Masonic
& Scottish Rite Time Line
Charleston, South Carolina
By: Ill. Brother McDonald
“Don” Burbidge, 33°
Listed
below is a time table that traces the Masonic events in Charleston, South
Carolina starting on January 8, 1731 with the arrival of Brother Thomas
Whitemarsh who is said to be the first Mason in the Carolina’s by
Brother Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia and ending in the year 1850.
The areas to be covered are Lodge formations,
persons, arrivals, births, and deaths of the many men who made Masonic
history through out the years in Charleston along with a brief history of
the many events of historic value.
1731
Brother Thomas Whitemarsh arrives in Charleston to start the eighth
paper printed in America and publishes the first issue on January 8.
Brother Whitemarsh is also one of the first Masons in Charles Town and an
apprentice of Benjamin Franklin. Brother Whitemarsh was made a Mason at
St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia on July 5, 1731. Possible the first
Mason in the Carolina’s according to Benjamin Franklin.
1732
(Jan 8) The
South Carolina Gazette publishes its first edition and is published by
Thomas Whitemarsh who is one of the first known Masons in the Carolina’s.
1733
Brother Thomas Whitemarsh dies and
is buried at St. Philip’s Church
1734
(Feb 2) After the death of its first editor, The South Carolina Gazette
resumes publication under Lewis Timothy, who is backed by Ben Franklin.
1735
Solomon’s Lodge No. 1 is established in Charleston.
1736
October 28: Solomon’s Lodge
No. 1 is established in Charles Town and printed in the Gazette is the following announcement.
“Last
night a Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted
Masons, was held, for the first time, at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s, in
Broad Street, when John Hammerton, Esq., Secretary and Receiver General
for this Province was unanimously chosen Master, who was pleased to
appoint Mr. Thomas Denne, Senior Warden, Mr. Tho. Harbin, Junior Warden,
and Mr. James Gordon, Secretary.”
1737
First systematic, scientific recording of weather information Dr. John
Lining (1708-1760) took observations of Charles Town's weather three times
a day from his home
on Broad Street. He recorded temperature, rainfall,
atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind direction, and wind speed.
May 21- at the request of the
Ancients and honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, At the Theatre
in Queen Street, On Thursday next the 26th Instant, will be
performed a Comedy called the RECRUITING OFFICER, with a Prologue,
Epilogue and Song suitable to the Occasion, to which will be added a new
Dance called HARLEQUIN and the CLOWN, and the Song of MAD TOM improper
Habiliments.
[George Farquhar.]
July 2, The sloop “Free-Mason
arrives in Charles Town Harbor. July 21, “last Thursday, (21st
July, 1737), John Hammerton, Esq., Receiver General of his Majesty'’
Quit-rents, Secretary and one of his Majesty’s Honorable Council, who
has been the first Master of the Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable
Society of Free Masons in this place, and intending to embark on broad the
ship Molly Galley, John Caruthers, Master, for London, at a Lodge held
that evening, resigned his office, for the true and faithful discharge of
which he received the thanks of the whole Society, who were 30 in number.
James Graeme, Esq., was then unanimously chosen Master in his room, and
having been duly installed into
that office with the usual ceremonies, was pleased to chose and appoint
James Wright, Esq., who was Junior Warden, to be Senior Warden, and
Maurice Lewis, Esq., Junior Warden.”
December 8,
Arrival at Charles-Town the ship “Free Mason.”
December 29, On Tuesday last, being St. John’s day, all the members of
the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in this
place met at Mr. Seaman’s, Master of Solomon’s Lodge, from whence they
proceeded, all properly clothed, under the sound of French horns, to wait
on James Graeme, Esq., Provincial Grand Master, at his house in Broad
Street, where they were received by all the members of the Grand Lodge.
After a short stay there, they all went in procession and with the ensigns
of their Order into the Court-Room at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s house,
making a very grand show. Here, to a numerous audience of Ladies and
Gentlemen, who were admitted by tickets, the Grand Master made a very
elegant speech in praise of Masonry, which we hear was universally
applauded. The Grand Lodge withdrew in order to proceed to the election of
a Grand Master for the ensuing year, when James Graeme, Esq., was
unanimously re-chosen Grand Master, Maurice Lewis, Esq., Senior Grand
Warden, John Crookshanks, Esq., Junior Grand Warden, James Mitchie, Esq.,
Grand Treasurer, and James Gordon, Esq., Grand Secretary.
1738
January 26, We hear that at Mr. William Flud’s, at the sign of the
Harp and Crown, is held a Lodge of
Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to
the Lodge of St. John. Dr. Newman Oglethorpe being chosen Master.
Brother Lewis Timothy dies and is buried at St. Philip’s Church.
December 28, The day was ushered in with firing of guns at sunrise from several
ships in the Harbour, with all their colors flying. At 9 o'clock all the
members of Solomon’s Lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Honorable Order
of Free and Accepted Masons, met at the house of Honorable James Crokatt,
Esq., Master of the said Lodge. At 10, proceeded from thence, properly
clothed with the Ensigns of their Order, and Music before them, to the
house of the Provincial Grand Master, James Graeme, Esq., where a Grand
Lodge was held. James Wright, Esq., elected Provincial Grand Master for
the ensuing year, then the following officers were chosen, viz.: Maurice
Lewis, Esq., Deputy Provincial Grand Master; Mr. George Seaman, Senior
Grand Warden; James Graeme, Esq., Junior Grand Warden; James Michie, Esq.,
Grand Treasurer, and Mr. James Gordon, Grand Sectary. At 11 o’clock,
both Lodges went in procession to Church to attend Divine Service, and in
the same order returned to the house of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where, in
the Court-Room, to a numerous assembly of ladies and gentlemen, the newly
elected Provincial Grand Master made a very eloquent speech of the
usefulness of Societies, and the benefit arising there from to mankind.
The assembly having been dismissed, Solomon’s Lodge proceeded to the
election of their officers for the ensuing year, when Mr. John Houghton,
was chosen Master; Dr. John Lining, Senior Warden, Mr. David McClellan,
Junior Warden; Mr. Arthur Strahan, Secretary, and Mr. Alexander
Murrary, Treasurer. After an elegant dinner all brethren were
invited by Capt. Thomas White on board the Hope; there several loyal health’s were drank,
and at their coming on board and
return to shore, they were saluted by the discharge of 39 guns, being the
same number observed in each of the different salutes of this day,
so that in all there were about 250
guns fired. The evening was concluded with a ball and entertainment for
the ladies, and the whole was performed with much grandeur and decorum.”
December 31,
Meeting of Solomon’s Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge at Charleston,
South Carolina. Graeme again chosen Provincial Grand Master. Benj. Smith
elected Master of the Lodge.
1740
November 18, A large part of Charleston was destroyed by fire. The
Fraternity there contributed two hundred and fifty dollars to the relief
fund.
1741
Brother John Lining is the first person in America to carry out
systematic weather observations.
Ill. Bro. John Mitchell is born in Ireland.
Henry Middleton starts work on his gardens at Middleton Place.
1744
Ill. Bro. Jean Baptiste Delahogue is born in Paris, France.
1748
(Dec 28) A group of citizens form the Charleston Library Society, a
subscription library still in existence. One of the original broad members
is Dr. John Lining.
1752
Charlestonians adopt Benjamin Franklin and Dr. John Lining’s lighting
rod to protect their homes during thunder storms.
1753
Dr. John Lining writes the first description on Yellow Fever in America
to Dr. Robert Whytt at Edinburg (The Royal Society).
1755
Jan. 9, And in the Evening, they [the Masons] went to the new Theater,
where the Tragedy called the Distressed
Mother was presented with an occasional Prologue and Epilogue, and
some Masons Songs between the
Acts.
[Ambrose Phillips.]
The third lodge established in Charles Town and listed under the Grand
Lodge of England is named “Union Lodge No. 248.”
Union Kilwinning
No.4 is established in Charleston. The warrant for this Lodge was granted
May 3 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Carolina, to the following
persons: Samuel Bowman, D. Campbell, John Cooper, Robert Wells, William
Michie, John Bassnett and John Stewart. It received the designation of
“Union Lodge No. 4.” There is an angular circumstance connected
with the early history of this Lodge, which can alone explain its change
of name from “Union” to “Union
Kilwinning.”
