History of Mount Zion

The History of Mount Zion #28

(The following is a narrative depicting the actual meeting in which Mount Zion Number 28 was resurrected. It was originally Rideau Number 25 at Burritts Rapids, briefly, Rideau Number 2, and eventually Mount Zion Number 28 in Kemptville. All names and offices are genuine and descriptions, as far as possible, accurate R. W. Bro. Win

The History of Mount Zion #28

Mount Zion The Early Years

Chapter 1.

March 6, 1840

The night air was crisp and still, not yet tempered by the warming breezes that soon would break the grasp of winter that had gripped the land for the last four months. A cutter, drawn by a steaming bay mare, pulled off the icy track that passed for a road in that part of Oxford Township, and made its hesitant way up the short driveway. A youth coming out of the stable halted as the cutter neared.

" You must be Abel Adams' boy," the driver announced by way of greeting.

"Y y yes, sir," answered the youth, unsure if he should venture anything more to a pair of piercing eyes that stared through round, frost-covered spectacles framed by bushy, white side-whiskers.

"I've come from Maitland to see the men."

"They're inside, sir, I'll tend to your horse."

The vivacious figure bounded from under the buffalo robe and marched towards the house. He knocked and the door was quickly opened by a young lady who directed him upstairs with a sweep of her hand.

The man looked up the dark stairs and could perceive a dim flicker of light on the walls. The air was heavy with the pungent odour of burning tallow and wet clothes. the stairs creaked tiredly as he made his way upwards. At the top was a landing illuminated by a guttering candle on a flimsy night table. A few wooden chairs lined the the walls from which several wooden pegs projected holding overcoats. A burly man whose face was mostly obscured by wide mutton chops rose and approached, a smile breaking through his dark mane.

"Ziba ! We were afraid you weren't going to make it."

"Tom Hicks. It's good to see you again. the road was partially blocked at North Augusta but once I got through there, I made pretty good time. Has the meeting started?"

"About twenty minutes ago. Would you like to go in?"

"As soon as I am ready."

Ziba hung up his coat, opened the case which he had been carrying and removed a collar of office which he draped over his shoulders. He nodded to Tom who knocked three times on the door.

"Who comes here?" called a voice from within.

"Right Worshipful Brother Ziba Phillips, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Upper Canada," declared Tom

The door swung wide open and Ziba marched in. He entered a bare room with a row of wooden chairs containing about twelve men around the side walls. Three larger chairs centered the end of the room and in one corner sat a rickety desk supporting a brass candelabra. Flickering candles in wall brackets cast eerie shadows around the room. He proceeded to the altar and saluted the East.

"Sorry I'm late, Worshipful Brother Burritt, but the first week of March is not a time calculated to make travel easy or swift. In the interests of time please dispense with with any formal greeting. I have been well received here many times in the past."

"You are excused and indeed most welcome, Right Worshipful Sir. Please join me in the East."

Ziba turned and proceeded to a chair beside George Burritt. "I bring a reply to your petition of February 8th, Worshipful Sir, and with your permission, I will read it.".

George nodded his assent and with a flourish, Ziba produced a scroll of paper.

"To all and every Our Right Worshipful, Worshipful and Loving Brethren. I Ziba M. Phillips, Provincial Deputy Grand Master of the Province of Upper Canada, acting under His Royal Highness, Prince Augustus, Frederick, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness, Baron of Arklow, etc., etc., Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England SEND GREETING:

'Know ye that by virtue of the Patent granted to me by the Most Worshipful Grand Master I have thought fit to grant dispensation to George Landon Burritt et al to assemble and constitute a regular lodge and therein make Freemasons, according to the custom and usage of the ancient Craft within all ages.

'Given under my hand and seal at Brockville in the said province, this twenty-sixth day of February in the Year of Our Lord, 1840, A.L. 5840. Z. M. Phillips, P. D. G. M.

'Now, here I am ready to install your officers."

Worshipful Master Burritt smiled broadly. "In that case, I shall call the lodge from labour to refreshment for the space of fifteen minutes as we prepare for the installation ceremony."

The brethren gathered round their distinguished visitor as he swirled the glass that had been pressed into hs hand. "I know that most of you are aware that your Lodge, Rideau Number Twenty-five, has been in operation before. As a matter of fact, the original petition was presented by eleven other members and myself on the eighteenth of June 1814 to Most Worshipful Brother William Jarvis. Our petition was granted but it was May 22, 1815 before dispensation was granted for us to meet. We had been members of Harmony Lodge No. Twenty-four in Edwardsburg at Johnstown, which had been founded in 1810 by a few of us military types. (I was Master there in 1814.) when so many members were transferred to the area around the Rideau, it was impossible to travel the forty miles to Lodge and be back the same day.

"I guess you know," said Ziba glancing at George, "that your uncle, Stephen Burritt, was the man I installed as Master that day."

"Yes," answered George, "He and his brother, Adoniram, were Loyalists who had fought with Rogers' Rangers. He went into the fur trade and after floating down the Rideau on a raft, chose our present spot as the site for a settlement. It was here that cousin Edmund became the first white child to be born on the Rideau."

"Right," affirmed Ziba, "Stephen's Senior Warden was Levi Forster, and his brother, Col. Daniel Burritt, your father, was Junior Warden. The original warrant was issued in June the next year (1816). The first meetings here, lot 6, of the first concession of Oxford. Stephen later sold this house to Abel Adams who is the only other man here tonight who was with me twenty-five years ago. Then we met over at John Chester's house across the river in Montague until September, 1822"

"Something that puzzles me," queried a swarthy man in the group," is that we are Lodge Number 25, but Richmond also claims that number."

"You are right, Elisha Collar," responded Ziba. "This was the first lodge formed after the death of Right Worshipful Brother Jarvis and should therefore be number 25, but for a while, Richmond, which was granted its dispensation by Right Worshipful Brother Fitzgibbon, the Deputy Grand Master before Simon McGillivray had managed to get things reorganized, claimed the number.

'You know, we have to do something to keep this organization going. We haven't been getting very good leadership from those sent over here from England and the communication lines take so long. I think it's time we established our own Grand Lodge of Canada, but we must maintain our ties with England."

Ziba drained his glass and declined the offer of another round. "That warmed me very well, gentlemen, but we had better get to the task at hand. George, let's get you and your officers installed."

The men put down their glasses and filed back into the lodge room.

After the ceremony, Ziba addressed the meeting.

"Tonight, the following have been installed as officers of Rideau Lodge Number 25: Worshipful Master: George Landon Burritt; Elisha Collar, Senior Warden; Abel Adams, Junior Warden; Basil R. Church, Treasurer; Daniel Burritt Jr., Secretary; Eliah Hurd,Senior Deacon; M. Nickelson, Junior Deacon; and Tom Hicks, Tyler.

'It has been decided that the lodge will meet here at Brother Adams' on every Wednesday after the full of the moon. I know that all of you have demonstrated your loyalty to the Order and that you can be depended upon to fulfill your duties.

'This is the first recorded meeting since December 20, 1826 at Richard Olmsead's. The famous Rev. Mr. Smart was supposed to deliver a discourse on January 6 at the next meeting, but that meeting was never recorded. I am happy that you have solved your difficulties and that many of the same brethren are here tonight to take up where you have left off.

'I would like to make an observation about the community in which you live. Recently there has been an influx of immigrants from Ireland into the area. Many of these have been initiated into an Irish Constituted Lodge of Masons recognized by The Grand Lodge of England. I believe that you should be prepared to extend the hand of brotherhood to these members.

'I would remind you also that the festival days of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, and of St. John the Baptist, June 24, are marked by our fraternity as days to share fellowship, the St. Johns being patron saints of Freemasonry. I know that St. Francis Lodge at Smiths Falls will be hosting a celebration next December and are extending an invitation to you to join them.

'With those few words, gentlemen, I will let you get on with the rest of the meeting."

