise at present.

We hope he will soon be quite restored to health.

PARISH REGISTER for JULY, 1919

Baptisms

Hickland - On July 5th, 1919, William John, son of

John and Lucinda Hickland, of Breagh.

Sponsors—Rachel M'Knight, Lucinda Hickland

Marriages.

Caddell and Shanks—On July 16th, 1919, Albert

Caddell, late 9th R. Irish Fus., B.E.F., 1915-1919,

Prisoner of War, of Edenderry to Mary Shanks, of Kernan.

Burials.

McKnight—July 11th, 1919, Robert McKnight, of

Knock, aged 65 years. Interred at Knocknamuckley.

England—July 12th, 1919, Thomas England, of

Belfast, aged 18 years.

Lutton—July 18th, 19 19, Isabella Lutton, of Lower

Seagoe, aged 50 years.

The 'Twelfth' at Carrick Blacker.

This year for the first time for many years Anniversary

Celebrations were held at CarrickBlacker. As the

Procession wended its way along Carrick Blacker Road

an Aeroplane circled overhead at a low altitude, and the

aviator waved his hand in welcome. Some riding horses

in the Procession, heavily mantled in Orange and Blue,

added greatly to the interest of the Procession. The

Banners were as bright as ever, and the Drummers put

more energy than ever into the Drumsticks. Many in the

long line of Processionists had served throughout the war,

and several soldiers in uniform wove their sashes. The

figure of Colonel Saunderson, in the centre of the town,

was effectively arrayed an orange sash. The splendid

field at Carrick Blacker was crowded with people, who

enjoyed to the full the fine weather and the fresh country

air. Seagoe had a nicely arranged stall under a fine oak

tree, and it was well patronised. A feature of the day was

the presentation to Portadown Orange Lodge by Lt.-Col.

Blacker of the War Flag of the 9th Batt. Royal Irish Fusiliers.

It is Red, Green and Blue, and has painted on it the name and

title of the Battalion. We noticed some holes in it which

had been mended, but we could not find out if they had

been due to shrapnel at the front. If there are any similar

historic flags connected with the Battalion we would put

in a claim to them on behalf of Seagoe Church, which

was so closely identified with the war. A meeting was held

in the afternoon, at which interesting speeches were made.

Lt.-Col. Allen, M.P. for North Armagh, was present,

and looked well after his strenuous years at the front. The

impression left on one's mind by the size and enthusiasm

of the Celebrations this year is that Ulster is still as ever

true to her motto—" We will not have Home Rule."

The Soldiers' Reception.

[The following letter from Colonel Blacker, D.S.O.

was read at the recent Soldiers' Reception in Seagoe

School, but was crowded out of our last issue.]

CATCOMBE,

MINCHINHAMPTON.

Glos'.

Dear Canon Archer,

I much regret that, owing to my absence from home,

I shall be unable to be with you on the 12th.

I am delighted to think that Seagoe should take

the lead in giving a welcome to those who have been

spared to return to the Parish from the band of gallant

fellows who so nobly answered to the call of

duty.

The names of all who went should ever be kept in

grateful remembrance.

So many of those who will be present served under

me that it is a source of special regret to me that I

shall not be with you to share in their welcome home

to the parish, but a long-standing promise to attend

the first re-union of my old Regiment, since 1914, in

London - a promise I could not break — absolutely

precludes my attending on the 12th.

My thoughts will be with you that evening, and I

hope you will let all present know how much 1 regret

my inability to attend, and how cordially I do really

welcome them home.

Wishing them all a very pleasant evening,

Yours very sincerely,

STEWART W. BLACKER.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Seagoe in the days of King James 1st, 1611.

[The following Extracts from the Patent Rolls of James 1st

have not hitherto been published. They provide an interesting

into the past history of the Parish.] Patent Rolls of James 1st—

page 165, National Library of Ireland, May 30 ^th, 1611—

Grant from the King to James Matchett clerk, Armagh Co. In

O'Nealan Bar. The small proportion of Kerhanan —

Bochomorogh [Kilocke] Lisanusky, Sygoballiotragh, Tassan,

Kerhanan, Dromon-lgoun, Lisdriminy, Crossevickcholly,

Clonedroll, Taunagh-lglassan, Kern, Ballinecorrowe,

Taunagh-lcarrabid, Balto-leagh, Dromgore and

Moyrevertie, 1 balliboe each; containing in all 1000a

the balliboe of Ballyoughtragh-lgowne, containing

60a is excepted from the grant. The premises are

created the Manor of Kerhanan, with 300a in demesne

and court baron—Total rent, £5 6s 8d. To hold for

ever as of the Castle of Dublin, in common soccage.

