March 1917

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

MARCH, 1917,

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE,

The Map of Oneilland.

THE Map of the Barony of Oneilland,

printed this month as our frontispiece,

is of much interest.

It is an exact reproduction of a Map, the original of

which is in the Bibliotheque Nationale (National

Library) in Paris. As far as can be ascertained, it

was made in the early part of the 17th century,

possibly in the reign of James 1st., about the year

1622. In the original the names in large type and

the curious embellishments are in red ink. The star

in the upper right hand corner represents a compass

pointing north. The scale, enclosed in what is,

apparently, some sea-monster, is of 320 Perches to an

Inch. The name of the Map in the upper left hand

corner is printed on a shield.

A careful examination of the Map reveals some

interesting features. The Parish of Seagoe extends

to Lough Neagh. The only Townland marked is

Killvergann, with the figure (24) in brackets,

apparently marking its extent in acres (old measure).

Portadown is not marked, but Drumcree Parish has

quite a large space devoted to it. The River Bann

is not marked, although something very like a river

flows into the Lough beyond the Parish of Shankill.

A large patch of 'a Bogg " with the number (27 b) in

brackets is marked between Kilvergan and the Lough.

The words Unforfeited Lands," printed between

Drumcree and Kilmore Parishes, reminds us that the

Map was made in " Plantation " times. It is interesting

to note how the maker of the Map forgot the

" g " in Lough (Neagh) and afterwards inserted it.

Near the top of the Map are the words: " Hic

Blackwater," meaning here is the River Blackwater ;

and a thick planting of trees is apparent along its

banks. A small magnifying glass will enable our

readers to make out distinctly the smaller type in the

names of the Townlands.

Lent Lectures

On Sunday evenings during Lent a series of special

addresses will be given in the Parish Church on great

Christian Classics.

March 4th The Confessions of St. Augustine, "

11th—" The Imitation of Christ."

18th - Hooker's " Church Polity."

25th The Pilgrim's Progress."

April 1st—" The Christian Year."

On Wednesday evenings special addresses will be

given on The Lord's Prayer

Feb. 28th—" Our Father."

March 7th—" Thy Kingdom Come."

14th—" Thy Will be Done."

21st—" Our Daily Bread."

28th—" Forgive us our Trespasses."

Mission In Holy Week.

During Holy Week (April 1st-8th) a Service will

be held in the Parish Church each evening at 8

(except on Saturday). A special list of Services

and Subjects will be issued in our next number.

A Double Bereavement.

It is seldom that we have to record such a sad

event as a double bereavement within little more than

a week in the same household, but such a calamity

has "befallen a family much respected in this Parish.

As recorded in our last issue, Mr. Wm. John Moore,

of Foundry Street, passed away on Friday, Feb. 2,

aged 76 years ; his wife, Mrs. Moore—who had

faithfully tended him during an illness of many months—

was taken seriously ill on the day following his

funeral, and died on Monday, February 12th. Mr.

and Mrs. Moore were very faithful and devout

members of th6 Church. While health permitted,

they were regular attenders at Public Worship and at

Holy Communion. They have passed, almost together,

from the Church Militant to join the Church

Triumphant ; and they who, while here below, loved

to worship with God's people in the House of Prayer,

have now joined the company of the Redeemed, who

offer to the Most High a pure worship in the House

not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. We

sympathise very sincerely with the members of their

family, who in such a brief space, have lost both

father and mother.

Band of Hope,

A meeting of the Band of Hope will (D.V.), be

held in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Friday, March

30th, at 8 p.m. An interesting Programme of

Temperance Dialogues, Songs and Recitations is in

preparation. Admission free.

Death of Miss Rachel Magee.

We deeply regret to announce the death of Miss

Rachel Magee, of Breagh, which took place on

Sunday, Feb. 18th, after few days' illness. Rachel

Magee was very much esteemed by all who knew her,

and her interest in the Parish of Seagoe, past and

present, was quite remarkable. She had a very

retentive memory, and it was her great delight to

recount the experiences of her early years. When a

child she attended the Girls' School at Levaghery

(the ruined walls are still standing), taught by Miss

Burrell. She could repeat long passages of poetry

and many Hymns, which she learned in childhood.

Everything associated with old Colonel Wm. Blacker

was especially cherished, and she delighted to recite

verses which he had written for the school children,

She retained up to the end her clear memory, her

high spirit, and her confidence in -the Saviour's

redemptive work. Her remains were interred in Old

Seagoe Graveyard on Tuesday, Feb, 20th.

Offertories for February,

Sunday—Mornings, £5 14 5

Evenings, 1 12 2

Weekdays 0 7 2

Included in above —

Feb. 11—£2 10s 9d Missions.

25—£1 0s 0d Dioc. Temp. Society.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

PARISH REGISTER FQR

FEBRUARY, 1916.

