I T S LE G E N DS A N D TRADITIO N S

IT S CH R O N O LO G I CAL H I STO RY

BY A L BE RT G A LL A T IN M A CKE Y ,
M D
. .
, 33
°

THE H ISTORY OF T HE

A ND THE

BY W I LL IA M R . S IN G L E TON 3 3 ,

WITH AN

BY W I LL IA M JAM E S H U G HAN
S OF OF E N G LA N D OF E G Y PT , E TC.

VO LU M E SI !

U I
P BL SHED BY

uu h ‘ ul

N ew Y O K A N D LO N DO
R N
 co p v m c H T E O
1 8 9 8 0 1 9 06 B Y

E M A S O N C H ST OR Y I I
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: Res er ve d

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 C H A PT E R LV

H I S TO RY OF TH E I NT R O DU CT I O N OF F R E E M A S O N R Y I N TO E AC STA T E
H

AN D T RR I T O R
E Y OF T H E UN I T D S TAT E ES

T lz e F i r s t Lodg es a nd m e Gra nd Lodg es ( Con ti n ud)

e .

onto .

in tr o d uct ion of M a s on ry into O hio is due to

HE
th e fact th a t s oon after the close of the War of

the R evolution th e M aster J onathan H eart and , , ,

some of the m em b ers of A m erican U nion Lo d ge

settled near M arietta Th e Charter of that .

lo d ge wh i ch had b een granted by t h e S t J o h n s

’
.
,

Gran d Lo d ge of M assachusetts February 1 5

1 776 by J ohn R o we Gran d M aster in the C onn ect i cu
, ,

,
( ,
t Line of the
A rmy) wa s h
1
eld by the M aster an d he cla i me d that it was a lo d ge
a rge an d n ot under the j u
, ,

a t l r i s d i ct ion of any Grand Lo d ge and in ,

fact it was invested with every po wer necess ary to constitute rule
“
, ,

an d go ve r n M asonry in the T erritories I t had been recogni z ed .

“
by th e Grand Lo d ge of M assachusetts Pennsylvan ia an d N ew , ,

Y ork as a const i tuent of the Grand Lo d ge of M assachusetts

,
T hi s .
!

lo d ge worked for se veral years u ntil its Charter was burned a revival
of i t was asked for from the Gran d Lo d ge of Pennsylvania whi ch ,

”
wa s declined except as one of its constituent
,
“
A ppl ication to .

t h e Grand Lo d ge of M as s achusetts was m ade w h ich aut h orized t h e ,

lo d ge to resume work un der a copy of t h e o r igin a l C h arter wit h ,

t h e expre s s provi s ion that t h e c h arter s h ould be of force only until

a Gran d Lo d ge should be form ed in the territory in w h ich it wa s
”
located .

Th e Gran d Lo d ge of O hio was o rga ni z e d J anuary 7 1 808 ,

.

1 Sho tly r a f
te r , t e h lodge h
a v i ng m ov
re ed to N ew Y or , k k a s ed for a Con fi r m a ti on of

the i Ch te o
r a r r, f m
r the D G M Dr
. . .
,
.M iddl e ton ; u
b t a new W a r ra nt wa s gra n ted u n der

the n m e of M i l i t
a y a r U n i on , No
. 1 .
— G oul d ’
s H i s tor y ,
”
vol vi . .
, p 41 5
. .

1 4 43
1 444 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY

T h
e lodges represented were merican U nion N o 1 at M arietta ; A ,
.
,

Cincinnati N o 1 3 warranted by the Gran d Lodge pf N e w J ersey

,
.
,

as N ova Cesara ca N o 1 0 now known as N C H armony N o 2 1 ,

.
,
. .
, .

Sciota N o 2 and C h illicothe warranted by the Gran d Lo dg e of

,
.
, ,

M assac h usetts in 1 805 now known as N o 6 ; E rie N o 4 7 at ,

.
, .
,

Warren warranted by the Grand Lo d ge of Connecticut M arch 1 6

, , ,

1 804 now known as O ld

,
E rie N o 3 and A mity N o 1 05 at ,
.
, .
,

Lanesville warranted by the Grand Lo d g e of Pennsylvani a i n 1 804

, ,

now N o 5 . .

J anuary 4 1 808 a preliminary convention of the delegates from

, ,

all the lodges then in O hio — six in num ber— wa s h eld i n Chillicoth e
to deliberate upon th e propriety of form ing a Gran d Lod g e an d to ,

inaugurate measures for the organ i z ation of such a body T h e con .

ve n ti on continued its deli berations four consecutive days which ,

resulted in the unan imous adoption of a resolution proposed by

Brother Lewis Cass vi z “
that it is ex pedient to form a Gran d
,

1 ”
Lodge of the State of O hio .

A few rules couched as resolutions were adopted for the forma

, ,

ti on of a Grand Lod g e and appointed the first M onday in J anuary , ,

1 809 as the time an d Ch illicothe as the place for holding the first
, ,

Grand Communication of said Gran d Lod ge T h e Grand Lodg e .

met at Chillicothe J anuary 2 1 809 and duly organ i z ed with repre , , ,

s e nta ti ve s from four lodges .

I n consequence of the absence of the representatives of A meric a n

U nion Lodge N o 1 there bei ng but four lodges represented it wa s
, .
, ,

thought that a Grand Lodge could not be leg ally org ani z ed T h e .

Grand Lodge ad j ourned from day to day and finally on J anuary , , ,

5 t h ,
it adopted 1 5 7 0 t e mpor e the Constitution of the Gran d Lodge
of Kentucky having decided that un der their peculiar circu mstance s
,

it would be right and proper to organi z e a Gran d Lodge with only

four lodges represented .

Brother R ufus Putnam wh o had been chosen Grand M aster at ,

the convention hel d in 1 808 wrote a letter to the Grand Lodge de ,

cli n i ng t h e o ffice on account of his great age w h ich was accepted

, , ,

an d Bro Samuel H untington wa s duly elected Gran d M aster

. .

Previous to t h e reception of th is letter all t h e other Gran d O ffi

cers elected t h e last year h ad been in s talled and u pon t h e electio n ,

of t h e Grand M as ter h e also was im mediately i n s talled an d all t h e ,

1
P r ocee di n gs of t he G ra nd Lodg e of O hi o .
 FR E EM A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S T A T E S 1 44 5

oth i cer s wh
e r G ra n d O fl o had j ust been elected at the same time
wit hthe Grand M a ster .

Th e Grand Lodge cl osed its sessi ons on J anuary 7 1 709 hav ing , ,

complet e d a ll things n e cessary to its proper work in M asonry .

u
Lo i s i a na .

T h
e introducti on of Freemasonry in the of Louisiana T erritory
i s principally due to the political condition of that T erritory and
the circumstances connected w ith the affairs in S an D omingo both ,

countries at that period being somewhat if not exclu sively settled , ,

by the Latin race an d their ne gro slaves M aso nry had been intro
du u
.

ced pon th e I slan d of San D om ingo from the Grand O rient of

France also by charters from the Gran d Lodge of Pennsylvania

, .

When t h e in su rrecti on occurred i n San D om ingo in 1 791 the , ,

white refu g ees spread them selves in many of the cities in the U nited
States a very larg e num ber settl ed in N ew O rleans and among them ,

were m any M asons an d in 1 793 several of these residing in N ew

,

O rlean s organi z ed into a lodge an d received a Charter from the

Gran d Lod g e of South Carolina by the name of Parfaite U nion ,

N o 2 9 the o ffi cers being i nstalled in the Y ork R ite on M arch 3 0

.
, ,

1 794 I n the same year several Brethren of the French or

.
,

M odern R ite form ed themselves into a lodge c a lled E t oile Po

,
“

”
laire ( Pol a r St a r) an d a pplied for a Charter from the Grand
,

O rient of Fran ce T h e Grand O rient having suspended its labors

.
,

in consequen ce of th e political condition of France could not issu e ,

a Charter T h e Brethren however obtained a

.
pr ovi s i on a lC h arter or
, ,

dispen sati on from the Provin cial Lodge La Pa n

’ '

k i te S z n cer z te at
/
M arseilles in 1 796 an d intrusted the sam e to D om in ique M a yronne
, ,

with auth ority to constitute the n ew lodge and install the o ffice rs ,

whi ch was d one under the French R ite D ecem ber 2 7 1 798 , ,
.

When the Grand O rient resum ed labor i n 1 803 a Charter wa s ,

issued to Polar Star Lodge N o 4 2 63 in 1 804 and Ch T essier was , .

, ,
.

deputed to deliver th e Charter and heal their work which was done , ,

an d o fficers were installed N ovember 1 1 1 804 by A Pi nard and , , ,

.

A . M a r mi llion .

T h
e early records of Perfect
n ion and Polar Star can not U “

b e foun d but th e above inform ation h as been obtained by Brot h er

,

J am es H Scot t h e h i storla n of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana

from the M anuel M a con ni q u
.
, ,

“
e a very rare work published in , ,
1 44 6 H I S TO RY O F F RE E M A S O NRY

N e w O rlean s in I t is very probable

1 t h
82 8 at these lo
.
dge s were
fo rmed about t h e s ame time but in t h e ab s ence o f t h e original ,
“

1 !

record s i t i s impo ss i ble to decide t h e que s tion .

I t i s t h oug h t t h at t h e Bret h ren wh o formed t h ese two lodges were

from t h e I s l a nd of Guadaloupe w h ic h was involved in t h e h orror s of ,

t h e neg ro i ns u rrection of 1 79 1 I n co ns equen ce of pol itical di ffer .

en ce s among t h e Frenc h i n h abitants in Louisiana gro wing out of

t h e Frenc h R evolution di fficulti es aro s e which res u

,

lted i n the re
fu
,

s a l of t h e mem bers of t h e s e two lodges to h old any M a s onic inter

cours e wit h eac h ot h er .

S ome of t h e former members of Can dor Lodge N o 1 2 i n “

,
.
,

C h arle s ton S C w h ic h was extinct h aving settled in N e w O rleans

,
. .
, , ,

applied to t h e Grand Lodge of Penn sylvania and obtai ned a C h arter ,

dated M ay 1 8 1 80 1 as Candor Lodge N o 90 I t is possi ble t h at

, , ,
. .

this lodge did not s urvive very long if it ever wa s d uly constituted , ,

a s on M arc h 1 1 802 the Grand Lodge of Pen nsylvania granted a

, ,

C h arter to C h arity Lodge N o 93 h aving the n am e of N D efi n i eto , .

,
.
,

W M wh
. .
,
o was t h e W M of Candor N o 90 T his Charter wa s . .
,
. .

not received until 1 804 and on M ay 1 3 t h of t h at year t h e lodge wa s ,

duly con s tituted and t h e officers were in s talled in t h e Y ork R ite .

O n O ctober 1 1 800 by treaty Spain retroceded the w h ole of t h e

, , ,

te rr itory of Loui s iana to F r ance w h ic h held an actual possession of ,

only twenty day s as on D ecem ber 2 0 1 803 t h e U nited States flag

, , ,

wa s ra ised in N e w O rlean s France having sold the w h ole territory ,

to t h e U nited S tates T h is c h ange in t h e political condition made .

equally a c h a nge in M asonic a ffairs an d from t h at date on V iz , ,

.
,

1 804 M a s onry a s s umed quite a di fferent attitude in Louisiana

, .

A ch ange also in t h e I s land of S an D om ingo caused a very

large num ber of t h e refugee s of 1 79 1 to return to t h eir old
h ome s an d t h e F renc h contingent among t h e M a s ons in N e w
,

O rlean s wa s g reatly reduced T h e A me r ican element w h ic h h ad i n .

,

M a s onic matte r s been muc h in t h e m inority began to increase ,

and s oon p r evailed .

A duplicate C h arter from t h e Gran d O rient of France wa s

received J uly 2 0 1 807 h
, e a ri n
g date
,
of February 1 7 1 806 by the , , ,

Lodge La U nion D e s i ree N o 3 01 3 w h ic h h ad been under the

“ ”

au s pice s of t h e Gran d O rient of France at Port a uPrince

.
, ,

,
, ,

A pril 1 6 1 783 , D uring t h e revolution of 1 79 1 t h e C h arter

.
,

J m H S cot
1
H i to y of M
a o y i n Lou i i
es .
, s r a s nr s a na .
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 44 7

archives etc had been destroyed T h ,

e membe r s w h o h ad fled .

to N e w O rlean s in 1 791 and had returned to San D omi n go in ,

1 802 had been agai n com pelled to flee to N e w O rlean s t h e

,

secon d time I n 1 806 M asons from t h e N o rt h er n pa rt of t h e

.

U nited States applied for an d obtained a C h a r ter from t h e G r an d

Lodge of N ew Y ork on September 2 1 807 now Loui s iana Lodge
I n t h e M anuel M a con n iq u
, , , ,

No 2 . . e it is N o 1 01 w h ich i s
“
.
,

an error of the aut h or T his wa s t h e fir s t lodge i n N e w O rleans .

that worked i n t h e E ngli s h language and its fir s t W M was t h e , . .

celebrated jurist E dward Livingstone .

Polar Star Lodge N o 4 2 63 applied to t h e Gran d O rient o f ,

.
,

France an d obtain ed a C h arter to h ol d a Chapter of R o s e Croix ,

which wa s constituted an d o fficers in s talled M ay 2 4 1 807 a s La “

Vert u
, , ,

R é compens é e N o ,
.

O n September 1 5 1 808 a Y ork R ite C h arter was issued to , ,

some of the mem bers of Lodge La R é u n ion D es iree N o 3 82 9 by ,

.
,

th e same name but num bered 1 1 2 by t h e Grand Lodge of Penn ,

~

sylvania T h is lodge dissolved M arch 2 3 1 81 2

.
, .

T hi s muc h of t h e early h i s tory i n Louisiana m ust su ffice as to ,

conti nue a specific n otice of all t h e lodges chartered and the various
contests which gre w out of t h e various rites i n u s e and the Cumu ,

lation thereof would utilize our entire remaining page s of t h i s chap

,

ter hence mu s t proceed to the organization of t h e Grand Lodge

,
.

I t appears from t h e records that twelve lodges had recei ved

charters i n N ew O rleans prior to t h e organi z ation of a Grand
Lodge as will appear i n the following table
,

N AME OF LO DG E . BY W H OM CH A R T E R E D. DAT E OF CH A R T E R .

P f
er e ct U ni on G ra n d Lod g of S ou
e thC ol i n a a r h
M a r c 3 0, 1 794
ge Si nc i té M s i ll
.

Pr o Lod D e ce mb e r 2 7, 1 798
P01 a r S ta r
.

u
er

R e con s tr cted b y G r a nd r i en ta
, a r

O
e es

l
.

of F ra n ce v
N o e mb e r 1 1 , 1 804
.

G P ylv
. .

Ca ndor ra n d Lod e of g e nn s a ni a M a y 1 8, 1 801

y G ylv h
.

h
C a ri t g
r a n d Lod e of Pen n s M a r c 1 , 1 802
uy
a ni a

u G O
.

R é n i on D e s i r ée ra nd r i e n t of F r a n ce Feb r a r 1 7, 1 807
u G
.
.

Lo i s i a n a g
ra n d Lod e of N e w Y or k S epte mb er 2 , 1 807
u G
.

R é n i on D e s i r é e r a n d Lod e of g e nn sP a nia ylv S e pte mb er 1 5 , 1 808

G O
.

Con cor d ra n d Lod e of g en n sP a ni a ylv ctob er 7, 1 81 0

G O
.

P v
er s e e r a n ce ra n d Lod e of g P
enn s y a nia lv ctob er 7, 1 81 0
G
.

H m y on ra n d Lod e of g e nn sP a ni a ylv v
N o e mb e r 1 9, 1 81 0
u
a r

G
.

Pl S
o a r ta r a n d Lod e of g e nn s Py a nia lv J n e 3 , 1 81 1
u
r
Bi f i G
.

en a s a n ce ra n d Con s i s tor y
of J a ma i ca J n e 2 2 , 1 81 I .

Of h
t es e l g C ndo
N o 90, Y or k R i te , wa s pe r a ps n e e r or a n i e d ; R é nni on D e s rr é e ,
od e s , a r, h v g z h
Pl
.

n chR i t
e a e d t o wor k, N ove mb e r 2 7 1 808 ;
‘

N O 3 82 9, F r e e, c s o a r S ta r , N O 4 2 93 , F r e n c R i te ,
u u lv h
.
. ,

a dj o r n e d s i n e dz e, Octob er 1 3 , 1 81 1 ; R é n i on D e s rr é e , N o 1 1 2 , Y or k R i te , di s s o e d, M a r c 2 3 ,
1 81 2 ; a n d B f
i e n a i s a n ce , N o 1 , S cott i s h
R i te a ffi i a te d wi thCon cor d, N O 1 1 7 M a y 2 7, 1 81 2 , l
u u
.

v v l ll v y
.

h
, ,

g
lea i n s e e n odge s i n f a cti i t a n d a ll wor ki ng t e Y or k R i te, vi z N mb er s 1 , 4 , 6, 8, 9, I O, .

1 1 . a n d 1 2 i n t e a b o e t a b le
, h v .
1 44 8 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S ON R Y
Loui s ian a was admitted as a S tate by A ct of Congress A pril 8 , ,

1 81 2 to take e f
,
fect after A pril 3 ot h T his c h ange p olitically had a .

corr e s ponding result masonically .

Perfect U nion Lodge N o 2 9 had t h e honor of taking initiatory ,

.
,

s tep s toward t h e organization of a Grand Lodge whic h resulted i n ,

a m e eting A pril 1 8 1 81 2 of t h e delegates of Perfect U nion Lodge

, , , ,

N o 2 9 ; C h arity Lodge N o 93 ; Louisiana Lodge N o 1 Con

.
,
.
,
.

co r d Lodge N o 1 1 7 Perseverance Lodge N o 1 1 8 H armony

,
. ,
.

Lodge N o 1 2 2 and Polar S tar Lodge N o 1 2 9 T h ese delegates

,
. ,
. .

organized t h em s elves into a General Com m ittee of t h e State of

“

Loui s iana to provide for t h e establis h ment of a Gran d Lodge in the

City of N ew O r leans P F D ubourg was t h e first President . . . .

O n May 1 6t h following a second meeting was h eld Charity ,

Lodge N o 93 not being represented ; an d a com m unication was

,
.
,

received from Louisiana Lodge N o 1 saying t h at in t h eir O pinion ,

.
,
‘

it would be i nexpedient at present to j oin in the proposed forma

tion of a Grand Lodge ; w h ereupon a resolution was pas s ed request ~

ing t h e W M a s ter of the S enior of t h e regular lodges in the S tate

.
,

1
Pe r fect U nion N o 2 9 to i s sue his su mm ons to the Masters
,
.
, ,

Pa s t M asters and O fficers of the several A n cient an d regularly con

,

s tituted lodges i n the State to m eet i n convention to take int o

con s i deration t h e interests of t h e true Craft an d to deliberate on the ,

neces s ity of establishing a Gran d Lodge i n t h e State which was a c ,

cor di n gly done and the convention met J une 1 3 1 81 2 and the fol
, , ,

lowing repre s entatives were pre s ent viz : Perfect U nio n N o 2 9 ; ,

.
,
.

C h arity N o 93 ; Concord N o 1 1 7 ; Perseverance N o 1 1 8 Polar

, .
,
.
,
.

S tar N o 1 2 9 A s soon as the convention wa s organi z ed the Pre 5 1

dent Brot h er D ubourg s tated that he had received a commu
. .
,

, n i ca ,

tion from H armony Lodge N o 1 2 2 which h ad wit h dra wn fro m ,

.
,

t h e convention T h e convention adjourned to meet J un e 2 0th

. next .

J une 2 0 1 81 2 t h e Grand Convention then m et and elected t h e

, ,

Gr a nd O fficers P F D ubourg bei n g elected Grand M a s ter wh . o .

,

wa s duly in s talled after t h e election of t h e Grand O ffi cers an d by a ,

re s olution adopted t h e Gran d M aster installed all t h e ot h er Grand

,

O fficers on J uly 1 1 t h following .

A t a communication held A ugust 1 5 1 81 2 t h e comm ittee a p , ,

pointed for t h a t purpo s e reported a draft of a Con s titution which

wa s adopted .

nci e n t t e r m
1
A for N otifi ca ti on .
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 44 9

At a quarterly com m unication held M arch 2 7 1 81 3 the Gran d , ,

M aster ann ounced that a Gran d R oyal A rch Chapter had been or
g a n i z e d an d attached to the Gran d Lodge of Louisiana Th e Gran d .

Chapter h a d been organized M arch 8 1 81

3 by Concord
, and Per , ,

severance Chapter workin g under charters from the Grand

,

C h apter of Pen nsylvania and attached to the lodges of the sam e

nam e O n M arch 1 3 th the G ran d O fficers were elected and i n
.

stalled .

T o follow th e history of the Gran d Lod g e of Louisiana woul d

require m ore space than can b e permitted h ere we must close with
the date of M arch 1 81 3 , .

T enn es s ee .

Warrants to organi z e lodges h ad been issued from th e G rand

Lodge of N orth Carolin a as early as 1 796 and one from K entucky .

T hese lodges held a convention at Knoxville in D ecember 1 81 1 , ,

an d adopted the followin g :

R es olved T hat i n the opinion of thi s Convention the num ber
,

of A n cient Y ork M ason s in t h is State as well as the state of society

req u
,

ire th e formation of a Gran d Lodge within the same for the

better regulation and extension of t h e Craft .

“
R es olved T h at a Comm ittee b e appointed for the purpose of
,

drawing u p an address to the Grand Lodge of N orth Carolina s o ,

lici ti n g th eir assent to the establishm ent of a Grand Lod g e i n the

State of T en nessee .

Th e Gran d Lodge of N orth Carol ina g ranted this request an d

the convention again m et O ctober 1 4 1 81 3 an d the Grand Lodge , ,

was constitutionally established an d the Grand O ffi cers were elected

a n d installed .

p
' '

M
'

es s z s s z
p z .

Th
e first lodge in M issi s sippi which received a Warrant from
t h e Grand Lodge of K entucky was H armony N o 3 3 ; originally ,
.

N o 7 by a C h arter O ctober 1 6 1 801

.
, T wo ot h er lodges viz : , .
,
.

A ndrew J ackson N o 1 5 and Washington N o 1 7 received their

,
.
, , .
,

warrants from t h e Gran d Lodge of T ennessee J uly 2 7 1 81 8 A ,

.

convention was held i n t h e city of N atchez when it wa s re s olved ,

that it was n ecessary and expedient to form a Grand Lodge for t h e

S tate of M i ss i ss mpi O n A ugust a 5 thfollowing t h e conventio n
.
,
1
4 50 H IS TO RY OF F RE E M A S ON RY

again met and t h e Grand Lodge was regularly constitute d

,
. H enry
T oo h ey was elected Grand M a s ter .

T h
e Grand M aster of Penn ylvania I srael I srael issued a dis s , ,

for s i x months to Western Star Lodge N o 1 07 to be

t i on
p e nsa ,
.
,

located at Kas ka s kia situated near the m out h of t h e O ka w (n ow ,

Ka skaskia) R iver w h ere it empties into the M ississippi R iver S ep , ,

tember 2 4 1 805 A t t h at period I llinois was i n the I n dian T erri

,
.

tory T h is lodge received its C h arter wh ic h wa s granted J une 2

.
, ,

1 806 and on S eptem ber 1 3 th foll owing the lodge was regularly con
, ,

st ituted T h is lodge was doubtless th e first one establi s h ed i n t h at

.

T erritory — now comprising the S tates of Wiscon s in and I llinois and

”

a part of M inne s ota .

Th e Grand Lodge of Kentucky issued a C h arter A ugust 2 8 , ,

1 81 5 to Lawrence Lodge to b e located at Shawneetown the

, ,

Grand Lodge of T ennes s ee issued a Ch arter O ctober 6 1 81 9 to

Li ba nu
, , ,

s Lodge at E dward s ville ; J u ne 2 0 1 82 0 th

, e Gran d M a s ter , ,

of T ennes s ee issued a di s pensation to T emple Lodge at Belleville , ,

St Clair County w h ic h wa s surrendered in 1 82 1

.
, .

From the Grand Lodge of M issou ri at variou s dates in 1 82 2 t h e

following warrants were granted : O ctober 3 1 82 2 O live Branch , , ,

N o 5 at A lton I ll ; O ctober 8 1 82 2 Vandalia N o 8 at Van

.
, , .
, , ,
.
,

dalia ; O ctober 9 1 82 2 Sangamon N o 9 at S pringfiel d ; O ctober , , ,

.
,

2 4 1 82 2
, U nion N o 1 0 at J onesboroug h ; O ctober 8 1 82 2 E den
, ,
.
, , , ,

N o 1 1 at Covington
.
, .

Th e Grand Master of I ndiana issued a dispensation M arch 1 2 , ,

1 82 2 to A lbio n Lodge at A lbion

, , .

A ll t h e abo ve lodges except S angam on sent delegates to a con

ve nti on at Vandalia whic h met D ecem ber 1 82 2 T h ey adopted
9 , .

a con s titution w h ic h wa s s ent to t h e lodges for t h eir consi deration

, .

E ig h t of t h ese lodge s we r e represented at a convention held D ecem

b e r 1 1 82 3 and a Gran d Lodge was duly organized
, , Th e Grand .

M a s ter wa s in sta lled by D r H ardage Lane of St Louis M o t h e .

,
.
, .
,

D eputy Gran d Ma s t er of t h e G r and Lodge of M i s s ouri .

I n 1 82 7 t h e Gran d Lodge of I llinois we n t out of existence an d ,

after J une 2 4 1 82 7 every Lodge in t h e S tate wa s s o e ffectually

a s been fo u
, ,

blotted out t h at no trace of any of t h em h nd .

”

I t is s uppo s ed t h at a s t h e anti Ma s onic excitement h ad ab out -

,
 F R E E M AS ON R Y IN TH E UN ITED S TAT E S 1 45 1

t h at tim e begun to work its wa y to the We s t the M asons we re

, ,

more or less l ukewarm i n the cause an d pol itics being some

w h at m ixed u
,

p i n t h e a f
f air the Brethren let the m atter drop for ,

a while .

Th e Grand Lodge of Kentucky i s s ued a dispensation to Bod

ley Lodge N o 97 at Q ui ncy I ll t h ere being at t h at time no work

,
.
, , .
,

ing lodge i n t h e S tate T h at lodge was warranted A ugu s t 3 0 1 83 8 .

, .

T h at Gran d Lodge likewise warranted E quality Lodge N o 1 02 at , .

,

E quality in Gallatin County A ugust 2 9 1 83 7 ; and O ttawa N o

, , , , .

1 1 4 at O ttawa County of Lasalle September 1

, 1 740 Th e Grand , , , .

M a s ter of Kentucky issued a dispen s ation to Friendship Lodge a t

D ixon in 1 840 .

Th e Gran d Lodge of M is s ouri warranted

Franklin Lodge at A lton in 1 82 7

, ,

H armony Lodge at J ack s onville i n 1 83 8 , ,

Springfiel d Lodge a t Spri ngfield in 1 83 9 .

,

T em perance Lodge a t Vandalia in 1 83 9 .

,

Far We s t Lodge at Ga lena in 1 83 9 , ,

M oun t M oria h Lodge at H illsboro in 1 840 , ,

Clin ton Lodge at Carli s le in , 1 840 ,

A di s pensation to Colum bus Lodge N o 2 0 at Columbus in , .

, ,

1 83 9 .

D elegates from several of t h e su bordinate lodges on J anuary 3 0 ,

1 840 hel d a conventio n in J acksonville when it was re s olved to

, ,

form a Grand Lodge A comm ittee was appointed to corre s pond .

wit h t h e lodges in t h e S tate and a s k t h eir as s i s tance an d to s end ,

delegates to a convention to b e h el d at J ack s onville A pril 6 1 840 , , ,

w h ic h convention was h el d on that dateand six o f the eig h t c h ar

t e r e d lodge s and on e un der di s pensation were repre s ented an d the ,

Grand Lodge wa s t h en organ ized .

A t the meeting h el d A pril 2 8ththe Grand M aster A bra h am , ,

J onas was i nstalled by proxy

,
1
Warrants were i s s ued to th e lodges .

repre s ented an d num bered according to t h eir dates of constitution

1 T h
e he P rocee di ng s for 1 840 to 1 860 publ i s he d 1 874 s hows A pr i l 6
R e pr i n t of t , , ,

1 840 a t J a ck s on v i ll e
,
M W A b r a hm J on a s w s e l e ct e d G M
, . . A p i l 2 8th ca ll e d
a a . . r ,

from r e fr es hm en t to l a b or T he n m e of A b ra hm J ona s doe s n ot ppe r a s b ei ng a a a a

u
.

p r e s e n t J a m e s.A da m s D G M p e s ide d T h,e m i n u t

. e s s a y . O n
. m ,
o tri on ll b t .
a

P a s t M a s ter s ha v i ng r eti ed a con v oca ti on of P a s t M a s te s wa s decl a red ope n a n d the

r r ,

M W G r a n d M a s t er wa s i n s t a ll ed by pr ox y a n d th
. . e g ra n d h on ors pa i d hi m g r e e a bl e to ,
a

a nci e n t f m
or a nd u sa ge .
”
1 4 52 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N R Y
some of them ho wever did not get their new warra nts until some
, ,
.

time in 1 844 .

I n con s equence of the business relations existing between m an y

of t h e towns in I llinois an d the city of St Louis in M issouri .
,

some of the lodges i n t h o s e towns m uch preferred to h old t h eir

warrants from M is s ouri Grand Lodge as t h e representatives coul d ,

attend t h e Grand Lodge of M issouri in St Louis an d at t he s ame .

,

time tran s act t h eir commercial bu s iness in that city T h e writer .

was an o fficer of t h e Gran d Lodge of M i s s ouri in 1 84 1 —4 2 —4 3

a nd well remembers that t h ose Brethren from I llinois were urged

to withdraw from our Grand Lodge an d unite with t h e Gran d

Lodge in t h eir own S tate T hey h owever decl ined for t h e rea s on .
, ,

a bove stated We can bear witness to t h is as a j ustification of t h e

.

conduct of the Grand Lodge of M issouri for they could not drive ,

a way t h eir Brethren of I llinois .

Finally however those lodges di d with draw an d unite with the

, ,

Grand Lodge of I llinois as al s o di d several of the lodges in I owa , ,

ab out t h at time which had been chartered by the Grand Lodge

,

of M i ss ouri an d t h ey formed the Grand Lodge of I owa

,
“
.

O n February 1 0 1 85 0 a fire occurred in Peoria by wh ich was

, ,

destroyed in t h e ofii ce of the Grand S ecretary all the books

, , ,

papers and records of the Grand Lodge of I llinois T o rem edy

,
.

t h e loss as far as possible the Gran d Lodge was convened i n ,

Springfield A pril 8 1 85 0
, ,
.

O f t h e lodges aiding i n t h e organ ization of the second Gran d

Lodge four are now alive vi z : Bodley N o 1 E quality N o 2 ;
, ,
.
,
.
, .

H armony N o 3 ; and S pringfiel d N o 4

,
.
,
. .

I n 1 889 O ctober I st an d 2 d the fiftieth an niversary wa s cele

, ,

b ra t e d .

Th
e Grand Lodge of I llinois in her growth sin ce its organiza ,
~

tion in 1 83 9 h as kept even pace with the increase of population and

, ,

n ow stan d s in membershi p am ong the first i n the U nited States ,

i n 1 897 t h e mem bers h ip n umber being number of lodges ,

72 2 .I n h er in fluence for good a n d t h e reputation of her personnel

she i s pn en n s i n ter pewes ( first among h er equals) /
.
 F RE E M A S ON RY IN TH E UNITED S T AT E S 1 4 53

M
' ’

z s s on r z .

T h
e fi rst settlers of Lou isian a as the now State of M is U pper ,

s ouri was originally called were French wh o came by the way of , ,

Canada and were com pan ions of Cartier La Salle and Father
, , ,

H en nepin wh o traversed the vast wilderness that extended between

,

the boundaries of Canada an d the settlements of t h e French on the

Lower M ississippi
I n N ovemb er 1 763 Pierre Ligu
.

i s te Laclede a rrived at St
, , .

G enevieve an d fin ding n o place suitabl e for the storage of his

,

goods he proceeded up th e M ississippi R iver ; an d on February 1 5

, ,

1 764 , he an d his party landed where the city of St Louis now .

s tands wh ich h e nam ed in honor of Louis ! V of France

, . .

I n that early day the merchants who were in St Louis an d St . .

G enevieve procured their goods i n Philadelphia where they went ,

on ce every year M any of t h ese m erchants became M asons an d

.

were made in th e French Lodge N o 73 in Philadelphia , .

, .

A s t h e M asons i n the T erritory increased in num bers they r e ,

s olved to organi z e a lodge and in 1 807— 8 having applied for they , ,

received a Warrant of Constitution from the Grand Lodge of Pen n

s ylvania for a lodge i n the town of S t Genevieve as Loui s iana .
,

Lodge N o 1 09 O t h o Strader was t h e first M aster A m ong its

,
. . .

m em bers were many of those wh o afterward became prominent

merch a nts of S t Lou is as Pierre C h outeau and Bartholomew

.
,

Bert h old wh o b ecame the foun ders of the great Fur Com pany
,
1
.

T h i s was t h e first lodge establis h ed in M issouri .

I n 1 81 1 — 1 2 Gen H D odge presided over t h is lodge as W Mas

. . .

ter but owing to the unsettled condition of t h e T erritory in con

,

sequence of the late war with Great Britain t h e lodge cea s ed to ,

work about 1 82 5 .

I n 1 809— 1 0 th e Grand Lodge of Pen n sylvania granted a War

rant to a lodge in St Louis as N o 1 1 1 T h ere i s n o record w h at
. . .

e ver of t h is lodge remaining A dispensation was issued by t h e .

Grand Lodge of I ndiana in 1 82 0 for a lodge i n J ackson now in ,

Cape Gerardeau County T his l odge was s ubsequently c h artered .

by the Gran d Lodge of M issouri .

O ctober 1 8 1 81 6 t h e Grand Lodge of T enne s see granted a

, ,

1
G eo F. . G ul y
o e ,
H i s tor y of G r a nd Lodg e of M i s s o u ri .
 1 4 54 H I S T O RY OF F R E E M A S O N RY
C h a rter to a lodge in St Louis as M i s s ouri Lodge N o 1 2 w h ich .
, .
,

i s still in existence as N o 1 . .

T h at Gran d Lodge also granted c h arters to the following lodge s ,

viz O ctober 6 1 81 9 to J oac h im Lodge N o 2 5 at H erculan eum

.
, , , .
, ,

and on s ame date to S t C h a rles Lodge N o 2 8 at St C h arles on .

,
.
,
.

t h e M i ss ouri R iver .

Feb r uary 2 3 1 82 1 by an invitation sent by M is s ouri Lodge N o

, , , .

1 2 to t h e several lodges i n t h e State t h e following lodge s by t h eir

, , ,

representative s met in S t Louis and a comm ittee h aving been

,
.
,

appointed to draft a constitution and code of by la ws they a d -

u
,

j o r n e d until A pril 2 d following

3 to meet at th e sam e place to ,

organize a Grand Lodge .

Prior to t h i s date (A pril 2 3 a con venti on O f M ason s m et , ,

pursuant to previous n otice given by the convention of delegates ,

at t h e lodge room of M issouri Lodge N o 1 2 A pril 2 3 d A nno

-
, .
, ,

Luci s Y ear O f Lig h t 5 82 1 for the purpose of organ izing the Gran d
, , ,

Lodge of t h e S tate of M issouri .

O pened in t h e t h ird degree in due form with Wor E d ward , .

Bate s Ma ster and others A fter reading t h e proceedings of the

1
, ,
.

convention held February 2 2 d la st adj ourned until 2 4thinst , .

A pril 2 4 A L 5 82 1 Present as before A n election for the

, . . . .

o fficers for t h e ensui ng year was h eld and resulted as follows

Brot h er T h os F R iddick M W G M . .
,
. . . .

J ames Kennerly S G W ,
. . .

William Bate s J G W ,
. . .

A rchi bald Gamble G T reasurer ,

. .

William R en s haw G S ecretary ,

. .

djourned to M ay 4thnext
A .

M a y 4thA L 5 82 1 S emi A nnual Convocati on was held a

. .
,
-
,

proce s sion wa s formed an d proceeded to t h e Bapti s t Chu r c h w h ere ,

t h e solemn cerem ony of consecration an d in s tallati on wa s performed ,

i n conformity wit h t h e ancient lan dmark s and cu s tom s of the

Frate rnity T h e G r and Lodge then returned to
.
the lodge room -

and adjour n ed until n ext day 2

.

Th e firs t a n nual com munication wa s hel d O ctober 1 1 82 1 , .

1
H on .
E dwa r d B a tes wa s A t tor n e yG -
ener a li n M r . Li n co l n s
’
Ca bi n e t, 1 861 —64 . N ea r ly
e v y m mb
er e e r of t h
i s G ra nd Lodg e wa s,
pe rs on a lly k n own t o t h
e p es e nt wr i te r i n
r 1 83 7 .

7
G eo F . .
G ul y
o e , H i s tor y of G ra n d Lodg e Of M is s ou ri .
”
 F RE E M A S O N RY I N T H E U N I T ED
, S T AT ES 1 45 5

A t h i s comm un i cation Brot h er Frederick Bat e s was elected

t
Grand M a s ter wh o n ot being pre s ent was notified by a committee
, , , ,

but declin ed accepting t h e o ffice Grand Lodge adj ou r ned until .

O ctober 1 0 1 82 1 at w h i c h ti me t h e Grand Lodge re s umed l abor

, ,

an d elected Brother N B T ucker M W Grand M a s ter an d . . . .

,

E dward Bate s G S W . . .

Th e Grand Lodge t h en adj ourned until 7 P M w h en at the r e . .

,

que s t of Bro T h os F R id dick Brot h er D ougla s s took t h e C h air

. . .
,

an d in s talled Brot h er N at h aniel B T ucker M ost Wors h ipful .

Gran d M a s ter of t h e Grand Lodge of M issouri i n am ple form and ,

the Pa s t M aster s Lodge was cl o s ed and the ot h er Gran d O fficers

’

were duly in s talled into t h eir re s pect i ve o ffices .

T h u s th e Gran d Lo dge of M i s souri was constituted an d has con

t in u e d to the pre s ent day and t h e writer w h o the commencement , ,

of h is own M a s onic career J anuary 1 8 1 840 could personally , , ,

testify to the character and standing i n th e community of t h

e S tate ,

of M issouri to n early every member of that disti n gui s h ed body of

,

men an d M asons upon w h ose S h oulders t h e intere s t s of our noble

,

in s tituti on at that time were placed by t h e Grand Lodge I n t h e

, ,
.

year 1 84 1 t h e w r it er was appointed t h e Senior Gran d D eacon of the

Gra n d Lodge by H on Prie s tly H M cB r i de Grand M aster and
. .
, ,

was reappointed i n 1 84 2 and 1 84 3 A very large proportion of .

t h o s e wh o organized t h e first Grand Lodge continued as members

and o fficers of the Gran d Lodge up to t h e year 1 844 w h en by a c ,

cessions of lodges w h ic h h ad been c h artered from 1 82 1 to 1 840 the ,

num ber had increa s ed from four to twenty fi ve w h ic h was N ap h tali -

, ,

an d in w h ic h we received th e t h ree degrees I n 1 84 1 —4 2 several .

l odges had been c h artered i n I owa an d among th em wa s I owa Lodge , ,

N o 4 2 of w h ic h our very distingui s hed Brot h er T h eodore S Pa rvin

.
,
.

wa s Wor M a s ter and we m ention t h is circum s tance to state t h at

.
,

he an d t h e writer are the only surviving m embers of that Grand

Lodge of 1 84 1 to 1 844 .

I n di a n a .

A early as 1 795 mem ber s of t h e Fraternity wh

s o had been con

n ect e d wit h lodges i n t h e army on t h e n ort h we s t fro n tie r ih

tr odu
,

ce d Free Mason ry into t h e T erritory The fir s t lodge h ow . ,

ever wa s organized by a di s pensati on f rom t h e Grand Lod ge of

,
1 4 56 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
Kentucky A u g st 3 1 1 808 at V incennes by the name of V i n
,
u , , ,

ce n nes Lodge N o 1 5 ,
. .

Th e following lodges were also granted warrants by the Grand

Lodge of K entucky : A t M adi s on U nion Lodge N o 2 9 A ugust , , .

,

3 1 1 81 5 ,
at Charlestown Bla z ing Star N o 3 6 A u g ust 2 5 1 81 6 ; , , .
, ,

a t Salem M elchiz ede ck N o 4 3 ; Lawrenceburg Lawrenceburg

, ,
.
, ,

N o 44 ; and at Corydon Pi sgah N o 4 5 all A ugust 2 5 1 81 7

. , ,
.
, , .

Th e Grand Master of Ken tucky after the annual meeting of ,

the Grand Lodge issued a dispensation for th e Lodg e at Swit z er ,

land and one for R isin g Sun Lodge at R ising Sun

, , .

A dispensation for lodge Brookville H arm ony N o 4 1 at , .

,

Brookville was issued by the Gran d M aster of O h io i n 1 81 6 or

,

1 81 7 .

gener a l convention of the representatives of the followin g

A
lodges of A ncient Y ork M asons of the State of I ndiana was hel d
a t Corydon on D ecemb e r 3 1 81 7 V i z , ,
.

Loca ti on . R epr e s enta ti v e.

G . W J oh .ns ton .

J a m es D i ll
z ek ia hB H u
.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 H e ll . .

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A . C . P e pper .

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 H . P Th. or n ton .

J os B thl o omew
Bl zi g St
l
. a r .

a n a r
J h M ill er
o n .

B kv ill
r oo e H a r mony . S teph e n C S teve ns . .

S lma e .
Ch r i s t H a rr i s on . .

Pi g h s a Da v i s Fl oy d .

Brother A lexander Buckner was unanim ously chose n President ,

an d D avis Floyd unanimously elected Secretary .

Th e convention the n adopted the following :

R es olved T hat it is expected an d advisable that a Grand

,

Lodge should be at th is time form ed i n the State of I ndiana .

p
A ll the ab ove representatives voted in the a ffi rmative exce t
t h ose of H armony and Pisgah .

Th e conven tion then adopted the following

u
R es olved T hat a committee of four m embers be appointed
,

to i nform the M W Grand M aster s of Kent cky and O hio th a t . .

1 453 H I S TORY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
M a di s on Blazing S tar Lodge N o C h arle s town Lawrenceburg ,
.

Lodge N o 4 Lawrenceburg ; M elch

,
.
,
iz e de ck Lodge N o 5 ; Pis , .

ga h Lodge N o 6 Corydon ; w h ic h lodges received their c h arters

,
.
,

at t h i s com munication .

Th e Grand Con s titution was adopted J anuar y 1 5 th Th e illus .

~

t ra ti ons of M asonry of T h omas Sm it h Webb were adopted for the

government of t h e Grand Lodge and were recomm ended to be ,

adopted by all t h e subordinate lodges of t h e State for t h e govern

m ent of the s ame .

C h arle s town wa s selected as the site for the m eeting of t h e

Grand Lodge for the present .

Th e J unior G r and Warden bei ng a mem ber of M elch iz e de ck

Lodge w h ic h decli ned a Charter t h e O ffice became vacant an d an
, ,

election was h eld to fill t h e s ame and Brother Benj amin V Becks ,
.

was duly elected .

Th e Grand Lodge met i n vari ous towns and cities until 1 82 8 ,

w h en it removed to I ndianapolis a n d has continued to do so ever ,

s ince .

A la ba wa .

T h
e first lodge in labam a wa s Madison N o 2 1 at H untsvi lle
A , .
, ,

whic h was c h artered by t h e Grand Lodge of Kentucky A ugust 2 8 , ,

1 81 2 .Th e Grand Lodge of T en nessee granted a Charter to A l a

bama Lodge N o 2 1 at H untsville O ctober 6 1 81 8 T h

, .
,
e Grand , , .

Lodge of Sout h Carolina granted a C h arter to A labama Lodge N o , .

5 1 at C la i r b or n e i n 1 81 9 the Grand Lodge of T enne s s ee granted

at T u
, ,

a W arrant to R ising Virtue Lodge N o s ka loos a O ctober ,

.
,

5 1 81 8 an d t h e Grand M a s ter of T en n essee issued a di s pen s ation

,

to H alo Lo dge at Ca h a wba

, A pril 4 1 82 0 and whic h conti nued
, , ,

until O ctober 1 82 1 ; but t h e Grand Lodge of Georgia i s sued a

,

Warrant to H alo Lodge N o 2 1 J anuary 2 4 1 82 1 t h e Grand Lodge , .

, ,

of T ennes s ee i ss ued a C h arter to M oulton Lodge at M oulton O cto , ,

ber 3 1 82 0 t h e Grand Lodge of T en nessee granted a dispensation

,

to R u ss ellville Lodge O ctober 3 1 82 0 ; a dispen s ation from t h e

, ,

Grand M a s ter of T enne s s ee was i s sued to Farrar Lodge at E lyton , .

M arc h 5 1 82 1 ; t h e G r and Lodge of N orth Carolina granted a

,

C h a rter to S t S tephen s Lodge at S t Step h en s D ecember 1 4 1 81 6 ;

.
’

, .
’

, ,

Wa s h i ngton Lodge and T u s cum bia Lodge were granted c h arters

b y t h e Grand Lodge of T ennessee T u s cumbia h ad never reported .
 FR E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED STATES 1 4 59

i ts work an d soon went out of exi s tence Was h ington very s oon
, .

gave u p her C h arter T h e name of M adi s on Lodge N O 2 1 wa s .

, .
,

c h anged to H elion ; A labam a Lodge N o 2 1 at H unt s ville wa s ,

.
, ,

c h an ged to Bet h saida ; soon after ward a consolidation took place

an d t h e s e two an d H elion and Bet h s aida became H elion N O 1 Of , . .

all t h e above lodges t h ere only rem ain a t t h e present time R i s ing
Virtue N o 4 ; M oulton N o 6 an d Farrar N o 8
,
.
,
.
,
. .

Th e Grand Lodge was organized by t h e above mention ed lodges -

an d a con s titution wa s adopted an d S igned J une 1 5 1 82 1 , .

D ecem ber 6 1 83 6 a quorum wa s not present ; an d after waiting

, ,

for t h ree days t h ose w h o were present declared t h e Grand Lodge

,

ext i nct .

Th e repre s entatives of th e lodge s present reorganized a Grand

Lodge a new constitution was adopted new Grand O fficers were

, ,

elected an d the ol d warrants were r e g rant ed

,
-
.

A né a ns a s .

Novem ber 2 9 1 81 9 a di s pen s ati on for A rkan s a s Lodge located

, , ,

at t h e Port of A rkansas was issued by t h e Gra n d Lodge of Ken ,

tucky A C h arter wa s granted A ugu s t 2 9 1 82 0 R ob ert J o h nson

.
, , ,

being W Master T h is lodge surrendered h er C h arter A ugu s t 2 8

. .
, ,

1 82 2 .

A dispen s ation to organ ize W a s h ington Lodge at Fayetteville

wa s is s ued by t h e Gran d M a s ter of t h e Gran d Lodge of T ennes s ee ,

D ecem ber 2 4 1 83 5 an d it was renewed N ovember 1 2 1 83 6 O c

, , ,
.

tober 3 1 83 7 a C h arter was granted and t h e lodge received a s a

, , ,

pre s ent a set of j ewels A di s pen s ation wa s granted from t h e same .

Grand Lodge for a l odge at Clark s ville O ctober 5 1 83 8 to w h ic h , , ,

a C h arter was is s ued O ctober 1 2 1 83 9 T h e di s pensation of Cl a rks

, ,
.

ville Lodge wa s received prior to t h e organization of t h e Grand

Lodge of A rkan s a s but t h e C h arter wa s i ss ued after t h at event ,
.

T h i s lodge continued u nder t h e con s titution of t h e Gran d Lodge

of T e n ne s see until 1 84 3 w h en it came u nder t h e Gran d Lodge of ,

A rkansa s a s N o 5 I n 1 84 5 it ceased to work and surren dered t h e

. .

C h arter .

J an uary 6 1 83 7 t h e Gran d Lodge of Loui s iana i ss ued warr ants

, ,

to two lodge s in A rkan s a s V iz M o r ning S tar at A rkan s a s Po s t ,

.
, ,

a nl es t er n S tar at Little R ock Th e s eat of S tate Government

,
.
1 4 60 H IS T O RY OF F R EE M A S O N RY

having b een changed to Little R ock Morning Star Lodg e g ave u p ,

t h e C h arter .

A dispensation was issued by t h e Grand M aster of A labama in

1 83 8 to M ount H oreb Lodge i n Wa s h ington .

N ovem ber 2 1 1 83 8 a convention was h eld an d repre s entatives

, ,

from Was h ington M orning Star Western S tar and M ount H oreb
, , , ,

U D were present at w h ic h a constitution wa s adopted and o fficer s

. .
,

were elected an d the Grand Lodge was duly constituted .

Wi s eon s i n .

Th
e h istory of Freem asonry in t h e territor y now embraced in the
State of Wiscon s in dates from D ecember 2 7 1 82 3 ,
.

Th e only known record of t h e fir s t lodge in w h at is now Wiscon

si n is founded i n an address delivered at Green Bay D ecember 1 7 , ,

1 85 4 by P G M ,
H enry S Baird . H e says
. . . .
°

Th e fir s t action h ad with a V iew to orga n i z e a lodge of M asons

at Green Bay is foun d i n proceedings of a meeting O f the m em bers

of t h e Fraternity h el d on t h e evening of the 2 7t hday of D ecem ber
, ,

A D . . 1 82 3 .

A
committee was appoin ted to draft a petition to t he Gran d
Lodge of t h e State of N ew Y ork praying for a dispensation to open ,

and h old a Lodge of Free and A ccepted M ason s at Green Bay ,

t h en in t h e T erritory of M ichigan I n due time t h e prayer of the .

petitioners was respon ded to an d a di s pensation granted , .

O n S eptember 2 1 82 4 the firs t regular Lodge of Free an d A c

, ,

cept e d M a s ons was opened an d organized at Fort H oward directly

opposite to t h e city u
,

nder a di s pen s ation from t h e M W Gran d

, . .

Master of the Grand Lodge of t h e S tate of N ew Y ork .

Th e O fficers named in t h e di s pensation were

R obertI rwin S r W Master , . .

Benjam in W at s on S Warden ,
. .

W V W h eaton J Warden
. .
, . .

On D ecember 3 ,
a regular Charter was granted by the M 1 82 4 , .

W Gran d Lodge of N ew Y ork

. .

M in eral Point Lodge N o 1 wa s organ ized J uly 2 7 1 84 1 from , .

, , ,

t h e Grand Lodge of M issouri under di s pensation dated O ctober 8 , ,

 F R E E M A S O NRY IN TH E U N I T ED S TA T E S 1 461

1 840 nam ed M elody (for Bro George H C M elody P D ep

,
“
. . .
, . .

Grand M a s ter of M issouri) Lodge N o 65 (now N o , . .

A dispen s ation wa s i ssued by Brother J oa b T Bernard D e

l
p .
,
.

Gran d M aster J anuary 1 0 1 843 , ,

.

A Charter was granted by t h e Gran d Lodge of M i s s ouri O cto

,

ber 1 3 ,

A preliminary meeting h aving in contem plation t h e formation ,

of a M asonic lodge was held at the h ouse of J o h n B ea va n s in t h e

, ,

town of Platteville in t h e m onth of J anuary A D 1 84 3

, , . . .

M I LW A U KE E L O GE
D ,
N o . 22
( N ow KI L B O U R N LO GE D ,
NO .

T h
e first meeting of th is lodge was h el d J uly 5 ,
A . L .
5 84 3 ,
A O..

1 84 3 .

Bro N orman d H awley repre senting th e Gran d M aster of

.
,

I llinois presented the dispensati on which he had been deputed t o

,

bring to them .

Th e exact date of the Charter of thi s lodge does not appear from

t h e m inute s I n the proceedings of t h e Gran d Lodge of I llinois

.
,

O ctober 2 1 84 3 the committee on R eturns and Work r ecom

, ,

m ended granting a C h arter to M ilwaukee Lodge N o 2 2 w h en ,

.
,
“

due s are paid an d on t h e first day of N o vem ber 1 843 the elec , ,

tion of o fficers was held un der t h e C h arter 1 843 ,

.

A T IO N R
C E L A T I VE TO TH E F O R M A T IO N OF A G R A ND L O GED ,
N OV E M c

BE R 22, 1 84 3 .

Th
e wors h ipfulM aster Bro A bram D Sm ith presented a com
mu
. .
, ,

n i ca ti on from M el ody Lod ge at Platteville upon t h e s ubj ect of , ,

establi s h ing a Gran d Lodge i n t h e T erritory of Wi s con s in w h ic h ,

was read a n d t h e M aster an d Wardens were appointed a committee

,

to correspon d with Platteville an d M ineral Point lodges upon t h e

su bject .

Th e Charter of M ilwaukee Lodge N o 3 is dated J anuary 1 7 ,

.
, ,

1 844 .

1 I n cor r e ct he r e cor d J oh
ly c ll a ed
n in t .

e pre s en t wri ter wa s S G D of th

2 Th e Gr a n d Lodg e of M i s s ou r i
. . . a h
t t a t ti m e.
1 462 H I S T O RY OF F REE M A S ON RY

M A SO N IC C O N VE NT IO N D
H E L AT M A D I SO N ON TH E 1 8T H DA Y OF

D E E BE
C M R, A D . . 1 84 3 .

T h
e following lodge s we e repre s ented r

M i lwaukee Lodge at M ilwaukee ,

.

M ineral Lodge at M ineral Poi nt ,

.

Melody Lodge at Platteville ,

.

Bro M o s es M eeker wa s called to t h e Chair and Bro Geo W

.
, . . .

L a kin wa s appointed S ecre tary .

O n motion of Bro Ben C E astman it was . . .

,

Or der ed T h at
a committee consisting of two be appointed to
,

receive an d examine t h e c r edentials of the members of t h e con ve n

tion .

T h
e committee appointed to receive and examin e t h e credential s

of t h e mem bers of t h e co n vention being t h e legal representative s ,

of t h e regularly co n stituted lodges of t h e T erritory of Wisconsin ,

to t a ke into con s ideration and determine upon t h e expediency of

fo r m i ng a Grand Lodge wit h in t h e s aid T erritory h ave attended to

e du
,

th ty a ss igned t h em and submit t h e following ,

Y ou r committee find t h at t h ere a r e s even m embers of sai d con

ve n t i on rep r e se ntative s of t h
e lodges afore s aid to wit ,

F r o m M ilwaukee M i n eral Point and Melody lodges

, , .

O n motion of Bro B en C E astm an it was . . .

,

a co mmittee of t h ree be appointed to take i nto

Or der ed T h at ,

con s id er atio n t h e exp e diency of forming a Gran d Lodge in t h e

T err itory of W i s co n s i n .

Th
e Chair appoi nted B r o s B e n C E a s tman D wig h t F Lawton . . .
, .
,

and Geo H W a lker s aid committe e

. . .

B ro B e n C E a s tm an from s a id com mittee s ubmitted t h e fol

. . .
, ,

lowi ng
R E PO R T .

T h
e comm i t t e e k i nto co i d
a ppoi n t e d t o ta e ns era he e x pe di e n cy of f or m
t i on t
i ng a G d Lodg i
ra n th T t o y hv
e n t t nd e err i r ,
a e a e e d t o th
e i r du t y a n d a s k l ea v e
,

to re
po t t h f oll owi ng p
r e mbl nd olu t i o r ea e a res ns
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 463

W/zer ea sh e e a r e n ow wi t h
,
T in th e T e r r i tor y of W i s con s i n t h
r r e e ch
, a t er e d r
,

l odg e s a llof whi cha r e i n a pr os pe r ou s a n d ha ppy condi t i on a nd

,

W/ze a s I t i s com pe t e nt for t h

re ,
a t n umb e r of l odg e s t o e m e g e f r om a s t a t e r

of de pe n de n cy b ecom e l e ga lly or g a n i z e d a n d b e he r ea f t e r es ta bl i s hed a nd

, ,

k n own a s a s e pa ra t e di s ti nct a n d i n dependen t b ody ha v i ng i t s own j u i s dicti on

, , , r

a nd

W/zer ea s ,
I n t h
e ra pi d ly i ncr ea s i n g pop ul a t i on of o uT r e r r i t or y ,
i t is be
li e ve d m n y m o l odg wi ll i mm
a re es ly p i n g i nt o x i t n c wh by th
edi a t e s r e s e e er e e

g r ea t p i n ci pl
r of M on y wi ll b
es a s r e p omul g trd i f t h f ci l iat i fo ob t i ni n g
e ,
e a es r a

di s pe n s a t i ons a nd c a rters h a re i n cr e a d t hy wi ll b
se a s by t h o g n i z ti on of
e e e r a a

a G r a nd Lodg e i n W i s con s i n a n d
W/zer ea s T h e G re a t Li g h t s of M a s on r y s h oul d not b e h i dde n u n de r a bu s h
el b u
,

,
t sh oul d s h i n e i n th e f ull n es s of t h e i r s t r e n g t ht ha t n on e ma y wa n t a g u i de ,

for t h e i r fa i t h a nd pr a ct i ce a n d t h a t th e i r a ct s b e s q u a r e d by t h
,
e pr e ce pt s O f t h e

G r ea t A r ch i t e ct of t h e U n i v er s e a nd th e i r de s i r e b e ci r cum s cr i b e d by t h e pr i n

e i r pa s s i on s r e s t r a i n e d i n du
,

ci ples of m ora l i t y a n d t h e b ou n ds Th e r e f or e b e i t .
,

R es olved T h a t it i s ex p
,
edi e n t t o f or m a G ra n d Lodg e i n th e T e r r i t or y of

Wi s con s i n .

O n m otion of Bro J ohn H R ountree the report of the com . .

,

mi tte e wa s accepted t h e pream ble an d re s ol utions adopted and t h e

, ,

com mittee discharged .

O n m otion of Bro . D wight F Lawton it wa s

.
,

Or der ed T hat
a committee of three be appointed to draft a
,

constitution for a Gran d Lodge an d t h at s aid committee be i n ,

structed to report at as early an hour a s po s si ble .

h C h air appointed Bros Lawton M eeker and Lakin said

T e .
, ,

com m ittee T h convention adj ourned till 6 P M

. e . .

E vening at convention m et 6P M

Bro Lawton from t h e comm ittee appointed to draft a con s titu

. . .

.
,

tion for a Grand Lodge reported the draft of a constitution whic h , ,

report was accepted an d com m ittee disc h arged .

O n m otion t h e convention adj ourned S in e die

,
.

Th e M W Gran d Lodge of Free an d A ccepted M a s ons met

. .

in an nual com munication i n t h e city of M adi s on on Mo n day , ,

D ecember 1 8 A D 1 84 3 A L 5 84 3 ,
. .
,
. . .

Th e Gran d Lodge wa s opened in the t h ird degree in due and ,

a ncient form .

O n m otion of Bro M eeker t h e constitution reported in the .

,

convention was taken up read an d adopted , ,

.
1 464 H I S TO RY OF F R E E M A S O N R Y
Bro M errill from said com mittee m ade t h e following
.
, ,

R E PO R T .

T h
e comm i t t ee a ppoi n t e d t o no mi na t e offi ce r s for t e h G r a n d Lodge h a ve

tt e n de d t o t he du t y a ssi g n ed hm a nd a t th
th ey h
a v e n om i na t e d t h
a t e ,
re por t e

ll
fo owi n g
B m in T K v n u g h G M t
en a j . a a a ,
. a s er

Ab m D S m i thD G M t
ra .
,
. . a s er .

Mo M
ses k S G W d ee er, . . a r en .

D v id M
a i lly J G W d n
er r ,
. . a r e .

Th om P B u n tt G nd T u
a s . r e ,
ra r ea s r er .

B n C E
e . tm n G . nd S ec
a s t y a ,
ra re a r .

D wi g ht F L wt on G n d L ct u
. a ,
ra e r er .

W h ich report wa s accepted an d t h e com m ittee discharged ,

.

O n m otion of Bro R ountree it .

,

t h e Grand Lodge d o n ow proceed to the elec

R es olved T hat ,

tion of o fficers an d all t h e above named Bret h ren were elected an d

,
-

in s talled .

Texa s .

t h e very first e ffort to establish a lodge in T exas that

D uring ,

count ry wa s a dependency of M exI Co and the R oman Cat h ol i c ,

prie s t h ood co n trolled t h e most of t h e population and were t h e open

enemie s of Freemasonry an d t h e A merican s ettlers were obj ects of ,

suspicion .

I n t h e winter of 1 83 4—3 5 five M aster M ason s h aving made

t h em s elves known to eac h ot h er as s uch after many conferences ,

a n d muc h deliberation concluded to establis h a lodge in T exas , .

T h e s e we r e J o h n H W h arton A s a Brigham J ames A E P h elps .

, ,
. .
,

A lexander R u ss ell and A nson J ones ; they fi xed upon time and ,

locality for t h eir meeting to accomplis h t h eir de s ire Brot h er J . .

P Caldwell s ub s equently j oined t h em T h

. e town of Brazoria was .

s elected for t h eir meeting and in a s mall grove of wil d peach an d ,

lau r el i n a family burial groun d of General J o h n A usti n -

.

H ere in a day of M arc h A M wa s h eld the first , .

“

formal meet i ng of M a s on s in T exa s T h e s e six Bret h ren made .

arr a ngement s to apply t o t h e Grand Lodge of Lou isiana for a

di s pen s ation to form and open a lodge to be called H olla n d
Lodge A petition wa s drawn up and anot h e r Master M ason
.
,

B rot h er W D C H all h aving signed it wit h t h e ot h er six it wa s

. . .
, ,
1 466 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S ON RY
of M i s s ouri and t h e pre s ent writer as an O ffic er in t h
,
at G ra n d ,

Lodge voted for all but t h e fi r s t one but wa s a V i s itor i n t h e

, ,
.

Grand Lodge w h en t h e firs t one wa s c h artered H e made t h e .

pers onal acquai n tance of Brot h er T heodore S Parvi n an d t h e .

ot h er representatives of tho s e lodges at t h at ti me and Brot h e r ,

Parvin an d t h e writer are the only surviving mem bers of t h at Gran d

Lodge s ince O ctober 1 897 ,
.

T h ese four lodge s by agreement at a prelim inary convention of

, ,

t h eir delegate s h eld at t h e communication of the Gran d Lodge of

,

Mi s souri at St Loui s O ctober 1 1 1 843 m et in convention at

,
.
, , ,

I owa City i n I owa T erritory J anuary 2 1 844 and then and t h ere
, , , ,

organized t h e Gran d Lodge of I ow a .

D elegates were pre s ent from the followi ng ot h er lodge s in I owa

working u nder aut h ority of the Gran d Lodge of I llinoi s viz ,
.
'

R ising Sun N o 1 2 at M ontrose Keokuk Lodge at Keokuk and

, .
, , , ,

Clinton Lodge at D avenport T h

,
e first under a Ch arter and t h e .

ot h er two under dispensations T h ese l odges were finally admitted .

to t h e Gran d Lodge of I owa .

J anuary 3 1 844 t h e Gran d O fficers were elected Brot h er

, , .

O liver Cock was unanimously elected on the secon d ballot t h e

Grand M a s ter and Brother T h eodore Sutton Parvin unanimously
,

elected Gran d Secretary w h ic h o ffice he has filled except w h en h e

, ,

wa s c h o s en Gran d M a s ter ever since now fi fty fi ve years N o

, ,
-
.

M ason h as a more extende d reputation for abilities S O e s sential i n ,

t h e management of M a s on ic a ffairs t h an ha s our illu s trious Brot h er , ,

who is so favorably kn own t h roug h out t h e world of M asonry .

After th e organization of M ultnomah Lodge at O regon City a ,

little more t h an two years elap s ed before any addition al lodges were
establi s h ed i n O regon Following the planting of t h is lodge t h e
.
,

Grand Lodge of California on N ovember 2 7 1 85 0 granted a C h ar , , ,

ter to Willamette Lodge N o 1 1 at Portland T h is lodge was ,

.
, .

opened and con s tituted J anuary 4 1 85 1 Th e Gra n d Lodge of , .

-

California granted a C h arter to Lafayette Lodge of O regon T his ,

.

lodge wa s constituted and began w ork J uly 3 0 1 85 1 Th e establish ,

.

ment of this lodge gave to t h e T e rr itory of O regon the requisite

num ber of lodges under the common law of M ason ry to organize
, ,
 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 4 67

an independe n t Gran d Lodge for t h e j uri s diction T h e oppo rtu n i t

y .

was at once i m proved .

“
Th e i mporta n t que s t i on s ay s a di s tingui s h ed Brot h er recentl
y , ,

decea s ed of h aving a G r and Lodge wa s agitated Co n s eque n tly

,
“
.
,

o n t h e 1 6t h of A ugu s t A L 5 85 1 A D 1 85 1 a co n vention of F & A ,

.
, . .
, . .

M a s on s of t h e T e r r itory of O r egon wa s h eld at O regon City to

fo r m a G r and Lodge Brot h er Ber ryma n J ennings wa s elected .

C h airman a n d Bro Benj amin S ta rk S ecretary Th

”
e conve n tion
. .
,

after due co n s ide r ation re s olved u pon t h e wi s dom and expedie n cy ,

of t h e formation of a Grand Lodge

“
I n pur s ua n ce of t h i s actio n .

a n addre s s givi ng o fficial notice of t h e purpo s e in V iew wa s

, pre ,

pared and s en t out to t h e s ev er al lodg e s reque s ting t h em to meet

again i n con vention on t h e secon d S at u
,

r day i n S eptem ber following

,

to perfect t h e Gran d Lodge o rganization .

I n pursuance of t h i s call d e legat es f r om t h e s e veral lodge s a ss em ,

bled a t O regon City on S ep tem ber 1 3 1 85 1 an d proceeded to the , ,

wo r k in h an d by t h e el ection of Bro J o h n E lliott C h airman an d

Mu
.
,

Bro W S Caldwell S e cretary T h

. . . e t h r ee l odges viz ltono .
,
.

ma h W illam ette an d La Fayette were duly rep r e s ented A mong

, , ,
.

t h e delegate s pre s ent were t h ose w h o we r e ot h erwi s e admitted to

seat s in t h e con vention viz Bro s J C A in s wort h R R T h omp ,
. . . .
, . .

s on ,
Forbe s Barclay J oh n E lliott Lewi s M ay Benj S ta rk Wm , , ,
.
, .

M Berry D D Garrett G B G oudy B J enn i ngs R obert T h

.
,
. . omp ,
. .
,
.
,

s on ,
A m ory H ol brook and W S Caldwell O n M o n day S ep ,
. . .
,

tem ber 1 5 t h following a con s titution t h roug h a committee wa s , , ,

reported an d adopted and t h e Grand Lodge of O regon duly or ,

g a niz ed Bro Berryman

. J enni ngs was elected
. an d in s talled Grand

M a s ter an d B ro Benj S tark Grand Secretary

,
. . .

Th e fir s t lodge e s tabli s h ed unde r aut h ority of t h e Gran d Lodge

of O regon was o rganized at S alem under t h e n am e of S alem Lodge , ,

N o 4 . Th e di s pen s ation of t h i s lodge wa s i s s ued by t h e D eputy

.

Gran d Ma s ter R W Bro J o h n E lliott on O ctober 4 1 85 1

,
. . .
, ,
.

Ca lifor n i a .

Th
.

e Grand Lodge of Cal ifo r nia wa s organized in t h e city of

S acramento A pril 1 8 1 85 0 T h e co n s tituent
,
lodge s were Cali , .

forn i a Lodge N o 1 3 c h artered by t h e Grand Lodge of t h e D i strict

,
.
,

of Columbia located i n S an Fran cisco N ovem ber 9 1 84 8 ; Con

, , ,
1 4 68 H I S T ORY OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

n ect i c t uLodge
75 Sacramento City chartered
,
by
N theo
. Gran d , ,

Lodge of Connecticut J anuary 3 1 1 849 ; an d Wes tern Star Lodge, ,

,

N o 98 from the Grand Lodge of M i s souri M ay 1 0 1 84 8 ; Bento n

.
, , ,

City U pper California

,
.

D elegate s were present from N ew J ersey Lodge under di s pen ,

sation from t h e D eputy Grand M aster of the Grand Lodge of N ew

J ers ey dated March 1 1 849 T his lodge was opened i n S acrament o
, ,
.

City D ecember 4 1 849

, ,
.

Credentials were presented by B D H yam from B enicia . .

,

Lodge at Beni cia but there being no dispensation or Charter or any

, ,

ot h er information of the existence of such a lodge it was n ot recog ,

niz ed .

A
constitution was adopted A pril 1 9t han d the Gran d O ffi cers
,

were elected and duly in s talled .

M i nn es ota .

T h
e first lodge organi z ed i n was St Paul s N o 1 M in n esota .
’

, .
,

con s tituted by the Grand Lodge of O h io A ugust 4 1 849 the , ,

second lodge was S t J o h n s N o 1 warranted O ctob er 1 2 1 85 0 by

.
’

,
.
, , ,

t h e Gran d Lodge of Wisconsin an d t h e t h ird was Cataract Lodge ,

N o 1 68 founded by the Gran d Lodge of I llinois 1 85 2

.
, ,
.

T h ese t h ree lodges by delegates met in convention at the city of

, ,

St Paul February 2 3 1 85 3 and constituted the Gran d Lodge of

.
, , ,

the State of M innesota .

N e w M ex i co .

T h
e Grand Lodge of M i souri i sued warrants to the followi n g s s

lodges i n N ew M exico viz : A ztec Lodge N o 1 08; Chapman ,

.
,
.

Lodge N o 95 and M ontezuma Lodge N o 1 09

, .
,
. .

T hese l odges met in convention A ugust 6 1 877 at Santa F 6 , , , ,

for t h e purpose of di s cussing th e question of forming a Gran d

Lodge Brot h er S imon B N ewcom b presided T h
. e comm ittee . .

on credentials found t h e representatives of the three above men - .

ti one d lodges to be pre s ent .

Th e next day a co n s titution and by laws were adopted the -

,

Gran d O ffi cers were elected and in s talled Brot h er Wm W Griffi n ,

. .

being M W Grand M aster and D avid J M iller R W G rand

. .
, . . .

Secretary .
 FR EE M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED S T AT E S 1 469

Wa s ni ng ton .

T h
e fi rs t steps of initiatory e ffort toward M asonic organi z ation s

an d t h e formati on of a M a s onic lodge on t h e Pacific Coa s t s o far ,

as any record h as been S h own or it i s bel ieved to exi s t were taken ,

jointly by three brot h er M a s ter Ma s on s namely : Bros J o s ep h , .

H ull William P D ougherty and Peter G Ste wart

, .
, . .

A petition was prepared an d addressed to the Grand Lodge of

M issouri praying that a C h arter b e granted to the petitioners under ,

t h e n ame of M ultnomah Lodge .

Th e record of the Gran d Lodge of M issouri reads as follows

A charter wa s granted to M ultnomah Lodge N o 84 on t h e 1 9th ,

.
,

da y of O ctober 1 84 6 locating t h e Lodge at O regon City O regon

, , ,

T erritory .

I n h is an nual address to the Gran d Lodge of O regon held J une ,

1 3 1 85 3 M W Bro B errym an J ennings Grand Ma s ter s ays

, . . .
, ,

O n the 2 5 thday of N ovem ber ( 1 85 2 ) las t I granted a dispensa ,

tio n to s undry bret h ren residing at O lympia Puget S ound to open , ,

a Lodge un der t h e n am e of O lympia Lodge returnable at this ,

Gran d Com muni cation whi ch return has been promptly made , ,

throug h their W orsh ipful M aster Brother T F M cE lroy Wa s h , . . .

i ngton T erritory wa s n ot organized until after this di s pensation was

i ssued an d t h e lodge began work .

O n Saturday evening D ecem ber 1 1 1 85 2 O lympia Lodge , , , ,

U D
. . held its first comm un icatio n by virtue of Grand Lodge
,

authority and was t h ereunder duly organized t h e following

, ,

offi cers mem bers an d Bret h ren being present viz Bros T h ornton
, ,
. .

F M cE lroy W M J ames W Wiley S W an d M ic h ael T

.
,
. .
,
. .
,
.

S imm on s S W ; al s o Bro s Smith H ays an d N i c h olas D eliu of

,
. . .

t h e origi nal petitioners ( Bros I ra Ward an d A K S kidmore Of . . .

s aid petitioner s being absent ) ; Bro s Fred A Clark and Calvin H . . .

H ale visitors were al s o present

, , .

Th e C h arter was
granted to O ly m pia Lodge of O regon J une ,

1 3 t h an d bears date J un e 1 5
,
1 85 3 an d was de s ignated as O lympia
, ,

Lodge of O regon N o 5 of t h at gran d j urisdiction T h

,
.
,
e first .

meeting under the C h arter wa s h eld on Saturday evening J uly 2 4 , ,

1 85 3 at which time we may in fer the lodge was regularly consti

tu t e d altho u
,

,
gh t h e record is S ilent i n this particular A n election . ,

however wa s hel d that evening for new offi cers under the C h arter
,
,
1 4 70 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O NRY
wit h t h e following re s ult : Bro s T F M cE lroy W M B F
‘

. . . . .
, . .

Y anti s S W M T Simm on s J W B
,
. . I ra Ward
. .
,
. .
,

T r ea s an d S mit h H ays T yler

.
, ,
.

T h i s was t h e fi r s t lodge e s tabli s h ed and constituted nort h of t he

Columbia R iver and we s t of t h e R ocky M ountains .

Th e record s of M ultnoma h Lodge from its institution u ntil 1 868

were de s t r oyed by fire and t h e olde s t record is t h e ledger dating ,

fr om t h e year 1 85 4 .

S teilacoom Lodge the secon d lodge establis h ed wit h in t h e ,

present jurisdictional limits of Was h ington wa s organized U D in ,

. .

t h e year 1 85 4 Since it first began work it h as passed through

.

several trying ordeals some of w h ic h were of s o s erious a nature ,

t h at its exi s tence mig h t well have been regarded as h opeless but for
t h e pluck and M asonic energy of its m em ber s h ip .

Th e records of t h e Grand Lodge of O regon s ession of J une , ,

1 85 4 S h ow t h at R
,
W D e p Gran d M a s ter J C A inswort h acting
. . . . .
,

Gran d M aster granted a D i s pensation to Brot h er W H Wallace

, . .

and ot h ers to open a Lodge at Steilacoom W as h ington T erritory , ,

under t h e name of S te ilacoom Lodge .

Th e dispensation must h ave been granted during the latter part

of J anuary or s ome time i n Feb r uary 1 85 5 , .

D uring t h e summer or fall of 1 85 7 probably about S eptem ber ,

I st M W ,
Bro Ben J Stark G M of M a s ons of O regon issued
. . . . .
,
. .
,

a dispensation for a new l odge at Gran d M ound T h urston County , ,

Was h ington named Grand M oun d Lodge , .

T his lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of O regon J uly ,

1 2 or 1 5
,
1 85 8 u nder t h e nam e of Grand M oun d Lodge N o 2 1
, , , . .

O n A ugu s t 2 1 1 85 8 at its h all on Gran d M oun d Prairie the lodge

, , ,

was duly co nstituted an d its o ffi cers i nstalled .

O n S eptem ber 1 9 1 868 after eleven years of hard struggling in , , ,

earnest an d zealou s e fforts to build up an d su stain t h e lodge the ,

Bret h ren reluctantly felt it a duty to t h em selves and t h e Fraternity

to surrender t h e C h arter to t h e Grand Lodge .

I n t h e annual addre s s of M W Grand M aster Benj amin J . . .

Stark to the G ran d Lodge of O r egon J uly I 3 1 85 8 among t h e , , ,

seven di s pen s ations h e reported having granted d uring t h e year

for t h e form at i on of new lodges is one for Wa s h ington T erri
“

tory .

O n J u ly 1 3 1 85 8 a Charter was granted by t h e Grand Lodge of

, ,
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 4 71

O regon to W a s h ington Lodge N o 2 2 T h e C h arte r bear s date t h

e ,
. .

s am e a s t h a t of Grand M oun d Lodge namely J uly 1

5 1 85 8 , , , .

I n th e foregoing referen ce s to t h e organizatio n s eve r ally of

O lym pia Steilacoom Grand M o u
, ,

,
n d and Wa s h i ngto n lodges we
, , ,

find t h at t h ey were the first organized M a s onic bodie s nort h of

Colu mb ia R iver .

O n M onday D ecem ber 6 1 85 8 a littl e ban d of Freem a s on s

, , , ,

about one dozen in n um ber m et at the M a s on ic h all in t h e city , ,

of O lym pia Was h ington T erritory T h eir declaration of purpose

,
.

was to c onsider t h e propriety of establis h ing a Grand Lodge of

“

”
Free and A ccepted M asons for said T erritory .

T h is little band of Bret h ren i n convention assem bled resolved

to proceed to t h e formation an d organization of a Grand Lodge of
Free an d A ccepted M asons for t h e T erritory of Was h ington .

Th e convention was compos e d O f delegates representing t h e

four exi s ting lodges in the T erritory V iz O lym pia Lodge N o 5 ,
.
,
.

