Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Introduction Of Ancient Freemasonry In The United States.
INTRODUCTION OF ANCIENT FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .
AN Oration , delivered by Most Worshipful Grand Master S . Kncrer Wntts , M P .. at , the Masonic Centrrninl G- 'ehvation « t Van Ness Gardeu , Monday evening , 29 th September 18 ^ 4 . FRIPNDS AND FRVTHREN , — We have assembled in the capncitv of Free and Accepted Masons for Ihe purpose of celebrating tho
Centennial Anniversary of onr Masonic mother . Prince Hall Grand Lodge of th " Commonwealth of Massachusetts . In so doing , we do but represent a part of the ancient Masonio Brotherhood , whose primary organisation dates back to a period where the miud of man runneth not to the contrary—of an organisation the tenets of which are the
indestructible bulwarks of religion , morality , brotherly love , and charity . These principles , in their virgin purity , have been handed down through the ages from frater to frater , and by zealous devotees of the royal art disseminated for the benefit of all mankind . King and subject , philosopher and student , rich and poor , European ,
Asiatic , African and American , meet as one , imbued with the sublime truth of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . These principles , veiled in allegories , illustrated by symbols , and preserved pure and unsullied in secret , constitute the life and strength of our Craft .
Great and good men in all parts of the world , from time immemorial to time present , have been and are zealous patrons of tho royal art , vying one with the other in proclaiming its principles and practising its precppts . With this brief reference 1 will leave to others who will address
you the task of explaining in a more comprehensive manner the tenets of Masonry . To the introduction of ancient Freemasonry among our brethren in the United States I now ask your attention . Boston , the first in liberty and education , is also the first in Masonry ; aDtl , in truth ,
Bne may bo styled the "Mother of Masonry , from tho fact that tho first warrant received was on 30 th April 1733 , signed by Lord Viscount Montagnp , Grand Master of Masons in England , under which authority , 30 th July same year , at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston , the St . John's Grand Lodge was organised . In tho year of
1752 , St . Andrew's Lodge at Bos ^ n was organised under dispensation from Lord Alberdour , and warranted 27 th December 1769 by the Earl of Dalhousie , Grand Master of Scotland . On the 6 th day of March 1775 , Prince Hall , Cyrus Jonbus , Bensten Slinger , Thomas Sanderson , Prince Tayden , Cato Spean , Boston
Smith , Peter Best , Fortin Howard , Prince Rees , John Canteen , Peter Freeman , Benjamin Tiber , Duff Buform , and Richard Tilley were made Free and Accepted Masons by R . W . Bro . Brett , acting Master of a Military Lodge under Genl . Gage , on Copp ' s Hill , Bos ton , Massachusetts .
In the year A . D . 1732 , Prince Hall and compeers applied by petition to the Grand Lodge of Boston , Massachusetts , for Masonic privileges , which , on account of the nn-Masonic spirit of caste , were denied . Said petitioners beiDg in limited possession of the work , and knowing its benefits to humanity , were desirous of transmitting
the same to their posterity in a due and lawful manner ; in consequence of which they made application for a Warrant of Constitution to the Grand Lodge of England , which was fraternally granted 29 th September 1784 , by authority of His Royal Highness Henry Frederick , Duke of Cumberland , Grand Master of England . Said
warrant was intrusted to the care of Captain James Scott , brother-inlaw of John Hancock , President of the Continental Congress , and was by him duly delivered to Prince Hall , who subsequently and under his authority organised the African Grand Lodgo of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . To these three warrants , granted
respectively in the years 1733 , 1752 , and 1781 , the majority of Masons in this country owe their origin . In verification of the legality and recognition by the Grand Lodge of England of the warrant granted 29 th September 1784 , 1 desire to call your attention to the following , copied from tho original , which
has been fraternally loaned for use on this occasion by our right trusty and well-beloved brother P . G . Master Richard H . Gleaves . The said document bears date of 19 th April 1792 , eight years after the warrant of 1784 was issued , and reads as follows : — " At a quarterly communication of the most Ancient and Honorable
Society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the Constitution of England , held at Freemasons' Hall , London , on Wednesday , 18 th April 1792 , His Royal Highness George Augustus Frederick Prince of Wales , & c , & c , & c , Grand Master , there were present Sir Peter Parker , Bart ., D . G . M . as G . M ., William Atkinson , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as
D . G . M ., John Allen , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as S . G . W ., Charles Marsb , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as J . G . W ., James Heseltine , Esq ., P . S . G . W . as G . T ., Right Hon . Lord Macdonald P . S . G . W ., James Neild , Esq ., P . J . G . W ., Mr . William White G . S ., Chev . Bartholomew Ruspini G . S . B ., the Master , Wardens , and Assistants of the Stewards' Lodge , and the Masters
and Wardens of sundry Lodges , when the following contributions were received for the Charity and Hall Funds : — "No . 2 , Somerset House Lodge , Freemasons' T . ; No . 3 , Lod ^ e of Friendship , Thatched House , St . James ; No . 12 , Lodge of Emulation , Paul ' s Head Tavern ; No . 14 , Fraternal Lodge , Ohnrch-stre ^ t ,
Greenwich ; No . 19 , Castle Lodge of Harmony , Hon . Doctors' Com . ; No . 24 , The Globe , Fleet-street ; No . 29 , Bn ' fannic Lodge , Star aud Gartpr , Pall Mall ; No . 35 , King's Arms , Marybow-street , Piccadilly ; No . 41 , St . Paul's Lodge , Birmingham ; No . 46 , Coal Hole , Fountain , court , Strand ; No . 47 , The Stewards' Lodsre ; No , 104 , Old
Cumberland Lodt'e , Cavendish-street ; No . 122 , Ancient French Lodge Leicesfer . fields ; No . 155 , Beaufort Lodge , Priuce-strcet , Bristol ; No . lf ! 9 , Lndge of Fortitude , Half Moon , St . George ; No . 201 , Royal Lodge , Thatched House , St . Jarnes-street ; No . 321 , Tontine , Sheffield , Yorkshire ; No . 226 , Royal Edwin Lodge , Bury Saint
Introduction Of Ancient Freemasonry In The United States.
Edmunds ; No . 238 , Lodge of Unanimity , Wakefield , lorkshire ; No . 219 , Sion Lodge , North Shields ; No . 253 , Uuion Lodge , Castle-Ditch , Bristol ; No . 256 , Lodge of Morality , Old Compton-street ; No . 277 , Caveac Lodge , Angel , Hammersmith ; No . 285 , Queen Charlotte Lodge , Hosier Lane , Stnithfield ; No . 292 , Beaufort Lodge ,
Swansea ; No . 294 , Lodgo of Virtue , Market Place , Bath ; No . 596 , Lodge of Hospitality , Castle-street , Bristol ; No . 18 , Lodge of In . dnstry , B . Johnson's , Horse Shoe-lane ; No . 325 , Lodge of Friendship , Fore-street , Plymouth Dock ; No . 359 , Lodge of Jehoshaphat , Rummer Tavern , Bristol ; No . 405 , St . Peter's Lodge , Bell , Upper Mount .
street ; No . 432 , St . Michael ' s Lodgo , Aluwick , Northumberland ; No . 453 , Loyal Lodge , Globe Inn , Barnstable ; No . 459 , African Lodge , Boston , New England ; No . 469 , L'Egalite Lodge , Frithstreet , Soho ; No . 476 , Thanct Lodgo , Parade Hotel , Margate ; No . 477 , Lodge of Good Intent , Ship , Leadenhall-street ; No . 531 ,
Old Globe Lodge , Sc & rborongh -, No . 543 , Royal Glareuoe Lodge , Brithelmston ; No . 545 , Royal York Lodge , Bristol ; No . 533 , Lodgu of Good Fellowship , Chelmsford , Essex ; No . 576 , Silurian Lodge , Kingston , Herefordshire ; No . 586 , Balam , Coast of Africa . At this Communication the following order was made to wit : —
" The following Lodges be erased out of the list , having ceased to meet or neglected to conform to tho laws of the Society : No . 108 , Cavendish-square Coffee House ; No . 133 , Boot , East Gate-street , Chester ; No . 156 , Barbadoes ; No . 181 , On board of the Cauceaux , at Quebec ; No . 194 , Lodge of True Friendship , Dover ; No . 424 ,
Lodge of Love and Unity , Dover ; No . 496 , Mackworch , Cowbridge . " It was further ordered that the numbers of all the Lodges on record be brought forward in regular succession by filling up the dormant numbers caused by the Lodges being erased at sundry times . In consequence of this order the number of African Lodge on said date
was changed from 459 to 370 . African Lodge , Boston , continued to pay charity dues up to A . D . 1813 , when , by mutual consent between the Graud Lodge of England and African Lodgo of Now Eugland , the payment of dues were discontinued .
It is a noticeable faot that at this Communication of the Grand Lodge of England ( April A . D . 1792 ) , African Lodge , No . 459 , was the only Lodge in the United States recorded upon this roll . It would be inopportune at this time to give further details
concerning the warrant 459 , as sufficient is hereby presented ( corroborated by documentary evidence ) to establish beyond doubt the authority and legality of the Masonic work of Prince Hall and his associates .
Brethren of the Mystic Tie , we are here assembled , not for the purpose of condemning our tradueers , but rather with feelings of Masonic charity , commending them to the Supreme Architect of the Universe for that Masonic light whose brilliant rays ever dispel the dark clouds of prejudice or ignorance , to renew our zeal in defending
and disseminating the principles established by this Ancient and Honourable Fraternity , and to review the work of our Masonic fathers , in a manner becoming and in keeping with the ancient established usages and customs of our Order . Prince Hall and fratres by Royal authority pi-oceeded to inculcate
the tenets of the Royal Art among those who were found worthy and well qualified , and as early as the year 1797 , he , as Grand Master , granted , on the petition of the following brethren , March 22 , 1797 , a dispensation to establish a Lodge in the city of Philadelphia , Penn ., to wit .
Peter Mantore , of True Blue Lodge ; Peter Richmond , Jonathan Harding , John Davis , Richmond Venable , Q . Bnt / er , C . Brown , J . Peterson , J . Tucker , J . Ducking , and J . Kenley , of Gordon Lodge , England . By this authority the said brethren , in legal form , organized the African Lodge , No . 1 , Philadelphia , Pa . On the 27 th of
Decernber , A . D . 1815 , African Lodge , No . 1 , of Philadelphia , by due authority organized under the title of the First Independent African Grand Lodge of North America . From this Grand Lodge and in line of descent from African Grand Lodge of Boston , the following Lodges were constituted in the District of Columbia :
Social Lodge , No . 7 , Universal Lodge , No . 10 , and Felix Lod <* e No . 17 ; these Lodges continued subordinate nntil the 27 th day ° of March A . D . 1848 , when a general assembly of the Craft in this jurisdiction was called for the purpose of establishing a Grand Lodge . On the above date the several Lodges met in convention and
unanimously elected R . W . Bro . David P . Jones , D . D . G . Master , presiding Officer , and R . W . Bro . John T . Costin Secretary . The permanent organization of a Grand Lodge was consummated by unanimously electing the following li . W . brethren : Charles Datcher , of Social Lodge , No . 7 , Washington , D . C ., M . W . Grand Master ; Daniel H .
Smith , of Universal Lodge , No . 10 , Alexandria , Va ., R . W . Deputy Grand Master ; Richard Phisk , of Felix Lodge , No . 17 , Washington , D . C ., R . W . Grand Senior Warden ; Francis Datcher jun ., of Social Lodge , No . 7 , R . W . Grand Junior Warden ; Joseph Frazier , of Universal Lodge , No . 10 , R . W . Grand Treasurer ; and John T . Costin ,
of Felix Lodge , No . 17 , R . W . Grand Secretary . In the year A . D . 1828 , Uniou Lodge , No . 4 , and Harmony Lodge , No . 5 , working under the authority of the First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pa ., were expelled by said Grand Lodge for contumacy .
In 1833 , James Miller and others of Harmony Lodge ( expelled ) , made application to a Masonic Lodge ( white ) at Norristown , Pa ., for a warrant , the said Lodge , or a member or members of said Lodge , i » consideration of one hundred aud twenty-five dollars received , delivered to James Miller a warrant , alleged to have been "ranted
by the Grand Lodge of Ohio ( white ) , aud under the supposed authority of this fraudulent warrant the said James Miller , as W . M ., John H . " Matthews S . W ., and George W . Hilton J . W . of the so-called Independent Harmony Lodge , proceeded to work and establish
Lodges . On the 17 th day of July 1837 , Independent Harmony Lodge , with several other Lodges , met in convention and organized Hiram Giand Lodge of Penna ., under the authority of the alleged Ohio warrant . R . W . Bro . John T . Hilton , Grand Master of African Grand
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Introduction Of Ancient Freemasonry In The United States.
INTRODUCTION OF ANCIENT FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .
AN Oration , delivered by Most Worshipful Grand Master S . Kncrer Wntts , M P .. at , the Masonic Centrrninl G- 'ehvation « t Van Ness Gardeu , Monday evening , 29 th September 18 ^ 4 . FRIPNDS AND FRVTHREN , — We have assembled in the capncitv of Free and Accepted Masons for Ihe purpose of celebrating tho
Centennial Anniversary of onr Masonic mother . Prince Hall Grand Lodge of th " Commonwealth of Massachusetts . In so doing , we do but represent a part of the ancient Masonio Brotherhood , whose primary organisation dates back to a period where the miud of man runneth not to the contrary—of an organisation the tenets of which are the
indestructible bulwarks of religion , morality , brotherly love , and charity . These principles , in their virgin purity , have been handed down through the ages from frater to frater , and by zealous devotees of the royal art disseminated for the benefit of all mankind . King and subject , philosopher and student , rich and poor , European ,
Asiatic , African and American , meet as one , imbued with the sublime truth of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . These principles , veiled in allegories , illustrated by symbols , and preserved pure and unsullied in secret , constitute the life and strength of our Craft .
Great and good men in all parts of the world , from time immemorial to time present , have been and are zealous patrons of tho royal art , vying one with the other in proclaiming its principles and practising its precppts . With this brief reference 1 will leave to others who will address
you the task of explaining in a more comprehensive manner the tenets of Masonry . To the introduction of ancient Freemasonry among our brethren in the United States I now ask your attention . Boston , the first in liberty and education , is also the first in Masonry ; aDtl , in truth ,
Bne may bo styled the "Mother of Masonry , from tho fact that tho first warrant received was on 30 th April 1733 , signed by Lord Viscount Montagnp , Grand Master of Masons in England , under which authority , 30 th July same year , at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in Boston , the St . John's Grand Lodge was organised . In tho year of
1752 , St . Andrew's Lodge at Bos ^ n was organised under dispensation from Lord Alberdour , and warranted 27 th December 1769 by the Earl of Dalhousie , Grand Master of Scotland . On the 6 th day of March 1775 , Prince Hall , Cyrus Jonbus , Bensten Slinger , Thomas Sanderson , Prince Tayden , Cato Spean , Boston
Smith , Peter Best , Fortin Howard , Prince Rees , John Canteen , Peter Freeman , Benjamin Tiber , Duff Buform , and Richard Tilley were made Free and Accepted Masons by R . W . Bro . Brett , acting Master of a Military Lodge under Genl . Gage , on Copp ' s Hill , Bos ton , Massachusetts .
In the year A . D . 1732 , Prince Hall and compeers applied by petition to the Grand Lodge of Boston , Massachusetts , for Masonic privileges , which , on account of the nn-Masonic spirit of caste , were denied . Said petitioners beiDg in limited possession of the work , and knowing its benefits to humanity , were desirous of transmitting
the same to their posterity in a due and lawful manner ; in consequence of which they made application for a Warrant of Constitution to the Grand Lodge of England , which was fraternally granted 29 th September 1784 , by authority of His Royal Highness Henry Frederick , Duke of Cumberland , Grand Master of England . Said
warrant was intrusted to the care of Captain James Scott , brother-inlaw of John Hancock , President of the Continental Congress , and was by him duly delivered to Prince Hall , who subsequently and under his authority organised the African Grand Lodgo of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . To these three warrants , granted
respectively in the years 1733 , 1752 , and 1781 , the majority of Masons in this country owe their origin . In verification of the legality and recognition by the Grand Lodge of England of the warrant granted 29 th September 1784 , 1 desire to call your attention to the following , copied from tho original , which
has been fraternally loaned for use on this occasion by our right trusty and well-beloved brother P . G . Master Richard H . Gleaves . The said document bears date of 19 th April 1792 , eight years after the warrant of 1784 was issued , and reads as follows : — " At a quarterly communication of the most Ancient and Honorable
