THE BUILDER, April, 1926

The Masonic Lodges in the 17th Leicestershire Regiment

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

THE next reference to this historic regiment and its lodge is to be found in
the Nova Scotias Gazette Dec. 12, 1783, in which we find the following
advertisement:

The brethren of Lodge Unity, No. 18, held in H. M. 17th regt. of infantry,
intend holding their festival of St. John 27 December and dining at Mrs.
Dawson's tavern, near Cornwallis's barracks. Any brethren who wish to dine
with them will give in their names to Qr. master serjeant Humpage, on or
before the 23d inst., as no application can be taken after. 
By order of the master.
DAN. WEBB, Secretary.

Friday, 12 Dec'r 1783.

We have not been able to determine the location of the Cornwallis barracks nor
Mrs. Dawson's tavern.

At the St. John's Day dinner of St. John's Lodge, No. 211, we note the
presence of visitors from Lodge 18, and again at the meeting of that lodge on
Jan. 5, 1784.

At this time, and after 1781, the several lodges in Halifax were accustomed to
hold a "Quarterly Communication" for the discussion of matters of common
concern. At an emergency meeting held on Dec. 16th, 1783, at the Golden Ball,
we find present "Cockburn, Mr.; Humpage, S. W.; Cassady, J. W.; Webb, Secy."
of the "17th Regt. Unity Lodge 169 and 18 in Pensyla Lodge Night ye first of
every month." At the same meeting the Master and Wardens of Lodge 90, in the
33rd Regiment, were also present.

The Lodge being Opened, The Worshipful Master acquainted the Body, that the
Occasion of Assembling the Communication at this time, was an information of
the arrival in Town of Two Lodges of Free Masons, who were strangers to us,
viz. one in the 17th Regiment, and the other in the 33rd. And that he had
Ordered the Secretary to Summon the Masters and Wardens of those two Lodges to
attend, that we might see, and be properly informed concerning each others
authority, as Freemasons, to the Mutual Satisfaction of all the Lodges here,
and for the promoting of harmony among the Masons in this Town. And the said
Brethren attended accordingly and produced their Respective Warrants, which
were read and found to be legal and good to the full satisfaction of this
body. The Warrant of St. John's Lodge, No. 211, (of Halifax) was in like
manner produced, and Read to the aforementioned Brethren, with which they were
well satisfied.

And the Lodge was clos'd in harmony, until the third Monday in January, 1784,
Then to meet at the Lodge Room of No. 156.

Unity Lodge, however, was not represented at the January or March meetings,
1784.

The next record of the lodge in Nova Scotia is in the form of three parchment
certificates in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, which, because
of their great interest, we quote in full:

We, the Right Worshipful Captain, &c. of The Royal Arch Excellent Lodge of
Masonry, Unit No. 18, held in his Majesty's XVIIth Regiment of Foot & on the
Registry of Pennsylvania.

These are to Certify that the Bearer hereof Our Trusty and well Beloved
Brother John North (1) was by Us Installed a Past Master of Lodge Unity, No.
aforesaid and was by Us Initiated into the Sublime Secrets of Royal Arch,
Excellent Masonry, he having with due Honour and Justice to the Royal Craft,
Justly supported the Amazing trials of Skill & Valour attending his admission
into Our said Royal Arch Excellent Lodge.

We therefore Recommend him as a just, Honest, faithful, Worthy Brother.

Given under our hands & Seal of Our Lodge at,
Lodge Room in Halifax this 1st day of May, 1784.
George Cockburn, H.P.H.J. Cassidy . 1st. )
Wm. Boyer, K.
John Gale, S.
Daniel Webb, R. A. C,.
William Humpage 2nd. 
G. Ward William Page    3rd.

Wm. Davidson, G. Secretary

SEAL

To this seal is attached a faded ribbon upon which is impressed a wax seal
depicting two pillars, united by an arch, surmounted by a Royal Crown. Between
the two pillars resting on the ground, is a pyramid of five steps. Beneath the
Arch is a blazing sun. The inscription around the edge of the seal is "Lodge
Unity" "Royal Arch. 17 R. No. 18." Beneath the ribbon and the seal is a print
of the seal, evidently in lampblack. John North's signature does not appear
anywhere on the parchment.

