THE BUILDER MARCH 1927

The Masonic Lodges in the 17th Leicestershire Regiment

By BRO. R. V. HARRIS, Associate Editor, Nova Scotia

One of the most interesting of all the Regiments of the British
Army, from a Masonic viewpoint, is the 17th Leicestershire
Regiment.

This regiment was raised in the year 1688 and saw its first active
service under William III in the Flanders Campaign, where it
suffered heavy losses at Landen and the siege of Namur. In 1701 it
served with Marlborough in the Low Countries, taking part in his
earlier campaigns, including Huy, Liege and Venloo, after which it
was sent to Portugal where it participated in the battle of
Almanza, in which it was nearly destroyed.

In 1710 it was in Scotland and from 1713-14 in Ireland. In 1715 it
formed part of the forces sent to quell the rebellion in Scotland
and it was stationed at Perth.

From 1723-48 it served in the garrison at Minorca in the
Mediterranean, a detachment being sent in 1727 to aid in the
defence of Gibraltar. In 1748 the Regiment was transferred to
Ireland. On June 24, 1748, the Masons in the Regiment were granted
a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Ireland as No. 136, without any
distinctive name. No returns seem to have been made to the Grand
Lodge, probably owing to their being continually on active service
outside Ireland.

On the outbreak of the Seven Years' War the Regiment embarked (May
5, 1757) for Nova Scotia and formed part of the expedition of the
Earl of Loudon against Louisburg. After the abandonment of that
enterprise the Regiment wintered in Nova Scotia, and was quartered
at Annapolis Royal. While there, one Pardon Sanders, an artificer
in the Ordnance, who had resided at Annapolis since 1750, became a
member of the lodge. On the departure of the Regiment to take part
in the siege of Louisburg in 1758, the lodge granted a certificate
or dimit to Sanders in the following terms (1):

"Out of the Darkness Shineth Light and the Darkness comprehended it
not."

By the Worshipful Master and Wardens of a Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons, No. 136.

We do hereby certify that the Bearer our Brother Pardon Sanders,
was by us lawfully admitted into the said Lodge and did there serve
as an entered apprentice and afterwards as a Fellow Craft and as he
behaved himself in these proper stations we gave unto him the
sublime degree of a Master Mason, he served as a member and as a
true and honest brother and Senior Deacon of our Lodge. We
recommend him to all regular Lodges of our most Ancient and
Honorable Fraternity.

Given under our hands at Annapolis Royal, April 30th, Anno Domini,
1758, and in the year of Masonry, 5758.
Joseph Westover
Master. 
Secretary James Rutherford.
Wm. Witcome
Miles Prentis (2)
Wardens.

At Louisburg the Regiment was composed of 660 men and was under the
command of Brig. Gen. John Forbes. At Louisburg in the fourteen
British regiments engaged, there were ten Masonic Lodges and after
the siege another was warranted, in the 28th Regiment, by the Grand
Lodge at Boston. Among both the Americans and English forces were
numerous Masons, several of very great distinction, such as Col.
Richard Gridley, Capt. David Wooster, of the Americans, Alex. Lord
Rollo, Gen. Charles Lawrence (Master of the First Lodge at
Halifax), Admiral Lord Colville, Col. Simon Fraser of the 78th
Foot, Adam Williamson (afterwards Sir Adam, Governor and P. G. M.
of Jamaica), Col. Alex. Murray, and others. For its services on
this occasion the Regiment bears upon its colors the name
"Louisburg."

After the capture of Louisburg the 17th was sent by way of Boston
to winter quarters at Philadelphia, where the members of the lodge
fraternized with the Masons of that place.

In the spring the Regiment took part in the Crown Point Expedition,
and later in the advance on Montreal, being present when that place
capitulated in September, 1760. Under Lord Rollo the Regiment
proceeded to New York and Staten Island, and from there in October
to Barbadoes, participating in the capture of Martinique and later
of Havana 1762. In 1763 the Regiment was sent back to North America
for frontier service at Detroit and in the Lakes region.

On returning to England in September, 1767, the Regiment applied
for a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the old warrant
having been lost through the "Hazardous enterprises in which they
had been engaged." The lodge was designated Unity Lodge in the 17th
Regiment, and the Grand Lodge minutes of Nov. 22, 1771, record that
it was "to be gratis." The Grand Lodge minutes of Feb. 3 and May
18, 1772, note the attendance of Bro. Hanson of Lodge 168. While
this appears to be the number by which the lodge was known in the
Grand Lodge minutes in the Warrant itself the lodge's number was
given as No. 169.

This old Warrant is now in possession of Union Lodge, No. 5, at
Middletown, Delaware, and because of its interest is quoted in
full:

To All and Sundry To whose Knowledge these presents shall Come
Greeting In God Everlasting. Whereas upon Petition to the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Kingdom of Scotland By
Brother John Slater, Alexander Aberdour, John Hill, Thomas Hanson,
and James Scrimgeor all of the Seventeenth Regiment of Foot,
presently in Edinburgh as the Setting Forth That for a Considerable
time there was Held a Regular Lodge in the said Regiment under the
Authority of the Grand Lodge of Ireland That through the many
hazardous Enterprises in which they had been Engaged in the Service
of their King and Country, they had not only Lost their Charter,
but their whole Records and Jewels, and being willing Still to
Associate together for the True End of Masonry in a Regular Lodge
Constituted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, They Proposed the said
Thomas Hanson for Master; John Slater and John Hill for Wardens,
James Scrimgeor for Treasurer and Alexander Aberdour (3) for
Secretary And Praying it might please the Grand Lodge to Grant them
a Charter of Constitution and Erection in the usual form Which
Petition Having been Considered by the Grand Lodge, And Ample
Recommendation having been given of the Petition by Lieutenant
Richard Aylmer, (4) Adjutant in the said Seventeenth Regiment They
authorized the underwritten Patent of Constitution and Erection to
be Expede in the Petitioners favours. Know ye therefore That the
Most Worshipful The Grand Master of Scotland, and the Grand Lodge
aforesaid Have Constituted Erected and Appointed And hereby
Constitute Erect and Appoint the Worshipful Brethren above named
and their Successors, in all time Coming to be a True and Regular
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons by the Stile and Title of Unity
Lodge, in the Seventeenth Regiment of Foot, And Appoint and Ordain
all Regular Lodges under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, to Hold, Own and Respect them as Such Giving Granting and
Committing to them and their Successors full Power and Authority to
Meet, Assemble and Conveen as a Regular Lodge, And to Admit and
Receive Apprentices, Pass Fellow Crafts, and Raise Master Masons
upon Payment of such Composition for the Support of their Lodge as
they shall see Convenient, And to Elect and Chuse Masters, Wardens
and other officers Annually or other ways as they shall have
Occasion Recommending to the Brethren aforesaid and their
Successors to Reverence and Obey their Superiors in all things
Lawfull and honest, as becomes the Honour and Harmony of Masonry
The said Brethren by Accepting of this present Charter, Becoming
faithfully Bound and Engaged not to Desert their said Lodge so
Constituted nor upon any pretext whatsoever to make any Separate or
Schismatical Meetings, without Consent of their Master and Wardens
for the time. Nor to Collect Money or other Funds Separate from the
Common Stock of their Lodge to the prejudice of the Poor thereof.
They and their Successors in all time coming being also Obliged to
Obey and Pay all due regard to the Acts, Statutes and Regulations
of the Grand Lodge already made, or hereafter to be made, for the
Utility, Welfare and Prosperity of Masonry in General, And to Pay
and Perform whatever is Stipulated or Demanded of them for the
Support of the Dignity of the Grand Lodge. And to Record in their
Books, which they are hereby Appointed to keep this Present Charter
of Constitution and Erection with their own Regulations and
bye-Laws and their whole Procedure from time to time as they shall
Occur, to the end the same may be the more easily Seen, and
Observed by their Brethren, Subject always to the rules of the
Grand Lodge, And also the Brethren aforesaid and their Successors
are hereby Required punctually to Attend the whole General
Meetings, and Quarterly Communications of the Grand Lodge by their
Representatives being the Master and the Wardens for the time or by
Lawful Proxies in their Names Provided Such Proxies be Master
Masons or Fellow Crafts of some Established Lodge, holding of the
Grand Lodge To the End they may Act and Vote in the Grand Lodge,
and be duly Certiorated of the Proceedings thereof Declaring their
Precedency in the Grand Lodge to Commence from the date hereof And
to the End these presents may be the more effectually kept and
Preserved, the same are hereby appointed to be Recorded in the
Books of the Grand Lodge Given at the Grand Lodge Held in the City
of Edinburgh upon the Twelfth day of November In the year of Our
Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-One, And of Light Five
Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-four years By The Most
Worshipfull His Excellency Lieutenant General, James Adolphus
Oughton, Grand Master of Scotland, The Right Worshipfull Sir
William Erskine Deputy Grand Master, The Right Worshipfull And
Honourable Collonel Napier Substitute Grand Master pro tempore, The
Right Worshipfull Doctor James Lind and William Baillie Esquire
Grand Wardens, James Hunter Esquire Grand Treasurer, And the Seal
of the Grand Lodge is Appended hereunto.

In Presence of Alexander McDougall Esquire 
Grand Secretary and David Bolt Grand Clerk
ALEX. McDOUGALL, G. Secty.
JAS. ADOLS. OUGHTON, G. M.
DAVID BOLT. G. Clerk.
Wm. NAPIER, S. G. Mr. p. t.
JAMES LIND, S. G. W.
WILL. BAILLIE, J. G. W.
Composition Gratis Porder.
A. McD., G. S.

Number One hundred & Sixty-nine. Recorded in the Books of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland by David Bolt G. Clerk.

There is no record of the members of the Lodge Unity 168 (or 169)
in the books of the Grand Lodge in Scotland. In 1771 the Regiment
was in Scotland, transferring in the latter year to Ireland where
it remained until the fall of 1775.

On the outbreak of the American Revolution the Regiment was ordered
to America, four companies arriving at Boston in November, 1775;
the remaining six companies after a stormy voyage, not arriving
until Jan. 1, 1776. Not being able to effect a landing because of
unusually severe weather conditions, the latter proceeded to
Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving Jan. 11, 1776. Here this portion of
the Regiment remained until June, a detachment being sent to Fort
Cumberland. The Boston portion embarked for Halifax, March 17, 177
In the beginning of June, the 17th embarked along with the troops
Gen. Lord Howe had brought from Boston on its evacuation, and
sailed for New York arriving at Sandy Hook June 10, landing at
Staten Island, proceeding to Long Island, where they too part in
the battle of Aug. 27, 1776, in which the Americans were led by
Generals Israel Putnam, Lord Stirling and Sullivan, all Freemasons,
and in which more than twenty military lodges were represented in
the various British units.

The occupation of New York by the British forces in Sept. 15
followed an event which obliged St. John's Lodge to vacate the
city. The 17th also took part in the engagement at White Plains,
Oct. 28, and the reduction of Fort Washington Nov. 16. On Jan. 3,
1777, the British forces, which included the 17th, suffered
disastrous defeat at Princeton.

In this engagement, Bro. William Leslie, (5) Captain of the 17th
Regiment of Foot, and Extra Major of Brigade, was mortally wounded.
There is an interesting tradition connected with his death and
burial. When, after the battle, Gen. Washington was riding over the
field, he perceived some British soldiers supporting a wounded
officer, and upon inquiring his name and rank, was answered,
Captain Leslie. Dr. Benjamin Rush, who formed a part of the
Commander's Staff, asked whether he was "a son of the Earl of
Leven" being answered in the affirmative, he asked to have him
placed under his care. He, however, died the same evening, and was
buried with martial and Masonic honors by his American brethren in
the graveyard at Pluckamin, where a monument marks his resting
place. Two days after the battle, Washington sent his aide. Col.
Fitzgerald, into the British camp, with a flag of truce, advising
the British of the death of Capt. Leslie and of the honors with
which he was interred.

It has been stated that in the same Battle of Princeton the
Delaware troops captured the Warrant No. 169 of the brethren of the
17th Regiment. (6) But the authority for this statement is not
given.

In the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia has recently been
discovered a letter in which it is stated

. . . that in the year 1777 a ship loaded with the Baggage the
Regiment (on her Passage from New York to Philadelphia) in which
was our Lodge Box which contained our Warrant, Jewels, Fund and
every Other Necessary Apparatus belonging to Our Lodge, was
Captured by the Enemy. [This letter is quoted in full below.]

Whatever the reason for the loss of the Warrant, it eventually
passed into the hands of the brethren of Lodge No. 5 at Cantwell's
Bridge, Delaware, now Union Lodge No. 5, Middletown, Delaware.

The 17th Regiment of Foot also took part in the expedition to
Pennsylvania, and in the battle on the Brandywine, Sept. 11, where
they led the attack on the American position, and in the following
October saved the day for the British at the battle of Germantown,
after which they were quartered in Philadelphia during the British
occupation, from Sept. 27, 1777, to June 18, 1778.

When the British took possession of the city there were three
active Masonic Lodges, viz., Lodges 2, 3 and 4. No meetings were
held of Lodge No. 2 while Philadelphia was in the hands of the
British, for the reason that its jewels, regalia, books and papers
were stolen or hidden on the arrival of the British. These jewels,
etc., were afterwards recovered by Capt. Wm. Cunningham, the
Provost Marshal of Gen. Howe's Army during the occupation, and
lodged by him with Lodge No. 3 for safe keeping. In the records of
Lodges 2 and 3 we find the attendance recorded of several of the
members of the lodge in the 17th Regiment, including Daniel Webb,
George Cockburn, and others.

During this time the warrant of the Provincial Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania, which had not met for over three years, (7) was in
the possession of Lodge No. 3. The Grand Master and his Deputy had
both left the city. It would seem from recently discovered evidence
that the brethren of the 17th Foot made application to the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania, then working under the authority of a
Warrant from the Grand Lodge of England (Ancients) dated 1764, and
at a meeting evidently presided over by one of the Grand Wardens
and attended by representatives of all the military lodges (to the
number of nineteen) then in Philadelphia, the petitioners were
granted a new Warrant, "Unity, No. 18," on the Provincial Registry.
A copy of this Warrant was deposited in the Archives of the Grand
Lodge of Nova Scotia on Aug. 27, 1784, but has been mislaid.

On June 18, 1778, the British occupation of the city terminated and
the Regiment marched with the army through the Jerseys on its
return to New York.

During 1779 the 17th was at New York with a detachment of the
Regiment quartered at Stoney Creek, a fortified post on the Hudson
River. On the night of July 15, 16, the fort was suddenly attacked
by a superior force of Americans under General Wayne, to which,
after stubborn and gallant resistance, the survivors were obliged
to surrender as prisoners of war. Along with their baggage the
lodge Warrant and regalia fell into the hands of the American
General, Samuel H. Parsons, who actuated by the genuine principles
of Masonry, returned them to the British Commander at New York,
with the following letter:

West Jersey Highlands, July 23, 1779.
Brethren: When the ambition of monarchs or jarring interest of
contending States, call forth their subjects to war, as Masons we
are disarmed of that resentment which stimulates to undistinguished
desolation; and however our political sentiments may impel us in
the public dispute, we are still Brethren, and (our professional
duty apart) ought to promote the happiness and advance the weal of
each other. Accept therefore, at the hands of a Brother, the
Constitution of the Lodge Unity, No. 18, to be held in the 17th
British Regiment which your late misfortunes have put in my power
to restore to you.

