A paper by the late James A. Adamson.
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Welcome
It is nearly four years, since as Secretary of Lodge
43 I suggested inviting Lodge 200 to Carrickfergus. Little did I know that
I would be the worshipful master of the Lodge for the year of the visit.
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I trust that you will enjoy yourselves today and that this paper will keep
you interested, will enlighten you and possibly leave you with a couple
of thoughts of what could have been.
"Nor must we forbear to mention Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, who was
likewise an excellent Mason, he founded Carrickfergus."
These words are to be found in John Pennell's 'History of Masonry' - a very
large foreword to his 'Laws and Constitutions' written in the 1730's.
First appearences in Carrickfergus
Freemasonry first came to Carrickfergus in a regular form in 1755 when a
warrant was issued by the recently formed Grand Lodge in Dublin. The fact
that a warrant was asked for shows that there must have been sufficient
masons in the town to constitute a lodge. The warrant was suspended by Grand
Lodge in 1892 due to irregularities and the number 253 was reissued to Belfast
where it is still current. It is interesting to note that there is currently
meeting in this hall a Royal Arch Chapter No. 253 established in the year
1872. The second blue warrant issued to the town was No.270 in 1759 and
this is the one on which I shall concentrate later in the talk. Return to the top
At this stage it will do no harm to list in number order the warrants which
have been issued to Carrickfergus:
Carrickfergus Lodges
No 43: Issued to Waterford in 1735 and
cancelled in 1815. Issued to Carrickfergus in 1817 in lieu of No. 270 and
is still current.
No 248: Issued to Loughrea 1754 and cancelled in 1813. Issued to Carrickfergus
1819 in lieu of No.1016 and cancelled 1843. Issued to Roscommon in 1846
and still current.
No 253: Issued to Carrickfergus 1755 and suspended 1892. Issued to Belfast
and still current.
No 270: Issued to Carrickfergus 1756/1805 exchanged for No. 43 in 1817.
Issued to Enniscorthy 1820 and still current there.
No 282: Issued Dublin 1757 and cancelled 1772. Carrickfergus 1807 and cancelled
1830. Barbados 1842 and cancelled 1845. Issued again to Carrickfergus 1889
and still current. This is their Centenary Year.
No 339: Issued to the 83rd Foot 1759 and cancelled 1787. Carrickfergus 1808
and cancelled 1835. Lisbon 1842 returned 1872. Woolongabba 1890 returned
1904. Dublin 1911 and still current.
No 346: Raphoe 1762 Cancelled 1833. Tasmania 1826 returned 1890. Toowomba
1901 returned 1904. Carrickfergus 1913 and still current.
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No 550: Carrickfergus 1777 moved to Belfast 1792 and returned 1850. Belfast
1923 and still current. No 1012: Carrickfergus 1814 and suspended 1860.
Carrickfergus again 1947 and still current.
No 1014: Ballycarry 1814 and suspended 1895. Carrickfergus 1950 and still
current.
No 1016: Carrickfergus 1815 and exchanged in 1819 for no. 248. Carrickfergus
1956 and still current.
In the year 1817 we had six lodges meeting in the
town, an instance that didn't happen again until 1956. From 1913 to 1947
three lodges met and it was in the period 1947 to 1956 we had a further
three constituted. From 1956 there was no masonic growth until 1986 when
Lodge 900 came into existence and we now have Chichester No. 313 meeting
in this hall since last year.
Considering the growth of the town since 1956
and the growth still taking place there is a rich field of suitable candidates
for the established lodges.
Seven Year War
Coming now to particular items; it would be
a wonder to many people as to what the Seven Year War had to do with freemasonry
in Carrickfergus never mind asking "When did the war take place and
what was it was about?" Return to the top
The war took place from 1756 to 1763 and was
about many things - it was a religious war; it was a war over the succession
to the title of King of the Holy Roman Empire - but primarily it was a war
in which empire building took place. It was the time of Clive of India and
of Wolff in North America, the British fleets were active in the Caribbean
and off the coast of France. This period also saw the execution of a British
Admiral of the Fleet for cowardice in not going to the relief of Minorca.
