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Article HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN LEI CESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. ← Page 2 of 2 Article HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN LEI CESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN PENNSYLVANIA Page 1 of 1
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History Of Freemasonry In Lei Cestershire And Rutland.
though they do not appear to havo taken part in Masonry in the County itself , hekl high office in the Craft . Thus in 1762 and 1763 Earl " Ferrers was Grand Master ( Moderns ) ; in 1764 , the Hon . Thomas Shirley was Senior Grand Warden and the year following Bro . Anthony Keck ,
of Stoughton was one of the Grand Stewards . In 17 / 4 , the Hon . Thomas Noel , M . P . for the County , who became Viscount Wentworth the same year , was Senior Grand Warden , and Sir Thos . Fowko was a Grand Steward . In 1779 Viscount Tamworth was Senior G . Warden and
G . Steward . The year following Bro . John Peach Hungerford , of Dingley ( High Sheriff of the County in 1772 , and M . P . for the County from 1774 to 1790 ) was Senior Grand Warden and a Grand Steward , and the same offices were held in 1783 by the Hon . Warlington Shirley . Another extract from the Leicester Journal records the
following : — "On "Wednesday , June 23 rd 1783 , the Worshipfnl Master , Wardens , and Brethren , of Lodge No . 91 , had a meeting to celebrate their most excellent Patron , St . John tho Baptist . They walked in procession from the Pelican , in Gallowtree Gate to St . Martin ' s Church ,
where a sermon was preached on the occasion from the 1 st Epistle of Pan ! to Timothy , c . i ., v . 18 . After Divine Service , they went in procession to Brother Joseph Smith ' s , the Crown and Thistle , in Loseby Lane , where they dined , and the greatest harmony prevailed , enlivened by toasts of the Craft suitable to the occasion . "
On 7 th November 1786 Sir Thomas Fowke died , and the office of Prov . Grand Master became vacant , and so remained for two years , when it was conferred on Bro . Thomas Boothby Parkyns , M . P . for Leicester , who was P . G . M . for Derbyshire and Notts , and upon whom was
bestowed in 1795 , an Irish peerage , with the style and title of Lord Rancliffe . This office he continued to hold till his death in 1800 , but though occupying several distinguished positions in Freemasonry in London , he seems to have taken no interest whatever in Masonry in his Province ,
except on one occasion , when he was present at an Emergency Meeting on the 27 th April 1793 of the St . John ' s Lodge , which had been constituted the year previous , after which he presented the set of" silver jewels for the officers , which are still in use in the Lodge .
So much for the earlier and more obscure portion of the history of the Craft in Leicestershire , from which it will be seen that only one of the Lodges Ave have thus far mentioned exists still ; while but one other survived the Union , and for a short time only . We now enter on the
second and more complete period . We havo just spoken of the St . John ' s Lodge as having been constituted in 1790 , the date of its warrant being 31 st August . This Lodge still exists , and as the Hinckley Lodge , now " the Knights of Malta , " was not transferred thither till the year 1803 ,
we must consider the St . John ' s as being the mother Lodge of the Province . The original Warrant having been lost or mislaid , a Warrant of Confirmation , dated 20 th April 1820 , was granted from G . M . the Duke of Sussex . It is from the records of this Lodge , which was for so long
a time the only one in the county holding under the Grand Lodge Moderns , that we obtain such memorials of the Provincial Grand Lodge as yet remain . It is not , indeed , till 1833 that the proceedings of the latter are separately minnted .
It is not a little singular that the Warrant of the St . John ' s Lodge was granted to some of the principal officers and members of Lodge No . 91 of Ancient Masons , and that the " ancient " Warrant for a long time remained in the hands of Bro . Horton , who was Master of the old and new
Lodge ; and it was several months before it was delivered up to some of the ancient brethren who still desired to work under it . Tho Lodge was opened for the first time on the 11 th November 1790 , at Bro . Joseph Smith ' s , the Lion and the Dolphin Inn , Market-place , and it is recorded that Bro .
