Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

1--REEMASOXRV AT - NEAA'CASTXE-OX-TVXE . Seeing you have before admitted extracts from scarce and unknown topographical Avorks , I send up the folloiving , which arc taken from Local llecords ; or , Historical Lleqister of Jiemarkultle Events , by John Sykes , ; 2 vols ., Svo ., 1833 . ' Printed by the Author , at Newcastle-on-Tyne , and scarcely known beyond ' it . ' 173 (> . March S . A neiv Lod of Free md Accepted Masons wa

ge ; constituted at the sign of the Fountain , in Pipewellgato . Gateshead . " ' 1 / 55 . November 2 o . There was constituted at Sunderland , a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , by virtue of a deputation for that purpose directed to Mr . James Suiithson , jnu ., provincial , from the Karl of Carnarvon , Grand Master ; on which occasion an excellent sermon was preached by the Rev . Mr . Banvise , of Dalton , one of the fraternity , AVIIO with the rest of the brethrenin costumewent in procession

, , proper , to church . This Lodge ivhen first constituted , was No . 20 r , though now , from intermediate erasements , is No . 140 . "' ' 1168 . November 1 . A Loclge of Freemasons was constituted at the house of Mr . John Fife , publican , in the Castle Garth , Newcastle , in due form , under the sanction of fche Hon . Thomas Erskine , Karl of Kelly , A'iscount Fenton , Lord Baron of Pitteuweem . Grand Master of ancient Masons in Great Britain . "

_ " 17 G 4 . December 27 . Being tho anniversary of St . John , the ancient and honourable society of Free and Accepted Masons of the Lodges in Sunderland , joined by their brothers , from Durham , Newcastle , Shields , and parts adjacent , went in grand procession to church , AVhere" an occasional sermon was preached by the Rei' . Bro . Banvisefrom whence , with their Worshipful Master , Bro . Iiiman , at tlieir head , accompanied by the rector , the curate , and the principal inhabitants , they proceeded to the east end of the town , where , amidst thousands assembled

, the first stone of a chapel , dedicated to St . John the Evangelist , was laid by Bro . John Thornhill , Esq ., who with a truly imblic spirit , had generously undertaken to plan and execute the building upon the estate of Marshall Robinson , of Herrington , Esq ., who hacl generously made a donation of the ground , although it had been before purchased ' of him . After the ceremony was concluded , the society proceeded to . Bro . Adam Turner ' s , where an elegant entertainment was provided , and the whole concluded with the utmost harmony and good order . "

" I 7 G 5 . January 2 . A Loclge of Free and Accepted Masons was duly constituted at Mrs . Bond's , the sign of the Old George , in North Shields , ivhen Bro . Hunter , the Master elect and his officers , were with great solemnity ( according to ancient form ) invested with the proper jewels of tlieir respective offices by Bro . Robert Green , deputed for that purpose b y the Hon . the Earl " of Kelly , Grand Master of Great Britain . On the following day they assembled at the Low Lights , together ivith tlieir brethren from NewcastleSunderlandand other laces adjacent

, , p , from whence they walked in procession to Mrs . Bond ' s , making- a very grand show . " " 1707 . Juno 9 . AVas constituted ( under the sanction of the Right Hon . Lord Blayney , Grand Master in England ) , the Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , held at Bro . Fife ' s , publican , iu the Castle Garth , Newcastle , the said Lodge haling assumed a neiv name , —viz ., that of St . Nicholas—at ivhich time and place , Bro . Ansel ] , the Master , with his officersivere

, duly installed , according to the usual ceremonies on such occasions , ^ by Bro . Potter , Master of SUUA Loclge , North Shields , who , after having invested each officer with the proper jewels of their order , took their places accordingly . " 1 / 70 . January i . The following curious advertisement appeared in a Newcastle newspaper of this date : ' This is to acquaint the public thaton Mondaythe 1 st instantbeing the Lod ( or monthlmeeting )

, , , ge y night ofthe Free and Accepted Masons of the 22 nd Regiment , held at the Crown , near Newgate , Mrs . Bell , the . landlady of the house , broke open a door ( with a poker ) that had not been opened for some years past , by which means she got into an adjacent room , made two holes through the wall , and by thafc stratagem discovered the . secrets of Masonry ; and she , knowing herself to be the first woman in the world that ever found out that secret , is willinc to make it known to all her

sex . So any lady that is desirous of learning the secrets of Free Masonry , by applying to that well-learned woman ( Mrs . Bell that lived lilteen years in and about Newgate ) may be instructed in ail tlie secrets of Masonry . '" ' 1 / 73 . June 19 . The Free and Accepted Masons walked in procession from the Loclge afc Barnard Castle to lay the foundation stone of a new bridge over the river Tees , between Rokeby Park and Barnard CastleMrHutchinsonMaster of the Lod walked first in tlie

. . , ge , procession , dressed in white and gold , ivith John Sawrey Movritt , Esq ., and the Rev . Mr . Zouoh , in white leather aprons edged with blue ribbon , and the rest in their respective ranks . xVfter the stone was laid , they proceeded to a tent erected for the purpose , when the Master delivered an excellent lecture , which gave great and general satisfaction , and then walked in procession to Rokeby Hall , where a sumptuous entertainment was provided for them bJSMorritt The spectators were

y . . , Esq . very numerous . This bridge was built at the sole expense of Mr . Momtfc . " _ ' November 8 . A new Loclge of Free and Accepted Masons ivas constituted at Gateshead ( by a special warrant for that purpose from the Right Hon . Lord Petre , Grand Master of the Order in England ) , under the name of the Union Lodge . The procession began at Swalwell , ancl

Masonic Notes And Queries.

was met by the Master , officers , and brethren of the Union Lodge , a mile from Gateshead , attended by the band of music belonging to the ( iSth Regiment , aud all the honourable trophies of Masonry , to the Loclge house , where there was an elegant entertainment , during which vollies of small arms were fired afc intervals of iit'teen minutes . " " 1776 . September 23 . The foundation of St . John's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was laid in Low Friar Street , Newcastie , by Mr . Francis Peacock , their AA ' orshipful Master . Underneath the stone was

placed a copper-plate , with an elegant Latin inscription . It was dedicated , October 18 th , 1777 , ivith great solemnity . This building is now the public dispensary . " " November 5 . The ancient and honourable society of Free and Accepted Masons of St . Nicholas ' s Lodge , Newcastle , met , and under the direction aud immediate inspection of John Erringtoii , Esq ., of Beaufront , Provincial Grand Master for Northumberland , consecrated with great solemnity the old assembly room , in the Groat Market , their

Lodge . After which they had a very elegant entertainment . " <; 17 S 3 . November 1 SI . At night , the Freemasons'Lodge at Sunderland was discovered to be on fire ; and before it was extinguished , all the furniture , pictures . & c ., were consumed , and the house adjoining very much damaged . " " 17 S 4 . April 5 . The Master and brethren of King George ' s Lodge , Sunderland , accompanied by a great number of the brethren from the neihbouring Lod went in procession to lay the foundation stone of

g ges , the Phcenix Lodge . After the usual ceremonies , coins of his majesty George III ., and . an elegant coronation medal of Queen Charlotte , ivere deposited in the stone , and above them a copper plate , on ivhich was engraved an elegant Latin inscription . April oth , 17 Sf > , the Loclge ivas dedicated with great solemnity . " " 1810 . October 25 . The foundation stone of the Granby Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , ivas laid in Old Elvet , Durham , by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Sir Ralp h Milbanke , Bart .,

accompanied by a great number of officers unci brethren . In a cavity of the stone ivere deposited various coins of the reign of George III ., with a jubilee medal , on the completion of the : 10 th year of his reign . After the ceremony , the officers and brethren dined , and the day ivas spent iu great harmony . " " 1810 . November fith . The foundation of the St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge , in Tweedinouth ( under the ancient constitution , the Duke of Athol , Grand Mister ) was laid bBrother SelbMortonActing Masteramidst

, y y , , tbe acclamations of most of the brethren in the neighbourhood . In the stone was enclosed a bottle containing several coins of tbe reign ol George III ., and some old ones of King William and Queen Mary . " ^ . " 1 SI 4 . August 10 . A grand . Masonic procession took place in Newcastle , on account of the union of the Athol Avith St . Nicholas Lodge . There were about 600 in the procession , amongst whom were Sir J . K . SwinburneBartPGMSir MAVRidleyMartM . P . Cuthbert

, ., .... . . , ., , Ellison , Esq ., HP ., AVilliam Loraine , Esq ., Isaac Cookson , Esq ., tho Rev . John Collinson , rector of Gateshead , the Rev . Mr . AVasney , & c . In consequence of the vicar of Newcastle having refused the use of St . Nicholas' Church , the procession marched to Gateshead Church , where they heard divine service , after which £ 112 lGs . 10 c / . was collected for the benefit of the Infirmary . 214 of the brethren afterwards dined at tho Turk's Head Inn . " lace from

"ISIS . March 27 . A grand Masonic procession took p Mr . Smith's , the Anchor Inn , at AVoolev , which ivas met by a deputation of the trustees , elders , and others , of the congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the AVest Chapel , the Rev . Air . Mitchell , minister , and proceeded to the site fixed upon for a new meeting house , where the foundation stone was laid by Mr . Richard Jobson . Under the stone were deposited in a sealed bottle , various coins of George III ., and a . roll of parchment containing a list ofthe presiding officers ofthe society ancl the Lodges , after which an appropriate oration was delivered by Bro . Joseph Armstrong . "

" 182 ( i . February 10 . The Freemasons' Lodge , No . 2 G , in the Groat Market , Newcastle , ivas consecrated and dedicated ivith great solemnity . They had removed their Loclge , in the Bigg Market , to these rooms , ivhich had previously been occupied by the Literary and Philosophical Society , that body having removed to their neiv building in AVestgate Street . " This is tbe last entry on the subject , in Sykes ' s local Records , such

and it is much to he desired that every locality could furnish a collection of scraps . I fear the extracts may appear long , but , such as tbey arc , I . have copied them for the Magazine , and hope to rind other brethren forwarding similar notes in different places . —3 . T . CDTIIUKUT , Gateshead . [ Our correspondent need not have been afraid of overwhelming us with such valuable notes , ancl ive shall anxiously await the

receipt of the promised continuation . There are many points which are exceedingly curious and instructive in the above , and AA'hen the whole is iu hand ive shall have several notes to make , and queries to put , arising out of this communication . ] MASONIC NAMES OF Till' MOXTI 1 S . Ill a document , which I have , occurs a date as taking place in tbe month Adar , 183 ( 1 . What month is meant ?— -MASTER or A LODGE .- —[ The Masonic era dates from the creation of the world ,