"Worshipful Sir." said the Junior Warden. "I would like to extend to you all an invitation to dine here at my house on June 24. In addition to the usual fine fare which my wife regularly provides, I can assure you that we are anticipating a fine crop of strawberries from a patch which we found last spring. I am sure my wife will whip up some ice cream to finish the meal off."

"Thank you, Abel," responded George, "how can we refuse such a fine offer? It is a little early to commit ourselves to visit Smiths Falls but we will consider it at future meetings. And now, if no one has anything to offer for the good of the order, we will proceed to close."

The brethren proceeded to gather up the furniture of the lodge and store it in a dark blue war chest which had been donated by Capt. David Burritt of the Grenville Militia. The pine box itself was about two and a half feet long by one foot, by one foot. In the smaller section were placed the seal. the ballot box, with its black and white beans, the Bible and some papers. The larger section contained the candlesticks, the gavels, the correspondence, the cable tow and the aprons. The aprons were of white linen, nineteen inches by fourteen inches with a flap of five inches. the entire apron and flap were edged with blue silk an inch wide, while the square and compasses, in the field of the apron, were formed by half-inch ribbon of pale blue.

When the chest was securely shut up, Eliah Hurd and Luke Depencier hoisted it up through a trap door into the garret and stowed it safely in a dark corner.

While the trappings of the lodge were being stowed away, Richard Olmstead busied himself with inserting a stop cock into a small cask. Soon heady fumes filled the air as amber liquor splashed into the proffered glasses.

"This was with my hotel's last order of whiskey that came down the canal in the fall," gloated Richard. "I kept this special cask for a special occasion and I guess this is about as special as they come."

"Help me get these sawhorses set up for the table top," grunted Basil Church, "so that we can set the food on it."

No sooner was this accomplished than through the door came Abel carrying a huge iron pot from which issued a myriad of aromas at once: sweet basil, thyme, pungent leeks, turnips, sage and the mouth watering scent of roast venison.

There was a general melee as chairs were hauled into place, more candles were lit, china and cutlery were spread around and huge mugs of dark ale were set at each place. the scraping of chairs faded into the scraping of knives on plates, the clacking of ladles, the munching of food and the contented quaffing of ale.

Elisha Collar, after pushing back his chair, directed a question to Ziba. "Why did you mention the idea of establishing our own Provincial Grand Lodge?"

Ziba smiled,"That is a story very dear to my heart. You must remember some of the history of our organization in Upper Canada. The first appointed Provincial Grand Master in March, 1792, was Right Worshipful Brother William Jarvis and it was he who granted the original warrant for Number 25. Unfortunately, he was so engaged in other activities that he was unable to devote the time to his Masonic duties as they required Many lodges were unhappy but were unwilling to undermine his authority. When he died in 1817, and his deputy didn't notify London, it became obvious that it was up to the individual lodges to organize a central body. As a result, eleven lodges sent delegates to Kingston on August 27, 1817 and under my presidency, nominated Roderick MacKay as Provincial Grand Master. We then sent a letter to England asking for confirmation of our actions. Our convention met in Kingston every year until 1822, and it was 1821 before we received a reply. That was to say that The Grand Lodge had no record of Jarvis' patent.and that none of the Lodges of Upper Canada had been put on the Register."

"Damn!" exclaimed Elisha, "that must have come as a shock. What happened next?"

"Well," answered Ziba, "Right Worshipful Brother Simon McGillivray was appointed by Grand Lodge to come to Canada to straighten things up. One of the things he did was to confirm the warrants including this one, after we had confirmed our allegiance to his Provincial Grand Lodge at York in 1824. Although Simon was able to solve many problems, he was active in Upper Canada for only two months in 1822, and two months in 1825. Since then his Deputy died last year, and I am told that Simon, himself, is at Death's door. That will leave me as the only authority in Upper Canada. I intend to summon delegates once again and petition Grand Lodge to establish a permanent and continual Provincial Grand Lodge in Canada West.

'I would like to say that it has been a wonderful opportunity to be back here and see that this group is healthy again. should my plans succeed, when the province is reorganized, the lodges will be renumbered and after I give my Provincial Lodge primary consideration, this lodge, Rideau, will be Number Two on the registry.

