Note: The following material is a scanned-in research resource; it is NOT intended as an exact reproduction of the original volume. Due to computer display variances, page numbers are approximate. Scanned at Phoenixmasonry by Ralph Omholt, PM - June 2007.
The History Of Freemasonry
By
Albert G. Mackey 33°
VOLUME SIX
PART 3. - FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES
CHAPTER PAGE
[Original Volumes / This Copy]
55. - The First Lodge and the Grand Lodge
of each State (cont'd) ……………………………….……….…. 1443 / 6
56. -The Introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into each State ….. 1487 / 88
57. - The Introduction of the Cryptic Degrees into each State .... 1549 / 157
58. - The First Commandery and the Grand Commandery
in each State ......................................................................... 1601 / 262
59. - Colored Masonry in the United States .................................. 1641 / 309
60. - The Anti-Masonic Excitement ................................................ 1677 / 345
PART 4. - SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY
CHAPTER PAGE
1. - Introduction ............................................................................. 1693 / 363
2. - Three Revelations .................................................................... 1712 / 379
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
VOLUME SIX
PAGE
Benjamin B. French ……………………………………………….……. 1454 / 30
Plate of Symbols …………………………………………………..……. 1486 / 88
First View of Jerusalem by the Crusaders ………………………….1518 / 123
William James Hughan ……………………………………………….…. 1550 / 160
Warrant to Jeremy L. Cross to Confer the Degree of Select ……... 1552 / 164
A\A\S\R\ - Consistory of New York City …..……………………. 1582 / 198
Melrose Abbey ……………………………………………………………. 1614 / 278
DeWitt Clinton ……………………………………………………………. 1646 / 315
Unity, Peace, and Plenty ………………………………………….……. 1678 / 349
Final Defeat of the Crusaders at Acre ………………………………. 1710 / 378
CHAPTER LV
HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF FREEMASONRY INTO EACH STATE AND TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES
The First Lodges and the Grand Lodges
(Continued)
Ohio
THE introduction of Masonry into Ohio is due to the fact that soon after the close of the War of the Revolution, the Master, Jonathan Heart, and some of the members of American Union Lodge settled near Marietta.
The Charter of that lodge, which had been granted by the St. John's Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, February 15, 1776, by John Rowe, Grand Master (in the Connecticut Line of the Army), (1) was held by the Master, and he claimed that it was a lodge at large and not under the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge, and in fact "it was invested with every power necessary to constitute, rule, and govern" Masonry in the Territories.
It had been recognized "by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York, as a constituent of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts." This lodge worked for several years until its Charter was burned; a revival of it was asked for from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which was declined, "except as one of its constituent" Application to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was made, which authorized the lodge to resume work under a copy of the original Charter, "with the express provision that the charter should be of force only until a Grand Lodge should be formed in the territory in which it was located."
The Grand Lodge of Ohio was organized January 7, 1808.
(1) Shortly after, the lodge having removed to New York, asked for a Confirmation of their Charter, from the D.G.M., Dr. Middleton; but a new Warrant was granted under the name of Military Union, No.
1. - Gould's "History," vol. vi., P. 415.
The lodges represented were American Union, No. 1, at Marietta; Cincinnati, No. 13, warranted by the Grand Lodge of New Jersey as Nova Cesaraea, No. 10, now known as N.C. Harmony, No. 21; Sciota, No. 2, and Chillicothe, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1805, now known as No. 6; Erie, No. 47, at Warren, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, March 16, 1804, now known as Old Erie, No. 3; and Amity, No. 105, at Zanesville, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1804, now No. 5.
January 4, 1808, a preliminary convention of the delegates from all the lodges then in Ohio - six in number - was held in Chillicothe to deliberate upon the propriety of forming a Grand Lodge, and to inaugurate measures for the organization of such a body.
The convention continued its deliberations four consecutive days, which resulted in the unanimous adoption of a resolution proposed by Brother Lewis Cass, viz.: "that it is expedient to form a Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio." (1)
A few rules, couched as resolutions, were adopted for the formation of a Grand Lodge, and appointed the first Monday in January, 1809, as the time, and Chillicothe as the place for holding the first Grand Communication of said Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge met at Chillicothe, January 2, 1809, and duly organized with representatives from four lodges.
In consequence of the absence of the representatives of American Union Lodge, No. 1, there being but four lodges represented, it was thought that a Grand Lodge could not be legally organized.
The Grand Lodge adjourned from day to day, and, finally, on January 5th, it adopted pro tempore the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, having decided that under their peculiar circumstances it would be right and proper to organize a Grand Lodge with only four lodges represented.
Brother Rufus Putnam, who had been chosen Grand Master at the convention held in 1808, wrote a letter to the Grand Lodge declining the office, on account of his great age, which was accepted, and Bro. Samuel Huntington was duly elected Grand Master.
Previous to the reception of this letter all the other Grard Officers elected the last year had been installed, and upon the election of the Grand Master he also was immediately installed, and all the
(1) Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
other Grand Officers who had just been elected at the same time with the Grand Master.
The Grand Lodge closed its sessions on January 7, 1709, having completed all things necessary to its proper work in Masonry.
Louisiana.
The introduction of Freemasonry in the Territory of Louisiana is principally due to the political condition of that Territory and the circumstances connected with the affairs in San Domingo, both counties at that period being somewhat, if not exclusively, settled by the Latin race and their negro slaves.
Masonry had been introduced upon the Island of San Domingo from the Grand Orient of France, also by charters from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
When the insurrection occurred in San Domingo, in 1791, the white refugees spread themselves in many of the cities in the United States; a very large number settled in New Orleans, and among them were many Masons, and in 1793 several of these residing in New Orleans organized into a lodge and received a Charter from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina by the name of "Parfaite Union, No.
29," the officers being installed in the York Rite on March 30, 1794. In the same year several Brethren of the French, or Modern Rite, formed themselves into a lodge called "Etoile Polaire" (Polar Star), and applied for a Charter from the Grand Orient of France.
The Grand Orient having suspended its labors, in consequence of the political condition of France, could not issue a Charter.
The Brethren, however, obtained a provisional Charter or dispensation from the Provincial Lodge La Parfaite Sincerile at Marseilles in 1796, and intrusted the same to Dominique Mayronne, with authority to constitute the new lodge and install the officers, which was done under the French Rite, December 27, 1798.
When the Grand Orient resumed labor in 1803, a Charter was issued to Polar Star Lodge, No. 4263, in 1804, and Ch. Tessier was deputed to deliver the Charter and heal their work, which was done, and officers were installed, November 11, 1804, by A. Pinard and A.Marmillion.
The early records of "Perfect Union" and "Polar Star" can not be found, but the above information has been obtained by Brother James H. Scot, the historian of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, from the "Manuel Maconnique," a very rare work, published in New Orleans in 1828.
It is very probable that these lodges were formed about the same time, "but in the absence of the original records it is impossible to decide the question." (1)
It is thought that the Brethren who formed these two lodges were from the Island of Guadaloupe, which was involved in the horrors of the negro insurrection of 1791.
In consequence of political differences among the French inhabitants in Louisiana, growing out of the French Revolution, difficulties arose which resulted in the refusal of the members of these two lodges to hold any Masonic intercourse with each other.
Some of the former members of "Candor Lodge, No. 12," in Charleston, S.C., which was extinct, having settled in New Orleans, applied to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and obtained a Charter, dated May 18, 1801, as Candor Lodge, No. 90.
It is possible that this lodge did not survive very long, if it ever was duly constituted, as on March 1, 1802, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a Charter to Charity Lodge, No. 93, having the name of N.
Definieto, W. M., who was the W.M. of Candor, No. 90.
This Charter was not received until 1804, and on May 13th of that year the lodge was duly constituted and the officers were installed in the York Rite.
On October 1, 1800, by treaty, Spain retroceded the whole of the territory of Louisiana to France, which held an actual possession of only twenty days, as on December 20, 1803, the United States flag was raised in New Orleans, France having sold the whole territory to the United States.
This change in the political condition made equally a change in Masonic affairs, and from that date on, viz., 1804, Masonry assumed quite a different attitude in Louisiana.
A change also in the Island of San Domingo caused a very large number of the refugees of 1791 to return to their old homes, and the French contingent among the Masons in New Orleans was greatly reduced.
The American element, which had in Masonic matters been much in the minority, began to increase and soon prevailed.
A duplicate Charter from the Grand Orient of France was received, July 20, 1807, bearing date of February 17, 1806, by the Lodge "La Union Desiree," No. 3013, which had been under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France, at Port au Prince, April 16, 1783. During the revolution Of 1791 the Charter,
(1) James H. Scot, "History of Masonry in Louisiana."
archives, etc., had been destroyed.
The members who had fled to New Orleans in 1791, and had returned to San Domingo in 1802, had been again compelled to flee to New Orleans the second time.
In 1806 Masons from the Northern part of the United States applied for and obtained a Charter from the Grand Lodge of New York, on September 2, 1807, now Louisiana Lodge, No. 2. In the "Manuel Maconnique" it is No. 101, which is an error of the author.
This was the first lodge in New Orleans that worked in the English language, and its first W. M. was the celebrated jurist Edward Livingstone.
Polar Star Lodge, No. 4263, applied to the Grand Orient of France and obtained a Charter to hold a Chapter of Rose Croix, which was constituted and officers installed, May 24, 1807, as " La Vertu Recompensee, No. 5001."
On September 15, 1808, a York Rite Charter was issued to some of the members of Lodge La Reunion Desiree, No. 3829, by the same name but numbered 112, by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
This lodge dissolved March 23, 1812.
This much of the early history in Louisiana must suffice, as to continue a specific notice of all the lodges chartered and the various contests which grew out of the various rites in use, and the "Cumulation" thereof, would utilize our entire remaining pages of this chapter, hence must proceed to the organization of the Grand Lodge.
It appears from the records that twelve lodges had received charters in New Orleans prior to the organization of a Grand Lodge, as will appear in the following table:
Name of
Date of Lodge
No.
By Whom Chartered
Charter
Perfect Union..29
Grand Lodge of South
Carolina.....
March 30, 1794.
Polar Star
4263
Pro. Lodge Sincerite,
Marseilles
December 27, 1798.
Reconstructed by Grand
Oriental of France
November 11, 1804.
Candor
90
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
May 18, 1801.
Charity
93
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
March 1, 1802.
Reunion Desiree
3829
Grand Orient of
France
February 17, 1807.
Louisiana
12
Grand Lodge of
New York
September 2,1807.
Reunion Desiree
117
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
September 15, 1808.
Concord
117
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
October 7, 1810.
Perseverance
118
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
October 7, 1810.
Harmony
122
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
November 19, 1810.
Polar Star
129
Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania
June 3, 1811.
Bienfaisance
1
Grand Consistory of
Jamaica
June 22, 1811.
Of these lodges, Candor, No. 90, York Rite, was perhaps never organized; Reunion Desiree, No. 3829, French Rite, ceased to work, November 27, 1808; Polar Star, No. 4293, French Rite, adjourned sine die, October 13, 1811; Reunion Desiree, No. 112, York Rite, dissolved, March 23, 1812; and Bienfaisance, No. 1, Scottish Rite, affiliated with Concord, No. 117, May 27, 1812, leaving seven lodges in full activity and all working the York Rite, viz.: Numbers 1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, in the above table.
Louisiana was admitted as a State by Act of Congress, April 8, 1812, to take effect after April 30th.
This change politically had a corresponding result masonically.
Perfect Union Lodge, No. 29, had the honor of taking initiatory steps toward the organization of a Grand Lodge, which resulted in a meeting, April 18, 1812, of the delegates of Perfect Union Lodge, No. 29; Charity Lodge, No. 93; Louisiana Lodge, No. 1; Concord Lodge, No. 117; Perseverance Lodge, No. 118; Harmony Lodge, No.
122; and Polar Star Lodge, No. 129.
These delegates organized themselves into a "General Committee of the State of Louisiana to provide for the establishment of a Grand Lodge in the City of New Orleans." P. F. Dubourg was the first President.
On May 16th following a second meeting was held, Charity Lodge, No.
93, not being represented; and a communication was received from Louisiana Lodge, No. 1, saying that in their opinion "it would be inexpedient at present" to join in the proposed formation of a Grand Lodge; whereupon a resolution was passed requesting the W.
Master of the Senior of the regular lodges in the State, Perfect Union, No. 29, to issue his summons (1) to the Masters, Past Masters, and Officers of the several Ancient and regularly constituted lodges in the State to meet in convention to take into consideration the interests of the true Craft, and to deliberate on the necessity of establishing a Grand Lodge in the State, which was accordingly done, and the convention met June 13, 1812, and the following representatives were present, viz.: Perfect Union, No.
29; Charity, No. 93; Concord, No. 117; Perseverance, No. 118; Polar Star, No. 129.
As soon as the convention was organized the President, Brother Dubourg, stated that he had received a communication from Harmony Lodge, No. 122, which had withdrawn from the convention.
The convention adjourned to meet June 20th next.
June 20, 1812, the Grand Convention then met and elected the Grand Officers; P.F. Dubourg being elected Grand Master, who was duly installed after the election of the Grand Officers, and by a resolution adopted, the Grand Master installed all the other Grand Officers on July 11th following.
At a communication held August 15, 1812, the committee appointed for that purpose reported a draft of a Constitution which was adopted.
(1) Ancient term for Notification.
At a quarterly communication held March 27, 1813, the Grand Master announced that a Grand Royal Arch Chapter had been organized and attached to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
The Grand Chapter had been organized, March 8, 1813, by Concord and Perseverance R.'.
A.'. Chapter, working under charters from the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania and attached to the lodges of the same name.
On March 13th the Grand Officers were elected and installed.
To follow the history of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana would require more space than can be permitted; here we must close with the date of March, 1813.
Tennessee.
Warrants to organize lodges had been issued from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as early as 1796 and one from Kentucky.
These lodges held a convention at Knoxville in December, 1811, and adopted the following:
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention the number of Ancient York Masons in this State as well as the state of society, require the formation of a Grand Lodge within the same for the better regulation and extension of the Craft.
"Resolved, That a Committee be appointed for the purpose of drawing up an address to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, soliciting their assent to the establishment of a Grand Lodge in the State of Tennessee."
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina granted this request; and the convention again met October 14, 1813, and the Grand Lodge was constitutionally established and the Grand Officers were elected and installed.
Mississippi
The first lodge in Mississippi which received a Warrant from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky was Harmony, No. 33; originally No. 7, by a Charter October 16, 1801.
Two other lodges, viz.: Andrew Jackson, No. 15, and Washington, No. 17, received their warrants from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee July 27, 1818.
A convention was held in the city of Natchez, when it was resolved that it was necessary and expedient to form a Grand Lodge for the State of Mississippi.
On August 25th following, the convention again met, and the Grand Lodge was regularly constituted.
Henry Toohey was elected Grand Master.
Illinois.
The Grand Master of Pennsylvania, Israel Israel, issued a dispensation for six months to Western Star Lodge, No. 107, to be located at Kaskaskia, situated near the mouth of the Okaw (now Kaskaskia) River, where it empties into the Mississippi River, September 24, 1805.
At that period Illinois was in the Indian Territory.
This lodge received its Charter, which was granted June 2, 1806, and on September 13th following, the lodge was regularly constituted.
This lodge was doubtless the first one established in that Territory - now comprising the States of Wisconsin and Illinois and a part of Minnesota.
The Grand Lodge of Kentucky issued a Charter, August 28, 1815, to Lawrence Lodge, to be located at Shawneetown; the Grand Lodge of Tennessee issued a Charter, October 6, 1819, to Libanus Lodge, at Edwardsville; June 20, 1820, the Grand Master of Tennessee issued a dispensation to Temple Lodge, at Belleville, St. Clair County, which was surrendered in 1821.
