Early Gilford Methodism.
Presbyterian minister shot in riot – tragedy of 1772 – the Drumarran Ghost.
Mr F.J Cole, the Methodist historian, here tells the story of the uprising of Gilford tenants, the ultimate riot and its tragic sequel.
“Those who were without money, without food for themselves and families, or those who drove them to this extremity.” With Wesley’s view of these matters in our minds we can better assess the reasons for the tragic occurrence which at that time happened in Gilford. On the 5th March, 1772 the Presbyterian minister, Rev. Samuel Morrell, informed Sir Richard Johnston there was to be a meeting of the Hearts of Oak at a house in Clare; in consequence under Sir Richard’s leadership Mr Morrell and some of the Castle employees went out to Clare and arrested four men, one of whom escaped while the other three were taken to Gilford Castle. The exasperated tenantry, accompanied by some hundreds of others went to Sir Richard to demand the release of the three men and when this was refused they attacked the Castle defended by Sir Richard, his retainers and Mr Morrell.
A miniature battle took place and unbecoming as it was for Mr Morrell to fight with the arm of the flesh against the members of his own flock from Gilford and Tullylish he did so and in consequence lost his life, as he was shot dead while the battle was in progress. Johnston sent his steward out with a white flag to arrange to surrender while he himself escaped over a wall, waded the mill race, swam the Bann, was helped out of the river by a Miss Davison, mounted a horse without a saddle and made no attempt to draw rein until he reached Newry, 15 miles away.
Subsequently a number of men were arrested and taken to Downpatrick jail and while there were visited by the Rev. John Johnson, who had been appointed Superintendent of Methodism in Ireland and who was then retired and living in Lisburn. Later they were transferred to Dublin, where they were tried before a Protestant jury, found not guilty and discharged. Further tragic events occurred in connection with this episode but these need not concern us today. I tell this story because of interesting references to Sir Richard Johnston which have come down to us from a celebrated minister, Rev. Henry Moore. Mr Moore, who was the intimate friend, travelling companion and biographer of Rev. John Wesley, lived over at Tandragee for a year subsequent to the incidents I have mentioned and from him we learn that in 1780 there was a little Methodist Society in Gilford which passed through some rather extraordinary experiences of peculiar interest as from the published account of these we have the names of several members of the Gilford Class Meeting. We do not know who the leader of the Class was, but perhaps it was John Hamilton, of New Mills, who introduced Methodism to Portadown about that time.
There were then living in Drumarran three elderly ladies of unblemished character and good repute, Elizabeth Mathers, Margaret Mathers, and their sister-in-law Isabella Mitchell, at whose house the Class was accustomed to meet.
Christmas was approaching when all sorts of supernatural events are alleged to have taken place. Spinning wheels were smashed by unseen hands while the wheels were beeing operated. Articles of clothing and furniture were seen moving about, stones and potatoes were thrown about the rooms. The Class Book rose before the assembly, flew into a window and then tore up into hundreds of pieces which fell over the members present. Knives, forks, tongs, pokers, candlesticks and pot hooks were seen to move about.
One evening when the preacher from Charlemont, Mr Blake, was present, one of the ladies of the house was preparing a poultice for a sore throat from which he was suffering when suddenly the poultice was seen to be mixed with mud and dirt.
By this time these events were the talk of the countryside and Sir Richard Johnston came to investigate them. He was accompanied by some of the local volunteer officers and when he heard the incidents described he laughed immoderately. But ghosts are no repecters of persons, because suddenly a stone struck Sir Richard on the head, when he excitedly called out “I’ll be d-d but a stone has struck me,” and turning to one of the officers, he said, “Was it you, Captain?” “No,” said the captain.
Seizing a spade, he therefore flew at one wall and then at another, but the fusilade of stones became so serious that he was forced to run out of the house and into the neighbouring house of one of his tenants, John Stewart. In explanation Rev. Henry Moore alleges that Sir Richard was an infidel although Lady Johnston was a pious woman, but on reaching John Stewart’s door he called out “John there is another world and a devil too, I will doubt no more.”
At this time Mr Moore was brought on the scene and he tells us he examined the cut heads and bruises; the local preachers; the Class leaders; and his colleagues whose truthfulness he would as soon question as John Wesley’s; he was therefore convinced of the accuracy of what he heard.
He says the Mathers ladies were advised to bring in the Parish Priest and he did not object to this if the Priest acted scripturally. He thought of Luke ix. 49, where John said “Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us,” and Jesus said “forbid him not, for he that is not against us is for us.”
Fifty-six years later Mr Moore told the whole story to the Rev. Fossey Tackeberry at a London boarding house, and said the ghost ceased to annoy after he had appointed a day of fasting and prayer. A short time later this Church was built. I do not know if it finally laid the ghost but at all events it is satisfactory to know that since then there have been no records of what Mr Moore described as preternatural appearances.
Before leaving the matter, however, you may be interested to know the names of the peopel whom it is alleged the ghost interfered with, they were: the two Mathers ladies whom I have mentioned, Isabella Mitchell, Margaret Mitchell, Molly Stewart, Fanny Brennan, Sarah Wood, Robt. White, John Lindsay, Thomas Ballance, John Mettleton and Mr Robert Blake, the preacher.
Portadown News, 25th September 1943.