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KING SOLOMON LODGE IN PERFECTION

Location: Holmes' Hole, Martha's Vineyard

Chartered By: Paul Revere

Charter Date: 12/11/1797 II-112

Precedence Date: 06/02/1792?

Current Status: surrendered charter, 12/27/1822 (page III-428).

NOTES

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. IV, p. 279, July 1845:

KING SOLOMON'S LODGE IN PERFECTION. A much respected correspondent suggests whether, in giving the name of the above Lodge, in the Magazine for May, (p. 201—3,) we have not committed an error, and changed the preposition of to in. We have examined the Charter of the Lodge, and find the name there inserted precisely as we gave it Dr. Harris, in his compilation of the history of the Grand Lodge of this State, gives it differently, and in accordance with what our correspondent believes to be correct. We, however, know of no better authority than the Charter. Every man is presumed to know his own name.

Our correspondent says, and he is probably correct, that this Lodge was first chartered, in 1791, as an ineffable Lodge of Grand Perfect and Sublime Masons, (working from the first to the fourteenth degree, inclusive,) by the Thr. Ills. Br. Moses Michael Hays (then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts) in his lawful quality as such, and as a Sub. G. Master, Prince of Jerusalem, K-H. S. P. R. S. and Dep. Insp. of the 33d degree, for North America; which appointment he received in 1762, while at Kingston, Jamaica, from the Thr. Ills. Br. Stephen Moira, with power to appoint others wherever it might be advisable to do so. This he did, says our correspondent, in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, &c. In 1796, the Lodge took a new Charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, retaining, according to our correspondent, its original Charter, and, of course, its authority to confer the degrees, as a Lodge of Perfection, from the 4th to the 14th, inclusive. Nothing of this, however, appears in the records of the Grand Lodge. But it is evident, that a Charter, previous of that 1798, had been granted by Br. Hays. In that Charter it was undoubtedly called a "Lodge of Perfection." In issuing the new Charter, the name was changed as above; but whether by design or accident, it is now probably impossible to determine. The Lodge has not been in existence for several years, and its records were never returned to the Grand Lodge. It was located at Holmes' Hole, Cape Cod.

YEARS

1797 1799 1807 1820 1821 1822

Historical sketch:

1921 1959 (see below) 1994

HISTORY

FROM MARTHA'S VINEYARD MASONIC HISTORY, JUNE 1959

KING SOLOMON LODGE OF PERFECTION, 1791 to 1797

King Solomon Lodge of Perfection was probably the first Masonic Lodge to be erected on Martha's Vineyard and the earliest reference, so far uncovered by the writer, will be found in Volume II, reprint edition of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, when on December 11, 1797, the following vote was passed in Grand Lodge (Page II-112):

On Motion, VOTED, That a new charter be granted to the Lodge at Holmes' Hole, Martha's Vineyard, by the name of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection.

As a result of the above vote, this Lodge was thereafter known by the name of King Solomon Lodge in Perfection. This vote also indicates that there had been a Masonic Lodge on Martha's Vineyard for some time prior to 1797. But how long, we are at this late date unable to determine with any certainty.

In 1804, a committee was appointed in Grand Lodge to determine the rank or seniority of the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. The committee reported that the original charter of this Lodge was dated 1791, "but without specifying the month or day. In the case of every other Lodge in the list, the precise date of the Charter is given." Dr. Frederick W. Hamilton, formerly Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, explains this deficiency in the following manner, "The inference is that the original Charter was not available to the Grand Secretary and the date of 1791 rests on tradition." (Page 1921-268)

Dr. Charles E. Banks, a former member of Martha's Vineyard Lodge, in his Annals of Tisbury, published in 1911, has this to say as to when it was organized: "While it is believed that this Lodge was instituted in 1783, yet the actual proof is not available."