Society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the Constitution of England , held at Freemasons' Hall , London , on Wednesday , 18 th April 1792 , His Royal Highness George Augustus Frederick Prince of Wales , & c , & c , & c , Grand Master , there were present Sir Peter Parker , Bart ., D . G . M . as G . M ., William Atkinson , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as
D . G . M ., John Allen , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as S . G . W ., Charles Marsb , Esq ., P . J . G . W . as J . G . W ., James Heseltine , Esq ., P . S . G . W . as G . T ., Right Hon . Lord Macdonald P . S . G . W ., James Neild , Esq ., P . J . G . W ., Mr . William White G . S ., Chev . Bartholomew Ruspini G . S . B ., the Master , Wardens , and Assistants of the Stewards' Lodge , and the Masters
and Wardens of sundry Lodges , when the following contributions were received for the Charity and Hall Funds : — "No . 2 , Somerset House Lodge , Freemasons' T . ; No . 3 , Lod ^ e of Friendship , Thatched House , St . James ; No . 12 , Lodge of Emulation , Paul ' s Head Tavern ; No . 14 , Fraternal Lodge , Ohnrch-stre ^ t ,
Greenwich ; No . 19 , Castle Lodge of Harmony , Hon . Doctors' Com . ; No . 24 , The Globe , Fleet-street ; No . 29 , Bn ' fannic Lodge , Star aud Gartpr , Pall Mall ; No . 35 , King's Arms , Marybow-street , Piccadilly ; No . 41 , St . Paul's Lodge , Birmingham ; No . 46 , Coal Hole , Fountain , court , Strand ; No . 47 , The Stewards' Lodsre ; No , 104 , Old
Cumberland Lodt'e , Cavendish-street ; No . 122 , Ancient French Lodge Leicesfer . fields ; No . 155 , Beaufort Lodge , Priuce-strcet , Bristol ; No . lf ! 9 , Lndge of Fortitude , Half Moon , St . George ; No . 201 , Royal Lodge , Thatched House , St . Jarnes-street ; No . 321 , Tontine , Sheffield , Yorkshire ; No . 226 , Royal Edwin Lodge , Bury Saint
Introduction Of Ancient Freemasonry In The United States.
Edmunds ; No . 238 , Lodge of Unanimity , Wakefield , lorkshire ; No . 219 , Sion Lodge , North Shields ; No . 253 , Uuion Lodge , Castle-Ditch , Bristol ; No . 256 , Lodge of Morality , Old Compton-street ; No . 277 , Caveac Lodge , Angel , Hammersmith ; No . 285 , Queen Charlotte Lodge , Hosier Lane , Stnithfield ; No . 292 , Beaufort Lodge ,
Swansea ; No . 294 , Lodgo of Virtue , Market Place , Bath ; No . 596 , Lodge of Hospitality , Castle-street , Bristol ; No . 18 , Lodge of In . dnstry , B . Johnson's , Horse Shoe-lane ; No . 325 , Lodge of Friendship , Fore-street , Plymouth Dock ; No . 359 , Lodge of Jehoshaphat , Rummer Tavern , Bristol ; No . 405 , St . Peter's Lodge , Bell , Upper Mount .
street ; No . 432 , St . Michael ' s Lodgo , Aluwick , Northumberland ; No . 453 , Loyal Lodge , Globe Inn , Barnstable ; No . 459 , African Lodge , Boston , New England ; No . 469 , L'Egalite Lodge , Frithstreet , Soho ; No . 476 , Thanct Lodgo , Parade Hotel , Margate ; No . 477 , Lodge of Good Intent , Ship , Leadenhall-street ; No . 531 ,
Old Globe Lodge , Sc & rborongh -, No . 543 , Royal Glareuoe Lodge , Brithelmston ; No . 545 , Royal York Lodge , Bristol ; No . 533 , Lodgu of Good Fellowship , Chelmsford , Essex ; No . 576 , Silurian Lodge , Kingston , Herefordshire ; No . 586 , Balam , Coast of Africa . At this Communication the following order was made to wit : —
" The following Lodges be erased out of the list , having ceased to meet or neglected to conform to tho laws of the Society : No . 108 , Cavendish-square Coffee House ; No . 133 , Boot , East Gate-street , Chester ; No . 156 , Barbadoes ; No . 181 , On board of the Cauceaux , at Quebec ; No . 194 , Lodge of True Friendship , Dover ; No . 424 ,
Lodge of Love and Unity , Dover ; No . 496 , Mackworch , Cowbridge . " It was further ordered that the numbers of all the Lodges on record be brought forward in regular succession by filling up the dormant numbers caused by the Lodges being erased at sundry times . In consequence of this order the number of African Lodge on said date
was changed from 459 to 370 . African Lodge , Boston , continued to pay charity dues up to A . D . 1813 , when , by mutual consent between the Graud Lodge of England and African Lodgo of Now Eugland , the payment of dues were discontinued .
