ORANGE LODGES OF NOVA SCOTIA A Brief History of the Loyal Orange Association in Nova Scotia, Canada
By Brian McConnell
Introduction
It is difficult to find reading material about Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia. The historical geography of Canadian Orange Lodges by Cecil J. Houston and William J. Smyth entitled “The Sash Canada Wore” deals with all of Canada and therefore contains only a few details about Nova Scotia. There are some social and other studies which include material on Orange Lodges but they focus largely on Ontario or New Brunswick.
The purpose of this article is to present an overview of the history of the Loyal Orange Association of Nova Scotia. It uses for its sources a number of Orange Lodge publications that are cited at the end of the article but the main one has been the annual reports of the Association that were published each year. These contain not only the business affairs of the Association but also information about the leaders and membership.
For assistance in research and in motivation to prepare this article thanks are given to Jim Worthylake, Past Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia in 1978, and Attendee at many meetings of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada as well as the Orange Council of the World. He was born in Truro, N.S and a member of the Orange Association for 77 years up to his death in 2004.
Jim Worthylake - 77 years an Orangeman
At end of Article are Appendices A, B, C, and D listing Past Grand Masters and Mistresses of Nova Scotia and names and locations of Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia . Page 2
Membership
There are no active Orange Lodges now left in Nova Scotia. In the early 1900's there were well over 100 active lodges however most ceased operations by the turn of the twenty-first century. As a consequence some may ask what was the Loyal Orange Association in Nova Scotia ?
On May 9, 1956 in Westville, Nova Scotia, Joseph Dawe, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia said:
“ We need to stress more and more in our lodge meetings the history of our association, the why and wherefore, in a word we need to re-educate ourselves in all this great society requires of us. Let us then in loyalty and in union go forward and make this orange association all that it should be, to the glory of God and honor to ourselves.”
Joseph Dawe, Grand Master
Membership in the Orange Lodge in Nova Scotia was open to all Protestant adult males who took an oath of allegiance to the Crown and to maintain the link with Great Britain. Its origins were traced back to Ireland where the first Orange Lodges had opened and taken their name from William, Prince of Orange, and King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1689 - 1702 who had defeated a Catholic King, James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Page 3
The first Orange Lodge was brought to Nova Scotia by British soldiers and the first meeting was a military one in Halifax in 1799. A non - military lodge was established in the province in Halifax in 1845 called Roden Lodge. The Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia was established in 1849 and by 1850 there were eight lodges in the province. The Order experienced steady growth and by 1862 there were 21 lodges including one in Bermuda which at that time was under the jurisdiction of Nova Scotia.
In 1892 there six county, five district, and 53 primary lodges in Nova Scotia with a total of 1973 members. This continued to increase and in 1914 there were 10 county, seven district, and 127 primary lodges with 4303 members. In addition to the men’s lodges, there were as well in later years lodges for women and for youth.
Lodges varied in size from 30 members to some with as many as 200. Each year a large parade was held in a different town on July 12th in celebration of the Battle of the Boyne. Members were outfitted in sashes and regalia. A special religious service also marked the occasion.
Twelfth of July Parade in Stellarton in 1891 Page 4
In July 1903 the Orange Parade in Truro was reported at the time to have been the largest in the province’s history. The celebration was organized by Derry Loyal Orange Lodge 25 a lodge founded in 1866 in Truro. The parade extended for a mile and attracted 6000 visitors to the town. The 1916 parade in New Glasgow was said to have been attended by double that number. Some lodges also celebrated “Guy Fawkes Day” ( November 5).
Orange Lodges were concentrated in five regions of the province of Nova Scotia. These were the mining areas of Pictou County including New Glasgow and Westville; central Cumberland County, northern Cape Breton Island, particularly the towns of North Sydney and Glace Bay, and around Cobequid Bay, and two smaller concentrations were found in Lunenburg and Guysborough Counties. In Kings County, the Annapolis Valley, and western Cape Breton there were only a handful of Lodges which were isolated in locations like Margaretsville and Orangeville Station.
The arrival of the railway in 1891 stimulated coal mining and the iron and steel industry on Cape Breton Island. In the industrialized areas lodges were formed including some right at the mines such as Reserve Mines # 1, L.O.L. 3029, Dominion # 6, L.O.L. 2840, and Acadian Iron Mines L.O.L. 1421. In 1900, Atlantic L.O.L. 1648 in Musquodoboit Harbour with 63 members was the largest isolated lodge in the province.
