Lodge History

Slides: Power Point, Google Slides

Historical Notes of the region prior to Chester Lodge

Indigenous People

The area we know of today as Front Royal was originally inhabited by a Native American tribe known as the Manahoacs (Possibly absorbed into the Monacans). Of special note, Warren county is the home of the oldest known permanent habitation in the Paleo-Indian Period in the Eastern US and the oldest structure in North America at the Thunderbird Archaeological District near Limetown, VA with radiocarbon dating back to 9900 BP in the Archaic Period.

Treaties of Albany & Lancaster

1722 to 1744

Virginia Governor Alexandria Spotswood led the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe expedition through the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1716. In 1722, he led the English colonies into an agreement with the Five Nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) of the Iroquois Confederacy to designate the Blue Ridge Mountains as the boundary between Virginia and Iroquois territories. This was done to minimize violence on the frontier during the war seasons each spring along the war-trails (the Great Warrior Path, later known as the “Great Road”, Valley Turnpike, and Route 11 today), allow settlement on the frontier, and prevent the French from settling in the land. However, tensions rose as settlers encroached across the Blue Ridge and into the Shenandoah Valley.

In 1743, the Iroquois sold their rights to any settled land in the Valley to Governor Sir William Gooch for 100 pounds sterling. In the following year, in the Treaty of Lancaster, they sold all remaining claims in the Shenandoah Valley for 200 pounds in gold.

Van Meter/Hite Grant

June 17, 1730

John Van Metre was known as an Indian Trader that explored the back-country of Virginia as early as 1725. Lord Fairfax asserted that he owned the entire lower Shenandoah Valley. John tried different options to acquire the land, including from the indigenous peoples. On June 17, 1730, John Van Metres petition was read to take up a tract of land on the West side of the Great Mountains for himself, eleven children, as well as relatives and friends in New York who wanted to move and settle in the same place. He was granted to select 10,000 acres between the North and South forks of the Shenandoah River for himself, and 20,000 acres to the West of the Shenandoah river, East of Opequon Creek, and South of the Potomac River to divide up as 1,000 acres per family as he saw fit within the next two years by Governor, William Gooch. This was a gamble that the Governor had the authority to issue patents. Lord Fairfax’s prices for parcels greater than 600 acres were equal to the cost of treasury rights sold by the colony – but he still charged for land. The governor sacrificed revenue of treasury rights.

At sometime a protest, on behalf of Lord Fairfax, was filed that the patents were not issued by the Colonial Government. Joist Hite, cousin to the Van Meter brothers, purchased the Van Meter’s rights for unpatened parcels on August 5, 1731 to eliminate confusion and competition with settlers surveying the lands prior to the Van Meter Grant. Williamsburg officials created a buffer zone of loyal citizens to provide military defense, compared to the revenue of 10 shillings for 100 acres.

Initial settlers erected single-room log cabins between 16-20 feet long with Clapboard roofs held in place by weight poles, and floors made of dirt or split puncheons smoothed with a broadaxe. Stone houses were built using local limestone and sometimes roofed with thatch.

Chester

October 19, 1736

Captain Thomas Chester is a founding father of Front Royal as one of the first settlers in the Shenandoah Valley from an area around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was deeded 100 acres on the North side of the North river. He became a county Justice when Frederick county was first formed, and the second sheriff in the county. His wife, Sarah Cartmell, owned an Inn at one of the ferry landings.

He was granted a license to operate a ferry across the Sherrendo (Shenandoah) River from the land of William Russel at the mouth of Happy’s Creek, across into the fork on October 19, 1736. In older maps, we see “Chester” and “Chester’s Ferry” in the place of what is now known as the area of Riverton today. It was three pence for a man as well as for a horse. Similar to most ferries that we see in history, the trailhead of the most convenient path through the mountains (Gap) was named after the ferry as “Chester’s Gap”. The trail is known today as Route 22 today, which runs along Happy Creek and Sloan Creek. The primary road through Front Royals infancy is known today as “Chester Street”.

Frederick County

1738, 1743

Frederick County was formed by splitting Orange County in 1738. It was made official in 1743. It was named after Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales. The area has been referred to as “Old Frederick County”.

LeHewtown

1754

The area of downtown Front Royal was originally named LeHewtown by Peter LeHewe, who purchased 200 acres in 1754 and named it after himself. The property was along Happy Creek trail, now known as Chester Street, and was the primary street entering town for many years to come. This is the origin of the towns nickname “Hell Town” often used in the 1790’s and seen on some building names and phrases used today.

Declaration of Independence

August 2, 1776

Delegates began signing the Declaration of Independence at the State House (renamed to Independence Hall) in Pennsylvania, declaring the freedom of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain.

Virginia Joins the Union

June 25, 1788

On June 25, 1788, Virginia became the 10th colony to enter the union.

Front Royal

November 15, 1788

Front Royal was established by an Act of the General Assembly on 50 acres of land from the Van Meter Grant were laid out into lots and streets, of which the property owners at the time consisted of the following:

George Chick	Solomon Van Meter	Henry Trout
William Cunningham	James Moore	Allen Wiley
Robert Haines	William Morris	Original Wroe
Peter Halley	John Smith

Thomas Allen, Robert Russel, William Headly, William Jennings, John Hickman, Thomas Hand, and Thomas Buck were assigned as trustees.

At the time, it was hardly anything more than a hamlet. The area was referred to in French as “le front royal”. It had also picked up the unsavory name of “Hell-Town” (derived from Hewtown), due to shootings, brawls, and drinking. Some people refer to an incident of a colonial drilling his men to “Front the Royal Oak!” that caught on. Others say that the passwords “Front” and “Royal” were used to enter and leave the area. Last is simply that the English mimicked the French language by swapping words to be “Frontier Royal” instead of “The Royal Frontier”, which later became “Front Royal”.

Chester Lodge No. 61

December 11, 1799 – 1804

The first Masonic Lodge of record in the Front Royal area was known as Chester Lodge No. 61 in Frederick County.

It is unknown exactly where this Lodge was located. The area of Riverton, where the North and South fork of the Shenandoah river meet and flow North towards Harpers Ferry, was the location often referred to as Chester, after Chester’s Ferry. A path led travelers through the Blue Ridge mountains along Happy Creek to the ferry, in which the trailhead was called “Chester’s Gap”.

A Master Mason certificate from Chester Lodge stated that the Lodge was in the town of Front Royal. It is now believed that the Lodge may have been situated on Chester Street, the main road that connected Chester Gap to the ferry, and ran through the center of town.

For the light shine, thin darkness & The darkness comprehendeth it not. We the Master and Wardens of Chester Lodge No. 61 Ancient York Masons held in the Town of Front Royal county of Frederick and state of Virginia; Do certify that Brother William Mitchel Robertson who has signed his name in the margin hereof has been regularly Entered, Passed, and Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in … Lodge and has conducted himself of deserving his contain… once among us, is a worthy member and as such ever recommend him to the fraternity throughout the globe. Herein under our hands and the seal of the Lodge this 12th day of August AD 1803 AL 5803. Samuel Turner, Master; John Lantham?, S Warden; Jorsh? Baldwin, J Warden; Ch. T. Mastin, Sec

Front Royal was still a recently established town 11 years prior. According to the records of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, Chester Lodge was chartered on December 11, 1799 along with a certificate from Winchester Lodge No. 12 – which was in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. They also had a recommendation signed by several members from the Grand Lodge.

The first Worshipful Master was John Hickman. In 1804, the Lodge made its last Return to the Grand Lodge.

Office	1799 Charter Members	1804 Last Return
Worshipful Master	John Hickman	Samuel Turner
Senior Warden	William Reynolds	John Latham
Junior Warden	Moses Payne	John Tuttle
Secretary		Charles R. Mastin
Treasurer		John Hickman
Senior Deacon		George Cooper
Junior Deacon		Francis T. Mastin
Steward		John Hickman
Tyler		Hough McMellon

Brethren in the last return consisted of the following:

Past Masters	Master Masons	Fellowcrafts	Entered Apprentices
John Hickman	William Monroe	Robert Jones	William Moreland
Strauther G. Settle	William Wroe
Mason Pilcher	Andrew Turner
William Ash	John Jacobs
Vincent Haynes	John Jacobs
Samuel Shackleford	John Hamston
Robert Hereford	Isaac Henry
Robert Simpson	Daniel White

War of 1812

June 1812 – February 1815

Alexander R. Newman had fought in the War of 1812 before he was initiated as a Mason at Front Royal Lodge No. 102 on October 10, 1818.

