Feburary 1919

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

FEBRUARY, 1919.

Rev. T. H. Scanlon, B.A.

We regret that it was not possible to make the

Presentation to the Rev. T. H. Scanlon in person, as

many would have liked, but in war time travelling is

not easy, and social gatherings have not up to the

present been indulged in owing to the food restrictions,

so, the Committee came to the conclusion that it was

better to send the address and gifts to Mr. Scanlon to

Enniskillen. The gifts consisted of a handsome

Clock and a Book of Treasury Notes. We print

herewith the Address and Mr. Scanlon's Reply —

Address to Rev. T. H, Scanlon, B.A,

from the Parishioners of Seagoe.

Dear Mr. Scanlon,

We cannot allow the occasion of your departure

from among us and of your Marriage, to pass without

an expression on our part of our esteem and regard

for you and your work.

During your stay in the Parish your kindly manner

and your diligence in visiting won for you an abiding

place in the hearts of the people of Seagoe, and they

sincerely regret your departure from their midst.

You carry with you into your new sphere of life

the good wishes of all the Parishioners, and their

prayers that God's blessing may rest upon you and

Mrs. Scanlon in all that you undertake.

We ask your acceptance of this Clock and Book of

Treasury Notes as a remembrance of the time you

spent in Seagoe of our goodwill to you.

Yours very faithfully,

Signed on behalf of the Parishioners,

JAMES E. ARCHER, Rector,

W. R. ATKINSON, Hon. Sec.

Reply.

My Dear Friends,

I find it very difficult to find suitable language

in which to express my very deep gratitude for this

proof of your esteem. It is but further evidence of

the great kindness which you ever showed me as I

worked among you.

On behalf of Mrs. Scanlon, I thank you for your

kind thought and good wishes.

I will always treasure your gift, not only as a

visible token of your regard, but also as a reminder

of many pleasant and happy days spent in the "Service

of the Master."

To Canon Archer I tender my sincere thanks for

his wise counsel and ready help at all times.

May God's grace and blessing rest upon

you all.

Yours very faithfully,

T. H. SCANLON.

Sunday School Social.

A most successful Social for the children attending

Edenderry and Seago Sunday Schools was held in

Seagoe School on Thursday, January 16th. at 6-30.

The meeting had been organized and arranged by the

Superintendents and Teachers of the Sunday Schools.

An abundant supply of cakes had been kindly given

by the Parishioners. Over 350 children were present,

in fact, the capacity of Seagoe School, roomy though

it is, was stretched to the utmost to accommodate the

numbers present. After tea, a very interesting

Programme of Songs, Music, Recitations and

Dialogues was given, which the children immensely

enjoyed. The Social concluded about nine o'clock,

and as each child passed out it was presented with an

orange (very precious just now!) which had been

most kindly supplied for the children by the generosity

of Mrs. Bell, of Ashton, and Mr. W. R. Atkinson, of

Eden Villa. We congratulate the Superintendents

and Teachers on this very successful Social, and we

thank very heartily all those who by gift or effort

helped towards making it the success it was. We

print herewith a Statement of Receipts and Expenses.

Sunday Schools' Social.

Receipts—Per Miss Halliday, £2 17s 6d; Mrs. Stothers, £l 8s;

Mr. W. R. Atkinson, 10/-; Mrs, Bell, 10/-; Miss Hawthorn, 16/-;

Miss Magee, 8/4 ½ d; Mrs. Johnston, 8/-; Miss Allen, 5/3;

Miss Guy, 5/-; Miss Wolsey, 2/-; Miss Montgomery, 2/-;

Miss Pentland, 2/-; Miss Cartmill, 2/-; Miss Ramsey, 2/6;

Sale of Provisions, 8/4—£8 6s 11 ½ d.

Expenses—By Messrs. Davison Bros., Bread and

Hire of Utensils, £l 19s 9d; Miss Dawson, 26 ½ dozen

Oranges. £l 19s 9d; Cartage, Attendances, etc., 6/6;

Sugar, 1/8; Washing of Floor, 10/-; Balance on

hands, £3 9s 8 ½ d - £8 6s 11 ½.

Seagoe Roll of Honour.

The Roll of Honour for Seagoe Parish has been

designed and is in process of execution by Messrs.

Baird, “Evening Telegraph," Belfast. We are very

anxious that the list of names should be quite

complete. The old Roll will be hung in the Porch

on the next and following Sundays, and beside it

paper and pencil so that anyone may write any name

which has been omitted.