From the Grand Lodge of Missouri at various dates in 1822 the following warrants were granted: October 3, 1822, Olive Branch, No.
5, at Alton, Ill. ; October 8, 1822, Vandalia, No. 8, at Vandalia; October 9, 1822, Sangamon, No. 9, at Springfield; October 24, 1822, Union, No. 10, at Jonesborough; October 8, 1822, Eden, No. 11, at Covington.
The Grand Master of Indiana issued a dispensation, March 12, 1822, to Albion Lodge, at Albion.
All the above lodges except Sangamon sent delegates to a convention at Vandalia which met December 9, 1822.
They adopted a constitution, which was sent to the lodges for their consideration.
Eight of these lodges were represented at a convention held December 1 1823, and a Grand Lodge was duly organized.
The Grand Master was installed by Dr. Hardage Lane, of St. Louis, Mo., the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
In 1827 the Grand Lodge of Illinois went out of existence, and after June 24, 1827, "every Lodge in the State was so effectually blotted out that no trace of any of them has been found."
It is supposed that as the anti-Masonic excitement had, about that time, begun to work its way to the West, the Masons were more or less lukewarm in the cause, and politics being somewhat mixed up in the affair, the Brethren let the matter drop for a while.
The Grand Lodge of Kentucky issued a dispensation to Bodley Lodge, No. 97, at Quincy, Ill., there being at that time no working lodge in the State. That lodge was warranted August 30, 1838.
That Grand Lodge likewise warranted Equality Lodge, No. 102, at Equality, in Gallatin County, August 29, 1837; and Ottawa, No. 114, at Ottawa County, of Lasalle, September 1, 1740.
The Grand Master of Kentucky issued a dispensation to Friendship Lodge at Dixon in 1840.
The Grand Lodge of Missouri warranted:
Franklin Lodge, at Alton, in 1827 Harmony Lodge, at Jacksonville, in 1838 Springfield Lodge, at Springfild, in 1839 Temperance Lodge, at Vandalia, in 1839 Far West Lodge, at Galena, in
1839 Mount Moriah Lodge, at Hillsboro, in 1840 Clinton Lodge, at Carlisle, in 1840
A dispensation to Columbus Lodge, No. 20, at Columbus, in 1839.
Delegates from several of the subordinate lodges on January 30, 1840, held a convention in Jacksonville, when it was resolved to form a Grand Lodge.
A committee was appointed to correspond with the lodges in the State and ask their assistance, and to send delegates to a convention to be held at Jacksonville, April 6, 1840, which convention was held on that date and six of the eight chartered lodges and one under dispensation were represented, and the Grand Lodge was then organized.
At the meeting held April 28th, the Grand Master, Abraham Jonas, was installed by proxy. (1) Warrants were issued to the lodges represented and numbered according to their dates of constitution-
(1) The "Reprint of the Proceedings for 1840 to 1860," published 1874, shows : April 6, 1840, at Jacksonville, "M.W. Abraham Jonas was elected G.M." April 28th, "called from refreshment to labor." The name of Abraham Jonas does not appear as being present.
James Adams, D.G.M., presided.
The minutes say: "On motion all but Past Masters having retired a convocation of Past Masters was declared open, and the M.W. Grand Master was installed by proxy, and the grand honors paid him agreeable to ancient form and usage."
some of them, however, did not get their new warrants until sometime in 1844.
In consequence of the business relations existing between many of the towns in Illinois and the city of St. Louis in Missouri, some of the lodges in those towns much preferred to hold their warrants from Missouri Grand Lodge, as the representatives could attend the Grand Lodge of Missouri in St. Louis, and at the same time transact their commercial business in that city.
The writer was an officer of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1841-42-43 and well remembers that those Brethren from Illinois were urged to withdraw from our Grand Lodge and unite with the Grand Lodge in their own State.
They, however, declined for the reason above stated.
We can bear witness to this as a justification of the conduct of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, for they could not drive away their Brethren of Illinois.
Finally, however, those lodges did withdraw and unite with the Grand Lodge of Illinois, as also did several of the lodges in Iowa, about that time, which had been chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and they formed the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
On February 10 1850, a fire occurred in Peoria by which was destroyed, in the office of the Grand Secretary, all the books, papers, and records of the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
To remedy the loss as far as possible, the Grand Lodge was convened in Springfield, April 8, 1850.
Of the lodges aiding in the organization of the second Grand Lodge, four are now alive, viz: Bodley, No. 1; Equality, No. 2; Harmony, No. 3; and Springfield, No. 4.
In 1889, October 1st and 2d, the fiftieth anniversary was celebrated.
The Grand Lodge of Illinois, in her growth since its organization in 1839, has kept even pace with the increase of population, and now stands in membership among the first in the United States, in 1897 the membership number being 53,452, number of lodges, 722. In her influence for good and the reputation of her personnel she is primus inter pares (first among her equals).
Missouri
The first settlers of Upper Louisiana, as the now State of Missouri was originally called, were French, who came by the way of Canada, and were companions of Cartier, La Salle, and Father Hennepin, who traversed the vast wilderness that extended between the boundaries of Canada and the settlements of the French on the Lower Mississippi.
In November, 1763, Pierre Liguiste Laclede arrived at St.
Genevieve, and finding no place suitable for the storage of his good, he proceeded up the Mississippi River; and on February 15, 1764, he and his party landed where the city of St. Louis now stands, which he named in honor of Louis XV. of France.
In that early day the merchants who were in St. Louis and St.
Genevieve procured their goods in Philadelphia, where they went once every year.
Many of these merchants became Masons and were made in the French Lodge, No. 73, in Philadelphia.
As the Masons in the Territory increased in numbers, they resolved to organize a lodge, and in 1807-8 having applied for, they received a Warrant of Constitution from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a lodge in the town of St. Genevieve, as Louisiana Lodge, No. 109.
Otho Strader was the first Master.
Among its members were many of those who afterward became prominent merchants of St. Louis, as Pierre Chouteau and Bartholomew Berthold, who became the founders of the great Fur Company. (1)
This was the first lodge established in Missouri.
In 1811-12 Gen. H. Dodge presided over this lodge as W. Master, but owing to the unsettled condition of the Territory in consequence of the late war with Great Britain, the lodge ceased to work about 1825.
In 1809-10 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a Warrant to a lodge in St. Louis as No. 111. There is no record whatever of this lodge remaining.
A dispensation was issued by the Grand Lodge of Indiana in 1820 for a lodge in Jackson, now in Cape Gerardeau County.
This lodge was subsequently chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
October 18, 1816 the Grand Lodge of Tennessee granted a
(1) Geo. F. Gouley, "History of Grand Lodge of Missouri."
Charter to a lodge in St. Louis as Missouri Lodge, No. 12, which is still in existence as No. 1.
That Grand Lodge also granted charters to the following lodges, viz. : October 6, 1819, to Joachim Lodge, No. 25, at Herculaneum, and on same date to St. Charles Lodge, No. 28, at St. Charles on the Missouri River.
February 23, 1821, by an invitation sent by Missouri Lodge, No. 12, to the several lodges in the State, the following lodges, by their representatives, met in St. Louis, and a committee having been appointed to draft a constitution and code of bylaws they adjourned until April 23d following, to meet at the same place to organize a Grand Lodge.
Prior to this date (April 23, 1821), a convention of Masons met, pursuant to previous notice given by the convention of delegates, at the lodge-room of Missouri Lodge, No. 12, April 23d, Anno Lucis, Year of Light, 5821, for the purpose of organizing the Grand
Lodge of the State of Missouri.
Opened in the third degree in due form, with Wor. Edward Bates, (1) Master, and others.
After reading the proceedings of the convention held February 22d last, adjourned until 24th inst.
April 24, A.L. 5821. Present as before.
An election for the officers for the ensuing year was held and resulted as follows
Brother Thos. F. Riddick, M.W.G.M.
"
James Kennerly, S.G.W.
"
William Bates, J.G.W.
"
Archibald Gamble, G. Treasurer.
"
William Renshaw, G. Secretary.
Adjourned to May 4th next.
May 4th A.L. 5821, Semi-Annual Convocation was held, a procession was formed and proceeded to the Baptist Church, where the solemn ceremony of consecration and installation was performed, in conformity with the ancient landmarks and customs of the Fraternity.
The Grand Lodge then returned to the lodge-room and adjourned until next day. (2)
The first annual communication was held October 1, 1821.
(1) Hon. Edward Bates was Attorney-General in Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet, 1861-64.
Nearly every member of this Grand Lodge was personally known to the present writer in 1837.
(2) Geo. F. Gouley, "History of Grand Lodge of Missouri."
BENJAMIN B. FRENCH
At this communication Brother Frederick Bates was elected Grand Master, who, not being present, was notified by a committee, but declined accepting the office.
Grand Lodge adjourned until October 10, 1821, at which time the Grand Lodge resumed labor and elected Brother N.B. Tucker M.W. Grand Master, and Edward Bates G.S.W.
The Grand Lodge then adjourned until 7 P.M., when at the request of Bro. Thos. F.Riddick, Brother Douglass took the Chair and installed Brother Nathaniel B. Tucker Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri in ample form, and the Past Master's Lodge was closed, and the other Grand Officers were duly installed into their respective offices.
Thus the Grand Lodge of Missouri was constituted and has continued to the present day, and the writer, who the commencement of his own Masonic career, January 18, 1840, could personally testify to the character and standing, in the community of the State of Missouri, to nearly every member of that distinguished body of men and Masons, upon whose shoulders the interests of our noble institution, at that time, were placed by the Grand Lodge.
In the year 1841 the writer was appointed the Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge by Hon. Priestly H. McBride, Grand Master, and was reappointed in 1842 and 1843.
A very large proportion of those who organized the first Grand Lodge continued as members and officers of the Grand Lodge up to the year 1844, when by accessions of lodges which had been chartered from 1821 to 1840, the number had increased from four to twenty-five, which was Naphtali, and in which we received the three degrees.
In 1841-42 several lodges had been chartered in Iowa, and among them was Iowa Lodge, No. 42, of which our very distinguished Brother Theodore S. Parvin was Wor.
Master, and we mention this circumstance to state that he and the writer are the only surviving members of that Grand Lodge of 1841 to 1844.
Indiana.
As early as 1795 members of the Fraternity who had been connected with lodges in the army on the northwest frontier, introduced Free Masonry into the Territory.
The first lodge, however, was organized by a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, August 31, 1808, at Vincennes, by the name of Vincennes Lodge, No.
15.
The following lodges were also granted warrants by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky: At Madison, Union Lodge, No. 29, August 31, 1815; at Charlestown, Blazing Star, No. 36, August 25, 1816; at Salem, Melchizedeck, No. 43; Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg, No. 44; and at Corydon, Pisgah, No. 45, all August 25, 1817.
The Grand Master of Kentucky, after the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, issued a dispensation for the Lodge at Switzerland, and one for Rising Sun Lodge, at Rising Sun.
A dispensation for lodge Brookville Harmony, No. 41, at Brookville, was issued by the Grand Master of Ohio in 1816 or 1817.
A general convention of the representatives of the following lodges of Ancient York Masons of the State of Indiana was held at Corydon on December 3, 1817, viz. :
Name of Lodge.
No.
Location.
Representative.
Vincennes
5
Vincennes
G.W. Johnston.
Lawrenceburg
44
Lawrenceburg
James Dill Switzerland
U.D.of Ky Vevay
Hezekiah B. Hull.
Rising Sun
U.D.of Ky Rising Sun
A.C. Pepper.
Madison Union
29
Madison
H.P. Thornton.
Blazing Star
36
Charlestown
Jos. Bartholomew.
John Miller.
Brookville Harmony.
41 U.D.Ohio. Brookville
Stephen C. Stevens.
Salem
43
Salem
Christ Harrison.
Pisgah
45
Corydon
Davis Floyd.
Brother Alexander Buckner was unanimously chosen President, and Davis Floyd unanimously elected Secretary.
The convention then adopted the following:
"Resolved, That it is expected and advisable that a Grand Lodge should be at this time formed in the State of Indiana."
All the above representatives voted in the affirmative except those of Harmony and Pisgah.
The convention then adopted the following:
"Resolved, That a committee of four members be appointed to inform the M.W. Grand Masters of Kentucky and Ohio that a constitutional number of chartered lodges have determined in general convention to form a Grand Lodge in this State, and consequently will secede from their Mother Lodge so soon as a Grand Lodge is organized."
The convention also
"Resolved, That the several subordinate lodges here represented do appoint one or more delegates to meet at Madison on the second Monday in January next, for the purpose of opening a Grand Lodge for the State of Indiana; and that a Communication be forwarded to the rest of the lodges in this State unrepresented in this convention, of the above determination."
This resolution was adopted :
Harmony, No. 41; Lawrenceburg, No. 44; Switzerland, U.D.; Rising Sun, U.D.; and Madison, No. 29, voted in the affirmative, five.
Vincennes No. 15; Salem, No. 43; Pisgah, No. 45; and Blazing Star, No. 36, voted in the negative, four.
A Grand Communication of the subordinate lodges of the State of Indiana was held Monday, January 12, A.L. 5818.
Representatives of the following lodges were present: Rising Sun, U.D.; Union, No. 29; Switzerland, U.D.; Blazing Star, No. 36.
Delegates were reported by the Committee on Credentials, and admitted as being duly appointed by their respective lodges, viz. : Harmony Lodge, Brookville, U.D., from Grand Lodge of Ohio; Lawrenceburg, No. 44; Vincennes, No. 15; Melchizedeck, No. 43; Pisgah, No. 45.
The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the chartered lodges here represented do now separate for a time from the lodges under dispensation, and proceed immediately to organize a Grand Lodge for the State of Indiana."
Brother Alexander A. Meek, being the oldest Past Master present, was called to the Chair.
Melchizedeck Lodge surrendered her Charter but declined having a new one.
January 13th the Grand Officers were duly elected, M.W. Alexander Buckner, Grand Master.
The representatives from lodges Nos. 15, 29, 36, 43, 44, 45, holding charters from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, surrendered the same, and asked to have charters granted to their respective lodges by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, which was accordingly done on the 14th, viz. :
Vincennes Lodge, No. 1, Vincennes; Union Lodge, No. 2, Madison; Blazing Star Lodge, No. 3, Charlestown; Lawrenceburg Lodge, No. 4, Lawrenceburg; Melchizedeck Lodge, No. 5; Pisgah Lodge, No. 6, Corydon; which lodges received their charters at this communication.
The Grand Constitution was adopted January 15th.
The illustrations of Masonry of Thomas Smith Webb were adopted for the government of the Grand Lodge, and were recommended to be adopted by all the subordinate lodges of the State for the government of the same.
Charlestown was selected as the site for the meeting of the Grand Lodge for the present.
The Junior Grand Warden being a member of Melchizedeck Lodge, which declined a Charter, the office became vacant and an election was held to fill the same, and Brother Benjamin V. Becks was duly elected.
The Grand Lodge met in various towns and cities until 1828, when it removed to Indianapolis, and has continued to do so ever since.
Alabama.
The first lodge in Alabama was Madison, No. 21, at Huntsville, which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, August 28, 1812. The Grand Lodge of Tennessee granted a Charter to Alabama Lodge, No. 21, at Huntsville, October 6, 1818.
The Grand Lodge of South Carolina granted a Charter to Alabama Lodge, No. 51, at Clairborne, in 1819; the Grand Lodge of Tennessee granted a Warrant to Rising Virtue Lodge, No. , at Tuskaloosa, October 5, 1818; and the Grand Master of Tennessee issued a dispensation to Halo Lodge, at Cahawba, April 4, 1820, and which continued until October, 1821; but the Grand Lodge of Georgia issued a Warrant to Halo Lodge, No.
