CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A COLLECTION MADE BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 AND BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library HS537.NS6 L23 History of freemasonry In the State of N 3 1924 030 288 595 olln.anx Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030288595 •oi? £D O J^ "s «w aj w °^ ^ c «• g £2 !5 f^.r I— 1 u H s| M u>4 M S J^ tw o Oh^ •=!*-■ «cn o »+4 M° .H« ■S3 rt:^ ■"H Hi^ory of Freemasonry in the State of New York BY OSSIAN LANG Grand Lodge of New York, F. & A. M. MASONIC HALL NEW yORK •537 COPYRIGHTED, 1922, BY OEAND LODGE OF NEW YORK, JP. & A. If. All rights reserved ^5^ Printed in the U. S. A. The Bamiltor^ Printlno Co. A.n)ant/ and New Torle I I . 1)10 J J t PuBUSHED BY Order at the Grand Lodge of Free and Acceptbi Masons in the State of New Yorx. Grand Master Grand Secretary New York, N. Y, May 1, 1922. May 8, 1918, on motion of Past Grand Master Town- send Scudder, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, the Grand Lodge adopted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Grand Historian prepare and present to the Grand Lodge, at its next Annual Communication, a summary accoimt of the history of Freemasonry in the State of New York, to be printed in proper form for distribution. Fast Grand Master Samuel Nelson Sawyer at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on May 4, 1921, commended the several contributions of the Grand Historian dealing with the History of Free Masonry in the state of New York and offered a Resolution that the material be revised and published in book form and that copies thereof be made available through sale, or other- wise to all who might be interested. The resolution was adopted unanimously. PREFACE The object of the following pages is to give in simple language a general survey of the historic development of Freemasonry in the State of New York. The introductory chapters deal, in. the most summary fashion, with the beguming of present day Freemasonry in the British Isles and the American colonies. Just enough is told to pre- pare the way for a better appreciation of the story of the Craft in New York. Detail has been eliminated, except where it seemed desirable to clarify a difficult situation, as, for example, the anti-Masonic excitement at the begin- ning of the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Official records have been consulted throughout to the end that the presented facts may be accepted as reliable. The chapters dealing with most recent affairs are even more condensed than the rest, and personal references have been avoided altogether here. Nothing has been sup- pressed; though much has been omitted, which directly interested brethren might wish to have seen included. All that is claimed for the survey is that it is as accurate as careful historic research of one man can make it. The substance of the book is made up of reports written in compliance with a resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge, in 1918, asking the Grand Historian to prepare " a summary account of the history of Free- masonry in the State of New York." These reports appeared in the official Proceedings for 1919, 1920 and vii viii PREFACE 1921. When, in 1921, the Grand Lodge voted to have the reports printed and published in book form, I deemed it desirable to rewrite the whole. This revision, it is hoped, is in full harmony with the spirit of the gratifying resolution. If the book should meet with sufficient approval to warrant the publication of a new edition, it may be that a number of additional illustrations could be included to add to the interest of the story. The helpful index, at the end of the book, was prepared by R.'. W.'. Sidney Morse, Executive Secretary of the Committee on Educational Service^ whose co-operation in seeing the pages through the press is acknowledged with thanks. Many valuable suggestions have come to me from brethren in various parts of the State. I am particularly indebted to Past Grand Masters Townsend Scudder, S. Nelson Sawyer, Robert Judson Kenworthy and Thomas Penney for kindly criticisms and encouragement. New York, N. Y. Ossian Lang CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. Beginning of Historic Freemasonry 1 II. Masonic Beginnings in America . 6 Earliest Provincial Grand Masters in America. Price and His Successors. Earliest and Duly Constituted Lodges in North America. III. Masonic Beginnings in Colonial New York • . 18 Daniel Coxe (18). The Coxe Deputation (23). Richard Riggs and Francis Goelet (25). Newspaper Items (26). IV. Establishment of Duly Organized Masonry in The Province of New York, 17S3 to 1781 .... 30 Sir John Johnson, Last Provincial Grand Master. V. Earliest Duly Constituted Lodges in New York City .....•■ 34 St. John's Lodge, No. 2. (34). Union Liodge (35). Temple, Trinity, and Hiram (36). King Solomon's Lodge, No. 7 (36). Inde- pendent Royal Arch, No. 8 (38). King David's Lodge (38). Other Lodges (39). VI. Earliest Duly Constituted Lodges Outside of New York City, 1758 to the Beginning of the Revolu- tion • . . 40 Union No. 1, now Mount Vernon Lodge No. 3, (40) St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 8 (43). Master's Lodge, No. 2 (44). Solomon's Lodge, No. 1 (45). St. George's No. 1, (47). ix X CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE VII. Military Lodges 49 St. John's Regimental Lodge (SO). American Union Lodge, No. 1 (SI). VIII. Close or the First Provincial Grand Lodge 56 IX. The Atholl Provincial Grand Lodge 1781 to 1784 59 The Inchoate Grand Lodge of New York (60). Warrant (62). Organization of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New York (64). Modems Healed by Antients (66). Grand Lodge of Connecticut (67). The Lodges which Formed the Grand Lodge (68). Close of the Atholl Organization (69). X. Establishment or the Sovereign Grand Lodge or the State or New York 72 XI. Chancellor Livingston and St. John's Washington Bible. .... 79 St. John's Washington Bible (80). President Harding's Inaugural Oath (83). XII. The First Three Grand Masters of THE State ..-...• 84 Robert R. Livingston (84). Jacob Morton (86). DeWitt Clinton (88). XIII. Common School Beginnings and the Grand Lodge ...... 91 XIV. Grand Master Tompkins and Rise of Dissension 96 CONTENTS ::hafter XV. XVI. XVII. XI PAGE XVIII XIX XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. Two Grand Lodges in the State 1822 TO 1827 ........ 100 The Schismatic City Grand Lodge (102). The Lawful Grand Lodge (103). The Union (lOS). The Morgan Mystery and Masonic Persecution, 1827 to 1836 . . 108 The Grand Lodge During the Time of Persecution 126 Stephen Van Rensselaer, Grand Master, 1827 to 1830 (126). Grand Mastership of General Lewis, 1830 to 1843 (127). Biographical Ad- denda (129). Aftermath of Schisms and Final Restoration of Unity, 1837 to 1861 133 "St. John's Grand Lodge" Secession (133). The Schism of 1849 (135). More Confusion in the Craft (140). Restoration of Unity (142). The War Between the States . . 144 Military Lodges (146). War Incidents (148). Peace Restored (149). Relations with Grand Orients and Other Foreign Jxjrisdictions . 151 Cornerstone Laying of Public Build- ings AND Monuments . . . .161 The Masonic Hall, 1801 to 1889 . 164 The Twenty-Third Street Property (165). The Centenary of the Grand Lodge 172 xn CHAPTER XXIV. CONTENTS PAGE The Masonic Home at Utica — 1843 TO 1905 177 Location of the Site for the Home (181). XXV. The Utica Home— 1906 to 1921 . . 185 XXVI. The Greater Hall 192 XXVII. War Work of the Craft and the Memorial Hospital .... 197 XXVIII. Recent Developments 201 APPENDIX Membership Statistics 209 Table of First Six Officers of Grand Lodge FROM Date of Organization 210 Index 214 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE "First in Peace" Frontispiece Daniel Coxe (1673-1739) 20 Robert R. Livingston (1746 to 1813) 78 Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764 to 1839) . . 104 Celebration of the Masonic Union 134 Former Masonic Hall, New York City 168 Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel .... 190 Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hospital .... 198 xiu HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK BEGINNING OF HISTORIC FREEMASONRY Present day Freemasonry, whatever its antecedents may have been, began with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717. Perhaps it would be more accurate to date its beginning from the adoption by that Grand Lodge, about 1722, of the new "Charges or a Free-Mason, Extracted from the ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and of those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the Use of the Lodges in London." The adoption of these "Charges" marks the dividing line between the old and the new order of things. They were published, in 1723, together with an introductory "History" of the Fraternity, the "General Regulations . . . for the Use of the Lodges in and about London and Westminster," and supplementary material, in a printed volume entitled "The Constitutions of the Free-Masons: Containing the History, Charges, Regu- lations, etc., of that most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity." While primarily intended for the govern- ment of the Lodges in and about the cities of London and Westminster, "These New Constitutions," as they are fitly called in the dedicatory preface, were soon widely distributed, pirated, translated into foreign languages, 1 2 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK and became recognized universally as the fundamental law of the new Freemasonry which spread with astonishing rapidity over the civilized world. If anyone doubts that Freemasonry, as it is practised today, was derived from the Grand Lodge of England, let him compare the new "Charges" with those of an older date. He will find that the severance from any and all pre-existing connections was as fundamental and com- plete as was the severance of the American colonies from England after the adoption of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Our national history begins with the Declara- tion. Indeed, the history of the United States is "merely the story of the working out of the principles set out in the Declaration," as Cecil Chesterton has pointed out with a keen appreciation of the spirit of American democracy. Just so the history of Freemasonry begins with a declara- tion of principles. These are set forth in the New Con- stitutions promulgated by the Grand Lodge of England, and form the basic law of the Fraternity throughout the world. Indeed, the story of Freemasonry is merely the working out of those principles. There were Lodges of Freemasons, so called, before the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717. As a matter of fact, this Grand Lodge was formed by the representatives of four London Lodges, together with "some old Brothers" who were without any Lodge affilia- tion. The origin of these and other Lodges which sur- vived after a fashion in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, is not well established, though a reasonable presumption is that they had sprung, directly or indirectly, from medieval craft gilds, or bore at least BEGINNING OF HISTORIC FREEMASONRY 3 the marks of such parentage. The gilds had not been able to survive the shock of the break-up of medieval unity. A new era had been ushered in, and the re-adjust- ment of social institutions was not accomplished without wreckage of much that had been a source of joy and com- fort to men. A remnant was to be found, here and there, struggling to keep alive certain cherished gild traditions. Men who had been "made Masons", under the old regime, met together occasionally to admit new members into their fraternal circle, only to disperse again when this object was accomplished. The possession of a manuscript copy of one of the "Old Charges of British Freemasons" to be read to the candidates, was considered ample authority for the working of a Lodge. Indeed, "old Brothers" who had been "made" Masons under the loose and irresponsible practice followed before the establishment of the premier Grand Lodge, claimed the "immemorial right" to open "occasional" or "private" Lodges and admit new members by obligating these on the Old Charges. "Immemorial right" meant nothing more than traditional practice. There were, besides, surviving "time immemorial Lodges", which is a conventional name for Lodges in existence before the establishment of Grand Lodges. They met more or less regularly and recognized no authority superior to their own. Some of them were so jealous of their independence that they refused to sur- render their autonomy in exchange for a warrant from a Grand Lodge. Their right to such an attitude could not well be questioned, provided they did not appropriate or pirate for their own uses the New Constitutions, the 4 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK degree work and other innovations developed under the new order of things which began with the establishment of the premier Grand Lodge. Neither could they expect to enjoy the privilege of fraternal recognition by the Lodges working under Grand Lodge warrants. Exclusion from this privilege worked the ultimate absorption or extinction of the self-sufficient "time immemorial Lodges." Grand Lodge Freemasonry derived from the premier Grand Lodge won the day. Thenceforth no Lodge could claim recognition as a regular "just and duly constituted" Masonic body, except by authority from a Grand Body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work. The Grand Lodge of England originally did not claim exclusive territorial jurisdiction anywhere except in the cities of London and Westminster and neighboring local- ities. No fault was found when the old Lodge in the city of York transformed itself into a "Grand Lodge of All England," on St. John Evangelist Day, in 1725. Six months before, on St. John Baptist Day, the official representatives of six Lodges of "Gentlemen Free Masons," working in the city of Dublin, had formed the Grand Lodge of Ireland which soon after asserted exclu- sive jurisdiction in the Kingdom. The Grand Lodge of Scotland started under way in 1736, at Edinburgh. Perfect harmony of purpose and fraternal intercourse prevailed between these organizations, each respecting the autonomy of the others. All of them were governed by the same Constitutions, and these were the so-called Anderson Constitutions, prepared and published under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England, more or less modified in non-essentials to meet local conditions. BEGINNING OF HISTORIC FREEMASONRY S Things became more complicated when, about 1751, there was set in motion a militant rival Grand Lodge of England, with headquarters at London, which claimed for itself the title of "Antient" and dubbed "the other" estab- lishment "Modem". The Antients took over the Consti- tutions of 1723, as edited for the use of the Irish Lodges, and pirated by Laurence Dermott, the resourceful Grand Secretary and promoter. Peculiarities of ritual and usages derived from the York, Irish and Scots Lodges, proved popular and won many adherents, with the result that the "Grand Lodge of England according to the Ancient Institution" became a formidable rival of the premier Grand Lodge, in numerical strength. Each of the five Grand Lodges we have named, with two others which turned up in London and operated for a short space of time, claimed and exercised the right to authorize the formation of Masonic Lodges. They all subscribed to essentially the same Constitutions derived from the premier Grand Lodge. Four of them warranted Lodges outside of the British isles; they were the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland, and the Antients. Concurrent jurisdiction was assumed as a matter of course. The principle is maintained by the British Grand Lodges to this very day, as regards the Dependencies of Great Britain and territory not covered by the exclusive jurisdiction of a sovereign Grand Lodge in