Mount Moriah History from 1853 to 1978

Warrant Dated
January 11, 1854

“Mount Moriah History from 1853 to 1978”



Author: The Most Worshipful Lewis M. Parker

(Editor and Transcriber: Brother William S. Jennings - Lodge Historian)
Introduction:
The plans for the observance of the 125th Anniversary of Mount Moriah Lodge included the preparation of a history of the organization. As Historian of the Lodge, I undertook the task.

The primary source of such a history is the Minutes of the Lodge, and Mount Moriah is fortunate in having a complete set from the beginning. These I have read in their entirety. I have gleaned from their pages such items as I hope will be found interesting, informative and illustrative of the progress of the Lodge.

I am indebted to our first Worshipful Master, Brother Robert C. Buzby, for his account of the formation of the Lodge, and I am especially indebted to Right Worshipful Clifford J. Whiteley for his thorough and painstaking research concerning the earliest years of Mount Moriah.
The preparation of this history has been a most interesting and rewarding experience. I have had the privilege of living, vicariously, through 125 years of time. It has been almost with a feeling of awe that I have repeatedly read that a petition was received by the Lodge, the man was elected, he later served as an officer and as Worshipful Master, and then finally there are the minutes of the Emergent Communication, called to conduct a Masonic funeral rite over his remains.
I have realized that although circumstances and material things may change, people do not. Our Brethren of former times met in a Lodge room illuminated by gas light and heated by wood stoves. Although the outward scene changes continually, one constant thing throughout these 125 years has been the dedication of earnest men to the principles of our Order.
I am reminded of the French proverb - The more it changes, the more it is the same thing.”
I would close this history of Mount Moriah, a Lodge which has meant so much to so many men, with a paraphrase of Tennyson’s lines about the brook, “For men may come and men may go. But the Lodge goes on forever.”
So Mote It Be.
Lewis M. Parker
“In the Beginning…”
The first permanent settler on the American continent known to have been a Mason was John Skene, a member of the Lodge at Aberdeen in Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1682, and settled on lands only a few miles distant from our Masonic Home at Burlington, New Jersey. An unknown number of Masons from the Old World followed Brother Skene to these shores. Daniel Coxe, the first Provincial Grand Master in America, resided in Burlington for a number of years, and is buried in Old Saint Mary’s Church (in Burlington). Slowly, a few Lodges were formed in the colony and state of New Jersey, and in 1786, the Grand Lodge of New Jersey came into being.
Doubtless, there were members of the fraternity living in Bordentown during many of its early years, but it is not until 1843 that there is any record of an attempt to form a local Lodge. In July of that year, a consultation took place between the following Brethren who were the only Master Masons known to be residing in the neighborhood at that time, namely, William McKnight, Rev. J.W. Lathrop, Captain McCall, Robert C. Buzby, Commodore Charles Stewart and Isaac Field, Sr.
Owing to the death of Brother Lathrop and a loss of interest of several of the above-mentioned Brethren, the subject was dropped and not revived until April, 1853 when seven Brethren, namely, Robert C. Buzby, James W. Allen, William Porter, William Nutt, John Holland, Robert Fenton and John O’Conner met at the home of Brother James W. Allen at 104 Prince Street to discuss the matter. A second meeting was held at the hotel of Edward Bartlett, corner of Main and Crosswicks Streets, at which all seven Brethren were present, plus Captain Charles Hinkle.
At this meeting, it was determined to apply to the Grand Master for a dispensation to open and hold a Lodge in Bordentown and it was further resolved that the following Brethren should be the officers named in the application, namely:

Robert C. Buzby, Worshipful Master

James W. Allen, Senior Warden

William Porter, Junior Warden

Our founding Brethren lost no time in pursuing their goal. The minutes of Trenton Lodge No. 5 for May 3, 1853, records the following: “Whereas, a number of Brethren of the fraternity of the Borough of Bordentown, Burlington County, being desirous of organizing a Masonic Lodge in said Borough and inasmuch as the regulations of Grand Lodge require that the Petition should be recommended by the nearest Lodge, Therefore, Resolved that this Lodge do recommend the Petition to the Grand Master and hope their prayer may be granted.”

