James Wilson (Orangeman)
Encyclopedia
James Wilson was the founder of the Orange Institution
, also known as the Orange Order.
After a disturbance in Benburb
on 24 June 1794, in which Protestant homes were attacked, Wilson appealed to the Freemasons, of which he was a member, to organise themselves in defence of the Protestant population.
The Masons refused, so an indignant Wilson left them and prophesied that he "would light a star...which would eclipse them forever". He had already organised the "Orange Boys" at the Dyan in County Tyrone
in 1792, as is evidenced by the notice in The News Letter
on 1 February 1793 which referred to a meeting of the 138 members of the Orange Boys held on 22 January 1793. The three main founders were James Wilson, Daniel Winter
and James Sloan
. It was named to commemorate the victory of the Protestant William of Orange
over his father-in-law the Catholic King James II
at the Battle of the Boyne
in 1690 during the Glorious Revolution
.
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
, also known as the Orange Order.
After a disturbance in Benburb
Benburb
Benburb is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies seven miles from Armagh and nine miles from Dungannon.Recently Benburb has seen a revival in businesses basing themselves there, Arts and Crafts being the main businesses, there is also a café and a restaurant at...
on 24 June 1794, in which Protestant homes were attacked, Wilson appealed to the Freemasons, of which he was a member, to organise themselves in defence of the Protestant population.
The Masons refused, so an indignant Wilson left them and prophesied that he "would light a star...which would eclipse them forever". He had already organised the "Orange Boys" at the Dyan in County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
in 1792, as is evidenced by the notice in The News Letter
The News Letter
The News Letter is one of Northern Ireland's main daily newspapers, published Monday to Saturday. It is the oldest English language general daily newspaper still in publication in the world, having first been printed in 1737....
on 1 February 1793 which referred to a meeting of the 138 members of the Orange Boys held on 22 January 1793. The three main founders were James Wilson, Daniel Winter
Daniel Winter
Daniel "Dan" Winter is an American new age author, lecturer, computer graphics artist and sacred geometry researcher. Lecturing around the world, he has produced various books and over 50 videotapes on numerous subjects, including sacred geometry, geomancy, the origin of gravity, the fractal...
and James Sloan
James Sloan
James Sloan may refer to:* James Sloan, co-founder of the Orange Institution in 1795* James F. Sloan, head of US Coast Guard Intelligence* James Sloan , United States Congressman from New Jersey...
. It was named to commemorate the victory of the Protestant William of Orange
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
over his father-in-law the Catholic King James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
at the Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
in 1690 during the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
.