'Now, the hour is getting late and I know that you all have heavy work in the morning, so if I can avail myself of the fine facilities of Brother Olmstead's inn, perhaps we can call it a day."

"You know that there is always room at my inn for you, Ziba," answered Reuben. "As a matter of fact, in anticipation of your request, I instructed the chambermaid to prepare the best room and it is now warm and ready."

"You know me only too well, Mr. Olmstead," smiled Ziba.

"Gentlemen," intoned Basil Church, "the Toast."

All raised their glasses, " Happy to meet . . . Sorry to part . . . Happy to meet again."

Chapter Two

The icy grip of the winter of 1840 gradually weakened. As the March sun asserted its growing authority , the icy tracks of Oxford Township slowly dissolved into muddy quagmires. The river broke free of its icy bonds and rushed in torrents through the sluices and past the churning tailraces to breach its banks and inundate the lowlands along the shore. Spawning fish milled in the rapids so thickly that they could be readily forked onto the banks to augment the diminishing stores of salt pork that had become almost daily fare.
Spring rains thawed the frozen farmland and combined with frost boils to bring transportation to a sloggy halt, harbinger of rebirth as the earth took a breath and paused a moment.
Tender shoots of green grass pushed up through the brown soil and in the forest glades spring flowers burst into bloom.
On the ninth of June, Right Worshipful Brother Simon McGillivray, the organizer of the Second Provincial Grand Lodge, died.
Ziba Phllips declared," I, having been granted the rank of Deputy Provincial Grand Master, am now the only authority in Upper Canada. It therefore falls upon me to reorganize the Craft."

* * *

The seasons continued in their relentless progression and once more winter claimed control of the land.
On Christmas Eve, 1840, the brethren once again gathered in their room at Abel Adams'.
George Burritt, from his chair, announced, "I have a letter from my cousin, Henry Burritt, asking to be excused from attending tonight's meeting. It seems that he was waiting for Mr. Smyth's mill to be opened and as it was not, he now finds that there is no flour in his house. Consequently, he has gone to another mill.
'We must not forget that we have an invitation from St. Francis Lodge at Smith's Falls to dine with them on St. John's Day. What are we going to do about it ?"
Elisha Collar rose. "Worshipful Sir," he said, " it is looking as if the weather is starting to blow out there and if Christmas Day finds us on the receiving end of a December blizzard, there will be no way that we can travel to St. Francis. I suggest that we decline their kind invitation."
"I second the motion, Worshipful Sir," intoned Reuben Olmstead.

* * *
Thus did the time pass for the brethren of Rideau number twenty-five. In June 1841, Reuben Olmstead was elected Worshipful Master and the festival of St. John was celebrated at Brother Brown's in Kitley with Harmony Lodge, number twenty-four. (This was not the Harmony No. 24 from Johnstown to which Ziba had belonged, but this lodge near Athens had received dispensation from right Worshipful Brother Fitzgibbon in 1823.) Also in attendance at that festival were another ten or twelve from St. Francis.

On February 2, 1842 with George Burritt back in the chair, an emergency meeting was called. Brother Walter McCrea, Secretary, rose. "Worshipful Sir, I have a circular addressed to you and the Wardens from Right Worshipful Brother Ziba Phillips. He is asking you to appoint delegates to attend a convention at Kingston for the purpose of forming a permanent and continual Provincial Grand Lodge in Canada West."
"Brethren," cautioned George Burritt, "this is a serious matter and it is important that we send delegates to this convention. Who is available to attend ?"
"What is the date, Worshipful Sir ?" asked Abel Adams.
"February 24, Worshipful Sir," interjected Brother McCrea.
"Then I would be willing to accompany the Worshipful Master if he plans on attending," offerred Abel.
"Thank you, Abel, I would be very happy to travel with you."

