MASONIC CONNECTIONS

The first Masonic lodge in what is now Canada was established in   Annapolis Royal , Nova Scotia in 1738 by Major Erasmus James Philipps. He was the father - in - law of  Major General Horatio Gates, commander of the Northern Continental Army,  to whom Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777 at the   Battle of Saratoga .

             

                                        

                Masonic Monument beside Annapolis Royal Town Hall

Gates was born in Maldon, England in 1727. He became an Officer in the British Army and arrived in Halifax around 1749 as an aide to Governor Edward Cornwallis. He served in the French Indian War in North America before selling his commission and starting a plantation in Virginia. During the American Revolution George Washington, as Commander - in - chief of the Continental Army, appointed him Commander of the Northern Army.  Gates married Elizabeth Phillips in 1754. She died in 1783.

A Masonic Monument placed in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia on the 275th anniversary of Masonry in Nova Scotia in 2013 reads:

        1738 - 2013

This replica of the Masonic Stone of 1606 was presented

to the Masons of Nova Scotia asa gift from Most Wor.

Bro. Roy E. Lively, Past Grand Master of Nova Scotia

2008 - 2009 commemorating the 275th anniversary of

Masonry in Nova Scotia which is the birth place of

Masonry in this great nation of Canada. May we on this

275th anniversary dedicate ourselves to carrying 

forward the work which those of 275 years ago so

nobly began. Let us firmly resolve to be worthy of

the heritage then bequeathed to us.

This stone was laid on June 2nd, 2013 by the Most

Wor. Grand Master of Masons of Nova Scotia, Most

Wor. Bro. George A. Grant and the brethren of

Annapolis Royal Lodge No. 33.

       So mote it be

In nearby Digby the first Masonic Lodge was applied for on Sept. 10, 1784 by United Empire Loyalist John Hill. The Secretary of the Lodge was another Loyalist, Robert Timpany who was buried in the graveyard of Trinity Anglican Church.

           

                 Digby Lodge Number 6

Many United Empire Loyalists were Masons in Nova Scotia as well as in other areas of the future Canada, like in Upper Canada.  It was a popular and influential fraternal order in Colonial America.  Below is the Masonic apron of Jacob Huffman, UE who after the American Revolution settled in    Fredericksburgh Township , Ontario.   

                 

                                                     Masonic Apron of Jacob Huffman, UE

Huffman was born near Arlington, in the Camden Valley of New York around 1756.  He was the son of Elias and Elizabeth Huffman and signed up with the Queen's Loyal Rangers in 1776.   Before leaving for Canada at end of American Revolution he married Margaret Embury, also a resident of the Camden Valley. 

I am not a member of a Masonic Lodge although my maternal grandfather, Bert Wilson, was a very dedicated one in Ontario and included a masonic symbol at the top of his headstone.   His son and my father were also members.

                  

                      Masonic Symbol on Headstone