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Article A LEAF FROM OLD MASONIC HISTORY. ← Page 2 of 2 Article A LEAF FROM OLD MASONIC HISTORY. Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN YORK. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Leaf From Old Masonic History.
a singular obstacle presented itself in his path . " A solitary horse , man appeared npon the brow of tho hill , directly in the line of march , and waving his sword and turning his head , as if backed up by a mighty army , exclaimed in a voice of thnnder , * Halt the whole ¦ Universe ! Wheel into kingdoms ' . ' The British halted and sent out flanking parties to investigate tho precise position into which tho
' kingdom ' bad wheeled , two pieces of artillery were brought to bear upon the ' halted universe ; ' just at this juncture the solitary horseman slowly turned about and disappeared . " It was probably one of those strategic movements devised by some shrewd Yankee to gain time for the Colonial forces to get iuto position , or to allure the invaders into danger .
But this was not tho end ; the comic and the tragic must mingle in tbe frny to bewilder the invader . The story is told that an old farmer had on deposit at a clothier ' s , in the lower part of the village , a piece of cloth of domestic manufacture , which he was determined the invading Tryon should not possess . Well mounted , the old man rode to the clothier ' s , and having firmly seenred one end of the goods
to the pommel of his saddle , started with it to a place ot safety . Bnt he was seen by the light horsemen of the enemy , who started in pursuit . Approaching tho old man closely , one of tho pursuers shouted , " We'll have you , old dadd ^; we'll have you . " " Not yet , " shouted back tho retreating son of Connecticut , who redoubled his speed . But a trooper gained on him , and he was just raising his sabre to
strike , when luckily the cloth unrolled , aud , fluttering like a streamer far behind , so frightened tho pursuing horses that thoy could not again be bronght within striking distance of tho man of cloth . Ifc was a new flag in the eyes of tho troopers , and even the horses thought it the banner of a new kingdom in a new world , and all concluded it were wise to be cautious , and permitted the banner of
cloth and its venerable bearer to escape . I will not detain tbe reader by describing the capture and burning and sacking of Danbury by the British . Wooster , who was then afc New Haven , was soon informed of the enemy ' s movements , and he started for the front at tbe head of a few hundred undisciplined soldiers . They could nofc stand the enemy ' s
fire , and fell back . While the gallant old Wooster was cheering them forward by infusing his own undaunted courage into them , a ball , deliberately fired , as it was believed , hy a Tory who know his person , struck him obliquely in the back , breaking the bone as it passed , and burying itself in his body . He was carried from tho field on the sash he had worn iu the battle , bufc tho surgeon pronounced the wound fatal , and the grand old hero of many battles must die .
His wife , who had been summoned , arrived , bufc not until his brain was so aff-cted thafc he could not recognize her , and he conld only look upon tho face he knew the best and loved fche most , with tho wild glare of delirium . 2 nd May 1777 , he died . Congress afterwards appropriated means to erect a monument over his grave , but the money was placed in unfaithful hands , aud the monument was not built .
I cannot forbear , jusfc here , to quote from one of the finest writers of his State , a paragraph or two in relation to Wooster : " Second to Putnam , ancl to Putnam alone , in tho length , variety , and hardship of his martial labours . Exhausting his means in the public service , he only bequeathed poverty to his family , and oblivion to his remains . Unrewarded , unrequited , in life , in denfch ho received a monument
thafc was never built , and an inscription that wns never engraved . " We cannot follow such a career , we cannot stand by such a grave , withont renewing onr consecration vows to Freedom . By what along century of conflict ; by what death struggles with earth ' s master races , the Celt , the Gan ! , and the Saxon ; by what weariness of spirit , what agony of soul , what squandering of blood , has her fair inheritance been purchased !
" Freedom , thy brow Glorions in beauty though ifc be , is scarred With tokens of old wars ; thy massive limbs Aro strong with struggling . Power at thee Has launched his bolts , and with his lightnings has smitten thee ; They could not quench the light thou hast from heaven .
0 ! nofc yefc Mayst thou unbrace thy corslet , nor lay by Thy sword ; nofc yet , 0 Freedom , close thy lids In slumber , for thine enemy never sleeps , And thou must watch and combat till the day Of the new earth and heaven I "
A few years since , a distinguished American wrote in relation to Wooster : " He sleeps among a recreant people , for no monument rises above his ashes . " His native State felfc tho merited rebnke , and it was determined to build a monument to his memory , nt an expense of three thousand dollars , of which tho Legislature appropriated fifteen hundred dollars—nofc the one-tenth of what he spent for his country—the Grand Lodge of Freemasons furnished one
thonsand , and the remaining five hundred wns raised by the citizens of Danbnry . The sword which General Wooster caried in his last battle with the enemies of his country , together with his portrait and the sash ho wore when he received his denth wound , and on which lie was carried from the field , are all deposited iii Yale College . They wero presented to thafc Institution by his grandson , Admiral Charles Wooster , of Chili , in 1837 .
We havo only room now for a brief description of the monument erected to the memory of this distinguished soldier and Freemason , at the dedication of which we had the honour of being present , 27 th April 1854 . The monument is forty feefc high , the base eight feet square , ancl perfectly plain . The plinth is richly monlded , and bears the name , WOOSTEU , in raised letters , with appropriate emblems . On the opposite side of tho dio and shaft are fcho emblems of Masonry , beautifully executed .
A Leaf From Old Masonic History.
imong others the following inscriptions are on the monument
BROTHER DAYID WOOSTER . Impressed while a stranger in a foreign land , with some tie that should unite all mankind in a UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD , ho returned to his native country , and procured from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts A CHARTER .
and first introduced into Connecticut that Light which haa warmed tho widow ' s heart and illumined tho orphan ' s pathway . Under this Charter , in 1750 , Hiram Lodgo , No . 1 , of New Haven , was organized , of which ho was the first Worshipful Master .
Grateful for hia services as the Master Builder of their oldest Temple , for his fidelity as a brother , ancl his renown as a patriot and soldier , the Free and Accepted Masons have united , with hia native State and the citizens of Danbury , iu reaving aud consecrating this mouu . menfc to his memory .
Erected afc Danbury , A . L . 585-1 . Ifc is nofc known with certainty whoa or where Wooster was made a Mason ; ifc was probably in an Army Lodgo , or while ho was in
London . It is enough to know thafc he acted well hia part , and had fcho distinguished honour of organizing and presiding over the first Lodge in his native State . While Masonry is perpetuated or freedom prized , tho namo of Wooster will bo held iu grateful remembrance .
Freemasonry In York.
FREEMASONRY IN YORK .
WE regret , that through an unfortunate delay in our receiving the eopy , the two following reports were omitted from our last issue . Feeling assured that the doings of the York brethren are of interest to the general body of
our readers we think nothing further than the mere explanation of the delay is needed from us for publishing them thus late .
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .
rpHE first Annual Communication of this body was held at York , * on the 15 th instant , under the banner of the York Mark Lodge ( T . I . ) It is but a short period since we had to record the installation to office , in a moveable Grand Mark Lodge at Sheffield , of R . W . Bro . J . W . Woodall , of Scarborough . Since thafc time we have also announced his consecration of a new Mark Lodge at Driffield , and now
ifc is our pleasing duty to give a report of his first annual meeting for the appointment of Officers and other bnsiness . The gathering took place in tho Masonic Hall , York , afc 3 p . m ., and was well attended . The York Mark Lodge had provided light refreshments for their visitors afc that hour , and soon afterwards " the W . M ., the Rev . W . C . Lukis , assumed the gavel aud opened his Lodgo , the following
Officers being in thoir places -. —Bros . J . S . Cumberland S . W ., C . E . Padel J . W ., G . Garbutt M . O ., W . Harrison as S . O ., A . T . B . Turner J . O ., T . B . Whytehead Secretary and Treasurer , J . Church J . D ., W . B . Dyson I . G ., G . Balmford P . M . Organist , together with Sir James Meek P . M ., J . Todd P . M ., and a number of visitors and brethren . Tlio ceremony of advancement was worked by the W . M ., Bro . T . B . Whytehead acting as S . D ., and afc 4 . 30 fche Prov . Grand
Master assumed the gavel and opened his Prov . Graud Lodge , Bro . J . H . Eooke , of Scarborough , acting as D . P . G . M ., in tho unavoidable absence of Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlefcfc J . G . Warden , who was unable to bo present , in consequence of alarming illness iu his family . Certain preliminaries having been performed , the Provincial Grand Master proceeded to appoint and invest his Oflicers for tho ensuing year , as follows : —
Bro . Hon . T . Orde Powlett J . G . W . York T . T . - - Prov . Grand Deputy Master Sir James Meek , P . M . York T . I . . ... „ Senior Warden H . A . Williamson , P . M . 95 - „ Junior Warden Geo . Balmford , P . M . York - „ Master Overseer
E . H . Peacock , P . M . 95 - „ Senior „ W . Peacock , P . M . 95 - „ Junior „ Rov . W . Valentine , P . M . York .... „ Chaplain J . Todd , P . M . York - - „ Treasurer J . M . Meek , P . M . 270 - „ Registrar of Marks T . B . Whytehead , P . G . M . O . P . M . York ... „ Secretary
J . S . Cumberland , W . M . Elect York ... ,, Assist . Secretary R . Y . Powley , P . M . 95 - „ Senior Deacon J . Marshall , W . M . 277 - ,. Junior Deacon A . P . Wilsin , W . M . 281 - „ Inspector of Works S . Middleton , P . M . 95 - „ Dir . of Ceremonies
C . Emerson , W . M . 9 o - ,, Sword Bearer C . G . Padel , J . W . York - „ Organist M . G . Coilingwood , S . W . „ Inner Guard 276 ... J . Redfare , York . - „ Tyler
The fees of honour aud annual dues from Lodges were then fixed , inrl a Committee was appointed to draw up a code of bye-laws , after ¦ vliich the Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren as bllows : — We meet to-day to inaugurate a new Provincial Grand Lodge of this interesting degree , and as its first Proviucial Graud
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Leaf From Old Masonic History.
a singular obstacle presented itself in his path . " A solitary horse , man appeared npon the brow of tho hill , directly in the line of march , and waving his sword and turning his head , as if backed up by a mighty army , exclaimed in a voice of thnnder , * Halt the whole ¦ Universe ! Wheel into kingdoms ' . ' The British halted and sent out flanking parties to investigate tho precise position into which tho
' kingdom ' bad wheeled , two pieces of artillery were brought to bear upon the ' halted universe ; ' just at this juncture the solitary horseman slowly turned about and disappeared . " It was probably one of those strategic movements devised by some shrewd Yankee to gain time for the Colonial forces to get iuto position , or to allure the invaders into danger .
But this was not tho end ; the comic and the tragic must mingle in tbe frny to bewilder the invader . The story is told that an old farmer had on deposit at a clothier ' s , in the lower part of the village , a piece of cloth of domestic manufacture , which he was determined the invading Tryon should not possess . Well mounted , the old man rode to the clothier ' s , and having firmly seenred one end of the goods
to the pommel of his saddle , started with it to a place ot safety . Bnt he was seen by the light horsemen of the enemy , who started in pursuit . Approaching tho old man closely , one of tho pursuers shouted , " We'll have you , old dadd ^; we'll have you . " " Not yet , " shouted back tho retreating son of Connecticut , who redoubled his speed . But a trooper gained on him , and he was just raising his sabre to
strike , when luckily the cloth unrolled , aud , fluttering like a streamer far behind , so frightened tho pursuing horses that thoy could not again be bronght within striking distance of tho man of cloth . Ifc was a new flag in the eyes of tho troopers , and even the horses thought it the banner of a new kingdom in a new world , and all concluded it were wise to be cautious , and permitted the banner of
cloth and its venerable bearer to escape . I will not detain tbe reader by describing the capture and burning and sacking of Danbury by the British . Wooster , who was then afc New Haven , was soon informed of the enemy ' s movements , and he started for the front at tbe head of a few hundred undisciplined soldiers . They could nofc stand the enemy ' s
fire , and fell back . While the gallant old Wooster was cheering them forward by infusing his own undaunted courage into them , a ball , deliberately fired , as it was believed , hy a Tory who know his person , struck him obliquely in the back , breaking the bone as it passed , and burying itself in his body . He was carried from tho field on the sash he had worn iu the battle , bufc tho surgeon pronounced the wound fatal , and the grand old hero of many battles must die .
His wife , who had been summoned , arrived , bufc not until his brain was so aff-cted thafc he could not recognize her , and he conld only look upon tho face he knew the best and loved fche most , with tho wild glare of delirium . 2 nd May 1777 , he died . Congress afterwards appropriated means to erect a monument over his grave , but the money was placed in unfaithful hands , aud the monument was not built .
I cannot forbear , jusfc here , to quote from one of the finest writers of his State , a paragraph or two in relation to Wooster : " Second to Putnam , ancl to Putnam alone , in tho length , variety , and hardship of his martial labours . Exhausting his means in the public service , he only bequeathed poverty to his family , and oblivion to his remains . Unrewarded , unrequited , in life , in denfch ho received a monument
thafc was never built , and an inscription that wns never engraved . " We cannot follow such a career , we cannot stand by such a grave , withont renewing onr consecration vows to Freedom . By what along century of conflict ; by what death struggles with earth ' s master races , the Celt , the Gan ! , and the Saxon ; by what weariness of spirit , what agony of soul , what squandering of blood , has her fair inheritance been purchased !
" Freedom , thy brow Glorions in beauty though ifc be , is scarred With tokens of old wars ; thy massive limbs Aro strong with struggling . Power at thee Has launched his bolts , and with his lightnings has smitten thee ; They could not quench the light thou hast from heaven .
0 ! nofc yefc Mayst thou unbrace thy corslet , nor lay by Thy sword ; nofc yet , 0 Freedom , close thy lids In slumber , for thine enemy never sleeps , And thou must watch and combat till the day Of the new earth and heaven I "
A few years since , a distinguished American wrote in relation to Wooster : " He sleeps among a recreant people , for no monument rises above his ashes . " His native State felfc tho merited rebnke , and it was determined to build a monument to his memory , nt an expense of three thousand dollars , of which tho Legislature appropriated fifteen hundred dollars—nofc the one-tenth of what he spent for his country—the Grand Lodge of Freemasons furnished one
thonsand , and the remaining five hundred wns raised by the citizens of Danbnry . The sword which General Wooster caried in his last battle with the enemies of his country , together with his portrait and the sash ho wore when he received his denth wound , and on which lie was carried from the field , are all deposited iii Yale College . They wero presented to thafc Institution by his grandson , Admiral Charles Wooster , of Chili , in 1837 .
We havo only room now for a brief description of the monument erected to the memory of this distinguished soldier and Freemason , at the dedication of which we had the honour of being present , 27 th April 1854 . The monument is forty feefc high , the base eight feet square , ancl perfectly plain . The plinth is richly monlded , and bears the name , WOOSTEU , in raised letters , with appropriate emblems . On the opposite side of tho dio and shaft are fcho emblems of Masonry , beautifully executed .
A Leaf From Old Masonic History.
imong others the following inscriptions are on the monument
BROTHER DAYID WOOSTER . Impressed while a stranger in a foreign land , with some tie that should unite all mankind in a UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD , ho returned to his native country , and procured from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts A CHARTER .
and first introduced into Connecticut that Light which haa warmed tho widow ' s heart and illumined tho orphan ' s pathway . Under this Charter , in 1750 , Hiram Lodgo , No . 1 , of New Haven , was organized , of which ho was the first Worshipful Master .
Grateful for hia services as the Master Builder of their oldest Temple , for his fidelity as a brother , ancl his renown as a patriot and soldier , the Free and Accepted Masons have united , with hia native State and the citizens of Danbury , iu reaving aud consecrating this mouu . menfc to his memory .
