Masonic & Scottish Rite Time Line Charleston, South Carolina By: Ill. Brother McDonald “Don” Burbidge, 33° Listed below is a time table that
traces the Masonic events in Charleston, South Carolina starting on January 8,
1731 with the arrival of Brother Thomas Whitemarsh who is said to be the first
Mason in the Carolina’s by Brother Benjamin Franklin of Piladelphia and ending
in the year 1850. The areas to be covered are Lodge
formations, persons, arrivals, births, and deaths of the many men who made
Masonic history through out the years in Charleston along with a brief history
of the many events of historic value.
1731
1732
1733
Brother Thomas Whitemarsh dies and is buried at St. Philip’s Church
1734
(Feb 2) After the death of its first editor, The South Carolina Gazette resumes
publication under Lewis Timothy, who is backed by Ben Franklin.
1735
Solomon’s Lodge No. 1 is established
in Charleston.
1736 “Last night a
Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, was
held, for the first time, at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s, in Broad Street, when John
Hammerton, Esq., Secretary and Receiver General for this Province was
unanimously chosen Master, who was pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Denne, Senior
Warden, Mr. Tho. Harbin, Junior Warden, and Mr. James Gordon, Secretary.”
1737 May 21-
at the request of the Antients and honorable Society of Free and Accepted
Masons, At the Theatre in Queen Street, On Thursday next the 26th
Instant, will be performed a Comedy called the RECRUITING OFFICER, with
a Prologue, Epilogue and Song suitable to the Occasion, to which will be added a
new Dance called HARLEQUIN and the CLOWN, and the Song of MAD TOM improper
Habiliments. [George
Farquhar.] July 2,
The sloop “Free-Mason arrives in Charles Town Harbor. July 21, “last Thursday,
(21st July, 1737), John Hammerton, Esq., Receiver General of his
Majesty'’ Quit-rents, Secretary and one of his Majesty’s Honorable Council, who
has been the first Master of the Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of
Free Masons in this place, and intending to embark on broad the ship Molly
Galley, John Caruthers, Master, for London, at a Lodge held that evening,
resigned his office, for the true and faithful discharge of which he received
the thanks of the whole Society, who were 30 in number. James Graeme, Esq., was
then unanimously chosen Master in his room, and having been duly
installed into that office with the usual ceremonies, was pleased to chose and
appoint James Wright, Esq., who was Junior Warden, to be Senior Warden, and
Maurice Lewis, Esq., Junior Warden.” December 8, Arrival at Charles-Town
the ship “Free Mason.” December 29, On
Tuesday last, being St. John’s day, all the members of the Ancient and Honorable
Society of Free and Accepted Masons in this place met at Mr. Seaman’s, Master of
Solomon’s Lodge, from whence they proceeded, all properly clothed, under the
sound of French horns, to wait on James Graeme, Esq., Provincial Grand Master,
at his house in Broad Street, where they were received by all the members of the
Grand Lodge. After a short stay there, they all went in procession and with the
ensigns of their Order into the Court-Room at Mr. Charles Shepheard’s house,
making a very grand show. Here, to a numerous audience of Ladies and Gentlemen,
who were admitted by tickets, the Grand Master made a very elegant speech in
praise of Masonry, which we hear was universally applauded. The the Grand Lodge
withdrew in order to proceed to the election of a Grand Master for the ensuing
year, when James Graeme, Esq., was unanimously re-chosen Grand Master, Maurice
Lewis, Esq., Senior Grand Warden, John Crookshanks, Esq., Junior Grand Warden,
James Mitchie, Esq., Grand Treasurer, and James Gordon, Esq., Grand Secretary.
