The Lodge was in its 9th year since it received its initial dispensation on March 14, 1870.
There were 229 lodges under the Jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Virginia.
District 14
The Lodge was among six Lodges in the 14th Masonic District that encompassed Frederick County, Clarke County, and Warren County. Having 42 Masons, its membership consisted of 21% of the district. The District Deputy Grand Master, H. Clay Krebs, based in Winchester, was unable to visit Unity Lodge No. 146 in 1880.
| No. | Name | Town | Qty | Meetings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Hiram | Winchester | 58 | 2nd Tuesday Evening |
| 132 | Dallas | Brucetown | 32 | Saturday on or before full moon |
| 146 | Unity | Front Royal | 42 | Saturday evening previous to the full moon November Changed: Thursday evening previous to the full moon |
| 157 | Prospect Hill | Millwood | 26 | Wednesday on or before full moon |
| 213 | Treadwell | Berryville | 39 | Jun to Oct: Thur evening on or before full moon Oct to Jul: Same + 2nd Thursday |
| 231 | Old Dominion | * No return for two years | ||
| 6 | Lodges | Total | 197 | Members |
Lodge Officers
Lodge officers were elected on June 19, 1880 during a stated communication. Worshipful Bowman does not appear as any of the Lodges past masters after 1881.
| Office | Beginning of Year | June 19 Elections |
|---|---|---|
| Worshipful Master | George H. Bowman | |
| Senior Warden | Charles E. Henning | |
| Junior Warden | T. C. Roy | |
| Secretary | George W. Forsyth | |
| Senior Deacon | M. M. Bayley | |
| Junior Deacon | R. Bird Deatherage | |
| Chaplain | C. W. Hollis | |
| Tiler | D. W. Jones |
Past Masters
| Past Master | Year |
|---|---|
| Thomas W. Petty | 1875 |
| Smith S. Turner | 1876 |
| Thomas L. Kirby | 1877 |
| William O. Rust | 1878 |
| Smith S. Turner | 1879 |
Brethren
At the Grand Annual Communication, the membership of the Lodge was reported to consist of 42 Masons.
Baker, Ewell
Barley, W. H.
Balthis, E. W.
Balthis, William
Beaty, C. H.
Bowman, George H.
Brooks, R. E.
Brown, J. G.
Buck, E. G.
Buck, Irvin A.
Buck, J. M.
Buck, M. B.
Cone, D.
Dulaney, J. H.
Forsyth, George M.
Fuller, W. L.
Guley, J. W.
Henning, Charles E.
Hill, G. H.
Hope, J. T.
Kirby, Thomas L.
Leach, George W.
Leach, Leroy
Leach, T. V.
Lovell, John T.
Reisenstein, Herman
Richards, J. R.
Rust, William O.
Roy, G. E.
Roy, T. C.
Petty, Thomas W.
Scroggins, William
Smith, J. M.
Turner, Smith S.
Wampler, J. T.
Weaver, M. S.
Wharton, J. A.
Losses
Two members had withdrawn their membership. Five brothers had been suspended for non-payment of dues:
- Conrad, T. K.
- Roy, W. S.
- Samuels, T. B.
- Updike, J. B.
- Weaver, W. C.
Communications
The Lodge gathered for communications in Union Hall. Initially, the Lodge met on Saturday nights, prior or on to the full moon. In November, the Lodge changed to Thursday evenings going forward.
| Day | Date | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Jan 24 | ||
| Saturday | Feb 21 | ||
| Saturday | Mar 20 | 7½ | Stated Communication |
| Saturday | Apr 24 | 7½ | Stated Communication |
| Saturday | May 22 | 7½ | |
| Saturday | Jun 19 | 8 | Stated Communication, Elections |
| Saturday | Jul 17 | ||
| Saturday | Aug 14 | 7½ | Stated Communication |
| Saturday | Sep 4 | 7½ | Special Communication |
| Thursday | Sep 16 | 7½ | Stated Communication |
| Saturday | Oct 16 | 7 | Stated Communication |
| Thursday | Nov 11 | 7 | Stated Communication |
| Thursday | Dec 16 | 7 | Stated Communication |
Events
Masonic Oyster Supper
Friday, February 6, 1880
A Grand Oyster Supper was held at the Town Hall with a large attendance. The ladies of Riverton and Front Royal supervised the cooking. The committee consisted of Brothers John G. Brown and George H. Bowman, and Worshipful Thomas L. Kirby.
Cornerstone in Richmond, VA
Thursday, March 18, 1880
A significant cornerstone laying event was held in Richmond, Virginia for a Jewish-Temple.
Cornerstone in Tom’s Brook
Monday, May 17, 1880
The public was invited to a four day event in Tom’s Brook starting on Thursday. A cornerstone laying at the new Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at the junction of Columbia Furnace and Fately roads near Green Hill. It was originally scheduled on Saturday, April 24th with a large crowd expected to be in attendance. The ceremony was to be introduced by Spurmont Lodge No. 98 in Strasbourg, Cassia Lodge No. 142 in Woodstock, and Hunter Lodge No. 135 in Edinburg. Cassia Lodge, accompanied by Fravel’s Cornet Band, arrived from Woodstock. Due to the rapidly falling rain upon arrival, the cornerstone laying was postponed. A dinner was still served in the Tom’s Brook school house
The cornerstone laying event was postponed to May 15th, again to May 29th, and finally took place on May 17th. The ceremony was performed by Dr. G. A. Brown, Master of Spurmont Lodge. The procession consisted of Cassia, Hunter, and Spurmont Lodges. After the cornerstone was laid, an address, (originally to be delivered by Reverend J. P. Hyde in April), was delivered by Reverend Nelson Head, Presiding Elder of Winchester District to a large crowd instead. Again, dinner was served by the ladies of the Church.
Basket Picnic and Grand Reunion
Monday, September 13, 1880
The Harpers Ferry Logan Lodge No. 25 in West Virginia sponsored annual picnics at Byrnes Island, upriver from Harpers Ferry, for Masonic Lodges as far away as Baltimore and Washington D.C. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad purchased Byrnes Island, renamed it as Island Park, and billed it as a day-trip destination. They built both a resort and amusement park.
The grand reunion consisted of the Masonic fraternities in West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia at Island Park, Harper’s Ferry. The Shenandoah Valley Railroad ran an excursion train, round trip from Front Royal for $1.50. The Commandery of Knights Templar from Chambersburg, Washington, Baltimore, and Martinsburg were present.
About 4,000 Masons were anticipated, but the crowd was still large in number. Professor Welin’s Orchestra from Baltimore was providing the musical atmosphere for dancing. The Brass Band of Chambersburg, as well as two well-known Brass Bands were also there. As the procession arrived at the speaker’s stand, rain came pouring down and people ran for shelter.
After the rain calmed down, Reverend J. C. Steward addressed the crowd with an introduction address. Reverend Mr. Archbaugh said the prayer. Samuel Swinfin Burdett of Washington City was invited to give the oration due to being one of the most gifted and eloquent orators in the country. He was formerly a member of Congress from Missouri, and also a Commissioner of the General Land Office. He gave an address about the mission and principles of Masonry which was described by one person as a masterpiece of perfection for a literary performance. Unfortunately his speech was cut short for the train that was about to depart soon.
Baltimore Sesquicentennial
October 11, 1880 to October 19, 1880
Baltimore was celebrating its 150th birthday of settlement with eight days of celebration from October 11th to the 19th. It chose October rather than the actual birthday on January 12th, because it would have been too cold to celebrate. Schools were let out for the week in celebration of the event. The city was ablaze with electric and calcium lights (limelights), where the city, City Hall, and Washington Monument were illuminated with thousands of gas jets.
Mason’s Day
Tuesday, October 12, 1880
The second day was for the Masons, Knights Templar, and School Children’s day. Masonic Temple entrances were illuminated at night, and the Knights Templar built several arches with crosses and other insignia of their order in front.
Many of the participants out of town arrived by the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad at the Calvert station, five blocks from Park avenue where the procession formed. It appeared that rain may have been possible in the morning, so many of the children did not join the line. The weather turned out favorably reaching a high of 80°F (26.6°C) with occasional light showers that did not affect the parade. The procession on Tuesday was one of the largest that people had ever witnessed in Baltimore as crowds were overflowing the sidewalks into the streets.
A parade with the chief marshal W. H. Hanway started lining up at 11 A.M. along Park Avenue and the head resting on Richmond Street. It included thirteen divisions of Masons, Knights Templar, public and private school children, and Catholic parochial schools. Triumphal arches were built at many corners in which the procession would pass, and just about every building was decorated for the event. The corner of Lexington Street and Park Avenue had a double triumphal arch erected on top of four pillars, four foot square. A pyramid with an American flag stood at the top of each pillar.
The route was five miles long and passed by many public squares and charitable institutions. The route had been changed on October 2nd to pass by the Aged Men’s and Women’s Homes at Franklin Square. Other charities along the route were the Baltimore Orphan Asylum, Home of the Friendless, St. Vincent’s Infant Asylum, the State Normal School, and Eutaw Place. Stands and platforms were constructed at every corner possible. Seats in Lafayette, Harlem and Franklin Squares were filled long before the procession began.
At 11:30 sharp, The Knights Templar were in full force marching along the streets of Baltimore. There are differing reports as to how many participated and the length of the procession, but they were consistent that it took two hours to pass any given point. One report stated there were 6,000 Knights, 1,200 Masons and 6,100 children in a procession that was four miles long. Another report said there were about 18,000 in line that was seven miles long with 5,000 Masons and 13,000 children. Either way, the military precision of the Knights Templar, followed by Royal Arch Chapter and Blue Lodge Master Masons gained much praise and approval from onlookers throughout the entire line.
The Masons were in the first four divisions.
| First | Eminent Sir W. A. Hanaway, Grand Captain General, Chief Marshal, and twelve aides. |
| Grand Commandery of Maryland Masonic Knights Templar, Right Eminent Sir George R. Coffroth, Grand Commander. | |
| Maryland Commandery, No. 1 | |
| Monumental Commandery, No. 5 | |
| Jacques De Molay Commandery No. 4 | |
| Baltimore Commandery, No. 2 | |
| Second | Eminent Sir Robert Boyd, Marshal, and four aids |
| Washington Commandery, No. 1 | |
| Richmond Commandery, No. 1 | |
| Old Dominion Commandery, No. 1 | |
| Columbia Commandery, No. 2 | |
| Potomac Commandery, No. 3 | |
| Third | Very Eminent Sir George W. Kendrick, marshal, and four aids |
| Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, Right Eminent SirDe Witt C. Carroll, Grand Commander | |
| Subordinate commanderies | |
| Fourth | Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maryland, E. J. Oppelt, Grand High Priest |
| Grand Lodge of Maryland, John M. Carter, Grand Master | |
| W. B. Lyons, Chief Marshal and aids | |
| Subordinate Lodges |
Commanderies of Pennsylvania alone consisted of about 1,000 Knights from Philadelphia St. John’s, Kadosh, Mary, St. Alban’s, Corinthian Chasseur, Kensington, York, Lancaster, Baldwin Second, of Williams Port, and the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, Cyrene Commandery of Camden, St. John’s of Wilmington.
The Royal Arch Chapter had not appeared in a public parade since 1829. The Grand Royal Arch Chapter consisted of eighty men in black uniforms, and white aprons trimmed with red silk. They also wore a red badge with the day and date of the procession. Officers were followed by men carrying silk banners of the four tribes of Israel, Dan, Ephraim, Reuben, and Judah. The ark of the covenant was carried behind them.
| Officers | Carriers of Flag Banners | Carriers of the Ark |
|---|---|---|
| E. J. Oppelt | T. B. Hammond | Tomas H. Kelly |
| F. J. S. Gorgas | Levi Weaver | O. H. Balderston |
| William T. Cochran | Nathan Lehman | M. K. Frank |
| C. V. S. Levy | Charles Herzog | C. Mehigarten |
| E. L. Parker | ||
| George Sheive |
The Grand Lodge of Maryland last appeared in a Masonic parade in 1866 for the laying of the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple. This was the first time that they ever appeared in a civic procession. They had about one thousand men, with W. B. Lyons as the Chief Marshal. The officers wore white moire antique aprons with purple and gold trimming. The Grand Master and Warden wore white aprons trimmed with purple lace. The jewelry was solid gold.
The Standard-Bearers followed the officers of the Grand Lodge, who were then followed by Past Masters, Masters and Wardens of various Lodges, and then the Grand Tyler trailing in the back, Charles E. Kemp.
Officers of the Grand Lodge
| Mason | Office |
|---|---|
| John M. Carter | Most Worshipful Grand Master |
| John S. Tyson | Deputy Grand Master |
| W. H. Jordon, of Cambridge | Senior Grand Warden |
| Thomas J. Shryock | Junior Grand Warden |
| Jacob H. Medairy | Grand Secretary |
| Woodward Abrahams | Grand Treasurer |
| James W. Bowers | Grand Lecturer |
| Alvin Couriell | Grand Master of Ceremonies |
| H. R. Eisenbrandt | Grand Pursuivant |
| John C. McCahan | Grand Standard Bearer |
| Standard-bearers carrying flags | Chief Marshal W. B. Lyon’s aids |
|---|---|
| J. Van Tromp | General E. B. Tyler |
| G. H. Marriott | S. Downing, Jr. |
| Philip Keil | W. H. Cassell |
| Gustavus Brown | J. P. Meanly |
| H. N. Hurtt | E. M. Mitchell |
| Samuel Holmes | George Kirwin |
| L. E. Freeman | Charles Reckitt |
| William Shipley | Thomas Snow |
| George H. Ross | John Harvey |
| J. W. Hawkins | Richard H. Conway |
| Francis Gates |
Once passing City Hall and arriving at Fayette street, the procession was dismissed. The Baltimore knights conducted their guests to have an elegantly served lunch at the armory in City Hall. Visiting knights were also pleased to have lunch served at Raine’s Hall and at the Masonic Temple.
The Chief Marshal, Eminent Sir W. A. Hanaway, Grand Captain General had also made a donation of $500 to the expenditures of the ceremonies. The amount was equivalent to just over $15,000 in 2024.
Military and Fire Department Day
Wednesday, October 13, 1880
Of particular note is that John G. Brown, a Mason of Unity Lodge No. 146 was also in the procession of the third day of celebrations for Military and Fire Department Day. He was one of the Lieutenants of the Warren Light Infantry, of Front Royal. They had fifty men as well as a drum corps. Other commanders were Captain C. A. McAteen, Lieutenant H. H. Downing and Lieutenant E. H. Jackson.
Grand Annual Communication
Monday, December 13, 1880 to Wednesday, December 15, 1880
The Grand Annual Communication of Ancient York Masons took place in Alban’s Hall, Richmond on December 13 to 15, 1881 at night, Monday through Wednesday. John T. Lovell, Editor of the Warren Sentinel, had been elected for his eighth year to represent the Lodge and paid the Lodge’s dues of $21.00 (50¢ per member). In 2024, that equates to just over $660 in total with $15.75 per member.
Unity Lodge No. 146 