In John Hickson’s book, Notes of Travel, the name Needham turns up a number of times in the chapter on North America. He refers to them as “friends” or “relatives.” John Hickson was an Irish immigrant to Australia. How did he come to have friends … Continue reading Four Irish-American evangelists
Category: History
In Chicago 1893
In May-June 1893 John Hickson and his daughter Alice spent three weeks in Chicago. They had gone there primarily to see the World’s Fair, a massive exhibition which commemorated the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in America. Such exhibitions were huge events during the … Continue reading In Chicago 1893
Our Irish roots
I have begun to dig into my Irish roots. My grandmother was the daughter of Irish migrants, George Byrne and Suzie Hickson. Both were born in Killarney, County Kerry, George in 1860, and Suzie in 1861. However, Suzie's parents decided to migrate to America when … Continue reading Our Irish roots
The most peaceable and virtuous peasantry in Britain
It is worthy of remark that it was at the climax of its spiritual prosperity the cruel work of eviction began to lay waste the hill-sides and the plains of the north. Swayed by the example of the godly among them, and away from the … Continue reading The most peaceable and virtuous peasantry in Britain
Spiritual heritage
The Ferintosh burn was one of our favourite places of play. To stand where Dr Macdonald stood, to speak from his platform - this was something performed with a superstitious fear and awe. How often we heard people speak of what the great Dr Macdonald … Continue reading Spiritual heritage
Forgotten tales 