The second certificate (2) bears the same date (May 1, 1784) and was issued by
an "Assembly of the Knights of the Red Cross, held under the sanction of
Warrant No. 18, Lodge Unity in His Majesty's 17 Regiment of Foot, and on the
Registry of Pennsylvania" to "our trusty and well beloved Brother Sir John
North" who was "by Us installed and Dubbed a Knight of the Ancient and
Honorable Order of the Red Cross." It is signed by "George Cockburn, K., Henry
Cassa 1st G., Daniel Webb, 2nd G., and William Davidson Secretary."

The seal is red wax dropped on a wide green ribbon resting on a pink one, both
interlaced into the lefthand margin. The seal shows three spans of a bridge
upon which, in the center one, is erected a tau cross, the upright of which
has a serpent entwining it, a star to the right of the upper part of the
serpent, and a hand grasping a sword to the left. The tau rests on the
serpent's head and above the tau are the letter I.H.S. Around the edge of this
seal are the words, "Lodge Unity No. 18, 17th Regt." Under the seal and
ribbon, the same design is stamped in printer's ink or lampblack on the
certificate, and on the outer fold the neatly written signature "John North."

The third certificate indicates that Bro. John North had received further
light in Masonry. It reads:

In the name of the Most Holy, Glorious & undivided Trinity, Father, Son and
Holy Ghost.

By the C. G. and Grand Wardens of Lodge Unity, No. 18, held in His Majesty's
17th Regiment of Foot & on be Registry of Pennsylvania.

We do hereby certify that the Bearer hereof Our Trusty and Well beloved
Brother, John North, was by Us Installed and Dubbd A Knight of the Most Noble
and Right Worshipful Order of Knights Templars, he having with fortitude and
due Honour, justly supported the Amazing trials attending his admission. 

We therefore Recommend him as a Worthy Honest, Faithful & Valiant Brother.

Given under our hands & Seal of our Lodge at Our Lodge room at Halifax, this
30th Day of June, 1784.

George Cockburn, C. G.
Daniel Webb, 1st G Warden
Henry Cassady, 2d  G Warden
Wm. Davidson, G. Secretary.

The ribbon and wax seal of this certificate is missing but the usual black
impression appears on the certificate itself. It shows a skull and above two
cross bones. Above the skull are the words "17th Regt.," and below the cross
bones the words "No. 18." Above the whole design are the words "Memento More."
John North's signature does not occur on the parchment.

As the seals on these certificates all bear the number 18, it is evident that
the seals must have all been engraved after the lodge had been rechartered by
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1777. It is also evident that the lodge at
that time must have conferred the Royal Arch, Red Cross and Knight Templar
degrees. We know from other sources that up to this time, 1777, the lodge had
not worked, and from the same source we learn that their military activities
and martial vicissitudes did not permit the exercise of Masonic functions
between their departure from Philadelphia in 1778 and April, 1784, a month
before the first certificate issued to John North. While it is conceivable and
not improbable that they acquired their knowledge of these degrees from their
military brethren in the nineteen other regimental lodges which wintered in
Philadelphia in 1777-8, it is more probable that they brought their knowledge
of these ceremonies from Ireland between 1772-4.

The next reference to the Lodge in Nova Scotia is in the Minutes of the
Quarterly Communication at Halifax July 28, which record the presence of Bros.
Webb and Humpage, of Lodge 18, at this meeting.

Bro. O'Brien of No. 211, Bro. Geddes of 155, Bro. Kelley of the Union Bro.
Hill of the Virgin, Bro. Webb of No. 18 and Pro. Middieton of No. 90 were
appointed a Committee to see that proper attention be paid to any sick
Brethren, as occasion may require and to continue in that office until the
next regular stated Communication.

In August the 17th Regiment was transferred to Shelburne, a new town then
coming into existence about 150 miles southwestward from Halifax. Here about
10,000 people, mostly Loyalists from the American colonies, were busy
establishing themselves in new surroundings. At this time Lieut. Col. Johnston
was the officer commanding the Regiment.

Before leaving Halifax for Shelburne, the following letter was addressed to
the Grand Lodge of Scotland:

Halifax, N. S. 27th August 1784. 
Sir,
The Various Vicissitudes of Fortune as well as that of War having prevented us
from writing Sooner & Oftener, than we have done to you, & now as we have some
Recess from the Fatigues of War & the Multiplied Miseries that attend it, as
well as the Probability of Our remaining some time longer in America, We
should think Ourselves highly Culpable of the Greatest, as well as the most
Enormous Impropriety were we to Omitt acquainting you with the Most Material
Occurrences which have Accrued since our Arrival in the Western Hemisphere,
Viz. from the year 1775 to 1784.