Dr. Hamilton, previously referred to, in 1921 wrote an interesting article, about this old Lodge, entitled A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER IN MASSACHUSETTS MASONIC HISTORY, in which he said in his concluding paragraph: —

"Thus our ancient records enable us to recover an interesting but long forgotten chapter of our Masonic history and to show with apparent conclusiveness that the first Scottish Rite body in Massachusetts was King Solomon Lodge o/Perfection, existing, perhaps it would be too much to say flourishing, in Holmes' Hole, on Martha's Vineyard, from 1791 to 1797." (Page 1921-268)

Dr. Hamilton in the article referred to above indicates that

Moses Michael Hays did, while he was Grand Master of the Massachusetts (Independent) Grand Lodge, as Deputy Inspector General of the then Rite of Perfection, grant a charter to King Solomon Lodge of Perfection. However, he further states, there are no records in existence showing what Scottish Rite Lodges were erected or chartered by him. Furthermore, Dr. Hamilton defends this action by Hays in granting a charter to this old Lodge on Martha's Vineyard, as being strictly regular under the terms of his commission and entirely consistent with the position which he then held as Grand Master, for the reason that the body so organized would be a Scottish Rite body and as such not an invasion of the Grand Lodge's jurisdiction, especially as at that time the Scottish Rite conferred the symbolic degrees. (Page 1921-268)

Other evidence supporting Dr. Hamilton's contention that this old Lodge was a Scottish Rite body follows: —

In 1871, M. W. William S. Gardner, Grand Master of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, in his farewell address to that body at the end of his third term, in speaking of the Masonic accomplishments of Moses Michael Hays, said in part: "Indeed, during his administration, a Lodge of Perfection was chartered." (Page 1871-243) Unfortunately Bro. Gardner did not indicate the location or name of this Lodge, therefore by implication it could have been King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, on Martha's Vineyard, that he chartered sometime between 1788 and 1792, while he was filling the high office of Grand Master.

There is a book, published in 1798, by Thaddeus Mason Harris, entitled the CONSTITUTION OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, SECOND EDITION, in which appears the following item: —

"A new charter was also issued to the Lodge at Holmes' Hole, on Martha's Vineyard, by the name of 'King Solomon's Lodge of Perfection'."

"This Lodge was first constituted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Hays, with the privilege of Making Royal Arch Masons, &c. That charter they still retain; yet, upon the principles of Masonic union and correspondence, came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and took a new charter."

The second paragraph quoted above, refers to the original charter, apparently giving the Lodge the privilege of "Making Royal Arch Masons, &c." Of this privilege, Bro. J. Fairbairn Smith, Editor-in-chief of the Masonic World, Detroit, in a letter, has this to say: "The '&c.' would indicate that in addition to the Royal Arch Degrees, the various degrees of Ineffable Masonry — were conferred under the Charter." He also states, that "no doubt the original intent of the Charter was to erect a Lodge of Perfection, which at that time consisted of 25 degrees."

The matter of the Charter of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection being retained by the new Lodge, will be further discussed in the next section of this paper, dealing with the doings of King Solomon Lodge in Perfection.

At the time, when Martha's Vineyard Lodge's present temple was dedicated on October 26, 1895, the Martha's Vineyard Herald had a long report of the dedication exercises, conducted by the M.W. Edwin B. Holmes, Grand Master and his suite. This report included a copy of a letter received from the first Master of the Lodge, Wor. Joseph T. James, then living in St. Louis, in which he said in part:

"After organizing, I tried to regain the jewels of the original Lodge of Tisbury, known as King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, which went to pieces after the Revolution. This Lodge had its charter from England, was known as (a) Blue Lodge and conferred seven degrees."

No doubt the above was Bro. James' understanding of this old Lodge, but the information obtained by correspondence and otherwise, does not substantiate the facts as given by him, for the following reasons:

• First — It appears that this Lodge was not organized until long after the Revolution ended.
• Second — Had the charter been obtained from England, "it would have been a Lodge authorized only to work the first three degrees."
• Thirdly — It appears that this old Lodge was not a Blue or symbolic Lodge, but rather a Rite of Perfection Lodge.
• Fourthly — As to this old Lodge conferring seven degrees, it is more likely that they had the privilege of conferring 25 degrees, as a Rite of Perfection Lodge.

