December 1917

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

DECEMBER, 1917

Christmas, 1917.

We wish all out Readers a very

Happy Christmas and a Bright New Year

On Christmas Day Services will be held in the

Parish Church as follows

8 a.m,—Holy Communion.

1 1-30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon and Holy

Communion.

The offerings at these services will be on behalf of

the Clothing and Comforts Fund for the Poor of the

Parish.

Advent, 1917.

During Advent, which begins on Sunday, Dec. 2nd,

Special Addresses will be given on the following

Subjects :

On the Sunday Mornings the subject will be the

Four Greater Prophets "—December 2nd, Isaiah

December 9th, Jeremiah ; December 16th, Ezekiel ;

December 23rd, Daniel.

On the Sunday Evenings Four Articles of the

Apostles' Creed.' —December 2nd, The Holy Catholic

Church ; December 9th, The Communion of Saints

December 16th, The Forgiveness of Sins ; December

23rd, The Life Everlasting.

On Wednesday Evenings—December 5th, Life ;

December 12th, Death ; December 19th, Judgement.

Organ Recital

It is many years since we have had an Organ

Recital in the Parish Church. Arrangements have

been made to have one on Thursday, December 13th,

at 8 0'clock. Mr. G. A. Hardcastle, Organist of

St. Mark's, Portadown, has kindly agreed. to preside

at the Organ.

Some vocal items of Sacred Music

will be sung, and Mr. Hardcastle will play a selection

of Sacred Music by the great composers. The

offerings at the Recital will be given to the Ulster

Volunteer Hospital Fund—a most deserving object.

The Organ is a very fine instrument, and was

Dedicated on Thursday, April 19th, 1900, in memory

of the late Baroness von Stieglitz.

Resolution of Select Vestry.

At a Meeting of the Select Vestry of the Parish

held on Tuesday, November 13, the following

important resolution was adopted :—

' That it has become necessary to increase the

amount of the Sustentation Fund to a sum of £200

per annum, owing to its insufficiency to meet the

claims upon it, and that to accomplish this end the

Parishioners be asked to increase their Subscriptions

this year by one-third."

OUR NEW M.P.

MAJOR W. J. ALLEN has been elected M.P. for

North Armagh without contest. We offer him our

hearty congratulations. He has helped us very

generously on many occasions in Seagoe Parish, and

especially in Drumgor. Notwithstanding the severe

accident which befel him some years ago, he answered

with readiness the call of King and Country, to serve

in the war. He will be a stout upholder of the

Union, and his double experience as a leader of industry

and an officer in the Army should render him

a most useful member of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Mr. Justice Moore, our late Member, did yeoman

service in the House for many years, His appointment,

as a Judge of the King's Bench, will add

strength to the Judiciary at a critical time in the

history of our land.

Seagoe Day School

We heartily congratulate Mr Christopher Boyle,

Assistant Teacher in Seagoe N.S , on his appointment

as Principal of Carginagh N.S., in Kilkeel

Parish. Mr. Boyle was appointed to his post in

Seagoe School nearly seven years ago. and during

those years he has discharged with diligence and

capacity his duties as a teacher. He will be much

missed by the children of the School, who were very

fond of him. Mr. Boyle also acted as a Teacher in

Edenderry Morning Sunday School, and as

Superintendent of Seagoe Afternoon Sunday School. On

behalf of our readers we offer him our best wishes in

his new sphere of work. Mr. Boyle takes up his

new duties early in January.

The Parish Almanac for 1918.

Copies of the Parish Almanac for 1918, may now

be had at Collins' Grocery Store, Edenderry, or from

the Superintendents of Sunday Schools, price 1d per

copy. Secure your copy at once as the number is

limited.

A Notable Tribute.

The Christmas number of "The Strand Magazine,"

contains a very notable tribute to the valour of the

Ulster Division on July 1st, 1916. It is included

under the heading " What is the greatest deed of

valour in our History " Three eminent writers were

asked by the Editor to contribute their opinions. Mr.

H. B. Marriott-Watson, one of the three, and one of

the foremost writers of the day, asserts that the

advance of the Ulster Division on July 1st, 1916,

against Thiepval, Grandcourt and Beaamont Hamel

was the greatest deed of valour in British History.

The article is a splendid description of the events of

that awful and yet glorious day, when so many of our

bravest and best sealed their devotion to duty with

their own life- blood. This testimony, coming from

an outside and impartial source, and published in

leading Magazine is a splendid proof of the surpassing

bravery of our own Battalions.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

The Misses Dawson.

Their many friends in Seagoe Parish will be interested

to know that Miss Mary and Miss Cherry

Dawson left London on Wednesday, November 21st,

for South America. They travel overland to Lisbon,

and there intend to embark on a steamer bound for

Buenos Ayres in South America. They will then

have to make a long Transcontinental Railway

journey to Chile, where they will resume Missionary

work The journey by sea and land is very extended

one and, with the submarine menace, a very

dangerous venture. We ask the prayers of our

people that they may be brought in safety to their

journey's end. It says much for the Missionary

enthusiasm of the Misses Dawson that they have

determined, in spite of so many dangers, to go back to

their devoted labours among the Indian tribe of Chile.

The Annual Report

The Parochial Report is now in the hands of the

Parishioners. It is clearly arranged, and contains a,

complete record of the Parish up to Easter,

1917. We hope it will be carefully studied by the

Parishioners. A fresh effort is being made just now

to increase the contributions to the Sustentation Fund.

The pressure of the war, with its accompaniment of

high prices, makes it necessary for the Parishioners

to increase their gifts, if the Clerical Staff of the

Parish is to be maintained. As we said last month,

a sum of £200 is needed each year, if the demands on

the Fund for Clerical Income and Glebe Purchase

Scheme are to be met.

Lecture in Edenderry.

The Rev. G. Bloomer very kindly gave his Lecture

on his experiences in France, to large gathering in

Edenderry Parochial Hall, on Monday, November

19th, at 8 0'clock. The Rector presided, and there

were also present on the platform the Rev. G. H.

Daunt, Rector of Knocknamuckley, and the Rev. T.

H. Scanlon. Mr, Bloomer kept the eager attention of

his hearers from start to finish, and at times used a

blackboard to illustrate bis remarks The Lecture

was humourous as well as interesting, and some of the

experiences related caused hearty laughter. Those

who had the privilege of being present will have

realised more clearly than ever before the hardships

and dangers which our lads at the front have to en-

counter from day to day. A hearty vote of thanks to

the Lecturer was proposed by the Rev. G. H. Daunt,

and seconded by Mr. W. R. Atkinson. The proceeds of

the Lecture are on behalf of the Parochial Hall

Fund.

Seagoe in Palestine.

[Captain Edward Costello, nephew of Mr. Andrew

Costello, of Tamnificarbet, and of Mrs. Ramsey, of

Kernan, visited Seagoe a few years ago. His father

emigrated many years ago to Australia, and is still

living there. Captain Costello is a splendid specimen

of Seagoe manhood, being 6 feet 6 inches in height.

The following account of his experiences in Palestine

is taken from "The Warwick Examiner and Times,"

for June 25th, 1917.]

A SOLDIER'S LETTER.

Chatty News from Palestine.

Mr. J. A. Costello, Thane, has received an interesting

letter from his brother, Captain Edward

Costello, who is at present in Palestine

Just a short note to let you know I am still doing

fairly well. You will have seen by the papers of

some of our last fighting. I have no hope of telling

you one half of what has been done during the past

two weeks. I will only tell a little about our own

division. Our army here is a large one and had made

great arrangements for this scrap. They pushed the

railway line within eight miles of the enemy's position.

Then we made an attack on the 18th and 19th.

The fight was very hot. We were unable to gain all

we hoped for, and now are having a rest and thinking

of the next move. The 11th and 12th Light Horse

Regiments were side by side in the scrap, and both

suffered heavily. The 11th Light Horse had four

officers wounded, fifteen N.C O.'s and men killed,

and about fifty wounded. The 12th Light Horse

suffered more than we did. The other Light Horse

Regiments also got a heavy share of it. My pal,

Major Chambers, of the 2nd Light Horse, was killed.

One of the Burgess boys was wounded. We do not

see our wounded after they leave us. The country

we are fighting in is around a town called "Garzar"

(spelt Gaza) in Palestine. It is good country, light

soil, with deep sandy gullies There is plenty of

water in the wells for our force. Fruit trees do well

here. We have tramped over hundreds of acres

of good barley crops. Our horses have been able to

live and do well on the grazing, there being plenty of

good grass. Taking it all round the country is very

pretty The people live m mud huts, and are Arabs

and Syrians, who, if they get a chance, would carry

information to the enemy.

Band of Hope,

A Band of Hope Meeting, with Readings and

Recitations, will be held in Edenderry Parochial

Hall, on Tuesday, December 11th, at 8 0'clock.

Admission free.

Mission to the Deaf and Dumb.

The Meeting held in the Anchor Café, on Tuesday,

November 13th, on behalf of this Mission proved a

great success, Mr. .Francis Maginn, who is himself

Deaf and Dumb, gave a most interesting display of the

sign language. W. J. Rainey, one of our Edenderry boys,

gave a smart display of the finger language, spelling

out each word of the Lord's Prayer in a very brief

space. Tea was partaken of after the meeting, A

liberal collection, amounting to £2 16s, was placed

on the plate at the door, and after paying all expenses

a balance of £l 1s remained over, which has been

sent to Mr. Maginn for his Mission, There are five

Deaf and Dumb members of the Church of Ireland

in this Parish.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

His Last Words.

Private Robert John Cordy, Royal Lancaster

Regiment, of Carne, who was killed in action last

August, in France, in the last letter to his father Mr.

David Cordy, dated 18th July, 1917, added to his

letter the following postscript—They were his last

written words—

" My Boss will be over seeing you from

Barrow. Let him see that you are proud

to have a son fighting for the old Homestead,

as he likes a true Ulster man."

We record these words as expressive of the high

Spirit of loyalty and courage which animates our

Seagoe lads, as they go forth valiantly to share in the

hazards of this World War.

Townland Collections for

Soldiers' Comforts.

Breagh, £2 ; Ballyhannon, 6s 8d ; Ballymacrandle,

9s 1 ld; Hacknahay, £l 3s Id; Drumnacanvey,

Drumlisnagrilly, and Knock, 12s ; Levaghery,

£l Os Ballinacor and Carne, £1 2s 3 ½ d; Balteagh,

Drumgor, Tamnificarbet, Tamnifiglasson, and

Kilvergan, £4 8s 8d ; Kernan and Drumnagoon,

£l 4s ld ; Bocombra and Killicomain, 8s ; Clanrolle

and Knockmena, 5s 11d ; Lylo, 6s 4d; Upper Seagoe,

14s 9 ½ d ; Lower Seagoe and Derryvore, 5s 9 ½ d ;

Tarson, 9s 3d ; Edenderry, £6 8s 9d making a Total

of £21 6s 11d—for which we wish to thank collectors

and subscribers.

The members of the Hacknahay G.F.S. are again

knitting enthusiastically, and their help is much

appreciated. We especially thank Miss Eliza Magee

for continuing to work, although no longer living in

Seagoe.

Concert at Levaghery,

A splendid Social and Concert is to be given in

Levaghery School, on Thursday, December 6th. Tea

will be on the tables at seven o'clock. The Proceeds

go towards the Soldiers' Rest Room at Portadown

Station - a most deserving object Tickets 1/6 & 6d

each. We hear that there has been a great demand

for Tickets.

