A History of Mississippi Lodge No. 147
A.F. & A.M., G.R.C. (In Ontario)
Almonte, Ontario
Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Canada July 20, 1861
Covering the Period from
March 19, 1861 to December 31, 1993
by
L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B., P.M. (1983 - 1984)
Written Between:
January, 1994 and January, 1997
With acknowledgement and thanks to
Vy. Wor. Bro. John C. Smithson and
Vy. Wor. Bro. D. R. Millar
for detailed review and correction of manuscript
Thursday, January 24, 2019
About the Author
About the Author
L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
Born in Montreal, P.Q. on December 11, 1948. Son of Group Captain, DSO and Mrs. C. G. William Chapman of Ottawa. Mr. Chapman is senior counsel in Almonte where he has practised law for over 20 years after having completed Articles with Macdonald, Affleck, 100 Sparks Street in Ottawa and the Bar Admission Course at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. He lived in the Toronto area where he attended St. Andrew's College (Aurora), graduating as an Ontario Scholar, Head Boy and recipient of the Headmaster's Medal and Lt. Governor's Award in 1967. In addition to a brief course of study at Alliance Française in Paris, France he attended Glendon Hall of York University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. Thereafter he pursued graduate studies in law at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). During his preparatory years of study and later in law school, he was active in public speaking and debate including Trinity College School (Port Hope), Hart House (University of Toronto) and the McGill International Debating Tournament (Montréal) in which his team ranked third out of 120 participants. His love of Almonte has included over the years active participation in many local groups such as St. Paul's Anglican Church (Warden), Business Improvement Area (Chairman), Business & Professional Association (President), Elizabeth Kelly Library Foundation (a founding Trustee), Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (Policy and Procedure), 78th Fraser Highlanders (Ensign, Fort Glengarry Garrison) and Mississippi Lodge No. 147, A.F. & A.M. (Master, Secretary and Historian). He is a social member of the Mississippi Golf Club, Appleton. He has undertaken many public speaking engagements for local groups and business organizations, as well as offering credit legal courses for Algonquin College. In addition to the company of his good friends and good food, he enjoys piano (Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music), the fine arts and his faithful French bulldog, Monroe.
L. G. William Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
Born in Montreal, P.Q. on December 11, 1948. Son of Group Captain, DSO and Mrs. C. G. William Chapman of Ottawa. Mr. Chapman is senior counsel in Almonte where he has practised law for over 20 years after having completed Articles with Macdonald, Affleck, 100 Sparks Street in Ottawa and the Bar Admission Course at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. He lived in the Toronto area where he attended St. Andrew's College (Aurora), graduating as an Ontario Scholar, Head Boy and recipient of the Headmaster's Medal and Lt. Governor's Award in 1967. In addition to a brief course of study at Alliance Française in Paris, France he attended Glendon Hall of York University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. Thereafter he pursued graduate studies in law at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). During his preparatory years of study and later in law school, he was active in public speaking and debate including Trinity College School (Port Hope), Hart House (University of Toronto) and the McGill International Debating Tournament (Montréal) in which his team ranked third out of 120 participants. His love of Almonte has included over the years active participation in many local groups such as St. Paul's Anglican Church (Warden), Business Improvement Area (Chairman), Business & Professional Association (President), Elizabeth Kelly Library Foundation (a founding Trustee), Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (Policy and Procedure), 78th Fraser Highlanders (Ensign, Fort Glengarry Garrison) and Mississippi Lodge No. 147, A.F. & A.M. (Master, Secretary and Historian). He is a social member of the Mississippi Golf Club, Appleton. He has undertaken many public speaking engagements for local groups and business organizations, as well as offering credit legal courses for Algonquin College. In addition to the company of his good friends and good food, he enjoys piano (Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music), the fine arts and his faithful French bulldog, Monroe.
Introduction
Introduction
The history of Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte, Ontario is of course not a history of Masonry. Rather it is a chronicle of the sometimes mundane, sometimes humorous and often energetic efforts and undertakings of many men who, over the 133 years covered by this history, worked to apply the principles of Masonry to the isolated affairs of a "country Lodge".
The accounts of the early proceedings of the Lodge are substantially factual, and perhaps less than personal, for it was assumed that, apart from a particular interest which any one family may have, the names of most of the early Lodge members would be rather unimportant or insignificant to today's reader. The portion of the history reviewed in the last forty years dwells to a greater degree upon the people involved, since many of those members, or their relatives, are still associated with the Lodge, and their memory or acquaintance is therefore more proximate. There was, of necessity, a limitation on the period covered by the Lodge minutes. The arbitrary decision was made to end December 31, 1993, since the writer began the three-year writing endeavour January, 1994.
