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No 273 warrant first came to Portadown in 1895, but apparently became dormant a few months later.
In 1798 warrant No. 273 was issued to Hugh Watson, Castlecaulfield District, Co. Tyrone. As in common with many other warrants a duplicate was issued to John Morrison, Garvagh District, Co. Londonderry, in 1829. The Co. Tyrone warrant was cancelled in 1890 and on 80 May 1895 a duplicate was issued to Portadown District at Carleton Street Orange Hall with District Master Williarn John Locke. This warrant was to fall dormant a few months later. In June 1902 LOL 540, sitting in Carleton Street Orange Hall and formed in 1899 exchanged their warrant for that of No. 273. They carried across with them the name Christian Volunteers. J. A. Haire was the Worshipful Master and G. Matchett was Deputy.
In June, 1902, No 540 (which see) took out warrant No 273 continuing the name of Christian Volunteers, J A Haire, was WM and G Matchett DM. In 1903 William David Ruddock was WM with G Mitchett DM, W Stitt secretary, and W Beattie treasurer. The same officers were in charge of affairs in 1904, but in 1905 David Philips was chaplain and John Cole secretary. In 1906 J A Haire was WM, D Philips DM, Thomas Best chaplain, William Stitt secretary, and J H Gould treasurer. In 1907 and 1908 William Beattie was WM and D Philips, DM.
In 1909 the officers were unchanged except that Moses Totton had become secretary and G Matchett DM. The latter resigned his position in September 1909, and Robert Sullivan was elected, there being no further change until March, 1910, when owing to William Beattie going to Canada, William David Ruddock was elected Master, a position he held until 1922. Leonard Wilson being DM and John Gould treasurer. Moses Totton and David Wilson were secretaries.
William Whittle has been Master since 1923, the secretaries including Joseph Thornton (1923), William Johnson (1924), Isaac Troughton (1926-9), and David Ruddock, junior, (1930-5). David Ruddock, senior, succeeded Leonard Wilson as DM in 1927. John Gould has been treasurer since 1906.
The principle officers for 1936 were - Hugh Ferguson, Bloomfield Road, Bangor, County Down; William Whittle, Devonish Place; West Street; David Ruddock, junior, Drumnasoo; John Weir, Clounagh cottages, Portadown.
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This lodge continued to function until 1962 when the warrant became dormant.
After a period of seven years the dormant warrant No. 273 was reconstituted on 5 November 1969 under the name The Rising Sons of Portadown. The Master at the lodge's re-constitution was Bro. Robert Jones. Since its reconstitution LOL 273 has continued to sit at Carleton Street Orange Hall.
On Friday 25 June 1971 LOL 273 unfurled its banner at a service of Dedication in Carleton Street Orange Hall. The banner depicts the scene of the drowning of the Protestants in the River Bann in 1641. A painting depicting the Crown and Bible is on the reverse.
The Rising Sons of Portadown was the first lodge in Portadown District to carry the Bible in a glass case when on parade. In August 1976 the lodge members opened their new lodge room in Carleton Street Orange Hall. The members had undertaken the task of renovating two store rooms at the rear of the building to make them into a lodge meeting room and kitchen. In 1991 the lodge had the honour, along with LOL 99, of heading the District Mini-Twelfth parade which commemorated the 350th Anniversary of the 1641 massacre at the River Bann.
The Rising Sons of Portadown LOL 273 celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 1994.
On January 2004, LOL 273 moved to Edenderry Orange Hall from Carleton Street.
Worshipful Masters of The Rising Sons of Portadown LOL 273:
1969-71 Robert Jones
1972-73 Samuel Anderson
1974-75 William Hanna
1976-77 W. J. McKinney
1978-79 James McKinley
1980-81 William Orr
1982-83 Cecil McVitty
1984-85 Robert Stewart
1986-87 Edward Jones
1988-89 William Power snr
1990-91. Storey McIvor
1992 R. David Jones
1993-94 Kenneth Hobson
1995- William Power jnr.
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