Home
Up

Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 1 Journey to Charleston, SC

“Ancient York Masonic Lodge”

By: Brother McDonald “Don” Burbidge, 33°

A petition written and sent to the Grand Lodge of Scotland by James Grant, Esq., Governor of the Province of East Florida, Henry Cunningham, late Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and many other Brethren residing in the province. After the reading of the petition a charter was granted on March 15, 1768, for the formation of Saint Andrew Lodge No. 1. This lodge was chartered from ”The Grand Lodge of the Southern District of North America,” from Scotland. Very little information has survived today that reveals to us the history of this Grand Lodge as it once existed  

The first officers of this newly chartered lodge from May, 3, 1771were;

General James Grant, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Provincial Grand Master;

William Drayton, Deputy Grand Master;

Alexander McKenzie, Senior Grand Warden;

Frederick George Mulcaster, Junior Grand Warden,

David Yates, Grand Secretary.

In 1780, West Florida again became the possession of Spain by the reduction of Pensacola. At this time, the priests accompanying the victors drove out all, “Freemason.” 

The Brethren of, “Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 1,” who were not in the military service fled to Charlestown, South Carolina, which was in possession of the British Army under General Clinton, taking with them their Warrant, papers and Masonic clothing.

In the beginning of the year 1782, the Brethren of St. Andrew’s Lodge attempted to reorganize at Charleston, and sent the following letter to the officers of their Grand Lodge at St. Augustine, East Florida, which was then a British possession:

This appeal from the Brethren at Charlestown, South Carolina, was soon answered in a letter written on March 14th, 5782. St. Andrew’s was now an active Masonic body once again until the close of the year 1782, when Charleston was evacuated by the British, and was once more an American city under the name and number of, “Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 40.”

By the vicissitudes of war and European diplomacy, the whole of Florida in 1783 came again under the control of the Spaniards and the Roman Church, and thus the life of the “Grand Lodge of the Southern District of North America” ended with the evacuation of St. Augustine, by the British troops.

The members of Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 40 now found themselves without a Grand Lodge once again. In an effort to obtain a new charter and a new Grand Lodge the Brethren of Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 40, wrote to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania asking for a warrant to hold a lodge. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania referred the request to Brother John Troup of Marine Lodge No. 38 in Charlestown to investigate and determine if indeed this lodge was an Ancient York Lodge. Brother John Troup sent his recommendation to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania along with the papers and minutes of the lodge as proof of them being an Ancient Masonic body.

A new warrant was granted to St. Andrew’s Lodge due in part to the efforts of Brother Edward Weyman of Charles Town who acted on behalf of the Philadelphia Grand Lodge. It’s new designation was given at this time was, “Lodge No. 47,” but due to some unforeseen reason this number (47) was never acted on and the lodge was given the No. 40 instead in a “Warrant” dated July 12, 1783.

St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 40 was one of four Ancient York Lodges in Charleston that united in 1787 in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina, and on March 24, 1787 it received a new warrant and designation of, “Union Lodge No. 4.”

In 1809 it concurred in the union of the two Grand Lodges (Ancients and Moderns) in the formation of the Grand Lodge of S.C., at which time its officers were Francis Curtis, W.M., Jos. Cole, S. W., and Charles Cleapor, J.W.

During the changes of registry, consequent upon the union, its number was again altered from 4 to 12. At a meeting of the Grand Lodge of S.C., on December 27, 1814, “St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 12” is recorded as being present.

The following officers: Peter Fitzpatrick, S.W., Patrick McGann, J.W., and Jervis H. Stevens, P.M. Having, notwithstanding the revival of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons, in 1809, continued like the other entire city Lodges except Lodge No. 31, to adhere to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.

Saint Andrew’s Lodge No. 12 took part in the formation of the permanent union of the Ancients and Moderns Grand Lodges in 1817, at which time its officers were Alex Henry, W.M., Samuel McGinlay, S.W., and Jeremiah Wilcox, J.W.

After the union its number was again changed on December 26, 1818, to “St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10” received a new warrant issued to Samuel McGinlay, W.M., Jeremiah Wilcox, S.W., and Patrick McGann, J.W.