The ports in the south of Ireland were much used by the British Navy for
supply purposes especially during the blockading of France's northern ports.
It is interesting to note that they had been used with fame in 1755 for
the relief of Lisbon after the terrible earthquake disaster which struck
that city.
There were many countries involved in the Seven Year War but
it was particularly France versus England with the colonies as the prize.
Events were not going well for France. With her ports blockaded she could
not reinforce her armies in India and America and the battles in Europe
were not going her way either.
Admiral Thurot
In order to take the heat out of the situation
and divert a large force of British troops and ships a scheme was devised
for the invasion of Britain. Scotland was selected as there they hoped to
obtain help. An expedition was mounted and it is suspected that the famous
Madam Pompadour had a hand in the financing of it. The Fleet was put under
the command of Admiral Thurot and towards the latter end of 1759 they sailed
from one of the northern French ports giving the slip to the English blockade.
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However like the Spanish Armada which had sailed years before them on the
same purpose, they forgot the weather, and some weeks after they sailed we
find them, much depleted, in a Norwegian port.
Thurot was determined and
again set sail but again the weather had its effect and to cut a long story
short they eventually anchored off Kilroot Point. Three ships were all that
remained of the fleet that had left France and ignoring advice, Thurot landed
some 1000 men and set about the task of capturing the nearby fortress town
of Carrickfergus and so obtain provisions for the journey home.
A gallant
defence was made by the troops stationed at the castle but due to the lack
of ammunition and the overwhelming odds they eventually surrendered. The
town was held by the French for a week in which time they provisioned their
ships.
Warrant Taken
It is on record that no looting took place but this is very much
open to question as it is recorded in G.L. records dated February 1760 in
reference to Lodge 270 "This warrant and jewels etc. was taken away
the time the French was in Carrickfergus and the lodge did not meet since."
then on the 5th June 1805 "Warrant granted without charge." The
French eventually sailed from the town taking with them two hostages. Return to the top
Sea Battle
Now we come to fate, luck, or whatever one calls it; a small fleet of British
frigates were by chance in Kinsale at the time of the landing, having been
forced there by the weather. When news of the French landing reached them
they immediately sailed and intercepted the French ships off the Galloway
Mull and a chase ensued. The eventual battle took place close to the Isle
of Man and the three French ships were taken as prizes by the English ships. Return to the top
This extract from the Belfast Newsletter of 4th March 1760 will give some
extent of the engagement. "The French Fleet consisted of the Belleisle,
La Blonde and La Terpsichore. After an engagement of about 34 minutes the
Belleisle struck, three men having been killed in attempting to strike the
colours - during which attempts Mons. Thurot was killed, ten minutes after
his first orders to strike. Soon after the La Blonde also struck, La Terpsichore
endeavoured to escape, but was pursued by the Passas, who soon came up with
and took her. The Belleisle has 160 killed and wounded, the La Blonde about
80 and La Terpsichore about 36. The English ships lost but seven men killed
and eleven wounded."
Later in the same extract. "The Pallas brought
with her about 500 prisoners. Near 100 of whom are officers, being almost
all the officers that were with the French squadron. The prisoners were
that day all landed at Carrickfergus, and the Pallas sailed next morning
to join the squadron at Ramsay-Bay."
One of the interesting things
in reading about this episode of history is what happened to all the Militia
which gathered at the small town of Belfast in order to go to the relief
of Carrickfergus and it is interesting that they eventually moved on the
day the French ships left.
