YearsofLight
Masonic Symbol
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 3 A. F. & A. M. NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA 1772-1944
Years of LightHISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 3 A. F. & A. M. NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA 1772-1944 5772-5944, A. L. (ANNO LUCIS, YEAR OF LIGHT)BY GERTRUDE S. CARRAWAY Authorized in 1941 by ST. JOHN'S LODGE, No. 3, A. F. & A. M. GERALD N. MITCHELL, Worshipful Master Past Master JOHN H. PARKER, Chairman; Past Master J. E. BOSWELL, Past Master HARRY LIPMAN, Senior Warden LAURENCE A. STITH (Next Master), and OSCAR A. KAFER, Committee. Published 1943-44. J. M. SPIVEY, JR., Master, 1943; DR. W. I. GAUSE, Master, 1944. Past Master ALFRED A. KAFER, JR., Secretary; Past Master W. H. PURSER, Treasurer. NEW BERNOWEN G. DUNN COMPANYPUBLISHER1944
DEDICATION
Dedicated to the many worthy leaders and followers, past and present, of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, who have held the high principles of their Craft high in their own lives and in their community interests, letting their “light so shine” that others have been inspired by their “good works” with resultant inestimable benefits for religious, educational and fraternal progress.
“And when the Supreme Architect of all Worlds, Shall collect his most precious Jewels as ornaments of the Celestial Jerusalem, may you everlastingly Shine among those of the brightest lustre.”
—From the Address of Welcome tendered by St. John's Lodge to President George Washington during his visit to New Bern in 1791.
PENCIL SKETCH OF MASONIC TEMPLE, 1943, BY CPL. DONALD E. BROOKS, USMCR
| Page | ||
| Dedication | 3 | |
| Table of Contents | 5 | |
| Worshipful Masters of St. John's Lodge | 8 | |
| Chapter | ||
| I. | Freemasonry in Colonial Carolina | 11 |
| II. | Early Masonry in New Bern | 13 |
| III. | First Charter for Lodge | 17 |
| IV. | First Lodge Meeting | 19 |
| V. | First Officers | 20 |
| VI. | New Members | 25 |
| VII. | Pre-Revolutionary Meetings | 28 |
| VIII. | Lodge Reorganized | 31 |
| IX. | Formation of Grand Lodge | 35 |
| X. | St. John's Day Sermons | 37 |
| XI. | Halling and Martin | 42 |
| XII. | Grand Lodge Meetings Here | 44 |
| XIII. | President Washington's Visit | 47 |
| XIV. | Lodge Rooms in Palace | 53 |
| XV. | Number 3 Place Accepted | 56 |
| XVI. | Thomas P. Irving | 57 |
| XVII. | Building Site Purchased | 60 |
| XVIII. | Masonic Funerals | 65 |
| XIX. | Largest Lodge in State | 67 |
| XX. | Cornerstone Laid | 68 |
| XXI. | Lodge Building Progresses | 70 |
| XXII. | Masonic Hall in Use | 74 |
| XXIII. | Theatre Lease | 76 |
| XXIV. | Cupola Fund Donated | 82 |
| XXV. | William J. Williams | 87 |
| XXVI. | Masonic Book Published Here | 92 |
| XXVII. | Lotteries Aid Building Fund | 93 |
| XXVIII. | Francis Lowthrop | 95 |
| XXIX. | Masonic Temple Completed | 97 |
| XXX. | Consecration of “Masons’ Hall” | 101 |
| XXXI. | Many Prominent Members | 105 |
| XXXII. | Two Grand Masters | 109 |
| XXXIII. | Three Lots Sold | 113 |
| XXXIV. | President Monroe Welcomed | 115 |
| Chapter | Page | |
| XXXV. | Francis L. Hawks | 117 |
| XXXVI. | New Masonic Groups | 122 |
| XXXVII. | Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr. | 124 |
| XXXVIII. | Reorganization of Lodge | 129 |
| XXXIX. | Temple Renovated | 132 |
| XL. | Lists of Officers | 136 |
| XLI. | John D. Whitford | 138 |
| XLII. | Alonzo T. Jerkins | 141 |
| XLIII. | Post-War Record | 142 |
| XLIV. | Masonic Insurance Company | 146 |
| XLV. | Lodge Minutes Resumed | 151 |
| XLVI. | Many Uses for Temple | 153 |
| XLVII. | Cornerstone Layings | 156 |
| XLVIII. | Many Worthy Officers | 159 |
| XLIX. | Federal Appropriation | 163 |
| L. | Temple Remodeled | 167 |
| LI. | Doric Lodge Formed | 170 |
| LII. | Charles C. Clark | 174 |
| LIII. | Sudan Shrine Temple | 176 |
| LIV. | World War Period | 179 |
| LV. | Eastern Star Chapter | 181 |
| LVI. | Sesqui-Centennial Celebration | 184 |
| LVII. | Educational Work | 188 |
| LVIII. | Joseph F. Rhem | 190 |
| LIX. | Joint Birthday Party | 192 |
| LX. | Past Members Honored | 194 |
| LXI. | Memorial Tablet Erected | 197 |
| LXII. | District Meetings | 201 |
| LXIII. | Masonic Shrine Stone | 204 |
| LXIV. | Harry T. Paterson | 206 |
| LXV. | Twenty-Five Year Certificates | 210 |
| LXVI. | Memorial Program | 212 |
| LXVII. | World War II | 215 |
| LXVIII. | Outstanding Lodge Record | 217 |
| LXIX. | Members of St. John's Lodge | 222 |
| Index | 235 |
| Facing Page | |
| Pencil Sketch of Masonic Temple | Frontispiece |
| First Charter of St. John's Lodge | 16 |
| Martin Howard, First Worshipful Master | 17 |
| Second Charter of Lodge | 48 |
| Tryon's Palace, Where Lodge Long Had Lodge Rooms | 49 |
| Agreement of Masonic Temple Donors, 1800 | 64-65 |
| Old Playbills | 78-79 |
| Francis Lowthrop, Worshipful Master for 14 Terms | 96 |
| William R. Davie, Initiated in Masonry in New Bern | 97 |
| The East, Blue Lodge Room, Masonic Temple | 128 |
| The West, Blue Lodge Room, Masonic Temple | 129 |
| Masonic Temple, 1905 | 160 |
| Masonic Temple, 1944 | 161 |
| Sesqui-Centennial Celebration Invitation | 176 |
| Shrine Home, New Bern | 177 |
| Grand Master A. T. Jerkins, Grand Master C. C. Clark, Grand Master Harry T. Paterson and Worshipful Master J. F. Rhem, Founder of Sudan Temple | 208 |
| 33rd. Degree Scottish Rite Masons of St. John's Lodge | 209 |
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE
(Dates Refer to Years of Election)
| Martin Howard | 1772 |
| Richard Cogdell | 1772 |
| Richard Ellis | 1787, 1788 |
| Isaac Guion | 1788, 1789, 1790 |
| Solomon Halling | 1791 |
| Francis Lowthrop | (14 terms) 1792 - 1805 |
| John Louis Taylor | 1806 |
| Thomas P. Irving | 1807 - 1812 |
| Lucas J. Benners | 1813, 1814, 1818 |
| Jonathan Otis Freeman | 1819 |
| Edward C. King | 1820, 1821 |
| Francis L. Hawks | 1822 |
| James C. Cole | 1823, 1824 |
| Nathaniel Waples | 1825 |
| Thomas Carney | 1835 |
| John Harvey | 1846 |
| James Hayward | 1846, 1847 |
| Alonzo T. Jerkins | 1848-1850; 1857 |
| Matthew A. Outten | 1851 |
| Edward F. Smallwood | 1852 |
| David S. Willis | 1853, 1854, 1855 |
| John D. Flanner | 1856 |
| Charles C. Clark | (7 terms) 1858-59; 1866-67; 1874-75; 1882 |
| J. M. F. Harrison | 1860 |
| Frederick C. Roberts | 1868, 1871, 1876, 1881 |
| J. W. Baxter | 1869 |
| Daniel T. Carraway | 1870 |
| William Dunn | 1872, 1873 |
| John V. Jordan | 1877 |
| Thomas Daniels | 1878-79, 1885, 1893 |
| John C. Green | 1880 |
| A. W. Wood | 1883 |
| Thomas A. Green | (9 terms) 1884, 1888, 1895-96, 1902-06 |
| Joseph H. Hackburn | 1886, 1892 |
| W. B. Boyd | 1887 |
| E. G. Hill | 1889, 1890, 1891 |
| Hugh J. Lovick | 1894 |
| Joseph B. Clark | 1897 |
| Thomas W. Dewey | 1897 |
| Robert S. Primrose | 1898 |
| George Green | 1899 |
| Caleb D. Bradham | 1900, 1901, 1927 |
| W. T. Hill | 1907 |
| H. B. Smith | 1908, 1909 |
| Joseph F. Rhem | 1910 |
| R. D. V. Jones | 1911 |
| William P. Jones | 1912, 1920 |
| N. E. Mohn | 1913 |
| J. B. Dawson | 1914, 1925 |
| John H. Parker | 1915, 1916, 1929 |
| Harry T. Paterson | 1917, 1926 |
| Allie Cook | 1918, 1919 |
| C. Whit Gaskins | 1921 |
| J. E. Boswell | 1922 |
| Albert L. Hibbard | 1923 |
| W. H. Purser | 1924, 1928 |
| Albert T. Willis | 1930, 1931 |
| L. W. Hartsell | 1932 |
| Carl F. Bunting | 1933, 1934 |
| Elisha H. Bunting | 1935 |
| Charles B. Johnson | 1936 |
| E. W. Summerell | 1937 |
| Alfred A. Kafer, Jr. | 1938 |
| Harry Lipman | 1939 |
| Gerald N. Mitchell | 1940 |
| Laurence A. Stith | 1941 |
| J. M. Spivey, Jr. | 1942 |
| William I. Gause | 1943 |
I
FREEMASONRY IN COLONIAL CAROLINA
Although the early history of Freemasonry in North Carolina can not be accurately traced because of the fact that complete records are not extant, it is known that the fraternity dates back more than two centuries in this State.
“The Craft was actively at work in North Carolina prior to 1735, for in that year enough Masons had assembled in the Cape Fear settlement, near the present city of Wilmington, to form a lodge,” according to the late historian, Marshall DeLancey Haywood, of Raleigh. “This was Solomon Lodge, chartered by Thomas Thynne, second Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England.”
In an historical address to St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at New Bern on St. John's Day, June 24, 1789, Francis Xavier Martin declared: “Masons crossed the Atlantic with the first settlers of the British Colonies in America, and, soon after, the Grand Master of England appointed Provincial Grand Masters and constituted regular lodges in the new world.
“The Carolinas, whose settlement is of later date, had no Provincial Grand Master until 1736 (A. L. 5736), when the Earl of Loudoun appointed John Hammerton, Esquire, to that dignity. From him a regular succession can be traced to Joseph Montfort, Esquire, who was appointed by the Duke of Beaufort.”
There is no record of any North Carolina charter from Provincial Grand Master Hammerton, of Charleston, S. C., or from his successors in South Carolina. But several lodges in this State did get charters directly from England.
St. John's Lodge of Wilmington was chartered by the Grand Lodge of England in 1755, and now ranks as the oldest still in existence in North Carolina. It is believed to have been an outgrowth of the Solomon Lodge, which disbanded about 1754 at Cape Fear. Its English number was 213. Later its number was changed several times. One of the first buildings erected in Wilmington was a Masonic lodge.
Caleb Granger of New Hanover County, commanding officer of a North Carolina company of volunteers who fought in northern colonies during the French and Indian wars, became a Mason during the campaign. Probably a number of his soldiers also joined an Army Lodge chartered May 13, 1756, by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Upon Granger's return to North Carolina, he settled upon his father's estate below Wilmington. A Masonic lodge called Hanover Lodge was formed. Long ago it ceased to exist, but from the number of Masons living in the vicinity the place became known as Masonboro and a nearby body of water as Masonboro Sound, and they are so known to this day.
The Royal White Hart Lodge was formed Nov. 1, 1764, at Halifax, under authority from Cornelius Harnett, the “Worshipful Grand Master” of St. John's Lodge of Wilmington. Among the members listed the following April was Joseph Montfort. On Aug. 21, 1767, this lodge was chartered by the Right Worshipful John Salter, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England. Its original number, 403, was later changed.
As early as 1766 a lodge was chartered in Pitt County by Right Worshipful Jeremy Gridley of Massachusetts, then Provincial Grand Master with jurisdiction over any parts of North America where no other Grand Lodge existed. The organization was called the First Lodge in Pitt County, and Thomas Cooper, a Pitt County merchant, was listed as its Master.
According to data compiled by Judge Francis D. Winston of Windsor and Henry Harding of Greenville, this early Pitt County lodge was located at Crown Point about 15 miles from Greenville on the road then leading towards New Bern.
There officers, lawyers and other persons attending courts at New Bern, Halifax and Hillsboro often spent the night while en route to the various places. The inn operated there by Colonel Allen was first called Colonel Allen's Inn, and later known as Crown Point Inn, in honor of the old Allen homestead in New York, which later became famous as the scene of one of Ethan Allen's victories in 1775.
In this inn, Judge Winston reported, there was a room known as “The Masons’ Room.” Children and servants are said to have been kept away from it by stories of butting goats, coffins and hobgoblins.
At the same time that St. John's Lodge of New Bern received its charter in 1772, the Kinston Lodge is supposed to have been chartered. When the Grand Lodge settled the precedence of lodges in North Carolina in 1791, the Kinston order was recorded as St. John's Lodge, No. 4. In December, 1806, it was dissolved and rechartered in 1827 as St. John's Lodge, No. 96. Ten years later it revived its original name, but for the past 40 years has been known as St. John's Lodge, No. 4.
Other lodges started before the organization of the Grand Lodge in North Carolina in 1787 included the Royal Edwin Lodge, No. 5, Windsor; Royal William Lodge, No. 6, Winton; Unanimity Lodge, No. 7, Edenton; Union Lodge, No. 8, Fayetteville; Old Cone Lodge, No. 9, Salisbury; Dornock Lodge, No. 5, of Warren County; and Blandford-Bute Lodge, of Bute County.
“Since then the order has always been a factor in the life of the people,” wrote Capt. Samuel A. Ashe in the second volume of his History of North Carolina.
“Among them (the Masons) were many of the most honored patriots of the State,” Captain Ashe wrote elsewhere in the same volume. “Samuel Johnston, Richard Caswell, Davie, Col. William Polk, Chief Justice Taylor, Judge Hall, Governor Benjamin Smith and Robert Williams were Grand Masters up to 1813, and equally distinguished were their successors, while the roll of members contained the names of the most choice spirits of the commonwealth.”
IIEARLY MASONRY IN NEW BERN
Although it has been generally understood for years that a number of Masons lived in New Bern before organization of St. John's Lodge in 1772, only recently has it been definitely learned that there was a Masonic Lodge here as early as 1764.
In an issue of the North Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligencer published at New Bern December 21-28, 1764, by James Davis, first State printer, is a long account of the arrival and festivities in that month at New Bern for “The Honourable William Tryon, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of this Province, with his Lady.” Tryon had come to North Carolina from England, and early the following year he became Governor of this province, upon the long-expected demise of Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs.
The news story, with its proof that Masons were organized here at that early date, follows in part:
“On Thursday, being the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the Members of the Ancient and Honourable Society of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, belonging to the Lodge in this Town, met in their Lodge-Room; and after going thro’ the necessary Business of the Day, retired to the Long Room in the Court House, to dine, where was served up an elegant Dinner; the Lieutenant Governor honoured them with his company; where also dined many other Gentlemen. The usual and proper healths were drank; and at drinking ‘The King and the Craft’ the Artillery fired 3. 3. 3.”
Prior to the Revolution and well before the permanent formation of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and even before the organization of St. John's Lodge here, a Grand Lodge was probably started in 1771 in this province. It is said to have “convened occasionally at New Bern and Edenton, at which latter place the records were destroyed by the British Army, and the meetings of the Grand Lodge suspended.”
In Haywood's history it is recorded: “There seems to have been no separate and distinct Grand Lodge of North Carolina before 1771, when the Duke of Beaufort, Grand Master of England, made Joseph Montfort, of Halifax, North Carolina, Provincial Grand Master of the Province, with jurisdiction extending over the whole continent of North America where no other Grand Lodge had Jurisdiction.
“Montfort at first appointed James Milner Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and after Milner's death, Cornelius Harnett succeeded him as Deputy Grand Master. William Brimage was Grand Secretary, his term probably extending
from the first foundation of the Grand Lodge, in 1771, till the death of Montfort, 1776. Montfort's death nullified all the offices held under him.”
According to Gould's History of Freemasonry Throughout the World, Vol. 6, Page 71: “The choice of Joseph Montfort as Provincial Grand Master was very fortunate. The minute books of the lodges at New Bern and Edenton, as well as in his home town, Halifax, show that he paid frequent visits to them. What is more important still, he chartered a number of new lodges as will be shown. He also appointed a full complement of Grand Lodge officers to aid him in carrying on the work.”
Soon after the appointment of Montfort, “the first, the last, the only Grand Master of America,” it is likely that plans were set in motion for the formal organization of a lodge at New Bern. Evidently a number of Masons then resided in this town. St. John seemed to be the unanimous choice for a name, and so it remains here until this day.
According to Masonic historians, St. John's Lodge, New Bern, is the only Masonic lodge that at various times has been named St. John's Lodge, No. 1; St. John's Lodge, No. 2; and St. John's Lodge, No. 3. Members themselves chose the first number; they were assigned the Number 2 place by Montfort in his charter for the organization; and the Number 3 position was given them later by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
The founder of the local lodge was Martin Howard, Chief Justice of the Royal Colony of North Carolina from 1767 to 1773, who had come from Rhode Island, where he had perhaps first become a Mason. For about a decade he lived near New Bern on a country estate called “Richmond.”
Upon petition of Howard, Joseph Leech, Richard Cogdell, Richard Ellis, William Brimage, Thomas Haslen and several others, the first charter was granted to the lodge under the name St. John's Lodge No. 2. This charter was dated January 10, 1772. In the document Martin was named Master of the Lodge; Leech, Senior Warden; and Cogdell, Junior Warden. They had previously been named to these respective posts by the local members.
Colonel Montfort, as “the first and only Grand Master of America,” attained the highest Masonic rank of any person
during the Colonial era in this country. When the Revolutionary period came, he cast his lot with the colonies, though he died March 25, 1776, before hostilities actually came to a head.
On February 13, 1911, a granite monument was erected at his grave in front of the old Masonic Hall in Halifax, with the following inscription:
THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL JOSEPH MONTFORT
Born in England A. D. 1724 Died at Halifax, N. C. March 25, A.D. 1776
Appointed Provincial Grand Master of and for America on Jan. 14, A. L. 5771 (A. D. 1771)
By the Duke of Beaufort Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, A. F. & A. M.
First Clerk of the Court of Halifax County Treasurer of the Province of North Carolina Colonel of Colonial Troops Member Provincial Congress
Orator—Statesman—Patriot—Soldier
The Highest Masonic Official Ever Reigning on This Continent
THE FIRST—THE LAST—THE ONLY GRAND MASTER OF AMERICA
Cornelius Harnett was Deputy Provincial Grand Master under Montfort, and he was one of the greatest patriots of North Carolina. He served as president of the Provincial Council of North Carolina and a member of the Continental Congress of the United Colonies. Captured by the British, he died a prisoner in Wilmington. A handsome monument has been erected over his grave in St. James Churchyard at Wilmington.
FIRST CHARTER OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE
M. Howard. Engraved for The Colonial Society of Massachusetts from a portrait by Captoy
Martin Howard, Chief Justice of the Royal Colony of North Carolina
The history of Masons in the Colonial and Revolutionary eras is virtually a history of outstanding Americans, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Paul Jones. The Boston Teaparty is reported to have been staged by St. Andrews’ Masonic lodge of Boston.
North Carolina Masons also were among the most patriotic military, political and educational and even religious leaders of the early days. Tradition says that during the early part of the Revolution the Committees of Safety were composed almost entirely of Masons and that many of the committee meetings, usually being held secretly, took place in lodge rooms.
New Bern Masons likewise included numerous outstanding leaders, as Colonel Leech and Colonel Cogdell of the Committee of Safety here; Richard Caswell, who became Governor of North Carolina and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina after the Revolutionary War; and many others whose names will appear later in this record as well as in political, military and educational histories of the city and the State.
IIIFIRST CHARTER FOR LODGE
The original charter, a large parchment document, is still carefully preserved here in Masonic files, with the handwriting plainly visible and easy to read: “No. 2. J. Montfort, P.G.M. To All and Every the Right Worshipful, Worshipful and Loving Brethren of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, I, Joseph Montfort, Esquire, of Halifax in North Carolina, Provincial Grand Master of and for America, send Greetings. WHEREAS, His Grace, Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, &c., Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons hath been graciously pleased (by Patent dated the 14th day of January Anno Latomorum 5771, A. D. 1771 at London) to constitute me Provincial Grand Master of and for America with full power & Authority in due form to make Masons and to constitute and Regulate Lodges as occasion may require and also to
do and execute all & every other Acts & things appertaining to the said office, KNOW ye therefore that I, upon the humble petition of the Right Worshipful, Worshipful and loving Brethren, the Honourable Martin Howard, Esquire, Joseph Leach, Richard Cogdell, Richard Ellis, William Brimage, Thomas Haslen & several other Brethren residing in New Bern in the Province of North Carolina in America Do hereby constitute the said Brethren into a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be opened at New Bern by the name of New Bern St. John's Lodge. And I do further in consequence of the said petition and of the great trust and Confidence Reposed in every one of the said Brethren Hereby appoint the said Martin Howard, Esquire, to be Master, the said Joseph Leach to be Senior Warden and the said Richard Cogdell to be Junior Warden for opening the said Lodge and for such further time only as shall be thought proper by the Brethren thereof; leaving the Election of such officers for the future to be Regulated agreeably to such bye-laws of the said Lodge as shall be consistant with the General Laws of this Society contained in the Book of constitutions. And I do hereby Will and require you the said Martin Howard Esquire to take special care that all & every the Brethren of the said Lodge are or shall have been Regularly made Masons, and that they observe & perform the Rules & orders contained in the Book of Constitutions AND further that you do from time to time cause to be entered on a Book kept for that purpose an account of your proceedings in the Lodge, together with all such Rules orders & Regulations as shall be made for the good Government of the same, that in no-wise you omit once in every year to send to me, and to my Successors Provincial Grand Masters or to James Milner, Esquire, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the time being, an account in writing of your proceedings & of all such rules orders and regulations as shall be made by your Lodge, together with a list of Members thereof, & such sum of money as may suit the circumstances of your Lodge & be reasonably expected towards the Grand Charity. Moreover, I hereby Will & require you as soon as convenience may be to send an account in writing of what shall be done by virtue of these Presents.
“Given in North Carolina under my Hand & Seal of Masonry the 10th day of January A.L. 5772, A. D. 1772. Witness, William Brimage, P.G.S. By the Provincial Grand Master's Command. J. A. Milner, D. P. G. M.”
IVFIRST LODGE MEETING
Even before the issuance of this charter by the Provincial Grand Master, New Bern Masons held a local meeting, and designated their lodge St. John's Lodge, New Bern, No. 1. This gathering was held January 9, 1772, the day before the charter was dated. Earlier informal meetings had also probably been held, since officers had already been named.
Minutes of this first meeting are still extant, forming the first entry in the original minute book still in the possession of the lodge. This book is of imitation black leather, 12 3/4 inches in length and eight inches in width. There are 330 pages, of which about ten are blank. Although the cover has come off, the book is in remarkably good state of preservation, and the handwriting is exceptionally fine in most cases. Many of the illustrations in the book are unique and interesting.
Handwritten in large letters, the minutes of this first gathering follow:
St. John's Lodge, Newbern, No. 1
At a Lodge begun and held at Newbern on Thursday, the 9th day of January, A. L. 5772.
Present
Right Worshipful Brother Howard, Master
Bro. Leech, Senior Warden
Bro. Cogdell, Junior Warden
Bro. Haslen, Treasurer
Bro. Brimage, Secretary
Bro. Ellis
Bro. Richardson
Bro. Rooke
Agreed at this Meeting
1st. That a Lodge be held Monthly (viz.) the first Thursday in every month.
2dly. That a Quarterly Meeting be held the first Thursday in March, June, September and December at each of which the Members are to pay five Shillings into the Treasury.
3dly. That every Candidate admitted to the Degree of an entered Apprentice, shall pay into the Treasury, Five Pounds, To the Tiler of the Lodge Eight Shillings, and shall also pay the Expences* of the Night.
4thly. That every entered Apprentice raised to the Degree of Fellow-Craft, shall pay Twenty Shillings; to the Tiler five Shillings; together with the Expences of the Night.
5thly. That every Fellow-Craft raised to the Degree of Masters shall pay into the Treasury Twenty Shillings, together with the expense of the Evening.
6thly. That the Elections of Members be by Ballot.
Bro. Ellis proposed Mr. John Burnside to be admitted a Member of this Society, who was accordingly unanimously approved of by Ballot.
Bro. Rooke proposed Mr. Richard Graham to be admitted a Member of this Society, who accordingly was unanimously approved of.
Bro. Ellis proposed that a Lodge extraordinary, be held on Saturday night next, for the admission of Mr. Burnside and Mr. Graham, which was ordered accordingly.
Resolved, that any person who shall have been Entered, Passed, or raised in any other Lodge, on application to become a Member of this, shall be Balloted for, and if approved of, shall be admitted on payment of Thirty Shillings into the Treasury.
VFIRST OFFICERS
The first officers of the New Bern lodge were among the section's leading citizens.
* In all excerpts from minutes and records quoted in this book the exact spelling, even misspelling, of words is copied. In numerous instances, the old-fashioned “f” for “s” will be noted.Col. Joseph Leech, (1720-1803) Senior Warden of the lodge, was one of the main educators and statesmen produced in the city. He was a member of the first board of trustees for the first local public school started in 1764 as the first of its kind in the province. He was also active in the leadership of Christ Episcopal church.
Among the many public offices he held were the following: member of the First Provincial Convention; member of Assembly; member of Council of Safety; member of the State Constitutional Convention; State Treasurer; and Custodian of Tryon's Palace. During the visit of President George Washington to New Bern in 1791 he was Mayor of the city.
Junior Warden Cogdell and Treasurer Thomas Haslen were also members of the first board of trustees for New Bern's first public school. Cogdell was also a leading churchman. For some time he served as sheriff of Craven County, then was State Treasurer. He held the militia rank of colonel.
Dr. Haslen was the builder of the first brick house erected in the city, on East Front and Pollock streets, of which the brick kitchen survives now as the Haslen-West home at 46 East Front street. Started in 1761, this mansion was destroyed by fire in 1842. There visited John Bird Sumner, later Bishop of Chester and then Archbishop of Canterbury in England from 1848 to 1862, who stayed there while on a visit here with his mother, who was Haslen's sister.
Secretary Brimage held the distinction, already noted, of serving as the first Provincial Grand Secretary. He was one of the few like Howard who remained Loyalists during the Revolutionary period and suffered severe property losses here from his devotion to King George III.
Throughout the history of North Carolina there is perhaps no leader who has been so generally neglected or misrepresented by historians than Martin Howard, chief justice of the Royal Colony of North Carolina from 1767 to 1773. Only recently is he beginning to receive his just due from historical students and writers.
Howard was prominent in colonial affairs of both North Carolina and Rhode Island. His father, Martin Howard, Sr., had been “admitted free of the colony” of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations on May 3, 1726. Though he took no great part in public life, the father was influential in the colony. The son was probably born in England about 1720 and brought to this country in early childhood, although some historians believe that he was born in Rhode Island after the removal of his parents there.
The younger Howard studied at various places, perhaps including the Inns of Court in London. He also studied law under James Honyman, Jr., and practiced in Newport, R. I., where he resided most of his life.
In June, 1754, he was appointed by the Rhode Island Assembly as a commissioner to confer with the six Indian nations at Albany, N. Y. In August, 1756, he was named on a committee to draft a bill to authorize a lottery for raising ten thousand pounds for the building of Fort George. In that same year he was sent to the Rhode Island Assembly from Newport.
During 1760 and later during 1762 he was placed on a commission to revise the laws of the colony. For three years he was librarian of Redwood library. He was long a prominent member of Trinity Church at Newport. Throughout the time he made an excellent reputation as an attorney.
On December 29, 1749, the young man married Ann Brenton Conklin, a widow, at the home of her father, Maj. Ebenezer Brenton. The register of old Trinity Church tells of the baptism of three children: Ebenezer, August 14, 1751; Elizabeth, July 26, 1752; and Ann, August 24, 1754.
His second wife was Abigail Greenleaf, daughter of Stephen Greenleaf, sheriff of Suffolk, whom he took later as a young bride to North Carolina. She probably lived with him on their estate near New Bern.
With the approach of trouble between England and the American colonies, Howard became an ardent, active Loyalist. In 1765 he defended the Stamp Act, holding an office under the Crown for that act. On August 27, 1765, effigies of Augustus Johnston, attorney-general, Dr. Thomas Moffatt, a Scotch physician, and Howard, all three of whom were stamp officers, were drawn through the Newport streets and hanged on a gallows in front of the courthouse. That evening the effigies were cut down and burned before thousands of cheering spectators.
Howard was injured by the mob. The next day the mobs attacked and dismantled the homes of Howard and Moffatt, both of whom fled from the town, taking refuge on board a British sloop-of-war.
Fearing to remain near the colony, Howard sailed for England. His home had been almost completely ruined. Doors and windows had been torn out and thrown into the street. The contents of the building had been damaged and cast out. The place was sold at auction after the flight of its owner.
Later Howard filed a claim for 970 pounds from the Rhode Island Assembly, to cover his property losses from the colonial mob. For several years the matter was repeatedly postponed by the Rhode Island authorities. No settlement of it was ever made, the province promising only to pay part of the loss whenever the British government might pay back colonial expenditures during the French and Indian wars.
On his way to England from Rhode Island, Howard stopped at Halifax in Nova Scotia, where he wrote two political pamphlets. While abroad, he received an appointment as chief justice of the Colony of North Carolina.
His short judicial career in this province was a period of disturbance and turbulence, marked principally by the War of the Regulators and the trials of the offenders. He presided with impartiality and fairness, it is now being generally conceded by modern historians, though earlier historians often censured him severely.
“Though a loyalist, he seems to have acted from conscientious motives, and was highly respected by members of the legal profession, including those of the opposite political faith,” Marshall DeLancey Haywood wrote of Howard in his book, Governor Tryon of North Carolina. “In addition to occupying a seat at the council-board, he filled the office of Chief Justice of North Carolina, and had no superior, if an equal, in the colonial judiciary.”
Howard resided on his plantation, “Richmond,” in Craven County, until July, 1777, when he left the State to return to New York and Rhode Island, refusing to take an oath of allegiance to the State of North Carolina. The next year he went to England with his family and resided in Chelsea in
the County of Middlesex until his death November 24, 1781. His office as Chief Justice of North Carolina had ended in 1773, with the expiration of the law creating the court.
A conscientious Tory, Howard nevertheless kept the friendship of many North Carolinians, in spite of their political differences. On May 15, 1777, he wrote to Judge James Iredell, as follows:
“Your favor from New Bern gave me no small degree of pleasure . . . I wish you could have conveniently fulfilled your intentions of riding to Richmond. My little family would have been glad to see you, and you would have seen, I think, the best piece of meadow in Carolina, whence (when I leave this country) you might be able to add one to the few observations which may be made upon an unimportant character, viz., that I had made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before—a circumstance among some nations of no small honor and renown.”
Thus it may be seen that after his retirement from the bench he continued to live for four years on his plantation near New Bern where he reports considerable success in farming. When he founded the local Masonic lodge, he was serving as Chief Justice, and probably had to be out of the city on frequent professional trips to various parts of North Carolina, for Cogdell is frequently reported as acting as Worshipful Master at lodge meetings and ceremonies. Cogdell was elected to succeed him the following year.
“Martin Howard was a patriot, a cultured gentleman, a scholar, and a distinguished jurist,” writes Archibald Henderson, of Chapel Hill, distinguished historian. Griffith J. McRee, gifted biographer and historian, observed: “The removal of a little rhetorical lampblack will disclose a man, differing, it is true, politically, from the mass of the population, but in other respects, the peer of the proudest citizen of the realm.”
VINEW MEMBERS
“At a Lodge in Ample form, held the 11th day of January, A. L. 5772,” just two days after the first meeting, apparently the extraordinary session provided for at the first gathering, John Burnside and Richard Graham became the first new members of the local lodge, according to the lodge minutes.
Besides the local officers, the Right Worshipful the Grand Master, Joseph Montfort, was in attendance. And there were three other visitors: Brothers Euen, Ince and Alex. McAuslan. A lecture was given by Master Martin Howard, “proper for the Instruction of the Apprentices.”
The third meeting took place February 6. Charles Crawford, Samuel Smythe and William Johnston were admitted as visiting Brethren. David Barron was approved as a new member, the third for the lodge.
On the following Tuesday night Burnside and Graham were raised to the Degree of Fellow-Crafts. James Parrott and Capt. James McConnell were accepted as new members, the fourth and fifth respectively. William Bryan, “having been raised to the degree of an entered apprentice, though not in a regular Constituted Lodge,” was also received, and raised to the Degree of Fellow Crafts.
At a special session February 13, with Cogdell acting as Master, Barron, Parrott and McConnell were admitted as entered Apprentices. Simon Bright was reported as a visitor, as was also Brother Euen. Brother Learmond, “on taking the Obligation,” was likewise admitted.
Dues were paid at the first quarterly meeting March 5. Brother Fowler was reported to be a visitor. It was voted that every person initiated in the first degree should pay his apprentice fee that night, and in case of his failure to do so, the member who proposed his name should be held liable for the payment.
Decision was reached April 2 to procure a copper plate for granting certificates for the benefit of members who might wish to use their credentials while traveling. Mr. DeBruhl was employed to engrave a plate similar to the one
exhibited at the gathering. Capt. Charles Thompson and Andrew Mack were admitted as visitors.
As an entry April 7 it was recorded that Mack was received as a member of the lodge. Acting Master Cogdell was authorized to procure a mahogany or cedar chest for the organization, and Treasurer Haslen was instructed to purchase “a Dozen parchment Skins for printing Certificates upon.” McAusley, Barron and Parrott were “properly prepared, introduced and raised to the Degree of a Fellow Craft.” McConnell was given the second degree of Masonry May 7.
“Yesterday being His Majesty's Birthday, the Members of this Lodge being at the Palace, could not meet,” reads an entry dated June 5, 1772, “and the next evening (the time appointed) there appearing not a sufficient number to constitute a Lodge, those met departed.”
Haslen resigned as Treasurer, and Parrott was appointed in his place. To him was turned over 28 pounds, 15 shillings, then in the treasury, it was reported July 2. Cogdell, Ellis and Brimage were named on a committee to draw up rules and by-laws. Josiah Holt and Edward Winslow were elected members, and were initiated July 4. On July 22 Burnside, Graham and Parrott were raised to the Degree of Masters. Two days later the same degree was conferred on McAuslan, Barron and McConnell.
“A Patent for constituting this Lodge by the name of New Bern St. John's Lodge, No. 2, was presented from the Provincial Grand Master Joseph Montfort, Esq., which was read,” according to the minutes of August 6. It was ordered to be kept in the lodge archives, with a notation that Montfort be “wrote to with regard to the No., it being apprehended that there is a mistake in that respect.”
Evidently the charter dated January 10 did not arrive in New Bern until that August, and apparently the members did not like the Number 2 place assigned the lodge. But their letter to Provincial Grand Master Montfort did not bring any change in the number.
On August 27 it was voted that the treasurer pay for a Seal for the Grand Master. The next month it was voted to pay Mr. DeBruhl 25 pounds for engraving the copper plates for certificates and also for engraving a seal for the lodge.
Parrott was asked to purchase “wax and wafers” for taking proper impression of the lodge's seal.
Peleg Green and Duncan Fergus were voted new members at that meeting in September, and on September 7 were received as apprentices, as were also Joseph Down, William Cannon and Henry Vipon. Levi Gill and James Arrant were turned down as proposed new members, but Capt. Simon Alderson was approved by ballot. Capt. Jacob Milligan and Capt. John Patten were made members September 24. It was noted that Captain Patten resided at “a considerable distance from the Lodge.” John McKay became a member November 5.
In order to increase attendance it was voted November 5 to fine the officers and members if tardy or absent without a good excuse. It was further decreed that “Every Officer and Member of the Lodge shall behave himself during the sitting thereof in a Sober, Orderly and Decent Manner; every Officer and Member behaving otherwise shall be subject to such penalty as the majority of the Lodge then set shall think fit to inflict.”
Other rules then passed provided: “That no private or public Conversation shall be held during the sitting of the Lodge without consent of the Master, under such penalties as he shall think fit to inflict; That every Member addressing the Master, on any Motion, proposal, or other matter, shall rise from his Chair; That no Member shall speak more than twice to one question, unless by Consent of the Master, under such penalty as he may think Proper to inflict; That no Member shall leave the Lodge Room unless by consent of the Master, and that under such penalties as he shall think fit to inflict.” These rules were to be read each month in the Lodge, if time permitted.
At a special meeting December 10, Charles Crawford was a visitor, as were also Samuel Smythe, John Wright Stanly, Thomas D. Newton and Thomas McLin.
As St. John the Evangelist's Day that year fell on Sunday, the observance was held the following day. Members and visiting brethren met at 10 o'clock in the morning at the Lodge Room, all absentees being held liable for a fine of five pounds proclamation money, “unless rendered incapable by sickness or some urgent business that may be deemed a
sufficient excuse.” All were ordered “to be decently clothed, with white stockings, white aprons and gloves.”
The processional formed for a march to the Court House. First, the tiler, with a Drawn Sword, “observing at every Corner, a right angle, the Sword elevated 45 degrees.” Second, the Stewards (Fergus, Milligan, Down and Holt), walking in couples, with white wands; next, the Junior Apprentice with the Bible; the Junior Masons, followed by the elder brothers, two by two; the treasurer and secretary; the wardens; then the Master and Deputy Master.
Cogdell was indisposed, so Parrott officiated as Master. At the Court House, the line of march was reversed, with the higher officers entering first. Parrott made the address of the occasion. Moses Almond was admitted as a new member. After the program, a dinner was served at the lodge room, prepared by James Ince.
On that day Richard Caswell was received into the lodge. Cogdell was duly elected Master for the ensuing year; with Ellis as Senior Warden; Burnside, Junior Warden; Brimage, Secretary; Parrott, Treasurer; Barron and Down, Stewards.
Proving as it does that Caswell, afterwards Governor of North Carolina and second Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, belonged to St. John's Lodge and that it was the first regularly-constituted lodge to which he did belong, the following item dated December 28, 1772, from the local minute book is of special significance in State Masonic history:
“Bro. Cogdell moved that Bro. Rich'd. Caswell might take the obligation again, having passed the different degrees of Masonry formerly tho’ not in a regular Constituted Lodge. Assented to that he be admitted on taking the Obligation which he accordingly did.”
VIIPRE-REVOLUTIONARY MEETINGS
A resolution adopted January 7, 1773, provided that in the future supper should not be ordered for lodge meetings unless three persons were to be entered, passed or raised in membership, and then the expense was limited to 40 shillings
each. However, it was stipulated that persons being initiated might order a supper if they so desired and “must pay the expence of the Liquor in the Lodge room that evening.”
From time to time in the minutes reference is made to the Lodge rooms. At other times it is stated that the meetings were held at the homes of members. Frequent mention the first year is made of meetings at the home of James Ince. On April 1 the meeting took place “at the King's Arms,” a local tavern.
That the Masons did much good work for their fellow members is indicated from a notation April 5, when it is stated that a Mason, Michael DeBruhl, had died in needy circumstances, so it was voted that he “should be decently interred at the expence of the Lodge.” Although not a member of the local organization, John Wright Stanly, a visiting Mason at the meeting, voluntarily offered to help share the cost. The bill of two pounds, seven shillings, was subsequently reported paid.
The members attended in a body the funeral, which was conducted by Mr. Parrott at Christ Episcopal Church. From a collection taken among the Masons the treasurer paid 51 pence a week to the widow.
No meeting was held in May, “most of the Brethren being absent,” but in June the following resolution was passed: “From time immemorial it has been customary among Masons to commemorate the Festival of St. John Baptist, it was unanimously agreed and ordered that the Brethren in Town and Country have notice to attend on Thursday the 24th Instant, the Lodge to be opened precisely at 12 o'clock. Also ordered that a decent frugal Dinner be ready on the said Occasion at 3 o'clock.” This dinner was served at the King's Arms.
Although the next minutes follow this entry on the same page of the same book, there is a lapse of almost 14 years, due probably to the inactivity of the lodge during the Revolutionary War period.
Parrott, who took such a prominent role in Masonic affairs here, was assistant to Schoolmaster Thomas Tomlinson and like him was also probably an assistant to the Rev. James Reed, rector of Christ Episcopal Church.
When school trustees angrily discharged Tomlinson after he had incurred the displeasure of two trustees by reproving and suspending their children from school, Parrott was elected schoolmaster but in loyalty to Tomlinson he declined to take the place.
Cogdell, Ellis and Leech, three members of the lodge, were among the 40 men signing a petition in 1765 requesting Royal Governor William Tryon to ask the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel to allow a yearly salary for Schoolmaster Tomlinson. They reported that they desired Tomlinson to have an assistant. Parrott came to New Bern from England as his assistant instructor for New Bern's first public school, the first incorporated school in North Carolina and second private secondary school in English America to receive a charter. Masons were thus instrumental in aiding New Bern's educational development.
John Wright Stanly, reported as a Masonic visitor at local lodge meetings, and William Bryan, upon whom a Masonic degree was conferred here at the first extraordinary session of the lodge, were both members of the board named in 1784 for the reorganized New Bern Academy. Richard Caswell was also a board member.
Stanly was an illustrious patriot, who lost fourteen privateers during the Revolution and is said to have lent about $80,000 to help Gen. Nathanael Greene win the war. It was in his home, now a public library here, that President Washington was entertained in 1791 after Stanly's death from yellow fever in 1789.
Bryan was a Revolutionary general who played a gallant role in the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, first American victory of the first organized campaign during that war. He served as Craven County sheriff, Christ Church warden, member of the Committee of Safety, delegate to three provincial conventions and the State Constitutional Convention and representative in the State House of Commons.
VIIILODGE REORGANIZED
St. John's Lodge “No. 2” was reorganized after the Revolutionary War in a meeting held here March 16, 1787, “in consequence of a Circular Letter dated Fayetteville the 1st Jan'y Anno Mundi 5787 from the Worshipful Master and Wardens of the Union Lodge held there.”
Richard Ellis was unanimously elected Master; with Francis Stringer, Senior Warden; Peter Butts Oram, Junior Warden; Henry Machen, Treasurer; Benjamin Manchester, Secretary; and James Arantz, Tiler.
It was decided to meet weekly for instruction, and a committee was appointed to revise the former by-laws.
Manchester was named to represent the lodge at a convention called for June 24 at Fayetteville to elect a Grand Master for North Carolina, and a committee was authorized to prepare a letter in answer to the one received from the Fayetteville lodge. During the War for Independence the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, like the lodge at New Bern, had remained dormant, and the New Bern Masons were apparently eager to reorganize their work in both city and State.
The first local meetings in 1787 were held at the tavern of Brother Lewis Heros. But on May 3 this entry was made: “When taking into consideration the Extravagant Charges of Brother Heros (as Tavern Keeper) against the Lodge, it was unanimously agreed to adjourn to Brother Pendleton's.”
During May the gatherings were reported twice at “The Palace,” Tryon's famed palace here then being no longer used regularly as the State capitol.
At a meeting May 11 plans were made to attend in a body the funeral of Past Master Cogdell the following Sunday afternoon. Each member was ordered to wear mourning for him eight days and to attend church on the Sunday after the funeral. The order of the members in the funeral procession is given in the minutes. Pallbearers were Ellis, Leech, Stringer, Machen, Isaac Guion and S. Pendleton.
Many prospects were proposed for membership in the lodge, and usually forming the main items of business at the meetings the elections often caused friction. On April 27 this amendment was made to the by-laws:
“That on balloting for any person to be made a Mason, who is well known to be a worthy Member of the Community at large, should there appear only one black Ball against him, the Brother who put in the same to assign reasons for so doing, which if approved of by a Majority of the Brethren present he shall not pass, otherwise to be considered an Assenting Voice.”
This amendment was repealed the following December. Meantime, various applications were rejected. At a meeting at Tryon's Palace May 31 there were requests that certain votes be taken again. It was reported that one of the Masons had declared he would black ball every person proposed for membership unless a special friend of his was admitted.
From Master Ellis came the following general reprimand: “That any Brother or Brothers being biased by such Illiberal Sentiments were unworthy of being Members of this Lodge.”
Two members, Oram and Vipon, left this meeting without permission, and Ellis ordered that “their behaviour should be taken notice of on the Minutes.” At the next gathering Oram was expelled from the lodge for this action and “also other misdemeanours in the Lodge,” but immediately afterwards he was voted back into membership, retaining his office of Junior Warden. Recommendation was made that Oram should apologize “for his misbehaviour—which he did not comply with.”
It was suggested that Vipon be reproved from the chair “for coming into the Lodge Disguised in Liquor,” but this motion was voted down. Nevertheless, the Worshipful Master “observed to B. Vipon that he had seen him more than once intoxicated with Liquor in the Lodge, and that he had privately reprimanded him, out of the Lodge, for such conduct.”
Oram's conduct was again considered by the lodge on June 15. It was moved, seconded and “thirded” that he be expelled for “a number of misdemeanors and in particular for
his confession this day in the County Court of Craven of being guilty of Forging the name of Brother John Frink Smith (a member of this Lodge) as security to a Certain Bond payable to the Governour of this State [Richard Caswell] and Successors in Office, for the Sum of Six Hundred and Ninety-Six Pounds, Seventeen Shillings, and Six Pence.”
The motion of expulsion was unanimously passed, and Oram was expelled from the lodge. A circular letter telling of this action and the reasons for it was ordered written to the various other lodges in North Carolina, in the hope that they would “take the necessary precaution in preventing any imposition on your Lodge, or the Craft in general.”
Thus the character and behavior of lodge members were of much concern to Masons in those days. Another instance is found in the case of Lewis Heros. After the members had voted not to meet any more at his tavern because of his high charges, his name does not appear on the records until the next November 1, when it was recorded that he had been expelled from the lodge “some time since for living in Adultery,” but was ready to acquit himself of that allegation and desired to rejoin the lodge.
It was agreed that he be notified to appear at the next meeting and offer his defense. He appeared the next March, and was acquitted of the charge that had been brought against him the previous May by Peter Oram, so the motion of his expulsion was repealed.
Oram meanwhile applied for reinstatement in the lodge. In December, 1787, he was rejected by ballot. But it was voted that the Committee of Correspondence should write circular letters to the other lodges of the State informing them that he had been acquitted in a jury trial in this county on the forgery charge for which he had been previously expelled from the lodge. The text of this letter and the question of Oram's membership were debated pro and con until September, 1788, when he was finally received back into lodge membership.
Of particular importance are two of the lodge members at that period—Abraham Hodge and Marquis De Bretigney. Hodge was one of the first American war correspondents. He followed the army of Gen. George Washington during
the Revolutionary War for press accounts. A personal friend of Washington's and a strong Federalist in politics, he moved to North Carolina from New York in 1785, and for 15 years served as State printer.
Hodge was also one of the first newspaper chain publishers in the country. In 1786 he and a man named Blanchard established a press at Fayetteville and started The State Gazette of North Carolina. Two years later Henry Wills succeeded Blanchard, and the paper was moved to Edenton.
In 1793 Hodge and Wills started The North Carolina Journal at Halifax. Hodge and his nephew, William Boylan, managed The North Carolina Minerva at Fayetteville, The True Republican at New Bern, The Edenton Gazette, The Raleigh Star and The North Carolina Journal at Halifax.
Stephen Weeks, later historian, wrote of James Davis, Francis X. Martin and Abraham Hodge, all of whom were in the printing and newspaper business at different times in New Bern and the last two of whom were members of St. John's Lodge:
“Davis, Martin and Hodge will rank in the hereafter with William R. Davie, Joseph Caldwell and Archibald D. Murphy, that other trio, who, in the closing years of the eighteenth century, did so much to broaden and strengthen the intellectual advancement of North Carolina.”
The Marquis De Bretigney attended most of the local Masonic meetings during 1787. He is listed in many of the rolls as a “Past Master,” so he must have been Worshipful Master of some other lodge before moving to New Bern.
A French nobleman, he commanded North Carolina Cavalry at the Battle of Guilford Court House during the last part of the Revolutionary War. After that conflict he lived in New Bern and owned property here. He was elected by the General Assembly to serve on the Governor's Council.
IXFORMATION OF GRAND LODGE
An account of the organization of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina after the winning of the War for Independence from Great Britain follows, as written by Francis Xavier Martin, noted editor, historian and jurist, and published in The Ahiman Rezon and Masonic Ritual, printed in 1805 at New Bern:
“The Great Architect of the Universe having permitted a dissolution of the political bands which united North Carolina to Great Britain, propriety seemed to point out that the lodges of this State should not remain longer under any allegiance to or dependence on the Grand Lodge or Grand Master of that Kingdom. In 5786 the Union Lodge, of Fayetteville, being advised thereto by a number of visiting brothers from the different parts of the State, proposed that a convention of all the regularly constituted lodges of North Carolina should be held at Fayetteville, on the 24th of June, 5787, (1787), to take under consideration the propriety of declaring by a solemn act the independence of the lodges of North Carolina, and to appoint a State Grand Master and other Grand Officers. The great distance to and the small intercourse between the different parts of this extensive State having prevented a sufficient number of delegates from attending, the convention adjourned to the town of Tarborough, where the (Masonic) Declaration of Independence took place, and a form of government was adopted. The Most Worshipful Samuel Johnston having been appointed Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful Richard Caswell (then Governor of this State) Deputy Grand Master, the first Grand Lodge was held on the following day.”
That New Bern Masons were actively interested in helping get large delegations from the other lodges in the State at the Tarboro meeting is proved by the fact that on October 4 they appointed a committee to frame circular letters to the lodges urging representation at the gathering called for December 9 at Tarboro. On this committee were Stringer, Machen, Isaac Guion, James Ellis, Abner Neale, and Martin De Fongatte. Three of these committee members—Stringer,
Guion and Neale—were elected as delegates to the convention.
The committee's letter sent to the lodges at Fayetteville, Halifax, Edenton, Kinston, Franklin, Salisbury, Warren, Windsor, Winton, Wilmington and Rockingham, follows:
“Worshipful Brothers—
“The election of a Grand Master and Grand Officers for the State of North Carolina, the important business for which several lodges of this State had sent representatives to Fayetteville, on the 24th of June last, having been postponed, on Account of the non-attendance of a majority of their delegates, it was then resolved that a General Convention of all the regular constituted lodges should be held for that purpose, at Tarborough, on the 28th of November next; and that Saint John's Lodge of Newbern should inform them thereof.
“But, it having been absolutely impossible to forward this important information, in so short a time, throughout this extensive State, this lodge, being anxious to have as full a representation as the solemnity of the business requires, (having taken the advice and opinion of the members of the different Lodges who have visited them,) came to a resolution: ‘That it should be proposed that said General Convention be held on the 9th day of December next, and that notice of this resolve be sent to all ye regular constituted Lodges of this State.’
“Therefore, we, the Master and Wardens of St. John's Lodge of Newbern, do inform you, that this lodge will send delegates to meet such members of your Lodge, and of all regular constituted lodges of this State, who will be appointed to form a General Convention, for the election of a Grand Master and Grand Officers of the State of North Carolina, on the 9th day of December next.
“In the gladness of our hearts, Worshipful Brothers, we beg leave to anticipate our congratulations, to you on the manifold advantages which will arise to our society, from the appointment of proper officers to preside over us, so that our works be conducted to the greatest glory of God, the satisfaction of the Masters, the Instruction of the Craft and the edification of the whole world. In the mean while, we
pray ye Great Architect of the Universe to keep you, and every member of your Lodge, under his holy protection.”
Signed by R. Ellis, Master; F. Stringer, S. W.; John Craddock, J. W.; and B. Manchester, Sec'y.
That the local Masons played prominent roles at this Grand Lodge organization meeting in Tarboro, after having done so much to arrange for the gathering, is proved by the fact that Ellis was named Senior Grand Warden, and Neale was elected Grand Treasurer. James Glasgow, who had resided for some time in New Bern, was elected Grand Secretary.
Manchester served as Secretary for the convention. A few days before the gathering he had been elected a delegate from the local lodge when Stringer had found that he would be unable to attend.
XST. JOHN'S DAY SERMONS
The Rev. Leonidas Cutting, second regularly-commissioned rector of Christ Episcopal Church here from 1785 to 1792, considered “a man of piety and learning and of high reputation in the Church,” was invited to preach a sermon to the lodge members on St. John's Day.
The invitation was extended by three members of a new general committee authorized for yearly appointment, consisting of nine members divided into three departments: accounts, correspondence and charity for the relief of distressed brethren. Neale was the first general committee chairman, and Manchester clerk.
Dr. Cutting accepted the invitation and preached a special sermon in the church, the Masons attending the service in a body. He was later voted the thanks of the lodge and seven pounds as a gift. In addition, “for their polite attention to this Lodge,” two pounds was presented to Mr. Buxton, clerk, and one pound to Mr. McGrath, the church sexton.
Meantime at a meeting December 6, 1787, Richard Ellis was reelected Master of the lodge; Stringer, Senior Warden;
Isaac Guion, Junior Warden; Henry Machen, Treasurer; B. Manchester, Secretary; Richard Hunley, Senior Deacon; James Ellis, Junior Deacon; and John Ingraham, Tiler.
Headed by James Carney as chairman, the general committee reported later that they had examined the accounts of Treasurer Machen and found them satisfactory. Machen then resigned the position, and Samuel Gerock was elected in his place.
Joseph Leech and Bartholomew Clinch were chosen representatives for the Grand Lodge meeting planned for July, 1788, at Hillsboro. This communication was held simultaneously with the State convention called for Hillsboro to consider the adoption or rejection of the Constitution of the United States. Grand Master Johnston was president of the convention. No business of importance was transacted by the Grand Lodge.
A communication of the Grand Lodge was opened November 17, 1788, at Fayetteville, where the General Assembly was then in session. Grand Master Johnston, then Governor of the State, left his political duties to fill the “Oriental Throne” at the Grand Lodge meetings; ex-Governor Caswell filled the west; Secretary of State James Glasgow responded from his station on the left; and Alexander Martin, then Speaker of the Senate and later Governor, and a host of other State celebrities filled the new Masonic Temple on Green Street in Fayetteville.
It was at this Grand Lodge session that the Fayetteville lodge name was changed from Union to Phoenix. A special dinner was served for all visiting Masons at Barge's Tavern.
Isaac Guion was elected Worshipful Master Dec. 11, 1788, succeeding Ellis. Gerock was reelected Treasurer, and Manchester was reappointed Secretary. John Craddock was named Senior Warden; James Carney, Junior Warden; Edward Pasteur, Senior Deacon; and Will Johnston, Junior Deacon.
Dr. Cutting again preached a suitable sermon at the church for the Masons on St. John's Day. His discourse must have been even better than the one the previous year, for this time he was voted ten pounds as a gift from the lodge.
Among the Masons present for the service was Grand Master Caswell, who had succeeded Johnston in the high Masonic position. The former Governor expressed his approbation of the conduct of the local members on the occasion. He was accompanied by Grand Junior Warden S. W. Arnett, of Royal Edwin Lodge, of Windsor.
At a meeting March 12, 1789, Caswell was again a guest of the chapter. This time he had with him James Glasgow, still a Grand Lodge official. Glasgow had been inaugurated here in Tryon Palace on January 16, 1777, as the first Secretary of State of the independent State of North Carolina, at the same time that Caswell was inaugurated as the first Governor of the independent State and Joseph Leech was inducted as a member of the first Council of State.
These visits of Grand Lodge officials prove how closely New Bern Masons were then identified with State proceedings. Richard Ellis received one vote of the nine cast for Grand Master at the organization meeting in 1787 at Tarboro.
The period was an important one in civic, State and national history. In 1787 the Federal Constitution was drafted. Two of the three North Carolina signers were New Bernians, Richard Dobbs Spaight and William Blount, and the third, Dr. Hugh Williamson, had often visited and practiced professionally in New Bern. In 1789 the new republic was started auspiciously, under the leadership of George Washington as its first president.
Governors Johnston and Caswell, the first two Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, were particularly outstanding in State as well as Masonic history. Johnston served in 1787, then was succeeded by Caswell in 1788 but after the latter's death he was reelected and served again from 1789 to 1791.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, December 15, 1733, Johnston came to Chowan County, North Carolina, with his parents in 1736. After studying in New England, he studied and practiced law at Edenton. Prior to the Revolution he served in a dozen sessions of the General Assembly. He served as a member of four provincial congresses, acting as president of the last two. Following three terms of the State Senate, he was elected in 1781 to the Continental Congress.
Three times he served as Governor of North Carolina, in 1787, 1788 and 1789, and was president of the Federal Constitutional conventions held in this State. He was made a trustee of the new University of North Carolina, and in 1789 was also elected as the first United States Senator from North Carolina, serving in that position until March 3, 1793. From 1800 to 1803 he was a Superior Court Judge. The last years of his life were spent on his plantation, “Hayes,” near Edenton. There he passed away August 18, 1816.
As surveyor, soldier, statesman and executive, Caswell had a career strikingly like that of Washington. Born in Maryland, August 3, 1729, he moved to North Carolina when 16 years of age. Within a few years he was appointed deputy-surveyor of the province.
Studying law under William Herritage with such success that he is said to have known by heart four books of Blackstone's Commentaries, Caswell was admitted to the bar in 1754. Later he served as clerk of the Orange County Court.
During 1754 Caswell was elected to the Assembly, where he remained as a member for 17 years. In 1770 and 1771 he was Speaker of the House; in 1779 he served as Speaker of the State Senate. He was in New Bern often during these years, and as has already been noted joined St. John's Lodge here during the last month of 1772.
As a colonel in Royal Governor Tryon's army during the War of the Regulators, Caswell was commended by the governor for his bravery and skill in the battle of Alamance on May 16, 1771. In subsequent conflicts between royal authority and the people of the province, he stood staunchly for the people and became one of their main leaders.
In 1773 he was a member of the Committee of Correspondence, and the next year was named by the first provincial convention as a delegate to the First Continental Congress. He also went as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. Resigning this office, he returned to North Carolina to assist in organizing a regiment of Minute Men in the district of New Bern, for which he had been named colonel.
For his gallantry at the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge he was made brigadier-general of the New Bern district. Then
he served as president at the State Constitutional Convention. Under this first constitution, he was elected first governor of the independent State of North Carolina. He was reelected by the legislature in 1777, 1778 and 1779. The following year he was made major-general of the State militia.
After the Revolution he became comptroller-general from 1782 to 1785. Then for three more years he served as Governor of North Carolina, a record of gubernatorial reelections never equalled in this State. In 1789 he was elected Speaker of the State House, but died shortly afterwards.
News of his death reached Fayetteville in the midst of the great bustle and business of three important gatherings there during November, 1789. The Grand Lodge and the General Assembly were both in session as well as the State convention which ratified the Federal Constitution and made North Carolina a part of the new Union.
Isaac Guion of New Bern, with Stephen Cabarrus and Maj. Gen. Montfort Stokes, later named Deputy Grand Master, drafted committee resolutions expressing the sorrow of the Grand Lodge members on the death of the outstanding statesman and Mason. Mourning and religious exercises in his memory were prescribed for all the lodges in the State.
The Grand Lodge formed in a procession, the Legislature recessed and the Constitutional convention suspended its deliberations while members of these three bodies and citizens in general marched from Phoenix Lodge room to the State House, while the only bell in town tolled from Barge's Tavern, and paid the last tribute of respect to Caswell.
Legislators attended his funeral in a body, and many Masons were also among the number. The body was buried near Kinston with Masonic honors.
A funeral oration for “The Most Worshipful and Honorable Major General Richard Caswell, Grand Master of Masons of North Carolina,” was delivered in Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, on Sunday, November 29, before St. John's Lodge members.
This address was printed here by Francis Xavier Martin, who after the death in 1785 of James Davis, first State printer and newspaper publisher, had become New Bern's chief printer and editor. Original pamphlets of the oration are still extant.
XIHALLING AND MARTIN
The name of Solomon Halling first appears in the Masonic records of New Bern on June 11, 1789. He was at that time accepted as a member of St. John's Lodge. From then on he was active in Masonic work and leadership.
A native of Pennsylvania, he had been educated as a physician and served to the close of the Revolutionary War as Surgeon of the Fourth North Carolina Regiment. He likely came to New Bern soon afterwards as a physician, druggist or instructor at the New Bern Academy. Like other local teachers, he assisted with church services.
In 1792 he was ordained as an Episcopal minister and succeeded Dr. Cutting as rector of Christ Church, a charge he held until the year 1796 when he moved to Wilmington. He has been described as “a most exemplary man, and the most zealous clergyman of his time in the State.” A notation in the Masonic lodge treasurer's book shows that he paid on April 18, 1803, the sum of eight pounds five shillings, approximately $17, in back dues to the local organization, for which he had been in arrears, it is stated since “June, 1796, at which time he removed to Wilmington.”
Shortly after his induction into the local lodge, Dr. Halling delivered the oration on the festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1789, which had been prepared by Francis Xavier Martin, then secretary of the lodge. The thanks of the lodge members was voted for both. To Martin was given five pounds from the treasury, and five shillings from each member.
Martin had been a Mason here for some time. He arrived in the city about 1782 as a penniless young Frenchman, unfamiliar with English language, laws and customs. Able, talented and versatile, he became an important printer,
prominent publisher and scholarly editor. William Gaston studied law under his direction. Later Martin was known as one of North Carolina's chief historians.
The first English translation of any book on Roman-French law published anywhere in America was printed by Martin at New Bern in 1803 when he edited a textbook of Pothier's “Sur Les Lois Des Obligations.” He is reported to have placed the French copy on a table in his printing shop and to have translated it directly into type set by hand without any intermediate step of writing his translation. This early American print is now considered a rare treasure by legal bibliophiles.
Likely due to his membership in the Masonic lodge and his intense interest in Masonic proceedings, Martin frequently printed Masonic books or pamphlets. So long as he remained in New Bern he took an active part in Masonic work.
During the early part of the 19th century Martin left this city and State. In addition to his many other activities here, the versatile citizen had studied law. He was appointed a Federal Judge of the Territory of Mississippi, and then served as the first Attorney General and later as Chief Justice of Louisiana. In that Southern State, after becoming blind, he died as a wealthy and eccentric miser.
Dr. Guion was renamed Master of St. John's Lodge December 10, 1789, with Gerock renamed Treasurer and Thomas Crew Tiler. Halling was elected Orator. He was thanked for reading the funeral oration for Grand Master Caswell in Christ Church. Martin was thanked for having prepared this address, and was requested to print it at the expense of the lodge. Copies were ordered forwarded to every lodge in the State.
On St. John the Evangelist's Day that year, with the Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden S. W. Arnett among those present, Dr. Halling delivered the oration. He was thanked by the lodge members, and asked to furnish Secretary Martin with a copy so that it might be printed at lodge expense and sent to all the lodges in North Carolina.
After the religious service on St. John the Evangelist's Day, the minutes set forth, “the Brethren then proceeded to
the Palace, & sat down to an elegant dinner, & departed in good order of decorum.”
The next year Francis Lowthrop was asked to have made an altar, two desks and “proper seats” for the lodge officials.
XIIGRAND LODGE MEETINGS HERE
Many Grand Lodge meetings were held in New Bern during those early days before establishment of State Masonic headquarters in Raleigh. As has been seen, New Bernians were active in the organization of a Grand Lodge, and they retained their interest and leadership.
On December 28, 1788, the Grand Lodge met here. At a session the next day Silas W. Arnett presided in the place of the Grand Master. Almost all the State offices were filled then by New Bernians, serving in the places of absent officials: Joseph Leech, Junior Grand Warden, pro tempore; John Craddock, Grand Treasurer, protem; Benjamin Manchester, Secretary, protem; Edward Pasteur, Senior Deacon; William Johnston, Junior Deacon; and James Carney, Tiler.
Earlier that year, during July, at a Grand Lodge meeting in Hillsboro, Arnett, Leech and Neale were present from New Bern. John Louis Taylor was also reported as attending. Leech served that year as Grand Senior Warden, and was named to the Committee of Correspondence. Arnett was elected Grand Senior Deacon.
Evidently meeting here when courts were in session, the Grand Lodge met in New Bern March 12, 1789. Isaac Guion, B. Clinch and Benjamin Manchester were appointed on a committee to revise the by-laws. James Ellis was appointed Grand Senior Deacon by Grand Master Richard Caswell in June, 1789. The following year Guion was elected Grand Senior Warden.
Local minutes report a meeting of the Grand Lodge here in June, 1790. New Bern members met with the officials on St. John the Baptist's Day and walked with them in a procession to Christ Church for divine services.
Frequently during the following year the Grand Lodge communications were held here. Solomon Halling, William Johnston and Francis Lowthrop were delegates in June, 1791, and other New Bern Masons also participated.
Sometimes “occasional” sessions were held at intervals over an extended period. A communication was opened here on December 16, 1791, and continued on December 25, January 8 and 18. Halling, Lowthrop, William McClure and Richard Hunley were the official representatives of St. John's Lodge. James Ellis was named Grand Junior Deacon.
A resolution was passed as follows: “Resolved, that the thanks of the Grand Lodge be presented to the Rev'd. Doct'r Cutting for his excellent discourse delivered the fraternity on St. John's Day in Christ's Church, Newbern, and that the Grand Lodge Treasurer present him with ten pounds.”
The next December the Episcopal rector again preached a sermon for the Grand Lodge and the “charge” of ten pounds was divided equally between the Grand Lodge and the local lodge.
William R. Davie, who became president of the University of North Carolina, was initiated in Masonry on Christmas eve in 1791 at a Grand Lodge meeting called under dispensation from the Deputy Grand Master at the Lodge room of St. John's Lodge in New Bern. James Ellis served as Senior Deacon. James Glasgow presided.
At another Grand Lodge communication held here the next December Davie was passed to the degree of Mark Mason. He chose for his mark a lion supporting a pillow. Halling, Lowthrop and Joseph Shute were present from the New Bern lodge. Later that night Davie “Passed the chair with ancient ceremonies.”
The very next day, December 11, 1792, Davie was nominated for the office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge; and on December 14 he was elected to the position, after having been a Mason less than a year.
Since he was probably not a member of any lodge when elected Grand Master, New Bern has a claim to a certain extent on him, as he was initiated and passed here as well as elected to be Grand Master. One of North Carolina's most influential sons, he was educator and legislator, governor and national emissary.
At the Grand Lodge meeting here in June, 1791, after the various lodges had complied with instructions to submit their claims for precedence as to lodge numbers in North Carolina, the Grand Lodge members ruled as follows on the lodge number assignments:
St. John's, No. 1, Wilmington.
Royal White Hart, No. 2, Halifax.
St. John's, No. 3, New Bern.
St. John's, No. 4, Kinston.
Royal Edwin, No. 5, Windsor, now Charity Lodge.
Royal William, No. 6, Winton, now extinct.
Unanimity, No. 7, Edenton.
Phoenix, No. 8, Fayetteville, formerly Union Lodge.
Old Cone, No. 9, Salisbury, now extinct.
Johnston-Caswell, No. 10, Warrenton, formerly Blandford-Bute lodge.
Caswell Brotherhood, No. 11, Caswell County.
Independence, No. 12, Chatham County, now extinct.
St. John's, No. 13, Duplin County.
Rutherford Fellowship, No. 14, Rutherford County, now extinct.
Washington, No. 15, Beaufort County, now extinct.
St. Tammany, No. 16, Martin County, now extinct.
American George, No. 17, Hertford County.
King Solomon, No. 18, Jones County, now extinct.
The New Bern Masons protested against the Number 3 place assigned their lodge and held out for Number 2. Guion, Martin and Leech were named to represent them at the next Grand Lodge. The question was not settled definitely for some time.
Finally, as will appear later, the local delegates to the Grand Lodge in January, 1795, “relinquished their claim to No. 2,” and a charter was issued to the lodge as No. 3. This charter, dated January 26, 1795, was issued immediately after the Grand Lodge settled this and other matters pertaining to the lodge. The number is still retained by the local organization.
XIIIPRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S VISIT
At an Extra-Lodge called by special order of Worshipful Master Guion April 1, 1791, the members were informed by the Master that “The President of the United States—Bro. George Washington—being expected to arrive in this town shortly—he had called them together to consult of some manner of showing him the respect this Lodge entertains for him.”
It was “Resolved that an address shall be presented to Bro. Geo. Washington, in behalf of this Lodge on his arriving in this town.”
Martin, Halling and George Duffy were named on a committee to prepare this address.
A copy of their “Addrefs Presented to Brother Washington & his answer thereto,” appear in the minutes of the lodge. The address follows, its religious phraseology pointing to the minister, Dr. Halling, as the most likely author:
“To the President of the United States—
“The Addrefs of the Master, Officers & Members of St. Jno's. Lodge No. 2 of Newbern.
“Right Worshipful Sir,—
“We, the Master, Officers and members of St. John's Lodge of Newbern No. 2 beg leave to hail you with the mystic numbers.
“We approach you not with the language of adulation, but sincere fraternal affection. Your works having proved you to be ‘the true and faithful brother, the skillfull and expert craftsman—the just & upright man.’
“But the powers of eloquence are too weak to exprefs with sufficient energy, the cordial warmth with which our bosoms glow towards you.
“We, therefore, most fervently wish, most ardently & devoutly pray that the Providence of the most high, may strengthen, establish & protect you, in your walk through this life, & when you are called off from your terrestrial labours, by command of our divine Grand Master, and your operations Sealed with the mark of his approbation may
your Soul be everlastingly refreshed with the streams of living waters that flow, at the right hand of God.
“And when the Supreme Architect of all Worlds, Shall collect his most precious Jewels as ornaments of the Celestial Jerusalem, may you everlastingly Shine among those of the brightest lustre.”
Signed: Isaac Guion, Master; Samuel Chapman, S.W.; William Johnston, J. W.; Solomon Halling, Edward Pasteur, James Carney, Francis Lowthrop, Committee.
The President's reply to the lodge follows:
“To the Master, Officers & Members of St. John's Lodge No. 2 of Newbern—
“Gentlemen,
“I receive the cordial welcome which you are pleased to give me with Sincere gratitude.
“My best ambition having ever aimed to the unbiased approbation of my fellow-citizens, it is peculiarly pleasing to find my Conduct so affectionately approved by a fraternity whose association is founded in Justice & benevolence.
“In reciprocating the kind wishes contained in your address be persuaded that I offer a Sincere prayer for your present & future happiness.
“Geo. Washington.”
This answer of President Washington was read to the lodge by the Master at a meeting held April 29. It was ordered entered on the minutes.
Washington's 100-day journey of 1,887 miles through the South was started March 21, 1791, in a white coach or “chariot,” as he called it, from the national capital then at Philadelphia. It was not until April 16 that he reached Halifax, the first town at which he stopped in North Carolina.
After visiting Tarboro and Greenville, he came on towards New Bern. At Colonel John Allen's farmhouse in the Pitch Kettle section, numbers of tempting viands were prepared for his breakfast. Imagine the consternation of the busy hostess when her distinguished guest glanced over the groaning table and said he would like only a hard-boiled egg and a cup of coffee with a little rum.
SECOND CHARTER OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE
ST. JOHN'S LODGE LONG HAD LODGE ROOMS IN THE FAMED
TRYON PALACE.
Gen. Samuel Simpson headed a local reception committee which accompanied Washington here from Greenville. Ten miles from New Bern they were met by John Sitgreaves and other prominent citizens on horseback. Near town the New Bern Volunteers fired salutes in honor of the first president.
In his diary Washington wrote of New Bern: “This town is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Neuse and Trent, and though low is pleasant. Vessels drawing more than nine feet of water cannot get up loaded. It stands on a good deal of ground but the buildings are sparse and altogether of wood—some of which are large and look well. The number of souls is about 2,000. Its exports consist of corn, tobacco, pork—but principally of naval stores and lumber.”
Washington was entertained at the home of the late John Wright Stanly, now a public library, which stood originally on the corner lot of Middle and New Streets where the post-office is now located. He described the building as “exceedingly good lodgings.” In honor of his visit the town was “elegantly illuminated.”
After a first night's rest, following his arrival on Wednesday, April 20, Washington enjoyed a walk around town the next morning, with visits to old Christ Church and other points of interest, as the historic Cypress tree on Neuse river at the end of Change Street in the rear yard of Richard Dobbs Spaight, who within the following twenty months became Governor of North Carolina. Washington is said to have requested to see this tree, under which Spaight had promised aid to Gen. Nathanael Greene during the last years of the Revolution.
That afternoon Washington was entertained at a public dinner at Tryon's Palace. Fifteen toasts were drunk during the banquet, the last one being to the president. A member of Washington's party then read the chief's reply to the address of welcome.
During the evening an elaborate ball was given at the palace. Washington reports in his diary, “abt. 70 ladies” were present. He is said to have left at an early hour to attend another ball given in his honor at the home of Colonel Leech, on East Front and Change Streets, where a more exclusive crowd had gathered.
The next day Washington left New Bern, “under an escort of horse, and many of the principal gentlemen of New Bern.” While on his way to Wilmington, on Friday, April 22, he states in his diary that he “dined at a place called Trenton which is the head of the boat navigation of the River Trent, which is crossed at this place on a bridge—and lodged at one Shrine's 10 m. farther—both indifferent Houses.”
The ten-mile house is said to have been that of James Shine. The place where Washington dined is thought to have been on the old Pritchett corner site, in front of the old cemetery.
At Trenton the president was cordially greeted by his Masonic brethren. Members of King Solomon's Masonic Lodge there presented to him the following address:
“To the President of the United States of America
“Sir
“Impressed with the purest Sentiments of Gratitude and Brotherly Love, Permit us the Members of King Solomons Lodge at Trenton North Carolina (now in Lodge Assembled) to Hail you Welcome to this State, and Salute you as a Brother.
“We should feel ourselves remiss in our Duty were we not to Congratulate you on your Appointment to the Head of the Executive department of the United States—
“That the Great Architect of the Universe may long preserve your invaluable life to preside over a great and free People and to the Advancement of the United States in Opulence, order and Felicity, is the sincere wish of the Members of this lodge—
“By Order of the Lodge
“Wm. T. Gardner, Secy.
“April 22d AL 5791.”
Five years after Washington's visit to New Bern and almost four years before his death his birthday anniversary was celebrated publicly in this city, as the first public celebration of the date which is now observed as a holiday in all States, territories and possessions of the American nation.
According to an article published February 27, 1796, in the North Carolina Gazette edited at New Bern by Francis X. Martin, a copy of which is in the library files of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the birthday of the first president was gaily celebrated with toasts at Frilick's Hotel in New Bern on February 22, 1796.
Three years later, on February 22, 1799, before Washington's death December 14 of that year, New Bernians also observed his birthday. The Gazette for February 23, 1799, reports that on the preceding day,
“The inhabitants of New Bern in celebrating the birthday of George Washington, drank the following toasts:
“The day: May it be kept by future ages, that those who see the great fabric of American glory completed, may remember the hand that laid its foundation.
“The immortal Washington and his companions in arms, the heroes of the American Revolution.
“The President of the United States, whose firmness and wisdom have sealed our independence. (John Adams.)
“Generals Marshall and Pinckney; our excellent, but illtreated and rejected envoys.
“Timothy Pickering, the Secretary of State, who writes not for Mazzei, but for his country.
“The Governor of North Carolina. (William R. Davie.)
“The enlightened minority of the legislature of Virginia. May their moderate and virtuous sentiments finally prevail.
“The minority in Congress; May some great genius amongst them discover that the legislature was not designed merely to depress and embarrass the executive.
“The Federal Constitution.
“The Navy of the United States: May it teach those who do not respect our rights to dread our power.
“Gratitude for public services, and contempt for empty professions.
“The government that is neither to be intimidated by threats, nor seduced by intrigue.
“May the will of a foreign power never become the measure of American rights.
“May loud faction, and silent treachery, and disappointed ambition, under the mask of patriotism, be far removed from our public councils.
“May we never distrust integrity, or confide in falsehood.
“The Army of the United States: May its exertions correspond with the spirit by which it was created.”
Local Masons undoubtedly participated in the early celebrations of Washington's birthday here. For, they were not only among the town's leaders during the era but also among the greatest admirers of their distinguished Masonic brother.
Upon the invitation of St. John's Lodge in January, 1800, William Gaston delivered an address “on the distressing event of the death of their late brother and beloved fellow citizen, George Washington,” for which he received “their public and unanimous grateful consideration.”
Though not a Mason, Gaston was a great friend to the Masons, as will be seen from his contributions to the Masonic building funds. From 1833 to his death in 1844 he was on the State Supreme Court, but retained a home in New Bern. He is known as “The Father of Religious Liberty in North Carolina,” and he composed the State's anthem.
After his death, “free people of color” in New Bern held a meeting at the Masonic Temple, and went on record regarding Gaston as follows:
“Others have spoken of him as a great statesman, a learned Judge, a ripe scholar. They are better judges of these things than we are; in our humble situation we shall confine ourselves to his walk among us. As our neighbor, our friend and kind protector, it is our privilege to speak from personal observation.
“Where so many virtues and graces are blended in the same individual it is not easy to particularize. Judge Gaston was an example in word and conversation, in spirit and purity. He was the friend of the widow and the orphan—he was a kind and indulgent master . . . the most of his servants can read and write, the consequence is they are a most intelligent set of people.
“Judge Gaston was a friend of emancipation, he not only emancipated several of his own people, but he bought others and set them free. . . . He was a Christian in deed and in truth; his religion was not a thing of form and decencies, it was a pervading principle that entered into all his concerns, all his thoughts and all his hopes. His course was marked with no obliquity, his path was a shining light—the voice of calumny shrunk abashed at his presence.”
Accordingly, just as Gaston had spoken eloquently in memorial testimony of President Washington for the Masons, so his praise was sung later after his death in the Masonic Temple.
When the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. John's Lodge was commemorated here January 19, 1922, elaborate costumed ceremonies included a pageant portraying the day in 1791 when Washington was “waited upon by a committee” from the Masonic Lodge, headed by Worshipful Master Guion, who read to him the Lodge address of welcome and received in return the appreciative reply of the first president.
As the three chief actors in that part of the pageantry, Col. P. M. Pearsall took the part of President Washington; Judge Owen H. Guion portrayed the role of his great-grandfather, Dr. Isaac Guion; and Congressman Samuel M. Brinson participated as Mayor Joseph Leech.
XIVLODGE ROOMS IN PALACE
Masonic meetings were frequently held here in Tryon's Palace, as has already been noted. In October, 1792, the minutes again state that lodge gatherings were held at the Palace. Thereafter specific mention is repeatedly made of the “Masonic Rooms in the Palace.”
Some of the gatherings must have lasted until late, or early, hours. One entry relates that adjournment of business came at midnight for a supper.
But all was not rosy in those stirring days. At a called meeting of the lodge October 21 in the Palace, it is reported that “a reconciliation took place between the Brothers and an excelent charge given on the Ocation by the Worshipfull Master.”
An earlier entry in the minute books reads: “Some of the brethren attended at the Lodge door, but thro’ the misconduct or neglect of the Tyler, could not get in.” (August 16, 1790.)
Abner Nash, second Governor of the independent State of North Carolina, who had held that office from April, 1780,
to June 26, 1781, and who resided at Pembroke across Trent River from New Bern, was rejected as a member at a lodge meeting June 9, 1791. A year later, however, he was listed as a member. Apparently political partisanship might have influenced some of the voters.
Dr. Halling was elected Worshipful Master in December, 1791, succeeding Guion. Frederick Divoux was elected Treasurer, to succeed Samuel Gerock. Thomas Crew was renamed Tiler. Later Guion was voted the thanks of the lodge “for his praiseworthy demeanor while he presided in this lodge.”
The following year, on December 13, 1792, Francis Lowthrop was elected Master. From then on for a number of years his name is found among the lodge leaders. Lowthrop Hall in the Masonic Temple is named in his honor.
John F. Smith was named Senior Warden; Joseph Shute, Junior Warden; George Vultus, Senior Deacon; John Robinson, Junior Deacon; John Craddock, Treasurer; William Lawrence, Secretary; and Thomas Crew, Tiler. Craddock soon resigned and Edward Simpson was elected in his place.
The next month, with the installation of these new officers, the lodge voted thanks to Dr. Halling for “his care and strict attention during his office.”
Ten pounds was voted for Dr. Cutting for preaching a sermon on St. John's Day in December, 1792. Each member was requested to pay five shillings, later raised to seven shillings and sixpence, for a dinner on that day. The stewards, John C. Osborn and Abraham Outten, had been instructed to give advance notice “in Martin's paper” that the tickets would not be delivered until three days before the festival. Two pounds was afterwards given to the clerk and bell ringer of Christ Church.
In April, 1793, a letter was read from William M. Herritage, requesting the Master and members to meet at Fort Barnwell for the purpose of installing him as Worshipful Master of a new lodge there. Lowthrop was authorized to attend, if he thought proper, and to lend the jewels belonging to the local unit.
At that meeting there was a discussion as to asking that the Number 3 place then assigned the lodge by the Grand Lodge be changed to Number 2 as it had been formerly
known. The following Fall it was voted that the organization retain the “old and established” Number 2.
The celebration of St. John the Baptist's Day on June 24, 1793, was featured with an address by Dr. Halling, who had then succeeded Dr. Cutting as rector of Christ Church. He was presented with ten pounds. Jarvis Buxton was allowed 40 shillings for ringing the bell and preparing the church for the “well-selected discourse.” Dinner was served as usual after the service.
Lowthrop was reelected Master the following December, with Smith renamed Senior Warden; George Ellis, Junior Warden; John C. Osborn, Treasurer; Silas Cooke, Secretary; and Thomas Crew reelected Tiler. George Vultus and John Howard were named Deacons. Dr. Halling was appointed Chaplain for the year, and was allowed 20 pounds, payable semi-annually, for conducting both St. John's Day services. Francis X. Martin was delegated to represent the lodge at the Grand Lodge communication in Fayetteville.
The new officers were installed December 27 at a Past Masters’ Lodge opened by William Johnston, High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter.
A processional was formed afterwards for the march to Christ Church for a sermon by Dr. Halling for St. John's Day, “in which discourse the W. B. (Worthy Brother) did himself and the Lodge Honor. The Lodge then moved back to the Lodge Room and no further Business being before them the Lodge was Closed in due form until the next Lodge in Course and the Brethren withdrew to Partake of an elegant dinner prepared for the purpose.”
From time to time the minutes tell of the Masons attending funerals of their members, marching in a body to the services and conducting last rites at the gravesides. There are also numerous records of gifts of money to needy brothers or widows of former members.
XV
NUMBER 3 PLACE ACCEPTED
Francis X. Martin reported at the Palace in January, 1794, that at the Grand Lodge held the previous month at Fayetteville he had endeavored to get the local lodge recognized as Number 2 in North Carolina, but that his request was “contemptably rejected.” He was thanked “for the faithfull discharge of the duty committed to him.”
The following December this matter was again debated by the members. A committee named for the purpose brought a report that in their opinion the lodge had no right to persist in its claim of Number 2 for its name and that the controversy ought to be settled as expeditiously as possible with the Grand Lodge. At first this report was rejected, but after further consideration it was adopted, clause by clause.
At a meeting of the lodge held February 12, 1795, George Ellis, one of the delegates to the Grand Lodge meeting January 20 at Raleigh, displayed a charter granted the local lodge there and a copy of the minutes so far as they respected the New Bern group. These were ordered entered on the minutes, and still tell the story of the lodge number assignment as follows:
“Grand Lodge, Jan'y. 20th, 5795. Present W. B. John L. Taylor, G. M. P. T.; John Ingles, S. W. P. T.; Walter Alves, Treasurer; Rich'd. Freer, Sec'y; Visiting Bros., etc.
“Brother David Witherspoon delegate from St. John's Lodge, No. 3 Newbern appeared and took his seat; he informed this Lodge that the Lodge he represented relinquished their claim to No. 2. Therefore ordered that a Charter be issued to the said Lodge No. 3. Adjourned.”
“Grand Lodge, Jan'y. 25th, 5795. Present R. W. William R. Davie, G. M.; R. W. John L. Taylor, G. S. W.; R. W. Abso'l. Tatum, G. J. W.; R. W. Walter Alves, Treasurer; R. W. William Duffy, Sec'y. Visiting Bros., etc.
“A further delegation was sent from St. John's Lodge No. 3 Newbern certifying that Bro. George Ellis was appointed in the room of F. X. Martin, pursuant to which he took his seat.
“The Delegates from St. John's Lodge No. 3 Newbern now appearing according to the requisition of the Grand Lodge at their last annual meeting to explain some part of the conduct of St. John's Lodge did now appear accordingly and gave such an explaination as was perfectly satisfactory to this Lodge.
“Whereas, it appears to this Lodge that large drafts have been made on the Charitable funds of St. John's Lodge No. 3 Newbern which have been employed to the most benevolent purposes; and as the funds of that Lodge are thereby nearly exausted,
“Resolved, therefore that the said Lodge be Credited for all sums heretofore due from that Lodge to the Grand Charity.”
Ellis and Witherspoon were accordingly thanked by the local members “for their assiduity and particular services rendered at the Grand Lodge the 25th Ultimo for obtaining a new Charter No. 3 and settling other business agreeable to this Lodge.”
XVITHOMAS P. IRVING
Thomas P. Irving was elected a lodge member May 15, 1794, to begin a long career of active and useful Masonic service.
A native of Somerset County, Maryland, he arrived in New Bern during the late Fall of 1793 to become principal of the New Bern Academy. Following his graduation from Princeton in 1789, he had been awarded the degree of Master of Arts. From 1796 to 1813 he was rector of Christ Church here. Able as educator, preacher, dramatist, poet and musician, he was one of the most versatile and brilliant men ever to reside in this city.
At the same time that Irving was raised to the grade of Fellow Crafts, Elias Hawes also took the same degree work. He became later an outstanding layman of the First Presbyterian Church here, being a charter member and Ruling Elder of that congregation upon its formal organization in 1817. It was he who opened here the first free school for
white children in North Carolina, on a site now occupied by the Stanly-Dill home on Pollock and Hancock Streets.
For a celebration of St. John the Baptist's Day June 25, 1794, it is recorded that “an elegant Oration was delivered by the Rev. Doctor Halling from the following words—‘Be ye kindly affectionate one to another with Brotherly Love’—after which the Brethren partook of a Collation and Spent the day in the utmost Harmony and good Fellowship.”
The following December for the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, Dr. Halling preached on the text, “God Is Love.” He was thanked by the lodge “for his beautiful Ode composed to the occasion.”
Many distinguished visitors were reported at different times at the lodge meetings, coming from all parts of the State. In July Stephen Cabarrus was listed among the visiting members. He served several times in the General Assembly and four terms was Speaker of the House of Commons. Cabarrus County was named for him in 1792.
The Masonic minutes from March, 1795, through May, 1796, when Isaac Taylor and A. H. Adams acted in turn as Secretary, are truly works of handwriting art. The signatures of these two gentlemen are especially worthy of note. Taylor indulged in fancy curlicues and marginal decorations. For the records of funerals he drew a skull and crossbones on a coffin, surmounted by the initials of the deceased. When he resigned the office, he was accorded “the warmest approbation of the Lodge.” It was he who built about 1792 the large brick house now known as the Taylor-Ward house at 53 Craven Street. Adams also delighted in writing huge capital letters. His pages are unusually neat and legible.
Following use for around 28 years, the old school building on the present school campus here was destroyed by fire in 1795, said to have been due to the carelessness of a singing class. By the permission of the General Assembly, the local school was then held at Tryon's Palace, where Principal Irving and his family also resided.
Masonic meetings also continued at the Palace. A notation in the Masonic minutes July 16, 1795, shows a motion that “the sum of five pounds be granted for the purpose of repairing the roof of the Palace—which being half the sum
necessary for that purpose. The Trustees of the Academy paying the other half.”
Worshipful Master Lowthrop took a trip to the West Indies from June to October and upon his return brought some communications from the Masonic lodges of Jamaica and Hispaniola. During his absence Senior Warden George Ellis acted as Master. Edward Jones represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge that year.
Lowthrop was unanimously reelected Master December 17, 1795; with James Bryan elected Treasurer; Adams, Secretary; Ellis, renamed Senior Warden; John Craddock, renamed Junior Warden; Thomas Hyman and Archibald McCalop, Deacons; Thomas Crew, Tiler; William Lockhart and John Bryan, Stewards.
Following installation of these officers December 27, “the Lodge proceeded to Christ Church where our W. Brother Halling deliver'd a Sermon very suitable to the day from 1st Genesis 1 Verse: ‘In the begining God Created the heavens and the Earth.’ In which he clearly Investigated the Existance and being of the Great Architect of Nature, who brought that divine Order of harmony of the Planetary system from a dark and confused Chaos.
“The whole of the Discourse was lively, animating & very suitable to the day. He concluded with a warm and Pathetic Address to the Brethren of the Lodge. In which he expaciated on the noble Virtues of Benevolence & Charity, and recommending that Unity Love & Friendship which is the Cement of Society. He did not fail to touch the hearts of the audiance in arresting their feelings to acts of Charity & Benevolence to distrefs'd Bros. and other objects that may call loudly for the voice of humanity.
“The Service was Concluded by a Masonic Ode Composed by Bro. Irvin for the Occasion.
“From the Church the Lodge return'd to the Palace, and was closed with much Solemnity and the usual form.”
Few, if any periods in the history of New Bern have produced such outstanding men as were then in Masonic and civic circles. “In those days there were Giants,” such as Halling, Irving, Lowthrop, Guion, Ellis, Isaac Taylor, John Louis Taylor, Francis Hawks, Richard Dobbs Spaight, John Stanly, the youthful William Gaston and many others.
The city and lodge lost a useful leader when Dr. Halling moved from New Bern to Wilmington in 1796, accepting a call as rector of St. James Church there. He also acted as principal of the Wilmington Academy. In Wilmington he also continued his Masonic affiliations.
Halling evidently came to New Bern soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, for an advertisement of drugs he was then offering for sale here was contained September 2, 1784, in an issue of the North Carolina Gazette or Impartial Intelligencer and Weekly General Advertiser printed here for R. Keith and Company. Thus he remained here as doctor, druggist, educator and minister for about 12 years, and for the last seven of those years he was active in St. John's Lodge.
In 1809 he moved from Wilmington to the Diocese of South Carolina, where he “continued the same course of devout faithfulness, and endeared himself to all his brethren in that new home. He died in 1813, much honored and lamented by the Bishop and the Clergy of that Diocese.” (Sketches of Church History, by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Blount Cheshire.)
XVIIBUILDING SITE PURCHASED
A lapse of more than a year and a half is in the lodge minutes from May, 1796, when the first book ends, to January 17, 1798, when the second book begins. However, Lowthrop is still listed as Worshipful Master.
Through February 27, 1798, the minutes show that the lodge continued to meet at Tryon's Palace. A meeting was held there that evening. Later that night the main portion of the Palace was destroyed by fire, reportedly caused when a Negro woman went to the basement with a torch to look for eggs in stored hay.
Because of the secrecy of their order, early Masons were sometimes subjected to various suspicions and accused of various crimes by outsiders unfamiliar with the high standards of their organization; and among the unjust charges brought unofficially and quietly against them at that
period was a “whispering rumor” that they had set fire to the Palace. No credence was given to this suspicion by most of the townspeople, for the worthy objectives of their lodge and the high character of the members were generally understood and admired.
The Masonic meeting of March 1 and later gatherings are said to have been held “at Mr. Stanly's Office,” though this entry is inked out of seven minute records. On a meeting held March 7 it was reported: “The thanks of the Lodge was returned to brothers McMains & Jacob Johnston for their assiduity in saving great part of the Treasures belonging to the Lodge from the Flames on the 27th Feb'y.”
As early as May 12, 1796, a committee was appointed “for the purpose of choosing a Lot of Ground on which to erect a Lodge.” On the committee were named Worshipful Master Lowthrop, Richard Hunley, William Johnston, George Ellis and John Craddock. They were asked to report at the next meeting, but apparently the decision required more time, for there is no mention of the question in the next minutes.
After the destruction of Tryon's Palace, where the Lodge had kept rooms for some time, a new committee was appointed March 10, 1798, “for the purpose of choosing a piece of Ground to build a Lodge.” On this committee were named Lowthrop, Senior Warden George Ellis, Junior Warden Francis Hawks, William McClure, Hunley, Johnston and Taylor.
Junior Warden Hawks was the only son of John Hawks, who had been brought to New Bern by Royal Governor William Tryon as the supervising architect for Tryon's Palace, erected here 1767-70 as “the finest building in Colonial America.”
John Hawks, “the first professional architect to remain in this country,” was a native of Dragby, Lincolnshire, England. Though he was nominated by Royal Governor Tryon as Collector of the Port at Beaufort and subsequently was made Commissioner of Finance and was recommended by Tryon's successor, Royal Governor Josiah Martin, as Clerk of the upper house of the General Assembly, he cast his lot with the colonists during the Revolutionary era.
Through the Revolution he held his post as Clerk of the upper house, and in 1784 became North Carolina's first State
Auditor, continuing in that position until his death February 16, 1790. The war and post-war periods were bad times for architects, so he seems to have turned mainly to other pursuits, but he is believed to have designed other buildings in New Bern.
The son, Francis Hawks, served as United States Collector of Customs for the Port of New Bern. He must have been an excellent father, and his wife, Julie A. Stephens Hawks, must have made a splendid mother, for their five sons turned out exceptionally well. One became a lawyer, one an educator, and the other three clergymen, including one who was a bishop and another, Dr. Francis Lister Hawks, who was elected bishop three times.
It is said that Francis Hawks used to “tune up” his sons every Monday morning with a whipping. If one of the boys would protest with a plea of not deserving punishment, the father would reply, “Oh, you will deserve it anyway before the week is half gone.”
Francis Hawks demonstrated his keen judgment and great influence in Masonic as well as domestic roles. According to the lodge minutes, as a committee member he settled a controversy between two members, the Masons being said to be entirely satisfied with his report and the lodge then being closed “in due form and harmony.”
Later when another member named Reading was admonished “for his indecent and affrontfull behavior to the lodge this Evening,” the following resolution was passed unanimously as offered by Hawks:
“Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Tyler to prevent any member or visiting brother from entering the lodge when intoxicated and whenever he has a doubt about the Situation of any such member or visitor he shall inform the Lodge when two Brethren shall be appointed to go out to examine into the situation of such Brother.”
Dr. William McClure, another member of the lodge committee named to select a site for a Masonic building, was noted as the only surgeon in his regiment during the Revolutionary War. He held the rank of major-general in the Revolutionary Army. He served as Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge in 1797.
On May 2, 1798, this committee was instructed to “examine as soon as possible the situation of two Lotts belonging to Mrs. Haslin near where the School House formerly stood* which she is willing to sell. Should the Sd. Lotts appear to the Committee to (be) Suitable for the aforesaid purpose & the title good, they are to purchase the same in the Name of this Lodge without further delay and draw on the Treasurer for the amount of the sd. purchase.”
On St. John's Day the next month the Rev. Mr. Irving, lodge chaplain, delivered at Christ Church, of which he was then rector, serving in this capacity from 1796 to 1813, “an elegant discourse suitable to the day from Job 37 C; 14th V: ‘Stand still brethren and consider the wonderfull works of God.’ A Masonic ode composed by Chaplin T. P. Irving was sung by many Ladies & Gentlemen in a Masterly manner after which the Lodge returned to the room & was closed in due form.”
A report on the lodge building site was given the following Fall at a special meeting at “Mr. Oliver's room,” as follows:
“The Committee to whom was entrusted the choice of and purchase of a proper piece of Ground on which to build a lodge Report that they are of opinion that the two lots belonging to Mrs. Haslen and which lye near where the former Academy stood is a proper and convenient place and that the price of 250 dollars which they are held at is by no means an obstacle—provided the funds of the Lodge are adequate to the meeting of such a demand in Cash, the Committee not knowing the Situation of the funds is a reason why they have not as directed proceeded to make the purchase. New Bern, Sept. 5, 5798.”
(Signed) F. Lowthrop, George Ellis, Richard Hunley, Francis Hawks, Isaac Taylor and William Johnston.
Lodge members thereupon authorized Lowthrop to have the proper deeds executed to acquire Lots 325 and 326 in the name of the lodge, and draw upon the treasurer for the purchase price. These two lots were on Hancock and Johnson Streets, just where the Masonic temple is still located.
The deed for the two lots of land purchased from Mrs. Elizabeth Haslen for the erection of lodge rooms was exhibited * Burned in 1795.
at a lodge meeting November 7. It was voted to record the deed in the office of the County Register of Deeds, then deposit it among the archives of the organization.
Lowthrop was unanimously renamed Worshipful Master December 5, 1798; with Ellis again Senior Warden; Hawks, Junior Warden; Irving, Chaplain; Taylor, Treasurer; and McCalop, Tiler. John Knowles was appointed by Lowthrop to serve as Secretary, and Jonathan Fellowes as Senior Deacon. Ellis named John R. Good as Junior Deacon. Committees were formed for Charity, Accounts, Laws and Correspondence. The next February McCalop was “admonished” and “excluded” as Tiler, with Knowles named to succeed him. M. C. Stephens, former treasurer, was appointed in Knowles’ place as Secretary.
Irving was voted on December 27 ten pounds for his services, with a letter of thanks, for delivering on St. John's Day “a most excellent discourse from Psalms 133:1.” Jarvis Buxton was given 40 shillings for helping at the church.
On that same December night the Committee of Laws and Correspondence was instructed to “form an address to our Grand Master Wm. R. Davie, Esq., and Congratulate him on his apointment as Chief Magistrate of the State of No. Carolina.”
At a special gathering January 11 this address prepared by the committee was read for the committee members by John C. Osborn, publisher of the Newbern Gazette. It was unanimously approved. An appreciative reply from Governor Davie, also known as “The Father of the State University,” was read to the lodge March 20.
The same committee, at the same time of being requested to write to Davie, was also asked to “form an address to our Worsh'l. Grand Sen'r. Warden J. L. Taylor and Congratulate him in the above manner on his Late apointment as one of the Judges of Law & Equity in No. Carolina.”
Ellis, Taylor and Edward Pasteur were put on a special committee “to report to the next Lodge what kind of building will be most proper for the accomodation of the Society to be erected on the land purchased by the Lodge.”
Although stricken from the minutes, a lined notation indicates that some consideration was given to a suggestion that plans for a Masonic building on the new lots be deferred
COPY OF FRAMED HANDWRITTEN PARCHMENTAGREEMENT OF MASONIC TEMPLE DONORS
NOW KEPT IN BLUE LODGE ROOM
We, the Subscribers, promise to pay unto Isaac Taylor, Treasurer of ST. JOHN'S LODGE NO. 3, or his Successor in Office, the Sums annexed to our names, for defraying the expences of erecting a Masonic Hall in Newbern, in Three Installments, Viz. one third part of the Sum Subscribed, on or before the first day of April next, one other third part, on or before the first day of May, the remaining part when the Building shall be inclosed and Glazed.
| Newbern, Dec'r. 27, 1800 | |
| Francis Lowthrop, $50 | Silas W. Arnett, $20 |
| George Ellis, $50 | Matthew Gleeson, $20 |
| Edward Kean, $50 | Nathan Tisdale, (in bricks), $30 |
| Isaac Taylor, $50 | Jonathan Fellowes, $10 |
| John Osborn, $30 | William Johnston, $20 |
| Alex'r, Torrans, $30 | John Stanly, $25 |
| Thos. P. Irving, $30 | Isaac Lee Guion, $20 |
| John Louis Taylor, $20 | Thomas Webber, $24 |
| Edward Pasteur, $30 | R. D. Stanly, $20 |
| James Carney, $30 | John Devereux, $30 |
| James Wilson, $25 | Thomas Marshall, $10 |
| James McKinlay, $50 | Charles Hatch, $5 |
| William Lawrence, $20 | William Gaston, $20 |
| Jacob Cook, $20 | Charles Bates, $20 |
| Francis X. Martin, $20 | John Vail, $10 |
| Robert Hunt, $20 | Edward Tinker, Jr., $20 |
| John Sears, $20 | William Kyle, $10 |
| William Kean, $20 | James Bryan, $20 |
| Francis Stringer, $20 | Henry Tillman, $20 |
| George Gardner, $20 | Thomas Rujisell, $25 |
| Robert Ogden, Jr., $25 | Thomas Harris, $20 |
| Stephen Minor, $20 | John D. Friou, $10 |
| James Harker, $20 | Lemuel Holmes, $10 |
| John Hill, $10 | George Kinns, $10 |
| Joseph King, $5 | Allen Backhouse, $20 |
| John S. Pasteur, $20 | Thomas Hyman, $10 |
| Morgan Jones, $25 | Levi Fulcher, $10 |
| Samuel G. Barron, $50 | William Wyatt, $10 |
| B. H. Martin, $20 | S. B. Shanansolf, $10 |
| William G. Berry, $50 | Thomas G. Vipon, $10 |
| Edward Graham, $20 | James Blanks, $5 |
| Benjamin Woods, $20 | William Lockart, $20 |
| Thomas Thomson, $20 | Samuel Thomas, $10 |
| James Green, $10 | Thomas Curtis, $5 |
| Charles Williams, $10 | John Brown, $5 |
| William McClure, $50 | Levi Dawson, $10 |
| Marcus C. Stephens, $20 | Gilbert McClure (in work), $20 |
| John Dewey, $20 | David Wallace, Jr., $24 |
| Benners Vail, $24 | William Roe, $10 |
| Francis Hawks, $20 | William Holland, $4 |
| Samuel Oliver, $10 | Hardy Dunn, $5 |
| B. Moring, $10 | William Hampton, $2 |
| William Ferrand, $50 | F. Green, (in Plank), $24 |
| D. Witherspoon, (pd.) $20 | Joseph Mitchell, (laying bricks), $25 |
| Robert Williams, (in work) $10 | |
| John Jones, $10 | Longfield Cox, $20 |
| Abner Pasteur, $10 | John Washington, $10 |
| John Knowles, $10 | S. B. Forbes, Jr., $10 |
| Samuel Chapman, $24 | John Coart, Jr., $10 |
| Richard West, $10 | F. McIlwean, $10 |
| Samuel P. Johnston, $15 | Mathias Handy, $20 |
| William Taylor, $10 | Lucas Jacob Benners, $20 |
| Peter Chase, $24 | William Bell, $15 |
| James Taylor, $15 | Jarvis Buxton, (pd.), $6 |
| Abraham Hunt, $10 | Jelsey Cobb, $10 |
| John Sheffield, $10 | Frederick Jones, $10 |
| John R. Good, $15 | Joseph Hearn, $20 |
| Clabourn Ivey, $5 | John Strother, (pd), $5 |
| William D. Bryan, $20 | Joseph Masters, $20 |
| George Linguist, $10 | Robert Pettet, $10 |
| Frederick Divoux, $10 | Watson Brown, $10 |
| William M. Heritage, $10 | Samuel Dewhurst, $20 |
| Probit Collier, $5 | William Fisher, $2 |
| William R. Cray, $10 | Alexander Duguid, $15 |
| Samuel Wilkins, $20 | Joseph Collins by Benjamin Woods, Esq., $50 |
| David Slocumb, $10 | |
| Samuel Smith, $20 | Charles Churchill, $15 |
| John Bloodsow, $10 | L. Fray, (pd), $5 |
| James Rhodes, $10 | Robert Woods, $21 |
| John Justice, $5 | C. McCall, $5 |
| Francis Lamotte, $10 | Joseph Wallace, $15 |
| Samuel Sparrow, $5 | Richard Jennings, $10 |
| Reuben P. Jones, $10 | P. N. Fite (pd) $20 |
| Richard Cogdell, $5 | David Sabiston, $5 |
| James Kennedy, $15 | O. H. Hanley, (pd) $5 |
| John Harvey, $25 | Joseph Boon, $20 |
| Total $2,718 |
until sale of the Tryon Palace property on George Street. By Act of the Assembly, the Palace site was sold at public auction in March, 1799.
This idea of trying to obtain the Palace site for erection of a lodge building was discarded, as observed, and on March 13 John Dewey was named to “draw up a Plan of a Building fit for a Lodge of the dimensions of 50 by 36 feet, also an estimate of the expences to close the same in and building the chimneys.”
A week later “Hunley, Osborn and Hawks were appointed a committee to draw up a Subscription for the building of a lodge upon the lotts purchased by the brethren.”
XVIIIMASONIC FUNERALS
One reason perhaps for the delay in erecting a Masonic Temple here was due to the yellow fever epidemic which caused many deaths during the last year and a half of the 18th century.
So many persons died of the dread disease in the latter part of 1798, it is reported, that numerous bodies had to be interred hurriedly in trenches dug along the northern boundary of Christ Church yard. These new burials in the churchyard, already well filled with graves, probably formed the main explanation of why the church opened Cedar Grove Cemetery in 1800. This cemetery was transferred in 1854 by the church to the city.
A number of Masons were among those succumbing during the epidemic. Lodge minutes tell of many Masonic funerals, most of them conducted by Mr. Irving. For many of the early ones he composed special odes and had them read or sung at the services. Among the lodge leaders passing away were Secretary William Good and Thomas Crew, who long served as Tiler.
Masonic funerals had to be temporarily abandoned in 1799, it was reported later by Col. John D. Whitford in his Historical Notes. He pointed out that the mortality rate among the fraternity was exceedingly great, since Masons
so often nursed the sick and helped bury their deceased brothers.
A note in the lodge minutes explains why Masons did not attend in August, 1798, the funeral for John Craddock, for some years Junior Warden. The rites were attended by the Corps of Artillery, of which Craddock was captain, the Light Dragoons and Light Infantry, so many of whom were Masons, it was said, that a separate procession of Masons could not be formed for the funeral service.
Military as well as Masonic honors were paid at the funeral for William Bartlett on January 13, 1799, the minutes show. “Firing of Cannon commenced on board the Ship Tillman laying in the harbour of New Bern commanded by Brother Jacob Cook, which continued in a slow solemn manner untill the Body was intered. At the Grave a funeral Ode was sung by the Bretheren, composed by Rev.’d. Brother T. P. Irving, our Chaplain.”
The largest attendance perhaps for any Masonic gathering was reported April 18, 1798, for the funeral of “Brother Mathew Byrne who was murdered on the Night of the 16th Instant in his Bead.” The Rev. Mr. Irving “delivered a Short but very Solemn Oration prepared for the occation.” A “solemn Hymn sung over our truely unfortunate deceased Brother was prepared by Brother Irving.”
According to Colonel Whitford's account, Matthew Byrne had moved here early in life from his native Scotland, and became eventually a prominent merchant on lower Craven Street. During the first part of 1798 he received from Scotland $8,000 in gold and silver, which he kept in his store.
One night he was killed with an axe in his store, and his money was stolen. Through the efforts of his brother Masons, a store clerk was arrested and jailed on a charge of robbery and murder. The clerk killed himself in the local jail before his trial by taking laudanum which had been spirited to him in a loaf of bread by some unidentified person.
The money has never been recovered, so far as is known. Many persons familiar with the episode at the time it took place believed that the assassin threw it into Trent River.
XIXLARGEST LODGE IN STATE
St. John's Lodge ranked as the largest Masonic group in North Carolina at that period. It had 134 members listed in 1798. In contrast to modern names which in most instances have two initials, many of the men in those days had only one Christian name.
Praise for the local lodge is contained in a Grand Lodge report for that year, as follows: “St. John's Lodge, No. 3, New Bern—Johnston-Caswell, No. 10, Warrenton—Phoenix, No. 8, Fayetteville—Old Cone, No. 9, Salisbury—Pansophia, No. 25, Moore County—Mount-Maria, No. 27, Iredell County—St. Tammany, Wilmington—are of all the Lodges under the jurisdiction of this grand Lodge, most attentive to the business of the Craft, and Masonic communications; to wit, in sending their delegation to this Grand Lodge, and transmitting a list of their members annually with a transcript of their proceedings— as appears from the records of this Grand Lodge.”
One of the original lists of the local membership is still in the archives of the Grand Lodge at Raleigh. Drafted November 4, 1789, this paper is signed by Master Isaac Guion, Secretary F. X. Martin, Edward Pasteur and Solomon Halling.
Two original papers written and signed by Master Lowthrop are also in the Grand Lodge files. One of these is the announcement that Benjamin Woods and Dr. William McClure had been elected local delegates to the Grand Lodge in 1796. A similar credentials letter for 1803 states that “our truly and well beloved brothers, John C. Osborn and Francis X. Martin,” were representatives to the Grand Lodge from New Bern in 1803. This latter document is signed by Lowthrop, Senior Warden Ellis, Junior Warden Stephens and Secretary John S. Pasteur.
On April 14, 1798, there was a special communication of the Grand Lodge to lay the cornerstone at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Grand Secretary Robert Williams, long listed as a member of the local lodge, was among those present.
Lowthrop took a prominent part then not only in local Masonic circles but also in State Masonic groups. He acted as Senior Deacon on December 30, 1797, at a Grand Lodge communication.
In 1799 it was reported to the Grand Lodge that he had been appointed as “Vice Grand Master,” to visit several lodges in behalf of the craft. He was allowed “reasonable expenses” for the visits he said he had made in this capacity as assistant to Grand Master Davie.
Senior Warden George Ellis represented St. John's Lodge at the Grand Lodge in 1800. He protested against a ruling that he could cast only one vote, though he represented three different lodges. Later this ruling was rescinded.
Many delegates to the Grand Lodge represented more than one lodge in those days. Robert Williams often was delegate for several lodges. In 1822 Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., represented St. John's and King Solomon lodges.
John C. Osborn, of New Bern, was elected Grand Marshal in 1802; and Lucas J. Benners was named Grand Pursuivant.
XXCORNERSTONE LAID
The planned Masonic building was started soon after the opening of the 19th century, and its foundation stone was laid on April 15, 1801, in the northeastern corner of the site.
Unfortunately there are no minutes available for local reference to this important building period. All records of meetings from the end of 1799 to September 7, 1803, are missing from the second minute book. However, the lodge Register lists many new members.
The Treasurer's Ledger for the lodge, started by Treasurer William Kean in 1802 and kept by other treasurers up to 1822, also is extant and contains much valuable information as to the construction of the building, as well as about various members of the organization. An individual financial account is kept for each member, and at the end of a number of these is found the date of his death. Many of them are marked “removed,” “dead,” or “lost at sea.”
The exact date of the cornerstone laying is proved by a small, oblong, engraved silver plate now in the lodge archives. This plaque and three coins—a copper half-cent dated 1797, a copper cent dated 1798, and a silver dollar dated 1800—were taken from the cornerstone and carried North by a Union soldier stationed here during the War Between the States.
In 1876 the plate and the three pieces of money were put into a special new case, appropriately inscribed, and were returned in 1878 to the local lodge by St. John's Lodge No. 1 of Providence, R. I., into whose possession they had fallen through one of its members. There was no doubt as to their rightful owners, because the plate is engraved as follows:
On one side—“Grand Lodge of North Carolina instituted Jan'y. 14, A.D. 1771, A. L. 5771. Present officers: William Polk, Esqr., G. Master; John Louis Taylor, Esqr., D. G. M. Thos. Jefferson, Pres't. of the U. States. Aaron Burr, V. Pres't. Benj. Williams, Governor, N. C. Bro. Johnston Sculp.”
On the other side—“St. John's Lodge No. 3, New Bern, N.C. Instituted Jan'y. 10, A. D. 1772, A. L. 5772. Present officers: Francis Lowthrop, Esqr., M. George Ellis, Esqr., S. W. Edw. Kean, Esqr., J. W. Isaac Taylor, Esqr., Tr. Revd. Thos. P. Irving, Orator.
“This Foundation Stone of Masons’ Hall laid April 15, A. D. 1801, by the D. G. Master, afsisted by the Officers & Members of this Lodge.”
Forty-two years after the return of the cornerstone articles, Manager Oscar A. Kafer of the Masonic Theatre located the original cornerstone, hollow and empty, in the basement of the building. In 1934 he procured the aid of William B. Duncan, construction superintendent then here for the erection of the handsome new Federal building, and they placed the stone on an appropriate memorial foundation, with suitable inscription, in front of the Masonic Temple. Instead of being replaced in the foundation stone, the plate and the coins from it were kept in the lodge archives.
Though accurate details are lacking, the conclusion may be gathered from this plate that an elaborate public ceremony was held for the cornerstone laying by Deputy Grand Master Taylor. It is a plausible surmise that the lodge Orator, the
Rev. Mr. Irving, had a prominent part on the program, likely making the main address or at least offering a prayer, and that the Worshipful Master, Lowthrop, and other officers and members also participated in the exercises.
When the cornerstone was laid the middle of April, 1801, the building's foundations must have been well under way, so it may be presumed that construction work started during the first months of that year. In fact, an item in the Treasurer's Ledger shows that on February 24, 1801, the sum of $250 was paid to John Dewey as a first installment payment on his contract for the construction of Masons’ Hall.
XXILODGE BUILDING PROGRESSES
That the Masons lacked sufficient funds for the building costs and that from almost its beginning they contemplated using part of the large structure for theatrical productions and public dances sponsored by other organizations in New Bern is known from the fact that they solicited public subscriptions and leased a lower portion of the building for fifty years to the local Theatrical Association.
In the second minute book is a heavy sheet of brown wrapping paper, with three simple line drawings, showing the general plan for the new lodge structure, 48 by 36 feet. This has an undated copy of the suggested notice for subscription pledges to be asked for the building:
“St. John's Lodge No. 3 propose to erect a Building which shall be _____ length by _____ feet breadth for the purpose of holding their meetings. As the funds are inadequate to the erection & completion of such a building they have requested Subscriptions for the purpose of supplying its deficiency. Persons who are not Masons as well as Members of the Society are invited to lend their aid. It is proposed that the building shall contain six Rooms & it shall be so constructed as to answer the purpose of Dancing Assemblies & other public Associations. The Subscribers whose names are Undersigned promise to pay into the hands of the Master or Treasurer of the Lodge the sums suffixed
to their names in three equal payments, the first portion at the end of four months from the date hereof & the other part five and the other in 12 months.”
The final document drafted to this effect and dated December 27, 1800, with the signatures of a number of members and other citizens and the amounts of money they promised to contribute, forms one of the most interesting of the original papers preserved in the lodge archives. Onethird of the sums was to be paid April 1, 1801, another third on May 1, and the remainder when the building had been enclosed. These 150 donors promised $2,718. (See page 64 A-B.)
The sum of $2,000 was also pledged, and was subsequently reported paid in full by December 3, 1803, according to the Treasurer's Ledger. It was credited as payment by the local Theatrical Association on “their contract for a lease of fifty years” for the theatre portion of the new Masonic Hall.
Names of these subscribers are listed in the Treasurer's Ledger in an entry dated 1802. There were 21 contributors, each pledging $100, with the exception of John Sears and Richard D. Stanly, who promised $50 each and were bracketed together to make a $100 pledge.
The $100 subscribers were John Devereux, John L. Taylor, John C. Osborn, William Gaston, George Ellis, Robert Hunt, Francis Lowthrop, Edward Pasteur, James McKinlay, James Carney, Matthew Gleeson, William Kean, Edward Kean, Samuel Barron, John Dewey, Benners Vail, Isaac Taylor, Lucas J. Benners and Henry Bettner.
All of these were lodge members, with the exception of Devereux, Gaston, Hunt and McKinlay. According to the treasurer's accounts, some of the Masonic subscribers did not donate the full amounts themselves but secured contributions from Thomas McLin, William Shepard and William Ferrand to apply on their pledges.
Apparently construction went forward slowly on the building. Varying amounts are shown on the treasury books to have been paid Contractor Dewey at intervals, until by September 26, 1803, a total of $5,327.09 had been advanced on the contract price of $6,460.
Despite the lapse in the minutes, it is known that Lowthrop remained Worshipful Master during these construction
years. When he was unanimously reelected in December, 1799, the official record carries the following laudatory resolution:
“That the Lodge, deeply impressed with a due sense of their W. Master's Skill, Abilities & unremiting attention to the Interest & good Government of this Lodge—return him their unfeigned, Sincere & hearty thanks for his past Services—highly flattered with the pleasing hope that the same Harmony, good order & Brotherly love will prevail in this Lodge which has for the many years past while he Presided.”
Upon his reelection in December, 1803, another resolution of praise was recorded: “That the thanks of this Lodge be presented to our Wors. Master Francis Lowthrop, for his watchful care of the interests of the Craft, and his particular exertions for the advancement of the respectability of this Lodge, during a Presidency of twelve years; and also to our Br. Treasurer, Wm. Kean, and the other officers, for their invariable attachment to, and their wishes to advance the honor of the fraternity. And further, that in consideration of the W. Master's valuable services rendered to this body, by his unremitting attention to the Masonic Hall, since the commencement of its erection, the sum of his subscription to that building to be passed to his credit.”
Apparently there had been difficulty in collecting some of the money pledged for the new structure, for a resolution was adopted September 7, 1803, when the minutes are resumed, authorizing the treasurer to “solicit the counsel of Bro. Woods, or some other gentleman of the bar, on the subject of debts due by individuals to the Lodge Building, by subscription—and that he prosecute, with the assistance of such Counsel a suit already commenced against Pierce Manning, for a donation promised to said building, on certain conditions.”
Thanks of the lodge was “bestowed on Brothers Carney and Stanly, for their exertions in favor of the Lodge in collecting money to satisfy the demands of Mr. Bryan . . . and that they be requested to use their industry in the furtherance of this object.”
After discussion, it was decided October 5 to give up a scheme for conducting a Grand Lottery to raise money for
the building. The committee was asked to “wait on the Managers and know if they will manage the concerns of such inferior Lotteries as the Lodge may adopt.” Three days later a plan was approved for “small Lotteries.”
The committee for superintending the erection of Mason's Hall was directed to wait on Mr. Dewey to ascertain the progress of the structure and the reasons for its tardiness. Dewey was evidently the architect and contractor in full charge of construction. He had been asked in March, 1799, to draw a plan and present an estimate as to the cost for its erection.
Members of the committee requested to hurry up Dewey in his work on the building were also authorized to employ a carpenter to make a door and other wood necessary immediately for plastering, and to proceed at once thereafter with the plastering. The Worshipful Master was instructed to draw on the treasurer for the cost of 10,000 laths.
In the controversy as to whether progress on the building was too slow, William Shepard was chosen to represent the lodge, and John Stanly was chosen by Mr. Dewey to represent him in acting as referees to arbitrate the differences between the two parties.
Elected in 1803 to serve as officers with Master Lowthrop were Ellis, Senior Warden; Stephens, Junior Warden; and Kean, Treasurer. J. S. Pasteur was appointed Secretary; John D. Friou, Senior Deacon; Jacob Bantz, Junior Deacon; Knowles, Tiler; and Irving, Orator. They were installed by the next month by the Grand Master, John Louis Taylor of New Bern, who was a guest speaker at the meeting.
At a St. John's Day observance service at the church December 27, the Rev. Mr. Irving delivered such a satisfactory discourse that it was voted to have it printed. Two nights later “the propriety of having a Masons’ Ball” was considered. It was agreed to give the ball. Osborn, F. Nash, Samuel Oliver, B. Vail and James Taylor were appointed managers, together with the Master. Wardens and Secretary.
Francis X. Martin, William Johnston and Dewey were added January 4, 1804, to the committee for superintending the Masonic building, “for the special purpose of adopting some plan for finishing the upper part of the building of
Masons Hall.” The result of their deliberations, it was voted, would be held decisive.
Lowthrop, Kean, Carney, E. Pasteur and Johnston were appointed on a committee to supervise “the laying of the Lodge Grounds.”
XXIIMASONIC HALL IN USE
The new lodge building was in use by the first part of the year 1804, though the upper part of the structure had not then been completed.
Under the treasurer's working account, it may be seen that 30 pounds was paid John Stanly “for Rent” on November 29, 1802, and that in September, 1803, the sum of 30 pounds, two shillings and six pence was paid for rent; but that on May 5, 1804, the last rental payment was for only 18 pounds, six shillings and eight pence, seemingly pointing to the theory that only about half a year's rent had to be paid for Stanly's building since by then the Masons were meeting in their own new hall. Lodge minutes for June, 1804, specifically state that the meeting was held in “Masons Hall.”
In March, 1804, Dewey presented two plans for finishing the top of the building. The lodge Master and Wardens were instructed to go with the building committee members to confer with the Theatrical Association as to what proportion of the remaining expense that organization might be willing to bear in order to hasten completion of the project.
The committee was also requested to “wait on the managers of the Dancing Assembly and solicit from them contributions towards the expenses incurred in preparing the Masonic Hall for the accomodation of Dancing Parties this Season.”
Still another use for the lodge building was started in April, 1804, when the minutes say that Irving was permitted to teach singing there. Again indicating that the structure was being used at the time, it was “motioned, seconded and agreed” on May 2 that the hall be insured for $10,000.
But the work was not all paid for, and the Masons experienced difficulty from time to time in working out financial arrangements for carrying the load of having erected such a large and handsome temple.
The lodge record for July 4, 1804, states: “It was agreed, that in consequence of the embarrassment to which the fraternity is at present exposed, by the Execution that is hanging over their Building, Five Brothers should be appointed to attend the collection of such debts as may appear to be due to the Lodge; and in the event of disappointment, that the members of this Committee, be authorized in the name of the Lodge, to obtain a sum sufficient to satisfy the said Execution on Loan.”
Named on this committee were Lowthrop, Ellis, Carney, Bantz and E. Pasteur. At the next meeting the Master announced that the balance due to James Bryan on the loan had been paid.
The Festival of St. John the Baptist was celebrated as usual that June 24, as well as the Festival of St. John the Evangelist the following December. Refreshments were almost always enjoyed after the church services and lodge gatherings on such occasions. An entry in the 1804 minutes tells of the appropriation of two dollars for brandy consumed at the June program.
Large attendances were customarily reported in those days for these special events as well as for Masonic funerals. This was true for the last rites conducted for a distinguished member, Gen. William McClure, Revolutionary surgeon.
The McClure funeral was held here November 18, 1804, from the residence of the Most Worshipful Grand Master J. L. Taylor of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. His house was on the northeast corner of New and Metcalf Streets on property he purchased in 1798 from Francis X. Martin and sold in 1812 to Asa Jones.