21, January 24, 1821; the Grand Lodge of Tennessee issued a Charter to Moulton Lodge, at Moulton, October 3, 1820; the Grand Lodge of Tennessee granted a dispensation to Russellville Lodge, October 3, 1820; a dispensation from the Grand Master of Tennessee was issued to Farrar Lodge, at Elyton, March 5, 1821; the Grand Lodge of North Carolina granted a Charter to St. Stephen's Lodge, at St.
Stephen's, December 14, 1816; Washington Lodge and Tuscumbia Lodge were granted charters by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.
Tuscumbia had never reported its work, and soon went out of existence.
Washington very soon gave up her Charter.
The name of Madison Lodge, No. 21, was changed to Helion; Alabama Lodge, No. 21, at Huntsville, was changed to Bethsaida; soon afterward a consolidation took place and these two and Helion and Bethsaida became Helion, No. 1. Of all the above lodges there only remain at the present time Rising Virtue, No. 4; Moulton, No. 6; and Farrar, No. 8.
The Grand Lodge was organized by the above - mentioned lodges and a constitution was adopted and signed June 15, 1821.
December 6, 1836, a quorum was not present; and after waiting for three days, those who were present declared the Grand Lodge extinct.
The representatives of the lodges present reorganized a Grand Lodge, a new constitution was adopted, new Grand Officers were elected, and the old warrants were re-granted.
Arkansas.
November 29, 1819, a dispensation for Arkansas Lodge, located at the Port of Arkansas, was issued by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky.
A Charter was granted, August 29, 1820, Robert Johnson being W.
Master.
This lodge surrendered her Charter, August 28, 1822.
A dispensation to organize Washington Lodge at Fayetteville was issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, December 24, 1835; and it mas renewed, November 12, 1836. October 3, 1837, a Charter was granted, and the lodge received as a present a set of jewels.
A dispensation was granted from the same Grand Lodge for a lodge at Clarksville, October 5, 1838, to which a Charter was issued, October 12, 1839. The dispensation of Clarksville Lodge was received prior to the organization of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, but the Charter was issued after that event.
This lodge continued under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee until 1843, when it came under the Grand Lodge of Arkansas as No. 5. In 1845 it ceased to work and surrendered the Charter.
January 6, 1837, the Grand Lodge of Louisiana issued warrants to two lodges in Arkansas, viz. : Morning Star, at Arkansas Post, and Western Star, at Little Rock.
The seat of State Government having been changed to Little Rock, Morning Star Lodge gave up the Charter.
A dispensation was issued by the Grand Master of Alabama in 1838 to Mount Horeb Lodge in Washington.
November 21, 1838, a convention was held and representatives from Washington, Morning Star, Western Star, and Mount Horeb, U.D., were present at which a constitution was adopted and officers were elected and the Grand Lodge was duly constituted.
Wisconsin
The history of Freemasonry in the territory now embraced in the State of Wisconsin dates from December 27, 1823.
The only known record of the first lodge in what is now Wisconsin is founded in an address delivered at Green Bay, December 17, 1854, by P.G.M. Henry S. Baird.
He says:
The first action had with a view to organize a lodge of Masons at Green Bay is found in proceedings of a meeting of the members of the Fraternity, held on the evening of the 27th day of December, A.D. 1823.
A committee was appointed to draft a petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, praying for a dispensation to open and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Green Bay, then in the Territory of Michigan.
In due time the prayer of the petitioners was responded to, and a dispensation granted.
On September 2, 1824, the first regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was opened and organized at Fort Howard, directly opposite to the city, under a dispensation from the M.W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
The officers named in the dispensation were:
Robert Irwin, Sr.,W. Master.
Benjamin Watson, S. Warden.
W. V. Wheaton, J. Warden.
On December 3, 1824, a regular Charter was granted by the M.W.
Grand Lodge of New York.
Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, was organized July 27, 1841, from the Grand Lodge of
Missouri, under dispensation dated October 8, 1840, named "Melody" (for Bro. George H.C. Melody, P. Dep. Grand Master of Missouri) Lodge, No. 65 (now No. 2).
A dispensation was issued by Brother Joab (1) T. Bernard, Dep.
Grand Master, January 10, 1843.
A Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 13, 1843. (2)
A preliminary meeting, having in contemplation the formation of a Masonic lodge, was held at the house of John Beavans, in the town of Platteville, in the month of January, A.D. 1843.
MILWAUKEE LODGE, NO. 22 (NOW KILBOURN LODGE, No. 3)
The first meeting of this lodge was held July 5, A.L. 5843, A.D.
1843.
Bro. Normand Hawley, representing the Grand Master of Illinois, presented the dispensation which he had been deputed to bring to them.
The exact date of the Charter of this lodge does not appear from the minutes.
In the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, October 2, 1843, the committee on Returns and Work recommended granting a Charter to Milwaukee Lodge, No. 22, "when dues are paid; "and on the first day of November, 1843, the election of officers was held under the Charter, 1843.
ACTION RELATIVE TO THE FORMATION OF A GRAND LODGE, NOVEMBER 22, 1843.
The worshipful Master, Bro. Abram D. Smith, presented a communication from Melody Lodge, at Platteville, upon the subject of establishing a Grand Lodge in the Territory of Wisconsin, which was read, and the Master and Wardens were appointed a committee to correspond with Platteville and Mineral Point lodges upon the subject.
The Charter of Milwaukee Lodge, No. 3, is dated January 17, 1844.
(1) Incorrectly called in the record John.
(2) The present writer was S.G.D. of the Grand Lodge of Missouri at that time.
MASONIC CONVENTION HELD AT MADISON ON THE 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1843.
The following lodges were represented:
Milwaukee Lodge, at Milwaukee.
Mineral Lodge, at Mineral Point.
Melody Lodge, at Platteville.
Bro. Moses Meeker was called to the Chair, and Bro. Geo. W. Lakin was appointed Secretary.
On motion of Bro. Ben. C. Eastman, it was
Ordered, That a committee consisting of two be appointed to receive and examine the credentials of the members of the convention.
The committee appointed to receive and examine the credentials of the members of the convention, being the legal representatives of the regularly constituted lodges of the Territory of Wisconsin, to take into consideration and determine upon the expediency of forming a Grand Lodge within the said Territory, have attended to the duty assigned them, and submit the following:
Your committee find that there are seven members of said convention representatives of the lodges aforesaid, to wit:
From Milwaukee, Mineral Point, and Melody lodges.
On motion of Bro. Ben. C. Eastman, it was
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the expediency of forming a Grand Lodge in the Territory of Wisconsin.
The Chair appointed Bros. Ben. C. Eastman, Dwight F. Lawton, and Geo. H. Walker said committee.
Bro. Ben. C. Eastman, from said committee, submitted the following
REPORT.
The committee appointed to take into consideration the expediency of forming a Grand Lodge in the Territory, have attended to their duty, and ask leave to report the following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, There are now, within the Territory of Wisconsin, three chartered lodges, all of which are in a prosperous and happy condition; and
Whereas, It is competent for that number of lodges to emerge from a state of dependency, become legally organized, and be hereafter established and known as a separate, distinct, and independent body, having its own jurisdiction and
Whereas, In the rapidly increasing population of our Territory, it is believed many more lodges will immediately spring into existence whereby the great principles of Masonry will be promulgated, if the facilities for obtaining dispensations and charters are increased as they will be by the organization of a Grand Lodge in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, The Great Lights of Masonry should not be hidden under a bushel, but should shine in the fullness of their strength, that none may want a guide for their faith and practice, and that their acts be squared by the precepts of the Great Architect of the Universe, and their desire be circumscribed by the principles of morality and their passions restrained in due bounds.
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is expedient to form a Grand Lodge in the Territory of Wisconsin.
On motion of Bro. John H. Rountree, the report of the committee was accepted, the preamble and resolutions adopted, and the committee discharged.
On motion of Bro. Dwight F. Lawton, it was
Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to draft a constitution for a Grand Lodge, and that said committee be instructed to report at as early an hour as possible.
The Chair appointed Bros. Lawton, Meeker, and Lakin said committee.
The convention adjourned till 6 P.M.
Evening at 6 P.M. convention met.
Bro. Lawton, from the committee appointed to draft a constitution for a Grand Lodge, reported the draft of a constitution, which report was accepted and committee discharged.
On motion, the convention adjourned sine die.
The M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons met in annual communication in the city of Madison, on Monday, December 18, A.D.
1843, A.L. 5843.
The Grand Lodge was opened in the third degree, in due and ancient form.
On motion of Bro. Meeker, the constitution reported in the convention was taken up, read, and adopted.
Bro. Merrill, from said committee, made the following
REPORT.
The committee appointed to nominate officers for the Grand Lodge have attended to the duty assigned them, and report that they have nominated the following:
Benjamin T. Kavanaugh, G. Master.
Abram D. Sniith, D. G. Master.
Moses Meeker, S. G. Warden.
David Merrilly, J. G. Warden.
Thomas P. Burnett, Grand Treasurer.
Ben. C. Eastman, Grand Secretary.
Dwight F. Lawton, Grand Lecturer.
Which report was accepted, and the committee discharged.
On motion of Bro. Rountree, it was
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge do now proceed to the election of officers, and all the above-named Brethren were elected and installed.
Texas
During the very first effort to establish a lodge in Texas, that country was a dependency of Mexico, and the Roman Catholic priesthood controlled the most of the population and were the open enemies of Freemasonry, and the American settlers were objects of suspicion.
In the winter of 1834-35 five Master Masons having made themselves known to each other as such, after many conferences and much deliberation, concluded to establish a lodge in Texas.
These were John H. Wharton, Asa Brigham, James A.E. Phelps, Alexander Russell, and Anson Jones; they fixed upon time and locality for their meeting to accomplish their desire.
Brother J. P. Caldwell subsequently joined them.
The town of Brazoria was selected for their meeting, and in a small grove of wild peach and laurel in a family burial-ground of General John Austin.
Here in a day of March, 1835, 10 A.M., "was held the first formal meeting of Masons in Texas." These six Brethren made arrangements to apply to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for a dispensation to form and open a lodge to be called Holland Lodge.
A petition was drawn up and another Master Mason, Brother W.D.C. Hall, having signed it with the other six, it was forwarded to New Orleans.
The officers named were: Anson Jones, W. Master; Asa Brigham, Senior Warden, and J.P. Caldwell, Junior Warden.
This dispensation was granted, and Holland Lodge, No. 36, was started at Brazoria on December 27, 1835. In the second story of the old court-house was where the Communications were held.
In consequence of the difficulties with Mexico, which finally resulted in open hostilities, the succeeding war, and independence of the Republic of Texas, the lodge struggled on until February, 1836, the last conmmunication being held that month.
In March Brazoia was abandoned, and the dispensation was captured by Urrea, and with records, books, jewels, etc., was destroyed.
In October, 1837, the lodge was reopened in the city of Houston, a Warrant for it having been granted in the meantime, and the lodge is yet in existence.
Two other lodges, viz. : Milam, No. 40, at Nacogdoches, and McFarland, No. 41, at San Augustine, were warranted by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
These lodges, as also Holland Lodge, No. 36, sent delegates to a convention which met in Houston, and the Grand Lodge of the Republic at Texas was organized, December 20, 1837.
Brother Anson Jones was elccted Grand Master.
The three lodges surrendered their charters to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, and received new charters from their own Grand Lodge.
Iowa
The first dispensation for the organization of a lodge in the Territory of Iowa was issued November 20, 1840, to Des Moines Lodge, at Burlington, which was chartered October 20, 1841.
The second dispensation for a lodge was issued February 4, 1841, to Iowa Lodge, at Bloomington, Muscatine County, constituted February 4, 1841, and chartered October 20, 1841, as No. 42.
The third dispensation was dated October 10, 1842, to Dubuque Lodge, at Dubuque, and was chartered October 10, 1843.
The fourth was Iowa City Lodge, at Iowa City, County of Johnson, which was constituted October 10, 1842, by dispensation, and chartered October 10, 1843.
These lodges all derived their warrants from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and the present writer, as an officer in that Grand Lodge, voted for all but the first one, but was a visitor in the Grand Lodge when the first one was chartered.
He made the personal acquaintance of Brother Theodore S. Parvin and the other representatives of those lodges at that time, and Brother Parvin and the writer are the only surviving members of that Grand Lodge since October, 1897.
These four lodges, by agreement, at a preliminary convention of their delegates, held at the communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, at St. Louis, October 11, 1843, met in convention at Iowa City, in Iowa Territory, January 2, 1844, and then and there organized the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
Delegates were present from the following other lodges in Iowa working under authority of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, viz. : Rising Sun, No. 12, at Montrose, Keokuk Lodge, at Keokuk, and Clinton Lodge, at Davenport.
The first under a Charter and the other two under dispensations.
These lodges were finally admitted to the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
January 3, 1844, the Grand Officers were elected.
Brother Oliver Cock was unanimously elected on the second ballot the Grand Master, and Brother Theodore Sutton Parvin unanimously elected Grand Secretary, which office he has filled, except when he was chosen Grand Master, ever since, now fifty-five years.
No Mason has a more extended reputation for abilities, so essential in the management of Masonic affairs, than has our illustrious Brother, who is so favorably known throughout the world of Masonry.
Oregon.
After the organization of Multnomab Lodge at Oregon City, a little more than two years elapsed before any additional lodges were established in Oregon.
Following the planting of this lodge, the Grand Lodge of California, on November 27, 1850, granted a Charter to Willamette Lodge, No. 11, at Portland.
This lodge was opened and constituted January 4, 1851. The Grard Lodge of California granted a Charter to Lafayette Lodge, of Oregon. This lodge was constituted and began work July 30, 1851. The establishment of this lodge gave to the Territory of Oregon the requisite number of lodges, under the common law of Masonry, to organize an independent Grand Lodge for the jurisdiction.
The opportunity was at once improved.
"The important question," says a distinguished Brother, recently deceased, "of having a Grand Lodge was agitated.
Consequently, on the 16th of August, A.L. 5851, A.D 1851, a convention of F. & A.
Masons of the Territory of Oregon was held at Oregon City to form a Grand Lodge.
Brother Berryman Jennings was elected Chairman and Bro. Benjamin Stark Secretary." The convention, after due consideration, resolved upon the wisdom and expediency of the "formation of a Grand Lodge." In pursuance of this action an address, giving official notice of the purpose in view, was prepared and sent out to the several lodges, requesting them to meet again in convention on the second Saturday in September following, to perfect the Grand Lodge organization.
In pursuance of this call, delegates from the several lodges assembled at Oregon City on September 13, 1851, and proceeded to the work in hand by the election of Bro.
John Elliott Chairman, and Bro. W.S. Caldwell Secretary.
The three lodges, viz. : Multonomah, Willamette, and La Fayette, were duly represented.
Among the delegates present were those who were otherwise admitted to seats in the convention, viz. : Bros.
J.C. Ainsworth, R.R.
Thompson, Forbes Barclay, John Elliott, Lewis May, Benj.
Stark, Wm.M. Berry, D.D. Garrett, G.B. Coudy, B. Jennings, Robert Thompson, Amory Holbrook, and W.S. Caldwell.
On Monday, September 15th following, a constitution, through a committee, was reported and adopted, and the Grand Lodge of Oregon duly organized.
Bro.
Berryman Jennings was elected and installed Grand Master, and Bro.
Benj. Stark Grand Secretary.
The first lodge established under authority of the Grand Lodge of Oregon was organized at Salem, under the name of Salem Lodge, No.
