Worshipful District Masters

1884 - 1917 - Sir Knt. Webb
1917 - 1923 - Sir Knt. James Gilpin
1923 - 1930 - Sir Knt. J.A. Johnston
1930 - 1947 - Sir Knt. Robert Brennan
1947 - 1971 - Sir Knt. Isaac Walker
1971 - 1974 - Sir Knt. David H Matchett
1974 - 1992 - Sir Knt. Fred C Cooper
1992 - 1997 - Sir Knt. Joseph W Trueman JP
1997 - date  - Sir Knt. George Anderson

SUMMERISLAND DISTRICT CHAPTER

The earliest record available relates to the September meeting in 1916.  At that time District meetings were held in Derrycorry Orange Hall and there were seven Preceptories making up the District Chapter.  The dues then were 3/= quarterly and each Preceptory send 3 delegates to the Chapter meetings.  The District had certainly been in existence much earlier because at the March meeting of 1917, Sir Knight Webb tendered his resignation after occupying the Chair for a period of 33 years.  He was replaced by Sir. Knight James A. Gilpin of Derrycorry.

Travel was quite difficult at that time since, being a country District Chapter, motor cars were not all that common.  After the election of Officers in March 1918, it was agreed that the District Master engage a car to convey representatives to the County meeting in Markethill.  The representatives were to assemble at Tullyroan Corner at 9.00 am.  At the June meeting an account was paid totaling 13/9 for refreshments, attendance at the County meeting and postage.

The District Chapter increased to 8 when in September 1919, approval was given for an application for a new warrant at Canary.  Two years later this Preceptory received approval to use the title "Israel's Guiding Star."

Around this time Brethren had to be 21 years of age before becoming eligible for the Black Institution.  In December 1920, the W.D.M. informed the Chapter that the initiation fee would be 10/= and the age limit reduced to 19 years.  This was confirmed at the County meeting in April 1921.  Degrees were conferred at 3/= for each degree.   However, Summerisland were ploughing a lone furrow even at that time when in December 1922 a vote to return to the old fees of 5/= initiation and 2/= per degree was passed unanimously.

Members of LOL 53, Annaghmore, applied for a new warrant to open a Preceptory in 1926.   After the necessary approval, the following March, R.B.P. 1193 was permitted to assume the title "Link and Chain".

The election of Officers in 1929 must have been completed in record time because it was proposed and passed that only Officers dead and resigned be replaced.  At the same meeting, Sir Knight Robert Brennan who had become the W.D.M. received 5/= expenses for attending the Imperial Grand Black Chapter meeting in Bangor.

In March 1931, Sir Knight Joseph Farmer handed in the warrant of R.B.P. 570, but the District agreed to pay their dues for that year.  In July, Sir Knights Isaac Walker, Thomas McKitterick and Samuel were appointed to investigate the problems at Charlemont Preceptory.  Later in the year Sir Knight Isaac Walker reported that the Preceptory had been reorganised and the warrant was returned to R.B.P. 570.

The District had met in Derrycorry Orange Hall for all meetings since our records had commenced.  The present arrangement of rotating round the various Preceptories was agreed at the September Chapter meeting of 1931.  Expenses for refreshments were to be taken out of Preceptory funds.  In June 1940, it was agreed to hold a collection at each meeting to help defray expenses incurred by the Preceptory whose turn it was to host the Chapter meeting.

In 1940, because of the blackout, District meetings in December were suspended.  The District Master gave liberty to Preceptories who had candidates to give the form to the nearest District Officer who would confirm acceptance of the candidate if he had no objections.

March meetings of District Chapter are traditionally when the election of Officers is held.  For four years in succession from 1943, Sir Knight W.E. Scott, the W.M. of R.B.P. 1193 was invited to take the chair and conduct the election.  Each minute contains basically the same wording "Sir Knight Scott thanked the W.D.M. for asking him to conduct the election, he spoke of the way the District was flourishing under the guidance of our W.D.M. and he would propose that all officers be re-elected for another year."

