USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Zanesville > A concise history of La Fayette Lodge, No. 79, Free and Accepted Masons of Zanesville, Ohio : including a brief history of Freemasonry > Part 7
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
On December 5, the forty-third election was held, and Bro.
84
History of La Fayette Lodge
John G. F. Holston was again selected to serve as Worshipful Master. The other officers were: Bro. George Cockburn, Senior Warden; Bro. Josiah Burgess, Junior Warden; Bro. David Drew, Treasurer; Bro. Edgar W. Allen, Secretary; Bro. John W. King, Senior Deacon; Bro. Thomas H. Hunter, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler:
1868 BRO. JOHN G. F. HOLSTON WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The new officers were installed by Bro. Richard Monkhouse and Bro. James S. Reeves, at a public installation held on January 2, to which all members and their ladies were invited. Addresses were made by the Master-elect, Bro. John G. F. Holston, and by Rev. W. M. Baker.
The Masonic Hall, which had been in use for nine years, had never been dedicated. On February 6, a Committee was ap- pointed to act in conjunction with the other Masonic Bodies, in making the necessary arrangements for the dedication cere- monies.
On March 5, this Committee reported that the plans were complete for the dedication, which was to be held June 24.
The dedication ceremonies were performed on St. John's Day, as planned, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, with M .. W .. Bro. Thomas Sparrow presiding. The Grand Lodge was opened at 10.30 A. M., and proceeded to dedicate the Lodge room in the presence of a throng of local and visiting Brethren and their ladies. A procession was then formed by the Craft and paraded to Gant's Grove, where a general good time was enjoyed by all. An address was delivered by Rev. C. E. Felton, of Cleveland.
Thirty-two meetings were held during the year, and the degree of Master Mason was conferred upon eleven candidates, while two more names were added to the roster by affiliation.
In spite of this great gain, the annual returns showed a membership of only one hundred and ten in good standing.
Bro. James S. Reeves was appointed, by the Grand Master, as his special representative to communicate the secret work throughout the State,
85
Funeral of Christopher Goetz
The forty-fourth election was held December 3, and Bro. Richard Monkhouse was selected to serve a second term as Worshipful Master. Bro. John Greaves was elected Senior Warden; Bro. John Q. A. Tresize, Junior Warden; Bro. David Drew, Treasurer; Bro. George Cockburn, Secretary; Bro. John W. King, Senior Deacon; Bro. Thomas W. Hunter, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler.
On December 6, the Lodge conducted the funeral services of Bro. Christopher Goetz, a former officer, whose remains were interred in Greenwood Cemetery.
1869 BRO. RICHARD MONKHOUSE WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation of officers was held on January 7, the cere- monies being performed by Bro. William M. Shinnick, of Amity Lodge.
Thirty-two meetings were held during the year. Four were raised to the degree of Master Mason and four more were ad- mitted to membership by dimit. The report of the Auditing Committee shows a balance in the Treasury of eighty-five dol- lars and twenty-nine cents, while the assets showed eight hun- dred and twenty-five dollars invested in stock of the Masonic Hall Association, which paid no dividend.
The forty-fifth election was held December 2, and resulted in the election of the following officers: Bro. John Greaves, Worshipful Master; Bro. Lewis Moore, Senior Warden; Bro. John W. King, Junior Warden; Bro. David Drew, Treasurer ; Bro. Edgar W. Allen, Secretary; Bro. E. Hunter Moore, Senior Deacon; Bro. Thomas Hunter, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler.
1870 BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Greaves was born in England, and although the early years of his life are veiled in obscurity, a careful investiga- tion of the known facts leads us to believe he was well past
86
History of La Fayette Lodge
thirty years of age when he removed to this country with his family and household effects and established himself at Brook- lyn, New York, where he was employed for a time in making ship repairs. He was a skilled mechanic of the highest order, and came to Zanesville to take charge of the erection of the artificial gas works of the Zanesville Gas Company, on South Sixth Street, remaining as its superintendent. Before coming to this city he was superintendent of the Cincinnati Gas Company, and erected a plant for the making of gas at Xenia, Ohio. During his residence in this city, he conducted a large retail store on Main Street for the sale of stoves, gas, and plumbing fixtures; owned a plumbing shop on Market Street, and was proprietor of a shop in the rear of the building now occupied by the Zanes- ville Publishing Company, used for the manufacture of brass and copper castings.