4. The dispensation of this lodge was issued by the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bro. John Elliott, on October 4, 1851.
California.
The Grand Lodge of California was organized in the city of Sacramento, April 18, 1850.
The constituent lodges were California Lodge, No. 13, chartered by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, located in San Francisco, November 9, 1848; Connecticut Lodge, No. 75, Sacramento City, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, January 31, 1849; and Western Star Lodge, No. 98, from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, May 10, 1848; Benton City, Upper California.
Delegates were present from New Jersey Lodge, under dispensation from the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New jersey, dated March 1, 1849.
This lodge was opened in Sacramento City, December 4, 1849.
Credentials were presented by B.D. Hyam, from Benicia Lodge, at Benicia, but there being no dispensation or Charter or any other information of the existence of such a lodge, it was not recognized.
A constitution was adopted April 19th, and the Grand Officers were elected and duly installed.
Minnesota.
The first lodge organized in Minnesota was St. Paul's, No. 1, constituted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, August 4, 1849; the second lodge was St. John's, No. 1, warranted October 12, 1850, by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin; and the third was Cataract Lodge, No 168, founded by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1852.
These three lodges, by delegates, met in convention at the city of St. Paul, February 23, 1853, and constituted the Grand Lodge of the State of Minnesota.
New Mexico.
The Grand Lodge of Missouri issued warrants to the following lodges in New Mexico, viz. : Aztec Lodge, No. 108; Chapman Lodge, No. 95; and Montezuma Lodge, No. 109.
These lodges met in convention, August 6, 1877, at Santa Fe, for the purpose of discussing the question of forming a Grand Lodge.
Brother Simon B. Newcomb presided.
The committee on credentials found the representatives of the three above-mentioned lodges to be present.
The next day a constitution and by-laws were adopted, the Grand Officers were elected and installed, Brother Wm. W. Griffin being M.W. Grand Master, and David J. Miller R. W. Grand Secretary.
Washington.
The first steps of initiatory efforts toward Masonic organization and the formation of a Masonic lodge on the Pacific Coast, so far as any record has been shown or it is believed to exist, were taken jointly by three brother Master Masons, namely: Bros.
Joseph Hull, William P. Dougherty, and Peter G. Stewart.
A petition was prepared and addressed to the Grand Lodge of Missouri praying that a Charter be granted to the petitioners, under the name of Multnomah Lodge.
The record of the Grand Lodge of Missouri reads as follows: "A charter was granted to Multnomah Lodge, No. 84, on the 19th day of October, 1846, locating the Lodge at Oregon City, Oregon Territory."
In his annual address to the Grand Lodge of Oregon, held June 13, 1853, M.W. Bro. Berryman Jennings, Grand Master, says:
"On the 25th day of November (1852) last, I granted a dispensation to sundry brethren residing at Olympia, Puget Sound, to open a Lodge under the name of Olympia Lodge, returnable at this Grand Communication, which return has been promptly made, through their Worshipful Master, Brother T.F. McElroy." Washington Territory was not organized until after this dispensation was issued and the lodge began work.
On Saturday evening, December 11, 1852, Olympia Lodge, U.D., held its first communication by virtue of Grand Lodge authority, and was thereunder duly organized, the following officers, members and Brethren being present, viz. : Bros.
Thornton F. McElroy, W.M., James W. Wiley, S.W., and Michael T. Simmons, S.W.; also Bros.
Smith Hays and Nicholas Delin of the original petitioners (Bros.
Ira Ward and A.K. Skidmore of said petitioners being absent); Bros.
Fred A. Clark and Calvin H. Hale, visitors, were also present.
The Charter was granted to Olympia Lodge of Oregon, June 13th, and bears date June 15, 1853, and was designated as Olympia Lodge of Oregon, No. 5, of that grand jurisdiction.
The first meeting under the Charter was held on Saturday evening, July 24, 1853, at which time we may infer the lodge was regularly constituted, although the record is silent in this particular.
An election, however, was held that evening for new officers under the Charter, with the following result: Bros. T.F. McElroy, W.M.; B.F. Yantis, S. W.; M.T. Simmons, J.W.; B. Close, Sec.; Ira Ward, Treas., and Smith Hays, Tyler.
This was the first lodge established and constituted north of the Columbia River and west of the Rocky Mountains.
The records of Multnomah Lodge from its institution until 1868 were destroyed by fire, and the oldest record is the ledger dating from the year 1854.
Steilacoom Lodge, the second lodge established within the present jurisdictional limits of Washington, was organized U.D. in the year 1854. Since it first began work it has passed through several trying ordeals, some of which were of so serious a nature that its existence might well have been regarded as hopeless but for the pluck and Masonic energy of its membership.
The records of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, session of June, 1854, show that R.W. Dep. Grand Master J.C. Ainsworth, acting Grand Master, "granted a Dispensation to Brother W. H. Wallace and others to open a Lodge at Steilacoom, Washington Territory, under the name of Steilacoom Lodge."
The dispensation must have been granted during the latter part of January or some time in February, 1855.
During the summer or fall Of 1857, probably about September 1st, M.W.Bro. Ben. J. Stark, G.M. of Masons of Oregon, issued a dispensation for a new lodge at Grand Mound, Thurston County, Washington, named Grand Mound Lodge.
This lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Oregon, July 12, or 15, 1858, under the name of Grand Mound Lodge, No. 21. On August 21, 1858, at its hall on Grand Mound Prairie, the lodge was duly constituted and its officers installed.
On September 19, 1868, after eleven years of hard struggling, in earnest and zealous efforts to build up and sustain the lodge, the Brethren reluctantly felt it a duty to themselves and the Fraternity to surrender the Charter to the Grand Lodge.
In the annual address of M. W. Grand Master Benjamin J. Stark to the Grand Lodge of Oregon, July 13, 1858, among the seven dispensations he reported having granted during the year for the formation of new lodges is one "for Washington Territory."
On July 13, 1858, a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Oregon to Washington Lodge, No. 22.
The Charter bears date the same as that of Grand Mound Lodge, namely, July 15, 1858.
In the foregoing references to the organization, severally, of Olympia, Steilacoom, Grand Mound, and Washington lodges, we find that they were the first organized Masonic bodies north of Columbia River.
On Monday, December 6, 1858, a little band of Freemasons, about one dozen in number, met at the Masonic hall, in the city of Olympia, Washington Territory.
Their declaration of purpose was to consider "the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for said Territory."
This little band of Brethren in convention assembled resolved to proceed to the formation and organization of a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Territory of Washington.
The convention was composed of delegates representing the four existing lodges in the Territory, viz. : Olympia Lodge, No. 5; Steilacoom Lodge, No. 8; Grand Mound Lodge, No. 21, and Washington Lodge, No. 22, together with all Past Masters by service, who were members of these lodges, and present during the sessions of the convention.
On the evening of Dcccmber 8, 1858, a constitution, having been prepared by a committee appointed for that purpose, was submitted, duly considered and adopted, after which the Grand Officers were elected.
The convention, having completed its labors, was adjourned, sine die, on the morning of December 9th, whereupon the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Territory of Washington was opened in ample form, and was thus launched upon the sea of its sovereign existence.
The business transacted at this first session, though comparatively brief, was most important to the future interest and zeal of the Grand Lodge.
It related chiefly to formulating plans and adopting methods for placing the "machinery of Grand Lodge in Order," in furtherance of the important work before it.
We are indebted to the history of the Grand Lodge of Washington, by Bro. Grand Secretary Thomas M. Read, for the above sketch.
Kansas
By reference to the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Missouri the record will be found of the organization of the first three lodges in Kansas.
Dispensations for the formation of new lodges were issued:
August 4, 1854, to John W. Chivington and others, to open a lodge at the house of Mathew R. Walker, in Wyandotte Territory, to be called Kansas Lodge, by order of Most Worshipful Grand Master L.S.
Cornwell.
October 6, 1854, to John W. Smith and others, to open a lodge at the town of Smithfield, Kansas Territory, to be called Smithfield Lodge, by order of R.W.N.B. Giddings, D.D.G. Master First Masonic District of Missouri.
December 30, 1854, to Richard R. Rees and others, to open a lodge at the town of Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, by order of R.W.D.P.
Wallingford, D.G. Master of Missouri. (1)
At a meeting of delegates from several Masonic lodges in the Territory of Kansas, at the city of Leavenworth, on November 14, A.D. 1855, A.L. 5855.
Present : Bro. William P. Richardson of Smithton Lodge, No. 140, as proxy for W.M. Richard R. Rees, W.M. of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150, and Bro. A. Payney, S.W. of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150.
On motion of Bro. Rees, Bro. William P, Richardson was called to the Chair, and on motion, Bro. R.R. Rees acted as Secretary.
Bro. Rees moved, that as Wyandotte Lodge was not represented in this convention, that the convention adjourn until December 27th next, with a request that all the chartered lodges be represented; which motion was carried, and the convention adjourned.
The convention met in the office of A. and R.R. Rees, in the city of Leavenworth, pursuant to adjournment, December 27, 1855.
Present: Bro. John W. Smith, W. M. of Smithton Lodge, No. 140; Bro.
R.R. Rees, W.M. of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150; and Bros. C.T.
Harrison, L.J. Eastin, J.J. Clarkson, G.W. Perkins, I.B. Donaldson, and Brother Kohn, Master Masons.
Bro. J.W. Smith was called to the Chair, Bro. Rees acting as Secretary.
(1) Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, 1855, pp. 64, 65.
Bro. Rees offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we do proceed to organize a Grand Lodge for the Territory of Kansas, and that a copy of the proceedings of this convention be forwarded to Wyandotte Lodge with a request that they cooperate with us, and approve the proceedings of this convention; and that so soon as Wyandotte shall inform the Grand Master elect of their approval, and cooperation in the proceedings of this convention, that then, the Grand Master elect shall be installed as Grand Master and immediately issue a proclamation declaring this Grand Lodge fully organized.
On motion of Bro. Rees, the Chair appointed a committee of three to report a constitution and by-laws for the government of this Grand Lodge, which committee consisted of Bros. Rees, Eastin, and Harrison.
The committee appointed to report a constitution and code of bylaws made their report, which was adopted.
On motion of Bro. Rees, the convention adjourned, to meet at Masonic hall at early candle-light.
On motion of Bro. Rees, the constitution and by-laws adopted in convention are unanimously adopted as the constitution and by-laws of this Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge thereupon proceeded to the election of Grand Officers, which resulted in the election of Bro. Richard R. Rees as M.W.G.M.
On motion of Bro. Vanderslice, a committee consisting of Bros.
Vanderslice, Walker, and Smith was appointed to report a constitution and code of bylaws for the government of this Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge was called from labor to refreshments until 7.30 P.M.
A committee appointed by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, at their convention held at Leavenworth City, on Monday, March 17, 1856, reported a constitution and by-laws for the government of said Grand Lodge which was adopted.
The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of Grand Officers for the ensuing year, which resulted in the election of Bro.
Richard R. Rees, Grand Master, who was then installed and who then installed all the other officers.
Nebraska.
The first lodge in the State of Nebraska was Nebraska Lodge, No.
184, at Belleville, Sarpy County, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, October 3, 1855.
The second lodge was Giddings Lodge, No. 156, at Nebraska City, Otoe County, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, May 28, 1856.
The third lodge was Capitol Lodge, No. 101, at Omaha City, Douglas County, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, June 3, 1857.
These three lodges, by their delegates, held a convention at Omaha City, September 23, 1857, and resolved to organize a Grand Lodge for the Territory of Nebraska.
The Grand Officers were elected, Bro. Robert C. Jordan being chosen Grand Master, who held that station until 1860.
We regret to record here that this "father of Nebraska Masonry" died January 9, 1899, aged seventy-four years.
Before closing this history of Nebraska, intelligence was received of the sad ending of the life of another distinguished brother, William R. Bowen, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery, who, like Brother Jordan, had been called the father of Nebraska Masonry.
These remarks are due, because of the writer's personal knowledge of, and intimate association with, both of these Brethren, not only in the above grand bodies, but also in the Supreme Council of the A.'.A.'.A.'.S.'. Rite, of which Bro.'.Jordan was the Active Member for Nebraska up to the date of his death, and Bro.'.Bowen was an Emeritus, having retired from the Active list several years since.
Indian Territory.
The first lodge organized in the Indian Territory was Flint Lodge, in the "Cherokee Nation," which received a Charter from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, dated November 9, 1853.
The second lodge was called Muskogee, and subsequently named Eufala, in the "Creek Nation," and received a dispensation, supposedly, from the Grand Master of Arkansas in 1855; and a Charter was granted, November 7, 1855.
During the war of 1861-65 it ceased its labors, and its Charter was arrested November 6, 1867.
Early in 1874 the Grand Master of Arkansas revived the lodge; it remained on the registry of that Grand Lodge nearly two years, until that Grand Lodge recognized the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory.
Doaksville Lodge received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, December 23, 1870, and was chartered November 8, 1871. Caddo Lodge received a dispensation, August 26, 1873, from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, and was chartered October 14, 1873.
These two were in the "Choctaw Nation."
Muskogee, Doaksville, and Caddo lodges met in convention, by their delegates, October 5, 1874, and decided to form a Grand Lodge for the Indian Territory. A constitution was adopted, Grand Officers were chosen and installed, and the Grand Lodge was constituted, October 6, 1874.
Three other lodges were in existence when the Grand Lodge was constituted, viz. : Oklahoma, in the "Choctaw Nation," which had been chartered by the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, November 18, 1868.
This lodge, as soon as the Grand Lodge was started, sent in her Charter and had it endorsed; it then came under that constitution.
Flint Lodge, already described, and Alpha Lodge, also in the "Cherokee Nation," which had received a dispensation from Kansas, May 18, 1872, and a Charter, October 17, 1872, declined joining the New Grand Lodge, and adhered to the Grand Lodges from which they had received their warrants.
The Grand Lodges of Arkansas and Kansas for some time refused to recognize the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory.
In 1876 the latter Grand Lodge arrested the charters of the two delinquent lodges.
The Grand Lodge of Kansas sustained her daughter lodge and still refused to acknowledge the New Grand Lodge.
The issue continued until the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory rescinded her action of 1876.
Soon thereafter Flint Lodge surrendered, and Alpha Lodge followed her in October, 1878, after the desired action of the Grand Lodge of Kansas had been obtained.
Other lodges subsequently had been chartered by the New Grand Lodge - two in the Cherokee, two in the Choctaw, and two in the Chickasaw nations.
Colorado.
The first lodges in Colorado were Golden City Lodge, at Golden City, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, October 17, 1860; Summit Lodge, at Parkville, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, June 5, 1861; and Rocky Mountain Lodge, at Gold Hill,
June 5, 1861, by the same Grand Lodge.
August 2, 1861, the above-mentioned lodges met, by their delegates, in convention at Golden City.
They elected and installed their Grand Officers and constituted the Grand Lodge of Colorado, and declared it to be regularly organized.
A constitution was adopted.
The Grand Lodge of Kansas, October 15, 1867, chartered Nevada Lodge, in Colorado, it seems without the knowledge of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Colorado. (How this could lave occurred we can scarcely conceive, as six years had elapsed.) This lodge, not having done any Masonic work under the Charter, was permitted to surrender the Charter and take anew one from the Grand Lodge of Colorado.
Nevada.
Carson Lodge, at Carson City, was chartered May 15, 1862; Washoe Lodge, at Washoe City, and Virginia City Lodge, at Virginia City; both chartered May 14, 1863; Silver City Lodge, changed afterward to Amity, at Silver City, chartered May 15 1863; Silver Star Lodge, at Gold Hill, Esmeralda Lodge, at Aurora, and Escurial Lodge, at Virginia, all three chartered October 13, 1864; and Lander Lodge, at Austin, chartered October 14, 1864. All of these eight lodges recoved their charters from the Grand Lodge of California.
A convention was called to meet January 16, 1865, which was accordingly done and six lodges were represented the first day; the next day another lodge was represented.
Lander Lodge, of the above list, was the only lodge which did not appear in the convention.
A constitution was adopted. The Grand Officers were elected and installed January 17, 1865.
The old charters were endorsed for present use. Lander Lodge, although unrepresented in the convention and organization, presumed herself to be a part of the Grand Lodge, and under its jurisdiction made the returns to the Grand Lodge with the other lodges.
The first annual grand communication was held October 10, 1865.
Dakota.
The first lodge organized in Dakota was St. John's Lodge, at Yankton, which received from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, December 5, 1862, a dispensation, and afterward a Charter, dated June 3, 1863; Incense Lodge, at Vermillion, received a dispensation, January 14, 1869, and a Charter, June 2, 1869; Elk Point Lodge, at Elk Point, received a dispensation, March 23, 1870, and a Charter, June 8, 1871; Minnehaha Lodge, at Sioux Falls, received a dispensation, July 13, 1873, and a Charter, June 3, 1874; Silver Star Lodge, at Canton, received a dispensation, February 6, 1875, and a Charter, June 2, 1875; and Mount Zion Lodge, at Springfield, received a dispensation, February 16, 1875, and a Charter, June 2, 1875. All of the above warrants were granted by authority of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
A dispensation was issued by the Grand Master of Minnesota, November 22, 1872, for Shiloh Lodge, at Fargo, and a Charter was issued January 14, 1874.
He also issued a dispensation to Bismarck Lodge in 1874, and again in 1875, and on January 12, 1876, the lodge received a Charter.
June 21, 1875, a convention was held of the representatives of St.
John's, Incense, Elk Point, Minnehaha, and Silver Star lodges.
Those of Mt. Zion Lodge, U.D., were present but did not participate in the proceedings, the lodge not having a Charter. A constitution was adopted and they elected their Grand Officers.
July 21, 1875, convention met again and the Grand Officers were installed in public, by Illustrious Brother Theodore S. Parvin, P.G. Master and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
This Grand Lodge continued until the session of June 11-13, 1889, when by Act of Congress, approved February 22, 1889, the division of the Territory of Dakota into North and South Dakota was likely to be accomplished within a few months.
The report of a committee on division of the Grand Lodge was adopted, and certain lodges located in North Dakota were permitted to organize a Grand Lodge of North Dakota, which will be stated under that designation.
The name of "Dakota" was changed to "South Dakota" at the sixteenth communication of the Grand Lodge, held June 10, 1890, in Madison.
South Dakota is the designation of the original Grand Lodge of Dakota.
North Dakota.
So soon as it was determined by the Grand Lodge of Dakota, at its session, held June 11-13, 1889, that there should be a division of the Grand Lodge of Dakota to correspond with the political division of the Territory into North and South Dakota, a convention was held, June 12, 1889, at the city of Mitchell, where the Grand Lodge was in session, and the following lodges of North Dakota were represented, viz. :
Shiloh, No. 8; Pembina, No. 10; Casselton, No. 12; Acacia, No. 15; Bismarck, No. 16; Jamestown, No. 19; Valley City, No. 21; Mandan, No. 23; Cereal, No. 29; Hillsboro, No. 32; Crescent, No. 36; Cheyenne Valley, No. 41; Ellendale, No. 49; Sanborn, No. 51; Wahpeton, No. 58; North Star, No. 59; Minto, No. 60; Mackey, No.
63; Goase River, No. 64; Hiram, No. 74; Minnewaukan, No. 75; Tongue River, NO. 78; Bathgate, No. 80; Euclid, No. 84; Anchor, No. 88; Golden Valley, No. 90; Occidental, No. 99.
The convention resolved that it was expedient to organize a Grand Lodge for North Dakota.
A constitution and by-laws were adopted.
June 13th, the first session of the Grand Lodge was held in the city of Mitchell.
The elected and appointed officers were present and representatives of the above twenty lodges.
The Grand Lodge of North Dakota has continued to keep pace with the other Western Grand Lodges.
Idaho
In 1863 a meeting of Masons was held in Idaho City, Boise County, and it was resolved to apply to the Grand Master of Oregon for a dispensation to organize a lodge, which was granted July 7, 1863, and on June 21, 1864, a charter was granted to Idaho Lodge, No. 35.
The next lodge was in Boise City, No. 37, April 1, 1865, under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Oregon.
At a communication held in June, 1865, it was resolved to apply for a Charter, which was granted to Boise City Lodge, No. 37, June 20, 1865.
Placer Lodge, No. 38, was the third lodge organized under Warrant from the Grand Lodge of Oregon, June 20, 1865. Pioneer Lodge, No. 12, recoved her Warrant from the Grand Lodge of the Territory of Washington, June 7, 1867. Owyhee Lodge received a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Oregon, July 21, 1866.
The above four chartered lodges held a Convention in Idaho City, December 16, 1867.
Owyhee Lodge, U.D., from courtesy, was admitted and permitted to vote. The convention decided to organize a Grand Lodge.
December 17, 1867, a full corps of Grand Officers was elected and installed.
Constitution of Grand Lodge of Oregon was adopted temporarily.
December 17th, Grand Lodge was opened in ample form and so has continued to present time. (1)
Montana.
At the burial of a Mason in the Territory of Montana was the first gathering of Masons, which led to an effort to organize a lodge by an application to the Grand Master of Nebraska, who issued a dispensation, April 27, 1863, to form a lodge at Bannock, which was in Dakota, but supposed to be in Idaho.
This dispensation was renewed on June 24, 1863, and authorized again on June 24, 1864, and finally, when it arrived at the place, the members had been dispersed by removal of residence and no lodge was ever opened.
The lodge Virginia City, No. 43, received a Charter dated December 26, 1864, from the Grand Lodge of Kansas.
A dispensation was received from the Grand Lodge of Colorado dated April 4, 1865, for Montana Lodge, No. 9, at Virginia City.
Helena Lodge, No. 10, received a dispensation from the same Grand Lodge and was organized August 17, 1865.
Both of these lodges received charters granted November 7, 1865, from the Grand Lodge of Colorado.
A convention of the representatives of the above lodges was held January 24, 1866.
After proper investigation as to the membership
(1) From proceedings of Grand Lodge of Idaho, September, 1883.
of the convention, it was decided to form a Grand Lodge and the convention closed.
The officers of the three lodges then opened a Grand Lodge in due form.
A constitution was adopted and the Grand Officers were elected.
January 26, 1866, the Grand Officers were regularly installed and at the same time charters were issued to the lodges and returns were made of one hundred and five members.
West Virginia.
In consequence of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865 the affairs of Masonry, in common with all civil matters in Virginia and West Virginia, which latter had been separated from the parent State, were in utter confusion.
Many of the lodges, in West Virginia had ceased to meet, some had lost their charters and other properties.
After due consideration of the condition of things, in response to a circular from Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, which had heen sent throughout the State, a convention was held, December 28, 1863, at Grafton, which was held during a period of great excitement, in consequence of some of the delegates having been prevented from attending, by the movements of the war having again disturbed the condition of the State.
After two adjournments the convention finally met, June 24, 1864, in Fairmont.
Eight of the working lodges out of thirteen in the State were represented.
Grand Officers were elected and a day selected for their installation, but as the convention adjourned sine die the Grand Officers decided that no further action could be had under a misapprehension of an informality in their proceedings.
A new convention was called to meet April 12, 1865.
The lodges represented were those at the prior convention, and were as follows, viz.: Wellsburg, No. 108; Wheeling, No. 128; Ohio, No.
101; Marshall Union, No. 37; Cameron, No. 180; Morgantown, No. 93; Fairmont, No. 9; Fetterman, No. 170.
Grand Officers were again elected, and May 10th (1) selected for their installation.
The convention met on that day.
One other lodge, Mt. Olivet, No. 113, in addition to the eight, was represented, The convention closed and a Grand Lodge was opened.
The Grand Officers were installed.
The old charters were ordered to be endorsed
(1) The record, page 13, says 11th, which is an error.
under the seal of the Grand Lodge, and to be retained until new ones could be prepared and issued.
Utah.
"Through much tribulation ye shall enter into" - Masonry.
A dispensation was issued, February 4, 1866, by the Grand Master of Nevada for the organization of Mt. Moriah Lodge at Salt Lake City.
The lodge duly organized, but very soon the treatment by one of the lodges of Masons of the Mormon faith became an issue, which was submitted to the Grand Master of Nevada, who accordingly issued an edict forbidding the admission, as visitors and the affiliation, of Mormons claiming to be Masons; and also the reception of their petitions for the degrees.
The lodge demurred to this decree, but submitted to the order of the Grand Master.
A petition, however, was sent to the Grand Master to modify the decree, so that Mormons not polygamists would be exempted from the decree.
The dispensation of the lodge was returned, and a Charter asked for.
The Grand Lodge approved of the edict of the Grand Master, and, declining to grant a Charter, renewed the dispensation.
The lodge, although "worse than sorrow-stricken," still continued to work for another year.
The lodge then petitioned for a Charter, with the condition that if they could not have a Charter unrestricted by the edict, they declined having a Charter.
The surrender of the dispensation was promptly accepted by the Grand Lodge.
The members then presented their petition to the Grand Lodge of Montana, October 8, 1887, with a statement of the circumstances of their relation with the Grand Lodge of Nevada.
The Grand Lodge of Montana declared, that the assumption of the petitions that the Grand Lodge of Nevada did not possess the power to decide who are not proper persons to be admitted into its subordinate lodges, was "subversive of the principles of Masonry." The petition for a Charter was rejected, and they were referred to the Grand Lodge of Nevada for a redress of their alleged grievances.
The lodge applied then to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, who issued a dispensation, November 25, 1867, and on October 21, 1868, a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge.
A convention was held at Salt Lake City, January 16, 1872, by the representatives of the three lodges located in that city, viz.:
Wasatch Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Montana, October 7, 1867; Mount Moriah Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Kansas, October 21, 1868; Argenta Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Colorado, September 26, 1871.
It was decided, by unanimous vote, to organize a Grand Lodge for Utah.
The Grand Officers were chosen and installed, and the Grand Lodge was duly constituted.
In consequence of the Mormon Church being in their midst, difficulties at once arose in one of the lodges.
A member joined the Mormons, and upon trial by regular process he was expelled, and the Grand Lodge affirmed the expulsion.
This matter drew the attention of other Grand Lodges, who took formal action upon it; and the course of the Grand Lodge of Utah was nearly, if not unanimously, sustained.
Arizona.
Aztlan Lodge, at Prescott, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of California, October 11, 1866; which also chartered Arizona Lodge, No. 257, at Phoenix, October 16, 1879, and Tucson Lodge, No. 263, at Tucson, October 15, 1881.
A dispensation was issued to Solomon Lodge, at Tombstone, June 4, 1881, which was continued at the next communication of the Grand Lodge of California, October 1, 1882.
White Mountain Lodge, No. 5, at Globe, received a Charter from the Grand Lodge of New Mexico dated January 18, 1881.
The representatives of Arizona Lodge, No. 257, Tucson Lodge, No.
263, and White Mountain Lodge, No. 5, held a convention, March 23, 1882, at Tucson, and the representatives of Solomon Lodge, U.D., were invited "to take part in the deliberations of the Convention." The convention adopted a constitution.
A lodge of Master Masons was then opened, and the Grand Officers were elected.
On March 25th the Grand Officers were installed and the convention closed, and the Grand Lodge was duly opened. The charters of the lodges were properly endorsed and returned to them as the authority under which they continued their existence.
Solomon Lodge, U.D., received her Charter under the name of King Solomon, No. 5. Aztlan Lodge had her Charter endorsed, and she made her returns.
These five lodges had a membership of two hundred and seventy-four.
Wyoming
Cheyenne Lodge, No. 16, at Cheyenne, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Colorado, October 7, 1868.
Laramie Lodge, No. 18, at Laramie City, received a dispensation from the same Grand Lodge, January 31, 1870, and a Charter, September 28, 1870.
Evanston Lodge, No. 24, at Evanston, recoved a dispensation from the same Grand Lodge, September 8, 1873, and a Charter, September 30, 1874.
Wyoming Lodge, No. 28, at South Pass City, had a dispensation issued to her by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, November 20, 1869, and a Charter, June 23, 1870.
The representatives of these four lodges met in convention December 15, 1874, at Laramie City, and proceeded to organize a Grand Lodge for Wyoming by adopting a constitution, electing and installing their Grand Officers on the 16th.
The four lodges then had a membership of two hundred and fifty.
The first annual communication was held October 12, 1875, and the Grand Lodge has continued to hold its annual communications, and from the tabular statement at the conclusion of this chapter will be found the number of members.
Oklahoma.
At the eighteenth annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory, under which Grand Lodge all the then existing lodges in Oklahoma Territory held their lodge warrants, a paper was presented to the Grand Lodge from the "members and representatives of the various Lodges of Masons in the Territory of Oklahoma organized and bring within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory, respectfully ask your consent and the consent of said Grand Lodge to the formation and organization by the said Oklahoma Lodges of a separate and independent Grand Lodge within and for said Oklahoma Territory to be known as the 'Grand Lodge of Oklahoma' and to have and possess hereafter exclusive Masonic jurisdiction and authority as the Grand Lodge within and for the said Territory of Oklahoma.
"Dated at Tahlequah, I.T., August 16, 1892."
This was signed by the representatives of the following lodges: Guthrie Lodge, No. 35; North Canadian Lodge, No. 36; Edmond Lodge, No. 37.
This was referred to a committee, and upon a favorable report, the petition was granted and suitable arrangements were made for holding a convention of all the lodges in the new Territory, at which the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge was to preside and install the newly elected Grand Officers and formally proclaim by authority of that Grand Lodge "that the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma is legally organized," etc.
On motion of Rev. Bro. R.W. Hill the Grand Lodge unanimously voted a set of Grand Lodge jewels to the new Grand Lodge.
We have not been able to get a copy of the proceedings of the convention which was held November 10, 1892, but have before us the proceedings of the first annual communication held at El Reno, Oklahoma Territory, February 14, 1893, when there were represented the following lodges, viz. :
Anadarko, No. 1, at Oklahoma City; Guthrie, No. 2, at Guthrie; Oklahoma, No. 3, at Oklahoma City; Edmond No. 4, at Edmond; Norman, No. 5, at Norman; Frontier, No. 6, at Stillwater; El Reno, No. 7, at El Reno; Kingfisher, No. 8, at Kingfisher; Coronado, No. 9, at Hennessy; Chandler, No. 10, at Chandler; Crescent, No. 11, at Crescent City; Mulhall, U.D., at Mulhall.
Alaska
We have received the information that the Grand Master of Washington Territory issued a dispensation for a lodge to be organized in Sitka, Alaska, April 14, 1868.
This dispensation was continued September 17, 1868, and finally revoked October 18, 1872.
We have no further information as to any lodges since that time.
There is no doubt that very soon lodges will be formed in several of the new towns which have sprung up in the gold regions, so soon as the population shall have become more stable and permanently settled.
TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF GRAND LODGES IN THE UNITED STATES; AND NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN EACH, FOR THE YEAR 1908.
No. Names of Grand Lodges
Date
of
Formation.
Membership.
1
Alabama
June 14, 1821.
19,966 2
Arizona
March 25, 1882
1,394 3
Arkansas
February 22, 1832
18,293 4
California
April 18, 1850
36,126 5
Colorado
August 2, 1861
12,226 6
Connecticut
July 8, 1789
20,752
Dakota Territory
July 21, 1875
Extinct.
