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The History of Freemasonry

by Albert Gallatin Mackey

Chapter 58 - History of the Grand and Subordinate Commanderies in the several States and Territories of the United States

Templar.

THE records of the early conclaves of the General Grand Encampment are the only sources of any definite information in regard to the introduction of the Templar Order into the several Masonic jurisdictions. Whoever, therefore, has gone over the pages of those early records for any extended information will say, that for want of order and exactness they will compare with any other defective records now extant. Discrepancies in dates continually occur, even within a few pages of each other, so that the compiler, after a diligent search and memoranda taken, will very soon have to alter the same. We can refer any reader, for example, to the statistical tables of the dates of organization of the several Grand Commanderies in the Proceedings of 1880 and of 1895 for comparison. In many cases in the reports of the General Grand Officers, as to the formation of the subordinate commanderies, it is said frequently: "Since the last conclave I have issued dispensations to the following subordinate Commanderies," without giving any dates whatever, leaving the compiler the difficult task of searching in the future pages for the definite years, months, and dates to find when these commanderies had their dispensations issued to them. This was a constant source of error in dates, and, frequently, was a great annoyance in the preparation of this sketch. We trust that should errors in dates be found hereafter the finder will consider the quandaries of the compiler, and especially if he should undertake to rectify our errors.

We have endeavored sedulously and faithhfully, as historian, to gather all the facts upon record, to give a truthful narrative of the formation of the subordinate bodies, as well as the constitutions of them also; and the organization of the Grand Commanderies in the several jurisdictions. While all this has been an arduous task, there has been mingled with the task quite a pleasurable sensation in traveling over the "sacred ground" of "Templarism"; and our "pilgrimage" has yielded much satisfaction in making the acquaintance of so many distinguished knights who wrought so hard in building up an institution, which from the small beginnings of the eighteenth century, at its end, has resulted, in the close of the nineteenth century, in one of the most magnificent "Orders" the world has ever witnessed.

The Knight Templar order, as it is now constituted in the United States, has no rival in the world, and to emphasize its influences for good the Grand Encampment of the United States should, at its very next conclave, carry out the design of our most distinguished and lamented Knight, J.Q.A. Fellows, to make the city of Washington the permanent headquarters, and erect such a Temple as would be commensurate with the dignity and importance of the Magnanimous Order of Knights Templars of the United States of America.

Note.-Dates of all the blanks marked with an asterisk could not be ascertained.

Alabama.

The Grand Commandery of Knights Templars for the State of Alabama was organized December 1, 1860, by the representatives of five commanderies, viz. :

Washington (Marion), at Marion; chartered in 1844. (No history.)

Mobile, No. 2, at Mobile; formed April 7, 1848, and chartered May 8, 1851.

Tuscumbia, No. 3, at Tuscumbia; formed August 1, 1848; chaptered October 12, 1850.

Montgomery, No. 4, at Montgomery; formed October 17, 1853; chartered September 19, 1853.

Selma, No. 5, at Selma; formed May 15, 1838; chartered September 16, 1859.

Arizona.

The Grand Commandery of Arizona was formed by Warrant from the Grand Encampment of the United States November 16, 1893.

The first commandery was Arizona, No. 1, at Tucson, February 22, 1883; (1) by dispensation, which was surrendered September 2, 1897. Then followed:

Ivanhoe, No. 2, at Prescott, by dispensation September 30, 1892, and chaqered December 2, 1892.

Phoenix, No. 3, Phoenix, by dispensation October 7, 1892, and chartered November 14, 1892.

Arkansas.

The Grand Commandery of Arkansas was constituted May 25, 1872.

The first commandery organized was Hugh de Payens, No. 1, at Little Rock, December 20, 1853, () which received a Charter September 10o, 1856.

Hugh de Payens, No. 3, at Fort Scott; dispensation granted April 13, 1867; chartered September 18, 1868; constituted October 11, 1868 (3).

Jacques De Molay, No. 3; dispensation granted December 30, 1868, (4) and chartered September 21, 1871. (5)

Baldwin, No. 4, Fayetteville; dispensation April 28, 1871; (7) chartered September 21, 1871. (7)

Bertrand de Guesclin, Camden; dispensation issued April 13, 1867 chartered September 10, 1868. (9)

California.

The Grand Commandery of Knights Templars for California was organized August 10, 1858, under the Warrant of the then Grand Master of the General Grand Encampment of the United States, Sir William B. Hubbard.

The first commandery formed in California was San Francisco, No. 1, at San Francisco, November 10, 1852, and chartered November 1, 1853.

The second was Sacramento, No. 2, at Sacramento, May 23, 1852, and chartered February 6, 1854.

The third was Pacific, No. 3, at Columbia, February 20, 1856, and chartered September 10, 1856.

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1883, p. 19. (2) Ibid., 1865, p. 114. (3) Ibid., 1868, p. 65; (4) Ibid., p. 30. (5) Ibid., 1871, p. 224. (6) Ibid. p. 31. (7) Ibid (8) Ibid., 1868, p. 13. (9) Ibid., p. 65.

Colorado

The Grand Commandery was constituted March 14, 1876. The commanderies were:

Colorado, No. 1, at Denver; dispensation granted January 13, 1866, and chartered September 10, 1868 constituted January 26, 1869.

Central City, No 2, at Central City; dispensation granted November 8, 1866, (2) and chartered September 18, 1863. (3)

Pueblo, No. 3, at Pueblo; dispensation granted September 10, 1874, and chartered December 3, 1874.

Connecticut.

The Grand Commandery was constituted between 1829 and 1832, according to the list in the Proceedings of 1856, p. 358; but in the Proceedings of 1898 the date is given September 13, 1827. We assume the first date to be correct, as in the Proceedings of the Grand Encampment we find the Grand Encampment of Connecticut represented at the fifth meeting, held November 29, 1832, but not so represented at the fourth meeting, September 14, 1829, nor is any mention made of the formation of the Grand Body in the minutes of said meeting of 1829, which would have been if the Grand Commandery had been organized. The first commandery formed was Colchester, at Colchester; Charter dated September, 1819. The second was New Haven, at New Haven; dispensation issued November 5, 1825, and chartered September, 1826.

Note. - At the second rneedng of the Grand Encampment, Proceedings of September 16, 1810, p. 6, say: "Resolved, That a charter of recognition be granted to the encampment of Colchester in Connecticut."

At the conclave held in Pittsburg, 1898, the tabular statement for that year shows eleven subordinate commanderies.

Note. - The report of the General Grand Recorder for 1880, in tabular statement, p. 136, under Grand Commandery of Connecticut, says: "Organized July, 1796."

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1868, p. 65. (2) Ibid., p. 12. (3) Ibid., 1871, p. 29.

Dakota Territory.

Dakota, No. 1, at Deadwood; constituted August 14, 1881. Cyrene, No. 2, at Sioux Falls; dispensation was granted August 14, 1881, and was formed November 22, 1881; chartered August 23, 1883.

February 25, 1882, dispensation was granted to De Molay, No. 3, at Yankton; formed March, 1882; chartered August 23, 1883.

March 23, 1883, dispensation granted to Tancred, No. 4, at Bismarck; formed April 12, 1883; chartered August 23, 1883.

Fargo, No. 5, at Fargo; dispensation issued June 24, 1883.

Delaware.

The first commandery formed in Delaware was St. John's, No. 1, at Wilmington; dispensation dated March 10, 1868; chartered September 18, 1868.

District of Columbia.

The first commandery organized in the District of Columbia was Washington, No. 1, in Washington City, December 31, 1824; chartered January 14, 1825.

Columbia, No. 2, received a dispensation January 18, 1863, and a Charter September 7, 1865.

Potomac, No. 3, in Georgetown, received a dispensation March 4, 1870, and a Charter September 22, 1871.

De Molay, in Washington City, received a dispensation February 19, 1872, and a Charter December 3, 1874. This commandery is mounted.

Orient Commandery, in East Washington, received a Charter August 29, 1895, and was constituted October 19, 1895.

Four of these commanderies, viz.: No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5, met in convention January 14, 1896, and organized the Grand Commandery of the District of Columbia by authority of a Warrant of the Grand Encampment dated December 2, 1895.

Potomac, No. 3, united with the Grand Commandery at its Organization under the Warrant, January 4, 1896.

Florida.

The Grand Commandery was organized August 15, 1895, by a Warrant dated August 1, 1895. The following commanderies were organized:

Coeur de Lion, No. 1, at Warrington; dispensation June 20, 1868; Charter * 1868; renewed December 3, 1874.

Damascus, No. 2, Jacksonville; dispensation May 18, 1870; chartered September, 1871.

De Molay, No. 3; dispensation March 17, 1851

Olivet, No. 4; dispensation * 1889.

Pulaski, No. 5; dispensation February 21, 1893

Plant City, No. 6; dispensation March 10, 1895.

Georgia.

The Grand Commandery was organized April 25, 1860, by authority approved September 16, 1859.

Georgia Encampment, No. 1, at Augusta, received a dispensation dated in 1823, and chartered May 5, 1823.

St. Omar, No. 2, at Macon; dispensation granted July 26, 1848, and chartered September 11, 1850.

St. Aldema, at Columbus; dispensation dated December 1, 1857.

Coeur de Lion, at Atlanta; dispensation dated May 14, 1859, and chartered September 17, 1859.

Idaho.

The following commanderies have been instituted in Idaho Idaho, No. 1, at Boise City; dispensation May 24, 1882; formed September 13, 1882; chartered August 23, 1883.

Lewiston, No. 2, at Lewiston; chartered August 11, 1892.

Moscow, No. 3, at Moscow; chartered August 11, 1892.

Gate City, No. 4, Pocatello; chartered August 29, 1895; instituted December 14, 1895.

Illinois.

The Grand Commandery was organized October 27, 1857, by authority of the Grand Encampment June 27, 1857, and duplicated September 15, 1857. The subordinate commanderies were:

Apollo, No. 1, at Chicago; by dispensation 1844 to 1847, and chartered September 14, 1847. The tabular statement in Proceedings for 1856, p. 358, is indefinite.

Belvidere, No. 2, Alton; by dispensation March 25, 1853, and chartered November 1, 1853.

Central, or Centre, No. 3, at Decatur; by dispensation July 26, 1856; extended October 24, 1856; and by order of Grand Encampment continued until the ensuing session of the State Grand Commandery.

Peoria, No. 4, at Peoia; by dispensation July 25, 1853, and Charter September 19, 1853.

Freeport, No. 5 at Freeport; by dispensation June 10, 1857, and Charter September 16, 1859.

Indiana.

The Grand Commandery of Indiana was organized May 16, 1854, by authority of the Grand Encampment April 24, 1854. The commanderies in Indiana were :

Roper, No. i, at Indianapolis; by dispensation May 14, 1848, and Charter October 16, 1860.

Greensburg, No. 2, at Greensburg; by dispensation January 25, 1851, and Charter September 19, 1853.

La Fayette, No. 3, La Fayette; by dispensation April 2, 1852, and Charter September 19, 1853.

Fort Wayne, No. 4, at Fort Wayne; by dispensation May 13, 1853, and Charter September 19, 1853.

Indian Territory.

The Grand Commandery was instituted by authority of the Grand Encampment December 17, 1895, the Warrant being issued November 28, 1895, at Muscogee. The subordinate commanderies were :

Muscogee, No. 1, at Muscogee; by dispensation dated December 6, 1892, and Charter *

Chickasaw, No. 2, at Purcell; by dispensation dated May 31, 1894, and Charter August 29, 1895, and constituted October 29, 1895.

McAllester, No. 3 at McAllester; by dispensation dated July 14, 1894, and Charter August 29, 1895, and ccnstituted October 14, 1895.

Iowa.

The Grand Commandery of Iowa was organized June 6, 1864, by authority of the Grand Encampment September 19, 1859. The subordinate commanderies were:

De Molay, of Iowa, No. 1, at Muscatine; by dispensation March 14, 1855, and Charter September 10, 1856.

Palestine, No. 2, at Iowa City; by Charter at once, September 15, 1856.

Siloam, No. 3, at Dubuque; by dispensation February 9, 1857, and Charter September 16, 1859.

Des Moines, No. 4, at Des Moines; by dispensation July 10, 1857.

Kansas.

The Grand Commandery was constituted December 29, 1868, by Warrant from the General Grand Master, Sir William Sewall Gardner, December 2, 1868. The subordinate commanderies were:

Leavenworth, No. 1, at Leavenworth; dispensation issued February 10, 1864; chartered September 6, 1865.

Washington, No. 2, at Atchison; dispensation issued June 5, 1865; chartered September 6, 1865.

Hugh de Payen, No. 3, at Fort Scott; dispensation issued April 13, 1867; chartered September 18, 1868.

De Molay, No. 4, Lawrence; dispensation issued March 10, 1868; chartered September 18, 1868.

Kentucky.

The Grand Commandery was constituted October 15, 1847, by Warrant from the Grand Encampment. The subordinate commanderies were:

Webb, No. 1, at Lexington; by Charter at once, January 1, 1826.

Louisville, No. 2, at Louisville; by dispensation January 2, 1840, and by Charter September 17, 1851.

Versailles, No. 3, at Versailles; by dispensation April 26, 1842, and Charter * 1844.

Frankfort, No. 4, Frankfort; by Charter September 15, 1847.

Montgomery, No. 5, at Mt. Sterling; dispensation (1) some time between 1842 and 1847; by Charter September 15, 1847.

There is no note of a dispensation issued to Frankfort Encampment, but in the account current of the G.G. Recorder we find that Frankfort Encampment, Kentucky, paid for dispensation $90, also that Montgomery Encampment did the same, and as in the latter case the tabular statement, p. 358, mentions that dispensation as between 1842 and 1847, Frankfort Encampment may have been in the "same boat." We have been forcibly impressed, in reading over these old records, how very careless the General Grand Officers and also the recorders and committees were in omitting important dates in their reports, which omissions have cost this writer many, many weary hours in hunting up such data as would enable him to supply these important dates for the benefit of the future student of Masonic history.

Louisiana.

The Grand Commandery of Louisiana was organized by the Warrant of the Grand Encampment February 12, 1864.

The Invincibles, at New Orleans, was organized between 1826 and 1829, and a Charter was issued some time in 1829.

Indivisible Friends, No. 1. This encampment was chartered by the Grand Encampment of New York in 1826. Jurisdiction was transferred to the General Grand Encampment in 1838 and accepted. (2)

Jacob de Molay, No. 2, New Orleans; dispensation April 15, 1850; continued by order Seyember 12, 1850, and chartered April 25, 1851.

Maine

The Grand Commandery was constituted May 5, 1852, for the State of Maine.

Portland Encampment, No. 2, is the first one on the printed list

(1) Front Proceedings of Grand Encampment, 1847, we copy this: "Resolved, That the Report of the Committee of Dispensations and New Encampments be so amended as to permit Frankfort and Montgomery Encampments to join in the petition for the formation of a Grand Encampment in the State of Kentucky." Which was rejected. (2) Note at bottom of p., 358, Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1856.

of i856 at Portland; dispensation issued between 1842 and 1847, and chartered September 14, 1847.

St. John's, No. 3, at Bangor; dispensation February 18, 1850, and chartered September 17, 1850.

We can not find any evidence in the body of the Proceedings of No. 1, but the "Register" at end of 1847 and 1850 Proceedings gives "Maine," No. 1, at Portland, * 1844, and chartered September 14, 1847.

Maryland.

The Grand Commandery was constituted January 23, 1871.

The first commandery instituted was Maryland, No. 1, at Baltimore. This encampment was first chartered by the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania May 2, 1814, and it appears on the record of 1832 of the Grand Encampment of the United States. A resolution was passed admitting it under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Encampment, and directing that its Charter be endorsed by the General Grand Officers.(1)

Baltimore, No. 2, Baltimore; by dispensation June 17, 1859, and Charter September 16, 1859.

We shall now follow the history of the Knight Templar Order in Maryland by Sir Knight Edward T. Schultz, to whom the whole world of Masonry is indebted for his four volumes of the history of Masonry in that State. The result of this labors to himself has been almost total blindness, brought about by his incessant application in search of the facts connected with Masonry in Maryland.

Sir Knight Schultz says:

"The writer has for many years given much time and attention to the investigation of the origin of Encampment No. 1 of this city, and while he has been fortunate in obtaining documents which clearly establish the date of its organization, and many interesting facts in reference to its early history, he has not, he regrets to state, anything but theories to offer in regard to the source whence it emanated."

He had been furnished by the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, Bro. Creigh, with certified copies of several documents in his office, written in 1814 and 1815, by the

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1832, p. 32.

Officers of Encampment No. 1 of Maryland to the Grand Officers of the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania, which had been recently formed and in which formation Encampment No. 1 had participated and was then a constituent. Here follow copies of several old documents under seal to prove the facts set forth.

In one of these documents is a Charter of "recognition" which allowed their claim to an original organization prior thereto - dated in 1790 - as the letter from Archbishop Dobbin says: "I am induced to state that this Encampment insists in receiving its number and rank according to the date of its institution, the complete organization of which took place in the year 1790." Consequently we must class Maryland among the early jurisdictions where Templary had its origin. This Charter of "recognition," we must observe, was issued to "Encampment of Knight Templars, No. 1, Maryland," thus showing that the demand made by the encampment, to have in rank and number agreeable to the date of its institution, was admitted to be a valid claim by the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, and thereby the year 1790 was fully recognized to be the date of the complete organization of Encampment No. 1, of Maryland.

