A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898, Part 6

Author: McDonald, Daniel, b. 1833
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Indianapolis : By authority of the Grand Lodge
Number of Pages: 614


USA > Indiana > A history of freemasonry in Indiana from 1806 to 1898 > Part 6


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37


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refuge for the widows and orphans. He was Junior Grand Warden in 1841 and 1842, and Senior Grand Warden in 1843. At the session of 1846 the following resolution was adopted :


"Resolved, That Bro. Hugh Ferry, of Columbus, be and he is hereby constituted an agent on the part of this Grand Lodge to obtain subscriptions, receive donations in money, land, materials or stock, for the purchasing and improving and stocking a farm, to be the property of this Grand Lodge. The object of which, when thus procured, im- proved and stocked, to be for the place of a labor manual school, as well as a refuge to such widows and orphans of Masons as may wish to avail themselves of this benevo- lence: and that Brother Ferry report at the next Grand Lodge his doings under this resolution."


At the next session, 1847, he was not present. In 1848, being suspended by the lodge at Columbus, he appealed to the Grand Lodge. The select committee to whom the ap- peal was referred stated that, as Brother Ferry did not deny the charges for which he was suspended, they recommended that the decision of the lodge suspending him be sustained, which was concurred in.


During the session the question came up again, when, after a full investigation of the case, Brother Ferry being permitted to make his defense in person, the following reso- lution was adopted:


"Resolved, That the decision of St. John's Lodge No. 20 (Columbus) indefinitely suspending Hugh T. Ferry from all the privileges of Masonry, be and the same is hereby affirmed."


The charges for which he was suspended were for rent- ing of a brother a house, occupying it for a period of five months, and vacating without giving notice or paying rent; that he was guilty of prevarication and deceit in his at- tempts to justify his evasion of the payment; that in his general demeanor he brought reproach upon Masonry by an habitual disregard of his pecuniary obligations and occa- -ional public intoxication; that upon being rebuked by a brother in the lodge for drunkenness, called him a liar in the presence of the brethren and during the hours of labor.


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During the session of 1848 several brethren and lodges presented claims against the Grand Lodge for various sums paid Hugh T. Ferry as agent of the Grand Lodge. The claims were adjusted by the adoption of the following reso- lution :


"Resolved, That if any person or lodge will subscribe and pay for or take stock in the Masonic Hall at Indianap- olis a sum equal to the amount he subscribed and paid to Hugh Ferry for a poor-farm, he or they shall be entitled to a credit for stock equal to the amount so subscribed and paid to Hugh Ferry."


JONATHAN WOODBURY represented Lawrenceburg Lodge in the Grand Lodge at its formation, January 12, 1818, and was elected the first Junior Grand Warden. He was not present after that, and nothing further has been learned concerning him.


PISGAH LODGE No. 5, CORYDON.


Robert Morris's History of Freemasonry in Kentucky, page 475, says:


"Pisgah Lodge No. 43, Corydon, Indiana, was chartered August, 1817, Davis Floyd being the first Master. Upon the formation of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, January 12, 1818, No. 45 became No. 5, and so remained until it be- came extinct during the anti-Masonic excitement. Upon the revival of Masonry it was made No. 32, and so remains. In its membership is found that truly distinguished and veteran Mason, Thomas Posey."


At the convention held at Corydon, December 3, 1817, Pisgah Lodge No. 45 was represented by Davis Floyd, who was unanimously chosen Secretary. He was also made a member of the committee to prepare an address to the Grand Lodges of Ohio and Kentucky. The proceedings of the convention were printed at Corydon "for Reuben W. Nelson."


At the meeting at Madison, January 12, 1818, for the formal organization of the Grand Lodge, Pisgah No. 45 was represented by John Tipton and Reuben W. Nelson. After the organization had been perfected and the election


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of officers was held, John Tipton was elected Senior Grand Warden. And then, among others, "Reuben W. Nelson and John Tipton came forward and surrendered the charter they received from and held under the M. W. Grand Lodge of Kentucky, and prayed to have a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Indiana." Pisgah was given No. 6, Mel- chizedek, at Salem, being given No. 5. On January 15, 1818-three days after the organization of the Grand Lodge-the representative of Melchizedek Lodge, on be- half of said lodge, surrendered its charter and declined to receive a charter from the Grand Lodge of Indiana. No. 5, then becoming vacant, was given to Pisgah, and No. 6 to Rising Sun, which was chartered at that time.


The office of Grand Sword Bearer was created, and Reu- ben W. Nelson elected to the position. He was also the . chairman of the committee and reported the first Constitu- tion of the Grand Lodge. He was also chairman of the committee and reported the form of a seal for the Grand Lodge, which was adopted and has remained the same to the present time.


At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in September, IS18, Davis Floyd was present and acted as Junior Grand War- den, and also as chairman of the Committee on Grievances. The lodge was represented by John W. Dunbar. Reuben W. Nelson was also present as Grand Sword Bearer. At this session Davis Floyd was elected Deputy Grand Master. IIe also offered the following resolution, which was adopted and has remained one of the rules, in substance, ever since:


"Resolved, That any kind of gambling or betting is con- sidered un-Masonic, and that the Grand. Lecturer be re- quested to give the same in charge to the subordinate lodges, that such as are guilty of it be subject to admoni- tion, suspension, and, if no marks of reformation, expul- sion."


In 1819 the lodge was represented by William H. Lilly and William P. Thomasson. John Tipton was elected Deputy Grand Master; John N. Dunbar, Grand Orator; Reuben W. Nelson, Grand Marshal, and William P. Thom- asson, Grand Sword Bearer.


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In 1820 the representatives were H. H. Moore and E. B. Wilson. John Tipton was elected Grand Master; Harban HI. Moore, Grand Orator; Edward B. Wilson, Grand Sword Bearer. Jonathan Jennings was Master of the lodge, and elected Senior Grand Warden in 1820.


In 1821 the representatives were David G. Mitchell, James B. Slaughter and Armstrong Brandon. Jonathan Jennings was elected Deputy Grand Master; Thomas Posey, Senior Grand Warden; John N. Dunbar, Junior Grand Warden; William H. Lilly, Grand Treasurer; Ed- ward B. Wilson, Senior Grand Deacon; Cyrus Vigus, Grand Tyler.


In 1822 Thomas Posey was Master of Pisgah Lodge.


In 1823 Jonathan Jennings was elected Grand Master and was re-elected in 1824. In 1825 David Cummins was the representative and was Junior Grand Deacon. Cyrus Vigus was the representative in 1826 and was elected Grand Tyler. Wm. Hurst was the representative in 1827, and Jacob W. Kintner in 1828. John Tipton was again elected Grand Master. The lodge then ceased to be repre- sented.


At the session of the Grand Lodge October 25, 1833, it was


"Resolved, That Pisgah Lodge No. 5 be stricken from the roll of lodges and that the property of said Pisgah Lodge be and remain subject to the order of the Grand Lodge."


Thus the affairs of the lodge remained until the session of the Grand Lodge May 30, 1844, when John L. Me- naugh, who had been appointed to investigate the matter, reported as follows:


"At your request, and in conformity with said resolution, I opened a correspondence with Brother Kintner, of Cory- don, on the subject of Pisgah Lodge. The first I received from him I enclose to you, which suspended for the time any further correspondence between us. Afterwards, on receipt of another letter from him, I went to Corydon and found the jewels of Pisgah Lodge No. 5, together with other property in the care of Brother Kintner. At that


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time the County Board of Commissioners wished to pur- chase the interest the lodge held in Masonic Hall. I did not feel myself authorized to make a sale, but left the com- missioners to make an offer, and what terms, so that the Grand Lodge might act thereon, and make what disposition of it they pleased. The commissioners made an offer of $27 to the Grand Lodge for rent. County orders, being at a great discount, I left the order with Brother Kintner for collection, or to be delivered to any officer or person which the Grand Lodge may direct. A short time ago I received another letter from Brother Kintner, together with the jew- els of the lodge. Brother Kintner has a claim of $9.00 against the lodge, which he thinks the Grand Lodge ought to pay. JOHN L. MENAUGH."


"SALEM, May 25, 1844."


During the time Pisgah Lodge was lying dormant Cambridge Lodge was organized and given No. 5, which it still retains. Versailles Lodge was then organized and given No. 7, which had formerly belonged to Vevay, but her charter having been arrested, that number was given to Versailles. Later the charter of Versailles was suspended May 28, 1852, Pisgah was re-chartered and given the low- est number then vacant, which was No. 7. Shortly after- wards Versailles applied for, and was reinstated, which gave it back the old number 7, and Pisgah was then given the next lowest number, which was No. 32, the number it still retains.


DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF PISGAH.


Pisgah had on its early roll of members many who dis- tinguished themselves in the various walks of life. Among them were:


THOMAS POSEY, the last Territorial Governor, and


JONATHAN JENNINGS, the first Governor under the State organization. A sketch of Brother Jennings will be found under the head of Grand Masters.


REUBEN W. NELSON was a prominent member of the Grand Lodge at its organization, and was a regular attend- ant at its regular sessions until about 1830. He seemed to have had a clear conception of what the Grand Lodge


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ought to do, and had much to do in formulating the first constitution, rules and regulations. He held the office of Grand Marshal in 1819. He was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1777, near Poughkeepsie, and settled in Jeffersonville in 1810, where he resided, but owned prop- erty and lived part of the time in Corydon. He owned the stone building in which Pisgah Lodge met from 1820 to 1828. He was a lawyer by profession; was never mar- ried. In Masonry he held several subordinate offices, but was never Master. He was killed in company with a fel- low lawyer by being thrown from a horse while riding from Jeffersonville to Charlestown to attend court in 1830, aged 53 years.


DAVID G. MITCHELL was another early member who rose to notoriety, if not to distinction, in this lodge. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1781. He studied medicine and practiced in Washington, Browns- ville, and Harrisburg, Pa., and Norfolk, Va. He went from Harrisburg to Corydon in 1819. He was made a Mason in Harrisburg and admitted to membership in Pis- gah Lodge in 1821. He was demitted in 1823 and re- admitted in 1825, and expelled in 1828 for drunkenness and other un-Masonic conduct. He was a brother-in-law of Jonathan Jennings, having married his sister. After his expulsion he became a strong anti-Mason. Maxwell Park- inson published "The Public Press and Anti-Masonic Democrat." For this paper Mitchell was a frequent con- tributor. In it he published his professional card discrim- inating against Masons. In one of its issues he announced an anti-Masonic meeting at his house, and added a list of delegates from various States to the "Grand Anti-Masonic Convention at Philadelphia, September 11, 1830." In this list was the name of Dr. D. G. Mitchell as the only delegate from Indiana. He was a candidate for Congress on the anti-Masonic ticket in 1832, but in the midst of the canvass he took the cholera in Posey county and resigned his candidacy. He died in Corydon in 1855.


THOMAS POSEY, a distinguished Mason, was the last Terri- torial Governor of Indiana from 1813 to 1816, when the


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Territory was admitted into the Union as a State. At the first election after the admission of Indiana as a State Brother Posey was a candidate for Governor against Jona- than Jennings, also a distinguished Mason and afterwards Grand Master, and was defeated by about 1,500 majority.


He was appointed Governor of the Territory by Presi- dent Madison in 1813, and his nomination was confirmed by the Senate March 3d of that year. At that time he was a Senator from Louisiana, and had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He proceeded to Vincennes and en- tered upon the discharge of his duties May 25, 1813. On the 6th of December following the General Assembly of the Territory met at Corydon, and on that day he delivered his first message. IIe deplored the war then on between this country and England. He said: "It must be obvious to every thinking man that we were forced into the war. Every measure consistent with honor, both before and since the declaration of war, has been tried to be on amicable terms with our enemy. If they will not listen to terms of reciprocity, and be at peace with us, where is the man who is a friend to his country that will not give a helping hand and use his best exertions to preserve and maintain inviolate the just rights of his country? It is to be hoped there are none such."


Of course, that didn't have much to do with the affairs of the Territory, but it tended to show that he was a patriot that could be depended upon should necessity require it.


In regard to the needs of the Territory he said: "Much depends upon you, gentlemen, in bringing to maturity such laws as will have a tendency to render equal justice to each individual of the community and promote the general wel- fare of the Territory. You who reside in various parts of the Territory have it in your power to understand what will tend to its local and general advantage. The judiciary system will require a revisal and amendment. The militia law is very defective, and requires your immediate atten- tion. It is necessary to have good roads and highways in as many directions through the Territory as the circum- stances and situation of the inhabitants will admit of. It.


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would contribute very much to promote the settlement and improvement of the Territory. Attention to education is highly necessary. There is an appropriation made by Con- gress in lands for the purpose of establishing public schools. It comes now within your province to carry into operation the design of the appropriation. I wish you a pleasant session, recommending harmony and dispatch of business."


