July 1919

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JULY, 1919.

War Declared, August 4^th, 1914

Armistice, November, 11^th 1918

Peace Signed, June 28^th, 1919

A Prayer of Thanksgiving.

(BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.)

O ALMIGHTY GOD, who art a strong tower of defence unto

Thy servants against the face of their enemies; We yield

Thee praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from those

great and imminent dangers wherewith we were compassed:

We acknowledge that it is of Thy goodness alone that we have

been preserved, and are now in safety; and we beseech Thee

still to continue such Thy mercies towards us, that all the

world may know that Thou art our Saviour and mighty

Deliverer; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The King's Message.

GEORGE R.I.

Whereas, a definite Treaty of Peace between us and

the Associated Governments and the German Government

was concluded at Versailles on the twenty-eighth day of June

last. In conformity thereunto we have thought fit hereby to

command that the same be published in due course throughout

all our Dominions.

And we do declare to all our loving subjects our will

and pleasure that upon the exchange of the ratifications

thereto, the said Treaty of Peace be observed inviolably as

well by sea as by land, and in all places whatsoever, strictly

charging and commanding our loving subjects to take notice

hereof, and to conform themselves thereunto accordingly.

Thanksgiving Service for Peace.

Thanksgiving Services shall be held throughout

the country on Sundays July 6th. So runs the

Order of the King, and in accord with it special

services of Thanksgiving will be held in Seagoe

Parish Church on Sunday, July 6th. Let all come

together to the House of Prayer in the spirit of true

Thanksgiving for the Great Deliverance which God

has wrought for us. Victory and Peace are ours by

the Grace of God. There will be a Celebration of

Holy Communion on Sunday, after Morning Prayer.

The Excursion.

Now that the war is over excursions, and all other

pleasant parish experiences become natural and

normal. So once again we had our Sunday School

excursion as in pre-war days. Thursday, June 26th,

was the day chosen. At 10 a.m. the scholars met in the

Parish Church for a short service, after which, headed

by the Levaghery Flute band, they marched to

Carrickblacker, to which we were kindly invited by

Colonel Blacker.

On arriving at the Field tea was ready, and in a

brief space all were seated on the green grass drinking

Gold Medal Tea and consuming large numbers of

Davison's Best Buns. The Swings were kept going

all day. Races and Jumping were very popular.

The Stall did famously. Fresh supplies of Minerals

had to be got from the town by special messenger.

Colonel and Mrs Blacker were on the ground to welcome

their hundreds of juvenile guests. The weather was cool

but bright, and pleasant until about 5-30 when there

were some refreshing showers. Tea was distributed a

second time about 5, and about 7 o'clock all gathered

under a big tree, and the Rector, in the name of the

Sunday Schools, thanked Colonel Blacker for his

kindness in allowing them to have their excursion at

Carrickblacker. Col. Blacker having replied the

Band struck up the National Anthem, and amid

cheers for the King, the excursionists started for

home after a day of great enjoyment.

The Soldiers Reception

Seagoe extended hearty welcome to our returned

heroes on Thursday, June 12th. A strong organising

committee had been formed to make arrangements,

and right well they did their work, under the guidance

of their indefatigable secretary, Miss I. Atkinson.

Seagoe School was bright with flags, and in

prominent place, in large letters, were the words—

"Seagoe welcomes her returned Heroes."' The tables

to seat 350 looked very nice with their floral

decorations. The guests began to arrive at seven, and

by eight o'clock the spacious rooms were well filled.

After tea the Rector took the chair and read a letter of

apology from Colonel Blacker.

A concert party from Belfast gave a most amusing

entertainment. The audience was at times convulsed

with laughter. After the music, games followed until

a late hour. A very pleasant evening was brought to a

close by the singing of the Doxology and the National

Anthem.

PARISH REGISTER for JUNE, 1919.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on June 7th, 1919.

Lyness—Thomas, son of John and Alicia Lyness,

of Carne.

