USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 6
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To the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri:
The Sangamon Lodge, through their Secretary, most respectfully report that on the 31st day of August, A.D. 1822, A.L. 5822, the Lodge convened agreeable to previous notice, at Springfield, and formed their by-laws, rules and regulations for the government and conduct of the said Lodge, which are herewith transmitted for the examination and appro- bation of your ancient and honorable body.
Your brethren at Sangamon most respectfully offer an extenuation of their apparent paralytic feelings for the advancement of Masonry, the following excuses, viz:
1st. Springfield being in its infancy, there was no convenient and safe place for them to convene.
2nd. Our Worshipful Master, S. Stillman, undertook to erect a build- ing that would temporarily answer our purpose, but the wet season kept the Sangamon river high until a late period, which embarrassed his pro- ceeding so as to enable them to commence work until the sickly season came on, since which the necessary absence of some, and sickness of others, has rendered it out of our power, with one exception, to convene the requisite number to transact business.
Your brethren at Sangamon feel desirous to obtain a charter, and humbly ask your honorable body to look on their past neglect, as not wholly faults wilfully resting in them, but with so many grains of allow- ance as to authorize your feelings to grant us a charter, which we deem essential in this place for the advancement of Freemasonry and the good of mankind; and in case your honorable body cannot grant us a charter we respectfully ask a renewal of our dispensation.
By order of the W.M., Wardens, and brethren.
James C. Stephenson, Secretary.
The by-laws accompanied the letter; also $15.68 and $3 state paper equal to $1.50. The regular meetings were on Saturday preceding the full moon in each month at two o'clock P.M. unless the full moon came on Saturday, in which case the Lodge was to meet on that day. The fee for each degree was five dollars. Investigating committees were required to report in writing. Candidates were required to be examined in open Lodge before advancement. Each member was re- quired to pay twenty-five cents at every meeting. No member was permitted to vote at election of officers who had not "paid all dues, fines, and arrearages."
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Other Early Lodges
Other by-laws similar to those now in use. (Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 9, 1822):
The committee to whom was referred the By-Laws and Proceedings of Sangamo Lodge No. 9, have examined the same, and beg leave to report, that they find the By-Laws and Proceedings of said lodge in strict conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, but perceive the said lodge unintentially omitted to require a certificate of the good standing of brothers applying for membership in this lodge. Your committee beg leave to recommend the following resolution, viz;
Resolved, That it be recommended to Sangamo Lodge No. 9, so to amend their By-Laws as to require a certificate of good standing ( with the lodges of which the applicant was last a member), of any brother applying for membership.
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge approve of the Work and Pro- ceedings of Sangamo Lodge No. 9.
Resolved, That a Charter issue to said lodge.
Then followed the constitution of the lodge and the installation of officers:
Pursuant to a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and by authority of the Deputy Grand Master (the Grand Master being absent) to George H. C. Melody, to consecrate, dedicate and install Sangamo Lodge No. 9, and in pursuance of said authority, on the 24th day of June, A.D. 1823, A.L. 5823, the Grand Lodge was opened in Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois. Present: George H. C. Melody, Dep. G.M .; Asa S. Shaw, S. Warden p.t .; James Adams, G. Secy. p.t .; and Grand Chaplain, p.t. Whereupon, Lodge No. 9 was consecrated and dedicated to the Holy St. Johns, and the following officers installed, to-wit: Bro. Stephen Stillman being absent, Bro. John Moore, being a Past Master, and one of the officers named in the charter, was installed Master, proxy; Bro. Gershom Jayne, Senior Warden; Bro. John Moore, Junior Warden, being the same brother who was enstalled Master, proxy. G. H. C. Melody.
attested, J. Adams, G. Secy. p.t.
The Deputy Grand Master (of Missouri) was appointed in Octo- ber, 1824 to visit Springfield in October, 1825 and settle the accounts of Sangamo Lodge but he found the Master had failed to keep his promise. A summons was issued requiring the Master to convene the lodge but no attention was paid to it. He, therefore, proceeded to open the lodge and
finding the minutes badly kept, a great want of punctuality in their meetings and attendance to the business of the lodge, and that their conduct, if they were suffered to act any longer, would inflict indelible disgrace upon the fraternity, your committee deemed it his duty, for the credit of Masonry, to arrest their charter, which was accordingly done.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
The report of the committee to whom the report of the Deputy Grand Master was referred said:
That they find no communication has been made from Sangamo Lodge, to this Grand Lodge, and none of its dues have been paid for so great a length of time, that your committee can view that lodge in no other light than as utterly careless of her duties owing from a subordinate to a superior lodge, and entirely, regardless of the true interests of Masonry.
The committee concluded by this resolution:
Resolved, That the charter heretofore granted to Sangamo Lodge No. 9 be, and the same is hereby declared, null and void; and that the name of the said lodge be stricken from the books of this Grand Lodge.
Thus ended the career of the first lodge in the present State Capitol.
Union Lodge No. 10
The following petition was sent to Unity Lodge No. 6 at Jackson, Missouri on May 29, 1822:
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Missouri:
We the undersigned free and Accepted Master Masons, being at present and having been members of regular Lodges, and having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, are willing to exert our best endeav- ors to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Masonry. And for conveniency of our respective dwellings and for other good reasons, we are desirous of forming a new lodge in the town of Jonesborough, Union county and State of Illinois, to be named "Union Lodge," and in con- sequence of this desire we pray for letters of dispensation or a warrant of constitution to empower us to assemble as a legal Lodge, to dis- charge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner according to the original forms of the Order and the regulations of the Grand Lodge. And we have nominated, and do recommend Richard J. Hamilton to be the first Master, James Finney to be the first Senior War- den, and William M. Alexander to be the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge. And if the prayer of the petition should be granted, we promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge.
Richard J. Hamilton James S. Smith Wm. M. Alexander George Wolf
James Finney Ben W. Brooks Abner Field Jeptha Sweet
At a special meeting of Unity Lodge No. 6, held in the town of Jackson, State of Missouri, on Wednesday the 29th of May, 5822- On application of sundry Masons of Jonesborough, Union county, State of
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Other Early Lodges
Illinois, to be admitted to form a Lodge in the above town. Ordered that the brothers named in the said petition be recommended to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, for a dispensation.
C. Buckner, W.M. Edward S. Gantt, S.W. J. Frizel, J.W.
The dispensation reads:
SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT.
By the Most Worshipful, Nathaniel Beverly Tucker, Grand Master. To all and every our Right Worshipful and loving Brethren, Greeting-
Know ye, that the Most Worshipful Nathaniel Beverly Tucker, Grand Master at the humble petition of our Right Worshipful and well beloved Brothers R. J. Hamilton, James Finney, William M. Alexander, and several other brethren residing at and near Jonesborough, Union county, State of Illinois, of the ancient and honorable Fraternity of York Masons, and for other reasons moving our Worshipful Grand Master, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened in the town of Jonesborough, county and state aforesaid, by the name of "Union Lodge No. 10."
At their said request and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said brethren, the Most Worshipful Grand Master doth hereby appoint Bro. Richard J. Hamilton, Worshipful Master, Bro. James Finney, Senior Warden and Bro. William M. Alexander, Junior Warden for opening the said Lodge and governing the same. It is required of our friend and brother the Worshipful Richard J. Hamilton, to take special care that all and every of the said brethren of your Lodge, as well those hereafter to be admitted into our body by your Lodge, be regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform and keep all the rules and orders contained in our book of Constitutions and the ancient land- marks be strictly attended to; and further, that you cause to be entered in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings, which when done you are required to transmit herewith to the Grand Master (with a list of those initiated, passed and raised, or otherwise managed ), at our next Annual Communication.
Given at St. Louis under the hand and seal of the Most Worshipful Grand Master this fourth day of May A.L. 5822, A.D. IS22.
Attest, Wm Renshaw, G. Secretary.
N. B. Tucker, G.M.
The date on this dispensation is a mistake inasmuch as the peti- tion was not filed until May 29. The date evidently should read June 4. The committee to enquire into and report on this lodge said:
It does not appear to your committee that Union Lodge No. 10, has complied with the conditions expressed in their Letter of Dispensation. But, on the contrary, that said lodge has wholly failed to make any
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Freemasonry in Illinois
returns whatever. That the Letter of Dispensation must necessarily expire by its own limitations with the close of the present Grand Annual Communicaion.