(Thank you Trenton Lodge No. 5 for being our sponsor!)
Pursuant to notice given by the Grand Master, a number of Brethren assembled in Bordentown on July 8, 1853 for the purpose of organizing the new Lodge. The original seven Brethren appeared as the petitioners.
The Grand Lodge was represented by Edward Stewart, Grand Master; Samuel

Reed, Deputy Grand Master; George H. Curtis, Senior Grand Warden pro-tem;

Samuel B. Scattergood, Junior Grand Warden pro-tem; Joseph H. Hough, Grand

Secretary; James M. Cassedy, Grand Treasurer pro-term; Samuel H. Carey, Grand Junior Deacon pro-tem; John G. Vanderbelt, Grand Tyler pro-tem.

Trenton Lodge No. 5 was represented by Joseph H. Hough, William Kerwoil,

and William Brown; Mount Holly Lodge No. 14 by George W. Curtis, William T.

Black and Aaron Johnson; Camden Lodge No.15 by James M. Cassedy; Amwell

Lodge No. 12 at Lambertville by S.W. Merrick, Samuel Solliday, E.G. Clark, and

John T. Neeley.
Bristol Lodge No. 25 (Pennsylvania) was represented by John Dorrance, Worshipful Master (grandfather of John Dorrance who founded the Campbell Soup Company). Past Master L.H. Scott, John Booze, William Labran, Jesse W. Knight, Pugh Dungan, Charles T. Johnson, A.W. Gilkyson and William Kinsey; Doylestown Lodge No. 245 (Pennsylvania) by Past Master John W. Fry; Lafayette; Lodge No. 71 (Philadelphia) by Jacob C. Hamilton; Montgomery Lodge No. 19 (Philadelphia) by Charles Hand and James D. Campbell.
The Throne of Grace was addressed by Past Master Scott, and a special Grand Lodge opened. A dispensation was read authorizing and empowering the Brothers therein named to confer the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, and work after the Ancient York Masons.
The following officers were duly installed and set to work: Robert C. Buzby, Worshipful Master; James W. Allen, Senior Warden and William Porter, Junior Warden.
The following officers were afterward appointed: Robert Fenton - Secretary; William Nutt - Treasurer and John O’Connor - Tyler.
After these formalities the special Grand Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment, and Mount Moriah Lodge No. 28 of Bordentown, New Jersey, was duly opened.
The first meeting place of the new Lodge was in a building no longer in existence, on the west side of the 200 block of Prince Street. It was a long narrow three story frame building owned by the Sons of Temperance. Our Lodge met in a large room on the third floor reached by a side entrance on the north.

Our Founding Brethren
Robert C. Buzby, a railroad clerk, was probably the moving spirit in the formation of the Lodge. He was made a Mason in Trenton Lodge No. 5 in 1831, and affiliated with Camden Lodge No. 15 (then No. 45) in 1838. Brother Buzby served as Junior Warden for that Lodge in 1840. He was subsequently made the first Worshipful Master of Mount Moriah Lodge and served in that office through 1858. In 1859 he was Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in 1860, and Deputy Grand Master in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865. His portrait in our ante-room with his flowing white beard could almost be a likeness to King to Solomon himself. He died in 1887, highly respected and revered by his Brethren.
James W. Allen, a civil engineer, was a member of Bristol Lodge No. 25 of

Pennsylvania. He served as Senior Warden of Mount Moriah Lodge in 1853 and

1854. He was Treasurer in 1855 and Worshipful Master in 1859 (succeeding Brother Buzby). He was also active in Grand Lodge, serving as the Grand Sword Bearer in 1863, and Grand Steward in 1864 and 1865.
William Porter, a coachman, demitted from Mount Holly Lodge No. 14, and became the first Junior Warden of Mount Moriah in 1853. He continued in that office until 1854, and was Senior Warden in 1856 & 1857. In 1858 he became Treasurer and continued until 1859. He died in 1864 and was buried with Masonic ceremonies.
William Nutt, a boiler maker, demitted from Mount Holly Lodge No. 14, and served as Treasurer of Mount Moriah in 1853 and 1854.

Robert Fenton, a carpenter, demitted from Palestine Lodge No. 204 (of New York), and was our Secretary in 1853 and 1854.
John Holland, an engineer, came from Camden Lodge No. 15. He served as our Lodge’s first Senior Deacon. He died in 1855.
John O’Connor, a laborer, served as Tyler from 1853 until his death in 1857. He demitted from a Lodge in Georgia. His exact Masonic origin is unknown because the minutes state the certificate presented by him, “Was submerged by the freshet (the flood of a river from heavy rain or melted snow) of February 1857, and in drying became completely obliterated.”


