History

Cover

A HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN EASTERN DISTRICT (STORMONT, DUNDAS & GLENGARRY) BY R.W. BRO. L. M. FOURNEY HISTORIAN, LANCASTER LODGE NO. 207 D.D.G.M. EASTERN DISTRICT, 1988-89 MEMBER, BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES, GRAND LODGE, 1995

SEPTEMBER 11, 1995

Table of Contents

Len M. Fourney D.D.G.M. Eastern District, 1998-89. Member of Board of General Purposes, 1995.

September 11, 1995

Title page / Forward

A HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN EASTERN DISTRICT

BY R. W. Bro. LEONARD M. FOURNEY D.D.G.M. EASTERN DISTRICT 1988-89 BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES, GRAND LODGE 1995

FORWARD

Scope of This Paper: While this Paper touches on the origin and the development of Freemasonry in general, its main purpose is to record, in one document, information about Freemasonry in The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. However, when the present Eastern Masonic District was formed in 1904, it included the communities of Cardinal, several miles beyond the Western border of Dundas, and Plantagenet and Vankleek Hill, beyond the Northern border of Glengarry. It is my opinion that it is only just and proper that a document of this nature should not be confined to those Lodges which are actually located in the three United Counties but should include the Cardinal, Plantagenet, Hawkesbury and St. John’s Lodges which are located outside the boundaries of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

Incidentally, when this part of the country was being settled in the late 1700s, these three Counties extended from the St. Lawrence River on the South to the Ottawa River on the North.

We are a Proud and Conscientous People: The residents of this part of Ontario have a highly developed sense of pride in their ancestry and in their community. This is particularly true of those who can claim United Empire Loyalists among their ancestors. Partly because of these feelings and partly because they are proud to be members of our great Fraternity, the Masons in this area have played an active role in the development of the communities in which they live. They continue to donate much personal time and effort to their Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments. Local charitable organizations are supported with financial as well as physical help.

Tribute is Paid to Our Distinguished Masons: In addition to historical information about Masonry in the formative years of the area and the history of each of the twenty Lodges in the present Eastern District, we have tried to acknowledge the dedication of those Brethren who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which, in turn, has reflected positively on themselves. It is through these Masons who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged. Therefore, contained in the Section of this Paper which is devoted to each Lodge, a profile of those distinguished Masons whom we have been able to identify will be included.

Sir John Johnson 1742 – 1830

SIR JOHN JOHNSON 1742 – 1830:

Whenever early Freemasonry in this part of Ontario is discussed, the name of Sir John Johnson is offered as the first Grand Master having jurisdiction for this part of the country. Apparently little has been written about the detail of his Masonic activities in the Three United Counties. However, there is no doubt that he played a major role in the early settlement and development of Glengarry. Local lore dictates that no Paper about early Freemasonry in this area is complete without discussing Sir John Johnson and his influence on the community.

The name, Sir John Johnson, is well known in the Three United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry as an early settler and an entrepreneur. He is credited with being the founder of the City of Cornwall in 1784, which, incidentally, was then called “New Johnstown”. There are quite a number of publications in which Sir John Johnson’s life is described as a settler of much of the territory now known as Eastern Ontario. Adam Short and Arthur G. Doughty, in their book, “Canada and its Provinces” described him as “The Foremost Loyalist in Canada”. Except for some purely Masonic publications, there has been little written about his life as a Mason.

Sir John Johnson as a Mason: We do know that Sir John Johnson was initiated into Freemasonry about 1767, at the age of 25, in the Royal Lodge No. 313 E.R. (Moderns), which was meeting at that time at Thatched House Tavern, St. James Street, London. It is reported in “Whence Come We?” that he succeeded George Harison as Provincial Grand Master of New York (Moderns) after the latter’s death in 1771, and was named P.G.M. of Quebec in 1788. On April 11, 1788, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry in London issued him a warrant as Superintendent for the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and St. John’s, Newfoundland. We have found no evidence that he instituted any Royal Arch Chapters in what is now Ontario.

Union Lodge No. 21, a Craft Lodge in Cornwall, received a Warrant in 1790, while Sir John was P. G. M. Unfortunately, the writer has found little additional recorded detail about his Masonic activities in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. The foregoing was before Canada was divided politically into Upper and Lower Canada by the Constitutional Act of 1791.

American Masonic Historian writers have been critical of Sir John Johnson for “Being an adherent to the Royal Cause and seeking the protection of the British Army during the Revoluntionary War”. One American historian is reported to have said that “Sir John Johnson’s Eyes had become blind to the Masonic sign and his ears deaf to the Mason’s Word.” The same writers have been critical of him taking his followers out of New York and into British controlled territory (Canada).

The following is based on information from various publications available at the Public Library in Williamstown:

Sir John Johnson as a Young Man: Sir John Johnson, the only son of Sir William Johnson and Catherine Wisenberg, was born on November 10, 1742, at Mount Johnson, about twenty-five miles west of Schenectady, on the Mohawk River, in New York State. He fought under his father’s Command at the Battle of Lake George in 1755, at the age of 13, and at Niagara at the age of 17. On September 8, 1760, at the age of 18, he entered Montreal with the British Army during the Pontiac Rebellion.

Later, in England, he was presented by Lord Gordon to King George III, who took a great interest in the young man and two years later, on November 22, 1765, when he was only twenty-three years of age, His Majesty bestowed a Knighthood on him. Sir John succeeded his father as second Baronet in 1774, and also followed him in the post of Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs.

Sir John Johnson in “Canada”: In order to retain his British Citizenship, Sir John left the vast possessions and huge estates in New York State which he had inherited from his Father, and moved to Montreal in 1775, at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in the United States. A number of his former tenants joined him in the Montreal area and they formed the nucleus of the King’s Royal Regiment of New York which Sir John commanded on behalf of the British throughout the Revolutionary War.

Adam Short and Arthur G. Doughty, in their book, “Canada and its Provinces”, had this to say about that move to Canada. “After Philip Schyler of Albany extracted assurances of neutrality from Sir John and his friends he gave up his arms and agreed not to leave the country if he and his friends’ property was not touched. In violation of this agreement, their property was plundered and their stock driven off. After being subjected to every annoyance during the winter of 1775-76, he was secretly informed that Schyler intended to release him from his parole and take him prisoner. Hurriedly burying his papers and trusting a negro servant to bury his “Plate” (Silver), he gathered about 200 of his loyal friends and set out by an unfrequented route to Montreal, arriving in the last week of June.”

Sir John Johnson was held in high esteem by the Six Nations Indians. After Sir John’s Mother died, his Father, Sir William Johnson, had taken the daughter of a Mohawk Chief as his second wife, and subsequently, a sister of Chief Brant as his third wife. No doubt the Johnson family relationships with the Indians was a major factor in the Indian’s support of the British cause.

He was named Superintendent-General and Inspector General of Six Nations Indians, with the rank of Brigadier General in Canada, on March 14, 1782.

In 1784, he was granted the Direction of settling Loyalists, many of whom were from his regiments, in the townships which bordered the St. Lawrence River from Lake St. Francis to the Bay of Quinte.

Locally, land was allocated to settlers in five townships on the banks of the St. Lawrence river westward from present Quebec – Ontario border. The placement of settlers was by religion, from East to West, namely, Scottish Roman Catholic, Scottish Presbyterian, German Calvinist, German Lutheran, and Anglican. It was decided to locate the Scottish Roman Catholics at the Eastern limits of this area in the hope that their religious affiliation with the French Roman Catholics farther East in Lower Canada would form a commmon bond and thus help to weld the settlements together, peacefully .

The present city of Cornwall, originally called, “New Johnstown” was chosen as a town site and the seat of local Government. With Lady Johnson, he was one of the first subscribers to the fund for erection of Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. R. W. Bro. A. J. B. Milborne, in his history of Sir John Johnson writes that the chief cornerstone of the Montreal General Hospital was laid in due form and with full Masonic Honours by R. W. Bro. Sir John Johnson, Baronet, Past Provincial Grand Master of Canada. Sir John also laid the foundation stone of the Nelson Momument at Bonsecours Market, Montreal.

Sir John Johnson in Glengarry: By 1785, he had a summer residence at Fraser’s Point on the shore of Lake St. Francis (between Summerstown and Lancaster, now a disused Government Park). In 1788, he was appointed Brigadier General in charge of all Militia, Superintendent of Inland Navigation and President of several Land Boards.

By 1792, he had several Mills established at Williamstown, in the County of Glengarry where he had built a substantial home. This building now contains the Williamstown Public Library. Incidentally, it is claimed that Williamstown was named in honour of his father, Sir William Johnson. He built the first Episcopal Church at Williamstown, Ontario. It is reported in Lancaster Township and Village, by Ewan Ross, that Sir John built several mills at Williamstown. Also that he built, what was probably, one of the first roads in the area running North from Williamstown, so that the settlers could get to the hamlet and to his mills. THis road is still called “Johnson’s Road”. Within a few years, the Raisin River, between Williamstown and Kirktown, (now South Lancaster) became a busy highway moving logs and timber, harvested by our Masonic Brethren who settled the upper reaches of the river, to the sawmills and wharfs at the mouth of that river at Lake St. Francis. As many as 60,000 logs were floated down this water highway in one year.

Sir John Johnson’s Demise: Sir John Johnson died on January 4, 1830, at the age of 88. The following was published in Volume I of “The Papers of The Canadian Masonic Research Association”:

“Sir John Johnson was buried with full Masonic honours. A special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Montreal was held, with the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. John Molson, presiding.” The Minutes record that:

“The Provincial Grand Lodge was passed from the Third to the First degrees, when the private Lodges having been called in, the procession was formed and proceeded to the residence of the deceased in St. Mary’s suburbs. The Grand Lodge was then resumed to the Third Degree and the usual solemnities performed, after which the Grand Lodge having been again passed to the first degree, a procession was again formed and proceeded with the body to Christ Church, and thence to the banks of the St. Lawrence where the body was embarked for the purpose of being conveyed to the family vault at St. Mary’s.”

The service at Christ Church was conducted by Bro. The Rev. Brooke Bridges Stevens, Chaplain to his Majesty’s Forces. The point in the funeral ceremonies when the body was removed from the gun carriage to be taken across the St. Lawrence for burial at the summit of Mount Johnson, has been depicted in a mural in the Montreal Masonic Memorial Temple, painted by Bro. Adam Sheriff Scott.

The following is a quote from the 1994 September issue of the Glengarry Historical Society Newsletter, Vol. 24, No. 5, about the same event:

“Sir John Johnson’s death on January 4, 1830, was marked by a funeral the likes of which Montreal had never witnessed. The Montreal Gazette reported it as a “Larger concourse of people of all classes than ever assembled in the Canadas to pay respects to the memory of an eminent citizen”. The Freemasons followed the coffin of their Provincial Grand Master. The Mohawks of Caughnawaga, St. Regis and Two Mountains Indians, 300 strong, including 100 females, assembled to carry their Superintendent-General across the frozen St. Lawrence to his beloved Mount Johnson. The old Chief, Lazare Teconwarinan paused the procession at the marge of the ice to deliver a moving oration before the fifteen cannon volley started the procession again.” (A fitting tribute to a truly remarkable man and a Mason).

Early Freemasonry in Upper and Lower Canada

EARLY FREEMASONRY IN UPPER AND LOWER CANADA:

Our major interest, for the purposes of this paper, is Masonry in the Three United Counties, but first, some background on the early development of the Craft in general.

Origin of Present Day Masonry: In his two volume History, published in 1900, John Ross Robertson, Grand Master, 1890-91, claims that Masonry, as we know it today, sprang from the Colleges of Architects of Rome founded by Numa Pompeillus in 700 B.C. Successors to that organization, migrating to Britain with the Roman Armies about 55 B.C., planted seeds which blossomed into early Guilds. About 1060 A.D. these Guilds became the advance guard of the operative Guilds and the forerunners of present day Craft Lodges.

Development of Freemasonry in Upper and Lower Canada: It has been claimed by some researchers that the first Masonic Lodge on what is now Canadian soil, came to Lower Canada with Regiments of the French Army. Emmanuel Rebold, M.D., in his General History of Fremasonry, published in Paris, in 1851, claimed that such a Lodge met in Quebec from 1721 until 1748 under the name of Les Franc-Macons Regeneres and held its charter from the Lodge “L’Amitie et Fraternnite in Dunkirk. However, it is stated in “Whence Come We” that whatever reliance may be placed on such claims, at least it is clear that French Masonry was not directly responsible for the development of the Craft in this Country.

Masonic Historian, John Ross Robertson also denies this early French influence. In his History of Freemasonry in Canada, published in 1900, he said that such a claim is “Travelling on uncertain ground” and “Outside of the proof line”.” John Ross Robertson relates the following: “A Register Book of Grand Lodge, England, 1737, states that Captain Robert Comins or Cumins was appointed P.G.M. for Cape Breton and Louisburg. However, there is no documentary evidence in existence which affords the slightest proof of the exercise of Masonic authority in that Province prior to 1749 and there is no trace or record of a Captain Robert Comins whose name cannot be found in any Naval history nor in any account of the war operations which preceded the capture of Quebec (in 1759).”

First Record of a Lodge in Cornwall: It is reported in Whence Come We?, that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec (Moderns), formed almost immediately after the Battle of The Plains of Abraham in 1759, warranted a number of Lodges during its thirty-three years of existence. One of those Lodges is listed as Cornwall, Union Lodge, warranted 1790.

This Lodge shows up again as a Civilain Lodge, listed in “Whence Come We?” as Union Lodge, No 21, P.R.Q., Cornwall; renumbered as No. 9. P.R.Q. (1792) and still working under No. 9 in 1799, when the Worshipful Master was John Pescod. A biographical sketch of John Pescod appears at the end of this Section on page 9.

Development of the Country in the late 1700s and Early 1800s. A few words about the state of development of the country, around what is now Eastern District, may be in order before we read further about those early Lodges and their struggles for existence in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Our early Brethren were trying to wrest a living from the dense forest which covered every square foot of land. The following is taken from Ewan Ross’s writings about the area.

200 acres of land had been granted to anyone who would undertake to cultivate them and sign an oath of loyalty to the Crown. Within two years they had to clear and fence 10 acres, build a house 16 ft. by 20 ft., usually of logs, and clear a 33 ft. wide road allowance across their property. Any planting of crops in those first few years had to be done among the stumps with hand tools. Ashes were selling for 4d per bushel, Halifax Currency. A 700 pound barrel of pot ash from one of the Asheries at “South Lancaster”, a by-product of 60 to 70 mature Maple trees, sold for f2/5/0.

Many of our early Lodges had their beginnings as Military Lodges. Masonic Records of the day are inconsistent at best. Military Lodges sometimes disappeared when the Regiment disbanded. They might resurface as Civilain Lodges with a different number or even a different name.

War broke out in 1812 when the United States declared war on Great Britain and Cornwall became a garrison town. The old pioneer trail across Glengarry was improved so troops could be moved, safe from attack by the Americans who might cross the St. Lawrence River. This road is now known locally as the “King’s Road’ or, more properly, County Road 18.

In 1837, our Brethren had another military conflict on their hands when Willlaim Lyon MacKenzie was making a name, of sorts, for himself at York “Toronto”. At this time, 2,000 Glengarrians assembled at South Lancaster. Many of our Masonic Brethren including fathers of the founders of Lancaster Lodge No. 207 were included in this force. The Cairn which can be seen a half mile off shore at South Lancaster was built by our Soldier Brethren in a vain attempt to keep them out of mischief while they waited for action that never came. It is said that all soldiers engaged in the construction of the Cairn volunteered for the work. In fact, they were given a choice. They could either build the Cairn or route march over muddy roads, in full pack, to Williamstown and back each day.

More about Early Masonic Activity: According to John Ross Robertson, Union Lodge No. 9, was probably succeeded by Athol Lodge No. 3, P.R.U.C. warranted Feb. 13, 1804, which, in turn, was thought to be the successor of the Queen’s Ranger’s Lodge No. 3 which became dormant when the Regiment disbanded on May 31, 1802. Athol No. 3 is not recorded after 1811, and it too probably became dormant at the beginning of the war of 1812-1815.

Glengarry Lodge: Another Lodge warranted in 1792 by the P.G.L. of Lower Canada, (Ancients) is listed as “Glengarry Lodge No. 1”. John Ross Robertson reports that this Lodge was warranted, likely on a Travelling or Field Warrant, to the Second Battalion, Royal Canadian Volunteers, which was recruited in Glengarry and served in the Niagara Region. Although it was named “Glengarry Lodge”, apparently it was not seated in Glengarry and did not meet in Glengarry. It never placed itself under the P.G.L. of Upper Canada, but continued under the jurisdiction of Lower Canada until 1820.

First Provincial Grand Lodge, (Ancients) Upper Canada – 1792: The following Lodges are recorded under the First Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada, (Ancients) and are included in a list reported in Whence Come We?. The list of Officers and comments added here, are reported in A History of Freemasonry in Canada, By John Ross Robertson.

• Athol No. 3, Cornwall, County of Stormont; warranted February 13, 1804, and

not recorded after 1811. The Officers of this Lodge were held in high esteem by the Provincial Masonic Authorities and were frequently asked to report on, and to install Officers in other Lodges in the area.

• Hiram No. 20, Cornwall, is first noted in 1804, and not recorded after 1811.

Charter members were: Asabel Stevens, John Miller, James Watson, David Sheek, John Ross, Matthew Gray and Samuel Dow. The Brethren of Athol Lodge, reported that the Brethren of Hiram Lodge did not reflect any honour upon the Royal Craft.

• No. 21, probably located at Mille Roches, County of Stormont, is only

mentioned in 1810. W. Bro. Cozens of Athol No. 3, reported that it did not reflect any honour on the Royal Craft.

• No. 22, Williamstown, County of Glengarry, was only mentioned in 1810. It

received high praise for its work from W. M. Bro. Cozens of Athol Lodge No. 3

• Union No. 23, Township of Osnabruk, County of Stormont, petitioned for a

warrant June 18, 1810, and was recommended by the Officers and Members of Athol Lodge No. 3. It was situated on the St.Lawrence River between Dickinson’s Landing and Charlesville at a place called Santa Cruz, three miles below (East of) Farran’s Point. It met for a time in the Denning House on Lot 14 under Worshipful Master, Dr. Amasa Stebbins, (a Surgeon). The Sr. Warden was Peter Smith and the Jr. Warden, was Levi Bancroft.

St. John’s Lodge No. 159, (Now 21A, Vankleek Hill): In Whence Come We? it is reported that, on the eve of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada in 1855, there were sixteen Civilain Lodges operating under Irish Jurisdiction in Ontario. One of these was St. John’s No. 159, Hawkesbury, warranted March 15, 1844. (It is still working as St. John’s No. 21A G.R.C. Vankleek Hill).

Representatives of St. John’s Lodge No. 159, attended the founding convention of the Grand Lodge of Canada, but decided to remain aloof from the voting. It is the only Lodge in the present Eastern District which is recorded as attending those early communications of our Grand Lodge. St. John’s Lodge affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Canada in 1888, and was the last Lodge in Ontario to surrender its allegiance to a foreign Grand Lodge.

As one reads the following biography of John Pescod, it should be noted that Cornwall was a fledging town, at best , when John Pescod was a major contributor to his community. One visitor to the area we now know as Cornwall, on June 29th, 1785, said he found the community to consist of a few log huts, with a bit of land cleared around each. The community had been laid out, one mile square, 640 acres, divided into 81 six acre lots with the balance unallocated. There were two creeks running through the “Town”, southward to the river, with scrub willows and brush on their shores.

BIOGRAPHICVAL SKETCH OF JOHN PESCOD

Born March 15, 1746. Died May 3, 1820.

Occupation: Stone Mason and Farmer. He owned land in the 3rd and 6th Concessions of Cornwall Township.

Associations: A United Empire Loyalist and a member of the Church of England. He was one of the first two Wardens of Trinity Anglican Church, Cornwall, on October 4, 1787. As a Vestry Member, he subscribed a sum to the building of Trinity Anglican Church on Second Street, West, in Cornwall where he paid f 24.10 for Pew No. 2, plus f 2.17.11 Annual rent.

Formerly a Sergeant in Sir John Johnson’s King’s Royal Regiment of New York, he was a Captain in the Militia until he resigned in 1810 at the age of 64. On March 4, 1814 he received f 25.14.10 from the Loyal & Patriotic Society of Upper Canada for war losses.

He was Worshipful Master of Masonic Lodge Union No. 9 in Cornwall in 1799. His Great, Great, Great, Grandson, Harold Pescod, born September 1, 1888, died March 7, 1994, was a member of Cornwall Lodge, No. 125 for more than 60 years and had been awarded a 60 year Jewel. Another Great, Great, Grandson, George Eastman Pescod, born April 29, 1888, donated $2,000 and a portion of the original Pescod U.E.L. Land Grant to the Anglican Church in Cornwall, in 1949, to build a Church in the Riverdale area at the West end of the City of Cornwall. Incidentally, John Pescod’s Great, Great, Great, Great, Grandson, and Harold Pescod’s Grandson, Michael Pescod, born April 16, 1956, is currently a member of Eastern Lodge No. 707 in Cornwall. There does not appear to be a continuous Masonic Membership link between the first John Pescod and Harold, five generations later. We know that Harold’s Son, John, who is Michael’s Father, is not a member of the Craft.

Eastern District

EASTERN DISTRICT:

Apparently, even before there was a Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada, in the Province of Ontario, as early as 1788, there was a District referred to in Masonry as “Eastern District”. It included the present Counties of Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott, Russell, and Stormont.

At the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada, in the Province of Ontario in 1855, three Districts were designated, namely, Western, Central and Eastern. The following year, 1856, the number of Districts was increased to seven. As early as 1879, R. W. Bro. Carlo Forbes, D.D.G.M. of St. Lawrence District, in his report to Grand Lodge, said that “The purposes of Masonry would be better served by dividing St. Lawrence District into two Districts, making the Counties of Glengarry, Stormont and Dundas into one District and the Counties of Leeds, Grenville and Frontenac into the other”. In 1885 a Committee was appointed to rearrange various Districts, but by 1903, the only two changes made were the division of Toronto District and the creation of Nipissing District.

The proceedings, recording the 48th Annual Communication of The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada, in the Province of Ontario in 1903 includes the following Lodges which are now in Eastern District.

At the Annual Communication in 1904, Bro. E. T. Malone, Chairman of a Special Committee on Redistribution of Districts, reported:

“In 1885, a Committee had been appointed to arrange various Districts. By 1903, only two changes were made, namely; the division of Toronto District and the creation of Nipissing District. However, as a result of constant yearly complaints from members and from District Deputy Grand Masters about congestion of Districts, travel distances required and the formation of new Lodges, another change was necessary.”

The solution proposed was to rearrange Frontenac, St. Lawrence and Ottawa Districts and to create a new District to be called Eastern District. No. 21.” Lodges were then divided between the four Districts as follows:

Incidentally, all Districts were numbered until 1923 when the Annual Proceedings first lists Districts without numbers.

Eastern District, July 21, 5904 A.L. (1904 A.D.) The new Eastern Masonic District held its first Annual Communication in the Armory in Brockville on July 21, (5904 A.L.) 1904. The following are notes from the Minutes of that first Annual Meeting of Eastern District and succeeding Annual Meetings.

At the first Annual Meeting of Eastern District, which immediately preceeded Grand Lodge Annual Communication in 1904, nominations for the position of D.D.G.M. were made from the Masons across the new District as was the custom in the former District. The D.D.G.M. was elected by a majority of Masons at this District Meeting. There were two nominations for D.D.G.M., and W. Bro. Hanes from Farrans Point Lodge (now Farran-Ault Lodge) was elected as the first D.D.G.M. for the newly formed District. It was moved, seconded and carried that Regalia at present being used by St. Lawrence District, (the jurisdiction which had included most of the Lodges transferred to the new Eastern District) be given to the retiring D.D.G.M. from St. Lawrence District and that new Regalia be procured for the new D.D.G.Ms. in St. Lawrence and Eastern Districts and that the Lodges in each District pay for same.

1913 – Motion to Assess Costs on Per Capita Basis, Defeated At the 10th Annual Meeting held in the Russell Theatre, Ottawa, on July 16, 1913, a motion to have the Lodges assessed on a per capita basis for D.D.G.M. expenses was defeated. (Lodges were being assessed the same amount, irrespective of membership).

1917 – Attendance at Meeting a Condition to be Elected: At the 14th Annual Meeting held in the Armories, at Belleville, on the July 18, 1917, a motion was carried requiring a candidate for the Office of D.D.G.M. to be present at the Annual Meeting and indicate willingness to accept office. Apparently, Bro. Carson, although not present at the 5th Annual Meeting in 1908, had been elected as D.D.G.M. that year. Incidentally, there were five nominees for D.D.G.M. at this Meeting.

1925 – Retiring D.D.G.M. to Provide Regalia for Successor: At the 22nd Annual Meeting held at Memorial School, Hamilton, on the July 15, 1925, a motion was carried to have the retiring D.D.G.M. retain his Regalia and the incoming D.D.G.M. purchase two sets, one for his own use and one for his successor.

The latter to be ready for presentation to the new D.D.G.M. at the next Annual Meeting and the cost of the two to be paid by an assessment made on all District Lodges, each to pay an equal amount. The practice of the retiring D.D.G.M. supplying the Regalia for his successor has been followed to this day.

Also at this Annual Meeting, on July 15, 1925, a motion to organize a Past Masters’ Association was presented and carried.

1932 – Rotation System of Selecting D.D.G.M. Proposed: At the 29th Annual Meeting held at Collegiate Institute, Kingston, on July 20, 1932, there were five nominations for D.D.G.M. and 121 votes cast by 83 Brethren. W. Bro. Clarence Cattanach from Lancaster Lodge was elected on the first ballot. An attempt was made at this meeting to have a resolution passed favouring the adoption of a rotation system for selecting the next D.D.G.M., based on the Lodge which was the longest without one. After some discussion, it was decided to present the matter at the next meeting of the Past Masters’ Association. This was to be the end of electing a D.D.G.M. by a competition across the District. The new rotation system of selecting a D.D.G.M. was approved by the Association and adopted into use, but not without some dissenters, for there were two Candidates nominated in 1933 and again in 1935, but, in each case fraternal harmony prevailed and the second nomination was withdrawn.

1938 – All Subsequent Annual Communications Held in Toronto: All Grand Lodge Annual Communications have been held in Toronto since 1938, and at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto since 1973. Until 1938, the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge had been held at various locations around the Grand Jurisdiction, including Fort William, St. Catherines, Guelph, London, Windsor, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Kingston and Belleville. Some claim that Eastern District attendance at Grand Lodge Annual Communication suffers because of the Toronto location. There is no doubt that the highest attendance figures occurred when the Meetings were held closer to Eastern District. However, it seems that location was not the only determinant of numbers. When the D.D.G.M. was elected on a District competition basis, a Lodge which had not had a D.D.G.M for some time would ensure that they had enough members present at the Annual Meeting to dominate the voting and thus have one of their members elected. Of course, these competitive occasions resulted in greatly increasing the number of members at that Annual Disrrict Meeting.

1945 – Attempt to Upset Rotation System of Selecting D.D.G.M.: Everything went smoothly in the rotation system of selecting the D.D.G.M. nominee for ten years. However, at the Annual Meeting held, August 18, 1945, delegates from Cornwall Lodge No. 125 nominated a second Candidate out of rotation sequence. After some heated dicussion, once again, the normal high level of fellowship and goodwill prevailed and the second nomination was withdrawn. For a reason which is not identified in the Minutes, this Annual Meeting of the District was held at Cornwall in August, instead of Toronto in July, at the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge.

The rotation system of selecting a D.D.G.M. Candidate has been firmly entrenched in the District since 1945 and, no doubt, is seen by all as the fairest system. Without it, it is believed that some of the smaller Lodges would not be able to elect a candidate, irrespective of qualifications. History seems to indicate that the honour of having a D.D.G.M. from a specific Lodge was not evenly distributed when open competition was used. For example, Chesterville, Plantagenet and Cardinal Lodges each nominated a successful candidate for D.D.G.M. after being represented in that role respectively 6, 8 and 9 years earlier. This seeming disparity was the result of some Lodges not being represented at Grand Lodge Annual Communication as diligently as Lodges which were more successful in having their candidates elected.

1959 – D.D.G.M. Dines with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II: One highlight of the District occurred in 1959, when R. W. Bro. Ken MacDermid, D.D.G.M. was given the honour of representing the Brethren of the District at a luncheon with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and his Royal Highness, Prince Philip, at the Cornwallis Hotel in Cornwall.

1963 – Bursary Fund Established: At an Executive Meeting of the Past Masters’ Association, a motion was passed to establish a Bursary Fund of $100 for a deserving student who was a Mason, or the Son or Daughter of a Mason of the District, with preference to be given to a student pursuing theological studies.

1965 – Bursary Fund Renamed: R. W. Bro. F. E. Eaton passed to the Grand Lodge above on June 7, 1965. He was a Life Member of Cornwall Lodge No. 125, a Charter Member and first Worshipful Master of Corinthian Lodge No. 669, and District Deputy Grand Master of Eastern District in 1946-47. During his 42 years in the Craft, the late Brother Eaton had been a guiding light for Masonry in Eastern District. He was known, respected and loved by all Masons. He was a living example of the ideal Mason. He truly inculcated universal benevolence and by the regularity of his behaviour afforded the best example for the conduct of others.

The District Bursary Fund was renamed “The Frederick Earle Eaton Masonic Memorial Bursary Fund” in his honour.

1967 – 1974 – Bursary Fund, a Registered Charitable Foundation: Application was made in 1967, to have the Memorial Bursary Fund registered as a Charitable Foundation. However, nothing moves as quickly or as smoothly as we might wish. After many letters, appeals and, no doubt, frustrations for those pursuing this matter, the application was approved and registerd seven years later, on November 30, 1974. As a Registered Charitable Foundation, Bursaries would now be made available to any deserving Student and not limited to those with a Masonic connection.

1992 – Association Name Changed: Although Membership in the District Association had been open to all Master Masons, no amount of publicity to this effect was successful in overcoming the belief among the Masons of the District that membership was restricted to Masters, Past Masters and Wardens, as the name seemed to imply. At the Annual Meeting in 1992, a motion was passed to change the name to the Masonic Association of Eastern District. With some publicity regarding the name change, membership doubled the following year.

Also, in 1992, a rotation system to identify Lodges responsible to provide a 2nd Vice-President, a 1st Vice-President and a President in successive years was adopted. This rotation follows the same rotation system used to identify the Lodge reponsible to provide a D.D.G.M. Designate. Thus, before a D.D.G.M. nominee arrives at the Annual Meeting where the D.D.G.M. is elected, he will have held progressively more senior positions in the Association Executive for at least three years. In addition to this rotation system, each year, the D.D.G.M. appoints the Immediate Past President of the Association as the District Chairman of Buildings.

1992 – Joint Venture with Heart & Stroke Foundation: Also in this year, the Association formed an unofficial Joint Venture to operate an Annual “Duck Race” with the Dundas Chapter of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Over the past three years, this venture has contributed more than $20,000 to the Association which has been available for the Association’s charitable work in the community.

1993 – Long Range Plan Adopted: With the establishment of a Long Range Planning Committee within the Masonic Association, a Long Range Plan 2000 was adopted. The major import was to establish the Association as the Operative Arm of the D.D.G.M. and to provide continuity of effort from year to year. In 1994, this Committee began work on a plan called “Awareness 2000” which is designed to bring Masonry in Eastern District into the new millenium, strong and healthy.

SUMMARY OF EASTERN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES:

We Carry On: The business of the District seems to have been conducted without incident in later years. Attendance at the Annual Meeting at Grand Lodge has not changed significantly since Toronto became the permanent site of the Annual Communication in 1938, varying from a low of 11 in 1990, to a high of 38 in 1987. Indeed, these figures are not materially different from attendance in much earlier years, except when Meetings were held in Ottawa, Brockville or Kingston. Attendance at those nearby Meetings soared as high as 83 at Kingston in 1932.

Charitable Work of Eastern District: Eastern District has always engaged in some charitable work in the community. This charitable work is now done in the name of The Masonic Association of Eastern District.

There has been a marked upswing in the charitable activities in the District during the past few years as a result of improved direction by the Association Executive. Annual events such as Curling Bonspiels, Golf Tournaments, the “Duck Race” and a Choral Concert by the Joint Ottawa/Montreal Masonic Choir have sparked additional interest among members and has provided the Association with an opportunity to receive some much needed community recognition in the local News Media.

Donations made in the past three years have included:

A Review of Lodge Membership over the past 50 Years:

Decrease in Membership during the past 50 years is 320 or 20%.

* Represents the number of Masons in the three Cornwall based Lodges, Cornwall No. 125, Corinthian No. 669 and Eastern No. 707. The latter two Lodges were warranted in Cornwall, in 1952 and 1962 respectively.

It should be noted that the year 1944 records membership immediately before the rather sharp increase in membership which followed the end of World War II.

An examination of District Membership since Eastern District was founded in 1904 to the present, shows a significant increase in membership in the first five to ten years after each of the two World Wars 1914/18 and 1939/45, followed by a decrease in membership fifteen or more years later as demonstrated by the tabulation below:

GRAND MASTERS FROM EASTERN DISTRICT: (Page 160 W.C.W.)

CLARENCE MACLEOD PITTS, B.Sc. Grand Master 1959 A Civil Engineer, he was initiated in Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450. in 1917. He later affiliated with Dalhousie Lodge No. 52, Ottawa, from where he rose in Masonic rank to Worshipful Master in 1928 and again in 1939. He was elected D.D.G.M. of Ottawa District in 1940, and served on the Board of General Purposes from 1943 to 1955. He became Grand Master in 1959. M. W. Bro. Pitts died April 10, 1965.

HOWARD O. POLK, Grand Master 1981 (Page 171 W.C.W.) Local Registrar of the Supreme Court of Ontario (Ottawa). Affiliated with Plantagenet Lodge No. 186. Worshipful Master of Otter Lodge No. 504, Lombardy in 1958. Elected Grand Registrar in 1962. Served as a member of the Board of General Purposes from 1964 until his election as Deputy Grand Master in 1979.

CANCELLED LODGES IN ONTARIO (Page 249 W.C.W.) Hawkesbury Lodge No. 210, at Hawkesbury, warranted in 1869, surrendered its warrant in 1885. However, there is a Hawkesbury Lodge on the Grand Registar of Canada today, numbered 450, which was granted a Charter effective May 16, 1901. It currently meets at the Masonic Hall in Vankleek Hill.

LODGES OF EASTERN DISTRICT:

This section of the Paper contains information about each of the Lodges in Eastern District.

The co-operation and assistance received from Lodge Secretaries and Members in preparing this section of the Paper is acknowledged and greatly appreciated. Without their contribution, it would have been a formidable task and could not have been completed in the time span available.

Lodges are listed by name, in alphabetical order.

The information for each Lodge is shown as follows:

• Lodge Name.
• Location.
• Date of Charter, Warrant or First Meeting.
• Charter Members.
• Buildings Occupied.
• Notes of Interest about the Lodge.
• Community Involvement and Activities.
• Members Achieving Grand Lodge Rank.
• Distinguished Members:

Special mention is made of distinguished members who have been identified as such by their Lodge.

Unfortunately, only those distinguished members who have been indentified as such by their Lodge are included. No doubt there are many others who are also worthy of recognition.

Alexandria Lodge No. 439

ALEXANDRIA LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 439, G.R.C.

Location: 11A Elgin Street, Alexandria, Ontario.

Charter: First Meeting held on May 22, 1896. Warrant granted at Grand Lodge July 1897.

Charter Members:

In the first year of Lodge operation, eleven new members were initiated and four other members affiliated.

Building: 1st – Rooms were rented from Mrs. MacMillan on Main Street, Alexandria. 2nd – January 1900, rooms were rented from Bro. A. Markam at $100 per year, including heat and lighting. 3rd – Present building was purchased in 1923. Lodge Rooms are on the second floor with the first floor providing welcome rental income.

Notes: In the early years of Lodge operations, meetings were sometimes held in the afternoon. In 1921, at the Official Visit of the D.D.G.M., the Lodge opened at 2:00 p.m. It went from Labour to Refreshment three times. At 9.55 p.m. the D.D.G.M., saying he had a long drive home, turned the meeting over to a P.D.D.G.M. and left. The Lodge closed nearly 10 hours after opening, at 11.55 p.m.

On Tuesday, June 23, 1908, an Emergent Meeting was called to dedicate new Lodge Rooms. We have not been able to identify the location of these Rooms. R. W. Bro. John Smith, D.D.G.M. acted for the Grand Master. A banquet (tickets were 75 cents) was held in MacLaren Hall, Alexandria, following the Dedication Ceremony.

In 1915, under special dispensation, Lt. W A. Morrison received his three Degrees in three weeks, namely, on May 4th, 11th and 18th, as his Unit was soon to be posted Overseas.

Alexandria Lodge has an attractive double faced illuminated sign in front of their building. It was lit for the first time on October 11, 1988, on the occasion of the Official Visit of the D.D.G.M., R.W. Bro. Leonard Fourney, who built his message around the well know Hymn, “Jesus Bids Us Shine With A Pure Clear Light”, suggesting that Masons should go forth into their communities, their behaviour shining with a pure clear light as an example of what a Freemason should be.

Community Activities: In 1897, the Lodge sublet their Rooms to be used as a classroom by the local High School which had been destroyed by fire.

Annual Bursaries are awarded as follows:

• $200 to a student from Glengarry County attending Kempville Agricultural

College.

• $100 to a graduate of Glengarry District High School.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND CHAPLAIN:

GRAND JR. DEACON:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Member who is worthy of emulation and praise, he has gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on his Lodge and his community. It is through such men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

Bro. Dr. Garth A. Taylor: Born April 29, 1944, Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I.

Masonic:

• Initiated, University Lodge, Jamaica, W.I., 1968.
• Affiliated, Alexandria Lodge No. 439, Alexandria, Ont. 1993.

