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L
J ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02494 9205
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HISTORIAN OF THE GRAND LODGE.
PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, 1898.
A HISTORY
OF
FREEMASONRY
IN
INDIANA
FROM 1806 TO 1898
BY DANIEL MCDONALD
INDIANAPOLIS, IND .: PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE GRAND LODGE 1898
BLACK GOLD
Allen County Pub Library 900 Webster Strocus PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270,
Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1898, BY DANIEL MCDONALD,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, for the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana.
-
1053381
TO THE TRUE AND LOYAL AFFILIATED MASTER MASONS OF INDIANA THIS WORK, WITH ALL ITS IMPERFECTIONS AND SHORTCOMINGS, IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED BY
THE HISTORIAN.
€
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
7
DAWN OF FREEMASONRY IN INDIANA 10
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GRAND LODGE 17
LODGES FORMING THE GRAND LODGE 25 FIRST LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION 92
HISTORY OF MASONRY IN INDIANA 97
GRAND LODGE HALL PROPERTY 111
WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' HOME 129
INCREASE AND DECREASE OF MEMBERSHIP 134
PENALTIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OF DUES 138
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . 144
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE 150
UNIFORMITY OF WORK AND LECTURES 159
THE CONSERVATORS' ASSOCIATION 169
MILITARY MASONIC LODGES . 185
THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION 191
THE MORGAN EPISODE 198
POWERS OF THE GRAND MASTER 211
GENERAL, GRAND LODGE UNITED STATES 220
NEGRO FREEMASONRY 231
THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE 236
TIPPECANOE MASONIC MONUMENT 247
GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS-EPITOME-1817-1898 256
GRAND MASTERS-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 321
DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS-HISTORICAL SKETCHES
391
GRAND SECRETARIES-HISTORICAL SKETCHES 405
GRAND TREASURERS-HISTORICAL SKETCHES
417
GRAND OFFICERS-OFFICIAL REGISTER 421
MISCELLANEOUS
445
CLOSING-FAREWELL
459
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INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
Daniel McDonald, Historian. Frontispiece BETWEEN PAGES
Masonic Hall, Madison .
6 and 7
Masonic Hall, Indianapolis, 1848-1875 . 6
7
Masonic Temple, Indianapolis, 1875-1898. 6
7
Title Page and Members' Names Vincennes Lodge, 1809
26 27
Title Page and Members' Names Vincennes Lodge, 1818 26 27
173
Rob Morris
184 185
Battle of Tippecanoe
236 237
Joseph H. Daviess
246
247
GRAND MASTERS.
BETWEEN PAGES
BETWEEN PAGES
Alexander A. Meek . . 326 and 327
Martin H. Rice .362 and 363
John Tipton .326 327
Christian Fetta .364 365
John Sheets .332 333
Lucien A. Foote. .364 365
Jonathan Jennings .332 333
Daniel McDonald. .366 367
Marsten G. Clark 334
335
Frank S. Devol .366
367
Isaac Howk .334
335
Andrew J. Hay. 368 369
Elihu Stout 336
337
Robert Van Valzah . . 368 369
Abel C. Pepper .336
337 Bellamy S. Sutton. .. 370 371
Phillip Mason 342
343
Calvin W. Prather. .370
371
William Sheets 342
343
Bruce Carr .. .374
375
Daniel Kelso 344
345
Albert P. Charles 374
375
James L. Hogin .344 66
345
Mortimer Nye. 376 377
Caleb B. Smith .346
347
Isaac P. Leyden .376 377
Isaac Bartlett .346 66
347
Thomas B. Long. .378
379
Johnson Watts .350
351
Jacob J. Todd .378 379
Elizur Deming. 350
351
Nicholas R. Ruckle. . 382
383
Alexander C. Downey . 352
353
Sidney W. Douglas. . 382 Daniel Noyes 384 385
Henry C. Lawrence. . . 352
353
Frank E. Gavin .384
385 387
Thomas R. Austin. 354
66 355
Edward O'Rourke ... 386
John B. Fravel .358
359
Simeon P. Gillett. 386
387
William Hacker .358 66 359
Mason J. Niblack . .. 388 389
Harvey G. Hazelrigg . . 362
363
Simeon S. Johnson. .. 388 389
GRAND SECRETARIES.