Grant from King to Wm. Powell of Castleparke

within the honour of Tutbery, in Stafford Co. In

O'Nealan Bar. The great proportion of Ballyworran,

Balligonaghie, 1 bal. Aghnaha ½ bal Knocknamocally,

Ballynonaghie, Ballyvicramill, Dromon,

Dromonlisnagrellagh, Ballybreagh, Ballyhanaghan,

Ballygaragan, Kilmuckvolmall, Lanaghery, otherwise

Lenagher, Edenidery, Carricke, Balliworran,

Kilmemoriertagh, Mehain, Clonagh, 1 bal. each; in

all 2000a, the balliboes of Drumgoose and Cornaleckye,

containing 120a are excepted from this grant.

The premises are erected into the Manor of Ballyworran

with 600a in demesne and a court baron —

Total rent. £I0 13s 4d. Eng. To hold for ever as of

the Castle of Dublin in common soccage, 25th May, 8 ^th.

Page 401

Every undertaker of 1500 acres is to build a castle

or stone house of 30-ft. in length, 24 in breadth, and

30 feet high beside the battlements. Every undertaker

of 1000 acres is to build a castle or stone house

of 24-ft square and 30 feet high beside the battlements;

and every undertaker of 500 acres is to build a strong

bawn of lime and stone. [Some explanations of the above

are needed, The Townland names are not spelt in the

modern way, but many of them are easily identified.

Sygoballio-tragh is Lower Seagoe; Crossvickcholly is

Crossmecahiley. A Balliboe means literally the grazing for

one cow or cow-land. In the grant to Wm. Powell,

some of the names in the original Patent have been

here omitted. Agnaha is Hacknahay, Breagh is

Ballybreagh, Kilmuckvollmall is Killicomaine. The

letter "a" after the figures stands for acres. It will

be noticed that Portadown is not mentioned, for the

good reason that it did not then exist.]

Notes on Old Edenderry Eighty Years

ago. —Mr. Thomas Dawson, of Corcraine House

Portadown, now in his 91st year, has kindly supplied

us with the following notes on Edenderry, as he knew

it eighty years ago.

The Meadow Well - In olden days the well that

supplied Edenderry with water, and good water too,

was called the Meadow well, and people said that at

one time in its history it had been regarded as a Holy

Well. It was situated on the roadside, nearly opposite

the end of James Street. In 1835 it was an open

well, and is so marked on the Ordnance Survey Map

of that year. It was at a later date partially enclosed,

and two steps led down to it. Its exact site is at

present to be seen in the stone wall where the filled-in

opening is quite plain. It is now many years since

it was closed up.

The First School in Edenderry, 1830 — Eighty

years ago there was only one school in Edenderry.

It was taught by Ezekiel Cherry. There was no

National Board in those days, but Ezekiel Cherry

gave good instruction, as far as his knowledge went,

in the “Three R.s." He held his school first in the

room over the doorway at 51 Bridge Street, but then

moved to the house next to the First Presbyterian

Meeting House. Mr. Dawson attended the school

and remembers the sting of Mr. Cherry's cane.

Edenderry Toll-Bar and Gates—The Toll-Bar

in the old coaching days was situated across Bridge

Street, where Goban Street now branches off. Every

vehicle passing had to pay toll. Paddy Goligher's

public-house was situated just beside the gates, and

he did a big trade with thirsty travellers. Opposite

Paddy Goligher's house was Blacksmith's Shop,

where the coach horses and others had their shoes

repaired.

Edenderry House and the Green Island —-One

of the oldest residences in Edenderry is "Edenderry

House," now occupied by Mr. Hamilton Robb. Its

gardens sloped down in front towards the Green

Island, for in old days the present Stone Bridge had

not been built, and the River Bann flowed near where

the Post Office is. The present Bridge was built on

dry ground, and a straight channel was cut under it

for the river to flow in. It is quite easy to trace the

straight channel still. A spit of land was allowed to

remain for many years marking the place where the

old channel had joined the new, near the present

boathouse. A row of tall poplar trees grew along

Bridge Street opposite the present Post office.

Burley Court and King William's Pear Tree —

Opposite Edenderry was the well-known residence,

Burley Court, whose gardens ran down to the

river on the other side. Burley Court stood near the

site of the present Ulster Bank Buildings. In the

garden near the then course of the Bann stood a

famous old pear-tree, called "King William's Pear

Tree." All the boys of the town, including a boy

called Tom Dawson, at various times raided the pear

tree. A new shed is being built at present just

where the pear tree grew. In the Court beside Mr.

Sandford's Shop some of the Burley Court buildings

may still be seen, and in one of the lofts still existing

the Petty Sessions Courts were held for many a year.