Devonshire Lodges Prior To The "Union" Of Dec, 1813.

DEVONSHIRE LODGES PRIOR TO THE "UNION" OF DEC , 1813 .

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . THE only lists extant exhibiting the "Union" Lodges ( or those in existence before then ) , are published in the

ByLaws of the Province of Devon for 1813 and 1847 . The first is entitled , "DEVONSHIRE MASONIC LODSES , erased since the formation of the Provincial Lodge , for not hewing made their due Returns to the

Grand and Provincial Lodges ; " and the second comprises a list of " Past Masters entitled to vote in the Devonshire P . G . Lodge , " arranged according to the number of their Lodges , The latter is doubtless correctbut the former is very deficient

, , five at least being omitted , and no reference is made to an old Lodge long ago extinct , but warranted as early as 1734 at Plymouth . It is our intention , therefore , to supplement the particulars already afforded , with a careful Register of the

" Union " Lodges , and those " struck off the Roll , " prior to December , 1813 , and to particularize which of the two Grand

EXTINCT . LODGES OF THE " MODERNS . "

Date of Nos . Warrant , Names and Localities . 1782 , etc . 1814 . 1832 1734 Masons' Arms , Plymouth ... ... ... — — —¦ 1748 Prince George , Plymouth ... ... ... 79 102 — 1758 Unity , Crediton ( Formerly at Plijmuutlif ... 137 165 — 1764 Salutation , Topsham ... ... ... 177 — —

1765 Corinthian , Hordton ( Formerly at London ) ... 188 230 — 1769 11 . George , Bridport ( Formerly at Newton Abbott ) 243 307 217 1772 Tin-bay , Paignton 277 350 — 1781 Friendship , Dartmouth ... ... ... 352 453 303 1783 Good Intention , North 2 nd Devon Militia , and afterwards UnionCrokern-well 364 468

—, ... ... 1785 Concord , Ilfracombe ... ... ... 374 474 — 1792 Faithful , Bideford ... ... ... 499 535 — 1809 Phcenician , Collumpton ... ... ... 608 615 — iSll Virtue and Honour , Totness ... ... 625 633 — 1812 Royal George , Newton-Bushel ... ... 634 641

—Ike most distinguished of this series * as the Prince George Lodge , held at u ytuouth , in which His Majesty King

Lodges the Lodges in Devonshire owed allegiance prior to the " Union . " The Grand Lodge , constituted A . D 1717 , was without any rival , practically in England ( save its friendly co-worker a t York , which became extinct about 1792 ) ,

until 1750-2 , when a secession occurred , and the " Grancl Lodge according to the Old Constitutions " was formed . This latter organization had no connection with the York Masons , though such is frequentlstatedand it has often been

y , called the York Grand Lodge , but in error . Its seat was in London ( as with the Regular Grand Lodge ) , and its names were legion , for it was well known under the titles of " Ancients , " " Seceders , " " Athol Masons" & c & c . The really

, , ancient Grand Lodge was better known as the " Regulars , " or " Moderns , " the latter being a very absurd description of the older Body . In this article we shall speak of them both as " Moderns " ( the regular Grand Lodge ) , and "Ancients" ( the

Seceders ) . In December , 1813 , they united , and from that period there has happily been but the " United Grand Lodge of England . " We shall first of all note the Extinct Lodges on the Roll of the "Modems , " and give the various numbers by which they have been known from the- periods of alteration iu 1792 , 1814 , and 1832 .

A \ illiam IV . was initiated . The Lodge held in the North , ur 2 nd Regiment of Devon Militia was transferred . o a Civil