Creggan Church letter to David JACKSON Undated, but likely in 1885 [1] .

Resolved that we the parishioners of Creggan and in General Vestry assembled do hereby place on record our sincere regret that Mr. Jackson [2] in the exercise of his judgment should have deemed it right to withdraw from the community of those with whom he worshiped for so long a time in Creggan Church.            That whilst as a matter of fact we cannot ignore the cause of this unhappy separation we would urge upon Mr. Jackson the consideration of the following circumstances as a plea for letting the dead past bury its dead.       That the appointment of a successor to the late Rev. Dr. Mills [3] , by the late Primate, - we believe to Mr. Jackson's own knowledge, - has given eminent satisfaction to the whole Parish. For not only are the usual Sunday services well and faithfully ministered but the parishioners at large are duly visited and attended to.      That in the Rev. Mr. Austin, we believe we possess a Clergyman who will be faithful to his trust and worthy of our confidence. And that Mr. Austin [4] in accepting the gift of the Incumbency of Creggan from the late Primate did so free from all connection with any of the unfortunate differences of opinion which at that time existed amongst us. That our sole aim as Mr. Jackson will allow was the welfare and prosperity of the Parish, & it is a matter for Sincere regret that a disagreement should have at all arisen, as to what line of conduct would best secure the object each one had at heart. But as none of us had any self interest to serve in the filling up of the vacancy we desire to state that we think there is now no longer any cause why those feelings should appear to exist in the apparent alienation of Mr. Jackson, as his present attitude we believe is contrary to his own true feelings of attachment to the Church of which he has given so many & undoubted proofs, as well as being one of its oldest members & the representative of a family who for generations has been identified therewith. On these grounds we therefore appeal to Mr. Jackson's better judgment & we trust that he will resume his old and familiar place in the congregation of Creggan.

Signed on behalf of the Parishioners

            [?] A. Palmer [5]

            W.J. McClean [6]                         Church Wardens

            [?] Rogers [7]