November 1909

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEM BE R, 1909.

The Rev. John Campbell,

Vicar of Seagoe 1687-1730.

We present our Readers this month with a most interesting portrait of an ancient Seagoe worthy, the

Rev. John Campbell, who was Vicar of Seagoe from 1687 to 1730. A portrait of one who lived so far back in the Annals of the Parish would be in any case interesting, but the interest is greatly increased when we remember the stirring times in which Mr. Campbell lived and in which he played a leading part. Mr. Campbell was born in or about the year 1658 and was connected with a leading Irish Family, the Clotworthys being a nephew of Sir John Clotworthy, Bart. , an ancestor of the noble family of Masserene and Ferrard. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, about the year 1675 and there distinguished himself greatly, winning the coveted distinction of a Scholarship of the House. Having obtained his degree, he was ordained, and having served some minor posts was in the year 1687 appointed Vicar of Seagoe Parish, the Rector at the time being the Rev Henry Jenney, Archdeacon of Dromore, who lived at Donacloney. The Rev John Campbell took up his duties in Seagoe at a critical time in the history of the country but being a young and energetic man he threw himself vigorously into the life of the times and seems to have had a great influence in the Parish of Seagoe. When the events which led up to the famous Siege of Derry were taking place, foreseeing possible danger he organised the men of the Parish, and just as the siege was beginning and the

boom was being placed across the Foyle, he brought a party of Seagoe men up with him to Derry. During the Siege there were no less than 18 clergy of the Church of Ireland within the walls ministering to the

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

spiritual needs of their people and also as we learn from the Rev. George Walker's Diary taking an active part in the defence of the famous walls. We believe that a large contingent of men from the Parish of Drumcree also took part in the Defence. The following is the list of clergy who were within the walls during the siege given in the Diary kept by George Walker the hero of the Siege.

From Diocese of Derry : — 1, Rev. George Walker, Governor; 2, Rev. Mich Clenaken, Derry ;

3, Rev Seth Whittel, of Bellaghy ; 4, Rev James Watmough, of Arigal ; 5, Rev John Rowan, of

Balteagh ; 5, Rev Richd. Crowther, Curat of Comber ; 7, Rev Thomas Semple, Curat of

Donaghmore ; 8, Rev Robert Morgan, Curat of Cappy. From the Diocese of Ardmah :—9, Rev Christopher Jinny, Prebend of Mullabrack ; 10, Rev John Ca»npbell, of Segoe; 11, Rev Andrew Robison, of Stewar Town ; 12, Rev Bartholemew Black, Curat of Aghalon : 13, Rev Mr. Ellingsworth, from beside Newry. From Diocese of Clogher :—14, Rev John Knox, Minister of Glascogh ; 15, Rev Mr. Johnson ; 16, Rev Mr. Christy, Curat of Monaghan ; 17, Rev Mr. Cunningham, of Killeshandra, Diocese of Kilmore, and another,

Besides these there were seven Nonconformist Ministers who did good work during the siege. The Seagoe Registers are blank during the famous siege time. Evidently the life of Parish was at a standstill while its fighting representatives were absent from home on active service.

In the address presented to King William the Third after the Siege by those

who had gone through it the name of John Campbell appears in the list of Signatures. When Mr.

Campbell returned he was soon again called away from home and it is said took an active part in the fighting line at the Battle of the Boyne. Unfortunately it is not quite possible to prove by authentic testimony that Mr. Campbell was present at the famous Battle, but we know that his friend, the Rev. Geo. Walker was there, and lost his life when crossing the River. During Mr. Campbell's tenancy of the Vicarage of Seagoe many events of importance occurred which are noted in the old Registers of the Parish, and all through his residence in the Parish he seems to have been most diligent in his duties. The regularity with which his name appears at the end of the Vestry Reports and the accuracy with which the Registers were kept amply prove this His eldest

son was baptized at Seagoe on January 9th, 1715, by name Clotworthy, evidently after the famous Sir John Clotworthy, his granduncle, The baptisms of two other sons, Skeffington and William, are also entered, and the burial of his daughter Catherine on Nov. 9th, 1727, aged 6 years. The last signature of Mr. Campbell occurs at the end of the Vestry Report for October 12th, 1730. He was buried on December 2nd, 1730.

The history of the picture reproduced in the block at the head of this notice is interesting. For many

years it was in the possession of Miss Campbell, the last descendant of the Rev. J. Campbell. Miss Campbell resided, until the time of death some 25 years ago, in Ballymacarrett. She prized the picture very highly, and at her death it came into the possession of a faithful attendant who had nursed her through her last illness. Miss Campbell died at the age of 94 years, and was interred in St. Nicholas' Churchyard, Carrickfergus. Before her death she had given her attendant a manuscript with directions that it should be fastened to the back of the picture. This was a series of extracts from Seagoe Registers relating to the Rev. J. Campbell and other facts concerning him drawn from various sources. The picture eventually passed into the possession of the owner's sister who lived near Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. It was procured from her by the Rev. J. E. Archer in 1907. The picture is lifesize, and in excellent preservation considering its age— fully 200 years—and the vicissitudes through which it has passed. It is interesting to think that after the lapse of at least 180 years the picture again hangs on the walls of the old Rectory. The signature underneath the block is a photographic reproduction of Mr. Campbell's signature appended to the Vestry Minutes of Seagoe

in the year 1724. The formation of the letter p ' in the signature is curious and it is possible to identify all Mr. Campbell's entries in Seagoe Registers by the curious shape of this letter. We hope in our next issue to give some further facts concerning Mr. Campbell.

District Harvest Service.

Drumgor.—Harvest Services will be held in

Drumgor Church Hall, on Sunday, November 7th,

at 3-30 p.m. Preacher—Rev, R. S. Morrison, B.D.,

Curate of Portadown, and on Monday, November 8th,

at 8 0'clock, Offerings will be in aid of Drumgor Sunday School.

Carne—Harvest Services in Carne Church Hall,

on Sunday, November 14th, at 3-30 p.m. Preacher

Rev Henry Gordon, M.A., St. Mary's Church,

Belfast, and on Monday, November 15th, at 8 p.m.

Offerings in aid of Carne Sunday School.

Tamnificarbet—Harvest Services in Tamnificarbet

Hall on Sunday evening, November 21st at 7 p.m.

Preacher—Mr James McKenzie, late of

Canada, and on Monday, November 22nd, at 8 p.m.

Offerings in aid of District Service expenses.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Baptisms,

October 2nd. —Hannah Margaret, daughterof Richard and Margaret Anne Haddock, Tamnifiglasson.

—Norman, son of William and Hannah Malcomson, Edenderry.

—David, son of William and Mary Forde, Edenderry.

—Ethel Florence, daughter of Charles and Mary Alice Turner, Edenderry

—Ellen, daughter of Francis and Susannah Anderson, Drumgor.

—Lucy Emily Bell, daughter of James Henry and Elizabeth McAvoy, New York.

—Agnes, daughter of David and Jane Webb, Lylo.

Marriages.

Oct. 18th.—Alexander McDowell, Dervock, to Mary Isabella Campbell, Carrickblacker.

Oct. 19th.—Samuel Armstrong. Ballybay, to Margaret Alicia Branyan, Lylo.

Oct. 21st.—Thomas George Robinson, Taminfiglasson to Mary Alice Campbell, Balteagh.

Death,

October 27th, at her residence, Redhill, Knock, Belfast, Miss Anne Wade, late of Seagoe Rectory,

aged 83 years.

Death of Miss Wade.

It is with deep regret that we announce the death

on last Wednesday, October 27th, of Miss Wade,

sister-in-law of the late Dean Dawson, and for many

years, during her residence at Seagoe Rectory, an

active Church worker, The death of Miss Wade

will be deeply regretted by her many friends in

Seagoe. Miss Wade had reached an advanced age,

and had recently been in infirm health, but the end

came with startling suddenness. She passed away

in her sleep painlessly and peacefully.

so He giveth his beloved sleep." We are quite sure that

we only express the feelings of all our readers when

we record our deep and sincere sympathy with Miss

Dawson, Miss Cherry Dawson, and Dr. Dawson in

their sad loss. Miss Wade was always greatly

interested in Seagoe Parish, and that interest continued

to the very end. Only a few weeks since, the

writer of this note had a long conversation with Miss

Wade, and she then expressed her keen interest and

affection in the old Parish. The interment will take

place in Knocknamuckley on Saturday, October 30th.

Offertories.

Morning. Evening

£ s d £ s d

Oct. 3^rd —17 th S. after Trinity 1 14 1 0 12 2

Oct. 10^th —18th S. after Trinity 1 2 2 0 9 6

Oct. 17^th —19th S. after Trinity 1 10 0 0 10 6

Oct. 24^th —20th S. after Trinity 1 0 8 0 8 4

Week Days 0 8 1

_____________ _____________

Total £5 6 11 £2 8 7

Church Attendance and School Efficiency Cards,

THIRD QUARTER.

First Class (50 points and over).

Bessie Dawson, 65; Bella Magee, 65 ; Arthur

Allen, 62 ; Sarah Dawson, 59 ; Thomas England,

55 ; Maria Roney, 54 ; Maggie Bradshaw, 53 ; I ily

McNally 53 ; Jennie Dawson, 53; Maggie Smith,

52 ; Sarah McCann, 52; Sophia Bradshaw, 50;

Maggie Magee, 50,

Second Class (45 points and over).

Maggie Lewie, 48 ; Agnes Johnston, 47 ; Maggie

Roney, 47 ; Jennie England, 47 ; Jemima Allen, 46 ;

Maggie Martin, 45.

Third Class (40 points and over).

Alice Hawthorn, 44; William J. Wilson, 43 ;

Sarah Coulter, 43; Thomas Smith, 42; James

Shepherd, 40 ; Minnie Allen, 40; Dinah McNally,

The following were omitted from returns for

Second Quarter.

First Class—Bessie Dawson, 64; Sarah Coulter, 50.

N.B.—Book Prizes have been awarded to Bessie Dawson and Bella Magee.

Band of Hope.

EDENDERRY.

Again, with the return of Winter, we have our

attention drawn to the, claims of Temperance Work

on our support—support which will certainly not be

refused, if we in any way realise the devastation and

misery caused in home life by the attacks of In-

temperance. This deplorable result of indulgence

in intoxicating liquor was dealt with in the

opening meeting of the Session held in Edenderry

Parochial Hall, on Friday evening, October 22nd.

The Programme on that occasion was supplied by

the G.F.S. Candidates, who in a most capable

manner rendered a Service of Song entitled, “ The

Fireman’s Lily ” Our earnest hope is that the large

number who were present will retain the lessons

deducible from the story and avoid the risk of

reproducing such misery and woe when they grow up.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Sunday School Conference.

A Conference for Sunday School Teachers will be

held in the Shankill Buildings, Lurgan, on Saturday,

November 13th, at 3-30 p.m. An address on Sunday

School Methods illustrated by a Model Sunday

School Lesson will be given by the Rev. Somerset

Ward, M.A., of Pembroke College, Cambridge.

Arrangements are being made for the attendance of

the Sunday School Superintendents and Teachers

from Seagoe Parish at this important meeting.

The Harvest Services.

The Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services are

being held this year on Friday evening, October 29th,

at 8 0'clock, and on Sunday, October 31st, at 11-30,

and 7 p.m. The preacher on Friday is the Rev T.

J. M 'Endoo, M.A., Rector of Dungannon, and on

Sunday the Rev Bedell Stanford, M A., Rector of

Holy Trinity Church, Belfast. The Offertories will

be in aid of Parochial Expenses.

Harvest Services will also be held in Hacknahay

School, on Sunday, October 31st, at 3-30 p.m , and

on Monday, November 1st, at 7-30 p.m.

Rectory Purchase Scheme

At a meeting of the members of the Select Vestry

held on Monday, October 18th, the following

resolution was unanimously adopted

That a scheme for buying out the Rectory and

Grounds of Seagoe be adopted, the necessary funds

to be provided by each subscriber to Sustentation

Fund, increasing his subscription by at least one-

fourth, the balance of said Sustentation Fund

subscriptions to be allocated to the scheme each year

after paying the Curate's salary." The resolution

was proposed by Mr. George Calvert, and seconded

by Mr. James Albin, Churchwarden.

Soiree at Drumgor.

A very successful Soiree took place in Drumgor on

Thursday, October 21st. Tables were arranged but

owing to the numbers present it was found necessary

for tea to be served in relays according as visitors

arrived. At the Concert which followed the Rector

took the chair. The items were very good and of a

high-class character, and the programme proved that

it is quite possible to have witty songs and amusing

sketches without any vulgarity or coarseness of

sentiment. The really clever comic songs and

recitations are refined and yet effective. Amongst

those who contributed to the programme were Messrs,

Chambers, S. Currie, Binks, and Marks, also Miss

Little. The chairman at the close expressed his

gratification at the success of the proceedings and on

behalf of the audience thanked all who had assisted.

We may add that this entertainment was engineered

altogether by the young men of Drumgor who from

start to finish bad the management of things in their

own hands. They got up the entertainment for the

purpose of raising money to improve Drumgor School.

We are glad to say that a balance of £2 14s remains

after paying all expenses.

The feeling was general at the meeting that we

badly need a new Hall in Drumgor and the sooner

we can have it the better. The present building is

not at all suited for large gatherings.

Items,

Mr. Willie Reid, of Tarson, is on a visit from

America. His many friends in Seagoe are glad to

see him looking so well.

Mr. Wm. H Erskine, 2998 Perry Avenue, New

York city, a grandson of Mr, John Neilson, formerly

of Seagoe Parish, visited Seagoe last week His mother,

a daughter of Mr John Neilson, died last year in

New York aged 99. Her son says she had a great

love for Seagoe Parish and often spoke of it to him.

Mrs. Erskine was baptised in old Old Seagoe Church

in December, 1809.

It is contemplaed to hold a Temperance Mission

in the Parish in the first week of Advent.

There is still a great deal of drunkenness in the

Parish. The sad spectacle of young men as well as

old staggering home on Friday nights is a painful

proof of how rife is the evil of Intemperance in our

midst.

One of the most agreeable sights to be seen in

Portadown just now is the transformation of a former

public house into an establishment for the sale of

useful and harmless goods.

Our printer informs us that he recently received a

letter from a reader of Seagoe Magazine in the

United States suggesting that a special edition of the

Magazine on thin paper should be printed each

month for foreign circulation. We regard this letter

as a high compliment to the circulating power and

wide influence of this Magazine, but we regret that

it is impossible for various reasons to comply with

the request.

As we go to press we are glad to hear that it has,

been finally decided to revive the Seagoe Company

of the C.L.B., which has been dormant for several

years. Mr. T. J. Atkinson has kindly consented to

act as Captain and Mr. R. J. Montgomery as

Lieutenant. Other appointments will be notified in

due course.

The first Anniversary of the establishment of the

Sunday Evening District Services in Hacknahay,

Drumgor, and Tamnificarbet, will be held on the

evening of Sunday, November 7th.