The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-04
A RELIC OF MASONRY.
TIE OLDEST MINUTE BOOK IN
AMERICA BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

Curious Olden Time Customs-The
Transactions of the Lodge at Tun
Tavern in Philadelphia-An Interest
ing Historical Ftud.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
MEDIA, PA, Feb. ga historical find
Of moro than ordinary Importance has been
made near here. Among a number Of old
books and papers. resurrected from their
long -forgotten resting place in the attic of
an old country house IN Delaware county,
where they had lain undisturbed for almost
q century. was a leather-covered folio blank
book, which, upon examination, proved to
be one of the long lost records OF the Ma
sonic lodge which vas held at the Tuu tav-
ern, on Water street. in Philadelphia,
during the early decades of the last
century.
The contents of the book consits or LOG
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
minute book of the lodge, and covers the
period from June IS, 1749, TO July 9, I755,
when the lodge changed it's meeting place
60 the newly erected Freemason's hall, In
Norris (Lodgel alley.
The Importance Of this old relic will be
recognized when it lie stated that heretofore
nothing whatever has been known of the
official or social workings of the Masonic
brethren who fiourished 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 "Anciens 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
three lodges were warranted about 1880.
either by the grand master or the grand
lodge 1t is from these lodges of the A. Y.
M 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 were DO
litically inclined toward the crown, that
branch Of Masonry rapidly declined in the
troublous times Immediately preceding the
revolution, the patriot brethren affiliating
with the new lodges Of the A. Y. NJ. rite.
Thus the absolute absence of all records was
always accounted for by the supposition
that they were either carried away by their
loyalist custodians In their fight from the
country, or else were destroyed during the
war.
IL the year 1894 the first scrap OF anthem
tic information, outside OF the announce
ments in FrankliN's paper, was found. This
was an old account book, known as "Liber
b, and now in possession of the Historical
Society OF Penn sylvania, which gives the
names and accounts of the nineteen men,
bers who composed St. Johns Lodge In
Philadelphia, the first Mas 1nic lodge 10
America. 1t was this lodge which few
years afterward resolved itself into pro-
vvlnclal grand lodge. II covers the period
from June "a, 1871, to 1913, add
vania's priority in FreemasoDry in Ameri-
ca. But, independent Of this great fact and
the names Of the nineteen members, it gives
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 curious entries,
not the least of which is the invariable close
OF each proceeding with the announcement,
len O'Clock, We lodge closed" custom
which might we'll be followed by the
brethren Of the present day.
THE FIRST ENTRY IN THE BOOK.
The first entry in the book is dated
"Wednesday. June %. 1749-present,
Brother Griffin. Mr.. Reilly, S. W., Shee. j.
w. Members present, Bros. Corfe-Arsti-
dale-Mullan-Wrigh t-Eve-Foster Visit
ing Brethren, Bros. Murray-Alsop-Gan-
tony and Duglap." The business of the
lodge consisted Of electing a tyler and a
committee to amend the bylaws, after
which number of gentlemen were pro-
posed for initiation, together with recon-
mendations 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
treemasons. Thus in the proceedings of
Aug. IL, 1852, among the visitors appears
the entry; "Sam1. Austin, not a brother"
That matters at this early day did not
always run smoothly is shown under date
OF Aug 5, 1919, when a ballot was held
whether or no three Of the leading men,
Ders should be continued or excluded from
the lodge" after which the secretary was
ordered to raise" their names of the book
as members
Three weeks later a petition was sent to
benjamin Franklin. Prov. CIR. Master, to
grant "deputation" under his sanction.
CHARGES OF IRREGULAR PRA Cr1CEs.
Early in September the master, being &C.
cused by several of the members of some
HtuSuidr pracLlces, contrary TO Cne dignity
OF the CHAIR" is asked in open lodge to clear
up the charges by the next regular meet
ing. This he succeeded in dong at the
lodge Sept. 81, 1S49 = agreeable
TO the members." After this
episode matters went on in har-
mony, and at the lodge Dec 10,
Lay, 1t was agreed by the majority, to cele-
pirate st. Johns day by a dinner at the Tun
tavern, at 10 o'clock, and leach Mason to
oring his wife or partner to dance at
hlght, the expense of which to be left to
Che majority of the members after the din
her Is over" The expense of this celebra-
ton, as shown by the next minutes, was
20 lis. 3D. and 20 shillings were voted to
tne servants of the tavern
several cases are noted where members
were imprisoned for debt. application be-
aug made to the lodge TO release them from
uurance vile--the most interesting case be-
lng that Of Brother Smith, in 1853. Six
bounds were voted for his relief, but did
nov prove sufficient. when the master offered
20 ADVANCE $40 for the brothers relief. pro-
weed be gave his watch aud books and
securlty-"upon condition the lodge, when
IN cash. pay him and take the watch and
DOCKS, II they be not redeemed by Smi b;
20 which the lodge agreed, aud the things
70 De left with the lodge in pledge"
REGULATIONS OF oLDES TIME EXPENSES.
Another entry In a different vein informs
US that THE questions being put how we,
ss Masons, ought to be regulated in respect
L. Ir.r4rr .arHkt