Washington, the great American mason

Front matter

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THE GREAT AMERICAN MASON

PART I THE MASONIC CAREER OF WASHINGTON Washington, the Great American Mason 12

Washington's Initiation, Passing and Raising ... 17 The Masonic Career of Washington 23

The Attempt to Elect Washing:«)N Grand Master of THE United States 36

After the Revolution 41

Inaugurated as President 45

The Death of Washington 54

Part VI George Washington's Will . ; 243 List Of Illustrations

Washington Frontispiece

Seal of American Union Lodge .... Page 29

Jewel of the Grand Masters of Virginia, Made to

be Worn by George Washington Facing page 32

Washington Masonic Medal, 1797 . . . Page 38

Arms of the Freemasons " 39

The Bible on Which Washington Took the Oath of

Office as President Page 46

Where the Mother of Washington Lived at the

Time of Her Death . . . Facing page 48

Washington's Farewell to His Mother " " 50

Masonic Funeral Services at Mt. Vernon . Page 56

The Master's Chair of Royal White Hart Lodge

Right Worshipful Joseph Montfort Facing page 80

Royal White Hart Lodge, Halifax, N. C.

Facing page 84

Historic Old Grove House, Halifax, N. C.

Facing page 124

Wakefield, the Birthplace of George Washington

Facing page 146

X LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fac-simile of the Records Showing the Initiation, Passing and Raising of George Washington

Facing page 206

Rising Sun Tavern, Fredericksburg, Va. " " 210

Fac-simile of the Oldest Extant Record in the

World of the Royal Arch Degree Facing page 212

Seal of Fredericksburg Lodge .... Page 215

The Bible on Which Washington was Obligated as

a Mason Facing page 216

Preface

There is much information about the Masonic career of Washington in various books and magazines but it is costly and so scattered that most Masons would never get it. I have collected much of this information in this book with much labor and heavy expense and arranged it into a story of Washington's Masonic life in order to show how important a part Masonry played in his life and in the making of our nation. I disclaim originality for much of the material in this book. I am principally the compiler and editor, and quote freely from the sources mentioned below.

"Washington and His Masonic Compeers," by Hayden, published by Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, 45 John St., New York, one of the first and still one of the most valuable and interesting books on the Masonic life of Washington; "Washington Sesqui-Centennial Celebrated Nov. 5, 1902," published by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania ; "Masonic Correspondence of Washington," by Julius F. Sachse, published by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania; "Washington, the Man and the Mason," by Charles H. Callahan,

xi xii PREFACE

Alexandria, Va., an invaluable book to every one who wishes to know the Father of our country. Also material compiled by Sidney Morse, Bureau of Social and Educational Service of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

In addition to the above, The Old Minute Book of Royal White Hart Lodge, Halifax, N. C, one of the most valuable documents of our early Masonic History; "History of Halifax," by Allen; and Brethren of Royal White Hart Lodge.

Records in the courthouse of Spottsylvania County, Va.; Lives of Paul Jones by various authors, but especially "Some Facts about John Paul Jones," by Junius Davis. I have used much of his argument and quote freely from his pamphlet.

The writings of Marshall De Lancy Haywood, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina; and a Prize Essay on "John Paul Jones and the Grove House," by Miss Mildred Campbell of Halifax, N. C.

Finally, the chapter on The Mother Lodge of Washington is largely taken from a history of Fredericksburg Lodge by S. J. Quin, one of its Past Masters and Past Grand Master of the Masons in Virginia.

John J. Lanier

WASHINGTON, THE GREAT AMERICAN MASON

Introduction

BY SIDNEY MORSE

Executive Secretary Bureau of Social and Educational Service, Grand Lodge of New York, F. & A, M.

THE Father of our Country in his famous farewell address appealed in the tenderest and most solemn tones against anything that might impair the unity of our national life. As we survey the Revolution in this light, we can readily perceive the influences for and against unity of thought and action. And if we compare the conditions under which our forefathers achieved national unity with those now existing, we shall find that we and our children are confronted with a crisis as fraught with danger to the very basis of our institutions as were those of 'Seventy-five

and 'Sixty-one.

