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TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARIES 
 
 REFERENCE LIBRARY 
 
THE EARLY HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 S0N8 OF ENGLAND 
 
 Benevolent Society 
 
 INCr.UDINO ITS 
 
 OlUGIN, PllINOIPLES AND PliOGKESS; 
 
 AS WKLL AB A 
 
 BiodUAPnicAL Sketch of the Founders 
 
 WITH AN ACCOUNT OF TIIR 
 
 ORGANIZATION OP THE GRAND LODGE 
 
 DR. JOHN S. KING, 
 
 A%tthor of the Ritiialu anil Ceremonies of the Order. 
 
 FKDlWAUr, ISUl. 
 
 TORONTO: 
 
 liROH. THOS. MOOKK ct CO., PUINTEUS, 22-24 ADKLAIDR BT. EASt. 
 
36, ( 
 
 .l<32 
 
This History was presented to Supreme Grand Lodge on the 
 second day of the IGth annual session, held at Hamilton, 
 Ontario, in February, 1891. 
 
 On motion it was received and referred to a special committee, 
 composed of the Past Grand Presidents in attendance at the 
 session, together with the mover of the resolution. 
 
 That committee, through Brother Richard Caddick, its chair- 
 man, reported as follows, viz.: ''With reference to the Early 
 History of Our Order, we recommend that the work as compiled 
 by Brother Dr. John S. King be adopted and published in 
 pamphlet form by this Supreme Grand Lodge ; and that some 
 suitable recognition of Brother Dr. King's valuable services be 
 tendered to him by this Supreme Grand Body." 
 
 This report was on motion received and adopted unanimously. 
 
 1 
 
 I hereby certify that the foregoing are true extracts from the 
 journal of the IGth annual meeting of the Supreme Grand 
 Lodge Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 OL. 
 
 c^jtyCo^iy^ 
 
 Supreme Grand Secretary. 
 
 Toronto, April 24th, 1891. 
 
-fe-f 
 
 ^Hr 
 
 THE BENEFICIARY DEPARTMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Sons of England Benevolent Society 
 
 M EETS REGU LARLY 
 
 ON THE 
 
 F/RST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH 
 
 IN 
 
 ^H-^l^^TI^^ltfJI^Y IliVl^T. 
 
 -^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 :NT 
 
 iiety 
 
 TH 
 
 rpHE task of securing reliable data with which to compile a 
 consecutive record of facts pertaining to the origin and 
 early history of the Sons of England to the time of, and including 
 the organization of the Grand Lodge has proven co be of greater 
 magnitude and has been attended with greater obstacles than 
 was anticipated at the outset, owing to the absence of important 
 documentary evidence, and the inability, after rigorous search, 
 to find the minutes of the first thirty-seven meetings of Albion 
 Lodge, the mother Lodge of the Order. 
 
 In assuming the task, I did so with a settled conviction that 
 
 nothing should be incorporated which would detract from its 
 
 value as a faithful and correct record. Several matters of 
 interest are hereinafter incorporated, but these have only been 
 
 approved when it has been possible to corroborate them by the 
 word of two or more of the founders or early members, with a 
 view to ensure a trustworthy history and establish reputed cir- 
 cumstances as facts ; knowing that the time will soon come when 
 it would be impossible to make such report except on hearsay 
 evidence ; as death, the common leveller of mankind, will have 
 summoned away those to whom we now owe our grateful recog- 
 nition for service rendered in the birth, and in the impetus im- 
 parted to our beloved Society in its infancy. 
 
 JOHN S. KING, M.D. 
 
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 OUR PHESENT HOME IN 1891. 
 
 iiicivx> oiH^i^^ice: 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SUPREME GRAND LODGE. 
 
u 
 
 It is the duty oi" every irian to make provision 
 for times of adversity and distress. 
 
 Have you joined tlie Beneliciary Department ? 
 
 If not, you are missing an opportunity which 
 may never again offer ! Now ! is tlie time to make 
 somo provision for a life-long sickness, or for those 
 loved ones you may leave to hattle with the 
 world. 
 
 Make application to your Lodg<3 Secretary for a 
 Beneliciary policy. 
 
)vision 
 
 lent ? 
 
 which 
 o make 
 )r those 
 ith the 
 
 ry for a 
 
 A.IV jvocourv^j^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ORIGIN and EARLY HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 Early Books and Documents. 
 
 My starting point was the securing of such early Lodge books 
 and papers as were still in the possession of Lodge Albion, No. 
 1. Of these the Member's Roll-book, beginning with No. 1, and 
 extending over many years, proved valuable in two ways. First, 
 in supplying me with the names, occupations, etc., of the first, 
 members ; and secondly, in establishing evidence as to who, at 
 that early period, were considered to be the founders of the Sons 
 of England Benevolent Society. That roll-book gives the names 
 of nine who are entered as found<ir.s, the date of entry being the 
 22nd December, 1874. 
 
 The names and other information being consecutively as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 Meriuers' Roll. 
 
 Name. Aye. "Occupation. Address. 
 1. G.F.Carrettc, 11 Brick-layer, Kin^jHtonltd, 
 '2. G.B.Brooks, iili Book-keeper, Crawford-st. 
 
 31 Cooper, Pine-st. 
 
 32 Box -maker, Crawford-st. 
 2(5 Box-maker, Crawford-st. 
 11 Book-keeper, Mill road. 
 30 Plasterer, Munro-st. 
 32 Labourer, Munro-st. 
 2J( Btoro-keeper, Crawford at. 
 
 ■''• [This should be No. U instead of G, 
 us will appear hereafter.-— J. S. K.J 
 
 3. E. Smith, 
 
 4. N. Patrick, 
 .5. G. Patrick, 
 (5. T. West, * 
 
 7. C. Buckner, 
 
 8. 8. Buckner, 
 i). J. Lonuis, 
 
 M. or S. Where born. 
 Married. Middlesex Eng. 
 Married. Nottingham, Eng. 
 Married. Middlesex, Eng. 
 Married. Middlesex, 
 Single. Middlesex, 
 Married. (Not given.) 
 Married. Middlesex, Eng. 
 Married. Middlesex, Eng, 
 Married. Middlesex, Eng. 
 
 as ho was not a founder, 
 
 Eng. 
 Eng. 
 
10 
 
 The Orujin and Eaiiy History 
 
 Early Minutes Lost. 
 
 The earliest obtainable minutes were those of j^he thirty-eighth 
 meeting. So far, diligent search for the minutes of the first 
 thirty-seven meetings has been fruitless. That the thirty-eighth 
 meeting begins a new minute book will be evident from an 
 examination thereof, and the fair and reasonable supposition is 
 that the minutes of the first thirty-seven meetings were recorded 
 in a previous book or books, the whereabouts of which have not 
 as yet been divulged. I entertain the hope that some worthy 
 Brother of the Order may yet discover them among his books or 
 papers, or find them stowed away safely, undisturbed and 
 unrecognised for years, so that they may ultimately regain their 
 proper place in the archives of the parent Lodge. No effort has 
 been spared to trace them, and every Secretary of the Lodge 
 since its institution has been communicated with, eith*>"* person- 
 ally or in writing, with a view to their discovery, but without 
 avail up to this time. 
 
 Interview with the Founders. 
 
 Not disheartened by the absence of written evidence, or recorded 
 historical facts, I determined to interview personally the reputed 
 nine founders, and secure all possible and reliable information 
 obtainable. I was not long in learning that, of the nine persons 
 recorded as founders, one, viz. Thomas West, was dead. Another, 
 Nathaniel Patrick, lived in Rochester, State of New York. The 
 third, George Patrick, was supposed to be in London, Ontario. 
 The remaining six I learned still lived in Toronto, and from 
 them chiefly would have to be secured corroborative testimony 
 regarding the generally accepted statements concerning the 
 origin of the Society, as, prior to the foundation of the Society, 
 as is the case in the formation of any society, there must of 
 necessity be the conception of the idea. The first or primary 
 step to bo taken was therefore to ascertain who was the first 
 person that suggested the fornuition of the Sons of J^lngland 
 Society ; also, when, where, and to whom the suggestion was 
 
Sons of Enc/land Baievolent S'tciety. 
 
 11 
 
 made. To Brother George Carrette, the first on the roll of 
 membership, I applied for information on this point ; and from him 
 I secured in writing his version as to the conception of the idea 
 of the organization of Englishmen into a Benevolent Society. I 
 quote his own words : 
 
 " A friend of mine named George B. Brooks, met me on King 
 street east. lie had been to buy stores at a wholesale and retail 
 house not far from the corner of King and Francis streets, for 
 his small store on Don Mount. He told me of some remarks he 
 had heard in said store against Englishmen, and then asked me 
 if I did not think it time for Englishmen to combine for their 
 own protection. I answered 'Yes, but it is a hard job to get 
 Englishmen to combine or hang together, as they are too inde- 
 pendent.' Hft then asked me this question, ' Will you help me 
 to get up a Society for Englishmen ? ' I answered, • certainly I 
 will.' " 
 
 The next name on the list was that of George B. Brooks. 
 Though not when spoken to, nor now, a member of the Society, 
 he freely imparted under his own hand the following statement 
 bearing upon the question of the conception of the Order : 
 
 •* The idea of a purely English Society of a benevolent charac- 
 ter similar to such Societies as the Foresters, Odd-fellows, etc., 
 originated at a Christmas charitable distribution of food by the 
 Toronto St. George's Society. That Christmas, the distribution 
 was made in a vacant store at the corner of King street and 
 Leader Lane ; and a large number of men, women and children, 
 presumably English, attended and had groceries and meat doled 
 out to them. The scene was watched for some time by an 
 Englishman, not himself an applicant for relief. Two things 
 connected with the distribution pained him. First, the some- 
 what Poor-Law-Guardian haughtiness with which the goods were 
 given in several cases. Second, the fact that Englishmen in 
 l^oronto were then the only people out of all nationalities who 
 had to parade tiicir wants and sull'erings to the gaze of others, 
 and be made the recipients of charity in a public manner. It is 
 
The Griffin and Earlif flistonf 
 
 not necessary to particularize little incidents of haughtiness on 
 the one hand, or of evident shame on the other, which the 
 watcher saw ; but they set him thinking. Surely, he thought. 
 Englishmen are the equals in manliness, and self-respect of any 
 other people ; and that some of them probably through no fault 
 of theirs, should be publicly degraded once a year, no matter how 
 excellent the intention, was both a pity and somewhat of a 
 scandal. How to ameliorate this state of affairs, and implant 
 the desire to be provident, induced much thoui^lit ; the outcome 
 of which was the idea of a purely national benevolent society 
 open only to Englishmen and their descendants— the society to 
 be in no sense a charity, but to be made self-supporting, and 
 from the funds of which every member would have a right to 
 demand his portion should misfortune visit him. At the very 
 outset, diiHculties never contemplated were met. The average 
 Englishman was found very skeptical indeed as to the feasibility 
 of the scheme. Some wished the scheme every success, but 
 refused to have their names mentioned in connection with it. 
 Others ridiculed the idea, and not only predicted disaster, but 
 did what they could to bring it about. All the following sunnner 
 the scheme languished for want of support. Ultimately, late in 
 the fall, the same gentleman who had been haunted with the 
 idea ever since he watched the Christmas distribution of St. 
 George's Society, got hold of three practical working I'^nglish- 
 men — Mr. (leorge Carrette, Mr. James Lomas and Mr. Charles 
 Buckner. After two or more meetings they agreed, come what 
 might, to be members of the proposed Society. They induced 
 others to join thum, until eigbt chartered membf.s were obtained, 
 nd Court Albion was founded." 
 
 The third name in the list was that of James Lomas. From 
 him 1 learned that in the smuiuer of l.'^Tl, lie fell in with (teorge 
 li. Brooks at St. Catherines, in Lincoln county, Ontario, during 
 one of his cruises on the lakes. They soon became fast friends, 
 continuing togetlua' for a considerable time, during wliicli llicy 
 were both in a disastrous shipwreck on LaKo Mric, which 
 determined them in abandoning their sea-laring ot'cuj)ation lor 
 
Sonn of K)i(]Uinil Bcnerolc.nt Soriefj/. 
 
 13 
 
 tlio Siifor and qniofcor ono of oporatinp; a I'ttlo li^rocery storo in 
 Don Mount, now St. Matthew's ward, city oi' Toronto, where the 
 Society suhsequontly found origin. 
 
 Tlie fourtli name was mentioned as that of a man who might 
 possihly give mc some information of vahie touching the motives 
 for promoting tiie organization. This was Nathaniel Patrick, 
 who liad occupied tlie office of Vice-President after the founda- 
 tion of the Society. I learned tliat his residence was in Roches- 
 ter ; and I at once opened up correspondence with him, which 
 eventually led to my visiting that city during the latter part of 
 the summer of ISSS. I found him, and spent an hour ni con- 
 versation with him touching the object I had in view, and found 
 that he corroborated much of what had been told me by the 
 others. On December Oih of that year he wrote me on the 
 matter, and committed his remembrances to paper. He said, 
 besides the general desire to do good, he saw that the P]nglish 
 and their sons needed the protection of a Society for a time of 
 need. He believed in the li^nglishmen helping each other in any 
 way they could ; and he strove to build himself a little house, 
 and asked some of his English neighbors to help him, which 
 they did. His wife purchased groceries at the little store, and 
 asked Brooks and Lomas to help him with his house. He helped 
 to get enough together to start a Society to carry out this idea of 
 helping one another. Times were hard and he soon left the city 
 and the Society to find work elsewhere. 
 
 ^'A 
 
 Advantages of Organization Discussed. 
 
 Having married the daughter of George P. Carrette, Mr. 
 Lomas, as well as his partner ^Ir. Brooks, had frequent talks 
 with Mr. Carrette and other Englishmen who visited the store, 
 including Nathaniel Patrick, George Patrick, Charles Buckner, 
 Samuel Ihickner and J^jdward Smith, regarding the condition of 
 their fellow coiuitrymen, many of whom at that time labored 
 under dilliculties in securing work in competition with other 
 nationalities. The sunnner of 1874 had gone and the cold 
 
i 
 
 14 
 
 The Orifiin and Early History 
 
 weather was encroaching, and most of these fellow-countrymen 
 were out of employment ; they freely exchanged ideas at the little 
 grocery on the corner of Crawford street. These men were, from 
 the circumstances of their position, alive to any project which 
 would improve their condition ; and the suggestion to organize 
 a Society for beneficiary purposes readily secured their approval 
 and co-operation. 
 
 nol 
 
 stf 
 
 Sc 
 
 evi 
 
 Original Members Meet at Dr. King's Residence. 
 
 Having progressed so far in the direction of ascertaining the 
 source or inception of the motive, and having secured the 
 addresses of the reputed founders, an invitation was extended to 
 them to attend a meeting at my office, 28G Sherbourno street, 
 Toronto ; which meeting was held on Saturday afternoon August 
 11th, 1888, for the purpose of developing the fullest information 
 regarding the origin, foundation, and early history of the Society ; 
 and to corroborate the piece-meal evidence already secured, and 
 set at rest all doubtful statements. On that occasion the follow- 
 ing were present, namely George B. Brooks, who arrived at one 
 o'clock and remained about half an hour, promising to write out 
 his knowledge of the matter in a few days. That promise was 
 fulfilled ; and, as a result, I have already quoted his views regard- 
 ing the suggestions anent the formation of the Society. Shortly 
 after three o'clock, the following, who originally participated in 
 founding the first Court or Lodge, arrived, namely George 
 Frederick Carrette, James Ijomas, Charles Buckner, Samuel 
 Buckner and E. Smith. At the same time Brother Boswell, 
 then Grand Vice-President, and Capt. Allen of Richmond Lodge 
 were present by courtesy during the time devoted to the subject. 
 
 Historical Facts Agreed Upon. 
 
 The following matters were noted as being facts upon which 
 all wore agreed. The first or preliminary meeting was held at 
 the store of Brooks k Loraas on Crawford street, Don Mount, 
 
Sons of Kmjland Benevolent Society. 
 
 li 
 
 ountrymen 
 t the little 
 were, from 
 ject wliicli 
 organize 
 r approval 
 
 J 
 
 dence. 
 
 aining the 
 3ured the 
 ^tended to 
 no street, 
 »n August 
 formation 
 3 Society ; 
 «red, and 
 le follow- 
 ed at one 
 write out 
 Mise was 
 s regard- 
 Shortly 
 ipated in 
 George 
 Samuel 
 Boswell, 
 d Lodge 
 sul)ject. 
 
 1 which 
 lield at 
 VIount, 
 
 now corner of Elliott and Hamilton streets ; which building is 
 still standing and with the land has become the property of the 
 Sons of England Hall Company. The meeting was held on the 
 evening of the 12th day of December, 1874. The only persons 
 present were George F. Carrette, George Brooks, Edward Smith, 
 Nathaniel Patrick, George Patrick, Charles Buckner, Samuel 
 Buckner, and James Lomas — in all eight Englishmen. Mr. 
 Carrette being the oldest man present was elected to the chair. 
 James Lomas was elected Treasurer, and George B. Brooks was 
 elected Secretary. All those present save Brooks, Smith and 
 Lomas, were out of employment, and consequently ready and 
 anxious for a union of interests. The details of the proposed 
 organization were discussed ; and, to use the words of Mr. 
 Brooks, "they took an ambitious view of matters," and it was 
 determined to make it not only a benevolent society, but also a 
 gathering point around which all Englishmen could rally. Fur- 
 ther and final consideration of aims and objects was left over for 
 the next meeting. Before this preliminary meeting closed, it 
 was unanimously resolved to form a Society to be hereafter 
 known as the Sons of England. Each of the eight men present 
 deposited ,f2 as a membership fee, and adopted an obligation of 
 secresy which was administered by the chairman to all present, 
 ho himself subscribing to the obligation in the usual manner. 
 At this meeting an incident occurred which happily resulted 
 favorably, but which might have been the means of preventing the 
 organization of the Society. Before adjournment, the presiding 
 officer enquired of the Secretary how much money he had received. 
 In reply he reported !ii>lG, but of that amount only $14 were 
 visible, and a lengthy search failed to account for the disappear- 
 ance of the two dollars. A feeling of distrust very naturally 
 found place in the minds of those present ; the conclusion they 
 arrived at being that one of the number must have been a thief ; 
 and if a thief was discovered at this early stage of proceedings 
 future confidence would not be established. However, a solu- 
 tion of the mystery was had when the bottom of the boot of 
 Brother Charles Buckner revealed the frozen snow which he had 
 carried in with him, embedded in which was the missing $2 bill, 
 
16 
 
 The Griffin and Earl if Ilifitnrif 
 
 i 
 
 ' i 
 
 wliicli had evidently fallen from tlic table, been pressed into the 
 snow by his weight when walking, and innocently the man was 
 the possessor of the $2 which was the property of the newly 
 formed Society. Not only was confidence thns fully restored, but 
 the incident has often times been repeated by the members as an 
 evidence of the proneness of human nature to suspect our fellow- 
 men, which in itself was a wholesome lesson, and may be pre- 
 served for the consideration of the thousands who will hereafter 
 enter the Order ; in the hope that it may teach them to be careful 
 to thoroughly investigate before allowing a conviction to be 
 formed of any man's guilt. The night was very cold, and the 
 snow was deep ; but as those j >\\y Englishmen had as yet not 
 made all the necessary preparation to ensure absolute secresy of 
 their proceedings, they devised the scheme whereby the wives of 
 Jiros. lirooks and Lomas were to spend an evening at the house 
 of Bro. Carrette. The doors were locked, and sentries were 
 stationed inside the house with instructions to watch through 
 the key-hole, rather than run the risk of freezing outside. It is 
 said that after the meeting was formally closed no record could 
 be made which would convey an accurate description of what 
 transpired. But it is left to be surmised ; for if you ask any of 
 them you will see a peculiar smile and twinkle of the eye, which 
 betokens that they had a jolly good time. 
 
 The second meeting was held on the 22nd day of December, 
 1874, in the parlor of Mallindino's Hotel, Kingston road, at 
 which all of the eight members were present. After the reading 
 of the minuies, and the obligation of Thomas West, the first 
 candidate, it was decided unanimously to elect permanent 
 officers for the period of half a year, ending with June, 1875. 
 The elections were held by open vote, each of the officers being 
 elected by acclamation, with the following result: President, 
 George F. Carrette ; Vice-President, Nathaniel Patrick ; Secre- 
 tary, George B. Brooks ; and Treasurer, James Lomas. The 
 scrutineers (who occupied the same relative position to the 
 Society in its early days as the Managing Committee does at the 
 present time, vi/., to investigate the character of applicants, and 
 
 toll 
 
 Pa( 
 Guj 
 seel 
 
 I coil 
 
 ^ ani 
 
 i 
 
 ' , ] 
 i tri 
 
 I SCI 
 
 a 
 
Son of England Benevolent Society, 
 
 VI 
 
 jy the man was 
 y of the newly 
 h restored, but 
 |menibers as an 
 •ecfc our fellow- 
 |(I may be pre- 
 wilJ Jiereaffcor 
 » to be careful 
 pviction to bo 
 cold, and tJie 
 
 [a<^ as ^et not 
 "te secresj of 
 
 p the wives of 
 at the house 
 
 [sen tries were 
 
 'atcJi tJirou^di 
 
 ^tside. It i^ 
 
 record could 
 
 ftion of what 
 
 '« ask any of 
 
 '^ eye, wliicii 
 
 f J December, 
 ^" road, at 
 ^^^G reading 
 3t, the first 
 
 permanent 
 une, 1875. 
 cers being 
 i^resident, 
 '" > Secre- 
 las. TJie 
 " to tiio 
 ^t's at tJie 
 ants, and 
 
 jto look after the sick and distressed), were Thomas West, George 
 [Patrick and Edward Smith. Guards — Charles Buckner, Inner 
 'Guard ; and Samuel Buckner, Outer Guard. It will thus be 
 seen that the entire original membership of eight, together with 
 West — admitted at the second meeting — were re^^ lired to fill the 
 - constituted offices. There was no installation ceremony, neither 
 I any special obligation, as they all felt themselves bound to their 
 I original obligation, to faithfully carry out their self-imposed 
 I trust. Among the business transacted at this meeting was the 
 selection of a committee to secure a permanent place of meeting ; 
 a committee to prepare a constitution, by-laws and rules for the 
 guidance of the Society, and also a committee to interview Dr. 
 William Newcombe, with a view to securing his services to 
 examine applicants for admission. At this meeting the member- 
 ship adopted a name — Court Albion, No. 1, Sons of England 
 Benevolent Society. Also certain secret work was adopted, con- 
 sisting of a pass- word, raps for admission, a grip, a sign of recog- 
 nition and a salutation sign. No badge or regalia was decided 
 upon, save tlic adoption of a broad blue sash. It was mutually 
 agreed at this meeting that the objects of the Society should be 
 somewhat as follows : — the Society to be composed of Protestant 
 Einglishmen and their descendants ; to care for each other's 
 interests in sickness, distress or death ; to procure for any 
 Brother who might require it, employment whenever possible; 
 to benefit each other by mutual support in business and trade ; 
 and in any way to advance each other's moral, social and 
 material welfare; at the same time caring for not only individual 
 advantage, but for the advantage and protection of the families of 
 the members. 
 