7
Delaware
June 6, 1806
2,888 8
District of Columbia
December 11,1810
7,999 9
Florida
July 6, 1830
7,228 10
Georgia
December 16, 1786
28,420 11
Idaho
December 17, 1867
2,395 12
Illinois
April 6, 1840
85,683 13
Indiana
January 13, 1818
47,353 14
Indian Territory
October 6, 1874
8,476 15
Iowa
January 2, 1844
37,838 16
Kansas
March 17, 1856
28,764 17
Kentucky
October 16, 1800
30,600 18
Louisiana
July 11, 1812
10,584 19
Maine
June 1, 1820
26,530 20
Maryland
April 17, 1787
12,310 21
Massachusetts
July 30, 1733
51,825 22
Michigan
June 24, 1826
56,010 23
Minnesota
February 23, 1853
22,014 24
Mississippi
July 27, 1818
14,371 25
Missouri
April 23, 1821
45,348 26
Montana
January 26, 1866
4,421 27
Nebraska
September 23, 1857
15,728 28
Nevada
January 17, 1865
1,241 29
New Hampshire
July 8, 1789
9,727 30
New jersey
December 18, 1786
26,595 31
New Mexico
August 7, 1877
1,590 32
New York
September 5, 1781
152,928 33
North Carolina
December 9, 1787
16,835 34
North Dakota
June 13, 1889
5,945 35
Ohio
January 5, 1809
68,679 36
Oklahoma
October, 1892
7,978 37
Oregon
August 16, 1851
8,085 38
Pennsylvania
September 26, 1786
75,273 39
Rhode Island
June 21, 1791
6,719 40
South Carolina
February 5, 1787
10,403 41
South Dakota
June 21, 1875
6,675 42
Tennessee
December 27, 1813
20,986 43
Texas
December 20, 1837
41,736 44
Utah
January 1, 1872
1,343 45
Vermont
October 15, 1794
12,078 46
Virginia
October 13, 1777
17,644 47
Washington
December 8, 1858
10,903 48
West Virginia
May 11, 1865
1,778 49
Wisconsin
December 18, 1843
22,974 50
Wyoming
December 5, 1874.....
2,102
P. 1486
CHAPTER LVI
HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF FREEMASONRY INTO EACH STATE AND TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES
Royal Arch Masonry.
ON Chapter XLIX., Dr. A. G. Mackey, having, in a very elaborate and satisfactory manner, given the history of the introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into America; and in Chapter L., the organization of the General Grand Chapter in the United States, it is quite unnecessary for the present writer to make any preface to the details of the organization of the particular Chapters and the Grand Chapters in the several Grand jurisdictions.
We shall, therefore, proceed at once to that work, and in an alphabetical arrangement, for a better reference to any special jurisdiction when required.
Alabama.
Prior to May, 1823, there were four chapters in Alabama having been chartered by the General Grand Chapter.
A convention of the delegates of these chapters was held in Mobile in May and June, 1823, and it was decided to form a Grand Chapter for the State.
The junior Chapter, Monroe, having taken exceptions, referred the matter to the General Grand Chapter at its session, September 16, 1826, when the following was adopted :
“Resolved, That the formation of a Grand Chapter for the State of Alabama, in May, 1823,” prior to the expiration of one year from the establishment of the junior chapter in such State, “was prohibited by the 11th section of the 2d Article of the General Grand Constitution, and that therefore this General Grand Chapter cannot ratify or approve of the proceedings of the convention held at Mobile on the third Monday of May, 1823, or recognize the body claiming to be considered the Grand Chapter of Alabama”
A recommendation was, however, made to the four chapters to proceed to form a Grand Chapter.
On June 2, 1827, the Grand Chapter was reorganized, and met in December following, and annually until 1830, when it ceased to meet.
December, 1837, the delegates from the several chapters met and reorganized the Grand Chapter, and it has continued as a constituent of the General Grand Chapter.
Arizona.
Pursuant to an invitation from Companion Past High-Priest George J.
Roskruge of Tucson Chapter, No. 3, a convention of Royal Arch Masons met in the hall of Tucson Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., in Tucson, County of Pima, for the purpose of taking steps to organize a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Territory of Arizona, November 13, 1889.
The convention was called to order by Companion Past High-Priest Martin W. Kales of Arizona Chapter, No. 1. Companion George J.
Roskruge of Tucson Chapter 3 was chosen Chairman of the convention and Companion Frank Baxter was elected Secretary.
A committee on credentials was appointed and reported the following chapters as being represented, viz.
Date of Charter August 24, 1880. Arizona Chapter, No. 1, located at Phoenix, Maricopa County.
August 15, 1883. Prescott Chapter, No. 2, located at Prescott, Yarapai County.
Tucson Chapter, No. 3, located at Tucson, Pima County.
Cochise Chapter, NO. 4, located at Tombstone, Cochise County.
Nov. 22, 1889. Flagstaff Chapter, No. 5, located at Flagstaff, Coconino County.
A committee was appointed on Constitution and By-Laws, and the convention took a recess; and on resuming labor the committee reported a Constitution and By-Laws, which were adopted.
The convention then elected their officers; Martin W. Kales was chosen Grand High-Priest, and Gcorge J. Roskruge Grand Secretary.
The convention then adjourned subject to a call from the Grand Secretary.
November 12, 1890, the convention met and Companion George J.
Roskruge presided.
The same chapters, as before, were represented, and there were also present a number of Past High-Priests and Past Grand High-Priests, and Companion Titus of California, all of whom were invited to seats (without votes).
The President stated the object of the convention and read his Warrant as Deputy of the General Grand High-Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States, dated November 1, 1890.
On motion, the constitution, as adopted at the former convention, was amended, to conform to the recommendation of the General Grand High-Priest.
The convention then adjourned, that the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arizona might be opened in ample form.
The first annual convocation was then opened (November 12, 1890) at 8 P.M., George J. Roskruge, Grand High-Priest, presiding, and Morris Goldwater, Grand Secretary.
The convention then proceeded to elect the Grand Officers, and Martin W. Kales was elected Grand High-Priest, and George James Roskruge was elected Grand Secretary.
Companion Roskruge acting as Deputy General Grand High.
Priest of the United States constituted the Grand Chapter of Arizona and installed the officers in accordance with the dispensation granted by the General Grand High-Priest, David F. Day.
On the following day (November 13, 1890) a convention of Anointed High-Priests was organized and officers were elected.
Eight Past High-Priests were anointed.
Arkansas.
Charters were granted by the General Grand Chapter of the United States to three chapters in Arkansas, the first being under date of September 17, 1841.
The Grand Chapter was organized at a convention held April 28, 1851, and Companion Elbert H. English was the first Grand High-Priest.
When the General Grand Chapter of the United States held its convocation at Nashville, Tenn., on November 24, 1874, Companion English was elected General Grand High-Priest.
His death occurred September 1, 1884.
In the years I853 and I854, Companion Albert Pike was the Grand High-Priest.
California.
The first dispensation to organize a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in California was issued May 9, 1850, to San Francisco Chapter, No.
1, and a Charter was granted September 13th.
Charters were issued to Sonora, No. 2, and Sacramento, No. 3, September 17, 1853. These three chapters sent delegates to a convention held May 6, 1854, at Sacramento, where measures were taken to organize a Grand Chapter, and after three days’ session adjourned to meet at San Francisco, July 18, 1854, where the organization and constitution were fully completed by the installation of the Grand Officers.
Colorado.
Central City Chapter, No. 1, in Central City, was the first chapter to which a dispensation, dated March 23, 1863, was issued in Colorado, which was granted by the General Grand King.
The Deputy General Grand High-Priest granted a dispensation to Denver Chapter, No. 2, April, 1863.
These two chapters had their charters granted at the following session of the General Grand Chapter, September, 1865.
A dispensation was issued to organize Pueblo Chapter, No. , at Pueblo, May 24, 1871, and a Charter for the same was issued September 20, 1871.
November 25, 1874, charters were issued to Georgetown, No. 4, and Golden, No. 5.
A convention was held at Denver City by the authority of Elbert H.
English, M.E. General Grand High-Priest, May 11, 1875, and the Grand Chapter of Colorado was regularly constituted.
Connecticut.
Six members of Saint John’s Lodge, No. 2, located in the town of Middletown, Conn., having received and been “duly initiated into the most sublime degree of an Excellent, Superexcellent, and Royal Arch Mason in regular constituted Royal Arch Chapters,” and proving each other, they “duly opened and held the first regular Grand Royal Arch Chapter.” (1) They elected their officers. Their first meeting was held September 12, 1783.
The “Mother-Chapter,” or Washington Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the City of New York, granted the following charters in Connecticut: Hiram, No. 1, in Newtown, April 29, 1791; Franklin, No. 2, New Haven, May 20, 1795; Franklin, No. 4, Norwich, March 15, 1796, and Solomon, No. 5, Derby, March 15, 1796.
Vanden Broeck also No. 5, received its Charter from the Grand Chapter of New York, dated April 6, 1796; it is said, however, that the first record was dated December 24, 1795.
(1) At that day the word “Grand “ was taken from the A. A. A. R., where all the bodies were termed Grand.-EDITOR.
A convention Nyas held by the delegates of these six chapters, in Hartford, May 17, 1798, which organized the Grand Chapter of Connecticut.
Half-yearly convocations were held until May, 1819, when the constitution was changed to annual convocations and specials when required.
When the convention to form a Grand Chapter met in Hartford, Conn., January 24, A.L. 5798, “ agreeable to the recommendation of a Convention of Committees assembled at Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, in October, 1797,” there were present: from Connecticut, representatives of Solomon Chapter of Derby, instituted 5794; Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Norwich, and Franklin Chapter, No. 5, New Haven. (1) Ephraim Kirby, of Litchfield, was chosen the first General Grand High-Priest.
In examining the records of the first chapters prior to the organization of the General Grand Chapter of 1797, we notice the designation of the officers as being somewhat different from the same officers at a more recent date.
In Hiram Chapter of Connecticut the officers were “High-Priest, King, Scribe, Zerubbabel a Royal Arch Captain, three Grand Masters, a Treasurer, a Secretary, an Architect, a Clothier, and a Tyler.” It was required that the “High-Priest should preside, direct the business, and occasionally to give a lecture.” Now it is “to read and expound the law.” The Scribe’s duty was to “cause the Secretary to enter, in a fair and regular manner, the proceedings of the chapter,” and “to summons the members for attendance at every regular and special meeting. . . .
and also to administer the obligation.” It was the duty of Zerubbabel “to superintend the arrangements of the Chapter”; of the Royal Arch Captain, “to keep watch at the Sanctuary”; of the three Grand Masters, “to watch the Veils”; of the Clothier, “to provide and take care of the Clothing”; of the Architect, “to provide and take care of the furniture.” (2)
In the English Royal Arch, Zerubbabel is the first Principal and in the present American Royal Arch, Zerubbabel is the Second Principal, and designated King, which designation, in our judgment, is a misnomer, as he never was a King, but was called “Tirshatha,” which was an office of Governor under the King of Persia, and was, in reality, in the construction of the second Temple, subordinate to the High-Priest, who had entire management of that work.
(1) Compendium, Genl. Gr. Ch., p. 8.
(2) Capitular Degrees, “ Hist. Masonry and Con. Orders,” p. 606.
Zerubbabel soon retired and returned to Babylon, and the Temple was finally completed by a High-Priest.
Dakota.
In 1883 eight chapters had, at different times, been chartered by the General Grand Chapter of the United States, viz. -.
Yankton, No. 1, at Yankton; dispensation, April 15, 1876 chartered, August 24, 1880.
Sioux Falls, No. 2, at Sioux Falls; chartered, August 27, 1880.
Dakota, No. 3, at Deadwood; chartered, August 27, 1880.
Siroc, No. 4, at Canton; chartered, August 15, 1883.
Pembina, No. 5, at Pembina.
Missouri, No. 6, at Bismarck.
Casselton, No. 7, at Casselton.
Corinthian, No. 8, at Grand Forks.
A convention was held at Aberdeen, June 10, 1884, at which the following chapters were represented: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of the above list.
When it was agreed to petition the General Grand High-Priest to grant a Warrant to organize a Grand Chapter for Dakota, five chapters voted for it and No. 7 against, and finally agreed, as also did Keystone chapter, No. 11, under dispensation.
A convention met February 25, 1885, pursuant to a call made January 8, 1885 at Sioux FaHs.
Companion William Blatt was chosen Chairman, and the following chapters were reported as being duly represented, viz.: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the above list, and Cheyenne, No. 9, U, D., at Valley City; Huron, No. 10, U.D., at Huron; Keystone, No. 11, U.D., at Fargo; Watertown, No. 12, U.D., at Watertown; Jamestown, No. 13, U.D., at Jamestown, Aberdeen, No.
14, U.D., at Aberdeen.
The first annual convocation was held June 8, 1885.
Charters were granted to Corinthian, No. 8; Huron, No. 10; Watertown, No. 12; Jamestown, No. 13; Aberdeen, No. 14; Millbank, No. 15; and dispensations were litf to Denver, Brookings; Flandreau; Redfield.
Chapters which were not represented were: Pembina, No. 5, at Pembina; Missouri, No. 6, at Bismarck, and Millbank, U.D., at Millbank.
The Grand Chapter of Dakota continued to prosper until the division of the State, by Act of Congress, February 22, 1889, into North and South Dakota.
When, on January 6, 1890, a convention was held in Yankton, S. D., and the representatives of the chapters located in South Dakota held a convention, and by the consent of the Grand Chapter of Dakota they organized the Grand Chapter of South Dakota, January 6, 1890, under the constitution of the General Grand Chapter.
Delaware.
The early history of the innoduction of Royal Arch Masonry into the State of Delaware is very uncertain.
We have no records to refer to.
It is said that a Grand Chapter was formed on June 19, 1818.
By what authority we can not ascertain; the “compendium” is silent upon Delaware.
In the Proceedings of the General Grand Chapter of the Twenty-first Triennial Convocation, held in Baltimore, September 19, 1871, we find the General Grand High-Priest’s reference to the State of Delaware,’ as follows:
“Among the first to demand my attention was to examine into the condition of the Grand Chapter of Delaware, and if found to be a legal Grand Chapter, to have the same enrolled under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, as requested by the companions in Delaware.
Having been solicited to visit Wilmington, for the purpose of instituting St. John’s Chapter, which had been chartered by this Body at its last convocation (1868), I did so on the 19th of October, 1868, and having instituted said chapter, embraced that opportunity to fully investigate the condition of Royal Arch Masonry in the State, and for that purpose I held interviews with some of the most prominent Royal Arch Masons in the jurisdiction.
From those companions, and from the records, I ascertained that there had existed in Delaware no regular Grand Chapter since the year 1856, at which time the original Grand Chapter ceased to meet and elect Grand Officers. I ascertained that there had been a ‘Convocation of Royal Arch Masons’ at Dover in 1859, at which meeting but one chapter, of the three then existing in that State, was legally represented. At that irregular ‘Convocation’ an election was had, Companion GEO. W. CHAYTOR being elected Grand High Priest.
“No other convocation of the (so-called) Grand Chapter was held until January, 1868, a period of nine years.
During this time, Companion Chaytor claimed to be the Grand High-Priest, but he
(3) Proceedings Genl. Gr. Ch. U.S., 1871, P.10.
refused persistently to assemble the Craft in Grand Convocation.
