The Royal Downshire Militia.
When the Irish Militia was re-formed in 1793, the 9th or Downshire Regiment was placed under the command of Arthur, Lord Viscount Kilwarlin, afterwards 2nd Marquis of Downshire, our Grand Master in 1785 and 1786, with, as second in command, Francis Charles, Viscount Glerawley, afterwards 1st Earl of Annesley, our Grand Master in 1787 and 1788. When Lord Downshire was dismissed from his command in 1800 for his opposition to the Union, the Regiment was divided in two, the South Downs retaining the old number “9”, with Lord Annesley as Commanding Officer.
Two Lodges were held in the Regiment, and one, though of no bearing on our present subject, is worthy of passing notice.
On embodiment, the Regiment proceeded to the county of Cork, and in 1794 was quartered in Youghal. On 4th December of that year, Lodge No. 385, Clonakilty, petitioned Grand Lodge that No. 212 be granted to the Royal Downshire Militia; the petition was rejected, probably because at that date Grand Lodge disapproved of the re-issue of senior vacant numbers; yet, in the Register, the Lodge is stated to have been held in the Royal Downshire Militia from 10th January, 1795, on which date were registered John M. Reid, 181 (Cootehill), Fred. Hodges, 367, and Smollett Holden, 510 (28th Regiment) It seems probable that here we have an instance of the “Munster Custom,” whereby the Provincial Grand Master of Munster was empowered of his own authority to revive or transfer Lodges within his Province. Is it only a coincidence that Kinsale, the original domicile of No. 212 was owned by the same landlord as Downpatrick? The name of Fred Hodges 367, held in the latter town, is perhaps a link.
John Mountray Reid was the eldest son of William Reid, of Tullychin, near Killyleagh, Co. Down, by his wife Rebecca, daughter of John Mountray of Favour Royal, and became Captain in the Royal Downshire Militia, 16th September, 1795.
One hundred members were registered between 10th January, 1795 and 8th March, 1800, and the Warrant was cancelled in 1813.
On 1st February, 1810, No. 214 was granted to Antony Rogers, Robert Scott, and Alexander Bell, all of 858 Tullamore, to hold a Lodge in the South Down Militia, and on disembodiment, in Bangor, County Down. This Warrant was sent in, 4th May, 1815, with a memorial from certain members praying a duplicate to hold a Lodge in Loughbrickland, Co. Down.
Two Lodges were held in the Regiment, and one, though of no bearing on our present subject, is worthy of passing notice.
On embodiment, the Regiment proceeded to the county of Cork, and in 1794 was quartered in Youghal. On 4th December of that year, Lodge No. 385, Clonakilty, petitioned Grand Lodge that No. 212 be granted to the Royal Downshire Militia; the petition was rejected, probably because at that date Grand Lodge disapproved of the re-issue of senior vacant numbers; yet, in the Register, the Lodge is stated to have been held in the Royal Downshire Militia from 10th January, 1795, on which date were registered John M. Reid, 181 (Cootehill), Fred. Hodges, 367, and Smollett Holden, 510 (28th Regiment) It seems probable that here we have an instance of the “Munster Custom,” whereby the Provincial Grand Master of Munster was empowered of his own authority to revive or transfer Lodges within his Province. Is it only a coincidence that Kinsale, the original domicile of No. 212 was owned by the same landlord as Downpatrick? The name of Fred Hodges 367, held in the latter town, is perhaps a link.
John Mountray Reid was the eldest son of William Reid, of Tullychin, near Killyleagh, Co. Down, by his wife Rebecca, daughter of John Mountray of Favour Royal, and became Captain in the Royal Downshire Militia, 16th September, 1795.
One hundred members were registered between 10th January, 1795 and 8th March, 1800, and the Warrant was cancelled in 1813.
On 1st February, 1810, No. 214 was granted to Antony Rogers, Robert Scott, and Alexander Bell, all of 858 Tullamore, to hold a Lodge in the South Down Militia, and on disembodiment, in Bangor, County Down. This Warrant was sent in, 4th May, 1815, with a memorial from certain members praying a duplicate to hold a Lodge in Loughbrickland, Co. Down.