KING SOLOMON'S ROYAL BLACK KNIGHTS - R.B.P. 319

The Preceptory now encamped at Summerisland was formed on 27th October 1873.  A Warrant was taken out by Sir Knight George McClelland.  This warrant was signed by Sir Knight R. Black County Master.  The catchment area of Summerisland extended to Edenderry, Benburb, Derryfubble, Moy, Bovean, Teaguy and round to Divinny.  The reasons given for such a large area was that very few halls existed and only extreme Protestants were allowed to join the Order.

Preceptory meetings were only held every quarter and nothing which took place at these meetings was allowed to be recorded.  The Registrar was expected to give an account of the previous meeting from memory.  The reason for no written minutes was that if waylaid by brigands and vagabonds, no written material could be stolen.

It seems that Sir Knights from the Benburb side left in the afternoon to travel to Summerisland, always travelling armed or as my informant said carrying 'pieces'.  One Preceptory member, Sir Knight Smyth, travelled from Divinny area on horseback and stabled his horse at Mr. J. Kilpatrick's house, the same house now being occupied by Mrs Prescott.

1902 is the first written evidence that I can find, when Bros. T. Dobson, John Winter, Wm. Jas. Bennett and Robert J Irwin received the degree of Royal Black.  Around this time there seemed to be some disparity between the Orange and Black Insitutions.  One Sir Knight, Robert Lavery refused to sit in an Orange meeting because the Royal Mark degree was being conferred.  It would appear that some Black degrees were conferred by the Orange Order at some stage.

On August 13th 1904, Proposer's name illegible, seconded by R. Telford any Brother drunk would be fined 2/6.  On August 7th 1908, it was passed in open lodge that every member, including those who could not possible get to Pomeroy on August 12th pay a fine of 2/6.

The formation of No. 6 District as it is today began with Summerisland, hence the District name, then Derrycorry, followed by Teaguy on transfer from Portadown District.

R.B.P. 319 continued under the title Summerisland Royal Black Knights until 1957, when, at the half-yearly meeting of the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland Council held in Londonderry on 11th June, the Preceptory was given permission to assume the title 'King Solomon's Royal Black Knights.'

DERRYCORRY GOLDEN LINK - R.B.P. 320

R.B.P. 320 was formed in the month of October 1873 at the same time as R.B.P. 319.  The warrant was issued to Jeremiah Hall of Copney who was presumably the first WM.   Nothing is known of the history of the Preceptory until 1897 when the W.M. was Sir Knight James A Gilpin, who remained WM until 1927, the year he died.

An old Preceptory roll book records the number of members as 40 in the year 1901.  By the year 1921, the number of members had risen to 50.  The numbers reached a peak of 74 in the year 1951 and have dropped back to 49 in 1990.  It is interesting to note that in the year 1926, 18 members transferred to R.B.P. 1193 and in 1931, 11 members of R.B.P. 1193 transferred to R.B.P. 320.  Fortunately, there have been no large movements between the two since then.

In the year 1932, it is recorded that the Preceptory bought new collarettes and aprons from Wm. Bridgett and Sons for the sum of sixteen shillings and six pence per set.

After the death of Sir Knight J.A. Gilpin, the next WM was Sir Knight George Hayes who remained W.M. until his death in 1944.  Sir Knight Stewart Gilpin was WM from 1944 to 1960 when Sir Knight Richard Murray became WM.  Sir Knight Murray was succeeded in 1975 by Sir Knight Robert Lawson who was W.M. for one year and was replaced by Sir Knight George McCall.  Sir Knight McCall remained W.M. until 1997 when he was replaced by our Present W.M. Sir Knight Nathaniel Gilpin.

WEBB'S CHOSEN FEW - R.B.P. 352

The underlying theme in the history of R.B.P. 352 is that the issues raised and business conducted at meetings throughout the life of R.B.P. 352 have changed very little over the years.

The original warrant for R.B.P. 352, then called Loughgall R.B.P. 352, was issued to Thomas Wright in 1874.  The earliest minutes in our possession relate to a meeting held in the Lodgeroom in Loughgall in 1889 when the W.M. was George Jackson.  The first sign of any addition to the ranks was in September 1891 when five new members were initiated and three joined on transfer.  No roll book is available but names that regularly appear in the minutes are George Jackson, Henry Magill, Edward Jones, William Scott and Robert Jones.

It would appear that visitors from Teaguy attended regularly to have degrees conferred.   Although at this time there appeared to be a lot of activity at preceptory meetings, in February 1892 it was passed that the preceptory meet every second month.   Refreshments were regularly served and the meetings usually closed with the singing of 'a few loyal songs'.

In August of the same year, the preceptory declined the invitation to attend the annual demonstration in Portadown because they had no colours, which presumably meant no banner.   A Sir Knight Coulter from Teaguy gave degrees at a meeting in October 1892 and among those receiving degrees were Sir Knights Mullen and Prescott, also from Teaguy.

At the election of Officers in February 1893, Sir Knight Webb, the WM of Teaguy, conducted the election and members from Summerisland and Teaguy received degrees.  Meetings from then became infrequent and at a special meeting on 11th June 1896, it was unanimously agreed to hand the Warrant to the District.

The warrant was re-issued in 1917 to William Henry Webb and the preceptory was encamped in Causnagh Orange Hall where it continues to meet today.  The main road from Loughgall to Causnagh was either considered unsafe or the fact that it passed the public house at Hogg's, that the preceptory implements had to be transported by horse and cart via Glebe Lane, across the fields and the river to Farguhar's and then to Causnagh Orange Hall.

The first minutes of Webb's Chosen Few relate to meetings from 1928 on, by which time Isaac Walker sen. was W.M. and Isaac Walker Jun. was Chaplain. Our degree book dates from 1917 and shows that'young' Isaac, as he was always known, became a member in 1926 and is our present longest-serving member.  Sir Knight Isaac Walker sen. was W.M. either from 1918 or 1920 until his death in 1971, a span of over fifty years.

Meetings of the preceptory were held regularly with general business and the conferring of degrees the main items recorded in the minute books.  At the March meetings in 1929, the W.M. congratulated Sir Knights Alex Keys and John Winter on pasing their Lecturer's examination.  The interest in degree work has been present in the preceptory over the years and continues up until today.

In the late '20's, early 30's, the membership of the preceptory remained steady at around 33 members. The dues at that time were 6d per month.  At the June meeting in 1931, the preceptory, having purchased new regalia from Sir Knight Parker in Armagh, agreed to wear it for the first time to an open-air service in Annaghmore to which they paraded via Loughgall village headed by Loughgall Flute Band.  That same evening Bro. George Anderson, LOL 5, received the degree of Royal Black.

In April 1937, the registrar was instructed to forward 10/= as a donation to the building fund of Armagh District Orange Hall.

The Preceptory regularly attended demonstrations on either the 12th or last Saturday in August at such venues as Armagh, Canary, Killyman, Moneymore, Moy and Portadown.  The demonstrations seemed to be events which the members looked forward to and a typical order for the meal on the return to the Hall would be :- 8-4lb sliced loves, 1-6lb tin of corned beef, 20doz. pastry, 1/2lb tea, 2lb sugar, 15 doz. minerals and 30 doz. stout and beer.

In May 1939, the W.M. instructed that all Sir Knights requiring Red Cross certificates would have to pay the sum of 4/=.  This amount would have required some saving as it was equivalent of 8 months dues.  In December of the same year, it was proposed to increase the dues from 6d to 1/= per month.  This was obviously a very popular move because in May the following year the W.M. proposed  that the dues rever to 6d per month.

In August 1940, the preceptory passed a vote of sympathy to Sir Knight Roy Spencer on the death of his brother Captain Spencer, who had been killed in action.

