OUR HISTORY 1869 -1994

The past 125 years have witnessed the adaptation to change and the overcoming of the challenges of time. We have passed from the era when ink, pens, spittoons, candles and coal-oil lamps were important items on the inventory of lodge furnishings to the sophistication of photo-copiers, fax machines, computers, and electric light: from the horse and buggy days when it was not unusual to have the Grand Trunk train to Uxbridge delayed for two hours to enable members to attend lodge in Toronto to today's personal rapid transport vehicle; and from rented lodge rooms at $35.00 per year to our own building where the taxes alone are almost $4,000.00 per year. The only constant has been the maintenance of the ideals and principles of Freemasonry.

IN THE BEGINNING

Prior to 1869, although it appears that a number of Masons lived in the area, there was no Masonic Lodge in the Village of Uxbridge . Lodges were in existence in Stouffville (Richardson), Borelia ( Prince Albert ), Whitby (Composite), Brooklin ( Mount Zion ), Aurora (Rising Sun), and in Newmarket (Tuscan).

Presumably some of the brethren who resided in the Uxbridge area fulfilled their Masonic obligations by attending one or other of these Lodges, but must have found the journey both arduous and time-consuming. The nearest Lodge, ten miles from Uxbridge, was Prince Albert , and the only form of transportation was a horse-drawn vehicle. Roads were often impassable and it says much for the dedication of these Masons that such journeys were regularly undertaken. Indeed, one of the reasons set forth in the petition to Grand Lodge for the formation of a Lodge inUxbridge is "for the convenience of our respective dwellings". Who can blame them for wanting to establish a lodge in Uxbrid&e?

Bro. Geo. H. Dartnell, a member of Composite Lodge #30 in Whitby , must have been well known to and in close contact with Masons in the Uxbridge area as, early in 1869, he was asked by them to contact Composite Lodge to see if the brethren there would support an application for the establishment of a new Lodge in Uxbridge.

The original petition" for the establishment of Zeredatha Lodge was prepared in duplicate and recommended Bro. Geo. Henry Dartnell (Composite), to be the first Master, Bro. Abner Hurd Jr. (Prince Albert ) to be the first Senior Warden, and Bro. James J. Hillary (Rising Sun), to be the first Junior Warden. Although no mention of the petition being presented to Composite Lodge for consideration is to be found in the minutes of that Lodge, one of the copies of the petition is preserved in their files.

Also preserved in the same files are four lengthy letters from Bro. James J. Hillary to Bro. Geo. Henry Dartnell concerning the formation of a Lodge in Uxbridge, and two letters from the D.D.G.M., R. Wor. Bro. McCabe to Bro. Dartnell, wherein he is most non-commital as to whether he intends to recommend the proposed Lodge in Uxbridge or not.

Several questions must remain unanswered.

- Why is there no reference to discussion of the petition in the minutes of Composite Lodge when there is a copy of the petition in the files and two members of Composite Lodge, Bro. Dartnell and Bro. John Stanton signed the petition?

- Why was Bro. Dartnell, who had held no office higher than Junior Warden in Composite Lodge, named in the petition to be the first master of the the new Lodge?

- Why was Composite Lodge, twenty two miles from Uxbridge, asked to support the petition when there were other Lodges much closer to Uxbridge?

- Why were the efforts to gain the support of Composite Lodge abandoned in favour of soliciting the support of Prince Albert Lodge #183, Borelia, the closest Lodge to Uxbridge?

Whatever the answers to these questions may be, the fact remains that on June 18th, 1869, the brethren of Prince Albert Lodge recommended the proposal for the new Lodge in Uxbridge and the petition was duly signed, under the seal of the Lodge, by the Wor. Master, Bro. James Emany, and the Secretary, Bro. W. J. Trounce.

There is evidence that support in the district for the new Lodge was general, in that the petition for its formation was also signed by Wor. Bro. R. W. Hillary, Wor. Master, Wor. Bro. Thor McLeod, Senior Warden, and Bro. Geo. W. Graham, Junior Warden, all of Rising Sun Lodge #129, Aurora , and by Wor. Bro. N. Allan Gamble, Past Master, Tuscan Lodge #99, Newmarket .

The petition was forthwith sent to Grand Lodge, and a year later, on July 4, 1870, Zeredatha's charter was received.

PETITION

To the M.W. Grand Master of the Fraternity of

Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada :

We, the undersigned; being regular registered Masons of the Lodges mentioned against our respective names, having the prosperity of the Craft at heart, are anxious to exert our best endeavour to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of the art; and for the convenience of our respective dwellings, and other good reasons, are desirous of forming a new Lodge to be named Zeredatha Lodge.

In consequence of this desire, we pray for a Warrant of Constitution empowering us to meet as a regular lodge at Uxbridge,in the County of Ontario, on the Monday on or before Full Moon of every month and then to discharge the duties of masonry in a constitutional manner according to the forms of the order and the laws of the Grand Lodge; and we have nominated and do recommend Bro. Geo. Henry Dartnell to be the first Master, Abner Hurd Jnr. to be the first Senior Warden, and Bro. James J. Hillary to be the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge.

The prayer of this petition being granted, we promise strict obedience to the commands of the Grand Master and the laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge.

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ELECTIONS & INSTALLATIONOF OFFICERS

It is unfortunate that no minutes of the first years' meetings of Zeradatha can be located. It would be interesting to know how the first Officers were Installed and who installed them. We do know that the three suggested principal officers named in the petition for a charter were elected and installed and that Bro. W.J. Annand, who also signed the original petitionm became the first Treasurer.

No deacons, stewards, chaplain, or director of ceremonies were appointed until 1888, as required by the by-law revision of that year.