September 1919

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

SEPTEMBER, 1919.

The Archbishop—Elect of Dublin.

The Diocese will sustain great loss in the

removal of the Right Rev. Dr. D'Arcy, the Bishop of

this United Diocese to Dublin on his election to the

Archbishopric of Dublin. While we offer our

respectful congratulations to the Bishop on his

appointment to one of the highest offices in the

Church, yet his place will be very hard to fill.

Bishop D'Arcy gave the clergy and laity of the Diocese

a splendid lead during the eventful years preceding

and during the war. His high Christian character,

his great intellectual attainments, and his thorough

loyalty to Church and Empire made him a notable

figure in our midst, and caused him to be admired

and loved not only by the members of the Church

of Ireland, but also by many of other denominations.

He was well-known to many in Seagoe. He held three

Confirmations in the Parish in 1907 (for Bishop

Welland) when he was Bishop of Clogher, and again

in 1916, and in the present year on Sunday evening,

July 6th. The Confirmation at Seagoe was the last

but one of the Confirmations he held in this Diocese.

Bishop D'Arcy was an enthusiastic Unionist, and

during the Ulster Volunteer movement associated

himself with it in every possible way. He was also

a strenuous advocate for Christian Re-union, and

wrote and spoke frequently on its behalf. He was

also, an ardent Temperance Worker and Prohibitionist,

and by his influence strengthened the hands of

Temperance Workers everywhere. He achieved a

popularity in Belfast to which very few Bishops have

attained. The prayers and good wishes of the

Parishioners of Seagoe (especially of those so recently

Confirmed) will follow the good Bishop to his new and

exalted sphere of work.

Presentation.

On the occasion of the Presentation of an Armchair

to Mr. W. R. Atkinson it was thought by some

of the ladies of the Parish that a Present should also

be given to Mrs. W. R. Atkinson, who has for so

many years taken a deep interest in all that concerns

the welfare of the Parish. Mrs. Blacker was deputed

to choose a suitable present, with the result that a

few days ago, Mrs. Atkinson received the gift of a

handsome silk umbrella with suitable inscription on

the gold-mounted handle.

Acknowledgment.

Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Atkinson thank their kind

Seagoe friends most gratefully for their beautiful

gifts—which came as a great surprise, and an

assurance—if such were needed—of the kindly good

will and friendship of the donors.

A Seagoe Wedding.

On Tuesday, August 12th, the marriage of Mr.

Calvert, of Rosslyn, Sandy Cove, Co. Dublin, to Miss

Amy Walker, of Seagoe, took place in the Parish

Church. The church was prettily decorated for the

occasion, and there was a very large gathering of the

friends and well-wishers of the bride and bridegroom.

The choir attended and sang the wedding hymns.

Two little pages attended the bride. The Rev. R. H.

White, M.A., Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Belfast,

officiated, and was assisted by the Rev. H. G. de L.

Singleton, M.A., Curate of Seagoe. Mrs Calvert will

be much missed from the parish. She was a most

kind and ready helper, and her services on the

occasion of any special musical festival in the

church were most willingly rendered. We wish the

Bride and Bridegroom a long and happy life.

The Rev. W. R. Crichton.

The many friends of our former Curate the Rev.

W. R. Crichton, will be interested to hear of his

approaching marriage, which takes place this week in

India. Mr Crichton is at present acting as Chaplain

at St. Thomas's Mount, Madras. Miss Berg, whom

he is about to marry, has been engaged in Church

Work in India for some years. Our readers will join

with us in wishing the happy couple long life and

much blessing and happiness.

Covenant Day, Sept, 28, 1919.

On Sunday, September 28th, being the anniversary

of the signing of the Ulster Covenant, special services

of commemoration will be held in Seagoe Parish

Church, morning and evening. All those in the

parish who signed the Covenant are asked to attend.

Protestant Orphan Society.

The following sums have been contributed to the

Co. Armagh Protestant Orphan Society by the Parish

of Seagoe since the beginning of the current year.

We are glad to notice an increase in the amount

contributed towards this most deserving Society.

Lt-Co1. Blacker, D.S.O., Special Sub. £1 0 0

Mr. William Greeves, Ardeevin £1 0 0

Baptismal Offerings £0 15 0

Mrs. S. Joyce 5 0

Collections (July 27th) in Parish Church 7 1 3

Collections (June 29th) B.O.A.F.G. Service 2 0 0

Collecting Cards, Per Miss Agnes Guy—

Miss Dickson, Tamnifiglasson 1 0 0

Miss M. Allen, Edenderry 1 5 10

Miss S. Bradshaw, Breagh 0 12 10

Mrs. Twinem, Lylo 0 15 3

Miss S. M'Dowell, Killycomaine 0 3 9

Miss Montgomery, High Street 0 4 0

Miss S. Cartmill, Edenderry 0 16 6

Miss E. Best, Ballyhannon 0 6 9

Miss MacMullen, Drumgor 0 4 6

£17 10 6

ITEMS.

Dr. Edgar Speyer, Prof. of Chemistry in Cambridge,

writes to the Press saying that it has just been

scientifically proved that the sting of a bee differs

from the sting of a Wasp, the former being produced

by an acid, and the latter by an alkali. Ammonia is

therefore, he adds, a remedy for the sting of a bee,

but not for that of a wasp. He also adds this useful

piece of information that for a wasp sting on the

tongue an onion rubbed on the place is complete

remedy.

***

Miss Emma Rachel Holmes, of Bocombra, has

been appointed a Monitress in Seagoe School.

***

Mr. David Murray's pony, which bears the startling

name of, "Melbourne Firecracker," has been

winning many prizes.in driving competitions at

various Ulster Shows. Miss Adelaide Murray has

carried off numerous honours. The splendid action

of Mr Murray's pony has been much admired. We

congratulate Mr and Miss Murray on their successes.

***

The long spell of dry weather has at length

broken, but there is still a great scarcity of water,

and many wells are dry.

***

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of 10s,

from Miss Calvert for Seagoe Day School Prize

Fund.

***

The 9th Batt R I.E. made a fine turn-out at the Peace

Celebrations in Belfast. During the March-past they

were headed by Lt.-Col. Blacker, D.S.O.

***

Mrs. W. J. Allen, widow of the late Private W. J.

Allen, who fell on the 1st July, 1916, has sailed with

her three little children for the United States. She

was granted a free passage by the Government in

consideration of the fact that her husband returned

from the United States in order that he might join

up for the war. Mrs. Allen and her young family

will be much missed. The children were most

regular in attendance at Sunday and Day Schools,

and were conspicuous for their neatness and good

behaviour. They will in future be residing in Three

Rivers, Mass., U.S.A.

***

We congratulate Mr. Chambers of the Ulster Bank,

who is financial adviser to many in Seagoe Parish, on

the success attained by his son, Dr Walter Chambers,

who has been appointed to the important post of

Deputy-Commissioner of Lunacy in Scotland.

Dr. Chambers served with the R.A.M.C during the war

and has recently published a most interesting record

entitled – “Mental Wards with the British Expeditionary

Force," which contains some remarkable descriptions

of the mental havoc wrought by the war on our heroic

soldiers.

***

Mr. Arthur Allen, son of Mr. James Allen, of

Joseph Street, and a valued teacher in Edenderry

Sunday School has been accepted for work in

connection with the Church Army, and hopes to leave

for Church Army Headquarters in Bryanstown St.,

London, next month. We are glad to think that

Seagoe will now have a direct connection with the

Church Army, which is doing a splendid work in

many lands for Christ and the Church. We hope

others in the Parish will follow Mr. Allen's good

example.

***

The Rector has received an interesting letter from

Moses Matthews, of the Australian Contingent, and

late of Edenderry, who fought throughout the war,

and is now returning via the Cape to Australia. He

says they got a splendid send-off when leaving

England, and are having a very pleasant voyage.

The letter was posted at Capetown.

***

The Memorial in Seagoe Church to the memory of

the late Major Atkinson has attracted considerable

attention among war memorials. It is unique in

design, and is likely to be re-produced in other

churches.

***

The Diocesan Synod for the election of a new

Bishop will be held in the Diocesan Buildings,

Clarence Place, Belfast, on Thursday, October 9th,

at 12 noon.

***

We hear of new building schemes for Portadown

which will include Edenderry. Houses are badly

needed.

***

The Rector preached in Bangor Parish Church on

Sunday, August 31st, at Morning and Evening

Prayer.

***

We record in our obituary columns the deaths of

some who will be much missed among us—Mrs.

Adair, of Edenderry, much loved and lamented—

W. J. Wilson, a frequent worshipper in Seagoe Church,

taken away very suddenly in early youth—James

Carville, known to many as a faithful guardian of

Drumnagoon Railway Crossing—Henry Dickson, a

well-known and much-respected parishioner, and

Mary Currie, very young in years, but called on to

suffer much before death gave her release. With the

many mourners we sincerely sympathise.