ITEMS.

Willie Whiteside, who lost his sight in the War, is

making three mats for Seagoe School.

The Boxes for Soldiers' Comforts have done well

in the Parish. A sum of over £12 had been collected

a month ago. A much larger sum is now in hand.

Mr. John Lyness, of Carne. dug out of his land

four potatoes of the Blue Mountain variety, which

together weighed half-a-stone. The potatoes were all

well shaped and single.

Sunday, January 6th, 1918, has been proclaimed

by the King as a special Day of Prayer for the nation.

None should be absent on that day from their

Parish Church.

Our Seagoe lads have done their bit within the

last few days in smashing up old Hindenburg's line.

When he said no one could break through, he hadn't

felt the Seagoe " touch."

The Bann Meadows have been heavily flooded

during the past three weeks. Unfortunately a

considerable quantity of hay in cocks is still in the flooded land.

The Collection for the Sustentation Fund is now

being made throughout the Parish. Please help the

Collectors by having your contributions ready when

they call

The design for the Memorial Tablet to the late Mr.

George Calvert has been chosen. It is very handsome.

The materials from which it will be constructed are

an outside framework of fine white Bath stone, inlaid

with broad band of the finest Connemara Marble.

The centre of the Tablet will consist of a slab of the

purest white statuary marble. The lettering will be

of a very handsome type. The Select Vestry have

chosen as the best position for the Tablet the wall

space on the left as One enters the inner door of the

Church. Messrs. Purdy and Millard, of Belfast, are

executing the work.

On Advent Sunday, an Anthem—a How beautiful

upon the mountains," will be sung by the Choir.

The Annual Inspection of Seagoe Day Sehool was

held on Thursday, November 29th, by Mr. T. J.

Carroll, Inspector under the National Board There

was a large attendance of the pupils, who were very

neat and tidy. The Inspection was very thorough.

The Inspector's Report has not yet been received.

We congratulate seaman Victor Robinson, R.N.,

of Edenderry, on his recent marriage. He was one

of the heroes of H.M.S. Tiger, who fought in the

Jutland fight. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Robinson

much blessing and happiness in their future life.

They were married in St. Mark's Church, Portadown,

on October 1st.

We are glad to hear that Captain Dobson

has quite recovered from his serious illness. He is at

present in Egypt and hopes shortly to join the forces

fighting in Palestine.

Wild swans are very numerous just now on the

flooded lands at Derryvore.

The Rev. James Smyth, B,A., has been appointed

Rector of Ardmore. He had for the past 18 months

been Curate-in-charge of the Parish. The Rector of

Seagoe preached in Ardmore Church on Sunday,

November 18th, on the occasion of the Induction of

the new Rector.

On Tuesday, January 1st, New Year's Day, and

the Festival of the Circumcision Services will be held

in the Parish Church at 11-30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

PARISH REGISTER for NOVEMBER

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on November 3rd, 1917 :—

Smyth—Thomas James, son of Thomas James and Sarah Emily Smyth, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Sarah Rainey, Sarah Emily Smyth.

Freeburn—Samuel, SOD of Thomas and Elizabeth Anne Freeburn, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Ann Freeburn, Sarah Rainey.

Gracey—James Frederick, son of John George and Sarah Jane Gracey, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—John George Gracey, Sarah Jane Gracey.

White—William Holmes, son of Woolsey James and Margaret White, of Bocombra.

Sponsors—Emma Louisa Wilson. Christina Holmes.

Burial.

Campbell—16th November, 1917, William Campbell, of Raheny, Co, Dublin,

and of Knock, in this Parish, aged 60 years.

Death at the Front.

Gillespie—On November 17th, in 2nd Casualty Clearing Hospital, France, from illness

contracted on active service, Private Francis Gillespie, 191st Labour Company, late of Edenderry.