Warrant Returned
For Carrickfergus itself a complete overhaul
of the castle took place leaving it as it is today. An extract from a Masonic
Service Sheet of 1917, gives the following information "History records
that Thourot, the French Admiral, when he visited Carrickfergus in 1760
carried off the warrant and jewels belonging to Lodge 270. They were afterwards
returned by Captain Elliott, who captured the French Fleet off the Isle
of Man." The date in the G.L. register of Feb. 1760 appears suspicious
and they must have been very prompt in updating their records but perhaps
later events in the history of Lodge 43 may hold the answer as to why G.L.
records a break from 1760 to 1805 whilst history would appear to be on the
side of there being no break of this magnitude. Return to the top
Grand Lodge in Trouble
The early years of the Eighteenth
Century saw Grand Lodge in trouble on several fronts, internal strife among
the Grand Lodge Officers, financial problems and they then added a ritual
problem. This twenty year period from approx. 1795 to 1815 has been much
written about by most Irish masonic historians and so needs no further words
from me. It is to the ritual problem I would address a few words. Grand
Lodge in 1805 sent out a document to all lodges telling them that they were
no longer to confer the higher degrees, i.e. Royal Arch upward, in a craft
lodge. This incensed the craft lodges especially in the North and the rest
of this part of the talk is taken from the minute book of Lodge 270 (now
43). Return to the top
Grand Lodge of Ulster
Extract 30th April 1808 "Wors. Ezekial Milliken in the chair.
Deputed John Holmes and John Dorman to attend the Grand Lodge on the 5th
May next." 7th May 1808 "Lodge in due form. Wors. Samuel Devlin
in the Chair. John Thompson of the Royal Artillery reported and initiated.
J. Holmes and J. Dorman reported from the Grand Lodge that the Deputy Gd.
Master refused to act with the majority of the members and it was resolved
by said majority to form a Grand Lodge in the province of Ulster and appointed
a meeting at Dungannon on Monday 6th June next. resolved that our delegates
have discharged their duty and that we approve of a G.L. in this province."
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Extract 4th June: "Deputised John Dorman to the meeting of the Grand
Lodge on Monday next." June 8th: "received J. Dormans report from
the G.L at Dungannon viz. that it was formed for the province of Ulster
and to meet quarterly at said place." 5th December 1808 "The Wors.
John Holmes - attended a summons from Ballyclare Lodge No. 430 (at said
place) and appointed in connection with twelve other Lodges Bro. B. Mc Laverty
(?) a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Dungannon in the 7th Inst." Dec
12: "The Wors John Holmes met the delegates of the twelve lodges at
Ballyclare who formed themselves into an association for the purpose of
establishing a committee as recommended by the Gd. Lodge of Ulster at their
meeting in September last."
Extract: Dec 17: "The lodge approved
of the association at Ballyclare on the 12th Inst. in full meeting."
14th January 1809 "Lodge in due form. The Wors. John Holmes in the
Chair. Installed with the assistance of Ballyclare and Cammoney Lodges No.
430 and 645, Saint Nicholas Union No. 292 a revived warrant by the grand
Lodge of Ulster." 8th February 1809 "Lodge meeting at Ballycarry
the Wors. John Holmes in the Chair in due form. William Fulton late of 253
past the Chair. James Poague late of 645 past the Chair. Installed with
the assistance of No. (not given) a revived warrant by the Grand Lodge of
Ulster No. 302 for the village of Ballycarry."
Feb. 18: "Wors
John Holmes and other members attended the committee at Ballycarry."
May 20: "Br John Holmes attended by order at the committee in Ballyclare.
Br James Stephenson of Lodge No. 294 appointed as the representative at
the next meeting of the Grand Lodge in Dungannon on 7th June next."
Dec. 23: "Lodge of Emergency. Samuel Devlin in the Chair. Installed
at Whiteabbey No. 311 a revived warrant by the grand Lodge of Ulster."
This ends all the minute entries regarding the Grand Lodge of Ulster - nowhere
is the word EAST mentioned - what happened at various meetings especially
in Ballyclare we may never know. Two questions are left with us here - was
the committee system the forerunner of our current Provo Gd. Lodges? and
secondly a political question: what would have been the position today if
Alexander Seton, who used the revolt of the northern lodges for his own ends,
had been an honourable and true mason?