BETWEEN PAGES
BETWEEN PAGES
James F. D. Lanier. . . 408 and 409
Charles Fisher. .. 412 " 413
Francis King. . .. .. . . 412 and 413 William H. Smythe. . 414 " 415
383
Solomon D. Bayless. . . 354 66 355
Thomas Smith Webb 172
MASONIC HALL, MADISON,
Where Grand Lodge was Organized, January 12, 181S.
-
MASONIC HALL INDIANAPOLIS, 1848 TO 1875.
MASONIC TEMPLE, INDIANAPOLIS.
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION.
F "OUR years ago, at the solicitation of the editor of the Masonic Advocate, the writer began the preparation of some sketches of a historical character for publication in that magazine. The sketches were so well received by the brethren throughout the State, that, at the meeting of the Grand Lodge the year following-1895-Grand Master Frank E. Gaven brought the subject of the preparation of a history of Freemasonry in Indiana before the Grand Lodge, and urged that action be taken looking to that end. The Grand Lodge concurred in the suggestion, and authorized the appointment of a committee of three for the purpose in- dicated. The committee was appointed, consisting of Daniel McDonald, Thomas B. Long and William E. Eng- lish, the writer being named as chairman. Subsequently the committee met and decided to divide the work into three divisions. The history of Ancient Craft Masonry was assigned to the writer; the history of the Grand Chap- ter, Council and Order of High Priesthood to Thomas B. Long, and the history of the Knights Templar and Scottish Rite to William E. English. The work proceeded on this line during the remainder of the year.
At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1896, the committee made a full report, stating the plan of the work decided upon, which was approved by the Grand Lodge. A small appropriation to prosecute the work was made, but nothing was provided for what had already been done. As an acceptance of any part of the appropriation would have necessitated the delivery to the Grand Lodge of the manu- script already prepared, without the assurance of any fur- ther appropriation, the writer declined to accept any por- tion of it, and, wishing to leave the Grand Lodge untram-
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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY,
meled in the prosecution of the work, resigned from the committee, thus leaving a vacancy to be filled by the ap- pointment of some brother qualified to continue the work on the lines marked out in the report of the committee. After due consideration, the then Grand Master, Simeon P. Gillett, declined to fill the vacancy, deeming it advisable to leave the further consideration of the matter to the Grand Lodge at its next annual meeting. In the mean- time the writer continued the work on his own account, em- ploying all his spare time during the year that followed.
At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge in May, 1897, Grand Master Gillett made a report explaining the situation, urging the Grand Lodge to arrange for the com- pletion and publication of the work, which was practically agreed to.
This brief outline is presented here to show the reader some of the difficulties the writer has had to contend with in the preparation of the matter contained in the follow- ing pages.
The articles originally prepared for and published in the Masonic Advocate, so far as applicable, have been revised and are incorporated herein.
As will be seen by a perusal of the following pages, the author has confined himself entirely to "Ancient Craft Masonry," believing that a history of the "Higher De- grees," as they are called, should be embraced in separate volumes. Notwithstanding every effort has been made to obtain all the facts and correct data in regard to every sub- ject considered, it will not be strange if critical readers de- tect numerous errors of omission and commission.
In the incipiency of the work no starting point of much value was found. A few imperfect sketches, prepared by Brother Elizar Deming just prior to his death, which were published in the Masonic Advocate at the time they were written, was all the data had in the beginning of the prep- aration and arrangement of the work. The remainder of the facts was obtained from search through the records of lodges, from replies to hundreds of letters of inquiry, and from a diligent search through the printed proceedings of
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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
the Grand Lodge during the eighty years of its existence. Every leaf has been turned, and every page carefully read, that nothing of importance might escape notice.
The work is aimed to contain everything of importance worthy of preservation that has occurred within the juris- diction since the dawn of Masonry in the Territory in 1807. Nothing has been purposely omitted because of any un- pleasant features connected with it. The object has been to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." While it might have been desirable to omit some occurrences in a few cases, yet the history that fails to con- tain the whole truth, be it good or bad, favorable or un- favorable to the parties concerned, cannot be relied on, and the purpose for which it may have been written will not have been accomplished. As the lawyers delight to quote, "Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus!"-False in one thing, false in all!
