Foyle Defenders Royal Black Preceptory 237

The first meeting of the Preceptory was held in the Temperance Hall, Waterside, Londonderry on Thursday 28th September 1893.

A meeting of the Royal Black Knights was held at the above place on the above date for the purpose of opening a new Preceptory under the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland.

The following Sir Knights were present :-

 The Chair was occupied by Sir Knight Ballantine County Grand Master and after a very clever and appropriate speech by him the Preceptory was declared open for the transaction of business.  The Deputy Chair was occupied by Sir Knight F Hyndman, Sir Knight D P Stewart acted as Registrar and Sir Knight Ballard acted as Chaplain.  A portion of scripture was read and the Officers were installed by the CGM.  Appologies were given for Sir Knights James Leitch Treasurer and Joseph Walker 2nd Lecturer.  Sir Knight D P Stewart handed over 10 Transfer Certificates on behalf of 113 Preceptory.

After some complimentary remarks by several of the Sir Knights present the meeting was closed.

Foyle Defenders Royal Black Preceptory No. 237 is fortunate, in that it has a complete set of minute books since its inception in 1893.  Also the register of members showing the various degrees and dates of each degree being conferred, that is still in use at the present time.  The annual roll of members dates from 1909.

After  

Extracts from the Preceptory Minutes.

Monday 2nd October 1893, dues were set at 3d per month and 2/- for each degree conferred.  The title of the Preceptory was adopted at this meeting :-  FOYLE DEFENDERS ROYAL BLACK PRECEPTORY No. 237.  Also as was the practice in those early days the Lecturers were paid 2/6

When the Temperance Hall in the Waterside closed in 1896 the Preceptory decided to meet at 47 Clooney Terrace.  The first meeting in the new Encampment was on the 27th May 1896 and it met their until 30th December 1898

The financial report on the 6th May 1895 was £13-18-00 income and £11-13-00 expenditure.  18 Collarettes were purchased at a cost of £5-12-6 and the lecturer was paid £2-5-00 for carrying out Lectures at 18 meetings.  A box of candles was purchased for 1/-. In May 1897 the meeting was informed that the dues for the previous year was £3-2-6, Degree fees were £9-4-0, County dues were 3/9 and a Preceptory dinner cost £1-7-5.

A member of the Preceptory was asked to retire from the meeting on 25th November 1897 as he had been suspended from his Orange Lodge. He was told he could no longer remain a member of the Preceptory.

The Preceptory first started meeting on the second Tuesday in the month from 8th February 1898, it also had a degree night being the third Tuesday in the month.

An Excursion to Portrush took place on 16th June 1899 when R.B.P. 113 & 237 hired Rosemount Band for a fee of 10/-. The fare to Portrush was 1/6.

The County Dinner on the 8th May 1900 cost £3~1-1 & Red Cross Certificates cost 2/2.

On the 13th November 1900 the Ballot Box and bean were introduced.

On the 22nd January 1901 an unusual degree night took place were Sir Knt. Moore the County Grand Lecturer and Sir Knt. Platt conferred all the degrees from Scarlet to the Red Cross they had supper at 1am and continued until 5am on Wednesday when they had tea again.

The Minutes of 10th December 1901 a Preceptory now no longer working Tullintrain R.B.P. 504 was mentioned.

The 12th August 1902 was a sad occasion as the death of the Sovereign Grand Master Most Wor. Sir Knt. William Johnston was announced. He had been Sovereign Grand Master from 1855 to 1902.

In 1905 R.B.P.237 was mentioned as being the largest Preceptory in the County also on the 11th April the Preceptory Purchased a new flag which was unfurled on the 25th August.

A Sir Knt. was also suspended for drinking in a Catholic pub on a Sunday. When it was put to the meeting the vote was 14 for suspension and 9 for expulsion.

In 1906 a new seal was ordered as well as a 1/4 ton of coal at a price of 5/-, the installation supper cost 2/4.

The Demonstration in 1907 was held on the 20th June, and in 1908 a strong protest was lodged from R.B.P.237 to the County Grand Lodge regarding the supply of strong drink at County Meetings.

The 12th July 1909 R.B.P.331 applied for the transfer of 13 Sir Knts.

The Preceptory held its 50th Anniversary in the Victoria Hall on the 16th September 1943 and after the meeting a social evening took place. Tea was served by Mrs. R J Magowan, Mrs. F Hamil and Mrs. Peoples. A Presentation of Bibles was made by Sir Knt. McKay DGMI and Sir Knt. Arthur WDM No.2 Dist. and Sir Knt. E. McIntrye DCGM to the following Sir Knts. James Higgins 54 Years Charter Member, Henry West 54 Years Charter Member, Wm. McIntyre 53 years, Wm. Harrison PCGM, 45 years  Wm. Poyntz, 41 years, Wm. J. Fulton 54 Years, John Golligher 40 years, John Allen 41 years, John Leslie 41 years, John Love 55 years, Henry Murray 41 years, John Craig 43 years, Wm. Colhoun 45 years & James Burke 53 years membership.
 

On the 21st of August 1963 our Present Banner was unfurled prior to the Black Saturday Demonstration.

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