A Masonic production of Phillips’ The
Distressed Mother is included in
“some Masons Songs between the Acts.”
1756
The fourth Lodge is formed in Charles-Town and is listed as the Grand
Lodge of England as “Master’s
No. 249.”
1758
The use of music in connection with Masonic
ceremonies. Benjamin Yarnold, organist and Mason, composed “an ANTHEM…played
by several masterly Hands” in 1758 for the service in St. Michael’s
Church celebrating St. John’s Day.
1759
Jan. 1, WEDNESDAY last being St. John the Evangelist’s Day, the
Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS, had a grand
Procession from the Lodge-Room…to St. Michael’s church; where, besides
the usual Service, an ANTHEM suitable to the Occasion set to Music by
Brother Benjamin Yarnold, was sung, and played by several masterly Hands.
1762
First musical society The St Cecilia Society was founded in Charles
Town.
Feb. 20, PROPOSAL for Printing…An
Anthem, and An ODE for voices and Instruments, Composed by Benjamin
Yarnold, Organist of St. Philip, Charles- Town, South-Carolina: Being the
same that was performed before The Ancient Fraternity of FREE-MASONS, at
the Installation of the Hon. Benjamin Smith, Esq.; Grand Master in
South-Carolina.
September 18, NOTICE is hereby given, to all members of the Fellowship
Society, that they are desired to
assemble at the house of Mr. Daniel Cannon, on Wednesday the 20th
of October next…to chose the several officers for the ensuing six
months.
F. Nicholson, Secretary.
Right Rev. Robert Smith delivers a sermon “Charity Sermon for the
Masons No. 100” at St. Philip’s Church. This is one of the earliest
known sermons in Charles Town.
1766
Franklin Lodge No.2, Charleston,
South Carolina. The Provincial Grand Lodge of South Carolina constituted marine Lodge No. 7 on the 22nd
of December 1766. It’s number was subsequently changed to 2, and in
1823, it took the title of Franklin Lodge No. 2. In 1839, by permission of
the Grand Lodge, it was amalgamated with Union Kilwinning Lodge No. 4, and
its property was placed in the possession of the latter body. The vacant
number has never been filled on the registry of the Grand Lodge.
December 8, The provincial
GRAND ANNIVERSARY and General Communication of the most Ancient and
Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in South Carolina, is
appointed to be holden in Charles-Town, on Saturday the 27th of
December…The present Masters and Wardens of the seven regular
constituted Lodges, under the provincial Jurisdiction…are particularly
desired to be present.
December 29, The new lodge of Free
Masons, constituted last Monday, is held at Mr. Benjamin Backhouse's on
the Bay, where they are to meet the second and last Monday of every month.
Ill. Bro. James Moultrie is born to Dr. John and Eleanor Moultrie in
September at Charleston, South Carolina who was one of the two American
born founders of the Supreme Council.
1767
June 12, Tuesday the 3rd day
of February, being the Quarterly Meeting of the Friendly Society, all the Members are desired to give their
attendance.
1769
Feb. 2, A New Edition of al the works of the celebrated John Wilkes,
Esq.; is now publishing by Mr.
James Rivington, Bookseller, in New York, in 3 Vols. Octavo, at the low
price of Two Dollars and a Quarter…Subscription taken in at the
Printing-Office.
In March, the Sons of Liberty once again held a public meeting under the
Liberty Tree. The occasion was a celebration of the repeal of the Stamp
Act.
1770
Isaac Auld is born on February 25 at
Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Mar. 8, On Tuesday last the
Appointment of the Hon. Egerton Leigh, to be Grand Master of Free and
Accepted Masons in this Province, was notified in due Form…And at the
Close of the Ceremony, the following Lines, composed by a Brother, and set
to Music by Peter Valton, were sung and played.
June 28th, On Tuesday will be published, LIBERTY. A poem
dedicated to the Sons of Liberty in South Carolina.
By Rusticus.
1772
Dec. 31, [The] Antient and Honorable Fraternity of FREE and ACCEPTED
MASONS here, held their annual Festival on Monday…the whole Society
(upwards of 200 in Number) went to Mr. Pike’s new Suite of Rooms, where
the following ODE, by Sir Egerton, was performed, with Voices and
Instruments, to universal Satisfaction; the Music composed by their
Brother, Peter Valton.
1773
March 22, On Wednesday last the Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick, held
an Anniversary Meeting at Mr. Holliday’s Tavern; where they had a very
elegant Entertainment.
April 26, Friday last, being
St. George’s Day, upward of Fifty Gentlemen, Natives of Old England, assembled and dined together at Holliday’s Tavern,
These Gentlemen have formed themselves into a Society, to meet annually…which
has taken the Name of The Sons and Friends of St. George.
On November 26th Monday, Benjamin Franklin signed partnership
with Louis Timothee [Timothy] to succeed Whitmarsh (d. c. 20 Sept 1733) in
South Carolina (A 81; P 1:205, 33942). The partnership agreement
mentions that Timothee is "now bound on a Voyage to Charlestown in
South Carolina." Evidently Timothee sailed in November. His wife
stayed behind to conclude their affairs and probably had Timothee's power
of attorney.
The Lodge Alley Inn is named after the adjoining ten-foot wide alley,
Lodge Alley. Paved in Belgian
blocks, the alley was created by adjacent landowners to allow access from
their homes on State Street to their ships and docks one block away on
East Bay Street. It takes its name from the Lodge of Freemasons, First
established in the alley in 1773. Lodge Alley is located in an area of the
old walled city of Charleston where the French Huguenots once had
warehouses and dwellings.
May 31: The Maine Lodge of Masons, which is the Junior
in this Town, is the First
that is possessed of a Lodge Room, having lately purchased a very
convenient one.
1774
November 7 as a means of protesting the harsh treatment shown to Boston,
Charleston’s Liberty Boys met in the Masonic Lodge-Room in Lodge Alley
and constructed a “rolling stage” or parade float. Upon it effigies of
the Pope, the Devil, Lord North, and Governor Thomas Hutchinson of
Massachusetts were displayed. The appearance of the float marked the end
of a three-day period in which Charleston’s Tea Party was equally
important as a symbol of defiance to British oppression.
The Ancient Grand Lodge of England charters Charleston Lodge No. 190
which Meets at the “City Tavern.” This is the sixth Lodge chartered in
Charleston.
(July 7) Charlestonians Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Edward Rutledge,
Thomas Lynch, and Christopher Gadsden are named delegates to the First
Continental Congress.
(Oct 22) Henry Middleton is chosen President of the Continental
Congress.
1776
(August 5) Declaration of Independence arrives at the city. Maj. Barnard
Elliot reads it under the Liberty
Tree near present-day 80 Alexander St..
William Henry Drayton and Arthur Middleton design the Great Seal of
South Carolina; with matrices executed by Charles Town silversmith George
Smithson. It would be used for the last time to seal the Ordinance of
Secession in 1860.
1780
(Feb 10) British troops under Sir Henry Clinton land on Seabrook Island,
and make preparations to lay siege to the city. South Carolina Gazette
editor Peter Timothy takes a spyglass up the steeple of St. Michael's
Church and reports seeing smoke from hundreds of British campfires.
(April 4th) With the American forces that occupied Charleston
“Military Lodge No. 27, Maryland Line, is chartered by the Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania (Ancient) and is the seventh lodge to operate in
Charleston.
(Sept 3) The British capture Henry Lauren’s on his way to the
Netherlands and is imprisoned in the Tower of London.
1781
On June 25th, Colonial John Mitchell was advanced to a higher
degree. Brother Barend M. Spitzer, in a convention of Inspectors holden at
the city of Philadelphia, conferred the degrees, and the rank of an
Inspector upon Colonial John Mitchell.
1782
(Dec 14) Defeated British Army marches out of city, ending the
occupation.
(Dec. 23rd) The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered Lodge
No. 38 in Charleston.
1783
(June 25th) The Gazette
reported the celebration of St. Jon the Baptist by “the Ancient York
Masons Lodges of this city.”
(July 12) The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered Lodge No. 40 and it
is called “St. Andrew’s Lodge.”
Ill. Bro. John Mitchell becomes Master of the Lodge of Perfection
established at Charleston.