Steilacoom Lodge N o 8 ; Gran d M oun d Lodge N o 2 1 an d

,
.
,
.
,

Wa s hington Lodge N o 2 2 together with all Past M asters by

,
.
,

service wh o were mem bers of t h ese lodges an d pre s ent during the
, ,

session s of the c onventio n .

O n t h e even ing of D ecem ber 8 1 85 8 a constitution h aving

‘

, , ,

b een prepared by a com mittee appointed for that purpose wa s ,

subm itted duly con s idered an d adopted after w h ich the Grand
, ,

O fficers were elected

h aving co mpleted its labors was adj ou
.

Th e convention ,
rned , ,

s i n e di e on t h e m orn ing of D ecem ber 9t h w h ereupon t h e M ost

, ,

Wors h ipful Grand Lodge of Free an d A ccepted Ma s on s of t h e

T erritory of Washington was O pened in am ple form and wa s t h us ,

launc h ed upon th e sea of its sovereign existence .

Th e busine s s transacted at t h is first session t h oug h compar ,

a ti ve l brief was m o s t im po r tant to the future intere s t an d zeal of

y ,

the Grand Lodge I t related c h iefly to fo rmulating plan s and

.

adopting met h od s for placing t h e m ac h inery of Grand Lodge in “

O rder in furt h erance of t h e important work before it

,
”
.

We are in debted to the h i s to ry O f t h e Gran d Lodge of Wash

i ngt on by B ro Grand S ecretary T hom as M R ead for t h e above
,
. .
,

sketc h .
1 472 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

Ka ns a s .

By reference to the proceeding s of the Gran d Lod g e of M is

souri the record will be foun d of the organ ization of the fi rst three
lodges in Kansas .

D ispensations for the formation of new lodges were issued

A ugu s t 4 1 85 4 to J o h n W C h ivington and others to open a
, ,
.
,

lodge at the house of M athew R Walker in Wyandotte T erritory .

, ,

to be called Kansas Lodge by order of M ost Worsh ipful Grand ,

M a s ter L S Cornwell . . .

O ctober 6 1 85 4 to J o h n W Sm ith and others to open a lodge

, ,
.
,

at t h e town of S mith fi e ld Kansas T erritory to be called S mit h fi e ld , ,

Lodg e by order of R W N B Giddings D D G M aster First

, . . . .
,
. . .

M a s onic D istrict of M issouri .

D ecem ber 3 0 1 85 4 to R ic h ard R R ees and ot h ers to open a , ,

.
,

lodge at t h e town of Leavenworth Kansas T erritory by order of , ,

R W D P Wallin g ford D G M aster of M i s souri

. . . .
1
,
. . .

A t a meeting of deleg ates from several Masonic lodges in the

T erritory of Kansas at t h e city of Leavenwort h on N ovem ber , ,

1 4 A D ,
1 85 5 A L 5 85 5
. . Present : Bro William P R ichardso n of
, . . . . .

Sm it h ton Lodge N o 1 40 as proxy for W M R ic h ard R R ees ,

.
,
. . .
,

W M of Leavenworth Lodge N o 1 5 0 an d Bro A Pa yn ey

. .
, .
,
. .
,

S W of Leavenworth Lodge N o 1 5 0
. .
,
. .

O n m otion of Bro R ees Bro William P R ichard s on was called .

, . .

to t h e C h air and on motion Bro R R R ees acted a s Secretary

, ,
. . . .

Bro R ees m oved that as Wyandotte Lodge wa s n ot represented

.
,

in this convention that t h e convention adj ourn u nti l D ecem ber ,

2 7t hnext with a request t h at all t h e c h artered lodges be rep

,

re s ented ; which m otion was carried an d t h e convention a d

u
,

j o rn e d .

Th e convention met in the o ffi ce of A an d R R R ees i n t h e . . .

,

city of Leavenwort h purs uant to adj ourn ment D ecember 2 7 1 85 5 , , , .

Present : Bro J ohn W S mit h W M of Smit h ton Lodge N o . .

,
. .
, .

1 40 ; Bro R R R ee s W M of Leavenwort h Lodge N o 1 5 0 ;

. . .
,
. .
,
.

an d Bro s C T H arri s on L J E astin J J Clark s on G W Per

. . .
, . .
, . . , . .

kins I B D onaldson and Brot h er Ko h n M a s ter M asons

,
. .
, ,
.

B r o J W S m it h wa s called to t h e C h air Bro R ee s acting as

. . .
,
.

Secretary .

P oc di g of G d Lodg of M i ou i 85 5 pp 64 65
1
r ee n s ra n e ss r , 1 ,
.
, .
1 474 H I ST O R Y OF F RE E M A S O N R Y

N eor a sé a .

T h
e fir t l odge in t h e State of
s ebra s ka was N ebraska Lodge N
N o 1 84 at Belleville S arpy Co u
,

.
,
nty c h artered by the Gran d Lodge , ,

of I llinois O ctober 3 1 85 5 , ,
.

Th e s econd l odge wa s Gi ddi ngs Lodge N o I 5 6 at N ebra s ka ,

.
,

City O t oe County c h artered by t h e Grand Lodge of M issouri

, , ,

M ay 2 8 1 85 6 T h e t h ird lodge was Capitol Lodge

, . N O 1 01 at ,
.
,

O ma h a City D ouglas County c h artered by t h e Grand Lodge of

, ,

I owa J une 3 1 85 7
, ,
.

T h e s e t h ree lodge s by t h eir delegates held a convention a t , ,

O ma h a City S eptem ber 2 3 1 85 7 an d resolved to organi z e a Grand

, , ,

Lodge for t h e T erritory of N ebraska .

Th e Grand O fficers were elected Bro R obert C J ordan being ,

. .

c h o s en Gran d M a s ter wh o h eld t h at s tation until 1 860 W e regret ,

.

to record h ere t h at t h is fat h er of N ebraska M asonry died J an

“

uary 9 1 899 aged seventy four years

, ,
-
.

Before closi ng t h is h istory of N ebraska intelligence wa s received ,

of t h e sad ending of th e l ife of an ot h er distingui s h ed brot h er Will ,

iam R B owen the Grand Secretary of t h e Grand Lodge Gran d

.
, ,

C h apter an d Gran d R ecorder of t h e Grand Com m an dery w h o like

, , ,

Brot h er J ordan had been called t h e fat h er of N ebra s ka M asonry

, .

T h e s e remark s are due because of the writer s personal knowledge

’

o f and i ntimate as s ociation wit h both of these Bret h ren not only
, , ,

in t h e above gran d bodie s but al s o in t h e S upreme Counci l of t h e ,

of w h ic h ordan wa s t h e A ctive M em ber

for N ebraska up to t h e date of h is deat h an d wa s an
E mer i tu
,

s having retired from the A ctive list several years since

, .

I n di a n Te r r i lory .

T h
e first lodge organized in t h e I n dian Flint T errito ry wa s

Lodge in t h e C h erokee N atio n w h ic h received a C h arter from

,
“
,

t h e Gran d Lodge of A rkan s a s dated N ovem ber 9 1 85 3 Th

u
e , ,
.

second lodge wa s called M u s kogee an d s bsequently named

Creek N atio n a n d received a di s pen s ation s u
,

B ufala in t h e ,
“
p , ,

p o s e dly fro m t h e,
Gran d M a s ter of A r kan s a s in 1 855 ; an d a

C h ar ter wa s granted N ovem ber 7 1 85 5 D uring t h e wa r of , ,

.

1 861 6 5 it cea s ed i t s labo r s and its C h arter wa s arre s ted N ovem

-
,
 F R E E M A S O NRY IN TH E U N I T ED S TA T E S 1 4 75

h
e r 6, 1 867 . E arly in
the Grand M aster of A rkansas revived1 874
the lodge it rem ained on the registry of that Grand Lodge nearly
two years until that Grand Lodge recogni z ed t h e Grand Lodge of
,

I n dian T erritory D oa ks ville Lod g e received a dispen s ation from

.

the Grand Lodge of A rkansas D ecem ber 2 3 1 870 and wa s , , ,

chartered N ovem ber 8 1 871 Caddo Lodge received a dispensa

, .
~

tion A ugu s t 2 6 1 873 from the Gran d Lodge of A rkansas and was
, , , ,

chartered O ctober 1 4 1 873 T hese two were i n the Choctaw

, .
“

”
N ation .

Muskogee D oa ks ville an d Caddo lodges m et in convention by

, , ,

their delegates O ctober 5 1 874 and deci ded to form a Gran d

, , ,

Lod g e for the I n dian T erritory A constitution was adopted .

,

Grand O ffi cers were chosen and installed and the Grand Lodge was ,

constituted O ctober 6 1 874

, ,
.

T hree oth er lodges were in existence when the Grand Lodge

was constituted viz O klahoma i nt h e C h octaw N ation which
,
“
.
, ,

had been chartered by th e Gran d Lod g e of A rkansas N ovem ber ,

1 8 1 868
,
T his l odge as soon as th e Grand Lodge wa s started
.
, ,

sent i n her Charter an d had it endorsed it t h en came under that con

s t i tuti on Fl int Lodge already described and A lp h a Lodge also
.
, , ,

”
in th e Cherokee N ation which had received a dispen sation from
“
,

Kansas M ay 1 8 1 872 and a Charter O ctobe r 1 7 1 872 declined

, , , , , ,

joining the N e w Grand Lodge an d ad hered to the Gran d Lodges ,

from which they had received their warrants T h e Grand Lodges .

of A rkansas an d Kansas for som e tim e refused to r ecogn ize the

Gran d Lo dge of I ndian T erritory I n 1 876 the latter Grand Lodge .

arrested the ch arters of the two delinquent lodges T h e Gran d .

Lodge of Kansas sustain ed her daughter lodge and still refu s ed to

acknowledge the N ew Gran d Lodge T h e issue continued until t h e .

Gran d Lodge of I n dian T erritory re s cinded her action of 1 876 .

Soon thereafter Flint Lodge surren dered an d A lp h a Lodge fol ,

« »

lowed her in O ctober 1 878 after the desired action of th e Gran d

, ,

Lodge of Kansas had been obtained .

O th er lodges subsequently h ad been chartered by th e N e w

Grand Lodge— two in the Cherokee two i n t h e Choctaw an d two
“

, ,

I n the C hicka s a w nations .

1 476 H I S T O RY OF F REE M A S ON RY

Color a do .

T h
e fi rst lod g es i n Colorado were G olden City Lodge at Golde n ,

City chartered by the Gran d Lodge of Kansas O ctober 1 7 1 860 ;

, , ,

Summ it Lodge at Parkville chartered by the Gran d Lodge of N e

, ,

braska J une 5 1 861 ; and R ocky M ountain Lodge at Gol d H ill

, , , ,

J un e 5 1 861 by the sam e Gran d Lodge

, , .

A ugust 2 1 861 the above mentioned lodges met by their dele

, ,
-
,

gates i n convention at Gol den City T hey elected an d installed

,
.

their Grand O ffi cers and constituted the Grand Lodge of Colorad o ,

and declared it to b e regularly organized A constitution wa s .

adopted T h e Grand Lodge of Kansas O ctober 1 5 1 867 chartered

.
, , ,

N evada Lodge in Colorado it seem s wit h out th e knowledge of

, ,

the formation of the Gran d Lodge of Colorado ( H ow this could .

have occurred we can scarcely conceive as six years had elapsed ) , .

T h is lodge n ot having done any M asonic work u n der the C harter

, ,

was permitted to surrender the Charter an d take a new one from the
Gran d Lodge O f Colorado .

Carson Lodge at Carson City wa s chartered May 1 5 1 862 ; , , ,

Washoe Lodge at Washoe City and Virginia City Lodge at V i r

, , ,

ginia City both chartered M ay 1 4 1 863 Silver City Lodge changed

, , ,

afterward to A mity at Silver City chartered May 1 5 1 863 Silver , , ,

Star Lodge at Gold H ill E sm eral da Lodge at A urora an d E scurial

, , , ,

Lodge at Virginia all three chartered O ctober 1 3 1 864 ; and Lan

, , ,

der Lodge at A ustin chartered O ctober 1 4 1 864 A ll of t h e s e

, , ,
.

eight lodges received their charters from t h e Grand Lodge of Cali

for ni a .

A convention wa s called to m eet J anuary 1 6 1 865 which wa s , ,

accordi ngly done an d S i x lodges were represented the first day ; the
next day another lodge wa s represented Lander Lodge O f th e .
,

abo ve li s t was the only lodge which did n ot appear in t h e conven

,

tion .

A constitution wa s adopted Th e Grand O fficers were elected .

and installed J anuary 1 7 1 865 T h e ol d charters were endorsed , .

for present use Lander Lodge alt h ough unrepre s ented in the con
.
,

ven ti on and organization pre s umed h erself to be a part of the Grand ,

 FR E E M A S O N RY I N TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 477

Lodge an d under its j urisdiction made th e ret u

,
rns to t h e Grand
Lodge with the other l odges .

Th e first an nual grand com mun ication wa s held O ctober 1 0 ,

1 865 .

D a é ola .

he first lodge org ani z ed i n D akota was St J ohn

T Lodge at .
’
s ,

Y ankton w h ic hreceived from th e Gran d Lodge of I owa D ecem

, ,

ber 5 ,
a di
1 spe n s a tlon an d afterward a Charter dated J une 3
862 , , , ,

1 863 I n cense Lodge at Verm illion received a d ispensation J an , , ,

uary 1 4 1 869 an d a C h arter J un e 2 1 869 ; E lk Point Lodge a t

, , , , ,

E lk Point received a di s pensati on M arc h 2 3 1 870 and a Charter

, , , , ,

J un e 8 1 871 M inn eh a h a Lodge at Sioux Falls received a dispen

, , ,

sation J uly 1 3 1 873 an d a C h arter J u ne 3 1 874 ; Silver Star

, , , , ,

Lodge at Can ton received a dispensation February 6 1 875 and a

, , , , ,

C h arter J une 2 1 875 an d M ount Zi on Lodge at Springfield re

, , , ,

ce i ve d a dispensation February 1 6 1 875 and a Charter J une 2 , , , , ,

1 875 . A ll of th e above warrants were granted by authority of t h e

Gran d Lodge of I owa A d ispensation wa s issued by the Gran d .

M aster of M i nnesota N ovem ber 2 2 1 872 for Shilo hLodge at , , , ,

Fargo and a Charter was i ssued J anuary 1 4 1 874 H e also issued a

,
'

, .

dispensation to Bismarck Lodge i n 1 874 an d again in 1 875 and on , ,

J an uary 1 2 1 876 the lodge received a Charte r

, ,
.

J une 2 1 1 875 a co nvention was held of the representatives of

, ,

St J o h n s I ncen s e E lk Point M innehaha an d Silver Star lod g es

.
'

, , , , .

T h ose of M t Zion Lodge U D were present but did n ot partici

.
,
. .
,

pate in th e proceedings t h e lodge n ot having a C h arter A consti

tu
, .

t i on was adopted and they elected t h eir Grand O f fi cers .

J uly 2 1 1 875 convention m et again and t h e Grand O fficers

, ,

were i nstalled in public by I llustriou s Broth er T heodore S Parvin , .

,

P G M aster an d Gran d Secretary of th e Gran d Lodge o f I owa

. . .

T h is Gran d Lodge continued until t h e session of J une 1 1 —1 3 ,

1 889 when by A ct of Congress approved February 2 2

,
1 889 t h e , , ,

d ivision of t h e T erritory of D akota into N ort h and South D akot a

wa s likely to be accompl is h ed wit h in a few months Th e report of .

a committee on divi sion of t h e Gran d Lodge was adopted and cer ,

tai n lodges located i n N orth D akota were per mi tte d to organize a

'

Grand Lodge of N orth D akota which will be stated under t h at ,

designation .
1 4 78 H I S T ORY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
T h was changed to South D a kota at t h
e nam e of e D akota “

sixteent h communication of th e Grand Lodge h e ld J une 1 0 1 890 , , ,

i n M adison .

South D akota is th e desi g nation of the ori g inal Gran d Lodge of

D ako ta .

N or t hD a kota .

So soon as it was determined by the Gran d Lodge of D akota at ,

its session held J une 1 1 1 3 1 889 that there S hould be a division of

,
-
, ,

the Gran d Lodge of D akota to correspond with the political division

of the T erritory into N orth and South D akota a convention was ,

h eld J une 1 2 1 889 at the city of M itchell where the Gran d Lodge
, , , ,

wa s in ses s ion and th e following lodges of N ort h D akota were rep

,

resented viz ,

Shilo h N o 8 ; Pemb in a N o 1 0 ; Casselton N o 1 2 ; A cacia

, .
,
.
, .
,

No 15 . Bism arck N o 1 6 ; J amestown N o 1 9 ; Valley Cit y N o ,

.
,
.
,
.

2 1 ; M an dan N o 23 ; Cereal N O 2 9 ; H illsb oro N o 3 2 ; Cres

,
.
,
.
,
.

cent N o 3 6 ; Cheyenn e Valley N o 4 1 E llendale N o 4 9 ; San

,
.
,
.
,
.

born N o 5 1 ; Wahpeton N o 5 8 ; N orth Star N o 5 9 ; M into

,
.
,
.
,
.
,

N o 60 ; M ackey N o 63
. G oa s e R iver N o 64 ; H iram N o 74 ; , .
,
.
, .

M innewaukan N o 75 ; T ongue R iver N O 78; Bathgate N o 80 ; ,

.
,
.
,
.

E uclid N o 84 ; A nchor N o 88; Golden Valley N o 90 ; O cci

,
.
, .
, .

dental N o 99 ,
. .

Th e convention resolved that it wa s expedient to organi z e a

Grand Lodge for N orth D akota A constitution and by laws were .

-

adopted .

J une 1 3 t h th e first s essi on of t h e Grand Lodge wa s held in th e

,
~

city of M itc h ell T h e elected an d appointed o f fi cers were present .

an d representatives of t h e above twenty lodges .

Th e Gran d Lodge of N orth D akota has continued to keep pace

with the other Western Gran d Lodges .

I n 1 863 a meeting of M asons wa s hel d in I dah o City Boise ’

County and it was r esolved to apply to the Gran d Master O f O rego n

,

for a dispens a tion to organize a lodge whic h was granted J uly 7 , ,

1 863 an d on J u n e 2 1
,
1 864 a C h
arter was granted to I da h o Lodge , , ,

N o 35 . The next lodge was in Boise City N o 3 7 A pril 1

. 1 865 ; ,
.
, ,
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E UNITED S TAT E S 1 4 79

under dispensation from th e Gran d Lodge of O regon A a com t

mui i
.

hel d in J une 865 it was resolved to apply for a C h ar

n ca t on ,
1 ,

ter which was granted to Boise City Lodge N o 3 7 J une 2 0 1 865

, , .
, , .

Placer Lodge N o 3 8 wa s the third lodge organi z ed under Warrant

,
.
,

from the Gran d Lodge of O regon J une 2 0 1 865 Pioneer Lodge , , .

,

N o 1 2 received her Warrant from the Gran d Lodge of the T e r

.
,

ri t ory of Washington J une 7 1 867 O wyhee Lodge received a , , .

dispensation from the Gran d Lod g e of O reg on J uly 2 1 1 866 , , .

Th e above four chartered lodges hel d a Convention in I dah o

City D ecemb er 1 6 1 867 O wyhee Lodge U D from courtesy

, , .
, . .
, ,

wa s admitted and perm itted to vote Th e convention decided to .

organi z e a Gran d Lodge .

D ecem ber 1 7 1 867 a full corps o f Grand O ffi cers wa s elected

, ,

an d installed Constitution of Gran d Lodge of O reg on wa s adopt

.

ed temporarily .

D ecemb er 1 7t h Gran d Lodge was opened in ample form a nd

,

so h
1
a s continued to present tim e .

At t h of a M ason i n the T errito ry of Mon tan a was th e

e burial

fi rst gathering of M asons w hich led to an e ffort to organi z e a lodg e ,

by an application to the Gran d M aster of N ebraska wh o issued a ,

d ispensation A pril 2 7 1 863 to form a lod g e at Ban nock which

, , , ,

was i n D akota b ut supposed to b e in I dah o T h is dispensation wa s

, .

renewed on J une 2 4 1 863 an d authori z ed agai n on J une 2 4 1 864

, , , ,

an d finally when it arrived at the place th e m embers had been dis

, ,

ers e d by rem oval of residence and n o lodge wa s ever opened

p .

Th e lodge Virgini a City N o 4 3 received a Charter dated ,

.
,

December 2 6 1 864 from t h e Gran d Lodge of Kansas

, , A dis .

e n s a t i on was received from the Gran d Lodge of Colorado dated

p
A pril 4 1 865 for M ontan a Lodge N o 9 at Virginia City
, ,
H elena ,
.
,
.

Lodge N o 1 0 received a dispensation from t h e s ame Gran d Lodge

,
.
,

an d wa s organ i z ed A ugust 1 7 1 865 Both of the s e lodges re , .

ce i ve d charters granted N ovem ber 7 1 865 from t h e Grand Lodge , ,

of Colorado .

A convention of the representatives of t h e a bove lodges was

held J anuary 2 4 1 866 A fter proper I nve s tigation a s to t h e mem
,
.

1 Fro m p oc r ee di n gs Of Gra nd Lodg e of I da o S e pte mb

h ,
er , 1 883 .
1 4 80 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O NRY

b e rs i ph of the convention it was decided to fo rm a Gran d Lodge ,

a nd the convention closed .

Th e o ffi cers of t h e three lodges then opened a Grand Lodge in

du e form A constitution wa s adopted and th e Gran d O ffi cers were

.

elected J anuary 2 6 1 866 the Grand O fficers were regularly i n

.
, ,

stalled and at the same time c h arters were i ssued to the lod g es a nd
returns were made of on e hundred an d fi ve mem bers .

I n consequence of the Civil War from 1 861 to 1 865 the a ffairs ,

of M asonry in common with all civil matters in Virginia and West

,

V irginia which latter had been separated from th e parent S tate

, ,

were i n utter confusion M any of the lodges i n West Virginia h a d .

ceased to meet som e had lost their charters an d other properties

, .

A fter due consideration of the con dition of thin g s i n respon se to a ,

circular from Fairm ont Lodge N o 9 which had been sent t h rough ,
.
,

out t h e State a convention was held D ecemb er 2 8 1 863 at Grafton

, , , , ,

which was held during a period of great excitement i n consequence ,

of som e of the delegates h avi ng been prevented from attending by ,

the m ovements of the wa r having agai n disturbed the condition of

the State A fter two ad j ournm ents the convention finally m et
.
,

J une 2 4 1 864 i n Fairmont E ight of t h e working lod ges out of

, ,
.

thirteen i n the State were represented Grand O ffi cers were elected .

and a day selected for their installation but as the convention a d

u
,

rn e d s i n e di e the Gran d O fficers decided that no further acti on

j o

could b e h ad under a m isapprehension of an informal ity in thei r

proceedings .

A new convention wa s called to m eet A pril 1 2 1 865 Th e ,

.

lodges represented were those at the prior convention an d were ,

as follows viz : Wellsburg N o 1 08 ; Wheeli ng N o 1 2 8 ; O hio

, .
, .
,
.
,

N o 1 01 ; M arshall U nion N o 3 7 ; Cam eron N o 1 80 ; M organ

.
, .
,
.

town N o 93 ; Fairmont N o 9 ; Fetterm an N O 1 70

, . Grand , .
,
. .

O ffi cers were again elected and M ay 1 0thselected for their installa

1
,

tion Th
. e convention met on that day O ne other lodge M t .
.
, .

O live t N o 1 1 3 i n addition to the eight was represented T h

,
.
,
e ,
.

convention clo s ed and a Grand Lodge was opened T h e Grand .

O ffi cers were in s talled T h e old c h a r ters were ordered to be e n .

1 T h
e r e cor d ,
pa ge 1 3, sa y s 1 lt h whi chi s
,
a n e r r or .
1 4 82 H I S T O RY OF F R E E M A S ON R Y

Wasatch Lodge chartered by t h e Gran d Lodge of M o nta na

O ctober 7 1 867 ; M o u
, ,

,
nt M oriah Lodge chartered by the Grand ,

Lodge of Kansas O ctob er 2 1 1 868 ; A rgenta Lodge char tered by

, , ,

t h e Grand Lodge of Colorad o Septem ber 2 6 1 871 , ,

.

I t was decided by unanimous vote to organi z e a Grand Lodge , ,

for U ta h T h e Grand O fficers were chosen and installed an d the

.
,

Gran d Lodge wa s duly constituted .

I n consequen ce of the M orm on Church being i n t heir midst ,

di ffi cultie s at once arose in one of the lodges A m ember j oined .

the M ormons and upon trial by reg ular process h e wa s expelled

, ,

and the Gran d Lodge a ffi rmed the expulsion T h is m atter drew .

t h e attention of ot h er Gran d Lodges wh o took formal action upo n ,

it ; and the course of the Grand Lodge of U tah was nearly if not ,

unanimously sustained , .

A r iz on a .

z tlan Lodge at Prescott was chartered by the Gran d Lod ge

A , ,

of California O ctober 1 1 1 866 ; w h ich also chartered A ri z ona

, ,

Lodge N o 2 5 7 at Ph oenix O ctob er 1 6 1 879 an d T u cson Lodge

, .
, , , , ,

N o 2 63 at T ucson O ctober 1 5 1 881

.
, A dispensation was issued , ,
.

to Solomon Lodge at T ombstone J une 4 1 881 w h ich wa s con

u
, , , ,

ti n e d a t t e _ h next com muni cation of the Grand Lodge of C a lifor

n ia O ctober 1 1 882 W h ite M ountain Lodge N o 5 at Globe r e
, ,
.
,
.
, ,

cei ve d a Charter from the Gran d Lodge of N ew M exico dated

J anuary 1 8 1 881 ,
.

Th e representatives of A ri z on a Lodge N o 2 5 7 T ucson Lodge ,

.
, ,

N o 2 63 and W hite M ountain Lodge N o 5 h eld a convention

.
, ,
.
, ,

M arch 2 3 1 882 at T ucson an d the representatives of Solomon

, , ,

“
Lodge U D were invited to take part in the deliberations of
, . .
,

Th
”
t h e Convention e convention adopted a constitution
. A .

lodge of M aster M a s ons wa s then O pened an d the Grand O ffi cers ,

were elected O n M arch 2 5 t hth e Gran d O ffi cers were installed an d

.

t h e convention clo s ed an d t h e Grand Lodge wa s duly O pened ,

.

Th e charter s of t h e lodges were properly endorsed an d returned to

t h em as the authority un der which they continu ed t h eir existence .

Solomon Lodge U D received her C h arter under t h e n ame of

, . .
,

King S olomOn N o 5 A ztlan Lodge h ad her C h arter endorsed

,
. .
,

and she made her return s T h ese five lodges had a mem bers h i p .

of two hundred an d seventy four -

.
 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T E D S TAT E S 1 4 83

Wy orn i ng .

Cheyenn e Lodge N o 1 6 at Cheyen ne was chartered by t h

,
.
e , ,

Gran d Lodge of Colorad o O ctober 7 1 868 , , .

Laramie Lodge N o 1 8 at Laram ie City rec eived a dispensa

, .
, ,

tion from th e same Gran d Lodge J anuary 3 1 1 870 an d a C h arter , , , ,

September 2 8 1 870 , .

E vanston Lodg e N o 2 4 at E vanston received a di s pensation

, .
, ,

from the sam e Gran d Lod g e September 8 1 873 and a Charter , , , ,

Septem ber 3 0 1 874 ,

.

Wyom ing Lodge N o 2 8 at S outh Pass City had a di spen

,
.
, ,

sation issued to her by the Gran d Lodge o f N ebraska N ovem ber ,

2 0 1 86
, 9
,
an d a Charter J un e 23 1 870
, ,
.

Th e representatives of these four lodges m et in convention

D ecember 1 5 1 874 at Laram ie City and proceeded to organ i z e a
, , ,

Gran d Lodge for Wyoming by adopting a constitution electing ,

an d installing their Gra n d O fficers on the 1 6th T h e four lod g es .

then had a m embers h i p of two hundred and fifty .

Th e first annual comm unication wa s hel d O ctober 1 2 1 875

an d t h e Gran d Lodge has continued to hold its an nual commu
, ,

n i ca ti on s an d from the tabular statement at the conclusi on of thi s

,

chapter will b e foun d the number of members .

Oé la norn a .

At th e eighteenth annual com muni cation o f th e Gran d Lodge

Of I n dian T erritory under which Gran d Lodge all t h e then existing
,

lodges in O klahoma T erritory held their lodge warrants a paper ,

wa s presented to t h e Gran d Lodge from the “

m em bers an d repre ‘

s e n ta t i ves of t h e vari ous Lodges of M asons in the T erritory o f

O kla h oma organized an d being wit h in the jurisdiction of t h e Grand

Lodge of I n dian T erritory respectfully ask your consent an d th,
e

con s ent of sai d Gran d Lodge to t h e form ation an d organization by

t h e s ai d O kla h om a Lodge s of a separate an d independent Gran d

Lodge wit h in a n d for sai d O kla h om a T erritory to b e known as t h e
“
Gran d Lodge of O kla h oma and to h ave and pos s e s s h ereafter ’

exclusive M asonic j urisdiction an d aut h ority as the Grand Lodge

within an d for the said T erritory of O kla h oma .

D ated at T a h lequah I T A ugust 1 6 1 892

,
. .
, ,
.
1 484 H IS T O RY OF F REE M A S O N R Y

T h iswas signed by the representatives of the followin g lodges i

Guthrie Lodge N o 3 5 ; N orth Ca na di a n Lod ge N o 3 6 ; E d

, .
, .

mond Lodge N o 3 7 , . .

T his wa s referred to a com m ittee a nd upon a favorable report , ,

the petition was granted and suitable arrangem ents were m ade for
holdin g a convention of a ll the lodges in the n ew T erritory at ,

whi ch th e Gran d M a s ter of the Grand Lodge was to preside an d

i nstall the n ewly elected Grand O fficers and formally proclaim by
authority of that Grand Lod g e that th e Gran d Lodge of O kla
“

homa is legally organi z ed etc ,

.

O n m otion of R ev Bro R W H ill the Gran d Lodge unani

mou
. . . .

s l voted a s e t of Gran d Lodge j ewels to the new Grand Lodge

y .

We have not been able to get a copy of the proceedi ngs of t h e

convention which wa s held N ovem ber 1 0 1 892 b ut have before us , ,

the proceedin g s of th e fi rst annual commun ication hel d at E l

R eno O klahom a T erritory February 1 4 1 893 when there were
, , , ,

represented the followin g lodges viz ,

.

A nadarko N o 1 at O klahom a City ; Guthrie N o 2 at Guth

, .
, , .
,

rie ; O klahoma N o 3 at O kla h om a City ; E dmon d N o 4 at

, .
, .
,

E dmond ; N orman N o 5 at N orman ; Frontier N o 6 at Still

,
.
, , .
,

water ; E l R eno N o 7 at E l R eno ; Kingfisher N o 8 at King

,
.
, , .
,

fi sher ; Coronado N o 9 at H ennessy ; Chandler N o 1 0 at

, .
, , .
,

Chandler ; Crescent N o 1 1 at Crescent City ; M ulhall U D

, .
, , . .
,

a t M ulhall .

We have received th e inform ation that th e G rand M as t er o f

Was h ington T erritory issued a dispensation for a lodge to be

organ i z ed in Sitk a A laska A pril 1 4 1 868 T his dispensation was
, , , .

conti nued September 1 7 1 868 an d fi nally revoked O ctob er 1 8 , , ,

1 872 We have no further inform ation as to any lodges S ince

.

that time T h ere is no doubt that very soon l odges will be form ed
.

in several of the n ew towns w h ic h h ave sprung u p i n t h e gold

regions so soon as the populatio n S hall h ave be com e m ore s table

,

a nd permanently settled .
 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E UNITED STATES 1 4 85

T AB LE SH OWI N G TH E N U M BE R OF G RAN D LOD G E S IN TH E U N I T E D STATE S ; AND

N U M BE R OF M E M BE RS IN E A CH ,
F OR TH E YE AR 1 91 0
.

Na m es of G ra nd Lodg e s . D a t e of F or m a t i on . M e mb hi p
er s .

Ala b a a m Ju ne 1 82 1 4, 1

A ri z ona h
M a r c 2 5 , 1 882 .

k
A r a ns a s u y
F eb r a r 2 2 , 1 83
Ca liforni a A pril 1 8, 1 85 0
Color a do A ugu t 2 , 1 861
Ju
s

Connecti c t u ly 8, 1 789 .

D ela wa r e Ju n e 6, 1 806
lu
. .

D i s tri ct of Co mb i a D ece mb er 1 1 , 1 81 0

l
F ori da . Ju yl 6, 1 83 0 .

G eorgi a m
D ece b er 1 6, 1 786
I da o h . . m
D ece b er 1 7, 1 867 .

l
I linoi s . l
A pri 6, 1 840
I ndi a n a J u y
a n a r 1 3 , 1 81 8 .

I ndi a n T erri tor y t

Oc ob er 6, 1 874 .

I owa J u y
a n a r 2 , 1 84 4

Ka ns a s h
M a rc 1 7, 1 85 6
Kent cky u Octob er 1 6, 1 800
u
Lo i si a na J uyl 1 1 , 1 81 2
M a i ne Ju n e 1 , 1 82 0 .

M a ry a n d l A pri l 1 7, 1 787
u
h Ju y
_

M a ss a c sett s l
M ic i a n hg . Ju n e 2 4 , 1 82 6
M i nn es ot a . u y
Feb r a r 2 3 , 1 85 3 .

M i s s i s si ppi J uly 2 7, 1 81 8 .

M i ss o ri u l
A pri 2 3 , 1 82 1
M onta n a . J u
a n a ry 2 6, 1 866

N eb ra s a k . m
S ept e b er 2 3 , 1 85 7 .

N eva da J u y
a n a r 1 7, 1 865

m h
.

N ew H a ps i re J uly 8, 1 789
N ew erse J y . m
D ece b er 1 8, 1 786 .

N ew M e i co x A u gu s t 7, 1 877 .

N ew Y or k S epte m
b er 5 , 1 781
h l
.

N ort Ca ro i na D ece mb
er 9, 1 787

h k
N or t D a ota Ju n e 1 3 , 1 889
h
.

O io J u y
a n a r 5 , 1 809
kl hm
O a o a b
Octo er , 1 892 .

A ugu s t 1 6, 1 85 1

P y lv ni
enns a a Septe mb er 2 6, 1 786

Rh od I l n de s a Ju ne 2 1
79 1 1

S ou thC ol i n
,

a r a F b u y 5
e r 787 a r , 1 .

Ju 875
ne 2 1 , 1

T ennes see D ece mb er 2 7, 1 81 3

Te a s x D ece mb er 2 0, 1 83 7
U ta h J a nu y a r 1 ,
1 4 86 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY

N a m e s of G ra nd Lod g e s . D a t e of F or m a ti on . M e mb hip
er s .

Ver m on t Octob er 1 5, 794

1

g
Vi r i ni a b
Octo er 1 3 , 1 777 .

c m
De e b er 8, 1 85 8
Wes t Vi rgi ni a May 1 1 , 1 865

D ece m b er 1 8, 1 843 .

D ece m b er 1 5 , 1 874 .

T ota l
1 4 88 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY

recom mendation was however m ade to the four chapters to

A , ,

proceed to form a Grand C h apter O n J une the Gran d .

C h apter was reorgan i z ed and met in D ecember followi ng an d a n

nu
, ,

a lly unti l 1 83 0 whe n it ceased to m eet ,

.

D ecem ber 1 83 7 the delegates from the several chapters met

, ,

an d reorganized the Grand Chapter a n d it has continued as a con

s t i tu
,

e n t of the General Grand Chapter .

A r i z on a .

Pursuant to an i nvitation from Companion Past H igh Priest -

George J R os kru ge of T ucson Chapter

. N o 3 a convention of ,
.
,

R oyal A rch M asons m et i n the hall of T ucson Lodge N O 4 F 81 , .

,
. .

A M . i n T ucson County of Pim a for th e purpose of taking steps

.
, , ,

to organi z e a Grand Chapter of R oyal A rch Masons for the T er

r i t ory of A ri z ona N ovember 1 3 1 889 , ,
.

Th e convention wa s called to order by Companion Past H igh

Priest Martin W Kales of A ri z ona Chapter N o 1 Com panio n

George J R oskru
. . .
,

e of T ucson Chapter 3 was chosen C h airman of

g .

the convent i on an d Com panion Frank Baxter wa s elected Secretary .

A comm ittee o n crede n tials was appointed and reported th e

following chapters as bein g represented viz ,

D a te of Ch
a r te r

Augu t 4 s 2 , 1 880 . A r i z ona C h

a pt e r ,
No l oc t d t P ho ni x M icop Cou nty
. 1 ,
a e a e ,
a r a .

P r es cot t Ch
a pt e r, No l oc t d t P cot t Y p i Cou nty
A ugu t
. 2, a e a r es ,
a ra a .

s 5,
u c on Chpt N o 3 l oc t d t T u c on P i m Cou nt y
1
T s a er , . a e a s a .

883 ; , ,

Coc i s e Ch h Coch
1
a pt er , N o 4 l oc t d t T omb t on
.
, i Cou nt y
a e a s e, se .

N OV 22, 1 83 9 F l a g s ta ff Ch
a pte r , N o 5 l oc t d t F l g t ff Coconi no Cou nt y
.
,
a e a a s a , .

A
com mittee was appointed on Constitution an d B y Laws and -
,

the convention took a rece s s ; a n d on resuming labor the committee

reported a Constitution and By Laws which were adopted T h e -
,
.

convention then elected t h eir o ffi cers ; M artin W Kales wa s cho s en

Grand H igh Priest and George J R oskru
.

g e-
Grand Secretary , . .

Th e convention then adj ourned su bj ect to a call f rom the

Gran d Secretary .

N ovember 1 2 1 890 the convention m et and Co mpan ion George

J R oskru
, ,

.
g e pre s ided T h e sam e c h apters as before were rep .
, ,

resented and th ere were also pre s ent a number of Past H ig h Priests
,
-

an d Past Grand H igh Priest s and Companion T itus of Califo rn ia -

, ,

all of whom were invited to s eat s (wit h out votes) .

 FR E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S T AT E S 1 4 89

T h Presi den t
e stated the ob j ect of the convention and read h is
Warrant as D ep u ty of the General G ran d H i g h Priest of the Gen -

eral Gran d Chapter of the U nited States dated N ovember 1 1 890 , , .

O n motion t h e constitution as adopted at the former convention

, , ,

was amended to conform to th e recom mendation of the General

,

Gran d H igh Priest -

.

Th e convention then ad j ourned th at th e Grand Chapter of ,

R oyal A rc h M ason s of A rizona might be opened in ample form .

Th e first an nual convocatio n wa s then opened

( N ovember 1 2

ru
,

)
1 890 at 8 P M George .
J R os k .
g e,
Grand H igh Priest presidin g
.
,
-
, ,

and M orris Goldwater Gran d Secretary T h e convention then

, .

proceeded to elect th e Gran d O ffi cers and M arti n W Kales was

elected Gran d H igh Priest an d G eorge J am es R oskru
.
,

-
g e was elected ,

Gran d Secretary
Com panion R oskru
.

e actin g a s D eputy G eneral Gran d H igh

g
Prie s t of the U n ited States constituted th e G rand C h apter o f
A rizon a an d installed the o ffi cers in accordance with the dispensa
t ion g ranted by the General Grand H igh Priest D avid F D a y -
,
. .

O n the f ollowin g day ( N ovember 1 3 , 1 890) a convention of

A n ointed H igh Priests was organi z ed and offi cers were elected
-
.

E i g ht Past H i g h Priest s were anoin ted -

.

A r éa ns a s .

were granted by th e General G rand Chapter o f the

C harters
U nited States to three chapters i n A rkansas the fi rst bein g under ,

date of September 1 7 1 84 1 , .

Th e Grand Chapter wa s organized at a convention held A pril

2 8 1 85 1
, and Compan ion E lbert H E nglish wa s the fi rst Grand
, .

H ig h Priest When the Gen eral Gran d Chapter of the U nited

- .

States held its convocation at N ashville T en n on N ovember 2 4 ,

.
, ,

1 874 Com panion E nglish wa s elected General Grand H i g h Prie s t

,
-
.

H is death occurred Septem ber 1 1 884 , .

I n the years 1 85 3 and 1 85 4 Compan i on A lbert Pike was the 1

Grand H i g h Priest -
.

Ca li or n i a .

T h
e fi rst dispensation to organi z e a chapter o f
oyal A rch M a R
s on s in California was issued M ay 8 0 to San Francisco Ch a pter
9 1 5 , ,
.

N o 1 and a Charter was granted Septem ber 1 3 th C h arters were

Esu
. .
,

e d to Sonora N o 2 an d Sacramento N O 3 September 1 7 1 85 3

,
.
, ,
.
, ,
.

94
1 490 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O NR Y
T hese three ch apters sent delegates to a convention held M ay 0 ,

1 85 4 at S acram ento w h ere mea s ures were taken to organ ize a

, ,
’
Grand Chapter and after three days session adj ourned to m eet at
u
,

San Fran cisco J uly 1 8 1 85 4 where the organi z ation and con sti t
, , ,

t ion were fully com pleted by the installation of the Grand O ffi cers .

Color a do .

Central Ci ty Chapter N o 1 in Central City wa s the fi rst ch ap ,

.
, ,
«

ter to w h ich a dispensation dated M ar ch 2 3 1 863 wa s issued in , , ,

Colorado which was granted by th e General Grand K in g T h

,
e .

D eputy General Gran d H igh Priest granted a dispensation to D en -

ver C h apter N o 2 A pril 1 863 T hese two chapters had their

, .
, , .

cha rters granted at th e following session of the General Grand

Chapter Septem ber 1 865 A dispensation wa s issued to organize

, ,
.

Puebl o Chapter N o at Pueblo M ay 2 4 1 871 a nd a Charter

,
.
, , ,

for the same was issued Septem ber 2 0 1 871 N ovember 2 5 1 874 , .
, ,

charters were issued to Georgetown N o 4 and Gol den N o 5 , .

, ,
. .

A convention wa s held at D enver City by the authority of E lbert

H E nglish M E General Grand H igh Priest M ay 1 1 1 875 and
.
,
. .
-
, , ,

th e G ran d Chapter of Colorado was regularly constituted .

Con necti c t u .

m em bers o f Saint J oh n s Lodge N O 2 located in th e town

S ix
’

,
.
,

“
of M id dletown Co nn having received an d been duly ini tiated i nto
,
.
,

the most sublim e degree of an E xcellent Superexcellent an d R oyal , ,

”
A rch M ason i n regular constituted R oyal A rch Chapters and prov ,

in g each other they duly opened and held the fi rst regular Grand
,
” 1
R oyal A rch Chapter T hey elected their o ffi cers T heir fi rst . .

m eetin g wa s held Septemb er 1 2 1 783 ,

.

Th
”
e M other Chapter or Washington Chapter o f R oyal A rch -
,

M asons of the City of N e w Y ork granted the following ch arters ,

i n Connecti cut : H iram N o 1 i n N ewtown A pril 2 9 1 79 1 , .

, , ,

Franklin N o 2 N ew H aven M ay 2 0 1 795 Frank lin N O 4

,
.
, , , ,
.
,

N orwic h M arch 1 5 1 796 an d Solomon N o 5 D erby M arc h 1 5

, , , ,
.
, , ,

1 796 Van den Broeck al s o N o 5 received i ts C h arter from t h e

.
, .
,
'

Gran d C h apter of N ew Y ork dated A pril 6 1 796 ; it is said how , , ,

ever t h at the fi rst record wa s dated D ecember 2 4 1 795

, ,
.

1
At t ha t da y t he wor d “
G ra n d wa s ta k en from th
e A . A . A . R . wh
e re a ll th
e

b odi es wer e t er m
ed G r a n do- E D I T OR .
 FR E E M A S O N RY I N TH E U N I T E D S TAT E S 1 491

A conventi on wa s h eld by the delegate s of t h ese six c h apters ,

in H artford M ay 1 7 1 798 wh i ch organ ized the Gran d C h apter of

, , ,

C onnecticut H alf yearly convocations were held until M ay 1 81 9

.
-
, ,

w h en t h e con s titution wa s c h anged to annual convocations and ,

specials when required .

W h en t h e convention to form a Gran d Chapter met in H artford ,

Conn J an uary 2 4 A L 5 798 agreeable to the recommendation

.
, ,
. .
,

of a Convention of Com m ittees assem bled at Boston i n the State ,

of M assachusett s i n there were present : from Con

n e cti cu
,

t representatives of Solom on C h apter of D erby instituted

, ,

5 79 4 ; Frankl in Chapter N o 4 N o r wic h an d Frankli n Chapter ,

.
, , ,

N o 5 N e w H aven
.
,
1
E phrai m Kirby of Li tch fi eld was chosen the
.
, ,

fi rst General Grand H igh Priest I n examini ng t h e records of the -

.

firs t chapters prior to the organi z ati on of the General Grand Chap
ter of 1 797 we n oti ce the desi g nation of th e o ffi cers as being some
,

what di fferent from the sam e o fficers at a more recent date I n .

H iram Chapter of Connecticut th e o ffi cers were H igh Priest -

,

King Scribe Zerubbabel a R oyal A rch Captai n three Gran d

, , , ,

M asters a T reasurer a Secretary an A rchitect a Clot h ier and a

, , , , ,

”
T yler I t was required that the H igh Priest sh oul d preside direct
.
-
,

N ow it is
”
t h e business and occasion ally to give a lecture
,
to .
“

Th
’
“
read an d expoun d th e law e Scri be s duty was to cause the .

S ecretary to enter in a fair an d regular m anner the proceedings of

, ,

”
t h e c h apter an d to sum mons the members for attendance at every
,

regul ar and s pecial meeting an d also to adm inister the ,

o bligation I t wa s th e duty of Zerubb abel to superinten d t h e ar

.
“

rangements of the C h apter of t h e R oyal A rch Captain to keep ,

“

watch at the San ctuary ; of the three Grand M asters to watch ,

the Veil s of t h e Clot h ier to provide an d take care of the Cloth

“
,

ing of the A rc h itect to provi de an d take care of the furniture ,

.

I n the E nglish R oyal A rc h Zerub babel is the first Principal ;

,
,

and in t h e present A merican R oyal A rch Zeru b babel i s the Secon d ,

Princi pal and design ated King which de s ignation in our judgment
, , , ,
”
i s a m isnom er as h e n ever was a King but wa s called T irs hat h a
, ,
“
,

which wa s an offi ce of Govern or under the King of Pers ia a nd

was i n reality in the construction of t h e s econd T em ple s u
,

, ,
b or di ,

nate to t h e H igh Priest w h o h ad entire managem ent of t h at work

-
,
.

1
Co m p di um G l
en , en . Gr . C hp
.
, . 8
.

3 Ca pi t ul D g a r e r ees , H ist . M a s onr y a nd Con . Od

r e rs , p 606
. .
1 492 H I S T O RY OF F REE M A S O N RY
Z eru bbabel soon retired and returned to Babylon ; and th e T em pl e
wa s finall y com pleted by a H ig h Prie st -
.

D a Rota .

I n 1 883 eight chapters had at di fferent ti m es been chartered by , ,

the Gen eral Gran d C h a pter of t h e U nited S tates viz , .

Y ankton N o 1 at Y ankton ; dispen sation A pril 1 5 1 876

, .
, , ,

chartered A ugust 2 4 1 880 , ,

.

Sioux Falls N o 2 at Si oux Falls ; ch artered A ugust 2 7 1 880

D akota N o 3 at D eadwood ; c h artered A u
.
, , , , .

,
gust 2 7 1 880 .
, , , .

Siroc N o 4 at Canton ; c h artered A u g ust 1 5 1 883

, .
, , , .

Pembina N O 5 at Pem b ina ,

.
,
.

M issouri N o 6 at Bismarck , .
,
.

Casselton N o 7 at Casselton , .
, .

Cori nthian N o 8 at Grand Forks , .

,
.

A convention wa s h eld at A berdeen J une 1 0 1 884 at w h ich

‘

, , ,

th e followin g chapters were represented : N os 1 2 3 4 6 an d 7 .

, , , , ,

of t h e above l ist When it wa s agreed to petition th e General .

G ran d H igh Priest to grant a Warrant to organize a Gran d C h apter

-

for D akota fi ve chapters voted for it an d N o 7 against and finally

,
.
,

agreed as also did Keystone c h apter N o 1 1 under dispensation

, , .
, .

A conventi on m et Feb ruary 2 5 1 885 pursua n t to a call m ade , ,

J anuary 8 1 885 at Siou x Falls Com panion Will iam Blatt was
, ,
.

chosen C h airman an d the following chapters were reported as bein g ,

duly represented vi z N os 1 2 3 4 and 7 of the ab ove list an d ,

. .
, , , , ,

C h eyenn e N o 9 U D at Valley City ; H uron N o 1 0 U D at

,
.
,
. .
, ,
.
,
. .
,

H uron ; Keystone N o 1 1 U D at Fargo ; Watertown N o 1 2 ,

.
, . .
, ,
.
,

U D at Watertown ; J am estown N o 1 3 U D at J am estown

. .
, ,
.
,
. .
,

A berdeen N o 1 4 U D at A berdeen , .
, . .
, .

Th e first annual convocation was held J une 8 1 88

5 Charters ,
.

were granted to Cori nth ian N o 8; H uron N o 1 0 ; Watertown , .

,
.

N o 1 2 J amestown N o 1 3 ; A berdeen N o 1 4 ; M illbank N o

.
, .
, .
,
.

1 5 ; an d dispensations were issued to D enver B rookings ; Flan

dre a u R e dfi eld
,

Chapters whi c h were n ot represented were : Pem .

bin a N o 5 at Pem bin a ; M is s ouri N o 6 at B ism arck an d M ill

,
.
, , .
, ,

bank U D at M ill bank

,
. .
,
.

Th e Gran d C h apter of D akota continued to prosper until t h e

divi s i on of t h e S tate by A ct of Con g ress February 2 2 1 889 in t o , , , ,

N orth and Sout h D akota .

 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S T AT E S 1 493

W hen on J anuary 6 1 890 a convention was h eld in Y ankton

, , , ,

S D and the representatives of t h e c h apters located i n S outh D ak ota

. .
,

held a con vention an d by the con s ent of t h e G r and C h apter of

,

D akota t h ey organized the Grand C h apter of South D akota J anu ,

a ry 6 1 890 under the constituti on of t h e Gen eral Gran d C h apter

, ,
.

D ela wa re .

Th
eearly histo ry of the i ntroduction of R oyal A rch M asonry
into the State of D elaware is very uncertain We h ave no records .

to refer to I t i s said t h at a Gran d Chapter was formed on J une

.

1 9 1 81 8 By what aut h ority we can not ascertain t h e compen

di u
.
,

m i s S ilent upon D el aware I n th e Proceedings of t h e General .

Gran d Chapter of the T wenty fi rs t T riennial Convocation h eld in -

,

Balti more Septem ber 1 9 1 871 we fin d the General Grand H igh

, , ,
’
1
Priest s reference to th e State of D elaware as follows ,

“
A m ong t h e first to deman d my attention was to exam ine into
the con dition of the Gran d Chapter of D elaware and if foun d to ,

be a legal Gran d Chapter to have t h e same enrolled under t h e juris

,

diction of the Gen eral Grand C h apter as reque s ted by t h e com ,

pan ions in D elaware H aving been s olicited to V isit Wilmington

.
'

for t h e purpose of instituti ng S t J o h n s C h apter w h ich h ad been .

’

chartered by thi s Body at i ts last con vocati on I did so on

t h e lgthof O ctober 1 868 and having instituted sai d c h apter e m
, , ,

braced th at opportu nity to fully i nvestigate th e con dition of R oyal

A rch M asonry i n t h e State an d for that purpose I hel d interviews
with som e of the most prominent R oyal A rch M asons in t h e j u
,

r i s di c

tion From those companion s and from the record s I ascertai ned
.
, ,

t h at there had existed in D elaware n o regular Grand Chapter since

th e year 1 85 6 at whic h ti me the origi nal Grand C h apter cea s ed to
,

m eet an d elect Gran d O ffi cers I a s certained that t h ere had been .

a Convocati on o f R oyal A rch M a s ons at D over in 1 85 9 at w h ich ’

meeting but on e c h apter of t h e three then existing in t h at State

, ,

wa s legally repre s en ted A t t h at irregular Convocation an electio n

.
‘

was had Com pan ion G E O W C H A Y T O R being elected Gran d H igh

, . .

Priest .

N o other convocati on of the ( s o called ) Gran d C h apter wa s -

h el d u ntil J anuary 1 868 a period of n ine years D uring t h i s tim e

, , . ,

C ompanio n C h a
yt or claimed to be t h e Grand H ig h Priest but he -
,

1 P r ocee di n g s Ge n l . Gr C
. hU. . S .
,
1 87 1 , p . 1 0 .
1 494 H I S T O RY OF F R EE M A S ON RY

refused persistently to assem bl e the Craft in Grand Convocation .

S ome t h ree or four years subsequent to t h e meeting of 1 85 9 a di ffi ,

culty having arisen between Compan ion Ch a ytor and the ot h er

m embers of Was h ington an d Lafayette Chapter N o 1 of w h ich h e ,
.
,

wa s t h en H igh Priest h e in his capacity of Grand H igh Priest de

-
, ,
-
,

cla re d the said c h apter suspended t h ereby placing h imself i n the ,

anom alous position of a self suspen ded R oyal A rch M ason that i s -
,

provided he possessed any powers as Gran d H igh Priest -

.

A t t h e m eeting in J anuary 1 868 t h ere was S im ply an assem

“
, ,

bl a ge of R oyal A rch M asons no one of whom claimed to act in a ,

representative capacity Com pan ion Ch a

yt or wa s present but h e
.
,

refused to open a Gran d Chapter givin g as a reason that h is ch ap , ,

ter was un der a suspension an d t h erefore there were but two chap ,

ters left in the State T h ereu pon the assem blage resolved itself in to
.

a R oyal A rc h Convention and proceeded to elect Grand O ffi cers ,

’

an d to adopt a constitution A n d t h is wa s t h e b ody w h ich m ade .

application to t h e last Convocation of t h e Gen eral Gran d Chapter ,

to be recog ni z ed as t h e Grand Chapter of t h e S tate of D elaware .

W ith these facts before me th ere was but one con clusi on to
“
,

w h ic h I could legitimately arrive A ccordingly on t h e 2 0thof .

,

O ctober 1 868 I issued an edict declari ng t h at any legal existence

, , ,

h eretofore attaching to a Grand R oyal A rch Chapter of the S tate of

D elaware h ad ceased t h at sa id State Gran d C h apter no longer ex
i s t e d and that t h e several c h apters heretofore holding under it h ad
become dormant for non use and for ot h er reasons A n d t h at by
-
.
,

t h e fact of t h e cessation of the Gran d Chapter of t h e State of D el

aware all semblance of lawful governmental aut h ority in that State
,

had ceased and t h e territory h ad becom e m asonically vacant ; an d

,

therefore t h e aut h ority of t h e General Gran d Chapter of t h e U nited

States did of rig h t O btain an d was i n full force and e ffect in
, , , ,

said S tate of D elaware T h ereupon I did order and direct t h at

.
, ,

the t h ree C h apters w h ic h had formerly hel d under the Grand C h ap

ter of D elaware s h oul d be received and recogni z ed as lawful R oyal
,

A rc h Chapters under t h e j urisdiction of t h e General Gran d Chap

ter and wit h aut h ority to resume an d con ti nu
,

e work u nder the

’

warrants then held by t h em until the pleasure of the Gen eral Gran d ,

C h apter was made known or a State Gran d C h apter was form ed ,

.

O n the 9t hday of J anuary 1 869 upon application duly m ade

and under t h e power and aut h ority vested in m e by t h e C on s ti tu
, , ,
1 496 H I S T O RY OF F R EE M A S O N RY
Bro Sweeney previ ous to the foregoing Com mittee proceeding in
.

t h e calculation in t h e expenses of our R obes Veil s Furn iture 81 0

1
, , , .

Th
’

e Com mittee to m eet on Wednesday eveni ng at 4 o clock P M , . .

and general m eeting of the R oyal A rc h M asons to m eet at 6 o cl ock ’

Th
”
previou s ly th e same evening e m eeting t h en adj ourned . .

D ecem ber 1 6 1 795 Present as at last meeting except Bro

,
. .

Step h enson T h e Comm ittee appointed at th e last meeti ng made

thei r report : w h i ch wa s that t wenty three po u

.

n ds an d one S h il -

ling is i ndispensably necessary to provi de t h e materials to prepare

them an d to arra n ge the Lodge room previou s to the formation of
a R oyal A rc h E ncampment & c & c which was agreed to , .
,
.
, .

A t a m eeting held J une 1 7 5 797 it was an nounced by a letter , ,

from Comp S weeney that a R oyal A rch Gran d Lodge is about to

.

be formed for the State of Marylan d to m eet a t Baltim ore J une

2 4th A circular letter was received from George L Gray N o 5
. .
,
.

M arket S t Baltim ore givi ng information of the e stablish ment of a

.
, ,

Gran d C h apter in the city of Baltimore .

T h is chapter or encamp ment h eld its m eetings until Febru ary ,

5 799 w
,
h en it resolved t h at t h“
e R o y al A rch E ncampment b e
”
broke up a n d a committee wa s appo i nted to settle u p its a ffairs
,

an d everyon e to receive h is d ividend .

T o s how wh o were t h e o fficers an d their titles we g ive the f ol

lowing list
M W J am es H oban H igh Priest
. .
,
-
.

R W J oh n Carter Captain General

. .
,
-
.

R W R obert Brown I s t Grand M aster

. .
, .

R W R edmon d Purcell 2 d Gran d M aster

.
,
.

R W Peter Lenox 3 d Grand M aster

. .
,
.

J o h n H anley T reasurer , .

Patrick H ea rly Secretary , .

J o h n Lenox T yler , .

Th e secon d record book begins as follows -

A t a m eeting of t h e R oyal A rch Chapter at their Lodge room

on Saturday evening D ecem ber 1 1 804 t h e followin g Com pan ions
, , ,

p resent
P h il P E ck el H ig h Prie s t p t
.
2
,
-
, . .

C h arles J on es Captain General ,

-
.

1
Ro b es a n d V il
e hs a re e re s pe ci fi e d for t h
e fi rs t ti m e, we b li v — E
e e e D I T OR .

2 P hi l ip P . E ck l w d
e a s a i s ti n guish
e d m e mb er of a cha
pter i B l ti m o
n a re — E D I T OR .
 FR E E M A S O NRY IN TH E UN I T ED S T AT ES 1 497

B en j K ing I st G ran d M aste r

u
. .
,

C M
. La gh la n 2 d Gran d M ast er
.
,
.

B em d D olan d 3 d Gran d M aster

’
.
,

l
J oh n D avis Gran d Scri be ,
.

V isitors J ohn Scott J ohn Carter

, , .

Th
e degree of E xcellent Superexcellent R oyal A rch wa s con , ,

ferred upon several B rethren ten dollars being the fee , .

O n Sunday D ecem ber 1 4 1 806 a m eeting is recorded an d

, , , ,

they adopted t h e foll owing

R es olved T h at this Chapter concur with th e resolution passed
,

by Concordia R A Chapter as far as respects a Grand R oyal A rch

. .

Chapter an d that a Com mittee be appointed to m eet i n Gran d Con

ven t i on at the City of Washington on the th ird Wednesday i n J anu
ary n ext ( 1 807) any Com mittees w h ich may b e appointed for the
purpose aforesaid .

Feb ruary 1 4 1 807 O rdered that th is Chapter be represented

, .

at the n ext R oyal A rch Chapter to be held at Baltimore in the ,

State of M aryland on th e secon d T hursday of M ay next by the

, ,

O ffi cers fi xed on by th e Constitution of the Gran d Chapter .

R es olved T hat that part of the Constituti on which states that

,

th e H igh Priest an d K ing are t h e proper representatives b e altered

-

S O as to add unless ordered by the C h apter

,
‘
.
’

“
R es olved T hat the T reasurer do pay into th e hands o f the
,

T reasurer of the Grand R A Chapter $ 1 0 for th e purpose o f . .

,

O btain in g our Warrant an d also other Contingent expenses relative

2

”
thereto .

February 7 1 807 wa s adopted the followmg

, ,

R es olved T hat i n future t h e foll owing sums S h

,
all b e pai d by
Can didates for th e foll owing degrees n amely for Past M aster , ,

$ ,
2 for M ark M aster $ 3 an d for th e degr ee of E xcellent Super , ,

excellent R oyal A rch

,

A t thi s ti me it was
“
R es olved T h at this C h apter S h all h ereafter be entitled and
,

”
kn own by the n am e of the R oyal A rch U nion C h apter
T h is record book termi nates A u
.

gust 2 0 5 808 g ivi ng n o intima

-
, ,

tion of any cause w h atever w h y the chapter should n ot h ave con

1
T it l e of G r a nd S c ib ur e n k n own in hfi
t e rs t E m pm
n ca e nt. E
— D I T OR .

2T h
is s ee m s to i n di ca te t ha t th
e e r wa s no W a r ra n t h
pr i or t o t i s da t e .
1 498 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
u its sessions
ti n ed the m eeting previous to the above date a ll
. At
the O ffi cers had been elected and in stalled .

A di s pen s ation h ad been i s sued by th e General Grand H igh

Pries t to t h e several c h apters in t h e D istrict of Colum bia to organ
ize a Grand Chapter A ug st 3 0 1 82 2 an d th e report of the com u , ,

mitte e was adopted recom mending the adopti on of the resolutio n

1
above quoted .

T his Grand Chapter continued in existence from Feb ruary 1 0 ,

1 82 4 to J anuary 8t h 1 83 3 being com posed of t h e followin g chap

, , ,

ters viz : Federal C h apter N o 3 ; U nio n Chapter N o 4 ;

,
.
, .
, .

Potom ac Chapter N o 8 ,
. .

Several conventi ons were hel d from tim e to tim e h owever , ,

between May 1 1 1 82 2 an d February 1 0 1 82 4 at w h ich latter

, , , ,

date t h e delegates of the several chapters of R oyal A rch M ason s

of t h e D istrict of Columbia m et i n General Convention a n d th e
following chapters were properly represented : Federal Chapter ,

N o 3 ; U n ion Chapter N o 4 ; Brooke Chapter N o 6 of A lex

.
, .
,
.
,

andria V a an d Potomac Chapter N o 8 of Georgetown

,
.
, ,
.
,
.

Th e conventi on wa s duly organi z ed and the Grand O fficers were ,

elected an d a constituti on wh ich had b een regularly formulated

an d adopted at a form er convention was adopted I n the even ing
of t h e same day (T uesday Febru
.

ary 1 0 1 82 4) th e Gran d R oyal

, ,

A rch C h apter for th e D istri ct of Colum bia wa s opened in am pl e

form and the convention was accord ingly di s solved
O ffi cers were duly installed by Com p uJ oh n B
.
,

Th
’
e Grand .

H ammett a Past Grand H ig h Priest

,
-
.

A t a meeting of the Gran d Chapter held M arch 9 1 82 4 th e , ,

following com m unication was received and read and lai d on th e

table
G E OR G E T O W N b u y
Fe r a r 1 1 1 82 4 ,
A
, ,

PO I '
‘

OM A C R OY A L ARC H CH PT E R , No 8 . .

R es olved U na ni mo s l
y T hatuwe deem it inexpe
,
dient to separat e

from th e Gran d Chapter of the State of M arylan d and D istrict of

Columbia and t h at we will n ot avail ourselves of the perm ission and
aut h ority granted by a resolution pa s t sai d Gran d Chapter at t h eir
l a st Communic a tion (E xtracts from t h e M inute )
. .

E D w D EE B L E S cr i o
e .
,
.

1
Pr o G en G r Ch 1 82 6, p 77
. . . . .
 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S T AT E S 1 4 99

Previous to t h e closing of t h e convention the number s of the

chapters were arranged as follows Federal N o 1 U nion N o 2 , .
, .

Brooke N o 3 ; Potom ac N O 4 an d that c h arters to the s e s h oul d

,
.
,
.
,

be m ade accordingly .

A t t h e sem i an nual m eeting we find N o 1 to be designated as

-
.

Wa s ni ng ton R oyal A rc h C h apter N o 1 T his c h ange was , . .

m ade by t h at chapter at a meeting hel d February 2 3 1 82 4 , .

Th e Grand Chapter contin ued to ex ist until its annual communi

cation hel d J anuary 8 1 83 3 wh ich is the last record i n the book

, , , .

Potomac Chapter N o 4 never united with t h is Gran d Chapter

, .
, ,

but held under her ol d Charter .

A t th e annual meeting of the Gran d Ch apter held J an uary 9 , ,

1 82 7 a petition was received from Comp P M auro on behalf of

, . .
,

himself and thirteen other Compani ons requesting a dispensation

or C h arter be granted to t h em for a chapter under the title of T em
pl e Chapter N o 4 which wa s un a n imously granted
, .
,
.

A t an adj ourned convocati on hel d M arch 1 4 1 82 7 after instal , , ,

lation of the Gran d O fficers the o ffi cers elect of T emple Chapter , ,

N O 4 were installed by the Grand H igh Priest -

T his Gran d Chapter cl osed its existence after the ann u

. .
,

a l con

vocation J anuary 8 1 83 3 as no m eeting was recorded in th e old

, ,

book after that date if any were held at all We m ust n ow refer to
,
.

the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter an d at t h e elevent h

meeti ng held Septem ber 1 4 1 84 1 we fin d that a resolution was
adopted auth orizing the D ep u
, , ,

ty General Gran d H ig hPriest to -

take the necessary steps to place all chapters of R oyal A rch Ma

sons i n that part of the D istrict of Colum b ia form erly bel onging to ,

the State of M arylan d under the j urisdiction of t h e Gran d Chapter

,

of M arylan d 1
A t the next meeting held Septem ber 1 0 1 844 t h at
.
, , ,

o fficer reported t h at the resolution above referred to had been duly

enforced an d confirm ed by th e Gran d Chapter of the State of Mary
land and that Grand Chapter has assumed and n ow h olds j u r i s di c

tion over that po rtion of the D i s tri ct of Columbia lying wit h in t h e

lim its of t h e State that at present M aryland has two c h apters at
,

”
work therei n T h ese two chapters were Colum bia N o 1 5 and ,
.
,

W a s h ington N o 1 6 . .

Th e c h apters i n the D istrict of Colum bia remained attac h ed to

a n d un der t h e Gran d C h apter of M aryland whic h on September 1 0 ,

1
84 1 65 2 1 844 p 81
1 , p . 1 . , . 1 .
1 500 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S ON RY

1 844, was changed to M arylan d and D istrict of Col mbia until the
year 1 867 w h en steps were taken by the four c h apters in t h e D istri ct
,
u ,

of Columbia to reorganize a Grand C h apter T h ese were Colum bia .

,

N o 1 5 ; Washington N o 1 6 ; M ount Vernon N o 2 0 ; and Poto

.
, .
, .

ma c N o 8 A fter m any prel iminary co nventions an d surm ou n ti ng

,
. .
,

tec h ni cal di ffi culties an d bitter h o s tilities to t h ei r e fforts t h e General ,

Grand H ig h Priest J o h n L Lewis gave his consent bytelegram fi rst

-
,
.
, ,

which wa s followed by h is offi cial letter Compan ion A l b ert G . .

M ackey Past Gen eral Grand H igh Priest was i nvited to come from
,
-
,

C h arleston S C to con s titute th e Gran d C h apter and i nstall the

,
. .
,

Grand O ffi cers w h ich cerem onies took pl ace in Washi ngton at the
,

O pera h ouse M ay 2 3 1 867 T h

-
,
e Grand C h apter was su ccessfully
,
.

launc h ed but soon encountered quick sa nd and S hoals T h e en

em ies of t h e Grand Chapter did n ot h esitate to take the mo s t u

.
,

h
mason ic m easure s to stop th e progre s s of R oyal A rch M asonry i n
the D istrict of Colum bia ; a self constituted com mittee of four V i s -

i te d t h e General Gran d H igh Priest at hi s h om e in N e w Y ork an d -

by a tis s ue of false h oods and a well concocted fal s e statem ent i n -

du
,

ce d that o fficer to recall h is perm is s ion long after th e Grand C h ap ,

ter h ad successfully entered upon a very pro s perous course T wo .

constituent c h apters h ad been c h artered to take t h e place of Potomac

Chapter which wit h drew from the Gran d C h apter and as in 1 82 4
, , ,

decided to remain with the Gran d C h apter i n M aryland T h e Gen .

eral Grand H ig h Priest is s ued his edict requiring t h e chapters i n t h e

-
,

D istrict of Columbia to di s ban d t h e new Gran d Chapter an d return ,

to t h eir allegiance to th e Grand C h apter of M arylan d an d D istri ct

of Colum bia T hi s not being com pl ied wit h h e at on ce issued
.
,

anot h er edict an d expelled every R oyal M ason belonging to the

c h apters in t h e D i s trict except t h ose fou
,

r an d the mem bers of

Potom ac C h apter T h us matters re mained T h . e Co mpanions in .

Wa s h ington went along about t h eir busin ess of M asonry an d a

wonderf u l pro s perity followed t h em W h en t h e General Gran d .

C h apter m et i n St Louis in 1 868 t h e Gran d C h apter of th e D istri ct

.
,

was s u s tained i n h er action and adm itted to t h e General Grand

C h apter .

We h ave kindly omitted all per s onalities i n t h is veri table h is

tory because nearly e very prominent Com panion in thi s contest
,

has gone to his reward an d we say a s all i nterested S h ould Pa x

i s cu
, , ,

Voo m Th e General Grand C h apter perm itted Potomac Chap

.
~
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E UNITED S TA T E S 1 501

ter N o 8 to retain h er place u

,
.
,
nder th e Grand C h apter of M ary
land b ut decided t h at t h e w h ole t erritory of t h e D istrict wa s in t h e
,

jurisdicti on of the Gran d Ch a pter of the D istrict of Columbia an d ,

s h e could n ot receive any petition s for th e degrees T hi s continued .

for a few m ont h s w hen Potomac fi nally asked to b e admitted

,

am ong th e faithful which was readily granted an d since t h at

, ,

tim e there has been n o m ore fait h ful mem bers of t h e Gran d
Chapter t h an the Com panions of O l d Potomac N o 8 an d uni , .
,

ve r s a ll
y esteem ed an d beloved .

Th e Gran d C h apter of t h e D istrict of Colum bia has increased

sin ce M ay 7 1 867 from three chapters with 498 mem bers to eleven
, , ,

chapters and m embers in 1 898 .

“
I n the Com pen dium giving the proceedings of th e General
Gran d Chapter for the si xth meeting of that body S eptem ber 1 4 , ,

1 82 6 the General Gran d

,
H igh Priest D e VVi t t Cl inton reported -
, ,

that he had granted dispensations for a M a r k Lodge i n St A ugus .

1
tine and also one i n St Francisville in Florida . .

Th e Gran d C h apter of Virgi ni a had chartered two c h apters in

Florida vi z ,
M agnolia N o 1 6 at A ppa la ch
. i cola and Florida N o
, .
, , , .

3 2
,
at T allah a ss ee T here was a chapter.at St A ugustine chartered .

by the Gran d Chapter of South Carol in a .

We fin d in th e Com pen dium i n the proceedi ngs for the thi r

t e e n t hmeeting of t h e General Grand C h apter hel d September 1 4 , ,

1 84 7 the following in t h e report of th e General Grand Secretary

2
,

O n t h e 1 1 t hday of J anuary last t h ree c h a pters of

R oyal A rch M ason s i n th e State of Flori da by their delegates met , ,

in Convention an d resolved to form a Grand Chapter for t h at State .

T h ey t h erefore p r oceeded to fram e a Constitution an d enact by

laws ; an d on th e 2 1 s t of the same m onth t h ey elected o fficers and
organi z ed a Gran d Chapter ; an d among t h ei r proceedings it will
be foun d that they desire to place t h eir G ran d C h apter under your
j urisdiction O n receipt of th e copy of t h eir Constitution and let
.

ter accom panying it I imm ediately acknowledged the s am e and , ,

requested t h eir Grand Secretary to inform m e from what Grand

1 Co mp
e n di um ,
”
1 82 6 p 73
, . .
2 I b id .
, 1 84 7 P 1 I 4O
 1 5 02 H I S T ORY OF F RE E M A S O NRY

Chapter the several Chapters i n the State receive d their respective

c h arters and t h e tim e when each wa s issued T o thi s letter as yet
,
.
, ,
”
I have received no answer .

Th e next noti ce of Florida we fin d in the proceedings of t h e

1
same meeting where a com mittee on General Gran d Secretary s re
,
’

port say
T hat it appears from docum ents referred t o you r comm ittee
\

a Convention of delegates from t h e R oyal A rch Chapters in the

State of Florida assem bled in T allahassee in the m onth of J anuary
, , ,

1 84 7 at which time the following pream ble an d resolutions were

,

adopted (w h ich we omit) T h

”
e comm ittee say .

I n the pu blis h ed proceedin g s of said Grand C h apter we fin d

the adopted Constitution and the followin g resolutions ,

“
R es olved T hat the Gran d Chapter of Florida duly a pprecia t
, ,

ing t h e advantages of a M asonic h ead and param ount authority are ,

disposed to com e under the j urisdiction of the General Grand Chap

ter of the U nited States .

R es olved T hat the Grand Secretary com m unicate the sam e to

,

the General Grand Secretary of the General Gra nd Chapter .

A mong the com ments of t h e com m ittee th ey say “

I t is to be
regretted that the Grand Secretary did not furnish that precise i n
formation of the origin of the several chapters wh ich composed t h e
convention as would have enabled your com m ittee to report in
such a manner as to recom m en d to this G eneral Gran d Chapter the
incorporation of that Gran d Chapter un der your j urisdicti on at t h e
”
presen t tim e etc Som e objections were also m ade to several sec
,
.
~

tions of their constitution ; they recommended certai n resolutions

aiming to overco m e the o bj ections an d thereby to adm it th e Gran d ,

C h apter to her proper place as a constituent of this General Grand

Chapter T h e Grand Chapter of Florida di d not understand the
.

motive of th e action of the General Gran d Chapter and did not

comply with the req uest for explanations A t th e s ixteenth meet .

ing of th e General Gran d Chapter held in 1 85 6 the General Gran d

H igh Priest was aut h orized to recognize t h e Gran d C h apter of
-

Florida and place it in the s ame position as t h e ot h er Grand C h ap

te rs at its req est
, u .

Th e wa r perio d of 1 861 to 1 865 prevented the accom plishment

1 “
mp
Co e n di um , pp
. 1 58
, 1 59
-
, 1 61 ,
1 71 .
1 5 94 H I S T OR Y OF F RE E M A S O N RY
Chapter having been recognized and t h at if so it sh oul d be in , , ,

some way made to appear upon t h e r ecord

,
.

Th e report of t h e co m m ittee o n t h e last item as found at th e

s am e m eeti ng was that they did fi nd documentary evidence i n t h e

,

hands of the General Grand Secretary s u fficient to prove t h at the

Grand Chapter of Georgia was a con s tituent of th e General Grand
C h apter alt h ough said Gran d Chapter had not been represented or
, ,

m ade returns to that body si nce 1 82 2 .

Th e above statement of facts i s not very flattering to the o f fi cers

of the General Grand Chapter w hose duty it evidently was to know ,

from th e r ecor ds and r eg i s ter s w h o were the constituents of that

Grand Body Such remissness an d want of knowledge in regard
.

to t h e very vital a ffairs sh ow g ross neglect of duty an d want of

care in the manag em en t of s o i mportant a bo dy of M asons a s the
General Grand Chapter .

Th
e Gran d Chapter Of O regon granted a Charter to I daho
Chapter in I dah o City J une 1 8 1 867 being u nder the i m pression
, , , ,

that the General Grand Chapter had cea s ed to exist T his chapter .

was constituted A ugust 1 8 1 867 A t t h e twentieth session of the ,

.

General Gran d Chapter held S eptem ber 1 8 1 868 the General , , ,

Grand Chapter adopted a report w h i ch in cl uded good faith of ,

“

the petiti oners healing a ll those wh o had been exalted i n t h e chap

,

ter an d grantin g a Charter to I dah o C h apter N o 1 I da h o City

, , .
, ,

o n September 1 8 1 868 T h e General Gran d Chapter is s ued war ,

.

rants to ot h er chapters i n I da h o viz February 1 4 1 870 a dispen ,

.
, ,

sation to Cyrus N o 2 at Silver City then i n D akota ; M arch 3 0

, .
, , ,

1 870 a dispensation to Boise N o 3

, at B oise City ; ch arters were , .
,

is s ued to t h ese two S eptember 2 0 ,

I n t h e proceedings of th e General Gran d Chapter for A ugust

25 1 880 on petitio n O f Com p C P Coburn an d ot h ers of Lewis
, , . . .

ton N ez Perce County I da h o a C h arter was granted A u g ust 2 7

, , , , ,

1 880 to Lewiston C h apter N o

, , .

A t the twe nty sixt htrienn ial hel d O ctober 1 1 886 A lturas
.

-
, , ,

C h apter N o 5 at H arley D a k was granted a Charter

,
.
,
3
, .
,
.

