USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. & A. M. : being the records of the first century of its existence > Part 4
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CHAPTER 11.
1795-1805.
T THE increased attendance of the members of the Lodge, no- ticeable in the latter part of the year 1794, was a marked feature of the year 1795, the attendance averaging from fifteen to twenty. The Lodge was efficiently officered, and marked interest was manifested in its proceedings. During the year, seven good and worthy citizens were added to the roll of the membership of the Lodge.
The election of officers at the stated meeting of June roth, 1795, resulted as follows: Charles Smith, W. M .; Jeremiah Mosher, S. W., and Jacob Carpenter, J. W. But Bro. Smith being unable to serve as Master, Bro. Wm. Kirkpatrick was re- quested to continue in the office of Worshipful Master. The Secretary, Bro. J. J. Sonnet, having died since last meeting, Bro. Wm. Feltman was again appointed to that office.
St. John the Baptist's day, June 24th of this year, was cele- brated in the appropriate custom of the times, by an extra Lodge meeting for installation of officers, a procession, and by a sermon preached by the Rev. Bro. Campbell.
At the stated meeting of Decembe roth, we find the speculative spirit of our ancient brethren manifested in taking advantage of an opportunity then offered of a sudden accumulation of wealth. On motion, it was ordered that "the Treasurer purchase two tickets in the Canal Lottery, out of the funds of the Lodge, the tickets to be warranted undrawn at the time of purchase." The records fail to show that any wealth accrued to the treasury of the Lodge from this source.
The election of officers at this meeting in December resulted as follows: Bro. Jeremiah Mosher, W. M .; Bro. Jacob Car- penter, S. W., and Bro. John Morris, J. W .; Bro. Lewis Lauman, Treasurer. These officers were installed on St. John's day, De-
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45
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
cember $27th, when Bro. Wm. Feltman was again appointed Sec- retary.
At the meeting held January 13, 1796, "Bros. Mosher, Smith and Kirkpatrick were appointed a committee to wait upon the Corporation of this Borough in order to know whether they will allow this Lodge the priviledge of erecting a Lodge room over the market-house, and to agree with them for the same." This was the first movement in what eventually resulted in the erec- tion of our present hall. The committee appointed for the above purpose was continued from time to time, as they were unable to make any satisfactory report. The ground upon which it was proposed to erect this structure was deeded by James Hamilton, who owned the tract and laid out the town, to the county of Lancaster for market purposes. Upon this ground the corporation authorities proposed to erect a market house, to be built of brick, and the members of the Lodge con- ceived it to be an economical and desirable method of obtaining a centrally located, permanent home for the Lodge, by the action proposed.
At the stated meeting of June 8, 1796, the following brethren were elected for the ensuing six months: Jacob Carpenter, W. M .; John Morris, S. W .; Jacob Martin, J. W., and Lewis Lauman, Treasurer. Bro. Wm. Hamilton was appointed Sec- retary. Our brethren at this time must have found their duties arduous, and doubtless having heard of the effect of " all work and no play " upon the mythical Jack, they at this meeting " on motion, resolved that the Pursuivant do on each Stated night collect from each member present, One fourth of a Dollar for the purpose of procuring necessaries for recreation on each night."
No agreement having yet been effected with the corporation in the matter of building, Bro. P. M. Charles Smith, at the August meeting of the Lodge, generously tendered a lot of ground at the southeast corner of Chestnut and Duke streets for the purpose of building a hall. He also granted the Lodge the liberty of quarrying and using for the purpose stone from his plantation (Hardwicke). A vote of thanks was tendered Bro. Smith, and a committee was appointed to view the afore- said lot and report.
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
William Hamilton, Esq., nephew of James Hamilton, de- ceased, and the then "proprietor of the town," also tendered a lot to the Lodge for the same purpose. He was also voted the thanks of the Lodge, and the matter referred to the commit- tee. Neither of these sites seem to have been satisfactory to the brethren, in whose judgment nothing but the immediate vicinity of Penn Square would answer the purpose.
The committee finally selected a lot at the upper end of South Queen Street, the property of Robert Wilson, as a desirable · location. They were instructed by the Lodge to confer with Mr. Wilson as to the terms upon which it could be purchased. After inquiry they reported it could be purchased for £100, whereupon it was unanimously agreed not to purchase it.
The election for officers in December, 1796, resulted as fol- lows : Bro. John Morris was elected W. M .; Bro. Jacob Martin, S. W .; Bro. John Miller, J. W .; Bro. Lewis Lauman, Treasurer, and Bro. Wm. Pitt Atlee was appointed Secretary. During the year 1796, three new members were initiated.
The election in June, 1797, resulted in the following brethren being chosen to serve for the ensuing six months: Bro. John Miller, W. M .; Bro. Wm. Hamilton, S. W., and Bro. Abram Henry, J. W.
The practice of placing the amount of dues owing by each brother on the notice of meeting was first adopted this year. At the September meeting the by-laws were amended, raising the fees of initiation to thirty (30) 12 shillings for each step. It was also at this time agreed that the fines when collected should be placed in the hands of the Steward, to assist in defraying the expenses of the night.
At the December meeting the following were elected officers for the ensuing six months: Bros. Jacob Carpenter, W. M .; Abram Henry, S. W. ; Lewis Lauman, J. W., and Jacob Martin, Treasurer. It was also the custom at this time to elect the Pur- suivant. Bro. John Morris was appointed Secretary.
During the year 1797 the membership of the Lodge was in- creased by eight initiations.
In the early part of 1798 the Lodge had a symbolic floor cloth painted by the artist, Bro. Benj. West Henry, at an expense of
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
£II. 5.0. This floor cloth was in use many years. The great light, our old Bible, which was printed in 1796, was purchased by the Lodge in this year, and from that time to the present it has continued, uninterruptedly, to shed its effulgent rays from our Lodge altar.
At the stated meeting of the Lodge held February 27th, Bro. P. M. Charles Smith "communicated to the Lodge that he had spoken to the Corporation of this Borough concerning the build- ing of a Lodge Room over the Market House, and that the Cor- poration, had agreed that the Lodge Room should be built there." It was agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, March Ist, and that a committee be appointed to ascertain the expenses of the building, and if possible, what sum the members would be willing to subscribe for the purpose.
At the special meeting held March Ist, 1798, the committee presented the following report :
The committee who were appointed to make an estimate of the expense of building a Lodge Room over the Market House in this Borough, from the information they have received re- port as follows, viz. :
Dollars.
6 Girders
36
1 300 feet Joyce .
3 Dol. 34 Cents. 43
I 200 Rafters .
40
Cellar Beams .
13
2600 feet Laths .
13
12,000 Shingles
Io Dol. p m 120
200 lbs Nails .
26
Boards . .
100
60,000 Bricks . 3 Dol. 34 Cents. 200
Mason Work . II4
20 Loads Sand
20
200 Bushels Lime .
26 Cents. 54
Carpenter Work . 400
Plastering
200
Glass
I4
Total
$I393
WM. KIRKPATRICK, .
CHAS. SMITH, JOHN MILLER,
L. LAUMAN,
J. MOSHER,
Committee.
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
Upon the question being put before the Lodge, it was unan- imously agreed to build, and Bros. Kirkpatrick, Smith, Miller, Lauman, Mosher and Dering were appointed a committee to treat with the Corporation of the Borough and make such arrangements as they think necessary to forward the building.
At an extra meeting held March 24th, the committee ap- pointed to confer with the Corporation of the Borough respect- ing the building, presented as their report the following mutual agreement entered into with the corporation :
The Corporation to build Pillars and Arches sufficiently strong to support the superstructure and roof; which pillars and Arches are to be at the expense of che Corporation.
The Lodge to build the Superstructure, and Roof, floor and ciel the building.
The Corporation to grant the right to erect this Superstruc- ture and the discretion of the uses of it to such Trustees as may be appointed by the Lodge .- But the Room shall always be reserved for the use of the meetings of the Corporation, all other public uses of the Rooms to be at the option of the Lodge. If the Corporation should think proper to erect pillars in the Square beyond the extent of the Main Market building, for the use of the County Market people, the Lodge will extend the Roof over the same, Floor, Ciel, paint and finish it in a neat manner.
We on the part of the Lodge and on the part of the Corpor- ation do agree to the above proposals.
March 22ª, 17 .,8.
By order of the Corporation. PAUL ZANTZINGER, Chief Burgess.
By order of the Lodge. CHARLES SMITH, JOHN MILLER, JUNE, LEWIS LAUMAN, HENRY DERING.
Agreed that Paul Zantzinger, John Hubley and Jacob King are appointed, or any two of them, to procure materials and Workmen for the building of the above mentioned Market House, in conjunction with any person or persons that Lodge No. 43 will appoint for the same purpose.
This agreement was ratified and confirmed by the Lodge, and Bros. Charles Smith, Lewis Lauman and Wm. Kirkpatrick, or any two of them, were appointed a committee to act with the
49
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
committee appointed by the corporation in procuring materials and contracting for the erection of the said building.
The committee were authorized and directed to call upon the brethren who had subscribed for the erection of the building, for one-fourth part of their subscription, and for the residue in equal installments, in one, two, and three months, and pay the same to the Treasurer. Also that all arrears for dues be col- lected. The Treasurer was authorized to pay to the Building Committee the sum then in his hands, and from time to time what moneys might be collected, to be applied to the purchase of such materials as may be immediately necessary. Such pay- ments to be made to the order of said committee, or any two of them.
The following is a copy of the agreement made by the com- mittee with the workmen :
Memorandum of agreements entered in April 4th, 1798, Between the Committees of the Corporation and Lodge No, 43, and the under- signed Workmen, who have contracted as follows, for the Market building and Lodge-room above.
Jacob Albright undertakes to do the Brick-work of the said Building, and to have for laying the Brick at the rate of fifteen shillings thousand-the said Albright to keep a distinct ac- count, of the Brick laid and work done for the Corporation, and the Brick laid for the Lodge Room, that the expences thereof may be correctly apportioned-and the said Albright undertakes to procure the Stone, Lime and Sand at the most reasonable rates-but in contracting for the prices thereof, he is to con- sult and have the assent of the said Committee-The stone Work to be done at four shillings per perch, and paving to be done at nine pence the square yard.
George Peters engages to furnish such quantity of substantial, well finished, Merchantable and durable Brick as shall be ne- cessary for the said Building at the rate of thirty shillings thousand, and paving Brick at the rate of thirty-two shillings & six pence per thousand-and he engages that when the Work is begun, he will not delay the said Work for want of Brick by his default.
Godlieb Sener undertakes to furnish all the Shingles which may be requisite for both the Market house and Lodge-Room and all the rafters and other timbers and Lath for the said roofs (other than such Timbers as the Corporation now have, and which can be used for their part of the Work) the same to be furnished at the most reasonable rates, but to be of the best
4
50
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
quality-and at equal rates and of equal quality to furnish all necessary Beams, Joists and Timbers which may be necessary for building and finishing the Lodge-Room, in a. neat and sub- stantial manner-and to execute the Work thereof, as expdi- tiously as it may be done in an handsome stile, agreeably to the plan agreed upon by the Committees of Conference above men- tioned-and to be paid therefor so much as he may reasonably deserve to have.
a True Copy.
GEORGE PETERS, JACOB ALBRIGHT, GOTTLIEB SENER.
The members of the Lodge contributed to the building of the hall as liberally as their means would permit. Small subscrip- tions were also received from a few citizens, not members of the Lodge, and from a few brethren in York and Northumber- land. Letters were also written to sister lodges in Philadelphia, Reading, Wilmington, Del., and committees or proxies were ap- pointed to receive subscriptions from the brethren in the differ- ent neighboring cities and towns. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining the necessary means the work progressed slowly, and it was not until August, 1800, that the hall was ready for use.
No election for officers was held in June, 1798, those serving at that time being continued, by resolution, for six months. At the stated meeting in December, the following brethren were elected for the ensuing six months : Wm. Kirpatrick, W. M .; Abram Henry, S. W., and Benj. West Henry, J. W.
During the year 1798, three were initiated and one admitted, and one withdrew.
During the year 1799, the attention of the Lodge was devoted mainly to the collecting of subscriptions for the building of the hall, and to advancing its erection as rapidly as the circumstances of the case would admit. But one new member was initiated during the year.
At the June meeting, Bro. Abraham Henry was elected W. M. ; Bro. Benjamin Henry, S. W., and Bro. George Keip, J. W. Up to this time the amount of cash received by donation for building the lodge-room amounted to £402.4.11.
The election in December resulted in placing Bro. Matthias Barton in the chair, and the reelection of all the other officers. On St. John's day, December 27th, Bro. Barton declined serv-
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
ing as Worshipful Master, whereupon it was unanimously agreed that he be fined three pounds for the use of the charity fund, agreeably to the 19th section of the By-Laws of the Lodge. Again that ever reliable, worthy and active member, Bro. Wil- liam Kirkpatrick, was chosen to preside over the Lodge.
It was a rule and custom of the Lodge at this time to have the By-Laws read in open Lodge on every St. John's day ; at this meeting however we find this rule was, on motion, dispensed with.
The year ISoo opens for the Lodge with an extra meeting, called on January 6th, for the purpose of considering the subject of the removal of the Lodge to some more convenient place. It was agreed to move that afternoon to the house of Mrs. Edwards (a former place of meeting, now the Fountain Inn).
An extra meeting was also called the following morning, at the new place of meeting, for the purpose of paying respect to the memory of our late brother, Gen. George Washington, who had died at Mt. Vernon on the 14th ult.
The following is the minute made of said meeting, and of the procession :
Agreeable to order, the Lodge met at the house of Mrs. Edwards, on the morning of the 7th inst. After making the necessary arrangements, and clothed in the proper mourning agreeable to ancient custom, and being joined by a number of respectable Brethren from different parts of the State,-they moved in due form from the Lodge and joined the Funeral Pro- cession in honor, and as a mark of their veneration for the mem- ory of their departed Brother General George Washington.
At the stated meeting for January, which was held the follow- ing night, it was resolved, " That the Lodge be put in complete mourning, and the Brethren wear the emblem of mourning on their aprons, jewels, &c., for the ensuing six months." It was also resolved, that an oration be prepared and delivered in the Lodge room on Washington's birthday, February 22d. Bro. William C. Frazer was appointed for this purpose. He per- formed his duty in an able manner at 2:30 o'clock on the after- noon of that day.
At the stated meeting held March 12th, it was:
Resolved, unanimously, that Brother William C. Frazer re-
52
HISTORY OF LODGE NO 43, F. & A. M.
ceive the thanks of this Lodge for the very elegant and well adapted Oration prepared by him and delivered in this Lodge on the 22d ultimo, in honor of our dearly beloved and ever to be lamented deceased Brother General George Washington.
Brother Henry Dering, one of the charter members of the Lodge, one whose active interest continued up to the time of his death, died on the 6th of April. At the stated meeting of April 9th, it was agreed that the members of the Lodge wear crape on the left arm until the next stated meeting, as mourning for the departed Brother.
At this time a number of the members were in arrears for dues, and the balance of their subscription to the building fund. Many of them had given notes for their indebtedness, which they failed to meet, so that the Lodge became financially embarrassed, and could neither discharge its indebtedness for the building nor its Grand Lodge dues.
The full amount of the notes held by the Lodge against delin- quent members was £93.2.4, some of which remain unpaid at the present time.
The election in June resulted in the reelection of all the officers.
The new Lodge room being finally completed in August, an extra meeting was held on the 25th inst. for the purpose of mak- ing arrangements for removal. It was agreed that the Lodge should be removed to the new building before the next stated meeting in September, and Brothers Benj. W. Henry, Peter Getz and Jacob Carpenter were appointed a committee to super- intend the removal. Accordingly we find the Lodge holding its stated meeting of September 10, 1800, in the " New Lodge Room."
The hall, then just finished, consisted of four rooms and an entry or hall running the entire length of the building on the north side. It was entered by a stairway at the northeast corner of the building. There was at the east end a room intended for the use of the corporation authorities and other public purposes. Adjoining this room on the west was the largest room, intended for the Lodge room, while at the extreme west end were two small rooms, intended for the tylers and preparing rooms. The
53
HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
building was bounded on the north by the open Market Square, on the east by Penn Square (the lot now occupied by City Hall buildings being at that time vacant), on the south by West King street, and on the west by an open street or alley, called Union Court, now the property of the Lodge, upon which is erected our store-room, armory, portion of the stairs and the ante-rooms. The long entry on the north side of the building, besides being a passage-way, was used as a banquet room. At a later date long tables were placed there for banquet purposes, and this place was the scene of many convivial gatherings by the fathers of our Lodge.
The principal business of the first meeting of the Lodge in its new hall, was the approval and initiation of Bros. Alexander McIntire and John Rohrer.
The following month (October, 1800), Michael Rine, High Sheriff of Lancaster county, made application to the Lodge for the use of its room for holding the County Courts. Permission being granted, the November term of court was held in the hall, the Commissioners paying $30 for the privilege. After this date the courts were held there for some time.
At the December meeting, Bro. Jacob Carpenter was elected Worshipful Master, Bro. Benj. W. Henry, Senior Warden, and Bro. Geo. Keip, Junior Warden.
The additions to the Lodge during the year 1800 were three initiated and one admitted.
In February, 1801, an application was made to the Lodge for the use of the room for holding a ball, which called forth the following preamble and resolutions :
Whereas, there has been an application made to the W. M. of this Lodge, by a number of Gentlemen of this Borough to grant them the privilege of holding a Dance or Assembly in the Lodge Room-Whereupon the following Resolutions were pro- posed and agreed to.
Resolved, that the Building erected by Lodge No. 43 is ex- clusively the property of said Lodge, subject to the fulfilment of the agreement made with the Corporation.
Resolved, that the thanks of the Lodge are due to a number of the Inhabitants of the Borough, who subscribed liberally thereto ; but as it was understood at the time of subscribing and so declared by the members of the Lodge, that such subscrip-
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
tions gave no right to any person or persons either separately from, or jointly with the Lodge, it is further declared, that such Subscribers have no interest in said Building.
Resolved, that when the Lodge can conveniantly accomo- date their fellow Citizens, Subscribers or others, with a tempor- ary use of the Lodge Room, without interfering with the meeting of the Lodge, that it would be liberal, and honorable, to do so. Therefore it is
Resolved, that on application to the Worshipful Master he is hereby authorized by and with the consent of the Lodge to permit any number of Gentlemen, to have the occasional use of the Lodge Room, not injuring the same, and repairing any casual Damage to the Glass or other part of the Building.
During the summer of ISor the "Musical Society of the Borough " were permitted to use the room for their meeting and practice.
The Lodge had, for some time, experienced considerable dif- ficulty in the collection of dues from its members. Committees were frequently appointed to assist the proper officers in making the collections, and resolutions of various kinds were frequently offered. Finally, failing in all these measures, at the June meet- ing of this year it was resolved to adopt the expedient of calling over the names of the delinquents, three times each meeting for three successive meetings, and any member still remaining in arrears on the third stated night, after having been in this manner nine times solemnly called on for his dues, should be excluded and expelled from the Lodge. We find two members were thus solemnly dealt with and disposed of.
The June election resulted in the reëlection of all the officers.
In July a letter was presented and read, informing the Lodge that the Grand Lodge had purchased a house and lot of ground in the city of Philadelphia for the use of the Grand Lodge, and requesting this Lodge to loan on interest to the Grand Lodge any money which could with convenience be spared. When we consider that the Lodge was at this time in arrears for Grand Lodge dues, was still in debt for its building, and had a treasury made up mainly of notes taken from its members for dues and subscriptions to the building fund, we can appreciate the action of the Lodge on this communication. "The sense of the Lodge being taken it was resolved, that under the present exigence sit- uation, this Lodge can not advance money."
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HISTORY OF LODGE NO. 43, F. & A. M.
The following were elected officers for the ensuing six months at the December meeting : Bro. Jacob Carpenter, W. M .; Bro. Benj. W. Henry, S. W .; Bro. Geo. Keip, J. W .; Bro. Jacob Martin, Treasurer. Bro. George Miller was appointed Secre- tary in the place of Bro. John Morris, who removed to Phila- delphia.
During the year 1801, seven members were initiated, four withdrew, and two were suspended.
Very little of interest occurred during the year 1802. The meetings as a rule were poorly attended, but three new members were initiated and one withdrew.
At the June meeting Bro. Wm. Kirkpatrick was again honored by being chosen Worshipful Master, but declined to serve, when the following brethren were elected for the ensuing term of six months: Benjamin W. Henry, W. M .; George Keip, S. W., and John Kerr, J. W. At the December meeting the W. M. and S. W. were reelected, and Bro. Wm. Pitt Atlee was elected J. W.
The financial condition of the Lodge at this time was as fol- lows :
Cash in the hands of Treasurer £o. o. o
Balance due the Treasurer .
8. 1I
Amount due the Lodge for Dues, etc . 156.12.II
" Bonds & Notes . 84. 1. 912
66 Subscription fund 95. 6.1012
paid by the Lodge on account of building 706. 7. II
At the stated meeting of June 8, 1803, the Lodge again called our worthy Bro. Wm. Kirkpatrick to the chair. Bro. Wm. P. Atlee was elected S. W., and Bro. Robert McElwee, J. W. These brethren were reelected at the December meeting.
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