by
Nelson King, FPS
Allan Napier MacNab, was by birth a Canadian, and was the first native born to hold the office of Provincial Grand Master of Upper Canada [1845-1857], and Grand Master of the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada [1857]. His Grandfather was Major Robert MacNab of the 42nd Regiment [Black Watch], and his father Allan served under John Graves Simcoe as a Lieutenant in The Queen's Rangers [1st American Regiment]. During the Revolutionary War, MacNab was wounded thirteen times. Later he accompanied Lieutenant Governor Simcoe to Newark [Niagara-On-The-Lake] as his Aide-de-camp. Here William Jarvis also served Simcoe as Secretary and Registrar of the Records of the Province of Upper Canada, and was the first Provincial Grand Master of Masons of Upper Canada. It was here on February 19, 1798, Allan Napier MacNab was born.
In August 1893 Lieutenant Governor Simcoe relocated The Queen's Rangers [1st American Regiment and the provincial government from Newark to muddy York [Toronto]. Seven years later the MacNab family, and their two year old son Allan Napier moved their homestead to York. Allan senior was employed as a clerk in the office of William Jarvis the Provincial Secretary, until he was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Assembly. The family lived peacefully and prospered until the morning of April 27, 1812, when a fleet of American ships, carrying approximately 2,000 troops, sailed through the approaches to the town of York's harbour, and opened fire on the fort. The British forces were hopelessly outnumbered, and almost all of the men of Grenadier Company of the British 8th Regiment were slaughtered on the beach. By nightfall the town had fallen, and Americans began looting, burning and pillaging. Not only were the parliament buildings set on fire, and the treasury seized, but also the town's only church, St. James' was looted. The MacNab family, other loyal citizens, and the balance of the troops were forced to retreat to Kingston Upper Canada, a forced march that took two weeks
While in Kingston, Allan junior secured a midshipman's berth on H.M.S. Wolfe. Shortly afterwards he left the naval branch of His Majesty's Service and joined the 100th Regiment. After the burning of Newark [Niagara-On-The-Lake], it was decided to capture the American Fort Niagara, and Allan Napier joined the storming party. For his gallantry was awarded an ensign's Rank in the 49th Regiment of Foot. Under the command of General Rail he took part in the attack on Buffalo, New York, and then joined his regiment at Montreal, Lower Canada. For the balance of the War of 1812 [which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Gent, December 24, 1814] he served with conspicuous gallantry.
After the war he was placed on half-pay, and returned to York, where he became an articled clerk in the law office of The Attorney General of the Province. In 1825 he married the daughter of Lieutenant Daniel Brooke of York. Allan was called to the bar in 1826 and moved to Hamilton, Upper Canada where he entered into practice and established his future home. In 1830 Allan was elected to the Legislative Assembly representing the County of Wentworth. In 1837 he was elected Speaker of the Assembly and held this position until the union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1841.
During the Rebellions of 1837 [which took place in both in Upper and Lower Canada], MacNab took a very active part in York, Hamilton and London in suppressing the uprising. He considered it not a"rebellion" but an "invasion" financed and abetted by the "Nation to the South." The fact that meetings were held in Buffalo at which well-known public figures were the speakers and the leaders, and also that volunteers known as "hunters" were permitted to drill at Detroit, proved his claim to be well founded. It was thought that these "hunters" had some Masonic connection. They were also known as "Hunter Lodges" or "Patriot Lodges." These lodges had degrees, modes of recognition and other ingredients, which some believe were Masonic. To date there has been no substantial proof of these claims.
The prompt action taken by MacNab nipped the uprising in the bud. The "men of Gore" under his leadership in the Toronto [York], Hamilton and London areas, prevented the enemy from getting organized and effectively dealt with those who dared to face them. The "Caroline" of Buffalo, loaded with men and arms, anchored at Navy Island in the Niagara River, awaiting an opportunity to cross to Canada, was "cut out" by Commander Drew on MacNab's orders and sent adrift over Niagara Falls. The invasion quickly subsided when it became evident that it was not to be a "get-rich" junket, as promised by William Lyon Mackenzie. Mackenzie had been elected mayor, of the newly incorporated City of Toronto [York] in 1834, and now tried to seize the city by force. After the Rebellions of 1837 Allan Napier MacNab, was knighted by his grateful Queen for his services to the crown.
Sir Allan Napier MacNab, was made a Mason in St. Andrew's Lodge No. 1 [now No. 16 G.R.C.] on December 14, 1941. The minutes of the Lodge for that date read:
"Sir Allan Napier MacNab was then admitted and initiated in the first degree."
He received his Fellow Craft Degree in Barton Lodge, Hamilton on January 12, 1842. The minutes of this meeting are very sparse. The date, names of officers, members and visitors are given, and a list of six Brethren, including two lines that read:
"Br. Sir A. N. MacNab, passed to the second degree.
Sir A. N. MacNab pd. 10/0."
On December 29, 1842 the Lodge Minute Book reads:
"Br. MacNab, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason."
In the summer of 1842 he visited Scotland, and in Edinburgh on August 1, 1842, while only a Fellow Craft he received a patent as Provincial Grand Master in Canada for the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Shortly after that he returned to Canada and gave no indication of the honour bestowed on him. In 1844 he returned to England where on August 28, 1844, he received the appointment of District Grand Master for England of the Provincial or District Grand Lodge of Canada West. Again he returned to Canada and this time gave indication of this honour bestowed on him. The reason given for his failure to reveal his new Masonic Grand Ranks is that the Brethren of Canada generally owed allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England, although they were generally displeased with Grand Lodge's treatment of them. In November he was elected Speaker of the House a position that he held until February 1848.
However, in May 1845, St. Andrew's Lodge, Toronto, resolved that it would communicate with the Lodges in Canada West and seek to secure their consent that their Worshipful Master Thomas Gibbs Ridout, should solicit the formation of another Provincial Grand Lodge. It was also St. Andrew's intention that Ridout be appointed Provincial Grand Master.
At an emergent meeting of Barton Lodge, in Hamilton on May 17, 1845, for the first time since he had been made a Master Mason, Sir Allan was present. The Lodge was opened in the Third Degree. The minutes read as follows.
"The Lodge was called by order of the W. M. to take into consideration a communication received from St. Andrew's Lodge, Toronto, soliciting our Lodge co-operate with them in petitioning the G. L. of England to appoint Br. T. G. Ridout, their W. M., Provincial Grand Master of a Grand Lodge in this Province. Our Right Worshipful Brother, Sir A. N. MacNab, having produced the Warrant empowering him to convene and hold a Provincial Grand Lodge, it was moved by Bro. H. R. O'Reilly, and seconded by Bro. R. O. Duggan, and unanimously carried":
"Resolved - that the Secretary be instructed to communicate to St. Andrew's Lodge, Toronto, that our worthy and R. Worshipful Bro. Sir A. N. MacNab, having been appointed by the Grand Lodge of England to the office of Provincial Grand Master of Canada West, and our said R. Wor. Brother, having in consultation with this Lodge accepted the said appointment, and the charter, bearing date the 28th August, A. L. 5884, conferring the said appointment, have been received by him, this Lodge, taking into consideration the respect in which way they hold the R. W. the Grand Lodge of England and their acts, as well as the fitness and capacity of our said R. Wor. Brother for the said office, cannot with propriety, if they felt so disposed, second the cause proposed by our Brethren of St. Andrew's Lodge. And that the W. M. of St. Andrew's Lodge be respectfully requested to communicate this information to all the Lodges in Canada West to whom his Lodge communicated the resolution sent to this Lodge, with the least possible delay, in order to prevent any misunderstanding among the Craft."
On August 9, 1845, the Third Provincial Grand Lodge [E. R.] was held in Hamilton, with Sir Allan in the Chair. This would be the only Provincial Grand Lodge Communication that he would attend until June 15, 1848. He only attended two other Communications, until September 1857 when the Third Provincial Grand Lodge [E. R.] was dissolved, and the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada was formed, with him as its Grand Master. In 1854 he played and important role in the formation of the Liberal-Conservative alliance and became premier of Canada, a position which he held until April of 1856 when he resigned the premiership due to poor health, and in October 1857 gave up his seat in the House.
On June 14, 1858 the Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada was united with the Grand Lodge of Canada to form the present Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada. After the amalgamation, Sir Allan never again entered a Masonic Lodge. On March 23, 1859 the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, acknowledged the jurisdiction of the new Grand Lodge of Canada under the direction of M. W. Bro. William Mercer Wilson, who had been the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada.
Later in 1859 Sir Allan left for England where he remained until the spring of 1860. when he returned to Canada. After his return he was again elected to office and received the Honourary rank of Colonel in the British Army, and Honourary Aide-de-camp to her Majesty Queen Victoria. In 1862 he was chosen as the first Speaker of the Legislative Council, but after the first session he returned to his home "Dundurn" in Hamilton where he died on August 8, 1862.
Sir Allan had been born and raised in the Anglican faith, his father, together with William Jarvis were some of the first pew holders of St. James' in Toronto. In the early days of Hamilton, before there was an Anglican Church, he was a constant attender and pew holder of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church [now St. Paul's] until Christ Church was erected, when he joined that church. However during his last illness and after he had become insensible, his brother's wife, who had taken charge of his household after the death of Mrs. MacNab in 1846, admitted a Roman Bishop, who administered baptism and confirmed Sir Allan in the Roman Catholic faith. The Reverend J. G. Geddes, Rector of Christ Church made this public the Sunday following Sir Allan's death. In a brief address he said that Sir Alan was dead, and that for twenty-seven years he had worshipped with that congregation, and that a few weeks before he had partaken of Communion with them and was present in Church with them the Sunday before his death. The Reverend then told the congregation that on Thursday he had made three trips to "Dundurn" to see his friend MacNab but had been turned away. He had repeated the trip on Friday morning and had been told that Sir Allan had become a pious Catholic and had been received into the "bosom of the Roman Catholic Church."
The following is from the Hamilton "Spectator" of August 12, 1862:
"All that was mortal of the late Sir Allan N. MacNab, Bart, Speaker of the Legislative Council, was consigned to its last resting place in the family burial ground yesterday afternoon. A very general desire had been manifested to show every possible mark of respect to the remains of Sir Allan, and it was fully expected there would be an immense gathering on the occasion. An interment with Masonic Honours was anticipated, in connection with a turnout of the Militia of the District, but, somehow, the object of an imposing ceremony was frustrated. Rumour stated that the Honourable Baronet had died a convert to the Catholic Faith. With this no one would have been displeased in case the conversion had occurred in the usual manner; but, under the circumstances, it was felt that deceit had been practised; or, in other words, Sir Allan have been made a convert at a moment when not answerable to himself, as he was in a state of unconsciousness. How far this may be correct, we leave others to say who had better opportunities of judging. This much we may venture to state, however, that we do not believe that Sir Allan MacNab died a pervert to the Protestant Faith; for knowing him as we did, we believe him to have been possessed of greater strength of mind that to yield, contrary to the convictions of his whole life, and become a Roman Catholic. Nay, more, we have the positive assertion of Rev. Mr. Geddes that Sir Allan declared that he died a Protestant. The day of the funeral came, and with it the greatest excitement in the public mind of this city that was ever witnessed. Strangers arriving here to attend the funeral were shocked beyond measure to learn that the Catholic prelates had taken charge of the deceased and intended to inter him with the rites of their Church. Among those who came from a distance were: - Chief Justice McLean; Chief Justice Draper; Chancellor Vankoughnet; Hon. J. H. Cameron; Hon. W. Caley; Hon. J. B. Robinson; John Crawford, M.P.P.; T. C. Street, M.P.P.; W. Ryerson, M.P.P.; Hon. D. Christie; John White; etc. A parley was held as to who was to officiate, and the Roman Catholics stated that they were taking charge, but the funeral was already one hour late. All the Protestants left the premises, and the hearse and procession were led to the grave by the priest.. The pall-bearers were: - Isaac Buchanan, Henry McKinstry, Dr. Hamilton, Col. Munro, Col. Jarvis, W. Dickson. T. C. Street, J. T. Gilkinson and Col. Webster."
Also from the "Spectator" on the same day.
"It was currently reported last evening that Sir Allen's will provided he should be buried according to Roman Catholic rites. To this Statement we have received the following contradiction, which we publish at the request of Hon. J. H. Cameron - who read the will - Hon. Chancellor Vankoughmet, and others:-"
"It is not true that there was any provision in the will of Sir Allan MacNab providing for his burial according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church. There was no provision about the burial except that his body should be buried between his two wives. Mrs. McNab [his sister-in-law] was appointed executrix of the will, and as such was entitled to the management of the interment; by her direction the body was interred with the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, and the large number of persons who had come from long distances to attend the funeral, left "Dundurn" without following the body to the grave;- not because Sir A. N. MacNab was a Roman Catholic, but because by a species of fraud, he was buried as such, when he had died declaring himself a member of the Church of England."
Many years later the City of Hamilton purchased Dundurn Castle for a city park. The bodies buried in the MacNab plot were disinterred and reburied in city cemeteries. The Roman Catholic authorities claimed the body of Sir Allan MacNab, and were supposed to inter him in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. If this was done, the body lies in an unmarked grave, a pitiful end for an outstanding leader of his country. As a Masonic leader he left very much to be desired. His lack of knowledge of the Craft and its working did unmeasurable harm but he was one of the Soldiers, Statesmen and Freemasons, of early Canadian history.
Sources of Information
Literary
The Queens Rangers in the Revolutionary War
Colonel C. J. Ingles, D.S.O., V.D. [Published, Toronto Ontario, 1956]
The Queens Rangers in Upper Canada
Author Unknown Toronto Historical Board Copy
The History of Freemasonry in Canada
J. Ross. Robertson [Published, Toronto, Ontario 1900]
Canadian Masonic Research Association Papers
John Graves Simcoe by R. V. Harris
William Jarvis by J. Lawrence Runnalls
Sir Allan Napier MacNab by William J. Shaw
[Published by The Heritage Lodge G.R.C. 1986]
A History of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. Of Canada in the Province of Ontario 1855-1955
Walter S. Herrington and Roy S. Foley [Published by The Grand Lodge of Canada, Toronto, 1955]
Masonic Halls of England [The South]
The Revd N. B. Cryer [Published by Lewis Masonic, England, 1989]
ARS Quatuor Coronatorum
Vol. XL 1927 pages 251 and 260 [Published England, 1928]
A Lodge of Friendship
Colin K. Duquemin [Published by Niagara Lodge, No. 2 A.F. & A.M., G.R.C. 1991]
Personal
Toronto Historical Board [Fort York]
Timothy M. Seguin
Queens York Rangers Museum
Major Stewart H. Bull [Retired]
Anglican Diocese of Toronto [Archives]
Gabriel Kormendi [Assistant Archivist]
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