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FROM THE
BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY
COLLECTED BY
BENNO LOEWY
1854-1919
BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Cornell University Library HS 537.P42S12 V.2
Old Masonic lodges of Pennsylvania "mod
3 1924 021 433 309
Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924021433309
WASHINGTON'S MASONIC APRON.
EMBROIDERED BY MADAM LAFAYETTE; PRESENTED AUGUST, 1784, BY
BRO. GEN. LAFAYETTE TO BRO. GEN. WASHINGTON;
PRESENTED OCTOBER 26, 1816, BY THE LEGATEES QF BRO. WASHINGTON TO THE
WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA;
PRESENTED JULY 3, 1829, BY THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TO THE
R. W. GRAND LODGE, F. &. A. M. OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ORIGINAL APRON IN MUSEUM OF THE CHAND LODGE.
OLD MASONIC LODGES
OF PENNSYLVANIA
"MODEBKS" AND "ANCIENTS"
1730-1800
Which Have Stjerendeeed Their Warrants or Affiliated with Other Grand Lodges
Compiled from Original Records
In the Archives of the R. W. Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of
Pennsylvania, Under the Direction of the
Committee on Library
BY
JULIUS F. SACHSE, LiTT.D.
LIBRARIAN OF THE GRAND LODGE
VOLUME II
Covering Period 1779-1791
PHILADELPHIA
1913
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1914, in the OfiEce
of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C,
by J. Henht Williams, R.W.G.M.
Committee on Library
JOHN WANAMAKER, Chairman I. LAYTON REGISTER SAMUEL W. LATTA CHARLES L. LOCKWOOD HARMAN YERKES NORRIS S. BARRATT JOHN L. KINSEY
JULIUS F. SACHSE, Librarian
An Edition of Fifteen Hundred Copies has been printed, of which this is No. 203
Press op
The New Era Printing coupanv
Lancaster, pa.
HAERiSBtma, December 1, 1913. Hon. John Wanamaker,
Chairman, Committee on Library.
I have carefully examined the proof sheets of the second volume of the "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," which has been prepared under the direction of the Committee on Library of the Grand Lodge, by Brother Julius F. Sachse, Litt.D., Librarian. This work has been carefully done, and opens up to the Masonic Fraternity, many of the ancient rec- ords in our Archives. This volume covers the Eevolutionary period, and if anything, is even more interesting than the first volume, and I hereby authorize its publication, and recom- mend it to the Brethren at large.
Fraternally yours,
FOREWORD.
HE first volume of the History of the Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania, "Moderns and An- cients," from 1730 to 1800, brought us down to June 19, 1778, when Philadelphia was evacu- ated by the British, and the Stars and Stripes again floated over the Independence HaU. We there gave the story of the "Moderns" — how the Altar of Freemasonry was set up in Penn's Sylvan City on the Delaware in the year 1730 — the town then consisting of a strip of houses from Vine to Walnut Streets, and from the Delaware River to Fourth Street. It also tells the story of the Grand Lodge of "Modems," as presided over by Grand Masters Allen, Murray, Franklin, Hamilton, HopMnson, Plumstead and Syng and the four Subordinate Lodges under their jurisdic- tion, and the Provincial Grand Lodge of "Ancients" with its twenty Subordinate Lodges, the last warranted being the Military Lodge in the Seventeenth Eegiment of Foot in the British Army, which was granted during the British occupa- tion of Philadelphia in the Revolutionary War.
The second volume begins with the reconstruction, as it were, of the Provincial Grand Lodge, after the British had passed beyond the Delaware. The vicinity of Philadelphia, however, for some time thereafter, was the center of military activity, and it was almost a year later before the city assumed its normal conditions. One of the first results of the situation
vii
JPrintedly KinnaadjJeaeocK
Feontispeecb 01" THE Ahiman Ebzon, Pennsylvania, 1783. (Original plate in museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.)
jFocttootb
which our Provincial Grand Lodge cast off its foreign allegi- ance and emerged into the present "E. W. Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of Pennsylvania, and Masonic Jurisdiction There- unto Belonging."
As was the case in the compilation of the first volume, acknowledgments are due the E. W, Grand' Secretary, Bro. John A. Perry, for courtesies extended to the compiler, and to Bro, James M. Lamberton, Past Master of Perseverence Lodge, No. 21, Senior Grand Deacon and Chairman of the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Lodge, for many valuable suggestions in the preparation of copy, and the re- vision of the proof. Also to Bro. Oscar Jewell Harvey, Past Master of Lodge No. 61, for data and illustrations relating to the Masonic history of Wyoming Valley. To Bro. Frederic Eommel, Past Master of Lodge No. 45, for facts relating to the early history of Pittsburg, and Bro. A. B. Andrews, of Ealeigh, N. C, for photograph of the North Carolina Flag, used to illustrate the story of Lodge No. 20, A. Y. M, in the North Carolina Line.
Julius F. Sachse, Librarian and Curator.
November 22, 1913.
IX
CHAPTER XXXI.
Lodge No. 27, A. Y. M., A. Regimental Lodge m the
Maetland Line 53- 55
CHAPTER XXXII.
Lodge No. 27, A. Y. M., Held at Charleston,
South Carolina 56- 63
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Lodge No. 28, A. Y. M., A Regimental Warrant
FOE the Pennsylvania Line 64- 65
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Pennsylvania-Union Lodge, No. 29, A. Y. M., in
THE Pennsylvania Line 66- 77
CHAPTER XXXV.
Lodge No. 29, A. Y. M., Held at Cambridge,
Dorchester County, Maryland 78- 82
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Lodge No. 30, A. Y. M., Delaware Regimental
Lodge 83-85
CHAPTER XXXVEI.
Lodge No. 31, A. Y. M., Held at "Wentz's Tavern,
Philadelphia County 86- 97
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Lodge No. 32, A. Y. M., Held at Burlington, New
Jersey 98-108
xii
CONTENTS.
PART II.
CHAPTER XXVI.
PAGE.
Lodge No. 19, A. Y. M., A Regimental Waerant
FOR THE Pennsylvania Artillery 1-36
CHAPTER XXVII.
Lodge No. 20, A. Y. M., Granted to the North
Carolina Line 37- 39
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Lodge No. 23, A. Y. M., Held at Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey
40- 42
CHAPTER XXIX.
Lodge No. 24, A. Y. M., Held in the Town of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania . . .
43- 47
CHAPTER XXX,
Lodge No. 26, A. Y. M., Held at Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania .
xi
48- 52
CHAPTER XLVII.
St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1, Held at Pensacola, West Florida, Later at Charleston, South Carolina 169—183
CHAPTER XLVIII.
St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 40, A. Y. M., Held at
Charleston, South Carolina 184-196
CHAPTER XLIX.
Lodge No. 41, Held at the Town of Portsmouth,
ViRGiNLi. 197-204
CHAPTER L.
Lodge No. 42, A. Y. M., Held at Savannah,
GEORGLi. 205-222
CHAPTER LI.
Lodge No. 44, A. Y. M., Held at Duck Creek Cross
Roads, Kent County, Delaware 223-230
CHAPTER LII.
Lodge No. 46, A. Y. M., Held at Reading,
Churchtown, Ephrata, New Holland, Ephrata and Lititz in Pennsylvania 231-241
CHAPTER LIII.
Lodge No. 47, A. Y. M., The Lodge of "St. John, of Scotland," Held at Cape Francois, St. Domingo 242-250
xiv
Contents!
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Lodge No. 33, Held at New Castle and at
Cheistlana Bridge, Delaware 109-115
CHAPTER XL.
Lodge No. 34, A. Y. M., Held at Talbot Coitrt
HoxJsE, Talbot County, Maryland 116-118
CHAPTER XLI.
Lodge No. 35, A. Y. M., Held at Joppa, Harford
County, Maryland 119-128
CHAPTER XLII.
Lodge No. 36, A. Y. M., To be Held at the Re- spective Cantonments of the New Jersey Brigade 129-135
CHAPTER XLIII.
Lodge No. 37, A. Y. M., Held at Princess Anne,
Somerset County, Maryland 136-139
CHAPTER XLIV.
Lodge No. 38, A. Y. M., To be Held at Easton,
Northampton County, Pennsylvania 140-143
CHAPTER XLV.
Marine Lodge, No. 38, A. Y. M., Held at Charles
TovPN, South Carolina, or Thereabouts 144r-152
CHAPTER XLVI.
Lodge No. 39, A. Y. M., Held at Alexandria,
Fairfax County, Virginia 153-168
xiii
CHAPTER LXII.
Caelisle Lodge, Lodge No. 56, A. Y. M., Held at
Caklisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 327-335
CHAPTER LXIII.
Lodge No. 57, A. T. M., Held at Newtown, Bucks
County, Pennsylvania , 336-344
CHAPTER LXIV.
Lodge No. 58, A. Y. M., a Militaby Lodge in the
Aemy op The United States 345-350
CHAPTER LXV.
Lodge No. 63, A. Y. M., Held at Lewis Town,
Sussex County, Delaware 351-356
CHAPTER LXVI. Lodge No. 64, A. Y. M., Held at Greensbueg,
Westmoreland County, PENNSYLVANLi 357-361
CHAPTER LXVII. Lodge No. 65, A. Y. M., Held at the Great Bend of THE Susquehanna River, Luzerne County Pennsylvania 362-370
APPENDIX L
St. John's Lodge, Philadelphia, "Warranted by the
Grand Lodge of Scotland 373-377
xvi
€onUntfi
CHAPTER LIV.
Lodge No. 47, A. Y. M., Union of Franco- American Hearts, Held at Port-Au-Peince, Island op St. Domingo 251-283
CHAPTER LV.
Lodge No. 47, Held at "Winnsborough, South
Carolina 284r-285
CHAPTER LVI.
Lodge No. 48, A. Y. M,, Held at Bedford, Bedford
County, Pennsylvania 286-288
CHAPTER LVII.
Lodge No. 49, A. Y. M., Held in Moreland Town- ship, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 289-292
CHAPTER LVHI.
Lodge No. 50, A. Y. M., Held at the Sign of the White Horse, East "Whiteland, Chester County, Pennsylvania 293-301
CHAPTER LIX.
Lodge of St. Louis, No. 53, Held in Philadelphia. . 302-305
CHAPTER LX.
Lodge No. 54, Held at the Town of Washington,
Washington County, Pennsylvania 306-316
CHAPTER LXI.
Lodge No. 55, A. Y. M., Held at Huntingdon,
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania 317-326
1* XV
Contents
APPENDIX II.
Ameeican Union Lodge, No. 1, Held at Marietta,
Northwest Territory (Ohio) 378-394
INDEX.
Names 395-414
Subjects 416-427
xvii
flDIH a?aSonic %otistfi of prnnsSglbanfa
Vignette, Uen P»&« 3'^
Head Piece, New Jersey " ^^
Initial "I" " 40
Head Piece, Pennsylvania " *^
Seal, Vietue and Silence " ^^
Tail Piece, Urns and Seal " 4'^
Head Piece, Pennsylvania " ^^
Seal, Friendship " ^^
Tail Piece, Grand Lodge of Ireland " 52
Head Piece, Maryland " 53
Vignette, Urn " 53
Tail Piece, Masonic " 55
Head Piece, South Carolina " 56
Seal, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania " 56
Tail Piece, Apron " 63
Head Piece, Mason's Arms " 64
Initial "N" " 64
Head Piece, Pennsylvania " 66
Initial "A" " 66
Tail Piece, Arms of Pennsylvania " 77
Head Piece, Maryland " 78
Seal, Grand Lodge of Maryland " 78
Tail Piece, Arms of Delaware " 82
Head Piece, Delaware " 83
Vignette, Urn " 83
Head Piece, Lodge No. 31 " 86
Tavern Sign, "The Rising Sun" " 86
Silhouette, John "Wentz " 87
Autograph, John Wentz " 89
Seal, Grand Lodge, 1790 " 97
Head Piece, New Jersey " 98
Vignette, Seal " 98
XX
ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT.
The AxiL Seeing Bye page 1
Head Piece, The Dawn of Freemasonry
Seal, Ancient
Dirge, Roslin Castle
AUTOBIOGRAPH, AdAM HuBLET
Sullivan's Encampment
Autograph, Rev. William Rogers
Fac-Simile of Title Page, 1778
Autograph, Arthur St. Clair
Autograph, Edward Hand
Autograph, Thomas Procter
Arms, Carpenter's Company
Autograph, William Irvine
Old Redoubt, Pittsburgh, Pa
Autograph, Isaac Craig
Seal, Ancient, Lodge No. 45
Autograph, Joseph Ashton
Autograph, Andrew Porter
Autograph, Francis Procter
Autograph, John D. Webster
Autograph, Robert Porter
Tail Piece, Flags and Urn
Head Piece, North Carolina
xix
1
1
5
6
7
9
11
15
16
23
24
27
29
32
33
34
35
35
36
36
36
37
SDlii a^aiSonfc %otist0 ot laennsfglbania
Head Piece, Georgia page 205
Initial "T" " 205
Head Piece, Delaware " 223
Arms, Delaware " 223
Tail Piece, Urn " 229
Tail Piece, Holt Bible " 230
Head Piece, Pennsylvania " 231
Seal, Lodge No. 46 " 231
Seal, Lodge No. 46 " 241
Head Peecb, Scotland " 242
Vignette, St. Andrew " 242
Fac-Simile, First Page of Petition " 243
Fac-Simile, Signatures to Petition " 245
Tail Piece, Masonic " 249
Tableau, Lodge No. 47 " 250
Head Piece, St, Domingo " 251
Seal " 251
Seal, St. Domingo " 255
Title Page, Constitution op Lodge No. 89 " 265
List of Officers, Lodge No. 89 " 266
Tableau, Members op Lodge No. 89 " 267
Seal, Lodge No. 98 " 270
List, St. Domingo Lodges " 273
Tail Piece, St. Andrew " 283
Head Piece, South Caeouna " 284
Vignette, Virtue and Silence " 284
Tail Piece, Apron " 285
Head Piece, Pennsylvania " 286
Vignette, Masonic < ' 286
Head Piece, Apron Lodge No. 49 " 289
Initial "T" " 289
Tail Piece, Corn, Oil and Wine " 292
Head Piece, Lodge No. 50 " 293
xxii
3nu0ttation0
Head Piece, Delawaeb page 109
Seal, Lodge No. 33 " 109
Tail Piece, Light " 115
Head Piece, Maryland " 116
Initial "0" " 116
Head Piece, Mabyland " 119
Seal, Joppa Lodge " > 119
Tail Piece " 128
Head Piece, New Jersey " 129
Vignette, Urn " 129
Tail Piece, Apron " 135
•Head Piece, Maryland " 136
Initial "A" " 136
Seal, London Grove No. 11 " 139
Head Piece, Bucks County " 140
Seal, Virtue and Silence " 140
Seal, Loge L'Amenite " 143-
Head Piece, South Carolina " 144
Vignette, Masonic " 144
Seal, Sublime Scotch Lodge " 145
Tail Piece, Masonic " 152
Head Piece, Virginia " 153
Seal, Lodge No. 39 " 153
Fac-Simile, Washington's Letter, Lodge 39 " 158
Fac-Simile, Lodge Notice of Lodge No. 39 " 163
Arms, E Pluribus Unum " 168
Head Piece, Florida " 169
Seal, Grand Lodge of Scotland " 169
Arms, England " 183
Seal, St. Andrew's Lodge No. 40 " 192
Head Piece, Virginia " 197
Vignette, Masonic " 197
Seal, Lodge No. 41 " 204
xxi
I\ltt^ttation&
Vignette, Militaby page 293
Head Piece, France
Aems, Pennsylvania
Head Piece, Pennsylvania
Initial ""W"
Seal, Grand Lodge PENNSYLVANii, 1790.
Head Piece, Apron Lodge No. 55
Vignette
Seal, Lodge No. 46
Head Piece, Lodge No. 56
Tavern Sign, Cross Keys
Head Piece, Bucks County
Initial "T"
Seal, Carlisle Lodge No. 56
Head Piece, U. S. Arms
Vignette, Military
Tail Piece, Urn
Head Piece, Lodge No. 63
Arms, Delaware
Tail Piece, Urn
Head Piece, Greensburg Lodge
Tavern Sign, "Brown Bear"
Tail Piece, "Masonic"
Head Piece, Lodge No. 65
Arms, Pennsylvania
Tail Piece, Columns
Head Piece, Philadelphia
Seal, Grand Lodge op Scotland
Tail Piece, Masonic Temple
Head Piece, Flags
Seal, State op Ohio
302 302 306 306 316 317 317 326 327 327 336 336 344 345 345 350 351 351 356 357 357 361 362 362 370 873 373 377 378 378
XXlll
Masonic Ceetificate of Bro. Bphbiam
HowAED, JOPPA Lodge, 1764 facing page 119
Rev, Bed. Andrew Huntee " " 129
Beo. Geoege "Washington, CHROMOTYPE " " 153
Bro. EusHA CuLLEN Dick " " 157
Memorial op 31st Regiment op Foot " " 172
Templae Certificate, Mt. Moeiah Lodge,
No. 2 " " 175
Masonic Royal Aech and Templae Cee- tificate Geanted by St. Andrew's
Lodge, No. 1 " " 180
Warrant, Grand Orient at Portsmouth,
ViEGIOTA " " 203
Cape Feancois, St. DoMESTGO " " 242
Port-au-Prince, St. Domingo " " 251
Meeting Places OP Lodges Nos. 88 AND 95 . . " " 270 La Villb du Port de Paix and La Villb
DES Cayes " " 274
The Sign op the White Horse, Lodge
No. 50 " " 293
Petition for Warrant, Lodge No. 50, fac- simile between pages 296-297
Ancient Apron, Lodge No. 50 facing page 300
Masonic Lodge Certificate, Lodge No. 56. . " " 327
Royal Arch Certificate, Lodge No. 56 " " 328
Templar Certificate, Lodge No. 56 " " 333
XXVI
PLATES.
"Washington's Masonic Apeon, chromottpe. . . .Frontispiece Thatendanega saving Capt. McKinstert. .facing page 4
Battle at "Wyoming " " 6
Eev. William Rogers, D.D " " 9
Original Stone Marking Graves op Bros.
Davis AND Jones AT "Wilkesbabee " " 12
Memorial Eeected in 1896, neae Laurel
Run " " 13
Beo. John Sullivan " " 14
Beo. ELLis Dayton " " 18
Masonic Certificate op Bro. Thomas
Procter " " 23
Masonic Certificate op Br«. "William
Thorn op Lodge No. 45 " " 33
Flag Caeeied by the Noeth Caeolina
Beetheen dueing the Revolution,
cheomotype " " 37
Beo. "William Polk " " 38
Petition poe "Waeeant Lodge No. 27, pac-
simile letween pages 52-53
Beos. Moedecai Gist and Otho H. "Wil- liams facing page 54
XXV
iaDIb a^ttjSonic 3LotiSt& ot ^tnn&igltmia
down to us. As stated in the preface to our oldest Minute Book, the Minutes prior to July 29, 1779, "were either mis- laid or carried away by some enemies to the Royal art, during the confusions of the War."
This was the second regimental Warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and was granted for a Lodge in the Pennsylvania Artillery, and given the Number 19 on the Roster. It, however, was the first Warrant of that character to be regularly issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. By a strange coincidence, it was also the first Military Lodge of the "Ancients" to be connected with the Continental Army.^
The other Lodge to be so connected was the American Union Lodge, No. 1, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts, "Moderns," February 15, 1776, some of whose papers, with a copy of their original Warrant, are now in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.^
The first regimental Warrant issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was during the British occupation of
' There were no less than ten military Lodges working under regi- mental Warrants in the Continental Army, viz.:
1. St. John's Eegimental Lodge in the United States Battalion, July 24, 1775, warranted by the old Provincial Grand Lodge of New York, ' ' Moderns. ' '
2. American Union Lodge, February 15, 1776, in the Connectieut Line, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, "Moderns."
4. Washington Lodge, in the Massachusetts Line, October 6, 1779, warranted by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, ' ' Ancients. ' '
Under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, "Ancients" —
3. No. 19, Pennsylvania Artillery, May 18, 1779.
5. No. 20, North Carolina Line, 1779.
6. No. 27, Maryland Line, April 4, 1780.
7. No. 28, Pennsylvania Line, 1780.
8. No. 29, Pennsylvania Line, July 27, 1780.
9. No. 30, Hiram Delaware Regiment.
10. No. 36, New Jersey Line, March 26, 1781. »MSS., Vol. L, paquet 73, folio 11-24.
2
OLD MASONIC LODGES
OF
PENNSYLVANIA
1730—1800
0
CHAPTEE XXVI.
LODGE NO. 19, A. Y. M., A REGIMENTAL WARRANT FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA. ARTILLERY.
w
'HE first Masonic "Warrant granted in Pennsylvania after the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British forces, in June, 1778, was a "Regimental Warrant for the Pennsylvania Ar- tillery, in the Service of the United States." It bore the date May 18, 1779. The immediate cir- cumstances under which this War- Irant was granted are not definitely known, as no Minutes or records of the Grand Lodge covering that period have come
2 1
down to us. As stated in the preface to our oldest Minute Book, the Minutes prior to July 29, 1779, "were either mis- laid or carried away by some enemies to the Royal art, during the confusions of the War."
This was the second regimental Warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and was granted for a Lodge in the Pennsylvania Artillery, and given the Number 19 on the Roster. It, however, was the first Warrant of that character to be regularly issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. By a strange coincidence, it was also the first Military Lodge of the "Ancients" to be connected with the Continental Army.^
The other Lodge to be so connected was the American Union Lodge, No. 1, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts, "Moderns," February 15, 1776, some of whose papers, with a copy of their original Warrant, are now in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.^
The first regimental Warrant issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was during the British occupation of
^ There were no less than ten military Lodges working under regi- mental Warrants in the Continental Army, viz.:
1. St. John's Eegimental Lodge in the United States Battalion, July 24, 1775, warranted hy the old Provincial Grand Lodge of New York, ' ' Moderns. ' '
2. American Union Lodge, February 15, 1776, in the Connecticut Line, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, "Moderns."
4. Washington Lodge, in the Massachusetts Line, October 6, 1779, warranted by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, ' ' Ancients. ' '
Under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, "Ancients" —
3. No. 19, Pennsylvania Artillery, May 18, 1779.
5. No. 20, North Carolina Line, 1779.
6. No. 27, Maryland Line, April 4, 1780.
7. No. 28, Pennsylvania Line, 1780.
8. No. 29, Pennsylvania Line, July 27, 1780.
9. No. 30, Hiram Delaware Eegiment.
10. No. 36, New Jersey Line, March 26, 1781. " MSS., Vol. L, paquet 73, folio 11-24.
2
'K'^anttibantsa
Philadelphia, 1777-1778, and was granted to the British 17th Eegiment of Foot, to replace their Scotch Warrant, lost at the Battle of Princeton, January, 1777. It bore the Number 18 upon the Pennsylvania roster, and its story has been fully told in the last chapter of volume one of this work.*
It was during this unsettled period above mentioned, both Masonic and political, that Col. Procter's regimental Warrant was granted. The center valleys of Pennsylvania, during the year 1778, had been overrun by the hordes of the Loyalists and their Indian allies of the British under Butler* and Brant;** houses had been burned; settlers killed, and women
'Vol. I, chapter XXV, pp. 361-389.
* Col. John" Butler, of Tryon, now Montgomery County, N. T. At the breaking out of hostilities, he commanded a regiment of New York militia, and entered at once into the military service of the Crown. He commanded the sixteen hundred incarnate fiends who desolated Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The outrages which were perpetrated by Butler's corps cannot be related here. He was attainted during the contest, by the Act of New York, and his property confiscated. Cf. Sabin's "Loyalists of the American Revolution," Vol. 1, p. 278.
