October 1918

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 1918

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

The Annual Services of Harvest Thanksgiving will be held (D.V.) in the Parish Church, on Thursday, October 10th, and on Sunday, October 13th.

The offerings on Thursday will be for Foreign Missions, and on Sunday for Church Expenses.

Contributions of Flowers, Fruit and Corn, for the decoration of the Church will be thankfully received at the Church on Thursday morn, October 10th, at 10:30 a.m.

The Preacher on Thursday evening will be the Very Rev. R. S. O'Loughlin, D.D., Dean of Dromore.

District Harvest Services.

Levaghery—Oct. 20Th, 3:30 p.m., Oct. 21st, 8 p.m.

Tamnificarbet—()ct, 20th, 7 p.m., Oct. 21st, 8 p.m.

Drumgor—Oct. 27th, 7 p.m., Oct. 28th, 8 p.m.

Carne—Nov. 3rd, 3:30 p.m., Nov. 4th, 8 p.m.

Edenderry—Nov 10th, 8:30 p.m., Nov. 11th, 8 p.m.

Hacknahay Harvest Services.

Hacknahay held its Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday and Monday, Sept. 29th and 30th. The

room was crowded, and the Services were very bright and hearty. The Choir, under Mr. Gracey's able guidance, sang a Harvest Anthem very sweetly. The Rector preached on Sunday, and on Monday evening the preacher was the Rev. R. B. Bryan, Curate of Tandragee. The School was very prettily decorated with fruit and flowers.

Public Lecture.

The Rector will (D.V.) deliver a Lecture on "Four Months in France" in Edenderry Paro-chial Hall, on Tuesday evening, Oct. 22nd, at 8 p.m. "Tickets, 1/- (reserved) and 6d (unreserved).

Proceeds in aid of the Parochial Hall Repair Fund.

The Rev. T. H. Scanlon, B.A.

The Rev. T. H. Scanlon officiated for the last time as Curate of Seagoe on Sunday, Sep-tember 22nd. He hopes to begin work in Enniskillen on the second Sunday in October. We will miss him very much in Seagoe, where his bright and cheery manner endeared him to all the people. An interesting double event marks this month. Mr. Scanlon was married on October 2nd, in Aghade Church, Co. Carlow, to Miss Wilson, and the Rev. G. Bloomer is, we hear, to follow his example in a fortnight hence. We wish both our ex-Curates a very happy and prosperous future.

The Vacant Curacy.

The Rector has secured, as a temporary helper in the Parish, the Rev. H. de Lacy Singleton, M.A., Curate of Castlewellan, Co. Down. Mr. Singleton is a graduate of Dublin University, and holds its Divinity Testimonum, and although only recently ordained, has for many years been actively interested in the work of the Church.

The Calvert Memorial.

The Memorial Tablet in the Parish Church to the memory of Mr. George Calvert will be dedicated at a Special Service on Sunday, October 27th, at 3:30 p.m. At the same service a Memorial Font Cover, the gift of Mr. John Montgomery, of Levaghery, will also be dedicated. All are welcome to attend the Service.

Well Done, Lisniskey!

The following Memorandum has been issued by the War Offce to commemorate a brave deed, for which Sergeant M'Ilwaine has been awarded the Military Medal :—

278519 Sergeant S. M'Ilwaine, Royal Garrison Artillery, Portadown, Co. Armagh. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy shell-fire. He kept his gun in action, and kept up a rapid rate of fire during a critical period until ordered to destroy his gun. He set a fine example to the men of his detachment.

Sergeant S. M'Ilwaine was born in Lisniskey, in the Parish of Seagoe. He is son of Mr. James M'Ilwaine, Meadow Lane, Portadown. He enlisted May 28th, 1902, and served in China just before the war.

Letter from the Rev W. R. Crichton.

Church of England Soldiers' Institute,

Bangalore, 14th July, 1918.

86 Richmond Road,

Bangalore,

My Dear Canon,

I was awfully glad to get your long letter from France, and hear how things were going with you. Though I have not written for a long time, it does not mean that I have forgotten all in Seagoe. I saw in some of the papers that you were in France, and I put off writing till you would return to a less arduous sphere. You seem to be fairly busy as a sort of maid of all work. I, too, am busy; in fact I was never so busy in my life, not even in Seagoe.

