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between the lone soldier and the angry colonists. Th e of mentoring by a Sr. Warden’s advice, guidance, and
soldier fought back injuring one colonial rock thrower counsel in the proper use of the Compasses.
with his bayonet.
We might all hope to leave some measure of an
Th e crowd then continued to grow and a relief squad inspirational legacy but not one that “Inspires”
of British soldiers arrived to protect the original guard. snickering.
Th e growing mob changed from rocks and snowballs
to sticks and Clubs. Th e confrontation continued to
escalate while Brother Knox continued his eff orts
pleading with the troops not to fi re and for the crowd
to stand back. His eff orts were to no avail. Th e crowd
continued their attack and someone fi red a fi rst shot.
Th e result was 5 colonists killed and six wounded.

Th e British offi cer in command was arrested and
stood trial on charges of murder. Bro. Knox testifi ed in Reprinted from "Civility of Members of Revolutionry War
his defense stating that he did not give the command to Military Lodges" Donald McDougal, 2021, the Maine Mason
fi re. By so doing he saved his enemy’s life. Two soldiers magazine, Winter, 2021. Grand Lodge of AF&AM of Maine.
were convicted of manslaughter and were branded on
the thumb in compliance with British penalties.

Aft er the war in the fall of 1784, Bros. Knox and
Lafayette met in Boston then sailed along the coast of
Maine south of Penobscot Bay. Brother Knox died
October 25, 1806 from an infection which developed
aft er he choked on a chicken bone which got caught
when he tried to swallow it a few days earlier. Not
all who lived during that time period necessarily
shared the same loft y ideals & integrity. Lest we get
discouraged, we must keep in mind that humanity
has always had areas for improvement trying to follow
social mores of their time. As in the following court
case heard in Carleton County New Brunswick.
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Carleton County NB Council Records 1791 – April
1719 General Sessions

“_____ _____ a gentleman of St. George was a
Lieutenant in the 80th Regiment, Sundry Bills and
Presentments found by the Grand Jury: — Lewdness:
—Jurors of our Sovereign Lord of the King upon their
oaths and affi rmation present. Th at for some time past
divers persons have been and still continue to be in the
practice of Committing Fornication with Lewd &
Infamous Women kept by them for that purpose,
within the said county, Whereby bad example is held
up to the Community in general, and the peace of
his Majesty’s good subjects greatly disturbed by the
unlawful practice. Wherefore the Jurors aforesaid, to
prevent Evil Consequences which may probably ensue
unless the off enders are brought to condign punishment
– Present: _____ _____ now or late of the said county, Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana
Gentleman at St. Georges aforesaid has lived and now PO Box 1158, Helena, MT 59624-1158
(406) 442-7774 www.grandlodgemontana.org
lives in habits of Lewdness and Fornication with one
____ ____...” He appears to have been in dire need
Montana Freemason Page 33 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2