January 1919. Price Twopence
Seagoe Parish Magazine
(FOURTEENTH YEAR),
MOTTO:
“On Earth Peace, Goodwill toward Men."
—S, Luke ii. 14.
This Magazine is on Sale at COLLINS' GROCERY STORES,
16 Bridge Street, Portadown.
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and Undertakers
PORTADOWN.
Oil Paintings, Miniatures, Enlargements, Portraits.
There's a Photographer in Your Town.
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UP-TO-DATE
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The Leading House in the District for
STYLE, FIT AND FINISH.
Note the Address—
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A Happy New Year to all our Readers.
A New Year's Prayer,
O ALMIGHTY GOD, who alone art without
variableness or shadow of turning, and hast
safely brought us, through the changes of time, to the
beginning of another year; we beseech Thee to
pardon the sins we have committed in the year which
is past, and give us grace that we may spend the
remainder of our days to Thy honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Fourteenth Year,
Seagoe Parish Magazine enters this month
its Fourteenth Year. We are glad to note its
continued success as a vehicle for all parish news. Its
circulation is as wide as ever, and it supplies a link
between all Seagoe people, whether they live in the
Red Row or in the Islands of the Pacific. We regret
that many were disappointed in failing to secure a
copy of our last issue which was all bought up in two
days. We would recommend all our clients to become
annual subscribers to the Magazine, and then they
will be quite certain to get their copy each month.
Our "Old Seagoe Notes" continue to interest our
people, and in the coming year we hope to make them
more interesting, The arrangement of the present
church before it was altered, the printing of the
Inscriptions on the Old Tomb Stones in Seagoe
Graveyard, and a more detailed record of the natural
features of the parish are subjects which we hope to
incorporate in the notes during 1919. We have once
again to thank all those who kindly act as Magazine
distributors—Mrs. MacMullen, Mrs. Kyle, Miss
Minnie Allen, Miss Amelia M'Cormick, Miss Bella
Magee, Miss Monroe, and Messrs. D. W. Murray,
R. Price, and T. E. Maginnis. Our thanks are also due
to those firms who advertise in our columns. The
Magazine is a fine advertising medium. All copies
are sold, all copies are read, many copies are
treasured up for future reference. The printing is
clear, and the paper is good. Advertisements inserted
in a Magazine of this class should prove a useful
source of profit to wide-awake business men.
We cannot close this note without an expression of
thanks to “The Portadown News," who have been
our printers and publishers since the first number of
the Magazine appeared in January, 1906. Their readiness
to help in every way, combined with their skill and
courtesy have gone long way towards making the
Magazine a success.
The Organ Recital.
On Thursday, evening, 5th December, an Organ
Recital was given in Seagoe Church by Mr. Sidney
Smith, A.R.C.O., organist of Lurgan Parish Church.
There was a large congregation present who listened
with close attention to the Recital. At intervals
Sacred Vocal Selections were given by Miss Pollock,
Mr. Watt, of Portadown, and Mr. D. W. Murray.
The songs were sung with much reverent expression
and added greatly to the pleasure of the Recital.
Mr. Sidney Smith's programme was chosen with great
care, and illustrated the masterpieces of sacred music.
The Rector held a short service before the Recital,
and at the end said the concluding prayers. The offerings
amounted to £313s 10d, and after the payment of the
expenses, which amounted to £l 18s 6d, the balance £l 15s 4d
was sent to the St. Dunstan's Hospital for blinded soldiers.
We hope in a short time to have another Recital illustrating
the history and development of church music. We possess
in Seagoe very fine organ with many very expressive stops,
and our people seem to appreciate the Recitals.
New Vestry Regulations.
At a meeting of the Seagoe Select Vestry held on a
recent date the following new regulations were
made — Fee for Tolling Church Bell for Deceased
Parishioners. 2/6 for 15 minutes once a day; and 5/-
for 15 minutes twice a day. Fee for those outside
the Parish, and who are not accustomed members of
Seagoe Church 5/- for tolling of bell once a day for
15 minutes, and 7/6 for two tollings of the bell each
day for 15 minutes at a time, at proper intervals.
Fee for opening graves in churchyard, 10/- to be paid
to the Secretary when receiving permit from him.
Sunday School Social.
The Sunday School Social for the children attending
Edenderry and Seagoe Sunday Schools, which
was postponed owing to the Influenza, will be held
(D.V.) in Seagoe School on Thursday, January 16th,
at seven o'clock. Games and fun of all kinds will be
provided, and plenty of and cake.