Charles Horton R . W . M ., by order of the R . W . P . G . M ., installed the officers in due form , and that thanks were voted to the latter for his attention in granting the Warrant . Those present on this memorable occasion , in addition to the Master , were Bros . Joseph Smith S W . and P . M .,
Thomas Ball J . W ., Thomas Phipps Treasurer and P . M ., John Hill , William Green , Joseph Dean , Henry Davey , John Blower , and Robert Daniel , Tyler : to these , therefore , must be ascribed the honour of having been " the founders
of Freemasonry in Leicester in modern times . " In connection with the foregoing facts two circumstances will be noted as being of an unusual or extraordinary character . These are the facility with which a " modern " Warrant was granted to a number of officers and brethren belonging to
History Of Freemasonry In Lei Cestershire And Rutland.
an " ancient " Lodge , and that the landlord of tho house in which tho Lodge held its meetings was ono of its principal officers . However , in the days when these things happened , there was a certain laxity in the manner in which the government of Freemasonry was administered . Wise laws
had been framed , and there were no doubt wise brethren who wero fully capable of administering them -, bnt in spite of this we find that strange things were done , which would bo enough to frighten our modern sticklers for the rigid observance of the Constitutions , into their graves . ( To be continued . )
Freemasonry In Pennsylvania
FREEMASONRY IN PENNSYLVANIA
THE Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of this Jurisdiction held their Annual Grand Communications on St . John the Evangelist ' s Day ( 27 th December ) . The former met in Corinthian Hall of the Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , at 10 a . m . on that clay , under the presidency of M . W . Bro . Robert Clark , G . M ., who was numerously
supported by his Grand Officers and the representatives of subordinate Lodges . The Reports of the various Committees were highly satisfactory , and shewed that Freemasonry in the Keystone State was in a very flourishing condition . An application for a new Lodge at Royer ' s Ford , Chester
County , was referred to the Grand Officers , with full powers to act . An admirable portrait of the late Past Grand Master , Bro . Samuel H . Perkins , the work of E . D . Marchand , was presented on behalf of tho artist to Grand Lodge . The gift was accepted , and a vote of thanks was
unanimously passed to the donor . Grand Master Clark then delivered an able and interesting valedictory address , in which he reviewed the principal events of his Grand Mastership . This address was listened to with profound
attention . He then installed his successor , M . W . Bro . James Madison Porter , in the chair of Grand Master , with the customary and time-honoured ceremonies proper to the occasion . Grand Master Porter then delivered an address
m which he , m the first instance , dwelt at some length with satisfaction on the flourishing condition of Freemasonry in the Jurisdiction , aud then defined the principles which would serve for his guidance in administering the affairs of Grand Lodge . The following are among the principal
Grand Officers who were installed at the Commnnication , namely , Bros . Michael Nisbet , Dep . G . Master , Samuel B Dick Senior G . Warden , and Conrad B . Day Junior G . Warden ; Thomas R . Patton G . Treasurer , and John Thompson G . Secretary .
The Convocation of Grand Chapter was held in the Renaissance Hall of the Temple , in the evening of the same clay . In the course of the business M . E . Comp . Alfred R . Potter , G . H . P ., delivered his annual address , in which he recapitulated the events of the year just closed ; referring ,
m particular , to the very prosperous state of capitular Masonry in the State . The following are the principal officers for the ensuing year , and as all of them were re-elected , the prospects of the coming year are brilliant indeed : Comps . Alfred R . Potter , M . E . Grand High Priest , William C .
Hamilton , M . D ., Grand King , Hibbert P . John Grand Scribe , Thomas R . Patton Grand Treasurer , and John Thompson Grand Secretary . At the close of the meeting the Grand Officers accepted an invitation to be present at
the annual banquet of Jerusalem H . R . A . Chapter , No . 3 , in the Banqueting Hall of the Masonic Temple . We have gleaned the above particulars from the columns of our esteemed contemporary the Keystone .
The Burdett Contts Lodge of Instruction , No . 1278 , will in future hold its meetings at Bro . R . Smith ' s , the " Salmon and Ball , " Bethnal Green Road , on Wednesday evenings , at 8 . 30 p . m . Bro . G . Ward Verry is the Preceptor , and Bro . R . J . Chitson the Hon . Secretary .