In 1825 Union Lodge No. 6 united with St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10, which union was approved of by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina on December 16th, 1818.

Throughout the many years after the union of the Ancient and Modern Grand Lodge of 1817 no known rules or regulations of a lodge was known to exist until recently. Tonight for the first time we will review some of the pages of two lodges which are the same one due to the numbering and naming of St. Andrews Lodge No. 10 throughout the years.

Brothers Al Crabtree, Bill Reid, and I discovered this book about a year ago in the safe of Union Kilwinning Lodge No. 4. Tonight we will view some of the pages and learn of the “Rules and Regulations” of an Ancient York Lodge along with viewing the “original” signatures of the members of this Ancient York Lodge.

 During the Revolutionary was General M. Gist who served under General Washington retired to Charleston, S. C. and was a known mason. What is not known by the scholars of the world is the lodge that he was a member of. Found in these “Rules and Regulations” is the signature of General M. Gist that provides us with the missing proof of what lodge he belonged to. He was also a Past Grand Master of the Ancient Grand Lodge of Charleston, S. C.

Here for the first time is some exerts from the original “Rules and Regulations.” Due to the many changes this lodge went through both of the “Rules and Regulations” shown below is from the same lodge.

 

According to the

Old Constitutions

of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of

Free and Accepted

Masons

Revived by his Royal Highness Prince Edwin of York in the year of Mason 4926 and of the Anlgar Aras 926. The following Rules and Orders are established for the Government of the Masters, Officers, and Members of the Lodge late of No. 47 under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania but since newly organized and regularly Constituted Lodge No. 4. By virtue of a Warrant by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina and Masonic Jurisdiction thereof to the Worshipful General Mordecai Gist Master, Thomas Bartholomew Bowen Senior Warden, and Ephraman Mitchell Junior Warden, bearing Date 24th day March 1787, and in the year of Masonry 5787.

3rd When the Master takes the chair, and calls to Order the Members shall take their seats and observe a profound silence neither shall any of them hold private conference in Lodge Hours, take Refreshments or move about from place to place without permission from the Master and in all Debates every Brother shall stand and Address the Chair, No Brother shall be permitted to speak more than once on every subject without Leave, nor shall he be interrupted while speaking to the point, but if he strays from it. The Master shall Immediately call him to order, and bring him back to the point. When more than one Brother at a Time to speak the Master shall determine which shall proceed, and the rest shall be Silent and sit down until which Brother has done speaking.

6th  Any  Person desires being made a Mason in this Lodge shall apply by letter address to the Master and presented by a member which shall be publicly Read in the Lodge and be over until the next Lodge Night and a Committee shall be appointed in the mean time to engage into the Candidate Character and refer to the Lodge at their next meeting. When the report be in his favor the Lodge shall proceed to Ballot for him with Black and White Balls and if no Black Balls appears the Master shall declare him duly elected and should he be in waiting may have him immediately prepared to be Entered but if Two Black Balls appear he shall be rejected without Enquiry. Should only One Black ball appear to present all mistakes the Bro. Shall be put forth again and for the second Ballot One Black Ball shall appear the matters shall be over until the next regular Lodge night and in the mean time the member who Black Balled the Candidate shall talk on the Master in person and give his reason in writing and shall Report the same to the Lodge and if the Lodge do not decide ___  ____ __ (the sentence on the bottom of page is un readable.) of the evening will permit Nevertheless the Master may by advice shall consent of the Lodge. Adjourn the Lodge from Month to Month on every Regular Lodge Night. But the Worshipful Master shall have ____ ____ convene a Lodge of Emergency as often as he shall find it Expedite.

9th Any Ancient York Mason desirous of becoming a member of this Lodge shall produce a certificate of his good Behavior in his former Lodge if in his power and shall be proposed and Balloted for as before mentioned and if admitted a Member shall pay the sum of One Guinea to the General Fund.

