July 1930

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JULY, 1930.

THURSDAY, JULY 17th, 1930.

Seagoe Sunday School Excursion

to Warrenpoint.

Two Shillings Return Ticket for Adults. One Shilling

extra for Refreshments.

The Refreshment Tickets must be purchased before the day of Excursion.

Train leaves Portadown 9-30 a.m.

Train leaves Warrenpoint 8-30 p.m.

RECTOR :

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

LAY READER (Bishop's Licence) :

Mr, Robt. Gracey, 69 Bridge Street, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector's—Wm. H. England.

People's—Gilbert Price.

Memorial Service.

On Sunday, June 29th, special Memorial Services

of remembrance of those who fell in the Great War

will be, held (D. v.) ill the Parish Church at 11.30

a.m. and 7 p.m. At Morning Prayer the Seagoe

Band will parade, and during the Service the Band

will accompany the Hymns. The collections at both

services will be on behalf of the Co. Armagh

Protestant Orphan Society. The names of those from

Seagoe Parish who fell in the Great War will be

read during the Service. Wreaths will be laid at

the Memorial Pillars.

Anniversary Service.

On Sunday, July 6th, a July Anniversary Service

Will be held in Seagoe Parish Church at 7 p.m.

Places will be reserved for the Lodges attending, and

the collection will be given to the Lord Enniskillen

Fund. The preacher will be the Rev. J. R.

MacDonald, M.A., Rector of Donacloney.

Sunday School Excursion.

Thursday, July 17th, 1930, is the day fixed for our

excursion this year to Warrenpoint. It is

being looked forward to with keen expectation. One

thousand tickets have been issued, but we would

advise all who wish to accompany the excursion to

secure their tickets without delay. By paying an extra

1/- adults can get a ticket entitling to two refreshments,

but these refreshment tickets must be

bought before July 15th. The tickets are now on

sale. Tickets for Sunday School children whose

names are: on the roll of any bf our seven Sunday

Schools can obtain their tickets at the following

years old and under, 6d; 12 and under, 9d;

15 and under, 1/-; Bible Class and Teachers, 1/6.

These tickets include two refreshments. The

Tamnificarbet and Ballyhannon Bands will accompany

the excursion. The children will meet at the Parish

Church at 8.15 a.m., and after a short service will

march in procession to the station. The train will

leave for Warrenpoint at 9.30 a.m., and the return

train will leave Warrenpoint at 8.30 p.m.

The Lurgan Road.

The cementing of the Lurgan Road with ferroconcrete

is now in progress where Church Lane cuts

the Lurgan Road. The surface or the road is being

raised by some six inches. Through traffic has been

considerably interfered with recently between

Portadown and Lurgan by these improvements, but when

the work is complete the advantages will be great.

Edenderry Up.

The making of the new sewage works has caused

the streets in Edenderry to be torn up in a marvellous

way. A tunnel five feet high and four feet

wide has been hollowed out under Foundry St., and

another from Bridge St. under Portadown College to

Robb's Factory. In making a tunnel from Francis

St. the workmen have come across the foundations

of the old bridge at Portadown. It was made of

timber resting on a stone foundation and consisted

of six spans. Portions of the timber are being dug

out by the workmen.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Mothers' Union Excursion.

Thursday, June 19th, Seagoe Mothers' Union

had a most enjoyable excursion to Warrenpoint.

The excursionists numbered fifty nine. They left

Portadown Station by the ordinary express train at

10.49 a.m. and had a quick run via Goraghwood to

Warrenpoint. The country looked beautiful and the

heat was not oppressive as a pleasant cool breeze

was blowing up from the sea. Refreshments were

partaken of at the Shelbourne Cafe and then most or

the members drove to Rostrevor. The Rector and

Mr James Twinem were the only two who climbed

to the big stone 1,000 feet above the sea, at

Cloughmore, but some others got as far as Fiddler's Green.

Towards five o'clock a return was made to the Cafe,

There a hearty tea was partaken of. The wind rose

and the sea got quite rough in the evening. Mrs.

Twinem, President of the Mothers' Union, and Mrs.

Reid, Hon. Secretary, accompanied the excursionists

and they are to be congratulated on the great

success of the excursion. The return train left

Warrenpoint at 8 p.m., and before long the party

were back again in Portadown.

Everyone was greatly pleased with the excursion.

St. Mark's Tower

We had the pleasure of ascending St Mark's

splendid new Memorial Tower on June 17th. It has

now reached its full height of over 100 feet, and on

Friday last, June 20th, the first of the topmost pinacles

received its top stone. The impression one

gets of the tower as we stand at its base is the great

massiveness and space. The additions to the Church

are also very fine and spacious. Stepping on to a

small platform and holding a loop of rope above your

head you are speedily carried up by an electric lift.

As one ascends the massive walls are well seen, the

upper half of the tower being of solid moulded

stone. Arrived at the top you step out on the planks

where the men are working. The height is dizzy,

and as you look down on the citizens of Portadown

who are walking their native streets they seem like

flies. The view is magnificent. Of course we first

looked at Seagoe. The old Church tower nestling in

its grove of trees looked very picturesque. A corner

of the Rectory was also visible. The Railway Station

seemed very small. The fields around the town

looked very fresh and green notwithstanding the

recent dry weather. Away in the distance beyond

Seagoe could be seen the spires of Lurgan and the

factory chimneys. Drumcree Church stood out very

distinctly in the near distance The spire of Ardmore

Church, on Lough Neagh's shore, was also quite

clear. The air was delightfully fresh and bracing.

a clear day it is possible to see objects 20 miles

distant. We were loathe to leave the top of the

tower and its kindly workmen, but stepping on the

platform and gripping the rope overhead once again

we slid down in a few moments back to earth and

after thanking the genial lift man we walked out

into Market Street.

Seagoe School Sports.

On Wednesday afternoon, July 9th, Seagoe P.E.

School will hold its sports in a field in Upper Seagoe

which has been very kindly lent to us by

Isaac Walker. All kinds of contests will be engage

in and valuable prizes will be given to the winners

There will be running, skipping, jumping, tug of war

obstacle races, egg races, etc.

The parents of the pupils are invited to be present.

The sports will begin at 4.30. Already much perparation

and training is going on among our budding athletes. At

one time Seagoe was famous for its athletes, especially

for its jumpers, who could clear with ease a six

barred gate or jump with alacrity one of the broad

cuts on the Bann. The School has had a very sucessful session.

Changing Seagoe.

If building continues at its present rate Seagoe will

soon present a changed appearance. At the last

meeting of the Rural Council permission was obtained

by Miss Alcock for the erection of 24 houses

in Upper Seagoe, and six other houses are at present

in course of erection near the Church. Several

houses are being built along the Lurgan Road.

Parish Register for June.

Baptism

Ruddell—June 7th, 1930, Edna Cynthia, daughter

Frederick William and Mary Elizabeth Ruddell, of Lisnisky.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Alice Porter, Mary Elizabeth Ruddell.

Marriage

Cassidy and Cordner—June 25th, 1930, Thomas John

Cassidy, of Edenderry, to Elizabeth Cordner of Portadown.

Burials.

Rehill—June 7th, Samuel Joseph Rehill, of Edenderry, aged 19 years.

Morton—June 8th, William Morton, of Edenderry aged 76 years.

Interred in Ahorey ground.

Neill—June 22nd, Caroline Neill, of Glasgow, formerly of Levaghery.

Obituary.

We record this month with much regret the loss of

several of the parishioners who were known and

loved amongst us. The death of Joe Rehill came

after years of great suffering bravely borne.

William Morton passed away at an advanced age.

He had been for many years a faithful employee of

the Forde family at Raughlin. In his last illness he

was most carefully tended by his daughter.

Caroline Neill, better known among us as Caroline

Montgomery, of Levaghery, died at her residence in

Glasgow, after a brief illness. Her remains

brought over for interment in Seagoe. With all

those who have been bereaved we express our sympathy.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE,

Dangerous Corners.

Just now with the growth of the hedges there are

many dangerous corners along the roads in the

parish, and if they are not cut there will be more

serious motor accidents. We have had enough

terrible accidents to warn us. There seems to be

somewhere, a want of responsibility on the part of our

Rural Council otherwise these dangers would be

corrected and not allowed to recur.

Jumble Sale.

It has been decided to postpone the Jumble Sale

announced in our last issue until a date at the end

September, which will be announced in a later

issue of the Magazine. We ask helpers to kindly

lay aside any old clothing or articles of furniture

which they do not need. Such things find ready

purchasers at a jumble sale.

Seagoe P.E. School

On Tuesday, June 10th, the annual examination

in Religious Knowledge was held in Seagoe P.E.

School by the Diocesan Inspector, the Rev. J.

Armstrong, Rector of Dromara. The results were very

satisfactory and the following children won certificates

Senior certificates—Doris Livingston, John Fiddes,

Beamish Kingston, Bertha McLoughlin, James McCabe,

Mollie Jennings, Robert Nicholson.

Second-class certificates—Alick Ruddell,

Patricia Scott, Robert Magee. Third class certificates

David Guy, Sarah Macauley, Ernest Gibson, Victor Porter.

Junior Division:—First class certificates—Amy Duke,

William M'Shannock, Peggy Brownlee, Roland Scott.

Second class certificates—May Simpson,

Myrtle Caddell, Lizzie M'Clatchey, Ellie Nicholson,

Walter Caddell, Tom M'Shannock, William M'Loughlin,

Herbert Magowan, Edward Vennard.

Purchase of Grove Field

If you have not yet sent in your subscription to

the Grove Field Purchase Fund please do so without delay

to the Hon. Treas., Mr. Hugh Stoops, Killicomaine Road, Portadown.

Death of Mrs. Jennings.

Many of our parishioners are bereaved through

the very sad and sudden death of Mrs. Rowan Jennings,

of Portaclown, a daughter of the late Mr.

David Holmes, of Killicomaine. We extend our

heartfelt sympathy to her husband and family and

to her mother and sisters in their great sorrow.

Sunday School Conference.

On Thursday, June 26th, a Conference of the

Superintendents and Teachers of our Sunday Schools was

held in Seagoe Church and School. The Conference

opened with a Service of Intercession in the Parish

Church at 4 p.m. Those present then went to the

School where the first session of the Conference

at 4.45 p.m. A paper was read by Mr. Robert

Scott, Principal of Seagoe P.E. School, on " The

Teacher in the Class." The Conference adjourned

at 5.30, and tea was provided at 6. After tea there

was an interval until 7.30, when the Conference

resumed its sessions and a paper was read by the Rev.

Thomas Martin, Rector of Aghaderg, on " The

Organisation of the Sunday School." Each paper was

followed by a discussion, in which the members

present took part. Cards of invitation were issued to all

the Superintendents and Teachers of our Sunday

schools.

We give here an outline of the contents of the

papers read at the Conference. Mr. Robert Scott,

Principal of Seagoe P.E. School, in his paper on "The

teacher in the Class," divided his subject under

three heads—Discipline, Preparation, Presentation.

He would base Discipline on reverence in the teacher

for his sacred work. In preparation he would not

attempt to teach too much. The lesson should be

read in the Revised Version as well as in the

Authorised Version. In the matter of presentation

questions should be addressed to the whole class and the

child who is to answer should be chosen by the

teacher. Each question should be capable of one

clear answer. The Rev. T. Martin in his paper on

"The Organisation of the Sunday School,"

advocated the introduction of the Cradle Roll and

Enrolment cards. Grading was an essential of a good

Sunday School. The ages of grading suggested

were 4 to 6, 6 to 9, 9 to 12 and 12 upwards. He also

referred to the importance of the children being

placed rightly in the class in front of the teacher.

Interesting and animated discussions followed the

reading of both papers.

It was suggested that the

Mothers' Union should take up the work of the

Cradle Roll in the Parish and encourage mothers to

enrol the names of their children. The question

of discipline also received much attention. The

Conference proved very helpful. During the interval

before the evening session the members enjoyed a

visit to the Rectory and gardens.

Old Seagoe Notes

The Portadown Volunteers in 1779.—The following

extract from the Belfast NewsLetter for

November 9th, 1779, is of interest: —

Belfast, 9th November.—On Thursday last, the

4th November (being the anniversary of the glorious

King William) the True Blue Volunteers of Lisburn,

to the amount of 110 men, completely armed and

accoutred, paraded—and after performing the ordinary

evolutions, marched from thence with colours

flying, to a public part of the town, where, they fired

three rounds in honour of that monarch, whose

heroic spirit led him almost from his birth to become

a volunteer in the service of mankind, and to whom

this country in particular is indebted for its liberty,

and everything if holds dear.

On Thursday last, the Portadown Volunteers

paraded in their uniforms in the town of Portadown,

commanded by their captain, Hamlet Obins,

Esq., from whence they marched to the demesne of

Castle Obins, and went through their manoeuvres

and firing to the entire satisfaction of a number of

SEAGOE PARIBH MAGAZINE.

spectators; after which they were elegantly entertained

at dinner at Castle Obins by their Commander,

where a number of loyal constitutional toasts were

drunk, and the evening concluded with three vollies

in commemoration of the day, and a ball given at

night by the Volunteers.

Interesting Extracts from the Seagoe Baptismal

Registers of care with which Baptism

was administered in the 17th century is exemplified

the following entry—" John the son of Mr. William

and Mrs. Elizabeth Mathers, baptized about the 14th

of December, 1688; godfathers Mr. John Campbell

Mr. John Mathers; godmother Mrs. Judeth Mathers.

Another entry occurs on the same page—

Francis the son of the said William and Elizabeth

Mathers, baptized the 10th of May, 1693, 'being six

days old.

1679—Woolsey, son of Richard Smurphett and Mary

his wife, baptized February ye 14th, 1679." On the

same page the marriage or Woolsey Smurphett, of

ye Parish of Sego and Mary Slone, of ye Parish Of

Donaghcloney were married in ye Parish Church of

Donaghcloney, February the 14th in the 1709th year

of Christ."

(He was married on his birthday).

Under the date 1680 the following entries occur:—

William, ye son of John Mathers borne ye 17th

day of August, 1680, and baptized within 8 days

thereafter. '

Judeth the daughter of John Mathers

borne ye 17th day of November, 1682, and baptized

8 days thereafter.'

The first mention of the name Robb occurs in the

following entry—" William the sone of William Robb'

baptized ye 5th Septr., 1686."

All interesting entry occurs in a clear hand under

date 1694—-"

James, son of Leonard Gage and Isabel

his wife was Baptized in the Parish Church of

Seagoe Sunday the 29th July, 1694. Two other entries

on the same page contain the name Seagoe in its

modern form. Under date April 24th, 1690, Mrs. Rose

Obins is mentioned as a godmother to William, son

of Mr. Rich. Workman.

Mary Campbell is a godmother to Margaret

Mulhallan (Mulholland) on May 25th, 1690.

George, ye son of Ed. Calvert, was baptized ye 5th

of 8ber (October) 1690.

Jane Calvert was baptized on September 28th 1690.

John Russel, a sick child, baptized with Private Baptism

January 17th 1690.

Margaret Gill is entered as godmother for Eliza-

beth Potts on 30th March, 1692.

Some interesting names occur among the Baptisms

in 1692—Newer Glassels, Prudens Berry,

Elizabeth Rye, Armonell, daughter of Thomas

Bethel,. was baptized June 10th, 1692, of Drumcree

Parish. Jane Medcolph. Ann Scofield, of Cranagh.

Two twins, children of Robert and Jane Friar, baptized

privately December the 3rd, 1692, a third having died the night before.

Mary, daughter Robert Magill,

"who lives beyond Armagh," was baptized 25th January, 1693

David, son of Thomas and Jane Macgnab, baptized 25th March. 1694.

James, sick child of James and Agnes Campbell,

strangers, of the Parish of Moorkirk, in Scotland

was baptised privately Saturday, 28th clay of April 1694.

William, son of William Nixon and Martha his

wife, baptized 10th day of June, 1694.

Seagoe C.L. B.

The Junior C.L.B. were photographed at the

Church gates on Tuesday evening, June 17th. They

looked very smart. The C.L.B. officers, with the

Rector, were afterwards photographed. The Juniors

then marched up Church Lane and home by Killicomaine.

Many expressions of admiration for their

smartness were overheard from passers by.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June, 1906.—In June, 25 years ago, arrangements

were being made for a ten days Mission to be

conducted by the Rev. William Bryan-Brown: M.A. of

the Church Parochial Mission Society, from Saturday,

September 22, to Monday Oct. 1st. Helpers to

assist in preparation for the Mission were asked for.

Seven Baptisms were recorded also one marriage

and five burials, The burials were those of Ann

Sophia Wilson, of Drumnagoon, Jane Webb, of Lylo

James McCormick, of Lylo, Robert Major, of Seagoe

and Sarah Moore. of Edenderry. There is much

C.L.B. news. A C.L.B. concert at Drumgor was held

by the Drunagor C.L.B. by themselves. The

performers were Messrs. Binks, Brown, Currie and

Wilson. In Edenderry on May 23rd, medals were

presented to members of the Seagoe Harriers, Messr

Steenson, Bleakley and Neill, for gaining respective

first, second and third places in the seven mile

cross country race. A most interesting letter

printed from the Rev. W. T. Gray in Japan.

July, 1906.—A bazaar is announced to be held on

Thursday, Nov. 15th, 1906, to pay for the introduction

of gas into the Church to replace the paraffin lamps.

The death of Mr. Johnston, late station

master, is recorded. Major Blacker is welcomed as

coming to reside at Carrick Blacker. The excursion

to Newcastle on June 7th was a great success. The

Cerrick Blacker Band headed the procession. The

weather was perfect—Seagoe weather. There were

two trains and 957 tickets were sold. A boy selling

cockles found many purchasers. The Rev. W.

Darley had held an examination in Religious

Knowledge in Seagoe National School on May 31st.

Silver medals were awarded by the Rector for the

Boy and Girl in the School, and were won by James

Johnston and Miriam Holmes. Hearty cheers were

given for the winners. Seagoe C.L.B. were going

the Camp at Ballycastle on July 7th.