fraternal relation with them. It appeared desirable to set down these introductory explanations to pave the way for a fuller appreciation of Masonic developments in Colonial America and more particularly in New York. II MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA All Masonry to be found in the American Colonies was imported or derived from either England, Ireland, or Scotland. Even before the formation of the premier Grand Lodge of England there were in these three countries men who had been made Masons, whatever meaning may have been attached to that designation. I can think of no particular reason for assuming that these Masons abstained from emigrating to America. As a matter of fact, Jonathan Belcher, Governor of Massachu- setts Bay Colony, avowed on a memorable occasion, in 1741, that he had been made a Mason, in 1704, while in England. The avowal was duly chronicled at the time, no doubt because of the prominence of the speaker, because of the occasion, and because somebody thought it worth while to preserve a record of the declaration. It is established also that there were many other "old Brothers" in America, before any Lodge was established by authority from a Masonic Grand Lodge. On the other hand, it is equally certain that no credence can be given to any tale purportitig to exhibit traces of Masonry ante-dating the last decade of the seventeenth century, on these shores. The yams about Masonry among the aborigines, among the Jews at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1656, and the like, are spun of mungo and thin air. 6 MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 7 Masons who were without Lodge affiliations were com- monly referred to as coming from "The Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem." If one of these should happen to be in possession of a copy of one of the ancient Masonic Charges he felt himself authorized to hold a Lodge. The manner in which Masons propagated their kind, in the earlier days, was suggested in the introductory chapter. Furthermore a Brother "made" in England, Scotland, or Ireland, imder the old regime, if regime is a permissible term, believed himself invested with the "inherent right" to create other Masons even without a copy of the Old Charges. In the irresponsible days, before there were Grand Lodges claiming authority to regulate such pro- cedure, so-called "St. John Lodges" appeared frequently among English speaking Masons on both sides of the Atlantic. Thus there may well have been a Lodge held in King's Chapel, at Boston, in 1720, as is occasionally claimed by Massachusetts Brethren. It is also possible, though equally unproved, that a Lodge was held at Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, without sanction from any out- side authority in the early years of the eighteenth century, a document dated February 5th, 1736, announcing that the Lodge then working had "Constitutions both in print and manuscript as good as any that England could afford." The oldest well authenticated Lodge in America was a St. John's Lodge known to have been at work in Philadelphia, in 1730, and presumably it could trace its existence to an even earlier year. Available records, dat- ing from 1731, establish the fact of its operation beyond any reasonable doubt. This Lodge, like the old Lodge at York, in England, met sometimes as a private Lodge 8 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK and sometimes as a Grand Lodge, self-constituted. Benjamin Franklin became a member of it, in 1731, was elected Junior Grand Warden, in 1732, and Grand Master, in 1734. As he published, in 1734, a reprint of the Anderson Constitutions of 1723, he must have been fully aware of the Regulations adopted in 1721. Quite evidently he never doubted the regularity of his Grand Lodge, though he was not so sure whether this would be "countenanced" abroad, and he admitted as much, when he wrote, a few months after his election as Grand Master, that the Fraternity in Philadelphia "seems to want the sanction of some authority derived from home to give the proceedings and determinations of our Lodge their due weight." Nevertheless, the "Pocket Companion for Free Masons," printed at Dublin, in 1735, includes in its list of Lodges the following item: "116. The Hoop, in Water Street, in Philadelphia. 1st Monday." Thus it would seem that in Ireland at least the Lodge was recognized as Masonic. The Philadelphia Lodge had in its possession a manu- script copy of one of the old Constitutions ("Old Charges"), a transcript of which is to be found among the treasures of the present Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Chetwode Crawley writes concerning the old Grand Lodge at Philadelphia that, in his opinion, it was "formed by ancient, indefeasible right," and that it "stands on far other ground than if it had been formed by a dubious warrant, that is, permission from any outside power that had itself been formed in the higher way." Hughan MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 9 arrived at the same conclusion, quite independently and "without any previous consultation" with Crawley. That would seem to be authority sufficient to establish that the Grand Lodge at Philadelphia, over which Benjamin Franklia presided as Grand Master, in 1734, was a law- ful Masonic organization, exactly as was the Grand Lodge at York, in England. Whether the Lodge at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, or the one at Philadelphia, or some unknown Lodge was first in the field, in America, as a working Masonic Body, I am not competent to decide. As regards the "Lodge" in King's Chapel, Boston, there is no, evidence that it ever existed. The "immemorial" Lodges, whether working in Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland, or anywhere else, were considered "regular" provided they were in possession of a copy of the Old Constitutions; otherwise they were irregular, whether they met before or after 1717. After the Grand Lodge system was established firmly enough to enforce regulations defining lawful Masonic practice, the situation changed gradually. The proposition has been advanced repeatedly that Lodges which met before June 24, 1721, were "entirely regular," but not after that date. This would be true if it were not for the fact that the Regulations of the Grand Lodge of England, adopted in 1721, were intended only for the Metropolitan district of London and Westminster. The fact that the Regulations commended themselves to Masons elsewhere and acquired, in the course of time, universal validity, does not make their authority binding until they were known and accepted elsewhere. The old 10 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Lodge at York kept right on working despite the London Regulations. So did the Lodges in Ireland and Scotland. Grand Lodges were established at York, Dublin, Munster and Edinburgh, without leave from London or anywhere else. All this was told in our introductory chapter. Acknowledgment and registration by a recognized Grand Lodge made a Lodge "regular," whatever its origm. Lodges established by the Grand Master or by a deputized representative of that of&cer, under the rules of the premier Grand Lodge of England, were considered "duly consti- tuted." Ireland was the first Grand Lodge to issue writ- ten Warrants for the due constitution of Lodges. After the other existing Grand Lodges had adopted a like method of regularization, the designation, "duly consti- tuted," was applied to every Lodge in possession of a lawful charter or dispensation from a Grand Body of competent jurisdiction empowering it to work. In short, the Lodges working in the American Colonies by "immemorial" right (or its assumption) and "getting by," after 1721, and before a Provincial Grand Master was appointed for any part of North America, were neither more nor less lawful than the Lodges in England, Ireland and Scotland, which proceeded on similar lines. The distinction of being the first "duly constituted" Lodge in America, belongs no doubt to the First Lodge of Boston, which was established on July 30th, 1733, by authority of Henry Price, deputed Provincial Grand Master for New England. Price's authority has been questioned and is not altogether unimpeachable; never- theless, the First Lodge in Boston was recognized officially by the premier Grand Lodge of England, and that ought MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 11 to be good enough warrant for accrediting it as ''duly constituted" and the first of its kind in America. EARLIEST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS IN AMERICA The earliest reference to any part of America in any Grand Lodge document whatsoever is preserved in the shape of a deputation granted by the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1730, nominating, ordaining, constituting and appointing Colonel Daniel Coxe, of New Jersey, Provincial Grand Master of the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This was in 1730. The appointment was for two years. The patent empowered Daniel Coxe to act, with a Deputy Grand Master and Wardens of his own selection, in the place and stead of the Grand Master of England, constituting the Free and Accepted Masons then residing in the three Provinces or taking up residence there, during his encumbency — "into one or more regular Lodge or Lodges, as he shall think fit and as often as occasion shall require." The evident assumption was that there were Free and Accepted Masons in New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania, before Daniel Coxe was appointed Provincial Grand Master. It is clear also that the Lodges which might be constituted by this Brother could get together to form a Grand Lodge of their own and, on St. John Baptist Day, in 1732, elect their own Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens. The Duke of Norfolk, a loyal Roman Catholic and an ardent promoter of Freemasonry, entertained the hope, no 12 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK doubt, that the Fraternity would gain a firm foothold in America, under the Provincial Grand Masteiship of Daniel Coxe. This latter dignitary, unfortunately, found it necessary to remain in England for several years to protect his vast property interests and claims. We read of his being toasted in Grand Lodge as "Provincial Grand Master of North America," and attending his own Lodge at Devil Tavern, within Temple Bar, but as far as evi- dences of any practical exercise of his powers and pre- rogatives as Provincial Grand Master for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are concerned, there simply are none. Consulting the published records of the Grand Lodge of England, we find that the only deputations to Provin- cial Grand Masters for various parts of North America, there mentioned, were the following: In 1729, by the Duke of NORFOLK, Grand Master, To Mr. DANIEL COX, for New Jersey in America; In 1736, by the Earl of LOUDOUN, Grand Master, To ROBERT TOMLINSON, Esq., for New England; JOHN HAMMERTON, Esq., for South Carolina; In 1737, by the Earl of DARNLEY, Grand Master, To RICHARD RIGGS, Esq., for New York; In 1742, by Lord WARD, Grand Master, To THOMAS OXNARD, Esq., for North America; In 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1751, by Lord BYRON, Grand Master, To WM. ALLEN, Esq., Recorder of Philadelphia, for Penn- sylvania in America; FRANCIS GOELET, Esq., for the Province of New York; MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 13 In 1752, 1753, by Lord CARYSFORT, Grand Master. To GEORGE HARRISON, Esq., for the Province of New York; In 1754, 1755, by the Marquis of CARNARVAN, Grand Master, To PETER LEIGH, Esq., Chief Justice of South Carolina, for South Carolina; JEREMIAH GRIDLEY, Esq., for all North America, where no Provincial is appointed; In 1758, 1759, 1760, 1761, 1762, by Lord ABERDOUR, Grand Master, To GREY ELLIOT, for the Province of Georgia; BENJAMIN SMITH, Esq., Speaker of the House Assem- bly at Carolina, for Carolina. As Coxe was appointed, in 1730, for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, it is evident that some allow- ance must be made for the list, at iny rate for the period before 1736. It is quite within reason, therefore, to assume that Henry Price may have been appointed Pro- vincial Grand Master for New England, in 1733, espe- cially as he acted as such, and his acts were subsequently approved and confirmed by the Grand Lodge of England. PRICE AND HIS SUCCESSORS Henry Price was a merchant tailor. He was bom in London, in 1697, and arrived at Boston, in 1723. Ten years later, according to his own written statement, he was in London on a visit and made the acquaintance of a number of distinguished Masons. He is supposed to have been a member of Lodge 7S, and as the name of Henry 14 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Price appears among those present at a meeting held in Rainbow Coffee-House, on July 17th, 1730, it is assumed that he was in London at that time. The nature of his business and family connections suggest that he visited London quite frequently, during the first ten years after settling in Boston. However that may be, he was at London, in 1733. In this year he claimed to have obtained from Viscount Montague, who was Grand Master that year, a deputation appointing him Provincial Grand Master for New England. American Masons owe much to Henry Price. His record of results achieved in the establishment of Lodges, though greatly exaggerated by himself, is none the less remarkable. The zeal shown by the Masons of Boston hastened, if it did not inaugurate, the development of lawfully organized American Freemasonry. There is no convincing evidence that Henry Price was given jurisdiction "over the whole of North America", in 1734, or at any other time, though the impression got abroad that he was, and he encouraged the unsubstantiated assumption. Neither had he the right to appoint Provin- cial Grand Masters anywhere. That right belonged to the Grand Master of England and could not be exercised lawfully by any other, except by special warrant, as, for instance, by a patent such as was given to Daniel Coxe for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, or the deputations later issued to Thomas Oxnard and Jeremy Gridley. The Earl of Loudoun, Grand Master, in 1736, appointed Robert Tomliason Provincial Grand Master for New England, to succeed Henry Price. MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA IS The first Provincial Grand Master to be designated officially for North America, was Thomas Qxnard, a socially prominent resident of Boston. The patent of appointment was issued to him by Lord Ward, Grand Master, in 1742. As there were duly accredited Provin- cial Grand Masters in other North American Colonies, the assumption is justified that Oxnard's authority was to extend only to territory not otherwise assigned specifically to another. A mistaken sense of his powers induced him, in 1749, to appoint Benjamin Franklin Provincial Grand Master for Pennsylvania. That this appointment was not taken seriously in England is evidenced from the fact that, a few months later. Lord Byron, Grand Master, issued a patent creating William Allen, Recorder of Philadelphia, Proviipal Grand Master for Pennsylvania, who, on March 13th, 1790, appointed Franklin his Dq)uty, and Franklin understood. Oxnard died on June 26th, 1754, and on April 4th, 1755, Colonel Jeremy Gridley, Attorney-General for Massachusetts, was appointed to succeed him. The patent was issued by Lord Byron, Grand Master, and con- ferred authority over "all such provinces and places in North America and the Territories thereof, of which no Provincial Grand Master is at present appointed." If it appears that overly much attention has been bestowed upon New England in the foregoing summary survey of Masonic developments in America, prior to 1758, the chief reason for it is that New England evidenced the most productive zeal and was able to show more tangible 16 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK results than any other section of this continent. Further- more, as New York is the ground to be covered in the succeeding chapters, all that has been said thus far is intended to be merely introductory. Everything not hav- ing some sort of relation to the history of Masonry in Colonial New York has been omitted. EAEIIEST AND DULY CONSTITUTED LODGES IN NORTH AMERICA It may be of interest to set up a list of Lodges accredited as "duly constituted" before 1758. My reason for fixing upon this period is that it excludes the Lodges formed by the Antients who started operations in the American Colonies, in 1758, and it also eliminates the Lodges working under military warrants in the possession of regiments brought over to take part in the French and Indian War. Here is the list, with the years in which the Lodges are supposed to have been constituted: St. John's (First Lodge), Boston, Massachusetts, 1733. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1734. Montserrat, West Indies, 1734. Solomon's, Savannah, Georgia, 1735. Solomon's, Charleston, South Carolina, 1735. St. John's, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1736. Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, 1738. Master's, Boston, Massachusetts, 1738. Antigua, West Indies, 1738. Norfolk, Virginia, 1741. Prince George, Winyow, South Carolina, 1743. Newfoundland, 1746. Newport, Rhode Island, 1749. Second Lodge, Boston, Massachusetts, 1750. Third Lodge, Boston, Massachusetts, 1750. MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA 17 Hiram, No. 1, New Haven, Connecticut, 17S0. Annapolis, Maryland, 1750. Halifax, Nova Scotia, 17S0. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 17S2. Rising States, Boston, 17S2. Royal Exchange, Norfolk, Virginia, 1753. Union, No. S, Stamford, Connecticut, 1753. New London, Connecticut, 1753. Wilmington, North Carolina, 1754. St. John's, No. 2, Middletown, Cormecticut, 1754. Union, Charleston, South Carolina, 17S5. Masters, Charleston, South Carolina, 1755. Port Royal Kilwinning Crosse, Virginia, 1755. Port Royal, Beaufort, South Carolina, 1756. St. John's, No. 2, New York, 1757. Providence, Rhode Island, 1757. Lake George, Canada, (now N. Y.), 1757. Blandford, Virginia, 1757. Ill MASONIC BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK When and where Masonic Lcxiges first came into existence in Colonial New York, is one of the many unsolved questions in the history of beginnings of the Fraternity in various parts of the world. It is more than likely that there were Freemasons among the Colonists, at least from 1721 onward and before any notice of Lodge meetings appeared in print We do know that the Prov- ince of New York was mentioned in the first of&cial document emanating from the Grand Lodge of England, as was shown in the preceding chapter. The patent issued to Daniel Coxe creating him Provincial Grand Master for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, states in so many words that there were "Free and Accepted Masons residing and about to reside" in these Provinces, and that several of them had joined in a peti- tion to the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1730, asking him "to nominate and appoint a Provincial Grand Master of the said Provinces." DANIEL COXE With the appointment of Colonel Coxe as the first Provincial Grand Master to be "nominated, ordained, constituted and appointed" for any part of America, 18 BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 19 begins the official history of duly constituted Freemasonry in the New World in general and the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in particular, how- ever disappointing the extant information may be as regards results traceable to this deputation. And yet, while we cannot tell of Lodges set at work and Masonic meetings held, we have abundant reason, as American freemen, to keep in grateful veneration the name of our first Grand Master. It was this same Daniel Coxe who first proposed, in 1727, a Union of -the British Colonies on the Continent of North America. The plan he advo- cated was, a half century later, revived and adapted to new conditions by Benjamin Franklin, another Free- mason, and became the groundwork of the Constitution of the United States of America. Thus, though he could not have foreseen the course of events, Daniel Coxe helped to blaze the trail for the establishment of the Union which was destined to achieve independence and become one of the great Powers in the world. As his share in preparing the way for the building of our federal Constitution has been accorded little, if any, consideration by the historians of America, I may be pardoned for introducing the subject here somewhat more fully than otherwise would be justifiable. The father of Colonel Coxe was Dr. Daniel Coxe, a native of London, who served as physician to Katherine of Portugal, wife of King Charles II, and later to Queen Anne. Some time between these royal appointments, he came to America and was Governor of West Jersey from 1687 to 1690. King James II granted him a patent mak- ing him proprietor of that vast territory then known as 20 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK the Province of Carolana and described as "extending from 31 to 36 degrees of North Latitude inclusive, on the Continent of America and to several adjacent islands." The younger Daniel — our Daniel — was bom in America, in 1673, and appears to have been educated in England, where he passed the greater part of his life. At the age of thirty, he was made Colonel of the military forces in West Jersey, and, two years later, became a member of the Provincial Council. In 1716, he was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The next year we find him in London, after a stay of fourteen years in America. His efforts in the British capital were devoted chiefly to the writing of the remarkable book which forever estab- lishes his claim upon the interest of students of American history. This book was published at London, in 1729,* and shortly after appeared in a French translation at Paris. Its title is a rather lengtiiy one: A Description of the English Province of Carolana, By the Spaniards call'd Florida, and By the French La Louisiane. As also of the Great and Famous River Meschacebe or Mississippi The Five vast Navigable Lakes of Fresh Water, and the Parts Adjacent. Together with an Account of the Commodities of the Growth and Production of the said Province. And a Preface containing some Considerations on the French making Settlements there. The Preface is replete with interesting historical notes and keen observations on the welfare of the British * There may have_ been an earlier edition, as some writers say the book was published in 1716. I doubt it. The copy used by me Dears the imprint of 1729. DANIEL COXE (1673-1739) First Provincial Grand Master of the Province of New York. Ap- pointed for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 1730, by the Duke of York, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England. Daniel Coxe was the author of a remarkable plan for the political union of all American colonies under one Supreme Governor, This plan was de- veloped, thirty years later, by Benjamin Franklin and presented by him at a Conference on Indian Affairs, in Albany, N, Y. Daniel Coxe was a justice of the Supreme Court of the Province of New Jersey during the last years of his life. BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 21 Colcmists in America. Coxe refers to his "about fourteen years residence on the Continent of America" and how he had visited a number of the Colonies, particularly the more important ones. He explains that there are "500,000 British subjects inhabiting the several Colonies on the East Side of the Continent of North America, along the Sea Shore, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to that of Florida, all contiguous to each other", and proposes a Union of these Colonies under a plan of government, which in its essential features suggested the later organ- ization of the United States. The "Expedient" is outlined by him, as follows : All Colonies appertaining to the Crown of Great Britain on the Northern Continent of America be United under a Legal, Regular, and firm Establishment, over which, it's proposed, a Lieutenant, or Supreme Govemour may be constituted and appointed to preside on the Spot, to whom the Govemours of each Colony shall be subordinates. It is further "humbly proposed" that Two Deputies shall be annually elected by the Council and the Assembly of each Province [Senators], who are to be in the nature of a Great Council, or General Convention of the Estates of the Colonies; and by the Order, Consent or Approbation of the Lieutenant or Govemour General, shall meet together, consult and advise for the Good of the whole, settle and appoint particular quota's or proportions of money, men, provisions, &c., that each respective government is to raise, for their mutual defense and safety, as well as, if necessary, for Offence and Invasion of their enemies; in all which cases the Govemour General or Lieutenant is to have a Negative, but not to enact anything without their concurrence, or that of the Majority of them. The Quota or Proportion, as above allotted and charg'd on each Colony, may, nevertheless, be levy'd and raised by its own Assem- bly, in such manner, as they shall judge most easy and convenient, and the circumstances of their affairs will permit. 22 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Other Jurisdictions, Powers and Authorities, respecting the Honor of His Majesty, the Interest of the Plantations, and the Liberty and Property of the Proprietors, Traders, Planters and Inhabitants in them, may be vested in and cognizable in the above said Govemour General or Lieutenant, and Grand Convention of the Estates, according to the Laws of England. . . . A Coalition or Union of this nature, temper'd with and grounded on Prudence, Moderation and Justice, and a generous Incourage- ment given to the Labour, Industiy and good Management of all sorts and conditions of Persons inhabiting, or anyways concerned or interested in the several Colonies above mentioned, will in all probability lay a sure and lasting Foundation of Dominion, Strength and Trade, sufficient not only to secure and promote the Prosperity of the Plantations, but to revive and greatly increase the late Flourishing Estate and Condition of Great Britain. Coxe refers to his proposal as "being general and sub- mitted with humility." Causidering the time at which it was written, the measure of freedom and self-determina- tion accorded to the Colonies marks a considerable step forward toward final independence. Daniel Coxe returned to America shortly after the publication of his book, as is clear from a letter written by him from Trenton, New Jersey, in 1728. In 1730 he was again in London looking after the settlement of his extensive property claims. He was fifty-seven years of age when he was appointed Provincial Grand Master by the Duke of Norfolk, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England. The following year he attended a meeting of the Grand Lodge and was there toasted as "Provincial Grand Master of North America." He may have departed for America before the close of 1731. It is not at all improbable that he authorized the formation of Lodges in his Masonic jurisdiction, but there is no convincing testimony to show that he did. He became BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 23 one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the Province of New Jersey, in 1734, and continued in office until the day of his death, at Trenton, on April 2Sth, 1739. His body was interred in front of the chancel of St. Mary's Church (Anglican), at Burlington, New Jersey. Benjamin Franklin published in his paper a brief notice of the death of Daniel Coxe, in which he refers to this distinguished American as a Justice of the Supreme Court, but makes no mention of him as a Mason. Franklin quite likely had never heard of Coxe's exalted official station in the craft. THE COXE DEPUTATION The text of the deputation issued to Daniel Coxe by the Duke of Norfolk is given below in full, as it was the first document of its kind ever granting official authority to constitute Masonic Lodges in any part of America: To all and every our Right Worshipful, Worshipful, and loving brethren now residing or may hereafter reside in the Provinces of New York, New Jersey and Pensilvania, His Grace, Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, Earl of Arundel, Surry, Norfolk and Norwich, Baron Mowbray, Howard Segrave, Brewse of Gower, Fitz Allen, Warren, Clau Oswald, estre Maltravers Graystock, Fumival Verdon, Love- lot, Straugo of Blackmere, and Howard of Castle Rising, after the Princess of the Royal Blood, first Duke Earl and Baron of England, Chief of the illustrious family of Howards, Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England, Sendeth Greeting: Whereas, application has been made tmto us by our Rt Wor- shipful and well beloved Brother, Daniel Coxe, of New Jersey, Esq'r., and by several, other brethren, free and accepted Masons, residing and about to reside in the said Provinces of New York, 24 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK New Jersey and Pensilvania, that we should be pleased to nom> inate and appoint a Provincial Grand Master of the said Provinces: Now Know Ye, that we have nominated, ordained, constituted, and appointed and do by these Presents, nominate, ordain, consti- tute, and appoint, our Right Worshipful and well beloved Brother, the said Daniel Coxe, Provincial Grand Master of the said Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Pensilvania, with full Power and Authority to nominate and appoint his Dep. Grand Master and Grand Wardens, for the space of two years from the feast of St. John the Baptist, now next ensuing, after which time it is our Will and Pleasure, and we do hereby ordain that the brethren who do now reside, or may hereafter reside, in all or any of the said Provinces, shall and they are hereby empowered every other year on the feast of St. John the Baptist to elect a Provincial Grand Master, who shall have the power of nominating and appointing his Dep. Grand Master and Grand Wardens. And we do hereby empower our said Provincial Grand Master, and the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens for the time being, for us and in our place and stead to constitute the Brethren (free and accepted Masons) now residing, or who shall hereafter reside in those parts into one or more regular Lodge or Lodges, as he shall think fit, and as often as occasion shall require, — He, the said Daniel Coxe, and the Provincial Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, for the time being, taking special care that all and every member of any Lodge or Lodges so to be constituted have or shall be made regular Masons, and that they do cause all and every the Regulations contained in the printed Book of Constitutions, except so far as they have been altered by the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly Meetings, to be kept and observed, and also all such other Rules and Instructions as shall from time to time be transmitted to him or them by us, or Nath'l. Blackerly, Esq'r., our Deputy Grand Master, or the Grand Master or his Deputy for the time being, — And that he, the said Daniel Coxe, our Provincial Grand Master of the said Provinces, and the Provincial Grand Master for the time being, or his Deputy, do send to us or our Deputy Grand Master, and to the Grand Master of England or his Deputy for the time being, annually an accoimt in writing of the number of Lodges so constituted, with the names of the several members of each particular Lodge, together with such other matters and BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 25 things as he or they shall think fit to be communicated for the benefit of the Craft. And lastly we will and require that our said Provincial Grand