Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

THE MASONIC LODGE: BLOCK 11, LOT NO. 14

^{ca. 1939 - 1st copy}

The earliest record found of a masonic order in Williamsburg appeared in the Virginia Gazette (Wm. Hunter) on April 18, 1751. The article read:

Fabricando, Fabri Sumus

The ancient and loyal Society of free and accepted Masons, made a Figure in this City some Time ago, like a Meteor, whose exquisite Brightness portended a happy Influence; but, lavish of its Fires, was soon extinguish'd: So the Society was too soon dispersed, and no more Lodges held, of Gentlemen of the strictest Honour and Probity, who were initiated therein; whose Act of Benevolence, perform'd to a Person (tho' not their Brother) shew'd their inimitable Goodness and Compassion to those in Distress. It is to be hoped, That Men of these Principles will not obliterate from their Minds the Practice of associating, in the most ancient Confraternity in the Universe, which has been traditionally handed down to Posterity these several thousand Years; and its Dignity is now supported by the greatest Monarchs on Earth, and was always observed as the most inviolable Secret ever introduced among Men. [An ode in praise of masonry follows]

The state of masonry in Williamsburg in the years from 1751 to 1773 is shadowy. Entries of the treasurer dated 1762 and 1763 in the back of the first volume of minutes of the Lodge 1773 - 1779 show that some kind of masonic meetings were held in Williamsburg prior to 1762. It seems that the order met at the Crown Tavern. (Notes of Anne Allison on Peter Pelham.) A secondary source considers the chair in the possession of the lodge proof that the lodge was in existence before 1773. Tradition says this chair was a gift from Lord Botetourt, governor from 1768 to 1770 (William and Mary Quarterly, I (1), p. 9, footnote 2.)

^{See [illegible] [illegible] - Accts 1762-3}

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The next written source of information for freemasonry in Williamsburg is to be found in the book of accounts of successive treasurers of the lodge from 1773 to 1786. This shows an organized lodge with a charter, a provincial grand master, quarterly dues, fines for absences, and fees for initiation and passing degrees.(Ibid, p. 5) The charter seems to have been paid for in installments.

July 13, 1773 By ditto (cash) sent to England 6.12.6 April 21, 1774 By cash in part of Charter 5 June 7, By ditto for ballance of the Charter 9.13.6 (Ibid. p. 13)

It also appears that the Lodge for a period of time difficult to determine, rented quarters from Gabriel Maupin, who kept the Market Square Tavern (See "Brief resume of notes on families, etc. associated with Market Square Tavern" p. 6) The treasurer of the Lodge shows in his accounts payments of rent to Maupin as follows:

June 24, 1774 - Gabriel Maupin paid 20 pds for the use of his house as a lodge for the last year. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXV (1), p. 150)

June 25, 1774 - By pd. G. Maupin in part for rent 10.10.0
(Ibid., Vol. I (1), p. 14)

May 29, 1775 - By cash paid G. Maupin for Lodge Rent and Shop Acc't 15.9
(Ibid)

June 17, 1777 - By cash paid Gabriel Maupin for the rent of the Lodge from May 29th 1774 to June 24th, 1777. 55.11.3
(Ibid., p. 16)

On the other hand, at the time that Maupin was receiving rent for quarters, the order was making plans for a lodge room, apparently building it, changing its interior, renting part of it, and installing 3 an organ, as the following minutes show:

Aug. 2, 1774 - ...the committee of the Lodge were required to prepare a petition to the next House of Burgesses for permission to hold a lottery to raise money for building a lodge room and "other conveniences for the same." (Ibid., Vol. XXV (1), p. 150)

June 3, 1776 - On a motion Resolved the Ceiling of the Lodge be removed & an arched ceiling Turned in its place & blinds be made to the windows for the admission of fresh and cool air.

.....ordered that Brother Bucktrout do hand about a Subscription among the Brotherhood for the purpose of collecting a sum of Money to be laid out in an organ for the use of this Lodge and that he report his success at the next lodge in course.

(Ibid., Vol. XXV, (1), p. 153)

Sept. 24,1777-By cash paid Phil Moody for Rep'rs. to the Lodge 15.7.11
(Ibid., Vol. I (1) 16)

Several references to the lot on which the Lodge stood and to the"Mason's Hall" are found in records of the 19th century.

In the deed of lot No. 15 by Wilson Cheek and his wife, Sally, to Robert Anderson, the Mason's Hall is one of the western boundaries of his property as follows:

January 17, 1814

That well known house and lot in Williamsburg, County of York, lately in the occupation of James and Eva Wright, and bounded as follows, to-wit: On the North by the Main Street, on the East by a street which divides the same from Orrill's and Charlton's lots, on the South by Frances Street, and on the West by Lightfoots lot and the Masons Hall, together with all houses and improvements thereon. (York County Records, Deeds, Book VIII, p. 250)

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This deed seems to locate the Mason's Hall on Francis Street at lot No. 14, according to the unknown draftsman's map which shows Federal Street separating lot No. 15 from lot No. 16, with a Charlton in the latter on Duke of Gloucester Street.

In his insurance policy on this property (No. 405, p.6, June 18, 1814), Anderson gives the following description:

On Main Street now occupied by Wilson Cheeks situated between Main Street on the north, a cross street dividing the lot of Charlton's on the east, Francis Street on the south and on the West by Lightfoots lot and the Masons Hall. (See Illustration I)

In the Williamsburg Land Tax records, W. S. Peachy came into possession in 1854 from George W. Southall's Estate of "a part of the Lodge lot."

William S. Peachy in the same records in 1854 is shown as having a part of the Lodge lot, including buildings, worth $200. This was "Formerly charged to George W. Southall." In 1859, William S. Peachy is still shown by these records to be in possession of the lot.

Mr. Charles in his Recollections of Williamsburg in 1861 remembered that

South of the Peachy (Nightingale) house on Francis Street there stood, up to a few years ago, the old Masonic lodge. This was a two story frame house with small yard in front enclosed by a picket fence. The writer well remembers when the Masons used the upper floor and a school room was on the first floor. (Page 4)

This lodge claims to have now in its possession the chair in which G. Washington sat when he once presided over its deliberations.

In Lyon G. Tyler's, Williamsburg, p. 247, there is a picture of the Old Masonic Lodge which Mr. C. C. Armistead of Williamsburg 5 believes, on the evidence of a floor plan in the records of the lodge, was the one built in the 1770's.

The lodge was a charitable, social and religious organization. Ceremony played an important part in its practices, as payments for regalia and descriptions of public events, such as, funerals and laying of cornerstones, recorded in the local gazette indicate.

When a brother mason, William Rind, printer, died, the lodge seemed to assume entire financial responsibility for the eldest sons, William and John Rind, as the following expenditures prove

Nov. 5, 1776	- By cash Pd. Jno. M. Galt, by order of the Master for Cloathing &c for Mr. Wm. Rind's children.	11.6.3.
Nov. 5, 1776	- Cash Pd. Jno. M. Galt for Mr. Dudly Williams for one Quarter, board and schooling Wm. and John Rind, orphans of Mr. Wm. Rind, decd	4.10
Nov. 6, 1776	- By cash Pd. Stuard by order of ye Master	24.11
	June 3. Cash Pd. Jno. M. Galt for Mr. Dudly Williams for half a year's board and schooling for Wm. and John Rind, Orphans of Mr. Wm. Rind, Dec'd	9.0.0
July 15, 1777	- By cash paid for Virginia Cloath, per M. Galt's order for Wm. Rind's children	5.14.9 30th to do 32.6 7/7/3
Sept. 24, 1777	- By Acc't Pd. Dudley Williams per Jno. M. Galt for the board of Wm. and John Rind	3.12.2
Jan. 2, 1777	- By cash pd. Arch. Diddip, for making cloaths for Wm. and John Rind	5/15/9
Jan. 16, 1777	- By cash advanced Mr. Saulten for board and schooling Wm. & John Rind per J. Galt	3/10
Feb. 2, 1777	- By do. pd. Robt. Nicholson for Wm. and John Rind	7.4

(William and Mary Quarterly I (1), p. 15-16)

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A member of the lodge in need of financial bolstering, apparently, was the occasion for this item in the treasurer's account: "Paid a distressed Brother by order of the Lodge £12." (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. I (1), p. 15)

The days sacred to the patron saints of their order were occasions for meetings where important business was transacted. Almost the entire day seems to have been given over to celebration, in the form of a sermon based on scriptural passages that dwelt on love and harmony. On Dec. 27th, sacred to St. John the Evangelist, a repast, sometimes declared as "frugal" with ladies present, was indulged in with a ball at the Raleigh or the Capitol to end the day.

Dec. 30, 1773 Last Monday being the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, the ancient and honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, all habited alike, and in the proper Insignia of their Order, went in procession from their Lodge in this City to Bruton Church, where an excellent Discourse, delivered by the Reverend Mr. Andrews, a Brother Mason, was preached from Hebrews XIII, 1: Let Brotherly love continue. After divine Service, they returned to their Lodge and dined together; after which they gave a Ball and elegant Entertainment to a number of Ladies, and spent the Evening with that Harmony, Decorum, and friendly Intercourse, which characterise the Brotherhood, and are so agreeable to the Laws of Masonry." (Virginia Gazette, Dec. 30, 1773, Purdie and Dixon)

Dec. 29, 1774 On Tuesday last, being the feast of St. John the Evangelist, the Worshipful Society of Free and Accepted Masons in this City went in procession from their Lodge to the Church, where a very excellent Sermon was preached to them by the Reverend Mr. Dixon. . . . . and in the Evening they gave a Ball to the Ladies, and partook of a frugal Repast. (Virginia Gazette, Dec. 29, 1774, Purdie and Dixon)

Dec. 3, 1776 On motion that Brother Davis be desired to preach on Saint John's (Day) and Brother Bland read prayers, and we dine and Sup and have a Ball 7 for the entertainment of the Ladies at the house of Mrs. Campbell as usual heretofore. Ordered that Ticketts be prepared by the Treasurer and delivered and at five dollars to all Regular made Masons."
(William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 25 (1) p. 152)

Dec. 17, 1776 "The Ball called off on account of the critical times and that tickets be issued to all regular made Masons at 12 and 6 pence each for the Dinner on St. John's Day, to be prepared by Brother Maupin." (Ibid.)

Dec. 6, 1777

"On a motion, Resolved that this Lodge do meet on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, next ensuing and proceed in procession to Church to hear Divine Service and a Sermon, that the worshipful Junior Warden do bespeak a supper on the occasion, that the Ladies in town be invited as usual to spend the evening in Harmony. A committee of the officers & Past officers do meet and agree upon a plan to regulate the proceedings of the Evening.

Brother James Galt protested against the proceedings Relative to the Ball in the evening, but assigned no Reasons."

(William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 25 (1) p. 154)

Jan 8, 1777 "By cash pd. Brother G. Maupin, the ball'ce due for the entertainment of St. John, Evangelist, 1776 5.7.6
(Ibid., Vol. I (1), p. 16)

June 24, 1779 "The Lodge celebrated the day by the election of officers and proceeding to Brother Southall's at six o'clock for supper." (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 25, p. 156. James Southall at this date kept the Raleigh Tavern.)

The supplies and ceremonial equipment of members of the Lodge were paid for by the Lodge and entered in the treasurer's account:

July 13, 1773	By cash paid for jewels for the Lodge to J. Rowsay	1/5/0
Aug. 3, (1773)	By ditto for 5½ yds. black crape	/16/10½
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Dec. 10, (1773)	By 6 Shammy Skins 9. 24th paid for Gold Lace	22.6
Jan. 15, 1774	By ditto for Stuard's Aprons	/11/
May 28th	paid for a Master's Medal	/52/

(William and Mary Quarterly I (1), p.13)

Dec. 21, 1774	By cash for a Sash,	12.6.,
Dec. 22	By do. for a Skin	2.3,
Dec. 27th	By do. 2 Sashes	25-1/19/9
Dec. 29,	By cash paid Charlton for Ribband &c.	25.4.
	By do. for French Horn	20 2/5/4

(Ibid. p. 14)

Aug. 23, 1775	By cash paid W. F. Bickerton for a piece of W'te Ribon,	27.
Nov. 31	paid G. Maupin for a Scabbard for the Sword	8.9 1/15/9

(Ibid., p. 15)

Merchants frequently listed masonic emblems such as "Freemason sashes and Brooches" and "Masons medals" along with other articles of fine wearing apparel in their advertisements. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, Sept. 17, 1767 and Oct. 20, 1774 (Supplement)

One of the most famous members of the Williamsburg Lodge was Speaker Peyton Randolph, Provincial Grand Master. His picture, made by William Peale, hung in the Lodge. Sometime after Randolph's death, "an elegant Frame" was ordered for the picture. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 25 (1). p. 153)

It is believed that this picture showing Randolph in his masonic regalia was burned in a fire that consumed the Library of Congress. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. I (1), p.7)

On hearing of the death of Randolph who was in Philadelphia in attendance at the Continental Congress, the lodge went into mourning "until his corps shall arrive." This resolution was ordered to be inserted in the Virginia Gazette. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 25 9 (1), p. 151) There the order, signed by the Secretary, George Reid, called for the members of the Lodge to go into mourning for six weeks. (Virginia Gazette, Alex. Purdie, Nov. 10, 1775)

The masons were one of the organized groups that attended Randolph's funeral at Williamsburg when the body was brought from Philadelphia in 1776

Virginia Gazette
Alex. Purdie, Ed.

November, 29, 1776

On Tuesday last the remains of our late amiable and beloved fellow citizen, the Hon. PEYTON RANDOLPH, Esq; were conveyed in a hearse to the College chapel attended by the worshipful brotherhood of Freemasons, both Houses of Assembly, a number of other gentlemen, and the inhabitants of this city. The body was received from the hearse by six gentlemen of the House of Delegates, who conveyed it to the family vault in the chapel, after which an excellent oration was pronounced from the pulpit by the reverend Thomas Davis..... The oration being ended, the body was deposited in the vault, when every spectator payed their last tribute of tears to the Memory of their departed and much honoured friend... The remains of this worthy man were brought thither from Philadelphia by Edmund Randolph, esq; at the earnest request of his uncle's afflicted and inconsolable widow....

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Randolph's wife, Betty, presented the Lodge with the "Provincial Grand Master's juel, Sash and apron." (William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 25, (1) p. 151)

In a sermon to the masons, perhaps on the Feast Day of St. John, Randolph's character was held up before them as "a bright Exempler to imitate and admire.... All North America was under his wing, but we his peculiar Care..... That great man..... revived the drooping Spirit of Masonry. The few remaining of the Elect he concentred in this place, and to him must be ascribed the present numerous appearance of the Brethren." (William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 25, (1) p. 151)

Another famous member of the order in Williamsburg was Peter Pelham. Perhaps the desire to buy an organ for the lodge room was due to his talent. On at least one occasion, Peter Pelham played the organ at the funeral of a brother mason as the following announcement shows:

August 26, 1773

(Mr. William Rind's) Remains were interred last Saturday afternoon, in the Church of the Parish of Bruton....and a solemn Dirge, suitable to the occasion was performed on the organ by Mr. Peter Pelham, a Brother likewise. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon)

The last entry of April 11, 1779, in the Williamsburg Lodge records a meeting called to plan for the funeral of Brother Williamson and shows J. Madison, chaplain and Peter Pelham, organist heading the list of those present. (Notes of Anne Allison in Pelham genealogy folder.)

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The lodge was called upon to lay cornerstones. The ceremonies that accompanied this ancient practice were described in connection with the bridge over Queen's Creek…"After the proper and usual Libation, they repaired to the House of Mr. Matthew Moody, Junior (a Brother) and spent the Afternoon in Mirth and good Humour." (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, Oct. 6, 1774)

When the Wren building suffered from one of its fires in 1859, the local lodge of masons assisted by brother masons from neighboring towns, laid the capstone. James Jarvis of Portsmouth wrote that he was present "to assist in putting on the Cape Stone of the new College." Perhaps the most popular person present was President Tyler, whose speech at the banquet that followed was greeted at the end of every sentence with loud applause, he modestly wrote his son. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 15 (1), p. 56)