Transcribed by Teena from the Londonderry StandardThur. 25 Sept. 1856
Operation of the Poor Removal Act
A case of peculiar hardship in connexion with this act has just come to our knowledge and if the facts be at all in accordance with the statements of the poor creature against whom the statute was in this instance, brought into operation, it would be difficult to find a more striking illustration of the injustice and barbarity of this ill-considered enactment. A few days ago a poor woman, named Mary CONWAY, with her four children were landed at our quays, in a destitute state having been sent to Ireland by the authorities of Durham, the warrant of deportation being signed by two magistrates. Of course, the unfortunate creatures were at once received into our workhouse as paupers and the circumstances of the case brought under the notice of the Board of Guardians. It appears that the woman never remembers having been in Ireland before, her earliest recollection is that of living at Rutherglen in the neighbourhood of Glasgow. She had heard her parents, who were Irish and in humble circumstances, frequently say however, that she had been born in Ireland. Her maiden name was CAROLAN and in 1847 she was married at Hamilton, in Scotland, to Francis CONWAY, who appears to have been a native of the latter country, and who we believe, was a sort of labourer. Shortly after their marriage the parties came to England and resided in Durham for several years. In the meantime, the woman gave birth to four children, three of these being born in England. Some months ago however, the husband, whose morals do not seem to have been of the best, was taken into custody, charged with a felonious offence. Whilst the man lay in gaol awaiting his trial at the assizes, his wife, “thinking she might as well have it”, to use her own words, applied for the usual parochial relief to the authorities of the parish of St. Giles, Durham. They granted her an allowance of five shillings weekly, which she received in the ordinary course for a few weeks. At the summer assizes, the husband was convicted of the offence charged and sentenced to six years penal servitude. Having thus disposed of the criminal, the parish authorities turned their attention to his wife, who could have no possible connexion with the guilt of her husband, the crime being that of rape, attempted or accomplished. The weekly relief was stopped and the poor woman was visited by the relieving officer of St. Giles, as well as other officials. They told her she must summarily quit the country. They asked her to what part of the kingdom she belonged and on the strength of her parents’ statement that she had been born in Derry, decided on despatching her to this city. In vain, the unfortunate creature pleaded that she had lived long enough in Durham to be entitled to remain – in vain, she reminded them of the fact that three of her children were born in England – in vain, she assured the authorities that she wanted nothing from them, as she was able and willing to support herself and her family by the labour of her own hand – in vain, did her husband’s relatives join the pledge that no parochial assistance would ever be demanded by her from the official charities of the city of Durham. Everything was of no avail – the law must be obeyed in all its heartless rigidity. The poor woman was accordingly driven from her little home and sent back to Derry. She states that she had some furniture and that she had to leave it behind, not being able to sell it; and an acre of growing potatoes were similarly lost to their unfortunate owner. After a long and fatiguing journey, the woman arrived at our quays and was received into the workhouse, where she remains. Mrs. CONWAY is a fine young woman, about twenty-five years of age and very intelligent. As we are informed, the Londonderry Guardians have not sent her back; and even if she could return of her own means, it would only be to give the authorities of Durham a second opportunity of applying to her, the provisions of this very admirable and most benevolent enactment. These are the facts in detail and they supply their own commentary.
Presbyterian Church Donagheady
The new Presbyterian church of Second Donagheady was opened on the 21st instant, by the Rev. James BEGG D.D., Edinburgh. Although the morning was so exceedingly severe that not only many strangers who intended to be present, but members of the congregation, were absent, the seats were all occupied and the alleys filled. After the sermon a collection was made, which amounted to about £75, a sum far below what would have been received if the day had been fine and which we understand, is being increased considerably by the contributions of parties prevented by the rain from being present. The collectors on the occasion were;
Wm. HUMPHREYS Esq . J.P., Strabane
Wm. OGILBY Esq. J.P., Liscleen
Captain BAIRD
Doctor CLARKE R.N.