Pocatello N o 6 at Pocatello received a di s pen s ation dated May

, .
, ,

1 Pro G en G r Ch for
. . . .
p 33. .
2 I b id .
, p 81
. .
3 1 bid , p . . 1 25 .
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E UNI TED S TAT E S 1 505

2 8. 1 and a Charter N ovem ber 2 2 1 889 ; Moscow Chapter at

889, , ,

M oscow received a C h arter J uly 2 3 1 89 1 Fay ette Chapter N o

, , , .

8 at Fayette received a Charter A ugust 2 4 1 894

, , , .

Th
e D epu ty General Gran d H igh Priest J oseph K Stapleton -
, .
,

gave a dispensation to Springfield Chapter i n Springfield J uly 1 9 , , ,

l
1 84 1 ; an d at the eleventh triennial meeting of the G enera l Grand
C h apter hel d Septe mber 1 4 1 84 1 a Charter was granted o n t h e
, , ,

l 7t h .
s

the twelfth trienn ial session Septem ber I O 1 844 the D eputy
At , , ,

General Gran d H igh Priest reported having issued a dispensation -

3
for Lafayette Chapter i n Chicago dated J uly 2 1 844 , , ,

A t t h e thirteenth triennial session September 1 4 1 84 7 he re , , ,

ported h aving issued dispensations to J acksonville Chapter N o 3 , .

,

at J acksonville and Shawneetown Chapter N o 6 at S h awnee

, ,
.
,

town since th e session of 1 844 an d a Charter to Lafayette C h ap

, ,

4
ter i n Chicago
,
.

Th e General Gran d Scri be E zra S Barnu m reported having .

issued dispe nsations o n M arch 1 0 1 846 to open H oreb Chapter , , ,

N o 4 at H enderson and A pril 1 1 846 to open Q uincy Chapte r

.
, , , , ,

N o 5 at Q ui ncy
.
, .

A t th e fourteenth trien nial session Septem ber 1 0 1 85 0 several , , ,

of the c h apters working under dispensations havi ng applied for

c h arters were refused because t h ey had failed to send u p t h e records
of their proceedings and therefore th e com mittee was unabl e to say
,

whether their doings h ad been regular or not A mong these were .

the chapters R eynolds Stapleton S pringfield an d Q uincy and , , , ,

recom mended t h at their dispensati ons be continued in force until

5
next trien nial meeti ng .

A t t h e same sessi on ( fourteen th ) th e D eputy Ge n eral Grand

H igh Priest reported h aving issued d i s pensations for t h e form ation
-

of H oward C h apter on J uly 2 8 1 84 8 an d Stapleton Chapter J une

, , , ,

2 8 1 849
,
Th e General Grand King reported t h at s in ce t h e la s t
.

triennial h e had gran ted a dispensation to a c h apter to be h eld in

Ca mbridge i n the County of H en ry to b e called R eynolds ,

1 m
Co pen di , um
p 1 10 . .
2 I bid .
, p . 1 1 1 .
3 I bid .
, p . 1 22 .

4
b
I id , p 1 4 5
. . .
5
I bid .
, p . 2 01 .
1 5 06 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
C h apter N o dated March 2 1 85 0 T h
,
.
—, 1
e General Grand Scribe ,
.

reported t h at s i nce the la s t triennial he h ad gra n te d a dispensation

u
4

to open a chapter of R oyal A rc h M asons at R ock I sland A ,

gu s t 1 to be called Ba r rett
, .

A t the thirtee nth triennial m eeting the General Grand King

reported t h at he had granted aut h ority to seven chapters in I llinois
to organi z e a Grand Chapter .

A pril 1 0 1 85 0 a convention of the representatives of six of these

, ,

c h apter s was held an d having t h e auth ority of t h e General Gran d

,

Kin g a Grand Chapter for the State of I llinois wa s organi z ed

,
3
.

I n dza n Ter r i tory .

Aconve ntion of three chartered ch

apters I n dian N o 1 O kla , , .

h oma N o 2 an d M uskogee N o 3 wa s held by their repre se n

,
.
, ,
.
,

t a tives O ctober 1 5 1 889 ; organized and m ade application to the

, ,

General Gran d H ig h Priest for authority to constitute a Grand -

C hapter for I ndian T erritory w h ic h was refused Subsequently ,

.

t h e succeeding General Grand H igh Priest D avid F D a y at the -

,
.
,

general grand convocation held at A tlanta G a N ovem ber 2 2 1 889 , ,

.
, , ,

granted t h eir request and on February 1 5 1 890 the Grand Chap , , ,

ter was constitutionally instituted A t the second annual convoc a .

tion held at O klah oma A ugust 2 0 1 891 seven chapters were repre
, , , ,

sented .

I n di a na .

Th
e oyal A rch
fi rst record evi dence of the establis h ment of R
M asonry in the State of I n diana is found in the proceedings of the
General Gran d C h apter at the sixth meeting held S eptember 1 4 , ,

1 82 6 where under the report of a committee on t h e papers and pro

,

ce e di ng s of t h e Gen eral Grand O ff T hat a C h arter

“
i cers they say :
h ad been granted to Vincennes C h apter at Vi ncenn es S tate of I n , ,

diana on 1 3 th M ay 1 82 0 ; to J ennings M ark Lodge at Vevay I h

, , , ,

diana on 4thM ay 1 82 1 by t h e General Gran d King J o h n

, , , ,

S eptem ber 1 4 1 83 8 t h e com mittee o n t h e doings of General

, ,

Grand O fficers reported a dispensation having be en granted by M .

E Companion S tapleton for a c h apter at R ic h m ond I nd a n d recom

.
,
.
,

mended a C h arter for t h at c h apter ( Septem ber 1 4 T hi s ,

1 Co mp en di um ,
p . 1 82 .
2 I b id .
, p
. 1 84 .
3
I b id . , p . 1 83 .
4
I id b .
, p 73. .
 F R E E M A S O N RY IN TH E UN I T ED S T AT E S 1 507

chapter was named King S olomon A t t h e elevent h meeting h eld .

,

Septem ber 1 4 1 84 1 t h e Comm ittee on Warr ant s recommended a

C h arter to b e iss u
, ,

ed to Logan C h apter Logan s port t h e dispensa ,

tio n of this chapter wa s dated M arc h 1 2 1 83 9 , .

A t t h e twelft h m eeting held S eptem ber 1 0 1 844 t h e followin g, , ,

s tatem ents were made by t h e General Gran d S ec r eta ry : By t h e

1

r ecords of t h e proceedings of t h e General Gra n d C h apter in 1 81 9 it ,

appear s t h at t h e Com m ittee to wh om was referred t h e subject mat e

ter of di s pen s ation s granted by the Gen eral Grand O fficers durin g
t h e previou s rece s s lea d nea r d that t h e t h en late D eputy General
Grand H igh Prie s t had granted di s pensation s for c h
-
arters at M ad
ison an d at Brookville i n I ndian a but there being n o furt h er evi
, ,

dence of t h eir exi s tence before the General Gran d C h apter no rati ,

fi ca t i n
o of t h ese acts was passed n or were t h eir charters ordered ; ,

althoug h several charter s were at that time ordered for other c h ap

ters holding dispensations under authority of other G eneral Grand
O fficers Con s equently M adison an d Brookville C h apters cease d
.
,

to exi s t as legally constituted M asonic Bodies at that time I t a p .

pears h owever from t h e h erewith accompanying papers t h at Mad

, , ,

i s on Chapter continued its labors for m an y years and there having

been another chapter establis h ed at Vincen nes i n t h at State in , ,

1 82 3 it is s ai d a Grand C h apter was organized with th e approbation

of M E Com p J ohn Sno w General Gran d Kin g N o docu
,

. . . me n , .

tary evidence of t h at authori ty h owever or even records of th e pro , ,

ce e di n gs of that Gran d C h apter are known to exist N or doe s it .

appear of record t h at the General Gran d C h apter was ever advised

of t h e existence of such an in s titution s

O n th e true po s ition of t h ese things being m ade known to the

Compan ions at M adison i n t h e proper s pirit of M a s onry t h ey i m,

mediately suspended all work closed t h eir c h apter an d determined , ,

to lay t h eir case before t h e General Gran d Ch apter wh ic h wa s done ,

by t h eir H igh Prie s t M E J o s eph G N orwood in a very frank

-

perspic u
. . . .
, ,

ous an d able man ner presented amongs t t h e documents

, , ,

accom pan ied by t h eir dispen s ation t h eir return for 1 84 2 to t h e pres ,

ent tim e ( September 1 0 an d the paym ent of suc h due s as

,

have accrued wit h in t h at time N o return h ad been made from .

1 81 9 to 1 84 2 T h eir irregularities were evidently t h e re s ult of mi s

.

take s as to t h e extent of power given by t h eir di s pen s ation and ,

1
Co mp e n di um , p . 1 1 6
.
1 508 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY

they asked that their acts m ay be made lawful by th e General Gran d

Chapter an d that all dues up to 1 84 2 be rem itted a n d asked for a ,

Cha rter 1
T his was duly g ranted September 1 2
. a n d all dues , ,

rem itted up to 1 84 2 T h e past work was pronounced illegal and .

,

aut h ority wa s gi ven to heal all who had received degree s i n it A t .

the twelfth meeting a bove mentioned the D eputy General

Grand H i g h Priest reported having issued a di s pens atio n to Lafay
-

ette Chapter N o 3 at Lafayette A ugust 1 7 1 84 3 ; a Charter

,
3
.
, , ,

was granted to this chapter Septem ber 1 1 1 844 ; at this meeting , ,

perm ission was gr anted by th e General Grand C h apter for a conven

tion to assem ble dated N ovem ber 1 8 1 84 5 and the Gran d Cha p
, , ,

ter of I n dian a wa s dul y constituted D ecem ber 2 5 1 84 5 ,

.

I owa .

At the th irteen th meeting of th e G eneral Gran d Chapter hel d ,

September 1 4 1 84 7 th e D eputy General Grand H igh Priest r e

, ,
-

ported that since t h e trienn ial session i n 1 844 he h ad authori z ed , ,

th e consecration by proxy of I owa Chapter at Burlington la, , , , ,

and also I owa City Chapter at I owa City H e had also I s s ued 3 ,
.

‘
dispensation to form D ub uque Chapter N o 3 at D ubuque I a ,
.
, , .

Charter to th e sam e was dated September 1 7 1 84 7 ,

.

D ispensation to I owa Chapter N o 1 was dated A ugust 2 4 ,

.
, ,

Charter to the sam e was dated Septembe r 1 1 1 844 ,

.

D ispensati on to I owa City Chapter N o 2 wa s dated M arch 1 9 ,

.
, ,

Charter to the sam e wa s dated Septem ber 1 7 1 84 7 ,

.

A t the fifteenth m eeting of the General Grand C h apter hel d ,

September 1 7 1 85 3 Washington Chapter N o 4 at Mu s catin e I a

, , ,
.
, , .
,

wa s chartered dated September 1 7 1 85 , ,

A dispensation had been issued to M cCor d Chapter N o 5 a t , .

,

Fa i rfi eld probably in March 1 85 3

, Th e D eput y General Grand , .

H i g h Priest J o s eph K Stapleton having died

-
,
r
y soon t h ere .
,
,

8
after n o report was made
, T hat chapter receive d a Charter from .

the Gran d Chapter of I owa after i t was constituted dated J une ,

A convention of the above nam ed chapters by th eir delegate s -

, ,

1 Co mp e ndi um , p . 1 1 7 .
2 I b id .
, pp . 1 2 8, 1 2 9 .
3
I b id p 1 21
4
b
I id .
, p
. 145 .
5
I b id .
, p 1 21
. .
6
I bid .
,
p
. 1 22.
7 I idb .
, p . 2 59 .
3 P r ocee di n gs , 1 856 p 3 61 , . .
 FR E E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T E D S T AT E S 1 509

wa s held at M ount Plea sant J une 8 , ,

1 85 4 ,
by the authority of the
1
General Gran d Scribe A V R owe ,
. . .

Th e hi s tory of Capitular M asonry i n I owa would not be com

le t e d were we to omit one of tho s e peculiar epi s ode s whic h wit h

p ,

cyclonic force carries away before it all t h e val uable work s of t h e

,

good an d great M ason ic A rchitects wh o have labored so hard and , ,

industriously in th e erection of Masonic temples an d wh ic h we

, ,

’
quote from Com pan ion A F Ch apm an s h istory of Capitular M a . .

M d C r da n t Or der s :
f
s on ry in the H i s tory o a s on r
y a n o n co
“
W ithin about two years after being organi z ed the usefulness ,

of the General Gran d Chapter cam e un der discussion Th e Grand .

H igh Priests early gave emphasis to this ne g ative feelin g I n 1 85 7 .

the delegates to th e n ext session of the General Grand Chapter

were instructed to vote for i ts dissolution T his was re enforced in .
-

1 85 8 Th e Gran d Chapter a s serte d its sovereignty and independent

.

right to organize chapters i n N ebraska or elsewhere where n o Grand

u
,

Chapter existed an d fi nally on A u gust 1 6 1 860 the resol tion de

, , , ,

cla ri ng the

“ ‘
G ra nd C h
a pte r s over e i g n a nd i ndepe n de nt, a nd in no ma nner wh a t e v er

s u b j ect to t e h G e ne ra l G ra nd Ch
a pt e r of t h
e U S ta
ni t e d t e s a nd t h
,i s G ra nd
Ch lv fr om a ll connection th
e r e wi th
’
a pt e r i s for eve r a bso ed ,

wa s passed by a vote of twenty ei g ht ayes to fi fteen nay s -

.

“
T h is
con dition conti nued for n ine years when at the tri ennial , ,

con vocation Septem ber 1 871 th e General Gran d H igh Priest re

, , ,

ported that u nder date of O ctober 2 6 1 869 h e had received offi cial
, , ,

n otice that the Gran d Chapter o f I owa had rescinded the act of
secessi on passed in 1 860 an d had directed that th e O B of alle , . .

i a n ce S h oul d be admin istered to a l l the mem bers of chapters in

g
that j uri s d iction an d that hereafter it woul d b e administered to
,

2
candi dates receiving th e R oyal A rch degree .
’

T hi s Grand Chapter h a s been represented i n th e G enera l

Gran d C h apter since 1 871 .

“
R obert Farm er Bower o f I owa Grand Chapter wa s ch osen
Gen eral Gran d H i g h Priest i n 1 880 and died before his term wa s ,
”
out .

1 P r ocee di ngs , 1 856, p 3 76

. .
2 H i s tor y of M a s onr y , p 61 3
. .
1 510 H I S T O RY OF F REE M A S O N RY

Ka ns a s .

T h
e first dispensation was i ued to Leavenworth Chapter ss , No .

1 ,
at Leavenworth J anuary 2 4 1 85 7 to Wa s h i ngton C h apter at , , ,

A tchison May 1 8 1 85 9 ,
T h e s e two dispensation s were reported
,
.

by t h e General Grand H igh Prie s t at the seventeent h meeting of the -

General Gran d Chapter held S eptember 1 85 9 a nd at t h is m eetin g , , ,

a C h arter wa s granted to Washington C h apter N O 2 S eptember ,

.
,

1 4 1 85 9
,
I n t h e proceedings of the special convocation of t h e
.

Gen eral Grand C h apter called by Com p A lbert G M ackey General . .

,

Grand H igh Priest whic h a s sembled in Columbus O Septem ber

-
, ,
.
,

h
’

8 6 Washi ngton C t r N o 1 of Kansas is reported present

7 1 5 a
p e

by J acob S a q u
.
, , , , ,

i H P A t t h e triennial comm unication h eld next

I
. .
,

day S eptem ber 8that the same place th e D eputy General Grand
, , ,

H ig h Prie s t reported that he h ad renewed the dispen s ation of

-

Leavenworth C h apter in May O n September 8 1 865 a , , ,

C h arter wa s granted and al s o a C h arter wa s granted to Fort Scott

3
,

C h apter t h e General Gran d Secretary h aving r eported that a di s

,

e n s a ti on had been issued to t h e c h apter

4
p .

By perm i s s ion of t h e D eputy General Grand H igh Priest a con -

ve nti on of t h e delegates of t h e sev e ral chapters wa s held J anuary ,

1 866 and on February 2 3

,
1 866 a Grand R oyal A rch Chapter was , ,

duly org an i z ed and constituted .

Ken tu
cky .

I n the proceedin g s of t h e General Grand Chapter at t h e fi ft h

regular m eeting September 9 1 81 9 t h e proceedings of t h e Gran d
, , ,

C h apter of Kentucky were presented an d read an d a resolution ,

wa s passed viz Wner ea s I t has been comm uni cated to t h e

,
.
°

General Grand Chapter t h at several Warra n ts of Con s titution were

granted sin ce t h e last comm unicati on authorizing t h e opening and
h olding of R oyal A rc h Chapters in Lexington Frankfort and , ,

S h el byville i n t h e State of Kentucky by our late M ost E xcell en t

, ,

Companion T h om as S mit h Webb an d t h at said C h apter s having

, ,
'

been con s titutionally in O peration for t h e space of m ore than one

,

year did form t h em s elves into a Grand C h apter for said State
,

Po g s O f the G e n e ra l G hpte r
1 r ce e di n ra n d C a ,
1862 — 65 , p 7 . .

I bid .
, p. 23 .
3
1 b id .
, p 3 . 1 .
4
b
I id p 2 7 .
, . .
1 51 2 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N RY

sion September 1 85 9 shows t h at the Gran d Chapter of Kentuck y

, , ,

h ad adopted resolutions of withdrawal from the General Grand

Body .

A t t h e twenty secon d triennial convocation held N ovember 2 4

-
, ,

1 874 t h e General Gran d H ig h Prie s t in h i s address stated “

, T hat -
, ,

t h e Grand C h apter of Kentucky has resci nded her resolutions of

wit h dra wal an d has renewed her allegiance H er representatives are .

”
here with us etc She has remai ned in true allegiance ever since
,
. .

u
Lo i s i a na .

T h first reference we fi n d in th e proceedings of th e General

e

Grand Chapter to R oyal A rc h M asonry in Louisiana 1 3 at the ,

twelfth meeting held Septem ber 1 0 1 844 w h erein is a report on

u
, , ,

t h e appeal of C D Le h man of N ew O rleans fro m a j dgment O f

. .
, ,

'
—
t h e s o called Grand C h apter of Louisian a D
i fficulties had oc .

curred between the o fficers and members of H oda n d chapter N o ,

.

9 in N e w O rleans
,
From the docum ents presented t h e comm ittee
.

learned t h at a Grand C h apter of Loui s iana was organized in 1 81 3

“
,

by t h e R oyal Lo dges Concordia and Pers everan ce an d such

‘ ’

O fficer s a nd M em bers of the Grand Lodge of the State as were

”
R oyal A rc h M asons N ote these l odges were originally organ
.
,

i z e d in t h e I slan d of San D omingo under c h arters from t h e Gran d ,

Lodge of Pennsylvania wit h powers to confer all the degrees from ,

E ntered A pprentice to R oyal A rch i nclusive When the revolution .

occurred in S an D omingo many of the mem bers of these lodges ,

made t h eir e s cape and stopped for a while in Cuba but fin ally settled ,

in N ew O rleans and h aving retained their charters resumed labor

, ,

in t h at city .
1

Th e Gran d Chapter form ed I n th e m anner ab ove stated wa s

attac h ed to an d m ade dependent on the Grand Lodge of Loui s iana

, , ,

and t h e M W Gran d M a s ter of that body was ex ofi ci o and by

. .

“
in h erent rig h t Grand H ig h Prie s t of t h e new Grand C h apter -
.

Th e que s tion a s to t h e legality of t h ese proceed ing s h a d been

foreclosed i n 1 82 9 by t h e adm is s ion of a repre s e ntative from t h e

,

Gran d C h apter of Loui s iana i n t h e person of Compani on M cCon ,

nell on w h ose return to N e w O rl ean s t h e Gran d H ig h P r iest Com

,
-
,

panion J o h n H olla n d convened t h e O fficers an d mem bers of th , e

1
R e pr i nt of P r ocee d i n gs of t e h G en e r a l G r a nd C hpte r f om
a r 1 798 to 1 856, p
. 1 94 ,
 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I T ED S TA T E S 1 51 3

Gran d Chapter wh o by an o fficial act in re g ular assem bly enrolled

, , , ,

themselves under th e j urisdiction of th e General Grand Chapter in ,

the m an ner prescri bed by th e 1 3 th Section of the 4t hA rticle of the

Gen eral Grand Constitution ; of wh ich act it notified all t h e sub
ordinate c h apters under i ts jurisdict i on an d directed similar action ,

on t h eir part and enj oined a strict observance of the provisions of

,

the G eneral Constitution .

From 1 82 9 to 1 83 1 the Grand Chapter of Louisiana conducted

all of h er proceedin g s in good faith and true allegian ce to t h e Gen
eral Grand C h apter From 1 83 1 to A pril 1 83 9 th ere wa s no
.
, ,

m eeting T h . e su bordin ate chapters h ad ceased to exist except H ol ,

land N o 9 which kept up its work until the revocation of its Char
,
.
,

ter in 1 84 1 I n that year the Gran d Secretary of the Grand Lodge

.
,

of Louisiana by direction of the Grand M aster issued notices to

, ,

certain R oyal A rch M asons i n N ew O rleans to assemble an d elect ,

Gran d O fficers with the intention of a reorg ani z ation of th e State

,

Gran d Chapter T his m eeting di d n ot occur but another was soon

.

t h ereafter called an d the H igh Priest an d three other o ffi cers of

,
-

H ollan d Chapter were notified Th e usual Gran d O fficers were .

elected at th is meeting and the s o styled Gran d Chapter of Louisi

,
-

an a wa s organ i z ed From th e testim ony subm itted to the comm it

.

tee it appeared that the H igh Priest of H ollan d Chapter Compn

,
-
, .

H enry was n ot present at this electi on ; nor could the com mittee
,

ascertain th at there was any Compan ion presen t wh o was entitled to

vote i n an election of Grand O ffi cers .

Shortly after this Compn H enry was o fficially n oti fied by the
,
.

Gran d S ecretary of t h e Gran d Chapter o f Lou isiana of the organ

i z a ti on of the Gran d Chapter a n d requiring of H ollan d Chapter her ,

dues an d returns from 1 83 2 to 1 83 8 i nclusi ve H olland C h apter .

protested against this demand and asked for evidence of the legality
of t h e organi z ati on of th e Gra nd Body w h ich was refused and H ol , ,

land Chapter declined to recogni z e its authority T h e body assum .

,

ing to be the Gran d Chapter proceeded to revoke t h e C h arter and , ,

to expel t h e H igh Prie s t an d S ecretary of H ollan d Chapter T h

- e

S ecretary Com p uC D Le h m an mad e h is appeal to t h e General

.

. . .
, ,

Gran d C h apter O n J uly 2 4 1 84 3 h e served t h e reputed Gran d

.
, ,

C h apter wit h a n otice of h i s intention an d it wa s s h own when t h i s ,

n otice wa s s erved t h e Gran d H ig h Priest of t h e Gran d C h apter in

,
-
,

his place an d in O pen chapter declared that he did n ot acknowledge

,
“
1 51 4 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N R Y

any other body and was independent of the General Grand R oyal
,
”
A rch C h apter of t h e U n ited S tates .

From t h e above statem ent it woul d appear that the Grand “

R oyal A rch C h apter organized in 1 81 3 voluntarily surrendered its , ,

independent j urisdi ction an d enrolled itsel f under t h e General Gran d

C h apter w h ich body conti nued until 1 83 1 and h aving ceased h er
, ,

operations by n ot meeting and electing o fficers as required by the ,

General Grand Con s titution it ceased to exi s t A ll the existing , .

subordinate c h apter s cam e i mmediately un der t h e j uri s diction of

t h e Genera l Grand Chapter w h ic h alone had legal aut h ority over t h e ,

j urisdiction t h us vacated as by A rticle 2 S ecti o n 2 of t h e Gen eral , , ,

Gran d Con s titution T h e deceased Grand Chapter could only be r e

.

vi ve d by A rticle 2 Section 9 . .

Th e com mittee r ecom m ended an d w h ich was u nanim ously

adopted : T h at H ollan d Chapter N o 9 be directed to re s um e its , .
,

labors under the direction of its former o fficers an d mem bers with ,

power to fill exi s ting vacancies an d t h at i t be requi red to m ake its ,

an nual returns an d settle its dues with t h e General Grand S ecre

,

1
tary .

I n t h e proceedings of t h e Gen eral Gran d C h apter for 1 84 7 we

find in a report on H ollan d C h apter N o 9 t h at t h e Charter of ,
.
,
“

said C h apter h as been eit h er lo s t or stolen an d that the dispensa

tion under which it has been working for t h e past year expires by
t h e terms of its own l im itation with t h e present s essio n of t h is Gen
eral Gran d Chapter T h ey t h erefore respectfully recom mend that .

t h e General Gran d S ecretary be aut h ori z ed to execute a n ew C h ar

ter to take the place of t h at w h ic h h as been l ost etc w h ich was
, , .
,

2 ”
accepted .

Th e General Grand C h apter at this s ession R es olved T h at ,

there is not at th is time any con s titutional an d legally aut h orized

Gran d R oyal A rch C h apter in t h e S tate of Loui s iana .

R es olved T hat t h e A s s ociation h ol ding its m eeti ngs i n t h e

,

City of N e w O rlean s and a ss uming to exercise t h e fun ction s and ,

aut h ori ty of a Gran d C h apter of R oyal A rc h M a s on s i s an irregular

an d unaut h orized M asonic body ; an d i t is h ereby disowned and ,

”
r e pudiated as s puri ou s clande s tine and illegal , ,
.

Ma s onic intercours e public an d p r ivate wa s i nterdicted a nd , , ,

1
Por ce e d i n gs of t e h G ene r a l G ra n d C h
a
pte r f m ro 1 798 to 1 85 6 pp
, . 1 93
—1
95 .

2
I b id .
, pp . 21 8, 21 9.
 F R EE M A S ON RY IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S
dun otice
e of t h ese resolutio n s wa s to be forwarded to the actin g
S e cretary of sai d body by t h e General Grand S ecretary 1
.

Th e D eputy General Grand H ig h Priest reported at this ses s ion -

,

S eptem ber 1 4 1 84 7 that sin ce t h e session of 1 844 he had issued

, ,

dispensations to the foll owing bodies i n Louisiana N ew E ra N o ,

.

2 R e d R iver N o 3 E ast Feliciana N o 4 ,

2
N o dates given
. H e , . . .

had also issued a dispen sati on to H olland Chapter N o 1 at N ew , .

,

O rleans to continue work until the present ses s ion A pril 7 1 845
,
3
, , ,

an d a new Charter recom m en ded w h ich wa s done as above stated , .

When the C h arter to E a s t F elici a na N o 4 wa s granted by request ,

.
, ,

O f the chapter the nam e and place were c h anged to Clinton to ,

be located at Cli nton 4

A t the sam e tim e charters were granted .

to N ew E ra N O 2 at N ew O rleans ; R e d R iver N o 3 at Shreve

,
.
, , .
,

port ; vi z : Septem ber 1 5 1 84 7

.
,
.

A t the fourteent h m eeti n g of t h e Gen eral Gran d Chapter Sep ,

“
te m ber 1 0 1 85 0 a com mittee reported that
, ,
on the personal knowl
edge of o ne of their own mem bers wh (
o represents that State Louis
iana) i n this Body t h at those di fficulties are now adjusted and t h at
, ,

t h e di fferent Grand Bodies of that State i n all degrees of M asonry

u
, ,

are n ow united as one in that harmony with o t which our O rder

5 ”
can not exist .

A t t h is session ( 1 85 0) th e General Gran d Ki ng reported that

he h ad authori z ed H ollan d C h apter N o 1 N ew E ra Chapter ,
.
,

N o 2 . R e d R iver Chapter N o 3 an d Cli nton Chapter N o 4 in ,

.
, ,
.
,

t h e St a te of Louisiana to organize a n d establish a Gran d Chapter ,

for that State w h ich they did in the City of N e w O rleans on 1 5 1 ,

day of M ay ,

M a i ne .

Athe territory occupied by Maine wa s a part of M assac h usetts

s

until it wa s made a State in 1 82 0 the Gran d C h apter of M assa

u
,

ch set ts granted a Warrant of Constitution to organ ize a c h apter

in Portland M e February 1 3 1 805 T h,

e same Grand Chapter
.
, , .

issued disp e nsatio n s D ecember 1 7 1 81 9 to Montgomery at Bat h , , , , ,

an d to N ew J erusalem at Wi s ca s set ; on D ecember 2 9 1 81 9 to , , ,

J erusalem C h apter in H ollowell H enry Fowle D eputy Grand ,

.
,

H igh Priest con s tituted the s e three c h apters re s pectively J uly 1 8

-
, , , ,

1 P r ocee di n gs of t he G e n e r a l G ra nd C hpter fr om
a 1 798 to 1 85 6 p 1 2 8
, . .

2
I b id .
, p . 2 09 .
3
I bid .
,
2 09 .
1
‘
I b id .
,
225 .
5
I b id , p
. . 2 48
6
. I id , p b . . 2 53 .
1 51 6 H I S T O RY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
1 9 and
,
2 1 1 82 0 which
,
was reported by
,
him to J am es Presco tt ,

Grand H igh Priest -

.

T hese three chapters with M t Vernon Chapter of Portlan d

,
.
, ,

met i n convention i n Portland 1 82 0 and adopted the constitutio n , ,

of the Grand Chapter of M assachusetts provisionally and t h e ,

Grand Chapter O ffi cers were chosen and organized an d constitute d

1
the Gran d Chapter of M ai ne .

Th e fi rst reference to R oyal M asonry in M ain e by the G eneral

G rand Chapter is found in the proceedings for th e triennial meet

ing S eptem ber 1 5
, when the com mittee repo rt ed the le ga l
,

constitution of the Grand Chapter and by resol ution adopted that , ,

G ran d Chapter was recognized and received under t h e authority a nd

s anction of the G eneral Grand Chapter .

T his Grand Chapter had the honor of havi ng two o f h er M em

bers selected as General Gran d O f ficers in the Gen eral Gran d Chap
ter of the U nited States vi z R obert P D unlap General G rand
,
. .
,

H igh Priest for t hree terms in 1 84 7 1 85 0 an d 1 85 3 ; a nd J o s i a h

-
, , ,

H D ru mm on d G eneral Grand H igh Priest in 1 871

.
,
-
.

M a r
y la nd .

A c c u
ir lar le tte r from Concordia Chapter i n Balti more wa s
is sued to all th e chapters in Baltimore an d the E ncam pment o f
E xcellent Superexcellent R oyal A rch (i n the D istrict of Colu
, ,
m c

bia) i nviting them to send representatives to a convention to be

,

hel d in the city of Washin gton J an uary 2 1 1 807 to take into con , , ,

si deration th e propriety of form ing a Grand Ch a pter for the State

of M arylan d an d the D istrict of Colum bia .

T h ose chapte rs i n Baltim ore w h ich m et i n this conven tion were

Was h ington Concordia and St J oh n s
We find from Comp uE dward T S chult z 8 H i s tory of Ca fi i tu
. .
, ,
’
. .

la r M a s on ry i n M a ry la n d that U ndoubtedly [ Washington Chap

ter! wa s the R oyal A rch Chapter of J erusalem instituted in 1 787 ,

by virtue of the dispensation or warrant of Lodge N o 7 R oyal .

,

A rch Chapter of J erusalem at Chestertown and wa s att a ched to , ,

Lodge N o 1 5 now Was h ington Lodge N o

.
,
T h is chapte r ,
.

finally was merge d with Concordia i n 1 82 2 .

1 ‘‘
y y
H i s tor of M a s on r a n d Con cor da n t Od r e rs ,p 61 6
P G
. .

2 r oce edi n g s of G e n e r a l r a n d C a pter h , 1 82 6 p 82 , . .

 F RE E M A S O N RY IN TH E U N I TED S TAT E S 1 51 7

Com panion S chult z informs us I t is probable that R oyal 1 “

A rch C h apters were attached to most of the active Lodges i n t h e

State H iram Lodge N o 2 7 at Port T obacco a s we h ave seen
.
,
.
, , ,

resol ved to open a R oyal A rch Chapter T here is evidence to .

’

s h ow t h at mor e than on e dispensation wa s granted in the year 1 797 .

Brot h er D avid Kerr wa s at the tim e Gran d Master an d by virtue ,

of th e power an d control of t h e R oyal A rch D egree believed to be ,

i nherent i n Gran d M asters issued h is dispensations for the forma ,

ti on of t h ese s ever a l Cna pter s whi ch th en in connection with t h e ,

Chapter attached to Washin g ton Lodge formed J un e 2 4 1 897 t h e , , , ,

first I ndependent Gran d Chapter in the U nited States T h e Gran d .

C h apter claim ed to have been organi z ed in 1 796 in Pen nsylvania ,

was an appendage to the Gran d Lodge of that State an d did not ,

become i n dependent until the year 1 82 4

m
.

I n t h e above statement of Co panion Schult z we heartily con

cur T h
. e Gran d Chapter of 1 797 in M arylan d became dorman t in

1 803 an d wa s revived i n 1 807 accord ing to documents shown in

, ,

Compan ion S c h ultz s hi s tory ? ’

A Gran d R oyal A rc h Convention was held by the H R oyal A rch .

Chapters i n th e State of M arylan d an d D istrict of Colum bia in the

city of Washington on J anuary 2 1 1 807 Washington Con cordia , .
, ,
’
an d St J oh n s chapters of Baltim ore Federal an d Washington N aval
.
,

of Washington City an d Potomac Chapter of Georgetown of the

D i s trict of Colum bia were present by their representatives T h is .

Convention resolved unanimously to organize a Gran d Chapter for

th e State of M arylan d an d th e D istrict of Columbia T hey elected .

the Gran d O fficers an d opened the Gran d C h apter in am ple form

, .

A com m ittee was appointed to frame a constitution which reported , ,

an d their report was unan im ously adopted .

Th e degrees recognized by this Gran d Chapter were M ark M as

ter Past M aster M ost E xcellent M aster and R oyal A rc h

, , ,
.

We make t h e following extract from Com pan ion Schult z s ’

F r eema
3
s on r i n M a r la nd :
y y
Since the fi nding of these books (ol d R ecords) documents
“
,

h ave been broug h t to light whic h i n connection wit h t h em t h row ,

much l ig h t upon the early hi s tory of the Gran d R A C h apter of . .

M aryland and t h e D i s trict of Columb ia whi c h a s it will be s een

, ,

1 H i s tor y of C a pi t ul a r M a s on r yi n M a r yl a n d, pp 3 2 1
.
, 3 22 3 23 , .

2 I b id .
3
Vol i . .
, pp 3 1 7 3 1 8
.
, .
1 51 8 H I S TORY OF F RE E M A S O N RY
was the title of the body subsequently formed by the re presentatives
of t h e chapters i n Baltim ore and Was h ington .

Th e great care diligence an d indefatigable z eal of Com panion

S ch
, ,

ultz manifested in h is h i s tory deserve especial m ention by all ,

succeeding historians of M asonry for h is valuable additions to t h e ,

ancient h i s tory of M asonry i n M aryland in all t h e branc h es— and we

continue our extracts
Som e mont h s since we learned that t h e M a s onic papers of
“

P h ilip P E ckel which were supposed to have been lo s t or entirely

.
,

destroyed were in the possession of h is g randdaug h ter M rs D avid

, , .

J .Bis h op l iving
,
i n this ci t y ( Baltimore ) an d w ho h as S i n ce m ost ,

kindly placed t h em at our disposal T h ese papers were found to b e .

of great interest as t h ey disclo s ed t h e existence of M a s onic bodies

held in Baltim ore prior to t h e year 1 800 t h at were n ot previously ,

”
known or m entioned by any M ason ic writer .

Brot h er E ckel wa s per h ap s the most active an d zealous M ason

that ever lived in t h is jurisdictio n t h ere is s carcely a record or doc
u me nt existing i n t h is State from about 1 792 to 1 82 8 that does n ot
, ,

mention h i s name i n some capacity M ackey says H e wa s one .

of the m o s t distingui s h ed an d enlig h tened M asons of h is day and

we add to t h is t h at h e was evidently an I n s pector Gen eral of t h e
R ite Companion Sc h ultz furnis h es fa c—s i mi le copies
.

of several of the docum ent s referred to an d to prove t h at a Grand ,

Chapter existed in Balti more is suc h a copy of a dispen s ation

from D avi d Kerr Gran d H ig h Priest to Philip P E ckel a s H ig h
,
-
,
.

Priest to assem ble a su fficient num ber of Companions to ope n an d

,

h old a chapter of R oyal A rc h M a s ons etc i n Baltimore w h ic h ,

.
, ,

wa s to continue i n force u ntil J une 2 0 1 797 T h is dispen s ation i s ,

.

dated M ay 8 1 797 , .

N O furt h er records or documents of any descripti on h ave been

di s covered in reference to the Grand C h apter organ ized i n 1 807 an d ,

t h e reorganization w h ic h occurred i n t h e year 1 81 4 O n M ay 9t h .

O f t h at year delegate s from C h apter s N os 1 2 and 3 met in t h e .

, ,

city of Baltim ore w h en a con s titution for t h e Grand R oyal A rc h

,

C h apter of t h e S tate of M aryland an d D istrict of Colum bia wa s

adopted and Grand O fficers elected l
.

T h i s Grand C h apter continued wit h above title until t h e wit h

dra wa l of t h e c h apter s located in t h e D istri ct of Columbia except ,

S chul tz
1
H i to y of M yl d vol i p 3 5
’

s s r a r a n ,
”
. .
, . 2 .
 F R E E M A S ON RY IN TH E UN ITED S TAT E S 1 519

Potom ac N o 8 at Georgetown w h ic h elected to r e main under t h e

,
.
, ,

j urisdiction of Maryland T h i s severance was done by t h e aut h ority .

of t h e Gene r al Grand C h apte r A ugust 3 0 , ,

A fter t h i s t h e Grand C h apte r of t h e D ist r ict of Col umbia cea s ed

to ex ist t h e c h apters i n Wa s h ington City and A lexandria had n o
,

Gran d H ead until 1 84 1 w h en s tep s were taken to place t h e c h ap

ter s i n t h e D istri ct of Colum bia under t h e j u
,

ri s diction of t h e Gra n d
C h apter of M aryland ?
T h i s condition continued until May 7 1 867 , ,

w h en t h e t h ree c h apters in t h e D i s trict of Columbia w h ich were

un der t h e j uri s dicti on of M arylan d an d D i s trict of Columb ia viz
Col u
,

mb ia W as h ingto n an d M ount Vernon were duly organized

, , , ,

an d constituted the Gran d C h apte r of t h e D i s t r ict of Columbia

T h at t h i s wa s r eg u
.

larly an d lawfully accom plished we refer to ,

t h e proceedings of t h e Gene r al Grand C h apter for 1 865 T h e fol .

lowing was referred to a comm ittee

“
R es olved T h at the R oyal A rc h C h apters i n t h e D i s trict of
,

Colum bia or any t h ree of t h em are hereby aut h orized to establi s h a ,

Gran d Chapter for the D istrict of Colum bia ; and w h en ever s uch .

Gran d C h apter s h all be organized t h e j urisdiction n ow exercised ,

over the c h apters taking part i n t h e s ame by th e Grand Chapter of ,

”
M aryland s h all cease 3
T h at committee reported in 1 868 and th e
Gran d C hapter of the D istri ct of Col u
.
, ,

m bia was sustained .

M a ss a c n utt se s .

Th rch C h apter of S t A ndrew s was one of the three ’

e R oyal A .

original c h apter s whic h m et i n convention in Boston O ctober 2 4 , ,

1 7 7 an d is s ued t h e Circular which invited t h e a em bling of a

“
9 ,
ss ,

convention in H artford Ct J anuary 2 4 1 798 to fo r m a n d open ,

.
, , ,
“

a Gran d C h apter of R oyal A rch M a s ons and to establis h a Consti

tu
,

t i on for t h e government an d regul ation of all t h e chapters t h at

”
n ow are or m ay be h ereafter erected wit h in the said S tate s 1
.
‘

The fi r s t notice of conferring t h e R oyal A rc h degr e e w h ic h we

find wa s A ugu s t 2 8 1 769 i n S t A n drew s C h apter called R oyal

, ,
.
’

,
“

A rc h Lodge un der t h e s a n ctio n of S t A n dre w s Lodge C h arter

” ’

,
.
,

N o 82 unde r t h e R egistry of S cotland

. . .

From A ugu s t 1 2 1 769 until 1 788 the title R oyal A rc h M a s

“
, , ,

ter wa s em pl oyed .

1
P r ocee di n gs G e n e ra l G ra n d Ch
a pte r, 1 82 6, p 77 . .

” b id ,
1 84 1 , p . 1 61 ; 1 84 2 , p . 1 81 .
3
I b id .
, 1 865 , p 3 . 1 .
4 “
m
Co pe n di um , p 7 . .
1 5 20 H I S T O RY OF F R E E M A S O N RY

At t h
e fifth
regular m eeti ng of the General Grand Chapter held ,

September 9 1 81 9 t h e com mittee reported that the General Gran d

, ,

H igh Priest had gran ted a dispensation to M onroe Chapter N o 1

-
,
.
,

at D etroit D ecember 3 , ,

A t the twelfth meetin g of the General Gran d Chapter a di s pen

sation was reported as having been granted by the D ep General ,
.

Gra n d H igh Priest M ay 1 6 1 844 to St J oseph s Valley Chapter

-
, , , .
’

N o 2 at N iles .
?
A lso the same o fficer reported at the thirteenth
, ,

m eetin g held September 1 4 1 84 7 that a dis pensation had been

, , ,

(
?
g ranted without date ) to J ackson Chapter N o 3 in J ackson ,
.
,

A Charter was gr anted to M onroe Chapter N o 1 Septem ber ,

.
,

1 1 1 81 9
, an d at the session of September 1 4 1 84 7 a Charter wa s , ,

gra nted to St J osep h s Valley N o 2 ; an d Septem ber 1 6 1 84 7 to

5
.
’

, .
, ,

J ackson Chapter N o by vote of the General Grand Chap , .

ter T h e General Grand Scri be

. in J anuary authori z ed t h e , ,

chapters in M ichi g an to meet and org ani z e a Grand Chapter for the
S tate .

Th
e fi rs t
notice o f R oyal A rch M asonry i n the proceedings of ,

th e General Gran d Chapter we fi n d at the fifteenth meeting held , ,

Septem ber 1 7 1 85 3 when the committee reported that a num ber

, ,
“

of companions at St Paul M i nn have petitioned the General .

,
”
Gran d Ki n g for a dispen sation and recomm ended a dispensation ,

8
to be issued by the present D eputy Gen eral Gran d H igh Priest -
.

A t the triennial session Septem ber 1 1 1 85 6 a Charter was , , ,

gr anted ?
D ispensations were issued by the General Grand H igh
Priest to the following c h apters : Vermillion N o 2 in H astings ,
.
, ,

J une 2 0 1 85 7 St A nthony Falls N o 3 in St A nth ony J anuary

, .
, .
, .
,

5 1
,
85 8 O n September . 1 4 1 859 charters were granted to t h ese , ,
.

A convention was h eld by authority of C ompn A l be rt G ,

. .

Mackey General Grand H ig h Priest dated D ecem ber 1 1 85 9 in

,
-
, , ,

S t Paul D ecem ber 1 7 1 85 9 a con s titution was a dopted an d the

. .
, ,

G ra n d Chapter of M i nn e s ota was regularly organi z ed .

1
Co mp e n di um , p 60. .
2 I bi d .
, p . 1 82 .
3 I bid .
, p . 2 09.

4
Ib id , p
. 60
. .
5 I
id b .
, p
. 2 09. 6
1 b id .
, p . 225 . .
7 I b id .
, p . 2 54.
8 P ocr e e di n g s , 1 85 3 , p 3 2 0 . .
9
I bi d 1 85 6, p 3 73 . .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED STA T ES 1 52 1

' ' '

M z s s zs s z
pp z .

the sixth meetin g of the General Grand Chapter held S ep

At ,

tem ber I 4 1 82 6 th e General Gran d H igh Priest reported having

, ,
-

issued a dispen sation to a chapter at Port Gibson M iss O n the , .

I st hat t h e sam e meeting a Charter was granted

1
, , .

S ep t ember 1 4 1 84 1 it wa s reported that a dispen s ation was

, ,

issued to Vicksburg Chapter J u ne 1 7 1 840 ; and a Charter was , ,

granted Septemb er I 7 1 84 1 A t the twelfth session Septem , .

,

ber 1 0 th e D eputy General Grand H igh Priest reported

,
-

h a ving issued dispensations to chapters in M ississippi as follows ,

vi z : to Col um bus Chapter February 7 1 84 2 ; an d to J ackson

.
, , ,

A ugust 2 8 1 84 3 Th e General Gran d H igh Priest reported hav

, .
-

i ng issued a dispensation to a chapter at H olly Spri ngs O ctober ,

3 ,0 A t the th irteenth Sessi on September 1 4 1 84 7 th e Gen , , ,

eral D eputy Gran d H i g h Priest reported that he h ad authori z ed -

the consecration of three chapters i n M i ssissippi since t h e ses

sion of 1 844 for whi ch charters had been ordered at th a t tim e V i z

u
, ,

Col umbus Chapter at Col m bus ; J ackson Chapter at J ackson ; , ,

an d Wilson Chapter at H olly Springs 4

H e also reported havin g , .

issued two dispensations to organi z e chapters : Carrollton Chapter ,

N O 7 at Carrollton ; an d Y a z oo Chapter N o 8 in Y az o o
.
, ,
.
,

“
County .

I n compliance with a petition from the chapters i n M ississippi ,

the Gen eral D eputy Grand H igh Priest reported that M arch 1 2 -
, ,

1 84 6 h e had gran ted permissio n for those chapters to form a Gran d

,

C h apter for that State an d he had been o ffi cially noti fi ed t h a t th e

G ran d Chapter had been duly org an i z ed May 1 8 , ,

M zss o
'

u
th e regular m eetin g of th e Gen eral Grand Chapter ( Septem
At
ber I I 1 81 9) it wa s reported that the Grand H igh P rie s t h
,
a d -

granted a dispensation to form a chapter i n M issouri T errito ry at ,

St Louis on A pril 3
. and a Warrant wa s granted September
, , ,

1 6
,
at the sixth meeting .

1
P ocr e e di n gs G en er a lG ra nd C h
a pter ,
1 79 1 85 6, p 89
8-
. .

9
I b id .
, p 78. .
4
I bid .
, p . 209.
6
I b id .
, p . 21 0 .
7
I b id . , p 56. .

O6
1 52 2 H IST O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

the tent h meeting S eptem ber 1 4 1 83 8 the General Grand

At , , ,

S cri b e reported that a di s pen s ation h ad been issued for a C h arter to

Palmyra C h apter N o 2 (no date gi ven ) T h
1
e committee r e com
, . .

me n ded a C h arter to be i ss ued w h enever the provi sion s of t h e con

s t it u
ti on sh ould have been complied wit h A C h arter h owever .
, ,

wa s n ot given by t h e General Grand C h ap ter but after t h e forma ,

tion of t h e Grand Chapter of M issouri it was given O ctober 1 6 , ,

1 84 7 .

At the twelft h meet i ng of t h e General Grand C h apter h el d ,

S eptember I O t h e D eputy General Gran d H ig h Priest re

,
-

ported h aving i s sued dispensations to Li berty C h apter N o 3 at , .

,

Liberty February 7 1 84 2 on e to Weston C h apter N o 4 at Wes

, , , .
,

ton J anuary 1 7 1 84 3 ; and one to Booneville C h apter N o 6 at

, , , .
,

Booneville Marc h 3 1 84 3 ; one to La Fayette C h apter N o 5 Sep

, , , .
,

tember 1 1 1 844 C h arters were ordered to all c h apters reported

,
.

by the com mittee viz : N os 3 4 5 an d ,

. .
, , ,

A t t h e t h irteent h meeti ng held Septem ber 1 4 1 84 7 it wa s , , ,

reported by t h e D eputy General Grand H igh Prie s t t h at sin ce -

t h e s e ss ion of 1 844 he had issued a di s pen s atio n to consecrate

Booneville C h apter N o 6 and he had issued dispensations to ,
.
,

o rganize S t Louis C h apter N o 8 at S t Loui s an d H ann ibal

.
, .
, .
,

C h apter N o 7 at H annibal M o O n S eptem ber I 7 1 84 7 c h ar

,
.
, ,
.
, ,

ters were ordered to be issued to H annibal N o 7 and S t Louis , .

, .
,

N o .

T h
e conve n t ion to organ ize a Grand C h apter for the State of

M i s s ouri m et in S t Lo u i s O ctober 1 6 1 846 and t h e delegates of

.
, , ,

Chapters N os 1 2 5 and 6 were present and did organize the

. . .
, ,

Grand C hap t er .

I n t h e report of the General Grand Secretary of t h e General

Grand C h apter at t h e t h irteent h m eeting hel d Septem ber I 4 1 84 7
, , , ,

he state s
I n t h e m ont h of N ovember 1 846 I received n otice of t h e for , ,
,

m ation of a Grand C h apter for t h e S tate of M issouri purporting t o ,

be by aut h ority from t h e G e ner a l Gran d O fficers T h i s however .

, ,

was an error ; and on being in formed by m e t h at t h ere h ad been no

suc h authority given it i s bel ieved no further proceedings h ave ,

been had i n th e ma tte r

5
. .
”

1 P r oce e di n gs G ene ra l G r a nd C hptea r, 1 798—1 8 6,

5 p . 1
53 .

4
I b id .
, p
'

. 2
32 .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 5 3
2

We fi nd the following m inute i n the proceedin g s of t h at day

“
T o t h e General Gran d C h apter
Th e Com m ittee to w h om was referred th e action of th e Grand

Chapter of M i ss ouri have h a d the same under consideration and , ,

respectfully report
T h at t h e Gran d C h apter of M issouri was form ed as we think , ,

by t h e C h apters t h ereof in goo d fait h believing that they were fully ,

authorized to do so from conversations and correspon dence with the ,

Comp General Grand S ecretary Y our Com mittee h owever b e

. .
, ,

lieve th at th is organ izati on wa s not strictly in con formity with the

Con s titution of t h is General Grand Chapter ; therefore ,

R es olved T h at all irregularities be removed an d that said

“
, ,

Gra n d C h apter of M i ss ou r i be fully recognized an d t h at i ts repre ,

s e n ta t i ves be i nvited to seats in thi s General Grand Chapter .

Compn J W S M itc h ell of th e Grand C h apter o f M issouri

. . . .
, ,

offered th e following
R es olved T h at th e Chapters working by di s pensation un der
“

this j u
,

risdiction i n M i s souri be an d they are required to pay dues to , ,

this General Gran d C h apter up to the period when a Grand Chapter

wa s organized i n the said State of M issouri viz O ctober , .
,

which was adopted .

M on ta na .

T h
e organi z atio n of th e Gran d Chapter o f M ontana
elena at ,
H ,

J une 25 1 891 was consum mated in accordance with a call o f

, ,

the chapters an d a Warrant whic h h ad been issued by the Genera l

G ra n d H igh Priest Companion D avid F D a y -
, . .

Th e chapters constituting t h e Gran d C h apter were

D i s pens a ti on . Ch
a r ter .

g
Vi r i ni a Ci t y , N o . I ,
a t Vi gi r ni a Ci t y ,
J uly 1 4, 1 866, mb
D e ce er 1 8, 1 868 .

H l
e e na ,
No . 2, a t H e e na l ,
D e cemb er , 1 867, D ec mb e er 1 8, 1 868 .

D e e r Lod gN o 3, a t
e, tt e Ci t . Bu y , Oct ob er 1 0, 1 874 , N ov mb e e r 25, 1 874 .

V ll y
a e ,
N o 4 , a t D e e r Ci t ,
. y J uly 22
,
1 880, A ugu t 7 s 2 ,
1 880 .

ll S t on N o 5 t
Y e ow Ci t y e, .
,
a M l i es ,
J nu y
a a r 2, 1 886, Oct ob er 1 ,
1 886 .

B i ll i ng N o 6 t B ll i ng
s, .
,
a i s, M a y 6, 1 886, Oct ob er 1 ,
1 886 .

Li v i n g ton N o 7 t Li v i n g t on
s ,
.
,
a s ,
J uly 5 1 ,
1 886, Octob er 1 ,
1 886 .

D i ll on N o 8 t D i ll on
,
.
,
a ,
J u y
a n a r 1
5 , 887, 1 N ov mb e er 2 2 , 1 889 .

G t F ll N o 9 t G t F ll
r ea a s, .
,
a r ea a s, M a rc h1 3 , 1 889, N ov mb e er 2 2 , 1 889 .

Proceedi n g s
. G e n er a l G r a nd h
C
a pte r , 1 798-
1 85 6, p . 21 9
.
2 I bid .
, p . 23 1 .
1 5 24 H I S T OR Y O F FR E E M A S O N R Y

N eo
msé a .

A t th mmun ication of the G ene ra l Gran d C h

e t ri e n nial a pte r co ,

h eld Septe mber 8 1 865 the General G rand K in g r eported , ,

O n th e fi st da y of N ovember 1 859 I granted to sun dry , ,

C om panions at th e City of O maha in N ebraska T erritory a dis , ,

p en sa ti on t o fo rm and ope n a Chapter of R oyal A rch M asons at

t hat place t o be called O maha Chapter N o
,
H e also reported , .

having issued a d ispensation J anuary 2 5 1 860 to K eystone Ch ap , , ,

ter N o 2 at N ebraska City

,
. A lso that on J uly I 3 1 864 a dis
, .
, ,

p e nsa t i o n had been g ranted to N ebraska Chapter N o 3 at Platts ,

.
,

mouth 1
O n the same day ( September 8 1 865 ) charters were
.
,

gr anted to all three of the above ch a pters

a
.

By perm ission of the D eputy General G ran d H i g h Priest a -

convention wa s held M arch 1 9 1 867 a nd th e Gra nd Chapter o f

u
, , ,

N eb raska wa s reg larly org ani z ed .

the triennial of th e G eneral G rand Chapter h eld Septem b er

At ,

8 1 865 the G eneral G ran d H i g h Priest reported having issued a

, ,
-

dispensation i n M ay 1 863 to Lewis Chapter at Carson City, , , , ,

3
N evada whi ch nam e was a com pliment to h i mself
, (J ohn L .

Lewis ) T his chapter r eceived the C h

. arter dated Septem ber 8 , ,

A dispensation wa s issued to Virgin ia Chapter at Virginia ,

5
City From th e report i n the proceedings it is very uncertai n when
.
, ,

the dispensation was issued T h e C h arter was ordered September

A dispensation was granted to A ustin Chapter at A u

.

1 8 1 868
,
. s ,

ti n O ctober 1 866 and a C h arter Septem ber 1 8 1 868 A dispen

, , , , ,
.

sation was is s ued to White Pine C h apter at H am ilton J anuary I O , , ,

1 871 and a C h arter Septem ber 2 0 , ,

A convention of t h ese four c h apters was held by aut h ority of

t h e General Grand H ig h Priest N ovem ber 1 8 1 873 -
, ,
.

From the proceedings of t h e General Grand Chapter for N o

ve mb er 2 1 1 874 we s ee in t h e report of t h e Genera l Grand S ecre
,

tary t h at a di s pensation had been issued to St J oh n s Chapter at .

’

E ureka A pril 2 6 1 873 ; an d also to Keystone Chapter at Pioche

, , , ,

1
Por ce e di n s g G e n er a l G r a nd hpte r
C a , 1 865 , p 2 5 . .
2 b id
I .
, p 3 . 1 .

3 I b id .
, p . 23 .
4
I bid .
, p3 . 1 .
5
b
I id , p 2 3 . . .
6
I bid .
,
1 871 , p 33. .
1 5 26 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

A pecial com mittee reported S eptember r otht h at a Charter

s

h ad been granted to the State of N e w J ers ey enabli n g t h e r espe c ,

tive c h apters t h erein to form an d hold a Gran d C h apter in the said

State by the M o s t E xcellent General Grand H ig h Priest
,
1 -
.

A t t h e t r iennial s e s s ion S ep tem ber 1 0 1 81 9 a comm unication , , ,

from a Compani on from t h e S tate of N e w J ersey on t h e subj ect

of form ing a Grand C h apter being re ferred to a committee t h ey ,

reported that it appear s t h at t h ere are two chapters i n the S tate of

,

N e w J ersey un der t h e j uri s diction of th e Gen eral Grand C h apter ,

and on e un der t h e aut h ority of the S tate of Penn sylvania w h ic h ,

do e s not ackn owledge t h e j uri sdiction of t h e General Grand C h ap

te r . Th e committee were of t h e opi n ion t h at a Gran d C h apter

coul d not be formed until t h ere were t h ree c h apters ack n owledging
t h e j uri s diction of t h e General Grand Chapter w h ic h wa s accepted ,

by t h at body 2
.

A dispensation was granted Septem b er 2 3 1 85 4 to E nterprise , , ,

C h apter N o 2 at J ersey City and whic h was reported at t h e trien

,
3
.
, ,

nial meeting S eptem ber 9 1 85 6 and February 2 3 1 85 6 a dispen s a

ti on was issued by the General Grand H igh Priest to Bo u
, , , , ,

d in ot Chap -

ter N o 5 at Burlington
,
.
,
.

I t wa s reported by t h e com m ittee

U nion C h apter N o 1 N ewark is t h e only regularly C h ar , .
, ,

t e re d C h a pter n ow i mm ediately subord inate to t h is General Grand

C h apter 4
Th e following
. c h apters h ave been working un der dis
e n s a t i on s from t h e General Gran d O ffi ce r s from t h e dates of t h eir
p
di s pensation s to t h is tim e viz E nterprise N o 2 J ers ey City ; and ,
.
,
.
,

Boudinot N o 5 Bu rlington ,
5
H iram C h apter N o 4 E atontown
.
,
.
, .
, ,

h aving been recognized by t h e General Grand H ig h Priest a s h ere -

tofore s tated now s tands a regular subordinate on t h e regi s ter of

,
”
this General Grand C h apter 6
.

We find n ot h i ng s aid s u b s equently of the Gran d C h a pter of

N e w J ers ey A reso luti on wa s adopted in t h e Gen eral Grand
.

C h apt e r a t i ts se s s ion S e ptem ber 1 7 1 84 1 t h at H iram C h apter at , , ,

T re n ton be advi s ed to pl a ce its e lf under t h e j uri s diction of t h e

Grand C h apter of t h e S tate of N e w Y o rk a n d t h at s aid Grand ,

C h apter b e ad vi s ed to l egal ize t h e proceedings o f H iram C h apter

sub s equ e n t to t h e dis s olution of t h e Grand C h apter of N e w J er s ey
!
.

1
P r oce e di n gs of G e ner a l G ra nd C hptea r, 1 797 85 6, pp 77 82
-
1 .
, .
2 I bd i .
, p 54
. .

3
I bid .
, p 3 64 . .
4
I bi d
.
, p 3 65
. .
5
I b id .
,
. 6
p 3 5
6
. b
I i d , p 3 65 . . .
7 I bid .
, p 1 68
. .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 52 7

Th
e General Gran d H igh Priest i s sued a di s pensation
D eputy -

to U nion C h apter N o 1 for N ewark Marc h 1 3 1 84 8 and re ,

.
, , , ,

ported t h e same at the triennial h eld S eptember 1 0 1 85 0 and al s o to , ,

N ewark C h apter N o 2 March 2 0 1 84 8 ; both of t h e s e had charter s

1
,
.
, ,

gra nted Septem ber 1 2 ,

Th e General Gra n d S ecretary reported at t h e s ession h eld S ep

tember 1 3 1 85 3 viz : O n t h e 2 3 d of de ce mb er I received from

, ,
.

t h e D eputy General Gran d H igh Priest a letter from t h e H igh -

Priest of N ewark C h apter s tating t h e los s of th e C h arter of said ,

C h apter ; w h ic hletter was endorsed by Com p S tapleton a dvis .

,

i ng the issuing of a d ispensation enabling t h e Chapter to con

t i nu
“

e its work which dispensation wa s issue d by the General Grand

”
H ig h Priest -
3
.

I t appears h owever that subsequently September 1 7 1 85 3

, , , , ,

N e wark N o 2 was m erged into U nion C h apter

,
. .

Th e pecul iar condition of R oyal A rch M asonry in N ew J ersey

continued for som e con s iderable length of time an d was not satis ,

fa ctori ly settled until t h e organi z ation of the Gran d Chapter Feb

uy
,

r a r 1 3 ,
1 85 7 .

iram C h apter w h ich as above sh own wa s transferred to the

H , , ,

j urisdiction of N e w Y ork Gran d C h apter by t h e resolution of t h e ,

General Grand C h apter S eptem ber 1 7 1 84 1 again desired to be , , ,

un der th e j urisdiction of the Gen eral Grand C h apter ; and in J uly ,

1 85 3 requested of the Grand Chapter of N ew Y ork to be trans

,

ferred thereto A t the triennial of the General Grand Chapter the

.
,

“
report of th e General Gran d Secretary sh ows : U pon examining
t h e papers w h ich cam e into my pos s ession at our last triennial meet
ing after the adj ournm ent I foun d among them a petition from
, ,

t h e o fficers an d mem bers of H iram Chapter N o 4 E atontown , .

, ,

N e w J ersey directed to t h e General Gran d Chapter dated Feb

ru
, ,

a ry 3 1 85 2 setting forth t h at t h at C h apter was m a ny years

, , , ,

b e fore chartered by t h e Grand Chapter of N e w J ersey and con

, ,

ti nned to work under sai d Charter so l ong as t h at Gran d C h apter ,

wa s i n existence T hat it was then taken under t h e fo s tering care

.
‘

of t h e Gran d Chapter of N ew Y ork to w h ic h it h ad ever since ,

been su bservient and praying to be ackn owledged and regi s tered ,

’

a s on e of the s ubordinate s of t h i s General Gran d C h apter T o the .

l
P r oce e di n gs of G en e r a l G ra nd C hpt a e r, 1 797
—1 8 6
5 , p . 2 50 .

2
I b id .
, p . 2 57 .
5
I bd i .
, p 2 93
. .
1 528 H I S T O R Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

petition was appen ded full power from the Gran d Chapter of
N ew Y ork to t h e petitioner t o trans fer th eir allegian ce from th e
Grand Chapter of N ew Y ork to t h is General Grand Chapter T h at .

petition s eem s from the endorsem ent upo n it i n th e h and writ

, ,

i ng of Compn Swigert wh o acted as my a s sistant to have been

.
, ,

referred to t h e Committee on C h apters a n d D ispensations I t i s .

1 ”
n ot m entioned in the proceeding s A correspondence ensued .

between t h e H ig hPrie s t of H iram Chapter and t h e General Grand

-

H igh Prie s t H on R P D unlap w h o fi nally directed t h e Gen eral

-
. . .
,

Grand S ecretary to register H iram C h apter on the roll of c h apters

subordinate to the General Gran d C h apter w h ic h was done N o ,

vemb er 1 4 1 85 4 an d t h e H igh Priest George Finc h wa s duly noti

, ,
-

fi e d t h ereof an d t h ereafter the returns were regularly made as a

,

subordinate c h apter to the General Gran d B ody ?

A Charter was
o r dered for H iram C h apter September 1 1 , ,

Th e following chapters applied to th e General Gran d H igh

Priest for his consent to organize a Grand Chapter viz N ewark ,
.

C h apter N o 2 ; H iram C h apter N o 4 an d B oudinot C h apter

,
.
,
.
, ,

N o 5 T h is approval was dated J anuary 2 4 1 85 7 an d the Gran d

Ch apter was regularly organized Febru
.
.
, ,

ary 1 3 1 85 7 ,
.

N ew Y or k .

I t is very well settled t h at the R oyal A rch degree wa s conferred

in that jurisdiction under lodge c h arters as i t wa s elsewhere i n th e ,

col onies and prior to the form ation of th e Gran d Chapter for th e
,

N ew E nglan d States an d N ew Y ork i n 1 798 .

A Warrant was issued by the D uke of A t h ol Septem ber 5 ,

,

1 781 making R ev William W alter the Provincial Gran d M a s ter

, .
,

authorizing h im to form a Provi ncial Gran d Lodge in t h e city of

N e w Y ork The fi rst meet i ng of t h is provincial body was h el d
.

D ecem b e r 5 1 782 A t t h at date nine l odges existed in t h e city

, .
,

an d t h ere were six military lodges of t h e B ritis h A rmy I t is sup .

posed by s ome writers an d probably it was correct th at Washington , ,

C h apter of N e w Y ork styled the Mot h er Chapter originated

,
“
, ,
”

in t h e above mentioned Provincial Grand Lodge T h

-
e early records .

of W a sh i ngton C h
/

t r were destroyed by fire i n N ew Y ork con

a
p e ,

1
P r oce e di n gs of G en e r a l G ra n d C h
a pte r for 797 to 1 85 6, p 3 61
1 . .

”b i d ” 1 85 6, p 3 61 . .
3
1 b id , 1 85 6, p 3 73
. . .
 F R EE M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED S TAT E S 1 5 29

sequently its origin is unk n o wn I t however g r ant e d war r a nt s .

, ,

for other chapters throug h a nu mber of yea r s H i r am C h apte r in ,

N ewtown Ct dated A pril 2 9 1 79 1 being t h e fir s t one now

,
. ,
, ,

known .

Th e following c h apter s a s s embled i n conve ntion in A lbany ,

M arc h 1 4 1 798 and organized an d establi s h ed a D e puty G ran d

, ,

C h apter subordinate to t h e Gran d Chapter of t h e N ort h e r n State s

for t h e State of N e w Y ork viz H u dson of H udson in s tituted in
of A lbany 1 n s t 1 t u
.
, , ,

1 796 ; T em ple t e d Feb ruary 1 4 1 799 ; H oreb

, , , ,

of W h itestown H ib erni an of N ew Y ork City ; and M ontgomery , ,

of Stillwater ; dates of t h ese t h ree not kn own Comp T h omas . .

Frothing h am was elected Chairm an and Com p Sebastian Vischer .

,

Secretary T h e constitution was read by Comp

. n T homas S mit h .

Web b an d Compn D e Witt Clinton wa s elected D eputy Grand

,
.

H igh Priest ; J ohn H am m er D ep Gran d Secretary

-
,
. .

From th e first warrants were issued to organize M ark l odges ,

an d chapters an d prosperity atten ded the R oyal Craft T h irty t h ree

, .
-

c h apters an d t h ree M ark lodges were represented i n th e Grand C h ap

ter in 1 82 0 T h e c h apters i ncreased to fi ft
.
y three i n 1 82 9 and s ixty -
,

one were repre s ented i n 1 85 3 w hile in 1 83 9 and 1 840 following the ,

M organ a ffair about thirteen on ly were reported , .

A s N ew Y ork is the m ost populous State in the U nion so also ,

does M asonry take the lead as to nu m bers in al l the branc h es in

M a s onry .

Th e General Gran d Chapter m et i n th e city of N e w Y ork i n

1 81 6 1 81 9 1 82 6 1 82 9 an d 1 84 1
,
D e W itt Clinton s erved as General
, , , .

Gran d H ig h Priest from 1 81 6 to 1 82 6 ; E dward Livingston 1 82 9

-
,

to 1 83 5 J oh n L Lewis in 1 865 and J ames M A ustin i n 1 868 .

,
. .

A t t h e meeti ng of the Gran d Chapter of the N orthern States ,

hel d J anuary I O 1 799 Section 1 of A rticle I of t h e Con s titution , , .

was c h anged an d t h at body assumed t h e title of General Grand

,

C h apter of R oyal A rch M asons for the six N ort h ern State s of
A merica en umerated in the pream ble
1
Th e State organization s .

were by A rticle I I Section 1 required to drop t h e prefix D ep

,
.
, ,

” ”
uty an d were designated a s Gran d Chapter s
,
.

P oc ee di n gs of G e n era l Gra nd Ch
a
pter 1 797 to 1 85 6, p 9 1 a nd a t p 1 0 a t s e s s i on ,

nuy 6
r , .
,
.

Ja a r 2 ,
1 798 . T e s i x a re e n um era te d i n th
h e pr ea mbl e a nd N e w Y or i s k a l so a dded .
1 530 H I S T O RY OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

N or mC a ro li n a .

the thirteenth m eeting of t h e General Grand C h apter of t h

At e

U nited States hel d S eptem ber 1 4 1 84 7 in t h e city of Columbus

, , , ,

O we fin d the following report of t he Ge neral Gran d Secretary

.
, ,

VI Z

I n the State of N orth Carolin a there is no Gran d Chapter

e tim e was when such an in stitution existed t h ere as a con s ti tu
.

Th
ent of the General Gran d C h apter but it is belie ved t h at it cea s ed
to exist about twenty years ago T h ere are said to be C h apters at
H alifax T a r b or ou
.

gh Fayetteville
,
and Wilmingt on ; but
,
t h ey are ,

not in correspondence with the General Gran d C h apter although ,

som e of them if not all were instituted u nder its immediate j uris
, ,

diction .

Since the foregoing wa s written I h ave received a

N ote — .

prin t ed copy of the M inutes of a Convent i on of delegates from the

several c h apters by w h ic h it appears a Grand Chapter h as been re
,

organized for t h e State of N orth Carolina Whet h er t h is organiza .

tion be in strict com pliance wit h t h e Constitution or not t h ere can ,

be no doubt it wa s t h e intention of t h e c h apters so to do as the ,

w h ole proceeding seem s to be with a V ie w of regaining their former

po s ition in t h e Confederation .

We h ave carefully referred to t h e proceedings of the Gen eral

Grand Chapter from t h e t h irteent h m eeting i n 1 84 7 back to t h e
,

commencement of 1 797 an d fi n d t h at t h e first noti ce of a c h apter

,

in N ort h Carolin a was at t h e fourth m eeting J un e 6 1 81 6 being a , , ,

special in consequence of a lap s e i n 1 81 3 reported w h en a C h arter ,

was to h ave been i s s ued to Concord Chapter at Wilm ington M ay , ,

8 by the General Gran d King H e h ad al s o i s sued a C h ar

4 1
,
1 5 ,
.

ter to Phoen ix C h apter at Fayetteville Septem ber 1 , , ,

We found al s o t h at at t h e si xt h meeting held S eptember 1 4 , ,

1 82 6?t h e D eputy General Grand H ig h Priest C omp n F owl e h a d -

granted a Warrant to W a de s b orou e s b orou

.
, ,

g h C h apter at W a d g h in , ,

1 82 2 ( no date given ) A t t h is meeting t h ere was n o delegate p r e s

.

”
e n t f r om N ort h Carolina W h en the M emorial of t h e Grand
, .
“

C h apter of Kentucky was presented to t h e Gen eral Grand C h apter

Co mp e n di um , p 46. .
2 I b id ;
.
p 72
. .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E UN IT ED ST A T ES 1 53 1

at i t s s ixt h meeting Septem ber 1 4 1 82 6 a sking for a di s s ol ution of

, , ,

t h e latter body it was referred to a com mittee and at t h e s ame

, ,

meeting t h e com m ittee reported t h e answers of all the Grand C h ap

ter s an d N ort h Carolina is s tated as con curring wit h t h e Ke n t u
,
cky
Gran d C h apter s resolution A t t h e meeting of t h e Gen e ral Gra nd
1 ’
.

Chapter ( S eptember 1 4 1 84 7) above refer r ed to t h e matter con , ,

cern i ng a Gran d C h apter i n N ort h Carolina being referred to a

com m ittee t h e foll owing report was made
,

“
T h at t h ey h ave had th e s ame under consideration and find
t h ei r proceedi n g s to b e regular T h ey as s em bled as appea rs by .

t h eir printed proceedings on t h e 2 8thof J une 1 84 7 three c h apters , ,

were represented ; t h ey proceeded to e lect O ffi cers and adopt a

Con s titution ; i n w h ic h h owever your com mittee wo u ld remark , ,

t h ere appea r to be s everal uncon s tituti onal a r ticles or section s and ,

we would re s pectfully recom m en d t h at t h e Gran d C h apter of

N ort h Carolina be recognized a s a legal Grand Chapter on t h eir
altering an d am ending t h ei r con stitution to conform to t h at of
t h i s General Gran d C h apter i n t h e following particul ars noted by
your com m itt ee (om itted ) W h ic h recom mendation wa s adopted
2
. .

So that t h e Gran d C h a pter of N orth Carolin a wa s legally aut h or

iz e d Septem ber 1 6 1 84 7 ,
.

A t t h e fourteent h trien n ial s e s s ion September 1 5 1 85 0 Com , , ,

panion L L Stephenson wa s pre s ent as proxy for the G rand H ig h

. .

3
Priest .

N or tfi D oé ota .

After t h e chapters located in Sout h D akota by con s ent of the ,

Gran d C h apter of D akota on J anuary 6 1 890 had organized t h eir , , ,

Gran d C h apter on J anuary 9thfollowing t h e repre s entatives of

, ,

M issouri N o 6 at B ismarck ; Cas s elton N o 7 at Ca ss elton ;

,
.
, ,
.
,

C h eyenne N O 9 at Va lley City ; Keystone N o 1 1 at Fargo ;

,
.
, ,
.
,

J amestown N o 1 3 at J ame s town ; Li s bon N o 2 9 at Li s bon

,
.
, ,
.
, ,

met i n con vention and were con s tituted by Companion T h eodore , ,

S Parvin by aut h ority of a di s pen s ation from t h e Genera l Grand

.
,

H ig h Prie s t N obl e D Larner and t h e Grand C h apter of N o r t h

-

D akota was organized in am ple form wit h t h e foll owing cons t i tu

.
, ,

ent chapter s : M i s sou ri N O 1 at Bi s marck ; Ca s s elton N o 2 at ,

.
, ,
.
,

1 “ Co mp e n di um , p 70 . .
2 I b id .
, p
. 1 55 .
3 I bid ! P 1 75 .
1 532 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

Ca s selton ; Corinthian N o 3 at Grand Fork s ; C h eyenne N o 4 , .

, ,
.
,

at Valley City ; Keystone N o 5 at Fargo ; J amestown N o 6 a t , .

, , .
,

J amestown ; Li s bon N o 7 at Lisbon , .

,
.

Th e first annual convocation was h el d at Gran d Forks J un e 1 8 , ,

1 890 Th e mem bership reported of the seven chapters wa s three

.

hundred and fi fty fi ve -

.

Ofi £0 .

Th firs t notice of R oyal A rch M asonry in O hi o is found

e very

in the proceedings of the fourth m eeting of t h e General Gran d

Chapter h eld J une 6 1 81 6 w h ere it is reported t h at th e General
, , ,

Gran d Scrib e had granted a Warrant or dispensation to Washington

C h apter at Chillicothe O Septem ber 2 0 which wa s con , ,

fi rmed on J une 7 1 81 6 T h ?
e Com mittee on E xa mination of Cre
,

dent i a ls reported
“
O n exam ination it appears that A meri can U nion Chapter of ,

M arietta origi nated in th e year 1 792 ; that Cincinnati Chapter ex

,

is te d prior to the 2 7thof J anuary 1 798; t h at H oreb Ch apter h ad ,

authority from the D eputy Grand H igh Priest of the State of -

M arylan d and D istrict of Colum bia dated 8th M arch 1 81 5 w h ich , ,

Grand Chapter i s i n conn ection with the General Grand C h apter of

3 ”
the U nited States .

Cincin n ati Chapter started the effort to form a Grand C h apter

by sending an invitation to t h e other chapters to meet at Worth
i ngton O ctober 2 1 1 81 6 ; and on the 2 4thof that m onth the
, ,

Gran d C h apter wa s regularly organi z ed T h e c h apters constitutin g .

t h e Grand Chapter were : A merican U nion N o 1 ; Ci ncinnati ,

.
,

N o 2 H oreb N o 3
. Washi ngton N o 4 ,
.
,
. .

A t t h e fifth meeting of the General Grand Chapter held Sep ,

tem ber 9 1 81 9 it was Voted T h at the Gran d Chapter of O h io be

, , ,

now received into the U nion of the State Gran d Chapters u n der ,

4 ”
th e juri s diction of thi s General Grand Chapter .

1
P r oce e d n i gs of G e ne r a b id p 4 5
lG r a nd hpter
C a ,
1 797
—1 8 6,
5 p 45 . .
2 I .
,
. .

H i to y of M
3 “
o y sd Co co d t O
r a s T h b ov q u ot ti o i
nr a n n r a n r de r s , p 62 6 . . e a e a n s

t k f om th h i to y of th by Com p A l f d F Chpm who

,

a en r C pi tul e d g s r e a a r e ree s ,
”
. re . a a n,

t t d
s a O th
e co d d y of th M n ti ng C
e seomm i t t w pp
n oi t d t o x
a m i th e ee a ee a s a n e e a ne e

C d i l
re d
e
po t d
nt a foll ow i th b ov q u ot tio
s a n re r e a s s vz .
, e a e a n .

P 4
di g of G l G d Chpt 797 856 p 5
r oce e n s en era ra n a er , 1 -
1 ,
. 2.
1 534 H ISTOR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

I n the declaration preceding t h ese rule s and regulations was t h e

, ,

fol lowing
A ncient M a s onry con s i s t s of four degree s the t h ree first oi ,

w h ic h are t h at of t h e A pprentice t h e Fellow Craft and t h e s u bl im e

, ,

degree of M a s ter ; an d a brot h er being well versed in th ese degree s ,

a n d ha vi ng disc h arged t h e o ffices of h is lodge particularly t h at of ,

M a s ter an d ful filled t h e dutie s t h ereof wit h t h e approbati on of t h e

,

bre t h ren of h i s lodge i s eligi ble on due trial an d examination by

, ,

t h e C h iefs of t h e C h apter to w h o m he sh all h ave applied and by ,

t h e m found wort h y of being admitted to t h e fourt h degree T h e ,

H oly R oyal A rc h .

Th e first of t h e rules declared

T h at no C h apter of H oly R oyal A rch shall b e hel d or con

vened within the comm onwealth of Pen nsylvania or M asonic j uris
diction t h ereunto belonging but u nder the auth ority and s anction
,

of a regular sub s i s ting warrant granted by the Gran d Lodge accord

ing to t h e ol d institutions and by the consent of said l odge firs t s ig
,

”
n i fi e d to t h e Grand C h apter .

Subsequently the degrees of M ark M aster an d M ost E xcellen t

M aster were permitted to be conferred (s o as to enable Compa n ~

ions of Penn sylvania to enter chapter s i n other States) b ut t h e con ,

ferring of them was not to be consi dered as a recogn ition of t h em

as degrees of A ncient Y ork M asonry .

T h is s tate of a ffairs continu ed until M ay 1 7 1 82 4 when t h e de , ,

pendent Gran d C h apter to the Gran d Lodge wa s closed s i n e di e .

an d on the s am e day A t a meeting of the Com pan ions of th e

“
,

”
H oly R oyal A rc h convened at th e M asonic H all
,
it was R e ,
“

s olved T hat the Companions now present do organ ize themselves

,

into a Gran H oly R oyal A rch Chapter an d on t h e 2 4 thof th e

-
a
,
”

same m onth o fficers were elected Compan i on M ic h ael N i s bet be

,

ing the fi rs t Grand H ig h Priest of the I ndependent Gran d C h apter

-
.

and w h ic h n ow controls a ll the degree s of its sister Grand C h apters .

with the exception of that of Pa s t M aster whic h th e Grand Lodge ,

still controls .

Th e Gran d Chapter of Pennsyl vania is not a con stituent of th e

General Grand Chapter of t h e U nited States .

 FR EE M A S ON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 53 5

R node I s la nd .

Washin g ton Chapter M other of N ew Y ork gave a Charte r

,
“
, ,

to Providen ce R oyal A rch Chapter September 3 1 793 an d wa s , 3

, ,

with the ot h er c h apters i n the organ izati on of th e Grand Chapter

of R h ode I slan d M arc h 1 2 1 798 ,
T hi s Grand Chapter took part ,
.

in th e org an izati on of th e General Gran d C h apter an d continued

1

therewit h until th e w a r —
peri od ( 1 8 1 6 an d as th e General Gran d
6
C h apter s sessi ons were thereby interrupted t h is Gran d C h apter as
’

, ,

well as som e others held that in consequen ce of the non attendance

,
-

a t the re g ular sessions the General Grand Chapter h ad been di s

,

solved and the Grand B ody remained out of t h e U nion until the
,

session hel d O ctober 1 2 1 897 wh en she again sent her representa

, ,

ti ve s and rej oined t h e U nion .

T his acti o n was resolved upon at the ninety ni nth annual convo -

cation of the G rand Chapter of R hode I s land hel d M arch 9 1 897 ?

, ,

S oni a Ca r oli na .

A Warrant wa s g ranted by t h e Grand Chapter of N ew Y ork ,

February 1 1 803 t o Carolina Chapter in C h arleston

, ,
?
A t the ,

third regular m eeting of the General Gran d C h apter J anuary 9 , ,

1 806 t h e Gen e ral Gran d O fficers reported h aving granted a War

,

rant for a c h apter at Beaufort S C by the nam e of U nity C h ap ,

. .
,

ter w h i c h was then confi rme d

,
4
The d ispensation for this chapter .

had be e n i ssued M arc h 1 1 805 ,

.

I n con s equence of t h e war with Great Britai n t h ere was no

m eeting of the General Gran d Chapter until 1 81 6 w h i c h was t h e ,

fourt h b ei n g a special A t th e meeting of 1 806 a petition for a c h ap

, .

ter in Charleston by Brya n S weeny and ot h ers was pre s ented an d

, ,

refu s ed because it was not recom mended by any adj acent c h apter
,
5
.

Th e Grand Chapter for the State of South Caroli na wa s insti

tu te d M ay 2 9 1 81 2 We can not fin d any reference to t h e organ

,
.

i z a ti on of t h e Gran d C h apter of South Carolin a in the proceedings

of t h e General Gran d C h apter ; but at t h e fourth meeting h eld ,

1
Co mp en di um of P o r G d Chp f U i d S
ce e di n gs G e n e ra l ra n a te r o n te ta t e s , p 8 . .

2 P roce e di n gs G lG d Chp
en e r a 897 p 9
ra n a te r , 1 , . 2
3 P r oce e di n g s
”
G d Chp f N w Y k i H i y f
ra n a te r o y e or n s tor o M a s on r a nd Concor da nt

Orders , p 62 9
. .

4
Proce e dmgs G l G d Chp 8 6 p 3
e n er a ra n I bi d p 3 a te r , 1 0 , . 0
.
5 .
, . 1 .
1 536 H IST OR Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

J une 6, Sm it h Web b is reported as pr oxy for Wm

1 81 6 T hos
Y oung t h e Gran d H ig h Priest and Foster B u
. .
,

pr oxy for
‘

,
r ne t a s -
,

B enj Phillips Gran d S cribe ; t h erefo r e t h at Grand C h apter was

.
, ,

du ly recognized as a con s tituent of t h e General Gran d C h apter .

We must presum e t h at during t h e war per iod as wa s reported to ,

t h e General Gran d C h apter the situation of the country wa s s uch ,

at that tim e as to render it h ig h ly i nconvenie nt for the General

”
Grand C h apter to convene 1
T his Grand C h apter was al s o r e pr e .

sented at the meetings h el d i n 1 82 6 an d 1 82 9 an d not again u ntil ,

1 844 and t h en n ot until 1 85 9

,
.

D uri ng t h e years 1 861 to 1 865 that Grand Chapter refused to

“
withdraw i ts allegian ce : A n d by a resolution adopted i n 1 861 , ,

the oaths of o ffi ce an d of initiation have included al legiance to the

General Gran d Chapter wa s stated with pride in t h e ses s ion s of , ,

1 862 —65 by A lbert G M ackey General Grand H igh Prie s t and Pas t .
,
-

?
Grand H igh Priest of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina
-

S on i a D a kota .

When it wa s decided by t h e c h apters of D akota Grand C h ap

ter to organi z e two Gran d Chapters viz for N ort h and S outh ,
.
,

D akota a convention was h eld by all the chapters located i n S outh

,

D akota .

T here were present the representatives of th e following ch a p

ters viz : Y ankton N o 1 at Y ankton ; A b erdeen N o 1 4 at
,
.
,
.
, , .
,

A berdeen ; M itchell N o 1 6 at M itc h ell ; Brooki ngs N o 1 8 a t ,

.
, , .
,

Brooki ngs ; O rient N o 1 9 at Flandreau ; R abbon i N o 2 3 at ,

.
, ,
.
,

Webster Com panion T h eodore S Parvin wa s present and by

. .
,

aut h ority of a di s pensation is s ued to h im as D eputy by General , ,

Gran d H ig h Priest N obl e D Larner whi c h wa s confirmed by t h e

-
.
,

then General Grand H ig h Prie s t D avi d F D a y h e constituted t h e -

.
,

Gran d C h apter of South D akota in ample form .

Ten n es s ee .

March 2 1 81 8 t h e General Grand H ig h Priest is s ued a di spen

, ,
-

sation to Cum be r land C h apter i n N a s h ville T enn Wh ic h received

3
, ,
.
,

a C h arter at t h e se ss ion of the General Gran d Chapter S eptem be r ,

P oc r ee di n gs G e n e ra lG ra nd C h
a pt e r, 1 81 6, p 4 1 . .

2 I bi d .
,
1 865 , p . 1 1 .
3
I b id ,
1 81 9 p 60
, . .
4
I b id
.
, p 60 . .
1 53 8 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

a nd receive c harte rs f rom the Grand Chapter of that State if one ,

be organi z ed previou s to t h e next meeting of t h

x

e G e n er a l Grand

C h apter .

“
Th e First Grand Chapter of th e R epubl ic of T exas wa s
formed by a convention of R oyal A r ch M a s ons delegates from ,

S an Filipe de A usti n C h apter of Galve s ton ; Cyrus Chapter of , ,

M atagorda ; Lone S tar Chapter of A ustin an d R ising Star Ch ap , ,

ter of San A ugustine T h

,
e Convention met in the city of A ustin .

on the 1 4thof D ecember ,

Th e Gran d C h apter was organized and th e constitution adopted .

San Filipe de A u s tin C h apter declin ed to S ign t h e constitution

and withdrew from th e convention T h e constituti on was adopte d .

and ratified on D ecember 2 1 1 84 1 I t was S igned by B Gille s p ie , . .

,

Gran d H igh Priest and attested by H W R aglin Gran d Secre

-
, . .
,

tary Compn G eorge Lopas the Grand Secretary of t h e Gran d

. .
,

C h apter of T exas in 1 895 was i n s tructed to prepare a reprint of , ,

th e proceedings of t h e Grand C h apter which he accompl is h ed and , ,

the valuable results of h is labors appear i n two beautiful volumes ,

from which we are enabled to gai n all th e information a s to th e

condition of capitular M asonry i n the State of T exas .

I t is prob able that n o convocation was held i n 1 84 2 Th e .

roceedings of 1 844 to 1 849 included as also th e original con s ti

p
tu
e
,

ti on were pri nted and g iven ver o a li ne i n th e reprint Th e Grand

u
.
,

Chapter met in 1 848 b t the proceedings were n ot printed ,

.

When for t h e sake of peace an d harm ony amo ng t h e Craft

“
, ,

this G rand C h apter wa s dis s olved there were nine chapters viz , ,

Cyrus N o 1 at M atagorda ; Lone Star N o 3 at A u s tin R ising

,
.
, , .
,

Star N o 4 at San A ugustine Washin gton N o 5 at Was h ington ;

,
.
, , .
,

D e Witt Clinton N o 6 at Clarksville ; J erusalem N o 7 at A lta, .

, ,
.
,

Mi ra ( F a nth orps) H ouston N o 8 at H ouston ; Bren h am N o 1 2

’

, .
, ,
.
,

at Brenham an d T rinity N o 1 3 at Crockett

, Th e compiler , .
,
.
,

Compn Lopa s was u nable to account for the m issi ng N os 2 9 1 0

.
,
.
, , ,

?
1 1 an d was un a ble to learn of thei r nam es or l ocation s
,

Th e chapter San F il ipe de A usti n N o 1 to b e l ocated at S an ,

.
,

Filipe de A ustin in consequence of u nfore s een e v ents wa s never

,

op en ed at that place but was opened at Galveston J un e 2 1 840

four years a n d a h
, , , ,

al f l a ter T h is was reported to t h e General Grand .

1 “
H i s t or i ca l S k t h by G e c ,
”
e or ge Lopa s, G ra nd S e cr eta r y ,
1 897, P 3
l
i
b id , p 2 .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 53 9

Chapter in 1 844 an d on S eptem ber 1 2 t hby a resolution adopted

, , .
,

t h e rem oval wa s approved ?

A certain Scotc h man D ugald M cF a rla n e org ani z ed a chapter , ,

i n M atagorda in 1 83 7 an d n am ed it Cyrus Chapter having neit h er

, , ,

Warran t or Charter D oubts h aving arisen as to its legality i n .

,

1 84 1 ,
th ey petitioned the Grand Lodge of the R epublic of T exas
for a dispensation to open a chapter A dispensation wa s issued .

to them D ecember 1 0 1 84 1 A t the same ti m e dispensations were

,
.

also i ssued to R ising Star C h apter at S a n A ugusti ne and Lone , ,

?
Star Chapter at A ustin ,

A fter the organization of the Gran d Chapter they addressed a

m em orial to th e Grand Lod g e of T exas an d after setting forth cer ,

“
tain reasons therefor respectfully asked th e Gran d Lodge to r e ,

linqui s h and surren der all j urisdicti on an d control over the R oyal
A rch C h apters an d R oyal A rch M ason s i n th e R epu blic of T ex as
upon the surren der of the dispensation s heretofore g ranted by your
”
wors h ipful body 3
.

T his wa s grante d by the Gran d Lodge of T exas .

A ll the i rregularities of these chapters in T exas in the early

years were respectively cured by the action of the General Grand
Ch apter i n t h e on e case of San Filipe de A ustin Chapter an d th e ,

Gran d Lodge of t h e R epu blic of T exas as to the other chapters .

Th e General Gran d Chapter however di d n ot recogn i z e t h

e , ,

Gran d C h apter of T exas as having b een regularly constituted a s ,

t h ey h a d not asked permission to org ani z e from that body an d the ,

Gen eral Gran d Chapter d ecided to suppress it by m ild means I n .

1 84 7 they passed a resolution forbidding R oyal A rch Masons under

t h at j urisdiction from h olding M asoni c intercourse w ith the Grand

C h apter of T exas its su bordinates and th ose acknowledging its
, ,

aut h o r ity .

“
A t the formation o f th e Gran d Chapter of T exas in the city
of Galve s ton D ecember 3 0 1 85 0 the following c h apters were rep
, , ,

re s ented : San Filipe de A ustin N O 1 c h artered by the General , .

,

Gran d Chapter D ecember 9 1 83 5 Wash ington N o 2 Brenham

, , ,
.
, ,

N o 5 and Brazos N o 8
.
, ,
. .

O f t h e Chapter s organ i zed by authority of t h e Gen eral Grand

C h a pter all but S an Fil i pe de A u s tin N o 1 surrendered t h eir a u
, , .
,

1 P r ocee di n gs G e n er a l G ra nd h
C
a pter , p 91
. 1 .

3 “
R u th
v R ep r int, 01 3
1 b id vol i
’
en s p . 1 . .
, . .
, p . 1 1 2 .
l 5 40 HI ST O R Y OF F R EEM A SON R Y
h
t ori ty from the General Gran d Chapter to the Gran d C h apter of
T exa s and received their charter s dated J une 2 5 1 85 1 an d S i g n ed
, , , ,

by t h e Gran d O fficers elected at th e second an nual convocation in

the town of H untsville J une 2 4 1 85 , ,

S an Filipe de A ustin N o 1 neve r received a charter from th e , .

,

Gran d Chapter of T exas unti l J une 2 2 ,

M any of t h e Companions wh
“
o belonged to Chapters under
th e First Gran d Chapter of th e R epu blic of T exas believing th e ,

action of th e General Grand C h apter in regard to R oyal A rc h M a

s onr
y i n T exas unwarranted an d u n j ust refused to be healed ,

under th e n ew organization an d were thereby debarred from enj oy ,

ing the privileges for which they had worked so earnestly an d l ong .

O thers accepted the situ ation until such ti me as they sh oul d b e abl e
to sever an alliance that wa s unsought an d alway s distasteful .

“
Th e time came i n 1 861 wh en on the 1 7t h of J une the Gran d , , ,

Chapter adopted the following resolution

R es olved T hat all connection between th is Grand Chapte r
,

an d t h e General Grand Chapter of th e U n ited States is dissolved

an d forever annihilated by the separation of our State from th at
1 ”
g o vernm ent .

Th e Gran d Chapter of T exas has steadily refused all overtures

from the General Grand Chapter to return to the fold from wh ich
she withdre w i n 1 861 T empa s a li i t omn i a (
!
T im e cures
. all
things) an d we feel assured that with the passing away of the pres
, ,

ent generation , with i ts pre j udices so will pass a way that feeling i n ,

th e Gran d Chapter of T exas which n ow keeps her out of the fold ,

especially as some of her best m em bers n ever left the General

Grand Body .

U la /z .

D ecem ber 3 tah Chapter

1 N o 1,
Salt Lak
1 e 872 , U
City had , .
, ,

a dispensation issued an d a C h arter was granted N ovember 2 5, ,

1 874
?
A dispensation was is s ued for O gden Chapter N o 2 at ,
.
,

O gden M arch 1 1 1 881 and O ntario N o 3 at Park City O cto

, , ,
.
, ,

ber 2 6 1 882 ; and c h arters to these two were gra nted A ugust 1 5
, ,

1 883
?
U ta h has n o Grand Chapter an d is under th e control o f ,

t h e General Gra n d Chapter .

1
H i s tor i cal S k tch e ,
!
p 7 . .

2
P r oce e di n g G s l e ne r a G ra n d C h
a pter ,
1 874, p 5 6 . .
3
I b id .
, 1 883 pp 96, 97
, . .
1 542 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

the honor to present a communication giving an account of the

state of M asonry i n Vermont I n accordan ce with a duty I owe .

the fratern ity an d in behalf of m any good an d true M asons in my

State I have now further to report that not h in g has occurred since
t h at period to warrant the resuming of our M asonic labors .

“
I n no State of our U nion h as the anti Masonic spirit gained -

so strong a foothold as i n Verm ont A lthough she has been di .

vested of the pol itical po wer t hat for years worked her curse still ,

h er ol d leaders continue restless and troublesome ; an d under the

abolition excitement wh ich now pervades the State they still exert
a secret influence h ostile to our institution wh ich time patien ce , , ,

an d perseveran ce can alone conquer .

“
M ortifying and unpleasant as it is to be compelled by th e
continued force of circum s tance s to suspen d our M ason ic labors ,

prudence d ictates a course so im portant to the well being and future -

welfare of the whole fraternity .

“
We look forward however to a period when we can peace
, ,

fully resume t h em an d when public opinion shall do us j ustice an d ,

sancti on a cour s e t h us adopted then s h all our obscure but not lost
Pleiad again break forth di ffusing new lig h t and heat i n th e M a
, ,

sonic Constitution [Constellation perh aps!?

We n ow ask your fraternal ad vice in our di fficult m ovem ents .

A n d in behal f of t h e Com panions and brethren in Verm ont whose ,

fi delity has never been shaken I submit this report , .

N A T H A N B H A S WE LL “
.
,

H i ya Pr i es t a n d G r a n d M a s ter -
.

I n February 1 848 J erusalem Chapter N o 2 wa s reopened by

, , ,
.
,

a dispensation from the General Gran d Scri be T h e Grand Lodge .

of Vermon t wa s revived in 1 84 7 ; a n d soon following this event

t h e Companions of th e Grand C h apter m ade a movem ent toward
th e revival of t h e Gra n d Chapter and under the direction of Com ,

panion H aswell who wa s t h e la s t Gra n d H ig h Pri e s t and s an c

,
-
,

ti on e d by t h e D eputy General Grand H igh Priest the Gran d C h ap

- -
,

ter wa s reorganized J uly 1 8 1 849 , .

T h ere were t h ree chapters w h i c h took part i n t h e reorgani z a

tion J eru s alem N o 2 at Vergenn es ; B urlington N o 1 2 at
,
.
, ,
.
,

Burlington an d La F a yette N o 1 5 at E a s t Berk s h ire

,
.
,
.

1
P r oce e di n g s of G e n e ra l G ra n d C h
a pte r , 1 844 pp , . 1 83 , 1 84 .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 54 3

I n O ctober 1 849 the Gran d H ig h Priest granted a renewal of

, ,
-

the C h arter to C h amplain Chapter at St A lban s ,

. .

J une 1 9 1 85 0 an attested Copy of t h e original Charter of t h is

, ,

chapter wa s sh own in t h e Gran d C h apter with proof of original

Charter having b een destroyed by fire Cham plai n C h apter pai d .

$ 2 5 under the ruling an d wa s revived an d repre sented at that

, ,

?
gran d convocation
Since that period the Gran d C hapter has continued to be rep
resented i n the General Gran d Chapter .

T h
e introduction of rch M asonry into Virginia in 1 75 3 R oyal A
was no dou bt sim ilar to its introduction i nto Pennsylvan ia an d other
States n orth of it by mean s of R oyal A rch lodges s o called becau s e
,
-
,
-
,

the R oyal A rch degree was permitted to b e conferred under t h e

lodge Charter and we h ave recently seen th e discove ry by Bro S
, . .

J Q uinn of Fredericksb urg of the fact that i n t h at ancient town

.
, ,

there was such a lodge in whi ch the R oyal A rch degree was con ,

ferred earl ier than in any ot h er place in the colonies ; an d very soon
,

after t h at deg ree h ad been i nt r o duced i nto the work of the lodges
in E nglan d .

I t has been said by ot h ers that t h e i ntroduction of the R oyal

, ,

A rch degree i nto Virgi nia wa s by Bro J oseph Myers wh o was the .
,

succe s s or of D a Costa who had opened u nder th e authority of , ,

Bro Mic h ael M oses H ayes a Subl im e Gran d Lodge of Perfection

.
,

i n 1 783 at Charleston S C Bro M yers subsequently settled in

, ,
. . .

R ic h m ond V a an d t h en an d there introduced the H oly R oyal

, .
,

A rc h of the A ncien t A ccepted Scottish R ite whi ch was taught i n ,

Virginia until 1 82 0 when th e ritual of t h e E ngl ish degree was

,

adopted whose o fficers consisted of H igh Priest King and Scribe

,
-
, , ,

while t h e former were H igh Priest Captai n of the H ost and Cap -
, ,

tai n General .

Bro J ohn D ove i n his history of the Grand C h apter of Vir

.
,

gin ia uses t h e following language

,

“
R oyal A rch M asonry wa s taught an d practiced i n this State
during t h e latter part of the la s t centu ry under t h e aut h ority of a ,

M aster s W arrant until the want of som e specific legi s lation seemed
’

1 uH i s tor y of M a s on r y a nd Con cor da nt Od

r er s , p 63 3
. .
1 544 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

evidently indicated for t h e internal govern ment of the R oyal A rch

Chapters which were then growing in num ber a nd increasi ng in
,

members .

T his wa s in the early part of 1 806 an d from h is acknowledged ,

i ntellectual ability in connection with the record o f h is constant a t

,

tendance at every m eeting of the Gran d C h apter of Virgin ia from

D ecem ber 1 7 1 81 8 to D ecember 1 7 1 868 h e wa s well qualified to
, , , ,

decide with aut h ority I n discussing t h e matter of substitutes he

.

sai d : We have been i n t h e constant use of them si nce 1 792 and ,

”
have as yet seen n o evil result t h erefrom .

From the date ab ove mentioned by Com p D ove viz 1 792 .

,
.
, ,

when th e R oyal A rch wa s conferred we may be safe in our state ,

ment that as early as 1 792 R oyal A rch M asonry wa s practi ced in

V irginia W e also from his statement may be assured that in
.
, ,

Virginia the deg ree of Past M aster wa s in the chapter series and
h a d been in V irginia si n ce 1 7 0 and whatever may have been th e
9
fu
,

ll ritual u nder lod g e warrants it was practiced until 1 82 0 ,

.

A t a convocation of the Gran d Chapter of V irginia held J an u ,

ary 7 1 82 0 it wa s R es olved T hat our enlightened Companion

, ,
“
, ,

J ames Cushman H P of Frankli n Chapter N o 4 Con n ecticut

,
.
-
.
, .
, ,

be requested to exem plify the m ode of work at present adopted by

the General Gran d Chapter of the U nited States it appearin g from ,

his credentials t h at he i s fully competent .

O n J anuary 1 8 1 82 0 the degrees of M ark M aster Past Master

, , , ,

Most E xcellent M aster and R oyal A rch M ason were exemplified ,

“
by him and after m ost solemn deliberation were adopted that ,

harmony and unity sh oul d prevail throu g hout the M asonic world ,
”
an d m ore especially the U nited States .

From 1 82 0 u ntil D ecember 1 7 1 84 1 the coun cil degrees of , ,

R oyal an d Select M asters were controlled by a Grand Council At

the latter date by mutual agreement these degrees were placed u
.

,
n ,

der the control of the Gran d Chapter and the following resolution s ,

give the order of succession

R es olved T h at hereafter the degrees in subordinate chapters
,

be given in t h e following order to wi t M ark M aster Past M aster , , ,

M ost E xcellen t M aster R oyal M aster S elect M aster and R oyal , , ,

A rch . M ay 1 1 808 t h e Gran d C h apter of R oyal A rch M ason s of

, ,

V irginia was e stabli s h ed in compl iance with a proposition from a ,

”
con vention held in N orfolk B oroug h w h en it appeared that the ,
1 546 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

proval S houl d fir s t h ave been o btained before holding a convention ,

an d gave his aut h ority to hol d a convention at Walla Walla O cto

1 0 1 884 t h e General Gran d H igh Priest had
?
ber 2 1 884 (
,
M ay , ,
-

granted a dispensation to T acoma Ch apter N o 4 w hic h by order , .

,

passed to th e jurisdiction of the Grand C h apter ) .

T hi s convention was hel d at that date by the three chapters

above mentioned .

Wes t Vi rg i n i a .

fter t h e State of West Virginia was erected an d th e Grand

A
Lodge of the new State had been regula rly org anized M ay 1 1 , ,

1 865 the Companions of t h e various ch apters n umberi ng n ine

, , ,

wh o were under t h e Constitution of the Grand Chapter of Vir

ginia deemed it proper to follow the example of the lodges an d

, ,

organi z e a Gran d C h apter for the new territory T his movement .

started in W heeling U nion Chapter N o 1 9 Wheeling A m em o ,

.
, .

rial was issued by Wheeling U n ion Chapter w h ic h sought permis ,

sion to organi z e a Gran d C h apter for th e State T h e following .

chapters approved t h e mem orial : J erusalem Chapter N o 5 5 in , .

,

Parkersburg N ovem ber 1 7 1 870 ; Star of the West Chapter

, , ,

N o 1 8 at Poi nt Pleasant N ovember 2 1 1 870 ; an d N elson Chap

.
, , ,

ter N o 2 6 at Morg antown N o vember 3 0 1 870 T h

, .
,
e Grand , , .

C h apter of Virginia took action upon t h e mem orial D ecem ber , ,

1 870 and gave consent

,
upon the sam e terms and conditions an d
, ,

with the same li mitations as th e consent of the Gran d Lodge of ,

V irginia was given to t he formation of a Gran d Lodge for the S ta te

”
of West Virginia .

A convention was held N ovember 1 6 1 871 in W heeling a nd , , ,

t h e four c h apters above m entioned were represented by their dele

gates ; i n addition to these were delegates from Leban on Chapter ,

N o 9 at M artinsburg
.
,
Th e Grand Chapter of West Virginia wa s
.

duly and constitutionally instituted the Gran d O fficers were c h osen ,

an d installed by M ost E xcellent J ohn P Little Grand H igh Priest .

,
-

of the Gran d Chapter of Virginia wh o took occasion to warn the ,

Com pan ion s against a union wit h the General Grand C h apter?
T h is warning like t h at wh ich oftentimes only excites the curiosity
,

1
P r oce e di n gs G r a nd C h
a pte 886, p 2 0
r, 1 . .

2 M a s on i c H i s tor y of Con cor da n t r de r s , O p 63 6 . .

 F R EE M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED ST A T ES 1 54 7

of th e Wa r n ee has had the e ffect of bringing the Grand Chapter of

,

West Virginia into th e fold which we trust will be followed by the ,

M other of th e O l d D om inion .

Wi seons i n .

T h
e Gran d H i g h Priest at th e t riennial meet
D eputy-General -
,

ing of th e General Grand Chapter hel d Se ptem ber 1 0 1 844 re , ,

ported having g ranted a dispensation to two chapters in Wisconsi n

T erritory viz : February 1 6 1 844 to M ilwaukee N o 1 ; and
,
.
, , ,
.

Washington N o 2 i n Pla ttes ville J uly 2

,
. A t the meet i ng
, , ,

Septem ber 1 4 1 84 7 the sam e o fficer reported having issued a dis

, ,

p e n sa ti o n to Southport Chapter N o 3 i n Sout h port ( no date )

2
,
.
,

an d also that his proxy had consecrated Washington Chapter N o , .

2 at Pl
,
a ttes vi lle a Charter h aving been granted to sai d chapter
, ,

Septem ber 1 1 A Charter was granted to South port N o 3

, , .
,

at the meeting held Septem b er 1 7 ,

By auth ority of th e D eputy General Gran d H igh Priest under - -

date of J an u ary 1 0 1 85 0 a convention was hel d i n M adison of the

, ,

delegates of the t h ree chapters an d the Gran d Chapter of W is ,

con s in was duly constituted Feb ruary 1 4 1 85 0 , ,

.

Th e D eputy General Gran d H igh Priest havin g received offi

- -

ci a lly the printed proceedings and gran d constitution un der date of

J uly 5 1 85 0 he authori z ed A rgulus W Stark to i nstall the G rand
, , .

O ffi cers which wa s done A u g ust 7 1 85 0

, , .

Wy omi ng .

At the triennial m eetin g of the General G rand Chapter hel d

September 1 9 1 871 th e General Grand H igh Priest reported that
, ,
-

h e had issued a dispensation to a constitutional n umber of Com

panion s to form a chapter at Cheyen ne Wyom ing T erritory un der , ,

t h e nam e of Wyom ing Chapter N o which wa s chartered Sep , .

,

temb er 2 0 ,

E vanston Chapter N o 2 at E vanston received a dispensation ,

.
, ,

7
dated A pril 2 5 1 876 ; and Lebanon N o 8 at Laramie City had
, , .
, , .

1 P r ocee di n gs of G e n er a l G ra n d C hpter a , 1 844, p 1 82

. .

2 I b id . , 1 847, p . 2 09 .
3
I bid .
, 1 844 p , . 1 85 , n ote .
4 b
I id , . 1 84 7, p 2 2 8
. .

5 I bid 1 871 , p
5
I b id 7 I b id 1 877, p 92
.
, . 1 5 . .
, p 33 . . .
,
. .
1 54 8 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

a dispensation granted M arch 1 5 1 877 ; and these two had ch ar ,

ters granted A ugust 2 4 1 877? ,

Garfiel d Chapter N o 4 at R awlins had a d ispensation issued , .

, ,

M arch 2 5 1 884 ; and a Charter granted O ctob er 1 1 886 T hese

,
?
,

ch apters are under the i m mediate j urisdiction of the General Gran d

Chapter never h aving org an ized a Grand Chapter
, .

CH R O N O LOG I C A L M E M OR A AoND r I M POR T AN T TR A A N S C T I ON S or T H E GENER A L

GR AN D CH A PT E R ?

Oct o be r 2 4, 1 797 re i i na r.
-
P lm
e eti n ym g of t h
r e e ch
a pt e r s in B os ton, M a s s .

J a nu y a r 2 4, 1 798 — Or a n i z a t i on of t h
. eg G ra nd Ro y l a A rc hCh
a pt e r of t e h
e r n S t a t es
h m ”
N or t of A e r i ca .

S epte mb e r ,
1 798 — Fi r s t . m ee t i n f te r or g a n i z a t i on for t h
g a e ch
oi ce of O ffi ce r s .

J u y9
a n a r ,
1 799 — A dj o . u r n ed m ee ti n g ; cha n g e of n a m e t o t h a t of G e n e r a l

G ra n d y l A chChpt of t h N o the n S t t s of A m i c
Ro a r a er e r r a e er a .

J n u y 9 806 — Chng of n m e t o t ht of G n l G nd Chpt of

a a r ,
1 a e a a e e ra ra a er

R oy l A chMa on fo t h
r e U nit d S t t of A m
a s ic S ept mb s 8 w r e a es er a . e e r, 1 1 2, a s,

by ol u t i on fi x ed
r es s th e tim ,
n d N w Y o k Ci t y t h pl c fo t h n xt
a e, a e r a s e a e, r e e

S pt nni l S ss i on
e e a e .

J u n 6 8 6— H l d i n N ew Y o k City by on of f i lu to m e t i n 8
e ,
1 1 e r ,
r ea s a re e 1 1 2.

Con t i t u t i on chng d o
s t o hv D pu t y G n
a l G nd H i g hP i t
e ,
s a s a e a e e e ra ra - r es .

S pte mb e 8 9 — H el d g bly t o dj ou n m e nt
e r, 1 1 a r eea a r .

Feb u y 8 3 — A dj ou n m nt w
r a r to W
1 hi n g t on D i t i ct of Columb i
2 t r e a s a s s r a a

i ti m e b u
.
, , ,

th s t n ot hl d
,
e .

S pt mb e 8 6— M et cco di ng t o p v iou n oti ce M e ti ng m de t i

e e r, 1 2 a r re s . e s a r

chhi l a .

N ov e mb 83 — H l d i n t h i s m on thon ccou n t of ch
er, 1 ol e
2. i n B l ti m o e e a ra a r

d u i n g S pt e mb
r e er

i T nn b u
.

S pt mb e 86 — A ppoi nted to m t t M m ph
e e r, 1 2 t n ot hl d on
, ee a e s, e .
,
e

accou n t of Ci v i l W t hn p v i l i ng a r e re a .

S pt mb e e87 — Con t i t u t i on m n ded dm i tt i n g P s t G ra n d H i g hP i t

e r, 1 1 . s a e ,
a a - r es s

a s p m n nt m e mb
er a e er s .

N ov e mb 874 — Con t i t u t i on m e nd d m k i n g th fi s t f ou P s t G en e a l
er , 1 s a e ,
a e r r a r

G nd Offic s p m n nt m mb
ra er er a e e er s .

Octob 3 897
— C n t e n n i l Ce l b t i on t B l t i m o
er 1 ,
1 Md . e a e ra a a re, .

1 P oc r e e di n gs of G enera l G ra nd C h
a pter ,
1 877, pp 92 , 93 . .

2 I bid .
, 1 886 p , . 1 25 .
3 I b id .
,
1 897 .
1 5 50 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y
.

U n ited State s we are n ot informed that it is worked anyw h ere

,

but in Baltim ore We have been told t h at a regul a r Chapter of Se

.

lect wa s held at Charleston S C m any years ago but bel ieve it has ,
. .
, ,

1 ”
decl ined .

“
Bro J ohn D ove of Virginia says : T his beauti ful D egree is
.
, ,

com paratively of M odern O rigin h aving been with th e D egree of , ,

R oyal M aster in the possession of a distinguished C h ief i n t h e State

, ,

of M aryland as a purely honorary D egree elucidatory of an d a p

, , ,
»

pendent to R oyal A rch M asonry an d by him conferred without fee

h e delegated authority to others to use t h em in th e same way u
,

n , , ,

til the year 1 82 4 when the Gran d Chapter of M a rylan d with h

, i s con ,

sent took charge of th e D egrees an d ordered them to b e given b e

, ,

fore t h e M ost E xcellent M aster ; wh ere all intelligent workers i n the

”
R oyal A rch m ust at once perceive the propriety of their location 2
.

Brot h er A G M ackey says : For many years t h ere have been

. .

three distinct clai m s urged for j urisdiction over t h ese degrees in ,

A merica— fi r st by the Supreme Council of the 3 3 d D egree ; next

,

by s om e of th e Gran d C h apters an d lastly by the Gran d Councils ,

composed of t h e subordinate Coun cils of each State .

”

“
Con nected with th is quest i on of jurisdiction is an other in ref '

erence to the h istorical origin of the D egrees and as the person or , ,

persons by whom t h ey were first introduced into A merica T h

, e .

M a s ons of M arylan d an d Virginia contend t h at t h e R oyal and Se ,

l ect D egrees were introduced by Ph i lip P E ckel of Baltim ore on e .

, ,

of t h e m ost distinguished an d enlightened M asons of h is day wh o

i n 1 81 7 com municated them to J eremy L Cross an d gave h im a u
, ,

.
, ,

th or i ty to confer t h em in eve ry R oyal A rch Chapter w h ic h he might

”
visit in h is o fficial c h aracter T h is clearly shows t h at they were to .

be subsequent to t h e R oyal A rc h .

D r R obert Folger says :

. Th e M asons of that day
( 1 81 6) were

divided i n opinion con cerning th e proper place to w h ich t h ese de

grees ( R oyal and Select) belonged O ne party preferred t h at they .

S h oul d be kept separate and left w here t h ey were a separate ,

-

system .

A t the fourt h meeting of t h e General Gran d C h apter J une 6 , ,

1 81 6 a discussion took place u po n t h e proposition for the admission

,

of t h e G rand Ch apter of M arylan d an d t h e D istrict of Colum bia ,

1
S chul tz ’
s H i s tor y of M a s on r yi n M a r yl a n d, vol
. i .
, p 335 . .
2
I bid .
.
3 3 6 .
1 5 52 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

on t h e part of th e General Gran d C h apter i n ref sin g a recogn itio n ,

u
of those degrees that determined M r Cross i n h i s future c ourse
, . .

M r E ckel the Baltimore delegate then went hom e and

.
, ,

when Cross wh o at that session of t h e General Grand Chapter h ad

,

been appointed an d confirm ed as G e neral Gran d Lecturer started ,

on his lecturing tour h e stopped at Baltimore and purc h ased and ,

received the privilege from E ckel an d N iles to erect and establis h

councils of R oyal an d Select M asters throughout the Southern and
Western States T h is privilege h e carried out pretty e ffectually
.
,

beginning with N ew J ersey ; and all the councils i n existence in

those States m entioned in h is narrative were established by h i m
, ,

self also t h e E astern States except R ho de I sland

,
Bro E dw T . .
!
. . .

Sc h ult z i n commentin g upon what F ol g er had published as ab ove

, ,

said
From the ab ove quotati ons it will b e perceived that it wa s the
g eneral belief that the control of the R oyal and Select D egrees were
vested i n E ck el an d N iles .

But we think Bros D ove M ackey and Fo lger and others .

, , , ,

'
m ake a great m istake in couplin g the R oyal M aster s D egree with
the Select i n connection with the nam es of E ckel and N iles ; for
,

there is n o evidence w h atever to S h ow that these Brethren ever exer

ci sed or claimed control of the R oyal M aster s de g ree or t h at they
’

were even i n possession of that deg ree at th e peri ods nam ed by ,

1 ”
them .

From Bro J osiah H D rum mond we learn that on a pparen tly

. .
,

g ood autho rity E ckel did not g et the R oyal M aster s degree until
,
’

1 81 9 ; when he and Ben j E des of Baltimore received it from .

, ,

E bene z er Wadsworth of N ew Y ork Bro Schultz thinks this is , . .

probably true for there is no ment i on of that degree being worked

,

in t h is j urisdiction ( M aryland) in any d ocument or upon the record s ,

of the Grand C h apter or its subordinates earlier t h an 1 85 0 Bro . .

Cole i n 1 81 7 speaks of it incidentally but not as among the de

, , ,

”
grees con ferred .

’
Cole s edition of 1 82 6 (p says : R oyal M ast e r and A rk
“
.

M aster or N oachite .
!

T hese are con sidered as merely preparatory an d are usually con ,

?
ferred im mediately before the solem n ceremony of exaltation It

1
S hul tz
c . H i s tor y ,
”
vol . i .
, p 3 39 . .
2 I b id .
, p 338
. .
3
Co e p 3 1 9l , . .
p m ote d b
ro
y h wl dy f thu v led i th g u i l
a no e e o o e re ea n e o nc

o
f (fi l t 87 2
e ec5 00 0 d W h 4o th v i d d
12
y
a n
f er ea , e o e z ee o

Gf l t to
e ec t 00 x t oi v l h w
no o i to w to en d t h no n a n
y e e a a n e

y d
oo
f th g ft
o
q u i e
—
g h ra
f re
Ey H hre t
C
ez e oz e e,
C
a

t e
p oi o
y o
p
n i l f i d e i
ec a m y b l v d
con d t u o t
y e n ce n e o e a n c

6 mp i o J
o a n my 5 6 000 7 d h by by th h
n, er e 6 iy h 2 , C o er e , e

w o i m v t d u th i d m w h i m t f
p o ez n e
p
en e , a or z e a n e o er o con er

th J h
e id d y
oa o
f ll w oe
( )vi
z ee a
y p l o w o e n a n a ce er e a

y
t e u l h p t
a z
f g l
c a
y l fi h erw oo o t
( o t bli
oo a h d nc a on o e a o e ,

th fi ie
ff o 976 m
ce tb o
pp or vi
y h
( m y e f eci d a ro n , e a con er en

dy e r ee di y t i to u
a ccor lo é n
y ul ti o bu
o t l y o r e
”
re a on , on n

Cgl y l a ha lg o o wh hv i h ll thp di y
oo a oz c a on , o a e a en a e r e ce n

dy e o r eeo to , q ui da by th
g l
re
g d reg h p t e en er a ra n a ez .

Wh u t w o th u
(
en mp t t a mb co
f fi l
e en o n o er o e ec a on a te

m d a h m y y t thm w
e, e a t t ea n
p G u i le o
f a a rr a n o O en a o nc

d l t e ec d f th d eg
a n d d
con e r ll th bu oie oo r ee a n o a o er ne

t i i th t o
a
pp et
y a n n er e .

g i v u d m y h en d d d
n l t gé
er lti m th a n a n ea a a oce, e

2
7 i hd
y f a 67 flo 8 7 d i th y
f
2 1 1 , a n n e ea r o

th fi l e o 87 . £2 1 .

a lig n. 513 1 51 4. £13 82 42 1 ,

Gh J llu otz i ou u ooa n t i n th uci l

g

55 g ra nd { E G
C
r i ce o l ra n d ( o n
”
e
c

Ba lti m oz e é fbppz ove d o n g 9 c z i be

9
( de fe ct a t O
” ”
. .
(

Cbppz ove d a n d a tte ote d n o i n the

g r a n d g ou n cll .

56 .
(
761 1120 .
1 5 54 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

parts of the U n ited S tates H e also delegated Ot h ers with powe r

.
,
!
in like man ner to issue warrants for councils of R oyal and Select
M asters .

“
From all that has been stated it is evident not only that E ckel , ,

an d N iles claimed to h ave h ad the suprem e control and authority

over t h e Select degree but that th is clai m was generally regarded
,

val i d ; and it is equally a s evident we thi nk that these Brethren , ,

”
never clai med t h e control of t h e R oyal M aster s degree I t has ’
.

always b een a question of m uch interest wit h M ason ic writers to

know the s ource w h ence these Brethren received t h eir authority ,

an d the control of the S elect degree A n ol d docum ent t h at m o s t .

,

unexpectedly cam e to t h e knowledge of th e writer about a year ago ,

settle s t h at que s tion beyon d a doubt I t is as follows .

W h ereas I n t h e year of t h e T emple 2 792 our t h rice illus

‘

t r i ou
, , ,

s B rother H enry W il ma n s Grand E lect Select Perfect S ub , , ,

l ime M ason Grand I n s pector Gen eral an d G ra a d M aster of C h ap

, ,

ters of t h e R oyal A rc h Gran d E lect and Perfect M a s ter s Lodge s

,
’

an d Council s Knig h t of the E ast Prince of J erusalem Patriarc h

N oachite Knight of t h e S u
, , ,

,
n and Prince of t h e R oyal S ecret did
, ,

by and in Virtue of the powers i n h i m legally vested establish or , ,

dain erect and support a Gran d Council of Select M asons in t h e

,
,

City of Baltimore an d wroug h t therein to t h e great benefit of t h e

, ,

Craft an d to the profitable extension an d elucidation of t h e M ys

,

t er i es of Masonry — a nd Whereas we the subscriber s to t h ese pres ,

ents are by regular successi on po ssessors of all t h e rights privileges !

an d im munities an d powers vested in a ny way whatsoever in the

said Gran d Council of S elect Masons considering t h e great a d ,

vantages t h at would accrue to t h e Craft i n an extension of t h e ,

knowledge of t h e R oyal Secret as introductory to and n ecessary , ,

for t h e better understanding of t h e Superior D egrees .

K now all w h om it may concern that we do h ereby authorize

, ,

an d em power our tru s ty an d beloved Companions K S K . . .

T . H A of t h e same to ope n and to h ol d a

. .
,

C h apter of Select M asons i n t h e City of Baltimore an d un der suc h

B y Law s an d regulatio ns as m ay b e en a cted and e s tabli s h ed for t h e
-

government of t h e same subj ect to t h e following general rules an d

h h w 2?
’
9° 2°
regulations ( W ic. e omit
) .

From s om e cau s e t h e di s pen s ation wa s n ot used but t h e fact is ,

fully an d em p h atically stated by E ckel and N iles un der t h eir h an d ,

 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E UN I T ED ST A T ES 1 555

an d seal that th e
y were by r eg la r s u u i p cces s on , os s es s or s of a ll
u
, ,

the ri h
g ts
p r i vi le es
g a n d i mm n i ti es d pw a n o er s ves ted in a n
y
d C ui l f S l
, ,

wa y wh
a ts oever in h
t e sa id Gra n o nc o e ect M a s ons ,

which has been i nstituted in t h e city of Baltim ore in t h e year 1 792 , ,

by H enry W i lma ns Gran d I nspector General “ ”

i s docu
.
,

Th me nt in connection with t h e R ules and R egul ations

,

of the Lodge of Perfection (referred to ab ove) leave n o room for ,

dou bt that W ilma n s was an I n s pector of the R ite of Perfection ,

and that he exercised i n t h e City of Balti more i n 1 792 the powers

, , ,

claimed by suc h I nspectors But from whom di d W i lma n s acquire .

h is powers of Gran d I n s pector General a nd th e authority to

‘
,
’
‘

establish ordain erect an d support a Chapter of S elect M asons ?

, ,

W e regret that we can not an swer the question nor could the
’

learned Brethren i n various parts of the cou ntry to w hom we a p ,

plied T h . e name of W i l ma n s does not appear upon any regi s ter

or document in th e archives of t h e Supreme Council of t h e Sout h ern
Ju risdiction or u pon any ot h er kno wn document or record contain
,

ing the nam e s of t h e early I n s pectors From t h e fact that i n bot h .

t h e docu ments he is styled Gran d I nspector General wh ile those ‘

,
’

deriving their powers from M orin are styled D eputy I nspectors ,

’

led to the supposition that h e might have derived h is powers from

E urope ; acting upon whic h supposition letters were addressed to ,

t h e Gran d Lodges at Berli n an d Bremen Wh ile the result of t h e .

correspondence which en sued was of an interesting n ature nothing

, , ,

in regard to his M ason ic character could be learned .

“
I t h as been ascertained th at W ilma n s was a native of Bremen ,

an d t h at h e emigrated to this country as early at least as t h e year

1 790 an d settled in Balti more
,
The first m ention of h is nam e on .
,

the record s of the Gran d Lodge is n connection wit h Con cordia ,

_

Lodge i n 1 793 of which h e wa s app ointed t h e first or C h arter

, ,

M aster I n the same year he was elected D eputy Gran d M as

.
e

ter an d i n t h e following year Gran d M aster of M asons in M ary

, ,
~

land T h
. e register of the O ld Zion Lutheran C h urch of this city , ,

s h ows t h at he died i n 1 7 5
9 .

“
I n a M S S b ook of M oses H ol brook of South Carolina
.
, ,

written in 1 82 9 it is s tated th at J osep h Myers a D eputy I nspector

, ,

General depo s ited in the year 1 788 in t h e arc h ives of t h e Gran d

, ,

Cou ncil of Prin ces of J erusalem at Charle s ton a certified copy of ,

‘

’
t he R oyal an d Select M a s ter s degrees received from B erlin ’
.
 1 5 56 H IST OR Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

is evidently an error so far as it relates to t h e R oyal

T his ,

M aster s degree A s i ntim ated t h e degree was fi rs t known i n the

’
.
,

E astern S tates an d the earliest r eli a ble m ention of it th ere is in ,

th e year 1 809 Bro H olbrook wrote h is book i n 1 82 9 at w hi ch

. °
,

tim e bot h degrees were con ferred at C h arl eston an d n aturally h e ,

connected the two i n h is statement maki ng a S im ilar error that ,

others do when stating that E ckel and N iles claim ed th e control of

,

the R oyal M aster s degree T h ’

e book referr d to contain s also th e
.
e

stateme nt that somewhere about the year 1 788 J osep h Myers was
, ,

”
for a time located at B alti more .

“
D id W i lma n s receive the Select de g ree from Myers or did ,

Myers receive it from W i lma n s ?

I f th e degree came from Berlin it is quite probable t h at W il
“
,

m ans brought i t with h im as he came from Germany about the , ,

time mentioned for the deposit in t h e M S S of H ol brook ,

.

T h ere is a tradition existing i n the E a s tern States t h at E ckel

“
,

received th e degree from a Prussian temporarily soj ourn ing in ,

Baltimore T h e period o f W il
. ma ns residence in Balti more was
’

perhaps n ot over ei g ht years and wit h some propriety he m ig h t , ,

have been regarded as a sojourner— an d a Prussian .

I t i s stated but upon what authority we know not t h at t h e

“
, ,

R oyal an d Select degrees were conferred by A ndrew Franken at

A l bany in 1 769 an d that he conferred t h em upon Sam uel Stringer
, ,

wh o afterwards rem oved to Maryland ; but we have n ot been able

to fi nd t h is nam e upon any of t h e records of this jurisdiction .

T h ese statements or traditions it will b e seen all poi nt to

“
, ,

Maryland as the source from whence t h e s elect degree and (as t h e ,

writers will h ave it) R oyal M aster s degree also were subsequ ently ’

introduced into ot h er parts .

Folger says E ckel at t h e session of th e General Gran d Chap

,

ter advocated t h e U nion of t h e degrees wit h t h e services of t h e

,
“

R oyal A rch C h apter .

From 1 82 4 to 1 85 2 t h e Select degree only wa s worked in th e

,

chapters in M aryland and D istrict of Colum bia A fter 1 85 2 bot h .

,

degrees were worked in Councils specially convened for t h e pur

2 ”
po s e after the M ost E xcellent an d prior to the R oyal A rch
,
.

Th e true h i story of t h e origin and progress of the Cryptic R ite

1
S chul t z , H i s tor y of M yl a r a n d, vol . i .
, pp 3 3 5 . to 3 44 .
2 I b id .
, p 3 44
.
1 5 58 H IST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

into the record book T h e Gran d Chapter of M aryland having in

-
.
,

corpor a t e d the Select degree into t h e c h apter work i n 1 82 4 in 1 82 8 ,

that Grand Chapter sent commun ications to other Gran d Chapters

suggesting t h e propriety of t h e several Grand Chapters in t h e '

U nited States assuming j urisdicti on over the degrees of R oyal an d

Select M aster s .

I n t h e Gran d C h apter of South Carolina th is m att er was re ,

ferred to a comm ittee who reported February 2 6 1 82 9 which re

, , ,

port was unanimously adopted by t h e Gran d Chapter

T hat Comm ittee after extensive an d care ful investigatio n t e
, ,

ported that i n February 1 783 D r D alcho and m any others re

, , , .

ce i ve d those degrees i n Charleston in t h e sublim e Gran d Lodge of

Perfection t h en establ is h ed i n that city T hat when the Gran d

,
.

Council of Princes of J erusalem wa s established i n Ch arleston ,

February 2 0 1 788 J oseph Myers one of the D eputy I nspectors

, , ,
-

wh o est a blished it deposited i n t h e A rchives certified Copies of t h e

,

degrees of R oyal and Select M asters fro m B erlin in Prussia to serve ,

for the future guidance and govern ment of that n ew body T hat .

from 1 788 the Grand O ffi cers an d Suprem e Council of I nspectors

,

General at Charleston had been steadily i n the habit of conferring

, ,

t h ese degrees ; and in 1 82 8 nu mbers of councils of Select M asters ,

were acting under their authority in the Southern and We s tern S tates .

Th e Com mittee had seen an d perused t h e first copy of those

degrees t h at ever cam e to A m erica and old copies of C h arters t h at ,

h ad been returned by Councils i n States where Grand Councils ,

had been formed and Charters obtained from such Gran d Councils
, .

A n d t h e Committee reported that these degrees had been under ,

regular and i ndependent M asonic protection and aut h ority for m ore
than forty si x years and were so circumstanced in t h e U n ited
-
,

States at a period long prior to the establishment of Grand or

,

General Grand R oyal A rch C h apters or even of C h apt ers of R oyal ,

A rc h M asons in any part of t h e world an d that th e Grand Chap

,

ter of South Carolina oug h t to avoi d all collision with contemporary

M asonic jurisdictions regularly establi s hed and m uch l onger in ex
, ,

i s te n ce t h an their own and so reported a formal resolution (wh ic h

'

t h e Grand Chapter unanimou s ly adopted) t h at it was improper an d ‘

inexpedien t t oa s sume a jurisdiction over the said degrees and thus ,

to interfere wit h t h e rig h ts and privileges of our bret h ren in another

an d h ig h er order of Freemasonry .
’
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED ST A T E S 1 5 59

O f the I llustriou s brot h ers Myers S pitzer and Fors t that , ,

Com m ittee said t h e above n am ed t h ree re s pectabl e B r et h re n an d

,
‘

Com panions are and steadily h ave been M embers and O fficers of
, ,

t h e said Coun c i l of Princes of J erusalem T heir evidence t h erefore .

,
’
must be conclusive upon these points .

Th e same Com m ittee ( R oyal A rch M a s ons be it ob s erved and , ,

a Comm i ttee of a R oyal A rc h Chapter enqu i ring into its own ,

j urisdiction ) said of th e Brot h ers an d Compan ions D r F D alc h o , . .

,

D r I s aac A uld D r J ames M oultrie Senior and M oses C Levy

.
,
.
, , .
,

E s q wh ,
o received t h ese degrees in C h arle s ton in 1 783 from the ,

sublim e Gran d Lodge of Perfection : T h ree of the above named ‘

Brot h ers are still living venerable for th eir years an d warm attach ,

ment to the glorious cause of Freem asonry an d hig h ly respected ,

an d esteem ed for their standing in the comm unity where they have
so long honorably so j ourned and they are still m em bers of the ,

T h ere i s still further testimony to be a d

’
same Sublim e Body
du
.

ce d Th e report to t h e Gran d C h apter wh ich we have quoted

.
, ,

was made by Compn M oses H olbrook it s Chairman and unani

mou
.
, ,

sl y adopted ; t h e Gran d Chapter t h us a ffirming th e veracity

of t h e M asoni c W itnesses whose testim ony was adduced I n
1 83 0 the same Comp uH olbrook wa s M
, .

P Grand Com mander

.
, , . . .

of t h e S upreme Council of Sovereign Gran d I nspectors General o f

t h e 3 3 for the S outhern J urisdiction of t h e U nited States at
°

Charleston .

I nFebruary A I 2 3 83 the M , E G H igh Priest of th

. . e ,
. . .
-

Gran d C h apter of S out h Carolina J oh n H H on our wh o wa s then , .

,
.

and still is ( 1 85 3 ) M P W Com man der of t h e Sup Council

. . . . .
,

S G
. G of 3
. .for t h e Southern J ur i sdiction of the U n ited
States at Charleston stated in h is address to t h e Gran d C h apter
, ,

that he h ad i n h is possessi on a m anuscript copy of th e degrees of th e

R oyal and Select M asters i n wh ic h there wa s a note i n t h e hand ,

writi ng of Brot h er H ol brook dated M arch 1 5 1 83 0 in these words ,

’
I n Brother Snell s book is written the following
S upreme Council Chamber C h arleston S C 1 0thFeb 1 82 7 , , . .
,
.
, .

I hereby certify t h at the detac h ed degrees called R oyal and

‘
,

Select M a s ter or S elect M asters of 2 7 were regularly given by t h e

, ,

S ublim e Gran d Lodge of Perfection ( N o 2 i n t h e U S es . . .

ta blis h e d by Brot h er I saac D a Costa i n C h arleston i n Feb 1 783 , ,

.
, ,

one of t h e original M em bers of w h ic h M o s t Illu s trious Brother

1 5 60 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

M ose s C Levy is still alive and a M ember of it to this day without

.
, ,

cea s ing to be so for a day ; an d furt h er t h at at th e first establish ,

ment of a Grand Council of Princes of J erusalem in Charleston , ,

February 1 788 by the I ll ,

De p : I nspectors
,
General J oseph . .
,

Myers B M Spitzer an d A Forst Brot h er Myers (wh

,
. .
,
o suc .
,

ce e ded B rot h er D a Costa after h is decease) deposited a certi fied

copy of the D egrees from Berl in i n Pr u ssia to be un der the guid , ,

ance an d fostering protection of t h e government of the ab ove

Gran d Council of Princes of J erusalem .
’

“
Brother Myers s h ortly after this ( Feb 2 0 re sided som e .
,

time i n N orfolk R ic h mond an d Baltimore previous to his removal

, , ,

to E urope and h e commu nicated a knowledge of these degrees to

,

a num ber of bret h ren i n those cities T h e original copy is still i n .

my keeping an d agreeably to the obli gations of the same an d the

, ,

Gran d Constitutions governing those degrees viz R oyal an d Se ,

.

lect Mason of 2 7 it i s correct an d lawful to give them either to,

Sublime M asons wh o h ave arrived to the Knight s of t h e N inth

,

A rch ( 1 3 th ) or to the Compan ions of the 3 d A rch ( R oyal A rch

M ason s) .

From this statement of those wh o held the control origin ally it

, ,

will b e observed t h at it was the design always to confer at least , , ,

the Select degree only on those wh o h ad a knowledge of t h e R oyal

,

A rch degree ; hence to im part th e my s ter i es of the N i nth A rch to

anyone beneat h th e dignity of the R oyal A rch wa s to i nvert the
“

true order of s u
,

ccess i on so e s sential in all M asonic degrees , .

I t h as been asserted by som e t h at the Cryptic degrees h ad been

worked in this country earl ier than 1 783 as early per h aps as 1 766
i n the city of A lbany and t h at they were b rought from France a n d , ,

not from Prussia Brot h er Pike said in his report .

1 “

We can soon learn how it was that t h e Council degrees cam e

ab out 1 766 from France and not from Prussia I n 1 761 the lodges .
,

and Councils of th e superior degrees being exten ded t h roug h out

E urope Frederic I I (or the Great ) King of Prussia as Gran d
,
.
, ,

Commander of t h e O rder of Pri nces of t h e R oyal S ecret or 3 2 d ,

degree was by general consent acknowledged and recogn i z ed as

,
”
S overeign and S upreme H ead of the Scotc h R ite .

O n t h e 2 5 thO ctober 1 762 the Grand Masonic Con stitutions , ,

1
H i s tor y of M a s on r y a nd C on cor da nt Od r e rs , p 649 .
 1 5 62 H I S T O R Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

N ew Y ork in its Supreme Grand Coun cil of Princes of J erusalem

,

do declare an d make kn own as foll ow s

T h at in addition to t h e regular series of degrees an d order of t h
“
e

a ncient and accepted rite t h e said rite h ad from time im m emoria l, , ,

been in posse s sion of an d claims as i ts exclusive property a num ber

, ,

of detac h ed degrees which are illustrative of connected with an d , ,

necessarily appendant to certain degrees in sai d right or departm ents

thereof an d that the Supreme Gran d Cou ncil as t h e sole conserva ,

to rs of said rite in sai d N orthern J urisdiction is sacredly bound to

, ,

preserve intact and free from any amalgam ation with foreign rites or
M asonic Bodies n ot acknowledged by us or our said rite all a n d
, ,

every one of t h e detac h ed degrees referred to

T h at two of s u
.

ch detach ed degrees called

“ ’
R oyal M aster ‘

h aving in vario u
,
’
an d Select M aster or Select M asons of
‘
,
‘
s
ways and at di fferent times fallen into th e hands of persons in no
Wa y connected with th e sublime system of free M asonry or t h e said ,

‘
an cient and accepted rite have been and are n ow cultivated i n a ,
’

garbled form by bodies styling themselves M a s onic an d workin g

, ,

under self assum ed p owers an d authority in th is regard claiming t h

-
e ,

rig h t to grant charters to con fer t h em ; and m oreover t h at t h es e , ,

degrees i n some places of this J urisdiction h ave become am alga

, ,

m ated wit h a M odern A merican rite and are also claimed as the ,

property of the A merican R oyal A rch Chapters .

T h i s S upreme Grand Coun cil t h erefore as i n duty bound pro , ,

tests again st t h is invasion of its rig h ts an d privileges an d further ,

declare s an d makes known t h at th e sai d degrees of R oyal and Se

lect M aster from t h ei r n ature or character and t h e history t h ey
, ,

develop and circumstan ces upon which founded can not except in
, , ,
.

an anac h ronistic an d improper manner b e conferred disconnecte d

from the ine ffable degree s an d lodges of perfection ( 1 4t hdegree ,

ancient an d accepted rite) and that said degrees belong not onl y
characteristically an d h i s torically but legitimately to I ne ffable M a , ,

s on r
y and Lodges of Perfection and do n ot appertain an d can not ,
’

consistently and lawfully be made an appen dag e to any M ason i c sys

tem except said S ubl ime System nor to any rite except s aid a n ,
’

’
cient and accepted rite
A n d w h ere a s such assu m
.

“
ed aut h ority over t h e detac h ed de
,
~

grees afore s aid may as we have reason to believe i n s ome instances

, , ,

h ave been e xerci s ed in good fait h but without a due appreciation of ,

 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 563

our rights a n d prerogative i n regard to t h em t h is Supreme Gran d ,

C ouncil for th e sake of harmony is willing to confer and adv i se

wit h our illustrious B ret h ren t h e Sout h ern Suprem e Gran d Council ,

at Charleston S Carolina an d act in con cert wit h t h em in adopti ng

,
.
,

suc h m easures i n reference to t h ose degrees as may be mutually ,

adjudged m ost feasible an d proper wit h out infringing in any way ,

whatever upon our Supremacy over th e said degrees

D eus me u mgu u
.

j
‘
e s ,

“
J J J G O U R G AS . . .
,

S over eig n G r a nd Comma n der

for the
ort h ern D an d J U S A N . .
,
. . .

J I LE S F Y A T E S
[nspflL i eu
.
,

t G r a n d Comma n der .

N B — Signed on t h e original by A rch Bull Sov Gr I nsp

1 (
. . , . . .

1 d
General 3 3 ; K H Van R ensselaer Sov Gr I nsp Gen 3 3 and
d
. .
, . . .
,

Francis T urner Prin ce of J erusalem R ose

,
H R D M K H ; . . . . . .

S P R S an d n ow a m em ber of this Supreme Grand Council

. . .
,
.

T o t h e Supreme Gran d Council of the 3 3 degree an cient an d a c ,

ce pte d rite at t h eir Grand E ast the City of Charleston S Carolina

’
. .
, , ,

“
T hroug h t h eir I llus Brother A lbert G M ackey M D Grand . .
, . .
,

Secretary General of their H E . .

A true copy ,

W R S I N G LE T O N
e Supreme Council of th e So u
. .
,

Th thern J urisdiction hel d to the

same contenti on until at a m eeti ng of t h e Suprem e Council at Bal

tim ore M ay 1 870 t h ey s urrendered all claim to these degrees
, , , .

D r O livar in h is H i s tor i ca l La n dma r h

.
, s ? gives an account of

the legen d of th e S ecret Vault as discovered in the construction of

the Second T emple as follows ,

Th e foundati ons of the T em ple were opened and cleared from ,

t h e accum ulation of the rub bish that a level mig h t b e procured for ,

t h e commencement of t h e building W h ile engaged in excavations

for t h is p u
.

rpose three fortunate soj ourners are said to h ave dis

covered our ancient stone of foun dation whic h h ad been depo s ited ,

i n t h e secret crypt by W i s dom Strengt h an d Beauty to prevent t h e , , ,

com munication of ineffable secrets to profan e or unwort h y per s ons .

“
Th e di s covery h aving been comm unicated to t h e prince 2
,

1 Vol ii . .
, p 43 4
. .
2 Z er ubb b l w a e a s T i rs ha th ( G ov e a r n or ) .
1 564 H I ST O R Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

prophet and priest of th e J ews th e stone wa s adopted as the Ch ief

, ,

Corner Stone of the re edi fi e d building an d th us b ecam e i n a n ew

- -
, ,

and m ore expressive sense the type of a m ore excellent dispensa ,

tion A n avenue was also accidentally discovered supported by

.
,

seven pairs of pillars perfect a nd entire which from their S ituation

, , , ,

had escaped the fury of the flames that had consumed the T emple ,

and t h e desolation of war that had destroyed the city .

Th e Secret Vault which had been built by Sol om on as a

,

secure depository for certai n secrets that would have inevitably been
l ost wit h out some such e xpe dient for their preservation comm uni ,

ca t e d by a subterranean avenue with the K ing s palace

’
but a t the
destruction of J erusalem the entrance having been closed by the ,

rubb ish of falling buildings it had been discovered by the appear ,

ance of a keystone am ong the foundations of the Sanctu m San c

torum A careful inspection was then made and the inva luabl e
.
,

secrets were placed i n safe custody .

B rother M ackey says

T o su pport t h is legend th ere is no histori c evi dence a nd no
auth ority except th at of the T almudic writers I t is clearly a mythi .

cal sym bol and as such we must accept it We can not alto g ether
,
.

reject it it is so intimately and so extensively connected with th e

,

symbolism of th e Lost an d recovered Word that if we rej ect th e ,

t h eory of the Secret V ault we m ust abandon all of that sym bol
ism and with it the whole of the science of Masonic sym bolism
, .

Fortunately t h ere is am ple evidence in t h e present appearance of

J erusalem and its subterranean topography to remove fro m any
tacit an d as i t were conventional a s sent to the t h eory features o f
, , ,

absurdity and im possib ility .

“
Considered sim ply as a historic question there can be n o ,

doubt of th e existence of i mmense vaults beneat h the superstructure

of the origin al T em ple of Solomon Prime R obinson an d ot h er
o i n recent times h ave descri bed the topography of J er u
.
, ,

writer s wh ,

salem speak of t h e existence of t h ese structures which they visited

, , ,

”
and i n som e i nstances carefully exam ined
,
D r B a rclay ( Ci ty of
, . .

th e G r ea t Ki ng
) descri bes in m any places of his i nteresting topog

ra p h y of J erusalem the vaults an d su bterra

, nean chambers which
are to be found beneat h t h e s ite of t h e O ld T emple .

1 E yln c c opae di a of F r e e m a s on r y , p 85 2 .
1 5 66 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

u
he wa s to conceal and secure for future generations to discover , .

T hese vaults n in e of t h em were securely co n st r cted and two pil

, , ,
«

lars were erected an d placed n ear wit h inscriptions to i n di ca te t h

, e ,

locality of the vaults I t is possibl e that the pillars were de s troyed

.

an d carried away by the flood T h e fable further states that w h en

.

Kin g Solomon comm enced th e preparation of t h e ground on M ount

M oria h for t h e tem ple his workmen broke into t hese vaults and
,

found certain mysterious things t h ere ; an d upon reporti ng to King

Solomon w h at t h ey had found he directed t h em to cease thei r la ,

bors as b e supposed the vault h ad been a secret pl ace for t h e wors h i p

,

of th e gods of t h e origi nal in h abitants of Canaan God h owev er .

, ,

notified him i n a dream t h at h e should proceed as he h ad designed

rlha t spot for the erection of t h e T em ple for his wors h ip as it h ad ,

been thrice dedicated fi rst by E noch when h e constructed t h

, e

vaults an d made t h e deposits of t h ese mysterious em blems— s econd

on t h is s pot A braham erected th e altar to sacri fice h i s son I saac
— and t h ird by h is father D avid where b e erected th e altar on th e
, ,

thres h ing floor of A raun a an d sacri ficed to stay the hand of t h e de

?
stroying A ngel
T h ere is n o doubt whatever i n the mind of the writer b u t t h at
the inventors of t h e degrees above t h e three origi nal degrees suc h -

as the R oyal A rch and Select designed to demon s trate to t h e postu

,
‘

lant the value of th e great and n ow ine ffable an d mysteriou s n ame

of D eity .

I t is well k nown to all students of t h e ancient mysteries of t h e

O rient that after t h e i nitiation of a can di date i n th e lower mysteries ,

and a certai n peri od havin g elapsed by m any severe tests lustra , ,

ti ons by the four elements and trials he wa s invested with the ,

great WO R D in a very sol em n an d mysterious manner by t h e A rc h i ,

Magus wh ,
o alon e coul d comm unicate t h is word to th e postu lant .

I n receiving t h is word wa s conveyed to h i m by its interpretation

, ,

the meaning of all t h e preceding ceremonies .

T h ose wh o arranged t h e series of degrees as above m enti oned ,

from t h e E ntered A pprentice to the Select M aster designed that i n ,

the last degree there S houl d be a ful l exp lanat i o n of all that w h i ch
was con cealed i n t h e various forms an d cerem onies a n d in our pre s ,

ent lecture s in t h at degree it is very ev i de nt that such was the de

1
G en .
, hm m
c . .
2 1 . h
C
r on hxxi v ers es
c . .
, 2 5 to 2 7 .
 EEM A SON R Y STA T ES
“

FR IN TH E U N IT ED 1 5 67

Sign of closing the A ncient Craft M asonry wit h t h e S elect of

T wenty seven to pa s s t h e Circle of A n cient Craft M asonry
-
, .
”

G E N E R A L G R A N D C O U N CI L .

I n 1 871 the Gran d Council of M assachusetts undertook the task

of bringi ng order out of the disordered condition of the Cryptic
R ite in th e U nited States an d having enl i sted t h e valuable services
of our m ost diSti ngu
,

is h
e d Compan io n H on J osiah H D rummond ,
. .
,

of M aine w h o in com plian ce with their reque s t called a conven

1
, , ,

tion an d fourteen Grand Cou ncils were represented at the meetin g

,

i n N ew Y ork City J une 1 2 1 872 at whic h the following wa s adopted :

, , ,

Wh er ea s I n som e j urisdictions the question has been mooted

,

of surrendering the Cryptic D egrees to the C h apters ; an d

Wh er ea s T here are m any Com pan ions w h o have received t h
, e

degrees in Chapters or from Sovereign I n s pectors of

R ite t h erefore ,

“
R es olved T h at it is th e sense of this Convention that th
,
e

Cryptic degrees S houl d b e u n der the exclusive j urisdi ction of Gran d

C ouncils an d that n o one s h ould be recognized as a regular Com
,

panion of t h e R ite wh o had not received t h e degrees i n a lawfully

constituted Council or by auth ority of the Supreme Coun cil of the
A A S
.
'
. R ite previous to t h e date or has been lawfully healed
.
°

. .
, .

T h e convention adopted a uniform system of nomen cl ature ,

wh ic h h a s since been generally adopted .

I n J une 1 873 an other meeting of the Convention was held in

, ,

N e w Y ork an d n in eteen Gran d Councils were represented Th e .

followi ng was adopted

T h at t h e order of the succes s i on of th e degrees be : First
“
,

R oyal M aster s secon d Select M aster s ; an d t h at it be left O ptional

’ ’

wit h eac h Gran d Coun cil to confer the super ex cellent M aster s de -
’

”
g ree as an h onorary degree .

Th e convention an nounced as its O pinion that a General Gran d

Council of the U nited States s h oul d be form ed Subsequently .

meetings were held D ecem ber 1 874 in N ew O rleans ; A ugust , , , ,

1 877 in B uffal o N
,
Y at which latter meeting twenty two Grand
, . .
-

Councils were represented and al s o O ntario Can ada T h e con , ,

.
:

1
Dr umm o n d, H i s tor y of Gra n d Co u n ci l i n U n i te d St a tes , p 89, i n t
. h
e Cr ypti c
1 568 H I S T O R Y OF FR E EM A SON R Y

ve n ti on m et a t D etroit A ugust 2 3 1 880 wh e n a constitution wa s

’

, , ,

adopted w h i c h it was required s h ould be adopted by n ot le s s than

n ine regular Grand Councils an d t h en s h o u
ld become operative ,
.

Th e General Grand R ecord e r George W Cooley gave n otice ,

.
, ,

February 2 3 1 881 t h at t h e Grand Councils of N e w Y ork M i n

, , ,

n es ot a O h io I ndiana M aryland T ennessee M as sach usetts A la

, , , , , ,

bama and Louisian a h ad ratified t h e constitution O n March 1

, . .

1 881 ,
H on J osia hH D rumm on d Genera l Grand M aster i ssued
. .
, ,

h is circular to t h e o ffi cers a nd also announced t h at t h e Grand ,

Council of S outh Caroli na h ad adopted the constitution Th e first

?

session was h el d pursuant to this circul ar at D enver Col A ugust , ,

.
,

1 4 1 883 and t h e following Gran d Cou ncils were represented

, ,
Cal i
forni a Florida I nd iana Kansas Louisiana M aryland M aine M assa
u
, , , , , , ,

ch s e tts M innesota M issouri

, N e w H am pshire O h io N e w Y ork , , , , ,

S outh Carol ina T en nessee and Vermont ( Forever blessed be , ,

.

t h eir m emory ) O f t h ose seventeen wh o origi nally acceded to t h e

.

fir s t formation of t h e provisional General Grand Council i n 1 880 , ,

t h e s e were absent : Georgia and A labama ; and South Carolina

h ad since given h er adhesion A labama h avin g been with t h e .
,

seventeen Gran d Councils to j oin in t h e formation of the provi

s i on a l General Gran d Council in 1 880 was never represented at ,

any subsequent assembly .

We will now in a more regular m anner give th e history of th

, e ,

formation of t h e General Grand Council T h e General Grand .

Council of t h e U nited States was organi z ed at a conventi on o f

delegates of seventeen Grand Councils w h ich met at D etroit M ich , .
,

A ugust 2 3 1 880 ,
.

Th e action of this convention wa s at on ce approved by t h e fol

lowing Gra n d Councils : N ew Y ork M i nnesota Oh io I ndiana , , , ,

M aryland T ennessee M a s sac h usetts A labama and Louisiana

, , , ,
.

S outh Carolina Grand Council soon t h ereafter organ ized a nd ,

ratified t h e con s titution of t h e General Grand Council and resume d

work I n t h e addre s s of the Gen eral Gran d M aster J o s iah H
.
,
.

D rummond at t h e first T riennial A ssem bly held at D enver C ol

, , , .
,

A ugust 1 4 1 883 h e states : , A t th e time of t h e form ati on o f

,
“

t h e provisional General Gran d Council t h ere were twenty thre e -

Gran d Coun cils w h ic h had not adopted t h e M ississippi Plan

,
.
’

1
P r ocee di n gs , 1 883 , p . 20 .
1 5 70 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

ter which authori z ed th e conferring of them in a Council appurtenant

,

to a chapter so t h at in t h eory if not in practic e , each c h apter had

1
, ,

a counc i l appurtenant to it the c h apter o fficers being the o fficers of ,

the cou nc i l B ut in 1 881 i n co nsequen ce as I understand of ob

.
, , ,

j e ct ion s to the recogniti on of persons receiving the degrees in such

councils a convention of the delegates of th

,
es e cou
nci ls wa s called ,

an d a Gran d Coun cil of R oyal and Select M asters wa s org ani z ed 2

.

We have given t h e above very interestin g i nformation as to t h e

several States wherein the Cryptic R ite was worked in this place
rather than i n the separate i ndividual j urisdictions as it greatly saves ,

S pace an d tim e reserving both of these for the details properly b e

,

lon g in g to each subordinate j urisdiction as to t h e organi z ation of

th e constituen t councils i n each a s i t w ill appear u nder t h e alpha ,

bet ica l arrangement .

N ote —
Com panion D rum mond i n th e above sketch begins with
A labama but that Grand Council never appears in any su bsequent
,

p roceedin g s as a constituent of the General Council .

A la hm
a a .

T h
e in formation which we have been enabled to obtai n concern
Cryptic M a s onry in A labama is som ew h at vague I t is supposed
ii i g
u
.

t hat J o h n Barker of the A S So t h ern J urisdiction

,
. .
,

started the fi rst councils of R oyal an d Select M asters un der h is ,

aut h ority as D eputy I n spect or G enera l I t is conceded t h at a Gran d ~

.

Council was organized in 1 83 8( D ecem ber i 3 th )

?
T h is Gran d Coun
ci l r epudiated very properly t h e course of t h e Grand Chapter of

V irgi nia i n ca ptu

, ,

ri n
, g t h e degrees of the council and i ncorporating ,

them wit h t h e chapter work i n 1 84 3 T h

'

e council also in 1 849 ,

.
, ,

protested against t h e Grand Consistory of C h arleston granting ( of)

t hese degrees i n its j urisdiction
?

T h is Grand Council met with some omissions as i n 1 840 1 861 , , , ,

1 862 or 1 863 until i n 1 886 it was dissolved when all branc h es of

, ,

Masonry i n t h at State were muc h depressed Since t h en h owever .

, ,

m atters h ave greatly im proved T h is Grand Coun cil was never .

‘

connected wit h the General Grand Coun c i l after 1 881 althou gh one ,

of t h e first to j oi n i n the organization i n 1 880 .

1
C ha r te rs iss u ed to c a hpte rs in 1 v
84 8- 49 pr o i de d for t i s h ug sa e — E D I T OR .

2 I bid .
3
H i s tor y of M a s on r y a n d Con cor da n t O
r de r s , p 661
. .
4
I b id .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT E D ST A T E S 1 5 71

A r iz ona .

Th
e pr ocee di ngs of the T riennial A sse mbly of the GeneralG ran d
Council of 1 897 S how that the foll owin g c ouncils secured thei r

wa rrants
Di s pensa ti on Gra nte d h
C
a r ter e d

l i ve Cou u gu
. .

O ncil N o , . 1 . At P t J uly
r e s cot ,
1 ,
1 893 . A st 2 2, 1 894 .

P h ix U D At Ph i x A p i l 4
oen 1 895 Su d er e d Fe b u y 897
u
oen r r r en r a r 1 7, 1

T uo Su d
. . . .
, , ,

cs n, U . T cs on, A pr il5 , 1 895 . rr e n ere d S eptemb er 2 ,

1 897 .

A r hn a sa s .

F our
subordin ate councils were at a n early date chartere d by , ,

th e Suprem e Council A A S R of the Sout h ern J urisdiction . . . . .

T hese four coun cils were formed by th e State Gran d Council N 0 ,

ve mb e r 6 1 860 I n 1 878 the Com panions adopted th e system o f

, .

incorporati on with the chapters ; but in 1 881 resu med the in de

pen dent form an d in 1 886 un ited with th e G eneral Grand Council ,

an d is yet within that org ani z ation O n the 2 5 thof A pril 1 899 .
, ,

they had the sad misfortun e to lose their Grand R ecorder Com e

panion J ames A H enry . .

Ca li a r nia .

T h labama g ranted chart ers to organi z e

e Gran d Council of A
two coun cils in Cal ifornia O ne council wa s chartered by the .

Gran d Coun cil of T ennessee an d on e by th e Gran d Council o f ,

T exas T hese four cou ncils organi z ed a Grand Council J u ne

.
,

26 1 860
, I n 1 880 this Gran d Council un ited wi th th
. e Ge nera l

Grand Coun cil i n its organi z ation .

T h
e followin g councils were org ani z e d i n Colora do ude n r h
t e
General Gran d Council
D i s pens a ti on Gra n ted . h
a rtered
C .

D en ve N O r, . 1 . D en v er , J u y a n a r 1 6, 1 892 . A u gu t s 21 ,
1 894 .

R ocky M ou n t i n N o a 2 T r i n i da d, M a r c h2 4 1 893 A ugu t s 2 1 1 894

Au
. .
, , .
,

D u ng o N o 3
ra , . Du ra n g o, M a y 1 6, 1 893 . gu t s 21 ,
1 894 .

A k on N o 4r , . Ak r on , Ma y 2
3, 1 893 . A ugust 21 ,
1 894 .

C n on Ci t y N o 5
a , . . Ca n on Ci t , y J u ne 5 ,
1 893 . A ugu t s 21 ,
1 894
G u nni on U D s ,
. G u n n i s on .

Pu e b l o N O 7 , . . P u ble o, A pi r l 1 0, 1 894 . A u gu st 2 1 . 1 894

1 5 72 H I S T OR Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

A ll of these councils are reported as b ein g in existence at th

e

T r ie n nial hel d in 1 897 A t that session the Gener al Grand M aste r

.

re po rted that he had issue d dispensations as follows

T o H iram Council at Greely with sixteen members D ecembe r , , ,

8 1 894 ; but no interest bein g taken the dispensation wa s sur

, ,

r endered D ecem ber 9 1 896

, ,
.

T o Zabud Council at Colorad o Sprin g s w ith th irty two m em , ,

- e

be rs M ay 2 7 1 895
,
T his council m ade reports for 1 895 1 896
,
.
, ,

a n d 1 897 paid dues for 1 895 only and asked for a Charter ; b ut ,

does not ap pear i n the list of councils whose dispensations were

continued nor was it chartered .

T o Leadville Council at Leadville J une 1 0 1 895 and dis , , , ,

e ns a t i on was surrendered N ovem ber 1 0 1 896

p , , .

H iram U D G reely D ecem ber 8 1 894 and surrendered

u
. . .
, , , , ,

Za bud U D Colorad o S prings M ay 2 7 1 895 an d contin ed

,
. .
, , , , .

Le a dvill e U D Leadville J u ne 1 0 1 895 surrendere d

, . .
, , , ,
.

Con necti c t u
.

In 1 81 8 Compani on J eremy L Cross wa s

industri o s in . ve ry u
ropagati ng the Cryptic R ite an d succeeded in forming ten coun
p ,

cils i n Connecticut Th e first Gran d Council of Select M asters for

.

the State wa s organ ized by that name as clai med T here are no .

records of this body u p to 1 83 0 I n 1 82 5 the two degrees of .

R oya l and Select Mason s were recogn i z ed From 1 82 6 to 1 846 i n .

,

consequence o f t h e Morgan episode ve ry l ittle if anyt h ing wa s don e ,

i n th is a s well as other branches of M a sonry .

Since th e revival in all t h e States where th e anti M asoni c spiri t

,
-

”
had prevailed M asonry has taken a new and prolonged lease
,
“
,

a nd flourishes to a much greater de gree than ever before in i ts

histo ry T h . e sons and grandsons of the bitterest anti M ason s of -

1 83 0 are n ow the most z ealous in t h eir e f

forts to spread abroad the
”
glad tidings of peace on earth and good will toward m en -
.

Con necticut Gra nd Council does not belong to the Genera l

Grand Council which is much to be regretted T h e benefits o f

u
.
,

h e r u nion wit h th at body woul d be mut a l .

1 5 74 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

r ecomm end to your Grand Chapter the considerat i o n of this de

g ree and t h e circum stances under wh ich it exists w i thin your j uri s
a t you
, ,

d iction ; with t h e hope t h will see it to b e for the genera l x

inte est of the Craft to take the degree under your recogn i z ance and
r

control to whom of right it belongs and thereby do away with what

i s felt to be a grievance by those distinguished Chiefs whose a u
, ,

, ,

th ori ty delegated to a limited extent an d for special reasons has

, , ,

been perverted for sordid purposes by the creation of an i ndepe n ,

dent order never contemplated by them an d whic h we believe to be

,

i ncon sistent with the spirit and best i nterests of our institution .

R espectfully and fraternally & c , .

T his wa never o ffi cially com municated to t h e Gran d Chapter o f

s

th e D istrict of Col um bia by th e Grand Chapter of M arylan d but ,

wa s taken fro m the pri nted proceedin g s of that b ody pp 1 5 1 6 ,

.
, ,

and 1 7 .

T hat comm ittee al s o reported “

Th e Grand Chapter of N orth

Carolina had determ in ed that the degree should com e un der th e

j urisdiction of State G ran d Chapters and recommen ded it to t h e ,

favorable consideration of the General Grand Chapter T h e Gran d .

Chapter of M ai ne h a d referred the sub j ect to a Committee It .

remains for the G rand Chapter to take such orders in the prem ise s
a s it shall seem proper .

Th e Gran d C h apter of O hio has passed a resolution of whi ch

th e followin g i s a copy and which h as o ffi cially been com m nicated

, u
t o t h is Grand Chapter f or its consideration A t a re g ular com
“

mu
.

n i ca ti on of the Gran d C h apter of O h io ! in J anuary 1 82 9 the

[ , ,

followin g resolution wa s adopted

R es olved T hat i t is th e opin ion o f th is G rand Chapter that th
, e

General Grand Chap te r of th e U nited States ou g ht to be dissolved .

B E LA L A T H A M ,

“
G ran d Secreta ry .

comm itte e to whom th e sub j ect was referred reported

A
T hat t h ey are decidedly of the opinion that the R oyal an d Se
lect Master s D egrees s h ould be recognized by an d con ferred unde r
’

th e direction of t h e several Grand Chapters of the respecti ve States

and T erritories of t h e U nion With regard to th e proper time whe .
n

1 P roce e di n gs of G ra n d C hptea r of D i s tr i ct of Co lumb i a , p

. 1 09
.
2 I b id., 1 1 3 .
 F R EE M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED ST A T ES 1 5 75

t h ese degrees should be conferred wh ether before or after the R oyal ,

A rch D e g ree t h ey decline expressing an opinion preferring that

, ,

t h is poi nt s h oul d be left to the determinatio n of the General Grand

Chapter ; an d th ey recom m end t h at t h e representatives from t h is
Gran d C h apter to t h at body at its T ri enn ial meeting in Septem ber
, , ,

be instructed to conform in their proceedings on this sub j ect to the ,

”
tenor of t h e foregoing T his was laid on the table for t h e present
. .

W h en taken up again it was R es olved T hat th e further considera

“
, ,

tion thereof be postponed till the first T uesday i n A ugust next ; and
t h at i n t h e m eanti me the Grand Secretary b e directed to forward a
copy of the report t h is day made on t h at subject to th e several Coun
cils of R oyal and Select M asters i n th e D istri ct of Colum bia .

A t t h e special convoca tion held A ugust 3 1 1 82 9 the followin g

, , ,

appears : Com panion Baldwin from a com m ittee appointed by the ,

Council of R oyal an d Select M asters of the City of Washington

( whic h body h ad been addressed on th e subject by t h e Grand Secre
tary pursuan t to order) presented to the Gran d Chapter the follow
,
«

i n g letter and report viz 2

,
.

W A S H I N GT O N A ugust 3 1 1 82 9 , ,
.

A t a special m eeting of the Coun cil of R oyal an d Select Mas

ters held at t h e Central M asonic H all on S aturday the 2 9tho f
, , ,

A u g ust instant the written report havin g been presented an d read

, , ,

was on motion ordered to be transm itted to the Gran d Chapter o f

, ,

t h e D istric t of Columbia at their next m eeting .

J O H N CA R OTH E R S T I G M “
, . . .

W W B I LLI N G S R ecor der

. .
, .

p R e or t .

Th e Com mittee appointed by t h e Council of R oyal an d S el e c t

M asters of the City of Washin g ton to whom was referred the pro
r i ety of extendin g the j urisdiction of th e General Grand and S u
,

p b , ,

ordinate R oyal A rch Chapters so as to embrace th e D egrees o f

R oyal an d Select M asters have th e honor to report ,

“
T h at t h ey have h ad the subject under consideration and a re ,

duly im pressed with its vast im portance A fter the m ost mature .

deliberation t h ey h ave com e to t h e following conclusions : T hat

M asonic light in its principles and t h e order of its development is , ,

fixed an d unc h angeable T h at w h atever power the Fratern ity may

Proceedi ngs of the Gra nd Chpte a r of t e h D i s tr i ct of Columb i a , p . 1 1 5 .

2
b
I id .
. 1 1 9 .
1 5 76 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

h
ave over forms an d ceremon ies yet n o body of M asons however , ,

exalted neither have nor can assum e the power of chan g ing the orig
i nal landmarks or altering its elements Y o u
,

,
r com mittee are con fi .

dent from an intimate acquai ntan ce with all the deg rees that tho s e
, ,
’
of R oyal an d Select M aster are not only posterior i n order to the
R oyal A rch but that in our O pinion it would not be consistent
‘ ’

with an cient M ason ry to m ake them previous .

Whet h er the interests of the Craft would be promoted by this

extended j urisdiction your Com mittee are un able to say but should
,

that course be thought advisable by th e General Gran d Chapter i n , ,

its solemn deliberation your Committee are decidedly of t he opinion,

that it can only be done under the following restrictions

I S t T hat the D eg rees of R oyal and Select M asters can only
.

b e con ferred on R oyal A rch M asons .

“
2d N 0 one can be an o fficer of any Chapter who 1 8 not b ot h
.

a R oyal and Select M aster .

“
Without these restriction s your Com mittee can never consen t
to a chan g e in the present established m ode of proceedin g 1
.

A ll of wh ich is most respectfully submitted .

E B A LD W I N .
,

W W B I LLI N G S Commi ttee . .

, .

J A K EN N ED Y . .
,

Th
e report of a com mittee made ln J une last on the sub j ect of
the de g ree was taken up and read an d wa s passed by a maj o rity ,

of one vote only a n d on m otion it was ,

“
R es olved T hat the Grand Secretary transmit to the General
,

Grand Secretary copies of the two reports above stated to g ether ,

with the proper credentials of the proxies appo inted to represent

th is Grand Chapter i n the General Gran d Chapter of the U nited
S ta tes at its ensuing meeting i n N ew Y ork and t h at the Grand
,

Secret a ry do prepare the proper instructions .

A t t h e meeting of the Gen eral Grand Chapter Septem ber 1 1 , ,

1 82 9 this question came u p for a ctio n on a com m unicati on from

,

Com p J K Stapleton upon which a suitable c omm ittee made the

. . .
,

following report and it an d the resolutions were adopted

,

W/z er ea zs I t i s satisfactorily pro ve d to this General G rand

'

Ch ap ter t h a t the Con stitution of the Councils of R oyal and Select

,

1 P rocee di n gs of t eh G ra nd Cha pte r of D i s tr i ct of Columb i a , p

. 1 20.
1 5 78 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

h
T hose wo had received those degrees in re g ular organi z ed

councils refused to j oin i n this m ovement Soon after this t h e .

,

questi on was agitated as to th e legal ity and propriety of thus i n

a u g u ra t i n a new m ethod of propagating t h e Cryptic de g rees n d
g a ,

t h e result was these three councils went into inn ocuous desue
,
“

tude .
”
When the tim e wa s deemed j udicious the present writer , ,

with eight others who had been regular Counci l M asons prepare d
, ,

a petition to t h e Gran d Council of M assachusetts for a dispensa

ti on to open La Fa yette Council T his was granted A ugust 1 870 .
, ,

with the writer as Most I llustrious M aster T h e Grand O f fi cers of .

the Grand Council of that State cam e to Washington an d opene d

La F a ye tte Council .

I na s much as the great body of R oyal and S elect M asons i n th e

D istrict had received the degrees of R oyal an d Select M asters i n

their several chapters prior to the R oyal A rch it was decided that ,

all such R oyal A rch M asons as well as those wh o had never r e ,

ce i ve d the Council degrees should be received at a nominal price ,

( fi ve dollars ) for those degrees A ccordingly in two nights session .s ,

t h e Grand O ffi cers conferred the R oyal Select and Super excellent , ,
-

degrees upon 1 5 8 R A M asons A Charter was granted D ecem

. . .

ber 1 4 1 870 and the council started with flying colors an d g reat
, ,

success T his council continued with some m easure of prosperity

.

for several years when from internal dissen sions t h e m em bers lost
,

their interest and i n a few years ceased to attend and the coun cil ,

died out .

When the General Grand Council of the U nited States wa s

org ani z ed i n 1 881 the present writer after correspon dence with
, ,

Compa ni on J os i a hH D rum m ond the General Grand M aster an d a

.
, ,

few members of the defunct body petitioned for anot h er council to ,

b e called Washington with the prin cipal O ffi cers of the deceased

”
,

La Fa yette Council at the head A dispensation wa s granted .

,

and started with good prospects A t the n ext m eetin g of the Gen .

eral Gran d Council a Charter wa s granted Si nce that ti me Wash .

i ngton Council N o 1 has continued to grow but n ot as rapidly as

, .
, ,

sh e should I ndeed the D istrict of Columbia s h oul d have several

councils in prosperous O peration an d that too under the consti tu
.
,

, .

tion o f a Gra nd Council for th e D istrict .

 FR E EM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 5 79

T h
e Southern
Suprem e Council exercising its un doubted right ,

of control at that ti me over th e degrees of R oyal and Select M asons ,

t h rou g h som e one of h er i nspectors perh aps i n South Carolina h ad , , ,

previous to 1 85 8 issued at di fferent ti mes warrants to form t h ree

,

councils i n Florida T h e present writer is personally aware of the

.

o ne existi ng at Warrin gt on ad j oinin g the navy yard at that locality ,

-
,

as he reported for duty as Chief Constructi ng E ngineer at that naval

station February 1 85 7 and foun d a thrivi n g lodge chapter and
, , , ,

council i n full operation and it wa s h is great pleasure to assist in

,

the work in all of these bodies at that time .

J anuary 1 3 1 85 8 these three councils organ i z ed a Gran d Coun

, ,

cil at the time of the ag itation of wh

,
o should control these degrees .

A fter m uch discussion the Gran d Chapter of Flori da declined to

act T h
. e Gran d Counci l b ecame a member of th e General Grand

Body .

T here have been no proceedings of the b ody issued si nce 1 882 ,

an d there have been n o m eetin g s si nce 1 884 I n the proceedings .

of the General Gran d Council for 1 897 there is a broad black mark
across the page opposite to Florida where the Gran d R ecorder s ’

u
,

n ame sho l d have b een but in the tables of an nual assem blies from
,

1 894 to 1 896 Florid a appears with names of th e Grand O ffi cers .

G eorg i a .

We learn that on e of the deputies of the Southern Suprem e Coun

cil A bram J acobs conferred th e degree of Select of T wenty seven
, ,
-

in the State of Georgia O n M ay 2 1 82 6 a Gran d Council wa s organ

.
, ,

i z e d by the authority of th e I nspector General of the S upreme -

Council wh ich is noticed i n the pu blication s of that day J une

u
.
,

2 5 1 84 1
,
t h ree cou ncil s met an d a Grand Co ncil was established by
, ,

the authority of the Supreme Grand Council of t h e i n C h arles

ton S C ,
T hey adopted the constitution of the former Grand
. .

Coun cil of 1 82 6 T hat body having ceased to work became dor

.
, ,

m ant an d the records were lost I n t h e revised constitution of

,
.

1 84 2 they claim ed to be t h e hig h est sou rce of legiti mate M asonic

~

authority in th e State of Georgia an d of rig h t ought to h ave t h e ,

governm en t an d superintenden ce of all councils of R oyal and S elect

1 5 80 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

Masters withi n its j urisdiction T his Grand Council belongs to .

‘

the General Grand Council and is reported i n the proceed in gs of

1 897 .

Acoun cil was organi z ed in I daho by a dispensation fro m th e

O ffi cers of the General Grand Council vi z I dah o Co u n cil N o 1 ,
.
, , .
,

at Poca ti llo D ecember 1 5 1 896— which wa s annulled afterward ;

, ,

also a dispensation for A donira m Council at Boise J anua ry 3 0 , , ,

1 896 D ispensation continued u ntil next assembly

. .

Th
e Gran d Council of Kentucky h avin g issued charters to sev
eral councils i n the State of I llinois a Grand Council was organ i z ed ,

March I O 1 85 4 I n 1 877 the degrees were surrendered to the con

,
.

trol of the Gran d Chapter of R oyal A rch M asons n otwit h standing ,

that in 1 85 4 it refused to heal R oyal and Select M asters wh o h ad

been m ade i n th e chapters T h e Gran d Coun cil however con

.
, ,

tin ned its annual sessions its constituents bein g composed of th e

,

mi xture of regu larly m ade Council M asters and those made i n the
chapters T his di d not prove satisfactory an d in 1 882 the Gran d
.
,

Council an d Gran d C h apter agreed to resume their old condition .

I llin ois Gran d Council is a n independent Gran d B o dy .

I n di a n a .

I n the State of I ndian a t h e Council degrees were given i n t h e

’
chapter work A fter th e General Grand Chapter s decision coun
.
,

cils were chartered by th e Gran d Cou ncils of Kentucky an d Oh i o .

Chapter R oyal and Select M asons were h ealed an d t h e Grand

“

Council of I n diana was organi z ed D ecem ber 2 0 1 85 5 ,

.

I owa .

When R oyal A rch M asonry wa s first planted i n I owa t h e Coun ,

cil degr ees were part of t h e chapter work A fter t h e decision .

'

of the G en era l G ra n d C h apter i n regard to t h ese degrees Com , ,

panions were h ealed by t h e aut h ority of t h e Grand Master of t h e

“

l
H i s tor y of M a s onr y a nd Conco r da nt Od r er s , p 662
. .
 1 5 82 H IST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

C h apter of Louisian a in 1 82 8 it is referred to When in or about .

1 85 0 Capitular M asonry was r e organized Cryp ti c M a s onry was -

,

also revived Four council s formed a Gran d Council February 1 0

.
,

1 85 6 O ne of these was H olland N o 1 T h

. e oth ers had been ,
. .

ch artered by the Gran d Councils of Kentu cky an d A labama .

M a i ne .

Aan early period a council h ad been organized in M ain e work

t ,

i ng under t h e General Grand Chapter T h e Grand Council of .

M as s ac h u s ett s organi z ed t h ree coun cils and these by their dele , ,

g ates formed the Grand Council M ay 3 1 85 5

, , , .

M a r
y la nd .

I n the introduction of thi s history of the Crypti c R i te the con ,

n e ct i on of E ckel and N il es as leaders at an early date was n oticed

1
.
, ,

Th e Select de g ree was t h en only recogni z ed as an appendant to

the regular curriculum of deg rees of the wh ich

wa s controlled by t h e D eputy I nspectors of that rite T his was .

pri or to 1 800 an d perhaps extended into the present century as l a te

, ,

as the date of the certificate or dispensation given to Cross We , , .

have seen un der D istrict of Colum bia t h e steps wh ich were taken
, , ,

as early as 1 82 4 to i ncorporate these degrees with t h e chapter work

,

and to precede the M ost E xcellent M aster s degree T his union of ’

.

th e Crypti c with the Capitular syste m continued until 1 872 when , ,

by law the Gran d Chapter separated t h em Si x councils after this

,
.

( M ay 1 2 1 874
) organi
,
z ed the present Grand Council of the State ,

which became a me mber of the General Grand Council and s o con

u
t i n es .

M a ssa c utt
h se s .

I n 1 81 7 a voluntary coun cil of R oyal M asters wa s organi z ed by

Ben j ami n Gleason and others and subsequently obtained t h e san c ,

tion of Columbian Council of N ew Y ork A Sel e ct council was .

formed at Springfield M ay 2 8 1 81 8 by J L Cross Si x councils

, , ,
. . .
,

at di fferent times h aving been organ ized their delegates m et Feb

ru
, ,

a ry 8 1 82 6 and on J une 1 5
, ,
1 82 6 com pleted t h e form ation of a
, ,

Gran d Council T h e records of t h is b ody h aving been lost d urin g

.

‘
S ee pp . I S49, 1 5 50»
 FR E E M A S ON R Y IN TH E UN I T ED S T A T E S 1 5 83

t h e anti M asoni c period nothing i s kn own concerning t h ese degrees

-
,

u ntil t he r e organ i z ation i n 1 84 7

-
From the year 1 85 3 the Grand .

Council h as m et regularly and great prosperity h as followed I t is .

a s serted that H iram Council at W orcester wit h members i n , ,

1 897 is the larg est council of R oyal an d Select M a s ters i n t h e

,

worl d .

Th
e Grand Coun cil of Connecticut had chartered three councils
in the State of M ichigan an d these by th eir delegates met i n con , , ,

ve nti on on J anuary 1 3 1 85 8 an d organi z ed a Grand Council for

, ,

t h e State I n 1 85 6 that Gran d Cou ncil granted a Charter for a

.

coun cil at D etroit T his Gran d Council is in dependent and chap

.
,

ter made R oyal an d Select M ason s are n ot in favor

-
.

M i n n es ota .

T h
e Gran d Council of I owa h aving chartered three councils in

M in nesota D ecem ber 1 2 1 870 these three by th eir delegates organ

, , ,

iz e d a Gran d Council Th e council which h ad been chartered by

.

the Gran d Council of N ew Y ork i n 1 85 5 soon becam e dormant .

T his Gran d Council is a memb er of the General Gran d Council .

M i s s i s s ipfi z .

From our careful exam in ati on into the early history of Cryptic
M asonry in t h e S tate of M ississippi we fin d t h at J o h n Barker b e , ,

fore mentioned as agent for th e Southern Suprem e Coun cil estab ,

lis h
e d at N atchez M is s a Gran d Council of Princes of J erusalem
, ,

in 1 82 9 w h i c h a s sumed the control of t h e R oyal an d Select M aster s

,
’

degrees an d under the auspices of the Coun cil of Princes of J eru

,

salem seven coun cils were organi z ed an d these by their deleg ates ,

organi z ed a Gran d Coun cil J anuary 1 9 1 85 6 A fter the close of ,

.

the war in 1 865 a n umb er of t h e councils having surren dered their

, ,

charters an d others h aving becom e dormant th e Gran d Coun cil

, , ,

wh ich h ad assem bl ed annually i n 1 877 adopted a plan which be ,

came widely kn own as the M ississippi Plan whic h provided ,

E ach R oyal A rch C h apter s h all hereafter open wit h in its bosom
“
,

under its c h arter as a Chapter of R oyal A rch Masons a Council of

, ,
1 5 84 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

R oyal an d Select M asters t h e o ffi cers of the Chapter corresponding

in rank to t h ose of t h e Council .

A ll t h e R oyal A rc h M asons who h ave not received the degrees

of R oyal M aster and Select M aster s h all be entitl ed to have t h e
sam e conferred or communicated on their request and with out
charge but candidates who s h all hereafter receive the R oyal A rc h
degree s h all im mediately thereafter an d i n connection with th e
, ,

R oyal A rch degree receive th e degrees of R oyal and Select M aster

,
”
wit h out addition al c h arge .

Th e Grand Council was dissolved an d this plan wa s adopted in ,

many j urisdictions the Gen eral Grand Chapter having placed on

,

record at Lexi ngton Ky at the m eeting September 1 6 1 85 3 the

,
.
, , ,

following resolution
“
R es olved T hat this General Grand Chapter and the governing
bodies of R oyal A rc h Masonry a ffiliated with and h olding j u
,

ri s di c ,

tion under it have n o rightful jurisdiction or control over t h e de

,
”
g rees of R oyal an d Select M a s ter .

“
R es olved T h at this General Grand Chapter will hereafter e n
,

t er ta i n n o question or matter growing out of the government or

working of these degrees wh ile i n their present positi on 1
.
!

A ll of t h e independent jurisdiction except I owa w h ic hadopted ,

t h e M i ss rss mpi Plan have rescinded the same and returned to t h e

,

council organ ization I n 1 888 th e Gran d Council of M ississippi at

.

its ses s ion that year adopted th e following

“
R es olved T hat the Gran d R oyal A rch Chapter hereby releases
,

control of the Cryptic D egrees an d reco mm ends that the Gran d

Council of R oyal and Select M asters resume its former jurisdictio n
of t h e degrees .

T h at Ch apters are hereby prohibited from communicating an d

conferri ng t h e Cryptic D egrees reco g n izing the authority of the ,
”
Grand Council in all matters pertaining to said degrees I n Feb
ru
.

a ry 1 888 t h e Gran d Council of M ississi ppi m et six of the O fficers

, , ,

being of those elected in 1 877 Si x councils were represented . .

A t th e sixt h triennial as s embly of the General Gran d C h apter ,

whic h met in B altimore M d O ctober 1 1 1 897 t h ,

e following pa
.
, , ,

per wa s unan imously adopted

W/zer ea s , T he report of Companion J osiah H D rumm on d as .

1 P r oce e di n gs of t e h G e nera l G ra n d Cha pter , 1 856, p 3 1 7

. .
 H I ST OR Y OF FR EE M A S ON R Y

M isso ui r .

I t is said by very g ood auth ority that Cross i n his tour through ,

the West conferred th e Select degree in M issouri ; i n what year is

,

uncertain A lso it is sa id that the R oyal degree was introduced as

.

early as 1 82 8 I n 1 84 1 there were three councils in the State

.

one in St Louis one at Palmyra and where the other wa s located

.
, ,

the present writer can not recollect A t that tim e 1 84 42 he wa s

1 — .
, ,

i n S t Louis and received th e R oyal an d Select de grees in M issouri

.

Council N o 1 a t St Louis about th e ti me the Gran d Coun cil m et

I mmediately after the Gran d Coun cil closed he wrote u
. . .
, , ,

p an d r e

corded the transactions of the Gran d Cou ncil .

T hese b odies becam e e x tinct as well as som e coun cils which ,

had been chartered by the Gran d Coun cil of K entu cky M ay 2 1 .

,

1 864 t h e Grand Council was organi z ed

,
.

I n 1 848 the writer havin g g one to I n dependence to construct a

,

local railroad found th e Coun cil degrees in corporated i n the chap

,

ter by the Charter to be worked subsequent to the R oyal A rch , .

M on ta n a .

T h
e followin g councils in M ontana received dispensations f ro m

t h
e General Grand Coun cil , vi z .

G l endi v e a t G l e ndi v e l
A pr i 896 D i pen sa ti on
2 2, 1 . s .

Oct ob e Ch t e ed
,
897 r 1 2, 1 . a r r .

u l y Oct ob e 4 897 D i s pensa t ion

r 2 1
C Mi Ci t
.
s t e r, a t
.
,
es
A nn ull ed
. .

A don i r a m a t v
Li i n g s t on
M a y 1 3 , 1 897 .

Con ti n e d u .

M y s t i c, a t B o e z m a n
Ma y 2 0, 1 897 .

Con t i n u ed .

Za b ud No . 2, a t But te .
M a y 2 2, 1 897 .

be
,

Oct o r 1 2 , 1 897 .

M on ta n a
‘

a t D i on ll Oct ob 4 897
er 2 , 1 .

,
A nn ull e d .

D ee r Lod g e, a t D e e r Lod g e
J u ne 0 8971 ,
1 .

A n n ull d e .

A n a con da ,
a t A n a conda
J u ne 8972
1 1 ,
1

A nn ull d e .

H e ll g a t e, a t M i s s o ul a
S ept m b
e 897 er 1 ,
1

Con t i n u d e .

H ir a m , a t Ka l is pell S pt mb
e e 897 er 2 , 1 .

A n n ull e d .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T E S 1 5 87

coun cils were all reported at th e triennial of the S u

T hese preme
Council in 1 897 .

Th
e followin gcouncils were organi z ed by disp en sations issued by
the Grand O fficers of the General Gran d Council for N evada .

D i s pensa ti on .

Ca r s on , a t Ca r s on
S ept e mb er 3, 1 896
Cont i n u d e .

Mo u nt a i n, a t Vi gi r ni a Ci t y S pt e mb
e er 4, 1 896
Con t n u d i e .

R e no a t R en o
S pt mb e
e e r, 1 896
Con t i n u d
,

e .

E u k
re a a t E u k re a
S ept mb e er 2 1 ,
1 896
Con t i n u e d
,

T h ese were reported to the triennial of the General Gran d Loun e

c il in 1 897 .

N ew M ex i co .

Th
e followin g coun cils were granted di s pensations by , t h e

cers of the General Gran d Council for N e w M exi co vi z , ,

De m i ng No 1 a t De m i ng A pr i 8, l 1 887 .

v mb
.
, ,
No e er 1 9, 1 889 .

La s Vg e a s, a t La s Vge a s
M a rc h6 1 ,
1 895 .

A nn ull ed .

S a nt a Fé , a t S a n ta Fé
M a y I ,
I 895 °

Cont i n u ed .

M S 9S
H i ra m a t A lbu q u er q u e
a y 7, I
,
A nn ull ed .

A p l h a a t R a t on
M a y 1 1 ,
1 895 '

,
A nn ull ed .

N o
e ra s éa .

O mah a Council was organi z ed J uly 8 1 867 by a Charter from , ,

the Suprem e Coun cil of t h e Southern J urisdiction T wo ot h e r .

councils were ch artered by the Grand Council of Kansas .

Gran d Council was form ed by the delegates of the above mentioned -

three coun cils N ovember 2 0 1 872 I n 1 878 the councils adopted t h e

, , .

“
M issi ssippi Plan I n 1 886 the Gran d Coun cil wa s revived and
.
,

then a fte r ward j oi ned the General Grand Council where s h e is now ,
.
1 5 88 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

N ew H a mps /z i r e .

A u
g ust 5 four Companions organ i z ed a cou ncil of R oyal
,
1 81 5 ,

M asters at H opkinton N H J L Cross i n 1 81 9 instituted a n

,
. . . .
, ,

other council of Select M asons at H opkinton ; these two were ,

un ited in 1 82 2 O n J uly 9 1 82 3 a Grand Coun cil was formed

Du
. .
, ,

ring the period fro m 1 83 5 to 1 85 5 the c ouncils were dorm ant .

Th e above two councils O rp h an and Col umbian after 1 85 5 were , ,

revived an d A don iram Council wh ich had been ch artered by the

, ,

Grand Council of Connecticut united an d form ed a Gran d Cou ncil , ,

J une 1 1 1 862 , .

N ew j er s e
y .

K an e Council wa s chartered by the Grand Coun cil of

,
N o . 1 1 ,

N e w Y ork ; an d two other council s vi z Scott N o 1 3 at N e w ,

.
, , .
,

Brunswi ck and Gebal N o 1 4 at

, , .
,
T renton , were chartered by the
Gran d Council of Pennsylvan ia . T hese three coun cils organized
the Grand Council N ovem ber 2 6 , ,
1 860 I t has always been an i n
.

dependent Grand Cou ncil .

N e w Y or e .

Th
e earliest tim e when we fin d any organi z ation in the State of
N e w Y ork of the Council degrees is September I O 1 81 0 ; at w h ich ,

time a m eeting of R oyal M asters was hel d i n S t J oh n s H all i n .

’

N e w Y ork City and a council of R oyal M asters was opened with

, ,

Companion T h omas Lowndes presiding ; and it was determ ined to

organize a Grand Coun cil to be called Col u
!

mbian Council of R oyal

M aster M asons for the City of N ew Y ork T h omas Lowndes was .

elected and installed T h rice I llustrious Gran d R oyal M a s ter N ine .

teen m em bers R oyal M aster M asons were present I t is thought

, ,
.
,

and no doubt correctly so that th is wa s the very first council ,

formed an d wa s regarded as auth ority as on the even ing of D ecem

, ,

ber 6 1 81 7 a petition was received from a council organized in

B oston asking t h e sanction of Colu m bian Cou
, ,

,
ncilfor its formation .

T h is wa s granted and B enjamin Gleason wa s recogni z ed as T I

,
. .

G M of t h e Sai d new cou ncil

. . .

From t h e records of Col umbian Council it appears t h at a coun cil

of Kn ig h t s of t h e R ound T able wa s convened a s al s o a C h apter of ,
1 590 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

Council wa s organi z ed J une 6 1 860 I n consequen ce of the W a r ,

.

n o meeting wa s hel d until 1 868 T his body wa s d i s s olved i n 1 883

and the degrees were tu
.
,

r n e d over to the Grand Chapter I n 1 887 .

the Gran d Council was re organi z ed I t is n ow an i ndependent -

.

body .

oni o .

J ohn Barker t h e agen t of t h e S up r eme Council S outh er n J uri s

,

diction a t a very early day organized five councils i n O hi o J L

, . . .

Cross had been i n O hi o perhaps as earl y as 1 81 7 ; some authors

s a y 1 81 6 we think not as he had not received his comm ission as ,

General Grand Lecturer until th e session of the General Gran d

Chapter J une 8 1 81 6 M oreover as the General Gran d Chapter
, ,
.
,

refused the proposition at that session to in corporate t h e degrees , ,

i n the chapter work and as it is asserted by Folger that Cross ,

went to Balti more and the paper issu ed by E ckel an d N iles is ,

dated in 1 81 7 ( M ay 2 7th) the very fair presum pt i on 1 5 that Cross

di d not attem pt to confer the Select prior to th e date of his a u

,

th ori ty w h ether that paper wa s genuin e or a forgery as Com “

, ,

panion J osiah H D rumm on d has pronounced it to be Co m . .

“ ”
panion D rummon d has traced the itinerary of Cross through
We s tern Pennsylvania O h io Kentucky M ississippi and Lou isiana , , , , ,

an d then ce to B altim ore M ay 1 81 7 I n 1 82 7 a council was estab , ,

.

lis h e d at Clevelan d by Charter from th e Gran d Council of N ew

Y ork A Grand Council for t h e S tate was organized J anuary 6

.
,

1 83 0 by the five coun cils organized by J o h n Barker

,
.

N or tn D a é ota .

T h
e following councils received their dispensations from th
e

Offi cers of the General Grand Council , vi z

D i s pen s a ti on . C h
a te
r r .

Ca sse l ton No 1 a t Ca ss e l ton mb e

D e ce r 7, 1 888 Nov mb
e e r 1 0, 1 889
Au
. . .
, , ,

H i lk i hN o
a ,
. 2, a t Jm a es to wn , S epte mb e r 1 , 1 893 . gu t s 2 1 ,
1 894 .

D i s pens a ti on .

H i ra m Co u ncil a t V ll y Ci y
a e t
D e cemb 3 895 er 1 ,
1 .

Con t i n u d
,
e .

Ra e Co u nci l a t G ra nd For k s
J n u y 896
a a r 2, 1 .

A nn ull d
,
e .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E UN I T ED S T A T E S 1 5 9:

D i s pen s a ti on .

Za bu d Cou nci l t De i vl ’
s La ke
J u y3
a n a r ,
1 896 .

,
a
A nn ull d e .

T own e r Co u n ci l a t T own e r
J n u y 6 896
a a r ,
1 .

Con t i n u d
,
e .

F b u y 5 896
A don i ra m Co u nci l ,
a t Fa r g o
e r

Cont i n u d
a r

e
1

.
,
1 .

F b u y 8 896
Da m a sc s u Co u nci l a t W h
p taon e
e r a r 1 ,
1 .

A n n ull d
,
e .

M i z pa hCou nci l a t P k Ri
a r ve r
M a rc h5 1 ,
1 896 .

,
A nn ull d e .

A p i l 6 896
r 1
T y r ia n Co u nci l a t Li s onb ,
.

Con t i n u ed
,
.

A p i l 0 896
B i m k C u il
s a rc o nc ,
a t Bi m k
s a rc
r

Con t i n u d
2 ,

e
1

.
.

By authority of the Gen eral Gran d M aster of the General Grand

Coun cil Com panion A H H odson wa s authori z ed to convene n ot
,
. .

less th an five R oyal an d Select M asters an d to confer the degrees ,

upon n ot exceeding nine R oyal A rc h M asons A dispensation was .

issued to Pioneer Coun cil U D at M cM i n nville ,

. .
,
.

T hree cou ncils convened February 3 1 885 an d formed a Grand , ,

Council for O regon under the j urisdiction of the Gen eral Gran d
Council .

Pen n sy lva n ia .

O ctob er 2 6, 1 84 7 two
councils i n Pennsylvan ia an d one in , ,

T exas formed the Gran d Council

,
T h is Gran d Coun cil di s ban ded .

and was re organ ized in 1 85 4 Papers of the m eetings from 1 84 7 to

-
.

1 85 1 h ave bee n found but i t seem s no regular record s were ever ,

kept I t wa s proposed in t h e Gran d Council i n 1 85 4 to turn t h e

.
, ,

degree s over to t h e control of the Council of Prince s of J eru s alem ,

w h ich h owever wa s n ot accepted ; an d D ecem ber 3 0 1 85 4 the

, , , ,

Gran d Council was r e organized I t i s an independen t j uri s diction -

.
,

but does not recogni z e t h ose wh o h ave received t h e degree in

c h apters .

R node I s la nd .

A m eeting of R oyal M asters was conven ed in Providence R I ,

. .
,

M arch 2 8 1 81 8 an d M ay l gth R es olved T h at t h e degree of S elect

, ,
“
,

”
M aster be attached to t h is Council J L Cro ss gave t h at council . . .
1 5 92 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

a C h arter i n 1 81 9 For many years this council wa s dorman t and

.
,

no meeting wa s h eld u ntil 1 84 1 Th e Grand Coun cils of M assa

u
.

ch se tts an d Connecticut issued charters to other councils an d th e

Supreme Council of N ort h ern J urisdiction A A S R gave a u

,

' ' '

. . . . . . .

th or i ty to confer th e degree s of R oyal an d S elect M aster u pon a

C h arter for a Lodge of Perfection at N ewport whic h in 1 870 was ,

revoked a Gran d Council h aving been organ i z ed on O ctober 3 0

, ,

1 860 from which a Charter was obtained

, T his Grand Coun cil is .

i ndepe nden t
So t uhC a r oli n a .

I n the preface to th is chapter much of the early h istory of th e

Cryptic degrees has already been given in detail T h e Suprem e .

Council of t h e Southern J urisdiction had great influence i n t h e

direction of the govern ment of the Cryptic R ite in South Carolina .

N in e coun cils of R oyal an d Select M asons were chartered i n the

years of 1 85 8 and 1 85 9 T h e Supreme Coun cil i n 1 860 waived its
.

rights an d a Gran d Council was regularly form ed February 1 5

, , ,

1 85 0 I n 1 880 the M ississippi Plan was adopted H owever

.
“
.
,

in 1 881 the Gran d Council wa s re organi z ed an d becam e a member

,
-

of t h e General Gran d Council .

So t uhD ht a o a .

T h
e following coun cils received dispen sations from the O ffi cers

of the General Gran d Council in South D akota

A p l h Cou nci la No 1 a t S i ou x Fa ll s D . A pr i l 1 1 ,
1891 .

,
.
,
.

C . J uly 21 ,
1 891 .

La k ot a D ea dwood
S epte mb e r 7, 1 895 .

A ull d
nn e .

B l k H i ll
a c s Co u nci l H ot S p i ng s
r
S pt mb 9 895
e e er ,
1 .

A nn ull d e .

Za bu d Ya n k ton S pt mb
e 5e 895 er 2 ,
1 .

A n n ull d e .

Oct ob
S cot l a n d S cotl a nd 895 er 1 ,
1 .

S u nd e d r re er .

Oct ob
O m e g a Sa le m 0 895 er 1 ,
1 .

Con t i n u d e .

Oct ob 30 895
H i ra m Ca n t on
er ,
1 .

A n n ul l d e .

Oct ob 895
Koda F l a n drea u 3 er 1 ,
1 .

S u nd d r re er e .
1 5 94 H I S T O R Y OF FR EEM A SON R Y

Ve r mon t .

fter J L Cross had made h is tour in th e Sou th an d West he

A . .

was i n Verm ont in J uly 1 81 7 I n a letter from H averh ill N H ,

.
, . .
,

he says : I m ade n o furt h er tarry until I arrived at Windsor Ver ,

mont w h ere I establ ished a council of Select M asons T hey fi nd

,
.
,

ing that the degree was full of inform ation an d that it could not be ,

given antecedent to t h at of the R oyal A rch wished for a warrant to ,

em power them to confer it upon which I g ranted them one in the ,

”
words following ( O mitte d ) .

Cross wa s made a R oyal A rch M ason in Champlai n Chapter

N o 1 at St A lbans V t J u
,

.
,
ly 1 1 1 81 5 while engaged as a lecturer
.
,
.
, , ,

to the lodges .

Compan i on D rum mon d claims that th e fi rst permanent body

of Select M asters was the council formed by Cross at W indsor Ver ,

mont J uly 5 1 81 7 H e founded a council at B radford also in 1 81 7

, , .
, , .

By h i mself or by his deputy J ohn H Cotton Cross organi z ed ,

.
,

nin e councils .

T h e Warran t of the council at Bennington having b een pre

served we give it as follows :

, ,

all whom t h ese presents may com e

To G R EE T I N G ,

Know ye t h at by the high powers i n m e vested by t h e T h rice

,

I llustrious and Gran d Puissant i n t h e Gran d Council of Sel ect M as

ters h eld at the City of Baltim ore in th e State of M aryland N orth
, , ,

A merica I do h ereby constitute an d em power th e within named

,

Companions to form themselves i nto a regular Council of S elect

M asters an d I do h er eby appoint m y worthy Com pan ion Sam uel S
eu
.
,

Y oung to be first T h rice I llustrious Gran d M aster Z a ch s H ovey , ,

to be first I llustrious D eputy Gran d M aster an d O liver A bell to be ,

t h e Principal Conductor an d I do grant them full power with their , ,

con s titutional nu mber to assemble open and confer t h e D egree of , , ,

Select m aster and do all other business appertain ing to said degree
, ,

for w h ich this s h all be t h eir warrant u ntil revoked by t h e Gran d ,

Puissant A n d I do further direct said Coun cil to h ol d its meetings

.

at Bennington B ennington County an d State of Vermont Given

, ,
.

under my hand at Bennington t h is twenty third da v of M ay A D -

,
. .

1 81 8 and of t h
,
e D i s covery 2 81 8 .

Signed J O H N H C OT T O N
A cti ng D epu ty Pu i s s a n t i n G r a n d Cou
.
,

“
nci l r .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES
T hese coun cils conti n ued until 1 82 6— 1 82 8 D u ring the M organ .

anti M asonic period l ike all ot h er branc h es of M asonry nothing

-
, ,

was done A r e organ i z ation took place in 1 849 under their original
.
-
,

warrants until 1 85 4 Four of these councils organized a Gran d

Council A ugust 1 0 1 85 4 V ermont united wit h
.
,

the General Gra nd ,

.

Council .

I n th e previou s history of the rite we have shown that Myers

remain ed for som e ti me in V irginia an d wa s in N orfolk and in R ich

m ond where h e communicated the deg rees of R oyal M aster and

,

Select of T wenty seven under h is authority as I nspector of the -

,

R ite J eremy L Cross it is s aid established a coun . .

, ,

cil of Select M asters in D ecem ber 1 81 7 i n R ichm on d and soon

thereafter in Portsm o u
, , ,

th and oth er towns .

A Gran d Coun cil wa s formed in 1 82 0 an d often failed to meet ,

as i n 1 82 9 to 1 83 9 an d in 1 84 7 wa s d issolved and the degrees were , ,

rem an ded or rat h er turned over to the chapters where they have re ,

m ained to t h e present tim e .

T h ese degrees are conferred in the chapter preceding the R oyal

A rc h un der the m istaken idea t h at t h e incidents therein related
occurred at the building of the T emple and those of the R oyal ,

A rc h were laid at th e rebuil ding thereof forgetting that as a lleg or , ,

i cal repre s entations th ey s h oul d of n ecessity for proper instruction ,

“
be as they were originally de s igned subsequent to the M ason of
, ,

th e R oyal A rch or thirteenth of the ,

Wa s h
i ng ton .

Th
e General Gran d Council by its O ffi cers issued dispensations
to Was h ington to organ i z e councils as follows

D i s pens a ti on Ch
a r ter ed .

uy
.

T o T a co m a ,
No . 1 , a t T a co ma Fe b r a r 9 ,
1 891 . J uly 21 ,
1 891 .

T o Co lf x N
a ,
o. 2, a t Co lf a x Ju 9 ne , 1 893 . A ugu st 2 1 ,
1 894 .

To M t . Bk a e r, No 3, . a t N ew Wh
a t com . . . J u 4 893ne 1 ,
1 . A ugu st 2 2, 1 894 .

To S pok a ne ,
N o 4, . a t S poka n e J uly 8 893 ,
1 . A u gu st 2 1 ,
1 894 .

To Pm yo er o ,
N o 5, . a t Pm y o er o J uly 6 893 1 ,
1 . A ugu s t 2 2, 1 894 .

To S ea t tl e ,
N o 6, . a t S ea t t l e M a y 9, 1 894 . A u gu st 2 1 ,
1 894 .
1 596 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

uncils by order of th e General Gran d M aster I ssued

T hese co , ,

M ay 3 1 1 895 were assembled by t h eir representat ives J une 5

, , , ,

1 895 and the adoption of a constitution an d the election of t h eir

,

Officers were duly and regularly consti tuted an d the O ffi cers were ,

installed by th e Special D eputy E lij ah M Beatty and so reported ,

.
,

to t h e General Grand R ecorder .

Zabud Council N o 7 at Walla Walla had a dispensation ,

.
, ,

ranted D ecember 8 1 874 and wa s reported for 1 895 T h is coun

g , ,
.

cil became a consti tuent un der a Charter of the G ran d Council o f , ,

th e State chartered J une 8 1 896

, ,
.

Wi s cons i n .

Th e G rand Council of Oh io c h artered three councils i n W i scon

s i n an d a Gran d Council wa s organi z ed by th e delegates of these

,

th ree O ctober 2 8 1 85 7 By arrangem ent an d consen t the degrees

, .

were turned over to the Grand C h apter i n 1 878 I n 1 881 a Gran d .

Council was agai n organi z ed by delegates from forty nine cou ncils -
.

Wisconsin is an independent Grand Council .

Wy omi ng .

T h
e followin g
dispen sations were i ssued by the Grand O ffi cers
of the G eneral Gran d Chapter for Wyoming vi z , .

Ch Ch
Ju
{JSuly
n e 2 4’ 1 895
y enne Cou nci l y
Ju 5
t
°
e ,
a e e n ne
u r r e n der e d ne ,
1 896 .

896
La ra m ie La ra m ie 4’ 1 ‘

A nnull ed .

Za b d u E v a n s ton
S pt mb
e

A n n ull d
e

e
er 2 ’ 1

.
895 '

G r ee n Ri ve r
S pte mb 3
e er ’
1 896 ‘

S u ende ed rr r .

h Sh
i
Ma y 1 2’ 1 896
u
S e r i da n e r i da n
‘

A nn ll d e .

S
A B T R A CT OF R ET U R N S OF S U B OR D I N A T E COU N CI L S F OR TH E
Y EA R 1 896 .

N a me of G ra nd Lodge . H e ld a t
. M em b ers h
ip
.

W hi n g ton
a s ,
No 1 . W hi ng ton
a s D C .

Ol iv No e, I P re s cot t, A riz
,

Ph ix Ph ix
. .

oen D ,
U . oe n ,
A ri z .

u
T cs on , D U . . T cs on,u A ri z .

Ca n on Ci t , N o 5 y . Ca fi on Ci t y ,
Col .
1 598 H IST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

S U B OR D I N A T E O
C U N CI L S UND ER TH E IMM ED I A T E J U R I S D I CT I ON OF
TH E GE N E R A L GR A N D CO U N CI L ,
1 896 .

Co uil nc .

D I S T R I CT OF CO LU M B I A .

W hi g ton
a s n , No . 1 . W hi ngton
a s I N 0di s pens a ti on lA u gu s t 1 4 , 1 883 .

A R I Z ON A .

P r es cott J uly A u gu t s 22 , 1 894

Su d
.

A pr i 4 l rr e n e r e d.
S u nd
,

T u c on
s A pr i 5 , l rr e ered.

COLOR A D O.

v
D en er N o 1 D en er v Ja n 1 6 A u gu t s 21 894 1
ky
. .

h
, .
. , ,
R oc M o n t a i ns , N o 1 u T r i n i da d M a rc 2 4 1 895 A ugu t 2 1 , 1 894
u
. , . s .

u
D ra n g o N o 3 u
D ra ngo M a y 1 6, 1 893 A gu t s 2 1 , 1 894
k k
, . .

A r on N o 4 , . A r on M a y 2 3 , 1 893 A ugu t s 2 1 , 1 894 .

Ca non Ci t N o y , . Ca non Ci t y u
J ne 5 1 893 , . A ugu t s 2 1 , 1 894 .

Pu bl
e o N o 7 Pu bl o
e A pr i 1 0 l A ugu t s 2 1 , 1 894
G ly Su d
. .
, ,

m
H i ra , U
D re e e D e c 8, 1 894 rre n e re d

Col o do S p i ng
. . . .

Zabu d, U D ra r s M a y 2 7, 1 895 Di p s e n s a ti on conti n u ed.

S u nd
. . .

v ll
Lea d i e U D , . . L dv i ll
ea e u
J ne 1 0, rr e er ed .

ID A HO .

I da o U h D Poca tillo D ec 896 A nn ull

ed
5,
u
, . . . 1 1 . .

A doni ra m , U . B oi s é .
Ja n .
3 0, 1 897 D i s pens a ti on conti n ed .

M ON T A A N

Za bu d N o 2 Bu tt e O b cto e r 1 2 , 1 897
G l di v U D G l div
. .
, .

en e, . . en e D i s pe ns a ti on con ti n e d u .

Cu t U D
s er , . M il C i ty
es A nn ull
ed .

A do i m U D n ra Li v i g ton
n s D i s pe n s a ti on con ti un e d.
B oz m
. .
,

M y ti c U D
s ,
. e a n D i s pe n s a ti on con ti n u ed.
M on ta n a U D , . . D i ll o n A nn ull
ed .

D e e r Lod e . U D g . D e e r Lod ge A nn ull

ed .

A n a con da , U D . A n a con da A nn ull

ed .

He ll g
a te U D M iss o a ul D i s pe n s a ti on conti n ed u
Kl
, . .

H i ra m
, U D . a i s pe ll A nn ull
ed .

N EV D A A .

Ca r s on U D S ept 3 896 1 D i s pen s a ti on conti n ed u

S
. . . .
, ,

u
M o n ta i n , U D e pt . 4 1 896 D i s pe n s a t i on con ti n e d u
S
. . . .
,

R e no, U D e pt. 1 9 1 896 D i s pe n s a ti on con t i n u e d.

E uk S
.
,

re a , U D . e pt . 2 1 , 1 896 D i s pen s a ti on conti n u e d.

N E W M E ! I CO .

A pr i 2 5 l No e v mb e r 1 9 1 889
h
, , .

M a rc A nn ull ed .

M a y I , 1 895 . D i s pe n s a ti on con ti n u ed.

M a y 7, 1 895 . A nn ull ed .

May 1 1, A nn ull ed .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 5 99

Co ul n ci . Loca ti on .
D a te of
D i s pe n s a ti on .
D a te of C ha r ter .

N OR T H D A KOT A .

l
Ca s s e ton N o 1 No e v mb er 1 9, 1 88
9
lk h
, . .

H i ia No 2 , . u u
A g s t 2 1 1 894 , .

m
H i ra U D ,
. D i s pe n s a ti on con ti n u ed.
Ra e U D , . A nn ull ed .

Zabu d, U D . A nn ull ed .

T own er U D , . . D i s pen s a ti on con ti n u e d.

m
A don i ra , U
D . D i s pe ns a ti on con ti n u ed .

Da m u a sc s, U D A nn ull
ed

z h
. .

M i pa , U D . A nn ull
ed .

y
T ri a n , U D D i s pen s a ti on con ti n u ed

B m k
. .

i s a rc , U D . . D i s pen s a ti on con ti n u ed .

S OU T H D AK A OT .

A ph
l a No I A pri 891 l 1 1 1 J uly 21 1 891
k S
, . , , .

La ota , U e pt 7, 1 895 A nn ull ed

Bl k ll S
. . .

a c H i s, U D e pt 9, 1 895 A nn ull ed
S
. . .

Za bu d, U D e pt 2 5 A nn ull ed
Su
. . .
,

l
S cot a n d U D Oct I 1 895 rr e n de r e d.

Om
.
, . ,

ega U D , . . O ct 1 0 1 895
.
, D i s pe ns a ti on con ti n u ed.
H i ram U D Oct 3 0, 1 895 ull
A nn ed
K Su
. . . .
,

oda , U D Oct 3 1 1 895 rr e n de r e d

B k
. . .
,

r oo i n g s , U D . . N ov 1 1 895 .
, . ull
A nn ed .

b
A e r de e n , U D . N ov 4 1 895 .
, ull
A nn ed .

A doni r am U D N ov 6 1 895 ull

A nn ed
Em u l
. . . .
, ,

a n e U D . N ov 1 4 , 1 895 ull
A nn ed .

hll
.
,

M i tc e U D N ov 2 8, 1 895 ull
A nn ed
O
. . . .
,

l
r i en ta U D D ec 1 2 1 895 ull
A nn ed
Su
. .
, , .

y
M s t i c, U D D e c 3 0 1 895 rr e n d e r e d

ul k
. . .
,

Fa , U
D . D e c 3 1 1 895 .
, ull
A nn ed .

UT A H .

U ta hN o 1 S lt L
a a k e Ci t y F eb 1 3 A ugu t s 21 1 894
S umm i t k Ci y S S u nd
. . .
, , ,

, U . D P a r t e pt . 2 ,
1 895 rr e er ed .

W A S H I N G T ON .

Za bu d U D W ll W ll D e c 8, B e ca m Cons ti t u ent
u
a a a a e
,
G
. .

r a n d Co n cil of
W hi g to
a s n n .

W Y OM I N G .

C he y e nne U D . . J une 2 4 , Su r r en der ed.

La ra m ie U D , . . J uly 4 1 895 , ull d
A nn e .

Za bu d U D S e pt 2, 1 895 ull d
A nn e
S Su d
, . . . .

yu
T r s U D e pt 3 rr en er e d.
Sh
, . . . .
,

e r i da n , U D . May 1 2, A ull d
nn e .
1 600 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

SU M M A R Y OF GR A N D C O U N C I L R E T U R N S F OR T H E Y E A R 1 896 .

Fro m th P e roce e di g
n s o f hGt e l G d C u i l 897
e n er a ra n o nc ,
1 .

G ra nd Co u il
nc . H e ld a t
. M e mb e r sh
ip
.

Ar k a ns a s
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

l
F or i da
G e org i a
I n di a n a
I n di a n T err i tor y
K a nsa s

u
Lo i s i a n a
M a i ne
M a r a nd yl
M a s s a c s e tts hu
M i n n e s ota
M is s o ri u
b
N e ra s a k
N ew H a ps i r e m h
N e w Y or k
O h io
O re g on
S ou thC a ro li na
T e nn e s s e e
V mo t
er n
W hi g to
a s n n
S ub o di t r na es of G en e r a lG . Cou n ci l

IN D EP EN D EN T GR A N D C O U N CI LS .

G ra nd Co ufl
nc . H e ld a t
. M e mb ersh
ip .

lb m
A a a a M on tg o m y er
u
Conn e ct i c t
ll
I i n oi s
K tu k yen c
M i c iga n h
M i s s i s s i ppi
N e w J er s e y
h
N or t Ca r o i na l
Pe nn s ylva n i
h
R ode I s a nd l
W i s con s i n

F OR E I G N GR A ND C O U N CI LS .

Ca na da O n ta r i o
E gl Wl , t

n a nd a nd a es

N w B u wi k
e r ns c
 u
1 602 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

several j urisd iction s While all t h is has been an ard ous task there .
,

h a s been m ingled with the task quite a pleasurable se nsation in trav

eling over t h e sacred ground of T em plarism “

an d our pil “

g rimage has yielded muc h satisfaction in making the acquaintan ce

of so m any distinguis h ed knights w h o wroug h t so hard i n building
up an institution w h ic h from t h e small begin nings of t h e eighteent h
,

century at its en d has resulted in t h e close of the n ineteent h cen

, , ,

tury in one of the m ost m agnificent O rders the world h as ever

,
“

witnessed .

Th e Knight T em plar O rder as it is now constituted in the

u
,

U nited States h as n o rival in the world an d to em p h asize its i n fl

, ,

e nces for good t h e Grand E ncampment of t h e U nited S tates should ,

at its very next conclave carry out t h e design of our m ost disti n
u
,

g i s h
e d and lamented Knight J Q A Fellows to make the city of , . . .
,

Was h ington t h e perm anent h eadquarters and erect such a T em ple ,

as would be commensurate with t h e dignity an d i mportance of th e

Magnanimous O rder of Knights T em plars of the U nited States of
A merica .

N ote D ates of all the b lanks m arked with an asterisk coul d

-

not be ascertained .

A la hm a a .

Th
e Gran d Commandery of Knig h ts T em plars for th e State o f
A labama was organ i z ed D ecember I 1 860 by th e representatives of , ,

fi ve commanderies vi z ,
.

Washington ( M arion ) at M arion chartered i n 1 844 ( N o ,

.

h istory ) .

M obile N o 2 at M obile ; formed A pril 7 1 848 an d chartered

, .
, , ,

M ay 8 1 85 1 , .

T uscum bia N o 3 at T uscum bia formed A ugust I 1 848 ch a r

,
.
, ,

tere d O ctober 1 2 1 85 0 , .

M ontgom ery N o 4 at M ontg omery ; formed O ctober 1 7 1 85 0

, .
, ,

chartered September 1 9 1 85 3 , .

S elma N o 5 at Selma ; formed M ay 1 5 1 83 8 ; ch a rtere d S ep

,
.
, ,

tem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ,
.

A r iz ona .

T h
e Grand Commande ry of rizon a wa s formed by Warra nt A
from th e Gran d E ncampment of the U nited States N ovem ber 1 6 ,

1 893 .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 603

T h
e first com mandery was A ri z ona , N o I at T ucso n February
.
, ,

883 ; by dispensation , which wa s

l
2 2, 1 surren dered Septem ber 2 ,

1 897 T hen followed

.
:

I van hoe N o 2 at Prescott , by dispensation

,
.
,
Septem ber 30 ,

1 and chartered D ecem ber 2 1 892

892 , , .

Ph oenix N o 3 Ph oeni x by dispensation O ctober

,
.
, , 7, 1 892 , a nd

chartered N ovem ber 1 4 1 892 ,

.

A r hn a sa s .

Th
e Grand Com m an dery of A rkansas wa s constituted May 2 5,

1 872 .

T h
e first commandery organi z ed was ugh de Pa ye ns N o 1
H , .
,

a Little R ock D ecem b er 2 0

t , ,
which received a Charter
Septem ber 1 0 1 85 6 ,
.

H u g h de Pa yen s N o 3 at Fort S cott ; dispen sation grante d ,

.
,

A pril 1 3 1 867 ; chartered Septem ber 1 8 1 868 ; constituted O ctob er

, ,

J acques D e M olay N o 3 ; dispen sation g ranted D ecember 3 0 ,

.
,

an d chartered Septem ber 2 1 ,

0
Baldwi n N o 4 Fayetteville ; d ispensation A pril 2 8 1 871 ;
,
.
, ,

chartered Septem ber 2 1

B ertran d de G u
,

es cli n Cam den ; dispensatio n i ss ued A pril 1 3 , ,

8
1 867 ; chartered Septem ber I O ,

Ca lifor n i a .

T h
e Grand Commandery of Knights T em pla rs f or Californ i a

was organi z ed A ugust 1 0 1 85 8 under the Warrant of th e then , ,

Grand M aster of t h e General Grand E n cam pment of th e U nited

States Sir W illiam B H ub bard
,
. .

Th e first com m andery formed i n California was San Francisco ,

N o I at San Francisco N ovember 1 0 1 85 2 and ch artered N o

.
, , , ,

ve mb er I , 1 85 3 .

T h
e secon d was Sacram ento ,
No . 2, at Sacramento M ay ,
23.

1 85 2and c h artered February 6 1 85 4

, , .

hTe third was Pacific N o 3 at Colum bia February ,

.
, ,
2 0, 1 85 6,
an d c h artered September 1 0 1 85 6 ,
.

1
P r ocee di n gs Ge ne r a l G ra n d E m pm n ca ent, 1 883 , p 1 9 . .
2 I b id .
,
1865 , p 1 1 4 . .

3
1 b id .
,
1868, p Cs . .
4
I id b .
, p .
30 .
5
I b id , 1 871 , p
. . 2 24 .
6 b
I id p 3 1 . . .

7 I
b
id .
8
I bid 1 868, p . 1 3 .
9
I b id . .
p 65. .
1 604 H I S T O R Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

Color a do .

T h Com mandery was constituted M arch 1 4 1 876 T h

e Gran d e , .

comman deries were

Colorado N o I at D enver ; dispensation granted J anuary I 3
,
.
, ,

1 866 and c h artered Septem ber 1 0 1 868 ;

1
,
constituted J anuary 2 6 , ,

1 869 .

Central City N O 2 at Central City ; dispe n sation granted

,
.
,

N ovem ber 8 an d ch artered Sept ember 1 8

, ,

Puebl o N o 3 at Puebl o ; dispensation g ranted Septem ber 1 0

,
.
, ,

1 874 and chartered D ecem ber 3

,
1 874 , .

Con n ecti c t u .

T h
e Gran d Com mande ry was con s tituted bet ween 1 82 9 a nd
1 83 2 according to t h e list i n the Proceedings of 1 85 6 p 3 5 8 ; but
, ,
.

in the Proceedings of 1 898 the date is given Septem ber I 3 1 82 7 , .

We assume the first date to be correct a s in the Proceedings of t h e ,

Grand E ncam pment we fi nd the Grand E ncampment of Con n ect i

u
c t represented at the fifth m eeting hel d N ovem ber 2 9 1 83 2 b u t , , ,

not so represented at the fourth m eeting Septem ber 1 4 1 82 9 n or , , ,

is any mentio nm ade of the formation of the Grand B ody in t h e

m inutes of s ai d m eeting of 1 82 9 w h ich would have been if t h e ,

Grand Commandery had been organized T h e fir s t com man dery .

formed wa s Colchester at Colc h e s ter ; C h arter dated S eptem ber , ,

1 81 9 .Th e s econd was N e w H aven at N ew H aven di s pen s atio n ,

is s ued N ovem ber 5 1 82 5 a n d c h artered S eptem ber 1 82 6

, , ,
.

N oe
t — A t the secon d m eeting of t h e Grand E ncam pment Pro ,

cee di ngs of Septem ber 1 6 1 81 9 p 6 say : R es olved T h at a , ,

.
,
“
,

charter of r ecog n i ti on be granted to th e encampm e nt of Colchester

”
in Connecticut .

A t t h e conclave held in Pittsburg 1 898 the tabular statement , ,

for t h at year shows eleven subordinate commanderies .

N ote — T h e report of t h e General Grand R e c order for 1 880

in tabular statement p 1 3 6 under Gran d Comm an dery of Con
ne ct i cu
.
, ,

“
t says :
,
O rgani z ed J uly ,

1
P r oce e di n gs G en e r a lG ra nd E m pm
n ca en t, 1 868 p 65 , . .

2 I b id .
, D . 1 2 .
3
1 b id .
, 1 871 , p . 29 .
1 606 H I ST O R Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

Th
e Grand Commandery was organized A ugust 1 5 1 895 by a , ,

Warrant dated A ugust 1 1 895 T h e following commanderies were , .

organized :
C oe ur de Lion N o I at Warrington ; d ispensation J une 2 0 , .
, ,

1 868 ; Charter 1 868 ; renewed D ecember 3 1 874 , .

D amascus N o 2 J acksonville ; dispensation M ay 1 8 1 870 ;

, .
, ,

chartered September 1 871 , .

D e M olay N o 3 ; dispensation M arc h 1 7 1 85 1

, .
, .

O livet N o 4 ; dispensation
, 1 889 . .

Pulaski N o 5 dispensation February 2 1 1 893

,
.
, .

Plant City N o 6 ; dispensation M arch 1 0 1 895

, .
, .

G eorg i a .

T h
e Gran d Co mmandery wa s organi z ed A pril 25, 1 860, by a u
h
t ori ty approved Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 , .

Georgia E n cam pment N o I at A ugusta received a dispensa , .

, ,

tion dated in 1 82 3 and ch a rtered M ay 5 1 82 3 , ,

.

St O m ar N o 2 at Macon dispensation granted J uly 2 6 1 848

.
,
.
, , ,

a n d chartered Septem ber I I 1 85 0 , .

St A ldema r at Colum bus ; dispensation dated D ecember 1 1 85 7

.
, , .

C oeur de Lion at A tla nta ; dispensation dated M ay 1 4 1 85 9 , , ,

a nd chartered September 1 7 1 85 9 ,
.

Th
e following com manderies have been in stituted i n I daho
I da h o N o 1 at Boise City ; d ispensation M ay 2 4 1 882 form ed
,
.
, ,

Septem ber 1 3 1 882 chartered A ugust 2 3 1 883

, ,
.

Lewiston N o 2 at Lewiston chartered A ugust 1 1 1 892

,
.
, , .

M oscow N o 3 at M oscow ; chartered A ugust 1 1 1 892

, .
, ,
.

Gate City N o 4 Pocatello chartered A ugust 2 9 1 895 ; insti

tu
, .
, ,

te d D ecem ber 1 4 1 895 , .

T h
e Gran d Com man dery wa s organi z ed O cto ber by 2 7, 1 85 7,
authority of t h e Grand E n campment J un e 2 7 1 85 7 a nd duplicated , ,

Septem ber 1 5 1 85 7 T h e subordinate com manderies were :

,
.

A pollo N o 1 at Chicago ; by dispensation 1 844 to 1 84 7 a nd

,
.
, ,
 FR EE M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N I T ED ST A T E S 1 607

c a hrtered Septem ber 1 4 ,

1 84 7 . T h
e tabular statement in Proceed

ings for 1 85 6 p 3 5 8 is in defin ite , .

,
.

Belvi dere N O 2 A lton ; by dispensation M arch 2 5 1 85 3 an d

, .
, , ,

chartered N ovem ber I I 85 3 ,

.

Central or Centre N o 3 at D ecatur ; by di s p

, ensation J uly 2 6 , .
, ,

1 85 6 extended O ctober 2 4 1 85 6 ; an d by order of Gran d E ncamp ,

ment continued until t h e ensuing s ession of the State Grand Com

mandery .

Peoria N o 4 at Peoria ; by di s pen sation J uly 2 5 1 85 3 and

,
.
, , ,

Charter Septem ber 1 9 1 85 3 , .

Freeport N o 5 at Freeport ; by dispensation J une 1 0 1 85 7

, .
, , ,

a n d Charter Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 , .

I n di a na .

T h
e Gran d Com man dery of I ndiana was organ i z ed M ay 1 6 ,

1 85 4by authority of t h e Gran d E ncampm ent A pril 2 4 1 85 4 T h

,
e ,
.

co mman deries i n I n diana were

R oper N o 1 at I ndianapolis ; by dispensation M ay 1 4 1 848
, .
, , ,

a n d C h arter O ctober 1 6 1 860 ,

.

Greensburg N o 2 at Green sburg ; by dispensation J anuary 2 5

,
.
, ,

1 85 1 an d Charter Septem ber 1 9 1 85 3

, ,
.

La Fayette N o 3 La Fayette ; by dispen sation A pril 2 1 85 2

, .
, , ,

an d C h arter Septem ber 1 9 1 85 3 ,

.

Fort Wayne N o 4 at Fort Wayne ; by dispensation M a y 1 3, .

, ,

1 85 3 and Charter Septem ber 1 9 1 85 3

, ,
.

I n di a n Ter r i tory .

Th
Gran d Co mmandery was i nstituted by authority of the
e

Grand E ncam pm ent D ecem ber 1 7 1 895 the Warran t being issued , ,

N ovem ber 2 8 1 895 at M uscogee Th e subordinate com manderies

, , .

vvere

M uscogee N O I a t M uscogee ; by di s pensation dated D ecem

,
.
,

ber 6 1 892 and Charter

, ,

C h icka s aw N o 2 at Purcell ; by dispensation dated May 3 1

,
.
, ,

1 894 and C h arter A ugu s t 2 9 1 895 and constituted O ctober 2 9 1 895

, , , ,
.

M cA lles te r N o 3 at M cA lle st e r ; by d ispensation dated J uly

,
.
,

1 4 1 894
,
and C h arter A ugust 2 9 1 895 an d constituted O ctobe r
, , ,
 1 608 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

I owa .

Th
e Gran d Comma nder
y I owa wa s organi z ed J un e 6 1 864 of , ,

by authority of the Grand E ncampment Septem ber 1 9 1 85 9 Th

‘

su
.
,

bordinate commanderies were

D e M olay of I owa N o 1 at M uscati ne by dispensation M arch
, , .
,

1 4 1 85 5 an d C h arter Septem ber 1 0 1 85 6

, , ,
.

Palesti ne N o 2 at I owa City ; by Charter at once Septem be r

,
.
, ,

Siloam N o 3 at D ubuque ; by dispensation Feb ruary 9

, .
, ,
1 85 7,
an d Charter Septe mber 1 6 1 85 9 , .

D es Mom es N o 4 at D es M oines ; by dispens a tion J uly 1 0

, .
, , 1 85 7 .

Ka nsa s .

T h
e G ran d Com m an dery wa s con stituted D ecem ber 2 9, 1 868,
by Warrant from the General Gran d M aster Sir Will iam Sewal l ,

G ardner D ecem ber 2 1 868 T h

,
e subordinate commanderies were , .

Leavenworth N o 1 at Leavenworth ; dispensation issued F e h

u
.
, ,

r a ry I O 1 864 ; chartered Septem ber 6 1 865

, ,
.

Wa s hington N o 2 at A tchison ; dispensation issued J un e 5

,
.
, ,

1 865 chartered September 6 1 865 , .

H ug h de Payen N o 3 at Fort Scott ; dispensation issued A pri l

, .
,

1 3 1 867 ; chartered Septem ber 1 8 1 868

u
.
, ,

D e M olay N o 4 Lawrence ; dispen satio n i ss ed M arch 1 0

,
.
, ,

chartered September 1 8 1 868 ,

.

Ke n tu
ch
y .

Th Commande ry wa s constituted O ctober 1 5 1 84 7 by

e Grand , ,

Warran t from t h e Grand E ncampment T h e subordinate com .

ma n de r i es were
Webb N o I at Lexington ; by C ha rter at once J anuary 1
, .
, , ,

1 82 6 .

Loui s ville N o 2 at Louisville ; by dispens a t i on J anuary 2

,
.
, ,

1 840 and by C h arter S eptem ber 1 8

, 7 1 5 1 , .

Vers ailles N o 3 at Versaill es ; by dispensation A pril 2 6 1 84 2

,
.
, , ,

a n d C h arter 1 844 .

Frankfort N o 4 Frankfort by C h arter S eptember 1 5 1 84 7

,
.
, ,
.
1 61 ° H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

of 1 85 6 adispensation issued bet ween 1 84 2 and 1 84 7

t Portland ; ,

and chartered S eptem ber 1 4 1 84 7 , .

St J ohn s N o 3 at Bangor ; dispensation February 1 8 1 85 0

.
’

,
.
, , ,

and chartered Septem ber 1 7 1 85 0 ,

.

We can not find any evidence i n t h e body of the Proceedings of

N o I but t h e
.
,
R egister at en d of 1 84 7 an d 1 85 0 Proceed
“

”
1 844
“
ings gives M aine N o I at Portland and chartered
,
.
, , ,

Septem ber 1 4 1 84 7 ,
.

M a r
y la nd .

Th
e G rand Comm andery was c on tituted J anuary 2 3 s ,
1 871 .

Th
e first commandery instituted w s M aryland N o at Balti a I

m ore T h is encam pment wa s fir s t c h artered by th e Gran d E u

.
, ,

ca mpmen t of Penn sylvan ia M ay 2 1 81 4 an d it appears on the , ,

record of 1 83 2 of the Grand E ncam pm ent of t h e U nited States A .

resolution was pa s sed adm itting it u nder the j uri s diction of the
General Grand E n cam pment an d directing that its Charter be en ,

dors e d by the General Gran d O ffi ce rs 1

.

Baltimore N o 2 Baltimore ; by dispensation J une 1 7 1 85 9 and

,
.
, , ,

Charter September 1 6 1 85 9 ,
.

We shall now follow t h e h i s tory of t h e K nig h t T emplar O rder

in M a rylan d by Sir Knig h t E dward T S c h ultz to whom t h e w h ole .
,

world of M asonry i s in debted for h is four volumes of the history of

M asonry in t h at State T h e result of his labors to h imself h as been
.

al most total blindne s s b rought about by h is inces s ant application i n

,

search of the facts con nected with M asonry i n M aryland .

Sir Knig h t Schult z says

Th e writer h as for m any years given m uc h time and attention

to the investigation of t h e origin of E ncam pm ent N o 1 of this .

city and while h e has been fortunate i n obtaining docum ents wh ich
,

clearly establi s h t h e date of i ts organization and many i nteresting ,

fact s i n reference to its early h i s tory h e h as not h e regrets to s tate , , ,

anyt h ing but th fer in regard to the source w h ence it

eor i es to o f

emanated .

H e had been furni s h ed by t h e Gran d R ecorde r of t h e Grand

Com mandery of Penn sylvania Bro Creig h with certified copies of ,
.
,

several documents i n his o ffice written i n 1 81 4 and 1 81 5 by t h e , ,

1 P r ocee di n gs of Gen era l Gra nd E m pm n ca en t , 1 83 2 p 3 2

, . .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E UN I T ED STA T ES i 6i i

O ffi cers of E ncampment N o 1 of M aryl and to t h e Gran d O fficer s

.

of the Gran d E n cam pment of Pennsylvan ia w h ich h ad been re ,

cen t l
y formed an d in which form ation E ncampment N o I h ad .

participated and wa s t h en a constituent H ere follow Copies of .

several old docum ents un der s eal to prove the facts set forth .

I n on e of t h ese docum ents i s a Charter of recognition whic h “

allowed their claim to an original organi z ation prior thereto— date d

in 1 790— as the letter from A rc h bishop D ob bi n says : I am i n “

du ce d to state that this E ncam pm ent insists i n receiving its num ber

and rank according to t h e date of its i n s titution t h e complete organ ,

i z a ti on of whi c h took pl ace in the year Con s equently we

m u s t class M arylan d among the early jurisdictions where T emplary
h ad its origin T his C h arter of recognition we m ust observe
.
“
, ,

wa s issued to E n ca mpme n t ( y a ght T em l

p a rs N O 1
‘
M aryland ,
.
, ,
”

t h us sh owi ng t h at t h e dem and made by t h e en cam pm ent to have ,

its rank an d num ber agreeable to t h e date of its institution was a d ,

mi tte d to be a val id claim by t h e Grand Commandery of Pe nnsyl

vania an d thereby the year 1 790 was fully recogni z ed to be t h e
,

d ate of the complete org a n i z a ti on of E ncampment N o 1 of M ary .

,

lan d.

Sir Knight Sc h ult z shows by documents th at this encampment

has had a co ntinued existence from 1 790 to the present day and is ,

yet known by t h e same name T h ere is a fa c s i mi le of a T emplar

.
-

diploma sho wn and a copy of its text i n print wh ich shows that
this E ncam pment N o I wa s in 1 802 attached to Washington
.

Lodge N o 3 as R oyal A rch Chapters an d E n campm ents o f

,
.
,

Kn ights T em plars i n t h ose early days were generally if not wholly , ,

h el d un der warrants of M aster Masons Lodges ’

.

’
I n Webb s M onitors of 1 802 an d 1 805 are shown three encamp
m ents i n M aryland vi z : N os 3 1 3 an d 2 4 an d S ir K night S c h ult z
, . .
, , ,

t h inks t h ey were Wash ington Lodge N o 3 ; Concordia N o 1 3 ; , .

,
.

an d Zion Lodge N o 2 4 ; t h e firs t two located i n Baltimore and

, .
,

the last in H avre de Grace Cecil County , .

T h ere is show n also anot h er fa c s i mi le dipl oma i s sued by E n -

ca mpme n t N o 1 to P h ili p P
. E ckel w h i ch Sir Knig h t S c h ult z
.
,

thi nks i ndicates that the encampm ent had s evered i ts connection
with Lodge N O 3 an d h ad an in dependent organization an d says
.
,

it must have been certainly as early a s 1 807 from a M a s onic notice ,

i n t h e City D irectory for that year vi z Maryland E ncampment ,

.
“
1 61 2 H IS T OR Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

N o 1 K night s T emplars meets on the secon d T esday i n every

.
,
”
,
u
secon d month .

Th e copper plate from whic h t h is diplom a was printed is in

-

the A rchives of M arylan d Com mandery I t wa s designed by .

Phili p P E ckel and engraved by J o h n B annerm an A n ol d lady

. .

named E lizabeth S a dds living i n Balti more i n 1 881 aged n inety , ,

four years informed Sir Knig h t Sc h ult z that she knew Bannerman
,

well that h e cam e from Scotland i n 1 773 and was th e first engraver
wh o l ived in Baltimore an d h e died in 1 809 Th e seal is t h e s am e
, .

'

on all t h e documents an d was used until ab out 1 81 4 when a new ,

seal was made (w h ich is s h own) T h is latter seal was u s ed until .

1 85 4 when t h e name was changed to its present titl e

“
, Marylan d ,

Comm andery N o Sir Kn ig h t Sc h ult z has only theories to

, .

suggest as to the source from whic h t h e enca mpment wa s orig

i na lly formed From traditions among the old m em bers of the
.

commandery it was supposed t h at t h e orders cam e from San D o

min g o with i m migrants from that island H e says “
We for a long .

tim e were inclined to believe that the encam pment originated i n t h e

R ose Croix Chapter La Verite which was brought to Baltim ore
’

by th e refugees from San D om ingo but th e di s covery of the 1 802

diplom a would indicate that at t h at time at least the E ncam pmen t , ,

wa s held under the aut h ority o f a M aster M ason s Lodge ’ ”

.

Sir K night S chult z refers to the list of degrees pu blis h ed by Cole

an d mentioned by us in Chapter LI l
I n this l ist we en umerate d .

the orders of t h e R ed Cross Knig h ts T em plar and K nights of M al , ,

ta that were sai d to have been conferred by t h e Sublim e Lodges

, ,

at Charleston N ew Y ork and N ewport in 1 81 6

, , .

Sir Kn ig h t William B H ubbard wh o was Grand M aster of .

,

T em plars said : “
I suppose that we owe th e origi n of T em plar
,

M ason ry i n the U nited States to a distinguished of the

”3
Scottis h R ite Bro A G M ackey thought that the O rders of
. . . .

Knighthood were introduced through t h e A n ot the .

for that system dates only from 1 801 when it is ,

well kn own that the T emplar and R ed Cross had both been worked
as early as t h e Sout h Carolina patent s hows in 1 783 B ro R obert ,
. .

Macoy in h is S ketc h of the Knig h ts T empl ar of N ew Y ork says

, ,

A fter a very careful exami nation of t h is important su bj ect we

“
,

hLI
C . . h
of t i s wor k , p . 1 3 0
1 .
2 Le tter to T . S . G u di
o r n .
1 61 4 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

Su b sequent to 1 800 E ncampments were formed by K nights ,

“

wh or I I zgh G r a de
'

o received the O rder s from an I nspector

\

,
”
M ason .

A t the constitution of the Grand E n campment of N e w Y ork ,

E lia s H icks O rator of the day said : T h “

,
e numerous E ncamp ,

ments of Knights T emplar now existing withi n t h is State being

self created bodies are con s equently governed by t h eir own private
-
,

and individual law acknowledging n o superior authority because in , , ,

1
fact none heretofore existed
, .

Sir Knig h t Schultz concludes therefore that E ncam pment N O I , ,

.

wa s organi z ed in the same manner a s t h o s e in N ew Y ork were .

A t t h e conventio n for the organization of the Grand E ncamp

ment in Pen n sylvania w h ic h m et February 1 5 1 81 4 S ir H enry S , , ,
.

Keating was the delegate from E ncam pment N o 4 of Baltim ore .

, ,

M d ; who on the election of O fficers w h ic h followed was m ade

.
, , ,

G St B U nder t h e provision adopted therefor a Charter of R ec

. . .
,

og ni t i on wa s granted to E ncampm ent N o I of Baltim ore w hic h .

, ,

has been referred to in th is chapter .

A fter the organi z ation of t h e General Grand E ncam pment of

the U nited States in N e w Y ork City J une 2 0 1 81 6 E ncam p , , , ,

m ent N o I of Baltim ore cam e under its j urisdiction but not until
.
, , ,

N ovem ber 2 9 1 83 2 and an endorsement was m ade on the Charter

, ,

of R ecognition received from t h e Grand E ncam pment of Pe nnsyl

vania i n 1 81 4 .

Sir Kn ig h t Schult z claims that E ncam pment N o 1 is the ol d

“
.

est existing body of Knights T em plar upon th e A merican Conti ~

2 ”
nent .

A fter Baltim ore Com mandery N o 2 wa s chartered there wa s ,

.
, ,

n o ot h er comm andery formed until M onumental N o 3 of Balti , .

,

more was organ ized by virtue of a di s pen s ation i s sued by the Gr and
,

M aster of T emplars M ay 1 6 1 866 A t the next triennial con , .

cl ave September 1 868 at S t Lou i s a C h arter wa s granted and on

, , , .
, ,

N ovem ber 6 1 868 the com mandery was duly con s tituted
, ,
.

J uly 1 2 1 870 re s olutions were adopted to organize a Gran d

, ,

Com mandery of the State T h is occurred J anuary 2 3 1 871 .

,
.

J acques D e M olay N o 4 of Frederick City was organized by ,

.
, ,

virtue of a dispe nsation i s sued N ovember 2 3 1 867 by Sir H enry L , ,

.

S chul tz , H i s tor y , vol . i .

, p 3 67
. .
2 I bid .
, p 3 76 . .
1 61 6 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

M a ss a c utt
h se s a n d R h
od e I s la nd.

Th
e Grand E nca mpme nn of M a s sac h usetts and R h ode I sland
wa s formed M ay 6 1 805 whic h was t h e first Grand E ncam pment
, ,

to be organized in t h e U nited States according to the authorities ,

i n M assachusetts whic h statem ent h

,
a s been challenged by t h e
T emplars i n Pen nsylvania wh o claim that t h e very first Gran d E n
,

ca mpme n t was organi z ed i n Philadelphia M ay 1 2 1 797 as W ill be , ,

shown under that h ead Sir W illiam Sewall Gardner M E Grand

.
, . .

M aster of t h e Gran d E ncampment of M a s sac h usetts and R hode

I sland at t h e semi an nual meeting i n Boston M ay 5 1 865 in his
,
-
, , ,

address said “
T h is day com pletes the sixtiet h year of our existence
as a Gran d E ncam pment and marks an epoch in our h istory
, .

“
O n th e 6thof M ay 1 805 Sir T homas S m ith Webb of Provi
, , ,

dence Sir H enry Fowle of Boston ; S ir J onathan Gage of N ew

bu
, ,

r por t wit h other T emplar M asons assem bled in t h e M ason ic

y , ,

”
H all at Providence an d formed this Grand E n campm ent T h ere .

t h ey assembled an d laid t h e foundation of T emplar M asonry as ,

”
we recogn i z e it to day -
T his Grand E ncampment was t h e germ
.

of T emplar M asonry as now organized in t h e U nited States and the

r i tu
,

a l a s a do ted h er e has been taken as t h e true T emplar Work

p
th roughout the j urisdiction of the Gran d E n campment of t h e
U nited States I am aware that in Pennsylvania there was a Gran d
.

E n campment in t h e early part of t h is century and t h at it professed ,

to confer t h e O rder of t h e T emple I t is im possible to tell n ow .

w h at its ritual was b ut there is evidence tending to show that it Wa s

,
”
entirely di fferent from t h at taught by t h is Gran d Body .

Perhaps n o person in t h e U nited States had m ore to do with

t h e formati on an d renovation of t h is ritual t h an Sir H enry Fowle .

H i s judgment therefore upon the ritual as exem pl ified by the

, ,

Gran d E ncampment of Pen n sylvania in 1 81 6 i n h is presence is of ,

great weig h t and lead s to t h e conclusion that the work as u s ed by

,

t h at Gran d Body w h ereon it originated was entirely di fferent from

, ,

that in use i n t h is j urisdicti on .

We have t h en for our gratification n ot only th e fact which is , ,

n ow un iversally conceded t h at this Grand E ncampment is the

,

ol dest Grand B o dy of Ma s onic Knight h ood upon t h is continent but

a s fu e r i tu
,

al s o t h at i t h r n is h
ed th a l w h ic h is n ow u s ed in all t h e

b odie s bot h Gran d and Sub ordinate wit h in t h e U nited States

, , .
 FR EEM A SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 61 7

h E nglish O rder f om wh
T e i chouf th i n th i G nd E n r r a er s s ra

mpm n t d i v d th elem n t of ou i tul is termed the M ason i c

,

ca e er e e e s r r a ,

Knights T em plar s Conclave in O pen an d avowed confession of the’ ’

dependen ce of the O rder upon the M asonic instit u tion I need but .

allude to t h e ritual to convince you that it wa s bu i lt upon Masonry ,

an d t h at t h e form an d m anner of our work are em inently M ason ic .

I n its teac h ings an d its ceremonials thi s O rder of th e T emple which ,

we confer is but Masonry Christiani z ed ; a com plete a ckn owle dg

m ent of an d a full belief i n t h e divin e M ission of the risen M essiah ,

engrafted upon the M asoni c form s precepts an d ritual , , .

I t is worthy of notice fr om th li s h
e es ta h men t of this Grand ,

E ncam pm ent to the present time it h as been one of the most con ,

” 1
s erva t i ve bod ies of Knighthood in th e U nited States .

A
Warran t was issued to organize a comm an dery called Popo
”
ca ta petl N o 1 for the Federal D istricts of M exico dated Septem
, .
, ,

h
e r, 1 893 .

M ic hg ni a .

T h
e Gran d Com man dery of M ichigan wa s instituted by the
Gran d M aster of t h e General Gran d E ncam pment in person who , ,

in stalled the Gran d O fficers J anuary 1 1 1 85 8 T he first W arrant ,

.

wa s iss ued February 1 3 1 85 7 T h e first comm andery organi z ed ,

.

was D etroit N o 1 at D etroit ; by dispen sation N ovem ber 1 1 85 0

,
.
, , ,

and C h arter Septem ber 1 9 1 85 3 T h en followed Pontiac N o , .

, .

2 at Pontiac ; by dispensation M arch 2 5 1 85 2 an d Charter O ctober

, , ,

E ureka N o 3 at H illsdale by dispensation February 1 3 1 85 4

,
.
, , ,

and C h arter S eptem ber 1 0 1 85 6 , .

Peninsular N o 4 at Kalama z oo ; by dispensation M arch 3

,
.
, ,

1 an d Charter September 1 0 1 85 6
85 6 , ,
.

M onroe N o 5 at M onroe ; by dispensation M arch 2 9

,
.
, ,
1 85 6,
an d C h arter Septem ber 1 2 1 85 6 ,
.

D e M olay N o 6 Gran d R apids ; by dispensation M ay 9

,
.
, ,
1 85 6,
an d Charter September 1 2 1 85 6 ,
.

l
Cr ei g h , H i s tor y of K ni gh
t T e m pl a rs ,
”
c hv . .
, pp 501
. a nd 5 02 .

1 02
1 61 8 H I ST O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y
1
Peninsular N o 4 it appears fro m the record declined to place
,
.
, ,

hers elf un der th e Grand Commandery of the State and regul a rly
sent h er returns and dues to t h e General Grand R ecorder a ckn owl ,

edgi ng no ot h er superior th an t h e Gran d E n camp ment from w h ich

s h e received her C h arter on Septem ber 1 0 1 85 6 T h e controversy , .

was referred to t h e Com mittee on J urispruden ce w hi ch thoroug h ly ,

examined the w h ole matter an d the principles of S tate Sovereignty -

in a report and o ffered the following

“
R es olved T h at the Grand Com m an dery of M ich igan from the
, ,

date of its formati on has of right exerci s ed sole a n d exclusive,

j urisdiction over all s ubordinates in that State .

R es olved T hat all dues paid by Pen insular Comman dery N o

“
, , .

4 to t h
,
e Gran d R ecorder of t h is Gran d E ncam pm ent occurring ,

S ince the formation of the Grand Com man dery of M ic h igan be paid ,

”
to the Gran d R ecorder of that body 2
W h ich resolution s were .

adopted T h . e following was th en adopted

R es olved T hat at the formation of a S tate Grand Commandery

, ,

it is the rig h t as well as the duty of every subordinate i n t h e S tate ,

whet h er C h artered or under D i s pensation to enroll itself under ,

suc h S tate Grand Commandery and respect an d o b ey its laws an d ,

3 ”
regulations .

T he Grand Com m an dery of M inne ota w s constit u

ted O ctober s a

23 ,
1 865. Th e following were th e sub ordinate commanderies

D amascus N o ,
. I , at S t Paul by dispensation J uly
. 1 2, 1 85 6, and
C h arter Septem ber 1 0 1 85 6 ,
.

C oe ur de Leon at Winona ; dispensati on issued M ay 1 3 1 864

, ,

chartered Septem ber 6 1 865 ,

.

M ankato at Mankato dispensation issued A pril 5 1 865 c h ar

, ,

te r e d September 6 i 865 ,
.

Zion at M in neapolis ; di s pensation issued M ay 1 9 1 863 ; char

, ,

te re d Septem ber 6 1 865 ,

.

M i s s i s s ifipi .

he Grand Comm andery of the State of Mississ ippi was con ti tu

T t s

ed J anuary 1 1 85 7 T h
e order to establi h the Gran d Com m an dery
2 ,
. s

P r oce e di n gs of G e n e ra l G r a nd E m pm
nca 85 9, p 3 9
e n t, 1 . .

2 I idb .
, p 53. .
3
I b id .
, p 56. .
1 62 0 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

J uly 2 4 1 865 ; c h artered ,

Septem ber 6 1 865 T he secon d was ,
.

M ount O livet N O 2 at N ebraska City ; organ iz ed J anuary 2 5 , .

, .

1 867 ;
1
c h artered Septem ber 1 8 I n t h e Proceedings of t h e ,

nineteent h trienn ial of t h e General Grand E ncam pm ent for Sep

tember 1 5 it is recorded un der Proxies to con s titute N e w
,

Com man deries “

V E Sir George W B elt con s tituted a nd i n
,
”
. . .
«

stalled th e O fficers of M ount O livet Comm an dery N o 2 N ebraska , .

,

City J anuary 2 5,
I n the Proceedings of 1 868 S eptem ber , ,

it is recorded that a Charter wa s ordered to be issued to M ount

O livet N o 2 N ebraska City ( Septem ber 1 8
,
.
,
H ere appears ,

to b e a discrepancy as a Charter wa s granted after the com mandery ,

wa s constituted ( J anuary 2 5 Th e th ird com mandery wa s ,

M ount Carm el N o 3 at Brownsville ; organi z ed J uly 2 2 1 870 ;

fourth wa s M o u
.
, , ,

chartered Septem ber 2 1 1 871 The nt M oriah , .

,

N o 4 at Lincoln ; org ani z ed February 1 7 1 871 ; chartered Sep

.
, ,
«

t em ber 2 1 1 871 , .

Th
fi rs t comm andery organi z ed i n N evada was D e Witt Clin
e

ton N o 1 at V irg inia February 4 1 867 an d ch artered September

, .
, , , ,

1 8 1 868 ; constituted and o ffi cers installed J anuary 8 1 869

,
Th e , ,
.

s econd wa s E ureka N o 2 at E ureka ; dispensation granted J une ,

.
,

6 1 880 ; chartered A ugust 1 8 1 880 and consti tuted O ctober 1 5

, , , ,

1 880 .

N ew H a mps h
ire .

Th
Grand Comman dery of N ew H ampshire was constituted
e

September 2 8 ,

Th e first subordinate encam pment which was warranted was

T rinity N o 2 located at first at H anover M arch 2 4
, . I t was
, , ,

dormant for som e tim e an d was re c h artered S eptem ber 1 9 1 85 3 ,

-
,

6
an d rem oved to M anchester .

D e Witt Clinton N O 1 Portsm outh ; Charter J anuary 1 82 6 , .

, , .

1
P ocr e e di n gs G en er a lG ra n d E m pm n ca e nt , 1 871 , p . 28 .

2 I bid . , p 30
. .
3
1 b id .
, p 65. .

4
T he G e n e ra lG ra n d E m pm n ca e nt a ppr o v ed t e h fo m r a ti on of a S ta te G ra n d E n

ca mpme n t for N e w H a m p hi S
s re e pte mb er 1 4, 1 85 9 (
see p 50 of t e h P r ocee di n g s G e n er a l
u
.

G ra n d E m pm
n ca e nt , 1 85 9) b t i t wa ev s n er f m d u il
or e nt 1 897 .

P r ocee di n gs G e n era lG ra n d E n a c m pm e nt , 1 82 6, p . 1 2.
6
1 b id .
,
1 85 3 , p . 1 92 .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E UN IT ED ST A T ES 1 62 1

M ount H oreb N o 4 H opkinton ; Charter M ay 2 1 1 82 6 ; b e , .

, ,

r“
ame dormant i n 1 85 6 .

N orth S tar N o 3 Lancaster ; dispensation May 2 1 85 7 Char

,
.
, ,
o

t e r e d Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ,
.

St Paul N o 4 at D over ; dispensation N ovem ber 7 1 85 7 ;

.
,
.
, ,

chartered Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ,

.

M ount H oreb N o 5 at Concord ; dispensation M ay 3 1 1 85 9 ,

.
, , .

A s above shown the original Charter was issued M ay 2 1 1 82 6 and , ,

was restored Septem ber 1 6 ,

N ew j er s e
y .

Th Com man dery of N e w J ersey wa s const i tuted Pebr

e Gran d u
ary 1 4 1 860 by th e approval of th e General Grand E ncampment
, ,

dated Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ,

.

The fir s t s u b ordinate com m an dery wa s H ugh de Pa

ye ns N o 1 , .
,

at J ersey City by dispen sation M arch 1 2 1 85 8 and Charter Sep , ,

~

t em ber 1 6 1 85 9 ; constituted N ovem ber 2 5 1 85 9

, ,
.

St Bernard N o 2 at H ightstown ; by dispensati on M arch 2 7

.
,
.
, ,

1 85 9 an d C harter Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ; con stituted O ctober 1 2

, ,

1 85 9 .

H elena N o 3 at Burlington ; by d ispensation Septem ber

,
.
, 1 6,
1 85 9, an d chartered Septem ber 1 6 1 85 9 ; constituted O ctober
2
, 1 2,

1 85 9 .

N ew M exi co .

T h M exico wa s Sant a
e first com m and ery organized i n N ew
Fe N o 1 at Santa F e ; dispensation granted M ay 3 1
,
.
, 1 86
9 ,

organi z ed M ay 3 1 1 869 and C h arter Septem ber 2 1 1 871 , , , .

Th e next was Las Vegas N o 2 at Las Vegas ; dispensation , .

,

A pril 1 0 1 882 ; c h artered A ugust 2 3 1 883

, , .

Pilgrim N o 3 at A l buquerque ; dispen sation A pril 4 1 883

, .
, ,

chartered A ugust 2 3 1 883 ,

.

M cG orty N o 4 at D em ing ; dispen sation J uly 1 3 1 886 ; c h ar

, .
, ,
5

t er e d Septem ber 2 3 1 886 ,

.

1
P r ocee di n gs G en e r a l G ra nd E m pm
n ca en t, p 3 5 8, i n
. n ote to ta bl e (K) .

2 T h
e r e cor d s hows th
a t the di s pen s a ti on a nd h
C
a te r r were i s s ud e h m e da y
on t e s a .

—P r oce e di n gs ,
1 85 9, p. 3 5 8 .
1 62 2 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

A ztec N o 5 at R aton dispensation N ovem ber 1 6 1 892 char

,
.
, ,

t er e d A ugust 2 9 1 895 and constituted D ecem ber 2 0 1 895

, , ,
.

R i o H undo N o 6 a t R a s we ll; dispensation J une 1 7 1 895 ;

,
.
, ,

Charter A ugust 2 9 1 895 ; constituted N ovem ber 3 0 1 895

, ,
.

N ew Y or h .

T h
e Grand E ncam pment of N e w Y ork was formed a ho gi n ri e,

J une 1 8,
T here is n o hi story of the regular formation of this Grand E n
ca mpme nt I n the history of t h e organization of the General Grand
.

E n cam pment we have shown how t h e formation occurred We are .

rem inded of the remark of an Old negro wh o said : Poor M arse “

,

Greely h e never h ad no fat h er or m ot h er kase he said h issel f t h at

, ,
’

he wa s a S elf made man

‘
-
N evert h eless h e was t h e great editor
.
,

of the great State of N ew Y ork M oreover t h e T emplars of t h at .

,

State can refer to an other illustrious exam ple vi z M elch i z edek ,

.
, ,

K ing of Salem the Priest of the M ost H igh God wh

, o met A bra ,

ham returning from the slaug h ter of the kings and blessed h i m .

Wit h out fat h er an d without mot h er w ithout des cen t ( pedigree)

, , ,
”
having neit h er beginning of days nor en d of l ife 2
,
.

Th e commencement of the T emplar O rder i n N e w Y ork is i n

volved in great obscurity yet there were several bodies h aving no ,

auth ority whatever which were organized at an early date S ir

, .

Knig h t R obert M acoy bestowed great labor i n endeavoring to ar

rive a t the very first history of the O rder i n N e w Y ork .

I n t h e volume O f Pr oceedi ng s of th e G r a n d Comma n dery ,

there is a h istory of t h e T emplar O rder i n N ew Y ork S tate pre ,

pared by t h e Grand R ecorder I n a subsequent report h e states .

“
that Several of the Grand R ecorders committees and reporters , ,

have em bodied valuable h istorical h ints i n t h eir several papers w h ic h ,

t h ro w li gh t u pon t h e origin of T emplary b ut n one t h us ,

far h ave s ati s factorily s upplied t h e link t h at separates t h e T em plars

of t h e Crusades from t h e modern T emplars or T em plarism as it :

ex ist s in t h e U nited S tates E ngland and Canada , ,

.

S r Kn ig h t M acoy sai d t h at
i S ir Knig h ts anyw h ere in t h e “

U nited S tate s coul d and probably did meet an d increa s e t h eir num

1
A n te, pp . 1
3 90, 1 3 91 .
2
H eb .
, c hvi i
. .
, vs . I , 3 .
1 62 4 H I S T O R Y OF FR EEM A SON R Y

Comm andery appeared i n 1 796 w hen J acob Mo rton was Grand

m
,

M aster T h . e body continued to n O I d stated eetings until 1 81 0

w h en it disappeared Gen l J acob M orton was adm itted an hon
.
’

orary m emb er of t h e Grand E n campment of t h e State in 1 81 5 .

R eference is also made i n t h ese tran s acti ons of the Gran d Lodge
to t h e attendance of t h e Knights T em plars in th e form as directed
”
by t h eir presiding o fficer etc at t h e observance of t h e solem n
,
.
,
“

funeral rites in commemoration of our illu s trious B rother Georg e ,

W ashington with a proce s sion etc

, , .

A t the first conclave after t h e formation of t h e Gran d E ncam p

m ent of t h e S tate i n J une 1 81 4 the Gran d O rator delivered a
, , ,
“

discourse in which he gave a h istorical sketch of the foundation of

the O rder of Knights T emplars i n a style calculated to excite the ,

livel iest interest which was manifested by reiterated applau s e ; a n d

,

in order at the sam e ti me to perpetuate the motives t h at led to the

establishment of thi s Grand E ncam pm ent as the ground work of ou
, ,

r -

future O perations H e concluded by giving the followin g concise

.

account of the proceedings and the ceremonial that took place at i ts

forma t io n by the Gran d Consistory of Chiefs of E xalted M a
so u ry for the U nited States of A merica its T erritories an d D epen d ,

en ci e s at their A sylum hel d in th e City of N e w Y ork on the 2 2 d

, , ,

day of the mont h S h eha thof the H e brew year 7 81 3 correspondin g

, , ,

with th e eleventh m onth A L 5 81 3 J anuary A D 1 81 4 an d the foun

,
. . . .
,

dation of our order th e 694thyear and at which m ost if not all the , , ,

members here pre s ent assisted

e numero u
.

“
Th s E ncam pm ents of K nights T emplars now ex
i sti ng withi n this State being self created bodies are consequentl y
,
-
,

governed by their own private an d individual laws ackn owledgin g ,

1 ”
n o superior authority because in fact n one heretofore existed
, , ,
.

Th e consistory itself which authori z ed t h is Grand E ncam pment

wa s a s el f con s tituted body of the Cerneau creation wit h out any a

-
u
th ori ty and pirated degrees w h ic h never belo nged to the A n cien t
,

an d A ccepted R ite an d th ere is no evidence w h atever t h at Cerneau

,

or any of t h e mem bers of th a t consistory had ever received t h e

T emplar or R e d Cross degree A t this conclave D e Witt Clinton .

was chosen T h rice I llu s trious Grand M aster w h o was not pre s ent ; ,

and by reference to all t h e Proceedings from 1 81 4 to 1 82 6 we do

Th
e pot ca ll ed t e h k e ttl e Ha ck
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 62 5

not fi n d h im as being present at a single conclave alt h ough h e wa s ,

t e elected at every election until his death w h ic h occurred in 1 82 8

-
, .

A t the conclave hel d M ay 2 2 1 81 5 Colum bian E ncampment , , ,

N o 5 wa s voted to h ave a C h arter of R ecognition and it was als o

.
, ,

voted that the nu merical ch aracteristics 1 2 3 4 be kept in re

“
, , , ,

serve for the several encam pments already established within this
State and i n t h e order wh ich t h ey n ow respectively stands s h ould
,

they or any of them apply for a renewal of their Charters under th e

”
Grand E ncam pment 1
.

A t the conclave held M ay 4 1 81 6 a Charter wa s granted upon , ,

th a collective body of Sir K nig h ts T em plars R oyal

“
e petition of ,

A rch M asons an d M em bers of the Gran d Cou ncil of Princes

of th e R oyal Secret for the State of Louisiana S i tting at N e w O r
leans aut h ori z ing them to open an d to hold in a regular and a u
,

, ,

th e n t i c man ner an encam pment of Sir Kni g hts of the R e d Cross

, ,

M ost H oly an d I llustrious Knights of M alta K nights of t h e M ed ,

i te rra nea n Pass and I nvin cible Knights T em plars to be under and ,

s ubj ect to th e j urisdi ction of that Gran d E ncam pment an d w h o h ad

f ormed them selves into a provisory association under t h e title of

Louisiana E ncam pm ent N o until the pleasure an d sanction of
,
.

th e Suprem e Body be know n an d obtained T h is was known a s .

N o 6 . .

At the conclave h el d J un e 9 1 81 6 a delegate was ch osen to rep

, ,
«

r esent the Gran d E n cam pm e n t in th e convention of representa

t i y e s from the Grand E ncam pments o f th e s everal States in t h e

U nion to be held at Ph iladelphia on T uesday ne x t a nd T homa s

, ,

Lowndes wa s selected .

Th e history of that convention has a lready been written i n

Chapter L I I I .

A t the annual conclave hel d J une 2 9 1 81 6 Colum bian E ncam p , ,

»

ment wa s th e first encampm en t to b e represe n ted in any conclave

, .

A Charter wa s also issued for an encampm ent of Knig hts T emplars

an d A ppendant O rders sittin g at N ew O rleans , .

By a special conclave the G rand R ecorder was instru cted to

correspon d with Sir T homas Sm ith Web b D eputy General Grand ,

M aster request i ng copies o f th

,
e Constitution of the G ene r al Grand

E n ca m pment of the U nited States for the purpose of s o modifyin g ,

P ocr ee di ngs of Gr a nd E nca mpmentof N ew Y ork from ,

1 81 4 to 1 85 9, p
. 1 4 .
1 62 6 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

t he Con s titution o f th is G rand E ncam pment t h at it may conform

”
t h ereto .

A t th e an nual conclave a com mittee reported an d su b m itte d a .

form of new con stitution and i t was adopted .

Th e preamble sets fort h

Th e Gran d E ncam pment of the State of N ew Y ork having by

its representatives assisted to form t h e General Gran d E ncam pment

of t h e U nited States of A m erica and havi ng acknowle dged the ,

suprem e aut h ority of t h e sam e d id on the 1 1 t hday of D ecember , , ,

A D . .1 82 0 in full se s sion upon report of a com m ittee appointed t o

, ,

revi s e the former constitution adopt the former con s titution for i ts ,

1 ”
future government .

From the m inutes of t h e special conclave held on T rinity S un

day J une 1 7 1 82 1 for the purpo s e of in s talling t h e Grand O fficers
, , , ,

after w h ich a re s olution wa s adopted to tra n smit certai n copie s of

the constitution to di fferent partie s the only subordinate encam p ,

ments m entioned are Col um bian N o 5 in N ew Y ork and I n di ,

.
, ,

visi ble Friends N o 6 i n N e w O rleans whic h N o 6 wa s originally

,
.
, , .

chartered as Loui s iana E n campm ent Copies were also s ent to th e .

encampments at A lbany an d Stillwater i n that State whic h h ad not , ,

yet united with the Gran d E ncam pment 2

.

A t the special conclave held February 8 1 82 3 upon appl ication , ,

t h erefor a Warrant wa s is s ued to U tica E ncam pm ent N o 7 at

, ,
.
,

U tica 3
. A t a special con clave February 1 8 1 82 3 a Warrant wa s , ,

ordered to be i ssued upon application therefor to T empl e E n , .

ca mpme nt N o 2 at A l bany
1 ‘
. .
, ,

A t the special conclave h eld A ugust 1 6 1 82 3 upon applicatio n , ,

t h erefor a Warrant wa s i s sued to form M orton E ncam pment N o

, , .

4 ,
i n the city of N e w Y ork T h is encam pment was regularly i n .

stalled by the Grand E ncampment A ugust i 8thfollowing .

A t t h e S pecial conclave held September 1 82 4 upon applicatio n , ,

therefor a Warrant was issued to La Fa yette E ncampm ent N o 7

, ,
.
,

in t h e city of H udson .

A t t h e annual conclave there were present the representative s

i

or proxies of Col umbian N o 1 ; U tica N o 3 M orton N o 4 ; , .

, .
,
.

a nd La F a ye t te N O 7 A t the annual conclave h eld D ecembe r

,
. .

1
P ocr e e di n gs G ra n d E m pm n ca en t of N e w Y or k , p . 2 8.
2
I bid .
, p 34 . .
3
I b id .
, p .
41 .
4
I bid .
, p 42 . .
1 62 8 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

ings of the Gran d E ncam pment of th e U nited States S e ptembet ,

1 9 ,
1 82 6 W here it is reported that a C h arter had
,
been grante d ,

a mong many oth ers to Fayetteville E n campm ent at Fayetteville

, , ,

D ecem ber 2 1 ,

I n the report of the Ge neral Gran d R ecorder at th e tenth m eet

ing held September 1 4
,
he stated that a d ispensation had
,

been issued to that E ncam pment but whether a Charter was g ranted ,

h e is unable to say Certain it is the en campment i s known to

.
,

have ceased all operation s many years ag o althou g h i t is s a i d a ,

”
Charter was known to have existed .

Th e General Grand R ecorder also stated

3 °

Some tim e in 1 84 5 a Sir K night from R i chmon d V irg in ia , ,

a nd another from another State not now recollected assisted by a , ,

most respectable Sir K night of Wilm in gton N orth Carol ina wh o , , ,

i t is said had seen the C h arter wh ich had there been consumed by
,

fi re held a meeting and conferred the degrees of K nightho od upo n

,

s o many R oyal A rch M asons as seemed to them su ff i cient to for m

an E ncampment and having done so they proceeded to elect of , ,

fi ce rs and to organi z e an encampment T h is being don e th e R e .

,

corder of that body s o formed wrote to th e un dersi g ned requestin g ,

t h at another Charter m ig ht be furnished them Bein g inform e d

that all th eir proceedings were irreg u
.

lar it i s bel ieved they pro ,

ce ede d no f urther but he can not assert with certainty that s uch i s
,
”
the fact .

Fayetteville E ncampm ent at Fayetteville wa s ori g inally ch a r , ,

t ored D ecem ber 2 1 1 82 1 as before stated

, .

W ilm in g ton E n c a m pment at Wilm in gton wa s chartered orig , ,

i na lly at an early date but there is no recor d in the Proceedin g s o f

,

th e General Gran d E n campment except i n 1 874 where it is said ,

th e dispensation wa s renewed M arch 1 8 1 872 ,

.

Th e followin g was adopted at the conclave o f the General Gra nd

E ncam pment Septem ber 1 6 1 85 0 , .

“
R es olved T hat th e letter of P W Fannin g dated Wilmin g to n
, . .
, ,

N orth Carolina September 8 1 85 0 with its enclosure being re

, , , ,

ferred to the General Grand R ecorder to reply to the same an d , ,

with the vie w of authori z ing the Sir K nights of W ilm ington a nd

1 Proceedi ng s of G e nera lG ra n d E m pm
nca e nt , 1 82 6, p . 20.
2 I b id .
, 1 847, p . 1 1 4
.
3 I bid .
, p 1 47 . .
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E U N IT E D ST A T ES 1 62 9

F a yette ville to resume t h eir labors as E ncampments su bordinate to

this General Gran d E ncampment ; and t h at the M ost E x cellen t
General Gran d M aster is em powered in his discretion and upon ex ,

amination into the merit s of the case th e authori z ing of a charter in ,

the place of th e one lost wit h out other than the R ecorder s fee a s ,
’

1 ”
to him m ay appear j ust an d expedient .

C h arlotte N o 2 at Charlotte ; d ispensation wa s issued J une 1 4

,
.
, ,

1 875 an d c h artered A ugust 3 0

D urh a m N o 3 at D u
, ,

,
rham ; was const it uted O ctober 1 4 1 880
.
, , .

N or t hD h
ot a a .

Th
e Gran d Comm andery of N orth D ak ota wa s consti t uted J u ne

O ioh .

he Grand E n cam pm ent of the State of O h io was constitute d

T
O ctober 4 1 843 T h
2 e General Grand E ncam pment voted for th
,
. e

constitution of the Grand E ncampm ent Septem ber 1 7 ,

Th e first su bordinate encampmen t wa s establ ished at Worthin g

ton by dispensation J une 1 81 8 an d chartered September 1 6 , ,

1 81 9
.

h secon d was M iami at Lebanon by Charter M ay 1 4 1 82 6

T e , , .

Th
e third was Clinton N o 1 at M ount V ernon ; by dispensa , .
,

tion 1 82 6 and 1 82 9 ,
and wa s represented in the G eneral Gran d E n

ca mpme nt i n 1 82 9 .

Th
e fourth wa Lancaster N o 2 at Lancaster T here does not
s , .
, .

appear o n record any dispensation but a Charter was grante d ,

D ecem ber 9 1 83 5 , .

Th e fifth wa s Ci ncinn ati N o 3 ; by dispensation D ecem be r , .

,

1 83 9 and Charter Septem ber 1 7 1 84 1

, , .

Th e s ixt h was M assillon N o 4 at M assillon ; by dispensatio n , .

,

J uly 5 1 8 4 3
,
an d C h arter,
Septem ber 1 2 1 844 ,
.

Th e seventh wa s M ount V erno n N o 5 at M ount Vernon ; by , .

,

dispensation J uly 2 2 1 843 an d Charter Septem ber 1 2 1 844 whi ch , , , ,

wa s originally Clinton N o 1 , . .

1 P r oce e di n gs of G e nera l Gra nd E nca mpment . 1 850, p . 1 50 .

2 I idb .
, p. 1 92
2 I idb .
, 1 84 1 , p 79 . .
1 63 0 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

Oh
la h
oma .

T h
e Grand Com m andery of O klahom a wa s constituted by
a uthority of the Grand General E ncampment February 1 0 1 896 ,
.

Warrant to form Gran d Com m andery dated N ovember 8 ,

Th e su bo r dinate com man deries were

Gut h rie N o 1 at Gut h rie by di s pensation N ovem ber 1 7 1 892

, .
, , ,

a n d C h arter D ecem ber 2 2 1 892 , .

O klahoma N o 2 at O kla h oma ; by dispensatio n O ctober 7

,
.
, ,

1 892 and C h arter N ovem ber

,

A s cen s ion N o 3 aa t E l R em o ; by dispensation M ay

,
.
,

and Charter A ugust 2 9 1 895 and was instituted D ecem ber 3 1 895 , , , .

Or eg on .

T h
e Grand Com mandery of O re g on wa s constituted A pril 1 3 ,

1 887 .

I vanhoe N o 2 at E ugene City ; by dispensation A pril 6 1 883

and chartered A ug u
.
, , , ,

st 2 3 1 883 , .

T em ple N o 3 at A l bany ; by dispensation J une 5 1 886 formed

, .
, , ,

J uly 8 1 886 and chartered Septem ber 2 4 1 886

, , , .

Penn sy lva nia .

T h
e comm e n cement of the T em plar O rder in Pennsylvani a
was at an early day an d a contest was vigorously pro s ecuted be ,

t ween the T emplars of M a ss achusetts and R h ode I sland and Penn

sylvania as to w h en a Grand Com m andery wa s formed and i n which
j uri s diction We shall quote from Sir A lfred Creig h s work on
.
’

Templa r i s m i n Pen n sy lva n i a to S how what he has written on t h at

point i n h i s reply to S ir Wm S Gardner of M a ssachusetts in h is
1
. .
, ,

address at the semi an nual meeting i n Boston M ay 5 -

, ,

Th e history of T em plarism in Pennsylvan ia is one of peculiar

interest to every Sir Knight of t h e O rder whether en rolled under

ou
,

r banner or waging war i n sister j urisdictions i n defence of i nno

,

cent maidens helpless orp h ans destitute widows an d the Christian

, , ,

religion T o Pennsylvania and Pen nsy lva n i a alone are W e in debted

.

1
P r oce e di n gs of G e nera lG ra n d E m pm
n ca en t , 1 898, p 62 . .

2 Te m pl a ri s m in P e nn ylv
s a ni a , 2 d s er i e s ,
p .
504 .
3
I b id .
, p 502
. .
1 63 2 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

u
p a com plete and unbroken organization until J une 1 3 1 82 4 a nd , , ,

N o 2 was merged into it D ecem ber 2 7 1 81 2 as above n oticed

.
, , .

St J o h n s N o 4 after t h
.
’
e parent body had ceased i n 1 82 4 still
,
.
, ,

e x isted and recognized as h er superior the source of all M a s onic

authority within the State the R W Gran d Lodge of Pe n nsyl ,
. .

vania . I t was upo n t h is R ock that the delegates of th e Pe n nsyl

I a ni a G rand E ncampment of 1 81 4 and the delegates of the N e w ,

E nglan d States w h ic h assem bled in convention on J un e 1 6 1 81 6 , ,

in Philadelphia spl it an d t h e Penn sylvania Gran d E ncampment

, ,

charged the ot h er deleg ates with seceding from the convention ,

wh ile the N ew E nglan d delegates ( consisting of S ir Knig h ts Webb ,

Fowle and Snow) reported that the reason why Penn syl vania
,

would not enter i nto the union for a General Grand E ncam pm ent
were : I st T hat the E ncam pm ents i n Penn sylvania avow them
,
“

s elves as bei n g i n subordination to an d under t h e Gran d Lodge of

M aster Masons ; and 2 d “

T heir unwilli ngness to t h e arrange ,

ment or order of succession in conferring t h e degrees as practised ,

by the N ew E n g lan d States especially to t h e M ark an d t h e E xcel ,

l ent M aster as unnecessary and not belo nging to t h e system of

,

Th e delegates of the N ew E ngland States t h en a d

”
M asonry
u
.

1 81 6 in N e w Y ork an d th
j o r ne d to meet on J une 2 5 er e formed , , ,

the present General Grand E n campment of K n ights T emplars of

the U nited States .

A fter 1 82 4 all the subordinate en cam pments ceased to lab or ex

cept St J ohn s N o 4 an d s h e wi t h views as above ex pressed con
’

ti n u
. .
, , , ,

e d to be loyal to t h e Grand Lodge until February I 2 1 85 7 , .

I n May S t J o h n s N o 4 ; Philadelp h ia N o 5 U n ion

,
.
’

, .
, .
,

N o 6 ; an d D e M olay of R eading establi s h ed a Grand E ncam p

.
, ,

m ent under t h e aut h ority of t h e Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

, ,

but the Gran d Lodge on February 1 6 1 85 7 resol ved ( very wi s ely , , ,

if very late ) t h at they h ad n o aut h ority over t h e degrees of Knig h t

h ood but t h at i ts legitimate s p h ere was t h e primitive degrees of

,

A n cient Craft M asonry ; a union wa s therefore e ffected and bot h ,

Gran d E n campm ent s of Pennsylvani a S ince 1 85 7 ackn owledge as

t h eir leg a l head t h e Grand E n campment of Kn ig h ts T emplars of the
U nited S tates .

Prior to A pril 1 2 1 85 4 t h e subordinate encam pments h ad no , ,

1
We s u ppo se a ga in , M a y ha d n o da y s th
en
 FR E E M A S O N R Y IN TH E UN I T ED STA T ES 1 63 3

govern ing h ead T h eir charters were derived either from the Gen
.

eral Gran d E n campm ent of th e U nited S tates or by the aut h ority ,

of the Gran d Lodge of Penn sylvania .

Pittsb urg E n campment N o 1 ; J acques D e M olay (of Wash ,

.

'

i ngton) N o 2 ; an d St O mer s ( of U niontown but afterward of

,
. .
,

Brown sville) N o 3 a ll were chartered by th e General Grand E n

,
.
,

ca mpme n t H u bbard Com mandery of Wayn esburg was un der

.
, ,

D i sfi ens a ti on from th e sam e body St J ohn s E n cam pm ent N o 4 . .

’

, .
,

derived her C h arter from th e Gran d E n cam pm ent of 1 81 4 ; Phil a

delphi a E ncam pment N o 5 ; U nion E n cam pment ( of Ph i la del ,
.

p h ia) N o 6 ; and D e M olay (of R eadin g) N o 7 were under th

,
. e , .
,

Gran d Lodge of Pen nsylvania .

I t wa s firmly bel ieved an d m ai ntained by th e Brethren of Penn

sylvania that th e R W Gran d Lod g e of Pennsylvan ia wa s the . .

source of al l M asoni c authority with in h er g eo g raph ical limits an d ,

t h ey were sustain ed by referen ce to th e fact that T em plar E ncam p

ments were h el d under Blue Lodge Warrants ; that in I reland the
Gran d E n cam pment was formed as early as 1 81 8 yet several e n ,

ca mpment s con tin ued to work un der their old lod g e warrants a s ,

was also th e fact in Scotlan d an d in Canada A ll encam pment s .

t h us constituted i n E urope were consi dered legal 1

.

A W arrant was issued by th e General Grand Master of the Gen

eral Gran d E ncampm ent authori z ing th e form ation of a Grand ,

E n ca mpm ent of Pen nsylvania 2

A convention m et at Brownsville .

A pril 1 2 1 85 4 an d organized th e present Gran d Comm an dery

, ,

of Penn sylvania sub ordinat e to th e Gran d E ncampment of th e

,

3
U n ited States .

Th e other en cam pm ents m et i n Philadelph ia M ay 1 0 1 85 4 , ,

an d organi z ed a Gran d E ncam p m ent an d after th e adoption of a ,

constitution an d electi on an d i nstallation of o fficers instructed the ,

Gran d R ecorder to n otify the Gran d Lodge of t h eir organ ization 1

.
‘

A fter som e tim e com m ittees of conferen ces having been a p ,

pointed by b oth bodies an d duly consi dered t h e con dition of T em

5

u
p yla r with two contending rival b odies good counsel prevailed ,
.

Th e s premacy of the General Gran d E n campm ent was a ckn owl

edged an d t h e u
6
ni on wa s finally accom plished w h ich wa s o fficially ,

1 Te m pl a ri s m in P e nns ylv a nia ,

”
2 d s e r i es , p . 20 .
2 b
I id .
, p 77. .

2
I b id 4
I b id p 1 1 8 5
I b id I s t s er i e s , —
pp 3 3 51 1
.
, p . 1 27 . .
, . . .
, . .

6
I b id .
, 2 d s e r i es , p . 1 35 .
1 65 4 H I ST O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

proclaimed by R E Sir W W Wilson Gran d Commander of t h e . . . .

,

Grand Commandery J une 1 1 85 7 an d subseque n tly by M E Sir , , , . .

William B H ub bard Gran d M aster of t h e Gran d E ncampment of

.
,

the U nited States .

1

So t uhC a ro li na .

I t is claimed for South Carolina t h at th e T em plar O rder was

fi rst duly organi z ed i n t h at State as s h own i n t h e old patent w h ic h
w e ha v e previously described i n C h apter L I pages 1 —
3 77 78 .
, .

I n the work by T heodore S Gourdin from w h ich we have .

,

quoted we derive the prin cipal sources of our information an d al s o

, ,

from the addre s s of the Gran d M aster of T em plars to the Gran d

E ncam pm ent A u gust 1 883 as well as from Companion A lbert G
M a ckey s H i s tory of F r eema s on ry i n S ou
.
, ,

thCa r oli n a are we i n

’

debted for wh a t is now con s idered a very n ear approach to t h e

period of th e introduction of t h e O rder of t h e T emple an d we ,

may with som e degree of exactn e s s say that an encam pment did
, ,

exist prior to the date of t h e patent referred to which was issued ,

A u g ust I 1 783 A s th is docum ent has been fully described we

, .
,

need not here dwell upon I t an d rest the case ,

.

Th e f ollowing are th e commanderies n ow i n that State which ,

a re subordinate to the General Grand E ncampment

South Carolina N O 1 w h ose original Warrant was destroye d ,

.
,

by fi re i n 1 84 3 an d a di s pensation was issued M ay 1 7

, ,

O n S eptember 2 9 1 82 3 a C h arter of R ecogn ition was issued , , ,

a s th e encam pment h ad been working for m any years prior to t h e

organ ization of the General Gran d E n cam pment 3

.

Columb ia N o 2 at Colum bia ; dispen sation J une 1 1 1 875

.
, ,

chartered A ugust 3 0 A previous C h arter of R ecognit i on ,

had been i s sued J anuary 2 4 ,

Spartan burg N o 3 at Spartanburg ; dispensation granted O ct o»

,
.
,

h er I , 1 891 c h artered A ugu s t 2 9 1 895 ,

.

N o te — T here was an encam pment n amed La F a ye tte at George

town c h artered M arc h but t h ere i s n o f u
rt her n otice of it in ,

th e Proceedings and it is not n ow i n ex i sten ce .

1 Te m pl a ris mi P ylv n enns a ni a , I s t s e r i es , p . 22.

2 P oc
r ee di n g G lG
s e n e ra r a nd E m pm n ca e nt, 1 844 , p . 81 .
3
I b id.
, p . 21 .

1
I bid 877 p 5
I b id 2 0. I b id p 20
‘
.
,
1 ,
. 1 92 . .
, p . .
, . .
1 63 6 H I S T OR Y OF FR E E M A S ON R Y

Ver mont .

Th
e G ra nd E nca mp men t of Verm on t wa s constituted A u gu st

D ecem ber con sent wa s g ive n to three encam pments to

, 1 85 0,
form a Gran d Comman dery .

V erm ont a t W indsor ; cha rtered February 2 3 1 82 1

, ,
.

G reen M oun tai n at R utlan d ; chartered M arch 1 2 1 82 3 , ,

.

M ount Calvary at M iddlebury ; chartered February 2 4 1 82 4

, , .

Burlington N O 2 at Burlin gton ; dispensation J une 2 8 1 849

,
.
, ,

chartered Septem ber 1 7 1 85 0 , .

La Fa yette N o 4 at Berksh ire ,

dispensation N ovember 9
.
, ,

1 85 0 old Charter en dorsed O ctober 2 7 1 85 3 ,

.

C alvary at M iddlebury ; old Charter of M ount Calvary renewe d

,
.

Th
e G rand E ncampment of Virginia was c onstituted N ovembe r

T h
e history of the
old encam pm ents is very interesting but is ,

too lengthy for our pages ( See Proceedings of General Gran d .

E ncam pment ) T h e subordinate encam pments i n the Sta te w er e :

.

R ichm ond at R ich mond c h artered M ay 5 1 82 3

, ,
.

’
Warren at H arper s Ferry charter ed J uly 4 1 82 4
, ,
.

W inchester at Winchester chartered J uly 4 1 82 4

, ,
.

T hese three encam pm ents were erased S eptember 1 7 ,

Wheeling N o I at Wheeling ; dispensation is s ued A ugust 3 1

,
.
, ,

1 83 8 an d afterward extended six m onths

, .

I t appears from all that can be learned in t h e Proceedings

of the General Grand E n cam pm ent from 1 82 3 t h at the Grand E n ,

ca mpme nt of Virgin ia whic h i n t h e Proceedings is only recorde d ,

as having been organized prior to did n ot continue very “

lo n g T h . e encampments at R ichm ond H arper s Ferry and Wi n ,

’

chester two of w h ich h eld c h arters of recognition and one of con

s ti t u
, ,

ti on from the General Gran d E ncampment the report of a ,

com mittee i n 1 84 7 s ays : A bout 1 82 6 these three E n cam pm ents

3
/
“

1
T he T a bl e in P r oce e di n gs of G en er a lG r a nd E n ca mp m ent for 1 895 sa y Jus n e 2 7, 1 82 4.
2
P r ocee di ng s of G en e r a l G ra n d E c m pm
n a e n t, 1 847, p . 1 1 0 .
3 I b i d! 1 84 7. P 1 1 9
 FR E E M A S O N R Y iN TH E UN I T ED ST A T ES 1 63 7

formed a Gran d E ncampm ent for th e State w h ic h i n that year was , , ,

represented in the General Grand E ncampmen t ( Sir J am es Cus h

1
m an ) .

“
N othing furt h er is kn own of t h is Gran d E ncampment but it ,

is presumed to h ave ceased to exist soon after its organ izati on for
it appears that in 1 85 8 a dispensati on an d subsequently a C h arter , ,

was granted by t h is General Gran d E ncam pment to a commandery

to b e located at W heeling in that State M atters conti nued in this .

cond itio n u ntil th is 1 1 t hof D ecemb er 1 84 5 when delegates from , ,

sundry E ncam pm ents i n cluding th e three owing their allegiance to

,

th e Gen eral Gran d Body m et at R ichmon d an d h aving resolved , ,

t h at it wa s i m possible to revi ve the extinct Gran d E ncampment ,

proceeded to form a n ew on e for the State .

Suc h is a brief Statem ent of the facts Y our Com mittee are .

of th e O pinion that when t h e original Grand E n cam pment of V ir

gin ia ceased to exist j urisdiction over the State reverted to this body
,
.

“
A n d this seem s to have been the view entertained in 1 83 8 ,

when this General Gran d E n cam pment established an E ncampment

at W h eel ing .

T hey are also of th e O pin ion t h at im m edi a te j urisdiction over ,

at l east t h e three Sub ordinate E n campments whic hderived their

, ,

auth ority from t h is body also reverted to its origin al source T h is

,
.

being true there wa s n o power vested i n th e Subordinate E ncamp

,

m ents i n Virgin ia to organiz e a Gran d E ncampment with out the

consent of the General Grand E ncam pm ent as provi ded by this
Constitution T h is con s ent or approval was never obtained or even
.

a sked for .

I t follows therefore that th e body now existing an d stylin g

itsel f the Gran d E ncam pment of V irginia i s irregular and u u
, , ,

na th or ,

i z ed. I t refuses al legiance to th is General Gran d E n campment an d ,

”
denies its aut h ority in t h e State of Virgin ia .

I n 1 871 at t h e T ri enn ial E ncampm ent a memorial from t h e

, ,

Gran d Comman dery of Virginia was presented by S ir Knights W

B I saacs an d R E Wit h ers A ski ng leave to withdraw from t h e
.
“
. .

”
jurisdiction of t h e Grand E ncampment of the U nited S tates .

Th e memorial is quite too lengthy for our pages T his wa s referred .

”
to a committee of t h ree .

1
P r ocee di n gs of G en era l G ra n d E m pm
n ca en t, 1 82 6, p 9
. .

2
P r oce e di n g s . 1 871 , pp
. 1 75 to 1 80
1 63 8 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

comm ittee made a len g t h y report i n wh i c

T his h th ey answered ,

the reasons for a separation as set forth in the memorial an d pre ,

sented t h e following
R es olved T hat the Gran d E ncampment entertaining for the
,

Gran d Com man dery of Virginia the most courteous and friendly
feeling of fraternal brotherh ood a nd being an xio u s to preserve i n ,

tact the knightly array of t h e constituent Gran d Com m anderies an d

to conti nue to preserve th e good well being and perpetuation of ,
-
,
’
‘
T emplar Masonry does decline and refuse to allow the Gran d
,
‘

Comman dery of Virginia i n peace in honor and in recognition to , , , ,

withdra w from the j urisdiction of the Gran d E ncampment as prayed

for i n its mem orial .

R espectfully subm itted by th e Com m ittee ,

T H EO D O R E S P A R V I N .
,

C H A R L E S W W OO D R U FF .
,

R I CH A R D F K N O T T . .

N .Sub sequently S ir K night I saacs wa s m ade the General

B .
—

G ran d R ecorder an d Sir Knight Withers th e General Grand M as

,

ter of the General Gran d E ncam pm ent

,
.

Wa s h
i ng ton T er r i tory .

Th
e G ra n d Commandery was org anized J une 2 1 887 ,
.

Washington Com man dery N O 1 at Walla Wall a ; dispensation ,

.
,

i ssued A pril 1 9 1 882 and a C h arter wa s granted A ugust 2 3 1 883

, , , .

Seattle N o 2 h ad a dispensation issued Feb ruary 2 2 1 883 an d

, .
, , ,

was chartered A ugust 2 3 1 883 , .

Cataract N o 3 at Spokane h ad a dispensation issued to it J uly

,
.
, ,

3 0,
1 88 5 an d
,
was organ i z ed A ugust 1 4 1 885 ; and chartered Sep ,

tem ber 2 3 1 886 ,

.

I van h oe N o 4 at T acoma a dispensation was issued M arch 2 3

,
.
, ,

1 886 formed A pril 2 7 1 886 and chartered Septe mber 2 3 1 886 , , ,

.

Wes t Vi rgi n i a .

West Virgi nia wa s a part of the State o f Virg in ia until J une

2 0 1 863
,
A s we h ave shown under Virgi nia the Gran d E ncamp
.
, ,

ment wa s organized N ovem ber 2 7 1 82 3 and from O ctober 1 82 4 , , , ,

under v a rious c h anges an d frequently being dormant for years and , ,

1 640 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

Wy omi ng .

T h
e Grand Com mandery of Wyom ing wa s organi z ed by a u
h of the General Gran d E ncampme nt Septem ber
t or i ty 23 ,
1 886 ,

and constituted M arch 8 1 888 ,

.

Th e constituent com man deries were

Pla ce . D i s pe n s a ti on . Ch
a r ter .

h
M a r c 1 5 , 1 873 . D e cemb e r 3, 1 874 .

b u y
F e r a r 9, 1 885 .

S epte mb er 2 3 , 886
b u y
F e r a r 1 6, 1 885 .
1 .

M a y 1 , 1 886
I mm n u l
a e ,
No 3
. . La ra m ie
M a y 1 8, 1 886
.

.
S epte mb er 23 ,
1 886 .
 C H A PT E R LI !

H I ST ORY O O E
OF C L R D MAS O N RY IN TH E UN IT E D ST A T ES
H E
action taken by the Gran d Lodge of the Stat e
of Washington wherein th e legality of the or
,

g a n i z a t i on of Prince H a ll Lodge was duly rec

og ni z e d ren ders it proper t h at in t h e h istory
, ,

of M ason ry in the U nited S tates some notice ,

shoul d be taken of t h at lodge an d its succe s sors

i n the present work I n our exam i nation of .

th is m atter we have found the subj ect so well treated by the Gran d
M aster of t h e Gran d Lod g e of M assachusetts Brother William ,

Sewell Gardner in an address delivered before that Gran d Lodge

in 1 870 t h at we shall u
, ,

,
s e the sam e as a foundation and largely as ,

the structure of this article for the rea s on that he has fully and t h or
,

oughly covered t h e entire groun d and answered all the arguments

em pl oyed by the friends of that fam ou s body of n egro M asons ,

withi n t h e years 1 898 and 1 899 i n almost every Gran d Lodge i n the
U nited States by t h e Gran d M asters an d comm ittees appointed to
, , ,

respon d to the action of the Gran d Lodge of Washington in 1 898 wh o ,

have clearly set forth t h ei r views in opposition to th e recognition of

,

n egro M ason ry in t h is country T h .e views set fort h in t h is address

h ave been referred to by m ost of those writers an d there i s nothing ,

n e w for th e pre s ent writer to urge in opposition to recognition In .

h is own response i n t h e report on correspon den ce i n th e A n nual “

”
Proceedings of t h e Grand Lodge of t h e D istri ct of Colum bia for ,

t h e year 1 898 one point insisted up on by h im wa s t h at t h e charters of

th e Grand Lodge of E nglan d issued to M il itary Lodges did n ot a u
, ,

th ori z e said lodges to m ake M a s on s of citizens in any country w h ere

t h ere were already d u ly constituted lodges un der Grand Lodge j uris

diction T h
. e argum ent used wa s that a lodge could n ot go beyond
,

t h e l etter an d term s of t h e Charter by wh ose aut h ority it worked .

We laid this down as a neces s ary and fundamental principle an d we ,

have been pl ea s ed to n oti ce very many of our corre s ponde n ts agree

1 64 1
1 64 2 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

with us i n t h at position ; and fi nding that G ra n d M a ster Gardn er

,
x

u s es t h e same point we h ave t h oug h t it best to follow out his address

,

as being m ore compre h ensi v e and more strictly adhering to t h e true

history of t h e first i ntroduction of t h is foul blot upon t h e escutcheon
of our M asonry all throug h its succeeding ram ifications and su
,
b se ,

quent discoloring of our fair fame and ot h erwise pure record i n t h e

U nited State s .

I t i s due to our Brethren i n Washington to s a y that w h en it b e ,

cam e known to t h e Craft at large i n that State that the m ovem ent on ,

t h e part of th eir le a ding men t h us to drag i n the dust the proud

,

banner of Ma s onry h ad aroused t h e ire of every Grand Lodge i n

t h e co u ntry ; at t h e succeeding Com m unication i n J une 1 899 t h e , ,

o bnoxious resolutions were ann ulled and former harm onious and
cordial relations have been re s tored .

We n ow proceed to use Brot h er Gardner s admirable address to ’

g ive a true history of Pri nce H all Lodge :

A ddr es s .

B R E T H R E N : I n the Gran d Lodge of N ew H am ps h ire at its ,

session held at M anc h ester on the i 8thof J une 1 869 the Com , ,

mi rtee on Foreign Corre s pondence o ffered their report and on , ,

motion it was voted T h at t h e reading of the report be dispensed

, ,

”
wit h and t h at it be published with t h e pri nted proceedings
,
.

I n this report the foll owing statem ents are made

I n Massachu s etts th ere was no legal Grand Lodge till the
U nion in 1 792 .

Th e A merican doctr i ne of Grand Lodge j urisdiction has grown

“

”
u p s i nce the establ i s h ment of t h e A frican Lodge at Boston by ,

aut h ority of a C h arter from the Gran d Lodge of E nglan d a n d is ,

n ot elsewhere fully received even now besides t h ere was t h en n o ,

Gran d Lodge of M a ss achusett s or i n t h at State wh ose rig h ts could

, ,

be interfered wit h ; for notwit h standing t h e claim to antiquity of

,

t h at Gran d Lodge it was not form ed till I 792 an d the two Provi n
, ,

ci a l Gran d Lodge s b efore existing in that Colony bot h expired in

, ,

1 775 by th e deat h of their Provincial Grand M a s ters Th e M assa

u
.

ch s e tts Gran d Lodge did not preten d to m eet after the death of

Warren an d althoug h St J ohn s Gran d Lodge did have s om e sort

,
.
’

of m eetings probably no law that ever ex isted in M a s onry any

,

w h ere would h old such meetings regular .

1 64 4 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

D artm outh Lodge of H anover received a Charter from t h e

, ,
“

M assac h u s etts Gran d Lodge D ecem ber 1 8 1 788 an d was t h e la s t

”
, ,

Lodge c h artered by this Gran d Lodge in N ew H am p s h ire I t s .

dissolution took place before it acknowledged the j urisdiction of

the Grand Lodge of t h at State .

Th e Grand Secretary H orace C h ase says that when the Grand

, , ,

Lodge of N e w H ampshi re wa s formed J uly 8 1 789 as appears , , ,

“

from th e record there were but t h ree L odges in the State vi z S t ,

.
,
.

”
J o h n s and St Patrick s at Portsmout h an d R ising Sun at Keen e
’
.
’

,
.

H owever irregularly organized the Grand Lodge of N e w

”
H ampshire m ay h ave been the
“
M assachusetts Gran d Lodge
di s claim ed j u
,

risdiction i n t h at State thereafter I t is un neces s ary .

to state t h at t h is Gran d Lodge S ince 1 789 to the present time h as , ,

been on th e most friendly and fraternal relations wit h our s ister

Grand Lodge of N e w H am ps h ire and t h at it will require some ,

thing m ore than unauthorized an d u ncon firmed statements of a

Com mittee on For eign Correspon den ce to unset t le t h ese pleasant
relation s .

N e vert h eless when it is pretended before a body of suc h great

,

respectability as the Grand Lodge of N e w H am ps h ire that i n 1 784 , , ,

w h en it i s said t h e A frican Lodge in Boston obtained its C h arter

in E ngland there was n o existing Grand Lodge i n M assachusett s
, ,

for t h e purpose of proving t h e t h en an d pre s ent legitim acy of t h e

A frican Lodge an d of adding t h e weig h t and in fluence of t h e
,

Grand Lodge of N e w H am pshire to this pretense it is due to our ,

selves an d to the Craft u niversal that the truth S houl d be fully

, ,

kn own an d fearlessly spoken .

Th e time is propitious to m eet this false preten se an d I n eed ,

but resu me the history of the M assachusetts Grand Lodge w h ere “

it wa s left at its Centennial o n the recent Feast of St J ohn t h e .

E vangelist .

Th e system of Provincial Grand Lodges originated in th e Grand

Lodge of E nglan d i n 1 72 6 and arose from t h e nece ss ity of having

, ,

in t h e distant colonies of Great Britain w h ere M asonry has ex

tended som e aut h ority and power not only to control an d govern
, ,

t h e Craft but a lso to establis h new Lodges in t h e Provinces T h

,
e .

Provi n cial G ran d M aster was appointed by commission of the

Gran d M aster w h erein t h e extent of h
, i s powers wa s set fort h an d ,

by virtue of wh ic h h e conven ed his Grand Body I n the language .

 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED STA T ES 1 64 5

of early days th is comm ission was styled a D eputation and this

, ,

word conveys t h e true i dea of t h e Provincials position I t wa s a

’

D eputy Grand Lodge W i th its variou s D eputy Grand O ffi cer s con
, ,

vened by t h e power an d aut h ority of t h e Provincial Gran d M a s ter

as the D eputy of t h e Gran d M aster I t po s sessed no sovereign .

power T h . e Lodges under t h e j urisdiction of t h e Provincial Gran d

M a s ter were n ot neces s arily registered in his Gran d Lodge T hey .

w ere return ed to E nglan d registered in th e Gran d Lodge there an d

, ,

cla s si fied as we d o our Lodges at t h e present day as belo ng ing to ,

a certai n D istrict o r Provi nce T h e Provin cial Grand M aster had

.

power to appoint a D eputy an d com m ission hi m wh o i n th e a b ,

sen ce s ickne s s an d disab ility of h is chief assum ed h is functions

, , , .

Th e Gran d Warden s an d ot h er o fficers he also had t h e exclusive

rig h t to appoi nt alth ough someti mes h e n om inated brethren to

,

t h ese O ffi ce s an d perm itted the Gra n d Lodge to elect them .

E ac hLodge in t h e Provi nce h ad t h e right of representation in

t h e Provincial Gran d Lodge by its M aster an d Wardens or by a
,

regularly appointed representative and t h e ex pen ses of th e Gran d

,

Body were assessed upon t h e various subordin ates T h e right of .

appeal existed from every act an d decision of the Provincial Grand

M aster or Gran d Lodge to the Gran d M aster of E nglan d t h us
, ,

making the Provin cial an d his Gran d Lodge su bordinate to the

power by whic h th ey were created .

Th e allegian ce of t h e Lodges an d of the Craft was to the Grand

,

Lodge o f E ngland an d to t h e Provin cial Gran d Lodge an d Grand

,

M aster t h rough t h e paren t B ody T here wa s n o direct allegian ce

,
.

to t h e Provincial from the Craft I t wa s a tem porary power w h ic h

.

h e held ex g r a ti a an d of w h ich h e coul d be deprived at t h e plea s

,

ure of the Grand M aster by whom h e was appointed .

T h us it will b e see n that th e Provin cial Grand M aster was a p

_

pointed for t h e conveni en ce of the adm inistration of th e a ffairs of

the Gran d Lodge of E ngland in distant parts i n th e sam e manner ,

t h at our D i s trict D eputies are appointed at t h e present tim e T h e .

powers h owever in t h e one ca s e were m ore exte n ded t h an t h ey

, , ,

are in t h e ot h er T h .e m ean s of com munication with London were

not so easy a n d rapi d as now and the distance from the Gran d
,

E ast requ i red t h at some o fficer s h ould b e stati on ed h ere who s h ould ,

b e invested W i th aut h ority for sudden emergencies an d instant

action .
1 646 H IST OR Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

T h
e Provincial Grand Master having been regul arly co mmi s
s i on e d and i n stalled could not resign h is trust to his Provincial
,

Gran d Lodge T h at B ody h . a d n o power to accept it

\
H i s re s ig .

nation mu s t be made to t h e Gran d M aster from w hom he receive d

h is comm ission T h e Provinci al Grand Lod g e was t h e creati on of
.

t h e Provi ncial Gran d M aster an d was w h olly un der hi s directio n

an d control H e appointed its o ffi cers an d s u
,

. m m on ed the re pre ,

s e n ta ti ve s of the Lodges to assem ble in Grand Lodge I n t h is .

Gran d Lodge there was n o inherent power save what i t derived ,

from t h e Provi ncial Grand M aster by virtue of his delegated ,

aut h ority thus m aking it the very reverse of a Sovereign Gran d

,

Lodge t h e Grand M aster of which derives his aut h ority from t h

,
e

Sovereign Body by w h ose votes h e is elected to ofl i ce an d over ,

wh ich h e pre s ides .

Th e Grand M aster appointing his Provin cial coul d ann ul th e ,

comm ission at his will an d pleasure T h e o fficer bein g created by .

the pleasure of t h e Grand M aster of E ngland all the adj uncts a p , ,

p o i n t ees an d creations of th e o ff
,
i ce depended upon t h e same pleas
ure and existed durin g the will of t h e appointing power I f a
, .

Provi ncial Gran d M aster was rem oved an d h is com mission recalled , ,

an d t h e Gran d M aster decl ined to appoint h is successor it is clear ,

that t h e Provincial Gran d Lodge establis h ed by virtue of such com

m ission would cease to exist S uch a Grand Lodge never possesse d .

any vitality w h ic h woul d s urvive the l ife of the com m ission appoi nt
ing the Provincial Gran d M aster .

Th e deat h of t h e Provincial would also lead to the same result .

Th e commission to h im from t h e Grand M aster woul d lose all its .

force upon his decease W h atever act the Provincial perform ed h e

.
,

di d by vi rtue of the com mission to him H is D eputy Grand M as .

ter and Gran d Wardens appointed by h im an d not by the Gran d , ,

M aster of E ngland nor by h is con firmation derived t h eir power

, ,

and c h aracter as Grand O fficers from t h e Provin cial an d when t h e ,

Provincial expired t h eir tenure of o ffice ex pired also

, .

T o show that these conclusions are correct I will refer to th e ,

authorities .

Th e offi ce of Prov i nc i al Gran d M aster was establi s h ed by th e

Gran d Lodge of E ngland as h as already been stated in 1 72 6 and , , ,

th e first D eputation was granted M ay 1 0 1

7 7
2 Preston says of ,
.

t h e o ffice at t h is date
,
“
A Provincial Grand M aster in t h at district
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 64 7

over wh ich h e is limited to presid e an d being inve s ted with the ,

power an d hon or of a D eputy Gran d M aster in h i s Province m ay ,

constitute Lodges therein if t h e con s ent of the M asters and War

,

dens of three Lodges already con s tituted W it h in h i s D istrict have

been obtained and t h e Gran d Lodge in London has not di sa p
,

proved thereof H e wears t h e clot h ing of a Gran d O fficer an d

.
,

ranks in all public assem blies im m ediately after Pa s t D eputy Grand

, ,

M a s ter H e m ust i n person or by deputy atten d t h e quarterly

.
, ,

m eetings of t h e M a s ter s an d Wardens of the Lodges in his D istrict ,

and tran s mit to t h e Gran d Lodge once i n every year t h e proceed

ings of t h ose meetings with a regular statement of the Lodges u
, ,

, n

de r h i s j urisdicti on .

Speaking of t h e year 1 73 7 he says : T h e ut h ority granted by

,
a

patent to a Provinci al Gran d M aster was limited to one year from

‘

h is first public appearance i n t h at character wit h in his Province ;

an d i f at the expiration of that period a n ew election of th e Lodges ,

under h is j urisdiction di d n ot take place sub j ect to t h e approbation ,

of t h e Gran d M aste r t h e patent was n o l onger valid H ence we

,
.

fin d withi n th e course of a few years di fferent appointments to t h e

, ,

sam e station ; b ut t h e o ffi ce i s now perm an ent and th e sol e a p ,

!
poi ntment of the Grand M a s ter .

I n E n ti ck s Con s titutions of 1 75 6 there is a s ection entitled O f

’

”
Provincial Gran d M a s ters w h ic h i s a s follows ,

A rt 1 T h e o ffice of Provin cial Grand M aster wa s foun d par

t i cu
. .

la rly neces s ary i n t h e year 1 72 6 ; w h en t h e extraordinary i n

crea s e of t h e Craftsm en an d their traveling into distant parts and
, ,

conven ing t h em selves into Lodges required an imm ediate H ea d to , ,

w h om they m ig h t apply i n all Case s where it wa s not pos s i ble to ,

wait t h e D ecision or O pin ion of t h e Grand Lodge .

A rt 2 T h
. . e appointm ent of t h i s Gran d O ffi cer is a Pr er og

ative of the Gran d M aster : wh o grants his D eputation to suc h

Brother of E min ence and A bil ity i n t h e Craft as h e s h all th ink ,

proper : not for life but during his good Pleasure

, .

A rt 3 T h
. e Provincial
. t h us deputed is invested with t h e ,

Powe r and H onor of a D eputy Grand M aster ; and during t h e

contin uan ce of h is Provincials h ip is entitled to wear t h e Clot h ing , ,

to take rank as t h e Gran d O ffi cers in all publick A s s em blies i m , ,

mediately after the pa s t D eputy Gran d Masters and to constitute

Lodges wit h i n h is own Province .
1 64 8 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

A rt 4 .enjoi n ed to correspon d with t h e Gra nd Lod g e

. H e is

and to tran smit a circumstantial A ccount of h i s Proceed ings at ,

lea s t once i n e very Y ear A t w h ic h T i mes th e Provin cial i s r e

.
,

q uired to sen d a List of t h o s e Lodges he has constituted for the

general Fund of Charity : an d th e u s ual demand a s speci fied in his ,

D eputati on for every Lodge h e has constituted by the Grand M as

,

ter s A uthority
’
.

Th e Constitutions of th e U n ited G rand Lodge of E nglan d have

been m ore particular in specifying t h e powers dutie s and prer og a , ,

ti ves of the Provin cial Grand M aster and Grand Lodge I will .

ref e r to a single Section of these Constitutions

“
Th e Provincial Gran d Lodge emanates from t h e authority

vested in t h e Provin cial Grand M aster and possesses n o ot h er ,

powers t h an those s pecified I t t h erefore follows t h at n o Provin cial

.

Grand Lodge can m eet but by th e sanction of t h e Provin cial Grand

M a s ter or h i s D eputy and t h at it ceases to exist on t h e death res ,

ig n a ti on s u s pen sion or rem oval of the Provincial Gran d M aster

, , ,

until som e Brot h er is duly appointed or em powered to perform the

functions of Provincial Grand M aster by wh ose aut h ority the Pro ,

”
vi nci a l Grand Lodge may b e again establis h ed .

I n S cotlan d this o ffice was created in 1 73 8 and the fi rst nom i ,

nation made abroad in 1 74 7 I n N ovember 1 75 7 R W Col J ohn .

, ,
. . .

Y oung was appointed Provin cial Gran d Master over all the Lodges
i n A m erica holding of th e Gran d Lodge of Scotlan d and in 1 768 ,

J ames Gran t Govern or of the Province of E a s t Flori da was a p

, ,
~

pointed Provincial Gran d Master of N orth A merica S out h ern D is ,

triet .

Th e co mm i s sions were i ss ued to continue in force until re “

”
called I n 1 800 a series of regulations for t h e governm ent of t h ese
.

O fficers were san ctioned by t h e Gran d Lodge previous to which ,

tim e it is presumed that they were g overned by t h e same rules and

regulations as in E n gland .

M ore recently t h e “
Laws an d Constitutions o f the G rand
,

” “
Lodge have provided that the m eeting of the Provincial Grand
Lodges shall not be interrupted by th e deat h or retirem ent of the
Provincial Gran d M aster unle s s t h e Grand Lodge s hall not deem
,

it expedient within t h e space of one year to appoint another A .

Provincial Grand Lodge n ot as s em bling for t h e s pace of two years ,

also becomes dormant and has no power again to call meetin gs

,
1 65 0 H I S T O R Y OF FR EEM A SON R Y

ence of Great Britain becam e i nfused into every organ ization and
society whic h before this were boun d an d depe ndent I t was an
absolute revolution by w h ic h a dependen t colony became revolu
.

t i on i z e d into an i n dependent State Th e idea of a permanent un ion

.

of the States had t h en h ardly been broac h ed T hey h ad united for .

defence against a com mon foe and had set themselves up as i nde ,

pendent States , n ot only i ndependent of Great Britain but in de ,

pendent of eac h ot h er I solated from all t h e world they each stood

.
,

fort h free i ndepen dent sovereign States

, ,
.

Th e I nstitution of Freemason ry w h ich num b ered among its ,

fi rme s t ad h erents s uc h revol utionists as Web b R evere M orton and , , ,

a host of ot h ers w h o fol lo wed in t h e footsteps of Warren could not ,

long wit h stan d t h e influence of freedom and M assac h usetts s et t h e ,

exam ple of a revolution in M asonic government wh ic h has been fol

‘

lowed successfully by every S tate i n the U nion I t h as becom e t h e .

A merican system or as t h e com m ittee of N ew H am pshire cal l it

, , ,

Th
“ ”
e A merican D octrine of Gran d Lodge J urisdiction respected ,

an d recogn ized by the M asoni c Fraternity the world over I t h ad .

its birth on B unker H ill w h en t h e patriot Warren poured out h

,
is
’
life s blood
Th
e P a t i ot G a n d M a s t e r wh
r r o f e ll i n his m igh
,
t
The s e con d of t h
r e e— i n de f e n ce of t h e r igh
”
t I

Th
e A
m erican D octrine of Grand Lodge J urisdiction briefly ,

stated is this : T h ree regularly c h artered Lodges exist ing in a ny

,
“
-

State or T erritory h ave the right to establ ish a Grand Lodge t h e r e

i n Such Grand Lodge when lawfully organiz ed has sole absolute
.
, , , ,

an d exclusive j urisdicti on over the three degrees o f Craft M asonry ;

over t h e Lodges an d t h eir M emb ers ; an d over all M asons u n a ffi li ,

ated as well as a ffi l iated in such State or T erritory N 0 other Gran d

, .

Lodge whatever can lawfully i nterfere with t his jurisdicti on and ca n ,

neith er establi s h Lodges in suc h S tate nor contin ue any auth ority ,

over Bodies w h ic h it mig h t properly h ave exerci s ed prior to t h e

organization of suc h Grand Lodge t h erein .
!

By t h e erection of a Gran d Lodge i n such State all M ason ic ,

powers over w h at is popularly called B lue M asonry are m erged in

it an d h en cefort h it exi s t s t h erein supreme and sovereign over a
,

ju r i s diction w h ic h it can neit h er divide nor s h are with any other

M asonic Gra nd Body i n t h e world .
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E UN IT ED ST A T ES 1 65 1

T h
e e v eral S tates of t h e
s U
nited State s of A m erica the T erri ,

tories w h en legally organ ized a s s uc h by Congres s an d t h e D istrict

of Col u
, ,

mb ia are eac h recognized as separate and indepen dent j uris

,

dictions in w h ich Gran d Lodges may be e s tabli s h ed T h is is t h e .

A m erican doctrin e m ost religiously an d m asonically ad h ered to by

,

the Craft s men of t h e U nited States an d w h ic h our bret h ren upon,

the ot h er side of t h e A tlantic mu s t accede to recognize and sup , ,

port A fter t h e D eclaration hereinafter referred to made by t h e

.
,

M assach u s ett s Grand Lodge D ecem ber 6 1 782 treaty stipulation s

, , ,

were entered i nto by t h e several Gran d Lodges then in exi s tence i n ,

confirm ati on of t h e action of M assachusetts .

Th e following pream bl e and resolution s were adopted by the

Grand Lodge O f N e w Y ork

Wh er ea s Th e Gran d Lodge of t h e State of M assachusetts

h ave by a commu
,

n i ca t i on da te d t h e 4t hof J an uary last sug

, , ,

e s te dt o t h is Grand Lodge the propriety of adopting a resolution

g
declaring t h at n o Charter or D ispensation for holding a Lodge be
issued by any Grand Lodge to any number of M asons residin g
out of th e State w h erein t h e Gra n d Lodge i s established be it ,

t h erefore
R es olved an d declared by this Grand Lodge that n o Charter
“
,

or D ispen sati on for h olding a Lodge of M ason s shall be granted to

any person or pers on s whatever residing out of this State an d within
,

t h e j urisdicti on of any ot h er Gran d Lodge .

Th e Gran d Lodges of t h e U nited States h ave un iform ly resisted

every encroachment upon t h e jurisdiction of th e several Gran d

Lodges .

Th e Feast of St J o h n t h e E vangelist in 1 776 wa s celebrated

.
, , ,

an d th e record s h ow s t h at a Gran d Lodge was held by th irty t h ree -

brethren J o s eph Web b presiding as D eputy Grand Master A

, .

Gran d Lodge was called by t h e D eputy of W arren February 1 4 , ,

1 777 to h ear t h e petition for a Charter at Stockbridge of bret h ren

, ,

in Berks h ire County T h is proposition aroused t h e bret h ren to

.

a reali z ing sense of their statu s and con dition a s a Gran d Lodge .

T h ey were doubtful of its power as then organized to grant t h e

, ,

C h arter prayed for T h .e petition was accordingly lai d over to Fri

day eveni n g M arc h t h e 7t hn ext and it was

, Voted T h at t h e
, ,

D eputy Grand M aster S h oul d sen d a sum mons to all t h e M asters

and Warden s un der t h e j uri s diction to assem ble on t h e 7thM arc h
1 65 2 H IST OR Y OF FR E EM A S O N R Y

i n order to consult upon and to elect a Gran d M aster for this , ,

State i n t h e room of our late wort h y Grand M aster Warren

, ,

decea s ed .

O n the 7thof M arch the brethren met and adj ourned until t h e ,

following eveni ng M arch 8 1 777 th e following bret h ren assem .

, ,
’
bled representing St A ndrew s Lodge of Boston T yrian Lodge of
Gloucester an d St Peter s Lo dge of N e wb u
.
, , , ,
’
r por t
, y .
,

R . W . J phW bb D G M f S A d w L dg B
os e e ,
. . .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os t on .

P ul R v S G W f S A d w L dg B
a e e re , . . .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os t on .

T hm C f J G W f S A d w L dg B ’
o a s ra t s, . . .
,
o t . n re s o e, os t on .

J h L w ll G T
o n f S A d w L dg
o Be ,
. r ea s .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os ton .

N a P i G S p m f S A d w L dg B
t . e r ce, . ec . ro te .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os ton .

T hm U
o S G D f S A d w L dg B
a s r a n o, . . .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os t on .

E dw d P J G D f S A d w L dg B
a r r oct or , . . .
,
o t . n re
’
s o e, os t on .

M os e sD h P M f T y i L dg G l u
es on , . .
,
o r a n o e, o ces te r .

P hi l i p M fTy L dg Gl u
i i
a r e t t, o ri a n o e, o ce s te r .

G S d
W i nthop G y r re
,
' t s’
S . W .
,
of S t A ndr e w s Lod e ,
.
’
g B os ton .

Wm G nou g hM . r ee ,
.
,
of S t . P et e r s
’
Lod g e, N e wbu r y por t .

Th
e bret h ren t h en unanimously elected a Gran d M aster Gran d ,

Wardens an d ot h er Grand O fficers J oseph Webb wa s c h osen

, .

Gran d M aster .

Th e Grand Lodge th en acted u pon the petition for a new Lodge

at Stock bridge an d granted t h e sam e t h is bei ng t h e first act of t h

, e

I ndepen dent Grand Lodge .

M assac h usetts Lodge of B oston was n ot represented at t h i s , ,

meeting ; but on t h e i 8thof D ecem ber 1 778 it petitioned t h e

, , ,

Gran d Lodge setting forth that t h e exigen cy of t h e times would

“
,

n ot admit of t h eir assembl ing sooner an d praying sai d Lodge m ay ,

retain t h e rank they form erly h el d under the Grand Lodge wh ich ,
”

wa s granted A ll t h e Lodges u nder the ol d Provi ncial Gran d

.

Lodge of Warren with t h e exception of M as s achusetts un ited i n , ,

forming t h e in dependent Gran d Lodge and they fort h with yielded ,

allegiance to it H owever but few of t h e Lodges in M a ss ac h usetts

.
,

at t h is tim e were i n a con dition to h ol d meetings by reason of th e

, ,
“

”
e xigency of t h e times .

Th e record of th e m eeting setti n g u p t h e I ndependent Gran d

Lodge contain s no account of t h e motives and incentives which

gave rise to t h is action .

Grand M a s ter J osep h Webb sent t h e foll owing letter to t h e

1 654 H IST OR Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

I ndependent Grand Lodge with powers an d prerogatives to be ,

‘

exercised on pri nciples consistent with an d subordinate to t h e regu

la t i ons pointed out i n the Constitutions of A ncient M asonry and
’

our late wort h y and M ost Worshi pful Brother J oseph Webb E s , ,

quire whose amiable deportment an d fi del ity in the duties of h is

,

important o ffice now claim our grateful rememb rance was duly ,

elected Grand M aster and proceeded to i nstall h is o ffi cers and or

, ,

a n i z e the Gran d Lodge

g .

T haddeus M H arris wh o com piled t h e Constitutions in 1 792

.
, ,

referring to t h is act of in dependence quote s t h e above extract from ,

Bartlett s address and in a foot note says that the general regu
’

, ,
-
,

la ti on s from E ntick s Constitutions were adopted and practiced ;

’

except that t h e Gran d M aster and Wardens were elected by a ballot

at large Th .e other o fficers were appointed by the Grand M aster .

Th e record itself of D ecem ber 6 1 782 recites t h e facts

, , ,

Charters were n ot only granted for establishin g Lodges in

M assachusetts but also i n other States B ut anticipating that t h e
,
.

indepen dent government organi z ed in this State wou ld be followed

by the Craft elsewhere it was determined that a ll Charters granted ,

without the lim its of M assachusetts should be i n force only until a

Gran d Lodge wa s formed i n such State or Country where such
Lodges were held U pon these conditions Lodges were establ ished
.

in N ew H am pshire Vermont Con necticut and N e w Y ork prior

, , , ,

to D ecem ber 1 782 ,

.

I n O ctober 1 778 it wa s voted that a Charter be granted to a

, ,

traveling Lodge i n the A merican army to make M asons pass an d , , ,

raise i n this State or any of t h e U nited States of A merica w h ere

n o ot h er Gran d M aster presi des B u
, , ,

t i n any other State w h ere .

there is a Grand M aster co nstituted by the bret h ren of t h ese U nited

S tates t h ey are to inform him an d receive h i s sanction
, , .

I n S eptem ber 1 780 the Gran d M aster laid before t h e Grand

, ,
“

Lodge a letter dated Philadelp h ia A ugust 1 9 1 780 signed William , , ,

S mith Gran d Secretary i nclosing a printed list of t h e several

, ,

Lodges in Penn syl vania un der t h at j urisdiction and advising that , ,

t h ey h a d in t h at Grand Lodge t h oug h t it expedient to make choice

, ,

of a Grand M aster General for t h e th irteen U n ited A m erican ,

S tates ; t h at t h ey h ad nominated H i s E xcellency General Georg e

Wa s h ington and requesting t h
,
e opini on an d a pprobatio n of t h is
Gran d Lodge t h ereon .
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y iN TH E U N I T ED ST A T ES .65 5

Ci rcular letters were se nt to t h e s everal Lodge s under the

j urisdiction requesting t h e attendan ce of t h e M asters and Wardens
at t h e Grand Lodge for t h e purpose of considering t h i s proposition
, .

Brother Pere z M orton wa s strongly in favor of t h e proj ect but the ,

Grand Lodge Va toa T h at any determination upon t h e su bj ect can

’
,

not with t h e propriety an d justi ce due to t h e Craft a t large b e

, ,

m ade by this Gran d Lodge u ntil a general peace s h all h appily take
,

place throug h t h e conti nent inasmuc h as the sentiments of the va ,

rio n s Gran d Lodges i n t h e U n ited S tates upon th is que s tion coul d

n ot be m ade known under t h e peculiar c i rcumstances of public a f
fairs .

O n t h e I oth of J uly 1 782 i t wa s Voted T hat a comm ittee

“

be appointed to draw resolutions ex planatory of the powers and a u

, , ,

th or i ty of t h is Grand Lod g e respecting the exten t and meaning of,

its j urisdiction and of th e exercise of any other masonic authorities

,

wit h in its j urisdiction B rot h ers Pere z M orton Paul R evere

J o h n Warren J am es A very and J ohn J u te a u
.
, ,

,
were appoin ted u pon
,

th e com m ittee .

A special m eeting of t h e Gran d Lodge was called to receive th e

report Septem ber 3 0 1 782 w h en it wa s read an d referred to the
, , ,

next meeting D ecem ber 6 1 782 i n a full Grand Lodge it was

.
, , ,

considered .

T h is interestin g report om itting t he form al introducti on is as

, ,

follows
Th e Com missi on from t h e Gran d Lodge of S cotlan d granted
“

to our late Grand M aster J osep h Warren E squi re having died , , ,

wit h h im an d of course his deputy wh ose appointm ent wa s

, ,

derived from his nom ination being n o longer in exi sten ce they , ,

saw them sel ves wit h out a h ead and without a single Gran d O fficer , ,

and of course it was eviden t that n ot only the Gran d Lodge but ,

all the particular Lodges under its jurisdiction m ust cease to ,

assemble t h e brethren be di s persed t h e pen niless go unassisted

, , ,

t h e Craft lan g uish and ancient M asonry b e extinct i n th is part of

,

t h e world .

“
T h at i n consequen ce of a sum mons from the former Grand
Wardens to t h e M asters and W ardens of all t h e regular constituted
Lodges a Grand Communi cation wa s h eld to consult an d advise
,

on som e m eans to preserve t h e i ntercourse of th e brethren .

T h at the Politi cal H ead of t h is country h aving de s troyed all ,

1 65 6 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

connection and correspondence between the sub j ects of these

States and th e country from w h ich th e Gran d Lodge ori g inally
derived its com missioned aut hority an d the pri nciples of t h e Craft , ,

i nculcating on its professors subm ission to the com m ands of the

civil auth ority of the country they reside i n t h e bret h ren di d a s ,

s u me an elective supremacy and under it chose a Gran d M aster ,

a n d Gran d O fficers and erected a Grand Lodge w it h independe n t

,

powers and prerogatives to be exercised however on pri nciple s

, , ,

consistent wit h and subordinate t oth e reg ulations poi nted o ut in

th e Constitution of A n cient M asonry .

“
T h at the reputation and utility of th e Craft under their j uris ,

d iction h as been most extensively di ffused by the fl ouris h ing state

, ,

of fourteen Lodges constituted by their authority within a s h orte r

period t h an that in which three only received D ispensations under
the former Grand Lodge .

T h at i n th e h isto ry of our Craft we fin d t h at i n E nglan d

there are two Grand Lodges independent of eac h other i n S cot ,

land the same an d in I relan d t h eir Grand Lodge and Gran d M as

,

ter are i ndependent either of E ngland or S cotland I t i s clear .

that t h e au thority of some of t h eir Grand Lodges originated in

assumpti on or ot h erwise they would ackn owledge th e head from
,

w h ence t h ey derived .

“
Y our committee are therefore of opinion that th e doings of
the present Grand Lodge were dictated by princi ples of th e clear
est necessi ty founded i n the hig h est reason and warranted by prec
, ,

e den t s of t h e most approved authority .

“
A n d th ey beg leave to recommen d th e followi ng resol uti ons
to be adopted by t h e Grand Lod g e and en g rafted i nto i ts Constitu
,

tions
“
I T h at t h e bret h ren of the Gran d Lodge in assuming the
.
,

powers and prerogatives of an independent Grand Lodge acted ,

from t h e m o s t laudable motives an d consistently wit h t h e prin cipl es

w h ic h ought forever to govern M ason s vi z the benefit of t h e ,
.
,

Craft and the good of m anki nd a n d are warranted in their pro ,

~

ce e di ngs by t h e practice of A ncient M ason s in all parts of th e world

1
.

I I T h at th is Grand Lodge b e h ereafter known an d called by

.

the nam e of T h e M a s sachusetts Gran d Lodge of A ncient M asons ,

’

1
S ee Ca lcot, p . 1 07 ; M a s ons
’
P ock et Co mp a n i on , p 92 , Lon don
. e di ti on.
1 65 8 H IST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

elect n e w ofl i ce rs but no higher o fficer th an a S e n i or G ra n d Warden

,
.

wa s c h o s en Th e M a s sachusetts Grand
. Lodge as early as 1 787 , ,

had taken action u pon the question of a union an d had appointed a ,

comm ittee to con s ider it I t is evi dent that t h e St J ohn s Lodge

. .
’

pre s erved its org ani z ation as such for th e purpose of completing t h e
contemplated uni on I t granted no Charters nor di d it as s um e any
.
,

of t h e powers of a C h arter to S t J o h n s Lodge B oston for t h e .

’

, ,

purpose of uniting the first an d secon d Lodges into o ne T h e .

Gran d Lodge record contains n o referen ce to it n or wa s th ere any ,

record kept of the Gran d Lodge doings for t h at year .

T hus by th e record and by contem poraneous h i s tory it i s fixed

“
, ,

b eyon d all question an d doubt that t h e M assach usetts Gran d ‘

Lodge on t h e 8th of M arch 1 777 by a revolution an d by a ss u mp

’

, , ,

tion of t h e powers duties an d responsibilities of a Gran d Lodge

, , ,

b ecame a free in depen dent sovereign Grand Lodge with a j uris

diction ab s ol u
, , ,

te exclusive an d entire throughout t h e Com m on

, ,

wealth of M assachusetts an d a provisi onal j urisdiction i n ot h er ,

States and countries By this revolution an d a ss umption from t h at

.
,

day to t h is t h e Grand Lodge of M assachusetts with out interru p

, ,

tion has exercised all the plenary powers of a Gran d Lodge I t

, .

h as h eld R egular an d Special M eetings elected and installed its ,

Gran d Masters and other Gran d O ffi cers kept full and com plete ,

records of its doings granted Warrants for n ew Lodges erected and

, ,

erased Lodges compelled an d received t h e allegiance of its subor

,

di na tes an d their m em ber s and h as been i n corre s pon den ce wit h ,

an d recognized by t h e ot h er Gran d Lodges of the world From the .

8t h of M arc h 1 777 to t h e day of t h is Quarterly m eeting t h e full

, , ,

an d just com plete term of ninety three years t h ere has n ever been
- -
,

any succes s ful oppo s iti on to its clai m of sovereignty From time to .

tim e it h as gat h ered into self every oppo s ing elem ent possessi ng
even a colorable title to legiti macy w h ic h it found withi n the b or
”
ders of its j urisdicti on .

I n th e S tate of M as s ac h usetts t h ere h ave been three Lodge s

c h artered by Gran d Lodges of foreign j uri s dictions and but three ,

S t A n drew s c h artered in 1 75 6 by t h e Grand Lod g e of Scotland

’
.
, , ,

an d now one of our s ub ordi nates ; A n cient Y ork Lodge N o 1 69 ,

.
,

of Boston c h artered prior to 1 772 by t h e A t h oll Gran d Lodge of

, ,

E ngland and h ad but a brief exi s ten ce ; an d t h e A frican Lod g e of

, ,

Bo s ton .
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E UN IT ED STA T ES 1 659

i s claim ed t h at i n 1 775 the persons named in th e Charter of

It
t h e A frican Lodge were m ade M a s ons i n a traveling Lodge attached
to one of t h e Briti s h reg i ments t h en stationed at Boston an d t h at ,

t h ey were s oon after organi z ed as and dispensated into a Lodge

‘
, ,
’

before the deat h of Warre n to w h om they applied for a C h arter , .

T hat t h ey were made M asons may be true T h at t h ey received a .

D ispensatio n for a Lodge there is not t h e least proof of nor t h e ,

sl ig h test s h ado w of preten ce for D ispensation s for Lodges as pre

limin ary to granti ng a C h arter were n ot made u
.
,

s e of in those days

But m ore than all there was n o a u

, .

,
thori z ed power here to grant suc h
D ispensati on save Provincial Gran d M asters R owe an d Warren A .

traveling Lodge although attac h ed to a Britis h regiment coul d not

, ,

aut h orize t h ese person s to assemble as a Lodge N or wa s it ever

preten ded t h at s u
.

c h D ispen sation existed until recently T h is claim .

is now h ere stated directly an d contains so little fou n dation that it

,

is not wort h considering .

Th e M a ss ac h usetts Grand Lodge at its Session O ctober I 1 773 , , ,

after m ature deli beration decided t h at n either t h e Lodge at Castle

,

W illiam nor any ot h er traveling Lodge has a ny right to make

, ,
“

”
M ason s of any citizen .

T h ere i s n o dou bt t h at on t h e 6t h of M arc h 1 775 the day after

, , ,

Warren delivered h is celebrated orati on in t h e O ld South Churc h ,

w h ere h e was m en aced by Briti s h troops Pri nce H all and thirteen ,

ot h ers received t h e t h ree degree s i n a traveli n g Lodge attac h ed to

o ne of t h e B ritis h regiments in t h e army of Gen eral Gage by w h om ,

B oston was t h en garrisoned ; that Prince H all an d his associates

m et as a Lodge t h ereafter in Boston without any warrant or author ,

ity until M ay 1 787

, , .

A pplication was sent to E nglan d for a Charter in 1 784 Th e .

letter of Prin ce H all dated M arch 1 1 784 accompanying t h e peti

, , ,

tion to the Grand Lodge of E nglan d for t h e C h arter of t h e A frican

Lodge says ,
“:
I would inform you that this Lodge hat h been
”
fou nded alm ost eight years We have had no opportunity to
.
“

apply for a Warrant before now t h ough we have been im portuned ,

to sen d to Fran ce for one yet we t h ought it best to send to t h e

,

”
fountai n head from whence we received t h e lig h t for a Warrant
, ,
.

A Charter wa s granted Septemb er 2 9 1 784 I t di d not arrive ,

.

at Boston for nearly t h ree year s and wa s received A pril 2 9 1 787 , , ,

and on t h e 6t hof M ay following Prince H all organized the A fri

, ,
“
1 660 H I S T O R Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

ca n Lodge at Boston ten years after the M assachusetts Grand

, ,

Lodge h ad asserted its freedom and independence ten years after

t h e A merican doctrine of Grand Lodge j urisdiction had been estab
li s h
ed .

“
Without any other authority than t h at contained in the War
rant for said Lodge Pri nce H all t h e M aster thereof it is said on , , , ,

t h e 2 2 d of M arch 1 797 granted a D ispensation prelim i nary to a , , ,

Warrant to certain persons i n Philadelp h ia

,
Soon afterwards .

Prince H all established a Lod g e at Provi dence R I A frican ,

. .

Lodge of Bo s ton continued to act as a subordinate Lod g e unti l

, ,

1 808 w h en with t h e assistance of the Lodges at Philadel phia an d

, ,

Provi dence establi s h ed as above stated it organi z ed a Gran d Lodge

, ,

a t Boston which Body granted Charters to several subor dinates n ot

, ,

o nly i n M assach usett s but i n several ot h er S tates , .

Th e A frican Lodge declared its in dependence in J une 1 82 7 an d , ,

publi s h ed its D eclaration in a newspaper printed at B oston .

I t is un necessary to argue the masonic an d legitimate e ffect of

this D eclaration I t was a surren der of t h eir Charter an d a public
.
,

declaration t h at from thencefort h t h ey ceased to act unde r it or to ,

recogn i z e i ts val idity or the authority from whence it wa s derived .

I f t h e A frican Lodge had any exi s tence at t h is time by force of

‘ ’

this D eclaration its exi stence came to an end .

A N ational Grand Lodge was formed i n 1 84 7 ; an d says the ,

petition of Lewis H ayden and ot h ers to th e Gran d Lodge of

M assachusetts set out on page 1 3 2 of th e Proceedi ngs for 1 869
,

“
Th e A frican Lodge of Bo s ton becom ing a part of that Body sur , ,

rendered its Charter an d received its present Charter dated D ecem , ,

ber 1 1 1 84 7 under the title of Pri nce H all Grand Lodge of Free
, ,

and A ccepted Mason s for t h e Com m onwealth of M assachusetts an d ,

by which aut h ority we t h is day exi s t as a M asonic Body .

Th e Lodge prospered but after t h e death of Prince H all D e , ,

cemb e r 4 1 807 a ct 72 it became dorm ant and ceased U pon th e

u
. .
, , , ,

nion of the Grand Lo dges of E ngland in 1 81 3 A frican Lodge , , ,

whic h h ad been registered as N o 4 5 9 and as 3 70 was rem oved .

,

”
from t h e li s t and was never after recognized by the U nited Grand
,

Lodge T h e D eclaration of 1 82
.
7 complains that the mem bers of “

A frican Lodge could open n o correspondence with the Grand

Lodge of E ngland and t h at their communications and advances ,

”
were treated wit h t h e most s tudied neglect .
1 662 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

Lodge State Grand Lodges an d subordi nate Lodges so that it wi ll

, , ,

not be ea sy to escape from th e triple b onds with w h ich they have

been bound .

T his is purely a question of Gran d Lodge j urisdiction which

u
,

wa s s ettled an d determined Septem ber I 7 1 797 by M a s s a ch , , ,

setts Gran d Lodge w h en it i ncorporated into its Constitution this

,

Section
“
Th e Gran d Lodge will not h ol d comm un ication with or admit ,

as vi s itors any M asons residing i n t h is State wh

,
o h ol d auth ority , ,

under and acknowledge the supremacy of any foreign Gran d

, ,

Lodge .

I n s ome form of language the sam e feature h as exi sted i n their

Con s titution s from 1 797 to this day an d is as follows : ,

N o Lodge of A n cient Free an d A ccepted M asons can le g ally ,

assemble i n t h is Comm onwealt hun der a Warrant granted by any

foreign masonic power W h i c h is a question of Gra nd Lodge .
”

j uri s dicti on .

Th e I n s titution of Freemasonry is un iver s al I t stretc h e s from .

E a s t to We s t from N ort h to Sout h an d em braces with in itself t h e

, ,

repre s entatives of every branch of the human fam ily I ts care .

fully tyled doors swing open n ot at th e knock of every m an but

-
, ,

at the deman d of every true and worthy man duly accepted w h atever , ,

his religion h is race or h is country m ay be T h is Gran d Lodge

, , .

stands upon t h e high vantage groun d of this cathol ic s ociety an d ,

recogn izes t h e great principles which must n ecessarily underlie an

I n s titution w h ic h h as a h om e on the continents and on t h e island s
of t h e seas .

W h en t h at celebrated p lay of T eren ce styled t h e S elf T or ,

‘
-

m entor wa s first introduced upon the R oman S tage before th e

,
’

great am p h it h eatre crowded wit h Senators knig h ts citizens an d , , ,

m en of rank some of w h om h ad been found wort h y of a R om an

r e mes i n h is reply to M e n e de mu
,

triumph and C h , s repeated t h ese

, ,

words ,

mo su
m hum i l a me a li e n u
h m pu to
i

H o a ni ni
‘

m a ma n ot h
i ng whi chr e l a t e s t o ma n i s a l i e n me)
(I a n to ,

th e va s t assem blage ro s e up i m pelled by a com mon sentiment an d , ,

rent the air wit h reiterated plau dits T h e mem ory of t h at scen e h as .

not yet faded away T h e words of C hr e me s h ave not yet ceased to

.
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E UN IT ED ST A T ES 1 663

’
reverberate We bear upon th e M asons arm s of M assachusett s
.
,

an d have in scribed upon our Gran d Lodge banner t h e motto , ,

‘
H um a ni ni hi l a li e n um
e r e ou
.

e v e r y wh r b r oth
er )
( M a n .

Tr uC py e o f
o h Ch t e a r ter o f h A f t e r i ca n Lodg e .

E ffi ngh
a m A G M T o all an d every R ight Worshipful an d
,
. . .

loving Brethren we T h om as H oward 81 0 & c & c E arl of E ffi ng

, , , ,
.
, .
,

ham Lord H oward A ctin g Grand M aster under

, ,

the authority of H i s R oyal H igh ness H enry Fred

erick D uke of C u mb erland & c & c & c Gran d
, , .
, .
, .
,

M a s ter of the M ost A n cient an d H onorable Society

of Free an d A ccepted M asons sen ds Greeting ,

K now ye that we at the hu m ble petition of our ri g ht trusty

, ,

and well beloved brethren Prince H all B oston S mith T h omas , , ,

Sanderson an d several other brethren residing i n B oston N ew

, ,

E ngland in N orth A merica do h ereby constitute th e sai d brethren

, ,

into a regul ar Lodge of Free an d accepted M asons u nder th e title ,

or denom i nation of the A frican Lod g e to b e opened i n Boston , ,

aforesai d ; an d do further at their said petition hereby appoint the , ,

sai d Prince H all to be M aster Boston Smith Seni or Warden an d , , ,

T hom as San derson J un ior Warden for openin g th e said Lodge

, , ,

and for such furt h er tim e only as shall be thought proper by the
brethren t h ereof it being any future election of o fficers of the Lodge
, ,

but that such election shall be regulated agreeably to suc h B y Law s -

of t h e sai d Lodge as shall be consistent with the general laws of th e

society contained in t h e Book of Constituti on s ; an d we hereby will

,

an d require you the said Prin ce H all to take special care that all
, ,

and every t h e sai d bret h ren are or have b een regularly made M a , ,

sons an d t h at they do observe perform and keep all th e rules an d

, , ,

orders contain ed in the B ooks of Constitutions ; and further that ,

you do from time to tim e cause to be entered in a b ook kept for that
, ,

p urpose an account of your proceedings in the Lodges together ,

wit h all s uc h rules orders and regulations as shall b e made for the
, ,

goo d government of the same ; that i n no wise you omit once in

every year to sen d t o us our successors Grand M asters or to R ow,

land H olt E s q our D eputy Gran d Master for t h e time being an

, , , ,

account i n writing of your proceedings an d copies of all such rule s , ,

1 664 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

orders an d re g ulations as shall be made as aforesai d together with a

, ,

li s t of the mem bers of t h e Lodge and such a sum of m oney as may ,

suit t h e circums t an ces of t h

e Lodge and reasonably be ex pected to
wards t h e Gran d C h arity M oreover we hereby will an d require
.
,

you th e sai d Pri nce H all as soon as conveniently m ay be to send

, , ,

an account i n writing of what may be done by virtue of t h ese

presents .

“
Give n at London under our h an d and seal of M asonry th is
, ,

2 9t h day Septem ber A L 5 784 A D 1 784,

. .
,
. . .

’
By the Gran d M aster s Com mand .

R OW LA N D H O LT , D . G M .
,

Witness W I LLI A M W H I T E ,

Gra nd S ecr eta ry .

Th
e M assachu setts Ce nti na l pri nted at B oston i n its issue o f
, ,

May 2, 1 787 h as the following document :

A
,

A FR I C N LOD G E ,
B OS T ON ,
M a y 2, 1 787 .

By Captai n Scott from London came the Charter & c w h ic h

, , , .
,

h is R oyal H ighness the D uke of Cu m berlan d an d the Grand ,

Lodge have b een graci ously pleased to grant to the A frican Lodge
, ,

in B oston A s the b ret h ren h ave a desire to ackn owledge all favors
.

shown them they in this publ i c m anner return parti cular t h anks
, , ,

to a certain m em ber of th e Fraternity wh o o ffered t h e so generous

reward in thi s paper som e ti me S ince for the C h arter supposed to
, , ,

be lost ; and to assure hi m thoug h t h ey doubt of his frien dship that

, ,

he has made them many good friends .

Signed P R I N CE H A LL
( ) .

E xtract from an ddress of J ohn V D e Gra s se before the

A .
,

Prin ce H all Gran d Lodge J une 3 0 1 85 8 A lth oug h bret h ren

, , , ,

our C h arter was granted in London Septem ber 1 7 1 784 we did , , ,

n ot receive it until A pril 2 9 1 787 t h roug h t h e n eglect an d al most

, ,

culpable careles s ne s s of Brot h er Gregory wh o d id n ot take it from ,

the O ffice of t h e Gran d Secretary w h ere it h ad remained over two ,

years . O n t h e 2 9t hof A pril the C h arter an d a beautiful bou nd

” “

book o f t h e Constitutions were delivered to Prin ce

1 666 H IST OR Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

rise an d progress and also soliciting favors whereby we mig h t be ,

placed on a different an d better stan ding than we had heretofore .

A n d n ot wit h stan ding this h as long s i nce been done an d m ore ,

t h an su fficient ti me h as elapsed for returns yet we h ave never t e ,

ce i ve d a single line or reply from t h at H on S ociety I n con . .

sequence of t h at n eglect we have been at a stan d w h at course to

,

pur s ue O ur rem ote s ituation prevents us from m aking any verb al

.

communication w h atever T aking all t h ese t h ings i nto considera

.

tion we h ave com e to the conclu s ion t h at wit h w h at kn owledge we

,

po s s ess of M asonry an d as people of color by ours elves we are and

, , ,

oug h t by rig h ts to be free an d i n depen dent of ot h er Lodges We

,
.

do t h erefore wit h t h is belief publicly declare ourselves free and

, , ,

i ndependent of any Lodge from this day an d that we will n ot be ,

tri butary or be governed by any l odge t h an t h at of our own We

,
.

agree solem nly to ab ide by all proper rules and regulati on s wh ic h

govern t h e like Fraternity discountenancing all imposition to inj ure
,

t h e O rder an d to use all fair an d hon orable means to prom ote its
,

pro s perity resting in full h ope t h at this will enabl e us to tran sm it it

,

i n its purity to our po s terity for their enjoyment .

D on e at th e Lodge t h is t h e i 8thJ un e A L 5 72 7 A D 1 82 7
, ,
. .
,
. . .

I n full testimony of what h as been written we a ffix our ,

name s °

J O H N T H I LT O N R M W .
,
.
,

T H O M A S D A LT O N S en Wa r d
L EW I S Y O R K j u
.
, ,

n Wa r d ,
.
,

J H P U R R O N S ecr eta r
y . .
,
.

Letter fr om j o n hH er vey , Gra nd S ecr eta ry of t h U ni t

e ed G ra nd

Lodg e f
o E ng la n d

FR E E M A S ON S
'
H A LL ,
LO N D O N , W . C
.
,

hN ov e mb e r 868 1 1 t ,
1 .

D E A R S I R A N D R W B R O T H E R : I am i n receipt of your favor

. .

of the 2 othult making enquiries respecting a Warrant granted i n

.
,

1 784 to a certain Prince H all I h ave caused a m ost diligent search

.

to be mad e in our book s h ere an d t h e only referen ce I can fi nd is ,

in t h e Calendar for 1 785 w h en a Lodge appears to h ave been work

,

ing un der t h e E nglis h Constitution at Boston under the N o 4 5 9 , ,

.
,

an d called t h e A frican Lodge ‘

I t afterward s becam e 3 70 a n d I.
’

, ,
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 667

resum e had ceased working a s a t t h e U nion in 1 81 it w

p , 3 a s re , , ,

moved from the list .

T o reply to your questi ons categorically

I st I can find n o record in 1 775 of any D ispensation ; but as
.

the G L B ooks were not t h en kept as they are n ow with a c

. . , ,

curacy such may neverthele s s h ave existed

I t wa s struck off t h e l ist in 1 81 3 b u
.
, , ,

2d . t I can find n o trace ,

of any return having been made and consequently imagine it m ust ,

h ave ceased work ing l ong before althoug h retained on t h e list , .

3 d I should. say m ost deci dedly t h at t h e sai d Pri nce H all ,

’

was n ever appoi nted D G M or had power to grant warrants for . . .

,

t h e establis h ment of Lodges in your country H enry Price of .

,

Boston wa s P G M for A merica from 1 775 to 1 804 after w h ich

,
. . .
,

year his name d isappears from the lists .

“
I t is quite clear that the Lodge referred to is n ot work ing
un der th e E nglish Constitutions an d that the parties holdi ng the
Warrant can have n o rig h t to it an d are not a regular Lodge nu
,

, ,

less em powered to meet un de r your Constitutio ns .

I am dear Sir an d B rot h er yours truly an d fraternally

“
, , ,

J OH N H E VE R Y,

Gra nd S ecr eta ry .

C H A R LE S W M OO R E
D epu utt
.
,

ty G r a n d M a s ter , Gra nd Lodg e f

o M a ss a c h se s .

E xtr a ct fr om t hR e
p
e mes H er r i ng G r a
or t o fj a nd S ecr eta ry to
u
, ,

t hG e ra n d L odg e o N ew Y or h
f j n e 2 , , 1 846 .

T h undersigned h aving requested the

e W Charle s W , R . . .

M oore Gran d Secretary of the Grand Lodge of M assachusett s to

, ,

en deavor to see t h e Charter of t h e s o called A frican Lodge of -

,

Boston and if pos s i ble obtai n a copy thereof begs leave to incor
, , , ,
~

’
o ra te the following extract from Br M oore s letter dated J uly 2 6
p .
, ,

1 84 5
I called agreeably to your request on M r H ilton — w h o I b e
, , .
,

lieve is the M aster of the A frican Lodge i n th i s city— stated to

,

hi m the object of my vi s it an d a s ked perm ission to see t h e C h arter ,

of h is Lodge H e i nformed m e t h at t h ere was a di fficulty between

.

h is an d B oyer Lodge of l ong s tandi n g t h at t h ey h ad n ot h ing to

, , ,

do with that Lodge n or would t h ey have until t h e di fferen ce re

, ,
1 668 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

ferred to was settled H e furt h er stated t h at t h

. ey were entirely ,

independent of t h e w h ite Lodges ; asked no favors of them ; and

would h ave nothing to do wit h t h em ; nor would they admit a
white M ason if h e s h ould present h imself as a vi s itor
,
I n the .

course of h is conver s ation h e di s ti nctly said that h e h ad been told ‘

by t h em people (m eaning B oyer Lodge ) to h ave no commu

’
n i ca

tion wit h anybody on t h e s ubj ect of their recognition by t h e Gra n d

Lodge of N ew Y ork H e also positively an d repeatedly refused to
.

allow me to see t h e Ch arter of his Lodge or to give m e any i n ,

formation i n relation to its h istory or presen t existence I t is prop .

er for me to add that my convers ation with hi m was k ind and gen
,

tle I explicitly stated to h i m that I did not call o fficially but as a

.
,

friend an d at your request with a V i ew to ascertai n whether Boyer

, ,

Lodge was a regular con s tituted Lodge such as t h e Grand Lodge ,

of N e w Y ork could recognize .

Th e A frican Lodge h as never been recognized by t h e Gran d

Lodge of t h is Comm onwealth A pplication s h ave several tim es .

been m ade by its m em bers for adm is s ion to our Lodges but t h ey ,

have generally if n ot always been refused M r H ilton stated to

, , . .

me t h at h e h ad once t h roug h t h e influence of a friend gained

, ,

admission into on e of our out of town Lodges I f so t h e Brot h er - -

.
,

who introduced h im lai d h im s elf open to censure an d would h ave ,

been dealt wit h had the circumstance com e to t h e kn owledge of

,

t h e Gran d Lodge T hat t h e course of our Grand Lodge i n refer

.
,

ence to t h e A fri can Lodge is not the result of prej udice it is only
, ,

necessary for m e to say that within the last month a colored

, , ,

Brot h er from E nglan d has vi s ited and been ki ndly received in one , ,

of our city Lodges .

S uc h is the state of the case so far as I am abl e to com muni ,

cate it T h e argum ent does not belong to me

. but you will perm it
me to i nquire w h et h er your Grand Lodge is prepared to recogn ize
,

any real or pretended Lodge existing within an ot h er j urisdiction

, ,

before it had been re cogn iz e d rby the Grand Lodg e of t h at j uris

‘

diction ? A gain does your Grand Lodge a llow other Grand

,

Lodges to establish Lodges wit h in its jurisdict i on ? and is it ready

to recognize Lodges so establis h ed P
“
T hese three questions have been by repeated decisi on s of this ,

Gran d Lodge answered in the negative ; and according to t h

,
e ,

treaty sti pulations entered into by the Gran d Lodges of t h is

1 670 H I ST OR Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

t h wa between thi s country and G at Britai n w h e n t h e col ore d

e r re ,

Masons h e ld a Convention an d declared t h emsel ve s indepen dent .

,

the sam e a s th e w h ite h ad already done befor e T h i s wa s done

o n account of t h e di fficultie s of m a ki ng the ret u
.

rn s to t h e m ot h er
country T h e r e h as al way s be e n t h e best feelings and our br e t h ren
.
,

a ll vi s it t h e Lodges not o n ly i n E ngland but i n a ll parts of t h e

, ,

worl d .

I f th
“
e Grand M a s ter of Vermont wi s hes any m ore lig h t we are ,

prepared to give it to h i m or i f h e h as a curiosity h e can s e e t h e, ,

or i ginal C h arter Y ours frat e rnally

J S R O CK . .
,

Cor r esj bon di ng G r a n d S ecr eta ry of Pr i n ce H a ll G r a n d

”
L odg e ,

t h is letter P h ili p C T u cker Gran d Ma s ter of V erm ont

To .
, ,

replied in a com mun ication to Peter G Smit h as follows .

V E R G E N N E S, S e pte mb er 2 2, 1 85 5 .

M R P E T E R G S M I T H M ontpelier .
, .

S I R : I received yours of yesterday enclosi ng a letter to you ,

from M r J S R ock of Boston t h i s m orning

. . .
, ,
.

A S to t h e Lodge of colored men existing in Bo s ton calling i t ,

self Pri nce H all Grand Lodge and s uc h Lodges as acknowledge

‘
,
’

its j ur i s dictio n I h ave to s a y t h at my unders tanding on t h e subj ect

,

is t h i s
“
I s uppose it to be true that on the 2 0thday of September ,

1 784 a C h arter for a Master s Lo dge wa s granted to Prince H all

’

and ot h er s u nder t h e aut h ority of t h e Gran d Lodge of E nglan d

, ,

an d t h at t h e Lodge t h en c h artered bore t h e nam e of A frican ‘

Lo dg e N o , and was l ocat e d at Boston I f any other C h arter

. .

wa s ever granted at any ot h er time by t h e Grand Lodge of E ng

, ,

land or any ot h e r Grand Lodge to the col ored pers o ns of t h at city

, , ,

it h a s never come to my knowledge .

I suppose i t to b e al s o true t h at A fri can L odge N o 4 5 9 d id

“
.
, ,

n ot continue its connectio n for m any year s wit h t h e Gran d Lodge

of E n glan d a nd t h at i t s regi s t r ation was s tricken from t h e rolls of
,

t h at G ran d more t h an fifty yea rs ago .

I suppo s e it furt h er to be t r ue t h at t h i s Lodge N o 4 5 9 and ,

.
,

all ot h er s w h ic h h ave originated from it h ave alway s h eld t h em ,

 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 671

selves aloof and h ave always refu s ed to acknowledge any allegiance

,

to the Grand Lodge of t h e Com m onwealt h of M a ss achu s ett s .

I also suppo s e it to be true t h at on t h e i 8t hda y of J une , ,

1 82 7 thi s s ame Lodge N o 4 5 9 is s ued a D eclaration a n d h ad it

, ,
.
, ,

publis h ed i n some of t h e Boston papers sign ed by J o h n T H i lton

T h omas D alton Lewi s Y ork j r an d J H Pu
, .
,

,
rr on
( cla i ming to
, b e .
,
. .

Master Wardens a n d S ecretary t h ereof) w h ich D eclarati on co n

, ,

ta i ne d t h e following language We pu blicly declare our s elves fre e

and independent of any Lodge from t h is day an d we will not be ,

tri butary or governed by any Lodge t h an that of our own

,

“
A n d I still furt h er s uppose i t to be true that in the mont h of ,

J uly 1 84 5 R W C h arles W M oore the Grand Secretary of t h e

, ,
. . .
,

Grand Lodge of M assac h usetts had a personal i nterview with M r ,

.

H ilton t h en M aster of t h is sai d Lodge N o 4 5 9 in wh ic h intervie w

, ,
.
,

M r H ilton said t h at they (the m em bers of sai d Lodge) were e n

.
,
‘

ti re ly i ndepen den t of all white Bodies asked n o favors o f them an d , ,

would h ave nothi ng to d o with th em n or woul d they admit a white

’
M ason if h e should present himsel f as a visitor
,
.

“
A ll these things are of record and cannot I think be denied , , ,

in any quarter F r om them I form t h e following opinions

.

“
Firs t E ven if a C h arter for a subordin ate Lod ge to be lo
.
,

ca t e d wit h i n the U nited States could be lawfully granted by t h e ,

Gran d Lodge of E nglan d after the cl o s e of the A merican Lodges , ,

its vitality would necessarily expire w h en the grantor substantially

revoked t h e grant by striking it from its records an d t h us disavo w ,

ing all con nection with t h e g rantee .

Second T hat t h e m ere retention of a C h arter after its legal

.
,

revocation can not preserve or retai n any rig h t power or aut h

, ority , ,

i n t h e original grantee s or thei r successors where t h e right to re ,

voke is reserved as it always is i n all Grand Lodges i n t h e grantor

, ,
.

“
T h ird E ven i f A frican Lodge N o 4 5 9 h ad a lawful masonic
existence J un e 1 8 1 82 7 the D eclaration of that date was bot h u
. .
, ,

, ,
n

masonic an d revol uti on ary and placed that Body as e ffectually be ,

yon d recognition by eit h er the Grand Lodge of Ma s sac h usetts or

any ot h er Gran d Lodge in t h e U nited S tates as was t h e Frenc h ,

Lodge of Virginia or t h e German Lodges of N e w Y ork ,

.

Fourth H a d A frican Lodge N o 4 5 9 b een i n all things a

.
, .
,

lawful Lodge after t h e D ec la r a ti on of i ts firs t o ffi cer of J uly 1 84 5

, , , ,

t h at i t woul d not admit a w h ite M ason if h e s h ould pre s ent h imself

‘
 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y
a s a vi s itor it would have been both hum iliating a nd degrad ing to
,
’

h ave allowed t h e doors of the w h ite Lodges to stand open for a

reci procity of courte s ie s w h ic h were t h us gratuitously an d roug h ly

declar e d i nadm is s i ble in advance of any request o ffer or wis h to , , ,

e s tabli s h t h em
I h ave t h e h ig h est m ason ic aut h ority in M assach u
.

setts for
d e nying t h e bret h ren of t h e Lodge i n question all visit t h e
‘ ' ‘

Lodge s s o fa r as t h e Lodge s of M assac h usetts are concern ed A

,
’
.

Pa s t Grand M a s ter of t h e Lodge of t h e Comm onwealth writi ng at ,

Boston I n 1 848 say s : T h ere are n o Lodg es of color e d M a s ons

, ,
‘

in t h is Ci ty or any ot h er p art of t h e U nited S tates t h at are recog

n i z e d an d ackn owledged b
y t h e Grand Lodge of M a ss ac h usett s or

to ou
,

r kn owled ge by any ot h er regularly con s tituted Gran d Lodge

,
-

in t h is country I t ( t h e A fri can Lodge) wa s n ever recognized by

.

t h e Grand Lodge of t h is S tate nor has t h ere been any ma s on ic in

te rcou
,

r se between t h e two Bodies

’
.

Th e s am e Brot h er writing at t h e sam e place in 1 84 6 says i n, , , ,

referr ing to t h at Lodge : A ppl ications h ave several ti mes been ‘

m a d e by its mem bers for admission to our Lodges but t h ey h ave ,

generally if n ot always been refused A gai n h e says T hat t h e

’
‘
.
, , ,

course of our Grand Lodge i n reference to A frican Lodge is n ot t h e

result of prej ud i ce it is onl y neces s ary for me to say that wit h i n
, ,

t h e la s t m ont h a colored Brot h er fro m E nglan d h a s V i sited and

bee n kindly received i n one of ou
, ,

r city Lodges
’

I bel ieve I am correct in stating t h at t h e two follo wing propo

s i ti on s are reco nized as sound masonic law in th is country
g
Fi rs t T h at no Gra nd Lodge of any S tate can regularly recog
nize a s u
.

bordinate Lodge existing i n anot h er State or its mem bers

until suc h s u
, ,

b ordinate Lodge i s recogn i z ed b y t h e Gran d Lodge of

t h e S tate in wh i ch it exist s .

Seco n d T h at no Grand Lodge eit h e r in th ese U nited States

.
, ,

or a n y ot h er cou ntry ca n legally e s tablis ha s ub ordinate Lodge i n

,

any ot h e r S t a te w h ere a regula r ly constituted Grand Lodge exists -

.

F rom t h e se Views you wil l readily percei ve wh y t h e M a s onry

of t h e U ni ted State s does n ot and cann ot eit h er recognize Prince ‘

H a ll Gra n d L odge or i ts s u bo r dinate s or thei r mem ber s as regu

’

, , ,

la t T o our u n de r standi n g t h e w h ole of t h e s e organizations a r e

i rr egular a nd u
.
,

nma s on i c and exi s t adverse to m a son ic r egulations ,

and la w I f as M r R oc k asserts mem bers of t h e s e B odies are

.
,
.
,
1 674 H I S T O R Y OF FR EEM A SON R Y

In
793 its number
1 w a s altered to 3 7 an d continued s o num
0
bered in our Calendar until 1 81 2 w h en o n the re num berin g co u
,

se , ,
-

q ue n t on the un ion of the two Grand Lodges th e A frican Lod ge ,

wa s omitted .

I sen d you en closed a ver h

“
a ti m copy of a ll t h e documents I
can discover relating to t h e Lodge but the petition for th e Lodge
is not forthcoming Should any ot h er documents present t h em
.

s elves which is somew h at unlikely I will s en d you Copies and h ave

, , ,

the honor to rem ain M W Sir and Brot h er , . .

,

Y ours fraternally “
,

J OH N H ER V E Y “
,

Gra nd S ecreta ry .

Copies referred to in th e above letter

RI G
W O R S H I P F U L S I R : We now send you an account of
H T

the Lodges proceeding since we sent our last w h ich was in A ugust ,

last together wit h ten dollars for the Fun d of t h e Grand Charity
, ,

by Captain Scot which h e saith he hath del ivered to t h e Grand

,

Secretary but he hath no recept with h i m for t h e m o n ey We

,
.

have initiated into t h e Lodge this year S a movel Be can a black ,

man and t h e R everend M r J ohn M e rra n d a black M inister from

, .
,

home but last from Beech T own in N ova Scotia We s h all make
,
.

a colletch e n on S t J o h n s D a
y n ext whic h.we s h all send
’
by t h e first ,

careful ! hand ; the Lodge in general be h aves ve ri well in there S ta

tion so t h at t h ere no just compla n tes made again s t the m I h
,
O pe .

I m ay allways h ave t h e plesevr of sending a good account of t h e

A frican Lodge A fter wh i ch i ng all H a ppyne s s to our R oyal Grand
.

M aster an d a ll the O fficers an d M em bers of t h e Grand Lodge I

, ,

beg leve to subscri be myself your m ost obedient h um ble servent

and Brot h er ,
P R I N CE H A LL .
”

B OS T O N ,
J UNE 4, 1 789 .

“
B OS T O N ,
No v mb
e er 9, 1 789 .

To the Most Wors hipful W I LLI A M W H I T E E S ! G S

D E A R S I R : T h e s e comes to a cq u
. . .
, ,

a n t you t h at we have sent

sun drey letters to our R ig h t Worshipful R owland H olt E sq and ,

.
,

to your Wors h i p according to my order in t h e C h arter ; an d with

tho s e we s ent you da tte d A u ges t 2 1 788 w e s ent T e n D ollars for
the Grand C h ar i ty but h ave not h ad a anser wether you
, ,

h ad re ce ve d
them or not and t h e Lodge is u ,
ne a s ey with m e on t h at acount as ,
 C O LO R ED MA SON R Y IN TH E U N IT ED ST A T ES 1 675

I paid the m oney to M r B e ng me n Greene J un one of Captai n .

,

J ames Scotts M erchant s an d re ce ve d h is recepte for t h e money to ,

be sent to h im with th e Letters for you as I di d n ot now were to ,

de re cte the m to you and if you re ce ve d them t h at m ust be t h e

'

R e s on t h erefore Sir be s o good w h en you s en d an a n s e a r to t h is

, ,

you would send m e som e word were to derect t h em t h at you may ,

h ave them which we h ope will be by th e B errer h ear d

,
I h ave .

s ent you a sermon pre ch e d on St J o h ns D a y by our Brot h er J oh n

,
.

Marrant for our Gran d M aster an d an other for you w h ich I h ope
, , ,

you will rece vn O ur Brot h er San derson is D ead A ll t h e rest of

. .

our Br are i n healt h So n o at pes e nt B ut m ust beg leve to sub

. .

scribe myself your vere h um b le servent and Br

P R I N CE H A LL .

To the R ig h t Worshipful the Gran d M aster Wardens and M em , , ,

.

bers of the Gran d Lodge of E ngland .

We your petitioners Sam pson H M oody Peter H ow a rd A bra ,

.
, ,

ham C D ere n de me d J o h n I H ilton J ames J ackson Zad ock

.
,
.
, ,

Low Sam uel G Gardner R ichard Potte r Lewis Walker and

,
.
, , ,

other Com panions W h o have been regularly E xalted to t h e

Sublim e D egree of R oyal A rc h M a s ons .

O ur wort h y an d well beloved Brethren Prince H all Boston ,

Sm it h T homas Sanderson an d several Brethren having obtained

, ,

a Warrant from your H onourable B ody on Septem ber 2 9 1 784 , , ,

A . D .
,
A L 5 784 w h en under t h e Government of T homas
. .
, ,

H oward E arl of E ffi ng h a m Lord H oward 81 0 & c & c acting

h
. .
, , , , , ,

Grand M aster U n der t h e aut ority of h is R oyal H ig h ne s s H enry

Frederick D uke of Cum berland Gran d M aster of t h e M o s t A n
, ,

cient an d H o nourable S ociety of Free and A ccepted M a s ons .

“
T h is Warrant allowing us to con fer but the t h ree D egree s and ,

Fin ding it inj uri ous for t h e benefit of ou r Body by h aving no legal
aut h ority to confer th e ot h er four degrees A n d understanding that .

t h e seven degrees is given under t h e W arrants from t h e Gran d

Lodge we therefore h um bly s olicit t h e R e n u a l of our Charter to

ou
, , ,

rth e r i s e us Legally to confer t h e sam e a s we are now getting in ,

a flouris h ing con dition I t i s wit h regret we communicated to you .

t h at from t h e D ecease of our Well Bel oved Bret h ren w h o ob ta i n d

’

t h e Warrant we h ave not been able for several years to transmit

M onies and h old a regular Commun ication ; but as we are now ,
1 676 H IST O R Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y

permanently established to work conform able to our Warrant an d

Book of Constituti ons We will sen d t h e M onies as far as ci rci m
.

s tances will adm it toget h er Wit h the money for a new Warran t
S h ould yo u
.
, ,

r H onourable Body think us worthy to receive t h e same .

We remain R i g ht Worshipful an d M ost Wors h ipful Brethren

With all D u
, ,

e R espect Y ours fraternally

“
, ,

A M SON OO
( )
“
Signed S H M DY .
,

P E T E R H OW A R D S W ,
.
,

C A DE R AN DA M I E
. .
,

Given un der our han ds at Boston in the year of our Lord

,

1 82 4 J a n uary 5 t h
,

W I LLI A M J C H A M PN E Y .
,

S ecr eta ry .
1 678 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

e ra space to a clear s tatem ent of all t h e ascerta i nable facts and

ble ,

leave all s peculati ons and conj ecture s to our reader s .

William M organ it is s a id wa s from Virgi nia ; born i n 1 7751

, ,

or 1 776 ; wa s a s tone m a s on by t rade I n 1 82 1 h e resided near .

Y ork i n U pper Canada a n d wa s engaged as a brewer 2

H i s brewery .

being destroyed by fire from t h ence h e found h is way to R oc h este r , ,

N Y an d worked at h is trade as a stone mason and in 1 82 3 went

.
,

3
to Batavia .

I n t h e Letters to J o h n Q uincy A da ms it is related that h e

“ “

wa s a h ard drinker and h i s nig h t s an d sometime s h i s days also , ,

were spent i n tippling h ouses w h ile occa s i onally to t h e s till greater -

, ,

neglect of h i s fam ily he j oined in t h e drinking carousal s of t h e vilest

,

an d m o s t wort h le s s men and h is di s po s ition was envious malicious , ,

and vindictive .

Some person s doubt i f h e ever was regul arly made a M aso n but
it is neverthele s s true t h at after reac h ing Batavia h e was adm i tted , ,

as a V isitor i n Wells Lodge of t h at place A fter this h e wa s m ade .

a R oyal A rc h M a s on i n Western S tar C h apter at Le R oy N Y , ,

. .
,

M ay 2 3 1 82 5 , H i s nam e was on the first petition for t h e establi s h

.

m ent of a R oy a l A rc h C h apter in Batavia S ome ot h ers seeing h is .

name on th e petition decl ined s igning it an d a new one was gotten , ,

up leaving h
,
i s name off A fter t h e c h apte r was organ ized upon h is .
,

application for mem bers h ip he was rej ected 4

.

T h ere was at that ti m e a weekly n ew s paper t h e “

R epublican ,

”
A dvocate conducted by one D avid C M iller
,
I t is said h e had . .

been i nitiated in a lodge i n A l bany N Y but owing to h is noted ,

. .
,

c h aracter a s certained t h ereaf ter be h ad been refu s ed adva n cement

,
5
,
.

T hese two wort h ies and com panion s in dis s ipation bot h i mpe
cu n i ou
, ,

s and greatly i n fi n ancial di fficulties concocted t h e s c h eme to ,

d ivulge w h at t h ey kn ew of M a s on ry 6
M o rgan h aving advanced .

furt h er in t h e degrees wa s to furni s h t h e inform ati on and Miller , ,

wa s to do t h e editing p r inting an d publ i s h ing , ,

.

T h is schem e by s ome mean s becam e kn own to t h e Mason s

, ,
.

N o doubt i n t h e drunken orgie s of M organ h e h ad boa s ted of h

,
is
contemplated revenge A rticle s also crept into t h e paper ; one of 7
.

w h ic h was publicly r ead in a bar room i n 1 82 6 w h ic h s tated T h ere -

,
“

1
H . B ro wn
’
s N a r ra v B
ti e , a ta vi a ,
N ew Y or k ,
1 82 9 , p . 1 5 .

2 Ib id p. 1 6 .
3
1 bid .
, p . 1 6 .
4
I bd i .
, p
. 1 7 .

5
Ib d i . ,
p. 1 5 .
5
I b id .
, p . 1 5 . Ib id .
, p
. 1 8 .
1 680 H I S T O R Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

gan to fear t h at it was in deed a preconcerted plan to carry out t h e

i n t e n tron of obtaining by violence if nece ss ary t h e aforesaid papers

, , .

Th e magi s trate s were all absent from t h e village and t h i s also i n ,

creased t h e s u s picions Very soon a num ber of t h e citizens M a s on s

.
,

as well as ot h ers offered t h eir service s to prevent any violence

, .

M organ h ad gon e from Batavia t h e day before t h is i n t h e c h arge of

an o fficer but no n ews of h im h ad yet been received Consterna
,
.

tion and appre h en s io n pervaded t h at s mall com munity but as not h ,

ing further transpired order and quietness soon prevailed Soon

, .

after this t h e cons table wit h a s ingle individual accompanying h im

, ,

went to th e office to arre s t M iller and D avids wit h a civil proce s s .

Th e o ffice was fortified by two swivel s fifteen or m ore guns an d , ,

six pi s tols all being l oaded but was at t h at time undefen ded except
, , ,

by M iller D avids and a son of M iller

, ,
.

Th e a s si s tant arrested D avids wh o called for a pistol the con ,

stable arrested M iller B ot h of t h em subm itted an d were carried

.

through an armed crowd of their friends to a tavern acros s t h e

street . A very large number of persons n early fifty were t h ere , ,

a s sembled T h ey gave no sign of any h ostility w h atever and in con

.
,

versation with others showed that no intention on t h eir part exi s ted
of any violen ce or wrong Subsequent disclosures however clearly .
, ,

s h owed t h at in the m in ds at least of a few an intention h ad existed

of obtaining possession of the papers by force if necessary T h ose “
.

M a s ons i n Batavia to whom th is design had been com muni cated

severely condemned suc h intention whic h wa s conceived in folly ,

an d would be fraught with misc h ief and ruinous in con s equences .

T hese views having been com municated to t h e leaders the whole ,

sc h em e wa s abandoned T h e absence of the justices was caused

.

by their being subp oenaed as witnesses i n a trial at Bet h any on

1
that day .

From th e evidence produced it was clearly sh own t h at certain

in di s creet and overzealous M a s ons di d inaugurate a s c h eme to get
rid of M organ and prevent t h e pu blication of h i s pretended ex “

p o s u re . H e was conveyed out of t h e State b

y his own consent ,
-

from a fear t h at someone would murder h im A prom ise was m ade .

to take care of his W ife and c h ildren an d with $ 5 00 in h and h e was ,

taken into Canada T h ere were a great many incidents con nected
.

1
T he a b ov e a cco n t u is conden s e d from B ro wn ’
s N a r ra ti ve , pp .
—
5 55
1 .
 TH E A N T I— M A S ON I C E! CI T EM EN T 1 681

with the expedition to transport h im out of the S tate wh ic h we ,

deem it un nece s sary to mention in detail .

T h is a ffair created wonderful excitement in all the N e w E ng

lan d States an d i n N ew Y ork an d Pennsylvania among t h e M asons ,

particularly it extended i n a m ilder form sout h wardly and reached

, , ,

as far as t h e D istrict of Col umbia but its e ffects morally and po

li t i ca lly sout h of t h e fam o u
, ,

“ ”
,
s h istorical lin e of M ason an d D ixon ,

was very slight indeed I n N e w Y ork Penn sylvania and Ver .

, ,

mont h owever the loyal mem bers of the Craft sustained their i n
, ,

t e gr i ty agai nst pol iti cal religious and social persecution s

, A n ew , .

political party was organized an d that party m ade a n ational issue ,

at t h e n ext presidential canva s s i n 1 83 2 an d W illiam W irt was their ,

candidate for the o ffice of C h ief M agi s trate an d the canvass re

su
,

lte d in h is receiving t h e electoral vote of Verm ont t h e only State ,

to cast their votes for hi m W e are glad to ann oun ce that when .

M a s onry again revrve d an d cam e forth from that terrible tim e of

persecution under the leader s h i p of that gran d an d magnanimous
,

M A N P h ili p C T ucker as we have shown in preceding chapters h e

,
.
, ,

brought order out of confusion and re establis h ed M asonry in all its -

branches A t the present day there can n ot be foun d m ore e n th

. u
s i a s t i c M asons i n any State of our U nion than n ow exist in the ,

Green M ountain State .

Th e of fi cial exam inations of parties wh o were directly or r e

m otely connected with t h e abduction of M organ aroused an d con
t i nu e d to excite t h e senti ments of hostility to th e M asonic I n st i tu
,

tion it was once well said t h at th e fi ce dog always barks at what -

he does n ot understand so with that s i mi la r cla s s in every com

,

m unity they are always ready an d constan tly seeki ng opportunities

,

to oppose w h at is beyon d their lim ited comprehension C h arges

‘

were con s tantly foun d against tho s e M a s ons w h o were s uspected of

any com plicity in t h ose affairs an d suits were bro u ght against t h em
,

for several years A m ong those wh o were arrested and impri s on ed

.

was E li Bruce From 1 82 7 to 1 83 1 t h ere wa s alway s some one or

.

m ore confined in the jail at Canan daigua .

E li Bru ce wa s c h arged wit h t h e abduction of M organ and was ,

acquitted for it was n ot proved that anyon e h ad been abducted D e

,
.

Witt Clinton wa s t h en Governor of N e w Y ork a s well a s one of ,

t h e m ost prominent an d distingui s h ed M asons i n t h e U nited State s ,

a n d was of course eminently desirou s of ascertaining t h e trut h in a l l

1 06
1 682 H I ST O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

t h e s e matter s H e formulated certain que s tions to E li Br u

. ce wh o ,

was t h e H ig h S h eri ff of t h e County a s to h i s agency i n these mat

ters Bruce declin ed to an s w
,

er t h em and h e was prom ptly removed

from h i s o ffice Governor Clinton it is well known bot h i n his
.
, ,

private and publ ic uttera n ces condemned t h e w h ole tran s action of ,

t h e rem oval of M organ T h e o ffi cial accoun t of B ruce s trial s h ow s

.
’

t h at comp l aint was made to the Governor and Bruce was sum moned ,

to A l bany i n an s wer to the c h arges and s h ow cause wh y h e s h ould

not be removed T h e reply by h is counsel did n ot s ati s fy t h e Gov

cru
.

or an d h e wa s tried i n the court at Canan daigua i n A ugust

, , ,

1 82 8 H e was convicted and s entenced to twenty eight m onths in

.
-

jail T h e executi on of t h e sentence was postponed until M ay 1 3

i s appeal b u
.
,

1 82 9 u pon h
,
t o n M ay 2 0 1 82 9 he was im prisoned
, , ,

until Septem ber 2 3 1 83 1 Th e eviden ce at t h e trial s h owed t h at

,
.

Bruce under s tood t h at M organ voluntarily consented to h is removal

and t h at a cell at Lockport was prepared for h i m until h e co u ld be
carried to Canada H e at first declined to have anyt h ing to do with
.

t h e a ffair but at la s t gave i n and with t h e others conveyed M or

, , , ,

gan over t h e river to Canada M atters h avi ng been delayed for .

M organ s rem oval h e wa s reconveyed to the S tate an d concealed

’

in t h e old magazine at Fo rt N iagara u ntil t h e ti me was suitable for ,

hi s conveyance to t h e farm provided for h i m in Canada From t h at .

tim e M organ it appears wa s never seen by anyone an d Bruce tes

, , ,

t ifi e d t h at h e did not know w h en or h ow h e di s appeared .

O t h er partie s we re im plicated an d upon trial of eac h they were , ,

punis h ed by i mpri s onm ent .

Th e anti Masonic s pirit was not satisfied wit h the pun is h ment
-

of t h o s e immediately concern ed in this n efarious tran s action M any .

convention s were h eld and s elf con s tituted M issionarie s s prang up

,
-
,

like toa d s tools i n a n ig h t and scattered t h ei r venomous seed broad

-
,

cast and found favorable s oil in t h e debased conditi on of m any

poll u
, ,

ted m inds i n w h ic h to fo s ter t h e s e seed s of oppo s ition to an

,

I n s titution w h ic h i n all i t s prin ciples an d daily practices h ad

demonstrated i ts utter ab h orrence to any su
, ,

chtr a ns a ct i on s a s t h e ,

M organ a ffair and al s o a s being s ub versive of public order private

, ,

h um an rig h ts and t h e clearly enunciated precept s of M a s onry

,

w h ose T h e ologi cal virtue s a r e Fait h H ope an d C h arity w h o s e ca r , , ,

din al virtue s are T emperance Prudence Fortitude an d J u s tice , , , ,

w h o s e pr incipal T e n ets are B r ot h erly Love R elief and T rut h , , .

1 684 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

the N iagara R iver but was put forth by the political party of t h
, e

day an d when T h urlow W eed was tol d t h at it did not prove to be

“ ’
Morgan s body he sai d very pertinently
’

, I t s good enough M or ,
”
gan till after election .

September 1 1 1 83 0 a convention was h el d in Philadelphia A

, ,
.

com mittee reported an address stating that M organ was m urdered ,

notwith s tanding that in all t h e legal proceedings there wa s not a

single witness to prove that M organ was m ur dered T his address .
,

h owever demanded the suppression of the I n stitution of M asonry

, .

Th e following extract will show the spirit whic h prevailed

T o th is government Freemasonry is wholly opposed I t re .

quires subm ission to its own aut h ority i n contem pt of public opin
ion the claim of conscience an d the rights of private j udgment I t
, , .

would darn up the maj estic currents of i m provi ng thoug h t among ,

all its subj ects throughout the earth by restricting beneficial com
mu
,

n i ca t i on I n attem pting to do this it has stained our coun try

.

wit h a brother s blood tempted many of our influential citi z en s into

’

the m ost degraded forms of falsehood an d burst away with its ,

powers un dim inished its vengean ce provoked and its polluti on

, ,

manifest from the stron g arm of retributive justice T h e m eans of

overthrowi ng M asonry cannot be foun d i n any or i n all our e xecu

.
,

tive authorities T hey canno t be found in our j udicial establi sh

.

m ent .

Th
“
e only adequate corrective of Freemasonry— that prol ifi c

source of t h e worst abuses is to be found in the right of election ,

and to this we m ust resort .

T here is t h erefore n o impropriety in resortin g to the elective

franchise to correct the evils of Freemasonry .

I t Freemasonry ought to b e abolis h ed ; it shoul d certainly

“
, ,

be so abolished as to prevent its re s toration N o m eans of doing .

t h is can be con ceived so competent as t h ose furnis h ed by t h e ballot

”
boxes We here see what prej udice ignorance of t h e s ubj ect an d
.
, ,

a spirit of persecution can e ffect upon t h e m inds of men w h en ,

prom pted by ambition for public o ffice T h e fir st paragrap h is a .

long tissue of false h oods a s time proved t h ose utterances to h ave

,

been ; not a s entence wa s predicated upon a s ingle fact w h i ch h ad

been or could be proven E very M ason will at once declare that .

eve ry charge m ade in that address was maliciously false and mi s c

leading .
 TH E A N T I —M A SON IC E! CI T E M EN T 1 685

I n 1 83 6 a N ational Conventi on of anti M asons was hel d in -

Ph iladel ph i a an d n om inated William H H arr i s on for President .

,

and Francis Granger for Vice President and t h is ended t h e polit -

,

ical influen ce of t h at party .

Th e writer of t h i s article wa s ol d enoug h to remember t h at con

test an d th e prom inen t actors t h erein T heir failure at t h at time .

di d not dis h earten m ost of t h e leaders as very soon thereafter t h ey ,

becam e prom i nen t leaders of t h e n ewly organized A nti S lavery -

party a subj ect wi t h w h ic h we h ave n ot h ing to do w h atever

,
.

A ll t h e Gran d Lodges wit h i n th e States a ffected by th is u nto

ward anti M a s oni c persecution passed suc h re s oluti on s as to an d did
-
, , ,

satisfy m ost people that M asonry as an institution h ad no t h ing to

do wit h the M organ a ffair b u
,

t con demned t h e injudicious and unau

,

th or i z e d i ndivi duals wh o were participants n or made any effort s to ,

screen them fro m m erited j ustice nevertheless t h e persecution of ,

individuals continued and m any wh ,

o were socially so situated as to

re nder t h ei r l ives un bearabl e surrendered t h eir m em berships and

,

with drew from t h e I nstituti on A t lengt h i n some of t h ese States.

, ,

parti cularly in Verm ont t h e lodges and ot h er bodie s ceased to h old

,

their m eetings as h as b een shown in our di fferent h istories of t h o s e

,

bodies .

I n 1 840 th ere were signs of renewal of activities in M asonic

a ffairs ; t h irteen years of persecution h ad passed an d there cam e a
revival .

We learn from th e auth orities in N ew Y ork that t h e lodge at

Le R oy O live Bran ch N o 3 9 n ever ceased its m eetings althoug h
, , .
, ,

l ocated in the imm ediate neig h borhood of t h e place w h ere t h e

w h ole di ffi culty origin ated an d is considered as t h e preserver of
M asonry i n Western N ew Y ork during all th ose ye a rs of per secu
,

tion and exci tem ent .

Governor Clinton wrote to t h e Governors of U pper an d Lower

Canada asking t h at i nquiry be m ade in regard to M organ and said ,

in h i s letter s
Du ring t h e last year he ( M organ ) put a manuscript into t h e
h ands of a printer at Batavi a purporting to be a promulgation of ,

t h e secrets of Freem asonry T h is wa s pas s ed over by t h e great

.

body of t h e Fraternity wit h out notice an d s ilent contempt ; but a

few desperate fanati c s engaged i n a plan of carrying h im off an d ,

on the 1 2 th of September last ( 1 82 6) t h ey took h im fr om Canan

1 686 H I ST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

u
da i g a by force as it i s understood an d conveyed h im to t h e
, ,
1

N iagara R iver from w h ic h i t i s suppo s ed t h at h e wa s taken to h is

,

Britannic M aj esty s dom inion s Some of t h e o ffen ders h ave been

’
.

appre h ended and punis h ed ; but n o i n telligence h as b een obtained

respecting M organ since h is abd uction .

I n response to t h i s request of Governor Clinton the Lieuten ant ,

Governor of U pper Canada issued h is p roclam ation

£5 0 R ewar d — H i s E x cellency t h e Lieutenan t Governor h av -

i ng received a com mun ication f rom H is E xcellency t h e Governo r of

t h e State of N ew Y ork by w h ic h i t appears t h at William M or ,

gan wh,
o so me years ago exercised t h e calling of a brewer i n t h i s

place and wh
,
o ha s recently resided in Can andaigua in the S tate ,

of N e w Y ork wa s some tim e i n t h e la s t year conveyed by force

,

from t h at place and is supposed to be forcibly detained i n s om e

,

part of this Province ; any person wh o may be able to o ffer any i n

formation respecting t h e said William M organ s h all upon com

mu
, ,

n i ca ti n
g t h e same to t h e Private Secretary of H i s E xcel lency

t h e Lieuten ant Govern or rece i ve t h e reward ab ove o ffered

-

Govern ment H ou se J a n u
.
,

“
a r
y 31 , ,

Th e G r and Lodge of N ew Y ork adopted t h e following

Wa er ea s I t is alleged t h at an outra ge h as been comm itted on

,

t h e body of William M organ and ,

Wh er ea s Proceedings in con s equence of s uc h allegation s h ave

,

been m ade i n Court s of J u s tice i n relation to t h e subj ect and ,

Wa er ea s By reason of foul m i s repre s entation an e ffort h as been

m
,

made to impress t h e public ind wit h an op i n i on t h at t h e Grand

Lodge an d t h e Fraternity i n general h ave attempted to s c r een if not ,

to protect t h e perpetrators of t h i s alleged outrage ; t h erefo r e be it

,

R es olved T h at t h e Gra n d S ecretary be in structed to a s certain

,

from t h e pu blic record a s tatem e nt of t h e fact s in relation to t h e

person s s ai d to h ave be e n M a s on s c h arged an d convicted of t h e ,

abduction of M orga n a n d r epor t to t h is G ran d Lodge at its next

3
,

an n ual com municati o n .

A s upplem e n tal report was adopted (J une 2 1 8 3 2 ) ,

T h at participati ng wit h t h e m ember s of t h i s Grand Lodge

“
,

and t h
[

e G r ea t B o dy of t h e M a s o n ic F ra te r n ity in a feeling of deep ,

T h
e we g ht of e v id
i e n ce wa s t h e we n t v olu n ta r i l y — E D I T O R
a t h .

2
H i s t or
y of M a s on r y a nd C on cor da nt Od r ers ,
”
p 516 .

3
H i s tor y of G ra nd Lodg e of N ew Y or k ,
”
vol i i i
. .
, p . 2 .
4
I b id .
1 688 H I S T O R Y OF FR E EM A SO N R Y

T h
e General Gran d C h apter met at the same time in Baltim ore ,

that distinguis h ed m an and Mason E dward Livingston of Louis ,

I
,

i ana being its presiding o fficer

, H e was r e elected to the h igh .
-

o ffice w h ich he had so honorably filled for the preceding three

years .

N 0 session of the N ational Gran d B odies held before or since ,

that tim e h a s so attracted publ ic attention as di d this of

,
1 83 2 .

J o h n Q uincy A dams ex President of t h e U nited States d i d not ,

-
,

consider t h i s meeting of a m ere h andful of m en i n Baltim ore

beneat h h is notice or unwort h y the abuse of h is caustic pen ; an d
,

page after page of h is letters t h en published in the newspapers of ,

the day sin ce collected into a volum e attest t h e interest whic h t h at

, ,

meeting occasioned .

Th e period was indeed a pecul iar one For six years the ex .

ci teme n t and frenzy of anti M asonry h ad been gat h eri ng s trengt h -

an d fury u ntil at last in a national convention of an ti M ason s h eld

, ,
-

here in t h e City of Baltim ore candidates were nominated for t h e ,

two hig h e s t o ffices of the R epublic T h e election took place i n .

1 83 2 ,
an d William Wirt of M aryland an d A m o s E llmaker of , , ,

Pennsylvania t h e n ominees of th e anti M asonic political party for

,
-
,

Pre s ident an d Vice Pre s ident received t h e seven electoral votes of

-
,

Verm ont and n o m ore T h , e power of anti M asonry culm inated .

-

i n 1 83 2 ; and when t h e General Grand E n campm ent assem bled

here in th e wani ng days of autum n an d foun d t h e fires aroun d
, ,

w h ich the national Coun cil of anti M ason s had been held and read -
,

by their uncertain and unsteady lig h t the strength an d weakness of

A nti masonry i n the U nion t h ey knew that t h e b attle had been
-
,

fought an d that the n ig h t of agony was over T h

, e h ate an d bitter .

ness an d fien dis h h ostility t h ey knew woul d still remain — powerful

i n localities to infin ite harm but the N ation h ad repudiated anti
—

M asonry and h ad elected as President A ndrew J ackson an

, , , ,

ack nowledged out spoken well known Freemason ; so well known

,
-
,
-

that on t h e 2 3 d of M ay 1 83 3 J oh n Quin cy A dams in a publis h ed , , ,

letter to E dward Livi ngston t h en Secretary of S tate paid a m er i ted , ,

com pl iment to t h e Pa s t Gran d M aster of T enn essee in words i n ,

tended to be s evere and cen surable .

Th e President of t h e U nited States

’
‘
said A dams is a B rother , ,
‘

of t h e Craft bou nd by i ts oat h s o bligations and penalties to t h e

, , , ,

exclu s ive favors be t h e y more or less of w h ich they give t h e

, ,
 TH E A N T I—M A S ON I C E! CI T E M EN T 1 689

mutual pledge T hat in the trou bles an d di fficulties wh ic h wit h in

.
,

the last seven years have befallen t h e craft they h ave availed t h em
, ,

selves of his name an d authority an d i nfluence to su s tain t h eir

, , ,

drooping fortunes as far as it has been i n t h eir power h as been

, ,

m atter of publi c n otoriety A sense of j ustice h . a s restrained h im

from j oin ing i n their processions as he h a s been importunately ,

urged by i nvitati ons to do but he has not withheld from them h

, is

A lmost forty years have passed away since the N ational Grand
Bodies assem bled i n T riennial Session in the City of Baltimore .

B e h ol d the change ! T hose fourteen brave Knights h ave gone to

t h eir reward — n ot on e of them n ow lives to rej oice at t h is tri
u mph a n t return to Baltimore T h ey sleep peacefully and serenely
.

the last great sleep : peace to their ashes ; h onor to their n ames .

Th e railroad an d telegraph now traverse populous States then ,

scarcely kn own T h . e U nion stretches from ocean to ocean and ,

h olds in its fast em brace great States whose territory wa s then ,

un expl ored .

—
From all parts of this wide exten ded country from th e A tlantic
and t h e Pa cifi c— from the great rivers with their fertile valleys ,

from t h e mountain ranges with t h eir verdant slopes — from the

,

rugged N ort h and t h e sun ny South — from the great W est wh it h er t h e ,

star of em pire is taking its course an d from the sea girt popul ous ,
-

E a s t— com e up here to Balti more to this E ighteenth T riennial

Session of the Gran d E ncam pment of t h e U nited States i n com ,

p a n i e s,
i n battalions in regim
,
ents thousands of true Knights bear
, ,

ing the banners of t h e Cross l iving witnesses of t h e truth of t h e

,

resol utions passed by the General Grand E ncampment in 1 83 2 t h at ,

Political Parties in assailing the orders of Knig h thood aim a blow

, ,

at all t h e free institutions of the country .

Th e institution whic h in 1 83 2 was abused and m aligned its

, , ,

m emb ers insulted and degraded an d wh ich could then gat h er in its
,

N ational Convention but fourteen tried souls h as survived t h e ,

abuse the malignity th e insults and degradation an d s tands before

u
, , , ,

y o t o day in its wisdom strength an,

d beauty , .