Seagoe Day School,
The Day School re-opened on Monday, January
6th, at 9-30 a.m., after the longest vacation that has
ever been given. The School closed owing to the
Influenza epidemic on October 31st, 1918. All the
children will be glad to get back again to the old
school. A "wee" boy from Seagoe School told the
manager a few days ago that he was "sick of running
about doing nothing."
The Rev. H. G. de L. Singleton.
The Rev. H. G. de L. Singleton has come to reside
in Seagoe Villa and hopes to begin his visiting in the
parish without delay. We give him a hearty welcome
to Seagoe Parish. The visiting of Seagoe Parish is no
easy matter. It takes six months to get once round the 29
townlands which comprise the parish. The Rector or
Curate of Seagoe walks or rides 780 miles each time
he completes the round of the parish.
Sexton of Seagoe.
We regret to announce the resignation by Mr. David
Livingston of the post of sexton of Seagoe to
which he had been appointed just a month before.
The onerous duties proved too great a responsibility
for him, and a severe attack of influenza weakened
his health so much that he felt compelled to resign.
We are glad to say he is now making good progress
towards recovery.
At a meeting of the Select Vestry held on Monday,
December 16th, Mr. Robert Richardson of Upper
Seagoe was appointed Sexton. Mr. Richardson had
for some time acted as Bellringer and Organ Blower,
and had discharged his duties with efficiency and
care. During Mr. David Livingstone's illness the
duties of Sexton and Bellringer were discharged by
Mr. William Gibson, of Walkerstown, who at a very
busy and difficult time offered his services and carried
out his duties with great satisfaction. Our new
Sexton entered upon his duties on New Year's Day.
Congratulations.
Our readers will join with us in offering our very
hearty congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Caddell
on the occasion of their marriage. Mr. William John
Caddell is very highly esteemed by us all for his quiet
unostentatious efforts in the cause of true religion in
the parish. The aged, the sick, and the dying, have
often been cheered and comforted by his words of
sympathy and spiritual power, and his fine example
has ever been a stimulus to the promotion of all that
is and good among the men of the parish. Mrs. W. J.
Caddell (Miss Priscilla Smartt) has also done good
service in the parish as a member - of Seagoe Choir
for many years. We wish them both a long and happy life.
Seagoe War Memorial.
At meeting of the Select Vestry held on Monday,
December 16th, it was proposed by Colonel Blacker,
D.S.O., and seconded by Mr. T. E. Maginnis, that a
memorial should be erected in connection with the
parish, to commemorate those from Seagoe Parish
who have fallen in the war. The proposal was
unanimously adopted by the Vestry, and a subscription
list having been opened over £100 was subscribed in
the room. This is a good beginning, and since then
further subscriptions have been received. A canvass
of the parish will be made at an early date. The
memory of those who died, that we might live, must
never be forgotten.
Sickness and Death.
The influenza is now abating, but it has taken a sad
toll of human life during its ravages in the parish.
In most cases it is the young and strong who have
succumbed, and in several households in the parish
more than one member has been taken away, causing
a double bereavement and great sorrow.
Among those whose loss we mourn this month are
Mrs. Harvey, of Drumnagoon, patient but happy
sufferer for many weeks; Martha Jane Hopps, for
many years a faithful Sunday School Teacher in
Drumgor. Mrs. Sarah Ann Hopps, wife of Mr. Thomas
Hopps, married but a year, and interred, by a sad
coincidence, on the first anniversary of her marriage.
Jane Ruddell, only daughter of Mr. Samuel J. Ruddell,
of Kernan, much loved by all who knew her.
David Kirk, one of our oldest parishioners, and much
attached to Seagoe Parish. Mrs. Letitia Magee, of
Edenderry, whose death after a lingering illness is deeply
lamented, honoured in her home and in the parish. We
sorrow not as those without hope for those who sleep in
Christ. May the prospect of a joyful reunion in the Perfect
Life beyond, bring comfort to mourning hearts.
Public Lecture.
On Thursday evening, January 30th, the Rector will (D.V.)
give a public lecture on "Four Months in France," in Drumgor
Church Hall. The lecture will begin at 8 o'clock. The proceeds
will be towards the purchase of a new stove for the hall.
Our New Member.
We congratulate very heartily our new member,
Lt. Col. Allen, on his Election as M.P. for North
Armagh. He is tried, trusted and true. The right
man in the right place. Seagoe wishes him well in
the strenuous times ahead.
Accident at Seagoe.