* * *
Almost a year passed and a similar request to send delegates to Kingston was read by secretary Rufus Olmstead. George Burritt addresed the meeting. "Brethren, last February Abel and I attended the Convention in Kingston. We passed a resolution to petition the Grand Lodge of England to allow us to establish a Provincial Grand Lodge with The Honourable Robert Baldwin Sullivan as Provincial Grand Master. It is now January 29, 1843 and England has not even granted us the courtesy of a response. What are we going to do ?"
William Merrick rose. "Worshipful Sir, I move that we support Right Worshipful Brother Phillips and pass a resolution that this Lodge desires to become independent of The Grand Lodge of England if said Lodge has not responded to the petition of the Kingston Convention by the time of their next meeting February 7, 1843."
"I second the motion of our Junior Deacon," said Tom Hicks.
"All in favour ? Carried."
"Is there anyone available to attend this convention in Kingston?" inquired George.
"We don't have enough funds to send a delegate," commented Treasurer Adams.
"The sleighing in this part of the province is very bad right now. I propose that we solicit Right Worshipful Brother Phillips to act as our proxy, and that we send him a copy of our resolution," suggested secretary Rufus Olmstead.
"Agreed," nodded the brethren.

* * *
Several members who lived in Wolford and Montague Townships began to feel that it would be more convenient for them to have a Lodge in Merrickville. As a result, Basil Church, Walter McCrea, Col. McCrea and Gavin Russell met in Merrickville and composed a letter dated June 14,1843 to Rideau Lodge proposing that the Charter be transferred to Merrickville. There is no record of this communication in the minutes of the Lodge.

* * *

"It is only fair to mention that the brethren west of Kingston have, so far, not seen fit to support last February's actions by Right Worshipful Brother Phillips," said Elisha Collar to the assembled forty-six brethren seated in the Lodge room in Smith's Falls on February 6, 1844.
"But there are eight lodges represented here and I move that we hereby form an independent body to be known as The Grand Lodge of Free Masons, Canada West."
"I second the motion," affirmed Worshipful Brother James Shaw from St. Francis.
With the meeting under way, it was not long before Ziba M. Phillips was elected Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Free Masons, Canada West. The new constitution was approved on October 2, 1844 and on St. John's Day the following warrant was issued. It reads in part:
"To all our Trusty and Right well beloved Brethren around the Globe: SEND GREETING :
NOW KNOW YE, THAT I ZIBA MARCUS PHILLIPS,of the Town of Brockville, Esquire, Grand Master of Masons and Masonic jurisdiction in that part of Canada formerly Upper Canada, &c., &c., &c.
Have on the petition of our Trusty and Right well beloved George Landon Burritt et al, seven of our Master Masons and a number of brethren praying to be set apart and formed into a regular Lodge to be held in the Township of Oxford

In obedience to the prayer of the said petition and by virtue of the powers granted by the Grand Lodge, I do hereby form you . . . and a constitutional number of your brethren, Master Masons, when duly congregated, to open and hold a Lodge under the style and title of the Rideau Lodge Number Two and therein make Free Masons to the third degree according to ancient form
In testimony whereof I have caused these our Letters to be made patent, and the seal of The Grand Lodge to be hereunto affixed. Done at Brockville this Twenty-seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-four, and of Masonry Five Thousand Eight Hundred and forty-four.
Ziba M. Phillips
Grand Master

Attested by,
Ebenezer Bell
Grand Secretary

* * *
The next month seventeen members were present for the reading of the warrant and applied to Ziba Phillips for a warrant for a Mark Master's Lodge. It was issued March 13,1846.
On July 8,1846 the following resolution was passed: "resolved that this Lodge shall stand adjourned for the term of four months, if not specially convened.
The Lodge paraphernelia was packed in its pine chest and stored in the garret of Abel Adams' house where it remained untouched until discovered by members of Mount Zion almost half a century later in 1893.