Master, and the Grand Master, for the time being, or his Deputy, do amiually cause the Brethren to keep the feast of St. John the Evangelist, and dine together on that day, or (in case any accident should happen to prevent their dining together on that day) on any other day near that time, as the Provincial Grand Master for the time being shall judge most fit, as is done here, and at that time more particularly, and at all Quarterly Communications he do recommend a General Charity, to be established for the relief of poor brethren of the said Province. Given under our hand and seal of office, at London, this fifth day of June, 1730, and of Masonry, 5730. NOEPOLK, G. ii. RICHARD RIGGS AND FRANCIS GOELET Captain Richard Riggs was appointed Provincial Grand Master for New York, on November 15th, 1737, by the Earl of Damley, Grand Master of England. A notice of his arrival in New York was published in the New York Gazette of May 21st, 1738. Before his com- ing and during his term of office there appeared in the New York City papers several items relating to Masonry and Masons. It is certain that a duly constituted Lodge was at work in 1738. Whether it was formed by Captain Riggs, or whether it was in existence before his appoint- ment as Provincial Grand Master, is not known. Indeed, there appears to be no reliable information as to anything that was done by him, neither have I been able to find any biographical notices concerning the man himself. Captain Riggs had returned to England in or before 1751. During this year, Lord Byron, Grand Master of England, appointed Francis Goelet to succeed him. 26 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Nothing beyond this bare record can be told about the third Provincial Grand Master of New York. JfEWSPAPER ITEMS Fortunately we are not left altogether in the dark regarding Masonic developments during the period covered by the Coxe, Riggs and Goelet deputations. The news- papers of the period supply a few items which suggest that Masons were at work in the Province and held meetings from time to time. No one appears to have taken the trouble to make a close search for references to Masonry contained in the various periodicals of the Province. The few meagre notices handed down do not reveal that any widespread interest was attached to the doings of the early Brethren. On November 26th, 1737, the New York Gazette printed a "letter to the editor," in which the writer warned the colonists that "a Society called Freemasons" had appeared in Great Britain and had "at last extended to these parts of America." As the newspapers of Philadel- phia and Boston had been running considerable news matter about Masonic affairs, for some years, and Benja- min Franklin had gotten out a reprint of the Book of Constitutions of 1723, which must have been known to the newspaper publishers in New York, the Gazette story of 1737 does not necessarily imply that there were Lodges in the Province engrossing the interest of the general public. The "letter to the editor" reads as follows: Mr. Bradford: There being a new and unusual sect or Society of Persons of late appeared in our native Country, and from BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 27 thence spread into some other Kingdoms and Common Wealths, and at last has extended to these parts of America, their Principle, Practices and Designs not being known, nor by them published to the World, has been the reason that in Holland, France, Italy and other Places they have been supprest. AU other societies that have appeared in the World have published their Principles and Practices, and when they meet set open their Meeting-house Doors, for all that will come in and see and hear them, but this Society called FREE MASONS, meet with their Doors shut, and a Guard at the outside to prevent any approach near to hear or see what they are doing. And as they do not publish their Prin- ciples or Practices, so they oblige all their Proselytes to keep them secret, as may appear by the severe Oath they are obliged to take at their first admittance. Which Oath is as follows, viz.: "I, A. B., Hereby solemnly Vow and Swear in the Presence of Almighty God, and this Right Worshipful Assembly, that I will Hail and Conceal and never Reveal the Secrets or Secrecy of Masons or Masonry, that shall be revealed unto me; imless to a true and Lawful Brother, after due Examination, or in a just and Worshipful Lodge of Brothers and Fellows well met. "I further more Promise and Vow, That I will not Write them. Print them, Mark them. Carve them, or Engrave them, or cause them to be Written, Printed, Marked, Carved, or Engraved on Wood or Stone, so as the Visible Chau'acter or Impression of a Letter may appear, whereby it may be unlawfully obtained. "All this under no less Penalty than to have my Throat cut, my Tongue taken from the Roof of my Mouth, my Heart pluck'd from under my left Breast, then to be buried in the Sands of the Sea, the Length of a Cable Rope from Shore where the Tide ebbs and flows twice in 24 Hours, my Body to be burnt to Ashes and be scatter'd upon the Face of the Earth, so that there shall be no more Remembrance of me among Masons. So help me God!" If any duly constituted Lodge existed in New York at that time (1731), all traces of it are lost. As the letter writer views with alarm the extension of the Fraternity "to these parts of America," we may assume that Masonic meetings were beginning to attract notice in Little Old New York, and that somebody felt the urge to call out 28 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK from his watch-tower, "From these snares of the Devil, O Lord, deliver us!" On June 26th, 1738, the Gazette published "A Song for the Free Masons," followed by "A Parody of the Same Verses for the ladies," with quips which were probably considered quite clever in their day, but the humor of which has lost its flavor since. The only historic value they have is that they suggest pretty plainly that by this time meetings of the Fraternity were well imder way. The first public announcement of a Lodge called "by order of the Grand Master," appeared in the Gazette of January 22d, 1739, and read as follows: Brethren of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons are desired to take notice that the Lodge for the future will be held at the Montgomerie Arms Tavern on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. By order of the Grand Master. CHAKtES Wood, Secretary. Captain Riggs, Provincial Grand Master, had landed in New York, in May, 1738. So he was no doubt the Grand Master referred to. The announcement implies that the Lodge had been at work for some time, yet it is the first known record of a duly authorized assembly of the kind. The next notice appeared in the form of an advertisement in the Gazette of September 24th, 1739: All members of the Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons arc desired to meet on Wednesday next, the twenty-ninth inst., at the Montgomerie Tavern, in the City of New York, at six o'clock in the afternoon. ' By order of the Grand Master. Charles Wood, Secretary. BEGINNINGS IN COLONIAL NEW YORK 29 The Provincial Grand Master who succeeded Francis Goelet was George Harison (spelled with one r by himself, and he ought to know best). His activities extended over a period of almost eighteen years and produced results which have survived to this day. Of him and his suc- cessor in office, Sir John Johnson, the iifth and last Provincial Grand Master appointed for the Province of New York by a Grand Master of the premier Grand Lodge of England, we shall speak in the next chapter. IV ESTABLSHMENT OF DULY ORGANIZED MASONRY IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK 1753 TO 1781 George Haeison, Esquire, was appointed Provincial Grand Master of New York, on June 9th, 1753, by Lord Carysfort, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. Harison was evidently resolved from the start to be of real service to the Fraternity. He infused new life in the Provincial Grand Lodge and stirred the craft into action. In order to impress upon the Brethren the dignity of the under- taking, he called a meeting of the Grand Lodge for the organization of preparations for a fitting installation. An advertisement was inserted in the New York Mercury of November 19th, 1753, reading as follows: The members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in New York, are desired to meet at the Kings Arms Tavern, on Wednesday, the 19th day of December, on business of importance. By order of the Grand Master. H. Gaine, Secretary. The installation and proclamation ceremony took place on the festival of St. John Evangelist, in December. The Grand Lodge then walked in solemn procession to Trinity Church, for Divine Service. The Mercury of December 31st, 1753, published the following most interesting report of the proceedings of the day: 30 MASONRY IN PROVINCE OF NEW YORK 31 On Thursday last at a Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Wor- shipful Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, a Commission from the Honorable John Proby, Baron of Craysfort, in the King- dom of Ireland, Grand Master of England, appointed George Harison, Esquire, to be Provincial Grand Master, was solemnly published, we hear, to the universal satisfaction of all the brethren present, after which, it being the festival of St. John the Evan- gelist, service at Trinity Church. The order to which they pro- ceeded was as follows: First walked the Sword Bearer, carrying a drawn sword; then four stewards with White Maces, followed by the Treasurer and Secretary, who bore each a crimson damask cushion, on which lay a gilt Bible, and the Book of Constitution; after these came the Grand Wardens and Wardens; then came the Grand Master himself, bearing a trunchion and other badges of his ofSce, followed by the rest of the brotherhood, according to their respective ranks — Masters, Fellow Crafts and 'Prentices, to about the number of Fifty, all clothed with their jewels, aprons, white gloves and stockings. The whole ceremony was conducted with utmost decorum, under a discharge of guns from some vessels in the harbor, and made a genteel appearance. We hear they afterwards conferred a generous donation of fifteen poimds from the public stock of the Society to be expended in clothing for the poor children belonging to our charity school; and made a hand- some private contribution for the relief of indigent prisoners. In the evening, by the particular request of the brethren, a comedy, called "The Conscious Lovers," was presented in the Theatre in Nassau Street to a very crowded audience. Several pieces of vocal music, in praise of the Fraternity, were performed between the acts. An epilogue suitable to the occasion, was pronounced by Mrs. Hallam, with all grace of gesture, and propriety of execution, and met with universal and loud applause. Query: Whether the performance of public and private acts of beneficence, such as feeding the himgry and clothing the naked, be most correspondent to the Genius of Christianity, or to the Institution of the Prince of Darkness? The editorial postscript "query" was intended no doubt to confound the detractors of the craft and to appease public opinion. Notices of individual Lodges now began to multiply. 32 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK The Mercury of December 23d, 1758, announces a cele- bration of "the festival of St. John," to be held by Temple Lodge, at Fountain Tavern. Nine years later the same paper speaks of a like celebration planned by "the brethren composing St. John's, Trinity, Union and King Solomon's Lodges." On January 2d, 1768, we read that the festival was celebrated at Trinity Church by several other Lodges, among them Hiram Lodge, which on that occasion "contributed alone one hundred pounds" for poor rehef. Grand Master Harison labored with vmtiring zeal and exceptional ability for the extension of Freemasonry in the Province of New York. Several of the Lodges which he warranted have continued to this day. If he could have remained in ofi&ce imtil the breaking out of the War for American Independence, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York might now be tracing its origin to a warrant from the premier Grand Lodge of England and be the oldest duly constituted Grand Lodge in the Western Hemisphere. SIR JOHN JOHNSON, LAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER Grand Master Hanson's successor in office was Sir John Johnson, son of Sir William, the distinguished diplomat. The deputation was issued to him by Lord Blaney, Grand Master of England, in 1767, but Sir John was not formally installed as Grand Master until 1771. The first and only stationary Lodge warranted by him was St. George's, No. 1, at Schenectady, on September 14th, 1774, after it had been working under a dispensation from him since June 21st of that year. MASONRY IN PROVINCE OF NEW YORK 33 The struggle for independence being rife, and Sir John being a Tory of the Tories, he appointed Dr. Peter Middleton, Deputy Grand Master, and devoted his ener- gies to the Royalist cause. Dr. Middleton issued a war- rant to St. John's Regimental, No. 1 , composed of brethren belonging to the Colonial army. At the close of the war this warrant turned up at Clark's Town in possession of some brethren located there. The Deputy Grand Master also issued a warrant, in 1776, to Military Union Lodge, No. 1, composed of brethren of the Colonial army who had come from Boston. EARLIEST DULY CONSTITUTED LODGES IN NEW YORK CITY Nothing definite is known of the earliest Lodges con- stituted in. New York City, before 1757. The quoted newspaper report of the installation of George Harison as Provincial Grand Master, in 17S3, makes no mention of the participating Lodges, but tells only that about fifty "Masons, Fellow Craft and 'Prentices" marched in public procession to old Trinity Church. In 1758, the New York Mercury printed a notice, on December 23d, announcing that Temple Lodge would celebrate St. John Evangelist Day. Nine years later, the same paper named St. John's, No. 2, Trinity, Union, King Solomon's and Hiram Lodges as having been represented at the annual celebration. The only one of these Lodges surviving to this day is St. John's, No. 2, now No. 1 on the Grand Lodge register. ST. John's lodge, no. 2 The original warrant of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, was surrendered to the AthoU Provincial Grand Lodge which was formed in 1781, and is no longer in existence. It was issued by George Harison and bore the date of December 7th, 1757. As the name of the Lodge was given as St. John's, No. 2, it is fair to assume that there 34 EARLIEST LODGES IN NEW YORK CITY 35 was a No. 1 of an earlier date. The history of the Lodge is a most interesting one and might well form the subject of a separate chapter. As we are, however, concerned only with the general history of Masonry in the Province and State of New York, we must forego the temptation of entering upon a detailed account. Much that relates to St. John's, as, for example, its treasured Washington Bible on which the first President of the United States took his inaugural oath of office, will appear in succeeding chapters. The principal point to be fixed here is merely that No. 2 is really No. 1, the oldest surviving Lodge in the City and State of New York. UNION LODGE The date of the institution of Union Lodge of New York City is not known. It existed in 1767 and was warranted by George Hanson, probably several years before. Robert P. Livingston, who became the first Grand Master of the State of New York, was Master of Union Lodge, in 1771, when he was twenty-five years old, for, as we shall see further on, on April 18th of this year he constituted Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, at Poughkeepsie, as acting Grand Master by authority of Provincial Grand Master Harison. Union was active for a number of years. During the Revolution it appears to have suspended labor. New York City then being occupied by the British and the Lodge almost to a man having espoused the cause of Independence. After the close of the war, the Lodge was given a new warrant by the Atholl Provincial Grand Lodge and became Union, No. 8. Of its later fortunes no information has been found. 36 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK TEMPLE, TKENITY, AND HIKAM Temple, Trinity, and Hiram Lodges of New York City have left no record behind them. It is more than likely that by amalgamations and changes of many sorts they lost their original identity, and the course of events which wrought the transmutations is not now discernible. The Lodges formed under the auspices of the premier Grand Lodge of England, as far as New York is concerned, were all of them composed of American patriots, and this may explain the disappearance of the City Lodges, after the British took possessioa in 1776. They helped to dis- seminate sound Masonic principles and practices and con- tributed liberally to the relief of the distressed. That much we can gather from the scant notices we have of them. Thus, for example, the New York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury, of January 2d, 1768, suggest somewhat of the spirit animating the Lodges, in this brief notice: On Tuesday last being St. John's Day, by desire of His Excel- lency, Sir Henry Moore, a Charity Sermon was preached at Trinity Church, in this city. The Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, Rector of Trinity, delivered a most excellent discourse upon the occasion, to a polite and numerous audience. Several Lodges of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, properly deco- rated, attended divine worship. The collection was very consider- able, the Members of the Hiram Lodge alone having contributed one hundred pounds — a considerable relief at this inclement season to the poor of this City, many of whom have been in the greatest distress. KING Solomon's lodge, no. 7 Another of the Lodges named as taking part in the St. John's Day celebration, in December, 1767, is King EARLIEST LODGES IN NEW YORK CITY 37 Solomon's. It appears to have been very active and to have enjoyed considerable popularity. My reason for mentioning it separately is because there is in existence a certificate issued in 1767, which affords a glimpse of the importance attached to Masonic regularity. It reads as follows: "And the darkness comprehended it not." In the East a place full of light where reigns reason, silence and peace, We, the subscribers, Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, of King Solomon's Lodge No. 7, of Free and Accepted Masons of the Register of New York, granted to us by a dispen- sation of Great Britain to George Hanson, esq.. Grand Master of this Province, dedicated to St. John. Adorned with all their honors and regularities assembled in Lodge in due form, do declare, certify and attest, to all men, lighten'd and spread on the face of the earth. The bearer hereof, our well beloved Brothei John Ledsam, hath been received by us an entered apprentice and Fellow Craft; and after have sustained with strength, firmness and courage, the most painful works and secret trials, we have raised and given imto him the sublime degree of a master, and have admitted and initiated him into the mysterious and most secret works of the Free and accepted Masons. And may without demur or hesitation, be incorporated into any community where ever met, congregated or convened. He having strenuously to the utmost of his ability, supported and contributed to the advancement and interest of Masonry with zeal and vigor. Given under our hands and seal in our Lodge at New York, this ninth day of July, in the year of Masonry S767, and of Salvation 1767. Henry Van de Ham, M. E. J. Pryor, 5. W. John Bessonet, J. W. John Kino, Trea^r. John Ledsam, Secfy. (Seal) 38 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK INDEPENDENT ROYAL ARCH, NO. 8 A Lodge which is not mentioned in the published reports of St. John's Day celebrations, during the period of George Harison's Grand Mastership, but which, never- theless, dates its constitution from December 15th, 1760, is Independent Royal Arch, No. 8 (now No. 2). Its warrant, granted by George Harison, was evidently attested in a manner sufficiently convincing to compel the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, in 1789, to accredit it officially as the second oldest Lodge in New York City. KING David's lodge On February 17th, 1769, Harison issued a warrant for the constitution of King David's Lodge, in New York City. This Lodge appears to have been composed entirely of Jewish Brethren. Moses M. Hays was the first Master. About ten years later, the warrant was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island, where the Lodge continued to work under its name of King David's for a number of years and then was heard of no more. It was not among the Lodges which formed the Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island, on June 2Sth, 1791, but may have lived on for some time beyond that year. On August 17th, 1790, King David's welcomed George Washington to Rhode Island in a Masonic address which elicited the following reply: To the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, Rhode Island: Gentlemen — I receive the welcome which you give me to Rhode Island with pleasure; and I acknowledge my obligations EARLIEST LODGES IN NEW YORK CITY 39 foi the flattering expressions of regard contained in your address with grateful sincerity. Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic fraternity is founded, must be productive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the society, and to be con- sidered by them as a deserving brother. My best wishes, gentlemen, are offered for your individual happiness. Go WASHnJOTON. The letter bears the same date as that of the address of welcome and reveals what high regard Washington accorded to the Masonic Fraternity. OTHER LODGES There may have been other Lodges in the City of New York, working under lawful warrants. If so, we know nothing about them. Only two of the city Lodges war- ranted by George Harison have survived to this day; they are St. John's, No. 1, and Independent Royal Arch, No. 2. VI EARLIEST DULY CONSTITUTED LODGES OUT- SIDE OF NEW YORK CITY, 1758 TO THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION The records of the Lodges constituted in the State, above the Harlem River, are far more satisfying than those of the Lodges in the City of New York. Moreover, while of the City Lodges only two have survived to this day, at least four of the up-State Lodges can trace their history back to the time before the Declaration of Independence. Of the former, we have St. John, No. 1, and Independent Royal Arch, No. 2 ; of the latter we have Mount Vernon, No. 3, which was Union, No. 1, in Colonial days, St. Patrick's, No. 4, Masters', No. 5, and St. George's, No. 6. Mount Vernon and Masters' are located at Albany; St. Patrick's, at Johnstown; St. George's, at Schenectady. UNION NO. 1, NOW MOUNT VERNON LODGE NO. 3 The Oldest Lodge, outside of New York City, was organized at Albany, in 1759, under a copy of the charter of Lodge No. 74, issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland, in 1737, to brethren of the Second Battalion 1st Royals (now Royal Scots), First Regiment of Foot Guards (Infantry). After leaving Great Britain and serving for a time in Nova Scotia, the Battalion had been sent to 40 EARLIEST LODGES OUTSIDE N. Y. CITY 41 Albany and was located there during the years of 1758 and 17S9. The officers, according to the "Albany Hand Book," were "scholars and gentlemen" and "brought with them, and kept up, a large and valuable library of rare books," which they left to the city when the battalion was ordered away in 17 59. No. 74 initiated many prominent citizens of the town into its mysteries. When the com- mand was ordered to a new field of duty, the officers of the Lodge, following a custom of the time, left behind them a copy of their Irish warrant to enable the local brethren to continue their Masonic meetings. The copy was endorsed as follows : We, the Master, Warden and Brethren of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 74, Registry of Ireland, held in the second Battalion Royal, adorned with all the honors, and assembled in due form. Do hereby declare, certify and attest, that Whereas, our body is very numerous by the addition of many new members, merchants and inhabitants of the city of Albany, they having earnestly requested and besought us to enable them to hold a Lodge during our absence from them and we knowing them to be men of imdoubted reputation and men of skill and ability in Masonry, and desirous to promote the welfare of the Craft: We have, therefore by unanimous consent and agreement, given them an exact true copy of our Warrant as above, and have properly installed Mr. Richard Cartright, Mr. Henry Bostwick and Mr. Wm. Ferguson, as Assistant Master and Wardens of our body, allowing them to set and act during our absence, or until they, by our assistance, can procure a separate WARRANT for themselves from the GRAND LODGE IN IRELAND. Given under our hands and seal of our Lodge in the City of Albany, the eleventh day of April, in the year of MASONRY, 5759, and in the year of our LORD GOD 1759. John Steadman, Secretary. Anias StTTHERiAND, Master. Chaeles Calder, Senior Warden. Thomas Parker, Junior Warden. 42 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK The Lodge continued to work under the copied warrant until February 21, 1765, when it was granted a charter as Union Lodge No. 1, by Provincial Grand Master Harison. The charter was confirmed by Sir John Johnson, Grand Master, on July 30, 1773, and under it the Lodge continued to work until the close of the War for Independence. After a period of struggle to maintain an isolated existence, it finally surrendered its Colonial warrant and received a warrant from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, on January 6, 1807. Its present name, adopted at that time, is Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 3. The Brethren of Mount Vernon, No. 3, are inclined to consider their Lodge the oldest in the State, because the original charter under which its founders worked was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland, in 1737. The Lodge, as an Albany unit, dates from April 11th, 1759. The authority under which it started under way, is of ques- tionable validity, being a legally imauthorized warrant. The charter granted it by George Harison, on February 21st, 1765, made it a duly constituted Lodge, under the name of Union, No. 1. This latter is the true date of its constitution and was confirmed as such by the Grand Lodge of New York. However, Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 3, is justified in the claim that its continuous history can be traced back farther than that of any other surviving Lodge in the State, though it must yield precedence, in point of priority, to St. John's, No. 1, and Independent Royal Arch, No. 2, as a New York Lodge. EARLIEST LODGES OUTSIDE N. Y. CITY 43 ST. Patrick's lodge, no. 8 On May 3d, 1766, Grand Master Harison issued a charter to St. Patrick's Lodge at Johnstown, beginning in this wise: Know ye that we, of the great trust and confidence reposed in our worthy and well-beloved brother, the Honorable Sir William Johnson, Baronet, do hereby constitute and appoint him to be our Master; Guy Johnson, Esq., Senior Warden; Daniel Claus, Esq., Junior Warden; and John Butler, secretary of the St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 8, to be held in Johnson hall, in the coimty of Albany, in the Province of New York. Sir William, as the name of his Lodge suggests, was an Irishman. He had come to America, about 1735, at the age of twenty, and soon won great distinction, especially for his remarkable influence with the Indians, whose con- fidence and friendship he held to the end of his life. In 1755, he was made commander of the provincial troops, and soon after became Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Johnson Hall, which is named in the Lodge warrant, was his baronial residence, at Johnstown. He died on July 11, 1774. Guy Johnson, the Senior Warden, was Sir William's son-in-law, and held the post of Assistant Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Daniel Claus, the Junior Warden, was also a son-in-law of Sir William and, becoming distin- guished for his bravery as a soldier, rose to the rank of Colonel. The original charter and the old jewels, which are now in the possession of the Lodge, were carried away by Sir John Johnson, when, loyal to the Royalist cause, he fled to Canada, during the Revolution. On Jime 3, 1831, Sir 44 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK John returned to the Lodge the old Provincial Warrant, together with jewels, mostly of silver and presented to it by Sir William Johnson. The records of St. Patrick's Lodge are complete from its organization in 1766 to the present time. The Lodge is No. 4 in the present State list of lodges. KASTERS' LODGE, NO. 2 In 1767 a warrant had been issued by the Grand Lodge of England appointing Sir John Johnson Provincial Grand Master. The installation not taking place until 1771, Grand Master Harison continued to exercise the preroga- tives of the office in the interim. This condition appears to have created some confusion in the minds of the brethren. In 1768 George Harison constituted Masters' Lodge at Albany, which is at present No. 5 in the list of Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State. William Gamble was the first Master. The following year Dr. Samuel Stringer was elected to the East. Under a misapprehension as to Grand Master Hanson's powers, Dr. Stringer addressed a petition to Sir John Johnson asking that a new warrant be issued and the Lodge designated St. John the Evangelist's Lodge, No. 2, of Albany. No reason was given for the requested change, but the letter accompanying the petition stated, "The reasons for renew- ing our warrant are many and urgent." Sir John replied promptly, assuring the Master and the brethren of his good will, but stating plainly that he could not be regarded as Grand Master until after his installation. The Albany EARLIEST LODGES OUTSIDE N. Y. CITY 45 brethren made no further request for a change, and the Lodge retained its original name. Masters' Lodge became very popular. Its relations with "Ineffable Lodge of Perfection" (Scottish Rite), organized on December 20th, 1767, appear to have been particularly intimate. Both bodies imited in the building of a "house" for their joint accommodation on the site occupied by the present beautiful Masonic Temple of Albany. The "Ineffable" managed to be on the best of terms with the lodges all around. It joined with St. Patrick's Lodge, in a public procession, in 1769, and celebrated St. John Evangelist Day in fraternal union with St. George's of Schenectady, and Union and Masters' of Albany, on December 27, 1774. Solomon's lodge, no. 1 The last Lodge known to have been warranted by Grand Master Harison was Solomon's, No. 1, at Poughkeepsie, on April 18, 1771. Robert R. Livingston, Master of Union Lodge, New York City, as the deputized acting Grand Master, read the warrant and installed the officers. He continued to take an active interest in the Lodge throughout his long and noble life. The most notable event in the history of this once prominent Lodge was probably the visit with which George Washington honored it, on December 27, 1782. The brethren were almost to a man on the side of the patriots. In the minutes of May 16, 1781, appeared this significant item: Ordered that the name of Benedict Arnold be considered &i obliteiated from the Minutes of this Lodge. 