Burrell Lodge - Brighton

History of Burrell Family

The Burrell family had been held in high regard in Sussex for centuries, in fact one of them went with Henry V to France with one ship, twenty men-at-arms and forty archers. The Rev. Gerard Burrell was Vicar of Cuckfeld from 1487 to 1509 and for generation the family resided at “Ockenden” a 17th century house near the church at Cuckfield.  The became ironmasters in Tilgate Forest between Handcross and Crawley, and the Baronetcy was created in 1766. The family acquired a considerable estate in the area between West Grinstead and Knepp, south of Horsham, and throughout the 18th century had their principal residence at West Grinstead Park House, which was rebuilt in 1806. The estate includes the ruins of the Castle of De Braose at Knepp and in 1809 Sir Merrik Burrell built the modern Knepp Castle.

Walter Wyndham Burrell went to live at “Ockenden” in 1862, he inherited the Baronetcy in 1877 (the year in which he was appointed Provincial Grand Master for Sussex) shortly after moved to West Grinstead Park where he entertained his Provincial Officers in June 1878.

He was founder Master of Ockenden Lodge consecrated at Cuckfield in March 1874 but there is no reference in the history of that Lodge or the Royal Clarence whether he had served in the office of Warden or Master. He was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1874 and became Provincial Grand Master in 1877.

During the period of eight and a half years that he occupied this office up to his death in January 1886 he missed presiding over Provincial Grand Lodge only once, when he was ill. He appears to have left all lodge consecrations in the capable hands of his Deputy, W. Bro. John Henderson Scott, but he conducted two foundation stone layings and regularly visited Lodges throughout the Province. His deputy records once occasion in December 1878 when he had promised to visit Pelham Lodge at Lewes he was required to be in the House of Commons (as an MP.) when there was a debate on a motion of “no confidence in the government”. Although heavy snow made travelling difficult he left the house, travelled to Lewes, attended the Lodge as promised, and returned to London in time to vote on the motion.

In 1884 he presented to Provincial Grand Lodge a pair of Standards which continued to be carried by the Provincial Standard Bearers on ceremonial occasions for many years. On the 9th August 1885 the foundation stone of St. Saviours Church, Ditchling Road was laid in Masonic Form by The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell MP. After his death at West Grinstead Park on the 24th January 1886 all Lodges in the Province were ordered into Masonic Mourning for a period of three months. Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell MP was often referred to as “A Fine Old English Gentleman” and there is no doubt that he created a new relationship between the head of the province and the brethren generally. Whereas his predecessors had been regarded with the highest respect, Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell was regarded with a deep and sincere affection and under him the Province grew and prospered.

Sir Charles Burrell, although SW in 1879 at the consecration of the Burrell Lodge, did not become Master until the 6th September 1883. Even then, owing to illness, he was unable to attend the October Installation Meeting. As a result he was installed Worshipful Master on the 6th March 1884 and the Banquet for Greater Convenience was held at the Royal Pavilion Brighton. On the 4th September 1884, at the Installation of Bro. Thomas Hardy, the outgoing WM, W. Bro Captain Charles Raymond Burrell, presented framed portraits of his father, The Provincial Grand Master Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, John Henderson Scott to the Lodge.

In January 1886 W.Bro Captain Charles raymond Burrell resigned thus breaking the connection between the family and the Lodge. W. Bro. Captain Charles Raymond Burrell died in 1898