St.Peter's Operative Lodge No.284

THREE FREEMASONS FROM CAITHNESS
The three Freemasons who are the subjects of this achieved distinction outside the county. All, indeed were prominent in North America. The third of them was not a member of St.John's Lodge and it is unlikely that the first was. It is possible that the second was initiated shortly before 1775 but we have preferred to divorce his story from St.John's Lodge.
Arthur St.Clair
Arthur Sinclair was born in Thurso in 1736 and was a grandson of the second laird of Assery. He enlisted in the 60th Foot in 1757 and went to America with Admiral Boscawen's expedition. He served under Wolfe at the capture of Quebec in 1759 but resigned his commission in 1762.
St.Clair (as he styled himself) settled in Pennsylvania. In 1776, at the opening of the War of American Independence he was a colonel of militia and was promoted in the same year to brigadier-general. In 1777 he became a major-general. He succeeded General Gates at Ticonderoga but was beaten by the superior forces of Sir John Burgoyne. St.Clair was Commandant of West Point in 1780 and was the first Governor of the Northwest Territory (1789-1802). For a short time he was General in Chief of the Army., which was then the highest military office.
His early masonic connections are not known but he was a founder member of Nova Caesarea Harmony Lodge No.2 of Cincinnati in 1791 and attended it fairly regularly. He died in poverty in 1818 but the Pennsylvanian lodges have erected a memorial to him.
Sir William Campbell
William Campbell was of the family who long held the office of Sheriff-Clerk of Caithness. He was born at Thurso in 1758, joined the Royal Navy but transferred to the Army during the War of American Independence. He served under Cornwallis and, after the surrender at Yorktown, was for two years a prisoner of war.

Campbell then settled in Nova Scotia. In 1779 he was elected to the state legislature and served until 1804 when he was made a judge. In 1811 he was promoted to Toronto and in 1825 became Chief Justice of Upper Canada. On his retirement in 1829 he was knighted.
There is a William Campbell on the roll of St. John's Lodge who had joined before 1775 but the name is too common for us to claim Sir William as a member. He was the founding Master of Temple Lodge No.7, Nova Scotia, in 1784 and in the first 16 years of that Lodge's existence he was Master seven times, Secretary four times and occupied each Warden's chair once. Before Temple Lodge was founded Sir William had become a Knight Templar. In 1822, at Toronto he was founding Master of St.Andrew's Lodge No18.
Sir William died in 1834.
Hon.Alexander Keith
Alexander Keith was born at Halkirk in 1795. He learned the trade of brewing in Sunderland and founded a business in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1820. He was Mayor of Halifax in 1843,1853 and 1854. He served on the state legislature from 1843 to 1873 - in the last six years as its president. Keith was a noted philanthropist.
He was initiated in St.John Lodge No,118, Sunderland in 1816, affiliated to Virgin Lodge No.3, Halifax, in 1817 became Master of the latter in 1823 and occupied its chair another six times before 1845. He was Provincial Grand Master under the Scottish Constitution (1845-1866) and under the English (l840-1869) and became the first Grand Master of Nova Scotia (1870-1873).
Keith was active and held high office in Royal Arch Masonry, Knight Templar Masonry and in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Four lodges, one Royal Arch chapter and one Rose Croix chapter have been named in his honour.
Alexander Keith died at Truro.Nova Scotia, in 1873.

ROLL OF MEMBERS
This roll contains the names of all the known members of St.John's Lodge and - because we have no reason to reject them - the names of all those whose petitions for membership have survived. The entries in the roll give an indication of the evidence on which we rely.
The entries should be easily understood. After a reference letter and number and the name we give the occupation and the name of the home district - if it is other than Thurso. Then follow details of admission to the lodges Grand Lodge registration and service in the lodge. The dates in brackets are for any later or intermediate years in which the member is known to have been active in the lodge or to have been in good standing. They tend to show the strength of the lodge at different periods. Any known connection with other lodges is shown next and, finally, there is added any personal details thought to be of interest or significance.
For the convenience of the reader lodges are referred to by their modern names and numbers rather than by those of the period concerned. The term 'affiliate' is used throughout where it is believed to be appropriate even if 'joining member' or 'honorary member' appear in the minutes of the lodge being quoted.

Al Adam,George. Writer. E.A.June 1779,F.C.December 1782,
Secretary and Clerk 1781,1782,1783; bond 1779 unpaid
1786.
A2 Adam,John. Writer. Affiliate October 1763. (1775).
A3 Alcock,John. Shipmaster,Aberdeen, Admitted December 1793.
A4 AlstonsJohn. Watchmaker. G.L.Reg. 1800.
A5 Anderson,James G.L.Reg.1807.
A6 Anderson,John. Merchant. E.A.July 1759.
A7 Anderson,Patrick. Excise Officer. Admitted December 1788.
G.L.Reg.1789.
A8 Anderson,William. Lieutenant,78th Foot. Petition December
1803. G.L.Reg.1807.
A9 Angili. =?L5. In 1784 and 1785 the Treasurer had a baro-meter worth 18/- in his hands for this brother's dues.
Bl Baikie,Thomas. Merchant. G.L.Reg.1760.
B2 Bain,Alexander. Wright. E.A.December 1781,F.C.December
1782,Clerk 1789. (1792,1801). Admitted at half fees.
B3 Bain,Alexander,junior. Petition 1801,?E.A.April 1803.
B4 Bains,Donald. in undated(?1801)list.
B5 Bain,Donald. Operative. E.A.December 1801.
B6 Bain,Harry. Merchant,Wick. Admitted September 1787. G.L.
Reg.1789. Founding Treasurer of St.Fergus's Lodge at Wick 1795,Master 1820,active to 1838. Baillie of Wick.
B7 Bain,James. Petition December 1803. G.L.Reg.1807.
B8 Bain,James. G.L.Reg.1815.
B9 Bain,Ronald. Coppersmith. G.L.Reg.1815. Affiliate St.Peter's 1821,F.C.December 1821.
BIO Bain,Sinclair. G.L.Reg.1827. Brother of B12.
B11 Bain,William. Mason. Petition granted 1780,F.C.December 1782. (1806).
B12 Bain,William. Lieutenant. G.L.Reg.1827.
B13 Baird,John. G.L.Reg.1800.
B14 Banks,John. E.A.November 1758.
B15 Barclay,James. G.L.Reg.1800.
B16 Barker,-, in an undated(?180l)list.
B17 Barnetson,Alexander. Petition November 1803. G.L.Reg.1807. perhaps the later Procurator-Fiscal.
B18 Barrett,Thomas. E.A.1779. probably = B36.
B19 Baxter,Abraham. Captain of the smack "Sisters of Harwich1.'Petition January 1811. G.L.Reg.1815.
B20 Black,David. Joiner. Petition December 1803. G.L.Reg.1807
B21 Bohend,Martin. Captain of Copenhagen or "Copenhagen". G.L.Reg.1793.
B22 Borthwick,William. Seedsman,Edinburgh. Affiliate October 1763 from Lodge of Holyrood House (St.Luke*s) No.44.which he had entered in 1758.
B23 Boxer,James, proposed a candidate in 1806.
B24 Bremner,Donald, a member in 1786.
B25 Bremner,George. Shipmaster. Petition December 1790.(1792).
B26 Bremner,Hugh. Writer. Petition December 1805. G.L.Reg.1807. (1811).
B27 Brims,John. Merchant. Petition December 1773,F.C.& M.M.December 1774 elected Senior Warden 1782 but declined. (1786). received benevolence 1802.
B28 Brodie,Alexander, of Ulbster,later Distiller and Brewer at Millbank, Dean of Guild.  Admitted December 1795,Treasurer 1811,1812,1813. Son-in -law of S79,brother-in-law of H9. died 1859 at 83 years.
B29 Brodie,David, of Hopeville or Hopewell. Captain, Rothesay & Caithness Fencibles. G.L.Reg.1791. Affiliated to St.Fergus's Lodge at Wick,  Planned Sarclet as tenant  of Sir John Sinclair.  Brother of B28.died 1847 at 75 years.
B30 Brodie,William.  Lieutenant in Lambton's Regiment.  E.A. January 1762.
B31 Bruce,Archibald.  E.A.orF.C.December 1788, M.M.December 1791.G.L.Reg.1789.