Erected afc Danbury , A . L . 585-1 . Ifc is nofc known with certainty whoa or where Wooster was made a Mason ; ifc was probably in an Army Lodgo , or while ho was in
London . It is enough to know thafc he acted well hia part , and had fcho distinguished honour of organizing and presiding over the first Lodge in his native State . While Masonry is perpetuated or freedom prized , tho namo of Wooster will bo held iu grateful remembrance .
Freemasonry In York.
FREEMASONRY IN YORK .
WE regret , that through an unfortunate delay in our receiving the eopy , the two following reports were omitted from our last issue . Feeling assured that the doings of the York brethren are of interest to the general body of
our readers we think nothing further than the mere explanation of the delay is needed from us for publishing them thus late .
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .
rpHE first Annual Communication of this body was held at York , * on the 15 th instant , under the banner of the York Mark Lodge ( T . I . ) It is but a short period since we had to record the installation to office , in a moveable Grand Mark Lodge at Sheffield , of R . W . Bro . J . W . Woodall , of Scarborough . Since thafc time we have also announced his consecration of a new Mark Lodge at Driffield , and now
ifc is our pleasing duty to give a report of his first annual meeting for the appointment of Officers and other bnsiness . The gathering took place in tho Masonic Hall , York , afc 3 p . m ., and was well attended . The York Mark Lodge had provided light refreshments for their visitors afc that hour , and soon afterwards " the W . M ., the Rev . W . C . Lukis , assumed the gavel aud opened his Lodgo , the following
Officers being in thoir places -. —Bros . J . S . Cumberland S . W ., C . E . Padel J . W ., G . Garbutt M . O ., W . Harrison as S . O ., A . T . B . Turner J . O ., T . B . Whytehead Secretary and Treasurer , J . Church J . D ., W . B . Dyson I . G ., G . Balmford P . M . Organist , together with Sir James Meek P . M ., J . Todd P . M ., and a number of visitors and brethren . Tlio ceremony of advancement was worked by the W . M ., Bro . T . B . Whytehead acting as S . D ., and afc 4 . 30 fche Prov . Grand
Master assumed the gavel and opened his Prov . Graud Lodge , Bro . J . H . Eooke , of Scarborough , acting as D . P . G . M ., in tho unavoidable absence of Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlefcfc J . G . Warden , who was unable to bo present , in consequence of alarming illness iu his family . Certain preliminaries having been performed , the Provincial Grand Master proceeded to appoint and invest his Oflicers for tho ensuing year , as follows : —
Bro . Hon . T . Orde Powlett J . G . W . York T . T . - - Prov . Grand Deputy Master Sir James Meek , P . M . York T . I . . ... „ Senior Warden H . A . Williamson , P . M . 95 - „ Junior Warden Geo . Balmford , P . M . York - „ Master Overseer
E . H . Peacock , P . M . 95 - „ Senior „ W . Peacock , P . M . 95 - „ Junior „ Rov . W . Valentine , P . M . York .... „ Chaplain J . Todd , P . M . York - - „ Treasurer J . M . Meek , P . M . 270 - „ Registrar of Marks T . B . Whytehead , P . G . M . O . P . M . York ... „ Secretary
J . S . Cumberland , W . M . Elect York ... ,, Assist . Secretary R . Y . Powley , P . M . 95 - „ Senior Deacon J . Marshall , W . M . 277 - ,. Junior Deacon A . P . Wilsin , W . M . 281 - „ Inspector of Works S . Middleton , P . M . 95 - „ Dir . of Ceremonies
C . Emerson , W . M . 9 o - ,, Sword Bearer C . G . Padel , J . W . York - „ Organist M . G . Coilingwood , S . W . „ Inner Guard 276 ... J . Redfare , York . - „ Tyler
The fees of honour aud annual dues from Lodges were then fixed , inrl a Committee was appointed to draw up a code of bye-laws , after ¦ vliich the Provincial Grand Master addressed the brethren as bllows : — We meet to-day to inaugurate a new Provincial Grand Lodge of this interesting degree , and as its first Proviucial Graud