Front Royal Lodge No. 102

1816 – 1825, 1840 – 1857

New interest in Masonry awakened in 1816, and on February 14, 1816, a dispensation was granted to Front Royal Lodge No. 102 with Cyrus D. Baldwin as Worshipful Master. This Lodge was then chartered on December 10, 1816.

The last Return from Front Royal Lodge No. 102 was made to the Grand Lodge in 1822. In 1824 it was reported that a former brother, Lewis Dover, was expelled for embezzling the funds of the Lodge. The Front Royal Lodge was declared extinct by the Grand Lodge in 1825.

Warren County

March 9, 1836

On March 9, 1836, Front Royal, which was in Frederick County, became the seat of the the newly established Warren County, made up from parts of Frederick and Shenandoah county. Court was first held in a local tavern before the court house was constructed in the same year. The old courthouse was torn down and rebuilt as part of the 1936 centennial.

The county was named after Dr. Joseph Warren Jr., a General who fought on the front lines with his troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill (the American Revolutions first major battle) and died while rallying his troops for a third wave against the British. At the time of his death, he was the Master of St. Andrews Lodge and recently appointed as the Grand Master of the newly formed Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

Revival

1840-1857

The Front Royal Lodge No. 102 was revived on December 15, 1840, and on March 30, 1841, meetings were resumed. The bylaws of Cassia Lodge No. 142 were adopted.

The lodge moved to a room over the store of William M. Buck for $25.00 yearly after a meeting on August 26, 1841.

Elisha M. Anders	James Cross	James R. Richards
Buckner Ashby	John F. Fauntleroy	Gibson N Roy
Thomas N. Ashby	D. Funsten	A. G. Sangster
W. R. Ashby	O. V. R. Funsten	Wilford G. Settle
Alex Baker	James T Hope	B Shumate
Ewell Baker	Morgan Johnston	Saml Simpson
William Balthis	Alex Newcomer	Thomas G Wilson
R. B. Bayly	Isaac Overall	W. H. Triplett
M. B. Buck	N. B. Page	A. B. Tucker
William Carson	Walker Y Page	Robert Turner

During the period of 1845-1847, the meetings were sporadic. This Lodge continued to meet at the Odd Fellows Hall until June 16, 1851, the last meeting recorded.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia declared this Lodge extinct in 1857.

Railroad

1854

Rail service was established between Manassas and Riverton, and extended to Strasburg just before the first battle of the Civil War took place in Front Royal.

Civil War

April 1861 – April 1865

Virginia Succeeded from the United States in 1861, while many western Virginia leaders organized to remain loyal to the federal government, eventually reaching across the Allegheny Mountains for support. Today, Front Royal sits about ten miles from the West Virginia state line.

Most buildings and records in Front Royal were destroyed at this time. The local train station was destroyed and later restored sometime before 1885. The two bridges over the twin forks of the Shenandoah River were rebuilt in 1892.

The question is often raised as to the attitude of Masonry during the Civil War and whether or not dissension, and difference of opinion among the members had any influence on the members of Front Royal Lodge No. 102. Fifteen years passed and no records of any Masonic activity can be found.

There were a few masons in Unity Lodge No. 146 formed afterwards that were known to have served in the confederate army. Having been chartered during the reconstruction era, the Lodge and its members played vital parts to rebuild the town and improve the community.

It was reported that Alexander R. Newman, who was initiated at Front Royal Lodge No. 102 had fought in the Confederate Calvary, and was still a mason (for 60 years, and thought to be one of the oldest) in 1878.

West Virginia

June 20, 1863

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became a state.

Unity Lodge No. 146

1870 – Current

March 14, 1870	Dispensation
March 25, 1870	Dispensation Presented Academy Building of Front Royal, upper floor
October 12, 1870	Special Communication By-laws copied from Grand Lodge Digest
December 3, 1870	Application for Charter
December 13, 1870	Charter Signed
December 24, 1870	Stated Communication: Charter presented
January 3, 1871	Warrant issued install and set to work
January 18, 1871	Special Communication elections and officer installation

At a meeting at the Academy of Front Royal on March 25, 1870, the Grand Lodge of Virginia presented a dispensation dated March 14, 1870, to Unity Lodge No. 146 to hold Masonic meetings. In October 12, 1870, the initial by-laws were a direct copy of the Grand Lodge Digest.

The lodge was chartered on December 13th, 1870. Two days prior to the presentation of the charter, John D. Weaver bought the old Front Royal Academy on December 22nd.

Meetings were held on the Saturday preceding the full moon, or on that night when the moon was full. Electricity was not common in those times. In it’s first year alone, seventeen applicants were raised to the sublime degree of a master mason, and fifteen additional master masons affiliated with the Lodge.

Charter Members

Thomas N. Ashby 1	John N. Buck	George W. McCormick
Thomas A. Ashby	Thomas W. Buck	Thomas W. Petty
Ewell Baker 1	Charles A. Brown	Gibson E. Roy
William Batthus 1	Charles W. Fisk	Thomas Roy
Thomas A. Blakemore	Thaddeus Haynie	Walter S. Roy
John W. Boone	Thomas A. Hoffman	Green B. Samuels
Alvin D. Buck	James T. Hope 1	A. E. Senseney
Jaquilin Buck	David A. Jones	Smith T. Turner
	George W. Leach

Meetings continued to be held on the upper floor of the Old Front Royal Academy Building until March 8, 1873.

The Old Front Royal Academy was also known as Simpson Academy (taught by Samuel Simpson) located on Crescent Street in a two-story, five-bay brick house that served as a hospital for soldiers during the civil war and as a primary school operated by the Weaver Family. It also referred to as the Atwood house until it was destroyed. Today it is the location of a parking lot with a drive-in ATM.

Mont-View Hotel

Fristoe Hall

Public Free School Building

Union Hall

• Unity Lodge No. 146 of Ancient York Masons
• Front Royal lodge No. 35 of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows
• Senedo lodge No. 47 of the Improved Order of Red Men
• Front Royal council No. 141 of the Friends of Temperance

The Lodge was responsible for the rent being paid to the School Trustees and collected rent from the other three secret orders. This proved to be inconvenient.

On March 5, 1877, the Virginia General Assembly acted (Acts of 1876-7 Ch 126) to approve a lease made between Front Royal School Trustees and four secret orders on October 7, 1876, including Unity Lodge No. 146 to erect and lease a third story onto the public free school building for 99 years, which was located at 21-23 South Royal Avenue. The lodge hall was in use starting between May and July 21, 1877 until 1907. The room was called “Union Hall”.

School Repair Costs

A further act by the Virginia General Assembly on April 22, 1882 (Acts of 1881-2 Ch 118) amended the previous act to hold all four secret orders jointly responsible to pay a third of repair costs and renewals of the roof and cupola.

Electricity

Electricity was procured for the Lodge in the Autumn of 1892, for the sum of $1.25 per quarter by Royal Heat, Light, and Power Company.

100 Years of Freemasonry

Open House

Davis Hall

On June 24, 1902, a recently purchased steroptican (a slide projector that transitions between two slides) was used to display slides depicting the emblems and symbols of Free Masonry during an open house at Davis Hall. The significance of the slides were explained by two brothers Rev. W. F. Lock and George W. Forsyth, followed by a short address on Masonry by Rev. Dr. S. K. Cox. Refreshments were served in the Davis Hall and ladies were invited to the event.

Telephone Service

1904

Front Royal and Riverton receive telephone service. In the same year, the Electric Light Plant is constructed and serves both Front Royal and Riverton.

Royal Arch

School’s Out

Sometime in 1906, the Oddfellows moved to their own building. In 1907, the School Building was no longer used.

The School Building was sold at public auction to the Odd Fellows who refused to rent to Unity Lodge.

A resolution was passed to take $10 from each initiation fee and put it in a special account for a building fund.

Grand Masonic Carnival and Bazaar

Postcards of the Masonic Carnival were found in the archives of the Warren Heritage Society.

Temple Planning

In 1909 the Boyd property was offered for sale and the Cass Rust lot on Royal Avenue between the Baptist Church and present (in 1970) Town Hall and Fire Department was bought. The building of a temple was later shelved.

Order of the Eastern Star

Murphy Opera House

While recovering from the fire, the Odd Fellows let the Masons temporarily return and use their meeting hall until Brother R. B. Murphy could restore the building. Murphy had expressed intent to double the size of the lodge room, and add 30 – 4 feet on the south of the auditorium. The building was insured and Brother Murphy did not think his loss would be heavy.

It took several months to repair. A new stair case was built to the second story in June. Trimmings of the interior of the Masonic Lodge were being put on in July. The lodge was decorated in August. The lodge returned to their room on November 20, 1914.

World War I

July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918.

In 1915, the Boyd property was later sold to Brother Murphy for $5,000.

Order of the Eastern Star

Temple Property Search

At the February 22, 1918 meeting, a committee was appointed to inquire about a lot to purchase for the Lodge. Many committees were appointed and discharged as various sites were considered, but then moved to drop the project until February 1921. A lot on Main Street was purchased from W. W. Sonner for $5,000 with bonds that the Lodge held.

Temple Property Search Renewed

The last meeting in the Murphy Building was held on August 14, 1925, and the Lodge returned to the Oddfellows Hall with a rental agreement.

First Masonic Temple

Masonic Hall

The building, commonly referred to as “Masonic Hall”, was located at 107 East Main Street (GPS: 38.9179, -78.19277). The Masonic Hall incorporated an elaborate late-nineteenth-century, Queen-Anne-style residence into its rambling structure, previously referred to as the Hansbrough House.

A cornerstone was ordered in May and placed on July 29, 1926 by Most Worshipful Charles H. Callahan, Past Grand Master who was representing Most Worshipful Ben W. Beach, Grand Master with many brethren from visiting lodges and dignitaries present.

The first floor of the rear addition was also used for government associated offices. The offices facing the courthouse green were often referred to as “lawyers row”.

Restoration of Lodge History

Worshipful Master Z. J. Compton appointed brothers A. N. Carroll, Jos. L. Borden and George N. Buck to restore the Masonic History of Unity Lodge to the Lodge room on February 12, 1932.

World War II

September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945

Two Rivers Chapter of DeMolay

February, 1944 – July, 1944

Temple Improvements

In April 10, 1953 two rooms in front of the temple on the second floor, formerly occupied as an office and waiting room by Dr. Elizabeth Sherman, were remodeled. An air conditioner was installed in the Lodge room, and three bathrooms built and installed (two on the second floor, one on the first floor).

Modernize Temple

Once construction was completed, permission could not be obtained from the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia for a Masonic ceremony to lay the cornerstone, so it was laid without ritual and without many of the members present.

The offices in the back were used by the Warren County Government, and often referred to as “Lawyer’s Row” since it was adjacent to the court house.

100th Anniversary

Second Masonic Temple

During 1988 the property was sold to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for $240,000, and a suitable piece of property on Criser Road was purchased from Brother E. Eastham, M. D., for the amount of $50,000.

Masonic Hall Demolition

October 1997

In June of 1997, the Warren County Board of Supervisors decided to demolish the Masonic Building on Main Street to create a 17,500 square foot building, expandable to 27,300 square foot at a later time to support government functions at the Court House next door. On October 13, 1997, Charlie’s Wrecking Service began demolishing the old Masonic Hall on Main Street as well as Bullock’s Cleaner’s building.

9/11 Twin Tower Attack

September 11, 2001

Terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a last crashed into a field after the passengers revolted.

Information Age

In January 2006, a website was setup for https://www.unity146.org.

Social Networking

Shenandoah Valley Chapter of DeMolay

Knights Templar

150th Anniversary

For the Lodges 150th anniversary, the Worshipful Master, Charles Taggart had 150 challenge coins struck and sold for $10 each in January 2020. In addition, lapel pins were designed, also signifying the 150th anniversary.

COVID-19 Global Pandemic

January 20, 2020 to May 11, 2023

After a few years, the Lodge was able to retrieve the traveling gavel from Washington Lodge No. 78 in February 2020, which would remain their for awhile during lock-down. The Lodge had a Past Masters Night at the March Stated Meeting prior to March 15, 2020 where Lodge meetings and Masonic activity were suspended due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). There were two candidates and a few petitions waiting during this time. This was also the end of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of DeMolay.

On July 1, 2020, the Lodge was permitted to resume stated communications and use of buildings for other activities, but with many restrictions and temporary changes to rituals and operations to promote health & safety. One of the restrictions only allowed up to 10 people to attend a meeting indoors. It was noted that brothers appeared a bit apprehensive to give handshakes at the time.

Quarry Lodge

Knights Templar