Three weeks after the delivery of the above address, in an official communication to the President of the Legisla- tive Council, Governor Posey said: "I wish you to com- municate to your honorable body that the delicate state of my health will not admit of my longer continuing at Cory- don. I find myself badly situated on account of medical aid. My physician is at Louisville, and I have taken the medicine brought with me. The weather is moderate now, which will be favorable to my going on to Jeffersonville, where any communication that the two houses of the Legis- lature may have to make will find me."


The Legislature was not at all pleased with this step taken by the Governor, and after passing a whereas and resolution mildly censuring him for leaving the seat of gov- ernment when the business of the Legislature was about completed, and providing that the officers be authorized to receive any communications he might have to make, ad- journed sine die!


Brother Thomas Posey was a member of Pisgah Lodge at Corydon. He died March 10, 1863. In 1864, as chair- man of the committee on the death of distinguished breth- ren, Thomas R. Austin reported as follows in regard to his death :


"Thomas Posey, Grand Senior Warden of this Grand Lodge in 1810, the first Mason made in what is now the State of Indiana, and since that period one of the most punctual attendants on this Grand Lodge's meetings, and who in his life exhibited a bright example of Masonic vir- tue, has been called to the celestial lodge above. Fourteen orphan children, reared, educated and started in the world by him, attest that he understood and practiced the tenets


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of our Order. A consistent Mason, a loving friend, a most estimable man and a faithful follower of Christ has gone to his reward."


There are two important errors in the above. Brother Posey was not Senior Grand Warden in 1810. The Grand Lodge was not organized until 1818. He was Senior Grand Warden in 1821 and 1822. He was not the first Mason made in what is now Indiana, which is evidenced by the fact that he did not arrive in the Territory until 1813, five years after Vincennes Lodge had been making Masons. Parmenas Beckes was the first Mason made in the Terri- tory, while John Gibson, a Fellow Craft, was the first raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. (See Vincennes Lodge.)


The following is from the proceedings of Pisgah Lodge, held on September 19, 1863:


"Colonel Thomas Posey, who has been identified with Pisgah Lodge No. 32, died at the residence of his nephew, William P. Beverly, near Henderson, Kentucky, on the 10th day of March, 1863. Throughout all this time, from the day of his initiation to that of his death, he was a true and faithful brother. He saw the Institution in the dark- est days; he wore the badge when it was pointed at with scorn. He saw the Institution stagger and almost fall be- fore the storm of anti-Masonry which swept the country from 1830 to 1838; but in the darkest hour of adversity he was neither seduced nor dismayed, but looked forward with full confidence to the day when the storm must pass and Masonry again prosper. The day came, and he rejoiced --. rejoiced to know that man was again just and truth tri- umphant.


"Brother Posey was no ordinary man. Gifted with an intellect rarely equaled, receiving a polished education in his youth, trained by a father who was the associate of Hamilton and Washington in the Revolutionary struggle, he would have adorned any station in life. But, modest, retiring, obtruding himself upon no one, he sought neither place nor power: and yet his neighbors, who knew him well, placed him in the legislative halls, where his ability was soon recognized. We know that dust to dust is writ-


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ten on everything mortal, and yet when the messenger comes to such a man as he, whether in the prime of life or tottering under the weight of years, it is a heavy blow."


Such was ex-Governor Posey.


RISING SUN LODGE No. 6.


At the time of the organization this lodge was working under a dispensation from Kentucky. At the convention held at Corydon, December 3, 1817, it was represented by Abel C. Pepper, who afterwards became Grand Master, a sketch of whose Masonic career will be found under the head of "Grand Masters." At the organization of the Grand Lodge at Madison, January 12, 1818, it was repre- sented by Nathaniel Jenkins, who was chosen Grand Chap- lain for the session.


At the next meeting, held at Charlestown, September 14, 1818, a petition was presented and read from a number of brethren residing at the town of Rising Sun, praying for a warrant authorizing them to work as a regular lodge, rec- ommended by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, under whose jurisdiction they had lately worked. Whereupon it was


"Resolved, That a charter do issue authorizing a lodge to be held at the town of Rising Sun, in the State of Indiana, to be known by the name of Rising Sun Lodge No. 6; that Abel C. Pepper be the first Master, Matthew Haines the Senior Warden and Benjamin Gest the Junior Warden."


