The New York herald., 1920-01-18
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Mr. Higgins in Pansakng Story Has Outlined Some of the
High Lights in the Historyof One of Most Distinguished
Grand Lodges of Many That Shed Lustre on Craft

Foreign Parts" Norfolk, in Virginia
first Thursday; Yorktown. Virginia. first
and third Wednesdays" These records
point to the existence of chartered Ma
sonry in Virginia as early as 1873.
Following the example and encouraged
by the success of the Norfolk lodge eight
other charters were applied for and OBJ
tanned from the several grand lodges then
in existence in Great Britain, which were
the following
Norfolk. No. 1; Port Royal, No. 2;
Blandford, NO. 8; Fredericksburg (Peters-
burg). No 4; ST. Tammany, No. s; Will
iamsburg (Hampton), No. 6; Botetourt
No. z; Cabin Point Gloucester Court
House,. No. s; Yorktown prince George
Court House,, No. 9.
Numbers l. 8. A. 5, 6 and still exist. to
the glory of the G. A. Q. T. U. and Of vir-
ginia Masonry.
THE lodges thus constituted" says the
historian, continued their work legally
and Masonically in entire harmony, each
acting in its own locality under the in
dependent privileges conferred by their
several charters until the convention
called for the organization of Grand
Lodge of Virginia on May 6, 177, by ini-
tiative of Williamsburg Lodge, No. G. the
deliberations of which continued, with in
Iterruptions. until October 13, ITS, and ter
minated in the establishment of the first
Grand Lodge of Virginia and, it is
claimed, of America located at Williams
burg, with NJ. w. John Blair as first
Grand Master of Ancient York Masons in
America, he being an honored Past Mas
ter of Williamsburg, No. G. This new
Grand Lodge continued its work in WILL
iamsburg until 1884, when it was removed
to Richmond.
Making New Lodges.
the new Grand Lodge continued to charter
new lodges until their numerical denomi-
nation, being derived from various
sources. had become too complicated for
discrimination. A committee then took the
matter in hand and adopted the system of
Enumeration which still prevails, with
Norfolk. No. l. still at the head. and by
this time terminating with the dis
tinguished Richmond Randolph, No. 10, of
which more anon.
The establishment of the Grand Lodge
OF Virginia at Richmond followed close
upon the transfer of the State Legisla-
ture from Williamsburg to the capital.
A worthy brother. Gabriel Gait. pro-
prietor of the City Tavern. had the gen.
erous inspiration to present the frater-
nifty with large plot of ground on the
corner OF Eighteenth and Franklin
streets. Richmond, provided a suitable
Masonic hall be erected upon 1t, and
shortly thereafter the General Assembly
of Virginia voted to permit the Society of
Freemasons of the City of Richmond to
raise a sum of money not exceeding G1 500
for this purpose.
The lottery was held and was entirely
successful. but great shock was ad-
ministered to the community by the act
of the Common Hail. (CounciD of Rich
mond. which on October II. t7s6. laid the
management of the lottery, comprising
L a a.
of the ground. the Collector of Revenue
and former Mayor under 10000 bond to
honestly" administer this 91,5O0 lottery.
AS a number OF the Lottery Committee
were members of, the Town Hall. their
disproportionate act came to be regarded
as a piece of fine humor. 1t certainly
served as huge advertisement. The re-
suit was the wonderful old edifice. the
first building erected and dedicated on
the American continent for exclusively
Masonic purposes, which is one of the
show places of that historic city. A per-
feet cube, ninety feet in every sense. its
interior representing the labor of love of
several generations of brethren of decor
ative genius, who have lavished specimens
of personal handiwork upon IL with af-
fectionate generosity. this building now
houses Richmond Lodge. No. 10; Rich
mond Randolph Lodge. No. ~. and Rich
mond Royal Arch Chapter. No. 3. Vir-
ginas roll of Masonic honor embraces the
names of many great and distinguished
grand masters. innumerable patriots and
statesmen and of scions OF families still
pointed out with pride as the quintessence
Of all that makes for American dignity
and worth.
Many Great Names.
But notable though her John Blair,
First Most Worshipful Grand Master, and
his successors at intervals. among them
the distinguished James Mercer, Governor
Edmund Randolph. Speaker Thomas Mat
thews, Alexander Montgomery, John Mar
shall. Robert Brooke Benjamin Day,
Solomon Jacobs, John Turdie and others,
as the story of Imperial Rome turns
about the Caesars, so the combination OF
civic pride and national enthusiasm have
gradually combined TO constitute the
splendid intrinsic qualities OF Virginia
Masonry. special setting for its most
brilliant jewel, that wonderful pattern OF
all Masonic excellence achieved by Crafts
man Worshipful Brother George WASH
ngton. AS piously and exhaustively as
the Masonic career of tho great WASH
ngton has been passed in review through
the laborious researches of Past Master
James NJ. Lamberton, OF Perseverance,
Lodge, No q, Pennsylvania, little is
known of his early experiences beyond
the notes still carried on the old minute
book and ledger OF Fredericksburg Lodge
No. (. which shows that George WASH
ington was entered as apprentice" on
November 4. 1752 and two days later paid
a fee of e2 3s. On March Q, t753. George
Washington was passed TO the degree OF
"Fellowcraft' and on August :. 1753
George Washington was raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason. The day
in question was much more orthodox
than otir own era of diamond studded
Shrine" buttons, so that outside of the
members Of their own fraternity Maaons