The Installation Ceremony will be worked b y Bro . A . J . Melhnish , W . M . of the Constitutional Lodge , No 55 , on Tuesday , 12 th February , at the Constitutional Lodge of Instruction , held at the Bedford Hotel , Southamptonbuildings , Holborn . Lodge will be opened at 7 o ' clock ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of Freemasonry In Lei Cestershire And Rutland.
though they do not appear to havo taken part in Masonry in the County itself , hekl high office in the Craft . Thus in 1762 and 1763 Earl " Ferrers was Grand Master ( Moderns ) ; in 1764 , the Hon . Thomas Shirley was Senior Grand Warden and the year following Bro . Anthony Keck ,
of Stoughton was one of the Grand Stewards . In 17 / 4 , the Hon . Thomas Noel , M . P . for the County , who became Viscount Wentworth the same year , was Senior Grand Warden , and Sir Thos . Fowko was a Grand Steward . In 1779 Viscount Tamworth was Senior G . Warden and
G . Steward . The year following Bro . John Peach Hungerford , of Dingley ( High Sheriff of the County in 1772 , and M . P . for the County from 1774 to 1790 ) was Senior Grand Warden and a Grand Steward , and the same offices were held in 1783 by the Hon . Warlington Shirley . Another extract from the Leicester Journal records the
following : — "On "Wednesday , June 23 rd 1783 , the Worshipfnl Master , Wardens , and Brethren , of Lodge No . 91 , had a meeting to celebrate their most excellent Patron , St . John tho Baptist . They walked in procession from the Pelican , in Gallowtree Gate to St . Martin ' s Church ,
where a sermon was preached on the occasion from the 1 st Epistle of Pan ! to Timothy , c . i ., v . 18 . After Divine Service , they went in procession to Brother Joseph Smith ' s , the Crown and Thistle , in Loseby Lane , where they dined , and the greatest harmony prevailed , enlivened by toasts of the Craft suitable to the occasion . "
On 7 th November 1786 Sir Thomas Fowke died , and the office of Prov . Grand Master became vacant , and so remained for two years , when it was conferred on Bro . Thomas Boothby Parkyns , M . P . for Leicester , who was P . G . M . for Derbyshire and Notts , and upon whom was
bestowed in 1795 , an Irish peerage , with the style and title of Lord Rancliffe . This office he continued to hold till his death in 1800 , but though occupying several distinguished positions in Freemasonry in London , he seems to have taken no interest whatever in Masonry in his Province ,
except on one occasion , when he was present at an Emergency Meeting on the 27 th April 1793 of the St . John ' s Lodge , which had been constituted the year previous , after which he presented the set of" silver jewels for the officers , which are still in use in the Lodge .
So much for the earlier and more obscure portion of the history of the Craft in Leicestershire , from which it will be seen that only one of the Lodges Ave have thus far mentioned exists still ; while but one other survived the Union , and for a short time only . We now enter on the
second and more complete period . We havo just spoken of the St . John ' s Lodge as having been constituted in 1790 , the date of its warrant being 31 st August . This Lodge still exists , and as the Hinckley Lodge , now " the Knights of Malta , " was not transferred thither till the year 1803 ,
we must consider the St . John ' s as being the mother Lodge of the Province . The original Warrant having been lost or mislaid , a Warrant of Confirmation , dated 20 th April 1820 , was granted from G . M . the Duke of Sussex . It is from the records of this Lodge , which was for so long
a time the only one in the county holding under the Grand Lodge Moderns , that we obtain such memorials of the Provincial Grand Lodge as yet remain . It is not , indeed , till 1833 that the proceedings of the latter are separately minnted .
It is not a little singular that the Warrant of the St . John ' s Lodge was granted to some of the principal officers and members of Lodge No . 91 of Ancient Masons , and that the " ancient " Warrant for a long time remained in the hands of Bro . Horton , who was Master of the old and new
Lodge ; and it was several months before it was delivered up to some of the ancient brethren who still desired to work under it . Tho Lodge was opened for the first time on the 11 th November 1790 , at Bro . Joseph Smith ' s , the Lion and the Dolphin Inn , Market-place , and it is recorded that Bro .