Without further ado, this work, with all its shortcom- ings, is submitted to the true and loyal Masons of Indiana, with the hope that they will cover with the broad mantle of Masonic charity whatever they may find amiss.
DAWN OF FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA.
S OME who may read these sketches who do not belong to the Masonic Institution may inquire, "What is Free- masonry, and what does it teach?" It has been defined by a Masonic writer as "a system of morals, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols." It teaches friendship, mor- ality and brotherly love; temperance, fortitude, prudence, justice, relief, truth, faith, hope and charity. It is above all religions, and all systems of philosophy, because it ac- cepts them all in so far as they are willing to concur in ren- dering men better and more worthy. As has been beauti- fully said by the late distinguished Past Grand Master of New York, Dewitt Clinton: "We are certain that the principles of Masonry are based upon pure morality; that its ethics are the ethics of Christianity; its doctrines the doctrines of patriotism and brotherly love, and its senti- ments the sentiments of exalted benevolence. Upon these points there can be no doubt. All that is good and kind and charitable it encourages; all that is vicious and cruel and oppressive it reprobates." That charity which is de- scribed in the most masterly manner by the eloquent Apostle composes its very essence and enters into its vital principles, and every Freemason is ready to unite with him in saying: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowl- edge, and although I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profit- eth me nothing. Charity suffereth long and is kind; char-
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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
ity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly; seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked; thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; beareth all things, believ- eth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; char- ity never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there shall be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
In brief, these are the principles it teaches and incul- cates. The history of its deeds of charity and pure benefi- cence is an open book that he who runs may read. Not one act in violation of the laws of the land in any country or age can truthfully be charged up against it.
As has been well said in the monitors of the order: "No institution was ever raised on better principles or a more solid foundation, nor were ever more excellent rules and useful maxims laid down than are inculcated in the several Masonic lectures." It is not the purpose of this work, how- ever, to go into an exposition of the principles and teach- ings of Masonry, nor to attempt to trace its origin away back into the mystic mazes of the past. It is sufficient in a general way to know that it has existed for many centuries; that it is the oldest of all benevolent secret societies, and that the many hundreds that have come into existence the last half of the present century are but imitators in their manner of organization, their forms and ceremonies, their signs, grips and passwords, their symbols, and other means of recognition ; and their origin is plainly traceable to Free- masonry, the mother of all secret societies.
In the first degree we are told that our ancient brethren usually met on high hills, or in low dales, for the purpose of better observing the approach of those not entitled to the privileges of the order, either ascending or descending. This, it is supposed, was the custom of what was known as "traveling lodges," that is, those organizations that re- mained not long in a given place. There were no Grand Lodges at that time, and where these traveling societies of Masons received their authority to work as such, if, indeed, they had any, is one of the mysteries history fails to record.
12
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
It is probable, or possible, at least, that the first organiza- tion assumed the right of governing, granting authority to those desirous of forming branches in other localities, and so, coming on down through the ages these societies, or lodges, met together by representatives, or their presiding officers, and formed what we now call Grand Lodges, delegating to them full power to grant dispensations and charters, and pass laws regulating the subordinate lodges creating them.
In this country the first lodges received their authority from the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland, and dur- ing the 17th century were governed by what were called Provincial Grand Masters, who received their authority from the mother Grand Lodges.
In the first edition of the Illustrations of Freemasonry, by Thomas Smith Webb, published about 1813, is con- tained a brief and concise history of the introduction of Freemasonry into this country which may be regarded as authentic, as the statements therein made are not disputed. From that sketch the following, as appropriate in this con- nection, is condensed :
NOTE.
The first Grand Lodge in America was holden in Boston on the 30th July, A. D. 1733, known by the name of St. John's Grand Lodge, and de- scended from the Grand Lodge of England.
The Massachusetts Grand Lodge (also holden at Boston) was first established on the 27th December, A. D. 1769, and descended from the Grand Master of Scotland.
On the 19th of June, A. D. 1792, a Grand Masonic Union was formed by the two Grand Lodges, and all distinctions between ancient and mod- ern Masons abolished.
GENERAL REMARKS.
In England, until the year 1717, a sufficient number of Masons met to- gether, had ample power to make Masons, and discharge every duty of Masonry by inherent privileges vested in the Fraternity at large, without a warrant of Constitution. But at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of England on St. John the Baptist's day, in that year, the following regula- tion was adopted:
"The privilege of assembling as Masons, which has hitherto been un- limited, shall be vested in certain Lodges of Masons, convened in certain places; and every Lodge hereafter convened shall be legally authorized to act by a warrant from the Grand Master for the time being, granted to certain individuals by petition, with the consent and approbation of the Grand Lodge in communication; and withont such warrant no Lodge shall bereafter be deemed regular or constitutional."
COMMENCEMENT OF MASONRY IN AMERICA.
On application of a number of brethren residing in Boston, a warrant was granted by the Right Honorable and Most Worshipful Anthony, Lord Viscount Montague. Grand Master of Masons in England, dated the 30th of April, 1733, appointing the Right Worshipful Henry Price Grand Mas-
13
HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
ter in North America, with full power and authority to appoint his dep- uty and other Masonic officers necessary for forming a Grand Lodge; and also to constitute Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons, as often as occa- sion should require.
In consequence of this commission, the Grand Master opened a Grand Lodge in Boston (sometimes called the Grand Lodge of Modern Masons) on the 30th of July, 1733, in due form, and appointed the Right Worship- ful Andrew Delcher Deputy Grand Master, the Worshipful Thomas Ken- nelly and John Quinn Grand Wardens.
The Grand Lodge being thus organized under the designation of St. John's Grand Lodge, proceeded to grant warrants for constituting regular Lodges in various parts of America; and from this Grand Lodge originated the first Lodges in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Con- necticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Barbadoes, Antigua, Newfoundland, Louisburgh, Nova Scotia, Surinam, and St. Christopher's.
There was also a Grand Lodge holden in Boston, upon the ancient establishment, under the designation of "The Massachusetts Grand Lodge," which originated as follows:
In 1755 a number of brethren residing in Boston, who were ancient Masons, in consequence of a petition to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, re- ceived a deputation, dated November 30, 1752, from Sliolto Charles Doug- las, Lord Aberdown, then Grand Master, constituting them a regular Lodge, under the title of St. Andrew's Lodge No. S2, to be holden at Boston.
This establishment was discouraged and opposed by the St. John's Grand Lodge, who thought their privileges infringed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland; they therefore refused to have any intercourse with St. An- drew's Lodge for several years.
The prosperous state of St. Andrew's Lodge soon led its members to make great exertions for the establishment of an ancient Grand Lodge in America, which was soon effected in Boston, by the assistance of travel- ing Lodges belonging to the British Army, who were stationed there.
December 27, 1769. The festival of the Evangelists was celebrated in due form. When the brethren were assembled, a commission from the Right Honorable and Most Worshipful George, Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of Masons in Scotland, dated the 30th of May, 1769, appointing Joseph Warren to be Grand Master of Masons in Boston and within one hundred miles of the same, was read, and he was, according to ancient usage, duly installed into that office. The Grand Master then appointed and installed the other Grand Officers, and the Grand Lodge was at this time completely organized.
Between this period and the year 1791 this Grand Lodge granted war- rants of constitution for Lodges to be holden in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and New York.
In the year 1773 a commission was received from the Right Honorable and Most Worshipful Patriek, Earl of Dumfries, Grand Master of Masons in Scotland, dated March 3, 1772, appointing the Right Worshipful Joseph Warren, Esq., Grand Master of Masons for the continent of America.
In 1775 the meetings of the Grand Lodge were suspended by the town of Boston becoming a garrison.
At the battle of Bunker's Hill, on the 17th of June, this year, Masonry and the Grand Lodge met with a heavy loss in the death of Grand Master Warren, who was slain contending for the liberties of his country.
Soon after the evacuation of the British Army, and previous to any regular communication, the brethren, influenced by a pious regard to the memory of the late Grand Master, were induced to search for his body, which had been rudely and indiscriminately buried in the field of slaugh- ter. They accordingly repaired to the place, and, by direction of a person who was on the ground at the time of his burial, a spot was found where the earth had been recently turned up. Upon removing the turf and open- ing the grave, which was on the brow of a hill, and adjacent to a small cluster of sprigs, the remains were discovered, in a mangled condition, but were easily ascertained by an artificial tooth; and, being decently raised, were conveyed to the State House in Boston, from whence, by a large and respectable number of brethren, with the late Grand Officers
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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
attending in procession, they were carried to the stone chapel, where an animated eulogium was delivered by Brother Percy Morton. The body was then deposited in the silent vault, without a sculptured stone to mark the spot, but as the whole earth is the sepulcher of illustrious men, his fame, his glorious actions, are engraven on the tablet of universal remem- brance, and will survive marble monuments or local inscriptions.
1777, March Sth. The brethren, who had been dispersed in consequence of the war, being now generally collected, they assembled to take into consideration the state of Masonry. Being deprived of their chief by the melancholy death of their Grand Master, as before mentioned, after due consideration they proceeded to the formation of a Grand Lodge, and elected and installed the Most Worshipful Joseph Webb their Grand Master.
1783, January 3d. A committee was appointed to draft resolutions ex- planatory of the power and authority of this Grand Lodge. On the 24th of June following, the committee reported as follows, viz .:
"The committee appointed to take into consideration the conduct of those brethren who assume the powers and prerogatives of a Grand Lodge on the ancient establishment, in this place, and examine the extent of their authority and jurisdiction, together with the powers of any other ancient Masonic Institution within the same, beg leave to report the re- sult of their examination, founded on the following facts, viz. :
"That the commission from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, granted to our late Grand Master, Joseph Warren, Esq., having died with him, and of course his deputy, whose appointment was derived from his nomina- tion, being no longer in existence, they saw themselves without a head, and without a single Grand Officer, and of consequence it was evident that not only the Grand Lodge, but all the particular Lodges under its jurisdiction, must cease to assemble, the brethren be dispersed, the penni- less go unassisted, the Craft languish, and ancient Masonry be extinct in this part of the world.
"That in consequence of a summons from the former Grand Officers to the Master and Wardens of all the regularly constituted Lodges, a Grand Communication was held to consult and advise on some means to preserve the intercourse of the brethren.
"That the political head of this country having destroyed all connec- tion and correspondence between the subjects of these States and the country from which the Grand Lodge originally derived its commissioned authority. and the principles of the Craft inculcating on its professors submission to the demands of the civil authority of the country they re- side in, the brethren did assume an elective supremacy, and under it chose a Grand Master and Grand Officers and erected a Grand Lodge, with independent powers and prerogatives, to be executed, however, on principles consistent with and subordinate to the regulations pointed out in the Constitutions of ancient Masonry.
"That the reputation and utility of the Craft under their jurisdiction has been most extensively diffused by the flourishing state of fourteen Lodges constituted by their authority within a shorter period than that in which three only received dispensations under the former Grand Lodge.
"That in the history of our Craft we find that in England there are two Grand Lodges, independent of each other; in Scotland the same; and in Ireland their Grand Lodge and Grand Master are independent either of England or Scotland. It is clear that the authority of some of their Grand Lodges originated in assumption, or otherwise they would acknowl- edge the head from whence they derived.
"Your committee are therefore of opinion that the doings of the pres- ent Grand Lodge were dictated by principles of the clearest necessity, founded in the highest reason and warranted by precedents of the most approved authority."
This report was accepted, and corresponding resolutions entered into by the Grand Lodge and recorded.
1701, December 5th. A committee was appointed, agreeably to a vote of the 2d of March, 1790, "to confer with the officers of St. John's Grand Lodge upon the subject of a complete Masonic union throughout this Com- monwealth."
On the 5th of March, 1792, the committee brought in their report and presented a copy of the Laws and Constitution for associating and uniting
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HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
the two Grand Lodges, as agreed to by St. John's Grand Lodge, which, being read and deliberately considered, was unanimously approved of.
June 19, 1792. The officers and members of the two Grand Lodges met in conjunction, agreeably to previous arrangements, and installed the Most Worshipful John Cutler Grand Master, and resolved "That this Grand Lodge, organized as aforesaid, shall forever hereafter be known by the name of the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
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