Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-05
WASHINGTON COsIMANDERY, No. 1.

are its members is a source of legitimate pride
The constitution Of the General Grand en-
campment Of the United States adopted in
1916, authorized the first four officers of that
body to institute new councils Of Knights Of
the Red Cross and encampmen.s Of Knights
Templar. Under this provision, which re-
manned unmodifsd until 1885, it was customary
for the grand officers to issue charters direct
without the present Intervention of dispense
ton.
In this manner q charter was issued to Mich
Ola Blasdeil, John Frank, Benjamin o. Tyler,
john Davidson. Joseph lngls, Benjamin King.
George ". Dawson, William W. SeatsR. j. G.
Mozart, Charles CasssIl, L. T. Sutherland, d.
Hurt, W. Hsyman, and u. W. Esllsr en- the
18Th Of January, ls25, by Henry Fewle, deputy
G. q. master. to form and hold q regular
council OF knights of the Fed Cross and an en-
eampment Of knights IemPlar and Knights of
Mslts' &c
The three persons frst above mentioned were
appointed the frat three officers Of the said
encampment.
Under this charter, which was duly confirmed
by the General Grand encampmsnt at its mex,
meeting, Washington encampment was duly
organized and proce eded 20 business.
In 1885 the encampment quietly ceased to
exist.
REvTvTSG THE OLD CHARTER.
On April II, 1s47, a number of Knights
Temp!ar in this city, some few Of them having
been members Of the encampment at the time
it became dormant, joined in petition to Jos.
4. Stapleton, ME.D.G.G. master of the G. G.
enesmPment, asking him 10 issue his dispsnsa-
ton for the revival OF Washington encamp-
ment, No. l. This petition. with the old
charter (Which had been preserved with tho
rega!ia OF the encampmsnt, By Jas. King. was
sent TO sir Knight stapleton, and ON the 22d OF
April. ISi7. he issued his dispsnsation to Sir
KNIGHTS EZra NIItiuma Harry y Rnhsrtgan
John Robinson. Jacob Bender. Dsnj H. French,
VIM. W. Seaton. Oliver Whittlsssy, Jos. Ingle.
Chas.W. Boteler, Thos. Doueho and Jas. King"
empowering them TO assemble and elect officers
under the said charter, to which said DISPENSE
ton was attached
In conformity with the power thus granted
on the 2ith OF April. lsi1, tina knights men,
TONED in said dispensation, with some Others
met AT Masonic hall, in Wa.hins ton. and elec ted
tie following persons officers Of the encamp-
ment, viz: b. D. French, VI. E. grand com
mander; Ezra Williams, generaissimo; II. b.
Robertson. captain general; jas. King. prelate;
ChRs. ". Botslsr. senior warden; u. Whittesey
Junior warden; Thos. Donoho. treasurer; JOS
lngle, recorder; Geo. Cover, warder.
The revival Of the coTnmsndsry was largely
due to the energy OF 3. 3. French and for this
the commandery elected him eminent COM
mander and continued him in that Office, with
the exception Of a single term for twelve years.
THE FIRST MEETINGS
Of the commaldery were hsld in the building
on the northeast corner of 10th and streets,
which then ussd as Masonic hail. The
asylum WAS sftsrvsrd moved to corner Of ID
and 9th streets, and finally to the temple at 9Th
and streets.
Some variation in nomsncl..urs a. well as
In methods Of transacting business from pres
ent habits noticed in the early minutes
The title of the body. for example, was ''en-
campmsnt' instead OF 'conmandsry;" the
hrs; o!icer was called m. Z. grand COM
mAnGsr title now reserved fer the esm-
manding officer OF state grand body; there
was standing committee" to which all ap-
plicatiOnS for the orders were referred for
examination and report; the encempment was
said to adjourn" instead OF to be closed, :"
and II was frequently opened in the Order Of
the Rcd Cross instead OF that Of the temple, as
now.
The hrst event Of national Importance in
which the commandsry participated was the
laying OF the cornerstone Of the Washington
nonumeEt on July 4, 1S4s. Invitations to par
ticipate IN these ceremonies were sont out by
the Grand lodge OF the District of Columbia
and Washington commandsry invited every
encampment in the United States to come to
this city on that day. The minutes Of July 4,
ls45 give a full account OF the grand process.
sion and Of the proceedings and ceremonios Of
The day. An address was made by Sir p B.
French, who was then q. N. Of Aasons Of D. c.
as we'll as g. commander OF Washington COM
mandery, and, az its close, the cornerstone
Was laid by him with the usual Masonic core
monies In the evening q collation. was spread
in Apollo hall. which was psrtaken Of by sew
eral Hundred sir knights and brethren. The
record adds: 1.-The sir knights separated with
heartfelt congratulations upon the suspicious
termination Of the ceremonies designed 70 per-
petuate, through all future time. the memory
OF our departed Masonic brother-Gsorgs
Washington"
October 10, 1889, the commandsry, acting a.
escort to the Grand lodge, assisted in laying
The corner stone Of the New York avenue Pres
byserixn church.
On the 18th Of the same month IL attended, ~