ENGLISH FREEMASONRY AT YORK
Other evidences of the existence of the Grand Lodge at York have been given, dating back to the seventeenth century, notably the York MS. Of A.D. 1693, which contains ” the names of the Lodge;” six in all, including the warden. A still earlier relic is a mahogany flat rule or gauge, with the following names and year incised:
William + Baron of Yorke 1663
John Drake John + Baron
(We are inclined to think that the John Drake mentioned was collated to the Prebendal Stall of Donnington in the Cathedral Church of York in October 1663, and if so, Francis Drake, the historian, was a descendant).
The existence of so many copies of the “Old Charges,” as found a home in the archives of the Premier Grand Lodge of York. Their cumulative value is great, and will be hereafter considered. The names also, which appear on York MS. 4, at once carry us back to the existence of a lodge in 1693.
Which points to the vigorous vitality of York Masonry in 1705, and inferentially, to its continuance from a more remote period. At that date, as we learn from the minute-book (now missing) of the Old Grand Lodge at York, “Sir George Tempest, Barronet,” was the President (G.M.), a position he again filled in 1706 and 1713. Among the subsequent Presidents were the Lord Mayor of York, afterwards Lord Bingley (1707), the following Baronets, Sir William Robinson (1708-10), Sir Walter Hawksworth (1711-12, 1720-23), and other persons of distinction.
The “Scarborough” MS. furnishes the remaining evidence, which attests the active condition of English Freemasonry at Yorkshire in 1705. This must have radiated to some extent at least, and an example is afforded by the proceedings at Bradford in 1713. These, we shall presently cite, but the position of York as a local and independent centre of the transitional Masonry, which interposed between the reigns of the purely operative and the purely speculative Societies. We learn at all events, from the roll referred to, that at an Assembly of Masons held at Scarborough “in the County of York,” on the 10th of July 1705, “before” William Thompson, President (G.M.), and other Free Masons, six persons, whose names are subscribed, were “admitted into the fraternity.”
Such Assemblies were frequently held in the county, and on the occasion of the York Lodge, meeting at Bradford in 1713, no less than eighteen gentlemen of the first families in that neighbourhood were made Masons. A further supposition presents itself, and it is, that we have here an example of the custom of granting written licences to enter Masons at a distance from the lodge, such as we find traces of in the Kilwinning, the Dunblane, and the Haughfoot minutes.” If so, we may suppose that the precedent set by the Lodge of Kilwinning in 1677, when the Masons from the Canongate of Edinburgh applied to it for a roving commission or “travelling warrant,” was duly followed, and that the Scarborough brethren were empowered to admit qualified persons ” in name and behalf” of the Grand Lodge of York?
The York minutes inform us that three Private lodges were held in 1712 and the following Year, two General lodges in 1713-14, and a St John’s Lodge at Christmas, 1716. We find the proceedings of three meetings described as those of the Honourable Society and Fraternity of Freemasons, whilst on two later occasions, Fraternity gives place to Company, and in the minutes of 1716, these terms axe evidently used as words of indifferent application.
The Deputy Presidents appears to have been persons of gentle birth and Esquires. It is worthy of note, that Charles Fairfax, who occupied the chair, June 24, 1714, is styled Worshipful in the minutes.
The earliest of the Grand Lodge of York minutes now extant are contained in a roll of parchment, endorsed 1712 to 1730, and for the following extracts we are indebted to the late Mr William Cowling of York who created a copy.
“March the 19th, 1712. – At a private Lodge, held at the house of James Boreham, situate in Stonegate, in the City of York, Mr Thomas Shipton, Mr Caleb Greenbury, Mr Jno. Norrison, Mr Jno. Russell, Jno. Whitehead, and Francis Norrison were all of them severally sworne and admitted into the honourable Society and fraternity of Free-Masons.
Geo. Bowes, Esq., Dep.- President.
Jno. Wilcock also Thos. Shipton. Caleb Greenbury.
admitted at the Jno. Norrison. John RusselL
same Lodge. Fran. Norrison. John Whitehead.
John Wilcock.”
“June the 24th, 1713. – At a General Lodge on St John’s Day, at the house of James Borehm, situate in Stonegate, in the City of York, Mr John Langwith was admitted and sworn into the honourable Society and fraternity of Freemasons.
Sir Walter Hawksworth, Knt. and Bart,, President.
Jno. Langwith”.
August the 7th, 1713. – At a private Lodge held there at the house of James Boreham, situate in Stonegate, in the City of York, Robert Fairfax, Esq., and Tobias Jenkings, Esq., were admitted and sworn into the honourable Society and fraternity of Freemasons, as also the Reverend Mr Robert Barker was then admitted and sworn as before.
Geo. Bowes, Esq., Dep.-President.
Robert Fairfax. T. Jenkyns. Robt. Barber”.
“December the 18th, 1713. – At a private Lodge held there at the house of Mr James Boreham, in Stonegate, in the City of York, Mr Thos. Hardwick, Mr Godfrey Giles, and Mr Tho. Challoner was admitted and sworn into the honourable Society and Company of Freemasons before the Worshipful Sir Walter Hawksworth, Knt. and Bare., President.
Tho. Hardwicke.
Godfrey Giles.
His
Thomas T Challoner.”
Mark
“1714. – At a General Lodge held there on the 24th June at Mr James Boreham, situate in Stonegate, in York, John Taylor, of Langton in the Woulds, was admitted and sworn into the honourable Society and Company of Freemasons in the City of York, before the Worshipful
Charles Fairfax, Esq. John Taylor.”
“At St John’s Lodge in Christmas, 1716. – At the house of Mr James Boreham, situate [in] Stonegate, in York, being a General Lodge, held there by the honoble Society and Company of Free Masons, in the City of York, John Turner, Esq., was sworne and admitted into the said Honourable Society and Fraternity of Free Masons.
Charles Fairfax, Esq., Dep.-President.
John Turner.”
“At St John’s Lodge in Christmas, 172L-At Mr Robert Chippendal’s, in the Shambles, York, Robt. Fairfax, Esq., then Dep.-President, the said Robert Chippendal was admitted and sworn into the honourable Society of Free Masons.
Rob. Fairfax, Esq., D.P.
Robt. Chippendal.”
“January the 10th, 1722-3. – At a private Lodge, held at the house of Mrs Hall, in Thursday Market, in the City of York, the following persons were admitted and sworne into ye honourable Society of Free Masons:
Henry Legh. Richd. Marsh. Edward Paper.
At the same time the following persons wen acknowledged as Brethren of this ancient Society –
Edmd. Winwood. G. Rhodes. Josh. Hebson. John Vauner. Francis Hildyard, junr.”
“February the 4th, 1722-3. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Boreham’s, in Stonegate, York, the following persons were admitted and sworn into the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free Masons.-
John Lockwood. Mattw. Hall.
At the same time and place, the two persons whose names are underwritten were, upon their
examinations, received as Masons, and as such were accordingly introduced and admitted into
this Lodge.
Geo. Reynoldson. Barnaby Bawtry.”
“November 4th, 1723. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Wm. Stephenson’s, in Petergate, York, the following persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons: –
John Taylor. Jno. Colling”.
“Feb. 5th, 1723-4.-At a private Lodge at Mr James Borcham’s, in Stonegate, York, the underwritten persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons:
Wm. Tireman. Charles Pick. Will. Musgrave. John Jenkinson. John Sudell.”
“June 15, 1724. – At a private Lodge, held in Davy Hall, in the City of York, the under written persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Daniel Harvey. Ralph Grayme.”
“June 22,1724. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Geo. Gibson’s, in the City of York, were admitted and sworn into the Society of Free Masons the persons underwritten, viz.:
Robert Armorer. William Jackson. Geo. Gibson.”
“Dec. 28, 1724. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Jno. Colling’s, in Petergate, the following persons were admitted and sworn. into ye Society of Free Masons.
Wm. Wright. Ric. Denton. Jno. Marsden. Ste. Bulkley”
“July 21, 1725. – At a private Lodge at Mr Jno. Colling’s, in Petergate, York, the following persons were admitted and sworn into the Society of Free and Accepted Masons.
