History of RBP 25 'Allens Chosen Few'

This is probably the oldest Preceptory in Portadown District Chapter, and historically one of the most important, because it's membership over the years reads like a Who's-Who of the 'Royal Black Institution' in this District: - To name but a few:

Click on image below RBP 25 Banner with a biblical message

Herbert Whitten Alex Adair David A .Rocke
C Hunniford Joseph Power Stewart Tyble
William Hurst David England J McGowan
W D Richardson William Power Senior William Power Junior

The earliest available records date back to 1843, predating the re-forming of the Institution by some 3 years but it is obvious that it was in existence for quite some time before then, having at the time recorded, some 24 members.

It began as Portadown Royal Black Preceptory No 25, and changed to its present title "Alien's Chosen Few" in 1888, whether this was in honour of the then Worshipful Master "John Allen" is a subject of conjecture as no record on this matter exists.

Below, the original seal, of RBP 25.

The Original Seal of RBP 25

John Allen seems to have had a strong influence, as the numbers of Sir Knight's almost doubled during his term of office;
he was also during this period, for 6 years before his death in 1903, Worshipful County Grand Master of County Armagh Grand Black Chapter.

There are early records stating that it was encamped in 'The Old Fever Hospital", until 1868,- it was stated that a gratuity of 20 shillings was given to a Mrs Albin (presumably the caretaker)"in consequence of the lodge leaving")- when they moved to "The Town Hall"- Where they shared the lodge-room of LOL No 56 ' It is recorded that in 1877 they were encamped in "The Orange Hall".

The present warrant, under which the Preceptory is working, was issued in the name of John Allen in 1869.

Degrees did not seem to be given at regular intervals as quite a few seemed to be given at the same meeting, perhaps it was difficult to get Lecturers as on the 6th January, 1868 a Bro Boyd of Gilford was paid 6/. For "attendance to give orders"
(this was probably his travelling expenses and food).

On the 3rd July 1876 the Worshipful Master John Allen was given authority to order a “White Cloak”, (Was this perhaps to wear on parade on the 13th July?)

Click here to see a RBP 25 old bannerette and a picture of their warrant.

List of the Worshipful Masters for R.B.P. 25 "Allen's Chosen Few"

1853-64 - Sir Knt Thomas Henry 1945-46 – Sir Knt W M Kennedy 1977-78 – Sir Knt John Smith
1864-73 - Sir Knt William Redmond 1946-47 – Sir Knt Thos. J Parker 1978-79 – Sir Knt Ed Jones
1873-1903 -Sir Knt John Allen 1947-48 – Sir Knt James Richardson 1979-81 – Sir Knt E Matchett
1903-15 - Sir Knt William Best 1948-49 – Sir Knt Wm Whitla 1981-82 – Sir Knt Robert Stewart
1915-18 - Sir Knt John Ration 1949-50 – Sir Knt James Flannigan 1982-83 - Sir Knt R. Black
1918-19 - Sir Knt Thomas Ireland 1950-51 – Sir Knt N Woods 1983-84 - Sir Knt D. McConnell
1919-21 - Sir Knt Alex Adair 1951-52 – Sir Knt Lewis Roney 1984-85 - Sir Knt J. Lyness
1921-22 – Sir Knt David Robinson 1952-53 – Sir Knt W J Power 1985-86 - Sir Knt J. Pickering
1922-23 – Sir Knt W J Robinson 1953-54 – Sir Knt Wm Herron 1986-87 - Sir Knt W. Power (Junior)
1923-24 – Sir Knt Nat Woods 1954-55 – Sir Knt R Jones 1987-88 - Sir Knt D. Jones
1924-25 – Sir Knt Jos Benson 1955-56 – Sir Knt W J Power junior 1988-89 - Sir Knt D. Faulkner
1925-26 – Sir Knt Jas W Magowan 1956-57 – Sir Knt John Dermott 1989-90 - Sir Knt J. Power (Junior)
1926-27 – Sir Knt James Wright 1957-58 – Sir Knt W R Trimble 1990-91 - Sir Knt R. Ruddell
1927-28 – Sir Knt George Gregory 1958-59 – Sir Knt Robert Black 1991-92 - Sir Knt R. H. Creane
1928-29 - Sir Knt Stewart Tyble 1959-60 – Sir Knt D Berkley 1992-93 - Sir Knt G. Watson
1929-30 – Sir Knt R J Magowan 1960-61 – Sir Knt W D Robinson 1993-94 - Sir Knt K. Hobson
1930-31 - Sir Knt Arthur Barr 1962-63 – Sir Knt D E Francey 1994-95 - Sir KntW. Power (Senior)
1931-32 – Sir Knt J H Pierson 1963-64 – Sir Knt W Kerr 1995-96 - Sir Knt G. Conn
1932-33 – Sir Knt W J Quinn 1964-65 – Sir Knt Thomas Best 1996-98 - Sir Knt D. Blair
1933-34 – Sir Knt Edward Barr 1965-66 – Sir Knt R Flannigan 1998-01 - Sir Knt David. Rudd
1935-36 – Sir Knt W H Kane 1966-67 – Sir Knt W Pepper 2001-06 - Sir Knt Unknown
1936-37 – Sir Knt W Morrow 1967-68 – Sir Knt Jas Thompson 2007-08 - Sir Knt Harry Cooke
1937-38 – Sir Knt W D Richardson 1968-70 – Sir Knt Wm McCullough  
1938-39 – Sir Knt Thomas Harris 1970-71 – Sir Knt J Cassidy  
1939-40 – Sir Knt W J Heyburn 1971-72 – Sir Knt R Jones  
1940-41 – Sir Knt David A Rocke 1972-73 – Sir Knt Sam Anderson  
1941-42 – Sir Knt W Power 1973-74 – Sir Knt John Anderson  
1942-43 – Sir Knt Jos Henning 1974-75 – Sir Knt B Houston  
1943-44 – Sir Knt H Whitten 1975-76 – Sir Knt A Whitten  
1944-45 – Sir Knt W H Dickson 1976-77 – Sir Knt J Maguire  

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