46 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Solomon's continued in more or less active operation until 1827; after that year it failed to be represented in the Grand Lodge and was not heard from again. The warrant issued by George Harison for the constitut- ing of Solomon's, No. 1, read as follows: (L. Sigile.) To AH and every our Right Worshipful, Worship- ful and loving Brethren, We, George Harison, of the City of New York in the Province of New York in America, Provincial Grand Master of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons. Send Greeting: Know Ye, that of the great trust and confidence reposed in our , worthy and well beloved Brother, James Livingston, Esq., and on the recommendation of Our Worthy Brother, Robert R. Livingston, Junr., Esq., We do hereby Constitute and appoint the said James Livingston, Esq., to be Master of the Solomon's Lodge, No. One, to be holden at Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County and Province of New York in America, and we do also at his own desire appoint Dr. John Lewis and John Child to be the Senior and Junior Wardens of the said Lodge with full power and authority in due form to make Masons and also to do all and every such other acts and things appertaining to the said office as usually have been and ought to be done and executed by other Masters. He our said Master taking especial care that all and every the members of his said Lodge have been regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform and keep all and every the Rules, Orders and Regulations contained into (sic) the Book of Constitutions (such only as have been repealed are excepted), together with all such other Rules, Orders and Regulations or Instructions as shall from time to time be transmitted to you by Us or Our successors, Grand Master of this province for the time being: And we do hereby will and require You our said Master to cause four Quarterly Communications to be held Yearly, One whereof to be upon or as near the Feast day of St. John the Baptist as conveniently may be, and that you promote on that and all other occasions whatever may be for the Honor and Advantage of Masonry and the Benefit of the Grand Charity, and that you transmit unto Us and Our Successors Quarterly, an Account in Writing of the proceedings of your Lodge, when and where held, with a List of the memberi EARLIEST LODGES OUTSIDE N. Y. CITY 47 thereof and Copies of such Rules, Orders and Regulations as you shall make for the good Govenunent thereof, with whatever else you shall do by virtue of these presents, always remembering the Grand end proposed in Masonry (Universal Benevolence to all men, but to Masons particularly). THIS DONE by virtue of the power and authority vested in us by Our Commission, bearing date in London, the ninth day of June, A. D. 1753, A. L. 5753, under the hand and seal of John Proby, Baron of Carysfort in the County of Wicklow in the King- dom of Ireland, the then GRAND MASTER of ENGLAND, appointing Us, Grand Master in and over this Province of New York in America. GIVEN tmder our hand and seal of Masonry in the City of New York this eighteenth day of April, A. D. 1771 : A. L. 5771. (Signed) George HAKisoir, P. G. M. (Signed) Robert R. Livinoston, Junr., Master of the Union Lodge, ST. George's, no. 1 On October 4th, 1773, Masters' Lodge, No. 2, at Albany, received a petition for the formation of a Lodge at Schenectady. The record in the minutes runs as follows: A Petition to the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Sir John Johnson, Knight. Signed by Bros. Christopher Yates, John Hugham of Schenectady, and Benjamin Hilton, Jr., praying to be formed into a regular body by the name of "St. George's Lodge" in Schenectady, and to obtain a Warrant to them, and their successors, appointing Christopher Yates, Master, John Hugham, Senior, and Benjamin Hilton, Junior Wardens, was pre- sented to this body for their recommendation; and was signed by the Worshipful Master and Wardens, and the Lodge Seal affixed thereto. This record represents the first knovim instance in New York of the observance of a principle, which is at present 48 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK generally enforced, that a recommendation by the geo- graphically nearest Lodge must accompany the petition for a new Lodge. The petition of the Schenectady brethren was approved by Masters' Lodge and sent to Sir John Johnson, then the Provincial Grand Master for New York, who granted the dispensation for the institution of St. George's Lodge, on June 21st, 1774. The warrant of constitution was issued under date of September 14th, 1774. VII MILITARY LODGES The practice of granting warrants to Masons in the military and naval service empowering them to form Lodges in the regiments or other units to which they were attached, originated in Ireland. The premier Grand Lodge of England followed the precedent. Scotland also gave encouragement to the plan. After the Antients got under way, they, too, granted such migratory warrants. Wherever the warrant was, there was the Lodge. The very nature of the consequent instability suggests that the records of these traveling Lodges could not be kept accu- rately, and that the task of following their fortunes must prove an almost hopeless one. Nevertheless, the ambulant Lodges played an important part in the spreading of Free- masonry and left behind them in many places nuclei of stationary Lodges which would in the course of time receive due recognition from whatever lawful Masonic authority might be applied to for regularization. New York had its share of the harvest sown by military Lodges within her confines. We have had occasion to refer to the rise of Union, No. 1, at Albany, from the Masonic remnant left behind when a military Lodge war- ranted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland left for another field of operation, after a stay of about two years. Har- ison regularized the unit. A Lodge was formed at Lake 49 50 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK George, in 1757, one in 1759 and another in 1762, at Crown Point, by James Gridley, Provincial Grand Master of North America. George Harison issued a warrant to Brethren of the 60th Regiment, Foot Guards, in 1764, "to hold a Lodge of Masons, No. 1, at Detroit, under whatever name the said Master and his officers should please to distinguish it." The name adopted was Zion Lodge, No. 1. There is no need of multiplying information about Lodges which had their short day and then were heard of no more. The Lodges that took an active part in forming the organization which became the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, will be mentioned in a later chapter. We ought to say a word, however, about two military Lodges which left behind them a distinct impress of their influence. ST. John's regimental lodge Sir John Johnson, Provincial Grand Master for New York, having left for Canada, at the beginning of hostil- ities in the War for American Independence, his preroga- tives descended upon his Deputy, Dr. Peter Middleton, who exercised them with tact and a due regard for the feelings swaying the population of the Province. He issued the first warrant granted to any unit of the Conti- nental Army, owning allegiance to George Washington as Commander-in-Chief; it authorized the formation of St. John's Regimental Lodge, composed of New York Brethren who had joined the ranks of the revolutionists. This warrant was dated July 24th, 1775. After the close of the war, it turned up at Clark's Town, Orange County, MILITARY LODGES 51 in the state of New York, where a Lodge coutiiiued to work under its authority, later transferring its headquar- ters to Warwick, in the same county. This Lodge, known later as St John's Lodge, No. 18, succumbed finally, about 1825. AMERICAN UNION LODGE, NO. 1 The best known and most important Lodge in the Continental Army was American Union, No. 1. Its incep- tion was due to Joel Clark, who with five other Master Masons, four Fellowcrafts and one Entered Apprentice — all but one of them officers in the Connecticut Line — joined in a petition to Grand Master John Rowe of the St. John's Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to be allowed to form a Lodge while in camp at Roxbury. The warrant was issued by Deputy Grand Master Richard Gridley, under date of February 15th, 1776. It was brief and clear and read as follows: John Rowe, Grand Master. To Joel Class, Esq., — Greetings: By virtue of authority invested in me, I hereby, reposing special trust and confidence in your knowledge and skill of the Ancient Craft, do appoint and constitute you, the said Joel Clark, Esquire, Master of the AMERICAN UNION LODGE now erected in Roxbury, or wherever your BODY shall remove on the Continent of America, provided it is where no Grand Master is appointed. You are to promote in your Lodge the utmost Harmony and Brotherly Love, and to keep up the Constitutions. The Lodge was formally constituted on the day follow- ing the receipt of the warrant and started on its career with a membership of twenty. Shortly after this it was S2 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK removed to New York. As the warrant was valid only "where no Grand Master is appointed", the Lodge applied to Dr. Peter Middleton, the Deputy Grand Master, for a confirmation. This was denied, but a new warrant was issued constituting the Lodge as Military Union, No. 1. The Brethren did not relish the new designation, but accepted it, voted that the furniture belonging to them aa American Union should be "considered as only lent to Military Union Lodge," and continued to work and be known under the more favored original name. Then followed the battles of Long Island and Harlem, in which three of the Brethren were killed, and Joel Clark and several others were taken prisoners by the British, "by which misfortune the Lodge was deprived of its Master and some worthy members, and many other brethren were called to act in several departments, whereby the Lodge stood closed without day." On March 19th, 1777, a remnant, having possession of the warrants, opened a Lodge at Redding, Connecticut. Joel Clark having died in prison, Samuel Holden Parsons was elected Master, and regular communications were resumed. March 2Sth, 1779, was celebrated as a gala occasion, General Israel Putnam and other military officers, all of them Masons, having been invited to be present. The first toast was given in honor of General Washington and was followed by one to the memory of Brothers Warren, Montgomery and Wooster, who had sealed their devotion to the cause of American Independence by the sacrifice of their lives. Less than two months later, American Union Lodge appeared again in New York, at Nelson's Point on the MILITARY LODGES S3 Hudson. General Samuel Holden Parsons, who had been the Master and was now the Senior Warden, had suc- ceeded General Putnam in the command of the Connecti- cut Line, with headquarters at the Robinson House, opposite West Point. In this historic building were held many memorable meetings, chief among them a celebration of the Festival of St. John Baptist, in the summer of 1779, which was attended by George Washington and his family and many distinguished military leaders. Among the patriots initiated in American Union Lodge, during its stay on the banks of the Hudson, were Colonel Rufus Putnam, then in charge of construction of the fortifications of West Point, and Colonel John Brooks, who later became Governor of Massachusetts. In December, 1779, the Lodge was at work in the winter quarters of the Army, at Morristown, New Jersey. There were at least two other military Lodges in camp, St. John's Regimental and Washington, No. 10. The latter Lodge had been warranted, in October, by Grand Master Joseph Webb of the "ancient" Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and had been constituted on November 11th, while the regiment to which it was attached was stationed at West Point. General John Patterson was its first Master, and Colonel Benjamin Tupper and Major William Hull (General Hull of the War of 1812), were the first Wardens. The records of Washington Lodge were lost during the war, and its activities can cmly be guessed at from scattered notices in the minutes of other Lodges. The great Lafayette, who is known to have been made a Mason in America, appears to have been initiated in this Lodge named after his revered friend. 54 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK American Union Lodge, ever aa the alert for the advancement of Freemasonry among the patriots, con- ceived the plan of uniting all American Masons under one general Grand Master. The celebration of St. John Evangelist Day, 1779, was chosen to advance the project A public procession was organized, headed by a band of music. The festal Lodge was attended by more than a hundred Masons, "Bro. Washington" heading the list of distinguished visitors. An address was read representing a petition to the several Provincial Grand Masters in tiie United States, which closed with these words : Considering the present situation of our lod<;es and Masonry in general, the necessity for the honor of the craft, and the importance of enjoying the benefits of so valuable an institution, that some exertions are made for checking the present irregular- ities, restoring peace and harmony to the lodges and for the re-establishment of the Order on the ancient respectable founda- tion, which we conceive can never be done more effectively than by the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the United States of America. We, therefore, most earnestly request that the present Provincial Grand Masters in the respective said United States would take some measures for the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the said Thirteen United States of America. The gathering greeted the proposition with enthusiasm and voted "that the petition be circulated through the different lines of the army, and that a committee be appointed from the different lodges in the army, from each line and from the staff, to convene on the first Monday of February to take the foregoing petition into consideration." The proposed convention was held on the appointed day. There were ten delegates representing American Union, St. John's Regimental, Washington, No. MILITARY LODGES 55 10, and the Masons of seven States. General Mordecai Gist, who later became Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina, was chosen to preside. An address was formu- lated asking the Provincial Grand Masters in America to help promote the establishment of a supreme Grand Lodge for the United States under one Grand Master General "to preside over and govern all other lodges of whatsoever degree or denomination, licensed or to be licensed upon the continent." Much discussion and correspondence fol- lowed the issuance of the address, but the dream was never realized. Georgia, the Carolinas, Maryland, and other States revived the idea from time to time, but it failed to commend itself to the craft, which looked upon a centralization of power with suspicion. In July, 1780, we find American Union Lodge again at work on the banks of the Hudson. In 1782, it united with Washington Lodge, No. 10, in the celebration of St. John Baptist Day, at West Point. After this, meetings were held for a time at Verplanck's Point. The last communication of which any record is preserved was held at West Point, on April 23rd, 1783. The disbanding of the Army is no doubt the explanation. On October 22nd, 1791, there was read in the Grand Lodge of New York a letter, dated Marietta, Ohio, 1791, conveying the information that "to illumine their path in the Wilderness of the West" a number of Brethren had "incorporated themselves into a Lodge, under a Warrant, by the name of the American Union Lodge, No. 1. It was signed by Benjamin Tupper and Rufus Putnam as Wardens. VIII CLOSE OF THE FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE The First Provincial Grand Lodge of New York, derived from the premier Grand Lodge of England, did not survive the shock of the Revolution, chiefly because its last Grand Master saw flt to identify his fortunes with Great Britain in a manner which could not but make his very name odious to American patriots. Moreover, the headstrong Royalist, on leaving for Canada, had taken with him the deputation giving him authority to direct Masonic affairs in New York. If he had turned the war- rant over to his Deputy, the likelihood is that this tactful leader could have held the Lodges together, and the his- tory of the Grand Lodge of New York might now trace its beginning to the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge by George Harison, if not to an earlier date. Sir John Johnson by his inexcusable proceedings gave an opening to the Antients who, as we shall presently see, took quick advantage of the situation and established themselves firmly in the State. Nevertheless, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the official agents of the premier Grand Lodge of England. They succeeded in disseminating the pure principles of Freemasonry among the colonists and inspired them with the lofty ideals of our noble instituticm. In the 5« FIRST GRAND LODGE CLOSED 57 Lodges founded upon a finn belief in the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men, our forebears learned the fundamental lessons of liberty under the law and equality before the law. There they were taught to keep their passions in due bounds, promote one another's wel- fare, respect the religious convictions of men, and work together as brothers for the common good. The Lodges raised the leaders in the struggle for the freedom and independence of the United States and developed the ideas which form the foundations of the Constitution of our country. Although Freemasonry in New York issued from the premier Grand Lodge of England, all the Lodges formed under these auspices were essentially training schools of American patriots, while the Lodges constituted by the Antients, which formed the organization from which our present Grand Lodge, officially, derives its existence, were composed almost wholly of British soldiers and officials bent on preventing the success of the Revolution. In New England it was not so, nor in most of the other States. The fact that the city of New York was occupied by the British accounts no doubt for the difference. After General Howe had taken New York, in 1776, the city became invested with British troops. A large portion of the officers and members of old St. John's Lodge, loyal to the American cause, followed Washington on his north- ward retreat, taking the Lodge warrant with them. The Royalist and other members who stayed behind, continued to meet and were later on given a warrant as St. John's, No. 4, by the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Antients. Of the doings of Independent Royal, the only other sur- 58 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK viving old Lodge, no record has been preserved, if there were any doings during the period of the city's occupation. It is more than likely that not one of the original Lodges constituted under the auspices of the premier Grand Lodge of England remained in the invested city. Up-state the conditions were more favorable to the sons of liberty. Union (now Mt. Vernon, No. 3) and Masters Lodges at Albany, Solomon's at Poughkeepsie, and St. George's at Schenectady, met more or less regularly dur- ing the whole period of the Revolution. All of them were aflame with zeal for the cause of American freedom and among their members were to be found many officers of the Continental Army. One half the number of the ISO members of St. George's, the only stationary Lodge constituted by Sir John Johnson, were in the military service of the United States, and the communications went on uninterruptedly. St. John's Military Lodge we found in winter quarters at Morristown with Washington. Thus all that remained of the original Lodges were identified with the cause of the United States. Whatever of stability, strength and inspiring force Freemasonry possessed in the State of New York when British rule came to an end, was derived from the first Provincial Grand Lodge which passed out of existence when an Atholl warrant was transmitted to our shores authorizing the establishment of a new regimen. IX THE ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 1781 TO 1784 In the British regiments ordered to America to suppress the rising rebellion, of the colonies, there were a large number of military Lodges which managed to leave a marked influence on Masonic development, particularly in the city of New York. The majority of these Lodges had been warranted by the Grand Lodge of the Antients, then better known as the AthoU Grand Lodge of England, the Duke of AthoU being its Grand Master at that time. The few Lodges holding warrants from Ireland or Scot- land worked in close harmony with the Antients, the ritual and customs of the three Grand Lodges being very much alike, while differing in some points from the system of the premier Grand Lodge of England. Eventually the Antients gained the upper hand. Their principal merit was that they kept close to the humanity of the great middle class, preserved the original democracy of the craft and saved Masonry from becoming an aristocratic insti- tution, or a fraternity of snobs. That is the glory of the Antients, which nobody can deny them. They were a thorn in the flesh of the premier Grand Lodge, a thorn it needed to keep it from exalting itself above measure. The question of "regularity" did not trouble the Colonial Brethren in America, if it did form a subject for acri- 59 60 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK monious discussions ia English Masonic circles. They saw no reason for avoiding Masonic intercourse with Antient Brethren who were acknowledged as regular by the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland. In the Province of New York, the last imjjediment to a free mingling of Brethren, made under the older dispensation, with the members of the steadily increasing number of Antient Lodges, was removed when Sir John Johnson hied away to Canada and took his Provincial warrant with him. The up-State Brethren missed their opportunity for erect- ing a Grand Lodge at Albany or Poughkeepsie, and left the field open for New York City to make the move. THE INCHOATE GRAND LODGE Or NEW YORK The Lodges connected with the military imits quar- tered in New York City were dominated by the Antients, and these now had the field practically to themselves. The leading Lodge was No. 169 of "Antient York Masons." It held a warrant as a British Field Lodge, under which it had been constituted, while located in Boston, on July 13th, 1771. The warrant emanated from the Antient Grand Lodge of England. On the evacuation of Boston, in 1776, No. 169 followed the British miUtaiy forces to New York. Here it saw the opportimity of uniting the several military Lodges now located in the city into a Provincial Grand Lodge. Accordingly it called a convention of the Lodges, which opened, on January 23rd, 1781, under the warrant of No. 169. There were present twenty-nine representatives of seven Lodges. Past Master James McCuen, of No. 169, presided. After ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 61 the object of the gathering had been explained, the con- vention organized as a Grand Lodge "in ample form". James McCuen was elected temporary Grand Master. A permanent formation was agreed upon, and of&cers were elected, as follows: the Rev. William Walter, M. A., of No. 169, Grand Master; John Studholme Brownrigg, of No. 441, Senior Grand Warden; the Rev. John Beardsley, of No. 210, Junior Grand Warden. Information of the proceedings was transmitted to the Antient Grand Lodge at London, with a request for authority to make the organization legal and permanent. On October 10th, 1781, Lodge 215 was given a dis- pensation from abroad to be instituted and held in the Second Regiment of Anspach-Bayreuth, which was then stationed in New York City. Five months later, the Lodge was constituted by the officers of the inchoate Pro- vincial Grand Lodge, who were empowered to represent the mother Grand Lodge on this occasion, "for three hours only." A record of the transaction was later embodied in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge at London. A certified copy of this extract was delivered to John W. Vrooman, Grand Master of Masons in New York, at the time of his visit to London, in 1889, by the Grand Secre- tary of the United Grand Lodge of England, and it is now reposing in the archives of our own Grand Lodge. The record closes with this information: All matters relative to this Constitution being completed, the Grand Officers aforesaid, in the name of the Most Noble Prince, John, Duke of AthoU, G. M., proclaimed the New Lodge duly constituted, No. 215, registered in Grand Ixidge Book, Volimie 8, Letter H, to be held in the Second Regiment of Anspach-Berauth 62 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Closed before 7 o'clock; adjourned to the Grand Lodge in London. N. B. The Rev. William Walter was empowered to act ai Deputy Grand Master (for three hours only), by an authority from Wm. Dickey, Esq., D. G. M. These fonnalities having been complied with, there were now at least six Lodges of unquestioned "Ancient York" origin in New York City, and nothing stood in the way of a legal organization of the new Provincial Grand Lodge of New York. A warrant authorizing this consummation was forwarded from England in the fall of 1782. The document bore the date of September 5th, 1781, Its earlier transmission had been retarded no doubt by war conditions. THE ATHOLL PROVINCIAI, GRAND LODGE WARRANT TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN We the Grand Lodge, of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, (according to the old Constitutions granted by his Royal Highness Prince Edwin, at York, Anno Domini, Nine Hundred Twenty and Six, and in the year of Masonry, Four Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty and Six) in ample form assembled, viz: The Right Worshipful and Most Noble Prince John the Third, Duke, Marquis and Earl of Atholl, Marquis and Earl of TuUibardine, Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle, Viscount of Balquider, Glenalmond and Glenlyon, Lord Murray Belveney and Gask, Heretable Captain and Con- stable of the Castle and Constabulary of Kincleaven, Hereditary Keeper of Palace of Falkland, one of Sixteen Peers of Scotland, and in that part of Great Britain called England and Masonical Jurisdiction thereunto belonging. Grand Master of Masons; the Right Worshipful William Dickey, Esquire, Deputy Grand Master; the Right Worshipful James Jones, Esquire, Senior Grand Warden; the Right Worshipful James Read, Esquire, Junior Grand Warden; with the approbation and consent of the Warranted ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 63 Lodges held within the Cities and Suburbs of Liondon and Westminster, do, by these Presents, authorize and empower our Trusty and Well-beloved Brethren, Free and Accepted Masons, who at the time of this present writing, are or hereafter shall become Inhab- itants of the Province of New York, in North America, to congre- gate, form and hold a Provincial Grand Lodge in the City of New York and Province of New York, aforesaid, independent of any former Dispensation, Warrant or Constitution, ordered, given or granted by US, or any of our Predecessors, Grand Masters of England, to any Mason or Masons residing within the Masonical Jurisdiction, aforesaid; such Provincial Grand Lodge, when duly constituted, to be held Annually, Half- Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly, or at any Seasonable Time or Times as occasion shall require. And we do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Brother the Reverend William Walter, Master of Arts, to be our Provincial Grand Master; our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Brother John Stedholme Brownrigg, Esquire, to be our Provincial Senior Grand Warden; and our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Brother the Reverend John Beardsley, Master of Arts, to be our Provincial Junior Grand Warden, with the Masonical Jurisdiction aforesaid who together with the aforesaid Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy, when appointed and installed, and Provincial Grand Wardens, shall be addressed by the Stile and Title of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Grand Wardens, etc. And we do hereby further authorize and impower our said Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, William Walter, his Deputy, and Grand Wardens, John Stedholme Brownrigg, Esq., and John Beardsley, with the Approbation and Advice of their Grand Lodge, to grant Dispensation, Warrants and Constitutions, for the congregating and making Free and Accepted Masons, forming and holding Lodges within the Jurisdiction aforesaid, according to the most Ancient and Honorable Custom of the Royal Craft, in all Ages and Nations throughout the known World. And we do, by these Presents, further authorize and impower our said Trusty and Right Worshipful Brethren, the Provincial Grand Master, Grand Wardens and their legal Successors, when in regular Grand Lodge formed, to hear, adjust, and impartially determine all and singular Matters of Complaint, Dispute, Debate or Controversy, relative to the Craft within the Jurisdiction afore- 64 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK ■aid; strictly requiring all and every of the Good Rules, Orders, Issues and Decrees, which shall from Time to Time be ordered, issued or decreed by the said Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Lodge; — therein reserving to ourselves our ancient Prerogative of Hearing Appeals, and Administration of such Things as shall (bona fide) appear absolutely necessary for the Honor and Benefit of the Craft in General. And Lastly, we do hereby authorize and impower our said Trusty and Right Worshipful Grand Master and Grand Wardens, together with their lawful Associates, being the installed Masters, Wardens, and Past Masters of the Regular Lodges within the Jurisdiction aforesaid, in Grand Lodge assembled, to nominate, chuse and install, their Successors to whom they shall deliver this Warrant, eind invest them with their particular Jewels and Mason- ical Powers and Dignities as Provincial Grand Of&cers, etc., etc., etc. And such Successors shall in like Manner nominate, chuse and install, etc., their Successors, etc., etc., such Installation to be upon or near every Saint John's Day of the Twenty-fourth of June, during the Continuance of the Provincial Grand Lodge for ever. Providing the said Right Worshipful William Walter, John Stedholme Brownrigg, Esq., John Beardsley, and all Successors, Grand Officers of the said Provincial Grand Lodge, do continually pay due Respect to the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, by whom this Warrant is granted, otherwise this Warrant and Constitution to be of no Force nor Virtue. Given under our Hands and Seal of the Grand Lodge in London, the Fifth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty and One, in the year of Masonry, Five Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty and One, and in the Seventh Year of the Grand Mastership of His Grace the Duke Atholl, etc., etc., etc. Char's Beaiiblock, (Seal) Grand Secretary. ORGANIZATION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK The first meeting, under the authority of the Atholl warrant, was held in Roubalet's Assembly Hall, New ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 65 York City, on December Sth, 1782. There were present the Rev. William Walter, Grand Master, and the other officers mentioned in the warrant, together with the representatives of nine Lodges, one of them imder dispensation. The Grand Master appointed James McCuen, Past Master of Lodge No. 169, his Provincial Deputy Grand Master. The following officers were chosen by election and duly installed: Grand Secretary: William Cock, Master of No. 212. Deputy Grand Secretary : James Clarke, secretary of No. 169. Grand Treasurer: Joshua Watson, Master of No. 210. Grand Deacons: John L. Chevallier Roome, of No. 169; George Clark, of No. 210; CoUom Homfries, of No. 212; Charles Morris, of No. 213. Grand Stewards : Archibald McNeil, of No. 169 ; Oliver Burdet, of No. 210; Huggeford, of No. 212; Alexander Melvil, of No. 213. The Grand Master was a member of No. 169; the Senior Warden, of No. 441, under the registry of Ireland, in the 38th Regiment; the Junior Grand Warden, of No. 210. After paying due homage to the Grand Officers, the Lodges which were represented surrendered their warrants and received them again as coming from the Provincial Grand Lodge of New York. The second meeting was held on St. John Evangelist Day, December 27th, 1782. All the officers and brethren then repaired in procession to St. Paul's Chapel for divine service with a sermon by the distinguished Rev. Dr, Seabury, one of the Brotherhood. 