Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne
Newspaper Articles > Orangeville Sun, Orangeville, Ontario, July 16th, 1863
The annual anniversary of the battle of the Boyne was celebrated in Orangeville on Monday last with great éclat. About eight o’clock in the morning gay groups of both sexes, wearing ribbons, rosettes, lilies and other insignias of the Order commended to come into town from all directions and at nine o’clock there could not have been less that two thousand persons present. At ten o’clock the members of Loyal Orange Lodge No. 635 assembled at Bell’s Hotel, and having been formed into line, … proceeded along West Broadway to Springbrook where they were joined by their brethren from Amaranth and Garafraxa. The procession was reformed, the various lodges “falling in” as follows – No. 22, Mr. T. Reid, master; 330, Mr. J. Gillespie, master; 345, Mr. D. Jenkins, master; 427, Mr. J. Keys, master; 566, Mr. Mr. W. Donoghue, master; 635, Mr. G. Bell, master; and 851, Mr. J. Spence, master. The members of these lodges were nearly all dressed in white pants and black coats, and, preceded by their respective officers in scarlet cloaks trimmed with white ermine, presented a very creditable appearance. The banners of the various lodges, unfurled to the breeze, as well as the sashes of the brethren trimmed with orange ribbon and ornamented with tasteful rosettes, also produced a a very pleasing effect. About eleven o’clock, the procession headed by Mr. Bell and other leading members mounted on horseback, returned by Broadway and moving up the Prince of Wales Road, were joined by Lodge No. 320, Mr. J. Currie, master. They returned to Broadway by 1st Avenue and 2nd Street, and having marched along the leading streets to the exciting music of fifes and drums proceed to St. Mark’s Church where Rev. Mr. Henderson preached an appropriate and eloquent sermon. The Rev. Mr. McKay also made a few brief remarks, after which the brethren retired to partake of the excellent dinners prepared for them at the hotels of Messrs. Jones, Bell, Witter and Wallace. About two o’clock the various lodges again formed in procession, and with banners flying and fifes and drums playing loyal airs, paraded the principal streets, cheered on as they wended their way along Broadway by the large crowds who thronged the sidewalks. About four o’clock the Orangeville lodges conveyed their brethren of Amaranth, Garafraxa and Mono, beyond the limits of the town, and peaceably returned to their homes. We are happy to be able to say, that no casualty occurred to mar the pleasure of the day, and that the proceedings passed off in the most agreeable and sober manner.