In September 1946, it was proposed to subscribe 5/= per member to the presentation fund for a Sir Knight Thomas Murray who was retiring.  While no mention is made about the office held by Sir Knight Murray, the generosity of the donation was such that he must have been special to the Institution.  It has come to light that Sir Knight Murray conducted many open-air 'Black' services and was well known as a lay preacher.

The membership of the preceptory reached a peak of 59 members in 1948 when this number was returned to the District.  Financially the preceptory was doing so well that in 1949 it was decided to obtain a roast of beef for the annual dinner on the last Saturday.   The first Causnagh Hall catering committee was thus formed and it is interesting to note that among the members of this committee were 2 Beggs and 2 Robinsons.

It would appear that from 1917, the preceptory had functioned without bye-laws and some 26 bye-laws were framed by a sub-committee and passed at a preceptory meeting in September 1951.  One of these bye-laws had a subsequent detrimental effect on the preceptory because at the same meeting, after the bye-laws had been passed, seven Sir Knights tendered their resignation.  The bye-laws in question referred to intoxicating liquors.  "Intoxicating Liquors shall not be introduced, on the occasion the the annual demonstration either directly or indirectly, into the preceptory and any member offending shall be deemed guilty of misconduct and will be required, when directed by the W.M. or Registrar acting on behalf of the preceptory, to transfer to anoth preceptory within three months of the date of the offence".

Regarding parades, no Sir Knight shall leave a parade or join it without the permission of the W.M.  All members shall be at the place of meeting in the field at the appointed time.  Members failing to do so shall not be allowed to join the parade along the route unless by prior arrangement.

A total of seven members resigned and a few months later it was decided to notice a member to explain his behaviour at a ploughing match when he attempted to get another member to leave the preceptory.

The ceremonial swords in use today were presented on behalf of Sir Knight George Beggs by Sir Knight D.H. Matchett in March 1955.  August of the same year saw the unfurling of a new banner.  The banner was unfurled by Miss Iris Webb, the grand-daughter of Sir Knight W.H. Webb, to whom the warrant was issued in 1917, and the dedication ceremony was performed by Rev. Griffith, assisted by Revs. Kinch, Fry and Crawford.  The subsequent parade was through the village of Loughgall and 6 bands were in attendance.

The preceptory ordered 36 collarettes from Corbetts at £2.00 each in 1963 and each member was to buy his own collarette.  Around that time the going rate for bands was £10, a bus from the Ulster Transport Authority was £5-6 and catering on return to the Hall was around 4/= per head from the Central Cafe in Portadown, then owned by a member of the preceptory, Sir Knight James Robinson.

In January 1964, a letter was received from the Imperial Grand Black Chapter about members being struck off the roll.  Each preceptory was urged to appoint a small committee to try and arrest this wastage.  In 1968, the capitation dues from IGBC were increased from 9d per year to 1/= per year.  Also in 1968, Sir Knight Isaac Walker sen. was presented with a wallet of notes to mark the occasion of his completion of 50 years as W.M. of R.B.P. 352.

In 1970, there was a ban on all processions and to quote directly from the minutes, "it was felt that the ban was the last resort of a weak and ineffective Government who had given in to all the demands of the Civil Rights, People's Democracy and Nationalists.  Although no vote was taken, no-one seemed to have any confidence in the Prime Minister Major Chichester-Clark or any of his cabinet".

In July 1975, the registrar was instructed to contact a Sir Knight and advise him to stop wearing emblems on his collarette representing degrees which had not yet been conferred upon him.  In December of the same year, Summerisland District Chapter organised a dance in Millar's Hill Orange Hall in aid of the U.D.R. Benevolent Fund and the R.U.C. Benevolent Fund.  Of the £340 raised, £160 was contributed by the 10 preceptories within the District.  The contribution by R.B.P. 352 to this sum was £40.

The present banner was unfurled in August 1979, by Mrs Edna Beggs the wife of the W.M. at the time Sir Knight George Beggs sen.  The cost of the banner was just over £300 and the money was raised by a levy of £8 per member.

Throughout its history, Webb's Chosen Few R.B.P. 352 has always sought to play its part in the Institution and the District Chapter.  Today, it boasts among its members, a past Assistant Soverign Grand Master and several members who have been serving the District Chapter in a number of Offices.

DIAMOND MEMORIAL - R.B.P. 373

The youngest Preceptory in Summerisland District is Diamond Memorial R.B.P. 373.  It probably seems strange that in the County of the Diamond no Preceptory was formed in the Diamond itself.  This was probly due to the fact that Teaguy R.B.P. 223 was flourishing as a Black Preceptory for such a long time and the proximity of the Diamond meant that candidates progressed naturally to the Preceptory there.

The warrant of R.B.P. 373 was widely travelled prior to its current encampment at the Diamond.  The warrant was first held in Sydney, New South Wales, then to Quilly near Dromore, Co. Down, then back to Australia where it was held in Allora, Queensland.   It then took a relatively short trip to Greymouth in New Zealand before returning to its present encampment in the historic Diamond.

The present Preceptory was instituted at a special District meeting held on Friday 14th December, 1956.  Sir Knight H.A. Cushnie, Imperial Grand Registrar and County Grand Master presented the warrant to the first W.M., Sir Knight Thomas Orr.  Sir Knight Orr pointed out that it was appropriate that there now was a Preceptory sitting in the Orange Hall nearest to the site of the Battle of the Diamond.  Of the foundation members, the first Registrar was Sir Knight Oscar Redman who is the Registrar today.

OLIVE BRANCH - R.B.P. 393

There are two books in Brownlow House, Lurgan, Headquarters of the Royal Black Institution which contain records of Warrants.  One is for the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland and the second is for the Grand Black Chapter of the British Commenwealth.  In the first, there is the record that a Warrant was issued to John Lester in 1896 for Preceptory 393.

In the second book it states that the Warrant was renewed on 7th May 1884 in the name of Sir Knight William J Verner when the Preceptory met in Cloncore, in the Kingdom of Ireland, County Armagh, District of No. 6 Summerisland.  The encampment was transferred in August 1904 to Clantilew.

The late Sir Knight William Robert Richardson, who was the D.M. of the Preceptory from 1924 to 1951, often said that the Precptory also met in Derryadd Orange Hall before transferring to Clantilew.  This information can be taken as genuine because Sir Knight Richardson would have known many of the older members of the Preceptory in those days and also it is known that Preceptories were not obliged to keep strictly to the rules which operate today.  Even if the rules existed, they were not strictly obeyed.   Another piece of information which was gleaned from Sir Knight Richardson was that Summerisland District at one time had 3 preceptories and that many members of the Institution in the Birches area were members of Teaguy, R.B.P. 223.

A book containing the names of members in 1904 showed that the Preceptory met every two months. This trend continued for many years and members often travelled to other Preceptories to obtain degrees in the months which their own Preceptories did not meet.   The first records in the book relate to 1902/03, but unfortunately the names do not appear, the page containing them is missing but from the figures given on the page opposite there appeared to be about 60 members on the roll.  When members did not pay dues for some time the names disappeared from the books in the following year, but even taking this into account the membership seemed to fluctuate between 50 and 70 and none of the books show any fewer.

In 1904 the W.M. of the Preceptory was Sir Knight Robert Brennan and he held the position until 1946.  He was also W.D.M. of Summerisland District No. 6 from 1927 until 1947, a position he held in addition to that of W.D.M. of Loughgall District LOL NO. 3.  In those days dues were 6d per meeting.  Another record in Headquarters shows that in 1897 Sir Knight Wm. J Verner was 1st County Grand Censor and the 2nd County Grand Censor was Sir Knight James A Gilpin, R.B.P. 320.  A few years later Sir Knight James. A. Gilpin became 1st Grand Censor.

