John Smyth : A great-grand uncle
A renowned speaker and gifted administrator who died young - John Smyth.
Early years
In December of 1824 near Castlepollard in County Westmeath, Ireland, John was born to the Catholic couple Francis Smyth and Mary McCormick. His birth marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would touch the lives of many.
He attended Mr. Brady's Classical School in Cavan during his early years.(1) By the time he was 17, eight younger siblings had been born; Anne, Thomas, Mary, James, Michael, Biddy, Francis, and Margaret. Edward, his older brother, had been born in 1823, a year before John.
Education for the priesthood
In 1846 at age 22, John entered the Diocesan Seminary of Navan in Meath. After a year’s study he went to the College of the Propaganda in Rome and was ordained as a priest on June 10, 1852.(2)
His ordination marked a pivotal moment in his life and that of his brothers, Edward, Thomas and James.
Immigration
John was recruited by Bishop Murphy to serve in the diocese of Adelaide many thousands of miles from his home and family. John arrived in Melbourne in April 1853 (3)with another young priest Peter Hughes and then took the ship “Chilian” to Adelaide which berthed in May just a few weeks later. (4) Just 2 weeks after arriving in Adelaide, both John and Peter are listed as attending a levee held by the Lieutenant Governor to celebrate Her Majesty's birthday.(5)
A working life
Evidence of early effective speech making is afforded in this report of a fund raising function for St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. (6) John spent most of his career in Adelaide as he was appointed Administrator for the diocese. In his subsequent role as Vicar General, he managed the clergy and the business affairs of the church. He often travelled to the country areas, laying foundation stones for new churches, or preaching at the opening of these new churches.
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| Very Rev. John Smyth (Vicar General); seated on the left in the front row next to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Laurence Bonaventure Sheil. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+11338 |
John's elder brother Edward arrived in the colony in 1859 followed by younger brother Thomas and then James in 1864. In 1865 John laid the foundation stone for St Benedict's Church at Pinkerton's Plains within the neighbourhood where his brothers farmed. (7)
In 1869 the priests of the diocese expressed their thanks to John for his thoughtful and effective administration of the diocese in the two year absence of the Bishop. He was presented with a gold snuff box containing 50 sovereigns along with a written testimonial. (8)
By 1870 John expressed hope for leave to visit his mother in Ireland after news of his father's death earlier that year. Alas he fell ill, perhaps it was the constant pressure of work. After three months of poor health he died on 30 June 1870. (9)
Extensive obituaries appeared in the newspapers of the day extolling his virtues and the sense of loss that the colony had suffered. (10) A lengthy funeral procession followed.(11) (12)
Tributes
"His people, who mourned him so, built in his memory the mortuary chapel in the cemetery, in the vault of which his remains rest." (13)
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| Smyth Memorial Chapel, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide https://www.experienceadelaide.com.au/heritage-places/west-terrace-cemetery-john-smyth-memorial-chapel-west-terrace-adelaide/ |
In 1885 George Loyau wrote of John Smyth that "as a preacher and platform orator he possessed an amount of eloquence and earnestness that were always effective."(14)
John Smyth's story summarised briefly here, was one of devotion, a life dedicated to serving God and his fellow human beings.
REFERENCE LIST
Early years and from Navan to Rome
(1) 1870 'DEATH OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICAR-GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2 Edition: LATE EDITION, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732180
(2) 1906 Byrne, Monsignor F., History of the Catholic Church in South Australia, Archive CD Books p.83
Arrival in Melbourne
(3) 1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 18 April, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4791740
Arrival SA
(4) 1853 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 7 May, p. 2. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38463395
Attendance at Levee
(5) 1853 'HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 25 May, p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38463456
Fundraising for building of cathedral
(6) 1854 'PORT ELLIOT AND WELLINGTON.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 31 January, p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48550830
Laying foundation stone at St Benedict’s, Pinkerton Plains
(7) 1865 'PORT ADELAIDE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27.', Adelaide Observer (SA: 1843 - 1904), 30 September, p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159498126
Presentation recognising service as Administrator and Vicar General
(8) 1869 'PRESENTATION TO THE VERY REV. JOHN SMYTH.', The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), 12 January, p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31985687
Death
(9) 1870 'DEATH OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICAR-GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196732180/22384727
(10) 1870 'Family Notices', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), viewed 19 Aug 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732172
Funeral
(11) 1870 'Advertising', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 30 June, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), viewed 19 Aug 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732182
(12) 1870 'FUNERAL OF THE LATE R.C. VICAR GENERAL.', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 4 July, p. 2. (LATE EDITION), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196732288
Recollections
(13) 1923 'Very Rev. John Smyth, D.D., V.G.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 26 October, p. 4. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167743817
(14) Loyau, George E.. Notable South Australians; Or, Colonists, Past and Present. Australia: Carey, Page & Company, Printers, 1885. P 234-235 Available Google books
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