* * *
At about the same time as some members from Merrickville were advocating a change of venue to Merrickville, Robert Leslie, who had been initiated in July,1844, was sitting in Lymon Clothier's tavern in Kemptville with Alex Christie and Benjamin Dickenson who were one and two months respectively, his juniors. The air was heavy with the cloying aroma of stale beer and the unmistakable redolence which accompanied those patrons who had just finished their farm chores.
Robert looked around the dark room with its round wooden tables at which sat several men engaged in their own private discussions. "You know, it would be much more convenient if we could establish a lodge in Kemptville, our own community, and save that long ten mile ride to Burritt's Rapids each month,"he suggested.
"You are right," replied Alex," and I was talking to John Boyce who said that there are some brothers of Union Lodge No. Five at South Gower who feel that they don't have the numbers to continue. I know they would like to join with us if we could get established."
At this moment, Truman Hurd entered the room. He paused at the bar, picked up a flagon of foam and picked his way through the tables over to his friends. When advised of the topic under discussion, he proclaimed, " I will start a petition and forward it to Ziba Phillips. He and I have known each other for some time. As a matter of fact, I was a visitor at the very first meeting of Rideau No. 25 thirty years ago. Very likely he would look favourably upon the idea."
Truman was true to his word and added John Christie, and William, Malon and Benjamin Beach to the petitioners.
Ziba was delighted with the idea and wrote to Alexander Matheson of St. Francis. " These brethren are no drones but real workers, and will add much to the respectability of the institution. They are recommended by Rideau Lodge and I feel quite confident that upon their organization, Bytown will immediately fall in and take out a warrant and so will Edwardsburgh."

The new Lodge was formed and the officers installed at 1:00 p.m. on June 9,1845.
After the meeting, Ziba was surrounded by the members of the new Lodge in their back room in Clothier's Tavern. "Brethren," he intoned, "our noble institution is still embroiled in organizational controversy. Our brethren to the west are less than enthusiastic about the way I have assumed leadership. Just last month, St. Andrew's Lodge in Toronto decided to recommend the appointment of Thomas Gibbs Ridout as Provincial Grand Master. At that meeting Sir Allan Napier McNab, a member of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, appeared and informed the astonished assembly that he had been appointed to that very office by the Grand Lodge of Scotland and The Grand Lodge of England nine months previously. Now, why he had kept it a secret until then is any body's guess. However, when he produced the papers to prove it, in the interests of harmony, the brethren then nominated Brother Ridout as Deputy Provincial Grand Master. It is not my intention to sow dissension within our institution, but until this situation is cleared up, I intend to remain in control in this jurisdiction."
"Well, Right Worshipful Sir," pronounced Robert Leslie, "you can count on us to continue to support you."
"Thank you, Robert," replied Ziba. "I have some other information which may surprize you. The brethren from Rideau Lodge want to arrange a merger with you here in Kemptville and, assuming you agree, in two weeks, on the festival of St. John the Baptist, I will confirm the merger."

"We would be delighted to have our mother Lodge join with us," commented Benjamin Dickinson. "This will be most convenient for everyone."
So, on the twenty-fourth of June in 1845, Rideau and Kemptville Lodges merged. The charter members were Hiram Holmes of Harmony Lodge, St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Alfred Holmes of Unity Lodge, Linden. Vt.; John Byce, Whitney Emery and John Selleck of Union Lodge No. 5, South Gower; Robert Leslie, Alex Christie, and Benjamin Dickinson of Rideau Lodge No. 25, Burritt's Rapids; Andrew Holmes of Zion Lodge No. 193, Tyrone, Ireland; and Truman Hurd.
Forty-six days after the merger, as Ziba Phillips had predicted, the lodges west of Kingston met in The Masonic Hall in Hamilton and with Sir Alan Napier McNab presiding, formed a committee to frame by-laws for a new Provincial Grand Lodge.
Early in 1847, Ziba confided to Ebenezer Bell, "I am growing weary trying to hold this great institution together. I am also getting too old to deal with factions which tend to separate rather than unite. We must meet with the Third Provincial Grand Lodge and forge a bond that will never break."
The meeting never took place.
On September 28, 1847 Robert Leslie summoned the members to the room in Clothier's Tavern.
"Brethren, I have received tragic news ! Rt. Worshipful Brother Ziba Phillips has today passed on to the Great Grand Lodge Above. Tomorrow, I and any who are able to join me, will leave for Bethel where he is to be buried in the Reid Cemetery, to pay our last respects to departed merit. No more active Mason ever lived in Canada. He will be greatly missed."
With the rest of the province forming its own Provincial Grand Lodge, Robert Leslie was concerned that the factions might result in some dissolution of lodges. "Let's apply to Grand Lodge of England for registration there," he suggested.
"Good idea ," agreed John Boyce.
As a result, in 1848, Kemptville Lodge came under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of England and was granted a warrant, dated January 14, 1850 by the Grand Master, the Earl of Zetland. It was now registered as Kemptville Lodge No. 25 in the Provincial Grand Lodge and No. 836 in the Grand Lodge of England.
November had blown in with its biting winds. The first snows of the winter of 1849-50 had come and were proving most stubborn in their determination to stay. Harvey McAlpine, the current Master, had just joined Simon Fraser and Eli Hurd in Clothier's Tavern. They were huddled around a huge cast-iron stove which glowed ruddily and in which heavy blocks of maple and ash were roaring.
While they warmed their insides as well as their outer extremities, Harvey lamented, "You know, we should do something about making our lodge room more impressive. We currently are meeting in a back room over the tavern with a few chairs around the walls and a bare wooden floor with cracks so wide that it really does feel as if you are stepping over an open grave."
"And we need jewels for our officers, " added Simon.
"Why don't we try to get the furniture and jewels from Burritt's?" asked Eli.