Minutes were not well kept if kept at all.  It would appear that the roll book and cash book were kept but the recording of minutes was not done except in some small special case and this would have been written into the roll/cash book.  There was one such case which states that a Special meeting was held on the 16th.  There was no 'month' and no 'year' but it looks as if it took place around 1912/13.  There was another item underneath it referring to 1915.  On another page there is an entry under the heading of "Grand Black Chapter of Ireland" which reads :-
     "We, the Master and Registrar of Royal Black Preceptory No. 393, encamped at Ballynarry ----   hereby acknowledge to have received one copy of the Manual authorised by the G.B. Chapter which we undertake to keep for the use of the above Preceptory."   "And we promise 1) That we will not use the Manual or allow it to be used except in open Preceptory for the purpose of conferring degrees.  2) That we will hand over the manual to our successors in office duly elected on their signing a similar acknowledgement.  3) That we will return the manual to the G. Reg. of Ireland when required to do so by him under the seal of his office or should the Preceptory cease to work".  Signed this day of ---------- 1906.

It was actually not signed but would appear to be there for the next R.W.M. and Registrar.

In most cases the handwriting isexcellent.  From the minutes of the 1930's which were kept on a more official basis there are some interesting items.  In 1936 there was a levy of 2 shillings placed to cover the cost of refreshments and 4 collarettes bought for 8/6 (42 1/2p); but then that was pre-war.  There was very little mention of the war but the Preceptory met regularly.  When the Preceptory set off for a demonstration it walked to Annaghmore Station and then proceeded by train.  In 1939 the demonstration was held in Portadown - perhaps the war-clouds were gathering at the time.  The next demonstration was to Rosemount in 1945 when Drums were used to head the Preceptory.   In 1946 the demonstration was in Moneymore and since then there has been a close connection with the County Tyrone Sir Knights.

In the 1940's the Preceptory had the services of Lecturer provided by Sir Knight Isaac Hawthorne, R.B.P. 30, who was later to become M.P. for Central Armagh in the Stormont Parliament and in which he held the office of Chief Whip for his Party.  Sir Knights who remember him attending the Preceptory say that he travelled by bicycle, often having to walk because of deep snow.  He did it faithfully even if only he and a couple of Members turned up.

The connection with County Tyrone became ver strong with regular visits on election nights between 393 and 31 and 65 in East Tyrone.  It is interesting to note that the present County Grand Registrar of Tyrone resides in Summerisland District and in February 1946 the Deputy Chair was taken by Sir Knight Abernethy of Ochill R.B.P. 727, the Chair at that meeting having been taken by Sir Knight Isaac Hawthorne.  The 1946 minutes state that the Preceptory attended a centenary service in Annaghmore Parish Church in September but what the centenary was is not stated.

The Preceptory had, in the 1950's, a close friendship with members of R.B.P. 241 (Armagh District) and that Preceptory presented emblems for degree work through their W.M. Sir Knight Sammy Spratt.  At the same meeting Sir Knight W.R. Richardson, whose name was mentioned earlier, was presented with an easy chair in recognition of the vast amount of work he put into the working of the Preceptory.

In response to a directive from the then County Grand Master the first and last verses of "Abide with Me" were sung at the preceptory meeting on 15th February 1952.   This was the favourite hymn of King George VI who was buried that day and in December of that year the preceptory sent 10/= (ten shillings) to the County Grand Chapter for a King George VI Memorial Fund.

Some years ago, Sir Knights who held high office in the Institution often criticised Preceptory Officers (especially W.M.s) for holding office too long with the result that interest waned and membership decreased.  This has not been borne out in R.B.P. 393 when it is considered that Sir Knight Robert Brennan was in the Chair in 1904 and possibly before that until 1946 which was followed by Sir Knight D.H. Matchett until 1974, a period of over 70 years for 2 Sir Knights and the membership actually continued to rise.   The enthusiasm for the Institution shown by some members must have been great when over the years members travelled from 'over the Bann', walked many miles to the Birches and then home again after the meeting and on the way having to cross the River Bann at the Bannfoot Ferry.

