Feburary 1917

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

FEBRUARY, 1917.

An Alphabet of Seagoe,

[The " Alphabet of Seagoe " contains a large number of facts relating to the Church and

Parish, which all the Parishioners should know. Being in rhyme, and each set of rhymes being

linked up with a letter of the Alphabet, it can very easily be learned by heart. Anyone possessed

of an ordinary memory should be able to repeat it correctly after reading it over three times] .

A for Antiquity, Seagoe appears On History's page 1400 of years.

B stands for Blacker name of renown, Distinguished for Service to Church and to Crown.

C denotes Campbell, the Vicar who fought At Derry and Boyne and never feared aught.

D that's the Townland of Drumlisnagrilly, Where Blacar the Dane beat O'Neill willy-nilly.

E Edenderry a part of the town Where Seagoe joins hands with its friend Portadown.

F for our brave Fusiliers, who in France Are leading the Huns and their Kaiser a dance.

G the old Graveyard, where peacefully lie Our fathers, who lived in the days long gone by.

H for the Heroes Svho midst shot and shell, For God, King, and Country, so gloriously fell.

I for the Interest the people should show In their own Church and Parish wherever they go.

J is for Junction of River and Rail, Which combine to make business and traffic prevail.

K for the Townland of Kernan, where stood Sir Oliver St. John's first Bawn of wood.

L begins Lylo, a notable place, In the days when the coaches went flying apace.

M marks the Mountains of Mourne so nice, Which in old glacier days covered Seagoe with ice.

N for Lough Neagh, to whose fossilized beach The Parish of Seagoe did formerly reach.

O that's O'Neilland, the Barony's name, On the map you will find Seagoe marked in the same.

P Parish Magazine, interesting, bright, If you purchase a copy you're sure to do right.

Q stands for Querns, large stones, flat and round, So useful of old when the Corn was ground.

R for our River, the Bann broad and slow, For four miles of its course it bounds Seagoe you know.

S must be Sedes Gobhani, to tell The place Where old Gobhan delighted to dwell,

T Hear the Trains as they speed on their way, From the year '41 they have run till to-daye

U for the Union—old Seagoe is true— And the colour it loves is the Red, White and Blue.

V for the Vicars who once did adorn The Parish—their names Buckby, Blacker and Saurin.

W for William—King William of course, You can cheer him and cheer him again till you're hoarse.

X for extremes will two Townlands unlock—- Kilvergan to North and to South peaceful Knock.

Y for the Years in our Registers noted 1—6—7—2 is the first to be quoted.

Z stands for Zeal it will carry you through, But no letters remain, so we bid you adieu.

Lent, 1917.

On February 21st being Ash Wednesday, Divine

Service will be held (D. V.) in the Parish Church at

11-30 a.m. and at 8 p.m.

Special Temperance Sermons will be preached in

the Parish Church at Morning and Evening Prayer

on Sunday, February 25th being the 1st Sunday in

Lent;

The War Loan.

Everyone in Seagoe Parish who has any money to

invest should put it into the War Loan, It is the

best investment you will ever get; and your money is

as secure as the Empire itself Applications must

be made at any Bank or at the Post Office before

Friday, February 16th. You will help Our brave

Seagoe lads at the front, and many a precious life

will be spared if you put your money into the loan.

After next Friday if will be too late, So do it Now.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

War Tillage,

It is all-important that every available piece of

land should be cultivated this year. The spectre of

starvation often follows War. Ireland knows what a

Famine means. But the remedy is in our hands if

we plough ! plough! ! plough ! ! ! Food is scarce.

Prices are high. Profits are sure. Never was there

such a chance for Farmers as in this year of War—

1917.

A Record Frost.

King Frost has now reigned, without a break, for

four weeks. Every day has been marked by an Arctic

temperature. Fortunately, the piercing winds have

subsided. The air and ground are very dry. The

roads are as white as in summer time. The Bann

has been frozen right across, and skating and sliding

are in full vogue on every pond in the country. The

farmers are having a splendid opportunity to prepare

their land for the sowing time. The wettest November

on record has been followed by the driest and coldest January.

