Freemasons
Freemasons have been present in this area
since 26 April 1809 when the Fortitude Lodge was opened at the Star
Inn, Burnham on Crouch
No other Lodges have been
traced in the Dengie 100 although Freemasonry also became
established at the nearly town of Maldon.
One of the prominent members
of the Fortitude Lodge was Rev
Alexander John Scott, who was Vicar of Southminster and Curate
of Burnham on Crouch.
Rev Scott's greatest claim to
fame was a long naval career as a chaplain which concluded with
service as Nelsons Chaplain
Scott appears to have become a
mason during his naval service and encourages it's inception at
Burnham on Crouch.
He was so highly regarded that
in 1813 he was installed at Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the
Freemasons in Essex.
In the 1820's Freemasonry
started to lose some of its vigour and many Lodges closed.
By 1830 Fortitude closed
leaving this area without a working lodge
In 1847 a new lodge, called
the Royal Burnham, was formed at the Star Inn.
As was the case with Fortitude
the Royal Burnham ran into difficulties and closed in 1861.
A considerable gap of 60
years then ensued until 1927 when the Royal Burnham once again
opened.
The Royal Burnham held its
meetings in St Mary's Church Hall, Station Road, Burnham on Crouch
and became a great success.
It's first secretary was Henry
Billinghurst who held many offices including Essex Grand Registrar
and National Assistant Director of Ceremonies.
The first Master was Mr J
Wylie Patterson who was rear Commodore of Royal Burnham Yacht Club.
Over following years the
membership grew to the extent that two further lodges, The
Corinthian Centenary and the Royal Burnham Chapter, were started.
These lodges continued to meet
from their consecration and are still operating now.
Essex Freemasons are at the
forefront in the UK in publishing details of their history.
If anyone wishes to find out
more about freemasons there are many sources available.
The Masters Chair is a book
prepared by members of the Masonic Province of Essex.
This book provides a great
history of Freemasons in Essex.
It is available via Essex
Freemasons web site.
