Isaiah's Involvement With The Sons of Temperance

Isaiah's Involvement with The Sons Of Temperance

Hazel M. Clayton, in her book Down Nova Scotia Way, describes Wilson's involvement with the Sons of Temperance:

I. W. Wilson was initiated a charter member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 96, Independent Order of Good Templars, located at Digby Ridge, Digby County, His initiation took place on May 28, 1870. For many years the Order was extinct in Digby County. For that reason Mr. Wilson placed his membership in Minnehaha Lodge, No. 28, Halifax. He was commissioned a Provincial Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar in 1872. Initiated a member of Grand Lodge, July 9, 1972, as a representative of Crescent Lodge, No. 93, Digby he became Worthy Assistant Secretary December 30, 1880, and was raised to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World in 1883.

While we haven't at hand a detailed account of his connection with the Sons of Temperance of Nova Scotia, his record was a very worthy one. He was a tireless champion of total abstinence. Several Times he walked the whole distance from Smith's Cove to Halifax and return, a total of approximately 300 miles by road. He would start off on his journey some days, or perhaps even weeks, ahead of the date of the annual or semi-annual session of the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance, of which he was an honored member, and after visiting with friends along the way, he would arrive in the city in time for the opening of the session.

Bro. Wilson joined Home Division, No. 169, Smiths Cove, November 2, 1870. He Served as Worthy Patriarch of that Division during the terms beginning July 1871; April 1877; January 1881; July 1886; January 1887; July 1890; and October 1893 and perhaps at later dates of which we have no record. He served the Division faithfully and well, not only as Worthy Patriarch, but also in many other capacities.

In appreciation of his labors for the Order the Grand Division built a house for him on Land leased from the old Jabez Snow property at Joggin Bridge. The house, situated on the right hand side of the road leading north to the residence of Dr. Alexander Leighton, is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Stoddard, Senior. At Mr. Wilson's passing the Grand Division erected a monument to his memory in the old Smith cemetery, Smith's Cove, where it is interred.

The Isaiah Wilson Division at North Range, Digby Co., was named in his honor.

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