He was a man of considerable education, and often preached from the pulpits of the Baptist Church at Dresden, and the Market Street Baptist Church of this city, being an ardent member of the latter. Before leaving England he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Wade, and this union was blessed by seven children, three of whom died in infancy. The survivors were David, John, William, and Mary Greaves.
In 1876, he removed to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to superin- tend the building of a gas works.
Brother Greaves received the degree of Entered Apprentice before coming to Zanesville. He received the degree of Fellow Craft in La Fayette Lodge July 14, 1864, and was raised to the degree of Master Mason March 7, 1865.
He served the Lodge as Senior Deacon, 1877; Senior Warden, 1869, and Worshipful Master, from 1870 to 1875 inclusive. He received the degrees of Mark Master and Past Master in Zanes- ville Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, February 12, 1866; Most Excellent Master, March 5, 1866, and Royal Arch, July 16, 1866.
He served as Grand Master of the Third Veil, 1868 and 1869, and Secretary, 1870, 1871, and 1872.
He passed the Circle of Perfection in Zanesville Council, No. 12, Royal and Select Masters, December 10, 1868, serving as Recorder, 1870, 1871, and 1872.
87
John Greaves
He was a member of Cyprus Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, receiving the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross Sep- tember 24, 1867; Orders of the Temple and Malta, October 22, 1867. He served as Prelate from 1868 to 1872 inclusive.
He died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1894, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, at Hot Springs.
The officers were installed on January 6, but the names of the installing officers were omitted from the record.
Thirty meetings were held and seven were raised to the degree of Master Mason. The annual return showed a member- ship in good standing of one hundred and seventeen. The Lodge received a dividend of eighty-six dollars, or a fraction less than ten and one-half per cent, on their stock of the Masonic Hall Association.
The forty-sixth election was held December 1, resulting in the election of Bro. John Greaves as Worshipful Master; Bro. James Van Winkle, Senior Warden; Bro. E. Hunter Moore, Junior Warden; Bro. David Drew, Treasurer; Bro. John Kitch- ing, Secretary; Bro. Thomas Hunter, Senior Deacon; Bro. Jerry Williams, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler.
1871 BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation of officers was held on January 5, Bro. Rich- ard Monkhouse and Bro. William M. Shinnick performing the ceremonies.
Twenty meetings were held by the Lodge in 1871, and but three were raised to the degree of Master Mason. The member- ship remained the same as that of the preceding year.
On December 7, the forty-seventh election was held and re- sulted in the election of Bro. John Greaves as Worshipful Master; Bro. Lewis Moore, Senior Warden; Bro. Samuel Elliott, Junior Warden; Bro. David Drew, Treasurer; Bro. David T. Johnson, Secretary; Bro. James D. Mitchell, Senior Deacon; Bro. Jerry Williams, Junior Deacon; Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler.
88
History of La Fayette Lodge
1872
BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation of officers was held on January 4, the cere- monies being performed by Bros. William M. Shinnick and Richard Monkhouse.
Twenty-four shares in the Masonic Hall Association were secured during this year, which raised the total number in pos- session of the Lodge to fifty-seven or one thousand, four hundred and twenty-five dollars.
Ten received the degree of Master Mason and three more were admitted to membership.
The forty-eighth election was held on December 5, and Bro. John Greaves was elected Worshipful Master for the fourth consecutive time. The other officers elected were: Bro. Lewis Moore, Senior Warden; Bro. Charles T. De Velling, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Orlando C. Marsh, Secretary; Bro. James D. Mitchell, Senior Deacon; Bro. James Crozier, Junior Deacon, and Bro. William Wright, Steward and Tyler.
1873 BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation was held January 2, the officers being in- stalled by Bro. Daniel Hattan.
The Lodge purchased a new altar on August 1, at a cost of sixty-five dollars.
Twenty meetings were held by the Lodge, and the result of the year's work in point of membership consisted of the raising of four Master Masons and the admission of one on dimit.
The report of the Auditing Committee for the year showed that the assets of the Lodge were seventeen hundred and forty- four dollars and sixty cents, less a deficit in the treasury of thirty-one dollars and fifty-seven cents.
The forty-ninth election was held, December 4, resulting in the choice of Bro. John Greaves to the office of Worshipful
89
Decline in Membership
Master for the fifth consecutive time. Bro. Samuel Elliott was chosen Senior Warden; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Orlando C. Marsh, Secre- tary; Bro. James D. Mitchell, Senior Deacon; Bro. Robert E. Miles, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Lewis Moore, Steward and Tyler.