I n 1 83 2 those fourteen K nig h ts di d not disturb the usual tran

quillity of B altim ore an d t h eir presen ce here was unrecognized
, .

Q uiet in demean or unobtrusive in manner they came wit h a fi rm

, ,

determinatio n to fully perform t h eir devoirs to T emple M asonry .

1 690 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

In 1 h
e authori ties of Baltimore
871 t wit h a l iberality of senti
,

ment and a h eartiness of greeting w h ic h will be gratefully a ppre ~

ci a te d by every T emplar of t h e U nited States welcome us as gue s ts

,

of their m unici pality T h e T em plar Knights throng the city— its

.

houses streets an d squares and are received by bret h ren an d citi

, , ,

z en s wit h a warmth of fraternal generous hospitality unbounded

, ,

a nd ca thol i c a s the princi ples of Freemasonry .

 C H A PT E R I

SY M B O LI S M OF FR EE MAS O N RY

’
[n i r oa a eli ofi

H E study of Sym bols is so closely i nterwoven

with Languag e that it is essentially necessary i n ,

a treatise on Sym bology t h at we should begin ,

with an exami nation into t h e O rigin of language

itself for it is to be presumed t h at language or ,

rather speech was the very first e ffort of man to

,

make his wishes kn own to h is fello w man T h e -

.

h abitual use of certain words applied to the same obj ects produced
, ,

t h e prim itive language .

We s h all not attem pt to follow those wh o have supposed that

language was der i ved from certain i norganic sounds predicated upon
”
t h e utterances of A ni mals called B ow Wow t h eory by M ax
“
,
-

M uller an d ot h ers. N ow we must remem ber that it has been clearly

proven by distingui s h ed ph ilologists that t h e w h ole of what we call “

t h e h uman min d is realized i n language and in language only O ur , .

next task woul d b e to try to discover the constituent elem ents of

language and watc h in t h eir development the true h i s torical devel
, , ,

opme n t of t h e human mind I t becom es requisite in order fully

.

to under s tan d sym bolisms as applied to t h e A ncient Mysteries

, ,

t h e R eligion s of t h e World an d also to S peculative M a s onry t h at

, ,

we s h ould be m ore parti cular in tracing the genealogy of language ,

from its very com men cement so far as it is pos s ible to do so by

, ,

con s ulting t h e works of th ose distingui s h ed writers of the present

century and more particularly within t h e last quarter of the century
,

now ab out to clo s e ; an d inasmuc h as on this particular su bj ect of

lang u age t h ere is intimately associated that of the m ind w h ic h ,

” ”
mean s t h oug h t an d w h ic h again means com bi nation no bet
“ “

ter work can possibly b e referred to than t h e S ci en ce of T a ou

, , ,

g kt by ,

1
MaxM u
ll er, S ci e n ce of T h
ou g h
t ,
vol . i .
, p
. 1 76
.

1 693
1 694 H I S T O RY 01 F R E E M A S O N R Y
?

M ax M uller in his recent two vol ume s, w h ich we may constantly

\

quote from wherever in t h at work we find that h is aut h ority will

confirm our own i dea s
u
‘

M ller 1 S strictly a s cientist in whatever lin e of th oug h t h e

enter s for exam ination and upon this very subj ect h e h as shown t h e
,

manner in w h ic h we may attain t h e trut h vi z by t h e Constituent ,

.
,
“

”
Elements of T h oug h t T h ought and Language
,
” “ “
Constituent ,

”
E lements of Language the O rigin of Concepts and R oots
,
“
.

u
I n t h e proper examination of any individual subject m atter t h e -

only true m et h od of exami nation is by analysis h ence M ller does

analyze so as to s h ow eac h an d e very element w h ic h enters into t h e
composition of lang u
,

age H e s a vs .

Few words h ave been used in so many di fferent sen s es a s

T h oug h t I mean by T h oug h t t h e act of thinking an d by th inkin g
.
,

I mean no m ore than com bining I do not pretend t h at others h ave .

n ot t h e rig h t of using T h ough t in any sense whic h t h ey prefer pro ,

vi de d only t h at t h ey will clearly define it I only wis h to explain .

w h at is t h e mean ing i n w h i c h I intend to use t h e wo r d and in which ,

I h old it oug h t to be u s ed I t h ink means to m e t h e same a s t h e

’
.

Latin Cog i to nam ely Co a g i to I bring together only with t h e pro

,
-
, ,
’

vi s o t h at bringing toget h er or com bining im plies separating for we

, ,

cannot com bine two or many t h ings wit h out at t h e same tim e sepa
rat i ng t h em from all t h e re s t H obbes expre s s ed t h e sam e trut h
.

long a go w h en h e sai d that all our t h inking consisted in addition

‘

and subtraction .
’

H um iliating as t h is may at fir s t sig h t appear it is really n ot ,

mo r e so t h an t h at t h e m o s t s ubtle and com plicated mat h ematical

proce s s es w h ic h to t h e uninitiated s eem beyon d al l compre h ension
, ,

ca n be reduced i n t h e end to addition an d s ubtraction .

T h inki ng may n ot seem s o m arvellous an ac h ievement as we

formerly im agi n ed w h en we l ook up wit h vague admiration to t h e
M a t h ematical Calculati ons of N e wton or to t h e M etaphysical ,

S peculations of Kant ; yet if w h at t h e s e t h inkers ac h ieved h as been

ac h ieved by s uc h s im ple proce s ses as addition and s ubtraction com ,

bining and s eparating t h eir work to t h e mind becomes i n real ity

,

far m o r e marv ellous t h an it appeared at first M uc h h owever de

’

.
, ,

pend s on w h at we com bine and s eparate and we h ave t h erefore to ,

con s ider w h at corresponds i n t h inking to t h e n um bers wi t h w h ic h

t h e mat h ematician operate s w h at are in fact t h e known quantities , ,
1 696 H I S T O R Y OF FR EE M A S O N R Y

T h en h e tied an i maginary pair of bonnet s tri ng s u n der h is chi n -

x

( hi s usual sign for female

) to m ake it un derstood t h at t h e child was
a girl T h. e c h ild s m ot h er was t h e n broug h t on the s cene in a simi
’

lar way She becko ns to t h e c h ild and gives her two pence the s e
.
-
,

being indicated by preten ding to drop two coins from one hand into
t h e other if t h ere had b een any d ou bt as to wheth er t h ey were c0p
per or silver coin s this would have been settled by pointing to som e
t h ing brown or even by one s contem ptuous way of handling coppers ’

which at once distingui s h es them from silver T h e m ot h er also g ives .

the chil d a j ar shown by sketchi ng its s h ape with the fore fi ngers in
,

t h e air and going t h rough the act of handing it over T hen by

, .

i mitating the unmistakable kin d of twist wit h which one turns a

treacle spoon it is made kn own that it is treacle t h e chil d is to buy
-
, .

N ext a wave of t h e han d s h ows the child being sent off on h er

,

erran d t h e usual sign of walking being added whic h is made by

, ,

two fingers walking on the table T h e tu rning of an imaginary .

door han dle now takes us into the sh 0p where the counter is s h o wn
-

by passing the flat hands as it were over i t Behind t h is co u

,

nter a
. .

figure is pointed out ; h e is s h own to be a ma n by the usual sign of

putting a h an d to one s chin and drawing it down w h ere the beard is
’

or would be ; then t h e sign of tying an apron aroun d th e wais t adds

the information that t h e man i s the shopman T o h im the ch ild .

gives the jar dropp i ng t h e money into h is h an d and m oving h er

, ,

forefinger as if taking u p treacle to s h ow w h at s h e want s T hen , .

we see t h e jar put into an imaginary pair of scal es w h ich go up and

down ; t h e great treacle jar is brought from the shelf and the little
-

jar filled with the proper twist to take u p the last trickling thread
t h e grocer puts t h e two coins i n the till and th e girl s ets off with ,

t h e jar ; s h
e sees a drop of treac le on the ri m wipe s it off wit h h er ,

finger and puts h er finger i n h er m out h h

, ow s h e was tempted to ,

take m ore h ow h er mother found h er out by t h e spot of treacl e on

,

h er pi nafore etc ,
.

Th e student anxious to master th e princi les of language will

p
fin d t h is gesture talk s o i nstructive that it will be well to explai n its
-

workings m ore cl o s ely Th e signs u s ed are of two ki nds

.
“
I n th e .

fir s t kind t h ings actual l y pre s ent are s h own T hus i f t h e deaf mute
, .
,
-

wants to m ention h and or s h oe h e touches his own hand or

‘
,
’ ‘
,
’

s h oe Whe r e a speaking man would say l

. t h ou h e th e ,
’ ‘
,
’ ‘
,
’

deaf m ute sim ply poi nts to himself and the ot h er persons T o ex
-
.
 S Y M B O LI S M OF FR EEM A SON R Y 1 697

press red or blue h e touc h es the i nsi de of h is own lip or points

‘
,
’

,
’

to the sky I n the second kind of signs ideas are conveyed by im i

.

ta ti ons T hus preten ding to drink may mean water or to ‘ ’

‘
.
, ,

drink or thirsty ,
’
Laying t h e ch eek on th
‘
e hand expresses .
’

A significant j erk of the whip han d sug

’ ’
sleep or bed tim e
‘ ‘ -
.
-

g ests either wh ip or coachman or to drive as the ca s e ma y

‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’

, ,

be A lucifer is in dicated by pretending to strike a matc h an d

.
‘ ’

‘
candle by the act of holding u p the forefin g er an d pretending to
’

blow it out A lso i n the gesture languag e th e symptom s of t h e

.
-

temper one is i n may be i m itated an d so become signs of the sam e ,

temper i n others T hus th e act of sh ivering becomes an expressive .

sign for cold ; smiles show j oy ‘

approval g oodness w h ile
’ ‘
,
’ ‘
,
’ ‘
,
’

’ ’ ’
frowns show anger disapproval badness I t m ight seem
‘
,
‘
,
‘
.

that such various meanings to one sign would be confusing but ,

th ere is a way of correcting th is for when a single sign does no t ,

m ake th e m eanin g clear others are brought i n to supplement it , .

T hus if one wants to express

’

, a pen it m ay not be su fficient to ‘

,

preten d to write with one as that m ig h t b e i nten ded for writing ,

‘ ’

’
or letter ; b ut if one then pretends to write an d h olds up a pen
‘
,
”
th is will make i t plain that the pen itself i s m eant .

“
I t has to be n oticed that the gesture language by n o means -

matches sign for word with spoken language O ne reason is that it .

h as so little power of expressing abstract ideas T h e deaf m ute can .

-

show particular w a ys of m ak ing things such as building a wall or , ,

cuttin g out a coat b ut it is quite beyo nd h i m to m ake one sign i n ,

elude what is com mon to all these as we use the abstract term to ,

‘
m ak e E ven i n an d out m ust be expressed in some such
.
’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’

clumsy way as by pretendi ng to put the thing talked of in an d t h en to ,

tak e it out N ext let us co mpare an E nglish sentence wit h t h e sign

.

by which the sam e meaning woul d be ex pressed among the deaf and
dum b I t will at once be seen that m any words we u
. s e h ave n o

sign at all corresponding to them T hus wh en we should say i n .

,

words Tfi e h at wki e/i I left on M e table i s bl ack this statem ent

, ,
’

can be practically conveyed in gestures and t h ere will be sign s for ,

what we may call real words such as fi a t lea ve ola ok But for ‘ ’

, , ,
.

w h at may be called the gramm atical word s M e zvfi i eb i s t h ere ‘ ’

, , , ,

will be no S i gns for t h e gesture language h as none A gai n gram,

- .
,

mars l ay down d i stinctions between s ubstantives adj ective s a n d , ,

verbs But these distinctions are n ot to be foun d i n ge s ture lan

.
-
1 698 H IST OR Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

guage where pointing to a grass plot may m ean grass or gree n

,
-
‘ ’ ‘
,
’

an d pretending to warm one s h and s may sugge s t wa rm or to

i
’ ‘ ’

N or ( unles s w h ere artificial

’
warm one s self or even fi re place
’

,
‘
-
.

sig n s h ave been broug h t in by teac h ers ) is t h ere anyt h ing in t h e gest
ure language to correspond wit h t h e infl ection of words such as di s
-

t i n gu
,

i s hgoes l from g o a i m from /26 a oma m from a oma s

’
What i s ’

done is to call u
.
, ,

p a picture i n t h e m in ds of t h e s pectators by fir s t

s etting up somet h ing to be t h ought ab out and t h en adding to or ,

acting on i t till the w h ole story is told I f t h e signs do n ot follow

,
.

i n s uc h order as to carry meanings as t h ey go t h e looker on will be ,

-

perplexed T h us in conveying to a deaf and dum b c h il d t h e thought

.
,
- -

of a green box on e m u s t make a sign for box firs t an d t h en sho w

,
’

’
as by pointing to gra s s outside that its color is green ,
‘
.

T h is account of t h e gesture language will h ave made it clear to -

t h e reader by w h at easy and rea s onable means m an can express h is

”
t h oughts in visi ble signs 1
S o we may conclude t h at from these .

fundamentals by wh ic h men formulated their special gestures soon

, ,

t h ey became enabled to pro duce vi s i ble signs to represent things “

,

and gradually to sketc h t h e same upon any plain s urface so t h at

, , ,

t h e idea s b ecame permanently fixed to be understood by others for

any given ti me by whic h they were reminded of separate facts or
, ,

continuous narratives .

I n due ti me w h en religious rites were adopted these written or

, ,

engraved s igns became sym bols and em bl ems and were perpetuated , ,

from fat h ers to sons along t h e track of tim e and their engravings
, ,

upon stone eit h er as m onuments tom b s obeli s ks or temples have

, , , , ,

existed from time im memorial to our day .

We m ay t h u s trace from t h e original elements of symb ols t h e

great variety of com binations w h ic h we find in t h e represen tations ,

of t h e vari ous D eities i n all t h e an cient religions of t h e world in

, ,

w h ic h did our lim its perm it we mig h t wit h great profit trace t h e
, ,

gradual development from t h e simplest form s to t h e m o s t abstru s e

and recondite representations of D eity .

“
W h erefore from h ence it plai nly appears that these Platonic
,

and Egyptian pagans w h o t h u s reduced t h eir mu ltiplicity of God s

,

to t h e d ivine idea s did not t h erefore make them to be s o many

,

m ind s or spirits really disti n ct from t h e S upreme God ( t h oug h

,

1
A nthopol og y by T yl o
r ,
”
r .
1 700 H I S T O R Y or FR EEM A SON R Y

well k nown an d im parted to t h e initiates into the M ysteri es of

I ndia Per s ia and Egypt long centuries before C h
, ,
rfs t ,
.

I n fact there i s strong p resum ptive eviden ce t h at w h en the

,

great A ryan wave of em igration passed from A rya Varta to the

S out h E astward and crossing t h e I ndus s wept before it to th ,
e , ,

S outhward the great T uranian R aces who h ad preceded them an d

, ,

h ad long been in h abitant s of the Peninsula of H i ndoosta n they ,

carried these prin ciples wit h t h em an d engrafted t h em upon th e

supers titions w h ic h t h ey found prevailing over t h e races thus su b
d ued M any of t h ese super s titio ns united wit h th e C h ri s tian dog
.
,

ma s are to be foun d in several branc h es of the Christian Churc h

,
.

S im ple individual devotion require s n o outward manifestation ;

,

Concurrent R eligious observances systemati z ed deman ded a com , ,

m on met h od in which the m any s h ould Co operate ; the idea i h -

wa rdly suggested must be objectively represented ; this wa s t h e

im pelling m otive for public worshi p — whic h wa s origi nally per
formed in adoration of t h e H eavenly Bod ies m ore particularly of ,

t h e Sun the greatest benefactor o f M an t h en of t h e M oon a n d the

, ,
t

principal Stars or as they were called the Planets (m oving stars)

e M u
.
,

Th
”
s ta r i on Sacramentum t h e
“
i nward feeling ill ustrated ,

by som e symbol was not adopted but th e originators of R ituals , ,

s ub s tituted Secret Cerem onies taking the mysteries in a m ore lit ,

eral sense to conceal certain facts and peculiar doctrines from t h e

,

peopl e an d yet we fin d from T ertullian that in the O rgies of M ith

,
1

ras t h ere wa s a remarkable rite a ki nd of Sacram ent w h ich wa s , ,

admini s tered to t h e initiate by the H ierophant .

I n adopting Sym bols the simpl est form s were selected wh ich
woul d ex press t h e i dea to be conveyed .

Th e words now i n use for certain substantives were i n t h e O rig ,

i nal language Selected to express M etaph orically certain i deas

, , ,
.

I n t h at Country from whence wa s partly derived our own l an ,

guage we fin d that t h e people our great A ncestors living m ostly

, , ,

un der t h e broad Canopy of H eaven directed t h eir religiou s or de ,

voti on a l thoughts to th e glorious Light which upon its daily r e , ,

turn was the source of all eart h ly desire T h

, e fire
( A gni ) th e .
,

earl y D awn ( U shas) t h e full daylight ( M itra ) t h e R i s ing Sun

2
, , ,

1
T er t ull ia n, D e Pr e s cr i pt i o, ”
h xl
c . .

2
M i tr a S t ; J u pi t
, Ag
M or n i n g a r er . ni , U s ha s ,
M i tr a ; t h
es e i n i ti a l s, A . U . M .
, con

s ti tu t d th M y ti c N A M E of th H i du
e e s e n s .
 S Y M B O LI S M OF F R E E M A S O N R Y 1 701

t h M eridian
e Sun and dec lining an d S etting Sun all had th eir
, ,

appropriate name s The Clouds of morning an d even i ngh t h. e

Winds w h ich gathered or dispersed them also h ad t h eir peculiar ,

designation s an d so every object of nature w h ic h added to t h eir

,

pleasure an d com fort or in any manner interfered with these so as , ,

to i nterrupt t h eir daily duties an d militate against t h eir happiness ,

received corresponding names .

T h ese i n succeedi ng generatio ns becam e the representatives of

, ,

fi ctitious personages an d Suprem e objects of w or s hip until i n the ,

classic days of Greece w h ich succeeded the A llegorical age of I nd ,

ian and Egyptian Mysticisms the Pantheon was a com plete per ,

s on i fi ca t i on of the powers of N ature w h ich ma n h ad deified and , ,

made h is tyrants to control every em otion of the heart an d every

act of his l ife th us placing the whol e race of M an under t h e do
,

m inion an d power of the Pri esthood of that Pant h eon who also ,

exercised their A uthority in such a m ann er as to en s lave the Souls ,

u
as well as the bodies of the Worshippers at their Shrines 1
, .

M ax M ller in h is T r ea ti s e on Wor a s clearly shows from

,
’
,

whence are derived certain words w h ich i n our language h ave b e , ,

com e s o comm on as to have lost their ori g inal tech nical sense .

L igli t .

T h
e great object of
ryan desi re derived through th e Latin A
Lux from t h e Greek Lu
,
kn os was nearly the sam e in S anskrit an d , ,

t h e M oon Lukina So th e s even Stars i n t h e N ort h bein g t h e

,
.
,
”
Seven Sh iners became t h e Great Bear because the sam e word
,
“
,

was use d for sh in ing an d a bear whose h air was shining We have
e Greek Lu ka b os a year a revolution of Luc ; Lu
.
, ,

th ke i os an epi
thet of A pollo ; Lukos a Wol f with shi ning hair from leu
, , ,

kos w h ite , , ,

or s h in ing an d sacred to A pollo ; Lucus a grove becau s e planted

, , ,

aroun d the hig h places of Luc ; the E nglish word L a ck because it ,

2
indicate s prosperity is represented by Light , .

Th e Se ven Stars or Seven R ishis were derived from R is h i itin , , ,

er a n t from R i an d R ish to go A r k t os — Bear R iks h a — Bear . .

, , , ,

Th e Wors h ip of Ligh t passed to th e cau s es of Lig h t ; fi rst of

the Sun M oon an d S tars then of Fire ; then into m ore soli d forms
, , , ,

1
h
A n d t i s conti n u es to t e h p e s e n t da y
r , e v en in n a ti on s ca ll e d ci v i l iz ed .

2 Fa b e r, M y s ter i e s Ca b e r i,
”
vol . i .
, p
. 29 .
1 702 H I S T O R Y OF “
FR EEM A SON R Y

to represent the flame upright Stones of Con i cal an d pyram id a l, ,

form roug h Stone or un h ewn as i n Gaul and in Bri tai n

, ,
.

Th e Worship of individuals either real or myth ical was trans , ,

ferred to animals w h ich were m ade to represent them as from the

, ,

doctrine of transm igration t h e Soul of O siris h ad passed into a B n ll, ,

t h at animal becam e the Supreme object of Worship as the Cat was

for D iana and the Cow for I sis N ow writing H ieroglyphically
,
.
,

contri butes g reatly to t h is Species of i dolatry an d t h e Priests did ,

then as they have don e ever since in every form of worship hol d
, , ,

the power an d th e m ethod of interpretation from all b ut those

wh om th ey chose to i nitiate into t h ose mysteries an d concealed by ,

this veil so artfully t h rown over their system from all others
, ,
.

T h us the H ieroglyph for God wa s a Star an d the sym bol of a

, ,

S tar was a Serpent from whence proceeded the U niversal Serpent

,

Worship wh ich extended over th e whole Worl d .

I t would not be an un profitable task to follow out to its legiti

m ate conclusion the subject of the Serpent Sym bol but we s h all ,

only allude to som e of the sym bols in our furth er illustrations of

this subj ect I t h as been well settled that the serpent sym bol wa s
.

legitimately derived from t h e traditions of Paradise so famili arly ,

known an d represented by all t h e N ations of A ntiquity an d in thei r ,

religious rites it may be said T h ,

e trace of th e S erpen t was over ,
“

t hem all .

Fro m this meager sketch it m ay be seen h ow religion which ,

wa s first pure an d an earnest outpouring of the heart to th e Great

,

a n d b en e fi ce n t Creator degenerated i nto gross idolatry ,

.

We now pass from the general su b j ect to the more special one
of H ieroglyphical writings .

I t is assumed t h at alphabetical Ch aracters in their fi rst con

dition were sub s tantive emblems or sim ple representations of la n
guage
u
.

From S h ckfor d i n h i s Con n ecti ons of S a cr ed a nd Pr o

, f a ne

H i s tory we learn that ,

“
the first l anguage h ad but one part o f
s peech an d consisted c h iefly of a few nam es for creatures an d thin gs

O thers do not concu

,
’

”
M ankin d h ad to do with r i n this and say
.
,

Th
“
e art of thinking w h ich is the arran g ement of our ideas from
,

t h e perceptions of natural obj ects cannot exist without s om e degree ,

of rea s on an d th e various an d abstru s e combinations of reason will

scarcel y be produced wit h out t h e use of words expres s ing q u a li ti es ,
1 704 H I ST OR Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

Let us for example suppose t h at the letter B was called B a r

, ,

and such a term prim arily imported a ci ng or ex i s ti ng W e are told .

B a i was t h e E gyptian denomination for a branch of t h e Palm t ree -

,

whic h tree was anciently regarded as an em blem of being existence , ,

o r imm ortal ity ; again H ora pollo says B a i sign ifies a H awk the , , ,

soul an d t h e W ind wherefore the E gyptian s used the H awk as a ,

s ymbol for t h e soul .

“
Th e Greeks called t h e palm bran ch B a i on Bais and Beta or -
, ,

Baita the letter B pre s erves t h e soun d of H ebrew Bet h or E gyp

, ,

tian B a t b ut t h e idea of the name i n Greek from B ei ba i oo to con

, , ,

firm establis h or place i n a perm anen t state of exi s tence T h

,
e .

Lati ns called t h is letter B e nearly the simple name of the Bai or ,

symbolical pal m branc h A n d Be i n the Celtic conveys the sam e

-
.

leading i dea of exi s tence I ri s h B e is t h e term for life ; Cornish .

signifies B e A m A rt is existent 1 ”
.
, , , ,

Th e H ebrew word for the D eity called the T etragrammaton is

” ”
also derived from t h e word to be I am I will be I am all “
, ,
! “
,
“

t h at exists I n Egyptian the same word is used for the pri ncipal
.
,

D eity .

Th e O rigin of H ieroglyp h ics was sim ply picture writing an d -

,

consisted in the representation of a drawing of any visible ob j ect

connected wit h it I mprovement s aros e to obviate di fficulties and
.

m eet the necessities of circumstances as t h ey occurred an d i n due ,

season a regular s ystem wa s ordained an d became conventional an d ,

determ inate T h u s certain sym bols became kn own an d establis h ed

.
,

for certain characteristics ; as for in stance T h e H awk as an , , ,

em blem of the S upreme D eity because of its piercing sight and ,

s wiftne s s Th e A s p also n ot being subject to old age and m oving

.
, ,

w ithout limb s T h e Crocodile because it has n o tongue w h ic h

.
, ,

organ God h as no occa s ion for .

A t t h e period of th e greatest perfection of E gyptian writing

there were t h ree kinds vi z E pistoli c H ieroglyphic an d Sym bolic ,
.
, , ,
.

Th e Priests had a fourth which wa s termed H ierogram matic whic h , ,

was kn own only to their order M odern writ ers s ubdivide t h e

’

a bove into

1 Pure H ieroglyphic or picture ; 2 Linear H ieroglyphic or

, , , ,

e mblem s ; 3 P h onetic H ieroglyp h ic or representations of sound ;

, ,

1 Da vi s, of Celt R es. .
, p 3 3 9 in
.
, O l iv er s
'
Lect u re V .
, p 64. .
 S Y M B O LI S M OF FR EE M A S O N R Y 1 705

a nd , or E pistolographic or E nchorial writing for t h

4 D e m otic , e ,
1
,

uses of comm on life .

Sym bolic writing wa s sub divided into three parts vi z Curio , .

,

logi c speaki ng literally T ropical a figure an d A llegorical descrip

, , ,

ti on of one thi ng un der the image of another , .

T his was for greater secrecy each admitting of a di fferent ,

method of i nterpretation which was communicated only to a few , .

I n t h e Curiologic style t h e m oon was pictured by a cre s cent ,

T ropically by a Cat ; A llegorically by the figure of I s is or a

veiled female ; T h e Sun by a di sk ; T ropi cally by an O x and
A llegorically by a fig u
,

re of O siris
e word Sym bol derived from S u
.

Th mb olon ( Symb ol um ) means , ,

that which represents or is a sign o f som ething expressing to the ,

initiate a doctrine th ought o r principle E m blem from E m

, , ,

ble ma fi rst signified work inlaid or raised ornaments or M osaic

, , ,

work ; now it is m ade to m ean th e sam e as sym b ol

u
.

A D . 6
3 3 Y a m.b li ch s
9
says that h e considered th e m ode of
,

teaching by sym bols m ost necessary an d t h at n early all the Greek s ,

cultivated it as the M ost A n cient and transcendentally honored by

,

t h e E gyptians an d adopted by them in the m ost d iversified M anner

, .

Th
“
e fir s t requisite of a sym bol i s that it s h all really m ean ,

som ething ; t h at it s h all b e in its nature a proper an d adequate sign

and token of somethin g ; an d the secon d is that this som ething ,
”
shall be wort h knowi n g an d remem beri ng 3
.

Th e O rigin of t h e science of S ymbols is lost i n t h e night of

tim e an d seems to connect itself wit h th e Cradle of H um anity ; t h e

,

m ost ancient Wor s h ips sub m itted to its la w ; the A rts of design ,

A rchitecture Statuary and Painting were born un der i ts in fluence

, , ,

4 ”
and th e prim itive writing was also one of i ts a pplications .

E verything is E mblemati c everything is figurative everyt h ing , ,

i s m ore or less H ieroglyp h i c am ong s t th e A ncients T h ey began i n .

C h aldea by placi ng or rat h er by givi ng to Som e Con stellation s t h e

,

n am e of the R a m and of t h e Bull eit h er to signify t h e productions

of t h e s e A n imals during t h e S pring or to pay a pec u
, ,

liar h omage to ,

1
Epl c c o uht y
n c or i os , o
p p ul comm o i v a t d t
e, l t p i od T hy n r ,
a r, n, n en e a a a e er . e

i v t d
n en e oth y t m of M g i c l Commu i c tio whi chi mb dd d C b l i ti c S t
a n er s s e a a n a n e e a a s e cr e s

in com p h i v ph re tht w ens ot o ly my t i ou

e bu t b olu t ly fo m i d bl to
ra s es , a e re n n s er s, a s e r a e

th i g o
e t nS ooth y w M g i c A l m po t phi l t
ra n . sa d d g ou com pou d
e rs er e a a r - s s e rs a n a n er s n s

w ere t u Chmb re a s tc re a er s , e .

V t Py thg o
2 i aA lb t P i k P o t l S ymb ol d E gypti
a ra s .
” 3
er e .
4
r a ,
s es e ns .
1 706 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

th e D eity as soon as they began to depart from the religion of

,
\

N oah Fire was the s ymbol of t h e D eity among the Persian s

. .

Th e rising of Sirius or D og Star in formed the E gyptians of the -

inun dation of t h e N ile T h e Serpent holding its tail in i ts m out h

'

.
, ,

becam e t h e image of eternity T h e whole of nature was disguised .

and emblem atically represented by t h e primitive inhabitants of our

globe I f we place all the sym bols an d em blem s which we have
.

received from A ntiquity under the inspection of a M an of sense or ,

even of a scholar w h o had never h eard of them h e will not be able ,

to ex plain any of them I t is a figurative and em blematic language

w h ic h requires a particular study before it ca n oe u
.

” 1
n der s tood .

O ne of t h e most beautiful of t h e A ncient figures is that of

“

“
T im a e us of Locri who describes D eity to be ,
a Circle whose
”
centre wa s everyw h ere an d w h ose circumference nowhere 2
.

Th
“
e p h ilosop h y of t h e Egyptian Priests wa s abstruse an d
h idden ; enveloped in fable and allegory and ex hibiting only dark , ,

h ints an d obscure resem blances to truth an d thus much even the

, ,

priests t h emselves insinuate to us in m any instan ces particularly in , ,

t h o s e sp h inxe s whic h t h ey seem designedly to h ave placed before

t h eir T em ples as types of the enigm atical nature of their theol
,

ogy of t h i s nature was t h e inscription engraved upon the base of

M inerva s statue at S ais wh om they look upon t h e sam e as I sis
’

, ,

vi z . I am everything t h at has been that is an d that shall be ;

‘
, ,

N or h as any M ortal ever yet been able to d iscover w hat is unde r

3 ”
my Veil .
’

Th e nam e of A M U N A M N is interpreted by M anetho to sign ify

-

Concealment or someth ing which is hidden O s iris is designated

, .

under t h e h ieroglyphs of an eye an d a scepter the form er den oting ,

h i s providential W isdom as the latter does h i s power t h ey being

, ,

t h e two mo s t di s tingui s hing C h aracteristics of D eity A lso of sym .

bol s U n der w h ic h t h e M ystics en deavored to lead their Votari es

to t h e Knowledge of divin e truth an d though some of t h ese are , ,

m ore cl ear and explicit t h an ot h ers yet are they n ot any of t h em ,

wit h out ha z ard for w h il s t some persons by w h olly mistak ing t h eir
M eaning and applicati on h ave t h ereby plunged themselves into ,

superstiti on others t h at t h ey mig h t avoid s o fatal a quagm ire h ave

, , ,

”
un awares da s hed t h em s elve s upon the rock of A t h ei s m .

1
S pi n e t o, Le ct u o El m
res n e e n ts of H i er o g ly phi cs .
2 A lb er t P ik e .

Plu t ch D Ia r ,
“
e s i di e t O i id
s r e, di e d A D . . 1 40 .
i 7o8 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

o writing words by t h ings ’

r e ns , i . e
.
,
Like m any other games ‘
.
,

t h is on e keeps up i n c h ild s sport w h at i n earlier ages was m an s ’ ’

earnest T hus if one writes the word waterman by a picture of

.
‘ ’

a water jug and a m an t h is is drawing the mean ing of t h e word in

-
,

a way h ardly b eyond t h e A merican I ndian s picture of th e kingfis h er ’

.

B ut it is very di fferent when i n a child s book of pu zz les one fi nd s ’

t h e drawing of a water can a m an being shot an d a date fruit t h is -

, , ,

representing i n rebus t h e word Can di date ‘

- -
.
’

For now w h at the pictures h ave com e to stan d for is no lo nger

“

their mean ing b ut their mere sou n d T h is is true phonetic writing

,
.
,

though of a rude kind and s h ows h ow t h e practical art o f writing ,

reall y came to be invented T h is i nvention seem s to have been .

made more t h an once an d i n somew h at di fferent ways T h e old

, .

M exicans before t h e arrival of the Spaniards had got so far as to

, ,

spell t h e n ames of person s and place s by pictures rebus fas h ion ,

.

E ven w h en they began to be Christian

i z e d they contrived to use their picture ,

writing for the Lati n words of their n ew

P ” (0 h t
religion T h us they painted a flag (pan)
n oc o

PA A m
.
,
TE R N O ST E R ON ME ! IC N er
— whic h
W
(I R E -
(A A )
RI TI N G
a ston e ( )
te a prickly
FT E R
pear ( noch )
U BI N .
,

were together pronounced pa te noch te - - -

and served to spell t a ter n os ter i n a wa y that wa s totally exact for ,

M exicans who h ad n o r i n t h eir language I n the sam e way they .

ended t h e prayer with the picture of water (a ) a nd al oe (me) to ex

pre s s a men .
”

“
T h is leads on to a m ore im portant system of writing Looking .

at t h e ordinary Chinese c h aracters on tea c h ests or vases one would -

,

h ardly th ink t h ey h ad to do wit h picture s of th ings B ut t h ere are .

fortunately preserved certain early C h ine s e characters kn own as the ,

ancient pictures which s h o w how w h at were at firs t distinctly

‘ ’

formed sketches of objects came to be dashed off in a few stroke s

of the rab bit s hair pencil till they pa s sed into t h e m eani ngless look
’
v
,

ing cursive forms n ow i n use as i s s een i n the followin g figure , .

S n u M oon Ma m ma l fl ee

A n a l-
na
g D
Ma m
CH I N E S E A
a E
N CI E N T
w
PI CT U R E S A N D L T E R A
7k
CU R SI VE
fl
F OR M S .
 S Y M B O LI S M O F FR EEM A SON R Y 1 709

h
Te C h in e e di d n ot top hort at m aking such mere pi ctures
s s s

of obj ects which goes but little way toward writing T h inventors
, . e

of the present m ode of C h inese writing wanted to repre s ent the

spoken soun ds b ut h ere t h ey were put in a di fficulty by t h eir lan
,

guage consisting of m onosyllables so that one word has m any dif ,

fe re n t m eanings T o m eet t h is they devised an ingenious plan of

.

making com poun d c h aracters or pictures and sounds i n w h ic h ,

‘

,
’

on e part gives t h e soun d w h il e t h e other gives the sense T o give

, .

an idea of this suppose it were agreed that a picture of a b ox s h ould

,

stand for the soun d oox A s h owever this soun d has several mean
.
, ,

ings some sign m ust be added to sh ow which is inten ded T h us a

, .

key m ight be drawn beside it to sh ow i t is a lose to put t h ings in ,

or a leaf if it is to mean t h e plant called oox ; or a han d if it is i h ,

ten ded for box o n the ear or a wh ip would show it was to signify
the [Box of a coach .

T his woul d be for us a clumsy proceeding but it would be a ,

great advan ce beyond m ere picture writing as it woul d make sure -

,

at once of the sound and the m eaning T hus in Chin ese t h e s oun d .
,

en ow has vario us meanings as ship flu ff fl ickering basin loquacity, , , , , .

Th erefore the character whic h represents a s h ip cnozv w h ich is

, , ,

placed first i n the figure as represented afterward wit h additional

characters to sho w w h ich particular m eani ng of chow is intended
, .

“
T hese exam ples t h ough far from explain ing t h e w h ole my s tery
,

of Chinese writin g give som e idea of the principles of its soun d

, ,

c h aracters and keys of determ inative signs and show wh

, y a C h ine se ,

h as to m aster such an immensely compl icated set of c h aracters in

order t o write his own language .

“
N ext as to t h e cuneiform writing such as is to be seen at t h e ,

British M useum on the h uge m an h eaded bulls of N ineve h or on -

,

the flat baked bricks whic h were pages of book s in t h e library of

Senn acherib T h e marks like wedges or arrow h ead s arranged in
.
,
-
,

grou ps or rows do not look much like pictures of obj ects Y et

,
.

t h ere is evidence that they cam e at first fro m picture writing ; for -

i nstance t h e sun was represented by a ru de figure of it by four

,

strokes arranged round O f the groups of c h aracters in an i n .

scription some serve directly to represent obj ects as man wom an

, , , ,

river h ouse while other groups are read phonetically a s stan ding for
, ,

s yllable s .

Th e inventor s of t h is an cient system appear to h ave belonged to

1 71 0 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

t h e A kkadian g roup of N ations t h e founders of ea r ly Babylonian ,

civilization I n later ages the A ssyrians an d Persians learned to

.

write their language by Cuneiform characters i n i nscriptions which ,

remai n to this day as t h eir ol dest records But the Cuneiform writ .

ing was cum brous i n the extreme and had to give way when it ca me ,

i nto competition with the alphabet T o un derstan d t h e origi n of .

t h at i nvention it is necessary to go back to a plan of writing which

,

dates from antiquity pro bably even hi g her than th e Cuneiform of

,

Babyl on ia n amely the h ieroglyphics of E gypt

, ,
.

Th
“
e earliest k nown hieroglyphic inscriptions of E gypt belong

to a period approaching 3 000 E ven at this ancient tim e the

plan of writing wa s so far developed that the scribes had the m ean s
of spelling any word p h onetically when they c h ose B ut though ,
.
,

t h e E gyptians had thus come to writing by sound they only trusted ,

to it in part com bining it with signs which are evidently remains of

,

earlier picture writing T hus t h e mere pictures of an ox a star

-
.
, ,

a pair of san dal s m ay stand for ox star sandals E ven where they
, , ,
.

spelled words by t h eir soun ds they had a remarkable wa y of addin g

w h at are called determinatives whic h are pictures to con firm or ,

explain the meaning of t h e spelled word O ne short sentence given

as an exam ple from R enou
.

ls E gypti a n G r a mma r shows all these

’

devices T h e meaning is :
. I ( am ) the S n God coming fort h ‘
u -

from the h orizon against his enem ies ’

On:
i ne w Wa ll?
n u
b ra n et a r
p er e m a nd ! er xa fi c -f

ere part of t h e pictures of animals and t h ings are letters to

H
be read into Egyptian words as s h own underneath : But others a re ,

still real pictures intended to s tan d for w h at they represent T h

, e .

sun is shown by his picture with a on e m ark below an d followed , ,

by the battle axe whic h i s t h e symbol of divinity w h ile further on

-
, ,

comes a picture of t h e horizon wit h t h e sun on it Besides t h e s e .

,

some of t h e figures are determ inative pictures to explain the words ,

 S Y M B O LI S M OF F R E E M A S O N R Y 1 71 1

th e verb to walk being followed by an explanatory pair of legs an d ,

t h e word enemy h aving a pi cture of an enemy after it an d then ,

three stroke s t h e sign of plural ity I t seem s t h at the E gyptians

,
.

b egan wit h m ere picture writing l ike t h at of the barbarou s tri bes of
-
,

A meri ca an d t h oug h i n after ages t h ey cam e to use some figures

, , ,

as phonetic c h aracters or letters they n ever had t h e strength of min d

,

to rely on them entirely but went on using the ol d pictures as well

, .

H ow they were led to make a picture to stand for a soun d i s not

h ard to see I n the figure a character m ay b e noticed whic h is read
.

R . T his is an outline of an open mouth and i ndeed is often u s ed ,

to represent a m outh b ut t h e E gyptian word for mouth being R O ,

the sign cam e to b e used as a ch aracter letter to spell t h e soun d R O

or R wherever it wa s wanted So m uch of th e h istory of the art of
.

writing m ay t h us be read i n a single hieroglyph ic sentence 1

.
”

Firmly believing t h at the guiding han d of an all wise an d over -

ru li ng Providence h as conducted m ankin d from h i s earliest appear

ance on earth commencing as we h ave endeavored to s h ow with
, , ,

his prim itive notions of t h ings an d h is e fforts to illustrate his first

cru de and im perfect ideas and clearly to demon s trate his gradual
advancem ent i n expressing tho s e i deas until h e had accomplished ,

th e same by fram ing al p h abetical writing— as s h own i n t h e earliest

written languages— we will en deavor to demonstrate t h at it must
have been by D ivine R evelation t h at this was fi nally accom plished
’
in the gradual development of m an s i nventive genius im planted by
D ivine Providence in t h e
“
T hree R evelations .

I t would seem evidently proper i n t h e exam ination of symbol

i sms i n con nection with t h e ancient religi ons t h at we s h ould al s o
exam ine that religion which commencing wit h M oses an d t h e
children of I s rael h as grad u
,

,
ally advanced an d spread over the
whole world .

T yl o r A nth
r opo og l y , pp
. 1 73 , 1 74 .
 CH A PT E R II

TH R EE E V E R LA T I O NS

H E Will of God a s t h e Suprem e rule of ri ght i s

foun d expressed in t h e M or a l Con s titution of
t h e world ; of the A gent himself and of H oly ,

”
Scripture .

I t is generally admitted t h at t h ese t h ree

forms of t h e revelation of t h e D ivine Will do
exi s t
e light of nature or m oral teac h ing from the moral con s t i t u
.

Th , ,

tion of t h e Worl d an d of M an are undervalued by some T h ose .

wh o deny C h ri s tianity as a system an d simply believe in the exi s t

,

ence of God only place too h igh an e s timate u pon t h e Light of

,

N ature an d rej ect th e aut h ority of the revelation of t h e M ind an d

,

W ill of God in t h e Scriptures known to us as the O l d an d N ew

,

T e s tam ent s .

I t i s for t h e p h ilosop h ical M i nd to discover t h at these t h ree “

copies of t h e Will of God are from t h e same divine M ind ,

T hat t h e same fundamental m oral prin ciples and tendencies are

em bodied in all of t h em .

N ow we write for t h ose who as M asons have solem nly and in, , ,

t h e pre s ence of many witnesses professed a firm bel ief i n God an d

, ,

t h at t h ey put t h eir tru s t in H i m therefore we m ust confidently

“ ”

expect that every M ason wh o m ay read t h is t h e s i s will understand

t h at h e i s un der M oral obligations to obey t h e will of that God i n

w h om we tru s t and we shall proceed to s h ow how the Will of God
h a s been revealed to M an .

From t h e h istories of all t h e A ncient N ations we learn t h i s fact ,

t h at com mencing wit h t h e earlie s t form of religion down to t h e

,
,

pre s en t C h ri s tian era in t h e year of t h e creation of t h e world com

,

monly known a s A nno M undi 4000 accor ding to t h e recent ch , ro

n olo y every form of religiou s fait h h a s been founded in a C h ri s

g ,

tos ,
!
t h e A nointed h e n ce eac h wa s a form of C h ri s tian ity
,
“
.

1 71 2
1 71 4 H I S T OR Y OF F R EE M A S O N R Y

result of cause an d e ffect ; an d we may thus con cl u de that God h as

so constituted all N ature that he approves of V i rti i e and con demns

Vice “
.T h ese M oral tendencies are un iver s al being everyw h ere ,

o bserved i n creation a n d providence an d i n i ndividual an d social ,

experience T hey are inevitable — vice i n t h e long run produci ng

.
, ,

m isery ; an d virtue producing h appiness by a law as unchangeable ,

”
as the law of gravitation Plato s aid by the S ophist H ippias
.
,

N ow by J ove I mu s t here confess t h at I do perceive plain traces

, ,

o f a D ivine Law ; for t h at laws s h oul d bring along with them their
own penalty w h en broken is a m o s t rare device to wh ic hno m ere ,

hum an legi s lator has even yet been able to attain .

’
T here i s evidently to every reflecting m ind in God s U ni
, , ,

verse a Vast an d Wondrous System of M oral compensation s

“

an d M oral retri bution s em bracing all t h e subjects of the D ivine

Government .

( )
6 N o t l
ea s i y i n terp r eted I n t h is form it i s very diffi cult to
.

i nterpret the Will of God T hat wonderful M an Paul sai d that the .

i nvisible t h ings of God — h is eternal power and D eity— may b e made

kn own by t h ing s that are s een yet M an li mited as he i s bounded , , ,

by the en slavem ent of t h e fle s h can s ee but dimly t h e record of t h e ,

M oral attri bute s an d M oral law by t h e results of cause s i n th e N a t

ural World From t h ese sources only t h ose who h ave attained to
.

t h e h ig h est p h ilo s op h y can even remotely see th e rule of rig h t from

external N ature N evert h eless we may perceive even i f rem otely
.
, , ,

t h at God contemplated in t h e Creation of t h e U n iverse that all

, ,

t h ings sh ould work toget h er for a specific purp ose an d i n his i n fi ,

n ite m i nd t h ere coul d not be a separation of the M oral attribute

from those essentially necessary i n h is character as the Suprem e

Governor an d Creator of all things .

S econ a ’
S no
j ect .
— R evela ti on i n M
’
a n s N a u
t re .

We pre s um e t h at i n t h e original creation of M an t h e revelation ,

of the Will of God i n M an s M oral Constituti on must have been

,
’

clear and perfect I s t h i s t h e case n ow wit h M an ? A n d m ay we

.

well ask H ow an d w h en di d t h e c h ange take place ? O bserva

,

tion an d our Own per s onal experien ce clearly dem on s trate t h e

fact T h at it i s now defective and dim and the teac h ing of rev
“
t

elation al s o con fi rm s t h e tr u
,

th .
 TH R EE R E V E LA T IO N S 1 71 5

T h
e following is t h e im m ediate and practical rule rule :
“
A
of right i n ord er to be i n t h e h ighest sen s e pr a cti ca l m ust be
, ,

a lwa r ea a a o
’
s a t ba n d an d i n le form For a being essentially
y .

and always active em ergen cies of M oral acti on m ust be constant

and often sudden an d u
,

nexpected so that time is not always given ,

for consulting som e o utward rule to b e comp re h ended by t h e

processes of reasoning Th e A ut h or of M an s being h as there ’
.
,

fore placed a revelation of t h e rule of rig h t i n t h e soul to be

, ,

read intuitively and s o to furn ish a practical guide suited to h is

,

circumstances .

For M ankin d in general experience teaches us t h at t h is rule

,

is the chief practical guide for M oral conduct Profes s or H aven .

says : Wit h i n certain l imits th e M oral n ature of M an decides

“
, ,

wit h out hesitation as to the Ch a racter of given actions and a p

, ,

proves an d condem ns accordingly I t is sel dom at a l oss as to

the great dividing lines w h ich separate t h
.

e K ingdom of rig h t and

wron g I t is the voice of nature es s entially th e same i n all climes

.
,

and ages of t h e W orl d approving the right condem n ing t h e

, ,

wrong I t is t h e voice of God speaking t h rough t h e M oral N a

.

ture an d constitution w h ic h h as been b estowed upon h is creatures .

T h u s it is that t h ey whic h have the law wit h in are a la w unto them

”
selves .

T h is inner sense of M oral rectitude can not be the U lti mate

guide for it i s well kn own t h at educati on l ocation customs and
, , , ,

h abits control our ideas of rig h t and wrong in t h e abstract ; and it

is also true t h at a s we cha nge from one Kingdom or N ation to
,

others we do fi nd the inner con s ci ousness of M en di ffering where —

fore we are forced to fin d the U lti mate principle by w h ic h to de

, ,

cide between any two conflicting ideas of M oral rectitu de ; and we

”
t h us come to a direct revelation by S cripture w h ich when re “
,

ce i ve d as tho s e of divine inspirati on we are of neces s ity to obey ,

t h em a s t h e mind an d will of God ; an d to w h ic h we mu s t refer a s

,

standards for our govern ment .

Th e C h ri s tian T h eologians h ave in all t h e pa s t written con , ,

s ta ntly i n advocacy of t h e divine origin of t h e B ible I t is not

ou
.

r provin ce in s o s h ort an A rticle a s t h is m ust be to enter at a l

.
l ,
”
i nto a discus s ion of t h e validity or t h e A ut h enticity of t h e T ext “

of Scripture Volum e s h ave been written and but few h ave been
.
,

convi n ced s ave t h o s e already b elievers h ence we content our

“ «

,
1 71 6 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

selves i n t h is dictum A s M asons we receive it as the U ltimate

“

Stan dard of our M orality an d by it as our adopted Con st i tu

,

“
, ,

tion we mu s t inevitably b e tried an d b e acquitted or con demn e d

I f it b e but of human origin it is nevertheless the fou
.
, ,

n da ti on upon,

which every M oral prin ciple i n M asonry now stands just as we are
governed by the Constituti ons R ules R egulations and E dicts whic h , , ,

are acknowledged as of human authority only an d do govern us i n ,

our com m on j urisprudence through out the en tire World of M ason s ,

so do t h e S criptures rule an d govern our E thics and M oral Con

duct whether t h ey be human only or of D ivine origin T hose
, , .

M oral principles clearly enunciated i n the Bible appeal to t h e

, ,

M oral consciousness of M ankind i n general ; and it is only in t h e

M inds of those wh o have s u ffere d their M oral principles to be

a tr op n i ea that there
’
,
ever has been or ever will b e anyone to den y
this A mong all enlig h tened and good men it is the most perfect
.
“

”
expression of the law of hum an duty .

“
I n bringing to light n ew relations a s ari s ing out of M an s sin
’

, ,

the et h ical system of the B i ble h as vastly widened t h e sphere of

”
duty .We m u s t believe in the i nfinity of God ; but the infinite
God can not by u s in the present limitation of our faculties be
, , ,

com prehended but only conceived A D eity un derstood would b e

,
.

n o D eity at all ; and it i s blasp h emy to say that God only is a s we

a r e able to t h ink H i m to be We know God according to the fi n i .

tude of our faculties ; but we bel ieve m uch that we are incom petent
properly to kn o w T h e in finite God is w h at to use the words of
.
,

Pascal is in finitely inconceivable Fai th Bel ief i s t h e organ by

, .
, ,

w h ich we apprehen d what is beyond our knowledge I n t h is all .

,

D ivines and Philosophers wort h y of t h e nam e are foun d to coin , ,

cide ; an d the few w h o assent to M a n a kn owledge of t h e in finite ,

do this on t h e daring t h e extravagant t h e paradoxical supposition

, ,

eit h er t h at H uman R eason i s i dentical with the D ivin e or t h at M an ,

and t h e absolute are one .

’
I n M an s condition growing out of his imperfect N ature an d
,

the uncertaintie s of a correct un derstanding of duties a revelation ,

became a necessity so soon as h i s c h ange from a sinless to a s inful

,

state occurred We h ere encounter at on ce the S keptical V iew

w h ich denies t h e present sinf u
.

l state of M an Let us t h en as s um e .

M an as sinle s s and take t h e following sketc h of Cousin to illu s trate

t h e present condition of t h ings— Goo d and E vil Y ou will ag ree .
 TH R EE R E V E LA T I O N S ,
1 71 9

to b e repressed by force an d even puni s hed i n reparation of the ,

fault com m itted an d in dependently too of all law an d all con ven
,

tion 4th T h at M an naturally recognizes t h e distinction between

the j ust and the un j u
.
,

s t and knows that every penalty applied to a n

” 1
unjust act is itself m o s t strictly j ust .

I n the Scriptures we fi nd all that is neces s ary for M an to do in

h is progress toward rein statement to h is original sinle ss condition .

I t is n o argument against t h e B ibl e t h at M en di ffer in regard to the

ve ry language of it and that such d i fferences h ave created bigotry
, ,

fanaticism h atred persecution an d deat h because all those results

, , ,

are the dem onstrations pal pably tru e of the s infulness of M an his , , ,

selfis h ness am bition and l ust for power in utter oppo s ition to those
, , ,

very teachi ngs i n th e Bi ble by w h i ch they sh oul d be guided to a

course of love com passion charity an d b e n efi cen ce I n al l ages
, , ,
.

M en have done preci s ely the same t h ings to their fellow M en before -

th e Bible wa s written ; an d since then when i n utter ignorance of ,

its existence when there were no re deemi n g features in their s a v

,

agery inhu man ity and devili s hness

, ,
.

Th e influe nce of the M orality of t h e B ible has tended contin

u
,

a lly to c h ange the fi e r cen ess of the N atural M an to those milde r

,

an d heavenly virtues of Love com passion an d Charity , , .

Tni r a
’
u
S éj ect — Ta e Wr i tten R evela ti on i s M e Perfect F or m
f
o tne S u
p re me R u
l e ; i t i s t/ce clea r es t ex p r ess i on o f h D i vi nt e e

E very intelligent M an will say t h at a Character m odeled after

th e M orality of the B ible is a perfect Character : as was t h at o f
J esus t h e ,
Cnr i s tos of the B ible E very departure from that .

perfect type detracts from a perfect Character Let us refer to .

t h ose Charac ters wh o were represented centuries before his adven t

and see if in their Con duct t h ey were up to his stan dard Were .

Ch ri s h
na of I n dia M it h ras of Per s ia O siris of Egypt D iony sus
a eu
, , , ,

Bacchus Orph ,
s an d A donis of Classic days s uc h as to be ex , ,

ample s for us to follow ? W ere they n ot all of t h em t h e m ere

creat i ons of human imagination s ? Who now believe s t h at any one
o f them ever had a real ex i s tence ?

1
Co u s in , Tr u B u ti ful
e, ea , a nd G ood,
”
p. 2 23 .
 i 7z z H I S T OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

force has becom e weaken ed ; where senti ment is suppressed the ,

reasoning powers have been un duly stimulated .

From time i mmemori a l M a n has m anifested the sentimental

’

part of his nature in wors h ipping som eth ing by him considered his
, ,

superior A s has been shown already h is worsh ip in the form of

.
, ,

sacrifices o ffered has been to appease an offended D eity

,
.

H ow di d he know of a D eity ? an d how kn ow that the D eity

was o ffended ?
Self consciousness of wrong done was the inner m onitor which
-
,

taug h t M an what was right an d what wrong in regard to a Superior ,

power T hat m en among themselves soon m ade laws for their

.
, ,

M oral government we can readily understand ; but how di d M an

first com prehen d that above h im was a power to wh ich h e wa s t e
sponsible ? T hat of himself he should arrive at any such definite
conclusion as to require him to appease an o ffended being i s i n ,

comprehen sible to us ; it is out of all human categories and can

only be referred to a direct revelation of God himself to M an .

I ts universality renders it certain n o m ere accident could have

communicated such ideas from nation to nation an d keep up the ,

superstitious notions so prevalent am ong th e m ost ab j ect an d de

p lora bl e savage tribes as are found in A merica and in A fri ca where ,

fetichism of t h e lowest m ost grovelling kin d keeps alive som e

,

m em ory of the old T ruth i n the human h eart T o deny this is to .

deny everyt h ing concerning the Spirit history of M an an d closes ,

our eyes to the broad daylig h t of facts and challenges a logical ,

proof of the shining of t h e M id day Sun itself ; bot h alike self

-
, ,

evident propositions requiring no proof t h ey are our a xiom s

, , .

T hat God exists is as true a s that the Sun S h ines continuously ,

and spreads h is lig h t over the entire Solar System interrupted only ,

by partial clouds as they screen t h e earth from his rays A s well

, .

mig h t we deny t h e ex istence of the sun at M idni g ht because we ,

can not see h im or any eviden ce of h is lig h t as to deny God be , ,

cause we can not see him d irectly or i n our estimation any evidence
, ,

of his overruling power yet in all times an d i n e very N ation M en

have h ad faith in a D eity they have put t h eir tru s t i n him h ave
wors h iped him in some form or ot h er ; and h ave framed theories
i n regard to h im h is nature and his attributes and hence h ave arisen
, ,

mythological systems P h ilosop h ical h ypotheses an d religious for

mu
, ,

la r i es by w h ic h M an can approach n ig h unto t h at great A ugust

 TH R EE R E V E LA T IO N S 1 72 3

Being reco g ni z ed as the great Force of t h e U niver s e

, and h ow ;
ever many diver s e gods there may have been an d h owsoever dif ,

fer e ntly portrayed in th e di fferent N ations and separate Mythol

ogies yet they can all be traced to but one great D eity or Supreme
,

God of whom all the others were originally emanations receiving

, , , ,

names descriptive of their peculiar functions which i n time becam e ,

h umani z ed or personated and wor s hiped as di s tinct god s .

A gain i n the O riginal T heocratic systems of I ndia A ssyria

, , ,

an d E gypt .

T hree person s are disti nctly set forth i n the God h ead and their ,

pecul iar attributes alike each to eac h as Creator Preserver and

, , , , ,

D estroyer this last term evidently S i gnifying t h e dissolution of

,

an imal form to reproduce a Spiritual regeneration an d resurrection

to im mortality .

I n t h e I ndian system the O ffice of the second person of t h e

T rimurti is that of t h e Preserver of M an and in the N ine sev ,

eral A vatars or I ncarnations he has i ndicated h is o ffi ce an d m ore ,

particul arly in th e N inth where as t h e Good Black Sh epherd or

, ,

Ch ri s h na A n oi nted O ne h e treads upon an d bruises the h ead of

,
“
,

the O ld Serpent Ca lin a c thus dem onstrati ng the promise in Gen

,
.

iii 1 5 verse ( See plate figure

.
,
.
,

N ow w h at do all these well known Myths refer to if n ot to the

-

en m ity between Go d an d M an the n eces s ity of recon ciliation and

the p rovi s ion m ade by the D eity for such reconciliation ? A s far
back as we are a ble to extend our examinati ons i nto t h e history of
M an we fin d him striving to becom e i n perfect accord with God
,
.

H ence all of his sacrifices to appease an o ffended D eity We have .

the best of opportunitie s to study th e Paganism of the earliest civ

i liz a ti ons of t h e O l d Worl d com pared wit h that of all the inter
,
»

mediate centurie s and the pre sent day We kn ow from the O l d .

T estament precisely t h e Ceremon ial law an d O bservances of the

M osaic economy and the subsequent history of t h e I sraelites to the

p resen t day .

We have the K oran from t h e day it was fi rst promulgated by

M ahom et to its spread of t h e princi ples an d practices of the M any
M illion s n ow governed by it an d yet w h en all th ese come into t h e
, ,

light of t h e Gospel of C h rist t h ey v a n ish like t h e M orning M ist be

fore th e gloriou s su n as it rises above the horizon .

We are not ignorant of t h e objections urged by all skeptical

1 72 4 H I S T O R Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

writers as to the i naccuracies of the O l d T estam ent as well a s the

N ew . M ose s did not m ake so m any mistakes as he i s charged with
by Vol ney Voltaire and P a ine of the last century an d Colenso of
, , ,

t h is T hey all forget t h at this is an age of inq uiry and T h eists

.

are no longer afraid to read study an d controvert i nfi del A uthors

, ,
.

Th e discoveries made during t h e last twenty fi ve years or m ore -

,

and w h ic h have been i n t h at tim e before the reading World in t h e

, , ,

very country over which M oses is said to have con ducted h is people ,

h ave dem onstrated incontestably th e truth of t h e entire narrative

con cerning t h e wanderings of the Children of I srael ; and he wh o

denies thi s after reading t h ose O fl

,
i ci a l narratives i n conn ecti on with
t h e M osaic account i n E xodus an d N um bers must be set down to ,

”
t h e account of N one so deaf as t h ose w h o will n ot hear .

We are prepared to prove analogically geographically topo, , ,

graphically an d philologically t h at the accounts in E xodus and

, ,

N um bers must h ave been written o n t he spot at the tim e and by , ,

an active participant in the Scenes and places portrayed an d de

scribed .

We are n ot now advocating any i nspiration for the text any m ore ,

”
than we would for Gordon s A nnals of t h e R evolutio n ary War
’ “
.

H e was a Cotem porary writer cogni z a n t from day to day of t h e

events of t h e times and stated t h em as he saw or heard of them
, ,

liable to mistakes and receiving in correct information So with t h e .

b ook s of t h e Pentateuch giving an account of t h e E xodus an d

Wan derings for t h e forty years between E gypt and the E ast banks
of t h e J ordan H e w h o now s h oul d explore t h at country from
.

R ame s es throug h t h e D e s ert of S inai E t T i han d ol d M oab or

, , ,

s h ould critically exam ine the O fficial reports of S cienti fic M en an d

O riental Sc h olars co mb ined would be obsti nately willfully blind if
, , ,

not convin ced of the trut h ful ness of t h e N arrative so far as t h e es ,

s e nti a l facts are at issue I t m ust b e rem em bered that all the b ooks
.
,

contained i n t h e O ld T estament have com e down to us from th e

days of Ptolemy Philadelphus almost pure and unaltered save i n, ,

som e non essential feature s as t h e Septuagint agreeing not only

-
, , ,

wit h t h e H ebrew h anded down to us from t h at people but corrob ,

orated by J osep h us wh o wrote after our Christian era began

,
Th e .

di fferences between t h e H ebrew an d t h e S eptuagint are n o greater

than between any E nglis h translation and an original classic work .

Beyon d t h e time of A lexander t h e Great back to t h e return ,

1 72 6 H IST OR Y OF FR E E M A S O N R Y

to comply with its com man ds and directions accordin g to its own ,

utteran ces mu s t i nvolve eternal bani s h ment from t h e presence of

,

God T o follow its dictate s as far as im perfections of hum anity

.
,

will permit fait h i n all its utterances and im plicit trust in the
, ,

D ivine A ut h or according to the text of Scripture will secure the

, ,

h ig h est ble s sings on E art h an d t h e prom ise of an eternity of bliss .

I t is t h en hig h ly essential nay it is of the utm ost absolute con se

u
, , ,

q e n c e that every on e s h ould settle the question definitely whether

”
h e will exercise t h at savi ng faith i n the Word of prom ise an d a o “

cept t h e offered blessings or casting away every o ffer he will u

,

, ,
t ,

t erly deny t h e authority of S cripture an d look upon the

“
Book as
of h u man invention an d if so then bearing upon its pages the evi
, , ,

den ce of deception an d fraud an d altogether unwort h y of the atten ,

tion of reasonable M en an d to b e itself cast out .

I n pursui ng our discuss ion upon t h is all important sub j ect it is -

,

of t h e utm ost consequen ce t h at we should each one for himself de , ,

finitely settle t h e question of th e A ut h o rity of the Word .

I f the Bible be true and given by the inspiration of the Spirit of

God t h en its dictates are to be stri ctly o beyed ; its utterances on all
,

subj ects to be carefully considered ; and every thought word an d , ,

deed referred to com mands an d dictates therein as the very center

,

of authority whereby we are to be governed .

I f t h e Bi ble be not true then it is to be n o more considered than

, ,

any other book w h ich treats upon the conduct and affairs of M ank ind
, .

Th e argum ents in favor of inspiration of S cripture have been

,

fully examined by th e h ighest order of m inds t h at h ave ever graced

our sc h ools and colleges T hey have impartially considered the
.

w h ole subject an d have given in their testi mony and pron oun ced in
favor of t h e clai m to inspiration Skepti cs like Lord R oc h ester .
, ,

Lord Byron R ousseau an d many others could n ot refrai n from giv

, ,

ing t h eir testimony as to th e Value of t h e Bibl e as a Book of pure

,

M orality B olingbroke declared that t h e Gospel is in all cases

.
“
, ,

one continued lesson of t h e stricte s t M orality of j ustice of ben evo , ,

”
lence an d of univers al Charity
, .

N ow con s ider t h e state of society in Palesti ne an d we may say ,

all over t h e R oman E mpire when C h rist cam e teac h ing the le s sons
i n the Gospel all u
,

ded to by B ol ingbroke W h o wa s it t h at thus

, .

taug h t ? Was it one from t h e em inent s c h ool s of t h at age learned ,

i n Grecian and R oman p h ilosop h y an d prepared by a long course ,

 TH R EE R E V E LA T I O N S 1 72 7

of studies to become a teacher ? N a y but an unlearned Carpenter s ,

’

Son a denizen from that m ost depraved of all t h e abandoned vi l

,

lages of Galilee th e proverbial N azaret h — h

— e came astonis h ing the ,

W orl d with a system of M orals so vastly above all that h ad ever

, ,

preceded it t h at it was incom preh ensible to t h e t h en w h ole Worl d

,

of M an an d they utterly rej ected C h rist an d h is teach ings

, .

A sim ple reference to the profan e historie s of that day will clearly
dem on strate that long prior to t h e coming of C h rist during h
, i s life , ,

an d for a century following h is death t h e w h ole world or w h at por , ,

tion of it was k nown to an d conquered by R ome was in t h e most ,

debased con dition as to its state of M orals T h e que s tion must .

t h en very naturally arise in t h e m ind of the impartial investigator a s

from w h ence C h rist derived h is idea s of a M orality so pure and i n ,

finitely above the wh ole conception of h is age as to com man d t h e ,

respect an d adm iration of t h e h igh est civilization i n all age s s ince

he gave utterance to those precepts as we find t h em i n t h e Gospels ? ,

H e certainly did n ot get t h em from h i s people or by education i n ,

N azaret h or i n any other town of Galilee for when h e commenced

his M ission am ong t h e Cities of that country h e aston ished all even , ,

th o s e wh o had kn own him from h is birth w h en he had fi nis h ed t h e

fa m ous disco u
,

rse recorded in M atthew chapters v vi an d vii I t , .

, .
, .

i s written
“
A n d it came to pass w h en J esus had en ded these sayings the
,

p eople were astonis h ed at his doctrine For he taug h t them as hav

ing aut h ority and not as t h e scribes
,
A n d well they mig h t b e ; .

for it wa s so di fferent i n all its principles from t h e practices of his

da y that it was incompreh en s i ble to t h em
,
Y et i n so far as it re .

ferred to t h e conduct of M en toward each ot h er i n t h e ordinary ,

transaction of life the lowest an d poorest classes could see clearly

,

a broad road for t h eir elevation ; so di fferent from t h e treatment

they were i n t h e habit of receiving from t h o s e above them We .

m ake no allu s ion to t h e account given of M iraculous cures wrought

by h im upon t h e poor deceased and stricken people ; or h
, ,
i s pro
duction of food for t h e hungry ; or his reported power over t h e ele
m ent s ; it is t h e quite as M iraculous an d unden iable fact of h is
an om alou s teac h ings t h at we n ow h ave to deal wit h T h
,
e M iracles .

m ay be denied but t h e principles taug h t by h im are undeniable ;

,

a n d that it mu s t b e confessed was qu ite above t h e natural ten dencie s

, ,

of h is times ; an d t h e Morals and princi ples of t h e w h ole World of

1 72 8 H I S T O R Y OF F R E E M A S O N R Y

M an from t h e l owest classes to th e highest m ost refined an d cul

, , ,

t i va t e d I t wa s t h e A ugustan age in literature I n t h at age we find

. .

a Cicero not only as A ut h o r but as a leading S tatesman ; Virgil

, , ,

O vid Sallust as poets an d A nnalist ; also t h e h istorian T acitus

, ,

Pliny th e elder an d younger an d ot h er Latin A uthors familiar to

, ,

all s ch olars at t h e present da y .

Th e Worl d wa s utterly ign oran t of t h e fun damental princi ples

u pon w h ic h t h e M orality taug h t by C h rist wa s predicated vi z To ,

.
,
“

d o unto ot h ers wh at you coul d j ustly wi s h s h ould be done to your

self T h is wa s t h e dictate as to our cond u ct to ou r fellow M an
!
-
. .

I n relation to our duty to God I f t h e W orld of M an ever cam e .

u p to t h e S tandard even of Socrates Plato or A ristotle it h ad long

, , , ,

l o s t a knowl edge of any true principles of t h at duty since t h e

R oman E m pire h ad succeeded t h e Grecian and during th e period

between th e declin e of the A lexan drian su ccessors and the rise of
R oman domi nation and t h e growt h of t h at luxury whi ch over
w h elmed t h e City of R ome spread its baneful influences wherever
,

the Legion s and co h orts were established as a permanence ; even

over the J ewi s h provinces i n Palesti ne so t h at the severe disciplin e ,

of t h e Scribes an d p h arisees and t h e strictest sect of Sadducees

, ,

became utterly abandoned to t h e R oman influence broug h t about ,

by t h e H erods an d t h eir courts between the fi rst conquest of Pal ,

e s t i n e an d t h e period w h en Christ comm enced h is pere g rination s .

What we h ave said in reference to C h rist is well authenticated

h istory ; ju s t as rel iabl e as t h e h i s tory of t h e conquest of C a esar th e ,

h istory of T acitus an d t h e accounts by Pliny and the writings of

, ,

Cicero Works w h ich n o one denies

, .

We think it is clearly shown t h at the M orality taught by Christ

was of d ivine origi n I t is a well known m eth od of dem onstration
.
-

i n Geometry to prove a proposition by demon s trating that t h e nega

tive of i t can n ot be true T h us I have s h own t h at C h rist s M orality
.
’

could not possibly h ave been of h uman origin hence it must have ,

been divine .

We h ave been led into t h e di s cussion of t h e “T hree R evela

tions t h rou gh t h e examination of t h e ant i q u i ty of signs sym bol s and , ,

em blems T h e ver
y remains of A ntiquity from w h ic h we derive
e sign lang u
. ,
,

our knowl edge of t h age s h ow conclusively t h e earliest , , ,

religious instincts of Mankind I t is to be h ere remarked t h at t h e

.

original religions were designed to teac h a pure M oral i ty all writers

1 73 0 H I ST O R Y O F FR EE M A S O N R Y

puifi r an d expiations accom plished by special sacrifices the

ca ti ons
form er resembled t h e pu rifi ca ti on s perform ed i n th
,

e mysterie s .

Th e usual m ode was dipping or by a s persion I m mersion was , .

”
called loutron t h e other peri rra ns i s 1
W h en D iogen es saw
,
.

one baptized by asper s ion he said Poor wretch ! do you n ot see , ,

t h at s ince t h e s e sprinkl ings cann ot repair your gram matical errors ,

2 ”
t hey cannot repair either the faults of your life , ,
.

Lustral water wa s placed at the d oor Of tem pl es for the prie s ts

t o purify the profane Th e han ds and feet were was h ed before .

entering t h e tem ple T h e brazen l aver of t h e M osai c tabern acle .

was for that purpose Blood wa s sprinkled by the peri sti a rchwh o
.
,

had slain t h e victim w hen t h e proe dra i had opened t h e assem bly .

Th e r i s ti a rch
’
e h erald taking th e p s place continued the lustration
, ,

by burning incense Fumigations constituted anot h er form of puri .

fi ca ti on S an d wa s used an d salt i n default of water which was

.
, , ,

regarded as possessed of t h e virtue of purification and a sym bol ,

of incorruption every im pure act w h atever dem anded purification .

Th e R oman s pra ct i ce d b a p ti s m as we learn from J uvenal Sati n , , ,

vi .
5,
2 2 where he satiri z
,
es t h o s e who dipped their heads thri ce in ,

t h e m orning into the waters of T iber , .

A t the feast of Pales Goddess of Flocks s hepherds purified , ,

them s elves by washing t h eir hands in new fallen dew 3

A lustra .

tion was made by con secrated water shaken from a branch of laurel
or olive ; and Propertiu s like D avid prays Spa rg i te me ly mpni s , , ,
“
,
”

Th e waters of G a n e s h
”
purge m e wit h h yssop 1
g a ve a purifyin g .
‘

e ffect ; c h il dren are bat h ed i n it the sick are sprinkled with its ,

waters the dead are plunged in it

,
.

D rinking of the water was h es away sin and the I ndians take it ,

wit h t h em an d use it in t h e ceremon ies of their tem ples .

I n E gypt it was held t h at the dead were washed from t h eir si n

by O siris and on the sarcophagi the departed is often represented
,

kneeling before h im wh o pours over h im water from a pitcher , .

Purification wit h water an d urine of cows an d eart h is the mo s t

prominent feature in the ceremonial of Zen d A m ong t h e J ews .
,

wa s practiced t h e rite of baptism to cleanse by i mmers ion or a s per ,

s ion with consecrated water —

( N um b viii 7 ; xix 9 1 3 2 0 ; xxxi . . . .
,
.

23 E zek xxxvi 2 5 2 6 ; Psl li 2 . .

, . .

1
Pl a t .
, G ra t y ,
”
47 T heoph
r .
, H ist . ix 1 2 .

3 B i og .
, Lib . VI .
3
O vid , F a s ti ,
”
iv
.
, 778 .
4
P ro e r . ,
p vol vi
. .
, 7 .
 TH R EE R E V E LA T I O N S 1 73 1

I n f an t baptism was practiced i n Scandinavia before the intro

duction of C h ristianity and t h e chil d was then named , .

Th e D ru ids practiced baptism by dipping or aspersion also by

,

fi re borrowed from th e Ph oe nicians T his was passing through

, .
“

”
the fi re to M oloch B elte i n is still observed in I reland
. Cattle .

are driven through fi res built on high hills on M ay I st , .

A m ong t he M exicans the new b orn child was bathed and t h ese ,
-
,

words spoken by the nurse “

T ake th is water for t h e g oddess
iu cu
,

Ch a lch h j
e a is thy mother etc ,
.

Th e second baptism occurred la ter an d was by fi re A boy was , .

passed four ti mes throu g h the flames .

T h is passing thr ou ghthe fi re was customary wit hthe R omans

after their return from a fun eral to purify t h emselves T h e sam e ,
.

custom prevails in Syria T hroughout E urope i n the M iddle .

,

A ges was kept up the old custom of leapin g t h rough a fire and
, ,

driving cattle betw ixt flames an d was cond em ned by t h e Councils ,

u
”
of the Church
“
E very puri fication sai d Servius is m ade eit h er
.
, ,
“

with water or fi re or air I n all sacred rites there are t h ree p ri fi

cations for they are puri fi ed either with t h e torch and sulph
.
, ,

,
ur or ,

”
are washed with water or are ventilated wit h air 1
,
.

I n Portal s work on Egyptian Symb ols compared with those of

’

th e H ebrews we find this u nder ,

I n E gyptian Cosm ogony as i n the fi rst book of M oses the

“
, ,

world was created fro m the body of waters T his doctrine says . ,

Cham pollion was professed i n E gypt in t h e most distant times

,
.

Water was the mother of t h e world t h e matri x of all created beings , ,

and th e word M S C H B R sign ifies m atrix and waves .

Man wa s considered as an image of the world t h e initiate was ,

to be born agai n to a n ew life an d t h e baptism t h enceforward ,

sym bol i z ed the primeval waters I t was on t h is account t h at the .

initiate was called M S C H E M oses a word signifying i n E gyptian , , ,

according to J osephus (A n ti a I I 9 saved from the water ,

.
, , ,

or by the water ; designated in H e bre w by M S C H B E E unction

u
, ,

”
and M SC H E to save , .

Water was t h e sym bol of p rity (according to H ora pollo) an d

I n A n i i 3 84 ; O v id
1 e M t m v i ii 6 T gn cm flmm t q u t e a 2 1 er e s en a a , er a a er

u
,

f u lu
.
, .
, , .
, .
,

s l t
re s ra t .
1 73 2 H I ST OR Y O F FR EEM A SON R Y
designated the birth of the pure or initiates as we shall show in t h e ,

article D ew .

U nder th e article F r og h e says ,

T h us the profane is com pared to primal matter dam p and

“ -
, ,

wit h out form over w hich the spirit has not yet m oved and which
, ,
”
is born again from the waters of bapti sm .

D ew .

T h
e S ign we give here i s an abridgment of the scene represent
ing E gyptian baptism or shedding celestial dew on the head of the
,

neophyte .

H orus and T hoth Lun ns pour water on the h ead of the n eo

-

phyte which i s transform ed to divine life ( ansated cross) and to

u
, ,

p rify ( h oopoe headed sceptre ) an d is thus translated : H orus s on

-
, ,

of I sis bapti z es with water an d fi re ( repeat four times)

,
.

“
Th e baptism of water and fi re designated i n the Zen d by the ,

ch aracters that Leeman s has ex plained i s identi cal in its e x terior ,

form with the baptism of water th e spirit an d of fire in Luk e iii , , , .

6—1 73
’
1

T h
e name received by th e bapti z ed or anointed wa s g iven in the
B ibl e to the chief of the T his name exists on H —
ebrews M os es .

t h e Egyptian monuments ; it i s written by the sign of the dew or

ba pti s m equal to H ebrew M and th e bent stalk equal to S heen
, , , ,

th e group ; i n H ebrew S C H M or M —S C H —E is translated in , ,

Ch a mpol lion s gram mar by begotten we give it the signification of

’

regenerated or begotten again .

But wh y multiply exam ples from antiquity ? Let it suffi ce that

wh en M asonry adopted t h e sym bolism of the an cients how could ,

th e m ost important one be omitted ?

M ason ry is made u p of sym bolisms T h e rite of consecrati on .

belongs to it an d by some form or other m ust take place and we

,

“ “
hold that every form whatever th e pious rite may bear is m a ,

sonic because that word expresses the original idea T h

,
e genus .
“
,

” ” ”
Y ork S cotch ,
French
!
m odern are the species or sep
, ,
“
,
“
,

arate specific form s of ritualism an d we might go further and class ,

”
every religion t h at existed as specific forms of masonry for by
“
,

that word we d istinguis h t h e true relatio n existing between the

Creator and his creatures — t h at is M asonry or R el igion ( r e ligo to ,
-
,

bin d again ) .
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