"Joseph Brant (Thayendanega, the Mohawk Indian) was a man of considerable culture and education. He was a religious man and a, consistent Freemason, having been initiated at London, April 26, 1776. His certificate was signed by James Heseltine, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England, ' ' Moderns. ' ' He let no opportunity pass o£ saving the life or liberty of any Brother Mason, if withiu his power. The case of the American, Major Wood, is a matter of history; also that of Capt. John McKinstrey. In 1783, after the Revolution, Brant, with the loyal Mohawks, settled in Canada, where he built the first Protestant church in either Upper or Lower Canada.
In nearly all histories it has been asserted that this celebrated Mohawk Indian chieftain was the Indian leader at Wyoming. He himself always denied any participation in this bloody expedition, and his assertions were corroborated by the British officers. In the subsequent wars upon the northwestern frontier, Brant and other individual chiefs were upon the warpath until Gen. Wayne's treaty with the northwestern tribes put an end to Brant's ambitious designs.
After the close of the war. President Washington adopted the policy of attaching the Indians to the interests of the United States, and, at the same time, of persuading them to exchange the savage state for one
3
and children carried off captives. These outrages had culmi- nated in what is known as "the Battle of "Wyoming." To punish the Indians for these atrocities, an expedition was planned under Gen. Sullivan against the Six Nations of Indians. Bro. Procter, with his artillery, was detailed to join this expedition. Strange as it may seem, upon the very day that this regimental "Warrant was granted (May 18, 1779), Bro. Procter, the "Warrant Master,' was commissioned by Con- gress, as "Colonel of Artillery in the Army of the United States."
Upon the day after the granting of both Warrant and com- mission, Bro. Procter, with his warrant, left for Easton, where he joined Gen. Sullivan, the commander of the proposed expedition, upon the following day. May 20, 1779.
During the previous month a small company of soldiers, under the command of Major Prowell, was sent out to re- inforce the garrison at "Wyoming and relieve the distressed
of civilization. Audiences were given to various Indian chiefs. The greatest difficulty of the government was to induce Joseph Brant (Thayendanega) to come to Philadelphia. It was, however, accom- plished by the aid of Bro. Col. Thomas Procter, who arrived in the City with the redoubtable Indian chief on "Wednesday evening, June 20, 1792, the meeting with Washington taking place upon the next day.
The present writer has not been able to verify the tradition that Bro. Joseph Brant attended a Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia during his stay in the City ; but, being in charge of Col. Procter, it is quite probable that they sat together within the tyled portals of a Philadelphia Lodge.
Vide "Pennsylvania-German in the Eevolutionary War, 1775-1783," by H. M. M. Eichards, Lancaster, 1908; "Hazard's Eegister," Vol. XIV, pp. 73, et seq.; "Pennsylvania Historical Collection," by Sherman Day, pp. 317, 438-9; Stone's "Life of Brant"; "Washington After the Eevolution," W. S. Baker, 1896; Dunlop's American Daily Advertiser, June 21, 1792.
«The name of the Colonel of the Pennsylvania artillery has almost invariably been spelled Proctor in historical, military and Masonic documents. The proper spelling of his name, however, is Procter. This spelling is followed throughout this work. Vide autograph on page 23, infra.
4
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THAYENDANEGEA (JOSEPH BRANT) SAVING THE LIFE OF CAPT. JOHN McKINSTREY, A BROTHER FREEMASON.
FROM A CONTEMPORARY FRENCH PRINT.
^osUn CaitU
'p^\'^ \ ^-i^
m
J.'
n >j- J ^
DIBGB PLATED BT COL. PKOCTEb'S BAND, WHEN PASSING THE GKAVBS OP BROS. CAPT. DAVIS AND LIEUT. JONES. IT WAS ALSO PLATED AFTER THE READING or WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS, AND AT THE FUNERALS OF WASHINGTON AND B. W. GEAND MASTER WILLIAM BALL.
inhabitants in that section. When they were about three and a half miles from their goal an advance detachment was am- bushed, and Capt. Joseph Davis and Lieut. William Jones, two officers who were brother Masons, together with Corporal Butler and four privates, were scalped, tomahawked and speared by the savages. The bodies were left upon the ground by the Indians, and later buried by their surviving comrades.''
Two months later (June 23, 1779), when Gen. Sullivan with the main body of the army passed the spot (according to the diary of Chaplain William Rogers),* two boards had been fixed at the spot where Davis and Jones fell.
Over the grave of Bro. Davis there was set up a piece of board, bearing these words, written with a piece of charred wood: "The place where Capt. Davis was murdered by the savages, April 23, 1779." At the grave of Bro. Jones there was also placed a board, which was smeared with his blood, and had inscribed upon it: "The blood of Lt. Jones."
ATJTOGBAPH OF BBC. ADAM HUBLETj WHO DBEW PLAN OP ENCAMPMENT
OPPOSITE.
" In passing this- Melancholy Vale, a universal gloom appeared on the countenances of both officers and men without distinction, and from the eyes of many, as by a sudden impulse, dropped the sympathizing tear Colonel Procter, out of respect to the deceased,
'Fide "History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania," ■fay Bro. Oscar Jewell Harvey, A.M., Wilkesi-Barre, 1909, Volume II, p. 1167.
'Fide i6id., p. 1182, also "Journals of Sullivan's Military Expedi- tion," Albany, 1887, p. 248.
6
Cncamptmnt ot Winominu
SDltt 9^a0onit fLotge^ at p^nmEf^Ibanfa
ordered the music to play the tune of 'Roslin Castle/ the soft and moving notes of which, together with what so forcibly struck the eye, tended greatly to fill our breasts with pity, and to renew our giief for worthy departed friends and brethren."'"-
The next day being St, John the Baptist's Day, and the whole army encamped on the shores of the Susquehanna, the Masonic Brethren assembled at Col. Procter's quarters on the bank of the river below the bend, within the present limits of the Tenth "Ward of Wilkes-Barre, almost, if not exactly, on the spot where, twenty years before, the Indian village of Teedyuseung had been" situated. A Masonic Lodge was opened in Procter's marquee, under his Pennsylvania regimental Warrant No. 19. Thus was the first Masonic Lodge erected in the central valleys of Pennsylvania, June 24, 1779.
After the Lodge was closed Rev. William Rogers,* the
"■"Koslin Castle" was always played by the military bands when a dead soldier was borne to his grave. After the reading of Washington's Farewell Address to the army in 1783, the bands struck up "Eoslin Castle, " and as the mournful strains lingered on the air the soldiers broke ranks for the last time. Vide "History of Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M.," by Oscar Jewell Harvey, Wilkes-Barre, 1897, p. 22.
The castle of Boslin is an ancient ruin near Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the seat of the St. Clair family, Lords of Roslin. Sir Walter Scott refers to it in one of his poems.
• Bro. William Eogers was born in Newport, E. I., July 22, 1751. He was the first student entered in Brown University. He graduated in 1769, and in May, 1772, was ordained Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, then in La Grange Place, a narrow court on the west side of Second Street below Arch Street. He continued in charge until March, 1776, when he was appointed sole Chaplain of three battalions of Pennsylvania foot, and in January, 1778, was appointed Brigade Chaplain of the Continental Army, and as such preached the sermon on St. John 's Day, June 24, 1779, although not yet a member of the Fraternity. Eev. Eogers was made a Mason shortly afterwards in Procter's Military Lodge, and became an active Mason. Bro. Eogers continued as Brigade Chaplain of the Continental Army until June, 1781. In 1780 Tale, and in 1786 Princeton, made Bro. Eogers a Master of Arts. After his resig- nation from the army, and his return to Philadelphia, he took an active interest in Masonic affairs, and on September 19, 1786, petitioned Lodge
8
REV. BRO. WILLIAM ROGERS, D. D.
BORN NEWPORT, R. I., JULY 22, 1761 ; DIED PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 7 1824. GRAND CHAPLAIN 1803 TO 1824.
^tmotial &nbittfi
Brigade Chaplain (who was not then a Mason) , by invitation of the W. M. Bro. Procter, read to the assembled Brethren the
eUc^^^t^ P ^ . Crul^ '^1
^a.^^777^ Pc^.V/tf/ ^Ul^^-^"^
sermon which had been preached on the previous St, John the Evangelist's Day, December 27, 1778, in Christ Church, Philadelphia, by the Eev. William Smith, Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and previously Grand Chap- lain of the old Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, "Moderns."
No. 3 for membership, as stated in their minutes — ^"A Petition was received from Brother Eogers an Ancient York Mason, soliciting to become a member of this Lodge." He was admitted to membership, October 17, 1786.
At the Washington memorial services held by the Pennsylvania So- ciety of the Cincinnati, Saturday, February 22, 1800, in the German Eeformed Church, Race Street below Fourth, Philadelphia, Bro. Rogers delivered the prayer. This was afterwards published by "particular request. ' '
In December, 1803, Bro. Eogers was appointed Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, an of^ce which he held consecutively until 1824, the year of his death. At the dedication of the Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street, north side, between Seventh and Eighth Streets, at St. John 's Lutheran Church on Eace Street below Sixth Street, Eev. Bro. Eogers offered the prayer and gave the benediction. He performed the same service in Zion Church, corner of Fourth and Cherry Streets, November 1, 1820, when the build- ing was re-dedicated after the destruction by Are, March 9, 1819.
This prayer and benediction was printed, together with an address by T. B. Freeman before Hiram Lodge, No. 81, June 23, 1821.
Bro. William Rogers was the last surviving Chaplain of the Revolu- tion. He was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincin- nati. He lived at No. 198 (old number) Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. He was a man of middle stature, and in his habits and manners was more than ordinarily refined. He died April 7, 1824, aged 73, and was buried in the church yard adjacent to the church.
The Society of the Cincinnati was particularly invited to attend the funeral of their late fellow member, the Rev. Dr. Eogers, and the clergy of the City were also particularly invited to attend.
9
This sermon had been preached by the Rev. Dr. Smith in 1778 in the presence of General Washington, and afterwards printed and dedicated to him. It was one of these printed copies which was used by the Eev. Dr. Rogers upon this occasion.^"
The text of this sermon was from 1 Peter II 16: "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."
Toward the close of July, 1779, orders were issued for the army to break camp at Wyoming.^^ Before leaving the valley the Brethren resolved to give the two Brethren, slain during the previous April, a Masonic burial in consecrated ground.
On the 28th of July, the Brethren of Col. Procter's Lodge, accompanied by the regimental band, proceeded to the moun- tain brow, where the graves of the slain were opened, the bodies raised with untold ceremonies and conveyed down the vaUey, in readiness for the services set for the next day.^^
The following account of this, the first Masonic funeral held in the Wyoming Valley, was prepared at the time by a Brother and forwarded to John Carter, Esq., of Providence, R. I., who published it on Saturday, September 18, 1779, in his Provi- dence Gazette and County Journal:
"Wyoming, July 31st, 1770. On Thursday last, the 28th inst., agreeable to previous determination, the bodies of our Brethren Capt. Joseph Davis and Lieut. William Jones, who were massacred by the savages near this Post on the 23rd of April last, were rein- terred. This mark of respect we thought necessary for the follow- ing reasons : It being expressive of our esteem, and their not being buried in the proper grave-yard."
" Copy in Grand Lodge Library.
"Tor an extended account of Sullivan's Expedition, vide Diary of Sergt. Maj. George Grant of 3d New Jersey Eegt., in "Hazard's Eeg- ister," Vol. XIV, pp. 72 et seq.
^Cf. Harvey's "History of Lodge No. 61, 1". & A. M.," before quoted, p. 24.
10
^ftmon for tit TStnttit ot t^t ^oot
SERMON
PREACHED lit
Christ-Church, PHILADELPHIA* [For the Benefit of The POOR]
BV APPOINTMENT OF AND BEFORE Tub general COMMUNICATION!
o r IFREE AND ACCEPTED
MASONS
O P T H E
State of PENNSYLVANIA,
On Monday December 28, 177?.
Celebrated, agreeable to their Con(Ht0fioA» as the Anniverfary of
St. JOHN THE Evangelist. By WILLIAM SMITH, D.D.
Pjovoft of the College and Ac«deniy of Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA: Pbinted sr JOHN DUNLAP.
M O C CJ.X XIX.
SERMON BEAD BY THE KEV. WILLIAM EOGEBS TO THE ASSEMBLED BBETHBEN ON THE SHOEES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA, ST. JOHN 'S DAT, JUNE 24, 1779.
11
The form of procession, being fixed on by Lodge No. 19, was as follows:
24 Musketeers with reversed arms
2 Tylers bearing their swords
A band of music
2 Deacons with wands
2 Brethren bearing Orders
The Holy Bible and Book of Constitutions
supported by two Brethren
The Reverend Brethren
The Worshipful Master, with the Hon. Maj. Gen'l Sullivan
Senior and Junior Wardens bearing their Columns
The Treasurer and Secretary
Past Masters
The Brethren, two and two
Brothers of the Army, two and two
2 corps of drums ( muffled) and fifes, playing a solemn dirge.
"The Brethren were neatly clothed, with jewels, etc., and were in numbers odds of one hundred and fifty. Just as we arrived at the grave, an exceedingly heavy gust of rain coming up prevented the delivery of a discourse which had been prepared for the occasion by Brother [sic] Eogers. A short prayer being by him offered up," we then committed their bodies in Masonic form to the dust; after- wards three volleys of small arms were discharged. The Brother- hood were attended by the Pennsylvania Infantry, commanded by Colonel Hubley, as likewise by a great concourse of people, — ^both inhabitants and soldiery. The melancholy scene was closed with that decorum usual among the Brethren, and the satisfaction of all the
" Here the remains of the two Brethren rested in the old Wilkes- Barre graveyard for 88 years, until 1867, when, in view of the fact that the ground was to be abandoned as a place of interment, it was decided by the Brethren of Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., to remove them to HoUen- back Cemetery. This was accomplished on June 24, 1867, with imposing ceremonies, both military and Masonic. For a full account of these ceremonies, vide "History of Wilkes-Barre, " Vol. II, pp. 1198-1199, before quoted.
In the summer of 1896 Mrs. Martha (Bennett) Phelps, of Wilkes- Barre, caused to be erected, at her expense, on her property on Wilkes- Barre Mountain, a substantial stone monument to mark the site where the above two Brethren fell. Vide Harvey.
12
•'"■ *> /■• '^ ^ ^ • ^ '-^ ^ :-^ r*
r-'<-.7 l}%r ij/i'
t' t r p I f I
STONE, ORIGINALLY MARKING THE GRAVE OF BROS. DAVIS AND JONES IN THE OLD WILKES-BARRE GRAVEYARD. NOW IN HOLLENBACK CEMETERY.
CUT MADE FROM PHOTO. SPECtAULY TAKEN IN FEB., 1918, FOR THIS HISTORY.
MEMORIAL ERECTED IN 1896 BY MRS. MARTHA B. PHELPS OF WILKES-BARRE ON WILKES-BARRE MOUNTAIN, NEAR LAUREL RUN, WHERE BROS. DAVIS AND JONES FELL.
CUT LOANED BY THE WYOMING HISTORICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
fbttbitt^ at mosa Point
bystanders. A stone being prepared by our Brethren, Forest" and Story," with a suitable inscription, was fixed at the head of their grave.""
Two days after these burial ceremonies General Sullivan and his army left Wyoming.
As before stated, the sermon prepared for the occasion by Rev. Dr, Rogers could not be delivered on account of a heavy downpour of rain.
After the expedition was encamped at Tioga Point, the Rev. Dr. Rogers preached the funeral sermon in "Masonic form," Wednesday, August 18, 1779, at the request of the Military Lodge No. 19. The text chosen was from Job VII 7: "Oh! remember that my life is wind."" In his diary Bro. Rogers states :
"At eleven o'clock A.M. preached a sermon at our encampment in commemoration of the death of Captain Davis and Lieutenant Jones, vide observations of Thursday, July 29. Present General Sullivan"
"Thomas Forrest, commissioned Captain in the Pennsylvania artillery battalion commanded by Major Procter, October 5, 1776; promoted Major, Pennsylvania State Eegiment of Artillery (Procter's), February 5, 1777; promoted Lieutenant Colonel, December 2, 1778; resigned from the service, October 7, 1781; member of Congress, 1819-23; died in Germantown, Pa., March 20, 1825, aged eighty-three years.
"'Samuel Story was an Englishman who joined the American army after the British evacuated Philadelphia, and was commissioned Third Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania state regiment of artillery, commanded by Colonel Procter. Later he was promoted Second Lieutenant, and May 13, 1779, he was promoted First Lieutenant. He was appointed Adjutant of the regiment, February 13, 1780, and was promoted Captain-Lieutenant, October 7, 1781. He died in service in South Carolina, October 4, 1782.
""In Memory of Capt. J. Davis of the 11th Penna. Eegt., also Lieut. William Jones, who were massacred by the savages on their march to the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Wyoming, April 23, 1779." Erected by the Brotherhood, July 25, the same year (1779).
"Cf. "History of Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M.," before quoted, p. 26.
"Gen. John Sullivan was a Mason previous to the Revolution; he later became the first Grand Master of New Hampshire.
13
SDlti SS^a&onit %ortst& of ^mn&nltmia
and family; General Maxwell" and family; the 11th Pennsylvania regiment, artillery; members of Lodge No. 19, with many other gen- tleman of the army.""
The results of this expedition and the part taken therein by Col. Procter and his artillery are well known. The strongholds of the Indians were broken, and henceforth the safety of the settlers was assured.
Col. Thomas Procter, commander of the Pennsylvania Artillery regiment, who was named in the "Warrant as Master of the New Lodge, was one of the most prominent Free- masons of that day. At the time when this "Warrant was applied for, he was Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 2, in Philadelphia. He resigned his office as Master, June 8, 1779, but not his membership in Lodge No. 2, "being under the necessity of leaving the city with his regiment." The Mili- tary Lodge No. 19, under the guidance of Col. Procter as "Worshipful Master, became an active body, dispensing Masonic light in the army, wherever stationed, among the officers of different regiments. We know that Lodges were held in the wilderness under Sullivan, also at Pittsburgh, and later at Easton, Northampton County, Pa., where it is stated that Col. Procter "has opened his military warrant in this Town,"^^ and in divers other places.
Col. Procter as a soldier was brave, devoted, zealous and determined, occasionally stubborn. His unreasonable Irish
^ General William Maxwell, of New Jersey.
™ C/. " The Pennaylvania-German in the Eevolutionary War, 1775- 1783," by H. M. M. Eicharda, p. 317; Pennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. 4, pp. 462-469; Hayden's "Washington and his Masonic Com- peers," pp. 333-335, Proceedings of the Pennsylvania-German Society, Vol. XVII.
" Vide petition for a Warrant for holding a Lodge at Easton, MSS., Vol. F, paquet 71, folio 11.
14
GEIS|ERAL JOHN SULLIVAN. B. FEBRUARY 17, 1740; D. JULY 23, 1795.
FIRST GRAND MASTER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, A.D. 17B0.
Col, ptoctet*0 SDemanlifif
temper frequently made trouble for him. One incident in his career will suffice to show this.
Upon the occasion of the detail of his regiment to General Sullivan's command in the expedition against the Indians, Procter demanded of President Reed new uniforms for a por- tion of his regiment, and at the same time insisted upon his officers wearing their original provincial uniforms, blue, although the regulation colors for American Continental artil- lery were black and red. President Eeed entertaining, as may be surmised, no very kindly feeling for Procter, on account of the dictatorial and independent manner in which it was his custom to demand supplies from the State, reported this breach of discipline to both Washington and St. Clair. So well did these officers know Procter, that they deemed it best
J(^^
.^^^uC'^n^
to make this concession. St. Clair writes to Reed: "The uni- forms of Procter's officers are blue, the General consents to it this year, but hereafter they must conform in uniform, as to color, to the corps they are in."^^
Unfortunately no official records or Minutes of this Lodge have thus far been found, and the story here presented is gleaned from the meager notices in the Minutes of the Grand Lodge and the fragmentary papers in the Archives. What few names we have of the Brethren of the original Lodge No. 19 are gleaned from these papers, and show the kind of ma- terial composing this Military Lodge, which followed the vicissitudes of Washington and the Continental Army.
" Vennsylvania Magazine of History, Vol. 4, p. 464.
15
The present writer, however, has been unable to verify the current statements that "Col. Thomas Procter was at the camp at Morristown, N. J., during the winter of 1779-1780," and that "he was succeeded in the Oriental Chair by Gen. Edward Hand."^* Had Col. Procter been present upon that occasion, he would certainly have attended the Lodge meetings and been one of the signers to the celebrated address, issued at Morristown, N. J., February 2, 1780, having for its object
„xi^,<^^^ ■^>z^>«e^->
the election of Gen. Washington as General Grand Master of the United States.^*
Col. Procter, when in the vicinity of the City, and as oppor- tunity offered, represented his Lodge at the Communications of the Grand Lodge. Thus the first official notice we have of Lodge No. 19 is at the Grand Lodge of Emergency, held February 10, 1780, when Col. Thomas Procter, Master of the Kegimental Lodge No. 19, and acting Junior Grand Deacon, "generously paid, as an acknowledgment to this Grand Lodge, 150 Pounds, the receipt of which is acknowledged by the Grand Treasurer. Bro. Procter also offer 'd very satisfactory
™" History of Montgomery Lodge, No. 19," by A. H. Morgan, Lan- caster, 1887, pp. 25-27. This is probably an error, as no record sub- stantiating this statement can be found. — J. F. S.
"*!Por a full account of this incident, vide: "Freemasonry in Penn- sylvania, 1727-1907," as shown by the Eecords of Lodge No. 2, F. and A. M., of Philadelphia, from the year A. L. 5727, A. D. 1727. Compiled from original sources by Norris S. Barratt, Past Master Lodge No. 2, and Julius F. Sachse, Past Master Lodge No. 91, Philadelphia, 1908, Vol. I, Chapter XII, pp. 399 et seq. Also "Origin of Masonry in the State of New Jersey," Trenton, N. J., 1870, pp. xviii-xxii.
16
^a&onit Cctti6cate0
reasons for not attending the last general Quarterly Com- munication, having been detained by business of a public Nature."
December 18, 1780. At the Grand Quarterly Communica- tion, "Col. Procter, Mast'r of No. 19, reports that agreeable to order he has install'd the Officers of the New Military Lodge, No. 29, held among the Brethren of the Pennsylvania Line, but having been some time from his own Lodge, it is not of his power to make the proper returns at present. ' '
During the year 1780 the following certificates of member- ship were issued to the Brethren named :
"Bear Sir
"The bearer hereof, Lt. John Kean, waits on you to receive Mr. Thos. Armstrong's Certificat. You will please to issue the same and oblige"'
"your Hbl. Servt. "Thos. Procter. "Master No. 19."
" To Eevd. De. Smith " Grand Secretary." " These are to Certifle that Mr. Thos. Armstrong A. Q. M., is a regular registered Member of Lodge No. 19, under the Eegistry of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and that he has during his stay amongst us behaved as become a Worthy Br., and recommend him for a Grand Certificate."
"Thos. Procter "Master No. 19."
"Philadelphia "Feby. 4th 1780."
"We do certify that Brother John Van Anglon is a regular Reg- istered Master Mason of Lodge No. 19 of the State of Pennsylvania and has during his Stay Amongst us behaved himself as become an
* MSS., Vol. J, paquet 55, folio 48. "lUd.
17
Honest & "Worthy Brother & do Eeeommend him to the Right "Wor- shipful grand Lodge as such for their Certificate." " Given under our Hands at
"Philadelphia 13th April, 1780. "Thos. Peocter, Master " Isaac Craig, S. W. " F. Procter, J. W." "P. Duffle
Secretary P. T."
" "We do Certify That the following Brethren are regularly Regis- ter'd Master Masons of Lodge No. 19 under the Grand "Warrant of Pennsylvania, Viz.: General, "William MaxweU, Col. Elias Dayton, Revd. Doctor Andrew Himter, Major John Hollingshead, Captain Aaron Ogden, Captain Joseph T. Anderson, Captain John Stantford, Lieutenant Derrick Lane, Lieutenant John Peck, Lieutenant Anthony Maxwell, Lieutenant Peter Talhnan, Lieut. "Will'm Piatt who has paid the Lodge dues, & during their Continuance among us have behav'd in a becoming Manner, "We therefore Request that Grand Lodge Cer- tificates be granted them."
" Thos. Procter, Master." " Doctor William Smith "
The above certificates were granted September 27, 1780.
"This is to Certifle that Capt'n Jas. Pendleton of ArtiU'y has been Inoperly Entered, Passed & Raised as Master Mason, in Lodge No. 19 of the State of Pennsylvania, and since has behaved himself as Becometh a worthy Brother, and we do hereby Recommend him to the R. W. Gd. Secy, for a Grand Certificate agreeable to the Con- stitution of Masonry."
"Thos. Procter, Mr.
""William Adams S: W: P. T." " The Revd. Doctor "W. Smith."
During the year 1780, Bro. Procter, as shown above, was Master of the Lodge, and Bro. Isaac Craig the Senior Warden.
""nid., fol. 47. ''Ihid., fol. 46. '•Ihid., fol. 47.
18
'- 1 I
B. ELIZABETHTOWN, N. J., JULY, 1737; D. ELIZABETHTOWN, N. J., JULY 17, 1807,
dzaaiEfliineton'iet %ttttt
Misunderstandings between Procter and President Reed of the Continental Congress were frequent, the status of the regi- ment and the method of its subsistence, it seems, being the principal causes of disagreement. The differences of opinion at length culminated in a downright quarrel, upon the occa- sion of a protest to Council by Procter and his regiment against the promotion of certain officers in it, which quarrel resulted in Procter's withdrawal from the army. His resig- nation was sent to General Washington on the ninth of April, 1781, and was accepted on the eighteenth of the same month. The acceptance of Procter's resignation was accompanied with the following letter from the General who, although vexed at the Colonel for his hot-headed conduct, would not refuse to accord to him his due as a soldier:*"
" Headquabtees, New Windsor, 20 April, 1781.
"Sir: Tour favor of the 9th did not reach me until the 18th inst. I am sorry to find the situation of your domestic affairs renders it necessary for you to quit the service. It always gives me pain to part with an oflBcer, but particularly so with one whose experience and attention have made him useful in his profession. I cannot in justice to you permit you to leave the army without expressing my approbation of your conduct upon every occasion since you joined me in 1776, and wish you success in the line of life which you have now embraced.
" I have signified my acceptance of your resignation which bears date of 18th inst. to the Board of War."
" I am, sir,
" Yr. most obt. and hble. servt., " G. Washington."
Bro. Procter, after his resignation from the army, at once resumed his activity in the Grand Lodge and Lodge No. 2, at
""'By-Laws of Montgomery Lodge, No. 19, A. T. M., Philadelphia," 1868, pp. 49-50.
19
the same time acting as representative of his old Military Lodge No. 19.
Thus in the records of the Grand Lodge we find Bro. Procter in the following positions: Junior Grand Warden, p.t., February 10, 1780, July 27, 1780, August 6, 1782; Senior Grand Warden, p. t., December 27, 1782, June 24, July 8, July 12, September 29, December 25, 1783. Elected Senior Grand Warden, December 27, 1783, and served during the year 1784 ; Deputy Grand Master, p. t., March 31, 1783 ; Proxy of Lodge No. 38, Charleston, S. C, December 27, 1783 ; Eepre- sentative of Lodge No. 46 in South Carolina, December 27, 1783.
June 11, 1783. Bro. Procter was again elected as Master of Lodge No. 2 for the ensuing six months. Thus he con- tinued an active member of Lodge No. 2 until January 13, 1787, when he was installed Master of a new Lodge erected in the city of Philadelphia, bearing the same number as his old Military Lodge.
After the close of the Revolutionary War and the treaty of peace, the various regiments were disbanded and the Warrants of the Lodges attached thereto were either surrendered or vacated. The former was undoubtedly the case with Lodge No. 19. The Warrant remained dormant until after the Pro- vincial Grand Lodge asserted its independence in September, 1786, when it was found that a new Lodge was needed in Philadelphia, whereupon Bro. Thomas Procter petitioned the Grand Lodge to issue a new Warrant to him and a number of Brethren of Lodge No. 2, bearing the number of his old mili- tary Warrant.
At the first Quarterly Communication of the Independent Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, September 25, 1786, "a peti- tion was received from a number of Brethren, Members of
20
caiattant tot %ottst Mo. 19
different Warranted Lodges, held under the Jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, praying a Warrant might be granted for holding a Lodge in this City, was read, and the same held under advisement."
December 18, 1786, at a Grand Lodge, "A recommendation from a Number of the Brethren of Lodge No. 2, was read in favor of Bros. Thomas Procter, Young & Melbank for holding a Lodge in this City, N. 19, as mentioned in their petition last Quarterly Communication of this Grand Lodge. Whereupon, it was unanimously Resolved, that the prayer of the said peti- tioners, with others, be granted, and the Secy, is hereby required to make out a warrant in the name of the Brethren as mentioned heretofore."
January 13, 1787. An extra Grand Lodge was convened, and the following action was taken:'"*
"A Master Mason's Lodge opened in due form: — ^It appearing- from information of the Senior Grand Warden that this Lodge was convened for the purpose of constituting a new Lodge, N. 19, for which a Warrant has been granted and signed, Whereupon, Thomas- Procter was duly install'd Master; Charles Young, S. W., and J, Melbeck, J. W. of said Lodge, according to ancient form."
Thus was the number of the old military Lodge revived, and down to the present day it is one of the most active Lodges in the Pennsylvania Masonic constellation.
How the memories of the old Lodge in the Pennsylvania artillery lingered in the Jurisdiction, is shown by the follow- ing certificate found in the Archives of the Grand Lodge :
"I hereby Certify that John Webster Esquire and late Captain Lt. of Artillery hath been regularly entered, passed, and Raised to the degree of Master Mason, in Lodge No. 19 being a Travelling warrant granted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to the 4th
"'" Eeprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 106.
21
Regiment of Artillery and of which I was Honored as the leader thereof."
"Thos. Peoctke late M." "Philad: April 16th 1794
" To Be. Peter De Baebibr Dtjplessis
" Grand Secretary."
Shortly after the formation of Lodge No. 19 in 1787, a (^ serious difference arose between Bros. Thomas Procter and Charles Young, the Master and Senior "Warden of the new Lodge, about financial matters. This trouble, on account of the prominence of the two Brethren, came before the Grand Lodge, which appointed a committee to try the case. All of the voluminous depositions and reports on this case are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge.'^
December 15, 1788. At the Grand Quarterly Communica- tion a petition was presented by several Brethren, Members of this Grand Lodge, ia behalf of Brother Charles Young, being Read, "Ordered, on Motion and Seconded, that the fol- lowing Brethren be a Committee to enquire into the Facts set forth in the said petition, but that such Committee do not proceed upon the Business 'till the Return of Brother Procter who is absent, to this City, and not without giving Brother Procter personal notice of the place and time of meeting, viz. : J. Bankson, "W". Kidd, Ed. Pox, P. Wadman, and "W". Williams, who, or any three of them may proceed on the Business."
December 18, 1789. The Committee in the Case of Bro. Young and Procter presented their report, which was taken up and read, the same was then considered, adopted and con-
" MSS., Vol. K, paquet 55, folio 29.
»= MS8., Vol. H, paquet 51, folios 1 to 20.
22
ptDctet bfi, Sonns
firmed, And on motion and seconded, the same Committee were appointed to carry the said report into Execution.'"
According to the Minutes of the Grand Lodge, three days later this action was reversed.
December 21, 1789. "On Motion and Seconded, That the resolve of this Lodge upon the report of the Committee in the Case of Procter and Young be reconsidered, and in the mean- time the Committee appointed to carry the said report into effect, be directed not to proceed until further Orders, Where- upon, Ordered, that the same be adopted."
This is the last mention of this celebrated case in the Minutes of the Grand Lodge. Just what the outcome was does not appear. That it was adverse to Bro. Charles Young is evident from the fact that his name does not appear as an active factor in the Grand Lodge after the above date.
Bro. Procter, however, continued his active interest in the Grand Lodge. By the Minutes of the Grand Lodge we find that Bro. Procter filled the following stations : Junior Grand
^-7^
><*
Warden, p. t., December 28, 1789 ; Senior Grand Warden, p. t., September 24, 1787, June 24, December 18, 24, 1789 ; December 6, 1790, he was elected Senior Grand Warden, and re-elected the following year.
"For report in full, vide "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1907," Vol. I, pp. 153 et seq.
23
December 5, 1791. He was one of the committee that pre- sented an address to President Washington.
December 27, 1796. Bro. Procter was appelated Grand Marshal. This office he fiUed until his death in April, 1806.^*
"Bro. Thomas Procter was elected a member of the Carpenter's Com- pany in 1772; two years later he was elected one of the wardens of the
ASMS OP THE CAKPENTEK's COMPANY OF PHILABELPHIA.
company, and was instrumental in obtaining the use of the hall for the meetings of the Continental Congress. After his retirement from the army. Col. Procter became an active member of the various social, politi- cal and military organizations in Philadelphia.
Col. Procter was one of the prominent members of the "Society of the Sons of Saint Tammany of Philadelphia, "and was chosen one of the chiefs of the society. May 21, 1785, and sachem. May 1, 1786. This society was originally instituted as a benevolent society on the com- mencement of our government in order to protect our red brethren and induce them to enter into treaties of peace with us and give up a savage border warfare. They were originally called Sons of Liberty and later Friends of the Constitution and Union of the States.
Col. Procter was also one of the original members of the state society of Pennsylvania of the "Society of the Cincinnati," his name being the fortieth signature to the roll.
Twenty-five years of life were vouchsafed to Col. Procter after the close of his revolutionary career, most of which was spent in the public service.
24
Col. 'W^oma& ^tocttt
In this position he marshaled the various processions of the Grand Lodge, the most important of which were the Wash- ington funeral obsequies, December 26, 1799, and February 22, 1800.
After the resignation of Col. Procter from the army, the Warrant of Number 19 was left for a time in the hands of Major Isaac Craig'** of the artillery, and Senior Warden of the Lodge, who succeeded Col. Procter as Master of the Regimental Lodge No. 19. Bro. Craig had taken a notable part in both the Monmouth and Sullivan campaigns of 1779. In 1780 Major Craig and a part of the artillery regiment were ordered to Fort Pitt with stores and cannon. They left
By commission of Congress Bro. Procter served as Major of artillery from December 25, 1782, until October 22, 1783; Major of the artillery battalion of "Militia of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia," under commission from Governor Mifflin, from May 12, 1792, until April 12, 1793, when he was promoted to be Brigadier General of the brigade composed of the "Militia of the City of Philadelphia."
At the outbreak of the "Whiskey Insurrection," Brig. Genl. Thomas Procter was placed in command of the first brigade, which marched August 7, 1794. His last military commission bore date June 7, 1796, and appointed him Major General of the militia of the "City and County of Philadelphia."
In civil life he filled many public and private positions — High Sheriff from October 20, 1783, to October 14, 1785; elected, September 10, 1790, City Lieutenant of Philadelphia, in which capacity he superintended the celebration of the arrival of Gen. Washington, November 23, 1790.
Bro. Procter died, Sunday morning, March 16, 1806, in the sixty- eighth year of his age, at his residence in Arch Street, between Fourth and Fifth, and was buried at 3 o'clock on the following Tuesday after- noon, in the yard adjoining St. Paul's P. E. Church, on Third Street below Walnut.
His funeral appears to have been strictly a military one. In the public papers the Cincinnati are invited, the members to wear the rib- band of the order with a strip of black passing along the center and a crape for thirty days upon the left arm. The officers of the first division of Pennsylvania militia, together with the legionary orders, were also invited. A careful search fails to find any mention of Masonic services, or even any notice of his death in the Masonic records.
25
Carlisle, May 23, 1780, arriving at their destination, the present Pittsburgh, on the twenty-fifth of June, 1780.
It appears that Major Craig, as Senior Warden, took the "Warrant with him, to the extreme western part of the State, and there erected upon the banks of the Ohio the first altar of Freemasonry under the Eegimental warrant of Lodge No. 19.
In the year 1781, the artillery detachment under Bro. Craig was ordered to join Gen. George Eodgers Clark, at the falls of the Ohio,'" with the view of attacking Detroit. They left Fort Pitt July 29 and joined Gen. Clark at the falls; but the General being disappointed by the non-arrival of reinforce- ments, he was forced to abandon the expedition and the detach- ment returned to Fort Pitt, December 26, 1781.»«
There can be but little doubt that the Warrant of No. 19 was taken along on this expedition, and that upon more than one occasion a Lodge was opened, and the Brethren met in what was then the wilderness of the Northwest Territory, and that after the return of the Brethren to Fort Pitt meetings were held as regularly as the exigency of the service would permit, and they were attended by officers and soldiers from the other organizations at the garrison. This latter fact is clearly established by the following petition, which was pre- sented to the commanding general early in the following spring, quoted by Bro. Rommel in his Memorial history of Lodge 45 : F. & A. M., Pittsburgh, Penna."
"The Humble Petition of a party of Non-Commissioned OflBeers and Soldiers belonging to the different Corps in the Garrison of Fort Pitt :— "■
" In 1778 George Bogers Clark camped at the falls on Ms way to Illi- nois, and the garrison he established there grew into the town of Louis- ville, Kentucky. Vide Wither 's "Chronicles of Border Warfare," re- vised edition, p. 146.
" Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. TV, p. 260.
""History of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., 1785-1910," Pittsburgh, 1912.
"'" This document was found among the papers of Gen. Irvine, in the
26
petition to <Btn, Mbint
" Honourable General : —
" We, the Non-Commissioned Officers aforementioned, most hmnbly beg leave to lay our Petition before the General, hoping your Gracious Consideration, and Vouchsafe to grant us our request.
" Your Honor's Humble Petitioners, being a party of men, who has had the happiness, to Obtain a matter of great moment, from a most Ancient Society, that is kept up in all nations, and Kingdoms, in Christendom, and where no exception is made of any Man provid- ing he is found worthy of Obtaining it —
"We your Honors, Humble Petitioners, Begeth Leave (as all places is not fit or Useful for us to sit or assemble in) that your honor would grant us that Privilege of Absenting ourselves with your Gracious Permission twice a Month out of the Garrison (Viz.) every first and third Monday evening in every month. So that we Can Un- molisted by any Person Secretly and Unanimously Assemble togather Under the Secret Rules and Ordinances that is no way Perjudicial to Country, State, or any Individual, there unto belonging. But shall always Indeavor to Distinguish ourselves by our Conduct and In- tegrity with our duty towards our Officers that is or shall be set over us.
"And we most Humbly beg if it Please your Honor most Gra- ciously to Grant us our request, to return an answer in writing Pri- vately so that it may not raise any Jealousy in the Breasts of the rest of our Brother Soldiers ; And Likewise a pass Directed to the Officer of the day or Guard, So that we can pass at these times Aforemen-
tioned without troubleing your Honor Excepting at a time when any emergency requires our particular attention Strictly to our duty of which we are all Evidently Senceable it may be required — ^Whereof your Honour will be pleased to Acquaint any one of us the Under- signers so that we may be forever obedient to your Honours most Gracious Orders.
hands of his grandson, Dr. W. A. Irvine, of Warren County, Pa., and copied in 1859 by Hon. James "Weeks, of Uniontown, for Bro. Sidney Hayden. This copy is now in the Archives of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., at Pittsburgh.
27
" And may your Honour be forever Induced with the same Wisdom to rule and Govern with same Justice & Equitty as we have Always found since we have Been Under your Honours Command.
"H. Lee Sergt. Majr. Pennsa. Detachment.
"Thos. Wood Serg. Maj.
" Simon rLETCHER of ye Pa. Keg.
Q: M: Detachment P. line " William Semplb Sergt. " John Haeris Corprl.'"'^ "Mathew Tout Sergt. " Michael Haulet " Mathw. Mcaitee Corpl. " John Htjtchson "Martin Sheeidon "John Kean
"J. Williams Sergt. 7th V. B. " Fort Pitt April ye 15th 1782.
" To the Honble. Wm. Ievine Esqr.
Brigadier General Commanding"
Some months after the presentation of the above petition, which was undoubtedly granted, Bro. Major Isaac Craig, who had become noted for his energy, activity and integrity, to be absolutely regular in his position as Master, made the follow- ing application to the Grand Lodge :
September 2, 1782. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge, an application from Captain Isaac Craig, at Fort Pitt, for a "Dispensation to act there, the said Captain Craig being Legal
■"' The John Harris who signed the ahove petition belonged to Procter ' regiment.
The copy of the petition is correct in capitals, pvmctuation and orthography.
Although the petition does not name the Ancient Society referred to, there is no room to doubt from the internal evidence that the writer was a Freemason possessing considerable knowledge of the institution. Gen. Irvine, who was very indulgent to those of his soldiers who were well- behaved and obedient to duty and discipline, promptly complied with the request. That none of the commissioned offieers signed the petition is no doubt owing to the fact that they already enjoyed the privilege prayed for.
28
SI !^i0tortc Eantimatit
successor to the Master of No. 19, and in possession of the "Warrant, but never legally installed, it was order 'd and Re- solved, that there is no necessity of a Dispensation to Capt. Craig, he being the Master elect and in possession of the War-
THE OLD REDOUBT. ALLEGED PLACE OP MEETING OF THE MILITARY LODGE NO. 19, A. Y. M., AT PITTSBURGH, 1780-81.
rant of Lodge No. 19, but that a Dispensation go to some Past Master to install him."
How the seed sown by the Brethren of Lodge No. 19 took root in central and western Pennsylvania, is shown by the various petitions to the Grand Lodge for Warrants to open Lodges at different places, both before and after peace was declared.
It is not known how long Masonic Lodges were held in Pitts- burgh under this travelling "Warrant of the Pennsylvania artillery, as there has been no positive record found as to just when this "Warrant was surrendered, whether before or after
29
the edict of December 27, 1783,^' calling in all of these mili- tary or travelling Warrants. There is a strong presumption, however, that this Warrant was used by the Brethren on the Ohio until they applied for a new Warrant, which was granted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, December 27, 1785, under the following conditions :
A few days before the December Meeting of that year, R. W. Grand Master William Adcock was handed a letter'* ad- dressed to him by Bro. Michael Huffnagle** from Pittsburgh, viz.:
"PrrrsBUHGH, Nov. 22nd, 1785. " Sir : Mr. Huffnagle will deliver you a minute of the proceedings of a number of Brethren Assembled in this place last evening for the purpose of obtaining a Warrant for holding a Lodge in this place and as they have done me the honor of Electing me to the Chair, I think it necessary to request leave to resign the OfiBee I have the honor to hold in the Grand Lodge I can Vouch for all the Breth- ren then Assembled. Mr. Huffnagle the Senior Elect will be in Fhilada. Mr. MeClery Junior Elect is known in No. 3. « The R. W. William Adcock, Esq.
"I am, sir,
" Your most Obt. Serv.
"Wm. TmroN.""
" Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Philadelphia, 1895, Vol. I, p. 68.
•* Original in Archives of the Grand Lodge.
" Bro. Michael Huffnagle was initiated in Lodge No. 2, together with Cols. Doherty and Espie, June 6, 1783, and raised by Col. Procter to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He served as Adjutant, 1st Continental Infantry, and later as Captain in the 8th Pennsylvania. He was one of the most prominent men in Pittsburgh. For a full account of Bro. Huffnagle vide Frederick C. Eommel's "History of Lodge No. 45, F. & A. M., 1785-1910," Pittsburgh, 1912, p. 90; also "Freemasonry in Penn- sylvania, 1727-1907," Vol. II, pp. 44r-45.
"Bro. William Tilton, a Past Master of Lodge No. 3 in Philadelphia, was a prominent member of the Fraternity and serving in different sta- tions prior to his departure to and settlement in Pittsburgh, as Junior and Senior "Wardens, and upon at least one occasion occupied the station as Grand Master. For biographical sketch, vide Bro. Eommel's "His- tory" before quoted, pp. 89-90.
30
75to, Sl?a/. 30aac Ccafg
The enclosed minute was as follows :
"Pittsburgh, Nov. 21, 5785. " At a meeting of the Brethren A. York, Master Masons.
"Brs. "Willm. Tilton " Mich. HufEnagle « Wilbn. McClery" "WiUm. Butler" "Isaac Craig" " Joseph Asheton" " Thomas Wylie"
" Bro. William McCleary, mentioned as Junior Warden in the warrant, according to Bro. Tilton 'a letter, also came from Philadelpliia. No record of him has thus far been found.
"Bro. William Butler, Captain in 2d Pennsylvania Battalion, 1776, promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, 4th Pennsylvania, September, 1776; Lieutenant-Colonel, 1779.
"Bro. Isaac Craig was a native of County Down, Ireland, in 1741. He came to Philadelphia in the fall of 1765, working as a house carpenter. At the outbreak of the Eevolution, he was appointed Lieu- tenant of Marines in the American navy, and was present at the descent upon New Providence in the West Indies by the expedition under Com- modore Hopkins. After the return of this expedition Bro. Craig was pro- moted to a Captaincy of Marines, and in November, 1776, was ordered to join the army, doing duty as infantry. In this capacity Bro. Craig was present at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. March 3, 1777, Bro. Craig was appointed a Captain of Artillery in the regiment then formed under the command of Bro. Procter. In this capacity he was engaged in the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, where he was wounded. In the next month he was present at the battle of Ger- mantown, and it was his battery which cannonaded Chew's house. He spent the winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge, and in the spring was ordered to Carlisle, to learn the art of the laboratory in preparing muni- tions, in which Bro. Craig became an expert. He was appointed Major of artillery, October 7, 1781, and served until June 17, 1783. He was one of the original members of the state society of the Cincinnati. Bro. Craig was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, January 19, 1787.
Bro. Craig after the war remained in Pittsburgh, and became one of its most influential citizens. For a full biographical sketch of his career. Masonic, military and civil, vide "History of Lodge No. 45," before quoted, pp. 92 et seq., also "Life and Services of Major Isaac Craig," by Neville B. Craig, Esq., Pittsburgh, 1854.
31
€>Iti St^a^ontc Eotiged of ^ennsi^Ibania
" It was unanimously agreed to apply to the Right Worshipfull the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a warrant to hold a Lodge in Pitts- burgh for the Benefit of the Brethren present, as well as those who
"h-^i^i^^^^^^
may be hereafter brought to Light. We therefore humbly hope that our earnest Application will meet with encouragement.
" The Brethren then proceeded to the election of OfiBcers for Sd. Lodge, When
" Bro. Tilton, was elected Master " Br. Huflnagle, Senr. Warden & " Br. McClery, Junr. Warden.
" Sign'd by order of the Master
"Joseph Tilton, Secretary." " Endorsed 1785 Nov. 21. " Application for a " Warrt. for holding Lodge " at Pittsburgh "No 45."
This petition and letter were presented and read before the Grand Lodge on St. John's Day, December 27, 1785, and it was agreed that the same be granted. Then the Secretary produced a "Warrant constituting and appointing the three aforesaid Brethren officers of Lodge No. 45. It wiU be noticed that Bro. William Tilton at that time was Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, and for several years an active factor of that Grand Body. Bro. Tilton, however, does not appear to have filled any office in the Grand Lodge after his appointment as Warrant Master of Lodge 45.
« Tide p. 34 infra.
"Bro. Thomas Wylie, one of the charter members, supposed to have been a Presbyterian clergyman. Nothing definite is known of his Masonic history.
32
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It will also be noted that the charter members were but nine in number, one of whom was Past Master Bro. Major Isaac Craig of Lodge No. 19 in the Pennsylvania artillery, and who erected the first Masonic Lodge on the banks of the Ohio. The present writer has not been able to trace the Masonic affilia-
ANCIBNT SEAL OF LODGE NO. 45, ON CERTIFICATE OP BRO. WM. THORN, NOVEMBER 6, 1798. IN ARCHIVES OP THE GRAND LODGE.
tion of the Brethren, except where noted, but some if not all had undoubtedly been brought to Masonic light on the banks of the Ohio, under the authority of the old military Warrant of No. 19. Lodge 45, as the logical successor of No. 19, is one of the few Masonic Lodges in Pennsylvania which, since her first organization, has continued uninterruptedly in her work through storms and persecutions, remaining firm in her faith, and now for over a century and a quarter shedding the light of wisdom and Fraternity in what is to-day the second city of our great Commonwealth.
33
Members op the Militaey Lodge, No. 19, A. Y. M., with the
Pennsylvania Artillery so far as can be gleaned
from the various Documents m the Archives.
Bro. Wiluam Adams, Surgeon, 4th Continental Artillery. Bro. Joseph T. Anderson, Regimental Paymaster and Brevet
Major of New Jersey Brigade. Bro. John Van Anglon, Captain in 1st New Jersey Regiment. Bro. Thomas Armstrong, First Lieutenant, 5th Regiment in
North Carolina Line.
f^i^ ^/mh^ ^^i^^W- <f. %^<^/lif
Bro. Joseph Ashton, 1st Sergeant, New York Artillery, later Captain Lieutenant, 2d Continental Artillery.
Bro. Isaac Craig, Major, Pennsylvania Artillery.
Bro. Elias Dayton, Colonel of 3d New Jersey, later Brigadier General in Continental Army.
Bro. Patrick Duffie, 3d Lieutenant in Procter's Artillery, later 1st Lieutenant and Captain, 4th Continental Ar- tillery.
Bro. Thomas Forrest, Captain of Procter's Artillery; Major, 4th Continental Artillery ; resigned as Lieutenant Colonel, 1781.
Bro. John Hollingshead, Major of 2d New Jersey Regiment.
Bro. Andrew Hunter, Chaplain, 3d New Jersey; afterwards Brigade Chaplain; served to close of the war. "Warrant Master, Lodge No. 36 in New Jersey Line.
Bro. John Kean, Lieutenant.
Bro. Derrick Lane, Captain in New Jersey Battalion; later served as Captain in the U. S. Infantry until 1785.
Bro. Anthony Maxwell, Lieutenant in Spencer's New York Regiment, promoted from Sergeant to Ensign and Lieu- tenant.
34
Wio&ttt of EoDse Bo. 19
Bbo. William Maxwell, Brigadier General, Continental Army, Colonel of 2d New Jersey.
Beo. Jambs McCluee, Adjutant, New Hampshire Militia, later Captain, 4th Continental Artillery.
Beo. Aaeon Ogden, Regimental Paymaster, New Jersey Bri- gade, later Brigade Major to Maxwell's Brigade ; served to close of war; Lieutenant Colonel, 11th U. S. Infantry. Honorably discharged June 15, 1800.
Beo. Ezea Patterson, Lieutenant, 2d Continental Artillery ; a native of New York.
Beo. John Peck, Captain in the New Jersey Battalion to No- vember, 1783 ; also in New Jersey Militia.
Beo. James Pendleton, Ensign and Lieutenant in 7th Vir- ginia; later Captain, 1st Continental Artillery.
Beo. William Piatt, enlisted as private in 1st New Jersey Regiment, promoted Sergeant, Second and First Lieu- tenant, and Captain ; served to close of the war.
Beo. Andeew Poetee, Lieutenant, 4th Maryland Battalion, later Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Continental Artillery.
y^-'f^^'!^
Beo. Feancis Peoctee, nephew of Col. Thomas Procter, Lieu- tenant of Procter's Artillery; retired with rank as Major, January 1, 1783.
Beo, Thomas Peoctee, Colonel, Pennsylvania Artillery.
Beo. Jeeemiah Simmons.
35
Bro. Samuel Story, Regimental Adjutant, and Captain Lieu- tenant, 4th Continental Artillery. Beo. John Stantfoed. Beo. Peter Tallman.
.^^
'^M^
Beo, John Webster, Sergeant in Procter's Artillery, later Quarter Master Sergeant, 4tli Continental Artillery. Dis- charged as Captain Lieutenant, June, 1783.
'£4vnii^
^^^^'^^^^^^^i^
36
CHAPTER XXVII.
LODGE NO. 20, A. Y. M., GRANTED TO THE NORTH CAROLINA LINE.
^^HE third regimental Warrant t|L issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylva- nia was granted to the North Caro- lina contingent in the Continental Army. This Lodge was No. 20 on the Roster. Owing to the loss of all Minutes of the Grand Lodge prior to July 29, 1779, it is impossible to give the particulars under which it was granted, the names of the peti- 'tioners, or the date of the Warrant, which however, if not May 18, 1779, must have been on or prior to October 4, 1779.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge of this date, upon which Pennsylvania Lodges, No. 21, then held in Lower Paxton, Lan- caster County, now Perseverance Lodge held at Harrisburg, Dauphin County (that county having been formed out of Lan- caster County) and No. 22 held at Sunbury, Northumberland County, were warranted, are also missing. A memorandum in the rough Minutes of the Grand Lodge states: "Leave room for Minutes of Oct. 4 in the hands of Cronin." Stephen
37
Cronin was acting Grand Secretary and evidently never furnished the Minutes of this Communication. There is no mention whatever of this communication in the regular Minutes.
Lodge No. 20 is mentioned in several of the Minutes of the Grand Lodge as not having responded, nor is there any record that the North Carolina Brethren ever made any re- turns to the Grand Lodge; consequently the Warrant was finally vacated.
The question naturally arises how it happened that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was petitioned to issue a Warrant for the North Carolina Line in the Continental Army, as there was a Provincial Grand Lodge in their native State. This may be explained by the intimacy that existed between the members of the North Carolina brigade and the Pennsylvania troops in the Continental Army.
The North Carolina Continentals reached Washington's Camp at Middlebrook, in Somerset County, New Jersey, on the Raritan River, fifteen miles south of Morristown,^ about the last of June, 1777, and were placed under the command of Maj. Gen. William Alexander (Lord Sterling). They took a prominent part in the Battle of Brandywine, and carried off the laurels at Germantown, October 4, 1777, where Maj. Wil- liam Polk" was badly wounded, but recovered and afterwards (1799-1801) became Grand Master of North Carolina.
The North Carolina Line, greatly reduced by the casualties of war, shared the sufferings of the army in the hutted camp
^ ' ' Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of A. 'F. and A. M. of North Caro- lina, 125th Annual Communication," Ealeigh, 1912, pp. 76-78.
^Bro. William Polk, Major of 9th North Carolina Eegiment, later served under Generals Richard, Caswell, Davidson, Pickens and Sumpter, and saw much active service. He was the father of Bishop Leonidas Polk, the Confederate General. Bro. Polk died January 14, 1834.
38
B. MECKLENBURG CO., N. C, JULY 9, 1768. D. RALEIGH, N. C, JANUARY 4, 1804. GRAND MASTER OF NORTH CAROLINA, 1799-1801.
<^^t Mott^ CatoUna %im
at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78, and were subse- quently present at Monmouth, and later at Stony Point, after which they were ordered, early in the year 1780, to join Gen. Lincoln at Charleston, South Carolina.
It . appears that Freemasonry was strongly represented among the North Carolina troops while in the South. The same undoubtedly was the case when the brigade served in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The petition for this Warrant may have been presented at the same date as Col. Procter's and issued at the same time, or it may have been granted October 4, 1779, the date of the original "Warrant of Lodge No. 21 as suggested above.
Bro. Marshall De Lancey Haywood, historian of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, in his report, January, 1912, gives a full list of the soldiers of the Eevolution who were mem- bers of the Fraternity, in which he recites the names and Masonic affiliations of no less than seventy-three Brethren.
How many of these were brought to true Masonic light under the Pennsylvania regimental Warrant No. 20, it is im- possible to even surmise at the present day, owing to the loss or absence of all reports, Minutes or documents from the old regimental Lodge.
As the records of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania show no report from this Lodge at all, all the members of that regi- mental Lodge must have gone south with the North Carolina troops, and hence were unable to make reports.
It is not improbable that the Warrant, papers and parapher- nalia of Lodge No. 20, fell into the hands of the enemy at the capitulation of Charleston, May 12, 1780, meeting the same fate as those of the Brethren of the Delaware regimental Lodge No. 30, at the battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, there being a report to that effect.
39
CHAPTER XXVIII.
LODGE NO. 23, A. Y. M., HELD AT MIDDLETOWN, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
la T was not until the close of the year 1779 that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania fully recovered from the con- fusions brought about by the British occupation of Philadel- phia, 1777-1778, and the subse- quent military movements, and disquieting rumors relative to the opposing forces. The loss of the former Minutes^ and papers of this Grand Lodge, the attainting for treason of some of the prominent Brethren in Philadelphia, and the de- parture of others from the City with the British soldiery, June, 1778, aU tended to unsettle the affairs of the Grand Lodge, which stiU nominally owed allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England.
However, towards the close of the eventful year 1779, political affairs had assumed such shape in this vicinity, that it
' Preface of earliest Minute Book of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, of July 29, 1779. Vide Eeprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Volume 1.
40
Cpmmnn(catipn!Si ot t^t (Eranti fiottst
>yas thought prudent to again open the Grand Lodge, and elect and install the proper officers. As has been already set forth, during the previous July a number of the Brethren assembled, and determined that steps should be taken to again hold regu- lar Communications of the Grand Lodge for the government of the Craft. The first movement to that effect was to send out the following circular notice to every Lodge under the juris- diction of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania :
The "W'full Master and Senior and Junior Wardens of Lodge N". — are requested to meet the R. W. Grand Master at Philad*., on the 20"*. day of Dec"'., at which time he proposes to hold a General Com- munication of all the Lodges under the Grand Warrant of Penn- sylvania, agreeable to the late Resolve of a Grand Lodge held in this City to chuse Grand Officers for the ensuing year, in con- formity to the ancient and laudable usage of the hon. fraternity of free and accepted Masons. At -which time you are directed to produce your Warrant and Book of transactions and to pay all acknowledgments due from you to this Grand Lodge. — By order &c.
W^. Smith, G. Sec.
December 20, 1779. "A Grand Lodge of Communication was opened in due form, with Prayer by the Grand Secretary, Rev. Bro. William Smith, D.D., and an Anthem by Bros. Matthew Whitehead and Jacob Diegel" of Lodge No. 4. At this mem- orable Communication, the following officers were present :
The Rt. Wpfull Wm Ball, Esqr. Grand Master in the Chair. John Coats, Deputy Grand Master; William Shutej Senior Grand Warden; John Howard, Junior Grand Warden; William Smith, Grand Secretary; Stephen Cronin, Senior Grand Deacon; Bernard, Junior Grand Deacon.
It was at this Communication that a petition was pre- sented, signed by Isaiah Wool and five other Brethren from Monmouth County, New Jersey, praying for a Warrant for
41
«
SDlti S^a0onit Eotig^isf of ptnnff^lbania
holding a new Lodge. This "being read, the petition was unanimously granted, and a "Warrant ordered to be made out, when they shall have elected the proper officers."
This suggestion was promptly acted upon, and at the Grand Lodge of Emergency held December 29, 1779, "Agreeable to the Unanimous Resolution of this Grand Lodge, to grant a War- rant for a New Lodge, to be held at Middleton, in Monmouth County in New Jersey, Brother Wm. Bostwich,^ the Master elect, received his Warrant, No. 23, and was accordingly in- stalled Master, and saluted in proper form. He was instructed how to install Br. Isaiah Wool,' S. Warden, and Br. John Motte,* Jr. Warden, of said Lodge."
The location of this new Lodge was at Middleton (now Middletown), Monmouth County, one of the oldest settle- ments in the northeastern part of east New Jersey. Most of the early settlers were Baptists, and here in 1668 the first Baptist Church in New Jersey was built.
Lodge No. 23, it appears, never made any returns or reports to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, nor was the Lodge ever represented at any of the subsequent Communications. The only additional mention of Lodge 23 to be found in the Minutes of the Grand Lodge is in a report of the committee on the state of country Lodges, made October 16, 1809: "No. 23, Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Granted 29th December, 1779. Joined the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. No Returns."
°Bro. William Bostwich had been a First Lieutenant in the 3d New Jersey. He served until June 1, 1778.
"Bro. Isaiah Wool, a native of New York, Lieutenant in Col. Lamb's New York ArtUlery, Captain 2d Continental Artillery, resigned, August 21, 1780. He is said to have been made a Mason in Procter's Lodge, No. 19.
*Bro. John Mott, First Lieutenant 3d New Jersey, later Captain, retired January 1, 1781, served also as Captain New Jersey Militia. Died May 31, 1831.
42
CHAPTEE XXIX.
LODGE NO. 24, A. Y. M., HELD IN THE TOWN OP READING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
V
A
T
13
T a Grand Lodge of Emer- gency, held January 26, 1780, a petition was re- zed from a number of Brethren ;he town of Reading, and County Berks, praying a Warrant for 3ting and holding a new Lodge the said town and a convenient I tance round the same.
Heading, on the left bank of the Schuylkill River, about 53 miles from Philadelphia, was laid out in 1748 by the agents of Thomas and Richard Penn, and became the county seat of Berks County, which was formed from Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster Counties, March 11, 1752. The county was principally settled by Germans. In the town of Reading, however, at the time of petitioning for this Warrant, there was quite a sprinkling of the Quaker element, together with a number of Scotch Royalists, who had been captured and sub- dued in North Carolina. In addition to the above, Reading, during the Revolution, was a favorite place of resort for Philadelphians who wished to get away from the stormy
43
political atmospliere of Philadelphia, and at the same time be out of the reach of any British marauding parties.
The petition signed by seven Brethren in Reading was presented to the Grand Lodge at a Grand Lodge of Emer- gency held January 26, 1780, as follows :
" Reading 10* Jan^. 1780 " To the Bight Worshipfull Grand Master of the antient and Honour- able Fraternity of Free <& accepted Masons in the state of Pennsylvenia —
"The Humble Petition' of the Brethren of the antient Society residing in the Town of Reading Humbley Sheweth
" That we the subscribers having the good of the Fraternity at Heart, and labouring under many inconveniences on account of our distance from Philadelphia, most humbly desire your Warrent to constitute and hold a Lodge according to antient form in this Town of Reading to extend the Noble Arts to strengthen its pillars, and support the Royal Order, and we beg leave to recommend our worthy B"". Jonath" Potts Master, B'' Geo: Nagel, Senior and B''. James Diemer Jun''. Wardens; your complying with this our humble peti- tion and ardent request will ever be esteemed as a singular act of Brotherly Friendship and Love, by your most sincere Brethren and most obedient humble Servants
«J. "W. Batten A: M^' "Donald M Leod A: M^"
" Ch : SOBBE
"Ja. Diemer A: M^ "ThoS WHrrE A: M^* "Geot Nagel A: M." "JonN Potts.'"
> MSS., Vol. No. 164, f oUo 40.
'Bro. John William Batten was a Sergeant in the British Artillery, and a member of one of the Military Lodges in the British army. He was captured by the Americans and sent as a prisoner of war to Phila- delphia, in the fall of the year 1779, where he was imprisoned in the old Walnut Street prison. September 14, 1779, he presented a petition to Lodge No. 2, praying that the Brethren of this Lodge would endeavor to get him his parole, and thus release him from durance. This petition was read and put to vote, when it was, by a majority, agreed that the interest of Lodge No. 2 should be exerted in favor of the above petitioner to get him his parole. (_Vide "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-
41
%ifbst Mo, 24, ja. g. 9?.» at mtabins
After the petition from Reading was read, "the ballot was put whether the Petition from Reading be granted, the same was unanimously agreed to, and it was order 'd that a Warrant be made out for constituting a New Lodge at Reading to be number 'd 24.
"Brother Jonathan Potts, the proposed Master of the new Lodge, No. 24, being introduced and found duly qualified,
1907," Vol. I, p. 353.) This effort proved successful. Bro. Batten was released from gaol, upon his parole, and sent into the interior at Beading. Less than four months later, we find Bro. Batten's name heading a peti- tion to erect an altar of Freemasonry in that interior town on the Schuylkill Eiver.
•Bro. Donald McLeod, one of the Scotch Eoyalists from North Carolina.
'Bro. Thomas White had been Piist Lieutenant of Montgomery's Penn- sylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp. He was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, November 16, 1776, and exchanged in 1778, and did not rejoin the army.
° Bro. George Nagel, named in the Warrant of Lodge No. 24, as Senior Warden, a member of Lodge No. 3 in Philadelphia, had served in the Continental army from June 25, 1775, when he was commissioned Captain in Thompson's Pennsylvania Bifle Battalion until July 1, 1778, ■when he retired as Colonel of the 10th Pennsylvania Eegiment. His Masonic certificate, as member of Lodge No. 3, A. Y. M., dated April 18, 1777, is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge.
*Bro. Jonathan Potts, named in the Warrant of Lodge No. 24 as Worshipful Master of the new Lodge to be erected in the borough of Beading, was one of the chief Surgeons in the Continental Army. He was with the troops on the Canadian Expedition in 1776, and during the following year was appointed Deputy Director-General of Hospital of the Northern Department. By act of Congress, November -6, 1778, it was resolved, ' ' that the unremitted attention shown by Dr. Potts, of the General Hospital in the Northern Department, as represented in Gen. Gates's letter to Congress of the twentieth of October, to the sick and wounded under his care, is a proof not only of his humanity, but of the zeal for the service of the United States, so deeply interested in the preservation of the health and lives of the gallant asserters of their country's cause, and that Congress therefore can not but entertain a high sense of Dr. Potts 's services, which he has rendered during this campaign, by the diligent discharge of his respective functions. January 22, 1778, Bro. Potts was transferred to the Middle Department, wherein he served with honor until October 6, 1780, when he retired from the service. During
45
was regularly installed as Master of the said new Lodge, to be held in the Town of Reading, and five Miles round the same, and the Grand Secretary is Order 'd to prepare a Warrant accordingly."'
The Warrant for No. 24 was duly made out, signed and sealed :
" Now KNOW Ye that We, William Ball, Grand Master, John Coats Deputy Grand Master, Alexander Rutherford Senior Grand Warden, and Jacob Samuel Howel Junior Grand Warden present and legal Successors to the above named Provincial Grand OflBcers, as by the Grand Lodge Books, Reference being to them had may appear, by Virtue of the power to us granted by the above in part recited War- rant, do hereby authorise and impower our trusty and well beloved Brethren Jonathan Potts Esquire Master, George Nagel Esquire Senior Warden, and James Diemer Esquire Junior Warden of a New Lodge, Numb. Twenty-four to be held in the town of Reading in the State of Pennsylvania, or anywhere within five Miles of the said Town. — And We do further authorise and impower our said trusty and well-beloved Brethren Jonathan Potts, George Nagel, and James Diemer Esquires to admit and make free Masons, accord- ing to the most ancient and Honorable Custom of the Royal Craft in all ages and nations throughout the known World, and not eon- trarjrwise. And We do further impower and appoint the said Jona- than Potts, George Nagel and James Diemer and their Successors to hear and determine aU and singular. Matters and Things relating to the Craft, within the Jurisdiction of the said Lodge Number Twenty- four. And lastly, We do hereby authorise and impower our said trusty and well beloved Brethren Jonathan Potts, George Nagel and James Diemer to nominate, chuse and install their Successors to whom they shall deliver this Warrant, and invest them with all the powers and Dignities as Free Masons, and such Successors shall in
a part of this time the seeond story of the Freemason's Lodge in Lodge Alley was occupied by the Medical Department of the Army, and was under the direction of Bro. Jonathan Potts. (Vide "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1907," Vol. I, p. 384.)
Bro. Potts died in October, 1781, at the early age of thirty-six, at his home in Beading, and was buried in the family grave yard at Pottstown but without a stone to mark his grave.
' MS8., Vol. 164, p. 39. Eeprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 21.
46
Hotise j12o. 24, SL, @. 9?., at laeatidts
like maimer nominate chuse and install their Successors &e. &c. &c. Such Installation to be upon, or near S' John the Evangelist's Day, during the Continuance of this Lodge forever. Provided always that the said above named Brethren, and their Successors pay due Respect to the Eight Worshipf uU Grand Lodge from whom they have their Authority, otherwise this Warrant to be of no force or Virtue. Given under our hands and the Seal of the Grand Lodge at Phila- delphia this fifteenth Day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty and of Masonry Five Thou- sand Seven Hundred and Eighty.'
"William Smith Grand Sedo " Jn° Wood G. Treasurer "
Nothing is kaown as to the proceedings of Lodge No. 24, From a Minute of the Grand Lodge, November 22, 1781, it appears that the Warrant Master, Bro. Jonathan Potts, had died during the year, and the Warrant was in the possession of his executors. It was thereupon resolved, that Bro. George Nagel, the Senior Warden of No. 24, at Reading, procure the Warrant, and after calling the members together, that they elect officers for the ensuing year, and attend the next Com- munication to be installed.
It does not appear that any action was taken by the Breth- ren of No. 24 upon this resolution of the Grand Lodge. As the Lodge was not represented after the above date and no returns were ever made, it is surmised that the Brethren could not maintain their organization, and surrendered their War- rant, which is now in the Archives of the Grand Lodge.
' Original Warrant in Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
47
CHAPTER XXX.
LODGE NO. 26, A. Y. M., HELD AT CARLISLE, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
(•■THE first petition for a "War-
1|L rant for a Lodge to be lield
west of the Susquehanna,
was presented at a Grand Lodge
of Emergency, held January 7,
1780, viz. :
"To THE Eight WoHSHiPFniiL W*^ Ball Grand Mastee, the Worship- full John Howard Sen'' Grand Warden, the Worshipfull John Wood Jim'' Grand Warden, and the Rest of the OfiScers of the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia —
" The Petition of divers brethren in the town of Carlisle in the County of Cumberland
" Respectfully sheweth " That your Petitioners have been each of them made under the sanction of a just & lawful Warrant and are solicitous of working in their Craft and promoting the benefits of it to Others, but they find they have no Authority so to do, unless by soliciting the Right Worshipfull The Grand Lodge for a Warrant for that purpose, and they flatter themselves, that upon brotherly Masonic principles they shall be indulged in their request : that they conceive Masonry to be Universal in its Nature and extent, and they do therefore most earnestly pray that a Warrant may be granted them in the Usual form to exercise the duties of the Craft in the said town of Carlisle and County of Cumberland; and do beg leave to recommend Brother
48
Eobge 120., 24, SI, 18. 9?., at CatHsfle
George Noarth Esq. as their Master: Brother Mathew Atkinson as their Senior Warden and Brother Charles Jenkins as their Junior Warden, Most Respectfully assuring the Right Worshipfull Grand Lodge that they shall ever Esteem it their Duty : as it is their inclina- tion, to conform themselves to the Orders, injunctions and Rules of the Grand Lodge, from which they shall derive their Origin.
" Signed at Carlisle the S"" Nov"' 1779, by the brethren following, viz: —
" Moses Fabeys
" John Hunter
"Percival Keax
"John Pbddon
" G. Noarth (by request)
" Mathew Atkinson (by request)
" ChaS Lukins (by request)'
"ArchiD Campbell*
"George BROvrar
"Hugh Alexander."
The petition is endorsed on the back :
" Petition from Carlisle, Warrant ordered Nov 5, 1779. " N° Twenty six, to be held in the County of Cumberland, State of Pennsylvania or any where within miles of said town." *
After the reading of the petition it was ordered to lie over for the determination of the next Grand Lodge, which met a week hence, January 13, 1780, when the petition for a new Lodge in the County of Cumberland came "again under con- sideration, and the Grand Secretary is directed to acquaint the proposed Officers, that on their personal application, or the personal application of the Master elect, and satisfying the Grand Lodge of all necessary requisites a Warrant will be granted according to the Pray'r of the Petition."
'Bro. Charles Lukens, Major and Commissary of Military Stores, also Major of !Flower's Artillery Artificer Eegiment, retired from service at his own request, August 30, 1780.