In the writing of this section, the writer is indebted to many who have so generously exchanged letters with him, giving him the benefit of their knowledge and advice as to what publications he should read, on this subject that has held his attention for so long. Besides those already given credit for information received, thanks are also extended to Mrs. Muriel D. Taylor, Librarian, Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Bro. Ivor Grantham, Librarian, Grand Lodge of England, Bro. George S. Draffen, Librarian, Grand Lodge of Scotland, Bro. J. O. Harte, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, Bro. J. R. Dashwood, Secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, #2076, London, England and others, both here and abroad, including, Dukes County Historical Society, Edgartown, Mass.

One other should be mentioned, who loaned me certain material, used in preparing this section of this paper, I refer to Wor. Walter S. Booker, Secretary of Martha's Vineyard Lodge of Tisbury, since 1946.

KING SOLOMON LODGE IN PERFECTION, 1797 to 1822

Very little is known about King Solomon Lodge in Perfection at Holmes' Hole. Its new charter, granted it in 1797, by vote of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, appears the only source of information so far available to the writer. It is contained in Volumes Two and Three of the reprint editions of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, from 1797 to 1822.

It also appears from the few items included in the Proceedings, that this Lodge had a short and troubled existence. At different times, committees were appointed in Grand Lodge, to consider petitions and other matters, pertaining to the Lodge, and what the committees" findings may have been are not now available. Several times, by vote in Grand Lodge, the payment of their quarterage were adjusted.

Perhaps, with the thought that the Grand Lodge would look more favorably on the doings of the Lodge during their troubled times, they chose M. W. Paul Revere, of Revolutionary fame, to be their proxy in Grand Lodge. His appointment would date from December 9, 1799, when a letter was read, from the Lodge and accepted in Grand Lodge, appointing him. (Page II-151) At the same Communication of Grand Lodge a committee reported on a letter previously received from the Lodge, that "was referr'd over to the next Quarterly Communication." (Page II-152)

On the next page of the Proceedings will be found the following interesting item: "Cash, received from King Solomon Lodge in Perfection, P. Revere $5."

In 1819, the Grand Master appointed a Committee to report to the Grand Lodge, the state and condition of the craft under its jurisdiction. On March 8, 1820, this committee made its report, in which they said, with reference to King Solomon Lodge in Perfection, that it was "8 years in arrears, has manifest a spirit of insubordination highly disrespectful to Grand Lodge and totally inconsistent with their obligations and the known and acknowledged principles of Masonry." (Page Ill-283)

At the next quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, held on June 14th, 1820, M.W. Francis J. Oliver, [Past] Grand Master, had this to say about the conditions of King Solomon Lodge in Perfection, that it was

"8 years in arrears ($64) to the Grand Lodge. It will be recollected that the recognition of a proxy for this Lodge was recently suspended until some information could be had of its present state, no returns having been received from it since 1812 and it is believed no Meetings had been since that period. To obtain this information, I addressed a Letter to brother (E. Hillman) who signed the commission of proxy, and his reply confirmed the belief entertained, and contained an implied threat, that if the Gd Lodge should see fit to recall the Charter, the Lodge would notwithstanding continue to work, under one granted by the Gd Lodge of _ in the year_." (Ill-301)

The last sentence in the above report implies that the officers of the Lodge still had in their possession the original Charter granted to King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, the first Lodge known to have been located on Martha's Vineyard. The fact that the Charter of the old Lodge was retained is supported by an item appearing in the Book of Constitution of Free and Accepted Masons, referred to in the previous section of this paper, that reads in part as follows: "That charter they still retain;" etc.