R.B.P. 393 has always tried to do its best for the District.  In addition to Sir Knights Brennan and Matchett who have held the posts of W.D.M. and D.D.M, another member was District Registrar for 20 years and other members have held offices and it is hoped that its members will continue to in the future to do all they can for the good of the Institution at large.

BETHLEHEM'S GUIDING STAR - R.B.P. 502

The warrant for R.B.P. 502 was issued to Sir Knight Robert Wilson on 27 October 1888 under the name of Vernersbridge R.B.P. 502 and was encamped at Churchill, Vernersbridge.   The Preceptory held its first meeting in Vernersbridge Orange Hall on 27 November 1888, when the new Warrant was instituted by the W.D.M. of Summerisland Sir Knight J.A. Gilpin.  The first officers elected and installed were:-
W.M. - Sir Knight Robert Wilson  formerly R.B.P. 320
D.M. - Sir Knight George Greene  formerly R.B.P. 319
Reg. - Sir Knight Thomas Wilson  formerly R.B.P. 320
Trs. - Sir Knight David Blevins  formerly R.B.P. 35

The Preceptory purchased its first Roll Book for one shilling and the Preceptory seal cost 13/6.

The Preceptory attended its first Church Service to Killyman Parish Church on 11 August 1889 and the minutes recorded the Preceptory holding a social evening in the Hall to celebrate 12 August 1889.  The first meetings were held each month on a Friday evening at 8.00.  At the February meeting of 1890 it was decided that the Preceptory should hold its meetings every 2 months.  The first recorded reference of the Preceptory attending a demonstration on 12 August was in July 1898 when W.M. R. Wilson proposed that if there were 11 or 12 couple on 12 August, the Preceptory should walk to Dungannon and return by train in the evening.  It is noted from the minutes that at most of the meetings degrees were conferred.  The minutes of April 1901 recorded 8 Sir Knights from R.B.P. 383 received No.8 degree.  On 12 August 1903 the Preceptory paraded to Tullyroan, met the rest of the District and paraded to the Argory for a demonstration.

In July 1905 the W.M. R. Wilson proposed that the Preceptory visit Derrylileagh Orange Hall.  The minutes recorded the meetings of December 1905 and June 1906 taking place in Derrylileagh Orange Hall.  It would appear that from this date onwards meetings were taking place on alternate nights in Vernersbridge and Derrylileagh Orange Halls.

The meeting of December 1906 unanimously passed a proposal to purchase a banner, and a committee was formed headed by the W.M. R. Wilson.  The February meeting of 1907 recorded a proposal from W.M. R. Wilson that the banner be 9' x 8' with the "Feast of Belshazzar" on one side and the "Wise Men" on the other.  Sir Knight William Willis proposed that the Preceptory be known as the "Star of Bethlehem".

However, at a meeting in June 1907 the members decided to call the Preceptory "Bethlehem's Golden Star" on a proposal of the W.M. Sir Knight R. Wilson.   The meeting of July 1907 passed a proposal by Sir Knight David Kerr that the W.M. Sir Knight R. Wilson unfurl a banner and be presented with a pair of silver scissors.   Sir Knight John Welsh also proposed that Derryadd Flute Band and the new banner parade from Derrylileagh Orange Hall on 12 August 1907.

In August 1908 the second Rector of Milltown Parish Church, Rev. William Brown Allman joined the Preceptory and was elected Chaplain in February 1909, and served in the Office until 1919.  In October 1908 Miss Susan Kerr presented the Preceptory with a Holy Bible.  At the October meeting of 1914 a 'Notice of Motion' was proposed by Sir Knight William Farquhar that the warrant of R.B.P. 502 be transferred from Vernersbridge Orange Hall to Derrylileagh Orange Hall.  This 'notice of motion' was debated at a meeting in Vernersbridge Orange Hall on 25 December 1914, seconded by the D.M. Sir. Knight Thomas Smyth and carried by 12-4.