Luke Lowther. Chas. Hutton”
“At an adjournment of a Lodge of Free Masons from Mr Jno. Colling, in Petergate, to Mr Luke Lowther’s, in Stonegate, the following Persons were admitted and sworn into the Society of free and Accepted Masons – Ed. Bell, Esq., Master.
Chas. Bathurst. John Johnson. John Elsworth. Lewis Wood”
“Augt. 10, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held this day at the Star Inn in Stonegate, the underwritten Persons were admitted and sworne into the Antient Society of Free Masons, viz.
Jo. Bilton.
The Worshipful Mr Wm. Scourfield, Mr.
Mr Marsden, Warden
Mr Reynoldson, Warden
“Augt. 12, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held at the Starr, in Stonegate, the underwritten Person was sworn and admitted a member of the Antient Society of Free Masons, viz..
John Wilmer.
The Worshipful Philip Huddy, Mr
Mr Marsden, Warden
Mr Reynoldson, Warden
“Sept. 6, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held at the Starr Inn, in Stonegate, the underwritten Persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
William Pawson.
The Worsp. Wm. Scourfield, Mr. Edmond Aylward.
Jonathan Perritt, Warden Jon. Pawson.
Mr Marsden, Warden Francis Drake.
Malby Beckwith.”
(Francis Drake was the Author of “Eboracum; or, History and Antiquities of the City and Cathedral Church of York, 1736.” As Junior Grand Warden he delivered a speech at a meeting of the Grand Lodge of York, December 27, 1726, which will be noticed hereafter.)
“A new Lodge being call’d at the same time and Place, the following Person was admitted and sworn into this Antient and Honourable Society.
The Worshipful Mr Scourfield, Mr Henry Pawson.
Mr Jonathan Perritt, Warden
Mr Marsden, Warden
“Oct. 6, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr James Boreham’s, the underwritten Person[s] was [were] admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Antho. Hall.
Philemon Marsh.”
“Nov. 3, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Hutton’s, at the Bl. Swan in Coney Street, in York, the following Person was admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
John Smith”.
“Dec. 1st, 17215.-At a private Lodge, held at Mr Geo. Gibson’s, in the City of York, the following Persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons before
The Worshipful E. Bell, Esq., Mt.
Mr Etty, Warden Will. Sotheran. John Iveson. Jos. Lodge.”
Mr Perritt, Warden
“Dec. 8, 1725. – At a private Lodge at Mr Lowther’s, being the Starr, in Stonegate, the following Persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Christof Coulton. Thos. Metcalfe. Francis Lowther. George Coates. William Day”.
“Dec. 24, 1725. – At a private Lodge, held at Mr Lowther’s, at ye Starr in Stonegate, the following Persons were admitted and sworn into the Antient Society of Free-Masons.
Matt. St Quintin. Tim. Thompson. Frans. Thompson. William Hendrick. Tho. Bean.”
“Dec. 27, 1725. – At a Lodge, held at Mr Philemon Marsh’s, in Petergate, the following gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Freemasons. Leod Smith was also sworn and admitted at the same time.
Chas. Howard.
Richd. Thompson”.
“The same day the under mentioned Person was received, admitted, and acknowledged as a member of this Antient and Honourable Society.
John Hann.
Isaac T Scott.”
“This day Dec. 27, 1725, Being the Festival of St John the Evangelist, the Society went in Procession to Merchant’s Hall, where, after the Grand Feast was over, they unanimously chose the Wors . Charles Bathurst, Esqre., their Grand Master, Mr Johnson his Deputy, Mr Pawson and Mr Drake, Wardens, Mr Scourfield, Treasurer, and John Russell, Clerk for the ensuing year.”
“Dec. 31, 1725.- At a private Lodge held at Mr Luke Lowther’s, at the Starr in Stonegate, the underwritten Gentleman was sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.” [Name omitted.]
Jan. 5, 1725-6.-At a private Lodge held at Mr John Colling’s at ye White Swan in Petergate, the underwritten persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Thomas Preston. Martin Crofts.”
“Feb. 4, 1725-6.-At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate, Sr William Milner, Bark, was sworn and admitted into the Society of Free Masons. WM. Milner.”
” Mar. 2, 1725-6.-At a private Lodge at the White Swan in Petergate, the under named Gentleman was sworn and admitted into the Society of Free Masons.
