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(Following is the transcript of an article which appeared in the Pictou Advocate in November 1960. It has been made available by Bro. Bill Sinclair. Unfortunately there are a couple of gaps in the text (...-...) If you have a copy of the original newspaper please contact the webmaster.)

1960

Masonic Lodge 150 Years Old

By Edwin Bliss

The first appearance of Organized Freemasonry in Pictou County was in Pictou in the year 1784, when Walmesley Lodge 14 was formed, and, although this Lodge was rather short-lived, continuing only for a bout ten years, it was the start of Masonry as we have it in the County today. 

The History of Walmesley Lodge dates back to what was known as the 82^nd Regiment. During 1780, the Regiment was moved from Halifax to New York. After the Battle of Guilford Court House in March 1781, the Regiment was returned to Halifax, for we find Captain John Moore present at St. John’s Lodge, Halifax, on April 2, 1781 when he was initiated, receiving the 2^nd and 3^rd degrees on June 5^th and 26^th 1781. Thistle Lodge in the 82^nd Regiment took part in the Meetings of the Quarterly Communications from June 1782, until July, 1783. 

In April, 1783, the Regiment was transferred to Scotland, Many of the men of the Regiment were settled at Pictou Landing then known as Walmesley Township, and some of the m were responsible a year later for the formation of Walmesley Lodge. The colors of the 82^nd now hang in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh and are the oldest of all the Scottish Regimental Colors in that edifice. 

Conditions in Pictou and Pictou County in general are far different now than they were in 1784 when Walmesley Lodge was organized. Pictou was then only 11 years old, the Ship Hector having dropped anchor in the Harbour, opposite where the Town of Pictou now stands, on September 15, 1773, the end of a passage which had started from Greenock and Lochbroom, Ross-shire, Scotland, early in July, 1773.

The homes of these early settlers were composed of logs, generally in their round state, laid upon one another, with moss stuffed between them. The roofs were formed of the bark of trees cut in pieces of equal length, disposed in regular tiers, with ends and edges overlapping. The bark was kept in place by poles running along the whole length of the building and fastened at the ends with whites. Squire Patterson’s house was the only framed one in Pictou. Most of the furniture in Pictou homes was of the rudest description. A block of wood or a rude bench made out of a slab of wood with four sticks inserted, served as chairs and tables. Food was served in wooden dishes and eaten with wooden spoons. Money was scarcely seen, and almost all trade was done by barter. Wheat and maple sugar were the principal circulating mediums.

Thus had Pictou progressed from the wilderness in 1773, which greeted the first settlers from the Ship Hector, to the time when Walmesley Lodge was organized in 1784. Two years later, we can see Pictou as seen through the eyes of the Rev. James MacGregor, who arrived at Pictou on July 20, 1786, “When I looked round the shores of the Harbour, I was greatly disappointed and cast down, for there was scarcely anything to be seen but woods growing down to the water’s edge. Here and there a mean timber hut was visible in a small clearing, which appeared no bigger than a garden compared to the woods. Nowhere could I see two houses without some woods between them. I asked Hugh Fraser, ‘Where is the Town?’ He replied, ‘There is no Town but what you see.’ My disappointments were immensely discouraging to me; for I looked on myself as an exile from the Church and society. I saw that Nova Scotia and especially Pictou, was very far behind in the idea which I had formed of them. I renounced at once all idea of ever seeing a Town in Pictou.” Dr. MacGregor preached his first sermon in Pictou in Squire Patterson’s house.

It is unfortunate that we do not know more about the details and personnel of the Masons and Mas…

… following are a few records of Walmsley Lodge No. 14, Pictou, N.S. Dec. 1785-1794, which are preserved in the Archives of Grand Lodge at Halifax:

1. List of officers for 1789
2. Letter from John Fraser (First Master) to Secretary Peters – mention about a Post Office to be established soon in Pictou. Date of letter: Jan. 30, 1798
3. Letter from John Fraser, WM; James Ellmsley, SW; S. Corbet concerning Warrant – May 4, 1789

Masonry remained dormant in Pictou during the period 1794 until about 1810, when a number of Masons assembled and decided to petition for a Warrant under the name of “New Caledonia Lodge.” The Warrant was granted and the number “35” was assigned to the Lodge.