We regret to record the accident which occurred
to Mr. W. J. MacDonald, Inspector G.N.R., on the
line at Seagoe on December 26th. He was overtaken
by a down train to Belfast, and had the misfortune
to lose his left leg from below the knee, and to have
his right heel seriously crushed. We sympathise
very much with him, and with Mrs. MacDonald and
family. No family in the parish is more regular in
attendance at Church and Sunday School.
[Since writing the above we regret to announce
the death of Mr. MacDonald which occurred in the
Infirmary at Lurgan, on Monday, 6th January.
The interment took place in Seagoe graveyard.
There was a very large attendance at the funeral,
who by their presence testified to the popularity of
their departed friend, and their sorrow at his removal
from their midst in the prime of life. The Rector
officiated in the Church; and at the graveside. Deep
sympathy is expressed on all sides with Mrs. MacDonald
and her young family in their 'bereavement.
PARISH REGISTER for DECEMBER
1918.
Public Baptisms.
The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish
Church, on December 7th, 1918—
Magee—Mary, daughter of Joseph William and
Emma Magee, of Kernan.
Sponsors—Olivia Magee, Emma Magee.
England—Norman Nicholas, son of William Henry
and Evelyn England, of Killicomaine.
Sponsors—Ellen Jane England, Evelyn England,
Watson—William John, son of George Annesley
and Mary Watson, of Edenderry.
Sponsors—Sarah Watson, Mary Watson.
Private Baptisms.
Smith—December 1st, 1918, Emma daughter of Aaron
and Sarah Anne Smith of Edenderry.
Roney—December 13th, 1918, Anne Isabella, daughter of
James William and Mary Isabella Roney of Edenderry.
Stanfield—December 17th, 1918, Gladys, daughter of Thomas Edward
(Lce-Corp. 1st Batt. R. Ir. F., B.E.F., wounded at Arras) and
Mary Jane Stanfield of Edenderry.
Marriages.
Caddell and Smartt—December 25th, 1918, William John Caddell, of Tarsan,
Sidesman in Seagoe Parish Church, to Priscilla Smartt, of Kernan.
Geddis and Gregson—December 26th, 1918, Thos. Henry Geddis, of Lurgan, to
Sarah Gregson, of Drumgor,
Burials.
Harvey —December 7th, Agnes Harvey, of Drumnagoon, aged 51.
Magee —December 8th. Elizabeth Magee, of Upper Seagoe, aged 40.
Gilpin Died at Manchester, on December 9th, James Gilpin, late of Seagoe.
Interred in Southern Cemetery, Manchester.
Hopps —December 12th, Martha Jane Hopps, of Balteagh, aged 31.
Interred at Knocknamuckley.
Hopps —December. 18th, Sarah Anne Hopps, of Balteagh, aged 28.
Interred at Knocknamuckley.
Smith —December 18th, Emma Smith, of Edenderry aged 8 weeks.
Ruddell —December 25th, Jane Ruddell, of Kernan, aged 32.
Magee —December 26th, Letitia Magee, of Edenderry, aged 57.
Kirk —December 30th, David Kirk, of Ballinacor, aged 86.
Ligget t —December 31st, Margaret Irene Liggett, of Edenderry, aged 8 months.
Interred at Drumcree.
MacDonald —January 6th, 1919, William John MacDonald, of Ballyhannon, aged 48 years.
Our Returned Prisoners.
A large number of those who had the misfortune
to be taken prisoners in the war have returned to
their homes throughout the parish. They all look
very well and strong, notwithstanding the privations
they endured. Amongst those who have returned
are Lieut. Fforde Hall (from Cologne), Lce.-Corp.
George Preston of Ballinacor (a prisoner at Friedrichsfeld
since September, 1914), also Albert M'Nally,
of the Canadians, and Hugh Roney (both taken
prisoner in March, 1915, during the first gas attack
made by the Huns.) They had been imprisoned at
Munster, in Westphalia, for part of the time. Lce-
Corp. Bingham, of the Durham Light Infantry (a
grandson, by marriage, of Dynes Atkinson, late
sexton of Seagoe), is staying at Seagoe. He says he
was well treated while prisoner. Hugh Roney says
things were rough, and he saw English soldiers
kicked by their captors, and often beaten severely
with rubber motor tubes. In all the camps where
our Seagoe prisoners were, services were held by
English Chaplains, and in one camp a German, who
had been for many years a rector of an English parish
visited the men and showed them much kindness.
ITEMS.
Edenderry Sunday School re-opened on Sunday,
January 5th,
***
The brilliant star shining each night in the Eastern
heavens is the Planet Jupiter. Saturn appears a little
to his left, but is not so brilliant. The Planets do not
twinkle like the other stars.
***
The Christmas offertories for the poor amounted
to £3 7s 5d.
***
The recent heavy rains have caused much flooding
in the river near Seagoe and Carrickblacker.
***
We regret that owing to delay in receiving the
matter for some of our advertisements we had to go
to press before the advertisement columns were
completed.
***
Four funerals from Seagoe Parish took place to
Seagoe graveyard on Wednesdays November 27th.
***
We heartily congratulate the Clergy and Parishioners
of St. Mark's Parish on the decision they have
come to, to complete their Parish Church, and build
a spire or tower to commemorate the fallen. No
finer or more appropriate monument could be erected.
It will beautify the town, emphasise our common
Christianity, and be a conspicuous and lasting
memorial to the noble dead.
***
The Rev. W. Crichton, Chaplain at Bangalore,
Southern India has been spending a short holiday at
Coonoor, a mountain sanatorium. During his holiday
he derived much pleasure from copy of Seagoe
Magazine, which made its way into that distant land.
***
Major the Rev. F. J. Halahan, M.C., of Drumcree,
spent a few days at home on his return from hospital
last month. He was severely gassed while at the
front last October. He was with Headquarters of the
Ulster Division, and was located in cellars in a Belgian
village. The Huns bombarded the place with gas shells,
which made its way into the cellars. The staff were
compelled to wear their masks, but notwithstanding
all precautions many suffered from the effects of the
mustard gas. Major Halahan is making a good recovery,
but cannot resume work at present. We all wish him a
speedy restoration to his usual robust health. His splendid
work with the Ulster Division will never be forgotten.
***
A Scotch subscriber writes – 31/12/1918 – “Dear Sir, please
find P.O. enclosed for Church Magazine, which I hope you
will get all right. I just love to get it, as it is a remembrance
of the place of my birth. I wish you all the season's greetings."
***
The sickness which we know as Influenza was given that name
by the Italians during an epidemic in 1741. Influenza, another
form of our word Influence, is a term derived from Astrology
and signifies a mysterious power, supposed to be exerted by the
Planets and Stars and flowing down from the heavens
above to the earth beneath.
Mission Week Collection.
It is hoped to have the Annual House-to-House
Collection for Missions through the Parish in the last
week of January. A meeting of the collectors will be
held shortly, and envelopes will be distributed.
OLD SEAGOE NOTES.
Dean Dawson and Knocknamuckley — Dean Dawson,
when Rector of Knocknamuckley, used to say
that there were only three denominations in the
parish, and that they were known respectively as
"These 'uns:" "Those 'uns," and "Our 'uns."
The Pronunciation of “Balteagh” – The two
fold pronunciation of the name of the townland
Balteagh has been for long a mystery to many in the
Parish. Some pronounce it as if it were spelt Ball-tague,
and others as if it were Ball-teer. An almost
certain solution of the uncertainty is the following —
In the 17th Century when the Plantation took place
the parish was largely peopled by English settlers.
When they read the name Balteagh they pronounced
it with an English accent which to Irish ears sounded
like Ball-teer, at the same the original Irish pronunciation
of the word, Ball-tague, would be retained by the former
residents. Those who come from the South of England find
the Irish guttural sound "gh," their greatest difficulty.
Seagoe Postal Rates in 1835 — We are inclined
to grumble if the cost of letter postage is raised to 1 ½ d.
In the year 1835 it cost 9d to send a letter by post from Seagoe
to Dublin.
Enclosure of the New Churchyard at Seagoe, 1814 —
At a meeting of the Select Vestry of Seagoe Parish,
on 26th October, 1814, it was agreed to make use of
the large quantity of stone left after the building of the
New Church and seven Stone Quoins, for erecting
sufficient wall and stone pillars, and new gate to enclose
the front of the new churchyard. Two pence per acre to
be levied for the purpose. At a Vestry held on 17th October,
1815, further arrangements were made for building a
wall at the south side of the churchyard.
Whitewashing Seagoe Church, 1818. — At a
meeting of the Vestry held on May 12th, 1818—
It was agreed that the balance of £2 13s 5d in the
Churchwardens hands be applied to getting the inside
of the New Church properly whitewashed.
Badges for Beggars, 1818. —Vestry March 24th, 1818
—Resolved that the Poor of this Parish shall be Badged,
and proper Badges procured by the present Churchwardens,
who are to distribute the same on the recommendation of
those who have been appointed to represent three Manors
of Blacker and Harrison, Kernan and Brownlow's Derry.
[An interesting collection of similar Badges may be
seen in the Free Library, Belfast.]
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