You will notice a new address at the top of this. Well, I was left in Hebbel Camp as Chaplain to the 4th R.B. (India) for about seven months. It was a fine life, though rough and ready in some respects. We dwelt in tents outside the city, although we were not all Rechabites, and had a free and easy time. I was the resident padre, and had about 8000 Lancashire lads to minister to. Sunday was my hardest day. I had a Celebration at 6 a.m., a Parade at 7 a.m., a second at 9 a.m., and Evensong at 7 p.m. When there were drafts in segregation I had one or two more services. In addition to this I had the usual classes, and to visit the Station Hospital, six miles away, four days a week. The rest of my time was spent round camp, talking to men or making speeches as chairman at concerts and sing-songs. Of course I put in some tennis with the officers, who were a very decent lot. I suppose I must have given satisfaction to the powers that be, for to my great surprise one day I got orders to take over the Garrison Chaplaincy.

It is just a month since I came down here, and I am getting a hold of things bit by bit. This is the largest Military Chaplaincy in South India, if not in all India. All told there are about 23,000 troops in the station, and I have about 17,000 of them. In my district I have three or four barracks, three camps, the Station Hospital (500 beds), the Cemetery, the Detention Barracks, the Church of England Soldiers' Home, and the Garrison Church. A fairly stiff job for one man. All documents, &c., about Protestant funerals and tombstones and so on must come to me first, and they are legion. Government is quite interested in dead soldiers now. The Soldiers Institute too takes a lot of time. Every night we provide at least 800 suppers, and have about 1200 men on the premises. I am Hon. Sec., and am rapidly becoming a first-rate Orderly Officer. Our black brother's idea of cleanliness does not at all times coincide with mine. Concerts, Dances, Whist Drives, &c., are in full swing

every night. In addition to these things we have quarters for eighty furlough men, and one has to

supervise them and their goings-on. You can see that these odds and ends thrown in with four services on Sunday, two on week-days, and classes, with some parochial visiting fill up the time of your ex-Curate. If I were at home I should ask for two Curates, but we do not run to such luxuries here. We do all we can and leave the rest over.

My biggest problem at present is to fill my Church in the evening. The tendency is to get away from barracks and go to a civilian church, and my predecessor was not able to counteract it. His voice was bad, and in any case he was not a man to appeal to Tommy Atkins. I am glad to say there is a moving of the dry bones, and I am hoping it will come to something. My plan at present is to go into Church early, and have some popular hymns before service, and also to put on well-known hymns at all times.

A few Sunday nights ago I was switched off to Portadown very quickly. As I stood to receive the alms I saw a soldier named Tuft, from Obins Street, coming up the aisle to me.

One is gloriously independent in this Service, and has none of the old trouble about finance, and so on. If the young clergy at home knew about it far more would come out. Of course it is a bit lonely at first,but my people are very friendly. The problem of existence too is not by any means so acute as at home. As a single man I am comfortably off, and live much better than the average Cleric at home. This must be done, whether one likes or not. The men who find things rough are the married men, who have wives and families at home. Living here is more expensive than in pre-war days and it seems to take a lot to exist in England.

I am now in a nice Bungalow which costs me about £75 per year. It would run to £150 in Belfast. I have coach-houses, stabling for eight horses, and a large garden and tennis court. To economise I have two officers living with me, and we can do things quite well. My only regret is that I did not get accepted for this work, and then apply at home for service in France. I have tried twice for Mesopotamia without success. The Bishop will be with me for breakfast next Tuesday, and I will try again. If this fails I shall try and pull a wire in London. As I have been with a Lancashire Battalion, I might get sent to the Lancashire Division. No doubt my work is useful here, but still I want to see some service.

You will say that there is not mnch news in this for the Parish Magazine. Well, the truth of the matter is that living in Cantonment one sees very little of real India, and I have had no time to explore. This is one explanation of the apathy of Army men in regard to missions. They do not come in contact with the work, and the average Indian that one has to do with in military life is not attractive. Sometime, when I get a little leave, I shall gather up news for you.

Judging from what I see in the papers there have been many changes in Belfast. It Will be queer when I tread the pavements again. The Curates will be important Rectors, and there will be another generation of understrappers. I shall be able to look down on them, and tell them how things used to be done.

It is wonderful how one meets the Irish in India. The other day I called to see an old Colonel, who is ill, and I discovered that I had known many of his wife's relations at home in Cavan. I have had many happy experiences of that sort.

With kind regards to all Seagoe and Portadown friends.

Yours as ever,

W. R. CRICHTON.

PARISH REGISTER for SEPTEMBER 1918.

Baptism.

Brown —7th September, 1918, John, son of John (late B.E.F., France), and Sarah Brown. of

Kernan. Sponsors—John Brown, Sarah Brown.

Marriage.

Best and Yeates—On 28th August, 1918, William Best, of Balteagh to Elizabeth Yeates, of

Lurgan.

Burial.

McCully—21st September, 1918, James M'Cully, late of Upper Seagoe, aged 91 years. Mr. James M'Cully, whose death we record with regret, was one of the oldest residents in Seagoe. He had a very eventful life, having we believe, made three separate voyages to Queensland in the

old gold-digging days. For the past two years he had resided with his daughter and son-in-law, in Belfast. He had reached the great age of 91 years.

