M. W. Brother W. S. Rockwell who wrote the history

of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, first published as a part of its Ahiman Rezon in 1859, repeated a statement made in 1856,
15 M.F.M. 354
that “‘it is not altogether certain that the date A.D. 1730 is erroneous as to the time when the power was conferred upon Roger Lacy; although no formal government ex- isted in the colony of Georgia until 1733, yet the terri- tory now occupied by the State was then under the gov- ernment of Carolina.” But he either forgot or did not know that in 1730 there was not a white settlement any- where in the province—the whole territory was a wilder- ness, the hunting ground of savages.
It cannot seriously be contended that the Grand Mas- ter of England actually granted the necessary powers for a Provincial Grand Lodge to be erected among the sub- jects of Chief Tomochichi. Until the landing of Ogle- thorpe with his emigrants in January, 1732/3, the only white man known to be in what is now Georgia, was a trader by the name of Musgrove, who was married to a half breed named Mary.
2 History of Ga. (Stevens) 89.
As further authority, Brother Rockwell quotes Clavel’s “Histoire Pittoresque de la France Maconnerie”’ (1884) and Ragon’s “‘Orthodoxie Macconnique” (1853). How- ever, it 1s well known that as a historian no reliance can
be placed upon Clavel. Ragon undoubtedly copied the
EARLIEST TRACES 63
error which Webb made in his first edition and Clavel evidently copied from Ragon.
For Brother Rockwell’s views and the conclusive reply of R. W. Charles W. Moore, see
15 M.F.M. 353-362.
The date 1730 published in Webb’s Monitor was per- haps a typographical error, but in any event Webb recog- nized the mistake and corrected it at his first possible opportunity. It does seem rather far fetched to try to justify Webb’s error without a single fact or authority upon which to base such justification.
See page 138, infra.
WaleMay 13, Philadelphia.
“Some Information concerning the Society called Free- masons,” quoted from Chambers Universal Dictionary, is published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, and in the same issue is a notice of a Masonic meeting in Dublin.
1731, June 24, Philadelphia.
In January, 1884, the discovery was reported of a book known as “Libr B” containing a statement of the finan- cial affairs of the assemblages of the Brethren in Phila- delphia for about seven years. It begins with this date and is the oldest American Lodge account book known. See page 31. From it we are warranted in concluding that on this day and previously the Brethren of Phila- delphia assembled as heretofore pointed out. Like all meetings in Philadelphia, Boston, and elsewhere in the Colonies at this period the Lodge was neither “Regular” nor “Duly Constituted.”” From the entries in “Libr B,” we learn that there were fourteen members of the Lodge
64 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
at this time. Under this date ‘Libr B” charges the en- trance fees of John Hobart (Hubert), Mark Joyce, and Thomas Rodman (Redman), and the remainder of the fees of Benjamin Franklin and Henry Pratt.
“Libr B” and accounts in the Pennsylvania Gazette for the next two years refer to a “Grand Master,”’ etc. Brother Gould correctly states, however, that no linger- ing doubt now remains as to the ““Lodge”’ and the “Grand Lodge’ being one and the same body.
IV Gould 234, 361, 363.
Concerning “Libr B” and Brother Sachse’s contention concerning early American Freemasonry, see his work called “Old Masonic Lodges in Philadelphia.”
A page of “Libr B” is here reproduced.
H7Sleduly 3: Philadelphia. L.B. charges Thomas Whitemarsh’s entrance fee.
1731, July 22, Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Gazette publishes an account of a Masonic meeting in London.
1731, August 2, Philadelphia. Entries in L.B. indicate a meeting.
1731, September 6, Philadelphia. Entries in L.B. indicate a meeting.
1731, September 9, Philadelphia.
In Franklin’s Journal under some date after Septem- ber 9, 1731, but probably before October 16, is the entry, “Blanks for Mason’s 100 —5..——”
FJ.
ve 4a
* a Mak co 7 es To. Rite @ TROT
J
A OA oe emma a =
fo dict as fos Be
ore £
ee -
: 2 iy vias
EARLIEST TRACES 65
1731, September 27, —_ Boston.
The Weekly Rehearsal publishes an account of the installation at Dublin of the Right Honourable Lord Kingston as Grand Master of Ireland on July 7, 1731.
P—t.
1731, October 4, Philadelphia. Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
Bie 79. 7N eee
ly Servusts ier’ (Cteecore, ? CASI Be Aut ? gee ves Qbnknerd 2} — fo gee \| Bihaths forGllarone , op sad? ? a sae Ge CLEC ans, Qt 16) Cov ee oy
ey (2. | a. o
FACSIMILE OF ENTRY IN FRANKLIN'S JOURNAL
1731, November 1, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1731, December 6, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
1731/2, January 3, Philadelphia.
Entries in L. B. indicate a meeting.
66 FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA
1731/2, February 7, Philadelphia.