Your committee would charitably hope that this failure on the part of Union Lodge No. 10, to comply with their Letter of Dispensation, has been rather the result of some untoward circumstance than of wilful neglect.
Your committee would therefore recommend the adoption of the fol- lowing resolutions: viz.
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge do highly disapprove of the con- duct of Union Lodge No. 10, in failing to make returns.
Resolved, That the Grand Secretary inform Union Lodge No. 10, that unless they shall transmit a copy of their proceedings, as required by their Letters of Dispensation, duly certified, to the M.W. Grand Master, on or before the first day of December next, said Lodge will be stricken from the list of lodges under this jurisdiction.
Resolved, That in the event of Union Lodge No. 10 certifying to the M.W. G. Master, on or before the first day of December next, a trans- cript of their proceedings, that he be authorized to grant to the brethren composing said lodge a renewal of their dispensation until our next Semi- Annual Communication.
The lodge profited by the action of the Grand Lodge and filed the necessary papers and the committee reported:
The standing committee for the examination of returns from subordi- nate lodges working under this jurisdiction, and to whom was referred the By-laws and Proceedings of Union Lodge No. 10, at Jonesborough, Illinois, beg leave to report: That they have examined the same, and find them conformable to the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge. Your committee overlook some imperfections in the By-Laws and work of said Lodge, from the conviction that they are inadvertencies that will be readily corrected, on the suggestion of the Grand Lecturer, who will shortly visit said Lodge. Your committee therefore recommend the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approve of the By-Laws and Pro- ceedings of Union Lodge No. 10.
Resolved, That a charter issue to Union Lodge No. 10.
The report and resolutions were adopted.
Jonesborough, Ill. 4th Nov. 1824.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Whereas, a Grand Lodge has been recently established in the State of Illinois, and our Lodge, formerly "Union Lodge No. 10," having at- tached itself to it under the title of "Union Lodge No. 8" by said Grand Lodge. Wherefore, we the members of Union Lodge are desirous of withdrawing ourselves from the jurisdiction of your Grand Lodge, if agreeably to your will and pleasure, and request that the Grand Secre-
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Other Early Lodges
tary, would have the goodness to transmit us by mail, the amount of the balance of our fees, &c, remaining due and unpaid to your Grand Lodge, and the money shall be remitted as soon as possible.
Yours very affectionately and fraternally,
B. W. Brooks, Secretary Union Lodge No. 8.
In 1824 the lodge reported seventeen members.
The lodge was represented at all the known meetings of the Grand Lodge but no further information about its existence is available.
Vandalia Lodge No. 11
On February 7, 1822 the following petition was presented to Li- banus Lodge No. 29:
To the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Your petitioners, Master Masons, being domiciled in Vandalia (the seat of Government ) in the State of Illinois, respectfully showeth, that they are free and accepted Master Masons; that they have been mem- bers of regular Lodges; that having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, they are willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and dif- fuse the genuine principles of Masonry; that for the conveniency of their respective dwellings (there being no Lodge within fifty miles) and for other good reasons, they are desirous of forming a new Lodge in the Town of Vandalia, to be named "Vandalia Lodge," that, in conse- quence of this desire, they pray for Letters of dispensation, or a warrant of constitution, to empower them to assemble as a legal Lodge, to dis- charge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner, according to the original forms of the order and the regulations of the Grand Lodge. That they have nominated and recommend James M. Duncan to be the first Master; John Warnock to be the first Senior Warden; and William L. D. Ewing to be the first Junior Warden of the said Lodge; that if the prayer of the petition should be granted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge.
Jas. M. Duncan. John Warnock, Wm. Lee D. Ewing, John C. Kellog, Moses K. Botsford, Joseph Enos, Green P. Rice, E. C. Berry.
Edwardsville February 7th, A.L. 5822.
At a regular meeting of Libanus Lodge No. 29, the foregoing Peti- tion was presented. It was unanimously agreed to recommend the same
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Freemasonry in Illinois
to the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and pray that a Dispensation or charter be granted.
John Y. Sawyer, Master.
April 2, 1822 the Grand Lodge of Missouri;
Resolved, That a Letter of Dispensation be granted to the following brethren, petitioners from Vandalia, viz; James M. Duncan, John Warnock, William Lee D. Ewing, John C. Kellogg, Moses K. Bottsford, Joseph Enos and E. C. Berry.
Oct. 8, 1822-The committee to whom was referred the Proceed- ings and By-Laws of Vandalia Lodge No. 11, Under Dispensation, re- ported, That they find the same in strict conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge and with the ancient charges of Ma- sonry, and submit the following resolutions to wit:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge approves of the By-Laws and Proceedings of Vandalia Lodge No. 8.
Resolved, That a Charter issue to Vandalia Lodge No. 8. Which report was adopted.
The by-laws provided that every candidate initiated should be presented with a white apron and a copy of the by-laws. Another provided that every candidate should be examined before advance- ment. Another was
Be it further ordained, that no member of this Lodge below the degree of Master Mason shall be permitted to vote on any question which may come before the Lodge.
This appears to be the first lodge to adopt such a resolution.
On April 27, 1822 the petition of William H. Brown was received, referred and reported on instanter, and he was initiated. Brother Brown was the Grand Secretary of the first Grand Lodge.
On June 25, 1822 the lodge voted to purchase
Five Lodge tables, three gavels, two pillars, three benches, and a ballot box.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, April 5, 1824:
A communication was received from the Secretary of Vandalia Lodge No. 8, stating that a Grand Lodge had been formed in the State of Illinois, and that Vandalia Lodge No. 8, having attached itself to said Grand Lodge, was desirous of withdrawing itself from this juris- diction.
The return of this lodge for the year 1823 shows
Suspended - William L. D. Ewing and Elijah C. Berry.
The Grand Lodge of Missouri having received an appeal from the
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Other Early Lodges
decision of Vandalia Lodge No. S in the case of Elijah C. Berry, made the following report:
Report :- That they have no additional evidence before them upon which to form their opinion. The records of the Vandalia Lodge are said to have been destroyed by the conflagration of the State House and there- fore we are not furnished with a regular transcript of the charges against the brethren accused, as acted upon by the Vandalia Lodge. We, how- ever, from the documents before us, have been enabled to form an opinion and with real Masonic sincerity, offer it to the Grand Lodge. We think, from the communication of E. C. Berry to this Grand Lodge, under date of October 3rd, 1823 it may fairly be inferred, and, in fact, no other judgment can be formed than that Brother Berry connived at, and was accessory to, the corporal punishment inflicted upon Brother Bottsford, as he is charged; also with having been called upon in vain by Brother Bottsford for assistance and protection, and Berry not having denied or in any manner extenuated the charge, we are forced to believe he had no defence to make, and hence we take occasion to remark, in answer to a communication from the Worshipful Master of Vandalia Lodge, that the rule of evidence in Masonic proceedings is not fixed, and that any proof an honest man would be willing to act upon ought to be received in this High Court of equity. We offer the following resolu- tions, viz:
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge disapprove of the proceedings of Vandalia Lodge No. 8, in the case of E. C. Berry and Wm. L. D. Ewing.
Resolved, That from the statement of the case, as submitted to the Grand Lodge, it is their opinion that the said brethren, in the matters charged upon them, and established to the satisfaction of the Grand Lodge, entirely lost sight of the principles of Masonry.
Resolved, That Elijah C. Berry be expelled the Masonic fraternity. The action taken by the Grand Lodge was:
The first of said resolutions was amended by adding thereto the words, "in inflicting so slight a punishment for so flagrant a breach of Masonic duty, and in rescinding the order made by the lodge for a new trial of the charges against said brethren, at a special or called meeting of the lodge, without any notice of such mecting or proceedings being given to the brethren."
The amended resolutions were then agreed to.
On April 7, 1825 a communication was received from the Grand Lodge of Illinois to the effect that the lodges formerly subordinate to the Grand Lodge of Missouri had placed themselves under the juris- diction of said Grand Lodge.
