Hello fmni from Canada,
My great grandfather Alexander (Sandy) McCalmont was a member of St. John's Islandmagee Lodge #162 from 1897 - 1922. His son Samuel (Sammy) McClelland McCalmont was also a member of #162 from 1942 to his death in 1990. Sammy was also a member of Royal Arch Chapter #260 Redhall, Ballycarry from 1946 as well as a member of Royal Black Perceptory #324.
This is by way of an introduction to my request. Could you please provide me with a history of Islandmagee Lodge #162 including it's founding members?
On a personal note. As my ancestors were Masons am I entitled to acceptance in a lodge?
Thanks.
Roger
Hi Roger,
I've been looking into your request with some interesting findings - the name McCalmont in particular appears to be prolific in the Orange Order around the East Antrim area, such as Islandmagee, Larne etc - however the lodge you mention, St. John's Islandmagee LOL 162 doesn't appear to exist nor has it existed in the past.
However, there is a lodge called "Islandmagee LOL 1962" - this I believe is the lodge that you're interested in and would have been the lodge of your family. The warrant number 162 is actually issued to a lodge in Loughgall, County Armagh. It is possible when the Islandmagee lodge started that they wanted the number 162 but it's definitely LOL 1962.
I will certainly look into it further for you when I get a chance.
Regarding Islandmagee LOL 1962, the following is taken from "The Faithful & The True: A History of Orangeism in County Armagh"
The Lodge was formed in 1869. At the time no hall existed and the brethren may have met at Millbay or some other adjacent venue. The Orange Hall was later built in 1873 at a cost of £150 on a site at the side of what is now Browns Bay Road. Some of the subscription lists still exist and major subscriptions to the building fund were £2, £1, 10/- and 5/-.
In 1893 and 1894 the minutes show that the W.M. of the Lodge was Dr. William Shaw, son of the the Rev. R.H. Shaw, minister of Second Islandmagee Presbyterian Church. A bazaar was held in 1894 to raise funds to finally clear the debt on the building.
The existing warrant was issued in 1891 to Dr. William Shaw. A silk banner was purchased in July 1903 from a John Jameson of North Street. The banner cost £16 and a subscription list includes the names of Dr. Shaw and Colonel McCalmont M.P.
The lodge hosted the Larne District Demonstration in 1880, 1903 and 1929.
A new banner was purchased by the lodge in the 1950's, this being replaced in 1990 and then again in 1993, due to damage. This time the banner cost somewhere in the region of £1200.There is a little more about the hall itself and about an influx of younger members in recent years and travelling to Scotland for the Scottish demonstration prior to the Twelfth itself.
Also of interest is the fact that there is a lodge called "McCalmonts True Blues LOL 697" - this lodge was named in honour of Colonel James McCalmont, M.P. who resided at nearby Magheramourne House. This lodge first met in premises at Kennedy Row in the village of Ballycarry.