Sponsors—John Lyness, Anne Kerr, Alicia Lyness

McLoughlin—William Nelson, son of Joseph and

Florence Jane McLoughlin of Drumnagoon.

Sponsors —Adelaide Gilpin, Florence Jane McLoughlin.

Hoy - William John, and Anna Elizabeth, children

of John and Anne Hoy of Edenderry.

Sponsors - Kathleen Frances McMullen, Julia Hoy,

Anne Hoy.

Marriages.

Rainey and Mourne—4th June, 1919. Samuel

Rainey, of Edenderry (late Lce. Corp. R. Ir F., B.E.F.,

1915-1919, twice wounded) to Elizabeth Mourne,

of Edenderry, late of Belturbet, Co Cavan.

Jennings and Holmes—16th June, 1919, Rowan Jennings

of Portadown (late Private, Tank Corps, twice wounded),

to Myrtle Sylvia Holmes, of Killicomaine;

Black and Chambers—25th June, 1919, William John Black,

of Breagh, to Edith Chambers, of Corcreaney,

Parish of Donacloney.

Forde and Caddell—30th June, 1919, Alexander Forde, of

Drumnagoon, Private, Seaforth Highlanders.

Fort George, Scotland, to Catherine Caddell, of Portadown.

Milligan and July, 1919, Isaac Milligan, of Rifleman, 2nd R.I.R.,

B.E.F., 1915-1919, to Elizabeth Matchett. of Portadown.

Burials.

McKeown—June 10th, James McKeown, of Tarsan,

(Interred at Aghalee.)

Hadden—June 14th, Robert Evans Hadden, M.D.,

of Edenderry.

Lavery—June 14th, Margaret Lavery, Kilvergan, aged 73.

Moffatt—June 29th, Joseph Moffatt, of Drumnagoony,

aged 56.

Allen—July 3rd, Charlotte Allen, of Edenderry, aged 83.

ITEMS.

If you chance to have money you wish to invest,

Buy " Victory" Bonds, they're the surest and best.

***

Mrs. Lavery, of Kilvergan, whose death we record

in this month's issue had been ill for some months.

Her bright and happy manner and her kind hospitality

made her a general favourite. Her funeral to Seagoe

was largely attended, and much sympathy is expressed

with her family in the loss they have sustained.

***

The Stall at the S.S. Excursion realised a gross

sum of over £35.

The Confirmation.

The Lord Bishop will (D.V.) hold a Confirmation

in Seagoe Parish Church (to-morrow) Sunday, July

6th, at seven p.m.

Shortened Evening Prayer will be said before the

Confirmation. The Candidates will attend at

Seagoe School at 6 p.m., to receive instructions

regarding the Service. Caps will be provided for the

Girl Candidates.

On Sunday, July 20th, Special Celebrations of the

Holy Communion will be held in Seagoe Church at

8 a.m., and 11-30 a.m. for those who have been

Confirmed.

The Parents and Sponsors of the Candidates are

specially asked to be present at the Confirmation

Service, and on Sunday, July 20th, at Holy

Communion

.

Seagoe and the Navy.

[The following interesting letter comes from

Nicholas Crawford who has done good service on

His Majesty's Navy during the War. He has taken

part in many engagements at sea and was wounded.

He is one of our Edenderry boys.]

2 MESS, H.M.S. THISTLE,

c/o S.N.O.,

SIMONSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA,

29/4/19.

DEAR MOTHER,

Just a few lines hoping it finds you in the pink, as

for myself I am getting on O.K. at present and having

a jolly time, as it is a very nice place to spend a

holiday as there is

A VERY NICE BEACH.

It is over five miles in length without any rocks or

stones, just very fine sand and so soft, and lovely surf

coming in makes me very sorry to leave it. At night

time it is so very nice you would never get anything

like it at home, as the nights here are also very

lovely without any clouds and full of stars which are

very bright. It is very like a summer night at home

only far grander. I only wish you could see it and

the hills all in different kinds of

FLOWERS, ESPECIALLY GERANIUMS,

growing wild, and I am having a grand time here as

I get a week-end every other week from 1 p.m. on

Saturday till 7 a.m. on Monday morning, so I get

plenty of time going to different places around here.

