Update on Dissertation

My dissertation is at the draft stage, and I am well on track for the hand in date 2nd April.  Just a few grammatical errors, and tidying up to do and it is complete.

Happy days!!!

Humorous Fact

As is common knowledge Bessbrook was known as the village of three'P's, No Public house, so no Pawn shop, thus no need for a Police station.... this little snippet some will find amusing....

 George Bernard Shaw is said to have visited Bessbrook in 1879, after being made aware of 'the new Quaker rooted industrial and social iniative’ (Bradley 2009.p.167) and has written in his early memoirs ‘Bessbrook is a place where I am told, the people never swear or get drunk, but to me, all of them look as if they’d like to do both.  They have a swan on a pond nearby, and to me that swan must spend its time wishing it could drown itself’ ( Ross, 2001,p.37)

Ready to begin my Dissertation?

After extensive research I have identified the Richardson graves, which given  the generations of James's, John's, Johnaton's  and Josephs and I, II, III generations ,this linked with the marriage into the names Nicholson's, Grubb's and Wakefield and Williams has been painstakingly difficult!!  I have since updated the video post accordingly. During half term I have been reading further around Quakerism and of how J.N Richardson, father of John Grubb Richardson became a Quaker, thus passing on his beliefs and principles to his family, who took this faith with them to Bessbrook and created the 'Model Village', which became an experiment in temperance and social reform.  With all this research collated  I am ready to begin writing my mini dissertation.

Where did the name Quaker come from in relation to 'The Society of Friends'?

An interesting definition of how the 'Religious Society of Friends' came to be known as 'Quakers', like any information found online, may not be completely true,but I found it quite interesting, if not amusing..

'The term "Quaker" began as a slur, because early Friends urged people to tremble (quake) before the power of the Lord. In 1877, the name "Quaker Oats" was registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal, because the company behind it (not affiliated with the church) believed the product met the Quaker values of honesty, integrity, purity and strength. Contrary to popular belief, the man on the box is a generic Quaker, not William Penn.' http://christianity.about.com

I would like to know if this is officially true! But may not include it in my dissertation just in case!!

Quaker Beliefs, What are they? Here is a brief guide...

Quakers Beliefs

Baptism - Most Quakers believe that how a person lives their life is a sacrament, and that formal observances are not necessary. Quakers hold that baptism is an inward, not outward, act.

Bible - Quakers' beliefs stress individual revelation, but the Bible is truth. All personal light must be held up to the Bible for confirmation. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the Bible, does not contradict Himself.

Communion - Spiritual communion with God, experienced during silent meditation, is one of the common Quakers beliefs.

Creed - Quakers do not have a written creed. Instead, they hold to personal testimonies professing peace, integrity, humility, and community.

Equality - From its beginning, the Religious Society of Friends taught equality of all persons, including women. Some conservative meetings are divided over the issue of homosexuality.

Heaven, Hell - Quakers believe that God's kingdom is now, and consider heaven and hell issues for individual interpretation. Liberal Quakers hold that the question of the afterlife is a matter of speculation.

 Jesus Christ- While Quakers beliefs say that God is revealed in Jesus Christ, most Friends are more concerned with emulating Jesus' life and obeying his commands than with the theology of salvation.

Sin - Unlike other Christian denominations, Quakers believe that humans are inherently good. Sin exists, but even the fallen are children of God, Who works to kindle the Light within them.

Trinity - Friends believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, although belief in the roles each Person plays vary widely among Quakers

Sign at Derrymore road entrance to Friends Meeting House

Friends Meeting House, Built for worship by J G Richardson, to hold meetings of the Quakers and other religious denominations in 1864, previous to this, 'The Society of Friends' met in the loft of the 'Co-op' shop, now the site of the Spar shop in Bessbrook village,  a plaque has been erected in recognition of this.

http://www.oldirishimages.com/towns

The Woodhouse, 'The Place of Great Oaks', Residence of John Grubb Richardson, adjoining the Derrymore Estate,

The Woodhouse, now turned into apartments, footage captured 14/01/2014, note the Georgian extension has been removed and replaced by 2 story extension but still maintaining the original features.