66 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK UODEKNS HEALED BY ANTIENTS The Grand Lodge of New York, as we have noted, was organized under a warrant from the Antients. The regular Lodges warranted by the premier Grand Lodge of England, contemptuously called "Modems," were excluded from membership. In order to provide for their accept- ance, the Grand Lodge, on January 3d, 1783, adopted a resolution which read as follows: A Modem Master Mason, known to be such, may be healed and admitted into the mysteries of the Ancient Craft, in the manner determined upon this evening, and that the same be recom- mended to the several Lodges vmder this jurisdiction, of which the several Masters and Wardens present, are desired perfectly to understand, and communicate the same to their respective Lodges. The first petition to be made antient came from St John's, No. 4. It was received and granted in February, and the Master and Wardens were admitted, agreeably to the form determined upon. These officers then repaired to their Lodge and "healed and admitted" the brethren. At an Emergent Commimication of the Grand Lodge, held on February 13th, report was rendered and a warrant issued to St. John's. This Lodge had been an irregular offshoot of St. John's, No. 2. As already related, the charter of No. 2 had been carried away in 1776, by mem- bers loyal to the cause of the United States, and the mili- tary brethren and others on the British side, who had been members of the Lodge, had continued to meet without a warrant. ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 67 GRAND LODGE OF CONNECTICUT The news of the establishment of the Grand Lodge of New York suggested to the Lodges in Connecticut the desirability of forming a similar union. The Rev. Bro. William Walter was requested to authorize the proceeding. His answer is not preserved, but the New York archives contain the copy of a letter written by Grand Secretary William Cox, who later succeeded Walter as Grand Master, which was addressed to General George H. Par- sons, Pierpoint Edwards and Jonathan Bulkely, and informed the Connecticut Brethren that New York agreed to their request. The details of procedure were probably suggested in another communication. "In pursuance of a recommendation from thirteen Lodges the State of Connecticut, a convention was holden at New Haven, on the 18th of March, 1783." This was followed by a meeting "at the house of Robert Brown on last Tuesday of April 1783." Finally, on January 14th, 1784, the Lodges of Connecticut, repre- sented by their committees, met at the Lodge Room in New Haven to elect a Grand Master and other Grand Officers. Bro. Comfort Sage was chosen chairman and Bro. William Adams Secretary. The following officers were elected by unanimous vote: Pierpoint Edwards, Grand Master; Comfort Sage, Senior Grand Warden; Hozekish Thomson, Junior Grand Warden; Philip Nichols, Grand Treasurer; Salm Pell, Grand Secretary. Official notice of the establishment of the new Grand Lodge was sent to New York and received hearty commendation. 68 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK THE LODGES WHICH TORMED THE GRAND LODGE The nine Lodges which united in the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge were these: No. 52, in the 37th Regiment of Foot. Moriah, No. 132, in the 22nd Regiment of Foot. No. 169, later known as St. Andrew's Lodge. Solomon's Lodge, No. 212. No. 210, later becoming Temple Lodge, No. 4. No. 213, in the 4th Battalion, Royal Artillery. No. 215, in the 2nd Regiment Brandenburgh-Anspach. No. 441, in the 38th Regiment of Foot. Sion Lodge, U. D., in the 57th Regiment of Foot. Moriah, No. 132, was warranted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland; No. 441, by the Grand Lodge of Ireland; the other six duly constituted Lodges were formed imder the auspices of the Antients. The six Lodges comiected with British military units left this country with their warrants before the Provincial Grand Lodge resolved itself into the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. The three which remained were Nos. 169, 210 and 212. No. 169 became St. Andrew's, No. 3, in 1789, con- tinuing as such for thirty-eight years. Its warrant was surrendered to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, in 1827. No. 212 was warranted by the AthoU Grand Lodge, in 1780. The date of its constitution was March 1st, 1782. After a stormy career it ended its days as St Patrick's Lodge, No. 212, some time in 1789. No. 210 was also an AthoU Lodge. The date of its warrant was February 20th, 1779. It is the only Lodge of the nine which has continued to this day. Dr. Robert ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 69 W. Reid, Past Master of Washington Lodge, has written a well authenticated, though brief, account of its early history. It appears that the membership consisted prin- cipally of British officials and Tory sympathizers stationed or resident in New York City. Troubles began when, in 1783, a portion of the membership sought to remove the warrant to Nova Scotia. The Grand Lodge interfered, and the warrant remained in New York. Dissensions of many kinds followed. In June, 1789, the name became Temple Lodge, No. 4. The Lodge was dissolved five months later. A number of the members immediately asked for a new warrant and got it. The new name was Jerusalem, No. 4. New difficulties arose. In 1794, the warrant was taken away. A few months later two groups of members petitioned the Grand Lodge for a restoration of the warrant. The property of the defunct Jerusalem Lodge was equally divided between the two groups, one becoming Trinity Lodge, No. 10; the other, Phoenix, No. 11. The warrant of the former was dated March 23d, and that of the latter, March 30th, 1795. Trinity is at present No. 12 on the Grand Lodge register. Phoenix is no longer in existence, but an offshoot, warranted in 1800, is very much alive; it is Washington Lodge, No. 21. CLOSE OF THE ATHOLL ORGANIZATION Political events began to reveal that the independence of the United States was assured. New York was, at this time, the only place of importance still remaining in the hands of the British. The shifting of army officers and troops showed its effects in the Grand Lodge, 70 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK which, as already suggested, was largely controlled by sympathizers with the Royalist organization. In May, 1783, James McCuen resigned the Deputy Grand Mastership; Archibald Cunningham, of No. 169, became his successor. Joshua Watson, the Grand Treas- urer, having been ordered to Halifax, Junior Warden Kerr, of No. 169, was chosen in his place. On June Sth the Rev. John Beardsley resigned, intending to leave the city, and William Cock, Master of No. 210, was elected Junior Grand Warden. The new officers were installed on St. John Baptist Day. On August Sth a Committee of Charity was established, to whom all petitions of indigent brethren were referred, and who were invested with power "to grant relief, such as the circumstances may appear to require and the funds of the Grand Lodge shall permit." This was the beginning of the Grand Stewards* Lodge. November 2Sth, 1783, had been fixed upon by the victorious American Army as the day when the British troops were to evacuate New York City. In anticipation of this memorable event, a "Grand Lodge of Emergency" was held, on September 19th, to discuss the propriety of "leaving the Grand Warrant in New York City." It was finally resolved that the Warrant should "remain in the care of such brethren as may hereafter be appointed to succeed the present Grand Officers, the most of whom are under the necessity of leaving New York upon the removal of His Majesty's troops." The Rev. Dr. Walter, who was chaplain of De Lancey's 3d Battalion, was compelled to leave for Nova Scotia. He presented his resignation from the Grand Mastership ATHOLL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 71 on September 19th, 1783, and took affectionate leave of the Lodge and Brethren. On his nomination, Junior Grand Warden Cock was elected and installed as Grand Master. It was decided that meetings should be held one in two months, instead of every month. Shortly after, the Grand Lodge communications were made quarterly. The "Committee of Charity of Stewards' Lodge" was appointed to meet on the third Wednesday of each month. This organization acquired much influence and power, in the course of time, and as a sort of inner circle assumed direction of the affairs of the Grand Lodge, imtil, becoming unpopular, it was abolished in 1854. At the meeting of February 4th, 1784, at which the first Grand Stewards' Lodge was appointed. Grand Master Cock resigned his office and nominated as his successor the Hon. Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York. The election of this distinguished American patriot closed the brief existence of the Provincial Grand Lodge and opened the history of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. X ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOVEREIGN GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK When Robert R. Livingston assumed the Grand Mastership, in 1784, the British Anny Lodges had disap- peared. The only Lodges united in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York at the time of his election were Nos. 169, 210, 212, St. John's No. 4, Hiram No. S and Union No. 8, all of them located iu New York City. St. John's No. 4, composed of a remnant of St. John's, No. 2, had been granted a legal separate existence, as already noted. It continued as such for a time, until the regular parent body joined the Grand Lodge, whea a union was effected between the two. Hiram, No. S, was originally part of an Army Lodge which either left its warrant behind, or else furnished a copy of its warrant to the brethren remaining in New York, after Evacuation Day. It may be that Hiram was the same Lodge which was originally constituted by George Harison. Union, No. 8, had been "healed" and admitted to Grand Lodge membership in 1783. This and, possibly, Hiram were the only Lodges, so far, which could trace their authority to a warrant from the premier Grand Lodge of England. Nos. 169, 210, and 212 were Antient, as was the charter which created the Grand Lodge of New York. 72 ESTABLISHMENT OF SOVEREIGN LODGE 73 The only other Lodges in New York City, not yet affil- iated with the Grand Lodge, were St. John's, No. 2, and Royal Arch, No. 8. Temple and Trinity Lodges, if in existence, were dormant. The Lodges in the state, outside of New York City, were all of them "Modem." At Albany were Union and Masters; at Johnstown was St. Patrick's; at Poughkeep- sie, Solomon's; at Schenectady, St. George's; at Clark's Town, St. John's. A warrant had been issued to a Lodge oa Long Island, but it was never heard of as being active. The first problem confronting the Grand Master was how to gather into the Grand Lodge the Lodges estab- lished under authority of the premier Grand Lodge of England. Fortunately, the contentions which divided Modems and Antients, in Great Britain, had never troubled the American brethren very pronouncedly. Unsettled conditions prevailing everywhere, the question of authority between Grand Lodges aroused little, if any, partisan strife. Organization was the need of the hour. As a matter of fact, the old authority, vested by the premier Grand Lodge of England in Sir John Johnscai, was still in existence. However, this ardent Royalist was a fugitive from his native country and had taken with him his own warrant and also that of St. Patrick's Lodge of Johnstown. His Deputy, Dr. Middleton, had died, and no one had been appointed to take his place. The Atholl charter, therefore, was the only valid official docu- ment at hand, authorizing the Masons in the State of New York to meet in Grand Lodge. That simplified the process of assimilation and union. The fact that Chancellor Livingston himself had been 74 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK Master of a Lodge originally identified with the premier Grand Lodge, made it easier to overcome any existing scruples. After he had been, duly installed, inducted in the chair and proclaimed Grand Master, St. John's, No. 2, and Royal Arch, No. 8, surrendered their warrants and joined the State Grand Lodge. At the Grand Lodge of Emergency, held on June 2d, 1784, other "Modems" appeared. There were present also representatives of Union and Masters', at Albany; of Solomon's, at Pough- keepsie, and of St. John's, at Clarke's Town, who "acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge and were accorded seats." The most obstreperous dissenter, the venerable Peter W. Yates, for thirty-seven years Master of Union Lodge, at Albany, was elected Senior Grand Warden, soon after. These were the Grand Lodge officers in 1784: Robert R. Livingston, Grand Master; James Seidler, Junior Grand Warden; Samuel Kerr, Deputy Grand Master; Daniel McCormick, Grand Treasurer; Peter W. Yates, Senior Grand Warden; John Lawrence and James Giles, Joint Secretaries. The new Senior Grand Warden was not present at the election, but we learn from the minutes that "a letter from the Right Worshipful Peter W. Yates, Esquire, was read, representing that the patent of St. Patrick's Lodge, Tyrone County, was taken off to Canada or destroyed, and recom- mends Brothers Zephaniah Batcheller as Master, Robert Adams, Senior, and Christopher P. Yates, Junior Warden, for a new one. In consequence of the above recommenda- tion it was resolved that a new warrant be granted, free ESTABLISHMENT OF SOVEREIGN LODGE 75 of all expense." This added to the roll the home Lodge of Sir John Johnson, organized under warrant from the Grand Lodge of England. Only one "Modem" Lodge now remained unaffiliated, and that was St. George's, of Schenectady. The sole supreme authority of the Grand Lodge in the State of New York was established. The next thing undertaken was the gathering of unat- tached brethren into Lodges. The first fruit was the institution of a Lodge at Northeast, Duchess County, which was given a warrant and named Temple Lodge. Then followed Washington Lodge, at Fort Edward. No fewer than eighty-three Lodges were added to the roll under the Grand Mastership of Chancellor Livingston. Eight of these were in New York City, and one, Fortitude, in Brooklyn. Many of these Lodges have survived to the present day. Union, the home Lodge of the Grand Master, disappeared along with a few other Lodges. Tradition has it that the Chancellor along with Baron Steuben affiliated with Trinity Lodge (now No. 12), which was an offshoot of the old regimental No. 215, A. Y. M., in the 2nd Brandenburg-Anspach. The Grand Lodge, while doing its best to increase its numerical strength, showed a nice sense of justice by denying, in 1785, a petition for a Lodge at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, thereby making clear that jurisdiction was to be confined to the State of New York. Under a resolution permitting a Lodge to be known by a name as well as by number. No. 210 became St. John's, No. 210, and No. 169 adopted the name of St. Andrew's. The question of priority being raised, a committee was 76 FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK appointed "of