Lt.-Col. Blacker and Mr. Wolsey R. Atkinson are

calling on the Parishioners in the various Townlands

of the Parish asking for subscriptions for the War

Memorial which is to be erected in the Parish. They

have already met with a most gratifying response.

Presentation.

On Tuesday evening, January 21st, the members

of Seagoe Choir were entertained at a Social in

Seagoe School by Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wilson. There

was a full attendance of the Choir. The occasion of

the gathering was a Presentation from the Choir to

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Caddell, of Tarsan. After tea

had been partaken of, some round games and music

were enjoyed, and then the Rector took the chair and

in a brief speech spoke of the help which Mr. and

Mrs. Caddell had given in the Parish and Choir. The

members of the Choir felt that they could not allow

the occasion of their marriage to pass without giving

them some tangible proof of their regard and esteem.

The Presentation, which took the form of a handsome

China Tea-set, was then made to Mr. and Mrs. Caddell

by Mrs. T. H. Wilson on behalf of the Choir. Mr. Caddell

replied in a few words, thanking the Choir for their kind

gift and for the many good wishes expressed on their

behalf. The Rev. H. G. de L. Singleton and Messrs. S.

Rennix, D. Murray, T. Leake and J M'Keown also spoke.

A very pleasant evening concluded with vote of thanks

to Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wilson and the singing of the Hymn

"Sun of my soul."

Congratulations.

Our hearty congratulations to that famous

Portadown firm, T. J. Montgomery & Son, on their

enterprise in extending their premises by taking over

the grocery establishment of Mr. Clement Courtney,

which adjoins their premises in High Street. If

energy. attention to business, and courtesy in dealing

with the public, combined with high quality of goods,

can command success, then Messrs. T. J. Montgomery

& Son have already achieved it, and now with larger

premises they will be able to advance their business

in all directions. We notice that in doubling their

premises they have also shown their wisdom in

doubling their advertisement in Seagoe Magazine, in

which they have advertised since the first number

appeared. Many residents in Seagoe and Portadown

will greatly regret the departure of Mr. and Mrs.

Clement Courtney from Portadown. Not merely in

commercial life were they esteemed, but in Church

and social life their influence was always exerted for

that which was highest and best. No one knows

Portadown and the neighbourhood better than Mr.

Courtney. He is a living epitome of its history. He

has resided here for over 50 years, and was for many

years a member of the Town Council. We hope

often to see him in our midst, and whenever he

comes he will receive a hearty welcome.

Captain J. J. Dobson.

Captain Dobson writes under date 6th January, 1919

—I am in France for a few days. I arrived in

Marseilles a few days ago with about 3000 troops

who are going to leave the Army. I am Adjutant

of His Majesty's Transport “Kaisr-I-Hind," a very

fine P. & O. Liner. We move about from port to

port. On my last voyage from Italy I had the

Bishop of Jerusalem on board, also the present

Lord Kitchener. I know a good deal about Palestine,

and it was very interesting talking to the Bishop, as

we had a good many things in common. We had

a great discussion on the identity of the Holy Places

but I find I'm just where I started. The Bishop held a

Prayer Service on one of the Troop-decks each

night during the voyage, in which Presbyterian and

Methodist Ministers joined. I was at sea on New

Year's Day. We had 116 nursing sisters on board.

The officers got up a Fancy Dress Ball. It was great

fun, but I did not enjoy it so well. I had so many

other things to do. We all clasped hands as the Old

Year passed away. All were in great glee at the

prospect of seeing the old country soon again. In a

day or two I push off and it is difficult to say when

I may be back, even to Marseilles.

I hope you will give my warmest regards to all my

old friends at Seagoe and Portadown.

With every good wish for the New Year.

I remain, yours faithfully,

J. J. DOBSON.

Private W. E. Hall.

One of the saddest events in connection with the

recent War, so far as this Parish is concerned, has

been the death in captivity of Private William Ernest

Hall. second son of Mrs. Hall, of Windsor Terrace.

There had been some slight anxiety regarding him,

owing to his non-return when so many other

Prisoners were returning, but all his friends quite

expected that they would see him amongst them

again within a few days. Just then a letter arrived

in German, written by the chief German Doctor in

the Hospital at Hasenheide, saying that he had died

in Hospital on October 28th, 1918. A letter had

been received from him dated October 17th, in which

he seemed to be in good health and spirits, and he

concluded the letter with the words “I am going to

stick it."

Our deep sympathy goes out to Mrs. Hall, to his

only brother, Lieutenant Fforde Hall (recently

prisoner) and to his sisters in their bereavement.

Many among us will sadly miss Ernie Hall, who was

always so bright and pleasant. He and his brother,

Lieutenant Hall, joined up quite early in the war, and

from first to last set a splendid example of loyalty and

courage. Both fought in many engagements, both were

wounded and both were taken prisoners. We had hoped

that the list of our losses had been completed, but War

has claimed yet one more from the ranks of Ulster's

splendid heroes.

Presentation to Miss Calvert.

On Tuesday evening, January 14th, at meeting

of the Girls' Friendly Society held at Miss Calvert's

house in Breagh, a Presentation was made by the

members to their esteemed associate, Miss Calvert.

For many years Miss Calvert has carried on the

G.F.S. Class in Hacknahay, and for some years has

held a fortnightly class for the members in her own

house. To mark their appreciation of her constant

efforts for their welfare the girls subscribed and

purchased a very handsome silver Cake Basket. The

Rector presided at the Meeting, and spoke of the good

work Miss Calvert had accomplished among the girls

at that end of the Parish. One of the senior members

of the Class handed the Basket to Miss Calvert.

In a few words Miss Calvert replied, thanking the

members for their kind present. There was a crowded

attendance. and much interest was taken in the proceedings.

To the Sunday School Children of Seagoe.

We feel sure that the children of Seagoe would

like to have a share in the War Memorial, so the

Superintendents have kindly arranged to have a

penny collection in each Sunday School on the

afternoon of the second Sunday in February, the 9th.

A Public Lecture.

The Rector lectured in Drumgor Church Hall on

Thursday evening, January 30^th. The subject of his

Lecture was "Four Months in France with the Church Army."

There was a good attendance present. The proceeds of

the Lecture were given to the Funds of Drumgor Sunday School.

Coming Events.

Feb, 3^rd —Sunday School Teachers' Meeting for

Edenderry Teachers at 8 in Parochial Hall.

,, 11^th —Cottage Service at Mr. W. J. Caddell's in

Tarsan at 8.

,, 13^th —Social for Teachers and Children in

Drumgor Sunday School at 7.

,, 18^th —Social in Carne Church Hall.

,, 20^th —Edenderry und Seagoe Sunday School

Teachers' Social.

It is also hoped to hold a Seagoe Bible Class Social

on some date not yet arranged in February.

ITEMS.

On Sunday, February 11^th, at Morning Prayer all

Hymns will be chosen from those written by our

Irish poetess, the late Mrs. C. F. Alexander.

***

At Christmas-time the Rector had a letter from Mrs.

Wolseley, daughter of the late Rev. Capel Wolseley,

Curate of Seagoe, desiring to be remembered to the

people of Seagoe, and expressing sympathy with all

who had lost relatives during the war. Her only son,

Sir Capel Wolseley, Bart, has been on active service

since the war began.

***

The Hymns to be sung on Sunday evening,

February 18th, will be by Charles Wesley, one of the

most gifted Hymn-writers of the Church of England.

***

The Most Rev. Archbishop Lefroy, Archbishop of

Calcutta, Metropolitan of India, died at Calcutta on

New Year's Day. He was a son of the Very Rev.

Jeffrey Lefroy, Dean of Dromore, and at one time

Curate of Seagoe under the Ven. Archdeacon Saurin.

PARISH REGISTER for JANUARY, 1919.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in the Parish Church

on 4th January, 1919:—

Smyth —Samuel, son of Thomas and (the late)

Sarah Emily Smyth, of Portadown.

Sponsors—Sarah Rainey, Eliza Jane Smyth.

Coulter —Amelia Martha, daughter of William

Robert and Amelia Martha Coulter of

Ballinary. Parish of Ardmore.

Sponsors—Rebecca Reid, Amelia Martha Coulter.

M’Clatchey —James, son of William and Mary Anne M'Clatchey,

of Edenderry.

Sponsors—William M'Clatchey, Mary Anne M'Clatchey.

Private Baptism.

Freeburn—26th January, 1919, John, son of Thomas and Elizabeth

Anne Freeburn, of Edenderry.

Marriage.

Wright and Rainey —15th January, 1919. Thomas Wright, of Clounagh,

Portadown, to Margaret Rainey of Edenderry.

Burial.

Browne—January 31st, 1919, Stewart Browne, of Tarsan, aged 77 years.

