section of these By-Laws to the contrary notwithstanding.
"And the said last amendment, which was stricken out,
was in the words following, to wit: 'In order to enable
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 55
this Lodge to take a ballot and initiate a candidate at an
extra Lodge during the time limited by this Dispensa-
tion, it was motioned, seconded, and unanimously agreed
to, that so much of the By-Laws as relates to the balloting
for candidates be repealed, and that this Lodge shall have
power to ballot for, initiate, pass and raise members at
extra Lodges, during the Dispensation."
Philadelphia, Monday, 16th October, A. D. 1809.
At this, an adjourned Quarterly Communication, com-
mittee reported on Returns of Lodges, when chartered and
their indebtedness to Grand Lodge, in which we find:
"No. 107, The Western Star, at Kaskaskia, in the
Indiana Territory. Granted 2 June, 1806. Eeturns to
December, 1806. A balance of $5.52, owing to that time/'
and of which the Grand Secretary was directed to notify
them.
August 7, 1813. Western Star Lodge was notified of
being more than two years in arrears for Grand Lodge
dues, and unless, satisfactory reasons for such neglect were
given for next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge,
their warrant would be vacated.
Philadelphia, Monday, April 4th, A. D. 1814, A. L.
5814. At this adjourned Quarterly Communication we
find Grand Secretary reports all returns made and dues
paid.
"Lodge No. 107, held at Kaskaskia, Illinois Territory.
Election return, returning Brother William C. Greenup,
W. M. ; Brother Philip Fouke, S. W. ; Brother Clement S.
Conway, J. W. ; Brother Philip Rockblave, Treasurer;
Brother Michael Jones, Secretary. Return of members
and account of Grand Lodge dues. Also, a copy of the
By-Laws of Lodge No. 107, was received and referred to
the Committee on By-Laws to examine and report thereon,"
56 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
which committee did and reported same at March 6th,
1815, Communication, and their report was adopted.
Having seen that "The Western Star Lodge, No. 107,"
was firmly established and several others having been war-
ranted by other Grand Lodges, we take up the Masonic
history of Governor Shadrach Bond, and that of the Grand
Lodge organized by eight of those Lodges in the year
1822, A. L. 5822.
GOVERNOR BOND'S FREEMASONRY.
Brother Shadrach Bond was made a Freemason in
Temple Lodge, No. 26, Reisters Town, Baltimore County,
Maryland, but in what year we cannot learn. Brother E.
T. Schultz, in his history of Freemasonry in Maryland,
says that Temple Lodge was instituted in 1797, and ceased
to work in 1815, returning no books or papers to Grand
Lodge. Grand Secretary Jacob H. Medary informs me
that any records of this Lodge which may have been in his
office were lost in the fire which destroyed their Temple in
Baltimore, December 25, 1890.
In the Pennsylvania Register of Members we find Shad-
rach Bond became a member of The Western Star Lodge,
No. 107, Kaskaskia, Territory of Indiana, December 27,
1806, and we have the record of his visit to that Lodge on
October 4, 1806, when his petition for membership by
affiliation was presented.
Brother John C. Reynolds, in his "History of Masonry
in Illinois," copies liberally from the Records of The
Western Star Lodge and other Lodges, but what became of
the original papers we do not know, nor can we find trace
of them.
From authentic record we have the fact that Brother
Bond was Junior Deacon of his Lodge in 1814, and Wor-
shipful Master in 1815-18-27-28-29, and that he was a
frequent attendant on Lodge at all times.
In the closing days of Governor Bond's official term as
Governor the Grand Lodge of Freemasons for the State of
Illinois was constituted, and December 11, 1822, Brother
Bond was elected, and at a subsequent date installed as its
first M. W. Grand Master.
57
MASONIC CONVENTION.
The following is a copy of the records of the Masonic
Convention which formed the first Grand Lodge in the
State of Illinois, A. D. December 9, 1822, A. L. 5822,
which was "styled and known" as "The Grand Lodge of
Illinois, of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons."
"Organization of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, of
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.
"Vandalia, Illinois.
"Masonic Convention, December 9, 1822. At a meeting
of the brethren, consisting of the delegates of the different
Lodges in the State of Illinois, on Monday, December 9,
A. L. 5822, Brother Thomas C. Brown was appointed
Chairman, and Brother Wm. H. Brown, Secretary.
"The following brethreni produced their certificates and
were recognized as delegates, viz. :
Libanus Lodge, No. 29. Richard J. McKinney, Dennis
Rockwell, John Y. Sawyer, Nathaniel Buckmaster, Wil-
liam H. Hopkins, David Prickett.
The Western Star Lodge, No. 107. Thomas Reynolds,
Shadrach Bond.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 5. James W.Whitney, Charles
Gear, Charles W. Hunter.
Albion Lodge, No. 9. Benjamin J. Mills, Gilbert T.
Pell.
Eden Lodge, No. 11. James Turney.
Union Lodge, No. 10. Abner Field, Charles Dunn.
Vandalia Lodge, No. 8. William H. Brown, James__M.
Duncan, John S. Duncan. Russell Botsford, E.
John Warnock.
58
OUR SECOND STATE HOUSE, VANDALIA,
WHERE GRAND LODGE ORGANIZED, 1822, AND HELD COMMUNICATIONS
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 61
Lawrence Lodge, No. 34. Thomas C. Brown, James
Hall.
"On motion :
"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to form a
Constitution for a Grand Lodge in the State of Illinois,
and that the committee report to-morrow at 4 o'clock.
"Bros. T. Keynolds, C. W. Hunter, G. T. Pell, James
Turney, Abner Field, Wm. H.Brown, James Hall and
John Y. Sawyer were appointed That committee.
"On motion:
"Resolved, That the Grand Lodge be located at Van-
dalia."
The Convention then adjourned until to-morrow at 4
o'clock p. m.
December 10, A. L. 5822.
"The Convention again assembled. Bro. Sawyer, from
the committee appointed to draft a Constitution for a
Grand Lodge, reported the following Constitution, which
was read section by section and adopted."
As the Constitution, together with a copy of the By-
Laws, appears with the proceedings of the Special Com-
munication held at Vandalia, January 3, A. L. 5826, we
omit their publication here and proceed with the organ-
ization.
Formed and agreed upon December 9 (10), A. L. 5822.
Libanus Lodge, No. 29. Richard J. McKinney, Dennis
Eockwell, John Y. Sawyer, Nathaniel Buckmaster, Wil-
liam H. Hopkins, David Pricket.
The Western Star Lodge, No. 107. Thomas Reynolds,
Shadrach Bond.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 5. James W. Whitney, Charles
Gear, Charles W. Hunter.
62 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Albion Lodge, No. 9. Benjamin J. Mills, Gilbert T.
Pell.
Eden Lodge, No. 11. James Turney.
Union Lodge, No. 10. Abner Field, Charles Dunn.
Vandalia Lodge, No. 8. William H. Brown, James M.
Djuican, John S. Duncan, Kussell Botsford, E. C. jBexcy,
John Warnock.
Lawrence Lodge, No. 34. Thomas C. Brown, James
Hall.
"On motion of Bro. Dunn :
"Resolved, That the delegates from each Lodge take a
copy of the Constitution and transmit the same to their
respective Lodges.
"Adjourned until to-morrow at 4 o'clock p. m."
Wednesday, December llth, A. L. 5822.
"The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
"On motion of Bro. Hall, the following resolution was
adopted :
"Resolved, That we proceed forthwith to the nomina-
tions of persons to fill the offices of Grand Master, Grand
Wardens, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, which
nominations shall be presented to the several Lodges, with
the Constitution recommended for their adoption; and if
a majority of the Lodges approve of said nominations, the
persons so nominated shall be considered as duly elected.
"Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the several
Lodges, immediately upon the ratification or disapproval
by them of the proceedings of this Convention, to trans-
mit notice of same to the Grand Master-elect, and if it
appear that a majority of the Lodges concur in the pro-
ceedings of the Convention, then the Grand Lodge shall
be considered as duly organized, and the Grand Master
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 63
shall order the first meeting of the same at such time as
he shall think proper.
"Whereupon, the Convention proceeded to ballot for
officers, when upon counting the ballots it appeared that
Shadrach Bond was elected Grand Master; John Y. Saw-
yer, Grand Senior Warden; Wm. M. Alexander, Grand
Junior Warden; Eichard T. McKinney, Grand Secretary;
James 0. Wattles, Grand Treasurer.
"On motion of Bro. Hall :
"Resolved, That a copy of the minutes of the Conven-
tion be made out by the Secretary, and countersigned by
the Chairman, and that a copy of the Constitution now
formed be deposited in Vandalia Lodge until the Grand
Lodge is organized.
"The Convention then adjourned sine die.
"THOMAS C. BROWN,
"Chairman.
"WM. H. BROWN,
"Secretary."
It will be seen from the foregoing that a copy of the
Constitution was to have been deposited in the archives of
Vandalia Lodge, but after "strict 1 search and due enquiry"
has been made in and about Vandalia by Brother Richard
T. Higgins, for me, we learn that no copy or other paper
connected with this Convention can be found. In 1859,
Brother J. W. Whitney, a member of the Convention, and
of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 5, sent a copy of these pro-
ceedings to Brother Harmon G. Reynolds, then Grand
Secretary, and suggested that a duplicate be made and filed
in the archives of Pittsfield Lodge, to find which that dili-
gent craftsman, W. B. Grimes, has made strict search, and
they cannot be found. It is believed that the proceedings
64 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
of this Convention were never published, and as far as this
writer's knowledge goes, but few if any copies of the ses-
sions of this Grand Lodge are to be found in Illinois, except
the three copies now in his possession of three different
Grand Communications. We give exact reproductions of
the same in this book, as they are of special interest to our
brother craftsmen.
For the loan of these proceedings and the many original
papers of the Grand Lodge of 1822, we are under fraternal
obligations to Brothers William A. Sinn, Grand Secretary,
and George P. Rupp, Librarian, Grand Lodge of Penn-
sylvania; Thomas H. R. Redway, Grand Secretary, New
Jersey; and Eev. John D. Vincil, Grand Secretary, Mis-
souri.
To Brothers William Schuchert and John D. Gerlach,
of Chester; Bro. J. A. Wagner, W. M., Kaskaskia Lodge,
No. 86 ; Mr. James N. Brown and Conrad Boeder, of St.
Louis, and others, we are under obligations! for favors, for
which they have our thanks.
Grand Lodge is reported to have met in Stated Commu-
nication in December, 1823, but no proceedings have been
found of that date, or any printed before those of Decem-
ber 6, 1824.
The printed proceedings, so far as we can discover, are as
follows, correct copies of which we give in page, form and
size, as in the original, with photo copies of the title pages
of the pamphlets :
Proceedings, December 6-14, 1824.
Proceedings, January 1, 1825.
Constitution and By-Laws, 1822-6.
Proceedings, January 3-10, 1826.
Proceedings, December 3-20, 1826.
Proceedings, January 1-23, 1827.
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 65
The discovery of these old records of 1826-7 clears up a
mystery we have endeavored to penetrate for over forty
years, and that is: From where did Strangers' Union
Lodge, No. 14, working in Galena in 1826, receive its
authority ?
In the record of December 20, 1826, we find the follow-
ing:
"The petition of sundry brethren residing at Fever
[Fevre] River for a charter at that place, recommended
by Frontier Lodge, was received and referred to a select
committee," and at the session of January 1, 1827, the.
following :
''Ordered, That the committee to which was referred!
the petition of sundry brethren on Fever [Fevre] Eiver be
discharged from the further consideration thereof, and
that a charter be issued by this Grand Lodge agreeable to
the prayer of said petitioners."
Again, on January 23, 1827, Grand Lodge adopted the
following:
"Resolved, That Brother Henry H. Snow be authorized
to install the first officers of the Lodge at Fever [Fevre]
River."
This little mining village where the lodge at Fever
River was situated was three miles back from the Missis-
sippi River, on a small but deep stream, which had been
known since 1823 as "Bean River" and "Fevre River,"
but which finally became Galena River, from the name of
the mineral found in its banks. So of the village; it
had been known as "La Pointe," but more generally as
"Fever River Village," until in the winter of 1826 it had
been resolved by the citizens that it should have the name
of its mineral, large deposits of which were found in the
6 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
surrounding country, and mines of which are still being
discovered and extensively worked.
This Grand Lodge we are writing about has been known
to but few except as a tradition, and it was not known
that a copy of its proceedings existed until the writer found
the same in our Eastern States.
Even the Deputy Grand Secretary, John C. Reynolds,
the historian of our present Grand Lodge, appointed as
such by Grand Master Jerome R. Gorin, October 10, 1867,
assisted as he was by his father, Harmon G. Reynolds,
Grand Secretary, failed to find any proceedings of Grand
Lodge later than January 10, 1826.
We have added full copies of proceedings of December
3-20, A. D. 1826, and January 1-23, A. D. 1827, together
with much other new matter relating to that first Grand
Lodge in Illinois.
or THE
AT THE
AT VANDALIA,
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, A. L. 5624.
EDWARDSVILLE :
PRINTED BY THOMAS J. M'GUJOE.
1825.
PROCEEDINGS, &c.
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of
the State of Illinois, held at Vandalia, on Monday, the
6th day of December, A. L. 5824. Present:
R. W. James Hall, D. G. M. and G. M. pro tern.
R. W. George H. C. Melody, D. G. M. pro tern.
R. W. John Y. Sawyer, G. S. W.
R. W. Wm. M. Alexander, G. J. W.
R. W. Wm. H. Brown, D. G. Secretary.
R. W. James 0. Wattles, G. Treasurer.
W. James MJDuncan, G. S. D.
W. Richard J. Hamilton, G. J. D.
W. Emanuel J. West, G. Tyler, pro tern.
Delegates.
Albion Lodge Jesse B. Brown and Henry I. Mills.
Union Lodge James S. Smith, W. M., Henry L. Webb,
P.M.
Vandalia Lodge Robert H. Peebles, W. M., Nathaniel
Sanburn, J. W., William H. Brown, P. M.
Lawrence Lodge James Hall and Thomas C. Browne.
Hiram Lodge Richard J. Hamilton, W. M.
Western Star Lodge Thomas Reynolds.
Visiting Brethren.
Alexander Philips and John M. Robinson, of Western
Star Lodge ; Nicholas Hansen and Thomas J. M'Guire, of
Libanus Lodge; William Twigg, of Albion Lodge; Dan-
iel Hay, of Lawrence Lodge; Curtiss Blakeman, of St.
Andrews Lodge, N. Y. ; Aaron Knapp, of Homer Lodge,
N. Y.
On motion of Brother Grand Senior Warden,
70 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to ex-
amine the credentials of delegates attending this Grand
Lodge.
Whereupon Brothers Sawyer, Wattles and J. B. Brown
were appointed that committee.
The credentials of the delegates from Albion Lodge
were read and referred to the Committee on Credentials.
The report from Union Lodge was read, and referred
to the last mentioned committee.
The petition of Jacob C. Bruner was read, and on motion
of Brother Grand Treasurer, referred to a select commit-
tee, consisting of Brothers Wattles, Hamilton and J. B.
Brown.
On motion of Brother Grand Junior Warden,
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to en-
quire how far the subordinate Lodges within this state are
affected by the resolution declaring that "the Lodges which
assisted at the formation of this Grand Lodge shall be con-
sidered as within our jurisdiction," and what is the opera-
tion of said resolution in regard to such Lodges.
Brothers Alexander, Field, Hamilton, Wattles and Dunn
were appointed that committee.
The following committees were appointed by the M. W.
Grand Master pro tern., viz : To examine the accounts of
the Treasurer, Brothers Webb and Hamilton. To examine
the books and papers of the Secretary, Brothers Reynolds
and J. B. Brown.
On motion, Resolved, That this Grand Lodge adjourn
until tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Tuesday, December 7.
The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment. Pres-
ent, the same as yesterday, with the addition of Brothers
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 71
James Watts, of Libamis Lodge; Frederick Hollman, of
Vandalia Lodge; James Adams, of Skaneateles Lodge, N.
Y. ; Stephen Stillman, of Sangamo Lodge; Richard M.
Young, of Union Lodge ; Joseg^Duncan.of Hiram LodgB r
and David Coons, of Olive BrancKTxxIge.
The Committee on Credentials made the following re-
port:
The Committee to whom was referred the examination
of credentials report that the credentials of all the Lodges
represented here are in form, with the exception of Albion
Lodge, which has appointed delegates, instead of their
being appointed by the officers of the Lodge, as proxies.
Your committee, therefore, beg leave to introduce the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That the delegates from Albion Lodge be al-
lowed to take their seats in this Grand Lodge.
Which report and resolution were concurred in.
Brother Wattles, from the Select Committee on the
petition of Jacob C. Bruner, reported favorably to the
prayer of the petitioner, and recommended the adoption of
the following resolution, viz :
Resolved, That Jacob C. Bruner, who has been expelled
from Libanus Lodge, be restored to his membership in the
same, and to the privileges of Masonry ; but that nothing
herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the
said Lodge from again proceeding to the trial of the charges
exhibited against him.
Which report and resolution were ordered to lie on the
table.
The Grand Senior Warden made the following report:
In the absence of the M. W. Grand Master, the Grand
Senior Warden reports that a charter has been granted to
72 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Albion Lodge, and a Dispensation to Hart Fellows and
others, of Carrollton, in the County of Greene, during the
vacation, with orders to return it to this Grand Communi-
cation.
The M. W. Grand Master pro tern, appointed Brothers
Mills, McGuire and Hamilton the Standing Committee on
reports from Lodges.
The reports of Hiram and Vandalia Lodges were read,
and referred to the last mentioned committee.
The committee appointed to examine the Secretary's
books and papers report that they have performed that
dut}', and find them correct, except in one instance, where
the names of the visiting brethren were omitted to be in-
serted.
On motion of Brother Deputy Grand Secretary, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on Eeports from Lodges
be required to- examine and report whether the Lodges un-
der the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge have complied
with the by-laws in the payment of their dues.
On motion, Resolved, That this Grand Lodge adjourn
till tomorrow at 2 o'clock p. m.
Wednesday, December 8.
The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment. Pres-
ent, as before.
The Grand Treasurer made the following report, which
was concurred in :
The Grand Treasurer begs leave to report that during
the past year he has received from Palestine Lodge five
dollars towards payment for the Dispensation granted from
the Grand Secretary, and no more, making in all six dol-
lars, which remains in his hands, subject to the disposal
of the Grand Lodge.
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 73
The committee appointed to enquire how far the sub-
ordinate Lodges are affected by the formation of this
Grand Lodge, with the Grand Lodges under whom they
formerly, or now work, made a report, which was con-
curred in.
The Committee to whom was referred the reports of the
subordinate Lodges, made a report, which was concur-
red in.
On motion of Brother Grand Junior Warden,
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to
draft a memorial to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania,
to enquire into the causes which have induced that Grand
Lodge to suspend the Western Star Lodge, at Kaskaskia.
Brothers Alexander, Hamilton and Sawyer were ap-
pointed that committee.
The report from Albion Lodge was read, and referred
to the Committee on reports from Lodges.
On motion of Brother Eeynolds the petition of Jacob
C. Bruner was taken up, and
On motion of Brother Grand Junior Warden, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That as Libanus Lodge is working under the
Grand Lodge of Tennessee, this Grand Lodge can take
no cognizance of said petition.
On motion of Brother Grand Senior Warden, the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the subordinate Lodges, who assisted
at the formation of this Grand Lodge, and have neglected
to surrender their charters from other Grand Lodges, and
take charters from this Grand Lodge, be allowed a further
time of six months to perform that duty.
Resolved, That those Lodges neglecting the requisitions
74 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
of the preceding resolution, be stricken from the rolls of
this Grand Lodge, and that those Lodges be immediately
furnished with a copy of these resolutions.
On motion, Resolved, That an election for Grand Offi-
cers of this Grand Lodge be held this evening at 7 o'clock,
and that the officers so elected be publicly installed to-mor-
row at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
A communication from E. C. Berry was read, and, on
motion of Brother Grand Junior Warden, it was referred
to a select committee, consisting of Brothers Alexander,
Duncan and Reynolds.
The Committee on Reports from Lodges, made a report,
accompanied by the following resolution, both of which
were concurred in :
Resolved, That the delegates from Albion Lodge are en-
titled to all the privileges and. rights of members of this
Grand Lodge.
The M. W. Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election
of Grand Officers for the ensuing year, when, upon count-
ing the ballots, it appeared that
Brother James Hall was elected M. W. G. Master.
Brother John York Sawyer, R. W. G. S. Warden.
Brother Richard J. Hamilton, R. W. G. J. Warden.
Brother James 0. Wattles, R. W. G. Treasurer.
Brother William H. Brown, R. W. G. Secretary.
The M. W. Grand Lodge then adjourned till to-morrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Thursday, December 9.
The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment. A
Lodge of Past Master Masons was opened-;
R. W. George H. C. Melody, G. M.
R. W. Henry L. Webb, G. S. W.
ILLINOIS, 1804-1829. 75
E. W. James 0. Wattles, G. J. W.
Brother James Watts, G. S. D.
Brother Robert H. Peebles, G. J. D.
Brother James S. Smith, G. Tyler.
And after some business done therein, the Lodge was
closed, and a Lodge of Master Masons opened.
M. W. James Hall, G. Master, elect,
E. W. John Y. Sawyer, G. S. W., elect.
R. W. Richard J. Hamilton, G. J. W., elect.
R. W. James 0. Wattles, G. Treasurer, elect.
R. W. William H. Brown, G. Secretary, elect.
Brother Thomas Reynolds, G. S. D., pro tern.
Brother Emanuel J. West, G. J. D., pro tern.
Brother Joseph Enos, G. Tyler, pro tern.
Brothers Watts, Dunn and others, members and visiting
brethren.
The Grand Officers elect of the M. W. Grand Lodge of
the State of Illinois were then installed, in due form, by
the R. W. George H. C. Melody, Deputy Master of the
Grand Lodge of Missouri.
A communication from R. W. Brother George H. C.
Melody was read.
On motion of Brother Grand Senior Warden,
Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be pre-
sented to Brother Melody, for his polite attention and fra-
ternal kindness in attending the present Annual Grand
Communication, and for the aid. he has rendered in the
performance of our duties.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to wait on
Brother Melody and present to him the above resolution,
and request him to receive the sum of twenty dollars to
discharge the expenses of his visit to us, which sum the
76 HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
Grand Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay to said com-
mittee.
Ordered, That Brothers Sawyer, Webb and Eeynolds be
that committee.
The M. W. Grand Lodge then adjourned till to-morrow
at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Friday, December 10.
The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment.
M. W. James Hall, G. M.
R. W. John Y. Sawyer, G. S. W.
R. W. Richard J. Hamilton, G. J. W.
R. W. James 0. Wattles, G. Treasurer.
R. W. William H. Brown, G. Secretary.
Brother Robert H. Peebles, G. S. D., pro tern.