Baptisms,

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on February 3rd, 1917 :—

Gracey—Robert, son of William and Rebecca Gracey, of Balteagh.

Sponsors——Mary Alice Robinson, Rebecca Gracey.

Robinson—Norman Wilfred, son of Thomas Geo. and Mary Alice Robinson, of

Tamnifiglasson.

Sponsors—Rebecca Gracey, Mary Alice Robinson.

MCann—Wm, Francis, son of Wm. James and Eliza Jane M'Cann, of Edenderry.

Sponsors — Sarah Ann Martin, Eliza Jane M'Cann.

Burials-

Boyd —5th Feb.. 1917, Mary Elizabeth Boyd, of aged 18 years.

M'C1ei1and—8th Feb. 1917, Thomas M'Cle11and, of Ballydonaghy, aged 79 years.

Moore—14th Feb., 1917, Mary Moore, of Edenderry, aged 53 years.

Magee—20th Feb., 1917, Rachel Magee, of Breagh, aged 82 years.

Webb—20th Feb., 1917, William Webb, of Edenderry, aged 75 years,

A Prisoner of War,

[A cheery letter from Lance-Corporal George

Preston, R I.F., of Ballinacor, who was taken prisoner

at Le Cateau, France, in Sept., 1914] .

Kriegsgefangenenlager,

Friedrichsfeld (bei Wesel),

(Rhid.)

Nov. 16th, 1916.

MY DEAR WIFE—

A Merry Christmas to all. When this reaches

you I hope it will find you all enjoying good health.

For myself, I am in the best of trim; I think this

letter will pull up for lost time better than the others,

and when you get this you need not expect another

for a month ; you want to take a tip, and

PUT SOMETHING ON YOUR POSTCARDS ;

the last two were the same. We are just beginning

to get the cold weather now ; it is freezing very keen

now, but it is better than ploughing through mud ;

the roads were in a terrible mess. I am well pre-

pared for the Russian winter, plenty of underclothing

and good boots ; I got a complete set of shirts, socks,

pants, etc., from Delmage Trimble, Armagh, last

mail, so don't send anything except food. Now, I

suppose you would like to know what we do every

day? Well, we are up at 5-30, breakfast, 6; fall-in,

half-6, then start work at 7. The work itself is

nothing ; we get a task, and the sooner we get it

done the sooner we get back to camp; the jobs are

loading bricks, levelling ground, digging up roots ;

cutting down timber is finished, so dinner- time we

are practically finished, then back to camp. We go

as

" MERRY AS MUDLARKS

perhaps there is one (in the parcels) I mean, then you

should see us. I am very lucky : every mail there is

always a few for me ; last mail I got eight ; of course,

the mails are delayed sometimes a fortnight ; sometimes

we groan, then, and have a touch of the liver ;

a fellow will say : " After you with your butt " ,

I am just hanging on till the next mail for the bacon,

I won't half enjoy it; and I want some cigarettes

again, I am beginning to run short again. Will you

call at 53, Church Place, and thank Mr. Bright for

the parcels I am receiving through the Irish Women's

Association, also Mrs. Liddell ; and when you are at

it get someone to write to Mr. Delmage Trimble,

Guardian Office," Armagh, and thank him for what

he is doing for the Irish Fusiliers. Give me all the

news you can. Who is away? Has your cousin

George gone out yet? I hardly know what to say

now, perhaps I have said too much. Well, I hope it

won't be long till

WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN ;

won't we have a spanking holiday when that comes !

Tell Geordie and Bella they will have a holiday when

I get home. I suppose I won't know the scrubs,

they will have grown so big. Tell your father not

to have a cut-in when I get there, and your mother,

God bless her, I won't forget. Tell Robert Price,

Mr. Roland, and W. J. Gardiner, I was inquiring

about them.

May God have you all in His keeping till I return.

With fondest love,

From your loving husband,

GEORGE.

Portadown Women's Emergency Corps.

Seagoe Branch.

Since publishing a list of Comforts three months

ago, we have received—112 pairs socks, 1 pair

operation stockings, I muffer, 3 quilt squares, which have

been allocated as follows ;—

48 pairs socks to the Comforts Committee of the R.I.R.

40 to the 9th Batt. R.I.F.

24 1 mumer, to the 16th Batt. R.I. R. (Pioneers).

Of this total, our Hacknahay helpers have contributed quite half.

ITEMS.

Eddie Crawford, of James' St., met with a severe

machine accident at his work last month. His right

hand was badly lacerated. He is now progressing

favourably.

A conference on " Reform and Readjustment in

the Church of Ireland " meets in Dublin this month.

The Rector has been appointed a delegate.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A small hand-plough would be a great advantage

in these days of hurried cultivation. The spade

works very slowly.

Those who fail to have the proper proportion of

their land tilled this year are liable to a fine of £100

and six months' imprisonment.

The Ancre, along whose banks so many of our

brave Seagoe lads sleep their last sleep, is now clear

of the enemy. It is pleasant to think that that lands

consecrated by so much heroism, is now at length

restored to friendly rule.

Easter Sunday this year falls on April 8th. Daylight

extension time will also: begin on the same date.

Seaman Victor Robinson, R.N., has been home for

a holiday. He is now on board one of His Majesty's

latest and finest warships. During the Jutland fight

he served on the famous Tiger."

Food restrictions are now the order of the day.

Strict economy should be observed by all. All waste

of food or money assists the enemy.

Notice—All C. M.S. and S.A.M.S. boxes and cards

are now due.

Captain Dobson at Salonica,

SALONICA FORCE,

February 8th, 1917.

My Dear Mr, Archer,

I arrived safely in this country after a, most

interesting voyage. The boat was one of the best

that comes out here—large, and most comfortable,

not too fast, but, at the same time, managed to dodge

the submarines. The weather was quite good all

the way ; I saw number of places I had always

longed to see. You will easily understand that I

am unable to mention names.

Salonica is said to be the most interesting place in

the world now. I really think it is. You would

think, sometimes. that all kindreds and peoples of

the earth were represented.

I have motored over a good deal of the country,

though the roads are very bad. You see a great

many mounds, or as they are called, Tumulus."

In all those places you will find a cave, which in

olden times was used as a hiding-place and treasure-

house. I visited one, and it certainly wag most

interesting, I may say it was more modern, or had

been modernised. At the entrance you saw wonderful,

classical Corinthian columns. Inside you saw at

one end a tomb, at the other a treasure-house—both

made of most beautiful white marble. I took with

me a piece of the marble.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Severe Frosts in Olden Times.—The recent

spell of severe cold reminds us that in former times

this neighbourhood was visited by severe frosts of

long continuance. In the Revd. Richard Barton's

Book on c' Lough Neagh," published about 1750,

he records that Lough Neagh was entirely frozen

over in 1739-40. On p. 179 he writes—" The surface

of the Lake was smooth and afforded excellent travelling

to horse and foot from one county to another."

The present high price of Food gives interest to

another statement in the same book which records

that the years 1728, 1729 and 1730 were called the

three dear years." Many of the able-bodied men

left this country for America at that time, and the

scarcity of labour caused a scarcity of food. In the

summer of 1744 another partial famine was caused

by torrential rains which quite destroyed the crops.

Notes on Lough Neagh in 1750 —The following

facts are recorded in the Rev. R. Barton's Lectures

on Lough Neagh. He writes follows of the Rev.

J. Carrol, Curate of Seagoe, who was appointed

Clerk of the Moyntiaghs " (Ardmore) in 1751—

" The Rev. J. Carrol, a very worthy clergyman, who.

employes his time usefully in Religion and

Husbandry," and again on p. 95-—The Rev. Mr.

Carrol, a very worthy clergyman, who lives near

Ardmore Point, and has a curious disposition to search

into Nature's works consistently with his clerical

employment, which he has for many years attended

with diligence.

Tollius in his Historia Gemmarum et Lapidumy

published at Ludg Ba. p. 534 says of Lough Neagh.

In lacu Hibernic omne quod injicitur, vet in ferrunv

convertitur, vel si fundum petit, in lapidem transit.

[Everything which is thrown into the lake of Ireland

in either turned into iron, or if it sinks to the bottom

is changed into stone.]

Lough Neagh in extent is larger than the Island of

Barbados. In 1750, the gardens of the Rev. John

Standish, on the shores of Lough Neagh were

famous.

Seagoe Rectory in 1622.—In the Visitation

Book, of the Diocese of Dromore for 1622 to be seen

in Marsh's Library, Dublin, the following reference,

is made to Seagoe Glebe in that year, nearly 300

years ago. Dr. Theophilus Buckworth, was Bishop

of Dromore at the time, and signed the Record—

Archdeacon (of Dromore) to whom belongs the

Rectories and Vicarages of :—

Donaghclowna—Ruined ; Noe Gleab : Fee 15 2

Magherawly—Ruined ; Noe Gleab : Fee 6 6

Seigo—Repayred : Convenient Gleab ; Fee 8 8

According to Erck's Records of the Irish Church

in 1826, under the heading : "Board of First Fruits,"

the sum of £1,000 is noted as having been borrowed

for Seagoe Rectory in the year 1823. In 1826 £480

had been repaid in eight instalments of £60 each,

leaving a balance due of £20.

Archdeacon Saurin, Vicar of Ardmore, 1822.

—Rev. James Saurin, afterwards Rector of Seagoe,

was appointed Vicar of Ardmore on July 13th, 1822,

The lost entry of his name in the Baptismal Registers

of Ardmore is on July 6th, 1823.