Brother
Henry Samuel Hollings
(died September 1918, aged 77)
Temple Lodge, No. 33
The grave marker of Brother Henry Samuel Hollings in St. John the Baptist Anglican Church Cemetery, Cobble Hill. The GPS location of the grave is:
Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother Henry Samuel Hollings taken Temple Lodge records and from the local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:
“....It was further ordered by the W.M. that a committee of three consisting of the S.W.. Treasurer and Sec’y be appointed in the case of Bro. Hollings with instructions to investigate the number of meetings Bro. Hollings discharged the duties of Tyler of this Lodge and that he be allowed the sum of $1.50 for his services on each evening and the same be applied to his dues and he be granted a demit..."
Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, page 25, Regular meeting of 1 June 1901
“Hollings – Mr. Henry Samuel Hollings, pioneer farmer of Mill Bay, passed to his rest on Wednesday of last week, aged 77. He was buried on Friday last at St. John’s, Cobble Hill, the Rev. J.S.A. Baskin officiating and Messrs. Frank Copley, Frank Garnett, Trevor Keene, George Frayne, Chas. Morris and Arthur Nightingale acting as pallbearers.
Born at Bromyard, Worcestershire, England, Mr. Hollings enlisted with the 29th Regiment when aged 23. He served at Malta for a year, and then in Canada, being stationed in Toronto and Hamilton. His regiment was then held in readiness during the Fenian Raid but did not come into action.
Subsequently Mr. Hollings served with it in Jamaica for several years and then bought his discharge and settled in London, Ontario, where he entered the service of the Great Western railway, since absorbed by the G.T.R. [note: Grand Trunk Railroad. It later became part of Canadian National Railway.]
Thirty five years ago he came out west and settled at Mill Bay, where he created a home amid the then forest and carved out a prosperous farm. Gradually others settled near him and by them and all with whom he became associated he was held in the highest esteem.
Two of his four sons survive, Mr. H.H. Hollings and Mr. A.E.J. Hollings, and seven grandsons, children of the first named.”
Source: Cowichan Leader, 12 September 1918
Brother Henry Samuel Hollings was a native of Worcestershire, England who immigrated to Canada after service in the British Army. He came to British Columbia about 1883 and settled in Mill Bay, where he became a prosperous farmer.
In December 1899 he became a Charter Member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 in Duncan. He served as Tyler during the 10 weeks between 16 December 1899 - 28 February 1900. He remained a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 until June 1901, when he applied for a demit from Temple Lodge.
The VIMHP is doing more research on Brother Hollings to find out, among other things, where his farm was located and why he demitted from Temple Lodge, No. 33 in June 1901.