Since February 1915, meetings of R.B.P. 502 have been held in Derrylileagh Orange Hall.   It should be noted from the minutes that the demonstration on 12 August 1933 refers to the purchase of a new banner and to ask Miss Abraham to unfurl this banner.  The Preceptory attended its first demonstration on the last Saturday in August 1936 by going to Killyman and continued to demonstrate on the last Saturday until 1939.  After the War Years the Preceptory returned to demonstrating on 12 August and attended a demonstration in Moneymore on 12 August 1946.  However, in 1949 the Preceptory returned to demonstrating on the last Saturday in August.

The Rev. A.E. Crawford, Rector of Milltown Parish Church joined the Preceptory in 1954 and was elected Chaplain in 1955 and served in the Office until 1966.  On 17th August 1963, a new banner was unfurled by Miss Mabel Kerr.

Since the formation of the Preceptory there have been 13 Worshipful Masters:
1888 - 1922  -  Sir Knight Robert Wilson
1922 - 1931  -  Sir Knight William Farquhar
1931 - 1949  -  Sir Knight David Kerr
1949 - 1952  -  Sir Knight Edward Murphy
1952 - 1956  -  Sir Knight James Smyth
1956 - 1957  -  Sir Knight William James Gillespie
1957 - 1959  -  Sir Knight Joseph Murphy
1959 - 1967  -  Sir Knight Fred Kelso
1968 - 1969  -  Sir Knight Thomas M Gray
1969 - 1971  -  Sir Knight Thomas David Kerr
1971 - 1982  -  Sir Knight William Ogilby
1982 - 1986  -  Sir Knight James J Gray
1986 - present- Sir Knight Herbert L Anderson

The longest serving member of the Preceptory is our present Chaplain and Honorary Member Sir Knight James Joseph Gray who joined the Preceptory on 30 September 1921.

In the early 1900's the membership of the Preceptory peaked with around 70 members and the present membership is 40.

CHARLEMONT TEMPERANCE - R.B.P. 570

The first recorded meeting of the Sir Knights of R.B.P. 570 was on 22nd December 1902.   In the Chair was Sir Knight James Andrew Gilpin and in the vice-chair was Sir Knight Thomas Gilpin.  This meeting was arranged to elect the first Officers but not as many Sir Knights as expected attended from other Preceptories owing to the bad weather.   The meeting was re-arranged for 9th February 1903 and the election was conducted by Sir Knight Thomas George and assisted by Sir Knight William Duke and resulted as follows :-

W.M.  - Sir Knight Hamilton Trotter
D.M.  - Sir Knight Thomas George
Chap. - Sir Knight Thomas Grimason
Reg.  - Sir Knight Joseph Farmer
Trs.  - Sir Knight William Duke
Committee - J.H. Farmer, Robert Dobson, John Winters, Thomas Dobson, William Cullen and William Kerr.

The first two Sir Knights to join the new Preceptory were Sir Knights Bert and Fred Nimmons from Killylea R.B.P. 26 and many Sir Knights came to R.B.P. 570 over the following years.  A good number of candidates came from the local Orange Lodges, Millar's Hill LOL 51, Derryoughall No. 3, Moy No. 90, Kinnego No. 5 and Benburb No. 4.  As the numbers grew a lot of degrees had to be given at every meeting and often meetings went on until early morning.

A special meeting was held on the first Monday in July 1903 to arrange for a new Banner to be ordered from William Bridgett of Belfast.  The banner was to have a crimson centre and green border, with the painting on one side depicting Moses in the bullrushes and David slaying Goliath on the other.  This first banner was taken to Cookstown on 12th August 1903.  The Preceptory walked to Trew and Moy station to get the train with other preceptories.  On 12th August 1922 the Preceptory walked to the Argory to join the District for a demonstration at Derrygally.  The walking dues were 5/= per member.

The Preceptory was headed by Millar's Hill Flute Band up until the War, then in 1945 the new accordian Band was formed.  It has headed the Preceptory ever since and the preceptory has always supported the Band very generously in financial terms.

The Preceptory has been host to the Last Saturday Demonstration on several occasions.   The 1967 demonstration was special as the procession paraded from Curran's Brae to a field at Millar's Hill on the Blackwatertown Road.  The year 1970 was memorable for all Sir Knights when the Government banned all Processions.  The Last Saturday demonstration was held in Killymoon Castle, Cookstown.

The Seventieth Anniversary Dinner was held on 17 November 1972 in Millar's Hill Orange Hall and was presided over by Sir Knight Fred Cooper.  The dinner was supplied by Sir Knight Robert Hill and staff and also present was Sir Knight Chancellor Kerr and at that time he was the Chaplain and Rector of Moy Parish.

On the Last Saturday morning in 1979 our Preceptory unfurled a new Banner before setting out for the Demonstration.  The ceremony was performed by the W.M. Sir Knight Thomas Colgan and the banner dedicated by Sir Knight Rev. Johns.

One of the most happy times in the history of our Preceptory was when we had the honour of one of our Sir Knights, Fred Cooper was elected as W.D.M. of Summerisland.  Over the years our Preceptory has had a membership of 30-40 members.  We meet in Millar's Hill Orange Hall on the first Saturday of the Month at 7.30 pm.

ISRAEL'S GUIDING STAR - R.B.P. 1001

R.B.P. 1001, encamped at Canary, first received its warrant on 19th November 1919.   The first W.M., Sir Knight Jackson Telford, whose name is on the warrant, was Master into the mid-twenties.  The Preceptory had difficult times through the Twenties and Thirties, mainly caused by small numbers and shortage of cash.  In 1936 there were 20 members which fell to 11 in the late forties.

The main problem always seemed to be lack of funds.  In one instance there were four members getting degrees, then stopped attending with the result that proceedings were threatened to recover their collarettes.  Once the W.M. could only be paid 19/6 out of a bill of £1-4-2 receiving the difference of 4/8 at the next meeting.

However, from 1950, the membership greatly increased when in the middle sixties the total was 65.  Again the total fell back to 50 mainly through the deaths of older members as well as the death of four young Sir Knights through terrorist activity.

The Preceptory is still encamped at Canary and has in its possession a Book of Rules and Regulations printed by Bro. J. Forrest, 76-77 Chapel Street, Dublin and is dated 1881.   The present banner depicts Ridley and Latimer being burned at the stake.

LINK AND CHAIN - R.B.P. 1193

The warrant for R.B.P. 1193 was issued to Sir Knight William Edward Scott on 1st November 1926.  The Preceptory had been formed after an application to the District on 21st September 1926 by members of LOL 53 which is a different format from todays regulations.   It was suggested at the District meeting that the application should be on an official form supplied by the Grand Registrar of the Imperial Grand Black Chapter of the British Commenwealth.

It is not entirely certain as to whether the Preceptory was formed by members of LOL 53 who were Sir Knights or more likely that Sir Knights from R.B.P. 320 who were members of LOL 53 were the foundation members.  The Preceptory has always met in Annaghmore Orange Hall and in March 1927 permission was obtained to assume the title "Link and Chain".  The first W.M. was Sir Knight William Edward Scott and he was a pillar of strength in the early years of the Preceptory and he was always held in high esteem by the District Chapter until his death in 1951.

The Preceptory has always turned out in strength for the Demonstrations and in the early days always travelled by train to the various venues.  Since there was always a close connection between the railway and R.B.P. 1193, a unique signalling system was established.  The train whistle blew and this prompted the Sir Knights to leave the Orange Hall and make their way by the shortest route across the moss to the station to board the train for the demonstration.