James Macartney : a memoir / by Alexander Macalister.

  • MacAlister, Alexander, 1844-1919.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: James Macartney : a memoir / by Alexander Macalister. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    purchased by the elder Macartney a few years previously. In this occupation James spent the two succeeding years. His father had never been fully reconciled to the marriage of his sister with Dr. Atkinson, and he had left her only a slender provision by his will. The brothers agreed, however, to add as much again to her portion, on the suggestion of James. In 1792 the dissensions between Catholics and Protestants, produced first by the ‘ Peep- of-Day Boys/ who were for the most part Presbyterians, led to the formation of Societies of United Irishmen, in order to obtain redress of abuses in the Irish Government.” James Macartney, who had returned in this year to Newry, warmly espoused their cause, and was speedily enrolled among the United Irishmen. When he returned to Armagh in 1793 he set about organising a branch of the society there. “ At first, these societies were convivial and social, but in process of time they became associated all over the country by a secret test, and the members were bound together for the purposes of rebellion.” While in Newry he became the superintendent of a Sunday school, and “ printed a foolish story