The case of E. C. Berry was still a matter of contention. A com- munication was received from the Grand Lodge of Illinois on the subject of the expulsion of Berry and
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Freemasonry in Illinois
Report :- That Wm. Lee D. Ewing was implicated with Berry in the same offence, (namely, that of permitting the person of a brother to be violated, notwithstanding his appeal for protection and relief), has frankly confessed that the charge is true; yet, from the pertinacity of Berry in denying the legality of his conviction, and in resting his defence upon technical objections to evidence, (not denying the truth of the charge), your committee are of the opinion that no cause has been shown which would entitle Berry to a reconsideration of his case, but the high source from whence the communication emanates entitles it to considera- tion. Your committee, therefore, recommend the adoption of the following resolution, to wit:
Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be and he is hereby instructed to transmit to the Grand Lodge of Illinois a transcript of the Proceedings in the case of E. C. Berry, and inform said Grand Lodge that, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, the case of E. C. Berry does not merit con- sideration.
The Grand Lodge of Missouri reinstated William Lee D. Ewing but declined similar action regarding E. C. Berry. Correspondence was continued between the two Grand Lodges but in the meantime Vandalia Lodge had affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Illinois which gave that body authority over the case. On December 12, 1826 Berry was reinstated by the Grand Lodge of Illinois by a vote of ten to five. Thus we have him in good standing in Illinois and under sentence of expulsion in Missouri. The importance of this case is the prominence of the brethern. E. C. Berry was Auditor of Public Ac- counts 1818-31 and Ewing was a prominent legislator, later Governor of the State and United States Senator.
Eden Lodge No. 11
June 26 1822: The following petition was prepared and sent to Missouri Lodge No. 1 for its recommendation.
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master and brethren of the Most Wor- shipful Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Your petitioners, inhabitants of the town of Covington and its vicinity, all have been regularly entered, passed, and raised to the degree of Master Mason in regular constituted Lodges, and at present reside at so great a distance from any Lodge, that they are cut off from most of the advantages of this ancient Order, and being desirous of diffusing the genuine principles of the Order, and rendering themselves useful to the Craft, do pray for a warrant of dispensation or charter constitut- ing them a new Lodge, at the town of Covington, in the State of Illinois, by the name of "Eden Lodge," authorizing them to assemble and work
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Other Early Lodges
as Ancient York Masons, and they do nominate John Smith for their first Master, Charles Mullikin for their first Senior Warden and Thomas G. Gazley as their first Junior Warden of said new Lodge, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.
John Smith Charles Mullikin Thos. G. Gazley
Jos. Phillips Daniel S. Swearingen
Isaac Hughson Jr Addison Philleo
James Turney Philo Beers.
The dispensation was issued June 30, 1822.
SIT LUX ET LUX FUIT.
By the Most Worshipful Nathaniel B. Tucker, Grand Master. To all and every our Right Worshipful and Loving brethren Greeting:
Know ye, That the Most Worshipful Nathaniel B. Tucker, Grand Master, at the humble petition of our right worshipful and well beloved brothers, John Smith, Charles Mullikin, Thomas G. Gazley, and several other brethren residing at and near the town of Covington, State of Illinois, of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of York Masons, and for certain other reasons moving, our Worshipful Grand Master do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened in the town of Covington, by the name of Eden Lodge No. II. at their said request, and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said brethren, the Most Worshipful Grand Master doth hereby appoint Bro. John Smith, Worshipful Master; Bro. Charles Mullikin, Senior Warden; and Bro. Thomas G. Gazley, Junior Warden, for opening the said Lodge and governing the same. It is required of our friend and brother, the Worshipful John Smith, to take special care that all and every of the said brethren of your Lodge, as well as those hereafter to be admitted into our body by your Lodge, be regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the rules and orders contained in our Book of Constitutions, and the ancient landmarks be strictly attended to; and further, that you cause to be entered in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your pro- ceedings, which, when done, you are required to transmit to the Grand Master herewith (with a list of those initiated, passed and raised, or otherwise managed), at our next Grand Annual Communication.
Given at St. Louis, under the hand and seal of the Most Worshipful Grand Master this thirtieth day of June A.L. 5822, A.D. 1822.
Th. Douglas D.G.M. in the absence of the M.W.G.M.
attest Win. Renshaw, G. Seey.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 5, 1822:
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