Ashburton, Devon
Mr. J. H. Amery says in Devon Notes and Queries:
‘We can hardly credit the fact that so little reliable information or even traditional legend, remains in the small inland market towns where so many officers were held prisoners on parole until as recently as 1815. It certainly speaks well for their conduct, for had any tragedy been connected with their stay, tradition would have preserved its memory and details. For several years prior to 1815 a number of educated foreigners formed a part of the society of our towns. At one time they were lively Frenchmen, at others sober Danes or spendthrift Americans. They lodged and boarded in the houses of our tradesmen; they taught the young people modern languages, music and dancing; they walked our streets and roads, and took a general interest in passing events; yet to-day hardly a trace can be discovered of their presence beyond a few neglected mile-stones on our country roads, and here and there a grave in our Parish churchyards. This is particularly the case with Ashburton.’
He goes on to say that he got more information about the American prisoners at Ashburton from a Bostonian who was at the post-office there, making inquiries, than from anyone else. This Bostonian’s grandfather was a naval surgeon who had been captured on the Polly; had been sent to Dartmoor, but was released on parole to Ashburton.
Mr. Amery gives as an instance of this local indifference to the past the fact that the family of Mr. Joseph Gribble, solicitor and county coroner, who had been prisoner agent at Ashburton, had lived opposite to the entrance to the vicarage until 1899, but that by that time everything about the prisoners had been forgotten by them.
Mr. Amery writes to me:
‘I have heard our people say that my great-uncle who lived here at that time used to have open house for the prisoners on parole. The French were very nice and gentlemanly, but the Americans were a much rougher lot, and broke up things a good deal. The French used to teach French and dancing in the town.’
The following Masonic Petition from Ashburton is interesting:
‘Ashburton, April 6, 1814, of our Lord, and in Masonry 5814. To the Grand Master, Grand Wardens, and Members of the Grand Lodge, London.
‘Brethren,
‘We, the undersigned, being Ancient York Masons, take the liberty of addressing you with this Petition for our Relief, being American prisoners of war on parole at this place. We are allowed 10s. 6d. per week for our support. In this place we cannot get lodgings for less than 3s. per week, and from that to 5s. per week. Meat is constantly from 9d. to 1s. per lb., and other necessaries in proportion. Judge, brethren, how we live, for none of us have any means of getting money. Our clothes are wearing out, and God knows how long we shall be kept here; many of us have been captured 9 or 10 months, as you will see opposite our signatures. We form a body in this place by ourselves for the purpose of lecturing each other once a week, and have had this in contemplation for some time, but have deferred making application until absolute want has made it necessary. We therefore pray that you will take into consideration and provide some means for our relief. You will please address your letter to Edwin Buckannon.
‘We humbly remain your pennyless brethren.
‘Edwin Buckannon. G. W. Burbank. Pierson Baldwin. Wm. Miller. Archd. Taylor, Junr. Ezra Ober. Wm. Smith. James Lans. John Schers.’
There was also a French Lodge at Ashburton, ‘Des Amis Réunis’, but the only record of its existence is a certificate granted to Paul Carcenac, an initiate. It is roughly drawn by hand on parchment, and is entirely in French, and, as the recipient is under obligation to affiliate himself to some regularly warranted French Lodge immediately on his return to his native land, it would seem that the Lodge at Ashburton was only of a temporary or irregular character.
The foregoing references to Freemasonry remind us that this universal brotherhood was the occasion of many graceful acts during the Great Wars between men of opposing sides.