I am your Brother and obedient servant
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
Addressed to Master and Wardens of Lodge Unity No. 18, upon the
Registry of England. (sic)

The Regiment was imprisoned in Philadelphia gaol until Christmas
Day 1780, when it was exchanged and placed under the order of Col.
Watson of the Foot Guards, and stationed in Virginia. Early in 1781
they joined the army under Lord Cornwallis in the south and gained
a victory over the Americans at Guilford Court House; thence they
were sent to Yorktown, where, on Oct. 17, 1781, the Regiment again
became prisoners of war, along with the other forces of Lord
Cornwallis, but on being again exchanged were stationed in Virginia
and later at New York, where it remained until the withdrawal of
the British from that place in November, 1783, then sent to Nova
Scotia.

NOTES

(1) This certificate follows generally the earliest known form of
lodge certificate, dated 1754, found in the Treasurer's book of St.
John's Masonic Lodge, No. 134, Lurgan County, Armagh, which still
meets under its original warrant dated May 20, 1743. The only
actual certificate of earlier date is that issued "From the Lodge
House in Lodge Alley, Philadelphia, No. 2, the 6th of September,
1756" to James Harding. (See Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania by
Julius Sachse, 1892, page 59.) Also the History of the Grand Lodge
of Ireland, by Lepper and Crossle, Vol. i, page 233-4.
(2) Sergt. Miles Prentis accompanied the Regiment to Louisburg,
Quebec and Montreal, where he evidently obtained his discharge. His
name appears in a St. John's Day advertisement, June 24 1764; his
address being "The Sun," in St. John's Street, and in 1775 he
became the proprietor of the famous "Freemason's Tavern," Quebec,
the rendezvous of the bonne societe in that city. He identified
himself with the Merchant's Lodge. In March, 1770, we find him and
others applying to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a warrant,
he being present; the application was denied. In 1776 he was W. M.
of St. Patrick's Lodge, Quebec. See Robertson i, page 167, I mass.
228-30 Graham pages 42, 45 and 47.
(3) Alexander Aberdour, Secretary, he was at Ticonderoga in 1760
and received his discharge at Boston, 1775.
(4) Lieutenant Richard Aylmer, Adjutant of the 17th Regiment who
gave "ample recommendation" to the petition of the Brethren, was
surgeon's mate in the Regiment in 1756, promoted ensign 1759;
Lieutenant 1762; Adjutant 1768; Captain-Lieutenant 1772, 2nd
Captain 1772. Served at Louisburg 1758 Crown Point and Montreal
1759-60- Martinique, 1762.
(5) Capt. Hon. Wm. Leslie, Ensign 42nd (Royal Highland Black Watch)
Regiment 1770; Lieutenant 17th Foot 1773; Captain 1776.
(6) Old Masonic Lodges of Philadelphia, Vol. i, pages 363, 368. The
statement is as follows:

When the regiment was captured, during the attack at Stony Point,
July 16, 1779, among their baggage was found the warrant and
regalia of the Lodge; when this was brought to the notice of Gen.
Samuel H. Parsons, an American Commander, and member of American
Union Lodge, in the Continental army, he at once sent the warrant
back to the British Regiment with the following fraternal letter:

"West Jersey Highlands, July 23, 1779.

"Brethren:--When the ambition of monarchs or jarring interest of
contending States, call forth their subjects to war as Masons we
are disarmed of that resentment which stimulates to undistinguished
desolation, and however our political sentiments may impel us in
the public dispute, we are still Brethren, and (our professional
duty apart) ought to promote the happiness and advance the weal of
each other. Accept therefore, at the hands of a Brother, the
Constitution of the Lodge Unity No. 18, to be held in the 17th
British Regiment which your late misfortunes have put in my power
to restore to you.

"I am your Brother and obedient servant
"Samuel H. Parsons.

Unfortunately Sachse gives no indication where this letter is to be
found.
(7) Op. cit. page 137.

