MARKETHILL ROYAL BLACK

DISTRICT CHAPTER No.3

The history of this District Chapter is a proud one. The story begins with R.B.P. No. 54, instituted in Markethill on 31st December 1847, this being the seventh Preceptory, or Lodge, as they were known then, to be formed in County Armagh. The history of this Preceptory is dealt with in the Preceptory link-page.

According to the records of R.B.P. No. 54, a meeting of County Armagh Grand Black Chapter was held at Armagh in April, 1861. It was at this meeting that R.B.P. No. 54 was empowered to act as a District Chapter, pending the formation of other Preceptories. For approximately seven years, the office-bearers of R.B.P. No. 54 were entitled to attend and vote at County meetings. So the first Worshipful District Master was Sir Knight William Todd, who was Worshipful Master of R.B.P. No. 54 from 1855-1864, followed by Sir Knight Matthew Black, 1865-1873.

It is not clear at what stage the first proper District Meeting was held. Certainly, the first mention of such was on 14th March, 1868, under the auspices of R.B.P. No. 133, who were meeting, at that time, in the Poyntzpass area; this Warrant is, of course, now encamped at Richhill. The next meeting was held in Markethill R.B.P. No. 54, on 12th September 1868, and the account for refreshments at this meeting came to 0s. 7¹/2d. In 1869, two District meetings were held: 1st March, under Poyntzpass R.B.P. No. 133 and 12th June, under Markethill R.B.P. No. 54.

The District Chapter met quarterly from 1870 to 1874, when this changed to half-yearly until 1946; since then meetings have returned to the quarterly format.

It is difficult to be precise as to when the first proper W.D.M. was elected, but from research it is evident that he was Sir Knight Robert Black. He joined R.B.P. No. 54 in 1849 and was treasurer from 1856 to 1866. He was W.D.M. up to 1891, the number of years being uncertain. It is interesting to note that he is shown on the roll of R.B.P. No. 54 as County Grand Master for 1890/91. The list of District Masters is detailed at the conclusion of this account.

The third Preceptory to join the District was R.B.P. No. 147, Bessbrook, which was instituted in 1871; the first District visit there was in September 1873. The Warrant was re-issued in 1889 to Sir Knight Samuel McKnight, and remained in operation until the late 1970's, when unfortunately, the Preceptory became dormant. A separate history of R.B.P. No. 147 is included in this site.

The next Preceptory to be formed was R.B.P. No. 274, which was encamped at John Kernaghan's house at Keadybeg, Mountnorris, in 1872. Like R.B.P. No. 147, Bessbrook, many of the foundation members of R.B.P. No. 274 were initiated in R.B.P. No. 54, Markethill. The first District Meeting, under the auspices of the Preceptory was in March 1874. At that time, they joined with R.B.P. No. 54 on 13th July and shared transport to Scarva. In later years, the Sir Knights of R.B.P. No. 274, met in Mountnorris Orange Hall, which was opened in 1890. The Preceptory was known as "Spence's Chosen Few" and a new banner, bearing this title, was purchased in 1908, costing £16 complete. Minute books are available from 1903 to 1930, and from these we learn that Sir Knight David Spence was W.M. for 32 years, until his death in 1913; he was also W.D.M. for 21 years. He was succeeded by Sir Knight William J. Scarr, another Orange stalwart. Sadly, the warrant for R.B.P. No. 274 was handed in, in 1942.

One other Preceptory which must be mentioned here is R.B.P. No. 267, which was instituted in Ballymoyer, Newtownhamilton, in 1927. Little is known about this Preceptory; the warrant was surrendered in April 1937, and during the ten years of it's existence, the District Chapter never visited R.B.P. No. 267.

Research has unearthed District Minute Books from 17th March 1923; little of the history is available prior to that. However, other Preceptories continued to be formed and joined Markethill District Chapter; each has a separate section within this booklet. It is known that Markethill Orange Hall was opened in 1894 and the District Chapter, along with Markethill District L.O.L. No. 10, appointed Trustees. Also, it is interesting to note that a County Black Demonstration was held in Markethill on 18th August 1906.

1923 and 1924 saw two new Preceptories opened; special meetings of the District Chapter were held in Newtownhamilton on 30th July 1923, to open R.B.P. No. 1133 and in Tullyhappy on 27th December 1924, to open R.B.P. No. 1167. At this time the forerunner to the District Service, termed as the District sermon, was held in June each year.

In 1925, the District attended the August County Demonstration in Armagh, led by Redrock Flute Band. Also, in the same year, on 3rd October, a bye-law was adopted that any Preceptory not represented at a District Meeting would be fined five shillings; at a subsequent meeting, this was reduced to 2s. 6d. In the minutes of 1926, mention is made of attending both the 13th July Parade in Scarva and the August Demonstration in Warrenpoint.

The year 1935 began with another new Preceptory being instituted - R.B.P. No. 801 at Hamiltonsbawn. In 1939, 500 hymn sheets were obtained for the District Service, to be held on the first Sunday in May.

