New-York tribune., 1898-11-27
TIE LAST SID RITES.

In looking back through the vista OF many years
we cften see the shades OF departed friends and
brothers pass in imaginary review before us, ana
when we compare their status It was when we
first knew them. and then after. and at or before
their taking away what differences we find.
| am brought 10 these thoughts by seeing a once
familiar name loom up before me as glance
through nv memorandum book. Bro. John III.
Jennings who at one time was n conspicuous ng-
ure in local history. and who would be recosh]eo
at once by many old New-Yorkers were 70 give
his true name: but as have used hctitious names
throughout In these "reminiscences, shah con-
tinue 70 do 80 now Bro Jennings was an NJ d. OF
some renown IN the downtown portion Of the city.
and held high office IN certain secret semireglous
organizations but never sought or held any Office
in Masonry.
He was "A very popular man among certain
class Of our people. and was also cordially hated
by a certain other class which was severely op
uosed 10 the first Only those who came in close
contact with him found that his brusque manners
covered a generous heart and. while he would
oppose the class referred 10, ne was ever ready
10 serve and aid it's members. as we'll as all human
beings who called for his ad or sympathy re-
member an occasion-it on the evening Of
July l2 49, when there had been unusual excite
nl4nt in the city-hIs house was almost beseged.
his windows broken. and he and his family I'm dan
ger OF their lives yet the brave man went out that
very evening TO Set broken bone of neighbor.
and that too, Of who probably helped TO batter
In his house. When heard OF the trouble called
on hrn TO see whether could be Of any service
to him.
"Yos'' ne said you can SIT down in the Office
and We will play a game Of chess.
That was about ali the fear care he had amid
all the excitement It was during the progress OF
our game that word sent to Brother Jennings
that his services were needed l tried 10 persuade
him 10 remain in the house and not venture out in
trr,1eu ufoS I'm .
cot forth unconcerned performed the operation re-
ouired and returned to finish the game of chess.
such YVES the character Of the man, and he was
t.,,t abo,, then IN the zenith Of his prosperity lie
IA haG and WIS anxious to retire and live
away from the city. His amoltion was 20 o"h r air'i
ard homght n farm in he South thinking that his
Investments here would yield him sufficient means
- i've unon and he could work his farm for
an,ueemcnt unfortunately It did not turn out as
ne autlcipnted. He owned great dcal OF PROV
ery but @ none all Pag d%n Sr While more tRan he
other hall was covered by big. ugly mortsaee'
a. a nroner,v in Newark no had bought for $4,000.
Hih onlv $4,000 paid: another on Long Island on
anon, xod r' dlsric A this would have been we'll
enough bur panic came then cras,, 1 anu nd a,,i
with them many carried TO ruin ana among
these Brother Jennings But tnat was vas, no, al:
lived in the country and this soon finished him AZ
iaria I'D more cold all Of which finally eliminated
re corres6nnded Win me freauently and often
called on his lawyers and agents for him. but on.
what dOeful letters he used 10 write me-tne
proud and wealthy physician was completely
broken down Suddenly word came TO me 10 call
on Or Jennings. at the house Of friend In BROOK
lyn. | went there at once. and the spectacle that
PROSTATE remnants OF the once strong and power
ful man-ho had chest Ike barrel. and
Brother jennings a wreck OF his former self 1t
seemed 10 me a. II his breast and chest had col
apsed. had sunk In. The friends he stopping
with were holiday friends that is they SIN
thought he a rich man and when II came out
that he poor that all his property likely
to be swallowed mp by the mortgages. Interest as
sessments otc.. they had no further use FOR him
he was in the way. and the brother felt this keen
ly. | went 70 several other friends" trying
find suitable shelter for the sick brother. but the
news Of his losses and Of his fororn condition had
gone forth and | found no place for him except
In hospital This told him would he the best
place for him. as he would receive every care and
attention there. He consented to his removal
much easier than | anticipated. and as | was
Master at the time. took entire charge OF his
case. bur he not to remain in hospital long
The first visit made to him there he instructed
N" about his affairs. what to do in case OF his
demise and he begged me to call every day. FOR"
u" s..!i / expect to 60 ny moment"
And he dil not trouble me long II was nor quite
a week after his removal to the Institution when
one Inorniig TINS lacOnc message was sent to me.
Iar Jennings. Ward < died at i:3D this morn
Then another trouble began. No one wanteo 70
see the doctor buried from tho hospital and | haI
another search FOR some -rlend who would allow
cares for 4 dead man? And dead nan who f"dI'
,''hy ,shy dieI poor? Finally | learned that his wife
corner OF William and Fulton SITS that iii his
Jennings had mad any chur n n a be
were cenicd IN this old and venerable church
to make room for the ever graspng demands off
! procured. through a brother. an Introduction 70
m. Rev Morgan Dix. who. in turn gave me- ~
letter TO the parties who IN charge Of the old
building, and by paying the sexton for opening
! mi isein
10 ha.e the corpse brought there and 20 have tb,
rushons had rspy been thls S1 fhSTfh The
3ther things apperaning to the old church edif ,c
the rear building on the Ann-s;. side was torn
down, ard DESTRUCTION and decay were written
IN keeping with the funeral and in Keeping with a
ne surrounding circumstances The doctor Tx. |
esteemed and reverod by all who knew h m until !
nistak kos and misfortune oyercame him. and felled
great DESTROYER laid his strong grasp upon him |
lnnoticed by his former friends. almost unknown |
10 IN, many M who lad had received his aid and had par
And VITA the old Dutch church. many many had had
"orshipptd there I'm the days Of its glory were
iptowr to more arstocratic quarters. and the ven.
'rabc old building fell into disuse and decay-trade
ie was wan,cd Ard SO The oid church Tu had '. 10
20 and ne few who still remained faithful 10 It's
hey might or else required be satisfied
: I'm a small room which was set aside for them in
1t may not be generally known. but is fact
hat the last service ever held IN that old Dutch
'hurch on the corner OF william and Fulton SITS
vas Masonic funeral service. held by the writer
,rlor to the removal OF the body Of DR.. Jennings to
Greenwood Cemetery. where the last rite was per
ormsd according to Masonic usage and our ancient
!tual
Hardly had the doctor been decenly put under
'round when hOrde of distant relations began 10
'othor mo about the property" They had heard
4 hts wealth. Of his real estate purchases and de-
handed tfeir share Of the inheritance. | had hari |
work 10 convince them that there was nothing eft
2 his property hut debts. mortgages and assess
nents one In particular bothered me a great deal /
nd engaged a lawyer to make me give an account
ng. In vain showed this lawyer that there
iOihing. absolutely nothing. 10 he had that the /
edge paid all funeral expenses. and that = pro-
Ided for him during ms brief Illness His client
nd some mears and Ee not going 10 let 20
nt he had transferred some OF II TO his own
Ockets. Not until the heirs stopped feeding the
did these worthless becOrne m fisnet