I shall be very sorry to leave here, but we will come

back again once a year while we are on this coast for

two months for repairs, so we will not have to say

good-bye to all the friends we have made since we

came here, as we have got such a lot, and we have

some good times together out at picnics and drives,

and teas and games, and a lot of other things too

many to mention, but the old home is never out of

mind, as I am always longing for to see it once again

and you all, as I am always thinking of you, and only

wish I could hear your voice once again and hear the

funny way you speak, as

THE BROGUE IS ONLY A MEMORY

to me. Well, give my love to all, and tell them I

send my fondest regards to all, and hope they are

having a nice time this summer as I shall be in

German West Africa by the time this reaches you,

So, I will now draw to a close. With fondest love.

Nicky.

Death of Dr. R. E. Hadden.

Much regret was expressed in the Parish at the

death of Dr. Robert Evans Hadden, which took place

at his residence, “Ardralla," Stewart Avenue,

Edenderry, on Wednesday, June 11th. Dr. Hadden had

been in weak health since last January, but hope of

his ultimate recovery was not abandoned until quite

recently. Since his coming to the Parish with Mrs.

Hadden some 16 years ago, Dr. Hadden had been a

constant worshipper in the Parish Church, and had in

a very practical way shown his sympathy with all the

movements of Parish life. In his professional

capacity as a medical man he was held by the people

of Seagoe and Portadown in the highest esteem. "'The

Professor," as he was called, by the Edenderry people,

was loved and trusted by his patients for the gentleness

and sympathy of his nature. His passion for Natural

History, for studying the life habits of plants and

animals, was a notable feature in his character

and up to the last as he sat in his window, he loved

to see the birds and flowers. A short space of two

years and a half separated him from his wife, who

passed to her rest in January, 1917. Dr. Hadden

was laid to rest in a quiet corner of Old Seagoe

Graveyard on Saturday, June 14th. The Rector

officiated at the Funeral. His name will be long

remembered in Seagoe, and in losing him, the

Parish has lost a good friend. For many years he

had been Dispensary Medical Officer in Skibbereen

and a notable tribute to his memory was published

in last week's "Portadown News" from a local Southern

newspaper.

ITEMS.

During his visit to Seagoe for the Confirmation the

Bishop will stay at Carrickblacker.

***

Saturday, July 19th, is to be observed as Victory

Day.

***

The Bell of Seagoe Church was rung by the

Rector when the news of the Signature of the Peace

Treaty was announced at 6-45 p.m. on Saturday,

June 28th. A Union Jack was flown from the

Church Tower.

***

Many interesting facts regarding Old Edenderry

will appear in our next issue. They have been

supplied to the Rector by Mr Thomas Dawson, of

Corcrain the "father" of Portadown, now hale and

hearty in his 91st year.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Lt. Col. William Blacker and Portadown

Church, 1826. —A close connection has always

existed between the Parish of Seagoe and the Parish

of Portadown. On the occasion of the consecration

Of the Church of St. Martin (as St. Mark's was then

called) on November 14th, 1826, the following Special

Hymn was composed by Lt.-Col. Blacker, and sung at

the Consecration Service—

Lord of life and light and power

Be with us in this solemn hour:

High throned in heaven, with favouring ear,

Our humble supplications hear.

And tho' that boundless heaven may be

A temple too confined for Thee,

Oh, let this house Thy servants build

Be with Thy glorious presence filled.

Unless Thine aid the Pile sustain,

The artist's labour is but vain;

Until Thy grace the fabric bless,

All human skill is valueless.

Grant from the walls we here prepare

For holy rites and praise and prayer

Our humble tribute still may rise

An acceptable sacrifice.