Orange Hall at Denver, N.S. Page 5
The rise of the Loyal Orange Lodge in Truro came with its developing importance as a major industrial centre. It became known as the “Hub of Nova Scotia” as the main roads and rail lines all connected at it. As well it is interesting to note that the nearby area of Cobequid Bay was settled by Ulster Scots in the 1760s. This area was one of the few in the province which received a concentration of Protestant Irish immigrants. There were other areas such as around Windsor, in the Annapolis Valley, and Antrim, outside Halifax, but the numbers were not as large.
Most Orange Halls constructed by Lodges in the province were two storey wooden structures. On the first floor there was usually a Hall and upstairs storage or office space. If there was a basement it might contain a kitchen and later washroom facilities. Through the years Orange Halls were used for various activities in addition to Lodge ones including as polling stations during elections and for community meetings.
Inside Orange Hall with flags of Canada, Great Britain and N. Ireland, and Nova Scotia Page 6
Acadia Loyal Orange Lodge (L.O.L.) No. 45
One of the most active Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia was Acadia No. 45 founded in Westville, Pictou County in 1867, the same year as the confederation of the Dominion of Canada. The Lodge was one of the first Lodges formed in the province. Loyalist No. 14 at Chester, Lunenburg County was the oldest. Its charter was granted in 1853, Derry No. 25 at Truro, Colchester County came next, then Chosen Few No. 42 at Stellarton, Pictou County, Acadia No. 45, Ark No. 72 at Lattie’s Brook, Hants County, Prentice Boys No. 76 at Thorburn, Pictou County and Wentworth Refuge No. 86 at Wentworth, Cumberland County.
The cornerstone of the Orange Hall in Westville was laid on the 12th of July in 1888. In addition to being the home of Acadia L.O.L. it was a meeting place for the youth lodge of the Orange Young Britons, called Johnston O.Y. B. No. 26, as well as the Loyal True Blue Association Lodge, Lady Princess May Lodge No. 53, the Ladies Lodge, Acadia Sisters L.O.B.A. No. 609, and a Girl’s Juvenile Lodge, J.O.L. No. 363.
The lower hall of the Orange Hall was for many years known as the Empire Theatre and many noteable actors and actresses of vaudeville, from the U.S.A. and Canada appeared on its stage. It was also the first Theatre in the Town of Westville to show the silent moving pictures. In more recent years before the Orange Hall closed it was used for public meetings, church and school plays.
George E. Munro, a life long member of Acadia L.O.L. was chosen as the first Mayor of Westville when it was incorporated in 1896. There were Orange members serving as Councillors on the Town Council for many years.
Members of Acadia L.O.L. also attained high offices within the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. William J. MacIntosh was elected Grand Master for three years, 1928 - 1930 and Alfred L. Matheson held the office for two years, 1951 and 1952. Robert F. Kerr served as Grand Treasurer for 23 years from 1910 - 1933.
In the 1890's Orangemen in the Town of Westville were so active that they were able to publish their own weekly newspaper.
A Brass Band was sponsored by Acadia L.O.L. for many years and during World War I many of its members joined the famous 85th Band. In World War I Westville had the highest voluntary enlistment of any town its size in Canada. This was demonstrated by the fact that the youth membership was just about wiped out. The Lodge was revived after the War but again cleaned out by enlistment in the Second World War. After World War II the lodge was revived with without the vital spark it once had.
Acadia L.O.L. hosted the Provincial Grand Lodge in 1902 and again in 1956 and 1959. Page 7
Bible Hill Protestant Children’s Home
For over sixty years, from 1910, the Orange Association in Nova Scotia operated a Protestant Orphanage in Bible Hill, Colchester County. The Home was built, maintained and operated primarily from funds raised by Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia. It began when a committee consisting of J.C. Gass, J.G. Putnam, Dan MacDougall, Hugh Fraser, Dr. W.R. Dunbar, J.M. Humphreys, Hector Ferguson, and Colonel E.M. Potter was appointed at the March 1909 session of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia held in Amherst. The committee was to take steps to secure a property to be used for the shelter and care of destitute and orphan Protestant children. At the next session of the Grand Lodge held at New Glasgow in 1910 it was reported that a property consisting of a house, barn, and some fruit trees with two acres of land had been purchased. The house was renovated and the first children admitted in August 1910.
Bible Hill Protestant’s Children’s Home
Over the years the building was replaced with a larger entirely brick building in 1919 and an expansion in 1927. Another six acres of land were purchased and the Home’s garden enlarged to provide vegetables for the Home. In the “50th Anniversary Programme for the Bible Hill Protestant Children’s Home” published in August, 1960 it was noted that over 500 children had been cared for since the Home opened.