Thus matters stood, until the Stated Communication of Grand Lodge, on December 27, 1822, when the Grand Treasurer reported to Grand Lodge, that this Lodge had surrendered its Charter. (Page Ill-428)

The Vocal Companion and Masonic Register of 1802, shows the following as members of the Lodge:

• R.W. Rufus Spalding, W.M.
• W. Elijah Hillman, S. W.
• W. JONATHAN BENJAMIN SMITH, J.W.
• BENJ. SMITH, Secy.
• JESSE LUCE, Treas.
• JESSE LUCE, JR., Tyler.
• THOS. COOK PAUL
• JOHN PEASE
• LOT LUCE
• SILAS DAVID
• LEVI PEASE SAMUEL

ROYAL ARCH KING SOLOMON LODGE, 1787

According to Dr. Charles E. Banks Annals of Tisbury, published in 1911, there was a Royal Arch King Solomon Lodge on Martha's Vineyard in 1787 and the only evidence of such a Lodge offered by him is a copy of a diploma given to one Arthur Fenner. This diploma is supposed to be in the possession of the Masonic Library Association of Minneapolis, Minn. It reads as follows:

And the darkness Comprehended it not.

In the East a place of Light where Reigns Silence and Peace.

Wee, the Master, Wardens, and Secretary of the Royal Arch King Solomon s Lodge held at Edgartown in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certifie that the bearer hereof our worthy Brother Arthur Fenner has been Regularly Initiated into the third Degree of Masonry.

As such he has been Received by us; and being a True and faithful Brother, he is hereby recommended to the faver and prote'n of all free and accepted Masons wheresoever Disperesd. In witness whereof we have Caused the Seal of our said Lodge to be afixed this sixteenth day of May in the year of our Lord 1787 and of Masonry 5787.
JOHN COOKE, Mr.
JOHN PEAS, S.W.
DANIEL READ, J.W.
BENJ. SMITH, Secy.

ARTHUR FENNER

"The size of this document is said to be 6 x 8 inches and the seal referred to is a square piece of paper affixed diagonally to the upper left hand corner by a wafer. The text is enclosed in a border of double lines."

The name of this Lodge implies that it might have been a Royal Arch Chapter, similar to our present day Chapters, but the above copy of the diploma indicates that only the first three degrees were conferred on the candidate.

Replies to letters sent to the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, England and Scotland, show that the name of this Lodge does not appear in their indices, and one may wonder, because the name of this Lodge is similar to the first two discussed in this paper, if it could have been a part of, or connected with, King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, the first Lodge discussed. Bro. Smith, previously referred to, thinks it was. This seems to be borne out, by assuming that certain officers of King Solomon Lodge q/Perfection, continued in the same office after that Lodge acquired its new Charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1797 and that they may have held similar offices in this Royal Arch King Solomon Lodge. A comparison of two names appearing on the diploma, with the 1802 list of members of King Solomon Lodge in Perfection, seems to bear this out. On the diploma appears the name of John Peas, S.W., and on the 1802 list there is also a John Pease, who has an "e" attached to his last name. And again, in the case of Benjamin Smith, who was Secretary of both Lodges, on the diploma his first name is spelled "Benj." and on the 1802 list the first name is spelled in full. One further note about a present day lodge now located in New York City, the erection of which may also apply to this old Royal Arch King Solomon Lodge of Edgartown in 1787. The following information was received from Bro. Wendell K. Walker, Director of the Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York. Bro. Walker writes as follows: —

"Very few of our present lodges were warranted before the organization of this (New York) Grand Lodge in 1781, and of those few we do not definitely know the source of all the warrants. For example my own lodge, Independent Royal Arch Lodge 2, was warranted 15 December 1769, but we do not know whether this was done by some Grand Lodge in the British Isles or by a Provincial Grand Master."

Therefore, from the above information supplied by Bro. Walker, it appears, that there might have been a Masonic Lodge duly erected on Martha's Vineyard and located in Edgartown by the name of Royal Arch King Solomon Lodge before 1791.

DISTRICTS

1803: District 12 (Islands)

1821: District 12

LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges