University of Virginia Library

KILWINNING-CROSSE LODGE, No. 2-237, OF BOWLING
GREEN, CAROLINE COUNTY

(Originally Port Royal Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge, No. 2)

In the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia for 1910,
pages 28 and 29, Joseph W. Eggleston, Grand Master of Masons
in Virginia for that year, says:

"While in Philadelphia in June I found the Secretary's old
record books, two in number, stolen during the Civil War from
Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, No. 2, Port Royal, Virginia. They
were being offered for sale at the price of two hundred and fifty
dollars. I asked that they be held until I could consult our
Past Grand Masters, which was agreed to. The negotiations were
held in the Museum of the Temple, and at this point that splendid
man and Mason, Bro. Julius F. Sachse, Grand Librarian, took
me aside and offered to pay for them for us and wait any
necessary time. It was a generous offer, because I knew that
but for his consideration for us he would have bought them for
their Museum, even at a far greater price. His act deserves
your recognition and gratitude.

"These books go back from 1859 to 1754, and are, so far as
I know, the oldest Secretary's Records in America, except those
owned by Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4. The oldest one was
evidently made here in the Colony, and is covered with rawhide
and sewed with rawhide thongs. Right Worshipful Brother
Andrews has prepared for you a review of their contents at the
request of the Most Worshipful Brother Quinn, Chairman of
your History Committee. I have read them carefully myself,
but will not spoil his report by saying more."

Turning to W. L. Andrews' review of the ancient records of
Port Royal Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, No. 2, which review is
bound with the Grand Lodge Proceedings for 1910, we find the
following record, quoted from the ancient minutes:

"April 12th, 1754—At a Lodge begun and held at Port Royal
of Free and Accepted Masons there were present the following
members—viz:

From the foregoing minutes, the first of record in this Lodge,
it will be observed that neither name nor number were attached
to the Masonic body at Port Royal, and it is quite likely that
the Lodge was nameless and numberless at the time these first
minutes were recorded. It is interesting to note the manner in
which the Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge received its name.
The first part of the name—"Kilwinning"—was derived from the
ancient seat of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to which the Masons
of Caroline applied for a charter. It is quite likely that the
applicants, Robert Gilchrist, John Gray, James Miller, John
Cross, feeling more kindly toward Scotland than they did toward
England, preferred a recognition of Scottish authority, and a
name indicative of their sympathies. It should be borne in
mind that the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland and Ireland
exercised the right of chartering other Lodges in the several
British Provinces. Thus Fredericksburg Lodge, Fredericksburg,
Va., was charted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, July 21, 1758;
Williamsburg Lodge, No. 6, by the Grand Lodge of England on
November 6, 1773. The middle part of the name—"Port Royal"—
indicated the location of the Lodge, and the last part of the

Fac simile of Ancient By-Laws of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of Masons.

name—"Crosse"—was taken in honour of David Cross, a
staunch friend of the Lodge, who presented it with a set of Lodge
Jewels and Aprons. David Cross is supposedly the father of
John Cross, one of the petitioners for the Scottish charter, and
the first Junior Warden of the Lodge.

In the minutes of June 8, 1754, it is recorded that by vote
of Port Royal Cross Lodge (not Crosse) it was "Ordered that the
Secretary write a letter of thanks to our worthy Brother David
Cross for his generous present to the Lodge of proper Jewels
and Aprons for the Master and Wardens, and that the Junior
Warden do assist him therein. The Lodge also returned thanks
to our worthy Brother Wm. Gray for his care in bringing them
over the sea."

The ancient charter of the Lodge is no less interesting than
the name, and was secured by a petition based on authorization
given by Port Royal Cross Lodge under date of May 10, 1755,
at which time, "On motion made for a Charter from Kilwinning
being put to the vote, was agreed that the Right Worshipful will
be pleased to write to some Brethren for that purpose, the charge
not to exceed Ten Pounds, and to be called The Kilwinning Port
Royal Cross Lodge."

On presentation of the petition of Port Royal Cross Lodge the
Grand Lodge of Scotland on the first day of December, 1755,
issued a Charter, which is now in possession of the Lodge, and
which reads as follows:

"To All and Sundry—To whose knowledge these prefents shall
come—Greeting: Whereas, upon Application to the Grand Lodge
of Scotland at their Anniversary Meeting held in St. Mary's
Chappel in Edinburgh the First day of December in the year of
our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five. By the
Worshipful Robert Gilchrist, John Gray, James Miller and John
Crosse, for themselves and in name of sundry other Brethren
Free and Accepted Masons residing in Virginia Praying the
Grand Lodge would be pleased to grant Warrant for issuing a
Patent under their Seal Constituting and Erecting the Petitioners
into a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons under the
Title and Designation of Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge.
The Grand Lodge granted Warrant for expeding the underwritten
Patent of Constitution and Erection in their favours. Know
Ye Therefore, That The Most Worshipful The Grand Master of
Scotland and the Grand Lodge aforesaid Have Constituted

Fac simile of Ancient Records of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of Masons.