Joseph STEVENSON Esq., Ardkill
David WILSON Esq., Drummaneny
James HENDERSON Esq., Lisdillen
Matthew J. ALEXANDER Esq., Derry
assisted the following members of the Building committee;
Robt. M’CREA
Robt. ALEXANDER
George M’LAUGHLIN
Robert M’CLEARY
The church is a large square building, about 72 feet long and 52 wide, having over the hall a neat and convenient session room and vestry. It has six Gothic windows, surmounted by freestone shields on each side, two at each end of a similar description, with a large ornamental one over the entrance door. The place was prepared by the Messrs. BOYD of this city; the masonry and plastering contracted for and executed by Joseph ORR & Sons, Donagheady; the carpenter work by Joseph SMYTH and William BAIRD; the painting by the Messrs. ROBINSON of Derry; and the furnishings &c. by Mr. CAMPBELL also of this city; the management of the whole being entrusted to a committee, composed exclusively of members of the congregation; to all of whom the church is largely indebted; more especially to Robert M’CREA Esq., Grange house and Robert ALEXANDER Esq., Sandville.
The church is really handsome, substantial and commodious, wanting but a belfry to make it a model after which any edifice of a similar description, either in town or country, might be constructed. At meeting of the congregation, held previous to the day of opening, the stipend was raised to £100 a year. A gentleman in Glasgow, at one time a native of the parish and a member and office-bearer there, sent over a pulpit bible and psalm book; and the ladies, after furnishing the pulpit and vestry, have presented the minister with a splendid pulpit gown and bands. This is as it ought to be. It is only however, what we would expect from 2d Donagheady, a congregation so large, enlightened and respectable, having so eloquent and zealous and popular a minister as the Rev. F. J. PORTER. We ought to observe that the music was good, superior to what is generally met with in country congregations, the young people having formed themselves into a choir, which sat in front of the precentor, aiding him in leading the congregation.
Petty sessions court – Before the mayor
Assault – A hawker of hardware, named RYAN was convicted of assaulting Mrs. REYNOLDS of Bishop street, by striking her on the breast, after being repeatedly ordered out of the shop. Fined 10s., or one fortnight’s imprisonment.
Adulteration of Milk – Edward BARR of Craig, Robert DYSART of Coshquin and Wm. SWEENY of Bridgend, were prosecuted at the instance of the inspector of markets, for adulterating buttermilk sent for sale to town. Borough-constable LYNCH proved buying the milk of the drivers of the several parties summoned and to having submitted it to a test, the result of which was that the milk bought from BARR showed a mixture of 50 percent of water; that belonging to DYSART showed 40 percent. SWEENY submitted to the charge. The parties were fined in 10s. each and costs.
Assault – Edward M’SHANE, lately discharged from the land transport Corps, was convicted on the evidence of Sub-constable M’GOVERN and Daniel DOHERTY of assaulting the latter on Derry bridge. The prisoner having already been two days imprisoned, was ordered be discharged.
The late Dr. John COCHRANE
(from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle)
King’s County Medical Society, New York
At a special meeting of the Kings County Medical Society, convened August 16th 1856, in consequence of the death of Dr. John COCHRANE, the following gentlemen, Drs. CULLEN, THORNE, WADE, BOYD and OTTERSON were appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments entertained by the society in relation to the deceased. The committee presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted;
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence to remove from the scene of his active labours and usefulness Dr. John COCHRANE, thereby causing a void in our midst which time alone can fill. It is therefore resolved;
That we have with sincere and heartfelt grief learned the death of our late friend and brother, Dr. John COCHRANE, a man who though young in years, had but few superior to him as a physician and surgeon.
That we deeply and most respectfully tender to his aged parents our sincere sympathy; fully sensible to the loss they have experienced in his death and for which loss they will mourn as no others of those who knew and loved him can mourn.
That we tender and present to his uncle, Dr. GILFILLAN, who has been a second father to Dr. COCHRANE, our cordial participation in the sorrow he now experiences in the loss of a nephew whose unusual success and bright prospects must truly have gladdened his heart.
That with his brothers and sister, we heartily condole in this, their first and great affliction and it may emphatically be said that they have lost not only a brother, but a father also.
That we will attend the funeral of the late Dr. J. COCHRANE, our friend and brother, wearing the usual badge of mourning.
That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased in this city, with the request that a copy of the same, duly certified by the president and secretary be transmitted to the parents of our late friend and brother.
