In perusing old newspapers, one occasionally encounters some locally written poetry (which will often bring to life an era, and and the people of that time). Here’s a delightful example of such a poem by a Portglenone man, Robert Kidd, from 1874.
Robert, from Connaughtliggar in Portglenone, was an elder in First Portglenone Presbyterian Church (and also a member of it’s building committee) in the 1860s and early 1870s.
THE KIDD FAMILY
Robert Kidd was born around 1841. He was the son of Allan Kidd. Charlotte Mulholland was the daughter of Henry Mulholland. She was born in 1846. The pair of them married on the 30th March 1865, in Portglenone. Charlotte was 19 years old, Robert was in his 24th year.
They had four kids in Ireland – three boys and a girl: Maria Kidd (born 28th May 1866), Benjamin Franklin Kidd (born 26th April 1868), Robert William Kidd (born 28th October 1870), and Thomas Allan Kidd (born 10th June 1873). There appears to have been no more children after they emigrated.
A brother of Robert Kidd’s continued to worship in First Portglenone, until the late 1800s/early 1900s.
ROBERT KIDD EMIGRATES TO NEW ZEALAND
It was apparently during his first day on the ship, called Sussex, that Robert wrote the following poem, Farewell Song.
Moving forward a few years. Allan Kidd, Robert’s nephew, was Justice of the Peace in Portglenone and also a member of the Rural Council. Allan kept a copy of his uncle’s poem. It was printed, framed, and had pride of place in his home.
ROBERT KIDD’S EARLY DEATH
Robert Kidd sadly did not live to be an old man in New Zealand. He caught a chill, after attending a funeral, and never recovered. Robert’s sons were in the mercantile business in New Zealand. His daughter, Maria, still continued to write to their old home at Connaughtliggar, Portglenone, where Robert’s nephew Allan subsequently lived.
In an October 1923 article, the Ballymena Observer refers to this poem. It quotes a church elder, referred to as “D. G. M.”
“There are those still amongst us who remember him Robert Kidd well, and I think I saw him once. As a bit of a “brother poet,” and as member of the same kirk session with which he was connected. Some of his old colleagues being our senior elders, Mr. William Glass and Mr. James Fleming (now passed on) when I became elder.”
“I write this foreword with sympathy and interest. There is something in the swing and ideas that recalls Lady Dufferin’s sweet poem, ‘I’m Sitting on the Style, Mary.”
“The Reverend Dr. James Kidd, of Aberdeen, in days gone by, who was brought at Broughshane, is said to have been connection, though born at Loughbrickland in 1761.”
D. G. M.
Without further ado, on with the poem. The local personalities referred to in the verses, were all apparently well known.
FAREWELL SONG
Farewell Erin; my friends farewell,
Since I have left the shore,
There’s little chance we’ll ever glance
On one another more.
I have sought a fair but far-off land.
Intend to boldly strive,
Where labour does not pine in dearth
And the working poor may thrive.
God keep you all my dear old friends
With your hearts still light and true,
I’ll ne’er forget my own old land,
Though wealth may gladden the new.
I’ll sometimes think on the hawthorn leaves,
With the snowdrops peeping through.
I’ll sometimes think on the orchard white,
With a double crop for you.
I’ll sometimes think of the berries ripe,
W’ith the currants black and red,
I’ll sometimes think of the rowantree
With its bright fruit overhead.
I’ll sometimes think of the busy plough
And the merry beating flail;
I’ll sometimes think of the favourite cow,
And the clink of the milking pail.
I’ll sometimes think of the harvest field,
With the flax and waving grain,
For a time I seem (it passes like a dream)
To be home with you again.
I sometimes think of the pleasant walk,
With the graveyard too hard by,
I sometimes sigh with a drooping eye
Again to be a boy.
I often think of the village church,
With its tower so high and fair,
I think of our sweet Communion times
With the pleasure I had there.
I sometimes think of the rector’s house.
With your much-loved rector too,
I’m glad he’s come so near you mother,
I trust he visits you.
But there’s a great High Priest, dear mother,
That’s nearer to you still,
I trust you’ll often visit Him,
I have faith to think you will.
I bring to my mind good neighbours,
I’m anxious to have word,
I wonder if old Andy’s dead,
Is Jamie’s voice still beard?
If Miss Dunlop has her mother yet,
Or if she’s taken home;
Does Peggy live in her humble cot,
Or if her time is come?
Perhaps some young and vigorous one
Some family circle mourn,
Who has gone the way of all the earth,
Shall ne’er again return.
I sometimes think of the struggling poor,
Still plodding on their way,
I trust kind Heaven has given them more:
Yet, even to luxury.
I ever think of a sister dear,
With each kind, loving brother,
Fast beats my heart that I ever dared to part
For ever from a mother.
At morn and noon and night
Full fit my better thoughts will roam;
Oh! Memory’s pinions, strong and soft,
And fly to my own home.
But Heaven is just as near, dear mother,
From sweet Dunedin Bay.
As it is from sweet old Erin, mother,
And just the same old way.
Our life is but a shadow, mother,
A short, uncertain span,
And Heaven is waiting for us, mother,
Where we’ll never part again.