B32 Bruce,Harry.   Student  of Medicine.  F.C.& M.M.December 1774.
B33 Buchan,George. Cooper, in test 1792. G.L.Reg.1795.
B34 Budge,James, of Toftingall. G.L.Reg.1760. Admitted to Leith Kilwinning Lodge November 1755. Cousin of William Budge first Provincial Grand Master of Caithness, died about 1761.
B35 Burnet,Robert. G.L.Reg.1791.
B36 Burnet,Thomas. Shipmaster,Stornoway. Admitted November 1779.
B37 Burton,Samuel, of Ham. Captain, a member in 1786.
B38 Byards,Matthew, of Dunbar. Admitted November 1787. G.L. Reg.1789.
C1 Calder,Benjamin, of Mountpleasant. Customs Officer, a member in 1786. a Founder of St.Fergus's Lodge at Wick 1795. (1791,, 1807). Nephew of D26.
C2 Calder,James. Cooper. M.M.December 1793. G.L. Reg. 1791.
C3 Calder, James. Lieutenant ,78th Foot. Petition 1808.
C4 Calder,Patrick. Writer. Petition December 1773,
C5 Calder,Patrick. Officer of Excise. E.A.1791. (l792).
C6 Calder,Patrick Doull. Petition December 1804. G.L.Reg.1807. Master 1819,1820,1821, while a Captain on half-pay. Entered Royal Engineers 1825. Major-General 1853. born 1787.
C7 Calder.William, Sheriff Officer, G.L.Reg.1822. Affiliate & F.C.of St.Peter's December 1824,M.M.December 1825.
C8 Cameron,D. in undated(?l80l)list.
C9 Cameron,Ewan. G.L,Reg.l822.
C10 Campbell,Alexander, of Lochend. Petition December 1777. Grand-nephew and heir of C17. died 1787.
C11 Campbell.Alexander. GoL.Reg.1800.
C12 Campbell.Donald. Petition December 1796. G.L,Reg.1800.
C13 Campbell,Donald. Lieutenant. G.L.Reg.1805.
C14 Campbell,George. G.L.Reg.1815.
C15 Campbell,Gray. Founder and Depute Master of St.Fergus's Lodge at Wick 1795. (?1801).
C16 Campbell,Hugo. Joint Sheriff Clerk with his brother C17. G.L.Reg.1750.
C17 Campbell,James, of Lochend. Joint Sheriff Clerk. Founder of St.John's Lodge 1741,Senior Warden 1762. died 1766.
C18 Campbell,John. Tailor. E.A.December 1784. Founder,later Master,of St.Peter's. (1796,1802). died in 1845 at 79 years.
C19 Campbell,John. Captain,Carsgoe. Admitted December 1793. (1807).
C20 Campbell,Patrick. of Barcaldine. Captain, a member in 1786, Master 1789. (1792,1807). Nephew of S42 ,brother-in-law of S54. died 1825 at 59 years.
C21 Campbell,William, a member in 1775. possibly Sir William Campbell, for whom see Appendix 5.
C22 Campbell, Lieutenant, Achinaras. a member in 1786.
C23 Carnaby,Alexander. Merchant. Affiliate December 1781 from Stirling Royal Arch Lodge No.76,Trustee 1811, member of Management Committee 1812. (1795,1800). Founding Master of St.Peter's, died in 1821. at 75 years.
C24 Carnaby,William, Surgeon,Rothesay & Caithness Fencibles.a Founder of St.Peter's. Son of C23. died 1822 at 42 yrs.
C25 Christian,Angus. G.L.Reg.1803. (1807).
C26 Clarke,John.  Operative.   E.A.1791.   G.L.Reg,1793.  Adtnitted at half fees.
C27 Clunie,David. G.L.Reg. 1815.
C28 Cockburn,William. Lieutenant, a member in 1786, (l79l).
C29 Coghill,Alexander. G.L.Reg,, 1815.
C30 Coghill,Donald. Merchant, E.A.November 1811. G.L.Reg. 1812.
C31 Cowan,Hugh, a member in 1786, Junior Warden 1793. (1792,1801,1807).
C32 Craig,George. G.L.Reg.1822. died 1860 at 64 years.