Erected and Appointed hereby Constitute Erect and Appoint,
The Worshipful Brethren aforesaid and their successors to be
in all time coming, a just, true and regular Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons under the Title and Designation of Killwinning
Port Royal Crosse Lodge and Appoint and Ordain all regular
Lodges to Hold Acknowledge and Respect them as such. Hereby
Granting and Commiting to them and their successors full power
and authority to assemble and conveen as a Regular Lodge, and
to enter and receive Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, raise Master
Masons; and confer upon their deserving Brethren all other
Honours Dignity and Pre-eminencys known and practised in
any Regular Lodge; And to Elect and Chuse Masters Wardens
and other Officers annually or otherways as they shall think proper.
And to exact from their Intrant Members such Compositions as
they shall judge necessary for the Relief of their Brethren in
distress. Recommending to the Brethren aforesaid to Reverence
and obey their Superiors in all things Lawfull and Honest as
becomes the Honour and Harmony of Masonry. And to record
in their Books this present Charter with their own private Regulations
and By-laws and their whole acts and proceedings from
time to time as they occur. And not to desert their said Lodge
hereby constituted nor form themselves into separate meetings
without the Consent and Approbation of their Master and
Wardens for the time being; All Which by acceptation hereof
they are holden and engaged to observe and Further, the Brethren
aforesaid by accepting hereof Acknowledge the Grand Master
and Grand Lodge of Scotland as their Superiors and shall pay
due Regard to all such Instructions and Recommendations as
they shall receive from thence, And pay all due Honour and
Obedience to such Provincial Grand Master as shall be vested
with a commission from them and they are hereby invited to
correspond with the Grand Lodge, and to attend the Meetings
thereof by their proxys being Master Masons or Fellow Crafts
of some Established Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of
Scotland. And for the more effectual preservation of these
presents the same are hereby appointed to be recorded in the
Books of the Grand Lodge. Given at the Grand Lodge at
Edinburgh the First day of December in the year One Thousand
Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five By the Right Honourable and
Most Worshipful Sholto Charles Lord Aberdour, Grand Master,
George Frazer, Esqr., Deputy Grand Master, Richard Tod

Fac simile of Ancient Records of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of Masons.

Esqr Substitute Grand Master, Doctor Henry Cunningham and
William Budge Esqr Grand Wardens and the Seal of the Grand
Lodge Appended hereunto Witnessing to these presents: Alexander
McDougal Grand Secretary James Ewart Grand Treasurer
James Allison Grand Clerk.

Apud Edinburgum unum Decembris 1775

Recorded in the Books of the Grand Lodge and the Seal
appended hereunto by

• Alex. McDougall G. Secretary

• James Alison Gr. Clerk.

• James Ewart Gr. Treas.

• Henry Cunninghame S. G. W.

• Will Budge J. G. W.

• Aberdour G. M.

• Geo. Frazer D. G. M.

• Rich'd Tod Sub. G. M.

The foregoing charter (see fac simile herein), still in the possession
of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge, is conceded to be the oldest charter now
in possession of any Masonic Lodge in the United State. At the
Communication of the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1785, the
question of rank among the Lodges was brought up, and Kilwinning
Crosse was conceded to, "Rank as first Lodge in the
State of Virginia, and this seniority was awarded them both on
account of the seniority of their charter and full and explicit terms
in which it was worded." See Minutes of Kilwinning Crosse
Lodge of November 24, 1785, and also page 180 of 1910 Proceedings
of Grand Lodge of Virginia.

Representatives from Kilwinning Crosse Lodge were present
when the Grand Lodge of Virginia was formed in Williamsburg
in 1777, and regularly thereafter until 1786, and it is significant
that at the meeting of 1786 Kilwinning Crosse was assigned to
second place in the list of Virginia Lodges.

From the Introduction of John Dove's Reprint of "Proceedings
of the Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1777 to 1823" we learn that
Masonry was practiced in Virginia under chartered privileges
derived directly from the mother Grand Lodge of Scotland as
early as 1733. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is said to have
chartered the Royal Exchange Lodge, No. 172, in the borough
of Norfolk in 1733, which Lodge is accredited with being the

Fac simile of Ancient Records of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of Masons.

first Lodge chartered for America by that or any other Grand
Lodge. This Lodge evidently became extinct, for forty-four
years after its institution, when the Grand Lodge of Virginia
was formed, the borough of Norfolk was represented by Lodge
No. 141, which, in 1786, was given Kilwinning Crosse's place
as No. 1 in the register. The Lodge at Yorktown, which is said
to have been chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1755,
was not reported at the Convention or Grand Lodge of Virginia
Masons in 1777, but received a charter from the Grand Lodge
as Lodge No. 9, in 1780.

On the twenty-third day of June, 1777, Blandford Lodge of
Petersburg, Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge of Caroline,
Fredericksburg Lodge, Cabin Point Royal Arch Lodge of Surry
County and the Lodge of Williamsburg, met in convention at
Williamsburg for the purpose of forming a Grand Lodge just as
four Lodges of England had organized the Grand Lodge in 1717,
and four Scottish Lodges had organized the Grand Lodge of
Scotland in 1736. At this Convention James Mercer, Master of
Fredericksburg Lodge, presided, and James Kemp, a Master
Mason of Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge of Caroline, was
Secretary. Owing to the small number of Lodges represented
on this occasion no Grand Master was elected, but another
Convention was called and met at Williamsburg October 13, 1778,
and elected Warner Lewis, of Botetourt Lodge as Grand Master,
but, upon his declining to serve, John Blair, of Williamsburg Lodge,
was elected the first Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. He was
installed in office on October 30, 1778. In addition to being first
Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, John Blair was also one of
the first Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United
States and Governor of Virginia.

Eight Lodges were given rank in the Grand Lodge of Virginia
at its session in Richmond in 1786, and shown to have had legal
Masonic existence prior to the election of a Grand Master on
October 13, 1778. These were Norfolk, No. 1; Kilwinning Port
Royal Crosse, No. 2; Blandford, No. 3; Fredericksburg, No. 4;
St. Tammany, No. 5; Williamsburg, No. 6; Botetourt, No. 7;
and Cabin Point Royal Arch, No. 8. The original charter of
six of these ancient Lodges are preserved in their own archives
or in the archives of the Grand Lodge at Richmond. These six
charters are as follows: Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse, No. 2;

Fac simile of Ancient Records of Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of Masons.

December 1, 1755; Blandford, No. 3, September 9, 1757;
Fredericksburg, No. 4, July 21, 1758; Williamsburg, No. 6,
November 6, 1773; Botetourt, No. 7, November 6, 1773; and
Cabin Point Royal Arch, No. 8, April 13, 1775. The last-named
Lodge was suspended in 1796, and was never revived, but its
old charter is in the archives of the Grand Lodge, as are the
charters of several others, which are active. It is certain that no
other Grand Jurisdiction in America, and probably no other in
the world, can produce so many old original charters as the
Grand Lodge of Virginia, which traces its Masonic title by this
unquestioned evidence back to the middle of the eighteenth
century.