Charles Horton R . W . M ., by order of the R . W . P . G . M ., installed the officers in due form , and that thanks were voted to the latter for his attention in granting the Warrant . Those present on this memorable occasion , in addition to the Master , were Bros . Joseph Smith S W . and P . M .,
Thomas Ball J . W ., Thomas Phipps Treasurer and P . M ., John Hill , William Green , Joseph Dean , Henry Davey , John Blower , and Robert Daniel , Tyler : to these , therefore , must be ascribed the honour of having been " the founders
of Freemasonry in Leicester in modern times . " In connection with the foregoing facts two circumstances will be noted as being of an unusual or extraordinary character . These are the facility with which a " modern " Warrant was granted to a number of officers and brethren belonging to
History Of Freemasonry In Lei Cestershire And Rutland.
an " ancient " Lodge , and that the landlord of tho house in which tho Lodge held its meetings was ono of its principal officers . However , in the days when these things happened , there was a certain laxity in the manner in which the government of Freemasonry was administered . Wise laws
had been framed , and there were no doubt wise brethren who wero fully capable of administering them -, bnt in spite of this we find that strange things were done , which would bo enough to frighten our modern sticklers for the rigid observance of the Constitutions , into their graves . ( To be continued . )
Freemasonry In Pennsylvania
FREEMASONRY IN PENNSYLVANIA
THE Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of this Jurisdiction held their Annual Grand Communications on St . John the Evangelist ' s Day ( 27 th December ) . The former met in Corinthian Hall of the Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , at 10 a . m . on that clay , under the presidency of M . W . Bro . Robert Clark , G . M ., who was numerously
supported by his Grand Officers and the representatives of subordinate Lodges . The Reports of the various Committees were highly satisfactory , and shewed that Freemasonry in the Keystone State was in a very flourishing condition . An application for a new Lodge at Royer ' s Ford , Chester
County , was referred to the Grand Officers , with full powers to act . An admirable portrait of the late Past Grand Master , Bro . Samuel H . Perkins , the work of E . D . Marchand , was presented on behalf of tho artist to Grand Lodge . The gift was accepted , and a vote of thanks was
unanimously passed to the donor . Grand Master Clark then delivered an able and interesting valedictory address , in which he reviewed the principal events of his Grand Mastership . This address was listened to with profound
attention . He then installed his successor , M . W . Bro . James Madison Porter , in the chair of Grand Master , with the customary and time-honoured ceremonies proper to the occasion . Grand Master Porter then delivered an address
m which he , m the first instance , dwelt at some length with satisfaction on the flourishing condition of Freemasonry in the Jurisdiction , aud then defined the principles which would serve for his guidance in administering the affairs of Grand Lodge . The following are among the principal
Grand Officers who were installed at the Commnnication , namely , Bros . Michael Nisbet , Dep . G . Master , Samuel B Dick Senior G . Warden , and Conrad B . Day Junior G . Warden ; Thomas R . Patton G . Treasurer , and John Thompson G . Secretary .
The Convocation of Grand Chapter was held in the Renaissance Hall of the Temple , in the evening of the same clay . In the course of the business M . E . Comp . Alfred R . Potter , G . H . P ., delivered his annual address , in which he recapitulated the events of the year just closed ; referring ,
m particular , to the very prosperous state of capitular Masonry in the State . The following are the principal officers for the ensuing year , and as all of them were re-elected , the prospects of the coming year are brilliant indeed : Comps . Alfred R . Potter , M . E . Grand High Priest , William C .
Hamilton , M . D ., Grand King , Hibbert P . John Grand Scribe , Thomas R . Patton Grand Treasurer , and John Thompson Grand Secretary . At the close of the meeting the Grand Officers accepted an invitation to be present at
the annual banquet of Jerusalem H . R . A . Chapter , No . 3 , in the Banqueting Hall of the Masonic Temple . We have gleaned the above particulars from the columns of our esteemed contemporary the Keystone .
The Burdett Contts Lodge of Instruction , No . 1278 , will in future hold its meetings at Bro . R . Smith ' s , the " Salmon and Ball , " Bethnal Green Road , on Wednesday evenings , at 8 . 30 p . m . Bro . G . Ward Verry is the Preceptor , and Bro . R . J . Chitson the Hon . Secretary .
The Installation Ceremony will be worked b y Bro . A . J . Melhnish , W . M . of the Constitutional Lodge , No 55 , on Tuesday , 12 th February , at the Constitutional Lodge of Instruction , held at the Bedford Hotel , Southamptonbuildings , Holborn . Lodge will be opened at 7 o ' clock ,