John Brown (Oil on Canvas by Branwell Bronte)
In every Lodge there are always some Brethren who play an above average part in Lodge affairs. Indeed the record of some Brethren leads one to the conclusion that but for them, their Lodge would have, of necessity, surrendered its Warrant.
One such Brother was John Brown, initiated into the Lodge in September 1830, he was one of the proposers to apply for a new Warrant and for the Lodge to be reinstated. He was the first Master in 1832 after issue of the new Warrant.
Such was the state of the Lodge that over a period of 20 odd years, that, for whatever reason, he acted as Master on thirteen occasions. John Brown, who died on the 10th August 1855 aged 51 years, was not only one of the Brethren who helped ensure the future of the Lodge but was also closely associated with the Bronte family.
He was the Church sexton for 20 years, his Father before him having served as sexton for 27 years. He and Joseph Redman proposed Branwell Bronte for membership of the Lodge in 1836 and John Brown maintained a close supportive friendship with Branwell until the latter’s death in 1848. Indeed he was with Branwell shortly before his death on the 24th September.
In his book “In the steps of the Brontes” Ernest Raymond writes “John Brown saw, or suspected, that he was about to die and called the family. And when they had all come, he, in his decency, slipped away. He did not go across the lane to his home but into the empty belfry of the Church. Why? Maybe because it was Sunday morning and the bells would be ringing for Morning Prayers; maybe to toll a passing bell; but maybe for neither of these reasons, since it was still only nine 0′ clock; and he did not know how long his friend would live. Let us not intrude upon his retreat, but leave him there”
Often called by Branwell “Old Knave of Trumps”, John Brown continued to maintain a close contact with the Bronte family, particularly the Rev.Patrick Bronte. His daughter Martha had entered into the service of the Brontes in her early teens. Later, on becoming the Curate and before his marriage to Charlotte,. the Rev A.B.Nichols lodged with the Browns in “their little house against the school”
John Brown’s Grand Lodge Certificate dated November 1832 is on display in the Lodge room together with that of Joseph Redman. The Browns’ family grave is in the Churchyard near the Parsonage wall and is signposted as a point of interest for the benefit of the many thousands of visitors to Haworth.
In his 1931 History of Three Graces, of John Brown, Bro W.Feather writes “It will be difficult to find a case comparable with this, of a Brother giving such a record of service to our cause, His talents and ability, no doubt, were a great feature in the successful steering of the Lodge through the first years of its reconstruction, over the rough seas, without quitting the helm of rectitude.