The following accounts are taken from Lodge “Minutes of the Meeting.”
1853



W.M. - Robert C. Buzby
S.W. - James W. Allen

J.W. - William Porter
At the first meeting of the new Lodge on July 25^th, By-Laws were adopted and three petitions were received. On August 10^th, all three petitioners were elected and Daniel Mershon, being called, received the Entered Apprentice degree. (There are frequent references throughout the minutes of a candidate receiving the first degree the same night he was elected.) Samuel B. Dougherty, the first man passed and raised, received the Fellowcraft Degree on September 14^th and the Master Mason on November 19^th.
During the five months of the first year’s operation, the Grand Master visited the Lodge three times, filling the Worshipful Master’s station each time, apparently to get the officers off to a good start. On two other occasions, visiting Past Masters replaced the Master in conferring degrees to which he had not yet acquired full proficiency.
The initiation fee appears to have been $10.00 upon entering, and $5.00 for the Master Mason.
The record of the Annual Communication in December is truly startling. In addition to routine business the work consisted of receiving reports and balloting upon four candidates, receiving four new petitions, entering two candidates, conferring the Master Mason degree upon two candidates and electing and installing officers for the ensuing year. (What a night!)

1854
W.M. - Robert C. Buzby
S.W. -James W. Allen

J.W. - William Porter
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge on January 11^th, the Grand Master reported that he had given a dispensation for the formation of a Lodge at Bordentown, and recommended that the Grand Lodge issue a warrant to the said Lodge. The Grand Lodge concurred, and our warrant is dated January 11, 1854 (our legal birthday).
Aprons and collars were purchased at a cost of $52.00 and 8 officers’ jewels were bought for $30.00. Rent for 32 meetings amounted to $24.00.
Invitation was received from Bristol Lodge to attend the dedication of their Hall. Instruction was given to members enabling them to make their way into a strange Lodge.
Compensation for the Tyler was set at $1.00 for each stated meeting, and 50 cents for each special one.
Notices were received from several Lodges reporting expulsion of members. (It appears to have been a rather common practice to send such notices to Brother Lodges.)
1855
W.M. - Robert C. Buzby

S.W. - Samuel B. Dougherty

J.W. - Charles C. Buzby
Following the meeting of January 3^rd, there appears this unusual postscript: “Instead of $2.50, as his bill called for, John O’Connor received three dollars owing to the want of silver.”
A petition for membership was presented but, “When the opinions of some members were made known to the Lodge, it was deemed prudent by the Voice of said Lodge to reject the same: It was accordingly withdrawn.”
It was recommended that the Lodge have a seal and a committee was appointed to procure the same.
Following the conferring of the Master Mason degree upon Brother Edward A. Foggo, then Rector of Christ Church, “It was moved, seconded and passed that the usual fee of initiation be remitted and no charge made to Brother Foggo, owing to his being a preacher of the gospel, as is customary in most Lodges.”
The first death recorded is that of one of the Charter Members, Brother John Holland. The minutes record the following: “Resolved, that the Treasurer be authorized to make enquiry of the widow of Brother John Holland, whether she was in need of assistance. But the Lodge, being informed that the W.M. and Brother Edwin Lockwood had on the morning after Brother Holland’s demise, had already done so; having found her under some difficulty, and paid her the sum of twenty dollars, which was ordered to be refunded. It was further resolved that she should receive afterwards such assistance as she might require.”
At one meeting, the Tyler asked for $15.00 to be advanced to him and, “The same to be refunded when the remuneration of his station amounted thereto.”
During the year, an episode occurred which evidently caused a great commotion in the Lodge. A Brother refused to vote on a petition, stating that he was not present when the petition was received. The Lodge voted not to excuse him from voting, but he refused anyway. (The petitioner was elected.)
At a following meeting, charges of un-Masonic conduct were preferred against the offending Brother, “For using undue influence against petitioners and making threats, respecting the same and refusing to vote on a candidate after the Lodge had refused to excuse him from voting.”
A committee was appointed to consider the charges and the affair reached such proportions that the Deputy Grand Master paid a visit to the Lodge, inquiring into the matter. In due course, a majority committee report (one member not signing), sustained the charges and recommended the offender to the mercy of the Lodge. The affair finally ended peacefully when the Brother made a suitable apology and it was ordered that, “The charge and report and all loose papers concerning said business be burned.”
(There were certainly some lively meetings, but the minutes of each of them end with the usual phrase, “The Lodge closed in Harmony.”)
The Lodge felt the need for more adequate quarters, and a committee was appointed to consider the matter. The minutes of the Annual Communication of December 12^th read as follows, “The committee appointed to confer with the Directors of the Bordentown Hall reports that they had done so and rented a room for $62.50 per year, and the same would be subdivided and walls deafened as directed, and pipes put in so as to bring the gas to the branches. The report was perfectly satisfactory and the committee was continued with further instructions to see that the walls, etc. were done to their wish.”
The Bordentown Hall referred to is our present building. It was erected by the Bordentown Hall Association, a joint stock venture of a number of citizens for the purpose of providing rental space for businesses, groups and special activities. The minutes of the Lodge for many years gives its’ meeting place as City Hall Building (giving the erroneous impression of a municipal building).
1856
W.M. - Robert C. Buzby

S.W. - William Porter

J.W. - Charles C. Buzby
The Deputy Grand Master, in his report to Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication said, “Bordentown Lodge No. 28 is advancing steadily in moral worth as well as members.”
Early in the year, a Committee was appointed with full power to have the room to which the Lodge intended moving, “Furnished and fitted up as they deem necessary and to see what could be done concerning the financing thereof.”
On June 11^th, the first communication of the Lodge was held in its new room on the third floor of Bordentown Hall. This meeting was largely attended by members and visitors - included in the latter were ten members from the newly formed Hightstown Lodge No. 41.
The cost of the Lodge furnishings is listed as $228.14 and this was probably met largely by subscriptions.
The Master was authorized to purchase a hat for the presiding officer and a Committee was appointed to procure stoves for the Lodge Room.
1857
W.M. - Robert C. Buzby

S.W. - William Porter

J.W. - George W. Pitman
Brother John O’Connor, another charter member of the Lodge, died in February. Resolutions were adopted on his death commend his family, “To the care of the Great Architect of the Universe.” But later entries reveal that the Brethren did not leave the widow entirely to the Almighty. They provided material aid to lighten her burdens - at one time sending ½ ton of coal and 100 pounds flour.
The dues of Brother James M. Quimby were remitted and a certificate of good standing given him, as he intended going West.
Brother Sal de Ranyers of Mariampol Lodge, Little Russia, visited the Lodge and, “Made known to some of the Brothers of his being in straightened circumstances and producing satisfactory evidences and desirous of continuing his journey back to his native country. It was moved, seconded and passed that the sum of ten dollars be presented to him for his aid.”
In a like vein, a visiting Brother from Westfield, Massachusetts, made known he was in destitute circumstances and desired to return to Westfield. The Lodge provided him with five dollars.
A Committee was appointed to make inquiries regarding the procuring of 2 Columns for the proper furnishing of our Lodge Room, and the same to be procured by voluntary contributions from members, as far as possible and convenient.
A donation of $10.00 was made to the Ladies Aid Society of Bordentown. (What this organization was remains a mystery.)
1858
W.M. - Robert C. Buzby