That Mississippi Lodge enjoys such a long existence (since 1861) is no small compliment. As institutions go, Mississippi Lodge has more than earned its colours, not to mention the gold braid which adorns the apron of each Brother of the Lodge who has the honour to wear it. Masons are often chided for what is cavalierly dismissed as its "secrets". To the uninitiated, this term embraces far more than was ever intended to remain within the recesses of the Lodge. To the members of the Craft, the Secrets are no more than allegorical symbols of greater moral significance, and to share those Secrets would in fact do little to enlighten the dilettante or casual observer.
For purposes of this historical enquiry, it was originally anticipated that examination of the contents of the minute books would, with some extrapolation, reveal the deeper (perhaps darker) side of the events surrounding the growth and development of the Lodge. On the contrary, true to the Masonic spirit to confine observation to the facts, little is revealed, even upon the closest examination, of much of the background and contextual social currents which precipitated the recorded events. No serious attempt has been made to provide such background, either by reference to contemporaneous social conditions, or by speculation.
What appears in this historical summary is essentially an account, slotted into selected categories, of what was recorded by the studious and conscientious Secretaries of the Lodge. To a degree, each Secretary contributed his particular slant to the record of proceedings, but largely each Secretary acted as a scribe (though the commitment to sanctify and condone in writing the efforts of those who did the job well is apparent throughout). It should nonetheless be apparent from even a cursory examination of this history that our actions in this life are recorded. It may surprise the reader to rediscover in this chronicle some long-forgotten detail which, though perhaps innocuous at the time, is the key to open a floodgate of memories.
The obvious omission from the history is the lack of detail regarding the period for which a Minute Book is missing (1927 - 1939). This is clearly unfortunate not only as general matter, but also because it was a period of great world-wide turmoil. The customary "grape vine" enquiries have been made among the senior members of the Lodge to locate the missing minute book, but without success. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the Lodge survived that difficult period, which is part of the continuing credit to those who served as its officers and members.
It is hoped that this history will provide the members of the Lodge with some information which will embellish not only a knowledge and an understanding of our own Lodge, but also of the Craft as a whole.
The members are also encouraged to take the time to examine that portion of the Minutes pertaining to their particular installation, since it may engender some fond memories of that special night when you entered through the tyled door of Mississippi Lodge No. 147.
Dedicated to the Memory of long-time friend and mentor
L. C. Audette, O.C., Q.C. who said
"I'll believe it when you've written the last word."
The history of Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte, Ontario is of course not a history of Masonry. Rather it is a chronicle of the sometimes mundane, sometimes humorous and often energetic efforts and undertakings of many men who, over the 133 years covered by this history, worked to apply the principles of Masonry to the isolated affairs of a "country Lodge".
The accounts of the early proceedings of the Lodge are substantially factual, and perhaps less than personal, for it was assumed that, apart from a particular interest which any one family may have, the names of most of the early Lodge members would be rather unimportant or insignificant to today's reader. The portion of the history reviewed in the last forty years dwells to a greater degree upon the people involved, since many of those members, or their relatives, are still associated with the Lodge, and their memory or acquaintance is therefore more proximate. There was, of necessity, a limitation on the period covered by the Lodge minutes. The arbitrary decision was made to end December 31, 1993, since the writer began the three-year writing endeavour January, 1994.
That Mississippi Lodge enjoys such a long existence (since 1861) is no small compliment. As institutions go, Mississippi Lodge has more than earned its colours, not to mention the gold braid which adorns the apron of each Brother of the Lodge who has the honour to wear it. Masons are often chided for what is cavalierly dismissed as its "secrets". To the uninitiated, this term embraces far more than was ever intended to remain within the recesses of the Lodge. To the members of the Craft, the Secrets are no more than allegorical symbols of greater moral significance, and to share those Secrets would in fact do little to enlighten the dilettante or casual observer.
For purposes of this historical enquiry, it was originally anticipated that examination of the contents of the minute books would, with some extrapolation, reveal the deeper (perhaps darker) side of the events surrounding the growth and development of the Lodge. On the contrary, true to the Masonic spirit to confine observation to the facts, little is revealed, even upon the closest examination, of much of the background and contextual social currents which precipitated the recorded events. No serious attempt has been made to provide such background, either by reference to contemporaneous social conditions, or by speculation.