And sir, we have in the first Place to inform you (for the Information of the
Grand Lodge) that the 2 first years after we Arrived in America we had no
Opportunity of Calling a Lodge together. Our Military duty Requiring a
Constant & almost perpetual attendance. That in the year 1777 a Ship loaded
with the Baggage of the Regiments (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. We, was then left Distressed, no warrant to work under & berefit
of every Masonic implement, as likewise Our Fund in which every Pecuniary
Matter of our Lodge was Deposited. We, was then in a Dilema scarcely to be
Described. One Alternative was left, to make Application to the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania, which being done there still remained a Difficulty to Combat
with namely a Sufficient Corroboration of the Legality of Our request, It not
being in our power to Convince them Occularly, thro' the loss of our Warrant,
as formerly mentioned. We was then under the Necessity of Conveening all the
Military Lodges then in Philadelohia (to the number of nineteen) to Convince
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania of the Propriety of Our request. They
accordingly granted us a Warrant under which we worked since the Above
Mentioned Period.

And as We think it Necessary you should be acquainted with the form of our
said Warrant we do herewith send you enclosed a Copy of it for your
Satisfaction.

In the Year 1778 we had the Mortification to be Captured at a Place Called
stoney Point-- or Hudson's River the whole Regiment fell into the Hands of the
Enemy, - & in Consequence Our LOdge Box likewise. We again lost every Article
belonging to Our Lodge as before, but fortunately Our Warrant (by some means
unknown to us) fell into the hands of a Worthy Brother, one of the American
Generals, whose name is Samuel Parsons who generously Returned it to Us,
accompanied by ye Enclosed very Polite Letter, which we do Ourselves the Honor
of Transmitting to you.----We were imprisond at that time in Philadelphia Goal
in which Miserable situation we remained till Christmas in the Year 1780. At
Our Exchange & return to the British Army, we were immediately Employed in
Actual Service - & on an Expedition to Virginia was again Captured with Lord
Cornwallis, the 17th October 1781. Since which Period we had it not in Our
Power to do any Business till April 1784, but we have the happiness to Inform
you, that We have followed every point of Masonry with the Greatest Regularity
since the time above mentioned.

These sir, are the Most Material Occurrences since Our Departure from Europe--
We now have to request in what Manner it would be most Suitable to Correspond
with Our Mother Grand Lodge, so as to Make any Remmitances of Cash, to the
Grand Charity fund, to pay all Back dues and any other Charges, that the Grand
Lodge may have to make;

We likewise Humbly Crave a Renewal of our old Warrant, No. 169 if Vacant--
Likewise we wish that we Could have the Names of Our Present Lodge No. 18
Registered in the Books of the Grand Lodge.

These sir, are our Wishes & most Sanguine Expectations which We humbly Request
you will be so kind as to Grant.
Wm. Davidson, Secretary."

After arriving at Shelburne the brethren of Lodge 18 found themselves among
Masonic brethren, military and civil, and before long Lodges 3, 4, 5 and 10
were chartered by the newly organized Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

Some disagreement seems to have existed for a time between the brethren of
Unity Lodge, No. 18, and No. 3, known as Parr Lodge, but this difficulty was
cleared up as appears from the following letter from the Grand Secretary to
the Secretary of Unity Lodge:

Halifax, 22d Jany 1785.

Sir & Brother.

I have it in command from the Right Worshipfull Grand Lodge to aquant you,
that the Proceedings and resolutions of the Lodge No. 18 held in his Majesty's
17th Reg. of Foot the 29th October 1784, for with-holding all Brotherly
intercourses or Communications from those Brethren, whose late conduct
rendered a proceeding of that kind so absolutely necessary, hath been laid
before that Right Worshipfull body, and received their highest approbation.
And at the same time I am ordered further to inform you, that, since the
period alluded to, Parr Lodge hath made full satisfaction to the Grand Lodge
for their late Conduct, and are immediately coming under their Warrant from
this R.W. Grand Lodge, which is returned to them by this conveyance, You will
therefore from after the time of their Installation (which I have reason to
suppose will soon take place) consider them as Brethren. It is to be wished
that the others would follow the example of Parr Lodge & that peace, Harmony &
Brotherly love might prevail throught the whole of that Settlement. You will
be pleased to lay this before your Worshipfull Lodge, and assure the
Worshipfull Master, Wardens & Brethren that the Grand Lodge have the highest
confidence in your Lodge, that will on all occasions render every service in
their power for the just support, honor & Cement of the Craft.