                                                   http://www.oldirishimages.com/towns

An old image of Derrymore House
Built in Cottage Ome style, with unique thatching using Shannon Reeds

A recent Image,not much has changed, restored by The National Trust, it currently has a family living in it and is only open to visitors 5 days of the year, 5 and 26 May, 12 and 13 July, 25 August,  2 to 5:30

Derrymore House Snippet

It has been documented that The Act of Union 1801 was drafted here in the drawing room of this house,  now known as 'The Treaty Room', when The Irish Chancellor Rt Hon  Issac Corry, the last Chancellor of Exchequer in Irish Parliament lived here. Issac Corry built this house on family inherited land in the years 1776-1787

Friends Burial Ground

 

My Research on The Richardsons continues, another pic of the burial ground.

My Journey so far....

Finished my Synopsis, ready to be handed in tomorrow! Plus I visited the Irish Reference Section of the Library in Newry and collated a lot of material to be used for this project, I have a lot of reading to do on the Richardson family, and must get all my facts right before my next blog entry! Will post up my findings very soon...

Visit to the Burial Ground at The Friend Meeting House

My further research into the Richardson family, I can identify these graves as follows, Sarah Edith Williams and Anne Wakefield Richardson are the twin daughters of John Grubb Richardson, they inherited the estate upon their mother Jane Wakefield Richardson's death in 1909. Sarah A Richardson is the wife of John Grubb Richardson's son James N Richardsosn III, who is also buried here. Helena Richardson is another daughter of John Grubb Richardson, named after his first wife Helena Grubb Richardson who died during childbirth in 1849. John Grubb Richardson is buried at The Friends Meeting House in Moyallon , in the Friends Burial Ground, at a large walled plot especially for the Richardsons, with some special treatment,

"Although all Quakers are considered equal in the eyes of God, the Richardsons had their own private burial plot, hedged off from the main burial ground; thus prompting the saying that although all Quakers are equal, some are more equal than others!" (richardsonname.co.uk)

National Trust Sign, at Camlough Road entrance to Estate

Topic Synopsis

The Topic I intend to do my research on is Derrymore Estate and The Richardsons 'Model Village' which will include ‘The Friends Meeting House’ in Derrymore Wood, Bessbrook, Co Armagh. Which is an original Quaker Meeting house dating back to 1864. Built in Derrymore Woods, a 110 acre estate now owned by The National Trust. I became interested in the Quakers during the last module for History, ‘Ireland 1798 to 1870’, whilst researching the Famine 1845-1850. Through my reading I learned of the significance of the ‘Society of Friends’ (Quakers) during this period and how much assistance the Quakers provided in offering their relief to the starving. This society also played an imperative part in convincing the British government to provide direct relief to the disaffected. I was moved into researching further into Quakerism, this coupled with the fact that I have recently moved into Bessbrook, Co. Armagh a Model Village built by a Quaker, John Grub Richardson, in 1845. I am also intrigued and inquisitive about the Quaker beliefs and the qualities he instilled in his workers in the Linen Industry, built up in this village. 
Derrymore Wood is a mere five minute walk from my home and has a wealth of history which I am looking forward to uncovering.   During my research journey It will also be important and necessary to mention the other notable buildings within this estate, ‘The Wood House’ where John Grub Richardson 1813-1890 and his family lived and ‘Derrymore House’ which in itself holds immense historical importance,  whilst also incorporating information about  ‘Bessbrook Spinning Mill’ which provided employment to the villagers and the history of ‘The Model Village’ itself. The research methods I intend to employ are the use of journals and records from Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, books from the reference library Irish Section, Newry and Armagh, Microfiche, PRONI, JStor and some Internet sources.  I will also be attending services at 'The Friends meeting House' and visiting the site, photographing and taking footage within the estate and I also hope to interview at least one knowledgeable individual