The Province Of Ken T.

The Province of Kent .

THE Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent is one of the oldest and the fourth largest in this country , and , moreover , was never more united and prosperous than at the present time . The brethren of Kent are especially favoured in having the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst to preside over

BRO . A . REYXOLPS XORMAX , W . M . OF ROYAL KEXT LODGE OP ANTIQUITY . them , who is the esteemed Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master of England , and one of the most capable , genial , and enthusiastic Craftsmen who have ever graced the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England .

liHO . A . II . HASTINGS , S . W . OP ROYAL KKXT LODGE OF AXTIQUITY . The Province of Kent has long been noted in many ways , and being the home of the oldest lodge outside of the metropolis , its position in that respect calls for special mention . There are only nine lodges in the metropolitan

district which date before the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , No . 20 , and of provincial lodges the next in order of age were started in 1732 , viz ., No . 37 , Bolton , and No . 39 , Exeter , the latter having preserved the oldest Warrant to constitute , of all provincial lodges , which were

originally established in the country . No . 20 , Chatham , was formed in 1723 at the "Anchor , Dutchy Lane , " London , its first number being 13 , which was altered to 12 in 1740 , and from 1755 to the Union of December , 1813 , it became 10 ; the present number being

given to it when placed on the united roll in 1814 . Bro . Hughan wrote a sketch of the lodge for the Freemasons ' Manual for Kent , 18 93 , and reproduced some of the signs of the taverns in which the members assembled . From his paper we find that after being at the " Fountain" in 1731 ,

and the " Bedford Arms " ( as 13 ) in 1733 , the lodge occupied eight other houses at different periods , from 173 6 to 1744 , and finally removed to Chatham in 174 8 to the " Queen's Head , " changing to the " Bunch of Grapes" in 1751 and the " Globe Tavern" in 1763 . It is now held at the "Sun

liHO . F . R . A . STIGAXT , J . W . OF ROYAL KEXT LODGE OF AXTIQUITY . Hotel" where it has been for many years . In the by-laws of the province , 1877 , it is declared that the lodge met at the " Crown , " Cripplegate , London , but this is an error .

In 1723 , and later on for some thirty years , the charter so well known since was not used , but Warrants lo constitute were issued for country lodges and for those in London . Petitions were presented to the Grand Master by brethren , when the Most Worshipful Brother would approve in writing

of the application and fix the date for constitution . The earliest instance preserved of this custom will be found narrated in the transactions of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge for 18 97 , by Bro . Hughan , being for a London lodge of 1726 . The Lodge of Felicity , No . 58 , and the

Peace and Harmony , No . 60 , have still their original permissions to be thus constituted for 1737-8 . The first Master of No . 20 ( 1723 ) was called Joseph Maisters , the two Wardens being Bros . Weatherhead and Rotherham . In 1725 there were sixteen brethren , but at

that time the average membership was much smaller than now . As respects the lodge at Chatham it is one of the largest , as well as oldest , at the present time , returning 135 subscribers in 1902 , and has a centenary warrant dated