That these proceedings be published in the city papers, signed by the committee and the president and secretary of the Society.
Signed
Dr. CULLEN, Dr. THORNE, Dr. WADE, Dr. BOYD, Dr. OTTERSON, committee; F. A. WADE M. D., president of King’s Co. Medical Society; Alexander LITTLE M.D., secretary
Brooklyn. August 18th 1856
(we may state that Dr. John COCHRANE was a native of Muff, Co. Derry where his family still reside. He had risen to high professional eminence in the United States and had realized considerable property at the time of his death. His funeral is stated in American newspapers to have been the largest ever witnessed in Brooklyn, having been attended by all the leading men of the city, as well as by the community in general, and especially by its Irish inhabitants, to whom Dr. COCHRANE had endeared himself by habitual kindness and generosity.)
Opening of the New Presbyterian Church of Second Ardstraw
This neat and comfortable church was opened for Divine service on Monday, the 8th instant, by the Rev. Henry COOKE D.D., LL.D., who presebed (?) to a large and respectable congregation, including a number from the surrounding neighbourhood who came to hear this eminent divine. It is but justice to say that all were delighted and edified by the evangelical and impressive effusions of the doctor’s eloquence, which will be long remembered by many who had the pleasure of being present. The following gentlemen were collectors;
Joseph SCOTT Esq. J.P.
James GREER jun. Esq.
Jas. HAMILTON Esq., M.D.
William SPROULE Esq., M.D.
John MOTHERWELL Esq.. M.D.
William TRIMBLE Esq.
to whom the minister, elders, committee and members of the congregation tender their thanks. The collection, including sales of tickets and donations from persons who could not attend, amounted to £40.
New Tablets in St. Columb’s Cathedral Derry
Three elegantly designed, beautifully executed tablets have been lately erected in St. Columb’s Cathedral, Derry. The first of these monumental erections is dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant-Colonel GOUGH of the 33rd regiment whose name is permanently associated with some of the most brilliant events of the Crimean campaign; the second commemorates another hero of the Crimea, Lieut-Col. CUDDY; the third is devoted to the memory of the late Archdeacon HAYDEN
The tablet erected to the memory of Lieut.-Colonel GOUGH, designed by KIRK, is exceedingly handsome, and bears the following inscription
“To the memory of Thomas Bunbury GOUGH
Lieut.-Col. of the 33d,
or Duke of Wellington Regiment,
in which he served his country Twenty-eight Years. Severely wounded at the Battle of the Alma,
and borne down by illness, contracted in the performance of his duty,
He rose from a bed of sickness to lead his Regiment
and fell gloriously,
pierced with wounds, at the capture of Sebastopol,
and died September 18, 1855
A Gallant Soldier, a warm Friend and an affectionate Son and Brother,
and an humble and pious believer
in Him who is the resurrection and the life.”
The pillar which bears this inscription is surmounted by a funereal urn with appropriate drapery and an oak wreath; while on either side are ordnance, swords, banners, drums and other military accompaniments of the battle field.
The monument to Lieutenant Colonel CUDDY is by Reeves statuary of Bath and is a really beautiful and chaste performance, bearing the following inscription;
“Sacred to the Memory of Lieut.-Colonel Wiliam Holland Lecky Daniel CUDDY,
of H.M. 65th (55th?) (the Westmoreland) Regiment of Foot,
who was killed on the 8th Sept, 1855 (?)
whilst nobly leading the Regiment, then under his command,
in the final assault on the great Redan of Sebastopol,
in the 43d year of his age.
He had served upwards of Twenty-two years in the 55th Regiment,
beloved and respected by all who knew his worth.
His brother Officers,
sincerely sympathising with his Widow and Children,
have erected this Tablet to record their grief at his untimely death,
and to mark the high sense they entertained of his qualities,
as a good Soldier and a sincere Christian
He was the son of Lieut. William CUDDY, H.M. 69th regiment,
who was killed in the assault on Bergen-op-Zoom,
in the Netherlands 8th March 1814″.