1874 BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Bro. Daniel Hatton installed the officers on New Year's Day. On Tuesday, May 5, the Lodge conducted the funeral serv- ices of Bro. John G. F. Holston, a Past Master of the Lodge. The services were conducted at the First Presbyterian Church, and a large concourse of sorrowing friends followed the body to its last resting place in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Nineteen meetings were held this year and but four received the degree of Master Mason. The Lodge now boasted a member- ship of one hundred and twenty-five, which number was never again reached until 1900. The year 1874 marks a gradual de- cline in the affairs of the Lodge, with a proportionate decrease in membership, which continued until 1887.
The fiftieth election was held December 3, and Bro. John Greaves was elected Worshipful Master for the sixth time. Bro. Samuel Elliott was again chosen Senior Warden; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Thomas M. Sloan, Secretary; Bro. Robert H. Morgan, Senior Deacon; Bro. Robert E. Miles, Junior Deacon; Bro. Edmund P. Moorehead, Steward and Tyler.
1875 BRO. JOHN GREAVES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation of officers was held January 7, the installa- tion ceremonies being performed by Bro. Daniel Hattan. R .:. W .:. Bro. William Cunningham, of Newark, Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge, was present and assisted in the ceremonies.
On June 21, the Lodge conducted the funeral of Bro. Richard
90
History of La Fayette Lodge
Monkhouse, and his remains were laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery.
On September 2, Bro. Imri Richards was made a life member and all future dues were remitted.
On September 11, the funeral services of Bro. William Wright were conducted by the Lodge. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Brother Wright had served the Lodge faithfully as Steward and Tyler for nineteen consecutive years.
Only seventeen meetings were held and no degrees were con- ferred. The Lodge had a membership of one hundred and thirteen-a loss of twelve over the preceding year.
NEGRO MASONRY
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, held at Columbus, October 19, the troublesome and oft-recurring ques- tion of recognizing Negro Masons was brought to the attention of that Grand Body by M .. W .. Bro. Asa H. Battin, Grand Master, who devoted considerable time to this subject, in an address which covered three pages of the Proceedings. In the course of this address, Brother Battin said:
"For nearly a century there has existed in this country an organized body of men who are generally known as 'Colored Masons.' They claim to be in possession of the same secrets as us; that their principles and objects are identical with ours; that they derive their authority from legal sources, and are in every sense of the term legal Masons. For many years they have been seeking recognition at the hands of their sister Grand Lodges; and while making but little progress in this country, their claims have been recognized by Grand Lodges in other Jurisdictions. It will be seen that the Colored Masons of America are securing that recognition abroad which is denied them at home; and it seems to me that upon the anniversary of our nation's birth, the time has come when it is not only right but proper, that we should take some definite and decisive action in good faith to ascertain the actual status of these organizations. We are pre- sented in our own State with the anomaly of two Grand Lodges, each with a great number of Subordinate Lodges, all teaching the same great truths, speaking the same language, and yet one not permitted to recognize the other, and all intercourse between the two prohibited. In this great centennial year, whilst liberty and equality are shed abroad through our great nation, is it not
9I
Negro Masonry
right and proper that we, as Masons, shall at least attempt to bring about, by proper means and in a legal manner, a union of these two Grand Lodges in one State? Brethren, this question must be met. I cannot believe that many years will elapse before the great body of Colored Masons will be recognized as a part of the great Masonic family, and accorded their rights as such."
This matter was referred to a special committee of five members, who reported on the matter the following day. The substance of their rather lengthy report was contained in a reso- lution to the effect that this Grand Lodge would recognize the Colored Grand Lodge provided they change the constitutional title to that of "The African Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio." Considerable discussion ensued, pro and con, following the introduction of this resolution, and it was decided to defer the question until the next Annual Com- munication. The fifty-first election was held by the Lodge, November 4, and resulted in the choice of the following: Bro. Daniel Hattan, Worshipful Master; Bro. Samuel Elliott, Senior Warden; Bro. Robert E. Miles, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Secretary; Bro. Charles E. Randall, Senior Deacon; Bro. Lewis Moore, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Edmund P. Moorehead, Steward and Tyler.
The installation was held December 16, with Bro. John Greaves as the installing officer.
1876 BRO. DANIEL HATTAN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
On June 6 all members of the Lodge were notified that the question of recognizing Negro Masonry would come up at the next session of the Grand Lodge for decision. The question was ably discussed, after which a ballot was taken which resulted in three voting in favor of recognition, while forty-two voted against it.