God keep you all, my dear old friends,
With your hearts still light and true,
I’ll ne’er forget my own old land,
Though wealth may gladden the new.
Written by Robert Kidd, 2nd July 1874
I think Robert Kidd was related by marriage to William and Alexander Clarke, brothers of Samuel Clarke who married Margaret Jane Kidd, who were my maternal Grandparents.
hello Viola. That’s very interesting to hear that there may be a connection between the Kidds and Clarkes….and ultimately to you.
May I ask in what part of the world you live?
Trudger,
I am in Co Fermanagh. Margaret Jane Kidd, daughter of Allen Kidd and Jane Corker was my Grandmother, married to Robert Clarke. Martha, sister of Margaret Jane Kidd, married Martin Burns of Sligo. Their Daughter married an O’Reilly from Dublin. I have traced their son, Maurice O’Reilly and hope to meet him on 2nd December.
Hello Viola Wiggins.
I have a booklet copy of Robert Kidd’s ‘Poems” that include the moving poem on Robert’s departure from Northern Ireland in 1874. On that same voyage is a Joseph Gordon KIDD, my maternal grandmother (Margaret Jane Montgomery Kidd (Stevens). I particularly liked his poem – Thoughts while standing at the Galley on board the Sussex” – I believe that he may have been seasick??! My Joseph Kidd married in Southland, New Zealand, had a son who died at an early age.
I am presently trying to link the Joseph Gordon Kidd relatives who appear to also be from the Portglenone area too.
I would welcome a reply if you wish. David Stevens (Queensland, Australia).
I now live in County Fermanagh. N Ireland. William and Alexander Clarke who were born Beltany Co Tyrone went to Otago New Zealand in 1879 on the ship Inverscargill. William kept a diary of their journey from Omagh. A copy of that diary is in the New Zealand National Library.
Wow. Thanks for that info. I must do a search and see what I can find on that. Hopefully it is online.
I love reading old diaries, poems and letters. They give us a better understanding of the past. To be honest, I am more into that aspect, than tracing my family tree.
Samuel Clarke married Margaret Jane Kidd and they had 12 children including my Mother Alice Winifred Clarke. Margaret Jane Kidd was twin Sister of Martha Kidd who married Martin Burns of Sligo town, Co Sligo.
You have been doing some wonderful research, Viola.
With 12 children, your tree is going be pretty complex.
It sure is. William’s daughter married Wm Hy McKirdy. During WW2 their son Bill McKirdy was in NZ Navy and visited my maternal Uncle in Belfast.
There may still be living McKirdy Family that I have not yet traced in Timaru, NZ.
Trudger,
The William Glass mentioned in the Article on Robert Kidd, reminds me of the Murder of a Bank Manager of that name, who was murdered by Montgomery, a Policeman. Alexander Clarke, wrote a letter from New Zealand, recalling that he had delivered the Newspaper that had been found in Glass’s pocket on the morning of the Murder.
sorry – late to the debate. Thomas (b1792) & Mary Ann (Montgomery) are my 3rd Great grandparents. I am trying to establish the parents of Thomas and many genealogists show them to be William Bailie (b1749) & Margaret Kidd (b1754)(both buried at Duneane 6 miles away) but I see no evidence to support this. I believe Mgt Kidd had a brother Robert Kidd (b1765) and he could possibly be the GGF of Robert (the poet). If his father was Allan, there are records showing an Allan and his father as Allan also but they appear to be from Kilrea/Omagh so not near Portglenone. I know that Thomas and his father before him lived in the townland of Slievenagh (just outside Portglenone). The Montgomerys lived there too. Also the Kidd family lived at Connaughtligger, Slievenagh. I am inclined to believe that William Bailie/Mgt Kidd were Thomas’s parents but would love to have evidence. I was also intrigued as to why your Margaret Jane Montgomery (Stevens) has Montgomery in her name – but I now see that Jane Montgomery was Joseph G Kidd’s mother in law. I am sure Jane was related to my Mary Ann. Any comments/advice much appreciated. Roy (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
Hi Roy Bailie,
Thanks for those enticing tidbits on the possible Kidd connection.
As my copy of Robert Kidd’s poems very strongly indicates that Robert was, at least, a cousin of my Grandmother Mary Jane Montgomery Kidd – her father, Joseph Kidd – did not leave any significant information via my dad, other than of being a cousin.
I am presently trying to add or reject a series of potential firm links with Joseph (who died in NZ) but it is hard getting verification of affirming data.
Please feel free to email me direct (davmar1943@gmail.com) if you wish to continue on this puzzling journey of discovery! For info, I am resident in Queensland, Australia, so rather difficult access all the paperwork. Blessings. David
Is anyone still answering these comments?
yep. Anything that you can add would be appreciated. Roy
Regretably I have been unable to advance my Kidd family due to a serious illness from which I am still recovering, plus just had both eyes back in working order again! My Ulster famil/ies are all quite challenging, but managed to make a good step forward from a distant Thompson cousin.
Urgently trying to beat the deadline for publishing my book on Australian birds – almost there! Back soon!