Teaching a Class.

This was the subject of the Rev. G. Bloomer's

Lecture to the Superintendents and Teachers of

Seagoe Parish on Thursday, Feb. 1st, in Seagoe

Parochial School. There was a large attendance—

representing most of our Sunday Schools. Mr.

Bloomer dwelt on the need of regularity, punctuality,

preparation, and discipline. After the Lecture, the

Rector, who presided, suggested that the meeting

should take the form of a conference. Many of

those present joined in the discussion, and many

practical suggestions were made.

The second Lecture of the series will take place in

Seagoe School on Tuesday, Feb. 27th, at 8 0'clock,

The Lecturer will be the Rev. R. H. Morrison, B.D.,

Rector of St. Saviours', Portadown, and his subject

will be : " The Sunday School and the Parish Church."

Rain in East Africa-

[Here is a description of how it rains in East

Africa, from Lieut. W. Walker, M.D., R.A.M.C.]

B Section,

18th Motor Amb. Convoy. B. E. A.

Just a note to say that I am quite well. We are

still in the same place, and I don't suppose we will

move for some time. We had an awful rain last

night, I was lying in my bed in my tent, and all at

once a flash of lightning followed by crash of

thunder came, and then the rain came—it was as

though the heavens had opened and rain poured

into the top of my bent as if from drain pipes.

It frightened me very much as I fully expected my

tent would been broken down by the weight.

Luckily I had about one foot deep and one

foot wide, so that most of the water drained away and

my things were not wet very badly. About half an

hour later I had to cross the road which is about 50

yards away, but there was such a torrent of water

that I could not cross, so I had to come back without

any dinner (my mess room is in house across the road.)

If I had attempted to cross I would either

have dropped into a deep rut, or been carried down

by the current. The water usually flows away by

the roads here, as there is so much grass and bush

wood everywhere else, and the roads after a heavy

rain have ruts about 5 feet deep owing to the force of

the water.

P.S.—This is an awful country for rats and flying

bettles. I can't keep the rats away, and every insect

seems to be provided with wings and a sting—even

beetles and cockroaches fly here not to speak of hornets

and scorpions and mosquitoes.

Concert at Carne

On Thursday, January 25th, a splendid entertainment

was given in Carne School. It was arranged

by our energetic and popular local Superintendent—

Mr. David Murray, of Ballinary. The Hall was more

than full, and the Programme lasted for hours.

Every item was first-rate, and the comical songs and

sketches were funny, without being vulgar. Mr.

Wright, of Portadown, brought out a concert party—

who undertook most of the Programme. Almost

every piece was encored, and the audience seemed

delighted with everything Mrs. Pallett presided at

the piano. The proceeds were given towards the cost

of decorating and painting the Hall.

Among Submarines.

Capt. J. J. Dobson writes as follows on his way to

Salonica :—

MONDAY AT SEA,

21/1/17.

Just a line to let you know that I'm still on the

surface and in the best of form.

I have had a great time since I saw you; very

enjoyable and most interesting. My letter would be

better if I were allowed to mention or tell you about

the places I saw and have been in.

All along the weather has been fine, but to-day

there is a distinct change—wet, cold and wind. I

had a very rough crossing from Ireland ; I never saw

it so bad.

This boat is a very fine one, safe and most comfort-

able, and we get the best of grub. If she were put

down, the life-belts are of such a kind that we could

float as long as we were able to stand the exposure,

so that I think there is no danger of any loss of life ;

and I may say, too, that every precaution is taken,

and nothing is left to chance.

I hope to be able to write you a more interesting

letter next time.

Yours very faithfully,

J. J. DOBSON.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

ITEMS.

Please do not forget the birds. Throw them some

crumbs. They are very hungry this cold weather.