Time Scale
So far we have seen how world events
and events in our island have affected masonry in Carrickfergus and it is
interesting that in the time scale which I am covering the following "outside"
happenings in history occurred; In 1756 we had the Black Hole of Calcutta.
In 1805 the Battle of Trafalgar, in 1815 the Battle of Waterloo, 1836 saw
the first instalment of Dickens "Pickwick Papers", 1842 was the
year when Income Tax was introduced. 1839 brought the Penny Post. In 1879
the Zulu Wars in S.Africa began and in 1890 Free Elementary Education was
introduced. Return to the top
Some Early By-Laws
To finish this paper I think that the following extracts of
Lodge 43's minute books will be of interest: Return to the top
Minute of July 14 1805: "The subscribers met in good order when Bro.
Ezekial Milliken and Jas. Quinn and J. Mc Ferran was invested Master and
Wardens by Bro. Adam Cunningham and Bro. Alex. Mc Keown and some more Brethren
of No, 253." Some early By-Laws: Law No.3: "That on full meeting
before St. Johns Day in June and December we shall proceed to elect officers
for the next half year ensuing and shall proceed to install them according
to their different appointments on every St. John's Day at the hour of nine
in the morning." Law No. 14: "That every member of this lodge
shall pay on every lodge night the sum of 6d as lodge dues and all visitors
to pay the same on every night of their attendance which sum will go to
defray the expense of the night." Law No. 19: "That every member
shall pay on every lodge night the sum of three pence when absent without
any exemptions."
Moving Home
Again returning to the minutes we find: Oct 10 1807:
"Lodge in due form the Worshipful Ezekial Milliken in the Chair. William
Willis accepted and initiated. Resolved that this lodge do remove from this
room to Mrs. Mary Blair's dwelling house in North street for the purpose
of holding their meetings. Samuel Mc William reported by James Quinn and
the Worshipful, same time initiated and passed." Oct. 13 1807: "Lodge
of Emergency the Worshipful Eze. Milliken in the Chair and Samuel Mc William
raised." Dec. 27 1807: "Wor. Eze. Milliken in the Chair - attended
Divine Service at church and a sermon from the Rev. Dean Greaves on the
character of the Messiah." Return to the top
Sept. 2 1808: "Lodge of Emergency -
Wor. Samuel Devlin in the chair. Attended the funeral of John Tinnans at
the special request of his son, Lodge Nos. 915 and 923 (Ballynure and Straid)
also attended at our desire." Sept. 12 1808: "Lodge of Emergency
in due form. Worshipful John Holmes in the Chair. Daniel Mc Clane Arched
and Knighted." In November 1808 we have the first mention of a secretary
being elected and in December a treasurer.
A Good Walk
Minutes are very scant as to
information most of them being: Lodge opened in Form - no business done.
But one thing our ancient brethren were not scared of and that was a good
walk. June 24 1812: "John Holmes elected secretary. Walked to Ballycarry
accompanied by No. 292 to hear a sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Murphy."
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Higher Degrees
Nov. 29 1817 we have the following: "270 met to install No. 43. Met
in good order the Worshipful Ezekial Milliken in the Chair." Again
remembering, that Grand Lodge had instructed lodges as to the non-conferring
of the higher degrees we find; Sept 17 1818: "Lodge being in due form,
it being Quarter Night. Bro. Isaac Baxter having been first proposed to
become a Knight Templar and having first lodged his Master Masons Certificate
to the Lodge (Bro. Worshipful James Quinn in the Chair) was passed the chair
of said lodge, made an Excellent, Super Excellent and Royal Arch Mason and
subsequently dubbed a Knight Templar, the night spent in harmony."
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Again whilst minutes are available they are scant, but it would seem that
Lodge 43 was a reasonable lodge as to ritual, viz.; July 17 1839: "Being
quarterly Night - Worshipful John Heuston in the chair when Br James Templeton
gave a lecture on the high degrees of masonry. Lodge in good order. And
again considering that the Grand Chapter had been formed in 1829 and the
Supreme Grand Encampment in 1836 we find on Aug 1857 the Templar degree
still being conferred.
