THE name Peter Ogden belongs to a man who has a special place in the evolution of black people since their emancipation from slavery in 1834. With his own slavery background and grit as a self- educated man, Ogden did not take lightly the rebuff he got when he sought to join an Oddfellows lodge in New York, which proved to be white-only.

His hope and expectation were to receive some of the benefits such lodges promised men of character seeking to protect themselves and families in times of sickness and adversity.

Ogden was a seaman aboard a ship trading between New York and England. He so impressed his fellow sailors they encouraged him to join their lodge, Victoria Lodge No. 448 in Liverpool.

He so mastered the society’s ritual that he was granted a warrant which enabled him, on March 1, 1843, to establish the Grand United Order of Oddfellows in America (GUO of OF.)

Bermudian scholar the late Dr. Kenneth E. Robinson, tells us on page 163 of his book, Heritage: “When the Peter Ogden story reached Bermuda it fired the imagination of a group of black men who decided to go to the USA and to become members of the New York Lodge, and having done so, they returned home and made known their favoured impressions about Odd-Fellowship.”

Upon their urging, Somers Pride of India of India Lodge, No. 899 was formed in1848, under a pride of India tree in St. George’s. Four years later, in 1852, brother lodges were formed. They were Alexandrina No. 1026 in Hamilton and Albert Lodge, No. 1027 in Somerset.

So, to mark the 155th anniversary of Alexandrina Lodge, members gathered on Sunday for their annual thanksgiving service, as well as in tandem with Odd Fellows everywhere, for the Ogden Day celebration.

The Rev. O’Brien Cartwright was the guest preacher. He expounded on the theme of “Giving Thanks to God for our Fathers”. Barrister Leo Mills delivered the Peter Ogden address.

Mr. Mills, an officer of Alexandrina Lodge, said it was fitting that May 10, being the anniversary date of Alexandrina, should fall during observance of Heritage Month in Bermuda.

His lodge has deep and extensive connections with Bermuda’s heritage, having been at times, the country’s most prominent social and cultural centre. “We have a deep interest in maintaining our legacy,” he added.

Alexandrina is the lodge situated directly south of the Drive-in Bank of Bermuda, Court Street, and Hamilton.

Our picture shows Alexandrina Lodge Odd Fellows with guests from kindred societies at their 155th Thanksgiving Service and Peter Ogden Day luncheon. Seated are top lodge officers, from the right, Stamford Hart, Gladwin Lambert, Eugene Creighton and Leo Mills. Also guest preacher Rev. O’Brien Cartwright and Sis. Irene Seaton, the oldest member present of Alexandrina’s sister lodge, the Household of Ruth. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers.