USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 7
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The committee to whom was referred the By-Laws and Proceedings of Eden Lodge No. 11, Under Dispensation, reported, That they have carefully examined the same, and find them generally correct, with one exception, viz: That they are in practice of receiving petitions for initiations on the First Degree. Your committee are of opinion that all petitions should be received in a Master Mason's Lodge, as none but Master Masons are permitted to vote on them. Your committee beg leave to offer the following resolutions, to wit:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge disapprove of the Proceedings of Eden Lodge, No. 11, in receiving petitions on the first degree, and ap- prove of all their other proceedings.
Resolved, That a Charter issue to Eden Lodge, No. 11, and that the Grand Secretary forward them a copy of this report and resolutions annexed thereto.
Which report was adopted.
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 7, 1823:
Resolved, That the 8th section of the By-Laws in the present instance be dispensed with so far as the representative of Eden Lodge No. 11 is concerned, having lost on his way thither the proceedings of said lodge, and that he shall have all the privileges of any other repre- sentative in this Grand Lodge during its present session.
The lodge was represented at the organization of the Grand Lodge by James Turney but not again until 1826. In 1824 the Grand Lodge published the returns of the lodges but Eden made no return. How- ever, a return was made to the Grand Lodge of Missouri that year. Three candidates were raised and one member admitted.
Chapter 5 THE FIRST GRAND LODGE
With more lodges being organized it is not surprising that the thought of forming a Grand Lodge was in the minds of members. The first suggestion was in a letter from Libanus Lodge to Western Star Lodge which was read November 16, 1820. It was brought by N. Hanson, Secretary of Libanus Lodge. The record reads:
A letter from our brethren at Libanus Lodge No. 29 at Edwards- ville, requesting that there should be measures taken with the several Lodges of this State to form a Grand Lodge. Motion was made and carried that we coincide with the Libanus Lodge to confer with the several Lodges of this State, that there may be measures taken to estab- lish a Grand Lodge.
Resolved, That this Lodge concur with Libanus Lodge No. 29 in the propriety and expediency of establishing a Grand Lodge in this State and that a committee be appointed to confer with that and the other Lodges on the subject, and in case of general concurrence in the estab- lishment of such Grand Lodge, with power to fix upon a certain number of delegates from each of the several Lodges in this State, to meet in con- vention, as also upon the time and place of such meeting of such Lodges, and forming a constitution thereunder.
The members of the committee were Henry S. Dodge, Thomas Reynolds and Shadrach Bond, who were given authority to corres- pond with the other Lodges in the State and to make necessary arrangements for said convention.
Vandalia Lodge September 24, 1822:
A communication from Libanus Lodge No. 29, of Edwardsville, was received and read, on the subject of forming a Grand Lodge at Vandalia, proposing a meeting of delegates from the different lodges in this State, in this place, during the sitting of the next General Assembly.
On motion of Bro. Browne, it was ordered, that the Secretary of this Lodge reply to the communication from Libanus Lodge No. 29, inform- ing them that their proposition would be met by this Lodge so soon as it received its charter.
Olive Branch Lodge No. 5, November 14, 1822:
W. N. Aldrich, Master, presented a circular letter from the Vandalia
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Freemasonry in Illinois
Lodge requesting the concurrence of this Lodge to certain resolutions of Vandalia Lodge, soliciting this Lodge to send delegates to meet delegates from the several Lodges in this State, at Vandalia, on the second Monday of December next, for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge in this State.
The few available records of other lodges do not furnish any re- port on this question but delegates from eight lodges attended the meeting.
The record of the meeting to form the Grand Lodge is:
Vandalia, Illinois.
Masonic Convention December 9, 1822. At a meeting of the breth- ren, consisting of delegates of the different Lodges in the State of Illinois, on Monday, December 9 A.L. 5822 Brother Thomas C. Browne was appointed Chairman, and Brother Wm. H. Brown, Secretary. The following brethren produced their certificates and were recognized as delegates, viz.
Libanus Lodge No. 29,-Richard J. Mckinney, Dennis Rockwell, John Y. Sawyer, Nathaniel Buckmaster, William H. Hopkins, David Prickett.
The Western Star Lodge No. 107,-Thomas Reynolds, Shadrach Bond.
Olive Branch Lodge No. 5,-James W. Whitney, Charles Gear, Charles W. Hunter.
Albion Lodge No. 9,-Benjamin J. Mills, Gilbert T. Pell.
Eden Lodge No. 11,-James Turney.
Union Lodge No. 10,-Abner Field, Charles Dunn.
Vandalia Lodge No. 8,-William H. Brown, James M. Duncan, John S. Duncan, Russell Botsford, E. C. Berry, John Warnock.
Lawrence Lodge No. 34-Thomas C. Browne, James Hall.
On motion :
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to form a Constitution for a Grand Lodge in the State of Illinois, and that the committee report to-morrow at 4 o'clock.
Bros. T. Reynolds, C. W. Hunter, G. T. Pell, James Turney, Abner Field, Wm H. Brown, James Hall and John Y. Sawyer were appointed that committee.
On motion:
Resolved, That the Grand Lodge be located at Vandalia.
The Convention then adjourned until tomorrow at 4 o'clock P.M.
December 10, 5822.
The Convention again assembled. Bro. Sawyer, from the committee appointed to draft a Constitution for a Grand Lodge, reported the fol- lowing Constitution, which was read section by section and adopted.
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The constitution had ten sections and the by-laws twenty-one. They are much the same as are in use today.
The same delegates were present as on the preceeding day, and all agreed to the report of the committee.
On motion of Bro. Dunn:
Resolved, That the delegates from each Lodge take a copy of the Constitution and transmit the same to their respective Lodges.
Adjourned until to-morrow at 4 o'clock P.M.
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
On motion of Bro. Hall, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That we proceed forthwith to the nomination of persons to fill the offices of Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, which nominations shall be presented to the several Lodges, with the Constitution recommended for their adoption; and if a majority of the Lodges approve of said nominations, the persons so nominated shall be considered as duly elected.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the several Lodges, im- mediately upon the ratification or disapproval by them of the pro- ceedings of this Convention, to transmit notice of same to the Grand Master-elect, and if it appear that a majority of the Lodges concur in the proceedings of the Convention, then the Grand Lodge shall be con- sidered as duly organized, and the Grand Master shall order the first meeting of the same at such time as he shall think proper.
Whereupon, the Convention proceeded to ballot for officers, when upon counting the ballots it appeared that Shadrach Bond was elected Grand Master; John Y. Sawyer, Grand Senior Warden; Wmn M. Alex- ander, Grand Junior Warden; Richard T. Mckinney, Grand Secretary; James O. Wattles, Grand Treasurer.
On motion :
Resolved, that a copy of the minutes of the Convention be made out by the Secretary, and countersigned by the Chairman, and that a copy of the Constitution now formed be deposited in Vandalia Lodge until the Grand Lodge is organized.
The Convention then adjourned sine die.
Thomas C. Browne Chairman.
William H. Brown
Secretary.
This was a notable gathering of citizens. Thomas C. Browne, chairman, was chief justice of the Supreme Court, serving on that body from 1818 to 1848. After finishing his work as a judge he went to California where he died in 1856.
William H. Brown, Secretary of the convention, was born in Con- nectieut about the beginning of the 19th century. He settled in Kas-
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kaskia in 1818 and was appointed Clerk of the United States court in 1819, which office he held for sixteen years. He moved to Chicago in 1835 and was cashier of the State Bank of Illinois. In 1840 he became school agent for the city and upon retiring was given a vote of thanks by the mayor and aldermen for the efficient way in which he had con- ducted the business. He became President and was the principal agent in building the Galena and Chicago Union railroad in 1846-47. He was President of the Chicago Historical Society for seven years. He died in Amsterdam, Holland in 1867.
Shadrach Bond had left the office of Governor only four days before the convention was held. Thomas Reynolds became a member of the Supreme Court three years later. Others held positions as fol- lows: James Hall, circuit judge; John Y. Sawyer, circuit judge; Elijah .C. Berry, Auditor of Public Accounts; Charles Dunn, Clerk of the House of Representatives; Nathaniel Buckmaster and Gilbert T. Pell, House of Representatives.
From the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fay- ette County we learn that
The first State House was a two-story log structure, on the corner of Fifth and Johnson Streets, on the present site of the Union hotel (1910). This building was destroyed by fire during the Third Sesssion of the Legislature, held at Vandalia, December, 1833. The Presbyterian church and the residence of Colonel Robert K. Mclaughlin had to be utilized for State purposes, until another Capitol Building could be crected. The new one was pretentious, being a two-story brick structure, put up in the summer of 1824, at the cost of $15,000, of which the people of Vandalia contributed $3,000.
Additional material in the possession of the Illinois State His- torical Library describes the first State Capitol as follows:
a plain two story wooden structure, the lower floor of which was devoted to one room for the House of Representatives and a passage and stairway to the second floor. The second story consisted of two rooms-the larger for the Senate Chamber and the smaller for the Council of Revision.
It was in the senate chamber that the Grand Lodge was organized. The site of the building and the town was surveyed by W. C. and Beal Greenup, both members of Western Star Lodge. They also contracted to erect a building 40 feet by 30 feet; two stories of which were to be used as the State Capitol. The cost of the survey was $496.00 and that - for the building was $4,732.00
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This building was large enough for the purpose at that time. When the state records were moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia they were all hauled in one wagon at a cost of $25.00 dollars.
1823
No printed record of the meeting for this year has been found for the following reason:
ILLINOIS CAPITOL (VANDALIA). Illinois Intelligencer (Vandalia). 13, Dec. 1823, p/2, col. 4. "FIRE FIRE"
About 2 o'clock, on the night of the 9th, instant, the STATE HOUSE, in this place, was discovered to be on fire, and in a very short time, it was entirely consumed. So rapid was the progress of the flames that not a single article belonging, or attached to the STATE- HOUSE was saved, All the tables, chairs, and benehes, except a few which were in the public offices, were consumed by the fire.
The receiver's office for this land district was kept in one of the rooms of the STATE-HOUSE, and the books, papers, and every other article belonging to his office, were entirely destroyed. It is difficult to conjecture how it took fire. The house was occupied by the Auditor of the state during the preceeding day in selling non-residents' land for taxes, and he adjourned the sale at noon until the next day. Several gentlemen were in the STATE-HOUSE late in the evening, and there were scarcely enough of brands in the fire place to warm their hands.
A letter from W. C. Greenup to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1825 states that all the
books amd archives of the Illinois Grand Lodge were destroyed shortly after the meeting by the conflagration of the capitol where they were deposited.
1824
The annual session was opened on December 6 by the Deputy Grand Master the Grand Master being absent. Representatives from eight lodges were present. Fourteen visitors were present.
It was resolved:
That a committee of five be appointed to enquire how far the subordinate Lodges within this state are affected by the resolution de- claring that Lodges which assisted in the formation of this Grand Lodge shall be considered as within our jurisdiction, and what is the operation of said resolution in regard to such Lodges.
The record said the committee made a report "which was con-
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curred in." The nature of the report was not published. In connection with this question a petition was received from Jacob C. Brunner for reinstatement to good standing, he being under sentence of expulsion by Libanus Lodge. The decision was given that the Grand Lodge had no authority over the action of Libanus Lodge, since that was under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. Details of the Brun- ner matter will be found under "Libanus Lodge No. 29." Financial troubles were serious. The Grand Treasurer had received five dollars toward paying for the dispensation for Palestine Lodge; that amount with one more dollar was all the money in the treasury. The fee for a dispensation was fifteen dollars and a charter was ten dollars addi- tional.
A committee was appointed to correspond with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to ascertain why that Grand Lodge had suspended Western Star Lodge. The financial troubles of this lodge have been explained under its history.
The Grand Lodge was determined to get control over the lodges.
Resolved, That the subordinate Lodges, who assisted at the forma- tion of this Grand Lodge, and have neglected to surrender their charters from other Grand Lodges, and take charters from this Grand Lodge, be allowed a further time of six months to perform that duty.
Resolved, That those Lodges neglecting the requisitions of the pre- ceeding resolution, be stricken from the roll of this Grand Lodge, and that those Lodges be immediately furnished with a copy of these resolu- tions.
James Hall was elected Grand Master,
John Y. Sawyer, G.S. Warden
Richard J. Hamilton, G.J. Warden,
James O. Wattles, G. Treas.,
William H. Brown, G. Secy.
A Lodge of Past Masters was opened with George H. C. Melody, Deputy Grand Master of Missouri presiding and
After some business done therein, the Lodge was closed, and a Lodge of Master Masons opened.
The Grand Officers were then installed by Brother Melody. This is the only time that the Grand Master was not installed in a Lodge of Past Masters. Brother Melody was given twenty dollars "to discharge the expenses of his visit to us."
A reminder of the fire that destroyed the first State House in 1823 is seen in the following resolution:
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The First Grand Lodge
Whereas, Vandalia Lodge has paid to Col. William Berry the sum of forty dollars, as a compensation for the loss of his Sword, destroyed in the conflagration of the state house, after the meeting of this Grand Lodge in 1823; therefore,
Resolved, That the dues owing by said Lodge to this M.W. Grand Lodge for the present year be remitted.
Another resolution shows the difference between the methods of transacting business in those days and those of the present time:
Resolved, That it be recommended by this Grand Lodge to each of the Lodges subordinate thereto, to transact the ordinary business of a Lodge in an Entered Apprentice's Lodge; and to receive and act upon all petitions for membership, or for any degree in Masonry, in a Master's Lodge only, and that the Grand Secretary transmit a copy of this resolu- tion to each of the subordinate Lodges.
The lack of cash is shown by the action of the Grand Lodge in granting a charter to Palestine Lodge:
and time was given them till the next Grand Communication to pay the fees due for said charter.
A charter was granted to Albion Lodge and a dispensation for Greene Lodge at Carrollton was granted to Hart Fellows and others. The only other member of this lodge that has, thus far, been found is Samuel C. Pierce who represented the lodge in 1826. This dispensa- tion was continued until the next annual communication.
The result of the action concerning lodges taking charters from the Grand Lodge bore fruit in that charters were issued to Union as No. 7 and Vandalia as No. 8. Guy W. Smith was installed as Master of Palestine Lodge in a Lodge of Past Masters.
The first attempt to bring about uniformity in ritual is shown by the following:
Resolved, the R.W. Deputy Grand Master of this Grand Lodge be, and he is hereby authorized and required, to visit each and every Lodge, under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge once in each year.
Henry H. Snow was the Deputy and he was continued as ritualistic instructor and inspector during the life of the Grand Lodge.
The thanks of the Grand Lodge was presented to the Honorable Senate
for their polite offer of the use of the Senate Chamber, for the use of this Grand Lodge.
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However, the Grand Lodge evidently used another room, at least part of the time:
Resolved, That the sum of four dollars be appropriated for the pay- ment of John Bullard, for the use of his chamber.
It was also ordered
That upon presentation of their work, constitution and by-laws to the M.W. Grand Master, or his Deputy, a charter be granted in vacation to Greene Lodge as Lodge No. 11.
The Grand Tyler was allowed seven dollars for his service, same to be paid out of any money not otherwise appropriated.
The returns for the year 1824 were published as follows:
Olive Branch no. 4 25 members
Vandalia no. 5 12
Union no. 6 17
Eden no. 7
report made to GL of Mo.
Hiram no. 8 24
Albion no. 9 22
Palestine no. 10 17
Greene no. 11
11
Kaskaskia, Shawneetown, Edwardsville and Springfield lodges, not being affiliated, were not included.
1825
For some reason now unknown this session was not held until Janu- ary, 1826. The session was opened on January 3, 1826 in the State House with James Hall, Grand Master, presiding. Nine Grand Officers and eleven members of five Illinois lodges were present. Five out-of- state visitors were present.
A dispensation had been granted for Illion Lodge No. 12. Phillip Aylesworth was present with a copy of the proceedings of that lodge and the return of the dispensation. Frontier Lodge No. 13 also pre- sented its record and asked for a charter. The report of the committee shows that both lodges acted for the first time under their dispensa- tions on December 3, 1825; that their by-laws and proceedings were correct, with one exception. Both lodges were criticised for advanc- ing candidates with
too little time, either to become acquainted with the lectures of the preceeding degree, or for a strict enquiry into the character of the ap- plicants.
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The First Grand Lodge
The committee offered two resolutions which were adopted:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge disapproves of the practice of advancing candidates to any degree until they shall have acquired a competent knowledge of the preceeding degree.
Resolved, That a charter be granted to Frontier Lodge No. 13 and to Illion Lodge No. 12.
An application was made for a charter for a lodge at Kaskaskia but this was refused. This was during the time that said lodge was in trouble with the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania over non-payment of dues.
To legalize the failure to meet in 1825 the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, the Grand Annual Communication of this R. Worshipful Grand Lodge, was not held in conformity with the provisions of its by-laws; and whereas, an election of Grand Officers has not been held as by them contemplated: Therefore,
Resolved, That the by-laws of this Grand Lodge be dispensed with, and that this Grand Lodge proceed to the election of Grand Officers for the ensuing year to-morrow evening.
A petition was received from "certain brethren residing in Pike, Adams and Calhoun counties" asking for a charter for a lodge to be located at Atlas in Pike County. This petition was granted January 7, 1826.
The second day two more lodges were represented and fifteen more members and visitors attended. Some of them were busy during the day attending the legislature.
Transactions had been received from other jurisdictions but the first to officially recognize the Grand Lodge was by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky:
Your Committee on Foreign Communications, beg leave to report, that they find a communication, giving information of the formation of a Grand Lodge for the State of Illinois, located at Vandalia, requesting a recognition and interchange of Brotherly Communications, and re- questing from this Grand Lodge a transfer of its dues from lodges in that State, for reason stated in their Communications, but at the same time assuring this Grand Lodge that their claims shall be sacredly respected. Your Committee recommends the recognition of and the interchange of Brotherly and friendly offices with said Grand Lodge; and submit to the Grand Lodge, the determination of the question of the remission of the dues.
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Freemasonry in Illinois
On motion:
Resolved, that this Grand Lodge recognize the M.W. Grand Lodge of Illinois and that Brother Grand Secretary correspond with the said M.W. Grand Lodge and transmit regularly an abstract of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge.
A letter was reported from the Grand Lodge of New York express- ing surprise that no communication had been received stating the causes and events that led to the organization of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and requesting such information.
Reports from other jurisdictions showed that
active exertions are in operation among the craft, to obtain sub- scriptions for the erection of a Masonic Monument to the memory of Washington, and that several of the Grand Lodges of the U.S., have adopted measures to effect this object. Your committee noticing this sub- ject, cannot withhold the expression of their entire approbation of any measure which may evince our respect for the virtues, and affection for the name of the illustrious chief, whom we have been proud to number among our brothers, and submit the further consideration thereof to the Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge disapproved the resolution adopted by Olive Branch Lodge which allowed visitors to vote during the election of officers.
The Constitution and By-Laws was ordered printed and a copy sent to each Grand Lodge in the United States and the British Prov- inces in North America, to each of our subordinate lodges, and to each of our Grand Officers.
Again the thanks of the Grand Lodge were given to the Honorable Senate for the use of the senate chamber.
1826
This session was held in the State House beginning Monday, December 3. James Hall, Grand Master, presided. Six lodges were represented. Eleven visitors were present, all from Illinois lodges.
The Grand Secretary was directed to purchase one hundred diplo- mas to be issued to individuals requesting same
A petition from Western Star Lodge was taken up and the Grand Master directed to issue a charter when he shall be assured that the lodge has made satisfactory arrangements with the Grand Lodge of Pa. and has been released by that body.
The committee to which was referred the communications from
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The First Grand Lodge
other Grand Lodges made an extensive report. This was the fore- runner of the present committee on correspondence. Guy W. Smith was elected Grand Master. The Grand Lodge was then closed on the third degree and Phillip Aylesworth was installed Master of Illion Lodge by the Grand Master.
On December 20 a petition was received asking for a dispensation to organize a lodge at Fever River (Galena). The petition was recom- mended by Frontier Lodge. The Grand Lodge was then closed to meet the following Monday evening. On January 1, 1827 the session was opened by Benjamin Mills, Grand Master, Pro Tem, and four other Grand Officers pro tem. Only two regular officers were present.
Brother Henry H. Snow was authorized to install the first officers of the Lodge at Fever River. This was Strangers Union No. 14. A charter was also granted to Cincinnatus Lodge No. 16.
Here ends the known record of the first Grand Lodge. It was a very small organization in numbers but the influence of its individual members had much to do with the state business. The list of names includes those of two governors, Bond and Ewing; four United States Senators, Elias Kent Kane, Richard M. Young, Samuel McRoberts, and Ewing; Ewing was also Lieutenant Governor; Secretary of State, Elias Kent Kane, David Blackwell; Auditor of Publie Accounts, E. C. Berry; State Treasurer, James Hall; Attorney General, James Turney; Su- preme Court, Thomas C. Browne, Thomas Reynolds; Circuit Court of 1824, John Y. Sawyer, Samuel McRoberts, Richard M. Young, James Hall, James O. Wattles. Some of the above named members did not hold office during the life of the Grand Lodge but they were prominent in the affairs of state. This list does not include state senators and representatives of which there were several.
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