Some Ancient York Masons And Their Early Haunts.

Meetings continued to be pretty frequent at this time . On the 5 th of January following there was a meeting held at " Mr . Jno . Colling's , at ye White Swan , in ' Petergate , " when Thomas Preston and Martin Crofts were admitted . The White Swan was at this period a large and important house . It still stands , and evidences of its great extent are visible . In

1725-6 it covered a very large block of ground at the corner of Petergate and Goodramgate , and had a large frontage to the former street , as well as to Goodramgate , but in 1771 a portion of it was pulled down to widen the latter street , ' and the old back entrance to the hotel became the front , whilst the old front into Petergate was converted into shops , only leaving a side

entrance . Thomas Preston was probably the nephew of a Thomas Preston who was Organist of York Minster in 1675 , and an ancestor of the Prestons of Askham Bryan , near York . Martin Croft most likely was a member of a family of wine merchants who flourished in York at that time , and from whom came the family of Crofts , of Stillington , near York .

On the 4 th February , 1725-6 , at the Star Inn , Sir William Milner , Bart ., was sworn in . This was the first Baronet of the family , and was the son of William Milner , Mayor of Leeds in 1697 . He represented York in Parliament for several years . The present Baronet , Sir F . G . Milner , who is M . P . for York , is the great great great grandson of the initiate at the Star , and is a Mason , having been made at Oxford in the Churchill Lodge , and being now the W . M . of the Eboracum Lodge at York .

Another meeting was held at the White Swan , on the 2 nd of March , when John Lewis was sworn . He was a person of consideration from the manner of the entry , but I cannot identify him . No less than four gentlemen were made Masons at the next meeting which was held at the Star , in Stonegate . Their names were Robert Kaye , W . Wombwell , Wm . Kitchingman , and Cyril Arthington . The Kayes

were even at that date an important family , and this was most likely a son of the baronet who represented York in Parliament . Wm . Wombwell was born in 1700 and married into the Standish family ; he was a collateral ancestor of Sir George Wombwell , of Newburgh . The Kitchingmans were an old Leeds family , one of whom settled at Carleton , near Thirsk , and died in J 714 , aged 84 , leaving 23 children ; this seems to have been one of

them . Cyril Arthington was a scion of a very ancient West Riding race . He was related to the Wombwells , the Fairfaxes , and the Hawkesworths , so that the four candidates had evidently made up a friendly expedition to take the degree . Two days afterwards there was another meeting at the Star , when J . Kaye , a brother of Robert , was admitted .

On the 4 th of May a meeting is recorded at Mr . James Boreham s , and for the first time the Society is designated that of " Free and Accepted Masons . " On this occasion Charles Quarles , Richard Atkinson , and Samuel Ascough were admitted . The latter was a City official , for I find it recorded in an old MS . of the period that on the 12 th May , 1726 , " Samuel Ascough was chosen the City's Husband , or Receiver , in the room of Thomas Harrison , who failed in the business . " ( 7 b be continued ) .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Worcestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE .

This province was formed at Worcester on Monda }' , the 8 th inst ., by Bro . the Earl of Kintore , G . M . M ., assisted by Bros . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . W . ; R . Berridge , P . G . M . O . ; F . Binckes , G . Sec . ; Hogard , G . Steward ; Matier , P . G . J . W . ; Walker , D . P . G . M . Gloucester ; Homfray , D . P . G . M . Monmouth , and others . The Lechmere Lodge , No . 50 ,

was opened by Bro . H .-Wilson , W . M ., in the presence of about 50 brethren , and the G . M . M . having been announced , was received and placed in the chair . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , Bro . A . F . Godson was introduced , and duly obligated and installed by the Grand Master as first Prov . Grand Master of Worcestershire . Bro . Godson then appointed his officers as follows :

Bro . Pidcock ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . M . „ Lingham ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ Taylor ... ... ... ... Prov . G . T . W . „ Green ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O .

,, Chadwick ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ G . R . Green ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Wilson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Lucy ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . .. W . R . Williamson ... ... ... Prov . G . I . D .

„ Lamb Smith ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M „ Rowe ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W „ Buck ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B „ Comber ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . B . „ Smith Carington ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C

„ Ottley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ A . Green ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Stwd . ,, Smith and Dugard ... ... ... Prov . G . Tylers .

After the usual votes of thanks a Committee was appointed to draw up bye-laws , and it was announced that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had consented to receive an address from the Freemasons of the province at his visit to Worcester on the 20 th inst . Lodge having been closed , the brethren dined together at the Star Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Godson .

The brethren present consisted , besides those mentioned , of Bros . Phillips , Warrilon , T . H . Smith , Patten , and Treadwell from P . G . Lodge of Warwickshire ; Humphries , Staffordshire ; Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., Williamson , Hodgkiss , Sarjant , Hulme , Joseland , Underwood , Perrins , Swete , Slade , and Marsh , of No . 59 ; Elgood , Brettell , Lees , Perry , and Bland , of the Godson Lodge , No . 330 ; _ Marchant , Blinkhorn , E . Stephens ^ H . Marchant , Norton , Davis , Cullwick , Caldwell , and C . Stephens , of St . Ethelbert's Lodge , No . 243 ; W . Rowe , 28 ; E . Mallard and Ball , 115 ; Smith , Knott , and Dugard , Tylers .

Consecration Of The Grand Stewards' Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

CONSECRATION OF THE GRAND STEWARDS' LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

. This event followed immediately after the regular communication of Mark Grand Lodge on Tuesday the 2 nd inst . The ceremony was personall y carried out by the Earl of Kintore , G . M . M . M ., who was assisted in his duties by his Grand Wardens , Lord J . H . Taylour , G . S . W ., and Sir Charles J . Palmer , G . J . W . ; the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle

Consecration Of The Grand Stewards' Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

G . Chap ., who delivered the oration customary on these occasions ; Bro . R . Berridge , G . D . of C . ; and the other Grand Officers . At the conclusion of this part of the proceedings , the ceremony of installing Bro . Charles E . Soppet , P . G . Stwd ., as VV . M ., was rendered with equal impressiveness , after which the following brethren were appointed and invested : Bros . R . P .

Spice , P . G . S ., S . W . ; W . E . Stewart , G . S ., J . W . ; George Powell , P . G . S ., M . O . ; Jas . Eustace Anderson , P . G . S ., S . O . ; T . W . Murley , P . G . S ., J . O . ; W . C . Gilles , P . G . S ., Treas . ; VV . March , P . G . S ., Reg . of Mrks . ; C . F . Hogard , G . S ., Sec ; F . W . Driver , G . S ., S . D . ; H . Faija , P . G . S ., J . D . ; E . H . Thiellay , G . S ., D . C ; J . S . Cumberland , P . G . S ., G . J . O ., I . G . ; and John Tomkins , P . G . S ., Stwd .

The usual complimentary votes having been passed , and such business as required attention dispatched , Bro . Soppet closed the lodge , and having resigned the chair to the Earl of Kintore , G . M ., Grand Lodge was closed , and the usual banquet followed . It may not be out of place , however , to furnish here the names of the Grand and Past Grand Officers who were present and took part in one or both meetings of Grand Lodge . They were omitted last week , and are as

follows , namely ; — Bros , the Earl of Kintore , M . W . G . M . ; W . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., Past Grand Master ; A . F . Godson , P . G . M . M . M . Worcester ; Lord Egerton of Tatton , R . W . D . G . M . ; A . M . Broadley , P . District Grand Master of the Mediterranean ; Col . Lord J . H . Taylour , G . S . W . ; Sir C . J . Palmer , Bart ., G . J . W . ; Henry Venn , Grand Master Overseer ; Wm . Roebuck , P . G . M . O ., as G . S . Overseer ; S . G . Kirchoffer , P . G . J . O ., as G . J . Overseer ; Very Rev . Dean Edward R . Currie , Grand Chap . ; F . Davison . P . G . W .,

Grand Treas . ; Frederick Emckes , P . G . W ., Grand Sec . ; Charles W . Duke , G . S . D . ; Edward L . Shepherd , G . J . D . ; Charles Stephens , D . P . G . M ., Prov . G . M . Berks and Oxon ; Robert Berridge , P . G . M . O ., G . D . of C . ; Controller S . G . Bake , as Grand Sword Br . ; B . R , Bryant , G . Std . Br . ; VV . March , P . G . S ., as G . Std . Br . ; Herr Wilhelm Ganz , Grand Org . ; Percy Wallis , P . G . Stwd ., as G . I . G . ; John Lane , F . W . Driver , J . Inglis , and Capt . Hy . Stephens , Grand Stwds . ; C . T . Speijrht , Grand Tyler . J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . D . ; C . S . Lane , P . G . D . ; Alfred Williams , P . G . D . ; VV . Jas .