John Lewis,”
“Apr. 2, 1726.- At a private Lodge at ye Starr in Stonegate, the following Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Robert Kaye.
W. Wombell.
Wm. Kitchinman.
Cyril Arthington.”
“Apr. 4, 1726.-At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate, the following Gentleman
was sworn and admitted into ye Antient Society of Free Masons.
J. Kaye.”
“May 4, 1726.-At a private Lodge at Mr James Boreham’s, the underwritten Persons were sworn and admitted into the Society of Free and Accepted Masons.
Charles Guarles.
Richd. Atkinson.
Samuel Ascough.”
May 16, 1726.-At a private Lodge at Mr Lowther’s at ye Star in Stonegate, the undermentioned Gentleman was sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons. Gregory Rhodes.”
“June 24, 1726.-At a ‘General Lodge held at Mr Boreham’s in Stonegate, the undermentioned Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons. John Cossley.
William Johnstone.
At the same time the following persons were sworn and admitted into the Honourable Society, vizt., William Marshall.
Matt \/\ Cellar.
His mark.
Benjamin Campsall.
William Muschamp.
Wm. Robinson.
Matthew Groul.
John Bradley.
John Hawman.”
“July 6, 1726. -Whereas it has been certified to me that Mr William Scourfield has presumed to call a Lodge and make masons without the consent of the Grand Master or Deputy, and in opposition to the 8th article of the Constitutions, I do, with the consent of the Grand Master and the approbation of the whole Lodge, declare him to be disqualified from being a member of this Society, and he is for ever banished from the same.
“Such members as were assisting in constituting and forming Mr Scourfield’s Schismatical Lodge on the 24th of the last month, whose names are John Carpenter, William Musgrave, Thomas Allanson, and Thomas Preston, are by the same authority liable to the same sentence, yet upon their acknowledging their Error in being deluded, and making such submission as shall be judged Requisite by the Grand Master and Lodge at the next monthly Meeting, shall be received into the favour of the Brotherhood, otherwise to be banished, and Mr Scourfield and their names to be erased out of the Roll and Articles.
“If any other Brother or Brothers shall hereafter separate from us, or be aiding and assisting in forming any Lodge under the said Mr Scouffield or any other Person without due Licence for the same, He or they so offending shall be disowned as members of this Lodge, and for ever Excluded from the same.” The York authorities were evidently determined to put down with a strong hand all irregularities on the part of Schismatics. Wm. Scourfield, referred to above, was, in all probability, the Grand Treasurer elected at the Festival of 1725. The records we silent as to the name of the presiding officer.
” July 6, 1726.-At a private Lodge held at Mr Geo. Gibson’s, the underwritten Persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient and Honourable Society of Free Masons, vizt.,
Henry Tireman.
Will. Thompson.”
“Augt. 13, 1726.-At a private Lodge at Mr Lowther’s at the Star in Stonegate, the underwritten Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons, vizt.,
Bellingham Graham.
Nic. Roberts!’
“Dec. 13, 1726. – At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate, the Right Honourable Arthur Ld. Viscount Irvin was sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
A. Irwin”
“Dec. 15, 1726. – At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate, the under named Persons
were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Jno. Motley.
Wm. Davile.
Thomas Snowsell.”
“Dec. 22, 1726.-At a private Lodge at the Star in Stonegate, the under named Persons were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Free Masons.
Richard Woodhouse.
Robart Tilburn.”
”June 24, 1729.-At St John’s Lodge held at ye Starr in Stonegate, the following Gentlemen were sworn and admitted into the Antient Society of Freemasons, vizt.,
Basil Forcer.
John Lamb.”
“The same day Edward Thompson, Junior of Marston, Esqr., was chosen Grand Master Mr John Wilmer, Deputy Grand Master, Mr Geo. Rhodes and Mr Geo. Reynoldson, Grand Wardens, for ye year ensuing, and afterwards the Grand Master was pleased to order the following appointment, viz., I do appoint Dr Johnson, Mr Drake, Mr Marsden, Mr Denton, Mr Brigham, Mr R. Marsh, and Mr Etty to assist in regulating the state of the Lodge, and redressing from time to time any inconveniences that may arise.
Edward Thompson, Gr. Mr.”
“May 4, 1730. – At a private Lodge at Mr Colling’s, being the Sign of ye White Swan in
Petergate, York, it was ordered by the Dep. Master then present – That if from thenceforth any of the officers of ye Lodge should be absent from ye Company at ye Monthly Lodges, they shall forfeit the sum of one shilling for each omission. John Wilmer, Deputy Grand Master”
It is a well known fact that there are no records prior to 1717 of the “Four Old Lodges” and one is led to believed that these so called “Four Old Lodges” do not antedate those of the new “Grand Lodge” they brought into existence, as fortunately happens in the case of the Old York Grand Lodge which blossomed into the Grand Lodge of all England, held at York.
The Old York Grand Lodge of 1705-12 and 1725, is the same as the one alluded to in the Minster Archives of the fourteenth century.
It is remarkable to see that there are detailed records of the Old Grand Lodge at York (Even when many have been burned and many others MSS are now “missing”), when no records can be found of the obscure activities of the “Four Old London Lodges”.
A speech delivered by Francis Drake, F.R.S., Junior Grand Warden,” at the celebration of the Festival of St John the Evangelist in 1726.
Drake’s states that “The first Grand Lodge ever held in England, was held at York”. (1)
(1) – A Speech delivered to the Worshipful and Ancient Society of Free and Accepted Masons at a Grand Lodge, held at Merchants’ Hall, in the City of York, on St John’s Day, December 27, 1726. The Right Worshipful Charles Bathurst, Esq., Grand Master” (1st edit., Thomas Gent, York, 1727, circa. Reprinted, London, 1729 and 1734; also by Hughan, Masonic Sketches, 1871).
The “Old Charges” explicitly refer to Prince Edwin temp. Athelstan, as being the medium of procuring for the Masons the privilege of holding their Assemblies once a year, where they would, one of which was held at York.
Hargrove states that ” In searching the Archives of Masonry, we find the first Lodge was
instituted in this city (York) at a very early period; indeed, even prior to any other recorded in England. It was termed “The Most Ancient Grand Lodge of all England, and was instituted at York by King Edwin in 926, as appears by the following curious extract from the ancient records of the Fraternity”. Hughan informs that the extract he had sent him (and which he inserted in his “Old Charges,” in reference to York) from Hargrove’s History, 1818, p. 476, is deficient in the following line, ” and gave them the charter and commission to meet annually in communicaytion.” This clause is peculiar to the MS. noted by Hargrove, which so far has escaped detection.
The first writer who treated the subject of Masonry in York at any length was Findel, (History of Freemasonry, pp. 83, 158-170). Many of the articles dealing with York, and its unrivalled Archives, in the late Freemasons Magazine, represent work, which in other hands would have assumed the proportion of volumes.
Among those members of the Craft, to whose researches we are chiefly indebted for the MSS of York and its Freemasons, which lie scattered throughout the more ephemeral literature of the Craft, are some to whom we may be allowed to allude. The name of the late E. W. Shaw was familiar to a past generation of Masonic readers, not less so that of the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, whose former labours, indeed, have been eclipsed by later ones. Mr T. B. Whytehead and Mr Joseph Todd may be next referred to, both diligent explorers of Masonic Antiquities, and to whose local knowledge, visitors at the old shrine of Yorkshire Masonry are so much indebted.
Evidently it was the custom to style the ordinary meetings of the York Brethren “Private Lodges,” those held on the Festival Days in June and December being entitled ” General”, or “St John’s ” Lodges. It appears that brethren who temporarily presided, in the absence of the Presidents and Grand Masters, were described as Masters, but I do not consider they were the actual Masters of the Lodge, not only because there were three Brethren so entitled, who occupied the chair at the meetings held on July 21, August 10 and 12, September 6, and December 1, 1725, but because the Rulers at that period were named Presidents. The regular monthly meetings were apparently distinct from the “Private Lodges” the latter being additional to the ordinary assemblies, and it may wen be, were convened exclusively for ” makings.” The numerous gatherings of the Lodge indicate that do interest of the members was well sustained, at least for a time.