Death.

“For King and Country."

Hall —October 28th, 1918, at the Hospital for Prisoners of War,

Hasenheide, Germany, Private William Ernest Hall, 7th Royal

Irish Regiment. late of the South Irish Horse, aged 22 years;

Old Seagoe Notes.

Seagoe Sunday School, 1810.—Vestry Record,

September 4th, 1810—1t is agreed that the sum of

Six Guineas per annum be paid to George M'Caughily,

Schoolmaster, for teaching a Sunday School, and also

the Poor Scholars of the Parish as may be recommended

by the Minister of it. — Richard Olpherts, Curate.

Record of Vestry, March 31st, 1812—Sums agreed

to be laid on—To George M'Caughily for Teaching a

Sunday School throughout the year, £6 11s 6d.

April 20th. 1818 —To Geo. M'Caughily for Teaching

a Sunday School, £6 16s 6d.

To John Walkington for Teaching at Aghacommon £8 8s 3d.

***

A Page from Seagoe Vestry Records, 1724.

—At a Vestry held in the Parish Church of Sego on

Easter Monday, April ye 6th. 1724, held for the said

Parish. It was enacted, agreed and concluded upon by

the Minister, Churchwardens and Parishioners then

present That Robert Wilson, of Bocomra, and George

Ruddil, of Ballynecor, are chosen Churchwardens for

the insuing year, and that Arthur Jordon, of Derrevore,

and James Twiman, of Bellyhannon, are chosen

Sidesmen for ye said year. Tobias Hillary, overseer

for the Highways from Kilvergin Bridge to Edenderry.

Simon Hewitt and Henry Dowey continews for

Bellynemony Constable-wick.

George Dillworth from Mr. Dynes' Hill to

Killecomaine and from ye Blew Stone to the Low

Mill, Robert Corner, of Derriadda, and Daniel Cittle,

of Bellynery. are to serve for the Moyntagh

Constablewick, Owin M'Grah and Thomas Wallocks

continews to oversee from Knock Bridge to Lylo and

from Henry Black's to John Binks'.

John Campbell, Min

Will Smurphett Churchwardens,

John Geddis

Will Blacker, Merth Workman, William

Mothers, James Fryer, John Bullock,

Sidesmen.

Unsatisfactory Churchwardens, 1717. - A

note in the Rev, John Campbell's writing says —

Memorandum that there is in the Churchwardens'

hands more than is set down in the Act (of Vestry)

the sum of 4s l ½ d. Lower down on the same page is

written — Memorandum that Thomas Gibson and

George Rodgers, Churchwardens of the Parish of

Sego, have now of the Parish Money in their hands

the sum of eleven shillings and sixpence—April 24tbt

1717, John Campbell, Min:

***

Seagoe in Queen Anne's Reign, 1708.— At

Vestry holden in ye Parish Church of Sego on ye

6th day of Aprile, being Easter Tuesday, 1708. It was

agreed upon by ye Minister, Churchwardens and

Parishioners then present that ye sum of £9 8s 10d

be applotted and levied of ye Parishioners and

Landowners of ye said Parish and together with

£2 12s 6d now in ye Churchwardens hands for ye

uses following

for Elements for ye Communion 12 Times in ye year

£3 2s 8d.

for ye Bellman's Wages one year £l 6s 0d.

Articles and Charges applotting ye said Moneys £2 0s 0d.

Washing the Table Linen 2s 0d.

Accidental Repairs that may happen £2 0s 0d.

For lifting ye Moneys 5s 0d.

and that Richard Smurphett, of Clanroll, and John

Geary, of Lystrimintry, are chosen Churchwardens to

serve for the insuing year 1708. Robert Willson at

ye band foot, and James Simonton to serve for Mr.

Francis Mathers, William Dixon and William

Robinson for ye Churchway Leading from

Ballymecrannel through Killicomaine and the

Queen's Road.

John Campbell, Clerk.

The Danes in Seagoe A.D. 850 - A.D. 1050 .

Several clear evidences survive of the Danish occupation

of Seagoe a thousand years ago. The Battlefield of

Drumlisnagrilly and the discovery near its site 100 years

ago of Danish weapons are interesting proofs of the

presence of the Danes. The descent of the Blacker family

from Blacar the Dane is a link between the long distant

past and the present day. Another proof of the Danish

occupation is the name of Oxford Island in the Townland

of Annaloist. Oxford is clearly a Danish compound, Oggeg-fiord.