When the Grand Lodge convened on October 17 the reso- lution of the previous year was read for a final consideration. A heated debate immediately followed its presentation, and
92
History of La Fayette Lodge
every ruse known to parliamentary practice was employed by its enemies to prevent a ballot. It finally resolved itself into a question of order between the Grand Master, M .:. W .. Bro. Charles A. Woodward and the Deputy Grand Master, R .:. W .. William M. Cunningham regarding the validity of the entire transaction. Brother Cunningham contended that it was an amendment to Article XV of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, while the Grand Master decided in the negative. A registered vote was taken of the entire assemblage, the names of the accredited representatives being called, each of which expressed himself by a yea or nay vote. The result of this ballot was 329 in support of the Grand Master and 389 in the negative. The real issue did not come to a vote.
Fourteen meetings were held this year and no degrees were conferred.
On December 7, the fifty-second election was held and Bro. Daniel Hattan was elected Worshipful Master; Bro. Samuel Elliott, Senior Warden; Bro. Robert E. Miles, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Secretary; Bro. John Greaves, Senior Deacon; Thomas H. Hunter, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Steward and Tyler.
At this meeting, the Lodge voted to publish a history of the Lodge, and appointed Bro. William Culbertson to write it and submit same to the Lodge for approval, but nothing ever came of it.
1877 BRO. DANIEL HATTAN WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The officers were installed on January 4 by Bro. E. Hunter Moore, a former officer of the Lodge, now a Past Master of Ahiman Lodge, No. 492, assisted by Bro. O. Westbrook, of Jackson Lodge, No. 85, as Grand Marshal.
On September 6, the Lodge voted to borrow one hundred and twenty-five dollars to pay off its indebtedness.
On November 1, permission was granted to Jackson Lodge, No. 85, to move from Brownsville to Gratiot.
Fifteen meetings were held this year and the degrees were conferred upon one.
·
93
Samuel Elliott
The fifty-third election was held on December 6, resulting in the election of Bro. Samuel Elliott as Worshipful Master; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Senior Warden; Bro. Thomas H. Hunter, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. David H. Pitman, Secretary; Bro. Thomas M. Sloan, Senior Deacon; Bro. J. Hinig, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Stew- ard and Tyler.
These officers were installed on December 27, by Bro. Daniel Hattan and Bro. William M. Shinnick.
1878 BRO. SAMUEL ELLIOTT WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Elliott was born at Baltimore, Maryland, De- cember 23, 1821, and came to Zanesville when nineteen years of age. He was a carpenter and wood worker by trade, and after coming to this city secured employment in the engine works of the Griffith and Wedge Company. Although born and reared in a Southern State, he served three years with the Union Army during the Civil War.
Brother Elliott was initiated an Entered Apprentice in La Fayette Lodge September 10, 1855; passed to the degree of Fel- low Craft September 20, 1855, and raised to the degree of Master Mason September 24, 1855. He served as Junior Warden in 1860 and again in 1872; Senior Warden, 1874 to 1877 inclusive, and Worshipful Master, 1878, 1879, and 1880.
He was a member of Zanesville Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, receiving the Mark Master and Past Master degrees September 18, 1856; Most Excellent Master, October 1, 1856, and Royal Arch November 15, 1856. He served the Chapter as Royal Arch Captain, 1859, 1860, and 1869; Scribe, 1867 and 1870; King, 1871, 1872, 1878, and 1879; High Priest, 1873 to 1876 inclusive. He received the cryptic degrees in Zanesville Council, No. 12, Royal and Select Masters, March 14, 1859, serving as Captain of the Guard, 1874, 1875, and 1876.
He died June 16, 1900, and the funeral services were con- ducted by La Fayette Lodge; interment in Greenwood Ceme- tery.
94
History of La Fayette Lodge
Sixteen meetings were held this year, but the degree of Master Mason was not conferred. Only seventy-seven members were shown in the report made to the Grand Lodge.
On December 5, the fifty-fourth election was held and all the officers were re-elected with the exception of the Junior Deacon. The official list was composed of Bro. Samuel Elliott, Worshipful Master; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Senior Warden; Bro. Thomas H. Hunter, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treas- urer; Bro. David H. Pitman, Secretary; Bro. Thomas M. Sloan, Senior Deacon; Bro. J. S. Bartholomew, Junior Deacon; Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Steward and Tyler.
1879 BRO. SAMUEL ELLIOTT WORSHIPFUL MASTER
The installation was held on January 2, and the officers were installed by Bro. Daniel Hattan.
On May 11, the Lodge conducted the funeral ceremonies of Bro. Imri Richards, formerly Master and for many years its Secretary. Interment was made in Greenwood Cemetery.
Eighteen meetings were held during this year, two received the Master Mason degree, and three were admitted to member- ship.
The fifty-fifth election was held December 4, resulting in the election of Bro. Samuel Elliott as Worshipful Master; Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Senior Warden; Bro. Charles Randall, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. David H. Pitman, Secretary; Bro. Thomas M. Sloan, Senior Deacon; Bro. Abraham E. Allman, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Steward and Tyler.
1880
BRO. SAMUEL ELLIOTT WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Conditions began to improve during this year, and twenty- six meetings were held. Eight received the degree of Master Mason and one was admitted to membership. The annual re- turn showed a membership of ninety-five.
95
Charles Carroll Wiles
On December 2, the fifty-sixth election was held, resulting in the choice of the following officers: Bro. Charles C. Wiles, Worshipful Master; Bro. Lewis Moore, Senior Warden; Bro. Thomas M. Sloan, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. Robert F. Irvine, Secretary; Bro. Charles H. Hoopes, Senior Deacon; Bro. Abraham E. Allman, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Steward and Tyler.
1881 · BRO. CHARLES CARROLL WILES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Brother Wiles was born in Zanesville, January 10, 1843. He attended the public schools and the Zanesville High School, and upon his graduation entered Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela- ware. He had scarcely entered upon his college career when the Civil War broke out and he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He served with the Union Army throughout the war, and was with General Sherman in his celebrated march to the sea. After the war, he returned to this city and opened a dry-goods store on the south side of Main Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. He continued in this business for several years and, after disposing of his business interests, moved to Columbus.
On August 18, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rownd, of Columbus, Ohio, and to this union two sons were born, Henry Rownd Wiles and Bernard Lawson Wiles.
Brother Wiles was initiated an Entered Apprentice in La Fayette Lodge, May 3, 1873; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft June 9, 1873, and raised to the degree of Master Mason July 17, 1873. He served the Lodge as Senior Deacon, 1876 and 1877; Junior Warden, 1874 and 1875; Senior Warden, 1878, 1879, and 1880; Worshipful Master, 1881, 1882, and 1883.
He was a member of Zanesville Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, receiving the Mark Master degree September 4, 1877; Past and Most Excellent degrees, October 8, 1877, and Royal Arch, November 3, 1877. He served as Grand Master of the Second Veil, 1880; Royal Arch Captain, 1883; King, 1884, and High Priest, 1885.
96
History of La Fayette Lodge
He received the chivalric degrees in Cyprus Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, as follows: Red Cross, October 28, 1879; Temple and Malta, November 4, 1879.
He served as Junior Warden, 1881; Generalissimo, 1882, 1883, 1884, and 1885.
He died in Columbus, Ohio, September 10, 1902, and his remains were brought to this city and interred in Greenwood Cemetery.
During the summer of 1881, the Masonic Hall Association, acting for the Masonic Bodies, decided to remodel the Lodge rooms, the existing arrangement being impractical for the needs of the Craft in conferring the various degrees. During the time these repairs were being made, the Lodge, Chapter, and Com- mandery met in the rooms of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, over the First National Bank. The installation was held January 5, the ceremonies being performed by Bro. Samuel Elliott, assisted by Bro. A. H. Evans, of Hazin Lodge, No. 251.
No degrees were conferred during the year, but two new members were added to the roster by affiliation.
The Secretary failed to record either the annual return or the report of the Auditing Committee in the record book.
The fifty-seventh election was held December 1, and Bro. Charles C. Wiles was re-elected Worshipful Master. Bro. Alfred H. Evans was elected Senior Warden; Bro. Abraham E. Allman, Junior Warden; Bro. John P. Ford, Treasurer; Bro. W. S. Fin- ley, Secretary; Bro. Homer C. Waterman, Senior Deacon; Bro. John Hartmeyer, Junior Deacon, and Bro. Amos P. Josselyn, Steward and Tyler.
1882
BRO. CHARLES CARROLL WILES WORSHIPFUL MASTER
Meetings were resumed in the Masonic Hall on January 5, when the officers were installed by R .. W .. Bro. S. Stacker Wil- liams, of Newark, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.