Love Lurks in the Literary Society

So many stories of ancestors and relatives are mentioned in the newspapers of the past. During April 2020 for the A - Z blog challenge, I am listing the types of stories or information I have found in newspapers with examples for each letter of the alphabet. My clippings include a variety of articles about relatives of my children's ancestors.

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 L for Letters to the editor and letters written to children's pages; these are a wonderful source of information for family historians. Electors' Lists were sometimes published in early newspapers along with Land deals and Licences for hotels. My story today involves a Literary Society and the romance that blossomed there in 1915 and 1916. To this end I have made a List in Trove where the complete articles can be found.

St Patrick's Literary and Dramatic Society

This society for Catholic youth was established in Adelaide as early as 1879 with the intention to "promote the social, moral, and intellectual well being of the members."(1) An early advertisement indicates that this society was only for young men, and indicates the scope of activities.

1889 'Advertising',
Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 19 July, p. 1. ,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164855848

The splendid library mentioned now housed 171 books and the membership roll numbered 48. (2) By 1896 a Ladies Associated Branch had been established.

Fast forward to 1915 where we find not only young men but also young ladies now integral to the society's activities. In 1915 John Michael Galvin was 19 years of age and working for the South Australian Railways in the drawing office at Islington. His younger brother Frank was 16. Grace Walmsley Payne aged 21 and her brother Edward John (known as Ted), 25 were also members of the Society.

The Society met weekly and a lively series of debates and discussions took place. Papers were presented by individuals and other members nominated as critics for that week responded.  Debates were prepared on topics of the day as well as those requiring an examination of personal viewpoints.

Rehearsals for plays and skits offered more chances of interactions. 

In this heady mix of young men and women the romance of John Michael and Grace flourished.

In March of 1915, J M already showing signs of leadership was voted to chair the meeting. He and Grace took part in a humorous sketch entitled "Rival Forces" (3.1) In May that year at the election of officers John Michael took on the role of Librarian for the Society with Grace taking the role of Assistant Librarian. (3.2)

(3.3) Shakespearian Evening

Here in August of 1915, John Michael was Shylock with Grace as Portia and her brother Ted as the Duke. The court scene was performed again in November at the official opening of the hall at St Patrick's on West Terrace. A report of that occasion singled out both John Michael and Grace for their performances.

(3.12) Opening of St Patrick's Hall

In the meantime at a variety of meetings throughout the year John had presented papers entitled "Catholic - not Roman Catholic", (3.7)"Home Rule" focused on Ireland, (3.8) and "Bible teaching in State Schools"(3.9) Grace across a similar range of meetings had spoken on "The 5 Counties",(3.8) "Should women be elected to Parliament"(3.9)

At another function to raise moneys to go toward paying off the debt on the church, John Michael and Grace again performed together.

(3.22) Points about People

In 1916 John Michael also participated in teams debating the White Australia Policy (3.23) and then another Should Compulsory National Service be Adopted in the Commonwealth? (3.25)

In 1917 Grace presented an entertaining article on the customs of the natives of Papua, as depicted by the missionary nuns  (3.26) and another paper that dealt with "the inauguration of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and instanced the good works of one of the noblest societies of the Church." (3.27) She had passed a 4th Grade Singing exam, was in the St Patrick's choir and was considered well qualified to give a talk on "Church Music".(3.29)

With their common interests in debatable topics, drama and their religion, a fertile ground for romance existed. They were engaged in April of 1917 and married in November of that year. A photograph of their wedding is available on a previous post Dressed for the Occasion.

The articles and further activities that John and Grace are mentioned in are available through this list via Trove. The numbers throughout this post, (3.1) - (3.29) refer to that list.

1. 1886 'GENERAL NEWS.', The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 14 September, p. 2. (Second Edition.),  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208493077

2. 1889 'The Register. Adelaide : Wednesday, August 14,1889.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 14 August, p. 4.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54591323 

3. Numbered List on Trove St Patrick's Literary and Dramatic Society 1915 -1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/list?id=141369  compiled April 2020 by C R Galvin

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin