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Chapter 1
Genesis of the Academical Village, 1814-1817
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Masonic Ritual
The cornerstone ceremonies, attended by one sitting American president and two former
ones, in addition to a host of other dignitaries, would have been an unusual sight anywhere
in the country, but it must have seemed even more so on a former farm a mile from the tiny
village of Charlottesville. Alexander Garrett's detailed plans for the ceremonies indicates
that the freemasons planned to meet on the college grounds "in a room up stairs of the Stone
house precisely at 10 Oclock" to form the ceremonial procession.[78] The parade marshal
then called the brethren out two by two, in the following order: tylers (with swords drawn),
apprentices, fellows, masters, past masters, stewards, deacons, secretaries, treasurers,
wardens, visiting masters, substitutes, and the grand master and chaplain. Following the
members, three by three, were the Board of Visitors of the Central College, and the bearers
of corn, wine, and oil, themselves followed by the orator and his aid. Bringing up the rear
before the musical band joined the procession in single file was the principal architect, John
M. Perry, and following the band was another tyler leading a paired string of judges,
attorneys, and visiting gentlemen. The grand master opened the ceremony with a brief
greeting to the assembly: "Gent. Visitors of the Central College. You have been pleased to
grant to the masonic order here present, the high & important previlage of laying the corner
stone of this building. Will you if you please further indulge us with your aid & participation
on this interesting occasion."
Preceding the laying of the stone the grand master offered an opening prayer in behalf of the
Central College:
should be begun, bless this undertaking and enable us to carry it on with
success-protect this College, the object of which institution, is to instill into
the minds of Youth principles of sound knowledge. To inspire them with the
love of religion & virtue, and prepare them for filling the various situations in
society with credit to themselves and benefit to their country.
Following the prayer came the actual laying of the stone in its bed by the substitute and
principal architect, who then presented the "implements used by our ancient fraternity"—the
square, the plumb, and the level—to the grand master, who in turn presented the tools to the
members of the Board of Visitors, with the command to "each of you apply this square to
this stone & assertain its fitness." When the visitors had finished, the grand master himself
applied the three implements to the stone "in like manner," after which the substitute
presented the grand master with a mallet, who struck the stone 3 times, saying, "I pronounce
this stone well formed & trusty." Immediately upon saying this, the ban struck up "Hail
Columbia" for 5 minutes. When the music stopped, the corn, the wine, and the oil were
scattered over the throne and the grand master offered another prayer:
particularly the Guardians of this our infant institution with all the necessaries,
conveniencies and comforts of life: increase their love of knowledge and
liberty; Give them energy to prosecute their present undertakeing to the credit
of themselves, the advancement of our youth and the security of our liberties,
Assist in the erection and completion of this building. Protect the workmen
against every accident, and long preserve this structure from decay, and give to
us all in needed supply, the corn of nourishment the wine of refreshment, and
the oil of joy Amen.
The grand master then asked the chaplain for instruction for the occasion from the "1st. &
greatest light of masonry," which was given in the form of an Old Testament prophecy:
stone, a precious corner stone a sure foundation,—Judgment also will I lay to
the line, and righteousness to the plummet; for behold the Stone which I have
laid before Joshua, upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold I will engrave
the engraveing thereof saith the Lord of Host; bless Ye the Lord, all ye servants
of the Lord lift up you hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord; the Lord that
made heaven & earth bless the out of Zion.
The chaplain then offered another prayer before the grand master thanked the visitors of
the Central College, "The masonic societies haveing exercised your kind previlage granted them
by laying (with your aid) the corner stone of this structure, beg leave to offer you their best
wishes for its prosperity." The band struck up "Yankee Doodle" for a few minutes before the
orator, "an eminance," was introduced, who gave an oration relevant to the occasion. To
close the ceremony, the band played "Jeffersons march" while the procession reformed, and
"Madisons march" as the group paraded back to the stone house to close the lodge.
Following the ceremony the freemasons held a dinner for the board of visitors and other
"invited Gentlemen." Thus the auspicious official ceremonial beginning of the Central
College.
On the day following the cornerstone ceremony, a Tuesday, the full Board of Visitors of the
Central College met for its fall meeting, during which it expressed an official opinion that
the ground for the proposed buildings "should be previously reduced to a plane or to teraces
as it shall be found to admit with due regard to expense, that the Pavilions be correct in their
Architecture and execution, and that when the family of a Professor requires it, 2 additional
rooms shall be added for their accommodation." This opinion resulted in a resolution
authorizing the proctor "to hire Laborers for Leveling the grounds and performing necessary
services for the works or other purposes."[79]
78. The description of the cornerstone ceremony on 6 October 1817 is taken from Alexander
Garrett's undated Outline of Cornerstone Ceremonies, in ViU; see also Malone, Jefferson
and His Time: The Sage of Monticello, 265. The Richmond Enquirer published a brief
account of the ceremony in its 10 October 1817 issue: "We understand, that agreeably to
appointment the first stone of the Central College was laid, at Charlottesville, on Monday
last, (the 6th,) and that with all the ceremony and solemnity due to such an occasion. The
society of Free Masons, and a large company of citizens, attended. The scene was graced by
the presence of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, late Presidents of the United States,
and of James Monroe, the actual President" (quoted in Cabell, Early History of the
University of Virginia, xxv).
|
Chapter 1
Genesis of the Academical Village, 1814-1817
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |