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Minutes, 15–16 March 1842

Source Note

Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation, Minutes, [
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL], 15–16 Mar. 1842. Featured version copied [ca. 15–16 Mar. 1842] in “Record of Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation,” pp. [13]–[16]; handwriting of
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
; Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, CHL.
The minutes appear in “Record of Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation,” which comprises twenty-three loose leaves that were cut and torn from a bound book of unknown size. The leaves now measure 13⅞ × 9⅜ inches (35 × 24 cm). Lodge Secretary
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
inscribed the record, first copying the temporary dispensation granted on 15 October 1841 to organize a lodge in the
city

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
and then keeping minutes of the lodge’s meetings, starting with the meeting of 29 December 1841. He appears to have inscribed the minutes roughly contemporaneously, though the cleanliness of the inscription and lack of edits suggest that he copied the minutes from drafts inscribed elsewhere. The last minutes in the record are dated 6 May 1842. The minutes recorded in this book were also copied into a separate lodge minute book that continued the record.
When the leaves were cut from the bound volume, an additional blank leaf was cut from the book and used as a new cover page, listing the names of the Masonic Hall building committee. A note was written at the bottom of the page indicating the record’s placement in the cornerstone of the
Masonic

Illinois lodge Grand Master Abraham Jonas granted dispensation to establish Nauvoo lodge, 15 Oct. 1841. First lodge meeting held, 29–30 Dec. 1841, in Hyrum Smith’s office. Installation ceremonies held, 15–16 Mar. 1842. Prior to eventual dedication of Masonic...

More Info
Hall in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
. The inscription suggests that this record was cut from the ledger book around 24 June 1843, the day the cornerstone was laid.
1

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 24 June 1843.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

The record, which was deposited in a copper box, was removed from the cornerstone in 1954, when Wilford Wood purchased the Masonic Hall from Arline Mulch on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2

Shortly after making the sale, Mulch threatened legal action and the church returned the hall (retaining the documents), with the proviso that if Mulch ever decided to sell the property the church would have rights of first refusal. The church then repurchased the hall permanently in 1967. (“Settle Suit on Mormon Nauvoo Land,” Des Moines [IA] Register, 17 June 1955, 8; Allen, “Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall,” 45–46, 48–49; Bashore and Barrett, “To Unlock the Secrets of Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall,” 57–58.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Des Moines Register. Des Moines, IA. 1860–.

Allen, James B. “Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall. The John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 10 (1990): 39–49.

Bashore, Melvin L., and Anne Barrett. “To Unlock the Secrets of Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall.” In Historic Sites Division Research Reports, CHL.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book, 24 June 1843.

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minute Book. / “Record of Na[u]voo Lodge Under Dispensation,” 1842–1846. CHL. MS 3436

  2. [2]

    Shortly after making the sale, Mulch threatened legal action and the church returned the hall (retaining the documents), with the proviso that if Mulch ever decided to sell the property the church would have rights of first refusal. The church then repurchased the hall permanently in 1967. (“Settle Suit on Mormon Nauvoo Land,” Des Moines [IA] Register, 17 June 1955, 8; Allen, “Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall,” 45–46, 48–49; Bashore and Barrett, “To Unlock the Secrets of Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall,” 57–58.)

    Des Moines Register. Des Moines, IA. 1860–.

    Allen, James B. “Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall. The John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 10 (1990): 39–49.

    Bashore, Melvin L., and Anne Barrett. “To Unlock the Secrets of Nauvoo’s Masonic Hall.” In Historic Sites Division Research Reports, CHL.

Historical Introduction

On 15 March 1842 the Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation was officially installed.
1

A “dispensation” is a written document authorizing the creation of a lodge. Lodges referred to as “under dispensation” are “inchoate” during a probationary period wherein they prove their ability to perform their work in an acceptable manner, after which they become duly constituted.


Abraham Jonas

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
, granted a dispensation for the creation of a temporary Masonic lodge in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois, the previous year, on 15 October 1841.
2

Dispensation, 15 Oct. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

Masons living in Nauvoo at the time, led by
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
member
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
, had petitioned the state’s Grand Lodge for the creation of a local lodge. Masonic regulations required that those petitioning to create a new lodge be “recommended and vouched” for by members of an existing lodge in the area. In this case members of the
Columbus

Post village located about 100 miles west of Springfield. Laid out, 1835. Designated as original county seat, which residents of western Adams Co. soon disputed. In Feb. 1843, bill in state legislature proposed that eastern portion of Adams Co., including...

More Info
(Illinois) Lodge 6 provided the recommendation.
3

Dispensation, 15 Oct. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL; see also Hogan, “Freemasons and the Mormons at Nauvoo,” 68–69.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

Hogan, Mervin B. “Freemasons and the Mormons at Nauvoo.” Philalethes 22, no. 4 (Aug. 1969): 68–69.