It is quite interesting to note that these early Virginia Lodges,
by virtue of their English or Scottish charters, organized and
chartered other Lodges in the surrounding territory. Lodge
No. 4 at Fredericksburg, according to its old records, held a meeting
on October 10, 1770, at which time the following was adopted:

"A motion was made by Brother Page and seconded by Brother
Yates, that a deputation should be given Brother Fontaine and
some other members of this Lodge, who live in Gloucester, to
constitute a Lodge there, being attended with the greatest inconvenience
for some of these members to attend the Lodge as
often as they could wish.

"Resolved, That Brothers James Maury Fontaine, Arthur
Hamilton, Mann Page, Sr., Mann Page, Jr., Robert Andrews
and Warner Lewis, shall be properly authorized and warranted
by the Lodge to hold regular Lodges in the county of Gloucester,
and that the Secretary, as soon as he can, make out a proper
warrant for that purpose."

Warner Lewis, mentioned in the foregoing minutes, was the
first chosen Master of this Lodge. He was no doubt made a
Mason in Fredericksburg Lodge, but on the establishing of
Botetourt Lodge at Gloucester Court-House, of which he was a
warrant member, he seldom visited Fredericksburg Lodge, although
he did not cease to be a member.

Thus it will be seen that the Virginia law of dual membership,
to which a number of Grand Lodges object, is honourable with
age, having existed for more than ten years before the establishment
of the Grand Lodge of Virginia.

In the charter granted Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge

by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and in most of the Scottish
charters of that period, appeared a clause providing that the
members of a Lodge under such charter should,

The inference was, of course, that the brethren, with the
approbation of Master and Wardens, could constitute and form
themselves into separate meetings, which was accordingly so
done. It was by virtue of this clause that Fredericksburg Lodge
granted warrant for the establishment of Botetourt Lodge in
Gloucester, before mentioned, and that Kilwinning Port Royal
Crosse Lodge on August 14, 1756, issued authority to institute
and hold a Lodge at Hobbs' Hole, now Tappahannock.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANCIENT MINUTES OF KILWINNING PORT
ROYAL CROSSE LODGE

December 27, 1756—First Masonic sermon preached by the
Rev. Brother Robert Innis.

May 3, 1757—George Weedon (afterward General Weedon),
made a Mason.

December 10, 1760—"Ordered that Brother Gray be payd
one pound one shilling which he expended for the relief of an
indigent and decrepit soldier."

March 3, 1758—"William Miller, an indigent Brother, who has
met with many misfortunes and suffered much by our implacable
enemy, the French, having applyd to the Right Worshipful,
the Master, he, with the advice of several members of this Lodge,
thought proper to give him forty shillings out of the treasury."

December 28, 1758—"Peter Corne, on his humble petition to
the Lodge, is initiated an Entered Apprentice according to the
usual form and solemnity, on paying the accustomed dues, and
the Lodge taking into their consideration the disadvantage the
sd. Peter Corne layd under as being a seafaring man and obliged
to sail the next day and consequently not having time or opportunity
of learning the mysteries of the Art requisite to make
himself known among Masons and considering that a Certificate
from this worshipful Lodge of his being regularly admitted an
initiated as an Entered Apprentice therein, might in some

measure supply that defect and be of singular service to him in
case by the fortune of war he should fall into the hands of the
enemy, ordered that a Secretary prepare and draw up such a
Certificate to be signed by the Master, Wardens and Secretary
and the Seal of the Lodge appended thereto."

January 10, 1767—"Resolved, unanimously to attend (as much
as their business will permit) every month on the second Thursday
according to the law formerly made in this Lodge." An election
of officers was held at this meeting with the result that Robert
Gilchrist was chosen Master, James Miller Senior Warden and
James Gray Junior Warden. The office of Deacon does not
appear in this Lodge for many years. The officers elected on this
occasion were present on April 12, 1754, the first recorded meeting
of the Lodge.

February, 1767—"Present, Robert Gilchrist, Master; James
Miller, Senior Warden; John Gray, Junior Warden; Wm. Fox,
George Weedon and others. This being a Master's Lodge a
Petition was presented from the Secretary of our Lodge, Brother
Brown, praying that he might be by us raised to the degree of a
Master, which being agreed to he was accordingly raised in the
usual manner and the business of the Lodge of Masters being gone
through, the Worshipful the Master opened a Fellow Craft Lodge
with the same members.

"On the humble petition of Brothers John Miller, William
Buckner, William Johnston, Andrew Leckie and Archibald Clark,
that they might by this Lodge be passed as Fellow Crafts, the
question was put for each severally and the Lodge having agreed
to their request, they were severally passed accordingly. This
Lodge having finished their business and the Lodge being shutt
as usual a petition from Brothers James Somerell (Sorrell) and
Henry Thomas was presented to the Master and praying that
they might be passed as Fellow Crafts, on which the Master
again opened a Fellow Craft Lodge (the same members present
as in the last) and the vote being put and the petitions agreed to
by the Lodge, the said James Somerell and Henry Thomas were
accordingly passed as Fellow Crafts in the usual manner, after
which the Worshipful, the Master, having closed the Fellow
Craft Lodge and opened an Entered Apprentice Lodge &c. * * "

"Brother George Weedon (afterward General), setting forth
that he is an inhabitant of Fredericksburg, has become a member
of that Lodge there and, finding it inconvenient to attend this

Lodge, desires to be excused attending here as a member, the
question being put, the said petition was agreed to and he is
discharged his attendance as a member.

"Ordered that our Brother, William Fox, be requested to bring
from London or send in, to be here before next December, four
Dozen good aprons, together with a Master's and Officers' aprons
and four Dozen pair white gloves to be paid for out of our
Treasury.

"Ordered that the Secretary do provide a proper Jewel for
himself as Secretary at the expense of this Lodge."