Hughan , Rep . G . C . Pennslyvania , P . G . W . ; C . F . Matier , Rep . G . C . Illinois , P . G . W . ; F . C . E . De Crespigny , P . G . Chap . ; George Powell , P . G . S . ; George Cooper , P . G . S . D . ; Capt . Thomas Hargreaves , P . G . S . D . ; O . H . Pearson , P . G . S . O . ; W . C . Gillis , P . G . S . ; H . L . Loveland , P . G . S . D . ; Henry Faija , P . G . Steward ; T . C . Walls , P . G . Swd . Br . ; P . de E . Collin , P . G . D . ; Richard Eve , P . G M . O . ; A . B . Cook , P . G . M . O . ; M . Mildred , P . G . S . ; W . J . Meek , P . G . S . ; Thomas Cubitt ,

P . G . S . O . ; Charles H . Driver , P . G . I , of Works ; James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; J . G . Podevin , D . P . G . M . M . Kent , P . G . Swd . Br . ; Edwin M . Lott , P . G . Organist ; John Tomkins , P . G . Steward ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . W . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . G . I , of Works ; Charles Frederick Hogard , G . Steward ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . M . O . ; Geo . F . Tuckey , P . G . Steward ; George J . McKay , P . G . S . D . ; Baron de Ferrieres , M . P ., P . G M . O . ; and Chas . Pulman , P . G . l . G .

After the consecration a banquet was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street . The chair was occupied by Wor . Bro . Chas . E . Soppet , P . G . Stwd ., the newly-installed W . M ., and who was supported by the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , the M . W . G . Master ; Bros . Lord Egerton of Tatton , the R . W . D . G . Master ; W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . Master , and a large number of other distinguished brethren , who had accepted

the W . M . s invitation to honour the new lodge and its founders . After the repast , which was well served , and gave great credit to Bro . Dawkins , grace was sung , and the CHAIRMAN proposed , as the first toast , * ' The Queen and Mark Masonry . " This was duly honoured , and the National Anthem sung , Miss Ada South taking the solo part . "The Health of the M . W . Grand Master " was next proposed in a neat speech by the W . M ., and received with very hearty applause .

The _ GRAND MASTER , in acknowledging , alluded to ( he great pleasure and satisfaction it had given him to be present and assisting in the ceremony of forming a Grand Stewards' Lodge , which he was sure would not only be of great use , but be a distinguishing feature in Mark Masonry . He augured that from the manner the W . M . had commenced his career in it , and from the strong support it had already received , every indication of prosperity was shadowed forth , and it had his best wishes for its success and prosperity .

** The Health of the Past Grand Masters " having been proposed and received , M . W . Bro . BEACH , Past Grand Master , responded , and in a very forcible speech drew attention to the progress Mark Masonry had made during the past few years , and congratulated the VV . M . and founders of the new lodge on their entrance into a new position in the Masonic world . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER then proposed "The Health of Bro . Soppett , the Newly-Installed W . M ., " and in doing so congratulated him on

his appointment , and also the brethren who had chosen one as their first Master whom he was assured would study , not only the interest of the Grand Stewards' Lodge , but also the degree to which they all belonged and were so much attached . The toast was enthusiastically received , and Bro . SOPPET , in reply , thanked the Grand Master for the very flattering manner in which he had spoken of him . It was a source of satisfaction that the choice of the first Master was unanimous , and , in fact , so were all the arrangements up to the present time . He offered from himself and the

other founders of the lodge their thanks and kindest wishes to those who had attended the ceremony and helped to strengthen their hands . Before resuming his seat he wished to propose a toast which would commend itself to them all , and in which all felt an interest ; this was "Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund ; " and whilst asking from the brethren a strong and steady support for all Masonic Charities , this one to Mark Masons must ever have a peculiar claim . With this toast he would couple the name of Bro . Binckes , a veteran in the service of Charity , and Grand Secretary of their Order .

Bro . BINCKES , in rising to respond , was heartily received , and gave a . full and effective review of the work connected with the Fund , remarking that so well had it been supported that they had been able to provide for all their candidates , and that the liberality of the brethren had at the last Festival produced the sum of ^ 832 . Whilst thanking those who had rendered valued services in the past , he would still urge the brethren to renewed efforts for the next Festival , for which already 39 Stewards had given their

names . He had the great pleasure and privilege to announce that the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , Lord Egerton of Tatton , had kindly consented to preside , and trusted that not only would the number of Stewards be very much larger than at any previous occasion , but that a very substantial increase on the amount subscribed last year would be realised . * ' The Health of the Visitors " was then proposed by Bro . BINCKES , coupled with the names of Bros . C . S . Lane , Jas . Terry , and D . P . Cama , each of whom suitably responded .

The other toasts were " The Treasurer and Secretary" and " Other Officers of the Lodge . " The Tyler ' s toast brought to . a conclusion a most enjoyable and pleasant evening , enlivened at intervals by the vocal efforts of Miss Ada South , Miss Eliza Thomas , Bros . A . Weston and T . Tremere , under the efficient charge of Bro . E . M . Lott , P . G . Organist .