The Records of New Caledonia Lodge No. 35, Pictou, N.S., which are preserved in the Archives of Grand Lodge are:

1. Petition from Masons at Pictou for a Warrant to be called “New Caledonia Lodge” – James Graham, W.M.; John Fraser, Dept. M.; John Cameron, S.W., William Taylor, J.W., William MacLean, Treas., Arch MacLean, Sec’y, James Wilson, Tyler – Dated January 3, 1810.
2. Letter from Dr. James Skinner, Treas – 1810
3. Petition to Grand Lodge to set aside rule that a W.M. may not continue above 2 years in office – in favour of James Skinner – 1810
4. Letter to Grand Lodge in reference to expulsion of James Logie.
5. Letter to Grand Lodge from P.M. Graham resigning – June 6, 1810
6. Letter to Grand Lodge from W.M. & Wardens apologizing for not making returns – June 25, 1810
7. Letter to Grand Lodge reference to expulsion James Logie – expelled Oct. 23, 1812
8. Letter from Richard Masters, Feb. 1, 1813
9. Letter from Robert Logan, enclosing Petition on behalf of James Logie – March 9, 1813
10. Letter from James Skinner, W.M. – March 8, 1814
11. Certificate – James Stevenson – October 2, 1819
12. Letter to Grand Lodge – October 2, 1819
13. Letter from Alexander Thain, Halifax – October 12, 1819
14. Letter from Hugh Denoon to Grand Lodge – 1821
15. Letter from Dr. Johnstone reporting exclusion of a brother, February 20, 1824
16. Letter enclosing returns – also reporting exclusion and expulsion of brethren – February, 1826
17. Letter from James Skinner, W.M. to G.M. John Albro, asking aid to build New Masonic Hall – March 22, 1826
18. Letter enclosing returns May 8, 1827
19. Returns, Officers, Members and Dues from 1810-1827
20. Letter (duplicate) from Lodge, James Skinner, W.M. Oct 6, 1828
21. Petition to Duke of Sussex from new Caledonia Lodge No. 35 Pictou, N.S. for Aid from – Robert Ewan – October 15, 1828 - Note: (H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex was the last Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England known as the Moderns, and the first Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England and presided as such from 1813 to 1843.)
22. Letter in favour of dispensation – October 21, 1830
23. Petition for dispensation – October 25, 1830
24. Petition for dispensation October,25, 1831

Again the Masonic Lodge at Pictou apparently died down and the members disbanded as there are no further records of Masonic Activity after 1831.

Masonry again remained dormant in Pictou about the same length of time as when Walmsley Lodge expired.

In 1848 or 1849, a number of Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a Warrant or a restoration of the Original Warrant of New Caledonia Lodge. And a Lodge again became chartered in Pictou under the Number 826 by the Grand Lodge of England in 1849.

This number was changed to No. 565 in 1863, and to No. 1, when it came under the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia in 1869. I have no knowledge of the workings or records of New Caledonia Lodge during the period from 1849-1869.

In 1870, we find New Caledonia Lodge with a Membership of 124 which grew to 143 in 1873, dropped to 131 in 1875, and back to 143 in 1876. New Caledonia Lodge had the largest Membership of any Lodge in the Province from 1870-1884, when it was surpassed by Albion Lodge No. 5 at New Glasgow.

A. C. Page, D.D.G.M., on his visit to New Caledonia Lodge No. 11 on April 27, 1874, says in his report, “This Lodge has the largest roll of Members in the Provice – Last year, 143. They meet in their own Hall which is commodious and comfortable, with furniture approaching elegance. They owe on their building – $2.400. Rental Received $350.00, Insured for $5.000. Dues received during Year, $700.00, Outstanding Dues $200.00.

On March 14, 1876, report on New Caledonia Lodge is: Value of Masonic Temple, $8.000, Mortgage $2.400, Rent Revenue $350.00. Donated to Charity, $52.00.

In 1877, Grand Master J. Wimburn Laurie sanctioned the By-Laws of New Caledonia Lodge, as well as the By-Laws of Keith Lodge and Manitoba Lodge.

From 1876 to 1879, the Lodge had a set-back in Membership, dropping from 143 in 1876 to 134 in 1877, to 111 in 1878, to 110 in 1879.

On November 27, 1881, New Caledonia Lodge No. 11 lost by fire the best Lodge Rooms and Equipment in the District. Clothing and jewels were also lost, as was also their charter. Notwithstanding the great loss, this Lodge is financially sound and what is better, has a large and active Membership. Membership in 1881 was129.

The Brethren of New Caledonia Lodge, having expressed a strong desire to obtain, if possible, a duplicate of the Original Charter, Grand Master J. Wimburn Laurie, on his visit to England in December 1882, attempted to do so, but this was a deviation from their general practice and, as it was not possible to duplicate, the seniority of the Lodge would be lost by having the charter signed by the present Grand Officers. Therefore, Charter from the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was issued, phraseology requires modifying or changing (On the present Charter of New Caledonia Lodge, ther is a note of explanation attached, explaining this information.)

Membership in the Lodge declined from 129 in 1880 to 102 in 1887.

In 1886, a New Hall was erected on the site of the one destroyed by fire. And was dedicated on December 2, 1886. Grand Master Lewis Johnstone was present at this meeting and reported: “This building will, I hope, stand for many years, a handsome memorial of the recuperative energies of the brethren of this fine Lodge, having among its Members some of the most influential and talented citizens of the Town of Pictou.”

In 1888, Membership declined to …--… number until 1892.

On April 23, 1889, Most Worshipful Grand Master D.C. Moore visited New Caledonia Lodge and made the following report of his visit.

On that day, he attended the funeral of Mrs. Lewis Johnstone at Stellarton, and arriving home found a fast team of horses at his door, provided by D.D.G.M. Gordon, Bro J. R. Davies and others which conveyed him to the Wharf at Pictou Landing, where there was a steamer waiting to transport him over the Harbour, making the total trip of 11 miles by road and 1 ½ miles by water in one hour and a quarter. In his Annual Address, he says of New Caledonia, “You can see for yourself, brethren, how New Caledonia is again made new, how Phoenix-like she has risen from her ashes. You know how New Caledonia invited our presence, and you are even now experiencing their brotherly kindness and hearty hospitality. My brethren of New Caledonia are mostly sprung from sons of Old Caledonia, a modest, retiring race, who might blush if I said too much in their praise. Moreover, the “Noble Race” are just a little renowned for the attachment each man has to his clan, and if I praised a Gordon, I might be thought to slight a Chisholm; if I said too much of a Johnstone, I might have the whole of the Frasers at my heels; and if I tried to save myself by throwing a sweet morsel to my pursuers, they would be outnumbered by the MacDonalds, and I should be crushed.

“Seriously, however, I found matters in connection with this Lodge very satisfactory, and with so many brethren whose ‘life on the ocean wave’ prevents regular attendance, I must say the present renewed condition of affairs here is marvellous. New Caledonia was formerly No. 565 R.E. and was chartered in 1849, and therefore no longer “New” in one sense, but Pictou Town had a Lodge long before this, whose list of worthy brethren would do honour to any Lodge. I should be ungrateful if I forgot to allude to the very pleasant supper, with which the night of my visitation ended, or so many kind words from the brethren assembled round the hospitable board.

On June 12, 1889, the first Grand Lodge Annual Communication ever held in Pictou County met at Freemasons’ Hall, Pictou. The Meeting commencing at 12:00 o’clock noon.

New Caledonia Lodge was now in a depression of Membership, reaching a new low of 84 in 1893. This was the lowest Membership of the Lodge during the period 1870-1956. During the next 33 years, the Lodge Membership wavered back and forth but gradually gaining until it reached its highest peak in Membership of 187 in 1926 and 1927.

In 1934 a Keystone found at Pictou Landing, which was probably used in Walmsley Lodge No. 34 held at Pictou (1784-1795), was placed in the Grand Lodge Museum.

On Feb. 23, 1937, New Caledonia Lodge again met with a very heavy loss, when their Lodge-room was totally destroyed by fire. They were however, fortunate to save their Charter, Minute Books and regalia. The brethren were optimistic and in hopes that a bigger and better Lodge-room would rise from the ashes.

However, New Caledonia Lodge was again in a state of recession in Membership which had started in 1928, and which continued downwards until 1940 and 1941, both years showing a Membership of 108. Again the Membership started climbing and in 1948 reached a total of 167. Just previous to this time, the brethren had started considering the purchase of a building offered for sale in Pictou, and remodelling it and making it over into a Masonic Temple. The building was purchased, renovated and, on September 20, 1948, Grand Master M.W. Bro. David A. O’Neill, accompanied by a very large number of Grand Lodge Officers, effectively carried out the beautiful ceremony of dedicating the Masonic Temple of New Caledonia Lodge to the purposes of Masonry.

During the 172 years since organized Masonry first made its appearance in the Town of Pictou, it has had many reverses, two lapses, the first of 16 years from 1794-1810, the second of 17 years, from 1831-1848. Two losses by fire, the first on Nov. 27, 1881, the second on Feb. 23, 1937. It has suffered quite a number of depressions, losses of Members, but it has always come back strong. This is only a brief sketch of Masonry in Pictou and of New Caledonia Lodge. There are many items of inertest that can still be filled in. The list of Officers down through the years. The D.D.G.M.’s from New Caledonia Lodge and other Grand Lodge Appointments. The District Meetings held at Pictou and many other occasions of importance that could be taken from the minutes of the Lodge and from Grand Lodge Proceedings. To this also could be added the names and records of Members of New Caledonia Lodge who have contributed so much to their Lodge, to Masonry in general and to the Town and County of Pictou.