As a result, the following agreement was presented to George Burritt :
"Kemptville, December 5, 1849"
"We, the undersigned officers and members of the Kemptville Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, do hereby severally promise and agree to deliver to the Master of Rideau Lodge, or his order (in as good repair and condition as we shall receive them) at any time they may be demanded, the following Masonic jewels and furniture, which they have kindly permitted us to use viz.: One Master's Jewel (a square); One Senior Warden's Jewel (a Level); One Junior Warden's Jewel (a Plumb); One Secretary's Jewel (Cross Pens); One Treasurer's Jewel (Cross Keys); One Senior Deacon's Jewel & One Junior Deacon's Jewel, all of silver, and one carpet, all the property of the Rideau Lodge.
Harvey McAlpine, W.M.
Simon Fraser, S.W.
Eli Hurd, J.W.
Don Mackenzie, Sec'y.
Wm. Laing, Treasurer pro tem.
Alexander Christie, Senior Deacon and P.M.
Hugh Fraser, Junior Deacon
R. Leslie, Master of Ceremonies.

Five days later, Eli presented to George Burritt a receipt for these items together with a silver square and compass.

* * *

The years continued to march in their relentless fashion and Masonry flourished in the Province and in Kemptville. Ziba's dream of a united Grand Lodge became a reality. On October 10, 1855, at the Masonic Hall in Hamilton, the following resolution was passed : "That we, the representatives of regularly warranted Lodges, have in convention assembled resolved that the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada be and is hereby formed upon the ancient charges and constitutions of Masonry."
Most Worshipful Brother William Mercer Wilson was elected the first Grand Master.
At the same time there was another Grand Lodge of Canada under Sir Alan Napier McNabb to which Kemptville surrendered its warrant from the Grand Lodge of England and which granted dispensation to Kemptville Lodge for the next year.
On July 14, 1858 the two Grand Lodges were united under William Mercer Wilson and Kemptville Lodge became Mount Zion Lodge No. 28, G.R.C.
Today, one hundred and eighty years after Ziba Phillips, the Burritts, Hurds, Olmsteads and others met at Lot 6, of the first concession of Oxford, their Masonic progeny continue the tradition of practising friendship and brotherly love at Kemptville in Mount Zion Number twenty-eight.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burritt, Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burritts Rapids 1793 - 1993, Conestoga Press, 1993

Conover, R. E, . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .The History of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada 1857 - 1958, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada, Toronto, 1958

Laushaway, J. M. & Warren, H. . . . . St. Lawrence District Then and Now 1783 - 1987 , Grand Registry of Canada in the . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Province of Ontario

Mills, O. & Smith, R. .. .. . . . . . . . . . .Burritts Rapids 1793 - 1993 A Scrapbook, 1993

Robertson, J. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The History of Freemasonry in Canada, Vol. 2 (Toronto, 1990)

(to be continued)

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ston Kinnaird)

Mount Zion The Early Years

Chapter 1.

March 6, 1840

" You must be Abel Adams' boy," the driver announced by way of greeting.

"Y y yes, sir," answered the youth, unsure if he should venture anything more to a pair of piercing eyes that stared through round, frost-covered spectacles framed by bushy, white side-whiskers.

"I've come from Maitland to see the men."

"They're inside, sir, I'll tend to your horse."

The vivacious figure bounded from under the buffalo robe and marched towards the house. He knocked and the door was quickly opened by a young lady who directed him upstairs with a sweep of her hand.

"Ziba ! We were afraid you weren't going to make it."

"Tom Hicks. It's good to see you again. the road was partially blocked at North Augusta but once I got through there, I made pretty good time. Has the meeting started?"

"About twenty minutes ago. Would you like to go in?"

"As soon as I am ready."

Ziba hung up his coat, opened the case which he had been carrying and removed a collar of office which he draped over his shoulders. He nodded to Tom who knocked three times on the door.

"Who comes here?" called a voice from within.

"Right Worshipful Brother Ziba Phillips, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Upper Canada," declared Tom

"You are excused and indeed most welcome, Right Worshipful Sir. Please join me in the East."

Ziba turned and proceeded to a chair beside George Burritt. "I bring a reply to your petition of February 8th, Worshipful Sir, and with your permission, I will read it.".

George nodded his assent and with a flourish, Ziba produced a scroll of paper.

'Given under my hand and seal at Brockville in the said province, this twenty-sixth day of February in the Year of Our Lord, 1840, A.L. 5840. Z. M. Phillips, P. D. G. M.

'Now, here I am ready to install your officers."

Worshipful Master Burritt smiled broadly. "In that case, I shall call the lodge from labour to refreshment for the space of fifteen minutes as we prepare for the installation ceremony."

"I guess you know," said Ziba glancing at George, "that your uncle, Stephen Burritt, was the man I installed as Master that day."

"Something that puzzles me," queried a swarthy man in the group," is that we are Lodge Number 25, but Richmond also claims that number."

Ziba drained his glass and declined the offer of another round. "That warmed me very well, gentlemen, but we had better get to the task at hand. George, let's get you and your officers installed."

The men put down their glasses and filed back into the lodge room.

After the ceremony, Ziba addressed the meeting.

'With those few words, gentlemen, I will let you get on with the rest of the meeting."

When the chest was securely shut up, Eliah Hurd and Luke Depencier hoisted it up through a trap door into the garret and stowed it safely in a dark corner.

"Help me get these sawhorses set up for the table top," grunted Basil Church, "so that we can set the food on it."

Elisha Collar, after pushing back his chair, directed a question to Ziba. "Why did you mention the idea of establishing our own Provincial Grand Lodge?"

"Damn!" exclaimed Elisha, "that must have come as a shock. What happened next?"

'Now, the hour is getting late and I know that you all have heavy work in the morning, so if I can avail myself of the fine facilities of Brother Olmstead's inn, perhaps we can call it a day."

"You know me only too well, Mr. Olmstead," smiled Ziba.

"Gentlemen," intoned Basil Church, "the Toast."

All raised their glasses, " Happy to meet . . . Sorry to part . . . Happy to meet again."

Chapter Two

* * *

Attested by,
Ebenezer Bell
Grand Secretary

Five days later, Eli presented to George Burritt a receipt for these items together with a silver square and compass.

* * *

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Burritt, Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burritts Rapids 1793 - 1993, Conestoga Press, 1993

Laushaway, J. M. & Warren, H. . . . . St. Lawrence District Then and Now 1783 - 1987 , Grand Registry of Canada in the . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Province of Ontario

Mills, O. & Smith, R. .. .. . . . . . . . . . .Burritts Rapids 1793 - 1993 A Scrapbook, 1993

Robertson, J. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The History of Freemasonry in Canada, Vol. 2 (Toronto, 1990)

(to be continued)

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