Scottish Freemasonry in Jamaica Under the Government of Worshipful Brother Samuel Constantine Burke

On the formal ending of the enslavement system in 1838, a new era appeared to have dawned for Scottish Freemasonry in Jamaica between the years 1843 to 1845, certain Brethren residing in St Thomas-in-the-Vale (now Linstead) became desirous of practicing once more the ancient mysteries, and thereupon applied to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a warrant to constitute the “Elgin Lodge No. 415” of that Parish. Scarcely had the application been considered ere certain Brethren in Kingston applied to the same authority for a warrant to establish “The Glenlyon Lodge”. Brethren in St. Elizabeth sought for a warrant for the “Union Lodge No. 359” at Black River, others at Falmouth for a warrant for the “Athol Union No. 367” of that Town, at Spanish Town for a warrant for the “Victoria Lodge No. 402” and St. Andrew for a warrant for its own “Kilwinning Lodge No. 369”. The Founders of these Lodges probably thought it necessary to offer some level of diversity, cultural change and opportunities for the now free men to become members of the fraternity by reintroducing Scottish Freemasonry. The Post-Emancipation period saw Africans moving from the plantations to their own lands and economic independence. African men in Pre-Emancipated Jamaica were not allowed into Freemasonry.

The Glenlyon Lodge notwithstanding a period of dormancy (as a result of God sent and manmade disasters) became the only Scottish Lodge to have survived its infancy, proudly attracted membership of the working class as well as influential nation builders.

The Post Cholera epidemic (1858 to 1861) saw the emergence of Worshipful Brother Samuel Constantine Burke as Worshipful Junior Warden on joining The Glenlyon Lodge after the defunct of Lodge Kilwinning No. 269 S.C. in 1855. He became Master two (2) years later 1857. In 1857 his father died, this must have dampened his spirit and by extension impacted The Glenlyon Lodge negatively.

In 1860 Worshipful Burke the driving force behind The Glenlyon Lodge after the post economy crashed and cholera epidemic embarked on a political career in St. David now known as St. Thomas, the heart of High tension which ultimately built up in the society which started in 1861 and resulting in the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, would have put The Glenlyon Lodge on the back burner because of his political and civil rights activities along with other prominent members (Peter John Ferron and Edward Whitehouse Lewis Magistrates), both with legal interest in the Morant rebellion.

Worshipful Brother Samuel Constantine Burke and company resuscitated The Glenlyon Lodge and insisted on building a sustainable Lodge after the dormancy 1861 to 1868 and aggressively sought to increase membership by tapping into the post emancipation newly created middle class, or freeborn men, to set the Lodge on a solid footing and make it sustainable. However, the lodge from year to year, during that period had difficulties collecting dues from the membership in order to support its financial obligations due to the nondiscretionary income of the working class in most cases.

Lodge Seville No. 530 S. C.

On April 3, 1873, Brother Samuel Constantine Burke on his appointment (not elected) by the Grand Lodge of Scotland as Provincial Grand Master and tasked in reestablished Scottish Freemasonry used The Glenlyon Lodge as the foundation to agitate for establishing Lodge Seville in 1873, chartered as No. 530 at St. Ann’s Bay. The Lodge was constituted on April 2, 1873.

Seville, St. Ann’s Bay is of historical significance to Jamaica and within the minds of Worshipful Brother Samuel Constantine Burke establishing a Masonic Lodge that would cement its name in history.

Saint Ann, (capital, Saint Ann’s Bay) is the largest parish in Jamaica. It is situated on the north coast of the island, in the county of Middlesex, roughly halfway between the eastern and western ends of the island. It is often called 'the Garden Parish of Jamaica' on account of its natural beauty.

It is of interest that after the British conquered Spain in 1865 and took control of Jamaica. Captain Samuel Hemmings in 1670, was given 2,500 acres of land, which included Seville la Nueva and Sevilla.

He named the property the New Seville Sugar Plantation. Initially after acquiring the land, Hemmings build the Great House with a slave village. By the 1690’s, Hemmings’ African slaves farmed 300-400 acres of sugar cane along the coast. He also set up warehouses and shipping ports along the coastline. The sugar mill continued to operate by African slaves until slavery was abolished in 1838. After the Emancipation, Protestant reformers purchased part of the estate and turned it into a free settlement called Priory. Former slaves lived in the settlement and occupied it until the 1890’s. In order to continue the operation of the Seville Plantation, East Indian laborers were brought to Jamaica.

Today, Sevilla de Nueva, Sevilla, and the New Seville Sugar Plantation are all included in what is known as Seville Heritage Park, a cultural heritage site in Jamaica containing 300 acres of land. The property still contains several preserved structures, including the Governor’s Castle, Spanish Sugar Mill, Artesian Workshop, Spanish Settlement, Spanish Church, and The Great House.

Lodge Caledonian No. 554 S.C.

On May 4, 1874, Brother Samuel Constantine Burke one (1) years after the consecration of Seville Lodge in 1873, again used The Glenlyon Lodge as the foundation to agitate for establishing Lodge Caledonian, which was chartered on the 4th May 1874 as No. 554 in Port Maria, the capital of St. Mary.

Metcalfe (now known as St. Mary) is of historical significance to Worshipful Brother Samuel Burke as in 1857 his father died, but this did not dampen his spirit because by 1858, he was appointed clerk of the peace for the parish of Metcalfe and served as principal officer in the Annotto Bay Circuit Court in the parish of St. Mary. In Metcalfe (now known as St. Mary) and Annotto Bay, Burke began to tout judicial reforms regarding expenses for Crown witnesses. He believed legislation should be enacted to stabilize a scale of allowances so that differential rates could be applied to different classes of witnesses.