Again on ritual the following extracts are of interest:
St. John Night Dec. 27 1881: "The lodge opened in due form in the 1st
degree at about 8.15 p.m. The lodge was resumed in the 2nd and 3rd degrees
respectively in order that the installation of officers for the year 1882
might be carried out. W.M. Elect., Bro. Newton was then duly installed according
to Ancient Custom the lodge being cleared of all except brethren for that
purpose. On being re-admitted the W.M. was saluted according to Ancient
Custom and the wardens were then duly installed and suitably addressed by
the I.P.M. Bro. Caffrey. The Lodge was then closed at about 9 p.m. in Peace
and Harmony to allow Lodge 253 to open and proceed with their business."
Dec 29 1884: "All brethren then present not P.M.'s were called on to
retire when the lodge was raised to the 4th Degree and Bro. Wm. Feeney being
called in was duly installed as W.M."
First Class of Instruction?
Venturing slightly into the present
Century we find; "A special communication for instruction under the
auspices of lodges 43, 282 and 313 was held on 23rd Sept. 1903 at 7.30 p.m.
and was opened in due form on the 1st or E.A. degree." Return to the top
Coming now to
some matters not dealing directly with ritual we have in 1861 it being proposed
and seconded and passed that Ten Pounds be lodged in the Northern Bank as
a reserve fund for the lodge.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Belfast
In Feb. 1864 it being a lodge night we have
the majority of the brethren resolving to place the lodge under the Provincial
Grand Lodge in Belfast and pay the back gone dues. In 1870 the minutes,
poor as they are, are now being signed by the W.M. and secretary and the
seal of the lodge affixed. In 1887 it was unanimously agreed that the Royal
Arch Chapter be allowed to hang the Veils in the Hall provided they repair
any damage done thereby. In 1890 the P.G. Lodge bill for seven shilling
and sixpence being passed for payment. In the minute of Dec. 9 1870 we find
the W. Masters Cloak was allowed to be lent to Straid Lodge no. 276. Return to the top
Present Day Lodges
On Dec.14 1888 a Memorial was being presented for the revival of Lodge No.
282 as a new lodge and it was unanimously passed that the Memorial be recommended.
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Again in Nov. 1902 we find a deputation from Whitehead waited on this Lodge
requesting their sanction for the formation of a new lodge and again was
unanimously granted by the requisite signatures and seal of lodge being
affixed to their Memorial signed and it is interesting to note that the
recommendation was seconded by Br J H Lepper and passed unanimously.
Thus
we have the formation of lodges 282, 313 and 346 and of course the minutes
will show the same occurrences prior to the formation of Lodge Nos. 1012,
1014, 1016 and 900 and so with the coming of Lodge
313 to Carrickfergus in 1988, Lodge 43 now has its Children under the one
roof.
The Social Side
On the social side every year there is mention of soirees, balls,
lodge excursions, presentations and ballot tickets. The best example is
perhaps from a minute of July 11 1901 re an excursion to Stranraer: "Lady
friends to pay half charges and lodge funds to pay deficiency, visitors
to pay full charges. Br Bicks proposed as amendment that the lady friends
go free." Return to the top
New Hall in Victoria Street
I shall end with the minute of May 27 1898 "Br J Kyle moved
in accordance with Notice of Motion given that the secretary be instructed
to write P.G. Secretary to sanction the removal of warrant to the new masonic
hall in July next seconded by Br J Wright and passed." Return to the top
The stated meeting
of 22nd July 1898 was the first meeting of a lodge to be held in the new
hall - Victoria Street. We have thought for a few moments on the past in
a hall which in less than ten years will itself see a century of masonic
meetings. We are fortunate that we have in all lodges meeting in the hall
a membership which is young at heart and this, together with the history
and tradition which is theirs, and the expanding town will ensure that our
Order goes on more strongly in the future.
It has been a pleasure to prepare
this short talk and I would sincerely thank the Brethren of the Lodge for
the kind attention they have given to my ramblings.