1784
Right Rev. Robert Smith delivers his sermon “Charity Sermon for the
Masons No.100” again at St. Philips Church in Charleston.
Brother Thomas Bartholomew Bowen arrives in Charleston and proceeds to
establish a newspaper that goes through various title changes.
Columbian
Herald was a semi-weekly, tri-weekly, daily, various title changes.
Established
November 23, by Thomas B. Bowen and John Markland as the semi-weekly Columbian
Herald, or Patriotic Courier of North America. Issued tri- weekly from
June 6, 1785 to November 24, 1785 when it became the semi-weekly Columbian
Herald or the Independent Courier of North America. In the fall of
1790 the paper became tri-weekly and early in 1792 changed title to the Columbian
Herald and the General Advertiser but by July 23, 1793 was once more
the tri-weekly Columbian Herald and the General Advertiser. Four
days later it became the Columbian Herald or the Southern Star. As
of October 7, 1795 paper was the daily Columbian Herald or the New
Daily Advertiser. Paper ceased with issue no. 1888 on December 17,
1796.
1785
(March 19) The General Assembly charters the College of Charleston,
making it the oldest municipal college in the country today. Right Rev.
Robert Smith of St. Philip’s Church is the founder and first president
of the College of Charleston.
1787
(March 24th) The “Ancient” Masons in South Carolina
organized the “Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons.
(May) A Constitutional Draft for the Convention in Philadelphia is
prepared by Charles Pinckney.
(Sept 17) South Carolina delegates Pierce Butler, Charles Pinckney, John
Rutledge, and Charles C. Pinckney sign the U.S. Constitution.
St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10,
Charleston, South Carolina. St. Andrew’s Lodge received its warrant from
the G.L. of Pennsylvania, at some period previous to 1787, as “Lodge No.
47.” It was one of the four Ancient York Lodges in Charleston that
united in that year in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York
Masons of South Carolina.
Col. John Mitchell is elected Master of Lodge No. 8, Charleston
1788
St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 40, surrendered its Warrant of 1787, and
together with Lodges Nos. 38 and 47 of Pennsylvania, and Nos. 190 and 236
under the Athol Grand Lodge of England, formed the Grand Lodge of South
Carolina.
1789
Orange Lodge no. 14 held it’s first meeting on May 28th
1791
Ill. Brother John Mitchell arrives in Charleston, South Carolina.
When Brother George Washington toured the southern states in 1791, he
was met by the Intendant of Charleston on Queen Street one block from
Lodge Alley.
May 7, 1791 President George
Washington, with the City Intendment and Wardens, visited the Orphans
House, and Col. John Mitchell is listed as the senior Commissioner
receiving him, afterwards entertaining him at breakfast in the
Commissioners’ Room.
1792
December 8, Henry Laurens passes away. His remains are cremated and his ashes
interred at his estate called, “Mepkin” which is located 30 miles
above Charleston on the Cooper River. He is the first recorded white
person to be cremated in America.
Henry Laurens
was a member of the Continental Congress on January 10, 1777 and served as
President November 1, 1777 through December 9, 1778, elected Minister to
Holland while a member of the Continental Congress on October 21, 1779.
Member of Solomen’s Lodge No.1 Charleston, South Carolina and served
as Treasurer in 1755 and as Grand Steward in 1754.
1793
August
29,
it lists Bowen printing office.
“CHARLESTON: Printed by HARRISON & BOWEN, No. 38, BAY, and Corner
of Elliot Street: -- Where EBay, Articles of Intelligence, Advertisements,
&c. will be gratefully received, and every Kind of Printing Performed.
— Subscriptions for this Paper at Five Dollars per Annum — one half on
subscribing, the Remainder at the end of the year.”
(From this description we can locate where he had his printing shop.
Address changed due to new buildings being built. However Bowen pinpoints
the location at 38 East Bay and corner of Elliot Street.)
The South Carolina Georgia
Almanac, 1793, lists Bowen as Senior Warden of the
Mount Zion Society {incorporated in 1777} and from its
establishment he was active in the Society of the Cincinnati at
Charleston, holding offices and serving on various committees.
1794
The Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons charters the eleventh lodge in
Charleston and it is called “Orange Lodge No. 31.