Offertories for November,

Sunday Mornings £8 12 1

Evenings 1 10 5

Weekdays 0 5 10

£10 8 4

Included in above — November 25th, Special Offertory for Poor Parishes, £4.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Ancient Acts of the Cathedral Chapter of

Dromore.—The Acts of the Cathedral Chapter of

Dromore all begin in the following quaint way—

Acts had, sped, and dispatched in the Chapter House

of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer of Dromore."

The present Minute Book of the Chapter contains

the Acts of the Chapter since Thursday, June 2nd,

1743, when the Rev. George Howse, Rector of Seagoe

and Archdeacon of Dromore, was made Sub-Dean of

the Cathedral in the absence of the Rev. Samuel

Hutchinson, Dean of Dromore.

George, Duke of Manchester, 1845.— George,

Duke of Manchester, who lived in the middle of the

19th century and owned a large part of Seagoe Parish,

was a remarkable man in many ways. He was very

simple and unassuming in his manner of living, He

was a keen sportsman. A resident in Seagoe Parish

recalls a visit paid to her father's house, when she

was a child, by two men who were out shooting,

They were dressed in homely garb and coming to the

door were invited in. They said they were very

tired and hungry, so they Were hospitably entertained

to a simple meal by the owner of the house. Before

leaving one of the two informed the host that he had

been entertaining the Duke of Manchester, The

Duke was also deeply read in Theology, and in the

year 1845 published a learned Commentary on the

Book of Daniel. The title of the work was The

Times of Daniel, Chronological and Prophetical,

examined with relation to the point of Contact

between Sacred and Profane Chronology," by George,

Duke of Manchester. A capable reviewer of the

Book described it as " a work of much research and

close reasoning, in which originality is reconciled

with caution, and speculation is secured by a discreet

spirit against the perils of a too adventurous rashness."

He was the sixth Duke of Manchester, and died on

the 18th July, 1855.

Dean Dawson's First Sermon in Knocknamuckley

Church.—Dean Dawson preached the

first sermon in Knocknamuckley Church, after it was

Consecrated. Mr. Maginnis, sen., of Breagh, was

present, and remembers that the text was—"Brethren,

pray for Thess. v.-25.

Map of Mount Carroll, Ardmore, 1782—1n the

Record office, in Dublin, may be seen a very fine Map

(coloured) of what was known in 1782 as Mount

Carall or Mount Carroll, Ardmore. The full Title of

the Map is beautifully printed in by hand in an

elaborate frame-design. It is as follows—A Map of

Mount Carall, formerly the Rev. John Carall's, now

the property of Mr. James Carall, survey'd in Nov„

1782 by Thomas Gribbin The property described

in the Map was of considerable extent. It consisted

of three portions, containing the following acreage ;

Total acreage in the demain 42—0-05 ; Total in the

Church Form 46—1—03 ; Turf Bog 7—1—17. Full

total, including roads, English measure, 95-2-25.

The Map is divided up into fields and plots, each of

which bears a number and a name. The names are

of interest. Among them are—2, Long Meadow ;

3, The field at Widow Murphy's; 6, Far Field at

7, Long Bog Meadow; 9, The

Alex. Humphries ;

Middle Green Field ; 10, The near Green Field at

the New Garden; 13, The Ramper Meadow; 25,

Mrs. Carall's Field. The chief dwelling-house is

marked on the site of the present Ardmore Rectory.

The Church is marked on its present site, with tower

and vane. The Map is an interesting relic of what

was once part of Seagoe Parish. The Rev. John

Caroll was Curate of Seagoe before he became Clerk

of the Moyntiaghs. From the Map the question

arises was he the original owner of the land on which

the Church and Rectory was built, or did he purchase

it after his appointment as Curate-in-charge. It

seems more probable that the present Rectory and

Church Grounds were formed out of a private

property called Mount Carroll, and owned by the Carroll

family, one of whom eventually became the first

Clerk of the Moyntiaghs.