The Orange Lodge also took an interest and involvement in matters of politics and education. For example, in 1932 the Pictou County Orange Lodge declared opposition to the Duncan Commission Report which recommended the closing of provincial coal mines and the laying off of many workers. The Lodge’s pro-worker position reflected the composition of its leadership and membership as a significant number were employed in the mines. Page 8
Faith
At the annual session of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia held at New Glasgow in April, 1950, Grand Master Herbert Chant stated:
“Our Protestant Faith was founded on the Open Bible. It was the living word that we obtained the freedom we now enjoy....The Loyal Orange Association is founded on the open Bible. It upholds the Protestant Faith; by this quickened Word we are, and have our being, it is the living spark by which we live.”
In 1940 Reverend Edward Morris of Armdale was the Grand Master. He also was the President of the Orphanage Board. Ten church Ministers were elected Grand Master of the Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia. These were: Reverend James Meadows (1879-80); Reverend Edwin Clay (1881-82); Reverend James Blesdale (1886,1889); Reverend A. Logan - Geggie (1897-98); Reverend A. H. Campbell (1906-7); Reverend F.C. Ward - White (1919-22); Reverend Edward Morris (1931); Reverend D. A. MacKinnon (1932-34); and Reverend Edward Morris (1939-40).
Reverend Edward Morris pictured in middle. Others in photo taken in 1930 are Jr. Dep. Grand Master L.L. Collins, Grand Treasuer R.F. Kerr, Grand Master Wm. J. McIntosh, and Grand Secretary John Power
Many church ministers also served as Chaplains for local primary Orange Lodges or were elected as Grand Chaplains for the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. For example in 1945 all six Grand Chaplains were ministers. They were Rev. W.M. Forsythe of Advocate Harbor, Rev. Alex Allen of Lunenburg, Rev. J. G. Russell of Glace Bay, Rev. S. Knott of Truro, Rev. C.R. Webber of Trenton, and Rev. Edward Morris of Armdale. Page 9
Ladies Lodges
The Ladies Orange Benevolent Association (L.O.B.A.) in Nova Scotia was instituted on June 29, 1923 when approximately 100 delegates and visitors, representing 14 ladies lodges met in the Orange Hall, Peppett Street, North Sydney. Mrs. Mildred Ettinger of Halifax was elected the first Grand Mistress and Mrs. A.F. Weatherbee was chosen as the Grand Secretary. She continued as Secretary for 21 years.
Mrs. A. F. Weatherbee, Secretary of L.O.B.A. of N.S. for 21 years
By 1959 there were 36 active Ladies Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia. Their members carried out considerable welfare work and made generous donations to organizations including the Red Cross, Children’s Aid, March of Dimes, Cancer Fund, Blind Fund, and Flowers for sick and shut-in members.
Membership in the Ladies Lodges, as with the men, was drawn from the children of immigrants and immigrants who largely came from Scotland and England with some from the north of Ireland. However, an exception was the Lunenbourg area where the membership was largely made up of descendants of the German Protestants who settled that area. Page 10 Loyalty
Throughout its history the Orange Lodges in Nova Scotia promoted the principles of Protestantism and support for the British connection. Lodges were strong proponents of support for the public school system and lobbied against any government assistance to separate schools and in particular Roman Catholic ones. The Lodge also campaigned against changes to the Coronation Oath, Irish Home Rule, and declared opposition to a visit by the leader of an Irish Nationalist Party, especially on the basis on his opposition to British policy.
Orange member attending Grand Lodge Session, 1998
During World War I over 55,000 Canadian Orangemen fought overseas and more than 8,000 were killed and many more injured. The loyalty of Orange members to the British connection encouraged them to enlist in much greater numbers than the rest of the population.
In March 1918, James Forsythe, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, said at the annual meeting held at the Orange Hall in Truro:
“I am sure that I voice the feelings of all here assembled, that we are proud, and justly so, of the showing our Canadian boys have made, accomplishing at the time what seemed impossible, many times saving the day for the Allies. I am glad too, that such a high percentage of our members hve enlisted to serve the Empire in the great cause for justice, that we may never ve found behind in upholding the principles of freedom and honor, for which our institution stands. Though many have paid the supreme sacrifice and today lin in unmarked graves on the battle fields of Flanders, we shall never forget their unselfish and unwritten history of honor.” Page 11
Orange War Memorial
At a meeting on February 11, 1919 in the Orange Hall, Glace Bay, Dan McDougall, Grand Master, proposed the erection of a monument in memory of Orange members who had lost their lives in war service during World War I. Primary Lodges in the province were canvassed and the response was sufficient to complete the construction of a monument in Wentworth Park, Sydney in 1921. At an annual meeting held in Sydney on February 14, 1922 it was decided to hold a service in memory of those who lost their lives in WWI at Wentworth Park each year.