S.W. - John Shaw

J.W. - George W. Pittman
The Committee appointed to obtain two Columns fulfilled its task very capably and reported the cost as being $53.24. Subscriptions received $54.50, leaving a balance for the Lodge of $1.26.
A letter received from a Lodge in Vermont warning of a Masonic impostor with many aliases, “Age 35 or 36, Irishman or Scotchman as suits best.”
Wood for the stoves was purchased at $2.12, and 84 cents paid for cleaning the stairway.
Charges were preferred against Brother-- “For un-Masonic conduct in dealing with several Brethren,” also for, “Giving checks upon the Bordentown Bank and not having money there to meet the same.” A trial was held and “the vote (for expulsion) taken by rising, which resulted unanimously by 23 Brethren rising to their feet.
It was reported that Brother-- had informed a person, not a Mason, of what transpired in the Lodge. He was ordered to appear at the next meeting. He did so and was exonerated but warned to be careful about talking.
At the 1858 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, Grand Master Joseph Trimble recommended the appointment of a Grand Lecturer to provide, “Uniformity and correctness of Masonic labor and practice,” and to report “As to the proficiency of the Lodges.” The recommendation was adopted and Worshipful Brother George Waters of Lafayette Lodge No. 27, at Rahway, was appointed to the office.
At our annual communication of December 8^th, the Master reported that Brother Waters had visited this Lodge on December 2, 3, 4, and 6, for the purpose of imparting the revised work. We may note with pride the report to Grand Lodge (by Brothers Waters) of his reception in Bordentown, “I visited this Lodge December 2^nd, and remained five days. Thus, notice had been given of my intention to do so, the Brethren were in a comparative state of readiness to attend to my instruction. Arrangements were entered in which two sessions should be held each day. Without exception, the Brethren engaged in the acquisition of the work with great energy and zeal.”
The long service of Brother Robert C. Buzby as Worshipful Master came to an end. The minutes for the annual communication contain the following statement of the gratitude of the Brethren, “Resolved that the thanks of this Lodge be returned to Past Master Buzby for the impartial manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office as Master of the same. Also for the deep interest he has taken in Masonry by promoting that emulation which is calculated to build up a Lodge and preserve Harmony among the Brethren.”
A “Past Masters Regalia” was ordered and obtained for Brother Buzby. This was subsequently done at a cost of $21.00.
1859
W.M. - James W. Allen

S.W. - John Shaw

J.W. - Henry Brown
The Grand Lecturer, Brother Waters, again visited the Lodge on February 23^rd, at which time two candidates were entered, and being initiated by him. Four weeks later, one of these candidates was examined as to his proficiency in the Entered Apprentice Degree, the first record of any such examination, from which it is reasonable to believe the custom of determining the candidate’s proficiency originated with the uniform ritual adopted in 1858.
The young Lodge was desirous of obtaining a home of its own, as is shown by the minutes of June 22^nd, “The Committee appointed at the Special Meeting to purchase the Sons of Temperance Hall, reported that they bid until the price went beyond the limit allowed by the Lodge, they therefore did not purchase.”
A communication was received from the Ladies Mount Vernon Association, asking for assistance in preserving as a National Shrine, the home of the Father of our Country, our Brother George Washington. A Committee of the Lodge solicited donations for this cause and a gift of $16.00 was sent.
On August 24^th, a Committee was appointed, “To procure a wax taper for the purpose of conveying light from the East, to the three lesser lights in Masonry.” (We in this day and age would appreciate a little further illumination - about this.)
A water cooler was purchased for three dollars.
Seven dollars were paid for the board of a sick Brother.

On November 23^rd, Brother Buzby visited the Lodge in his official capacity as Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden.

1860 - The Civil War Years
W.M. - John Shaw

S.W. - Charles C. Buzby

J.W. - William R. Haffelfinger
Brother Haffelfinger, who was elected Junior Warden this year related to MOST WORSHIPFUL Richard C. Woodward many years ago, the story of some of the old furniture in the Lodge.
Bordentown at this time was an important railroad center of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, and its shops were located at White Hill (now Fieldsboro). Many of our Lodge members were employed at these shops. The practice of using elaborate ornamentation in the railroad cars brought expert wood-workers and carvers to the vicinity. Some of these craftsmen, including Brother Haffelfinger, devoted considerable time and effort in the evenings at the Lodge Room, painstakingly fabricating this furniture by hand. There were three pedestals, each in a different order of architecture, the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, and a beautiful altar.
Permission was granted to the Delaware Fire Engine Company, to use our anteroom the evening of their Ball, and a like permission to the Library Association for the evening of December 31^st. It is probable that both these groups were also using the large Hall on the second floor of the building on these occasions.
The Secretary was granted $10.00 per year and his dues remitted.
A substantial appropriation was made for the relief of a widow of a Brother.
Six members were suspended for NPD.
Past Master John Rodgers of Burlington Lodge No. 32, delivered his Lecture on Masonry.
The Senior Grand Warden, Brother Buzby, visited the Lodge in his official capacity at the Annual Communication on December 26^th, and installed the officers with the exception of the Worshipful Master (whom he installed at a later meeting).