They will sing to you when spring comes.

3 ½ acres of the Glebe lands hove been ploughed.

It is many years since they have been tilled.

Since the cheap fares on the G.N.R. have been

abolished, very few of our people go to Belfast. The

trains are empty.

L.-Cpl. Harry Adair, R.I.F., of James Street, has

been home on a holiday from France. He has been

2 ½ years at the war, and took part in the famous

Retreat from Mons, as well as in many other engagements.

David Boyce writes from France to the Rector.

He says there are many members of the Edenderry

Men's Bible Class in the Trenches. They are all

well and cheery.

Master William Blacker, of Carrickblacker, Colonel

Blacker's eldest son, has been entered as pupil at

Eton College, and began residence there on January 25th.

Private MacMullen, of the Canadians, son Of Mrs.

MacMullen, of Drumgor, spent a few days here lately.

It is 16years since he was last in Seagoe.

If you have not yet sent in your subscription to the

Sustentation Fund, please do so without delay.

Sermons on behalf of Foreign Mission, will be

preached in the Parish Church on Sunday, February

11th at Morning and Evening Prayer.

During Lent the " Benedicite" will be sung instead

of the " Te Deum " at Morning Prayer.

The " Church Army Gazette " price weekly is

now being sold in Edenderry District each Friday.

It is an excellent paper. Every line of it is interesting

and profitable. The illustrations are very clever

and appropriate. We recommend our readers to get

a copy whenever they have a chance.

Death of Mrs. Hadden,

Deep regret has been occasioned by the death of

Mrs, Hadden, wife of Dr. R E. Hadden, of Ardralla,

Stewart Avenue. For many years Mrs, Hadden had

been in weak health, but the recent severe weather

brought on further weakness, to which she succumbed

on Monday, January 22nd. The interment took

place in Seagoe Graveyard on Thursday, January

25th, the offciating clergy being the Rector, the Rev.

W. R. Crichton, and the Rev. G. Bloomer. Mrs.

Hadden was deeply interested in Seogoe Church and

Parish, and, whenever possible, was present at Public

Worship. She was always ready to help any deserving

object, and gave liberally towards the various

Missionary Societies and other organisations helped

by the Parish. Her bright and happy disposition

kept her at all times cheerful, and her steady faith in

a Divine Providence, which over-ruled all for good,

enabled her to bear With Christian fortitude the

heavy burden of constant weakness. Her many

friends will sadly miss her, and the memory of her

kindly presence will not soon fade away. To Dr.

Hadden and her bereaved relatives and friends we

tender our sincere sympathy.

PARISH REGISTER for JANUARY.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church on 6th January, 1917.

Coulter—Olive, daughter of Thomas William and Henrietta Coulter, of Ballyhannon.

Sponsors—Margaret Brownlee, Henrietta Coulter.

Gracey-—James, son of James and Elizabeth Gracey, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—Margaret Brownlee, Elizabeth Gracey.

Best—Victor, son of Henry John and Helena Best, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Henry John Best, Elizabeth Best.

Hickland—Robert, son of John and Lucinda Hickland, of Breagh.

Sponsors—Elizabeth McKnight, Lucinda Hickland.

McCabe James Alexander, son of Thomas and Mary McCabe, of Upper Seagoe.

Sponsors—Jane Ruddell, Mary McCabe.

Burials.

Rea—Jonuary 22nd, Joseph Rea, of Balteagb, aged 1 year and 8 months.

Hadden—January 25th, Thomasine Coles Hadden, of Ardralla, Stewart Avenue, Edenderry.

Robinson—January 26th, George Robinson, of Glasgow, aged 62 years.

Steenson—Jan uary 31st, George Steenson, of Killicomaine, aged 76 years.

Kane—February 2nd, James Kane, of Belfast, aged 64 years.

Moore—February 4th, William J. Moore, of Edenderry, aged 76 years.

