The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-08-08
NARY WAsHINGTON'S WILL
FAC-SIMILE IN INTERESTING
|DooUMEEF OWNED By BEERS.

DOCUMENT OWNED By BEERS.
also Letters Of George washington
Reprodueed-An owned by Second
oldest Masonic Lodge in the Country
Many Interesting Things in the His
tory Of Fredericksburg Lodge.
Several years ago. during the twenty
years secretaryship of W. A. Beers, Of
lola Hiram Lodge, No. L A. F. and A.
I., of this city, an argument arose
lmong the various members Of the or
Ter as to which was the first Masonic
lodge instituted In the United States.
The question was between Hiram lodge
# this city and Fredericksburg lodge Of
Fredericksburg, Va. The matter was
referred to Brother N. D. Sperry (who
received the degrees in "Old Hiram
some f1fty-five years ago.. to investi-
gate and report his findings, which
Eere that Fredericksburg lodge was
" ounded September 1, 1852, and was
gorking without any charter until
ew years after the lodge applied to
he Grand Lodge of Scotland for a
charter there being no grand lodge in
his country at that time. The char
er was at that time granted to Fred
ricksburg lodge. This lodge granted
! and instituted other lodges in their ju-
.isdiction. Thus it was found that
s old Hiram " No. /, was organized in
5 $50, two years prior to the Fredericks-
burg, lodge, and is therefore the oldest
Masonic lodge in the United States.
General George Washington received
his degrees in Fredericksburg lodge
Several months after its institution.
u Every member who failed to attend
s. he regular meetings Of the lodge was
lined one shilling, and the lodge also
Imposed a fine Of one shilling on every
brother who swore an oath in the lodge
Ebr ante-roorn, and the old records show
many shillings we're paid in and en-
b cred up as zone oath fine"
~ Al printed history of this lodge and
Its doings was sent to Secretary Beers
81 sold Hiram, and is in his posses
sion at the present time, and contains
many things that no doubt would be
Interesting to the fraternity as to how
B Kings were Masonically done in the an
fient times. One passage reads, Re
Ii Solved, that the stewards of the lodges
shall for the time being provide fine
andies and liquors, and other necessa-
les for the use of the lodge. Two large
Eemiiohns denoted joachim and Boaz
were kept in the ante-roon of the
81 ofgsI one filled with Jamaica rum and
he other with Holland gin. and it is re-
eorded that joachim and Boaz were so
bopular in their day that they could
draw larger crowd in the ante-room
Ehnd keep them there at a later hour
han the master could in the lodge
"A DOM. AT aSlater date it was observed
hat the popularity Of these twin pill
Bars had 50 largely increased that it
became necessary to prohibit their
presence on the Masonic premises, and
n hey were discarded for all time.
81 No visiting brother was admitted to
This lodge more than once without pay
*|ng one shilling and three pence. At a
historical meeting of Fredericksburg
odge the following copy of the last1will
ind testament of the mother Of George
Washington was read as follows:
SIN the name Of God Amen. I, Mary
Washington, Of Fredericksburg, in the
county of Spotsy being in good
health, but calling to mind the uncer-5
ainty of this life. and willing to dis
bose of what remained of my earthly
state, do make and publish this, my
asst will, recommending my soul into
he hands of my Creator, hoping for a
remission Of all my sins through the
merits and mediation Of Jesus Christ
he Savior Of mankind, I dispose of my
Worldly estate as follows:
HImprimis," L give. to my son, Gene
| al George Washingt tom, Ill my lands
zzpn Accokees Run insthe county of STAFF
#ord; and also my negro boy, George, to
i'm and his heirs forever; also my best
iced bedstead and Virginia cloth cur
#ains (tllss same that stands in my best
oom), my quilted blue and white quilt
# nd my best dressing glass. Item; /
I've sknd devise to my son, Charles
washington, my negro man Tony, to
6 i'm and his assigns forever.
8 Item; give and devise to my
faug hter, Betty Lewis, my phaeton and
by bay horse.
81 I. Item, II give ~ anu u6V1Se 10 my
S1aughter-in-law, Hannah Washington,
my purple cloth cloak lined with shay.
81 Item; / give and bequeath to my
grandson, Corbin Washington, my ne
gro weneh, old Bet, my riding chair and
wo black horses, to him and his as
$igns forever.
s Item; give and devise to my grand
ION, Fielding Lewis, my negro man
Frederick, to him and his assigns for
Ever; also eight silver table spoons, half
LIZ my crockery ware and the blue and
white china, with bookcase and table,
Sbne bedstead, one pair sheets, one pair
and white cotton counter
zpanes,, two table cloths, six red leather
Ehairs half my pewter and one-half Of
my iron kitchen furniture
4 "Item; / give and devise to my grand
son, Lawrence Lewis, my negro wench,
&Eydia, to him and his assigns forever
] s"Item; I give and devise to my
Betty Carter, my negro
woman, Little Bet, and her future in
$crease to her and her assigns forever;
ALSO my largest looking glass, my wall
nut writing desk with drawers, a.
&souare dining table, one best bedstead,
BOLSTER, one pillow and blanket and pair
&of sheets, white Virginia counterpart
-, u ,,,,r,,1a nIfrt aims NV red and white