Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-28

he is uncommonly hale, hearty and CHEEKY.
He IS proud of the fact that he Is the first
member of Washington commandery, and
one Of the first in the United States to
reach the half-century period Of knight
hood. There are many Free Masons who
have been members of the fraternity for q
longer period than that, but the survival
Of a person who has taken the orders of
Templarism for that lengthy period rs ex-
traordinary.
Mr.. Grigg was born in the ancient city
OF Alexandria, and has lived there all his
life. He Is a member of the Masonic lodge
of which George washington was once
worsfipful master. and was himself its pre-
siding officer almost fifty years ago. He
was also high priest Of Lafayette Chapter
of Royal Arch Masons in Alexandria, in
1850 For many years he has been tyler of
the lodge. sentinel of the chapter and Gus
todian for the property of Old Dominion
Commandery at Alexandria. He frequent
ly meets with the latter organization, but
has never transferred his membership from
old Washington Commandery. He Is out
in the parades and reviews OF old No. I, and
is as sprightly as any of the younger men
who march with him in the silver and
black uniform for which the old command
cry fought the good fight SO long.
The Only Survivor.
Sir Knight Grigg is the only survivor of
the commandery who was present at the
ceremony of laying the corner stone Of the
Washington monument, July 4, 184s The
exercises were conducted by the eminent
commander Of Washington, No. 1, who was
then grand master Of Masons for the Dis
trict Of Columbia. 1t was also his privilege
to again appear with the conmandery thir-
ty-seven years afterward. when the beau
tiful shaft was completed.
1T was my pleasure to have been well
acquainted with several of the original
members Of Washington Commandery, /"
lied twenty-five years before I entered it:
but a considerable number of the charter
members were still with us. I knew Jo-
seph Ingie. who was charter member,
The old uniform of Richard Rock, also a
charter member but who had belonged to
another body Of Templars before that is
preserved at the Old Dominion Command
cry asylum. 1t Is very interesting
.. The heart, the soul, the very life of the
early Washington Commandery," contin-
ued the venerable sir knight, was Benia-
min b; French He was indeed a grand
man. Tne commandery had been dormant
during the terrible early days Of anti
Masonic prescription. He took upon him
self the task Of restoring vigorous activity.
and succeeded admirably, as in everything
else. He had then just retired from the
ONCE OF clerk of the House of Representa-
tfves. and threw himself into the work with
great energy. He was for twelve years our
most eminent commander and he surren-
dered that office only to become grand
master of Templars of the United States /"
The veteran also spoke with mingled
tenderness and enthusiasm of many other
famous members Of his old commandery.
including the distinguished Gen Albert
Pike. who was knighted in the Command
cry long after himself; Albert q. Mackev
the noted Masonic historian and ritualist:
Charles F. Stansbury, who while eminent
commander. suffered the loss of his conn
mand rather than surrender '.the good Old
black uniform at the behest of the Grand
Encampment; the late Clement ". BEN
nett, and many others who have zone he
fore. "
For the surviving veterans he also had
warm regard. particularly Daniel McFsar-
I'm. the preiate Of the commandery, who
Tor more than twenty years has performed
the duties Of that chair with great fldelitv
and ability, and has feeiingiy conducted
tbs touching ceremonies of the order over
very. very many Of its departed members.
Always q Whie.
James Grigg has been lifetime whir.
7 am one yet" he said. although NAV
not be recognized. started out voting for
Henry Clay. and my principles are the
same now as then. stuck by the whie
ship until It went down. supported CLAW
IN lS44. Taylor In 1S48. Scott in 1884, FIJI
more In 1856 and Bell In 1880, I did not
believe In the principle of accession. ana
u,d not go with my people OF the south.
aitnough 20 many OF my friends were with
them that the war brought many heart
aches. l have voted the democratic ticket
In late yeats. but am q good whig vet"
Washington Commandery will annro-
priately and modestly celebrate the roifien
anniversary OF the knightheod Of this good
gray whig at special conclave at the
asylum OF that body In Masonic Tenn
pie. The committee in charge. headed By
those likely. younger members, Captain
Allison Nailor and Joseph Gawler who
united with the commandery only twenty
years after the veteran 0rigg, win not
reveal just what they propose to do ON the
occasion. One feature will, however, be the
presence OF all the older members whp
are IN the city who were Contemporaries
OF the once young nGrigg. The Oldest Of
these are John T. Nicely, who WAS kn3xht-
ed In February. l6l0. and Rev. Byron Sun
deraand, Washington's venerable and VEN
Grated Presbyterian clergyman, who was
knighted ''on q rare night IN June" Of 1U6A
Veteran F1nigAts ~ 0aests.
Veteran knights Of the other command
cries Of the District win also BE- invitea
~ gussts. but ~ the Oldest Of these gem
srous rivals Of older washington Com
mnn6nrv Cn1rusl,an Nh q Hna 49, ..<. /.