The outbreak of the Second World War made life difficult for the Preceptories. Parades did not take place, but it was reported at a meeting of the District in 1940 that Preceptories "were meeting fairly satisfactorily, apart from R.B.P. No. 225" (Glenanne), who reported a "lack of interest". At the end of the War, the W.D.M. Sir Knight George Nelson, was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work for the Home Guard.

Around this period, the District was fortunate to have three very active clerical Chaplains - Rev, A. B. White, MA: Rev. W. G. Kerr, MA, and Rev. A. McCurdy, BA. A service to celebrate the Centenary of the formation of the Black Institution was held in Mullabrack Parish Church on 15th September 1948; the collection amounted £9.17s.0d. Another new Preceptory was formed in 1946 - Gideon's Chosen Few RBP. No. 622 at Tyrone's Ditches - instituted 24th April.

By 1950 the District membership stood at 520 members. A fourth Chaplain had been elected - Rev. R. McIlveen, BA. At the December District Meeting, in 1953, It was agreed to purchase a District Bannerette; also, the District Warrant was to be renewed, The new Bannerette was unfurled at a meeting held in Redrock Orange Hall, on 10th July 1954, by the W.D.M., Sir Knight Joseph Adams. It was dedicated by Sir Knight Rev. A. McCurdy and cost £14.

It would appear that the earlier reference to parades in Scarva and the August Demonstrations, was due to the fact that some Preceptories attended one, and some the other. By 1959, all Preceptories, except R.B.P. No. 558 (Aughnagurgan) were attending Scarva on 13th July. A service to mark the Centenary of the formation of the District Chapter was held In Markethill Chapel of Ease on Sunday 7th May 1961 under the auspices of R.B.P. No. 54; Sir Knight Canon W. G. Kerr, MA., by now Imperial Grand Chaplain, was the preacher. At this time, the District had a total of 549 Sir Knights.

At the District meeting of 12th June 1963, a special presentation was made to Sir Knight John Adams, M.B.E., J.P., who had been District Treasurer for 22 years. On 31st March 1965, a proposal was passed to change the date of meetings to the fourth Wednesday in March, June and September, and the third Wednesday in December. New collarettes were purchased for the District Officers In 1967, and the following year. the District was honoured when the W.D.M., Sir Knight Stanley Revels, received the M.B.E. in the Honours List.

The death took place in 1969 of Sir Knight Rev. R. B. White, MA., District chaplain and founder member of R.B.P. No.1133 (Newtownhamilton); the next year a new Chaplain was elected - Sir Knight Rev. W. S. Forsythe. of Richhill R.B.P. No. 133. No District Church services were hold in 1969 or 1971 due to a ban on parades, with the Troubles now in full swing

In 1972, a discussion was held on the possibility of the District parading Markethill in the morning and afternoon of 13th July; this was deemed Impractical, due to transport difficulties. By 1974, Bessbrook R.B.P. No. 147 was finding it difficult to turn out as a Preceptory, due to falling membership; permission was given to the Sir Knights to walk on the "13th" with R.B.P. No. 1167 (Tullyhappy). Also, that year saw a discussion by the District as to the preferred Demonstration Day - either 13th July, last Saturday in August, or some other date. All Preceptories agreed to retain Scarva Day - 13th July.

In the mid-seventies, terrorist activity was at it's height. Several Preceptories had members murdered, notably Newtownhamilton R.B.P. No. 1133, at the shootings in Tullyvallen Orange Hall, in September 1975. Belleeks Orange Hall suffered bomb damage, and the local Preceptory, R.B.P. No. 548, could not host District Meetings.

A new District Bannerette was purchased from Bridgett Brothers, Belfast, in 1977; it was unfurled and dedicated by Sir Knight Rev. W. S. Forsythe, by now County Grand Chaplain, at Scarva, on the morning of 13th July, that year. Also in January 1977 a Lecture Class was started in Markethill Orange Hall; 14 Sir Knights commenced tuition, under Lecturers from Primatial District No. 4 (Armagh). A further Chaplain was elected that year - Sir Knight Rev. G. N. Little of Newtownhamilton R.B.P. No. 1133.

In 1978, discussions again centered on parading Markethill on 13th July morning, and on attending the last Saturday in August Demonstration; only R.B.P. No. 54 and R.B.P. No. 133 were in favour of the former, and Only R.B.P. No. 1167 was in favour of the latter. By 1979 Bessbrook R.B.P. No. 147 was not attending District Meetings; the last District Meeting to be held in Bessbrook Orange Hall was on 14th December 1977. District Officers met with the remaining Sir Knights of R.B.P. No. 147, and it was agreed to hand over the Warrant to the District Chapter. The Preceptory became dormant and most of the members joined Bessbrook Crimson Arrow R.B.P. No. 38, Newry District.

On 19th March, 1981, three Sir Knights received their Lecturers' Certificates - Ronnie Black (R.B.P. No. 801), Jim Finch (R.B.P. No. 1167) and Bobby Hamilton (R.B.P. No. 548). This led to the formation of the District's own Lecture Class, and a Lecture Fund was established. In April of that year, the County Grand Black Chapter Meeting was held in Markethill Masonic Hall; since then, Richhill Orange Hall has become the venue on occasions when the County Chapter is hosted.

In 1985, a "Black Ball" was organised by the District Chapter, the first possibly within the County for many years; certainly, the last one held in this District had been 22 years previously, by Belleeks R.B.P. No. 548. The event was a great success, the proceeds being used to purchase District Officers' Cuffs, and to make donations to Multiple Sclerosis and the R.U.C. Benevolent Fund. At the September meeting, 1985, a resolution was passed whereby in future, full regalia would be worn at District Services, and also the District Bannerette would be carried.

A second "Black Ball" was held in 1987, this time the proceeds were divid­ed between Cancer Research, LEMOOS and the Cardiac Association. In 1988, it was agreed that the District Service would be held on a rota basis, in order of Preceptories who would organise venue, etc.

On 16th April 1988, the District was well represented at the Black Demonstration held in Londonderry; Hamiltonsbawn Silver Band led the District. On the return journey, the buses were stoned outside Sion Mills, resulting in an injury to one Sir Knight of Richhill R.B.P. No. 133.

That same year, when Glenanne Orange Hall was destroyed by fire, the local Preceptory, R.B.P. No. 225, hosted the March District meeting in Lurgaross Orange Hall, the first time ever a Black Meeting had been held there.

During Tercentenary Year, 1990, the District Chapter, was represented on the Markethill Tercentenary Committee, organised by Markethill District L.O.L. No. 10. The Black District played it's full part in the celebrations, making the year a huge success. The District hosted a Treasure Hunt and Dance on 4th May 1990, and again, the proceeds went to charity. In December 1990, a week-long mission was held in Markethill Upper Presbyterian Church; Rev. R. Allely (Church Minister), Rev. A. Ferguson (Rector of Mullabrack), and Sir Knight Rev. Wm. Bingham (R.B.P. No. 54) were the speakers. The mission was dedicated by the W.D.M., Sir Knight Jim Finch, to the memory of Sir Knight Jack Hooks, who had been District Treasurer for 22 years and who died in November, 1990. This mission led to the formation of the District Fellowship, which meets during the Winter months.

During 1989, the County Grand Master, Sir Knight Samuel Gardiner, made strenuous efforts to persuade the District Chapters to consider holding a County Armagh Demonstration on the last Saturday in August. This resulted in many debates both at District and Preceptory level; opinion was undecided, but in August 1990, Summerisland District No. 6, hosted all Districts, including three Districts from County Tyrone, who normally join with Summerisland and Armagh, on that date. The District Chapter paraded Markethill on the morning prior to going to Loughgall, possibly the first time all Preceptories had walked, as such, in the town.

In 1991, at the June District meeting, a watch was presented to Sir Knight Jack McKee, in recognition of his 19 years service as District Registrar.

The District Chapter continues to flourish, with membership on the increase. The Sir Knights are dedicated to the high principles of the Institution, and make an impressive sight each 13th July at Scarva. The fraternal bonds between Preceptories continue, on 25th February 1993, a General Knowledge Quiz was held by the District, for the first time ever, the venue being Glenanne new Orange Hall.

At the quarterly meeting on 14th December 1994, donations were given to Tear Fund £300.00; Newry Hospice £400.00; Friedreich's Ataxia £300.00. These donations were the proceeds of a sale of History books on the District Chapter, which had been put together by Sir Knights Roger Gardiner and Ronnie Black.
 

On 1st March 1996, Markethill and Summerisland District Chapters organised a Black Ball in Millar's Hill Orange Hall. £362.27 was raised and donated to the rebuilding fund of Brownlow House. These two District Chapter's again organised another Black Ball on 25th September 1996 in Craigavon Civic Centre, as part of the County Grand Black Chapter 150th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Black Institution"

In recent years, the District Chapter has supported the various charitable appeals initiated by the Sovereign Grand Master and a number of the Preceptories have also donated funds to other individual worthy causes.  The District Fellowship meetings continue each Autumn and Winter and these meetings are now in their 20th year.
 
On Sunday, 17 May 2009, the District Chapter had a new District Bannerette unfurled and dedicated at the Annual Church Service, held in Mountnorris Presbyterian Church, under the auspices of Glenanne RBP 225.  The District was honoured that the Sovereign Grand Master, Sir Knight Millar Farr, unfurled the bannerette during the service, and was dedicated by the Church Minister, Sir Knight Rev Nigel Reid, Deputy Imperial Grand Chaplain.
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The experience of the older members, and the will to pursue the aims of this great and noble Royal Black Institution by the younger members, Markethill Royal Black District Chapter No. 3 will, God willing, carry on the good work throughout this Century.

To 1891

Sir Knight Robert Black (54)