Port Maria has had a long history as a port. Melilla [Port Maria] was established in 1509 by the Spanish for „communication with Cuba‟. The harbour on which Port Maria was built was to be well utilized by 1750.
Among the many developments that took place within this parish between 1838 and 1900, some of the most important were the transformation of over 22,000 persons who, for the first time, were recognised not as chattels, but as persons and citizens of the land; and second, the changes in the parish boundaries; the growth of the banana industry; and the influx of indentured or contractual workers from Africa and India. These changes were to greatly impact the society and economy of the parish during the latter half of the 1800s.

St. Mary remained predominantly agrarian during this period. Large properties -estates, plantations and pens dominated, but there were some changes in land ownership. Professionals and merchants acquired large estates and so joined the traditional planter class. At the same time, former enslaved blacks with the necessary capita bought, leased or rented land whenever these became available, thus building a foundation for a strong vibrant peasantry. Old settlements continued and expanded, especially those former slave villages on large properties, and new ones emerged. All these increased output for the export and domestic markets. Former towns, especially port towns, became more populated as commerce increased. New ones in the interior districts also emerged. The parish continued on the trajectory for growth set during the previous period.

During the latter half of the 1800s, Freemasonry grew dramatically and created the first “Social Safety Net” as our government had not yet done so. The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew then.

Scottish Freemasonry offers much to its Members -- the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference, to build a better world for their children. It offers the chance for the freeborn men to be with and work with men who have the same values and ideals.

Scottish Freemasonry in Jamaica has a rich and complex history, playing a significant role in the development of the Jamaica. Through charitable works, community service, contributing to the welfare of its Members and families and fostering dialogue on important social and economical issues, under the governorship of Worshipful Brother Samuel Constantine Burke, Esq, Freemasonry had set its roots and in so doing, made lasting contributions to Jamaica society. However, as documented in my other book “Kindling and Diffusion of Masonic Light”, the organization faces challenges, including perceptions of secrecy, religious opposition, and still issues of racial and class inclusivity. By addressing these challenges and remaining true to its core values, Freemasonry has the potential to continue its positive influence in Jamaica.

Freemasonry and post-emancipation Jamaica have a rich and complex history. After emancipation in 1838, Jamaica experienced significant social, economic, and political changes. Freemasonry, which had been established on the island since the 18th century, played a role in this transition.

Many Jamaican intellectuals and leaders were Freemasons. They saw Masonry as a way to promote social justice, equality, political development of the island and self-improvement, which aligned with their struggles for political and economic empowerment. After emancipation in 1838, Freemasonry became a powerful force in Jamaican society, particularly among the emerging black middle class.

Freemasonry also provided a space for social mobility and community building, particularly among the emerging black middle class. Lodges were established in
various parts of the island, with names like "Unity and Friendship" and "Love and Charity," reflecting the values of brotherhood and solidarity.

However, it's important to note that Freemasonry in Jamaica also had its contradictions. Some critics argue that Masonry reinforced class divisions and elitism, while others saw it as a means of cultural assimilation and imitation of European value.

Lodge St. John No. 623 S. C.

On May 6, 1878, Brother Samuel Constantine Burke four (4) years after the consecration of Lodge Caledonian in 1874, again five (5) Brethren of The Glenlyon Lodge agitated for establishing Lodge St. John, the was chartered granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on May 6, 1878. in Kingston.

These founding Glenlyon Lodge members include:
Dr. James Ogilvie, Benjamin Mortimer Dias, The Hon. Samuel Constantine Burke,
John Kenneth Spicer and John Hoyes,

The remaining Founding Members were from the Royal and Sussex Lodges:
William Rastrick Lee, William Arbouin Paine, Henry Priest, Hugh Croskery'
Alexander Reid, George H. Pearce, M. H. Lawrence Albert Jones
James Sherbo and George H. Sargeant

Dr. James Ogilvie, a Scot, was the prime mover in setting up the Lodge of St. John. He was affiliated with The Glenlyon Lodge No. 346, and it was at that time that the idea of getting a foothold so as to promote the founding of another Scottish Lodge came to him. The fact that he was successful is self-evident and Lodge St. John was in the process of coming into existence. Dr. Ogilvie was also successful in getting it named after his Mother Lodge, St. John No. 20 of Lesmahagow.

The Charter was first read at a meeting of the petitioners held on June 11, 1878, in The Commercial Rooms, Port Royal Street near Church Street. It was then decided that Lodge St. John would be formally erected on Thursday, June 28 of that year. Convocation of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland in Jamaica and Greytown was summoned, and Lodge St. John was duly dedicated, consecrated and erected by the Province Grand Master, The Hon. Samuel Constantine Burke at Sussex Hall, 65 Hanover Street, Kingston.

Conclusion

Between the period of 1843 and 1845, six (6) Scottish Lodges were established five (5) extinct, whereas under Governorship of The Hon. Samuel Constantine Burke, the Glenlyon Lodge was resuscitated and three (3) new Lodges were established during the period of 1871 to 1900.
The Glenlyon Lodge warranted 1st December 1845 as No. 417 later given No. 346 under which it is still working.
Seville Lodge warranted 3rd February 1873 as No. 530 and still works at Seville, St. Ann’s Bay.
Lodge Caledonian warranted 4th May 1874 as No. 554 and still works at Port Maria.
Lodge St. John warranted 6th May 1878 as No. 623 is still working in Kingston.