Thus it may be seen that busy as the St. John's Lodge members were with their building problems and financial difficulties they nevertheless continued their regular activities and interests. Numerous references to various objects of charity and benevolence may also be found in their official records.
The period constituted a high water mark of Freemasonry in New Bern, with some of the most outstanding New Bernians in the history of the section then included in the lodge membership and with other prominent citizens cooperating in the erection of a public theatre.
XXIIITHEATRE LEASE
A special lodge meeting was called November 28, 1804, to consider “a mode for finishing the building in such manner, as to be able to deliver to the Theatrical association that part which is to be leased to them.”
The following resolution was accordingly passed:
“Resolved, That this Lodge will deliver that part of the Masonic Hall intended for a Theatre and constructed to be leased to the Subscribers or proprietors of the Theatre in its present condition, making an allowance to said proprietors for the differences between the condition in which it now is & that in which it was to be delivered by the contract.
“And resolved further that the Master, Junior Warden & Treasurer be authorized in conjunction with the sd. proprietors or a Committee thereof to estimate that difference—taking care that Br. Dewey shall be present, or have notice to be present.
“Resolved that Br. Wood be requested to prepare & report to the next meeting of this Lodge a lease or conveyance of that part of Masons Hall intended for the theatre to the proprietors or to their trustee according to the tenor of the articles of agreement made between the Lodge & proprietors June 29, 1802.
“Resolved that this Lodge meet again on Friday next to take into consideration the unfinished business of this night.”
The next Friday night, as scheduled, the committee to which had been “referred the examination of the lower part of Masons Hall intended for a Theatre laid before the Lodge the following agreement between them on the part of the Lodge & the proprietors of the Theatre:
“It is proposed between the Committee on the part of the Lodge & the Committee on the part of the Proprietors of the Theatre; that the Lodge shall deliver to said proprietors the premises to be demised as a Theatre in their present state and condition, including the sashes of the lower story, and two doors already made by Mr. Dewey, and that the Lodge shall give its Note to the said proprietors for $300 payable in six months, which sum shall be in full for the difference between the present condition of the said premises & that in which they were to be delivered by existing contract between the said parties.
“Newbern, Nov. 29, 1804.
Signed—by Wm. Shepard, Jas. McKinlay and Jno. Devereux, committee for Proprietors; and F. Lowthrop, M. C. Stephens and Wm. Kean, committee on part of the lodge.
Mr. Dewey said he approved this settlement, and the lodge accepted its committee's report. Accordingly, it appears that the Theatrical Association took possession of the theatre portion of the building during the last part of 1804 and finished its construction the next year.
An entry in the treasurer's reports is to the effect that on March 3, 1805, the Masons sold 500 feet of “plank” to the Theatrical Association for four pounds, or approximately $8.00. This lumber was probably some left over from the lodge's building materials, and the Theatrical Association likely used it to help complete the theatre.
Since the plan to use the building partly as a public theatre was adopted practically from the beginning of its construction and it has been proved that the structure was in use as early as 1804, with the unfinished theatre legally transferred to the Theatrical Association during the last part of that year, it might be accurately claimed that the present Masonic Theatre dates back to 1804.
Whether plays were actually presented in the incompleted theatre during 1804 is not definitely known. But there is every reason to assume that plays were certainly produced there the next year. The treasurer reports November 7, 1805, receiving from Tisdale and Company 25 pounds or about $50,” as “profits of a play.”
To all lovers of Wit, Satire, Character and Sentiment. At the NEWBERN THEATRE.
LLEWELLYN L. WALL, Mrs. DOUGLAS and Family, &c., will exhibit ON SATURDAY EVENING, THE 13th OF MAY, 1797: An ANTIDOTE FOR THE SPLEEN, For the purpose of enticing the generous spirits of Newbern, to indulge themselves with an EVENING's LOUNGE TO THEIR THEATRE.
Where they will be regal'd with a Theatrical DISH OF ALL SORTS; calculated to dissipate care, raise drooping spirits, and improve the morals.
MERRY BOMBAST TRAGEDY AND SAD COMEDY Will be introduc'd by JULIO ANDREA, F. R. S. (i. e.) Fellow of the Resible Society, and self created Doctor of Funn.
ELEGANT SCENES SELECTED FROM THE DRAMATIC POETS, FOR THE AMUSEMENT OF PERSONS OF TASTE.
Mrs. DOUGLAS will sing some FAVOURITE SONGS. Mr. WALL will play on the Guitar.
To begin at 7 o'clock.
Tickets may be had at the Eagle Tavern, of Mrs. Douglass, at Mr. Lowthrop's, at Mr. Oliver's, at the Printing-Office, and of Mr. Wall for Half a-Dollar each. Children half price.
The 1797 playbills on this page and the next page were copied from the original programs now in the possession of Paul Green, Pulitzer prizewinning dramatist of Chapel Hill, N. C., through whose courtesy they are reproduced here. Although these theatrical productions were staged in New Bern prior to the construction of the Masonic Temple, the interest of local Masons in dramas is proved by the fact that all those having tickets for sale—Messrs. Lowthrop. Oliver, Fellows, Fabre and Pasteur—were members of St. John's Lodge.NEWBERN THEATRE.
Dr. LLEWELLYN LECHMERE WALL, (of Orange county) WILL ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, THE 16th OF MAY, 1797.
Administer at the NEWBERN THEATRE, wholesome Physic to the mind, calculated to dissipate care, raise drooping spirits, and improve the morals. His prescriptions will be made up from the dispensatories of Shakespeare, Congreve, Farquhar, and other Dramatic Doctors, by whom he has practised for upwards of thirty years.
FIRST HE WILL PERFORM A SURPRISING CURE FOR SCOLDING, Assisted by Mrs. DOUGLAS & Co. taken from Shakespeare's Comedy of the “TAMING OF THE SHREW:”
| PETRUCHIO, | by | Mr. WALL,BAPTISTA, |
| BAPTISTA, | by | Mr. DOUGLAS, |
| GRUMIO, | by | Mr. LATHY, |
| And CATHERINE, (the scold) | by | Mrs. DOUGLAS. |
The rest of the Characters will be performed by the liberal spirits of the town.
JULIO ANDREA, (Doctor of Funn) will sing a few Songs sadly, to execrable tunes, viz.
THE LEARNED PIG, THE UPS AND DOWN'S OF LIFE, And MURDER IN IRISH, Being a criticism on the plays of Tamerlane, Merchant of Venice, Othello, and Beggar's Opera.
Some spontaneous sallies of Wit, Humour, and Bombast, will also be introduced.
The whole to conclude with a Dance call'd the COUNTRY WEDDING, ACCOMPANIED BY DARBY AND JOAN.
| DARBY, | by | Mr. LATHY. |
| JOAN, | by | Mr. WALL. |
To begin at half an hour after seven.
Tickets may be had at Mr. Lowthrop's store, at Mr. Oliver's, Mr. Fellows’, Mr. Fabre's store, at the Printing-Office of J. Pasteur, and at the Eagle Tavern, for half a dollar each. Children half price.
Mr. WALL most humbly requests the Ladies and Gentlemen who may chuse to honour this Exhibition with their company, to come by the time appointed, and they shall not wait. Remember: ’Tis his last time of asking.
The Masonic Theatre now rank as “the oldest theatre in America still in regular operation.” The Library of Congress has checked and approved this claim, reporting inability to find any reference to an American theatre built prior to the one here and still in constant use.
The Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce points to the Walnut Street Theatre as the oldest theatre standing in the Quaker City, but says that it was not opened as the Olympic Theatre until January 1, 1812. The “old” theatres at Charleston and Williamsburg are restorations or reproductions.
Of course, the Masonic building did not provide the first theatre in New Bern but it must have been by far the best one. In a letter to his wife, Judge James Iredell wrote of a performance of Fielding's “The Miser,” presented in 1787 by the “American Company of Comedians” at New Bern and attended by Iredell with Samuel Johnston:
“I never was so disgusted in my life. They are a most execrable set, infinitely worse than ours; and the great Mr. Smith appeared to me the greatest blockhead I ever saw. This opinion was pretty general. The place was a most abominable one, and one-half the audience could neither hear nor see.”
During the Spring of 1797 the actor and manager named Edgar toured through North Carolina with a company from Charleston and advertised the opening of a “New Theater” at New Bern, made available through the work of the local “Theatrical Society,” composed of “Gentlemen of the town.”
In the North Carolina Gazette published March 18, 1797, at New Bern, was this notice:
“Mr. Edgar respectfully informs the ladies and gentlemen of Newbern, that the NEW THEATRE, Mr. Turner's still room, will open on Monday, March the 20th, with the PROVOK'D HUSBAND. Preceding the play, an OCCASIONAL ADDRESS, by Mr. Edgar. Between the Play and Farce, a VARIETY OF SINGING. To which will be added Mr. Coleman's celebrated Comic Opera of INKLE & YARICO, OR THE AMERICAN HEROINE. The price of admittance one dollar, children half price. At the Eagle Tavern. Doors to be opened at 7 o'clock and to begin at half
past 7.” Gallery seats at 25 cents were announced for “people of colour.”
No wonder New Bernians were so proud and pleased to have a new theatre, which was such an improvement on the 1787 one in which half the audience could not see or hear the performers and the 1797 theatre in the still room.
There were many amateur actors in the city in those early years. Colonel Whitford lists some of them as Francis L. Hawks, Cicero Hawks, John Hawks, John H. Bryan, Hamilton Graham, James W. Bryan, Thomas and Richard Blackledge, Charles B. Shepard, Edward Stanly, Thomas Carney, who is said to have made an admirable Falstaff, and James C. Stevenson, who often took female roles. Later actors mentioned by Colonel Whitford included C. C. Clark, Edwin Hunter, Thomas Ellis, William H. Mayhew, John C. Court, John M. Oliver and Col. John V. Jordon.
Prior to the completion of the ballroom in the Masonic Temple, the members agreed early in 1805 to lend their lodge room for the use of dances. At a quarterly session January 2, after officers had been reelected the previous month, with John F. Templeton appointed Tiler, a resolution to that effect was adopted:
“Resolved, That until the Ball room in the lower story of the Masonic building be finished, the inhabitants are permitted to hold the Regular New Bern Dancing Assemblies in the Lodge Room, on a written application to the Master, Senior & Junior Wardens, or in their absence, to the next officers of the Lodge, provided they concur unanimously. The Managers of such Assemblies to pay Forty shillings for each night, for the purpose of employing some discreet person to superintend the safety of the Building.
“Resolved, That the aforementioned officers shall not have power to grant permission to the Managers above mentioned on any night on which a Lodge is to be held.
“Resolved, That the furniture of the Lodge shall on no account, be lent to the Managers of such Dancing Assemblies; except the Benches, Chairs, Tables & Chandileers.”
However, unanimous consent was afterwards given to this proviso:
“Resolved, That in future, permission will not be granted to any private party, to dance in the Lodge Room; and that
the W. Master be authorized to refuse permission to any application for that purpose.”
Seventeen shillings and six pence was appropriated for andirons, shovel and tongs for the new lodge room; and thirty-one shillings and ten pence for knives and forks. Many other such purchases are reported from time to time in the minutes, and a number of gifts were also made to the organization.
Still in possession of the lodge are six small silver salt spoons and six small silver knives with curved blades, handed down from days long past. St. John's Lodge also owns tall brass andirons, said to have been used a century and a half ago in the Masonic rooms at Tryon's Palace and saved by John Lane when the Palace was burned in 1798. The andirons are three feet high, and each top weighs four and a half pounds.
The regular committee for superintending the completion of the new hall and theatre and communicating with the Theatrical Association was given power to act early in 1805 on questions which might arise, under instructions to report their decisions at lodge meetings.
Matters relating to the theatre and its management are mentioned occasionally in the minutes. For some years the Theatrical Association had charge of the theatre, but well before the expiration of its 50-year lease the theatre reverted to the lodge.
XXIVCUPOLA FUND DONATED
The Theatrical Association, composed of “Gentlemen of the Town,” was not the only dramatic organization assisting in the erection of the Masonic Theatre.
A more youthful amateur theatrical group, composed of school boys—in those days women and girls rarely if ever appeared on the stage, female parts being played by men and boys—donated $139.50 from their treasury, suggesting that it be used towards the cost of erecting an ornamental dome, spire, cupola or other decoration on top of the new temple-theatre.
The treasurer reports receipt of this gift on July 28, 1804. At a meeting the next February the Masons approved the boys’ recommendation that their contribution be used to start a fund for an ornament on the roof. On November 6, 1805, they ordered the work undertaken.
According to an itemized report in the treasurer's book, this “new roof” was completed in 1806, with B. C. Good as the contractor and Brothers Stephens and Kean as supervisors. The contract price for this project was $545, and other expenses brought the total cost to $606.45.
Most of the accounts in this old financial ledger are figured in pounds, shillings and pence; but the bookkeeper kept an account in dollars and cents also for the expenditures on the cupola and the building in general.
Colonel Whitford wrote later that the ornamental dome was found to be expensive to keep in repair, because of its exposure to the weather, so that when the roof was renovated some years later it was removed. Some modern Masons have expressed an opinion that it should now be replaced.
Inspired by the Rev. Mr. Irving, their minister, teacher and dramatic coach, the school boys wrote such an excellent letter to the lodge in setting forth their recommendation for the roof ornament when they sent their contribution, that it was ordered to be recorded in full in the Masonic minutes. It follows:
“The Right Worshipful Master, Officers and Members of St. John's Lodge No. 3, Newbern.
“Gentlemen,
“We are about to make a donation to your respectable body, and as we are, as yet, but children, perhaps it may be proper for us to acquaint you how we became possessed of the sum, which accompanies our compliments.
“Our preceptor entertains an opinion that Theatrical exercises, of the unlicentious kind, occasionally attended to, improves our retentive faculties, polishes our manners, prepares our voices gradually for oratorical modulation, gives us confidence, and banishes that timidity so embarrassing to the youthful orator, enables us to read the world, and catch the manners of mankind, increases our abhorrence of vice,
and engages our tender minds at an important age, on the side of virtue.
“He has thot proper, therefore, to prepare us for an exhibition of that kind. We have performed, and have been honoured with the company of the liberal. Conscious from the gentlemenlike sentiments of honor, which he has taken pains to instil into our minds, that it would be improper and even disgraceful, to put into our own pockets, the money arising from such a performance, we cast our eyes around us, to discover to what purpose it might be usefully applied, and have come to the resolution, Gentlemen, to present it to your respectable fraternity.
“The sum is one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and fifty cents, and we cordially wish it was ten fold. We beg, however, as our wishes are in rather a greater ratio than our puerile abilities, that you will accept it, for the purpose of assisting you in erecting a Dome, Spire, Cupola, or any other ornament you may think proper on your elegant & useful building.
“Altho’ we are as yet but boys, we are sensible how ornamental the Masonic Hall is to the town of Newbern, and we pleasingly anticipate the period, when we ourselves, ‘after our blossoms have ripened into manhood,’ shall be permitted to tread your consecrated floors and drink the waters of wisdom, from that pure fraternal fountain, which, if we are to credit your books, may one day, cause morality, concord, and amity, ‘to cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.’
“We are, Gentlemen, with sentiments of the profoundest respect, your most obedient and very humble Servants.”
Signed, by George W. Cook, Thos. J. Singleton, Thos. J. Stanly, Jarvis B. Buxton, Wm. Tisdale, Jno. Daves, Jas. Tignor, Alfred Gatlin, Edw'd. Graham, Wm. Green, Jas. Carney, Jno. Witherspoon.
The following answer was drafted by Grand Master J. L. Taylor, Worshipful Master Lowthrop and Editor Osborn and approved by the lodge:
“Young Gentlemen,
“The donation you have been pleased to bestow on our institution, to assist in the completion of the Masonic Hall,
has been received, and shall be scrupulously devoted to the objects you have designated.
“In returning you the thanks of the Lodge, for being thus distinguished as the object of your bounty, it would be doing injustice to the feelings of its members, not to express their admiration of the just and pertinent reflections, the refined sentiments, and the neat and appropriate terms which adorn the letter you have transmitted.
“They derive peculiar pleasure, from the reflection, that while you perceive thus clearly the advantages conferred by education, a sure presage of future usefulness is afforded, and a pledge given, that the labours and anxieties of your parents, preceptor & friends will be amply rewarded, by the prudence and integrity of your conduct.
“Persevere, ingenuous youths, in the cultivation of moral virtue, in the acquisition of useful knowledge, and in an exact conformity to the advice and instructions of your teacher. Reverence God, honour your parents, love one another, and do good to all mankind.
“Accept our best wishes for your prosperity.”
Signed, Francis Lowthrop, Master, St. John's Lodge, No. 3. Jno. S. Pasteur, Sec'y.
Thomas Pitt Irving was an exceptionally “liberal” educator and minister of his era. When plays were presented by the two literary societies before the trustees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the commencement exercises there in 1796, General Davie, “Father of the University” and at that time Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, A. F. & A. M., objected to the dramas and banned them as part of the University curriculum.
Davie wrote to James Hogg, a trustee, August 3, 1797, when he was still Grand Master: “As to acting plays at the University, I think they are by no means as well calculated for improvement in elocution as single speeches. Acting a whole play is absurd and improfitable from every point of view. If the faculty insists upon this kind of exhibition, the trustees must interfere. Our object is to make students men, not players.”
On the other hand, Irving was particularly interested in dramatics, and encouraged plays at the New Bern Academy.
He thus ranks as a pioneer amateur dramatist and producer in North Carolina, an able forerunner of the now-famed Carolina Playmakers at the State University.
His school here was one of the first anywhere to present dramas on public occasions. New Bern students on December 23, 1793, only little more than a month after his arrival to become the local principal, gave “a dramatic piece in ridicule of scholastic pedantry.” Commencement programs the next Spring included an original skit he wrote and produced, and a play called “Mock Doctor or Dumb Lady Cured.”
Thus it is likely that as a prominent Mason, Irving had a great deal to do with the lodge's decision to adapt its new building for regular use also as a public theatre. He probably had much to do with the construction of the Masonic Hall, as well as the new brick school building, finished across the street in 1806 and now ranking as the oldest schoolhouse still in use in North Carolina.
As writer and orator, poet and musician, Irving frequently participated in Masonic programs. He often composed, directed and accompanied special odes for Masonic funerals or church programs. For some time during the last part of his 20-year residence in New Bern, before moving to Hagerstown, Md., in 1813, he served for several years as Worshipful Master, including the time of completing and dedicating the local Masonic temple. In these various capacities, he was responsible for much of the outstanding history made during that period by St. John's Lodge.
Many of his pupils, perhaps due largely to his influence, became outstanding North Carolinians, as William Gaston, noted orator, State Supreme Court Justice and composer of the State anthem; Dr. Francis Lister Hawks, minister, educator and historian, three times elected a Bishop; the Rt. Rev. Cicero S. Hawks, Bishop of Missouri; George E. Badger, Superior Court Judge, United States Senator and Secretary of the Navy; and Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., 1830-31, who served as Governor of North Carolina, 1835-36, with his father being the only instance of father and son becoming governors of this State.
During his 17 years as rector of Christ Church here Irving was considered an able preacher and lecturer, as he was later at Hagerstown until his death there in 1818. Illness prevented him from delivering his memorial sermon for Gov. Richard Dobbs Spaight the Elder, a communicant of his church, but it was printed in part in The Raleigh Register.
Governor Spaight had been mortally wounded in a duel here on September 5, 1802, with John Stanly, son of John Wright Stanly and State legislator and Congressman of note. The duel between the 44-year-old former Governor, first native-born North Carolinian to become the State's chief executive, and the 28-year-old rising Congressman, is reported to have taken place in the rear of the Masonic Temple lot.
Dr. Edward Pasteur was Spaight's second; and Edward Graham served as second for Stanly. William Gaston was active in securing a gubernatorial pardon for Stanly. A poem Irving adapted to close his eloquent tribute to Spaight was copied for the native New Bernian's tombstone on his plantation, “Clermont,” across Trent River.
XXVWILLIAM J. WILLIAMS
Of special significance in St. John's Lodge annals is the fact that it had a portrait of its Worshipful Master painted in 1805 by the noted artist, William Joseph Williams, who a decade earlier had painted a portrait of George Washington for the Masonic lodge at Alexandria, Va., of which the first President had served as first Worshipful Master.
A painting of Worshipful Master Lowthrop by Williams, then residing in New Bern, was authorized by lodge action February 6, 1805, as follows:
“Resolved, That in consideration of the high respect, in which this Lodge hold the character of their Master, and in gratitude for the many and important services which he has rendered this society, during his twelve years presidency over it, the Lodge appoint a committee to procure a Portrait, drawn by Brother Williams, for the Worshipful
Master, and that they procure an elegant & appropriate frame for the same, and hang it up in a conspicuous place in the Lodge Room, and that the said committee draw on the Treasurer for the sums necessary to defray the expences of this affectionate tribute of Respect to the merits, virtues and services of their Master, and that Brothers Osborn & Ellis be the committee to carry into effect the foregoing Resolution.”
The portrait of Lowthrop, painted by Williams, was presented to the lodge a month later, by John Osborn, then Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, at a meeting held here on March 6. Members voted to hang it in an appropriate spot in the lodge room. Today it hangs in Lowthrop Hall, named in honor of this prominent Masonic leader.
In two different entries in the Treasurer's Ledger, it is set forth that the lodge paid Williams 20 pounds, or about $40, for painting this portrait. One of these entries shows that on February 8, 1805, the sum of 20 pounds was credited to the cash account, “By Working Account for order to pay Br. Williams for a Portrait in Crayon of R. W. Master Fra's. Lowthrop.” On the same date this amount was shown as having been paid out in cash to “Br. Williams.” Evidently the artist was paid in advance for his work, but delivery of the finished product came within a month.
Two other entries, both dated February 22, show that a “Frame for R. W. M. Portrait” cost 10 pounds.
Painted with his Masonic regalia, Lowthrop bears a striking resemblance to the Masonic portrait of Washington by the same artist. As this picture was made little more than a year and a half before Lowthrop died, it does not resemble so much the painted medallion made during his young manhood, now in the possession of the local lodge, to which it was presented by the late F. C. Roberts, to whom it had been given by the original's daughter, Miss Sally Lowthrop.
The artist, Williams, was reported as a visitor at the meetings of St. John's Lodge when the Lowthrop painting was authorized and presented. At intervals during that period he is listed as a “visiting brother” at other local lodge sessions, as, on November 18, 1804; December 5, 1804; three
meetings on St. John's Day, December 27, 1804; January 2, 1805; February 28, 1805; March 2, 1805; and May 3, 1805.
Whether he attended later meetings that year or the next is not known, as the minutes are missing from May 8, 1805, to December, 1807. A transcript of part of these missing minutes in the Grand Lodge files seems to indicate he may have been a member in 1806, as he was on a committee for a band at the funeral for Worshipful Master Lowthrop.
The name of Williams does not appear on the New Bern lodge membership list, the extant local minutes or the treasurer's book as a member of the local organization. Since he is often reported as a “visiting brother,” he likely became a Mason before he moved to New Bern from Charleston, S. C., during the latter part of 1804.
Returns to the Grand Lodge of Masons for the year 1806 are said to show Williams as a member of St. John's lodge here, though the 1805 and 1807 proceedings do not show that name. Since the local minutes for that period are not extant, it is impossible to check definitely whether or not he actually transferred his membership here. In 1807 he moved to New York City.
Williams is chiefly famous in the art world for his portrait of Washington in Masonic regalia, the only authentic Masonic portrayal of the first president extant. It is a highly-colored pastel, and is believed to be the most accurate likeness of Washington in his advanced age.
This valuable portrait of Washington was painted in 1794 while he was president of the United States, by order of the Masonic lodge at Alexandria, of which he had served as Worshipful Master for eight months during his presidency. There were thirteen sittings for the painting in Philadelphia, then the capital of the United States.
Upon completion of the assignment and approval of the result by Washington, the picture was delivered to the Alexandria Masons by Williams, and “the same being approved, received his compensation.” He asked for a larger amount of money but on December 20, 1794, the Alexandria lodge minutes show “Lodge of the opinion that in the sum of $50 paid him, he received full compensation.” This fee is of interest, when compared with the $100,000 offers reportedly declined in recent years by the owners.
The original Washington portrait is displayed as one of the main features of the museum kept open to the public in the old lodge room of the Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, A. F. & A. M., at Alexandria. It was planned to move it to the new Washington National Memorial erected by Masons at Alexandria, but last year it was still hanging in the historic lodge room.
Even Washington's facial blemishes are shown in Williams’ picture, as a mole under the right ear, a scar on the left cheek and pox-marks on the nose. A colored photographic reproduction of the portrait was presented to St. John's Lodge here in 1926 by the late Charles A. Williams, Sr., of Charlotte, grandson of the artist. It now hangs in the hall between the Blue Lodge Room and Lowthrop Hall.
Washington's Masonic birthday was on November 4, 1752, when he was almost 21 years of age. Paying the entrance fee of two pounds, three shillings, he became a member of Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, of Fredericksburg, Va. The next year he took the other two degrees there and became a Master Mason.
When a charter was granted February 3, 1783, to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, at Alexandria, Washington was elected to honorary membership on June 24, 1784. After it was chartered by the newly-formed Grand Lodge of Virginia April 28, 1788, Washington became the first Worshipful Master.
Born in New York City November 17, 1759, of Welsh descent, Williams also lived in Philadelphia, Charleston and Georgetown, S. C., before coming to New Bern in 1804. For ten years from 1807 he resided again in New York, where he was listed as “a portrait painter.”
During the first part of 1817 he returned to New Bern and made his home here until his death November 30, 1823. Masonic records show that on March 16, 1821, he was paid $10 for painting a Lodge table cloth.
Williams joined the Catholic Church here, likely being a convert during a mission conducted in this city in 1821 by the Rt. Rev. John England, of Charleston, the Catholic bishop of the diocese containing the Carolinas and Georgia. Williams’ daughters were confirmed by Bishop England here on May 31, 1821, and he is mentioned as “a convert.”
According to extensive research by Alexander B. Andrews, prominent attorney, Masonic leader and learned historian of Raleigh, there seems no foundation for an erroneous report that Williams had previously been an Episcopal minister. The name is thought to have been confused with the Rev. William Williams, a deacon in the Anglican Church who joined the Wesleyan movement.
A monument was erected in 1923 at Williams’ grave in Cedar Grove cemetery here by his grandsons, Charles A. Williams and J. F. Williams, of Charlotte. More recently a book, “William J. Williams, Portrait Painter, and his Descendants,” has been published by a great-grandson, John F. Williams, Jr., of Buffalo, N. Y.
On the 109th anniversary of the artist's death in 1932, the bi-centennial year of Washington's birth, a memorial wreath of lavender chrysanthemums was placed on the grave by Maj. Albert T. Willis, Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, and Mr. Andrews, Past Grand Master of North Carolina and Past Potentate of Sudan Shrine Temple, at the request of Walter L. Stockwell, of Fargo, N. D., Past Grand Master of North Dakota and a vice president of the Washington National Memorial at Alexandria.
It was pointed out that it was highly appropriate for Stockwell to send the wreath, not only because of the Masonic portrait connection between Williams and Washington but also because of the fact that the North Dakota Grand Lodge traces its lineage back to North Carolina.
For, the North Dakota Grand Lodge was formed by lodges authorized by the Iowa Grand Lodge, which in turn had been started by lodges chartered by Missouri, which traced its beginning back to Tennessee and through there to North Carolina.
When John N. Sebrell, of Norfolk, Va., paid an official visit to New Bern as Imperial Potentate, A. A. O. N. M. S., he also placed a wreath on the Williams grave on March 28, 1934. Accompanying him were a number of officials and members of both Sudan and Khedive Shrine Temples of New Bern and Norfolk respectively.
Recognition of the value of the Williams portrait of Washington was paid officially by the United States government in 1932, when it was used on the nine-cent postage
stamp, after having been one of ten pictures of the first president selected for the stamp series issued in his honor during the bi-centennial anniversary celebration of his birth.
XXVIMASONIC BOOK PUBLISHED HERE
New Bern Masons have the right to be proud not only of the fact that the painter of the Masonic portrait of Washington lived in New Bern and is buried here but also of the fact that early in the 19th century an important Masonic publication was printed here.
The Ahiman Rezon and Masonic Ritual, already referred to in quoting from it Francis X. Martin's account of the organization of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina,* was printed by John C. Sims and Edward G. Moss in 1805 at New Bern, by order of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Only a few copies of this priceless old book are still extant. One is owned in this State by Judge Richard Dillard Dixon, Superior Court jurist and historian of note, who resides at Edenton. The volume is divided into two parts.
The publication is dedicated “To the Most Worshipful and Honorable John Louis Taylor, Esquire, Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in North Carolina and Tennessee. This Work is offered as a tribute of esteem for his amiable virtues, respect for his learning and talents, and fraternal gratitude for the zeal and fidelity with which he presides in the chair, to which the suffrage of his brethren elected him. . .”
Part II contains several different articles. The first consists of “A Declaration made by the convention of the lodges of the State of North-Carolina, met at Tarborough, December 12th, 5787. To the GLORY of the GREAT ARCHITECT. WHEREAS the harmony and happiness of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons have been disturbed by the late revolution, and * Page 35.
the free intercourse and correspondence between the Fraternity in America and G. Britain, thereby in a great measure broken off; whereby it has become necessary that the Brethren, in the state of North-Carolina, establish a certain mode or frame of constitution, for the well ordering and uniform government of the Society. . .”
Reports on the Tarboro convention follow, with the Constitution of 1797 adopted later under the administration of William Richardson Davie, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
Of special interest to New Bern Masons are four articles in the second part of the volume: a discourse on the history of Masonry delivered before St. John's Lodge, New Bern, by Francois Xavier Martin, on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1789; Martin's funeral oration written in tribute to Major-General Richard Caswell, Grand Master, and delivered before the local lodge members Sunday, November 29, 1789, in Christ Church; a Masonic sermon preached at the church December 27, 1789, by Dr. Solomon Halling, in observance of St. John the Evangelist's Day; and an address by Grand Master Taylor at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1804 at Raleigh.
XXVIILOTTERIES AID BUILDING FUND
The series of small lotteries authorized by the lodge during the Fall of 1803 to help raise money for the building fund brought profits of $554.05 to the end of 1804, it may be seen from the books of Treasurer Kean.
At first the plan was pushed enthusiastically by the members, and by November 24, 1803, Kean had received from Lottery Secretary William Shepard $251.20 as the net proceeds from “Class No. 1, 2 & 3.”
By the middle of the next month the fourth lottery had brought $35 to the treasury; the fifth, $93.25; and the sixth, $94.75. But not until December 31, 1804, a year later, did the treasurer report $79.85 as having been collected on the seventh lottery.
The lottery idea had been borrowed from other local groups. An entry in the treasurer's records for July 23, 1802, indicates that the lodge purchased three tickets in a lottery being conducted for the New Bern Academy, then planning to erect its school building. An entry of August 5 shows that six more tickets were then bought. Each ticket cost two pounds, or about $4. One of the tickets in the August contest held by the lodge brought a prize of $50, and two other tickets won prizes of $4 each, a total of $58, less a discount of $8.70, to leave a balance of $49.30 for the lodge from its prize awards.
In 1787 community leaders here had the State legislature pass legislation permitting Craven County to conduct a lottery in order to obtain funds for a County Home. Managers appointed for the lottery were Richard Dobbs Spaight, John Wright Stanly, John Hawks, Abner Neale and Spyers Singleton.
Even before that, Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs reported May 18, 1759, in a letter written at New Bern to the Board of Trade in London that he had approved bills for a lottery to finish churches at Wilmington and Brunswick, similar to measures that had been passed in a number of other provinces.
The early ardor displayed in the first Masonic lotteries wore off with time. In a lengthy message at a lodge meeting in May, 1805, Treasurer Kean reported that it had then been 15 months since the drawing of the last lottery, Class 7 in the series. Although tickets for Lottery No. 8 had been prepared, they had not been sold, he said, largely because the few individuals who had previously been giving their time gratuitously in efforts to dispose of the tickets had tired of their well-doing and were unable to devote so much free time to it.
Kean therefore recommended that “this very necessary system of Finance” be kept going by allowing to ticket sellers a commission of four per cent and to the person who numbered and signed the tickets, prepared the numbers for the wheels and paid the prizes, a commission of four per cent. This would leave the lodge a clear profit of 12 per cent, he explained, and he ventured the opinion that more
tickets would be sold under the commission plan and thus more money would be made for the lodge treasury.
This new scheme was adopted by the members, and Kean was named secretary for the lotteries, a post he had held temporarily since Shepard's resignation. However, there is no way of knowing how well his project succeeded, since the records are incomplete for some time thereafter.
Additional construction work on Masonic Hall lagged during those years. The building committee was empowered March 6, 1805, to procure materials for laying the floor in the North room and to employ Dewey or some other workman to attend to this as soon as possible. It was voted to have a door hung there.
Since the lodge room was frequently utilized by the men working to complete other parts of the building, the members went on record in favor of requesting Dewey not to use the lodge room unless absolutely necessary.
That the building was probably being used by other Masonic organizations here is evidenced by the treasurer's entries on July 23, 1805, reporting receipt of ten pounds from “Royal Arch” and 25 pounds from “Knight Templars.”
XXVIIIFRANCIS LOWTHROP
With the end of the second book of lodge minutes on May 8, 1805, more than two and a half years transpire before the first record in the third book, dated the first Wednesday in December, 1807.
Fortunately, however, abstracts of the proceedings in two different unbound manuscripts are filed with the Grand Lodge at Raleigh. Written by Secretary John S. Pasteur, the first year's record starts December 4, 1805, and ends November 20, 1806; and the second annual report runs from December 3, 1806, to November, 1807.
Officers were reelected December 11, 1805, at “Masons Hall,” as follows: Lowthrop, Master; Ellis, Senior Warden; Stephens, Junior Warden; Kean, Treasurer; Pasteur, Secretary; John F. Templeton, Tiler; John D. Friou and John R.
Good, Deacons. They were installed on Christmas Eve, with 22 members present. John C. Osborn presided. Hardy Sanders and Stephen B. Forbes were appointed Stewards.
Masons officiated at the funeral for James Bryan on January 26, 1806, when 49 members and nine visitors participated. The funeral for Silas W. Arnett was held May 31. When a fellow Mason, Bernard Bawattel of San Domingo asked for aid in September, “the members, with their accustomed liberality (knowing the inability of the Lodge to give effectual assistance) individually contributed a sum sufficient to relieve his necessities, and enable him to proceed to New York.”
A third Masonic funeral was held that year, when Worshipful Master Lowthrop died, between the hours of 10 and 11 o'clock on the morning of October 28. He had been elected Master 14 times, and is considered one of the most outstanding of all the Masonic leaders in the history of the lodge.
That very day “a Lodge was called for the purpose of arranging the funeral of our late Most Worthy and lamented Master, Francis Lowthrop, Esq., whom it hath pleased the Almighty to call unto himself, and whose separation from us and from the Craft—yea! and from the Community of poverty and wretchedness, occasioned the Solemn Call. Present 48 members and five visitors.”
As a small tribute to the deceased, it was decided that the corpse should be conveyed to the cemetery by the Masonic members “and by no other means.” Crape as a badge of mourning was prescribed for the left arms of the members for the next 30 days.
James Taylor and William Johnston were named to superintend the funeral. Adam Bantz and William Williams were requested “to form a Band of Music, in aid of their own exertions, and to perform such dirge or dirges as to them may seem suitable to the solemn occasion.”
On October 29 the Masons met at the Lowthrop residence, carried the coffin to the Episcopal church and heard a discourse by the Rev. Mr. Irving on the text: “And all Jerusalem and Judea mourned for the loss of Josiah.” This was reported to have been delivered “by the Orator, Mr. Irving, in a most eloquent and pathetic manner.”
FRANCIS LOWTHROP
Worshipful Master for 14 Terms
(This is a photograph of the painting of Francis Lowthrop by William J. Williams, noted artist who painted the famous Masonic portrait of George Washington.)
GRAND MASTER WILLIAM R. DAVIE
Initiated in Masonry in New Bern
Evidently at the time of his demise Lowthrop must have been in straitened financial circumstances and the lodge bore the cost of the funeral. The burial expenses totalled $150.49, the treasurer's reports state. Collections taken by Samuel Oliver amounted to $63.42 and Adam Bantz collected $13, a total of $76.42. A note for the remaining half of the costs was given to the undertaker, Hinkley. This note was paid the following June.
Martin, Benjamin Woods and John L. Taylor were elected delegates to the Grand Lodge on November 5. Grand Lodge records show that Martin and Gen. Durant Hatch attended the session.
Past Grand Master John Louis Taylor was elected the next month to succeed Lowthrop as Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge. He had been active in the local group for some time, and during his terms as Grand Master from 1802 to 1805 attended many meetings here, as had also Grand Marshal Osborn.
Ellis was renamed Senior Warden; Stephens, Junior Warden; Kean, Treasurer; Irving, Orator; Templeton, Tiler; Friou and Good, Deacons. Adam Bantz was made Secretary; with Moses Jarvis and William Conway as Stewards.
With Lowthrop's death passed an important early era in lodge history. He had been active in the organization here since shortly after reorganization of the lodge in 1787. When Washington visited here in 1791 he was on the committee to prepare the Masonic address of welcome. From 1792 until his death 14 years later he served continuously as Worshipful Master. During 1799 he acted as “Vice Grand Master,” to visit lodges through this region.
XXIXMASONIC TEMPLE COMPLETED
That a building boom was under way in New Bern during the early part of the 19th century, with many fine homes being erected as well as a new schoolhouse and other structures, is indicated from a report in the Masonic minutes that Contractor Dewey had been repeatedly requested “to
examine the roof of this Lodge, and render a bill of cost for the finishing of this room, passage, & Stair case, but the urgency of bro. Dewey's business has prevented his punctual attendance to the business.”
Although in use, the lodge room was still unfinished, and the roof leaked. On Feb. 3, 1808, Dewey and Johnston were asked to examine the roof, and, if repairs were deemed necessary, for Dewey to proceed with them at once. Another motion passed by the lodge was to the effect that a committee arrange with Brother Asiel Noble to make lightning rods for the building.
It was voted to buy “as much plank as will lay the floor of the North room, the Theatrical Society offering to pay all expences except the plank.” Thus the members of the dramatic group were still aiding with the construction.
Two coats of paint for the roof, with new paint for the outside window frames and sashes, were ordered April 5 from Edwin T. Hazlewood, a member. For his services his account due the lodge was ordered balanced.
Trouble was experienced in collecting pledges for the building fund, for the Committee on Accounts was requested to report “all arrearages on the Subscription paper to Mason Hall.”
A new subscription campaign was opened during the Spring of 1808 to raise money to finish the lodge room. Should the pledges be insufficient for the purpose, the Rev. Mr. Irving was empowered to draw enough money from the bank to complete the work. Named on a committee to supervise the project were Irving, Ellis and Benners.
Irving had been unanimously elected as Worshipful Master of the lodge the preceding December and was installed in the office December 30, 1807, at a regular lodge meeting held “at Masons Hall.” He succeeded Past Grand Master John Louis Taylor as head of the local group. For the preceding decade Irving had served the lodge as Chaplain and Orator.
Ellis was again Senior Warden, with Benners, Junior Warden, Kean, renamed Treasurer, and John Templeton, Tiler. Adam Bantz was later made Secretary; William Conway, Senior Deacon; and Lott Battle, Junior Deacon.
Worshipful Master Irving was authorized by the lodge to appoint a member to “cultivate the ground belonging to this Lodge, on conditions that the said Brother keep it so securely inclosed as to prevent the entrance of Cattle, horses, etc., etc.”
Early in 1808 the Masons were informed that the managers of the New Bern Dancing Assembly had applied for use of the hall during the season. This request was granted, provided a fee of $10 be paid to the lodge fund and $5 to Masons Templeton and Philip Ryal for their attendance and aid each time the room was used for dances. Use of all furnishings was permitted, except those with Masonic emblems.
However, this decision was reconsidered the next night. The dance managers thought the room should be lent free. Lodge members agreed to try to have a resolution passed at their next regular meeting whereby the Dancing Assembly might use the room gratis on condition they employ Tiler Templeton to take care of the furniture and “guard the house from accidents.”
Not until June was Irving able to report that Dewey had at last examined the roof and had been unable to find a leak there unless in a split shingle which he had discovered. It was his opinion that a coat of paint would make the roof “perfectly secure.”
The Masons met on September 7 to attend the funeral for “our much beloved Senior Warden, George Ellis, who was mortally wounded by an explosion of gunpowder, in attempting to extinguish a fire, which broke out on the evening of Monday, the 5th. Instant.”
His death is also recorded in Treasurer Kean's book: “Died the 6th September, 5808 from a wound received the 5th Inst. by the blowing up a House to stop the ravages of a Fire in Craven Street.”
For 14 years Ellis had served as Senior Warden, and the year prior as Junior Warden. High tribute to him is paid in the lodge minutes. After listing the members attending his Masonic funeral, the Secretary reported:
“The R. W. Master (Irving) after a few pathetic reflections on the melancholy accident which had robbed us of so worthy and affectionate a brother, and called us together,
for the purpose of paying the last tribute of respect to his memory, directed the procession. . .
“An impressive service, which drew from many an eye the glittering pearl of fraternal sympathy. . . His talents and virtues, as a Mason, will be held, by the surviving brethren. . . The Lodge was closed with a solemnity that fully evinced the sincerity of the regret of every brother, for the mournful task, which an unfortunate accident had imposed upon the fraternity. Memento mori.”
In handwriting among the best of any of the secretaries, these minutes for the first meetings recorded in the third large book of proceedings contain Latin or English quotations at the end of most of the lodge sessions, apparently added by Secretary Bantz:
“Pax et Concordia.” “Vide, Audi, Tace!” “Gloria Fabricatori Naturae.” “Poxit Fraternitas.” “Peace be Multiplied—Happiness Divided.” “So Mote It Be.” “So Mote It Be, Now, Henceforth, and Forevermore.” “Peace and Harmony let for ever rain.”
Another coat of paint was voted for the building in September, 1808. A bill for five pounds, two shillings, for paint was ordered paid in November to Dr. Edward Pasteur. With the lodge furnishing the materials, Edwin Hazlewood was reported to be responsible for paying the labor. Irving was instructed to employ some person to paint the roof, and to have the new lightning rods installed.
Apparently the organization still had difficulty from time to time with unruly members. On October 5 William Lockart was suspended for six months, after he had interrupted Worshipful Master Irving's lecture, with “insulting language from Mr. Lockart to the R. W. M., and behavior repugnent to decency and inconsistent with that decorum, which ought never to be dispensed with in the Lodge.”
Later Lockart expressed regret at the incident and offered apologies to Irving, with the result that he was permitted to attend a meeting the next February.
Irving was reelected Master in December, 1808. Benners was renamed Senior Warden, after having succeeded the late Mr. Ellis in that post. John Dewey, then back in high favor with the lodge as the temple neared completion, was made Junior Warden; Bantz, Secretary; Charles G. Ridgeley,
Treasurer; David B. Mintz, Senior Deacon; John Latham, Junior Deacon; and Templeton, Tiler.
Early in April, 1809, Ridgeley and Dewey were appointed to assist the special committee then beginning to prepare plans for the consecration of the lodge room.
On the first Wednesday in May a committee reported that the task of finishing the lodge room had been completed except for painting and other work delayed by damp weather. It was then voted to hold the dedication ceremony June 10. Graham, Stanly and Pasteur were named managers for the day's programs; and Benners and Stephens, managers for the evening's ball.
Irving told the lodge June 7 that the room had been entirely finished and all bills had been paid except the cost of painting. He was requested to write to New York to ascertain at what premium the Masonic interests in the building could be insured and also to ask the theatre proprietors if they would be willing to insure their part of the house. Five months afterwards he reported he had taken out insurance of $400 at a premium of one and a half per cent in Philadelphia.
XXXCONSECRATION OF “MASONS’ HALL”
Masons’ Hall, as it was called through the minutes and treasurer's accounts of that period, was perhaps the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tryon's Palace.
Both its exterior form and its interior hand-carved woodwork are still highly praised by leading architects and architectural students, who say it ranks as one of the finest structures of the early 19th century anywhere in America. Detailed studies of the doorways, cornices, mantel and general room plan of the lodge room appeared in The White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs published in 1927 in New York. Mural paintings still in the Blue Lodge room were added during the middle of the 19th century.
Original plans for the structure were greatly expanded, with the result that the temple was much larger than first envisioned. The contract made with John Dewey at the outset of construction early in 1801 was for $6,460. But a special account for the building program kept by Treasurer Kean shows that by February 7, 1804, a total of $6,769.89 had been paid him.
The aggregate amounts spent on the temple by November, 1808, when it was almost completed, came to $8,228.46, according to Kean's records. Since the Theatrical Association expended additional sums and the lodge had finishing touches put on the structure during the first part of 1809, it is likely that the building cost around $10,000. It was reported to the Grand Lodge in 1807 that the New Bern Masons owned property worth $10,000.
Methods of financing have been seen from the minutes kept during the eight and a half years of construction. Profits from lotteries and contributions from the Theatrical Association added considerably to the regular fees and extra donations paid by members and their friends. On May 5, 1806, the lodge was allowed by arbitrators the sum of $553.81 from Dewey's contract for unfinished work.
Despite these amounts raised or credited, it was necessary to borrow money from the Bank of New Bern. An entry in the treasurer's ledger mentions a loan from this institution, “Secured to them, the President and Directors, by Mortgage on Masons’ Hall, dated 11th November, 1805.
It is interesting to note here that the completion of the Masonic Temple was thus perhaps made possible by the opening of this new banking institution here, as one of the first two banks chartered in North Carolina. The local bank and the Bank of Cape Fear at Wilmington were both incorporated by the General Assembly in 1804. William Gaston served for some time as president of the Bank of New Bern, which was long quartered in an attractive brick building which stood for years at 54 Craven Street, on the site of the former Gaston home in which he had been born. Masons were likely among the organizers, officers and directors of the bank.
Though set for June 10, 1809, the consecration of Masons’ Hall was postponed to St. John's Day, June 24, with the ball
planned for the night of June 27. It was not considered exactly proper to hold the dance on the night of the dedication.
The following account of the consecration was presented to the lodge on July 5 by Senior Warden Benners and ordered to be recorded in the minutes:
CEREMONY OF FREE MASON HALLOn Saturday the 24th June being the festival of St. John the Baptist, agreeably to previous notice the W. Master, officers and members of St. John's Lodge, together with a number of respectable Brethren from Sister Lodges, assembled in the Court house in the grand hall of Justice, where the Lodge was opened in due form, and the Master & Wardens of Lodges, and private Brethren arranged in Seats Set apart for them for their particular reception.
About half past 11 O'clock the procession was formed and moved in the inverted order of gradation, Accompanied with a Band of Music which continued to play, untill the procession had entered Masons Hall, and marched three times around the Lodge room. The Brethren then took their Seats.
The Lodge was deposited on a pedestal, in the center of the Hall, and three lights and three Pitchers Containing Corn, Wine & Oil were placed thereon. The Bible, Square & Compasses and book of constitutions resting on Velvet Cushion, were laid upon the altar.
The Foundation Stone anthem was then sung, with grate solemnity, accompanied with instruments, after which an Exodium on Masonry was then delivered by the Senior Warden concluding with an entimation of the Architect desire to return the implements entrusted to his care, at laying the Foundation Stone; on which the architect (Dewey) addressed the Master in an appropriate speech, who expressed his approbation of the architect's conduct, and requested the Senior Warden to receive the Implements and deposit them among the paraphernalia of the Lodge.
A Solemn piece of Music was now performed, during which the Ladies, and such of the musical performers & other gentlemen as were not Masons, withdrew, to the adjacent apartments, and regaled themselves during the
Mystic ceremonys of the Lodge, with refreshments prepared for their accomodation.
The Master then ordered the Hall to be tiled, on which the Lodge was uncovered, and the Senior Warden informed the Master that it was the desire of the Society to have the Hall Dedicated to Masonry. The Master in consequence of this intimation, commanded the Officers & Brethren to assist in the ceremony. The imprisive grandure of which was not a little increased by the solemnity of instrumental Music.
A procession being formed circumambulated the Hall thrice in Masonic form, for the ceremony of Dedication. At the close of the first mystic ceremony the Music was silent, and the Master in Solemn form proclaimed the Hall Dedicated to Masonry. Upon which the grand honors were given.
At the close of the second ceremony, the music again was silent, and the Master in Solemn form proclaim'd the Hall Dedicated to Virtue. The grand honors were repeated. At the close of the third ceremony the Music again paused & the Master in Expression, grand, Solemn & impressive, proclaimed the Hall Dedicated to Charity and universal benevolence, and the Mystic rites were terminated with a three fold repetition of the grand honors.
The Lodge being then covered and the doors opened, the Ladies were again introduced, amidst the aclamation of the Brethren. An anthem insued, composed & set to Music by the Reverend Mr. Irving, the Master, who then delivered an Oration prepared for the Occasion, which gave Universal Satisfaction. The whole was concluded by an excelent anthem entitled Urania, also set to Music by the Rev'd. Mr. Irving for the occasion.
In order to close the Lodge agreeable to the ancient established Masonic rules, the procession was formed & accompanied by the music, moved thrice around the room, proceeded back in the same order to the Hall of Justice, where an unanimous Vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded, to those Ladies and gentlemen who had so cheerfully & politely assisted in the Music which so eminently contributed to the Splender of the whole Ceremony. The unremitted zeal of our Master without whose aid & exertions the business of the day could not have been accomplished,
next claimed and received the Suitable acknoledgements, after which the Lodge closed in due form.
The Monday evening following as had been previously announced a Ball was given by the fraternity, which in consequence of the unusual pleasantries of the weather for the Season of the Year, was attended by a brilliant assamblage of Ladies who participated in the amusement, and entertainment of the evening with much apparrent gaity & gratification.
XXXIMANY PROMINENT MEMBERS
Numerous prominent men of the day were members of St. John's Lodge during the first part of the 19th century. Many of these names have already been evident in the building and meeting reports, and others will be mentioned in later records.
Jonathan Price, who completed a map of New Bern in 1810, frequently attended local lodge gatherings about that time. Frederick Nash, who represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge communication in 1804, moved from here in 1807. He was appointed Deputy Grand Master in 1820.
Given the fourth and fifth degrees of Masonry September 14, 1809, was the Rev. Jonathan Otis Freeman, a Presbyterian minister and physician, who became principal of the New Bern Academy, after having been in charge of the Edenton Academy. Assisting him here at the school several years later were two brothers, the Rev. Frederick Freeman, an Episcopal minister, and the Rev. George W. Freeman, who became the Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas. In 1819 he was elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, and later that year was appointed a Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge.
As one of the many instances of Charity extended to the unfortunate, a small, suitable building “for the accommodation of the distressed Widow of our late Worthy Master Francis Lowthrop,” was sought by the lodge, under action taken August 3, 1809. Irving and John S. Pasteur were
named to seek such a place. Lowthrop had then been dead for almost three years.
For a third consecutive term, Irving was reelected Master on December 6, 1809. Benners and Dewey were renamed Wardens; and Ridgeley, Treasurer. Templeton was re-appointed Tiler, with Bantz again Secretary, Mintz and Latham as Deacons, and Philip Ryal and Redmond Joyce as Stewards.
St. John the Evangelist's Day was celebrated as usual that month, at “the house of divine Worship, accompanied with Solemn Music, and after hearing a most eloquent discourse, Suitable on this Occasion, delivered by the Rev'd. Thomas P. Irving, our W. M. and Orator, the procession again formed, and returned to the Lodge room. The Lodge then closed with the usual Ceremoneys, after which the Breathren regailed themselves with a sumptiouse dinner, and each Brother returned to his home in peace & good will to all man Kind,—So mote it be.”
Another long lapse without minutes transpires in the records soon after this time, no entry being extant from January 3, 1810, to December 7, 1814, almost five years. Nor was any official representative from the lodge reported at Grand Lodge communications for 1811, 1812 or 1813. Benners Vail is listed as a visitor at the Grand Lodge in 1813.
By the date that the minutes are resumed in 1814 Irving had left New Bern for Hagerstown, and Lucas Benners is listed as the Worshipful Master. At a meeting recorded for December 7 Benners was reelected to the office. He was a prominent New Bernian, long Secretary of the Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church.
Jonathan Price was elected Senior Warden; with Edward C. King, Junior Warden, and Asa Jones, Treasurer. Mintz was named Senior Deacon; F. George, Junior Deacon; and James Kennedy, Tiler. Thomas Watson was appointed Secretary.
Members delinquent in dues were voted the next May to be regarded as having withdrawn from the rolls until they might become reinstated by paying up the amounts owed. As another way to increase the funds in the treasury, Price and M. Huntington were named on a committee to submit
a lottery scheme, “in pursuance of the Act of the General Assembly, authorizing a Lottery for the benefit of St. John's Lodge.”
In a desire to have non-resident members of the lodge participate in the meetings, it was voted May 3, 1815, to have quarterly sessions during the week of the quarterly County Court terms here. There were many Masons belonging to the lodge who resided outside of New Bern.
Among these men from out of the city joining St. John's Lodge was Otway Burns, who petitioned for membership January 3, 1810, and as his was regarded as “a case of immergency he was balloted for and approved.”
His being a member of the Masonic lodge here may help explain the fact that his privateer, “Snap Dragon,” during the War of 1812, was paid for and equipped by a stock company formed at New Bern, including such stockholders as Isaac Taylor, John Harvey, Dr. Edward Pasteur, John H. Bryan, William Shepard, James McKinlay and others.
Sailing the seas from Newfoundland to South America, this craft during the first seven months of 1814 captured ten British vessels with cargoes valued at $1,000,000 and took 250 prisoners. For some time he was “a terror to the British Merchant Marine.”
Grandson of Francis Burns, who came to North Carolina in 1734 from Scotland, Otway Burns was born in 1775 on Queen's Creek near Swansboro in Onslow County. After amassing a large fortune, he settled in Beaufort following his war service. For a number of terms he was a member of the State House and the State Senate from Carteret County. While he was a Senator, Yancey County was formed, and its county seat was named Burnsville in his honor. When he died, his body was interred at Beaufort. On the monument now over his grave is one of the cannon from the Snap Dragon.
Of particular interest in this connection is an account in the treasurer's book under the name, “Captain Graham of the Snapdragon,” showing that this sea captain was given the first, second and third degrees by St. John's Lodge during the war year of 1814, for which he was charged $31. The amount is credited in this ambiguous way: “This sum
rec'd. by Jno. Dewey, acting Master, which he never would pay over.”
During the first years of the century St. John's Lodge ranked as the largest in North Carolina. This was true in 1807, when 100 local members are listed in Grand Lodge reports; and it also held true in 1812, when its 103 members far outnumbered those in any other of the 28 lodges then included in the Grand Lodge reports.
The membership here incorporated so many prominent personages that it is interesting to print in full the list reported by the Grand Lodge for 1812, as follows:
Thomas P. Irving, Worshipful Master. Lucas J. Benners, Senior Warden; John Dewey, Junior Warden. Thomas Watson, Secretary. Charles G. Ridgeley, Treasurer and Steward. James Tignor, Senior Deacon. Redmond Joyce, Junior Deacon. Lott Battle, Steward. John Templeton, Tiler.
Robert Williams, Grand Master. Thomas Craig, Edwin T. Hazelwood. William Gatlin. Benjamin Ellis. Uriah Sherwood. Charles Saunders. David B. Mintz. John Washington. Enos Williams. George Dudley. Oliver Dewey. Henry Pettis. Robert Johnston. Jacob Henry. Nathaniel L. Terry. Timothy Savage. Lazarus Pierce. William Bell. Richard Cahill. David Melvin. Robert Guttry. Philo Andrews.
Moses Jarvis. William Kean. Elisha Harrington. Robert Ogden. David Wallace. James Taylor. Frederick Lindner. William Large. James Kennedy. Abraham Simmons. Thomas Grace. William Tolson. John Vail. William D. Bryan. Richard Fisher. Daniel Carthy. Robert Pettet. William Lockart. John Gettig. John Oliver. Samuel Oliver. Asa Jones. John Real. Durant Hatch. Edward C. King.
James C. Bryan. Matthias Atterson. William Nichols. John S. Nelson. D. S. Orme. Thomas I. Fuet. Abram Mitchell. Joseph Oliver. Isaac Wingate. Simeon Pendleton. Caleb Wilber. Frederick Blount. James Pittman. Burton Allen. Shubael R. Brainard. Russell McKee. W. B. Perkins. David Knapp. Charles Jones. Jesse Godley. Silas S. Stephenson. William Holland. Henry Tillman.
Otway Burns. John Wooten. Jesse P. Mooreing. Barnum Lincoln. Samuel Freeman. Jacob Cook. Edward Pasteur.
William Mitchell. Frederick Foy. Charles Churchill. Frederick Divoux. William Lawrence. John Harvey. John C. Osborn. Andrew Richardson. Elias Hawes. Jonathan Fellowes. Joseph Masters. Allen Backhouse. George Kinns. Thomas P. Ives. John Jones. Hardy Sanders.
XXXIITWO GRAND MASTERS
Although the lodge minutes are missing for almost five years between 1810 and 1814, it is fairly certain that New Bern Masons were active and interested in organization work at that time because St. John's Lodge furnished two Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina during that period.
Four of the 19 Grand Masters of North Carolina between 1787 and 1840 were members of the New Bern lodge: Richard Caswell, Grand Master in 1788, belonged to the local lodge for some time; John Louis Taylor, who was Grand Master from 1802 to 1805 and again from 1814 to 1817; Robert Williams, who served as Grand Master from 1811 to 1814; and Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., Grand Master from 1830 to 1832.
Very little is known of the life of Williams, the eighth Grand Master of North Carolina Masons. Born in Surry County, North Carolina, July 12, 1773, he probably first became a Mason in Royal White Hart Lodge, No. 2, at Halifax. He was passed and raised by St. John's Lodge, No. 3, in New Bern on July 17, 1794.
Elected a member of the Grand Lodge on December 3, 1795, he became Grand Secretary three days later. This position he held until December 16, 1808, when he was named Deputy Grand Master by Grand Master Benjamin Smith.
Listing himself as an attorney-at-law, Williams was on a committee with General Smith in 1807, recommending that the North Carolina and Tennessee Grand Lodge send delegates to a Grand National Convention in Washington to consider the advisability of constituting a superintending Grand Lodge of America. He was also on a committee at
that North Carolina Grand Lodge communication to procure Grand Lodge jewels.
Declaring himself the sole representative from St. John's Lodge, No. 3, New Bern, as well as of four lodges in Tennessee, he field at that time a lengthy brief in protest to a resolution under which the possessions of the former Democratic Lodge were to be turned over to Hiram Lodge, some of whose members had previously belonged to the disbanded group.
Williams was elected Grand Master November 29, 1811, and served three years. He wrote the only document chartering a Grand Lodge which has ever been issued in the United States. He drafted the decree which separated Tennessee from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and established a Grand Lodge of Tennessee.
In 1812 he is still listed as a member of the New Bern lodge, and in 1814 he and Judge Taylor represented the local lodge at the Grand Lodge. It was at that gathering that Williams retired as Grand Master and Taylor was renamed to the post for a second series of terms. These two also were named delegates to the Grand Lodge from here in 1818.
As the fifth Grand Master of Masons in this State, Taylor was one of the most prominent Masons for many years in New Bern and North Carolina. He served as Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge in 1806-07. Immediately after this service, which came between his two different periods as Grand Master, he was appointed as Grand Marshal by Judge John Hall, then also one of the State Supreme Court Judges.
Born in London March 1, 1769, of Irish parentage, Taylor lost his father at an early age, and came to America at the age of 12 with an older brother. Unable to finish his studies at William and Mary College, because of lack of money, he came to North Carolina and prepared himself for the bar without the aid of any tutor.
When just 19 years old, he became a practicing lawyer in Fayetteville. At 23 he was elected to the House of Commons, and reelected two years later. In 1796 he moved to New Bern, and in 1798 was named by the General Assembly as a Superior Court Judge, an office he held with distinction
until January 1, 1819, when he became the first Chief Justice of the first Supreme Court of North Carolina, a high position he kept until he died January 29, 1829, in Raleigh.
Not only was Taylor the first Chief Justice of this State but he was also the first Reporter of the State Supreme Court, and published several volumes of its decisions. He was the author of textbooks and other works, and was a member of a commission to revise the statute laws of the State. Georgetown University conferred on him a degree of Doctor of Laws, in tribute to his outstanding ability.
Taylor probably became a Mason first in Fayetteville. He was one of two delegates to the Grand Lodge from Phoenix Chapter, of Fayetteville, December 14, 1793, at Fayetteville. He was then elected Junior Grand Warden, and the next year advanced to Senior Grand Warden. Though he held this office several years, likely because of professional duties, he did not attend Grand Lodge again until 1799, when William Polk, the new Grand Master, appointed him Deputy Grand Master, an office held for two years.
When he was only 33 years old, he was elected Grand Master, an office he kept for three years, being succeeded by a fellow justice, John Hall. His second terms came from 1814 to 1817. When he then retired from the post, two lodges were named for him.
Throughout the minutes of St. John's Lodge during the years he was in this section he was active in Masonic leadership, and elsewhere through the State he often worked and spoke in behalf of the organization's principles.
A letter he wrote while Grand Master in December, 1816, to the Rev. Jesse Reed, bears repeating here:
“Respected Brother:- I do myself the pleasure to acknowledge that the Grand Lodge of North Carolina have received an application from you for procuring aid in supporting missionaries for the purpose of translating the Scriptures, preaching the Gospel and gathering Churches in heathen and idolatrous parts of the world, and that they have considered the subject with all the attention due to its intrinsic importance, to your own long tried worth, and attachment to our Order; and let me here be permitted to add, with an anxious wish that they might perceive a solid and satisfactory ground, on which they could reconcile a compliance
with your application to the immutable principles of their society.
“But, sir, they find it inscribed in the institute of their Order, that, as a collective lodge, they are to believe in the Eternal God, to adhere to these grand essentials of religion, in which all men agree, and leave each brother to his own private judgment as to particular modes and forms. They need not inform that a lodge is, perhaps, the only asylum upon earth where the benevolent feelings serve as a principle of union among men of different religions and politics; and that if contests upon these subjects, which more than all others sharpen the mind of man against his brother, were introduced, it would cease to be a refuge from those painful conflicts which agitate the world.
“The Grand Lodge could not promote the laudable design, in which you are engaged, in behalf of one sect of Christians, without endangering the harmony of the Craft and removing the ancient land-marks of their Order.
“To a brother less enlightened than yourself, it might be necessary to enter more particularly into an explication of the principles on which they feel they cannot accede to your wishes, in order to guard against any inference that Masonry and religion are incompatible with each other. On such an occasion, I should feel it my duty to say, that the indisputable obligations of Free Masons, are to cultivate good will towards men, to improve their condition, and to worship the only true and living God, in fervency and truth; that, as humanity springs from true religion, every religious sect, who acknowledge the Supreme Being, are equally respected by the Order; that the great work of nature is revealed to our eyes, and the universal religion of her God is what we profess as Free Masons. I beg leave here to add, in confirmation of the purity of the motives which governed the deliberations of the Grand Lodge upon this subject, that the individuals composing it, spontaneously contributed the sum which you will herewith receive, that each person might thereby mark his high sense of the benevolent cause in which you are engaged.
(Signed)
“$27.00 inclosed.”
John L. Taylor
Grand Master
XXXIIITHREE LOTS SOLD
Another lapse in the lodge minutes as well as in the treasurer's books occurs between May 3, 1815, and October 27, 1818, almost three and a half years. Apparently the lodge seemed to have become somewhat inactive and disorganized during that period, for in 1819 the Grand Lodge reported it with other lodges in the state then three years or more in arrears on dues.
When the minutes are resumed, they show that on October 27, 1818, officers were appointed as follows to serve until the next annual election, most of them being the ones who had served previously:
Lucas Jacob Benners, Master; John Dewey, Senior Warden; Edward C. King, Junior Warden; Asa Jones, Treasurer; Thomas Watson, Secretary; John Templeton, Senior Deacon; Thomas Sparrow, Junior Deacon; and James Kennedy, Tiler.
Benners, Dewey, Jones, John Harvey and Marcus C. Stephens were named to lay off “such part of the ground belonging to this Lodge, as when sold may be sufficient to discharge the debt now due to the Bank of New Bern.” Dewey was requested to ascertain the cost of repairing the windows of the lodge rooms.
Another entry for the evening read: “It appearing that the Hall of this Lodge has been forcibly entered by some person or persons unknown, and various articles of Furniture taken therefrom, a committee consisting of Edward C. King, John Templeton and Thomas Watson was appointed for the purpose of recovering such articles, or enquiring where they may be obtained.”
At the regular time for the election of officers in December, Benners was renamed Master; Dewey, Senior Warden; King, Junior Warden; James G. Tignor, Treasurer. Watson was reappointed Secretary; and Kennedy, Tiler.
The special committee for the purpose displayed a plot of the lodge property, laid off in four lots. The Master and Wardens were instructed to sell on the third Wednesday in January, if a fair day, otherwise on the next favorable day.
A resolution was adopted that night, as follows: “That hereafter the Hall of this Lodge, shall not, on any occasion be opened for the use of the Dancing Assembly's of the Town.”
On St. John's Day that December 27 the Masonic service was held at “the Baptist Meeting House, where an impressive and appropriate Discourse was delivered to the Brethren and a large concourse of citizens of the Town, by Brother the Rev'd. Doctor Freeman.”
The thanks of the lodge was voted formally for Dr. Freeman, and he was requested to provide the organization with a copy of his address for publication.
A Baptist congregation had been organized here by three persons in March, 1809. With the aid of various volunteers, a new church building, 36 feet wide, 40 feet long and 22 feet from floor to ceiling, was built on Johnson and Metcalf Streets, now the site of St. Cyprian's Colored Episcopal Church.
The Baptist meeting house had been opened during the Summer of 1811 and since then had been available for the use of Presbyterians and other denominations without a church edifice of their own. This is borne out by the fact that Dr. Freeman, a Presbyterian minister, preached the Masonic sermon there.
The steeple-less Baptist meeting house and its use by the local Presbyterians, who by the way started soon on a church of their own and dedicated it January 6, 1822, were humorously described in 1818 by Stephen M. Chester, a local Presbyterian poet:
“The Baptist barn comes next to viewWhere winter winds turn noses blue,And shivering devotees retireRight glad from worship to the fire;But Presbyterians in the lurch,Too poor or mean to build a church,Are glad to find admittance hereWhen its own priests don't interfere.”On February 19, 1819, Benners reported to St. John's Lodge that three of the organization's four lots had been sold: one to James G. Cuthbert for $651; one to John R.
Donnell, for $390; and the third to Gabriel M. Rains, for $390. Notes for the transfers were applied to the note that the lodge owed at the Bank of New Bern, leaving a balance of $85 for the Masons.
The Rains family lived for some time in a house on the lot they purchased from the lodge. Gabriel Manigault Rains, a French Huguenot, had two sons born there who became important inventors of war equipment. Their residence stood on Johnson Street, next to the Masonic Temple lot, where the Presbyterian Manse now stands.
Gabriel J. Rains, born March 1, 1800, became an Army officer after graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1824. During the War Between the States he joined the Confederate Army, and became head of the torpedo and harbor defense bureau of the Confederacy. He invented the submarine explosives which long locked Southern harbors and held Federal fleets at bay. Thus he is recognized as the father of modern torpedoes and depth bombs.
His brother, George Washington Rains, also an Army general, made these torpedoes and sub-terra bombs effective through his development of fuse priming. He built and equipped at Augusta, Ga., the powder mills and munitions or explosives factories for the Confederate States of America. After the close of the War Between the States he patented many improvements of the steam engine and wrote a number of scientific works as professor of chemistry and later dean of the faculty of the University of Georgia.
XXXIVPRESIDENT MONROE WELCOMED
President James Monroe visited New Bern in April, 1819. St. John's Lodge presented to him a formal address of welcome, just as it had 28 years previously to President George Washington.
While in the city, President Monroe and his party, including Mr. and Mrs. John C. Calhoun and two children, were entertained at the home of “Sir” George Pollock, one of the wealthiest men of the State. Now modernized, the house on East Front and New Streets, formerly owned by
James Coor and Thomas J. Emery, has long since been the property of E. K. Bishop. When here, Calhoun was Secretary of War. Later he became Vice President of the United States.
A copy of the lodge's address and President Monroe's reply appear in the Masonic minutes, under the date of April 14, 1819. They follow:
“Sir,
“In behalf of the Masonic Fraternity of the Town of Newbern, we have the honor to congratulate you, not only on your arrival among us, but also on the present unexampled State of National happiness, prosperity and glory which distinguish our Country; and which, we have reason to believe, has emanated from a faithful adherence to the invaluable institutions of our government, and a wise and equitable administration of its laws and ordinances.
“And we have further cause to felicitate you, on the Prospect, that the concord of sentiment which has taken place of party rancour since your appointment to the Chief Magistracy of the Union, will form a prominent and brilliant feature in the history of our Republic.
“As members of a society whose duty it is to cultivate the arts of Peace, and to whom this union of sentiment is peculiarly gratifying, as calculated to promote social intercourse, benevolence and brotherly affection (the foundation, cement and cap stone of an Institution, at the head of which we are proud to see recorded the names of the Father of his Country, of a Frederick, a Warren, and a Franklin) we cannot withhold our approbation of the course hitherto pursued by the Executive, for maintaining that harmony which the people of this country are so desirous of cultivating with all nations.
“To our present anticipations that the result of your present journey will be highly beneficial to the United States, we have the honor to add our fervent wishes for your future Prosperity.
“We are very respectfully Your Most Obedient Servants.
“Lucas J. Benners, M. St. John's Lodge, No. 3.
“Thomas Watson, Secretary.
“To James Monroe
“President of the United States.”
To this address the President returned the following answer:
“To the Committee in behalf of the Masonic Fraternity of the Town of New Bern:
“In visiting this City, it is very gratifying to me to receive a friendly welcome from the Society of Free Masons residing in it.
“Deriving as we do, all the blessings which a kind Providence has bestowed on us, from our republican Institutions, we should forfeit all claims to the continuance of the Divine favor, if we did not zealously cherish, and steadily adhere to those institutions.
“Having a common interest, and bound together as the American people are, by all the ties which can cement their Union, I see with great satisfaction the increasing harmony, in the public opinion, proceeding from those great causes, which you have noticed, and which it is so consistent with the benevolent Principles of your Society to cherish.
“The example of the Father of his Country, and of the other illustrious citizens who were members of your Society, cannot fail to promote this desirable tendency.
“James Monroe.
“Newbern, April 12th, 1819.”
XXXVFRANCIS L. HAWKS
Due to Benners’ death, reported in the Masonic minutes July 7, 1819, Dr. Freeman was unanimously elected Worshipful Master. The next December Dr. Freeman was appointed a Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge.
No minutes are extant for the 16 months from July 14, 1819, to November 15, 1820. On this latter date the Treasurer was authorized to draw funds needed to pay the lodge dues for three years and Moses Jarvis, Edward King and Thomas Watson were instructed to send the money to the Grand Lodge, with a letter of explanation. Benjamin Ellis was reported as a Grand Lodge visitor that year, and acted as Grand Tiler pro tempore.
King was elected Master December 13, 1820; with Jarvis, Senior Warden; Augustus Barker, Junior Warden; Thomas Sparrow, Treasurer; Watson, Secretary; and Templeton, Tiler. At the next meeting Major Cook was listed as Senior Deacon, and Frederick Blount as Junior Deacon.
These officers were installed February 5, 1821, by the Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, who had been invested by Grand Master John A. Cameron with authority to visit the lodges through the State.
Another endeavor to protect the lodge room and its furniture was shown in a motion passed September 12, 1821, instructing Treasurer Sparrow to “cause a sufficient door to be placed at the second square of the stairs, in order that disorderly boys who have lately intruded on the building, may be prevented from ascending the same.”
Two months later Francis L. Hawks, 23-year-old native New Bernian then representing this borough town in the General Assembly, was appointed to represent the local lodge at the approaching communication of the Grand Lodge, though he was a member of another Masonic lodge. The second degree of Masonry had been conferred upon him here the previous July.
Another prominent churchman, the Rev. William P. Biddle, is shown by Treasurer Sparrow's accounts to have become a member of the lodge early in the year 1821, paying $5 on deposit and $8 for the conferring of the third degree.
Born in 1787 in Princess Anne County, Va., Biddle came to North Carolina as an itinerant preacher and in 1810 married the only surviving child of General Samuel Simpson, a wealthy Baptist layman residing at Fort Barnwell. In 1813 Biddle is reported as an ordained minister and a member of the New Bern church. He was perhaps the first pastor to serve the new Baptist church here regularly after the Rev. John “Daddy” McCabe. Several years later his health failed. Of Biddle it has been written: “Being a man of large wealth he preached gratuitously. He was eminent for a devout spirit, a godly walk, and a large measure of influence in his day.”
Treasurer Sparrow's books also show that on March 16, 1821, the sum of $10 was paid to “Wm. Williams for painting.” According to the minute books, this sum was voted
for the noted artist who had painted the Masonic portraits of George Washington and Francis Lowthrop, for painting a “Lodge Table Cloth.”
Hawks reported on the Grand Lodge convention at a lodge meeting held January 9, 1822, and expressed a desire to join the local organization. He was requested to retire from the room, and in his absence a motion was carried to admit him as a member without the customary fee, “in consideration of his zeal in the cause of Masonry, and his particular attachment to this lodge.”
At the same meeting Hawks was named on a committee with King, who had been reelected Master, and Senior Warden Jarvis and Secretary Watson to revise the by-laws of the lodge.
James Cushman, Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, by special invitation, visited the lodge March 18, 1822, and gave lectures on Masonic degrees. He acted as presiding officer for a session March 23, when new members were Thomas J. Emery and Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., who later became Governor of North Carolina and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.
Cushman also presided when Emery and Spaight two nights later received the second and third degrees of Masonry. On March 27 Cushman was voted the thanks of the lodge, with the sum of $7 a day in addition to his expenses while in New Bern. An entry in the treasurer's records shows that he was paid $75 that night.
Active in Masonic work, Hawks seems responsible for improving the furnishings of the lodge room. By his suggestion, “two suitable pillars” to be used in degree work were procured. A notation in the minutes shows that $4.10 was paid to him for furniture. Another appropriation of $15 was passed for a carpet.
Charges against John Dewey, chief builder of the Masonic Temple and long a lodge office-holder, were preferred in May, 1822, and he was expelled from lodge membership. It was alleged that he had kept for some months in his possession the keys to the hall and that they were recovered from him only by forcing the doors; that during this period he had permitted the hall be used for “base and dishonorable purposes, and coloured women of a lewd character introduced
therein”; that when some of the members remonstrated with him on the impropriety of his conduct, he was “ungentlemanly, unmasonic, and insulting”; and that he had purloined some of the lodge furniture, in particular, a pair of double-barrel pistols.
The vacant lot owned by the lodge adjoining its hall was leased in November to a member, A. Barker, for ten years, at $30 a year. A new set of steps, with a suitable railing, was voted for the south door of the Masonic building.
After serving temporarily as Senior Deacon and Worshipful Master at different times for lodge meetings, Hawks was unanimously chosen Orator for St. John's Day on June 24 that year and the next December was unanimously elected Worshipful Master. He was asked to deliver the sermon that December for St. John the Evangelist's Day.
Barker was again elected Senior Warden; William S. Webb, Junior Warden; Major Cook, Treasurer; and Emery, Tiler. Spaight was elected delegate to the Grand Lodge meeting.
While attending the Grand Lodge, Spaight was appointed chairman of two committees, one of which reported that it was deemed “inexpedient to form a General Grand Lodge of the United States.” Grand lodge members concurred in this recommendation. Then a member of the State Senate, Spaight served as Senior Grand Warden pro tem for the Grand Lodge, and was elected as Junior Grand Warden.
As authorized by the General Assembly, a lottery was planned in December, 1822, for the benefit of the lodge. Stephens, Spaight, Hawks, Webb, Thomas A. Pasteur and Lewis Foscue were named managers, with Stephens to pay out the prize money. The lottery scheme was to be devised by Spaight, Webb, King, Pasteur and Watson.
At the next meeting a new member, James C. Cole, was added to the board of managers. Later Nathaniel Smith and Thomas Sparrow were named in the places of Hawks, Stephens and Spaight, “who decline acting.”
Although doubts were expressed as to whether the lottery would be called, one was held in 1824-25, and Treasurer Cook was appointed agent in September, 1825, to settle all lottery accounts and reports.
Hawks acted as Worshipful Master of the lodge for a year after his election, and took an active role in Masonic, church and civic affairs. He is not listed as being present at lodge meetings after March, 1824. However, he served from 1824 to 1827 as Deputy Grand Master and in 1825 presided at most of the Grand Lodge sessions.
One of the five sons of Francis Hawks, a member of St. John's Lodge and the only son of John Hawks, who had built Tryon's Palace, Francis Lister Hawks studied law here under William Gaston and John Stanly, after his graduation from the University of North Carolina in 1815 when he was 17 years old. He also studied in a law school at Litchfield, Conn. As Reporter to the State Supreme Court, he compiled four volumes of North Carolina Court Records.
While practicing law in New Bern during his young manhood, at the time he served as Worshipful Master for the local Masons, he often read sermons at church services in the absence of the rector of Christ Episcopal Church. In 1827 he was ordained a deacon here, and later became a priest.
After serving as assistant rector at New Haven, Conn., and then as assistant minister to Bishop William White in Philadelphia, he became rector of St. Stephens Church in New York City. Within a few months he transferred to St. Thomas Church, New York, where he served ably for 12 years.
In 1836 he was elected historiographer of the Episcopal Church in the United States. He wrote many church and secular histories, including histories of his native North Carolina, and he aided with many historical and literary organizations and publications.
Appointment as Missionary Bishop of the Southwest came to him in 1835, but there was no endowment for the position, so he declined it. In 1844 he became rector of Christ Church at New Orleans. Besides rebuilding that church, where he served five years, he helped establish the University of Louisiana and was its first president.
Declining appointments as Bishop of Mississippi and Bishop of Rhode Island, he became rector of the Church of the Mediation in New York, which was soon merged with Calvary Church. At the outbreak of the War Between the
States, he resigned this post in the North, and for more than two years served at Christ Church in Baltimore. Then he returned to New York to be associated with the Church of the Annunciation. In 1865 friends organized a new parish for him, the Church of the Holy Saviour. He died September 27, 1866. The funeral was held from Calvary Church, and the body was interred at Greenwich, Conn.
Regarded as one of the most eloquent preachers in the country, Dr. Hawks often drew theologians all the way from Europe to hear his sermons and lectures. Stephen F. Miller wrote of him later in his “Recollections of New Bern Fifty Years Ago”:
“His gifts and labors considered together, the ancient town of New Bern has never produced another son of such literary accomplishments to adorn the age of her Gaston and Stanlys.”
XXXVINEW MASONIC GROUPS
When Grand Lecturer Cushman returned to New Bern in April, 1823, by invitation of the lodge, the sum of $100 was lent by the organization, upon pledge of the underwriting of the amount by Pasteur and Watson, for the establishment of a new Masonic chapter here through a dispensation from the Grand Lodge.
The new group was named Eureka Chapter. Later formal action was taken by St. John's Lodge to permit the chapter to meet in its lodge room. This was about all known of the early chapter of Royal Arch Masons here until a few years ago when Charles H. Johnson, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New York and the General Grand Master of the General Grand Chapter of the United States, returned to North Carolina an original copy of the ancient by-laws of the local chapter.
Printed in New Bern during the year 1823 by Pasteur and Watson, the small, unbound pamphlet contains some by-laws and officers no longer provided for in Royal Arch chapters. The old rules are signed by “T. A. Pasteur, chairman of committee,” and “Henry Dewey, secretary.”
The book was likely taken away from New Bern when the city was occupied by Federal forces during the War Between the States. The Eureka Chapter had ceased to exist long before that time, being later succeeded by another chapter and afterwards by the New Bern Chapter, No. 46, Royal Arch Masons.
On November 10, 1824, St. John's Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., recommended to the Grand Lodge the petition signed by C. Dudley and nine other Master Masons for a dispensation for a new Masonic lodge at the Court House in Onslow County. The new lodge was to be called the Lafayette Lodge, in honor of the Marquis de LaFayette, Revolutionary War hero, who that year had arrived in America and that month accepted the official invitation of Governor Gabriel Holmes to visit North Carolina within a few months. After working under dispensation, this lodge was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge in 1825.
During July, 1823, when plays were evidently being given in the Masonic theatre, the lodge voted to suspend the bylaws so as to dispense with meetings “during the continuance of Plays at the Theatre, brothers, T. A. Pasteur and I. McMaster voting in the negative.” There is no indication whether the members desired to attend the plays or objected to the noise made in the theatre during their lodge meetings. Their regular sessions were resumed in August.
Cole made rapid progress in Masonry, for he was elected Worshipful Master the following December. Charles Stewart was named Senior Warden; Nathaniel Waples, Junior Warden; Cook Treasurer; and William G. Taylor, Tiler. Nathaniel Smith was appointed Senior Deacon; Benjamin B. Hawks, Junior Deacon; and Henry Dewey, Secretary.
After voting to allow citizens to hold a dance in the lodge room, the Masons rescinded the action at their next meeting, on the grounds that regardless of what claims the public had on the rest of the building it had no claim on the lodge room.
The next December, in 1824, Cole was again named Master. Other officers installed by “Past Master” Charles Stewart, who had joined the local lodge in 1822, were Waples, Senior Warden; Harris Loomis, Junior Warden;
Cook, Treasurer; Henry Dewey, Secretary; Nathaniel Smith, Senior Deacon; Spence P. Willis, Junior Deacon; Stewart and William S. Webb, Stewards; and William G. Taylor, Tiler.
The Rev. Mr. Biddle was requested to deliver an oration on St. John's Day in December, 1825. Neighboring lodges were invited through a public notice inserted in the Carolina Sentinel. The service was held at the new First Presbyterian Church, which had then been open several years.
Another Baptist minister, the Rev. Samuel Carpenter, visited the lodge in January, 1826, and declared that he had been discharged as pastor of a church in Camden, S. C., because he had joined a Masonic lodge. His family was said to be ill up north, and he asked financial assistance in reaching them. He was allowed “between $10 and $20.” Many such calls for brethren and widows of brethren in distress are found repeatedly in the minutes, and the treasurer's accounts show numbers of donations for “charity.”
Waples was installed in January as Worshipful Master; with John S. Hawks, Senior Warden; P. L. Wicks, Junior Warden; Stewart, Treasurer; Dewey, Secretary; James Hayward, Senior Deacon; M. A. Outten, Junior Deacon; and Taylor, Tiler. Hayward had been received as a lodge member the previous month without any fee, “in consequence of his Services in this Lodge.”
XXXVIIRICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT, JR.
A long break in the minutes occurs from March 8, 1826, to March 25, 1835, and apparently the lodge was inactive during this nine-year period, though a few new members were received and several New Bernians were named to Grand Lodge offices.
Richard Dobbs Spaight the younger represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge Communication in 1826. He was then Grand Sword Bearer, and Past Grand Junior Warden. This is the only instance during the nine years that he is listed as representing New Bern, although he attended almost all
the Grand Lodge sessions and served as a Grand Lodge officer during most of the time.
After having been a Grand Lecturer for three consecutive years, he was elected Grand Master in 1830 and reelected in 1831. During his first term he appointed John S. Hawks of New Bern as a Grand Lecturer. His next year he named both Hawks and W. N. Waples as Grand Lecturers. Both were reappointed the following year by his successor, Grand Master Simmons J. Baker.
In 1833, when Spaight acted temporarily as Grand Master and was again named a Grand Lecturer, it was reported to the Grand Lodge that St. John's Lodge, No. 3, of New Bern, owed $58 in back dues to the Grand Lodge. The Zion Lodge of Jones County owed $38; and the Lafayette Lodge of Onslow Court House, $28. Many of the lodges were in arrears, a total of $799, exclusive of 1833 dues.
The financial situation was so serious that a resolution was passed whereby all subordinate lodges in arrears were required to make adjustments by the next Grand Lodge communication, and if they failed or refused to do so they would be given three months’ notice to appear at the 1835 communication to show cause why their charter, jewels and property should not be forfeited to the Grand Lodge, and, if they then failed to be thus represented, their charter, jewels and property would be held and deemed to be forfeited.
Spaight, attending the 1834 Grand Lodge communication as a Grand Lecturer, and not as a representative of the New Bern lodge, introduced that year the following resolution, which was adopted:
“Resolved, That St. John's Lodge, No. 3, New Bern, be discharged from all arrearages of dues now owing to this Grand Lodge, and the said lodge be permitted to prosecute its labors as though it had been punctual and regular in the payment of the same.”
Later at the same communication a committee reported that “It would be inexpedient to remit the dues of any Subordinate Lodge which may be in arrears to this Grand Lodge, without some good and substantial reason should be shown. In that case, we hesitate not to say, no such application would be refused.”
Evidently Spaight had shown good cause for New Bern's delinquency, for his resolution had been passed. Accordingly, following the nine-year lapse here, St. John's Lodge met on March 25, 1835, at the Masonic Temple.
Thomas Carney was elected Worshipful Master of the lodge on that date, according to the minutes now extant. Webb was made Senior Warden; George W. Dixon, Junior Warden; Henry Dewey, Secretary; Robert G. Moore, Treasurer; J. Harvey, Senior Deacon; A. H. Richardson, Junior Deacon; and Taylor, Tiler.
In an effort not to let debts and high dues stand in the way of the lodge's membership, it was voted to reduce the initiation fee to $20; to dispense with fees for visiting brethren; to examine legislative acts relative to lotteries; and to agree “that all debts now due the Lodge be forgiven.” Planning thus to start over again with a clean sheet, a committee was appointed to revise the by-laws.
Renewal of interest in the lodge may have been partly due to L. L. Stevenson, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, who acted as Master Pro Tempore at the local meeting on March 28. He was thanked “for his kind and brotherly services in the Lodge.” For some time he remained in the city, being reported at meetings on April 13, 14, 16 and 17.
But the revival of work was short-lived. Apparently it was difficult to arouse sufficient interest to keep going successfully during those depression years, for the same trouble was experienced in other towns. Still another decade is missing from the local records, from May 26, 1835, to February 20, 1846.
Spaight represented St. John's Lodge in 1835 at the Grand Lodge sessions, the first time the lodge had had official representation listed for some years; but in 1836 the lodge was reported delinquent. It was recommended at this communication that the threatened suspension of delinquent lodges be postponed until December 25, 1837.
Though Spaight still served as Grand Lecturer, an office he held from 1833 through 1838, he is not listed in the last three years as representing St. John's Lodge. In 1837 this lodge was again reported to be still in arrears. A resolution was passed providing that all subordinate lodges delinquent
for two years should be liable to have to surrender charters, jewels and property.
Again in 1839 the local lodge was reported to be in arrears “for 1839 and former years.” The same report was made for the Lafayette Lodge at Onslow Court House. In that year John S. Hawks of New Bern was appointed Grand Lecturer for the Second District. He was reappointed the next year for the “2d Judicial District.” This was a brother of Francis L. Hawks.
No reports or representatives were sent to the Grand Lodge during this period, just as they had failed to be sent during the preceding lapse. The lodge became completely disorganized during this latter decade, but it is listed year after year in the “List of Lodges under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.” State officials seemed confident that it would come back to life sooner or later.
Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., who remained active in Masonic circles even when the local lodge failed to function, was perhaps the outstanding New Bern Mason during the third and fourth decades of the 19th century in North Carolina.
Born at New Bern in 1796, he was the son of the elder Governor Spaight, a great-great-great-nephew of Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs and a grandson of Colonel Joseph Leech. After studying at the New Bern Academy under Thomas P. Irving, he was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1815, the same year as Francis L. Hawks. From 1821 to his death in 1850 he served as a University trustee. His father was Governor when the University had been opened, and his mother, Mary Leech Spaight, is said to have been the first lady to attend a University commencement.
During the year 1819 when the younger Spaight was practicing law here, he represented Craven County in the State House of Commons. For the next three years he was a State Senator. Following one term in Congress, he served eleven terms in the State Senate. In 1835 he and William Gaston were delegates to the State Constitutional Convention, and he served as chairman of a committee to draft rules for the government of the convention.
On December 10, 1835, he was inaugurated as Governor for a one-year term, upon his election to the office by the General Assembly. He was defeated for reelection by the Whig candidate, Edward B. Dudley of Wilmington, in the first direct vote of the populace for governor under the new constitution.
During his residence in Raleigh for legislative duties from Craven County, Spaight attended many Grand Lodge communications. He served as Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge, Grand Sword Bearer and many years as Grand Lecturer, besides being named to numerous committees, and then acted as Grand Master for the two terms from 1830 to 1832.
Upon retiring as Governor, Spaight did not seek any other political offices. In 1842 he was named a Councilor of State, but declined to serve. After practicing law for some time, he moved to his plantation, “Clermont,” across Trent River, where he died unmarried November 24, 1850.
Buried in the family cemetery on this plantation are both the Spaight governors; the former governor's wife, who had danced with President Washington here; her father, Colonel Leech; the elder Spaight's parents, Richard Spaight and Elizabeth Wilson Spaight; the latter's mother, Madame Mary Vail Jones Wilson Moore; the elder Governor Spaight's other son, Charles Leech Spaight, who served in the House of Commons from the Borough of New Bern in 1829 and 1830; the elder Governor's daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Spaight, who married Judge John R. Donnell of New Bern; and their little girl, Margaret Donnell.
Madame Moore was a great social leader of the old days. Her plantation at Clermont included 2,500 acres. Three times she married—for position, for money, and for love. She owned a stall in Christ Episcopal Church twice as large as the other stalls. Presidents Washington and Monroe are said to have worshipped there in the colonial edifice. When she came to New Bern from her estate, she is reported to have traveled in a large, elegantly-equipped rowboat, manned by six oarsmen in handsome liveries. It is still rumored that some of her money is buried at Clermont.
The brick mansion built at Clermont by Mrs. Moore, in which Governor Spaight the younger spent his last years,
THE EAST, BLUE LODGE ROOM, MASONIC TEMPLETHE WEST, BLUE LODGE ROOM, MASONIC TEMPLE
was burned by Federal troops during the War Between the States. At that time the body of the elder Governor was taken from his casket, the skull was set jauntily on a gatepost and the metallic coffin was used to send north the body of a Union soldier.
XXXVIIIREORGANIZATION OF LODGE
With the thread of minutes again resumed here February 20, 1846, it was reported on that date by Grand Lecturer Jacob Frieze that a dispensation for reorganization would be granted by the Grand Lodge. This dispensation is dated February 21, 1846, and a copy in the lodge minutes is attested by Frieze as being correct. He remained in town for special lectures, apparently eager to get the lodge started off again on a firm foundation.
John Harvey was elected Master; Webb, Senior Warden; Outten, Junior Warden; F. J. Prentiss, Treasurer; William G. Hall, Secretary; Hayward, Senior Deacon; Carney, acting Junior Deacon, then Henry D. Machen; and Luther R. Clark, Tiler. The 1835 by-laws were adopted.
A committee was named to confer with the Society of Odd Fellows concerning the purchase of the North Room of the Masonic building, but they brought back an unfavorable report. The members, however, were reappointed to meet again with the Odd Fellows, and they were given power to act.
During the period of lodge inactivity, it was revealed, Outten had paid claims against the lodge for taxes and rent. These sums were voted to be repaid to him. The Masons’ property had been sold by the Craven County Sheriff for taxes. It was redeemed by Robert G. Moore, a Mason, who conveyed it to Outten. The latter relinquished all title to the property, and turned it back to the lodge.
Matthew A. Outten, who had thus saved the Masonic Temple and later served as Master of the lodge, was a highly-respected citizen of the community. He was a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church. When he died in 1857, the
church vestry passed a resolution in tribute to him as “Citizen, Friend and Christian.”
Grand Lecturer Frieze delivered a public lecture April 23, 1846, before a large assemblage of Masons and visitors in the Masonic theatre. He acted as presiding officer at a number of lodge meetings, gave special lectures for the members, and installed the new officers.
The petition of Alonzo T. Jerkins for membership in the lodge was accepted in April. His father, Thomas Jerkins, had also belonged to the order, being elected to local membership January 16, 1804. The son became one of the most active Masons in the State, later serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.
According to the minutes of St. John's Lodge, refreshments were often served before the lodge meetings, as well as afterwards, likely as an inducement for large attendance. The reports frequently open with a call “from Refreshment to Labour,” and end with a call “from Labour to Refreshment.” One record reads: “Lodge was then called off from labour to refreshment, indefinately.”
Many new members were received, and meetings were held very often, following the reorganization. Not all petitions for memberships were approved.
James Hayward was installed by Past Master Carney as the Worshipful Master of the lodge on St. John's Day, June 24. Other new officers were Matthew Outten, Senior Warden; Jerkins, Junior Warden; Truman Stow, who had previously been serving as Secretary, as Treasurer; Machen, Secretary; Harvey, Senior Deacon; Clark, Junior Deacon; and Lovick Jones, Tiler.
A committee was named to obtain from stockholders of the theatre a release of all their rights in the theatre portion of the Masonic Temple, in consideration of repairs that were about to be made on the building, with the condition that the release would not debar them from attending theatre programs. On the committee were George W. Howard, Outten and Jerkins.
Edward R. Stanly was initiated into the first degree of Masonry in September. At that time he had served in Congress from 1837 to 1843, and later served from 1849 to 1853. From 1844 to 1847 he was Speaker of the State House
of Commons, and in 1847 and 1848 was State Attorney-General.
During the War Between the States he sided with the Union, and was named Governor of the Federal Department of North Carolina, following the capture of some of the eastern sections by the Northern soldiers. He narrowly missed election as Governor of California.
Like his father, John Stanly, who had fought a duel with Richard Dobbs Spaight the Elder, mortally wounding the former Governor, Edward Stanly fought a duel. However, his was bloodless. While he was a Member of Congress, he had an “acrimonious colloquy” with Representative Samuel W. Inge of Alabama over a so-called “sectional” River and Harbor Bill in 1851. Stanly is alleged to have charged that Inge had “little sense and less charity.” Then they “fell to and called each other blackguards.”
After one exchange of pistol shots at eight paces, their difficulty was settled amicably. Congressman Inge's second was Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, who later became President of the Confederacy. This was the last of the Congressional duels.
Likely because of his stand against North Carolina and the Confederacy during the War Between the States, St. John's Register shows that Stanly was “excluded” from local lodge membership on June 12, 1867.
Two other members of the local Stanly family were also involved in duels. Richard Stanly, who was a member of St. John's Lodge, being marked as “removed” from the city in 1806, perished by the “code of honor” in the West Indies.
Thomas Stanly, brother of John, was killed by Louis D. Henry, who lost a finger of his left hand in a duel in 1812. Both were popular young beaux of New Bern. At a dinner party at the Gaston home Stanly playfully tossed a piece of cake across the table. It fell into a cup of tea, splashing some of the liquid on Henry's vest. The girl at Henry's side made a thoughtless remark about his honor which aggravated the occurrence and led to the duel.
In St. John's lodge minutes for 1846 occurs a notation that under ancient custom the usual fees for degrees would not be required for ministers of the gospel.
During October of that year it was recorded: “Bro. Outten proposed that William Martin, a man of colour, who has given satisfactory evidence of his being a Mason, be admitted as a visitor. After some debate on this proposition, pro and con, between Brothers Outten and Jerkins, it was moved by H. D. Machen and seconded by Bro. L. R. Clark, that this subject be indefinitely postponed, which was agreed to.”
James W. Howard, then of the Trenton Lodge, was in November elected to represent the New Bern lodge at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in Raleigh. He was instructed to vote “for the establishment of a Grand Lodge of the United States.” He was also requested to invite the Grand Lodge of North Carolina to hold its next session in New Bern, and to seek passage of a rule to the effect, “that the Grand Lodge of the State meet biennially at Raleigh and alternately at New Bern, Wilmington and Fayetteville.”
XXXIXTEMPLE RENOVATED
The Masonic Temple was extensively repaired and renovated after the reorganization of St. John's Lodge. It was reported to the members during the Fall of 1847 that a total of $1,222.10 had been spent on the building. To pay this indebtedness, a decision was reached to sell the lot adjoining the building and, if necessary, to dispose of some of the lodge furniture.
Many different uses were permitted for the structure. In June of that year it was voted to allow the “Democratic Convention” to use the “Theatre in the day time only for their sittings.” But not all requests for use of the building were granted. A petition for a “Mr. Lumsden to use the Theatre of evenings for the purpose of Lecturing on Phrenology” was denied.
Hayward was reelected Master that June. Jerkins was promoted to Senior Warden; with John Harvey, Junior Warden; Machen renamed Secretary; and E. R. Stanly
elected Treasurer. Outten was appointed Senior Deacon; Clark, Junior Deacon; and Emanuel Certain, Tiler.
The annual St. John's Day program took place June 24 at “the new Methodist Episcopal Church, where an address was delivered by Bro. S. S. Bryant, to a crowded audience, after which the officers Elect was publickly Enstalled.”
Four nights later the lodge went on record that “a vote of thanks be tendered to Bro. S. S. Bryant for his services, to the Trustees of the Church for the use of it, and to the Choir of the Church, and New Berne Brass Band for their services at the celebration of the Festival of St. John the Baptist.”
This new Methodist church building had been erected in 1843-44 on New Street, and it was named “Centenary.” Previously the Methodists had worshipped at Andrew Chapel on Hancock Street, the second church structure to be erected in the city, only the first Episcopal edifice antedating it. The present Centenary Methodist Church building on Middle and New Streets was completed in 1904 when the congregation outgrew their second church.
In those days it seemed hard for the Masons to get a Secretary. Machen declined the post, and Stephen D. Sparrow was named to the office. After lengthy consideration and many votes during the previous eight months, the required two-thirds majority had finally been obtained in May to allow the Secretary five per cent for his services.
Despite this percentage fee, Sparrow resigned the post in September. Machen was again nominated, but refused to accept. “Several other Brethren were nominated, all of whom refused to accept,” the minutes state. “After a recess for a few minutes, the Lodge was called to labour, and a balloting took place for Secretary; which resulted in the election of H. D. Machen, by a unanimous vote, who under existing circumstances, consented to serve.”
New Bern had a brass band during the middle of the century, as has already been noted from the Masonic records. This band was given permission to hold a public concert in the Masonic theatre during November, 1847, with the provision that D. S. Willis, a Mason and a band member, “superintend the building to prevent fire, and have all the rubbish removed.”
There was also a Negro brass band here. Its request for use of the hall for a concert was refused by the lodge in December, 1848.
Emanuel Certain resigned the office of Tiler, and H. P. Whitehurst was named to succeed him. Peter Custis was later elected Secretary, succeeding Machen. Many pages of the minutes are decorated with his drawings of Masonic symbols.
Peter Barton Custis was a physician, born in New Bern June 1, 1823, the son of Dr. Peter Custis, of a distinguished Virginia family. An alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania like his father, the son became Surgeon of the 31st North Carolina Regiment of the Confederate Army during the War Between the States. Serving in this capacity in 1861-62, he took charge of the hospital in Wilmington in 1862 and remained there until his death March 27, 1863, in Wilmington. He is buried here in Cedar Grove cemetery.
Dr. Custis was an ardent Mason, and was particularly interested in Royal Arch Masonry. He acted as Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of North Carolina in 1855, 1856, 1857 and 1858. Evidently it was due largely to his efforts that another Royal Arch Masonic Chapter was formed in New Bern during the middle of the 19th century.
Apparently the Royal Arch Masons had become disorganized here about the same time as St. John's Lodge, for some of the leaders undoubtedly belonged to both groups. In January, 1848, the minutes of St. John's Lodge show that its members voted to lend their lodge room in the Masonic Temple to Royal Arch Masons for a few nights for the purpose of organizing a Royal Arch Chapter in New Bern.
Jerkins was elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge in June, 1848; with Hayward, Senior Warden; Willis, Junior Warden; E. R. Stanly, Treasurer; Custis, Secretary; and William H. Hancock, Tiler. Outten was renamed Senior Deacon; and Lacy Phillips, Junior Deacon. They were installed on St. John's Day by Grand Chaplain A. P. Repiton.
The Rev. William N. Hawks, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, was made Chaplain of the lodge the following November, and the probably conducted special services at the church for St. John the Evangelist's Day.
Hawks, a brother of Francis L. Hawks, had become a Mason the previous August. He served as the Episcopal rector here from 1847 to 1853. Prior to that, he had been a professor at the Moses Griffin school, which had been established here for poor girls, as one of the first institutions of the kind, through bequests left by Griffin, eccentric local miser, who had died in 1816. The school was incorporated in 1833, and located on George Street across from the northern end of Cedar Grove cemetery.
Worshipful Master Jerkins was reelected to the office in June, 1849. Edward F. Smallwood was elected Senior Warden; Custis, Junior Warden; John M. F. Harrison, Treasurer; Stanly, Secretary; and Hancock, Tiler. Later Willis was appointed Senior Deacon, and T. R. Wilson, Junior Deacon.
On July 18, 1849, the lodge formed a procession and marched to the Baptist Church to pay last tribute of respect to a deceased brother, the late James Knox Polk, ex-president of the United States. The eulogy was delivered by George S. Stevenson. For 30 days members wore a piece of blue ribbon in their button hole in the place of crape, as a badge of mourning.
Use of the North upper room of the Masonic building was tendered the next November to the Grand Lodge for the use of a “seminary of learning, on condition that it should revert back to the Lodge after the school should be broken up and on condition that they should put the same in good order.”
Jerkins was named trustee for the purpose. The report of Smallwood, a delegate to the Grand Lodge meeting in Raleigh, shows the next month that the proposed Masonic school had been voted for Greensboro but that the vote had been reconsidered and laid upon the table.
The third book of lodge minutes ends with records as of December 12, 1849.
XL
LISTS OF OFFICERS
Unfortunately the fourth book of lodge minutes is missing, so it is impossible to trace the history of the organization during the important era from 1850 through the War Between the States and the Reconstruction period.
Grand Lodge records do not give detailed accounts of Masonic activities in New Bern, but they do include official returns for most of the years during the 25-year lapse in local reports. Accordingly, about the only phase of St. John's work which can be given here is a list of the officers elected from year to year as sent to the Grand Lodge.
No reports can be located at the Grand Lodge office for the election of a Worshipful Master for St. John's Lodge in 1850, but it is logical to assume that Jerkins was renamed to the office in June of that year, for the next December he became the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. All the reports available for the local lodge officers follow for the years of this period as sent to the Grand Lodge.
1852
Edward F. Smallwood, Master
David S. Willis, Senior Warden
John D. Flanner, Junior Warden
Charles S. Allen, Treasurer
J. A. Hodge, Secretary
Charles C. Clark, Senior Deacon
J. W. Jones, Junior Deacon
The Rev. J. M. C. Breaker, Chaplain
W. H. Hancock, Tiler
1853-54
Willis, Master
Flanner, Senior Warden
J. M. F. Harrison, Junior Warden
William G. Singleton, Secretary
Allen, Treasurer
D. W. Hurtt, Senior Deacon
S. Attmore, Junior Deacon
T. P. Ricaud, Chaplain
William H. Jones, Tiler
Among the 85 members listed in 1854 as active in the lodge, five were marked as Past Masters—Jerkins, Hayward, Harvey, M. A. Outten and Smallwood. So these are obviously the ones who held the office of Worshipful Master during the preceding years, including the years for which local reports are missing.
1855
Willis, Master
Flanner, Senior Warden
Harrison, Junior Warden
J. F. Jones, Secretary
Allen, Treasurer
Hurtt, Senior Deacon
Attmore, Junior Deacon
W. H. Jones, Tiler
1856
Flanner, Master
Hurtt, Senior Warden
Clark, Junior Warden
Daniel T. Carraway, Senior Deacon
Attmore, Junior Deacon
John F. Jones, Secretary
William H. Oliver, Treasurer
W. H. Jones, Tiler
1857
Jerkins, Past Grand Master, Master
Harrison, Senior Warden
Carraway, Junior Warden
Clark, Senior Deacon
John A. Simpson, Junior Deacon
J. F. Jones, Secretary
Flanner, Treasurer
W. H. Jones, Tiler
1858
Clark, Master
Harrison, Senior Warden
Carraway, Junior Warden
Edward K. Bryan, Senior Deacon
Simpson, Junior Deacon
J. F. Jones, Secretary
Flanner, Treasurer
W. H. Jones, Tiler
1859
Clark, Master
Harrison, Senior Warden
Carraway, Junior Warden
Z. Brown, Treasurer
Bryan, Secretary
J. V. Jordan, Senior Deacon
Simpson, Junior Deacon
James G. Arthur, Tiler
1860
Harrison, Master
Carraway, Senior Warden
J. E. Amyett, Junior Warden
J. P. Dillingham, Secretary
Brown, Treasurer
Hurtt, Senior Deacon
J. Brookfield, Junior Deacon
Arthur, Tiler
A break in the returns then occurs, presumably for the disruption of regular meetings and organization during the War Between the States. Many of the lodge officers and members became officers and privates in the Confederate Army.
XLIJOHN D. WHITFORD
A number of distinguished New Bernians belonged to the lodge during the decade prior to the war, and it is likely that the local Masons accomplished many different things. This was an outstanding period in the history of the city, and it is logical to assume that Masons played prominent roles.
For instance, the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company was organized here, with the first general meetings of stockholders held July 20-21, 1854, in New Bern. Of the eight first directors then elected, a majority were
Masons. These directors were John D. Whitford, A. T. Jerkins, E. R. Stanly, R. N. Taylor, F. P. Latham, William P. Moore, George Green and George S. Stevenson.
Whitford, who had joined St. John's Lodge on November 17, 1849, when he was 24 years old, was made president of the railroad company, a position he held for the next ten years with gratifying success. At the early age of 21, he had been elected Mayor, or Intendant, of New Bern. Under his administration local ponds were drained, old creek bottoms filled in, streets improved and brick sewers or aqueducts constructed. These old sewers were among the first, if not the first, underground brick aqueducts ever built in North Carolina.
At his instigation was erected the shellrock wall which still protects Cedar Grove cemetery. In his time it was even more necessary than at present, for in those days hogs, goats and cattle were allowed to roam at will through city streets.
For more than 50 years Whitford was a member of St. John's Lodge, and his name will be read frequently in the records of the last quarter of the 19th century. It was through his encouragement and financial loan that the Blue Lodge Room of the Masonic Temple was decorated so elaborately and beautifully.
When the New Bern Light Infantry, a military company, was organized here, he became a member. On July 4, 1859, he was publicly presented with a punch pitcher cast from silver dollars donated by members of the company, “as a token of respect and esteem.”
From this company he and Jacob Brookfield became the first two volunteers for Confederate service during the War Between the States. He had been a member of the State convention which passed the Ordinance of Secession. First he was commissioned a captain, then a major, and later a colonel.
He served with General L. O. B. Branch and participated in the Battle of New Bern during March, 1862, and in the fighting around Kinston and other places. On account of his railroad experience, he was put in charge of the transportation of troops and munitions of war through North Carolina. He was also State agent for the purchase of
calvary equipment and other war materials. His work was so important and successful that he received a complimentary letter from General Robert E. Lee.
Before the war Colonel Whitford was also a director of the North Carolina Railroad Company which operated trains between Goldsboro and Charlotte. He was a member of the State Commission for the improvement of the Neuse River. In 1884 he was a delegate to the River and Harbor Convention held at Savannah, Ga., and for a period thereafter was superintendent of certain river improvements in North Carolina made by the National government.
His presidency of the A. and N. C. Railroad was interrupted by the war and also by his election in 1866 to the State Senate from Craven County, at which time he received a larger number of votes than any man up to that time had ever been given for public office in this county.
In June, 1866, he was again chosen president of the railroad company, and at the stockholders’ meeting in 1867 a resolution was adopted, thanking him for his “able and efficient administration of the affairs of this company during the last year. More especially does this company owe to his untiring energy the funding of the remainder of the debt due to the State, and thereby rendering it possible for the stockholders to realize within a reasonable time some return for their investments.”
Several times afterwards he was reelected railroad president, then a position of much honor. Immediately after his war service he was instrumental in establishing here the firm of Whitford, Dill and Company, shipping and commission merchants and agents for Murry, Ferris & Co., owners of the first line of steamers operated successfully between New Bern and New York.
According to Judge Romulus A. Nunn, of New Bern, who wrote of Colonel Whitford after his death:
“Probably no man has ever lived in New Bern who was more useful in developing certain features of our commercial life. He provided transportation by land and water. Undoubtedly the people of the east who now enjoy the fruits of his labor owe to him a debt of gratitude, which should never be forgotten.
“He lived to see the great celebration which was held in 1910 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the town. As a courtesy to him, the parade was arranged to pass his house and he was visibly affected as he witnessed from his window the floats depicting the events in our history in which he had had so large a share and which he had written up in his admirable manuscript, ‘Historical Notes.’ A few months later, on September 13, 1910, he died and closed a long life of honor and usefulness, in the 86th year of his age.”
XLIIALONZO T. Jerkins
The New Bern Mason during the middle of the 19th century who took the most active part in Grand Lodge activities was Alonzo Thomas Jerkins, who served as North Carolina's 24th Grand Master, elected in 1850, 1851 and 1852, the fifth member of St. John's Lodge to hold this exalted position and a worthy successor to the first four—Richard Caswell, Judge John Louis Taylor, Robert Williams and Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr.
Born June 2, 1807, in the brick house at 39 Johnson Street built by his father, he was the son of Thomas Jerkins, a Mason and a sea captain who operated ships between New Bern and the West Indies. A native of Beaufort County, the father had settled here in 1804. While he was away on one of his long voyages, his wife died. After that he stopped his sailing trips and remained in New Bern.
The epitaph on the tombstone at the wife's grave in Cedar Grove cemetery, erected in 1824, reads:
“Look where the silent marble weepsA friend, a wife, a mother sleeps.”At the time of the death of his mother, who was a sister of Captain George Sears, Alonzo Jerkins was a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But for her death he would probably have remained there to graduate. For some time he taught school at his local home, assisted by his wife.
The young man became an active merchant, shipper, banker and business man in general here, long recognized as one of the community's outstanding citizens. In 1850 he represented his section in the State House of Commons. He served as president of the Bank of Commerce here, and was a prominent official of the First Baptist Church.
As previously noted, he joined St. John's Lodge in April, 1846. His advance in the order was rapid. The next June he was named Junior Warden; the following year was promoted to Senior Warden; and the next two years was elected Worshipful Master; then for three years was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.
In 1857 he was again elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge. After the War Between the States he did not hold Masonic office again, but he must have remained active in the fraternity for some time, because he was an organizing member, a temporary chairman and a permanent director of the North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company.
After an active career in business and civic life, he died here on April 7, 1895. He is buried in Cedar Grove cemetery in a family lot near the Confederate Monument. Near him are the graves of his two wives: Sarah, born July 28, 1809, who died September 13, 1874; and Susan Carr, who survived him, having been born March 14, 1836, and dying February 19, 1911.
XLIIIPOST-WAR RECORD
During the early days of the War Between the States the Masonic Temple was used as a Confederate arsenal. Before her death, Mrs. L. S. Wood recalled that young women volunteered their services in making cartridges there for the Confederate soldiers.
After the capture of the town by Northern troops under Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside in March, 1862, the building was used by the Unionists as a hospital. Mrs. Wood said that the Federal soldiers also made coffins there. She added that coffins were stored in the temple basement, after having
been made in quantities in George Bishop's furniture factory, which was diagonally across the street.
Later minutes of the Masonic lodge show that coffins were still stored in the basement in 1882, and from time to time some were sold to the county. Evidently no organization claimed them. After planning to try to sell the remaining coffins, the Masons in 1890 voted to give them to Mr. Bishop.
It will also be seen from later lodge minutes that St. John's Lodge was allowed a cash claim by the Federal government, after repeated requests, for damage done to the temple during the Federal occupation.
There has long been a tradition that soldiers of the Northern Army here formed a secret military Masonic lodge in this city during the war days, but no records or proofs are extant.
According to the Lodge Register, initiations for St. John's Lodge were resumed soon after the close of the war, following the temporary disbanding of the lodge. Some initiations are reported as early as April 26, 1865. But no list of officers is available for that year, either locally or in Grand Lodge files. If the local lodge was operating then, it is likely that Charles C. Clark was Worshipful Master. He is listed in the Grand Lodge files as the local Master in 1866.
Although it is impossible to trace accurately in detail the history of the lodge during the early Reconstruction era in the South, because minutes are not available until 1875, it is known that the lodge and its members were active during the decade following the close of the war. For, the Lodge Register records new members, the Grand Lodge returns list the local officers annually after 1866, and the North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company was organized here.
Lodge officers for the various years after the war, from 1866 to 1875 when the local minutes are resumed, follow, as taken from the Grand Lodge reports, many being the same officers who had served before the war:
1866
Charles C. Clark, Master
Senior Warden, office vacant
J. W. Baxter, Junior Warden
John D. Flanner, Treasurer
J. P. Dillingham, Secretary
Frederick C. Roberts, Senior Deacon
Thomas Gates, Junior Deacon
William H. Jones, Tiler Protem
1867
Clark, Master
F. C. Roberts, Senior Warden
J. E. Amyett, Junior Warden
Flanner, Treasurer
Dillingham, Secretary
J. V. Jordan, Senior Deacon
Gates, Junior Deacon
Jones, Tiler
1868
F. C. Roberts, Master
Amyett, Senior Warden
W. H. Jones, Junior Warden
D. T. Carraway, Treasurer
George H. Roberts, Secretary
S. I. Hunter, Senior Deacon
T. A. Green, Junior Deacon
Thomas Parsons, Tiler
1869
J. W. Baxter, Master
William Dunn, Senior Warden
J. J. Howard, Junior Warden
Carraway, Treasurer
W. B. Boyd, Secretary
Green, Senior Deacon
E. B. Roberts, Junior Deacon
Parsons, Tiler
1870
D. T. Carraway, Master
Dunn, Senior Warden
Green, Junior Warden
G. H. Roberts, Treasurer
E. B. Roberts, Secretary
W. M. Watson, Senior Deacon
G. E. Pittman, Junior Deacon
Parsons, Tiler
1871
F. C. Roberts, Master
W. H. Jones, Senior Warden
J. A. Simpson, Junior Warden
G. H. Roberts, Treasurer
William Dunn, Secretary
Max Reis, Senior Deacon
N. Case, Junior Deacon
George Henderson, Steward
W. S. Styron, Steward
Parsons, Tiler
1872
William Dunn, Master
Simpson, Senior Warden
Reis, Junior Warden
G. H. Roberts, Treasurer
Pittman, Secretary
Joseph Weinstein, Senior Deacon
Samuel M. Hargett, Junior Deacon
Samuel W. Howard, Steward
Styron, Steward
William H. Jones, Tiler
1873
Dunn, Master
Jordan, Senior Warden
T. A. Green, Junior Warden
G. H. Roberts, Treasurer
Pittman, Secretary
E. B. Roberts, Senior Deacon
Samuel R. Street, Jr., Junior Deacon
William R. Warters, Steward
Case, Steward
Jones, Tiler
1874
Clark, Master
Green, Senior Warden
Ferdinand Ulrich, Junior Warden
Jordan, Treasurer
Pittman, Secretary
F. C. Roberts, Senior Deacon
D. E. Everitt, Junior Deacon
Case, Steward
Thomas Wilson, Steward
John L. Albertson, Tiler
Warters, Inner Guard
Past Master Dunn, Marshal
XLIVMASONIC INSURANCE COMPANY
Throwing light on the personnel of St. John's Masonic lodge during the Reconstruction Period just after the War Between the States as well as providing information on an important activity sponsored by the local Masons during that critical era are original records still extant here of the North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company. They were brought to light in 1936, when found in the basement of the former National Bank of New Berne.
For a time after the war this concern formed by local Masons had a promising business among the organization members not only in many parts of this State but also in Georgia, Alabama, and elsewhere.
The first meeting of the charter members, all of whom must have been Masons, was held in the Odd Fellows Hall here on the night of September 19, 1867. The list of those attending and the ones for whom they held proxies will show the names of many of the Masons at that time in this section. It follows:
R. H. Rountree, proxy for A. T. Jerkins, W. W. Dunn, James H. Dibble, J. F. I. Sutton, William C. Brown, B. F. Parrott, L. J. Mewborn, S. E. Hodges, Warren Kilpatrick, T. J. Pearson, Thomas A. Harvey, Lemuel Harvey, S. H. Rountree, William Sutton, James Williams and John A. Richardson;
J. P. Dillingham, proxy for J. E. Amyett, W. G. Singleton, George W. Dill, D. W. Hurtt, W. N. Jones, T. Gates, George W. Wallace, William Murdoch, J. G. Hester, Joseph W. Jones
and R. W. Best; S. Blagg, proxy for W. L. Palmer, J. H. Porter and P. L. Cooper;
F. C. Roberts, S. D. Pool, J. A. Simpson, D. T. Carraway, I. Disosway, T. Powers, G. W. Young, F. M. Harper, L. Phillips, R. S. Primrose, J. E. Nash, George H. Roberts and J. V. Jordan.
“The meeting was called to order by “Bro. F. C. Roberts, on whose motion Bro. J. P. Dillingham was called to the chair,” the minutes of the organization gathering read. “On motion of Bro. I. Disosway, Bro. H. H. Hitchcock was requested to act as Secretary.
“The Chairman stated that the object of the meeting was for the organization of the Company, the election of a Board of Directors, and the drafting of a Code of By-Laws for the government of the Company. On motion the Secretary called the roll of subscribers and it was found that there was fifty-eight brethren present or represented.
“On motion of Bro. S. D. Pool a committee of three were appointed to draft a Code of By-Laws for the government of the Company and to report at this meeting. The Chair appointed Bros. S. D. Pool, S. Blagg and J. V. Jordan that Committee who retired and afterwards presented the following as the result of their labors.”
A copy of the by-laws was then given in the minutes, but a page is now missing from the unbound, ledger sheets containing the company records so the full set of rules and regulations is not available, nor is the report of the meeting at which 15 directors were elected.
The first meeting of the newly-elected directors was held September 24 “at the rooms of G. W. Dill, Esq.” After the appointment of Blagg as chairman for the gathering, Major Carraway was unanimously elected President of the company. “Bro. Carraway was then conducted to the chair,” the minutes show, and presided during the remainder of the meeting.
Dillingham was unanimously elected Secretary and Treasurer for the ensuing year, and he was instructed to “correspond with the Governor of the State on the subject of a Charter for the Company.” His bond was set at $2,500. He was allowed “5 per cent on all receipts except the assessment
of one dollar from each member to be paid to the family of a deceased member.”
At the second meeting of the directors October 16, T. M. Gardner of Wilmington was elected to the board, in the place of Alfred Martin of Wilmington, who had declined to serve. Letters of acceptance as board members were read from William G. Hill of Raleigh and T. W. Dewey of Charlotte.
Decision was reached January 13, in response to a query from Thomas Thompson of Edenton, that a Mason becoming a member of the insurance company and afterwards being expelled from the fraternity would forfeit all claim upon the company.
The following May the President was authorized to appoint a traveling agent for the company “upon the best terms that he can arrange.” But the next August he announced that though he had been in correspondence with various prospects he had not been able to make any final contract for a traveling agent.
For the annual meeting of the members held August 13, 1868, Jerkins was named to act as temporary chairman, with George H. Roberts as secretary. Dill and Roberts, as the proxy committee, reported 51 present in person or by proxy. Jordan, J. L. Watkins and William P. Metts were appointed to audit the accounts of the Secretary-Treasurer.
In his report, President Carraway said that there had been 112 certificates issued during the year, with two deaths of members. He reported his appointment of agents in Beaufort, Kinston, Raleigh, Concord, Clinton, Edenton and Goldsboro in North Carolina; Macon and Rome, Ga.; and Eufaula, Ala.
“Our Company has not increased in members as rapidly as we hoped it would, but when we consider the stringency of the times thro’ which we have passed and are now passing, I think our success has been both gratifying and encouraging,” he declared. “The principle of our organization is right and will claim the attention and support of all good Masons when correctly understood.
“Our future success depends greatly upon the exertions of each and every member of the Company in his individual capacity. Let us therefore resolve that from this time forward
we will use our best endeavors to build up this institution so that we may not only leave our certificate of membership as a pecuniary inheritance to our families but as a badge more honorable than the ‘Star and Garter’ in being numbered among the founders of an institution fraught with so many blessings to suffering humanity.”
According to the report of Secretary-Treasurer Dillingham, the 112 certificates issued had brought in $672. Under Assessment No. 1 $93 had been collected, which had been paid out on the first loss.
Elected as directors for the next year were Jerkins, Rountree, Roberts, Carraway, Dill, Blagg, Amyett, Watkins, E. Hubbs and D. W. Hurtt, of New Bern; S. H. Rountree of Kinston; T. M. Gardner of Wilmington; L. Blackmer, Salisbury; T. W. Dewey, Charlotte; and William G. Hill, Raleigh.
At their first meeting, with Jerkins acting as temporary chairman, Carraway was reelected President and Dillingham was renamed Secretary-Treasurer.
One of the charter members, F. M. Harper, died that Fall, and Major Carraway read resolutions of “deep sorrow” that “this Company has lost one of its most zealous and earnest advocates, the Fraternity a worthy brother and the Community an upright Citizen.”
Major Hurtt offered a resolution, which was adopted: “Resolved: That Directors of this Company who may be present at the approaching Communication of the Grand Lodge of N. C. be requested to co-operate with the representative of the Company who will be present and use all means in their power with the members of the Fraternity there assembled.”
Twenty directors were elected at the second annual meeting of members on August 19, 1869, as follows: Jerkins, Rountree, Watkins, Carraway, Hurtt, Blagg, Hubbs, Dill, Roberts, Amyett, G. H. Roberts, L. Phillips and P. L. Cooper of New Bern; J. D. Whitford, New York; S. H. Rountree, Kinston; E. J. Blount, Pitt County; N. Edwards, Snow Hill; L. Blackmer, Salisbury; Hill and D. W. Bain, Raleigh.
Secretary-Treasurer Dillingham reported 356 certificates issued since the organization of the company, with total receipts of $2,183.53. Nine losses, or payments to the widows and orphans of Masons, were reported by President
Carraway, who said that the aggregate sum of $2,150 constituted “a much larger sum undoubtedly than was ever contributed by a like number of Masons in North Carolina for similar purposes.”
Under amendments to the by-laws, a Master Mason's eligibility to membership in the company was stated as follows: “In good standing and not exceeding 60 years of age, possessing such physical ability as to enable him to make a support for himself and family, and a member of a Lodge, except those who have been non-affiliated for five years preceding the date of this company's organization and those who have become Master Masons after attaining the ages of 45 years and have been admitted since the 17th day of September, 1867. For these excepted classes a membership of 10 years shall be required before they can become members of this Company.”
The same officers were renamed at a meeting of the new directors. Towards the end of April in 1870 Hubbs was named Secretary-Treasurer pro tempore, and the next night George H. Roberts was elected as Secretary-Treasurer, with bond set at $2,500. Roberts resigned as a director, to take the office, and William H. Oliver was elected in his place on the board of directors.
The last entry still extant from the handwritten notes of this early mutual life insurance company is dated September 21, 1870, when Carraway was still serving as President and Roberts as Secretary-Treasurer. In that year Major Carraway was elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, and Roberts was Treasurer.
What happened afterwards to the insurance company can only be surmised, no records being available, but it is likely that despite its high purpose and zealous work the company in those depression years of Reconstruction could not get enough members from Masonic lodges throughout other parts of North Carolina to justify its successful continuance.
Today it stands as a pioneer forerunner of Masonic insurance and burial companies and Widows’ funds.
XLVLODGE MINUTES RESUMED
The fourth lodge minute book here begins with September 8, 1875, at which time C. C. Clark is listed as Master; T. A. Green, Senior Warden; F. Ulrich, Junior Warden; J. V. Jordan, Treasurer; George E. Pittman, Secretary; and F. C. Roberts, Senior Deacon.
At that meeting officers were installed for another year. The main officials were retained in their respective posts. John C. Green became Senior Deacon; Thomas Wilson, Junior Deacon; William H. Jones, Tiler; J. B. Ernul and S. Howard, Stewards; and W. Hancock, Inner Guard.
Masons were then reported to be raising money for their Orphan Asylum, the lodge indebtedness and distressed widows of their former members. Mr. Jones died in November, and W. B. Boyd was named to serve in his place as Tiler. Strong efforts were made to collect overdue fees from members, and some were even tried for non-payment and failure to answer charges against them.
Next June Mr. Roberts was elected Worshipful Master; with Needham Case, Senior Warden; Thomas Wilson, Junior Warden; Mr. Jordan, Treasurer; and Mr. Pittman, Secretary. J. C. Green was renamed Senior Deacon; Mr. Ernul, Junior Deacon; Samuel Howard, Inner Guard; Thomas Parsons, Tiler; W. R. Warters, Marshal; O. Marks and L. Silberstein, Stewards; and G. W. Neal, Chaplain.
The following June, 1877, Mr. Jordan was named Worshipful Master; Thomas Daniels, Senior Warden; Washington Bryan, Junior Warden; Lewis Silberstein, Treasurer; and Mr. Pittman, Secretary. Upon installation, S. R. Street was named Senior Deacon; Mr. Marks, Junior Deacon; and Mr. Warters, Tiler.
In those years the theatre was still being used for public entertainments, and the minutes show that concerts of the Masonic orphanage at Oxford were given there. During October, 1877, it was voted that the New Bern Grays, a local military company, be informed that Lowthrop Hall would no longer be rented to them for military purposes.
On February 13, 1878, the petition of Furnifold M. Simmons for admission into the lodge was presented. It was reported favorably at the next meeting just a month later. The first degree of Masonry was conferred upon him April 3.
For many years Simmons was active in Masonry, and was always proud of his Masonic membership. Later he served in Congress for a term, then for 30 years represented North Carolina in the United States Senate from 1901 to 1931.
On March 13, 1878, Mr. Roberts read the following letter to the lodge:
“To the W. Master, Wardens and Brethren St. John's Lodge, No. 3, Newbern, N. C.:
“About the close of the late civil war, a returned soldier was offering for sale in our streets a silver plate and some coins, which were said to be of interest to the Masons. This coming to my knowledge, I found the man and purchased from him a silver plate, which he said ‘was taken from under the corner stone of the Masonic Hall at Newbern,’ and three coins which were all he had left, as he said, ‘of a number that were taken from the same place.’
“These articles were given into the possession of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, in this city, Sept. 14, 1864, and April 5, 1876, the Lodge appointed me a committee to arrange the articles in proper form, to be returned to your Lodge. I at once caused a suitable case to be made, and then, in the press of official duties the matter was forgotten until the Worshipful Master called my attention thereto, a few days since.
“I now transmit, by express, to the care of R. W. D. W. Bain, Grand Secretary at Raleigh, the case containing the silver plate, a silver dollar, a copper cent, and a copper half-cent, which were purchased, as above stated.
“In forwarding these articles I assure you that with them goes also the most kind and fraternal feelings of the members of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of Providence, the Mother Lodge of this city, to you as a Lodge, and as brethren, with the earnest hope that these relics may cement more strongly the kind feelings now existing between the Masons and citizens of both sections of our country.
“Sincerely and Fraternally,
“Thomas A. Doyle, P. G. M.
“Committee.”
Mr. Clark was appointed to reply to this communication, and Mr. Roberts was requested to prepare an account for publication in the local newspaper, “The Nut Shell.” It was voted to exhibit the relics at the store of B. A. Bell.
XLVIMANY USES FOR TEMPLE
A benefit musical and dramatic entertainment in the Masonic theatre under the direction of Miss Ella E. Ives in November that year netted $142.74, which Miss Ives donated for renovating the theatre, particularly for improving the stage and scenery.
Later a full report of expenditures from this sum contained items for painting, plastering, lambrequins, lumber and lights. The theatre was then declared to have been “greatly improved.”
Thomas Daniels had been elected Worshipful Master that July; with John C. Green, Senior Warden; Wilson, Junior Warden; Silberstein, Treasurer; Pittman, Secretary; W. M. Watson, Senior Deacon; Marks, Junior Deacon; Ernul and E. G. Newbegin, Stewards; and Warters, Tiler.
“Wishing to see the only Hall for Amusements in the city placed in a condition suited to the wants of a respectable Theatrical Company,” a Musical and Dramatic Association proposed to take over the theatre for a series of frequent public programs, paying 25 per cent of the net proceeds to the Masons and using the other 75 per cent for the improvement of the auditorium and the stage scenery.
Matthias E. Manly, of this city, prominent in New Bern annals as a Superior Court Judge and Supreme Court Justice, signed the petition to this effect as Managing Director of the new association; and E. P. Lorch signed it as the association's Secretary.
Daniels, Street, Roberts and Silberstein were named on a lodge committee to ascertain the best contract that might be obtained with the organization. The suggested percentage basis of payment was approved, the plan to “remain in force so long as both parties are satisfied.”
In January, 1879, a committee of five Masons was appointed to inquire into the expediency and propriety of selling the temple to the county commissioners for a court house. On this committee were named Messrs. Roberts, Whitford, Street, T. A. Green and J. A. Simpson.
James A. Bryan, then chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, wrote in June that he had been instructed by the commissioners to ask the lowest price at which the Masonic Temple could be purchased by the county.
The lodge committee recommended a proposition to offer to sell the property to the county for $8,000, payable in non-taxable county bonds, bearing six per cent interest for 30 years. This report was accepted by the lodge. Members voted that if the county turned down the proposal, the committee was empowered to try to negotiate the sale of the temple with the exception of the lodge room.
Daniels was again elected Worshipful Master that June. Green was renamed Senior Warden; Street was elected Junior Warden. Pittman remained Secretary. Newbegin was made Treasurer. J. W. Moore was appointed Senior Deacon; L. W. Hancock, Junior Deacon; Wilson and Ernul, Stewards; and Warters, Tiler.
As agent for the many uses to which the temple was put in those years, John Green was instructed in August to rent Lowthrop Hall for school purposes. In October he was authorized to let Mrs. Ferebee, a Master Mason's daughter, have free of charge for one session the room below Masonic Hall for a school room, provided she have necessary repairs made there.
The Lodge of Good Samaritans was requested to vacate Lowthrop Hall, but offered $75 instead of $50 a year for its use. The lodge agreed to let them keep it for $100. The Samaritans agreed to this amount, promising not to use the hall on Monday or Wednesday nights and not to hold festivals or entertainments in it.
Lowthrop Hall was rented the following January 14 to the New Bern Athletic Club, “for the purpose of giving a Terpsicorian entertainment.”
A communication was considered from the New Berne Lodge, No. 245, offering to pay St. John's Lodge $20 per annum for use of the lodge room for four regular and four
special meetings. But the Secretary was told to reply that the current rates could not be reduced. Later he was instructed to offer the room for $25, the other new local Masonic lodge to pay its own gas bills.
John C. Green was elected Worshipful Master in June, 1880; with Street, Senior Warden; James Redmond, Junior Warden; Thomas A. Green, Treasurer; and Pittman, George E., Secretary. When these officers were installed, Daniels was added as Senior Deacon; Marks, Junior Deacon; C. H. Blank and Hancock, Stewards; and Thomas Parsons, Tiler.
Mr. Roberts was named Worshipful Master the next June. Mr. Redmond was elevated to Senior Warden. A. M. Baker was made Junior Warden. Mr. Hancock was named Secretary; and T. A. Green was reelected Treasurer. The retiring Master, John Green, was appointed Senior Deacon; John B. Ernul, Junior Deacon; W. B. Boyd and C. H. Blank, Stewards; and Needham Case, Tiler.
The newly-organized Ladies Memorial Association was asked if they claimed the coffins stored in the temple basement. A Masonic committee was authorized in March, 1882, to turn the coffins over to the women should they want them; otherwise, to sell them. Previously a bill for coffins furnished had been presented to Chariman Bryan of the County Commissioners. Evidently no agency or organization claimed the coffins. Eight years later the Masons voted to give them to George Bishop, who had just built a fence around the temple lot.
C. C. Clark was elected Worshipful Master in June, 1882; with Redmond, Senior Warden; A. W. Wood, Junior Warden; T. A. Green, Treasurer; and L. W. Hancock, Secretary. Joseph H. Hackburn was later named Senior Deacon; H. B. Duffy, Junior Deacon; W. B. Boyd and S. R. Street, Jr., Stewards; and Needham Case, Tiler.
John C. Green, agent, in September of that year was told to eject the Good Samaritans and Odd Fellows from Lowthrop Hall. Mr. Green resigned in October, and the lodge went on record “to thank Bro. Green for his very efficient management of the Lodge property, & request him to continue his present agency and associate with him Bro. S. R. Street, Jr.”
Lowthrop Hall was rented to the New Bern Athletic Club in 1883 for skating and other purposes. The theatre was rented that year for three performances by the Patience Opera Troupe. Gas bills mentioned that year show that the temple was lighted by gas.
A. W. Wood was elected Worshipful Master; J. H. Hackburn, Senior Warden; E. B. Hackburn, Junior Warden; T. A. Green, Treasurer; and E. G. Hill, Secretary. John Green was made Senior Deacon; Street, Junior Deacon; Hancock and Boyd, Stewards; and Case, Tiler.
Another Masonic lodge, New Berne Lodge, No. 245, was chartered for New Bern just after the close of the War Between the States, and remained organized for 17 years. Some of the Northern men who settled here are said to have formed the group, which was chartered December 5, 1866, by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
James O. Whittemore was the first Worshipful Master of the lodge, which had 41 members in the first year. Its meetings on each Friday night were apparently held in the Masonic Temple. The respective Tilers for St. John's Lodge evidently acted also for the New Berne Lodge.
John Farr, Jr., was elected Master in 1868; Thomas Powers, 1869; T. M. Cowles, 1870; E. P. Lorch, 1871, 1872 and 1873; Manwell James, 1874 and 1875; Cyrus C. Holmes, 1876; and Thomas A. Henry, from 1877 to 1883, when the lodge was evidently disbanded. It had grown slowly and no new members had been received or raised for some time during its last days. Some of its 21 last members joined St. John's Lodge.
XLVIICORNERSTONE LAYINGS
St. John's Lodge was convened in special session during October, 1883, “for the purpose of taking some action in regard to laying the corner stone of the new Court House.” Craven county commissioners had decided not to purchase the Masonic Temple for a court house, but instead to erect a more suitable new building. The Masons were invited to direct the ritual for the laying of the cornerstone.
Worshipful Master Wood was authorized by the lodge members to invite the Grand Master and other officers of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina to attend the local program on November 14. Masons from neighboring towns were also invited. The Master and Wardens J. H. Hackburn and E. B. Hackburn were named on a committee for general arrangements.
In the lodge archives is a copy of the “Masonic Ode sung at the Laying of the Corner Stone of the Court House, Craven Co. at New-Berne, N. C., Nov. 14th, 1883.” Printed copies of this song, on slips of paper 8 7/16 long by 3 11/16 inches wide, were distributed during the public program. To the tune of “Rule Britannia,” the ode was sung, as follows:
When earth's foundation first was laid,By the Almighty Artist's hand;’Twas then our perfect, our perfect laws were made,Established by his strict command.Hail! mysterious, Hail, glorious Masonry!That makes us ever great and free.In vain mankind for shelter sought,In vain from place to place did roam,Until from heaven, from heaven he was taughtTo plan, to build, to fix his home.Hail! mysterious, &c.Illustrious hence we date our Art,Which now in beauteous piles appear,And shall to endless, to endless time impart,How worthy and how great we are.Hail! mysterious, &c.Nor we less fam'd for every tie,By which the human thought is bound;Love, truth and friendship, and friendship socially,Unite our hearts and hands around.Hail! mysterious, &c.Our actions still by Virtue blest,And to our precepts ever true,The world admiring, admiring shall requestTo learn, and our bright paths pursue.Hail! mysterious, &c.
St. John's Lodge was also requested to lay the cornerstone of the new school building erected in 1884 across Hancock Street from the temple. The invitation was accepted. Worshipful Master Wood was selected to act as Deputy Grand Master in laying this cornerstone on the afternoon of June 17. Neighboring Masons were invited to attend, and school trustees, city and county officials were asked to participate.
Thomas A. Green, who had served four years as lodge Treasurer and had been a Mason ever since the extant postwar minutes begin, then being listed in 1875 as Senior Warden, was elevated to the post of Worshipful Master in 1884. J. H. Hackburn was elected Senior Warden; S. B. Waters, Junior Warden; Isaac Patterson, Treasurer; and Hill, Secretary. Deacons appointed were E. B. Hackburn and William Gaskins; Stewards, Wilson and Ernul; and Tiler, Case.
The theatre was lent free to the “Neuse Street Methodist Episcopal Church South” while their church was being repaired in 1884. Thanks of the church was conveyed to the lodge in a letter which was ordered spread upon the minutes.
Next year Thomas Daniels was elected Worshipful Master, for a third term; and Green again became Treasurer. J. H. Hackburn was reelected Senior Warden; Patterson, Junior Warden; and Hill, Secretary. The new Master appointed John Green, Senior Deacon; and Wilson, Junior Deacon. George Howard and H. B. Duffy were named Stewards; and Case, Tiler.
On the committee for the Orphans’ Asylum, for which the lodge worked diligently, were named A. M. Baker, Duffy and Howard. The orphanage singing class gave concerts here from time to time. During the Fall of 1885 the sum of $135 was cleared from their entertainment in the theatre.
XLVIIIMANY WORTHY OFFICERS
A succession of numerous outstanding Masons held the lodge offices during the years of that period. J. H. Hackburn was elected Master in 1886; with W. B. Boyd, Senior Warden; Samuel B. Waters, Junior Warden; T. A. Green, Treasurer; and E. G. Hill, Secretary. John Green and Wilson were appointed Deacons; Case was renamed Tiler; Howard and Duffy, Stewards. John Green was reelected agent for the building.
Mr. Boyd succeeded Mr. Hackburn the next year. W. S. Gaskins was installed as Senior Warden; O. Marks, Junior Warden; Green and Hill, Treasurer and Secretary respectively. John Green was again appointed Senior Deacon; E. F. Rowe, Junior Deacon; Wilson and Ernul, Stewards; and Case, Tiler.
During November, 1887, it was voted to lease Lowthrop Hall to the Elm City Rifles. This was a local military company, with a distinguished record. The previous year the sum of $25 had been appropriated to advertise the Masonic theatre in New York City.
T. A. Green again transferred from the job of Treasurer to that of Worshipful Master in 1888. He was succeeded by Thomas Daniels as Treasurer for that year. J. H. Hackburn served as Senior Warden; O. Marks, Junior Warden; Hill, Secretary; Case, Tiler; John Green and Rowe, Deacons; Boyd and Thomas Williams, Stewards.
Mr. Hill was raised to the office of Worshipful Master the following year, after having served six years as Secretary. Mr. Green resumed his treasury assignment, and Mr. Boyd became Secretary. Hackburn and Rowe were made Wardens; John Green and Wilson became Deacons; J. W. Atwell and J. A. Simpson, Stewards; and Case, Tiler.
Officers were reelected in June, 1890, except that Ferdinand Ulrich succeeded Rowe as Junior Deacon. Appointments included John Green and Wilson, Deacons; Rowe, Tiler; S. R. Street, Marshal; J. A. Simpson and S. S. Duffy, Stewards.
Having served continuously since 1881 as Tiler, Case was thanked for his “long and faithful services,” and regret was expressed that he had to decline reappointment because of his advancing years.
Hill started a third term as Master in 1891. Hackburn and T. A. Green were also renamed to their respective posts. I. L. Chestnutt became Junior Warden, and J. S. Basnight, Secretary. The same Deacons were renominated. W. S. Gaskins was appointed Tiler; M. H. Sultan and J. E. Arthur, Stewards; and Street, Marshal.
In June, 1892, J. H. Hackburn was again elected Master. Chestnutt was named Senior Warden; with H. J. Lovick, Junior Warden; T. A. Green, reelected Treasurer; and J. S. Basnight, renamed Secretary. Basnight was also made agent for the lodge property, and was authorized to have repairs made on the temple. John Green was appointed Senior Deacon; W. S. Gaskins, Junior Deacon; W. R. Warters, Tiler; and S. R. Street, Marshal. The following October L. J. Taylor was elected to succeed Basnight as agent, following the latter's resignation.
For the donation of a carpet and “in consideration and recognition of his good standing and faithful membership to the lodge,” the dues of James Redmond were voted discharged for his entire lifetime.
During March, 1893, the committee of Messrs. Marks, Lovick and John Green, named to lease or rent the theatre, reported they had leased it to Misses Borden, Nunn and Whitford for one year, with the privilege of two years’ rental at $250 per year from March 1. The first year's rent was paid in advance.
The proposal of Edward Clark to rent Lowthrop Hall for a skating rink was declined “on the ground that the lodge did not think it expedient to rent it for such a purpose.” As another sign of the times, among the purchases authorized at that period were a dozen spittoons.
Daniels was again elected Master that year; with Lovick, Senior Warden; Owen H. Guion, Junior Warden; and Green and Basnight retained as Treasurer and Secretary respectively. Taylor was renamed agent. John Green was appointed Senior Deacon; Dr. Robert S. Primrose, Junior Deacon; and Warters, Tiler.
MASONIC TEMPLE, 1905
MASONIC TEMPLE, 1944
Lovick was elected Worshipful Master in 1894. T. F. McCarthy was named Senior Warden; Primrose, Junior Warden; J. H. Hackburn, Secretary; and Green, Treasurer. John Green and J. B. Clark were named Deacons; B. Hahn and Taylor, Stewards; and Warters, Tiler.
These officers were followed the next year by T. A. Green as Master; Primrose and Clark, Wardens; T. G. Hyman, Secretary; Redmond, Treasurer; and John C. Green, Agent. The new chief executive announced the appointment of John Green and B. B. Neal as Deacons; C. B. Foy and C. D. Bradham as Stewards; Warters, Tiler; and A. D. Betts, Chaplain.
Soon after the installation of Mr. Green on July 17, 1895, plans were set in motion to repair and renovate the opera house. An application was again filed to rent Lowthrop Hall as a skating rink.
That Masons endeavored to live upright lives and see that their Masonic brethren did likewise is evident from a notation in the minutes that a special communication was held to hear charges against a member charged with selling a horse under false pretenses, “in violation of his duty as a Mason.” A lodge trial resulted in an acquittal.
Mr. Green was renamed as head of the lodge the next year. Mr. Clark was made Senior Warden; Mr. Neal, Junior Warden; Mr. Hyman, Secretary; Mr. Redmond, Treasurer. Thomas W. Dewey was appointed Senior Deacon; George Green, Junior Deacon; Mr. Warters renamed Tiler; F. A. Bishop, Chaplain; and Messrs. Foy and Bradham reappointed Stewards.
During the Summer of 1897 Mr. Clark was elected Master; with Mr. Dewey, Senior Warden; Mr. Neal, Junior Warden; George Green, Secretary; T. A. Green, Treasurer; O. H. Guion, Senior Deacon; Mr. Hyman, Junior Deacon; N. Case and L. H. Ervin, Stewards; Mr. Warters, Tiler; Mr. Bishop, Chaplain; and J. C. Green, Agent for the temple.
Worshipful Master Clark died the following November, and Grand Master Walter E. Moore authorized a special election of new officers. Mr. Dewey was named Master; Mr. Case, Senior Warden; George Green, Junior Warden; and W. J. Pitts, Secretary. W. W. Clark was appointed Senior Deacon in the place of Mr. Guion.
The minutes show that the lodge frequently made liberal donations to organizations or individuals renting the building for entertainments for worthy causes.
Dr. Primrose became Worshipful Master in 1898; with George Green, Senior Warden; Mr. Bradham, Junior Warden; and Messrs. T. A. Green and Pitts renamed Treasurer and Secretary. When they were installed, John C. Green acted as Master of Ceremonies, as he often did, and T. A. Green was installation officer.
George Green was elected Master in June, 1899. Mr. Bradham moved up to Senior Warden; Mr. Redmond assumed the office of Junior Warden; T. A. Green continued as Treasurer; and F. M. Hahn became Secretary. John Green was appointed Senior Deacon; and Mr. Marks, Junior Deacon.
For 60 days that year the altar and jewels of the lodge were draped in mourning in tribute to Robert B. Vance, Past Grand Master, at the request of Grand Master R. J. Noble of Selma.
Indebtedness against the lodge was settled with the sale of property adjoining the temple on Hancock Street for $1,000 to J. R. Pigott and a loan from Past Worshipful Master J. H. Hackburn. Thus were cancelled loans that had been made the organization by Colonel Whitford.
In his memoirs Colonel Whitford tells how he paid for the decorating of the Blue Lodge Room and the theatre during the middle of the 19th century before the War Between the States. He says the cost came to $4,500. This included the murals on the Blue Lodge Room walls. In his late life, he reports, this debt to him was compromised with the lodge.
Evidently the indebtedness had caused some concern on the part of the Masons for years. In January, 1880, their minutes show that the amount of Colonel Whitford's dues was being placed on his account. During April, 1881, Messrs. Green, Daniels and Street were appointed to make arrangements to reduce the amount paid annually on Colonel Whitford's account. Hence, it must have been a satisfaction to both sides to compromise and cancel the remaining debt.
XLIXFEDERAL APPROPRIATION
Soon after reorganization of St. John's Lodge following the close of the War Between the States, plans were likely set in motion to try to recover damages from the Federal government for use of the Masonic Temple here during the war period.
A committee for the purpose was continued in June, 1886, with instructions to act with John D. Whitford in presenting a claim against the United States government for occupation and damage to the lodge room during the war.
Another committee was appointed in March, 1899, consisting of Owen H. Guion, T. A. Green and W. W. Clark, to seek damages for use and abuse of the Masonic property during and after the war days.
As early as February 24, 1892, Senator Z. B. Vance introduced in the United States Senate at the first session of the 52nd. Congress a bill to pay $13,000 to the lodge for use of its local building by Union troops. This bill, which was read twice and referred then to the Committee on Claims, follows:
“A bill for the relief of Saint John's Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, numbered three, of New Bern, N. C.
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
“That there be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury to Saint John's Lodge, numbered three, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of New Bern, N. C., the sum of $13,000 out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, in full satisfaction for the use and occupation of their Masonic Lodge by the United States troops for hospital purposes from March thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, to May eighteen, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, and for damages to said building and furniture.”
Much time was required, however, for passage of legislation for the benefit of the lodge. The members early went on record in thanks to Colonel Whitford for his “kind efforts” on behalf of the organization in presenting the claims to government officials.
In February, 1900, the lodge passed a resolution in appreciation of the “most painstaking and untiring manner” in which Congressman Charles R. Thomas was said to be “zealously and earnestly pressing the claims of this lodge against the government for the use and occupation of the property of this lodge during the late ‘Civil War’.”
When Mr. Bradham became Worshipful Master in 1900, he continued to work for the legislation, as did the other officers: Messrs. Marks and Redmond, Wardens; T. A. Green, Treasurer; E. W. Rosenthal, Secretary; J. C. Green and George Howard, Deacons; T. A. Henry, Marshal; F. M. Hahn and C. E. Foy, Stewards; and W. S. Gaskins, Tiler.
One of the main things also sponsored by Mr. Bradham was an official program for the “Opera House,” which through its advertisements netted a neat profit for the lodge.
Charles C. Clark, Sr., Past Grand Master, in that year presented the lodge with three silver Master's jewels, once the property of the late Past Grand Master A. T. Jerkins; and Past Master F. C. Roberts gave an ivory miniature of Past Master Francis Lowthrop which had been given to him by Miss Sally Lowthrop, daughter of the deceased leader. Resolutions of appreciation were voted for Messrs. Clark and Roberts and for the interest and zeal of Worshipful Master Bradham.
Thanks of the lodge were officially extended to North Carolina's two Senators, Marion Butler and J. C. Pritchard, “for their zealous and successful efforts in securing the passage of the bill for the relief of this lodge, by the last Congress.”
Mr. Bradham was reelected Master in 1901, with Messrs. Marks and Redmond, Green and Rosenthal renamed respectively Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary. J. C. Green and H. W. Simpson were installed as Deacons; F. M. Hahn and J. F. Rhem as Stewards; and Mr. Gaskins as Tiler. J. C. Green was made theatre manager, with Mr. Marks as his assistant.
For the next five years T. A. Green served as Worshipful Master, and it was during his regime that the Federal money was finally paid to the lodge, though the amount sought was cut down to $5,000 by Congress.
During Mr. Green's first term in the Master's office, he was assisted by T. A. Henry, Senior Warden; F. Ulrich, Junior Warden; William T. Hill, Secretary; Mr. Redmond, Treasurer; J. C. Green, Senior Deacon; H. W. Simpson, Junior Deacon; J. E. Warren and J. F. Rhem, Stewards; and N. Case, Tiler, J. C. Green was reelected Agent.
Organization of the New Bern Elks Lodge is mentioned in the Masonic minutes. At a Masonic meeting June 10, 1903, a committee of three was appointed “to look into the feasibility of renting the Opera House and Lowthrop Hall to the ‘Elks’ at a stated price for coming season.”
This proposal failed to work out, and the committee was discharged the next week. But the Masons permitted the Elks to hold the Elks memorial service the following December in the Masonic Temple. The Elks Temple was erected here in 1906, not long after the institution of the New Bern Lodge, No. 764, B. P. O. E., March 14, 1902.
When Mr. Green was renamed Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge at that June meeting in 1903, Mr. Ulrich was advanced to the post of Senior Warden; with Mr. Rosenthal as Junior Warden; Mr. Redmond retained as Treasurer; and Mr. Hill as Secretary. Appointed were William E. Smith, Senior Deacon; H. B. Smith, Junior Deacon; F. M. Hahn and H. W. Simpson, Stewards; and Mr. Case, Tiler.
The annual report of J. C. Green as theatre agent showed $510.49 net receipts from the theatre and $45 from Lowthrop Hall. Next Fall he announced he had leased Lowthrop Hall to the New Bern Graded Schools to be used for school purposes during that scholastic year for $150, but had spent $106.54 on partitions into three school rooms and sanitary installations.
“Bro. W. H. Rich” preached “an elegant sermon on Masonry on Easter Sunday” during the Spring of 1904 at the First Baptist Church. In June the same elective and appointive officers were retained in their respective positions.
Treasurer Redmond reported then that they had had “the prospect of having the largest income from the Theatre we ever had but for the terrible destruction of life at the Chicago fire, which frightened all so much that they had to almost shut up our Theatre as a great many others had to do.”
Mr. Redmond was later authorized to receive the Congressional appropriation for the lodge. He was requested to go to Washington, at the expense of the organization, to get the money. This he did. He was thanked by the lodge for his part, and another lodge resolution thanked W. W. Clark for writing the papers by which Redmond had been able to accept the Federal funds on behalf of the lodge for damages to the temple while in use as a part of the Foster General Hospital during the War Between the States.
A resolution of thanks passed by the lodge on March 8, 1905, summarizes the part played by Congressman Thomas in the long campaign to receive this government appropriation:
“Whereas, through the unremitting efforts of our Esteemed Congressman, Honorable Charles R. Thomas, Representative from the Third Congressional District of North Carolina, St. John's Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., has been partially compensated by the United States Government, for the despoilment of its property by some of the soldiers of the Federal Army during the Civil War; and
“Whereas, All the members of said Lodge desire to express, in unmeasured terms, their imperishable gratitude to our Worthy Representative in Congress, and our beloved fellow-townsman, for his noble work in accomplishing that in which so many had here-to-fore failed:
“Therefore be it resolved, That St. John's Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M., unanimously extends to Honorable Charles R. Thomas, the sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation of its whole membership, for the recovery of the sum of Five Thousand Dollars, a claim to which we were justly entitled, but for the recovery of which we have vainly striven for nearly half a century.
“Resolved, That it is the firm belief of this Lodge that the allowance of this claim was due entirely to the untiring energy, marked ability, and well earned popularity of our Representative, of whom we are all justly proud.”
LTEMPLE REMODELED
During Mr. Green's leadership as Worshipful Master the Masonic Temple was extensively remodeled and improved, at total cost of $13,511.59.
As early as 1900, Agent J. C. Green reported that “the gallery of the theatre is sadly in need of repairs, and the theatre should have a good wood heater, as in extreme cold weather it is almost impossible to heat it, thereby keeping a great many people from attending.” The stage was said to be in fair condition, although no money had been recently spent on it except for a street scene and a set cottage scene.
When modern conveniences were made available to the public, they were installed in the Masonic Temple. The 1902 minutes show, for instance, that a report was received from a committee asked to investigate the advisability of having the building wired for electricity. It was voted to empower the committee members to arrange for electric current, if they could “make reasonable arrangements as to time on payments for same.”
Enlarging of the opera house, or its rebuilding, was discussed during the Fall of 1903. A committee of six members was appointed to have plans and specifications drafted and to ask for bids on the proposed construction work. Another committee of seven members was named to look into the matter of floating bonds to cover expenses.
Mr. Simpson, a local architect and a lodge steward, exhibited plans for a new theatre at the next meeting. He was requested to take a trip, at lodge expense, to look at different types of theatres in Norfolk, Baltimore and New York.
In January he reported that he had taken this trip and had gained considerable information. He promised to complete his altered plans at an early date. This he did, and so reported at a special communication held February 22, 1904. Bids for construction ranged from $16,948 to $27,624.
The bond committee was authorized to open books for the subscription of $20,000 worth of five per cent bonds of $100 denomination for 20 years. John W. Stewart reported to
the lodge that April that the bond issue had been reduced to $10,000 and that all the bonds had been sold.
On May 11 a special resolution was passed approving this $10,000 issue of bonds for ten years, with interest at six per cent, upon decision of the building committee to remodel the opera house at cost of only about $8,000, instead of along the more elaborate lines first contemplated.
Later financial reports showed that the building committee issued not only these $10,000 first-mortgage bonds, but also $4,000 in second-mortgage bonds, besides signing five notes and incurring other bills in the remodeling, thus owing a total of $15,848.59. The net cost of improvements was reported at $13,511.59.
The sum of $5,000 was used to pay off the entire floating debt, and $2,500 was applied on the second-mortgage bonds, with $1,200 earmarked for the completion of the work. Messrs. Green and Redmond were appointed a committee of two to superintend the finishing of the construction program.
Thus renovated at great expense, in line with designs of new theatres in metropolitan areas, the Masonic Theatre was then considered a great credit to the city and one of the finest public theatres in North Carolina. It was leased upon completion to Cowan Brothers for theatrical performances. Past Master Daniels, Mr. Redmond and E. B. Hackburn were appointed on a committee to see that good care was taken of the property.
On March 8, 1905, a special resolution thanked Mr. Redmond for being “most diligent, faithful and untiring in his efforts to improve and beautify the building of this Lodge;” and another general resolution of appreciation was also approved, as follows:
“Whereas, the officers and brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., New Bern, N. C., realizing that the great improvements upon their property are due to the unremitting efforts of our present Worshipful Master Thomas A. Green as Chairman of the Building Committee, and Bro. Owen H. Guion for his aid, assistance and advice, also to the skill and assiduity of Brother H. W. Simpson, whose architectural knowledge and ability enabled him to so beautifully re-construct our building, desire that the records
of this Lodge shall bear upon their pages a permanent testimonial of our appreciation and esteem.
“Therefore be it resolved, That to Worshipful Master Thomas A. Green and Brothers Owen H. Guion, Herbert W. Simpson and W. S. Gaskins, as well as to Brothers Thomas Daniels, W. A. McIntosh, F. M. Hahn, H. W. Simpson, O. H. Guion, J. E. Latham, O. Marks, L. J. Taylor, J. S. Basnight and James Redmond constituting the Building Committee, whose untiring efforts aided so materially in the successful operation of the resolution of this Lodge we extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks for their invaluable work so beautifully done, in the re-modeling of our Masonic Building, assuring them that our gratitude for their noble and unselfish labor will be as enduring as the material monument they have reared.”
Again in 1905 Mr. Green was renamed Worshipful Master. Mr. Hahn was elected Senior Warden; W. T. Hill, Junior Warden; Mr. Redmond, reelected Treasurer; and James B. Dawson was named Secretary. Appointed were W. E. Smith and H. B. Smith, Deacons; J. W. Moore and M. Suskin, Stewards; and N. Case, Tiler.
The next year Mr. Green was retained in the highest office; with Mr. Hill promoted to Senior Warden and H. B. Smith to Junior Warden. Messrs. Redmond and Dawson remained at their posts. W. E. Smith and C. E. Wethington were appointed as Deacons; G. W. Howard and G. A. Barfoot, Stewards; and Mr. Case, Tiler.
A special communication was held May 31, 1907, to pay last tribute of respect to Mr. Case, who had served as tiler for many years. Born in 1829, he had been a Mason for 53 years. From 1881 to 1890 he served as Tiler, then declined renomination because of his advancing years. After acting as Steward and Warden at different times, he again became Tiler on July 9, 1902, and held the office until his death at the age of 78 years. A donation of $50 was voted by the lodge for the purchase of a suitable monument to his memory.
Following five consecutive years as Worshipful Master, besides four previous terms in the office, Mr. Green was succeeded in 1907 by Mr. Hill. H. B. Smith advanced to Senior Warden, and Mr. Dawson went up to Junior Warden.
Mr. Redmond was renamed Treasurer, with Mr. Wethington as Secretary.
Appointments by the new executive were Edward LeGallais, Senior Deacon; W. P. Jones, Junior Deacon; M. Suskin and Ernest H. Wood, Stewards; L. S. Grant, Chaplain; and W. S. Gaskins, Tiler. Mr. Green installed the officers, and Albert H. Bangert acted as Master of Ceremonies.
The following February it was decided to lease the theatre to Cowan Brothers for three years, at rental of $900 per year. Improvements were planned for both the theatre and the lodge room. In 1909 efforts were made to collect rent overdue for the theatre.
That June Mr. Smith was elevated to the chair of Worshipful Master; with Dr. J. F. Rhem, Senior Warden; Dr. R. D. V. Jones, Junior Warden; and Messrs. Redmond and Wethington renamed Treasurer and Secretary respectively. Messrs. Jones and Suskin were reappointed Deacons; Messrs. Wood and Bangert were named Stewards; and Messrs. Gaskins and Grant were reappointed Tiler and Chaplain.
A second term was served by Mr. Smith. Dr. Jones moved up to the place of Senior Warden, and W. P. Jones to that of Junior Warden. After two years out of office, the only two since 1880, T. A. Green came back as Treasurer. C. C. Clark, Jr., became Secretary; N. E. Mohn and Mr. Suskin, Deacons; J. J. Rhodes and L. D. Sutherland, Stewards; the Rev. C. C. Jones, Chaplain; and Mr. Gaskins, Tiler.
LIDORIC LODGE FORMED
Demits were granted June 9, 1909, by St. John's Lodge to Messrs. Hill, Wood, LeGallais, John Crabtree, G. W. Swinson, R. H. Wilson and Archie W. Bryant, for the purpose of joining a lodge to be formed here under dispensation.
A petition from a number of Masons was read to the lodge August 11, asking that their request for a dispensation be recommended by St. John's Lodge. This was granted, and lodge members recommended to the Grand Lodge that the
new local group be permitted to organize under special dispensation.
Doric Lodge, No. 568, A. F. & A. M., was accordingly instituted, with ten charter members. Its charter from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina now hangs in the Blue Lodge Room of the Masonic Temple. Dated January 12, 1910, it designates Mr. LeGallais as Worshipful Master; Mr. Wood as Senior Warden; and W. C. Roberts as Junior Warden. Signers of this document were Grand Master R. V. Hackett and Grand Secretary John C. Drewry.
The courtesy of permitting these Masons to use their lodge room to organize the new group had been extended by the members of the Mother Lodge, and after the formation of the new lodge, an agreement was reached whereby its meetings were held in St. John's Lodge Room upon payment of $10 per month. A new fire escape was erected on the outside of the building.
The Council of Royal and Select Masters was granted permission to use the lodge rooms for meetings, and the request of Dr. Rhem was approved to lend the hall for the purpose of forming a Lodge of Perfection. This lodge was later given the privilege of using the building.
The sum of three cents per capita was sent by St. John's Lodge to the Joseph Montfort Memorial Association for erection of a memorial statue to the first Provincial Grand Master of America. Ten dollars was appropriated towards a fund for the placing of a bust of Governor Samuel Johnston, first Grand Master of North Carolina, in the rotunda of the State Capitol at Raleigh.
Other donations at that time included $20 for the Jewish Synagogue erected here in 1908, and $20 for St. Mary's Free Will Baptist Church, which built its edifice on Fleet Street here in 1909.
Following a compromise settlement with Cowan Bros., through the local manager, Thomas B. Kehoe, the theatre lease was cancelled. Lee J. Taylor is listed as the theatre manager in 1910.
From February 1 to June 1 theatre receipts of $527.15 were reported. The Oxford Singing Class from the Masonic Orphanage gave programs there frequently. The Elks lodge
used it for memorial services. It was offered for use of the Shriners in May, 1911.
Upon the death of Mr. Clark, lodge Secretary, Mr. Wethington acted temporarily in that post. J. J. Rhodes was elected to the office in 1910, when Dr. Rhem was elected as Worshipful Master. Dr. Jones and W. P. Jones were again made Wardens; Mr. Green, Treasurer; Messrs. Mohn and Suskin, Deacons; Messrs. Bangert and Simpson, Stewards; and Mr. Gaskins, Tiler.
It was during that year that New Bern held its mammoth bi-centennial celebration in commemoration of the founding of the city in 1710 by Swiss and German colonists under Baron Christopher deGraffenried of Bern, Switzerland. Masons played prominent roles in the gala programs and festivities.
Dr. Jones was elected Master of the lodge the next year; with W. P. Jones and N. E. Mohn as Wardens; the Rev. H. A. Merfeld, Secretary; and Mr. Green renamed Treasurer. Mr. Dawson and Dr. Z. V. Parker were named Deacons; Allie Cook and A. R. Willis, Stewards; and Mr. Gaskins, Tiler. Thomas A. Henry acted as Chaplain.
Theatre receipts that year went up to $969.17. The theatre was leased to Mr. Taylor for five years beginning June 1, 1912.
Two past Grand Masters died in New Bern. Francis M. Moye, a native of Pitt County, died May 28, 1911; and Charles C. Clark, a native of New Bern, passed away on October 30. Special communications of the Grand Lodge were held for their funerals.
William P. Jones became the next Worshipful Master; with Mr. Mohn as Senior Warden; Mr. Dawson, Junior Warden; W. H. Bain, Secretary; and Mr. Green, Treasurer. Dr. Parker and Mr. Cook were named Deacons; A. R. Willis and W. S. Parsons, Stewards; Mr. Gaskins, Tiler; and Mr. Merfeld, Chaplain.
Mr. Mohn was Mr. Jones’ successor in the office; with Messrs. Dawson and Parker as Wardens; Mr. Bain, Secretary; Mr. Green, Treasurer. Messrs. Cook and Oscar A. Kafer were appointed Deacons; J. J. Rhodes and J. A. Street, Stewards; and Mr. Gaskins, Tiler.
On April 22, 1914, it was voted at a special communication of St. John's Lodge to accept the proposition of the New Bern Consistory No. 3 to buy three-fourths’ interest in all property owned by the lodge at a price of $8,300. Needed extensions to the building were planned on that proportionate basis. Moderate rentals would be paid by the various organizations using it. After paying all expenses of maintaining the structure, it was proposed to divide remaining funds between the two owners on the same proportionate basis.
Next August the lodge agreed to transfer all its rights in the property to the New Bern Consistory for $8,300, and the official transfer was made November 1, 1914. Under this scheme, still in vogue, if the consistory should ever disband, the property will revert to St. John's Lodge. Meanwhile, the temple is used by the various Masonic bodies. St. John's Lodge does not have to pay rent, but the other groups are charged nominal rental fees.
This disposal of lodge property took place during the administration of Mr. Dawson, who was elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge in 1914. John H. Parker became Senior Warden; Harry T. Paterson, Junior Warden; and W. H. Newell, Jr., Secretary.
Again elected Treasurer, Mr. Green resigned in July before the installation of the new officers, after having served 23 terms as Treasurer, besides nine terms as Worshipful Master. He was given a rising vote of thanks for his “faithful and efficient services.” W. P. Jones was elected to succeed him as Treasurer.
Messrs. Cook and Parsons were appointed Deacons; Thomas McGinn and J. T. Beard, Stewards; Mr. Gaskins, Tiler; and Dr. Z. V. Parker, Chaplain. Mr. Beard was elected in October to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Newell as Secretary. The following month O. A. Kafer was asked to act as Tiler upon the death of W. S. Gaskins.
B. H. Gowen and H. P. Goss were thanked that year for the return of old jewels of the lodge. The Grand Lodge was requested to assist local members through the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in getting back the original copy of the letter written them here by President Washington. Lovick and Taylor were given a lease for the theatre.
LII
CHARLES C. CLARK
The sixth member of St. John's Lodge to become Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was Charles Cauthorn Clark, a native New Bernian, who held the high State Masonic office in 1870-71, as the 35th Grand Master of North Carolina Masons.
Son of William Willis Clark and Martha Stevenson Clark, he was born December 8, 1829. His grandfather was Elijah Clark, Sheriff of Craven County and one of the three organizers of the First Baptist Church of New Bern. He affiliated with this congregation, was an earnest Christian thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures and a most eminent Baptist, often occupying the pulpit of the local church.
His elementary schooling was at the old New Bern Academy. From there he went to Wake Forest College and then to Princeton University, where he was graduated with high honors. He read law under William Washington and was admitted to the bar. Some years later he formed a law partnership with Frederick C. Roberts, also a local Mason, and their firm became one of the most successful in the State, dissolving only because each attorney was called upon to accept positions of public trust.
After representing Craven County in the State Senate, Mr. Clark was elected to Congress during the Reconstruction period, but because of his political affiliation with the Democratic Party was not permitted to serve, since Republicans then had a majority in the lawmaking body.
In 1851 he joined St. John's Masonic Lodge, and held a number of the lodge offices until he became Worshipful Master in 1858. After two terms in this post, he again resumed the office for two more years upon lodge reorganization at the close of the War Between the States. In 1869 he is listed as a Past Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge. Following service as Grand Master, he again headed the local lodge for three additional terms, 1874, 1875 and 1882. During the war, while a refugee upstate, he is said to have organized a Masonic chapter at Thomasville. His impressive
rendition of the ritualistic work was highly praised by his contemporaries.
Advanced to the degree of Mark Master, he was inducted into the Oriental Chair of King Solomon, acknowledged a Most Excellent Master, and exalted to the sublime degree of a Royal Arch Mason, in Eureka Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., of New Bern. Due to the interruption of the War Between the States, the charter of this lodge was surrendered, and New Bern Chapter, No. 46, R.A.M., was later formed. He joined this new chapter, and acted as its Excellent High Priest from 1877 to 1880.
During 1854 he married Miss Fannie Howard of New Bern. Four sons and four daughters lived to adulthood, including Edward Clark, who served as Mayor and Tax Collector of the City of New Bern and William Willis Clark, a lawyer, who was given the presidential nomination for the Federal judgeship of the Eastern District of North Carolina, though this was not confirmed by the Senate which then included a majority of members of the opposition political party. Both he and Charles Clark, Jr., held lodge offices.
Grand Master Richard V. Hackett announced his death in a circular dated December 1, 1911, as follows: “It was the end of the Sabbath, at the dawn of Monday, October 30, 1911, the soul of Brother Charles Cauthorn Clark, winged its flight to the mansions of bliss, coming to the grave in full age, like a shock of corn ascendeth in his season.” He was buried with Masonic honors, in which Grand Lodge officials participated, in Cedar Grove cemetery at New Bern.
Harry T. Paterson, later a member of St. John's Lodge and a Grand Master, wrote: “In the death of Brother Clark the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and the community in which he lived, lost a truly good man, one respected and loved by all classes, and Masonry lost one who truly exemplified the great principles of our order. . . .
“He was a born orator, polished with a liberal education, a lover of letters and literature, and had a mind stored with a varied knowledge. Possessing a deep and earnest faith, a nature positive and assertive, and a courtly manner, he was well qualified for leadership in any walk of life.”
LIII
SUDAN SHRINE TEMPLE
Sudan Shrine Temple was organized here during the two-term regime of John H. Parker as Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge from 1915 to 1917.
Mr. Paterson was elected Senior Warden in 1915; with Mr. Cook, Junior Warden; Oscar W. Lane, Treasurer; and T. H. Bennett, Secretary. Mr. Jones had stated upon inquiry that he did not care to continue as Treasurer.
Past Grand Master J. T. Alderman of Henderson installed these officers; along with Messrs. Newell and C. Hines as Deacons; Mr. McGinn and E. B. Hackburn, Stewards; Dr. Parker, Chaplain; A. J. Gaskins, Tiler; and Mr. Kafer, Marshal. A banquet followed the induction ceremony. C. Whit Gaskins was elected Secretary in September, succeeding Mr. Bennett.
The Worshipful Master was appointed to represent the lodge on the Associated Board of Charities and the sum of $25 was donated for the board, as requested by the Rev. W. B. Everett, Free Will Baptist minister, then serving as field secretary.
Pledging $75 to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home at Greensboro, the members appointed a committee of Messrs. Paterson, Rhem and Hines to investigate the advisability of organizing an Eastern Star Chapter here, as requested by the Grand Chapter of North Carolina, Order of the Eastern Star. The committee reported that the time was not considered opportune for this purpose.
The same elective officers were renamed in 1916. Installed with them were Mr. Newell and LeRoy Tucker, Deacons; Albert R. Marks and Mr. McGinn, Stewards; Dr. Parker, Chaplain; Mr. Gaskins, Tiler; and Mr. Kafer, Marshal.
These men and other members of St. John's Lodge assisted valuably in working out plans for the formation of the Sudan Shrine Temple. The sum of $25 was donated by the lodge at the outset for securing the Temple. One of the lodge's outstanding members and a Past Worshipful Master,
SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION INVITATIONSHRINE HOME, NEW BERN
Dr. Rhem, is generally recognized as being the “Daddy” of the Temple.
According to a history of Sudan Temple compiled by Alexander B. Andrews, of Raleigh, who was its first Illustrious Potentate, Dr. Rhem was “a man of vision and action who, in 1915, sensed the fact that the time was opportune and the situation ripe for the formation of a Shrine Temple in Eastern North Carolina.”
Oasis Temple in this State at that time had approximately 2,500 members. Many of these lived in the eastern part of the State, but those in the western areas naturally objected to the formation of a new Temple in the east.
Dr. Rhem had served as Potentate of Oasis Temple and for two years as a representative in the Imperial Council. He and his assistants worked diligently until they obtained 478 signatures on the petition for a charter. Of these half a hundred were stricken out by Oasis officers, leaving 427 names, above the 400 minimum required for the purpose.
At the Buffalo meeting of the Imperial Council in 1916 Dr. Rhem, Mr. Andrews and others presented the merits of the petition. Congressman S. M. Brinson, a candidate in the first class, is said to have accomplished notable results through a friend who was on the Committee on Charters and Dispensations.
The dispensation was granted July 13, 1916, at Buffalo, conditioned upon Oasis Temple keeping exclusive jurisdiction in Mecklenburg County and Sudan Temple having exclusive jurisdiction in Craven County and the other 98 counties of North Carolina being concurrent jurisdictions. The name, “Sudan,” was suggested by Mrs. C. Whit Gaskins, wife of the Secretary of St. John's Lodge.
In accordance with this dispensation, Sudan Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the Oasis of New Bern, Desert of North Carolina, was instituted here at 2:30 p. m. on November 22, 1916, at the Masonic building. Past Potentate Walter S. Liddell of Oasis Temple, Special Deputy of the Imperial Potentate, administered the oath of office to the first divan of Sudan Temple, as named in the dispensation. The Commission of the Imperial Potentate was read by Past Potentate G. T. Bryan of Oasis Temple.
Mr. Andrews was installed as the first Illustrious Potentate of Sudan Temple. Mr. Bradham, of St. John's Lodge, became the first Treasurer of the Temple; and Dr. Rhem, of St. John's Lodge, became its first Recorder.
At this first meeting or ceremonial 106 petitions for membership were received, and at the next ceremonial in Rocky Mount the following May more than 150 applications were filed, almost doubling the original membership before the receipt of a charter.
The Imperial Council met at Minneapolis in 1917 under severe handicaps. With the United States then involved in World War I, only a two-day business session was held. However, a charter was granted June 27, 1917, to Sudan Temple.
Institution of the Temple under this charter took place at New Bern in the Masonic opera house on September 26, 1917, when Past Potentate Reinhardt of Oasis Temple delivered the charter and declared Sudan Temple a regularly-constituted organization. Immediately at the rear of the stage an electric sign, “Sudan,” flashed on, and the Nobles cheered enthusiastically.
At this gathering W. T. Hill was named Captain of the uniformed Arab Patrol of the Temple. He had held the unique distinction of having been Worshipful Master of both Masonic lodges in New Bern. Joining St. John's Lodge around the beginning of the century, he was soon afterwards elected Secretary and served successively in other stations before being named Master in 1907. Then he was instrumental in the formation of Doric Lodge, served as its first Secretary, and in 1910 was elected its Worshipful Master.
The Masonic building was used for the meetings of the Shrine Temple in New Bern, and is still the scene of the annual business meeting of the Temple held here every January. In 1919, however, plans were laid for the purchase of a Shrine Home.
The handsome private residence on East Front and Broad Streets owned by Mrs. Margaret D. Nelson was bought in 1920. New interior arrangements were made, and many new furnishings were added. The first floor was used for
offices and reception rooms, the second floor became sleeping quarters for visiting Nobles.
Dr. Rhem continued as Sudan's Recorder until his death in 1924, when he was succeeded by Mr. Bradham, who held the post until he died in 1932. A member of Doric Lodge succeeded the two St. John's members as Recorder.
No New Bernian has been elected Potentate of the Temple, preferring to leave this honor to leaders from outside the city. Charles E. Wethington, long a member and officer of St. John's Lodge, but then a resident of Goldsboro, served as Potentate in 1935-36.
Dr. Hubert M. Poteat, of Wake Forest, who was elevated here to the office of Potentate after serving in other divan posts and who was endorsed here for a place on the Imperial Council, was elected Outer Guard of the Imperial Council in 1943.
New Bern still ranks today as the smallest city in the world to confer all Masonic degrees except the 33rd., including the Shrine.
LIVWORLD WAR PERIOD
After the entrance of the United States in the World War in 1917, it was voted by St. John's Lodge in July that all members in good standing called to duty in the military service should have their dues remitted after June 30, 1917, for the entire period they remained in war roles.
Mr. Paterson was then Worshipful Master; with Messrs. Cook and Newell as Wardens; and Messrs. Gaskins and Lane reelected Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Appointed for the year were Dr. Parker, Chaplain; S. M. Brinson and J. T. Mallard, Deacons; T. Bayard Whitehurst and C. T. Pumphrey, Stewards. A. J. Gaskins was retained as Tiler.
A public installation program was held in the Masonic opera house, with Grand Master C. L. Pridgen in charge of the ceremonies. Mr. Pridgen gave “an interesting and eloquent address,” and short talks were made by several members.
It is interesting to note here that Mr. Brinson later became Representative in Congress from this Third District, serving in the office until his death in 1922, and that Mr. Pumphrey died of pneumonia in a Paris hospital while serving with the American Red Cross in France. The latter officer frequently sang tenor solos for Masonic, church and civic programs during his residence in New Bern.
During September, 1917, it was voted to send to Past Master R. D. V. Jones, then in hospital service for the A. E. F. in France, a Past Master's jewel, “in appreciation of past services and as a loving memento.” The committee named for this purpose reported later that the gift had been forwarded to Dr. Jones.
As an important innovation during that war year the showing of moving pictures was begun October 12, 1917, in the Masonic theatre. Since then the movies have been featured regularly there in public shows, under the ownership and management of Scottish Rite Masons. The only times when the house is closed to moviegoers are during the semi-annual Scottish Rite reunions in April and November, when the auditorium is needed for those Masonic programs. Profits are used for educational and charitable causes, except that bonds are also being bought to finance later enlargements of the building.
A moving picture screen had been presented to St. John's Lodge in 1915 by F. M. Hahn, a member who had operated the Star theatre here for some time. His dues were remitted for three years in return for the gift. But this screen was used in lodge work, not in the new Masonic moving picture theatre.
Oscar A. Kafer and Mr. Hahn were named as co-managers of the Masonic moving picture theatre at its opening. After about five months, Mr. Hahn resigned, and ever since then Mr. Kafer has continued in his position as manager of the theatre for more than quarter of a century.
The Grand Master's proclamation urging the purchase of War Savings Stamps and suggesting that the National flag be displayed in the lodge room was read in February, 1918, at a lodge meeting. A motion was passed to buy $50 worth of War Savings Stamps. Another motion authorized the purchase of a Service Flag for the lodge room and instructed
Worshipful Master Paterson to confer with the Worshipful Master of Doric Lodge in regard to the joint purchase of a United States flag.
Members of a committee were named during May to solicit contributions for the fund to erect an Army Lodge building and Masonic clubhouse at Camp Sevier, Greenville, S. C., as requested in a communication from the Grand Master. A substantial sum was raised among the local Masons.
Mr. Cook was promoted to the office of Worshipful Master, with Dr. Parker and William W. Griffin as Wardens; Mr. Lane and Mr. Gaskins reelected Treasurer and Secretary. J. H. Parker and Mr. Bennett were named Deacons; Mr. Gaskins renamed Tiler; the Rev. A. A. Walker, Chaplain; W. W. Gaskins and Alfred A. Kafer, Stewards. A Master's apron was presented to the lodge by Mr. Parker.
Two terms were served by Mr. Cook. For his second year, Dr. Parker and Deane F. Bell were named Wardens. Messrs. Lane and Gaskins remained in their posts. Albert F. Patterson and C. T. Hellinger were appointed Deacons; the Rev. H. A. Humble, Chaplain; D. W. Hanks and J. M. Batson, Stewards; and O. A. Kafer, Tiler.
LVEASTERN STAR CHAPTER
During Mr. Cook's administration plans were worked out successfully for the organization of a local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the sister group of the Masonic fraternity. Many of St. John's Lodge members, their wives, daughters and sisters were especially active along this line.
Mrs. J. F. Rhem and her husband, Dr. Rhem, a Past Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge and organizer and long Recorder of Sudan Shrine Temple, are given chief credit as founders of the chapter here. They laid the groundwork and stirred up interest.
At their invitation, four State officers visited New Bern to help organize the Craven chapter on November 13, 1919, in the Blue Lodge Room of the Masonic Temple, where the women still hold their regular gatherings.
These four visiting officers were C. M. Setzer, of Charlotte, Grand Patron; C. W. Fowler, Associate Grand Patron; Mrs. Fowler, District Deputy Grand Matron; and John F. Wood, Grand Chaplain. Accompanying them was Mrs. Setzer, active in the Charlotte chapter.
Mrs. Lenore Gaskins, wife of C. Whit Gaskins, Secretary of St. John's Lodge, was named as the first Worthy Matron of the local chapter. John H. Parker, Past Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, was the first Worthy Patron; and Mrs. Charity C. Bradham, wife of C. D. Bradham, Past Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, was the first Associate Matron.
Others on the list of first officials were Miss Minnie Lee Hart (later Mrs. R. B. Williams), Secretary; Mrs. Clyde Eby, Treasurer; Mrs. C. B. Foy, Conductress; Mrs. S. W. Brown, Associate Conductress; Mrs. A. A. Kafer, Ada; Miss Sara Louise Stewart, Ruth; Miss Myrtle Pope, Esther; Mrs. T. Bayard Whitehurst, Martha; Mrs. W. P. Jones, Electa; Mrs. Rhem, Marshal; Mrs. Garrason A. Farrow, Organist; Mr. Cook, Warden; S. W. Brown, Sentinel; and W. P. Jones, Chaplain.
Minutes of the first sessions of the order show, besides these officers, the following other charter members, making a total of 35 charter members: Mrs. Cook, G. A. Farrow, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Harry T. Paterson, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Henry, Dr. Rhem, Alfred A. Kafer, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar A. Kafer, J. J. Baxter, C. Whit Gaskins, Mrs. R. S. Primrose and Mrs. Charles F. Ellison.
The charter, which is now kept in the Blue Lodge Room, is dated June 9, 1920. The Craven Chapter received the number, 129. Mrs. Gaskins was named as Worthy Matron; Mr. Parker as Worthy Patron; and Mrs. Bradham as Associate Matron. The document is signed by Clem Buckner, Grand Master; Mr. Setzer, Grand Patron; and Mary C. Weatherly, Grand Secretary.
Eastern Star members have always worked hand in hand with the Masons. Frequently they serve suppers and banquets for the various Masonic bodies. The chapter has also been active in many civic and community movements deemed to be for the general welfare.
The list of Worthy Matrons and Patrons who have served the local Eastern Star Chapter follow:
Leonore A. Gaskins, worthy matron, and J. H. Parker, worthy patron, 1919-21; Lenore A. Gaskins and Allie Cook, 1921-22; Minnie Lee Williams and Allie Cook, 1922-23; Sara L. Stewart and W. P. Jones, 1923-24; Mamie G. Parker and W. P. Jones, 1924-25; Minnie C. Brooks and W. P. Jones, 1925-26; Charity Bradham and Harry T. Paterson, 1926-27; Estella F. Lewis and W. P. Jones, 1927-28; Blanche H. Williams and W. P. Jones, 1928-29;
Hazel S. Howell and W. P. Jones, 1929-30; Beulah A. Edmunds and R. L. Stallings, 1930-31; Erma M. Pittman, George E. and R. C. Whitley, 1931-32; Myrtle M. Stephens and R. C. Whitley, 1932-33; Marion Barfield and Thomas McGinn, 1933-34; Lula M. Disosway and W. P. Jones, 1934-35; Vera Sutton and Thomas McGinn, 1935-36; Laura E. Williams and W. P. Jones, 1936-37;
Laura E. Williams and W. P. Jones, 1937-38; Nettie O. Taylor and Thomas McGinn, 1938-39; Myrtle T. Carr and J. R. Carr, 1939-40; Julia M. Everhart and Stamey Everhart, 1940-41; Adolia Everhart and J. R. Carr, 1941-42; Mattie C. Benton and J. R. Carr, 1942-43; Eva F. Bray and J. R. Carr, 1943; Anna Orringer and J. R. Carr.
An unusual communication was held November 10, 1919, by St. John's Lodge, when the third degree was conferred upon five candidates. All the stations were filled by Past Masters. A large number of out-of-town visitors attended. After interesting talks by the new Master Masons and several guests, a banquet was enjoyed.
W. P. Jones was again elected Master the following June. Mr. Parker and C. Whit Gaskins were named Wardens; Sol Lipman, Treasurer; and R. B. Williams, Secretary. S. W. Brown and Mr. Batson were appointed Deacons; S. L. Harrison and J. L. Cason, Stewards; the Rev. W. A. Ayres, Chaplain; and Mr. Kafer was reappointed Tiler.
LVI
SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Plans were initiated during the Fall of 1920 for the sesquicentennial celebration of the institution of the lodge.
Worshipful Master Jones and Wardens Parker and Gaskins were requested to procure antique relics and information about the lodge. It was voted to present a picture of Martin Howard, first Master of this lodge, to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and to invite Grand Lodge officials to attend the historical celebration programs contemplated for 1922.
In order to stir up more interest in the outstanding history of the lodge, it was decided to procure the old minute books from the vault of the New Bern Banking and Trust Company and read excerpts at each regular communication. Another decision was reached to try to collect the photographs of all the Past Masters of the lodge.
Following an interesting and instructive talk on the past history of the lodge, Mr. Bradham offered a motion, which was carried, that a committee get up a booklet containing lodge data as a sesqui-centennial souvenir. On the committee were named Messrs. Bradham, Rhem and Parker.
Mr. Parker reported the next February that he had presented the Howard portrait to the Grand Lodge and had invited the Grand Lodge to meet here in January, 1922, which invitation was accepted.
Named in March as a celebration committee were Messrs. Bradham, Rhem, Parker, Gaskins, Williams, Jones and Paterson. Every Mason was asked to render all aid and cooperation possible to make the occasion a great success. It was suggested that invitations be sent to President Warren Harding and Governor Cameron Morrison.
With this revival of interest in history, it was decided, upon recommendation of Senior Warden Parker, to see if something could not be done to preserve the old vault containing the remains of Gov. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Gov. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., and other outstanding local leaders. Dr. Rhem and T. A. Green were appointed on a committee for this purpose, and were also requested to
endeavor to ascertain whether the elder governor had been a Mason and a member of St. John's Lodge.
Mr. Gaskins was elected Worshipful Master in 1921; with J. E. Boswell and J. M. Batson as Wardens; Mr. Lipman and Mr. Williams retained as Treasurer and Secretary. J. L. Cason and Albert L. Hibbard were appointed Deacons; William M. Bryan and T. Doe Street, Stewards; Mr. Ayres was renamed Chaplain, and Mr. Kafer, Tiler.
Doric Lodge pledged the hearty and enthusiastic cooperation of its officers and members for the forthcoming celebration. The Eastern Star chapter also promised to assist in any way desired to make the programs successful.
A bill of $50 was paid to cover the expenses of a representative to go to Washington to invite Mrs. Harding to accompany President Harding to New Bern for the event.
President and Mrs. Harding were unable to come to New Bern for the programs, but many other national and State leaders accepted the elaborate invitations for January 19, 1922. The front page of the eight-page booklet invitations was in colors of red, white and blue, topped by a miniature portrait of George Washington.
The invitation proper read as follows:
St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
New Bern, North Carolina
Esteemed Sir and Worthy Brother:
St. John's Lodge No. 3 extends you a most cordial invitation to be present at the celebration of its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
The occasion will also commemorate the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the visit of Brother George Washington, the first President of the United States.
Fraternally yours,
C. Whit Gaskins
Worshipful Master
Invitation Committee:
C. D. Bradham, P. M.
Jos. F. Rhem, P. M.
F. M. Simmons
S. M. Brinson
Harry T. Paterson, P.M.
Not since 1910 when the city was bedecked for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the town had New Bern been more gaily decorated that it was for the realistic pageant portrayal of Masonic history.
Grand Master James H. Webb and other Grand Lodge officers were among the thousands of persons participating in the festivities. From many parts of North Carolina and Virginia as well as from other States Masons and other visitors came to join in the notable occasion.
The first portion of the celebration took place in the Banner Warehouse. As Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Bradham convened the lodge at 11 a. m. Selections by the Sudan Temple band directed by B. D. Wilson were played. After the invocation by Mr. Ayers, pastor of the First Baptist Church and Lodge Chaplain, Attorney Larry I. Moore introduced Prof. M. C. S. Noble, who welcomed the Grand Lodge. Response was by Dr. Hubert M. Poteat, of Wake Forest, Deputy Grand Master.
A native New Bernian and veteran Mason, Professor Noble gave an informative resume of Masonry in New Bern and East Carolina. He paid signal tribute to St. John's Lodge for its rich distinction of a century and a half of continuous service.
Pageantry was opened with the presentation of the first charter to the lodge in 1772. Judge Francis D. Winston of Windsor took the role of Joseph Montfort, Provincial Grand Master, in delivering the early charter to Martin Howard, first local Worshipful Master, a part taken by T. A. Green. These and other Masons portraying the other first officers of the local lodge presented a picturesque scene in their Colonial velvet costumes and powdered wigs.
Biographical sketches were then read, Mr. Bradham telling of “Martin Howard, First Master and Jurist,” and Judge Winston relating the story of “Joseph Montfort, Our First Provincial Grand Master.”
The afternoon phase of the program began at noon, following band selections. Charles L. Abernethy, Sr., welcomed the First Grand Lodge of North Carolina at the re-assigning of St. John's Lodge. He reviewed briefly the part played by Masonry in North Carolina and American history.
Worshipful Master Gaskins, in the role of George Ellis, for many years Senior Warden of the Lodge, received the second charter, dated January 26, 1795, from Grand Master James H. Webb, who represented Grand Master William R. Davie. Grand Historian Marshall DeLancey Haywood gave a graphic account of the parts played in local and State history by Past Grand Masters Spaight, Jerkins and Clark, all members of St. John's Lodge.
A barbecue dinner was served at the Farmers’ Warehouse, under the direction of J. B. Dawson and his aides, assisted by members of the Eastern Star. About 1,500 persons were guests.
The arrival of President Washington in New Bern in 1791 was then depicted, as Col. P. M. Pearsall in the role of the first president, rode with two attendants, W. P. Jones and J. E. Boswell, in an antique coach drawn by white horses down Broad Street towards Neuse River. An escort of honor, composed of a troop of Colonial horsemen, under Gen. Samuel Simpson, represented by William MacMillan, accompanied the coach.
This procession passed down the Court of Honor to a stand in front of the Shrine Home. There Congressman Samuel M. Brinson, acting as Mayor Joseph Leech, delivered the civic welcome to Washington, and Judge Owen H. Guion, impersonating his great-grandfather, Isaac Guion, then Master of St. John's, welcomed President Washington for the lodge. His address and the President's response were in the same words used 130 years earlier.
When Washington left the coach, his escort dismounted from their horses, and with other citizens in Colonial attire stepped forward to greet him, forming a striking scene of colorful beauty and historical significance.
The day's program came to a close with a dinner served Grand Lodge officers at the Shrine Home. Covers were laid for 50. There, as at a Colonial breakfast for the distinguished guests that morning, the Colonial motif was carried out in detail. Colonial china, silver and other articles of the period were used, and members of the Eastern Star, headed by Mrs. Gaskins, Worthy Matron, who planned and served both meals, were dressed in beautiful Colonial costumes.
Wide publicity was given to the celebration, which was universally conceded to be an outstanding success. In 1934 Judge Shepard Bryan of Atlanta, Ga., had a memorial erected here to commemorate the 150th anniversary and the visit of President Washington.
LVIIEDUCATIONAL WORK
Educational studies were stressed by members of St. John's Lodge during the Mastership of J. E. Boswell, elected to office in 1922.
Read at meetings during that period were educational bulletins sent the lodges each month by the Masonic Service Association. Among these subjects were Paul Revere, Our Public Schools and the Spirit of Masonry. Educational talks included one by W. C. Wicker, Educational Field Secretary of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina; and another by Dr. R. D. V. Jones on his recent trip to the Holy Land.
Serving with Mr. Boswell were A. L. Hibbard and W. H. Purser as Wardens, and Messrs. Lipman and Williams continued in their respective posts. Henry P. Whitehurst was appointed Senior Deacon; L. L. Brinson, Jr., Junior Deacon; F. E. Wagner, Senior Steward; H. C. Armstrong, Junior Steward; and Warden Mr. Kafer, Tiler.
Joint installation services were held with Doric Lodge in the Scottish Rite Hall, with Past Master T. A. Green as the installing officer and Past Master W. T. Hill as Marshal.
At the request of the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, which had been organized here March 29, 1921, the lodge voted $100 towards the cost of erecting a granite boulder on the Court House lawn to the memory of the three Governors of North Carolina from New Bern—Richard Dobbs Spaight, Abner Nash and Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr. The chair officials were named as a lodge committee for this purpose.
A disastrous fire destroyed 40 blocks of buildings and did damage estimated at $1,000,000 in the northwestern part of the city on December 1, 1922, and Masons were among the property losers. One of the offers of aid received from outside
New Bern came from Perquimans Lodge, No. 300, of Hertford, N. C., which offered to assist any Mason in need of financial aid, but there being none, the lodge was written to that effect, with thanks for its offer. A check for $200 was returned to the Corinthian Lodge, No. 230, Rocky Mount, N. C., this having been sent for the relief of any Masonic fire sufferers.
Past Master Paterson, then District Deputy Grand Master, reported in February on the proposed memorial building to be erected at Alexandria, Va., at a cost of $2,000,000, as a shrine in memory of President Washington. He suggested that the Worshipful Master appoint a committee to seek donations of $1 from local members for this memorial fund. On the committee were named W. P. Jones, A. L. Hibbard and W. C. Chadwick.
In going through records in the lodge archives, war savings stamps in the amount of $60 were found. These were sold, and the cash was added to the treasury.
Mr. Hibbard was the next Worshipful Master; with Messrs. Purser and Lipman as Wardens; H. C. Armstrong elected to succeed Mr. Lipman as Treasurer; and Mr. Williams renamed Secretary. Another joint installation of officers was held with Doric Lodge. District Deputy D. H. Stallings of Doric Lodge was installation officer, with Past Master W. P. Jones, of St. John's, as marshal.
The new Master appointed Carl F. Bunting and W. B. Hanff as Deacons; Hardy Whitford and A. Block, Stewards; Warden Mr. Kafer, Tiler; and W. P. Jones, Chaplain.
Secretary Williams soon moved from the city, and F. M. Hahn was elected to succeed him. Among resolutions adopted in August were those upon the death of President Warren G. Harding, a brother Mason. Upon removal of Junior Warden Sol Lipman to Baltimore, Harry Lipman was elected in his place. D. L. Latta was named Secretary.
A successful district meeting was held here in November, 1923, with the two local lodges as hosts to Masons from many parts of this section.
In order to increase the attendance at Lodge meetings, Manager Kafer of the Masonic Theatre, suggested in January, 1924, that Worshipful Master Hibbard invite all members present to remain after the lodge sessions to
attend the moving picture shows then being given regularly in the theatre.
As a further stimulus for the lodge's educational activities, Past Master Boswell was appointed in February, 1924, Educational Secretary for the lodge.
LVIIIJOSEPH F. RHEM
Dr. Rhem died March 21, 1924, and resolutions drafted by a lodge committee composed of Past Masters Bradham, W. P. Jones and Dr. R. D. V. Jones paid high tribute to his Masonic record and work.
He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in St. John's Lodge, of which he was a Past Master; exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in New Bern Chapter, No. 46, of which he was High Priest; created and knighted a Knight Templar in St. John's Commandery, No. 10, New Bern, of which he became the Eminent Commander.
Among his offices were Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch of North Carolina; Past Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of North Carolina; Past Thrice Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of North Carolina; Past Potentate of Oasis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; Founder and Recorder of Sudan Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; Imperial Representative of Sudan Temple to the Imperial Council, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Past Worthy Patron, Order of the Eastern Star; Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina; Secretary of Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of New Bern; and Honorary Thirty-Third Degree Mason, Southern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry.
Besides being the “Daddy” of Sudan Temple, Dr. Rhem and his wife founded Craven Chapter, No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star. He also organized the Widows’ Fund of Sudan Temple. Though a native New Bernian, born here October 1, 1870, and a lifelong resident of this city, he was popularly known in Masonic circles throughout North Carolina and many other States.
His funeral was one of the largest ever held in New Bern. Pallbearers were Masonic brethren, and Arab Patrol and other fraternal groups attended in bodies. High Masonic honors were paid the deceased in committal rites at Cedar Grove cemetery.
Mr. Purser was elected Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge in June, 1924. Harry Lipman succeeded him as Senior Warden; J. L. Cason was made Junior Warden; H. C. Armstrong was retained as Treasurer; and L. L. Brinson was named Secretary.
In joint installation ceremonies with Doric Lodge, these officers assumed their respective roles; with T. Doe Street and Albert W. Brinson as Deacons; Hardy Whitford and L. R. Tucker Stewards; and Warden Mr. Kafer, Tiler.
A committee was authorized to try to get jewels for all Past Masters of the lodge. The chair officers were named on this committee.
Mr. Wicker gave other educational talks from time to time through the section. A large group of local members and visiting brothers heard him here at a district meeting on April 8, 1925. He was introduced by Representative Charles L. Abernethy. Also on the program was District Deputy Grand Master A. D. Brooks.
Another lecturer before the lodge was J. F. Marquette, who was presented with a fountain pen in appreciation for his services.
Mr. Dawson was again elected Master of the lodge in 1925. Mr. Lipman was reelected Senior Warden; Albert W. Brinson was made Junior Warden; and Messrs. Armstrong and Leslie Brinson were renamed to their posts.
Installation again took place in joint ceremony with Doric Lodge, E. W. Paul being installed as Worshipful Master of the latter organization. Past Master W. P. Jones and D. G. Smaw were appointed Deacons for St. John's Lodge; W. J. Caroon and Mr. Tucker, Stewards; and Thomas McGinn, Tiler.
LIX
JOINT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Mr. Paterson again became Worshipful Master in 1926. Mr. Lipman and A. W. Brinson were Wardens; Mr. Armstrong and Leslie Brinson kept their offices. All members were asked to sign a pledge of support to the new officers.
Albert T. Willis and Arnold R. Gehrkin were appointed Deacons; R. H. Smith and A. A. Kafer, Stewards; W. W. Gaskins, Marshal; Thomas McGinn, Tiler; and the Rev. N. H. D. Wilson, pastor of Centenary Methodist Church, Chaplain.
Past Master Dawson presented to the lodge a print of the original portrait of President George Washington painted in Masonic regalia by William Williams, who later lived and died in New Bern. The colored print was given to the lodge by the artist's grandsons, Charles A. Williams and J. F. Williams, of Charlotte. The secretary was instructed to write them a letter of thanks.
Mr. Bradham was again elected Master the next June. Mr. Cook and Albert W. Brinson were named Wardens; Mr. Armstrong and Leslie Brinson remained in their positions. Carl Bunting and M. Suskin were made Deacons, Mr. McGinn was reappointed Tiler; and W. H. Purser was named as Educational Secretary.
In 1928 Mr. Purser began a second term as Master; with A. W. Brinson and A. T. Willis, Wardens; J. C. Barker, Secretary; and Past Master and Treasurer T. A. Green again elected Treasurer. J. E. Wetherington and R. R. White were named Deacons; Mr. Tucker and W. C. Fulford, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
The Rev. Guy H. Madara, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, and a member of Mountain Lake Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Mountain Lake, N. J., extended an invitation to the local Masons to attend services at his church on St. John's Day. It was voted to meet at the church and attend in a body. Past Masters Green, Paterson, Purser and W. P. Jones were requested to notify the membership.
District Deputy Grand Master John H. Parker was received with grand honors at a meeting September 12, 1928.
He reported what had been accomplished at a meeting of district deputies held at Waynesville, and told of the Grand Master's plea for the Oxford Orphanage.
Cooperation was voted for the committees in charge of the historical celebration planned for June 11, 1929, in New Bern, especially in regard to sending eight members to participate as Colonial gentlemen to welcome President Washington to the city in the pageant, as members of the lodge had done in 1791. Later it was reported that the lodge did assist in every way possible, and that the pageant was a huge success.
Special Masonic services were again held for St. John's Day that year by Mr. Madara at Christ Church. Lodge members met at the church to attend in a body on Sunday morning, June 23.
Mr. Parker again was elected Master in that Summer's election, for a third time. Messrs. Willis and White were elected Wardens; Mr. Green and Mr. Barker were reelected. Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary John H. Anderson of Raleigh installed these officers, along with Doric Lodge officials. Mr. Anderson spoke on Masonry, and Mr. Green told of the history of the lodge.
L. W. Hartsell and Mr. Bunting were named St. John's Deacons; Messrs. Fulford and Tucker, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler. D. L. Latta was appointed Educational Secretary; and W. P. Jones, Chaplain.
For two weeks that Fall K. W. Winstead, Grand Lecturer, gave lectures here, particularly coaching the lodge officials. He was warmly praised for his aid. A letter of appreciation was written to him by Secretary Barker, at request of the lodge.
Members attended a birthday party given on January 10, 1930, by Doric Lodge, in honor of the 20th anniversary of Doric Lodge and the 158th anniversary of St. John's Lodge. A silver cup was given to the latter organization by the Doric members.
Secretary Barker was asked to write a letter of appreciation to the Doric Lodge. It was voted by St. John's Lodge to purchase a large metal container to keep the cup and all other relics and records owned by the lodge in the vault at the Masonic Temple.
Following appropriate engraving with suitable inscription, the large loving cup was presented to St. John's Lodge in April by Garrason A. Farrow, Worshipful Master of Doric Lodge, who also made a short talk on Masonry.
LXPAST MASTERS HONORED
Mr. Willis was elected Worshipful Master in 1930. Albert W. Brinson was made Senior Warden; L. W. Hartsell, Junior Warden; J. E. Boswell, Treasurer; and J. C. Barker, renamed Secretary.
Following a district meeting that June 21, with a lodge member, Past Master Paterson, then honored as a Grand Lodge officer, these new officers were installed by District Deputy Grand Master Parker. Carl F. Bunting was named Senior Deacon; W. C. Fulford, Junior Deacon; W. H. Purser and O. A. Kafer, Stewards; and McGinn, Tiler.
With the closing of the local banks that August, the treasury funds of $235.54 were tied up. The Secretary was asked to write to the Grand Secretary in regard to ways and means of paying the per capita tax.
For one of the few times, no collection for the Oxford Orphanage was taken at the communication held August 13. At the next meeting, however, the regular offering was taken, and several members made talks for the good of the order, emphasizing why Masonry should stand firm and united during such times of depression.
By the suggestion of the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary, the lodge paid on the per capita tax the difference between the amount in the bank and the sum owed to the Grand Lodge.
The first Past Masters’ Night was held that October 24, in honor of the lodge's oldest living Past Master, Thomas A. Green. After a few remarks as the presiding officer, Past Master Paterson turned the gavel over to Mr. Green. Other Past Masters filled other stations, and all made short talks. Mr. Green told of his Masonic experiences, and of the founding of the Oxford Orphanage, of which he had long served
as a trustee. J. C. Davis, Master of Doric Lodge, and other visitors also spoke briefly.
A joint meeting of the two lodges was called for the night after Christmas to pay tribute to Mr. Madara, who had resigned his local rectorate and was planning to take up new work in New York State. Mr. Farrow spoke for Doric Lodge, and Mr. Willis for St. John's Lodge. Mr. Madara responded. Others making remarks were District Deputy Grand Master Parker, Mr. Paterson of the Grand Lodge, R. C. Whitley and Mr. Davis of Doric Lodge.
A committee consisting of Mr. Parker as Chairman, W. P. Jones, Messrs. Hartsell and Willis was named to organize a degree team. About 15 members met in April for this purpose, and took steps in that direction. Grand Lecturer K. W. Winstead was engaged for lectures here during the first week of June.
Honor was paid on St. John's Day in 1931 to the three oldest lodge members: Past Master T. A. Green, admitted January 1, 1868, or 63 years previously; George Henderson, initiated January 6, 1869, or 62 years earlier; and U. S. Senator Furnifold M. Simmons, admitted in 1878, or 53 years previously.
Past Master R. D. V. Jones spoke of the long and honorable lives, both secular and Masonic, of the three members who had followed the plumb, square and level for so many years. Messrs. Green and Simmons told of their Masonic careers and the great part Masonry played in their lives.
Mr. Willis was installed for another year as Worshipful Master; with L. W. Hartsell and Carl F. Bunting, Wardens; J. E. Boswell and J. C. Barker reelected Treasurer and Secretary. W. C. Fulford and E. W. Summerell were named Deacons; W. H. Purser and O. A. Kafer, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
The District Deputy Grand Master, J. H. Parker, had charge of the installation ceremony, and made an interesting talk on the duties of the officers. Worshipful Master Willis thanked the lodge for honoring him again with the office.
Another special meeting was held in October, with wives and friends of the members invited to enjoy an educational program. Music was arranged by Elmer F. Prunier, and included several selections by a local chorus.
Henry Forrest spoke on Cooperative Farming in Denmark. Larry I. Moore, local attorney and a member of Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 284, who had been instrumental in the founding of Sudan Shrine Temple and who three years later affiliated with the local lodge, made the principal address. He explained Masonry's relation to the church. This was described as a very interesting program, much enjoyed by all.
A barbecue dinner was then served in Lowthrop Hall. The Master read several excerpts from the lodge's first minute book. Besides lodge members, there were 30 visiting Brothers and 33 women in attendance.
Again emphasizing educational and historical programs, in order to stimulate membership and attendance, Mr. Willis read an informative paper on Martin Howard, first Worshipful Master of the lodge, at a meeting in November. At a later meeting Graham A. Barden introduced a new member, E. F. c. Metz, for a talk.
The next February a joint meeting was held with Doric Lodge members to pay tribute to George Washington, whose birthday bi-centennial was being celebrated during 1932.
T. A. Green died the following July 7. He had been a member of St. John's Lodge for 64 years, probably a record never surpassed before or since, particularly when his services are counted. George Henderson died that Fall, after a 63-year membership.
Mr. Green was named Junior Deacon the first year of his membership, Senior Deacon the second year. In 1870 he was elected Junior Warden, and three years later held the same office again. During 1874 he was elected Senior Warden.
In 1880 he was made Lodge Treasurer, and was reelected to this office 24 times, holding it for 25 different years. For nine different terms he was Worshipful Master of the Lodge, including the years when the Masonic Temple was extensively remodeled.
Mr. Green used to say that his 23rd. year was his most important, for he then entered business for himself, got married and joined the Masonic lodge. He had been born in New Bern in June of 1846 and resided here all his life to his death at the age of 86.
Long interested in the Masonic orphanage at Oxford, he served as a director of the institution for about 30 years. For a number of years he was president of the New Bern Library Association, and for more than 35 years was a member of the local school board of trustees, 25 of these years serving as chairman.
First captain of the Atlantic fire company and chief of the New Bern fire department, he served as second president of the North Carolina State Firemen's Association and for eleven years was the State Treasurer of this organization.
For 40 years he was chairman of the board of stewards of Centenary Methodist Church, and for a score of years was superintendent of the Sunday school. While Master of St. John's Lodge, at about the same time he was directing the remodeling of the Masonic Temple, he aided with the erection of the new Centenary Methodist Church, and was one of four men who personally assumed the remaining obligations on the edifice when it was dedicated October 22, 1905.
LXIMEMORIAL TABLET ERECTED
The period of the industrial depression was a difficult time for the lodge. However, Worshipful Master Willis and other officers labored earnestly to hold the interest of the members and attract new members to the organization. The sum of $5 was donated to Craven Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, for the organization of a Rainbow Division for girls.
L. W. Hartsell was elected the next Worshipful Master, in December, 1932, Mr. Willis having served several months longer than the usual year's term, in order to have officers elected thereafter during the last month of the calendar year rather than during June. Carl F. Bunting and W. C. Fulford were named Wardens; J. Ebero Boswell was reelected Treasurer; and Albert L. Hibbard was made Secretary. They were installed December 28, with J. C. Barker as Senior Deacon and Thomas McGinn as Tiler.
A district meeting was held April 4, 1933. District Deputy Grand Master J. E. English made a talk at the meeting here on April 12.
The sum of $250 was presented to the lodge that June by Mrs. Bertha Sloan of Boston, as provided in the will of her husband, the late Dr. Earl S. Sloan, manufacturer of Sloan's Liniment, who had resided near New Bern for some time. In turning over the sum to the lodge, officers stated it was to be used in the care of children of indigent members. The Secretary was instructed to write a letter of thanks to Mrs. Sloan. A trust fund was set up with the money. Another $250 was received from Mrs. Sloan in 1934 and added to the fund.
Mr. Bunting was elected Master of the lodge in December, 1933. Past Master Purser became Senior Warden, and Elisha H. Bunting, brother of the new Master and a new lodge member, was elected Junior Warden. Messrs. Boswell and Hibbard were retained in their respective posts. Dr. Charles B. Johnson and L. R. Orringer were appointed Deacons; L. R. Tucker and Thomas O. Moore, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
Caleb Davis Bradham, who served three terms as Lodge Master, died in February, the funeral being held here February 20. He had filled with distinction almost every chair in the Scottish and York Bodies of Masonry, attaining the 32nd. degree of Scottish Rite and acting as Grand Commander in the York Rite. He had served as Provincial Grand Master of the Order of Colonial Masters of North America, Recorder of Sudan Shrine Temple, Eminent Commander of St. John's Commandery, and Master Kadosh of Carolina Consistory No. 3.
Of Welsh and Scotch-Irish descent, his Bradham and McCann ancestors were among the early settlers in North Carolina. He was born May 27, 1867, at Chinquapin in Duplin County. After attending the University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland, he came to New Bern in 1890 as a public school teacher, then entered the drug business. He was the originator and manufacturer of Pepsi-Cola, and served as president of the Pepsi-Cola manufacturing company here, as well as president of the Bradham Drug Company and the Peoples Bank. For a time he was chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners, and was even suggested for the Governorship of North Carolina. He was a member of the Society of
Cincinnati, and served as exalted ruler of the New Bern Elks Lodge.
For 25 years he was in the Naval Reserve. In 1898 he was named a Lieutenant in the North Carolina Naval Militia, advanced to Commander in 1904, and in 1913 to Captain. During 1914 he was appointed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to the General Naval Militia Board. When he retired, he had the rank of Rear Admiral.
The funeral was held from the First Presbyterian Church, of which he was long an active member. Masonic rites were administered at the graveside in Cedar Grove cemetery. Pallbearers were from St. John's Lodge, with which Mr. Bradham had affiliated in 1892.
During the year 1934 Judge Shepard Bryan of Atlanta, Ga., who had been a member of the local lodge, presented a handsome bronze tablet commemorating the 150th anniversary of the lodge. Past Master John H. Parker was named chairman of a committee, with the assistance of D. L. Latta, to place the marker.
Oscar A. Kafer reported soon afterwards on progress of erecting the cornerstone taken from the old Masonic building, and he was asked to continue his work along that line. W. B. Duncan of the Murch Construction Company, engaged here then in constructing the new Federal building and post-office, donated the stone for the purpose.
Robert F. Smallwood, local architect, who was architect for the Federal building, designed the attractive base of granite, concrete and limestone for the original marble cornerstone.
When placed at the entrance of the Masonic Theatre, the cornerstone was given this inscription: “This original corner stone was laid in the Northeast Corner of This Masonic Temple April 15th, 1801, By St. John's Lodge No. 3, First Chartered January 10th, 1772.”
Interest of the lodge and its members in education was retained, as proved by the fact that Past Master Purser represented the organization at a meeting held in Griffin Auditorium of the New Bern schools in November for the purpose of arousing more local interest in education. Mr. Purser made a talk in behalf of educational progress.
Mr. Bunting was reelected Master that December; with Elisha Bunting elevated to the post of Senior Warden and Dr. Johnson to that of Junior Warden. Messrs. Boswell and Hibbard were reelected. These were installed January 9, 1935, with E. W. Summerell and W. C. Fulford, Deacons; Past Master Cook and O. A. Kafer, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
Worshipful Master E. F. Menius of Doric Lodge and others made talks at the installation ceremony. After the business and program, the members and their guests repaired to Lowthrop Hall for refreshments.
The memorial tablet given by Judge Bryan was presented to the lodge by Past Master Parker. Master Bunting appointed Messrs. Kafer, Cook and Parker on a committee to have the marker suitably erected. After due consideration it was decided by the committee to place the marker at the outside entrance of the Masonic Theatre. A. T. Willis and Messrs. Purser and Hibbard were named on a committee to write a letter of thanks to Judge Bryan for his gift.
This marker bears this inscription, with the Masonic symbol:
A. F. & A. M.
1772 1922
As a Memorial of the One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, on January 10, 1772.
Also to Commemorate the Reception by the Members of this Lodge of Worshipful Brother George Washington With Masonic Honors on his Visit to New Bern in 1791.
Officers
1772
Martin Howard, Master
Joseph Leech, Sr. Warden
Richard Cogdell, Jr. Warden
Thomas Halsen, Treas.
William Brimage, Sec.
1922
C. Whit Gaskins, Master
J. E. Boswell, Sr. Warden
J. M. Batson, Jr. Warden
R. B. Williams, Sec.
T. A. Green, Treas.*
J. L. Cason, Sr. Deacon
A. L. Hibbard, Jr. Deacon
1934
Carl F. Bunting, Master
W. H. Purser, Sr. Warden
E. H. Bunting, Jr. Warden.
J. E. Boswell, P. M., Treas.
A. L. Hibbard, P. M., Sec.
C. B. Johnson, Sr. Deacon
Leon R. Orringer, Jr. Deacon
This Tablet is the Gift of Shepard Bryan of Atlanta, Ga. Erected 5934 A. L.
LXIIDISTRICT MEETINGS
A special joint communication of the two local lodges was held June 27, with a large attendance at a district meeting. At the invitation of District Deputy Grand Master Frank R. Sutton of New Bern, Grand Master Charles Newcombe and Grand Secretary John H. Anderson made talks. A musical program with refreshments was enjoyed afterwards.
Elisha H. Bunting was the next Worshipful Master, with Dr. Johnson and Mr. Summerell as Wardens. Mr. Purser became Treasurer, and Mr. Hibbard was renamed Secretary. Alfred A. Kafer, Jr., was made Senior Deacon; J. T. Beard, Junior Deacon; Messrs. Cook and O. A. Kafer, Stewards; Mr. McGinn, Tiler; W. P. Jones, Chaplain; Mr. Parker, Educational Secretary; and H. J. Carpenter, Auditing Committee Chairman.
Another meeting of the Seventh District was held here July 28, 1936. The Grand Secretary, Mr. Anderson, was introduced by District Deputy Grand Master Sutton.
* Mr. Green had resigned in 1914 as Lodge Treasurer, after serving 23 years in the position, but accepted the office again in 1928 and 1929. Sol Lipman was Lodge Treasurer in 1922.Mr. Hibbard brought to a meeting the next November an old record book found in the basement of the former National Bank of New Berne, showing the organization of the North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company in New Bern. These handwritten minutes were turned over to Mr. Kafer to be placed in the lodge files.
Dr. Johnson succeeded Mr. Bunting as Worshipful Master; with Messrs. Summerell and A. A. Kafer, Jr., Wardens. Messrs. Purser and Hibbard were reelected. Messrs. Beard and W. B. Hanff were made Deacons; O. A. Kafer and Mr. Cook, Stewards; McGinn, Tiler; Mr. Jones, Chaplain; Mr. Carpenter, Auditor; Mr. Parker, Educational Secretary; O. A. Kafer, Chairman of the Orphanage Committee; and E. H. Bunting, Chairman of the Sick and Visiting Committee.
Later Harry Lipman and John B. Green were named Deacons, to fill the places vacated by Messrs. Beard and Hanff. A publicity committee was named, composed of George D. Vick, Mr. Hibbard and Otis M. Banks.
Past Grand Steward Harry Linney of the Grand Lodge of Canada visited the lodge that Winter and gave interesting talks on Masonry. During subsequent Winters he also visited the city and attended communications of the local group.
A joint meeting of the two New Bern lodges held here September 16, 1937, paid tribute to the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Representative Graham A. Barden of Doric Lodge was the chief speaker, telling of the Constitution and the influence of Masonry on it.
Another special joint communication was held September 23 in the form of a district meeting. Past Master John W. Overman of Doric Lodge presented Grand Master Watson N. Sherrod of Enfield and Past Grand Master Anderson, then Grand Secretary, of the Grand Lodge. Talks were made by the two visiting officers, the Grand Master speaking on Masonry in North Carolina and the Grand Secretary on Masonry in Europe. Also on the program was Grand Lecturer P. C. Stott, who made a short talk of instruction.
Mr. Summerell was elevated to the office of Master of the lodge for the following year. Alfred A. Kafer, Jr., was
elected Senior Warden; Harry Lipman, Junior Warden; Messrs. Purser and Hibbard were renamed to their posts. J. B. Green and J. A. Gaskins were appointed Deacons; Morris S. Bray and L. F. Wetherington, Stewards; Mr. McGinn was renamed Tiler, and Mr. Jones, Chaplain.
One of the largest attended meetings in years was held that January 12, when 15 Past Masters were honored. Among the honor guests were Grand Master Sherrod and Deputy Grand Master Harry T. Paterson of the Grand Lodge, District Deputy Grand Master Sutton of the Seventh District and District Deputy Grand Master R. T. Daniel of the Fourth District.
New officers were installed for the ensuing year, with Messrs. Sherrod and Paterson in charge of the installation ceremonies. Past Master's jewels were presented to George Green, Dr. R. D. V. Jones, W. P. Jones, J. B. Dawson, J. H. Parker, H. T. Paterson, Allie Cook, J. E. Boswell, A. L. Hibbard, W. H. Purser, Albert T. Willis, L. W. Hartsell, Carl F. Bunting, E. H. Bunting and Dr. C. B. Johnson. Mr. Parker spoke for the Past Masters, and George Green and others also made brief remarks. A supper was served by members of the Eastern Star Chapter.
Extensive improvements at the Masonic Temple were then being completed, at cost of approximately $6,000. Pavement for parking spaces was laid on the outside of the building, and an Egyptian motif was carried out effectively in interior redecorations to be in keeping with the age of the theatre and to harmonize with Masonic rituals there.
Raleigh T. Daniel, of Weldon and New Bern, a prominent Mason and Shriner, who frequently had charge of class lectures at the semi-annual Scottish Rite reunions, supervised the work on both the exterior and interior. Started the second week of October, 1937, the projects took more than three months.
Caligari and Son, of Norfolk and Richmond, held the contract for murals and other interior decorations. Mural paintings represented an extensive excavation of a religious civilization in ancient Egypt. Below the wainscot cap, along the walls of the theatre auditorium, were portrayals of an old tomb interior, with ancient idols and statues.
Rocks were painted realistically, with suggested entrances to other tombs.
Above the wainscot cap was depicted a variety of typical Egyptian scenes above the ground level—pyramids, sphinx, obelisks, temples, ruins, columns and palm trees. These were in numerous colors, painted on canvas arranged with textone effect on Masonite boards. They were recessed attractively, with three shaped columns standing in front. Indirect lighting was used. In the main part of the auditorium white and blue lights were installed, with rose walls.
As a gift from the Caligari Studios, a huge portrait of a venerable patriarch, signifying the Masonic principle of “Silence,” was hung over the stairway to be seen when members of the fraternity left their lodge rooms on the third floor of the temple.
LXIIIMASONIC SHRINE STONE
When it was brought to the attention of St. John's members in 1938 that some person or organization had supplied a piece of marble designated as “Stone No. 315” for the Masonic Memorial Shrine at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and said it was from the original steps of the local Masonic Temple, the three chair officers were requested to investigate.
Master Summerell, Senior Warden Kafer and Junior Warden Lipman conducted an investigation. They found that no marble had ever been used at any time in the original temple with the exception of the corner stone, that the original steps were of red sand stone, later replaced with granite. And they learned that the marble “Stone No. 315” had been purchased from stock of the New Bern Monumental Works.
Under resolutions passed that October, as offered by the officers, it was agreed that since the marble had no actual historical value and was in no way connected with the Masonic temple,
“Now therefore be it resolved, that St. John's Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M., of New Bern, North Carolina, truly realizing
the tremendous historical significance of this Masonic Memorial at the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and realizing the great amount of sincere thought and effort to build it, as well as its meritorious motive, St. John's Lodge No. 3, with all of its authentic history behind it, cannot and does not desire to become a party to this misrepresentation, as this one spurious ‘Stone No. 315’ would destroy the entire Masonic historical value and significance of all of the stones embodied in this great Masonic Shrine.
“And be it further resolved, that St. John's Lodge No. 3 petition Past Grand Master T. Troy Wyche, of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of North Carolina, and the authorities having the care of the Masonic Shrine at the entrance to Great Smoky National Park, to allow St. John's Lodge No. 3 to furnish a block of red sand stone taken from the original steps at St. John's Lodge Building, which are still in use on the building, to be installed in place and stead of the said unauthentic Stone No. 315.”
Upon receiving Mr. Wyche's approval for this plan, the lodge the next month appointed a committee consisting of O. A. Kafer as chairman and the three chair officers to carry out the proposal to send the red stone marker from the local temple steps for use in the Masonic shrine.
Collections for the Oxford Orphanage taken at each meeting amounted to substantial sums during the year. Receipt of another $250 from the Sloan estate was reported to raise this fund to $1,500. The amount of $20 from the trust fund's interest was spent that Christmas to bring Christmas cheer to a New Bern family. The Lodge Secretary's salary was restored to $100 per year. To aid in outfitting a room, $25 was contributed to the Good Shepherd Hospital for Negroes here.
The Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Secretary Hibbard were named on a committee to draft plans with the aid of a similar committee from Doric Lodge for a district meeting called for June 24 by District Deputy Grand Master Sutton. On a committee to work with a similar group from the other local lodge were appointed Master Summerell, Morris S. Bray and Paul B. Ellis to arrange for
a picnic August 24 at Atlantic Beach for all Masons and their families.
An unusually well-attended meeting was held October 21 when St. John's and Doric Lodges met in special joint session to raise F. C. William J. Arthur of St. John's Lodge. The lecture was delivered by Judge Henry A. Grady, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1919-20, “who in his usual very effective and dramatic manner kept the more than 200 brethren most interested. Short talks were made by several of the brethren and all were of the opinion that this meeting had been very beneficial to the Craft.” A barbecue supper was served at Lowthrop Hall. Many Masons from nearby towns were among those present.
On December 14 A. A. Kafer, Jr., was elected Worshipful Master. Mr. Lipman was advanced to the office of Senior Warden. James A.Gaskins was made Junior Warden. Past Masters Purser and Hibbard were reelected Treasurer and Secretary.
Morris Bray, chairman of the Orphanage Committee, reported a total of $83 donated by the lodge as its Thanks-giving offering. A letter of appreciation was read from the Rev. C. K. Proctor, orphanage superintendent, especially thanking Mr. Bray for his personal work in raising this money.
The new officers were installed January 11, 1939, by Past Master J. H. Parker. Also installed were G. N. Mitchell, Senior Deacon; Laurence A. Stith, Junior Deacon; Louis N. Howard and R. R. White, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler. Past Master W. P. Jones was appointed Chaplain, and Mr. Captenter, Auditor. O. A. Kafer was named chairman of the Orphanage Committee, and Mr. Summerell, chairman of the Sick and Visiting Committee. A Past Master's jewel was presented to the retiring Master by Mr. Parker.
LXIVHARRY T. Paterson
Harry Thomas Paterson, Past Master and still a member of St. John's Lodge, who had ascended to the office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in
1938 after moving his residence from New Bern to Wilmington, was the principal speaker at a meeting of the local lodge April 12, 1939.
In an interesting and instructive talk on the history of Masonry in North Carolina, during which he specifically called attention to leading parts played by New Bernians, he read an article which was ordered attached to the lodge minutes, copied from the North Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligencer published here December 21-28, 1764, showing that a Masonic lodge existed in New Bern during that year, probably being held under “immemorial custom” and being “healed” by Joseph Montfort's warrant in 1772.
Mr. Paterson was the seventh member of St. John's Lodge to serve this State as Grand Master. He had been active in local Masonic circles since May 14, 1914. Three years later he was elected Worshipful Master. In 1926 he was elected for a second term. While a member of this Lodge, he was named to the Grand Lodge roster in 1929 and he retained his local membership while serving in the various Grand Lodge offices. Not until February 28, 1940, did he receive a demit from the local group to join St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of Wilmington.
Born at Newport, Ky., on September 7, 1874, son of William Alexander Paterson and Alice Clemens Paterson, he studied engineering at Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, Ind., from 1892 to 1895, and two years later took a special course at the Missouri School of Mines at Rolla, Mo.
After residing at Colorado Springs, Col., where he was employed by the City and County Engineers and by the Street Railway Company, he served during the early part of 1902 with a location party on the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. In October of that year he entered the service of the Federal Government as an assistant engineer in the Reclamation Service.
While he was in this service he was engaged in surveys along the Colorado River, traveling more than 200 miles on that river in a rowboat from a point near the present
Boulder Dam. He also participated in other surveys and construction projects in the western part of the country.
In July, 1907, he obtained a transfer to the U. S. Engineer Department, with headquarters at Wilmington, N. C. His first assignment was the survey and construction of the Inland Waterway from Neuse River to Beaufort Harbor. He then resided at Beaufort. He joined Franklin Masonic Lodge, No. 109, obtaining a demit from El Paso Lodge, No. 13, which he had joined in 1900 at Colorado Springs.
Upon finishing his Inland Waterway assignment in 1910, he was put in charge of all river and harbor works in the northern part of the Wilmington engineering district, with New Bern as his residence and headquarters. When the New Bern office was closed in 1932 he was recalled to the office of the District Army Engineer at Wilmington.
A charter member of the New Bern Lodge of Perfection, No. 6, he served as principal officer in all the New Bern Scottish Rite Bodies, and acted as Director of Work during the entire time he lived in this city. He was made Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1915 and an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third degree in 1923. During 1930 and 1931 he served as Marshal of the Camp of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.
Becoming a member of Oasis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in 1911, he was a leading spirit in the establishment of Sudan Temple, of which he became a charter member. For five years he served as Director on the Sudan divan, and for ten years he was a member of the Patrol. In 1930 and 1931 he was Assistant Recorder.
After first becoming a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Colorado Springs, he became Exalted Ruler of New Bern Lodge, No. 764, and President of the North Carolina State Elks Association. In the Grand Lodge of Elks he served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1928 and 1929, and as a member of the Ritualistic Committee in 1930. The next year he was elected Grand Inner Guard.
For Capitular Masonry, Mr. Paterson was High Priest of Concord Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, at Wilmington
OUTSTANDING LODGE LEADERSA. T. JERKINS
C. C. CLARK
H. T. PATERSON
J. F. RHEM
33RD DEGREE SCOTTISH RITE MASONS
THOMAS A. HENRY
JOHN H. PARKER
WILLIAM P. JONES
ALLIE COOK
Dr. J. F. Rhem and H. T. Paterson, local Lodge members, were also 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Masons.
in 1939. Having received the degrees of Cryptic Masonry in Munson Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters, at Wilmington, on March 14, 1938, he was its Thrice Illustrious Master in 1940. He was knighted in Plantagenet Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, at Wilmington, and in 1940 served as its Eminent Commander.
The local lodge passed a resolution of respect to its former member and Master upon his death January 1, 1943, of a heart attack. Of him it was written by a Masonic brother for the Grand Lodge proceedings:
“His passing has caused distinct loss to all branches of our order. He was a loving husband, a kind father, a conscientious man possessing high ideals and sincere purposes, a man of deep religious convictions, sincere in his beliefs, devoted to his church, and interested in those movements which are for the elevation of his fellow men. Charting the course of his life with wisdom, he pressed with unswerving determination to serve his fellows. We have never known a man who was more warmly attached to his real friends or who would make greater efforts to serve their best interest.”
After serving during the year as Worshipful Master and cooperating in the holding of a district meeting here on November 3, Mr. Kafer retired from the office in December and was followed by Harry Lipman. Installed with Mr. Lipman December 27 were Mr. Mitchell, Senior Warden; Mr. Stith, Junior Warden; J. M. Spivey, Senior Deacon; Rembert R. Rivenbark, Junior Deacon; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler. Past Master Summerell was installed as Secretary, succeeding Past Master Hibbard, and Past Master Purser was kept as Treasurer. Mr. Hibbard acted as the Installing Officer, and John B. Green as Marshal.
Short talks were made by the new officers, all of whom promised their best efforts for the year. A brief address was also made by District Deputy Grand Master James Ipock, of Ionic Lodge, No. 583, of Cove City, who commended the lodges of the seventh district for their cooperation.
The new Worshipful Master, Mr. Lipman, announced the appointment of Past MasterW. P. Jones as Chaplain;
Past Master J. B. Dawson as Educational Secretary; and Morris Bray as Chairman of the Oxford Orphanage Committee.
At the first meeting in January Worshipful Master Lipman named William J. Ipock and Dr. William I. Gause as Stewards for the year. Past Master Purser presented a Past Master's jewel to Past Master Kafer. A talk was made by Mr. Dawson, the Educational Secretary.
Mr. Lipman and several members assisted with the conferring of the Fellow Craft degree on January 15 at Franklin Lodge, No. 109, at Beaufort.
LXVTWENTY-FIVE YEAR CERTIFICATES
At a meeting dedicated to Past Masters on November 20, 1940, with Worshipful Master Lipman in charge, certificates were presented to members who had been affiliated with the fraternity for 25 years or more.
These certificates were awarded to ten members in person by Past Master Parker, and Secretary Summerell was instructed to mail similar certificates to 11 members unable to be present that evening. All those in attendance made interesting talks on their experiences in the order.
In the various stations for this program were the following Past Masters: Mr. Parker, Master; Mr. Boswell, Senior Warden; Mr. Cook, Junior Warden; Mr. Purser, Treasurer; Mr. Summerell, Secretary; C. F. Bunting, Senior Deacon; E. H. Bunting, Junior Deacon; Mr. Hibbard, Chaplain; Dr. Johnson and Warden Mr. Kafer, Stewards.
During the annual district meeting, attended by many members from a number of neighboring lodges, on the preceding October 29, with District Deputy Grand Master Ipock presiding and Assistant Grand Secretary William R. Smith as chief speaker, a 50-year button was presented to L. G. Hinnant of Doric Lodge and 25-year certificates were given to 41 members of Doric Lodge.
Earlier in the year a tribute was paid to Past Master George Green, then the oldest member of St. John's Lodge.
Past Master Parker spoke highly of Mr. Green in a talk on the progress being made by the lodge along various lines. Secretary Summerell was requested to send a box of cigars to Mr. Green as a gift from the organization.
One of the oldest lodge members, Former U. S. Senator Furnifold McLendel Simmons, died that year, and the following resolution of respect was adopted by the lodge, upon presentation of a special committee consisting of L. A. Stith and Past Masters Purser and Summerell:
“That whereas, at a regular communication of St. John's Lodge, Number Three, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Lowthrop Hall, New Bern, North Carolina, on the 8th day of May, 1940, expressions of sorrow at the passing of our brother, Furnifold McLendel Simmons, were heard from the Worshipful Master and members of the Lodge and the undersigned were appointed a committee to prepare a resolution expressing the same in order that it might be spread upon the permanent records of the Lodge and a copy sent to the family of our deceased brother.
“And whereas, said Furnifold McLendel Simmons was initiated an entered apprentice in St. John's Lodge, Number Three, on April 3, 1878, and was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on May 28, 1878, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on July 15, 1878, and was for many years thereafter an active and devoted member of St. John's Lodge, as was evidenced by his active service to the Lodge in the years of his younger manhood and his retention of membership therein during the latter years of his life.
“And whereas, he not only won the devotion of the membership of St. John's Lodge throughout the long period from his initiation therein until his departure from earthly existence because he was a true and faithful brother among us, because of his untiring and conscientious service to our community, our State and our Nation as a public servant in many high offices that were conferred upon him by an appreciative citizenry; and because during the performance of his duties he consistently held before him the ideal of complete service to those who had reposed in him their greatest trust and confidence and never surrendered his principles in order to purchase popular approval, but from
the beginning of his career until its end won and justly deserved the commendation of all who knew him that there was a man who abided in the faith that his convictions were right and lived and died a just and upright man and Mason.
“Now, therefore, the members of St. John's Lodge, Number Three, do by these presents express their deep and profound regret at the passing of our distinguished brother in full realization that we, together with our community, the State of North Carolina and our great nation, have been thereby deprived of a faithful member, a great man and citizen and an honorable and able public servant, the record of whose service will be to us an ever present reminder of a great and noble life spent in the service of principles which we cherish.
“Let this resolution be recorded and a copy thereof sent to the family of our departed brother in token of sympathy for the great loss that is theirs.
“This May 22, 1940.
“St. John's Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M.
By L. A. Stith
W. H. Purser, P. M.
E. W. Summerell, P. M.
Committee.”
LXVIMEMORIAL PROGRAM
At a special communication of St. John's Lodge on December 3, 1941, tribute was paid to three outstanding members who had passed away during the year: Past Master W. P. Jones, Past Master George Green and Dr. Z. V. Parker.
The meeting was opened in due form by Past Master J. H. Parker in the East. Other Past Masters occupied the other stations, as follows: Mr. Boswell as Senior Warden; Mr. Cook, Junior Warden; Mr. Purser, Treasurer; Mr. Kafer, Secretary; C. F. Bunting and E. H. Bunting, Deacons; Mr. Hibbard, Chaplain; and Dr. Johnson and Mr. Summerell, Stewards.
Mr. Parker spoke in eulogy of the three departed brethren. Mr. Hibbard added words of tribute for Past Master Jones, and presented a picture of him to be placed in Lowthrop Hall, in accordance with a recent lodge decision to try to obtain framed photographs of all Past Masters of the lodge. Past Masters J. B. Dawson, Hibbard and Kafer had been appointed on a committee to obtain these pictures.
William Powell Jones, long a local furniture dealer, was initiated in Masonry October 22, 1906, passed November 16, 1906, and raised to the degree of Master Mason January 11, 1907. For two years he served as Junior Warden, in 1911 was elected Senior Warden, and the next year was named Worshipful Master. For 16 years he served as Chaplain.
In 1919 he was honored by being named Knight Commander of the Court of Honor of Scottish Rite Masonry, and in 1923 received the highest degree any Mason can obtain, the coveted 33rd degree. He was also a member of the York Rite bodies, and a member of the Eastern Star, serving for nine years as Worthy Patron. He was buried with Masonic honors.
Mr. Green was the oldest surviving Past Master when he died June 17. He was also interred with Masonic honors. Initiated March 29, 1895, he was passed April 10 and raised May 22 of that year. Two years afterwards he was elected Junior Warden, the following year was named Senior Warden, and the next year became Worshipful Master.
For more than 40 years Mr. Green was Deputy Clerk of Federal Court here. He was the first secretary of the New Bern Chamber of Commerce, for many years was secretary of the East Carolina Fair Association, and for more than 35 years served as secretary of the annual meeting of stockholders of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company. In 1881 he was a member of the State House of Representatives, and during 1887 and 1889 was a member of the State Senate.
Besides serving as a member of the Board of City Aldermen and secretary-treasurer of the New Bern Mutual Fire Insurance Company, he was a Past Exalted Ruler of the New Bern Lodge, No. 764, Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, and Past Grand Patriarch of the Odd Fellows in North Carolina.
Dr. Parker, who passed away October 18, had been a lodge member 30 years, having joined in 1911. Born in 1878 in Jones County, he long served professionally in New Bern as a prominent dentist. An active officer of the First Baptist Church, he was highly regarded for his civic enterprise and religious leadership.
During the year of 1941 Gerald N. Mitchell was Worshipful Master of the Lodge; with Mr. Stith as Senior Warden; J. M. Spivey, Jr., Junior Warden; Past Master Purser, Treasurer; and Past Master Kafer, Secretary.
When they were installed January 8 by Past Master Purser with Past Master Boswell as Marshal, Mr. Rivenbark was installed as Senior Deacon; Dr. Gause, Junior Deacon; William J. Ipock, Senior Steward; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
Dr. William Hollister was unable to serve as Junior Steward because of the pressing duties of his medical profession, and John T. Hollister, Jr., was later appointed to fill out his unexpired term. Past Master J. H. Parker was named Chaplain.
Lodge members cooperated that May when five State organizations of York Rite Masons met here May 11-13. A most successful gathering was held. Mr. Farrow acted as general chairman of arrangements, and was named Herald of the Order of High Priesthood.
Mr. Farrow, Past Master of Doric Lodge, was endorsed by St. John's Lodge as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and was duly appointed to this position in the seventh district. He held a district meeting August 20 with Franklin Lodge, No. 109, as host at Beaufort.
The thanks of the lodge was voted in September to the Jewel Box, a new local business establishment, which gave an American flag to the organization.
When Scottish Rite Masons in the Valley of New Bern assembled for their Fall reunion during the last part of November three new sets of scenery, made and installed by Louis Volland and his brother, of St. Louis, specialists
in the painting and use of such scenery, were used for the first time, together with reconditioned older scenery and equipment. This scenery and new lighting effects occasioned many favorable comments.
LXVIIWORLD WAR II
Laurence A. Stith was elevated from the post of Senior Warden to the office of Worshipful Master in December, 1941, and was installed the following month.
Past Master Summerell was elected Senior Warden; and Dr. Gause, Junior Warden. Past Master Kafer was retained as Secretary, and Past Master Purser as Treasurer.
District Deputy Grand Master Farrow installed the new officers, and the retiring Master, Mr. Mitchell, served as Marshal. Myer Hahn was appointed Senior Deacon; Mr. Ipock, Junior Deacon; R. R. White and Mr. Hollister, Stewards.
A Past Master's jewel was presented to the retiring Master by Mr. Spivey, the retiring Junior Warden. Secretary Kafer was instructed to invest $675 of lodge funds to purchase $900 worth of War Savings Bonds.
An educational committee was appointed, consisting of Past Master Mitchell, chairman, John G. Dunn, Jr., and Mr. Hollister. O. A. Kafer was requested to confer with Doric Lodge representatives in regard to a program here by the singing class of Oxford Orphanage.
At a regular communication March 11 Junior Grand Deacon William J. Bundy of Greenville was introduced and accorded the Grand Honors. An invitation was received from the Eastern Star to attend the chapter's public installation of officers. Assistant Grand Lecturer P. C. Stott, of Wendell, was a visitor in April. Messrs. Stith, Summerell and Gause were named representatives to the Grand Lodge meeting that month in Raleigh.
District Deputy Grand Master Farrow was elected an honorary member of St. John's Lodge May 27. He had often attended the meetings of the organization. Present also
at that time was another frequent visitor, Mr. Bundy, of Greenville Lodge, No. 284, then Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge. At a meeting June 10 Mr. Farrow was given a certificate of his honorary membership in the lodge.
Because of business duties, Past Master Summerell resigned as Senior Warden, and by special dispensation from the Grand Master a special election was held, resulting in the election of Mr. Spivey to the office. He was installed at the next regular meeting July 8 by District Deputy Grand Master Farrow.
On December 9 Mr. Spivey was elected Worshipful Master, to succeed Mr. Stith. Dr. Gause was promoted to Senior Warden. Mr. Hahn was elected Junior Warden. Past Masters Purser and Kafer were renamed to their respective positions.
These officers were installed at a Past Masters’ Night program December 30. Past Master Parker acted as Master and Installing Officer, and Past Master E. H. Bunting as Marshal. Mr. Ipock and Mr. White were installed as Deacons; Past Master Stith, Chaplain; Mr. Hollister and John B. Derrickson, Stewards; and Mr. McGinn, Tiler.
The Past Master's jewel was presented to Mr. Stith by Past Master Mitchell. The new Master appointed Dr. Gause as a news reporter for the lodge. Several officers made short talks, and refreshments were served in Lowthrop Hall after the business.
Because the Oxford Orphanage singing class was unable to give concerts that year due to war conditions, a special committee was named to solicit funds for the institution. Past Master Lipman was appointed chairman, and other committee members were Past Master E. H. Bunting, R. R. White, J. B. Derrickson and W. E. Carawan.
Worshipful Master Spivey, Senior Warden Gause and Junior Warden Hahn were elected representatives to the Grand Lodge. At a meeting April 28 Mr. Hahn reported on the Grand Lodge meeting.
That July Past Master Boswell presented the lodge with two $25 war bonds, donated by A. Block, a lodge member.
This gift was accepted, and Mr. Boswell was asked to write Mr. Block a note of thanks.
A visitor during August was Sol Lipman, a Past Master of a Masonic Lodge, who had served as Treasurer of St. John's Lodge in 1920, 1921 and 1922. He said it had been 18 years since he had attended a local lodge meeting, and expressed pleasure at being able to be present.
During this World War II period a number of Masons and members of their families joined America's armed forces or civilian defense rolls, patriotically buying bonds and otherwise supporting their government in many ways in their desire to help bring an Allied victory as soon as possible, just as other Masons had likewise aided their country win earlier wars.
Signal honors for two members of the lodge came during October, 1943. The thirty-third degree was conferred upon Past Master Allie Cook, and the degree of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor was conferred upon Past Master Alfred A. Kafer, lodge Secretary.
Dr. Gause was elevated to the office of Worshipful Master of the lodge at a regular meeting of the organization here on the night of December 8. Myer Hahn was elected Senior Warden, and William J. Ipock, Junior Warden. Past Master Kafer was reelected Secretary, and Past Master Purser, Treasurer.
At the last meeting of the lodge during the year 1943 plans were made for these new leaders and the appointive officers to be installed in their respective positions on Wednesday night, January 5, 1944, with Past Master J. B. Dawson as the installing officer and Past Master J. E. Boswell as the Marshal.
LXVIIIOUTSTANDING LODGE RECORD
Probably no Masonic Lodge in the entire world has a more outstanding record of long and distinguished service than has St. John's Lodge, No. 3, of New Bern.
For 172 years, almost a century and three-quarters, its leaders have been important in the religious, educational,
patriotic, military, fraternal, and industrial history of their town, State and nation. And their collective accomplishments through organization endeavors are worthy of justifiable pride on the part of members today.
Two Presidents of the United States have honored the Lodge with personal messages in response to Masonic addresses of welcome extended them upon visits to this city. President George Washington offered “a sincere prayer for your present and future happiness”; and President James Monroe praised “the increasing harmony, in the public opinion, proceeding from those great causes, which you have noticed, and which it is so consistent with the benevolent principles of your society to cherish.”
Three Governors of North Carolina have been affiliated with the local Lodge: Richard Caswell, Abner Nash and Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr. Seven members of the Lodge have risen to the high office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina: Caswell, Spaight, Judge John Louis Taylor, Robert Williams, Alonzo T. Jerkins, Charles C. Clark and Harry T. Paterson.
Not many lodges can claim the honor of including a nobleman on its rolls. Marquis De Bretigney, French nobleman who commanded North Carolina Cavalry at the Battle of Guilford Court House during the last part of the Revolutionary War, attended most of the lodge meetings here during 1787.
With the distinction of having been chartered by Col. Joseph Montfort, “the first and only Grand Master of America” and “the highest Masonic official ever reigning on this continent,” the Lodge had as its first Worshipful Master Martin Howard, Chief Justice of the Royal Colony of North Carolina.
The first Secretary of the Lodge, William Brimage, served also as the first Provincial Grand Secretary. Other first officers of the Lodge were among the region's main leaders and Revolutionary heroes, as Col. Joseph Leech and Col. Richard Cogdell, who became State Treasurers.
Judge John Louis Taylor and Judge Frederick Nash, members of this lodge, became Chief Justices of the State of North Carolina. Francis Xavier Martin, long an active
lodge leader, was named a Federal Judge for the Territory of Mississippi, then served as the first Attorney General and afterwards as Chief Justice of Louisiana.
Furnifold M. Simmons represented this State for 30 years in the United States Senate. Among the local Masons who went to Congress were Simmons, Richard Dobbs Spaight, Jr., Edward Stanly and Samuel M. Brinson.
Among the numerous educators and ministers who played major roles in lodge and civic advancement were the Rev. Solomon Halling, M.D., the Rev. Thomas P. Irving and the Rev. Jonathan Otis Freeman, local ministers and school principals who became Worshipful Masters of the Lodge; and the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D.D., also a Worshipful Master, who was three times elected an Episcopal Bishop and who served as President of the University of Louisiana.
Affiliated with St. John's Lodge was the noted artist, William J. Williams, who painted the Masonic portrait of George Washington as well as a Masonic portrait of Francis Lowthrop, Worshipful Master of the local Lodge, and Vice Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, this latter painting now being in the possession of the local organization.
Although not a member locally, William R. Davie, who became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge and President of the University of North Carolina, was initiated in Masonry at New Bern during a Grand Lodge meeting here. The Grand Lodge frequently met here in its early days, and local Masons were prominent in its organization and history.
Six members of the local Lodge have had the honorary thirty-third degree conferred upon them by the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Masonry for meritorious service. These were the late Thomas A. Henry, the late Dr. Joseph F. Rhem, the late Harry T. Paterson, the late William P. Jones, John H. Parker, and Allie Cook, all of whom had served as Worshipful Masters of the lodge.
Four members of the lodge in 1943 held the degree of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, these being Past Masters John H. Parker, Allie Cook, Oscar A. Kafer and Alfred A. Kafer, Jr.
Mother Lodge for chapters of Masons in various parts of North Carolina and Tennessee, and even in other sections
of the country as distant as the west coast, St. John's members were directly responsible for such organizations as the North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company; Doric Lodge, No. 568, A. F. & A. M., New Bern; the Craven Chapter, No. 129, Order of the Eastern Star; and Sudan Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
A member of St. John's Lodge, C. E. Wethington, now of Goldsboro, has served as Illustrious Potentate of Sudan Shrine Temple. Dr. J. F. Rhem, Past Master of the Lodge, was the first Recorder of the Temple, and Past Master C. D. Bradham was the Temple's second Recorder.
The Lodge is perhaps the only one in the country to have been numbered 1, 2 and 3 at different times. It is also likely the only one to have held its meetings for some years in a Palace, local meetings having been held in Tryon's Palace, first State capitol, until its destruction by fire in 1798.
Since 1804 the Masonic Temple built by St. John's Lodge has served the fraternity and the community in general as a civic center for educational, patriotic, political, religious and recreational programs.
Impressive in design, it was planned for use by a growing city population, when about 100 Masons erected it as one of the finest buildings then in America. The old ivy clinging to the exterior indicates its age. The theatre pit and unique boxes have disappeared from the interior, removed during renovations of more recent years. But, inside and out, the temple, one of the oldest Masonic Lodge halls now in use, still ranks as an architectural showplace.
Its upstairs woodwork is regarded as being among the best specimens of hand carving in America. Two New York architects a few years ago spent two days copying its exact details for reproduction in a national publication.