11th Modern Masons who from a conviction of their Enior, may make application to be Initiated into the True Craft in this Lodge, and being Balloted for and approved of as aforesaid, shall be entitled to receive in Modern Masons on only Paying the Expense of the Night (if Extra) Half Fees to the Tyler and the Two Grand Lodge.

22nd  The Ancient Constitutions, Rules, and Usages of Masonry as established and set forth in Ahiman Rezon shall be the rule and Governing principles of this Lodge and be referred to in all cases that are not particularly defined in the forgoing Bye Laws, and if any Member be found Guilty of any Misdemeanor not directly specified in Either or to which there are no particularly penalty Annexed he shall be, fined at the discretion of the Master and Majority of the Lodge assembled, Provided no such Fine be above Four Dollars or less than one Eighth of a Dollar for any one offence, But such decision shall nevertheless be subject to an appeal to the Grand Lodge.

  

Rules and Regulations

of

St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 10

 

Whereas it is necessary that every Society of Men should have Laws, to Govern, Guide and direct them without which, regularity and good order could not long exist among them. The history of Nations, States and Societies from time Immemorial making this self-evident. We the Master Wardens and Members of Saint Andrews Lodge Number Ten under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina held at our Lodge Room in Church Street at Brother Roche’s one Friday the 4th February 1820 and of Masonry 5820 have thought proper to Establish the following Bye Laws, Regulations, &

 

Rule _______3

If any member refuses to serve in any Office of this Lodge except such as have already served Twelve months in such as he or they might have been Elected to serve in, he or they shall be Subjected to the following fines. The Master Eight Dollars, Each Warden Four Dollars, Treasurer and Secretary Three Dollars each, Deacon and Steward One Dollar each and to be fined in the like sum if they do not serve their full time without a Sufficient excuse to be approved of a Majority of the Lodge at a Regular Meeting. 

 Rule _______5

(Restricting the time that the Lodge is at Labour)

During the time the Lodge is at Labour there shall be no Liquor introduced, smoking allowed within the Lodge on any pretence whatsoever.    

Rule _______7

(Disputes arising between any Brethren of this Lodge to be determined.)

Any dispute arising between Brothers of this Lodge shall be heard and determined in the following manner, the Brother conceiving himself hurt and offended shall draw up a statement of the same on parties, and Addresses it to the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and members of this Lodge the same shall be read and a Committee be appointed on that

Evening provided the Accused be present but in case of the absence of either of the Accused or Accuser the Business shall lay over till next meeting and the absent parties absent are informed, but should he or they neglect to come forward the Petitioner shall name one member the Master another and the members a thirsty but in case of both being present each shall Nominate one and two Master a third, and if the Lodge turns it necessary two of the Masters Appointment shall be added the parties in Contention being first withdrawn which Committee shall hear each case of the parties determine the matter and report to the Lodge the same in writing signed by a Majority which shall be binding on them, but if the parties or either of them have before or absent the time submitted such dispute or the real cause of it to Common Law or any Court of Justice within the State or submitted to Arbitration the businefs shall not be entered upon or discufsed upon any pretence whatever.

 

Rule _______14

(Duty of the Secretary)

The Secretary shall be provided with Pens, Ink, and Paper and also with Books and blank Summons at the expense of the Lodge all matters Transacted in the Lodge after being Discussed shall be entered upon the Minutes under the direction of the Master, he shall keep a list of the members present at each Meeting he shall make all Letters relative to the Business of the Lodge and Annually make a return of all the Officers and Members of the Lodge to the Grand Lodge as by their Bye Laws which he must produce to his Lodge for Approbation. The Secretary shall have three days notice from the Master in writing or otherwise for a Regular Meeting to Summons the Members, but for Extra Meetings a shorter notice must be deemed Sufficient and the Secretary’s Arrears be charged to the Lodge for his Services…

 

Any and all material herein is protected by Copyright © 1992 – 2014 The Sinclair Group, Inc.  All Rights Reserved. Nothing from this website may be copied or reproduced, in part or whole, or in any manner, without the express written approval of the owner of this website or the author of the particular work.  This includes, but is not limited to, all photos, stories, graphics, and information on this website.