History of the Knights Templars of Canada. from the Foundation of The

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Please do not assume that a book's appearance in 'The Builder' library means it can be used in any manner anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe. The Webmaster Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030324663 LT.-COL. WM. JAS. BURY MacLEOD MOORE, G. C.T., gmpveme GSrcttiir igSlaates, SOVEREIGN GREAT PRIORY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS OF CANADA. HISTOEY THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS FROM THE FOUNDA TION OF THE ORDER IN A.D 1S00 TO THE PRESENT TIME. Bn Ibistorical IRetrospect of ftemplarism, CULLED FKOM THE WEITINGS OF THE HISTORIANS OF THE ORDER. WITH A FAC-SIMILE OF THE EARLIEST CANADIAN TEMPLAR WARRANT; COPIES OF ORIGINAL MSS. OF THE EARLY DATS OP THE OBDER IN CANADA, A RESUME IN DETAIL OF THE PRINCIPAL ACTS OP THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CONCLAVES OF CANADA, 1855-67, THE GREAT PBIORY OF THE DOMINION, 1868-75 ; THE NATIONAL GREAT PRIORY OP CANADA, 1876-83 ; AND THE HISTORY OF THE SOVEREIGN GREAT PRIORY OP CANADA, 1884-89 ; FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS IN THE ARCHIVES. J. ROSS ROBERTSON, Past Grand Vice-Chancellor, Fast Provincial Prior, Member of the Grand Council, and Chairman of the Contmittee on the Condition of the Order of the Temple in the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada. TORONTO: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO. 1890. ft, °l 11 012 Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thou- sand eight hundred and ninety, by J. Ross Eobektson, at the Department of Agriculture. ; ; TO Mantel giprjj, GRAND CHANCELLOR OF THE SOVEREIGN QREAT PRIORY OP CANADA, A FRATER WHO HAS ENDEARED HIMSELF TO ME THROUGH LONG YEARS OF PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP WHOSE MANY EXCELLENT QUALITIES OF HEART AND HEAD HAVE KAISED HIM TO A HIGH PLACE IN THE ESTEEM OF ALL OEAETSMEN THIS WORK IS FRATERNALLY AND SINCERELY , DEDICATED BY THE FRIEND OF A LIFE-TIME, THE AUTHOR. Toronto, 1890. — TO THE HEADER. itself the Cana- ^ HIS work would surely commend to dian Fratres without even a line of preface. Yet I am tempted to write a few words introductory —not for the purpose of justifying my mission but rather to express my thanks to the Fratres who have generously aided me in this compilation. It was with some diffidence that I formed a resolve to undertake a work that abounds with ^difficulties. The early history of Templarism in Canada was, and some of it may still be, hidden primitive in the records of the old Craft lodges, which, in those days, had a fatherly welcome for all organizations that claimed I have to be within the Craft fold. Many of the facts which linked together were gleaned by research in other fields of Masonic endeavour. igMy mission, however, has been a pleasant one. With such Fratres as M. E. Sir Knight Col. J. B. MacLeod Moore, the Supreme Grand Master of the Order, R. E. Sir Knight Dr. James A. Henderson, Q.C., of Kingston, the Deputy Grand Master of the Order in Canada, and R. E. Sir Knight Daniel Spry,the Grand Chancellor of Canada, my quiver of Templar knowledge^ has been filled and refilled, and as the arrows have been shot into cold type, these distinguished Fratres, blessed ^above'ordinary men with zeal and good-nature, have readily answered my appeals for more facts and addi- tional records. Their kindness can never be requited by thanks. vi TO THE READER. Dr. To Col. Moore I am indebted for historical memoranda ; Henderson I have to thank for early MSS., from 1800 until 1830, and I am debtor for many of the official records to Frater Spry. I have made the most of the MSS., and for the revisal of the proofs of the entire work my thanks are due to Frater Spry and my fellow-worker in newspaper life, R. E. Frater George J. Bennett of Toronto. The work speaks for itself. The records are as complete as fallible man can make them. As for the literary ability displayed in welding the facts together, that is for the reader to decide. At least one end has been accomplished. The history of the Order in Canada has not been lost to the Fratres. The work may not be perfect, and yet, to make it acceptable and complete, the archives of every Preceptory from the Atlantic to the Pacific have been searched, and their records read and carefully examined. Templarism may not have seen its sunburst in this Dominion, but the work of the past speaks well for those who give hours of ease to the upbuilding of an edifice that in other lands is towering from high to higher. The Author. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE Origin of the Templars—The Conquest of Jerusalem and the First Crusade—The Orders of Knighthood—The Hospitallers and Tem- plars—Their Organization in European Countries and in America. 1 CHAPTER II. The Templar System of the British Empire—Extracts from an Article Published by Col. MacLeod Moore, G.C.T., Grand Master of the Templar Order in Canada, intended as an Explanation of the Origin and History of Modern Templary 7 CHAPTER III. The Templar Order— Its Introduction into British North America A Discussion as to the Priory of the Knights of St. John at Que- bec—The First Warrant for a Templar Encampment in Canada. 10 CHAPTER IV. Templary in the Province of Nova Scotia—An Encampment in 1782 —The Order under the Chapter General of Scotland—Provincial Conclave of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 20 CHAPTER V. Templary in the Province of New Brunswick—An Encampment in 1840 under Scottish Authority—Rival Organizations and a Ter- ritorial Difficulty—Action of the Great Priory of Canada 24 CHAPTER VI. The Knights Templars of Western Canada in 1800. 1823, 1824—Old Warrants at Kingston—Interesting Reminiscences of Early Tem- plars—Fac Simile of a Venerable and Honored Document 30 CHAPTER VII. The Modern System of Templarism in Canada—The Search for an Old Warrant—Its Resurrection and Establishment under a New Encampments of the Provincial Name—The Parent Conclave. 48 — viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. PAGE The Provincial Grand Conclave for Canada—Its Organization and First Assembly in Kingston—Investiture of the First Officers The Hugh de Payens Encampment— Warrant Ante Dated to 1824. 52 CHAPTER IX. Effect of the Revival of Templarism in Canada—The Provincial Grand Conclave— Its Second Annual Assembly—Three Encampments under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery 55 CHAPTER X. Consecration of the Hall of the Geoffrey de St. Aldemar in Toronto An Address from the Provincial Grand Commander—A Special Convocation and a large muster of Fratres 61 CHAPTER XI. Third Annual Convocation—A Successful Period—A Visit from the Masonic Poet Laureate—Interesting Address of the Provincial " Grand Commander—Merits and Objects of the " Red Cross Degree analyzed 64 CHAPTER XII. The Fourth and Fifth Annual Assemblies of the Provincial Conclave —Birth of the "Godfrey de Bouillon" of Hamilton—The "Malta" Degree Authorized —Discussion on the "Red Cross." 70 CHAPTER XIII. The Sixth Annual Assembly of the Provincial Conclave—Death of a Templar Pioneer—Fees of Honour—Alterations to the Statutes —The Grand Commander's Address—Interesting and Important Features 74 CHAPTER XIV. The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Annual Assemblies—Certificates of Appointment—The Expenses of Grand Conclave—Recognition of Templar Jewels by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter 78 CHAPTER XV. The Ninth and Tenth Annual Assemblies of the Provincial Conclave —A Visitor from England—Another New Encampment—The Outlook for the Order in the Early Days of the Dominion 81 CHAPTER XVI.

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