Wishing you all health & prosperity, I have the Honor to be, 
Sir and Bror

Your ever affectionate Brother and very Humble Servant,
J. Peters,
Gr. Secrety.

Bror Wm Davidson,
Secy No 18

This difficulty out of the way the brethren of Unity Lodge participated in the
Institution of Parr Lodge on Feb. 9, 1785, when the ceremonies were conducted
by R.W. the Rev. William Walter, D. D., Past Grand Master of New York, and
Unity Lodge was represented by Daniel Webb, Master; Henry Gillett, P. M.; John
Chamber, P. M.; William Humpage, S. W.; Eliphat Humpage, J. W., and William
Davidson, Sec'y.

At the institution of Solomon's Lodge, No. 5, in December, 1784, Unity Lodge
was represented by Bros. Cockburn, Webb, Humpage, Davidson, Ash, Ayres and
Chambers. At the installation of Hiram Lodge, No. 10, in March, 1785, we find
Bros. Daniel Webb, Master; William Humpage, S. W.; William Davidson, J. W.,
and Henry Cassady recorded as present.

The regiment and its lodge remained at Shelburne until August, 1786. During
this period they corresponded with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the
following letter being of considerable interest:

UNTO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL THE GRAND MASTER, GRAND WARDENS &c &c OF ANTIENT
YORK MASONS HELD IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

"Right Worshipfull Brethren. We the Worshipfull Master & Wardens of Lodge
Unity No. 18 held in This Brittanick Majesty's 17th Regt. of Foot, & under
Your Register--having heard a Report which is spread through this Province of
Our Warrant being by you Cancelled & that one of the same Number has been
Granted to a Lodge in Pennsylvania.

We, have taken this method of acquainting you that we have wrote to Our Mother
Grand Lodge in Scotland, willing to obtain a Duplicate of Our Antient Warrant
No. 169, without as yet receiving any Answer, & we not Expecting that Our said
Warrant No. 18 would have been Declared Void, till we might have Obtained the
Duplicate of our said antient Warrant; We, therefore humbly request you will
be so Obliging as to Inform us whether or not there is any Foundation for the
very Disagreeable Report so Industriously propagated in this Province, if
there is, we shall Instantly Desist from working under Our Present Warrant,
till we Can Obtain a property Authority from Scotland or England.

We should think ourselves peculiarly happy if at the same Time you send an
answer to this that you would likewise transmit to us an account of all Back
dues from our last Settlement, to this present time, in Order that the sum
due, may be Remitted to you by the earliest Opportunity.

We, should have Often Wrote to you had not our unsettled situation as a
Military Lodge Prevented us by being Constantly in Motion from one Place to
Another; however we took the first Opportunity of Writing to you (at the
Conclusion of Peace) from New York, to which we received no Answer.

The strongest Reasons induces us to think that some Irregular body of Masons
(Probably within Your District) are working under our Antient Warrant No. 169,
if you would be so kind as to make Enquiry thro' the Different Grand Lodges of
the United States of America, respecting the same, it would be a Lasting
Obligation & ever gratefully Remembered while a Lodge exists in His Brittanick
Majesty's 17 Regiment of Foot if a Discovery is made & information sent to us.

As an addition to your many kind & obliging Favors. We have farther to Request
you should do us the honor of Communicating to Our Worthy friend & Brother
General Parsons, the high sense have of His Unexampled Goodness, in restoring
to us our Warrant which happy for us fell into his hands, we likewise beg
leave to return the General Our Grateful & sincere thanks for the very Polite
Letter Accompanying the Same. His Generous Sentiments shall ever be Remembered
by every Brother of No. 18 with the Gratitude due to such Benevolence of
heart.

We have the honor to be,
Right Worshipfull Brethren, with the Greatest
Defference and Esteem
Shelburne Barracks, 
28th March 1776 
Yours &c. &c. &c.
Daniel Webb, Master.

To the Right Worshipfull Willm. 
Ball Esq. or (pro tempore)
Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania.

W. Humpage, S.  Wardens
E. Humpage, J.  Wardens
Wm. Davidson Secv."


The following reply was sent to the brethren of the 17th Regiment of Foot at
the Shelburne Barracks:

PHILADELPHIA August 11th, 1786. 
Brethren.