It is a noticeable faot that at this Communication of the Grand Lodge of England ( April A . D . 1792 ) , African Lodge , No . 459 , was the only Lodge in the United States recorded upon this roll . It would be inopportune at this time to give further details
concerning the warrant 459 , as sufficient is hereby presented ( corroborated by documentary evidence ) to establish beyond doubt the authority and legality of the Masonic work of Prince Hall and his associates .
Brethren of the Mystic Tie , we are here assembled , not for the purpose of condemning our tradueers , but rather with feelings of Masonic charity , commending them to the Supreme Architect of the Universe for that Masonic light whose brilliant rays ever dispel the dark clouds of prejudice or ignorance , to renew our zeal in defending
and disseminating the principles established by this Ancient and Honourable Fraternity , and to review the work of our Masonic fathers , in a manner becoming and in keeping with the ancient established usages and customs of our Order . Prince Hall and fratres by Royal authority pi-oceeded to inculcate
the tenets of the Royal Art among those who were found worthy and well qualified , and as early as the year 1797 , he , as Grand Master , granted , on the petition of the following brethren , March 22 , 1797 , a dispensation to establish a Lodge in the city of Philadelphia , Penn ., to wit .
Peter Mantore , of True Blue Lodge ; Peter Richmond , Jonathan Harding , John Davis , Richmond Venable , Q . Bnt / er , C . Brown , J . Peterson , J . Tucker , J . Ducking , and J . Kenley , of Gordon Lodge , England . By this authority the said brethren , in legal form , organized the African Lodge , No . 1 , Philadelphia , Pa . On the 27 th of
Decernber , A . D . 1815 , African Lodge , No . 1 , of Philadelphia , by due authority organized under the title of the First Independent African Grand Lodge of North America . From this Grand Lodge and in line of descent from African Grand Lodge of Boston , the following Lodges were constituted in the District of Columbia :
Social Lodge , No . 7 , Universal Lodge , No . 10 , and Felix Lod <* e No . 17 ; these Lodges continued subordinate nntil the 27 th day ° of March A . D . 1848 , when a general assembly of the Craft in this jurisdiction was called for the purpose of establishing a Grand Lodge . On the above date the several Lodges met in convention and
unanimously elected R . W . Bro . David P . Jones , D . D . G . Master , presiding Officer , and R . W . Bro . John T . Costin Secretary . The permanent organization of a Grand Lodge was consummated by unanimously electing the following li . W . brethren : Charles Datcher , of Social Lodge , No . 7 , Washington , D . C ., M . W . Grand Master ; Daniel H .
Smith , of Universal Lodge , No . 10 , Alexandria , Va ., R . W . Deputy Grand Master ; Richard Phisk , of Felix Lodge , No . 17 , Washington , D . C ., R . W . Grand Senior Warden ; Francis Datcher jun ., of Social Lodge , No . 7 , R . W . Grand Junior Warden ; Joseph Frazier , of Universal Lodge , No . 10 , R . W . Grand Treasurer ; and John T . Costin ,
of Felix Lodge , No . 17 , R . W . Grand Secretary . In the year A . D . 1828 , Uniou Lodge , No . 4 , and Harmony Lodge , No . 5 , working under the authority of the First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pa ., were expelled by said Grand Lodge for contumacy .
In 1833 , James Miller and others of Harmony Lodge ( expelled ) , made application to a Masonic Lodge ( white ) at Norristown , Pa ., for a warrant , the said Lodge , or a member or members of said Lodge , i » consideration of one hundred aud twenty-five dollars received , delivered to James Miller a warrant , alleged to have been "ranted
by the Grand Lodge of Ohio ( white ) , aud under the supposed authority of this fraudulent warrant the said James Miller , as W . M ., John H . " Matthews S . W ., and George W . Hilton J . W . of the so-called Independent Harmony Lodge , proceeded to work and establish
Lodges . On the 17 th day of July 1837 , Independent Harmony Lodge , with several other Lodges , met in convention and organized Hiram Giand Lodge of Penna ., under the authority of the alleged Ohio warrant . R . W . Bro . John T . Hilton , Grand Master of African Grand