Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-27
A RELIC OF MASONRY.
The Oldest Original Minute Book in
America Brought to Light.
CURIOUS OLDEN-TiME CUSTOMS.
The Transactions of the Lodge at Tun
Tavern in Philadelphia
AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL FIND

of more than ordinary importance has been
made near here. Among number OF old
books and papers, resurrected from thelr
long-forgotten resting place in the attic OF
an old country house in Delaware county,
where they had lain undisturbed for almost
a century, was leather-covered folio blank
book, which upon examination proved to be
ore of the long-lost records of the Masonic
lodge which was held at the Tun Tavern, on
Water street, in Philadelphia, during the
early DECADES of the last century.
The contents of the book consist of 106
closely-written pages, setting forth all their
proceedings, and, in addition, recording the
names Of every candidate, member and
visitor who was present or advanced at the
various meetings In fact, it is the first
period from June 28, 1749, to July 2, 1855,
when the lodge changed its meeting place to
the newly erected Freemason's Hall, in
Norris (Lodge) alley
The importance of this old relic will be
recognized when it is stated that heretofore
nothing whatever has been known of the
official or social workings of the Masonic
Brethren who fourished in Pennsylvania
under the dispensation from the Grand
Lodge of All England extending from 1880
until the decade prior to the, Revolution,
when, on account of political differences,
application was made by sundry brethren
in Philadelphia to the rival Grand Lodge in
England, known as the "Ancient York
Masons," for permission to hold lodges in
| Pennsylvania under their authority.
Origin of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge.
| In response to these applications two or
1 1o1,r Tod OH
either by the Grand Master or the Grand
| Lodge. 1t is from these lodges of the A. Y.
NJ. that the present Grand Lodge of Penn
| sylvania had its origin.
As the majority of the members of the first
Provincial Grand Lodge, working under the
''Grand Lodge of All England" 1" were politi-
cally inclined toward the Grown, that
branch of Masonry rapidly declined in the
troublous times Immediately preceding the
Revolution, the patriot brethren af1iliating
with the new lodges of the A.sY. NJ. rite.
Thus the absolute absence of all records was
always accounted for by the supposition that
thev were either carried away BY their 10y
alist custodians in their flight from the
country, or else were destroyed during the
war.
In the year 1884 the first scrap of authen-
tic information, outside of the announce
ments in Franklin's paper was found. This
was an old account book, known as s'Liber
B, and now in possession Of the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania. which gives the
names and accounts of the 10 members who
composed st. Johns Lodge in Philadelphia,
the first Masonic lodge in America. 1t was
this lodge which few years afterward re-
solved itself into Provincial Grand Lodge.
It covers the period from June "a, 1871. to
1888, and settles the claim of Pennsvl-
vania's priority in Freemasonry in Amer
lea. But, independent of this great fact
and the names of the 10 members, it riyes
no insight into the Masonic life of the
order. The volume which has now come to
light is the book Of proceedings of the
''Masons' Lodge, held at the Tun Tavern,
in Water Street" and contains many curl
GUS entries, not the least of which is the
invariable close Of each proceedings with
the announcement "Ten O'clock, We Lodge
Closed" custom which might well be fol-
lowed by the brethren OF the present day.
The First Entry in the Book.
The first entry in the book is dated
"WednesdaY, 2Sth June, 1749-prescnt,
Bro. Griffin, Mr.. Reilly, S. W., Shee, j. w.
Mullan-Wright-Ev Visiting
Brethren, Bros Murray-Alsop-Gant
and Duglap.'' The business of the lodge
consisted of electing Tyler and a commit
tee to amend the bylaws, after which
number of gentlemen were proposed for
initiation, together with recommendations
for passing and raising others, separate
ballot being taken in each case.
Another curious feature was that the
lodge always met in the E. A. Degree, and
occasionally admitted visitors who were not
Freemasons Thus in the proceedings of
August 12. 1852, among the visitors appears
@bo NH sti nnf hrn
That matters at this early day did not
always run smoothly is shown under date of
August 5, 1749 when ballot was held
"whether or no three of the leading mem
bers should be continued or excluded from
the lodge" after which the Secretary was
ordered to 'sraise" their names off the book
as members.
Three weeks later a petition was sent to
Benjamin Franklin. Prov. Gr. Master to
grant 'deputation" under his sanction.
Charges OF Irregular Practices.
Early in September the Master, being ac-
cused by several membeas OF some irregular
'practices, contrary to the dignity of the
chair" is asked in open lodge to clear up
the charges by the next regular meeting.
This he succeeded in doing at the lodge |
September 27, 1749-tsagreeable to the MEM
bers." After this episode matters went on |
in harmony, and at the lodge December 10, |
1T49, it was agreed by the majority, to cele- |
brate ST. Johns Day by a dinner at the |
Tun Tavern, at 10 o'clock, and "each Mason |
to bring his wife or partner to a dance at |
night, the expense of which to be left to the |
majority of the members after the dinner is |
over" The expense of this celebration, as |
shown by the next minutes, was e23 It's |
sd, and 20 shillings were voted to the serv-
wants of the tavern.
Several cases are noted where members |
were imprisoned for debt, application being
made to the lodge to release them from
durance vile the most interesting case be-
ing that of Brother Smith, in 1853. Six
pounds were voted for his relief, but did
not prove sufficient, when the Master offered
to advance e10 for the brothers relief, pro-
yided he gave his watch and books and Sc
curity-''upon condition the lodge, when in
cash, pay him and take the watch and
books. if they be not redeemed by Smith;
to which the lodge agreed, and the things
to be left with the lodge in pledge"
Regulations of Olden Time Expenses.
Another entry in different vein, in
forms us that ''The questions being put how
we, as Masons, ought to be regulated in re-
spect of our expenses at a regular lodge
night, and ballot being made, agreed that
no member shall be obliged to spend more
2 shillings and sixpence during lodge hours
without his consent, and not to depart pay
ing less than shillings aud sixpence.
fsIt being proposed that no liquor be
called for in lodge hours but by the consent
of the masters and wardens, ballot. being
made, passed in the affirmative; but so that
nothing be understood to the contrary of