At that meeting Abel C. Pepper was chosen Grand Treasurer pro tem., and when the election was held he was chosen Grand Sword Bearer.


The lodge pursued its labors and was generally repre- sented in the meetings of the Grand Lodge. In 1827 the District Visitor, in his report, said : "Rising Sun Lodge No. 6 .- This is the largest lodge in the district. Their present and future prospects are highly flattering." At this meeting Abel C. Pepper was elected Grand Master, and served as such during the year. It was mainly through his zeal and ability that the lodge prospered and kept up during the anti-Masonic period as it did. On his


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retirement as Grand Master it ceased to work, and on De- cember 16, 1835, its charter was arrested by the adoption of the following resolution :


"Resolved, That Rising Sun Lodge No. 6 be, and the same is hereby stricken from the list of lodges subordinate to this Grand Lodge: Provided, That if said lodge shall apply for a dispensation within one year, and commence in good faith as a new lodge, then and in that case their jewels, fur- niture and property of all kinds whatsoever shall be re- turned to said new lodge; until which time Brother Zerah T. Percival, Grand Visitor of the Sixth District, is hereby appointed an agent for this Grand Lodge to take into his possession all the property of said Rising Sun Lodge No. 6."


The next year, 1836, Brother Percival reported as fol- lows:


"He had visited Rising Sun Lodge for the purposes con- templated in the resolution of the last Grand Lodge, but, finding that the late Master of the said lodge was dead, and the Senior Warden was absent down the river, he could find no member who could give him a list or value of the prop- erty-the chest being locked, and not knowing who had the key-and therefore no person would be willing to receipt for any amount. Brother C. A. Craft, of Rising Sun, has a part of the property in possession, and promised to take care of the same until called for."


Thus matters remained for six years. At the session of 1842 the following resolution was adopted:


"Resolved, That Rising Sun Lodge No. 6 have permission to resume labor again as a regular lodge of Masons, and that the dues of said Lodge to this Grand Lodge be remitted, and that Brother Ferry inform them of the same."


This ended the trouble, and Rising Sun rose to set no more!


Many distinguished men were members of this lodge, among whom was A. C. Pepper and A. C. Downey, both of whom were Grand Masters. Sketches of their lives will be found under the head of "Grand Masters."


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VEVAY LODGE No. 7.


At the convention assembled at Corydon, December 3, 1817, this lodge was represented by Hezekiah B. Hull. The lodge was then known as Switzerland Lodge U. D. from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. At the meeting held at Madison, January 12, 1818, the lodge was represented by William C. Keen, who was appointed temporary Secre- tary until the officers should be elected. He was subse- quently elected Grand Marshal. The lodge was not char- tered until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, which was held in Charlestown in September, 1818. On the 16th of September, 1818, the following resolution was adopted:


"Resolved, That letters of dispensation issue, authorizing a lodge to be held in the town of Vevay, in the State of In- diana, to be known by the name of Switzerland Lodge, and that Brother William C. Keen be the first Worshipful Mas- ter, John Mendenhall first Senior Warden, and Alexander Hutton first Junior Warden."


The reason, probably, why this lodge was not chartered at the first meeting, as were the others, was because it was working under a dispensation from Kentucky, and not un- der a charter, and it was therefore supposed that it was sim- ply a creature of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, without power to surrender its dispensation to any other Grand Lodge. The Kentucky dispensation was therefore permit- ted to die, and a new dispensation was then issued by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, as indicated in the above resolu- tion.


At the session of the Grand Lodge, September 14, 1819, the following resolution was adopted:


"Resolved, That so much of said report as relates to the working of Switzerland Lodge under dispensation be re- ceived, and that a charter issue to said lodge under the name of Vevay Lodge No. 7, to be held at the town of Vevay, Indiana; that Brother William C. Keen be the first Master, Brother John Mendenhall the first Senior Warden, and Brother John Linsey the first Junior Warden."


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William C. Keen seems to have been all the life there was in the lodge for several years. In 1822 he was the representative of the lodge in the Grand Lodge, also repre- sented by proxy Rising Sun Lodge and Lawrenceburg Lodge. The reason for this was, undoubtedly, that he had, in 1820, been elected Grand Secretary, and it being incon- venient in those days for representatives to go long dis- tances on horseback through the woods over very indiffer- ent roads, proxies were sent to the Grand Secretary, know- ing he would be present and see that their rights were pro- tected.




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