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The History of our number "45"By R.W.Bro. R.W.L. Clarke BRANT LODGE will be 148 years old this month. Prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada in 1855, Brant Lodge operated as No. 323, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland was dated June 6, 1853, and was signed by Augustus Frederick, Duke of Leinster, Grand Master; George Hoyte, D.G.M.; Richard, Earl of Donoughmore, G.S.W.; Sir John McNeil, G.J.W. of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. It was granted to Arunah Huntington as Worshipful Master; Charles H. Waterous as Senior Warden and Charles R. Wilkes as Junior Warden. On July 19, 1855 at the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Niagara Falls, the Brant Lodge was well represented. It was this meeting where the delegates from all of the masonic lodges in the province considered the propriety of establishing a Canadian Grand Lodge. Brant Lodge was again well represented at a meeting in the Masonic Hall, Hamilton, Ontario, on October 10, 1855, where it was resolved “that the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Canada be and is hereby formed upon the ancient charges and constitution of masonry.” Colonel William Mercer Wilson was then elected as the first Grand Master. Brant Lodge, upon being instituted under this new Grand Lodge, was assigned the number “22", and received its new Charter dated November 24, 1855. The signature on the Charter was that of the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother William Mercer Wilson. On July 14, 1858, when the two Grand Lodges were finally united, with 129 Lodges now under the new jurisdiction, the lodges were renumbered giving recognition to seniority. Brant Lodge was then assigned the new number “45". |