March 16, 1767—Six petitions were presented at this meeting
and accepted. The By-Laws provided that no more than five
could be initiated at one time, but the resourcefulness of the
Worshipful Master, Robert Gilchrist, surmounted this obstacle.
At the end of Secretary John Brown's minutes is the following
entry made and signed by the Worshipful Master:

"Note:—The Lodge was closed after initating John Skinker
and afterwards another Lodge opened when the remaining
gentlemen were initiated.

"(Signed) Robert Gilchrist."

April, 1767—Following an ancient Masonic custom in England
and Scotland, the Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge at its
organization provided in its By-laws that "Every new member,
at his making, shall decently cloathe the Lodge (that is, the
Master and other officers) and pay the expenses of the night and
shall pay into the treasury one pound one shilling and six pence,"
but at this communication, held on the second Thursday of April,
this section of the By-Laws was revoked in the following words:

"A motion being made that the expense attending Initiation,
Passing as Fellow Crafts, or Raising to a Master is too high as
our Lodge becomes numerous; the Question being put,

"It Is Enacted from this Time all new members shall pay
Two pounds three shillings and Entrance Money and the Tyle
for the Night, and no more than their Club of the expence of the
night—And that no member Passed as a Fellow Craft or Raised
to the Degree of a Master, shall pay more than one pistole and
the charges of the Tyle for the evening and equal Club with other
members."

April 28, 1768—"R. W. James Robb, Master for the night—
opened an Entered Apprentice Lodge and after going through our
Lecture and singing a cheerful song, as is common among Masons,
the Lodge was adjourned to Lodge in course."

December 28, 1767—"Our Worshipful Master congregated the
Lodge about 11 A. M., and immediately after sent a deputation
of our Brothers Skinker and Carter to our Sister Lodge of
Fredericksburg, intimating that our Lodge was convened and
would be glad to join them.

"Our brethren returned with answer it would be extremely
agreeable to them, upon which the Lodges joined and some time
after walked in procession to Church where our Brother Mildrum
gave us an excellent discourse upon the Benefits arising from
Masonry, and from Church we walked back to the Lodge Room
where the Lodge was shut and we all adjourned to Brother
Weedon's to dinner and from thence to the Market House where
there was a most Brilliant Assembly."

(Note.—George Weedon was tavern keeper and postmaster
in Fredericksburg at this time).

The late Judge J. B. Sener, in his History of Kilwinning Crosse
Lodge, says:

"It is recorded in the history of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22,
that on September 19, 1783, a delegation from that Lodge attended
at Fredericksburg and assisted Kilwinning and Fredericksburg
Lodges in the ceremony of `fixing at the market-house a grand
keystone and plate of silver inscribed in testimony of the revival of
Masonry and our intention to fix our covenant there.' At that time
in Fredericksburg the Lodge building of Lodge, No. 4, as well as
the time Washington was made a Mason was located at Market-House
Square. Major-General George Weedon, member of
Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge and of Fredericksburg
Lodge, was master of ceremonies at the `fixing' of the keystone."

1769—Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge appointed committees
to visit Lodges at Fredericksburg, Tappahannock and
Falmouth to solicit subscriptions to aid in "building a ball-room,
the Lodge to be over it." The building was never erected.

December 27, 1769—"At 11 o'clock A. M. the Right Worshipful
Master opened the Lodge and from the Chair delivered a
most pathetic charge to the brethren, recommending Brotherly
Love &c and concluded with a general Charge to the Officers,

Stewards and Brethren to regulate their conduct for the approaching
Assembly and, after settling everything necessary for carrying
on the Assembly that evening, the Lodge duly formed in the
following procession: Walked out of the Lodge Room towards the
Cross and from that to the East, then to the South and from that
to the West and in like order returned to the Lodge. Sword
Bearer, Andrew Loggie; Two Past Masters, Robt. Gilchrist &
Jas. Miller; Right Worshipful, Andrew Leckie; Secretary, Jas.
Dunlop; Treasurer, John Miller; Senior Warden, William Bogle;
Master Masons; Junior Warden, John Skinker, Fellow Crafts;
Entered Apprentices; Two Stewards, Wm. Linsay & Geo. Gray.

"Then, after singing social songs &c, the Lodge was closed and
adjourned to dinner and after drinking a few Toasts rose to get
ready for the Assembly.

"At Five O'clock P. M. the Assembly began and continued
till Twelve O'clock at Night with the greatest Brilliancy,
Unanimity and Decorum, which is never separate from the
Assemblyes of the Accepted."

February 22, 1770—Under this date is recorded the first
rejection of a petition in the history of the Lodge. The same
petition was presented at the next regular meeting and was
again rejected. Since that time it has become a Masonic law
that a rejected petitioner shall wait one year before renewing
his petition.

March 24, 1770—On this date the first Masonic funeral, according
to the minutes, was conducted by Kilwinning Port Royal
Crosse Lodge, the funeral being that of John Miller, whose name
appears in the first minutes of the Lodge. The order of the
Lodge procession at that time was as follows: The Tiler was
followed by Past Masters, Worshipful Master, Master Masons,
Senior Warden, Fellow Crafts, Junior Warden, Entered Apprentices.
The Stewards had supervision of the entire procession,
and assigned the members to places in their respective bodies,
according to seniority of membership.

March 26, 1772—Under this date the By-Laws of the Lodge
were amended as follows: "Resolved, That every Officer in this
Lodge shall serve but one year in each Office at one time. That
each Officer shall be a Master Mason." The former was evidently
enacted out of deference to the wishes of Worshipful Robert
Gilchrist, who had served the Lodge as Master almost continuously
from its beginning. This By-Law failed of its purpose, for it

was ignored in 1776, and Gilchrist was re-elected. The reason for
the enactment of the latter—"That each Officer shall be a Master
Mason"—does not appear, but the wisdom of it will be apparent
to all Master Masons. This latter By-Law, like the former, was
disregarded, and in 1774, James Kemp was elected Secretary.
Kemp was Provisional Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of
Virginia at its organization, and was a Fellow Craft.

November 24, 1774—At a meeting of the Lodge on this date it
was "Ordered that the Treasurer apply to every stranger that is
initiated or made in this Lodge for what is customary to pay for
Initiation of Raising, the morning following."

