USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Lodge no. 61, F. and A. M., Wilkesbarr?, Pa. with a collection of masonic addresses > Part 3
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Bro. ISRAEL ISRAEL, a Hebrew, was for many years a very active and prominent member of the Craft in Pennsylvania. From 1802 to 1805 he was R. W. Grand Master of Pennsylvania. At one time he was High Sheriff of the county of Philadelphia. An interesting inci- dent concerning the capture of Brother Israel by the British, during the War of the Revolution, is well authenticated by Lossing, the historian, Mrs. Ellet, and other writers.
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the year 1800, when a return was made to Schott's house, and he was appointed "Steward and Purveyor of the Lodge."
The following is an extract from the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: "February Ist, 1798, A. L. 5798, special Grand Lodge convened (at Philadelphia) for the purpose of installing the Master* of Lodge No. 70, Tyoga Point, which installation, by reason of sickness and other intervening circumstances, had not yet taken place. * * Bro. Jesse Fell, a member of LODGE 61, Wilkesbarré, then appeared and produced the election returns of the said LODGE 61, whereby it appeared that he had been duly elected Master of the same for the term of twelve months from St. John's Day last. Brother Fell stated that he had not yet been installed, owing to the want of a sufficient num- ber of Past Masters in said Lodge,f and requested that his installation might then take place ; which being done, he was placed in the Chair and recognized as Master of LODGE 61, and saluted accordingly."
At a special meeting of the Lodge held December 23d, 1799, the W. M. "communicated to the Lodge that such information was received, that left the truth thereof beyond a doubt, of the lamented death of our illustrious friend and Brother, General GEORGE WASHINGTON, late President of the United States, on the 14th day of December instant" (nine days previous). It was resolved, "that the Lodge wear mourning for three months in memory thereof." Four days thereafter-St. John the Evangelist's Day-was made a mourning day by LODGE 61, "as well as most other Ameri- can Lodges, for the loss our country and Masonry had sus- tained. WASHINGTON had been the friend, the patron, the
* Bro. ARNOLD COLT, previously of LODGE No. 61.
f Bros. SCHOTT and SAMUEL BOWMAN were the only Past Masters at this time, Past Master Bro. Sytez having withdrawn from the Lodge June 6th, 1796.
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pride and the ornament of Free Masonry, and in his death the Fraternity felt that the most beautiful column in the Temple of Columbian Masonry had fallen." On that day the Lodge proceeded in procession to the Court House, "where an eulogium on Genl. Geo. Washington, our illus- trious Brother, and Masonry in general," was delivered by Bro. the Hon. Rosewell Welles .* The Brethren subse- quently " dined together in company with a number of invited neighbors, and spent the day in harmony."
In July, 1801, a letter from Bro. Robert Pickering, Secretary of Athol Lodge No. 7, Lucia, Jamaica, was re-
* ROSEWELL WELLES was the son of Captain Jonathan Welles, of Glastonbury, Conn., who was of the fifth generation from Thomas Welles, who came from the county of Kent, England, with Haynes and Hooker, and settled in Newtown, now Cambridge, in 1633. Thomas Welles was Treasurer of the Colony from 1641 to '53; Deputy Governor, 1655; Governor, 1656, '57 and '59. Captain Jonathan Welles was born in Glastonbury, Conn., in 1699. He graduated at Yale College in 1751, and then was tutor there for six years. He married Katharine, daughter of Captain Rosewell Saltonstall, of Brand- ford, Conn., the eldest son of Governor Saltonstall. Their son, Rose- well Welles, was born at Glastonbury, August 20th, 1761. He gradu- ated at Yale College in 1784, and then taught school and studied law at West Hartford, Conn. He immigrated to Wilkesbarré, Penn'a, in the latter part of 1786, becoming the earliest resident practitioner of the law in the county of Luzerne, and was one of the four attorneys ad- mitted to the Bar of Luzerne at the organization of the courts of the county in 1787.
At the time he commenced his professional career this country was poor, and agitated by the conflicting interests of Pennsylvania and Connecticut claimants. This contest not only impoverished the coun- try but retarded its improvement ; and the field opened to professional enterprise was little calculated to excite the ambition of aspiring genius. Yet a few men of literary and intellectual endowments embarked their hopes and fortunes upon the discouraging waters of the Susquehanna. Among these Rosewell Welles stood pre-eminent. Possessing an in- tellect of the highest order, cultivated and embellished by collegiate studies, he was qualified to enrich and adorn any society, and to attain an elevated rank as a counsellor and advocate. At one period he stood foremost as a lawyer in this and the adjoining counties.
On the 26th of April, 1793, he was commissioned by Governor Thomas Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, one of the Judges (to rank as the . third) of the courts of Luzerne county. He took the oath of office August 10th, 1793, and performed the duties of his position until Feb- ruary, 1798, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Hon. Jesse Fell.
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ceived by the Lodge. It communicated that " Moses Levy, a Jew, near six feet, well proportioned and a good-looking man; Cuthbert Potts, a squat, well-proportioned man, by trade a saddler, about five feet eight inches high ; and Alex- ander McCallum, an officer in the Excise Office there, a thin man and much pox-pitted in the face, about five feet seven or eight inches high, should be guarded against in case of their making their appearance amongst us, they being im- postors !"
In 1802 the Lodge was in a flourishing condition. From the date of its organization up to June, 1802, the Lodge had
Possessing kindness of heart and conciliating manners, added to his intellectual strength, he became popular in his district, and was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1797, '98, 1802, '04, '05 and '06; and without disparagement to others, it may be said that no man in the House possessed more influence, or was listened to with more respectful attention. His merits as a prudent and skillful legislator were justly appreciated by those whose titles were secured by the "Compromising Law," which finally buried the tomahawk under the tree of peace.
In December, 1820, Governor Findley appointed him a Justice of the Peace for Wilkesbarré, to hold office during good behavior.
About the year 1800 he commanded a regiment of Pennsylvania militia.
In the private walks of life, no man ever made fewer enemies. The emoluments of his profession were liberally bestowed upon the indi- gent, and the benevolence of his disposition deprived him of the usual avails of successful practice. He has been described as "a tall, erect, strong old man, as with grave and solemn face and measured step he walked, the oracle of the law, whose fame was wide as the land;" and as "the old man eloquent, and ever courteous, whose musical voice and fertile imagination so often enchained attention in the old Court House.'
He was a Free Mason, but not a member of LODGE No. 61.
He lived in Wilkesbarré at the north-east corner of River and South streets, where he died, March 19th, 1830.
Colonel Welles married Hannah, eldest daughter of Colonel Zebu- lon Butler, in 1788. They had three children-two daughters and one son. The eldest, Harriet, married in 1808 Colonel Martin Cowles, of Farmington, Conn., to whom she bore eleven children. Mrs. Cowles was a woman of great excellence, attractive manners and appearance ; occupied a high social position, and was greatly beloved and honored. She died at Farmington, March 4th, 1868. Most of her descendants reside in or near Farmington. Colonel Welles' other children never married.
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had fifty members, by initiations, admissions, etc. At this time the fees and dues were : Initiation fee, $10; passing fee, $2; raising fee, $2 ; monthly dues, twenty-five cents ; and Grand Lodge dues, eighty-four cents per annum. The meetings were of frequent occurrence, averaging two or three a month, and were known as monthly and quarterly communications, and special and lecturing Lodges,-the quarterly communi- cations being the most largely attended.
In the year 1859, our venerable Brother, Charles Miner,* speaking of the Lodge as it was in 1802-05, when he was a young and active member, said: "It was constituted of gentlemen, a majority of whom had passed the middle age ; soldiers of the Revolution ; men from other States, familiar with their history and legislation, several of high legal attainments ; natives of England, France and Ireland,-all intelligent. From extensive and widely-varied experience, their conversation, flowing freely and unaffectedly, was al- ways instructive and of ever-living interest. It would be an error to imagine these merely meetings of form, or for luxu- rious indulgence. Politics being excluded, there were no party bickerings. A meeting of the young members with such and so many, elderly gentlemen could nowhere else be attained. In a remarkable degree they were 'the feast of reason and the flow of soul,' and as such are endeared to memory."
The Lodge continued to be held at the house of Brother Schott until February, 1804, when the Brother, having sold his property to George Griffin, Esq., arrangements were made with the Luzerne County Commissioners for the use of a room in the western wing of the new Court House,f at a rental of ten dollars per annum. In September, 1805, the Lodge was still meeting in the Court House, and at the
* See Chapter V., post, for his biography.
+ See note, page 30, ante.
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meeting held that month a committee was appointed to represent to the County Commissioners "the situation of the Lodge-room being injured by people being permitted to pass through it."
The first funeral at which the Lodge was in attendance and performed the rites of Masonry, was that of Bro. Ezekiel Hyde, Post Master of Wilkesbarré, who was buried February 12, 1805. Bro. Charles Miner acted as W. M., and nineteen Brethren were present. By resolution of the Lodge the members were to wear mourning for the deceased during fourteen days.
It was the custom of the Lodge, from the date of its or- ganization, to have refreshments served at each regular meet- ing. This was in conformity with an ancient custom of the Craft, the following ceremonies being in vogue among our Brethren of the last century: At a certain hour of the even- ing, and by certain ceremonies, the Lodge was called from labor to refreshment, when the Brethren "enjoyed them- selves with decent merriment," and the song and the toast prevailed for a brief period. All was peace, harmony and brotherly love. The song appeared to have more zest than in a private company ; the toast thrilled more vividly upon the recollection; and the small modicum of punch, with which it was honored, retained a higher flavor than the same potation if produced at a private board.
The following song, published in The Wilkesbarre Gazette of 16th April, 1799, was a favorite with the Brethren of LODGE 61 in early days :
"FAVORITE MASON SONG."
"TUNE-' The Flowing Can.'"
" A Mason's life's the life for me, With joy we meet each other ; We pass our time with mirth and glee, And hail each friendly Brother.
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In Lodge no party feuds are seen, But careful we in this agree, To banish care or spleen. The Master's call we one and all With pleasure soon obey ; With heart in hand we ready stand Our duty still to pay.
But when the glass goes round, -
Then mirth and glee abound, We're all happy to a man.
Chorus : We laugh a little, we drink a little, We work a little, we play a little, We sing a little, are merry a little, And swig the flowing can.
"See in the East the Master stands, The Wardens South and West, sir,
Both ready to obey command,
Find work or give us rest, sir.
The signal given, we all prepare, With one accord obey the word To work by Rule or Square ;
Or if they please the ladder raise, Or plumb the level line ;-
Thus we employ our time with joy, Attending every sign. But when the glass goes round, etc., ut supra.
"Th' Almighty said, 'Let there be light!' Effulgent rays appearing
Dispelled the gloom, the glory bright To this new world as cheering ;--- But unto Masonry alone Another light, so clear and bright, In mystic rays then shone ;
From East to West it spread so fast, And Faith and Hope unfurl'd,
And brought us thee, sweet Charity, Thou darling of the world ! But when the glass goes round, etc., ut supra."
The refreshments served at the meetings of LODGE 61 were of a simple and inexpensive kind, and were generally-
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in fact almost always-spiritual in their nature! An exam- ination of the old Steward's book discloses some interesting facts concerning these matters. In February, 1808, it was resolved " that suppers in the future be dispensed with, un- less at our quarterly communications." This, however, seemed to be drawing the lines too close, for at the same meeting it was resolved that the Tyler be instructed "to fur- nish the Lodge with crackers and cheese at each and every monthly communication, in lieu of suppers !" But evidently this did not work well, for in about six weeks thereafter the Tyler, by unanimous vote of the Lodge, was directed "to supply the Lodge with liquors and with glasses, and to have a reasonable compensation therefor, to be paid out of the funds of the Lodge." That these resolutions were well car- ried out is evidenced by the fact that when, three months after the adoption of the last resolution, the Steward of the Lodge rendered his account, the sum of $48.48 1/2 was found to be due him, and $12.2I due Bro. Allen Jack, who was a shop-keeper. These amounts were due from the Lodge for eatables and drinkables, and were paid by orders drawn on the Treasurer. In February, 1809, it was voted that "crackers and cheese be dispensed with for the present year, -the other refreshments to be continued as last year;" but in September it was resolved that the Lodge be furnished with suppers on each regular Lodge night.
On the 7th of March, 1808, a communication was received from the Grand Lodge, directing the Lodge to pay its Grand Lodge dues "within six months." It seems that no dues had been paid to the Grand Lodge for a number of years, and a large amount was owing. No reply was made by the Lodge to this communication, until just four months after its receipt, when the Secretary was directed to "write an apology to the Grand Lodge for the deficiency of LODGE 61 in the payment of dues; and assure the Secretary of the Grand Lodge that they (LODGE 61) will exert themselves to
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make payment of arrearages at the quarterly communication in September."
March 3Ist, 1808, a committee was appointed to call on one Wm. A. George, and "treat with him for the injury done to the Lodge and the Lodge-room. Whereupon the said George expressed his acknowledgments for his conduct, and promised not to meddle with the Lodge-room again." Evi- dently Mr. George was not a member of the Fraternity .* At this same meeting Brother Yarrington was appointed " to procure bolts, etc., to secure the Lodge-room."
In the minutes of December 2d, 1811-containing the account of the election of Lodge officers-the "worldly" avocations or professions of the officers are for the first time indicated in the Lodge records, thus :
" Bro. Allen Jack, Shop-keeper, W. M.
" Bro. Charles Miner, Esq., Printer, S. W.
" Bro. Captain Isaac Bowman, Tanner and Currier, J. W.
" Bro. Jesse Fell, Esq., Associate Judge,t Secretary.
" Bro. Enoch Ogden, Cordwainer, Treasurer."
This was a custom that was then, and had been for some time, in vogue in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and in other Lodges under its jurisdiction.
December 28th, 1812, the members of the Lodge and visiting Brethren listened to an address delivered in the Court House, by Rev. George Lane, of the Methodist Church, and then they dined together at Arndt's tavern.t
* He was High Constable of Wilkesbarré from 1809 to' 12, Court-crier, and janitor of the Court House. He was an Englishman, and came to Wilkesbarré in 1786, with Colonel Timothy Pickering, as his ser- vant. He was one of the men who helped arrest and secure Colonel John Franklin, near Colonel Pickering's house, in September, 1787.
+ He was also at this time an Innkeeper.
į This tavern stood on Bank (now River) street, where stands the residence of E. P. Darling, Esq. It was an old house of entertain- ment, and was kept by John P. Arndt, who came to Wilkesbarré from Easton, Penn'a. He was a member of LODGE 61. It was at this old inn that the Duke of Orleans-afterwards King Louis Philippe, of France-and his two younger brothers, the Duke de Montpensier and
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February 15th, 1813, the Lodge received a petition from Bro. Colonel Abiel Fellows and other Brothers of Hun- tington township, "praying the approbation of this Lodge to a petition to the Grand Lodge for a new Lodge to be called Huntington Lodge; and that they have leave to withdraw from this Lodge when the prayer of the petition to the Grand Lodge shall be granted."
March 15th, 1813, Brothers Blackman and I. Bowman were appointed to procure a seal for the Lodge.
The Lodge was now in a most excellent condition. Its membership, numbering about forty-five, was composed of some of the most prominent citizens of Wilkesbarré and of Luzerne county, nearly every township from Wyalusing to Huntington being represented. Every effort was made by the Lodge to have the Brethren within its jurisdiction live up to and practice the principles and tenets of Free Masonry. If there were disputes and misunderstandings between Breth- ren, efforts were always made by the Lodge for an amicable and fraternal settlement. In December, 1813, the Lodge resolved that "notice be given Brother -- , a visiting Brother, that this Lodge is dissatisfied with his conduct as a man, and much more so as a Mason, and therefore wish him not to attend the Lodge until he makes satisfaction as the rules of the Lodge require."
In the minutes of the same meeting at which the forego- ing was adopted we find this record: "Whereas, certain unfriendly expressions and sensations have been uttered and felt between the different members of this Lodge, and the same more particularly point to the conduct of our Brother C. M., in his written opinions concerning the character and
Count de Beaujolais, sojourned in 1797, when, exiles from France, they were on their way to Northern Luzerne, now Bradford, county, where they owned a large tract of land. The Duke of Orleans was at that time a Free Mason, having been admitted to a Lodge in Paris, in the year 1792, his father-Philippe Egalité-being then Grand Master of Masons in France.
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standing of Brother A. C., therefore Resolved, That our Brother C. M. be requested and notified to explain his con- duct in the premises before this Lodge at our next monthly communication, and that Brother A. C. be also requested to attend, that harmony may be restored and justice done be- tween the Brethren." The matter was subsequently referred to a committee, to hear the charges and endeavor to restore harmony. The committee later on reported that they were unable to accomplish the object of their appointment. There- upon they were discharged, and the matter was referred to Bro. the Hon. John B. Gibson, President Judge of the courts of Luzerne county. Brother Gibson* had only recently moved to Wilkesbarré, and had not yet affiliated with LODGE 61. The first meeting of the Lodge that he attended was on March 7th, 1814. He was admitted to membership on the 24th of March, and at the same meeting reported that the matter referred to him had been "amicably adjusted, and the Brethren concerned were united in fellow- ship, and they and the Lodge restored to harmony and brotherly love."
It will be remembered that in 1808 the Lodge was in arrears to the Grand Lodge for several years' dues. In 1814 there was still a large indebtedness, and the Lodge was de- linquent in the matter of making to the Grand Lodge the annual returns of members. Other Lodges in the jurisdic- tion were in like manner delinquent, and finally, after fre- quent and timely admonitions and warnings to all, the Grand Lodge, on April 4th, 1814, vacated the Warrants of seven of these delinquent Lodges, including LODGE 61. The follow- ing letter was very shortly thereafter received by the W. M. of "61 :"
" PHILADELPHIA, April 16, 1814.
"SIR,-In compliance with the Resolution of the Grand Lodge of the 4th inst., I have to request that you will surrender, or cause to be
* See Chapter V., post, for his biography.
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surrendered to me, within three months from this time, the Warrant, Books, Papers, Jewels, Furniture, and Funds, of Lodge No. 61, the Warrant thereof having been vacated by the Grand Lodge, as you will observe by the aforesaid Resolution.
" I remain, Sir, " Your obedient servant, " GEORGE A. BAKER, " Grand Secretary. "To ISAAC BOWMAN, EsQ., W. M. of Lodge 61."
On the 2d of the following month "a regular monthly communication " of the Lodge was held in the Lodge-room, Brother Bowman, W. M., in the East, and a large number of the best members of the Lodge present. So far as the min- utes of this meeting indicate, no mention was made of the foregoing letter from the Grand Secretary, nor was it reported to the Lodge that the Warrant had been vacated. The fact that it had been vacated seems to have been entirely ignored, for we find that business was transacted and "work" done as usual. A candidate was balloted for, accepted and initiated. The Secretary reported that he had given Brother C. C. notice "to appear before the Lodge and answer the charges against him, or he would be expelled. The Lodge being informed that he was in prison, and therefore not likely to attend, thereupon, on motion, Brother C. C. was expelled." Another meeting was held on the 5th of May, and work was done in the Third degree ; and meetings, well attended by the Brethren, were held in the early part of June. Nowhere, however, in the minutes of all these meetings, can there be found any reference to, or mention of, the unfortunate con- dition of affairs affecting the Lodge and its members. Nev- ertheless we know that the Brethren of "61" were very much exercised about their difficulties, and were doing all in their power to gain reinstatement and restoration to their former rights and benefits.
The minutes of the Grand Lodge inform us that on the 6th of June a petition was received "from the late officers of
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the late LODGE No. 61, lately held at Wilkesbarré, praying for the restoration of their Warrant, and promising to pay up their Grand Lodge dues." Accompanying this petition was the sum of $150, to apply on account of the indebted- ness. Whereupon the Grand Lodge
" Resolved, That the Warrant of LODGE 61 be restored, and that said Lodge, and all its late members which were at the time of its vacation, be and they are hereby reinstated in all their Masonic rights and privileges ; and that time be allowed them for paying the balance of their Grand Lodge dues, in two equal payments, at six and twelve months from this time."
At a quarterly communication of LODGE 61, held June 24th, a letter from the Grand Secretary, enclosing a copy of the foregoing resolution, was read, and noted in the min- utes. The account against the Lodge had been rendered up to November, 1813, and the amount due was $371.27. The payment of $150 left $221.27 to be paid under the reso- lution of the Grand Lodge. On the 14th of November, 1814, the Secretary of "61" was instructed to pay the first installment. The second installment was not paid at the time fixed, for on February 24th, 1816, the Grand Secretary wrote to the Lodge reminding them that the amount due had "not yet been paid."
In June, 1814, charges were preferred against four of the members " for intoxication, vice, and immorality, and for non-payment of Lodge dues." On the Ist of August fol- lowing, twenty-three members of the Lodge (nearly the whole number) being present, the committee to whom the charges had been referred made their report, and the accused were severally suspended from their rights and privileges for one month. In September their suspension was continued for another month, and on October 3d for three months longer, and the Secretary was directed to inform the " Breth- ren of their probation, and the desire of the Lodge that they may so conduct themselves in the meantime as to claim the
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affection of the Lodge." Three of these Brethren evidently did not "so conduct themselves as to claim the affection of the Lodge," for on January 2d, 1815, they were expelled from the Lodge " for habitual intoxication."
On the 9th of November, 1814, Noah Wadhams and Jo- seph Wright, of Plymouth, Entered Apprentice Masons, were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; and on motion they were raised to the degree of a Master Mason, inasmuch as they were "about to march in the militia."
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