Some three or four years subsequent to the meeting of 1859, a difficulty having aisen between Companion Chaytor and the other members of Washington and Lafayette Chapter, No. 1, of which he was then High-Priest, he, in his capacity of Grand High-Priest, declared the said chapter suspended, thereby placing himself in the anomalous position of a self-suspended Royal Arch Mason; that is, provided he possessed any powers as Grand High-Priest.
“At the meeting in January, 1868, there was simply an assemblage of Royal Arch Masons, no one of whom claimed to act in a representative capacity.
Companion Chaytor was present, but he refused to open a Grand Chapter, giving as a reason, that his chapter was under a suspension, and therefore there were but two chapters left in the State.
Thereupon the assemblage resolved itself into a ‘Royal Arch Convention,’ and proceeded to elect Grand Officers and to adopt a constitution.
And this was the body which made application to the last Convocation of the General Grand Chapter, to be recognized as the Grand Chapter of the State of Delaware.
“With these facts before me, there was but one conclusion to which I could legitimately arrive.
Accordingly, on the 20th of October 1868, I issued an edict, declaring that any legal existence heretofore attaching to a Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Delaware had ceased; that said State Grand Chapter no longer existed; and that the several chapters heretofore holding under it had become dormant for non-use and for other reasons.
And that, by the fact of the cessation of the Grand Chapter of the State of Delaware, all semblance of lawful governmental authority in that State had ceased, and the territory had become litfore vacant; and therefore the authority of the General Grand Chapter of the United States did, of right, obtain, and was in full force and effect, in said State of Delaware.
Thereupon, I did order and direct, that the three Chapters which had formerly held under the Grand Chapter of Delaware, should be received and recognized as lawful Royal Arch Chapters, under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, and with authority to resume and continue work under the warrants then held by them, until the pleasure of the General Grand Chapter was made known, or a State Grand Chapter was formed.
“On the 9th day of January, 1869, upon application duly made, and under the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution of the General Grand Chapter, I issued an edict granting permission for the formation of a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Delaware.”
January 20, 1869, the legal representatives of four chapters in Delaware met in convention at Dover and organized a Grand Chapter for the State and adopted their constitution.
The General Grand High-Priest, Dr. James M. Austin, was present and installed the Grand Officers; and he officially received and welcomed the said Grand Body into the family of Grand Chapters; and on January 30, 1869, by special edict, he ordered and directed that Grand Chapter to be enrolled under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter of the United States.
District of Columbia.
The very first intimation we have of the Royal Arch degree in the District of Columbia, we find in the old record-book of the “Excellent, Superexcellent, Royal Arch Encampment,” under the Charter of Federal Lodge, No. 15, F.A.A.M., under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, which is referred to in Chapter LIL, page 1369.
We make the following extracts from that first “Encampment”: “At a meeting of the Royal Arch Encampment, held in the Lodge, No. 15 (Federal Lodge), on Monday, December ‘4th, A. L.
5795. Present:
Rev. George Ralph, John Bradford, Robert Brown, C. Worthy Stephenson Dennis Dulancy, Thomas Wilson, David Cummings, James Sweeney.
Whereas, It appears to be the desire of several Brethren of this Lodge that a Royal Arch Encampment should be established in this city, therefore,
“Resolved, That a committee be appointed of the following Brethren, viz.: Brothers Ralph, Wilson, and Dulancy, to procure every necessary apparatus, and to adjust the necessary fees and expenses of admission to this Degree. (1)
“Resolved, That the Brethren who wish to join this Encampment be requested to subscribe to a paper instrument, handed to them by
(3) It will be observed that there was but one degree.-EDITOR.
Bro. Sweeney previous to the foregoing Committee proceeding in the calculation in the expenses of our Robes, Veils, (1) Furniture, &c.
The Committee to meet on Wednesday evening, at 4 o’clock p.m. and general meeting of the Royal Arch Masons to meet at 6 o’clock previously the same evening.” The meeting then adjourned.
December 16, 1795. Present as at last meeting except Bro.
Stephenson.
The Committee appoiited at the last meeting made their report: which was that twenty-three pounds and one shilling is indispensably necessary to provide the materials to prepare them and to arrange the Lodge room previous to the formation of a Royal Arch Encampment) &c., &c., which was agreed to.
At a meeting held June 17, 5797, it was announced by a letter from Comp. Sweeney that a Royal Arch Grand Lodge is about to be formed for the State of Maryland to meet at Baltimore June 24th.
A circular letter was received from George L. Gray, No. 5 Market St., Baltimore, giving information of the establishment of a Grand Chapter in the city of Baltimore.
This chapter or encampment held its meetings until February, 5799, when it “resolved that the Royal Arch Encampment be broke up!” and a committee was appointed to settle up its affairs and everyone to receive his dividend.
To show who were the officers and their titles we give the following list:
M.W. James Hoban, High-Pricst.
R.W. John Carter, Captain-General.
R.W. Robert Brown, 1st Grand Master.
R.W. Redmond Purcell, 2d Grand Master.
R.W. Peter Lenox, 3d Grand Master.
John Hanley, Treasurer.
Patrick Hearly, Secretary.
John Lenox, Tyler.
The second record-book begins as follows
At a meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter at their Lodge room on Saturday evening, December 1, 1804, the following Companions present :
Phil P. Eckel, High-Priest, p. t. (2) Charles Jones, Captain-General.
(1) Robes and Veils are here specified for the first time, we believe.-EDITOR.
(2) Philip P. Eckel was a distinguished member of a chapter in Baltimore.-EDITOR.
Benj.
King, 1st Grand Master.
C. M. Laughlan, 2d Grand Master.
Bern’d Doland, 3d Grand Master.
John Davis, Grand Scribe. (1) Visitors, John Scott, John Carter.
The degree of Excellent, Superexcellent, Royal Arch was conferred upon several Brethren, ten dollars being the fee.
On Sunday, December 14, 1806, a meeting is recorded, and they adopted the following :
“Resolved, That this Chapter concur with the resolution passed by Concordia R. A. Chapter as far as respects a Grand Royal Arch Chapter and that a Committee be appointed to meet in Grand Convention at the City of Washington on the third Wednesday in January next (1807) any Committees which may be appointed for the purpose aforesaid.
“February 14, 1807.
Ordered that this Chapter be represented at the next Royal Arch Chapter to be held at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, on the second Thursday of May next, by the Officers fixed on by the Constitution of the Grand Chapter.
“Resolved, That that part of the Constitution which states that the High-Priest and King are the proper representatives be altered so as to add, ‘unless ordered by the Chapter.’
“Resolved, That the Treasurer do pay into the hands of the Treasurer of the Grand R.A. Chapter $10, for the purpose of obtaining our Warrant (2) and also other Contingent expenses relative thereto.”
Februar 7, 18O7, was adopted the following:
“Resolved, That in future the following sums shall be paid by Candidates for the following degrees, namely, for Past Master $2, for Mark Master $3, and for the degree of Excellent, Superexcellent, Royal Arch $10.”
At this time it was
“Resolved, That this Chapter shall hereafter be entitled and known by the name of the Royal Arch Union Chapter.”
This record-book terminates August 20, 5808, giving no intimation of any cause whatever why the chapter should not have continued
(1) Title of Grand Scribe unknown in the first Encampment.-EDITOR.
(2) This seems to indicate that there was no Warrant prior to this date.
Its sessions.
At the meeting previous to the above date all the officers had been elected and installed.
A dispensation had been Isued by the General Grand High-Priest to the several chapters in the District of Columbia to organize a Grand Chapter August 30, 1822, and the report of the committee was adopted recommending the adoption of the resolution above quoted.
(1)
This Grand Chapter continued in existence from February 10, 1824, to January 8th, 1833, being composed of the following chapters, viz.: Federal Chapter, No. 3; Union Chapter, No. 4; Potomac Chapter, No. 8.
Several conventions were held from time to time, however, between May 11, 1822, and February 10, 1824, at which latter date the delegates of the several chapters of Royal Arch Masons of the District of Columbia met in General Convention and the following chapters were properly represented: Federal Chapter, No. 3; Union Chapter, No. 4; Brooke Chapter, No. 6, of Alexandria, Va., and Potomac Chapter, No. 8, of Georgetown.
The convention was duly organized, and the Grand Officers were elected and a constitution which had been regularly formulated and adopted at a former convention was adopted.
In the evening of the same day (Tuesday, February 10, 1824) the Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the District of Columbia was opened in ample form, and the convention was accordingly dissolved.
The Grand Officers were duly installed by Comp’n John B. Hammett, a Past Grand High-Priest.
At a meeting of the Grand Chapter held March 9, 1824, the following communication was received and read and laid on the table:
“GEORGETOWN, February 11, 1824, POTOMAC ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, No. 8.
“Resolved Unanimously, That we deem it inexpedient to separate from the Grand Chapter of the State of Maryland and District of Columbia and that we will not avail ourselves of the permission and authority granted by a resolution past said Grand Chapter at their last Communication. (Extracts from the Minute.)
EDW. DEEBLE, Scribe.”
(3) Pro. Gen. Gr. Ch., 1826, P. 77.
Previous to the closing of the convention the numbers of the chapters were arranged as follows: Federal, No. 1 ; Union, No. 2; Brooke, No. 3; Potomac, No. 4, and that charters to these should be made accordingly.
At the semi-annual meeting we find No. 1 to be designated as Washington Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1.” This change was made by that chapter at a meeting held February 23, 1824.
The Grand Chapter continued to exist until its annual communication, held January 8, 1833, which is the last record in the book.
Potomac Chapter, No. 4, never united with this Grand Chapter, but held under her old Charter.
At the annual meeting of the Grand Chapter, held January 9, 1827, a petition was received from Comp. P. Mauro, on behalf of himself and thirteen other Companions requesting a dispensation or Charter be granted to them for a chapter under the title of Temple Chapter, No. 4, which was unanimously granted.
At an adjourned convocation, held March 14, 1827, after installation of the Grand Officers, the officers elect of Temple Chapter, No. 4, were installed by the Grand High-Priest.
This Grand Chapter closed its existence after the annual convocation January 8, 1833, as no meeting was recorded in the old book after that date, if any were held at all.
We must now refer to the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter and at the eleventh meeting, held September 14, 1841, we find that a resolution was adopted authorizing the Deputy General Grand High-Priest to take the necessary steps to place all chapters of Royal Arch Masons in that part of the District of Columbia, formerly belonging to the State of Maryland, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Maryland. (1) At the next meeting, held September 10, 1844, that officer reported that the resolution above referred to had been duly enforced and confirmed by the Grand Chapter of the State of Maryland; and that Grand Chapter has assumed and now holds jurisdiction over that portion of the District of Columbia lying within the limits of the State, that at present Maryland has two chapters at work therein. (2) These two chapters were, Columbia No.
15, and Washington No. 16.
The chapters in the District of Columbia remained attached to and under the Grand Chapter of Maryland which on September 10,
(1) 1841, p. 165.
(2) 1844, p. 181.
1844, was changed to Maryland and District of Columbia, until the year 1867, when steps were taken by the four chapters in the District of Columbia to reorganize a Grand Chapter.
These were: Columbia, No. 15; Washington, No. 16; Mount Vernon, No. 20; and Potomac, No. 8. After many preliminary conventions, and surmounting technical difficulties and bitter hostilities to their efforts, the General Grand High-Priest, John L. Lewis, gave his consent by telegram first, which was followed by his official letter.
Companion Albert G. Mackey, Past General Grand High-Priest, was invited to come from Charleston, S.C., to constitute the Grand Chapter and install the Grand Officers, which ceremonies took place in Washington at the Opera-house, May 23, 18767. The Grand Chapter was successfully launched, but soon encountered quicksand and shoals.
The enemies of the Grand Chapter did not hesitate to take the most unmasonic measures to stop the progress of Royal Arch Masonry in the District of Columbia; a self-constituted committee of four visited the General Grand High-Priest at his home in New York and by a tissue of falsehoods and a well-concocted false statement, induced that officer to recall his permission, long after the Grand Chapter had successfully entered upon a very prosperous course.
Two constituent chapters had been chartered to take the place of Potomac Chapter, which withdrew from the Grand Chapter and, as in 1824, decided to remain with the Grand Chapter in Maryland.
The General Grand High-Priest issued his edict, requiring the chapters in the District of Columbia to disband the new Grand Chapter, and return to their allegiance to the Grand Chapter of Maryland and District of Columbia.
This not being complied with, he at once issued another edict, and expelled every Royal Mason belonging to the chapters in the District except those four and the members of Potomac Chapter.
Thus matters remained.
The Companions in Washington went along about their business of Masonry and a wonderful prosperity followed them.
When the General Grand Chapter met in St. Louis in 1868, the Grand Chapter of the District was sustained in her action and admitted to the General Grand Chapter.
We have kindly omitted all personalities in this veritable history, because nearly every prominent Companion in this contest has gone to his reward, and we say, as all interested should, Pax Vobiscum.
The General Grand Chapter permitted Potomac Chapter, No. 8, to retain her place under the Grand Chapter of Maryland, but decided that the whole territory of the District was in the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia, and she could not receive any petitions for the degrees.
This continued for a few months, when Potomac finally asked to be admitted among the faithful, which was readily granted, and since that time there has been no more faithful members of the Grand Chapter than the Companions of Old Potomac, No. 8, and universally esteemed and beloved.
The Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia has increased since May 7, 1867, from three chapters with 498 members, to eleven chapters and 2,204 members in 1898.
Florida.
In the “Compendium “ giving the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter for the sixth meeting of that body, September 14, 1826, the General Grand High-Priest, DeWitt Clinton, reported that he had granted dispensations for a Mark Lodge in St. Augustine and also one in St. Francisville in Florida. (1)
The Grand Chapter of Virginia had chartered two chapters in Florida, viz. : Magnolia, No. 16, at Appalachicola, and Florida, No. 32, at Tallahassee.
There was a chapter at St. Augustine chartered by the Grand Chapter of South Carolina.
We find in the “Compendium” in the proceedings for the thirteenth meeting of the General Grand Chapter, held September 14, 1847, the following in the report of the General Grand Secretary: (2)
“On the 11th day of January last (1847), three chapters of Royal Arch Masons in the State of Florida, by their delegates, met in Convention and resolved to form a Grand Chapter for that State.
They therefore proceeded to frame a Constitution and enact bylaws; and on the 21 st of the same month they elected officers and organized a Grand Chapter; and among their proceedings it will be found that they desire to place their Grand Chapter under your jurisdiction.
On receipt of the copy of their Constitution and letter accompanying it, I immediately acknowledged the same, and requested their Grand Secretary to inform me from what Grand
(1) “Compendium,” 1826, P. 73.
(2) Ibid., 1847, P. 140.
Chapter the several Chapters in the State received their respective charters, and the time when each was issued.
To this letter, as yet, I have received no answer.”
The next notice of Florida we find in the proceedings of the same meeting, (1) where a committee on General Grand Secretary’s report say :
“That it appears from documents referred to your committee, a Convention of delegates from the Royal Arch Chapters in the State of Florida, assembled in Tallahassee, in the month of January, 1847, at which time the following preamble and resolutions were adopted” (which we omit).
The committee say:
“In the published proceedings of said Grand Chapter we find the adopted Constitution, and the following resolutions :
“Resolved, That the Grand Chapter of Florida, duly appreciating the advantages of a Masonic head and paramount authority, are disposed to come under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter of the United States.
“Resolved, That the Grand Secretary communicate the same to the General Grand Secretary of the General Grand Chapter.”
Among the comments of the committee they say : “It is to be regretted that the Grand Secretary did not furnish that precise information of the origin of the several chapters which composed the convention as would have enabled your committee to report in such a manner as to recommend to this General Grand Chapter the incorporation of that Grand Chapter under your jurisdiction at the present time,” etc.