The Masonic Theatre on the first floor is the oldest theatre still operating in the United States. After serving as the town's chief place for dramatic entertainments for years, it was converted into a moving picture theatre in 1917 and since then has been operated regularly by Scottish Rite Masons, with all profits set aside for educational and benevolent purposes.
Internationally-known opera stars and legitimate stage actors have treaded the boards at the old Opera House. Home-talent shows galore have been produced there. Federal soldiers have been treated there for wounds and diseases during its hospital usage of the War Between the States.
Political rallies, organization conventions, community gatherings and school commencements have taken place frequently in the huge auditorium. Gay dances, elaborate banquets and gala socials have been often held in Lowthrop Hall on the second floor. A full record of the programs in the building would form a veritable history of the city of New Bern.
In the Temple vault are kept St. John's priceless old relics and original documents. Its minute books are probably more complete for a longer period of time than many other Masonic lodges anywhere in the country. Its charters are in excellent state of preservation.
Prized possessions include original cornerstone relics, valuable lodge jewels, portraits of Past Masters and tall brass andirons which were used a century and half ago by the Masons when they held their meetings at Tryon's Palace.
There is an ancient Bible so old that its contains “A Table of Kindred and Affinity Wherein Whofoever are related are forbidden in Scripture and Our Laws to Marry Together.” For instance, it is set forth, “A man may not marry his Grandmother, Grandfather's Wife, Wife's Grandmother, Sister's Son's Wife.” And, “A woman may not marry with her Grandfather, Grandmother's Husband, Husband's Grandfather, Son, Son's Son, etc.”
Thus, the records and the relics of St. John's Lodge are unsurpassed. They form an illustrious heritage, of interest and inspiration not only to all modern members but to non-Masons as well throughout this section. The past may be pointed to proudly as an incentive towards a progressive present and greater future.
LXIX
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE
| 1772 TO 1798 | ||
| Martin Howard | John Morrison | Joseph Masters |
| Joseph Leech | Thomas W. Pearson | Allen Backhouse |
| Richard Cogdell | Richard Grubbs | Jacob Peterson |
| Thomas Haslen | Joseph Wallace | P. Elgilbert |
| William Brimage | Francis X. Martin | Philip Chase |
| Richard Ellis | Thomas Crew | John S. Barnes |
| John Richardson | Frederick Foy | John Clark |
| Bart Rooke | Charles Churchill | Joseph Oliver |
| John Burnside | John Kennedy | John Bryan |
| Richard Graham | John Sheffield | David Lewis |
| David Barron | N. Trianingham | Charles Williams |
| James Parrott | Abraham Common | T. Smith |
| James McConnell | William T. Gardner | Benjamin Woods |
| William Bryan | Edward Whitty | Wallace Willis |
| Alexander McAuslan | Richard Nixon | William G. Berry |
| Andrew Mack | Samuel Chapman | W. M. Parks |
| Josiah Holt | Thomas Haskin | Edward Warren |
| Edward Winslow | Francis Lowthrop | E. Chamberlain |
| Peleg Green | Robert Fisher | James Moore |
| Duncan Fergus | Solomon Halling | Joseph Hern |
| Joseph Down | Charles Markland, Jr. | John Williams |
| William Cannon | John Cuyler | William Cox |
| Henry Vipon | M. Gillies | J. Earle |
| Simon Alderson | Abraham Outten | David Williams |
| Jacob Milligan | Thomas Whalley | D. P. Whitney |
| John Patten | John Sears | Joseph Green |
| John McKay | Lewis McPherson | William Holland |
| Moses Almond | John Gray, Jr. | James Hyman |
| Richard Caswell | Southey Reed | H. Willard |
| Thomas Wood | George Ellis | Julius Elmour |
| William Brown | John Bradish | N. Baymore |
| James Ince | Jeremiah Reading | Henry Tillman |
| B. Bennerson | George Duffy | George Kinns |
| Benjamin Manchester | W. Dewling | Benjamin Williams |
| Francis Stringer | John Munn | Reuben Burnard |
| Peter B. Oram | Wallace Stiron | James Wilson |
| Henry Machen | B. Hudson | Alexander Duguid |
| James Arantz | John Waite | Francis Lamotte |
| Marquis De Bretigney | B. Moodis | Thomas Marshall |
| Robert Cotter | Asa Hosmer | Hardy Bush |
| Lewis Heros | O. Gadney | Wearne Coffin |
| John Craddock | Frederick Divoux | John Parker |
| S. Pendleton | William Lawrence | F. A. Fox |
| James Carney | William McClure | Burwell Mooring |
| John Green | Silas Cooke | Edward White |
| David Witherspoon | William Slade | James Much |
| Edward Pasteur | I. Tagert | E. W. Montfort |
| James Ellis | Phillip Grim | John Brown |
| Abraham Hodge | John Harvey | Isaac Mather |
| William Johnston | John C. Osborn | John Dewey |
| Jacob Cook | George Vultus | E. McFarlin |
| Martin de Fongatte | J. Brickell | Jacob Warren |
| Joseph Shute | John Robinson | Thomas P. Ives |
| William Mitchell | Zebedee Perry | Thomas Holding |
| Thomas Kelly | Edward Simpson | John Jones |
| Richard Hunley | John Goulding | F. H. Alden |
| John Adams | Armistead Hatsell | James Cutting |
| William Grainger | James Clark | Hardy Sanders |
| Abner Neale | James Sandy | Jonathan Price |
| Isaac Guion | William Ferrand | Marcus C. Stephens |
| Abiah H. Adams | M. Goulding | John R. Good |
| John Frink Smith | William Duffy | Thomas Sparrow |
| T. Rogers | John Howard | Francis Hawks |
| John Ingraham | Samuel Young | W. Williard |
| James Robinson | James McMaines | John Hill |
| Adam Tooley | Thomas Hyman | N. Humphrey |
| Thomas Curtis | Thomas Wilson | Stephen West |
| Silas W. Arnett | Archibald McCalop | William C. Good |
| Thomas McLin | William Ross | John Knowles |
| Benjamin Northam | Thomas Ellis | John Reed |
| Jacob Burney | Andrew Richardson | Peter Chase |
| Bartholomew Clinch | S. Pratt | John Washington |
| William Bartlett | James Bryan | M. Outray |
| Samuel Gerock | Elias Hawes | Enos Williams |
| Levi Dawson | Thomas P. Irving | John Louis Taylor |
| E. Peters | James Green | George Dudley |
| William Murphy | Isaac Taylor | Jacob Johnston |
| Thomas Williams | Robert Williams | Ezekiel Delastatius |
| Isaac Blanchard | Levi Fulsher | Joseph Griffin |
| William Henry | Jonathan Fellowes | Philip Bragg |
| William Hawley | Edward Jones | |
| 1798 | ||
| Oliver Dewey | Sylvanus Snow | J. F. Goodfellow |
| Thomas Thompson | Francis Rodriges | Abram Hunt |
| Henry Pettis | Robert Johnston | Daniel Hunter |
| N. T. Hardenbrock | George Duncan | Nathaniel L. Terry |
| J. James | Gabriel Sabuka | Timothy Savage |
| Christopher Gall | Jacob Henry | D. Sabiston |
| Galt Gall | Peter Fabre, Jr. | Lazarus Pierce |
| James Wallace | ||
| 1799 | ||
| William Bell | Abel Ketcham | George Gardner |
| Richard Cahill | George Linguist | |
| 1800 | ||
| Samuel Barron | H. Dolliver | William Kean |
| David Melvin | James Harker | Elisha Harrington |
| Robert Guttry | Stephen Minor | Edward Kean |
| S. P. Johnston | James Bathley | J. O. Meatu |
| Lemuel Holmes | Thomas Finley | Robert Ogden, Jr. |
| Philo Andrews | John S. Pasteur | A. McKinney |
| William Kyle | Moses Jarvis | Claborne Ivey |
| Samuel Annesly | M. Gleeson | |
| 1801 | ||
| J. P. Caswell | William Tolson | J. Wiggins |
| David Wallace, Jr. | Richard D. Stanly | Gilbert Bradley |
| William Wyatt | J. J. B. Gibbons | Harry Butler |
| James Blunk | Lucas J. Benners | Joseph Tripp |
| James Taylor | T. G. Vipon | William D. Bryan |
| Samuel Dewhurst | Thomas Barclay | Richard Fisher |
| Frederick Lindner | Henry Bettner | Charles Bates |
| William Large | John Vail | Daniel Carthy |
| James Kennedy | Benjamin Tilton | Robert Pettet |
| Abraham Simmons | Robert Sparrow | William Lockart |
| Thomas Grace | Benners Vail | |
| 1802 | ||
| John Gettig | Jacob Bantz | Dempsey Wade |
| William Lamberts | ||
| 1803 | ||
| J. H. Meriam | Charles Hardy | John Tooker |
| Thomas Hunly | Stephen B. Forbes | Asa Jones |
| Frederick Nash | A. Holbrook | John F. Templeton |
| John Oliver | E. Lewis | H. Fatheru |
| Samuel Oliver | Samuel Hart | John Mayo |
| John D. Friou | J. W. Merrill | Adam Bantz |
| 1804 | ||
| Thomas Jerkins | Caleb Ballance | Durant Hatch |
| James Ellis | John Real | M. Rodriguey |
| Joshua Sturtevant | Joseph Fremare | Antonio Maria Diaz |
| Thomas Cusack | ||
| 1805 | ||
| Thomas Jones | Matthias Atterson | William Nichols |
| Edward C. King | Hugh Nickel | |
| 1806 | ||
| William Conway | Elijah Willis | James Lewis |
| William S. Sparrow | John Shaw | Joseph Mares |
| Thomas Sparrow, Jr. | Thomas Craig | |
| 1807 | ||
| Philip Ryal | William Tignor | Redmond Joyce |
| John Hurst | Benjamin Ellis | Charles Sanders |
| Edwin T. Hazlewood | John Latham | Lott Battle |
| William Gatlin | Uriah Sherwood | A. O. Frazer |
| Thomas Turner | John S. Nelson | |
| 1808 | ||
| David B. Mintz | John Jones | Thomas Watson |
| Charles G. Ridgeley | D. S. Orme | Abram Mitchell |
| James Orr | James C. Bryan | Joseph Oliver, Jr. |
| Thomas I. Fuet | ||
| 1809 | ||
| William Russell | Caleb Wilber | Burton Allen |
| Isaac Wingate | Frederick Blount | Jonathan O. Freeman |
| Simeon Pendleton | James Pittman | Shubael R. Brainard |
| 1810 | ||
| Otway Burns | W. B. Perkins | Charles Jones |
| Russell McKee | David Knapp | Jesse Godley |
| 1811 | ||
| James G. Tignor | John Wooten | Barnum Lincoln |
| Silas S. Stevenson | Jesse P. Mooreing | Samuel Freeman |
| 1812 | ||
| J. S. Fowle | E. B. Mann | G. Porter |
| 1813 | ||
| E. Nickell | J. Fairbanks, Jr. | J. F. Anthony |
| William Edes | Horatio Dade | James Sampson |
| R. Holbrook | James Smith | Thomas Barker |
| A. F. Grigg | J. Physiott | F. G. George |
| H. Myrick | ||
| 1814 | ||
| Andrew Clark | H. Hutch | Charles D. Barbour |
| W. K. Graham | William Earbe | Ezra Parker |
| M. W. Huntington | ||
| 1815 | ||
| John Quirk | S. Bowers | |
| 1818 | ||
| James Latem | George Cooper | Henry A. Jones |
| L. N. Hatch | P. H. Siles | |
| 1819 | ||
| R. F. Durand | William Andrews | Alden Delano |
| William H. Wallace | ||
| 1821 | ||
| W. P. Biddle | M. B. Davis | Major Cook |
| Augustus Barker | H. F. Haskell | F. J. W. Nelson |
| R. Snow | J. B. Osborn | J. Willis |
| R. Jordan | J. S. Kinman | George Seey |
| J. Perkins | ||
| 1822 | ||
| William S. Webb | S. C. Fisher | J. W. Smith |
| Nathaniel Smith | Henry Dewey | P. L. Wicks |
| W. T. Sparrow | Sylvester Hunt | J. O. Ivey |
| F. L. Hawks | Thomas Carney | Charles Stewart |
| T. J. Emery | Charles Mitchell | Spence P. Willis |
| C. M. Churchill | J. M. Master | George W. Dixon |
| D. W. Willis | J. A. Brookfield | Harris Loomis |
| T. A. Pasteur | William G. Taylor | James C. Cole |
| Lewis Foscue | ||
| 1823 | ||
| Charles W. Baker | Nathaniel Waples | Benjamin B. Hawks |
| James Wallace | R. B. Hatch | J. S. Hunter |
| D. del Puerto | P. Darling | J. Harvey, Jr. |
| I. McMaster | R. J. Sewell |
| 1824 | ||
| J. D. Ward | J. A. Douglass | H. Stacpool |
| W. C. Hunter | J. S. Doty | A. H. Richardson |
| Alex Masory | B. Robinson | W. W. White |
| C. D. Shackleford | John S. Hawks | D. P. Hurtt |
| H. Farrier | ||
| 1825 | ||
| George A. Hall | R. H. Carr | Matthew A. Outten |
| Henry D. Machen | Charles A. Bettner | J. Cameron |
| D. H. Lane | Thomas Kent | James Hayward |
| 1826 | ||
| F. D. Fisher | T. Hunter | J. Howard |
| J. A. Warne | A. Feely | |
| 1827 | ||
| W. L. B. Pearce | ||
| 1833 | ||
| Robert G. Moore | O. W. Land | |
| 1835 | ||
| S. Oliver, Jr. | J. R. Hanrahan | C. C. Bell |
| Francis J. Prentiss | N. C. Robertson | Emanuel M. Certain |
| Bryan Jones | P. C. McNettay | J. Hutchinson |
| I. G. Granby | James Jones | William G. Hall |
| A. S. Emmett | Jesse G. Mumford | |
| 1846 | ||
| John Harvey | Joseph S. Fowler | Samuel W. Chadwick |
| J. M. Williams | Edward W. Montfort | Lovick Jones |
| William M. Herritage | Thomas G. S. Ellis | Alonzo T. Jerkins |
| William B. Perkins | Francis R. Vincent | Luther R. Clark |
| Jonathan Wood | John N. Benners | Truman Stow |
| Benjamin J. Perkins | Edward R. Stanly | G. W. Willis |
| George E. Carraway | Jacob Utley | O. S. Dewey |
| David S. Willis | Joseph Carter | William H. Hancock |
| Henry P. Whitehurst | G. W. Howard | |
| 1847 | ||
| T. R. Wilson | T. B. Watson | J. W. Baxter |
| S. D. Sparrow | T. J. Emery | W. S. Delamar |
| L. Phillips | M. Matthews | William Brewer |
| Peter Custis | S. S. Bryant | C. Gardner |
| A. J. Willis | B. F. Borden | E. F. Smallwood |
| J. Blackwell | B. M. Cook | J. M. F. Harrison |
| S. Bishop | A. S. Andrews | William J. Parks |
| A. H. Stanley | P. W. Yarrell | Guion Scott |
| 1848 | ||
| W. McCoy | William N. Hawks | W. W. Ormsbee |
| 1849 | ||
| George Green | J. H. Lane | L. Sterne |
| W. C. Hunter | W. C. French | James Daniels |
| W. C. Pittman | John D. Whitford | |
| 1850 | ||
| J. M. C. Breaker | Henry Beaufort | D. W. Hurtt |
| Charles S. Allen | J. W. Jones | William G. Singleton |
| John D. Flanner | George Lane | |
| 1851 | ||
| A. W. Kilpatrick | John A. Hodge | James G. Arthur |
| R. A. Russell | John A. Simpson | J. A. Harkey |
| T. G. Wilson | J. Littleton | Charles C. Clark |
| E. S. Hunter | Stillman W. Mildrum | |
| 1852 | ||
| F. C. Metts | John L. Gardner | Alex Miller |
| C. S. Primrose | William H. Jones | William H. Marshall |
| T. Page Ricaud | R. S. Primrose | R. B. Smith |
| John A. Gray | S. Attmore | Augustus Latham |
| 1853 | ||
| W. F. Witherington | A. F. McRolfe | Z. Brown |
| D. D. Sermond | J. W. Moore | W. Weinstein |
| A. Lowenstein | I. Disosway | William H. Oliver |
| N. Jackson | H. C. Wood | John F. Jones |
| J. B. Stanley | ||
| 1854 | ||
| B. A. Oglesby | W. Wilson | Francis T. Hawks |
| Joseph L. Rhem | Thomas C. Wallace | S. F. Fulford |
| Needham Case | John Blackwell | I. C. Cole |
| C. Lowenberg | H. O. Wood | H. H. Brinson |
| G. W. Wallace | Daniel T. Carraway | Samuel W. Howard |
| Alexander Mason | Samuel Oliver | Charles A. Hart |
| 1855 | ||
| S. B. Fletcher | J. A. Davis | H. S. Lee |
| George Goodall | ||
| 1856 | ||
| Levin Lee | C. B. Wood | John E. Amyett |
| P. C. Ferrell | John Beveridge | |
| 1858 | ||
| Edward K. Bryan | C. S. Hoskins | W. English |
| D. O'Leary | E. C. Ruminger | A. M. Noble |
| H. R. Ferrell | ||
| 1859 | ||
| J. V. Jordan | J. N. Whitford | A. C. Lactum |
| James M. Harrison | J. P. Dillingham | J. Brookfield |
| Joseph Whitty | Dan W. Haines |
| 1865 | ||
| James Redmond | George Mills Joy | I. D. Myers |
| John W. Primrose | George W. Nason, Jr. | W. P. Robinson |
| Thomas Gates | W. I. Vestal | G. W. Perry |
| Charles S. Bartlett | ||
| 1866 | ||
| D. T. Taylor | H. H. Brown | I. C. Justice |
| Jos. J. Howard | S. I. Hunter | James Maglern |
| Frederick C. Roberts | William M. Watson | Joseph N. White |
| 1867 | ||
| T. B. Henderson | E. B. Roberts | I. B. Henry |
| F. M. Harper | G. W. Hurst | W. B. Boyd |
| W. D. Ponder | Matthew Woods | P. Holland |
| Thomas Parsons | G. W. Jetter | John Hardison |
| Charles M. Fields | T. E. Affren | V. T. Midgett |
| George H. Roberts | ||
| 1868 | ||
| Thomas A. Green | James S. Fields | S. G. Barrington |
| R. A. Willis | George W. Dill | T. R. Spence |
| J. A. Richardson | A. B. Powell | J. L. Watkins |
| W. S. Styron | ||
| 1869 | ||
| S. Bangert | George E. Pittman | C. J. Bryan |
| George Henderson | T. R. Adams | S. S. Biddle |
| William Dunn | E. G. Bowen | |
| 1870 | ||
| George C. Boesfer | Max Reis | Samuel M. Hargett |
| Joseph Weinstein | Samuel C. Roberts | |
| 1872 | ||
| Henry T. Foscue | E. G. Hill | |
| 1873 | ||
| Samuel R. Street, Jr. | Thomas Wilson | William R. Warters |
| Jonathan Whaley | John L. Albertson | D. E. Everitt |
| Ferdinand Ulrich | ||
| 1874 | ||
| John B. Ernul | John C. Green | |
| 1875 | ||
| Samuel D. Rumley | G. W. Neal | L. Silberstein |
| L. W. Hancock | A. R. Fulford | O. Marks |
| Thomas Daniels | Washington Bryan | |
| 1877 | ||
| William H. Ernul | William H. Hill | I. R. Miller |
| 1878 | ||
| E. G. Newbegin | F. M. Simmons | James W. Moore |
| 1880 | ||
| Elijah G. Dixon | C. H. Blank | |
| 1881 | ||
| E. F. Rowe | A. M. Baker | William S. Gaskins |
| John Detrick | Joseph H. Hackburn | Hervey B. Duffy |
| A. W. Wood | E. B. Hackburn | Isaac Patterson |
| 1884 | ||
| Sam B. Waters | William E. Clarke | |
| 1885 | ||
| George Howard | David Styron | |
| 1887 | ||
| Walter H. Cohen | J. W. Atwell | Thomas Williams |
| S. W. Brooks | John W. Stewart | S. S. Duffy |
| 1891 | ||
| James E. Arthur | T. H. Abbott | B. Hahn |
| J. S. Basnight | M. H. Sultan | I. L. Chestnutt |
| Hugh J. Lovick | ||
| 1892 | ||
| L. J. Taylor | Robert S. Primrose | Thomas F. McCarthy |
| C. D. Bradham | Owen H. Guion | J. W. Etheridge |
| 1893 | ||
| Shepard Bryan | Stephen C. Bragaw | L. R. Bacon |
| L. H. Ervin | ||
| 1894 | ||
| Joseph B. Clark | C. B. Foy | J. L. Fowler |
| T. G. Hyman | B. B. Neal | George Green |
| James E. Warren | ||
| 1895 | ||
| A. D. Betts | C. E. Foy | Claude M. Benton |
| F. M. Hahn | ||
| 1896 | ||
| T. W. Dewey | W. B. Swindell | F. A. Bishop |
| 1897 | ||
| William W. Clark | George M. Crapon | J. H. Benton |
| William J. Pitts | E. W. Rosenthal | |
| 1899 | ||
| J. F. Rhem | C. R. Edwards |
| 1900 | ||
| H. W. Simpson | ||
| 1901 | ||
| William T. Hill | W. R. Hinnant | John P. Taylor |
| 1902 | ||
| W. E. Smith | H. B. Smith | John Crabtree |
| R. F. Butler | George E. Charlton | M. B. Smith |
| 1903 | ||
| J. E. Latham | D. L. Ward | |
| 1904 | ||
| Benjamin B. Hurst | C. W. Munger | W. A. McIntosh |
| C. E. Wethington | ||
| 1905 | ||
| M. Suskin | James B. Dawson | Raymond B. Smith |
| A. J. Gaskins | Albert H. Bangert | |
| 1906 | ||
| L. L. Brinson | George A. Barefoot | W. P. Jones |
| H. S. Hancock | ||
| 1907 | ||
| L. S. Grant | Edward LeGallais | Anchie W. Bryant |
| G. W. Swinson | Robert D. V. Jones | Robert H. Wilson |
| E. H. Wood | M. L. Price | |
| 1908 | ||
| J. E. Boswell | George B. Pendleton | Claude C. Jones |
| Jesse J. Rhodes | Louis D. Sutherland | C. C. Clark, Jr. |
| 1909 | ||
| G. H. Mackelcan | A. W. Hawkins | S. L. Sammons |
| N. E. Mohn | F. M. Roberts | F. H. Sawyer |
| O. A. Kafer | A. F. Bunting | H. A. Merfeld |
| Charles C. Kirkpatrick | ||
| 1910 | ||
| H. C. McKeel | Allie Cook | |
| 1911 | ||
| A. R. Willis | Z. V. Parker | Richard N. Duffy |
| T. A. Henry | W. H. Bain | William S. Parsons |
| Jesse S. Claypoole | ||
| 1912 | ||
| William Dunn, Jr. | J. H. Sawyer | J. A. Street |
| 1913 | ||
| J. E. Wetherington | John H. Parker |
| 1914 | ||
| J. T. Beard | Thomas McGinn | T. J. Marriner |
| Clarence Hines | W. H. Newell, Jr. | |
| 1915 | ||
| R. A. Cherry | C. T. Pumphrey | T. Bayard Whitehurst |
| C. Whit Gaskins | George A. Nicoll | R. A. Richardson, Jr. |
| T. H. Bennett | Charles Coplon | W. W. Griffin |
| O. W. Lane | W. W. Gaskins | L. R. Tucker |
| T. J. W. Crowder | S. M. Brinson | A. R. Marks |
| H. F. Hanks | ||
| 1916 | ||
| John Dunn | I. N. Mitchell | Ernest C. Armstrong |
| Solomon Lipman | ||
| 1917 | ||
| J. T. Mallard | Oswald O. Kafer | L. C. Tripp |
| C. E. Hooker | A. M. Rountree | L. L. Wallnau |
| H. J. Southwell | ||
| 1918 | ||
| Harry Lipman | W. T. Warren | H. C. Harrison |
| Alfred A. Kafer | A. A. Walker | Deane F. Bell |
| 1919 | ||
| J. G. Hough | J. M. Batson | R. B. Williams |
| D. W. Hanks | Harry Smith | George A. Holland |
| R. R. Eagle | H. L. Harrison | T. Doe Street |
| A. F. Patterson | C. T. Hellinger | Carl F. Bunting |
| H. J. Carpenter | ||
| 1920 | ||
| S. A. Jones | Luther White | John B. Green |
| R. Hunter Smith | William C. Fulford | J. H. Davis |
| William M. Bryan | C. E. Wilhalf | F. E. Wagner |
| Samuel W. Brown | H. D. Travis | L. G. Gaskins |
| James L. Cason | J. C. Barker | A. L. Hibbard |
| Harlowe C. Waldrop | A. T. Willis | D. G. Smaw |
| 1921 | ||
| W. H. Sultan | F. C. King | Jonas Levinson |
| H. Whitford | W. B. Hanff | William J. Caroon |
| J. N. Wade | Leslie L. Brinson | William F. MacMillan |
| 1922 | ||
| William H. Purser | William C. Chadwick | R. E. Heidt |
| Hugh C. Armstrong | H. P. Whitehurst | A. Block |
| 1923 | ||
| Fred Brown | D. L. Latta | W. B. Harris |
| Fred R. W. Reh | G. S. Sasser | Elmer E. Prunier |
| E. Ellis Williams |
| 1924 | ||
| Albert W. Brinson | George B. Whitehurst | |
| 1925 | ||
| Owen G. Dunn | G. L. Horne | Charles Shepard Bryan |
| 1926 | ||
| S. H. Basnight | D. H. Booth | A. R. Gehrkin |
| N. D. H. Wilson | ||
| 1927 | ||
| David H. Willis | ||
| 1928 | ||
| Romey R. White | L. W. Hartsell | |
| 1929 | ||
| Robert E. Cook | B. H. Kline | |
| 1930 | ||
| Kenneth R. Jones | ||
| 1931 | ||
| John C. B. Koonce | E. W. Summerell | Morris S. Bray |
| E. F. C. Metz | Henry Forrest | |
| 1932 | ||
| Earl W. Lewis | R. E. Bengel | E. L. Willis |
| Leon Orringer | ||
| 1933 | ||
| T. O. Moore | C. B. Johnson | E. F. Thomas |
| E. H. Bunting | Harold Orringer | L. I. Moore |
| J. B. Canady | ||
| 1935 | ||
| Alfred A. Kafer, Jr. | ||
| 1936 | ||
| A. R. Willis | M. B. Fergusson | John C. Smith |
| Rufus B. Brinson | ||
| 1937 | ||
| Louis N. Howard | Laurence A. Stith | Henry G. Tyson |
| George D. Vick, Jr. | William I. Gause | James A. Gaskins |
| Otis M. Banks, Jr. | L. F. Wetherington | D. C. McCotter, Jr. |
| S. L. Dill, III. | George W. Ball |
| 1938 | ||
| Gerald N. Mitchell | Nick Komatas | Herman F. Davis |
| Paul B. Ellis | W. H. Simons, Jr. | William Joseph Arthur |
| James R. Newton | Oscar A. Kafer, H. | Rembert R. Rivenbark |
| William J. Ipock | J. R. Carr | |
| 1939 | ||
| J. M. Spivey, Jr. | Ernest R. Johnson | A. E. Pfaff |
| 1940 | ||
| William Hollister | Herman T. Diehl | John T. Hollister, Jr. |
| Al C. Laughinghouse | Richard B. Fulford | |
| 1941 | ||
| H. H. Vendric | Myer Hahn | John Guion Dunn, Jr. |
| Homer T. Meaders | ||
| 1942 | ||
| C. F. Smith | Robert C. Slater | Carl L. Brasington |
| J. E. Sullivan | Ernest E. Fisher | John B. Derrickson |
| William A. Keel | Vernon Goodwin | Irving Poliakoff |
| George J. Studdert | Clifford S. Durham | William Elmer Carawan |
| Harvey J. Daniels | Ray F. Collins | John L. Riggs |
| 1943 | ||
| John Thomas Boyd | Edgar R. Bowlin | Irving Grodstein |
| B. G. Hines | George W. Calvert | George L. Brockway |
| Charles T. Midyette, Jr. | Frank L. James | Woods L. Wallace |
| Frank F. Clarke | Charles B. Hart, Jr. | William C. Moore |
| George C. Holcomb | James M. Harriett |
INDEX
| A | Arthur, William J., 206, 233 |
| A. A. O. N. M. S., 91; see also Shriners; Sudan Shrine Temple | Ashe, S. A., 13 |
| Associated Board of Charities, 176 | |
| Abbott, T. H., 229 | Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad, 138-39, 140, 213 |
| Abernethy, Charles L., 186, 191 | |
| Adams, Abiah H., 58, 59, 223 | Atlantic Beach, 206 |
| Adams, John, 51, 223 | Atlantic Fire Company, 197 |
| Adams, T. R., 228 | Atterson, Matthias, 108, 224 |
| Adultery, 33, 119-20 | Attmore, S., 136, 137, 227 |
| Affren, T. E., 228 | Atwell, J. W., 159, 229 |
| Ahiman Rezon, 35, 92-93 | Augusta, Ga., 115 |
| Alabama, 131, 146 | Ayres, W. A., 183, 185, 186 |
| Alamance, 40 | |
| Albany, N. Y., 22 | B |
| Albertson, John L., 146, 228 | Backhouse, Allen, 64A, 109, 222 |
| Alden, F. H., 223 | Bacon, L. R., 229 |
| Alderman, J. T., 176 | Badger, George E., 86 |
| Alderson, Simon, 27, 222 | Bain, D. W., 149, 152 |
| Alexandria, Va., 87, 89, 90, 91, 189 | Bain, W. H., 172, 230 |
| Alexandria-Washington Lodge, 87, 89, 90, 189 | Baker, A. M., 155, 158, 229 |
| Baker, Charles W., 225 | |
| Allen, Burton, 108, 224 | Baker, Simmons J., 125 |
| Allen, Charles S., 136, 137, 227 | Ball, George W., 232 |
| Allen, Ethan, 12 | Ballence, Caleb, 224 |
| Allen, John, 12, 48 | Baltimore, Md., 122, 167 |
| Almond, Moses, 28, 222 | Bangert, Albert H., 170, 172, 230 |
| Alves, Walter, 56 | Bangert, S., 228 |
| American George Lodge, 46 | Bank closing, 194 |
| American Red Cross, 180 | Bank of Cape Fear, 102 |
| Amyett, John E., 138, 144, 146, 149, 227 | Bank of Commerce, 142 |
| Bank of New Bern, 102 | |
| Anderson, John H., 193, 201, 202 | Banks, Otis M., Jr., 202, 232 |
| Andirons, 82, 221 | Banner Warehouse, 186 |
| Andrea, Julio, 78, 79 | Bantz, Adam, 96, 97, 98, 100, 106, 224 |
| Andrew Chapel, 133 | |
| Andrews, Alex B., 91, 177, 178 | Bantz, Jacob, 73, 75, 224 |
| Andrews, A. S., 226 | Baptists, 114, 118, 124, 135, 142, 165, 174 |
| Andrews, Philo, 108, 223 | |
| Andrews, William, 225 | Barbour, Charles D., 225 |
| Annesly, Samuel, 223 | Barclay, Thomas, 224 |
| Anniversary of Lodge, 158th, 193; see also Sesqui-Centennial | Barden, Graham A., 196, 202 |
| Barefoot, George A., 169, 230 | |
| Anthony, J. F., 225 | Barfield, Marion, 183 |
| Arab Patrol, 178, 191, 208 | Barge's Tavern, 38, 41 |
| Arantz, James, 31, 222 | Barker, Augustus, 118, 120, 225 |
| Arkansas, 105 | Barker, J. C., 192, 193, 194, 195, 197, 231 |
| Armstrong, Ernest C., 231 | |
| Armstrong, Hugh C., 188, 189, 191, 192, 231 | Barker, Thomas, 225 |
| Barnes, John S., 222 | |
| Army, 51, 115; see also World War I; World War II | Barrington, S. G., 228 |
| Barron, David, 25, 26, 28, 222 | |
| Army Lodge, 181 | Barron, Samuel G., 64A, 71, 223 |
| Arnett, Silas W., 39, 43, 44, 64A, 96, 223 | Bartlett, Charles S., 228 |
| Bartlett, William, 66, 223 | |
| Arrant, James, 27 | Basnight, J. S., 160, 169, 229 |
| Arthur, James E., 160, 229 | Basnight, S. H., 232 |
| Arthur, James G., 138, 227 | Bates, Charles, 64A, 224 |
| Bathley, James, 223 | Blank, C. H., 155, 229 |
| Batson, J. M., 181, 183, 185, 201, 231 | Blanks, James, 64A |
| Block, A., 189, 216-17, 231 | |
| Battle, Lott, 98, 108, 224 | Bloodsow, John, 64A |
| Battle of New Bern, 139, 142 | Blount, E. J., 149 |
| Bawattel, Bernard, 96 | Blount, Frederick, 108, 118, 224 |
| Baxter, J. J., 182 | Blount, William, 39 |
| Baxter, J. W., 8, 143, 144, 226 | Blue Lodge Room, 90, 101, 139, 162, 170, 171, 181, 182; see also Masonic Temple |
| Baymore, N., 222 | |
| Beard, J. T., 173, 201, 202, 231 | |
| Beaufort, 61, 107, 148, 208, 210, 214 | Blunk, James 223 |
| Beaufort County, 46, 141 | Board of City Aldermen, 213 |
| Beaufort, Duke of, 11, 14, 16, 17 | Board of County Commissioners, 154, 155, 156, 198 |
| Beaufort Harbour, 208 | |
| Beaufort, Henry, 227 | Boesfer, George C., 228 |
| Bedell, Gregory T., 118 | Bonds, 167-68; see also War Stamps and Bonds |
| Bell, B. A., 153 | |
| Bell, C. C., 226 | Boon, Joseph, 64A |
| Bell, Deane F., 181, 231 | Booth, D. H., 232 |
| Bell, William, 64A, 108, 223 | Borden, B. F., 226 |
| Benevolences, 29, 55, 57, 75, 96, 105, 124, 162, 176, 180, 198, 205, 220 | Borden, Nunn and Whitford, Misses, 160 |
| Boston, 17 | |
| Bengel, R. E., 232 | Boston Teaparty, 17 |
| Benners, John N., 226 | Boswell, J. E., 1, 9, 185, 187, 188, 189, 194, 195, 197, 198, 200, 201, 203, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 230 |
| Benners, Lucas J., 8, 64A, 68, 71, 98, 100, 101, 103, 106, 108, 113, 114, 116, 117, 223 | |
| Boulder Dam, 208 | |
| Bennerson, B., 222 | Boulder Memorial to Governors, 188 |
| Bennett, T. H., 176, 181, 231 | |
| Benton, Claude M., 229 | Bowen, E. G., 228 |
| Benton, J. H., 229 | Bowers, S., 225 |
| Benton, Mattie C., 183 | Bowlin, Edgar R., 233 |
| Bern, 172 | Boyd, John Thomas, 233 |
| Berry, William G., 64A, 222 | Boyd, W. B., 9, 144, 151, 155, 156, 159, 228 |
| Best, R. W., 147 | |
| Bettner, Charles A., 226 | Boylan, William, 34 |
| Bettner, Henry, 71, 224 | Bradham, C. D., 9, 161, 162, 164, 178, 179, 182, 184, 185, 186, 190, 192, 198-99, 220, 229 |
| Betts, A. D., 161, 229 | |
| Beveridge, John, 227 | |
| Bible, 221 | Bradham Drug Company, 198 |
| Bi-Centennial of New Bern, 141, 172, 186 | Bradham, Mrs. C. D., 182, 183 |
| Bradish, John, 222 | |
| Biddle, S. S., 228 | Bradley, Gilbert, 223 |
| Biddle, William P., 118, 124, 225 | Bragaw, Stephen C., 229 |
| Bill for Relief of Lodge, 163-64 | Bragg, Philip, 223 |
| Bishop, E. K., 116 | Brainard, Shubael R., 108, 224 |
| Bishop, F. A., 161, 229 | Branch, L. O. B., 139 |
| Bishop, George, 143, 155 | Brasington, Carl L., 233 |
| Bishop, S., 226 | Brass Band, 133 |
| Blackledge, Richard, 81 | Bray, Eva F., 183 |
| Blackledge, Thomas, 81 | |
| Blackmer, L., 149 | Bray, Morris S., 203, 205, 206, 210, 233 |
| Blackstone's Commentaries, 40 | |
| Blackwell, J., 226 | Breaker, J. M. C., 136, 227 |
| Blackwell, John, 227 | Brenton, Ebenezer, 22 |
| Blagg, S., 147, 149 | Brewer, William, 226 |
| Blanchard, Isaac, 223 | Brickell, J., 222 |
| Blanchard, Editor, 34 | Bright, Simon, 25 |
| Blandford-Bute (Johnston-Caswell) Lodge, 13, 46 | Brimage, William, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 26, 28, 200, 218, 222 |
| Brinson, Albert W., 191, 192, 194, 232 | Burr, Aaron, 69 |
| Bush, Hardy, 222 | |
| Brinson, H. H., 227 | Bute County, 13 |
| Brinson, L. L., 230 | Butler, Harry, 223 |
| Brinson, Leslie L., Jr., 188, 191, 192, 231 | Butler, Marion, 164 |
| Butler, R. F., 230 | |
| Brinson, Rufus B., 232 | Buxton, Jarvis, 37, 55, 64, 64A |
| Brinson, S. M., 53, 177, 179, 180, 185, 187, 219, 231 | Buxton, Jarvis B., 84 |
| By-Laws, 20, 25, 27, 31, 32, 37, 44, 62, 106, 126, 133 | |
| British, 107 | |
| British Merchant Marine, 107 | Byrne, Matthew, 66 |
| Brockway, George L., 233 | |
| Brookfield, J. A., 225 | C |
| Brookfield, Jacob, 138, 139, 227 | Cabarrus County, 58 |
| Brooks, A. D., 191 | Cabarrus, Stephen, 41, 58 |
| Brooks, Minnie C., 183 | Cahill, Richard, 108, 223 |
| Brooks, S. W., 229 | Caldwell, Joseph, 34 |
| Brown, Fred, 231 | Calhoun, John C., 115, 116; Mrs. Calhoun, 115; children, 115 |
| Brown, H. H., 228 | |
| Brown, John, 64A, 222 | California, 131 |
| Brown, Mrs. S. W., 182 | Caligari and Son, 203-4 |
| Brown, S. W., 182, 183, 231 | Calvary Church, 121, 122 |
| Brown, Watson, 64A | Calvert, George W., 233 |
| Brown, William, 222 | Camden, S. C., 124 |
| Brown, William C., 146 | Cameron, J., 226 |
| Brown, Z., 138, 227 | Cameron, John A., 118 |
| Brunswick, 94 | Camp Sevier, 181 |
| Bryan, C. J., 228 | Canady, J. B., 232 |
| Bryan, Charles S., 232 | Cannon, William, 27, 222 |
| Bryan, Edward K., 137, 138, 227 | Canterbury, Archbishop of, 21 |
| Bryan, G. T., 177 | Cape Fear, 11, 102 |
| Bryan, James, 59, 64A, 72, 75, 96, 223 | Carawan, W. E., 216, 233 |
| Carney, James, 38, 44, 48, 64A, 71, 72, 74, 75, 222 | |
| Bryan, James A., 154, 155 | |
| Bryan, James C., 108, 224 | Carney, James, Jr., 84 |
| Bryan, James W., 81 | Carney, Thomas, 8, 81, 126, 129, 130, 225 |
| Bryan, John, 59, 222 | |
| Bryan, John H., 81, 107 | Carolina Consistory, 198 |
| Bryan, Shepard, 188, 199-201, 229 | Carolina Playmakers, 86 |
| Bryan, Washington, 151, 228 | Carolina Sentinel, 124 |
| Bryan, William, 25, 30, 222 | Caroon, William J., 191, 231 |
| Bryan, William D., 64A, 108, 224 | Carpenter, H. J., 182, 201, 202, 206, 231 |
| Bryan, William M., 185, 231 | |
| Bryant, Archie W., 170, 230 | Carpenter, Mrs. H. J., 182 |
| Bryant, S. S., 133, 134, 226 | Carpenter, Samuel, 124 |
| Buckner, Clem, 182 | Carr, John R., 183, 233 |
| Buffalo, N. Y., 91, 177 | Carr, Myrtle T. (Mrs. J. R.), 183 |
| Bundy, William J., 215, 216 | Carr, R. H., 226 |
| Bunting, A. F., 230 | Carraway, Daniel T., 8, 137, 138, 144, 147-50, 227 |
| Bunting, Carl F., 9, 189, 192, 193, 194, 195, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 210, 212, 231 | |
| Carraway, George E., 226 | |
| Carter, Joseph, 226 | |
| Bunting, E. H., 9, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 210, 212, 216, 232 | Carteret County, 107 |
| Carthy, Daniel, 108, 224 | |
| Burnard, Reuben, 222 | Case, Needham, 145, 146, 151, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 165, 169, 227; monument to, 169 |
| Burney, Jacob, 223 | |
| Burns, Francis, 107 | |
| Burns, Otway, 107, 108, 224 | Cason, James L., 183, 185, 191, 201, 231 |
| Burnside, Ambrose E., 142 | |
| Burnside, John, 20, 25, 26, 28, 222 | Caswell Brotherhood, 46 |
| Burnsville, 107 | Caswell County, 46 |
| Caswell, J. P., 223 | Clark, Joseph B., 9, 161, 229 |
| Caswell, Richard, 13, 17, 28, 30, 33, 35, 38, 39, 43, 44, 93, 109, 141, 218, 222 | Clark, Luther R., 129, 130, 132, 133, 226 |
| Clark, Martha Stevenson, 174 | |
| Catholic Church, 90 | Clark, William W., 174 |
| Cedar Grove Cemetery, 65, 134, 135, 139, 141, 142, 175, 191, 199 | Clark, William W., Jr., 161, 163, 166, 175, 229 |
| Centenary Methodist Church, 133, 192, 197 | Clarke, Frank F., 233 |
| Clarke, William, 229 | |
| Certain, Emanuel M., 133, 134, 226 | Claypoole, Jesse S., 230 |
| Chadwick, Samuel W., 226 | Clinch, Bartholomew, 38, 44, 223 |
| Chadwick, William C., 189, 231 | Clinton, 148 |
| Chamber of Commerce, 213 | Coart, John, Jr., 64A |
| Chamberlain, E., 222 | Cobb, Jelsey, 64A |
| Chapel Hill, 51, 67, 78, 85, 141 | Coffin, Wearne, 222 |
| Chapman, Samuel, 48, 64A, 222 | Coffins, 129, 155 |
| Charity (Royal Edwin) Lodge, 46 | Cogdell, Richard, 8, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 64A, 200, 218, 222 |
| Charleston, S. C., 11, 80, 89, 90 | |
| Charlotte, 140, 148, 182, 192 | |
| Charlton, George E., 230 | Cohen, Walter, 229 |
| Charters of Lodge: first, 16A, 17-19, 26, 186, 221; second, 46, 48A, 56-57, 187, 221 | Cole, I. C., 227 |
| Cole, James C., 8, 120, 123, 225 | |
| Collector of Customs, 62 | |
| Chase, Peter, 64A, 223 | Collier, Probit, 64A |
| Chase, Philip, 222 | Collins, Joseph, 64A |
| Chatham County, 46 | Collins, Ray. F., 233 |
| Cherry, R. A., 231 | Colonel Allen's Inn, 12 |
| Cheshire, J. B., 60 | Colorado, 207 |
| Chester, Bishop of, 21 | Colorado River, 207-8 |
| Chester, Stephen M., 114 | Colorado Springs, 207, 208 |
| Chestnutt, I. L., 160, 229 | Common, Abraham, 222 |
| Chicago, 165 | Concord, 148 |
| Chicago Fire, 165 | Concord Chapter, 208-9 |
| Chief Justice, 15, 21, 23, 24, 111, 219 | Confederacy, 115, 131, 134, 138, 139, 142 |
| Chinquapin, 198 | Congress, 51, 86, 87, 127, 130, 131, 152, 163, 164, 166, 175, 180, 211, 219 |
| Christ Church, Baltimore, 121 | |
| Christ Church, New Bern, 21, 29, 30, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 54, 55, 57, 59, 63, 64, 65, 73, 87, 93, 96, 106, 121, 128, 129, 130, 133, 134, 135, 192, 193 | |
| Conklin, Ann, 22 | |
| Connecticut, 121, 122 | |
| Constitution of North Carolina, 41 | |
| Constitution of United States, 38, 39, 40, 41, 51; lodge celebration of 150th anniversary, 202 | |
| Christ Church, New Orleans, 121 | |
| Christianity, 111-12 | |
| Church of Mediation, 121 | Constitutional Convention, State, 127 |
| Church of the Annunciation, 121 | |
| Church of the Holy Saviour, 121 | Continental Congress, 39, 40 |
| Churchill, Charles, 64A, 109, 222 | Conway, William, 97, 98, 224 |
| Churchill, C. M., 225 | Cook, Allie, 9, 172, 173, 176, 179, 181, 182, 183, 192, 200, 201, 202, 203, 208B, 210, 212, 217, 219, 230 |
| Clermont, 87, 128 | |
| Clark, Andrew, 225 | |
| Clark, Charles C., 8, 81, 136, 137, 138, 143, 144, 145, 151, 153, 155, 164, 172, 174-75, 187, 208A, 218, 227 | Cook, B. M., 226 |
| Cook, George W., 84 | |
| Cook, Jacob, 64A, 66, 108, 222 | |
| Cook, Major, 118, 120, 123, 124, 225 | |
| Clark, Charles C., Jr., 170, 175, 230 | Cook, Mrs. Allie, 182 |
| Clark, Edward, 160, 175 | Cook, Robert E., 232 |
| Clark, Elijah, 174 | Cooke, Silas, 55, 222 |
| Clark, Fannie Howard, 175 | Cooper, George, 225 |
| Clark, James, 223 | Cooper, P. L., 147, 149 |
| Clark, John, 222 | Cooper, Thomas, 12 |
| Coor, James, 116 | Daniels, James, 227 |
| Coplon, Charles, 231 | Daniels, Josephus, 199 |
| Corinthian Lodge, 189 | Daniels, Thomas, 8, 151, 153, 154, 155, 158, 159, 160, 162, 168, 169, 228 |
| Cornerstones: of Masonic Temple, 68-70, 152, 204; articles in, 69; monument erected for, 69, 199; courthouse cornerstone, 156; school cornerstone, 158 | |
| Darling, P., 225 | |
| Daughters of the American Revolution, 188 | |
| Corps of Artillery, 66 | Daves, John, 84 |
| Cotter, Robert, 222 | Davie, W. R., 13, 34, 45, 51, 56, 64, 85, 93, 96B, 187, 219 |
| Council of Royal and Select Masters, 171; see also Royal Arch Masons and Grand Council of North Carolina | |
| Davis, Herman F., 233 | |
| Davis, J. A., 227 | |
| Davis, James, 14, 34, 42 | |
| County Home, 94 | Davis, J. C., 195 |
| Court, 44, 107 | Davis, J. H., 231 |
| Court House, 103, 104, 156, 157, 188 | Davis, Jefferson, 131 |
| Davis, M. B., 225 | |
| Court, John C., 81 | Dawson, J. B., 9, 169, 172, 173, 187, 191, 192, 203, 210, 213, 217, 230 |
| Court of Honor, 208, 213, 217 | |
| Cove City, 209 | Dawson, Levi, 64A, 223 |
| Cowan Bros., 168, 170, 171 | DeBretigney, Marquis, 33, 34, 218, 222 |
| Cowles, T. M., 156 | |
| Cox, Longfield, 64A | DeBruhl, Engraver, 25, 26 |
| Cox, William, 222 | DeBruhl, Michael, 29 |
| Crabtree, John, 170, 230 | DeFongatte, Martin, 35, 222 |
| Craddock, John, 37, 38, 44, 54, 59, 61, 66, 222 | DeGraffenried, Christopher, 172 |
| Degree Team, 195 | |
| Craig, Thomas, 108, 224 | Delamar, W. S., 226 |
| Crapon, George M., 229 | Delano, Alden, 225 |
| Craven Chapter, O. E. S., 181-83, 185, 187, 190, 197, 203, 213, 215, 220 | Delastatius, Ezekiel, 223 |
| Del Puerto, D., 225 | |
| Democratic Convention, 132 | |
| Craven County Commissioners, 154, 155, 156, 198 | Democratic Lodge, 110 |
| Denver and Rio Grande Railway, 207 | |
| Crawford, Charles, 25, 27 | |
| Cray, William R., 64A | Depth Bombs, 115 |
| Crew, Thomas, 43, 54, 55, 59, 65, 222 | Derrickson, John B., 216, 233 |
| Detrick, John, 229 | |
| Crowder, T. J. W., 231 | Devereux, John, 64A, 71, 77 |
| Crown Point, 12 | Dewey, Henry, 122, 123, 124, 126, 225 |
| Crown Point Inn, 12 | |
| Cupola, 82-85 | Dewey, John, 64A, 65, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 106, 108, 113, 119, 222 |
| Curtis, Thomas, 64A, 223 | |
| Cusack, Thomas, 224 | |
| Cushman, James, 119, 122 | Dewey, Oliver, 108, 223 |
| Custis, Peter, 134 | Dewey, O. S., 226 |
| Custis, Peter B., 134, 135, 226 | Dewey, Thomas W., 9, 161, 229 |
| Cuthbert, James G., 114 | Dewey, T. W., 148, 149 |
| Cutting, James, 223 | Dewhurst, Samuel, 64A, 224 |
| Cutting, Leonidas, 37, 38, 42, 45, 54, 55 | Dewling, W., 222 |
| Diaz, Antonio Maria, 224 | |
| Cuyler, John, 222 | Dibble, James H., 146 |
| Cypress Tree, 49 | Diehl, Herman T., 233 |
| Dill, George W., 146, 147, 148, 149, 228 | |
| D | |
| Dade, Horatio, 225 | Dill, S. L., III, 232 |
| Dancing Assembly, 70, 74, 81, 99, 114, 123 | Dillingham, J. P., 138, 144, 146, 147, 149, 227 |
| Daniel, Raleigh T., 203 | Diocese of South Carolina, 60 |
| Daniels, Harvey J., 233 | Disosway, I., 147, 227 |
| Disosway, Lula M., 183 | Edmunds, Beulah A., 183 |
| Divoux, Frederick, 54, 64A, 109, 222 | Educational Programs, 189-90, 191, 195, 196, 199, 210, 215 |
| Dixon, Elijah G., 229 | Edwards, C. R., 229 |
| Dixon, George W., 126, 225 | Edwards, N., 149 |
| Dixon, Richard D., 92 | Egypt, 203-4 |
| Dobbs, Arthur, 14, 94, 127 | Electricity, 167 |
| Dolliver, H., 223 | Elgilbert, P., 222 |
| Donnell, John R., 114-15, 128 | Elks, 165, 171-72, 199, 208, 213-14; memorial service, 165; Temple, 165 |
| Donnell, Margaret, 128 | |
| Doric Lodge, 170-71, 178, 179, 181, 185, 188, 189, 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, 200, 201, 202, 205, 206, 210, 214, 215, 220; charter, 171 | |
| Ellis, Benjamin, 108, 117, 224 | |
| Ellis, George, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 64, 64A, 67, 68, 69, 71, 73, 75, 88, 95, 97, 98, 99-100, 187, 222 | |
| Dornock Lodge, 13 | |
| Doty, J. S., 226 | Ellis, James, 35, 38, 44, 45, 222 |
| Douglas, Mrs. and Co., 78, 79 | Ellis, James, 224 |
| Douglass, J. A., 226 | Ellis, Paul B., 205, 233 |
| Down, Joseph, 27, 28, 222 | Ellis, Richard, 8, 15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 39, 222 |
| Doyle, Thomas A., 152 | |
| Drewry, John C., 171 | Ellis, Thomas, 81, 223 |
| Dudley, C., 123 | Ellis, Thomas G. S., 226 |
| Dudley, Edward B., 128 | Ellison, Mrs. C. F., 182 |
| Dudley, George, 108, 223 | Elm City Rifles, 159 |
| Duels, 87, 131 | Elmour, Julius, 222 |
| Duffy, George, 47, 222 | El Paso Lodge, 208 |
| Duffy, H. B., 155, 158, 159, 229 | Emery, Thomas J., 116, 119, 120, 225, 226 |
| Duffy, Richard N., 230 | |
| Duffy, S. S., 159, 229 | Emmett, A. S., 226 |
| Duffy, William, 56, 223 | Enfield, 202 |
| Duguid, Alexander, 64A, 222 | England, 11, 12, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 40, 61 |
| Duncan, George, 223 | |
| Duncan, William B., 69, 199 | England, John, 90 |
| Dunn, Hardy, 64A | England, King of, 26 |
| Dunn, John, 231 | English, J. E., 197 |
| Dunn, John G., Jr., 215, 233 | English, W., 227 |
| Dunn, Owen G., 232 | Episcopal, 91, 105, 121; see also Christ Church |
| Dunn, William, 8, 144, 145, 146, 228 | |
| Ernul, John B., 151, 153, 154, 155, 158, 159, 228 | |
| Dunn, William, Jr., 230 | |
| Dunn, W. W., 146 | Ernul, William H., 228 |
| Duplin County, 46, 198 | Ervin, L. H., 161, 229 |
| Durand, R. F., 225 | Etheridge, J. W., 229 |
| Durham, Clifford S., 233 | Euen, Bro., 25 |
| Eufaula, Ala., 148 | |
| E | Eureka Chapter, 122-23, 175 |
| Eagle, R. R., 231 | Europe, 122 |
| Eagle Tavern, 78, 79, 80 | Everett, W. B., 176 |
| Earbe, William, 225 | Everhart, Adolia, 183 |
| Earle, J., 222 | Everhart, Julia M., 183 |
| East Carolina Fair Association, 213 | Everhart, Stamey, 183 |
| Everitt, D. E., 146, 228 | |
| Eastern Star, 176, 181-83, 185, 187, 190, 197, 203, 213, 215, 220 | |
| F | |
| Eby, Mrs. Clyde, 182 | Fabre, Peter, 78, 79, 223 |
| Edenton, 13, 14, 15, 34, 36, 39, 46, 92, 148 | Fairbanks, J., Jr., 225 |
| Farmers Warehouse, 187 | |
| Edenton Academy, 105 | Farr, John, Jr., 156 |
| Edenton Gazette, 34 | Farrier, H., 226 |
| Edes, William, 225 | Farrow, G. A., 182, 194, 195, 214, 215, 216; elected honorary member |
| Edgar, Actor, 80 |
| of St. John's Lodge, 215-16 | Fox, F. A., 222 |
| Farrow, Mrs. G. A., 182 | Foy, C. B., 161, 229 |
| Fatheru, H., 224 | Foy, C. E., 164, 229 |
| Fayetteville, 13, 31, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41, 46, 55, 56, 67, 110, 111, 132 | Foy, Frederick, 109, 222 |
| Foy, Mrs. C. B., 182 | |
| Federal Appropriation, 143, 163-64, 166 | Franklin, 36 |
| Franklin, Benjamin, 17 | |
| Federal Building, 199 | Franklin Lodge, 208, 210, 214 |
| Federal Court, 213 | Fray, L., 64A |
| Federal Department of North Carolina, 131 | Frazer, A. O., 224 |
| Fredericksburg Lodge, 90 | |
| Federal Fleet, 115 | Fredericksburg, Va., 90 |
| Federal Forces, 123, 163 | Freeman, F. F., 105 |
| Feely, A., 226 | Freeman, George W., 105 |
| Fellowes, Jonathan, 64, 64A, 78, 79, 109, 223 | Freeman, J. O., 8, 105, 114, 117, 219, 224 |
| Ferebee, Mrs., 154 | Freeman, Samuel, 108, 225 |
| Fergus, Duncan, 27, 28, 222 | Freer, Richard, 56 |
| Fergusson, M. B., 232 | Free Will Baptists, 176 |
| Ferrand, William, 64A, 71, 223 | Fremare, Joseph, 224 |
| Ferrell, H. R., 227 | French and Indian Wars, 12 |
| Ferrell, P. C., 227 | French, W. C., 227 |
| Fields, Charles M., 228 | Frieze, Jacob, 129, 130 |
| Fields, James S., 228 | Frilick's Hotel, 51 |
| Financial Difficulties, see Lodge Financial Difficulties and Masonic Temple Finances | Friou, John D., 64A, 73, 95, 97, 224 |
| Fuet, Thomas I., 108, 224 | |
| Finley, Thomas, 223 | Fulford, A. R., 228 |
| Fire Department, 197 | Fulford, Richard B., 233 |
| Fire of 1922, 188-89 | Fulford, S. F., 227 |
| First Baptist Church, 114, 118, 135, 142, 165, 174, 186, 214 | Fulford, William C., 192, 193, 194, 195, 197, 200, 231 |
| First Free School, 57-58 | Fulsher (Fulcher), Levi, 64A, 223 |
| First Lodge in Pitt County, 12 | |
| First Presbyterian Church, 57, 114, 124, 199 | G |
| Gadney, O., 222 | |
| Fisher, Ernest E., 233 | Gall, Christopher, 223 |
| Fisher, F. D., 226 | Gall, Galt, 223 |
| Fisher, Richard, 108, 224 | Gardner, C., 226 |
| Fisher, Robert, 222 | Gardner, George, 64A, 223 |
| Fisher, S. C., 225 | Gardner, John L., 227 |
| Fisher, William, 64A | Gardner, T. M., 148, 149 |
| Fite, P. N., 64A | Gardner, William T., 50, 222 |
| Flag, 181, 214 | Gas, 155, 156 |
| Flanner, John D., 8, 136, 137, 138, 144, 227 | Gaskins, A. J., 176, 179, 181, 230 |
| Gaskins, C. Whit, 9, 176, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 187, 200, 231 | |
| Fletcher, S. B., 227 | |
| Forbes, Stephen B., 64A, 96, 224 | Gaskins, James A., 203, 206, 232 |
| Forrest, Henry, 196, 232 | Gaskins, L. G., 231 |
| Fort Barnwell, 118 | Gaskins, Mrs. C. Whit, 177, 182, 183, 187 |
| Fort Barnwell Lodge, 54 | |
| Fort George, 22 | Gaskins, William S., 158, 159, 160, 164, 169, 170, 172, 173, 229 |
| Foscue, Henry T., 228 | |
| Foscue, Lewis, 120, 225 | Gaskins, W. W., 181, 192, 231 |
| Foster General Hospital, 166 | Gaston, William, 43, 52, 53, 59, 64A, 71, 86, 87, 102, 121, 122, 127, 131 |
| Fowle, J. S., 225 | |
| Fowler, Bro., 25 | |
| Fowler, C. W., 182 | Gates, Thomas, 144, 146, 228 |
| Fowler, J. L., 229 | Gatlin, Alfred, 84 |
| Fowler, Joseph S., 226 | Gatlin, William, 108, 224 |
| Fowler, Mrs. C. W., 182 | Gause, William I., 1, 9, 210, 214, |
| 215, 216, 217, 232 | 113, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 135, 136, 141, 142, 143, 149, 156, 157, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 184, 186, 187, 190, 194, 195, 202, 206, 207-8, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219 |
| Gehrkin, Arnold R., 192, 232 | |
| General Assembly, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 58, 61, 65, 87, 94, 102, 107, 110, 118, 120, 127, 128, 131, 140, 174, 213 | |
| George, F. G., 106, 225 | |
| Georgetown, S. C., 90 | Grand Lodge of North Dakota, 91 |
| Georgetown University, 111 | Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 173 |
| Georgia, 90, 140, 146 | Grand Lodge of Tennessee, 92, 109, 110 |
| Germans, 172 | |
| Gerock, Samuel, 38, 43, 54, 223 | Grand Lodge of Virginia, 90, 126 |
| Gettig, John, 108, 224 | Grand Masters, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, 35, 36, 38, 39-42, 44, 45, 56, 64, 68, 69, 75, 85, 86, 91, 92, 93, 97, 109-12, 119, 122, 124-29, 130, 136, 141, 142, 157, 158, 161, 162, 171, 172, 173-74, 179, 180, 181, 186, 187, 193, 194, 201, 202, 206-9, 216, 218, 219 |
| Gibbons, J. J. B., 223 | |
| Gill, Levi, 27 | |
| Gillies, M., 222 | |
| Glasgow, James, 37, 38, 39, 45 | |
| Gleeson, Matthew, 64A, 71, 223 | |
| Godley, Jesse, 108, 224 | |
| Goldsboro, 140, 148, 179, 220 | |
| Good, B. C., 83 | Granger, Caleb, 12 |
| Good, John R., 64, 64A, 95-96, 97, 223 | Grant, L. S., 170, 230 |
| Gray, John A., 227 | |
