Samuel John Booth

MASONIC BIOGRAPHIES

FAMOUS FREEMASONS

Samuel John Booth

1826-1917

Samuel John Booth was a resident of Victoria, B.C., from c. 1858 to 1917. One of four black prospectors who formed a company to mine gold at Leechtown (Leech River) in 1864, he became quite prosperous. Other than the fact that he became a British subject in order to vote, little is known of his life. His obituary records that he had no surviving family or relatives in Victoria. Booth's grave is in block G, plot 51, E 9, Ross Bay cemetery. His fallen marker lies next to a monument that marks the graves of his children and family.

Of especial interest to freemasons is a photograph of Booth wearing what appears to be masonic regalia. The regalia is probably American and may not even be masonic. It is not the style of regalia worn in the jurisdiction of British Columbia and there is no record of his membership in Grand Lodge records. There was also no masonic affiliation noted in his obituary. It is probable that he was a member of a Prince Hall lodge before he moved to Victoria.

Photo of Samuel Booth reproduced from Some reminiscences of old Victoria, Edgar Fawcett (1847-1904). Toronto : William Briggs, 1912. 294 p. 5 x 7.5. illus. Also see : BC Archives Image A-02015.

© 1871-2023 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon A.F. & A. M. Updated: 2006/10/10
freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/booth_s/booth_s.html