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The sources from which were derived the spirit of national unity in the thirteen original Colonies lay deep in their common heritage of race, of language and literature, of religion and of law. The elements of disunion were nearer the surface in the institutional forms in and through which the common racial heritage found expression.

The great bulk of the colonists were of Anglo- Saxon blood. The language and standards of culture were everywhere English. The English Bible lay open upon nearly every altar. And the basis of government was the principles of British constitutional and common law.

Today, in certain sections of the United States, these conditions are completely reversed. Our population now includes many large groups of immigrants from races between whom and the original Anglo-Saxon stock there is no community of sentiment and ideals and who differ equally as widely from one another. Many entire town and village communities, as well as "foreign colonies" in cities, continue to speak the language and accept the cultural standards of alien races from which they sprang. A bare plurality of three per cent of the population separates those churchmen who worship from the English Bible and those who have upon their altars a Book of the Law in some foreign tongue. Should present tendencies continue, the latter may soon become in the majority. In such a situation is it surprising that our ancient Anglo-Saxon principles of government should be called in question or that political ideas and systems originating with other races and in other parts of the world (Roman Centralism or Russian Communism, for example) should be advocated in their stead?

THE "melting pot"

During the World War, the American people were rudely awakened to the fact that the proverbial "melting pot" was not melting. The fires of patriotism and of zeal for liberty had sunk too low to fuse the vast masses of immigration from other lands and amalgamate them into unity with the American people. Certain elements of alien populations made war from within upon the land of their adoption. Others departed overseas to fight for their native lands. Of the draft army, one soldier in four spoke a foreign language and was unable to comprehend the simplest words of command in either military or industrial life. The very basis of our national unity seemed threatened with disintegration.

4 WASHINGTOlfr THE GREAT

Since the war, the conflict of racial, sectarian, and economic groups, each fighting for its special interests and ends, many of which are inconsistent with national unity, has heen the outstanding feature of the daily news.

What our beloved America requires is clearly the application of the Masonic principles of universal harmony and brotherly love. And upon Freemasons rest the plain duty and obligation to inculcate these principles by both precept and example.

UNION ORIGINATED WITH MASONS

All Freemasons should know that the idea of the union of the Colonies originated in colonial Freemasonry, was developed and advocated by Freemasons, and was realized under their leadership. Indeed, Fremasonry was the only institution in colonial times in which the leaders of all the different Colonies could meet upon common ground. The faith of nearly all was grounded in the English Bible. But the Puritans of New England, with their Congregational form of government, looked askance upon the Established church of the Southem Colonies and regarded its prelates with little less abhorrence than they felt for the Papacy. The general principles of British constitutional and common law were shared by all the Colonies. But the institutions of local government differed widely in both form and spirit. The town meeting system of New England and the parish and vestry system of the Southern Colonies were as far apart as the poles.

Only the Masonic Lodge was the same institution in every part of the Colonies. In the Lodges, the leaders of all the Colonies were taught the same principles and practiced the same polity. In their Lodge communications and other fraternal gatherings, the Freemasons established a common meeting ground where men of the most diverse religious and political views, whether rich or poor, could come together in the spirit of harmony and mutual confidence. Members of all the Lodges were trained in the exercise of self-government under constitutional restraints. Indeed, a review of all the evidence will suggest to the thoughtful mind that the Masonic Lodge, derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon Guild may have been the "primordial cell" of the American state rather than the New England Town Meeting derived from the Anglo- Saxon folk-mote.

STABILIZING INFLUENCE OF MASONRY

The Anglo-Saxons were themselves immigrants when they came to these shores and their stock was

6 WASHINGTOIfT THE GREAT

early enriched by strains of blood from other European races. Every immigrant race has since made its peculiar contribution to the great cultural complex that we call America. One racial stock has given us its genius for religion; another the love of art and music, the joy of life and the sense of beauty. America needs and welcomes all. But the Anglo-Saxon alone of all modern races has evinced the true instinct of and capacity for self-government. The political institutions of our Fathers are still the best the world has ever seen and it is our plain duty as their descendants, not only to ourselves and our chldren but also to those who have sought or shall seek Freedom on our shores, to safeguard the institutions that underlie our civil and religious liberties.

American Freemasonry is still the only common meeting ground for men of every faith and shade of political and economic opinion. The Masonic Lodge is still the same institution in every part of the United States. The leaders of Freemasonry are still being trained in the practice of self-government under constitutional restraints which derive their sanction from immemorial usage. In Freemasonry is being maintained an ideal republic of citizens worthy and well-qualified, wherein true spiritual unity is attained.

The Masonic institution, in short, is the greatest stabilizing influence in American life and Freemasons should study their priceless heritage from the Fathers in order that their influence may always be consistently exerted in accordance with the highest Masonic ideals.

MASONS TO HONOR WASHINGTON

IN 1920 Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Fredericksburg, Va., Washington's Mother Lodge, of which W. H. Rice was Worshipful Master at that time, began a movement to make November 4th, the day on which George Washington was made a Mason, a national Masonic holiday. It was begun by asking the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia to request the subordinate Lodges in Virginia to fittingly celebrate George Washington's Masonic birthday, November 4th. Brother Thomas Savage Clay, a member of Astor Lodge, New York City, with his untiring zeal and activity and with the help of other brethren, took up the work in New York with such success that in 1920 the Grand Lodge of New York celebrated November 4th, the Masonic birthday of Washington, the Father of our Country.

On this occasion, a delegation from Fredericksburg Lodge, was present and brought the Bible on which Washington was obligated as a

Mason and the old minute book containing the record of his initiation, passing and raising. A delegation from St. John's Lodge, New York City, brought the Bible on which Washington took the oath of office as President of the United States, and these two Bibles were placed side by side on the altar of the Grand Lodge of New York.

At this time also George Washington Lodge of New York City invited the delegation from Fredericksburg Lodge to be their guests at a reception in the Pennsylvania Hotel and Fredericksburg Lodge was presented with a loving cup in commemoration of the 168th anniversary of the initiation of Washington as a Mason.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia at its meeting in Richmond, in 1921, approved the recommendation of Grand Master William G. Gait that all Lodges of that jurisdiction commemorate the date on which the "Father of his Country" first saw Masonic Light, the time and manner of such celebrations to be left to the discretion of the subordinate Lodges.

In 1922, at the suggestion of Brother Stearns, Master of Fredericksburg Lodge, a memorial was presented by Fredericksburg Lodge to the Grand Lodge of Virginia "to make November 4th of each year a Masonic holiday, requesting all subordinate Lodges under your jurisdiction suitably to observe the same, it being the Masonic birthday of Brother

10 WASHINGTOMr THE GREAT

George Washington." This was adopted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

In presenting the minority report on this memorial to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, Brother John G. Dudley, Master of Cherrydale Lodge, said:

"George Washington's birthday, February 22d, has no Masonic significance. November 4th, the day on which Washington was made a Mason in Fredericksburg Lodge, belongs exclusively to Masons. February 22d, his natural birthday, belongs to the nation as a nation.

"Masons throughout the English-speaking world, and more particularly in the United States of America, should know the great part that Masons played in making America; that the great men who made this nation were Masons, that American democracy was born in the Masonic Lodge.

"The great problems of America at the present time is the making of American citizens out of our large and increasing number of immigrants and their offspring. The Masonic Lodge must take the lead in this great and patriotic work, and this can be done in no better way than by making November 4th a Masonic national holiday in which the great and controlling part Masonry played in making Washington what he was, is portrayed, and fittingly as well as appropriately remembered and celebrated by Masons.

"We cannot know too much about Washington the Mason, and Washington the man. George Washington is the apotheosis of all that is Masonic and all that is patriotic in America. For the foregoing reasons, and many others that could be adduced, I heartily recommend the adoption of November 4th as a Masonic holiday in Virginia, and that other Grand Masonic Jurisdictions be asked to do likewise."

At the present writing, the Grand Lodges of Virginia, New Jersey and Oklahoma have adopted November 4th as a Masonic holiday, a fact which will play a great part in the Americanizing movement which was begun by the Masons of Virginia and New York in 1920. Virginia Masons have only one regret, and that is that Oklahoma was the first to make November 4th a Masonic holiday. Virginia joins Oklahoma, New Jersey and New York in saying to the other Grand Jurisdictions of America: "Let the good work of making 100 per cent Americans go on."

Part I The Masonic Career Of Washington Washington, The Great American Mason

GEORGE WASHINGTON, the great American Mason, embodied in his life and character the ideals of a great and free people. He was a concrete example of the law that nations incarnate their culture, civilization, and ideals in their greatest citizens, as Rome did in Caesar, a soldier and statesman; Athens in Socrates, a philosopher and patriot; and America in Washington, "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Shall the name of Washington ever be heard By a freeman and thrill not his breast?

Is there one out of bondage that hails not the word As the Bethlehem star of the West?

In Masonry all men meet upon the level, and

deem the son of the prince no better than the son of the peasant, unless he has personal qualities that make him preeminent. That Washington, the statesman, the soldier and Mason, possessed these qualities is accepted by all that have an eye to see, a heart to feel, and a mind to understand. To look upon such a character is an inspiration to us today, and his career is prophetic of greater achievements in the sphere of human energy and moral endeavor.

The Masonic Lodge is the only place in the world where the restraints of rank and official position can be thrown aside, and men meet on perfect equality. In the Lodge at Fredericksburg, during the World War, the Colonel of a regiment of the Marines and a private were initiated at the same time. When the private found himself in the presence of his Colonel, he clicked his heels together and saluted his Colonel. He was told that he could not do that in a Masonic Lodge, for in the Lodge no official rank or position is recognized. In the Lodge he and his officers, even the Commanding General of the Army, meet simply as men. This is why Masonry appeals so powerfully to such men as Roosevelt. In the Lodge at Oyster Bay he met the gardener of an estate adjoining his own in the freest social intercourse; the only place where he. President of the United States, could enjoy such in-

14 WASHINGTOIVTHE GREAT

formality without embarrassment, and misunderstanding and misinterpretation by the public.

The name of Washington is cherished not only in the history of the nation, but of mankind. His work, after the passing of years, is a potent force for the enrichment of humanity and the enlargement of political freedom. His influence is the property of the world, the legacy of all those who love liberty or who are struggling to attain the birthright of independence and broader citizenship.

But his fame is the sacred trust of Masonry. His name is inscribed on our imperishable records; it is written in letters of gold on our Royal Arch, and has been dowered and knighted with the enduring title of Brother and Companion.

In youth he trod the tessellated floor of the Temple and passed beyond the veils for further light; in maturer age he acknowledged the high relationship; and, in the strength and decline of years, he deemed it an honor to take part in the moral enterprise and solemnities of our society. Our fraternity was to Washington a kindly refuge. He sought its calm retreat amid the anxieties and responsibilities of war and the administrations of government. Its ministries of peace and brotherhood brought tranquillity to his troubled spirit, and lightened the burdens that weighed him down.

There was the Temple towards which he ever turned and through whose opened veils there came a light to guide and a voice to hush discordant forces into the harmony of repose.

But beside the Temple of Peace there was also the Temple of Work. If he wielded the mallet to guide and control, he used the trowel to build up and cement the carved stones of the fair structure.

On the field where the battle was fought, he raised a Lodge, a veritable tabernacle in the wilderness, to show that peace was the issue that he sought. And when the long war was ended, and peace had come to the land and the waves of human passion had stilled into calm, he was Washington, the Brother in Masonry, no less than Washington, the Patriot and Soldier.

Sleeping under the shadow of a century, he is not dead, but walks a power through the land to inspire a higher patriotism, to call citizens to a truer life and the people in one hope, in one destiny, and in the moral grandeur which shall make our nation endure until nations shall blend in the kingdom of God which is immortal.

He is not dead, whose glorious mind

Lifts thine on high; To live in hearts we leave behind

Is not to die.

16 WASHHTGTON

As Washington was to our fathers, so may he be to our children, and to our children's children, an inspiration to patriotism, loyalty, and nobility of character, to higher thoughts and aims, to a fervent renewal of our obligations, and the inculcation of the teachings and practice of the cardinal virtues and tenets of our profession as Masons. When the memory of that light shall fail, then, indeed, may we fear for the strength of our Institution, and that our liberties are indeed endangered. As was said of William the Silent, Washington "lived, the faithful ruler of a brave people, and when he died, the children cried in the streets." Nature kindly ordained that the name of Washington should not be sullied by descendants, "Heaven left him childless that all the nation might call him father."

WASHINGTON'S INITIATION, PASSING, AND RAISING

ON Saturday evening, November 4th, 1752, in the little village of Fredericksburg, in England's ancient and loyal Colony and Dominion of Virginia, at a regular meeting of "the Lodge at Fredericksburg," held in its lodge-room, in the second story of the Market House, Major George Washington was made an Entered Apprentice Mason. We cannot tell who were the recommenders, or the committee of enquiry, but George Washington was the first person to be initiated in "the Lodge at Fredericksburg."

The Market-House, long since torn down, which then stood on Main (or Caroline) street and the present Market Alley, was of brick, the under part being used as a market, the upper part being given up to rooms for the officials and to two larger rooms, one of which was rented by the Craft for a lodge-room, the other being used for balls and entertainments.

In the ledger which is now bound with the minute-book, under the date of the following Monday,

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is the entry: "November 6, 1752, Received from Mr. George Washington for his entrance £2, 3s."

In the minutes of "3rd March, 1753," the sole entry is "George Washington passed a Fellow Craft."

The minutes of "4th August, 1753, Which Day the Lodge being Assembled present eight officers and members" (the names being given) read: "The transactions of the evening are George Washington raised a Master Mason. Thomas James Ent'd an Apprentice."

Had the Lodge at Fredericksburg known how deep an interest would be felt by succeeding generations in all that pertained to Washington, his Masonic record, even at that period, would probably have been made with more fullness of detail. However, the lessons of history are progressive, and none could have known, as he passed through the mystic rites of Masonry in 1752, in the presence of that chosen band of brethren in Fredericksburg Lodge, that the new-made brother then before them would win in after-years a nation's honor, gratitude, and love, and that after a century had passed the anniversary of his initiation would be celebrated as a national Masonic jubilee.

It will be noticed that Washington was made an Entered Apprentice Mason more than three months before he was twenty-one years of age, but there was nothing irregular in this. The requirements in the Old Charges (as printed in the Constitution of 1723) are that the candidate shall be "of mature aga," and most of us would be inclined to think that the tall, athletic Adjutant-General, six feet two inches in height, "straight as an Indian," and, if tradition be true, the only man who ever threw a silver dollar across the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg, was of "mature age" in 1752.

It must be remembered, however, that the age which was regarded as "mature" has varied in different countries at different times.

In England, for some years prior to 1717, this age was "one and twenty." From the organization in 1717 of the Premier Grand Lodge, afterwards designated as "Modem," until 1767 the age was twenty-five; while under the "Ancient" Grand Lodge from its organization in 1751 the age was twenty-five until the union in 1813, when the Grand Lodge of "Moderns" was absorbed by the vastly greater body of the "Ancients." At this time, as has been well said by an eminent Irish Masonic scholar, Brother W. J. Chetwode Crawley, LL.D., "almost the only concession made by the 'Ancients' was the adoption of twenty-one years in place of twenty-five; and this concession, trivial as it was,

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it is suspected would not have been made, had not the age limit of twenty-five years been found in practice inconveniently high."

In Scotland from ancient times down to 1891, the age of entering was eighteen, and when, in 1891, the age was raised to twenty-one, the ancient rule was retained for the sons of Freemasons. The oldest Lodge in Scotland, and in the world for that matter, the Lodge of Edinburgh, Scotland, made a rule in January 30, 1683, at a time indeed when the "Operatives" predominated, that no one under the age of twenty-one should be advanced to be a Fellowcraft or Master Mason. There was a law in Louisiana before the present Grand Lodge was established, and at a time when the French influence prevailed (it is well known that in the eighteenth century French and Scottish Masonry were closely connected), that the son of a Freemason might be entered at the age of eighteen.

It is quite probable that "the Lodge at Fredericksburg" was originally constituted under Scottish regulations, as many of the Fredericksburg brethren were of Scotch extraction, and as in 1758, Daniel Campbell, Master of the Lodge at the time of Washington's initiation, obtained "an ample charter" from the Grand Lodge at Edinburgh. Further evidence that the Scottish regulations as to age were enforced in the early years of "the Lodge at Fredericksburg," is shown by the fact that it was not until November 25, 1769, that the Lodge fixed twenty-one as the required age for initiation.

It should be noted that although Washington was entered in November, he was not crafted until March 3d, the first meeting after he was twenty-one. The Scottish regulation would fully explain the delay in Washington's advancement, and dispose of the suggestion that the delay was caused by a "lack of money," a suggestion utterly lacking in probability when Washington's finances, as shown by his ledger now in the Department of State, are considered. A few days after he was initiated he received £55 from the sale of some "lotts."

The delay in taking the second and third degrees is likewise easily understood when Washington's place of residence, forty-five miles away, and his military and professional engagements are considered.

However, whether of Scottish constitution or not, that it was in accord with the regulations in this country, at least in Pennsylvania, that a man might be initiated before he was twenty-one, is shown conclusively by two footnotes in Ahiman Rezon first issued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in 1783 one note providing that "no person be made in the future under the age of twenty-one," and repealing the other note, which stated that twenty-one "was a proper rule for general observation, before a person can be advanced to the sublime degree of a Master Mason."

Just when twenty-one became the "mature age" in Pennsylvania we cannot say. In Franklin's reprint of the Constitution of 1723, published in 1724 in Philadelphia, (the first Masonic book published in America), no change from twenty-five to twenty-one appears; and it is an interesting fact that Franklin himself had just passed his twentyfifth birthday, in the month before he was entered in St. John's Lodge in Philadelphia.

So late as March 6, 1822, it seemed to the Grand Lodge of New York necessary, and it accordingly was

"Ordered, That that part of the Book of Constitutions which relates to the qualifications of candidates for initiation into the mysteries of Masonry, shall be so construed, as that no person shall be entered in any Lodge under this jurisdiction who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years."

It is, therefore, clear that there was no irregularity whatsoever in Washington's initiation before he was twenty-one years old.

THE MASONIC CAREER OF WASHINGTON

THE introduction of Freemasonry to America and the birth of George Washington (February 22, 1732) were nearly contemporaneous.

On June 5, 1730, Brother Daniel Coxe was appointed, by deputation from the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of England, the first Provincial Grand Master of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and the year following, the earliest known Lodge in America — that meeting at the "Tun" or "Sun" Tavern in Water Street, Philadelphia — received its warrant or charter of constitution. The Master of this Lodge, in 1734, was Benjamin Franklin. Thus the "City of Brotherly- Love," where Washington afterward presided as President and performed some of the most notable acts of his Masonic life, was the home of the first lodge, of which we have authentic record.

FIRST MISSION AFTER HE WAS MADE A MASON

Soon after Washington was made a Master

Mason, he was employed in important public duties

by the governor of Virginia. Political considera-

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tions required that a messenger be sent to the French military posts on the Ohio, to demand that the French depart and cease to intrude on claimed English domain. It was late in the autumn, and the difficulties of the season, and the hazardous undertaking of encountering not only the French, but hostile Indians, were sufficient to try the fortitude of the boldest adventurer. Washington's reply, when solicitated by the Governor to undertake the commission, was: "For my own part, I can answer that I have a constitution hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most severe toils, and, I flatter myself, resolution to face what any man dares." Nobly spoken! And yet it was but the reflection of a Masonic lesson he had learned on his admission to Masonry but one year before. What lesson learned in Masonry was ever by him forgotten or unheeded?

Tradition, which no Masonic records of that period now existing either verify or contradict, states that Washington and his Masonic brethren held military Lodges during the old French War; and there is a cave near Charlestown in West Virginia, a few miles from Winchester, where his headquarters for two years were located, which to this day is called Washington s Masonic Cave. It is divided into several apartments, one of which is called The Lodge Room. Tradition says that Washington and his Masonic brethren held Lodges in this cavern. In the spring of 1844 the Masons of that vicinity held a celebration there to commemorate the event.