1738 Brother Lewis
Timothy dies and is buried at St. Philip’s Church. December 28, The day was ushered
in with firing of guns at sunrise from several ships in the Harbour, with all
their colors flying. At 9 o'clock all the members of Solomon’s Lodge, belonging
to the Ancient and Honorable Order of Free and Accepted Masons, met at the house
of Honorable James Crokatt, Esq., Master of the said Lodge. At 10, proceeded
from thence, properly clothed with the Ensigns of their Order, and Music before
them, to the house of the Provincial Grand Master, James Graeme, Esq., where a
Grand Lodge was held. James Wright, Esq., elected Provincial Grand Master for
the ensuing year, then the following officers were chosen, viz.: Maurice Lewis,
Esq., Deputy Provincial Grand Master; Mr. George Seaman, Senior Grand Warden;
James Graeme, Esq., Junior Grand Warden; James Michie, Esq., Grand Treasurer,
and Mr. James Gordon, Grand Sectary. At 11 o’clock, both Lodges went in
procession to Church to attend Divine Service, and in the same order returned to
the house of Mr. Charles Shepheard, where, in the Court-Room, to a numerous
assembly of ladies and gentlemen, the newly elected Provincial Grand Master made
a very eloquent speech of the usefulness of Societies, and the benefit arising
therefrom to mankind. The assembly having been dismissed, Solomon’s Lodge
proceeded to the election of their officers for the ensuing year, when Mr. John
Houghton, was chosen Master; Dr. John Lining, Senior Warden, Mr. David
McClellan, Junior Warden; Mr. Arthur Strahan, Secretary, and Mr. Alexander
Murrary, Treasurer. After an elegant dinner all brethren were invited by Capt.
Thomas White on board the Hope; there several loyal health’s were drank, and
at their coming on board and return to shore, they were saluted by the
discharge of 39 guns, being the same number observed in each of the
different salutes of this day, so that in all there were about 250 guns
fired. The evening was concluded with a ball and entertainment for the ladies,
and the whole was performed with much grandeur and decorum.” December 31, Meeting of Solomon’s Lodge and Provincial
Grand Lodge at Charleston, South Carolina. Graeme again chosen Provincial Grand
Master. Benj. Smith elected Master of the Lodge.
1740
1741 Ill. Bro. John
Mitchell is born in Ireland. Henry Middleton
starts work on his gardens at Middleton Place.
1744
1748
1752
1753
Dr. John Lining writes the first description on Yellow Fever in America to Dr.
Robert Whytt at Edinburg (The Royal Society).
1755
[Ambrose Phillips.] The third lodge
established in Charles Town and listed under the Grand Lodge of England is named
“Union Lodge No. 248.” Union Kilwinning No.4 is established
in Charleston. The warrant for this Lodge was granted May 3 by the Provincial
Grand Lodge of South Carolina, to the following persons: Samuel Bowman, D.
Campbell, John Cooper, Robert Wells, William Michie, John Bassnett and John
Stewart. It received the designation of “Union Lodge No. 4.” There is an
angular circumstance connected with the early history of this Lodge, which can
alone explain its change of name from “Union” to “Union Kilwinning.” A Masonic
production of Phillips’ The Distressed Mother is included in “some
Masons Songs between the Acts.”
1756
1758
1759
1762 Feb. 20, PROPOSAL for Printing…An
Anthem, and An ODE for voices and Instruments, Composed by Benjamin Yarnold,
Organist of St. Philip, Charles- Town, South-Carolina: Being the same that was
performed before The Ancient Fraternity of FREE-MASONS, at the Installation of
the Hon. Benjamin Smith, Esq.; Grand Master in South-Carolina. September 18,
NOTICE is hereby given, to all members of the Fellowship Society, that they are
desired to assemble at the house of Mr. Daniel Cannon, on Wednesday the 20th
of October next…to chose the several officers for the ensuing six months. F.
Nicholson, Secretary. Right Rev.
Robert Smith delivers a sermon “Charity Sermon for the Masons No. 100” at St.
Philip’s Church. This is one of the earliest known sermons in Charles Town. 1766 December 8,
The provincial GRAND ANNIVERSARY and General Communication of the most
Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in South Carolina, is
appointed to be holden in Charles-Town, on Saturday the 27th of
December…The present Masters and Wardens of the seven regular constituted
Lodges, under the provincial Jurisdiction…are particularly desired to be
present. December 29, The new lodge of Free Masons, constituted last Monday, is held at Mr. Benjamin Backhouse's on the Bay, where they are to meet the second and last Monday of every month. Ill. Bro. James
Moultrie is born to Dr. John and Eleanor Moultrie in September at Charleston,
South Carolina who was one of the two American born founders of the Supreme
Council.
1767
1769 In March, the
Sons of Liberty once again held a public meeting under the Liberty Tree. The
occasion was a celebration of the repeal of the Stamp Act.
1770 Mar. 8, On Tuesday last the Appointment of the Hon. Egerton Leigh, to be Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons in this Province, was notified in due Form…And at the Close of the Ceremony, the following Lines, composed by a Brother, and set to Music by Peter Valton, were sung and played. June 28th,
On Tuesday will be published, LIBERTY. A poem dedicated to the Sons of Liberty
in South Carolina.