JS, not a Mason at the time of the temporary lodge’s creation, was not involved in these earlier events. The featured minutes are for multiple meetings of two lodges—a Grand Lodge and a subordinate lodge—held in Nauvoo on 15 and 16 March 1842. They are presented together here as an account of the creation of the Nauvoo Lodge U.D.
Tuesday, 15 March, was filled with events related to the lodge’s installation. Although JS was not yet a Mason at the beginning of the installation of the permanent lodge that day, he nevertheless served as Grand Chaplain during the proceedings.
4

JS, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842; Aut horization from Abraham Jonas, 15 Mar. 1842.


The day began with a nine o’clock meeting in the upper room (frequently referred to as the “lodge room”) of JS’s
brick store

Located in lower portion of Nauvoo (the flats) along bank of Mississippi River. Completed 1841. Opened for business, 5 Jan. 1842. Owned by JS, but managed mostly by others, after 1842. First floor housed JS’s general store and counting room, where tithing...

More Info
on Water Street, during which
Jonas

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
opened a Grand Lodge for the purpose of installing the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
lodge.
5

Woodruff, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

The meeting adjourned until one o’clock, at which time Nauvoo mayor
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, acting as Grand Marshal, organized a procession to the
grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

More Info
on the west side of the
temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
construction site, where the Nauvoo Lodge U.D. was formally installed.
6

“An Observer” from Adams County, Illinois, wrote on 22 March 1842 to the Columbus (Illinois) Advocate of having witnessed the event. The author wrote that attendance estimates ranged from five to ten thousand and that “never in my life did I witness a better dressed or a more orderly and well behaved assemblage.” (“Nauvoo and the Mormons,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1842, 3:750.)


Following a speech by Jonas, those assembled dispersed, with Masons returning to the lodge room, where they read and accepted bylaws drafted on 30 December 1841.
7

Minutes, 30 Dec. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

Later, at a seven o’clock meeting of the lodge, JS and
Sidney Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
were initiated as Entered Apprentice Masons (the first degree).
The next morning, 16 March, the lodge held a meeting at nine o’clock in which JS and
Rigdon

19 Feb. 1793–14 July 1876. Tanner, farmer, minister. Born at St. Clair, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Son of William Rigdon and Nancy Gallaher. Joined United Baptists, ca. 1818. Preached at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and vicinity, 1819–1821. Married Phebe...

View Full Bio
were passed as Fellow Crafts (the second degree). In the afternoon JS was raised as a Master Mason (the third and final degree). That evening Rigdon was also raised as a Master and the lodge passed four resolutions expressing gratitude for and fellowship with Jonas and the other visiting Masons. Although JS was never as involved with the lodge as other church members—including his brother
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
—attendance rolls indicate that he participated more frequently than most other nonofficers of the lodge until the end of his life. By the end of 1842, the
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
lodge was the largest Masonic lodge in
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
.
8

Hogan, Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge, 4, 11.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Hogan, Mervin B. Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge. Salt Lake City: By the author, 1976.

The minutes of the lodge featured below were inscribed by the lodge’s first Secretary,
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, presumably based on rough minutes he took during the meeting.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    A “dispensation” is a written document authorizing the creation of a lodge. Lodges referred to as “under dispensation” are “inchoate” during a probationary period wherein they prove their ability to perform their work in an acceptable manner, after which they become duly constituted.

  2. [2]

    Dispensation, 15 Oct. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL.

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

  3. [3]

    Dispensation, 15 Oct. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL; see also Hogan, “Freemasons and the Mormons at Nauvoo,” 68–69.

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

    Hogan, Mervin B. “Freemasons and the Mormons at Nauvoo.” Philalethes 22, no. 4 (Aug. 1969): 68–69.

  4. [4]

    JS, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842; Aut horization from Abraham Jonas, 15 Mar. 1842.

  5. [5]

    Woodruff, Journal, 15 Mar. 1842.

    Woodruff, Wilford. Journals, 1833–1898. Wilford Woodruff, Journals and Papers, 1828–1898. CHL. MS 1352.

  6. [6]

    “An Observer” from Adams County, Illinois, wrote on 22 March 1842 to the Columbus (Illinois) Advocate of having witnessed the event. The author wrote that attendance estimates ranged from five to ten thousand and that “never in my life did I witness a better dressed or a more orderly and well behaved assemblage.” (“Nauvoo and the Mormons,” Times and Seasons, 1 Apr. 1842, 3:750.)

  7. [7]

    Minutes, 30 Dec. 1841, Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842, CHL.

    Nauvoo Masonic Lodge Minutes, 1841–1842. CHL. MS 9115.

  8. [8]

    Hogan, Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge, 4, 11.

    Hogan, Mervin B. Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge. Salt Lake City: By the author, 1976.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. *Authorization from Abraham Jonas, 15 March 1842

Page [13]

Tuesday, March 15th, A. L. 5842,
1

“5842” refers to the year in the Masonic dating system, representing the Gregorian year plus 4,000. Dates in the Masonic system are often preceded by Anno Lucis, Latin for “year of light.” (“Masonic Computation of Time,” 129–131.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

“Masonic Computation of Time.” Freemasons’ Monthly Magazine 9, no. 5 (1 Mar. 1850): 129–131.

AD. 1842,
9 o’clock, A. M.
Special Communication,
2

A “special communication” is an assembly of Masons called by the Worshipful Master, as opposed to meetings regularly scheduled in the lodge’s bylaws, which are termed “stated” or “regular” communications.


by order of
Grand Master [Abraham] Jonas

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
. Lodge met pursuant to previous notice. Present— W. M. [Worshipful Master]
A. Jonas

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
, G. M. of the G. L. [Grand Lodge] of
Illinois

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

More Info
; W. D. McCann, D. G. S. [Deputy Grand Secretary];
Asahel Perry

View Full Bio

, W. M. p. t. [pro tem];
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
, S. W. [Senior Warden];
L[ucius] N. Scovil

18 Mar. 1806–14 Feb. 1889. Farmer, baker, clerk. Born in Middlebury, New Haven Co., Connecticut. Son of Joel Scovil and Lydia. Moved to Portage Co., Ohio, by June 1828. Married Lury Snow, 18 June 1828, in Portage Co. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of...

View Full Bio
, J. W. [Junior Warden];
N[ewel] K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
, T[reasurer];
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, S[ecretary];
Charles Allen

26 Dec. 1806–after 1870. Farmer, auctioneer. Born in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Charles Allen and Mary. Married first Eliza Tibbits, ca. 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri....

View Full Bio
, S. D. [Senior Deacon];
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
, J. D. [Junior Deacon];
S[amuel] Rolfe

26 Aug. 1794–July 1867. Carpenter. Born at Concord, Merrimack Co., New Hampshire. Son of Benjamin Rolfe and Mary (Molly) Swett. Moved to Maine, 1810. Married Elizabeth Hathaway, 4 Mar. 1818. Lived at Rumford, Oxford Co., Maine, when baptized into Church of...

View Full Bio
, T[yler]; Wm. Felshaw, and
Hiram Clark

22 Sept. 1795–28 Dec. 1853 Born in Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of Lyman Clark and Parmela. Married first Mary Fenno. Moved to Antwerp, Jefferson Co., New York, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ca. 1835. Married second Thankful...

View Full Bio
, S[tewards];
Hezekiah Peck

19 Jan. 1782–25 Aug. 1850. Millwright. Born at Guilford, Cumberland Co., New York (later in Windham Co., Vermont). Son of Joseph Peck and Elizabeth Read. Moved to Jericho (later Bainbridge), Chenango Co., New York, by 1812. Married Martha Long, by 1812. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
Josiah Arnold

View Full Bio

,
Joshua Smith

View Full Bio

,
Lyman Leonard

View Full Bio

,
David Pettegrew

29 July 1791–31 Dec. 1863. Farmer. Born in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of William Pettegrew and Phoebe. Married Elizabeth Alden. Moved to Cincinnati. Master Mason of Harmony Masonic Lodge, Oct. 1820, in Cincinnati. Moved to Kelso, Dearborn Co...

View Full Bio
, Christopher Williams,
John Patten

14 Apr. 1787–12 Mar. 1847. Physician, farmer. Born in New Hampshire. Son of Benoni Patten and Edith Cole. Married first Abigail Stiles, 5 May 1810, in Vermont. Wife died, 19 Sept. 1821. Married second Hannah Ingersol, 25 Apr. 1824, in Greene Co., Indiana....

View Full Bio
,
Noah Rogers

View Full Bio

,
Elijah Fordham

12 Apr. 1798–9 Sept. 1879. Carpenter. Born at New York City. Son of George Fordham and Mary Baker. Married first Jane Ann Fisher, 23 Nov. 1822. Married second Bethiah Fisher, 12 Apr. 1830. Lived at Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan Territory, 1831–1833. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
Samuel Henderson

View Full Bio

,
Benjamin Brown

View Full Bio

,
Stephen Chase

View Full Bio

, George Montague, Noble Rogers, and
Daniel S. Miles

23 July 1772–12 Oct. 1845. Born at Sanbornton, Belknap Co., New Hampshire. Son of Josiah Miles and Marah Sanborn. Married Electa Chamberlin, 30 Sept. 1813. Moved to Bath, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, by 1820. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-...

View Full Bio
, Members; and L. B. Adams, Franklin, 22, Ill.;
3

Numbers following some of the names indicate numbers of lodges in which the named visitors were members.


M. Plumb, Franklin, 22, Ill.; Henry King, Sylvan, 229, N.Y.; A. C. Graves, Harmony, 11, Ia.; J. Rose, St. Johns, 21, N.Y.; A. Lambert, Sciota, 28, O[hio]; G. Heberling, La Fayette, Pa.; D. Hibbard, New England, 4, O.; James Cummings, Maine, Me.; E. Jennings, Mt. Moriah, N.Y.; Samuel Miles, Rainbow, Vt.; Thomas C. King, Bodley, 1, Ill.; Caleb Baldwin, Concord, O.; S. Comer, Urbanna, O.; & L. Evans, Urbanna, O.; visiting brethren. The M. W. [Most Worshipful]
Grand Master

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
presided, and opened the lodge in due form, in the 3rd degree of masonry.
4

In 1825 Illinois Masons had adopted a rule that certain types of business were to be conducted only in a third-degree, or Master Mason’s, lodge. (Reynolds, History of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, 86.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Reynolds, John C. History of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, From the Organization of the First Lodge Within the Present Limits of the State, Up to and Including 1850. Springfield, IL: H. G. Reynolds, 1869.

He, likewise, organised, and opened a Grand Lodge according to ancient usage, in the 3rd degree. The Grand and Subordinate Lodges then called off from labor to refreshment, until 1 o’clock, P. M.
1 o’clock, P. M.
The Lodges called to labor. Present as before. The
Grand Master

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
then directed the Grand Marshal,
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, to form a procession according to ancient usage, in order to proceed to the
grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

More Info
, near the
Temple

Located in portion of Nauvoo known as the bluff. JS revelation dated Jan. 1841 commanded Saints to build temple and hotel (Nauvoo House). Cornerstone laid, 6 Apr. 1841. Saints volunteered labor, money, and other resources for temple construction. Construction...

More Info
, for installation, which was accordingly done. At the
grove

Before partial completion of Nauvoo temple, all large meetings were held outdoors in groves located near east and west sides of temple site. Had portable stands for speakers. JS referred to area as “temple stand” due to its location on brow of hill.

More Info
, after the ceremonies of installation, the
Grand Master

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
delivered a highly creditable and finished address on the subject of Ancient York Masonry, after which the lodges returned to the lodge room in masonic orders. The Grand Lodge then closed in due form, without day.
5

“Without day” meant without setting a date for reconvening the Grand Lodge.


The subordinate Lodge
6

That is, the Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation.


then adopted the by-laws which they had informally prepared on the 30th of December, as amended at the suggestion of the
Grand Master

12 Sept. 1801–8 June 1864. Auctioneer, merchant, newspaper publisher, lawyer. Born in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Son of Benjamin Jonas and Annie Ezekial. Jewish. Immigrated to U.S.; settled in Cincinnati, ca. 1819. Married first Lucy Orah Seixas, before...

View Full Bio
. On motion, the Lodges [p. [13]]
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [13]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Minutes, 15–16 March 1842
ID #
8481
Total Pages
4
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:271–276
Handwriting on This Page
  • John C. Bennett

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “5842” refers to the year in the Masonic dating system, representing the Gregorian year plus 4,000. Dates in the Masonic system are often preceded by Anno Lucis, Latin for “year of light.” (“Masonic Computation of Time,” 129–131.)

    “Masonic Computation of Time.” Freemasons’ Monthly Magazine 9, no. 5 (1 Mar. 1850): 129–131.

  2. [2]

    A “special communication” is an assembly of Masons called by the Worshipful Master, as opposed to meetings regularly scheduled in the lodge’s bylaws, which are termed “stated” or “regular” communications.

  3. [3]

    Numbers following some of the names indicate numbers of lodges in which the named visitors were members.

  4. [4]

    In 1825 Illinois Masons had adopted a rule that certain types of business were to be conducted only in a third-degree, or Master Mason’s, lodge. (Reynolds, History of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, 86.)

    Reynolds, John C. History of the M. W. Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, From the Organization of the First Lodge Within the Present Limits of the State, Up to and Including 1850. Springfield, IL: H. G. Reynolds, 1869.

  5. [5]

    “Without day” meant without setting a date for reconvening the Grand Lodge.

  6. [6]

    That is, the Nauvoo Lodge under Dispensation.

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