***

Mr. James McDowell, of Killicomaine, is at present

on a visit here from the U.S.A. We give him a hearty

welcome back to his native parish, Mr. McDowell

has never forgotten Seagoe, and when giving name

to his house in the States called it Seagoe Villa.

Mr. McDowell's many kindly and generous gifts to

various war funds in Seagoe and Portadown are a

testimony to his public spirit patriotism. We hope he

will have a pleasant holiday.

Seagoe Day School.

The following Prizes will be awarded in Seagoe

Day School at Christmas -

No child who fails to make 80 per cent. of attendances

will be eligible for any prize unless under exceptional

circumstances, such as sickness.

I—Needlework (Girls) prize for the girl in

each class who makes the best garment, or needlework

specimen. Six Prizes.

2—Rural Science—A prize for the boy in each

class who keeps the neatest and best written notebook.

Three Prizes.

3—A prize for the best writer in each class, Six Prizes.

4 —A prize for the best Home Exercise Book in

each of the classes. Six Prizes.

5 —A prize for the best written and neatest Composition

Exercise Book. Four Prizes.

6 - A prize for Oral Composition in each class—

Reading, Recitation, Spelling and Explanation. Six

Prizes.

7—A prize for the highest marks obtained for

test set in Arithmetic. Six Prizes.

8—A prize for the best Drawing Book in each

class. Six Prizes.

9—A prize for each room, to be awarded to the

pupil whose conduct is considered best.

PARISH REGISTER for AUGUST, 1919.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on August 2nd, 1919 -

Forde—Doreen, daughter of William and Mary

Forde, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Forde, Mary Forde.

Donaldson —William Robert Telford, son of David

and Margaret Agnes Donaldson, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—David Donaldson, Margaret Agnes

Donaldson

Marriages.

Calvert and Walker—August 12th, 1919, John

Matthew Calvert, of Sandycove, Co Dublin,

to Emma Elizabeth Walker, of Seagoe.

Ross and Forsythe—August 13th, 1919, William

Moore Ross, of Portadown, to Sarah Forsythe,

of Upper Seagoe.

Burials.

Adair 5th August, 1919, Letitia Adair, of Edenderry,

aged 49.

M 'Cann—6th August, 1919, Thomas Robert M'Cann, of

Balteagh, aged 45.

Wilson -14th August, 1919, William John Wilson of

Portadown, aged 24

Carville—26th August, 1919, James Carville, late of

Drumnagoon, aged 75.

Currie—4th September, 1919, Mary Currie, of

Ballymacrandle, aged 11.

C.Q.M.S. Johnston Robinson, R.I.F,

We congratulate very heartily C.Q.M.S. J.

Robinson, of Tamnifiglasson, on his being awarded

the D.C.M., which ranks next in honour to the V.C.

Sergeant Robinson was presented with it at the Peace

Parade recently in Lurgan.

The following is the note describing the deed for

which he received this fine distinction—

14642 J. Robinson, Royal Irish Fusiliers

(Portadown),

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty

when acting as company sergeant-major in an attack

on a village. He took command when his officers

were wounded, and displayed initiative and

boldness in leading the advance and in clearing the

enemy from houses and cellars when the village

was reached. He rendered valuable assistance in

repelling an enemy counter-attack.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

Preliminary Notice.

The Annual Services of Harvest Thanksgiving will

be held (D.V.) in Seagoe Parish Church on Thursday,

October 8th, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, October 12th,

at 11-30 and 7. The preacher on Thursday will be

the Rev. R. H. White, M.A., Rector of Holy Trinity

Church, Belfast; and on Sunday the Rev. J. E.

Browne, M.A., Rector of St Mary's Church, Crumlin

Road, Belfast, will preach at both services.

On Sunday, September 28th, a Service of Harvest

Thanksgiving will be held in Hacknahay School, at

3-30 p.m., and on the following Monday Evening at

8 o'clock. 'l'he offerings on Sunday will be in aid of

Hacknahay Sunday Schools, and on Monday for

Foreign Missions.

A Missionary Library.

The Rector has obtained a small Library of books of

great interest treating of modern Missionary problems.

They have been selected by the Rev. J. A. Murray,

of the Chota Nagpur (Dublin University) Mission in

North-west India, who has spent 30 years in Mission

work, and is a leading authority on everything connected

with Foreign Missions. It is hoped shortly to have

the Library in working order, so that Parishioners can

have the use of the books. There is no more fascinating

study for the Christian student than the Romance of

Modern Missions.

OLD SEAGOE NOTES.

Churchwardens of Seagoe 1900 - 1919

The following is a list of the Churchwardens of Seagoe

since the beginning of this century.

We hope shortly to complete the list which has in former

issues been brought up to the year 1835.

1901 —W. R. Atkinson

Joseph Monro

1902 Above re-appointed

1903 —T. J. Montgomery

Thos. Martin

1904 —Above re-appointed

1905 —John Montgomery

Joseph Murray

1906 —Atkinson Costello

T. E. Maginnis

1907 Major Blacker

Geo. Calvert

1908 J. H. Stevenson

Thos. Martin

1909 Jas. Albin

J. G. Gracey

1910 Charles Collins

Thomas Reid

1911 Andrew Costello

Robert Gracey

1912 Thomas Joyce Atkinson

William R. Bickett

1913 James Twinem

William Best

1914 Wolsey R. Atkinson

Stewart W. Blacker

1915 George Calvert

Thomas Dawson

1916 Robert Price

James Sands

1917 David W. Murray

Alan Bell, R.M.

1918 J. H. Stevenson

John George Gracey

1919 John Montgomery

Thomas E. Maginnis

The Pound in Edenderry 80 Years Ago .— ln

former days there was a Pound in every town or

village, and Portadown was no exception. The

Pound was situated at the corner of Bright Street,

where it joins Carrickblacker Road. It is still an

open space, unbuilt on, and was until recently blocked

up with logs of wood. Eighty years ago, this Pound

was a most important place, for to it were brought

all animals taken straying on the highway, or

trespassing and doing damage on private land,

but more important still, it was the place to which

were brought animals or goods distrained for rent.

No doubt many a Portadown householder, who had

gone behind in his rent, saw in ancient days, his

tables and chairs being carted down to Bright Street

corner, where they were disposed of to the highest

bidder, and many a farmer from the fat lands of

Seagoe saw his prime heifers driven down to the

same place and sold in open market. Our forefathers

whenever they passed that corner of Bright Street, now

so harmless and derelict, did so with mingled feelings.

An Act passed in the 19th year of George Il's reign

permitting Distress for Rent to be secured on the premises

where it is taken, caused the old Pounds to fall into

disuse, and they are now almost a thing of the past.

Public houses in Portadown 80 years ago. -

Mr Thomas Dawson, Corcraine, who is a strenuous

advocate of Temperance can recall the days when

almost every second house in Portadown was a

Licensed House. At that time the population of the

town was less than a third of its present numbers,

and yet there were no less than 72 Public houses.

Apparently, the people suffered more from thirst than

from hunger, for, strange to relate, there was not at

that time a single Butcher's shop in the town. We fear

that with such number of Public houses law

and order must have been difficult to maintain, but

Mr Dawson states that the Constabulary staff in

charge of the town numbered only four members.

Paddy Gallagher's Blacksmith's Shop, 1839—

A well-known establishment in Edenderry was

Paddy Gallagher's Blacksmith's Forge. It was

situated at the Turnpike Gate near where the First

Presbyterian Church now stands. Paddy did a

“roaring” trade in every sense of the word, for his

bellows roared by night and day as he shod the

horses of the Enniskillen Coach or tightened up

the loosening tyre of a wheel. His Smithy was well

known to the many who passed through Edenderry,

but Paddy's anvil has been long since silent and his

name forgotten.

The Beginning of Industrial Portadown.—

The first industrial works to be started in Portadown

was the Spinning Mill, which is still a vigorous

going concern. It was followed by the establishment

of Messrs. Watson & Armstrong's Weaving Factory

in Watson Street or Railway Street. Prior to the

establishment of these firms a small Brewery and

Distillery were the only places which provided

labour for the residents.

A Bit of Old Portadown - Portadown is so

essentially a modern town that it seems scarcely correct

to speak of “old" Portadown, but there are a few

remnants still surviving of the Portadown of our great

grandfathers. Possibly the oldest bit of Portadown

to be seen is the window over the entrance to the

Shambles in High Street. It originally formed part

of the old Town Hall, and the flight of stone steps

which led to the Hall is still in evidence. Another piece

of old Portadown is a doorway, a few doors above the

Ulster Bank. It was the hall door of the house where

the famous Woodhouse family resided, and is in perfect

preservation. Portions of Burleigh Court (described

in our last issue) also still survive. We are indebted

to Mr. Thomas Dawson for many of the above

particulars. We regret that in last month's issue the

name of the first school master in Edenderry and

also the house where the school was first held,

were incorrectly given.