And while unto Thy Name divine

We consecrate this earthly shrine,

Oh, let us from that hour agree

To dedicate ourselves to Thee.

Till in our minds Thy "Word of Grace"

And Spirit find a dwelling-place;

And built in Faith and Hope and Love

Each Christian heart Thy Temple prove.

Notes on Old Portadown. —Thomas Shillington

was the first Chairman of Town Commissioners. He

was elected in 1828, William Colgan was the first

Town Clerk (1828.)

***

The Parish of Portadown was created in 1824, the

Church (of which the Old Tower still stands) was

built in 1826.

***

"Portadown" is probably a corruption of Porta-na-dun—

the Fort of the fortified eminence." A report on the District

made by Wm. Brooke, dated November 26th, 1682

(Ulster Journal of Archaeology, July 1898), says the name

Portadown is derived from Port-aport, and Dunan—a

place to land on. It would then mean "The Port of the

landing place." i.e., on the River Bann. The same

writer says of the Barony of O'Neiland, that it was

"the Granary of the North, and perfect Paradise of

Pleasure, whose Churches were not 80 large, as decent

and well situated} having this to make them renowned,

that they are once a week filled with Loyall and

Conformable Protestants."

A Saturday Market was held in Portadown as far

back as the reign of Charles 1st.

"The Peace of Portadown," as Froude the historian

calls it, was signed in September. 1795, between the

"Peep-o'-Day Boys" and the "Defenders"—three days

before the Battle of the Diamond. This is probably

the Peace which was signed at the residence of Mr.

J. Atkinson, Crowhill.

***

Seagoe in 1492.—From the year 1172 to 1549

the original independent Church of Ireland came

under Roman influence. Roman customs and

doctrines were introduced and the primitive Catholic

Faith was overlaid by numerous accretions which at

the Reformation in 1549 were discarded. In the year

1492 Pope Innocent VIII issued on July 11th a

Bulla Provisionis Parochialis in which is mentioned

as a Perpetual Vicarage the Parish Church of Taydagoba

(House of Goban otherwise known as Seagoe).

In a M.S. of the Camera Apostolica containing

notes of the Bulls brought there for Taxation from

the Chancery there is the following entry dated 7th

January, 1492, "Bulla unionis pro Donaldo Megind,

super par. ecclesia de Kilmilcon ac de Taydagoba,

Dromorensis Dioc." [A Bulla of Union on behalf of

Donald Maginn, concerning the Parish Church of

Kilmilcon (near Lurgan) and of Taydagoba (Seagoe)

in the Diocese of Dromore].

[We extract the above from a book—De Annatis

Hiberniae"—by the Rev. M. A. Costello, published by

Tempest, Dundalk, in 1909].

***

Archdeacon Saurin and a Creditor. —An

amusing story was told to the writer of this note by

a Seagoe parishioner, some years ago. Archdeacon

Saurin was a wealthy man, but kept up a large and

expensive establishment at the Rectory, and never

spared his pocket if he could further the interests of

his parishioners. This lavish expenditure sometimes

led him into financial difficulties, and it was an open

secret that on occasions he sought relief by borrowing

small sums from willing parishioners. On one such

occasion he was accommodated to the extent of Fifty

Pounds, by a thrifty parishioner. John ……………

A short time after the transaction was arranged John

appeared at the Rectory demanding his money, but

the Archdeacon did not find it convenient to satisfy

the demand. Half a dozen more visits were paid in

rapid succession, until the vision of the persistent and

irate John haunted the Archdeacon like a nightmare,

and compelled him in self-defence to settle the

account. Not long after these events the Archdeacon

happened to visit Old Seagoe Graveyard, and saw the

caretaker digging a grave. On asking who had died

he was told that it was his old friend, John ………..

He remained silent for a moment, and then apparently

remembering John's frequent and oppressive visits, he

said, with a solemn emphasis on each word— “Dig

that grave broad and deep or John wilt rise again."