Deceased Brethren

Henry Samuel Hollings (died 1918, aged 77) was a native of Bromyard, Worcestershire, England who stayed in Canada after service with the British Army in Ontario. He came to British Columbia about 1883 and settled in Cobble Hill, where he became a prosperous farmer. His name appears in the Voters List for the 1898 B.C. provincial election.

In December 1899 he became a Charter Member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 in Duncan. Temple Lodge, No.33 records indicate that he was originally a member of Chatham Lodge, No.47 in Ontario. He served as Tyler of Temple Lodge during the 10 weeks between 16 December 1899 – 28 February 1900. He remained a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 until June 1901, when he applied for a demit from Temple Lodge, No.33.

Henry Samuel Hollings’ farm was located south of Duncan on the east and west sides of what is now Cobble Hill Road, between Sheppard Road on the north and Shawnigan Lake / Mill Bay Road on the south. The Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Cobble Hill Historical Society have published an historical map showing the landholdings of pioneer residents, including Henry Hollings’ farm.

Here is a link to another map showing pioneer landholdings in the Cowichan Valley, including Henry Hollings’ famr.

We will do more research on Henry Samuel Hollings to find out, among other things, his lodge membership information in Ontario and why he demitted from Temple Lodge, No. 33 in June 1901.

Here is a brief biography of Henry Samuel Hollings taken Temple Lodge records and from the local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“….It was further ordered by the W.M. that a committee of three consisting of the S.W.. Treasurer and Sec’y be appointed in the case of Bro. Hollings with instructions to investigate the number of meetings Bro. Hollings discharged the duties of Tyler of this Lodge and that he be allowed the sum of $1.50 for his services on each evening and the same be applied to his dues and he be granted a demit…”

(Source: Temple Lodge, No.33 Minute Book, page 25, Regular meeting of 1 June 1901)

Here is Henry Samuel Hollings’ obituary in the local Cowichan Leader newspaper:

“Hollings – Mr. Henry Samuel Hollings, pioneer farmer of Mill Bay, passed to his rest on Wednesday of last week, aged 77. He was buried on Friday last at St. John’s, Cobble Hill, the Rev. J.S.A. Baskin officiating and Messrs. Frank Copley, Frank Garnett, Trevor Keene, George Frayne, Chas. Morris and Arthur Nightingale acting as pallbearers.

Born at Bromyard, Worcestershire, England, Mr. Hollings enlisted with the 29th Regiment when aged 23. He served at Malta for a year, and then in Canada, being stationed in Toronto and Hamilton. His regiment was then held in readiness during the Fenian Raid but did not come into action.

Subsequently Mr. Hollings served with it in Jamaica for several years and then bought his discharge and settled in London, Ontario, where he entered the service of the Great Western railway, since absorbed by the G.T.R. [note: Grand Trunk Railroad. It later became part of Canadian National Railway.]

Thirty five years ago he came out west and settled at Mill Bay, where he created a home amid the then forest and carved out a prosperous farm. Gradually others settled near him and by them and all with whom he became associated he was held in the highest esteem.

Two of his four sons survive, Mr. H.H. Hollings and Mr. A.E.J. Hollings, and seven grandsons, children of the first named.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 12 September 1918 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Henry Samuel Hollings is buried in St. John the Baptist Anglican Church cemetery, Cobble Hill, B.C.

Henry Samuel Hollings grave, St. John the Baptist Anglican Church cemetery, Cobble Hill, B.C.
Henry Samuel Hollings grave, St. John the Baptist Anglican Church cemetery, Cobble Hill, B.C.

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