1795
A major point of interest is the revelation in a list of lodges meeting
in Charleston. The Lodge No’s are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 14, and 31, nine
in all were holding meetings.
April 2, 1795,
Bernard M. Spitzer appointed Col. John Mitchell a Deputy Inspector General
and his patent as such were issued the same day. He was still in East Bay
Street, a Magistrate and Notary Public, according to the city directory.
1796
LaCandeur Lodge
No. 36 is established on August 24th in Charleston. This lodge
worked in the French language and kept its records in French and was
allowed to work in the French Rite. Ill. Bro. Comte de Grasse with his
father-in-law became a founder of Lodge La Candeur at Charleston.
December 12th Hyman Long and others issue a patent to De
Grasse designating him to be a Deputy Grand Inspector General.
1797
Ill. Brother Israel De Lieben is listed as a member of Orange Lodge No.
14 and as Hospitaller of the Grand Lodge during this year.
1798
In a list of the officers and members of the South Carolina Society of
the Cincinnati you will find these entries:
Thomas
B. Bowen…Captain…Pa.
John Mitchell…D.Q.M. General…Pa.
Major Thomas B. Bowen was elected a member of the Society’s two
Stewards on July 4, 1798, and it may be noted, parenthetically, that at
the same time Col. John Mitchell was elected to the Standing Committee.
Ill. Bro. Comte de Grasse is listed
as Master of La Candeur Lodge in Charleston
1799
June 24th, Col. John Mitchell Under signed a circular as
Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodges to meet at Washington, D.C.
1800
Three French Rite Bodies, A Lodge of Perfection, a Grand Council of
Princes of Jerusalem, and a
Grand Sublime Council of Princes of the Royal Secret, was established in
Charleston.
1801
24th of May, the Bro. John Mitchell, “K.H.P.R.S., Deputy
Inspector-General,” granted to “Fredrick Dalcho, Esquire, late First
Lieutenant in the First Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, in the
service of the United States of America, and Paymaster to the regular
troops in the State of Georgia), Physician in the city of Charleston,
South Carolina, and member of the Medical Society of said State,” a
patent, certifying him to be K. H. and Prince of the Royal Secret, and
creating him Deputy Inspector-General.
On April 01 Dr. Auld was elected the 65th member of the South
Carolina Medical Society, preceding Dr. Dalcho (the 66th
member) by three months. Dalcho and Auld were within a few months of being
the same age, and the two men had a number of mutual interests to draw
them together.
The
Supreme Council for the Scottish Rite was founded on May 31st at
Shepheard’s Tavern located at the corner of Church and Broad
Street.
Col. John Mitchell, Sov. Grand Commander
Dr. Fredrick Dalcho, Lt. Grand Commander
Emanuel de La Motta, Treasurer General of the Holy
Empire
Abraham Alexander, Secretary General of the Holy
Empire
Major T.B. Bowen, Grand Master of Ceremonies
Israel de Lieben, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Dr.
Issac Auld, Sov Gr
Inspector-General
Moses C. Levy, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Dr. James Moultrie, Sov Gr Inspector-General
Jean
Baptiste Delahouge
Comte De Grasse
Colonel John Mitchell, a native of Ireland and an officer of the
American Army in the War of the Revolution established “The New Age
Magazine on May 31, 1801.
September 23 Dr. Dalcho delivers his first Orations to the “sublime
Grand Lodge of Perfection” at Charleston. The “Oration” was
dedicated to Col. John Mitchell, Supreme Grand Master, and President of
the Supreme Council of Masons In the United States.
1802
Col. John Mitchell issues a “Circular through the two Hemispheres”
commonly referred to as the Supreme Council’s manifesto. Dalcho states,
“The above report was taken into consideration, and the Council was
pleased to express the highest approbation of the same. Whereupon
Resolved, that the forgoing report be printed and transmitted to all the
Sublime and Symbolic Grand Lodges, throughout the Two Hemispheres.”
The Register shows Brother Bowen as a Past Grand Master of the Sublime
Grand Lodge of Perfection, Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Chapter of
Rose Croix and in the Grand Consistory, as well as holding the same title
in the Supreme Council.
Ill. Brother Abraham Alexander is listed in the Register of 1802 as the
fourth officer of the Grand Council, as Grand Secretary of the Chapter of
Rose Croix, and holding the same office in the Consistory and in the
Supreme Council.
Ill. Bro. Moultrie is listed as grand Orator and Keeper of the Seals in
the Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection, Grand Minister of State in the
Consistory, and a Sov. Grand Inspector in the Supreme Council.
May 9th Ill. Bro. Moses Clava Levy was made an active member
of the Supreme Council in Charleston.
August 2 Ill. Bro. Dr. James Moultrie, M.D. was made a member of the
Supreme Council.
1803
Dr. Dalcho delivers an Oration
before the Grand Lodge of South Carolina titled,” An Oration Delivered In
The Sublime Grand Lodge Of South Carolina, In Charleston on the 21st
of March, A. L. 5807
1805
Brother Thomas Bartholomew Bowen dies at Hillsborough Plantation on July
12th and buried on the plantation. Brother Bowen is the first
member of the Supreme Council to pass away.
1807
Brother Israel Delieben dies at Charleston on January 28th
Dr. Dalcho published the “Ahiman Rezon or a book of
Constitutions” at the request of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons
for the state of South Carolina. With the help of Dr. Dalcho the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and that of Ancient York Masons of South
Carolina united under the name of “The Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons
of South Carolina” which continues to exist to the present time.
John
Fowler was directed by the Original Chapter of Prince Masons of Ireland to
write Dr. Frederick Dalcho and ask his permission to reprint his orations
from 1801, 1803, and 1807. Dr. Dalcho replied on February 25, 1808,
expressing his gratification at the request and readily acceding to it.
1808
The Ancient Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge F. &A.M.
(the Ancients and Moderns) consummated a union forming the Grand Lodge of
South Carolina.
1809
Col. John Mitchell is listed as a Past Master of Union Lodge No. 8
1813
September 13, Ill. Bro. De La Motta published a Manifesto at New York in
which he declares Joseph Cerneau was described as an “Imposter of the
first magnitude” and all the bodies working under his direction as
unlawful.
1816
(or 1826) Brother John Mitchell dies at Charleston January 25th
Brother Abraham Alexander dies at Charleston on February 21st
And is listed as the fourth member of the Supreme Council to
Pass away.
1817
Pythagorean Lodge No. 21 is established in Charleston, South Carolina.
The first notice found on Pythagorean Lodge is in the proceedings of the
Grand Lodge of A.Y.M., held in 1817. It is there designated by its name,
but without a number.
Dr. Dalcho publishes a book on the theological works titled;
A Letter On Public Baptism As Established By
The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America.
Washington Lodge No. 5
Charleston, South Carolina. At the Union in
1817 there was a Lodge in Charleston, on the registry of the Grand Lodge
of South Carolina, whose number was 5, but whose name is no where to be
found. In 1825 it united with Orange Lodge No. 14. In the same year
Washington Lodge No. 7 and Union Lodge No. 8, both of Charleston, and both
Lodges which, at the time of the union, were attached to the Grand Lodge
of South Carolina, were, on their own petition, amalgamated into one
Lodge, to be known as “Washington Lodge No. 5,” which name and number
have been ever since retained by that Lodge.
1818
St. John’s Lodge No.13 Charleston, South Carolina. This Lodge, now
long since extinct, once played an important part in the history of
Masonry in South Carolina. St. John’s Lodge No. 31 (for that was the
original number) was the leader of that organized opposition of Ancient
York Lodges, which dissented from the union of the two Grand Lodges in
1808, and which caused the revival of the York Grand Lodge in 1809. It
took its willing share, however, in the second and more successful union
of 1817 and, on the necessary alterations being made in the registry of
the Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons in 1818, it received the number 13.
1820
August Dr. Dalcho published another story, Evidences Of the Divinity of
Jesus Christ; With The Testimony Of Christian and Heathen Writers, That He
was Called GOD, And Worshipped as GOD, In the First Three Centuries
1821
Brother Emanuel De La Motta dies at Charleston on May 17th
1822
February 9, Ill. Bro. Isaac Auld issued new letters of Constitution for
the Council of Princes of Jerusalem at Charleston, inactive since the fire
of 1819. Brother Jean Baptiste Delahogue dies at Paris, France on April 13th
(May) The alleged slave uprising of Denmark Vesey is revealed to
authorities.
The first native-born architect in
America, Robert Mills, designs the first fireproof Building in America
standing at the corner of Chalmers and Meeting Streets. A native
Charlestonians, Mills also designed the First Baptist Church And the
Washington Monument in our nation's capital.
Dr. Frederick Dalcho published his second edition of the “Ahiman
Rezon.”
November 15, Auld, Moultrie, and Levy meet as the Supreme
Council to elect Dr. Moses Holbrook and Horatio Gates Street as newly made
members of the Supreme Council in Charleston.
1823
Ill. Bro. Moultrie is listed as a past master of Kilwinning Lodge No. 4
in the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1823.
Ill. Bro. Rev. Dalcho on October 31, 1823 sends a letter of resignation
to be read at the Grand Lodge meeting.
Dr. Isaac Auld is named the new Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.
1824
Dr. Auld issues a letter of patent on August 13 to the Duke of Leinster
as Grand Commander, John Fowler as Lieutenant Grand Commander of the
Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree for Ireland, and Thomas McGill
as Treasurer General.
September 16th Illustrious Brother General La Fayette arrives
in Charleston and is warmly received by the Brethren of this city.
1825
Union Lodge No. 6 is incorporated with St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10
Washington Lodge No. 7 is incorporated with Union Lodge No. 8
The membership of the Supreme Council was as follows:
Isaac
Auld, Grand Commander
Moses
Holbrook, Lieutenant Grand Commander
James Moultrie, Secretary General
M.C. Levy, Treasurer General
Horatio Gates
Alexander McDonald
Joseph Barker
Joseph Eveleth (Massachusetts)
John Rochie
Giles F. Yates (New York)
Frederick Dalcho (Past Grand Commander)
1826
May
16, Dr. Dalcho published another address, “An Address Delivered in St.
Michael’s Church Charleston Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society,
At their Seventh Anniversary May 16 Being the Tuesday in Whitsun Week 1826
Brother Isaac Auld dies at Edisto Island on October 23rd of
country fever and is buried on Edingsville Island off of Edisto Island.
1836
Brother James Moultrie dies at Charleston on November 20th
Brother Frederick Dalcho dies at Charleston on November 26th
St. John’s Lodge No. 13, Charleston, South Carolina In 1836 it became
extinct, and a considerable amount of funds, including ten shares of
Planters and Mechanics’ Bank stock passed into the treasury of the Grand
Lodge. St. John’s Lodge, during its existence, contained on its roll the
names of some of the most zealous and intelligent Masons in the
jurisdiction.
1839
Brother Moses Clava Levy is at Charleston on April 2nd
1844
Wallahalla Lodge No. 66 is established in Charleston on June 4th.
The warrant was granted June 4, 1844, to J. A. Wagener, W.M., J. J.
Boesch, S.W., and C. Bruner, J.W. Several German Masons for the benefit of
their countrymen who were not well acquainted with the English language
instituted the Lodge. It accordingly works in the German tongue.
1845
Brother Comte De Grasse dies at Paris, France on June 10th at
12:30AM due to chronic bronchial pneumonia.
1850
Albert G. Mackey, in his capacity as a Grand Inspector General from the
Supreme Council of the Scottish
Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, organized the first Council of Royal and Select Masters in South Carolina.
Strict
Observance Lodge No. 73, Charleston,
South Carolina. The warrant of this Lodge was issued on March 5 to F.
C. Barber, W.M., S. J. Hull, S.W., and Langdon C. Duncan, J. W.
Landmark Lodge
No. 77, Charleston, South Carolina. The
warrant was issued on December 11
to John A. Gyles, W.M., Theo. S. Gourdin, S.W., and Wm. A. Gourdin, J.W.
The Lodge was formed out of Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, five of the Past
Masters, and five other members having withdrawn from that Lodge to
constitute Landmark Lodge.
References:
Various Documents on Locale Lodges in Charleston
Various Newspaper articles printed in Charleston
Various Documents obtain from Philadelphia on Masonic Lodges in
Charleston
From the 1700-1800’s
Josh Silver-Liberian