| Good Samaritans, 154, 155 | Gray, John, Jr., 222 |
| Good Shepherd Hospital, 205 | Great Britain, 35, 93 |
| Good, William C., 65, 223 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 204, 205 |
| Goodall, George, 227 | |
| Goodfellow, J. F., 223 | Green, F., 64A |
| Goodwin, Vernon, 233 | Green, George, 227 |
| Goss, H. P., 173 | Green, George, 9, 139, 161, 162, 203, 210-11, 212-14, 229 |
| Goulding, John, 223 | |
| Goulding, M., 223 | Green, James, 64A, 223 |
| Gould's History, 15 | Green, John, 222 |
| Governor's Council, 34 | Green, John B., 202, 203, 209, 231 |
| Gowen, B. H., 173 | Green, John C., 8, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 167, 228 |
| Grace, Thomas, 108, 224 | |
| Grady, Henry A., 206 | |
| Graham, Captain, 107 | Green, Joseph, 222 |
| Graham, Edward, 64A, 87, 101 | Green, Paul, 78 |
| Graham, Edward, Jr., 84 | Green, Peleg, 27, 222 |
| Graham, Hamilton, 81 | Green, Thomas A., 8, 114, 145, 151, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 184, 186, 188, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196-97, 201, 228 |
| Graham, Richard, 20, 25, 26, 222 | |
| Graham, W. K., 225 | |
| Grainger, William, 223 | |
| Granby, I. G., 226 | |
| Grand Chapter of North Carolina, O. E. S., 176 | Green, William, 84 |
| Greene, Nathanael, 30, 49 | |
| Grand Commandery of North Carolina, 190 | Greenleaf, Abigail, 22 |
| Greenleaf, Stephen, 22 | |
| Grand Council of North Carolina, 190, 205 | Greensboro, 135, 176 |
| Greenville, 12, 48, 49, 215, 216 | |
| Grand Lodge of America (United States), 109, 120, 122, 132 | Greenville Lodge, 196, 216 |
| Greenville, S. C., 181 | |
| Grand Lodge of Canada, 202 | Greenwich, Conn., 122 |
| Grand Lodge of Iowa, 91 | Gridley, Jeremy, 12 |
| Grand Lodge of New York, 122 | Griffin Auditorium, 199 |
| Grand Lodge of North Carolina, 14, 15, 31, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 44-46, 55, 56, 57, 59, 62, 67, 68, 69, 85, 86, 88, 89, 92-93, 95, 97, 102, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, | Griffin, Joseph, 223 |
| Griffin, Moses, 135 | |
| Griffin, Moses, School, 135 | |
| Griffin, W. W., 181, 231 | |
| Grigg, A. F., 225 |
| Grim, Philip, 222 | Harrison, H. C., 231 |
| Grodstein, Irving, 233 | Harrison, H. L., 231 |
| Grubbs, Richard, 222 | Harrison, James F., 227 |
| Guilford Court House, 34, 218 | Harrison, J. M. F., 8, 135, 136, 137, 138, 226 |
| Guion, Isaac, 8, 31, 35, 36, 38, 41, 43, 44, 47, 48, 53, 54, 59, 67, 187, 223 | |
| Harrison, S. L., 183 | |
| Hart, Charles A., 227 | |
| Guion, Isaac Lee, 64A | Hart, Charles B., Jr., 233 |
| Guion, Owen H., 53, 160, 161, 163, 168, 169, 187, 229 | Hart, Minnie Lee (Mrs. R. B. Williams), 182, 183 |
| Guttry, Robert, 108, 223 | Hart, Samuel, 224 |
| Hartsell, L. W., 9, 193, 194, 195, 197, 203, 232 | |
| H | |
| Hackburn, E. B., 156, 157, 158, 168, 176, 229 | Harvey, John, 64A, 222 |
| Harvey, John, 8, 107, 109, 113, 126, 129, 130, 132, 137, 226 | |
| Hackburn, Joseph H., 9, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 229 | |
| Harvey, J., Jr., 225 | |
| Hackett, R. V., 171, 175 | Harvey, Lemuel, 146 |
| Hagerstown, Md., 87, 106 | Harvey, Thomas A., 146 |
| Hahn, B., 161, 229 | Haskell, H. F., 225 |
| Hahn, F. M., 162, 164, 165, 169, 180, 189, 229 | Haskin, Thomas, 222 |
| Haslen, Mrs. Elizabeth, 63 | |
| Hahn, Myer, 215, 216, 217, 233 | Haslen, Thomas, 15, 18, 19, 21, 26, 200, 222 |
| Haines, Dan W., 227 | |
| Halifax, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 34, 36, 46, 48, 109 | Haslen-West House, 21 |
| Hatch, Charles, 64A | |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia, 23 | Hatch, Durant, 97, 108, 224 |
| Hall, Geo. A., 226 | Hatch, L. N., 225 |
| Hall, John, 13, 110, 111 | Hatch, R. B., 225 |
| Hall, Wm. G., 129, 226 | Hatsell, Armistead, 223 |
| Halling, Solomon, 8, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 67, 93, 219, 222 | Hawes, Elias, 57-58, 109, 223 |
| Hawkins, A. W., 230 | |
| Hawks, Benjamin B., 123, 225 | |
| Hammerton John, 11 | Hawks, Cicero S., 81, 86 |
| Hampton, William, 64A | Hawks, Francis, 61, 62, 63, 64, 64A, 65, 121, 223 |
| Hancock, H. S., 230 | |
| Hancock, L. W., 151, 154, 155, 156, 228 | Hawks, Francis L., 8, 59, 62, 81, 86, 117-22, 127, 135, 219, 225 |
| Hancock, William H., 134, 135, 136, 226 | Hawks, Francis T., 227 |
| Hawks, John, 61-62, 94, 121 | |
| Handy, Mathias, 64A | Hawks, John S., 81, 124, 125, 127, 226 |
| Hanff, W. B., 189, 202, 231 | |
| Hanks, D. W., 181, 231 | Hawks, Julie, 62 |
| Hanks, Hubert F., 231 | Hawks, William N., 134, 135, 226 |
| Hanley, O. H., 64A | Hawley, William, 223 |
| Hanover Lodge, 12 | Hayes, 40 |
| Hanrahan, J. R., 226 | Hayward, James, 8, 124, 129, 130, 132, 134, 137, 226 |
| Hardenbrock, N. T., 223 | |
| Harding, Henry, 12 | Haywood, Marshall DeLancey, 11, 14, 23, 187 |
| Harding, Mrs. Warren G., 185 | |
| Harding, Warren G., 184, 185, 189 | Hazlewood, Edwin T., 98, 100, 108, 224 |
| Hardison, John, 228 | |
| Hardy, Charles, 224 | Heidt, R. E., 231 |
| Hargett, Samuel M., 145, 228 | Hellinger, C. T., 181, 231 |
| Harker, James, 64A, 223 | Henderson, Archibald, 24 |
| Harkey, J. A., 227 | Henderson, George, 145, 195, 196, 228 |
| Harnett, Cornelius, 12, 14, 16 | |
| Harper, F. M., 147, 149, 228 | Henderson, T. B., 228 |
| Harriett, James M., 233 | Henry, D. P., 182 |
| Harrington, Elisha, 108, 223 | Henry, I. B., 228 |
| Harris, Thomas, 64A | Henry, Jacob, 108, 223 |
| Harris, W. B., 231 | Henry, Louis D., 131 |
| Henry, Mrs. D. P., 182 | Howard, George, 158, 159, 164, 169, 229 |
| Henry, Thomas A., 156, 164, 165, 172, 208B, 219, 230 | |
| Howard, J., 226 | |
| Henry, William, 223 | Howard, James W., 132 |
| Hern (Hearn), Joseph, 64A, 222 | Howard, John, 55, 223 |
| Heros, Lewis, 31, 33, 222 | Howard, Joseph J., 144, 228 |
| Herritage, William, 40 | Howard, Louis N., 206, 232 |
| Herritage, William M., 54, 64A | Howard, Martin, 8, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 184, 186, 196, 200, 218, 222 |
| Herritage, William M., 226 | |
| Hertford, 189 | |
| Hertford County, 46 | Howard, Samuel W., 145, 151, 227 |
| Hester, J. G., 146 | Howell, Hazel S., 183 |
| Hibbard, Albert L., 9, 185, 188, 189, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 209, 210, 212, 213, 231 | Hubbs, E., 149, 150 |
| Hudson, B., 222 | |
| Humble, H. A., 181 | |
| Hill, E. G., 9, 156, 158, 159, 160, 228 | Humphrey, N., 223 |
| Hunley, Richard, 38, 45, 61, 63, 65, 223 | |
| Hill, John, 64A, 223 | |
| Hill, William G., 148, 149 | Hunly, Thomas, 224 |
| Hill, William H., 228 | Hunt, Abraham, 64A, 223 |
| Hill, William T., 9, 165, 169, 170, 178, 188, 230 | Hunt, Robert, 64A, 71 |
| Hunt, Sylvester, 225 | |
| Hillsboro, 12, 38, 44 | Hunter, Daniel, 223 |
| Hines, B. G., 233 | Hunter, Edwin, 81 |
| Hines, Clarence, 176, 231 | Hunter, E. S., 227 |
| Hinkley, Undertaker, 97 | Hunter, J. S., 225 |
| Hinnant, L. G., 210 | Hunter, S. I., 144, 228 |
| Hinnant, W. R., 230 | Hunter, T., 226 |
| Hiram Lodge, 110 | Hunter, W. C., 226 |
| Hispaniola, 59 | Hunter, W. C., 227 |
| Historical Pageant of 1929, 193 | Huntington, M. W., 106, 225 |
| Historical Programs, 184-88, 196, 202 | Hurst, Benjamin B., 230 |
| Hurst, G. W., 228 | |
| Hitchcock, H. H., 147 | Hurst, John, 224 |
| Hodge, Abraham, 33, 34, 222 | Hurtt, D. P., 226 |
| Hodge, John A., 136, 227 | Hurtt, D. W., 136, 137, 138, 146, 149, 227 |
| Hodges, S. E., 146 | |
| Hogg, James, 85 | Hutch, H., 225 |
| Holbrook, A., 224 | Hutchinson, J., 226 |
| Holbrook, R., 225 | Hyman, James, 222 |
| Holcomb, George C., 233 | Hyman, T. G., 161, 229 |
| Holding, Thomas, 223 | Hyman, Thomas, 59, 64A, 223 |
| Holland, George A., 231 | |
| Holland, P., 228 | I |
| Holland, William, 64A, 108, 222 | Imperial Council, A. A. O. N. M. S., 177, 178, 179 |
| Hollister, John T., Jr., 214, 215, 216, 233 | |
| Ince, James, 25, 28, 29, 222 | |
| Hollister, William, 214, 233 | Independence Lodge, 46 |
| Holmes, Cyrus C., 156 | Inge, S. W., 131 |
| Holmes, Gabriel, 123 | Ingles, John, 56 |
| Holmes, Lemuel, 64A, 223 | Ingraham, John, 38, 223 |
| Holt, Josiah, 26, 28, 222 | |
| Holy Land, 188 | Inland Waterway, 208 |
| Honyman, James, Jr., 22 | Ionic Lodge, 209 |
| Hooker, C. E., 231 | Iowa, 91 |
| Horne, G. L., 232 | Ipock, James, 209, 210 |
| Hoskins, C. S., 227 | Ipock, William J., 210, 214, 215, 216, 217, 233 |
| Hosmer, Asa, 222 | |
| Hough, J. G., 231 | Iredell County, 67 |
| Howard, Fannie, 175 | Iredell, James, 24, 80 |
| Howard, George W., 130, 226 | Irish, 110 |
| Irving, Thomas P., 8, 57-60, 63, 64, 64A, 65, 66, 69, 70, 73, 74, 83-87, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 104, 105, 106, 108, 127, 219, 223 | Jones, Lovick, 130, 226 |
| Jones, Joseph W., 146 | |
| Jones, Kenneth R., 232 | |
| Jones, Morgan, 64A | |
| Ives, Ella E., 153 | Jones, Mrs. W. P., 182 |
| Ives, Thomas P., 109, 222 | Jones, R. D. V., 9, 170, 172, 180, 188, 190, 195, 203, 230 |
| Ivey, Claborne, 64A, 223 | |
| Ivey, J. O., 225 | Jones, Reuben P., 64A |
| Jones, S. A., 231 | |
| J | Jones, Thomas, 224 |
| Jackson, N., 227 | Jones, William H., 136, 137, 138, 144, 145, 151, 227 |
| Jamaica, 59 | |
| James, Frank L., 233 | Jones, W. N., 146 |
| James, J., 223 | Jones, W. P., 9, 170, 172, 173, 176, 182, 183, 184, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 195, 201, 202, 203, 206, 208B, 209, 212, 213, 219, 230 |
| James, Manwell, 156 | |
| Jarvis, Moses, 97, 108, 117, 118, 119, 223 | |
| Jefferson, Thomas, 69 | Jordan, J. V., 8, 81, 138, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151, 227 |
| Jennings, Richard, 64A | |
| Jerkins, Alonzo T., 8, 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 139, 141-42, 146, 148, 149, 164, 187, 208A, 218, 226 | Jordan, R., 225 |
| Joy, George Mills, 228 | |
| Joyce, Redmond, 106, 108, 224 | |
| Justice, I. C., 228 | |
| Jerkins, Mrs. Thomas, 141 | Justice, John, 64A |
| Jerkins, Sarah, 141, 142 | |
| Jerkins, Susan C., 142 | K |
| Jerkins, Thomas, 130, 141, 224 | Kafer, Alfred A., 181, 182, 192, 231 |
| Jetter, G. W., 228 | Kafer, Alfred A., Jr., 1, 9, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 209, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 219, 232 |
| Jewel Box, 214 | |
| Jewels of Lodge, see Lodge Treasures | |
| Kafer, Mrs. A. A., 182 | |
| Jewish Synagogue, 171 | Kafer, Oscar A., 1, 69, 172, 173, 176, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 191, 194, 195, 199, 200, 201, 202, 205, 206, 215, 219, 230 |
| Johnson, Charles B., 9, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 210, 212, 232 | |
| Johnson, Charles H., 122 | |
| Johnson, Ernest R., 233 | Kafer, Oscar A., II., 233 |
| Johnston, Augustus, 22 | Kafer, Oswald O., 231 |
| Johnston-Caswell (Blandford-Bute) Lodge, 46, 67 | Kean, Edward, 64A, 69, 71, 223 |
| Kean, William, 64A, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 83, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 102, 108, 223 | |
| Johnston, Jacob, 61, 223 | |
| Johnston, Robert, 108, 223 | |
| Johnston, Samuel, 13, 35, 38, 39, 80, 171 | Keel, William A., 233 |
| Kehoe, Thomas B., 171 | |
| Johnston, Sculptor, 69 | Keith, R., 60 |
| Johnston, Samuel P., 64A, 223 | Kelly, Thomas, 223 |
| Johnston, William, 25, 38, 44, 45, 48, 55, 61, 63, 64A, 73, 74, 96, 98, 222 | Kennedy, James, 64A, 106, 108, 113, 224 |
| Kennedy, John, 222 | |
| Jones, Asa, 75, 106, 108, 113, 224 | Kent, Thomas, 226 |
| Jones, Bryan, 226 | Ketchum, Abel, 223 |
| Jones, Charles, 108, 224 | Khedive Shrine Temple, 91 |
| Jones, Claude C., 170, 230 | Kilpatrick, A. W., 227 |
| Jones County, 46, 214 | Kilpatrick, Warren, 146 |
| Jones, Edward, 59, 223 | King, Edward C., 8, 106, 108, 113, 117, 118, 119, 120, 224 |
| Jones, Frederick, 64A | |
| Jones, Henry A., 225 | King, F. C., 231 |
| Jones, James, 226 | King, Joseph, 64A |
| Jones, John, 64A, 109, 223 | King's Arms Tavern, 29 |
| Jones, John F., 137, 138, 227 | King Solomon Lodge, 46, 50, 68 |
| Jones, John Paul, 17 | Kinman, J. S., 225 |
| Jones, J. W., 136, 227 | Kinns, George, 64A, 109, 222 |
| Kinston, 13, 36, 41, 46, 139, 148 | Linney, Harry, 202 |
| Kinston Lodge, 13 | Lipman, Harry, 1, 9, 189, 191, 192, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 209, 210, 216, 231 |
| Kirkpatrick, Charles C., 230 | |
| Kline, B. H., 232 | |
| Knapp, David, 108, 224 | Lipman, Sol, 183, 185, 188, 189, 201, 217, 231 |
| Knight Commanders, 208, 213, 217 | |
| Knight Templar, 95, 190, 209 | Liquor, 27, 29, 32, 62 |
| Knowles, John, 64, 64A, 73, 223 | Litchfield, Conn., 121 |
| Komatas, Nick, 233 | Littleton, J., 227 |
| Koonce, John C. B., 232 | Lockhart (Lockart), William, 59, 64A, 100, 108, 224 |
| Kyle, William, 64A, 223 | |
| Lodge Financial Difficulties, 31, 57, 102, 106-7, 113, 117, 125-27, 129, 151, 162; see also Masonic Temple Finances | |
| L | |
| Lactum, A. C., 227 | |
| Ladies Memorial Association, 155 | |
| Lafayette Lodge, 123, 125, 127 | Lodge of Good Samaritans, 154, 155 |
| LaFayette, Marquis de, 123 | |
| Lamberts, William, 224 | Lodge of Perfection, 171 |
| Lamotte, Francis, 64A, 222 | Lodge Table Cloth, 90 |
| Land, O. W., 226 | Lodge Treasures, 61, 69, 82, 152, 164, 173, 181, 184, 193, 194, 204, 214, 221 |
| Lane, D. H., 226 | |
| Lane, George, 227 | |
| Lane, J. H., 227 | Lodge Trial, 161 |
| Lane, John, 82 | London, 22, 94 |
| Lane, O. W., 176, 179, 181, 231 | London Board of Trade, 94 |
| Large, William, 108, 224 | Loomis, Harris, 123, 225 |
| Latem, James, 225 | Lorch, E. P., 153, 156 |
| Latham, Augustus, 227 | Lotteries, 72-73, 93-95, 102, 107, 120, 126 |
| Latham, F. P., 139 | |
| Latham, J. E., 169, 230 | Loudoun, Earl of, 11 |
| Latham, John, 101, 106, 224 | Louisiana, 43, 121, 219 |
| Latin quotations, 100 | Lovick, Hugh J., 9, 160, 161, 173, 229 |
| Latta, D. L., 189, 193, 199, 231 | |
| Laughinghouse, Al C., 233 | Lowenberg, C., 227 |
| Lawrence, William, 54, 64A, 109, 222 | Lowenstein, A., 227 |
| Lowthrop, Francis, 8, 44, 45, 48, 54, 55, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 64A, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 84, 85, 87, 95-97, 105, 106, 119, 164, 219, 222 | |
| Learmond, Bro., 25 | |
| Lectures, 119, 129, 130, 191, 193, 195, 202, 203 | |
| Lee, H. S., 227 | |
| Lee, Levin, 227 | Lowthrop Hall, 54, 88, 90, 151, 154, 155, 156, 159, 160, 161, 165, 196, 200, 206, 211, 213, 216, 221 |
| Lee, Robert E., 140 | |
| Leech, Joseph, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 30, 31, 38, 39, 44, 49, 53, 127, 128, 187, 200, 218, 222 | |
| Lowthrop, Sally, 88, 164 | |
| Lumsden, Lecturer, 132 | |
| LeGallais, Edward, 170, 171, 230 | |
| Levinson, Jones, 231 | M |
| Lewis, David, 222 | Machen, Henry, 31, 35, 38, 222 |
| Lewis, E., 224 | Machen, Henry D., 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 226 |
| Lewis, Earl W., 232 | |
| Lewis, Estella F., 183 | Mack, Andrew, 26, 222 |
| Lewis, James, 224 | Mackelcan, G. H., 230 |
| Library, 49 | MacMillan, William F., 187, 231 |
| Library of Congress, 80 | Macon, Ga., 148 |
| Liddell, Walter S., 177 | Madara, Guy H., 192, 193, 195 |
| Light Dragoons, 66 | Maglern, James, 228 |
| Light Infantry, 66 | Mallard, J. T., 179, 231 |
| Lightning Rods, 98, 100 | Manchester, Benjamin, 31, 37, 38, 44, 222 |
| Lincoln, Barnum, 108, 225 | |
| Lindner, Frederick, 108, 224 | Manly, M. E., 153 |
| Linguist, George, 64A, 223 | Mann, E. B., 225 |
| Manning, Pierce, 72 | 63, 64; site lots sold, 113, 114-15; sold for taxes, 129; steps, 204-5; storage of coffins, 142, 143; transfer of property to New Bern Consistory, 173; theatre, 70-71, 76, 77, 80, 82, 86, 101, 123, 130, 132, 133, 151, 153, 156, 158, 161, 162, 164, 165, 167, 168, 170, 173, 178, 189-90, 200, 203-4, 220, 221; theatre receipts, 165, 171, 172, 180, 220; uses, 74, 81, 82, 95, 99, 122, 123, 132, 133, 134, 135, 142, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163-64, 165, 166, 168, 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179, 189-90, 220, 221; woodwork, 220; also see Blue Lodge Room |
| Mares, Joseph, 224 | |
| Mark, Master, 175 | |
| Markland, Charles J., 222 | |
| Marks, Albert R., 176, 231 | |
| Marks, O., 151, 153, 155, 159, 160, 162, 164, 169, 228 | |
| Marquette, J. F., 191 | |
| Marriner, T. J., 231 | |
| Marshall, Thomas, 64A, 222 | |
| Marshall, William H., 227 | |
| Martin, Alexander, 38 | |
| Martin, Alfred, 148 | |
| Martin, B. H., 64A | |
| Martin County, 46 | |
| Martin, Francis X., 11, 34, 35, 42, 43, 47, 50, 54, 55, 56, 64A, 67, 73, 75, 92, 93, 97, 218-19, 222 | |
| Masonry, Alex, 226 | |
| Martin, Josiah, 61 | Masons, other local chapters, 122-23, 143; see also Doric Lodge and Royal Arch Masons |
| Martin, William, 132 | |
| Maryland, 40 | |
| Mason, Alexander, 227 | Massachusetts, 12 |
| Masonboro, 12 | Master, J. M., 225 |
| Masonboro Sound, 12 | Masters, Joseph, 64A, 109, 222 |
| Masonic-Eastern Star Home, 176 | Mather, Isaac, 222 |
| Masonic School, 135 | Matthews, M., 226 |
| Masonic Service Association, 188 | Mayhew, William H., 81 |
| Masonic Shrine Stone, 204-5 | Mayo, John, 224 |
| Masonic Temple, 4, 52, 53, 54, 95, 128A, 128B, 160A, 160B, 204, 220; architecture, 101, 168, 203-4, 220; advertisement of theatre, 159, 164; building plans, 64, 65, 101, 102; building progress, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 82, 83, 86, 95, 97-99, 100, 101; contract, 65, 70-71, 73, 83, 102; cornerstone, 68-70, 152, 199, 204; consecration, 101-5; decorations, 139, 162, 203-4; extensions, 173, 180; federal appropriation, 143, 163-64, 166; federal claim, 143, 163-64; federal occupation, 143; fence, 155; finances, 65, 70-71, 72, 73, 74, 75-77, 93-95, 98, 102, 107, 113, 115, 139, 162, 167-69, 170, 173; fire escape, 171; first use of, 74; furnishings, 81, 82, 88, 99, 113, 118, 119, 120, 132, 160, 180-81, 214-15; grounds, 74, 87, 99, 113; insurance, 74, 101; leases, 71, 76-77, 82, 120, 130, 160, 168, 170, 171, 172, 173; moving pictures, 180; new scenery, 214-15; other changes, 95, 98, 118, 119, 120, 139, 167-69, 203-4; proposals to sell, 154, 156, 173; remodeled, 167-69, 196, 197; renovations, 132, 153, 161, 162, 170; repairs, 99, 100, 130, 132, 154, 160, 161; Scottish Rite hall, 188; site, 61, | McAuslan, Alexander, 25, 26, 222 |
| McCabe, John, 118 | |
| McCall, C., 64A | |
| McCalop, Archibald, 59, 64, 223 | |
| McCann Family, 198 | |
| McCarthy, T. F., 161, 229 | |
| McClure, Gilbert, 64A | |
| McClure, William, 45, 61, 62, 64A, 67, 75, 222 | |
| McConnell, James, 25, 26, 222 | |
| McCotter, D. C., Jr., 232 | |
| McCoy, W., 226 | |
| McFarlin, E., 222 | |
| McGinn, Thomas, 173, 176, 183, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 206, 209, 214, 216, 231 | |
| McGrath, Sexton, 37 | |
| McIlwean, F., 64A | |
| McIntosh, W. A., 169, 230 | |
| McKay, John, 27, 222 | |
| McKee, Russell, 108, 224 | |
| McKeel, H. C., 230 | |
| McKinlay, James, 64A, 71, 77, 107 | |
| McKinney, A., 223 | |
| McLin, Thomas, 27, 71, 223 | |
| McMaines, James, 61, 223 | |
| McMaster, I., 123, 225 | |
| McNetty, P. C., 226 | |
| McPherson, Lewis, 222 | |
| McRee, G. J., 24 | |
| McRolfe, A. F., 227 | |
| Meaders, Homer T., 233 |
| Meatu, J. O., 223 | Mooreing, Jesse P., 108, 225 |
| Mecklenburg County, 177 | Moore's Creek Bridge, 30, 40 |
| Melvin, David, 108, 223 | Mooring (Moring), Burwell, 64A, 222 |
| Memorial Boulder of Governors, 188 | |
| Morrison, Cameron, 184 | |
| Memorial for Lodge Sesqui-Centennial, 188, 199-201 | Morrison, John, 222 |
| Moss, Edward G., 92 | |
| Menius, E. F., 200 | Mountain Lake Lodge, 192 |
| Merfeld, H. A., 172, 230 | Mountain Lake, N. J., 192 |
| Meriam, J. H., 224 | Mount-Maria Lodge, 67 |
| Merrill, J. W., 224 | Moye, Francis M., 172 |
| Methodist Church, 133, 158 | Much, James, 222 |
| Metts, F. C., 227 | Mumford, Jesse G., 226 |
| Metts, W. P., 148 | Munger, C. W., 230 |
| Metz, E. F. C., 196, 232 | Munn, John, 222 |
| Mewborn, L. J., 146 | Munson Council, 209 |
| Middlesex County, England, 24 | Murals, 162 |
| Midgett, V. T., 228 | Murch Construction Co., 199 |
| Midyette, Charles T., Jr., 233 | Murdoch, William, 146 |
| Mildrum, Stillman W., 227 | Murphy, Archibald, 34 |
| Miller, Alex, 227 | Murphy, William, 223 |
| Miller, I. R., 228 | Murry, Ferris & Co., 140 |
| Miller, Stephen F., 122 | Musical and Dramatic Association, 153 |
| Milligan, Jacob, 27, 28, 222 | |
| Milner, James, 14, 18, 19 | Myers, I. D., 228 |
| Minor, S., 64A, 223 | Myrick, H., 225 |
| Mintz, David B., 100, 101, 106, 108, 224 | |
| N | |
| Missionaries, 111 | Nash, Abner, 53, 54, 188, 218 |
| Mississippi, 43, 121, 131, 219 | Nash, Frederick, 73, 105, 218, 224 |
| Missouri, 86, 91, 207 | Nash, J. E., 147 |
| Missouri School of Mines, 207 | Nason, George W., Jr., 228 |
| Mitchell, Abram, 108, 224 | National Bank of New Berne, 146, 202 |
| Mitchell, Charles, 225 | |
| Mitchell, Gerald N., 1, 9, 206, 209, 214, 215, 216, 233 | Naval Militia, 199 |
| Naval Reserve, 199 | |
| Mitchell, I. N., 231 | Navy, 51, 86 |
| Mitchell, Joseph, 64A | Neal, B. B., 161, 229 |
| Mitchell, William, 109, 223 | Neal, G. W., 151, 228 |
| Moffatt, Thomas, 22, 23 | Neale, Abner, 35, 36, 37, 44, 94, 223 |
| Mohn, N. E., 9, 170, 172, 230 | |
| Monroe, James, 115-117, 128, 218 | Negro Brass Band, 133 |
| Montfort, Edward W., 226 | Negroes, 81, 132 |
| Montfort, E. W., 222 | Nelson, F. J. W., 225 |
| Montfort, Joseph, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 25, 26, 171, 186, 207, 218 | Nelson, John S., 108, 224 |
| Nelson, Margaret D., 178 | |
| Montfort, Joseph, Memorial Association, 171 | Neuse River, 49, 140, 187, 208 |
| Newbegin, E. G., 153, 154, 229 | |
| Moodis, B., 222 | New Bern Academy, 30, 42, 57, 58, 59, 63, 85, 86, 94, 97, 105, 127, 174 |
| Moore County, 67 | |
| Moore, James, 222 | |
| Moore, James W., 154, 169, 229 | New Bern Athletic Club, 154, 156 |
| Moore, J. W., 227 | New Bern Banking and Trust Co., 184 |
| Moore, Larry I., 186, 196, 232 | |
| Moore, Mary Vail Jones Wilson, 128 | New Bern Brass Band, 133 |
| New Bern Chapter No. 46, 123, 175 | |
| Moore, Robert G., 126, 129, 226 | New Bern Consistory No. 3, 173 |
| Moore, Thomas O., 198, 232 | New Bern Elks Lodge, 165, 199, 208, 213-14 |
| Moore, Walter E., 161 | |
| Moore, William C., 233 | New Bern Gazette, 64 |
| Moore, William P., 139 | New Bern Grays, 151 |
| New Bern Library Association, 197 | Oglesby, B. A., 227 |
| Old Cone Lodge, 13, 46, 66 | |
| New Bern Light Infantry, 139 | O'Leary, D., 227 |
| New Bern Lodge of Perfection, 208 | Oliver, John, 108, 224 |
| New Bern Monumental Works, 204 | Oliver, John M., 81 |
| New Bern Mutual Life Insurance Co., 213 | Oliver, Joseph, 108, 222 |
| Oliver, Joseph, Jr., 224 | |
| New Bern Theatre, 78, 79 | Oliver Room, 63 |
| New Bern Volunteers, 49 | Oliver, Samuel, 64A, 73, 78, 79, 97, 108, 224 |
| New Berne Lodge No. 245, 154-55, 156 | |
| Oliver, Samuel, 227 | |
| Newcombe, Charles, 201 | Oliver, S., Jr., 226 |
| Newell, W. H., 173, 176, 179, 231 | Oliver, William H., 137, 150, 227 |
| New England, 39 | Olympic Theatre, 80 |
| Newfoundland, 107 | Onslow County, 107, 123, 127 |
| New Hanover County, 12 | Opera House, see Masonic Temple Theatre |
| New Haven, Conn., 121 | |
| New Orleans, 121 | Oram, Peter B., 31, 32, 33, 222 |
| Newport, Ky., 207 | Orange County, 40 |
| Newport, R. I., 22 | Order of Colonial Masters, 198 |
| New Theatre, 80 | Order of High Priesthood, 214 |
| Newton, James R., 233 | Oriental Chair of King Solomon, 175 |
| Newton, Thomas D., 27 | |
| New York, 34, 89, 90, 96, 101, 121, 122, 140, 167, 195 | Orme, D. S., 208, 224 |
| Ormsbee, W. W., 226 | |
| Nichols, William, 108, 224 | Orphanage, 151, 158, 171, 193, 194, 197, 205, 206, 210 |
| Nickel, Hugh, 224 | |
| Nickell, E., 225 | Orphanage Singing Class, 158, 171, 215, 216 |
| Nicoll, George A., 231 | |
| Nixon, Richard, 222 | Orr, James, 224 |
| Noble, A. M., 227 | Orringer, Anna, 183 |
| Noble, Asiel, 98 | Orringer, Harold, 232 |
| Noble, M. C. S., 186 | Orringer, Leon R., 198, 201, 232 |
| Noble, R. J., 162 | Osborn, J. B., 225 |
| Norfolk, 91, 167, 203 | Osborn, John C., 54, 55, 64, 64A, 65, 67, 68, 71, 73, 84, 88, 96, 97, 109, 222 |
| Northam, Benjamin, 223 | |
| North Carolina Gazette, 50, 51, 60, 80 | |
| Outray, M., 223 | |
| North Carolina Journal, 34 | Outten, Abraham, 54, 222 |
| North Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligencer, 14, 207 | Outten, Matthew A., 8, 124, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 137, 226 |
| North Carolina Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Co., 142, 143, 146-50, 202, 220 | Overman, John W., 202 |
| Oxford, 151, 171, 193, 194, 197 | |
| North Carolina Minerva, 34 | P |
| North Carolina Railroad, 140 | Palmer, W. L., 147 |
| North Carolina State Elks Association, 208 | Pansophia Lodge, 67 |
| Paris, 180 | |
| North Carolina State Firemen's Association, 197 | Parker, Ezra, 225 |
| Parker, John, 222 | |
| North Dakota, 91 | Parker, John H., 1, 9, 173, 176, 181, 182, 183, 184, 192, 193, 194, 195, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 206, 208B, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 216, 219, 230 |
| Nunn, R. A., 140 | |
| Nut Shell, 153 | |
| O | |
| Oasis Shrine Temple, 177, 178, 208 | Parker, Mamie G., 183 |
| Odd Fellows, 129, 155, 214 | Parker, Z. V., 172, 173, 176, 179, 181, 212, 214, 230 |
| Odd Fellows Hall, 146 | |
| Ode, for courthouse cornerstone, 157 | Parks, William 222 |
| Parks, William J., 226 | |
| Ogden, Robert, Jr., 64A, 108, 223 | Parrott, B. F., 146 |
| Parrott, James, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 222 | Pittman, Erma M., 183 |
| Pittman, George E., 145, 146, 151, 153, 154, 155, 228 | |
| Parsons, Thomas, 144, 145, 151, 155, 228 | |
| Pittman, James, 108, 224 | |
| Parsons, William S., 172, 173, 230 | Pittman, W. C., 227 |
| Pasteur, Abner, 64A | Pitts, William J., 161, 162, 229 |
| Pasteur, Edward, 38, 44, 48, 64, 64A, 67, 71, 74, 75, 87, 100, 101, 107, 108, 222 | Plantagenet Commandery, 209 |
| Poliakoff, Irving, 233 | |
| Polk, James K., 135 | |
| Pasteur, John S., 64A, 67, 73, 78, 79, 85, 95, 105, 223 | Polk, William, 13, 69, 111 |
| Pollock, George, 115 | |
| Pasteur, Thomas A., 120, 122, 123, 225 | Ponder, W. D., 228 |
| Pool, S. D., 147 | |
| Paterson, Alice C., 207 | Pope, Myrtle, 182 |
| Paterson, Harry T., 9, 173, 175, 176, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 189, 192, 194, 195, 203, 206-9, 208A, 218, 219 | Porter, G., 225 |
| Porter, J. H., 147 | |
| Postage Stamps, 91-92 | |
| Postoffice, 49, 69 | |
| Paterson, Mrs. H. T., 182 | Poteat, Hubert M., 179, 186 |
| Paterson, William A., 207 | Pothier's Textbook, 43 |
| Patience Opera Troupe, 156 | Powell, A. B., 228 |
| Patten, John, 27, 222 | Powers, T., 147 |
| Patterson, Albert F., 181, 231 | Powers, Thomas, 156 |
| Patterson, Isaac, 158, 229 | Pratt, S., 223 |
| Paul, E. W., 191 | Prentiss, Francis J., 129, 226 |
| Pearce, W. L. B., 226 | Presbyterian, 105, 114, 115, 124 |
| Pearsall, P. M., 53, 187 | Price, Jonathan, 105, 106, 223 |
| Pearson, Thomas W., 222 | Price, M. L., 230 |
| Pearson, T. J., 146 | Pridgen, C. L., 179 |
| Pembroke, 54 | Primrose, C. S., 227 |
| Pendleton, George B., 230 | Primrose, John W., 228 |
| Pendleton, S., 31, 222 | Primrose, Mrs. Robert S., 182 |
| Pendleton, Simeon, 108, 224 | Primrose, Robert S., 9, 160, 161, 162, 229 |
| Pennsylvania, 42 | |
| People's Bank, 198 | Primrose, R. S., 147, 227 |
| Pepsi-Cola, 198 | Princess Anne County, Va., 118 |
| Perkins, Benjamin J., 226 | Princeton University, 57, 174 |
| Perkins, J., 225 | Pritchard, J. C., 164 |
| Perkins, W. B., 108, 224 | Proctor, C. K., 206 |
| Perkins, William B., 226 | Providence, R. I., 69, 152 |
| Perquimans Lodge, 189 | Prunier, Elmer F., 195, 231 |
| Perry, G. W., 228 | Pumphrey, C. T., 179, 180, 231 |
| Perry, Zebedee, 223 | Purser, William H., 1, 9, 188, 189, 191, 192, 194, 195, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 206, 209, 210, 212, 214, 215, 216, 217, 231 |
| Peters, E., 223 | |
| Peterson, Jacob, 222 | |
| Pettet, Robert, 64A, 108, 224 | |
| Pettis, Henry, 108, 223 | |
| Pfaff, A. E., 233 | Q |
| Philadelphia, 48, 89, 90, 101, 121 | Queen's Creek, 107 |
| Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, 80 | Quirk, John, 225 |
| Phillips, Lacy, 134, 147, 149, 226 | R |
| Phoenix (Union) Lodge, 38, 41, 46, 67, 111 | Rainbow Division, O. E. S., 197 |
| Rains, Gabriel J., 115 | |
| Phrenology, 132 | Rains, Gabriel M., 115 |
| Physiott, J., 225 | Rains, George W., 115 |
| Pickering, Thomas, 51 | Raleigh, 56, 67, 91, 93, 95, 111, 128, 132, 135, 148, 152, 171, 193, 215 |
| Pierce, Lazarus, 108, 223 | |
| Pigott, J. R., 162 | Raleigh Register, 87 |
| Pitch Kettle, 48 | Raleigh Star, 34 |
| Pitt County, 12, 172 | Reading, Jeremiah, 62, 222 |
| Real, John, 108, 224 | Rolla, Mo., 207 |
| Reclamation Service, 207 | Rome, Ga., 148 |
| “Recollections of New Bern,” 122 | Rooke, Bart, 19, 20, 222 |
| Redmond, James, 155, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 228 | Rose Polytechnic Institute, 207 |
| Rosenthal, E. W., 164, 165, 229 | |
| Ross, William, 223 | |
| Reed, James, 29 | Rountree, A. M., 231 |
| Reed, Jesse, 111-12 | Rountree, R. H., 146, 149 |
| Reed, John, 223 | Rountree, S. H., 146, 149 |
| Reed, Southey, 222 | Rowe, E. F., 159, 229 |
| Reh, Fred R. W., 231 | Royal and Select Masters, 190, 209 |
| Reinhardt, Potentate, 178 | Royal Arch Masons, 55, 95, 122-23, 134, 175, 190, 208, 209 |
| Reis, Max, 145, 228 | |
| Relics, 69, 82, 152, 164, 173, 193, 221 | Royal Edwin (Charity) Lodge, 13, 39, 46 |
| Reorganizations of Lodge, 31, 129, 143, 163, 174, 186 | Royal White Hart Lodge, 12, 46, 109 |
| Repiton, A. P., 134 | Royal William Lodge, 13, 46 |
| Revere, Paul, 188 | Rujisell, Thomas, 64A |
| Rhem, J. F., 9, 164, 165, 170, 171, 172, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 184, 185, 190-91, 208A, 208B, 219, 220, 229 | Rules of Lodge, 20, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32 |
| Ruminger, E. C., 227 | |
| Rumley, Samuel D., 228 | |
| Rhem, Joseph L., 227 | Russell, R. A., 227 |
| Rhem, Mrs. J. F., 181, 182 | Russell, William, 224 |
| Rhode Island, 15, 22, 23, 121, 152 | Rutherford County, 46 |
| Rhodes, James, 64A | Rutherford Fellowship Lodge, 46 |
| Rhodes, Jesse P., 170, 172, 230 | Ryal, Philip, 99, 106, 224 |
| Ricaud, T. Page, 136, 227 | |
| Rich, W. H., 165 | S |
| Richardson, A. H., 126, 226 | Sabiston, David, 64A, 223 |
| Richardson, Andrew, 109, 223 | Sabuka, Gabriel, 223 |
| Richardson, John, 19, 222 | St. Andrews Lodge, 17 |
| Richardson, John A., 146, 228 | St. James Church, 16, 60 |
| Richardson, R. A., Jr., 231 | St. John's Commandery, 190, 198 |
| Richmond Plantation, 15, 23, 24 | St. John's Lodge No. 1, Providence, R. I., 69, 152 |
| Richmond, Va., 203 | |
| Ridgeley, Charles G., 100, 101, 106, 108, 224 | St. John's Lodge No. 1, Wilmington, 46, 207 |
| Riggs, John L., 233 | St. John's Lodge No. 4, (No. 96), Kinston, 13, 46 |
| Rivenbark, R. R., 209, 214, 233 | |
| Roberts, E. B., 144, 145, 228 | St. John's Lodge No. 13, Duplin County, 46 |
| Roberts, F. M., 230 | |
| Roberts, Frederick C., 8, 88, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 164, 174, 288 | St. Louis, 214 |
| St. Mary's Free Will Baptist Church, 171 | |
| Roberts, George H., 144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 228 | St. Stephen's Church, 121 |
| St. Tammany Lodge, 46, 67 | |
| Roberts, Samuel C., 228 | St. Thomas Church, 121 |
| Roberts, W. C., 171 | Salisbury, 13, 36, 46, 67 |
| Robertson, N. C., 226 | Salter, John, 12 |
| Robinson, B., 226 | Sammons, S. L., 230 |
| Robinson, James, 223 | Sampson, James, 225 |
| Robinson, John, 54, 222 | San Domingo, 96 |
| Robinson, W. P., 228 | Sanders, Hardy, 96, 109, 223 |
| Rockingham, 36 | Sandy, James, 223 |
| Rocky Mount, 178, 189 | Sasser, G. S., 231 |
| Rodriges, Francis, 223 | Saunders (Sanders), Charles, 108, 224 |
| Rodriguey, M., 224 | |
| Roe, William, 64A | Savage, Timothy, 108, 223 |
| Rogers, T., 223 | Savannah, Ga., 140 |
| Sawyer, F. H., 230 | Sloan, Earl S., 198, 205 |
| Sawyer, J. H., 230 | Sloan's Liniment, 198 |
| School, New Bern, 21, 30, 42, 165, 197, 199; see also New Bern Academy and Moses Griffin School | Slocumb, David, 64A |
| Smallwood, Edward F., 8, 135, 136, 137, 226 | |
| Smallwood, Robert F., 199 | |
| Scotland, 39, 66, 107 | Smaw, D. G., 191, 231 |
| Scott, Guion, 226 | Smith, Actor, 80 |
| Scottish Rite, 180, 190, 198, 203, 208, 213, 214, 219, 220 | Smith, Benjamin, 13, 109 |
| Smith, C. F., 233 | |
| Seal for Lodge, 26, 27 | Smith, Harry, 231 |
| Sears, George, 141 | Smith, H. B., 9, 165, 169, 170, 230 |
| Sears, John, 64A, 71, 222 | Smith, James, 225 |
| Sebrell, John N., 91 | Smith, John C., 232 |
| Secession, 139 | Smith, John Frink, 33, 54, 55, 223 |
| Seey, George, 225 | Smith, J. W., 225 |
| Sermond, D. D., 227 | Smith, M. B., 230 |
| Service Flag, 180 | Smith, Nathaniel, 120, 123, 124, 225 |
| Sesqui-Centennial, Founding of Lodge, 53, 176A, 184-88 | |
| Smith, Ralph Hunter, 192, 231 | |
| Setzer, C. M., 182 | Smith, Raymond B., 230 |
| Sewell, R. J., 225 | Smith, R. B., 227 |
| Sewers, 139 | Smith, Samuel, 64A |
| Shackleford, C. D., 226 | Smith, T., 222 |
| Shanansolf, S. B., 64A | Smith, William E., 165, 169, 230 |
| Shaw, John, 224 | Smith, William R., 210 |
| Sheffield, John, 64A, 222 | Smythe, Samuel, 25, 27 |
| Shellrock wall, 139 | Snap Dragon, privateer, 107 |
| Shepard, Charles B., 81 | Snow, R., 225 |
| Shepard, William, 71, 73, 77, 93, 95, 107 | Snow, Sylvanus, 223 |
| Society for Propagation of the Gospel, 30 | |
| Sherrod, Watson N., 202, 203 | |
| Sherwood, Uriah, 108, 224 | Society of Cincinnati, 198-99 |
| Shine, James, 50 | Solomon Lodge, (Cape Fear), 11 |
| Shrine Home, 178-79, 176B, 187 | Somerset County, Md., 57 |
| Shriners, 172, 176-79, 181, 190, 191, 203, 208; see also Sudan Shrine Temple, Sudan Shrine Band and Shrine Home | Somerset, Henry, 17; see also Duke of Beaufort |
| South America, 107 | |
| Southwell, H. J., 231 | |
| Shute, Joseph, 45, 54, 222 | Spaight, Charles Leech, 128 |
| Silberstein, Lewis, 151, 153, 228 | Spaight, Elizabeth Wilson, 128 |
| Siles, P. H., 225 | Spaight, Margaret Elizabeth, 128 |
| Simmons, Abraham, 108, 224 | Spaight, Mary Leech, 127, 128 |
| Simmons, Furnifold M., 152, 185, 195, 211-12, 219, 229 | Spaight, Richard, 128 |
| Spaight, Richard Dobbs, 39, 49, 59, 87, 94, 127, 128, 129, 131, 184, 188 | |
| Simons, W. H., Jr., 233 | |
| Simpson, Edward, 54, 223 | |
| Simpson, H. W., 164, 165, 167, 168, 169, 172, 230 | Spaight, Richard Dobbs, Jr., 68, 86, 109, 119, 120, 124-29, 141, 184, 187, 188, 218, 219 |
| Simpson, John A., 137, 138, 144, 147, 154, 159, 227 | |
| Spaight, Richard Dobbs, Chapter, D. A. R., 188 | |
| Simpson, Samuel, 49, 118, 187 | |
| Sims, John C., 92 | Sparrow, Robert, 224 |
| Singleton, Spyers, 94 | Sparrow, Samuel, 64A |
| Singleton, Thomas J., 84 | Sparrow, Stephen D., 133, 226 |
| Singleton, William G., 136, 146, 227 | Sparrow, Thomas, 113, 118, 120, 223 |
| Sitgreaves, John, 49 | Sparrow, Thomas, Jr., 224 |
| Slade, William, 222 | Sparrow, William S., 224 |
| Slater, Robert C., 233 | Sparrow, W. T., 225 |
| Sloan, Bertha, 198 | Spence, T. R., 228 |
| Spittoons, 160 | 181, 186, 190, 191, 196, 198, 208, 220 |
| Spivey, J. M., 1, 9, 209, 214, 215, 216, 233 | |
| Sudan Temple Band, 186 | |
| Stacpool, H., 226 | Sullivan, J. E., 233 |
| Stage and scenery, 153, 167, 214-15 | Sultan, M. H., 160, 229 |
| Stallings, D. H., 189 | Sultan, W. H., 231 |
| Stallings, R. L., 183 | Summerell, E. W., 9, 195, 200, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 209, 210, 211, 212, 215, 216, 232 |
| Stamp Act, 22 | |
| Stanley, A. H., 226 | |
| Stanley, J. B., 227 | Sumner, John Bird, 21 |
| Stanly-Dill House, 58 | Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 208, 219 |
| Stanly, Edward R., 81, 130, 131, 132-33, 134, 135, 139, 219, 226 | |
| Surry County, 109 | |
| Stanly, John, 59, 64A, 73, 74, 87, 121, 122, 131 | Suskin, M., 169, 170, 172, 192, 230 |
| Sutherland, Louis D., 170, 230 | |
| Stanly, John Wright, 27, 29, 30, 49, 87, 94 | Sutton, Frank R., 201, 203, 205 |
| Sutton, J. F. I., 146 | |
| Stanly, Richard D., 64A, 71, 72, 101, 131, 223 | Sutton, Vera, 183 |
| Sutton, William, 146 | |
| Stanly, Thomas J., 84, 131 | Swansboro, 107 |
| Star Theatre, 180 | Swindell, W. B., 229 |
| State Anthem, 86 | Swinson, G. W., 170, 230 |
| State Auditor, first, 61-62 | Swiss, 172 |
| State Capitol, 171, 220 | Switzerland, 172 |
| State Gazette, 34 | |
| State Supreme Court, 52, 86, 110, 111, 121, 153, 218 | T |
| Tagert, I., 222 | |
| Steamers, 140 | Tarboro, 35, 36, 37, 39, 48, 92, 93 |
| Stephens, Marcus C., 64, 64A, 67, 73, 77, 83, 95, 97, 101, 113, 120, 223 | Tatum, A., 56 |
| Taylor, D. T., 228 | |
| Taylor, Isaac, 58, 59, 61, 63, 64, 64A, 69, 71, 223 | |
| Stephens, Myrtle M., 183 | |
| Stephenson, Silas S., 108, 225 | Taylor, James, 64A, 73, 96, 108, 224 |
| Sterne, L., 227 | |
| Stevenson, George S., 135, 139 | Taylor, John Louis, 8, 13, 44, 56, 59, 64, 64A, 69, 71, 73, 75, 84, 92, 93, 97, 98, 107, 109, 110-12, 141, 218, 223 |
| Stevenson, James C., 81 | |
| Stevenson, L. L., 126 | |
| Stewart, Charles, 123, 124, 225 | |
| Stewart, John W., 167-68, 229 | Taylor, John P., 230 |
| Stewart, Sara Louise, 182, 183 | Taylor, L. J., 160, 161, 169, 171, 172, 173, 229 |
| Stiron, Wallace, 222 | |
| Stith, Laurence A., 1, 9, 206, 209, 212, 214, 215, 216, 232 | Taylor, Nettie O., 183 |
| Taylor, R. N., 139 | |
| Stockwell, W. L., 91 | Taylor-Ward House, 58 |
| Stokes, Montfort, 41 | Taylor, William, 64A |
| Stott, P. C., 202, 215 | Taylor, William G., 123, 124, 126, 225 |
| Stow, Truman, 130, 226 | Templeton, John F., 81, 95, 97, 98, 99, 101, 106, 108, 113, 118, 224 |
| Street, J. A., 172, 230 | |
| Street Samuel R., 145, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 159, 160, 162, 228 | Tennessee, 91, 92, 109, 110, 219 |
| Terre Haute, Ind., 207 | |
| Street, T. Doe, 185, 191, 231 | Terry, Nathaniel L., 108, 223 |
| Stringer, Francis, 31, 35, 37, 64A, 222 | Theatre, 78, 79, 80, 81; see also Masonic Temple Theatre |
| Strother, John, 64A | Theatrical Association, 70, 71, 74, 76-77, 80, 82-85, 98, 102 |
| Studdert, George J., 233 | |
| Sturtevant, Joshua, 224 | Theatrical Productions, 70, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82-86, 123, 130, 153, 156, 168, 220, 221 |
| Styron, David, 229 | |
| Styron, W. S., 145, 228 | |
| Submarine explosives, 115 | Thirty-third Degree, 208, 217, 219 |
| Sudan Shrine Temple, 91, 176-79, | Thomas, Charles R., 164, 166 |
| Thomas, Samuel, 64A | Vance, Z. B., 163 | |
| Thomasville, 174 | Vendric, H. H., 233 | |
| Thompson, Charles, 26 | Vestal, W. I., 228 | |
| Thompson (Thomson), Thomas, 64A, 223 | Vice Grand Master, 68, 97, 219 | |
| Vick, George D., Jr., 202, 232 | ||
| Thompson, Thomas, 148 | Vincent, Francis R., 226 | |
| Thynne, Thomas, 11 | Vipon, Henry, 27, 32, 222 | |
| Tignor, James G., 84, 108, 113, 225 | Vipon, Thomas G., 64A, 224 | |
| Tignor, William, 224 | Virginia, 51, 118, 126, 134, 186 | |
| Tillman, Henry, 64A, 222 | Volland, Louis, 214-15 | |
| Tillman, ship, 66 | Vultus, George, 54, 55, 222 | |
| Tilton, Benjamin, 224 | ||
| Tinker, Edward, Jr., 64A | W | |
| Tisdale and Company, 77 | Wade, Dempsey, 224 | |
| Tisdale, Nathan, 64A | Wade, J. N., 231 | |
| Tisdale, William, 84 | Wagner, F. E., 188, 231 | |
| Tolson, William, 108, 223 | Waite, John, 222 | |
| Tomlinson, Thomas, 29, 30 | Wake Forest, 179, 186 | |
| Tooker, John, 224 | Wake Forest College, 174 | |
| Tooley, Adam, 223 | Waldrop, Harlowe C., 231 | |
| Torpedoes, 115 | Walker, A. A., 181, 231 | |
| Torrans, Alexander, 64A | Wall, L. L., 78, 79 | |
| Travis, H. D., 231 | Wallace, David, Jr., 64A, 108, 223 | |
| Trenton, 50, 132 | Wallace, George W., 146, 227 | |
| Trent River, 49, 50, 66, 128 | Wallace, James, 223 | |
| Trianingham, N., 222 | Wallace, James, 225 | |
| Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., 22 | Wallace, Joseph, 64A, 222 | |
| Tripp, Joseph, 223 | Wallace, Thomas C., 227 | |
| Tripp, L. C., 231 | Wallace, William H., 225 | |
| True Republican, 34 | Wallace, Woods L., 233 | |
| Tryon, Lady, 14 | Wallnau, L. L., 231 | |
| Tryon, William, 14, 23, 30, 40, 61 | Walnut Street Theatre, 80 | |
| Tryon's Palace, 21, 31, 32, 39, 44, 48B, 49, 53, 58, 59, 60, 61, 65, 82, 101, 121, 220, 221 | Waples, Nathaniel, 8, 123, 124, 125, 225 | |
| War of Regulators, 23 | ||
| Tucker, L. R., 176, 191, 192, 193, 198, 231 | War stamps and bonds, 180, 189, 215, 216-17 | |
| Turner, Thomas, 224 | Ward, D. L., 230 | |
| Turner's Still Room, 80 | Ward, J. D., 226 | |
| Tyson, Henry G., 232 | Warne, J. A., 226 | |
| Warren, 36 | ||
| U | Warren County, 13 | |
| Ulrich, Ferdinand, 145, 151, 159, 164, 228 | Warren, Edward, 222 | |
| Warren, Jacob, 222 | ||
| Unanimity Lodge, 13, 46 | Warren, James E., 165, 229 | |
| Union (Phoenix) Lodge, 13, 31, 35, 38 | Warren, W. T., 231 | |
| Warrenton, 46, 67 | ||
| University of Georgia, 115 | Warters, William R., 145, 146, 151, 153, 154, 160, 161, 228 | |
| University of Louisiana, 121, 219 | ||
| University of Maryland, 198 | Washington, D. C., 109, 166 | |
| University of North Carolina, 40, 45, 51, 67, 85, 86, 121, 127, 141, 198, 219 | Washington, George, 3, 17, 21, 30, 33, 34, 39, 40, 47-53, 87-92, 97, 115, 116, 117, 119, 128, 173, 185, 187, 188, 189, 192, 193, 196, 200, 218, 219 | |
| University of Pennsylvania, 134 | ||
| U. S. Engineer Department, 208 | ||
| Utley, Jacob, 226 | Washington, John, 64A, 108, 223 | |
| V | Washington Lodge, 46 | |
| Vail, Benners, 64A, 71, 73, 106, 224 | Washington National Memorial, 90, 91 | |
| Vail, John, 64A, 108, 224 | ||
| Valley of New Bern, 214 | Washington's Birthday, 50, 51, 52, 196; Bi-Centennial, 196 | |
| Vance, Robert B., 162 |
| Washington, William, 174 | Willard, H., 222 |
| Waters, Samuel B., 158, 159, 229 | William and Mary College, 110 |
| Watkins, J. L., 148, 149, 228 | Williams, Benjamin, 69 |
| Watson, T. B., 226 | Williams, Benjamin, 222 |
| Watson, Thomas, 106, 108, 113, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 224 | Williams, Blanche H., 183 |
| Williams, Charles, 64A, 222 | |
| Watson, William M., 144, 153, 228 | Williams, Charles A., 90, 91, 192 |
| Waynesville, 193 | Williams, David, 222 |
| Weatherly, Mary C., 182 | Williams, E. Ellis, 231 |
| Webb, James H., 186, 187 | Williams, Enos, 108, 223 |
| Webb, William S., 120, 124, 126, 129, 225 | Williams, James, 146 |
| Williams, J. D., 182 | |
| Webber, Thomas, 64A | Williams, J. F., 91, 192 |
| Weeks, Stephen, 34 | Williams, J. F., Jr., 91 |
| Weinstein, Joseph, 145, 228 | Williams, J. M., 226 |
| Weinstein, W., 227 | Williams, John, 222 |
| Weldon, 203 | Williams, Mrs. J. D., 182, 183 |
| Wendell, 215 | Williams, Mrs. R. B., 182, 183 |
| West Indies, 59, 131, 141 | Williams, R. B., 183, 184, 185, 188, 189, 201, 231 |
| West Point, 115 | |
| West, Richard, 64A | Williams, Robert, 13, 64A, 67, 68, 108, 109-10, 141, 218, 223 |
| West, Stephen, 223 | |
| Wetherington, J. E., 192, 230 | Williams, Thomas, 223 |
| Wetherington, L. F., 203, 232 | Williams, Thomas, 159, 229 |
| Wethington, C. E., 169, 170, 179, 220, 230 | Williams, William, 91 |
| Williams, William J., 87-92, 96, 118-19, 192, 219 | |
| Weymouth, 11 | |
| Whaley, Jonathan, 228 | Williamsburg, Va., 80 |
| Whalley, Thomas, 222 | Williamson, Hugh, 39 |
| White, Edward, 222 | Williard, W., 223 |
| White, Luther, 231 | Willis, A. J., 226 |
| White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs, 101 | Willis, Albert T., 9, 91, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 200, 203, 231 |
| White, R. R., 192, 193, 206, 215, 216, 232 | Willis, A. R., 170, 230 |
| Willis, A. Rexford, 232 | |
| White, William, 121 | Willis, David H., 232 |
| White, W. W., 226 | Willis, David S., 8, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 226 |
| Whitehurst, George B., 232 | |
| Whitehurst, Henry P., 134, 226 | Willis, D. W., 225 |
| Whitehurst, Henry P., 188, 231 | Willis, E. L., 232 |
| Whitehurst, Mrs. T. B., 182 | Willis, Elijah, 224 |
| Whitehurst, T. Bayard, 179, 231 | Willis, G. W., 226 |
| Whitford, Dill and Company, 140 | Willis, J., 225 |
| Whitford, Hardy, 189, 191, 231 | Willis, R. A., 228 |
| Whitford, John D., 65-66, 81, 83, 138-41, 149, 154, 162, 163, 227 | Willis, Spence P., 124, 225 |
| Willis, Wallace, 222 | |
| Whitford, J. N., 227 | Wills, Henry, 34 |
| Whitford's “Historical Notes,” 65-66, 141 | Wilmington, 11, 12, 16, 36, 42, 46, 59, 67, 94, 132, 134, 148, 207, 208, 209 |
| Whitley, R. C., 183, 195 | |
| Whitney, D. P., 222 | Wilmington Academy, 60 |
| Whittemore, James O., 156 | Wilson, B. D., 186 |
| Whitty, Edward, 222 | Wilson, James, 64A, 222 |
| Whitty, Joseph, 227 | Wilson, N. H. D., 192, 232 |
| Wicker, W. C., 188, 191 | Wilson, R. H., 170 |
| Wicks, P. L., 124, 225 | Wilson, T. G., 227 |
| Widows’ Fund, 150, 190 | Wilson, Thomas, 223 |
| Wiggins, J., 223 | Wilson, Thomas, 146, 151, 153, 154, 158, 159, 160, 228 |
| Wilber, Caleb, 108, 224 | |
| Wilhalf, C. E., 231 | Wilson, T. R., 135, 226 |
| Wilkins, Samuel, 64A | Wilson, W., 227 |
| Windsor, 12, 13, 36, 39, 46, 186 | Woods, Benjamin, 64A, 67, 72, 76, 97, 222 |
| Wingate, Isaac, 108, 224 | |
| Winslow, Edward, 26, 222 | Woods, Matthew, 228 |
| Winstead, K. W., 193, 195 | Woods, Robert, 64A |
| Winston, Francis D., 12, 186 | Wooten, John, 108, 225 |
| Winton, 13, 36, 46 | World War I, 178, 179-81 |
| Witherington, W. F., 227 | World War II, 215-17 |
| Witherspoon, David, 56, 57, 64A, 222 | Wyatt, William, 64A, 223 |
| Wyche, T. Troy, 205 | |
| Witherspoon, John, 84 | |
| Wood, A. W., 8, 155, 156, 157, 158, 229 | Y |
| Yancey County, 107 | |
| Wood, C. B., 227 | Yarrell, P. W., 226 |
| Wood, Ernest H., 170, 171, 230 | Yellow Fever, 65 |
| Wood, H. C., 227 | York Rite, 198, 213, 214 |
| Wood, H. O., 227 | Young, G. W., 147 |
| Wood, John F., 182 | Young, Samuel, 223 |
| Wood, Jonathan, 226 | |
| Wood, Mrs. L. S., 142 | Z |
| Wood, Thomas, 222 | Zion Lodge, 125 |
I am contacting you from Venezuela. I am writing a book about the biography of our dear brother Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan general who visited New Bern in 1783 and had a friendship with Governor Abner Nash. I would like to know if Abner Nash was a Mason to incorporate that information to the book I am writing. Thank you