The death of Archdeacon Dr J.C. Martin

The latest in the series of Jonathan Smyth's Times Past historical column looks at Archdeacon Dr J.C. Martin...

Sad news was reported from the Rectory House, Killeshandra, on January 17, 1878, when the public learned of the death of John Charles ‘J.C.’ Martin, Archdeacon of Kilmore, aged 80 years. The Archdeacon had gone through what were described as ‘great bodily sufferings’, which he bore with ‘surpassing patience’ and ‘Christian fortitude.’ Having spent 46 years as the Parish Rector of Killeshandra, he was said to have been a beloved and respected figure by all who had known him during that time . His obituary was carried in the Cavan Weekly News, who in summing up his religious temperament, quoted the biblical text: – ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusted in Thee.’

His illness had been long and through the suffering he was said to have derived ‘unspeakable comfort’ from Hymns such as ‘Nos. 138 and 260 in the New Church Hymnal’, and reference was made to the archdeacon’s favourite writings which he liked to peruse in quiet moments.

Trinity

John Charles Martin was born in Cork on March 14, 1797. He received his early education at ‘Mr Lee’s school before enrolling at Trinity College Dublin, aged 14 years in 1811. He was elected a fellow of the university in 1821. He retired from the fellowship in 1829, and two years later received an appointment as rector of the Church of Ireland parish of Killeshandra.

Promotion came his way 25 years later with his appointment as the Archdeacon of Ardagh and then later as Archdeacon of Kilmore in 1866, in what was to be a long ‘public life’. The Cavan Weekly News commented on the late Archdeacon’s moral viewpoint and his regular penmanship by which he espoused his opinions publicly as follows: -‘He was also a frequent writer in the public journals on several questions of current interest; and always advanced and defended his views, as a true Protestant and a consistent Conservative. He always regarded principle as superior to policy; and manfully avowed his principles regardless of how the avowal might affect his promotion in the Church.’

His death was universally regretted and the feelings of loss and remembrance for him reminded the people of his liberal nature in all matters of charity

The Archdeacon’s wife, Agatha Martin (nee Mant), to whom he was ‘happily united’ at Hollywood, Co Down on June 23, 1829, was a daughter of the late Bishop Mant, a ‘learned Commentator’ and a prolific author whose charge was the united diocese of Down, Connor, and Dromore. Bishop Mant’s best known book was a History of the Church of Ireland.

According to Burke’s Peerage, Agatha had predeceased her husband in September 1875. The Martin’s had a family of 12 children, Elizabeth Mary Adelaide Martin; Rev John Charles Martin Jnr, who also became a rector at Killeshandra before going to North Wales; Richard Luther Martin, who joined the educational service in India; Edith Agatha Martin; Henry Francis John Martin; Frederick Walter Mant Martin; Mary Emily Martin; Charles William Wall Martin; Caulfield Aylmer Martin; Olivia Frances Martin who married Richard Henry Clifford, Resident Magistrate and Collector in Bengal, India; Adela Neville Martin; and Brownlow R. Martin who became a doctor in Hammersmith, London.

Belturbet

When the North Kilmore Clerical Association met in Belturbet on February 7, 1878, the following letter of condolence was addressed to the Archdeacon’s son and namesake the Rev John Charles Martin. It read:‘Dear Mr Martin, - We, the members of the North Kilmore Clerical Association, in Clerical meeting assembled, desire to express to you and the other members of your family, our sincere sympathy with you in the loss you have sustained by the death of your father, the late Venerable John Charles Martin, D.D., Archdeacon of Kilmore, and Rector of Killeshandra. We know that no words of ours can add to the consolation which you derive, in this your hour of bereavement, from the sure hope that your father who died in the love of God and in the faith of Christ, is now rejoicing in the presence of his Lord. But we feel that it will be gratifying to you to receive, as it is agreeable to us to offer, the assurance that we hold our late Archdeacon, in grateful remembrance, for the ability and learning and steadfastness to Protestant principles, with which he served the Church, during his lengthened ministry.’

The letter was signed by John M. Massy-Beresford, MA, Dean of Kilmore, and Chairman of the Association; James Godley, MA, Rector of Carrigallen, and Chairman of the meeting; and James M’Creight Jackson, MA, Vicar of St Andrew’s, and honorary secretary.

Strange Sightings in Cavan Town

The Cavan Town river was called a place of danger in February 1848, after an old woman, named Campbell, fell in at the mill when crossing ‘the stick’ above the river. She would have drowned but for the help of a nearby man. A short time before the ‘mishap’, a servant-maid of John Brady a businessman of the town, was drowned at the same place. This newspaper, ‘respectfully’ put the question to the authorities as to how long ‘this human trap’ was ‘to continue in the present disgraceful state?’

A decade later in February 1859, Mr Philip Reilly, hotel-keeper, from Ballyjamesduff, was summoned by Constable Conn for having driven a horse and car through the Main Street of Cavan, in a ‘furious manner’, causing ‘considerable danger’ to people passing at the time. The defendant did not appear when the constable's statement was read. A fine including costs of 20 shillings to be paid by Reilly was imposed.