1772
Dec. 31, [The] Antient and Honorable Fraternity of FREE and ACCEPTED MASONS
here, held their annual Festival on Monday…the whole Society (upwards of 200 in
Number) went to Mr. Pike’s new Suite of Rooms, where the following ODE, by Sir
Egerton, was performed, with Voices and Instruments, to universal Satisfaction;
the Music composed by their Brother, Peter Valton.
1773 April 26,
Friday last, being St. George’s Day, upward of Fifty Gentlemen, Natives of
Old England, assembled and dined together at Holliday’s Tavern, These
Gentlemen have formed themselves into a Society, to meet annually…which has
taken the Name of The Sons and Friends of St. George.
On November 26th
Monday, Benjamin Franklin signed partnership with Louis Timothee [Timothy] to
succeed Whitmarsh (d. c. 20 Sept 1733) in South Carolina (A 81; P 1:205,
33942). The partnership agreement mentions that Timothee is "now bound on a
Voyage to Charlestown in South Carolina." Evidently Timothee sailed in November.
His wife stayed behind to conclude their affairs and probably had Timothee's
power of attorney. The Lodge Alley
Inn is named after the adjoining ten-foot wide alley, Lodge Alley. Paved in
Belgian blocks, the alley was created by adjacent landowners to allow access
from their homes on State Street to their ships and docks one block away on East
Bay Street. It takes its name from the Lodge of Freemasons, First established in
the alley in 1773. Lodge Alley is located in an area of the old walled city of
Charleston where the French Huguenots once had warehouses and dwellings. May 31:
The Maine Lodge of Masons, which is the Junior in this Town, is the
First that is possessed of a Lodge Room, having lately purchased a very
convenient one.
1774 The Ancient
Grand Lodge of England charters Charleston Lodge No. 190 which Meets at the
“City Tavern.” This is the sixth Lodge chartered in Charleston. (July 7)
Charlestonians Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch,
and Christopher Gadsden are named delegates to the First Continental Congress. (Oct 22) Henry
Middleton is chosen President of the Continental Congress.
1776 William Henry
Drayton and Arthur Middleton design the Great Seal of South Carolina; with
matrices executed by Charles Town silversmith George Smithson. It would be used
for the last time to seal the Ordinance of Secession in 1860.
1780 (April 4th)
With the American forces that occupied Charleston “Military Lodge No. 27,
Maryland Line, is chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Ancient) and is
the seventh lodge to operate in Charleston.
(Sept 3) The
British capture Henry Lauren’s on his way to the Netherlands and is imprisoned
in the Tower of London.
1781
1782 (Dec. 23rd)
The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered Lodge No. 38 in Charleston.
1783 (July 12) The
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered Lodge No. 40 and it is called “St.
Andrew’s Lodge.” Ill. Bro. John
Mitchell becomes Master of the Lodge of Perfection established at Charleston.
1784 Brother Thomas
Bartholomew Bowen arrives in Charleston and proceeds to establish a newspaper
that goes through various title changes.
Columbian Herald
was a semi-weekly, tri-weekly, daily,
various title changes.
Established November 23, by Thomas B.
Bowen and John Markland as the semi-weekly Columbian Herald, or Patriotic
Courier of North America. Issued tri- weekly from June 6, 1785 to November
24, 1785 when it became the semi-weekly Columbian Herald or the Independent
Courier of North America. In the fall of 1790 the paper became tri-weekly
and early in 1792 changed title to the Columbian Herald and the General
Advertiser but by July 23, 1793 was once more the tri-weekly Columbian
Herald and the General Advertiser. Four days later it became the
Columbian Herald or the Southern Star. As of October 7, 1795 paper was the
daily Columbian Herald or the New Daily Advertiser. Paper ceased with
issue no. 1888 on December 17, 1796.
1785
1787 (May) A
Constitutional Draft for the Convention in Philadelphia is prepared by Charles
Pinckney. (Sept 17) South
Carolina delegates Pierce Butler, Charles Pinckney, John Rutledge, and Charles
C. Pinckney sign the U.S. Constitution. St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10, Charleston, South Carolina. St. Andrew’s Lodge received its warrant from the G.L. of Pennsylvania, at some period previous to 1787, as “Lodge No. 47.” It was one of the four Ancient York Lodges in Charleston that united in that year in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina. Col. John
Mitchell is elected Master of Lodge No. 8, Charleston
1788
1789
1791
Ill. Brother John Mitchell arrives in Charleston, South Carolina. When Brother
George Washington toured the southern states in 1791, he was met by the
Intendant of Charleston on Queen Street one block from Lodge Alley. May 7, 1791 President George Washington, with the City Intendment and Wardens, visited the Orphans House, and Col. John Mitchell is listed as the senior Commissioner receiving him, afterwards entertaining him at breakfast in the Commissioners’ Room.
1792
December 8, Henry Laurens
passes away. His remains are cremated and his ashes interred at his estate
called, “Mepkin” which is located 30 miles above Charleston on the Cooper River.
He is the first recorded white person to be cremated in America. Henry Laurens was a member of the Continental Congress on January 10, 1777 and served as President November 1, 1777 through December 9, 1778, elected Minister to Holland while a member of the Continental Congress on October 21, 1779. Member of
Solomen’s Lodge No.1 Charleston, South Carolina and served as Treasurer in 1755
and as Grand Steward in 1754. 1793 “CHARLESTON:
Printed by HARRISON & BOWEN, No. 38, BAY, and Corner of Elliot Street: -- Where
EBay, Articles of Intelligence, Advertisements, &c. will be gratefully received,
and every Kind of Printing Performed. —Subscriptions for this Paper at Five
Dollars per Annum—one half on subscribing, the Remainder at the end of the
year.”
(From this
description we can locate where he had his printing shop. Address changed due to
new buildings being built. However Bowen pinpoints the location at 38 East Bay
and corner of Elliot Street.) The South
Carolina Georgia Almanac, 1793, lists Bowen as Senior Warden of the Mount
Zion Society {incorporated in 1777} and from its establishment he was active in
the Society of the Cincinnati at Charleston, holding offices and serving on
various committees.
1794
1795 April 2, 1795, Bernard M. Spitzer
appointed Col. John Mitchell a Deputy Inspector General and his patent as such
were issued the same day. He was still in East Bay Street, a Magistrate and
Notary Public, according to the city directory. 1796 December 12th
Hyman Long and others issue a patent to De Grasse designating him to be a Deputy
Grand Inspector General.
1797
1798
Thomas B. Bowen…Captain…Pa.
John Mitchell…D.Q.M. General…Pa. Major Thomas B.
Bowen was elected a member of the Society’s two Stewards on July 4, 1798, and it
may be noted, parenthetically, that at the same time Col. John Mitchell was
elected to the Standing Committee.
Ill. Bro. Comte de Grasse is listed as
Master of La Candeur Lodge in Charleston
1799
1800
1801 On April 01 Dr.
Auld was elected the 65th member of the South Carolina Medical
Society, preceding Dr. Dalcho (the 66th member) by three months.
Dalcho and Auld were within a few months of being the same age, and the two men
had a number of mutual interests to draw them together.
The Supreme Council for the Scottish Rite was founded on May 31st
at Shepheard’s Tavern located at the corner of
Church and Broad
Street.
Col. John Mitchell, Sov.
Grand Commander
Dr. Fredrick Dalcho,
Lt. Grand Commander
Emanuel de La Motta,
Treasurer General of the Holy Empire
Abraham Alexander,
Secretary General of the Holy Empire
Major T.B. Bowen,
Grand Master of Ceremonies
Jean Baptiste Delahouge
Comte De Grasse Colonel John
Mitchell, a native of Ireland and an officer of the American Army in the War of
the Revolution established “The New Age Magazine on May 31, 1801. September 23 Dr.
Dalcho delivers his first Orations to the “sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection” at
Charleston. The “Oration” was dedicated to Col. John Mitchell, Supreme Grand
Master, and President of the Supreme Council of Masons In the United States.
1802 The Register
shows Brother Bowen as a Past Grand Master of the Sublime Grand Lodge of
Perfection, Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Chapter of Rose Croix and in the
Grand Consistory, as well as holding the same title in the Supreme Council. Ill. Brother
Abraham Alexander is listed in the Register of 1802 as the fourth officer of the
Grand Council, as Grand Secretary of the Chapter of Rose Croix, and holding the
same office in the Consistory and in the Supreme Council. Ill. Bro.
Moultrie is listed as grand Orator and Keeper of the Seals in the Sublime Grand
Lodge of Perfection, Grand Minister of State in the Consistory, and a Sov. Grand
Inspector in the Supreme Council. May 9th
Ill. Bro. Moses Clava Levy was made an active member of the Supreme Council in
Charleston. August 2 Ill.
Bro. Dr. James Moultrie, M.D. was made a member of the Supreme Council.
1803
1805
1807
Dr. Dalcho published the “Ahiman Rezon or a book of Constitutions” at the
request of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons for the state of South
Carolina. With the help of Dr. Dalcho the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons and that of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina united under the name
of “The Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of South Carolina” which continues to
exist to the present time. John Fowler was
directed by the Original Chapter of Prince Masons of Ireland to write Dr.
Frederick Dalcho and ask his permission to reprint his orations from 1801, 1803,
and 1807. Dr. Dalcho replied on February 25, 1808, expressing his gratification
at the request and readily acceding to it.
1808
1809
1813
1816 Brother Abraham
Alexander dies at Charleston on February 21st And is listed as the
fourth member of the Supreme Council to Pass away.
1817 Dr. Dalcho
publishes a book on the theological works titled;
A Letter On Public Baptism As
Established
By
The Protestant Episcopal Church
in the United States of America. Washington Lodge
No. 5
Charleston, South Carolina. At the
Union in 1817 there was a Lodge in Charleston, on the registry of the Grand
Lodge of South Carolina, whose number was 5, but whose name is no where to be
found. In 1825 it united with Orange Lodge No. 14. In the same year Washington
Lodge No. 7 and Union Lodge No. 8, both of Charleston, and both Lodges which, at
the time of the union, were attached to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, were,
on their own petition, amalgamated into one Lodge, to be known as “Washington
Lodge No. 5,” which name and number have been ever since retained by that Lodge.
1818
1820
1821
1822 The
first native-born architect in America, Robert Mills, designs the first
fireproof Building in America standing at the corner of Chalmers and Meeting
Streets. A native Charlestonians, Mills also designed the First Baptist Church
And the Washington Monument in our nation's capital.
Dr. Frederick Dalcho published his second edition of the “Ahiman Rezon.”
November 15, Auld, Moultrie, and Levy meet as the Supreme Council to elect Dr.
Moses Holbrook and Horatio Gates Street as newly made members of the Supreme
Council in Charleston.
1823 Ill. Bro. Rev.
Dalcho on October 31, 1823 sends a letter of resignation to be read at the Grand
Lodge meeting.
Dr. Isaac Auld
is named the new Grand Commander of the Supreme Council.
1824 September 16th
Illustrious Brother General La Fayette arrives in Charleston and is warmly
received by the Brethan of this city.
1825 The membership
of the Supreme Council was as follows; Isaac Auld, Grand
Commander; Moses Holbrook,
Lieutenant Grand Commander; James Moultrie, Secretary General; M.C. Levy,
Treasurer General; Horatio Gates, Alexander McDonald, Joseph Barker, Joseph
Eveleth (Massachusetts), John Rochie, Giles F. Yates (New York), Frederick
Dalcho (Past Grand Commander). 1826 Brother Isaac
Auld dies at Edisto Island on October 23rd of country fever and is
buried on Edingsville Island off of Edisto Island.
1836 Brother
Frederick Dalcho dies at Charleston on November 26th
St. John’s Lodge
No. 13, Charleston, South Carolina In 1836 it became extinct, and a considerable
amount of funds, including ten shares of Planters and Mechanics’ Bank stock
passed into the treasury of the Grand Lodge. St. John’s Lodge, during its
existence, contained on its roll the names of some of the most zealous and
intelligent Masons in the jurisdiction.
1839
1844
1845
1850 Strict Observance Lodge No. 73, Charleston, South Carolina. The warrant of this Lodge was issued on March 5 to F. C. Barber, W.M., S. J. Hull, S.W., and Langdon C. Duncan, J. W. Landmark Lodge No. 77, Charleston,
South Carolina. The warrant was issued on December 11 to John A. Gyles,
W.M., Theo. S. Gourdin, S.W., and Wm. A. Gourdin, J.W. The Lodge was formed out
of Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, five of the Past Masters, and five other members
having withdrawn from that Lodge to constitute Landmark Lodge.
References: 1801-1861 By: Ray Baker
Harris Dated: 1964 The History
of Freemansory of South Carolina By: Albert A.
Mackey, M.D. Copy Right: 1931
Various
Documents on Locale Lodges in Charleston Various
Newspaper articles printed in Charleston Various
Documents obtain from Philadelphia on Masonic Lodges in Charleston |
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