Education:

• University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. M.B., B.S.
• Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Fellow of the Royal College of

Surgeons, Canada (F.R.C.S.C), Ophthalmology, 1976

• Fellowship – Bascom Palmer Institute, Miami, Florida. Corneal and External

Diseases.

• American Boards – Ophthalmology, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons

(F.A.C.S.) 1982.

• Member, General Medical Council (U.K.)

Medical Resident:

• Ottawa Civic Hospital (General Surgery, Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery).
• Queen’s University (Ophthalmology).

Occupation:

• Private practice, Cornwall, 1977 to present.
• Licenses: Jamaica, West Indies – Ontario, Canada – Maine and Florida, U.S.A.

– Trinidad & Tobago – Suriname, South America.

Hospital Appointments Include:

• Chief, Department of Ophthalmology, Cornwall General Hospital.
• President, Medical Staff, Cornwall General Hospital, 1995.
• Active Staff Consultant, Hotel Dieu Hospital.
• Associate Staff, Kingston General Hospital.
• Associate Staff, Kingston Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Other Appointments:

• Vice-President, Project Orbis Canada.
• Medical Advisor, Project Orbis Inc.
• Vice-President, CAN.SEE (Canadian Surgical Eye Expeditions).
• Asssistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s University,

Kingston, Ontario.

Honours and Awards:

• Canadian Foundation for Caribbean Development and Co-operation Inc.
• The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc. National Heroes Day Award.
• Jackie Robinson Special Humanitarian Award. (M.A.B.B.P. 1991) from Montreal

Association of Black Business Persons and Professionals.

• The Rosicrucian Order – The 1992 Humanitarian Award.
• Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.) – The 1992 Jamaican Independence

Day National Civil Honour.

• 1993 Harry Jerome Award – For Professional Excellence.
• 1994 The Paul Harris Award (Rotary Club) – For Humanitarian Services.
• 1994 Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario Annual Award – For

Humanitarian Services.

For an average of fourteen weeks each year, Bro. Dr. Taylor donates his time and vast talents to help less fortunate people of other countries through Project ORBIS and with a Canadian Organization called CAN.SEE.

Project ORBIS is an organization which has an airplane fitted out as a modern Eye Hospital. Bro. Dr. Taylor has donated his time away from his Cornwall Practice to take this service to more than 50 countries where local people receive the benefits of modern eye surgery which is not available in their own country.

In addition, he has donated time to take CAN.SEE, the Canadian Surgical Eye Expedition (1991), on 13 Missions to 7 countries.

Avonmore Lodge No. 452

AVONMORE LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 452, G.R.C.

Location: Highway 43, Monkland, Ontario.

Charter: September 26, 1901

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1901, Rooms over Bro. Fulton’s Store, Avonmore. 2nd – 1905, Premises owned by Wm. J. McCart, Avonmore. 3rd – 1914, Rooms over the Oddfellows Hall, Avonmore. 4th – 1975, Highway 43, Monkland, Ontario, The Lodge purchased the former Monkland United Church which now serves as an Anti-Room. A Lodge Room, attached to the original building was dedicated on Friday, October 31, 1975, with the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Dr. Eric W. NanceKivell, officiating.

Notes: On June 16, 1989, the Grand Lodge Degree Team initiated Bro. Barry Crawford as a Member of Avonmore Lodge No. 452.

Community Activities: Avonmore Lodge has a long history of being a caring and supporting member of the community. Since 1989, Avonmore Lodge has generously made its premises available as a meeting place for the Executive Committee of the Masonic Association.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND REGISTRAR:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Member of Avonmore Lodge No. 452 who is worthy of emulation and praise. He has gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on his Lodge and his community. It is through such men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

V.W. Bro. Jamieson Campbell

Masonic Activity:

• Initiated in Avonmore Lodge No. 452 in 1944.
• Elected Worshipful Master in 1950.
• Appointed Grand Steward in 1981.

V.W. Bro. Cambell has served his Lodge diligently in the Offices of Auditor, Secretary and Chairman of the Temple Board. He was presented with a 50 Year Jewel on November 21, 1994, by District Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Michael Whetstone, at a meeting in Avonmore Lodge Rooms when more than fifty Brethren from Eastern District attended to honour this outstanding Mason.

Community Activity: He has served his Church as Elder and currently is Clerk of the Session and Central Treasurer.

V.W. Bro. Campbell has lived in Monkland since 1930, working with his Father in the family General Store and Feed business until the latter’s death in 1946 and, since then, as owner and operator. A true Gentleman, his quiet, helpful and unassuming manner has endeared him to everyone in the community, Brother Mason and ordinary citizen alike.

Cardinal Lodge No. 491

CARDINAL LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 491, G.R.C.

Location: Fraternal Hall Building, Victoria Street, Iroquois, Ontario.

Charter: February 26, 1909

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1909, Carleton-Ransom Building, Louis and Dundas Streets, Cardinal. 2nd – 1992, the Lodge moved from Cardinal to the Fraternal Hall Building in Iroquois when their Cardinal Lodge Rooms became unfit for occupancy for the second time in 10 years, due to the failure of the Landlord to maintain the rented premises in a satisfactory condition.

Notes: In 1983, D.D.G.M., R.W. Bro. Ted Lockart, of Cardinal Lodge, had to find an alternative Lodge Room in which to make his Official Visit to his Home Lodge. A major leak in the roof had caused the ceiling of Cardinal Lodge Room to fall in, completely destroying the beautiful Masonic carpet in the Lodge Room. Thanks to the quickly offered hospitality of Friendly Brothers Lodge in nearby Iroquois, the “Home Visit” was made without further incident. Bro. John R. Dodge, owner of a local Construction Company, supplied funds, labour and material to enable the Lodge to resume meetings in their original Lodge Room.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

* E. J. Wormington maintained his membership in Cardinal Lodge after relocating to Cobourg, Ontario, where he was elected D.D.G.M. in Ontario District.

ASSISTANT GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES

GRAND STEWARD:

Chesterville Lodge No. 320

CHESTERVILLE LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 320, G.R.C.

Location: 65 Main Street North, Chesterville, Ontario,

Charter: June 4, 1874

Charter Members:

Charter Members included Masons from the Communities of Avonmore, Cahore, Cannamore, Casselman, Chrysler, Finch, Grantley, Morewood, Russell, South Indian, Vars, Williamsburg and Winchester, as well as Chesterville.

Building: 1st – 1874, Second floor of a building on the corner of Water and King Streets, Chesterville. 2nd – 1909 until 1912. There is no local record of where the Lodge met during these years. 3rd – 1912, the Members of Chesterville Masonic Lodge and the Oddfellows jointly built a two storey brick building at 65 Main Street North.

Notes: Chesterville Lodge has suffered two major losses to their premises as a result of fire and wind. On April 5, 1909, a major fire destroyed all the buildings on the East side of King Street, including the one in which the Lodge rented space. As a result of the fire, all historical records of the Lodge were lost. The Members of Chesterville Masonic Lodge and the Oddfellows then built a two storey brick building at 65 Main Street North. The Masonic Lodge Rooms, on the ground floor, were dedicated on Wednesday, October 8, 1915, with the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. William David McPherson, officiating.

In June 1973, a tornado swept through the village of Chesterville and destroyed the roof structure and the second floor of the Lodge building. Insurance funds were sufficient to restore the ground floor of the building which was redesigned to accommodate both the Masons and the Oddfellows. The basement was upgraded to provide utility and banquet services. The building was back into full use by June 1974.

Community Activities: During both World Wars, the members of Chesterville Lodge contributed generously to War Charities and sent many boxes of goodies overseas to their serving Brethren.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

ASSISTANT GRAND ORGANIST:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

V.W. Bro. Fay Shaver: Born October 10, 1914, Finch, Ontario.

Occupation: Employed by Nestle’s Canada Inc. from 1940 until retirement from the position of Comptroller in 1977. He served in the R.C.A.F. as a Wireless Mechanic from June 1943 to February 1946, being granted Military Leave of Absence by Nestle’s.

Associations:

• Elder and Trustee of Trinity United Church, Chesterville.
• Past President of Morrisburg and District Canadian Club.
• Chief Election Officer and Returning Officer, three Elections.

Masonic:

• Initiated in Chesterville Lodge No. 320 in 1945.
• Worshipful Master in 1951, 1971, 1989 and 1990.
• Appointed Grand Steward for dedicated service in 1974.
• Member of Tunis Temple Shrine Club.

V.W. Bro. Shaver contributed many years of his time and talents to the Masonic Association. As Auditor and a Member of the Executive Committee his leadership, organizational ability and dedication ensured that the Association had an excellent basis of sound By-Laws and Procedures on which to base its action plans for the future.

Awards: Awarded the Canada Medal in 1992.

W. Bro. Jack Lester Cross: Born May 6, 1911.

Education: Ottawa Teacher’s College, 1934.

Occupation: School Teacher, 1934-42. Royal Canadian Air Force, 1942-45. Attached to the secret Radar Group of R.A.F. Nightfighter Squadron No. 406. Discharged 1945 with rank of Sergeant, Radar Mechanic.

Privy Council Office of the Federal Government from 1945 until his retirement in 1975. He served five consecutive Prime Ministers; The Honourable MacKenzie King, Louis St. Laurent, John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson and Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

Jack Cross served on special projects and as Secretary for various Cabinet ceremonial functions, including Her Majesty The Queen’s visit to Canada and the Centennial of Confederation Celebrations for Manitoba in 1970, British Columbia in 1971, and Prince Edward Island in 1973. During his employment in the Privy Council, he advised and participated in the installation of Lieutenant Governors and Cabinet Ministers into Office. His career developed as follows:

1957 – Appointed Registrar of Statutory Orders in Council. 1964 – Appointed Supervisor of Orders in Council. 1968 – Appointed Assistant Clerk of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada. 1973 – Designated by Order in Council P.C. 1973-94, to serve with the Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice and the Director of Legal Services to the Privy Council Office, to consolidate government regulations in accordance with Section 16 of the Statutory Instruments Act.

He is proudest of his work in compiling “The Guide to Canadian Ministeries Since Confederation”, a handbook published by the Public Archives and in great demand by Historians and University Libraries across Canada.

High Point Friday, October 16, 1970, at 3:30 a.m. Jack Cross, accompanied by an armed guard, delivered an Order in Council and Proclamation to His Excellency, Governor General Roland Michener, which brought the War Measures Act into effect following the F.L.Q. kidnappings of Quebec Cabinet Minister Pierre LaPorte and British Trade Official James “Jasper” Cross, (no relation).

He is credited with having been personally involved in framing between 90,000 and 100,000 such Orders.

Masonic:

• Initiated July 15, 1935, Chesterville Lodge No. 320.
• Elected Worshipful Master 1941 and again in 1985.
• Appointed to the 33rd Degree in the Scottish Right.

Awards:

• Awarded Centennial Medal in 1967.
• Awarded Order of Canada in 1984.

Corinthian Lodge No. 669

CORINTHIAN LODGE A.F. & A.M. NO. 669, G.R.C.

Location: Masonic Temple Building, 333 Second St., East. Cornwall, Ontario.

Charter: October 10, 1952

Charter Members:

NOTES: Corinthian Lodge takes great pride in the quality of its work in the Lodge Room. Officers normally appear in black tie and tuxedo. It is the only Lodge in Eastern District where the Lodge Officers. led by a Piper properly attired in Kilt, parade into the Lodge Room at the beginning of each Meeting and parade out again at the close of the Meeting.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER

GRAND STEWARD:

GRAND STANDARD BEARER:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their Community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

Bro. Nicholas Kaneb: Born June 14, 1916.

Education: Clarkson Tech. (Football Scholarship) 1 year McGill University.

Occupation: Owner and Manager of the King George Hotel and the Lafayette Hotel, Cornwall, now retired.

Associations:

• Past President, Board of Trade, Cornwall.
• Past Alderman, City of Cornwall, one 4-year term.
• Past Mayor of Cornwall, one 4-year term and one 5-year term.
• Past Director, Hotel Association of United Counties.
• Past President, Ontario Hotel Association.
• Past President, Canadian Hotel Asociation.
• Past Representative for Canada, American Hotel Association.
• Representative on Woodland Cemetery Board.
• Board Member, General Hospital Charitable Foundation.

Masonic:

• Initiated Corinthian Lodge No. 669, Cornwall.
• Member Royal Arch Masonry, Preceptory and Shrine.

Nick Kaneb has been a great booster of Cornwall all his life and was never reticient about stating his views, irrespective of whether or not they aided his political or business career. He has always supported community projects and never refused to donate his time or to give financial assistance to worthy causes.

W. Bro. Dr. Ralph Randlett: Born March 2, 1924 at Hamilton, Ontario. Grew up and educated in Montreal, Quebec.

Education: McGill University, 1949. M.D. C.M. (Surgery) B.Sc. Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons, Canada. Fellow, American College of Surgeons.

Occupation: Practiced Surgical Medicine in Cornwall from 1955 to 1992.

Associations:

• Board Member, V.O.N.
• Member, Canadian Cancer Society.
• Representative Elder to Presbytery, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Cornwall.
• Past Chief of Surgery, Cornwall General Hospital.
• Past President, Cornwall General Hospital Medical Staff.
• Member of a “Bible Fellowship Net” in which a number of “Ham Radio Operators”

meet on the air at 6:30 a.m. each weekday to discuss Bible studies.

Masonic:

• Initiated at Corinthian Lodge No. 669, Cornwall.
• Worshipful Master in 1969. He continues to be a strong supporter of Craft

Masonry while pursuing his association with the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine.

Hobbies:

• Skilled wood carver of local birds.
• Designed and crafted his own office furniture.
• Ham Radio Operator for 20 years.

Dr. Randlett personifies the caring Medical Professional whom we all would wish to have as our Doctor. Through his gentle and modest demeanour, he has made a major contribution to his Church, his Community and to the Medical Profession of Cornwall and District.

R.W. Bro. George Revell: Born September 19, 1906. Died February 23, 1991.

Education: Queen’s University, Chemical Engineer.

Masonic:

• Initiated at Ancient St. John’s Lodge No. 3, Kingston, November 9, 1939.
• Worshipful Master, Corinthian Lodge No. 669, 1953.
• D.D.G.M. Eastern District 1964.
• Past Patron Order of Eastern Star.

Occupation:

• Professor at Queen’s University.
• Assistant Technical Manager of Courtaulds Canada Limited.

Associations:

• District Commissioner of Boy Scouts from 1947 until 1965. Awarded Govenor

General’s Merit Medal for Scouting.

• A long time member of Knox-St. Paul’s United Church where he served as

Chairman of Trustees.

• Member, Chemical Institute of Canada.

Hobbies: R.W. Bro. Revell was a perfectionist in all his activities. This tendency was no better displayed than in his woodworking hobby. He was a master of marquetry, that ancient art of creating objects with various coloured inlaid woods. Many of the Guest Speakers at the Annual Banquet of the Masonic Association received, as a gift, a plaque with the Square and Compasses intricately inlaid with many colours of local wood.

In 1947, he presented a set of Working Tools to St. John’s Lodge No. 3. The following is a copy of the inscription which is now attached to those Working Tools:

“The Oak wood from which these Working Tools were made was obtained by R.W.

Bro. Revell, from “Cutler’s Guild Hall, a Masonic Building in London,

England, which had been damaged by enemy action during the Second World War.

The wood is reported to have been 250 years old. The “Cornice” which R.W.

Bro. Revell received from the Guild Hall was triangular in shape and about six

inches wide and fourteen inches long on both sides of the angle. Only the

surface wood was Oak, the centre being a soft wood. It required true

craftsmanship to fashion these tools out of the Oak portions of the wood

supplied.

All the wooden parts were made by R.W. Bro. Revell. The Chisel was

purchased; the manufacturer’s inscription ground off, and the chisel was then

gold plated. The other metal parts were hand-machined out of brass and

polished by R.W. Bro. Revell in his own workshop and then gold plated.”

In 1965, R.W. Bro. Revell presented a Gavel to the Past Masters Association to be used as a Travelling Gavel. In 1978, he presented Corinthian Lodge with a hand-crafted set of Working Tools in a beautifully designed case.

V.W.Bro. J. Douglas Seller: Born May 25, 1933 at Montreal.

Occupation:

• 1951 to 1975, Courtaulds Canada Limited, Cornwall, ending this period of

employment as Production Supervisor.

• 1975 to present, Director of Support Services, Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge, a home for

the aged in Cornwall.

Associations:

• 1994, Vice Chairman of the Board, Cornwall Regional Linen Services
• 1995, Chairman of the Board, Cornwall Linen Services.
• Lifetime member of Knox-St. Paul’s United Church, Cornwall.
• Founder and Committee Member of retarded Children’s Camp.
• 1989, Member of the Board, Valois Place, a Substance Abuse Treatment Centre

for young people aged 16 to 23.

Masonic:

• 1968, Initiated into Freemasonry in Corinthian Lodge No. 669.
• 1979, Worshipful Master, Corinthian Lodge No. 669.
• Served as Lodge Secretary for three years and presently is Lodge Treasurer.
• 1989, Appointed Grand Standard Bearer.
• 1985, and, 1988 to 1995, Blood Donor Chairman, Eastern District, during which

time the District was recorded as being seventh in total Blood donations out of all forty-six Districts.

Concordand Bodies

• Member of Covenant Chapter #113, Royal Arch Masons.
• 1977, First Principal of Covenant Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
• 1978, Appointed Grand Steward, Royal Arch Masons.
• Member of Cornwall Preceptory #47.
• Member of Karnak Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., Montreal.
• Member of the Order of High Priesthood.
• 1990, President of S. D. & G. Shrine Club. Liaison Officer and Transportation

Chairman for the S.D.& G. Shrine Club arranging transportation and medical appointments for area children to and from Montreal Shrine Hospital.

• 1995, 1st Ceremonial Officer on the Divan of Karnak Temple.

V.W. Bro. Seller is a tireless worker in the Craft Lodges and the Shrine. He is loved and respected by all who have the good fortune to come into contact with him, whether it be in Masonry, at work or as a neighbour.

Cornwall Lodge No. 125

CORNWALL LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 125, G.R.C.

Location: Masonic Temple Building, 333 Second St., East, Cornwall, Ontario.

Charter: July 12, 1860

Charter Members

Buildings: 1st – All Lodge records were destroyed in a fire on July 26, 1876. 2nd – In 1884, the Lodge was meeting in the Upper flat of the Brown’s Block, Second Street, East, when another fire forced the Lodge to find a new meeting place. The following three locations were temporary while the Lodge sought a permanent home. 3rd – American House (Now the King George Hotel) 4th – Orange Hall. 5th – Sons of England Hall on Second Street. 6th – What were thought to be permanent quarters were established in the “Kirkpatrick Building. 7th – Yet another move was made in 1922 when new Lodge Rooms were dedicated in the Jacob’s Building, Third Floor of the Metropolitan Store on Pitt Street. 8th – Present Masonic Temple Lodge Rooms were dedicated on April 25, 1952, with 343 Members and visitors present.

Notes: It was reported in “From Royal Township to Industrial City”, by Elinor Kyte Senior that, in 1860, Cornwall Lodge was the most Powerful Organization in the County.

Aurora Lodge, No. 383, N.Y. Registry, at Fort Covington, presented Cornwall Lodge with a Volume of the Sacred Law at their first Meeting in 1860. The same Lodge donated a replacement “Book” after the disastrous fire in 1876 and, again, in 1884, after a second fire, donated another VSL, a Square and a Compass.

Cornwall Lodge No. 125 has experienced major fluctuations in Membership due to several sets of circumstances. Membership in 1945 was 255. It rose to 411 by 1960. However, by 1993, Membership stood at 111. The major events responsible for these changes in the number of members have been:

• Construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway from 1956 to 1959, which saw more than

5,000 employed in the Cornwall area, resulting in a significant increase in Members.

• Establishment of Corinthian Lodge No. 669, in 1952.
• Establishment of Eastern Lodge No. 707 in 1962.

Each of the latter two Lodges drew some of their Charter Members from Cornwall Lodge No. 125 and have continued to take their fair share of initiations and affiliations from the general community.

Community Activities: Notations in the early Minutes indicate that, in spite of difficult financial times which the Lodge was experiencing in the late 1800s, frequent donations were made to distressed Members and transient Brethren. Regular donations were made to the local General Hospital and the Robertson Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Assistance with Funeral expenses for Brethren and others were also frequently made. There is also a note in the Minutes to the effect that the Nursery at Cornwall General Hospital was furnished by Cornwall Masons.

The Lodge continues to be an active supporter of the Community.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER

GRAND CHAPLAIN

ASSISTANT GRAND ORGANIST

GRAND STEWARD

GRAND STANDARD BEARER

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

Bro. Art Chan: Born January 26, 1916, Vancouver, B.C. Died October 28, 1993, Cornwall, Ontario.

Masonic Activity:

• Initiated into Freemasonry at Cornwall Lodge No. 125.
• Member of Covenant Chapter #113, Royal Arch Masons.
• Member of Cornwall Preceptory #47, Knights Templar, Karnak Temple,

A.A.O.N.M.S. and the Cornwall Shrine Club.

• Member, Knights of the Order of the Militia Temple.
• Awarded William Mercer Wilson Medal.

Church and Commmunity Activities:

• Member of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Cornwall since 1942 where he

served two terms on the Board of Managers and was then elected an Elder, a role in which he actively provided leadership to his Church for 27 years.

• A long time member of the Kinsmen Club and Cornwall Golf and Country Club,

through which he was able to continue his participation in Community Help Projects.

Occupation: A Partner in “The New York Cafe”, a popular dining place for all of Cornwall, until it was destroyed by fire. He and several partners then opened a new restaurant, “The Jade Gardens” across the street from his Church. The “Jade” soon became a gathering place for many church adherents for Sunday lunch and for morning coffee, as well as more formal dining out. Here, Art was never happier than when filling the role of host, welcoming his many friends from his church, his Lodge and the entire community.

Eulogy: In the eulogy given by long time friend and Brother Mason, John Eadie, he was described as a proud but humble man who always put the needs of others before his own. One who, when called upon by anyone in need, or to help a cause, responded without question. His biggest priority in life was his family.

R.W. Bro. Frederick Earle Eaton: Died June 7, 1965

Masonic:

• Initiated, Cornwall Lodge No. 125 May 15, 1923.
• Worshipful Master in 1929.
• D.D.G.M. in 1946.
• Charter Member and first Worshipful Master of Corinthian Lodge No. 669
• Secretary of Corinthian Lodge No. 669 from 1957.
• Installing Master for a number of District Lodges.
• First Principal Z, Covenant Chapter No. 113, R.A.M. 1945.
• Secretary-Treasurer Masonic Association.
• Member, Board of Directors of Cornwall Temple Board.

Church and Employment:

• Deacon and Clerk of First Baptist Church, Cornwall.
• A lifetime employee of the Cornwall Mill of Domtar Limited, where he was loved

and respected by all with whom he came in contact.

R.W. Bro. Eaton was a supreme ritualist whose influence was felt in all Lodges of the District. His entire life, in his public occupation, in his private life and in his Masonic activities, was lived in a manner to demonstrate those grand principles upon which Freemasonry is founded.

In recognition of the high regard in which he was held by all Masons in Eastern District, in 1965, The Masonic Association of Eastern District named a Charitable Trust in his honour known as the “Frederick Earle Eaton Masonic Memorial Bursary Fund”.

Bro. G. Benjamin Stidwill: Born September 7, 1910

Education: Queen’s University, Civil Engineer, Honours, where he led his graduation class in 1932.

Occupation: Retired from Domtar Fine Papers Ltd., Cornwall, as Assistant Resident Manager, after a life time career in the Paper Industry during which he worked in all Divisions of the Company in Canada, plus two assignments in England. One of his many professional achievements was the development of the “Big Ben” Ski Hill in Cornwall which opened on February 3, 1975. Created mainly from waste Wood Bark, plus some waste Clay and Lime from the Paper Mill, this project only exists as a result of Ben Stidwill’s ingenuity, initiative and persuasive powers. Today, it stands as a monument to him, providing the city with a winter sports centre on its doorstep and, at the same time, solving a major land fill problem of this enviromentally safe waste material.

Associations: Past President of the following five Organizations:

• Civil Engineering Society of Canada,
• The 2500 member, Cornwall Branch, Technical Section of The Canadian Pulp &

Paper Association,

• Cornwall Unit of The Canadian Cancer Society,
• Ottawa Ostomy Association,
• Manager’s Association of Cornwall District, 1973-74.

• Member of the Public School Board for eight years and Past Chairman of the

Board.

• Life member of Cornwall General Hospital Association.
• Life time member of Trinity Anglican Church, Cornwall. He was responsible for

the conception and erection of a specially designed lightweight Spire for his Church.

Masonic:

• Initiated in Cornwall Lodge No. 125.
• First Principal of Covenant Chapter.
• Past Preceptor of Preceptory.

At the age of 84, Ben still runs three times a week and runs ten miles in the Annual Terry Fox Marathon in spite of Cancer Surgery in 1976 which left him wearing a Urostomy.

R.W. Bro. Arthur Youngs: Born March 28, 1909.

• Initiated Cornwall Lodge No. 125 April 20, 1933.

Masonic:

• Worshipful Master 1948
• D.D.G.M. 1971
• Member, Board of General Purposes 1975 –1981
• Active on following Grand Lodge projects:

H.E.L.P. (Hearing Every Living Person), H.O.M.E. (Heritage of Masonic Endeavours)

• Past President Masonic Association of Eastern District
• Past Secretary-Treasurer of Masonic Association of Eastern District

Occupation: R.W. Bro. Youngs was a Teacher in local Elementary Schools for 43 years. He graduated from Teachers’ College in 1930 and later received a B.A. Degree from Queen’s University. He is remembered and respected by thousands of Cornwall Citizens as Teacher and Principal of Central Public School who was an example for all who follow to emulate.

Associations:

• President of the Local Teachers’ Association.
• Chairman of the Men’s Teachers’ Federation.
• Secretary of Ontario Public School M.T.F.
• Life member of the Cornwall General Hospital.
• Board of Stewards of St. Paul’s United Church.
• Elder and Trustee as well as Vice Chairman of Trustees of Knox St. Paul’s

United Church.

Eastern Lodge No. 707

EASTERN LODGE A.F.& A.M. No.707, G.R.C.

Location: Masonic Temple Building, 333 Second St., E., Cornwall.

Charter: March 27, 1962

Charter Members:

Building: Eastern Lodge meets in the Masonic Temple, Cornwall.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND STEWARD:

Notes: In the 33 years since receiving its Charter, Eastern Lodge No. 707 has successfully established itself as an asset to the Masonic Family in Eastern District by contributing to District activities and maintaining an active social life for its members. The Lodge continues to attract new Members and, in days when most Lodges see their membership declining, Eastern Lodge has had a fairly constant number of members for the past twenty-five years.

Eastern Lodge has supplied the working parties for the Annual Masonic Association Golf Tournament for the past three years.

Excelsior Lodge No. 142

EXCELSIOR LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 142, G.R.C.

Location: 68 St. Lawrence Street, Morrisburg, Ontario,

Charter: July 20, 1861

Charter Members: W.M. A. G. Macdonell, Worshipful Master for 12 years.

Building: 1st – 1861, Beckstead Block 2nd – Second Floor, Merkley’s Warehouse 3rd – Lyle Block (destroyed by fire) 4th – Third Floor, Hessin Building 5th – 1919, Third Floor, Meikle Block, occupied from 1919 until flooding by development of St. Lawrence Seaway eliminated much of original downtown Morrisburg. Last Meeting here was in 1958 6th – 1958, February, March and April Meetings were held in Chesterville Lodge Rooms, Chesterville. 7th – 1958, May 7. First Meeting in the Present Lodge Room which was built by Ontario Hydro and sold to the Lodge when a large part of Morrisburg was flooded by the St. Lawrence Seaway Project. This new Lodge Room was dedicated on October 17, 1958 by R.W. Bro. C. M. Pitts, then D.G.M.

Notes: The Cornerstone of St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg was laid on August 4, 1893, under the auspices of Excelsior Lodge with M. W. Bro. The Hon. J. H. Gibson officiating.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND CHAPLAIN:

GRAND REGISTRAR:

GRAND STEWARD:

GRAND STANDARD BEARER:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

R.W. Bro. A. G. Macdonell: First Reeve of Morrisburg Village, an Office held from January 1861 until December 1876. He was the Registrar of Deeds and the first Lawyer in Morrisburg and D.D.G.M. 1863-64.

R.W. Bro. Dr. T. F. Chamberlain: M.P. for Dundas County and D.D.G.M. 1870-71

W. Bro. Dr. C.E. Hickey: M.P. for Dundas County.

W. Bro. George F. Bradfield: Reeve of Morrisburg.

W. Bro. George H. Challies: M.L.A., Grenville-Dundas. Long time Member of Ontario Cabinet and later, Chairman of Ontario-St.Lawrence Development Commission.

W. Bro. Fred S. Broder: Long time Reeve of Morrisburg, and Warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

R.W. Bro. Archbishop C. L. Worrell: Primate of Canada.

Farran-Ault Lodge No. 256

FARRAN-AULT LODGE A. F. & A. M. No. 256, G.R.C.

Location: Memorial Square, Ingleside, Ontario.

Charter: First Meeting, June 28, 1871.

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1871, Temperance Hall, Farran’s Point. 2nd – 1901, Temperance Hall, Aultsville. 3rd – 1903, Fraternal Hall, Aultsville, built and owned jointly by Oddfellows and Masons 4th – 1958, Excelsior Lodge Rooms, Morrisburg. 5th – 1960, Fraternal Hall, Ingleside.

Notes: Farran-Ault Lodge No. 256, originally named Farran’s Point Lodge, was located at Farran’s Point, on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. The development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, between 1956 and 1958, resulted in flooding a number of the old communities along the St. Lawrence River, including Farran’s Point and Aultsville. Extensive and frequently difficult negotiations were carried out between the developer of the Seaway and Power Project, Ontario Hydro, and the Masons and Oddfellows about compensation for flooded property and new premises. It was not until January 22, 1958, at an Emergent Meeting, with electricity disconnected in much of the building, and the interior of the Oddfellows Hall demolished, that the Ontario Hydro’s proposals were reluctantly accepted. The Lodge met at Excelsior Lodge Rooms in Morrisburg until their new Building was ready in 1960.

In January 1958, approval was granted by Grand Lodge to change the name of the Lodge from Farran’s Point Lodge to Farran-Ault Lodge, thus retaining a much desired link with Lodge history, the Lodge having owned Lodge Rooms in each of the two communities of Farran’s Point and Aultsville before flooding by the Seaway.

Under its original name of Farran’s Point Lodge, Farran-Ault Lodge was in charge of proceedings when the Corner Stone was laid at the new Anglican Church in Avonmore, in 1889, by Grand Master M.W. Bro. Walkem. The first Official Visit to the Lodge by a Grand Master occurred on January 28, 1891, when M.W. Bro. John Ross Robertson spoke on “100 Years of Freemasonry in Canada” which was to be the title of his two volume publication of 1900.

The first D.D.G.M. for the newly formed Eastern District in 1904 was R.W. Bro. Hanes of Farran-Ault Lodge. He also served the Lodge as Secretary for 32 years. The Lodge actively supported the formation of new Lodges at Maxville in 1888 and Wales in 1902. Fraternal visits with neighbouring United States Lodges have long been a tradition with the Lodge.

On November 10, 1971, 230 Masons assembled to help the Lodge celebrate their 100th Anniversary. Grand Master, M.W. Bro. William Kirk Bailey was the Guest of Honour.

Farran-Ault Lodge has continued to be a vibrant part of the Community. Each year it joins The Canadian Legion and other organizations in a march to the local cenotaph and attends the non-denominational church service which follows. At a recent Open House celebration, the local Knights of Columbus attended as invited guests.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

ASSISTANT GRAND CHAPLAIN:

GRAND JUNIOR DEACON:

ASISTANT GRAND SECRETARY:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

R.W.Bro. Frank T. Shaver: Born 1879. Died Dec. 10, 1967.

Education: Local schools, and Extension Courses at Queen’s University.

Occupation: Taught school for a number of years before entering a Partnership in a General Store in Aultsville in the early 1920’s and continuing until area was flooded by St. Lawrence Seaway Project in 1958.

Politics: Organizer, Speaker and Chairman of the local Conservative Party in Stormont County, serving with distinction in 1923/24. Represented Stormont County in the Federal Conservative Goverment under Prime Minister, The Hon. R. B. Bennett from 1930 to 1935. A member of two House Committees, namely Agriculture, and Railways and Canals.

He was described in a 1931 publication of the Ottawa Citizen as a descendant of United Empire Loyalist stock who is a likeable, well groomed man of youngish appearance, frank and staightforward in look and manner. He conveys the impression that he would find considerable enjoyment in overcoming obstacles.

Associations:

• Member, The Loyal Order of Oddfellows, Aberdeen Lodge No 302,
• District Deputy Grand Master and Noble Grand. L.O.O.F.
• Member of Farran-Ault Masonic Lodge No. 256.
• District Deputy Grand Master of Eastern Masonic District 1917/18.
• Awarded a 50 year Past Master’s Jewel
• Awarded a 50 year Past D.D.G.M’s Jewel.
• Member of Board of Health of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry.
• Member of the Board of Managers and Sunday School Principal at Aultsville

Presbyterian Church for many years.

V.W. Bro. J. Kenneth Somerville: Born March 22, 1924. Raised and educated in Lanark County.

Occupation: What was to become a life time career started at the age of 17 when he began working with his Father, a Cheese Maker, at Balderson Cheese Factory in 1941.

Ken joined Kraft Foods as a Cheese Maker in 1947 and never looked back. His career took him to Cheese Factories in Newington, Williamstown, Wolfe Island, Berwick, Ingleside and back to Williamstown from where he retired as Plant Manager in 1989. During his many years as Plant Manager he received numerous Company awards for performance, including The Canadian Achievement Award, Jade Ring Award, and the Kraft President’s Safety Award for 10 years without a lost time accident.

Associations: The diligence which accounted for such a successful working career was applied to all of Ken’s activities. A life time member of the United Church of Canada, Ken held positions of leadership and responsibility in the Church in Newington, Wolfe Island and Ingleside. He taught in the Sunday Schools and became Sunday School Superintendent before being asked to become a member of the Session, (a body of Elders) of the Church. He was also a member of the Committee of Stewards, Chair person of the Official Board, a delegate to Presbytery, Chair person of the Presbytery Finance Committee, a member of the Conference Finance Committee and the Mission Support Committee and currently, 1995-96, is Chair person of the Seaway Valley Presbytery.

Masonic:

• Initiated at Finch Lodge No. 557 on September 4, 1952.
• Initiated into Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 1964.
• Achieved 32nd Degree status in 1968.
• Worshipful Master of Finch Lodge in 1973.
• Affiliated with Farran-Ault Lodge No, 256 in 1987.
• Worshipful Master of Farran-Ault Lodge from 1990 to 1993.
• Became a Charter member of the Ottawa Consistory.
• District Chaplain, Eastern District 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995.
• Appointed Assistant Grand Chaplain 1994.

Finch Lodge No. 557

FINCH LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 557, G.R.C.

Location: 65 Main Street North, Chesterville, Ontario.

Charter: July 24, 1920

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – Above store owned by R.W. Bro. D. K. McLean on Chrysler Road, (Main Street), Finch. 2nd – December 6, 1984. After the death of R.W. Bro. McLean, the property in which their Lodge Rooms were located was offered for sale and the Lodge moved to Chesterville where it rents accommodation in the Fraternal Hall Building.

Note: To perpetuate the presence of a Masonic Lodge in Finch, a bench was donated and installed in a small outdoor rest area in Finch, between the Post Office and the Bank.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND STEWARD:

Friendly Brothers Lodge No. 143

FRIENDLY BROTHERS LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 143, G.R.C.

Location: Victoria Street, Iroquois, Ontario

Charter: April 19, 1861

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – The first Meeting was in the Worshipful Master’s house on King Street (Old Highway No. 2). 2nd – Sons of Temperance Hall, Iroquois. Annual Rent $17.00. 3rd – Above Seeley’s Store, Iroquois. 4th – Third Floor, Mill’s Block, until forced to move by the building of the Seaway Project in 1958. 5th – An invitation from Cardinal Lodge No.491 provided temporary accommodation until a new building could be built. 6th – The new Lodge premises were completed in 1961. The building is shared with The Eastern Star and Cardinal Lodge No. 491, under the name of Fraternal Hall Inc.

Notes: The petition submitted to Grand Lodge for permission to form a Masonic Lodge at Iroquois was signed by ten Masons living in the vicinity of Iroquois, all of whom were members of Waddington Lodge No. 333 of New York State. A close relationship with our neighbouring American Brethren continues to flourish.

On June 24, 1861, Brethren of Friendly Brothers Lodge met at 10:00 a.m. to drive by horse drawn vehicle to Kempville, a distance of 28 miles, to celebrate St. John the Baptist Day. The Minutes of the day note that, due to lateness of the hour and their visitors long drive home, the Lodge was not reopened for business after refreshment.

Annual dues in 1861 were 10 cents per month. October 12, 1894, a motion was passed forbidding smoking in the Lodge Room, however, the purchase of six new spitoons were purchased for $1.95.

Community Activities: Friendly Brothers Lodge No. 143 continues to take an active part in Community Events. It is the “Flag Ship” of the Joint Venture which the Masonic Association enjoys with the Dundas Chapter of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Each year this Lodge carries the lion’s share of the work involved in preparation for and running the Annual Duck Race, as well as in obtaining donations for prizes for the event. Members always sell more than double the number of “Duck Tickets” than any other Lodge.

The Lodge operates a Refreshment Booth for weekend Ball Tournaments and for the Annual Duck Race.

Annual charitable donations continue to be made to the following local organizations:

• Canadian Cancer Society
• C.N.I.B.
• Dundas Hospice
• Bursary to a graduate of Iroquois High School.
• Frederick Earle Eaton Masonic Memorial Bursary.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND ORGASNIST:

GRAND STEWARD:

Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450

HAWKESBURY LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 450, G.R.C.

Location: 94 Main Street, Vankleek Hill, Ontario.

Charter: May 16, 1901.

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – We have been unable to determine exactly where the Lodge met during its first two years. 2nd – 1903 to beyond 1912, second floor of Catholic Order of Forresters Hall, Regent St., Hawkesbury. Rent was $150 per year. Records from 1913 to 1923 have been lost. 3rd – 1923 above Lighthall’s Garage, McGill St. Hawkesbury. 4th – 1965 above Bank of Nova Scotia. This accommodation is shared with St. John’s Lodge No. 21A.

Notes: Only six months after receiving its Charter in 1901, Hawkesbury Lodge made a charitable donation to the Hospital for Crippled Children. However, hard times were evident in the following notes from early Minutes. In 1923, Master Mason’s Aprons were purchased from “Eatons” at a cost of $2.35 each. March 30, 1933, the Landlord decreased the monthly rent from $15 to $7.50. During the years of the Second World War, the Lodge remitted the dues of any Brother who enlisted.

On November 15, 1945, a delegation from Grenville Lodge No. 101, G.R.Q., visited Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450 and presented the Lodge with a Bible, which had been used by the former Hawkesbury Lodge No. 210, warranted in 1869. That Hawkesbury Lodge surrendered its Charter in 1885.

Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450 was proud to receive one of its own Brethren, on December 17, 1959, when Most Worshipful Brother Clarence MacLeod Pitts, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario visited the Lodge.

On the occasion of the celebration of the Lodge’s 75th Anniversary, on May 1, 1976, it was noted in the Minutes that, during the years since the Lodge was warranted, nearly all the prominent Protestants and Jewish families of the town and area had been represented in the membership roles of the Lodge.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

GRAND MASTER:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF WORKS:

ASSISTANT GRAND CHAPLAIN:

GRAND STEWARD:

Henderson Lodge No. 383

HENDERSON LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 383, G.R.C.

Location: 518 Church Street, Winchester, Ontario,

Charter: July 14, 1880, Warranted December 27, 1879

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1880, The Lodge met for 80 years in rented premises. 2nd – 1961, The Lodge moved into their own building. R.W. Bro. Frederick Cass donated land and the Brethren chipped in with finances and manual labour to build the fine structure in which the Lodge meets today. There is an excellent banquet room and kitchen on the ground floor with the Lodge Rooms above. An illuminated sign, installed above the door in memory of long time Treasurer, W. Bro. Harry L. Flora, was donated by Miss Philys Henderson. The Lodge was named in honour of Grand Master, James Alexander Henderson.

Community Activities: In 1883, a large contingent of Brethren from Henderson Lodge participated with representatives of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, in laying the Cornerstone of the First Methodist Church of Canada at Inkerman, Ontario.

A Scholorship of $250, plus a Medallion, suitably engraved are presented each year to a deserving graduate of North Dundas District High School. The successful student also holds a trophy for one year, which commemorates the award.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WORKS:

ASSISTANT GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES:

ASSISTANT GRAND ORGANIST:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

R.W. Bro. Frederick M. Cass: Born, August 5, 1913, Chesterville, Ontario.

Education: B.A. 1933, M.A. 1935, University of Toronto. Admitted to Bar, 1936.

Occupation: Practiced Law in his own Law Office in Chesterville from 1936 to 1992. Appointed a Magistrate in Chesterville.

Military: Glengarry Highlanders, Militia, 1938 and the Active Force from 1941 to 1946. He was posted Overseas and attached to the Canadian Military Headquarters in London, England, before being posted to Paris and then to Italy. He continued his affiliation with the Glengarry Highlanders after World War II until retirement with the rank of Honoury Colonel of the Regiment.

Politics: Elected as a Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario where he served the Conservative Government from 1955 to 1971 in the following positions:

• Minister of Highways.
• Minister of Municipal Affairs.
• Attorney-General.
• Speaker of the House.

Associations:

• Past President of Rotary Club and the Winchester Club.
• Clerk of the Session of Winchester United Church.

Masonic:

• Initiated in Henderson Lodge No. 383 in 1938.
• Affiliated with Canada Lodge and Whittington Lodge, London, England, while

serving in Canadian Armed Services Overseas.

• Worshipful Master of Henderson Lodge 1948.
• Affiliated with Chesterville Lodge No. 320.
• Appointed Grand Senior Deacon 1959-60.
• Elected D.D.G.M. Eastern District 1965-66.
• Board of General Purposes of Grand Lodge 1970-73.
• R.W. Bro. Cass has been appointed to the 33rd Degree in the Scottish Right

Other Brethren worthy of special mention:

R.W. Bro. S. S. Reveler: A Lawyer, practiced Law in Winchester at the turn of the century

R.W. Bro. H. B. Fetterly: A Public School Superintendant in Winchester area before moving to the School for the Deaf at Belleville where he was one of the Founders.

R.W. Bro. W. J. Stewart: A Public School Superintendant and prominent United Church worker. One daughter became a United Church Minister.

Lancaster Lodge No. 207

LANCASTER LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 207, G.R.C.

Location: Corner of South Terrace and Maple Street, Lancaster, Ontario,

Charter: Dispensation granted September 2, 1868 Charter, July 18, 1869

Charter Members:

Members included Masons from Alexandria, Dalhousie, Martintown, Williamstown, Maxville, Bainsville and North Lancaster, as well as Lancaster.

Occupations of Charter Members included: Railway Conductor, Railway Agent, Blacksmith, Purser, Painter, Baker, Medical Doctor, Yeoman, Innkeeper, and Merchant.

Building: 1st – 1868, Rented, Kirktown, (South Lancaster) 2nd – 1869, Rented, in School Rooms, Kirktown. 3rd – 1872, Rented, in Medical Hall Bldg., Kirktown. 4th – 1881, Rented, in Rod Cameron Building, Lancaster. 5th – 1910, The Lodge bought the MacDonald Hotel, formerly the Grand Trunk Railway Hotel in Lancaster and relocated to that building in 1911, where it still meets. It is the only Lodge in Eastern District that can boast of having “Masonic” wallpaper on its Lodge Room walls. Many renovations have been made since 1910. The most significant was to convert the ground floor apartment into two modern apartments in 1959.

Notes: Lancaster Lodge actively supported applications for new Lodges in Maxville in 1888, Alexandria in 1896 and Martintown in 1922.

Receiving its Charter in 1868, the Lodge has seen many changes in its community. At a time when transportation to Lodge was with a horse drawn vehicle or, even on horse back when roads were otherwise impassable, meetings were held on a night which coincided with the full moon so members could enjoy some moonlight to light their way to and from Lodge over the mud roads which existed in the area for more than 50 years. In honour of its founding members and in recognition of the hardships which they endured to attend Lodge, the Lodge continues to meet on the Tuesday night, on or before the full Moon.

Shortly after receiving its Charter in 1868, the Lodge Officers found it necessary to place a second Tyler on the shed roof behind the Lodge Room when it was discovered that a person, climbing up onto the shed roof, could see and hear what was going on in the Lodge Room. Needless to say, this was soon remedied.

Good old Scottish thrift was in evidence when the Lodge tried to pass a motion, on May 11, 1870, to pay the Tyler $1.00 per meeting. An amendment reduced the payment to 75 cents. However, the Tyler said, due to the difficult financial situation of the Lodge, he would do the job for 50 cents per meeting. Out of this grand sum he paid his dues of 25 cents per month, cleaned the Lodge rooms and lit and kept the fires going in the winter.

Lancaster Lodge is fortunate in that it is one of the few Lodges in the District in which membership levels have remained steady and, for many years, which has been able to operate without using Past Masters in any of the “Progressive Chairs”, that is Tyler, Inner Guard, Stewards, Deacons , Wardens or Master. Such was not always the case however. For example, J. P. Snider was Worshipful Master twelve times between 1882 and 1896 and again in 1894.

The Lodge room has drawn many complimentary remarks from visitors, including Grand Master M. W. Bro. C. Edwin Drew who was entertained there during the Lodge’s 125th Anniversary celebrations in October 1993. The walls are covered with Masonic wallpaper featuring the Square and Compass in gold on a blue background. Officers’ chairs are upholstered in rich blue and a red carpet covers the floor. There are two apartments on the ground floor of the building which are steadily rented and provide some very welcome revenue.

Community Activities: Lancaster Lodge members have always enjoyed an active social life. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the Annual New Year’s Eve Ball was the talk of the community. Ladies attended in long gowns and gentlemen in tuxedo or white tie and tails. Lavish seven and eight course meals were featured at the staggering cost of $1.50 per person.

The Lodge continues to feature an Annual Ladies Night Dance (the tickets now cost $20 each). A Family Picnic and Barbeque or Pig Roast is held each Summer. Donations from the profits of these events have been made to the Residents Association of Chateau Gardens and to the Lancaster Volunteer Fire Department.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

* Appointed Member Board of General Purposes 1995

GRAND STEWARD:

GRAND STANDARD BEARER:

The following Members held Grand Lodge rank when they affilited with Lancaster Lodge:

V.W. Bro. J. S. Clark, Charter Member. R.W. Bro. N. Lyons, G.R.Q. R.W. Bro. J. Bewick, G.R.Q.

Martintown Lodge No. 596

MARTINTOWN LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 596, G.R.C.

Location: Munroes Mills, Glen Roy Road.

Charter: First Meeting, under dispensation, March 2, 1922. First Regular Meeting, March 9, 1922. Consecration of Lodge Sept. 22, 1922

Charter Members:

Most of the Charter Members were also members of Lancaster Lodge No. 207, including:

Others were:

Building: 1st – 1922, A building on King’s Road, Martintown was purchased from the Royal Temperance Society for $500. 2nd – 1969, the former Munroes Mills Public School House on the Glen Roy Road, Northeast of Martintown was purchased and became the Lodge’s new home. 3rd – 1995, the “Old School House” was sold and the Lodge rented space in the Martintown Community Centre, meeting in Avonmore Lodge Rooms until their new quarters were ready.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

ASSISTANT GRAND CHAPLAIN:

GRAND STEWARD:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their Community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

V.W. Bro.Duncan Alexander Ross:

• Initiated in Martintown Lodge March 9, 1922.
• Worshipful Master 1927.
• Secretary 1930 to 1944.

A successful farmer, he also had a political career, serving as a member of the Provincial Parliament from 1919 to 1923

W. Bro. John McLennan:

• Initiated in Martintown Lodge April 13, 1922.
• Worshipful Master 1930.

A successful farmer serving a number of years in local politics, including a term as Reeve of Charlottenburg Township.

W. Bro. Kenneth Morrison Barton:

• Initiated November 11, 1937.
• Worshipful Master 1945.

A respected and successful merchant and miller in Martintown for many years. He took an active role in community affairs serving on numerous Boards and Committees, including a term as Reeve of Charlottenburg Township in 1960.

Maxville Lodge No. 418

MAXVILLE LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 418, G.R.C.

Location: 18 Mechanic Street, Maxville, Ontario.

Charter: July 18, 1888

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1867, The Lodge met in rented accommodation on the East side of Main Street, Maxville, until a fire destroyed most of the East half of the village on May 8, 1921, including the Masonic Lodge, furniture and records. 2nd – 1922, Following that disastrous fire, the Lodge rented the second floor of the Robert McKay Building on Mechanic Street, eventually purchasing the building. There are two retail stores on the ground floor which provide a welcome rental income to the Lodge.

Community Activities: Maxville Lodge members have contributed countless hours and effort to the Annual Highland Games for which the Village of Maxville is famous. Several officers of the Lodge have served terms as President of the Games, including W. Bro. Walter Blaney and Alan MacEwen.

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND STEWARDS:

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS:

Special mention is made of the following Members who are worthy of emulation and praise, those who have gone that extra mile to accomplish something which has reflected positively on their Lodge and their community. It is through these men who have demonstrated sound qualities of judgment, integrity and strength that we will be judged.

R.W. Bro. Doctor J. Howard Munro:

Dr. Munro won membership in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec October 21, 1904.

Dr. Munro was a very active and dedicated member of his community for many years. He was a highly regarded local politician who was respected and loved as a family Doctor and a humanitarian until he passed to the Grand Lodge above on November 5, 1960.

While carrying on his very busy Family Physician Practice and his heavy involvement with the Masonic Order, he also found time to devote to local politics by serving several terms as Reeve of Maxville Village and as Warden of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

Masonic:

• Initiated in Maxville Lodge No. 418 on December 13, 1904.
• Elected Worshipful Master of Maxville Lodge in 1925.
• Elected D.D.G.M. Eastern District in 1941.

Also worthy of mention are:

W. Bro.Walter Blaney: Past President of Glengarry Highland Games.

Bro. Alan MacEwen: President of MacEwen Fuels and Past President of Glengarry Highland Games.

Bro. Jim MacEwen: President of MacEwen Feeds, Past Reeve of Maxville.