Sir Knight Schuhz shows by documents that this encampment has had a continued existance from 1790 to the present day, and is yet known by the same name. There is a fac-simile of a Templar diploma shown and a copy of its text in print which shows that this Encampment No. 1 was in 1802 attached to Washington Lodge, No. 3, as Royal Arch Chapters and Encampments of Knights Templars in those early days were generally, if not wholly, held under warrants of Master Masons' Lodges,

In Webb's Monitors of 1802 and 1805 are shown three encampments in Maryland, viz.: Nos. 3, 13, and 24, and Sir Knight Schultz thinks they were Washington Lodge, No. 3; Concordia, No. 13; and Zion Lodge, No. 24; the first two located in Baltimore, and the last in Havre de Grace, Cecil County.

There is shown also another facsimile diploma issued by Encampment No. 1 to Philip P. Eckel, which Sir Knight Schultz thinks indicates that the encampment had severed its connection with Lodge No. 3 and had an independent organization, and says it must have been certainly as early as 1807, from a Masonic notice in the City Directory for that year, viz.: "Maryland Encampment No. 1, Knights Templars, meets on the second Tuesday in every second month."

The copper-plate from which this diploma was printed is in the Archives of Maryland Commandery. It was designed by Philip P. Eckel and engraved by John Bannerman. An old lady named Elizabeth Sadds, living in Baltimore in 1881, aged ninety-four years, informed Sir Knight Schultz that she knew Bannerman well; that he came from Scotland in 1773 and was the first engraver who lived in Baltimore, and he died in 1809. The seal is the same on all the documents and was used until about 1814, when a new seal was made (which is shown). This latter seal was used until 1854, when the name was changed to its present title, "Maryland Commandery, No. 1." Sir Knight Schultz has only theories to suggest as to the source from which the encampment was originally formed. From traditions among the old members of the commandery it was supposed that the orders came from San Domingo with immigrants from that island. He says: "We for a long time were inclined to believe that the encampment originated in the Rose Croix Chapter 'La Verite,' which was brought to Baltimore by the refugees from San Domingo; but the discovery of the 1802 diploma would indicate that, at that time at least, the Encampment was held under the authority of a Master Mason's Lodge."

Sir Knight Schultz refers to the list of degrees published by Cole and mentioned by us in Chapter LI. (1) In this list we enumerated the orders of the Red Cross, Knights Templar, and Knights of Malta, that were said to have been conferred by the Sublime Lodges, at Charleston, New York, and Newport in 1816.

Sir Knight William B. Hubbard, who was Grand Master of Templars, said: I suppose that we owe the origin of Templar Masonry in the United States to a distinguished Sov.'.Ins.'. of the Scottish Rite." (2) Bro. A.G. Mackey thought that the Orders of Knighthood were introduced through the A.'.A.'.R.'., not the A.'.A.'.S.'.R.'., for that system dates only from 1801, when it is well known that the Templar and Red Cross had both been worked as early as the South Carolina patent shows, in 1783. Bro. Robert Macoy, in his sketch of the Knights Templar of New York, says:

"After a very careful examination of this important subject, we

(1) Ch. LI. of this work, p. 1310 (2) Letter to T.S. Gourdin.

are impressed with the conviction that the introduction of the Order into this country was brought about somewhat in this wise: That a few Sir Knights, having received the Order in England, or Ireland and having immigrated to this country, met together, as they became known to each other, by appointment, in a secluded place in New York and other parts of the country; and after testing each other by the best evidence in their possession, organized themselves into 'encampments' or 'conclaves,' and assumed control of 'territorial jurisdiction,' conferred the Orders, elected officers, issued diplomas, etc." "For the present, or something more reliable than any 'statement' yet presented can be accepted, we can offer nothing better as authentic history for the introduction of the Order of Knights Templar upon this Continent; nor do we deem it derogatory to the legitimacy of the 'transmission' or of the merits of the system of Templarism, to admit these conclusions. During the early period of the institution there was no organized body that possessed absolute authority to issue warrants, hence it was recognized as legal for any number of Sir Knights, having the inherent righl to assemble in a secure place, apply the essential tests to each other, open an encampment, receive petitions and create Knights Templar."

Sir Knight Schultz concurs, somewhat, in the theories of Sir Knight Macoy, which he thinks "most worthy of acceptance," and says: "In every instance in which there is a mention of the Templar degree being conferred in this country prior to the year 1800, it is in connection with a Master Mason's Lodge. St. Andrew's, of Boston, and St. Andrew's Lodge, of Charleston, as has been stated, conferred the Order - the former in 1769 and the latter in 1783. The early encampments in Pennsylvania, Bro. Creigh says, were held under warrants of a Master's Lodge; and Encampment No. 1, of Maryland, as shown by the first diploma, was attached to Washington Lodge, No. 3."

After the organization of the Supreme Council of the A.'. A.'. S.'.R.'. at Charleston, in 1802, the Inspector-General took charge of all the degrees having no governing head, and as was stated by Cole, above referred to, "the Sublime Lodges at Charleston, Albany, and Providence conferred as many as fifty-five degrees." (1)

(1) "Freemason's Library," 1826, p. 317.

Subsequent to 1800, "Encampments were formed by Knights who received the Orders from an Inspector, or High Grade Mason."

At the constitution of the Grand Encampment of New York, Elias Hicks, Orator of the day, said: "The numerous Encampments of Knights Templar now existing within this State being self-created bodies, are consequently governed by their own private and individual law, acknowledging no superior authority, because, in fact, none heretofore existed. (1)

Sir Knight Schultz concludes, therefore, that Encampment No. 1 was organized in the same manner as those in New York were.

At the convention for the organization of the Grand Encampment in Pennsylvania, which met February 15, 1814, Sir Henry S. Keating was the delegate from Encampment No. 4, of Baltimore, Md.; who, on the election of Officers, which followed, was made G.St.B. Under the provision adopted therefor, a Charter of Recognition was granted to Encampment No. 1, of Baltimore, which has been referred to in this chapter.

After the organization of the General Grand Encampment of the United States, in New York City, June 20, 1816, Encampment No. 1, of Baltimore, came under its jurisdiction, but not until November 29, 1832, and an endorsement was made on the Charter of Recognition received from the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania in 1814.

Sir Knight Schultz claims that Encampment No. 1 "is the oldest existing body of Knights Templar upon the American Continent" (2)

After Baltimore Commandery, No. 2, was chartered, there was no other commandery formed until Monumental, No. 3, of Baltimore, was organized by virtue of a dispensation issued by the Grand Master of Templars May 16, 1866. At the next triennial conclave, September, 1868, at St. Louis, a Charter was granted, and on November 6, 1868, the commandery was duly constituted.

July 12, 1870, resolutions were adopted to organize a Grand Commandery of the State. This occurred January 23, 1871.

Jacques De Molay, No. 4, of Frederick City, was organized by virtue of a dispensation issued November 23, 1867, by Sir Henry L.

(1) Schultz, "History," vol. i., p. 367. (2) Ibid., p. 376.

Palmer, Grand Master of Templars, which occurred March 2, 1868. At the triennial conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States, September, 1868, a Charter was ordered, and continued until the formation of the State Grand Commandery, when it came under its jurisdiction.

Grand Master William Sewall Gardner issued a dispensation March 2, 1869, to form Crusade Commandery, No. 5, of Baltimore, and April 26, 1869, the first meeting was held. The Officers were selected, all of whom were members of Maryland Commandery.

Three chartered commanderies met in convention by their representatives in Baltimore, Md., December 12, 1870, and elected Grand Officers. The Grand Master was duly notified and requested to grant his Warrant for the formation of the Grand Commandery of Maryland.

The three commanderies were: Maryland, No. 1, Baltimore; Baltimore, No. 2, Baltimore; Monumental, No. 3, Baltimore.

The Warrant of the Grand Master was dated January 3, 1871. January 23, 1871, the Cdand Commandery was then dedicated in ancient form to St John the Almoner. The first Grand Conclave of the New Grand Commandery was held January 23, 1871.

May 11, 1871, Crusade Commandery, No. 5, of Baltimore, was constituted, under Charter granted by the Grand Commandery May 10, 1871.

Antioch Commandery, No. 6, of Cumberland, by dispensation issued August 26, 1871, was organized August 27, 1871. A Charter was issued, and January 14, 1873, the commandery was duly constituted.

Palestine Commandery, No. 7, at Annapolis, was organized April 14, 1873, a dispensation having been issued by Grand Commander Mann. A Charter was granted May, 1873. June 2, 1873, this commandery was duly constituted.

Beauseant Commandery, No. 8, received a dispensation May 27, 1875, to form a commandery in Baltimore, and was organized June 15, 1875. A Charter was granted May 10, 1876, and the commandery was duly constituted May 11, 1876. (1)

(1) Schultz, "History of Masonry in Maryland," vol. iv., p. 659.

Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island was formed May 6 1805, which was the first Grand Encampment to be organized in the United States, according to the authorities in Massachusetts, which statement has been challenged by the Templars in Pennsylvania, who claim that the very first Grand Encampment was organized in Philadelphia May 12, 1797, as will be shown under that head. Sir William Sewall Gardner, M. E. Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, at the semi-annual meeting in Boston, May 5, 1865, in his address said: "This day completes the sixtieth year of our existence as a Grand Encampment and marks an epoch in our history. "On the 6th of May 1805, Sir Thomas Smith Webb, of Providence; Sir Henry Fowle, of Boston; Sir Jonathan Gage, of Newburyport, with other Templar Masons, assembled in the Masonic Hall at Providence and formed this Grand Encampment." "There they assembled and laid the foundation of Templar Masonry, as we recognize it to-day." " This Grand Encampment was the germ of Templar Masonry as now organized in the United States, and the ritual as adopted here has been taken as the true Templar Work throughout the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States. I am aware that in Pennsylvania there was a Grand Encampment in the early part of this century, and that it professed to confer the Order of the Temple. It is impossible to tell now what its ritual was, but there is evidence tending to show that it was entirely different from that taught by this Grand Body.".......

Perhaps no person in the United States had more to do with the formation and renovation of this ritual than Sir Henry Fowle. His judgment, therefore, upon the ritual as exemplified by the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania in 1816 in his presence, is of great weight, and leads to the conclusion that the work as used by that Grand Body, whereon it originated, was entirely different from that in use in this jurisdiction.

"We have then for our gratification, not only the fact, which is now universally conceded, that this Grand Encampment is the oldest Grand Body of Masonic Knighthood upon this continent, but also that it has furnished the ritual which is now used in all the bodies, both Grand and Subordinate, within the United States.

"The English Order, from which our fathers in this Grand Encampment derived the elements of our ritual, is termed the 'Masonic Knights Templar's Conclave' in open and avowed confession of the dependence of the Order upon the Masonic institution. I need but allude to the ritual to convince you that it was built upon Masonry, and that the form and manner of our work are eminently Masonic. In its teachings and its ceremonials, this Order of the Temple which we confer is but Masonry Christianized; a complete acknowledgment of and a full belief in the divine Mission of the risen Messiah, engrafted upon the Masonic forms, precepts, and ritual."

"It is worthy of notice, from the establishment of this Grand Encampment to the present time, it has been one of the most conservative bodies of Knighthood in the United States."

Mexcio.

A Warrant was issued to organize a commandery called "Popocatapetl," No. 1, for the Federal Districts of Mexico, dated September 1893.

Michigan

The Grand Commandery of Michigan was instituted by the Grand Master of the General Grand Encampment, in person, who installed the Grand Officers January 11, 1858. The first Warrant was issued February 13, 1857. The first commandery organized was Detroit, No. 1, at Detroit; by dispensation November 1, 1850, and Charter September 19, 1853. Then followed Pontiac, No. 2, at Pontiac; by dispensation March 25, 1852, and Charter October 27, 1853.

Eureka, No. 3, at Hillsdale; by dispensation February 13, 1854, and Charter September 10, 1856.

Peninsular, No. 4, at Kalamazoo; by dispensation March 3, 1856, and Charter September 10, 1856.

Monroe, No. 5, at Monroe; by dispensation March 29, 1856, and Charter September 12, 1856.

De Molay, No. 6, Grand Rapids; by dispensation May 9, 1856, and Charter September 12, 1856.

(1) Creigh, "History of Knight Templars," ch. v., pp. 501 and 502.

Peninsular, No. 4, it appears from the record, (1) declined to place herself under the Grand Commandery of the State and regularly sent her returns and dues to the General Grand Recorder, acknowledging no other superior than the Grand Encampment from which she received her Charter on September 10, 1856. The controversy was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, which thoroughly examined the whole matter and the principles of State-Sovereignty in a report and offered the following:

"Resolved, That the Grand Commandery of Michigan, from the date of its formation has of right exercised sole and exclusive jurisdiction over all subordinates in that State.

"Resolved, That all dues paid by Peninsular Commandery, No. 4, to the Grand Recorder of this Grand Encampment, occurring since the formation of the Grand Commandery of Michigan, be paid to the Grand Recorder of that body." (2) Which resolutions were adopted. The following was then adopted:

"Resolved, That at the formation of a State Grand Commandery, it is the right as well as the duty of every subordinate in the State, whether Chartered or under Dispensation, to enroll itself under such State Grand Commandery, and respect and obey its laws and regulations." (3)

Minnesota.

The Grand Commandery of Minnesota was constituted October 23, 1865. The following were the subordinate commanderies :

Damascus, No. 1, at St. Paul by dispensation July 12, 1856, and Charter September 10, 1856.

Coeur de Leon, at Winona; dispensation issued May 13, 1864; chartered September 6, 1865.

Mankato, at Mankato; dispensation issued April 5, 1865 chartered September 6, 1865.

Zion, at Minneapolis; dispensation issued May 19, 1863 chartered September 6, 1865.

Mississippi

The Grand Commandery of the State of Mississippi was constituted January 21, 1857. The order to establish the Grand Commandery

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1859, p. 39. (2) Ibid., p. 53. (3) Ibid., p. 56.

was first issued December 5, 1856, and renewed December 22, 1856. The subordinate commanderies were :

Mississippi, No. 1, at Jackson; by dispensation July 5, 1844, and Charter September 12, 1844.

Magnolia, No. 2, at Vicksburg; by dispensation October 10, 1850, and Charter January 4, 1854.

Lexington, No. 3, at Lexington; by dispensation July 22, 1856, and Charter September 1, 1856.

Missouri.

The Grand Commandery for the State of Missouri was constituted May 2, 1860. Approved September 16, 1859. (1)

St. Loius No. 1, at St Louis; no dispensation; chartered September 17, 1847.

Weston, No. 2; dispensation March 9, 1853, and chartered September 10, 1853.

Lexington, No. 3; dispensation September 30, 1853, and chartered September 10, 1856.

Montana.

The Grand Commandery of Montana was constituted May 14, 1888. Constituent commanderies:

Virginia City, No. 1, at Virginia City; dispensation August 27, 1860; chartered September 23, 1868.

Helena, No. 2, at Helena; dispensation January 21, 1869; chartered September 21, 1871.

Montana, No. 3, at Butte; by dispensation June 26, 1878, and chartered August 20, 1880; constituted June 24, 1881.

Damascus, No. 4, at Miles City; by dispensation March 8, 1886; formed March 16, 1886, and chartered September 23, 1886.

Nebraska.

The Grand Commandery of Nebraska was constituted December 27, 1871 (statement of 1895). (Statement of 1880 has 28th.)

The first commandery was Mount Calvary, No. 1; organized

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1859, p. 50.

July 24, 1865; chartered September 6, 1865. The second was Mount Olivet, No. 2, at Nebraska City; organized January 25, 1867; (1) chartered September 18, 1868. (1) In the Proceedings of the nineteenth triennial of the General Grand Encampment for September 15, 1871, (2) it is recorded under "Proxies to constitute New Commanderies," " V.'. E.'. Sir George W. Belt constituted and installed the officers of Mount Olivet Commandery, No. 2, Nebraska City, January 25, 1868." In the Proceedings of 1868, September 18, (3) it is recorded that a Charter was ordered to be issued to Mount Olivet, No. 2, Nebraska City (September 18, 1868). Here appears to be a discrepancy, as a Charter was granted after the commandery was constituted (January 25, 1868). The third commandery was Mount Carmel, No. 3, at Brownsville; organized July 22, 1870; chartered September 21, 1871. The fourth was Mount Moriah, No. 4, at Lincoln; organized February 17, 1871; chartered September 21, 1871.

Nevada.

The first commandery organized in Nevada was De Witt Clinton, No. 1, at Virginia, February 4, 1867, and chartered September 18, 1868; constituted and officers installed, January 8, 1869. The second was Eureka, No. 2, at Eureka; dispensation granted June 6, 1880; chartered August 18, 1880, and constituted October 15, 1880.

New Hampshire

The Grand Commandery of New Hampshire was constituted September 28, 1897.

The first subordinate encampment which was warranted was Trinity, No. 2, located at first at Hanover, March 24, 1824. (5) It was dormant for some time, and was re-chartered September 19, 1853 and removed to Manchester.

De Witt Clinton, No. 1, Portsmouth; Charter January, 1826.

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1871, P. 28. (2) Ibid., p. 30. (3) Ibid., p. 65. (4) The General Grand Encampment approved the formation of a State Grand Encampment for New Hampshire September 14, 1859 (see p. 50 of the Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1859) ; but it was never formed until 1897. (5) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1826, p. 12. (6) Ibid., 1853, p. 192.

Mount Horeb, No. 4, Hopkinton; Charter May 21, 1826; became dormant in 1856.

North Star, No. 3, Lancaster; dispensation May 2, 1857; chartered September 16, 1859.

St. Paul, No. 4, at Dover; dispensation November 7, 1857 chartered September 16, 1859.

Mount Horeb, No. 5, at Concord; dipensation May 31, 1859. As above shown the original Charter was issued May 21, 1826, and was restored September 16, 1859. (1)

New Jersey.

The Grand Commandery of New Jersey was constituted February 14, 1860, by the approval of the General Grand Encampment dated September 16, 1859.

The first subordinate commandery was Hugh de Payens, No. 1, at Jersey City; by dispensation March 12, 1858, and Charter September 16, 1859; constituted November 25, 1859.

St. Bernard, No. 2, at Hightstown ; by dispensation March 27, 1859, and Charter September 16, 1859; constituted October 12, 1859.

Helena, No. 3, at Burlington; by dispensation September 16, 1859, and chartered September 16, 1859; (2) constituted October 12, 1859.

New Mexico.

The first commandery organized in New Mexico was Santa Fe, No. 1, at Santa Fe; dispensation granted May 31, 1869 organized Ma 31, 1869, and Charter September 21, 1871.

The next was Las Vegas, No. 2, at Las Vegas; dispensation April 10, 1882; chartered August 23, 1883.

Pilgrim, No. 3, at Albuquerque; dispensation April 4, 1883 chartered August 23, 1883.

McGorty, No. 4, at Deming; dispensation July 13, 1886; chartered September 23, 1886.

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, p. 358, in note to table (K). (2) The record shows that the dispensation and Charter were issued on the same day - Proceedings, 1859, p. 358.

Aztec, No. 5, at Raton; dispensation November 16, 1892; chartered August 29, 1895, and constituted December 20, 1895.

Rio Hundo, No. 6, at Reswell; dispensation June 17, 1895 Charter August 29, 1895; constituted November 30, 1895.

New York.

The Grand Encampment of New York was formed ab origine, June 18, 1814. (1)

There is no history of the regular formation of this Grand Encampment. In the history of the organization of the General Grand Encampment we have shown how the formation occurred. We are reminded of the remark of an old negro, who said: "Poor Marse Greely, he never had no father or mother, 'kase he said hisself that he was a 'self-made man.'" Nevertheless, he was the great editor of the great State of New York. Moreover, the Templars of that State can refer to another illustrious example, viz., "Melchizedek, King of Salem, the Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. Without father, and without mother, without descent (pedigree), having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." (2)

The commencement of the Templar Order in New York is involved in great obscurity; yet there were several bodies, having no authority whatever, which were organized at an early date. Sir Knight Robert Macoy bestowed great labor in endeavoring to arrive at the very first history of the Order in New Vork.

In the volume of Proceedings of the Grand Commandery, there is a history of the Templar Order in New York State, prepared by the Grand Recorder. In a subsequent report he states that "Several of the Grand Recorders, committees, and reporters have embodied valuable historical hints in their several papers, which throw light upon the origin of Templary, . . . but none thus far have satisfactorily supplied the link that separates the Templars of the Crusades from the modern Templars or Templarism as it exists in the United States, England, and Canada."

Sir Knight Macoy said that "Sir Knights anywhere in the United States could and probably did meet and increase their numbers

(1) Ante, pp. 1390, 1391. (2) Heb., ch. vii., vs. 1, 3.

or dignify their worthy companions by the authority of inherent rights, keeping few and probably no records. We are certain that those who lived and labored in the days referred to have passed to their final rest and have left few traces behind."

Sir Knight Parvin, on commenting upon Sir Knight Macoy, says: "And yet the few traces they have left did not confirm the position assumed by Sir Knight Macoy, but rather go to prove that the Sir Knights made in those days were made in Lodges or Chapters working under Lodge Warrants, except possibly in a few instances, where the degree of Knight Templar was conferred by officers of some of the bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite." (1)

In this we agree with Sir Knight Parvin.

Sir Knight Macoy, in his efforts to prove priority for New York in Templary, supports his statement as to the existence of the Order prior to 1785, quotes from old newspapers published in New York City, verified by reference to the reprint of the Grand Lodge Proceedings from 1781 to 1815, published in 1876, by authority of the Grand Lodge. (2)

This is shown in the order of procession on St. John's Day (December 27, 1785), providing that Knights Templars with drawn swords were to be in the procession. Also from the "Independent Journal," December 28, 1785, is a notice of "the proceedings of the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist," and that it gave the same programme or form of procession as was provided by the Grand Lodge; and then states, "that whilst the members of the fraternity celebrated the natal days of their patron saints, Sir Knights as a body seldom appeared in public."

Sir Knight Macoy says further: "We refer to what was known as Old Encampment, Grand Encampment, and sometimes as Morton's Encampment, of which General Jacob Morton was for many years Grand Master. The date and circumstances under which this Grand Encampment was established are not definitely known. The general belief is that it was the body of Knights Templars that participated in the celebrations of St. John's Day, December 27, 1785, June 24, 1789, and agan in 1795. The first published list of this

(1) History of Masonry," p. 539. (2) Reprint of Proceedings of New York, December 21, 1785, p. 42.

Commandery appeared in 1796, when Jacob Morton was Grand Master. The body continued to hold stated meetings until 1810, when it disappeared. Gen'l Jacob Morton was admitted an honorary member of the Grand Encampment of the State in 1815."

Reference is also made in these transactions of the Grand Lodge to the attendance of the "Knights Templars in the form as directed by their presiding officer," etc., at the observance of "the solemn funeral rites in commemoration of our illustrious Brother, George Washington, with a procession," etc.

At the first conclave after the formation of the Grand Encampment of the State, in June, 1814, the Grand Orator "delivered a discourse in which he gave a historical sketch of the foundation of the Order of Knights Templars, in a style calculated to excite the liveliest interest, which was manifested by reiterated applause; and in order, at the same time, to perpetuate the motives that led to the establishment of this Grand Encampment as the ground-work of our future operations. He concluded by giving the following concise account of the proceedings and the ceremonial that took place at its formation by the Sov.'. Grand Consistory of Chiefs of Exalted Masonry for the United States of America, its Territories and Dependencies, at their Asylum, held in the City of New Vork, on the 22d day of the month Shebath, of the Hebrew year, 7813, corresponding with the eleventh month, A.L. 5813; January A.D. 1814, and the foundation of our order the 694th year, and at which most, if not all, the members here present assisted.

"The numerous Encampments of Knights Templars now existing within this State, being self-created bodies, are consequently governed by their own private and individual laws, acknowledging no superior authority, because, in fact, none heretofore existed." (1)

The consistory itself which authorized this Grand Encampment was a self-constituted body of the Cerneau creation without any authority, and pirated degrees which never belonged to the Ancient and Accepted Rite, and thue is no evidence whatever that Cerneau or any of the members of that consistory had ever received the Templar or Red Cross degree. At this conclave De Witt Clinton was chosen Thrice Illustrious Grand Master, who was not present; and by reference to all the Proceedings from 1814 to 1826 we do

(1) The pot called the kettle black

not find him as being present at a single conclave, although he was re-elected at every election until his death, which occurred in 1828.

At the conclave held May 22, 1815, Columbian Encampment, No. 5, was voted to have a Charter of Recognition, and it was also, voted "that the numerical characteristics 1, 2, 3, 4, be kept in reserve for the several encampments already established within this State, and in the order which they now respectively stands should they or any of them apply for a renewal of their Charters under the Grand Encampment." (1)

At the conclave held May 4, 1816, a Charter was granted upon the petition of "a collective body of Sir Knights Templars, Royal Arch Masons and Members of the Sov.'. Grand Council of Princes of the Royal Secret for the State of Louisiana, sitting at New Orleans, authorizing them to open and to hold, in a regular and authentic manner, an encampment of Sir Knights of the Red Cross, Most Holy and Illustrious Knights of Malta, Knights of the Mediterranean Pass and Invincible Knights Templars, to be under and subject to the jurisdiction of that Grand Encampment and who had formed themselves into a provisory association under the title of Louisiana Encampment, No. ___, until the pleasure and sanction of the Supreme Body be known and obtained. This was known as No 6.

At the conclave held June 9, 1816, a delegate was chosen to represent the Grand Encampment in the convention of representatives from the Grand Encampments of the several States in the Union, to be held at Philadelphia on Tuesday next, and Thomas Lowndes was selected.

The history of that coovention has already been written in Chapter LIII.

At the annual conclave held June 29, 1816, Columbian Encampment, was the first encampment to be represented in any conclave. A Charter was also issued for an encampment of Knights Templars and Appendant Orders, sitting at New Orleans.

By a special conclave the Grand Recorder was instructed to correspond with Sir Thomas Smith Webb, Deputy General Grand Master, requesting copies of the Constitution of the General Grand Encampment of the United States, for the purpose of so modifying

(1) Proccedings of Grand Encainpinent of New York, from 1814 to 1859, p. 14.

the Constitution of this Grand Encampment that it may conform thereto."

At the annual conclave a committee reported and submitted a form of new constitution and it was adopted.

The preamble sets forth :

"The Grand Encampment of the State of New York having by its representatives assisted to form the General Grand Encampment of the United States of America, and having acknowledged the supreme authority of the same, did, on the 11th day of December, A.D. 1820, in full session, upon report of a committee appointed to revise the former constitution, adopt the former constitution for its future government." (1)

From the minutes of the special conclave held on Trinity Sunday, June 17, 1821, for the purpose of installing the Grand Officers, after which a resolution was adopted to transmit certain copies of the constitution to different parties, the only subordinate encampments mentioned are Columbian, No. 5, in New York, and Indivisible Friends, No. 6, in New Orleans, which No. 6 was originally chartered as Louisiana Encampment. Copies were also sent to the encampments at Albany and Stillwater, in that State, which had not yet united with the Grand Encampment. (2)

At the special conclave held February 8, 1823, upon application therefor, a Warrant was issued to Utica Encampment, No. 7, at Utica. (3) At a special conclave February 18, 1823, a Warrant was ordered to be issued, upon application therefor. to Temple Encampment, No. 2, at Albany. (4)

At the special conclave held August 16, 1823, upon application therefor, a Warrant was issued to form Morton Encampment, No. 4, in the city of New York. This encampment was regularly installed by the Grand Encampment August 18th following.

At the special conclave held September, 1824, upon application therefor, a Warrant was issued to LaFayette Encampment, No. 7, in the city of Hudson.

At the annual conclave there were present the representatives or proxies of Columbian, No. 1; Utica, No. 3; Morton, No. 4; and LaFayette, No. 7. At the annual conclave held December

(1) Proceedings Grand Encampment of New York, P. 28. (2) Ibid., p. 34. (3) Ibid., p. 41. (4) Ibid., p. 42.

16, 1825, warrants were issued to Plattsburg Encampment, No. 8, at Plattsburg; to Cherry Valley, No. 9, at Cherry Valley, and Genesee, No. 10, at Le Roy.

At the annual conclave held June 9, 1826, a Warrant was issued to Watertown Encampment, No. 11, at Watertown, to which a dispensation had been granted previously (no date mentioned). At the special conclave held September 18, 1826, an order was passed to authorize a dispensation to be issued to form an encampment in the village of Rochester. At the annual conclave field June 8, 1827, there were represented: Columbus, No. 1; Temple, No. 2; Utica, No. 3; Morton, No. 4; LaFayette, No. 7; Plattsburg, No. 8, Cherry Valley, No. 9; Genesee, No. 10; Watertown, No. 11.

A Warrant was issued to New Jerusalem Encampment, No. 13, in Ithaca.

A Warrant was also issued to Monroe Encampment, No. 12, a dispensation leaving been granted to this encampment in Rochester, ordered September 16, 1826.

Genesee Encampment was authorized to change its location from Le Roy to Batavia.

At a special conclave held February 20, 1808, resolutions were adopted on the death of their distinguished Chief, De Witt Clinton.

At the annual conclave held June 6, 1828, a Warrant was ordered to be issued to Clinton Encampment, No. 14, in Brooklyn, a dispensation having been previously issued.

We have now brought the history of this important Grand Encampment down from its doubtful origin to the death of the distinguished Chief, who was also the Head and Mainstay of the General Grand Encampment until his death, and our limits in this chapter will not permit us to proceed any further, and we close by observing that no single Grand Commandery has exerted greater influence for good and the prosperity of Templar Masonry than the Grand Commandery of the Empire State.

"Esto perpetua."

North Carolina.

The Grand Commandery of North Carolina was constituted May 10, 1881.

The first official notice of Templarism is found in the Proceedings of the Grand Encampment of the United States, September 19, 1826, where it is reported that a Charter had been granted, among many orbers, to Fayetteville Encampment, at Fayetteville, December 21, 1821. (1)

In the report of the General Grand Recorder at the tenth meeting, held September 14, 1847, (2) he stated that a dispensation had been issued to that Encampment, but whether a Charter was granted he is unable to say. "Certain it is, the encampment is known to have ceased all operations many years ago, although it is said a Charter was known to have existed."

The General Grand Recorder also stated: (3)

"Some time in 1845 a Sir Kright from Richmond, Virginia, and another from another State, not now recollected, assisted by a most respectable Sir Knight of Wilmington, North Carolina, who, it is said, had seen the Charter which had there been consumed by fire, held a meeting and conferred the degrees of Knighthood upon so many Royal Arch Masons as seemed to them sufficient to form an Encampment; and, having done so, they proceeded to elect officers and to organize an encampment. This being done, the Recorder of that body so formed wrote to the undersigned, requesting that another Charter might be furnished them. Being informed that all their proceedings were irregular, it is believed they proceeded no further, but he can not assert with certainty that such is the fact"

Fayetteville Encanmpment, at Fayetteville, was originally chartered December 21, 1821; as before stated.

Wilmington Encampment, at Wilmington, was chartered originally at an early date, but there is no record in the Proceedings of the General Grand Encampment except in 1874, where it is said the dispensation was renewed March 18, 1872.

The following was adopted at the conclave of the General Grand Encampment September 16, 1850.

"Resolved, That the letter of P.W. Fanning, dated Wilmington, North Carolina, September 8, 1850, with its enclosure, being referred to the General Grand Recorder, to reply to the same, and with the view of authorizing the Sir Knights of Wilmington and

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1826, p. 20) (2) Ibid., 1847, p. 114. (3) Ibid., p. 147.

Fayetteville to resume their labors as Encampments subordinate to this General Grand Encampment; and that the Most Excellent General Grand Master is empowered, in his discretion and upon examination into the merits of the case, the authorizing of a charter in the place of the one lost, without other than the Recorder's fee as to him may appear just and expedient." (1)

Charlotte, No. 2, at Charlotte; dispensation was issued June 14, 1875, and chartered August 30, 1877. (2)

Durham, No. 3, at Durham; was constituted October 14, 1880.

North Dakota.

The Grand Commandery of North Dakota was constituted June 16, 1890.

Ohio

The Grand Encampment of the State of Ohio was constituted October 24, 1843. The General Grand Encampment voted for the constitution of the Grand Encampment September 17, 1841. (3)

The first subordinate encampment was established at Worthington by dispensation June * 1818, and chartered September 16, 1819.

The second was Miami, at Lebanon; by Charter May 14, 1826.

The third was Clinton, No. 1, at Mount Vernon; by dispensation 1826 and 1829, and was represented in the General Grand Encampment in 1829.

The fouth was Lancaster, No. 2, at Lancaster. There does not appear on record any dispensation, but a Charter was granted December 9, 1835.

The fifth was Cincinnati, No. 3; by dispensation December, 1839, and Charter September 17, 1841.

The sixth was Massillon, No. 4, at Massillon; by dispensation July 5, 1843, and Charter September 12, 1844.

The seventh was Mount Vernon, No. 5, at Mount Vernon; by dispensation July 22, 1843, and Charter September 12, 1844, which was originally Clinton, No. 1.

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1850, p. 150. (2) Ibid., p. 192. (3) Ibid., 1841, p. 79.

Oklahoma.

The Grand Commandery of Oklahoma was constituted by authority of the Grand General Encampment February 10, 1896. Warrant to form Grand Commandery dated November 8, 1895. (1) The subordinate commanderies were :

Guthrie, No. 1, at Guthrie; by dispensation November 17, 1892, and Charter December 22, 1892.

Oklahoma, No. 2, at Oklahoma; by dispensation October 7, 1892, and Charter November 12, 1892.

Ascension, No. 3, at El Remo; by dispensation May 8, 1893, and Charter August 29, 1895, and was instituted December 3, 1895.

Oregon.

The Grand Commandery of Oregon was constituted April 13, 1887.

Ivanhoe, No. 2, at Eugene City; by dispensation April 6, 1883, and chartered August 23, 1883.

Temple, No. 3, at Albany; by dispensation June 5, 1886, formed July 8, 1886, and chartered September 24, 1886.

Pennsylvania.

The commencement of the Templar Order in Pennsylvania was at an early day, and a contest was vigorously prosecuted between the Templars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Pennsylvania as to when a Grand Commandery was formed and in which jurisdiction. We shall quote from Sir Alfred Creigh's work on Templarism in Pennsylvania to show what he has written on that point in his reply (2) to Sir Wm. S. Gardner, of Massachusetts, in his address at the semi-annual meeting in Boston, May 5, 1865. (3)

"The history of Templarism in Pennsylvania is one of peculiar interest to every Sir Knight of the Order, whether enrolled under our banner, or waging war in sister jurisdictions in defence of innocent maidens, helpless orphans, destitute widows, and the Christian religion. To Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania alone are we indebted

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1898, p. 62. (2) "Templarism in Pennsylvania," 2d series, p. 504. (3) Ibid., p. 502.

for the first Grand Encampment which was ever constituted in the United States. She therefore has no competitor for the honor, the glory, and the immortality which is emblazoned upon her Templar history; and the 12th day of May, 1797, when the Convention met in Philadelphia, composed of delegates from Nos. 1 and 2 of Philadelphia, No. 3 of Harrisburg, and No. 4 of Carlisle (whose respective organizations took place from 1793 to 1797), (1) should be held as sacred as the 4th of July, 1776 - the one having given birth to the Orders of Christian Knighthood, and the other to our political existence. It required sober thought, sound judgment, mature reflection, discriminating mind, and far-seeing perception in the Sir Knights composing that convention as they were about to inaugurate a system of Christian Ethics which would have an influence for weal or for woe upon the dissemination of the principles of Christian Knighthood. The idea was happily conceived, and the Sir Knights who risked their Masonic and Templar representation upon its success have rendered the name of Pennsylvania eternal in the annals of Templarism."

Sir Knight Creigh then enters into a statement of some historical and other dates to show that the four subordinate encampments which organized the Grand Encampment were regularly constituted prior to the formation of the Grand Body. But, however, he finds that from the published By-Laws of Nos. 1 and 2, of Philadelphia, that on December 21 1812, these two united as No. 1, and from this encampment and also No. 2, of Pittsburg, was formed a second Grand Encampment, on February 16, 1814, with the addition of delegates from Rising Sun Encampment, No. 1, of New York; Washington Encampment, No. 1, of Wilmington, Del.; and Baltimore Encampment, No. 1, Baltimore, Md. The style of the second Grand Encampment was the "Pennsylvania Grand Encampment with Masonic jurisdiction thereunto belonging." The second Grand Encampment existed until June 10, 1824, or at least its Grand Master, Sir Anthony Fannen, exercised his authority as such, for on that day he issued a dispensation to the officers of St. John's Encampment, No. 4, which was instituted June 8, 1819, "to dub and make John E. Schwartz a Sir Knight of our most illustrious Order of Knights Templar." The original of No. 1, of 1794, kept

(1) It is very remarkable that in those ancient times the years never had any months or days.-EDITOR.

up a complete and unbroken organization until June 13, 1824, and No. 2 was merged into it December 27, 1812, as above noticed.

St John's, No. 4, after the parent body had ceased in 1824, still existed and recognized as her superior the source of all Masonic authority within the State, the R.W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It was upon this Rock that the delegates of the Pennsylvania Grand Encampment of 1814, and the delegates of the New England States which assembled in convention on June 16, 1816, in Philadelphia, split, and the Pennsylvania Grand Encampment charged the other delegates with seceding from the convention, while the New England delegates (consisting of Sir Knights Webb, Fowle, and Snow) reported that the reason why Pennsylvania would not enter into the union for a General Grand Encampment were: 1st, " That the Encampments in Pennsylvania avow themselves as being; in subordination to and under the Grand Lodge of Master Masons;" and 2d, "Their unwillingness to the arrangement or order of succession in conferring the degrees," as practised by the New England States," especially to the Mark and the Excellent Master, as unnecessary and not belonging to the system of Masonry." The delegates of the New England States then adjourned to meet on June 25, 1816, in New York, and there formed the present General Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United States.

After 1824 all the subordinate encampments ceased to labor except St John's No. 4, and she, with views as above expressed, continued to be loyal to the Grand Lodge until February 12, 1857.

In May, 1852, (1) St. John's, No. 4; Philadelphia, No. 5; Union, No. 6; and De Molay, of Reading, established a Grand Encampment, under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, but the Grand Lodge on February 16, 1857, resolved (very wisely, if very late) that they had no authority over the degrees of Knighthood, but that its legitimate sphere was the primitive degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry; a union was therefore effected, and both Grand Encampments of Pennsylvania since 1857 acknowledge as their legal head the Grand Encampment of Knights Templars of the United States.

Prior to April 12, 1854, the subordinate encampments had no

(1) We suppose again, May had no days then!

governing head. Their charters were derived from the General Grand Encampment of the United States, or by the authority of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Pittsburg Encampment, No. 1; Jacques De Molay (of Washington), No. 2; and St. Omer's (of Uniontown, but afterward of Brownsville), No. 3, all were chartered by the General Grand Encampment. Hubbard Commandery, of Waynesburg, was under Dispensation from the same body. St. John's Encampment, No. 4, derived her Charter from the Grand Encampment of 1814; Philadelphia Encampment, No. 5; Union Encampment (of Philadelphia), No. 6; and De Molay (of Reading), No. 7, were under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

It was firmly believed and maintained by the Brethren of Pennsylvania that the R. W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was the source of all Masonic authority within her geographical limits, and they were sustained by reference to the fact that Templar Encampments were held under Blue Lodge Warrants; that in Ireland the Grand Encampment was formed as early as 1818, yet several encampments continued to work under their old lodge warrants, as was also the fact in Scotland and in Canada. All encampments thus constituted in Europe were considered legal. (1)

A Warrant was issued by the General Grand Master of the General Grand Encampment, authorizing the formation of a Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania. (2) A convention met at Brownsville April 12, 1854, and organized the present Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, subordinate to the Grand Encampment of the United States. (3)

The other encampments met in Philadelphia May 10, 1854, and organized a Grand Encampment, and after the adoption of a constitution and election and installation of officers, instructed the Grand Recorder to notify the Grand Lodge of their organization. (4)

After some time, committees of conferences having been appointed by both bodies (5) and duly considered the condition of Templary with two contending rival bodies, good counsel prevailed. The supremacy of the General Grand Encampment was acknowledged (6) and the union was finally accomplished, which was officially

(1) Templarism in Pennsylvania," 2d series, p. 20. (2) Ibid., p. 77. (3) Ibid., p. 127. (4) Ibid., p. 118. (5) Ibid., 1st series, pp. 131-35. (6) Ibid., 2d series, p. 135.

proclaimed by R. E. Sir W. W. Wilson, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, June 1, 1857, and subsequently by M. E. Sir William B. Hubbard, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the United States. (1)

South Carolina.

It is claimed for South Carolina that the Templar Order was first duly organized in that State as shown in the old patent which we have previously described in Chapter LI., pages 1377-78.

In the work by Theodore S. Gourdin, from which we have quoted, we derive the principal sources of our information, and also from the address of the Grand Master of Templars to the Grand Encampment August, 1883, as well as from Companion Albert G. Mackey's History of Freemasonry in South Carolina, are we indebted for what is now considered a very near approach to the period of the introduction of the Order of the Temple, and we may, with some degree of exactness, say that an encampment did exist prior to the date of the patent referred to, which was issued August 1, 1783. As this document has been fully described, we need not here dwell upon it, and rest the case.

The following are the commanderies now in that State, which are subordinate to the General Grand Encampment :

South Carolina, No. 1, whose original Warrant was destroyed by fire in 1843, and a dispensation was issued May 17, 1843. (2)

On September 29, 1823, a Charter of Recognition was issued, as the encampment had been working for many years prior to the organization of the General Grand Encampment. (3)

Columbia No. 2, at Columbia; dispensation June 11, 1875; chartered August 30, 1877. A previous Charter of Recognition had been issued January 24, 1824. (5)

Spartanburg, No. 3, at Spartanburg; dispensation granted October 1, 1891; chartered August 29, 1895.

Note. - There was an encampment named LaFayette at Gcorgetown chartered March, 1825, (6) but there is no further notice of it in the Proceedings and it is not now in existence.

(1) Templarism in Pennsylvania, 1st series, p. 22. (2) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1844, p. 81. (3) Ibid., p. 21. (4) Ibid., 1877, p. 192. (5) Ibid., p. 20. (6) Ibid., p. 20.

South Dakota.

The Grand Commandery of South Dakota was constituted May 14, 1884; being within the boundaries of the State of South Dakota, it continues under the name and style of the Grand Commandery of South Dakota. (1)

Tennessee.

The Grand Commandery of Tennessee was constituted October 11 1859. Approved September 16, 1859.

The subordinate commanderies were:

Dispensation. Dispensation Chartered Nashville, No. 1, at Nashville... Between 1844-47. September 14, 1847 Yorkville, No. 2, at Yorkville.... July 10, 1857. September 17, 1859 De Molay, No. 3, at Columbia.... December 20, 1859. September 16, 1859 Cyrene, No. 4, at Memphis........ March 27, 1859. September 16, 1859

Texas.

The Grand Commandery of Texas was constituted January 18, 1855. A Warrant had been issued by the General Grand Master to form and establish this Grand Encampment December 31, 1853. (2)

The subordinate commanderies were San Filipe de Austin, No, 1, at Galveston, by Charter December 10, 1835.

Ruthven No. 2, Houston; by dispensation February 2, 1848, and Charter September 11, 1850.

Palestine, No. 3, at Palestine; by dispensation May 16, 1853, and Charter September 19, 1853.

Utah.

The following subordrate conmmanderies were organized in Utah under warrants from the General Grand Encampment:

Utah, No. 1, at Salt Lake City; dispensation granted December 20, 1873, chartered December 3, 1874.

El Monte, No. 2, at Ogden; had a dispensation granted October 22, 1885, which was opened November 11, 1885; chartered September 23, 1886.

(1) Proceedings General Grand Encampment, 1892, p. 41. (2) Ibid., 185, p. 248.

Vermont.

The Grand Encampment of Vermont was constituted August 14, 1851. (1)

December, 1850, consent was given to three encampments to form a Grand Commandery.

Vermont, at Windsor; chartered February 23, 1821.

Green Mountain, at Rutland; chartered March 12, 1823.

Mount Calvary, at Middlebury; chartered February 24, 1824.

Burlington, No. 2, at Burlington; dispensation June 28, 1849 chartered September 17, 1850.

LaFayette, No. 4, at Berkshire; dispensation November 9 1850; old Charter endorsed October 27, 1853.

Calvary, at Middlebury; old Charter of Mount Calvary renewed

Virginia.

The Grand Encampment of Virginia was constituted November 27, 1823.

The history of the old encampments is very interesting, but is too lengthy for our pages. (See Proceedings of General Grand Encampment.) The subordinate encampments in the State were:

Richmond, at Richmond; chartered May 5, 1823.

Warren, at Harper's Ferry; chartered July 4, 1824.

Winchester, at Winchester; chartered July 4, 1824.

These three encampments were erased September 17, 1847. (2)

Wheeling, No. 1, at Wheeling; dispensation issued August 31, 1838, and afterward extended six months.

It appears from all that can be learned in the Proceedings of the General Grand Encampment from 1823, that the Grand Encampment of Virginia, which in the Proceedings is only recorded as having been organized "prior to 1826," did not continue very long. The encampments at Richmond, Harper's Ferry, and Winchester, two of which held charters of recognition, and one of constitution from the General Grand Encampment, the report of a committee in 1847 (3) says: "About 1826 these three Encampments

(1) The Table in Proceedings of General Grand Encampment for 1895 says June 27, 1824 (2) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1847, p. 110. (3) Ibid., 1847, p. 119

formed a Grand Encampment for the State, which, in that year, was represented in the General Grand Encampment (Sir James Cushman). (1)

"Nothing further is known of this Grand Encampment, but it is presumed to have ceased to exist soon after its organization; for it appears that in 1858 a dispensation, and subsequently a Charter, was granted by this General Grand Encampment to a commandery to be located at Wheeling in that State. Matters continued in this condition until this 11th of December, 1845, when delegates from sundry Encampments, including the three owing their allegiance to the General Grand Body, met at Richmond, and having resolved that it was impossible to revive the extinct Grand Encampment, proceeded to form a new one for the State.

"Such is a brief Statement of the facts. Your Committee are of the Opinion that when the original Grand Encampment of Virginia ceased to exist, jurisdiction over the State reverted to this body.

"And this seems to have been the view entertained in 1838, when this General Grand Encampment established an Encampment at Wheeling.

"They are also of the opinion that immediate jurisdiction over, at least, the three Subordinate Encampments, which derived their authority from this body, also reverted to its original source. This being true, there was no power vested in the Subordinate Encampments in Virginia to organize a Grand Encampment without the consent of the General Grand Encampment as provided by this Constitution. This consent or approval was never obtained or even asked for.

"It follows therefore, that the body now existing, and styling itself the Grand Encampment of Virginia, is irregular and unauthorized. It refuses alilegiatice to this General Grand Encampment, and denies its authority in the State of Virginia."

In 1871, at the Tiennial Encampment, a memorial from the Grand Commandery of Virginia was presented by Sir Knights W. B, Isaacs and R. E. Withers "Asking leave to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States." The memorial is quite too lengthy for our pages. This was referred to a committee of three.

(1) Proceedings of General Grand Encampment, 1826, p. 9. (2) Proceedings, 1871, pp. 175 to 180.

This committee made a lengthy report, in which they answered the reasons for a separation as set forth in the memorial, and presented the following:

"Resolved, That the Grand Encampment entertaining for the Grand Commandery of Virginia the most courteous and friendly feeling of fraternal brotherhood, and being anxious to preserve intact the knightly array of the constituent Grand Commanderies and to continue to preserve the good, well-being, and perpetuation of 'Templar Masonry,' does decline and refuse 'to allow the Grand Commandery of Virginia, in peace, in honor, and in recognition, to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment' as prayed for in its memorial. Respectfully submitted by the Committee, "THEODORE S. PARVIN, "CHARLES W. WOODRUFF, " RICHARD F. KNOTT."

N.B. - Subsequently Sir Knight Isaacs was made the General Grand Recorder, and Sir Knight Withers the General Grand Master, of the General Grand Encampment.

Washington Territor

The Grand Commandery was organized June 2, 1887.

Washington Commandery, No. 1, at Walla Walla; dispensation issued April 19, 1882, and a Charter was granted August 23, 1883.

Seattle, No. 2, had a dispensation issued February 22, 1883, and was chartered August 23, 1883.

Cataract, No. 3, at Spokane, had a dispensation issued to it July 30, 1885, and was organized August 14, 1885; and chartered September 23, 1886.

Ivanhoe, No. 4, at Tacoma; a dispensation was issued March 23, 1886; formed April 27, 1886, and chartered September 23, 1886.

West Virginia.

West Virginia was a part of the State of Virginia until June 20, 1863. As we have shown under Virginia, the Grand Encampment was organized November 27, 1823, and from October, 1824, under various changes, and frequently being dormant for years, and having no communion with the majority of Templars of the General Grand Body, that Grand Encampment, now Commandery, has existed as under and by virtue of the constitution of the Grand Encampment of the United States. It has exercised exclusive jurisdiction over the territory now included in the State of West Virginia, with a single exception under the constitution of the Grand Encampment of the United States. The Grand Commandery of Virginia continued to exercise jurisdiction over it the same as theretofore. In the list of its subordinate commanderies, the Grand Commandery of Virginia classed Wheeling, No. 1; Palestine, No. 9, at Martinsburg; Star of the West, No. 12, at Morgantown, and in 1868 a dispensation was issued by the Grand Commander of Virginia for a new commandery at Monongahela, (1) all in West Virginia.

After the formation of West Virginia State the Grand Encampment did not claim the commanderies therein as its immediate subordinates, nor exercised any power in West Virginia hostile to the jurisdictional claim of the Grand Commandery of Virginia. (2) The Grand Commandery of West Virginia was organized by P.G.M. James H. Hopkins, February 25, 1874. In the history of the Grand Commandery of Virginia we have shown the subordinate commanderies which were located in the present State of West Virginia, viz., Warren, at Harper's Ferry; Winchester, at Winchester; and Wheeling, No. 1, at Wheeling.

Wisconsin.

The Grand Commandery of Wisconsin was organized October 20, 1859. Wisconsin, No. 1; dispensation, no date found, and Charter granted September 11, 1850.

Note. - We have been unable to find any reference in the Proceedings of the General Grand Encampment prior to 1859 of any other encampment in Wisconsin.

(1) Proceedings, 1871, p. 55. (2) Ibid., P. 56.

Wyoming

The Grand Commandery of Wyoming was organized by authority of the General Grand Encampment September 23, 1886, and constituted March 8, 1888.

The constituent commanderies were:

Place Dispensation. Charter Wyoming, No. 1.....Cheyenne....March 5, 1873. December 3, 1874 Ivanhoe, No. 2.....Rawlins.....February 9, 1885. February 16, 1885 September 23, 1886 Immanuel No. 3....Laramie......May 1, 1886. May 18, 1886. September 23, 1886

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