Some objections were also made to several sections of their constitution; they recommended certain resolutions aiming to overcome the objections, and thereby to admit the Grand Chapter to her proper place as a constituent of this General Grand Chapter.
The Grand Chapter of Florida did not understand the motive of the action of the General Grand Chapter and did not comply with the request for explanations.
At the sixteenth meeting of the General Grand Chapter held in 1856 the General Grand High-Priest was authorized to recognize the Grand Chapter of Florida and place it in the same position as the other Grand Chapters, at its request.
The war period of 1861 to 1865 prevented the accomplishment
(3) “Compendium,” pp. 158, 159, 161, 171.
Of this arrangement until January 13, 1869, when the Grand Chapter of Florida accepted the invitation by passing the following:
“Resolved, That this Grand Chapter accept such invitation in a true Masonic spirit and will hereafter bear allegiance and support to the said General Grand Chapter.”
Georgia.
The office of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Georgia can not furnish any information as to when Royal Arch Masonry was introduced into that jurisdiction.
The first notice of Georgia in the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter is at the third septennial meeting, January 9, 1806, and is a Warrant to Georgia (Chapter at Savannah.
At the fourth meeting, beld June 6, 1816 (special), Union Chapter, at Louisville, received a Warrant.
At the fifth regular meeting, Augusta Chapter received a Warrant. (1) At the tenth meeting, held September 11, 1838, a dispensation was granted to a chapter at Macon. (2)
The next notice of Georgia in the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter is at the sixth meeting, in 1826. “That charters have been granted to Mechanic’s Chapter, at Lexington, Georgia, on the 10th June, 1820; to Webb Chapter, at Sparta, Georgia, on 16th November, 1821; by the Deputy General Grand High-Priest, Henry Fowle.” (3) At the same meeting we find the following: “ That Grand Royal Arch Chapters have been legally and constitutionally formed, since the last meeting of this Body, within and for the States of Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Georgia, and Tennessee, with the consent of one of the General Grand Officers
At the thirteenth meeting of the General Grand Chapter, held September 14, 1847, the General Grand Secretary reports as follows : (5)
“Within the last few days, however, on examination of the old files of papers, I found a printed paper, to which the name of one of the General Grand Secretaries is affixed, giving a list of the Grand Chapters under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, and therein appears the name of the Grand Chapter of Georgia.
“It would seem that this is a good evidence of that Grand
(1) “Compendium,” pp. 36, 46, 56.
(2) Ibid., pp. 103, 106.
(3) Ibid., p. 72.
(4) Ibid., p. 76.
(5) Ibid., pp. 140, 141.
Chapter having been recognized, and that if so, it should be, in some way, made to appear upon the record.”
The report of the committee on the last item as found at the same meeting, was that they did find documentary evidence in the hands of the General Grand Secretary sufficient to prove that the Grand Chapter of Georgia was a constituent of the General Grand Chapter, although said Grand Chapter had not been represented, or made returns to that body since 1822.
The above statement of facts is not very flattering to the officers of the General Grand Chapter, whose duty it evidently was to know from the records and registers who were the constituents of that Grand Body.
Such remissness and want of knowledge in regard to the very vital affairs show gross neglect of duty and want of care in the management of so important a body of Masons as the General Grand Chapter.
Idaho.
The Grand Chapter of Oregon granted a Charter to Idaho Chapter, in Idaho City, June 18, 1867, being under the impression that the General Grand Chapter had ceased to exist.
This chapter was constituted August 18, 1867.
At the twentieth session of the General Grand Chapter, held September 18, 1868, the General Grand Chapter adopted a report, which included “good faith” of the petitioners, healing 61 those who had been exalted in the chapter, and granting a Charter to Idaho Chapter, No. 1, Idaho City, on September 18, 1868. The General Grand Chapter issued warrants to other chapters in Idaho, viz. : February 14, 1870, a dispensation to Cyrus, No. 2, at Silver City, then in Dakota; March 30, 1870, a dispensation to Boise, No. 3, at Boise City; charters were issued to these two September 20, 1871. (1)
In the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter for August 25, 1880, on petition of Comp. C.P. Coburn and others of Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho, a Charter was granted, August 27, 1880, to Lewiston Chapter, No. 4. (2)
At the twenty-sixth triennial, held October 1, 1886, Alturas Chapter, No. 5, at Harley, Dak., was granted a Charter. (1)
Pocatello, No. 6, at Pocatello, received a dispensation dated May
(1) “Pro. Gen. Gr. Ch. For 1871,” p. 33.
(2) Ibid., p. 8t.
(3) Ibid., p. 125
28, 1889, and a Charter November 22, 1889; Moscow Chapter, at Moscow, received a Charter July 23, 1891; Fayette Chapter.
No.
8, at Fayette, received a Charter August 24, 1894.
Illinois
The Deputy General Grand High-Priest, Joseph K. Stapleton, gave a dispensation to Springfield Chapter, in Springfield, July 19, 1841; (1) and at the eleventh triennial meeting of the General Grand Chapter, held September 14, 1841, a Charter was granted on the 17th. (2)
At the twelfth triennial session, September 10, 1844, the Deputy General Grand High-Priest reported having issued a dispensation for Lafayette Chapter, in Chicago, dated July 2, 1844. (3)
At the thirteenth triennial session, September 14, 1847, he reported having issued litforens to Jacksonville Chapter, No.
3, at Jacksonville and Shawneetown Chapter, No. 6, at Shawneetown, since the session of 1844, and a Charter to Lafayette Chapter, in Chicago.
The General Grand Scribe Ezra S. Barnum reported having issued dispensations on March 10, 1846, to open Horeb Chapter, No. 4, at Henderson, and April 1, 1846, to open Quincy Chapter, No. 5, at Quincy.
At the fourteenth triennial session, September 10, 1850, several of the chapters working under dispensations having applied for charters were refused because they had failed to send up the records of their proceedings, and therefore the committee was unable to say whether their doings had been regular or not.
Among these were the chapters Reynolds, Stapleton, Springfield, and Quincy, and recommended that their dispensations be continued in force until next triennial meeting. (5)
At the same session (fourteenth) the Deputy General Grand High-Priest reported having issued dispensations for the formation of Howard Chapter, on July 28, 1848, and Stapleton Chapter, June 28, 1849.
The General Grand King reported that since the last triennial he had granted a dispensation to a chapter to be held in Cambridge in the County of Henry, Ill., to be called Reynolds
(1) “Compendium,” p. 110 (2) Ibid., p. 111.
(3) Ibid., p. 122.
(4) Ibid., p. 145.
(5) Ibid., p. 201.
Chapter, No.-, (1) dated March 2, 1850.
The General Grand Scribe reported that since the last triennial he had granted a dispensation to open a chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Rock Island, Ill., August 1, 1849, (2) to be called Barrett.
At the thirteenth triennial meeting the General Grand King reported that he had granted authority to seven chapters in Illinois to organize a Grand Chapter.
April 10, 1850, a convention of the representatives of six of these chapters was held, and having the authority of the General Grand King, a Grand Chapter for the State of Illinois was organized.”
Indian Territory.
A convention of three chartered chapters, Indian, No. 1; Oklahoma, No. 2, and Muskogee, No. 3, was held by their representatives, October 15, 1889; organized and made application to the General Grand High-Priest for authority to constitute a Grand Chapter for Indian Territory, which was refused.
Subsequently the succeeding General Grand High-Priest, David F.
Day, at the general grand convocation, held at Atlanta, Ga., November 22, 1889, granted their request, and on February 15, 1890, the Grand Chapter was constitutionally instituted.
At the second annual convocation, held at Oklahoma, August 20, 1891, seven chapters were represented.
Indiana.
The first record evidence of the establishment of Royal Arch Masonry in the State of Indiana is found in the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter at the sixth meeting, held September 14, 1826, where under the report of a committee on the papers and proceedings of the General Grand Officers they say : “That a Charter had been granted to Vincennes Chapter, at Vincennes, State of Indiana, on 13th May, 1820; to Jennings Mark Lodge, at Vevay, Indiana, on 4th May, 1821, by the General Grand King, John Snow.” (4)
September 14, 1838, the committee on the doings of General Grand Officers reported a dispensation having been granted by M.E.
Companion Stapleton for a chapter at Richmond, Ind., and recommended a Charter for that chapter (September 14, 1838).
This
(1) “Compendium,” p. 182.
(2) Ibid., p. 184.
(3) Ibid., p. 183.
(4) Ibid., p. 73.
Chapter was named King Solomon.
At the eleventh meeting, held September 14, 1841, the Committee on Warrants recommended a Charter to be issued to Logan Chapter, Logansport; the dispensation of this chapter was dated March 12, 1839.
At the twelfth meeting, held September 10, 1844, the following statements were made by the General Grand Secretary: (1) “By the records of the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter in 1819, it appears that the Committee to whom was referred the subject matter of dispensations granted by the General Grand Officers during the previous recess had heard that the then late Deputy General Grand High-Priest had granted dispensations for charters at Madison, and at Brookville, in Indiana; but there being no further evidence of their existence before the General Grand Chapter, no ratification of these acts was passed, nor were their charters ordered; although several charters were at that time ordered for other chapters holding dispensations under authority of other General Grand Officers.
Consequently, Madison and Brookville Chapters ceased to exist as legally constituted Masonic Bodies at that time.
It appears, however, from the herewith accompanying papers, that Madison Chapter continued its labors for many years; and there having been another chapter established at Vincennes, in that State, in 1823, it is said a Grand Chapter was organized with the approbation of M.E. Comp.
John Snow, General Grand King. No documentary evidence of that authority, however, or even records of the proceedings of that Grand Chapter are known to exist.
Nor does it appear of record that the General Grand Chapter was ever advised of the existence of such an institution.....”
On the true position of these things being made known to the Companions at Madison, in the proper spirit of Masonry they immediately suspended all work, closed their chapter, and determined to lay their case before the General Grand Chapter, which was done by their High-Priest, M.E. Joseph G. Norwood, in a very frank, perspicuous, and able manner, presented amongst the documents, accompanied by their dispensation, their return for 1842 to the present time (September 10, 1844), and the payment of such dues as have accrued within that time.
No return had been made from 1819 to 1842.
Their irregularities were evidently the result of mistakes as to the extent of power given by their dispensation, and
(3) “Compendium,” p. 116.
They asked that their acts may be made lawful by the General Grand Chapter and that all dues up to 1842 be remitted, and asked for a Charter.(1) This was duly granted, September 12, 1844, (2) and all dues remitted up to 1842.
The past work was pronounced illegal, and authority was given to heal all who had received degrees in it.
At the twelfth meeting above mentioned (1844), the Deputy General Grand High-Priest reported having issued a dispensation to Lafayette Chapter, No. 3, at Lafayette, August 17, 1843 ; (3) a Charter was granted to this chapter, September 11, 1844; at this meeting permission was granted by the General Grand Chapter for a convention to assemble, dated November 18, 1845, and the Grand Chapter of Indiana was duly constituted December 25, 1845.
Iowa.
At the thirteenth ineedng of the General Grand Chapter, held September 14, 1847, the Deputy General Grand High-Priest reported that since the triennial session, in 1844, he had litfore the consecration, by proxy, of Iowa Chapter, at Burlington, Ia., and also Iowa City Chapter, at Iowa City.
He had also issued a dispensation to form Dubuque Chapter, No. 3, at Dubuque, Ia.(4) Charter to the same was dated September 17, 1847.
Dispensation to Iowa Chapter, No. 1, was dated August 24, 1843.
(5)
Charter to the same was dated September 11, 1844.
Dispensation to Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, was dated March 19, 1844. (6) Charter to the same was dated September 17, 1847.
At the fifteenth meeting of the General Grand Chapter, held September 17, 1853, Washington Chapter, No. 4, at Muscatine, Ia., was chartered, dated September 17, 1853. (7)
A dispensation had been issued to McCord Chapter, No. 5, at Fairfield, probably in March, 1853.
The Deputy General Grand High-Priest, Joseph K. Stapleton, having died very soon thereafter, no report was made. (8) That chapter received a Charter from the Grand Chapter of Iowa after it was constituted, dated June 14, 1854.
A convention of the above-narmed chapters, by their delegates,
(1) “Compendium,” p. 117.
(2) Ibid., (3) Ibid., p. 121.
(4) Ibid., p. 145.
(5) Ibid., p. 121 (6) Ibid., p. 122.
(7) Ibid., p. 259.
(8) Proceedings, 1856, p. 361.
Was held at Mount Pleasant, June 8, 1854, by the authority of the General Grand Scribe, A.V. Rowe. (1)
The history of Capitular Masonry in Iowa would not be completed were we to omit one of those peculiar episodes which, with cyclonic force, carries away before it all the valuable works of the good and great Masonic Architects, who have labored so hard, and industriously, in the erection of Masonic temples, and which we quote from Companion A.F. Chapman’s history of Capitular Masonry in the History of Masonry and Concordant Orders:
“Within about two years after being organized, the usefulness of the General Grand Chapter came under discussion.
The Grand High Priests early gave emphasis to this negative feeling.
In 1857 the delegates to the next session of the General Grand Chapter were instructed to vote for its dissolution.
This was re-enforced in 1858.
The Grand Chapter asserted its sovereignty and independent right to organize chapters in Nebraska or elsewhere, where no Grand Chapter existed, and finally, on August 16, 1860, the resolution declaring the
“’Grand Chapter sovereign and independent, and in no manner whatever subject to the General Grand Chapter of the United States, and this Grand Chapter is forever absolved from all connection therewith,’
was passed by a vote of twenty-eight ayes to fifteen nays.
“This condition continued for nine years, when, at the triennial convocation, September, 1871, the General Grand High Priest reported that, under date of October 26, 1869, he had ‘received official notice that the Grand Chapter of Iowa had rescinded the act of secession passed in 1860, and had directed that the O.’.B.’. of allegiance should be administered to all the members of chapters in that jurisdiction, and that hereafter it would be administered to candidates receiving the Royal Arch degree.’ (2)
“This Grand Chapter has been represented in the General Grand Chapter since 1871.
“Robert Farmer Bower of Iowa Grand Chapter was chosen General Grand High Priest in 1880, and died before his term was out.”
(1) Proceedings, 1856, p. 376.
(2) “History of Masonry,” p. 613.
Kansas.
The first dispensation was issued to Leavenworth Chapter, No. 1, at Leavenworth, January 24, 1857; to Washington Chapter, at Atchison, May 18, 1859. These two dispensations were reported by the General Grand High-Priest at the seventeenth meeting of the General Grand Chapter, held September, 1859, and at this meeting a Charter was granted to Washington Chapter, No. 2, September 14, 1859.
In the proceedings of the special convocation of the General Grand Chapter called by Comp. Albert G. Mackey, General Grand High-Priest, which assembled in Columbus, O., September 7, 1865, Washington Chapter, No. 1, of Kansas is reported present by Jacob Saqui, H.P. (1) At the triennial communication held next day, September 8th, at the same place, the Deputy General Grand High-Priest reported that he had renewed the dispensation of Leavenworth Chapter in May, 1863. (2) On September 8, 1865, a Charter was granted, (3) and also a Charter was granted to Fort Scott Chapter, the General Grand Secretary having reported that a dispensation had been issued to the chapter. (4)
By permission of the Deputy General Grand High-Priest a convention of the delegates of the several chapters was held January, 1866, and on February 23, 1866, a Grand Royal Arch Chapter was duly organized and constituted.
Kentucky.
In the proceedings of the General Grand Chapter at the fifth regular meeting, September 9, 1819, the proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky were presented and read, and a resolution was passed, viz. : “Whereas, It has been communicated to the General Grand Chapter that several Warrants of Constitution were gran