ITEMS.

Mr. T. J. Carroll, National Board Inspector, visited and examined Seagoe School on September 9th. He expressed himself well pleased with the result of his inspection.

The Rev. W. T. Grey has taken up his residence in Cork.

The Hacknahay G.F.S. had a pleasant excursion by brake to Ban bridge on a recent Saturday afternoon.

We hear that Seaman Harry Kane, R.N., of James Street, has got special Distinction for Bravery and Courage in a critical moment at sea when his ship was sunk.

Private Arthur Allen has had a fortnight at home lately after four years' service on the Eastern Front.

The Swallows have flown South. They left us on September 29th, much later than usual.

A Co. Armagh Red Cross Gift Day Auction is being organised. Gifts will be gladly received for the Auction by Mrs. Blacker at Carrick Blacker.

The collection at the offertory on Sunday, Sept. 22nd, for the Diocesan Poor Parishes Fund amounted to £5 10s.

Collection at Church Door September 8th, £5 2s 4½d for Prisoners of War.

Seagoe N.S. Pupils noon weather readings for September—Highest Barometer 29.4, September 3rd; Highest Thermometer 68°, September 5th.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES

[The Order Book of the Portadown Yeomany, 1821, has lately been acquired by the authorities of the National Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin. The Curator of the Museum has kindly permitted us to make extracts from it. The book is in fine preservation, and very neatly written. It was until recently in the Library of Mr. John Obins Woodhouse, at Omeath.]

ORDER BOOK AND JOURNAL OF THE PORTADOWN INFANTRY, COMMENCING 29th NOVEMBER, 1821.

First Entry in Order Book.

Portadown, 29th November, 1821—1t is ordered by the Offcer Commanding that all Rules,

Orders, and Regulations hereaftar made in the Corps be made in writing, and entered in this or some

other book for that purpose provided. And it is also ordered that copies of the letter offering the services of this Corps to Government, with their answer, and a Copy of the Warrant annexed be entered herein— C. WOODHOUSE, Offcer Commanding.

Letter to Rt. Hon. Charles Grant,

Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Portadown, 13th Nov., 1822.

Sir,__It having been rumoured that it was the wish and intention of the Government to avail themselves of the services of the Yeomanry at the present crisis and having reason to apprehend that from circumstances which occurred prior to my being appointed to the Command of the Portadown Infantry, that Corps has not been considered among the number ready to come forward to the extent desired. I feel it my duty to state to you on behalf of the Portadown Infantry that they are ready to extend their services to any part of the Kingdom where it may suit the views of Government to order them. For particulars on this subject as well as respecting the general efficiency and conduct of the Portadown Corps I beg leave to refer you to Colonel Blacker of the Treasury, who is well informed on both points. I have the honour to remain, your very obedient servant,

CURRAN WOODHOUSE,

Captain Portadown Yeomanry,

County Armagh.

To the Right Hon. Charles Grant.

Rt. Hon. C. Grant's Reply.

Dublin Castle,

28th November, 1821.

Sir,___I have had the honour to receive and lay before the Lord Lieutenant your letter of the 13th inst., representing that the Portadown Corps of Yeomanry under your Command are ready to march to any part of Ireland. His Excellency commands me in reply to express his best acknow-ledgements for the offer, and to acquaint you that he has been pleased to accept thereof. His Excellency is persuaded that the members of the Corps who have evinced this zeal will be prepared to undertake Military Duty at such time and place as the Commander of the Forces may find it expedient to employ them in aid of the Publick Service as will be hereafter notified, and His Excel-

lency's Warrant expressing the numbers so required is forwarded to you accordingly.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obt. Humble Servant,

CHARLES GRANT.

Captain Woodhouse,

Portadown Yeomanry, Portadown.

Lord Lieutenant's Warrant

By the Lord Lieut-General and Genl-Governor of Ireland—Talbot—Whereas by Act of Parliament passed in the 43rd year of His Present Majesty, It is enacted that the Officers, Non-Commissioned Offcers, Trumpeters, Buglermen, Drummers and Private men in Volunteer and Yeomanry Corps may be assembled to suppress Rebellion. And Whereas there exists at present apprehension of Insurrection in Ireland I do hereby order a Detachment of the Portadown Corps

as hereinafter mentioned —that is to say: 1 Captain, 1 First Lieut; 2 Sub-Lieuts.; 5 Sergts.; 1 Drummer,100 Rank and File to assemble at their usual place of Parade upon the 29th day of Nov., 1821. Given at His Mbjesty's Castle of Dublin, the 28th day of Nov., 1821.

C. GRANT.

Officers and Men.

On 29th November, 1821, the undermentioned Officers and number of Non-Comm. Officers and Privates were put on Permanent Duty—Woodhouse, Capt.; John O. Woodhouse, 1 ^st Lieut.; Wm. H. Woodhouse, Sub-Lieut; William Saunderson, permt. Sergeant; Thomas Wright, Permanent Drummer, 4 Sergts., etc., 100 Rank and File.

Accoutrements.

2nd December, 1821.

Storekeeper's Offce,

Office of Ordnance,

Charlemont, 1st Dec., 1821.

Sir,___I have the Honour to state that Army Ammunition and Accoutrements are ready for issue.

EDWARD E. WALLIS.

Musquets, complete, 10

Musquet Ball Cartridges, 2800

“ “ Flints, 280

Infantry Bayonet Belts, 10

Infantry Bayonet Slings 10

Half Barrells, 3

Witness—William Smart.

Further issue Dec. 3, 1821—Musquets 10

“ Locks 10

“ Bayonets 10

“ Rammers 8

“ Scabbards 10

Seagoe Yeomanry during the Napoleonic Wars, 1811. — [The following interesting reference to the Seagoe Yeomanry is taken from a newspaper cutting in a scrap book belonging to the late Colonel Wm. Blacker.]

"In our last number we stated, that several Yeomanry Corps had extended their offers of service to any part of the kingdom, during the absence of the militia, an example so worthy of imitation, that we had reason to suppose it would become general. We have just learned that the following corps in the County of Armagh, viz.:

Corps. Strength.Commanders.

Seago, 316 Captain Blacker

Lurgan, 242 Captain Brownlow

1st Tandragee, 111 Captain Patten

2nd Do. 111 Captain Bradford

Tandragee Cav, 96 Captain Lofty

Acton, 85 Captain Hanna

Mullaghglass 148 Captain Atkinson

have already made a similar offer to Government, through the Brigade Major of the county. Those

corps are composed of as respectable a yeomanry as any in Ireland, and when we consider that their offers of service will not only be imitated by the other corps in the county, but in all probability by all in the kingdom, so as to produce a disposable force of well organised and truly loyal men, ready on the shortest notice to go any where to supply the want of our militia, we may not only look with confidence to our own security from internal enemies, but augur the most beneficial results from the aid afforded by our militia, in wrestling from the iron grasp of tyranny and oppression, the long lost liberties of the nations on the continent of Europe.

The Duke of Schonberg in Waringstown, 1689. —— [We copy the following from the European

Magazine for 1808. A fine facsimile of the Duke's signature is appended to the note.]

DUKE OF SCHONBERG.

To the Editor of the European Magazine.

Sir,---The following is a literal copy of an order of the Duke of Schonberg, written in a very fine hand, but signed by himself. I have endeavoured to give you a facsimile of the duke's signature; by which, as well as by the heading, it will appear, that the correct method of spelling that illus-trious general's name is with an n, and not with an m. The authenticity of the paper (before me now) may be depended on; I copy it by the permission of the immediate descendant of Mr. Warren, mentioned in the order.

By Frederick. Duke of Schonberg, Generall of all their Majesties Forces, &c.

WHEREAS wee have directed Bartholemew VanHomrigh, Esqr.* Commissary Genll of the Provissions to make Magazines of Provissions and to build ovens for baking bread for the Army at Warrenstowne,Wee doe hereby appoint and direct for the said use the Houses, Malthouses & Barnes of William Warren, Esqr. and the Widdow Dines, and the Officer Commanding in Chief att Warrenstowne is hereby required to be aiding and assisting to the said Commissary Generall and his Deputies in the execution of this Our Ordr, and to appoint Convenient quartrs for the said Agent's Waggonrs & Bakers, and forrage for Six Horses yt shall be Employ'd in this Worke.

Given at our head Quartrs at Lisburne the 25th day of January 1689.

SCHONBERG,

Posthumus.

Endorsed,

An Order for Warrenstowne to make Ovens & Stores.

*This gentleman was, we believe, the father of Swift's Vanessa. —EDITOR.

Save the Coal!

Two parts of Coal and one of Coke,

Will give more heat and much less smoke.

Insert some firebricks in your grate,

And a false bottom—not too late.

Away with poker, slack your fire,

Polish all Saucepans till you tire,

For dirt and soot absorb the heat

And take the good from what you eat.

Don't use the gas if you've a fire,

Or you will make your gas bill higher.

Put in small burners for less light,

And never mend a fire at night.

Take off the coal when you retire,

The cinders help the next day's fire.

Burn all your rubbish, dustbins hold

Fuel that's worth it's weight in gold.

Just keep your Coal Bill nice and “wee,”

For Coal's the Key to Victory!