Your much esteemed favor of the 28th March last duly came to hand and was laid
before the Grand Lodge at their last Quarterly Communication when I was
directed by them to advise you that they were very happy to hear from you & to
find that you continue united together in love & harmony.

The Grand Lodge not having for a long period of time heard from you, and
supposing that the Lodge in consequence of the war had dissolved did grant a
Warrant of the same number which you work under, but at the same time did not
nor do they yet consider the same vacated and they still wish to consider you
as under their jurisdiction.

The books of the Treasurer having by some means during the war got lost He is
unable to make the statement of your account with the Grand Lodge, they
therefore request that you would ascertain the same from your Books as near as
may be calculating as dues to the G. L. five shillings for every Initiation
and 4/ per annum from every member.

Every possible attention shall be paid & diligence used to find the Warrant
mention'd to be lost and if found they will take great pleasure in
transmitting it agreeable to your desire.

The Grand Lodge happy at all times to render you every service in their power
have directed that a lettter be written to our worthy Brother General Parsons
in your behalf, on the subject of his attention and politeness to you.

The Grand Lodge will be pleased to hear from you from time to time and you
have their best wishes for the welfare and prosperity of your Lodge.

I am Brethren with every respect & Esteem,
A. H., Secy. of the G. L. of Penna. 
The Worshipful Masters, Wardens & Brethren of Lodge Unity No. 18 held in his
Brittanic Majesty's 17th Regt. of Foot at Shelburn Barracks.
(A. H., the Secretary, was Bro. Assheton Humphreys.)

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania seems to have made inquiries respecting the
missing Warrant for Lodge 169, for in the records of the Massachusetts Grand
Lodge held at the Bunch of Grapes, Boston, September, 1787, we find a letter
from the D. D. Master of Pennsylvania "Requesting information (if any could be
given) of a warrant granted to the officers of the 17th British Regiment of
Foot supposed to be lost within the United States."

The regiment and its lodge left Nova Scotia for England in the fall of 1786,
and on arrival made application to the "Ancients" Grand Lodge of England for a
new Warrant. This Warrant, No. 237, was dated Jan. 24, 1787, for a lodge to be
held at Chatham, Kent, where the regiment was then in garrison.

In connection with this lodge the following advertisement, which appeared in
La Gazette de l'Ile de Jersey for Dec. 22, 1787, is of interest. The Gazette,
it may be mentioned, was the first newspaper to be published in Jersey. Its
first issue is dated Aug. 5, 1786.

TO THE FREE-MASONS.

The Brethren of Lodge Unity No. 237, held in his Majesty's 17th Regiment of
Foot, on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of England, intend celebrating the
festival of St. John the evangelist at the house of Mr. John Waters in Mont
Orgueil Castle, on Friday the 27th inst. Any antient York Masons who wish to
participate in that festivity with them will give in their names in writing to
Brother Oyers, Bridgefoot Barracks, on or before the 24th inst.

By order of the Master.
Th. Gavin, Secl etary.
N. B. Dinner on the table at half past four o'clock.

This warrant evidently lapsed in 1792. While stationed in Ireland in 1802,
another lodge, No. 921, was warranted in the 17th Regiment by the Grand Lodge
of Ireland. This warrant was exchanged in 1824 for the vacant number 258,
under which the lodge worked until 1847. since that time there has not been a
lodge attached to the regiment.

Thus ends the interesting record of Freemasonry in the 17th (Leicestershire)
Regiment, a virtually continuous record of a hundred years; a record of
warrants from the Grand Lodges of Ireland, Scotland, Pennsylvania and England.
What influences radiated forth from the lodge room in that hundred years will
never be known, for the records are scattered to the four winds of heaven.

NOTES

(1) John North's name is the only one of the above which does not occur in the
muster rolls of the 17th Regt. for the period mentioned. It is probable that
he belonged to the 33rd Regt. or some other Corps stationed in Halifax at the
time.
(2) The oldest Red Cross certificate or evidence of any kind of the degree
itself known to exist is believed to be that dated Aug. 1, 1783, issued by St.
Andrew's Lodge, No. 40, at Charleston, S. C. In the present case it would seem
clearly established that the degree was conferred in Philadelphia as early as
1777-8.
(3) History of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts I. page 344.