May 2, 1776—Under this date is recorded the passage of a
motion, "That no person shall for the time to come be made a
Mason in this Lodge, or no brother be passed or raised until the
fees due the Lodge on such occasions, are first paid to the
Treasurer."

April 14, 1777—Rt. Worshipful Robert Gilchrist "Proposed
to have a Sermon preached by our Brother, the Rev. Mr. Waugh,
to the memory of our late worthy Brother General Hugh Mercer—
which being unanimously agreed to, all members were desired to
meet at the Lodge Room at Nine O'clock on that day." (March
22, 1777).

"The Master having laid before the Lodge a letter from the
Williamsburg Lodge desiring the attendance of the Master and
Wardens of this Lodge, or their deputies, on a certain day to
choose a Grand Master for this State.

"Resolved, That Brother Lomax and Brother Kemp be deputed
to represent this Lodge."

February 25, 1778—"The petition of Thomas Paul was received,
and he was accordingly initiated in the usual form."

(Note.—Thomas Paul, mentioned in the foregoing extract
from the ancient minutes, was a brother to John Paul, who took
the name Jones and became famous as Commander in the American
Navy during the Revolution).

November 24, 1785—"The deputation being returned from the
Grand Lodge at Richmond, they made report that this Lodge,
agreeable to their Charter, held rank as first Lodge in the State
of Virginia and this seniority was awarded them, both on account
of the seniority of their Charter, and the full and explicit terms
in which it was worded, and the deputies, finding it unnecessary

to make any donation to the Grand Lodge, the money given them
for that purpose, after deducting their expenses, was returned into
the Treasury."

November 30, 1786—"Whereas, Bro. Richard Dixon has made
a practice of getting drunk at every Lodge he has attended for
a considerable time past, and has behaved himself in a manner
unbecoming a Mason as well as in direct opposition to the By-Laws
of this Lodge, and having this evening got so very much
intoxicated as to prevent the Lodge from going on the business
now before them; Brother McKinney in the Chair, the Brethren
being called to order, they all obeyed but Brother Dixon, who
still continued to be noisy and, being again called to order, he,
in a very disrespectful manner, said that he would not be commanded,
and went on cursing and swearing in a manner unprecedented
in a Regular Lodge of Free Masons.

"Brother Taylor, Senior Warden, taking the Chair, Brother
McKinney made complaint of the contempt that had been
shown the Chair by Bro. Dixon.

"A motion was then made by the R. W. that as B. Dixon has
been often admonished without any alteration in his conduct,
that he should be excluded from the Society as a person altogether
unfit for setting there or in the Company of Gentlemen. The
Ballot being put round he was unanimously voted out of the
Lodge and the Tyler ordered to forbid him admittance in future.

"After drinking a few cheerful glasses and singing a few songs,
the Lodge was Shut til Monday evening the 11th Dec. next a
Call Lodge for considering the mode of celebrating the anniversary
of St. John ensuing."

December, 1805—Under this date a resolution was passed
providing that, "All Brethren who are indebted to the Lodge
for as much as Five Dollars shall be suspended six months, and if
the debt be not discharged at the expiration of that time they
shall be expelled."

December 21, 1803—In the minutes of this date, the number
assigned Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge, by the Grand
Lodge in 1786, is recorded for the first time.

December 27, 1803—"A Resolution was brought forward and
seconded—that Brother John Mason be directed to make an
escutcheon for our worthy Brother Clack Row and that the
Treasurer be directed to apply to some relative of Brother Row's
to defray the expense and, if the relative so applied to will not

pay the expense, then such charge must be paid out of the
Treasury."

(Note.—At this meeting the custom of "reading the minutes"
was adopted).

January 5, 1804—On this date the Lodge buried "Brother
Clack Row," mentioned in the preceding extract from the
minutes, and it is likely that there is some connection between
the "escutcheon" ordered and his burial, i. e. it was, probably
ordered for his coffin, he being "in extremis" at the time the
"resolution was brought forward."

September 2, 1804—"The R. W. Master * * *  entered into a
Lecture on the First Degree of Masonry for the first time for
many years."

November 27, 1804—Under this date is the first record of
deacons in the Lodge, it having existed nearly half century
without this office.

November 3, 1806—"The Petition of Bro. Taliaferro Hunter
praying to be passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft and raised
to the Sublime Degree of Master was read, whereupon he was
admitted without a decenting voice & received the benefit of both
Degrees accordingly"

December 23, 1806—At a meeting held on this date the practice
of reading "the By-Laws and Charges" to the new initiates was
inaugurated.

Autumn of 1807—Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge
donated One Hundred Dollars to the citizens of Fredericksburg
who were in distress because of a fire which had devastated the
town.

September 27, 1810—"A. Hodge was expelled from the benefits
for contempt and non-payment of dues. C. I. Dade was suspended
by this Lodge for 12 months except he comes forth, and
pays his dues. George Washington, John Hoover and Edd
Pendleton, Jr. be suspended as C. I. Dade.

"Resolved that notice be given to Brother Robert Baylor,
that if he does not come forward before the next Lodge in course,
and shew cause why he has paid his fees and dues, that he will
be expelled from the benefits of Masonry."

(Note.—The omission of the "not" in the foregoing order
indicates that these minutes were not read for the approval of
the Lodge).

December 18, 1818—On this date the custom of "drinking a
few cheerful glasses" in the Lodge was abolished by a vote of the
members.

December 26, 1818—Under this date "Brother William D.
Pope" was cited for un-Masonic conduct.

February 5, 1819—On this date "Brother William D. Pope"
was fined one cent, but, on his promise to reform, the fine was
remitted.

December 11, 1819—In the minutes of this date certain members
are "Cited to appear before the next Lodge in course to answer
Charges which will then be made known." As a result of not
obeying this order one of the members was expelled.

February 5, 1820—The minutes of this date disclose that three
members were "Cited to appear at our Lodge Room on the night
of the 7th instant, to answer Charges to be then preferred."
At the hearing two of the three were excused and one was "expelled
the Lodge for refusing to pay his fees and dues and speaking
contemptuously of the Lodge."

December 27, 1820—On this date the Lodge celebrated the
Festival of St. John the Evangelist, and the menu of the banquet
was as follows: "Tea, Coffee, Bread, Butter, Cake, Raisins, Almonds,
and Sangaree for the Ladies. Bread, Cold Meats of every description
which the season may afford, with Fr. Brandy, Rum and
Whiskey for the Gentlemen." The banquet and the ball on this
occasion were provided for at an expense of forty dollars.

November 29, 1821—The minutes of this date show that
Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse Lodge voted to ask the Grand
Lodge of Virginia for dispensation to establish their Lodge at
Bowling Green, the county seat. The dispensation was granted,
but the Lodge was not established in Bowling Green until 1881.

January 30, 1823—According to the old minutes on this
date twenty-nine members were expelled and suspended for nonpayment
of dues and fees, their total indebtedness amounting
to seven hundred and twenty-nine dollars.

May 14, 1825—On this date the Grand Lecturer, James Cushman,
"gave a very appropriate lecture in the first degree of
Masonry."

November 27, 1828—An annual election of officers was held on
this date, and after this there is a period of about twenty-five
years without minutes or other local record.

1840—The last return to the Grand Lodge was made in this
year, and this report showed officers as follows: Charles Urquhart,
Master; William Gray, Senior Warden; P. C. Robb, Past Master;
John Taylor, Past Master; Charles Urquhart, Past Master; and
A. W. Tennent, Past Master. There were reported fifteen members,
but their names are not given.

1848—Because of its failure to report to the Grand Lodge of
Virginia, and for non-payment of Grand Lodge fees, Kilwinning
Crosse Lodge was suspended on December 12, 1848.

1850—A dispensation was granted by the Grand Master in
1850, but if the Lodge resumed work there is no record of it.

1854—No return was made to the Grand Lodge from the
granting of the dispensation in 1850 to 1854, when the Lodge
was again suspended.

1855—The Lodge was re-chartered by the Grand Lodge of
Virginia in 1855, with the following officers: Charles Urquhart,
Master; Philip Marshall, Senior Warden; P. H. Pendleton,
Junior Warden.

December 24, 1855—On this date the first initiate was received
into the re-chartered Lodge, one Colin B. Catlett by name.
He died August 12, 1856, and the Lodge made his daughter,
Anna Gordon Catlett, their beneficiary for the years 1859 and
1860.

June 19, 1857—Charles Urquhart was succeeded as Master
by Randolph Peyton, and the retiring Master's address is recorded
in the minutes of this meeting.

1857—In 1857, the Lodge, which had celebrated the Festival
of St. John the Evangelist for more than a century, began to
celebrate the Anniversary of St. John the Baptist.

1858—During the year 1858, the Lodge appointed a committee
to secure a subscription of one dollar from each member
of the Lodge, to be placed in the hands of the "Mt. Vernon Ladies
Association of the Union" for the purpose of aiding in the purchase
of the "Home and Grave of Washington." The contribution of
the members to this cause totaled twenty-three dollars.

1859—The last report to the Grand Lodge, under the Charter
of 1855, was made in 1859, and was as follows: Randolph Peyton,
Master; G. Washington Catlett, Senior Warden; William P.
Snider, Junior Warden; Carter B. Page, Secretary; Philip Marshall,
Treasurer; A. J. Kendrick, Senior Deacon; Thomas D. Lumpkin,
Junior Deacon; E. Ambold and Mark Boulware, Stewards; Thomas

O. Burrows, Tyler; Randolph Peyton and Charles Urquhart,
Past Masters; and Mark L. Boulware, John T. Boutwell, Apollos
Boutwell, R. L. Pendleton, Brockenbrough Peyton, E. F. Foster,
George W. Upshaw, J. E. Clemm, John O. Sale, James S. McKenney,
Gray Boulware, R. V. Tiffey, Joseph H. Selecman,
E. Ambold, members. Not long after this return was made to
the Grand Lodge the Kilwinning Crosse Lodge again became
dormant.

1881—On December 14, 1881, the Grand Lodge of Virginia
again issued a Charter to the Masons of Caroline, designating
the body as Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, No. 237, at Bowling
Green, Va. Shortly afterward the number of the Lodge under
the Charter of 1796 and 1855 was added, and the Lodge officially
became No. 2-237, which number it holds to this day. The
Lodge was chartered in 1881, with R. O. Peatross, Master;
Charles Wright, Senior Warden; and W. O. Thompson, Junior
Warden.

1881-1924—In the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia
from 1881 to 1923 are recorded the following names of members
who were lost to the Lodge during this period by death, dimit,
and suspension:

R. O. Peatross, Charles Wright, W. S. Thompson, J. T. Mastin,
W. T. Chandler, J. T. Lawless, Roderick Vincent, A. B. Chandler,
W. R. Broaddus, Travis Bagby, M. W. Cole, W. E. Evans,
Maurice Evans, L. T. Fuller, T. E. Henshaw, R. S. Jones, Moses
Rolph, J. A. Scott, George H. Saunders, John P. Taylor, E. W.
Woolfolk, Watson Walker, E. C. Moncure, J. H. DeJarnette,
A. A. Taliaferro, T. H. Stiff, W. E. Ennis, J. P. Gayle, K. R.
Farrish, James O. Fox, F. M. Travis, George Robert Collins,
G. H. Boggs, Mercer A. Nunn, Purcell Rowe, G. F. Stringfellow,
W. A. Rountree, R. W. Wright, Andrew Broaddus, II, St. Ledger
Moncure, J. W. McCown, J. B. Sener, C. R. Collins, H. L. Quarles,
R. A. Watkins, O. H. Gresham, T. H. Phelps, George Turner,
C. T. Jesse, E. L. Pearlman, W. E. Tyler, George Turner, Jr.,
W. L. Broaddus, J. M. McManaway, George Gwiner, Granville
Burruss, I. O. Abbitt, G. E. Brock, W. B. Boulware,
H. B. Coghill, Clarence Chewning, T. H. Chewning, C. R.
Cruikshank, J. N. Harris, B. C. Nelson, G. L. Reid, M. T.
Beazeley, P. M. Mills, C. K. Milligan, J. S. Ryland, W. H. Coates,
J. R. Collins, R. L. Parker, M. G. Wright, R. D. Dickinson,
J. H. Donohue, J. B. Meyer, W. L. Barlow, J. R. Blanton,