This inscription is displayed on a handsome white marble shield, encircled with a fillet, on which appear letters of gold the words China and Crimea, with the battles in which the deceased took part viz: Tchin Keang foo, Alma, Inkermann and Sebastopol. Surrounding the shield are two banners, placed saltierwise, the whole being surmounted with the arms of the deceased in scarlet and purple, with the motto “Altingit” in front and pendant therefrom, the Indian and Crimean medals; the whole being produced in a masterly and artistic style.
The memorial to the late Archdeacon of Derry is a neat ornamental Gothic tablet of white marble, by Mossman, of Glasgow, on which the following inscription is engraved;
“In Memory of the Rev. John HAYDEN A.M.,
Archdeacon of Derry.
This Tablet is erected by the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese,
in grateful testimony to the faithfulness and assiduity with which,
for Thirty-eight years,
he had devoted to the service of the Church
the valuable gifts with which God had endowed him.
An able Minister of Christ,
a strenuous advocate of Scriptural Education,
zealous in his endeavours to promote the efficiency of the Church,
and to reform the abuses which impaired her usefulness. On the 10th day of March 1855, in the 61st year of his age,
he finished his course,
trusting in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.”
married
In Holywood Church, Co. Down, on 23rd September by the Rev. David Babington, Incumbent of Glendermott William DUNNE Esq. of the city of Londonderry to Rebecca Dupre, daughter of the late Thos. LINDSAY Esq., Waterside Londonderry.
Sept. 10th in the Parish Church Magherafelt, by the Rev. John Gaussen brother to the bride, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Greer, Woods chapel, Samuel ROBINSON Esq., to Jannette Anne, second daughter of William GAUSSEN Esq., Magherafelt.
died
On the 16th Sept. at his residence, Barnhill near Kilmacrenan David ALLEN aged 68 years. Mr. ALLEN was the son of the Rev. David ALLEN and brother of the late John ALLEN, successively ministers of the Presbyterian congregation of Kilmacrenan; and having maintained throughout life a character of great uprightness, was much respected by his friends and neighbours.
On the 24th instant, at his residence, Bennetts lane, Mr. John M’CARRON, teacher, aged 74 years. The funeral will take place on Friday morning at half past nine.
At Woolwich on the 13th inst., Matilda EVANS, daughter of the late Mr John EVANS, of Strabane.
On the 13th instant, at Deerpark, Mrs. Rebecca STEVENSON, aged 78 years, deeply regretted.
On the 20th inst., at Rosemount, Maghera, Mr. William LYTLE aged 53 years.
On the 23rd inst., in Tivnakeery, parish of Donagheady, Isabella, wife of Mr. John NIXON, aged 30 years.
On the 14th ult., at Philadelphia, United States, John Leslie, son of Mr. Thomas CARSON, merchant, in the 3rd year of his age.
On Wednesday the 17th inst., John, eldest son of the late Mr. Hugh BOYD of Ballyally, county Londonderry, aged 45 years.
On the 12th instant, at Corlamlet, near Newtownhamilton, Andrew, eldest son of Mr. James CLARKE aged 27 years. He was a dutiful son, a kind friend, a humble and sincere Christian. After a long illness born with the meekness of patience, he was mercifully removed from the evil to come, in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection.
At his residence, Ballymenagh Parish of Aghadowey, Mr. John CASKEY, farmer, in the 69th year of his age, much and deservedly regretted by his friends and acquaintances.
At Ramelton on the 8th instant, William GOFF Esq. aged 78 years.
On Monday, the 15th inst. Martha, the beloved wife of Mr. Robt. LOCKHART of Rathmullan, in the 79th year of her age.
On the 19th instant, at Dublin, Andrew George MALCOLM M.D. of Belfast aged 37 years.
On the 13th instant at his residence, Killinchy in the woods, Mr. John MARTIN, aged 86 years, for 57 years an elder in the Presbyterian Non-Subscribing congregation of Kilmore, County Down.
On the 14th instant, at Holywood Janette, wife of Professor CRAIK, Queen’s College, Belfast, and eldest daughter of the late Cathcart DEMPSTER Esq.
At St. Kilda, Australia, on the 11th June, Hannah Gilmore, wife of Mr. Thomas H. BLACK, formerly of Coleraine.