'Bro. Archibald Campbell, formerly Lieutenant in the 6th Pennsyl- vania Infantry. Died, 1788.
• MS8., Vol. F, paquet 88, folios 39-40.
5 49
These conditions being complied with, the "Warrant was granted, it appears, March 19, 1780, and the Lodge was repre- sented by the "Warrant Master, Bro. George Noarth, in the Grand Lodge on June 24, July 27 and on September 25, 1780.
Carlisle, where the new Lodge was to be located, was an ancient borough in the midst of Cumberland County, known for its wide streets and spacious public square in the center, which was crossed by the main road from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and the road to Baltimore.
During the Revolution, Carlisle was made a place of ren- dezvous for the American troops, and in consequence of being located at a distance from the theater of war, British pris- oners were also sent hither for secure confinement.
At the Grand Communication, September 25, 1780, the question was raised "whether B™ Noarth as Master-elect of No. 26, never yet having attended at Carlisle to open his new Lodge or instal any of the officers, was entitled to a seat in this Grand Lodge, it was Ordered, as Six Months have not yet expired since the date of his "Warrant, that he write to his Wardens at Carlisle to attend the Grand Lodge in due time, in order to be installed, that the Lodge may be open'd in due form without Loss of time."
Bro. Noarth, acting upon this suggestion wrote the follow- ing letter to the Brethren named as "Wardens in the Warrant.
"PhiladA October 10* 1780
" Esteemed Sirs :
" You may reeolleet that during the last Winter we unitedly signed
a petition to the grand Lodge for a Warrant to impower us to make
Masons in the town of Carlisle and its vicinity. Our views in such
a proceedure were laudable and calculated to check the growth of
Clandestine Masonry which was making a rapid progress there. You
were pleased to honor me with your good opinion so far as to put me
in nomination for Master, and the brethren present shewed a similar
_
fLottet Mo, 20, SL W, Sl?.» at €a.tlifHt
degree of confidence in naming you to the other ofiBces. If I rightly recolleet we each subscribed Seventy Dollars for the purpose pro- posed, which was lodged in the hands of Brother Hunter and for which I took his receipt; and altho my Letter to the Eec*. Grand Secretary enclosing the petition did not reach him so early as I wished and expected, the right Worshipful Body to whom it was addressed were pleased to approve of your motives & choice, and upon my personal application directed that the Warrant should issue which was accordingly done. Since that time until the present it has lain in the secretary's hands ready for delivery, but as a number of months have elapsed since the time of their indulgence and no busi- ness been done they have called upon me to know cause of it. I have assigned them- the genuine reasons and they have directed me to write to the brotherhood upon the Occasion.
" A variety of causes have prevented me from attending at Carlisle during the summer and fall, least the same causes should continue to the detriment of the Craft, and frustrate the motives that led to the petition, I must earnestly request & direct that you would call the brethren together and fall on some expeditious mode of sending down for the Warrant as well as of attending for the purposes of Instal- lation. The fees are, by a regulation of the Grand Lodge, six Hund* Dollars, and I herewith enclose an order on the Treasurer for that sum for the purpose. I expect to be in your Town some time in the next month, but should anything intervene to prevent it, I beg you will lay the Letter before the brethren and require their assistance which I am sure will be complied with. The money when sent may be directed to the Eev* D'. W™, Smith or M' Alexander Rutherford Dep. G«. M"-.
" I feel a peculiar pleasure in assuring you of the expectation I have of its tending to the prevention of Clandestine Masonry in your Country, as every B"'. must know that those men are detrimental to the original charitable purposes of the Craft.
" I am with the purest affection " Esteemed Brothers
"Your obedient Hble Serv'
«G. NOARTH."
"To
" Mathew Atkinson & 1
" Charles Lukens Esq"
A copy of this letter was presented to the Grand Lodge,
51
iSDltt 9l^a&onic fLoHt& in pennsc^lbania
October 16, 1780, when upon "further consideration of the Warrant granted to B'. Noarth, as Master of No. 26 at Carlile, it is ordered that he be allowed till next Quarterly Communi- cation to pay the fees on the Warrant and to have the Officers regularly installed, and the Lodge open'd in due form, and if these requisites are not complied with the Warrant to be for- feited."
As no action appears to have been taken upon the letter sent by Bro. Noarth to the Brethren of Lodge No. 26, beyond the Susquehanna, the Lodge was presumably never properly constituted, and the Warrant was forfeited.
VIGNETTE PEOM CEETIPICATE OP GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND.
52
'n<*'f^%^4^ ^ ^'^^^Si^z::r ^Ci-^^ i^ •t^^r'
U^^
^„^ ^^^H^ ^ y ^
FAC-SIMILE OF PETITION FOR WARRANT, BY BRETHREN BELONGING
•^^ -^^ fi'C^-
The MARYLAND LINE IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, APRIL 4, 1780
CHAPTER XXXI.
LODGE NO. 27, A. Y. M., A REGIMENTAL LODGE IN THE MARYLAND LINE.
AT a Grand Lodge of Emer- gency, opened in due form, April 4, 1780, the follow- ing petition presented by Bro. Arch* Anderson "and a number of Brethren of the Maryland Line was read, praying a "Warrant to hold a new Lodge."
" To THE R. WOESHIPFULL W^. BaLI;,
Esq., Grand Master & the brethren- op THE G. Lodge of Pen."^
" The humble petition of a number of Brethren belonging to the Maryland Troops
" Sheweth that your peti"'. being anxious to increase the royal art, but not having it in our power to meet together ■without proper authority, and as we are now on our way to So. Carolina humbly request a Warrant for that purpose, which if granted care shall be taken to pay all respect & dues to this Grand Lodge. & your pet'. &c."
This petition was signed by :
M. Gist
ArohI^. Anderson John Davidson John Stewart
John Hamilton John Lynch Otho H. Williams
1 MS8., Vol. O, paquet 89, folio 38.
53
SDltt 9^&&onic %tHist^ ot ^ennff^Vbania
The rough draft of this Petition, which is reproduced in fac-simile, further states: —
"If a Warrant should be granted the following Brethren are appointed officers
" Brigadier General Mobdecai Gist,^ Master.
" Col. Otho Holland Williams,* Senior Warden.
" Major AiiCHiBALD Anderson,* Junior Warden."
"The Lodge to be numbered Twenty-Seven, to be held as a Military Lodge for the Benefit of the Brethren of the Mary- land Line, without interfering with the Eights of any fix'd or stated Lodges, where the said Brethren may happen to be quartered. The Ballot being put it was unanimously carried in the affirmative.
"The Lodge then call'd to refreshment, after which the Lodge opened again when B' Mordecai Gist, the new consti- tuted Master of N". 27, was installed in form."
The only original matter in our possession relating to Lodge
' Bro. Mordecai Gist, born in Baltimore, Md., in 1743, died in Charles- ton, S. C, in 1792. Brigadier-General Continental Army, January 9, 1779. By the Act of October 14, 1780, it was "Besolved, that the thanks of Congress be given to Brigadier-Generals Smallwood and Gist and to the o£S.eerB and soldiers in the Maryland and Delaware Lines, the different corps of Artillery, Colonel Porterfield's and Major Armstrong's corps of Light Infantry and Colonel Armand's Cavalry, for their bravery and good conduct displayed in the action of the 16th of August last, near Camden, in the State of South Carolina." Bro. Gist served until the close of the war.
°Bro. Otho Holland Williams, bom in Prince George Comity, Md., March, 1749, died about 1800; he enlisted in 1775, wounded and was taken prisoner at capture of Fort Washington, November 16, 1776. During his captivity he was promoted to Colonel of 6th Maryland, and to be Brigadier-General, Continental Army, May 9, 1782. Eetired Jan- uary 16, 1783. Died July 16, 1794.
*Bro. Archibald Anderson, 2d Lieutenant of Hindman's Independent Maryland Company, January 14, 1776; 1st Lieutenant, September, 1776, Captain of 2d Maryland, December 10, 1776; Major 3d Maryland^ June 10, 1777; Brigade Major Maryland Brigade, June 16, 1778; killed at Guilford, North Carolina, March 15, 1781.
54
^ D
iftnmaieiontg in Sl^atslanti
No. 27, granted for the Maryland Line, is the application or petition to the Grand Lodge for a regimental "Warrant. A facsimile of this revolutionary relic is appended.
This Warrant was applied for on the eve of the departure of the troops to take part in the campaign against the British in the Southern States, and offers a good illustration of how some of the regimental Warrants were used after the inde- pendence of the Colonies was assured.
Bro. Schultz, in his "Freemasonry in Maryland," says: "It would be interesting to know who of the old Maryland Line were connected with this Lodge, but the records have been lost or misplaced, and it is perhaps impossible ever to ascertain. Many years ago I was informed by old Masons that Gen. Wm. Smallwood and Col. John Eager Howard were Masons; if so, in all probability, they were made in one of the Army Lodges, as their names are not found upon the records of the local Lodges in this State."*
From a letter subsequently sent to the Grand Lodge we learn that this Warrant, papers, etc., of Lodge No. 27, were captured by the British at the battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, and not recovered by Gen. Gist until after the evacua- tion of Charleston, December 14, 1782. What finally became of the old regimental Warrant is told in the following chapter.
'Cf. Schultz, "History of Freemasonry in Maryland," Vol. I, p. 67. Cf. Note 3% p. 80.
CHAPTER XXXIL
LODGE NO. 27, A. T. M., HELD AT CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.
I
BOTHER GIST after the evacuation of Charleston, Decenil)er 14, 1782, recov- ered the Warrant, of the regi- mental Lodge No. 27, which the British had captured at the Bat- tle of Camden, August 16, 1780. At the close of the "War, Bro. Gist settled in South Carolina, retaining his old Military "War- rant, as is shown by the following letters sent to Philadelphia, and read before the Grand Lodge, September 28, 1786, viz. : —
" Charleston 20 May 1786 " Sir
" This letter will be accompanied with an address from several respectable members of the Antient Craft, now residing in Charles- ton; which together with a copy of their proceedings under a Military Warrant granted me by your Right Worshipful Lodge will be laid before you.
" The address having sufQciently explained the motives of our meeting I have only to account for my conduct in not corresponding with the Lodge before this; in which it wiU be necessary to go into a short detail of circumstances.
56
SttttmaHtmtg in C|iatU0ton, &ont| Catolina
" If you •will be pleased to refer to the Books of the Grand Lodge you wiU find the Warrant granted some time in April 1780 when the Maryland Division were on their march to the Southward. The hardships of the march, and the difficulties we had to encounter left little time for Masonick improvement, and on the 16 Aug' following the General Action near Camden, deprived me of all my Baggage, papers &c. and the Warrant has only been recovered since the evacu- ation of Charleston.
" These reasons I conceive wiU be deem'd sufficient to clear me from any imputation of disrespect to your Eight Worshipful Lodge, and place our address upon proper ground. I flatter myself that as the customary fees for the Warrant No. 27 were duly paid, and the Warrant never since recalled that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will confirm our right of working under it in Charleston, but if they should be disposed to grant a new warrant in preference, that they will judge it equitable to dispense with any additional charge, but if this is inadmissable th^ Secretary will be pleased to forward an amount of the fees, which shall be remitted immediately " I have the Honor to be « "vvti Respect & Esteem " The Right Worshipful " Y' M° Obd' Sevt.
" W^ Adcock Esq' " M. Gist."
Grand Master."
EXTKACT FROM MiNUTES.'
"At a Meeting of ancient Tork Master Masons known to each other & approved as such (settled and residing in South Carolina but not belonging at the time to any standing Lodge in that State) at M' M^Crady's Tavern in Charleston on Saturday March 18th 1786
" Present :
" Bro. Mordeeai Gist in the Chair " Ephraim Mitchell ' " James Mitchell" " Richard Brooke Roberts'
^MSS., Vol. O, paquet 89, foUo 37.
'Bro. Ephraim Mitchell, Major, South Carolina Artillery, taken pris- oner at Charleston, May 12, 1780.
'Bro. James Mitchell, Captain South Carolina Artillery, wounded at Stone Ferry, South Carolina, June 20, 1779.
* Bro. Richard Brooke Eoberts, Captain, South Carolina State Artillery,
57
Bro. William Graham " "William Valentine " Edward M-^Crady " Thomas B. Bowen' " Alex. Praser Jmi'' " On Motion
" Besolved That the Brethren -who constitute this Meeting do agree to form a Lodge of ancient York Masons & that they now proceed to appoint Officers for the same.
" The meeting proceeded to ballot for a Master and Wardens when Brother Gen' Gist was chosen Master
" Brother T. B. Bowen S. W. Brother E. Mitchell J. W. "Brother W. Graham Treas. Brother A. Eraser Sec^. "Brother Gist having laid before the Members of this Meeting a Military Warrant Number 27 granted him by the Right Worship- full Grand Lodge of Pensylvania requested their opinion upon the propriety of congregating under that Warrant until the Opinion of the Bight Worshipfull Lodge aforesaid can be obtained on the Sub- ject. On Motion Eesolved that the Worshipfull Master Wardens Treasurer & Secretary or any three of them be & are hereby ap- pointed a Committee to frame a letter to the Grand Lodge of Pensyl- vania upon this business & request their Answer may be transmitted as early as possible
" Ordered That the Committee report on Monday Week. The Meeting adjourned to Monday the 27"' Inst. 7 o'Clock P. M.
" A true Extract
« T. B. BowEN."
This was evidently followed by another address, dated August 1, 1786, which was sent in duplicate. Both copies are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge,'^ viz. :
1779; Aide-de-Camp to Gen. Lincoln in 1782; Captain, U. S. Infantry, March 4, 1791; Major, 3d Sub-Legion, 1793, 4th Infantry, 1796. Died January 19, 1797.
"Bro. Thomas Bartholomew Bowen, Captain, 5th Pennsylvania. Re- tired January 1, 1781, and settled in South Carolina.
• Bro. Alexander Fraser, 1st Lieutenant, 1st South Carolina, taken pris- oner at Charleston, May 12, 1780.
'MSS., Vol. O, paquet 89, folio 40.
58
%ohst So. 27, SL. % 9?., at Cgatlesfton
" Chaeleston, August 1»' 1786.
"To the Right Worshipful William Adcock Esquire Grand Master of Masons; The Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Grand Ward- ens, and Others the Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania:
" The Subscribers Ancient York Masons in the Third Degree, known to each other and approved as True and faithful Brothers of the ancient Craft; Beg leave, with due respect,
" Humbly to Represent,
" That we, being settled & residing in Charleston, South Carolina, and not members of any particular Lodge therein ; and being anxious to extend the benign influence of Masonry, by forming & establish- ing a Lodge regular in itself and respectable in its Members; have congregated together under a Warrant granted from your Right Worshipful Body to our Worshipful Brother B. G. Mordecai Gist, as Master, and others therein named; numbered Twenty-six and bearing date the fourth day of April in the year of Masonry 5780: which, by reference to your Books, wiR fully appear.
" That having proceeded to the choice of Officers, We have re- elected Brother Mordecai Gist, Master; and have also elected Brother Thomas B. Bowen Senior Warden; Brother Ephraim Mitchel, junior Warden; Brother William Graham, Treasurer; and Brother Alex- ander Fraser, jun'', Secretary:
" That, willing to obviate every doubt of the legality of a Lodge so formed under a Military Warrant, we have determined to proceed no further for the present and to defer the consecration thereof, and the instalment of our said Officers, untill we are honor'd with your answer on the subject.
"We therefore Pray that you, our Right Worshipful Brethren, in your Wisdom, and to the discouragement of the modem Seism which has too generally obtained footing in this State, Will be pleased to grant us a confirmation of the above recited Warrant; or such other Authority as you may deem sufficient to enable us to work the Works of Masonry according to the ancient Rites and Usages of the True Craft; in support of which our fervency, con- stancy and zeal may be depended on, as well as our obedience to the Grand Lodge.
59
" We intreat your immediate answer; and are with great deference, brotherly love, and masonic attachment
" Eight "Worshipful
" Your affectionate Brethem and Humble Servants "M. Gist "T. B. BowBK " Ephraim Mitchell " "WiliiUm: Graham " Alex Feasee, Jun' " Edwabd MCGradt " J. Mitchell « JnO. M. Davis "Efos Reeves" " EichD B. Egberts "
" We the Subscribers Masters & Pass Masters of Lodges viz. : Lodge Number 190 under the Eegister of Great Britain Lodge No. 38 & Lodge No. 40 under the Eegister of Pennsylvania Do hereby Certify that Brothers Mordecai Gist Thomas B. Bowen Ephraim Mitchell William Graham & Alexander Eraser are known &I approved to us Master Masons in the ancient Craft of good Report & worthy of the Appointment of Officers in a Lodge of ancient York Masons.
" Edward Weyman P. M. Lodge 38. Pt^^. Smith W. M. L. No. 190
" A. Alexander W. M. L. No 38
" Jeevis Henry Stevens W. M. Lodge No. 40.»
These letters were read at the first Communicatioii of the Independent Grand Lodge, September 28, 1786, when it was ordered that the said request of the Brethren in Charleston be granted, and the Secretary desired to make the "Warrant out in the name of Mordecai Gist, Master, Thomas B. Bowen, Senior Warden, Ephraim Mitchell, Junior Warden.
This Warrant evidently bore the same number as the old Military Warrant of the Maryland Line, No. 27.
'Bro. Enos Beeves, First Lieutenant, 2nd Pennsylvania. Served to November, 1783, and settled in Charleston, S. C. •MSS., Vol. O, paquet 89, folio 40.
60
T5vi>, (3i&V& C||atIe0tpn Hotist
Nothing appears to be known of the history of this Lodge. It was evidently formed for the express purpose of making a fifth Lodge of "Ancients" in South Carolina, so that an "Ancient" Grand Lodge could be legally formed in that State, in opposition to the irregular (?) Grand Lodge of "Moderns," then claiming jurisdiction in South Carolina — an act which was consummated almost immediately upon re- ceipt of the Pennsylvania Warrant, No. 27.
No mention of this is made by Dr. Albert G. Mackey in his "History of Freemasonry in South Carolina." Bro. Gist and the Brethren of his Lodge, however, became active factors in the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, An- cients, in 1787, in which Bro. Gist became the first Deputy Grand Master, serving in that office, 1787-88-89. In 1790, he was elected Grand Master, and held the office for two years, when he was succeeded by Bro. Major Thomas^ B. Bowen, who had been his Senior Warden under his reissued Pennsylvania Warrant No. 27.
No reports of Lodge No. 27 at Charleston were ever made to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, as the Lodge almost im- mediately after the Warrant was issued joined the new inde- pendent Grand Lodge of South Carolina. As a matter of fact, this Grand Lodge was formed by the five Lodges which owed their fealty to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, as will appear in the history of Lodges 38, 40 and 47.
The only further notice of Bro. Gist's Charleston Lodge in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is con- tained in the report of the committee on "the State of Country Lodges," made to the Grand Lodge, October 16, 1809, where we find the following note :
"No. 27, Charleston, South Carolina, not known when granted. Joined the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. No Eetums."
61
It was while Bro. General Gist was Grand Master, in 1791, that Washington visited, as President, the Southern States — where he had never been — ^that he might make himself per- sonally acquainted with his feUow citizens residing in that portion of the country.
On his arrival in South Carolina, President Washington was addressed by the Grand Lodge, A. Y. M., of South Caro- lina in the following language i^"
" Sir : Induced by respect for your public and private character, as well as the relation in which you stand with the Brethren of this Society, we, the Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina, Ancient York Masons, beg leave to offer our sincere congratulations on your arrival in this State.
" We felecitate you on the establishment and exercise of a perma- nent Government, whose foundation was laid, under your auspices, by military achievements, upon which have been progressively reared the pillars of the Free Republic over which you preside, supported by wisdom, strength and beauty, unrivalled among the nations of the world.
" The fabric thus raised and committed to your superintendence we earnestly wish may continue to produce order and harmony, to succeeding ages, and be the asylum of virtue to the oppressed of aU parts of the universe.
" When we contemplate the distress of war, the instances of humanity displayed by the Craft afford some relief to the feeling mind: and it gives us the most pleasing sensation to recollect that, amidst the difficulties attendant on your late military stations, you still associated with and patronized the Ancient Fraternity.
" Distinguished always by your virtues more than the exalted stations in which you have moved, we exult in the opportunity you now give us in haihng you, Brother of our Order, and trust from your knowledge of our institution, to merit your countenance and support.
" With fervid zeal for your happiness, we pray that a life so dear to the bosom of this Society, and to society in general, may be long, very long preserved ; and, when you leave the temporal symboUo
^Vide Mackey, "History of Freemasonry in South Carolina," pp. 80-81.
62
ma^UtifSton*^ Witiflie
Lodge of this world, may you be received into the Celestial Lodge of light and perfection, where the Grand Master Architect of the universe presides. " Done in behalf of Grand Lodge. " Charleston, 2d May 1791.
«M. Gist, G. M."
To this address, Washington made the following reply :
" To THE Graitd Lodge of South Carolina, Ancient Yoke Masons :
" Gentlemen: I am much obliged by the respect which you are so good as to declare for my public and private character. I recognize, with pleasure, my relation to the Brethren of your Society; and I accept with gratitude, your congratulations on my arrival ia South Carolina.
" Your sentiments on the establishment and exercise of our equal Government are worthy of an association whose principles lead to purity of morals, and are beneficial of action.
" The fabric of our freedom is placed on the enduring basis of public virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect the prosperity of the architects who raised it.
"I shall he happy on every occasion to evince my regard for the Fraternity. For your prosperity individually, I offer my best wishes.
"Geo. Washington."
This was the last official act of Bro, Gist, of which we have any record. He died in the following year, July 9, 1792.
63
CHAPTER XXXIII.
LODGE NO. 28, A. Y. M., A REGIMENTAL WARRANT FOR THE PENNSTLVANLi LINE,
LZifVI
OTHING is known of the regi- mental Warrant noted in the list IS number 28, and granted to the Brethren in the Pennsylvania Line, except the short mention of the Lodge in the report of the "Committee appointed to enquire and Report what Lodges under the Jurisdiction of Your R. W. Grand Lodge have heretofore been Constituted, when they were so Constituted and their respective places of Meeting, which of the said Lodges have been otherwise Vacated or become extinct, and which of them Remain in full standing, the Amount, (so far as it is practic- able to be ascertained,) of the Dues owing by each Lodge when they have severally last communicated with the Grand Lodge and generally into the Circumstances and situation of all the Lodges out of the City of Philadelphia. Respectfully Report as follows, to wit: . . , That Lodge No. 28, Pennsylvania Line. Not known when granted. Vacated. No Returns.'"-
' Vide Eeprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. II, p. 416.
64
Kebolt ot t^t ^mnfiigViania %im
The Warrant No. 28 upon the Eegistry of Pennsylvania, was granted to Brethren in the "Pennsylvania Line," a body of troops composed of several Pennsylvania regiments in the Continental army. At the time when both Warrants No. 28 and 29 were granted, there was considerable dissatisfaction among these troops, on account of being detained in the service, after their terms of enlistment had ceased, and they were un- willing to submit for a longer period to the usual privations of poor and uncertain pay, scanty food of bad quality, and wretchedly inadequate camp equipage and clothing. This condition culminated in a serious revolt, or mutiny, of a part of the Pennsylvania Line, at their camp at Morristown, New Jersey. On the night of January 1, 1781, they broke out in open revolt, and during the disturbance one of their officers was killed and another wounded. Under the leadership of their non-commissioned officers, they commenced a disorderly march for Philadelphia, but at Princeton were met by officers of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania ; and, after a conference with the soldiers, a compromise was effected.
This act, however, resulted in a reorganization of the Penn- sylvania Line, the retirement and shifting of some of the offi- cers, and undoubtedly acted adversely upon the Brethren who held Warrant No. 28 and expected to introduce the beneficence of Freemasonry in their battalions wherever located.
