LOL 8 Star of Erin, Drumheriff
 
 
Richard Robinson, Timakeel, got the first warrant for No 8 in the house of James Sloan, Loughgall, after the Battle of the Diamond in 1796, and it is fitting that in 1935 a Timakeel man, Samuel J Smyth should be Master of the Number.

In August, 1796, it was sitting in Drumherriff with Marshall Wright as Master. Wright held that office until 1809, his successors being – 1810, Michael Kingbrough; 1811-18, Joseph Love; 1819, William Chapman; 1821, Dawson Robinson; 1822, William Lappin; 1823-25, Dawson Robinson (it was then meeting in Ballyfodrin); 1826-48, John Todd (during which time we find it back in Drumherriff); 1849-53, Robert Todd; 1854, William Atkinson; 1855-56, William Mullen. In 1857-59, and again in 1862, Singleton Gardiner occupied the chair, but we are not aware of the meeting place.

There is another blank until we find that George Johnson appartently occupied the chair in 1865-67 with Henry Mercer succeeding him during the next four years. From 1874 until 1877 the Master was William J Montgomery, with Henry Mercer following him from 1878 until 1885.

On September 9th, 1892, we find a meeting being held in Samuel’s McCoo’s house for the purpose of working the Number under new officers. Br W J Locke occupied the chair and Br Robert Courtney the vice chair. Br W H Wright was also present. Thomas Crockett was elected WM, James Conn DM; Samuel Mulholland secretary; and Thomas Armstrong, treasurer. In the following year it was meeting in the house of William Sparkes, Cornamuckley, with the same officers.

In 1894 Robert Robinson was secretary, and Moses Fleming became treasurer. In 1895 Samuel Mulholland became secretary. David Graham became DM. In 1896, and Robert Gillespie succeeded him in 1898, Moses Fleming becoming secretary; and Samuel Mulholland treasurer.

In 1899 Samuel Mulholland became Master; with Robert Gillespie DM; Thomas Templeton, secretary; and Alex Fleming treasurer.

On 2nd November, 1900, it was meeting in Drumherriff, when T H Fleming had become treasurer, and it had the same officers in 1901 and 1902, but in 1905 nad 1907 William Robinson was DM; Samuel Gillespie, secretary; and S J Smyth, treasurer. W J Stothers was DM in 1908, and Samuel Gillespie succeeded Samuel Mulholland as Master in 1909. James Talyor becoming secretary.

The next change was in 1911 when the following office bearers were elected:- W J Stothers, Master; Thomas Templeton, DM; James Taylor, secretary; and S J Smyth, treasurer. There was another change in 1912, in which year the new Hall was erected. Samuel Smyth becoming WM; Exekiel Stothers DM; and John George Fleming secretary.

In 1914 Thomas Boseman became DM; and Hugh Montgomery secretary. In 1915 William John Stothers was secretary, and in 1918-19 John Mulholland occupied the position.

In 1920-21 Samuel James Russell became secretary; while W J Todd, junior; was treasurer in those years being succeeded in 1921 by W H Gillespie. In 1924 J Cochrane became treasurer, and there was no further change until 1927, when J G Todd became treasurer. Samuel Mulholland succeeded Samuel J Smyth in 1929 as Master, but the latter again became Master in 1931, when W H Boseman became secretary and B Hunniford treasurer.

The officers for 1935 were:- S J Smyth, WM; T Boseman, DM; W H Boseman, secretary; and W J Magee treasurer.

While the officers for 1936 were - Samuel J Smyth, Timakeel; Thomas Boseman, Devenny; W H Boseman, Do; W J Magee, Mournview street, Portadown.

History of Lodges Index