McClelland—February 8th, Thomas McClelland, aged 80 years.

Gardiner- —February 5th, Thomas Gardiner, of Edenderry, aged 84 years. Interred at Drumcree.

Offertories for January.

Sunday—Mornings, £3 7 11

Evenings, 0 19 3

Week Days 0 9 0

£4 16 2

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZJNE.

Old Seagoe Graveyard-

(SECTION 1.)

723	760	769	808		843	842
724	759	770	806	821
725	758	772	805	822		841

[The above Plan represents approximately the Grave Plots within the Nave of Old Seagoe Church.

The Numbers correspond to those on the offcial plans of the Graveyard. We hope to publish, from

time to time, other Sections of the Graveyard, with the object, chiefly, of locating the monuments

and gravestones, and of recording their inscriptions] .

Old Seagoe Notes.

The following is a list of the Names of those who

hold the plots in the above plan. The size of each

plot in feet is added after the name.

723, Moore, 10; 724, Carleton, 8; 725, Dilworth,

10; 758, England, 7 ½ ; 759, Woolsey, 6; 760,

Ruddell, 9; 769, Kinnear, 8; 770, Farrell, 6; 772,

Morris, 3; 806. Mcllveen, 6; 808, Walker, 8; 821,

Kernan. 13; 822, Best, 9 ½ ; 841, Blacker, 11 ½ ; 842,

Stoops, ; 84 ½ , Buckby, 10}.

Dean Blacker and the Highwayman.—The

late Colonel Waring, M.P. used to tell the following

story about Dean Blacker, who was rector of Seagoe

from 1777 to 1826

On one occasion in the early years of the last

century, Dean Blacker was collecting tithes in the

neighbourhood of Bleary. When he was returning

home to Carrickblacker, carrying in his pockets a

large sum of money, he was met by a Highwayman

who demanded the surrender of his treasure. The

Dean was at the time over 70 years of age, but

though small in stature was, for his years, very alert

and active. The Highwayman who accosted him

was burly and strong and tall. The Dean in reply

to the challenge of the Highwayman said ' I am old

and small and weak but you are strong and big so I

cannot resist you, but I agree to hand you over all

the money I have if you accept this offer—I will run

you a race to the top of this hill (at the time they

were at the foot of a hill near Knocknamuckley), and

if you win I will give you the money."

In a moment they had lined up on the road, and the Dean

and the Highwayman were sprinting up the hill.

Very soon the big Highwayman got out of breath

and lost pace, but the Dean waxed faster and faster.

Before you could count twenty the Dean had reached

the top of the hill, while the Highwayman was

struggling yards' behind. The Dean, who knew the

road well and had remembered the steep decline,

beyond the hill, when he reached the top ran with

increasing speed down the hill leaving his rival hope'.

In fact the Dean, with his treasure intact,

was safely lodged in the security of his.

Carrickblacker home before the dejected and defeated

Highwayman had quite time to recover his breath.

A Seagoe Record.—On the occasion of the

Centenary of the present Parish Church, which was

observed on Sunday, June, 1916, the Bishop of

Down referred to the remarkable fact that there had

only been three. Rectors of Seagoe in the space of

almost 100 years—1810 to 1905—Dean Blacker,

Archdeacon Saurin and Dean Dawson. But the

interval was much longer, for Dean Blacker was

collated Rector of Seagoe on October 8th, 1777, so

that during the space of 128 years there were but

three Rectors. Dean Blacker and Archdeacon Saurin

held the position for no less than 102 years 1777-—

1879.

Sympathy.

This month we have again to record a long list of

deaths. Two of the number, Mr. George Steenson,

of Killicomaine, and Mr. William J. Moore, of

Foundry Street, had served with honour and

distinction in the Army, one in India during the

Mutiny and the other in the Crimea. Mr. Thomas

Gardiner will be much missed from Edenderry, where

he was well known and much respected. His manly

appearance and his independence of character made

him notable figure in our midst.