Then again it may be that the Brethren holding this War- rant may have been ordered South early in the year 1781, and that their experience may have been the same as that of their Brethren in the Maryland, North Carolina or Delaware Lines, who lost their Warrants at the battles of Camden, Guilford Courthouse, Cowpens or Butaw.
65
CHAPTER XXXIV.
PENNSYLVANIA-UNION LODGE, NO. 29, A. Y. M., IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE.
N almost absolute lack of docu- mentary records confronts the in- vestigator, who seeks informa- tion about the various regimental Masonic Lodges, in the armies of the Colonies during the Kevolu- tion.
This is due to several causes. The regiments, or battalions, to which they were attached, being in the field, were often divided, the detachments being sta- tioned in different places. Then again, as was the case with Col. Procter's Lodge, some were composed of Brethren in different arms of the service, and members from other states and regiments, which were not always brigaded together, and often separated at short notice.
The uncertainty of holding regular stated meetings, through the needs of the service and the vicissitudes of war, all tended to interrupt the regular routine, and the sending of reports and remittances to the Grand Lodge, to which they owed allegiance.
66
P«nn0glbanfa mnitm %oH(> Mo, 20, SI, g. 9?.
Not the least duty of these Brethren was the keeping secure the Warrant, minutes and records of their Lodge from theft while on the march or in the field, and, when at the front, from falling into the hands of the enemy.
In the case of the Pennsylvania-Union Lodge, No. 29, A. Y, M., we have possibly more original authentic data than of any other regimental Lodge, giving us a complete list of the Brethren who applied for the original "Warrant.
These fragmentary reports further show how these military Warrants were occasionally used in localities outside of the military organization to which they were granted, or was con- tinued in use after the war was over, and all regimental Warrants had been called in.
At a Grand Lodge held in "due" form, July 27, 1780, the following petition was received from forty-eight Brethren of the Pennsylvania Line :^
"To the Bight Worshipfull TF™ Ball Esq" Grand Master, John Coats Esq" Bepv Grand Master, M" Alex" Butherford Sen" Grand Warden and Jacob Sam^ Howell Jun" Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Philadelphia.
" We the subscribers Brethren in the Penns" Line of the American Army, have long lamented our not being invested with the Power to Meet and improve ourselves in the Antient and Honorable art of Free Masonry. In order to remedy this unhappy defect a Gen" Meeting of the Brethren in S* Line was conven'd, at which meeting it was imanimously determined a Petition should be drawn up pray- ing that a Warrant might be granted to the S* Brethren of the Penns* Line by which they might be authoris'd to meet in Lawfull Lodge there to improve themselves. Attend to and Study such things as may prove serviceable to the S* Lodge in particular and the craft in General.
"Your Petitioners therefore pray that a Warrant may be made out Stiled the Penns' Union Lodge Nominating our worthy and well beloved Brother Major James Moore Master, Our Worthy B-other
"MS8., Vol. O, paquet 90, folios 43-52.
67
Jii° Eogers, Surgeon, to be Senior Warden, and our worthy brother John Pratt, Surgeon, Jun"^ Warden.
" We further pray that in case our petition meets a favourable reception the Brethren aforesaid may be furnished with a set of bye laws as shall by the Grand Lodge be esteemed necessary."
This petition was signed by no less than forty-eight Breth- ren. A duplicate copy of the same was made by Bro. John Pratt, the Junior Warden named in the Warrant, and attested by Col. Procter. This copy has come down to us. The names of the Brethren are, in some cases, misspelled; in others the given name is either omitted or the first letter only given, and, in some cases, incorrectly. The present writer has endeavored to supply the missing parts, correct the errors and, further, to identify these patriotic Brethren and give a short account of their services rendered their country during the struggle for independence, and, in a few cases, against the Indians in later years.
In the following list, where no military record is appended, the Brethren were either non-commissioned officers, or the names are misspelled beyond identification; every effort has been made to identify these Brethren from the official records, without result.
Major James Moore, named as Master in the Warrant, entered the service January 5, 1776, as Captain of the 4th Penn- sylvania Battalion. September 20, 1777, promoted Major of '1st Pennsylvania, transferred to 2d Pennsylvania, January 1, 1783, and served to November, 1783.
John Eogers : [John R. B. Rodgers] , named as Senior Warden in the Warrant, was the Surgeon of the 1st Pennsylvania Regiment, served to June 3, 1783. Died January 29, 1833.
The following are the names appended to the petition at whose request it was presented :
68
&isntt& to tit petition
William Gray. Captain, 4th Pennsylvania, retired January 17, 1781. Died, July 18, 1804.
E[dwaed] Spear. Second Lieutenant, 6tli Pennsylvania; 1781, transferred to 1st Pennsylvania; served to No- vember, 1783; Lieutenant, U. S. Artillery Batalion, Sep- tember 10, 1787 ; Lieutenant, Artillery U. S. Army, Sep- tember, 1789; killed, November 4, 1791, in action witli the Indians near Fort Recovery, Ohio (St. Clair's defeat).
A[ndrew] Johnson. First Lieutenant and Eegimental Quartermaster, 1st Pennsylvania.
J[ames] Milagan [Milligan]. First Lieutenant, 4th Penn- sylvania.
J[ohn] Botd. Captain Lieutenant, 12th Pennsylvania, re- tired January 17, 1781. Died, February 13, 1832.
W. Fernleae.
F[rancis] Mantzies [Mentqes]. Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Pennsylvania, retired, January 1, 1783.
J[ohn] Hughs [Httghes]. First Lieutenant, 4th Pennsyl- vania. Served to the close of the war.
J[ohn] McKenet [McKinney]. First Lieutenant, 5th Penn- sylvania, served to June 3, 1783. Deputy Commissary of Purchases, U. S. Army, April 25, 1812; honorably dis- charged June 1, 1821. Died, November 25, 1833.
F[rancis] White. Lieutenant, 10th Pennsylvania, retired, January 1, 1783.
T. Pason.
W[illiam] McCurdy. Captain, 11th Pennsylvania, served to June 2, 1783 ; Captain U. S. Infantry, August 12, 1784 ; resigned, June 4, 1791. Died, 1822.
[John] Christer [Christie]. Captain, 5th Pennsylvania; transferred to 3d Pennsylvania ; served to June 3, 1783. Affiliated with Lodge No. 8, June 15, 1784.
69
€>Iti 9^afionit %oHt0 of prnn^^lbania
J[ohn] Bush. Captain Lieutenant, 3d Pennsylvania; re- tired, January 1, 1783.
J Feenan,
S[amuel] Smith. Captain, 5th Pennsylvania; retired, Janu- ary 17, 1781; Brigadier-General, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, War of 1812. Died, September 17, 1835.
E Bevins [Wilder Bevins] . First Lieutenant, 4tli Penn- sylvania; transferred to 1st Pennsylvania, January 1, 1783. Served to close of war. Died, August 3, 1809.
F MOOEE.
E[ekurius] Beatty. Kegimental Paymaster; wounded at Germantown, 4th Pennsylvania; served to November 3, 1783; Lieutenant, U. S. Infantry, August 12, 1784; Major in 1st Sub-Legion, September 4, 1792. Reagned, November 27, 1792. Died, February 3, 1823.
J[ohn] McGowan. Brigade Major; wounded at German- town ; transferred to Invalid Regiment, February 3, 1781, and served to June, 1783. Died, November, 1805.
J[ohn] Davis. Captain, 9th Pennsylvania; transferred to 1st Pennsylvania, January 17, 1781, retired, January 1 1783. Died, July 10, 1827.
[Samuel] Moeeison. Lieutenant, 11th Pennsylvania; trans- ferred to 6th Pennsylvania, January 17, 1781.
T[homas] Campbell. Captain Lieutenant, 4th Pennsylvania ; wounded at Germantown. Retired. January 1. 1783. Died, 1815.
W[illiam] Henderson. Captain, 4th Pennsylvania; taken prisoner at Long Island, August 27, 1776. Retired, January 1, 1783.
[Joseph] McClellan. Captain, 9th Pennsylvania. Re- signed, January 17, 1781, Died, October 24, 1834.
[Caleb] North. Lieutenant Colonel, 9th Pennsylvania.
70
&f|j;net;0 tp t^t petttton
Retired, January 1, 1783. Affiliated with Lodge No. 8, Jime 15, 1784. Died, November 7, 1840. - McDowL [McDowell].
■W[alter] Stuart [Stewart]. Colonel, 12tli Pennsylvania; retired, January 1, 1783. In 1776 Bro. Stewart was Major, Aide-de-Camp to General Gates. By Act of Con- gress, November 19, 1776, it was "Resolved, that Major Stewart, who brought the late intelligence from Gen. Gates, and who is recommended as a deserving officer, have the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by brevet, and be presented with a sword to the value of one hundred (100) doUars."
'W[illlam] Butler. Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 4th Pennsylvania. Retired, January 1, 1783. Died, 1789.
J. Kein.
■W[illiam] Huston. First Lieutenant, 11th Pennsylvania; transferred to 6th Pennsylvania, January 17, 1781; to 2d Pennsylvania, January 1, 1783, and served to June 3, 1783.
J[ohn] Doyl [Doyle]. Captain, 6th Pennsylvania; served to June 3, 1783.
P[rancis] Johnson [Johnston]. Colonel, 5th Pennsylvania. Retired, January 17, 1781. Died, February 22, 1815.
J[osiah] Harmer. Lieutenant Colonel, commandant, 7th Pennsylvania; served to November 3, 1783; later. Lieu- tenant Colonel, Commandant of U. S. Infantry Regiment, and also Commander of the U. S. Army from August 12, 1784, to March 4, 1791 ; Brevet Brigadier General, July 31, 1787. Resigned, January 1, 1792. Died, August 29, 1813.
A [dam] Hublet. Lieutenant Colonel, commandant 11th
71
Pennsylvania. Retired, January 17, 1781. Died, May, 1793.
J. Rogers.
J[ames] Gbieb. Major, 10th Pennsylvania; wounded at Brandywine; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, September 30, 1783. Served to November, 1783.
J [ames] Wilson, Captain, 1st Pennsylvania. Retired, Janu- ary 1, 1781.
B[enjamin] Lodge. First Lieutenant, 6tli Pennsylvania. Served to June 3, 1783.
A[iiEXANDEB] Stuart [Stewart]. Surgeon, lOtb Pennsyl- vania. Retired, January 1, 1783.
T[homas] Creig [Craig]. Colonel, 3d Pennsylvania. Re- tired, January 1, 1783. Died, January 14, 1832.
J [ames] Parr. Major, 7tli Pennsylvania. Retired, January 17, 1781.
T[homas Lloyd] Moore. Major, 9tli Pennsylvania. Retired, January 1, 1783. Later, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. In- fantry. Honorably discharged, June 15, 1800. Died, 1819.
T[homas] Pry. Captain, 2d Canadian (Hazen's) Regiment. Retired, Jajiuary 1, 1783.
R[iohabd] Butler. Colonel, 9th Pennsylvania; transferred to 3d Pennsylvania, January 1, 1783 ; served to November 3, 1783; Brevet Brigadier-General, September 30, 1783; Major-General United States Levies in 1791. Killed, No- vember 4, 1791, in action with Indians near Fort Re- covery, Ohio.
T[homas] Church. Major, 4th Pennsylvania Battalion. Re- tired, January 17,1781. Installed May 16, 1786, as War- rant Master of Lodge No. 47 at Reading.^
'Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," VoL I, p. 233.
72
JnisitaUation ot SDtBicn^
E[van] Edwabds. Major, 11th Pennsylvania; former Aide- de-Camp to Gen. Lee; transferred to 4tli Pennsylvania, January 17, 1781. Retired, January 1, 1783.
A[ndeew] Lttlb. Regimental Quartermaster, 12th Pennsyl- vania ; transferred to 1st Pennsylvania, January 1, 1783.
Signed by me.
John Pratt [named as Junior Warden in the Warrant]. The Brother who copied this petition was a Lieutenant in the 4th Pennsylvania, transferred to 3d Regiment, January 1, 1783; Regimental Quartermaster, May 22, 1783; Lieutenant, U. S. Infantry, July 15, 1785; Regi- mental Quarter Master, October 3, 1786 ; Lieutenant, 1st Infantry U. S. Army, September 29, 1789; Captain, March 4, 1791. Resigned, December 5, 1793.
Countersigned: Thos. Procter, Camp, June 2, 1780.
The petition was countersigned and recommended by Col. Thomas Procter, Master of No. 19. After it had been read in the. Grand Lodge, the ballot being put, it was unanimously voted to grant them a Warrant for a new Lodge to be num- bered 29.
At the Grand Quarterly Communication, December 18, 1780, Colonel Procter, Master of No. 19, reported that, agree- able to order, he had installed the officers of the new military Lodge, No. 29, held among the Brethren of the Pennsylvania Line.
The following letter and proceedings of Lodge No. 29 were sent to Deputy Grand Master Rutherford early in the year 1781; no action appears to have been taken thereon:
" Dear Brother
" I Beg leave to lay Before you the Proceedings of Lodge No. 29, eonceming the Child of our Deceased Brother Bittin [Bitting] which I am sensible will meet with your aprobation & am well assured
73
Nothing will be Wanting in your Power to promote our Good Intentions.
"I am informed you will call a Grand Lodge next Week, & I Eegret that it will not be in my Power to Continue in the City till that time, I must therefore Request you will lay before the Eight Worshipfull Grand Lodge the Proceedings of our Lodge, I ask your Influence to have it taken up by them on a Liberal footing
"When I consider the obligations we are under I can Hardly Doubt but every Lodge under your Jurisdiction wiU most Cheer- fully Concur with us in alleviating the Distress of the Widow & orphan.
" I am D"- Brother
" Should the other Lodges Not Come in this affair the 10 Pounds Annually we will Not think our- selves bound to Pay.
" The Right Worshipfull D. G. Master
" At.tbtB Rutherford."
" wishing you Every Success " Yours affectionately " r. MOOEE Master « No. 29 "
"In Lodge NO. 29 — Cokvened in Philadelphia
« Peb^ 6, 1781
"The peculiar Situation of our late Worthy Brother Adam BittiQg's Widow & three small Children, was made known to the Lodge by the Worshipful Master who requested that Ways and Means might be adopted to aleviate their present Distress as far aa our Circumstances wou'd admit, and the following Method being proposed as the most eligible to answer the laudable purpose was cheerfully agreed to —
" That two, or three Brethren be appointed Guardians to take care of the eldest son of our deceased Brother, who it is our Wish should receive a genteel & Liberal Education from the Donations or Charity of the Fraternity, and the more fully to enable the Guardians to execute that Trust, We have agreed to raise the Sum of One hundred pounds in the new limitted State or Continental Currency, by the first Day of May next, which we shall put into the Hands of the Guardians to be appointed & also that We consider ourselves bound to pay annually to the said Guardians for the nursing Expence of the said Boy £10 from the funds of our Lodge untUl such time as his Education shall be eompleated and he be able to procure a Comfort- able living for himself.
"But should the said Boy die before his Education can be eom-
74
SLpVtal to t^t (Btanli fLottst
pleated, then the Hundred Pounds put into the hands of the Guar- dians shall be refunded back to the said Lodge for other charitable purposes & also the Annual Sum of £10 shall 6ease.
" Signed on behalf of the Lodge " T. Moore, masf."
After the battle at Yorktown and the surrender of Com- wallis, October 19, 1781, the Pennsylvania brigade became separated, a part of the line being ordered southward, while another detachment of the Pennsylvania troops were stationed in Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, at Cambridge, on the Choptank River. After the latter was settled in their quarters, Bro. Thomas Bourke, the Master, sent the following letter to the Grand Lodge, which was read at the Grand Quarterly Communication, December, 1781 ; the reasons given therein were deemed a sufScient excuse for the non-attendance of their officers at this Communication.
" Cambridge Dee' 19, 1781 "Bight Worshipful
"We had the honour of a Summons from the Grand Lodge sent to us under cover of a letter from B' J. Coats, which we received last night. As this is the first mark we have had of your attention to us, we felt a sensible pleasure, but lamented the impossibility of obeying the Summons. Our distance from Phila*% the Season of the year, and the time of notice rendered it impracticable. Our intention to conform to the ancient Constitution, and conduct ourselves as Masons. I have already mentioned in my letter to you last June, as also our wish to receive what instruction you, in your Wisdom, thought proper to give us. We are a young Body though flourishing. What instruc- tion we have as yet received we owe to our Worthy B' Coats who has watched us with a paternal, if I may be permitted the expression, care. He has frequently inspected our minutes and has approved of them. They are ready for your inspection. The Warrant shall be laid before you when I have the honour to meet you, which shall be, if possible, at your next communication, if you'll be so kind as to give timely notice.
" We have not heard from B"- J. S. Howel who is an honorary
75
member of our Lodge and is requested to represent us, however we make not the least doubt but he has acted a Brotherly part by us. Our arrearages we are ready to pay on Demand. We shall be pleased to receive a dozen Copies of the book of Constitutions and shall direct the money to be advanced to be lodged in the hands of B"' Howel.
" I am, Right Worshipful, in behalf of Lodge No. 29, " Your very Hble Serv' and Brother
" ThomS Bouhke* Master Lodge 29."
The following petition was read before the Grand Lodge at the Communication on the evening of St. John's Day, De- cember 27, 1873 :
" To THE Right Woeshipfull Graot) Master, Sen^ and Jtotiob Grand Wardens and Members of the Grand Lodge op Pennsylvania
" The Petition of Sundry Members of Lodge No. 29 Granted to the ofiBeers of the Penn" Line Humbly Sheweth
" That your petitioners Entertain a due sense of the Honor Con- ferr'd upon them by Granting a Warrant whereby we were Enabled to Converse with More Ease and Enjoy'd Many Benefits while the Line remain'd in an Undevided State, but the Separation that took place among us in 1781 By a Number be Necessarily Detached to the Southard, among whom was Brother Moore who took the Warrent with him, leave'g a Majority of the Members in the State they were there fore Depriv'd of Receiving any Benefit from it. On the Return of the Warrent and Brethren to this place a Lodge has Never Been caU'd, and Major Moore who was Continued Master has taken the Warrent with him. The Jewels, Books and papers Belong- ing to the Lodge to his Command at Wyoming, where there is but one Member with him, who are station'd at a Great Distance, our Ex- penses of it are still going on with out the Least prospect of any Benefit Arrissing to Us from it. there is Money in the Hand of our old treasurer here that Cannot be appropriated to any Use. Initia- tion fees that we Cannot Receive and a Large Sum of Lodge Dues that we cannot Collect, and a Number of Members that want Clear-
" Thomas Bourke, who signs himself as Master of No. 29, was a native of Maryland, and served as Captain in the 4th Maryland Battalion of the Plying Camp, July to December, 1776.
76
%ttaU ot '^t&MUns matt&nt^
ances that Cannot Get them. We beg our situations may be taken into Consideration, and we hope the Right Worshipful! Grand Master &c. Will Call the present Warrent to the Body of the Lodge, Call it in Intirely or Grant Clearances (to the Members that wish it) from the Lodge.
" Signed in Behalf of Eighteen Members (which is all that Could be Collected) by us their Committee
"John DoYiiE
"Ends Eekves
" [Erkubius] Beattt
" AndEW LTTIJi "
" Dec' 26, 1783,
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge continue: "On Motion it was Unanimously Agreed, That all travelling Warrants heretofore granted by this Grand Lodge, be called in by the Grand Sec":"
77
CHAPTER XXXV.
LODGE NO. 29, A. T. M., HELD AT CAMBRIDGE, DORCHESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND.
^lY'^O^ ^ li^t °^ Warrants is- JJ] sued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania it appears that a Warrant bearing the Num- ber 29 was granted to some of the Brethren, who were stationed or resident at the close of the Revolu- tionary War, at Cambridge, Dor- chester County, an important cen- ter on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, situated on the south bank of the Choptank River, which was navigable at that point. This Warrant was for a new Lodge, which grew out of the old regimental Pennsylvania-Union Lodge No. 29,^ whose War- rant was in the hands of the Warrant Master Bro. Moore, who was stationed elsewhere with a detachment of the Pennsyl- vania Line.
Consequently the Brethren in the Pennsylvania Line sent a petition, signed by several of the Brethren, a committee of Lodge 29, requesting that the regimental Warrant should be called in, or that certificates may be given to the petitioners,
' Vide Chapter XXXIV, supra.
78
%ot>st Mo, 29, SL if. 9?., at CamfitibBe, 9^6,
as they cannot receive any benefit from said "Warrant, as the Master of that Lodge is now at a great distance from this place (Cambridge, Maryland). This was read before Grand Lodge, December 27, 1783, and, upon motion, unanimously agreed, that all travelling "Warrants, heretofore granted by this Grand Lodge, be called in by the Grand Secretary, as already stated in the last chapter.^*
The Cambridge Brethren, however, were given the same number as the old Lodge. That there were two separate and distinct organizations at Cambridge bearing the same number, is shown by the different Communications sent to the Grand Lodge.
The second "Warrant was evidently granted some time in 1782, and the Lodge was a strictly Maryland organization. The officers were :
Bro. Thomas Bourke,' W. Master,
" William Jameson, Senior Warden,
" John Stevens, Junior Warden,
" Eobertson Stevens, Secretary.
This Lodge became an active Masonic body, extending its influence into the surrounding counties, as is shown in the communications to the Grand Lodge, in the interest of Brethren in Somerset County, also on the Eastern Shore, resulting in the granting of another "Warrant for a Lodge in that part of Maryland. This "Warrant was numbered 37, and granted September 2, 1782.3
In addition to the above, at the Grand Communication, December 23, 1782,
" Reprint of Minutes of the Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 68. 'Bro. Thomas Bourke, Captain 4th Maryland Battalion of the Flying Camp, July to December, 1776. 'Vide Chapter XLIII, irnfra.
79
" A dispensation for six months was given our worthy Brethren "WiUiam Smith G* Secy and John Coats, to initiate into the Mysteries of Ancient Masonry Gen. Hooper and others, Modem Masons, agree- able to a Letter from Brother Bourke, Master of N<> 29."
Within a year after receiving the new Warrant, the Cam- bridge Lodge became an active factor in the abortive attempt to establish a Grand Lodge in Maryland. The first convention of Freemasons on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge independent of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, was held at Talbot Court House, June 17, 1783. Upon this occasion, the Cambridge Lodge was represented by its Senior and Junior Wardens. On the thirty- first day of July a "Grand Convention" was beld at the same place, when the Lodge was represented by the Master, Bro. Thomas Bourke, Bro. John Stevens, Junior Warden, and Bro. Robertson Stevens, Secretary. At this meeting Bro. Thomas Bourke was chosen Senior Grand Warden of the new organization.
On December 18, 1783, the convention again met at Talbot Court House and opened in due form, when a "Com- munication was read from the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania."'* Cambridge was then named for the next place of meeting, and June 17, 1784, should be the day.
However, this meeting was never held, as the movement lapsed.
The Cambridge Lodge, No. 29, continued under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and, in reply to a circular letter sent out by the Grand Lodge to all Subordinate Lodges, in refer- ence to securing a Lodge house, December, 1785, stated:
"Letter in full, p. 130. "History of Freemasonry in Maryland," by Bro. Edward T. Schtdtz,- Baltimore, 1884. Cf. note 5, p. 55.
80
(Sum %oHe ot St^atslanti
" Cambridge Dobchestek Co. Maeyiand, 20* March 1786 " Sir <t Brother
" We were lately favored ■with a letter from the Grand Lodge of Pensylvania, requesting a contribution from us to enable them to build a house in Philad* for the use of that Lodge & others within its jurisdiction. This request was considered as early as possible in a full meeting of our Lodge, when it appeared to be the sense of the Brethren, that though we had held ourselves independent of the jurisdiction of the Pensylv" Grand Lodge, yet the failure on our side in supporting one on this shore, masonieally required a return to our ancient govemours. And that we were bound as far as capable to contribute, not only to the aggrandizement of your Lodge, but to bestow our mite in promotion of the general good of the Fraternity.
"With this consideration in its due weight upon our minds, it remained an object of just deliberation, whether, in our present situ- ation, we could comply with your requisition, without disabling our- selves to build a house for our own meetings. The town affords not a proper room for our reception, & difficulties, of which a want of money is not the least, have prevented us from improving a grant similar to yours, & long ago made to us by a Brother, of a lot here, to accommodate the Lodge with a suitable building. Hence it was determined that you should be informed of our present inability to comply with your demand: confident, that as general Guardians of Masonry, you would acquiesce in our request, to dispense with a compliance to the recommendation of the letter. Assuring you at the same time, that we shall always be happy to keep up such a corre- spondence with you, as will ensure the general good of Masons.
" We are with love & affection
" Your Brethren
" Signed by order of a committeel „j^g_ mCCtjlloch' Sen' Ward" " " of Lodge No. 29. J
« The Rt W. M. of the Grand Lodge of PensylvV"
In the meantime, September 25, 1786, the Grand Lodge of
*Bro. James McCulloeh had served as 1st Lieutenant 5th Pennsyl- vania; he retired January 1, 1783. ' MSS., Vol. O, paquet 90, page 49.
7 81
Pennsylvania had declared its independence, and severed its connection with the Grand Lodge of England.
Acting upon this precedent, a new convention of deputies was called, from the several Lodges of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, at Talbot Court House, on Tuesday, April 17, 1787, and a Grand Lodge established, and the Grand Officers elected, amongst whom Bro. Thomas Bourke, of Lodge 29, was unanimously chosen Senior Grand Warden.
At that time, Bro. Nicholas Hammond was Master of the Lodge; Bro. Daniel Sulivane, Senior "Warden; Bro. Nathan Wright,* Junior Warden ; Bro. James MeCulloch, Past Master, and Bro. John Stevens, Secretary.
Upon the surrender of the Warrants to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, No. 29, located at Cambridge, became No. 5 under the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The Lodge ceased and became extinct about 1792.
■Bro. Nathan Wright, Lieutenant in 3d Maryland regiment, served to close of war.
82
CHAPTEE XXXVI.
LODGE NO. 30, A. Y. M., DELAWARE REGIMENTAL
LODGE.
'^/N the published list of Lodges
^J "warranted by the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania the
following memorandum appears:^
"No. 30, — Altogether unknown whether there was a Warrant of this No. or not.''
The thorough examination of the old documents in the Archives of 'the Grand Lodge, in the interests of this publication, has brought to light the fact that No. 30 was a regimental Warrant, granted to the Delaware Regiment, naming Colonel David Hall Master. Bro. Hall was a son of Bro. David Hall, named in our Provincial Grand Warrant of July 15, 1761, as Senior Grand Warden. Colonel Hall did not march with his regiment when ordered south in 1780, having been disabled by his wounds received at the battle of German- town.
^ ' ' The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Its Early History and Consti- tutions," Philadelphia, 1877, part 4, page 7.
83
€>Iti ^a&onit %obst& ot Pfnitd^Ibanfa
The "Warrant was evidently issued in the spring of 1780, prior to the departure of the Delaware and North Carolina troops for the south, to oppose the British in the Carolinas and Georgia.
FAC SIMILE OP MEMOEANDUM SENT TO THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The Delaware Brethren were in the disastrous battle of Camden, fought August 16, 1780. The defeat was due to the over-confidence of Gen. Horatio Gates. It was in this battle that the baggage of the Delawarians fell into the hands of
84
2D£lab)ate Witsitntntal JLottse
the British, including the "Warrant, jewels and records of the regimental Lodge.
The following memorandum was sent at the first oppor- tunity by Bro. George Purvis to Bro. Alexander Rutherford, Deputy Grand Master, at Philadelphia. Unfortunately there is no date upon the paper, as to when it was sent or received.
" Memmorandum i»
" The "Warrant & Jewells of Hirams Delaware Regimental Lodge were taken at the Battle of Camden the 16"^ of August 1780 by the Brittish Troops, & supposed by some of Col" Tarltons Legion they being in a waggon brought into Camden the day after the action
en L" ( in "J
" Geo. Purvis See"^ to
said Lodge & in Camden \-" Col" David Hall Master when y» Waggon came
Endorsement upon the back :
" Letter respecting Jewels of Delaware traveUing Lodge, taken by the British, 1780."
Bro. George Purvis, Secretary of the Lodge, was a native of Delaware, commissioned Second Lieutenant, Captain Patten's Company, Colonel Hall's Delaware Regiment, Continental Establishment, April 5, 1777, promoted successively First Lieutenant, Regimental Adjutant and Captain ; served to close of the war, and became one of the original members of the state society of the Cincinnati. Bro. Purvis, as it appears from the certificate granted him by Lodge No. 18, June 11, 1782, was made a Mason in St. John's regimental Lodge, held in camp, near Morristown. This certificate is now in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.^
" MS8., Vol. C, paquet 138, folio 7.
'Vide "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. I, p. 365; also MSS., Vol. J, paquet 54, f oUo 45.
85
CHAPTER XXXVII.
LODGE NO. 31, A. Y. M., HELD AT WENTZ'S TAVEEN, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
(§
N the register of Masonic Lodges warranted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl-
\. I Ilia, there are two noted under
N limber 31, viz.:
" No. 31,— Travelling Warrant, Phil- adelphia County, "Wentz's Tavern. — Not known when granted. Vacated. John Church, M.; J. A. Auld, S. W.; John Wentz, J. "W.
"No. 31, — ^N orristow n, — Granted March 26, 1781. Surrendered and re- newed December 14, 1789. Vacated for delinquency April 6, 1806."
These two Lodges were one and the same Lodge. The Warrant was originally granted for the Lodge to meet at Wentz's Tavern,^ in Whitepaine Township, Philadelphia County. This location was a central one, for the farming community of the
^Por full account of which noted landmark, see The Miller's Beview, H. L. Everett, Publisher, Philadelphia, July 15, 1911, by Miss Qara Beck, of Centre Square.
86
€o\ontl iofin mmti
adjacent counties. Bro. John Wentz had inherited some prop- erty, and, in 1762, built a large brick house, to be used as an inn. Upon the sign-board, which swung in its yoke, high up in the air, there was painted a "Rising Sun," under which name the tavern was licensed. Locally, however, the house was known far and near as " Wentz 's Tavern," and in later years, after Montgomery County was formed, as the "Wheat Market."^
This old building, which faces the historic Skippack Road, in the hamlet now known as Centre Square, Montgomery County, is still practically unaltered, and is occupied as the private residence of Mr. John Morris, a descendant of Bro, James Morris, of Lodge No. 8.^'
Bro. John Wentz, the Warrant Master of Lodge No. 31, was
SILHOUETTE OP BEG. JOHN WENTZ.
a man of note and prominence. He was appointed Cornet of the troop of light horse in the militia. For twenty years he
"C/. "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. I, p. 226.
87
served as Justice of the Peace. In 1804, he was elected Treas- urer of Montgomery County, and later served in other offices of honor and profit.
Lodge No. 31, A. Y. M., was originated by a number of Brethren, who were members of Lodge No, 4, meeting in Philadelphia toward the close of the Revolutionary War, These Brethren, living in the northwestern part of Philadel- phia County (since 1789 Montgomery County), found it in- convenient to attend their Lodge meetings, owing to the dis- tance from the City, the bad state of the roads in winter, and uncertain weather conditions, together with the dangers incident to the military occupation of this territory. These Brethren first made an effort to affiliate with Lodge No. 8, which met in the vicinity of their homes, and attended the meeting held September 14, 1779, at the house of Thomas Rees, in Upper Merion Township, and signified their desire to be- come members of Lodge No. 8. These negotiations evidently not proving satisfactory, these Brethren, December 18, 1780, petition sent to the Grand Lodge for a separate Warrant, which was read, and a committee appointed to inquire why they can- not meet with Lodge No. 8. This petition and the subsequent favorable report of the committee is set forth in full in the his- tory of Lodge No. 4, Volume I, Chapter VIII, pp. 148-150 of this work.
The Grand Lodge, taking the report of the committee into consideration, "Order'd a Warrant, to be Numbered 31, to be made out, which was done accordingly, when John Church was install'd Master; Ja. Auld and John Wentz, Wardens of the said Lodge. The sum of nine pounds ten shillings State Money was paid as the fees on the said Warrant." The date of this Warrant was March 26, 1781.
88
laeneinal ot dOlattant
In the fall of the year, 1781, the following letter was re- ceived by the Grand Secretary : "Worshipful Sir' "Noreistowk, 23*. Sep*. 1781
"As it is out of my power to attend the grand Quarterly Com- munication, occasioned by a call of the Militia, I flatter myself the Worshipfull the Grand Lodge will hold me Excused at Present, have it not at Present in my Power to Transmit a Transcript of Proceed- ings, but will attend to next Quarterly Conununication
" Am with Due Eespect
" Your Obed'- Humb= Serv'- " Jacob Auld Mas'-- No. 31."
December 23, 1782, at the Grand Communication, "No. 31, being a new Lodge, begs the indulgence of another quarter, at which time they intend to pay in full." Although the
Lodge appears to have been represented at divers times, no returns appear to have been made while the Lodge met at Wentz's Tavern.
When the old Warrants were called by the Grand Lodge, after it had asserted its independence, September 25, 1786, Lodge No. 31 surrendered their old Warrant in 1789, and when renewed, under the date of December 14, 1789, the location of the Lodge was changed to Norristown, in Mont- gomery County, which, in the meantime (September 10, 1784), had been formed from a part of Philadelphia County, with the county seat at Norristown, on the Schuylkill River, which had been located and laid out by Bro. William Moore Smith.
"MSS., Vol. O, paquet 91, folio 59.
89
flDIli a^aiSonfc SoUBtiS of p^nniSKlbanfa
Here the Lodge met for about seventeen years, taking the place of the old Provincial Lodge No. 8, which virtually dis- banded about that time.
The officers named in the new Warrant were: Colonel George Smith, Esq., Master; Captain Amos Sturges, Senior "Warden, and Jonathan CuUey, Junior Warden.
The following is from the Minutes : —
" At a Meeting of Lodge No. 31 held at Norristown at the House of B'- Moore, December 6""- 1790.° An Entered Apprentices Lodge opened in due form and the Minutes of last Stated Lodge Night being Read, after which we Proceeded to Elect Officers for the ensuing Six Months, When
" Brother Amos Sturgis was Elected Master " B''- John Miller was Elected Senior Warden "B'- Alexander Ramsey was Elected Junior Warden "B"'- Jn°- Pugh was Elected Treasurer
" The Lodge not being satisfied with their Meetings being on Monday Nights Unanimously Agreed to have their Meetings for the Future on the first Saturday Night of Every Month.
" On Motion made by B"'- Moore and Seconded by B' Sturgis to give some Assistance out of the Lodge Fund for the Support of gr. -^m (Jisiand, now Encapable of supporting himself, and Unani- mously Agreed to by the Rest of the Brethren present to give him Four Pounds to support him for Four Months to be paid to B' Neilson on Demand, for keeping him.
" Brethren Present
B"' CoUey, Master in the Chair;
B"- Sturgis, S. W.
B' Miller, J. W.
B' Rice, B"- Eastbum.
B"' Levering, B"^ Smith.
"Visitor:— B' Fitzgerald
" Lectured and Closed in good Harmony at 8 O'Cloek 'till next Stated Lodge Night."
' MSS., Vol. 0, paquet 91, foUo 60.
90
T5to, mmiam (BWtUn
William Ghiselin was made a Mason in Philadelphia Lodge, No. 2, of the "Moderns," in August, 1752. Bro. Ghiselin was a silversmith by profession, and was an active Mason. He was elected Junior Warden of his Lodge in 1756, thence ad- vancing to Senior Warden and Master. For several years he served as Treasurer, and is referred to in Valentz's letter to FranMin.^
He eventually resigned from the "Modern" Lodge, and, on February 5, 1770, petitioned Lodge No. 2, A. Y. M., to be admitted a member. March 23, 1770, he was raised in the "Antient" way, after having been entered and passed. Bro. Ghiselin appears to have suffered financial reverses, as he ap- plied for the position of tyler. In this position he served for many years, tyling for the Grand and Subordinate Lodges.
July 11, 1785, he presented a bill to Lodge No, 2 for £7-16-6 for services rendered the Lodge as tyler.
July 7, 1785. An Extra Meeting of Lodge No, 2. Bro. Ghiselin, formerly "Tyler of this Lodge, was, by Bro, Howard, represented to be in Very indigant Circumstances, and that he conceived a ballance remained due to the said Bro. Ghisling for former services rendered this Lodge ; where- upon it was ordered that the Secretary should examine the former minutes in order to ascertain the same, and make a report accordingly."
August 8, 1785. The committee were ordered to give an order in favor of Bro. Ghiselin on the treasurer for whatever balance that may appear due.
The old Tyler after this appears to have drifted out -in the country district, as his name appears as a visitor upon the records of both Lodge No. 8 and No. 31.
The old Brother was evidently taken in charge by the
'■Vide "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. 1, Chapter IV, p. 68.
91
Brethren of Lodge No. 31, as appears from the following extracts from the Minutes of the Grand Lodge :
June 24, 1800. At the General Grand Communication, Bro. "William Nelson "represented that the W. M''. of L". N°. 31 held at Norristown, having been in the City, but busi- ness not permitting his stay to attend the Coramunication had requested him to state to this Grand Lodge, That said Lodge N°- 31 were indebted to this Grand Lodge for several Tears Dues, but that they had supported our Ancient Brother Ghislin for a Number of Tears past, which they conceived would amount to, if not exceed, their G. L. dues. That the Members of the said Lodge are now few in Number and that their Funds are low and request that in Consideration of their having so supported Bro^ Ghislin, the said Lodge may be exonerated from the payment of their past Dues to this Grand Lodge, promising from this Time forward to be punctual in the discharge of the same."
At the Grand Quarterly Communication, December 15, 1800, "The Committee appointed on the 24"" June last, on the request made by Lodge No. 31 to be exonerated from the pay- ment of their Grand Lodge dues to that Time, in Considera- tion of their having supported Brother Ghislin, were dis- charged, and the Petition was referred to Bro™. Duplessis, Armstrong, Morton, M^Karaher and Johnson to report thereon."
The Brethren of Lodge No. 31 evidently took charge of the old Tyler, until he was summoned to the Grand Lodge Above.
March 4, 1793. Grand Lodge, Quarterly Communication. The following return:
"Bro. Gr. Treasurer received £12.10. from Bro. Nelson, Master of Said Lodge, and £3.8.0 from Bro. Gr. Secretary."
was read from Lodge No. 31, held at Norristown, and ordered
to be entered upon the Grand Lodge books.
92
B,0Sttt Ot fLoiSt So. 3t> SL> $. 9t?.
" A Eetum of the Names of the Members of Lodge No. 31, held at Norristown under the sanction of a Warrant, dated December 14* A. D. 1789, Granted by the right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania to Colonel George Smith Esq'. Captain Amos Sturges and M' Jonathan CoUey for to hold the said Lodge. The Return of the Present Members Names and their Grand Lodge dues given in the Grand Lodge the 2d Day of March, 1793 by Major William Nelson Master of No. 31.
Name When Baised
Alexander Moore 1789
Michael Simpson
James Adams
William Nelson P. M
Benj" Eastbourne
David McGowan
Benjamin Markley
George Smith P. M
Abraham Dufi&eld
Amos Sturges P. M
John Miller
John Pugh
Jonathan CoUey P. M
Alexander Ramsey
Thomas Smith 1790 March 1
John Whiteman " May 3
Benjamin Levering " Oct 4
Joseph Ramsey " " "
John Armstrong 1791 May 7
William Armstrong " Nov. 5
Joseph Peterman " Sept 3
Joseph Levering " " "
Israel Jones " Deo "
Anthony Bitting " " "
Amos StuU 1792 April 7
William Fitzgerald " Aug 4
Archibald Currie 1793 June 1
James ChunneU « « "
Nathan M<=VeaugH « " "
Philip Crickboum
John Bleaney 1794 Jan 4
93
SDla 99a0onit JLoist^ ot ^mng^flimnia
James Peterman 1794 Mar 1
James Kirkpatriek
March 3, 1794. The following additional return was re- ceived from the Lodge, read and ordered to be filed.
" A Return of Our Initiations Since the Last Return March y" 2* 1793 until the time bemg March 1, 1794:*
|
Members Names. |
Enter'd |
Past |
Raised |
|
Archahald Currie |
April 6 |
May 4 |
June 1, 1793 |
|
James Chunnell |
ditto |
June 1 |
ditto |
|
Nathan M'^Veaugh |
do |
do |
do |
|
Philip Crichbaum |
Sep'- 7 |
March 1 |
. |
|
John Bleaney |
do |
Oct'- 5 |
Jan^- 4, 1794 |
|
James Peterman |
Feb. 1 |
March 1 |
March 1 |
|
James Kirkpatriek |
March 1 |
.... |
.... |
" Wm. Fitzgebald, Secy- "
December 1, 1794. The following letter was read before the Grand Lodge :
" NoREiSTOWN November 6"" 1794 " Bear Sir
" I am Requested by the Master of Lodge N°- 31 to write to you to Know what the amount of the dues are from said Lodge to the Grand Lodge in order that they may be collected for the purpose of payment
" if you will please to write a note by the Bearer hereof M'- Kinsley to me respecting said dues you will " much oblige your " most obe*- and very " humble Serv*- " Sam D. Shoemaker, Secy- pro tern. " Peter Le barbier Duplessis Esq." °
Upon a sultry night in August, in the year of grace 1795, a
•MS8., Vol. O, paquet 91, folio 55. "Zftt.^., folio 56.
94
TStot^n 3|anusl Si^ttmt
young lawyer, scarce twenty-two years old, was approved, and entered in Lodge No. 31, at Norristown. This young man of Quaker parentage, a Philadelphian by birth, settled soon after his admission to the Bar, in the young town of Norris- town, and began the practice of law. The name of this young Brother was James Milnor, who, iu after years, became one of the brightest luminaries in the Masonic horizon, serving as Grand Master of the State, as Representative in Congress, and later, for years, as a minister of the Gospel.
It appears that Bro. Milnor was elected Master of Lodge No. 31, shortly after he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. During or after his six months' term as Master, he removed to Philadelphia, and, on September 6, 1796, affiliated with Lodge No. 3, A. Y. M. On St. John's Day, December 27, 1796, the R. W. Grand Master Bro. William Moore Smith appointed Bro. James Milnor, Junior Grand Deacon, which office he filled until December 27, 1798, when he was elected Senior Grand Warden. In 1799 and 1800, he was reelected to the same office ; in 1801 and 1803, he was Deputy Grand Master, and in 1805 he was elected Grand Master of Pennsylvania, and continued in that office by annual reelection, until the close of 1813.
During his Grand Mastership, the old Masonic Hall in Chest- nut Street was erected, and, on its dedication, on June 24, 1811, he delivered at St. John's Lutheran Church, in Race Street, Philadelphia, a public oration, at the close of which a distinguished friend and Brother said to him, as they were leaving the church: "Why, Right Worshipful, you are cut out for a clergyman." Little did that Brother then dream that the thought would one day be realized.
June 6, 1796. At a Grand Quarterly Communication a petition "was received and read, signed by some Brethren
95
who had withdrawn from Lodge N". 31 at Norristown, pray- ing a "Warrant may be granted them for holding a Lodge in the City of Philadelphia. On motion and seconded, agreed that the same be Continued over to the next Quarterly Communication. ' '
September 5, 1796. The petition "which had been con- tinued over from last Communication, signed by a number of Brethren who had withdrawn from Lodge 31, praying a Warrant may be granted them for holding a Lodge in the City of Philadelphia by the name of Orange Lodge, and that William Nelson may be constituted Master ; Alexander Moore, Sen"". W., and John Thompson, Jun'. W., was now taken under Consideration, and the prayer of the said Petition was granted, and B'. Grand See^ requested to make out a Warrant accord- ingly, and to be Numbered 71."*
This was the genesis of the present Lafayette Lodge, No. 71, one of our old and flourishing Lodges. When the Warrant was granted, the Lodge was named Orange Lodge, as most of its members were Irish Presbyterians. The name of the Lodge was changed to Lafayette, by virtue of a dispensation from James Harper, R. W. Grand Master, September 26, 1825, in honor of Bro. Gilbert Motier Marquis de Lafayette, who during his visit to the country in 1824, attended an Extra Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on Oc- tober 2, at which time he was elected an honorary member of the Grand Lodge; and, in acknowledging this action, he assured the Brethren that he should never forget this mark of their kind distinction, by which he was "made a mem- ber of a body of which Franklin and Washington were associated."
' Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 259.
96
SDtanst %ortst Mo, 7i, Si, $. 9?.
The following Brethren were the charter members of Orange, now Lafayette, Lodge, No. 71 :
Septembeb, 1796.
Bro. Blaii Joseph,
' Caney Hugh, P. M.
' Donagon Neil, P. M.
' Dolen Barney, P. M.
' Gilbraith Andrew, P. M.
' Higgins Charles, P. M.
' Hamilton Samuel,
' Mc Donald James, P. M.
Bro. McKnight Matthew, McGurk Edward, Moore Alexanderj P. M. Murphy John, Nelson WUliam, P. M. Stuart Greorge, P. M. Thompson John, P. M.
The Warrant of Lodge No. 31 was vacated for delinquency, April 6, 1806.
SEAL OP THE QEAND LODGE ADOPTED JUNE 7, 1790.
97
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
LODGE NO. 32, A. Y. M., HELD AT BUELINGTON, NEW JERSEY.
m
rARCH 26, 1781, at a Quar- terly Communication of the Grand Lodge, the fol- lowing petition was read from a number of Brethren in New Jersey, praying for a Warrant to hold a Lodge in Burlington, one of the oldest settlements in West Jersey, the town being laid out in 1667. It was on the Delaware River, twenty miles northeast of Philadelphia. Burlington was the home and burial place of Col. Daniel Coxe, who was appointed by the Duke of Norfolk, Provincial Grand Master in 1730 of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Being the first person appointed to that station in North America, the full story of Daniel Coxe is told in Chapter I, Volume I, of this history. Col. Daniel Coxe is buried in St. Mary's P. E. Church in Burlington.
The original petition in the Archives of the Grand Lodge sets forth :
»MSS., Vol. O, paquet 92, foUo 61-68.
98
ito&B« iJo. 32, a. g.
" To the Bight Worshipful William Ball Esg^ Grand " Master of the State of Pennsylvatna " The petition of the Subscribers '
"humbly Sheweth That being at present wander- ing without Protection, and some Distance from the necessary Com- munication with the Brethren (as our meeting Lodge 25 at Bristol is attended with much DifiBculty and is frequently impassible at this Season of the Year) and being equally desirous to promote the Craft, have presumed to apply to the E' Worshipful Grand Lodge, hoping that our Conduct and Station in Life, together with the Situation of the Place will induce that E* Wor'"' Body to indulge us with their Protection. As further Eeason for this our Hope, we have applied to our worthy Brother Blathwaite Jones to examine the Subscribers, and give your E' Wor'"' Lodge his Sentiments concerning the Prem- ises, but wether he will write by this Conveyance we are not cer- tain; Upon the whole we shall wait with Impatience the Determiner tion of the E* Wor*"' Grand Lodge, and in the mean Time pray
" Your affec°'« Brothers "Joseph Ellis" " Samuel Bulltjs
"BeTHANATH HODGKlNSOSr
"John Phillips" "James Ceatt" " Burlington
" Jany 224 lygl"
TMs petition was accompanied with the following warm recommendation from Bro. Blaithwaite Jones :
" Eight "Worshipful Willum Ball EsqB Grand Master fob the
State of Pennsylvania "Bight Worshipful Bro''
" Sundry Gent" of the City of Burlington having commimicated their sentiments to me as Masons & being desirous of having a pro- tection, but altogether unacquainted with the Eight Worshipful the
"Bro. Joseph Ellis, Colonel, New Jersey Militia in 1776; Brigadier General, New Jersey Militia, February, 1777.
'Bro. John Phillips, Ensign, 2d New Jersey; resigned, November 14, 1777; died, May 25, 1831.
99
Grand Master, have desired that (for your better information & satisfaction) I would write your Worshipful on that head. As their Characters are well known in this place to be good, I have with more boldness ventured to indulge their request, having Personal Knowl- edge of every one of them, and I flatter myself that your knowledge of my sentiments of the Craft will not admit of a doubt that should hinder their obtaining your protection; as a lasting Superstruction can be raised but on a good Foundation a Body without a head makes but a poor figure. I doubt not when you consider that the nearest lodge to them is at Bristol & crossing the Water is not only expen- sive, but very inconvenient. The reasonableness of their petetion will speak for itself. BurHngton is a place that I think may answer to promote the Craft in the Jerseys, and your protection may raise up such as may take the lead in a future Day. However what I have said on this head will be weighed by the Eight Worshipful Body in which you preside, whose determination we wait. I shall conclude that they are Worthy for whom they shall do this. Pray make my good wishes acceptable to your Right Worshipful Body & the Craft in General & am Right Worshipful Sir
"Your affect'^ hum'« Serv* & "faithfuUBro
"BlathwTE Jones
" If their request shall take place, they desire that the following Brothers may be mentioned in the Warrant, viz :
" Joseph Ellis, Master " Samuel Bullus, Sen' W. "Bethanath Hodgkinson, Jun' W.
" Burlington Jan^ 22* 1781."
The Grand Lodge taking the same into consideration, it was unanimoTisly granted, and the Deputy Grand Master and Senior Grand Warden were requested to go to Burlington and install the officers of the said new Lodge.
As it appears from the minutes of the new Lodge No. 32, "that on the 30th day of March, 1781, an Emergent Grand Lodge was held in Ample Form, at Burlington, for the pur- pose of constituting the new Lodge. The members of the
100
'^^e CStatist JLottst at 75uvlinston, S. 3I«
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania who were present, were Bros. R. W. Alexander Rutherford, D. G. M. in the chair; R. W. Blaith- waite Jones late D. G. M., acting as such p. t. ; R. W. Jacob Bankson, S. G. "W. ; and R. W. John Clark, acting as J. G. W. The Lodge was duly constituted, and Joseph Ellis was duly installed Master by R. W. Blaithwaite Jones, and when seated in the chair, was presented by R. "W. Alexander Rutherford, with the jewels of his office, the Book of Constitutions and the Warrant of his Lodge. Samuel BuUus as Senior Warden, and Bethanath HodMnson as Junior Warden, were then installed by the new Master and invested with the 'jewels and accom- plishments of their respective offices.' "
This is the first record we have of the Grand Lodge opening a Grand Lodge outside of Philadelphia. No record of this Emergency Grand Lodge, held at Burlington, March 30, 1781, appears upon the Minutes of the Grand Lodge ; as a matter of fact few minutes of any Communications of this kind have ever been noted in the records of the Grand Lodge.
The following extract of this old Provincial Warrant shows the powers and limitations of that document :
" Now Know Ye, that we, William Ball, Grand Master; Alexander Rutherford, Deputy Grand Master; William Adcock, Senior Grand Warden, and Matthew Whitehead, Junior Grand Warden, present and legal successors to the above named Provincial Grand OfSoers, as by the Grand Lodge Books may appear, by virtue of the power to us granted by the above part recited Warrant, do hereby authorize and empower our trusty and well beloved brethren Joseph Ellis, Master; Samuel BuUus, Senior Warden, and Bethanath Hodgkinson, Junior Warden of a new Lodge, number thirty-two, to be held ia the city of Burlington, in the state of New Jersey, or within five miles of the same, and we do further authorize and empower our trusty and well beloved brethren Joseph Ellis, Master; Samuel BuUus, Senior Warden, and Bethanath Hodgkinson, Junior Warden, to admit and make Free Masons according to the Most Ancient and Honorable custom of the Royal Craft in all ages and nations thro'out the world and not contrariwise. And we do further empower and
101
SDlb S^diionic Jiot>st& of ^tnn&ifVoania
appoint the said Joseph Ellis, Master; Samuel Bullus, Senior Warden, and Bethanath Hodgkinson, Junior Warden, and their suc- cessors, to hear and determine all and singular matters and things relating to the Craft, within the jurisdiction of Lodge No 32. And lastly, we do authorize and empower our said trusty and well beloved brethren Joseph Ellis, Master; Samuel Bullus, Senior Warden, and Bethanath Hodgkinson, Junior Warden, to nominate, chuse and install their successors, to whom they shall deliver this Warrant and invest them with all their powers and dignities as Free Masons, and such successors shall in like manner nominate, chuse and install their successors, &e. &e.. Sue., such installation to be on or near St. John the Evangelist's day, during the continuance of this Lodge forever. Provided always, that the above named brethren and their successors pay due respect to the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge from whom they have their authority. Otherwise this Warrant to be of no force or virtue.
" Given under our hands and the seal of the Grand Lodge at Philadelphia, this twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and of Masonry five thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
"Wm. Smith, Grand Secretary
Upon tlie reverse of the Minutes of the meeting held March 30th, 1781, is endorsed the following receipt:
"Received March 30th 1781, from the Worshipful Joseph Ellis, New Install'd Master under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Number Thirty & two. Two thousand one hundred and sixty dollars the dues to the Grand Lodge for granting their Warrant
"Jaco. Bankson. « 2160 DoU'rs Con'l Curr-y."
EXTBACT PKOM THE MllTOTES OP LODGE NO. 32*''
" Stated Lodge Night Thursday April 19, 1781 " Enter'd Apprentices Lodge open'd with the Usual Penalties The Petitions of John Barker, John How, Lieut. Sam' Conn* and Andrew
=» MSS., Vol. O, paquet 92, folio 63.
*Bro. Samuel Conn, 2d Lieutenant, 4th New Jersey; transferred to 2d New Jersey, July 1, 1778; retained in New Jersey Battalion, April, 1783; served to November 3d, 1783.
102
S^inntta ot %9hst Mo, 32, SI, g. Sip.
Bankson" praying to become Members of this Lodge, were Severally red; Order'd to lie on the Books the Usual Time, and a Committee appointed to enquire into the Characters of the Persons (applying as aforesaid) and make report thereof at the next Stated Lodge Night
"Lodge clos'd &c.
" Stated Lodge Night, Thursday May 17, 1781. "Ent* Apprentices Lodge Open'd &c.
" The Committee appointed the last Stated Lodge Night to enquire into the Characters of the Persons aforesaid, make report as follows, viz: That agreeable to their Appointment they have carefully en- quired into the Several Characters aforesaid, and find them to be Persons well known and of good Credit. Whereupon the Members present proceeded to Ballot for the Entrance of John Barker, John How, Lieut. Sam' Conn & Andrew Bankson, separately, who were unanimously approved of: And accordingly M' John Barker M'' John How and Lieut. Sam' Conn were initiated in the first Step of Masonry. Lodge clos'd &e.
"Lodge of Emergency Tuesday May 29, 1781. "PeUow Crafts Lodge Open'd &c.
"Brothers John Barker, John How, and Lieut. Conn were pass'd from an Enter'd Apprentice to a Fellow Craft. Lodge closed and an Enter'd Apprentices Open'd. M'' Andrew Bankson jun"'. having been balloted for, and approved of, the last Stated Lodge Night, was initiated in the first Step of Masonry. Lodge clos'd &lc.
" Stated Lodge Night, Thursday June 21, 1781.
" Enter'd Apprentices Lodge was open'd with the Usual Penalties M"". Anthony Heckless was proposed to become a Member of this Lodge by Brother How and his Petition presented for that Purpose. Whereupon a Committee was appointed &c. Lodge clos'd & an Ent* Apprentices open'd. Bro'' A. Bankson jun'' was pass'd from an Enter'd Apprentice to a Fellow Craft. Lodge clos'd and a Master Masons open'd &c. Brother John Barker was rais'd from a Fellow Craft to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, Lodge clos'd &c."
"Bro. Andrew Bankson, Ensign 2d New Jersey; discharged, February 5, 1777.
103
"Sir & Brother
" Inclosed I send you the Extracts of the Proceedings of our Lodge No. 32 which I must take the Liberty to request you will lay before the Grand Lodge.
"Whether the Secretary has drawn them right or not I don't know; if he has not shall take it as a fav' if you wiU put them so.
" I am with Esteem
"Your friend & Brother " Jos. Ellis." " Jacob Bankson Esq'.
"Burlington June 29'" '81.
" Fees due to the Grand Lodge from No 32 for the last Quarter:
" Joseph ElUs £ 1
Samuel Bullus 1
Bethaneth Hodgkinson 1
John Phillips 1
James Craft 1
4 Initiations 1 -
«£L5"
" Pees due Grand Lodge from S' John's Day Dec'. 1781
" to S' John's Day Dec' 1782 s
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" March 21, 1782. |
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"Initiation of Henry Cunningham |
5/- |
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d" Ab™ Hewlings |
5/- |
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April 18* |
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do John Smith |
5/- |
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d" Michael Wetzell' |
5/- |
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Emergency April 28 |
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d" Thomas Kimble |
5/- |
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Emergency Aug' 1 |
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d° Captain Shaddock |
5/- |
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J. |
EUis |
£1"10— |
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"Quarterly dues from Worshipf |
s V |
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d" |
S. |
Bullus |
4/ |
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J. |
PhilHps |
4/ |
°Bro. Michael Wetzell, 2d Lieutenant, 2d Continental Artillery; trans- ferred to Corps of Artillery, June 17, 1783; served to November, 1783.
104
SS^inntt^ of Itotisf Bo, 32, SL. $.
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J. Craft |
4/ |
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B. Hodgkinson |
4/ |
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John How |
4/ |
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And. Bankson |
4/ |
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D. Rhea |
4/ |
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G. Brearley |
4/ |
|
from March '82 to — ^A. Hewlings |
3/ |
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d" to June W. Cunningham |
V |
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J. Smith |
V |
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M. Wetzell |
V |
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12'' Cap. Shaddock |
V |
£2 "3 Initiations 1"10
Totals £3 " 13
To Expences in sending a Member of this Lodge to the Communication in June last. This charge not allowed.
1"15
"Total dues £1"18
In the Minutes of the Grand Lodge, under date December, 1781, it states :
" No. 32 paid all dues to this day and the advance for nine books [Constitutions] amounting in all to forty-nine shillings and Six- pence to the Grand Treasurer."'
"Lodge of Emergency "Wednesday Jan^ 9, 1782 "Members Present:
"E' W. Blaithwaite Jones Esq"" in the Chair S. Bnllus acting as S. W. J. PhUlips J. W.
J. Craft S. D
Capt'. Taubman J. D
John Barker
"B"" Sam' Bullus having been elected Master of this Lodge & B' John Phillips Jun' Warden to serve till next S' John's Day, they were install'd as such by the R* Worshipful B'' Blathw'" Jones Esq. and presented With their Jewells of ofSce.
' Eeprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 44.
105
" stated Lodge Night Thursday Jan^ 17, 1782 " Present as above & B' Hodgkinson & J. How
Visiting Bro" Capt. Guion
Hubble Lieut. Bradford
D' Tunison Capt. Harvey Lieut Giles
Woodward
Price
Ford
" B"' Hodgkinson having been elected Sen' Warden of this Lodge, Was instali'd as such by the Worshipful & presented with Ms JeweU of Office.
" Stated Lodge Night Feb^ 21, 1782 " Present as above. A Fellow Crafts Lodge was open'd with the usual Formalities. After a Lecture from the Chair the Lodge closed in good Harmony.
« March 21, 1782.
" Lieut Cunningham & Ab™ Hewlings receiv'd the first Step of Masonry
« April 18, 1782. " Lieut^ Smith & Wetzell entered as above.
"Emergency Api 28, 1782. " Tho. Kemble enter'd as above.
" Stated Lodge May 16, 1782 " Master Masons Lodge open'd & clos'd in due Form with Harmony.
"Emergency June 5, 1782 "Fellow Crafts Lodge open'd and clos'd in good Harmony
"Stated Lodge June 1782 "Members present proceeded to Ballot for the Officers of this Lodge to serve till next S' John's Day, when the following Persons were elected:
106
mmttsi ot nonce so. 32, SL g. a?.
John Phillips W. Master
James Craft S. Warden
John How J. Warden
J. Ellis Treasurer
J. Hewlinge Sec'
"W. Master appointed A. Bankson S. Deacon; H. Cunning- ham J. D.
" Emergency June 24, 1782. "The Master & Wardens were install'd and presented with their Jewells & accomplishments
« Stated Lodge July 18, 1782 "A charge was brought against B'' Kimble by B'^ Smith & sup- ported by B™ Hewlings & Wetzell. The charge being of such a nature that it could not be overlook'd by the Lodge, and the Culprit having nothing to say in his own Defence, by the unanimous consent of the Lodge he was Expell'd after admonition from our Worshipful B' Phillips and Advice for his future Behaviour.
" Emergency Aug=t 1, 1782 " Capt. Shaddock received the first Step of Masonry.
" Stated Lodge Aug»t 18, 1782 " Master Masons Lodge open'd & clos'd in good Harmony.
" Stated Lodge Sep* 19, 1782 "An enter'd Apprentices Lodge was open'd with the Usual For- malities. A Letter was presented by the W. Master from the R'. W. Grand Master respecting the Initiation of Bryan Hynes purporting that if he Wanted but a few Months of the Age of 21, and should be found Worthy he saw Nothing improper in his receiving the first Step of Masonry. But this Lodge being sufficiently informed that he was not more than 19 years of Age thought it most advisable not to proceed without a Special Dispensation for that Purpose.
" Stated Lodge Oct' 17, 1782 " Fellow Crafts Lodge open'd & closed in good Harmony.
« Stated Lodge NoV 21, 1782 " A Master Masons Lodge was open'd & closed in good Harmony.
107
" Stated Lodge Dee-- 19, 1782. " Members proceeded to the Election of Officers for the next Six Months when the following Persons were Elected :
J. Ellis W. M.
J. How S. W.
B. Hodgkinson J. W.
" The Worshipful appointed B' Craft S. Deacon, B"" Bankson, J. D. A motion was made, seconded & thirded that B"^ Phillips request the Grand Lodge to allow the Expences of sending a B^ to meet them at Philadelphia in June, last when the Grand Lodge did not meet agreeable to their Advertisement.
December 23, 1782, we find upon the Minutes of the Grand Lodge :
" No. 32 produced their proceedings and a return of the Members with the dues to this day Am' to £3.13
Paid by Bro. Philips to Bro. Young G* Treas. 1.18.4
Due this day from No. 32 £1.14.8
The next information we have about Lodge No. 32, appears in the Minutes of the Grand Quarterly Communication, held June 12, 1786.
"It is reported to this Grand Lodge that the Warrant granted for holding a Lodge in City of Burlington, No. 32, is in some person's hands in that place and is made no use of. Ordered, that the Sec^. be requested to write to some Brother residing in that place, and requesting him to use his endeavors to find the same and transmit it to the Grand Lodge.^
" Burlington Lodge, No 32, does not appear to have been repre- sented at the New Brunswick Convention of 1786, when the Grand Lodge of New Jersey was formed. The agreement, however, entered into and signed by such as were present at the Convention was sub- sequently signed in behalf of No. 32, by Samuel Bullis, P. M., John How, Bethanath Hodgkinson and James Craft."
" The Penna. Warrant was surrendered in April, 1787, to join the G. L. of New Jersey.^"
'Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 92.
" Vide ' ' Origin of Masonry in New Jersey, 1786-1857, ' ' p. xxvi.
" Vide Eeprint of Minutes of the Grand Lodge, Vol. II, p. 417.
108
CHAPTER XXXIX.
LODGE NO. 33, HELD AT NEW CASTLE AND AT CHRISTIANA BRIDGE, DELAWARE.
A
T the Grand Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge, held De- cember 18, 1780, a petition from n ^ some Brethren in New Castle, J Delaware, belonging to Lodge No. 5, held at Cantwell's Bridge, was read, praying for a Warrant to hold a Lodge alternately, at New Castle and Christiana Bridge, both places being in New Castle County, Delaware. This petition was accompanied by a very warm recommendation in their favor, from the Master of No. 5,^ whereupon the petition was unanimously granted. The Warrant was No. 33 upon the Roster of the Grand Lodge. New Castle was one of the oldest settlements on the Dela- ware, being at the head of Delaware Bay. When the English obtained possession in 1664, New Castle became the seat of government and a port of entry.
Christiana Bridge, now the village of Christiana, on Chris- tiana Creek, at the head of tide water navigation, is about ten
» Cf. Vol. I, Chapter IX, p. 177.
109
SDlb Si^a0onit %oiise& of pennsislbanfa
miles southwest of Wilmington, and, before railroad days, was an important stage stand on the highway between Phila- delphia and Baltimore. That and its situation on Christiana Creek, made the place one of double strategic importance, dur- ing the revolutionary period.
The officers named in the Warrant were : Bro. Joseph Israel, Master; Joseph Kilkead, Senior Warden, and John Clark, Junior Warden.
At the Communication held March 26, 1781, the Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Rutherford, was requested, as soon as convenient, to go down to New Castle and install the officers.
Bro. Rutherford evidently attended to this duty, and the new Lodge entered upon a successful year, as is shown by the following letter :
" New Castle May 14* 1781
"Brother Butherford^
" I have the Pleasure of informing you by Brother Arch* Alex- ander, that Lodge No. 33 has been twice in due form opened agree- able to the time fixed for holding the same at its institution and that from the good order and regularity with which its Members conducted themselves, the particular attention and respect paid to the Chair, and several other favorable appearances, I flatter myself we shall be able to support the Dignity of Masonry, and add to the Number of worthy Brethren ; and likewise careful of preserving the good opinion and Esteem, which I hope is entertained of us by the Grand Body. Brother Alexander will deliver you seven pounds and ten shillings in specie, for the Warrant and other expenses incurred at the insti- tuting of our Lodge; which the several Members have been very dilligent to collect that it might be sent up before your next Quar- terly Communication. If that sum should not be look'd upon sufl- cient, please to inform us by Brother Alexander, and we shall be very careful to procure the remainder; by whom we shall be very glad to receive a Letter from you with information when the Quar-
' MS8., Vol. I', paquet 93 folio 15.
110
%0liSt Mo, 33, SL, ^, 9t?.
terly Communication will be held. I have the pleasure of subscribing myself with all due respect; by order of our "Worshipful Master, "Your sincere friend " and Brother
"E. M. William JunT- Secrecy-
" To Bro'- Alex''- Rutherford.'"
The plan of holding the Lodge at a different place on alter- nate years, does not appear to have been a success. As a majority of the Brethren preferred New Castle, they appealed to the Grand Lodge, December, 1781, for a modification of that part of their Warrant; when, on representation from the Master of Lodge No. 33, that it would be extremely incon- venient to alter their plan of meeting from New Castle, as most of the Members had removed there, permission was granted to hold it at whichever of the above places a majority of the Brethren should think most convenient.
Monday, September 2, 1782. A letter from Lodge No. 33 was read before the Grand Lodge, containing satisfactory reasons for their non-attendance. They also informed the Grand Lodge that No. 33, had been under the necessity of expelling from their Body, one of their members.
March 31, 1783. Brother John Stockton, Master of Lodge No. 33, paid the sum of Nine dollars into the hands of Bro. Joseph Howell, Jun., on account of dues for s* Lodge.
Lodge No. 33 was one of the twelve Lodges represented upon that memorable September 25, 1786, when the Grand Lodge declared itself independent of "Great Britain or any other Authority whatever."
The Lodge does not appear to have been represented in the Grand Lodge, after the above meeting until March, 1790,
The next notice of the Lodge appears June 2, 1792, when the Grand Secretary presented a return of the members of
111
SDla 9^asronic fLo'ast& of p^nnstslbania
Lodge No. 33, which was sent to him with five pounds, nineteen shillings, in full for their dues to the first day of December 1791. It appears by the said return that there are nineteen members. "On Motion and Seconded, the same was ordered to be filed and entered on the Minutes as foUoweth, (to wit) :"
"New Castle, March, 1792.
" A List of the Officers and other Members of Lodge No. 33, with their Quarterly Dues, &c., to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania from the first of March, 1790, to the first of December 1791.
Wors' Edward Eoche, Master. John Stockton.
Henry Darby, S. Warden George Monro.
James Riddle, J. Warden. James Boothe.
Joseph Israel, Treas'. James M° CuUongh.
Henry Barry, Secretary. James M^Cahnont.
Kensey Johns. Levi Adams.
William M^Kennan. Wilham M^Clay. Archibald Alexander.
" Fifteen Members before the first day of March, 1790, and @ 1/p'
quarter each, is £5.5.0.
" William Dixon, admitted August 5, 1790, @ Do. p' Do.. . 0.5.0.
" James Monro, raised in Feb^-. 1791, @ Do. p' Do 0.3.0.
" Of James Monro's initiation fees appropriated to the use of
the Grand Lodge 0.5.0.
" Matthew Pierce, admitted August, 1791, Quarterly Dues . . 0.1.0. " George Read Jun---. admitted Feby 2«-. 1792.
" Total amount of Dues to the Grand Lodge £5.19.0.
" (Errors excepted.) " Signed, Henet Baeet, SecP-> Lodge No. 33?
April 20, 1779. The following letter was sent to the R. "W. Grand Msister, inviting him and the Grand OfSeers to visit the Lodge:
'MSS., Vol. r, paquet 93, foUo 17.
112
fLoHt Mo. 33, SL, If. 9?.
" Bight Worshipfull "Brother
" I am directed by Lodge No. 33 to Inform you and the officers of the Grand Lodge that Lodge No 33 would be hapy in Receiving a visit from the officers of the Grand Lodge when ever it will suit your convenience I am with due Respect you* Brother*
"John Crow Secretary " April 20, 1799." " of Lodge No. 33.
(Endorsement on back.)
"20 April 1799
" Invitation from Lodge No 33 to the Grand Officers to visit said Lodge."
Upon receipt of this, Deputy Grand Master Israel, Acting Grand Master, sent the following order to Grand Secretary Baker:
"B^ S'-
" I am unacqnanted with the presiding Master of the Wilmington Loge but Recomend to Rite to Col"- Thom=- Keane how I think has bin Master of that Loge. I send by your son a Letter from the Sect'- of No. 33 I segest to you the propriaty of meeting at Chester on Tusday; Wilbnington, Wedndsday; Newcastile on Thursday, & for the purpose pf siting of in a proper time to meet at my house on Tusday at 2 Oclock. Thay will have to Call the Willmington Loge Speshelly, but the two others meet on thare stated nights
"I am Sir with Respect yours &c " George A. Baker Esq.-^- " " Israel Israel
The E.. W. Grand Secretary wrote as follows :
" I am direct by y» R. W. G. M. to inform y» W. M. of L. No. 14 that he tog'' w* his G. Off™ proposes making y« L. a G. V. on W y^ 1°' of May next. No ret^ have been rec* from y° Lo for a long time past & I do not know who at present is W. M. of y^ same. I there- fore make free to request y° fav'' of your com: this to y« W. M. of s* L. No. 14 "lam George A. Baker,*
" Gr Se(^y." * MSS., Vol. F, paquet 93, f oUo 19. 9 113
This Grand Visitation was evidently made. No account of it, however, has come down to us. The following is the com- plete roster of Lodge 33, as recorded upon the Register of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania :"
" Eegisteb of Lodge No 33 Held at New Castle Del.
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When Initiated |
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Nama |
or |
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Admitted. |
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Joseph Israel, |
A. 1790, |
Mar. 1, |
W. M. 1790, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98. |
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George Monro, |
A. 1790, |
Mar. 1. |
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Henry Darby, |
A. 1790, |
Mar. 1. |
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William M'Kinnan, |
A. 1790, |
Mar. 1. |
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Edward Roche, |
A. 1790, |
Mar. 1. |
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Arch* Alexander, |
A. 1790, |
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