Plantagenet Lodge No. 186

PLANTAGENET LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 186, G.R.C.

Location: Riceville, Ontario.

Charter: February 19, 1867.

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1867, For many years the Lodge met in a building rented from Sheriff Hagar in Plantagenet. 2nd – 1913, Baptist Church, Riceville. 3rd – 1914, Present Lodge Rooms, Riceville.

Notes: Sixteen Meetings were held between March 1 and December 31, 1867. Many meetings did not end until after 1:00 a.m. The Initiation Fee was $22, Annual Dues $3. Transportation was by horse drawn vehicle, or when the roads were otherwise impassable, by horseback.

On November 12, 1894, a motion was passed to relocate the Lodge to Riceville which was a thriving community. It had a population of 200 and was the seat of Government for South Plantagenet. There were three Churches, a Saw Mill, a Shingle Mill, and several Fulling Mills. Over the next nineteen years, there were many discussions and further motions before the Lodge actually relocated. Eventually, land was purchased for the sum of $90, and the present Lodge building was built at a cost of $832.10.

On November 23, 1904, V. W. Bro. W. A. Chamberlain died. He had missed 15 of the previous 376 meetings.

On February 15, 1906, the Tyler’s pay was raised from 50 cents a meeting to one dollar. His duties included cleaning the premise, lighting the fire and lamps and keeping the lamp chimneys clean. Competition for Office was keen. At one meeting, one of the Officers was elected on the 10th ballot.

On January 5, 1920, arrangements were made to stable horses on meeting nights for the sum of $2 per year. In one hundred, of the first one hundred and twenty-five years, there was a total of four Secretaries.

R.W. Bro. Lowell Blaney: Born on December 11, 1930.

Masonic Activity:

• 1956, Initiated, Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450.
• 1966, Joined St. Francis Chapter, R.A.M. No.133.
• 1984, Affiliated with Plantagenet Lodge No. 186.
• 1986-89, Worshipful Master Plantagenet Lodge.
• 1990-91, President of Past Master Association.
• 1991-92, District Buildings Chairman.
• 1992-93, District Deputy Grand Master, Eastern District.
• 1993-95, Worshipful Master Hawkesbury Lodge No. 450.
• 1993-95, Long Range Planning Chairman, Masonic Association. In this role, he

is one of the main players in the District Plans which will ensure that Eastern District continues to forge ahead and will issue in the new millennium, in the year 2000, as a vibrant part of the Community

While Worshipful Master of Plantagenet Lodge, R.W. Bro. Blaney spearheaded the drive by the Lodge members to renovate the Lodge Building in Riceville where he demonstrated his expertise in construction and management as well as devoting countless hours of hands-on work to the project. It was through his drive and persistence that this major project was successfully completed.

Community Activity:

• Central Treasurer of Riceville-Pendleton Pastoral Charge of the United Church

of Canada.

• Elder and Trustee of Pendleton United Church. He was the driving force behind

a major renovation of the Pendleton United Church which saw the church being raised and a fine Meeting Room and Kitchen installed in the newly created basement.

V.W. Bro. Dr. John Hampden MacIntosh: Born on August 26, 1894, Dominionville, Ontario.

Education:

• Queen’s University, Kingston.
• Varsity University, Toronto, graduating with Doctor of Medicine Degree in

1910.

Occupation: He practiced medicine as a Family Doctor, first in Apple Hill then relocated to Orange Hall in Riceville which was a flourishing community. It was reported that “mud, flood, rain, hail or snow did not stop this country Doctor from visiting his many patients in the area”. He travelled, first by horse and buggy with mud to the axels or, by sled over snow drifts that no one else would attempt or, by boat when the Nation River was in its annual flood condition.

Masonic Activity:

• Worshipful Master of Plantagenet Lodge No. 186 in 1925.
• District Secretary in 1935.
• Grand Steward in 1936.

It was V.W. Bro. Dr. MacIntosh’s generosity in lending money to Plantagenet Lodge in 1914 that enabled the Lodge to erect the building in which Plantagenet Lodge still meets in Riceville. His son, W. Bro. John MacIntosh, was Worshipful Master of Plantagenet Lodge No. 186 in 1955. On December 11, 1930, he delivered a baby boy who is also featured in this history, namely, R.W. Bro. Lowell Blaney.

St. John’s Lodge No. 21A

ST. JOHN’S LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 21A, G.R.C.

Location: 94 Main Street, East, Vankleek Hill, Ontario.

Charter: March 15, 1844 – Grand Lodge of Ireland. July 18, 1888 – Grand Lodge of Canada, In the Province of Ontario.

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – Bro. C. Ouimet’s Hotel, Hawkesbury, Ontario. 2nd – Home of Bro. William Robinson, Pleasant Corners, 1846-53 3rd – 1953, Moved to Vankleek Hill 4th – 1860, Purchased building on St. John Street, Vankleek Hill 5th – 1870, Sold building and moved to premises rented from James Stewart, Innkeeper, at the corner of Main and St. John’s Street, Vankleek Hill. 6th – 1871, Lodge relocated to L’Orignal in the home of James O’Brien. 7th – 1873, Lodge moved to the “Lodge Hall” in L’Orignal 8th – 1889, Lodge moved back to Vankleek Hill and by 1891 was meeting at the Orange Hall, Union Street. 9th – 1898, Lodge moved to McCallum Hall, St. John’s Street, just one door from where it met in 1860. 10th – 1910, Lodge moved across the Street to Farmer’s Block. 11th – 1930, Lodge moved to its present location. In 1984 the Lodge purchased this building and Deeded it to the Town of Vankleek Hill in return for a 99 year Lease.

Notes: The early days of Freemasonry in Eastern Ontario presented many difficulties to the Brethren. Some of this unrest may be evident in the many moves of the meeting place of this Lodge.

A student of Masonic History in Ontario will be well aware of the difficulties experienced in the days when our own Grand Lodge was striving for official status and recognition. Apparently, St. John’s Lodge also had their share of these identity problems as they wrestled with decisions about abandoning their Irish Grand Lodge affiliation in favour of The Grand Lodge of Canada. At one stage, apparently discussions became quite heated for it is recorded in the Lodge History that the D.D.G.M of Ottawa District, G.R.C., R.W. Bro. Barbour ruled that Lodges under his jurisdiction were not to admit members of St. John’s Lodge as visitors. However, the principles of Freemasonry prevailed and all wounds are now healed.

It is also reported in the History that after many surrenderings of their Irish Warrant and reversals, a resolution was finally passed on November 26, 1887, to surrender it and join the Grand Lodge of Canada.

Today, St. John’s Lodge No. 21A participates in, and actively supports all the activities of the District. The Lodge is proud of having the distinction of being the oldest Lodge in Eastern District. They celebrated their 150th Anniversay in April 1994 with a gala Reception for our Grand Master, M.W. Bro. C. Edwin Drew.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER:

GRAND SWORD BEARER:

GRAND STEWARD:

Wales Lodge No. 458

WALES LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 458, G.R.C.

Location: Memorial Square, Ingleside, Ontario.

Charter: July 15, 1903.

Charter Members:

Building: 1st – 1903, Village of Wales. 2nd – 1958, Village of Long Sault. 3rd – 1985, Fraternal Hall Building, Ingleside.

Notes: Wales Lodge originated in the Village of Wales in 1903. At that time, Wales was a prosperous community a few miles North of the St. Lawrence River and Number 2 Highway. Unfortunately, Wales Lodge was another of the casualties of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power project. The original site of Wales village can be seen as a small island about a quarter mile out in the lake from a point on the new shore line a short distance West of Long Sault. The village was flooded in 1958 and the Lodge was forced to find new accommodation.

Their last meeting in Wales was on December 30, 1957. Negotiations with Ontario Hydro resulted in Ontario Hydro moving the United Church Hall from Moulinette, another flooded village, to the new town of Long Sault where it was set up and refitted as the Masonic Lodge, then sold to Wales Lodge. The Lodge held a mortgage burning ceremony eleven years later and so became the proud owners of a Lodge Room, free and clear, after paying rent for 55 years and mortgage payments for 11 years. While the construction of their new facility was in progress, meetings were held in the Cornwall Lodge Rooms.

In September, 1985, Wales Lodge sold their building in Long Sault and purchased a third interest in the Fraternal Hall building in Ingleside where they meet today.

The writer recalls visiting Wales Lodge in Long Sault in the late 1950’s on the occasion of a “DAYE NIGHT”, when all the Officer’s Chairs were occupied by members of the DAYE family.

Community Activities: Wales Lodge is very active in their Community. Annual events are held in Long Sault with the proceeds being donated to local charitable organizations. Recent donations have been made to Osnabruck Township C.P.R. Equipment, Cornwall Township Arena Fund, Shriner’s Hospital, Frederick Earle Eaton Masonic Bursary Fund and an Annual Bursary to a deserving graduate of the Rothwell/Osnabruck High School.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTER.

GRAND STEWARD:

GRAND STANDARD BEARER:

Williamsburg Lodge No. 480

WILLIAMSBURG LODGE A.F. & A.M. No. 458, G.R.C.

(Number as printed in the original. Williamsburg is No. 480; 458 is Wales Lodge, whose section immediately precedes this one. The section heading and contents entry above use the correct 480 — those are editorial navigation labels, not Bro. Fourney’s text. His heading line is reproduced verbatim as he typed it. See the note at the top of this file.)

Location: 518 Church Street, Winchester, Ontario.

Charter: October 30, 1906 was date of first Meeting.

First Meeting: The first Meeting was held on October 30, 1906. R.W. Bro S. S. Reveler, installed as D.D.G.M. that year from Henderson Lodge No. 383, acted as Worshipful Master. R.W. Bro. A. N. Fulton of Chesterville Lodge No. 320 acted as Sr. Warden and W. Bro. Sweet acted as Junior Warden. W. Bro. Ross H. Beckstead was installed as the first Worshipful Master and the following year Bro J. H. Deeks was elected as Secretary.

Unfortunately, existing records are limited and no additional information about Charter Members was available to this writer.

Building: 1st – Rented premises on Highway 31, in Williamsburg. 2nd – 1988, Fraternal Hall Building, Winchester.

Notes: One member and the widow of a former Member receive Benevolence Grants from Grand Lodge.

MEMBERS ACHIEVING GRAND LODGE RANK:

D.D.G.M:

* R.W. Bro. Casselman’s private avocation caused him to be transferred out of the District shortly after being elected and installed as D.D.G.M. R.W. Bro. Beckstead was appointed by the Grand Master in September 1941.

GRAND STEWARDS:

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Respectfully submitted by R.W. Bro. Lowell Blaney, P.D.D.G.M., 1992-93, on behalf of the Masonic Association of Eastern District.

R.W. Bro. Fourney is a Pillar of Eastern District. As Secretary-Treasurer, he has helped guide the Association through a major restructuring process which included:

• The name change from the Past Masters and Wardens Association to the Masonic

Association of Eastern District, and a subsequent 62% increase in membership.

• Addition of effective Committees making the Association the Hub of Eastern

District.

• Establishment of a system of progression through the Senior positions in the

Association leading to the selection of the D.D.G.M. designate.

R.W. Bro. Fourney was born in Glengarry County, May 21, 1919, and worked on the family farm until enlisting in the Canadian Army in June 1940. Posted overseas in 1941, he graduated from Officers Training School in England. He spent five years in the Western European Theatre of Operations and was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished sevice during the Battle of Caen in 1944. He ended his Overseas Service as Provost Marshall of the Canadian Army of Occupation in Western Europe with the rank of Major and returned to Canada and reverted to Reserve Status in August 1946.

For the next 38 years, he worked in Human Resource Management in several major companies including three years as a Consultant in Labour Relations, Human Resource Management and Organizational Development before retiring in 1984.

MASONIC HISTORY

• 1951, Initiated at Lancaster Lodge No. 207.
• 1961, Worshipful Master Lancaster Lodge No. 207.
• 1989, to date, Historian of Lancaster Lodge No. 207.
• 1987-88, District Chairman of Buildings.
• 1988-89, D.D.G.M. Eastern District.
• 1989, to date, District Chairman of Masonic Foundation of Ontario.
• 1989, to date, Secretary-Treasurer of Masonic Association of Eastern District.
• 1993, Appointed Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Venezuela.
• 1994, Member of Communication Committee of Grand Lodge.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:

• Founding Chairman of Employers’ Council of Cornwall & District, a Consortium

of 14 Employers which operated Employee Assistance Programs for troubled employees and their families.

• Founding Chairman of Eastern Ontario Advisory Group for Employee Assistance

Programs.

• Past Member, 9 years, Board of Directors, The Family Counselling Agency of

Cornwall and United Counties as Chairman of the Personnel Committee, Board Secretary and a Member of the Executive Committee.

• Past Member of a Community Action Group working with the Addiction Research

Foundation and the District Health Council on Community Activities to address the Drug and Alcohol problems of the community.

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