The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2016 By Steven Campbell It is not difficult to understand why nearly half of the men Brother George Washington entrusted positions of command to were mem- bers of our fraternity. He knew that each man who knelt at the altar and undertook their ob- ligation was a man to be trusted. One of the very first was Brother Richard Montgomery. Memories of Montgomery Richard Montgomery was born on Decem- ber 2, 1738, at his father omas' estate near Swords, Ireland. eir ancestors had emigrated to Scotland and Ireland from France. omas, an ex-soldier, was serving in Parliament when Richard was born. Richard's mother was Mary Franklin, a lady of considerable wealth, and their union would produce four children, three sons and a daughter. All of their sons would serve as officers in the British Army, whilst the daughter Sarah would marry an Irish viscount. Being the son of a wealthy landowner, Rich- ard received a quality education and attended Trinity College in Dublin. In his 18 th year, Richard enlisted in the British Army with a newly purchased en- sign's commission. e young officer was as- signed to the 17 th Regiment and would for eight years "prove his metal" in both war and peace. Just a year after enlisting, he sailed to North America where the Seven Years War (also known as the French and Indian War 1756–1763) raged on between two of the world's powers (England & France). In 1761, Richard was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to the Caribbean theatre of war. He fought gallantly in Cuba and, as a result, was promoted to captain. e climate in Cuba proved horrid health wise for him and his troops, and as a result his regiment was reassigned to New York to convalesce. It was while in this colony that Richard met and socialized with the very prominent Livings- ton family. He and the lovely daughter Janet spent much time together before Richard was transferred to the British post of Detroit. In 1765, Montgomery returned home for the first time in eight years. Upon his return, the young Captain visited his family and began a political alliance with liberal members of the Parliament. Unfortunately, such association with these men hurt Montgomery's chance for further promotion. In April 1772, he sold his commission after having been passed over for the rank of major. e now thirty-four- year-old bachelor returned to New York and purchased a 67-acre farm just 13 miles from New York City at King's Bridge. He resumed his courtship of Janet, and on August 24, 1773, they were married at her parents' home, Cler- mont. ey leased one of her family's farms in Rhinebeck whereupon he took up the duties of a gentleman farmer. eir union proved to be a happy one, yet Richard was apprehensive of beginning a family in such uncertain times. He was selected as a member of the New York Provincial Congress in 1775. at same year, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia decided to create a Continen- tal Army, placing George Washington in com- mand. With his military experience, Washing- ton knew that qualified officers would be needed to lead this new force. Richard Montgomery was named one of our first brigadier generals. General George Washington personally pre- sented General Montgomery his commission. As Washington created an army, the Con- gress envisioned Canada joining the 13 colo- nies in their struggle against Britain. A small American force made up of militia and volun- teers were ordered to invade Canada. is undertaking began in the late fall 1775. When the com- manding General Philip Schyluer fell ill, Montgomery as- sumed command of the 1,000 man force. ough marching hundreds of miles through wilder- ness regions without roadways, coupled with supply, food, and clothing short- ages, near-end en- listments, as well as illness, he was able to capture the towns of St. John's, Cham- bly and Montreal – two-thirds of settled Canada. Many of Mont- gomery's men wished to return home af- ter this harsh trek through the wilderness. Spirits were lifted when 600 reinforcements arrived under the command of then "rising star" Brother Colonel Benedict Arnold. Resupplied and reenergized, the Amer- ican force forged ahead despite the dropping temperatures and an outbreak e American Army Quebec. While a siege the Americans were in duct such an operation. sault the city. British soldiers, Canadians blockaded gates ing into and inside Quebec. fortified and even small The Death of General Montgomery December By John Trumbull, 1786, The Grand Historian's Courier Case Honor: "…a showing of unusual merited respect; Stedman Masons help local children's services STEDMAN — David Gray (right), master of Stedman 730 for 2015, presents a check for more than $2,100 to Joey Leggett, admin- istrator of the Falcon Children's Home, for Christmas. This gift, and three others, were from the proceeds of the lodge's annual golf tournament held in June. From that same tournament, they also gave more than $4,000 to MHCO. — Thomas Pope

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