It was decided to place a new block in the monument at a meeting held in Sydney on March 7, 1946 to have inscribed on the names of members who lost their lives in World War II. The unveiling of the names of the members who died in the Second World War took place on July 7, 1946.
Placing a wreath at Orange Memorial in Sydney, 1958 Page 12
In 1959, the Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia celebrated its 100th anniversary with meetings in Westville. They received congratulations and thanks from businesses, officials, and supporters across the province as well as in other parts of Canada. Page 13
Sources:
- Annual Reports of the Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia - Annual Reports of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association of Nova Scotia - Souvenir Book of the 100th Session of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Loyal Orange Association of Nova Scotia, 1959 - Booklet entitled “ Educational Conditions in Nova Scotia” published by the Grand Orange Lodge of Nova Scotia, 1921 - “The Sash Canada Wore” by Cecil J. Houston and William J. Smyth, Univ. of Toronto Press, 1984 - “ The Londonderry Heirs” by J. M. Murphy, Black Printing Co. Ltd., 1976
About the Author:
Brian McConnell is a Past Master of Derry Loyal Orange Lodge 25. A lawyer by profession, he has been researching his family roots and Orange Lodge history for several years. Some of his ancestors were members of the Orange Lodge in Canada and earlier in Ireland. To contact him email: [email protected] Page 14
Appendix A Page 15
Appendix B Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19
APPENDIX C
GRAND MISTRESSES OF THE LADIES ORANGE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
1923 - 1924 Mrs. Mildred Ettinger 1925 - 1927 Mrs. E.D. Benjamin 1928 - 1929 Mrs. C.F. Sutherland 1930 - 1932 Miss Ida MacDonald 1933 - 1936 Mrs. Laura Johnston 1937 - 1938 Mrs. Pearl Matheson 1939 - 1940 Mrs. Gladys Dartt 1941 - 1943 Mrs. Laura Grant 1944 - 1945 Mrs. Lillian Simms 1946 - 1947 Mrs. Martha MacDonald 1948 - 1949 Mrs. Clyde Townend 1950 - 1951 Mrs. Grace F. Turner 1952 - 1953 Mrs. Ethel Fraser 1954 - 1955 Mrs. Maude Sutton 1956 - 1959 Mrs. Grace Pace 1960 - 1961 Mrs. Marion Mader 1962 - 1963 Mrs. Myrtle Engram 1964 - 1965 Mrs. Gwen Milley 1966 - 1967 Mrs. Annie Chant 1968 - 1969 Mrs. Margaret MacDonald 1970 - 1971 Mrs. Anne Bell 1972 - 1973 Mrs. Anna MacQuarrie 1974 - 1975 Mrs. Anna Reid 1976 - 1977 Mrs. Elsie Pike 1978 - 1979 Mrs. Helen Wamboldt 1980 - 1981 Mrs. Lottie Burgess 1982 - 1983 Mrs. Jean Robson Page 20
APPENDIX D
Names and Locations of Ladies Lodges in 1975
Name of Lodge Location Lodge No.
1. Cullum New Aberdeen 47 2. Daughters of Fulton North Sydney 60 3. Mayflower New Waterford 80 4. Daughters of Coronation Whitney Pier 227 5. Vigilant Halifax 415 6 Sisters of Ulster Glace Bay 481 7. Lady Derry Truro 484 8 Ecum Secum Loyal Ecum Secum 556 9. Acadia Sisters Westville 609 10. Capital City Halifax 711 11. Sisters of Cumming Eureka 729 12. Gem of the Sea Louisbourg 734 13. Prentice Sisters Thorburn 807 14. Maple Leaf Trenton 914 15. Armistice Halifax 915 16. Victoria Halifax 955 17 Lady Eldon Blanford 957 18. Cumberland Springhill 996 19. Princess Orange Garden of Eden 1263 20. Pride of Richmond Framboise 1283 21. Rising Sun Latties Brook 1304
Junior Lodges
1. Ray of Hope Garden of Eden 401 2. Princess Elizabeth North Sydney 449 3. Melda Halifax 455 4. Star of Bethlehem Glace Bay 504