 As a political institution it was to know no party, but to incul- 
 cate the preservation and perpetuity of the British Empire, loyalty 
 to Crown and country under Protestant rule. The foregoing 
 aims and ohjvicts were from time to time considered, and finally 
 elaborated in the form of an address to Englishmen, which be- 
 came an introduction to the first code of by-laws published in the 
 beginning of the year 1875, 
 
18 
 
 The Orif/in and Early History 
 
 The organization was not completed at the second meeting 
 held on the 22.ud December, 1874. Several meetings were held 
 before a ritual was adopted by the Society. The first ritual 
 adopted was prepared by George B. Brooks. Of the original 
 eight present at the first meeting, five only remain in member- 
 ship at this time; tlieir names being George F. Carrette, James 
 Lomas, Charles Buckner, Samuel Buckner and Edward Smith. 
 These five were present at the meeting held where the foregoing 
 facts received corroboration. The two brothers, Nathaniel and 
 George Patrick, became disconnected with the Society years ago 
 through non-payment of dues ; while George B. Brooks resigned, 
 liis resignation being accepted in May, 1877. The remaining five 
 n^ombers mentioned above agree in saying that the eight present 
 at the original first meeting, and who paid their fee of $2, and 
 took the obligation, were undoubtedly the original and only 
 founders of the Society. And after the most careful enquiry and 
 investigation I am forced to the same conclusion. Of the five 
 now in membership, Brothers Carrette, Charles and Samuel 
 Buckner and Edward Smith are members of Albion Lodge, 
 No. 1, while James Lomas is a member of Manchester Lodge, 
 No. 14. 
 
 D( 
 
 In 
 
 C( 
 
 ca 
 S( 
 he 
 
 th 
 sa 
 to 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 tr 
 D 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 19 
 
 
 STATUTORY DECLARATION, R. S. 0. CAP. 141. 
 
 Dominion of Canada, 
 County of York, 
 
 To wit ; 
 
 In the mutter of the Kurhj Historif of the Sons of Ew/land Beneco- 
 lent Society hi/ Dr. John S. Kimj. 
 
 1, George Frederick Carrette, of the City of Toronto, in the 
 County of York, bricklayer, do solemnly declare that I have 
 carefully read so much of Dr. JohnS. King's "Early History of the 
 Sons of England Benevolent Society," as appeared under the 
 heading *' Historical facts agreed upon." 
 
 2. That from my personal know edge of the circumstances 
 therein narrated and from participating in the work of founding 
 said Society, I know the statements contained therein to be true 
 to the best of my knowledge and belief. 
 
 And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be 
 true and by virtue of the " Act respecting extra-judicial oaths." 
 
 Declared before me at the City of "^ 
 Toronto, in the County of York, 
 this Ninth day of February, A.D. 
 1891, 
 
 GEO. F. CARRETTE. 
 
 RICHARD CADDICK, 
 
 A Commissioner, ete., Notary Public. 
 
 SKA I, 
 
20 
 
 The Orvjin and Early History 
 
 STATUTORY DECLARATION, 11. S. O. CAP. 141. 
 
 Dominion of Canada, 
 County of York, 
 • To wit; 
 
 In the vtKtter of the Ktiiiif Histonj nf the S(ni:> of Emjland Benevo- 
 lent Societij hy Dr. John S. Kimj. 
 
 1, James Lomas, of the City of Toronto, in the County of York, 
 grocer, do solemnly declare that I have carefully read so much 
 of Dr. John S. King's "Early History of the Sons of England 
 Benevolent Society" as appeared under the heading " Historical 
 facts agreed upon." 
 
 2. That from my personal knowledge of the circumstances 
 narrated and from participating in the work of founding said 
 Society, I know the statements contained therein to be true to 
 the best of my knowledge aiid belief. 
 
 And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be 
 true and by virtue of the " Act respecting extra-judicial oaths." 
 
 Declared before me at the City of 
 Toronto, in the County of York, 
 this Ninth day of February, 
 1891. 
 
 ^A.D. r 
 
 JAMES LOMAS. 
 
 SEAL 
 
 RICHARD CADDICK, 
 
 A Connnmioner, etc., Sotari/ J'uhlic. 
 
 i% 
 
Sons of Enfiltind lienrrolrnt Sonefff. 
 
 21 
 
 AP. 141. 
 
 STATUTORY DECLARATION, R. S. O. CAP. 141. 
 
 'f((nU Beneio- 
 
 •ntyofYork, 
 
 cad so nmcli 
 
 of Eiifcflaiid 
 
 " Historical 
 
 ^c urn stances 
 
 ending said 
 
 be true to 
 
 same to be 
 JJaloatljs." 
 
 Dominion of Canada, \ 
 County of York, ^ 
 
 To wit ; 
 
 ) 
 
 In the matter of the I'jirbf Histori/ of the Sons of Knt/hnul Jienevo- 
 Lent Sovietij Inj J^r. John S. Kintj. 
 
 1, Edward Smith, of the City of Toronto, in the County of 
 York, cooper, do solemnly declare that I liavc carefully read so 
 much of Dr. John S. King's "Early History of the Sons of England 
 Benevolent Society" as appeared under the heading "Historical 
 facts agreed upon." 
 
 2. That from my personal knowledge of the circumstances 
 therein nsirrated and from participating in the work of founding 
 said Society, I know the statements contained therein to be true 
 to the best of my knowledge and belief. 
 
 And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be 
 true and by virtue of the " Act respecting extra-judicial oaths." 
 
 IS. 
 
 Declared before me at the City of ] 
 Toronto, in the County of York, L 
 this Ninth day of February, A.D. 
 1891. 
 
 E. SMITH. 
 
 fuh/ic. 
 
 RICHARD CADDICK, 
 
 A Conrmmoner, etc., Notari/ Puhlic. 
 
 SEAL 
 
! 
 
 ! 1 
 
 U 
 
 1 
 
 22 
 
 The Origin and Early Hitstory 
 
 STATUTORY DECLARATION, R. S. 0. CAP. 141. 
 
 Dominion of Canada, \ 
 County of York, ' 
 
 ' To wit ; 
 
 In the matter of the Karhj History of the Sons of Enyhmd Benevo- 
 lent Society hy Dr. John S. Kiny. 
 
 1, Charles Buckner, of the City of Toronto, in the County of 
 York, plasterer, do solemnly declare that I Iiave carefully read so 
 much of Dr. John S. King's " Early History of the Sons of 
 England Benevolent Society " as appeared under the heading 
 " Historical facts agreed upon." 
 
 2. That from my personal knowledge of the circumstances 
 therein narrated and from participating in the work of founding 
 said Society, I know the statements contained therein to he true 
 to the hesl of my knowledge and belief. 
 
 And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be 
 true and by virtue of the " Act respecting extra-judicial oaths." 
 
 Declared before me at the City of 
 Toronto, in the County of Y'^ork, 
 this Ninth day of February, A.D. I 
 
 CHARLES BUCKNER. 
 
 1891. 
 
 .ilCHARD CADDICK, 
 
 A Commissioner, eti\, Xotan/ Puhlie 
 
 SRAL 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 23 
 
 P. 141. 
 
 if* 
 
 STATUTORY DECLARATION, R. S. 0. CAP. 141. 
 
 ^<(nd Benevo- 
 
 e County of 
 fuliy read so 
 tlie Sons of 
 tliG headinff 
 
 rcumstanc?es 
 of founding- 
 n to be true 
 
 same to be 
 3ial oatha." 
 
 Dominion of Canada, \ 
 County of York, , 
 
 To wit ; ) 
 
 In the matter of the Enrlij History of the Sons of Knifland Benevo- 
 lent Soriettj In/ Ih'. John S. Kinij. 
 
 - * 
 
 1, Samuel Buckner, of the City of Toronto, in the County of 
 York, laborer. Do solemnly declare that I have carefully read so 
 much of Dr. John S. King's •' Early History of the Sons of 
 England Benevolent Society " as appeared under the heading 
 " Historical facts agreed upon." 
 
 2. That from my personal knowledge of the circumstaHces 
 therein narrated and from participating in the work of founding 
 said Society, I know the statements contained therein to be true 
 to the best of my knowledge and belief. 
 
 And I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be 
 true and by virtue of the " Act respecting extra-judicial oaths." 
 
 UCIvNER. 
 
 Declared before me at the City of ' 
 Toronto, in the County of York, 
 this Ninth day of February, A.D. 
 IHUl. 
 
 S. BUCKNER. 
 
 Pnhiie. 
 
 RICHARD CADDICK, 
 
 A Cotumissioner, etc., Xoturi/ Pnhlic. 
 
 SEAL 
 
 i 
 

 24 
 
 Tha Origin and Early Hiaiory 
 
 ill; 
 
 Biographies of the Founders. 
 
 George Frederick Carrette was born July 2ith, 1833, at Bond 
 street, Vauxhall, London. His father was born May28tli, 1804, 
 at Old Charlton, Kent. He was an excise officer. He died 
 when George was about four years of age. His mother again 
 married three years after the father's death, when the subject of 
 this sketch was taken from school to learn the trade of brick- 
 layer with his step-father John Hilton. Ho resided with his 
 parents until he was married, July 10th, 1854, to Pamela Rosa 
 Hopson, of 4 Furze street, Cheswick on Thames, Middlesex 
 county; who died on 17tli lanuary, 1891, after a brief illness, 
 in this city. For about fifteen years he worked at his trade, 
 generally taking small contracts; when he determined to come to 
 Canada, which he did in 1809, reaching Toronto on the third 
 day of September of that year. He is at the pi'esent time and 
 has been for the past six years ward foreman of St. Matthew's 
 Ward. 
 
 George B. Brooks declined to give his autobiography, and I 
 have therefore been unable to learn more than the facts — that 
 he was reputed to be the son of an English Church clergyman ; 
 that he came from Nottingham, England, early in the seventies, 
 where he had obtained a good education ; that he is still living, 
 and has for many years been coiniected with the press of this 
 city. 
 
 Edward Smith was born at Richard street, Commercial Road, 
 London East, England, on the 28rd day of December, 1811. 
 His trade has been that of a cooper. He came to Toronto in 
 August, 1809, and has been almost continuously employed at 
 Lyman Bros., wholesale druggists. He is married and still 
 remains in membership. 
 
 Nathaniel Patrick was born in Bethnal Green, London, Eng- 
 land, April loth, 1844. He served an apprenticeship to James 
 Terry & Sons, packing case makers and carpenters, timber 
 dealers, etc. He came to Canada in 1808 or thereabouts. 
 
 \ 
 
Hans of Enfiland lip^uevolent Societt/. 
 
 25 
 
 rs. 
 
 , 1833, at Bond 
 May 28th, 1804, 
 Ifficer, He died 
 is mother again 
 n the subject of 
 |e trade of brick- 
 resided with his 
 to Pamela Rosa 
 imes, Middlesex 
 r a brief illness, 
 ked at liis trade, 
 nined to come to 
 nto on the third 
 pi'esent time and 
 of St. Matthew's 
 
 biography, and I 
 the facts — that 
 
 urch clergyman ; 
 in the seventies, 
 lie is still living, 
 
 the press of this 
 
 ammercial Road, 
 )ecember, 1841. 
 110 to Toronto in 
 sly employed at 
 larried and still 
 
 n, London, Eng- 
 [Jeship to James 
 penters, timber 
 or thereabouts. 
 
 changed his location many times after his first arrival m Toronto. 
 He, however, resided in Toronto at the time the Society was 
 organized, and was its first Vice-President, though lie left the 
 city shortly after. 
 
