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 5
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ASHETON HUMPHREYS, Gr'd Sec'y.
The first election of officers took place at the stated meeting held June 14, 1786, when the same officers who had been serv- ing since the Constituting of the Lodge, were all retained in office.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
At the extra meeting of December 16, 1786, another election was held resulting again in the re-election of the former officers, except Treasurer, Bro. Fredrick Hubley being chosen for that office in the place of Bro. Etting.
At the stated meeting of June 13, 1787, an election for officers was again held (it being the custom to hold such elections twice yearly; the Masonic terms being the intervals between the days of St. John, the Baptist, June 24th, and St. John, the Evangelist, December 27th). At this third election the following were chosen: John Doyle, Worshipful Master; Henry Stuber, Senior Warden, and Charles Smith, Junior Warden. The same Secretary and Treasurer were re-appointed.
The meetings of the Lodge during the first few years of its exist- ence were not characterized by much of interest. During the year 1787 but two members were admitted and none initiated, and during the year 1788, one was admitted and one initiated.
Bro. Junior Warden Charles Smith removed to Sunbury, and Bro. Solomon Etting was elected his successor; Bro. Treasurer Fredrick Hubley removed to Philadelphia, and Bro. Henry Dering was elected his successor, those elections taking place at the Feb- ruary and March meetings of 1788, no election being held in Decem- ber, 1787.
The meetings of the Lodge were held at the public house of Bro. Fredrick Hubley until February, 1788, when, owing to the re- moval of Bro. Hubley from the Borough, the place of meeting was changed to the house of Thomas Edwards, which was situ- ated on South Queen Street, now known as the "Fountain Inn." [The site of the Fountain Inn is now, 1910, occupied by the Lincoln Hotel.]
At an extra meeting held June 24, 1788, the election resulted in the re-election of all the officers.
In July, 1788, the Initiation Fee was reduced from six to three pounds, and the dues from one quarter of a dollar to one shilling and three pence per month.
In August of this year, the Lodge returned to its former quarters in the house formerly kept by Bro. Hubley and at that time kept
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
by George Ross. They continued to hold their meetings in this house until the following January when the Lodge was moved to the house of Mathias Slough, which was situated on the southeast corner of Penn Square and South Queen Street.
In November, 1788, the Lodge was called upon to sustain its first loss by death, and that in no less a personage than its Worship- ful Master.
At an extra meeting held December 27th, Bro. James Moore was elected Worshipful Master, and all the other officers were re-elected. These officers continued in office until April, 1790, when the Worshipful Master notified the Lodge of his intended removal from the county, and upon ballot Bro. Solomon Etting was elected Master; Jacob Slough, Senior Warden; Matthias Bar- ton, Junior Warden; Henry Dering, Treasurer, and William Felt- man, Secretary. These officers served until June, 1791, when Charles Smith was elected Worshipful Master; Matthias Barton, Senior Warden; Wm. Kirkpatrick, Junior Warden; and Wm. Feltman was appointed Secretary, and Myer Solomon, Treasurer.
During the year 1789, four members were admitted and none initiated, in 1790 five were admitted and none initiated, and in 1791 four were initiated.
There were no meetings of the Lodge between June 16th and December 13, 1790. During the year 1791 the meetings were poorly attended, and it was the custom to fine absentees unless they furnished a satisfactory excuse; this failing to bring about the desired attendance, at the meeting held November 9, 1791, "the Worshipful Master ordered that special summons be issued to each Brother for the next meeting, and for the non-attendance of each Brother of this Lodge, he or they to be excluded in future." At the next meeting, held December 14th, we find this order executed, and "Bro. Wm. Montgomery is excluded this Lodge as a member thereof, his not having attended according to special Sumons being served upon him."
The meetings of the Lodge continued to be held at the public house of Mathias Slough until June, 1792, when the Lodge re- moved to the house of Bro. Julian Sonnet, which place we have been unable to locate.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
At the stated meeting held June 13, 1792, the following were elected officers for the ensuing six months: Mathias Barton, W. M .; Wm. Kirkpatrick, S. W., and Peter Getz, J. W. They were not installed until August following, when the Worshipful Master appointed John Cunningham, Treasurer, and J. J. Sonnet, Secretary. The attendance on the meetings of the Lodge at this time was very poor, and the chairs were mostly filled pro tempore.
At the stated meeting December 12, 1792, the election for officers resulted as follows: James Gamble, W. M .; Peter Getz, S. W .; Jeremiah Mosher, J. W., and Michael App, Treasurer.
The Lodge continued to meet at Bro. Sonnet's house until in June, 1793, when his lease expiring and his new house not being suitable for the purpose, it was resolved to remove the Lodge to the house of Bro. Michael App, on West King Street. We find, however, that the Lodge was never moved to this house, it being used only for committee meetings; but instead of removing to Bro. App's, they changed their place of meeting to the public house of Leonard Eicholtz, which was known as the "Bull's Head," and was situated on the southeast corner of East King and Christian Streets, and was afterwards known as the "Exchange Hotel."
At the stated meeting of June 12, 1793, the following were elected officers for the ensuing six months: William Kirkpatrick, W. M .; Peter Getz, S. W., and Jeremiah Mosher, J. W. At this time we find the brethren held Lodges of instruction in the Lodge Room, twice a month, on Sunday evenings. Another custom, which was begun with the foundation of the Lodge, was for the brethren to dine together on both St. John's days, the Lodge always holding meetings upon those days, for the purpose of in- stalling the officers, hearing the report of the standing committee on audits, etc.
The election of officers in December of this year resulted in a re-election of all at that time in office, they continuing in office until June, 1794, when Bro. Peter Getz was elected W. M., Bro. Jere. Mosher, S. W., Bro. Jacob Carpenter, J. W., and Bro. Jno. Stone, Treasurer. Bro. Stone not desiring to serve as Treasurer, Bro. Lewis Lauman was appointed in his place, and at the stated meeting held December 19th, the officers were all re-elected.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
During the year 1792, four brethren were initiated and one admitted to the Lodge. In 1793, six were initiated, one admitted, and one withdrew; and in 1794, six were initiated. So that during the first decade of the Lodge's existence, thirty members were initiated, and fourteen admitted; which, together with the seven charter members, makes a total of fifty-one, as having become mem- bers of the Lodge during the ten years. The records were not kept with any degree of accuracy during this period, but they give as the loss of membership the following: four died, four withdrew, and one was suspended; a total loss of nine; making the apparent net membership at the close of the decade, forty-two. We are inclined to believe that this figure is too high, as the poor attendance at the meetings would indicate that members from time to time dropped out. At an ordinary meeting from seven to nine members (including officers) would attend, and it was a rare thing to have as many as twelve or eighteen present.
The meetings at the close of the year 1794 show a much better attendance than formerly, with the interest in the Lodge on the increase.
At the meeting held September 29, 1794, Mathias Slough, at whose public house the Lodge held its meetings from June, 1788, to June, 1792, was made a Mason.
Bro. Mathias Slough was a man of considerable worth and education. He was a very prominent citizen and patriot during the Revolutionary period. He was Coroner of Lancaster County in 1763, when the Paxton Boys broke into the Lancaster jail and murdered the Conestoga Indians, and he held the inquest upon the bodies. The Paxton Boys first rode into Bro. Slough's tavern-yard, and from there proceeded to the scene of murder. In 1776 he was appointed general agent for the Province of Pennsylvania, to provide clothing and accoutrements for the troops raised for the service of the province. He also had command of a Lancaster battalion in the years 1776 and 1777. He was a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania during the years, 1774, '75, '77, '80, '81, '82, '83.
Oh do hereby acknowledge to have received por lo on pakpatrick Master of Lore ve 43. he.b) at Lancaster fifty Dollars for (Dues of the faid Loop and three Disprestations to from the Chois, Together with a dies of the Officer Members of flodge yo fedtint of their Ques to Jojohve Dec Sigh- Dette bben fono & Treasured Given the above has been paid to und to be delivered at the next quarterly common of they lose
$20-15
hilado Rad og things-
REPRODUCTION OF RECEIPT FOR GRAND LODGE DUES AND DISPENSATION TO ST. JOHN'S DAY, DECEMBER, 5794
CHAPTER II.
1795-1805.
T HE 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 10th, 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 requested to con- tinue 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 December 9th, 1795, we find the specu- lative 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
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
as follows: Bro. Jeremiah Mosher, W. M .; Bro. Jacob Carpenter, S. W., and Bro. John Morris, J. W .; Bro. Lewis Lauman, Treasurer. These officers were installed on St. John's day, December 27th when Bro. Wm. Feltman was again appointed Secretary.
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 erection of our present hall. The committee appointed for the above pur- pose 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 conceived it to be an economical and de- sirable 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 Secretary. 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 pro- curing 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).
John Morres Worshipful Master of Lodge Ve 43 Uncu. ent york Masons held at Lancaster in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Authority of the Right Worshipful Geano Lodge of Pennsylvania do hereby Bentity to the said Right Morship. Jul Grand Lodge, that, at an Election held this day the following Brethren were duly electra Officers of the said Lodge for the Term of six Months Succeeding next " John's Day in) John Miller 22 Howshipful Master. "Hillam Hamilton Senior "Warden 43.LA Beth Cielny. Junior Warden William Pitt Ale Secretary Lewis Lauman Treasury
N
LODGE
STER.
La Testimony whereof Phave hewants, fet my Hand and Causes the Seal of said Lodge to be affixed at Lancaster the the day of June Al 197 and in the year of Masonry 5797-
Atext Secretary of Lodge Nº 43.
of Lodge : 48
REPRODUCTION OF RETURN FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF LODGE NO. 43, JUNE, 1797
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
A vote of thanks was tendered Bro. Smith, and a committee was appointed to view the aforesaid lot and report.
William Hamilton, Esq., nephew of James Hamilton, deceased, 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 committee. 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 follows: 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: Bro. 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 Pursuivant. Bro .. John Morris was appointed Secretary.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
During the year 1797 the membership of the Lodge was increased by eight initiations.
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 Corpora- tion 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 report as follows, viz .:
Dollars.
6 Girders
39
1300 feet Joyce. 3 Dol. 34 Cents. 43
I200 Rafters
Cellar Beams 40
13
2600 feet Laths.
13
12,000 Shingles.
IO Dol. p m I20
200 lbs Nails
26
Boards. .
100
60,000 Bricks
Mason Work. 3 Dol. 34 Cents. 200
114
20 Loads Sand . 20
200 Bushels Lime. 26 Cents.
54
Carpenter Work 400
Plastering
200
Glass
14
Total $1393 WM. KIRKPATRICK,
CHAS. SMITH,
JOHN MILLER,
L. LAUMAN, J. MOSHER,
Committee.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
Upon the question being put before the Lodge, it was unani- mously 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 appointed to confer with the Corporation of the Borough respecting 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 the Corporation.
The Lodge to build the Superstructure, and Roof, floor and ciel the building.
The Corporation to grant the right to erect this Superstructure 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 Corpora- tion 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 Corporation do agree to the above proposals.
March 22d, 1798.
By order of the Corporation. PAUL ZANTZINGER, Chief Burgess. By order of the Lodge.
CHARLES SMITH, JOHN MILLER, JUNR, 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 con- junction 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
.
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
any two of them, were appointed a committee to act with the 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 collected. The Treas- urer 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 immedi- ately necessary. Such payments 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 committee with the workmen:
Memorandum of agreements entered in April 4th, 1798, Between the Committees of the Corporation and Lodge No. 43, and the undersigned 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 account, 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 con- tracting for the prices thereof, he is to consult 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 necessary 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
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
reasonable rates, but to be of the best 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 substantial manner-and to execute the Work thereof, as expditiously as it may be done in an handsome stile, agreeably to the plan agreed upon by the Committees of Con- ference above mentioned-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 subscriptions were also received from a few citizens, not members of the Lodge, and from a few brethren in York and Northumberland. Letters were also written to sister lodges in Philadelphia, Reading, Wilming- ton, Del., and committees or proxies were appointed to receive subscriptions from the brethren in the different 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.
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 £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.
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. Kirkpatrick, 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,
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History of Lodge No. 43, F. and A. M.
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 £402.4.1I.
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 serving 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. William Kirkpatrick, was chosen to preside over the Lodge.
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