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Emily Cordner was born in Newry in 1859 to her parents William Henry Cordner and Matilda Cordner (née McCracken). Her parents owned a jewellery and watchmaker’s shop, which according to the Belfast and Ulster Street Directory 1852 was located at 46 Hill Street, Newry.
On the 31st January 1894, at Warrenpoint Remonstrant Presbyterian Church, Emily married the Reverend Samuel Pinkerton, who was minister of First Newry Presbyterian Church. Samuel added his wife’s surname to his own which was most uncommon. The couple were fascinated in Irish nationalism and in particular John Martin and John Mitchel, who were affiliated with Newry. John Mitchel’s father had also been a minister in First Newry Presbyterian Church.
Emily Cordner-Pinkerton was a music teacher and publisher. She was responsible for compiling The Open Window, which was first published in 1897, and was the first of five annuals. The annuals were a combination of much local interest, historical articles, reflections on contemporary life and the importance of the Irish language. It also featured a vast array of advertising. The annuals were very well produced and contained many photographs, often captured by the Cordner-Pinkertons themselves.
An advertisement for The Open Window 1897-1898 edition describes the annual as “More Acceptable that a Christmas Card for Newryers and Acquaintances from home!” It contained a mix of articles, with Part I devoted to the general reader, Part II devoted to the tourist and Part III devoted to the local Annals. One such article was entitled “Advance Newry: An Epitome of the Year’s Improvements, and the Outlook for next Year”. Described as “the best possible 6d worth of the year” it could be purchased at J. Warnock & Co., Irwin & Co., Miss McConville, Sugar Island, the Misses Taylors’, Hill St. and all stationers and newsagents.
The 1898-1899 edition contained an article on “The Newry Seals”, which depicts three seals, two of the exempt jurisdiction of Newry and one engraved in brass by Magennis of Newry for the Town Commissioners in 1871.
In the Newry Reporter, dated 14th December 1900, the annual was again depicted as a success. “Each year of its existence has seen some improvement in ‘The Open Window’ and the editorial motto being ‘Excelsior’, we must regard the current issue as the last and best until the next.” Many of the features involved in that years publication had local themes. Under the heading ‘The Death Roll’, a series of obituary notices of Newry people who had passed away during the year, included photographs of the late Mr. James Burns, the late Mr. H. B. Moorehead J.P. Lord Russell’s of Killowen’s death received considerable attention, and a full-page portrait of the distinguished Newry man was published.”
Emily had contracted rheumatic fever as a young child, which subsequently led to a lifetime of poor health. She died of heart failure on 2nd August 1902, leaving behind four children, the oldest being seven years old. Her husband died of tuberculosis less than a year later, on 16th March 1903. Her death notice in the Newry Reporter, 5th August 1902 stated, “The late Mrs. Pinkerton will be long remembered in connection with her clever publication on which she ably chronicled the principal local events of the year and never omitted to add to the stock of our knowledge in things pertaining to the always interesting past, of the Frontier Town.”
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. A free tour of the main exhibition galleries takes place every Wednesday at 2.00 pm. To book, call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information. You can also find information on their website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