R. L. Brooks, Jr., F. Q. Tompkins, W. F. Donahoe,
J. C. Hoskins, C. A. Nunn, T. E. Barlow, S. B. Jeter, Jr., C. R.
Cosby, H. E. Johnson, E. M. White, T. W. Poyner, J. K. M.
Lee, J. W. Beazeley, W. L. Burruss, J. G. Shackleford, S. W.
Broaddus, C. R. Cruikshank.

In the "Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia From
1777 to 1823"—commonly called "Dove's Digest"—we find the
following deaths in Kilwinning Crosse Lodge between the years
1800 and 1823. From 1802 to 1805: Andrew Gray, J. L.
Alexander and Abner Waugh. From 1805 to 1810: John B.
Brown, Stewart Bankhead, Charles Stewart, Hugh Quinland,
James Miller, Sr., Townsend Dade, Sr., Thomas Hord, Reuben
Saunders, John Skinker, Leroy Hopkins. From 1810 to 1814:
Thomas Slaughter, Sr. From 1814 to 1816: Philip Henshaw,
Robert Baylor, Ralph Lomax, Simon Miller, J. D. Dishman,
John S. Massey, Jeremiah B. Scott, James D. Jameson, and
Richard Phillips. From 1816 to 1819: Charles Browne, Henry
L. Letzur, Taliaferro Hunter, A. B. Armistead, Robert Boyten,
Hawkins Howard, James Bowie, and George Tebbs. From 1819
to 1823: Thomas M. Stiff, William Bernard, Jr., and C.
Brockenbrough.

Following is a roster of the present membership of Kilwinning
Crosse Lodge. There being but one Lodge of Masons in the
county practically every section of Caroline is represented in
this list:

T. R. Aaron, A. H. Allen, Joseph Baker, P. M. Barlow,
V. M. Barlow, W. L. Barlow, T. E. Barlow, R. L. Barlow, R. L.
Beale, Roland J. Beasley, J. W. Beazeley, Thomas H. Blanton,
J. A. Blatt, T. B. Blatt, A. V. Borkey, F. H. Borkey, H. V.
Borkey, J. E. Borkey, W. R. Boulware, Willing Bowie, Walter
N. Bowie, W. D. Bremner, Andrew Broaddus, C. A. Broaddus,
J. P. Broaddus, M. G. Broaddus, Sr., M. G. Broaddus, Jr.,
R. L. Brooks, C. L. Bullard, E. C. Bullock, W. L. Burruss, E. E.
Butler, Sr., E. E. Butler, Jr., C. W. Butterworth, A. E. Carter,
John W. Clark, E. C. Cobb, E. S. Coghill, T. D. Coghill, W. G.
Coghill, E. Burke Collins, J. C. Collins, J. T. Cosby, A. G. Dalton,
F. E. Derby, W. F. Donahoe, G. R. Dorsey, B. A. Dratt, J. W.
Dratt, L. R. Dunn, J. W. DeJarnette, J. W. Elliott, Sr., J. W.
Elliott, Jr., E. J. Eubank, S. H. Evans, Wm. Flegenheimer,
N. M. Fox, L. D. George, T. B. Gill, R. T. Glassel, W. D. Gravatt,
W. J. B. Hall, C. M. Harris, P. L. Haymond, L. J. Head, C. A.

Hite, R. F. Holberton, J. C. Hoskins, T. B. Jeter, G. R. Jeter,
J. L. Jordan, O. D. Kean, C. E. Knopf, George P. Lyon, L. E.
Martin, J. B. Meyer, B. W. Mahon, O. S. Moncure, A. C. Monroe,
H. D. McWhirt, Ray L. Parker, E. B. Peatross, H. M. Pegg,
W. E. Poyner, J. T. Richards, R. C. Richardson, Robert Ritchie,
W. A. Rountree, E. H. Rowe, E. V. Russell, W. E. Sale, C. M.
Saunders, Charles Seal, J. G. Shackelford, C. T. Smith, R. L.
Smith, W. B. Smith, George W. Swain, L. E. Southworth, F. Q.
Tompkins, J. B. Toombs, F. M. Travis, A. L. Taliaferro, E. B.
Travis, J. R. Travis, R. C. Travis, W. A. Vaughan, L. D. Vincent,
J. W. Voss, G. M. Washburn, E. A. White, E. May White,
Marshall Wingfield, Robert Woolfolk, M. G. Wright.

On page 161 of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia
from 1777 to 1823 is the following entry relative to the
first Charter granted to Kilwinning-Crosse by the Grand Lodge
of Virginia:

"In consequence of the representation of Brother McGruder,
of the Port Royal Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, No. 2, that their
Lodge had never received the Charter heretofore issued for them
from the Grand Lodge of Virginia, but since that period and
previous thereto, they have continued to work under the Grand
Lodge of Scotland, they now pray the Most Worshipful Grand
Lodge of Virginia to grant them a Charter under their jurisdiction.

"Ordered, That the prayer of the petition be complied with,
and that a Charter do issue to them, appointing Thomas Miller,
Master; William Bernard, Senior Warden, and Benjamin Hazlegrove,
Junior Warden, to hold a regular Lodge in the town of
Port Royal, in the county of Caroline, designated and to be known
by the name of the Port Royal Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, No. 2,
and this Grand Lodge considering the peculiar situation under
which said Lodge, No. 2, has laboured, they also order that the
above Charter do issue upon the payment of forty dollars in
lieu of all delinquencies."

