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PIONEER SQUARE - MASONIC INTERMENTS

Brother

Thomas Carter

(died 10 January 1869, aged 54)

Vancouver Lodge, No. 421

We do not know a lot about Brother Thomas Carter apart from what is in the contemporary newspaper reports of his death and funeral (see below). He was a farmer, possibly a tenant farmer on Hillside Farm, which was owned by John Work. Present day Hillside Avenue runs through what was once the Hillside Farm and is named for the John Work property. The B.C. Provincial Archives have two photos of a "Thomas Carter" and a "Mrs. Thomas Carter" which may be of Brother Thomas Carter and his wife but we have not been able to confirm this at this time. Note to researchers and geneologists: Treat these photos as unconfirmed information!

Vancouver Lodge, No. 421 was merged with Quadra Lodge to become Vancouver-Quadra Lodge, No. 2.

Below is a photo of Brother Thomas Carter's grave in Pioneer Square. Brother Andrew Phillips' obelisk can be seen in the background.

Here are the reports of Brother Thomas Carter's death from contemporary newspaper sources:

 “DIED. - At Hillside Farm, Victoria District, on the 10th inst., Mr. Thos. Carter, aged 54 years, native of Co. Armagh. [note: Northern Ireland]

London (Canada) Free Press please copy.”

Source: British Colonist, 11 January 1869, page 3

“DEATH AT HILLSIDE – Mr. Thomas Carter of Hillside Farm, died yesterday of congestion of the lungs, contracted at a funeral some two weeks since. Deceased was a highly respected citizen, and a member of Victoria Lodge, F & A..M., which organization has suffered severely by the hand of Death in the past two months.” [note: the "funeral some two weeks since" was most likely that of Brother James Trahey]

Source: British Colonist, 11 January 1869, page 3

“The funeral of Mr. T. Carter, of Hillside, will take place today at 1 p.m., from his late residence. The procession will proceed to Masonic Hall, where the remains will be received at 2 o’clock by the members of Vancouver Lodge, No. 421, and conveyed to the cemetery. It is but two weeks since that Mr. Carter, then in possession of robust health, took part in the interment of a deceased brother of Victoria Lodge.” [note: the "deceased brother of Victoria Lodge" was likely James Trahey]

Source: British Colonist, 13 January 1869, page 3

“MASONIC FUNERAL – The funeral of Mr. T. Carter was very numerously attended yesterday by his Masonic Brethren and friends generally. A number of carriages containing relatives and friends joined in the procession, which was preceded by Haynes’ Band. The Masonic Burial Service was read at the grave in a most impressive manner by the Worshipful Master of Vancouver Lodge, S. Duck. Esq.”

Source: British Colonist, 14 January 1869, page 3

Note the Square and Compasses, the Level and the Plumb still visible of the top surface of Brother Thomas Carter's grave monument in Pioneer Square.