USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > History of Lodge no. 43, F. and A.M., 1785-1910, with biographical sketches of charter members, past masters and present officers, together with a complete list of members of the lodge > Part 3
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[Later discoveries disprove the above two paragraphs, as will be seen in the preceding pages .- H.]
In the early part of the year 1785, seven Master Masons, then residents of the Borough of Lancaster, viz .: Stephen Chambers, John Doyle, Henry Stuber, Henry Dering, Adam Hubley, Jr., Solomon Etting and William Feltman, determined to organize a Lodge of Masons in the borough. Three of these brethren,
To the Right"Wow hy full the Grand Master and other Brethren of the Grand Lodge Ancient York Masons in Pennsylvania
The Petition of the Subscribers, Ancient York Masons Humbly Theweth
That your Petitioners and Brothers being Convinced of the great Advantages derived from a well Regulated Lodge to Society. they have aprocation themselves for the Purpose of Establishing a Lodge in the Brought Lancests ne the County of Lancaster to spread the Influence flight of Masonry as much as in our flower
That your Vititioners and Brothers met in the sand Borough of Lancaster the 13 day of April 198' and Elector Brother Stephen Chambers Master of our Lodge , Brother Sohn Doyle Jen" Wanden. & Brother Henry Huber funk Warden
your Petshowers I Brothers therefore Pay your Alight Worshipfull Lodge to Grant them a Warrant to hold a Lodge in the Borough of Lancaster afnesão and they will pay Low Flythen Chambers} mater
Johnal Doyle Ident Ward 5
Henry Stuber 2 Juni: Wardo
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Etting .
Henry Dering
Adm Subley &
REPRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION FOR THE WARRANT FOR LODGE No. 43
1
37
Introduction.
Stephen Chambers, Henry Dering and Solomon Etting, were Past Masters. All of them were highly respected and honored citizens, and most of them had been officers of distinction in the Revolu- tionary Army. Their biographies will be found in the chapter devoted to that purpose.
No minutes of any of their preliminary meetings have been pre- served, so that the earliest record of their proceedings is the minute of their application for a charter, in the proceedings of the Provincia Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, an extract of which we here present:
EXTRA GRAND LODGE, PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 1785.
Bro. William Tilton, J. G. W., in the chair.
A petition from a number of Brethren from the Borough of Lan- caster, praying for a warrant, was taken into consideration.
On motion, agreed, that the Secretary prepare a warrant No. 43, with the name of Stephen Chambers, Master; John Doyle, Senior Warden, and Henry Stuber, Junior Warden, to be delivered on their paying for the same. The Secretary informed this Lodge that he has received from one of the brethren of the said proposed Lodge, the sum of twenty-eight dollars, which he paid into the hands of the Grand Treasurer.
This resolution of the Provincial Grand Lodge was at once put into execution, and a warrant issued in accordance, bearing date the same as the meeting of the Grand Lodge on which it was adopted, viz .: the 21st day of April, A. D. 1785, and of Masonry 5785, and the following is the true copy.
WILLIAM ADCOCK, Grand Master.
ALEX'R RUTHERFORD, Deputy Grand Master.
GEORGE ORD, S. G. W. WILLIAM TILTON, J. G. W. To all Whom it may Concern:
We, the Grand Lodge of the most ancient and honorable Fra- ternity of Free and Accepted Masons, according to the Old Institution, held in the City of Philadelphia for the Province of Pennsylvania, by virtue of a Provincial Grand Warrant from the Grand Lodge of London, Great Britain, whereof then the Right Worshipfull and Right Honorable Thomas Erskine, Earl of Kelly, Viscount Fenton, Lord Baron of Pitten Weem, etc., in Great Brittain, was Grand Master of Masons, The Right Worshipfull
38
Introduction.
Mr. William Osbourne, Deputy Grand Master, The Right Worshipfull Mr. William Dickey, Senior Grand Warden, The Right Worshipfull James Gibson, Esquire, Junior Grand Warden, under their hands and seals of their Grand Lodge, constituting and appointing the Right Worshipfull William Ball, Esquire, Grand Master of Masons for the Province of Pennsylvania and the Terri- tories thereunto belonging, The Right Worshipfull Captain Blaith- waite Jones, Deputy Grand Master, The Right Worshipfull Mr. David Hall, Senior Grand Warden, and the Right Worshipfull Mr. Hugh Lennox, Junior Grand Warden, authorizing and empowering the said William Ball, Captain Blaithwaite Jones, David Hall and Hugh Lennox and their successors, to grant Dispensation Warrants and Constitutions, for the forming, holding and well governing Lodges within their Jurisdiction, as by the said Warrant, bearing date the twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred sixty and four, and of Masonry five thousand seven hundred sixty and four.
Reference being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear.
Now know ye that we, William Adcock, Esquire, Grand Master; Alexander Rutherford, Deputy Grand Master; George Ord, Senior Grand Warden, and William Tilton, Junior Grand Warden, present and legal successors to the above named Provincial Grand Officers as by the Grand Lodge books reference being to them had may appear, By Virtue of the Power to us granted by the above in part recited Warrant, do hereby authorize and empower our trusty and well beloved brethren, Stephen Chambers, Master; John Doyle, Senior Warden, and Henry Stuber, Junior Warden, of a New Lodge Number Forty-three, to be held in the Borough of Lancaster, in the State of Pennsylvania, or any where within five miles of the same.
And we do further authorize and empower our said trusty and well beloved Brethren Stephen Chambers, John Doyle and Henry Stuber, to admit and make Free Masons according to the most ancient custom of the Royal Craft in all ages and nations through- out the known world and not contrarywise.
And we do further empower and appoint the said Stephen Cham- bers, John Doyle and Henry Stuber and their successors to hear and determine all and singular matters and things relating to the Craft within the jurisdiction of the said Lodge Number Forty-three.
And lastly, we do hereby authorize and empower our said trusty and well beloved Brethren Stephen Chambers, Master, John Doyle, Senior Warden, and Henry Stuber, Junior Warden, to nominate,
39
Introduction.
choose and Install their successors, to whom they shall deliver this Warrant, and Invest them with all their Powers and Dignities as Free Masons; and such successors shall in like manner nominate, choose and install their successors, etc., etc., etc. Such installation to be upon or near every St. John's Day during the continuance of this Lodge for ever.
Provided always that the said above named Brethren and their . successors pay due respect to the Right Worshipfull Grand Lodge from whom they have their authority, otherwise this Warrant to be of no Force or Virtue.
Given under our hands and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at Phila- delphia, this twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty-five, and of Masonry Five thousand seven hundred eighty and five.
JOSEPH HOWELL, Jur., Gd. Sec'y.
L. S.
GAVIN HAMILTON, Treas.
Notwithstanding the Charter of Lodge No. 43 was granted April 2I, 1785, no further movement towards organization was made until July following, when Grand Master William Adcock issued the following dispensation:
By virtue of the power in me vested, I do hereby authorize and empower our worthy Bro. Solomon Etting (Past Master), to install in due form, our trusty and well belov'd Brethren Stephen Chambers, Master, John Doyle, Senior Warden, and Henry Stuber, Junior Warden, of Lodge No. 43, to be held in the Borough of Lancaster, in the State of Pennsylvania, or any where within five miles of the same.
Given under my hand and seal at Philadelphia, the fourteenth day of July, 1785.
Signed, WILL ADCOCK [G. M.].
Attest,
M. JENNINGS, D. G. Sec'y.
For some reason, which is nowhere set forth, two months were again permitted to intervene before the next step towards organi- zation was taken. On the night of September 14, 1785, the seven original members assembled at the Public House of Frederick Hubley, which was situated on South Queen Street, near Center Square, and then and there formally constituted
10
Introduction.
Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M., which act of constitution consisted in simply installing the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, as empowered and directed by the Grand Master's dis- pensation of July 14th.
It was the custom in those days to hold all public and lodge meetings in taverns, as they were the only large buildings, besides churches, and the only buildings provided with the necessary con- veniences.
Lodge No. 43, in point of numbers, is the eighth oldest Lodge now working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania. Those bearing the lower numbers, are Nos. 2, 3, 9, and 19, of Philadelphia, 21, of Harrisburg, 22, of Sunbury, and 25, of Bristol. But in point of years No. 43 is really seventh, as No. 19 was originally an army lodge, whose charter was sur- rendered, and in January, 1787, a charter was granted to a Phila- delphia lodge to be known as No. 19.
The next oldest lodge to No. 43, in Lancaster county, was No. 46, which was warranted June 7, 1790, was first held at Churchtown, removed to Ephrata, June 2, 1800, vacated April 7, 1806, reinstated, September 1, 1806, removed to New Holland November 16, 1812, to Ephrata June 24, 1813, and to Lititz, September 4, 1826, where it died a natural death.
Unity Lodge No. 80 also existed for a time in Lancaster county. It was warranted June 3, 1799; was first held at the "United States Arms" inn, in Sadsbury township, Chester county; on Sep- tember 1, 1800, moved to Rising Sun tavern, Salisbury township, Lancaster county, where it remained until April 7, 1801, when it was again moved to Chester county, and its charter was vacated October 3, 1808.
The next Lancaster County Lodge, in age, was Philanthropic Lodge No. 104, which was held at the house of Peter Forney in Leacock township. Its charter was granted January 21, 1805. As a number of Brethren, members of Lodge No. 43, residing in the neighborhood of Strasburg, withdrew from the Lodge for the purpose of forming this new Lodge, it was the first legitimate offspring of Lodge No. 43.
41
Introduction.
Amicitia Lodge No. 116, first located at Elizabethtown, was warranted September 3, 1810, and afterwards removed to Mari- etta. The two latter have not been in existence for many years. Next in age comes Washington Lodge No. 156; charter granted February 21, 1818; Lodge first held at Chestnut Level, now Dru- more Center. This is the oldest living offspring of Lodge No. 43.
Eastern Star Lodge No. 169 existed for a short time in Columbia. It was warranted September 6, 1819.
Columbia Lodge No. 286 is next in age. Its charter is dated December 19, 1853. Like Washington Lodge, it is living and prosperous.
Next comes Ashara Lodge No. 398, at Marietta, charter granted September 5, 1867.
Next in order is Colerain Lodge No. 417, charter granted March 4, 1868. Was first located at Kirkwood, now at Christiana.
Next is Lamberton Lodge No. 276, of Lancaster, charter granted June 1, 1870.
Then, Charles M. Howell Lodge No. 496, at Safe Harbor, charter granted June 7, 1871.
And finally Casiphia Lodge No. 551, at Mount Joy, charter granted June 6, 1877.
Lodge No. 43 smiles with maternal affection upon her seven living daughters, and rejoices in their prosperity.
HISTORY
OF
LODGE No. 43, F. AND A. M.
CHAPTER I.
1785-1795.
O N the fourteenth day of September, A. D. 1785, A. L. 5785, Stephen Chambers, Henry Dering and Solomon Etting, Past Masters, and John Doyle, Henry Stuber, Adam Hubley, Jr., and William Feltman, Master Masons, all residents of the Borough of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, having determined to organize a Masonic Lodge and having made all of the necessary preliminary arrange- ments, including the obtaining a charter and the authority to constitute their Lodge, assembled at the Public House of Frederick Hubley, at which place they had made arrangements for holding their meetings, and then and there formally constituted and started upon its checquered and historical career, our venerable and cher- ished Lodge.
The records of the proceedings of that first meeting of the Lodge, as preserved in our first minute book, we deem of sufficient interest to present in full. They are as follows:
By Virtue of a Dispensation granted by the Right Worshipful William Adcock Esquire, Grand Master-
To Solomon Etting, Past Master.
On the night of the Fourteenth day of September, 1785, at the House of Frederick Hubley .-
Was Enstalled
Stephen Chambers, Master. John Doyle, Sen' Warden, Henry Stuber, Jun™ Warden
of Lodge Number 43, in due form .-
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
The Worshipfull Master then appointed Solomon Etting Treas- urer, William Feltman Secretary, Henry Dering Sent Deacon & Adam Hubley Jun" Deacon, accordingly.
Entered Apprentices Lodge opened in due form.
Present -- Stephen Chambers Mast".
John Doyle Sen
Henry Stuber Jun™ Wardens.
Henry Dering Sen™
Adam Hubley Jun™
Deacons.
William Feltman Secretary.
After the usual ceremonies the Master appointed Brother Henry Dering & Solomon Etting to investigate matters respecting the Lodge. To prepare the necessarys wanting, & to provide a Tyler, first examining into his character, & make report thereof at the next Stated Lodge night .- Appointed to be on Wednesday the 12th day of October.
Lodge Closed (in harmony) until then, unless sooner called, in case of emergency.
It is the universal custom in all organized bodies, as one of their first official acts, to adopt by-laws or rules for their future govern- ance. If any such measure was acted upon at this first meeting, no record has been kept. In fact we find no mention in the minutes of any By-laws being adopted until the meeting of July 12, 1786, where the following extract appears: "The By-laws of this Lodge, being read and approved of and were accordingly signed by each Bro. present." We find, in the front portion of the first minute . book, on the pages preceding the minutes of the first meeting, a set of By-laws with the signatures of a number of the Lodge's earliest members appended; and, notwithstanding the fact that they are marked as adopted September 14, 1785, yet from the above quoted minutes of July 12, 1786, and no other By-laws noted earlier, as well as from the character of the By-laws themselves, we are of opinion that they were not all at least adopted at the first meeting of the Lodge, but were probably framed at different times as the necessities of the case required.
We herewith append a copy of these first By-laws as they appear in the book, with the signatures attached:
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
BYE-LAWS of Lodge N. 43, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons held in the Borough of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania. By Virtue of a Warrant to Brother Stephen Chambers, Master, Brother John Doyle Senior Warden, Brother Henry Stuber, Jun" Warden and their Successors being duly Congregated, for ever Granted by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons in the City of Philadelphia,
The Right Worshipful, William Adcock Grand Master, Alex- ander Rutherford Deputy Grand Master, George Ord, Senior Grand Warden, William Tilton Junior Grand Warden, with the Consent of the Lodge bearing Date the Twenty first day of April, In the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty five And in the year of Masonry Five Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Five.
Article Ist. That the regular & Stated Meetings of this Lodge Shall be on the Second Wednesday of every Month, that the Lodge shall be Open'd in half an hour after the time of meeting and the list of the Brethren's Names call'd over by the Secretary, or the Brother that officiates for him .-
2dly. That the Officers of this Lodge shall serve for one whole year Except in case of Misconduct, but if any Brother shall refuse to serve when chosen by a Majority regularly met he shall Pay a Fine of Ten Shillings to the Charity Fund.
3ly. That any Person well Recommended, who desires to have the Degrees of Masonry Confir'd on him in this Lodge shall apply to the Secretary to draw his Petition for which he shall pay the Sum of Three Shillings & Nine pence, which Petition shall remain for One Month in the Lodge before he is Balloted for to give time to the Brethren to enquire into his character and Judge of the Propriety of admitting him, at the expiration of which time he shall be balloted for if requir'd upon which balloting, One Black Ball shall be sufficient to exclude his admission but if the whole be white he shall Pay before his initiation the Sum of Six Pounds to be deposited in the Hands of the Treasurer .-
Any Brother an Ancient Mason of a fair Character Petitioning to become a member of this Lodge on producing a Certificate & found worthy of becoming a Member, on his Admittance shall pay into the Hands of the Treasurer Thirty Shillings for the benefit of the Lodge. And Three Shillings & Nine Pence to the Secretary for enrolment, in both Cases, the Persons so admitted is to pay the expenses of the Night, if it be an Extra Lodge called for that purpose, but not otherwise, and no Degree of Masonry to be con- ferr'd unless the Initiation Fees are Deposited in the Hands of
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
the Treasurer. In case of not being found worthy the money so deposited to be return'd to the Person who Petitioned.
4th. That no Brother come to the Lodge without Money to Pay the Expenses of the Night, each member paying into the Secretary or any other person appointed Two Shillings & Six pence which the expences of the Lodge in Lodge Hours is not to exceed: And to be collected Just as the Lodge is going to be Closed and if any of the Cash beleft unexpended, the Secretary or Person appointed after paying the House shall be accountable for the overpluss and a Minute made of it in the transactions of the night and that Money Dispos'd of as the Officers of the Lodge & a Majority of the Brethren in an Open Stated Lodge shall think fit.
5th. That no Brother be introduc'd as a Visitor in lodge Hours till he is first try'd and aprov'd of, by the report given to the Chair or well known by two or more Members then present to be a Lawful Ancient Mason & not upon such knowledge if two or more Brothers desire a examination & report.
6th. That when the Master or Deputy takes the Chair and calls to Order then the Brethren shall take their Seats also, and on the Third Stroke of the Masters Hammor there shall be a profound silence and whoever breaks it without leave from the Chair shall be publickly repremanded. Neither shall any hold Private Conference in lodge Hours, nor move about from their Seats without leave of the Master or his Deputy.
7th. That but one of the Brethren shall Speak at the same time and but once to the same Affair unless to explain himself or when call'd upon by the Chair.
8th. That every Brother that Speaks shall rise & keep stand- ing adressing himself to the Chair nor shall any presume to In- terrupt him under the Penalty of being Publickly repremanded as Aforesaid, the Master may call any Member to order who is not a speaking to the Point or question in debate.
9th. That whoever shall be so rude as to hiss a Brother or at what he shall say or has said or redicule or attempt to redicule him or what he has said (and it shall be so Judg'd of by a majority of the Lodge) shall be Publickly reprimanded & if thought neces- sary by a Majority of the Lodge Publickly confess his fault & upon neglect or refusal so to do he shall be expell'd the Lodge.
10th. That any Member that is twice call'd to order at any one assembly for the same offense & is oblidg'd to be call'd on a third time for one of the same Nature, then the Master shall order him to depart from the Lodge for that Night & and the next time of meeting shall Pay a fine of One Shilling to the Charity Fund.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
IIth. That any Brother who shall cause any angry dispute to the disturbance of the Brethren in the Lodge, either open or shut, shall be fined Five Shillings, & upon neglect or refusal to pay, shall be expell'd the Lodge and all the Benefits thereof, it shall however be in the Power of the Master & a Majority of the Lodge to Pardon this Offence upon his Submission & repentance, and restore him to his Place in the Lodge he paying Ten Shillings to the Charity Fund.
12th. That any Brother who shall profanely Curse or Swear shall for the First Offence Pay Six pence, for the Second One Shilling, for the Third One Shilling & Six Pence and for the Fourth excluded the Communication for the Night.
13th. That no Brother shall Sue or go to Law with an other (in ordinary Cases) 'till he first makes his Complaint to the Master who shall lay the same before the Lodge & if the matter can't be there amicably settled than the party complaining shall obtain leave of the Master to bring his Suit to Law. But to prevent the inconveniency that may attend the above Article either for Con- science sake or otherwise, It's Enacted that the above Law shall not be deem'd or constructed to extend further between Brother & Brother, then as to any Quarrell, Difference or in Ordinary Cases and not with regard to Debts or Contracts. But that every Brother in such Cases shall Judge for himself what is right to be done According to the Land Marks in his own Brest.
14th. That any member of this Lodge who shall be at the Entring, Passing or Raising in a Clandestine manner (that is to say without the Authority of a warrant) any Person or Persons, he or they so offending shall be expell'd & Render'd forever unfit for the Communion of this Lodge and incapable of receiving any of the Benefits arising from it.
15th. That, Provided this Lodge be not furnished with a Tyler paid for that Purpose, the youngest member of this Lodge, if not a Past Master, shall serve the summons's and Tile untill a Stated Tiler be provided and if any refuse to do this duty he shall Pay a fine of Seven Shillings & Six pence to the Charity fund, and the next youngest to do said duty etc.
16th. That no motion for a New regulation in those Laws or Articles shall be made until it be first handed up to the Master in writing and after it has been perus'd by him he is to hand it to ye Secretary who shall publickly Read it, if the motion be Seconded it shall be immediately committed to the consideration of the whole assembly, that their sentiments may be heard about it. After which the Question shall be put by the Chair for the Brethrens determination.
4
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
17th. That any Brother that it shall be prov'd against to have carried out to any Person or Persons, not of this Body, any Part or Parts of the conversation, Act or Actions, Thing or Things, done or said in this Lodge, Open or Clos'd, shall be Dealt with According to the Nature of the Offence either by Fine or otherwise at the discretion of the Lodge, or committee, if it be left to them, as they shall Judge for the good of this Society & the honour to the Craft.
18th. That those our By-Laws shall be read to every Brother made here or enter'd amongst us, the first Night of their being so made or enter'd, who shall sign the same, and must always lay open for the perusal of the Brethren the better to be made ac- quainted therewith being of such meterial consequence to every well dispos'd Brother.
19th. That all or any Extraordinary Expences that shall now or hereafter be wanted as Payment for House Rent, Fire wood, Candles & all Utensials for the use of this Lodge shall be paid out of the publick Fund.
20th. That the Committee of this Lodge shall be & consist of the Master, Deputy Master, pass'd Master, Sent and Jun™ Wardens, Treasurer & Secretary, which when regularly met either by appointment or Summond by order of the Master any Five of them shall be a Quoram, and shall do the business for which they are so met provided, the Master, Deputy or pass'd Master preside to the Chair in whom the Issuing the charity & setling all Affairs Refer'd to them by the Lodge according to those Laws & Articles for Charity, & the Regulating this Lodge together with the known usages & Customs of the Antient Craft shall be that to which they shall conform and Confine themselves but if any Debate shall happen to arise the Majority of Votes then present shall determin. Always allowing the Chair Two Votes if occasion require.
2Ist. That it shall be the business of the Committee to see that all collections, Contributions, Fines, & other charitable Sums of Money of what kind or nature soever that shall be at any time Brought into this Lodge shall be deposited in the Box, & shall not be disburs'd on any Account whatever without an order from the Master or Him that presides, or the Secretary by their Order.
22d. That neither the Master Secretary or any other Person shall give or sign any Order on the Treasurer for any Sum of Money until the same be first approv'd of by a majority of the Committee then present and it shall be enter'd in the transaction Book together with the Names of the Person or Persons to whom the same is to be given.
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