What appears in this historical summary is essentially an account, slotted into selected categories, of what was recorded by the studious and conscientious Secretaries of the Lodge. To a degree, each Secretary contributed his particular slant to the record of proceedings, but largely each Secretary acted as a scribe (though the commitment to sanctify and condone in writing the efforts of those who did the job well is apparent throughout). It should nonetheless be apparent from even a cursory examination of this history that our actions in this life are recorded. It may surprise the reader to rediscover in this chronicle some long-forgotten detail which, though perhaps innocuous at the time, is the key to open a floodgate of memories.
The obvious omission from the history is the lack of detail regarding the period for which a Minute Book is missing (1927 - 1939). This is clearly unfortunate not only as general matter, but also because it was a period of great world-wide turmoil. The customary "grape vine" enquiries have been made among the senior members of the Lodge to locate the missing minute book, but without success. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the Lodge survived that difficult period, which is part of the continuing credit to those who served as its officers and members.
It is hoped that this history will provide the members of the Lodge with some information which will embellish not only a knowledge and an understanding of our own Lodge, but also of the Craft as a whole.
The members are also encouraged to take the time to examine that portion of the Minutes pertaining to their particular installation, since it may engender some fond memories of that special night when you entered through the tyled door of Mississippi Lodge No. 147.
Dedicated to the Memory of long-time friend and mentor
L. C. Audette, O.C., Q.C. who said
"I'll believe it when you've written the last word."
Mostyn Biographical Sketches
Mostyn Biographical Sketches
The first Regular Communication of Mississippi Lodge, A.F. & A.M., G.R.C. (In Ontario) was held at Almonte, Ontario on May 24, 1861 (the Lodge was in fact instituted on March 19, 1861). Dr. William Mostyn sat in the East as the first Master of the Lodge. Following is a copy of an article about Dr. Mostyn taken from The Almonte Gazette, Almonte, Ontario on December 1, 1993, written by Shirley Todorski for the "Our Heritage" column, entitled "Dr. William Mostyn left mark on Almonte":On the morning of Tuesday, March 29, 1881, the people of Almonte slowly became aware that one of their most prominent men was missing. Also missing was the son of another of the town's well known citizens.
The Beginning
The Beginning
Present at the First Regular Communication of Mississippi Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons at Almonte on 24th May, 1861 were:Bro. William Mostyn, M. D., W. M.
Bro. M. Anderson, S. W.
Bro. I Menzies, J. W.
Bro W. McIntosh, Treas.
Bro. W. Tennant, Sect.
Bro. W. A. Bagsley, S. D.
Bro. I Lang, J. D.
Bro. I. B. Shipman, In. G.
Bro. Thos. Coulter, TylerLaying of the Corner Stone of St. Paul's Church, Almonte
17
Laying of the Corner Stone of St. Paul's Church, Almonte
The Minutes of St. John's Lodge report:
June 15, 1863
A letter having been received from the secretary of Mississippi Lodge, Almonte, asking the members of St. John's Lodge to assist that lodge in the ceremony of laying the corner stone of St. Paul's (Anglican) Church in that place, an emergent meeting was called by the W.M. and without opening the lodge it was unanimously decided to accept of their brotherly invitation. Notices were given to all the brethren as early as possible as the notice to the lodge was short.The brethren met in their lodge room at 8 o'clock a.m., June 15, 1863 and at once proceeded to Almonte accompanied by music. The St. John's Lodge on arriving in sight of Almonte were met by the brethren of Mississippi Lodge in regalia headed by the Almonte Brass Band. Both lodges proceeded at once to the lodge room of Mississippi Lodge.
Laying of the Corner Stone of the Presbyterian Church, Almonte
Laying of the Corner Stone of the Presbyterian Church, Almonte
The laying of the corner stone of St. Paul's Church was followed two years later by another similar ceremony (as again appears from the Minutes of St. John's Lodge):
June 13, 1865
The following letter was received from the secretary of Mississippi Lodge No. 147 at Almonte: "Acting under dispensation from Grand Lodge and by authority of our Lodge, I give your lodge a cordial invitation to join in the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new Free Church (Presbyterian) in this village, to take place exactly at high noon on the 24 inst. As we are making suitable preparations to entertain our visitors you will confer a favour by advising me as early as possible how many we may expect from your lodge. Please extend the invitation to all Masonic brethren within your circle." Signed Chas. E. Field, Secy., Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte.
This record was preceded by the Lodge's own Minutes of May 5, 1865, wherein Bro. W. Mostyn stated "a desire to have the foundation stone of the New Free Presbyterian Church in this village laid with Masonic Honors". Dispensation from Grand Lodge was of course to be sought for the ceremony.