The District Chapter had been contributing 10/= to the Preceptory hosting the District meeting to help defray expenses for the refreshments after the meeting.  In 1955 the District agreed to discontinue this practice as "there was not sufficient expense to warrant such a payment."

The Chapter was increased to 10 Preceptories at a special meeting held in Diamond Orange Hall on 14th December 1956 when the then County Grand Master, Sir Knight H.A. Cushnie, MBE, JP, Imperial Grand Registrar instituted the warrant of R.B.P. 373.

In 1957, approval was given to R.B.P. 319 to change their title to "King Solomon's Royal Black Knights."

In December 1963, the Chapter received a letter from County Armagh Unionist Association intimating that Sir Knight Jack Maginnis MP intended to seek re-election to Westminster.   In view of the fact that he had their fullest confidence, no other nominations would be sought through advertising in the press, but if any bodies wished to make a nomination they should do so before 1st January 1964.  The District Chapter decided to make no nomination.

In 1971, the District Chapter lost two of its stalwarts who had been the backbone of the Chapter over a long number of years.  In May, Sir Knight Arthur Whiteside died aged 82.  Arthur had retired from office in March after serving the Chapter for 33 years as Treasurer.  At Halloween in the same year, Arthur's great friend, Sir Knight Isaac Walker, JP died aged 91 when he was in his 25th year as W.D.M.

In September 1978, the District Chapter congratulated Sir Knight Joseph Trueman on his election for Deputy Imperial Grand Treasurer.  Sir Knight Trueman assumed full responsibility for the Institution's finances on the death of Sir Knight Sandy Anderson in 1985.  Sir Knight Trueman was elected to the position of W.D.M. of Summerisland in 1992.  At the same meeting of Grand Council, Sir Knight William Anderson was elected to the post of Imperial Deputy Grand Treasurer.  In 1993, he was personally selected by the Sovereign Grand Master, Sir Knight James H Molyneaux, MP to serve as an Assistant Sovereign Grand Master, a position held for two years.  At the end of the two years, Sir Knight Molyneaux asked him to take the position for a further two years, a great honour to Sir Knt. Anderson and showed the great respect held for Sir. Knt. Anderson.   The Institution obviously recognises the calibre of the Sir Knights of Summerisland and the finances and general well-being of the Institution have continued to flourish since the appointments of these two Sir Knights.

LECTURING

Summerisland District Chapter has always had a small nucleus of Sir Knights who have maintained an interest in Degree work.

The first mention of a lecture class is in the minutes of a meeting in September 1918.   At the end of the session, the Chapter gave permission to purchase a present for Sir Knight Stoops who had given instruction in the course of Degrees.  The cost of the present was not to exceed £7.0.0, which I would suggest gives ample demonstration of the esteem the District has always held the Lecturing fraternity.

In December 1932, a letter was received from Imperial Grand Black Chapter giving notice of a meeting in Belfast inviting attendance from all Lecturers and those interested in Lecturing. There is no record of any delegates from the District Chapter but I suspect that this meeting was one of the earliest Lecturers Conferences.

In 1957, correspondence was received from Headquarters that a travel for the Red Cross Degree had been approved and would be demonstrated at the International Lecturers Conference in Belfast.

There are few formal records of Lecture Classes being held on a regular basis over the years.  Those interested in learning the Degrees often traveled to Portadown to join the Class there.  In March 1963, the Registrar of R.B.P. 319 wrote to the District Chapter complaining of the cold conditions of the room where the meeting was held.   The subject was again discussed at the December meeting.  The Chapter forwarded £5 towards the cost of heating.

The reports of the County Conference of Lecturers regarding exemplifications of Degrees by the District Lecturing teams fluctuate from the highest praise to the District being unable to field a team.  In order to rectify the latter situation, Sir Knight Cecil Trueman after many abortive attempts eventually started a Lecture Class in Teaguy Orange Hall in September 1974.

The District Lecture Class were invited to exemplify the Royal White Degree at the International Lecturers Conference in Renfrew in 1980.  This invitation was accepted and the team were given great praise on the standard of the exemplification by the examining board.

The District Lecture Class continues to meet each week from October to March and always welcomes new members.

GENEROUS TO A FAULT

In an organisation such as the Royal Black Institution, it is inevitable that some Preceptories and Chapters are faced with financial problems and Summerisland District Chapter have often assisted when appeals have been received.  The Chapter has also made donations to worthwhile causes and given gifts for distinguished service.

Some of our records of these are listed below :-

September 1936 - £2.0.0 subscribed to New Orange Hall in Armagh
December 1940 - £5.5.0 invested in Ulster Savings Certificates in "Weapons Week" as a gift from the Chapter.
June 1940 - £5.0.0 invested in Ulster Savings Certificates in connection with "Salute the Soldier" week.
December 1947 - Collection for presentation to Sir Knight Thomas Murray realised £90.13.0.  Two Sir Knights went to Belfast to buy a wallet which cost £3.18.6
March 1948 - The District Chapter presented an oil painting of Sir Knight Robert Brennan to R.B.P. 393 where he had been WM for 40 years. The portrait was purchased for £20.0.0
September 1948 - Each preceptory contributed 10/= and the District made up the total to £5.0.0 for a portrait of Sir William Allen.
December 1952 - District contributed £6.10.0 to King George VI Memorial Fund.
July 1954 - Wallet of notes presented to Sir Knight Rev. Cooke, R.B.P. 223 who had been District Chaplain 1951-1954.  Sir Knight Rev. Cooke had arranged to leave for missionary work in West Indies.
March 1956 - District gave £1.0.0 to R.B.P. 1000 for funds to buy equipment for Sham Fight.
June 1959 - District gave £22.7.0 to presentation to Sir Knight G.Shaw Cooke who had met with an accident.  This had been prompted by a request from County Chapter.
December 1975 - District organised a dance in Millar's Hill Orange Hall in aid of UDR and RUC Benevolent Fund and realised £340.00
March 1982 - £100 donation to Operation USA to promote Ulster in America.
March 1986 - £ 974 donation to N. Ireland fund to fight Anglo-Irish Agreement.
March 1987 - £100 to each Junior Orange Lodges formed within the District.
June 1989 - £ 500 donation towards Craigavon Councillors Appeal.
September 1990 - £ 100 to R.B.P. 570 who had banner destroyed by Vandals.

DEMONSTRATIONS

In the early part of this century Summerisland District attended demonstrations on 12th August and often joined with East Tyrone and Killyman Districts.  It would appear that often the demonstration would combined with members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry.

In March 1926, however, Killyman District were forced to change the date of the demonstration to the Last Saturday in August because it clashed with the Apprentice Boys.   Summerisland, nevertheless, kept to 12th August for their demonstration.

Drums were usually very prominent in the various demonstrations around that time and have even been immortalised in verse :-
"It was on an Easter Monday, in a town called Portadown,
The drums they roared like thunder, as they marched them up the town,
But there was one amongst them, you could hear above them all,
It was Halligan and his Conqueror, from the village of Loughgall."

But Lambeg drums are not everyone's favourite and in March 1927, the W.D.M. gave notice of motion that there should be no drums in the District procession.  The motion was withdrawn at the June meeting after a long discussion but the District Master, Sir Knight Johnston warned that each W.M. would be held responsible if any trouble arose by having drums in the procession.

In the late 20's early 30's, the usual speakers were Sir Knights W.J. Allen, MP. D.G. Shillington, MP, Rowley Elliott, MP, Captain Baracroft and Thomas Murray.

In March 1931, after representatives from Killyman District, Summerisland District voted 12-8 in favour of changing to the Last Saturday in August.  But there were problems to agree suitable venues.  In 1935, Sir Knight Hamilton Trotter from Armagh advised the District that Primatial Sir Knights would be willing to join with Killyman and Summerisland on a mutually suitable day.  In March 1936, there was a meeting with these three Districts and East Tyrone in Killyman Orange Hall.  No agreement was reached at this meeting.  In 1938, an invitation was received from Armagh for a demonstration in the Folly grounds and another from East Tyrone for Cookstown.  Six Preceptories voted for Armagh and three for Cookstown.  In the end, five preceptories demonstrated in Armagh on the Last Saturday and three went to Cookstown on 12th August.

During the war years no demonstrations were held by the District Chapter, however, the annual Sunday Services continued.

On 11th August 1945, a thanksgiving service and demonstration was held at Rosemount and Summerisland were joined by Killyman District and Cloughfin R.B.P. 58, Omagh District.   The following year three invitations were received and the year after four invitations.  This confusion was settled in 1948 when the present rotation started.

In 1951, five sets of gauntlets were purchased at a cost f £8.15.0 and five officer's collarettes at £12.0.0 to enhance the appearance of the officers on parade.  In December of the same year, the Chapter approved a motion that all Sir Knights would be attired in hard hats.

There is no doubt that the Sir Knights of Summerisland are very impressive on parade.   This is confirmed by a report which appeared in the Canadian Sentinel.  The report was written by Rt. W. Sir Knight W.J. Armstrong, who was past Honorary Grand Master of British America, who had attended the 1962 demonstration in Charlemont.  The report remarked on the excellent turn-out with hard hats, white gloves and shirts, dark suits amd black shoes.

In August 1970, there was a government ban on parades and the demonstration was held in Killymoon Castle in Cookstown.  No demonstration was held in 1971 because of the continuing ban but normality was restored the following year when Killyman District hosted the demonstration in Moy.

In 1975, the W.D.M. reported that County Chapter had requested that Districts be very strict with the type of band engaged for parades.  Some concern had been expressed as to whether the emergence of the new style of flute bands would enhance parades of the Institution.

Charlemont had been the venue for demonstrations for a number of occasions, but in 1979, the District decided to hold the demonstration in Loughgall.  It has been held in the village since then whenever it has been Summerisland's turn to be host.  Throughout our records there have been a number of references to the Sir Knights of County Armagh Demonstrating together.  None of these attempts were successful until 1990, when the normal Districts were joined by the rest of County Armagh to mark the Tercentenary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Summerisland District now have a reputation second to none when it comes to both organising Demonstrations and the bearing of their Sir Knights on parade.

AN EXTRAORDINARY SIR KNIGHT.

Sir Knight Thomas Murray R.B.P. 320

Without doubt one of the finest Sir Knights ever associated with Summerisland District was Sir Knight Thomas Murray of R.B.P. 320.  Sir Knight Murray was born in 1877 of farming stock but since farms at that time could usually only support one son, Sir Knight Murray joined the Irish Church Missions in Dublin.  Through the I.C.M. Sir Knight Murray became a teacher and taught in schools in Dundalk and later Dublin.

Sir Knight Murray was a great theologian who had an extensive knowledge of the Bible.   In Dublin, every Tuesday night, he organised a class for conversionalism which was attended by people who were enquiring into the Protestant faith and Roman Catholics who were having doubts about their religion.  Mixed marriages were quite common at that time in Dublin and Sir Knight Murray, through these classes, was responsible for ensuring that such marriages resulted in both partners continuing in the Protestant faith.  He would often meet with Jesuit Priests to put across the tenets of the Protestant faith while the Jesuits would advocate that the marriage would continue in Roman Catholicism.

The then Superintendent of the Irish Church Missions was T.C. Hammond who described Sir Knight Murray as the greatest living conversionalist.  I would venture to suggest that Sir Knight Murray was directly responsible in influencing the ancestors of the present-day Protestant population of Dublin.

Sir Knight Murray was also responsible for placing Protestant orphans from the Smylie Homes with families in the North of Ireland where a better life awaited these unfortunate children.  Many of these orphans were placed with families within Summerisland District.

However, Sir Knight Murray is probably best remembered as a special preacher at the annual District Service in August.  The records show that he was the special preacher at the earliest recorded service and he continued until 1949.  He was a great preacher in the true Protestant tradition and he was not one to water down the Scriptures, delivering his sermon straight from the heart without relying on a prepared speech.  With Sir Knight Murray as the special preacher, huge crowds were the norm and all came to hear Sir Knight Murray's message at the open-air services.

Sir Knight Murray usually spent a month's holiday at home and he would dispatch his suitcases by train and cycle home from Dublin calling on the way at Drogheda and Dundalk as part of his duties with the Irish Church missions.

Sir Knight Murray retired in 1948 from the Irish Church Missions and to mark his retirement a social evening was held on 9th January 1948 in Derrycorry Orange Hall.   A collection throughout the Preceptories realised £90.13.0 and this was made up to £100.0.0 with presentations from the Sir Knights of Kilmore, Portadown District and Summerisland District itself.  Sir Knight Murray's own Preceptory R.B.P. 320 contributed £25.0.0, and the grand total reflected Sir Knight Murray's esteem throughout the District.  The notes were presented in a suitably inscribed wallet which was purchased in Belfast for £3.18.6.  The District Chapter had instructed Sir Knight David Henry Matchett, DDM and Sir Knight Norman Gilpin, R.B.P. 320 to travel to Belfast to purchase the wallet.

After his retirement, Sir Knight Thomas Murray lived with his sister in Stranmillis where he died in 1955 aged 78 years and he was buried in Dublin.

This resume of the life and work of Sir Knight Thomas Murray does not pay adequate tribute to a true Sir Knight who had given a life of service to the Protestant faith.  He was a Sir Knight in the ideal sense of the word and even today he is remembered throughout the District by all those who had the privilege of either meeting him or hearing him preach at our Services.

ODDS AND ENDS

In March 1923, a discussion took place on the price of stout supplied to the District Chapter for the County meeting in Loughgall.  The price of stout was alleged to be 6/= but the District had been charged 7/6.  The Registrar was instructed to write for a receipt.

In September 1950, the WDM instructed the Registrar of R.B.P. 223 to deal with Sir Knight Joshua Wright of R.B.P. 223 who had attended a Sunday Sports meeting in Blackwatertown with his horse.  Sir Knight Wright's resignation was accepted by the District Chapter in March 1951.

In March 1952 Sir Knight Robert Brennan R.B.P. 502 resigned from the Institution saying in his letter that he had taken his stand for the Lord.  His resignation concluded with the following quotation from Psalm No 1, verse 1. :- "Blessed is the man that walked in the Council of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."  No reference is made to whom the quotation is directed.

In March 1954, the District Chapter received an invitation to attend the Last Saturday Demonstration in Cookstown.  In the letter, the Registrar of East Tyrone advised that all public houses in Cookstown were owned by Roman Catholics except three.  The letter went on to name the three public houses owned by Protestants.

In June 1963, R.B.P. 373 sought advice from the District Chapter in dealing with one of their members who had been fined for attending a cockfight on a Sunday.  The Preceptory sought guidance on which rule applied.  This misdemeanour may not be all that unusual for someone from the Diamond as rumour has it that the night before the Battle of the Diamond in 1795 the participants enjoyed a cockfight.

Finally, this history compilation has been a most enjoyable exercise but I would remind all Registrars that the minutes they are recording today are to form tomorrows history of this Institution, of which we should be honoured to be permitted as members.

With thanks to Sir Knight. D.J. Robinson. R.B.P. 352