 George Patrick, a brother of Nathaniel, having left this part 
 of the country I have been unable to gather particulars of his 
 history. At the time of the foundation of the Society he was 
 unmarried ; was twenty-six years of age ; by occupation a box- 
 maker. He was born in Middlesex county, England. 
 
 diaries Buckner was born in London, England, December 
 HOth, 1842. The father dying, the son at the age of fourteen 
 years, was compelled to seek a situation and he secured one. 
 Two years later he married. With a wife and four children he 
 left for Canada when about twenty-six years old. He reached 
 Toronto on the 14th of August, 18G8. He has resided in Don 
 Mount, now St. Matthew's Ward, at intervals ever since, though 
 he tried his fortune in other parts. Ho at present lives in the 
 city. 
 
 Samuel Buckner was born in Stepney Parish, London, Eng- 
 land, ill the year 1841. He came to Toronto in 1873, where he 
 has maintained himself and family by his industry in a humble 
 occupation. 
 
 James Lomas was born on the 21st of January, 1845, in the 
 county of Surrey, England, His parents, Isaac and Lavinia 
 Lomas, were the parents of eleven chikhon, James being the 
 sixth. He received a fair education at a commercial academy. 
 At the age of fourteen he was obliged to obtain employment for 
 himself, which he did at a wholesale warehouse in London, 
 until a desire to travel became too strong for him to resist. He 
 joined Her Majesty's Navy in 1802, being thoroughly trained on 
 board the Impregnable, at Plymouth, and the Brig Squirrel, 
 cruising in and around the British coast. He was later drafted 
 to join Her Majesty's steamship Sutlej, flagship of the Pacific 
 squadron, under Sir John Kingcome and Sir Joseph Denman. 
 During the time he was in the service, he had opportunities of 
 
 
 
26 
 
 The Orifiin and Earhf History 
 
 
 seeing many land? and races in all parts of the world, as well as 
 being present at an engagement— the bombardment of Valpar- 
 aiso by the Spanish fleet. He was present and took part in the 
 great naval review of 1807 before Her Majesty, the Sultan of 
 Turkey, and the Pasha of Egypt ; after which the crew were paid 
 off. Leaving the navy he embarked for Australia, where he had a 
 varied experience, on one occasion walking a distance of 1,100 
 miles. After a time spent in Australia he returned to London, 
 whence he shipped to Russia and other countries in Northern 
 Europe. Later on he started fcr Canada and arrived in Mont- 
 real in the fall of 1870. He again returned to Europe, but in 
 1871 revisited America. For a time that season he worked in 
 the Hamilton iron-works, but his roaming disposition soon took 
 him off to some of the Western States. By the year 187 1 he had 
 settled down in Toronto, where he married the daughter of 
 George Carrette, afterwards first President of the Society. 
 
 It is claimed that Mrs. Lomas might almost be designated 
 one of the founders of the Order, as slie had to do a consider- 
 able amount of the work detailed for members to do. 
 
 |n 
 
 |)le^ 
 
 on 
 
 wei 
 
 fuUl 
 
 of 
 
 zat] 
 
 Oct 
 
 The Early Minutes of the Society. 
 
 Prom its foundation the Society was never dormant, its exist- 
 ence being attended with a greater or less degree of prosperity. 
 From the 22nd day of December, 1871, when the organization 
 of the mother lodge was completed by choice of officers, etc., to 
 the organization of the Grand Lodge in October, 1870, the 
 source of authority vested in Albion. By her consent and 
 authority, Middlesex, Kent, 'ind Essex Lodges came into exist- 
 ence ; and by the mutual consent of Albion, Middlesex and 
 Kent members, the first Grand Lodge ofHcers were selected; 
 while after the organization of l^^^ssex Lodge, a proper system of 
 organization by delegates was established, as will hereafter 
 appear. 
 
 It would be apparent that the history of the Society anterior 
 to the Grand Lodge organization was largely and, indeed, chiefly 
 the history of the mother lodge Albion ; as Middlesex organized 
 
 •SM 
 
y 
 
 Sons of Erifjland Benevolent Society. 
 
 27 
 
 ivorld, as well as 
 nent of Valpar- 
 took part in the 
 Y, the Sultan of 
 B crew were paid 
 , where he had a 
 istance of 1,100 
 ned to London, 
 es in Northern 
 •rived in Mont- 
 Enrope, but in 
 n he worked in 
 ition soon took 
 ir 1H74 he had 
 te dauf^hter of 
 Society. 
 
 bo desi.t,mated 
 do a considor- 
 o. 
 
 y. 
 
 ant, its exist- 
 )f prosperity. 
 or£jfanization 
 icers, etc., to 
 r, 1N7G, the 
 consent and 
 le into exist- 
 iddlesGx and 
 're selected ; 
 or system of 
 ill hereafter 
 
 ety anterior 
 leed, chiefly 
 X or^'anized 
 
 )n the 21st September, 1H70, about five weeks before the com- 
 jpletion of the Grand Lodge organization, Kent Lodge organized 
 on the 0th day of October, the day the Grand Lodge officers 
 Were chosen, and twenty-one days before the Grand Lodge was 
 fully organized, while Essex came into existence on the 12th day 
 of October, 1870, eighteen days before the Grand Lodge organi- 
 zation. The history of Albion Lodge from December, 1H74, to 
 October, 187G, or nearly two years, will prove not only interest- 
 ing, but in many respects most valuable, inasmuch as the found- 
 ations of a Society were therein laid which has already made 
 wonderful strides, and is destined within the life of a single 
 generation to become mighty in dimensions and unlimited in its 
 usefulness among Englishmen in the widely scattered British 
 colonies in all parts of the globe, as well as exercising a powerful 
 social influence. Starting with the first meeting after the com- 
 pletion of the organization or foundation of the Society, which 
 has already been narrated, we are at tlie beginning of the year 
 1S75 ; the meeting was held in the Eastern Star Temperance 
 Hall, on Queen street east, north side, a few doors east of Par- 
 liament street, and thereafter on the first and third Mondays of 
 each month. Though no minutes can be found contaifting the 
 record, the member's roll-book shows that the membership at 
 that, the third meeting, held on the 7th of January, was aug- 
 mented by the initiation of Frederick Carrette — son of George 
 Carrette, the founder — Harry Cozens, and Dr. William Newcombe, 
 who became the Lodge Surgeon, and gave his services gratuitously 
 the first year of the Socij3ty's existence. This same roll-book 
 exhibits the addition of four names on the 21st of January, one 
 % on the IHtli February, one on the 4th of March, and one on ulie 
 iHth of March ; or in all ten during the first quarter of the year. 
 The first half year was an anxious time with the founders. The 
 Order became involved in debt, and new members were made 
 but slowly. Many I^nglishmen, some of whom have since joined 
 :^ the Society, pooh-poohed the idea of its success ; but as great 
 " things have always small beginnings, so with the Sons of Eng- 
 land. Regarding the earliest meetings, Brother Carrette has 
 recently remarked, " It is rather amusing now when I look back 
 
m 
 
 iiijii 
 
 28 
 
 IVie Orufin and Earhi History 
 
 to the time when we first met, and I liad to preside over eight 
 members, at first in a very cold room where the ink Froze so 
 that the Secretary could not write the minutes of the meeting. 
 Our outside Guard was often pelted with snowballs or something 
 much worse and called by foul epithets." 
 
 Foundation Principles and By-Laws. 
 
 During the earlier prxrt of this quarter, the Society determined 
 to put forth strenuous exertions to establish, in security and for 
 perpetuity, tiie foundation principles upon which they hoped in 
 the near future to rear a superstructure creditable to the builders 
 and secure as a retreat for all worthy Englishmen. Their motto 
 thus early adopted was " Fidelity." The outcome of this first 
 effort in January, 1875, was the first set of by-laws, seventy-one 
 in number. The first article sets forth the objects as follows : — 
 
 '• Art. 1. That this society be called the Sons of England 
 Benevolent Society, No. 1, and shall have for its object the 
 raising of funds by entrance fees, subscriptions of the members, 
 fines, donations, and by interest on capital, for the following 
 purposes : namely, ensuring sums of money to defray the expen- 
 ses of the burial of deceased members' wives, and members' 
 deceased children ; for rendering assistance to members when 
 sick and unable to follow their employment ; for supplying 
 medical attendance and medicine to the members ; and for 
 granting temporary relief to members in distressed circum- 
 stances." * 
 
 Art. IV. provided for the semi-annual election of oflficers ; Art. 
 V. for the establishing and management of the Benevolent and 
 Contingent Funds. Art. VIII. provided that no person should 
 be admitted a member of the Society unless an Englishman born 
 or the son of English parents and a Protestant. Art. X. pro- 
 hibited the holding of any meetings of the Society in any tavern, 
 inn, saloon or public-house. According to Art. XVI. three 
 scrutineers were provided to discharge the duties now devolving 
 upon the managing committee. Art. XVIII. provided for an 
 
 ai 
 
 wj] 
 fol 
 
 fol 
 
 Tl 
 
Sov8 of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 29 
 
 over eight 
 k froze so 
 e meeting. 
 
 soraei 
 
 thing 
 
 determined 
 ity and for 
 ',y hoped in 
 the builders 
 rheir motto 
 of this first 
 seventy-one 
 s follows : — 
 
 of England 
 ? object the 
 le members, 
 he following 
 ly the pxpen- 
 iid members' 
 }mbers when 
 "or supplying 
 ers ; and for 
 sssed circum- 
 
 officers; Art. 
 anevolent and 
 person should 
 glishman born 
 Art. X. pro- 
 in any tavern, 
 t. XVI. three 
 now devolving 
 rovided for an 
 
 arbitration committee of twelve members. Art. XXV. made 
 provision for expelling any member who through private maHce 
 and spite opposed the acceptance of a candidate. Art. XXXIX. 
 imposed a fine of $1.00 on any member entering the lodge 
 intoxicated ; while Art. XL. fixed a fine of $5.00 for the same 
 offence by an officer ; and, when repeated, said officer to be 
 degraded from office. Art. XLV. provided that : — 
 
 " No member upon the sick list, and receiving benefits from 
 the Society, shall be allowed to do any kind of work whatever, 
 nor frequent taverns or public-houses, nor get intoxicated ; and 
 should any officer or member of this Court know of any member 
 breaking this rule, and not mention it at the next meeting of the 
 Court, he shall be fined 50 cents." 
 
 Art. LIII. imposed the punishment of expulsion in case of con- 
 viction for felony. Art. LVII. classified the members into 
 Beneficiary and Honorary. Art. LXII. provided : — • 
 
 " In addition to the offences already mentioned in these rules 
 as being punishable by expulsion, the following offences are also 
 liable to expulsion ; maligning the objects of this Society ; cal- 
 umniating its officers or members ; carrying information and 
 betraying secrets outside the Society." 
 
 Art. LXV., in addition to its provisions for sick benefits, de- 
 fined the loan fund system which was in operation during the 
 earliest period of the Society. Other clauses more or less similar 
 to those now in operation made up the other numbers. 
 
 As an introduction to the By-Laws and Rules of the Society, 
 
 an 
 
 Address to Englishmen 
 
 was adopted and promulgated with the Laws. This address 
 possessed merit and may be properly introduced here. It read as 
 follows : 
 
 " Amongst the numerous Benevolent Societies at present 
 formed in this city there is none exclusively for Englishmen. 
 The Scotchn^an has his St. Andrew's and Sons of Scotia Spcie- 
 
IfTI- 
 
 ; 
 
 ! ! i 
 
 30 
 
 The Oriqin and Earli) History 
 
 ties ; the Irishman has his St. Patrick's Society ; Germans, and 
 the members of other countries, have theirs, from which they not 
 only claim benefits, but where they meet none but their own 
 countrymen, and where they aid by their advice and by more 
 substantial means their less successful competitors. Is an Eng- 
 lishman's heart less warm or less true to his countrymen than 
 are the hearts of those claiming a different nationality to our own ? 
 God forbid. History proves otherwise. Why then should we be 
 less forward than others in assisting our less fortunate country- 
 men and in assisting ourselves ? 
 
 " There is a noble society formed here and elsewhere that is 
 doing a good work among Englishmen, namely, the St. George's 
 Society. But are we, jvs Englishmen, if visited by sickness or 
 distress of any kind, to be compelled to solicit charity ? No man 
 with the principles of a man can receive charity without feeling 
 degraded. Let us then; as Englishmen, and as Englishmen loving 
 our country and our countrymen, have a Society from which we 
 can when in sickness or (iistress claim aid as our right and not 
 as a charity — a Society from which we can receive aid without 
 feeling under any obligations to any man. 
 
 " Providence has given to no man an immunity from affliction, 
 and it is a duty we owe ourselves and our families to provide 
 against that distress which inevitably attends every visitation. 
 No class is exempt, but the more humble classes are more par- 
 ticularly exposed to misfortune and sickness as disastrous in their 
 consequences as they are difficult to avert. 
 
 " It is a good and noble principle in men to try and live solely 
 dependent on themselves, and by frugality and prudence lay up a 
 Store for their old age and to meet calamities. And is it not a 
 slur upon us as Englishmen that we have no Society amongst us 
 where we can meet brother Englishmen and from which we can 
 demand relief, not as a charity — not as a gift — but as a right to 
 which we are justly entitled, from having, when in health and 
 plenty, laid up a store against adversity '? 
 
 " Sickness, though a terrible scourge, is not the only calamity 
 ^ TOan has to dread. Miny a noble, upright man meets with. 
 
 |into 
 I and i\ 
 
 |out in 
 C^ociet 
 
Sons of Ewfland Benevolent Sociehf. 
 
 31 
 
 lans, and 
 1 they nob 
 bheir own 
 by more 
 s an Eng- 
 men than 
 , our own ? 
 ould W8 he 
 e country - 
 
 ore that is 
 ,t. George's 
 sickness or 
 ? No man 
 [lOut feeling 
 nnen loving 
 m which we 
 ight and not 
 aid without 
 
 nnaflUction, 
 s to provide 
 •y visitation, 
 e more par- 
 brous in their 
 
 ,id Uve solely 
 ence lay up a 
 tl is it not a 
 ,y amongst us 
 which we can 
 as a right to 
 in health and 
 
 n 
 
 only calamity 
 meets with 
 
 adversity that he could not avert. Loss of employment is one ; 
 and is it not better and more noble — does not a man feel less 
 degraded — when he can I'eceive temporary aid from his own 
 countrymen as a right, than when he has to slink along and live 
 dependent on the charity of others '? 
 
 " There is a charge, and to a great extent a truthful charge 
 brought against Englishmen, that they will not hang together — 
 that they are not clannish. If men claiming a different nation- 
 ality to our own can bear the charge of being clannish and flourish 
 under that charge, and be the better off for being clannish, is it 
 not logical to suppose that we as Englishmen shall be no worse 
 oft' under the same charge ? It is natural to be clannish. There 
 is no reproach in the word. Even tlie beasts and birds love to 
 mate with their own species. And where is the Englishman, 
 when afar from the old sod, whose heart does not warm when he 
 meets one of his own countrymen ? Let us then join together, 
 one and all, and form a band of brothers that shall be a band of 
 brothers in reality and not only in name — a Society where we 
 shall meet those only who are wanderers from the dear old land, 
 the wonder and the glory of the world ; and a land that, with all 
 her faults, we love and will love to the last. The founders of this 
 Society have thought fit to exclude Roman Catholics from mem- 
 bership in it — not because they bear any ill-will to Catholics, but 
 Ibr two other reasons : first, because with a Catholic it is " my 
 priest first, my country next ; " and with us it must be *' my 
 country and my countrymen first." And, secondly, because it is 
 a well known fact that no Roman Catholic will join a Protestant 
 Society if he can gain admittance into a Roman Catholic one ; 
 and therefore if Roman Catholics were desirous of joining this 
 Society, it would be because their moral character unfitted them 
 Ho join a Roman Catholic one. And, in conclusion, let us assure 
 !all Englishmen of a most hearty and a most cordial welcome 
 t into our ranks. Our motto is •' Fidelity " — faithful to ourselves 
 I and faithful to each other; faithful to our country; and if carried 
 out in its integrity by one and all of the Sons of England, no 
 Society has a more noble one." 
 
i 
 
 B2 
 
 The Orujin and Karhj Ilisiunj 
 
 But with the preparation of the foregoing address and by-laws 
 arose 
 
 New and Perplexing Difficulties, 
 
 and these are best described in the hmguage of brother (Jeorge 
 Carrette, first President of the Society — " The trouble then was, 
 who would print our Constitution for us — who had no cash in 
 our Treasurer's hands ? However, we found a generous friend in 
 Mr. (afterwards Bro.) J. S. Williams, who gave us six nunths' 
 credit. We then went out in the highways and by way o to get 
 members. We left copies of the rules of the Society at the 
 different hotels, railway stations, Y.M.C.A. Rooms, and many 
 other public places. We also advertised in the fA'ctder, Mail, and 
 Onfiirio Workuian newspapers. I also took the advertisement to 
 the Globe, but they tlatly refused to publish it, though I laid the 
 money down to pay for it. I asked the reason why they refused 
 it and received a very curt reply. It was very difficult to get 
 anyone to join us. It was inid-winter, and almost every one was 
 out of employment. We were oft-times laughed at for our pains. 
 Such questions as follows were asked, * Is your Society incorpor- 
 ated '?' ; answer, ' No.' ' How many members are there in your 
 Society?'; answer, 'Eight.' 'How much cash have you?" 
 answer, ' None.' " 
 
 Incorporation of the Society. 
 
 " We then defcermined to get our Society incorporated if 
 possible ; and after mach time and controversy, we succeeded in 
 securing an interview v/ith Judge Duggan, who examined our 
 laws, and told us they were very good, but that we must make a 
 few alterations. They were made as he directed us. We again 
 went to Bro. Williams, our printer, who printed our amended 
 constitution (on credit, wliicli meant that we were getting deeper 
 into debt). We then went back to Judge Duggan, who said they 
 were correct, and issued the incorporati(m papers bearing date Feb- 
 ruary IDth, 1875. He also said it wa« a noble undertaking ; and, 
 shaking hands with each of us — eight in all — wished us God- 
 speed. We now felt that we were on a sound foundation, and 
 had more confidenca when we asked a man to join us." 
 
 I 
 
Sons of Ell pit Did Benevolent Society. 
 
 33 
 
 
 ncl by-laws 
 
 lui- Cleorge 
 o tlion was, 
 no cash in 
 )us i'rieiid in 
 six uiJiitlis' 
 wayo lo got 
 jioLy at tlio 
 s, and many 
 er, Mdii, and 
 srtisenient to 
 <rh 1 laid tlio 
 
 tbey refused 
 fficult to get 
 every one was 
 for our pains, 
 liety incorpov- 
 ! there in your 
 
 have you?" 
 
 incorporated it' 
 re succeeded in 
 examined our 
 e must make a 
 us. We again 
 d our amended 
 e getting deeper 
 I, who said they 
 earing date Feb- 
 ider taking ; and, 
 -wished us God- 
 foundation, and 
 join us." 
 
 The Public Press takes Cognizance of the Society. 
 
 The Society were no sooner occupants of their new home on 
 <^ueen street, or in fact on the very day that they held their first 
 meeting in the Eastern Star Assembly Hall, January 7th, 1875, 
 than there appeared in the columns of the Ontario Woikman an 
 editorial which proved a valuable agent in making known to the 
 public the origin, aim and objects of the new Society. As a 
 record of interest the article is reproduced here. 
 
 Sons of England. 
 
 " We are glad to see that a step in the right direction has at 
 last been taken by EngHshmen in this city. We allude to a 
 new benevolent society just formed exclusively for Englishmen 
 and their descendants. Up to the present. Englishmen have 
 certainly been remiss in combining together for their mutual 
 improvement, the only society for Englishmen as far as we are 
 aware of, existing in this city being of a charitable character. 
 "V^'^hy this should have been, we are not prepared to answer ; but 
 it has been felt by certain Englishmen that it was not right 
 that they alone, out of all the different nationalities at present 
 residing in Toronto, have never had a society where they could 
 meet only their own countrymen, and where they could assist 
 ^ach other by advice and by more substantial means. 
 
 " Charity, though the chief of all the virtues, has somewhat 
 of a degrading effect on the recipient of it. No man, with the 
 j)rinciples of an upriglit, honorable man, can receive charity 
 without at least feeling under an obligation for the gift ; and 
 tlie founders of the Society at present, the subject of this article, 
 have felt that it is less degrading and more honorable for a man to 
 receive relief from his own countrymen as his right, from having 
 when in health and plenty laid up a store against sickness and 
 adversity, than have to be dependent on the charity of others. The 
 benefits of the Society in question are, we beheve, entirely different 
 to any yet conferred by any other benevolent Society at present 
 in operation. In addition to the usual sick and general benefits 
 
34 
 
 The Origin and Enrhf Hintorif 
 
 the other benefits are of a character that must commend them 
 to the working classes. Temporary loans to pay rent, orders 
 for coal or wood, and orders on tradespeople for goods, are a 
 class of benefits that, during the winter months, at any rate, 
 will prove to be acceptable to many who cannot be strictly termed 
 the working classes, and we hope that Englishmen and their 
 descendants will do their utmost to render the new Society a 
 success. The initiation fees and weekly subscriptions are small 
 when compared with the fees demanded by other societies, and 
 would be not only a good investment to make, but would not 
 make it irksome on any man with ordinary prudence to pay. 
 
 " Any Englishman wishing for further particulars, can obtain 
 them by addressing Secretary (enclosing stamp if a reply is 
 required), box 1475, Toronto P. O." [From Ontario Worhmmiy 
 January 7, 1875.] 
 
 New Home for the Society. 
 
 The first three months of 1875, to which period Brotlier Car- 
 rette's foregoing remarks more especially applied, were spent in 
 the Eastern Star Temperance Hall. The Society then known as 
 Court Albion, No. 1, removed in the beginning of April to the old 
 Trades Assembly Hall on Adelaide street east, in the rear of the 
 present No. 10^, where it continued to meet until after the 
 organization of the Grand Lodge in October of the following 
 year. It was the latter part of the second month of the second 
 quarter, or on the 25tli day of May, the evening following Her 
 Majesty's birthday, the Sons of England made their 
 
 First Public Appearance, 
 
 by holding a concert in the Agricultural Hall, at the north-west 
 corner of Yonge and Queen streets, which was attended by 
 about five hundred people, Bro. James Lomas, one of the 
 founders, presiding. At that entertainment the aims and 
 objects of the Society were made known, both by the address of 
 the chairman and by the distribution of copies of the by-laws 
 and rules. The city press likewise contained reports of the 
 
Sana of England Benevolent Society, 
 
 9B 
 
 end them 
 nt, orders 
 )ds, are a 
 any rate, 
 tly termed 
 and their 
 Society a 
 are small 
 lieties, and 
 would not 
 ,0 pay. 
 can obtain 
 a reply is 
 Workman, 
 
 rotlier Car- 
 Bre spent in 
 11 known as 
 il to the old 
 3 rear of the 
 iil after the 
 le following 
 if the second 
 Rowing Her 
 
 e north-west 
 attended by 
 one of the 
 
 e aims and 
 
 lie address of 
 the by-laws 
 
 jports of the 
 
 entertainment. During the second quarter ending June 80th, 
 seven more members were added to the roll, while the last half 
 of 1875 increa:f»d the membership by forty-five, making a total 
 of those received into the Society up to the end of 1875, and 
 including the founders, seventy-one. 
 
 The First Anniversary. 
 
 To mark the firm establishment of the Society and the 
 fidelity of the membership, at the close of the first year's exis- 
 tence of the Society, an anniversary supper, consisting of a sub- 
 stantial English spread was held on the 12tli December, at what 
 at that time was known as the Cockney's Retreat, and situated 
 on the eastern bank of the Don about one hundred yards north 
 of Queen street. At this supper, fifty-six brother Englishmen, 
 members only, participated, out of a total admitted to member- 
 ship up to that date of sixty-three. The night wa^ wholly 
 devoted to the celebration, as the party did not disperse until 
 dayhght. 
 
 Brother George Carrette, who filled the position of President 
 the first year with satisfaction to all, was honored by a continu- 
 ance in the office for two years. In the autumn of 1875, steps 
 were first taken to organize a band, and the desired result was 
 soon attained by the establishment of a fife and drum band, all 
 of whose members, with a single exception, were Sons of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Adversity with Prosperity. 
 
 Though the year's efforts were successful in the aggregation 
 of members, the membership were not without a trial, in that 
 their principles were put to the test, proving that their motto 
 •' Fidelity " was not an empty sound, but was a principle they 
 were prepared to live up to. This was evidenced by their action, 
 when the first genuine case oi distress becoming known to the 
 Executive of the Court between meeting nights, was relieved by 
 their uniting together and providing beef, bread, groceries, fuel, 
 and $10 in cash, repaired to the home of the Brother, relieved 
 
11 
 
 nT7 
 
 m umtL 
 
 The Origin and Early History 
 
 !'■ i 
 
 "i!. 
 
 i! 
 
 his wants, and there made the hearts of his family and himself 
 glad. 
 
 It may be noted in this connection, that in the absence of a 
 regular fund provided to meet the requirements of the sick or 
 distressed, it became the custom to place a hat on the altar into 
 which voluntary contributions were dropped, and subsequently 
 bestowed on such as stood in need of relief. 
 
 The first six months of 1876 the Society was blessed with 
 increased prosperity. No less than fifty-six new members were 
 added to the roll. During this time the first certificates of 
 membership were designed, lithographed, and presented to mem- 
 bers. They differed from those at present in use in that a 
 bunch of roses occupied the space now devoted to the head of 
 Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen. No very special event 
 occurred during the first quarter of 1876. 
 
 !li| 
 
 The First Sermon to the Society. 
 
 On the 23rd of April, 1876, the Society attended divine 
 service in a body at All Saints' Church on Beech street, now 
 designated Wilton avenue, the account of which is thus reported 
 in the Toronto Daily Mail of the 24th of April : — 
 
 *' Yesterday afternoon the Rev. A. H. Baldwin preached a 
 sermon before the Sons of England Benevolent Society in All 
 Saints' Church, Beech street. Mr. Collins presided at tho organ. 
 After the usual service Mr. Baldwin addressed the congregation 
 from Psalms cxxxiii, 6, ' Behold how good and joyful a thing it 
 is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' 
 
 The rev. gentleman, in commencing, pointed out the pleasure 
 that was derived when Englishmen at home and abroad lived 
 together with a unity of feeling. The Psalm from which the 
 text was taken was one of those bright, happy, joyous Psalms 
 which the Jewish people sang as they proceeded to the temple 
 on great occasions. In it was embodied the grand truth, that 
 without unity there could not be prosperity. It was unity that 
 had made England the great land that she was ; it was that 
 broad English brotherhood so noticeable in the English character 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 87 
 
 i himself 
 
 ence of a 
 ae sick or 
 altar into 
 )sequently 
 
 issed with 
 hers were 
 iificates of 
 d to raem- 
 in that a 
 tie head of 
 ecial event 
 
 led divine 
 street, now 
 us reported 
 
 preached a 
 ciety in All 
 i tho organ, 
 ongregation 
 1 a thing it 
 
 ihe pleasure 
 broad lived 
 
 which the 
 ous Psalms 
 » the temple 
 i truth, that 
 ,8 unity that 
 
 it was that 
 ish character 
 
 which had caused England's sons to prosper wherever they had 
 settled. The necessity of unity was shown when the Israelites 
 were crossing the Jordan, at which time certain tribes wished 
 to stay behind ; and the necessity for unity was also pointed out 
 to exist in the case of the country being threatened by a common 
 enemy. The words oHhe Psalmist were very much to the Jewish 
 people what ' God save the Queen ' was to the English heart. 
 If Englishmen rose to their feet at the inspiring strains of their 
 National Anthem, the Jews proceeded joyously to their house of 
 worship wlien they heard the sound of the Psalm, * Behold how 
 good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in 
 unity.' It had been said that society was becoming effete, but the 
 truth was that men were being drawn together more and more every 
 day in beauteous unity. It was God who made men to be all of 
 one mind ; it was God who made homes happy ; and it was God 
 who blessed husband, wives and children. The angels sang not 
 only ' Glory to God in the highest,' but they added, • On earth 
 peace, good will to men.' There was nothing more emblematical 
 of union than the vine and its brane^ies ; not one branch could 
 live unless it were united to the parent stem. There was one 
 body composed of many parts, and of all parts that required 
 assistance, it was that which was weak or suffering. It was 
 with the object of assisting the weak and the suffering that the 
 Sons of England Benevolent Society was organized ; and he 
 hoped God would bless it in its work. The members had chosen 
 a glorious name — ' Sons of England' and ' Benevolent,' and it 
 was hoped that they would be worthy of the name. The name 
 of England was a glorious heritage ; and it brouglit to the mind 
 of overy Englishman a spot in that land sacred to him as his 
 birthplace. It reminded him of its glorious fields, its little path- 
 ways, its old abbeys and monasteries, its universities and schools, 
 its learning and science, its industries and charities, and its 
 glorious past and present history. All could be proud of these ; 
 but above all, they should be proud of the part that England had 
 taken in sending the Word of God to every land. Some had 
 referred slightingly to the differences of religious opinion which 
 existed among the people but he (Mr. Baldwin) was sure that in 
 
The Origin and Early History 
 
 t '!! 
 
 i.) 
 
 all the Christian bodies there was one aim, one love, and one 
 threefold cord which ran through them all — the love of God's 
 Word. At a time when the Church became cold and dead, the 
 people's love for God's Word was so great that the Church could 
 not hold them back ; they pressed forward in different directions, 
 and although there was sorrow for the difference of opinion that 
 existed, God was to be thanked for the manner in which Chris- 
 tianity had been helped forward by the various bodies. He 
 hoped that all would sink all differences in the glorious unity 
 that had been given by God, then they would all be Sons of Eng- 
 land. But there was one title more honorable than that which 
 they should try to assume — that was * Sons of God.* He urged 
 his hearers as members of a Benevolent Society, to be well-doers 
 as well as well-wishers ; and he also hoped that they would not 
 be other than English in their liberality, extending to sufferers 
 that charity which they required, irrespective of the nationality 
 to which they might belong." 
 
 Constitutional Changes. 
 
 The thirty-eighth meeting of the Society was held in the 
 Trades Assembly Hall, June 7th, 1876 ; and this is the first one 
 of the minutes which I have been able to find. At this meeting 
 a committee previously appointed to prepare a basis of nation- 
 ality to govern the admission of candidates to the Society in 
 future, brought in their report, but the amendment to the report 
 prevailed, and provided that, " In the case of candidates born in 
 England, the father must be English ; and in the case of those 
 born out of England, both parents must be English." Another 
 notice of motion by the same Brother read, " That the office of 
 Scrutineers be abolished, and that in place thereof six full mem- 
 bers be appointed as a Committee of Management, who shall 
 take equal rank with each other as officers of the Society, and 
 whose duties shall be defined by a c aimittee of six to be 
 appointed for that puriiose." This date (June 7th) fixes the 
 first step taken towards establishing a second or higher dt;,ree ; 
 for a notice of motion was given by liro. Brooks as follows, 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society, 
 
 39 
 
 and one 
 of God's 
 dead, the 
 rch could 
 irections, 
 nion that 
 ch Chris- 
 dies. He 
 ous unity 
 s of Eng- 
 lat which 
 He urged 
 well-doers 
 vould not 
 3 sufferers 
 lationality 
 
 eld in the 
 
 le first one 
 
 is meeting 
 
 of nation - 
 
 iSfoiety in 
 
 the report 
 
 tes born in 
 
 3e of those 
 
 Another 
 
 he office of 
 
 full meni- 
 
 who shall 
 
 ociety, and 
 
 six to be 
 
 ) tixes the 
 
 ler dt'.ree ; 
 
 as follows, 
 
 " That I shall move for a committee of twelve to be appointed 
 next meeting night, to take into consideration and arrange all 
 necessary details relative to the establishment of a higher degree • 
 in this Order." 
 
 By this time initiation of members became more frequent, and 
 the Society decided to conduct the ceremony only once each 
 ordinary court night, and not at all on quarterly nights. The 
 leader of the Society's band reported that on the Queen's Birth- 
 day the band had serenaded some English residents of the city, 
 and had thereby added $13.00 to their funds. This led to the 
 Society becoming security for a uniform for the band. 
 
 Increasing Prosperity. 
 
 At the thirty-ninth meeting, held on June 21st, 1876, seven 
 candidates were initiated. On motion the President appointed a 
 committee to make necessary and desirable changes in the initi- 
 ation ceremony, which committee consisted of the following 
 brethren, namely : Bros. Terry, Newcombe, Brodie, Treblecock, 
 James Lomas, Hambrook, Danford, Grennell, Millington, Eldard, 
 Scott, and Coxon. This committee subsequently met June 26th, 
 at the house of Bro. Terry, and entered upon the duty assigned 
 them. The motion regarding election of six committee men, of 
 which notice was given at the previous meeting, was adopted, 
 and the committee selected. A large number of candidates were 
 proposed, and the cash in the treasury was augmented by the 
 addition of $91.05. 
 
 The fortieth meeting was held July 5th, 1876. Tli*^ Auditors' 
 report which was adopted at this meeting showed a bank balance 
 to the credit of the Lodge of iti>l(>2.00 The election and instal- 
 lation of officers for the semi-annual term was held. In addition 
 to the officers of the past term, there was elected a Sub-secretary 
 and two Trustees. 
 
 The forty-first meeting was held July 19th, 1876. It was 
 resolved to procure blue sashes for the officers not yet provided 
 with them , and red budges for the members. A voluntary dona- 
 
,n , I,,, "' ' ■ 
 
 40 
 
 The Origin and Early History 
 
 m i 
 
 I ! '."I 
 
 m 
 
 \ 
 i 
 
 ; 1 
 
 tion amounting to $16.00 was secured from brethren present for 
 a sick brother. 
 
 At tlie forty-second meeting, held August 2nd, 1876, a com- 
 mittee was appointed to draft a new constitution. Between the 
 holding of the forty-second arid forty-third meetings, the first 
 grand picnic of the Society was held at Shaw's Grove, and was 
 a success in every particular. At the forty-fourth meeting, held 
 September 6th, 1876, the new constitution as prepared by a 
 special committee was presented, fully considered clause by 
 clause, and adopted, 
 
 » 
 
 The Birth of a New Lodge. 
 
 The forty-fifth meeting of the Court, now " Lodge," held 
 September 20, 1876, entertained a petition for, and granted the 
 request to hold a special meeting at Mallord's Hall, corner of 
 Muter and Queen streets, for the purpose of inaugurating a new 
 lodge. The following evening a special meeting was held, and 
 resulted in the institution of Middlesex Lodge No. 2, the first 
 oifspring of the parent Lodge. The matter is referred to else- 
 where. 
 