The laying of the corner stone of St. Paul's Church was followed two years later by another similar ceremony (as again appears from the Minutes of St. John's Lodge):
June 13, 1865
The following letter was received from the secretary of Mississippi Lodge No. 147 at Almonte: "Acting under dispensation from Grand Lodge and by authority of our Lodge, I give your lodge a cordial invitation to join in the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new Free Church (Presbyterian) in this village, to take place exactly at high noon on the 24 inst. As we are making suitable preparations to entertain our visitors you will confer a favour by advising me as early as possible how many we may expect from your lodge. Please extend the invitation to all Masonic brethren within your circle." Signed Chas. E. Field, Secy., Mississippi Lodge No. 147, Almonte.
This record was preceded by the Lodge's own Minutes of May 5, 1865, wherein Bro. W. Mostyn stated "a desire to have the foundation stone of the New Free Presbyterian Church in this village laid with Masonic Honors". Dispensation from Grand Lodge was of course to be sought for the ceremony.
Following is the record of the May 15, 1865 Emergent Meeting:The Bro. Anderson Debacle
The Bro. Anderson Debacle
What started out harmlessly enough at the Meeting of January 22, 1864 was soon to become a rather inflamed and somewhat embarrassing situation for the Lodge and one Brother (Anderson) in particular. At that meeting, it is recorded that Wor. Master Menzies appointed Bros. Mostyn, McDougall and Anderson a committee to draft "an address of condolence to Mrs. Campbell, widow of our late Secretary". Later in that same Meeting, the following events are recorded:
Bro. Anderson proposed that Bro. Archibald be raised to the 3rd degree. The W.M. stated that it was impossible as it was too late. Bro. Mostyn said he had a couple of appointments which had to attend to, and that he had postponed to attend this meeting. Bro. Anderson then commenced a tirade of abuse against all the principal officers of the Lodge and Bro. Mostyn, stating that there was a clique in the Lodge that kept him out of the W.M.'s chair, which was his by right as he was S.W. last year. W.M. called Bro. Anderson to order. He said he was in order and would not be called to order; he said it was a revolting humbug to have the most junior members of the Lodge elected to S.W. and J.W. chairs, that the S.W.'s chair was never filled and never would be filled again as well as he had filled it, he came here this evening to kick up a row that he came a couple of times before, but never got as good a chance as now to give certain persons a chewing up, he used some oaths during his speech and altogether conducted himself most unmasonically.
Bro. Anderson proposed that Bro. Archibald be raised to the 3rd degree. The W.M. stated that it was impossible as it was too late. Bro. Mostyn said he had a couple of appointments which had to attend to, and that he had postponed to attend this meeting. Bro. Anderson then commenced a tirade of abuse against all the principal officers of the Lodge and Bro. Mostyn, stating that there was a clique in the Lodge that kept him out of the W.M.'s chair, which was his by right as he was S.W. last year. W.M. called Bro. Anderson to order. He said he was in order and would not be called to order; he said it was a revolting humbug to have the most junior members of the Lodge elected to S.W. and J.W. chairs, that the S.W.'s chair was never filled and never would be filled again as well as he had filled it, he came here this evening to kick up a row that he came a couple of times before, but never got as good a chance as now to give certain persons a chewing up, he used some oaths during his speech and altogether conducted himself most unmasonically.
The Jealous Jurisdiction
The Jealous Jurisdiction
On March 18, 1864 a communication from Renfrew Lodge was read in reply to a letter written by Bro. C. E. Field, Secretary of Mississippi Lodge, complaining of violation of constitution by making a mason of a person who lived within the jurisdiction of Mississippi Lodge. Pakenham is distant from Mississippi Lodge by 12 miles and from Renfrew by 26 miles. The reply stated that it was unintentional to infringe upon the rights of Mississippi Lodge, that it was through inadvertency, and that the matter would be properly laid before the Renfrew Lodge at their next regular communication and the proceedings reported to Mississippi Lodge. It was moved that no action be taken on the above matter, but that it be laid over until Mississippi Lodge heard from Renfrew Lodge.Common Threads in all Minutes
Common Threads in all Minutes
The first meeting of Mississippi Lodge was held at 9:00 o'clock p.m. This custom continued throughout many of the meetings (some of which began at 8:30 p.m). This may indicate that many of the members were farmers, whose daily duties kept them working late in the day, although one has to question why the membership would in that case be agreeable to late meetings if the same members were required to rise early in the morning to attend to farm chores. The alternative explanation is that the members were "men of leisure" who rose late from the comforts of both their table and bed. Many of the meetings are reported to have "Closed in Harmony" as late as 10:50 p.m.
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