C33 Craig,James. Merchant. Admitted December 1789. G.L.Reg.1789. (1801,1807).
C34 Crear.John.   G.L,Reg.1827.
C35 Cumming,Alexander.  Merchant.  E.A.1791,M.M.December 1793. G.L.Reg.1793.
C36 Cumming,William. Surgeon. G.L.Reg.1822. Affiliate and F.C.of St.Peter's December 1822.
C37 Cunningham, Doctor, of the Earl of Sutherland's Battalion. Affiliate from St.Giles Lodge, Edinburgh, November 1761 (1775)
Dl Davidson,Alexander. Sergeant,85th Foot. Admitted December 1795. (1801). Founder of St.Peter's, later Innkeeper.died 1859 at 88 years.
D2 Davidson,Alexander. G.L.Reg.1827.
D3 Davidson,Arthur. G.L.Reg.1815. Founder of St.Peter's. Clerk,Commercial Bank,later an Accountant.
D4 Davidson.,Donald. G.L.Reg. 1827.
D5 Davidson,Hugh. Writer. E.A.December 1811. G.L.Reg.1812. Son of D8. later Chief Magistrate of Thurso.
D6 Davidson,James. Merchant. Petition December 1763.
D7 Davidson,James.G.L.Reg.1803. Son of D8. killed in the Peninsular War.
D8 Davidson,John, of Buckies, Factor to Ulbster.  M.M.December 1774,Treasurer 1775.to 1783 ? Junior Warden 1786,1787. (1792,1807). died in 1820 at 80 years.
D9 Davidson,John. House Carpenter, in test 1792,M.M.December 1801. G.L.Reg.1795. (1806,1807).
D10 Davidson,Simon. Surgeon,R.N. G.L.Reg.1815. Son of D8. died 1828 at 42 years.
D11 Davidson,William, in test 1790.
D12 Davidson,William, Sergeant,85th Foot. Admitted December 1795.
D13 Davidson,William. Mason. Petition 1806, G.L,Reg.1807.
D14 Davidson,William. G.L.Reg.1827.
D15 Davis,Ananias. Petition December 1802. G.L.Reg.1803.
D16 Dean,Vesey. Captain of the "Dart",Privateer of Dover. Petition ?1806. G.L.Reg.1807.
D17 Denison,John, Merchant in Leith. G.L.Reg.1760.
D18 Dennis,Thomas. G.L.Reg.1815.
D19 Douglas,Daniel. a member in 1775.
D20 Douglas,George. Merchant. Junior Warden 1811,1812. Senior Warden 1813. G.L.Reg.1800.
D21 Douglas,John. Staymaker. Petition 1774, Steward 1782, 1783,Tyler. Bond 1774 unpaid 1786.
D22 Douglas,John. G.L.Reg.1827.
D23 Douglas,William. Tyler from ?1801 to 1813.
D24 Douglas,William. Lieutenant of Marines. E.A.November 1811. G.L.Reg.1812.
D25 Doull,Charles. G.L.Reg.1793.
D26 Doull.Patrick. Meichant. E.A.January 1762, F.C.& M.M. January 1763. (1775).
D27 Dun,Peter. Sergeant,78th Foot. Petition December 1811. G.L.Reg.1815.
D28 Dunbar,Sir William,Baronet of Hempriggs and Westfield. E.A. F.C,& M.M.November 1754 in Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No. 2 , Edinburgh. Provincial Grand Master for the North of Scotland 1756. Master of St.John's Lodge 1762. died 1793 at about 85 years.
D29 Duncan,John. of Forres. E.A.November 1785.
D30 Dunnet,Donald, his decanter in G.L.museum. Founder and later Master of St.Peter's.
D31 Dunnet,John. Captain of the "Endeavour". Senior Warden 1782, Trustee 1786. (1792). Son-in-law of Wll.
D32 Dunnet,George. Shipmaster, a member in 1786, M.M.1791.
D33 Durrand,John. Merchant, Wick. E.A.December 1782. Founder and Junior Warden of St..Fergus's Lodge at Wick 1795.
D34 Duthie,Richard. Petition February 1806. G.L.Reg.1807.
El Edwards,Robert. Affilate November 1761 from Inverness Old Lodge No.6. see pages 21 and 22.

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