Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER LVI

HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION OF FREEMASONRY INTO EACH STATE

AND TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES

Royal Arch Masonry.

IN Chapter XLIX., Dr. A. G. Mackey, having, in a very elaborate and satisfactory manner, given the history of the introduction of Royal Arch

Masonry into America; and in Chapter L., the

organization of the General Grand Chapter in the United States, it is quite unnecessary for the present writer to make any preface to the details of the organization of the particular Chapters and the Grand Chapters in the several Grand Jurisdictions. We shall, therefore, proceed at once to that work, and in an alphabetical arrangement, for a better reference to any special jurisdiction when required.

[graphic]

Alabama.

Prior to May, 1823, there were four chapters in Alabama having been chartered by the General Grand Chapter. A convention of the delegates of these chapters was held in Mobile in May and June, 1823, and it was decided to form a Grand Chapter for the State. The Junior Chapter, Monroe, having taken exceptions, referred the matter to the General Grand Chapter at its session, September 16, 1826, when the following was adopted:

"Resolved, That the formation of a Grand Chapter for the State of Alabama, in May, 1823," prior to the expiration of one year from the establishment of the junior chapter in such State, "was prohibited by the 11th section of the 2d Article of the General Grand Constitution, and that therefore this General Grand Chapter cannot ratify or approve of the proceedings of the convention held at Mobile on the third Monday of May, 1823, or recognize the body claiming to be considered the Grand Chapter of Alabama."

A recommendation was, however, made to the four chapters to proceed to form a Grand Chapter. On June 2, 1827, the Grand Chapter was reorganized, and met in December following, and annually until 1830, when it ceased to meet.

December, 1837, the delegates from the several chapters met and reorganized the Grand Chapter, and it has continued as a constituent of the General Grand Chapter.

Arizona.

Pursuant to an invitation from Companion Past High-Priest George J. Roskruge of Tucson Chapter, No. 3, a convention of Royal Arch Masons met in the hall of Tucson Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., in Tucson, County of Pima, for the purpose of taking steps to organize a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Territory of Arizona, November 13, 1889.

The convention was called to order by Companion Past HighPriest Martin W. Kales of Arizona Chapter, No. 1. Companion George J. Roskruge of Tucson Chapter 3 was chosen Chairman of the convention and Companion Frank Baxter was elected Secretary. A committee on credentials was appointed and reported the following chapters as being represented, viz. :

Date of Charter

August 24, 1880.

August 15,
1883:
Nov. 22, 1889.

Arizona Chapter, No. 1, located at Phoenix, Maricopa County.
Prescott Chapter, No. 2, located at Prescott, Yarapai County.
Tucson Chapter, No. 3, located at Tucson, Pima County.
Cochise Chapter, No. 4, located at Tombstone, Cochise County.
Flagstaff Chapter, No. 5, located at Flagstaff, Coconino County.

A committee was appointed on Constitution and By-Laws, and the convention took a recess; and on resuming labor the committee reported a Constitution and By-Laws, which were adopted. The convention then elected their officers; Martin W. Kales was chosen Grand High-Priest, and George J. Roskruge Grand Secretary.

The convention then adjourned subject to a call from the Grand Secretary.

November 12, 1890, the convention met and Companion George J. Roskruge presided. The same chapters, as before, were represented, and there were also present a number of Past High-Priests and Past Grand High-Priests, and Companion Titus of California, all of whom were invited to seats (without votes).

The President stated the object of the convention and read his Warrant as Deputy of the General Grand High-Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States, dated November 1, 1890. On motion, the constitution, as adopted at the former convention, was amended, to conform to the recommendation of the General Grand High-Priest.

The convention then adjourned, that the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arizona might be opened in ample form.

The first annual convocation was then opened (November 12, 1890) at 8 P.M., George J. Roskruge, Grand High-Priest, presiding, and Morris Goldwater, Grand Secretary. The convention then proceeded to elect the Grand Officers, and Martin W. Kales was elected Grand High-Priest, and George James Roskruge was elected Grand Secretary.

Companion Roskruge acting as Deputy General Grand HighPriest of the United States constituted the Grand Chapter of Arizona and installed the officers in accordance with the dispensation granted by the General Grand High-Priest, David F. Day.

On the following day (November 13, 1890) a convention of Anointed High-Priests was organized and officers were elected. Eight Past High-Priests were anointed.

Arkansas.

Charters were granted by the General Grand Chapter of the United States to three chapters in Arkansas, the first being under date of September 17, 1841.

The Grand Chapter was organized at a convention held April 28, 1851, and Companion Elbert H. English was the first Grand High-Priest. When the General Grand Chapter of the United States held its convocation at Nashville, Tenn., on November 24, 1874, Companion English was elected General Grand High-Priest. His death occurred September 1, 1884.

In the years 1853 and 1854, Companion Albert Pike was the Grand High-Priest.

California.

The first dispensation to organize a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in California was issued May 9, 1850, to San Francisco Chapter, No. 1, and a Charter was granted September 13th. Charters were issued to Sonora, No. 2, and Sacramento, No. 3, September 17, 1853.

These three chapters sent delegates to a convention held May 6, 1854, at Sacramento, where measures were taken to organize a Grand Chapter, and after three days' session adjourned to meet at San Francisco, July 18, 1854, where the organization and constitution were fully completed by the installation of the Grand Officers.

Colorado.

Central City Chapter, No. 1, in Central City, was the first chapter to which a dispensation, dated March 23, 1863, was issued in Colorado, which was granted by the General Grand King. The Deputy General Grand High-Priest granted a dispensation to Denver Chapter, No. 2, April, 1863. These two chapters had their charters granted at the following session of the General Grand Chapter, September, 1865. A dispensation was issued to organize Pueblo Chapter, No. at Pueblo, May 24, 1871, and a Charter for the same was issued September 20, 1871. November 25, 1874, charters were issued to Georgetown, No. 4, and Golden, No. 5.

[ocr errors]

A convention was held at Denver City by the authority of Elbert H. English, M. E. General Grand High-Priest, May 11, 1875, and the Grand Chapter of Colorado was regularly constituted.

Connecticut.

Six members of Saint John's Lodge, No. 2, located in the town of Middletown, Conn., having received and been "duly initiated into the most sublime degree of an Excellent, Superexcellent, and Royal Arch Mason in regular constituted Royal Arch Chapters," and proving each other, they "duly opened and held the first regular Grand Royal Arch Chapter." They elected their officers. Their first meeting was held September 12, 1783.

The "Mother-Chapter," or Washington Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the City of New York, granted the following charters in Connecticut: Hiram, No. 1, in Newtown, April 29, 1791; Franklin, No. 2, New Haven, May 20, 1795; Franklin, No. 4, Norwich, March 15, 1796, and Solomon, No. 5, Derby, March 15, 1796. Vanden Broeck, also No. 5, received its Charter from the Grand Chapter of New York, dated April 6, 1796; it is said, however, that the first record was dated December 24, 1795.

1 At that day the word "Grand" was taken from the A. A. A. R., where all the bodies were termed Grand.—EDITOR.

« PreviousContinue »