 The forty-sixth regular meeting, held the 4th of October, was 
 one of much interest. The Auditors reported a profit from the 
 picnic of $120.00, and there was a balance in the Lodge treasury 
 of $273.57, exhibiting the flourishing condition of the Lodge. 
 An application signed by several brothers of the Lodge for a 
 second new lodge was considered, and the request granted. The 
 Lodge was also informed that Bro. Couldridge, a member of the 
 Lodge, had secured enough candidates for a new lodge at 
 Oshawa. A proposition was introduced regarding the organiza- 
 tion of a Grand Lodge, which, however, is dealt with elsewhere. 
 
 The forty-seventh meeting of the Lodge, held October 18, 1876, 
 was the last meeting of the Lodge prior to the organization of 
 the Grand Lodge, By resolution the band was disorganized and 
 the instruments ordered to be sold to pay indebtedness. It was 
 hkewise resolved to celebrate the anniversary by a supper. The 
 following were elected as the first delegates to the proposed 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 41 
 
 1 present for 
 
 L876, a corn- 
 Between the 
 igs, the first 
 )ve, and was 
 leeting, held 
 Bpared by a 
 d clause by 
 
 iodge," held 
 granted the 
 11, corner of 
 •ating a new 
 IS held, and 
 , 2, the first 
 rred to else- 
 
 )ctober, was 
 fit from the 
 Ige treasury 
 
 the Lodge. 
 Lodge for a 
 in ted. The 
 mber of the 
 lodge at 
 le organiza- 
 
 elsewhere. 
 
 >erl8,1876, 
 mization of 
 lanized and 
 as. It was 
 pper. The 
 proposed 
 
 i 
 
 Grand Lodge, namely, Bros. E. W. Couldridge, President, and 
 Charles E. Smith. 
 
 Middlesex Lodge No. 2. 
 
 Albion Lodge was opened in special meeting in due form at 
 Mallord's Hall, September 26, 1876, with Bro. Geo. F. Carrette, 
 President, in the chair ; and proceeded at once to the initiation 
 of the candidates for membership in the proposed Lodge. The 
 newly made members then proceeded to the nomination and 
 election of the officers of the proposed Lodge, and these were 
 installed as follows : — 
 
 Bro. A. J. Mills, President. 
 
 " J. Munn, Vice-President. 
 
 •' James P. Meredith, Secretary. 
 
 '• Thomas Chappel, Treasurer. 
 
 '• Edwin C. Walker, and Bro. John Butcher, Managing 
 Committeemen. 
 
 Bro. Gould, Senior Guard. 
 
 " John Hawkins, Junior Guard. 
 Dr. H. H. Moorehouse, Surgeon. 
 Bro. John Mallord and John Hawkins, Trustees. 
 Bros. Gould and John Butcher, Auditors. 
 
 The officers were then installed, and took their respective 
 stations, and proceeded to general business. It was resolved to 
 adopt the by-laws of Albion Lodge, No. 1 ; to meet every 
 alternate Tuesday ; to hold a special meeting one week from date ; 
 to appoint a Committee to wait on Dr. Moorehouse to ascertain 
 whether he will accept the office of Surgeon ; to procure the 
 present hall for meetings. A vote of thanks was returned to the 
 Albion Lodge brethren for their presence and service, and to that 
 Lodge for the warrant to hold a new Lodge. At the special meet- 
 ing of Middlesex Lodge seventeen candidates were proposed, and 
 Dr. Moorehouse was initiated. After routine business, and the 
 ordering of a flag, the Lodge closed. 
 
 The third meeting was held on the lOtli of October — the night 
 following the preliminary organization meeting of Grand Lodge. 
 
tfV ''" 
 
 i! <\ 
 
 i ■'' 
 
 I! i 
 
 
 1i ?1 
 
 f 
 
 
 I 
 
 42 
 
 The Origin and Early History 
 
 A large number of candidates were initiated. The fourth meet- 
 ing was held October 24, 1876, and the following Grand Lodge 
 delegates were elected : — Bros. A. J. Mills, Joseph Adams and 
 George Taylor. 
 
 Kent Lodge No. 3. 
 
 In response to the request of several members of Albion Lodge, 
 •who desired to form a new Lodge to be known as Kent, No 8, 
 Albion Lodge officers met at Trades Assembly Hall on the even- 
 ing of October 9, 1876 ; and after requiring the candidates 
 to select their officers, which was done, installed them as 
 follows : — 
 
 Bro. Peter Millington, President. 
 
 " Hambrook, Vice-President. 
 
 " Trebilcock, Secretary. 
 
 " Howard, Treasurer. 
 Bros. Danford and Coxon, Auditors. 
 Bro. Shepherd, Inner Guard. 
 
 " Avis, Outer Guard. 
 
 Eleven candidates were subsequently proposed. 
 
 The second meeting of Kent Lodge was held on the 23rd Octo- 
 iDer, 1876. Grand Lodge delegates were chosen at this meeting, 
 the choice falling upon Bros. Coxon, Howard and Treble. A 
 committee was chosen to wait on Dr. McCollum to see if he was 
 eligible to fill the office of Lodge Surgeon. 
 
 Essex Lodge No. 4. 
 
 The Grand Officers elected in October 9th, 1876, visited 
 Oshawa on the 12th, for the purpose of initiating candidates and 
 opening a Lodge. The following Toronto Brethren were present, 
 namely : Bros. George Carrette, George B. Jirooks, Chappel, 
 James Lomas, Meredith, Charles E. Smith, Terry, Williams 
 and Milhngton. Nine candidates were initiuted, and elected 
 themselves to the following offices into which they were 
 installed : — 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 48 
 
 Bro. R. R. Southcombe, President. 
 " R. Howsam, Vice-President. 
 
 •' R. Cole, Treasurer. 
 
 ** Wm. Edmett, Secretary. 
 
 " A. Soutliton, Chaplain. 
 Bros. J. P. Keeler and Wm. Allcliin, Managing Committee- 
 men. 
 
 Bro. H. Bedford, Senior Guard. 
 
 " Albert Allchin, Junior Guard. 
 
 The Lodge adopted the By-laws of the Mother Lodge for their 
 guidance, and transacted routine business. 
 
 The second meeting was held on the 23rd October, 1876, and 
 was largely occupied with initiations and routine business. The 
 following were elected Grand Lodge delegates : — Bros. South- 
 combe, Edmett, and Taylor. This was the last meeting before 
 that of Grand Lodge. 
 
 Org^anization of the first Grand Lodge. 
 
 The first minutes found in the Grand Lodge minute-book give 
 the record as that of the first meeting, and the date of the meet- 
 ing as October 30th, 1876. There is also a printed copy of those 
 minutes. The composition of that meeting was recorded as 
 being the Grand Officers, and eleven out of twelve elected dele- 
 gates. The Lodges represented were three delegates each from 
 Albion No. 1, Middlesex No. 2, Kent No. 3, and Essex No. 4, 
 one of the Kent Lodge delegates being absent. But as to how 
 or when the Grand Lodge officers, nine in number, were elected, 
 the minutes were silent. The inference to be drawn was that 
 the officers had been elected prior to this meeting, and subsequent 
 investigation led to the discovery of the facts of the case which 
 are hereinafter recorded. 
 
 Preliminary Or(ianization Meeting. 
 
 At the forty-sixth regular meeti)ig of Albion Lodge No. 1, held 
 on the fourth day of October, 1876, it was resolved that Grand 
 Lodge officers be elected next Monday night, the J)th inst., by 
 
 i I 
 
44 
 
 '^'" Origin and Early Hutor 
 
 tory 
 
 b"lAng, Adelaide street eas -tftef > " '^ """' ^'-^^ads 
 Lodge-of members of the q„ 7 '" 'n^'itution „f Kent 
 '«tees the„ m existence LbtrM^'"""^'' ~""> "« th"e 
 
 and George B. Brooks, Secretary but ?i. ^f '''■'"''• ^I'^irman, 
 » ed was he decision to elect prov ioj ^"'^ '""■''"^^^ ''-ans- 
 who were to assume the executCl ' ^""""'^ ^"^ge Officers 
 entire membership hitherto n.? ^ "'' ""'' '""•"■ons for th!l 
 * e parent l^oi,: ^^:^ZCTZ:!J°■ "r "*^"-^ <" ^'^' 
 ^;es Should meet - .rm ^ tt C^n?;;::- ^t;^^ 
 
 ^.•e1:<nX:. ^,:-'; ^;n^^^^^ P^posed b. Brother 
 
 was proposed that T^ro Mb,ilu^.\}^'' «'-an<l President. I 
 ;J;o, that Bro. James Lomlt be t g1 J",?" " ^''-P-sident 
 followmg additional nomination, ! '' ^'"^-President. The 
 
 Secretary, George B. B^ot I Gr' "it' "^"^'>- ^^or Grand 
 Te-ry and Treble ; for Grand'(t„? 1 ^""^"''''- Bros. J„l„, 
 M.lh„gton and Chappel; CG^^l^^t?- ?' *''^"'""'- ^^-'k 
 
 fttra^'r^--^^^^^ 
 
 £----Va,,..Sntrd^-:.- 
 
 Grand President, Bro. Geo P r „ 
 
 Grand Vice-President. Cs^X.o,r "^;,^""-» ^""^'^ ^o. ,. 
 Grand Secretary, George B P^l? ' :^ ':"'" ^"^8^ No. 1. 
 Grand Treasurer, John^Tetv An r ™ ^'^«' ^o. ] . 
 Grand Chaplain, Peter Mm , "" ^°<'»<' ^o. 1. 
 ^ Grand Sen.or Guard T ' "' '''"^"' ^"'S^ No 8. 
 N 2. »-'^. Thomas c:happel, M^dlese. Lodge 
 
 Cxrand Junior Guard \v i. r. 
 
 «-<! Auditors, Alftd ni^^^^^ f |^- ^^^'.e, No. 1. 
 
 """"''' a'"! -Janies Uanford. 
 
Sons of England Beneiolent Society. 
 
 45 
 
 'tisement be 
 the Society 
 )lutioii, and 
 mday even- 
 
 Boustead's 
 n of Kent 
 
 tlie three 
 ^ent. TJie 
 Chairman, 
 less trans- 
 e Officers, 
 ns for the 
 3f Albion, 
 Lodges l)y 
 3 a Grand 
 
 ' Brother 
 ident. It 
 resident; 
 nt. TJie 
 >!• Grand 
 John 
 Walker, 
 
 happel, 
 
 iitcher, 
 
 11 brook, 
 
 Ited as 
 
 ^o. 1. 
 
 1. 
 
 1. 
 
 ^odge 
 
 No further business was transacted, but the determination was 
 arrived at to organize another Lodge, and- then ask the four 
 Lodges to choose delegates to meet with the already elected 
 Grand Officers, and proceed to the completion of the work of 
 organizing the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Grand Lodge Organization Completed. 
 
 The First Regular Meeting Held. 
 
 On the Thursday following the foregoing election, viz., 12th 
 October, 1876, the Grand Lodge Officers visited Oshawa and 
 instituted Essex Lodge, .with nine members. Four Lodges were 
 now in existence, and by arrangement each of them elected three 
 delegates to meet with the Grand Officers and complete the 
 organization. This meeting, which may be designated the first 
 regular meeting of the Grand Lodge, was held October 30th, in 
 the evening, and on the 31st, 1876, at the Trades Assembly iiall, 
 The provisional Grand President assumed the chair, and upon 
 roll call of officers and delegates, the following were found 
 present, viz. : — 
 
 Officers. 
 
 George Frederick Carrette, Grand President. 
 James Lomas, Grand Vice-President. 
 John Terry, Grand Treasurer. 
 George B. Brooks, Grand Secretary. 
 Peter Milli.igton, Grand Chaplain. 
 Thomas Chappel, Grand Senior Guard. 
 Walter Brown, Grand Junior Guard. 
 Alfred Hambrook, Grand Auditor. 
 James Danford, Grand Auditor. 
 
 Delegates. 
 
 Bro. Southcombe, Essex Lodge No. 4. 
 " W, Trebilcock, Kent Lodge No. 3. 
 " Charles E. Smith, Albion Lodge No. 1. 
 " Alfred Mills, Middlesex Lodge No. 2. 
 
"^''^ Orirnn and Early Histon, 
 
 Couldridge, Albion LocW No 7 
 
 Tl.at the Grand P .'esl ^f 'r^:'^'" "' «-■ •^-"-s Lon.a. 
 
 Proposed hv T\rn n^ n ., 
 «.at a co„„„Lee be str ek'^S T'"""''^'' ""^ ^'o. Brooks 
 ;;'-! for the Grand Lot! ,,1" '",""" "^ -'■"•■" -n '^^ 
 «-e Grand L„d,e .or apprf:;,:^-^;"™" '" '^ -"-"'ed t^ 
 
 " Brooks. Albion Lodge^^f J ■ 
 . ^ *™"ssion raised by Bro r 
 
 " ' '" ^^=^"»>' "'en took place '^•""■'' '""' delegates 
 
 ^I'oposed bv Rm t 
 
 «»t a eertai,f ren^ntrtLfr; fr"^'' ^^ ^^^- '^-n - 
 D^egates whilst in session ft ^X''" "',%''™"'' «<«»«- and 
 ^ Proposed by Bro Co„l, a ""'' ^"^^^ f»nds. 
 
 Bro. Trebilcoek,-Tha?t, f"'^'' "^ '""^"^'^ent. seconded b 
 
 ~«a::;Sr "'^ ~«- A.nendn.ent 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 47 
 
 ? Lomas, — 
 (1 Lodge as 
 
 Brooks, — 
 n forms as 
 bmitted to 
 
 'ommittee, 
 
 > Albion, 
 delegates 
 
 Town, — 
 jers and 
 
 la 
 
 Ided by 
 leers be 
 of tlie 
 Iges to 
 
 llment 
 
 Proposed by Bro. James Lomas, seconded by Bro Millington, 
 — That the Grand Officers and Delegates to the Grand Lodge be 
 paid the sum of $2.00 per day for their services whilst the Grand 
 Lodge is in session. 
 
 Proposed as an amendment by Bro. Taylor, Lodge Middlesex, 
 that the travelling expenses for the Grand Officers and Delegates 
 be paid at the rate of 12 cents per mile, which amount shall 
 include the sum of $2.00 already voted. 
 
 Br®. Taylor withdrew his amendment. 
 
 Proposed by ]3ro. James Lomas, secoiided by Bro. Taylor, 
 Lodge Essex No. 4, — That the sum already voted of $2.00 per 
 day be paid in the case of Grand Officers from the Grand Lodge 
 funds, and in the case of Delegates by their respective Lodges. — 
 Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Essex No. 4, seconded by Bro. Tay- 
 lor, Middlesex No. 2, — That each sub-lodge pay at once into the 
 Grand Lodge, six months capitation tax in advance. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Essex No. 4, seconded by Bro» 
 Couldridge, — That the Giand President, Grand Vice-President 
 and Grand Secretary be empowered to open new Lodges, and 
 that they be the only Grand Officers whose expenses shall be 
 paid for such services. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Essex No. 4, seconded by Bro. 
 Southcombe, — That members addressing the chair give the 
 Right Worthy Grand the sign of salute. — Carried. 
 
 Bro. Millington spoke in regard to some consideration being 
 shown to the founders of the Order. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Millington, seconr" 1 by Bro. Couldridge, — 
 That the Grand Lodge take action in the matter of showing honor 
 to the founders of the Order. — Carried. 
 
 Meeting then adjourned until 9 a.m. Oct. 31. 
 
 Grand Lodge being again called to order at 9 a.m. Oct. 31, it 
 was proposed by Bro. Millington, seconded by Bro. Taylor, Essex 
 No. 4, — That the names of the founders of the Order at present 
 in good standing, be read over in open lodge at all opening 
 
48 
 
 The Origin and Early History 
 
 r 
 
 ceremonies, and that they ]be inscribed on all subordinate Lodge 
 warrants. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Essex No. 4, seconded by Bro. 
 Chappie, — That the attitude to be observed by the members of 
 this Order when prayer is being offered at any Lodge ceremony 
 shall be by bowing the head and placing the right hand over the 
 heart. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Middlesex No. 2, seconded by Bro. 
 Brooks, — That the Grand President shall in future confer the 
 White Rose Degree on all delegates to the Grand Lodge previous 
 to its opening, that have not taken it. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Mills, seconded by Bro. Southcombe, — That 
 a photographic group be taken of the first Grand Officers and 
 Delegates. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Mills, seconded by Bro. James Lomas, — 
 That the meeting adjourn for one hour. — Carried. 
 
 On resuming business the meeting decided that the Grand 
 Secretary receive a salary of $5.00 per annum for each and 
 every subordinate Lodge in the Ordei*. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Mills, seconded by Bro. Brown, — That an 
 insurance fund be established for the benefit of members joining 
 the Order, and that the committee already formed draw the rules 
 for its guidance. — Carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Southcombe, seconded by Bro. Millington, — 
 That the paraphernalia necessary in conferring the White Rose 
 Degree be sent by express to sub-Lodges outside Toronto, and 
 that it be instantly returned to Toronto when used. — Carried. 
 
 Vote of thanks proposed by Bro. Brooks, seconded by Bro. 
 MiUington, and given to the Oshawa brethren for the interest and 
 assistance given by them to the Grand Lodge. 
 
 Question raised by Bro. Southcombe, "Can an Englishman, 
 married to a Roman Catholic, become a member of this Order ?" 
 Question decided in the affirmative. 
 
 The following notices of motion were then given to be con- 
 sidered at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge. 
 
Sons of England Benevolent Society. 
 
 49 
 
 1 
 
 By Bros. James Lomas and Millington, — That no benefits be 
 paid to any member of the Order out of the Society's funds on 
 belialf of his wife or children, if such wife and children be mem- 
 bers of the Roman Catholic Church. 
 
 By Bros. Brooks and Taylor, Essex No. 4, — That the sum 
 paid by subordinate Lodges for the support of the Grand Lodge 
 be augmented. 
 
 By Bros. Taylor, Middlesex No. 2, and Southcombe, Essex 
 No. 4, — That clause 2, article II. of the Constitution be changed 
 to read, "That every person admitted into this Order must be 
 an Englishman and a Protestant." The definition of an English- 
 man as accepted by the Order shall be " That the candidates' 
 father shall be English ; the mother of every candidate, no 
 matter what her nationality, shall be a Protestant." All can- 
 didates for membership must be of good moral character and 
 in sound health. 
 
 By Bros. Taylor, Middlesex, and Southcombe, Essex, — To 
 adopt a graduated scale of initiation fees for candidates over 
 forty-five years of age, and to permit such to join as full 
 members. 
 
 By Bros. Taylor, Middlesex, and Southcombe, Essex, — For 
 support of Grand Lodge, to raise the fee paid by sub-Lodges 
 $1.00 per annum, 50 cents to go to the support of the Grand 
 Lodge, and 50 cents for establishing a Widow's and Orphan's 
 Fund. 
 
 By Bros. Brooks and Trebilcock, — To add the words, •* Except 
 in the case of Lodge Surgeons," to clause 13, article XI. of the 
 Constitution. 
 
 By Bros. Brooks and Taylor, Middlesex, — That the benefits 
 paid to the sick members of this Order be $3.00 per week for the 
 first three months' sickness ; and $1.50 per week for the next 
 six weeks. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Middlesex, seconded by Bro. South- 
 combe, pjssex, — Candidates previous to their admission into the 
 Order be desired to answer the following questions :-- 
 4 
 
60 
 
 The Orifiin and Early History 
 
 t( 
 
 ji' 
 
 M 
 
 m 
 
 'W 
 
 ■1 m 
 
 I' ' ii ; ' 
 
 '•J 
 
 \..t. 
 
 Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being ?" 
 ** Do you believe the Supreme Being will punish vice and reward 
 
 virtue ?" 
 
 " Do you believe the Supreme Being has revealed His will to 
 
 mankind ? "^jQarried. 
 
 The Grand Secretary was empowered to purchase the neces- 
 isary Grand Lodge books. 
 
 The Committee on Ritual and Forms here gave in their report, 
 the forms and ritual submitted being adopted with some slight 
 modification. 
 
 A considerable discussion took place on the number of Grand 
 sOjBicers necessary to sign sub-Lodge warrants. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Adams, seconded by Bro. Taylor, Middlesex, 
 — That, if possible, all the Grand Officers, but not less than four, 
 sign the sub-warrants. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Hambrook. seconded by Bro. Trebilcock, as 
 amendment, — That only the Grand President, Grand Vice- 
 President, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer sign the sub- 
 Lodge warrants. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Millington, seconded by Bro. Terry, as an 
 amendment to the amendment, — That all the Grand Officers 
 sign the warrants. — Amendment to the amendment put and 
 carried. 
 
 Proposed by Bro. Taylor, Middlesex, seconded by Bro. Adams 
 — I'hat the Grand Auditors report at every meeting of the Grand 
 Lodge. — Carried. 
 
 Committee on Ritual and Forms instructed io have same 
 printed forthwith. 
 
 Notice of motion by Bros. Couldridge and Southcombe, — That 
 Delegates of tub-Lodges, unable to attend the Grand Lodge, 
 have a vote by proxy. 
 
 The following Bretliren of the Order were then elected Grand 
 Officers for the year 1877 :— 
 
 
8on9 pf England Benevolent Society. 
 
 51 
 
 reward 
 will to 
 
 i neees- 
 
 Bro. A. Mills, Middlesex, Grand President. 
 
 '* Peter Millington, Kent, Grand Vice-President. 
 
 ••* W. Trebilcock, Kent, Grand Treasurer. 
 
 ." G. B. Brooks, Albion, Grand Secretary. 
 
 ." H. Southcombe, Essex, Grand Chaplain. 
 
 ." Cl^arl^sE. Smith, Albion, Grand Senior Guard. 
 
 ." J. D. P. Meredith, Middlesex, Grand Junior Guard. 
 
 j' Alfred Hambrook, Kent, Grand Auditor. 
 
 >' Thonjias Chappie. Middlesex, Grand Auditor. 
 
 Bros. George F. Carrtsite and John Terry, the retiring Grand 
 ^President and G-:and Treasurer, were elected Trustees for th§ 
 (Grand Lodge. 
 
 Miuutes of the meeting ordered to be printed. 
 
 Certain accounts ordered to be paid. 
 
 Minutes read and adopted, and the meeting adjourned. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 George B. Brooks, 
 
 Grand Sec etary, 
 
 ijEORGE F. CaRRETTE, " 
 
 Grand Premlent. 
 
 This ends Part I pf the History of the Sons of England 
 pociety. 
 
 John S. King, M.D. 
 
BROTHER! 
 
 Do you belong to the Beneficiary 
 If not, why not ? 
 
 LIFE IS UNCERTAIN! 
 
 f 
 
 A few cents per week may save 
 your mother, wife or child, from 
 many an anxious moment ! 
 
 A few cents now will put them in a 
 position to breast the tide of 
 adversity, and enable them to 
 earn an honest living !