Benjamin Churchill

Brother

Benjamin Churchill

(died April 1939, aged 87)

Clinton Lodge, No. 84, Ontario; Temple Lodge, No. 33

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother Benjamin Churchill taken from Temple Lodge, No. 33 records and from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“..A petition was received from Bro. Ben Churchill for membership of this Lodge by affiliation. The applicant states that he was born at Clinton, Ontario, his age being 60 years, profession Teamster, At present resides at Duncan, B.C. was made in Clinton Lodge, No. 84 Clinton Ont. The petition was accompanied by a demit from Clinton Lodge, No. 84 and the usual fee of $5.00.

The applicant is recommended by Wor. Bro. W.M. Dwyer and Bro. J. Grieg.

It was moved by Wor. Bro. C. Dobson, seconded by Bro. Junior Warden that the petition be received and the usual investigating committee appointed. The motion was carried.

The Worshipful Master appointed on this committee – Wor. Bro. Gidley, Wor. Bro. Pitt [and] Bro. Plaskett."

Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, Regular Meeting of 13 May 1913

“Churchill – Mr. Benjamin Churchill, a well-known resident of Duncan for nearly 30 years, passed away on Tuesday afternoon at Duncan Hospital, where he had been a patient for six months. He was 87, and a native of Ontario.

Surviving him on Vancouver Island are two sons, John George, Duncan; and Franklin, Victoria. There are two sons, Benjamin Randolph, in Detroit; and Thomas in Clinton, Ontario, and four daughters in the East.

The funeral service will be held in the chapel of the Davis Funeral Service at 4 p.m. to-day, with Tzouhalem Lodge, A.F. & A.M., taking part. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Somenos.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 20 April 1939

“Churchill – Mr. Benjamin Churchill was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Somenos on Thursday afternoon, following a United Church service in the chapel of the Davis Funeral Service at 4 o’clock. The Rev. W.F. Burns officiated, and two hymns were sung: “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With Me.” Mr. P.R. Dobson was at the organ.

At the graveside Mr. J.I. Davies, master of Temple Lodge, A.F. & A.M., conducted the Masonic ritual. Six fellow Masons were pallbearers: Messrs. S. Gordon, Hugh Savage, W.B. Harper, A. Castley, G.P. MacMillan and D.J. Shand.

Mr. Churchill was born in Ontario 87 years ago last December 23. Before coming to Duncan some 30 years ago he was a schoolteacher and, later, a farmer at Clinton, Ontario.

In this district his principal business was teaming and trucking. He also owned a small farm on Norcross Road. He was very active even in advancing years, working occasionally up to about a year ago. He was a member of the Masonic Order and a strong Conservative.

Mr. Churchill is survived by four sons: John George, Duncan; Franklin, Victoria; Benjamin Randolph, Detroit, Michigan; and Thomas, Clinton, Ontario; and four daughters: Mrs. E. Castle, Clinton, Ontario; Mrs. Clifford Watson, Kippin, Ontario; Mrs. O. Bailey and Mrs. James Hillon, Detroit, Michigan.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 27 April 1939

At present we do not not know a lot about Brother Benjamin Churchill, apart from what we have found in Temple Lodge, No. 33 records and in his obituary in the local newspaper. These are included in the scroll box below. We will post additional information as we uncover it.

Although we know that Brother Churchill is buried in St. Mary's Somenos Cemetery, we have not been able to locate a grave marker or a burial plot. We will do more research and post the results.

So far we have not been able to locate Brother Benjamin Churchill's grave in St. Mary's Somenos Anglican cemetery.

There are a number of unmarked graves in this cemetery and it is possible that Brother Churchill's grave is among those unmarked interments. We will do further research to determine Brother Churchill's burial site and we will post that information when we have it.