Thus it appears that from the organization of the Grand
Lodge of Virginia in 1777 to 1796, Kilwinning Port Royal Crosse
Lodge was under the jurisdiction of and rendered allegiance to
both the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of
Virginia. It is doubtful if any other Lodge in the world has
existed under two different Grand Lodges at the same time, and
it is equally doubtful if any other Lodge can produce four
Charters from two Grand Lodges. The four Charters in the

possession of Kilwinning Crosse Lodge are as follows: From the
Grand Lodge of Scotland December 1, 1755; from the Grand
Lodge of Virginia December 3, 1796; December 12, 1855, and
December 14, 1881.

Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge building was raided by the Federal
Army during the Civil War, and many of its belongings taken
away, but notwithstanding this misfortune the Lodge still
possesses many of its old Jewels and much of the old regalia.
District Deputy Grand Master Leake reported in 1885 the surrender
from Catlett Burrus and others the following property
belonging to Kilwinning Crosse Lodge: One large silver square,
one silver compass, one silver plumb, one pair silver cross keys,
one pair silver quills, a secretary's jewel, one silver star, and three
charters bearing dates 1755, 1796 and 1855 respectively.

R. O. Peatross, District Deputy Grand Master, in his report
to the Grand Lodge in 1887, says:

"The recovery by Kilwinning-Crosse Lodge of a second installment
of the jewels and regalia, taken from the Lodge room in
Port Royal during the late war by raiding Federal soldiers,
through the efforts of Brother Emory Packard, of Paul Dean Lodge,
Easton, Massachusetts, affords a pleasing illustration of the value
of Masonic principles. The correspondence had in effecting this
restoration led to the interchange of Masonic courtesies and of
fraternal and personal intercourse between the brethren of these
two Lodges mutually pleasant and beneficial."

"The jewels and regalia, on account of their antiquity and
association, are exceedingly interesting and valuable, having
been brought over from Scotland along with the original Charter
of Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, under which it was established, as
the second Lodge in the Colony of Virginia. They are among
the oldest Masonic emblems in this country."

Joseph W. Eggleston, Grand Master of Masons of Virginia,
in his address to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, on February 8,
1910, said in part:

"I was personally presented with the old "G," which hung in
the East in that same old Lodge (Kilwinning Crosse) at Port
Royal more than a century and a half ago, and that it might
be preserved, I gave it to Dove Lodge, No. 51, on the promise
that it would be put in a glass case. Richmond Lodge, No. 10,

has in this building a corner-stone and it silver plate, laid by that
historic Lodge in 1816."

Kilwinning Crosse Lodge had the By-Laws of 1881, 1903 and
1914, printed in booklet form, and copies of all of these are now
in the possession of Mr. L. D. Vincent, a member of the Lodge.
The published By-Laws of 1903 and 1914 each contains a roll of
the members at the time of publication, but otherwise are not
unusual in any respect. But the more ancient By-Laws are
unusual in many respects, as will be noted from the following
quotations and statements from them:

"No man shall be admitted a member of this Lodge without
his being balloted, and in balloting should there happen to be
two negatives it shall not be required whose they are and the
petitioner shall be declared rejected, but should there be one
nay, the member who gives the negative shall also declare his
reasons, and the Lodge, after considering the same, must unanimously
receive him, otherwise he shall not be admitted, but the
member giving the negative shall have no vote in such case."

"Every Brother after initiation shall serve as an apprentice
two months before he can be admitted to the degree of a Fellow
Craft, and must serve as a Fellow Craft two months before he can
be raised to the degree of a Master, unless by a Dispensation from
the Master of the Lodge."

"No more than five new brethren can be initiated at one
time, and at no time a servant or bondsman."

"Every new member at his making shall decently cloathe the
Lodge (that is the Master and other Officers) and pay the expences
of the night &c."

"No member shall absent himself from the Lodge one night,
under the penalty of seven pence half penny and no officer under
the penalty of one shilling and three pence unless lawfully
detained."

"After the Lodge is over the brethren may enjoy themselves
with innocent mirth, treating one another according to ability,
but avoiding all excess, or forcing a brother to drink beyond his
inclination, or hindering him to leave the company when his
occasions call him. No pique or quarrels of any kind must be
brought within the doors of the Lodge, whether religious, national,
political or commercial."

"Every Officer in this Lodge shall serve but one year in each
Office at one time."

"Before the Election of Officers, the list of delinquents shall
be called in order to ascertain whether any member has forfeited
his right to vote or to hold office."

"Each visitor, after his first visit, shall pay to the Lodge the
sum of fifty cents."

RECAPITULATION OF INTERESTING FACTS

Kilwinning Crosse Lodge in the beginning was nameless and
numberless.

The members were called "Free and Accepted Masons"
instead of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, by which name
they are known today.

The Kilwinning Crosse Lodge chartered other Lodges by virtue
of its Scottish Charter.

The ancient minutes are written on vellum paper and bound
in raw-hide.

All meetings were held in the Entered Apprentice Degree
until 1843, as were the meeting of all other Masonic Lodges in
Virginia.

Petitions were acted on at the very time they were presented.

All officers, except Master and Wardens, were chosen indiscriminately
from Apprentices and Fellow Crafts up to 1773.

For more than fifty years the office of Deacon was unknown
in Kilwinning Crosse Lodge.

The Master of the Lodge was styled "Right Worshipful"
instead of "Worshipful" as today.

Members elected to office in the Lodge were fined upon refusal
to serve.

The Master signed all minutes of the Lodge up to December 19,
1768.

All members were required to sign the By-Laws, which requirement
has given to history many famous names.

The Lodge was closed by being "Adjourned to Lodge in
Course," "Continued" or "Shutt."

A committee of three was appointed by the Lodge to investigate
every petitioner.

The only disturbance during the first century of the Lodge's
existence was that caused by a member in Essex county, preferring
charges against a member who lived in Westmoreland county,
in which he claimed that his "brother" sold him a watch which
would not keep time. The disturbance was settled by the
dismissal of the complaining member.