Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-07
The Lodge OF Which Washington Be
came the Master-The Memorials
Preserved by the Alexandria
Washington Lodge-A Ma
sonic Picture Of the Father
Of His Country.

o. !: ]; :; !:
q "
NS&06a&lyW In the cold, as II were,
SkGd&SAAW but who admire their
EaEL$Sllr$% dashing sister that has
NXkS made such good match
S2ES~ with Uncle Sam. WASH
S ington city is all very
well. they think. for her present and her future.
but when It comes to talking Of the family-of
the past-then one of the old maid sisters must
come to the front. So. when Gen. Washington's
Masonic relations excite interest. as they do now
to the Knights Templar. Alexandria comes out
to do the agreeable and be garrulous. His Ma
sonic life is hers. and she is more than proud OF
Il. George Washington was made Mason In
Fredericksburg by the lodge there, being free
born and of good report" but participated little
in its proceedings The Fredericksburg lodge
was chartered January 80, 1877. The seal Of
the old lodge forms the initial Of this cut. No
Masonic lodge existed in old Belhaven or Alex
andrIa nearer than Fredericksburg at the time
Washington took up his residence at Mount
Vernon, but 1t Is almost certain he took part in
military lodges held in the army after the ar
rival OF the French. While he was away from
home the project of establishing Masonic lodge
at Alexandria had been discussed there By DR..
Elisha c. Dick. Robert Adams, John Allison,
Michael RYAN, Peter Don and William Hunter
who had been made Masons at different lodges
during the previous twenty years. The time Of
war was not deemed fitting for the establish
ment of e lodge, but in 1882, after CORVALLIS
had surrendered and while negotiations for
completed. application was made by these gen.
tlemen TO the Grand lodge of Pennsylvania for
charter to open a Masonic lodge at Alexandria.
and under a Pennsylvania warrant Alexandria
lodge No. SO, was opened in Alexandria at q
house on Union street near Duke street on the
18th day of February, 1888. The lodge for some
time held its meetings at the LAMB tavern on
Union street near Point Lemy, foot of Duke
street. then one of the public marts or landing
places of the town. Very soon most of the lead
ing citizens of Alexandria became Masons.
Gen. Washington was then on the Hudson at
Newburg awaiting the treaty Of peace and calm
ing the threatened turbulence of an army i'm
patient at the failure Of the Congress to comply
with its promises. But when the Independence
had been acknowledged and Washington had
resigned at Annapolis his military commission
and came home on Christmas eve, 17SS to the
quiet and peace of domestic life at Mount Yer
non, Alexandria lodge was in full operation.
Immediately upon this knowledge that Wash
ingtOn had passed through the town on his way
home the lodge convened and addressed other
illustrious brother the following letter:
ALEXANDRIA. Goth December. 17SS
''SIR: Whilst all denominations OF people bless
the happy occasion OF your eXceilency's return
TO enjoy private and domestic felicity, permit
us. sir, the members Of lodge 80. lately estab-
l.shed in Alexandria. to assure your excellency
that we as a mystical body rejoice in having
brother so near TO US whose pre-emnent benev-
oIence has secured the happiness of Millions
and that we shall esteem ourselves highly
honored at all times your excellency shall be
pleased to join US 10 the needful business.
I've have the honor to be in the name and on
behalf of No. 80 your excellency's devoted
friends and brothers,
.RoBERr ADAM. WIN.
sc. G.. DICK, S.W.
81. ALLISON, J.W.
'WA. RAMSAY, treasurer"
Gen. Washington replied at once:
'sMOUNT VERNON. 18th December, 17S3.
''GENTLENEN: With a pleasing sensibility re-
ceived your favor of the 26th and beg leave to
oder my sincere thanks for the favorable senti-
lnent with which il abounds. l shall always feel
with pleasure when II may be in NAV power to
render service to Lodge No. 80 and in every act
of brotherly kindness to the members of 1t, be-
ing. with great truth.
Your arectOnate brother
And obdient servant,
Go. WASHINGTON.
s'RoBERr ADAM. Esq, Master wardens and treas
urer Of Lodge No. 80.
1.-The intImation,- saws Mr. F. L. Brockett, in
his Lodge OF Washington contained in this
letter Of his Willingness to accept upon some
other occasion the Inequalities of his Alexan-
dra brethren. induced the lodge to invite WASH
ington TO an entertainment TO be given him in
February, lisa, and with tins view the secretary
William t.eroeTt, esq, was directed to comma
for him to favor them with his company; but at
a subsequent meeting held on the Goth Of Feb
ruary the ". NJ. Robert Adam, ESQ.,. informed
the lodge that il had been intimated to him that It
would be announcement for Washington to attend
AT that time. and the invitation was abandoned
until the following June when ne was present
AT dinner given on 81. Johns day"
WASHINGTON AMID MASONIC FESTIVITIES.
''OR st. Johns day, 1884, the lodge again in
vited General Washington TO be present and he
responded as follows in familiar letter to Mr.
William Herbert the secretary of the lodge:
''lioUNT VERNON. June I9, I7S4.
DEAR SIR: With pleasure received the invl-
tatioD u the master and members Of Lodge No.
- to dine with them on the anniversary of st.
John the Baptist. II nothing Unforeseen at
present inIerferes will have the honor OF doing
it. For tue polite and fattering terms In which
You have expressed their wishes you will please
accept my thanks.
with esteem and respect, / am, dear sir,
your most obi svt,
"Go WASHINGTON"
"An the old Alexandria merchants were in for
q frOlic and the neighborhood brought the best
of the land or the sea to the feast, which was
prepared IN the spirit Of the old Masonic song:
''Come let Us prepare, we brothers that are,
Assembled on merry occasion,
To drink laugh and sing, for our wine has q
spring.
In the health or an Accepted Mason"
The records of the lodge show that His Ex-
cellency G. Washington was was among the
visitors on this occasion.
1.-The worshipful master read q most instruc-
tive lecture on the rise, progress and advantage
81 Masonry, and concluded with prayer suit
able 10 the occasion. Accompanied by Washing
ton the lodge then proceeded TO John Wise's
tavern. now opposite the Braddock house,
where they dined, and, after spending the alter
noon in Masonic festiyity. returned TO the lodge
room, whore the worshipful master, Adam, with
the unanimous consent of the brethren, was
pleased To admit his excelieney. General WASH
ingtOn, "a an honorary member OF lodge No. 80.
AT TINS lodge there were present twenty
persons besides General Washington. among
whom were Robert Adam. Robert McCrea Dr.
Dick. Colonel u. Ramsey, Michael Madden,
George Richards. William Ramsay William
Herbert. William II. Powell William Hunter ST..
John kummey, Benjamin Dulany. William
Hunter. jr.. Colonel Charles Little Colonel VIM.
Payne, Peter Dow, Charles Alexander, Heary
Styles, Richard Conway, John Allison. John Nc
liver. X. Powell, Colonel Roger West, John
Huybert.
When, In i7ss, the lodge withdrew nom
the Jurisdiction Of the Grand lodge OF Pennsyl-
vanla and took charter from the Grand lodge
OF virginia, General Washington was ss.lected
as worthy master of the lodge, and IN the char
ter. which changed Alexandra lodge from No.
SO under Pennsylvania to No. 2 OF Virginia.
the warrant rsad:
Know We that we, Edmond Randolph. ESQ.,.
governor OF the commonwesl Aforesaid And
grand master OF the most ancient and honorable
society OF FreemasOns within the came by and
with the consent of the Grand lodge of vjrvfufa